UpClose Magazine - October 2025

GRAND

EXPANSION

Expanding Expanding Smiles CARE

by Alisha McMillen

Dr.

Rizwan Khan of Smile

Studio Orthodontics, one of Richmond’s leading orthodontist practices, experiencing expansion in more ways than one. “We’re expanding the size of our practice to take better care of our patients,” Dr. Khan explains. “And one of the crucial procedures an orthodontist performs is palatal expansion, a procedure that is recommended more frequently now than ever.”

Expanding Practice

Creating better smiles in the Richmond area for more than 15 years, Dr. Khan is excited to offer more services, higher capacity, and the space to add future associates soon. “We’re expanding into the space next door so our patients will have even more access to our services with the same stellar reputation we’re known for,” Dr. Khan continues. “We’ve been a five-star service since we started!”

Expanding Palates

Orthodontic expanders are appliances used to widen the upper and lower jaw. They work by applying gentle pressure to the bone, gradually expanding them and helping accommodate sometimes crowded teeth before they erupt. “There’s a lot of cutting-edge research about the benefits of expanders, but also many gray areas, so choosing expanders must be carefully navigated by an experienced orthodontist,” Dr. Khan explains.

Orthodontic expanders can provide numerous benefits such as correcting crossbites, aligning crowded teeth, and preventing future complications like tooth impaction. By widening the upper jaw, expanders can sometimes even improve nasal airflow and airway health, which can reduce issues like sleep-disordered breathing, snoring, and mouth breathing.

Why Experience Matters

“Early intervention is key,” Dr. Khan explains. “It’s a common misconception that you need to wait for all the baby teeth to emerge before being evaluated for orthodontic care. Certain growth issues can often only be fixed at an early age, often at just seven or eight years old.”

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children first visit an

orthodontist by the age of seven. “An early checkup allows the orthodontist to identify and address any developing problems early,” Dr. Khan continues. “At age seven, a child’s mouth and face are still developing, which gives a dentist time to identify and address problems to guide optimal growth.”

With 15+ years helping Fort Bend patients, Dr. Khan is distinctly qualified to manage everyone’s orthodontics care, regardless of age.

Referrals Not Required

“Referrals are never required at Smile Studio Orthodontics, so parents should make an evaluation appointment before it’s too late to make required changes,” Dr. Khan says.

Owned, managed, and operated by Dr. Khan himself, Smile Studio is “a medium-sized boutique practice with an emphasis on high-quality care, affordability, and excellent customer service. We are not a high-volume practice. Everyone gets individual attention from our incredible team, and I want to keep it that way,” he says. “It’s never, ‘get in, get out.’ I make myself very available, and I always oversee all patient care. High-quality care for both children and adults is of the utmost importance.”

Contact Smile Studio Orthodontics today for a free consultation. Dr. Khan concludes, “No matter your age, it’s never too late for a radiant smile.”

Invisalign

A clear, removable orthodontic aligner system designed to straighten teeth without the use of traditional metal braces.

A type of orthodontic appliance that use clear or tooth-colored brackets to straighten teeth. They are similar to traditional metal braces but are more aesthetically pleasing.

A digital, three-dimensional image of the teeth and surrounding structure, obtained using a specialized scanner that takes multiple X-ray images from different angles.

An orthodontic appliance that gradually widens the upper jaw to correct issues like crossbites, alleviate tooth crowding, and create space for permanent teeth.

TSEEN Where to be this HALLOWEEN

by Alisha McMillen

his year, Halloween falls on a Friday – one of those rare occurrences where you feel like you can stay out into the scary hours of the night.

Spooky Tours

The Fort Bend Museum is offering Haunted History Tours several times in the month of October. But the best night to go is Halloween itself, Friday, October 31st from 7pm-9pm. Experience historic Richmond at night with a walking ghost tour of its Historic District. Then return to the Fort Bend Museum grounds to continue a haunting tour inside the Museum’s gallery. Get more information at fortbendmuseum.org/haunted-history-tours.

in their best costumes and enjoy their huge selection of wines with delicious bites. Every sauce is made from scratch and every dish is made to order. Be sure to reserve your Halloween table at vino-vinyl.com.

