The Bellaire Buzz - April 2014

Taking the Field (Hockey)

Kaylie Mings and Ellie Gershenwald

by Dave Schafer

Sunday Drives Text Me Just the Gals Connecting with Cuban The Birthday’s New Face To Be or Not to Be Gluten-Free Houston, TX Permit No. 2047 PAID US Postage PRSRT STD

This Month in Dining: Culinary Sojourns

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

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ou know how some adults, myself included, complain that our kids are too coddled and entitled? Well, not the girls in this month’s cover story. The morning of our scheduled field-hockey photo shoot last month was a bone-chilling 10 degrees with the wind chill. It was so cold our photographer’s cables were frozen stiff. We considered calling it off, but these 10 young ladies dressed in their uniforms of shorts and short-sleeved shirts wouldn’t hear of it. I was wearing a down ski jacket, hat and gloves! They all huddled in a heated bathroom about 20 yards from the field until it was time to be photographed. When called, each would run out, and in less than 30 seconds, photographer Kevin Long would grab a shot. I didn’t hear a single complaint. Did they pull it off? I think so. Check out the photos in this month’s Buzz and see if you agree. michael@thebuzzmagazines.com

THE BUZZ MAGAZINES BELLAIRE • WEST UNIVERSITY • MEMORIAL • TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS Published by Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401 info@thebuzzmagazines.com • p: 713.668.4157 • f: 713.665.2940 bellairebuzz.com • facebook.com/bellairebuzz Editor Publisher Associate Editors Vice President, Sales Staff Writers

Contributing Writer Manager, Interactive Media Designer Manager, Business Administration Account Managers Sales Associates

Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman Cheryl Laird Annie Blaylock McQueen Jay Janecek Tracy L. Barnett Andria Frankfort Angie Frederickson Todd Freed Michelle Casas Groogan Dai Huynh Dave Schafer Cheryl Ursin Jacob Padden Jordan Magaziner John Duboise Leslie Little Andrea Blitzer Darsey Swaim Laura Callan Helen Hamilton Michele Luke

On our cover: The Kinkaid School’s Kaylie Mings (at left) and Ellie Gershenwald from St. John’s School play field hockey for their schools and Texas Pride. Cover photo by Kevin Long, www.gulfcoastshots.com The Buzz Magazines has made all reasonable attempts to verify the accuracy of all information contained within. Advertising claims are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Editorial content does not necessarily express the opinions of the publisher. Copyright © 2014 Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this magazine by any means without written permission is strictly prohibited. Printed on recycled paper. Please remember to recycle.

BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 4

The Results are in: YEAR 2013

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MAILBAG

Your letters, thoughts, opinions To share or not to share Guess what arrived in the mail today? The Buzz. I read your delightful piece (Back Porch: Recipe wars, by Andria Frankfort, March 2014). What a curious phenomenon, guarding one’s recipe. I do understand the counter-argument that food is shared, joyfully (when it’s good!), so why not spread the love by disclosing the recipe? But the more I thought about it, I theorized that if a cook or baker has that special recipe, and the dish’s consumers give the creator a feeling of specialness, then maybe the chef feels that giving away the recipe would take away from that great feeling. Also there is, I suppose, the idea that it is not just the ingredients and steps that make a dish so special, but also the special magic of the creator’s hands and artistry. Hand that out on a recipe card, or these days by email, and you’re giving away what is uniquely you. I cook a rather limited array of dishes, and bake seldom, so I’m going by hunches. But my mom is a true baker, and, my grandmother was a hotel pastry chef. DNA did not transmit their baker genes to me, at least not yet, but I do have that window into the magic of a real baker. Thank you for this piece, and for all that I have enjoyed! Joy Yeager A small world It really was amazing to see an article about my friend Julie Brown in the same magazine (Travel Buzz: Texans in Telluride, by Tracy L. Barnett, February 2014) when my article (Investigating Private Eyes, by Dave Schafer) appeared. I enjoy the magazine and have already gotten very positive feedback, including a new client. By the way, to update your readers on the Ballow matter you referenced, three of the four defendants pled out guilty the day the trial was to begin. I look forward to seeing my Buzz friends in the future. John Moritz BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 6

Tracked it down Last year, I clipped an article from The Memorial Buzz about a medication for seasonal acid reflux that’s only available in the UK, but can be ordered online. I was thinking that it was time for me to order it when I realized I had misplaced the article! I couldn’t remember the name and didn’t know how I was going to find this article again. So I sent a message to The Memorial Buzz Facebook page, and The Buzz sent me an online version of the very article I needed! Turns out it was an advertorial by Dr. David Engler from The Allergy Clinic (Postnasal drip, December 2013). Soon after re-reading this helpful article, I’d placed an order on Amazon and am so grateful for your help! Ann Hebert Editor’s note: Glad we could help. As you may know, all of our editorial stories are searchable at thebuzzmagazines.com. Later this year, we’ll be rolling out many exciting online additions and updates. At that time, advertorials also will be searchable. Stay tuned. Send letters to info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Please include your name, address, phone number and email address for verification purposes. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and space. Views expressed in letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Buzz Magazines, and The Buzz takes no responsibility for the content and opinions expressed in them.

What’s your story? We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who: • Are or know an avid watch collector. • Are planning a wedding or recently got married. • Know of a unique destination to beat-the-heat with the kids. • Know of an interesting or newsworthy high school senior about to graduate. • Have planned or attended a family reunion. If this sounds like you or someone you know, please contact us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com or 713.668.4157, ext 12.

BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 7

SPORTS

by Dave Schafer, staff writer

Taking the Field (Hockey)

BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 8

northeast United States, Texas is behind the curve. Players like Pershing Middle School seventhgrader Dani Costa and her younger sisters, who go to public schools that don’t have field hockey teams, are learning the sport through Texas Pride, the only yearround training club in Texas; it opened two years ago. Previously, STICKING IT Reese Vogel moves the ball up the field during the Disney Hockey field hockey had been Showcase. the domain of private players played an athletic game and would schools and some select public schools, such as whack the ball down the field and then run after Lamar and Memorial high schools. it. Their stick skills were poor. When they Most current high school players started in played out of state, they’d get crushed. That’s no middle school or later. When players like Dani longer the case. – or Dani’s sisters, West University Elementary At the Disney Field Hockey Showcase in fifth grader Delaney and second grader Dylan, Orlando in February, the Texas Pride U19 team the youngest member of Texas Pride – get to won four games, lost one and tied one. Several high school, they’ll have a lot more training, players, including Bing, Peacock, Manela, pointed out Carson Peacock, a senior at St. Meghan Mogas, Reese Vogel, Jennifer John’s who has played since the seventh grade. Trieschman, Paige Albert, Allison Dyer and “We wish we were in that younger group,” she Skyler Taten, have been selected for the said. “The younger players are getting better and National Futures Championships, the premier have so much time to get better.” championship event for USA Field Hockey’s Texas Pride is coached by Tina Edmonds, a Futures Program. The event is highly attended former All-American and two-time NCAA by college recruiters and USA Field Hockey staff. National Champion at the University of “We soon learned that if we wanted to be Maryland. She’s improving the girls’ stick skills competitors on the national stage, we couldn’t and their confidence, said Bing, a goalie on the neglect our skills,” Manela said. “So at practice Texas Pride U19, St. John’s and the U17 Junior we started to work more on our fundamental National teams. skills and sort of re-learned the basic theory of The quality of play in Houston is getting betthe game. We definitely had to switch from a ter each year, say longtime players. ‘let’s hit it as hard as we can and see who can “The field hockey quality in Texas was far outrun her opponent’ kind of game to a more below the national standard when we first began,” systematically aware, skills-oriented game.” said Libby Manela, a junior who shares goal-keepBing and Manela are two of the best goalies ing minutes with Bing on the Texas Pride, St. in the nation, said Texas Pride coach Edmonds. John’s and U17 Junior National teams. “When we They both have a shot at playing on the nationfirst started going to tournaments, we struggled to al Olympic team. score even a single goal against some pretty averEven players who don’t appear the most athage teams up in the Northeast, typically.” letically gifted can excel at (continued on page 10) Peacock called it “Texas field hockey.” The Jeff Gersenwald

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he girls run up and down a 6,000-squareyard expanse of green grass, J-shaped carbon-and-fiberglass sticks in their hands at waist height. They whack the dappled, white, plastic ball, 5.6 ounces in weight, to teammates and shoot it toward the net. In lightweight foam padding that covers her whole body, Kelsey Bing barks out orders through her mask to her unpadded teammates, positioning them to defend against a strike on the “cage,” the 7-by-12-foot net, and setting them up to attack when they get the ball back. Bing’s height, exceptional eye-hand coordination and quick reflexes help her get to difficult balls that otherwise would be out of range – and make her one of the best goalies in the low-scoring game. But her mind is as important as her body. She enjoys puzzles and spatial-awareness games. Her tough schoolwork at St. John’s School, where she’s a sophomore, has taught her to focus. She takes that same focus to the field, which, to her, is a board game. For two 25-minute halves (in high school rules), her teammates run the field, passing the ball from stick to stick, planting their legs into the ground like an embedded pole as they fight for the ball against an opponent. They pass and shoot and try to “eliminate” – or get the ball away from – defenders. Although it’s “hockey,” field hockey has little in common with its icy cousin outside of a padded goalie and the use of sticks. Some people call it lacrosse on the ground because of the sticks and the passing, but it’s really more like soccer – the ball is mostly on the ground, the same number of players are on the field, and it has the same strategic elements and style of play. Oh, and in Houston, except for backyard fun, it’s only played by girls. That follows the national trend, where field hockey has primarily been played by females, said several coaches. Also, in the United States, colleges have varsity teams for women but not for men – they can join club teams or get selected for the national teams, but that’s about all in the United States. In Europe, there are professional teams for men and women. While the sport is popular in other countries and in the

Kevin Long, www.gulfcoastshots.com

MOVING UP Locals who have committed to playing field hockey in college include (from left) Libby Manela, Carson Peacock, Paige Albert and Emma Eggleston.

