River Oaks Examiner - News
Bayou preservationists say what’s at stake
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| BPA board members Lynne Johnson, Colleen Holthouse and Claire Caudill gather to discuss plans for the gala. |
By MEGAN COOPER
The Bayou Preservation Association will host its annual fundraiser Sept. 18 at the River Oaks estate of Nijad and Zeina Fares on Kirby Drive.
“The house is magnificent,” said gala co-chair Brittany Zucker. “It’s a gorgeous property with unbelievable views of the bayou.”
Zucker said the architecture of the house really fits in with the overall theme, “Casablanca: An Oasis on the Bayou.”
With gigantic, beautiful palms swaying in the breeze against the backdrop of a grand, white Middle Eastern-style house, the property truly is an oasis on Buffalo Bayou.
The combination of this exotic setting and the Moroccan theme will likely have guests wondering if they’re still in Houston.
“We’ll have belly dancers and Middle-Eastern decor,” Zucker said.
After checking in, guests will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of items in a silent auction. Then, the real party begins.
With several food stations, guests will have no shortage of options. There will be a hibachi grill and a pizza oven, and deserts ranging from home-made Persian ice cream to baklava.
“We’ll have a mix of all the different flavors of Middle-Eastern countries,” Zucker said. “We want to have the best of everything.”
The gazebo, adorned with lanterns, will be set up like a lounge with daybeds and low, Moroccan-style seating.
Guests can visit henna tatoo artists and fortune-tellers.
A pool house will be set up like a piano bar, and another tent will have a disc jockey and dance floor.
BPA was founded in 1966 by nine homeowners along Buffalo Bayou in response to a plan by the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge and straighten the bayou.
“The BPA was formed to keep the government from channelizing Buffalo Bayou,” said Claire Caudill, BPA board member since the early 1980s.
“It’s a natural stream and we want it to stay a natural stream.”
The BPA consults with city and county officials on water quality and flood control issues, and works with other environmental groups to preserve natural resources.
It sponsors clean-up initiatives including the “Trash Bash” event at Terry Hershey Park each spring.
The BPA publishes a paddle trail guide of bayous, creeks and reservoirs for canoes and kayaks.
Like many others involved in BPA, Caudill is really excited.
“I’m can hardly wait to see the house,” she said. “We have really great chairs this year who have done such a great job.”
Zucker, a resident of Memorial, has a background in marketing and public relations, and has worked for several huge corporations like NBC and Disney.
After living in New York for several years, she returned to Houston to open and manage the Houston office of G.W. Armstrong & Associates, a Dallas-based full service advertising, public relations and marketing firm.
Kristen Cannon, a River Oaks resident, also lived and worked in New York City for several years before returning to Houston to dedicate herself to philanthropy. She has chaired several events around town, and established The Cannon Affair, an event coordinating service.
“Kristen and I are thrilled with the response so far,” Zucker said. “It’s going to be a wonderful mix of professionals from all age groups, mingling in an idyllic setting.”
Tickets to the gala start at $200 per person, and underwriting opportunities are available starting at $2,000.
For the first time, a lower rate of $125 per person will be offered to guests ages 35 and under.
“We want to attract young people,” Caudill said. “It’s important to get the younger generation involved.”
For information, call 713-524-2366. For information about BPA visit bayoupreservation.org.
“The house is magnificent,” said gala co-chair Brittany Zucker. “It’s a gorgeous property with unbelievable views of the bayou.”
Zucker said the architecture of the house really fits in with the overall theme, “Casablanca: An Oasis on the Bayou.”
With gigantic, beautiful palms swaying in the breeze against the backdrop of a grand, white Middle Eastern-style house, the property truly is an oasis on Buffalo Bayou.
The combination of this exotic setting and the Moroccan theme will likely have guests wondering if they’re still in Houston.
“We’ll have belly dancers and Middle-Eastern decor,” Zucker said.
After checking in, guests will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of items in a silent auction. Then, the real party begins.
With several food stations, guests will have no shortage of options. There will be a hibachi grill and a pizza oven, and deserts ranging from home-made Persian ice cream to baklava.
“We’ll have a mix of all the different flavors of Middle-Eastern countries,” Zucker said. “We want to have the best of everything.”
The gazebo, adorned with lanterns, will be set up like a lounge with daybeds and low, Moroccan-style seating.
Guests can visit henna tatoo artists and fortune-tellers.
A pool house will be set up like a piano bar, and another tent will have a disc jockey and dance floor.
BPA was founded in 1966 by nine homeowners along Buffalo Bayou in response to a plan by the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge and straighten the bayou.
“The BPA was formed to keep the government from channelizing Buffalo Bayou,” said Claire Caudill, BPA board member since the early 1980s.
“It’s a natural stream and we want it to stay a natural stream.”
The BPA consults with city and county officials on water quality and flood control issues, and works with other environmental groups to preserve natural resources.
It sponsors clean-up initiatives including the “Trash Bash” event at Terry Hershey Park each spring.
The BPA publishes a paddle trail guide of bayous, creeks and reservoirs for canoes and kayaks.
Like many others involved in BPA, Caudill is really excited.
“I’m can hardly wait to see the house,” she said. “We have really great chairs this year who have done such a great job.”
Zucker, a resident of Memorial, has a background in marketing and public relations, and has worked for several huge corporations like NBC and Disney.
After living in New York for several years, she returned to Houston to open and manage the Houston office of G.W. Armstrong & Associates, a Dallas-based full service advertising, public relations and marketing firm.
Kristen Cannon, a River Oaks resident, also lived and worked in New York City for several years before returning to Houston to dedicate herself to philanthropy. She has chaired several events around town, and established The Cannon Affair, an event coordinating service.
“Kristen and I are thrilled with the response so far,” Zucker said. “It’s going to be a wonderful mix of professionals from all age groups, mingling in an idyllic setting.”
Tickets to the gala start at $200 per person, and underwriting opportunities are available starting at $2,000.
For the first time, a lower rate of $125 per person will be offered to guests ages 35 and under.
“We want to attract young people,” Caudill said. “It’s important to get the younger generation involved.”
For information, call 713-524-2366. For information about BPA visit bayoupreservation.org.
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