The Brown family
Texans in Telluride by Tracy L. Barnett
Lost and Found Love Investigating Private Eyes Adventure Couples Houston, TX
Growing Abroad
Permit No. 2047 PAID US Postage PRSRT STD
Breaking Up With Your Hairdresser
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
M
aybe you’re familiar with the party game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, where you can link any Hollywood figure to Kevin Bacon in six or fewer connected film roles. At The Buzz, we often can do the same with people in our own community, linking any two residents in a few steps. Not a day goes by without a coincidental meeting or connection between residents, whether in person or through one of our stories. Take this month’s cover story on Telluride, by our wandering Travel Buzz writer, Tracy Barnett, in which my family found ourselves in the middle of our very own game of six degrees. We were a thousand miles from Houston and a world away in terms of beautiful scenery, and at every turn we ran into warm and welcoming residents from our Buzz coverage areas. We met new neighbors and made lasting new friends. And, yes, we all cut a little Footloose. michael@thebuzzmagazines.com
THE BUZZ MAGAZINES BELLAIRE • WEST UNIVERSITY • MEMORIAL • TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS Published by Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401 info@thebuzzmagazines.com • p: 713.668.4157 • f: 713.665.2940 tanglewoodbuzz.com • riveroaksbuzz.com• facebook.com/twrobuzz Editor Publisher Associate Editors Vice President, Sales Staff Writers
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Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman Cheryl Laird Annie Blaylock McQueen Jay Janecek Tracy L. Barnett Sharon Albert Brier Andria Frankfort Angie Frederickson Todd Freed Michelle Casas Groogan Dai Huynh Dave Schafer Cheryl Ursin Michelle Maresh Jordan Magaziner John Duboise Leslie Little Andrea Blitzer Darsey Swaim Erin Thompson Laura Callan Helen Hamilton Michele Luke
On our cover: The Brown family loves Telluride. From left (standing): David, Julie, and Ashley. Kneeling: Christopher and Caroline. Seated: Madeline. Cover photo by www.elevationimaging.com The Buzz Magazines has made all reasonable attempts to verify the accuracy of all information contained within. Advertising claims are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Editorial content does not necessarily express the opinions of the publisher. Copyright © 2014 Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this magazine by any means without written permission is strictly prohibited. Printed on recycled paper. Please remember to recycle.
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MAILBAG
Your letters, thoughts, opinions Details matter Thank you for this very insightful article (Affording College, by Cheryl Laird, January 2014). I really appreciated the details and specific action items listed. Most articles regarding preparing for college are vague and high level and don’t provide any insight into a very daunting process. They simply tell the reader to do research. This article went above and beyond and actually listed very specific action items and examples. Thank you for a great article. Cecilia Heilmann Everybody read it The response to the trading article (Digital Garage Sale, by Annie Blaylock McQueen, January 2014) has been tremendous! Literally, I have received at least 75-100+ requests per day to be a member of the [Facebook West University Trading] site. Thank you, Annie, for a great article and an interest in our community. Jackie Sharbrough
Breastmilk sharing risky Your recent article on digital garage sales implied that sharing breastmilk with friends and neighbors is a good thing: “The group has come in handy for locating nearly impossible-to-find items, like breast milk. There was a mom who was looking for breast milk for a premature baby. At the time I had a three-month supply in our freezer. She was looking to buy it. I just gave it to her.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Breastmilk sharing is risky because breastmilk is a body fluid and may contain the same infectious agents that blood products can contain – hepatitis, HIV, CMV and others – and it is important to understand that unless you have donors who are screened with bloodwork, and the milk is pasteurized, you put your baby at risk by using the milk from your generous neighbor, and the neighbor puts herself at risk of being blamed for illness in the recipient baby. Most individuals who are CMV carriers do not know it, even if they are regular blood donors. I am sure that the recipient of the breastmilk in question did not ask the generous donor to get bloodwork before she accepted the offer of free milk. You owe it to the many young mothers who would do anything to promote the health of their infants to correct this misperception in your next issue and in your online edition. There are many online sources of breastmilk, and this is an area of increasing concern, as families are now freely sharing breastmilk with others and promoting its benefits. A recent study presented at the Academy of Breastfeeding medicine showed that most if TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ FEBRUARY 2014 6
not all of these online sources of breastmilk shipped the milk improperly and that received milk not only had high levels of bacterial contamination, but often was received at room temperature and/or in leaking containers. Encourage women with extra breastmilk to donate to the Milk Bank in Austin [milkbank.org] or join the Mother’s Milk Cooperative (www.mothersmilk.coop), where donors are screened and milk is processed to remove the risk of infection instead. In addition, these organizations make sure that donor milk is available to the most vulnerable of infants, the very low birthweight infants whose own mothers are unable to produce sufficient milk to nourish them, the infants who are most likely to die from formula-related illness, such as necrotizing enterocolitis. Melanie Mouzoon, M.D.
Correction In January’s Tanglewood/River Oaks Buzz About Town column, Ed Wolff was misidentified as Beth Wolff’s husband. Beth and her son, Ed Wolff, were co-chairs of the Houston A+ Challenge Power of Network Dinner. The Buzz regrets the error. Send letters to info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Please include your name, address, phone number and email address for verification purposes. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and space. Views expressed in letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Buzz Magazines, and The Buzz takes no responsibility for the content and opinions expressed in them.
What’s your story? We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who: • Have easy gluten-free recipes to share. • Are planning a wedding or recently got married. • Have a personal photo with a meaningful story behind it. • Have stories from a girls- or guys-only trip. • Buried or celebrated the passing of a loved one in an unusual way. 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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NEIGHBORS
by Andria Frankfort, staff writer
Love Lost and Found
G
eorge Simons had an announcement to make at Thanksgiving 2012. With all three of his children and their families in attendance, including eight grandchildren ages 15 to 27, as well as Sammie Simons, his former wife and the mother of his children with whom he remained friendly, he had secretly planned to make the announcement after the Texans game. But as the game progressed into double-overtime, George grew fidgety and asked for the TV remote. He paused the game and stood to speak. With tears in his eyes, he told his family that after 20 years of being single he was getting married. To his first and only wife, their mother and grandmother. Again. “You hear stories like this,” says George and Sammie’s daughter Laurie, an accountant, “so it’s something I thought could happen. But I wasn’t going to count on it.” George and Sammie divorced after 31 years of marriage. “We hated to do it, but we had just grown apart,” Sammie, a homemaker, says. “It was amicable. Nobody was bitter.” George, a retired banker, says, “I made sure she was fine financially and never lacked for anything.” During their 20 years apart, the couple still got together at family events and holidays, and they even traveled to Europe together a year after they divorced. George and Sammie both dated. “For me, there was nothing serious,” Sammie says. “But George went with a lady for eight years. I was friendly with her because I still wanted to be a family. I even had her and George over for dinner.” A year or so after George and his friend broke up, he and Sammie started going to dinner more often. Daughter Laurie noticed that they were meeting friends every Saturday at the Bellaire Coffee Shop. “They just seemed to be really good friends,” she says. One day George called Sammie to tell her he wasn’t feeling well and ask if she would walk his dog. “I went to see him and I took Max for a walk,” Sammie says. “And then I asked, ‘When do you want me to go home?’” George’s response: “I never want you to go home.” Sammie likes to say that Max the dog
TAKE ONE, AND TWO Sammie and George Simons marry for the first time in 1956. Inset photo: They later divorced and, this December, got married again.
