Karen Garcia
Backyard Beekeepers by Jennifer Oakley
Ms. Lillian’s Legacy Big-Deal Promposals Our Katniss Therapy on the Sea Travel Buzz: Hawaii Dining Trends Houston, TX Permit No. 2047 PAID US Postage PRSRT STD
Buzz Baby: Spring Cleaning
PUBLISHER’S NOTE The Buzz, thanks to our name, has received countless bee-related gifts over the past 14 years. Coffee mugs, stuffed animals, piggy banks, honey, note pads, picture frames and more. If it has a bee on it, we have it. And it always make us smile. This month, however, we discovered the real insect behind our namesake. In The Bees Knees by Jennifer Oakley, we learned that beekeeping is an increasingly popular and serious hobby for many Buzz-area residents. And it’s important for the planet too. As resident Karen Garcia puts it, “If you don’t have bees, you don’t have fruit. Everything we eat is dependent on the bees.” The photo shoots for the story went without incident until the very end, when one bee took a special liking to me. Or dislike. I was stung twice in the face and once on the hand, and I quickly found out I’m allergic to bee stings. However, after an emergency visit to The Allergy Clinic, where I received a steroid shot and prednisone pack, life is sweet again. 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 Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter thebuzzmagazines.com Editor Publisher Associate Editors Design Manager Staff Writers
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On our cover: Karen Garcia began beekeeping to help her trees bear fruit. Today she harvests honey and likes to give it to friends. Cover photo by Nikky LaWell, lawellphoto.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. Copyright © 2016 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.
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Your letters, thoughts, opinions Super coverage I loved the Super Bowl article in the latest edition of The Buzz and not just because I’m in it [Hosting the Big Game: Countdown to 2017 Houston Super Bowl LI, by Jennifer Oakley, March 2016]! I think it’s great that Houston is hosting the Super Bowl again, and I am glad to see you are starting to promote the big event early. After reading the article, my 12-yearold daughter asked me if I was going to climb the wall to break in again this year! I laughed and told her I would not be able to get that close with today’s security – completely sidestepping the point that there is no way I could make the climb anymore! Please keep the fun news coming – my wife and I always enjoy your magazines. Geoff Angulo
The insider’s Fredericksburg I own two shops on Main St. in Fredericksburg, Texas. Although I so appreciate all the articles about the wineries out in the county [Travel Buzz: Fredericksburg – A little bit of Napa in Texas, by Tracy L. Barnett, February 2016], I feel you folks are forgetting all the terrific, colorful shops on Main. There is more to “Fred” than drinking! We have a saying here. There is the “tourist” Fredericksburg, and then there’s Fredericksburg. Lots of great stories. For example, my shop dog is Jax. He is my retired ranch Aussie after he was attacked by a mountain lion defending my horses. Yes, we still have mountain lions here in the county! I would love to share the “Rest of the Story” with you! Kathy Cox Gutierrez
West Gray. They had the best fried chicken, and I remember it as being a huge place with an ultra-modern (for the 1950s) architecture. Does anybody else remember it? And, let’s not forget the Ten Fathoms Seafood Restaurant (with the Mermaid Club, attached) down next to what is now Hobby Center. The restaurant had, as I remember, a huge semi-circle of glass windows looking out on the corner. Also, I remember a cafeteria next to the Alabama Theater that was called, I believe, Suzanne’s or Luanne’s. I remember it having a double automatic-turning display for the salads. As a child whose future was to be engineering, I was fascinated. I consider anything past the ’60s as new. Having said that, let me also just list a couple of others for comments: Kelly’s Oyster Bar, San Jacinto Inn, Pier 21, Ming Palace (River Oaks Shopping Center), Matt Garner’s Bar-B-Que, Byron’s Bar-B-Que and LC Cafeteria (in a downtown basement). Thanks for the memories. Richard Cook Editor’s note: Thanks for sharing your memories. This story continues to be a favorite of our readers. Those who missed it can search for this and all past articles at 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.
A happy bride I wanted to let you know how much we loved the Buzz article [Cherished Moments: Buzz newlyweds’ wedding weekends, by Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld, February 2016]! We felt so honored to have the opportunity to be on the [Bellaire] cover. I have been hearing from so many friends, family and even some professors at my school that all loved it! You did a wonderful job covering our special day. Sarah Hutchins
What’s your story? We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who:
Remembering when Ah! I remember Bud Bigelow’s, the first that I know of that gave you a mini-loaf of fresh bread at the table. As a lifelong resident of this city and, actually, a third-generation Houstonian, I remember a lot of the establishments that you listed [Restaurant Memories: A look back at Houston’s dining past, by Russell Weil, November 2014]. You mentioned the Cathay House Restaurant on Main. It had a big mural of a mermaid and ocean waves on the high wall of the main dining area. This was because it had formerly been the “Ship Ahoy” seafood restaurant with a grand sign out front showing the neon boat bow crashing through the neon waves. Another restaurant that I remember fondly was the Chicken Shack on MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 6
• Have enjoyed a recent Texas road trip. • Have recommendations for or stories about getaways to Galveston. • Have an older parent/grandparent living at home with you. • Have a unique passion or hobby. • Have an interesting neighbor to 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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SPORTS by Cheryl Laird, staff writer
Rossitsa Israel
Our Katniss Young archer is one of world’s best
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rchery is a sport of romance and fantasy novels, of heroes with quick feet and keen vision. Of Robin Hood, Legolas, Katniss Everdeen. But it’s not for everyone. This is not a sport for the easily distracted, for those with more adventure inside than discipline. The Hunger Games made for two hours of suspense on the screen. But take those same hours and imagine spending them, nearly every day, standing perfectly still, focusing on a tiny target as far as three-quarters of a football field away. That’s what Houston’s version of Katniss Everdeen does. Her name is Inga Pever. She is 14. She is quiet and academic, an only child, an eighth grader at Duchesne Academy. She has a trim, sporty build and long, unfussy, brown hair. She loves The Smiths and ’80s music and was sad when David Bowie died. While she is not (yet) the hero of a popular dystopian story, she is, for sure, one of the best young archers in the world. In early March, she was chosen to travel, as the youngest member of the U.S. juniors team, to Ankara, Turkey, to the World Archery Indoor Championships. She even has a bowcompany sponsor, Win&Win Archery. Her goal is to make the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020. It’s ambitious, considering her youth and the fact that she started archery only three years ago. At that time, she was into soccer. Then she went to Camp Lonehollow for a week. “She came back,” says her mom, Melanie Pever, “and said, ‘I want to take archery lessons.’” Her mom, now a realtor and personal chef, and her dad Daryl Pever, a software developer, started Googling. They found James Loesch, who, with his wife Susan, runs Houston Archery Lessons. “I started with her when she was 11,” says coach James, “and she has been the most dedicated student I’ve had in that time, not even close. When she wasn’t in school, she was shooting.” By the age of 14, Inga had an impressive six national championships. She has gotten there the boring way – boring, that is, if you have a short attention span. For Inga, it’s a fascinating puzzle, where perfection is required, millimeters MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 8
matter, and a target can be indoors or outside and 20 to 70 meters away. There is no shortcut. She just practices. She spends a lot of time at West Houston Archery just north of I-10 past Beltway 8 (and also some time outdoors at Buffalo Field Archery). While the downstairs part of the West Houston shop is all about hunters, with cam- ON TARGET After trying archery at summer camp only a few years ago, Inga Pever, ouflage and com- a 14-year-old Duchesne Academy student, is now one of the world’s top young archers. pound bows, the Coach James calls archery “kind of a loaner long white room upstairs is about teaching the sport, an individual sport – it’s how well you classic Olympic recurve bow. work on it on your own.” It helps to be a little Often Inga practices on her own. Sometimes obsessive. “That kind of personality really tends her coach stands nearby, murmuring advice. to excel in this sport. From the outside, it looks “There it is,” he told her during a recent praclike a beautiful art form.” tice. “That was perfect. What did you do? You “A big part of it is how strongly and smoothly need to know so you can replicate it.” she makes that motion through the clicker,” he She raised her eyebrows, smiled faintly and says. The clicker is a small device that signals shrugged, like a teenager, in her blue polo shirt when the metal tip of the arrow has drawn back and plaid school-uniform skirt, her quiver posifar enough to be let loose. tioned dashingly across her hip. Inga, after practice, tells how one of her Then she placed an arrow, raised her bow – favorite moments was outdoor Nationals in equipped with a protruding stabilizer bar but no 2014, after a rain delay, shooting in the dark. “It scope or mechanical advantages. With her was just so intense,” she says. body perfectly straight and facing the side, she She answers the inevitable question about drew her arm back, raising her right elbow up The Hunger Games. No, she hadn’t read or seen above her ear until the string pressed lightly it before she started. Finally, she saw the movie. against her lips. “In the posters,” she says of actress Jennifer She looked nothing like an unsure teenage girl. Lawrence, who plays Katniss, her position “is There was a nearly imperceptible “tick” and really accurate. But in the movie, she is not.” then “thwang,” followed by “thwack.” It was a But she liked it. satisfying sound, one she hears often. She practices two hours a day, five days a week. “Even when she was little she could sit for See thebuzzmagazines.com for a video of Inga hours,” says her mom. “She is a singleness-ofpracticing. purpose kind of person.”
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NEIGHBORS by Michelle Casas Groogan, staff writer
Sailing Angels Therapy on the sea
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he ocean has long had a healing effect on our 12-year-old son Garrett. Challenged with autism, there is something about the ocean that gives the perfect amount of therapeutic input his sensory-sensitive body needs, whether he is in or on the water. And there is never any mistaking what he is communicating with his shrieks and giggles. Sheer joy. That’s the power of the sea on many who have disabilities. A non-profit foundation made of local sailors – called Sailing Angels – is harnessing that power, sharing their yachts and their time with families who have loved ones with developmental or physical disabilities. In sailing and motor vessels ranging from 35 to 71 feet, the volunteers take their guests out on two-hour nautical adventures out of Portofino Harbour in the Kemah area. Buzz resident Laura Chavez plans a trip every October with Sailing Angels for her 7-year-old son, Carlos. Carlos has metabolic myopathy and mitochondrial disorder. Because of low muscle tone, he uses a wheelchair. “On the water he seems free. I can just see the joy all over his face when we are sailing. We don’t own a boat, and it’s never going to happen, but doing it every year gives us something to really look forward to,” said Laura. Dave McCabe is the one who made this happen. He started sailing eight years ago when he was part of another international sailing charity. In 2011, he veered off to start his own non-profit called Sailing Angels. It started with one boat, the Blue Marlin III, and a handful of volunteers. In the past five years, his group has taken 5,000 folks sailing. At first, the effort focused on special-needs children. But today, with an available fleet of 37 yachts and 138 volunteers, the foundation is able to include chronically ill children, children at risk, disabled veterans, battered women, and the bereaved and their families. “There have been critically ill children who have come aboard the boat on stretchers,” said Dave. “The therapeutic benefits of a sail have been recognized by the Veterans Affairs and incorporated into their therapy program that MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 10
helps the wounded, amputees, or those suffering from PostTraumatic Stress Disorder. It’s just so soothing. Everybody lets their cares go.” Buzz resident Donna Carnahan has volunteered on more than 50 voyages for kids and adults, helping the participants sail to the best of their abilities. She knew it was the perfect place to volunteer her time, but she didn’t expect to see the immediate therapeutic effects. “There was one HAPPY AT THE HELM Donna Carnahan volunteers with Sailing Angels, a non profit that offers free sailing excursions for children and adults with challenges or time we had a pret- serious illnesses. Here she is with a guest sailor. ty severe child on “I love sailing. It’s calming. All your cares board. At the very beginning of the sail he shrink to normal size instead of a giant size,” said seemed very agitated. He couldn’t stop moving Melody. “You can feel the tension levels drop so and talking, but by the end of the sail, he was significantly, and it ministers to the whole family.” calm and more social. He was engaged. There The sail acts as respite for parents, as the volwas a remarkable difference in his temperament unteers step in and help the participants sail the from the beginning to the time we were pulling boat. Carlos’ mom, Laura, says, “I feel really into the dock,” said Donna. peaceful looking at the waves. We feel really She was also moved during a sail with disblessed that we’re able to have that experience abled veterans. “They had some skipping stones and not have to worry about his disability for in their pockets, and they were throwing the that brief time.” stones into the bay to release their bad memoI understand, and I know it brings our son joy. ries. In the beginning they didn’t say much, but On more than one occasion he has come out of they seemed to be more relaxed after that. They his room wearing his sailing cap, saying, “Secure opened up and started talking. It really can make the riggings!” I know then that it’s time to call a big difference in someone’s life.” our sailing angels. Volunteer Melody Nitzberg lives aboard her 38-foot Morgan 382 in Kemah. She works as an IT-solutions architect for IronEdge Group in See thebuzzmagazines.com for more on Sailing west Houston but she escapes home to her yacht Angels. and offers it up to Sailing Angels.
