The Bellaire Buzz - December 2014

Gracie Stamey

Christmas Traditions by Annie Blaylock McQueen

Holiday Gift Guide Applying to College Shopping with Your Dog Celebrating Hanukkah In the Yucatan with Dad Houston, TX

What Wine Experts Drink

Permit No. 2047 PAID US Postage PRSRT STD

Holiday Recipes

PUBLISHER’S NOTE As The Buzz Magazines winds up its 13th year of publication, I want to thank our Buzz team, loyal readers and wonderful advertisers. We had a very busy year and couldn’t have done it without you. We introduced many new features, columns and writers and continue to receive more reader letters in our Mailbag column every month. Our December theme is holiday traditions. We hope you’ll enjoy reading about everything from baby’s first Christmas and Hanukkah memories to tested party recipes and tips from wine experts. As always, the stories and sources come from your Buzz neighborhoods. The issue also features our 2014 Holiday Gift Guide, full of local gift ideas for friends and family on your list. On a more serious note, writer Cheryl Ursin tackles the sometimes-overwhelming subject of college admissions, and Travel Buzz's Tracy L. Barnett shares a very personal and moving story of the final trips she took with her dad. Happy holidays to you all. See you in 2015. 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 Editor Vice President, Sales Staff Writers

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Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman Cheryl Laird Jay Janecek Tracy L. Barnett Andria Frankfort Angie Frederickson Todd Freed Michelle Casas Groogan Dai Huynh Annie Blaylock McQueen Dave Schafer Cheryl Ursin Cathy Gordon, Jennifer Gould Russell Weil Jordan Magaziner John Duboise Andrea Blitzer Leslie Little Kim Montgomery Darsey Swaim Helen Hamilton Michele Luke

On our cover: Gracie Stamey, 4, holds her first Christmas tree ornament, a rattle. She and younger siblings Gage, 18 months, and Piper, 6 months, are given ornaments on their birthdays every year. Cover photo by Todd Parker, www.stpimages.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 DECEMBER 2014 4

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MAILBAG

Your letters, thoughts, opinions Do you remember these places? Loved the article [Restaurant Memories: A look back at Houston’s dining past, by Russell Weil, November 2014]. Do you remember Los Troncos? With the tree house booths and paella ordered 24 hours in advance? My favorite was Tokyo Gardens. The tatami mats, the koi fish clumping near the bridge, over the river filled with coins. The fish ate from your hands. The authentic kimono dancers and the Japanese music? Also removing your shoes and rice candies after shrimp tempura with chopsticks? Also Vargo’s lush gardens and settings with elegant silver platters? Remember orange butter at Sonny Look’s and the homemade bread loaves? Lantern Inn on Memorial had amazing fried shrimp. And the original Hobbit Cafe. The original Antone’s had lines around the block on Voss Road. Keep up the great work! Lindsay Freireich

About the chair in that photo I married Sonny Look’s daughter, Elizabeth. We were both excited to see that you included him in your recent article about restaurant memories. I think my mother-in-law Carole has a chair that matches the seat you all are sitting on in the picture. It makes you feel like a king when you sit on it. It was a treat to see your article and the picture. Andrew P. Biar

Sonny’s sport coats Great job. Loved this. Wonderful memories. Sonny [Look] had quite a wardrobe of sport coats, and he could be seen on any given night wearing several of them (but not at the same time of course). Lynton Ellisor

Brookwood gives her hope I was delighted to see the wonderful article on The Brookwood Community [Brookwood Community: Where there’s opportunity for all, by Cheryl Ursin, November 2014]. My sister is developmentally disabled, and it is difficult to find a good program in which she can thrive. The structure of Brookwood’s program is very successful. My sister is happier whenever she has a purpose, whether it is helping set the dining room table for Thanksgiving or unloading the dishwasher. What Yvonne Streit has built has helped individuals and their families and will continue to do so for many years to come. Barbara Vilutis

Thank you from Brookwood I am writing for many folks who are so appreciative of your Buzz article focusing on Brookwood! It was wonderful. What a blessing. Our citizens were ecstatic when the magazines came out. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Buzz, and so do our friends and neighbors. Yvonne Streit and all Brookwoodians BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 6

From Alex’s dad Thank you, Michelle [Casas Groogan, Buzz writer]. Thursday, June 19, 2014, was the saddest day of my life. On that day, the Johnson County medical examiner told me my son, Alexander Meyerson, had passed away. That moment changed my life forever. The first few months I was in shock, angry and asking myself over and over: Why? Later, I found out Alexander had been diagnosed as being bipolar a few weeks earlier. He refused to take his meds. If a person does not take his meds when diagnosed with a mental illness the chances of passing away are greatly increased. I look back now and realize there were signs Alexander needed help. There were times the mood swings caught me by surprise. Joni [Hoffman, Buzz editor], I remember when you called to ask if The Buzz could do a story about Alexander and bipolar illness. I agreed, as long as the article focused on Alexander, bipolar illness and not about me and my broken heart. Michelle Groogan talked to me several times before she wrote the article [Bipolar Disorder: How we lost Alex, October 2014]. I commend her for sharing information that I hope and pray may help at least one family. I have only one message to share: Hug your kids and your friends too. Jerry Meyerson 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: • Know an interesting neighbor to profile. • Have helpful stories and advice for new parents. • Have a unique proposal story. • Have gone on a memorable couples trip. • Have questions for the local chief of police. If this sounds like you or someone you know, please contact us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com or 713.668.4157, ext 12.

BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 7

NEIGHBORS by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Keeping Traditions What we do every Christmas

BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 8

now figuring out their holiday traditions. Last Christmas was daughter Molly’s first. “There was nothing like sitting and watching your 4½ month old figure out how to open a present. Molly was way more into the Christmas tree lights and ornaments than the presents,” said Melissa. “Christmas morning is all about family sitting around and opening our stockings and Christmas gifts. I hope to continue this tradition with my own family now.” Commercial real estate broker Anthony Heins and his wife Alex, a realtor, are looking forward to their daughter Annabel’s first Christmas this SANTA BABY Annabel Heins, 7 months, will celebrate her first Christmas this December. Anthony December with parents Anthony and Alex Heins. recalled his own part of their Christmas. “John’s mother [Missy Christmas morning at 8 years old. “All I wanted McInnes] loves Christmas more than anything was the Nintendo game, Super Mario Bros. 2,” in the world. In fact, we are actually convinced said Anthony. “It was all I could think about.” she is Mrs. Claus. She decorates every inch of To his dismay, Christmas morning his brother their home with decor, light-up toys, Lynn Lee was the one who opened Super Mario Bros. Haney Santa [figurines], and four live trees. It is 2. “I began to cry. It really doesn’t make sense truly a child’s heaven,” said Deborah. why we needed two copies of the same game They also never miss church on Christmas though, I’m sure that Alex and I will unintenEve. “My family always attends the Christmas tionally continue the tradition of forgetting very Eve service [at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church], important gifts and remind Annabel that and afterwards we have a big dinner at my parChristmas isn’t all about what you get.” ents’ house. My mom spends the whole week John McInnes, an oil and gas analyst, and before making everything, and it is the most his wife Deborah have large families. “There delicious homemade meal,” said Deborah. are 19 grandkids in my family,” said Deborah. Then, the family rides around Tanglewood in “For the past eight years, we have hosted a two horse-drawn carriages (from A to Z Events), slumber party before Christmas for my nieces. bundled up, looking at the lights, singing carols. We make gingerbread houses, have talent They may not be the Tabernacle Choir, but to their shows, sing karaoke.” family, Deborah says, the carols sound just as sweet. Going all out on the Christmas decor is also stpimages.com

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ach Christmas, my siblings and I would dump out our stockings. At the bottom of my hand-knit stocking, a small orange waited. I didn’t eat the orange. I never did. I saved my appetite for the chocolate coins that were in there too. But it made me happy, year after year, knowing that small ball of orange would be there to greet me every Christmas morning. Recently, I spoke to some Buzz families about their favorite holiday traditions. Attorney Harris Stamey and his wife, Sarah, have three children, Gracie, 4, Gage, 18 months, and Piper, 6 months. The family loves collecting Christmas ornaments at all the stops they make throughout the year, such as the zoo, traveling, or even a trip to Target. Each kid also gets an ornament every birthday. Sarah dates the bottom of them. “Our tree is becoming a story, and hopefully one day, not one branch will be empty,” she said. The family always has a traditional Christmas Day brunch with the whole family. “On Gracie’s first Christmas, we offered to host brunch. The invitation list kept growing. It became a family reunion of like 50 people in our tiny house. The downstairs was only about 800 square feet,” said Sarah, laughing. Food is part of the family’s traditions. “On Christmas Eve, I always make a large pot of chili, and we have a chili bar with endless toppings. After dinner all the kids help us bake cookies for Santa and make reindeer food,” said Sarah. On the other hand, Margaret Murphy and attorney-husband Billy’s three children, William, 9, Molly, 7, and Griffin, 2, won’t carry on part of Mom and Dad’s favorite holiday tradition until they’re 21. “Christmas morning, we always have sausage balls and frozen mimosas,” said Margaret. “It’s Billy’s favorite. My mom passed down her secret recipe.” Every Christmas Eve, the family takes pictures in Christmas pajamas, and then the kids leave food outside for Santa’s reindeer. “We also read the story of Jesus’ birth with our children,” Margaret said. “We try to emphasize the real meaning of Christmas, so that the kids’ focus on Christmas morning is not just about what Santa brought.” Teachers Melissa and Connor Cook are just

stpimages.com

SIBLING STORYTIME Murphy siblings Molly, 7, Will, 9, and Griffin, 2, always read the story of Jesus’ birth together on Christmas Eve.

NEIGHBORS by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

Party Time lawellphoto.com

The gift of girlfriends

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nexpected sleepovers, cars rolling into a ditch and Dirty Santa presents. That’s what happens when a group of 40 moms in Memorial gets together the Friday night school lets out for the holidays. They’ve been doing it for nine years. One mom (who asks to remain anonymous) hosts an all-out girls’ bash – limited to mothers at her children’s schools – with dinner and drinks catered and bartended. “Everyone brings a fun wrapped gift,” the host says. “We have a $50 limit, but that seems to have gone up [judging] by the gifts. Then we all draw numbers. Number one picks a gift, opens it and shows it to everyone. Then number two can either steal that gift or open a new one. Once a gift has been stolen two or three times, it is dead. People get very serious about it.” The “dirty” gift isn’t what it sounds – it’s just one that the host secretly adds to the mix. “Usually something horrible like a snowglobe or a whisk. But you never know if you got the dirty gift or if someone actually brought it, so folks are too nice to say anything.” At party’s end, the guest who got the dirty gift gets a surprise from the host, “a nice purse or something similar.” Then those who have visited the bartender a few times sleep over, in an attempt to keep everyone safe and keep any cars from rolling into a nearby ditch (it’s happened). In a tamer tradition in West U, Brenda Willson’s Bunco group gathers every holiday season for Bunco, dinner and a white elephant gift exchange similar to Dirty Santa, minus the crummy gift. “There are usually several coveted gifts,” Brenda says. “When our kids were younger they were decorations they would love, but now, it’s evolved into something like a rosemary tree. We all can’t wait to learn what the prized gift is every year.” Each January, members are assigned a month to host Bunco and dinner. Whoever gets December hosts the group the second week of the month, “before the craziness starts and everyone’s frantic.” Brenda’s Bunco group started some 22 years ago with 12 moms of children at Annunciation Orthodox School and West University BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 10

MERRY MERRY Brenda Willson's friends celebrate the holidays with dinner, bunco and a white-elephant gift exchange. Seated, from left: Margarita Longoria, Sue Pruden, Brenda Willson, April Konopka, Cherie Howell and Lynette Mafrige. Standing, from left: Dorothy Kaldis, Lisa Caledonia, Connie McMaken, Kelley Lubanko and Carrie Wood. Not pictured: Anita O'Shaughnessy

Elementary. Through the years, friends and neighbors joined, but the count remains 12. “It’s fun having these friendships for all these years, going through pregnancies and babies and now the kids are getting married.” In Meyerland, Sarah Braham hosts a Hanukkah-Mahjong party for 35 women, where they eat latkes and Hanukkah cookies, then light Hanukkah candles and sing blessings. Sarah invites women from all areas of her life; the common bond is a mahjong passion. They’ll start at 11 a.m. and play until 5 p.m., breaking only for lunch and candle-lighting. About half of the group is Jewish, so “those who know sing along, and the others are good sports,” Sarah says. “All these women have watched our kids get bar and bat mitzvahed, they’ve gone to our weddings, they share our traditions. This is another way to share tradition. And then we play a whole lot of mahj!” If these parties sound fun, but the thought of adding one more thing to the holidays is making you fidgety, worry not. There’s another group of Houston women who learned the hard way that

three weeks before Christmas is no time to squeeze in one more thing, so they wait until the first Saturday after New Year’s to host their “I was just too busy” holiday party. Wendy Burgower, a family lawyer and an originator of the party, says, “The fun thing about doing it after New Year’s is that everyone has a good story to share.” Wendy and a group of 15 other women who work in family law eat, drink and exchange white elephant gifts. Then each writes down the name of a charity and drops it in a hat. One charity is randomly chosen, and everyone attending the party writes a check to that charity. “We all recognize that we are blessed and don’t need nice presents,” Wendy says. “The collective is what makes the gift significant. It’s usually a couple thousand dollars.” Maybe most importantly, Wendy and her friends are passing the tradition down. Several tween and teenaged daughters attend the party now, learning not only about charitable giving, but also about the importance of nurturing – and celebrating with – a great group of girlfriends.

