The Memorial Buzz - June 2019

Isabella Terrazas, Mariah Mason and Crystal Wang

From Novel to Netflix A Family Confronts Mental Illness Leaving Law School Father-Son Adventure Travel

Class of 2019 by Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld

Exploring the Third Ward Ghosting Stan-the-Man Chef’s Corner: Frédérick Perrier Houston, TX

Summer Reading

Permit No. 2047 PAID US Postage PRSRT STD

Cooking for Teens

EDITOR’S NOTE B’shert is one of the very few Yiddish words that I know, and it has always been my mantra. It means “meant to be.” There are many times in my life that things did not go as planned. More than 30 years ago, as newlyweds, Michael and I dreamed of starting our own business. It didn’t work. And it didn’t work again. And again. After several attempts and several crazy ideas, the craziest of all – The Buzz – is the one that stuck. I count my blessings to work in a business that I love with people I love. This month’s issue showcases our sixth annual “Where Are They Headed” feature on graduating high school seniors, and I’m feeling sentimental. These students were born the same year The Buzz was born. In this evolving media world, we have not only survived, but thrived. We are so grateful to have the best team, committed to each other and to quality for our readers and advertisers. We wish the Class of 2019 all the best and want them to know that although their paths will likely change course – probably more than a few times – it’s not only okay, it’s b’shert! joni@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 Editorial Assistant Design Manager Staff Writers

Contributing Writer Account Managers

Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman Cheryl Laird Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld Pooja Salhotra John Duboise Tracy L. Barnett Deborah Lynn Blumberg Sharon Albert Brier Andria Frankfort Angie Frederickson Todd Freed Cindy Gabriel Cathy Gordon Michelle Casas Groogan Dai Huynh Annie Blaylock McQueen Jennifer Oakley Cheryl Ursin Russell Weil Becky Pivec Andrea Blitzer, Stephanie Goldfield Leslie Little, Jo Rogers

On our cover: New high school graduates: Isabella Terrazas (Stanford University), Mariah Mason (Mississippi State University) and Crystal Wang (Harvard University). 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 © 2019 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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MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 5

MAILBAG

Your letters, thoughts, opinions Trees that give I just finished reading the sweet article about Brantley’s Giving Tree [The Giving Tree, by Jennifer Oakley, May 2019]. We also planted a sapling in our front yard when our first grandson was born in 2008 which is now at a second floor level. We call it Will’s tree, and marvel also at its growth. There are several huge oak trees on the track near the LS [St. John’s School Lower School] that have big beautiful acorns every year. My husband, Bill, loves to grow trees from seed, so he has grown at least 10 “St. John’s Oaks” that I can remember. We moved into our house on Tangley in 1992, and, like Johnny Appleseed, he planted 4 or 5 on our street. The one next door is really gorgeous! Trees with a story are so much fun! Kathy Van Wie

Inspiration after devastation Trees that Feed Body and Soul [Bearing Fruit, by Jennifer Oakley, April 2019] seemed to be calling out my name. Then, as if by magic, the Levys delivered a fruit tree! From Harvey who almost destroyed us to Syma and Darryl who inspired us … they gave us a housewarming gift of a tree. Not just any tree, but a satsuma orange tree that will grow and give us beautiful satsumas just like Darryl grows in their backyard. Life does go on, and this gift will be our "Giving Tree" for years to come. And the Levys have now inspired me – I bought a kumquat tree to grow by the satsuma. A big shout out to The Buzz and an even bigger thank you to Syma and Darryl Levy! Next year I hope to have fruit for everyone! Randi and Marty Rosenkrantz

L Barnett, April 2019]. I wanted to somehow inspire others to visit Petra and the Holy Land, so I appreciate this more than you know. Allen Emerson

Loud restaurants are pet peeve I was so pleased to read the article about noise in restaurants [Restaurant Noise, by Dai Huynh, May 2019] and am delighted that this issue is being discussed. Very loud restaurants have been a pet peeve of mine for years. Much has been made of volume (and potential damage) when using earbuds and headphones. And yet, people seem happy to sit with their children in a restaurant so loud that you have to shout at the person next to you to be heard. However, the article did not mention music volume which, in my experience, is often the culprit. And, music volume is perhaps the easiest and least costly thing to change. Several times in the recent past while dining in popular restaurants (not fast casual), I have been unable to hear my server and vice versa because the music was so loud. There are several restaurants that I like but no longer go to because the level of noise ruins the dining experience. I hope you will continue to cast light on this issue. Sharon Turner 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.

Fruits of their labor I never thought there are so many people interested in citrus trees! The article [by Jennifer Oakley, April 2019] was so beautifully written; I especially loved the lemon tree story. So many friends have reached out to us inquiring about where to get satsuma and kumquat trees and which variety to buy. I even connected a client, and now good friend, with Darryl because her grandson has asked her for an orange tree of his own. I can’t wait to see the first fruits of this child’s tree and even better to see his face when he picks and eats the fruits of his labor. In the past month, Darryl has planted a citrus tree in the home of our really good friends, we have given two trees to some special people to show our appreciation and delivered a tree to a family, who flooded two times, and just moved back to their new build home as a housewarming gift. Of course, all these trees were given with a lovely card ... The Buzz with Darryl’s autograph! Syma Levy

Kudos to travel writer Tracy I have always enjoyed reading your Travel Buzz column. Never boring, very intuitive and always intriguing. Travel and photo journalists have always been inspiring to me. Thank you for sharing my thoughts and photos with your readers. You made it seem so effortless [In the Holy Land, by Tracy MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 6

What’s your story? We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who: • Have traveled for music festivals. • Have interesting travel stories. • Have unique hobbies or collections. • Have funny or unusual parenting stories. • Know a Buzzworthy 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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lawellphoto.com

NEIGHBORS by Deborah Blumberg, staff writer

From Novel to Netflix Teacher’s Moxie heads to screen

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ennifer Mathieu was on break in the Bellaire High School teacher’s lounge when her agent called with the news. It was 2016, the year before she published her fourth novel, Moxie. Producer, writer and actor Amy Poehler – from Saturday Night Live and Parks and Recreation – wanted to option Moxie, her agent said, and she wasn’t the only one. Mathieu, a Westbury resident whose fifth young adult book, published by Macmillan, comes out this fall, sat there, stunned by the prospect of Moxie becoming a film. “It didn't seem real,” she said. “I wrote down, ‘Amy Poehler’ on a piece of paper like I would forget or something. I called my husband immediately afterward. I was in a state of shock.” Her book tells the tale of 16-year-old Vivian Carter, who’s frustrated with how girls are being treated at her Texas high school and starts a feminist zine to spur change. The novel was inspired by a Seventeen magazine article about the Riot Grrrl movement and Mathieu’s love for punk rock music. Mathieu dialed into a call with her agents, Poehler, and executives from Poehler’s film company, Paper Kite Productions, to talk details. “I was so nervous I was breaking out in hives.” Poehler had read the book and suggested scenes for the film version. “She was very down to earth and friendly,” Mathieu said. “The stories she’s involved with treat women like complicated characters. I knew I would be in good hands.” So, Mathieu signed on with Paper Kite. Then, she waited. She met with the screenwriter in Los Angeles. Paper Kite Productions sent Christmas gifts – a baking whisk with a note, “Let’s whip up a great year.” After 18 months, it renewed its option. Mathieu was hopeful, but she knew many optioned books never actually end up as films. One day this February, when Mathieu checked email, she saw a note from a Paper Kite executive. “It was very casual,” said Mathieu. “It said, we just sold the film to Netflix. The announcement will be out tomorrow. Let us know if you have any questions. And I freaked out.” Filming on Moxie starts this fall, with a release date to be determined. It will join a host of teenMEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 8

centric movies Netflix recently has produced from books. Poehler told Mathieu she was especially taken with the relationship between Vivian and her mother, a single mom and widow, Mathieu said. Both are strong women navigating changes in their lives. “She said it will be a great movie for a mom and daughter to see together.” A lifelong writer and PAGE TO SCREEN Jennifer Mathieu balances novel writing with her teaching reader, Mathieu, 42, fre- job at Bellaire High School. Inset photo: Her book, Moxie, is heading to the quently had her nose screen with Amy Poehler's Paper Kite Productions. Filming starts this fall. buried in a book growstarted writing, she sold her first book, The Truth ing up, often one by Judy Blume or Cynthia About Alice. It was also inspired by a Seventeen Voigt. She moved to Houston in 2000 for a job magazine article, about a high school girl who as a reporter for the alternative-newspaper was the victim of vicious rumors. Houston Press. Previously, she worked in Mathieu, who grew up in the Washington Chicago at a nonprofit. D.C. area, attended a conservative, religious “While I liked journalism, I didn’t have the high school. She weaves experiences from her taste for blood,” she said. Her mother-in-law, a own adolescence into her works. In her dedicateacher for 32 years, suggested she pursue education to Moxie, she mentions her 12th-grade tion. Mathieu got certified and began teaching Current Topics teacher who called her a “femiEnglish at Johnston Middle School (now nazi” in class. “You insulted me,” she writes, “but Meyerland Performing & Visual Arts Middle you also sparked my interest in feminism, so School). She loved it. In 2016, she started at really, the joke is on you.” Bellaire High School, where she teaches sophoShe’s currently working on her sixth novel. more English and goes by the name Jennifer Her fifth and latest, The Liars of Mariposa Island, Blessington. Being around teenagers inspires her, comes out Sept. 17. Set in the 1980s, it follows she says. “They have huge hearts, and they’re teen siblings Joaquin and Elena and their conbeginning to see the hypocrisy of the adult world.” trolling mother, a refugee who fled the Cuban At a teachers’ conference in Chicago, revolution as a teenager. The idea for the book Mathieu came across free advanced-reader stemmed from an episode of the radio show copies of YA novels. “I was like a kid in a candy “This American Life.” But, it also draws from store,” she said. She shipped a whole box home Mathieu’s family history. Her mother escaped and spent the summer reading. “Then I started the Cuban revolution at age 11. thinking, maybe I could do this.” “This is my most ambitious project yet,” The next year, at night and on weekends she Mathieu said. “The plots are more complicated, wrote. She completed two manuscripts that my writing is stronger, there’s a big twist. I “will never see the light of day,” but were good pushed myself. I feel like I’ve really grown as a enough to land an agent. From there, she honed writer. But still, I’m dumbfounded that people I her craft, getting input from fellow writers and don’t know read my books.” teachers. Then, in 2012, five years after she

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NEIGHBORS by Cindy Gabriel, staff writer

Ghosting Stan Online dating (way) after 40

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like you more than food.” That was Stan’s most recent attempt to put his feelings in words. I think that means I’m just below his canine children, Chester and Trap. ’Lest you haven’t been waiting on the edge of your sofa for the next Buzz to arrive with the latest installment of whatever this is – “Dating After 40,” ok, waaaay after 40 – here’s the back story. (You can make a quick stop at thebuzzmagazines.com if you need a refresher.) First, there was the May Issue, Crickets: The quiet before the Stan. And, if you really don’t have anything better to do, this is best read in the context of the April issue, An Old Crush: That I did something about. Where are we? Oh yeah, online dating. So, after getting the feeling that I was smack dab in the middle of Stan’s Maybe List as someone he might like, and considering he was the first person I went out with, I decided to get out before I got in. First, I turned down a movie date with him. Then, I just kinda quit responding to his texts. I had just paid for three months of online dating and wanted my money’s worth. Frankly, this was not my first online attempt. Years earlier, I went to coffee a couple of times with two nice guys, six months after my husband George died. Why coffee? Both happened to be in AA. But, my addiction is coffee. I felt wired and unsettled after each visit and quickly retreated into hiding for five “Crickets” years. I can’t tell you how important that time was. That little blond girl born in the ’50s had some natural curiosities that now, parentless, husbandless, and, with children out of the nest, had some inner exploring to do. I re-met myself without the attachments, challenged my own assumptions about life, religion, the universe, nature – all in the context of this crazy world, which seems to be changing at a rate that matches my own. I questioned everything I was taught not to question, growing more and more comfortable with living in the mystery. It was the perfect setup for adventure. I wanted to know about other religions, particularly how they began, including my own Christian history. The fact that Stan was Jewish fed into that curiosity. MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 10

I went out, again, with two other men. Still, Stan remained at the top of the list. Two weeks went by. I missed him. Then, clever girl that I am, I thought of an “Oh, by the way” text about his favorite subject, food. I mentioned a bar/restaurant under new ownership that was walking distance from his home. “I thought you ghosted me” was his comeback within seconds. Wow, he noticed. I had never heard such a hip term, but it made me feel kinda cool. He would later admit that my move to distance him took him by surprise. As it turns out, Stan was quite in demand, as a single man with a job and no CINDY'S ONLINE FIND Stan-the-Fan Ehrenkranz has never met a baby he noticeable missing parts, didn't like. Here he is with his granddaughter Arden Evans. but hair. In the 60-plus that, I grew up.” His large, loving family includes dating world, he’s a bit of “a catch.” three sisters, Aimee, Heather and Mindy, who At least I think he’s a catch. Am I lucky to offer him wise, supportive advice about me like, land the first man I went out with online, or just “Don’t blow this, Stan.” desperate? He never met a baby he didn’t like. Like me, No, Stan is not the man of my plans. He’s not he is a new grandfather, who is prone to actually going to fix my house, or do my taxes. But he waking up a sleeping baby just to visit with cooks healthy meals, and is comfortable with them. Stop that, Stan! expanding the table for last-minute company. He takes me to Shabbat services and tags He’s such a foodie that when he retires he wants along with me to an occasional Methodist gathto work at Trader Joe’s, where he always picks ering. He’s a terrible driver. I’m not much better. up fresh flowers, both for his home and mine. We pray a lot. He never finishes one meal without a plan for So, for now, I like him more than coffee. another. It’s a family thing. He has spent over a Think I’ll keep my accountant and see what hapdecade delivering Meals on Wheels, again food. pens next. He may not be the man of my plans, He’s an extrovert who listens, which may but he might just wind up the man of my dreams. account for his array of lifelong friends, who say Hope I don’t blow it. things like, “Stan and I grew up together. Make