brought them back together. On December 23, 2012, 56 years to the day after their original wedding and 20 years after their divorce, George and Sammie married in front of their Christmas tree. With only George’s sister and her husband, a retired Methodist minister, in attendance, the Simons “just did it again,” as George says. That afternoon, the entire family gathered at their home to celebrate. Jana Harker, another Simons daughter and a teacher, says the family is “thrilled. There’s so much history, and there are grandkids. It’s such a nice ending to have two people you love together.” George and Sammie say they feel like newlyweds. Only smarter. “We’re more open and honest. And we’re wiser. We talk about what bothers us.” Lucy Richardson and John Moffitt are just starting out, but their relationship has gone through a similar on-off cycle. The two started dating their freshman year at Bellaire High School. “I saw her getting her freshman ID outside the library at Cardinal Camp and some-
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thing hit me like a lightning bolt,” John says. For the next four years, the two were the perfect high school couple. As seniors, the school newspaper profiled them as sweethearts. Months later, Lucy and John broke up. “We were going to college and just wanted to have the whole experience and develop our own identities,” Lucy says. “If things were meant to be, we knew we’d find our way back to each other.” They kept in touch for a couple of years while Lucy was at TCU and John at LSU, then they stopped, going a year and a half without talking. “We both got back to Houston in 2010, and we went to dinner, and the rest is history,” Lucy says. Lucy, who works in the development office at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and John, a commercial lender at Amegy Bank, are engaged to be married this March. In a nod to their meeting spot at the Bellaire High School library, they’ll wed at the Julia Ideson Library. And a quartet of Bellaire students will play during the cocktail hour. “I’m grateful that we did it the way we did,” John says. “It was the right thing. The toughest part was being apart, but now we know ourselves better.”
Kevin Long, www.gulfcoastshots.com
SWEETHEARTS After time apart during college, John Moffitt and Lucy Richardson are engaged to be married this March.
TRAVEL
by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer
Adventure Couples
W
ould you consider it romantic to schlep gear, without a shower or much sleep for days on end, up a 19,000-foot volcano? How about camping in Africa while lions circle your campsite? Or, closer to home, training for and running a full marathon together? For some Buzz-neighborhood couples, this is romance. Adventure junkies Ces Guerra, a realtor, and his photographer wife, Laura, got engaged in 2005 on a hike in the Smoky Mountains. They have tackled Mount Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu and don’t plan to stop climbing any time soon. “Going to see museums in Paris is a great way to travel but this kind of hiking, when it’s an adventure, is so much more rewarding because you have such a high,” said Laura. “There’s nothing like it.” Framed photos of their trips are sprinkled around their home. As music plays softly in their den and a fire rumbles, Ces leans back in his wingback chair to reminisce. “I always talk about climbing up to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in the middle of the darkness, through the wind, the cold and the sleepiness, when I looked back at Laura and asked, ‘Laura, are you ok?’” Laura interrupts, laughing, “I know what you are going to say, Ces, and it’s so cheesy.” He smiles, and continues. “She said, ‘I am just thinking of the day we got married and our friends and family.’” Ces says he nearly gave up and quit because of pure exhaustion the day before they reached the summit. “I wanted Laura to keep going if I stopped.” Nonetheless, they made it to the top and snapped a photo of them holding a flag of Ces’ alma mater, Louisiana State University. In the end, they both agreed the happy thoughts of their lives at home helped power them up the final difficult push. Ces and Laura have made friends along the way, like local retiree and active volunteer Joan Hessidence and her husband, geophysicist Rick Wall, whom they met in the United Airlines lounge at Bush Intercontinental Airport. Joan and Rick have lived in Norway and
EXPLORERS Danielle and Josh Batchelor, here in Aspen with kids Coulson, 7, and Beckett, 5, love embarking on new adventures together.
London and traveled over the course of their 30 years together. “When we were dating in 1984, we did a 21-day bicycle trip in China,” said Joan. “For us, [traveling] is an affirmation of some of the things, the common values, that brought us together to begin with,” said Joan. “We met each other at a YMCA in New Orleans, so an active lifestyle is something is very important to us.” Oil and gas professionals Iliana and Greg Romero say exploring is “in their blood.” They have lived in and traveled to New York, Europe, Latin America and Dubai, among other places. “We did a safari camping in the bush in Botswana, Zambia and Namibia. It was a pitchyour-own-tent, shower-every-couple-days type of safari,” said Iliana. “But it was one of the most magical experiences.” Iliana says the rustic safari helped her appreciate basic amenities. “The bathroom was a hole in the ground 50 yards away from our campsite. Walking to it was frightening, especially when you have a pride of lions walking through camp,” she said, laughing. While some couples prefer sipping mai tais on a sunny beach, the Romeros chose to bike around France for six days on their 16th wedding-anniversary trip. “We biked through Dordogne and Bourdeaux, and [biked] a high of
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55 miles a day,” said Iliana. When traveling together, said Greg, “we’re creating memories together, and when you create memories and experiences together, that always creates a great foundation for a relationship.” Danielle Batchelor, a business owner, and her husband Josh, a private equity investor, met in high school in Oklahoma City and married in 2000. Since then, they have lived in San Francisco and New York and now call Houston home. They have traveled to France, Italy, Ireland, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands. While traveling, they always find time to enjoy one of their passions: running. “You can see so much more on foot and such a different perspective,” said Danielle. “We ran the Houston Marathon in 2013 together. It was such a different kind of adventure,” said Danielle. “We would joke the training was like these long dates. You don’t have cell phones or television,” said Danielle. “There are adventures away but there are also wonderful things you can do in your own backyard.”