Another option is the Halloween Costume Party at Rewax & Unwine. You and your fellow Halloween enthusiasts will step into the candle making studio decked out in your most creative costumes. As you craft your custom 10-ounce candle, you’ll listen to today’s top hits and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the season. The event includes a costume contest and karaoke. Get more info at rewaxandunwinesugarland.com.

For the Kids

You can take your own personal tour of the spookiest street in Fort Bend, Nightmare on Candy Cane Lane, in Missouri City’s Quail Valley subdivision. Map yourself to the 3100 block of Robinson Road and you’ll find an entire street decorated with elaborate sets, animatronics, skeletons, and other scary decorations. Residents on the street frequently compete to create the most impressive –and frightening – scenes.

Dress-up Fun

If you want to show off your spooky costume while enjoying an evening of great wine and spooky tunes, go to Vino & Vinyl in Sugar Land Town Square on Halloween night. They invite guests to show up

Looking for a safe way to treat your kids to a fun Halloween? Head over to Keller Williams Southwest for their Annual Trunk or Treat. It’s the weekend before Halloween and offers food, drinks, candy, and games on Oct. 25th from 6pm-8pm. For more information, visit kwsw.com/trunkortreat.

Fort Bend County has something for everyone this Halloween. Scary stuff, fun stuff, stuff for kids – everything to keep you and your family busy on All Hallow’s Eve!

UpClose Magazine and the Fort Bend Independent are excited to announce the next round of winners of the Best of Fort Bend County for 2025.

Best Remodeling Company: The Re-Modelista

832-731-3191

theremodelista.com

Best Dog Daycare and Boarding: Texas Doggie Daycare

832-398-5140

TexasDoggieDaycare.com

Texas Doggie Daycare proudly serves Fort Bend families with two convenient locations in Sugar Land and Missouri City. Our boutique, cage-free approach ensures every dog enjoys safe play, socialization, and personalized care.

Your Neighborhood ER, Open 24/7

by Alisha McMillen

It’s 10pm on Friday night and you’ve sprained your ankle. At least you think it’s just a sprain. As it continues to swell, you contemplate going to the hospital ER for x-rays, but you don’t want to spend the whole night waiting in a busy waiting room with people who might be contagious. So, you decide to wait it out.

If you live in the Sugar Land area, you’re in luck. There’s no need to wait! Visit Sugar Land Emergency Room where you can get the tests you need in a state-of-the-art facility with a strict no-wait policy.

Dr. Foye Ikyaator, affectionately known as Dr. Foye in the ER, is a managing partner of LifeSavers Emergency Rooms, the company that opened Sugar Land ER. A board certified ER physician,

Get

she’s worked in ERs for 15 years. “At a traditional emergency room, you can wait for hours to be treated because the ER has to share equipment and resources, and sometimes physicians, with the rest of the hospital,” Dr. Foye explains. “At Sugar Land ER, we have the resources to take care of acute cases, we’re open 24 hours, and even have observation capabilities.”

As medical director and owner of the Sugar Land location, Dr. Foye will often be the doctor who sees you for treatment when you need it. Some of the ancillary services Sugar Land ER has at their fingertips, with little to no wait times, are: EKG capabilities, X-ray equipment, ultrasound machines, CT scanners, labwork, and on-site pharmacy. They offer women’s and men’s health services in a secure and private manner.

“Everything is in-house,” Dr. Foye says. “We’re open 24 hours, seven days a week. All of our doctors are ER-certified. Plus we have the ability to transfer directly, bed to bed, to local hospitals in case hospital admission is needed.”

The medical staff at Sugar Land ER also has

the ability to call in specialists, cardiologists and neurologists, consultations when required.

“Oftentimes, we’re expensive than a traditional ER,” Dr. Foye adds. “In college, had a medical bill that I paid every single month through entire college experience. We our best to be sure people experience that here.”