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Stinging-insect allergy When stung by a bee or fire ant, most of us develop local swelling and redness. The best treatment for this mild local reaction is applying ice for 20 minutes to reduce swelling, then applying a hydrocortisone cream, available without a prescription (e.g., Cortaid). But some people develop a much more serious reaction called “anaphylaxis” (from ancient Greek meaning “without protection”). Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include difficulty breathing, tightness or swelling in the throat, and dizziness. This can be life threatening and requires immediate treatment with epinephrine, most often in the form of an EpiPen. We often hear from patients who had a serious reaction but took Benadryl and waited 30 minutes to feel better. These patients lived because their adrenal glands worked overtime producing epinephrine during those 30 minutes. I’m glad for them, but tell them not to bet their life that Benadryl will work next time. Use the EpiPen if you have a severe allergic reaction. Avoiding a sting in the first place is a smart idea; here’s how. For bees, don’t dress like or smell like a flower. When outdoors, avoid bright-colored clothing. Beige, white or khaki don’t attract bees. Do not wear perfume or cologne when you plan to be outdoors. This goes for certain shampoos as well. Lastly, avoid loose-fitting clothes, as this may allow the insect to fly in. Yellow jackets are more aggressive than bees and tend to like to be near any sweet food or drink. Be very careful leaving a can of soda unprotected. Often, a yellow jacket or bee will fly into the can, and a sting inside the mouth can be very dangerous. Wasps have a more varied diet, so they may hang around meats, sandwiches, salads, etc. Wearing sandals instead of closed shoes increases the risk of getting stung on the foot. Yellow jackets are often at
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ground level. If something starts buzzing around you, the worst thing to do is to swat it or shoo it away. These threatening behaviors may result in a sting. Remain calm, if at all possible. Luckily, allergy shots are 97 percent effective in stinging-insect allergy. We usually build up to the effective, maintenance dose quickly with cluster, and then the shots can be taken just once a month. As a rule of thumb, honeybees cause worse reactions than yellow jackets, hornets or wasps. Not surprisingly, honeybees are also the hardest to desensitize to; however, we have decades of experience treating these flying insects as well as fire ants. Allergy shots are also effective for large local reactions to these insect stings. Sometimes, the reaction causes significant discomfort. The newest practice parameter for insect-sting allergy confirms that allergy shots are effective and indicated for large local reactions, as well as systemic (system-wide) reactions. No one nose allergies like we do.™ Note: Information contained in this article should not be considered a substitute for consultation with a board-certified allergist to address individual medical needs. Alnoor A. Malick, M.D., The Allergy Clinic, 7707 Fannin, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77054, 713.797.0993, *1200 Binz, Suite 180, Houston, Texas 77004, 713.522.9911, www.allergyclinic.com, *Operating as Houston Allergy and Asthma Clinic
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NEIGHBORS by Andria Frankfort, staff writer
Ms. Lillian’s Legacy Beloved gardener’s plants live on
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in the morning.” In addition to the flowers, Ms. Lillian would bring birthday cake. Even on her 102nd birthday, her last, she was outside, handing out cake and her famous gardenias. “She was just a gregarious person who knew how to be happy,” Dale says. After Ms. Lillian’s death, the family decided to sell her house. The lot sold to a builder, its fate determined as a tear-down. “The worst thing was not the house being torn down, but the garden,” Dale says. “We were having this terrible feeling that we all loved the garden, and we really didn’t know how to handle it. So we sent messages to some friends, asking them to come take plants and cut- A NEW GENERATION Melissa Reichert, who lives on Ms. Lillian's former lot, and Gigi Shapiro were thrilled to find Ms. Lillian's beloved gardenia bush still alive behind tings. Melissa's garage. “I wanted to Other plants were happy to find new move that gardenia bush so that it would still homes, mostly with Ms. Lillian’s fellow garden bloom every year on Mother’s birthday. Davey club members. Tree tried to move it. They came with all this Kristine Solberg, a member of the club since equipment, and finally they said, ‘If we remove 1997, has two of Ms. Lillian’s ferns. “Ms. Lillian it, it will die.’ would bring samples to garden club meetings,” “The gardenia bush didn’t want to leave. It Kristine says. “Little pieces, (continued on page 16) wanted to stay there.” lawellphoto.com
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very once in a while, someone comes along who not only brightens the lives of those close to her, but also lights up the lives of countless friends, acquaintances and strangers. Lillian Illig was one of those people. Ms. Lillian, as she was affectionately known, moved with her husband Carl, associate general counsel for Humble Oil, and three children into one of the first homes in Tanglewood in 1950. Her son, Dale Illig, an attorney who lives in Georgetown, Texas, remembers the neighborhood as “highly uncivilized and wonderful for a kid. It was wide-open spaces,” he says. (Dale’s sister, Elaine Illig Davis, lived in Houston and recently passed away; his other sister, Carol Illig Lake, lives in Tanglewood.) As the neighborhood grew up and the Illig family settled in, Ms. Lillian and her friends came up with an idea: Establish a neighborhood garden club. And so, in 1951, the Tanglewood Garden Club came to be, with Ms. Lillian serving as its first president. This spring, the club celebrates 65 years with a special tribute to Ms. Lillian and her gardening friends. “Mother grew up kind of poor,” Dale says. “She didn’t really have a lot of pretty things or gardens. So I think when she was given the opportunity to plant her own garden, there was no question that she was going to plant flowers and take care of them. “She picked roses every single day,” Dale says. “They had to work hard to produce, but she always said, ‘The more you pick the more they bloom.’ It was one of her favorite phrases.” Ms. Lillian shared her love for gardening, both through the garden club that she founded and through other neighbors. “Mother literally took a flower arrangement to the garden club every time they had a meeting or event. From 1951 until the year of her death in 2011.” She was 102. To celebrate her birthday every year, Ms. Lillian would walk Tanglewood Boulevard, handing out gardenias from her beloved gardenia bush, which always bloomed just a few days before her May 14 birthday. “She’d give away those gardenias to people,” Dale says. “It didn’t matter who they were. She’d walk out to people’s cars and give them away. It was always at 7
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NEIGHBORHOOD LEGEND Lillian Illig, founder of the Tanglewood Garden Club, lives on in the plants still thriving in local gardens. Buzz readers first met Ms. Lillian Illig in April 2006 in the article The Constant Gardeners, when this photo was taken. We also ran a tribute, The First Lady of Tanglewood, for her 100th birthday. For links, see this story at thebuzzmagazines.com.
lawellphoto.com
GROWING STRONG Diane Hale, Gigi Shapiro, Barbara Rizzo and Melissa Reichert (from left) remember Ms. Lillian under the tree planted in her honor on Tanglewood Boulevard. (continued from page 14) with the stems wrapped in
wet paper towels. My Boston fern started with just one or two little pieces, maybe 10 years ago. “I also have an asparagus fern in a pot that came from her yard, when her son told us to take pieces. Then the builders shut us down. I was laughing then because what I really wanted to take was some of her dirt! She had some of the best-looking black dirt in Houston. “I was there when she was over 100. She had little pots with tomato plants growing from seeds, and she was telling her gardener what to do right up until she died.” About the gardener: Dale says she had a “succession of them,” but that Raoul, who has since moved, was the one Ms. Lillian spent time with most recently. “She loved to walk around the garden and tell Raoul what to do, even when she was traveling in a chair. They would hold hands. They were very close.” Diane Hale, a past-president of the garden club and a member since moving into the neighborhood in 1978, also remembers Ms. Lillian’s compost. “She had a huge supply of homemade compost made by continually adding leaves, soil, water and other greenery, and turning it so it could compost,” Diane says. “This was one of her MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 16
specialties and one reason for her great results.” Diane says, “I have a beautiful bougainvillea in a large pot, [that we somehow lifted] into my car when Lillian’s family offered to share her plants. It always outperforms my other bougainvillea, which is 25 years old. I always think of Lillian when I see the splendor of this plant!” Diane also enjoyed tomatoes – “transplants” from Ms. Lillian’s garden – for many years. “Ms. Lillian favored Celebrity tomatoes and would grow them painstakingly in her kitchen from seed, then transplant them into an efficient tomato garden in her yard,” she says. “I enjoyed many great tomatoes from those transplants.” Another garden club member, Nelda Moffatt, thinks of Ms. Lillian whenever she uses chives from her garden. “I still have a bed of [Ms. Lillian’s] garlic chives that I use all the time except in winter when the plants die back. But with spring, the slender blades add taste to every salad and occasionally to pan-sauteed scallops. And yes, I do think of Lillian every time I use it.” All over Tanglewood, Ms. Lillian’s garden is alive. Even in Georgetown, Dale has a cutting from a fig tree, one that Raoul harvested for him. “I don’t have the patience [Mother] did, but I
planted that cutting in my backyard maybe 20 years ago, and it’s a 40-foot fig tree now.” But what about the gardenia bush that was left behind for the builders to tear down? That’s what Gigi Shapiro wondered when The Buzz started talking about Ms. Lillian’s story and the garden club’s 65th anniversary. Gigi, who has been a member of the club since moving to Tanglewood in 1996 and has held the position of president, and nearly every other board position, set out to discover what had happened to the beloved gardenia. She did that by knocking on the door of the new home on Ms. Lillian’s lot. “One does not know how they will be received or who is on the other side of the door,” Gigi says. “But Melissa had a nice smile, so I knew it would not be painful.” “Melissa” is the new home’s owner, Melissa Reichert. “I was very surprised,” she says. “Gigi came to my door, and I had never met Gigi. I actually had just joined the garden club and thought, ‘Oh no, what did I do wrong?’ But she wanted to tell me about the history of Ms. Lillian. I had no idea.” “I started by asking if she was aware that she had the most famous garden in Tanglewood,” Gigi says. “’No,’ she told me. So I asked if she was aware that the first lady of Tanglewood lived there. ‘No.’ So I said, ‘Do I have a story for you!’ “Melissa was fascinated and smiling, and she asked why she didn’t know this story already. I just said, ‘I guess I hadn’t knocked on your door before.’” Gigi asked Melissa if she had any plants that might have been Ms. Lillian’s. Melissa told her no, the builders had cleared the lot. “It broke my heart, because she had the most beautiful garden,” Gigi said. “I got a little teary, and Melissa did too, and we hugged. Then Melissa said, ‘You know, there are two old plants behind the garage, and I don’t know what they are.’ I asked if I may see them.” One of the plants, behind the garage, wedged between a generator and a wall, caught their eyes. “It had the bloom of a gardenia,” Gigi says. “I said, ‘I think that’s it!’ We all got very excited. Melissa’s husband got involved. They called someone out the very next day to start caring for it.” “I feel pressure not to let anything happen to that plant,” Melissa says. “Johnny Steele [the landscape architect] has been taking care of it now. He thinks it can be moved, and we are hoping to find a beautiful spot in the front yard so everyone can see it. I feel so honored. It’s the only thing that was left behind!” Gigi says, “If you think about it, there was no reason for Melissa to think anything special about that plant behind her garage. For all practical purposes, it hadn’t been cared for simply because no one knew of its significance. “The fact that it is still surviving and can be restored to perfect health, it must have the constitution and fiber of Ms. Lillian.” And through her resilient, beloved gardenia and the Tanglewood Garden Club, Ms. Lillian lives on.
