Business News

•• Heights Hospitality Corporation, a Houston-based hotel management and operating company, has acquired the 260-room Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Galleria (7787 Katy Freeway) from Westmont Hospitality Corporation. Heights Hospitality Corporation is one of the first hotels in the worldwide Holiday Inn franchise system with openly gay owners. Edwin Leslie and Russell Coker, Heights residents who have been life partners for 11 years, joined with Tom Noons in acquiring the local Holiday Inn. Noons and his wife, Jackie, and their two children also live in Houston.

The new owners intend to make the hotel a "five star" Holiday Inn. "Our plans for the hotel include new ballrooms, additional meeting space of 4,000 square feet, a new 150-seat restaurant, new lobby bar, upgraded guest rooms, and many more features including a business center for guest use and high speed Internet access in every room," said Coker, who is Heights Hospitality Corporation operations manager.

As of April, Heights Hospitality had acquired the Houston property and signed contacts to purchase another Holiday Inn property in California and retained the option on a hotel in Miami, according to Edwin Leslie, chief operating officer. "Growing the company is a big part of our plan for the next five years, and the gay and lesbian tour and travel market will be a big part of that growth effort," Leslie said.

As part of the multi-million dollar renovation, the Bridge restaurant–with its 22-foot indoor waterfall–will open to hotel guests and the public in June. Executive chef Henry Hopkes has worked for several Houston restaurants, including the Houston Country Club and McCormick and Schmick’s.

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites is located at 7787 Katy Freeway between Antoine and Silber. The telephone number is 713/681-5000.

•• Bayou City Boys Club, Inc., has announced that Jungle X broke all records for attendance and funds raised. More than 1,500 people attended the 10th annual dance party on March 30. The $48,000 to be distributed directly to the Jungle X beneficiaries represented 160 percent of the fundraising goal. The beneficiaries are Casa de Esperanza, AIDS Foundation Houston Gay Men’s Health Initiative, Center for AIDS, Montrose Clinic Next Step Program, Steven’s House, PWA Coalition, and WAM Foundation. BCBC is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization whose mission is to raise money for Houston-area HIV/AIDS service providers, research, and education. For more information, contact Mike Collins at 713/758-4488 or visit www.bayoucityboysclub.org.

•• Houston's Grey Party, Inc. has donated $18,000 to three community-based charities. Houston Buyers Club, Bering/Omega Dental Clinic, and Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays—Houston each received $ 6,000. This latest series of donations by the fund and fun-raising group was made possible with the proceeds from last October's 19th annual Grey Party.

Individuals interested in becoming involved in Grey Party XX, scheduled for the fall, as either an underwriter or possible host, can contact Ron Foster at 713/528-4700 or RonFoster50@hotmail.com.

•• The Galveston Island Lesbian, Transgender, Bisexual & Gay Chamber of Commerce is now the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce. Alan Bourgeois is the executive director of sales and marketing for the chamber. Corey Cole of Ryan Express Mortgage is vice president, and Ryan Harris of Online Database Management has joined the board of directors as a board member at large.

•• Bunnies On The Bayou Inc., held on March 31, exceeded the fundraising goal by bringing in slightly more than $48,000 for distribution to eight organizations: AIDS Foundation Houston, The Assistance Fund, AssistHers, Houston Area Teen Coalition of Homosexuals, Montrose Clinic, Montrose Counseling Center, People With AID Coalition, and Steven’s House. More than 2,000 people attended the event. Bunnies on the Bayou, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to raising and distributing funds for various charitable, educational, and cultural programs.

•• GoGirlsMusic.com is looking for contributors and sponsors of its first "girls night out" pride event on Friday, June 28. Six local bands will perform at the event, to be held at the Rhythm Room (1815 Washington). The Houston Lesbian & Gay Community Center is the co-sponsor.

Houston-based GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest online community of independent women artists, has produced music fests in 20 cities across the country. "Music has always been a common ground for the women of Houston," says Madalyn Sklar, GoGirlsMusic.com founder. "Whether it is at a concert or in our local clubs, not only do we enjoy the entertainment but also the opportunity to fellowship with other women."

Interested individuals and organizations can contact GoGirls Music at info@GoGirlsMusic.com.