Sugar Land Emergency Room accepts all commercial insurance policies. “We always treat patient as a priority. Many of patients we see are our neighbors, children’s playmates teammates, church members essentially our community. It our responsibility and honor be a trusted medical resource.”

Dr. Foye concludes.

Sugar Land Emergency Room

281-697-5250

222 Highway 6

Sugar Land, TX 77478

ercaresugarland.com

“Tax evasion is a crime. Tax avoidance is a right.”

LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM

“I don’t have to pay taxes because I’m smart. Everyone can be smart.”

by Alisha McMillen

A powerful statement from Charles Njoya, founder and owner of CHN Advisors, a tax and estate strategy firm that helps high-income earners avoid tax and leverage those savings into capital.

Charles worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the “Big Four” accounting firms, for 17 years, which prepared him for the scenarios he deals with every day with his dedicated clients. “At PwC, I worked with larger companies to structure them to build wealth,” Charles explains. “Tax is the first step in building wealth. If you can mitigate tax, which is the biggest bill most people have, you can really build wealth. People don’t realize they can legally avoid paying taxes if they follow the right steps and invest in America.”

A certified CPA, Charles isn’t what most would expect in such a formal, rules-based profession. When you meet him, he is far from staunch and stuffy, greeting with a huge smile and jovial energy. Once you get him talking about taxes, passionate and expressive about his work.

“Typical CPAs are trained to help people pay taxes on their income,” he what are you really looking for? Income or wealth? There’s a game that 99.9% of Americans don’t even know exists. I help people learn the rules of game. It’s all about structuring your tax plan in the right way.”

Charles shares a story about a surgeon he met a few years ago – one who had been working with a CPA for 17 years and he owed almost $400,000 in taxes. “He heard a tax specialist discussing how you should never pay taxes, which he did not understand after his personal experience over the years,” Charles explains. “We reviewed his file and he received a $90,000 refund by acquiring assets and leveraging taxes. As long as you’re building economy and contributing to America, you can do the same thing.”

CHN Advisors handles tax and estate planning, wealth management, raising, accounting and bookkeeping, IRS problem resolution, and business coaching. But Charles doesn’t do it alone. “We have a family office-like structure – an office that allows you to consult with all experts you need to structure yourself for building wealth,” he says. “We have CPAs, an attorney, financial

planners, investment and retirement experts, a real estate broker, an energy expert, and more. And all of my clients meet everyone. We’re a one-stop shop with everyone you need to structure yourself for wealth-building.”

An ideal client for Charles and team is a high-income earner who wants to mitigate their taxes and contribute to the American economy. “Because high-income earners are so busy, we even offer after-hours appointments (until 7:30pm) to help accommodate their Though technically located in the CHN Advisors has employees city of Houston. They take advantage of today’s technology that clients connect with them from anywhere, near and far.

“Growing an individual’s wealth is CHN’s business,” Charles concludes. “Invest in America instead of giving your money to Uncle Sam. Let me help you structure your own American dream.”

Advisors

832-901-0167

Panther Creek Dr., Suite 200 Woodlands, TX 77381 chnadvisors.com

Cooking Up History: Chili Tradition Returns

by Alisha McMillen

For a decade, from 2010 until the chaos that 2020 brought, Classic Chevrolet of Sugar Land cooked up a fundraiser with its Annual Chili Cook-off. 2025 brings back the tradition, one of fun and community for all.

“In the beginning, it was just about raising money so we can give back to our community,” says Matthew Barroso, who handles Classic Chevy’s communications. “It turned into a pretty big event before we had to stop, but as we ramp it back up, we want to get it back to being an event that focuses on taking care of our own backyard. We want to give back to the people who keep us safe and protect us.”

The 10th Annual Classic Chili Cook-Off, benefitting Fort Bend First Responders, will take place on the Classic Chevy grounds Saturday, October 25th from 4pm to 8pm. “It’s free family fun for the whole community,” Matt says. “We’ll have more than 25 chili teams, which can be anyone who wants to join. Sign up today!”