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lawellphoto.com
NEIGHBORS by Jennifer Oakley, staff writer
The Bee’s Knees Backyard beekeepers have it sweet
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hen Shelley Rice read the first page of The Secret Life of Bees 14 years ago, she had no idea that the book by Sue Monk Kidd would fundamentally change her life. Although the coming-of-age novel moved her, it was the factual aspects of tending to bees that held her spellbound. “I read the part about beekeeping,” recalls Rice, “and then I read and re-read it. God put that book in my life.” With four kids and an ailing mother-in-law to take care of, it took the Bellaire resident six more years before she enrolled in a Leisure Learning Unlimited class about beekeeping. During those years, Rice daydreamed about bees. “Before then, I thought that beekeeping was something that people did in the country. But I did exactly what the teacher told me to do: I ordered my bees, ordered equipment, and I built my hives over my children’s Spring Break. Then, eight years ago, I loaded up all my kids in the car and we drove out to Navasota to pick up the bees.” Today, Rice is now known around town as “The Bee Lady.” She is studying to become a master beekeeper and is two years into a fiveyear Texas Master Beekeeper Program at Texas A&M University. She teaches for the Central Texas Beekeeping Association and has a business removing bees and maintaining hives for people at their homes and public places such as The Last Organic Outpost and Discovery Green. As a volunteer, Rice lectures about bees and has helped programs, including the Lamar High School FFA, start hives. She’s not the only urban beekeeper around. Southampton resident Lea Weingarten started beekeeping to help her youngest son, Matthew, combat allergies. “I had no interest in putting him permanently on allergy medication,” says Weingarten, principal of Weingarten Art Group. “Hearing that local honey – truly local, as within a three-mile radius of your home – is effective against allergies, I turned to a close friend who is a beekeeper.” That was seven years ago, and she says the process not only helped Matthew, now a junior at St. John’s School, but it started a sweet hobby. MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 18
“After my first harvest, my son began taking a tablespoon of honey a day,” recalls Weingarten, who says the allergies stopped. “This result continued for about four months, and then he developed allergies again. I realized that I had not harvested in some time so I did it again and once he had the newer honey, the allergies disappeared permanently.” Matthew says he is not sure if the ALL ABUZZ Karen Garcia harvested this honey from her beehive. She enjoys giving honey treatment jars of her “Karen’s Honey” to family and friends as gifts. was placebo or Dawson advises others to make sure that they, reality, but he is glad to be rid of allergies. as well as their exterminators and landscape “And,” he says, “I love having a never-ending workers, are not using pesticides harmful to polsupply of honey. And having the hive has made linators. And add plants, such as basil, salvia and me become much more aware of the dying-bee Texas lantana, that attract bees, she says. population that I now recognize as a big probDawson says BeeWeavers Apiaries in lem.” Navasota is where many Houstonians buy their A recent study by the Intergovernmental supplies. Beehives generally are wooden boxes Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and with vertical frames that fit into slats on the Ecosystem Services, as reported in The New York inside, with an opening at the bottom where Times, says 20,000 species of wild bees and other bees travel in and out. pollinators globally are at risk of extinction Weingarten says Matthew and older son Jeffrey, because of pesticide use, fewer wildflower crops, now a sophomore at Dartmouth College, both parasites and pathogens. And, if the bees are at help her with the bees. Jeffrey designed the logo risk, so are the fruits, vegetables, nuts and flowwith the name “Lea’s Bees” for the labels on her ering plants that depend on the bees. jars of honey, which she gives as gifts to friends. “If you like to eat food, then you need to proWeingarten has learned that the phrase tect bees and pollinators because they are “Queen Bee” is a real thing. “The power of the responsible for one-third of all food you put in queen is absolute – truly,” she says. “She controls your mouth,” says Kathleen Dawson, a River every aspect of the hive by releasing Oaks-area resident who has been a beekeeper pheromones which instruct the colony what to with husband Bo since 2008. “I know in do and when, and their teamwork is extraordiHouston, certainly when people see bees, they nary.” One time, she says, the queen in her hive need to leave the bees alone. Do not kill them.”
lawellphoto.com
lawellphoto.com
A SWEET HOBBY At left: A frame holder is used to lift and inspect a frame of comb. Nurse bees are on the frame. At right: Shelley Rice uses a smoker to calm honey bees as she inspects the frames of a hive.
was laying eggs, which requires the temperature inside to be 93-95 degrees. “I remember one very, very hot day when I looked out at the hive, there was a tight row of bees hanging upside down along the narrow entrances. They were furiously fanning the hive to promote air circulation – air conditioning completely powered by bees! A worker bee will fan until her wings are shredded, and she can no longer fly for the sake of the hive.” Memorial resident Karen Garcia began beekeeping five years ago to help her apple, peach and citrus trees bear fruit. Karen and attorneyhusband Roland had watched the number of bees dwindle. “If you don’t have bees, you don’t have fruit,” sums up Garcia, who turned to Rice to help her set up and start her hives. “Everything we eat is dependent on the bees.” “Now, my trees are covered in bees all the time,” says Garcia, a technology consultant. And the proof is in the fruit – and the honey. “When the citrus trees are in bloom, my citrus honey is light and watery,” she says. “When not in bloom, the honey is wildflower honey and is darker and heavier in taste.” Garcia bottles up her honey in jars, labeled “Karen’s Honey,” and shares her bounty. Although Garcia wears a bee suit to work with her bees, she has recently gotten into a prickly situation: She found out she is allergic to bee stings. A year ago, Garcia took off her bee suit and discovered one bee had flown into her hat and got tangled in her hair. While trying to
remove the bee, Garcia got stung on her head. “All of a sudden, my hands started breaking out in hives,” she recalls. Now, she is taking allergy shots to prevent future reactions. Two years ago, after a lifelong fascination with gardening, River Oaks resident Kate Gibson bought her first hive box and parts. Her son Wheeler hammered it all together. “Our hive sits right next to our window in the sunroom so you can sit and watch the bees,” says Gibson, an associate broker with Republic Ranches. “And we do sit and watch them for hours. There are certain bees that guard the entrance and sniff every bee that comes in. There are cleaner bees that haul out dead bees and then there are bees that bring in the pollen — they have big yellow balls on their back legs!” Beekeeping has become a family affair, with attorney-husband Steve and their three children, Caroline, Carson and Wheeler. “The kids were a little skeptical but once I put them in a beekeeping suit, they were all in, and now the bees are a part of the family.” She says tending bees takes little time, as long as the bees have flowers and a water source nearby. “Our first year we did feed them a mixture of sugar water but have not since then. We keep an eye on them to make sure they are busy, but I call it benevolent neglect because you don’t have to do too much for them.” Gibson also added 80 hives at their farm in Hempstead, which has lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, avocado and fig trees. “Bees can
increase your crop output four times,” she says. “The Hempstead honey tastes a little smokier because the bees feed off of various grasses and some alfalfa from our neighbor farms. But our intown honey tastes distinctly of roses, as our neighbors have some amazing rose gardens nearby.” Playing off of the nickname “Gibby” that Kate calls her husband, Gibson’s jars, often gifted, are labeled “GibBee Honey.” Memorial resident Adam Weinstein turned to Rice last year to help the Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism with a hive to commemorate Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year that is celebrated with apples and honey. “I viewed the HCRJ hive as Tikkun Olam – to start the hive and be considered a mitzvah by helping repopulate the world of bees, to pollinate the flowers in our synagogue,” says Weinstein, a physician. “And, in return, the bees would make honey, and we could celebrate the New Year.” Weinstein and Rice tended the hive and then brought all the frames to the synagogue – there, teams of children and adults worked together to spin, strain, bottle and label the honey, which was then sold to the community members to celebrate. The taste of honey and the world of bees is, indeed, say the beekeepers, sweet.
MORE ONLINE See this story at thebuzzmagazines.com for more on urban beekeeping and for writer Jennifer Oakley’s tale of careful honeybee removal. MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 19
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Nate and Jenny Weddings
NEIGHBORS
by Sharon Albert Brier, staff writer
Rumor Has It Pink romance. In 2014, Josh Wilson Loomis, who had met Katie Pink Weinstein at the University of Colorado six years earlier, surprised her at her Houston home. He flew in, and, with a bouquet of pink flowers, he escorted her to the backyard and proposed on one knee down by the lake. Speechless, she could only nod “yes” and give a big hug. Champagne was popped with her parents, Candy and David Weinstein, and her siblings, Brady, and Natalie. Josh and Katie married Aug. 29, 2015, on the Larkspur Restaurant lawn in Vail, Colorado, at sunset with the mountains as a backdrop, but just recently took a 10-day honeymoon in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Drinks served at the wedding reception were “Pretty in Pink” and “Loomis Mules,” but they consumed regular margaritas in Mexico. Friendship party. Once a year, Hunters Creek Garden Club members can invite their significant other or a friend to an annual party. This year Mary and Steve Smith hosted the event, and all the women were encouraged to wear red or pink. The front patio was twinkled up with a firepit glowing to welcome guests. Mary’s clever décor created an ambience of magic, with silver baroque chargers and fresh flowers floating in silver goblets. Ann Moss and Barbara Isham were thanked by president Mary Gosnell as she welcomed the partiers and recognized the board members. Good neighbors. Friends from many walks of life joined Joe and Jane Elam at their home to celebrate Joe’s 85th birthday. Sixty-five plus neighbors, golfers, family, Second Baptist church friends, work friends and boyhood comrades gave toasts and told stories about former escapades. A king cake was delivered from Louisiana, and neighbors Cass and Eugene Hanson and Barbara and Ernest Svadienak brought Italian cream cakes. Joe and Jane have lived in Autumn Oaks for 40 years, and all their neighbors not only share their lives but their driveways, too. Action junkies. A delayed honeymoon for Andrew (Drew) and Jennifer (Richards) Rossi was worth the wait. The 27-day trip to New Zealand and Fiji included heli-hiking and MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 22
ice climbing on Fox Glacier, a visit to the Hobbiton movie set, rappelling into a glowworm cave and paddle boarding at Likuliku Resort in Fiji. During a selfguided spelunking adventure, Jennifer said, they had a Twilight Zone moment when they found themselves at a cave pool that was too deep to cross. They retraced their steps as their lights PINK ROMANCE Katie and Josh Loomis walk down the aisle and over the bridge dimmed. The exit, with their dog, Miya. as it turned out, Chao Phraya River. Neal completed his surprise was not at the same place as the entrance. A the next day, which, by the way, was Liebe’s true escapade. birthday, with an engagement ring. Needless to Passport to fun. Since art collectors say, Liebe said, “Yes!” The journey was a threeMady and Ken Kades have journeyed to 71 week trip that continued to Vietnam and countries, Mady’s friends threw her a travel-oriCambodia. ented, happy-hour party to celebrate her 70th Mardi Gras merriment. The Junior milestone. A map tablecloth and a globe sproutLeague hosted its 68th annual charity ball, the Bon ing plants and an artistic cake by Diane Gelman Temps Ball, and raised an impressive $904,053 to were decorations, along with a photo opp with fund community programs. A New Orleans horns Mona Lisa for the girls-only party at Sharon section greeted guests at the door along with Maloney’s home. Guests won prizes for answering Charity Ball chair Amy Dunn and president questions about Mady, and Mady’s packing tips Mary Margaret “Mimi” Foerster. A volunteer were party favors. The next day Mady and Ken wore a dress made of champagne glasses that douleft to Asia with Dr. Neal Reisman, Leibe bled as a serving station for the next stop. As if that Ostrow Miller, and Tammie and Warren Simi, weren’t enough, the after party featured an overand, from Dallas, Kay Lane and Tom Hardeman. the-top Mardi Gras float and dueling piano player Love is in the air. The Chinese New belting out songs at the request of attendees. Abby Year will always be memorable for Liebe Ostrow Swalick Khatiblou, Kevin Comiskey and Jarrod Miller, with red and gold ribbons swirling in the Foerster were witnesses. air, along with cheery wishes of “Kung hei fat choy!” Dr. Neal Reisman knelt on one knee at the Vis-a-vis Riverfront Restaurant in Bangkok, See Rumor Has It at thebuzzmagazines.com for Thailand, and proposed to his beloved lady. additional photos. Have some good news to share? Laughter and multiple toasts followed on a Email us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com. romantic sunset dinner cruise down the bustling
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KIDS
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by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer
Buzz Baby
Spring cleaning with little ones
Buzz Baby is a column about life with babies from the perspective of a first-time mother. If you have baby stories to share, leave a comment under this article at thebuzzmagazines.com or email info@thebuzzmagazines.com.
