The Pandya family
Affording College
Growing Abroad by Michelle Casas Groogan
Resolutions Times 100 High-Tech Fitness Racing and Hoping Digital Garage Sale Houston, TX Permit No. 2047 PAID US Postage PRSRT STD
This Month in Dining: Cooking Classes
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
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promise to… Yep, it’s a New Year, and that can only mean one thing: New Year’s resolutions. Love them or hate them, we all make them, and unfortunately we all break them. Well, maybe not all of us. Buzz resident Anna Jones made seven New Year’s resolutions last year and found a creative way to actually achieve almost all of them. You can read about Anna’s strategy and perhaps gain a bit of inspiration for yourself in this month’s Back Porch column, Resolutions Times 100. If you have young children there’s a good chance you’ve already made the resolution to start saving for their college education. Whether you’ve just begun to save or are in the home stretch with a college senior, be sure to check out Cheryl Laird’s article, Affording College, packed with great money-saving ideas. My resolution? To not wait until the last minute to write this publisher’s note each month. I’ll start next month. Promise. michael@thebuzzmagazines.com
THE BUZZ MAGAZINES BELLAIRE • WEST UNIVERSITY • MEMORIAL • TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS Published by Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401 info@thebuzzmagazines.com • p: 713.668.4157 • f: 713.665.2940 bellairebuzz.com • facebook.com/bellairebuzz Editor Publisher Associate Editors Vice President, Sales Staff Writers
Contributing Writer Manager, Interactive Media Designer Manager, Business Administration Account Managers
Sales Associates
Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman Cheryl Laird Annie Blaylock McQueen Jay Janecek Tracy L. Barnett Andria Frankfort Angie Frederickson Todd Freed Michelle Casas Groogan Dai Huynh Dave Schafer Cheryl Ursin Michelle Maresh Jordan Magaziner John Duboise Leslie Little Andrea Blitzer Darsey Swaim Erin Thompson Laura Callan Helen Hamilton Michele Luke
On our cover: The Pandyas in their Bellaire home: From left are Rajiv, Hina, Shivani (holding Coconut) and Janvi. Cover photo by Kevin Long, www.gulfcoastshots.com The Buzz Magazines has made all reasonable attempts to verify the accuracy of all information contained within. Advertising claims are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Editorial content does not necessarily express the opinions of the publisher. Copyright © 2014 Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this magazine by any means without written permission is strictly prohibited. Printed on recycled paper. Please remember to recycle.
BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 4
The Results are in: YEAR TO DATE 2013 (as of 11/19/13)
Most Bellaire Homes Sold! WHY? #1 in SELLER SATISFACTION Specializing in Bellaire Properties since 1993 with over 650 Bellaire Sales Transactions to Date Honored 7 Times by the Houston Business Journal as being among Houston’s Top Realtors NEWER HOMES 4616 Locust 4820 Linden 4928 Mimosa 849 Jaquet 5007 Beech 4329 Darsey 4702 Welford 805 Circle 4614 Pine 4615 Birch 5307 Evergreen 5541 Grand Lake 3 Fournace Gardens 5316 Braeburn
NEW CONSTRUCTION 5200 Patrick Henry 5319 Pocahontas 127 Bellaire Ct. 5527 Grand Lake 5556 Little Lake 4803 Elm 5119 Locust 5219 Mimosa 4625 Birch 107 Bellaire Court ORIGINAL HOMES 5564 Aspen 5541 Huisache
4810 Spruce 5424 Braeburn 5569 Aspen 5604 Whitehaven 5129 Maple 4922 Maple 4415 Ione 404 Otto 5000 Locust LOTS 5556 Little Lake 4803 Elm 4801 Locust 5119 Locust
4717 Sunburst 107 Bellaire Ct. 5304 Valerie 4408 Edith 4625 Birch 4628 Willow 5219 Mimosa 5221 Mimosa 5316 Patrick Henry 4618 Oakdale 4928 Valerie 531 Cascade
713.764.9850 mlivingston@gmail.com www.har.com/mikelivingston
Mike Livingston CRS ABR
#1 in Bellaire Listings sold since 2001. Let my record work for you! Professionalism, Local Market Knowledge, Personal Service
BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 5
MAILBAG
Your letters, thoughts, opinions Setting holiday table early I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Easy Entertaining article (by Annie Blaylock McQueen, November 2013) and the wonderful advice that was shared. Around this time of year I am always looking for suggestions to make entertaining as stress free as possible. I especially found Marian Hilpert’s advice about getting easy things out of the way, like setting the table a couple of days in advance. [It is] something I will do when preparing for our next holiday celebration. Missy Belcher Go, Tarzan I really enjoyed the article about “Tarzan’s” house (You Live Here?!, by Alex Daily, December 2013). It is great when people march to the beat of their own drum. I would like to see more photos of the house. Thanks. Brooke Hamilton Thanks for photo of photos Many thanks for the article (Buzz Pics – Our Ancestor Wall: A photo collection in a quiet family home bursts with tales of predecessors’ heroism, hard work and frontier spirit, December 2013). I was pleased and surprised to see it in this issue. It was very nice to work with the Buzz team. Many thanks for your kindness and work. Joy Hall Online stories never die Thanks so much for your quick response. It’s great to be able to reach Mr. Josey through you. I am not old enough to be easily impressed by technology and communications in today’s world, but it’s really quite fascinating that one moment I am reading about a person whom I’ve never met, who lives 10,000 miles away in Texas, and the next moment I have a way to reach him directly and get in touch. I came across the Buzz article (Soldiers In Arms, by Terri Scott, March 2011) searching the Internet to find toy soldier collectors, particularly of the Lucotte brand. It was fun to read! Again, thanks so much for your help. Jorge Ignacio Oría, Buenos Aires, Argentina Editor’s note: Mr. Oría contacted the magazine to reach local toy-soldier collector Lenoir Josey. Mr. Oría’s father had collected more than 1,000 antique Lucotte figures, most in Argentina and Uruguay in the 1970s. Many originally were collected decades earlier in Paris and Italy. We were happy to get the Texan and Argentinian together.
BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 6
Yay for expanded delivery Greetings. Although I do not live in Bellaire per se, I live “next door.” My wife and I do a lot of business in Bellaire including meals at Jax, Auntie Pasto’s and others. Our dentist and dry cleaner are in Bellaire. In short, we feel like we are part of the Bellaire community. That’s why we like to read The Bellaire Buzz. Unfortunately, we were not always able to do so because the only place we could find it was at Jax Grill, which sometimes had no copies left! Imagine my surprise recently when we received a copy in the mail. Yes, we were “Our Neighbors At,” but we got it nevertheless. Not sure whose idea it was to send it by mail, but please allow us to applaud and thank you for that decision. We will faithfully read each edition, look at the advertisers, and enjoy the stories. Thanks for including us who are “almost in Bellaire.” Jonathan House Editor’s note: For those readers who live elsewhere, you may be interested to know that The Buzz publishes four neighborhood magazines. For all four, see thebuzzmagazines.com. 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: • have a funny summer camp story to share. • have a unique Spring Break planned. • are or know a daredevil. • have a personal photo with a meaningful story behind it. • know a fascinating Buzz-neighborhood resident we should profile. If this sounds like you or someone you know, please contact us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com or 713.668.4157, ext 12.
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Starve or feed a cold? As we head into cold and flu season, many of us will catch a viral infection that will give us symptoms of a common cold: runny and/or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, headache, and yellow mucus. So if we’re infected, we should take an antibiotic, right? Wrong! Antibiotics don’t work on viruses, and viruses cause colds. A review of sinus infections from the New England Journal of Medicine (2004;351:902-910) stated that using antibiotics is usually not recommended until the mucus has been discolored for at least 7 or 10 days. Many of the patients we treat for allergy to multiple antibiotics develop those allergies when their antibiotic is changed over and over again. It gets changed because they take the first antibiotic when the “cold” first appears. Amazingly, the antibiotic does nothing to treat the virus, which runs its course. The patient, not feeling any better, asks for another antibiotic. And sometimes another. For years, the line about chicken soup was, “Will it help?” “Well, it couldn’t hurt.” Scientific evidence suggests that chicken soup actually does help. It contains the amino acid cysteine, which has been shown to thin out thick mucus secretions and help relieve congestion. Hydrating by drinking Gatorade, water or any non-caffeinated beverage helps further. What about “feed a cold, starve a fever.” It’s actually not a bad idea. A fever without cold symptoms may be the flu (influenza), another viral infection often manifest by nausea and vomiting. Starving the fever by withholding food is reasonable if one is nauseated, but make sure you drink plenty of fluids. Gatorade is a good choice here, too. What else works when you have a cold? Rinsing your nose out with a
salt-water solution a couple times a day. Some people prefer a Neti Pot, and others like the NeilMed squeeze bottle. Whichever you use, mix the salt with distilled water, not tap water. I’m sure the city makes clean drinking water, but I’m not as confident in the old pipes it runs through. Mucinex works by increasing the water content in the mucus, so that the mucus thins out and you can cough it up or blow it out. For a stuffy nose, you may want to consider a decongestant spray such as Afrin. But don’t use Afrin more than 5 days in a row or you may become physically dependent on it (addicted). And remember: Skip the antibiotics until the mucus is yellow or green for at least a week. 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. David B. Engler, 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
BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 7
BUZZ PICS
Racing and Hoping A 12-year-old boy takes on a 70-mile triathlon on behalf of his twin brother and younger sister, who are both fighting a rare, fatal disease. Submitted by Lagenia Clark When and where was this photo taken? It was taken Nov. 3 at the Oilman Texas HalfIronman Triathlon finish line. Who is pictured? Justin, Jared and Lexi Clark. Jared is a seventh grader at Pin Oak Middle School, Justin is a seventh grader at Crossroads School, and Lexi is a third grader at Horn Academy. What is happening here? At 12 years old, Jared was the youngest competitor of the 700 participants. An experienced triathlete, he’s competed in 50 races of varying distances and sizes. However, this race was different. At 70.3 miles, not only was it the longest race Jared had ever attempted, but it also held significant meaning. He was racing to raise awareness and funds to help fight GAN – an extremely rare, fatal, genetic disease that has affected his twin brother Justin and younger sister Lexi. In August, Justin was diagnosed with Giant Axonal BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 8
Neuropathy (GAN). After further genetic testing, it was determined that Lexi also has the disease. Roughly only 50 children worldwide have GAN, and research is sparse. Fortunately, there is hope. A nonprofit organization called Hannah’s Hope Fund (HHF) is helping fight GAN. Scientists hired by the fund have found a potential cure, and HHF hopes to get approvals from the FDA to start human clinical trials at the National Institute of Health in 2014. These trials are the only lifeline that Justin, Lexi and other GAN kids have. Why is this photo special to you? I am Justin, Lexi and Jared’s mom. When Jared learned his siblings had GAN, he decided to dedicate his upcoming half-ironman race to them and ask supporters to pledge a dollar amount per mile that he was racing. With approval from his doctors, Jared trained for his race with swimming, spin class, cross-country running and biking. He completed the Oilman Triathlon with a time of 8:18:05.