Pooja Salhotra

NEIGHBORS by Pooja Salhotra, staff writer

My Quarter-Life Crisis Leaving Harvard Law School for home

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hen the in-flight safety video flipped on, the reality of my situation sunk in. It was my 25th birthday, and instead of eating cake and sipping champagne with friends, I was sandwiched between two strangers on a flight from Houston to Boston. As I sat in transit between the comforts of home and Harvard Law School – an institution that brought out doubts and fears I never knew I held – I blasted music on my headphones and made a birthday wish that 25 would become more than a quarter-life crisis. Let me back up. One week earlier, I had packed a suitcase and dragged myself home to Texas. I was four weeks into my first semester of law school at Harvard, and things were not going as smoothly as I had hoped. Though I had spent the first two weeks enamored with brilliant professors and engaged in new classes and non-stop events, I was soon drowning in reading and paralyzed by a constant fear of the infamous “cold-call” during class. I’d sit on the edge of my seat, dreading the moment when I would be caught dumbstruck by a professor’s question. I was scared of failing to live up to Harvard’s standards and failing to live up to my own expectations for myself. Adding to the academic workload, the mindboggling array of extra-curricular activities, the looming summer-internship applications and the rush to find a new best friend pulled me in different directions, testing my limits. Slowly, I felt myself spiraling. When I tried to read cases, my mind rushed with thoughts, questioning my place at Harvard. I spent nights lying awake, unable to fall asleep as my mind raced, too anxious to rest despite feeling exhausted from the busy days. Psychologists describe the relationship between stress and performance with the “Yerkes-Dodson Law,” which dictates that performance increases with physiological/mental arousal, but only up to a certain point. The relationship resembles a bell curve, with the peak indicating the optimal level of stress. If I had to pinpoint myself on that curve during those first few weeks of law school, I was well past the peak. I was probably at the right tail of the curve, harMEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 12

boring excessive stress and experiencing low performance. I tried to talk myself out of this state, but my body and mind wouldn’t let up. I decided to go home. I told my parents I was coming for a couple days, but in reality, I wasn’t sure I would go back. In THE PERFECT PAIR After returning to her hometown of Bellaire, Pooja Salhotra adoptHouston, I found ed 2-year-old Pearl in February, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. myself thankful for my education to make a social impact. I also home-cooked meals and words of support from wanted my career to align with my personal valfamily, but I was soon itching to go back to school. ues. Law school seemed like the best way to After having spent months studying for the LSAT learn tools and acquire the credentials to begin and giving up a great job to go to law school, a meaningful career. wouldn’t it be a waste to give it all up? After reaching that decision in 2017, I wasn’t From a young age, cultural, societal and familready to throw in the towel just because law ial norms told me I was supposed to aim for gradschool was hard. So with a meditation book and uate school and secure a stable, well-paying job mild anxiety medication in hand, I booked a with opportunity to rise – in medicine, law or flight back to Boston and found myself sitting in business. Those were the options. My parents transit on my 25th birthday. both have doctorates in scientific fields, and my Back at Harvard, I made it through another brother holds a law degree from Harvard. week and was relieved when fall break rolled Between the three of them, they have attended around. I spent the break in the empty library, four of the most prestigious academic institucatching up on assignments. But while my classtions in the world. mates returned from break rejuvenated, I came And I was following that same path. After back drained. I felt as if I had spent the long graduating from St. John’s School in 2012, I weekend digging myself out of a deep hole and went on to Yale University, where I studied that, just when I made it to ground level, somepsychology and economics – psychology one had dumped a truckload of dirt over my head. because I loved it and economics because it was Once again, I was inching past the peak of the more practical. Yerkes-Dodson curve. I could barely focus on My high grades earned me a marketing job at readings, and my mind wandered during class. I PepsiCo, but within my first year there, I was knew it was a privilege to be at Harvard and that already looking ahead to graduate school. I felt many people vied to be in my position. But I unsatisfied in a job where decisions were moticouldn’t escape the feeling that this wasn’t what vated by profit margins, and many of my peers I was supposed to be doing and that, no matter were thinking about applying to graduate how prestigious the law school was or how hard school. Without knowing exactly what I wanted I had worked to earn my place there, something to do, I decided on law school. In a world with was not quite right. (continued on page 14) innumerable problems, I knew I wanted to use

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ON THE TEAM Pooja Salhotra was part of The Buzz Magazines/Crime Stoppers of Houston team at the Reliant Rodeo Roundup cooking charity contest. Here, Pooja, Russell Weil, Nichole Christoph, Tania Cruz and Joni Hoffman toast a successful event.

During those tense weeks, I’d often ponder all I had given up on in order to attend law school – the friends I hadn’t spoken to in weeks, the family group chat I had silenced on my phone because my exams would conflict with the family wedding they were discussing. I started to ask whether I was willing to give up on things I cared about to strive for a legal degree. Why did I decide I wanted to be a lawyer, anyway? Over the next week, I agonized over whether or not to stay at Harvard. Since middle school, I’d been a robot, programmed to work hard on each assignment in order to earn high grades and gain admission into a top school. In college, I worked doggedly to achieve a high GPA and find a respected job. After a year spent working, it was back to the books to study for the LSAT and apply to law schools. Even after I applied, I took no time off. The idea of doing so seemed absurd. Instead, I secured an internship at a legal non-profit in NYC and found side jobs to earn some money. For days, I weighed the pros and cons of staying vs. leaving Harvard. I desperately wanted to take time off to decompress and carefully consider my career goals. But I also didn’t want to jump off the treadmill while everyone else powered ahead. I sought advice from fellow students, friends and family, and I even confided in professors. But there didn’t seem to be a “right” answer. If I left, I had no idea what I would do with myself, and if I stayed, I was committing to

(continued from page 12)

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a grueling semester for a career I wasn’t 100 percent sold on. I wavered, one day deciding to leave and the next day spending hours in the library to finish reading assignments. On one Sunday morning in October, I made up my mind. I had just finished my toughest week of the semester, and I had signed up for a Sunday morning yoga class to relax. But the Vinyasa flows that normally brought peace instead amplified my stress. My muscles were contracted and aching, even though I hadn’t worked out in weeks. When the yoga teacher instructed the class to move into Warrior II pose – a position that exudes power and stability – I felt weak and unsettled. My legs trembled, my heart palpitated, and my mind filled with anxious thoughts about school. While the class transitioned to a more challenging pose, I turned to my mat and sat in child’s pose. The room was spinning around me, and something inside of me was screaming that it was time to get out. I ran out of class into the cold Boston air. I suddenly saw my situation with clarity. Even an activity that once brought contentment was increasing my frustrations. That morning, I called my family and told them my decision: I was coming home. By Wednesday, Harvard had approved my request for a year-long leave of absence, I’d said goodbye to classmates and professors, packed up my suitcase and returned textbooks to the bookstore. Within hours, I went from a law student to an unemployed 25 year old with no job prospects,

living in my childhood bedroom in Bellaire. But it was right when I hit rock bottom that things started looking up. I was sitting in my neighborhood Starbucks when I looked up from my computer and spotted a familiar face. Within a moment, I was embracing Joni Hoffman, editor of The Buzz Magazines. I hadn’t seen her since 2012, when I spent the summer interning at the magazine, but we quickly set up a time to meet and talk about a potential job at The Buzz. The following day, I was in the conference room at the magazine’s office, brainstorming story ideas. Within a week, I had written an article that was published online and had become a part of the editorial team. When I look back on the past year, I’m in awe of all that’s happened. I moved from NYC to Boston to Houston. I transitioned from a nonprofit to law school to a community magazine. I turned 25 on an airplane. I made it through lows and celebrated triumphs – training to run a marathon, writing several articles a week, becoming a proud new dog mom. Perhaps I should know where my life is headed, or at least where I want it to go. I have some ideas, but I have few clear answers. I recently decided to extend my leave of absence from law school for another year, and I plan to continue writing in the meantime. For the first time in my life, I’m not following a path, and I’m refusing to let unspoken rules or societal norms guide my decisions. I don’t know what’s next. It’s a little scary, but I like it.

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NEIGHBORS lawellphoto.com

by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

A Family Together Confronting mental illness Kate and Jim Lykes and their children Payton, 18, Joe, 16, Mackie, 12, and Glynis, 10, are about as picture-perfect a family as you’ll ever see. Kate is a retired CFO, and Jim is executive vice president at Origin Bank. They both love a party and, like their children, are fun, funny and smart. The whole family also happens to be beautiful. They’re the kind of people everyone wants to be around. What you don’t see in the Lykes’ family picture, though, is their struggle with mental illness. Payton, the Lykes’ oldest daughter, has borderline personality disorder (BPD), a disease often marked by feelings of low self-worth and fear, and struggles with selfimage, direction and relationships. In the United States alone, more than 4 million people have BPD. In typical fashion for them, the Lykes made the decision to use their experience with mental illness to help others. For that reason, they recently chaired Menninger’s Annual Signature Luncheon, which combats the stigma of mental illness while raising funds for research and training at The Menninger Clinic, and they are publicly sharing their own family’s story.

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n the beginning, Kate remembers noticing behavior that was out of the norm for Payton, who they knew as animated, gregarious and just the right amount of mischievous. “You don’t know what it is,” she says. “You just know something’s not normal for your kid.” “I think the first thing we saw was Payton becoming distant with her friends. Her grades began to suffer,” Jim says. “And when she was 12, she started self-harming. That was a go-time moment for us.” “We were typical parents,” Kate says. “We sought help.” But, Jim says, “We felt alone. Because even though we were always open about it, we didn’t know who to talk to. Now we have a network, but in the beginning, we didn’t have that.” Payton also felt alone, although she didn’t feel she could be as open as her parents. “This was never talked about in my schools or where I grew up, and it seemed like I was the only one who was going through it, which made me want to hide it,” she says. “But now that it’s out there, there is a huge peer group of people struggling MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 16

SPEAKING UP Payton and Kate Lykes share their family's story to encourage other families living with mental health issues.

with the same. That’s really important for kids and parents to know.” Both known to be organized and conscientious, Kate and Jim went first to Payton’s pediatrician. “We started with a very traditional, once-a-week appointment,” Kate says. “For many, that’s fine. But when your child’s behavior is disrupting daily functioning, once a week is not sufficient. We wound up spending every session catching up on the previous week’s events, with no time left for therapy or real growth. It’s too slow. You find yourself in this catch-22 where providers are by appointment, but a child’s needs are not.” Payton and her parents went through a difficult year of trial and error, trying to find a fit with doctors and a medication that was helpful. “Then we landed at a time when Payton could no longer go to school and had suicidal ideation, and we realized she was not safe,” Kate says. They started looking into residential treatment. “We didn’t know where to go,” Jim says. “We were struggling, knowing our daughter needed help quickly. You look up residential treatment centers online, and they scare the hell out of you. A friend recommended using an education-

al consultant. Through a Google search, we found one who helped us understand what our options were and who would be best equipped to help our child.” Based on the consultant’s recommendation, Payton went to a wilderness program for three months of stabilizing intensive therapy, then into a residential program. Insurance companies covered treatment – weekly therapy and hospitalization – until Payton entered the residential program. Then, after two years of claims and diagnosis codes, they stepped in to say a different protocol should have been followed. “But our clinicians made recommendations based on Payton’s path, not a protocol,” Kate says. “Her life was in danger, and Payton will tell you those recommendations saved it.” The Lykes paid for 95 percent of two years of residential treatment. Financially, “it was an easy call for us,” Jim says. “If it was anything else, it’s a huge issue. But when it’s life or death for your child, that’s a no-brainer.” For those without the resources to pay on their own, options are scarce. “It’s easy to get 14 hours in the hospital paid for because of an attempted suicide, which can be significantly more expensive than long-term, proac- (continued on page 18)

Jacob Power

FAMILY Jim Lykes, his mother Vicky, daughter Payton, wife Kate and Kate's father, Fellman Seinsheimer, gather at the Menninger Clinic's 2019 Annual Signature Luncheon, chaired by Kate and Jim. The luncheon raised $390,000 to support mental health care and programs. (continued from page 16) tive treatment,” Kate says.