Kevin Long, www.gulfcoastshots.com

TEAMMATES Field hockey is all about working together. Back row, from left: Jennifer Trieschman, Meghan Mogas, Libby Manela, Kelsey Bing, Kaylie Mings and Reese Vogel; front row, from left: Ellie Gershenwald, Emma Eggleston, Paige Albert and Carson Peacock. (continued from page 8) field hockey. Peacock is

only 5 feet tall and says she’s not particularly athletic even though she runs track and in middle school played soccer and lacrosse. In seventh grade, a coach encouraged her to try field hockey because of her short size. Getting down low – in fact, laying the hockey stick horizontally along the ground – is essential in field hockey. She gave it a try and was surprised at how good she was. Her best friend since kindergarten, Paige Albert, is the opposite. She’s athletic – a cheerleader who had previously been on St. John’s lacrosse and diving teams – and her speed has helped her be successful on the field, Albert said. Although it’s a physical sport, injuries are rare, and when they do occur, it’s usually knee injuries, cuts to the leg or hits to the head, said St. John’s head coach Craig Chambers. Albert, a senior, was hit in the face with a ball, knocking loose her front teeth, which are now wired in place. She’s also broken her thumb. Like all group sports, field hockey teaches the girls about teamwork and how to deal with defeat, strategize and communicate, and it BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 10

builds their self-esteem, patience and leadership. It’s also a great outlet after a stressful day at school, when they can go out and wallop the ball hard. “Because I really do enjoy it a lot, when I’m playing, I have a smile on my face and forget about everything else,” said Ellie Gershenwald, an eighth grader at St. John’s. “I’m in field-hockey mode.” “High school can be dramatic and traumatic. It’s a relief to be on the field,” Manela said. “I don’t worry about all that high school stuff. I worry about being the best teammate, the best player, the best leader I can be.” Manela says she volunteered to be goalie in a “desperate attempt to get out of being the worst player on the team.” She was shy initially, but the need to yell out instructions has forced her to overcome that. The sport can be an “in” into college. Manela got a “supported application” to Harvard, meaning that if she met certain criteria involving her GPA she wouldn’t have to compete for a spot. She has now committed to playing at that prestigious school.

Peacock will play at Division III Middlebury College in Vermont in the fall, and Albert will play at Division I Davidson College. In eighth grade, Albert made it a goal to play Division I field hockey in college. Albert remembers when she got the call from Davidson. The night before, St. John’s had lost its first game in the state championships to Fort Worth Country Day School. St. John’s had won the tournament the previous two years. She was depressed about the loss when Davidson called to tell her she was in. Elated, she went out that night and quickly scored the first goal. St. John’s won, sending it on to the next round against The Kinkaid School and a shot at fifth place. The two teams played to a 1-1 tie in regulation. Then, Albert, who had dedicated herself to field hockey, who’d struggled and worked to be good enough to play at a Division I school, whacked the ball into the “cage,” scoring the winning goal in her final high school game. Her teammates swarmed her. “It was a great way,” she said with a smile, “to end my high school career.”

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After you’re gone When you die, we will miss you and all that, but our first order of business is to get rid of the body. If you are a pauper, the county is responsible for disposition of your remains. Otherwise, it’s up to family, or, if you planned ahead, anyone you named (in writing, acknowledged by a notary). Within family, the task falls to the surviving spouse, then adult children, parents, adult siblings, and finally, next of kin. A licensed funeral director is the place to start. Most facilities will not release a body to anyone else. The funeral home will need your vital statistics to start the death certificate process. The funeral home will also need money. Anyone who pays for a funeral is entitled to reimbursement from your estate, and has priority over your other creditors, e.g., MasterCard. Funeral homes can sometimes take assignments of life insurance or other assets. They cannot take your credit card once you are gone. Think about when you have dinner with the kids. Who picks up the tab? If they can’t pay for dinner, how do you expect them to pay for your funeral? Visit prepaidfunerals.texas.gov regarding prepaid funeral plans. Even if you do not prepay, preplan. Meet with a funeral director, discuss service and price, and get a quote. That goes a long way toward resolving debates and minimizing expense. While you’re at it, complete a vital statistics form and leave it and the quote with your will. Do you own cemetery spaces already? Can you prove it? Cemeteries are not like other real estate. A deed from the prior owner doesn’t mat-

ter; it’s the cemetery’s records that determine legal title. If you bought spaces from someone else, do your family a favor, and request a certificate of interment from the cemetery. If you really plan ahead, you may be able to donate your body to science. For more information, visit sab.state.tx.us/Donor.htm. Donations are commendable, but don’t always solve the problem. Organ donations may preclude whole body donation. Science may not want your body, or, worse, may return the leftovers. If all this is more than you can manage, delegate. You may appoint an agent to control disposition of your remains. A free form is available at rwhpc.com/take_the_whiskey_too. We write wills and go to probate court. We offer no-obligation initial interviews for estate planning and administration, so it costs nothing to hear specific recommendations that suit your needs. Foreign nationals and international families welcome. Russell W. Hall, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Board Certified–Estate Planning and Probate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 6750 West Loop So. Ste. 920, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.662.3853, www.rwhpc.com

BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 11

NEIGHBORS by Jordan Magaziner, Manager, Integrative Media

Connecting with Cuban

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or the second year, The Buzz headed to Austin in mid-March for South by Southwest Interactive. While many have heard of the popular SXSW music-and-film festival, not everybody realizes that just before, there’s another gathering focused on interactive media. Buzz editor Joni Hoffman, publisher Michael Hoffman and I were among the thousands of communication and technology professionals who came to SXSWi to learn, connect and be inspired. A highlight was a front-row Q&A with billionaire entrepreneur, Mavericks NBA team owner and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban. We thought we’d share some of our favorite takeaways from his event, hosted by Entrepreneurs Organization of Austin. All you can control is effort: Cuban said his entrepreneurial spirit came from his dad. At age 12, Cuban wanted certain tennis shoes, and his dad told him that in life, nothing would be given to him. So he went door to door selling garbage bags to raise the money. “You can always outwork the other person, and that gives you an edge,” he said. “You have to work 24 hours a day knowing that. If I don’t know my business better than everyone else, someone will do it better.” There’s always a moment each day where you are overwhelmed by “I need to do this or that,” he said. Fight through and do something. “I’m not saying never sleep,” he said. “Have some common sense – but there’s this line that some people don’t fight through when you know you should.” When he first started in business, he said, he went seven years straight without a vacation. “That vacation was fun though,” he said, laughing. A company’s culture matters: Cuban said culture “sets the guidelines” for the company. Creating a culture where employees are excited to go to work is key. At one company he headed up, they even had a company shot – a kamikaze. Provide a unique experience: Fourteen years ago, as a fan, Cuban was watching a Dallas Mavericks game on opening day, and he couldn’t believe that the game wasn’t sold out. “I thought, ‘I can do better.’” He bought the team. He said people don’t really remember the BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 12

scores of games later, but they do remember the experience. Creating a fun, spirited atmosphere with energetic music is important to engaging everyone in the family. “You have to know what business you’re in. The community owns the Dallas Mavs – not me.” Immediately upon acquiring the Mavericks, he said, he put his desk in the middle of the sales office to be part of the team and help them sell tickets. He called previous ticket holders and potential new fans. “I love to play basketball, and, to me, business is just as much of a SWIMMING WITH SHARKS Entrepreneur Mark Cuban, who stars on ABC’s reality show Shark Tank, takes center stage during SXSWi to discuss business sport,” said Cuban, who success with moderator Dustin Wells, president of EO Austin. recently developed an Notice how your kids treat others: Cuban app called Cyber Dust, similar to Snapchat, said he doesn’t want his kids to be arrogant, except the texted message or photo leaves no focused on material objects or have a sense of trace when it disappears. entitlement. “Your bank account doesn’t define Shark Tank is real: ABC’s Shark Tank is a realyou,” he said. “I want my kids to realize that the ity show where entrepreneurs pitch their business only thing about them that’s special is what they ideas to successful, potential investors hoping create themselves.” Then again, he admitted his these “sharks” will invest in their products. 10-year-old daughter doesn’t understand how to The sharks – including Cuban – all specialize fly commercial. in different areas, have different personalities Other Cuban-isms: He’s down-to-earth. He and styles of investment, and have an oftenwore his usual t-shirt and jeans, and when he sat hilarious rapport with each other. down, he took off his tennis shoes. When we heard Cuban speak, what we really And he’s funny. The audience cracked up wanted to know was, how real is the show? when he said it’s easy to spot “gold diggers” lookAccording to him, nothing is fixed or staged. ing for a significant other with money. He recA lot of editing takes place; one pitch could take ommended watching for the following state2½ hours, but be cut down to 10 minutes. ments: “I really like to travel” and “Charity work “The reason I love doing the show – and it’s is just really important to me.” a lot of work – is because it’s the No. 1 show watched by families together,” he said. “Families have discussions about it. Every parent wants For more on our SXSWi experience, see this story their child to have the American dream, and at bellairebuzz.com. Shark Tank enforces that.”

MORE ONLINE

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NEIGHBORS

by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Sunday Drives

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Sea Star Photography

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imless Sunday driving used to be fun. Back in the first half of the 20th century, driving – or riding in – the car was itself the pleasant activity. There was no rush to reach any particular destination. Times have changed. Freeways are packed morning and night with frustrated commuters. Most everyone has a car. Just driving around with nowhere to go now seems a little crazy. But not everybody thinks so. Take the Wykoff family. Dad Charlie, a retina specialist, and his wife, Samantha, a photographer, and their three children, Julia, Jae and baby Alexander, have a family rule: to go on one driving day trip per week. The family, which moved to Houston from Miami two and a half years ago, takes day trips to Galveston, state parks and strawberry farms, and even local drives within the city limits. “Two of our favorites are Buffalo Bayou and Brays Bayou,” said Samantha. Their kids have a collection of driftwood they’ve accumulated from the banks alongside the San Jacinto Monument at the Houston Ship Channel. “Beginning in college,” said Charlie, “[Samantha and I] used to go drive and explore. We love to go take weekend trips. We were up in the Northeast at the time. We have always maintained that mentality, and now the kids are old enough too.” To keep it simple, the family usually pack sack lunches for the road. They like to sing or tell stories to pass the time. “We have a no-electronics policy when we’re driving. It’s a nice way to connect to the family and escape the chaos,” said Charlie. “We sought out the model [SUV] without a TV.” Realtor Stacey Christman and her husband Jeff, a partner in a private-equity firm, tackle country roads on their new motorcycles, a Harley-Davidson Road King for Jeff and a Softail Deluxe for Stacey. They discovered their love of bikes on a trip to Jackson Hole, where they rented motorcycles to take in the scenery. “When we got back we decided we had to buy some bikes,” said Stacey. They have ranch property in Burnet where they keep the bikes. “We love to ride up FM

ON THE ROAD AGAIN The Wykoff family – Julia, 8, Jae, 5, and Alexander, 21 months (with parents Charlie and Samantha ) – load their bikes onto their family SUV for day outings around Houston.