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KIDS by Cheryl Ursin, staff writer

How to survive the process

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confess: When my son was 18 months old, I sent him to a nursery school that required an interview – with him – as part of the admissions process. Word on the parents’ benches at the playground was that the school was a “Baby Ivy” (we were in Manhattan), a “feeder school” for good elementary schools, which in turn would feed into good middle and high schools, which ultimately would land him in a good college. Do we parents, and in turn, our children, really need to worry like this? I interviewed admissions officers from a selection of Texas universities, and while they didn’t give me the answer I was hoping for (“Don’t worry. It’s easy to get into Harvard”), they did put things into perspective. If you’re thinking, “What’s the big deal? I did my college applications myself, with little input from my parents,” then you need to know that applying to college has changed. For a variety of reasons, not least that college is more expensive than it used to be, parents feel the need to be more involved. And college admissions can seem more competitive. The number of high-school students in the United States has only recently begun to level off from an all-time high, with some regions, including Texas, still experiencing growth. A bigger percentage of these kids are applying to four-year colleges, and, thanks in part to online universal applications, each applicant, on average, applies to more schools. According to the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA Los Angeles, the number of college applications per student has doubled over the last 40 years, with 24 percent of current students applying to eight or more each. Many schools, such as Baylor University, are receiving record numbers of applications. As a result, some schools are reporting their lowest “admit rates” ever. Stanford University was in the news recently for having the lowest admit rate, 5.7 percent, for the fall of 2013. According to U.S. News & World Report, Harvard followed closely, with 5.8 percent, and Columbia came in at 6.9 percent. Our own Rice University admits only 15 percent of its applicants, according to Chris Muñoz, BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 12

Robert Rogers/Baylor Marketing & Communications

Applying to College Rice’s vice president of enrollment. This puts Rice in line with Swarthmore College, Bowdoin College and C o r n e l l University. Muñoz described the quality of Rice’s appliBAYLOR UNIVERSITY In 2013, over 52,000 prospective students – a record numcant pool as ber – visited Baylor University in Waco. “astonishing” and ence” in an application, said Rice’s Muñoz. Of pointed out that even perfect GPAs and test course, the standard advice is to note the averscores do not guarantee admission to Rice. age GPAs and test scores of successful applicants But while much of the press coverage – and (available in directories and on school websites) cocktail-party chatter – we hear focus on these and select some “match” (you fit the paramemost selective schools, the reality is, according ters), some “safety” (you exceed them) and some to Jeff Fuller, director of student recruitment for “reach” (you are a little below) schools to apply the University of Houston’s Central Campus to. But the truth is, much is not within the stuand the president of the National Association dents’ control. Kids need to know: In a quest to for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), create a diverse, vibrant class, admissions officers that only about 100 of the approximately 3,000 may pick another applicant, with credentials four-year institutions in the U.S. fall into the similar, or even lesser, just because he is from category of “most selective.” Wyoming or she plays the oboe. The vast majority of U.S. colleges and uniAbove all, kids need to know that where they versities accept most of their applicants, accordare accepted or rejected is not a “referendum on ing to the NACAC. And many are on the hunt their self-worth,” said Stuart Dow, head of The for prospects. According to a 2014 survey by Emery/Weiner School. In fact, at Emery/Weiner, Inside Higher Ed, 61 percent of schools had not students post, not their acceptance letters, but filled their fall freshman class by May. Collegetheir denial letters on a school wall. This is admissions officers say you can get into a good meant to emphasize that receiving a rejection, college, though it may not be the one you first something most kids will experience, is not the hoped for. end of the world. This is not to say that students should not Parents should talk to their children about all apply to selective or well-known schools, but of this, said University of Houston’s Fuller. knowledge of schools’ admit rates can help them “Where they get into college is just one small from taking rejection letters personally. “You piece of their lives,” he said. One father could be very, very academically prepared and explained to his children that the credentials capable and not get in. It’s a numbers game,” they’ve achieved, or haven’t, so far in their lives said Brandie Eneks, associate director of admisaren’t going to follow them forever. “Once you sions and student services for Texas A&M get into college, no one is ever going to look at University. One area family refers to their chilyour high-school grades again,” he said. dren’s applications to “reach schools” as “the lotWhile students may understandably be excittery tickets,” to help their children keep a ed to work on their dream school’s application healthy perspective. first, one mom suggested having them apply as “What creates people’s anxieties is that they early as possible, but in a non-binding way, to a don’t know what is going to make the differ-

The University of Texas at Austin

UT AUSTIN “Don’t tell us what you think we want to hear” and “Be yourself” are two pieces of advice The University of Texas at Austin gives about college-application essays.

“safety school.” Receiving that first acceptance letter can ease their stress. “They’ll know, hey, no matter what, they have a place to go,” said this mom, “and they’ll have an answer when everyone asks – and everyone will – if they’ve been accepted anywhere.” Every admissions officer interviewed stressed that the most important part of the application process is researching what colleges, from all the ones out there, you might be interested in. This also helps turn students’ attitudes around, by having them focus on, not, “How can I get these schools to want me?” but, “Do I want these schools?” Christine Bowman, dean of admissions and enrollment services at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, recommends going on a few tours of schools near you as early as your child’s sophomore year. This is not to get a competitive advantage but to experience some colleges in a low-stress way, to see what a big school is like versus a small one, for example. And at the information sessions, students will hear the same advice you’ve been giving them – study hard, choose rigorous courses – from someone else. “If they hear ‘the admissions lady at Southwestern’ say it, it might carry more weight,” said Bowman, whose own daughter, attending an information session at another school, turned to her and conceded, “Okay, you win.” Students should not be afraid to contact schools directly. This personal contact can alleviate some stress and clear up questions. “We’re here to serve you and want the student to submit the best application possible,” said A&M’s

Eneks. According to Fuller, at least 20 out-oftown and some out-of-state schools keep permanent admissions offices in Houston to encourage contact. “School representatives are one of your best resources,” said Alex Mitchell, director of the Houston Admissions Center for The University of Texas at Austin. Demonstrating knowledge of the school can make your application shine. One of Rice’s essays asks the applicant, basically, “Why Rice?” “If you can replace the word ‘Rice’ in that essay with ‘Cornell’ and the essay still works, it’s not a good essay,” said Muñoz. The admissions processes at schools do vary a bit. UT and A&M, for example, have automatic admissions if you meet certain criteria, such as class rank. Some big schools, because they receive tens of thousands of applications, cannot offer the opportunity to interview and may ask for short-answer questions rather than fullblown essays. However, the information requested – transcripts, test scores, essays or shortanswers, activities – is basically the same. And the applicant should make each piece of information as good as it can be. This means, yes, working to get good grades and taking the most rigorous high-school courses that make sense for you as well as preparing for and taking the SAT and/or ACT as many times as possible. Essays should be polished – though students should write them themselves. “When an essay sounds very contrived, we can almost guess which consultant they hired,” said Rice’s Muñoz. And if something is optional, like an

interview or teacher recommendations, it’s best to turn it in. (It’s like when your mom asks, rather than tells, you to take out the garbage.) Admissions officers like to see an applicant’s activities and report that, sometimes, students don’t list all of them. “A college application, like a job interview, is one of the few times it’s okay to brag about yourself,” said University of Houston’s Fuller. Your application, said A&M’s Eneks, “is your opportunity to shine. If you don’t tell us, no one else will.” While parents and students might speculate on which activity or sport seems “more impressive” to colleges, admissions officers look for how committed a student is, sometimes in terms of hours spent (asked on both the Common App and Apply Texas), to whatever the interests are. “Whether they are involved in one thing heavily or several things, but each less heavily, doesn’t matter,” said Brian Kim, admissions counselor for the Houston area for Baylor University. “They should do whatever they are most passionate about and truly love doing.” Southwestern’s Bowman cautions that, “Sometimes the arms race of perfection creates more stress and tension than there needs to be.” Like, for instance, when my son clung to my leg during his nursery-school interview, letting go only to slug another boy. And he still got in.

MORE ONLINE See this story at bellairebuzz.com for helpful college links. BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 13

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Are you allergic to Christmas trees? The Christmas tree you buy each year is at the end of its long journey. Having grown up in Oregon, it is harvested and placed on a flat bed truck for its cross country journey. Once every few stops, the trees are watered down to keep them moist and fresh. Just make sure that the beautiful Tannenbaum you invite into your living room doesn’t make your allergies worse. Although an artificial tree is best (if you rinse off the dust it collected in the attic), here are some tips if you decide to go with a real tree: 1. That continual watering promotes mold growth. Make sure to spray your tree with a garden hose and let it dry off completely before bringing it inside. This also helps rinse the pollen off the tree. Although pine trees aren’t a major source of tree pollen, they can trigger hay fever if you get a big dose of the powder right in your face. 2. Take your allergy medicine before trimming the tree. 3. Your ornaments may have spent the off-season in the attic with dust and mold. Carefully clean them off in a well-ventilated area. After Christmas, pack the ornaments carefully in sealed plastic bags to make next year’s job a bit easier. 4. Keep the living room well-ventilated. The aromatic resins that impart the pine scent can act as non-allergic irritants. Rinsing the mold spores off the tree before bringing it into the house will reduce but not eliminate the mold. 5. Don’t forget to take the tree out of the house on December 26 before more mold grows. Along with cheerful holiday gatherings come colds and flu. How does your

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doctor keep from getting all those bugs? We wash our hands with hot soapy water or Purell all day long. Careful hand washing can prevent transmission of respiratory germs and viruses. What else does your doctor do to minimize the chance of getting sick each winter? Flu shots. Flu season usually doesn’t hit Houston until January, so you still have time to get your flu shot for the 2014-15 season. If you absolutely don’t want a shot and are between the ages of 5 and 49, you may want to consider FluMist, a nose spray that it also effective in preventing influenza. Allergic to eggs? Ovalbumin contents in today’s flu shots are so low that most egg-allergic people can safely receive the vaccine. Stay well and happy holidays from The Allergy Clinic, your allergy and asthma specialists! 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