“For intensive help, it’s much harder. Another route is the prison system – 70 percent of people in the system have mental health issues. Or, you do nothing and go undiagnosed, but you’ll likely end up hospitalized or in prison…” “Or dead,” Jim says. Throughout the process, the Lykes painstakingly educated themselves. “My dad went to Menninger years ago for treatment for bipolar disorder, but we didn’t know what they did there,” Jim says. There is a hereditary component to mental illness, but Kate is quick to point out that someone with bipolar disorder will not necessarily have a descendant with bipolar disorder. “That was part of Payton’s original misdiagnosis,” she says. In the beginning, a doctor used a half-page, 40-question test that, they said, determined bipolar disorder. There are similarities between that and BPD, but treatment is different. “We spent the next nine months in a whirlwind of medications that did more harm than good, making Payton tired and unproductive, which led to her feeling worse about herself, leading to more isolation, more suicidal ideation.” When Payton was 13, after a three-day, 800question evaluation, including observation, clinicians suspected BPD but did not want to diagnose that young. At 17, BPD was officially confirmed. “People with BPD often focus on the negative side of people and the world,” Kate says. “Their unhealthy coping mechanisms create more shame, and they become even farther removed from the people they love. It perpetuates the unhealthy behavior and starts a downward spiral MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 18

that there is no hope for things to be different.” Today, Payton appreciates participating in Alternative Peer Groups, which provide professionally staffed, positive peer support. “That’s a great thing for me, because I am able to be with other kids who are just like me,” she says. She also benefits from a treatment called Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which teaches interpersonal skills, emotional regulation and mindfulness. “Payton is learning to be proactive,” Kate says. “She’s learning to say, ‘What’s the one next step I can take?’” Often that “one next step” is determined, Payton says openly, when her parents notice unhealthy patterns surfacing. “They’ll sit down with me to make a list of my goals. Then I’ll start making strides toward those,” she says. “I go through this quite often.” “Payton has all the tools now to help herself cope with things, but she struggles,” Jim says. “With mental health, you have highs and lows.” As a family, Kate says, “We love each other, forgive, forget, support and learn.” “There’s not a choice,” Jim says. “Kate and I are very conscious about supporting Payton any way we can, but at the same time we have three other kids to take wonderful care of. We go out of our way to do that; I’ll have date nights with the girls individually.” And he jokes, “Kate and I will have a lot of vacations and date nights later in life.” “We made a commitment very early on that we would be better together,” Kate says. “This is hard enough with each other. Everybody’s cried. There are times we don’t always agree, but we make sure we present a unified front. We also

have to remember that we have to take care of ourselves as well, because otherwise we’re no good to anyone. We’re making a conscious effort to get a good night’s sleep, or go for a walk, or go on a date night. This is about hard work.” Kate and Jim encourage parents to be open and talk to their kids. “Wouldn’t we rather know how our children feel and what is going on in their lives than wonder and hope that no news is good news?” Kate says. Jim says being aware is paramount. “The signs can be different,” Jim says. “We’re talking anything from ADHD to bipolar. If your children start acting differently, you need to be conscious of it. Don’t think it will just go away.” It can be difficult to distinguish something serious from typical teenage behavior. Payton shares some signs to watch for: “One of the biggest patterns with me and my peers [when we regress] is how our relationships with our parents change. I start disconnecting from my parents, stay in my room, my stuff gets messy. I’m not working out or eating healthy. I’m not doing okay when I’m doing that, even though I think I’m okay. That reflects how I’m feeling on the inside.” When she does relapse, Payton says the most important thing “is that my parents aren’t getting down on me. That pushes me away. Instead of sending me texts like, ‘Where are you?’ they send texts like, ‘I love you and I care for you.’ Parents need to show love and support, because really that’s all that we all want.” Payton was accepted to several colleges, including TCU, both her parents’ alma mater. She has decided to attend the University of Houston next fall.

MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 19

Marc Furi

NEIGHBORS by Pooja Salhotra, staff writer

Exploring Houston Hidden gems: Third Ward

S

o where in Houston are we exactly?” my dad Atul Salhotra asks from the passenger seat of the car, as he peers out the window reading aloud street names he’s never heard before. “This is so close to our house!” he continues, shocked that after more than 27 years in Houston, he’s never been to the Third Ward neighborhood, situated about two miles south of BBVA Compass soccer stadium and just west of the University of Houston. Driving east off 288-N, I drive my dad by Texas Southern University, a historically African-American university, and then I point out the site of the original Frenchy’s Chicken, a local favorite that Beyoncé famously rapped about in her track I Been On. But my dad is most interested in the neighborhood’s history. When I drive him north on Emancipation Avenue, he notices Emancipation Park, a 10-acre piece of land that stands as the city’s oldest park. In 1872, that lot was purchased by four former slaves for $800. As soon as I begin sharing the park’s history, my dad wants to know more: “What was the park used for back then? Who owns it now? Is it frequently visited?” My dad’s a genuinely curious person who is an encyclopedia of information – history, science, you name it, he’ll offer answers. So he seems genuinely surprised that he knows little about this part of Houston. After some research, I explain to him that the park was originally used to celebrate Juneteenth, the anniversary of the day in 1865 when General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with the news of the Emancipation Proclamation, ending slavery in the state of Texas. Today, that park is owned by the city, and it’s still the site of Juneteenth celebrations. When I think about it, my dad’s reaction is sound. We should be alarmed by our ignorance. There’s something deeply troubling about the fact that it took writing an article about the Third Ward neighborhood for me to learn, for example, that Emancipation Park’s swimming pool housed the only public pool in Houston where black people could legally visit until the 1950s. Apparently living and attending K-12th grade in Houston does not make me any kind of MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 20

ART Project Row Houses is a community organization that focuses on social engagement and art. Artists are invited to display their work in seven traditional row houses. Here: artist Marc Furi’s 2017 “I Love 3W.”

expert on this city’s history. Thanks to a $33.6 million investment, the park received a facelift and reopened in 2017 – the rec center now is dazzling with long glass windows and rust-colored rectangles arranged in a geometric pattern. My dad, an environmentalist, notices the solar panels flanking the roof. And as an avid gardener, he admires the manicured lawn where the community gathers for movie nights. For many, these changes to Emancipation Park are symbolic of larger transformations to the community. Once a bustling center of AfricanAmerican life, a number of forces – including racial integration and, more recently, gentrification – have changed the face of the neighborhood. New investments and housing developments have translated to higher property taxes that many former residents simply cannot afford. “I think [the Emancipation Park renovation] is positive, but at the same time, when you make that type of investment, you also need to stabilize the community,” says Carl Davis, a lifelong Third Ward resident who leads the Emancipation Economic Development Council (EEDC), a collaboration among faith-based organizations, non-profits, government entities and businesses trying to revitalize the neighborhood while preserving its history. Carl remembers his childhood in the Third Ward, then a thriving business corridor filled with restaurants, grocery stores, barber shops and pharmacies owned and operated by AfricanAmericans. “We had everything we needed to live and to survive,” he says. But in the mid ’80s, the neighborhood entered

a period of decline. The end of segregation meant Third Ward residents started shopping and frequenting areas outside of their own neighborhood. Growing prosperity motivated wealthy African-Americans to move to suburbs such as Missouri City. And, external forces, such as construction of new freeways like 288, disrupted the community and displaced many residents. Now, groups like the EEDC are working to preserve the culture, heritage and history of the Third Ward and ensure the safety and prosperity of long-time residents. In doing so, iconic structures have popped up, illuminating the history of the neighborhood. After showing my dad Emancipation Park, we walk across the street to Crumbville, a locally owned bakery famous for its vegan treats. Outside of Crumbville stands TréSonik, an artpiece part of a larger installation that seeks to highlight the culture of the Third Ward. TréSonik looks like an old payphone, so my dad naturally picks up the phone and starts dialing a number. But you can’t place a phone call from TréSonik – instead, with each button, my dad hears different ambient noises of the neighborhood, recorded by Marc Newsome, also known by his artist name Marc Furi. The sounds include the background noises you would hear at the original Frenchy’s drive-through, the rhythm of TSU’s Ocean of Soul marching band practicing and the sounds of St. Mary’s Catholic Church’s annual gumbo cook-off. The payphone is decorated with Marc’s motif: a Monopoly board. “It’s kind of a snarky take on gentrification,” Marc says. (continued on page 22)

MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 21

Editor’s note: This article is the second of a threepart series exploring different parts of Houston. Next up: the Greater Heights. MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 22

Pooja Salhotra Photo courtesy of Marc Furi

trification] make me feel like? A big giant Monopoly board.” Marc bought a “fixer-upper” house in Third Ward in the early 2000s. The property value has since skyrocketed, and his property taxes have gone with it. Even so, Marc is a proud Third Ward resident. When I meet him, he dons an “I heart 3W” T-shirt he designed himself, and he’s quick to rattle off a list of gems in the Third Ward. There are restaurants like the Turkey Leg Hut, which Marc describes as “what it would be like if the rodeo has a restaurant,” and Alfreda’s Soul Food, which Ella Russell, founder of Crumbville, likens to “if your grandma and all her sisters opened up a restaurant.” My dad and I drive down Almeda Road, and he points out the new high-rise developments along the way. Alfreda’s Soul Food, which opened in 1964, is one of the few older establishments still around. A year-old mural outside the restaurant features national AfricanAmerican heroes including Dr. Martin Luther King, President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and pianist Duke Ellington, and it also highlights local heroes, including Houston-born civil rights leader Barbara Jordan and artist John Biggers, who served as the chair of the art department at TSU. “The Almeda strip was initially owned by African-Americans,” said Victor Gaddie, who painted the mural. “We wanted to preserve some sense of history and convey that to those that would be passing by. Ultimately, that should never be forgotten.” Residents aren’t the only ones who have recognized the need to preserve the community’s culture. Earlier this year, Preservation Texas recognized Houston’s Emancipation Freedom Colonies – which includes the Third Ward neighborhood along with the Fourth and Fifth Wards – as one of the six “most endangered places” in the state. The announcement notes that this area has “suffered in recent decades from extensive demolition, architecturally inappropriate redevelopment and gentrification,” and it calls for “action to protect and preserve the fragile historic resources that remain, including modest residential structures, brick streets, commercial buildings and sacred places.” Ultimately, it’s perhaps inevitable that any neighborhood will change with time. But what cannot be forgotten is the neighborhood’s history, or the people who influenced it. “This is a family-oriented community,” Carl said. “Families still live here who I grew up with.” “It’s a fun place to be. You have the opportunity to experience the culture, and it was at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement too. A lot of great things happened in the Third Ward.”

Pooja Salhotra

(continued from page 20) “Because what does [gen-

DISCOVERIES Top: Atul Salhotra listens to ambient Third Ward sounds through TréSonik, an art installation located outside Crumbville. Middle: Artist and Third Ward native Marc Furi sells his T-shirts at a pop-up at the Houston Museum of African American Culture. Bottom: Emancipation Park, Texas’ first public park, was rededicated in 2017 after a $33.6 million renovation.

MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 23

MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 24

MAKE HISTORY WITH YOUR EVENT

• Weddings – Bar/Bat Mitzvahs – Birthday Parties – Corporate Events • Original horse and carriage fire station 3 • Listed on the national register of historic places • Breathtaking views of the downtown skyline • Private gated Parking

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KIDS by Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld, staff writer

Class of 2019 Bumble Photography

Where are they headed?

C

ongratulations to the Class of 2019! Once again, as part of our annual tradition, we asked our graduating neighbors to share their college plans with us. What are they most looking forward to in the next chapter of their lives? What advice would they give their kindergarten selves if they could? And, looking back on their high school years, what was a stand-out memory? Crystal Wang – Brookwood Elementary School, Memorial Middle School, Memorial High School Crystal Wang is headed to Harvard University to study economics/public policy. She’s most looking forward to meeting other students with similar interests and diverse backgrounds and making long-lasting connections. Her dream would be to become a social entrepreneur; she wants to run her own company that “touches lives and makes positive change in society.” If she could, she’d tell her kindergarten self: “"It's not that serious" and says, “I was a total drama queen in kindergarten, and made a big deal out of every interaction or inconvenience I had. Yeah, I could've taken a chill pill because life was only about to get harder.” Reflecting on high school, running for student council president her freshman year was one of the best moments. Nicolas Feder – St. Francis Episcopal Day School, The Awty International School Nicolas Feder is heading to Georgetown University and will study in the School of Foreign Service. He’s looking forward to interning in DC to help decide on a career path; he’s planning to apply for political internships. His dream job would be director of the IMF or World Bank, overseeing development projects in different parts of the world. He would like to “see to decreasing corruption in many of these countries,” he says. His favorite high school moment was during the Awty International Festival when the senior class carries in flags from all the countries the student body represents. He was proud to carry the Dominican Republic flag this year. If he could, he’d tell his kindergarten self not to MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 26

Crystal Wang – Harvard University

worry about making mistakes “because the best way to learn and mature in life is reflecting on the mistakes you make.” Isabella Terrazas – Nottingham Elementary School, Spring Forest Middle School, Stratford High School Isabella Terrazas is headed to Stanford University to study bioengineering and theater. She says she’s thrilled to live in a brand-new environment and is excited to meet amazing people in college. Her dream would be to become a surgeon. Her favorite high school moment was the 6 a.m. pep rally for the Memorial game her sophomore year and winning that night. If she could, she’d tell her kindergarten self: “Don't listen to any of the haters!” Mariah Mason – Memorial Drive Elementary School, Spring Branch Middle School, St. Pius X High School Mariah Mason is heading to Mississippi State University to study agribusiness. She’s looking forward to meeting new people in college and being part of the community. Her dream would be to breed Friesian sport horses

one day. Her favorite high school moment was going to State her freshman year for swimming. If she could, she’d tell her kindergarten self: “Enjoy the journey.” Cameron Cooley – Bunker Hill Elementary School, Memorial Middle School, Memorial High School Cameron Cooley is off to the University of Mississippi and will major in photojournalism. She’s looking forward to being independent and meeting new people. She’s also looking forward to taking classes to strengthen her skills in fashion photography. One day, she hopes to work for a large fashion house as a photographer. Her favorite high school moment was when MHS beat Stratford High School’s football team. If she could, she’d tell her kindergarten self not to stress as much. “You can only be who you are meant to be, so putting added pressure on yourself does you no good,” she’d say. Damian Patronella – St. Michael Catholic School, St. Thomas High School Damian Patronella is headed to Texas Tech University and will major (continued on page 28)