529,” said Stacey. “We are sort of fair-weather riders. We don’t ride at night. We don’t ride after having drinks. We prefer it to be somewhere between 60 and 80 degrees outside.” Their son Andrew, 10, even rides on the motorcycle with mom. “He loves it,” said Stacey. For a change, sometimes they wake up at 5 a.m. to jump in the car and head to Galveston for some fishing. “If Jeff’s driving, he wants to listen to weather, sports, but if I am driving, I am more apt to want to listen to music,” said Stacey. Sometimes they spontaneously stop for breakfast at Sunflower Bakery and Café in Galveston or Gilhooley’s Restaurant in Dickinson for oysters. They like to stick with the “no plan” plan for their Sunday drives. Business manager and motorcycle enthusiast David Little likes to greet the morning sun on his Sunday drives. “Early in the morning the roads are blissfully free of traffic, the temperatures relatively cool,” he said. His favorite destination is Fayetteville, close to La Grange, and getting there is most of the fun. He tries to hit as many of Texas’ curvy roads

as possible. He stops at random diners along the way. “Coffee after a cool-morning ride is especially tasty, and there is something about somebody else’s cooked eggs that makes them taste better,” David explained. There are the occasional bumps in the road. Once one of his motorcycle buddies ran out of gas. “None of us had a siphon hose. We were very close to an old fabrication facility, and sure enough we found an old piece of scrapped hose laying on the ground. Five minutes later we were all back on the road, each of us making a mental note to add a length of siphon hose to our toolkits,” said David. “We need to enjoy these roads while we can, as Houston’s endless suburban sprawl spreads west, the roads have become straighter, more crowded, and less scenic,” David urged. “But there are still a few pretty places if you get out early enough and find them.”

MORE ONLINE Want ideas for Sunday-drive roads and destinations? See this story online at bellairebuzz.com.

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FOOD by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

To Be or Not to Be Gluten-Free

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ame a diet, any diet. Grapefruit. Atkins. Cabbage Soup. At some point in the past three decades, I’ve tried them all. I know the Weight Watchers points of so many foods by heart that my brain is in constant tally mode. So when friends started telling me they’d gone “gluten-free” and felt great and lost weight, I wondered. Maybe gluten is the magic trick? I started asking around. What I learned is that opinions abound, even warranting a “Room for Debate” page in The New York Times’ Opinion Pages entitled, “Life After Gluten: For people who don’t suffer from celiac disease, is the gluten-free diet a fad or an innovative way to approach eating?” Ensuing titles range from “This Fad Too Shall Pass” to “It May Help Some Gastrointestinal Problems.” Let’s backtrack a bit. Some people absolutely should be on a gluten-free diet. About one percent of Americans have an autoimmune disease called celiac disease, which presents as sensitivity to a protein in wheat called gluten. That protein, when ingested by someone suffering from celiac, inflames the lining of the intestine, preventing the person from absorbing nutrients, causing issues from gastrointestinal problems to rashes to joint pain. There’s a larger percentage – up to 10 percent – of the population suffering from “non-celiac gluten sensitivity.” These people, after eliminating gluten from their diets, report decreased fatigue, better skin and alleviated digestive issues. Debbie Darlow’s 21-year-old son Matthew, a junior at Duke University, was diagnosed with a gluten sensitivity in middle school. Debbie’s father and her husband both suffer from gluten sensitivities, so she was already attuned to the issues. “It was very difficult,” Debbie says of keeping her family gluten-free. “Passing up pizza and bagels was a challenge, but when they make you sick, it is just something you have to do.” When Matthew eliminated gluten from his diet, “he immediately grew four inches and gained 20 pounds,” Debbie says. Consumer-research firms report that Americans will spend around $10 billion this year on foods labeled gluten-free, with 30 percent of BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 16

MORE OPTIONS When Matthew Darlow is away at Duke University, it’s easy for him to stay gluten-free with so many products available today.

us trying to cut back on gluten. Why? For some, it’s to look like Gwyneth Paltrow, who has made being gluten-free hot. For others it’s the lure of the fad. But for others, it’s about feeling good. Debbie Mills is a yoga instructor and massage therapist who has been gluten-free since 2006. “I don’t have celiac,” she says. “I’ve never been tested. But that’s irrelevant because it wouldn’t change how I live my life. I don’t need a label.” Debbie says that her gluten sensitivity presented as digestive issues and a distended abdomen. Having gone gluten-free, she can now tell immediately when she gets “poisoned” by gluten hidden in foods. “My digestion is off for two to four weeks; my joints hurt. There’s a lot of hype about this, and generally I think trends are ridiculous,” she says. “I don’t think letting the media dictate our diets is a good idea.” But because of the relief they’ve seen with gluten-free diets, both Debbie Darlow and Debbie Mills are thankful for the hype. “We almost feel normal,” Debbie Darlow says, acknowledging the myriad gluten-free products available now. “We were gluten-free before gluten-free was vogue. This may be consumerism at its finest, but at least now we have options.” For those without gluten sensitivities, the experts are divided.

Ali Miller, registered dietician and owner of Naturally Nourished, says, “Everyone would benefit from reducing gluten in their diet. I recommend my clients use flour as a mindful indulgence rather than as everyday intake,” adding that even whole-wheat options are not fit diet staples. “Replace gluten products with vegetables like zucchini pasta or spaghetti squash filled with fiber and antioxidants, or nut flours filled with protein and healthy fat.” But Kari Kooi, a clinical dietician specialist at Houston Methodist Wellness Services, says, “There is no scientific evidence that gluten is ‘bad’ for everyone or that going gluten-free can lead to weight loss or improved energy. Gluten is not harmful to those who are tolerant of it any more than nuts are harmful to people free of nut allergies.” What both Ali and Kari do agree on, though, is that a gluten-free label does not always equivocate with healthy. “Often gluten-free products have more sugar and fat then their gluten-containing counterparts,” Kari says. Which brings us back from the magic bullet and all its promises to what we knew all along: Just cleaning up a diet, eating lean proteins, fruits and veggies, and fewer processed foods, brings health benefits – and often weight loss. So much for short cuts.

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IRA contribution rules With April 15 approaching, I have had many clients ask me about the rules pertaining to IRA contributions. I thought a review of the basic rules pertaining to IRA contributions might be of interest, so here goes. The maximum amount that can be contributed to a deductible IRA for 2013 is $5,500. If a person is 50 or older, the maximum is $6,500. A person must have earned income which equals or exceeds their IRA contribution. IRA contributions cannot be made once a person attains age 70.5. If a person or his or her spouse is covered by a retirement plan at work (check your W-2) then the deductible IRA amount may be limited depending upon your modified adjusted gross income (basically the number at the bottom of the first page of a 1040). If you are married, covered by a retirement plan at work, and make more than $116,000, a deductible IRA contribution is not available. People with incomes below $116,000 are eligible for a partial or full IRA deduction. The maximum amount that may be contributed to a Roth IRA for 2013 is also $5,500. If a person is 50 or older, the maximum is $6,500. A person must have earned income which equals or exceeds their Roth IRA contribution. Roth IRA contributions can be made without regard to age. Unlike deductible IRAs, it does not matter if a person or his or her spouse is covered by a retirement plan at work. However, if a married couple has modified adjusted gross income in excess of $188,000, a Roth IRA contribution is not available. Contributions to nondeductible IRAs can also be made in lieu of or in addition to deductible IRAs and/or Roth IRAs. However, the total amount contributed to any combination of IRAs cannot exceed $5,500 or $6,500, as applicable. For example, if a person were 52 years old and had contributed $2,000 to an deductible

IRA and $2,000 to a Roth IRA, a maximum of $2,500 could be contributed to a nondeductible IRA. Spousal contributions are available both with respect to IRAs, Roth IRAs, and nondeductible IRAs. The maximum contributions are $5,500 or $6,500, depending upon the age of the person for whom the IRA is established. A spouse need not have earned income in order to be eligible for a contribution; however, the working spouse must have earned income which equals or exceeds the sum of the regular and spousal IRA contribution. Please see your financial advisor for details! Christopher J. Maurer, J.D., CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in Bellaire, with over 20 years of experience. He can be reached at 713-667-4884 or cmaurer@parkplacefinancial.co. This material is intended for educational purposes only. Please consult your investment professional or tax advisor for specific information pertaining to your situation. All information contained herein is derived from sources deemed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed. Securities and advisory services offered through SagePoint Financial, Inc., member of FINRA/SIPC. Insurance services offered through Park Place Financial. Legal advice provided by Christopher J. Maurer. 6750 West Loop S, Suite 920, Bellaire, Texas 77401 (713) 667-4884. Christopher J. Maurer, J.D., CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in Bellaire, with over 20 years of experience. He can be reached at cmaurer@parkplacefinancial.co or 713-667-4884.

BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 17

NEIGHBORS

by Cheryl Laird, staff writer

Text Me

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hanks to middle age, I am perfectly suited to feel the wrath of two generations. A common topic is communication. My mom chastises me, via voicemail, for not listening to her messages. “I’m going to text you now to listen to your voicemail,” she says. “But you won’t.” My 13-year-old daughter berates me when I call instead of text. She hasn’t even set up her voicemail. She also doesn’t see the point of email, unless it’s with a teacher. Her friends talk by text, Instagram, Snapchat, occasionally Twitter or, increasingly, Kik – an app that lets you message without revealing your phone number or real name. Texting your children does not, of course, mean they will respond. In fact, their rules of etiquette seem to actually forbid it. One of those humorous screenshots going around shows a father texting his teen son. It goes something like: “Son, we’ve decided to buy you a car.” The son replies, immediately, “What? Really? That’s incredible! Thank you!!” The father replies: “No. We just wanted to see if you get our texts.” Perhaps at no other time have communication preferences been so dependent on one’s generation. But age isn’t the only factor. Personality type plays a big part, as does the intimacy of the relationship. Old-school landline users don’t always realize you may keep a cell phone by the bed at night for emergencies. Every dinging text turns into an unwelcome wake-up call. One local businesswoman has a client who texted her at 2 a.m. to reschedule an appointment. It could have been handled in the morning, or via email. Did she say anything? No. She figured her silence was response enough. (She needs to discover her iPhone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature for nighttime, which mutes all calls except “Favorite” contacts you identify.) While everybody knows you generally don’t telephone working adults after 10 p.m. and before 8 a.m., and you usually don’t make nonessential work calls outside of traditional business hours, not everybody knows the same time rules apply to texting. BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 18

Oliver Diaz, who owns the multimediadesign company FuelFX, says business communication generally starts via the most removed, professional medium, say, LinkedIn. And then it gets increasingly familiar, moving to email, then office phone, then cell phone and finally text. Then again, he says, if you are selling, start face to face if possible, and then back off and use video or phone conferencing, personal calls and, finally, email. “People are more likely to commit to something, be swayed or be true to their word when you can read each other’s body language,” he says. For especially meaningful correspondence, you still can’t beat a handwritten note. As marketing manager Florence Kosmala says, “I’ve recently received a formal thank you card at work from a 30-something colleague. When I expressed my surprise, he said, ‘Don’t you like it? Doesn’t it make you feel special?’ I had to agree.” Personally, I find phone calls intrusive and loathe cumbersome voicemail, but I’ll email, text, instant-message or post on Facebook all day with you. Whenever the landline rings – we keep it for our security system – I startle and worry somebody has died and an older relative is calling to tell us. The only people who call it are salespeople, our moms and HISD. I don’t like how calls yank me from whatever I’m concentrating on. I’m a deliberate thinker, and phone conversations are so fast-paced. With written messages, I can ponder and carefully compose a hopefully insightful reply. But my extroverted, people-loving boss

LOVES phone calls. They’re faster for her, and she likes the energy and free-flowing ideas that inevitably come from two people exchanging on-the-cuff thoughts. We have talked about our differences, which has been helpful. She now emails as much as possible, and I try to be cheerful when she calls to talk things out. For long phone conversations, she will text first to give a heads up that she will call at a certain time. Sue Feinberg, a speechwriter, says her family’s preferences are evolving too: “My mother-in-law didn’t even know how to use her cell phone, and now all she’ll do is text me. It’s better than talking. I couldn’t ever get off the phone before. It’s probably gotten me in less trouble because I’m less likely to say something she doesn’t like.” Talking isn’t the only way to get in trouble. As my husband reminded me: “Slow down and watch for typos on that tiny keyboard. While riding in a cab to an important business meeting, I informed two colleagues that I was in the can and would be there as soon as I could.”

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BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 19

TRAVEL by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Travel Buzz Just the gals

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ayle Kamen Weinstein grew up in Skokie, Ill., back in the good old days – in the 1950s and ’60s, when everyone knew their neighbors. She already had a group of best pals from the age of 3, and the “Barbie Fan Club” on Crain Street grew into a group of lifelong friends. Kellie Jenks grew up in Austin in the 1990s and early 2000s, and it was the girls she went to grad school with who ended up staying in touch after going their separate ways. Both women talked with their friends for years about getting together, just the gals, without husbands or family – but “life intervened,” as Kellie says – they got married, had kids, got jobs, not necessarily in that order, and the years flew by. But when they finally took the plunge and scheduled a trip together, they quickly found themselves aficionados of one of the travel industry’s most popular trends: the girlfriend getaway. Indeed, health professionals say these trips provide a crucial opportunity to contextualize life’s events; the women themselves say they’re a blast. For Gayle, it happened when her Barbie Fan Club buddies were turning 50. They finally took the plunge and did what they’d been talking about for years; they got out their calendars and decided on a long weekend together. What would it be? Being Chicago girls, at first they decided to go together to be on the Oprah Winfrey show, which is produced there in their hometown, she said. But they kept tossing ideas around and finally decided to go to New York City instead. “We got adjoining hotel rooms and we stayed up all night, laughing, telling jokes, telling stories,” she recalls. “It was wonderful being together and not having to worry about husbands or families or anything.” The women were hooked. When they turned 55, they planned a trip to Santa Fe, N.M. They spent another long weekend, going to art galleries, spas, shopping, and once again staying up all night talking. And last year, they went to Charleston to celebrate their 60th birthdays. Most of them had never been to the true South, and were in for a bit of culture shock. “I think BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 20

NAPA VALLEY REUNION Kellie Jenks, at left, and Belinda Mulhern were among a half-dozen buddies who renewed their grad-school friendships with a weekend in California’s Wine Country.

Charleston is still angry about losing the Civil War,” she laughed. Nonetheless the romance, the history and the authenticity won them over immediately. They toured Fort Sumter, took a walking tour of downtown Charleston and visited one of the oldest synagogues in the United States; they stayed in a charming bed and breakfast and ate fried chicken and waffles and cheesy grits, and the time flew by. By now, with three trips under their belts, the Barbie fan club can call their girls’ getaways a tradition, and one they have every intention of keeping. “I love my girls’ weekend,” Gayle says. “My family is always a little resentful but they let me go – and it’s wonderful not to have any responsibilities.

“It’s been a wonderful way to keep our bond. Knowing each other’s histories, each other’s parents, remembering the time that we did this or that… we always bring pictures and memorabilia from the Barbie fan club, and newspaper stories… we spend the whole weekend just laughing, laughing until the tears are rolling down.” Kellie’s group of friends were a band of TypeA women who supported each other through the rigors of an MBA at Columbia University. Now, a decade later, they’re CEOs and entrepreneurs and high-priced consultants; one is an executive vice president at Paramount Studios, one is the national research director of Eli Lilly, and Kellie is the vice-president of an investment firm. But when they finally got together for their first getaway last year, they were struck by how

easily they reconnected. “Most people see us as fairly successful people. We don’t see each other that way; we still see each other as little 28-year-old chickens,” Kellie said with a laugh. “It was like we hadn’t seen each other in a week instead of a decade. We’ve had marriages, divorces, kids, companies go bust, recession, moves – it was like no time had passed, but yet we had so much to talk about.” No doubt the setting for the trip – a weekend of wine tours in the Napa Valley – helped facilitate their bonding and relaxation. But it quickly became apparent that the top draw was neither the wine nor the scenery – it was each other. “We were there for four days, and we only made it to two wineries,” Kellie said. “Instead, we’d just sit and talk – or we’d take really long runs. My friend Belinda and I thought we’d go for a three-mile run, but we were talking the whole time, and an hour and a half later, we were still running – unloading everything that had happened over the past seven years.” For Monique Boling, her girlfriend getaway came as a complete surprise. She thought that she and her sister were the only ones going skiing at their new home in Steamboat, Colo., when eight of her best friends showed up in a limo-bus to surprise her for her big day: her 50th birthday celebration. The women, most of whom have been friends for more than 20 years, had a fabulous time. They enjoyed skiing, tubing, shopping, dining and a day at the spa. By the time this crew left Steamboat, they were known as “that crazy group of women from Houston.” If you’re planning a girls’ getaway, here’s some advice from Kellie: Someone needs to take the initiative and divide up the tasks, so no one gets stuck with all the planning. “It was way easier to plan than we thought. You think about planning a trip with friends, and it sounds like a big burden, but it wasn’t. Everyone just pitched in.” Don’t wait for the perfect time; it will never

STEAMBOAT CELEBRATION Houston friends gathered in Steamboat, Colo., for a surprise celebration of Monique Boling’s 50th birthday. Back row, from left: Lori Wilkins, Linda O’Neal, Jackie Byers, Alisa Hoffman, Angel Alvarez. Front row, from left: Mercedes Pilegge, The Birthday Girl, Lisa Riddle and Kari Kobal.

happen. If one or two in the group can’t make it, do it anyway; the important thing is to get started. “Just get together as many girls as you can. This year it will be a priority because we had so much fun last year.” Mark the date off pretty far in advance, to allow for everyone’s busy schedules. Make the first venue easy, because if people are familiar with the area, it will reduce the possibility of complications. Her group chose Sonoma because several had already been there,

and one already knew of a great rental house that was available and was perfect for their needs. Just focus on getting everyone there; don’t put too much pressure on yourself to organize a lot of activities. “When you get there you may just want to hang out and have wine and cheese in the hot tub.”

MORE ONLINE For a picture of the Barbie Fan Club girls when they were 14, see this story at bellairebuzz.com.

Five girlfriend getaways When a lot of time has gone by since your last visit, you might just want to hang out and talk. But for those who are ready to take on something more challenging, here are a few ideas: Music lovers: Meet the gals for a weekend of honky-tonking in Austin. Spend a night dancing to some of the best honky-tonk music at the classic Broken Spoke dance hall, catch an indie act at the circus-themed Carousel Lounge or take in a blues jam and some historic murals at the Victory Grill. Start your Sunday morning out with some local color at the Gospel Brunch at Taco Xpress (AKA the Hippie Church). Adrenaline addicts: Follow in the footsteps of the Wright Brothers and learn to hang glide at the world’s largest hang-gliding school in Kitty Hawk, N.C. When you tire of sailing over the dunes, you can explore the quaint colonial towns and immerse yourself in the rich history and natural environment of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. kittyhawk.com/hang-gliding Health seekers: Recover your inner peace together at The Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, located on a lake in the Berkshires and surrounded by miles of hiking trails. Support each other in an R&R routine that leaves you feeling relaxed and uplifted. Kripalu.org Creative types: Awaken the inner artist in each of you with a retreat at House of Wind and Water in the jungle above Puerto Vallarta’s Rio Cuale. This retreat center/bed-and-breakfast is the creation of artist Kathleen Carrillo, who offers painting retreats, mixed-media soul collage workshops, yoga art retreats and nature art retreats, among others. houseofwindandwater.com Nature lovers: Learn to scout the rapids, climb a rock face or simply ground yourself deeply in nature with a Women’s Empowerment Workshop in Vail, Colo., or in Bali. These workshops, designed for women of all ages and capacities, use nature to nurture innate abilities and help overcome the obstacles that keep women from reaching their full potential. womenempower.us

BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 21

SPORTS

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by Todd Freed, staff writer

SportzBuzz

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or the 25th time in school history, St. Agnes Academy has won a state championship in swimming and diving. The Tigers put forth a dominant performance to win this year’s TAPPS 5A Division I State Swimming and Diving Championship by a significant 40-point margin. Highlighting the championship was a state record-breaking swim in the 200-freestyle relay, where Kate Olson, Maggie McGuffee, Anastasia Kontrimas and Angel Hoang teamed up for the gold medal victory. The girls broke the state record previously set in 2009 by the St. Agnes relay team that included Kontrimas’ older sister Kristina as well as Hoang’s older sister Van-Anh. “It’s pretty amazing that two of our girls would play a major part in breaking the state record set by their older sisters,” said Tigers head coach Kaitlin Kelley. In addition, the Tigers medaled in numerous events. Sarah Steffes, Ashley Mercadel and Alex Allen placed among the top three in multiple individual and relay events for the Tigers. “It truly was an entire team effort,” said Kelley. “It also speaks to the depth of our program. The great thing is that we’re also a really young team. We only had three seniors swimming at state, and so we should be pretty strong again next year.” In TAPPS Division II, it was a clean sweep for Awty International, with the Rams winning both the girls and boys state swimming and diving championships. “We made school history by winning a girls and boys state championship in the same sport,” said Awty International swim coach Tom Quitzau. “After our teams finished first at regionals two weeks earlier, the kids realized they had a chance to do something truly special at state. It was an honor and thrill to see it happen.” For the Awty boys, Alexandre Marcos, Sebastian Andrade, Rodolfo Fernandez and Sam Quitzau broke a school record in winning the 200-medley relay, while Tyler Goulding teamed with Fernandez, Quitzou and Marcos in setting a school record in the 200-freestyle relay. Plus, Jason Rehg, Fernandez, Goulding and Andrade brought home the gold medal in the BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 22

GREAT AT STATE St. Agnes Academy swimmers (from left) Kate Olson, Anastasia Kontrimas, Maggie McGuffee and Angel Hoang set a state record in the 200-freestyle relay as St. Agnes went on to win the TAPPS Division I State Swimming and Diving Championship.

400-freestyle relay. Goulding had individual second-place finishes in both the 50 and 100 freestyle, and Andrade broke a school record in his second-place finish in the 100 breaststroke. For the Awty girls, it was a spectacular meet for Elizabeth Hirs, who won the 100 freestyle in a school-record time of 55.12 seconds while also breaking a school record in the 50 freestyle. Hirs teamed up with Katie Hillyer, Lauren Ward and Christina Moreno to set school and state records in winning both the 200- and 400freestyle relays. Moreno was also a second-place finisher in the 500 freestyle, while Ward took second in the 100 butterfly. “Our girls and boys were nearly perfect,” said Quitzau. “They did exactly what there were supposed to at state. Overall, we broke 12 school records and two state records. It was sort of an onslaught by our team.” In TAPPS Division III, the St. Thomas’ Episcopal girls’ string of four consecutive state championships came to an end at this year’s state swimming and diving meet, but the STE girls still finished a most respectable third in the state. “We only had six girls on this year’s team, so it was a challenge,” said STE head coach Helena

Finley. “Still, I was excited for the girls to finish third in the state.” Amanda Schneider broke a school record in the 100 butterfly, while Kelley McGough, Molly Egan, Becky Hawk and Hannah Hawk also scored valuable points for STE. It was a tremendous meet for the STE boys team, which finished second in the state. The STE boys were especially strong in the relays. Nick Flato, Elijah Berry, Kenta Nebgen and Logan Jones finished second in the 200-freestyle relay in a school-record time, while James Finley and Xavier Marshall teamed with Berry and Jones for second place in the 400-freestyle relay. In addition, Finley, Nebgen, Flato and Joseph Lupski finished in the 200-medley relay. Individually, Finley set a school record with his second-place finish in the 100 breaststroke, while Jones and Nebgen finished third in the 100 and 50 freestyle, respectively. Editor’s Note: Todd Freed is the Emmy Awardwinning co-host and producer of the KUBE SportsZone, which airs Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m. on Channel 57-KUBE. To submit high school sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, please email todd@thebuzzmagazines.com.

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Nickel allergy Typically, when people talk about allergy, they are referring to immediate hypersensitivity reactions, such as sneezing or wheezing when breathing in pollen. Nickel allergy, however, is an example of delayed type hypersensitivity. It usually results in an itchy, scaly, red rash where the nickel touches the skin. This is referred to as contact dermatitis (something contacting your skin is causing a rash). Most people know nickel is present in costume jewelry, but what they may not realize is how many other everyday products contain nickel: snaps (e.g., Levi’s 501s), eyeglass frames, watches, zippers and even makeup. The only real treatment for nickel allergy is complete avoidance. If you are allergic to nickel, you can buy a preparation called NickelAlert™ to test items you are considering buying that are labeled “nickel-free.” The problem is, there is no standard for “nickel-free,” and a lot of items labeled as such still contain small amounts of nickel. You rub the item with NickelAlert for a few seconds – if it turns purple, it contains nickel. If you own an item with great sentimental value but it breaks you out, consider applying NickelGuard to it. This is similar to clear nail polish, forming a barrier between your skin and the item, but it lasts longer than nail polish. Both of these items are available at www.nonickel.com. They also sell buckles and inexpensive jewelry that is truly free of nickel. Don’t be surprised to find nickel hiding in canned foods, small batteries, doorknobs and even the green felt dye used on pool tables. If you have a nickel allergy, certain nickel-rich foods may also worsen your rash, even if you aren’t wearing anything containing nickel. Be aware that lentils, peas, canned fruits, cashews, red kidney beans and chocolate/cocoa

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powder can all contain nickel. This reaction to foods is caused by systemic contact dermatitis. For immediate hypersensitivity (sneezy, runny) reactions, we apply a test to your back and read it in 20 minutes because, as the name implies, this reaction happens quickly. For nickel or other types of delayed hypersensitivities, however, the testing is different. Our allergy group tests for nickel and 35 other common causes of contact dermatitis using the T.R.U.E. Test. We put patches on your back on a Monday, remove them and do an initial reading on a Wednesday, then do a final reading and conference with the doctor on a Friday. Remember, because this is delayed hypersensitivity, the patches must stay on a couple days. At the end of the testing, we will help you determine ways in which any offending chemicals may be sneaking into your everyday life and discuss the best ways to avoid the allergens. No one nose allergies like we do.™ Note: Information contained in this article should not be considered a substitute for consultation with a board-certified allergist to address individual medical needs. Alnoor A. Malick, M.D., The Allergy Clinic, 7707 Fannin, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77054, 713.797.0993, *1200 Binz, Suite 180, Houston, Texas 77004, 713.522.9911, www.allergyclinic.com, *Operating as Houston Allergy & Asthma Clinic

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BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 23

SPORTS

SportzBuzz, Jr.

Tonya Gee

by Jacob Padden, contributing writer

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elcome to SportzBuzz, Jr., a column spotlighting neighborhood athletes in elementary and middle school.

Play ball The 2014 Bellaire Little League spring season is underway. Opening ceremonies took place on March 1. In a team-scrimmage game, Bellaire Bulldog player Daniel Nayvelt (top photo, at right) just barely beats teammate Connor Feng (left) to the base. The Bulldogs compete in the Texas division for 7 and 8 year olds and hope to earn a spot in the Texas Division Championship in May. The season will wrap in late spring with the annual gala fundraiser on April 26 at Wildcat Golf Club, 12000 Almeda Road. All proceeds from the event will benefit the league.

Austin Beebe (#23, middle photo) of the HYLAX (Houston Youth Lacrosse) Hornets makes an acrobatic pass as he dodges the opposing team. The HYLAX Hornets’ regular season wraps up this month, with playoffs happening in late April or early May. Currently, HYLAX provides a league of club-lacrosse teams for grades 3-8 and supports club teams for Lamar High School, Lanier Middle School and Pin Oak Middle School.

Meredith Beebe

Hornet passes

Earthquakes vs. Explosions

Editor’s note: Send your best high-resolution photos and behind-the-scenes stories about young local athletes, in both team and individual sports, to SportsBuzz, Jr. at info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Include all contact info, names, ages, grades and schools. Featured athletes must live in Buzz-circulation neighborhoods. Items will be published on a space-available basis. BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 24

Gayle DeGregori

The West University Softball Association’s spring season for girls ages 4-15 is underway. Abby DeGregori (bottom photo, at left), a first grader at West University Elementary, hit her first home run ever in a tough matchup between her own Earthquakes and the Explosion. Abby is playing softball for her second year in the Freshman division. Also pictured is Vivian Sullo, a first grader at Annunciation Orthodox School, who plays alongside her twin sister Julia on the Freshman Blizzard, which won five of its first six games this season. The first games of the WUSA regular season were played on Feb. 16 and will wrap up in late April.

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BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 25

NEIGHBORS

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by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz About Town PVA roots

The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts hosted its eighth annual Encore for

Excellence luncheon at the River Oaks Country Club. The event, chaired by Jo and Jim Furr and Minnette and Peter Boesel, featured student performances as well as an appearance from World War Z movie actress and HSPVA alumna Mireille Enos. The luncheon raises money for HSPVA student programs. Pictured (from left) are Dr. Jonathan Cooper, Lynn Zeid, Enos and Alan Ruck, who played Cameron in the popular movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

including (pictured) Heather and Billy Miller, came decked out in their best ‘80s attire. More than 300 guests enjoyed dinner, dancing and a silent auction to raise money for the school. Local businesses, parents, teachers and classes donated items and services to be auctioned off at the gala. Seen having a, like, radical time were Shannon Hoffer, Sonal Thakur, Marci Baker, Patina Sehorn and Lauren Nguyen-Lo.

Simply irresistible

Saddle up

This year’s annual Horn Gala was a “totally awesome” ‘80s bash. Horn parents, staff and friends,

Condit students and their families lined the streets during the annual Houston tradition of

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Go Texan Day. They watched one of the trail rides head up S. Rice Avenue, passing right in front of their school. Buckaroos and cowgirls hooted and hollered as the chuck wagons, horses, trucks and rodeo volunteers slowly made

their way north toward Memorial Park, their final destination. The Mandola triplets were front and center, dressed in their Texas-best.

It’s Shlenker time The Shlenker School is gearing up for its annual spring fundraiser on April 26 at the Hughes Hangar lounge, 2811 Washington Avenue. Debbie and Rick Kaplan (pictured, with their three children, Brooke, Jordan and Michael) will be presented with the school’s Spark Award.

The award recognizes people who exemplify the spirit of the school. Debbie and Rick have participated as leaders and active parents. They have both served on the school’s Board of Trustees. Debbie was also active in the Shlenker PTO, serving as president and treasurer.