Jared achieved his goal. Not only did he finish the race, but he raised awareness for GAN. Television crews, newspapers and social media followed the story. HHF received donations from around the world, and pieces ran throughout the United States and Europe. However, this is not the finish line for our family. If you would like to help, please go to Justinstriumph.org or hannahshopefund.org and consider making a taxdeductible donation to help cure this disease. Every picture tells a story. Buzz Pics highlights a resident’s special photo and tells the story behind it. To submit your own Buzz Pics, send a high-resolution photo and answers to the Q&A questions. Total word length, including the questions, should be 300350 words. Send to info@thebuzzmagazines.com, or call 713-668-4157, ext. 22. With a print photo, bring it by or mail to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Please include your email, phone and home address. Stories may be edited for clarity or space.
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Is life insurance a good investment? Term life insurance is not an investment because there is no buildup in value. While cash outlays are low, if the insured does not die during the term of the insurance, the rate of return on the premiums paid is a whopping negative 100 percent. This article pertains only to traditional cash value whole life insurance – what I will refer to as permanent life insurance. Permanent life insurance is designed to stay in force for life. It has two parts – a cash or investment component and a death-benefit component. The sum of these two parts equals the policy. Permanent life insurance can play a role in a family’s investment portfolio. Policy values are often guaranteed as long as premiums are paid. Moreover, if structured properly, the policy will stay in force for life, and ultimately an income tax-free death benefit will be paid to beneficiaries. Some life insurance companies allow the use of the death benefit while alive to satisfy long-term care needs. But is permanent life insurance a good investment? It depends. From a rate-of-return standpoint, almost any permanent life insurance policy will result in a higher rate of return than would a term insurance policy, unless the insured died during the term of the policy. If the insured lives to life expectancy, the rate of return on the permanent life insurance policy will be higher than the term policy. Moreover, permanent life insurance cash values are guaranteed to only increase. Annual increases are not subject to income tax or alternative minimum tax. Lifetime distributions, structured properly, can be income tax-free.
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In retirement years, cash on cash tax free rates of return on the investment portion of the policy can exceed 5 percent per year – the equivalent of having a good tax-free municipal bond. Plus, there’s the death benefit. I consider traditional whole life insurance to be a part of a person’s bond allocation. Unlike bonds, which can go down in value when interest rates rise, the cash value of permanent life insurance will only increase. Traditional whole life insurance can also play an important role in college-funding planning and retirement planning. See your financial advisor for details! This material is intended for educational purposes only. Please consult your investment professional or tax advisor for specific information pertaining to your situation. All information contained herein is derived from sources deemed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed. Securities and advisory services offered through SagePoint Financial, Inc., member 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. Christopher J. Maurer, J.D., CFP, is a certified financial planner in Bellaire, with more than 20 years of experience. He can be reached at cmaurer@parkplacefinancial.co or 713-667-4884.
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NEIGHBORS
by Andria Frankfort, staff writer
High-Tech Fitness
BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 10
seeing how little things – housework, stairs – count as much as intense cardio. I try to get those little bars to go from yellow to orange to dark orange, which means my intensity level is high.” Carla Buerkle is a food stylist and bought a Fitbit wondering if the steps she took at work between the kitchen and studio were significant. “I really want to make those 10,000 steps a day,” she says. “I found that I was putting in three to six miles at work, which helped with the guilt of not workCOMPETITORS Friends Christy Robertson and Christy Labban (from left) sync their ing out on days I Jawbone UP wristbands to compare activity and sleep habits. have a shoot. And for change. “I realized how little good sleep I was I see that I am not very active on days I work in getting. So I turned off the TV and saw myself the office, so I have to go work out.” getting better quality sleep.” Alternatively, Ernie Rapp, vice-president for Beyond fitness, there are deeper waters to finance at FROSCH Travel, says his 2-monthexplore if you’re curious about personal tracking. old Fitbit “didn’t exactly take the fun out of the Tinke gives real-time vitals like heart and respiholidays” this year. When asked if wearing it has ratory rates and blood oxygen levels, translating changed his habits, Ernie admitted, “Not yet. data into Vita (vital stats) and Zen (stress levels). But it’s made me aware of how little I’m exercisMoodpanda tracks moods and what influences ing as opposed to what I need to be doing. them. Momento is a journal-writing app. “Now that I know my daily benchmark, there 42Goals tracks goals. Mint tracks finances. will come a time when I have to change my Facebook tracks events, places you’ve been, habits and double my steps. Eventually I’ll be friends and photos. And if you want to track your able to track my overall health better.” tracking, Klout measures the likelihood that A mom of three agrees. “Wearing the Fitbit friends will comment on your Facebook posts. only made me more aware of what I was doing. Personally, I’m holding out for the gadget that It didn’t change my lifestyle.” But when her tracks calories eaten and drunk and burns them attorney husband wore one, while his activity off upon consumption. level remained constant, he used the sleep data www.hartphoto.com
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hink a healthy diet and solid exercise routine are all you need to carry you to your New Year’s fitness goals? Some say think again: On their own, these tactics just might be passé. Enter the world of quantifying. Everything. Or as Gary Wolf, a contributing editor at Wired magazine and co-founder of the blog the Quantified Self, calls it, “self knowledge through numbers.” Much of that knowledge is being tracked by ordinary people wanting to live fitter lives, people wearing smart fitness devices, using numbers in an effort to improve. These gadgets in their various forms – watches, wristbands, armstraps – track all things physical, from sleep to calories burned to steps taken. The devices sync with smartphones and computers, some wirelessly and some via plugging in, to provide visual, quantified aggregates of the wearer’s lifestyle. Cost for basic smart wearables ranges from $99 to $150. Cassie Gallagher, a personal trainer and owner of West U Fitness, is a proponent. “For the average person driving and sitting all day, you’d be surprised at how inactive you are,” Cassie says. Wearing a smart device like a Fitbit or Nike+ spotlights activity – or lack thereof. Depending on the device you choose, you might also be able to track fitness goals, sleep quality, how much you’ve eaten and how much of it you’ve burned. The idea is that by tracking the information and filtering it into goals and numbers and graphs, you’ll be motivated to do more and be better. Sometimes that’s the case, sometimes it’s not. An energy consultant who asked to remain anonymous is a competitor at heart. So when the company she was working for gave employees Nike+ FuelBands and formed teams to compete for the farthest distance run, she was in. “It definitely changed my behavior,” she says. “At the end of the day, I’d check to see where my team stood. If we were behind, I’d go out for a run that night to get us ahead.” Mom Christy Labban has used another smart wristband, Jawbone UP, for the past several months. She syncs with friends: “We can see each other’s activity and how we slept the night before,” she says. “What’s really motivating is
BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 11
NEIGHBORS
by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer
Digital Garage Sale
BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 12
borhoods include West University Trading and Westbury/Meyerland/ Bellaire Trading, which are “closed,” not “secret,” groups, meaning you can “see” the group page and ask to join. Any current member can approve and add you. The social/support group Bellaire Young Mothers also has a trading site, but it’s not on Facebook. To join, an application is required through the group’s website, bellaireyoungmothers.org, along with proof of a 77401, 77005, 025, 027, 081 or 096 zip code and a child under the age of 5. Tricia Onufer, a mom of two, has used the Bellaire Young Moms’ email listserv for years. The group has come in GREEN MOMS Tricia Onufer (standing) and Jennifer Buechler (seated) find handy for locating near- gently used items for their children through the Bellaire Young Mothers social and ly impossible-to-find trading group. items, like breast milk. grandmother’s dining table. She willed me all “There was a mom who was looking for breast this furniture. I don’t know what to do with it milk for a premature baby. At the time I had a now,’” said Jackie. three-month supply in our freezer,” said Tricia. “I have people tattle tale a lot. There was one “She was looking to buy it. I just gave it to her.” lady who emailed and said, ‘Is there any way to Jennifer Buechler, a mom with four kids, is a make it a closed group because my family in member of all four groups. Memorial City Mall New Jersey is watching everything I am selling is her meeting spot of choice for Memorial-area on Facebook,’” said Jackie, who agreed to trades. “My husband keeps asking me, ‘Why are change the security settings. you going to the mall again?’” She has even wonJennifer Oakley, a mother of five and member dered what the mall security guards think when of West University Trading, turned the overthey see her accept cash in trade of her goods. whelming task of redecorating into a fun game Jackie Sharbrough, owner of the annual by furnishing an entire room in her house with Urban Market Houston Antique Show, started finds on West University Trading. Facebook’s West University Trading. Instead of swiping her credit card at a pricey “Because of Urban Market, my friends would store, now she can just check her Facebook feed. come to me all the time and say, ‘I have my www.hartphoto.com
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atie Shackelford Bennett is a busy mother of three. She spends a lot of time on Facebook but not looking at funny dog videos. She is the founder and administrator of a Facebook group with more than 3,000 members called Memorial Area Trading. It’s a “secret” group where members can buy and sell high-end goods by posting photos, like a neighborhood Craigslist. To join a secret group on Facebook – it doesn’t show up in search results – a current member must add you and the request be approved by the group administrator. The first member to comment, “Interested,” under a photo has first dibs and can then choose to buy or “Pass” the item. Items range from a used pair of skis to shoes to an antique armoire. It was slow to catch on for residents after starting in March 2013, but with more than 3,000 members now, mostly women, it has gained momentum. Even Katie’s friends who are on the site, like accountant Lucy Branca, have to follow the rules. “My husband and I bought a vintage Coke machine [on the site] from Katie and her husband,” said Lucy. Lucy followed protocol by commenting, “Interested.” “I didn’t want to get in trouble with Katie,” she said, laughing. Katie’s duties, among others, are to put out little digital fires. “Someone sent me a private message with three very long paragraphs complaining because people were ‘Liking’ the items she was posting but not buying them. She wanted me to make it a part of the rules people can’t ‘Like’ items,” said Katie. “I want to say, ‘Take it as a compliment. Calm down.’” Members of the group best mind the rules of the game. “I removed one person from the site. Six people reported her for not showing up to look at an item,” said Katie. “I get about six personal messages a day from members.” Katie spends a lot of her personal time running the site, without pay, just because she thinks it’s a cool idea for her community. “My husband is not happy with [the site], but I spend less time than he thinks I do as far as administrating it,” she said, laughing. Other Facebook trading groups in Buzz neigh-
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BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 13
NEIGHBORS
by Cheryl Laird, staff writer
Affording College
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hink you make too much money for your kids to get financial aid for college? There’s a good chance you’re wrong. So says Buzz resident Brannon Lloyd, a bearded and blunt college planner on the seminar circuit. He takes a topic that manages to be simultaneously scary and dull and, with rapid-fire delivery, spurs sleepy audiences to frantically scribble notes. If you’re new to the college-admissions process, every word seems like manna. “Private schools are often cheaper than state schools. Ignore the list price.” “You can negotiate with a college, but don’t call it that. Call it ‘review’ or ‘appeal’ and show competing offers.” “It is less expensive to send two kids to college at the same time, the way the formulas work.” At a recent PTO meeting at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, these were some of the first bombs Lloyd threw into the room. Parents sat up and reached for pens and paper. Their notes looked something like this: • Apply to some less prestigious schools that would consider you a top recruit, in the top 1020 percent of incoming freshmen. They will give you money. • Consider private schools. Although the sticker price is high, many give away lots of money. Also, you’re more likely to graduate in four years from a private college. • Only a tiny percentage of available college money is in private scholarships. The rest is from the government and the college. Focus first on those options. • Don’t make lots of income in your child’s “base year,” the year before college starts. • Most money in the child’s name – savings accounts, etc. – counts against you more in financial-aid formulas. Kids should take out Roth IRAs with money they earn. • A trust in the student’s name often counts against you. You can move the money back to a trust later. Or spend it on a major-related summer program during high school, especially at a college of interest. • Loans make college more expensive, not less. Try for free money first. BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 14
PRICE OF EDUCATION Evan Mintz said Rice University and Cardozo School of Law in New York were affordable, despite this 2011 photo spoof, thanks to then-lower tuition, the Texas Tomorrow Fund, a National Merit Scholarship, a law-school scholarship and parents who helped pay off his loans.
