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Claudia Contreras, Tara Deneke Ali Dodson Mark & Laura Dalton 28 SMALL STEPS, BIG POCKETS A POOLSIDE DINNER UNDER THE STARS IS A GIANT LEAP FOR SMALL STEPS. Shelby Hodge en plein air. Photography Chinh Phan. S cions of old guard gentility and mannerly newcomers wafted through a gauntlet of champagne-bearing waiters as they arrived for the Small Steps Wine Classic. The al fresco evening spread out behind the coun- try-club manor house, where dinner tables were set beneath an open-sided tent, and the pool perimeter and verdant gardens welcomed late-night schmooz- ing. River Oaks Country Club sommelier Christian Varas curated wine selections to complement chef Les Binnick's food — the fi ne wines served are what give the annual event its name. In all, the handsome gathering of 500 raised more than $605,000 for the Small Steps Nurturing Center. PRETTY PEOPLE: Chairs Kathy and John Nelson and Sarah and Gregg Snyder; guests Merritt and Jon Marinelli, Erin and Boyd Heath, Katie and A.J. Brass, Katie and Ed Bialas, Emily and Chad Covey, Liz and Brian Dinerstein, Kristen and Brian McMackin, Georgia and Brian Harmon, Callie Ann and Brian Stahl, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, and Meredith and John Stilwell. See more Shelby Hodge at papercitymag.com. Brian & Callie Ann Stahl Liz & Brian Dinerstein Ed & Kate Bialas Erin & Boyd Heath Meredith & John Stilwell Katie Brass, Anna Scholtes Nathalie Stewart Co-chairs Sarah & Gregg Snyder Jon & Merritt Marinelli Rob & Maggie Vermillion Aaron & Laura Marie Thielhorn Mike & Leslie Fertitta Katherine & Doug George Estela & David Cockrell Alicia & Robert Kimmel