Classic Chevrolet’s employees get very involved in the cook-off process. “They enjoy being part of the event because of what it represents,” Matt says. “Our company would like to be the backbone of our community. We’re already part of the big moments in our customers’ lives, from getting their first car, to upgrading to accommodate a growing family. Getting a new car is a proud and exciting moment, and we want

our customers to leave feeling like family.”

Because the event benefits our local first responders, there will be several exciting guests in attendance. “Come out to see a real-life SWAT vehicle, a Fort Bend Fire Department ladder truck, and meet our local heroes –police, fire, and EMS personnel from our community,” Matt explains. “And you’ll enjoy tasting lots of different chili recipes and will even help decide category winners.”

The event is free to attend, and you can taste all of the different chilis presented at no cost. There will also be fun activities for children, plus concessions sales.

“Classic Chevy Sugar Land nurtures a family environment from the inside out,” Matt concludes. “The leadership takes care of its employees and the employees, in turn, take care of their customers. It’s just a happy place to be.”

The 10th Annual Classic Chili Cook-off

All donations benefit Fort Bend First Responders

Saturday, October 25th, 4pm - 8pm

Classic Chevy Sugar Land 13115 Southwest Freeway in Sugar Land

FREE to attend

FREE to taste chili

Concessions available for sale

Taste 25+ homemade chilis Vote for the best! Awards include:

Crowd Favorite Spirit Award (booth decoration)

Texas Chili

Spicy Chili

Bean Chili

Specialty Chili

See a real SWAT vehicle!

See a real Fort Bend County Fire Department Ladder truck!

Meet Police, Fire & EMS personnel!

Fun & Games, including balloon artist, face painting, snow cones, and a bounce house

Want a booth?

Call 281-491-9000 or email chili@classicofhouston.com

Peace Life &

by Alisha McMillen

In Latin, Pax Et Vita means peace and life, which is the perfect description for the team of Fort Bend caregivers who honor those important words with every patient they encounter.

“Our goal is to provide true comfort care to patients facing difficult health challenges,” says Janet Gomez, alternative administrator for the three divisions that make up Pax Et Vita and Bio Home Health. “We have a hands-on approach. We take what happens with every patient personally. We try to be there for our families as friends, as well as a part of their medical care team.”

At Pax Et Vita, that means a person is always on call when a patient needs help. “There’s always someone available to answer a phone call – we don’t use an answering service of any kind,” Janet continues. “We’ve assembled a great team to meet the needs of our patients emotionally and physically. We’re always on call, especially for our hospice patients.”

“Our team consists of RNs, LVNs, CNAs, social workers, NPs, chaplains, and spiritual counselors,” Janet explains. “We have more than 50 employees, but we also require the help of volunteers to keep our patients comfortable. Medicare requires 5% of our clinical hours to be volunteer hours, so we’re always looking for volunteers to run errands for our patients, provide company and comfort, help with personal hygiene … just to be there as a helping hand with patients in need.”

“We take what happens with every patient personally.”

Together, Pax Et Vita and Bio Home Health have three agencies under one roof.

•Home Care offers non-medical support with daily tasks, such as bathing, meal prep, and companionship, provided by caregivers to help individuals maintain their independence at home. Focus is on personal assistance.

•Home Health provides skilled, medically necessary services like nursing and therapy prescribed by a doctor to help patients recover from illness, injury, or surgery, aiming to restore a patient’s health and independence. Focus is on clinical care, healing, and rehabilitation.

•Hospice focuses on comfort and quality of life for terminally ill individuals by providing palliative and spiritual support when curative treatments are no longer an option. Focus is on symptom management and comfort at the end of life.

The team’s chaplains and spiritual counselors help patients and families understand and cope with diagnoses and the care that follows. “Baby Boomers, one of the largest generations, are at a certain age that requires them to step up and care for the previous generation,” says Leann Jerkins, Bereavement Coordinator. “We need to be there for our parents. No one wants to see their loved one in pain. No one should die alone.”