PETS by Cathy Gordon, contributing writer

Dogs About Town Shopping with your pup

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loves to go there.” At home, golden retriever Cooper bolts for the door, tail wagging, when owner Danna Burkett reaches for the car keys. “Oh yeah, he totally knows what that means,” she says of the mild-mannered dog who accompanies her to the furniture, accessories and gift shop, Renovate, on Westview. “He’s my third golden retriever. They have great temperaments. CANINE COMPANION Attorney Melissa Fertel and her purse-size poodle, You can just tell him to Gigi, enjoy an afternoon of shopping at Azuz. lie down in the store, lover enthusiastically calls out to those walking and he does that while I shop. A very sweet their dogs, welcoming them into the shop and boy.” handing out treats. Packer recently “lured in” a Jennifer Lyon’s terrier-mix, Elizabeth, isn’t Chinese Crested hairless dog and owner. one to lie down when they visit Bering’s “Fashion is a passion, but so are pets,” says Hardware. “She’s all over that store. She loves Packer. “Our store is really an extension of our the place. She does a really good job of going all home. We have great customers who come in over and showing me what the new items are,” with their dogs. We had an Irish wolfhound says Lyon. “She totally knows when things are come in once. Looked like a horse.” changed up and points them out. That’s kind of The boutique has held fundraising events for her thing.” Freedom Collie Rescue and the animal welfare Joyce Lehrfeld, retired from a career in corpogroup, Barrio Dogs. rate development, is rarely without her 15Cotton Club Collection clothing boutique in pound Havanese therapy dog, Lola. They freRiver Oaks is sensitive to the owner-dog bond quent Lululemon Athletica, Chico’s and a host too. “We welcome all sizes, standard poodles to of other shops together. “Pretty much any place teacup Yorkies,” says owner Lisa Spain. I go, she goes,” explains Lehrfeld, whose furry Jackie Barish, senior vice-president of Chair bundle eases her symptoms of post-traumatic King Backyard Store, frequents the boutique stress disorder. with Poppy, her curly-coated Lagotto Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets. Well, almost. Romagnolo. “She’s a great companion when try“When she sees me getting dressed up and ing on clothes,” Barish says. putting makeup on to go out, she doesn’t think “She just comes in, sits down and offers no she’s going,” says Lehrfeld, “so she goes in my judgment. Nice to have no comments.” closet and starts pulling my casual clothes off of the hangers like ‘Put these on. Don’t get all Editor’s note: Have photos of your pooch shopdressed up and leave without me.’ She’s a pistol.” ping with you? Email info@thebuzzmagazines.com Any dog within eyesight of Penny Packer will or share them on our Facebook page at be ushered into her Rice Village clothing boufacebook.com/thebuzzmagazines. tique, Azuz, for royal treatment. The animal lawellphoto.com

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hh, to be Gigi. She’s the center of attention with those black and white, soft curls and dancing eyes. And she’s dripping in jewelry. “The first thing people say is, ‘Oh, she’s so cute; she’s so tiny!’ Then it’s, ‘Look at that bling!’” says attorney Melissa Fertel, whose 4½pound, toy Parti poodle is dressed to the ca-nines for shopping excursions. The glitzy pooch eagerly jumps into her pet purse for outings to Grace Anna’s Boutique and White House Black Market, among other favorite haunts in Rice Village. “People gravitate to Gigi. I’m just wallpaper,” quips Fertel, who handcrafts her dog’s necklaces, dubbed “Gigi’s Gems.” They even wear matching jewelry from a “Mommy and Me” line. “It’s probably easier to list the places where I don’t take her,” jokes Fertel. “Gigi has never had a bad day in her life!” Fee-Fee and Fido needn’t be left behind when the shopping urge strikes. Some local shops as well as national chains welcome four-legged family members. Old Navy, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, T. J. Maxx, Marshalls and Bed Bath & Beyond are a few with pet-friendly policies. Nordstrom has welcomed dogs for 20 years. Policies vary. Some chains leave it up to the individual retailer’s discretion as to what’s allowed, so best to check before venturing out with pup in tow. Shop owners decide if dogs are welcome on leash as well as in a carrier, says a city spokesman. But health code dictates that only registered service dogs are welcome in grocery stores. Several restaurants have patio permits for owner-dog dining. “Oh gosh, yes! We welcome all dogs,” says Helen Stroud, owner of the French-inspired home shop, Olivine, in Rice Village that touts easy-care living for both people and pets. Stroud has never met a dog she didn’t like and has a menagerie at home. Her part-chow, Pippi, is longtime doggy ambassador at the shop. Realtor Julie Webber and her English cream golden retriever, Libbie, are regular Olivine customers. “They’re always so attentive to her,” says Webber. “Libbie is ultra-calm and really sweet and loves meeting people and other dogs. She

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More pet-friendly spots

DOG DAY OUT Golden retriever Cooper is one happy dog when owner Danna Burkett takes him with her to the furniture and gift shop Renovate.

For local restaurants, bars, hotels and dog parks that allow dogs, see dogfriendlyhouston.net. For pet-friendly travel spots, see tripswithpets.com. The Buzz is a dog-friendly workplace. You’ll often see Bailey, a sweet golden retriever, hanging around the office on Fridays. We want to give a shout-out to other local businesses that welcome pups. All of these listed below advertise in the magazine; we know them well and that’s why we are familiar with their pet policies. If you know of other pet-friendly local businesses, we’d love to include them also. Please add them in the Comments section under the online version of this story at bellairebuzz.com. Azuz: Penny Packer, the owner of this Rice Village clothing boutique, welcomes all well-behaved dogs and even hands out treats. Bering’s: Bering’s is happy for friendly, well-behaved pets to accompany their owners. There are two mascot parakeets in the store. Blue Willow Bookshop: Owner Valerie Koehler said she would hate to see a pet left in the car. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome. French Cuff: French Cuff Boutique welcomes clients who shop with their leashed pets at both the Bellaire and Woodway location. Loop and Raspberry Rose: In both shops, pets are welcome as long as they’re on a leash and well-behaved. Renovate: This interior design and home furnishings studio welcomes well-behaved pets. Uptown Pharmacy: A bulletin board displays photos of pets whose prescriptions come from the pharmacy. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. Zadok Jewelers: Two staff members bring their puppies to work every day, which Helene Zadok said raises the spirit in the store. Well-behaved pets are welcome. Years ago, one customer used to bring a pet monkey in to shop.

BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 17

NEIGHBORS by Russell Weil, contributing writer

Happy Hanukkah Celebrating the Jewish Festival of Lights

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hile leading a tour as a docent at the Holocaust Museum in Houston, I found myself standing in front of a display case of items representing the Jewish faith. One was a Menorah used to celebrate Hanukkah (The Festival of Lights), and I confidently began to explain this special Jewish holiday to the group. Once the tour was over, one of the participants pulled me aside to let me know that I had mixed in some information about a different Jewish holiday, Passover – a more serious ceremony commemorating the Israelites being freed from slavery in Egypt – and proceeded to advise that I visit our local library to find some books on Jewish holidays. Thanking the gentleman, I assured him that I would check some books out. Admittedly, I lacked the courage to tell him that I was Jewish, or how embarrassed I was to have created a new Jewish Holiday – Passokkah. I began thinking about this story and our different Jewish holidays and traditions again recently. My cousins celebrate Hanukkah with their large family by placing hundreds of Maccabee statues on the spiral staircase in their home. (The Maccabees were the leaders of a Jewish rebel army that took control of Judea.) The family’s Maccabee collection grows each year. The colorful statues are now all familiar characters – even the grandchildren who are not being raised in the Jewish faith see them as “wise men” or “drummer boys” usually associated with Christmas. The annual holiday card is a photo of my cousins’ grandchildren on the spiral staircase flanked by these Maccabee statues. When I receive this annual holiday greeting, I am filled with warmth and the spirit of Hanukkah. While many are familiar with the Hanukkah Menorah, lighting the candles for eight nights, and those delicious potato latkes, one Hanukkah tradition that is not as familiar is the tradition of sufganiyot. The first time I was introduced to this treat was three years ago while celebrating Hanukkah with friends in Dallas. Pronounced SOOF-gone-ee-OAT, these are jelly doughnuts eaten in Israel and around the world during Hanukkah. The doughnut is deep-fried, filled with jelly or custard, and then topped with powBELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 18

dered sugar. The custom of eating fried foods commemorates the miracle of Hanukkah, when oil that should have lighted the Temple for one night lasted eight days and nights. “Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel – I made it out of clay.” This is the first line to a favorite Hanukkah song. The real fun is in playing the dreidel game. A dreidel is a foursided spinning top, with Hebrew let- HAPPY HANUKKAH Grandchildren of Nancy and Robert Levinthal celebrate Hanukkah last year surrounded by Maccabee statues. At top, from left: Chandler ters (each having a Levinthal, Parker Levinthal. At bottom, from left: Morton Gassett, Pierce Levinthal, numeric value) on Kendall Levinthal (holding Jonah Gassett), Rainey Levinthal. all four sides. tion of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the Players spin the top, with the winner detertime of the Maccabean Revolt against mined by which side the dreidel lands upon. The the Seleucid Greek government of the 2nd prize is gelt (Hebrew for money), actually gold century BCE (or BC, as Christians say). foil-wrapped chocolate coins. According to the Talmud, the Temple was Gifts play a large part in any Hanukkah celepurified, and the wicks of the menorah miracbration, especially for the children who customulously burned for eight days. arily receive one gift after lighting each night’s For 2014, Hanukkah begins at sundown on candles. As our parents would hide presents in Dec 16. Based on the Hebrew calendar, the date a closet, my older brother and I would peek of Hanukkah varies each year. Yet, there is one inside daily to count the new gifts added. The constant during the Festival of Lights – larger boxes had us waiting on pins and needles. Hanukkah brings families and friends together Mine were sure to be either Matchbox or Hot in celebration of a rich tradition. From dreidels Wheels cars-related, and my brother’s would to latkes, Hanukkah is known as an especially have something to do with soldiers or spacecraft. fun Jewish holiday. After all, we were living in Houston in the I look forward to hearing some of your 1960s, when man had landed on the moon. favorite Hanukkah traditions. Happy Hanukkah Regardless of what your family traditions to all who celebrate. might include, food, family, gifts, songs and the dreidel certainly bring Hanukkah to life. Editor’s note: To share your Hanukkah traditions Through Hanukkah’s celebration, we are with Buzz readers, email info@thebuzzmagazines.com reminded of the history of this eight-day or comment under this story at bellairebuzz.com Jewish holiday commemorating the rededica-

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Is your financial planner a CFP®? Only about 20 percent of financial planners, investment advisors, stockbrokers, insurance salesmen, etc. are CFPs®. There is a reason for this. The exam is very difficult. Having taken more than a few exams in the past, I was surprised to discover this fact. I figured the CFP exam would be akin to the various insurance and securities continuing-education exams I had taken many times in the past. How wrong I was. I studied harder for the CFP exam than I had studied for any exam since the bar exam. The CFP exam covers five subject areas: income-tax planning, retirement planning, insurance principles, estate planning, investment planning, and principles of financial planning. I had covered all of these areas: in college studying accounting and economics, in law school, and in my days teaching advisors, CPAs, and insurance salesman about these topics. The CFP exam is a 10-hour exam over two days. The passing rate is about 60 percent. Many people taking the exam have a college degree in a related field. Many are engineers looking to start a new career. Everyone has at least a bachelor’s degree. In addition to passing the exam, each CFP certificant must satisfy educational, experience and ethics requirements. Continuing education is required. Most importantly, CFPs are held to a “fiduciary” standard – they must act in the best interest of their clients at all times. The CFP Board’s rules of conduct require CFP professionals to put the interests of their clients ahead of their own at all times and require a CFP to uphold the

principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence as required by the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics. The CFP designation can be revoked if these standards are not adhered to. So, if you are considering working with a financial planner on a comprehensive plan, or just looking for a second opinion concerning investments, investigate the credentials of the person advising you. Inquire if the person you are working with or are considering working with is a CFP professional. You owe it to yourself. This material is intended for informational purposes only and should only be relied upon when coordinated with individual professional advice, as individual situations may vary. 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 FINRA/SIPC. Insurance services offered through Park Place Financial, which is not affiliated with SagePoint Financial or registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. SagePoint Financial, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice. 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 713-667-4884 or www.parkplacefinancial.co.

BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 19

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2014 Holiday

From Here to Eternity All the colors of our holiday season wrapped up in eternity bands just for her! Starting at $500. We have a vast selection of antique & estate jewelry. Custom jewelry & repairs. Queen of Heirs, 4901 Locust Street, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.666.6683, www.queenofheirs.com

Gift Guide Unique gift ideas for even the hardest to please

Ready for Game Day Show your game day pride with these adorable ballet flats, $72, and sunglasses, $20. University Blvd is your Houston hub for a variety of collegiate merchandise, apparel and accessories representing 35+ universities. University Blvd, 7030 Mapleridge Street, Houston, Texas 77081, 713.591.1771, www.universityblvd.com

Hot Wheels This won’t fit under the tree, but it is sure to make someone’s Christmas morning cheery. The largest selection of new and pre-owned BMWs in Houston. Advantage BMW, 1305 Gray Street, Houston, Texas 77002, 713.289.1200, www.advantagebmwhouston.com

Delightful Dutchi This is your classic Dutch bike. A sweeping curved frame and refined upright posture make it the elegant choice for trips to the market or just riding down the boulevard. Bikes available for everyone in the family, starting at $349. Ham Cycles, 2309 Dunlavy Street, Houston, Texas 77006, 713.522.8330, www.hamcycles.com

Handmade and Delicious Gourmet holiday shopping at its finest. Handmade granola, cookies, biscotti, cakes, pies, and scones, all packaged for gift giving! Craft baking in the heart of Bellaire and locally owned. MargieBeth’s Bake Shop, 215 N. 5th Street, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.449.1712, www.margiebeths.com BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 20

Epicurean Delights Fine culinary oils, vinegars, and spices. Purchase a gift basket valued at $75 or more and receive 20% off additional baskets or sets of equal or lesser value. Offer expires December 31, 2014. VOM FASS, 2424 Times Blvd., Houston, Texas 77005, 832.742.6100, www.vomfasshouston.com

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Infrared Grilling

Unmistakable Style Virgins, Saints and Angels (VSA) combines Mexican artesania and gothic religious iconography. Each VSA collection carries a message derived from icons of power, protection and beauty that translate to universal cross-cultural beliefs. The beautifully handcrafted pieces are a conversation starter and crowd pleaser! Raspberry Rose (located in Rice Village), 2434 Rice Blvd., Houston, Texas 77005, 713.529.2260, www.raspberryroseboutique.com

Looking for a high end professional stainless steel grill? Saber Grills combine performance, innovation, and affordability. All Saber Grills cook with 100% Infrared heat. Free assembly and free delivery. Texas Star Grill Shop, 2045 Southwest Fwy., Houston, Texas 77098, 832.426.4229, www.TexasGrillShop.com

Hanky Panky

Artistic Enjoyment

A sure to please stocking stuffer; the world's most comfortable thong! Also available in prints, boyshorts, bikinis and more. June May Lingerie, 2426 Times Blvd., Houston, Texas 77005, 713.839.7551, www.facebook.com/junemayhouston

“Sand art” was born in the ‘60s and has recently resurfaced thanks to an Austrian artist. No two designs are the same. Each is a sure fire conversation starter. Various shapes and sizes, $50$1,400. Open every day. Eclectic Home, 345 W. 19th Street, Houston, Texas 77008, 713.869.1414, www.eclectichome.ws

Made in the USA Time in Words No hands. No digits. Klein’s Qlocks by Qlocktwo makes you stop and look at time in a different way. The typographical display combines the moment with the written word and turns it into a statement, “It is half past seven.“ Available in almost every language and a multitude of colors and finishes. Klein’s Jewelry, 5868 Westheimer (new location), Houston, Texas 77057, 713.977.4003, www.kleinsjewelry.com

"It's not what you wear, but how you wear it." With Bills Khakis it's that and much more… it’s where it's made. All shirts, pants, shorts, belts and shoes are made in American factories and made the same way as the World War II originals. The Village Clothier, 2411 Rice Blvd., Houston, Texas 77005, 713.520.9096 BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 21

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Transcendent Aromas Tauer Perfume from Zurich, Switzerland, exclusively at Tre Spa. These scents deliver evocative bouquets that will set you apart in any crowd, leaving others wondering where you got that fragrance. Newly released, 'Sotto la Luna Gardenia,' $85-135. Tre Spa, 2516 Sunset Blvd., Houston, Texas 77005, 713.523.7800, www.trespasalon.com

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Elizabeth and James Jewelry These geometric designs are 23k gold plated and sparkle with a delicate band of white topaz stones. Featured bracelet $195. French Cuff Boutique, 4048 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, Texas 77025, 713.665.3336 and 6401 Woodway, Houston, Texas 77057, 713.334.4900, www.frenchcuffco.com

High Tech Grilling Green Mountain Grills offers the finest in wood pellet grilling. New Wi-Fi technology allows you to entertain guests while keeping an eye on your food and grill temperatures. Free assembly and free delivery. Texas Star Grill Shop, 2045 Southwest Fwy., Houston, Texas 77098, 832.426.4229, www.TexasGrillShop.com

Cool Find Wow them with Yeti tumblers from Magpies Gifts! These insulated cups keep drinks at an ideal temperature. Budget-friendly Yetis cost $29.99 for 20-oz. tumblers or $34.99 for 30-oz. varieties. Add a monogram for $10! Magpies Gifts, 5000 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.661.9777, www.magpiesgifts.com

Eat More Heat

For The Gentleman Come visit Houston’s oldest tobacconist for the discerning gentlemen in your life. We specialize in fine cigars, pipes, and quality tobaccos from around the world. The Briar Shoppe, 2412 Times Blvd., Houston, Texas 77005, 713.529.5555, www.briarshoppe.com

BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 22

iBurn is Houston’s only spicy specialty store. With the help of our spicy specialists, we will customize a beautiful gift basket filled with hot sauces, salsas and BBQ products to share with family, friends and clients. We offer mild to as hot as you want! iBurn, 4227 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, Texas 77025, 832.649.4964, www.iburn.com and www.eatmoreheat.com

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Fancy Finds German metal card cases molded and struck from original die stamps of the 1920s and ’30s. Durable lacquer finish preserves the luster for years of continual use, and they are engravable! $28-35. Caught My Fancy, 2015-B West Gray, Houston, Texas 77019, 713.533.0968, www.CaughtMyFancy.com

Uniquely Yours Visit Brookwood’s Gift & Garden Center to find our famous Comfort Bowls, as well as other stone cast decorative items, ceramics, garden statuary, & plants, all handmade from the hearts and hands of the adults with special needs at Brookwood. Proceeds from all sales benefit the citizens at Brookwood. Brookwood, 1752 FM 1489, Brookshire, Texas 77423, 281.375.2100 and Brookwood Store Town & Country Village, 600 West Sam Houston Pkwy. North, Suite 500, Houston, Texas 77024, 713.464.1150, www.brookwoodcommunity.org

One Of A Kind Treasures

Favorite Thing A perfect gift for any occasion is a framed magnetic board available in several styles and finishes for your home or office. Visit our gallery to see our great selection. Village Frame Gallery, 2708 Bissonnet Street, Houston, Texas 77005, 713.528.2288, www.villageframegallery.com

Haute Chocolate

Studio 155 carries local artists' products ranging from meteorite jewelry to sculptures to paintings. Open TuesdayThursday, 10a.m.-3p.m. Studio 155, located in Rice Village Shopping Center, 2503 Robinhood Street, Houston, Texas 77005, 832.433.0551, www.155studios.com

The most decadent offerings for the chocoholic on your list. Not sure what they would like? Give a gift card and let them decide from high quality herbs, spices, seasonings, specialty food products and more! Savory Spice Shop in Rice Village, 2516 Times Blvd., Houston, Texas 77005, 713.533.9333, ricevillage@savoryspiceshop.com

What are Your Coordinates? Go Nuts! Houston Pecan Company sells a full selection of nuts, mixes and dried fruit. Come see us for all your holiday snacking, baking and gift giving. We are family owned and operated, in the same location since 1972. Houston Pecan Company, 7313 Ashcroft #212, Houston, Texas 77081, 713.772.6216 www.houstonpecan.com

Coordinates Collection is the next level in customized jewelry! Take the place of your fondest memories and associate them with covetable jewelry. Raspberry Rose (located in Rice Village), 2434 Rice Blvd., Houston, Texas 77005, 713.529.2260, www.raspberryroseboutique.com

BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 23

TRAVEL by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Travel Buzz Life lessons in the Yucatan with Dad

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LAYA DEL CARMEN, Quintana Roo – A light breeze moves in the jungle beyond our patio at the Grand Velas resort. Birds call to each other with liquid notes, and my mother reads her Bible beside me as my father sleeps. We’re winding to the close of our actionpacked itinerary – maybe too action-packed, I reflect, but as Dad would say, “We had ‘er to do.” Unforgettable moments flip through my memory: my father’s boyish grin lighting up in spite of himself as he stood, lifejacket up around his ears, the dolphin leaning in and kissing his cheek. Shaking his head in disbelief as our two waiters explained the special six-course meal that the famous French chef at Piaf, Michel Mustiere, had prepared for him, tailored to the complicated restrictions of his diet. Lying back on a canopied lounge on the beach, soaking up the sun and the attentions of a watchful staff. My factory-worker dad, father of nine and grandfather of 21, had never come close to such luxury. He hadn’t even known it existed. A shade-tree mechanic and consummate fixer of broken things, I found him examining the cooling system in our suite and chatting up the shuttle drivers we would meet along the way. Recently diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos-induced cancer, he was given no more than a year to live. Doctors said it was too late for surgery or radiation, and that chemotherapy might at best give him a few more months. He rejected the death sentence and decided to work with a naturopathic doctor. One strategy was a radical change in diet; my meat-andpotatoes Dad was a sudden vegan. Another was to keep living to the fullest, doing things that brought him joy. “I’m not afraid to die,” he told me not long after his diagnosis. “But as long as I’m here, I’m going to live.” I decided to support him in that vow. And as luck would have it, I would have 18 months to do so. Dad had shared with me my love of travel, but rarely had the resources to go far beyond the borders of his native Missouri. I had long dreamed of bringing my parents to Mexico, my adopted second country, to share with them a bit of the culture that I had come BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 24

MEMORIES WITH DAD Writer Tracy Barnett’s father, Gary Brunk, took his first trip to the Riviera Maya with his childhood sweetheart and wife of 55 years, Judy.

to love. I knew there was no time to waste. Just five months had passed since I had bid him – an unstoppable force at 72 – farewell at the Mexican border. When I arrived back in Missouri and embraced him after the diagnosis, I couldn’t believe my eyes; he had aged a decade in a few months. I persuaded them to get their passports, and in December, we escaped the dreary Midwest winter for nine precious days on the Yucatan Peninsula. Then in March, we boarded a ship for the Holistic Holiday at Sea, a weeklong macrobiotic cruise through the Caribbean (atasteofhealth.org). And finally, in September, we took a trip to the Bahamas to receive an alternative treatment that ultimately didn’t cure him, but gave us memories of a lifetime. The trip to Mexico was everything we’d hoped for. First we took a road trip across the peninsula to Merida. We stayed at the intimate colonial Hacienda Petac, lovingly restored from ruins by Houstonians Dev and Charles Stern. “A little piece of Eden,” my father termed it, a place where an attentive staff of traditionally dressed Mayan women worked closely with us to prepare an exquisite vegan menu inspired by indigenous traditions. There we soaked up the ambience of the sto-

rybook-perfect environs, and were serenaded by one of the leading music trios in the region, pampered in the hacienda’s first-rate spa, taken on a birdwatching walk through the jungle, and treated to a level of TLC unheard of in the hotel industry. Then we headed to Grand Velas on the Riviera Maya – named one of the world’s finest hotels by Condé Nast and AAA. There we would explore the ruins of Tulum, swim with the dolphins at Xel-Há and enjoy some exquisite chef-prepared vegan meals from the resort’s Mexican, Asian and French restaurants. Ultimately we will never know if the diet helped him; we do know that he outlived his prognosis by more than a year, and it was a year we packed full of love and life. “You just had to see it to believe it,” he’d say. “…and there were these chefs…. and we had a butler… and they treat you like a king… and the dolphin kissed us, and we kissed the dolphins.” “And me, an old boy from Iron County, Missouri. It was just more than I could have imagined.” Editor’s note: Tracy L. Barnett (tracybarnettonline.com) is an independent journalist and author (and former Houstonian) based in Guadalajara.