• Sticker prices aren’t the real price. • Google “cost of attendance,” or COA, and the name of the school to add in room/board, fees, books, etc. • Google the school’s name and “net price” for a calculator to see how much financial aid you can expect and your EFC, “expected family contribution.” • Don’t assume you make too much money to be eligible for financial aid. Fill out the forms. • When you fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), don’t list assets you don’t have to, including your primary residence and retirement accounts. • The older the oldest parent, the more assets you get to exclude. • Apply to exactly eight schools. Too many, and the colleges see you as a long shot. Too few, and they see you as too eager for their school. They know the schools you apply to because you list them on the FAFSA form. • Alphabetize the schools on your FAFSA. Otherwise, if you list a college first, it will think
it’s your first choice and that it doesn’t need to lure you with money. • The optimal date to send in the FAFSA is Jan. 18. Don’t wait until your taxes are done. Once you file your taxes, update your FAFSA. • Do not file an extension on your taxes that year. The colleges will not release money to you until your taxes are done. • Check out Texas’ student-loan site, hhloans.com. It may offer lower rates than the federal loans. • The Abe and Annie Seibel Foundation gives interest-free loans to Texas students going to Texas colleges. • Avoid scholarship scams. It’s free to apply for a scholarship. • The PSAT is as important as the SAT for getting a scholarship. • Best scholarship book: Peterson’s Scholarships, Grants, and Prizes. • Best scholarship website: fastweb.com. But they sell your information, so use a new, unique email address to sign up.
• Another good scholarship site to visit: collegeboard.org • Good site for college reviews and breakdown of majors, but take with grain of salt because student-reported: collegeprowler.com • If you want ethnicity-based scholarships, apply to a region and college that needs you the most, where you are not the ethnic majority. • Grades are the most important factor for admissions; standardized test scores are the most important factor for financial aid. • Look for a school that has a new major/program it wants to fill with students. • Look for a school that is very strong in one major and then apply under a different, lesserknown major. • If you apply binding early-decision, you have a 30 percent greater chance of being admitted. But early-decision means you will get less financial aid since you have promised to attend. • Don’t let schools know they are first choice until final appeal when you show them competing financial-aid offers at other schools. • While well-intentioned, 529 plans can reduce the money given by colleges because the college knows you must spend that money on education. • The College Board’s CSS (College Scholarship Search)/Financial Aid Profile form is easy to fill out incorrectly, so be careful. It’s used by fewer than 400 schools, but they are the better schools. • If grandparents help pay, they should write a check to the parents or child, not directly to the school. It can cause the college to reduce aid. • When you pay tuition, line itemize the fees and don’t pay for what you don’t want – parking, sports tickets, etc. • Health insurance often is cheaper through the university than your family plan. At this PTO seminar, Lloyd, who has children at Carnegie Vanguard High School and Pin Oak Middle School, said he was on a mission to demystify the admissions process. He also hoped to drum up a few clients for his company, The College Money Guys, which provides student counseling as well as college admissions and financing services. For those who can’t or won’t pay the several thousand dollars, he said, families certainly can tackle college funding themselves. One local parent, Dr. Helene Sheena, did just that, along with her oldest daughter, Michelle, who received multiple offers and accepted a fullride scholarship to Tulane University. It helped that Michelle made good grades, played sports, volunteered and was a longtime Girl Scout. Michelle is a Lamar High School graduate, and her two younger sisters, Brittney and Erin, both go to Lamar. Their mom says the high school guidance counselors (and Google) helped them find scholarship opportunities. And mom attended all the college-prep talks. “I went to every one of those. Even once I had heard it all, I kept going,” she said. “Start planning early. It’s just a matter of planning.”
GREEN WAVE Sisters Brittney, Erin and Michelle Sheena (from left) celebrate homecoming with Tulane University president Scott Cowen. Brittney and Erin attend Lamar High School, and Lamar graduate Michelle is at Tulane on scholarship.
Also, she says, some universities will tell you up front what tuition discount you are likely to receive based on your GPA and scores, assuming you are accepted. It’s no secret that students don’t all pay the same tuition. Last year, the average tuition discount rate for full-time freshmen at private schools was 45 percent, according to a survey released by the National Association of College and University Business Officers. Public schools also offer some discounts, and, in some situations, offer in-state tuition to out-of-state students. A lot of tuition discounts go to high-achieving and/or low-income students, and advice to middle- or upper-income families on how to get a piece of the rest varies. Each family’s situation is unique, and the guidance out there isn’t consistent. While Lloyd preaches against 529 plans because they count against you in the needanalysis formulas, other advisors say the penalty is minimal. Christopher Maurer, a certified financial planner, says it depends, but Roth IRAs or life insurance generally are good choices: “An equal amount of money in a 529 plan would result in less financial assistance than would the same amount of money positioned in cash-value life insurance or a Roth IRA. All three provide for no tax deduction when money is contributed, tax-free/deferred earnings and tax-free distributions. However, if the child does not go to college or the money isn’t needed for education, the funds in the Roth IRA or life insurance can
be used for the parents’ retirement. “A client of mine (husband and wife) retired in their early 50s. Their daughter elected to go to an expensive out-of-state college. Most of their wealth was positioned in exempt assets – life insurance, retirement accounts and home equity. While their cash flow is high, their taxable income is low due to how we have it structured for tax purposes. Their daughter received significant financial aid even though the family’s net worth is in excess of $3,000,000. Had there been no 529 plan, their daughter would have received in all likelihood received an even greater amount of financial aid.” Maurer says another creative planning technique is for parents in a high tax bracket to give appreciated assets, such as stock, to their 18-orolder child, who most likely is in a 0 percent tax bracket. The child can then sell the stock, paying no taxes. A finance-savvy, middle-income Buzz parent with a child at The University of Texas at Austin says her daughter didn’t qualify for aid. She relies on cash-flow strategies, the annual $2,500 American Opportunity federal tax credit and the UT-offered payment plan to avoid debt. She recommends Zac Bissonnette’s Debt-Free U: How I Paid for an Outstanding College Education Without Loans, Scholarships, or Mooching off My Parents.
MORE ONLINE See this story online at bellairebuzz.com for links to more resources. BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 15
NEIGHBORS
by Michelle Casas Groogan, staff writer
Growing Abroad
A
n “expat” is a brave soul, someone who has left behind home and culture for adventure and work in another country. Since Houston is a huge player in global trade, chances are good you know an expatriate. Jenny and Wes Vestal sold their Meyerland home in 2012 and moved to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for Wes’ new position as director of human resources with Baker Hughes. It was cultural exposure the couple wanted for their three young girls, Molly, Lucy and Caroline, who attended Horn Academy. “It’s been exciting to learn what makes us different, seeing men and women in their traditional Muslim Arabic clothing,” said Jenny. Jenny writes a funny blog for friends and family about Middle Eastern life and her family’s adjustments. She posts about her encounters with driving and high-rise living. But some of her funniest stories are about shopping. “As an expat, you sometimes take to hoarding. When you find American luxury food items, like Wheat Thins, or vanilla Oreos in a store, you will never see it there again, literally, because here American brands are unpredictable imports. So, when you find those items, you buy them all. Like today, I found Wheat Thins, and bought all eight boxes,” she said. Another expat couple, Hina and Rajiv Pandya, have a senior and sophomore at Bellaire High School, and even though they call Houston home, their teenage daughters, Shivani and Janvi, have spent most of their lives living in other countries. When the girls were just 4 and 2, the family moved to Thailand for Rajiv’s job with Dow Chemical. It was a welcome break for Hina, who was a physician with Kelsey-Seybold at the time. “We had very busy and very stressful lives,” said Hina. “Managing our schedules and daycare… I was overwhelmed with these two little kids. We couldn’t even get our laundry done, and when he said how about going to Thailand, I didn’t even think twice about it.” They fell in love with Thailand, even though they spent the first two years living in a community with other expats. “We didn’t only get to know the culture of BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 16
MEYERLAND TO DUBAI A friend (in black) joins Molly, Jenny and Caroline Vestal (from left) on a camel ride on the beach in Dubai right in front of their high-rise condo.