Nicolas Terrazas

Cristina Didoné

Isabella Terrazas – Stanford University

Cameron Cooley – University of Mississippi

Ashleigh Ordeneaux – Schreiner University

Susan Soh – University of Mississippi

Margaret Rotan Photography

Ann Becker

Damian Patronella – Texas Tech University

Elegant Portraits by Kian

Freeman Photography

Mariah Mason – Mississippi State University

Margaret Rotan Photography

Joanna Brandt

Nicolas Feder – Georgetown University

Caroline Moseley – Northwestern University MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 27

Emily Boone Photography

(continued from page 26) in business. He’s looking

forward to making new friends, getting away from comfortable surroundings and taking on more responsibility. One day, he’d like to be CEO of a major corporation. If he could, he’d advise his younger self to get a good night’s sleep and pay more attention in class. Ashleigh Ordeneaux – Cypress Christian School, The Briarwood School Ashleigh Ordeneaux is heading to Schreiner University and will major in nursing. She’s looking forward to living on her own in college. Her dream job would be working at Texas Children’s Hospital as an ER nurse. If she could, she’d tell her kindergarten self: “Don’t give up so easily.” Susan Soh – Hunters Creek Elementary School, Spring Branch Middle School, Memorial High School Susan Soh is heading to the University of Mississippi and will be part of the Honors College. She plans to major in international studies, business and Chinese. She’s looking forward to meeting people from different backgrounds in college. She dreams of working internationally one day, although she isn’t sure yet how or where. Her favorite high school memory was during junior year, when “we used the tarp covering the softball field as a slip and slide. It was the perfect release after a day of multiple tests!” Caroline Moseley – The Kinkaid School Caroline Moseley is off to Northwestern University for theater and pre-med. She is excited to make new friends and is looking forward to gaining a new independence in college. Her dream job is to be a dermatologist or pediatrician. “I think the skills that theater teaches you – communicating ideas, empathy, conveying emotions and synthesizing ideas – are actually essential to being a good physician. One day I hope to apply my background in theater to some sort of healthcare position!” If she could, she’d advise her younger self to get outside and play in the sun. “As you get older, you get to spend less and less time outside in the fresh air and you spend more working indoors.” Isabel Vierra – Wilchester Elementary School, Memorial Middle School, Stratford High School Isabel Vierra is headed to Villanova University and will major in cognitive psychology and neuroscience. She’s excited to be in a new place with new people and new experiences with new memories to make. “I feel like I'm about to go on vacation, but that vacation is for a little longer than two weeks!” She is looking forward to making friends who will become like family. Her dream job would be a behavioral profiler for the FBI (as in the popular TV show Criminal Minds, she says). She’s intrigued by the MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 28

Isabel Vierra – Villanova University

human brain, and she’s excited to delve into the subject in college. If she could, she’d tell her kindergarten self to embrace it all – the good and the bad – and that it’ll all lead to a bright future, starting with moving across the country to go to college. Annie Goss – Wilchester Elementary School, Memorial Middle School, Stratford High School Annie Goss is off to Northwestern University to study human development and psychological studies. She’s excited to meet new people, get involved in new things and experience a new city and environment. Her dream job would be an ice cream taste tester, and, if she could, she’d tell her kindergarten self to appreciate nap time while you have it. Her favorite high school moment was getting to see the musical she directed, Newsies, get a standing ovation during a dance number on closing night. “Everyone worked so hard, and it was such a special moment. The best part was sharing it with some of the best people I will ever meet.” Lila Gutman – The Briarwood School Lila Gutman is heading to Arizona State University to study nursing. She’s looking forward to expanding her knowledge and exploring the career of nursing. Her dream is to work in a hospital as an ER nurse. “I want to be where the action is. I want to save lives and help people who are in need. I want to help people no matter what injury or illness they have,” she says. Her favorite high school memory was being part of the girls relay team that made it to state, setting the school record. If she could, she’d advise her kindergarten self to be patient and prepared for whatever life throws at you. “Most of all, keep looking forward,” she’d say.

Andrew “Gray” Campbell – Meadow Wood Elementary School, Spring Forest Middle School, Stratford High School Andrew “Gray” Campbell is headed to Baylor University to study music/composition. If he could, he’d tell his younger self: “Start theater sooner.” He’s most looking forward to studying music in college, and he dreams of performing on Broadway one day. His favorite moment from high school was performing “The World Will Know" from Newsies on closing night. Mackenzie Kim – Veritas Christian Academy, Second Baptist School Mackenzie Kim is off to Baylor University to study business. She’s most looking forward to meeting new people and transitioning into a new atmosphere. She would like to work in business one day and make an impact on the lives of those in her community. Her favorite moments from high school were cheering at the football games on Friday nights. If she could, she’d tell her kindergarten self: “Keep on dreaming and thinking big.” Megan Hale – homeschool Megan Hale is heading to Baylor University. She’s pursuing the pre-med path with a major in health science studies and is looking forward to being near her brother, who will be a junior at Baylor. She can’t wait to run the Baylor Line at football games. If she could, she’d tell her kindergarten self: “Play with your dolls, run through the sprinklers, pick pretty flowers, laugh at every joke, and smile every day. Life is simple when you are young, and it doesn’t last forever! Take advantage of the now and love those around you the best way you can.” Her dream is to become a cardiologist. Her favorite memory from high school was trav- (continued on page 30)

Huyen Tran

Lila Gutman – Arizona State University

Andrew “Gray” Campbell – Baylor University

Mackenzie Kim – Baylor University

Fred Keinz

Dennis Mueller – University of Stavanger Paige McInturff Photography

Megan Hale – Baylor University

Maya Moustafa

Chrissy Burdsall

Taryn Melgoza

Annie Goss – Northwestern University

Sophie Newell – Drexel University

Matthew Riedel – Vanderbilt University MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 29

(continued from page 28) eling to Israel and Jordan

with her dad to finish her religious history class with an up-close view at what she’d been learning about all year long. “Overseas field trips are just one of the perks of being homeschooled!” she says. Dennis Mueller – Vardeneset Skole (Norway), The Village School Dennis Mueller is heading to the University of Stavanger (Norway) to study Travel Life Leadership. He’s looking forward to using practical life skills and meeting new friends. His dream job is to become a manager for a hotel firm, travel the world and experience life in different cultures. If he could, he’d tell his kindergarten self to simply listen and not be distracted. His favorite high school memories include winning the TAPPS state championship in soccer as a freshman and winning the Unicorn Award from Wharton and The Village School for the best $1 billion innovation. Sophie Newell – Second Baptist School Sophie Newell is headed to Drexel University and will major in international business. She’s excited about “the endless possibilities of dorm living, study abroad, and campus traditions.” Her dream job would include traveling around the world, having face-to-face communication and utilizing her Chinese speaking abilities within the business world. Her favorite high school moment was when she was named the Bob Rollins Swimmer of the Meet during her senior year at the TAPPS state swimming championship – the best female swimmer out of the meet. If she could, she’d tell her kindergarten self: “Don't run if you have Crocs on!” Matthew Riedel – Wilchester Elementary School, Memorial Middle School, Stratford High School Matthew Riedel is headed to Vanderbilt University and will major in economics. He’s looking forward to the opportunity to enjoy a new experience and start a new chapter in his life. If he could, he’d tell his kindergarten self: “Always believe in yourself.” Jenna Bobbora – St. Francis Episcopal Day School/Hunters Creek Elementary School, Second Baptist School Jenna Bobbora is headed to Texas Christian University and will major in musical theater. She’s looking forward to being independent, being able to take classes that interest her and TCU athletics. Her dream would be to perform on Broadway one day. Her favorite moments from high school included performing in shows with her friends as well as enjoying football games. If she could, she’d tell her kindergarten self to enjoy the time you have with your friends and “be yourself!” Natalia Maria Martin De Valmaseda – Lord Roberts Elementary School (Vancouver), MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 30

Sentinel Secondary School (Vancouver), The Village School Natalia Maria Martin De Valmaseda is heading to the Universidad Francisco De Vitoria in Madrid, Spain, to study medicine. Her dream is to become a doctor in a specialty that will help others. She wants to be able to help those with little access to medical services by volunteering with organizations. In college, she’s looking forward to meeting new people and studying what she’s interested in. Her favorite moments from high school were being with her friends in class, and she particularly loved spending time with her friends during her senior trip. Whitney Thode – Second Baptist School, Southwest Christian School (Fort Worth), Second Baptist School Whitney Thode is heading to Baylor University, and she’ll be part of the Business Fellows program, majoring in biology, Spanish and business on the pre-med track. Her dream job would be working in pediatrics to combine her love for people, kids, science and service. “Being on Second Baptist Church's JUMP Team the past four years, I have seen my love for kids manifest and flourish, so I believe pediatrics would be right up my alley!” she says. Her favorite high school memory was when she and her friends spent senior year Spring Break together on a cruise with their moms (specifically, karaoke night on the cruise). If she could, she’d tell her kindergarten self to fill each day with things that bring joy while being yourself. Mees Franssen – Piasau School (Malaysia), Dubai British School (Dubai), The British School Mees McCoy Franssen is heading to the University of Toronto to study mechanical engineering. Mees is looking forward to immersing himself in the university life – going to lectures, extracurriculars, and more. “I've been looking forward to University for as long as I can remember. I'm just thankful for the fact I get to study what I've always dreamed of,” he says. He’s passionate about sustainable agriculture, especially hydroponics, and hopes to help introduce ideas to subsistence farmers in Africa to aid with the development of rural communities. His favorite high school moment was when his grade took a trip to Tanzania and did volunteer work; it was “one that will stick with me for the rest of my life.” If he could, he’d tell his younger self: “Manage your tasks. You can do it all but not all at once.” Esmé Conkright – Meadow Wood Elementary School, Spring Forest Middle School, Stratford High School Esmé Conkright is headed to the Colorado School of Mines to study chemical engineering. She’s looking forward to focusing on subjects that interest her, plus gaining independence. Her dream job “involves chemical engineering, business, traveling, and being the boss. Perhaps

I create a company that sells and transports LNG between countries,” she says. Reflecting on high school, she says, aside from school accomplishments and activities involving the Academy of Science and Engineering, she loved all the school dances. If she could, she’d tell her kindergarten self to give everyone a chance. Katherine Munson – Walker Station Elementary, The Briarwood School Katherine Munson is heading to Texas Tech University. She’s undeclared on her major, but her dream is to help save the planet from climate change and help others. She’s looking forward to gaining independence in college. One of her favorite high school moments was during the Egg Drop Project in physics. Her project ultimately went well, and “I felt like I conquered something and felt really proud about it,” she said. If she could, she’d tell her kindergarten self: “Whatever problems you may face, know that it will end.” Jordan Killinger – Epiphany Lutheran School, Lutheran High North Jordan Killinger is heading to Rice University to study English and biology. She’s excited to make new friends “on this next journey in my life!” She hopes to be a geneticist, specializing in research or gene therapy. Her ultimate goal would be to eliminate all genetic diseases. Her favorite memories from high school are from musical season at Lutheran High North. If she could, she’d tell her younger self: "Just be your kind, happy, beautiful self! Always care for others, because you never know when someone could be hurting. Have fun and live your life in the moment, and don't forget to be loving, be yourself, and be a light for others!" Fatema Alshehhi – Alafaq School (Abu Dhabi), Al Reem School (Abu Dhabi), Alexander-Smith Academy Fatema Alshehhi is heading to American University of Sharjah in Dubai and will study architecture. She’s excited to take classes, gain new experiences, make new friends and reunite with old friends she hasn’t seen in four years. Since she was in elementary school, her dream has been to become an architect. Architecture isn’t a job of buildings and projects, she says; rather, it’s a lifestyle. “I enjoy design and solving problems that open my eyes and brain to be creative,” she says. Her favorite high school memories include the “senior lineup” and funny moments with friends. If she could, she’d tell her kindergarten self that everything happens for a reason and to trust yourself.

MORE ONLINE See thebuzzmagazines.com for more graduating neighbors. Also, check out – and contribute to, if you haven’t yet – our annual database of collegebound Buzz seniors. Additionally, read about some of the teachers who inspired these graduates along the way.