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Check your estate plan, then leave it alone Once upon a time, I was on a tactical team. We had guns, we had fun, and man, were we enthused. Sir, yes sir! Courtesy of the U.S. Marshals Service, we also had adult supervision, or at the least, sober training by mature professionals. One deputy’s admonition returns to me now and again: “Check your equipment, then leave it alone.” Boys fidget with their toys until they’ve lost or broken something, especially when nervous. Once everything’s in order, stop playing with it. Put it down, and get on with your other business. Approach your estate plan with the same discipline. Do an adult plan, do it right, and then leave it alone. Before you draw Social Security, sit down with a real lawyer, double check your will or do a new one, and review your account agreements, beneficiary designations, and powers of attorney. Document what you’ve done, share it with your fiduciaries (or pick new ones if that’s too much disclosure), and accept that you’ve done all you can. I see people who won’t stop planning. They can’t change their family, so they change their wills. Again. And again. Maintaining a plan is hard enough as you age, much less making wholesale changes. Dementia isn’t the problem. My older clients generally have the legal capacity to do anything they want, and more. The law allows you to make or revise your will until you hardly know your family or your property. The standard for testamentary capacity is that low. Complexity and stamina are problems. Even the simplest will or power

of attorney requires coordination with each asset. When you reach the age that you stop buying green bananas, you just don’t feel like doing that much work, even if you still have the cognitive ability. The will as final justice may be the greatest problem. It’s hard to right wrongs and redress grievances the day you sign the thing, much less over time, as family and relations change. Leaving your will alone may require that you dumb it down, that you not be so fancy, that you simply split things evenly. It’s okay to treat the good and the bad the same. A simpler plan now can avoid revisions and mistakes later. If you need a New Year’s resolution, try this one: I will do one good estate plan, and then I will leave it alone. 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 South, Suite 920, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.662.3853, www.rwhpc.com

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FOOD

by Jennifer Gould, contributing writer

Cooking Buzz

Most wonderful time of the year

Cooking Buzz is produced in partnership with the Junior League of Houston, a women’s charitable and education organization founded in 1925.

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must admit that I am a bit of a Christmas junkie. I love everything about the holiday – the sights, the sounds, the smells, and who doesn’t love presents? Since I was a little girl, listening to my mom’s Johnny Mathis and Andy Williams Christmas albums, baking cookies and wrapping presents, I have loved Christmas. I love the real Christmas story and the candlelight Christmas Eve service. And I also love the not-so-spiritual side of Christmas – trees, stockings and jingle bells. But mostly I love that the season brings family and friends together, usually over a special meal. I grew up in California, celebrating Christmas Eve with my mom’s side of the family, and that meant a traditional Italian meal – dish after dish, brought out from the kitchen by my grandma until I could not possibly eat another bite. I loved those evenings around her table with my parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. Even though my grandma is no longer with us, my family still tries to recreate those special meals over the holidays, while also creating new traditions with our “adopted” family here in Houston. Entertaining over the holidays can seem stressful, but if you break it down into smaller (bite-size) pieces, it can be easy. First, I take my time decorating our home. I look forward to starting on Thanksgiving weekend and stretch it out over a few weekends, doing a little bit every day. I set the table with holiday china and décor for the entire month of December. It has this amazing way of warming up our home. Then, as I plan the meal, I look for recipes that can be prepared in advance or that require minimal preparation time while my guests are here. I want to be able to spend time with my guests, not in my kitchen! I focus on a few simple dishes that may seem “fancy” but are relatively easy to prepare. I like to start off with the Field Greens, Crumbled Blue Cheese & Spicy Pecan Salad from the Junior League of Houston’s Stop and Smell the Rosemary cookbook. This salad has BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 26

become a go-to salad for me – it looks beautiful, is easy to put together ahead of time, and everyone loves it. For the main course, I have come to rely on Beef Tenderloin with Gorgonzola Sauce from the League’s most recent cookbook, Peace Meals. The key to this recipe is to make the CHOCOLATELY GOODNESS These dark-chocolate desserts are even more sauce ahead of time. It delicious topped with fresh peppermint whipped cream. See recipe on this page. takes quite a bit of 4 egg yolks tending, and you don’t want to be stuck at the 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract stove while your guests are hoping to spend Fresh whipped cream time with you. Shaved chocolate Since moving to Texas, I have learned that Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Whisk grits are a great companion to beef tenderloin. in the sugar. Gradually add the cream, whisking I love the Grits Casserole in Houston Junior constantly until smooth; remove from heat. In League. Again, this is a very easy make-ahead a medium bowl, vigorously beat the egg yolks. recipe that you pop in the oven when your Gradually whisk about one-fourth of the chocoguests arrive, so it will be ready to serve when late mixture into the yolks. Add the egg-chocoit is time to sit down. late mixture back into the pot with the warm One of my favorite, festive holiday desserts is chocolate mixture, whisking constantly. Whisk Chocolate Pots du Crème from Peace Meals. Be in the vanilla. Spoon into small pots de crème sure to crumble peppermints on top of each cup cups or cordial glasses and chill for at least 1 to give a special holiday flavor. And, of course, hour. Top each serving with fresh peppermint a hot toddy to go with this very chocolaty whipped cream and shaved chocolate. dessert is the perfect end to a special meal. Try Holiday Coffee, again from Peace Meals. It is a Peppermint Whipped Cream great accompaniment to the pots du crème. ½ cup heavy whipping cream If you like to have your guests leave with a lit2 to 3 teaspoons sugar tle treat, the Spicy Roasted Cashews from Peace ½ teaspoon peppermint extract Meals make a perfect take-home treat. Pour the cream into a chilled bowl and beat it vigorously with an electric mixer until it just Chocolate Pots du Crème begins to hold its shape. Add the sugar and pepServes 4 to 6 permint extract and continue to whip until the These rich chocolate desserts will satisfy even cream holds very soft, droopy peaks. To make the most serious dark-chocolate lover. They can more traditional whipped cream, use pure vanilbe topped with fresh mandarin-orange wedges la extract in place of the peppermint extract. and zest, crushed peppermints or chopped, toasted pistachios. 8 ounces good quality dark or semi-sweet bakFor more recipes, see this story at ing chocolate, coarsely chopped bellairebuzz.com. To buy a cookbook, see 2 tablespoons sugar www.jlh.org or call 713-871-6608. 1 cup heavy whipping cream

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SPORTS

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by Todd Freed, staff writer

SportzBuzz F

or the fifth time in the last six years, St. Thomas’ Episcopal School is a state champion in cross country. With four finishers in the top 20, the STE Saints boys team won the TAPPS 3A state title by a 16-point margin over Schertz JP II. “It was a really special year,” said STE cross country coach Bret Ramsey. “The goal for our guys is to represent themselves, their family and our school in an honorable way. I think all of that shows up in practice and in the meets.” At the state meet, STE’s top finisher was senior Ben Graves, who came in fifth overall. “Ben has been incredibly consistent all year,” said

BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 28

Ramsey. “He was on the 2011 and 2012 statechampionship teams and has been a key part of our program for his high school career.” Just behind Graves, STE junior Adrian Fetterley placed sixth overall at the state meet. “Adrian put it into high gear and ran a great race,” said Ramsey. Other top finishers for the Saints included senior Matthew Hrncir, who despite taking a fall in the race, finished 12th. In addition, junior Saagar Pateder finished 17th, senior Kyle Lin came in 20th, sophomore Riley Moran was 24th, and fellow sophomore Christopher Han came in 48th. “I’m just really proud of all our

guys and especially our two seniors, Ben and Matt. They showed great leadership throughout the season, and it paid off,” said Ramsey. Meanwhile, it was quite a run for girls from St. Agnes Academy, who finished second overall at the girls TAPPS 5A state meet. In a field of 120 of the state’s best runners, the top finishers for St. Agnes included Maryella Cohn (11th), Emily Sullivan (12th), Sydney Davis (14th), Lauren Schiller (17th), Triona Swanson (19th), Amber Boettiger (28th) and Courtney Schell (36th). “Our girls trained really hard all summer and even went to a running camp in Colorado, so all

been all-state every year she’s run cross country and is being recruited by a number of schools. She’ll certainly run in college.” Other top runners at state for Awty were Amanda Gerlach, Margot Hemminga, Christina Moreno and Ashling Devins. Meanwhile, led by the individual ninth-place finish of Thor Crux, Awty boys finished third at the TAPPS 5A state meet. Aaron Hurd was 12th overall, followed by Ben Matthews, Dylan Thissen, Nicolas Motta, Jason Rehg and Martin Motta. “Thor was tremendous,” said Sload. “He’ll run in college next year at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. For us to move up in classification from 4A to 5A and finish third in the state was quite an accom- ON THE RUN St. Thomas’ Episcopal junior Adrian Fetterley helped plishment by our entire team. lead the Saints to the TAPPS 3A state championship in boys cross country. The victory marked the school’s fifth state championship in the last They really came through.” six years. In next month’s column, we’ll Editor’s Note: Todd Freed is the Emmy Awardhave a report on the powerhouse cross-country winning co-host and producer of the KUBE teams from Stratford High School. As of press SportsZone, which airs Saturday and Sunday at 6 deadline, the Stratford boys were looking to p.m. on Channel 57-KUBE. To submit high school defending their UIL 5A state championship sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, while the Stratford girls also had earned a berth please email todd@thebuzzmagazines.com. to state. Robert Williamson

that hard work paid off,” said Tigers head coach Kristi Robbins. “We don’t have one exceptionally fast runner, just a great group of runners who run as a pack. They stick together and do really well. One of the great things about the state meet was that we edged out Dallas Ursuline for second place, and they were the defending state champion.” The second-place finish also speaks to the growth of the cross-country program since Robbins took over at St. Agnes. “When I arrived here from Cinco Ranch High School there were only 15 girls running cross country. We’re now up to over 80 girls in the cross-country program, which amounts to about 10 percent of the student body. Plus, we’re a pretty young group, so the future looks pretty bright.” Finishing two spots behind St. Agnes in fourth place overall at the same TAPPS 5A state meet was Awty International, which won the state championship in TAPPS 4A last year. “Our girls overcame a lot of adversity to do as well as they did,” said Awty cross country coach Robert Sload. “We lost one of our top five runners, Sydney Arceneaux, to a stress fracture early on. Plus, two of our other top runners, Amelia Ward and Anaelle Lahitte-Crohare, were slowed by injuries this season.” The Rams were led at the state meet by Nikita Prasad, who finished ninth overall. “Nikita ran a really solid race,” said Sload. “She’s

BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 29

SPORTS

by Angie Frederickson, staff writer

Champion Image

SportzBuzz, Jr. W

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

Flying high Caroline Basu, 7, (top photo) has been training at the Gymnast Factory since age 2. Affectionately known as “Buttercup,” Basu is the youngest member of the Gymnast Factory’s silver-level team. She competed in the trampoline, double-mini trampoline and tumbling events at the Levels 5-7 Junior Olympic National Championships in Spokane, Wash. This competition attracts more than 1,800 athletes from all 50 states, and Basu finished 10th in Level 5 trampoline. In addition to being a gymnast, Basu is a top student at Annunciation Orthodox School. She also enjoys horseback riding, reading and singing.

Racing to the goal Camille Marlin (middle photo) fights for control of the ball in a recent game. A fifth grader at River Oaks Elementary, Camille is part of the Houston Express Navy U11 soccer team. The team is currently ranked in the top 10 in Texas and has won all but two league games over the last three seasons. At a recent tournament, the Houston Labor Day Cup, the team finished in first place. Other team members are Jessie Beck, Abby Bronicki, Kaia Chambers, Megan Chang, Kate Freeman, Aria Harkness, Kelsey Koenig, Zoe Marosis, Jessica Molina and Hannah Nicholas. Several of the girls have played together, year round, for five seasons. The team members say they feel like family to each other.