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abies come with stuff: bulky strollers, car seats, high chairs and often more extensive wardrobes than their parents. Spring cleaning with little ones in the house can be difficult. Our 1-year-old twins attend a Mother’s Day Out program at a local church school. Somehow their teachers manage to have their tiny students complete an art project each day. How they do this blows my mind – props to you, Ms. Jennifer and Ms. Lee. The teachers send their masterpieces home in the kids’ school bags. At first, I saved them. I tried to throw one away, but literally I couldn’t place my little one’s work of art in a trash bag. Or could I? After all, they were accumulating quickly. So, I started saving only the ones with hand prints or foot prints on them. Some cotton balls glued on a cut-out sheep is adorable but not one to keep, I decided. (Luckily, technology is catching up. For instance, there’s an app called Artkive, artkiveapp.com, that stores images of your children’s artwork to save forever without the clutter.) I felt a little better when I learned that some other Buzz moms, like Jessica Newell, have systems. “[Daughter] Sawyer’s art hangs on our pantry door, and when she brings home a new piece, I take an old one down and put the new one up. My husband then takes the art into his office” to display. “Some of the more crafty pieces that haven't made it to the office end up in the trash. I'm ok with [that], considering how much we are actually keeping.” Jessica and her husband John, an insurance broker, welcomed baby boy Thomas to the family six months ago. Jessica said when it comes to spring cleaning out the kids’ clothes, she doesn’t let emotions get in the way. “I've always been really good about getting rid of stuff. I clean out our closets and dressers every couple of months and don't have a hard time letting go of things. With all of the items that we accumulated with Sawyer, MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 24
SENTIMENTAL VALUE Christy Morton has a hard time getting rid of outfits her children – Ian, 8, Elise, 2, and Anna Marie, 6, – wore in professional photographs.
sorting through it to make room for [Thomas] wasn't difficult for me.” She stored clothes that she wanted to keep as Sawyer grew out of them. But, when she found out she was pregnant with a boy, she decided to take a second look. Having a boy “was a great excuse to pull those out and sort through what I had saved.” For items with value, Jessica uses Facebook buy-and-sell trading groups. (Search “buy and sell” on Facebook for groups in your area). She warned sellers to price appropriately. “If you are trying to get your money back on clothes or gear you've purchased, it's not the way to go,” she said. For other moms, like Christy Morton, spring cleaning clothes is a little harder. “Outfits that I have professional pictures of them in I just can’t get rid of,” said Christy, laughing. Christy and her husband Keith, who works in commercial banking, were high-school sweethearts in Lake Charles and have three kids, Ian, 8, Anna Marie, 6, and Elise, 2. Christy saves outfits in large plastic bins in the attic. She labels the boxes by size (12 months, 2T, etc.). Some of her older daughter’s outfits were per-
sonalized with monograms. Christy was even able to remove a monogram from a dress Anna Marie wore so Elise could wear it. “It was such a pain. Every night I worked on it,” said Christy. (She recommended instead taking items to a monogram place that will remove a monogram for around $7). “I gave my neighbor all of the play clothes and pajamas that were [Ian’s). It’s fun to see him in Ian's old play clothes that are still in perfect condition and are getting more life out of them.” Christy said she and Keith are clearing out the big baby-gear stuff like exersaucers and strollers. “It is really nice to have [Facebook buy and sell groups] where you can sell these items. These pages were not around nine years ago,” said Christy. You’ll probably find me working on our baby stuff this spring. I’ll try not to let my emotional attachment to their cute newborn outfits get in the way. Wish me luck.
MORE ONLINE For more on Facebook trading groups, see this story at thebuzzmagazines.com. We’ll link you to previous Buzz stories on the topic.
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TRAVEL by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer
Travel Buzz Hawaii: A state of grace
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awaii is not a state of mind, but a state of grace, once wrote Paul Theroux. “Hawaii seems a robust archipelago, a paradise pinned like a bouquet to the middle of the Pacific, fragrant, sniffable and easy of access,” the dean of American travel writing penned in an article for the Smithsonian magazine in 2012. But Hawaii, he stressed, is not easy to know, as it is not one place, but many. Each of the travelers this month has visited a different Hawaii. Betty and Shabbir Akbar penetrated the natural mysteries of the Big Island. Clay and K.C. McMordie have returned again and again to the postcard-perfect beaches of Maui. And Holli and Bill Clayton found their “happy place” on Kauai.
The Big Island From the moment they landed, Betty felt a connection with her native Indonesia – beginning with the tiny airport, where travelers disembarked onto the tarmac. The Akbars had been to Honolulu and to Maui, but Shabbir was fascinated by the lure of an active volcano, so the Big Island was their third Hawaii destination. It wasn’t the Hawaii most people imagine – sparkling palm-fringed beaches. Much of the coastline here is of volcanic stone; some beaches are of black or even green sands. The biggest of Hawaii’s eight main islands is the least densely populated, and its diverse landscape holds surprises. “It’s great for people who like to do nature hiking and learn culture,” said Betty. Highlights included the Mauna Kea Observatories, a ranger-guided expedition in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, an hour-anda-half hike to Papakolea, the Green Sand Beach, and a trip aboard the Atlantis Submarine to the ocean’s teeming depths. On Mauna Loa, they got to take a peek at the stars. They learned that the mountain is a sacred site for native Hawaiians and that the proposed construction of a new Thirty-Meter Telescope has been postponed due to protests. At Volcanoes National Park they were lucky to have “Ranger Dan” as their guide on the tour to Halema’uma’u crater, a local with an adoptive MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 26
MAUI MEMORIES The McMordie family have lovely memories of this day on the beach in Wailea, Maui, in 2006. Clay and K.C. are with their boys Blake, left, and Hayden, bottom center.
native Hawaiian mother who had immersed himself in Hawaiian culture and natural history. One thing they learned was that if you’re going to hike, you’d better be prepared to get wet – but there’s a bright side: rainbows. The on-andoff rains on the island occur about every 15 minutes, followed by a 15-minute burst of sunshine. Ranger Dan shared stories of plants they found along the way, such as ‘Ohelo, a fruit related to the blueberry and sacred to Pele, the volcano deity. Here they learned an important lesson: Always ask permission before you pick something. “It’s a mystical thing,” said Betty. “When you go to the volcano, people in that area believe you have to ask permission to enter the caldera; we respect and believe that we should try to obey what the local people think is right.” Accompanied by the ranger, they were able to walk within 10 feet of the crater, which they couldn’t have done alone. They were not able to see the lava flowing on that particular trail, although after dark, at the Jaggar Museum in a different place in the park, they could see the red glow from the magma reflected on the fumes. After they left the crater, they stood at the
edge and Ranger Dan held a small prayer ceremony in the Hawaiian language to give thanks for having been allowed to come to that sacred place. He ended by playing music with the hano, the traditional Hawaiian nose flute.
Kauai Holli loves the beach; Bill loves raw adventure. Holli likes to chill out and work on her tan; Bill likes to climb mountains and push his limits. Kauai is where they meet in the middle. The Claytons married in 2013, forming a blended family of eight, with Bill’s three grown children and Holli’s three, still at home. Kauai has long been a special place for Holli. So they planned a trip after Christmas this past year, when five of their children were able to make it. Bill had climbed Kilimanjaro, been on safari, trekked in South America. He figured he’d like Hawaii, too – he just didn’t know how much. “It totally exceeded my expectations,” he said. “I’ve been to every continent but Australia and Antarctica, and I’ve never seen anyplace as beautiful and as stimulating as the north shore of Kauai. “It’s a wonderland of (continued on page 28)
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HAPPY PLACE The Clayton family enjoys the view and the brunch at the St. Regis Princeville: (from left) Emily Clayton, Taylor Clayton, Emily Jones, Eli Jones, Holli Clayton, Olivia Jones and Bill Clayton. (continued from page 26) imagery that stimulates
the brain and the imagination. I work daily on the left side of my brain, and this opens up the right side with all the nature and beauty.” It’s hard to overstate the experience, he says. “All your senses are sort of on alert – it’s almost like your body is telling you, wow, this is different – from sight, from smell, from hearing, everything – with the ocean crashing.” For the Claytons, the best beaches are secluded and require a little hiking to get to them. One of Holli’s favorites is Lumaha’i Beach, where part of the film South Pacific was filmed. Epic landscapes such as this one, looking out onto the mythical island of Bali Hai, have inspired more than one filmmaker; much of The Descendants with George Clooney also was filmed from Kauai’s North Coast, mainly from Hanalei Bay. Hanalei’s laid-back hippie-style charm, with its little cafes and one-lane bridges, attracts famous visitors. The Claytons spotted one at the Hanalei Dolphin. “Anne Hathaway was at the restaurant right next to us,” said Holli. “We were acting like we didn’t know who it was, but we’re not sure our acting was good enough.” The Claytons rented a house near Princeville, with stunning ocean views, through VRBO. They enjoyed the finesse of the St. Regis, where they went for dining on the Makana Terrace, and golf at Makai Golf Course, with expansive views of Hanalei Bay and Bali Hai. “It’s like the MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 28
pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,” said Holli. One big draw for both of them is that as part of the United States, Hawaii has all the comforts and safety of home. “It has given me my happy place in the world,” said Holli.
Maui Clay and K.C. McMordie have been going to Hawaii for 18 years, since Clay surprised K.C. with a trip for their 15th wedding anniversary; they loved it so much they’ve gone back about 25 times. After their first trip to Waikiki, they explored other islands and settled on Maui as their favorite – and on the Fairmont Kea Lani, with its spectacular views and walking paths, as their home away from home. Why Maui? They love the beaches, and there’s so much to do on the island, said K.C.. She loves to paddleboard; he loves to golf. “A number of the courses were designed by some of the legendary golf course designers,” Clay said. A favorite place they took their boys – Blake, now 28, and Hayden, now 21 – when they were small, for snorkeling and snuba is Molokini Crater, a half-submerged crater off the coast. Part of the excursion was a trip to Turtle Town, “where you can stop and see the turtles come up and look at you while you’re looking at them,” said Clay. The McMordies have already gotten all the tourist activities out of the way. “Now when we go, it’s really just relaxation,” said K.C. “We play
a lot of golf, spend time in the water, in the sun, relaxing. It’s a long flight, but it’s worth it.” The two main choices are to fly eight hours directly to Honolulu, or with a layover in Los Angeles, then direct to Maui. They prefer the former, because it’s a bigger plane. Some, however, prefer the latter, because it breaks up the long journey. Another favorite experience is a meal at Mama’s Fish House. But nothing beats whale season. “Literally from your hotel room balcony you can see the whales breach right outside,” said K.C. “You can hear them come out, and you can hear them hit the water,” added Clay. “They’re just 400500 feet off the beach; it’s really incredible.” Often Clay will go scuba diving just off the beach. “It’s just me and the dive master. I just walk off the beach and swim out around 50-60 yards and see I don’t know how many different kinds of fish and turtles.” One time they headed out to another reef and were able to snorkel with mother and baby whales within 30 yards. “You get blown away by the nature, the sounds, the beauty of the wildlife,” said Clay. “It’s the best place on Earth, to me.”