Maya Moustafa

Claire McAdams Photography

Natalia Maria Martin De Valmaseda – Universidad Francisco De Vitoria Cindy Crofford

Jenna Bobbora – Texas Christian University

Mees Franssen – University of Toronto

Katherine Munson – Texas Tech University Steve Simpson Photography

Esmé Conkright – Colorado School of Mines

Carlino’s Photography

Avery Norman

Whitney Thode – Baylor University

Jordan Killinger – Rice University

Fatema Alshehhi – American University of Sharjah MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 31

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NEIGHBORS

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by Sharon Albert Brier, staff writer

Rumor Has It Gowns made of flowers. Members of the Memorial Garden Club met at Canopy for Spring Lunch and Installation of Officers. Afterwards, they went to the Florescence exhibit at the MFAH, where they saw flowers turned into hats and artistic creations. A tour was led by Liz Wozencraft to explain the complexity of the design construction. Jana Stiffel, with her own artistic green thumb, will continue as the president. Other officers include Susan Diehl, Diane McDaniel, Susanna Jeu, Kristi Barnhill, Laurie Sorsby and Katherine Bodron, and committee chairs Melanie Whatley, Suzy Godwin, Kristi Barnhill and, yours truly, Sharon Brier. Snow or Tennis? Brendan and Jenna Jackson Gilbert and Rees and Parker Jackson played in the snow at Beaver Creek during Spring Break. It was like being at the Houston Racquet Club since so many of their friends were there too. Also spotted were Tiffany and Randall Wong with twins Gigi and Zac and Nathalie and Thomas Cook with McKenzie and Thomas. Besides skiing and snowboarding, there were plenty of snowball fights. The setting is Austin. Memorial High and Texas A&M grad Stephanie Perkins wrote an award-winning, cozy mystery novel, Murder Once Removed, under her pen name, S.C. Perkins. (There’s another “Stephanie Perkins” author out there.) The genealogy-themed mystery was unveiled at a discussion for 40 fans, led by Stephanie, for the Houston Junior Forum and friends at Judy Perkins’ home. Stephanie won The Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Novel contest with this book. Cookies with silhouettes of “relatives” on a family tree were served since a genealogist-turned-amateur sleuth is the root of it all. What animal is the Canary Islands named after? A dog. The Houston Junior Forum Dinner Club met at Larry and Mary Reed Lankford’s home for appetizers before meeting up again at Ciro’s. To ensure the conversation at the three tables engaged each person, Mary had questions for them to discuss and agree on an answer. The Battle between the Tables began! What color is an aircraft’s Black Box? What kind of animal is a prairie dog? Where are Panama hats from? Lucky for you that you can Google the MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 34

GREEN THUMBS The Memorial Garden Club met for lunch and to install new officers. From left: Laurie Sorsby, Katherine Bodron, Melanie Whately, Susan Diehl, Diane McDaniel, (sitting) Sharon Brier, Jana Stiffel and Susanna Jeu. Not pictured: Kristi Barnhill and Suzy Godwin.

answers. Orange, rodent and Ecuador. Where’s your bookmark? You might only read on a Kindle these days, but lots of people still like the feel of a book. Betty Babendure hosted a Book Swap fun-raiser at her home, where members and friends of Anne Frank Hadassah paid to have a delicious and healthy lunch and get a free book or two. Betty had a pop quiz about books to win prizes. Sandi Hedrick won an Amazon gift card with the most points. Let’s see if you know two characters in Charlotte’s Web besides Charlotte, and what’s the book series about a girl detective? Betty is a retired kindergarten teacher, by the way. Reflections on Style. The Chic Boutique Runway Show and Luncheon, themed Prancing with a Purpose and presented by the Salvation Army Auxiliary, raised over $6 million. A horse out front of the River Oaks Country Club greeted the guests to pay respect to honoree Judi McGee, an avid horse lover whose farm hosted an Easter egg hunt with 7,000 eggs for 250 underprivileged children from Boys & Girls Harbor. Gina Saour, auxiliary president, welcomed the guests at the sold out event that spilled into the adjacent room. Event chair Darlene Clark and committee members Leigh

Newton Alvarez, Lynn Clayton, Tammy McDade, Dev Stern and Connie Wallace were impressed with the quality and bargains of the recycled designer fashions that were sold later the next day in the pop-up Chic Boutique. Wall of videos. The Society of IranianAmerican Women for Education held its gala event at LifeHTX to celebrate the Iranian/Persian new year (Nowruz) and to honor its Texas college and university scholarship recipients. A wall projection of cherry blossoms swaying in the breeze provided a wow and ambient spring background as the 200-plus guests mingled. A short video of the celebration in countries worldwide was projected as keynote speaker Dr. Mahnaz Afkhami, event chair Heidi Kashani and auction chair Neekie Kashani spoke. A magician from Magic Island and DJ Radu Jon, “The Violin Guy,” entertained. In the crowd were Ambassador Hushang Ansary and Shahla Ansary, Monsour Taghdisi, Henry Richardson and Nazey Azimpoor.

MORE ONLINE See Rumor Has It at thebuzzmagazines.com for additional photos. Have some good news to share? Email us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com.

MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 35

KIDS

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by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz Baby

Summer outings

Buzz Baby is a column about life with little ones. Writer Annie McQueen has three children age 4 and under.

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y the time June arrives in these parts, there’s pretty much a guaranteed component that comes along with it: heat. When the sweltering, sweaty days set in, it’s hard to stay outside all day with young children, yet they can get bored at home. Tami Clark, a fan of travel and adventure, has found some not-too-hot summer activities for her four young children. She and husband Justin have 9-year-old Elle, 7-year-old Eden, 5year-old Ryan and 3-year-old Chelsea. One favorite summer spot, even though it’s outdoors, is The Houston Zoo. They arrive early before the heat sets in and stick mostly to indoor exhibits with air conditioning like the aquarium, reptile house, bird house and Naturally Wild Swap Shop, where kids can bring items that they found in nature to learn more about. After walking around, they cool off with Dippin’ Dots or find a breeze while riding around the carousel. They finish the day at the zoo’s splash pad. Tami packs her kids spare clothes in plastic bags, so after the splash pad, they can change into dry clothes for the ride home. She recalled one visit when her kids promised they would be ok riding home wet when they didn’t have dry clothes. “They were totally fine until we walked with wet clothes through the zoo and got into the car.” Tami had to strip them down, and they rode home with barely any clothes on. “I died laughing from my driver’s seat mirror looking at them,” she said. Tami keeps a small cooler in the back of her car in the summer with ice blocks for snacks, waters for the kids and sparkling water for her. Last summer, as a different outing, she drove her kids around Houston on a self-guided artwall crawl. “The children loved the adventure of looking out the window for the next art wall, and I think it gave them an appreciation of alternative forms of creativity and art,” she said. To plan the day, Tami Googled “Houston painted walls” and printed a map. “That’s my MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 36

favorite memory because it was so out of the ordinary and allowed us to see some fun parts of Houston.” They also went to see the 64-foottall Waterwall, the waterfall fountain created 35 years ago that juts out of the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park, 2800 Post Oak Blvd., in the Galleria area. Unfortunately, the fountain was turned off that day, so they headed to the Dandelion Fountain (Gus S. W o r t h a m M e m o r i a l Fountain) in SUMMER IN THE CITY The Clark family visited the Gus Wortham Memorial Fountain on Allen Parkway last summer. From left: Elle (holding sister Chelsea), Eden Buffalo Bayou and Ryan Clark. Park – it’s near the ice cream at Red Mango. Waugh Street “bat bridge” (where you can Fish Gallery, 2909 Fountain View Dr. The watch bats emerge at dusk) on Allen Parkway. retail fish store has a 4,000-gallon tank, four Other favorite summer spots for the Clark ponds and a rare turtle and hosts a summer family include indoor church playgrounds reading on Wednesdays in July and August. (Christ the King Presbyterian Church or Call 713-523-3474. Memorial Drive United Methodist Church), Houston Public Library, houstonlibrary.org. the Tot Spot at The Children’s Museum, the Curl up and read a book or find activities in the McGovern Centennial Gardens and Hermann kids’ corners. Story times, toddler playtimes Park and Discovery Green. “Discovery Green and more. has so many fun activities for toddlers,” she Nature Discovery Center, 7112 Newcastle St. said. “There’s a new baby area with a padded, Story time, craft and nature walk Wednesdays closed-in play area, a splash pad and playat 4 p.m. ground.” Memorial City Mall, off I-10 inside Beltway Here are a few more suggestions from Buzz 8. Indoor playground, train, carousel and stores. parents: Tuesdays at Studio Movie Grille, 822 Town Editor’s note: What are your favorite cool sumand Country Blvd. Studio Movie Grille offers mer outings? Email info@thebuzzmagazines.com or $5 movies all day on Tuesdays. Then let the comment under this story at thebuzzmagazines.com. kids run around the green at CityCentre or get

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TRAVEL

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by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Travel Buzz

Like father, like son

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yche and William Fowler are like most fathers and sons in that they like to share a good adventure. In other ways, they’re in a category of their own. Wyche is a former U.S. Senator who resides part-time in his native Georgia and part-time in West U, teaching at Rice University so that he can be closer to his son. William is a just barely 15-year-old wise soul and a freshman at Episcopal High School, whose favored travel companions, besides his dad, include scientists and researchers. Together, the two have created a treasured tradition that they hope to carry on for many years more: a series of journeys into the wild, to learn about and appreciate nature in all its glory. “I wanted to spend some quality time where there was just the two of us,” said Wyche. “In this commercial shopping mall world that we live in, I did want him to appreciate the glory of the natural world. All of our trips have been outdoors in different environments, in different ecosystems – and, most importantly, fun.” From the rainforests of Costa Rica to the glaciers of Iceland, and a little closer to home but just as wild, in the backwoods of Colorado and Wyoming, the pair have found some of the Earth’s most special places to immerse themselves and test their mettle against a variety of backdrops. It’s not that either of them is the rugged outdoors type – three days of horseback riding in the Rockies left them saddle sore and bleeding; but they are aware of the vanishing forests and the shrinking glaciers, and they want to experience those together, while there is still time to see them in their current state. Most recently, during this year’s Spring Break, they were able to accompany an epic whalewatching expedition in the remote San Ignacio Lagoon of Baja California, one of three lagoons on the southwest coast of Baja – and the only one that remains undeveloped – that are the winter home of the gray whale. The whales take refuge from the high seas in these shallow, warm waters to care for their baby calves. The lagoon is within the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, designated a Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 38

Getting there was an adventure in itself, beginning with San Diego, with a trip to the Old Town and the famous San Diego Zoo; there they met their guides and took a shuttle over to Tijuana, and then a 3½-hour flight on a Embraer twinengine 10-seater right to TICO TRAVELS William (at left) and Wyche Fowler, a former U.S. senator and their campsite. diplomat, enjoyed one of their first adventures together in Costa Rica, where they “It’s as close as you’re explored cloud forests, volcanos and beaches. going to get to being a who actually seek out human interaction. The bird,” said Will, still a little bit exhilarated from peak moment, which people come from all over the experience. the world to experience, is when they come close Air taxis fly lower than jets, at around 10,000 enough to touch – or in many cases, to kiss, feet, so you can see everything, said Wyche. according to Alice Short of the Los Angeles Times. “You could see for quite a while the Pacific “One whale came up right in front of my Dad – Ocean over on the right and the Sea of Cortez on and he was kind of shocked at first, but then he just the left, and we were flying over the spine of the grabbed him with his two arms and gave him a big Mexican mountains through the Baja Peninsula.” whale hug,” recalls Will. “I reached over and At the end of the flight they landed on a dirt touched it, but he really got a faceful of gray whale.” strip in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but Wyche chuckled at the recollection. “It was a couple of wooden shacks. From there they a special moment in my life. I was so shocked – took a shuttle and then a boat to the campsite. I grabbed him with both hands, and everyone “It’s actually where the desert meets the ocean,” on the boat said, ‘Oh my goodness – he just said William. “You just walk out of your tent and hugged a whale.” take a seat, and you can watch whales from your The lasting impression was not what one seat. The stars come out after the sun goes down might expect. “I can tell you one thing, they – there’s no light pollution for 600 miles. It’s about have bad breath,” said Wyche. “We could smell as away from the world as you can get.” it through the blowhole because it had been eatBut this trip would involve so much more than ing all that fish – it’s a distinctive smell.” sitting on the shore. It was a full-immersion expeOn a more serious note, the pair will never rience, shared with marine biologists, oceanograforget watching the gentle giants “spy-hop,” or phers, naturalists and other types of researchers. emerge up to the level of the eye to take a look Twice a day they would board a panga, a light around. And watching them breach, especially eight-person boat, and head out into the lagoon from the water, was awe-inspiring. to observe the gray whales – named by John “They’ll come up three-quarters and someEdward Gray in 1865. times turn sideways and slap down on their “We’d go out not even five minutes and we’d side,” said Wyche. “It is colossal when you see see one – and you could go up to it. But you them at any time, but many times they were can’t chase the whales, you have to shut the only 40 or 50 feet from our boat, and it’s terrifymotor off. The babies come close and they ing and astounding also.” might get hit by it.” Adult gray whales grow to an average of 50 Some of the whales – about 10 percent, feet in length, while babies (continued on page 40) according to William – are known as “friendlies,”

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FATHER-SON ADVENTURE Top left: Sunrises and sunsets on the Laguna de San Ignacio were equally unforgettable. Bottom left: Wyche (at left) and William Fowler enjoyed their fourth deep immersion in the natural world together with a whale-watching expedition on the Laguna de San Ignacio in Baja California. Right: Watching a whale breach alongside your boat is one of the great experiences of a lifetime. (continued from page 38) are born at around 1,000

pounds. They get all their nourishment from their mother for a couple of months, but after three or four weeks they weigh over a ton, just from their mother’s milk. In the old days, when fishermen would go out to hunt the whales, the mothers would come out of the water and land on the boat, smashing it along with everyone in it. But those days are long past, and nowadays these humans and whales seek only an unforgettable inter-species connection. The sunsets were unforgettable, as were the night skies. They’d fall asleep to the sound of tents flapping in the wind, and every now and then they’d wake up to a calm space where they could hear the whales coming up. “You could hear blowholes all night long,” said Will.