Friday-night lights The Southwest Football League’s sophomore-division Mustangs and Bears battle it out (bottom photo) under the lights in a recent game. The third- and fourth-grade boys wore pink socks and other pink uniform accessories in honor of breast cancer-awareness month. Mustangs players Walker Dellinger, a third grader at West University Elementary, and Blake Masterson, a fourth grader at St. John’s School, assisted by Jack Easterby, a River Oaks Baptist School third grader, and Harrison Tramonte, a third grader at West University Elementary, fought Bears players Chico Holt, a West University Elementary fourth grader, and Ethan Spears for control of the ball. Spears, a fourth grader at Memorial Drive Elementary, plays with the Southwest Football League instead of a league closer to home. “Although we live in Piney Point, Ethan and our family have made lifelong friends in West University through the SFL. It’s the best-run league in the city,” said Ethan’s dad, Chris.

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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.

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NEIGHBORS

.

by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Maple Street mingled

Bellaire neighbors from Maple Street, including (pictured, from left) Nathan Wesley, Naveen Patni, Mark Ward, Clay Lilienstein, Phebe

Chen, Rebecca Lilienstein, Mike McCorkle, Bob and Carol Purcell, and Lois and Jim Guehring, gathered on their block for National Night Out. They learned from Bellaire police representatives about the newly revitalized Neighborhood Watch program and other safety issues. The National Night Out program is a way to connect with new and old neighbors and discuss safety concerns in the neighborhood. For more information, see ci.bellaire.tx.us.

Successfully dressed Dan and Melissa Sugulas (pictured) attended the Dress for Success Houston 16th annual

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Buzz About Town fundraiser, The Sky Is The Limit, at the DFS facility on Eastside Street. The co-chairs of this special event, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw and Rebekah and Gary Reaves, drew in a crowd of more than 300 supporters. The evening’s honorees, Stan Marrder and Eniver and Mark

Judson, were recognized for launching the agency’s new website and helping with ongoing video production, invitation and programdesign concepts. The evening was a success, raising $400,000 for the local non-profit, which helps women get back into the workforce by providing a work suit and other resources. In the fun were Mia Gradney, board chair Willie Stanfield with wife Rosa, Dress for Success Houston co-founder and president Nancy Levicki, Joan and Stanford Alexander, Linda and Steve Webster, Marie Louise Kinder, Clare and Steve Jackson, Niloufar and Amir Molavi, Virginia and Dan Steppe, and Mary and Ben Patton.

School Class of 1959 reunion. The weekend kicked off with a welcome reception on Friday evening and continued with a golf tournament on Saturday afternoon, followed by dinner and dancing at the Houston Racquet Club. Sunday morning, they ended with brunch on the club terrace. About 120 people attended the reunion festivities. Co-chairs were Byrd and Lyn Cooke

Wicke. Many of the classmates began their freshman year at Bellaire High School when it opened in the fall of 1955. This was the first class to attend all four years at the high school.

Cardinals flew The Bellaire High School Lady Cardinals soccer team (pictured) hosted (continued on page 34)

55 years later

Brenda Kuehne, Lynda Dailey and Betty Byrd (pictured, from left) attended the Bellaire High

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(continued from page 33) the

fourth annual “FourteenForTeens” 5K and 14K trail runs at TC Jester Park. The team invited supporters to participate in the race to raise money for the soccer program at Bellaire High School and the nonprofit Palmer Drug Abuse Program. The race also raised money for Corridor Rescue, which rescues homeless animals from Houston’s streets.

Breaking new ground Condit Elementary School moms Holly Koehn and Peggy Chang (pictured, from left) were at the groundbreaking for the new school building and celebration of the school’s 100th anniversary. The school will have a new 88,000-squarefoot facility, which is part of HISD’s 2012 bond

program. Representatives from the Bellaire Historical Society presented a historical perspective of the school, and the Condit student choir performed. Bellaire mayor Phil Nauert, HISD trustee Mike Lunceford and Condit principal Dan Greenberg also spoke at the groundbreaking. Read more about the plans at conditpto.org.

Say cheese

It was a fun night for some Bellaire boys pictured here acting goofy in front of local law enforcement. Neighbors were outside mingling for National Night Out, and the boys got to meet Bellaire chief of police Byron Holloway. He is pictured with (from left) Giovanni Gonzalez, Nathan Adler, Drew Adler, Eli Karpas, Mario Gonzalez and (in back right) officer Alex Proctor.

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areas of school. Maybe the encouraging words did the trick, at least for one team. The seventhgrade football team won 16-14 over Lanier Middle School. Lanier’s Purple Pups also suffered a 44-6 defeat to Pin Oak’s eighth-grade Chargers. Pin Oak Middle School celebrated its annual Homecoming Week with a pep rally. The day was a memorable one for the students, with a surprise visit from Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (pictured, with Pin Oak seventh-grade quarterback Ethan Tuckwood). He encouraged them to work hard to succeed in all

Mark Twain’s talent Students from Mark Twain Elementary School used one talent to support another. About 40 students from Grades 1 through 5 performed High School Musical Jr. in order to raise money for the school’s Odyssey of the Mind program. Odyssey of the Mind is an internation-

al educational program that encourages students to creatively solve engineering and artistic problems as a team. To donate, see onlineregistrationcenter.com/HighSchoolMusicaljr. Editor’s note: The Buzz is happy to welcome back Annie McQueen, our Buzz About Town columnist, from maternity leave and we are thrilled to report that her twin babies, Cash and Lila, are doing well. Please send your high-res photos and community news to The Buzz at info@thebuzzmagazines.com or 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401. Items are published on a space-available basis.

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TO THE FINISH LINE Jeremiah Mee, a sixth grader at Trafton Academy, inherited a passion for racing from his dad, who is part of the Alta Velocita Racing team. Pictured are Jeremiah (on right) with his brother Colin.

KIDS by Jeremiah Mee, age 12

Buzz Kidz

The road to go-karting victory

M

y hobby and passion is racing cars. I like it so much because of the feeling you get when you’re going so fast. It makes you feel like you’re more than you really are. Racing can also be very dangerous. I have had a lot of close calls. I almost died when the gokart flipped over. I tend to freak out when there is a 500-pound go-kart on me! One of my best accomplishments is beating my dad, Jerry Mee. Let me list his advantages: He is a professional race car driver, and his gokart can go 90 miles per hour, and mine can only go 50 miles per hour. But I still beat him by keeping in front of him the whole time. I like to practice because there is always room for improvement, and it’s really fun. I

always practice with the adult karts because I am really bad with them, and I need a lot of practice. I don’t think I can handle speed above 50 miles per hour yet. I’m always skidding around and sliding off the race track with adult karts. I tried racing with an adult kart, and I caused a huge traffic jam on the race track. I just skidded into the middle of the track and before you know it, I was a big road block! One of my favorite moments was when I challenged a guy to a race. He accepted. About four laps into the race we were neck and neck. I could tell he was mad because he bumped me off the road. He made a big mistake. The Angleton track where my dad races, which is called MSR Houston, has a zero-tolerance pol-

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icy. If you so much as touch someone with a gokart it is an automatic disqualification. So I won by default. Sure it wasn’t that victorious, but still pretty good. 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, Texas 77401.

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DINING GUIDE by Dai Huynh, staff writer

This Month in Dining Holiday wine: What Houston’s experts would like to drink

I

’m a fan of wines under $30, but I confess that I still fantasize about Dalla Valle’s 1999 Maya, a blend of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Alas, I don’t splurge $450 on wine. I can only harken back to the afternoon when vintner Naoko Dalla Valle invited me to her Tuscany-inspired hillside vineyard overlooking Napa Valley. After guiding me to Dalla Valle Vineyards’ tasting room, my hostess – with a knowing smile – poured a glass of her 1999 Maya. A sip inspired images of damask roses and sunny, blue-sky afternoons humming with honeybees. Beautiful wines are capable of doing that. The 1999 Maya, aged in new French oak, was striking, incredibly balanced and replete with flowers and dark, voluptuous fruits – cassis and red cherries. The first sip tasted like a mother’s love: pure and deep, yet powerfully complex. Once sipped it was soft and round, with a smooth, mouth-filling finish. A lot of care was put into creating the wine created in honor of Naoko and husband Gustav’s daughter, Maya. Gustav passed away in 1995, but Naoko continued their shared vision of producing world-renowned wines, and Dalla Valle Vineyards has garnered a loyal following. Maya remains my dream wine, and I feel honored to have tasted it, even once. An experience like this made me curious as to what Houston wine gurus would bring to their holiday tables if price were no object. Brennan’s of Houston (3300 Smith) wine guy John Ramos would choose the 2007 CôteRôtie La Mouline from E. Guigal ($725) with its smoky, peppery, barnyard overtones softened by cherries, violets and dusty tannins. He likes to pair the brooding, earthy Rhone Valley wine with Brennan’s grilled-game platter of rosemary bobwhite quail, herb-seasoned antelope chop and wild boar sausage, with cornbread pudding and huckleberry pepper jelly. As for a white, Ramos recommends the 2006 Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Puligny-Montrachet Les Levrons ($175), made from 100 percent Chardonnay. He describes it as having “an amazingly integrated oak structure with notes of pear, Fiji apple, white peach and spice.” The wine’s BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 38

RARE MAYA Maya, a blend of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, is one of California’s most sought-after cult wines. Dalla Valle Vineyards overlooking Napa Valley produces fewer than 500 cases of Maya annually.

ideal match? Brennan’s Louisiana jumbo lump blue crab cakes crowned with mirlitons, Wood Duck Farm pea shoots and a sweet corn-leek cream sauce. Ramos suggests savoring the 2000 pinot noir from Eyrie Estate Marguerite ($189) on its own. He finds this wine, from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, earthy, displaying flavors of mushroom, herbs and well-integrated tannins. At Tony’s (3755 Richmond), general manager and partner Scott Suma would toast the New Year with 1985 Krug Collection Privee ($2,500), and then pair a white Alba truffle soufflé with Jean-Marc Pillot 2008 Chevalier Montrachet ($995) or the saddle of lamb with the 1995 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva ($2,200), which is ready to drink now and through 2020 with notes of ripe red fruits and dark chocolate. At chic Japanese restaurant KUU (947 N. Gessner Road), Ricky Cheung wouldn’t hesitate to usher in 2015 with a bottle of Vouette et Sorbee Extra Brut Champagne ($195), a 100 percent Chardonnay bubbly with lemon and apricot annotations rounded out by a toasty fin-

ish. The operations manager and sommelier’s current choice for red is Hirsch San Andreas Fault ($150), which he declared as “one of the best pinots noir I have ever tasted.” Compared with most California pinots noir, he says this soon-to-be classic is low in alcohol. Palazzo Cuvee Blanc ($75) is another favorite. Composed of 90 percent sémillon grapes and 10 percent sauvignon blanc, the scent is “wonderfully floral and seductive, with intense aromas of pear, orange blossoms, rose petals and hints of spearmint, beeswax and white truffle laced throughout,” Cheung says. It’s a Napa Valley wine to be enjoyed with food, and it has a balanced mouth-feel, with a rich, broad texture. White peaches, nectarines and apricots fill your mouth with notes of Meyer lemons. And yet, Cheung finds the finish lush, almost weighty and wonderfully long, especially for a white wine. Meanwhile, at Mockingbird Bistro (1985 Welch), sommelier Adrian Cuneo would raise a glass of Salon Le Mesnil ($350), vivacious with crystalline citrus, white stone fruits and hints of bitter almonds. A more budget-friendly choice

ROYAL TREAT For those who want to splurge, sommelier Sean Beck suggests toasting 2015 with the 2000 Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill Brut Champagne, the same bubbly Prince William and Kate sipped at their royal wedding.

