Like silk. That’s the best word to describe the Dell Children’s Gala at the Austin Convention Center on Saturday. Supple, smooth, classy. Few hard sells. Many opportunities to reflect on the value Dell Children’s Medical Center brings to Central Texas and beyond. Steve and Amy Robertson Too large for any other traditional gala venue, Dell Children’s takes over the upper reaches of the convention center. (A volleyball tourney occupied the lower southwest quadrant.) Check-in was effortless, and the black-tie guests ascended the double escalators with regal calm. José and Lissandra Adames A few wrinkles waited in the upper lobby. Bar stations were ...

“Friday Night Lights” has run long enough to record a string of beginnings and endings. Newborn Luca Verde was selected appear in the series’ season finale when it was filmed back in November. Son of Austin’s Kevin Verde, chief technical officer for the Jason’s Deli chain, and his wife, Jen, Luca was chosen from images casting directors found at Pinkle Toes Photography. The parents reported that director Michael Waxman dubbed Luca a “one take wonder,” fussy or dramatic as the scene required. “We watch little TV and actually never saw ‘Friday Night Lights’ before,” said dad Kevin Verde. “This ...