Many people are confused about the services that are available to them through Medicare. Pax Et Vita employees are very knowledgeable about what Medicare will and won’t cover, and they accept Medicare for home health and hospice care.

With a coverage area that includes Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery, and Brazoria counties, Pax Et Vita offers home health, home care, and hospice solutions for you or your loved ones. “We meet our patients where they are,” Janet concludes. “Our goal is to preserve the dignity of every patient.”

Pax Et Vita Hospice & Home Care

Hospice: 346-901- 0194

Home Care: 281-690-7284

830 Julie Rivers Drive, Suite 602

Sugar Land, TX 77478 paxetvitahc.com

Sip, Shop & Sparkle at the Sugar Plum!

by Alisha McMillen

Kick off your holiday season with fun and philanthropy at the Sugar Plum Market! “It’s a fantastic way to start the holiday season by supporting a non-profit that helps our shared community,” says Lindsay Rolph, President of the Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL), the market’s presenter. Title Sponsor Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital and Valet Sponsor Momentum BMW lead the event’s supporters, which brings muchneeded funds to local organizations in the Fort Bend community.

The only FBJSL fundraiser of the year, the Sugar Plum Market earned $335,000 in 2024, benefitting more than 35 Fort Bend County agencies, including organizations like AccessHealth, The George Ranch Foundation, and Fort Bend Habitat for Humanity.

“Over the event’s 24 year history, the Sugar Plum Market has raised more than $5.7 million to help Fort Bend’s various applying agencies,” Lindsay explains.

A 100% volunteer group, it takes more than 250 volunteers over 6,000 hours to put on the event. Past President Kelsea Weatherford has donated more than a decade of service to FBJSL and the Sugar Plum Market. “This project is being led entirely by women, and it’s deeply inspiring for us to play a role in transforming the lives of our neighbors,” she says.

“When I started 11 years ago, we awarded about 20 grants per year. We’re now awarding more than 40 each year, all due to the funds earned at the market.”

Preview Night

Tickets are on sale now for the popular Preview Night for $100 per person. Preview Night guests get the first look at the vendor booths, catered bites, a cash bar, and a premium silent auction and wine pull, all with entertaining background music of a violinist playing modern songs with classical undertones. “Think Bridgerton – Taylor Swift or Pitbull covers, but presented in a classical way,” says Jacquetta Madgett, Sugar Plum Market Co-Chair. “It’s a nice cocktail party to share a great evening with your girlfriends and give back to the community.”

General Market

This year’s vendor count sits at just over 100 booths. “We wish we could fit more we received around 300 applications this year!” Jacquetta explains. “Every year, we have vendors, mostly small businesses serving the Fort Bend community, who have been attending for many years. Plus we open new spaces every year for exciting new shops.”

Vendors include: jewelry designers, boutiques, hand-crafted items, holiday items, local team gear, food vendors, and more! A cash bar and concessions are available. And Saturday, the magic will arrive with Santa in attendance and kids and adults alike can enjoy concessions by Chick Fil A. Sponsorships are still available, starting at around $400, up to the Platinum Preview sponsorship level for $7,500. Get involved today. Sponsor. Buy your tickets. And get ready to sparkle at the Sugar Plum Market.

Get your tickets at sugarplummarket.com/ticketboxoffice

Preview Night - $100

Wednesday, November 5th, 6pm - 10pm (Limited ticket availability - get your tickets today!)

General Market Hours

$12 Pre-Sale; $15 Box Office Bundled tickets $100 for 10 attendees, Pre-Sale only

Thursday, November 6th, 9am - 5pm (Stroller hours from 1pm - close)

Friday, November 7th, 9am - 8pm (Stroller hours from 1pm - close)

Saturday, November 8th, 9am - 5pm (Stroller hours from 11am - close) Santa Photos from 11am - 2pm

in NEW Location Tradition Taco Brews

Fort Bend natives love their tacos from Soliz, a tradition on Dulles Ave., right across from Dulles High School. The taco tradition lives on, and now you can experience a fullservice coffee house with tasty drinks to wash down those early-morning tacos.