MORE ONLINE For more photos of these travels, see this story online at tanglewoodbuzz.com or riveroaksbuzz.com.
www.hartphoto.com
TRAVEL TREASURES Ces and Laura Guerra decorated their backyard with Nepalese prayer flags. Here, they wear trekking vests they received from their Mount Kilimanjaro guide, Dean Cardinale.
NEIGHBORS
by Michelle Casas Groogan, staff writer
Growing Abroad
A
n “expat” is a brave soul, someone who has left behind home and culture for adventure and work in another country. Since Houston is a huge player in global trade, chances are good you know an expatriate. Jenny and Wes Vestal sold their Meyerland home in 2012 and moved to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for Wes’ new position as director of human resources with Baker Hughes. It was cultural exposure the couple wanted for their three young girls, Molly, Lucy and Caroline, who attended Horn Academy. “It’s been exciting to learn what makes us different, seeing men and women in their traditional Muslim Arabic clothing,” said Jenny. Jenny writes a funny blog for friends and family about Middle Eastern life and her family’s adjustments. She posts about her encounters with driving and high-rise living. But some of her funniest stories are about shopping. “As an expat, you sometimes take to hoarding. When you find American luxury food items, like Wheat Thins, or vanilla Oreos in a store, you will never see it there again, literally, because here American brands are unpredictable imports. So, when you find those items, you buy them all. Like today, I found Wheat Thins, and bought all eight boxes,” she said. Another expat couple, Hina and Rajiv Pandya, have a senior and sophomore at Bellaire High School, and even though they call Houston home, their teenage daughters, Shivani and Janvi, have spent most of their lives living in other countries. When the girls were just 4 and 2, the family moved to Thailand for Rajiv’s job with Dow Chemical. It was a welcome break for Hina, who was a physician with Kelsey-Seybold at the time. “We had very busy and very stressful lives,” said Hina. “Managing our schedules and daycare… I was overwhelmed with these two little kids. We couldn’t even get our laundry done, and when he said how about going to Thailand, I didn’t even think twice about it.” They fell in love with Thailand, even though they spent the first two years living in a community with other expats. “We didn’t only get to know the culture of
Thailand, but we got to know people from all over the world. We celebrated everyone’s holidays,” said Hina. They spent the last two years of their Thailand assignment living in a high-rise building in downtown Bangkok, getting a real cultural experience. They returned to Houston in 2004 for a short time before jumping at the chance to take another expat assignment in Shanghai, China, where they lived five years. This time Hina was able to obtain her own work visa and practiced medicine. Each time the couple TIME ABROAD Sherri and Simon Dullingham, with their daughter Victoria, are moved they took every- from Houston and currently live in Cyprus. thing with them, leavnotice, this has been difficult for me.” ing nothing behind. They wanted total immerBut Shelli says the perks outweigh the inconvension in the culture. Now, their Bellaire home is iences. The small island has beautiful beaches and like a museum filled with personal, handpicked easy travel opportunities. Education hasn’t been a treasures from countries all over the world. concern either; Victoria is thriving in the small and “The people that enjoyed being an expat the personal American International School. most were the ones that treated their time there The expat journey extends both ways. as an adventure, and they were very tolerant Houston is the new home for Australians about the culture,” said Rajiv. “They didn’t try Richelle and Craig Dennis and their two young to force their home-country norms – they were daughters. Settling into Bunker Hill, the family really flexible with the understanding that we’re wanted to be part of the local community, but it guests in this country.” hasn’t come without adjustments. Shelli and Simon Dullingham call West “The biggest culture shock for us is realizing University home. But their expat life took them just how casual Australians are in all forms, parto Singapore in 2008 and now to the ticularly with the girls at school and with friends. Mediterranean Sea. The couple, along with Here everyone is ‘Mrs.,’ whereas at home everytheir 9-year-old daughter, Victoria, have estabone is on a first-name basis,” said Richelle. lished a household on the small island of Cyprus. Cultural quirks have caused them a few “The main challenge for me here is organizing embarrassing moments too – for example, when my day; most stores and businesses close every she talks about her or her daughter’s thongs. In afternoon from 1 to 4,” said Shelli. “For an Australia, that is the word for flip-flops. American, able to buy anything on a moment’s
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NEIGHBORS
by Dave Schafer, staff writer
Investigating Private Eyes
G
ot him. The cat-and-mouse chase had encompassed six years and four countries, but private investigator John Moritz finally tracked down the con man he was chasing. After being charged with swindling victims out of millions and pleading guilty in 2004 to money laundering, Harris Dempsey “Butch” Ballow had jumped bail. He fled to Mexico, where he continued his scams, according to clients who hired Moritz. Finally, in 2010, the Houston-based licensed private investigator was able to use computer surveillance to locate Ballow at a country club in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Moritz posed as a potential investor and went inside to make sure. Then he called authorities and waited as they took Ballow away in handcuffs. Eventually, Ballow was extradited to the United States, sentenced to 10 years in prison for the previous conviction and charged with other crimes. “It was gratifying that we were finally able to put an end to the chase, and he wouldn’t be able to screw anybody else,” said Moritz, a 20-year veteran whose firm has six full-time workers and 12 part-time investigators. A private investigator’s job isn’t always so jetsetting glamorous. Despite what Raymond Chandler would have you think, there are few dead bodies, cracks upside unsuspecting heads or shoot outs. Instead, the job is about online-database research, running background and pre-employment checks, covert surveillance and locating people and disappeared assets. P.I.s may not even carry a gun – although Moritz, a Harris County officer, does when he’s in the United States. They work civil and criminal cases, building a file for a client and then sometimes handing the file over to police. They often testify at trial, so a good relationship with law enforcement is important. “The police just don’t have the resources to stay on a case for multiple days, unless they have a really hot lead. So we fill the gaps,” Moritz said. To get a private-security license from the Texas Department of Public Safety, a P.I. must
have a four-year degree in criminal justice or three years’ experience as an investigator with a privateinvestigation company or as a police officer, and must pass a written TDPS exam. Even a secretary who does an online search for a client needs to be licensed, Moritz says. But he said his team constantly runs across unlicensed investigators. If caught, they face penalties and ON THE CASE Houston's private eyes usually track down missing people or property possibly criminal online first before hitting the streets. charges. cases, investigating spouses, tracking down missInvestigators are paid by the hour. Forensic ing people and runaways and running backwork generally costs the most, while surveillance ground checks on fiancés and lovers, about 10 costs less. years ago because he wanted to work with every“We have resources that the public doesn’t day people. “It keeps it real,” he said. McMahon have, and we know how and where to look and has been a licensed investigator for 30 years, how to follow a trail,” said John McMahon, often working legal and corporate support and owner of John McMahon & Associates. personal-injury defense. In 85 to 90 percent of cases, McMahon says, He’s careful not to invade privacy, he said. “I he’s able to find someone within four hours of have no interest in doing something that is in a being hired, by using online databases, some of gray area or, even legal, that will drag me in into which are restricted to people in law enforcea lawsuit.” He won’t take pictures through winment, security and licensed investigation. dows, for instance – others might – and won’t Licensed private investigator Dave Pazda spebug a phone or plant GPS on someone’s vehicializes in corporate electronic-espionage councle. termeasures – a Bondian term for searching He will videotape an “injured” worker trimmeeting rooms for listening devices. ming a tree or photograph a man spending the In one case, Pazda swept more than 30 rooms night in the same house as his new wife’s chilafter a client found a device in a board room – dren – even though the man has a conviction it turned out to be an electronic fart generator, for child abuse. more a modern-day Three Stooges than a Moritz also does surveillance and used to have Professor Moriarty. a customized van, but now he uses U-Haul Pazda avoids domestic investigations because trucks. “Nobody gets suspicious,” he said, “if they “they tend to be messy.” see a U-Haul parked on the side of the road.” But McMahon says he began taking on those
TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ FEBRUARY 2014 14
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NEIGHBORS
.