MORE ONLINE See this article at thebuzzmagazines.com for a story about Kauai written by Holli Clayton, as well as Betty Akbar's video comparing Hawaii and Indonesia.
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MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 29
The Junior League of Houston
FOOD by Tiffany Dessert Guthrie, contributing writer
Cooking Buzz Game-night fiesta Cooking Buzz is produced in partnership with the Junior League of Houston, a women’s charitable and education organization founded in 1925.
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reak out the board games and the lucky dice – it’s Friends’ Night In at the Guthries’ house. You’re guaranteed laughter, cocktails and a tasty spread with a themed menu. For a fiesta-themed night, I like to build a menu around a cocktail. I’m inspired by Pico’s Tex-Mex mango margaritas, and the closest I’ve found is the Mango Margaritas recipe from Stop and Smell the Rosemary. While the recipe calls for canned mangoes, seasonal, fresh, ripe mangoes are amazing to puree with simple syrup and use. Next, I create a mixture of margarita salt, sugar and cayenne on an appetizer-sized plate. Dip a glass rim in the mango mixture or run a lime around the glass edge and then roll the wet edge in the mixture just prior to pouring. If you dare, you can also sprinkle a bit of the mixture over the margarita. This spicy blend will leave a pleasant tingle against the cold bursts of mango. To me, a fiesta means self-serve, buffet-style. A casual atmosphere encourages friends to mingle. Creating a tablescape with platters on top of colorful linens will show off the food. It’s also helpful to have serving dishes displayed at different elevations to create more room on the table and an interesting view. Whether you decide to make homemade corn tortilla chips, grab them from the store or run over to your local tortilleria, big bowls of crispy chips make everyone happy. A bright salsa is always good to serve with the chips. Out of Peace Meals, the Mango and Black-Eyed Pea Salsa is a twist on traditional recipes. The bursts of lime with finely chopped peppers, soft peas, crisp sweet onions and diced mango make for an instantly addictive dip. If you have any salsa left over, it’s amazing on top of grilled chicken with salty Cotija cheese. As Texans, we love our traditional salsa and guacamole and are always trying to find a way we can mix them together. I found that the wonderfully creamy Mexican Cheesecake with Salsa Rojo and Guacamole from Stop and Smell MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 30
the Rosemary is one that guests ask for time and time again. The base includes a baked cream cheese, sour cream and shredded Monterey Jack mixture over a “crust” of crushed tortilla chips, which is baked in a cheesecake pan. Get your sous chef ready because the homemade salsa rojo and guacamole are each a SALSA 2.0 Mango and Black-Eyed Pea Salsa is a unique twist on the traditional vermixture of diced sion, with lime, peppers, peas, sweet onions and diced mango. and minced fresh and drained ingredients. To serve, transfer the slightly 1 medium ripe mango, peeled, pitted and chilled cheesecake to a serving platter, add the diced (about 1 cup) salsa and guacamole to the top and surround ¼ sweet onion, diced with tortilla chips. ½ red bell pepper, diced A make-your-own taco bar is easy to set up 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced ahead. Consider the Lone Star Style Pulled ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro Pork Tacos from Peace Meals. The pork shoul½ teaspoon finely grated lime zest der will pull apart after it has been slow roasted 4 Tablespoons fresh lime juice for four hours with onions, peppers and a sweet 2 teaspoons olive oil apricot, brown sugar, chile rub. Cool, shred and Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper lay out on a platter with small, warm, corn torTortilla chips tillas and garnishes, including cilantro, lime, avocados, cheese, roasted onions and jalapeños. Preheat the oven to broil. Broil the poblano To cool down the spicy evening, the Frozen pepper on a foil-lined baking sheet 5 inches Margarita Pie from Peace Meals is a little boozy from the heat for about 5 minutes on each side and can be made ahead. Chill your dessert plates or until the pepper is charred. Place the pepper in the freezer for 10 minutes prior to serving so in a resealable plastic bag; seal and let stand for the pie does not immediately melt. To prep, fill 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the remaining a 16-ounce glass with very hot tap water and salsa ingredients in a medium bowl. Peel the place your slicing blade in the water. Take the poblano pepper; slice open to remove and dispie and plates out of the freezer together, dry the card the seeds. Chop the pepper and add to the water-warmed knife and use to slice. Finally, garblack-eyed pea mixture. Season with salt and nish with whipped cream and pretzels. Olé! pepper. Serve with tortilla chips.
Mango and Black-Eyed Pea Salsa From Peace Meals 1 large poblano pepper 15 ounces canned black-eyed peas, rinsed
MORE ONLINE See this story at thebuzzmagazines.com for more recipes.
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SPORTS
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by Todd Freed, staff writer
SportzBuzz I
n simply dominant fashion, St. John’s School took hold of the Southwest Preparatory Conference wrestling championship for the third time in the last four years. The Mavericks topped the final leader board, scoring 212 points, with St. Mark’s of Dallas finishing a distant second (160 points). The Mavericks grabbed command from the start of the meet, winning all seven of their firstround matches by pinning their opponents. “The first round was incredible,” said Mavericks wrestling coach Alan Paul. “To win all seven of those matches by pins really is amazing.” The first round was a precursor of great things to come, with St. John’s wrestlers ultimately advancing to the finals in nine of the 14 weight classes. Two of those wrestlers, Josh Thomas (220 lbs.) and Yo Akiyama (152 lbs.) won gold in their weight classes to qualify for the USA Prep Nationals. The other championship-round finalists included Ben Jacobs, Evan Eisenberg, Evan Hammerman, Layo Laniyan, Matthew Mercado, Peter Chen and Michael Meaux. “The kids simply believe they can win,” said Paul. “That’s the new standard in our mat room.” Paul also credits the development of the St. John’s middle school wrestling program for the Mavericks SPC dominance. “It’s almost a cultural movement that the kids here at St. John’s want to be involved in. Wrestling is an extremely difficult and structured sport that frankly a lot of the time isn’t a whole lot of fun. But, what is fun is having your hand raised in victory over and over again.” Saint Thomas’ Episcopal maintained its dominance in swimming, with the STE girls and boys defending their TAPPS Division III state swimming championship. It was sheer drama for both the boys and girls teams, with each of the state championships coming down to the final
MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 32
race of the meet. “We were calculating the points on our laptop,” said STE swim coach David Farfan. “Our boys 400-freestyle relay team had to place at least third CHAMPS AGAIN For the third time in the last four years, the St. John’s Mavericks won the SPC wrestling championship. St. John’s had nine of its 14 wrestlers in the in that final race, finals of this year’s meet. and Katy Faith 4 record and a No. 13 statewide ranking among West had to finish ahead of The Woodlands all large private schools in Texas. Christian for us to be state champions. That’s “We have an inside game, an outside game exactly what happened. We were ecstatic. It was and players who do the little things that are critgreat seeing the look on the kids’ faces.” ical to be successful,” said head coach Chad The STE boys were led by a sensational meet Rickett. “It’s really a selfless group of girls who from James Finley, who, along with winning the are playing for one another.” 100 breaststroke and finishing second in the 200 That group of girls includes standout point IM, swam on the winning 200-medley relay and guard Gaby Castillo, who averages 12 points the third-place 400-freestyle relay. STE’s and eight assists a game. “It means a lot that Micaiah Legaspi, Kenta Nebgen, Trent Jones we’re making school history. We’re having a lot and Joseph Lupski were all huge contributors of fun in the process,” said Castillo. Her sister, in the championship victory. Alex Castillo, is the team’s leading scorer with In a must-win, suspense-filled final race on 21 points per game, while Ilya Babineaux gives the girls’ side, STE staged a dramatic comethe team a major inside presence with 16 points from-behind victory to secure the state champiand 13 rebounds per game. onship. Trailing halfway through the race, “It’s just amazing to watch our team grow and Hannah Hawk closed the gap with a trementhe real progress we’ve made since I was a freshdous third leg, and Olivia Lane brought the title men,” said senior guard Lilli Bean. “For us to get home with a spectacular final leg for the STE breakthrough wins against powerful teams like St. victory. Earlier in the meet, Lane also won the Agnes and Westbury Christian lets people know 50-yard freestyle. Sophie Close, Molly Egan, that we’re not to be taken lightly anymore.” Emily Schwartz, Katie Flato and Valerie Herrscher also helped lead the way for the STE Editor’s Note: Todd Freed is the Emmy Awardchampionship. “All that amazing hard work and winning co-host and producer of the KUBE endless 5:30 a.m. workouts paid off for our kids,” SportsZone, which airs Saturday and Sunday at 6 said Farfan. p.m. on Channel 57-KUBE. To submit high school In basketball, it’s been the best season in sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, school history for Duchesne Academy, which please email todd@thebuzzmagazines.com. entered the post-season playoffs with a lofty 24-
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SPORTS
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by Angie Frederickson, staff writer
SportzBuzz, Jr. W
elcome to SportzBuzz, Jr., a column spotlighting neighborhood athletes in elementary and middle school.
First on the court The River Oaks Baptist School fifth- and sixth-grade girls’ basketball team (top photo) won the United Church Athletic League championship. The girls defeated Annunciation Orthodox School, 35-15, in the championship game. After a strong season, the girls saved the best for last and gave their strongest performance in the final game. Many classmates attended the championship, armed with homemade signs, to cheer on their friends. The team is (top row, from left) coach Chris Krieg, Samantha Fowler, Margaret Anne Krieg, Kendall Howes, Taylor Cross, coach John Freeman, (bottom row, from left) Jane Meng, Joanie Wallace, Kate Thomas, Kate Freeman, Emily Burke and Chandler Black.
Ready to play Memorial Drive Elementary third grader Cameron Ziegenhorn and Hunters Creek Elementary second grader Kenny Simpson (middle photo, from left) are preparing for their first competitive tennis match. The boys have played for about two years at the Houston Racquet Club, and they are ready to take their love of tennis to the next level and begin competing. With their parents’ help, the boys researched area tournaments and registered for their first USTA Challenger tournament, in the 10-and-under division. Tennis runs in both the Ziegenhorn and Simpson families, and Cameron and Kenny have spent countless hours as spectators at their older siblings’ tournaments. Now it’s their turn.
Undefeated district champs The Memorial Middle School seventh-grade girls’ basketball A-team (bottom photo) recently won the district championship when they defeated Spring Branch Middle School, 33-18. The Lady Eagles had a great season and went undefeated in the district with a record of 6-0, and their overall record was 8-1. They also competed in a West Houston tournament and finished in third place. The MMS champs are (top row, from left) Reese Leif, Emily Morse, Ana Sofia Meyer, Lizzie Gissel, coach Erin Jackson, Claire Justice, Bri Ellis, Lyla Traylor, Sarah Stinson, Vanessa Nunley, (bottom row, from left) Lauren Chaffin, Elizabeth Bounds and Monkey Parnell.
Editor’s note: Send your best high-resolution photos and behind-the-scenes stories about young local athletes, in both team and individual sports, to SportzBuzz, Jr. at info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Include all contact info, names, ages, grades and schools. Featured athletes must live in Buzz-circulation neighborhoods. Items will be published on a space-available basis.