The best part? A new Richmond location lets you experience it all in a bright, new, welcoming space, right off of the Grand Parkway near the entrance to Harvest Green.

“This community holds a special place in my heart. I used to live in Harvest Green and love the sense of community here,” says CEO Michael Miller. “The community represents a lot of what Soliz is all about.”

Eric Otto’s grandmother started Soliz on Dulles Ave. in 1984. Eric and Michael worked together to develop a new vision of the future. “We wanted to keep the original energy of the business, while exploring a vision that will take us into the next 40 years,” Michael says.

“Eric and I were inspired by the live organics and vivid colors of Mexico and wanted to apply it to today’s taco shop and coffee house,” Michael explains. “We just want our customers to feel at home. We’re warm, inviting and fun – very much a lounge

Soliz Casa de Tacos & Café

Richmond location

by Alisha McMillen

feel that brings in true elements of Mexican heritage. My wife and I were married in Tulum, Mexico and fell in love with that type of environment.”

The lounge feel of Soliz Casa de Tacos & Café is accentuated by its comfortable coffee shop vibe. “We’re offering Mexican mocha and espressos –the perfect drinks to complement the traditional tastes of Mexico in our food. We’re partnering with Geva coffee, local to Houston since 1970. We like working with companies that have a local history and a family focus like we do.”

The store offers tables surrounded by traditional Mexican art with colorful hanging and table-top pottery. They also offer a bright and welcoming seating area with a soft sofa, colorful pillows and comfortable side chairs. Overhead hangs a huge, hand-made chandelier with more than 200 feet of pom-poms in traditional Mexican colors.

An exciting element of the Richmond location includes the restaurant’s first experience offering a drive-through service. “We have a traditional drive-through now so our customers can get their tacos and coffee without ever leaving their car,” Michael says.

“The Richmond store will be a representation of the Soliz flagship brand, with more stores coming soon,” Michael teases. “Come enjoy our grand opening party to find out what the new Soliz Casa de Tacos & Café is all about. The food is the traditional, delicious fare you’re used to and the environment is happy, bright, and new.”

Thursday, October 9th ALL DAY!!

Come for breakfast, come for lunch, and come back again for dinner!

50% of sales proceeds from opening day are being donated to the East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry.

Early – first person in line receives free tacos for a full year

Early – first 50 customers receive a custom t-shirt

9am - Chamber of Commerce

Ribbon cutting

Afternoon - iHeart Radio giveaway with radio host Michael Garfield

Afternoon - Exotic car show 4pm - 7pm - Face painting and balloon animals for the kids, and a DJ spinning tunes

Store hours: 7am - 9pm, Monday through Thursday 7am - 10pm, Friday & Saturday 8am - 1pm Sunday

Soliz Casa de Tacos & Café soliztacos.com

Original location: 303 Dulles Ave. Stafford, TX 77477

Richmond location: 11131 Harlem Rd., Ste 110 Richmond, TX 77406

Galleria location: Fair Food Co. Food Hall 5832 Fairdale Ln., #7 Houston, TX 77057

HELP!

Your house is flooding from a plumbing leak! You call Alan’s Plumbing in a panic, hoping to minimize the water damage. The first thing they say is, “You need to turn off your main shut-off valve to stop the water from flowing.”

Do you know where your shut-off valve is?

“The time to learn where your shut-off valve is located is before you have a flood,” says Alan’s Plumbing’s Luke Burkhalter, son of the company’s namesake, Alan Burkhalter. “Main shut-off valves are located in a variety of places. We see them outside in a flowerbed, in the garage, and we’ve seen them inside the house underneath a kitchen sink, inside a master bedroom closet, or even the kitchen pantry.”

If you’re unsure about where your main water shut off valve is, call Alan’s Plumbing. “We will locate it, ensure it’s properly functioning and properly insulated, and we will teach you exactly what to do in the event of a plumbing emergency, such as a burst pipe or

Where is My Main Water Shut-off Valve?

by Nicole Grace

major leak,” Luke continues. “You can prevent extensive water damage, potential flooding, and costly repairs to your home by knowing the valve’s location ahead of time.”