From jungle to glaciers to Wild West The pair’s first outing was to Wyoming, when Will was just 11. It was in August, but the mountain chill was a harsh surprise. “It went down to 23 degrees at night, and we were sleeping in tents on the ground,” recalled Wyche, laughing at the memory. “I gave Will my blankets, and I almost froze to death.” It was a great adventure, three days on horseback winding through thick forest and rough terrain. It was harder for Wyche, who hadn’t been on a horse in 20 years, unlike William, who had MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 40

been on several recent horseback outings. “I remember how bloody we were, because the horses brush up against the brush that has a lot of snags and broken off limbs – we were getting stabbed every 10 minutes or so,” said Wyche. “It was a little scary for me – we had streams to cross where the horses would crouch and leap – and thankfully neither of us fell off.” The next year they chose Costa Rica, for its spectacular cloud forests filled with wildlife and its colorful and friendly culture. William loved the giant tree sloths and the toucans, the live volcano and the mist that draped over the mountains. The football-length swinging foot bridges over the gulches were something Wyche could have lived without, but for William, they were a blast. The following year they chose Iceland, with hopes of observing the elusive aurora borealis. As nature lovers, they also were eager to experience the island nation’s unique geology and geography, and were impressed with its strong green ethic – its energy is all renewable, and its culture is highly environmentally sensitive. Up there with the northern lights for William was the chance to strap on crampons and use an ice pick to climb a glacier – he was all ready to sign up for pickaxe and climbing school, but Dad didn’t sign on for that one. After three nighttime outings to see the aurora borealis, they almost gave up – cloud cover wasn’t letting anything through. But as luck would have

it, the clouds parted at around 1 a.m. on the last night, giving them the light show of their lives. The journeys have given them much to ponder – for Wyche, who leaves behind a legacy as a champion of environmental legislation, and for William, who will live with the consequences of the political system’s successes and failures. “For me, I’m pretty young, and all these natural wonders of the world – glaciers and tropical rainforest, for instance – are diminishing, and not so slowly. We wanted to explore these different spots that may not be around when I’m an adult.” It’s sad, agreed Wyche – but the journeys themselves were not, and he’s pleased with how they’ve been turning out. “It’s one thing being a father going to baseball game and to Dave & Buster’s. It’s another thing to go to some of these unique places and to share those experiences together – in my case, to see it through his eyes. To see him ask questions, and learn from the scientists about the whales, for instance, and see it for himself. So it’s me learning more about him, and him learning about the world around us.” Editor’s note: William and his mother, Dawn Bloomer, appeared in Travel Buzz’s “All aboard: travel by train” in November 2016. Buzz travel columnist Tracy L. Barnett is a Lowell Thomas travel journalism award winner and longtime travel and environmental writer.

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by Becky Pivec, contributing writer

Cooking Buzz Teens at the table

Photo courtesy of the Junior League of Houston

FOOD

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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he title of this article is a little bit of a misnomer. As a mom to two high schoolers, I know that all of us being able to eat at the table together is a challenge. Between after-school activities, time with friends, sports and work, evening hours are precious. As school winds down and summer swim ramps up, our dinner focus is on somewhat healthy meals that are also filling. Active teenagers are hungry! For athletic kids, lean protein is always a good idea. The Pan Seared Tilapia with HoneyJalapeño Vinaigrette from Peace Meals is a straightforward recipe that tastes complex and delicious. We often use snapper in lieu of tilapia, but catfish, cod or any flaky white fish would work as well. The spice is easy to alter depending on your crowd’s tolerance for heat. The fish goes well with a simple kale salad, but if you’re not excited about a leafy green vegetable, try Mashed Potatoes with Rosemary Butter from Stop and Smell the Rosemary. The recipe calls for using your electric mixer, but this is really the perfect time to enlist your kids to mash and mix the potatoes for you. One less thing to clean, and my kids are usually up for helping when asked (depending on the request, of course). Teens are notorious for changing plans on the fly. If I need to throw something together quickly that checks the boxes of lean protein, starch and vegetable, I love to make the Penne with Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage and Arugula from Peace Meals. This meal can be made in one pan, which makes it even more appealing for a tired parent. For dessert, all nutrition rules go out the window. The Toffee Chocolate Pecan Pie from Stop and Smell the Rosemary has been a staple for special events in our house for years. Add a little ice cream to beat the summer heat. While eating a home-cooked meal is our goal, life does not always allow for it. For meals in a pinch, we rely on Dream Dinners or frozen items from The Pantry at the Junior League. MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 42

A QUICK BITE Finding time for the family to eat together can be challenging. Try quick, healthy meals like this Pan Seared Tilapia.

Penne with Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage and Arugula From Peace Meals 12 ounces penne pasta 2 Tablespoons garlic-infused olive oil 1 pound Italian turkey sausage, casings removed 1 large onion, thinly sliced 1 cup grape tomatoes ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper Coarse salt 2 cups baby arugula ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1 cup reserved pasta water

From Peace Meals 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar 2 Tablespoons chopped white or red onion ¼ teaspoon coarse salt 1 teaspoon plus ¼ cup olive oil, divided 1 to 2 medium jalapeños 1 Tablespoon honey 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro 1 clove garlic, finely minced 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard Freshly ground pepper 6 tilapia fillets (about 5 to 6 ounces each) (may substitute any flaky white fish)

Place the pasta in a large pot of boiling water. As the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a sauté pan over medium-high. Add the sausage and brown while breaking it apart until crumbly. Add the onion slices and sauté until transparent, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, red pepper and a pinch of salt to the sausage and onions. Stir to break up the tomatoes slightly. When the pasta is just short of al dente, add the arugula to the sausage mixture and stir to combine. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the sausage mixture. Raise the heat to high and stir to coat the pasta. Add the cheese and the pasta water to the pan, stirring to create a sauce. Place the pasta in a serving bowl and drizzle with additional olive oil, if desired. Serves 4 to 6.

Combine the vinegar and onions in a small bowl; season with the salt and let stand for 10 minutes. Heat 1 teaspoon of the olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high. Add the whole jalapeños and cook, turning, until charred on all sides, about 3 to 5 minutes. Cool slightly and remove the charred skin; stem, seed and finely chop the jalapeños. Whisk the jalapeños, honey, cilantro, garlic, mustard and remaining ¼ cup of the olive oil into the reserved vinegar-onion mixture. Season vinaigrette with salt and pepper. Lightly oil a large nonstick skillet and heat over high. Season the fillets with salt and pepper, and sear for 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until opaque throughout. Transfer the fish to a platter. Whisk the vinaigrette and spoon over the fish. Serves 6.

Pan Seared Tilapia with HoneyJalapeño Vinaigrette

MORE ONLINE See thebuzzmagazines.com for more recipes.

MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 43

Alexa Volchev

DINING

by Dai Huynh, staff writer

Chef’s Corner

Frédérick Perrier

Find out about your favorite chefs in our Chef’s Corner column. This month, restaurant writer Dai Huynh interviews master chef Frédérick Perrier.

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n the TV show MasterChef with Gordon Ramsay, amateur chefs compete for a title and go on to sign TV deals or open restaurants. That's the Hollywood version. To earn the title in France, chefs must be inducted into the prestigious, and very exclusive, society called Maître Cuisiniers de France. It’s one of the highest honors. And Texas – Houston, to be precise – can boast of five master chefs. No other city in the Lone Star State has a master chef of France. While New York – the largest city in the United States – has dozens, our second largest city, Los Angeles, can claim only two, and Chicago, the third largest, has one. In Houston, we have David Denis of Le Mistral, Jean-Luc Royere of The Post Oak Hotel, Philippe Verpiand of Étoile Cuisine et Bar, Philippe Schmit of the shuttered Philippe Restaurant and Frédérick Perrier, who, after a long absence inside the Loop, has returned to oversee the menu at the globally inspired Bisou (4444 Westheimer) in the River Oaks District. Here, the 56-year-old toque shares his storied career and know-how for ripening cheese (something Americans rarely think about but is written into the French’s DNA). You and your wife Michelle moved to her hometown, Houston, in 1997, to raise kids and open Grille 5115 (now 51fifteen) inside the then-new Saks Fifth Avenue. Before that, you were a rising star, garnering fans at several New York restaurants, including La Cité, Le Chantilly and La Bohème. You were featured in The New York Times and several national food publications. You also cooked for celebrities, French ambassadors and other dignitaries. Raised in a food paradise, Lyon, France, you started in the kitchen at what age? At 12 years old, I went to see the dean of culinary apprenticeship. At 13, I started a preapprenticeship at Les Trois Dômes in the Hotel Sofitel. I hated it. Those people were maniacs – throwing pots and pans at you. It was crazy. Luckily for you, the following year, you landed MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 44

in the quaint village of Vonnas and on the doorstep of the legendary Georges Blanc’s three Michelin-starred La Mère Blanc, one of the great gastronomical shrines of CHEF PERRIER Frédérick Perrier is back inside the Loop with Continental-inspired Bisou, France. which opened last fall. It was a twoSpeaking of charcuterie. You had a little butcher starred restaurant at the time, and Georges shop, Meat and Greet, but eventually, you closed wasn’t in the kitchen very much. He relied on it because it was challenging, finding someone deft a young guy, Alain Richard, who was a tough at making European-style cold cuts and ripening cookie. He was cutting-edge. Paul Bocuse and cheese. others were doing traditional dishes. But In France, when you go to a cheese shop, they Georges and this young chef, they were doing will ask you, “Camembert? How would you like something new and more creative. We went it ripened? Are you going to eat it tomorrow or from heavy dishes to lighter ones, like maria week from now? Do you like it firm or runny?” nating salmon with a brush of lime juice and For me, unless it’s fairly ripe, it tastes like plaster. olive oil. So, I will let my cheese sit at room temperature In 1980, you worked for Bocuse, followed by a until it ripens to my liking in seven or 10 days. year on the island of Saint Barthelemy in the French With Camembert and Brie, as they ripen, they West Indies, then New York. Eventually, after do get more pungent. So some people might preGrille 5115, you opened several restaurants in fer Saint-Andre and Delice de Bourgogne. Both Houston, including the acclaimed Aura in Missouri are triple cream, super creamy and mild. City in 2007. Aura has since closed, but you still What should we order when we visit Hoggs ’n operate Live Oak Grill (12935 Dairy Ashford Chicks? And where are the places you and Michelle Road, Sugar Land) and Hoggs n’ Chicks (8817 like to eat? Highway 6, Missouri City). Both are casual, family I like our chicken fried chicken, the jalapeño friendly restaurants and very different from your latchicken slider and the beer battered fish tacos. est venture, Bisou, which means “kiss” in French. We make everything from scratch. As for The idea came from the Clé Group, with favorite places, Michelle loves Coltivare (3320 partners Zack Truesdell, Andrew Estes, Salim White Oak Drive). I like B&B Butchers (1814 Dehkordi, and Dallas Rodriguez. I’ve known Washington Avenue) for steaks. We’re also fans Zack forever, and for years, he’s been saying, of Nancy’s Hustle (2704 Polk), and in “Let’s do something like Brasserie 19.” But with Chinatown, we like Mein Restaurant (9630 a twist. Bisou is inspired by restaurant/club Clarewood Drive). They have this cold pork Bagatelle, which has 10 or more locations dish that strangely reminds me of charcuterie. It around the world. So, you have a chef-driven comes with a hot chili sauce with fresh ginger restaurant during lunch and from 5-8 p.m. After and other things. I really love it; many people 9:30 p.m. or so, it’s party time. My vision is to don’t. And believe it or not, I like Gringo’s create a great dining experience, so along with Mexican Kitchen. There are several locations. my foie gras and horseradish-crusted pork chops, I’ve added charcuterie plates and a small sushi Editor’s note: Buzz dining columnist Dai Huynh bar for the crowd who likes to nibble and socialis a James Beard food-journalism award winner and ize. There is no dancing here. But we do have a longtime Houston-based restaurant writer. live DJ weeknights and on Sunday.

SPORTS

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by Todd Freed, staff writer

SportzBuzz T

he Kinkaid Falcons capped off a magnificent 31-2 season by beating rival Episcopal 1-0 to capture the SPC Baseball Championship. “It was an incredible year,” said Falcons head baseball coach Steve Maas. “This was by far the most unselfish team I’ve ever coached. They were truly a special, hard-working group, and I couldn’t be any prouder of this team.” In the SPC tournament, the Falcons defeated Dallas Greenhill 15-0 behind a complete-game nohitter from pitcher Michael Duncan. Then, after beating a strong John Cooper team 6-5 in the semifinals, Kinkaid pitchers Cade Moulton, David Shaw and Stone Simmons combined for the thrilling 1-0 shutout victory over Episcopal. “Cade grew up in a huge way for us this year and gave us four strong innings of one-hit baseball,” said Maas. “David followed and did a great job to keep Episcopal scoreless, and then Stone came in with two runners in scoring position to strike out the final two batters and secure the championship.” Those last two strikeouts, numbers 100 and 101 on the season for Simmons, set a Kinkaid alltime school record for most strikeouts in a single season. “Stone just has that special ability to handle the moment,” said Maas. “He’s come through for us time after time in tough situations during his tremendous career at Kinkaid.” Simmons, who’ll next pitch at Furman University, is one of several Falcons who’ll play major college baseball next season, in addition to Cade Moulton (Air Force), Carlos Abello (Princeton), James House (Dartmouth), Wyatt Young (Oregon State) and Chris Stallings (Air Force). The championship tradition continues for the Episcopal Knights softball team, which secured its third straight SPC title and 10th championship in the last 21 years. “Coach Kim Randolph, who retired from coaching this season, did such a phenomenal job in building a winning tradition here, and this title is a testament to his legacy,” said Knights first-year head coach Caitlyn Cain. Cain actually played for Randolph for four seasons between 2004 and 2007, with the Knights winning championships in all four of those seasons. As for this season’s title, Cain credited the

MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 46

MIGHTY The Memorial Mustangs were one of the region’s winningest 6A baseball teams. The Mustangs are pictured here after winning their 29th game of the season by defeating Bellaire in the bi-district playoffs.