Saving a life A two-second cheek swab was the simple beginning of Matt Bronstein’s opportunity to save a

life. Last September, Matt, a business major at The University of Texas, found out that he matched an adult with a rare blood disease. The patient’s last hope was a bone-marrow transplant. Working with Delete Blood Cancer DKMS through the national “Be The Match” registry, Matt recently underwent a bone-marrow donation to offer this person he has never met a second chance at life. Matt says the decision to donate was easy. (continued on page 28)

BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 27

(continued from page 27) “Whatever discomfort I

might experience pales in comparison to what the patient will have endured,” he said. After a

Department, the girls arranged to be on hand at the city’s senior citizen Valentine’s Day party to deliver handmade cards.

Basketball champs

year, the patient and donor can agree to meet, which Matt hopes will be possible.

A sweet gesture Condit Elementary second graders, including (pictured, from left) Lucy Logan, Sloan Goodman, Susannah Rosof, Meghan Birney, Mia Septimus and Gareth Birney, decided to give something sweet to the senior citizens of Bellaire. With the help of Valerie Langdon from City of Bellaire’s Parks and Recreation

Team White beat the Jewish Community Center Team in the age 14-15 championship of the Bellaire Recreation League. Team White was 7-0 during the season and 2-0 in the tournament. Team White beat JCC 61-45 in the championship game. Teammates included Luke Wuthrich, Marc Bechter, Joshua Lewis, Jordan Loev, John Capps, Matthew Bechter, Rains Browning and Panos Kontoyiannis, plus coaches David Loev and Phillip Bechter.

Who let the dogs out Dog-training expert Cesar Millan (pictured, second from left), recently visited Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School and demon-

strated his “rehabilitating-dogs-andtraining-people” techniques to a sold-out luncheon crowd of supporters. Earlier in the day, he spoke to Cristo Rey Jesuit’s student body about his life journey. On hand were local NBC anchor Dominique Sachse, the luncheon emcee, as well as event co-chairs Lisa Turano (at left) and Carol Beck (at right), with a surprise appearance by the Rev. TJ Martinez (second from right), founding president of the school, recently back from six months of missionary work in Africa. Luncheon guests included Mary Tere Perusquia, Beth Tilney, Dede Weil, Cathy Borlenghi, Lisa Miranda, Lucia Warden, Paul Beck, Carol Thompson, Sarah Foshee, Judy Simon and Joy Posoli.

Making history Bellaire High School senior Bowie Robert Lin has been studying the violin since the age of 6. Every year in high school, Bowie participated in Region 23’s Symphony Orchestra, and he served as the first violinist/concertmaster in 2012. At the state level, Bowie participated in the Texas All-State’s Symphony Orchestra (Violin I) all

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four years, and this February he placed first in Violin I and served as the concertmaster, leading about 150 top young musicians in Texas. This is the highest honor a high school musician can

achieve at the state level, and no student at Bellaire High School had ever served as the concertmaster. Bowie is pictured with conductor Kevin Noe, professor of music at Michigan State University.

New gig Beth Yeshurun Day School has a new head of school, Dr. Dan Ahlstrom, starting on July 1. He recently had the chance to visit with some BYDS kindergarteners, including (pictured, top row, from left) Carly Ostrin, Kayla Whitman, Harrison Zimmerman, Jacob Schwartz, (mid-

dle row, from left) Lauren Getz, Nina Teichman, Jacob Rosenzweig, (front row, from left) Matthew Weinstein, Ethan Axler and Sam Sondock.

Be seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and community news to info@thebuzzmagazines.com or 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Items are published on a space-available basis.

BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 29

POETRY SLAM Sarah Portugal, a senior in musical theater at The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, is a singer/songwriter who loves to write and perform spoken-word poetry.

KIDS by Sarah Portugal, age 18

Buzz Kidz

Speaking of poetry

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met poetry one day walking into the doors of my second-grade classroom. The assignment for the day was to write about something admired more than anything else. Naturally, I wrote about horses – comparing the, “holes in their noses to tunnels leading to a secret entrance.” This remarkable simile marked the start of a friendship between this girl named Poetry and me. I wish when she introduced herself to me so boldly she would have heeded me a warning – something along the lines of, “Hi my name is Poetry. Did I mention that I will end up consuming your life? No? Great. You’ll find out in like 10 years.” Well 10 years later I can say that “Poetry” might consume a great portion of my life, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Of course, Poetry and I – like every other pair of old friends – have been through rough patch-

es. But if it were not for her I certainly would not be the person I am today. All right, enough with this personification of poetry. Hi. My name is Sarah Florence Portugal. I am a senior musical-theater major at HSPVA. Last year I was lucky enough to have earned a spot on Meta-Four – Houston’s Youth Poetry Slam Team. Poetry slam was not something I intentionally sought out, but rather stumbled upon. The first two years of high school I felt I had artistically hit a wall– in both my theater and my poetry. So I took a break from both and pursued songwriting. During this break I developed an immense zeal for ‘90s singer/songwriters – my favorite of which was Ani DiFranco. One day I was listening to an entire album, and one of the tracks was her reciting poetry set to music. However, there was

CLASS OF

2014 Where are you headed? Congratulations to the High School Graduating Class of 2014. Buzz readers would love to know where you’re headed for college. Let us know by visiting us at www.bellairebuzz.com and entering your info in our Class of 2014 database. You can search for classmates by name, high school, college or major.

BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 30

something different about this poetry – it was tangible, relevant and theatric. I was hooked. Spoken word was the hybrid of my two main passions – performing and writing. Looking back, the realization that I could pursue both of these passions simultaneously was the best discovery I’d ever made for my artistic livelihood.

MORE ONLINE To read one of Sarah’s poems, see this story online at bellairebuzz.com. Want to be a Buzz Kid? Email approximately 350 words, a high-resolution photo and caption to info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401.

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Local knowledge does the trick

Marital estate reimbursement

Mike Livingston is an expert when it comes to buying and selling homes in the local markets. Since 1993, this Bellaire resident has been helping other residents with their transactions. Steven Mintz has experienced Mike’s service first-hand with his recent home purchase. “Not many homebuyers write thank you notes to the seller’s agent, but Maria and I want to share our gratitude for all Mike did to ensure that both the seller and we, the buyers, came away delighted with the agreement,” he says. “We are especially grateful for the knowledge he brings to the table to ensure that the mundane aspects of a house sale, the loan, appraisal and inspection process, and the moveout and move-in, went remarkably smoothly. Mike’s patience, conscientiousness, helpfulness and professionalism are extraordinary. “We were extremely impressed by his market knowledge of the West U, Bellaire and Braeswood neighborhoods and his willingness to share this expertise. Mike’s assistance did not end with the closing. He made sure that a water heater, which went out the day after we moved in, was quickly repaired. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Mike Livingston to anyone.” Mike’s professional but personal service stands him apart from other real estate agents. He provides an up-to-date housing analysis to help price each home and has completed more than 650 transactions in Bellaire to date. Let Mike work for you too. Mike Livingston, Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan, 713.764.9850, mlivingston@gmail.com, www.har.com/milelivingston

Many people are living in older homes that cost them a lot to re-do. Some of the money they spent on the home may be separate property money. Separate property money may be money a person receives during the marriage from inheritance or gift, or could be money from prior to marriage. What happens in a divorce when one or both parties have used separate property money to improve a community property asset? The community estate may owe a reimbursement claim to the parties’ separate property estate. This reimbursement claim is not the actual cost of improvements, but is the improvement value. For example, if you built a new kitchen, and it cost $50,000 but improved the value of the house by only $20,000, then the reimbursement value the community estate owes to the separate estate is $20,000. Many improvements such as landscaping, pools, flooring and non-essential decorating have little to no actual improvement value to the home. When getting a divorce, make certain your attorney knows about any separate property funds you have expended on community property assets. K. Nicole Voyles, a partner at Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P., a full-service boutique family law firm, has been recognized as a Texas Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers, a Thomas Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly magazine, for 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013. K. Nicole Voyles, Board Certified in Family Law, Jenkins & Kamin, LLP, Two Greenway Plaza, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77046, 713.600.5500, www.jenkinskamin.com

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DINING GUIDE by Dai Huynh, staff writer

This Month in Dining: Culinary Sojourns Restaurant Listings $ (under $10) $$ ($11-$30) $$$ ($31-$60) $$$$ (over $60) Prices include drink, tax and tip per person Dai Huynh is a James Beard food-journalism award winner and longtime restaurant writer. Her visits to restaurants in our Buzz Dining Guide were anonymous, and she paid for her meals to maintain objectivity. We’d love your thoughts too. Write to info@thebuzzmagazines.com with your own dining opinions and suggestions. Also, you can contribute in the Comments section under the online version of this story at bellairebuzz.com.

Inn at Dos Brisas

Adair Kitchen

INN AT DOS BRISAS Situated on 313 acres, this luxurious destination features fresh pastries and fruit preserves for breakfast, one-on-one cooking classes and organic-gardening workshops.