is the Pierre Peters Blanc de Blancs ($90), a multi-layered and complex pour with crisp acidity, a long finish and juicy accents, with notes of apples and peaches, plus shades of brioche, as well as toasted almonds. Right now, Cuneo is really loving charbono – the purpliest of grapes. “The guys at Shypoke [Winery] do a wonderful job of keeping this old-fashioned grape around – fullbodied, dry and tannic, with amazing flavors of black cherries, plum sauce and exotic spices,” he says. The Shypoke Charbono ($55) pairs well with Mockingbird’s Rohan duck. A perfect companion for Houston’s warm weather – or even in winter – is LieuDit Cocagne Chenin Noir ($40), a rose with crunchy acidity and notes of watermelon, strawberry and stone fruits. “Its big tannins make this wine sing,” Cuneo says, “either by itself or with Houston’s eclectic cuisine.” At Triniti (2815 South Shepherd) chef Ryan Hildebrand recommends bidding adieu to 2014 with the Ruinart Blanc de Blanc ($80). For a rare treat, pop open the 2005 Levy & McClellan ($950), a big, bold cabernet sauvignon reminiscent of dark, ripe berries, leather and earth. Its John Wayne stature needs to be paired with something equally robust, such as Hildebrand’s rack of lamb with dried figs and whole grain mustard demi glace. Another red is the 2011 Frank Family

Cabernet Sauvignon ($95), a luscious libation that goes well with the venison, served with sweet potato puree and apple horseradish relish. A white to consider is the 2010 Grenache Blanc from Epiphany – a dry, floral treat that goes well with most soups and seafood dishes. Sean Beck gives a nod to the 2000 Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill Brut Champagne ($370). “It’s one of the all-time great bubbly houses, even good enough for the last royal wedding” of Kate and William, says the sommelier for Backstreet Cafe (1103 S. Shepherd), Hugo’s (1600 Westheimer) and Caracol (2200 Post Oak, No. 160). Made in the style preferred by Winston Churchill, Britain’s WWII prime minister, it uses a higher percentage of pinot noir as the base wine. “The incredibly fine bubbles contrast the powerful flavors, leaving the drinker with a sense they’re sipping on something precious,” Beck says. On the lookout for bargain finds, Beck recently added 2010 Morgenster Lourens River Valley Red Blend ($56) from Stellenbosch in South Africa. It’s a blend of meritage (a red and sometime white wine made from various Bordeaux grape varieties) and cabernet franc that is earthy and aromatic, yet with gentle tannins and well-woven fruit that pair nicely with Caracol’s wood-grilled lamb chops. The 2012 Le Rocher des Violets ToucheMitaine ($48) is a tiny parcel of old Chenin

blanc vines, a white grape variety grown in Montlouis-sur-Loire of France. “It’s a tremendous fall wine with its rich viscosity, wealth of citrus, smoky melon and pineapple,” Beck says. “It provides a beautiful contrast to the deep flavors of our seasonal mushroom menu at Backstreet Cafe. While over at Caracol, it plays beautifully with our wood-roasted oysters.” A wine to savor on its own is the 2010 Joseph Voillot Les Champans Volnay ($160). “While it’s quite fantastic with food, this is a wine that is more captivating on its own,” he says. “The pinots from (Côte de Beaune, France) typically show a very alluring mix of red fruits. The Voillot takes it further with a wine that is hauntingly beautiful, sexy. A core of intoxicating wild plum, dark cherry and fragrant earth make for an unforgettable bottle.” Even after eight years, I can easily recall the dark fruits and rose essence of the alluring Maya, and how Dalla Valle’s red volcanic soil nursed just enough minerality and sweetness to create an graceful, lasting impression. What’s your unforgettable bottle? Editor’s note: Aside from the Maya, which retails for $450-600, the above costs are restaurant prices. To share your favorite wines – from extravagant to budget-friendly – with readers, email info@thebuzzmagazines.com or comment under this story at bellairebuzz.com. (continued on page 40) BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 39

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.

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Adair Kitchen 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 toast, Adair Kitchen turns out some not-so-common, stellar options, such as a sourdough toast topped with buttery avocado and chorizo-flavored pork sausage (which can be amped up with an optional fried egg). Combined with fresh cilantro, lime and a side of mashed black beans, it leaves a favorable impression of this hip shabby chic space that manages to appeals to hipsters and families with its creative juices (like Just Beet It with apple and kale) and updated traditional dishes, such as pecancrusted baked chicken with citrus glaze. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 5161 San Felipe, 713-623-6100. adairkitchen.com. $$

Alamo Tamale & Taco Tacos and tamales Neighborhood: Northside Village Alamo Tamale & Taco encompasses everything we love about Houston – good, down-toearth, cheap, Tex-Mex tacos on-the-go for breakfast and lunch. At sunrise, the line snakes out the door at the location on Navigation bordering downtown. But at the Berry Road outlet near the Heights, a major expansion about a year ago has helped alleviate the large crowds that clamor for the $1-2 tacos billowing with an assortment of steam-table offerings including barbacoa and carnitas. But as it did in the ’60s, Alamo continues to etch its reputation making pork, beef brisket, chicken and jalapeño-cheese tamales. Breakfast & lunch Mon.-Sun. (Closes at 5 or 6 p.m.) 809 Berry Road, 713-692-6363. $

Antica Osteria Regional Italian Neighborhood: Southhampton BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 40

Antica Osteria, in a vintage brick house, attracts an eclectic mix with its warm, old-fashioned feel. There are Turkish movie stars, socialites, ingénues, young lovers, media types and, even, parents with well-behaved children. The attractions are the well-prepared pastas; spaghetti carbonara lush with cream and pancetta makes the strongest impression, along with abundantly friendly service and a homey vibe. Every meal begins with complimentary bruschetta and ends with a gracious smile. In between, there are simple, satisfying antipasti. Many customers order pastas as their entrées, but for those who must have meat, consider the deftly prepared osso buco – an occasional special – or the grilled angus fillet. Dinner Mon.-Sat. 2311 Bissonnet, 713-521-1155. anticarestaurant.com. $$$

Arnaldo Richards’ Picos Regional Mexican Neighborhood: Upper Kirby Many remain nostalgic about the old Pico's location on Bellaire. But upon entering the new locale, it's hard to fault owner Arnaldo Richards for moving into this graciously appointed, hacienda-inspired space made warm and inviting with coral tablecloths, ceiling beams and dark furniture. His food, too, has been tweaked, often with winning results. The tomato salsa sings. The ranchera salsa smolders with charred tomatoes. The chicken consommé soup is still a cure for the blues, swimming with pulled chicken, onion, cilantro, Mexican rice and avocado. A dash of Serrano pepper provides a mild, welcome kick. And his signature huachinango a la Veracruzana (red snapper) is elegantly draped with an exquisitely light tomato sauce flavored with green olives, capers and chiles güeros. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 3601 Kirby, 832-8319940. picos.net. $$

Common Bond Café & Bakery Pastries and sandwiches Neighborhood: Montrose area The long search for moist, buttery kugelhopf ends here. Speckled with brandy-soaked raisins, the sultan’s turban-shaped cake-bread is a soulsatisfying breakfast with a steaming café au lait. The moistly crisped walnut chocolate chip cookies, even at $3-plus apiece, are worth it. The only version that surpasses these, you can’t get since it comes out of my brother’s oven. Not every pastry is perfect at Common Bond. Its frequently touted plain croissant falls short on texture. While beautiful to look upon – glisteningly golden-brown – the overly crisped shell tastes dry and interior mealy. Scones, too, were tough. But the pastries that are nearly perfect here, like the kouign amann (a flaky, buttery, caramelized, sugar-topped pastry), surpass their counterparts around town. Common Bond bustles at breakfast, and for good reason. Offerings include a stellar sourdough sandwich stacked with pork sausage, cheddar, frisee and fried egg. Be kind; share it with a good friend. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Tues.-Sun. (Kitchen closes 3 p.m. daily, but

the dining room remains open for coffee and dessert until 7 p.m.). 1706 Westheimer Road, 713-5293535. wearecommonbond.com. $$

Coppa Osteria Artisanal pastas and pizzas Neighborhood: Rice Village Like Coppa Ristorante Italiano, this casual rendition applies the principles of Italian cooking by allowing ingredients to speak with minimum interference. Chef Brandi Key’s clarifies ingredients and judges flavors finely. Pizzas shine. Creamy burrata shimmers with peppery extra-virgin olive oil. Spaghetti carbonara crackles with black pepper and the creaminess of raw eggs and Parmesan cheese. Calabria chili and Meyer lemon brighten shrimp linguine with parmesan cream. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 5210 Morningside, 713522-3535. coppaosteriahouston.com. $$ NEW LISTING!

Corner Table

Contemporary American Neighborhood: Upper Kirby The Paleo Diet – a nutritional regimen centered around eggs, nuts, pasture-raised meat, fresh fruit and vegetables – is no longer a fringe movement. It has charged into the mainstream, spawning how-to books and glossy magazines. There are restaurants inspired by Paleo, including Corner Table, a multi-faceted space that boasts a luxe wine room reminiscent of France's Louis XIV era, a live-music lounge and a cozy mixology room with a speak-easy vibe. At the center is the restaurant, which shines even brighter with a culinary rising star at the helm. Ja'Nel Witt – winner of Gordon Ramsay's season 11 of Hell’s Kitchen – adds a much-needed global flair to the menu, from a beet-root hummus with an undercurrent of cumin to a wood-fire pizza topped with eggplant baba ganoush, roasted red pepper and feta cheese. Under her watch, the kitchen is turning out sharper fare with succinct presentations and clean, multi-dimensional flavors. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sat. 2736 Virginia Street. 713- 568-9196. cornertablehouston.com. $$$ NEW LISTING!

HK Dim Sum

Chinese dumplings and small bites Neighborhood: Bellaire Chinatown HK Dim Sum, or formally Hong Kong Dim Sum, has been stuffing Chinatown families full of dumplings since 2007. To grasp its popularity, arrive by 11 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday, or else you’ll find yourself waiting in line outside this tiny nook until one of the many crowded tables clears out. Order some xiu mai pork dumplings or hakao, which are translucentskinned, shrimp-filled dumplings. Dip them in red vinegar and chili oil to bring out their sweet shrimpiness. The rest of HK's selections – from pan-fried turnip cake and fragrant lotus leaf stuffed with sticky rice and ground meats to pork ribs with black beans – stands up to the tasty example set by the pork xiu mai. Breakfast,

direct, simply spiced with vibrant plum tomatoes, mozzarella and organic basil. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 3333 Weslayan, 713-8928100. pizzeriasolario.com. $

Tacos Tierra Caliente

CORNER TABLE Among executive chef Ja’Nel Witt’s repertoire of signature dishes at paleo-driven Corner Table is the grilled marinated jumbo shrimp in Asian-inspired pesto.

lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun., 9889 Bellaire Boulevard, 713-777-7029. $

Kasra Persian Grill Classic Mediterranean Neighborhood: Tanglewood/Memorial Tables brim with savory mezzes, such as creamy hummus, eggplant dips and toasted rice topped with kidney beans and beef. Complimentary feta cheese, fresh mint, parsley and radishes with yeasty, golden flatbreads are served upon arrival. Mint tea, grilled beef on dill-scented rice and moist Cornish hens on fluffy barberries-laced rice scent the air. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 9741 Westheimer Road, 713975-1810. kasrahouston.com. $$

Local Foods Chef-driven gourmet deli Neighborhood: Rice Village Hand-crafted sandwiches and salads from chef Dylan Murray draw a diverse crowd. Savor duck confit smothered with melted brie, aioli and cranberry preserves on wheat bread. Shrimp-and-crab on ciabatta with green goddess dressing is another must-try. Sandwiches come with two sides that include Tuscan kale with golden raisins and potato chips speckled with Old Bay seasonings. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 2424 Dunstan, 713-521-7900. houstonlocalfoods.com. $$

Lucille’s Creative Southern Neighborhood: Museum District The fried green tomatoes – lightly crisped and anointed with a rich, bright-orange remoulade sauce – know few peers around town. This and a glass of New Zealand sauvignon blanc, in this refurbished brick building, would

do just fine for lunch. That and a side order of chef-owner Chris Williams’ hot rolls. Look around. You’ll see many breaking bread while waiting for shrimp and grits and the pan-roasted white fish on a pile of pancakes, surrounded by candied-sweet cherry tomatoes. Lunch and dinner, Tues.-Sun., 5512 La Branch, 713-568-2505. lucilleshouston.com. $$$

McHugh Tea Teahouse and more Neighborhood: Bellaire This shabby-chic corner charms with its practical lunch menu and English ambiance, illuminated by tea-cup chandeliers, refurbished tea sets and ornately framed photos of famous tea sippers, including Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson. Fragrant, organic teas – hibiscus blossom oolong, masala chai and cabernet assam – gently brew in glass orbs while regulars fork into lemon and chocolate pies topped with solidly crisp, snow-white meringue. But the homemade jellies and buttermilk scones (tender, hot, just out of the oven) are what have won the hearts of regulars. Lunch, Mon.-Sat., 5305 Bissonnet, Bellaire. 713-218-6300. mchughtea.com. $

Pizzeria Solario Neopolitan pizzeria Neighborhood: Highland Village When it comes to the Neapolitan pies at this cheery spot with patio seating, there are no tricks, just good techniques: a fiery 800degree wood-burning oven that chars the edges of a bubbly, soft-bottom pizza (you can request a crispier bottom). The creamy mozzarella and garlicky white sauce are made in house. Try the Appolonia with soppressata salami, black pepper, parmesan cheese and an egg on top. The pizza margherita is satisfyingly

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 blanketed 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. $ NEW LISTING!