hard work of every player for the team’s success. “We lost so many amazing seniors from last year’s championship team, but our girls put in the dedication to continue the winning tradition. We lost our first seven games, but I’m so proud of how they were able to turn it around to win 14 of our last 15 games.” For the season, junior first baseman Lexi Sagers led the team in hitting with a .484 average while accounting for 24 RBIs. Senior third baseman Rachel Boeker, who homered in the SPC final victory over St. John’s, was a major contributor with a .406 batting average, while junior outfielder Ka’lyn Watson tied a school record with 11 homers this season. Watson, who won athlete of the year honors at Episcopal, also hit for a .394 average with 26 RBIs. On the mound, the tandem of Reese Barrett and LeAnn Dromgoole led the way, with both boasting 2.75 ERAs. With their two-game sweep of Bellaire in the first round of the UIL 6A baseball playoffs, the Memorial Mustangs raised their record to a lofty 29-4 on the season. Prior to that, the Mustangs had closed out the regular season with a No. 13 state ranking and a District 17-6A championship to its credit. “Since we were freshmen, one of our big goals was to win that district championship, and it was really a nice accomplishment,” said Mustangs

senior catcher Jackson Appel. For his part, Appel is one of six Mustangs who’ve already signed or committed to play collegiate baseball. Along with Appel (University of Pennsylvania), other top commits or signees include senior pitcher Jarod Plank (Rice), senior pitcher Cole Robertson (Hamilton College) senior pitcher Trey Howard (UT Dallas), junior pitcher Thomas Vincent (Texas A&M), junior outfielder Ben Dukes (Rice) and junior Jack Riedel (North Carolina). “These kids have worked really hard since they were 4 or 5 years old to get where they are today,” said Mustangs head baseball coach Jeremy York. “They’ve committed themselves to getting better and better at the game, and they’re also a fun group to be around. The biggest thing is just how they go about their business.” “We just have that grit and drive to get better every time out,” added Mustangs senior Clark Henry. “We just love working with each other and building a unique team chemistry.” Editor’s note: Todd Freed is the Emmy Awardwinning co-host and producer of the KUBE SportsZone, which airs Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m. on Channel 57-KUBE. To submit high school sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, please email todd@thebuzzmagazines.com.

MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 47

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-place golfers Golfers and classmates Cason Wakefield and Cormac Steranko (top photo, from left) participated in the 13th annual First Tee of Greater Houston National School Program Champions Challenge. The Wilchester Elementary fourth graders were among those chosen to represent the Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD). Approximately 400 fourth graders, representing 29 schools, competed at the golf event, and the team of SBISD students won first place. Along with competitors from around Houston, Cason and Cormac competed in individual and team events in putting, chipping, pitching and full swing.

Undefeated super champ Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart middle school tennis player Katie Garofolo-Ro (middle photo) is the undefeated line 1, middleschool singles tennis champ. The eighth grader, a USTA super champ, defeated each of the other line 1 players, including three other super champ-rated players, to earn the title. She won singles matches against each of the private schools in the middle-school conference, including The Kinkaid School, St. John’s School, St. Francis Episcopal Day School, River Oaks Baptist School, The John Cooper School and The Village School. After finishing the regular season, Katie won first place in singles play at the Houston Junior Preparatory Conference championship tournament. Off the court, she still finds time to study and maintains a 4.0 grade point average.

Champion wolf pack The St. Francis Episcopal Day School Wolves golf team (bottom photo) dominated the Sharpstown Park course to earn the 2019 Houston Junior Preparatory Conference title. The boys’ team won and defended their title with a strong 25-shot margin over rivals from The Kinkaid School, River Oaks Baptist School, St. John’s School and Annunciation Orthodox School. Eighth grader Jaivir Pande was at the top of the leaderboard, as first medalist, after shooting a 65 for the day. Coach Ted Lakoski praised his team after the victory. “For our boys to defend their HJPC championship title speaks to long hours on the green and true teamwork,” he said. The winning golfers are (from left) Bradley O’Donnell, Ford Montgomery, Teddy Lakoski, Gus Montgomery and Jaivir Pande. 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. MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 48

Schedule your visit today at olemiss.edu/visit. MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 49

KIDS

Ami Parikh

ONSTAGE Tulsi Parikh, an incoming ninth grader at Memorial High School, says theater has taken her from timid to assertive.

by Tulsi Parikh, age 13

Buzz Kidz

Home is where your playbills are

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need theater the way you need water. Like water, theater supplies nourishment, vitality and refreshment to an otherwise typical teenage life. And yes, I know, this is the cliché of clichés, but I am forever humbled by the onstage experience of butterflies in my stomach and adrenaline rushing through my body. Every Wednesday at 6 p.m., I have the privilege of walking out of my home and transforming myself into a different character. Wildfish Theatre has given me the opportunity to do this. I am rewarded each week with a new monologue to memorize, a new melody to master and a new routine to rehearse. This organization has taught me many things, including the power of discipline and the honor of being part of a team. In addition to these perks of musical theater,

Wildfish has given me countless life lessons. The most important thing I have learned is that no role is too small and to have ownership and pride in being a part of something larger than yourself. As I have grown with my time at Wildfish, the theater has too. From my start in 2013 to present, Wildfish has grown immensely by cultivating little kids’ minds and spirits. Our team is very passionate about serving the community and strives to spread joy with our music through our holiday giveaways and scholarship fundraisers, to name a few. My favorite people and my most treasured memories are part of this theater. Being a member of Wildfish, I have grown from a timid child to an assertive teenager ready to enter the daunting halls of high school and beyond. I have

learned to push my own boundaries, explore uncharted territory and make decisions outside of the box, all while feeling good about myself. I am eternally grateful for all that Wildfish has given me and look forward to continuing my wonderful experience. I mean, it’s true – home is where your playbills are! Want to be a Buzz Kid? Email approximately 350 words, a high-resolution photo and caption to info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401.

Get Your Morning Buzz Every weekday morning, enjoy your coffee + the buzz in your inbox. Our e-newsletter, Morning Buzz, features buzzworthy stories about neighbors every day, Monday-Friday. Sign up to find out what we’re buzzing about at thebuzzmagazines.com/morning-buzz.

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Poppy, age 1, Tabby, Tamerlaine Drive My name is Poppy, and I was adopted in College Station. While I love my Aggies, I’m a Houston girl at heart. I love watching squirrels run along the fence in my backyard and going on family adventures in the car. Looking out the window is my favorite part. My favorite snack is chips, and I meow until my humans share them. I spend most of my days lounging in the sun and napping anywhere I can fit. I can chase my toys for hours and hours without getting tired. My family knows when it’s time to play because of the wild look in my eyes. Since I am not yet 2 years old, I get cranky when it is bedtime. I need my beauty sleep, but I like to wake my owners up as early as I can. Even though they take care of me, I know that I’m really in charge around here. Got a cute critter? Email a picture of your pet with approximately 150 words to info@thebuzzmagazines.com or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401. Featured pets receive two passes to Rover Oaks Pet Resort. Each pass can be redeemed for one day of lodging in a Bunk House Suite, 25 percent off your next grooming appointment or 25 percent off one obedience training class.

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Medical directives and HIPAA authorizations Cases like Terri Schiavo horrify. Everyone fears surviving a medical crisis, only to be left in a persistent vegetative state with a respirator and feeding tube. Medical directives minimize the drama, by designating an agent to speak when you cannot, and by setting limits on the treatment provided when your condition is terminal or irreversible. The Texas Health and Safety Code authorizes four advance directives: a directive to physicians, a medical power of attorney, an out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order, and an in-hospital DNR order. The directive to physicians and medical power of attorney, along with a HIPAA authorization, are part of most estate planning packages. DNR orders require a physician’s signature, and, outside of nursing homes, are uncommon before the last year or so of life. The directive to physicians is also called a “living will.” It doesn’t apply until the patient suffers a terminal or irreversible condition. The basic form offers two options: life support or just comfort care. Texas enables a third option: let the doctor and medical agent decide together. The medical power of attorney names an agent to make any healthcare decision the patient could, from clipping toenails to pulling the plug. The agent is to carry out the patient’s wishes, written or not, even if the agent disagrees with the patient’s preferences. Medical powers are ineffective until the attending physician certifies in writing that the patient is incompetent to make medical care decisions. In practice, doctors, records departments, and prescription drug companies seldom ask for the certification. The out-of-hospital DNR stops life-sustaining treatments outside the hospital, including CPR, intubation, ventilation, defibrillation, and cardiac

pacing. It must be in writing, and on a promulgated form. A designated necklace or bracelet alerts paramedics and others to the order. The in-hospital DNR stops CPR in the hospital. You can request one on discharge, for use during the next hospital admission. These four directives are considered “advance” because they are signed pre-need. Any patient who can communicate is always allowed to request or refuse treatment and revoke prior directives. HIPAA authorizations allow medical providers, vendors, and records custodians to share information with friends and family, including business agents and executors that want to audit bills, and medical agents without a certification that the patient is incompetent. For help choosing an agent and discussing your wishes, start here: bellaireprobate.com/2018/08/the-end/. An enhanced DNR, as yet unblessed by the Texas legislature, is found at www.northtexasrespectingchoices.com/m-o-s-t/. We write wills and go to probate court. We offer no-obligation initial interviews for estate planning and administration, so it costs nothing to hear specific recommendations that suit your needs. Foreign nationals and international families welcome. Russell W. Hall, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Board Certified – Estate Planning and Probate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 6750 West Loop South, Suite 920, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.662.3853, bellaireprobate.com

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Build your dream home in central Houston If you have ever dreamed of building a new home in a prime location, David Weekley Homes invites you to learn how to turn your dream home into a reality with its Build on Your Lot program. You don’t have to move to the suburbs to enjoy the best in design, choice and service from David Weekley Homes. You can build the home you’ve always dreamed of on your own homesite in a location you already know and love. Priced from the $370s, the builder’s Central Houston Build on Your Lot homes offer convenient, low-maintenance living near downtown, including the Memorial, Braes Heights, Meyerland and Bellaire areas. With Weekley’s Build on Your Lot program, it’s easier than ever for you to build the home of your dreams, with a personal website to weekly updates, photos and information about your new home journey, financing packages with flexible terms and much more. Join David Weekley at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25 for a free Build on Your Lot seminar at Guadalajara Hacienda restaurant located at 9799 Katy Freeway to learn about Weekley’s turnkey process, from land consulting to financing, design and more. The event will feature a presentation by a David Weekley representative on the process and the benefits of having access to the builder’s personal builders, design center consultants and warranty service managers. Furthermore, an expert from David Weekley Homes’ preferred lender will discuss financial options that are available to make it even easier to achieve your dreams of homeownership. The David Weekley Homes Build on Your Lot program features hundreds of single-family floor plans with our exclusive FlexSpaceSM options that you

can tailor to reflect the architectural integrity of the surrounding area. This unique program also offers advanced, energy-saving building techniques, industryleading warranty and thousands of Custom ChoicesTM to help you personalize your new home. As the first builder in the United States to be awarded the Triple Crown of American Home Building, an honor which includes “America’s Best Builder,” “National Housing Quality Award” and “National Builder of the Year,” David Weekley Homes continues to live up to its reputation of exceptional quality and service. David Weekley also buys homes and homesites located inside Beltway 8. If you’re interested in selling your home or homesite, you can take advantage of the benefits of working with David Weekley Homes, a large, financially secure company, including cash transactions, an “as is” sale of your existing home and closing within 30 days. Visit our newest Build on Your Lot Memorial office at 10100 Katy Freeway, Suite 190 in Houston. To learn more about David Weekley’s Build on Your Lot program, visit DavidWeekleyHomes.com or contact a sales consultant at 281-249-7716. David Weekley Build on Your Lot Program, 10100 Katy Freeway, Suite 190, Houston, Texas 77043, 281.249.7716, DavidWeekleyHomes.com

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The itch that rashes meets its match Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a miserable condition. Itching brings on the scratch, which spreads the rash, and a vicious cycle ensues. Many rashes itch, but with eczema, the rash does not appear until after you scratch it. Thus, instead of being a “rash that itches,” it is known as the “itch that rashes.” In mild cases, using skin moisturizers and creams or ointments that contain steroids provide adequate control. In more severe cases, we have to use stronger doses of steroids that are taken by mouth and can cause terrible steroid side effects if used too long. Over the past 30-plus years, medical researchers have studied how white blood cells communicate with each other to regulate the immune system. One class of regulators is called interleukins (IL). IL-4, IL-13 and IL-31 play a role in eczema, so research has been done on how to block these signals to control the eczema. In March 2017, the FDA approved the biologic dupilumab (Dupixent), an injectable medication that inhibits both IL-4 and IL-13. In a pivotal study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2014, Dupixent provided much better relief when compared against steroid creams and ointments placed on the skin. Much larger studies confirmed this benefit in a 2016 NEJM manuscript. We have now started several patients on this treatment and have been amazed by how well it works. With eczema of any severity, rule No. 1 is moisturizing the skin. Dry skin is more likely to itch than is moisturized skin, and if we can control the itch, we control the scratch, and thus minimize the rash. Many allergic patients do not tolerate fragrances, so try a moisturizer that is “fragrance free.” It’s not good

enough if it says “unscented” because many unscented products have irritating fragrances that are offset by other masking (also irritating) fragrances. Many patients tolerate Vanicream, Cetaphil and CeraVe. Moisturizing can also be achieved from the inside out – staying well hydrated helps, as does ruling out and correcting Vitamin D deficiency. Oftentimes, the rash will get infected with bacteria, which complicates the situation. We sometimes have a patient pour half a cup of bleach into a bathtub full of water to kill the bacteria. Many patients find this unpleasant, and using a bleach-containing cleanser, like Cln, is almost as effective. If you are suffering with uncontrolled eczema, please ask for help. Better control is now within reach. 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

MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 55

Quy Tran Photography

NEIGHBORS

.

by Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld, staff writer

Buzz About Town Roswitha Vogler

Culinary spotlight

Rockin’ wedding Ryan Greenblatt is a professional drummer, so it was no surprise when he jumped on stage to play at his own wedding, but wedding guests were shocked when Alex Roberts followed him up there and joined him on guitar after their “I dos.” The bride and groom played and sang A Hard Day’s Night by The Beatles in front of nearly 300. Alex said she was terrified and the performance was a blur, but after they finished playing, she remembers looking up at their screaming and whistling guests and then turning around and locking eyes with Ryan on the drums. In that moment, she said she understood the rush Ryan gets from playing for a hyped crowd. “It occurred to me, now that we’re married, I get to look forward to a lifetime of discovering ways to share in each other’s passions and joy,” Alex reflected. Alex and Ryan met at Echo Hill Ranch summer camp as kids and reconnected at a honky tonk bar in Austin about seven years ago. The two married at The Astorian. Leah Muse Photography

More than 300 guests attended the Houston Food Bank’s 19th annual Chef’s Dinner. Among the celebrity chefs who prepared the evening’s meal were Mark Schmidt of Rainbow Lodge; Donovan Wood of Steak 48 (for Jeff Taylor), Nga Rogers of Pâtisserie Paris Je T'Aime; Robert Del Grande of Café Annie and Neal Cox of The Houstonian. Event chairs (pictured) were Phil and Sara Hawk. A video was shown

about the Food For Change scholarship program, and the client featured, Dominique Guinn, was in attendance and recognized.