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NEIGHBORS
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by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer
Buzz About Town Texas roots
formed a 40-minute dance routine, which included line dancing and square dancing. A few of the students sporting Texan attire were Wilchester Elementary second graders (pictured, from left) Aashna Kapoor, Kaitlyn Arzymanow, Zuri Simiyu, Sara Asander and Shayleigh Thomas.
Boots, beer and benefactors Wilchester Elementary students enjoyed a celebration of Go Texan Day and dressed up in Western outfits. Students in each grade per-
More than 150 Houstonians, including Allison Flikerski, Gigi Harbison and Lauren Maloy (pictured, from left), dusted off their cowboy boots for the annual Gentlemen’s Committee fundraiser at Goode’s Armadillo Palace.
Open House Apr. 5, 9 to 4 Drop-In Fridays 9 to 4
MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 36
Attendees raised more than $38,000 that will be donated to help research and programs for prostate cancer through the American Cancer Society. The Gentlemen’s Committee is an allmale committee within VICTORY, the allfemale organization that produces the Holiday Shopping Card and Cattle Baron’s Ball. The Buck Yeager Band kept everyone dancing all
night long, while raffle and auction items went like hot cakes. Robert Mock and Charla Carroll were the night’s big winners of the Ibex Spain trip in the live auction. Other winners included Laura Stein, Daniel DuBose, Taylor Courtney, Katherine Matthews and Dana Wetterer. Gentlemen's party chairs were Ashley Wright, Price Dubose and Cody Tinney. Chairs of the Cattle Baron’s Ball are Allison Filkerski and Lauren Maloy. VICTORY president is Gigi Harbison.
(except for Corbin Comiskey, who attends The Regis School). Pictured (front row, from left) are Luke Jackson, Gabriel Vasquez, Corbin Comiskey, Brooks Edwards, Brando Blasi, (back row, from left) Luke Fuqua, Jack Klebuc, Jared Norton, Keel ten Wolde and Jingzhi Chen. Coaches were Trey Comiskey and Harald ten Wolde, and head coach was Joe Blasi.
Talent on campus
Teamwork
Shrew. The leading roles were played by Noah Kenner, who played the leading man, Fred Graham/Petruchio (pictured, at right), and Rachel Klein, who played the leading lady, Lilli Vanessi/Katherine (at left). Daniel Fonseka and Meredith Rauch sang and danced their way through their supporting roles as the gambling Broadway hoofer Bill Calhoun/Lucentio and his flirty girlfriend, Lois Lane/Bianca. Brian Carles and Clay Wells played Bianca’s suitors, Gremio and Hortensio. And Mitchell Dahmer and Patrick Greer added vaudevillian levity as the gangsters attempting to collect a gambling debt who get drawn into the show. After the last show, the entire cast and crew gathered to eat treats and watch a video, produced by Emma Golden, of the seniors sharing fond memories of their time in MHS theater.
Still got it
The undefeated Kingdom Basketball League third-grade boys team had a great season. The Rocketbombs played smart as a team and finished the 2016 season undefeated. All of the boys attend Memorial Drive Elementary School
Memorial High School’s production of Kiss Me Kate was a hit. It’s a show-within-a-show, where the leading man performs opposite his hot-tempered ex-wife in Shakespeare’s Taming of the
Briargrove Elementary 1968-69 football team members (known as the Briargrove Bears at the time), including (pictured, standing, from left) Greg DeGeorge, Michael Bates, Scott Hays and (seated) Mark Peterson, recently held their first-ever reunion, 48 years after playing together on the same team. The reunion, hosted by Peterson and DeGeorge, took place at Carrabba’s on South Voss. The team defeated opponents such as Grady Elementary, Pilgrim Elementary, Walnut Bend Elementary, Emerson (continued on page 38)
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of Bryan and Kelly Basham. Along with playing no-limit Texas Hold ’Em, the guys enjoyed dinner catered by Pour Society, as well as cigar
Elementary and others. No team scored a point against the undefeated team in 1968 or in 1969 except just one touchdown from Emerson Elementary. At the reunion, championship trophies and Briargrove football T-shirts were given to all team members, including Bill Campbell, Warren Coles, Doug Dashiell (Grady Elementary), Rick Doak, Lee Hood, Chip Horne, George “Gee” Kane, Craig Kinney, Doug Read, Gary Reese, Ben Richardson, Matt Thanheiser, Bill Prewett, Mills Worsham (Grady Elementary) and Rusty Walter. Peterson was awarded MVP by his fellow teammates. The group hopes to make the reunion an annual event.
rolling. Hosts included Keith Brenton, Charles Hampton, Bill Haley, Bryan Basham, Louie Crapitto, Kyle Wienert, Billy Murphy, Mike Rose, Chuck Wall and Lance Odom. The winner was Rives Nolan (pictured).
Guys’ night out
Community leaders
The dads of Bunker Hill Elementary joined up for a poker-tournament fundraiser at the home
The Charity Guild of Catholic Women held its annual grant ceremony at the Charity Guild
(continued from page 37)
Shop located at 1203 Lovett Blvd. The Charity Guild volunteers awarded $446,000 to 38 children’s charities in the Houston area. Over 500 women raised the funds by operating the consignment/donation resale shop. Grants were
awarded to Catholic-school scholarships and programs, children’s enrichment and support services, medical services to underinsured children, charities for children in crisis due to illness, homelessness, addictions, neglect and abuse, and victims of human trafficking. Some volunteers in attendance were (pictured, from left) Margaret Henrikson, Peggy Idstein, Andrea Sivells and Akashi Johnson of Bo’s Place, Maureen Trott, president of Charity Guild, Mary Frances Fabrizio and Lori Hessel.
Breakfast at the White house Twins Kenny and Caroline White (pictured), who are in second grade at Meadow Wood Elementary, and their little sister Emma, 4, who attends Memorial Drive United Methodist, woke up Valentine’s Day to a delicious breakfast
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and gifts set out on the table by their mom Melanie and dad Kenny White. The kids each got new bathing suits. The twins’ teacher this year, Ms. Elise Cooper, attended Memorial High School with their mom, Melanie.
Scholarship supporters About 50 guests, including Brant Pope, Karen and Marty Skolnik (pictured), mingled at a
vate support, the department is able to recruit 25 dancers and actors each year. Guests were treated to fare by Jackson & Co. In the crowd were chair Dee Dawson, director of theatre and dance Brant Pope, Jack and Leslie Blanton, Scott and Melissa Ison, Kari Gonzalez and John Dagley.
munity. This year’s will take place April 22 at The Hobby Center. The lineup of authors includes Pulitzer Prize-winning Jon Meacham, New York Times bestselling authors Brad Meltzer and Kelly Corrigan, and award-winning author and broadcaster Scott Simon. The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Ladies For Literacy Guild The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation
fundraiser for The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance at the home of Kathryn and Jeff Smith. The event raised funds for undergraduate scholarships. With pri-
recently held its inaugural meeting at the home of George and Annette Strake. Pictured at the meeting are (from left) Jill Deutser, Maria Bush, Mehrnaz Gill and Donatella Benckenstein. See bushhoustonliteracy.org.
A First Lady’s cause For more than 20 years, the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation has hosted the “A Celebration of Reading” event. The event supports the importance of reading and literacy in our com-
Be seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and community news to info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Items are published on a space-available basis. Also share your upcoming-event listings on thebuzzmagazines.com.
MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 39
JUST ADD ICE Kasperi Lehtonen, a fourth grader at Yorkshire Academy, loves being on the ice for hockey games.
KIDS by Kasperi Lehtonen, age 10
Buzz Kidz
The hockey experience
A
stick. A puck. Skates. Just add ice. Hockey. The greatest sport. The speed, wild movement, game intelligence and opponents. Opponents. They’re all around you. They swarm your view. Then, in the midst of the opponents’ jerseys, your teammate skates free. You pass them the puck; along the ice it swerves. It hits their stick. Right where the tape is. He skates, dekes, shoots, scores. The buzzer sounds. That buzzer, a loud horn. It indicates goals, and the ends of periods. It’s for the big things. Unlike the whistle. The whistle, a shrill call, it sends chills up my spine. It means the small things, the important small things. It says there’s an icing, penalty, offside, goal, save. It cuts off the game. You crash the net no more. The net is the goal. It’s what the goalie guards.
You keep opponents off your own. The opponents’ net is your target. It’s where you try to score. Scoring is the way to win. It’s done with team effort, that’s true. You pass them the puck, they pass back it back to you, you shoot, the goalie moves, and the referee signals that you’ve scored. The referees, those zebras. They rule the game. They give the penalties, and signal what you did. The coaches yell at them when they make the wrong call. The coaches get right in your face. They tell you what you did wrong, and tell you what is right. They call timeouts and scream at the referees. They also pull the goalies when we’re losing at the end. The goalies stop the pucks from going in the net. They need to practice and work hard every day. The coaches throw tennis balls at them in
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the locker room. The locker room is where we change. We get our rear in gear. The coaches tell us to dress quickly. We don’t get on the ice if we’re not ready. You have to be ready to beat the other team. I have to think about what I’ll do on the ice. I love hockey because of what it is and what it makes of you.
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DINING GUIDE
by Dai Huynh, staff writer
Dining trends to devour
Julie Soefer
This Month in Dining
UNDERBELLY Chef Chris Shepherd’s translation of Vietnamese cha ca is served on a bed of rice noodles and made with roasted turmeric-kissed snapper tossed with fresh dill and peanuts.
A
decade ago, the hottest trend was bite-sized desserts and locally grown, organic produce. The ethnic-cuisine idol of the moment was Latin-America. Diners latched onto Argentinian steaks and Peruvian ceviche. Now flash-forward to 2016, and the rising star is Korean – from barbecue short ribs to garlicky fried chicken. Seoul inspiration is taking root not only at Korean fried chicken outlets, including Dak & Bop (1801 Binz) and Republic Diner + Sojubang (1221 W. 11th Street), but in trendy New American restaurants, such as the popular “K-town,” twice-fried chicken with pickles at State of Grace (3258 Westheimer) and the Korean braised goat and dumplings at Underbelly (1100 Westheimer). The Korean goat dish outsells his second best-seller two to one, said Underbelly chef-owner Chris Shepherd. What other trends can we expect to see on spring menus? Korea is on the radar, but Shepherd is exploring what might be the next big thing – Vietnamese. With the third largest Vietnamese population in the United States, Houstonians “are familiar with Vietnamese food, but the rest of the country has yet to explore it. I’m going to push Vietnamese really hard because of where we are. And besides, I love it. It’s a beautiful, vibrant cuisine,” said Shepherd. Of the 20 dishes he served on a recent night, five were Vietnamese, including roasted snapper cha ca fragrant with turmeric and fresh dill. Locally sourced meats and seafood top the list of hot trends, along with novel cuts of meat, like pork collar. Less common cuts of steak and pork are taking diners beyond the porterhouse. “People MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 42
are utilizing every part of the animal,” said Pearland chef Ronnie Killen, who sears and serves bone-in pork belly and tri-tip steak. While popular among Californians, the triangular cut of the bottom sirloin is under the radar in Texas, added the owner of Killen’s Steakhouse (6425 W Broadway) and Killen’s Barbecue (3613 E. Broadway). Salmon and tuna may top sushi menus. But there are other catch, and chef Addison Lee of Kuu (947 Gessner Road) wants Houstonians to get into the habit of eating sushi by the season. So along with the usual suspects, he’s highlighting Spanish mackerel, baby snapper, octopus and abalone in the spring. Come summer, amberjack swims to the head of the class. “Every season has its best catches. As diners become more educated about sushi, they want a stronger focus on seasonality as well as regionality,” he said. When the global economy wanes, chefs revert to the classics. A great bowl of bolognese provides great comfort, said Mark Cox of Mark’s American Cuisine (1658 Westheimer). These days, he pointed out, star chefs, including Daniel Boulud and Mario Batali, prefer to hone and finesse familiar, comfort dishes. Diners want simplicity, but they also want to be tantalized, so even a rustic lamb shank takes on a multiplicity of elegant textures and flavors when Cox tosses it with finely diced potatoes to make a hash to stuff into tender crepes. No matter what the trend, he said, diners want a cohesive experience that delights them. Buzz Dining Guide columnist Dai Huynh (D.H.) is a James Beard food-journalism award winner and longtime Houston-based restaurant writer. Contributing reviewer Russell Weil (R.W.), a Houston native, is the author of the blog Eat More Burgers, eat-more-burgers.com. Their visits to restaurants in the Dining Guide were anonymous, and they paid for their 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 thebuzzmagazines.com.