Thailand, but we got to know people from all over the world. We celebrated everyone’s holidays,” said Hina. They spent the last two years of their Thailand assignment living in a high-rise building in downtown Bangkok, getting a real cultural experience. They returned to Houston in 2004 for a short time before jumping at the chance to take another expat assignment in Shanghai, China, where they lived five years. This time Hina was able to obtain her own work visa and practiced medicine. Each time the couple moved they took everything with them, leaving nothing behind. They wanted total immersion in the culture. Now, their Bellaire home is like a museum filled with personal, handpicked treasures from countries all over the world. “The people that enjoyed being an expat the most were the ones that treated their time there as an adventure, and they were very tolerant about the culture,” said Rajiv. “They didn’t try to force their home-country norms – they were really flexible with the understanding that we’re guests in this country.” Shelli and Simon Dullingham call West University home. But their expat life took them to Singapore in 2008 and now to the
Mediterranean Sea. The couple, along with their 9-year-old daughter, Victoria, have established a household on the small island of Cyprus. “The main challenge for me here is organizing my day; most stores and businesses close every afternoon from 1 to 4,” said Shelli. “For an American, able to buy anything on a moment’s notice, this has been difficult for me.” But Shelli says the perks outweigh the inconveniences. The small island has beautiful beaches and easy travel opportunities. Education hasn’t been a concern either; Victoria is thriving in the small and personal American International School. The expat journey extends both ways. Houston is the new home for Australians Richelle and Craig Dennis and their two young daughters. Settling into Bunker Hill, the family wanted to be part of the local community, but it hasn’t come without adjustments. “The biggest culture shock for us is realizing just how casual Australians are in all forms, particularly with the girls at school and with friends. Here everyone is ‘Mrs.,’ whereas at home everyone is on a first-name basis,” said Richelle. Cultural quirks have caused them a few embarrassing moments too – for example, when she talks about her or her daughter’s thongs. In Australia, that is the word for flip-flops.
TRAVEL by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer
Travel Buzz Tourist vs. Traveler
M
elissa Law would love to take on the “when in Rome” mentality when traveling, but having three small children has compelled her and husband Marshall to plan ahead and take the tourist track. Amanda Rutt grew up with traveling parents who eschewed attractions and practiced learning from the locals. Now a mother of two, she teaches her sons to travel in the same way. Maybe you’re a Melissa; maybe you’re an Amanda. More likely, you’ve got a bit of both in you. We’ve called on both Houston travelers to offer their stories and their advice. First, Melissa. This summer, the family took its first trip to Disney World. A month out from the trip, Melissa felt confident in their plans. She had booked the hotel and planned the drive. She knew that she could buy park tickets from the hotel concierge. But then she talked to a friend who asked, “Which parks are you going to?” Confused, she asked, “Parks? We are going to Disney World!” Suddenly she learned that Disney World was actually made up of four different theme parks, each with its own ticket for admission and means of transport. Fast Pass lines? Character breakfasts? It was enough to send her into panic mode. She went online and bought the three best-selling books on Disney World and spent the next two weeks poring over them as if she were studying for the LSAT. Here’s what she’s learned: • Research, research, research! Read books, blogs, anything that will give you “insider” info so you can maximize your time at your destination. Know where to park, when to arrive, what to do first, and where to eat. • If you think a trip will take X amount of hours, double that amount if you are traveling with kids. Figure in diaper changes, food stops, potty breaks, trips to the store to buy Nature’s Miracle when someone pees in his car seat, and time to let the kids run around. • As you arrive into a new city or town, Google city parks and playgrounds where the kids can run around. • If you have a DVD player in your vehicle, rent DVDs from a Redbox along the way and return them to a different one farther along. BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 18
QUINTESSENTIAL TOURIST The Spaceship Earth geosphere at Epcot was on Melissa Law's list for mustshoot family photos at Disney World. Clockwise from left: Melissa; Savannah, 1; Marshall; Colt, 3; and Maverick, 5.
• If you didn’t plan certain events like Disney character breakfasts over a year in advance and they are sold out, call 30 days out, 2 weeks out and 1 week out to see if there are any cancellations. Amanda grew up with parents who went to New Orleans twice a year, staying in the French Quarter and renting a residence-type house among the locals. They never went to Emeril’s or signed up for a swamp tour; instead they got to know the locals and took them up on every invitation possible. As a young woman, she traveled to Brazil. Instead of heading to glamorous Rio, she went with a Brazilian friend to visit her mother in Salvador Bahía, a city on the northeast coast known for its Afro-Brazilian culture and laid-back authenticity. As a mom, the destinations are less exotic, but the same principle prevails. When her eldest, Jackson, was studying Mount Rushmore in school, they jumped in the car and made a road trip – in the dead of winter. They found friendly, relaxed locals in nearby Rapid City ready to share their lovely artsy community with the travelers – very different from the frantic scene during tourist season.
Here’s what she’s learned: • Skip the guidebooks. Use the locals and real-life experience to help you know the real essence of where you are going. • Get to know someone who’s from the place where you’re going and ask what they like to do for fun. • Make a personal connection if you can. Having a friend who can show you around makes all the difference. • Not only is it more economical to travel off the beaten trail, but the people will be friendlier, too, because they’re not tired of the tourists. • Follow the signs along the road. Last summer, she took the boys on a drive to Luling, where they found a watermelon ranch, a chicken farm and a watermelon festival. • Avoid pre-packaged tours, which are just manufactured for tourists. • Just get out of the car, walk around and talk to people. Ask them: If they had someone coming to town, where would they take them? Whatever route you decide on, do it with all your heart. Whatever happens, remember: It’s all part of the adventure.
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BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 19
HOME
by Michelle Maresh, contributing writer
W
elcome to Buzz Home, a column spotlighting different readers’ homes each month. This month we’re taking a look inside a variety of Buzz-neighborhood kitchens. Maybe you’re thinking of sprucing up your own kitchen. To express your personal style, say many designers, begin with one show-stopping feature that will create the look you want, whether it is traditional, transitional, contemporary or even eclectic. Not every part of the kitchen has to be overthe-top fabulous to be stylish and a good fit for your needs. Traditional design has long been the status quo; however, trending now is a cleaner, more minimalist design that has a contemporary influence. We hope these photos inspire you.
Photography by Julie Soefer
Buzz Home: Kitchens
Photography by Michael Hunter
Photography by Julie Soefer
Editor’s note: Michelle Maresh is the publisher of Houston Design Resources. To submit homes for consideration, email info@thebuzzmagazines.com.
HEART OF THE HOME Bottom left: The Cook family lives in this Tanglewood estate. Interior designer: Connie LeFevre. Top right: Scott and Dotty Sonnemaker’s new construction is located on Lindenwood in Memorial. Interior designer: Jane Page Crump; builder: Chris Cunningham. Middle right: Larry and Deana Blackburn’s design of this gourmet cook’s kitchen keeps with the Tudor styling of the house. The layout was designed for Deana’s particular patterns of cooking and desire to have a very “English” palette and colorful decor. Interior designer: Jennifer Burgess Loh. Bottom right: This Memorial area 1960s ranch home was renovated with greendesign features, including overall energy efficiency. Interior designer: Sandra Lucas. BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 20
BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 21
SPORTS
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by Todd Freed, staff writer
SportzBuzz W
ith back-to-back SPC Championships under its belt, the Kinkaid Falcons girls basketball team is off and running to another sensational season. In the first two weeks of the season, the Falcons defeated three of the state’s top 10 private schools, including Westbury Christian, Second Baptist and Concordia Lutheran. “The win over Concordia Lutheran was especially gratifying,” said Falcons head coach Stacey Marshall. “They’re a phenomenal team, and our girls made an incredible comeback in the final minute to win the game in overtime.” The Falcons are racking up victories behind a talented lineup that includes senior guard Brecca Thomas, who’ll play at the University of Colorado next year. “Brecca is our team leader,” said Marshall. “She’s a great scorer and just a tremendous overall player.” Meantime, junior forward Tyjae Scales has been a dominant force for the Falcons, averaging 12 rebounds and 10 points a game. In addition, Marshall describes Raevyn Rogers as a key defensive stopper while Frances Andrews, Kristen Moore, Cynthia Ormiston and Tyra Collins are experienced back-court players who are all excellent shooters. Plus, youth is served quite well for the Falcons with a pair of outstanding freshmen players in Alexis Johnson and Chinaza Ndee. With a No . 5 statewide ranking one month into the season, St. Agnes Academy also boasted one of the state’s best private school basketball teams. The Tigers returned several of their top players from a team that advanced to the TAPPS 5A State Semifinals, including 6’2” senior sensation Michelle Nwokedi. Nwokedi, who’ll play collegiately at Pennsylvania, is averaging a lofty 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocks a game. “The amazing thing about Michelle,” said Tigers head coach Jeff Hollinger, “is that even though she’s 6’2” tall we play her at guard. She can do it all on the court.” Meanwhile, the Tigers’ lineup also includes another 6’2” player in senior Lexi Onigbanjo, who averages nine points, nine rebounds and two blocks a game. Aside from the twin towers BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 22
in Nwokedi and Onigbanjo, the Tigers feature a talented senior trio of guards in Ava Ring, Corinne Kelly and Marissa English. “Ava sets the pace for us and is one of the quickest guards in the city,” said Hollinger. “All three of those girls play a lot of minutes and are huge contributors.” With those big contributions, the Tigers have more than held their own against some of the state’s premier public school programs, even finishing third overall in the 32-team Corpus Christi Riviera TOP TIGER St. Agnes Academy senior Michelle Nwokedi leads the Tigers in Roundup tournament. scoring, rebounding and blocks per game. Nwokedi will play college basketball “It was a top-notch field at Pennsylvania. of public school teams, The other big thing, said Blazer, was developand that was a great showing for us,” said ing a system around the team’s biggest strength, Hollinger. The Tigers’ only loss was a close game which just happened to be outside hitter Nenye to San Antonio Reagan, which is ranked in the Okoro. Okoro, who’ll play Division 1 volleyball state top 10 in UIL Class 5A basketball. at St. Louis University, accounted for about 50 The volleyball season may be over and done percent of the team’s kills this season. “She can with, but there are plenty of great things to look kill the ball at any opportunity,” said Blazer. back on and look forward to for Duchesne “Her kill percentage was unreal, and we had put Academy. Under first-year head coach Leon ourselves in position to get her the ball whenBlazer, Duchesne posted a 14-8 record while ever possible.” advancing to the second round of the state playBlazer also credited the senior leadership of offs. The playoff victory capped off an amazing middle blocker Madelyn Eastham and outside turnaround season for a program that won only hitter Katie Johnson for the team’s incredible one game against 15 defeats just last season. It turnaround. “To get the rest of the team on board also marked the school’s best volleyball season I had to reach out to our seniors. They set great since back in 1993. examples and provided invaluable leadership.” “I knew coming in we had to change the culture of the program. The drive and desire to be Editor’s Note: Todd Freed is the Emmy Awardsuccessful in recent years just wasn’t there to be winning co-host and producer of the KUBE competitive,” said Blazer. “I stressed to the girls SportsZone, which airs Saturday and Sunday at 6 that this isn’t last year’s team, and they took it p.m. on Channel 57-KUBE. To submit high school to heart. We had some great comeback victories sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, early in the season, and the girls started to please email todd@thebuzzmagazines.com. believe in themselves.”
BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 23
Tim Polasek
NEIGHBORS
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by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer
Buzz About Town Rodeo ritual
productive women were selected for their volunteerism with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Pictured (from left) are Sharleen Walkoviak, vice president and officer in charge of Trailblazers, and 2014 honorees Ann Page, Betty Wiseman, Julie Shannon, Wendy Vandeventer and Nancie Craft, as well as Trailblazer chair Michelle Wasaff.
Soccer stars The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo of Houston recently honored five outstanding volunteers with 2014 Trailblazer Awards. These
Kimberly Polasek (pictured, at left) and her teammate Emily Donnan play soccer for the Trinity University Tigers. They reached the Division III Final Four that was played in San Antonio Dec. 6-
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7. Trinity won the semi-final match against Middlebury, but fell to William Smith in the national championship match. Kimberly, a sophomore at Trinity and a 2012 graduate of Saint Agnes Academy, was cheered on at the games by her parents, Ted and Melissa, and her sisters Brittanie and Rebecca and brother Jonathan.
14 on 11/12/13 On Nov. 12, 2013 (11/12/13), Jonathan Blum (pictured) added the number 14 to the sequence
Horn helpers Horn Academy volunteer group Helping Hands recently volunteered at Interfaith Ministries’ Meals on Wheels, a program that deliver meals to thousands of Houston-area seniors. Meals on Wheels also provides dog and cat food to seniors with pets, so they won’t feel compelled to share their limited food with their four-legged companions. The fifth graders from Horn Academy packaged hundreds of pounds of dog and cat food for delivery and organized the food-storage
with his 14th birthday. Jonathan celebrated with parents Michelle and Marvin Blum and siblings Jennifer, Joshua and Jordan at Samurai Steak and Sushi restaurant and a special dessert celebration with his grandmothers, Vera Blum and Marie Cweren. Uncle Brian Cweren was also on hand to celebrate his nephew’s big day. Jonathan celebrated with his classmates from The Emery/Weiner School at a birthday luncheon. Next year, the calendar will give us another rare sequential date: 12/13/14.
room to make the process easier for delivery volunteers. Pictured from left (front row) are volunteers Sam Mitchell, Carson Brown, Jacob Lavorini, (second row) Sophia Swanston, Katherine Lesslie, Kayla Huynh, Kate Hester, Whitley Sehorn, (third row) Presley Eaton,
Mary Margaret Cooney, teacher sponsor Lauren Jung, (top row) Parker Smith, Jacob Dixon and Anna Lo.
Holiday fun
The third annual A Christmas Story/Christmas Vacation-themed party, hosted by Joe Sansone and Nancy Novelli, was a disaster-free night. Guests were able to spot the home of Joe Sansone from quite a distance with the Clark Griswold-style candy canes and red lights. The home was decorated with statues of Ralphy and Flick from the movie A Christmas Story as well as multiple snow village scenes featuring several scenes from the movie. Midway through the festivities, Rose Sansone entertained the revelers by playing several Christmas (continued on page 26)
BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 25
(continued from page 25) carols
on the harp. Pictured (from left) are Tommy Butts, Michael Mineo, Virginia Babin, Bonnie Mineo, Eric Uresti, Pat McLaughlan, Rae and Sue Berry, Novelli, Diane McLaughlan and Sansone.
Nearly 100 men, including (pictured, from left) Phil John, Meredith Long and Edwin Murphy, gathered at The Coronado Club for the Alley Theatre’s Wild Things: Black-Tie Men’s Evening, chaired by Jonathan S. Finger and Scott N. Wulfe. The evening consisted of cocktails, dinner, cigar rolling and auctions. After
dessert, the men were all ears during the demonstration by world-renowned Gil Ash, who has won numerous titles in both skeet and sportingclay competitions and has taught professionally since 1984. Seen in the mix were Dean R. Gladden, David Buck, Ralph Burch, Bill Byerley, Andrew Cordes, Brian Teichman, Jesse R. Marion, Bob Cavnar, Louis M. Wilson Parish
Condit fun
Guys’ night out
The Condit Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization had a busy fall with fun events like the annual fall carnival for students, including (pictured, from left) Reed Fowler, Carson Fowler and Jake Mould. The PTO is preparing for the upcoming spring semester and reminds families to be sure to mark their calendars for Jan. 24 for the Condit Family Fun Night 6-8 p.m. at the school.
BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 26
Belles cheer
The Bellaire High School Belles dance team performed as part of the Houston Texans Cheerleaders All Stars. Dance and cheer teams, with members ages 12-18, were invited to perform at the Texans vs. Jaguars game. They learned a routine and practiced with the Houston Texans cheerleaders before the game. Pictured from left (third row) are Sydney Williams, Hannah Tang, Jackie Chadwick, Sarah Oneal, Texans cheerleader Madison, Texans cheerleader Casey, Victoria Prince, Melanie Richardson, (second row) Crystal Ortez, Olivia Rangel, Hennessy Hardman, Natalie Jones, Mattison Sims, Jessie Willson, Katlyn Patterson, (front row) Keely Watson, Hannah Davis, Sydney Duran, Samantha
Rojano, Megan Suchart and Aislinn Minier.
Homes on display The Bellaire Fall New Home showcase hosted its seventh annual event, which highlighted five Houston homebuilders while earning $11,610 for Evelyn’s Park Conservancy. Evelyn’s Park is an in-development 5-acre park located at 4400 Bellaire Blvd. Pictured (front row, from left) are Kai Rubenstein (Evelyn’s Park Conservancy) Marvin Blum (Blum Custom Builders), Paul
Nieves (Savannah Home Builders), Suzi Weinstock and Jason Rubenstein (Evelyn’s Park Conservancy), Vicki Dyer-Smith (RG Homes) and Bryan Phillips (Cason Graye Homes).
Michelle Watson
Girard, Ken Kades, John P. Kotts, Meredith Long, Charles L. Roff, Frank Steininger and William Wise.
of the city’s leading activists for literacy, including former First Lady Barbara Bush and Neil Bush, founder of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and chairman of Points of Light. Mrs. Bush and Neil presented the Daily Point of Light award to Houston’s Books Between Kids, a Houston-based nonprofit started by two local mothers – Amy Barnes and Sandra Ahlhorn – who provide books to disadvantaged students. Pictured (from left) are Barnes, Julie Baker, Ahlhorn and Neil Bush.
Points of light Points of Light, an organization dedicated to volunteer service, and JPMorgan Chase brought the national volunteer service campaign One America to Houston. The event featured some
Be seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and community news to info@thebuzzmagazines.com or 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Items are published on a space-available basis.
BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 27
KIDS
Jewish Herald-Voice/Michael C. Duke
KILLED IT No. 20 Sarah Friedman, a senior at The Emery/Weiner School, will play Division 1 volleyball in college.
by Sarah Friedman, age 17
Buzz Kidz
Awaking the athlete
I
have always been involved with sports. I started gymnastics and ballet when I was 2 and began playing softball at 5. I have since played soccer, basketball and volleyball. I always enjoyed being part of a team and loved the camaraderie and challenge of working together for a common goal. It wasn’t until the summer before my eighthgrade year that I learned the difference between playing sports for fun and competing as an athlete. I tried out for the Maccabi volleyball team, and for the first time I had a coach who challenged me to nearly my breaking point. I will never forget him yelling, pushing us to understand the drills and the concepts of the game until we got it. I was determined not to quit and pushed through. We ended up getting the gold
medal that year, and over the next three years we would go on to win two more gold medals in the United States Maccabi Games and one silver medal in Israel. That coach awoke the athlete in me. I learned that the harder I trained, the more I practiced, the better I got. That same summer I decided to try out for a club volleyball team. I made the top team, which meant two 3-hour practices a week and traveling for tournaments. My strength is hitting the ball very hard, so my teammates often looked to me to get a kill and score. My free days were often reserved for private lessons or strength and conditioning classes. I eventually gave up all other sports. The sacrifices have all been worth it though. The literal blood, sweat and tears, the loss of free
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time with friends, the late-night study sessions have all paid off. On Nov. 13, I signed a national letter of intent to play volleyball at a Division 1 university – Southeastern Louisiana University in the Southland Conference. I know the competition will be fierce, which means that I will have to work harder, but I am so blessed to play this sport I love so much while creating memories of a lifetime. Want to be a Buzz Kid? Email approximately 350 words, a high-resolution photo and caption to info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401.
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DINING GUIDE by Dai Huynh, staff writer
ev1pro.com
This Month in Dining: Cooking Classes 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.
Bite Macarons EDIBLE EDUCATION Post Oak Grill's Polo Becerra shares his culinary secrets during a cooking class.