by Sharon Albert Brier, staff writer
Rumor Has It Festive in Briargrove. A mariachi band was stationed at the stairway as guests danced their way into Dawn and Hunter Cornell’s holiday party. The 100 friends brought their favorite appetizers, although someone who brought brownies said they ate dessert first. All the ham and turkey you could eat and Ziegenbock beer and wine enhanced the spirited conversations among neighbors and friends. Kathleen and Jack Herzog, Richard and Valerie Watson, Kathaleen and Holly Frost, Holly and David Smith, and David and Kristin Stone mingled and admired the decorations. Warm in Mexico. It was 78 degrees over the winter vacation when Jean-Michel and Jennifer Drai holidayed with their young ones, Marc and Ella, and visiting grandparents, Claude and Claudy Drai (from Marseille, France), in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. They visited with Jennifer’s mom, Sandra Howell from Tampico, Mexico, at her summer beachhouse near Playa La Ropa. During the 10 days, they caught two 10-foot sailfish and saw many baby turtles hatching from their eggs. As the fireworks cascaded over the bay where they welcomed 2014, they sent up a flying lantern with a wish for the New Year. A fleeting moment that will last forever. Alarming but charming. While Sydney Ealand shopped with her family, her boyfriend Robert Eifler was “golfing.” His alarm company called her cell phone to tell her the alarm was blaring, which is common when the dog pushes the door open. When Robert confirmed he was still playing golf and could not check on the door, Sydney’s shopping trip was ruined. She opened the door to see ripped-up flowers that she thought Ellie the dog had destroyed, but then she saw Robert in a tuxedo on one knee and heard their song by The Supremes playing in the background. Not only had Robert been cooking up the engagementproposal scheme, but he also had been preparing beef bourguignon all day for their parents, Peggy and Rick Ealand and Jane and Gus Eifler, siblings and friends to feast on to celebrate. A spring wedding in Galveston is planned. Fireplace sparkled. The cold front
cooperated as Dr. Rick and Connie Senter prepared their home for 40 neighbors to attend a pot-luck holiday dinner. A reindeer topiary lit up with twinkle lights greeted the guests as they brought their favorite treats, including crab, beef tenders, shrimp and smoked salmon. Enjoying the camaraderie were Alton Curry and Annie Williams, Anne Kennett, Lenore Dunwoody, Dr. Robert and Linda Bloss, Dr. Berkeley and Kimberly Powell, Bill and Mimi Booker, Larry Barton, Gina Bouchard and Gary Tissue, Relda GOT HER ATTENTION Sydney Ealand thought her day had been ruined when Finger-Hoffer, and her home alarm went off, but it actually was her boyfriend, Robert Eifler, with a Nathan and Danielle surprise proposal. Baldauff. The winter twinkled with lights on the bridge and in the evening was perfect, and the next day it was 82 gazebo, alongside three blazing fire pits. Beth degrees – a typical winter for Houston. Benson, Kathy and Kurt Adkins, Connie Bono Showered and new. Patti and Danny and Jan Rhodes enjoyed the magical mood. Miller moved from the Spring Valley area to Cocktails and conversation. Michael Tanglewood just in time to host a baby shower Mithoff and his fashionable wife, Melissa for Raymond and Echo Kong’s first baby, which Mithoff, recently moved from Memorial into a was due Dec. 31. While guests were admiring custom-built contemporary home in River Oaks, the new-construction home and fountains, the in time to host a party for The Children’s first-time parents mingled with Barbara Museum. Randolph Allen, museum president, Sheldon, Julie Greenwood, Kathryn Stewart, and Tammie Kahn, executive director, welBarbara Hartley, Gayle Pitts, Julie Atlas comed the 40 guests and corporate leaders. In the Taylor, Donna Ellis and Courtney Robinson, mix were Lee Lahourcade, GaiI Adler, Marc who were among the group of 40. Alexander Adler, Nancy Allen, Liz and Tom Glanville, Kong arrived Dec. 29, in time to burp in 2014. Richard Mithoff, Marcia and Brig Smart, Starry night. Guests walked under a lightCandace and Brian Thomas, Dr. George Yang, ed arch and warmed themselves by a firepit before David Ruiz, Susie Distefano, Michael and they reached Charlene Moore’s front door, Rhonda Graff, and Russ and Judy Labrasca. where the official greeter, a Sheltie named Buddy Moore, was in his tux wagging his tail. The annuHave some good news to share? We want to al holi-daze bash includes Charlene’s adult son know. Email us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Adam’s friends as well as hers. The backyard
TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ FEBRUARY 2014 16
TRAVEL by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer
Travel Buzz Texans in Telluride
B
uzz editor Joni and publisher Michael Hoffman often find that work follows them everywhere they go. Even so, what happened in Telluride over the holidays took them by surprise. They’d booked a room at the Fairmont Heritage Place’s Franz Klammer Lodge and were looking forward to a winter escape. They also were on a mission: They hoped to meet another family from the Buzz readership area to interview for this story. They needn’t have worried. They hadn’t been on the shuttle from the airport more than five minutes when it began. Michael and Joni struck up a conversation with
the woman who shared their shuttle. Abbe Ulrich was her name, and it turned out she hailed from West University in Houston; she was there to meet up with other members of her far-flung family. Her parents had fallen in love with Telluride eight years ago and invested in a condo at the Fairmont so they could make that the family’s point of reunion. They exchanged information, and Abbe said she would be happy to have her photo taken during her stay. Mission accomplished, the Hoffmans set about installing themselves in the Fairmont. They thought the lodge offered just the right blend of
rustic and luxury, and Telluride was quaint and beautiful. But it wasn’t long before they discovered their networking was far from over. The next morning they got up to go skiing and a young man approached their son Matt. “Did you go to Bellaire High School?” he asked. It turned out they had taken a class together. That was Aman Narayan, who was there with his parents, Rakesh and Swati, and his two brothers, Deven and Milan, and family friend Arjun Ramsunder. Even their dogs had made a connection, as they later discovered; the Narayans’ yellow lab, Shehalia, was being boarded at Rover Oaks Pet Resort along with the Hoffmans’ two