Restaurant Listings $ (under $10) $$ ($11-$30) $$$ ($31-$60) $$$$ (over $60) Prices include drink, tax and tip per person
BCN Taste & Tradition Spanish Neighborhood: Montrose Be forewarned: Dinner reservations for this Spanish restaurant with a pedigree that most chefs would envy are hard to come by. Vastly popular with ex-pats who now call Houston home, the restaurant’s peak hours are often booked two weeks in advance. Still, it’s worth it to see the white stucco walls lined with the artwork of Picasso and Miró and, of course, to savor the modern Spanish menu from Chef Luis Roger, who worked under Spain’s most famous chef, culinary haute cuisine innovator Ferran Adrià of famed three-star Michelin restaurant elBulli. Dishes to try: confit of cod jowl in garlic olive oil sauce, steamed mussels with leek, and Iberico and clams sautéed with sofrito. Open Tuesday-Thursday, 5:30-10 p.m.; FridaySaturday, 5-11 p.m. 4210 Roseland, 832-8343411. bcnhouston.com. $$$ – D.H.
Bramble New Southern American Neighborhood: Briargrove When a restaurant fits a chef like a glove, everything comes together effortlessly like it does at Bramble, Randy Rucker's latest Gulf Coastinspired venture and, so far, his best foot forward. Here, he effortlessly melds Southern classics with modern techniques, creating an enticing menu that is out of the ordinary and yet familiar. Take his beef tartare with a dash of miso. Who would have thought? And yet, that bit of fermented soybeans adds a je ne sais quoi that makes you want to take another bite and another bite. Crunchy peanuts give this dish a surprising crunch. Not always available, but if the dinosaur-sized seared beef short rib shows up, order it. Lunch Mon.-Fri. & dinner Mon.-Sat. 2231 S. Voss Road, 832-8190322. restaurantbramble.com. $$$ – D.H.
Dak & Bop Korean fried chicken Neighborhood: Museum District If there were an award for the most inventive fried chicken in Houston, I’d put my money on the Korean fried chicken at Dak & Bop, the sleek, modern Korean café in the heart of the Museum District. Their version is twice-fried to create an eggshell-thin, ultra-crispy crust around a drippingly juicy interior. On my last visit, I enjoyed two wings, two strips and one drumstick
for the value price of $10. They have a variety of sauces for dipping, two of which accompany any fried chicken order – I chose Sriracha honey-lime and soy garlic. Extra sauces are available for an additional cost and include buffalo, hot and spicy and a medium spicy option. My side order of kimchi fries were spicy and flavorful with a four-cheese blend, caramelized kimchi, green and white onions, cilantro, toasted sesame seeds and spicy mayo. Side orders include slaw, mac and cheese and other fries. The bar is lively, serving up uniquely creative cocktails. Be patient after placing your order, as each item takes approximately 30 minutes to prepare. This place is popular, so expect a wait. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 5-10 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 11:30 a.m-10 p.m. Sat., 1801 Binz St. #120. 713-528-0280. dakandbop.com. $ – R.W.
Hay Merchant Craft food and beer Neighborhood: Montrose Located on lower Westheimer, which was named for the German immigrant and hay merchant Mitchell Louis Westheimer, this craft-food and beer establishment in a rustic setting is a popular spot. Their website proclaims that “beers are always served at the proper temperature, with the correct pressure and gas mix, in appropriate glassware, and by folks who know what the (continued on page 44)
MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 43
p.m. Fri. and Sat., 3201 Louisiana St.. 713-4912222. holleyshouston.com. $$$ – R.W.
Kitchen 713
SOUTH COAST GRILL The Massa family's revamped South Coast Grill offers a wild red snapper fillet with garlic-lemon olive oil, basil and grilled seasonal vegetables. (continued from page 43) hell
they’re talking about.” In addition to nearly 100 beers on tap, the food served is darn good as well. I paired a pint of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale with their Citrus BBQ Pork Buns – fish sauce, iceberg lettuce, smoked pork, tomatoes and cilantro on a fluffy steamed bun. Other food offerings include a warm pretzel with “redneck cheddar cheese dip,” Texas chili with cornbread, and the “Cease and Desist” burger served with hand-cut fries. Be prepared to wait if you have a large party. 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Mon.-Fri; 11 a.m.2 a.m. Sat. & Sun. 1100 Westheimer Rd., 713528-9805. haymerchant.com. $-$$ – R.W.
Holley’s Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar Upscale seafood and oyster bar Neighborhood: Midtown The best upscale fried-chicken experience in Houston is at a seafood restaurant. Holley’s
monthly fried-chicken dinner should not be missed. Chef Mark Holley started this tradition at Pesce, and his followers insisted that he continue it as his own restaurant. For $50, you get a family-style dinner, including a massive plate of fried chicken, plus three sides, biscuits and dessert. While expensive for fried chicken, the portions are very generous, and this chicken is good. The high-quality, free-range chicken fried in cast-iron skillets creates a crispy crust and juicy inside with a slightly spicy flavor. Holley’s setting is decidedly upscale with a modern flair, and yet as I sat there eating every bite, I felt very much at home. The warmth comes out in the service and the taste. Reservations are required for the monthly fried-chicken dinner. There is a waiting list, so get on it quickly. The minimum reservation required is six, and the dinner must be pre-paid when making the reservation. Normal restaurant hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5:3010 p.m. Mon.-Thu.; 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5:30-11
What’s hot in 2016? Here are the top 20 trends, based on a survey of nearly 1,600 chefs. • Locally sourced meats and seafood • Chef-driven, fast-casual concepts • Locally grown produce • Hyper-local sourcing • Natural ingredients/minimally processed food • Environmental sustainability • Healthful kids’ meals • New cuts of meat • Sustainable seafood MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 44
• House-made/artisan ice cream • Ethnic condiments/spices • Authentic ethnic cuisine • Farm-/estate-branded items • Artisan butchery • Ancient grains • Ethnic-inspired breakfast items • Fresh/house-made sausage • House-made/artisan pickles • Food waste reduction/management • Street food/food trucks Source: National Restaurant Association
Southern Neighborhood: East End Sometimes, the plainest-looking box holds a treasure. Kitchen 713 is life’s poetry in motion. Not only are its oxtails soul-satisfying, but the tale behind this bare-bones East End restaurant is what our city is about. Here, you’ll find two hard-working co-chefs as James Haywood and Ross Coleman juggle their duties in the kitchen and dining room. They may have a helping hand or two, but for the most part, it’s just them. After all, these boys are just starting out. And they’re doing things their way: soul-food classics with an Asian twist that isn’t just inventive, but deliciously unassuming. Here, I found cooking from the heart and not by the book. Dishes to try: crawfish boudin balls with smoked-jalapeño remoulade, oxtails braised in black vinegar and anise with fried rice and braised cabbage with ham hock, turkey-neck lettuce wraps, homemade boudain with cracklins, shrimp and grits, Sunday fried chicken and peach cobbler. Open Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 4515 Canal St., 713-239-2498. kitchen713.com. $$ – D.H.
NEW LISTING Mala Sichuan Traditional Chinese Neighborhood: Sharpstown You have to time your visit to this original Mala Sichuan outpost. Go either before/after the dinner rush, or expect to wait a half hour or more before you're seated. Granted, the newer, swankier, Montrose location is less crowded and more subdued. But we actually enjoy the buzz that the Chinatown location emits. Its energy mirrors the myriad of vibrant dishes parading out the kitchen. A great starter are the tendrils of homemade dan dan noodles tossed with ground pork and spinach, coated with tingly, numbing Sichuan peppers. A cold Tsingtao beer calms the palate and prepare us for the stir-fried, red chilefueled, cumin lamb (an off-the-menu item that we never seem to tire of), eggplant in spicy garlic sauce, spicy crispy chicken, dried tofu with pork and garlicky baby bok choi. Open lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun., 9348 Bellaire Blvd., 713-995-1889. $-$$ – D.H.
Pass & Provisions Inventive modern fare Neighborhood: Fourth Ward A duo eatery in one space – white-tablecloth Pass and bustling Provisions. Pass is a caviar affair, while Provision serves casual edibles, including smartly donned sandwiches and billowy pizzas with such toppings as kale with pork sausage and duck confit with potato and pickled currants. There are some crossovers of dishes and kitchen playfulness between the two menus. Provisions, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sat;
Pass, dinner only. 808 Taft, 713-628-9020. Passandprovisions.com. $$-$$$$ – D.H.
NEW LISTING South Coast Grill Gulf Coast cuisine Neighborhood: Downtown Satisfying food can be such a good trip down memory lane. Rechristened and revamped, the restaurant formerly known as Massa's Seafood Grill provides that and more. Marching proudly into the next era of Houston dining, owner Joseph Massa continues to honor his family’s 72year-old tradition of good, solid Gulf Coast seafood and Creole specialties. Fewer and fewer restaurants are doing Gulf Coast cooking right these days, which is why of late we find ourselves delving into Massa's spicy grilled catfish with red beans and rice. Try, too, the pecan-crusted rainbow trout lovingly doused with lemon buerre blanc and served with potatoes au gratin. The composition pairs beautifully with a crisp sauvignon blanc. Although a recent addition, the shrimp and grits with blackened shrimp is another crowd favorite. Open lunch & dinner Mon.-Fri. & Sat. for dinner. 1331 Lamar, 713-655-9100. southcoastgrill.com. $$-$$$ – D.H.
Tony’s Upscale Gulf Coast Italian Neighborhood: Upper Richmond High ceilings and an elegant backdrop provide
a cinematic setting for star sightings, anniversaries, birthdays and engagements over fresh flowers, Riedel glasses and Christofle flatware. Life unfolds under the watchful eye of consummate restaurateur Tony Vallone, whose contemporary Italian menu sparkles with deftly prepared seafood and homemade pastas. For an overview of this posh Houston landmark, explore the nightly tasting menus, starting at $95 for five courses. Lunch can be a bargain, even at Tony’s, with a three-course menu for $23, or $29 if you opt for the char-grilled hanger steak with salsa verde as your main course. Lunch & dinner Mon.Fri. & dinner Sat. 3755 Richmond, 713-622-6778. tonyshouston.com. $$$$ – D.H.
Underbelly Upscale Texas eats Neighborhood: Montrose Underbelly chef-owner Chris Shepherd’s menu is a touchstone of the nose-to-tail movement. The Oklahoman is known to haul a whole hog through a roomful of diners, and his passion is mirrored by a striking woodcutting of a snout at the entrance. Family-style offerings include a pork roast with smoky sweet cornbread. Another piglet rendition is spicy kimchi stew. Shepherd shares his fondness for Asian cuisines with sweeping touches here and there – all of which are satisfying against an airy, modern, Texas Hill Country
setting, with maple wood communal tables, fresh wildflowers and a wall of homemade preserves. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Thurs. & dinner Fri.-Sat. 1100 Westheimer Road, 712-5289800. underbellyhouston.com. $$$ – D.H.