Triniti

Contemporary American Neighborhood: Upper Kirby Eye-catching modern architecture aside, chef Ryan Hildebrand and his kitchen staff, which includes talented chef de cuisine Greg Lowry, manages to bridge wildly inventive cuisine (check out the nightly eight-course tasting menu) with updated steakhouse classics, such as a perfectly seared garlic-thyme prime New York steak accompanied by a roster of sauces. You can choose up to three, such as the samba-sake butter or whole grain mustard. The menu also features accomplished desserts, such as the hazelnut mousse. Lunch & dinner Fri.-Sun. and dinner Wed.-Thurs. 2815 South Shepherd. 713527-9090. trinitirestaurant.com. $$$$

Vallone’s Modern-American steakhouse Neighborhood: Memorial The option of adding any homemade pasta, such diminutive corn ravioli or short-rib tortellini, to your steak dinner for $9 adds to the appeal of the impeccably hand-cut slabs of steaks. But really all that is required for the juicy, charred, dry-aged, bone-in ribeye is a side of fries and a robust California cabernet. With his new steakhouse, restaurateur Tony Vallone again illustrates that he knows good food, and his impeccable tastes are expertly translated on the menu. Normally, we skip sauces, especially when the steaks (wet and dry age) shine with just a dash of salt. But in this case, the cabernet foie gras jus and spicy béarnaise are hard to pass up, as is the Colorado lamb chop with chickpea purée. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. and dinner Sun. 947 Gessner, 713-3956100. vallonessteakhouse.com. $$$$

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

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Diamond rings made to order

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can design the ring using our custom CAD to design to their exact specifications. Whether it’s an engagement ring, bracelet, earrings or pendant, we can design the piece so it comes out exact. Using computer CAD design technology is amazing. It gives us the ability to make anything.” Mark’s inventory in loose diamonds is second to none. “We have one of the largest selections of loose diamond inventories in the city of Houston. Whether a customer would like a smaller diamond or large, we have it in stock. We are considered a retail store, but with wholesale prices.” In addition to designing jewelry, Mark’s staff is top notch when it comes to jewelry repairs, which are done on-site. “We have a distinct advantage over major chain stores because we repair and manufacture on-site. Whether it’s repairing their jewelry or designing a ring for them, we work closely with them from start to finish ensuring we meet the customers’ needs.” Klein’s Jewelry, 5868 Westheimer Rd., Houston, Texas 77057, 832.316.1388, www.Kleinsjewelry.com imagesbykristy.com

Doesn’t everyone need a great jeweler? One that can do custom jewelry and repairs on site? One that can manufacture anything in jewelry and is extremely affordable? One that has had a great reputation since 1969? Mark Klein of Klein’s Jewelry can be that jeweler. Mark has been making unique and beautiful custom jewelry since 1990. A native Houstonian, Mark has built his reputation on taking care of customers by giving great customer service as well as creating beautiful pieces of jewelry at a great price. “Quality of craftsmanship and using the finest diamonds are what is most important to me. Making a fantastic, beautiful ring for a client is a great feeling. Pleasing the customer and continuing the relationship after the sale with customer service is how we have built such a great reputation.” Mark Klein took over for his father, Michael Klein, in 1990 after his dad passed away at the age of 47. Michael Klein had built a successful business in Houston since 1969. Mark continued in the family business by building relationships through customer service one customer at a time. This fall, Klein’s Jewelry moved locations for the first time in 29 years to a beautiful new store located at 5868 Westheimer (Westheimer and Augusta). Using state-of-the -art technology, CAD (computer-aided design) software, Mark has the ability to create any ring by just looking at a picture. “A customer can choose from one of our hundreds of designs in stock, or they can bring in a picture of a design they would like and we

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Misty, age 8, Russian Blue, Tamarisk Lane Hello. My name is Misty, and I am an 8-year-old Russian Blue. One might say I am a connoisseur of the art of sleeping, but whenever I am not fine-tuning this skill, I partake in some of my favorite activities. My mom puts bread in the backyard every week, so when the little critters flock outside, you will usually find me on the windowsill watching closely. But not to worry, I am not much of a huntress these days! I love finding places around the house to get cozy and warm, so whenever my mom takes clothes out of the dryer, I am quick to settle on top of them and make them all hairy. When I feel adventurous, I push my head through the cat door and explore my backyard with my neighborhood friends. When bedtime comes, and I am all tuckered out, I love to snuggle with Mom. What a purrrfect life. 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, Texas 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.

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Finances during divorce

Free live nativity Dec. 5-6

Since most divorces in Harris County take between 2 and 24 months to finalize, clients want to know, “How do I financially live during the divorce?” The answer is that the court tries to keep the status quo of the parties, but being able to do that often depends on the estate liquidity. For instance, if one party is a non-working spouse, the court will understand that for some time that party may not work, but the court will often expect that party to be pursuing career options. Agreements that the parties have made about one person staying at home often evaporate during a divorce, and the working parent expects the non-working parent to work also. The court tries to keep bills and expenses being paid as they had been paid; however, most of the time two residences have to be funded rather than just one. Prior to filing for divorce, it is best to consult with a lawyer in order to successfully navigate your finances during the duration of the divorce. K. Nicole Voyles, a partner at Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P., has been recognized as a Texas Rising Star for 2008, 2011-2013 and Super Lawyer for 2014 by Texas Super Lawyers. She is Board Certified in Family Law at Jenkins & Kamin, LLP, Two Greenway Plaza, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77046, 713.600.5500, www.jenkinskamin.com.

Bellaire United Methodist Church invites the community to Bethlehem Village, the church’s ninth annual live nativity, on Dec. 5 and 6, 6-8 p.m. “Our live nativity allows guests to hear and see the Christmas story proclaimed in a format that goes beyond just reading about it,” said Jim Love, associate pastor of Bellaire UMC. Bethlehem Village faithfully recreates a Hebrew village at the beginning of the first century, with shepherds guiding visitors on a narrated journey through a bustling marketplace complete with carpenters, weavers, potters, bakers and more — all on a path that leads them to Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Afterward, guests can enjoy refreshments, music, children’s crafts, live animals, a special gift for the children, and the opportunity to take their own Christmas family photo (remember to bring your camera or smart phone). More than 100 church members play roles or work behind the scenes to stage the free event, which welcomes several hundred people each night. “This is an annual gift from our congregation to the community,” said Jim Flagg, senior pastor at Bellaire UMC. “We invite all our neighbors to experience this special occasion or any worship service, including one of our Christmas Eve services at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. or 11 p.m.” For more information, visit bellaireumc.org. Bellaire United Methodist Church, 4417 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.666.2167, www.BellaireUMC.org

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NEIGHBORS

by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

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Back Porch

Standing on (holiday) ceremony

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his month for Back Porch we asked friends to share their best holiday-tradition stories. They didn’t disappoint. What we got was inspiring – happy and heartwarming and a tribute to what family and the holidays are all about. Read on for some highlights that we hope might inspire a new tradition or two in your family.

Bake day Pulling off a holiday bake day for one grandmother, eight children and 19 grandchildren might seem impossible. But every year, Nancy Barziza, better known as Nana, pulls it off. Her clan is scattered throughout Texas, but the group finds a day each year to get together and bake family recipes, recall old memories and make new ones. “Everyone picks a recipe from a family cookbook my mom started,” Nancy’s daughter, Stephanie Petru, says. Each person brings ingredients to make his or her chosen recipe. They’ll bake one batch of everything, “so that everyone can sample it that day,” and then individual families go home with their own pre-made dough for each recipe that they can freeze until the holidays arrive. “The aroma and taste of baking the recipes is a memory in itself,” Stephanie says.

Tex-Mex and Xbox Joy Yeager says that every Christmas Eve we’ll find her family “dining on tamales, baking cookies for Santa, with plenty of extras for ourselves, and watching It’s a Wonderful Life, which I’ve probably seen 50 times and somehow gets better every year.” But it was an unexpected surprise, not a tradition, that became one of Joy’s favorite Christmas memories. “It was that really rainy and cold December 25 about three years ago, and we Yeagers opened our presents, one of which was “Family Feud” for the Xbox. I think we played it for about six hours in our pajamas and had a ball. Not exactly Norman Rockwell, but lots of fun.”

Secret Santa, digitized Jenifer Ben-Shoshan and her two sisters, who live out of town, celebrate a night of Hanukkah BELLAIRE BUZZ DECEMBER 2014 46

during Thanksgiving weekend, knowing that everyone will be in town. “A few years ago, [we] decided to do Elfster, an online secretSanta program,” Jenifer says. “My youngest sister coordinates, and it matches us up, making sure not to match up spouses. We can each input a wish list, and it can even link to websites for exactly what you want.” Kids get presents from everyone, and adults get one present that’s guaranteed to hit the spot. See elfster.com.

BAKE DAY ON STEROIDS Nancy Barziza's family – all eight children and 19 grandchildren – get together one day every year (in one kitchen) to bake family recipes for the winter holidays. Not an easy feat to pull off, let alone take a picture of; hence this Easter family photo instead!

Turkey break The Trautner family – Barbara, Kevin, Margaret and Mark – always buys their Christmas tree the Friday after Thanksgiving. They spend that night, just the four of them, decorating the tree and celebrating at home with homemade pizza. “We aren’t Italian,” Barbara says. “We just crave pizza after all that turkey!” Barbara makes the dough from a box of Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix. “I have to have that box,” she says. “They are getting harder and harder to find in stores, so I buy two whenever I see them.”

Midnight madness Imagine five grown siblings – all girls – and their families in matching PJs. At midnight. Starting what will become a very competitive game of Monopoly. At midnight. That’s what Jill Klaff and her family will be doing this and every Christmas Eve. They all travel to Miami to be together (one sister lives there). On Christmas Eve, they’ll go out for a nice dinner and come home to open presents, always gifting each other with matching pajamas. At midnight, they start the game that

won’t end until 3 a.m. “It’s the only time during the year that we get into a seriously competitive family game,” Jill says. Christmas morning, they’ll be sleeping in.

Game on Every New Year’s Eve, Tracy and Josh Pesikoff and their two children host a family game night at their home. “Instead of making plans to be out on December 31, we invite over some other families and order in Thai food and play charades, Balderdash and Taboo until midnight,” Tracy says. “We love this tradition because it keeps us all safe at home spending time with our family and friends and not having to get all dressed up, make reservations somewhere and worry about driving. One of my favorite family traditions!”

Eggnog, please And, well, there was one shared story, anonymity required, from an awesome family who just happens to be in touch with – and very open about – their own dysfunction: “Does not seeing [one side of the family] at all count as a tradition?” the wife asks. “It works. Others should try it!” Happy holidays.