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pril’s wildflower outing is a ritual for Texans. Droves of cars venture into the countryside on delightful, sunny days for the thrill of driving over a rise to catch a glimpse of an expanse of bluebonnets as thick as a shag rug. It’s also an ideal time to visit nearby culinary destinations. “About 95 percent of our guests come from the Houston area,” says Carol Davis, who owns Blisswood Bed and Breakfast (blisswood.net) in Cat Spring. An hour west, friends, families and couples come to fish or go horseback riding around Enchanted Lake, followed by a gazebo picnic lunch. In the evenings, they linger over wine and upscale ranch fare at the warmly lit Carol’s Restaurant. About 50 miles west of Houston, the restaurant at the luxurious Inn at Dos Brisas (dosbrisas.com) is the only Forbes Travel Guide five-star eatery in Texas. Executive chef Zachary Ladwig utilizes fresh organic produce from the inn’s 26-acre garden and fruit orchards. The menu is seasonally driven. In April, Ladwig harvests bushels of beans (five varieties), along with 13 kinds of cucumbers, 14 heirloom tomatoes, 13 types of lettuces, and the list goes on. Tasting menus range from five to 15 courses. In the mornings, a continental breakfast is served with homemade pastries, such as cheddar biscuits and muffins, accompanied by fresh, hand-crafted fruit preserves. Messina Hof (messinahof.com) in Bryan is a longtime, favorite wine destination. This romantic getaway frequently hosts programs for oenophiles. And guests staying in one of 11 bed-and-breakfast suites get a winery tour, along with a champagne breakfast and evening wine-and-cheese reception. Short on time? Simply dine at the Vintage House restaurant, which offers cooking classes. Since 2011, Messina Hof also has run a Hill Country tasting room/bed and breakfast in Fredericksburg. BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 32

American fresh-fare Neighborhood: Galleria The Belgian waffles were tender inside, slightly crisp outside, and beautifully dressed with ripe, fresh strawberries lightly showered with white powdered sugar. But along with the usual breakfast fare, such as fluffy pancakes, scrambled eggs and French toasts, Adair Kitchen turns out some not-so-common, stellar options, such as a sourdough toast topped with buttery avocado and chorizo-flavored pork sausage. Combined with fresh cilantro, lime and a side of mashed black beans, it leaves a favorable impression of this hip, airy space that always manages to surprise regulars with its creative twists on traditional dishes, such as a tritip steak salad with grapefruit. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 5161 San Felipe, 713-6236100. adairkitchen.com. $$

Bite Macarons French pastries Neighborhood: West University Making macarons is a dare, especially in Houston’s soggy climate. These delicate orbs in a multitude of colors and flavors are finicky. Their golden, smooth crust turns into dud-like chews

at the hint of humidity. Macarons also demand surgical precision in the sifting of superfine sugar and ground almonds, combined with the beating of egg whites. A misstep and the result is a gritty fistful of chalk. And so, it was a treat (and surprise) to bite into the puffed-up salted caramel and pistachio renditions from Bite (in the Kroger shopping center). At last, the search for macarons “almost” like those from the venerable Ladurée in Paris is over. Granted, the weather was perfect that day – hardly a hint of humidity, nor a disappointed face at this charming white-gloss dessertcoffee house. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 5172-B Buffalo Speedway, 713-664-2483. $

Caracol Mexican coastal cuisines Neighborhood: Galleria Hugo Ortega is largely credited with introducing Houstonians to the foodways of Mexico. His namesake restaurant, Hugo’s, on Westheimer captivates with soulful interior specialties, while Caracol showcases Mexico’s lilting coastal cuisines. Ceviches and crudos shine against a snow-white interior dressed with deepsea creatures by renowned illustrator Charley Harper. Jalapeño and ginger give great spark and crunch to conch, while scallops combined with sweet mango, papaya and lime crudos dance merrily between sweet, salty and tangy. A house favorite is oysters smoked in a wood-burning

domed oven, then drizzled with a luscious chipotle butter. The menu leans toward seafood, but there are meatier options, such as bone-in short rib with cocoa nib and roasted duck with pumpkin seed sauce. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 2200 Post Oak Blvd., No. 160, 713-622-9996. caracol.net. $$$

Costa Brava Bistro French-and-Spanish cuisine Neighborhood: Bellaire Working backward at this Spanish-inspired restaurant, the refined desserts include crema Catalan with a miraculous crunchy sugar glaze and an apple tart that smartly blends smoky caramel with buttery pastry. The flavorful seafood paella from owner Angeles Duenas’ grandfather sports perfectly al dente rice. Moist roasted duck and shrimp piquant with garlic make this upscale spot pleasing. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Fri. and dinner Sat. 5115 Bellaire Blvd., 713-839-1005. costabravabistro.com. $$$

Étoile Authentic French Neighborhood: Galleria area When several talented French chefs urge you to try the food at Étoile, it’s hard to dispute their keen taste for the food of their homeland. Just as they said, the flavors here are true, and ownerchef Philippe Verpiand and wife Monica Bui have

created an alluringly warm showcase for a hearty coq au vin and tender sole meunière with lemon caper sauce, fingerling potatoes and roasted cauliflower – both brunch items. Briny mussels flavored with tomatoes and onions are served with homemade pomme frites and garlic aioli. The beauty of this place is almost everything is made from scratch, including the crusty baguettes. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 1101 Uptown Park Blvd., 832-668-5808. etoilecuisine.com. $$

Fioza Gourmet coffees & paninis Neighborhood: Meyerland Fragrant coffees from a local roaster are bolstered by crispy paninis in this cozy nook frequented by Latin professionals. Stellar croissants and fresh baked goods support a minimalistic breakfast-sandwich menu that includes baked eggs with either mushroom and pesto or tomato, pesto and fresh basil. Stack corn beef onto any, and at lunchtime, try the chicken pesto or roasted vegetables with goat cheese. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 9002 Chimney Rock Road, 713-729-8810. fioza.com. $

Funky Chicken Gourmet fried chicken Neighborhood: The Heights It seems simple enough – fried, moist chicken with skin so brown and (continued on page 34)

BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 33

The Epicurean Publicist

FUNKY CHICKEN This Heights restaurant has perfected the art of fried chicken with its barely-there breading. (continued from page 33) enduringly

crisp. Yet many chefs don’t get it right, and even fewer are able to take it to the next level. The exception is two-time James Beard winner Bradley Ogden. The Las Vegas superstar chef and son Bryan recently opened the Funky Chicken – the first of many, they hope. We couldn’t be happier that they’re testing their recipes on Houstonians. The Ogdens have perfected the art of fried chicken with a savory coating reminiscent of the paper-thin, amber-glass crust on a crème brûlée. The barely-there breading allows you to taste crispy skin along with the expertly marinated organic chicken. Funky Chicken also serves roasted chicken and gourmet sides like quinoa salad and roasted brussels sprouts. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Fri. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Sat.-Sun. 181 Heights Blvd., 832924-4655. realfunkychicken.com. $

Hugo’s Regional Mexican Neighborhood: Montrose Tex-Mex was the game in town until risk takers such as Hugo’s owner-chef Hugo Ortega set out to educate Houstonians about the food of his motherland. Many traditional Mexican establishments have failed, but not the high-ceiling, palatial Hugo’s, with such comida tipica as a soulful offthe-menu oxtail soup, earthy moles and snapper tamales fragrant in banana leaves. Perennial favorites are the wood-grilled rib-eye steak and baby pig roasted in banana leaves, not to mention pan-fried grasshoppers, which taste like popcorn and are delicious when paired with a blanco tequila. The crown jewel is Hugo’s Sunday brunch – a majestic cornucopian spread, worth every peso. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 1600 Westheimer Road, 713-524-7744. hugosrestaurant.net. $$$ BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 34

Izakaya Wa Authentic Japanese Neighborhood: Memorial You can tell a lot about a restaurant by the diners. In this case, about 80 percent of the customers at Izakaya Wa are Japanese. Here, they can savor the true flavors of home without flying home. No wonder. Kubo-san is in the kitchen. Hajime Kubokawa is revered by chefs around town. There is artistry in how he wields the knife. His expertly sliced sushi and sashimi melt on the palate. But at Izakaya Wa, he has left the sushi bar in the very capable hands of business partner Akira Asano. Instead, Kubokawa is in the kitchen prepping homey noodle soups, stews and izakaya, or Japanese tapas of grilled and fried meats and vegetables, best enjoyed with friends over good, cold beers. Food by Kubo-san can be a revelation. Simplicity defines Japanese cookery, and he has mastered its succinctness. Want to learn about real Japanese food? Here is your chance. A great perspective is the rotating halfand-half lunch special, consisting a rice dish and a noodle dish – a rare duo offering in the U.S., but common in Japan. Lunch Mon.-Thurs. & dinner Mon.-Sun. 12665 Memorial Drive, 713461-0155. izakayawa.com. $$

Jonathan’s The Rub American classics Neighborhood: Memorial It isn’t unusual to find a chef or restaurateur at this BYOB eatery, chomping down on one of the juiciest grinders in town. It’s that good. Burger aficionados around Hedwig Village pay homage to the 9-ounce chargrilled ground chuck seasoned with chefowner Jonathan Levine’s secret rub seasonings. Available at lunchtime only, you can

build your own, or opt for the original Rub with the usual fixings on sweet sourdough bun. There’s also the Blue with chunky blue cheese, the AVO with grilled avocado and the Latino Nuevo with chipotle mayonnaise and Mexican cheese. Lunch & dinner Mon.Fri. and dinner Sat., 9061 Gaylord, 713-4658200. jonathanstherub.com. $$

Pizaro’s Pizza Napoletana Neopolitan-style pizzas Neighborhood: Memorial Pizzerias abound. But Pizaro’s stands above most in its attempt to recreate authentic Neopolitan-style pies in a custom-made, Italian, wood-fired brick oven. Here, the pizzas comes out puffy, beautifully charred around the edges in 90 seconds after baking in a 900degree inferno. We’re envious of nearby residents who can enjoy Pizaro’s creations daily, from the well-crafted margherita to the lusty calabrese, composed of spicy sopressata sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella and basil. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sat. 14028 Memorial Drive, 281-5897277. pizarospizza.com. $

Post Oak Grill Gulf Coast classics Neighborhood: Tanglewood Happiness exists in a bread basket at this popular outpost for business lunches. The basket usually cradles oven-fresh biscuits fragrant with green onions, bacon and cheddar cheese. One really isn’t enough; nor is two or three. Slow down, though, or you’ll fill up before the perfectly grilled rainbow trout arrives, glistening lightly with butter-caper sauce. Polo Becerra is a classic chef with a timeless approach of keeping ingredients simple and clean, with just a sheath of

sauce to elevate the flavors of beef and seafood. Lunch & dinner, Mon.-Sat., 1415 S. Post Oak Lane, 713-993-9966. postoakgrill.com. $$$

Revival Market Gourmet market and café Neighborhood: The Heights Partner Morgan Weber and chef Ryan Pera source fresh ingredients from local growers and suppliers. Their multifaceted concept (grocery store, deli, patisserie and coffee shop) is unique, with much to admire. It expands on a growing theme in the culinary world, in which chefs return to the basics, curing their own meats and preserving their own fruits. Weber and Pera take it a step further by raising their own heritage pork and chicken. You’ll also find artisanal foodstuffs, including house-made vinegars and pickles. Desserts are by the talented Rebecca Masson. Seafood bycatches are from PJ Stoops. Antibiotic-free smoked meats and sausages (try the boudin) are from Pera and charcutier Adam Garcia. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 550 Heights Blvd., 713-880-8463. revivalmarket.com. $$