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hese days, restaurants serve up not only good food, but also entertainment. On a recent evening, Polo Becerra transformed the Post Oak Grill (1415 S. Post Oak Lane, 713-9939966) into a culinary theater – complete with a Frank Sinatra-style crooner. Fresh grapefruit and truffle oil wafted from the stage as the owner-chef demonstrated how to make a coffee-chocolate-crusted filet and a grapefruit-avocado salad. In the first row, Charo McGinley and 20 of her closest friends sipped on sauvignon blanc while watching Becerra cook and banter with the audience. “Truffle oil is like Chanel No. 5,” declared the chef. McGingley attended a previous class on quinoa and enjoyed it so much, she invited a few friends to this four-course cooking class. They in turn invited their pals. “Suddenly, I was calling the restaurant and telling them, ‘I have eight people coming. I have 12 coming, 15, 20.’ It’s so much fun, though, and something different.” Like Becerra, more Houston chefs are tapping into their inner Julia Child, dishing out their kitchen know-how not only in grocery stores and other retail outlets as the norm, but right in their dining room or kitchen. Monica Pope combines her love of cooking and teaching by customizing classes for groups of all sizes on the second floor of her Sparrow Bar + Cookshop (3701 Travis St., 713-524-6922). At the Four Seasons (1300 Lamar, 713-652-6248), chef Maurizio Ferrarese showcases Italian standards upon request. His students have ranged from a couple on a date to a 16-member team-building corporate function. From Tex-Mex soups to meatless enchiladas, Sylvia Casares of Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen (6401 Woodway and 12637 Westheimer, 713-334-7295) reveals her secrets for perfecting Tex-Mex favorites during her bi-monthly classes. Meanwhile, Susie Jimenez successfully launched a trio of classes at her Latin Fusion restaurant Trenza (2800 Kirby, 713-526-1414) last month and plans to hold a few more next year. BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 30
French pastries Neighborhood: West University Making macarons is a dare, especially in Houston’s soggy climate. These delicate orbs in a multitude of colors and flavors are finicky. Their golden, smooth crust turns into dud-like chews at the hint of humidity. Macarons also demand surgical precision in the sifting of superfine sugar and ground almonds, combined with the beating of egg whites. A misstep and the result is a gritty fistful of chalk. And so, it was a treat (and surprise) to bite into the puffedup salted caramel and pistachio renditions from Bite (recently opened in the Kroger shopping center). At last, the search for macarons “almost” like those from the venerable Ladurée in Paris is over. Granted, the weather was perfect that day – hardly a hint of humidity, nor a disappointed face at this charming white-gloss dessert-coffee house. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sun. 5172-B Buffalo Speedway, 713-664-2483. $
Bombay Sweets Indian vegetarian Neighborhood: Sharpstown The buffet steams with aromatic basmati, vegetable curries and sautés. Patrons also come
for chaats, such as samosas, idly rice cakes, lentil doughnuts and pani puri, a crispy hollow pastry filled with chili-spiked potatoes. A salty, sweet and tart explosion detonates when you pour the accompanied spice-fueled tamarind water into the shell. The chaser? Soothing masala chai. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 5827 Hillcroft St., Houston, 713-780-4453. $
Brooklyn Athletic Club Modern American Neighborhood: Museum District Food and play go hand-in-hand at this concept influenced by Shepard Ross’ childhood in Brooklyn, where bocce ball highlighted family gatherings. The fork-tender pork osso bucco and robust pasta and meatballs are made more enjoyable watching friends challenge each other at croquet. Lunch & dinner Tues.-Sun. 601 Richmond Ave., 713527-4440. thebrooklynathleticclub.com. $$
grapes. Try, too, eggs benedict on sweet potato English muffins and an earthy four-mushroom pot pie. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 3939 Montrose, 713-528-6848. canopyhouston.com. $$
Costa Brava Bistro French-and-Spanish cuisine Neighborhood: Bellaire Working backward at this Spanish-inspired restaurant, the refined desserts include crema Catalan with a miraculous crunchy sugar glaze and an apple tart that smartly blends smoky caramel with buttery pastry. The flavorful seafood paella from owner Angeles Duenas’ grandfather sports perfectly al dente rice. Moist roasted duck and shrimp piquant with garlic make this upscale spot pleasing. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Fri. and dinner Sat. 5115 Bellaire Blvd., 713-839-1005. costabravabistro.com. $$$
Del Frisco’s Grille Canopy Creative Gulf-Coast cuisine Neighborhood: Montrose When the weekend arrives, Houston’s motor shifts into idle, and Canopy greets its favorite meal – brunch. The austere space with blond furniture bubbles with conversations as Claire Smith’s reliable kitchen sends out baby-spinach salads with pulled chicken that is peppy with a dessert-wine vinaigrette, apples and roasted red
Casual American classics Neighborhood: Upper Kirby This casual offshoot of the high-end steakhouse features sandwiches and salads, along with a patio for al fresco dining or energetic tykes. At brunch, over chicken-fried steak and eggs, sip a carafe of build-your-own Bloody Marys with Tito’s Vodka and a plate of fixings that includes pickled green beans, olives and lime wedges. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 2800
Kirby Drive, Suite A-132, 832-623-6168. delfriscogrille.com. $$$
Étoile Authentic French Neighborhood: Galleria area When several talented French chefs urge you to try the food at Étoile, it’s hard to dispute their keen taste for the food of their homeland. Just as they said, the flavors here are true, and ownerchef Philippe Verpiand and wife Monica Bui have created an alluringly warm showcase for a hearty coq au vin and tender sole meunière with lemon caper sauce, fingerling potatoes and roasted cauliflower – both brunch items. Briny mussels flavored with tomatoes and onions are served with homemade pomme frites and garlic aioli. The beauty of this place is almost everything is made from scratch, including the crusty baguettes. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sun. 1101 Uptown Park Blvd., 832-668-5808. etoilecuisine.com. $$
Fioza Gourmet coffees & paninis Neighborhood: Meyerland Fragrant coffees from a local roaster are bolstered by crispy paninis in this cozy nook frequented by Latin professionals. Stellar croissants and fresh baked goods support a minimalistic breakfast-sandwich menu (continued on page 32)
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raw ingredients (beef, chicken, lamb and seafood) arrive with a ying-yang hot pot divided by a mild broth in one side and a fiery chili-infused broth in the other. Meats are dipped in the broths, followed by noodles, tofu and vegetables. Lunch and dinner, Mon.-Sun., 5901 Westheimer, 713-9750687. littlesheephotpot.com. $$
Lucille’s
ÉTOILE Mussels are on the menu at this authentic French restaurant. (continued from page 31) that includes baked eggs
with either mushroom and pesto or tomato, pesto and fresh basil. Stack corn beef onto any, and at lunchtime, try the chicken pesto or roasted vegetables with goat cheese. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 9002 Chimney Rock Road, 713-729-8810. fioza.com. $
Huynh Restaurant Contemporary Vietnamese Neighborhood: East Downtown Pho Huynh closed on Milam Street, then reopened as Huynh Restaurant in old Chinatown. The food, still under the guidance of Mama Van Bui, shines on contemporary white plates. She specializes in dishes from Hue, the culinary core of Vietnam. Delicate steamedrice crepes glisten with well-seasoned pork and black mushrooms. Her boluc lac explodes with flavors of pan-seared tender beef threaded with smoky jalapeño and caramelized garlic. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sat. 912 Saint Emanuel, 713-2248964. huynhrestauranthouston.com. $$
Island Grill & Juice Bar Smoothies and burgers Neighborhood: West University/Tanglewood Granted, the smoothies with natural juices at Island Grill are pretty lush. The Island Oasis is ripe with sweet pineapples, strawberries, coconut juice and vanilla yogurt. The juices – from wheatgrass to coolers made with veggies and fruits – are refreshing. But surprisingly, this neighborhood joint is noted for breakfast bagel sandwiches, pita sandwiches and muscular 8-ounce Angus burgers on soft buns. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. (closes 4:30 p.m. Sun.), 4024 Bellaire Blvd., 713665-5388. 5709 Woodway, 713-334-4036. islandgrillhouston.com. $$
La Casa Del Caballo Mexican steakhouse Neighborhood: Montrose BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 32
Gregarious Latin voices ring through this Mexican steakhouse that buys its premium beef from the storied Allen Brothers in Chicago. Owner-chef Carlos Abedrop butchers a whole rib rack himself to ensure the right cut. The steak here isn’t the buttery, tender sort American diners have come to expect. Here, it has the kind of chew that bursts with forceful flavors from beef grilled over mesquite fire. The lamb, too, while tender, is resilient with its characteristic gamey nuances. Meats are good by themselves even with the standard sides of smoke-kissed beans, skin-on fried potatoes and three-alarm salsas. Lunch & dinner, Mon.-Sun., 322 Westheimer, 832-623-6467. lacasadelcaballo.com. $$$
Leibman’s Gourmet deli Neighborhood: Memorial Party hosts around the Energy Corridor take savvy shortcuts when they buy pre-made dips, salads and other prepared noshes from Leibman’s Wine and Fine Foods. Longtime customers know that Etienne Leibman has one of the keenest palates in Houston, and her recipes – from the curried chicken salad Afrique and garlic artichoke dip to chopped chicken liver – are skillfully seasoned. Leibman recently started offering full lunch and weekend brunch menus with a changing roster of salads, soups, sandwiches and entrees. Lunch, Mon.-Sun., 14529 Memorial Drive, 281-493-3663. leibmans.com. $$
Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot Northern Chinese Neighborhood: Galleria/Uptown Paper-thin slices of lamb bob in bubbling broth fragrant with herbs and spices. Friends gather around, wielding chopsticks to cook meats and vegetables at this interactive Chinese-fondue establishment, famous in China but under the radar here except among China natives in the know. Houston is lucky to have one. Platters of
Creative Southern Neighborhood: Museum District The fried green tomatoes – lightly crisped and anointed with a rich, bright-orange remoulade sauce – know few peers around town. This and a glass of New Zealand sauvignon blanc, in this refurbished brick building, would do just fine for lunch. That and a side order of chef-owner Chris Williams’ hot rolls. Look around. You’ll see many breaking bread while waiting for shrimp and grits and the pan-roasted white fish on a pile of pancakes, surrounded by candied-sweet cherry tomatoes. Lunch and dinner, Tues.-Sun., 5512 La Branch, 713-568-2505. lucilleshouston.com. $$$
McHugh Tea Teahouse and more Neighborhood: Bellaire This shabby chic corner charms with its English ambiance illuminated by tea-cup chandeliers, refurbished tea sets and ornately framed photos of famous tea sippers, including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis 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. The Southwestern pulled-pork quiche with shortbread-like crust is the envy of other chefs. Lunch & dinner, Tues.-Sat., 5305 Bissonnet, Bellaire. 713-218-6300. mchughtea.com. $
Osteria Mazzantini Upscale rustic Italian Neighborhood: Galleria/Uptown Whipped lardo butter arrives with pillowy potato bread. If diners don't succumb to chefowner John Sheely's opening act, then they'll likely fall for his house-made ravioli, stuffed with earthy sweetbreads and kale, then lightly tossed in seared browned butter dotted with aged balsamic vinegar. The flavors are appealing – caramelized saltiness shot through with sweet and sour notes. Desserts are creative but grounded in Old World flavors, such as a mousse made with limoncello and an orange-olive oil cake with olive oil ice gelato and zabaglione. Lunch and dinner, Mon.-Sun., 2200 Post Oak Blvd. No. 140, 713-993-9898. osteriamazzantini.com. $$$$
Pass & Provisions Inventive modern fare Neighborhood: Fourth Ward A duo eatery in one space – white-tablecloth Pass and bustling Provisions. Pass is a caviar affair, while Provision serves casual edibles, including smartly donned sandwiches and bil-