Here are some other reasons you’ll be glad you know where your shut-off valve is located: •It allows you to shut off water when you are away, protecting your home from freeze damage.

•During plumbing repairs or maintenance, you may need to shut off the main water supply to work on your system safely.

•It provides homeowners with a sense of preparedness and peace of mind.

For nearly 30 years, Alan’s Plumbing has been the go-to, honest, licensed plumbing company here in Fort Bend. In the early days, the team consisted of only Alan and his wife, Jennifer. Today, Alan’s brother, Chris, works alongside Alan’s two oldest sons, Beau and Luke, and plumbers Jaime, Christian, and Anthony. Apprentices Nick, Noah, and PJ

Pro Tip:

Next time you have plumbing service done, ask the dispatcher at Alan’s Plumbing to add assistance finding the shut-off valve to the work order. While the plumber is at your home, he can show you where and how to use your main shut-off valve.

round out the plumbing team, while Alan’s wife, Jennifer, manages the administrative responsibilities with the help of Katie and Katy. (The youngest Burkhalter brother, Jake, is in plumbing sales.)

Welcome Dr. Anna Feng!

Dr. Anna Feng enjoys pediatric dentistry because of change perspectives of families and make children able going to the dentist. Specifically trained in pediatric tistry, Dr. Feng is excited to be joining Grand Parkway Dentistry with Dr. Faisal Khan, founder and owner of the practice, the helm.

“Dr. Khan values ethics and treats his patients well. He wants what’s best for his patients,” Dr. Feng explains. “I’ve worked with Dr. Khadija Khan and Dr. Ritwik in the past and I love being in a multi-dentist practice because you get to work side-by-side with other dentists to share ideas with.”

“We’re looking forward to Dr. Feng starting with the practice in early October. She’s well-qualified and has the dynamic personality we look for when dealing with children,” says Dr. Khan. “She’ll be a great addition to our team.”

After recently celebrating her first wedding anniversary with her oral surgeon husband, Dr. Feng is excited to become a part of the community that Dr. Khan has invested so much into, and she’s looking forward to using her training with special needs children to ensure everyone receives the treatment they deserve.

“I think it’s important to create a comfortable environment with dentists who have special training for special needs children,” Dr. Feng says. “It’s all about meeting your patients where they are and adapting to their specific needs.”

How did Dr. Feng decide on pediatrics in dentistry? “My dad was an immigrant and didn’t know much about oral hygiene. Because he wanted me to have strong bones, he fed me a lot of vitamin D. He even let me eat ice cream and drink milk before bed, which resulted in me needing a lot of dental care later in life,” she explains. “It’s a full circle moment to be able to be that provider that changes lives. I love growing with kids and seeing them advance and progress.”

by Nicole Grace

Parkway Pediatric Dental, Dr. Khan has a touch. Children love him and are comfortable and his staff. “Kids are my whole life,” says “They’re so much fun. Every patient is differchildren keep things exciting and fast-paced.”

Priyanshi Ritwik and Dr. Khadija Khan, as well as an oral surgeon, and an anesthesiologist, join Dr. Khan, and now Dr. Feng, at Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental to provide all aspects of pediatric dentistry, special needs dentistry, and minor orthodontics.

“Everyone here is so hard working.” says Dr. Khan. “As a team, we all really care for our patients!”

Dyes and preservatives and allergens … oh my! If you find the ingredients in your family’s medications downright scary, local Campbell’s Compounding Pharmacy has a solution for you.

Campbell’s Compounding Pharmacy founder Dr. Lance Campbell, Pharm.D., R.Ph says, “Most pills and capsules, whether over-the-counter or prescription, include components other than the actual drug. These compounds, known as ‘inactive ingredients,’ help to stabilize the drug or aid in its absorption, and they can make up more than half of a pill’s mass. However, if you’re extremely sensitive to one of the ‘inactive ingredients,’ it’s anything but ‘inactive’ for you. Commercially manufactured medications commonly contain small amounts of lactose, gluten, dyes, preservatives, sugar, and other possible problematic ingredients. From allergies and intolerance to diets and lifestyle, there are a variety of reasons individuals avoid many of these items.”