Smallcakes Cupcake emporium Neighborhood: Memorial We stumbled on this tiny, sweet-smelling

shop by accident, and a happy one at that. The cupcakes here are edible icons of childhood innocence. Nearly perfect. Voluptuous. The cake is moist and tender. The well-balanced frosting is buttery and fluffy. The Choco-holic (chocolate cake and chocolate buttercream) and the Caramel Crunch (with sea salt and pretzel) exemplify grown-up flavors and highquality ingredients. About 15 flavors are featured daily by this Kansas franchise founded by Jeff Martin, who competed on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars and was featured on The View, where one of the hosts declared, “Now this is a red velvet cupcake right here.” Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 1531 Eldridge Parkway, 281-9209110. smallcakesmemorial.com. $

Tacos Tierra Caliente Food-truck fare Neighborhood: Lower Montrose Some of Houston's best grub can be found in parking lots and vacant lots, dished out of Airstreams and food trucks by both amateur and professional chefs. About 1,000-plus food trucks cruise Houston streets. But Tacos Tierra Caliente in lower Montrose is legendary. Former Hugo’s cook Nana Samano’s tacos pack optimal flavors. For less than two bucks, you can buy a diminutive corn tortilla stuffed with roasted pork and sweet, tangy chunks of pineapples, or try the robust barbacoa blanket-

ed with fresh onions and cilantro. Spritz on fresh lime and savor the true flavors of Mexico. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. On the corner of McDuffie Street and West Alabama, next to the convenience store across from the West Alabama Icehouse. $

Underbelly Upscale Texas eats Neighborhood: Montrose Underbelly chef-owner Chris Shepherd’s menu is a touchstone of the nose-to-tail movement. The Oklahoman is known to haul a whole hog through a roomful of diners, and his passion is mirrored by a striking woodcutting of a snout at the entrance. Family-style offerings include a pork roast with smoky sweet cornbread. Another piglet rendition is spicy kimchi stew. Shepherd shares his fondness for Asian cuisines with sweeping touches here and there – all of which are satisfying against an airy, modern, Texas Hill Country setting, with maple wood communal tables, fresh wildflowers and a wall of homemade preserves. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Thurs. and dinner Fri.-Sat. 1100 Westheimer Road, 712-5289800. underbellyhouston.com. $$$

MORE ONLINE For more restaurants and to comment, see this story online at bellairebuzz.com.

Houston Real Estate’s Best Kept Secret. New Rates. New Approach. New Leaf.

New Leaf Real Estate LLC | 3100 Richmond Ave., Suite 500, Houston, TX 77098 713.820.4017 | www.newleafre.com | info@newleafre.com

BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 35

sponsored by

PETS

Neighborhood Tails

713.662.2119 www.roveroaks.com

Tucker, age 6, Labrador, Woodstock St. Hi. I have been asking my “parents” for a new buddy for some time now. I told them another Lab just like me would be a great. Well, one day they brought home this yapping little mouse! I had no idea what it was. I have never seen anything so little and feisty. They told me I had to be nice to her. Don’t tell anyone, but I was a little scared of her at first. I used to hide from her in my big chair. Little did I know Tess is a Jack Russell, and they are known for being jumpers. So much for hiding in my chair. The more we hung out, the more I started to like her. Now we are the best of buds. We love to tug-of-war with our toys. Tess is actually very strong, despite her size. My “mom” asked me to pose for a picture with my new little buddy. Tess and I make a pretty cute couple. Got a cute critter? Email a picture of your pet with approximately 150 words to info@thebuzzmagazines.com or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Featured pets receive two passes to Rover Oaks Pet Resort. Each pass can be redeemed for one day of lodging in a Bunk House Suite, 25 percent off your next grooming appointment or 25 percent off one obedience training class.

BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 36

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Divorce happens

Free vein screenings

Divorce is rarely easy. Yet it can be an opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth. The secret is learning how to successfully navigate the divorce process, with a focus on making a new life going forward. The Guide to Good Divorce program and seminars offer information and guidance from uniquely qualified experts on the law of divorce in Texas, divorce financial planning, life skills, and physical and spiritual wellness. The program also provides opportunities for women facing divorce to connect and network with each other. The Five Keys to your next best life are to acquire legal knowledge; engage in divorce financial planning; gain new life skills; practice wellness; and create new communities. Upcoming 2014 seminars – Sat., May 3, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa, 111 North Post Oak Lane, Houston, Texas 77024; Sat., July 26, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Unity of Houston, 2929 Unity Drive, Houston, Texas 77057; and Sat., Sept. 27, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa, 111 North Post Oak Lane, Houston, Texas 77024. Join other women facing divorce and discover the keys to unlocking your next best life at this information-packed, educational workshop! For details or to register, visit www.GuideToGoodDivorce.com or call 713-932-7177.

Pain in the legs is frequently related to abnormal leg veins. Symptoms, often made worse by prolonged standing, include fatigue, heaviness, aching, burning, throbbing, itching, cramping at night and leg restlessness. Leg swelling, skin discoloration and ulcers can occur. UT Dermatology offers multiple minimally invasive treatment options for patients with varicose veins. Patients treated with these minimally invasive techniques typically resume their regular activities in approximately one day. These treatments not only enhance the legs’ appearance but also improve overall health, increase circulation, ease pain, improve self-image, increase ability to return to exercising and prevent and heal ulcers at the ankles. Get back to an active lifestyle that you enjoy with beautiful legs. Dr. Sirunya Silapunt is board certified in dermatology at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She is also a registered phlebology sonographer and a diplomate with the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. UT Dermatology invites you to join us at our free vein-screening events, 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. April 16, at our Med Center location. To schedule your free vein-screening appointment with Dr. Sirunya Silapunt, please call 713-500-8260. Dr. Sirunya Silapunt, UT Dermatology, 6655 Travis Street, Suite 600, Houston, TX 77030, 713.500.8260, www.uth.tmc.edu/derm, www.phlebology.org

Point. Click. Win. Enter The Buzz 2014 Photo Contest DEADLINE MAY 15TH The Buzz Magazines is pleased to announce our ninth annual Photo Contest. Categories include People, Sports/Action, Animals, Landscapes, and Nature. Winning photos will be published in our July issue and on our website. Our grand prize winner will receive a Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS digital camera. To submit a photo, and for contest rules, visit thebuzzmagazines.com and click on “Enter Our 2014 Photo Contest” in the upper right corner. You can also view our 2013 winners online.

Grand Prize, Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS digital camera (or camera of equal value)

BELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 37

NEIGHBORS

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by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

Back Porch T

The birthday’s new face

here was a time when wishing someone happy birthday took forethought. Remembering the day, picking out a card, mailing it, making a call. Enter Facebook and its daily reminders of a gazillion of your friends’ and friends-of-friends’ birthdays, and into the ether of the Internet goes the love. Or that’s what I thought when Happy Birthdays started coming via Facebook. It seemed so impersonal – all you do is type in “Happy Birthday,” and you’re done, off the hook. It’s the thought that counts. But wait a minute, what about a “How are you?” or “How are you celebrating?” In our fast-moving, information-overloaded, busy-is-the-new-normal lives, is it too much to ask? And in fairness, Facebook does generate way more Happy Birthdays than we’d ever get calls or cards, messages from blast-from-the-past friends who wouldn’t have remembered – or known – the date without a social network reminder. But still. Was I alone, a dinosaur among well-wishers? Not according to 21-year-old Andy Powers, a senior at Texas Tech. “I have about 900 Facebook friends,” Andy says. “I know probably 80 percent of them, and maybe 100 of those write on my wall for my birthday. But I never do that. If they’re my friend, I make it more personal. I’ll call them or go out with them. I don’t see the point of just writing on their walls.” In a generational irony, Andy’s mom, Chris Powers, is the one who likes Facebook Happy Birthdays. “It’s kind of nice, because I hear from old high school classmates I’d never hear from otherwise. But to be perfectly honest, we fell out of touch all those years ago, and I probably wouldn’t miss [the birthday wishes] if they were gone.” A week before his birthday this year, one lawyer who asked not to be named went so far as to remove himself from Facebook, just “as an experiment. The people who really care will call or text,” he says. “Just because you’re friends with 680 people, and Facebook tells you it’s someone’s birthday, doesn’t mean you’re a real friend. What about having to actually put the birthday on your calendar?” There are some Facebookers who have manipulated the system, imbuing the impersonBELLAIRE BUZZ APRIL 2014 38

al realm of technology with a personal vibe. Allison Zeller is known for posting messages that not only wish the person well, but also give them something to think about, naming famous people who share their special day. “When friends started having babies, I would clip the part from the newspaper that told the famous birthdays for that day,” Allison says. “Then I’d send it to them so that they could keep it in their baby’s book. “When Facebook came along, I’d look in the paper or go online to see the famous birthdays, then use them in the post ... a little something extra to show people I really BDAY WISHES Tandy Harris is famous for putting extra thought into her Happy did think about them. I’ll Birthday posts on Facebook. Here is a caricature of a recent post celebrating her pick someone famous son's birthday. and then someone ransends a personally chosen clip along with his dom, like Mr. T.” Allison shares her birthday with Facebook birthday greetings. “He sent me a Boy George, Donald Trump and Yasmine Bleeth. sword-fighting scene from Scaramouche because “Nobody calls anymore, and Facebook posts I fence,” she says. “I loved it.” are lovely, but just ‘Happy Birthday’ is boring,” A few years ago, public relations exec Susan says Tandy Harris. “I want to make someone’s Farb Morris started posting musical videos to day happy.” So she makes personal electronic celebrate friends’ birthdays. “I started with the collages with photos, messages and decorations. great Beatles clip ‘Birthday,’ and felt like I set a She pulls photos off friends’ Facebook sites and precedent. Now I have people tell me they look uses phone apps to manipulate them. “At first it forward to my birthday posts.” took a long time, but now it takes about five Susan picks a different clip every year. This year, minutes to really make a statement,” Tandy says. she’s upped her ante, commissioning a musical “The apps are so easy, anyone can do it.” birthday message from former participants in the Tandy uses her iPhone and recommends the University of Houston Texas Music Festival. And apps A Beautiful Mess (99 cents), Pic Collage she’s sharing – the video should be available for (free) and Photo Grid (free). “I save photos and use next month via the Festival’s Facebook page. combine apps, because not all of them do exact“I try hard to do something that brings a smile ly what I want.” to someone’s face,” Susan says. “That’s what Buzz associate editor Cheryl Laird’s high social media is all about.” school buddy, Robin Jones, loves old movies and