Big taste of Houston The 7th Annual Big Taste of Houston, benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters, took place at the Audi Central Houston dealership with 400 guests, participants and volunteers. Co-chairs Drs. Crystal and Randall Wright led the food and beverage extravaganza, which featured more than 20 local restaurants, chefs and mixologists. Celebrity judges were KRIV-Fox 26’s CoCo Dominguez, KPRC Channel 2’s sports reporter Laine Fritz, freelance photographer and taco journalist Marco Torres, Kam Franklin of The Suffers and Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers and his wife Kara. The McCullers also received the Community Honoree award. KPRC Channel 2’s Khambrel Marshall and Christine Noël were emcees. Virgil Brown and Beth Curran shared their volunteer experience with Big Brothers Big Sisters as a Big Couple. Pictured are Catherine Ozdogan and Alara Ozdogan.

Focus on safety Crime Stoppers of Houston honored community members who have contributed to make the city safer. The annual Houston’s Heroes Awards Luncheon, which was held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel and attended by more than 400 guests, raised over $200,000. Dana Tyson, host of the Sunny 99.1 Morning Show, emceed. Awardees included Lt. Ralph Ohland, Special Agent Louie Verdeja and Sgt. Jeff Thomas from the Harris County Violent (continued on page 58) MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 56

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in Saint Petersburg, Florida. He was awarded scholarships to Ballet West and Orlando Ballet. Cameron is attending Houston Ballet’s summer intensive on scholarship and has accepted a scholarship to Houston Ballet’s professional training program. Both Delaney (pictured, at left) and Cameron (at right) placed third in the classical division of Youth America Grand Prix competition in Houston.

Dave Rossman

Evening in 18th-century Paris

Crime Unit and the DPS Texas Anti-Gang Center Violent Crime Unit, Phillips 66, Glenda and Russell Gordy, Michael D. Wilson, Harris County Commissioner R. Jack Cagle, Houston police Chief Art Acevedo and Assistant Chief Bobby Dobbins, The Houston 20, Jennifer Hohman, Amy Pierce and the winner of the inaugural Dave Ward Excellence Award, Ted Oberg. Pictured are Kelly Burke, Lauren Granello, Jaffray Getz, Jennifer Shellist, June Lovland, Elva Akin, Rina O'Malley, Megan Pond, Jessica Barrett and Nicola Brown.

(continued from page 56)

Jordyn White

Home for TMF

Double bassist Jonathan Keith (pictured, at left), a Memorial High School alum and Baylor University rising senior, has been accepted into the prestigious 30th Annual Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival. More than 390 applicants applied for the 93 positions to study in the rigorous one-month classical music residency at the University of Houston Moores School of Music. Jonathan, who was nicknamed MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 58

“The Bass-thoven” at age 12, made his first appearance in Carnegie Hall with the MHS Orchestra in 10th grade. Musical talent runs in his family; his late maternal grandfather, Blondie Calderon, was the pianist, vibraphonist and bandleader for country singer Ray Price, and his father, Richard Keith, is the organist, pianist and choir director at St. Francis Episcopal Church. Jonathan will join conductors and guest soloists plus classical music’s rising stars, including double bass colleague Ian Donovan (pictured, at right). Ian is a fellow Baylor University student from West U. See tmf.uh.edu.

On stage

Delaney Hart, a Memorial-area high school student and performer with City Ballet of Houston, was featured as the Outstanding Soloist at the Regional Dance America Southwest Festival in Albuquerque. She received a scholarship to Lines Ballet in San Francisco and a Regional Dance America Scholarship. She will study this summer at Pennsylvania Ballet. Cameron Kesten, a junior at Houston Christian High School and a performer with City Ballet of Houston, placed in the top 10 in the senior male classical division at American Dance Competition International Ballet Competition

Guests arrived in couture fashions and spectacular masks for The 2019 Alley Theatre Ball – La Grande Mascarade: Au Palais Royal at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston. The evening, honoring The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts, raised $1.1 million. The ballroom was transformed into 18th-century Paris, with models in vintage French gowns, waistcoats, breeches and intricate masks designed by artist Holland Vavra, plus Parisian garden scenes displayed on the walls with intricate mirrors. Chairs were Heide and Doug Shanda (pictured). Nina Zilkha accepted the gift of a signed script of Describe the Night by Obie award-winner Rajiv Joseph. The Dance House Fitness Dolls entertained guests with a modern minuet performance. The second performance surprised the crowd when the dancers broke out from a traditional minuet to a modern hip-hop number.

Power of the wolf pack Founding freshmen of St. Francis Episcopal School weren’t discouraged by rainy weather during the Houston Art Car Parade. The firsttime entrants showed their pack pride with their “Wolfie” art car and rode away with third place in the school category. Pictured with Wolfie on parade day are (first row, from left) Bailey Flowers, Alex Irwin, Laura Bryant Anderson, Luke Moreton, Madison Brungardt; (second row, from left) Alex Haug, Amal Ganim, John Kilsdonk, Maya Flowers, (continued on page 60)

MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 59

Daniel Ortiz

The Broach Foundation for Brain Cancer Research hosted its eighth annual Stand-Up for Brain Cancer Gala at River Oaks Country Club. Leading the event were Jamie Broach Byrd and husband Jeff Byrd. Comedian John Crist created huge laughs for the more than 500 guests, including Stacie Dunn and Connally Burroughs (pictured). The evening raised over $500,000 for brain cancer research at MD Anderson Cancer Center. In August 2011, James Broach was diagnosed with brain cancer and endured surgeries, radiation, chemo treatments and experimental trials. James decided to actively pursue a cure and, along with his wife, Jamie, established The Broach Foundation for Brain Cancer Research. James passed away in 2013.

All for education Pratham Houston celebrated 20 years of Pratham USA at their gala, which raised a record-breaking $4.5 million – the largest MEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 60

O’Brian Lassiter. The evening concluded with entertainment from the dance group Rhythm India and a fashion show by designer Anita Dongre presented by Raaz. Gala co-chairs were Peggy and Avinash Ahuja, Indrani and Hemant Goradia, and Shital and Bhavesh Patel. Pratham improves the quality of education for underserved children and youth in India. Pictured are Pratham board member Celestine Vettical and his wife Mini.

Spirit of hope Ronald McDonald House Houston hosted its 2019 Spirit of Hope Luncheon at the Royal Sonesta. More than 550 attended the event, which raised more than $375,000. Chairs were Dan Connally and Dana O’Brien (pictured). Former sports reporter Lisa Malosky emceed, and Staman Ogilvie, retired CEO of Hines'

Eurasia region, was keynote speaker. This year’s honorees were McDonald’s Owner/Operators of Greater Houston Derrick Equipment Company and Mustard Seed Outreach. Guests enjoyed lunch followed by cookies made by House volunteers. Funds support RMH Houston’s mission to provide a home for families of ill children being treated in the Texas Medical Center.

Plogging away Pooja Salhotra

Priscilla Dickson

Stand up for cancer

amount by an Indian-American charity. More than 900 attended the gala at the Hilton Americas. The gala kicked off with a video tribute to honoree Vijay Goradia, who established Pratham USA in 1999 after visiting a preschool in the slums of Mumbai. Gala underwriters Bimla and Swatantra Jain were recognized for their commitment to education. Celebrity guest Anil Kapoor, a Bollywood star, said he was moved by the support. Emcee was Nicole Bijay Dixit/Unique Photo Images

Sadeem Al Agari, Beth Looser (fine arts faculty), Krissy Richmond (fine arts faculty), Justin Doran (fine arts chair), Chandler Stephan, and (on art car) Katelyn Brown, Samantha Brown and Grace Martinez.

(continued from page 58)

In honor of Earth Day, The Buzz Magazines teamed up with the Memorial Park Conservancy to host a community “plogging” event at the Memorial Park trails. Plogging means Picking up Litter while Jogging (or walking) and is a great way to help protect the environment while getting exercise. Pictured are Jennifer Hall, Justin Hall, Taylor Castillo, Murphy Jones, Jadon Hall, Jordyn Hall and Joanna Hall as they prepare to go plogging. See more photos by Pooja Salhotra by searching “plogging” at thebuzzmagazines.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 JUNE 2019 61

NEIGHBORS

by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

Back Porch

Summer reading list

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hen she’s not leading a trust practice or mothering two teenaged daughters, you might find Jennifer Grosvenor plotting with a co-worker about what book to read next. Jennifer and her colleague Ben Fedorko have a long list of recent reads under their belts. Here, they’ve shared their thoughts on what books we should add to our own lists this summer. Jennifer’s top recommendation is A Gentleman in Moscow: A Novel, by Amor Towles. “It was every bit as good as everyone said it was,” Jennifer says of the mega-bestseller that is soon to become a television series. “[Towles] has this beautiful, lyrical style. It’s a story about a member of the Russian aristocracy who is in house arrest in a hotel for decades, and the way he makes this really small physical existence feel much larger by the way he interacts with other people. [Towles] takes a sad premise and makes it hopeful and uplifting. One of my favorite books in the last few years.” The Library Book, by Susan Orlean, is another of Jennifer’s favorites. “I loved libraries as a little kid,” says the native Galvestonian who grew up going to Galveston’s Rosenberg Library, Texas’ oldest library. “This book concentrates on a gigantic fire that happened in the Los Angeles Public Library. [Orlean] took that event and wove in stories about the history of libraries in America, what they do for people and how they’ve changed and adapted in recent years. It reads like a novel.” A bestseller and winner of several top book awards, The Library Book has been called “exquisitely written,” “mesmerizing” and “riveting.” Jennifer, who leads Northern Trust’s Houston office, says her final suggestion is The Power, by Naomi Alderman. A New York Times 10 Best Books of the Year and a top book on a staggering number of lists, The Power is “about women who suddenly develop this power, and they can kill people with it if they so choose. It draws an interesting parallel to the way men have traditionally been so ‘in charge’ and deals with how women, who suddenly become powerful and in charge, figure out how their relationships with men and with each other change.” Ben, a senior trust advisor and attorney, perusMEMORIAL BUZZ JUNE 2019 62

es the weekly top-books lists and then Googles the top five to see what interests him. Among his recent favorites, Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou is “a fascinating story about an ambitious young woman who had a lot of great ideas but took it too far. It’s amazing how many really high-profile and powerful people were drawn in and deceived. Extremely entertaining.” Named to many Best Book of the Year lists, this is the rise-and-fall story of Theranos, the biotech company founded by one-time superstar Houstonian Elizabeth Holmes. Ben says Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens, “is a great, great summer read with lots of themes to interest lots of different people. It’s set in nature, in the TIME TO READ Summer is the perfect time to dig into a long list of good books. Carolinas, and there is a This is a book that will make you cry throughlove story, a murder mystery weaved through, out.” Ben named his youngest daughter, 9the joy of being outside on the beach. It’s the month-old Mattie, after the character in Berry’s story of a girl raised in a poor family with an abunovel Jayber Crow who “is full of grace and kindsive father – she winds up raising herself – and ness and just has a sweet spirit,” Ben says. her coming of age in this unique environment.” “Completely off my normal reading path but The New York Times Book Review calls Owens’ hilarious” is how Ben describes Davis Sedaris’ debut novel “painfully beautiful.” Calypso. “A good, lighthearted read about getBen also recommends anything by Wendell ting older and how you can make that a little bit Berry, especially Hannah Coulter: A Novel. funny. It looks at what it’s like to retire and not “Hannah’s first husband goes off to war during have a day job and what you do with your time.” WWII and doesn’t return. She has a child who New York Magazine says, “…the audiobook verwas born around that same time. The story is sion of Calypso will be the perfect travel comabout rebuilding her life, what it’s like to be a panion during road trips and getaways this mom and part of a rural community during a time spring and beyond.” when there were so many changes taking place. behance.net/runamokstudios

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