“Here at Campbell’s Compounding Pharmacy, we can custom make the medication you need without the problematic ingredient(s),” continues Dr. Campbell. “You won’t be scared to take a medication or administer a medication to your child for fear of what it may contain. Even better, the medicine is made in the exact dosage required, and we can also make it easier to use. Have you ever held down a toddler to squirt bitter Augmentin into their mouth? A compounding pharmacist can flavor many medications, making them palatable without losing their effectiveness. Very handy for children, elderly patients, and even pets! We can also compound medicines in different dosage formats an anti-nausea cream that’s rubbed on the inside of the wrist so your kids can keep it down.”

The team at Campbell’s Compounding

by Amy Sharp

Pharmacy includes Dr. Omar Alkazzaz, Dr. Lisa Mathew, and Dr. Rawan Abu Elheiga. Dr. Campbell says, “Everyone here takes great pride in providing customer service with a family feel. We love getting to know our families, and we’d love to get to know you. Wishing you all a safe, not-too-scary Halloween!”

“If our staff can’t make it… then you probably don’t need it!”

Campbell’s Compounding Pharmacy

Sugar Land

281-980-2555

4760 Sweetwater Blvd., Suite 103 Sugar Land, TX 77479

Houston 713-668-4833

6603 Kirby Dr. Houston, TX 77005 campbellscompounding.com

Warm Neutral Palettes – using a creamy wall color, together with neutral wood cabinets and countertops, this bathroom can change with the times, or the homeowner’s style. Different rugs, towels, and other accessories can change the entire look of the room, based on the homeowner’s wishes.

Re-Modelista

Desig nerSpotlight

by Nicole Grace

Mixed Metals – golden light fixtures, chrome faucet, and iron hardware complement each other to create a modern, yet cozy kitchen.

Let’s Talk Trends in

Did you know?

The Re-Modelista provides three hours of design services by a professional designer on every project at no charge!

Whether you’re struggling with design, or you have a great idea that you’re just not sure how to complete, complimentary design services will bring your remodel to life in a way you're sure to love.

UpClose Magazine sat down with Jen Hayes of Feather & Nest Interiors of Missouri City again to talk about trends in design. She and the Re-Modelista, Teri Gilberg, work together to implement trends every day.

Here are some top trends, and how Teri and Jen implemented them in recent projects.

Mixed Metals – Designers agree the days of matching every fixture to one metal finish are gone. “The sophisticated layering of different fixtures, such as brass, black iron and steel, creates depth and visual interest that feels authentic. Implementing this trend also makes spaces more livable and less rigid,” Jen explains.

Textural Layering – Add depth, warmth, and personality to a space by mixing and contrasting different

Textural Layering – traditional plaid wallpaper with sleek and modern black fixtures, finished with surprising sconces with heavy black shades, creates an appealing modern look that works.

Design

tactile (like velvet or wood) and visual (like patterned wallpaper) textures. “You can create a multi-dimensional environment through combination of surface finishes, fabrics, and decorative elements, moving beyond flat or uniform surfaces to create a rich, engaging, and harmonious atmosphere,” Jen says.

Warm Neutral Palettes – Colors cycle in and out of fashion, but the foundation of warm neutrals - creams, warm beiges, soft whites and earthy tones - provides a sophisticated backdrop that works with personal collections of furniture and accessories that have been curated over time. “Warm neutrals can bring a sense of calm to changing environments. Lately, designers and manufacturers have observed a clear movement toward warmer neutrals,” Jen says.

The Re-Modelista Your Home Renovation Specialist Serving Fort Bend County For More Than 10 Years NEW OFFICE LOCATION in Feather & Nest Interiors 3711 Raoul Wallenberg Lane Missouri City, TX 77459 832-731-3191 theremodelista.com

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