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golden retrievers, Duke and Bailey. Joni invited the whole family to be included in the following day’s photo shoot. Then, as Michael made his way up the mountain on the chairlift, he met Julie and David Brown. “Oh my God, we’re in The Buzz this month!” exclaimed Julie when she learned who Michael was. The Browns are from Tanglewood and have owned a home in Telluride since this past spring, when they fell in love with the town during a fly-fishing expedition. Julie and family were invited to join the photo shoot, as well. By the time they made it to the morning photo shoot, the group numbered 11. But that wasn’t all. The Hoffmans’ friends, Myrna and David Engler from Bellaire, had come to join them, along with their daughters Kelly and Amy. They were all dining together at Allred’s, Telluride’s flagship restaurant at the top of the gondola. It was the very last reservation of the night on the last night of the Hoffmans’ trip, and the place was nearly empty except for them and the piano player. Kelly, who is in the musical theater program at Northwestern University, began to sing along. “So we’re listening to Kelly and the piano player, and all of a sudden a couple sitting at the fireplace came around the corner; they were enjoying hearing Kelly singing,” Joni recalled. They struck up a conversation; it turned out the man was Chuck Horning, owner of the Telluride
BAYOU CITY CONVERGENCE Some Houstonians met on a recent trip in Telluride. From left, standing: Abbe Ulrich, David Brown, Julie Brown, Ashley Brown, Rakesh Narayan, Aman Narayan, Arjun Ramsunder and Deven Narayan. Kneeling: Christopher and Caroline Brown. Seated: Madeline Brown.
Ski and Golf Resort. “Oh, yes, we love Houstonians,” Horning told them with a laugh. He had just had dinner with Susan and Mike Plank, who live in Memorial. The couple had bought a second home in
Telluride seven years ago and had been celebrating the holidays here for more than a decade. “It was amazing,” Joni said later. “The thing is, in order for us to be able to include people in the magazine, they can’t (continued on page 20)
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TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ FEBRUARY 2014 19
they have to be residents in the Buzz readership areas – West U, Bellaire, Tanglewood, River Oaks and Memorial.” Susan and Mike completed the quartet. “What we like about it is that it’s very laid back,” Susan said. “You don’t have to get dressed up to go out; it’s not a frou-frou resort.” Added Mike, “And it certainly doesn’t hurt that it just happens to be the most gorgeous mountain setting in North America.” Susan says there’s no room for pretentiousness, even given the town’s status as a hangout for the stars. Dennis Quaid had been on the mountain skiing two days earlier; on other occasions they’ve run into Tom Cruise or George Strait. Equally unusual is the complete lack of paparazzi. Parents say they like the sense of safety and connectedness; they can relax while their kids explore the towns of Telluride and the neighboring Mountain Village, which are linked by a 13minute ride on a free gondola system. “The kids can take the gondola and go into town, get ice cream and come back by themselves,” Susan said. The Planks have raised their children as much in Telluride as in Houston. “We came here 15 years ago when some friends invited us up for a summer visit; they said, ‘You’ve got to see this place,’” said Susan. “So we came up here, fell in love with it, and that was it.” At first they leased, and then they found the home that would hold their dreams – a beautiful log home right on the mountain with a 270degree vista. Their eldest, Kendall, now a senior at Episcopal High School in Bellaire, was only three when they began coming here. Jared, now 13, was born a couple of years later. They began celebrating every Christmas here, and in summer it was the logical place to beat the Houston heat with fly-fishing, whitewater rafting, hiking and golf – and some serious motorcycling for Mike and the kids. Every summer Wednesday there’s a free concert in the town square. The ski school is another draw. Kendall learned to ski at 4, their second year in Telluride, and Jared learned at just 2½. For Julie and David Brown, it took longer to find Telluride, but once they did, it was no time at all before they found their second home. They have taken their family skiing all over – the names roll off Julie’s tongue like a Top 10 listing from Ski Magazine: Lake Louise, Park City, Aspen, Snowmass, Vail, Beaver Creek, Steamboat, Whistler. Two of their three daughters have skied in France. “We always thought we’d get a place in the Canadian Rockies, but we absolutely fell in love with Telluride,” said Julie. All it took was a flyfishing trip this spring to get them house hunting. That same trip they found the perfect log house right on a ski run, and they bought it on the spot. Having a place where the whole family can feel engaged was key. They have three daugh-
Melissa Plantz
(continued from page 19) just be from Houston, but
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SMILES The Plank family enjoys their second home in Telluride. From left: Kendall, Mike, Susan and Jared, with their dog Oakley.
ters: Ashley, 21; Madeline, 19; and Caroline, 18; and a son, Christopher, 25, and they can go out at night and ride the gondola home with no worries. The town has a tempting offering of fine restaurants and a lively nightlife, which the kids love. Julie often prefers to cook at home. On the way in from the airport in Montrose, they usually stop at City Market and the big box stores to stock up on groceries and supplies; she also frequents Telluride’s vibrant Village Market for fresh meat and produce. That doesn’t mean she’s hibernating, of course. “There’s tons of stuff to do here – you can ice skate, you can snowboard, you can crosscountry ski. Yesterday my parents were visiting from Texas and we took them snowshoeing with our border collies and there were all these ice fishermen out on Trout Lake.” The kids were busy being kids again when not snowboarding – building a highly engineered snow fort in the front yard with an ice axe and hammers, based on directions they downloaded from the Internet. The family usually takes a one- to two-week winter getaway, but for some of them, this year
TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ FEBRUARY 2014 20
it will be more. Madeline is taking the Dartmouth winter quarter off working for the Telluride Adaptive Ski Program, a part of a national network of sports and education programs for people with disabilities. Caroline is spending the Kinkaid interim term of January volunteering at TASP, so the sisters and mom will be enjoying Telluride’s famous winter powder. One of the highlights will be a month without needing a car – thanks to the gondolas. Halfway into their first winter in Telluride, they are sure they made the right decision. “We wanted something that would be like a kid magnet,” Julie said with a laugh, “that people would want to come back here and get together.” This constellation of Houstonians came as no surprise to Chuck Horning. “This is just the tip of the iceberg,” he said in a telephone interview. “There’s kind of a love relationship between Telluride and Houston, and I don’t fully understand it, but I love it. They create fabulous energy and they add a lot to this place. They aren’t just visitors; they’re fully engaged. They’re high-energy people. It’s really a wonderful relationship.”
TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ FEBRUARY 2014 21
HOME
by Michelle Maresh, contributing writer
Buzz Home: Master Bed and Bath
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elcome to Buzz Home, a column spotlighting readers’ homes. This month we’re taking a look inside the master bedroom and bathroom of George and Paige Hagle’s 1939 house. Let’s take a look inside to see what they did.
Editor’s note: Michelle Maresh is the publisher of Houston Design Resources. To submit homes for consideration, email info@thebuzzmagazines.com.
OLD AND NEW Bottom left: All of the cabinetry was provided by George’s company, Leedo Cabinetry, in an espresso finish. Top right: The designer created a soft contemporary style, mingled with luxury and functionality, to complement the 1930s architectural-design details of the home. Middle right: With more than 3,500 square feet of living space, the Hagles’ home on Wickersham Lane has lots of room for the family of four. Their two children, Emma, 14, and George IV (aka G4), 10, attend St. John’s School, where their parents attended as well. Bottom right: The Hagles commissioned interior designer Punita Valambhia to transform their bathroom and bedroom into a serene retreat in their 2010 remodel. TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ FEBRUARY 2014 22
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Allergy… and immunology Allergies make you more susceptible to getting sinus infections because when nasal tissue is inflamed and swollen, it’s easier for a tiny infection to wall itself off in a space that can’t easily drain. Therefore, the virus that gave you a cold allows one random bacteria to become 2, then 4, then 8, then 16, then millions. That is why allergy treatment often reduces the frequency and severity of sinus infections. Reducing that inflammation lets the infection drain so your body can heal itself. But some patients may also have an immune system that can’t fight off viral or bacterial infections optimally. In this group, running some blood tests looking for specific antibodies against the most likely bugs to cause sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia can give clues as to how to improve the function of the immune system. You’ve probably heard of Pneumovax, the pneumonia vaccine that is recommended for those age 65 and older. Pneumovax is good, but not awesome. It immunizes against 23 serotypes (a serotype is basically a “cousin”) of Streptococcus pneumonia (Strep pneumo), but it uses 1970s technology. In 2011, the FDA approved the pediatric pneumococcal vaccine, Prevnar-13, for use in adults. Prevnar-13 only has 13 serotypes, but utilizes three different components of your immune system to optimize your ability to fight this important bacteria. Strep pneumo is the No. 1 bacterial cause of sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. Wouldn’t it be great if there were also a vaccine for the No. 2 bacterial cause of those three infections? Well, there is! It’s called ActiHIB, and it strengthens the immunity to Haemophilus influenzae Type B. Did some-
body just say influenza? Is this a “flu shot” or influenza vaccine? No, and no. Influenza is a virus that gives you “the flu.” Haemophilus influenzae is a bacteria that some idiot named the flu just to confuse us all. Just kidding. Haemophilus was isolated in the 1890s, and was thought to be the cause of the flu until the influenza virus was discovered in the 1930s. Would you benefit from any of these vaccines? The best way to find out is through consultation with a board-certified allergist, who can assess if you have an immune deficiency and if your immune system can be taught how to fight bugs more effectively. Real allergists are certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. That last part, “…and Immunology,” is one other distinction that separates us from bootleg allergists. No one nose allergies like we do.™ Note: Information contained in this article should not be considered a substitute for consultation with a board-certified allergist to address individual medical needs. David B. Engler, M.D., The Allergy Clinic, 7707 Fannin, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77054, 713.797.0993, *1200 Binz, Suite 180, Houston, Texas 77004, 713.522.9911, www.allergyclinic.com, *Operating as Houston Allergy & Asthma Clinic
TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ FEBRUARY 2014 23
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by Todd Freed, staff writer
SportzBuzz A
fter leading St. Thomas High School to its first undefeated regular football season in 70 years, as well as a second straight district championship, Eagles head coach Tim Fitzpatrick was honored as the Coach of the Year at the Touchdown Club of Houston Private High School Football Awards dinner. “Coach Fitzpatrick has created a real energy and personality for our program,” said St. Thomas athletic director Mike Netzel. “We’ve won 21 of 24 games since he took over the program. The kids expect to go out there and win football games.” Another big award winner from St. Thomas was senior Joseph Lowery, who was named Lineman of the Year after securing 64 tackles and nine sacks this season. Meanwhile, St. Pius X receiver Brian Newman capped off a brilliant career for the Panthers by winning the Offensive Player of the Year award. On the other side of the ball, Kinkaid Falcon John David Johnson won the Defensive Player of the Year award, while Houston Christian’s John Clarke, who was both a standout receiver and defensive back, took home the Ironman of the Year Award. In basketball, the St. John’s Mavericks captured the 74th annual HISD basketball tournament for the second straight year, beating out a 32-team field to win the championship. St. John’s won six games over a tough three-game stretch, including victories over HISD powers Bellaire and then Wheatley in the championship final. St. John’s is only the second private school ever to be a two-time champion of the HISD tournament. “It’s really a huge deal for our school to win that tournament once again,” said Mavericks head coach Harold Baber. “Not a lot of people know about St. John’s basketball, but with a high-profile player such as Justice Winslow and then beating some of the city’s top programs, we’re bringing some great exposure to the school. Justice kind of took over in the last two games, but he had great support from a lot of our guys.” As for Winslow, the Duke University signee was spectacular in the championship game vic-
Kevin Long, www.gulfcoastshots.com
SPORTS
tory over Wheatley with 27 points, 22 rebounds and five blocked shots. “It was extremely special to win that tournament,” said Winslow. “A victory like that gives us great momentum leading into conference.” “It’s really awesome to win it again,” added Mavericks senior Risher Randle. “We don’t get a chance to play schools such as Bellaire and Wheatley once we get into conference play. It’s a pretty neat private vs. public school type of rivalry, and it gives us some good bragging rights.” In girls basketball, it’s a new era at Bellaire High School under first- REPEAT FOR ST. JOHN'S St. John’s senior Risher Randall helped lead the Mavericks to the HISD tournament championship. St. John’s is only the second year head coach Lamar private school in tournament history to win on two separate occasions. Simon, who succeeded a big leader on this team, while Armani and longtime Cardinals head coach Michael Emani are a huge presence down low at the post Kramer. Kramer led the Cardinals to four position. Emani was injured early in the season, regional Final Fours over his 18 seasons at but once she’s gets back, that’ll be huge for our Bellaire. “I was an assistant to Coach Kramer the team. She’s a big girl who’s light on her feet. She last four seasons, and it’s been a joy to follow in does all the dirty work for us.” his footsteps. He’s still a mentor to me,” said In addition, Simon had high praise for standSimon. out freshman Ireneshia Johnson. “She’s tall and Admittedly, it’s been a season of transition for very athletic. I expect her to be a major force for the Cardinals, who graduated four standout the next four seasons. As a whole, I strongly players, three of whom are playing major college believe the winning tradition will continue for basketball. “It’s definitely been a season of the Bellaire girls basketball program. I’m excited change, but we’re coming along fairly well,” said about our future.” Simon. “We’re 15-8 and 5-0 in district, which isn’t bad at all.” Editor’s Note: Todd Freed is the Emmy AwardThe Cardinals feature plenty of talent, winning co-host and producer of the KUBE including a trio of seniors Simon expects to play SportsZone, which airs Saturday and Sunday at 6 college ball next season. “Angel Williams, p.m. on Channel 57-KUBE. To submit high school Armani Asberry and Emani Hamilton are sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, extremely talented basketball players,” said please email todd@thebuzzmagazines.com. Simon. “Angel is a two-year starting guard and
TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ FEBRUARY 2014 24
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Common-law marriage
Love your smile?
