Celebrating 15 Years of The Buzz Magazines

The Buzz Magazines team celebrating 15 Buzzworthy years: (front row, from left) Amber Lewis, Andy Blitzer, Jennifer Oakley, Sharon Brier, Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld, Joni Hoffman, Michael Hoffman, Annie Blaylock McQueen, Angie Frederickson, Andria Frankfort, Leslie Little, Russell Weil; (back row, from left) John Duboise, Cheryl Ursin, Helen Van Rensburg, Michelle Casas Groogan, Todd Freed, Cheryl Laird, Kim Montgomery 

The Buzz Magazines celebrated our 15th anniversary Thurs., Feb. 23 at Kirby Grove. A brand-new, beautiful office building, we loved having the opportunity to fill the currently-empty 6th-floor space with 500 advertisers, vendors, residents and long-time supporters. Levy Park next door – which had its Grand (re)Opening celebration yesterday – provided a stunning backdrop, all lit up at night.

Fifteen years of Buzz covers were displayed on 80-inch monitors, along with names of all of our advertisers and partners.

The festivities included music by pianist Kelly Dean followed by DJ Matt Murdock who provided an energetic set, mixing old school with contemporary hits, “buzzworthy” cocktails, incredible bites by Charlie’s & Co. Events and Catering including a carving station, sliders and ceviche, delicious desserts by Chef Smirnov Catering, coffee drinks by Java Pura Coffee Roasters, entertainment by magician Dante who came in from New Orleans and so much more. As they left the party, guests were handed a sweet treat to end the night – cookies from Michael’s Cookie Jar plus cartons of milk.

Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Cohen (on right) honored The Buzz Magazines with a Certificate of Recognition. 

A highlight of the evening was a Certificate of Recognition from the Office of Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Cohen given to The Buzz Magazines in honor of our 15th anniversary. The certificate recognizes The Buzz for providing Houston with local, original news and human interest stories in Bellaire, Memorial, River Oaks, Tanglewood and West University. City Council Member Ellen Cohen was introduced by Greg Hassell, executive director, Media Relations at JPMorgan Chase & Co. Greg was instrumental in giving Michael and Joni Hoffman the encouragement to establish The Bellaire Buzz in 2001.

Thank you to all of our vendors who made the night so amazing: Midway Companies (Kirby Grove), Charlie’s & Co Events and Catering, Chef Smirnov Catering, Java Pura Coffee Roasters, Michael’s Cookie Jar, Bacardi, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Total Wine & More, Any Occasion Party Rental, Culinary Eye Candy, Texas Pro-Audio Rentals, Elaine’s Florist & Gift Baskets, Praetorian Protective Services Corporation, Kim Coffman Photography, Laura Howey Photography, Kelly Dean, DJ Matt Murdock, Laz Parking, Sharp Cleaning Houston, LetourneauKeller, Magic by Dante.

Charlie’s & Co. Events and Catering provided a variety of delicious dishes including a carving station, sliders, ceviche, crudites, gourmet cheese and more.

Guests were greeted by the following students who helped with check in - handing every guest a VIP badge - as well as gathering names with the photographers, preparing the cookies and milk and more: Sarah Bass and Ella Morgan from The Kinkaid School, Celia Houston from Saint Thomas' Episcopal School, Madelyn Montgomery from Bellaire High School, Emma Montgomery from Pin Oak Middle School, Sara Koch and Sophia Wayne from Episcopal High School, Haley Kurisky from Rice University and Caroline Funderburk from University of Houston.

Some of the delicious, beautiful desserts provided by Chef Smirnov Catering. 

Thank you to all of our readers, advertisers and friends who celebrated with us on Thursday evening, and for all of your support over the last 15 years. Cheers to many more Buzzworthy years.

Check out our photo slideshow on our Facebook page (please feel free to tag yourselves or your friends!) and watch this video highlight of the evening by Dylan Aguilar.