lowy pizzas with such toppings as kale with pork sausage and duck confit with potato and pickled currants. There are some crossovers of dishes and kitchen playfulness between the two menus. Provisions, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sat; Pass, dinner only. 808 Taft, 713-628-9020. Passandprovisions.com. $$-$$$$
Post Oak Grill Gulf Coast classics Neighborhood: Tanglewood Happiness exists in a bread basket at this popular outpost for business lunches. The basket usually cradles oven-fresh biscuits fragrant with green onions, bacon and cheddar cheese. One really isn’t enough; nor is two or three. Slow down, though, or you’ll fill up before the perfectly grilled rainbow trout arrives, glistening lightly with butter-caper sauce. Polo Becerra is a classic chef with a timeless approach of keeping ingredients simple and clean, with just a sheath of sauce to elevate the flavors of beef and seafood. Lunch & dinner, Mon.-Sat., 1415 S. Post Oak Lane, 713-993-9966. postoakgrill.com. $$$
Quattro Contemporary Italian Neighborhood: Downtown Talented chef Maurizio Ferrarese brings the flavors of his native Italy to Quattro at the Four Seasons Hotel. The dining room is an elegant
affair. Quality is high, and almost everything is made in-house. Just as engaging is the adjoining Vinoteca Quattro bar where an eclectic group of downtown workers unwind over Italian beers, wines and Italian small plates during happy hour. From 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, guests can purchase a wine or cocktail and allyou-can-eat antipasti for $18. Breakfast, lunch & dining Mon.-Sun. 1300 Lamar, 713-6501300. quattrorestauranthouston.com. $$-$$$$
Sparrow Bar + Cookshop Modern American Neighborhood: Midtown Monica Pope is forever reinventing herself and her restaurant concept. Her latest incarnation, the Sparrow Bar + Cookshop, applies beautiful, subtle flavors to farm-fresh local ingredients. Bronzed Texas quail nestles on warm yellow-corn grits hinting of orange zest. Caramel miso and blossom butter enhance hanger steak. Creativity carries over to a dynamic cocktail menu. Pope grasped the value of using fresh fruits and herbs in drinks long before it became a trend. Her hand-crafted cocktails push boundaries to offer new, exciting flavors, such as a vodka creation with roasted red bell pepper puree, shiitake mushroom vermouth and jalapeño syrup. Lunch and dinner, Tues.-Sat., 3701 Travis, 713-524-6922. sparrowhouston.com. $$$
The Lemongrass Café Asian fusion Neighborhood: Bellaire Polite service and a thoughtfully conceived menu endear Lemongrass Café to Houstonians. Chef-owner Fah Vorarittinapa marries the flavors of Chinese, Thai, Japanese, French and American cooking. Her signature dish remains the juicy tiger shrimp, stuffed with bacon and swaddled in crisp kataifi noodle, anointed by a sweet, spicy tamarind sauce. Pad thai is given a twist with a Japanese egg crepe. Her trio soup sampler is a composition of the soup of the day, French mushroom consommé and Thai tom yum chicken. Lunch & dinner, Mon.-Sun., 5109 Bellaire, 713-664-6698. lemongrass-cafe.com. $$
Teotihuacan Tex-Mex originals Neighborhood: Northeast Houston Diners pack in day after day for grilled steaks, chiles rellenos and flautas in a room decorated with festive streamers. Co-owner Silvia Galvan applies soy sauce and black pepper to make fajitas and juicy sirloins with grilled onions. A must try: grilled shrimp, bathed in garlic butter, particularly satisfying wrapped in homemade corn tortillas and a dollop of lush guacamole. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 4624 Irvington, 713-695-8757. teomexicancafe.com. $
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Family loans Have children or family ever asked you for money? The IRS presumes family transfers are gifts and expects a gift tax return from you, the supposed lender, unless you can prove a loan. The IRS is curious whether there was a written promissory note, interest charges, security or collateral, a fixed maturity date, demands for repayment, actual payment, the ability to repay, loan accounts, or disclosure on federal income tax returns. These are good practices even for loans small enough to escape IRS scrutiny. Too many parents die with loans outstanding to one child or another, leaving hard feelings and few records. Interest generally must be charged. The IRS sets minimum rates, called the Applicable Federal Rate, that vary with the length of the loan. Special rules apply to demand loans. New AFRs are published each month. Real estate presents special problems. Imagine you find your dream home, but can’t qualify for the loan. Your parents want to help, so they buy the house for you. The note and deed of trust is in their name, and so is the title. The plan is for you to pay the note, but no one tells the lender, because otherwise your parents wouldn’t get the loan, either. Some time after closing your parents deed the house to you. You make all the note payments yourself, and everyone lives happily ever after. This is the wrong approach, for several reasons. It’s fraud on the lender to conceal the real party in interest. If you divorce before the note’s paid, your ex may take the house, leaving your parents to pay the note. And any
gift deed is public record, giving the IRS as much time as they need to discover and audit the transaction. Better to buy the home in your own name. Close through a title company. Give your parents a note secured by a deed of trust. If your parents finance only part of the transaction, they may take a second lien position, behind the bank. A lawyer is not necessary. Any Texas real estate agent can prepare a third party financing addendum that gives the title company and their fee attorney all the information necessary to prepare the loan documents. This article was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by the taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. We write wills and go to probate court. We offer no-obligation initial interviews for estate planning and administration, so it costs nothing to hear specific recommendations that suit your needs. Foreign nationals and international families welcome. Russell W. Hall, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Board Certified–Estate Planning and Probate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 6750 West Loop So., Ste. 920, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.662.3853, www.rwhpc.com
Be real. Be you. Senior portraits beyond the ordinary. Mention The Buzz and receive 1/2 off your studio session and 8 complimentary wallet photos ($125.00 value)
Reserve your session now A portrait remembers 713.523.4916 nikky@lawellphoto.com www.lawellphoto.com
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New year, new you
Professional, but personal
There is no time like the present to have your new smile. What have you been waiting for? They say we make an impression in the first 30 seconds we meet someone. Are you tired of hiding your smile? In most cases, there is no need to wear braces anymore. Invisalign offers you the convenience and flexibility to live life without the hassle associated with other types of treatment. From the moment you start Invisalign treatment, you’ll enjoy a better smile every day. Bellaire Family Orthodontics is proud to be a Top 1% Super Elite Preferred Provider for Invisalign. What this means to you is that the doctors at BFO have successfully treated more Invisalign patients than 99 percent of all general dentists and orthodontists throughout the world. Many of the patients who come to our office are only interested in Invisalign. They have visited other orthodontic offices and were told they are not a candidate for Invisalign. These patients have found that the doctors at Bellaire Family Orthodontics can successfully treat them with Invisalign. We welcome second opinions! Please call to schedule a complimentary consultation to see if you or family members are candidates for Invisalign. Dr. David M. Wadler and Dr. Vladimir Tabakman, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 105, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.667.6000, www.rocknsmile.com
Mike Livingston has specialized in Bellaire properties since 1993. He provides professional, personal service to each of his clients. Anuradha Rao is a very pleased client who appreciated her referral from a friend: “When we wanted to sell our home we asked a close friend for a reference. Our friend referred Mike Livingston to us, but we were hesitant to work with an agent who has been a number 1 seller in Bellaire for years. Would he be demanding or aloof? I didn’t need to be worried. Mike is a wonderful individual with many outstanding qualities. He was accommodating, competent and, most of all, personable. “For family reasons, we had to remove our house off the market after three months. Mike understood; he did not think twice and removed the sign immediately. Mike did not demand that I uphold the contract, and in the fall we placed the house on the market again. Mike had an open house the first weekend and we had an offer. “The quick sale of the house is attributed to Mike’s keen knowledge of the housing market. He provided a housing analysis, which made the price decision understandable. Mike is a very competent realtor and that definitely explains the title of number 1 in Bellaire. Mike’s caring, soft spoken and professional qualities made the process of selling our home a pleasure.” Mike Livingston, Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan, 713.764.9850, mlivingston@gmail.com, www.har.com/mikelivingston
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Time for puppy school
Get your feet in shape
Now that Santa has dropped off that furry little bundle of joy, what’s next? You may need a little coaching to help you survive the challenges that your new companion will undoubtedly bring. A number of good options are available to fit everyone’s budget and busy schedule. Puppy classes are a cost-effective option that allows you to learn in a group setting with other pets and owners. A professional trainer teaches you how to manage your puppy’s development. Private lessons are a great option if you want more personal attention on specific pet problems. Many pet resorts also offer a “board & train” program. New puppies stay at the resort for two weeks (or longer), and the professional trainer begins to shape the pet’s behavior. Remember that the first months of a dog’s life are very formative ones. What you do with your puppy during this time – and what it experiences – may affect the pet’s behavior for the rest of its life. If you have any questions regarding the best approach for your puppy, send an email to training@roveroaks.com or call 713-662-2119, press option 4, and ask for one of the professional trainers at Rover Oaks Pet Resort. Rover Oaks Pet Resort, 2550 West Bellfort, Houston, Texas 77054, 713.662.2119, www.roveroaks.com
Before beginning an exercise program, take a step in the right direction and get relief from your painful foot problems. Dr. Weinstein is a board-certified podiatric physician specializing in the treatment of foot and ankle disorders. Several warning signs warrant a visit to your podiatrist. Your heels may hurt, especially after first standing up after periods of rest. A toenail has become thickened or discolored, which could be signs of fungus. You may have growths that look like calluses with black dots in the center, which could be a plantar’s wart. An ingrown toenail has become red, swollen and painful – signs of an infection. Your toes are over-lapped and bent or misshapen with growths. You have diabetes. Your toes feel numb or burn, or you have pain in between the toes of your feet. You may be experiencing pain caused by bunions. Our office is designed with your comfort in mind, and we want you to know that we are dedicated to providing you with quality foot health care. Don’t hesitate to bring your foot ailments to us for relief. Call for an appointment today. Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy New Year! Bellaire Podiatry/Nail Laser Center of Houston, Dr. Barry P. Weinstein, 4909 Bissonnet, Suite 120, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.721.5500, www.BarryWeinsteinDPM.com
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Once in a lifetime
Physical therapy in Bellaire