Worried about moving in with your boyfriend because you’re afraid you might be considered common-law married? It takes more to create a commonlaw marriage than just living together. On the other hand, once you are common-law married, simply breaking up does not bring the common-law marriage to an end. There are three requirements to establish a common-law marriage: the couple has to intend to be married, they have to tell other people that they’re married, and they have to live together. If they do all three of these things, they are commonlaw married and enjoy the same rights and duties as any other married couple. They can also fill out a “Declaration and Registration of Informal Marriage” form and file it with the county clerk as proof that they are in a common-law marriage. If a common-law marriage ends, it is important to file for divorce within two years to resolve property and support issues like a married couple. If a divorce is not filed within two years, there is a presumption that the couple never intended to be married. Cindy Diggs, Board Certified in Family Law and Civil Trial Law, Holmes, Diggs & Eames, PLLC, 5300 Memorial Drive, Suite 900, Houston, Texas 77007, 713.802.1777, www.holmesdiggs.com
Consider this. If smiling is a reflection of your inner well-being and overall health, what does your smile say about you? Did you know your smile is one of your single most valuable assets and gifts to others? It’s true! Smiling radiates warmth and can make a difference in your life and others every day. For this reason, Dr. Barras and his team devote hundreds of hours yearly toward the art of dentistry and study the benefits and latest technologies in neuromuscular dentistry. Intraoral digital pictures and iCat 3-D imaging are used to capture the health of your smile, allowing our patients to experience the view from Dr. Barras and his team’s perspective. Whether you have crooked teeth, an uneven bite, jaw pain or TMJ, or simply need an overdue teeth cleaning, Dr. Barras and his team are available to answer your questions and educate you so that you have all the information you need to improve your smile and overall oral health. Before you invest in your smile elsewhere, we encourage you to visit us for a complimentary smile analysis. Dr. Barras and his team wish you a lifetime of happiness with a beautiful and healthy smile in 2014! Dr. John Barras, 1330 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 1300, Houston, Texas 77056, 713.993.9814, www.johnbarrasdds.com
TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ FEBRUARY 2014 25
NEIGHBORS
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by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer
Buzz About Town Off the court
These women proved they are as fabulous in the kitchen as they are on the tennis courts. Laura Tingleaf’s Memorial League tennis team gathered at Amy Weaver’s Tanglewood home, ele-
gantly decorated for the holidays. They feasted on tortilla soup, tamales, challah bread and desserts and enjoyed fine weather on Amy’s veranda. It was a day of good food, good friends and good weather. Pictured (back row, from left) are Yoosun Sharma, Colleen Morris, Elizabeth Curry, Margie Cooper, Alison Creed, Liz Jordan, (front row, from left) Becky Andress, Amy Weaver, Laura Tingleaf, Cookie Hanrahan and Jane Leverett.
$200K for health More than $200,000 was raised for Legacy Community Health Services at its annual holi-
TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ FEBRUARY 2014 26
day schmooze at the home of co-hosts Melissa and Michael Mithoff. Also co-hosting the event were Rosemarie and Matt Johnson. The 250 guests, including (pictured) Alan and Luba Bigman, sipped on cocktails and mingled. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the program, which identifies gaps in health-related services. Spotted in the crowd were Legacy CEO Katy Caldwell, chief development officer Chree
Chris Bailey
Boydstun, Martha Turner and Glenn Bauguss, Claire Thiekle, Monsour Taghdisi, Frank Campise, Shannon Hall, Carolyn and Steve Mafrige, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Alex Steffler and David Chambers, Courtney Hopson, Laura Davenport, Diane Lockey Farb and June Christensen.
It’s rodeo time, Houston
to scholarships, graduate assistantships, educational grants and junior exhibitors. Pictured is Shaista Ali receiving a rodeo Metropolitan Scholarship from Jim Bloodworth, executive committee member. See rodeohouston.com. It’s almost that time of year. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will run March 423. As most every local knows, the show has carnival rides, exhibits, a western shopping mall, and livestock and horse shows, plus the big rodeo itself, with its superstar concerts. For 2014, the rodeo has committed more than $23 million
kick off this year’s auction, A Blue Ribbon Knight: Celebrating our 30th Anniversary. The party was hosted by former auction leaders Nancy Moncrief, Lisa O’Leary and Melanie Meeks to honor past volunteers and to introduce the 2014 auction chairs Cindy Cook, Leigh Smith and Lisa Erwin. Pictured are (front row, from left) Beth Reeves, Pam Sengelmann, Lynette Cone, Cindy Cook, Leigh Smith, Lisa Erwin, DeDe Bertron, Michelle Neal, (second row, from left) Katina Jackson, Gretchen Anderson, Carol Austin, (continued on page 28)
30 years Episcopal High School supporters commemorated 30 years of auction success at a recent reception at the school. Former auction chairs and volunteers from as far back as 1984 reunited for an evening of fellowship and fond memories to
s e l i m S
GONE WILD!