Weights + Measures American Neighborhood: Midtown This bakery/restaurant/bar starts with freshly baked breads, pastries and donuts at dawn with the Slow Dough Bake Shop. As the sun rises higher, it gracefully leads Midtown dwellers into a well-crafted, 150-seat restaurant that oozes urban cool. A smart, playful menu and wine list entice foodies while late at night, the bar, christened Love and Squalor, features cocktails and hundreds of beers along with an abbreviated menu. Dishes to try: wood-grilled mortadella, roasted carrot pizza and lacquered duck breast with snap peas. Bake shop: 6 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Lunch: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dinner: Monday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; FridaySaturday, 5-11 p.m.; Brunch: Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. 2808 Caroline St.,713-654-1970. weights-measures.com. $$ – D.H.
MORE ONLINE See thebuzzmagazines.com for all restaurants that have been reviewed by The Buzz. You can use our restaurant finder to search by area, cuisine and price.
Delicious Food. Creative Ideas. Professional Staff.
Let us cater your special occasion • Weddings • Engagement parties • Bar/Bat Mitzvahs • Personal celebrations • Corporate caterings • Client entertaining • Staff lunches • Office parties
Owners - Frank N. Demeris and Stathy Demeris 4803 Bissonnet St. Bellaire, Texas 77401 713.664.7964 charliesandco.com
MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 45
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Yorkshire Academy summer
A minute with Maisie
Yorkshire Academy offers “one-stop,” summercamp shopping for ages 24 months-sixth grade, June 6 - July 29. Yorkshire’s weekly camps include academics, over 50 enrichment programs, themebased options for little ones and full-time care. The unique element is flexibility: Camps are offered for half-day, full-day and full-time care. In addition, a student can enroll in an academic camp in the morning and an enrichment camp such as chess, yoga or engineering in the afternoon, or visa versa, depending on the offerings that week. This community-wide program attracts campers from beyond west Houston and Katy. Theme-Based – 24 months-kindergarten: A different theme is offered each of the eight weeks, such as Shark Week, Teddy Bear Adventures, Pirates & Princesses and more. The crafts, songs and books revolve around that theme. Summer’s Edge Academics – first-sixth grade: Math, language arts, science and social studies are covered during the morning academic camp. In the afternoon, campers visit the computer lab for keyboarding practice, online math practice and independent reading. Enrichment Camps – preschool-sixth grade: Over 50 enrichment camps are offered, such as Engineering/Robotics, Film Acting, Lacrosse, Building Brains, Young Doctors, Printmaking, Golf, Minecraft and more. For more information, call 281-531-6088. Online registration is available at www.yorkshireacademy.com. Yorkshire Academy, 14120 Memorial Dr., Houston, Texas 77079, 281.531.6088, www.yorkshireacademy.com
Many clients ask me, “How long does it take to get a divorce?” Your favorite lawyer answer is, “It depends.” The Texas Family Code provides you must wait at least 60 days after filing the petition before you can finalize the divorce. Most families take much longer than 60 days due to the complicated solutions for both children and marital property. Therefore, there is no clear answer and each family is different. Parties should focus on creating a workable solution for the children and a fair division of the community estate, rather than on the length of the process. While the process can be painful and time-consuming, it is worth the effort to ensure you get the right solution for your family. Maisie A. Barringer is a partner at Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P., a full-service, boutique, family law firm specializing in divorce, child-custody modifications, grandparent access, paternity, adoption, and premarital and postmarital agreements. Maisie A. Barringer has been recognized as a Texas Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly magazine for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P., Maisie A. Barringer, Partner, Board Certified in Family Law, Two Greenway Plaza, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77046, 713.600.5500, www.jenkinskamin.com
2504 Bissonnet Street 281.668.8590 www.vbaf.com Family Owned Since 1952
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Ask Reneé, the Realtor
Bunions and hammertoes
Spring has sprung in Houston, and the real estate market shows no signs of not continuing to bloom! Despite the doom and gloom in the media, we continue to see a very low inventory and a blossom of buyers in the market, especially in the areas in which The Buzz is distributed. Yes, we are still seeing properties sell at or over list price, and cash purchases, which are more favorable to a seller, are up despite low interest rates. However, I am seeing cash offers being accepted by sellers only to have the buyer “change their mind” during the option period for financing. I personally think a buyer who is strong and approved should be considered, provided lender documentation is provided. So, the glittery cash offer isn’t always what it seems. If you’re considering selling, it is good to discuss all of the contractual options before listing, so you are fully prepared when the process of offers starts. Strong market knowledge, incredible marketing tools and proven sales records, along with a team of proven agents, Reneé and her team are consistently recognized and recommended as the ones to go to for your realestate needs. Reneé Davy Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Anderson Properties, 12900 Queensbury, Suite 101, Houston, Texas 77079 and 3600 Kirby, Suite T, Houston, Texas 77019, 713.647.8278, renee@davyoakumbhhs.com, www.andersonprops.com
Bunions and hammertoes are common causes of painful toes. A bunion isn’t a growth, but a misalignment of the bones in the foot. Although bunions and hammertoes can result from heredity, arthritis and bone abnormality, a more frequent cause is the prolonged wearing of shoes that squeeze the toes into pointy or narrow toe boxes. Bunions and hammertoes more often occur in women, but this doesn’t mean men are exempt. Bunions may not be painful at first, but you may notice a bump on the side of your foot, and that it’s harder to put on tight shoes. Over time, the bunion can become extremely painful and lead to reduced muscle strength in the foot. Hammertoe, a deformity that develops when tendons and ligaments in the toe contract, cause the toe to bend over and curl up, resembling a hammer. The top of the toe may then rub against your shoe, causing irritation, corns, calluses or bursitis. The problem often develops in the second toe, resulting from a bunion that has formed in the big toe, pushing it inward and displacing the second toe. Everyday, we see these and other foot problems in our practice. Remember to check your feet daily for any unforeseen foot issues. Bellaire Podiatry/Nail Laser Center of Houston, Dr. Barry P. Weinstein, 4909 Bissonnet, Suite 120, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.721.5500, www.BarryWeinsteinDPM.com
WHERE YOUR PETS ARE PART OF OUR FAMILY Dog and cat boarding • Small and large dog daycare Baths • Affordable prices and excellent customer service We support area dog rescues.
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MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 47
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PETS
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Elie, age 5 months, Mixed Breed, Boheme Dr. No one is really sure what kind of dog I am, but I get a lot of compliments on my looks – especially my floppy ears. I was originally found on the streets of Meyerland, but I made my way to Memorial to live with my human parents. I love them so much that I follow them around wherever they go. I even like to chew my toys on top of their feet. I also love to bask in the sun; it brings out the tan in my coat. Being outside is the best! Living in Memorial is great because my human grandparents live close by. They have two big dogs that come over and play. We roll around in the grass together, and they like to sniff me. I think we will eventually be best friends! I have great human parents, dog friends and a pretty backyard to catch some rays. I am so lucky that I was rescued. Got a cute critter? Email a picture of your pet with approximately 150 words to info@thebuzzmagazines.com or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401. Featured pets receive two passes to Rover Oaks Pet Resort. Each pass can be redeemed for one day of lodging in a Bunk House Suite, 25 percent off your next grooming appointment or 25 percent off one obedience training class.
Meet Helen Simonson, author of Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand Tuesday, April 5, 7:00 p.m. 14532 Memorial Drive at Dairy Ashford Houston, Texas 77079 • 281.497.8675 www.bluewillowbookshop.com
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Call today for a complimentary consultation! MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 48
Houston’s Best PRISM Award Whole House Renovation FOR RESULTS Melissa Braniff
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www.craftsmanshipbyjohn.com • 713.984.8834
Point. Click. Win. Enter The Buzz 2016 Photo Contest DEADLINE MAY 15TH The Buzz Magazines is pleased to announce our eleventh annual Photo Contest. Winning photos will be published in our July issue and on our website beginning July 1. Our grand prize winner will receive a Canon PowerShot digital camera.* To submit photos, and for contest rules, visit thebuzzmagazines.com and click on the banner at the top of the home page. You can also view our 2015 winners online.
Grand Prize, Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS digital camera (*or camera of equal value)
MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 49
NEIGHBORS
by Andria Frankfort, staff writer
Back Porch
Big-deal promposals
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s far back as I can remember, getting asked to a formal in high school was a big, nerve-wracking deal. Will he ask me? What if I don’t have a date? What if I don’t like the boy who asks? But in the end, it was fairly uneventful: getting called to the phone (landline, no caller ID), hearing a boy say, ‘Do you want to go to [insert name of dance] with me?’, hanging up, calling a couple of friends to let them know the news, telling Mom I needed a dress. Low-key awesome. But that was 30 years ago. “Uneventful” is about the last word to describe Ethan Samuels’ method of snagging a date to The Emery/Weiner School’s Winter Formal. Ethan, a freshman, wanted to ask his longtime friend and classmate Sydney Selzer to formal. “I had been thinking about clever ways to ask her, and when my parents told me we were going to New York, something just clicked,” he says. “I was like, ‘Dad, how easy is it to get on the Today show?’ “We figured out you can go to the Today show website and RSVP. The first morning we were there, we got up at 5:15.” Ethan and his dad, Ben Samuels, left his mom and sister sleeping in their hotel room. They were so excited that they jumped the gun just a bit. “We get there, and they send us to a bakery across the street because it was way too early, so we had some hot chocolate. It was freezing.” Even with the bakery break, once they went back, Ethan says, “Out of the hundreds of people who show up, we’re probably the second family in line. We gave them our email so they’d know we RSVP-ed. And since we’re the second people, we get a spot right behind where they talk.” Eventually, Ethan’s was one of the six signs chosen to be on TV. “Someone reads my sign and says, ‘Hey, do you want to ask Sydney to Winter Formal on national TV?’” Ethan had texted Sydney’s parents, Melissa and Scott Selzer, the night before to ask them to record the show, which, as it turns out, Melissa does every day. “He started texting me at 5 that morning, showing me a picture of where he’s standing,” Melissa says. “Then the show comes on at 8, and Sydney’s like, ‘Hey, MEMORIAL BUZZ APRIL 2016 50
behance.net/runamokstudios
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TOP THIS Big-dance invitations these days often are impressive endeavors, like Ethan Samuels’ Today show poster asking Sydney Selzer to the formal.
Ethan’s in New York, and then she saw him and had to rewind the recording about four times to understand what he’d said.” What he’d said was, “Hey Sydney from Houston, will you go to Winter Formal with me?” followed by cheers from the crowd. Jen Deutsch, a friend of the Selzers, said, “You would think the date would be excited, but you’ve never heard squealing like the mothers when we found out! There’s never been a time as an adult before that I wished I’d been asked to a dance.” As they were leaving for formal, Scott, Sydney’s dad, asked Ethan, “Couldn’t you have been more creative?” Jordan Orsak, a senior at Bellaire High School, also took a chance while out of town. “There’s this school trip through our economics and government class,” he says. “Roughly 30 students were in D.C. for five days, and then we went to New York. There are so many sights in New York that are memorable, and I decided on the Brooklyn Bridge at night.” That’s where he asked Candace Cravey to prom. “Me and Candace share a lot when it comes
to politics, so I wrote on the front of this shirt that I got as a souvenir in D.C., ‘Cravey-Orsak 2016,’ like a political sign. Since it was so cold, I wore a jacket and zipped up. “Then, at the Brooklyn Bridge at night, the stars were bright, everyone in our group was there, I took off my jacket and said, ‘Hey, Candace, will you be my running mate at prom?’ The whole group went wild, and she said, ‘Yes!’ in front of 30 kids.” This kind of creativity – not to mention courage – does send shivers of the not-so-good kind up more than a few spines. “My poor kids are going to be the ones standing there with a fishbowl or some prop I bought them at Central Market,” one mom of three boys says. “I mean, what if the girl says no and then they’re standing there looking like a fool? Can’t they just take flowers and ask them?” Editor’s note: Heard of any fun local “promposals” that should be shared? Leave a comment under this story at thebuzzmagazines.com or email info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Or be creative.