Bellaire resident and Robert M. Beren Academy senior Sarah Grzebinski shares her recent experience in Israel: “I am fortunate to have enjoyed many wonderful vacations with my family, but in November 2013, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Israel with my senior class. This was different. I was sharing a once-in-a-lifetime experience with my classmates. In two short weeks we managed to tour extensively, visiting meaningful and visually stunning locations. We began in Jerusalem, toured the old city, explored the vast southern country while camel riding, floated in the Dead Sea, slept in Bedouin tents and hiked mountains in the north. As we prayed together as a class in the oldest-known synagogue in the world, Masada, the breath-taking view from the top of the mountain was unimaginable. While staying on a Kibbutz, a communal Israeli farm, we harvested cabbage for Israel’s national food bank, Leket Israel. We picked over 10,000 pounds of cabbage that will feed 1,600 needy families. On our last night, we returned to Jerusalem where it all began, for a final visit to the Kotel (Western Wall), the holiest Jewish site. Through our shared experience we discovered our close connection to Israel and each other. I am so grateful to my school for giving our senior class this inspiring opportunity to come to Israel to learn and bond.” For more information, please contact our admissions director, Gavi Roisman, at 713-723-7170 or groisman@berenacademy.org. Robert M. Beren Academy, 15 months through 12th grade, www.berenacademy.org
How do you choose a physical therapist? For obvious reasons, most people consider convenience as their primary factor. While this is certainly a priority, we propose three more key factors to consider. One, find a certified specialist to address your problem. Two, make sure they work with you one-on-one. Three, don’t be forced to wait for help. The orthopedic specialists at Bellaire PT have greater insight to better address your needs because they are experts. Each therapist works exclusively one-on-one with every patient to ensure that treatments are effective and efficient. Our wait times are less than three minutes, and appointments are made available within 24 hours. For example, someone with low back pain can see a 50 percent pain reduction within one to two visits when treated by an expert physical therapist within 16 days of the onset. Beyond that example, our expertise includes treatment for neck pain, shoulder dysfunction, hip and knee arthritis, and total joint replacements, and many more conditions requiring postsurgery rehab. We will help you move forward from your limitations. Know your options, and don’t sacrifice quality for convenience. If you live in the Bellaire area come see us to get the expertise, one-on-one care, and immediate treatment that you require. We are located one block north of the Bellaire Triangle just behind the post office. Bellaire Physical Therapy, 5420 Dashwood, Suite 306, Houston, Texas 77081, 1.855.713.7827, Fax 281.402.3077, BellairePT@gmail.com, www.BellairePT.com
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Before filing for divorce
Shlenker partners with Rice
If I had a wish list of information for my client to know prior to meeting with me, it would be that the client have a general idea of his or her estate, including debts and assets, along with the amount each party earns including bonuses. In marriages, many times one person is knowledgeable about the finances, and the other person is clueless. One may not have an idea about investments or even the income of the spouse. Prior to meeting with an attorney, the client should get educated on how much it costs to run his or her household (mortgage, utilities, children’s expenses, etc), along with what amount of estate you have to divide. Many people are surprised when they are involved in litigation and find out they have little to no retirement and/or more debt than they were aware of. Attorneys can do discovery to determine it, but it will save you time and money to have that information early on. Plus, your spouse may start trying to hide information and/or limit your access to accounts once the divorce process begins, making it difficult to obtain the information. K. Nicole Voyles, a partner at Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P., a full-service, boutique family law firm, has been recognized as a Texas Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers, a Thomas Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly magazine, for 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013. K. Nicole Voyles, Board Certified in Family Law, Jenkins & Kamin, LLP, Two Greenway Plaza, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77046, 713.600.5500, www.jenkinskamin.com
Teaching via children’s stories is the product of a campus collaboration between The Shlenker School and Rice University. The School Literacy & Culture, or SLC, at Rice combines early-childhood literary research with practice through classroom mentoring and seminar discussions in a professional development program for teachers. This year marks the 25th year of SLC, and Shlenker has been associated with SLC for almost all of its existence. Every teacher in Shlenker’s Older Toddler, PreK-3, and PreK-4 programs participates in different aspects of SLC. The Shlenker School also hosts Creative Writing Camp, which is sponsored by SLC and the program Writers in the Schools, to any rising kindergarten to twelfth grade student in Houston. This past summer’s camp enrolled over 1,200 students, of which 140, or nine classrooms, were at Shlenker. In October, SLC’s founder, Dr. Patsy Cooper, who is a past Shlenker parent, visited Shlenker along with famous childhood educator and author Vivian Gussin Paley and the current SLC director and past Shlenker School teacher Karen Capo. Their visit was to recognize Shlenker’s success with School Literacy & Culture before attending SLC’s 25th anniversary celebration at Rice University. Shlenker is currently accepting applications for next school year. For more information, contact director of admissions Gail Rovinsky at grovinsky@shlenker.org. The Shlenker School, 15 months through fifth grade, 5600 N. Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77096, 713.270.6127, www.shlenker.org
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sponsored by
PETS
Neighborhood Tails
713.662.2119 www.roveroaks.com
Jasper, age 8, Wheaten Terrier, Lymbar St. Hi. My name is Jasper, or Jaspey, as my mommy calls me. I’m a soft-coated Wheaten Terrier. I love to lounge on the cold tile during a hot day, or chase the neighborhood squirrels that regularly visit my backyard. But my absolute favorite thing to do is to ride along with my mommy and daddy for an exciting car ride. Since I’m 8 years old you may think I’m too old to keep up with all the young pups; however, all the squirrels that I have chased up my tree would tell you otherwise. My mommy loves to dress me up in all types of costumes, including “Where’s Waldo” for Halloween. During the NCAA tournament, my mommy and daddy’s alma mater, the University of Arizona, made it to the Sweet 16, so I, of course, had to dress up in my “Bear Down” gear. Got a cute critter? Email a picture of your pet with approximately 150 words to info@thebuzzmagazines.com or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Featured pets receive two passes to Rover Oaks Pet Resort. Each pass can be redeemed for one day of lodging in a Bunk House Suite, 25 percent off your next grooming appointment or 25 percent off one obedience training class.
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St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School • 6802 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX
All online applications, required forms and fees must be submitted by February 1, 2014. PK and K Mandatory Observation Saturday, February 1, 2014 PK (8 a.m. – 10 a.m.) and K (10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) All prospective students will meet in the Parish Family Center. Application Deadline - Saturday, February 1, 2014. Tours available by appointment only.
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5408 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire, TX 77401 713.665.4350 2431 University Blvd., Houston, TX 77005 713.520.5248 Not combinable with any other offers
Please call the school office to reserve a space for your child. 713.666.2345 Currently accepting online applications - www.saintvincentschool.org
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BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 41
NEIGHBORS
by Andria Frankfort, staff writer
Back Porch
Resolutions times 100
A
nna Jones has set an impressive record for New Year’s resolutions made and kept. At the start of 2012, she delved into a project that would take an entire year and reveal determination that is rare for goals laid out Jan. 1. That’s when Anna instituted what she calls “My 100s,” a set of seven goals, each to be accomplished 100 times. “I started out needing to walk and see my trainer more,” Anna says. “I was thinking about New Year’s resolutions, but everyone knows once you get to February, your enthusiasm has gone down the drain. It’s like dieting – one bad day and the whole thing is over. “So I decided to be more flexible and give myself a year to reach my goals.” Anna planned systematically. She arrived at the number of 100 repetitions because “you can do just under two times a week” and meet the annual goal. “So if you’re going on holiday and skip a week, it’s okay.” She used a lined notebook and allocated four blank pages, 25 lines each, to each of seven goals. “I love to write lists,” Anna says. “So I tracked goals that way.” She kept the notebook on the kitchen counter and logged each activity upon completion, every one a step closer to filling the pages and reaching her goals. “It’s like mowing grass,” she says. “You can’t see progress looking forward, but you can look behind you and see you’ve done a great job.” For exercise, Anna’s attorney husband Gregg, who walks every morning, inspired her. “I’m generally lazy,” she says. “If I got in the car to go see my trainer, I would think, ‘I really don’t want to do that today,’ and I would drive on.” Once she set her 100s, Anna started walking to and from visits to her trainer. Eventually she would walk two miles, stop at the trainer’s, meet a friend, and walk two miles again with the friend after the training session. Her trainer would check in periodically to ask how far into her goal she had progressed. In all, Anna took 104 walks and saw her trainer 107 times. She also read 108 books, becoming the go-to source for friends needing reading ideas. Although she recorded every book she read, she BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2014 42
doesn’t remember each one. That’s where the records come in. Anna knows she turned the last page of her last book on Dec. 31. Her favorite? America’s Medicis: The Rockefellers and Their Astonishing Cultural Legacy by Suzanne Loebl. Number two was Lynne Olson’s Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in its Darkest, Finest Hour. Anna’s DVD selections – 164 in all – were all about “happy endings and beautiful sets. I wanted to be taken away from the drama you read about in the papers.” The Way, starring Martin Sheen and written and directed by his son Emilio Estevez, made the top of her list. Next up was the Irish musical film Once, then KEEPING TRACK To record progress toward her "100s" goals, Anna Jones the TV shows Justified kept a lined notebook on her kitchen counter and logged every step. and In Treatment. these expensive, esoteric liquors, and you only Anna says she “tends to be shy in new social need two tablespoons per recipe.” She made situations,” so her 100s included a social comnine cocktails. ponent. “I pushed myself to say yes when friends Looking back, Anna says, “My girlfriends, called, and I participated in 108 social ‘events,’” who were all very enthusiastic and supportive, ranging from school coffees to meeting friends wanted to know if I was going to make up a new for lunch to black-tie galas. “Whew. What a list for 2013. I thought maybe I’d attack my social butterfly I turned out to be!” friendship rolodex and have 100 people to dinRecipes were easy. “In a single meal, I could ner, but then I thought I’d just let sleeping dogs try several new recipes. I like to cook and have lie. It was really fun and gave me a great sense a lot of cookbooks. This part was really fun.” of satisfaction. Anna made 133 new recipes. Monkey Bread, “It was easy, because my goals were to do more Tangerine Chess Pie and Creamy Broccoli of the things I like to do. Anyone can do it. Just Cheese Soup topped the experiments. tailor your goals around your lifestyle.” The only goal Anna didn’t reach was making The downside? “Now I have a liquor cabinet 100 new cocktails. Once she started examining full of bottles with two tablespoons missing.” cocktail recipes, she realized, “they call for all Kevin Long, www.gulfcoastshots.com
.