Houston's oil people celebrate gas prices--- at a $100,000 party.

[rainbow4321]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/DN-houjournal_24tex.ART.State.Edition1.a3b824.html

The latest evidence that good times are rolling again in the nation's oil capital: Several hundred people attended a weekend bash celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Petroleum Club of Houston.

The black-tie event called attention to change – not only the new vigor in the industry, but the changing role of downtown eating clubs.

There have been years – notably 1986, the year oil fell below $10 a barrel – when the meeting place atop the 44-story ExxonMobil tower wasn't a happy place. But $70 oil fills enough wallets to underwrite a $100,000 party.

To broaden, the club has reached outside the industry and started a young professionals group, prorating the $3,500 initiation fee over early years of membership and even adding a billiard table. Some new members are not even in the oil business. The club took in a group of physicians.