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(continued from page 27) Kristen
Perry, Carol Vickery, Dru Cone, Marcy Margolis, Melinda Abell, (third row, from left) Linda Bischoff, Kay McIntyre, Nancy Gordon, Nancy Epley, Elaine Knight, Melanie Meeks, (back row, from left) Kay Watson, Lisa O’Leary, Sylvie Crum, Lisa McCollam, Bridget Wade, Michelle Stewart and Kristin Miller.
Holiday fun
fee get-together on Dec. 12. Hostess and board member Ericka Bagwell (pictured, center, with Gina Gaston and Carolyn Farb), opened up her home for the festive occasion to gather supporters of the CAC. Other board members in attendance included Anne Carl, Tena Faust, Nancy Golden, Ursaline Hamilton, Amy M. Lee, Stephen C. Lewis, Lucinda Loya, Kim Moody, Bruce Padilla, Stephanie Perkins, Alicia Smith and Merele Yarborough. The mission of the CAC is to provide treatment to sexually abused children and their families and to serve as an advocate for children in the community.
settias,” the sparkling specialty cocktail of the evening, and tasted passed hors d’oeuvres. In attendance were Gregory Boyd, Patty Hubbard, Jim Daniel and Margaret Alkek Williams, Rocky and Grace Holmes, Jerry and Nanette Finger, Tom and Barbara Gros, Bob and Eve Harrell, Phil and Josephine John, Ken and Mady Kades, Kathryn Ketelsen, Britt and Beth Langford, Tom and Florence Langford, Jesse and Cathy Marion, Ron and Demi Rand, and Scott and Lori Wulfe.
Pups party
Priscilla Dickson
What a year
The Children’s Assessment Center Friends Guild Board hosted its sixth annual holiday cof-
Nearly 150 Alley Theatre patrons, including (pictured, from left) Scott and Jana Arnoldy and Todd Waite, celebrated the Alley’s successful 2013 season. Guests sipped on “white poin-
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The Lanier Middle School PTO will host its annual Party with a Purpose school fundraiser on Feb. 22. Last year’s event was a success and raised more than $40,000 for classroom technology purchases. This adult-only party is a terrific opportu-
nity to meet other Lanier parents and enjoy food, drinks and a silent auction while supporting the students and faculty of Lanier Middle School. The funds raised will support technology in the classrooms, enrichment programs and campus improvements. Contact chairs Michele Navratil or Angie Techmanski at navratils@att.net or angietechmanski@gmail.com.
who has given time toward the group’s mission of funding cancer research. Donations will go to Dr. Brendan Lee, professor of molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, who is the Cancer Fighters Seed Grant recipient for 2014. Pictured (from left) are Rosine Chappell, Miwa Sakashita and Dr. John Stroehlein.
Fighting cancer
Moms supporting moms A mini-conference called Journey of the Heart, designed for mothers who have experienced the loss of a child, was recently held at the Hope and Healing Center. More than 40 moms came, and the event was considered so successful that it will be repeated sometime in 2014. Pictured (from
Cancer Fighters of Houston held its Holiday Silver Tea at the home of Gerald and Joyce Lott. Chairs Pamela Daley and Marie Barazandeh, along with 150 members and guests, enjoyed the holiday festivities. The event honored Sakashita, a Cancer Fighters member
left) are Beth Woodman, program director of the Hope and Healing Center, Heather Humphrey, office manager, Daisy Catchings-Shader, founder
and chair of Umbrella Ministries, a non-profit organization that reaches out to women who have experienced the loss of a child, and Kelly Ogansoy, a member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. See hopeandhealingcenter.org.
The night of knights The Knights of Momus, Galveston’s oldest Mardi Gras krewe, will present its royal court, King Frivolous XCIX and his queen at the invitationonly Knights of Momus Coronation Ball and reception on Feb. 22 at The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston. Duchesses include Alex Beckham, Madeleine Bricker, Cody Brooks, Kelsey Brooks, Madison Deal, Katie de Alvarez, Annie Duckworth, Emily Flynn, Lauren Graham, Becca Johnson, Katie Larkin, Becca Little, Kimmy Matthews, Elle Moody, Nikki Osso, Dale Potts, Taylor Robinson, Lauren Rothwell, Madeline Stewart, Kamilah Todd and Ali Valach. Annie is the daughter of Debi and Bart Duckworth. She is a junior at University of Kansas, where she is majoring in marketing, and a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. The March 1 Mardi Gras parade is open to the public. See mardigrasgalveston.com. Be seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and community news to info@thebuzzmagazines.com or 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Items are published on a space-available basis.
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PIANO BOY Brandon Shin, a seventh grader at Annunciation Orthodox School, says playing the piano makes him feel alive.
KIDS by Brandon Shin, age 12
Buzz Kidz
All in the mood for a melody
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hen I play piano I feel an amazing surge in my body. This surge is filled with joy and excitement. I began piano lessons at the age of 5 with Ms. Nenita Ho. I am 12 years old now, and through the years, I have experienced both love and fear when playing. I love how the notes play out to make a song, but I admit that I feel fear when I have to perform. For example, this year I took a test for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, which assessed my playing and listening skills. At first I was very scared, but when it was over I felt relieved and at the same time proud. This is the same feeling I have every year during the spring recital where the pressure is on and everyone is watching. It is an exhilarating experience.
Learning to play a piano piece takes quite a bit of practice. Although I enjoy practicing, it can sometimes be too much when added to my school work. The way I look at it is that it’s the one task that takes me away from the school stresses and allows me to be free. It’s like a nice escape. Often Ms. Ho teaches me some songs that I enjoy learning such as “Hedwig’s Theme” from Harry Potter, “Star Wars Theme,” and the song “Daylight” from Maroon 5. Some of the pieces that I learn are more challenging and require more practice and focus. What I really like about playing the piano is how the notes blend together to make the piece. I have tried writing pieces myself. I enjoy trying to make a melody from a bunch of random notes. I will then determine if it is a good piece
to listen to or a bad one. Some of the pieces that I feel are good enough, I share with my piano teacher. But let’s just say so far none of them have been worthy of being shared publicly. Maybe one day. For now, playing the piano is a joyful experience that makes me feel alive. Want to be a Buzz Kid? Email approximately 350 words, a high-resolution photo and caption to info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401.
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Ask Reneé, the Realtor
Children under 3
This month’s real-estate question comes from A. Jamison: “Reneé, we are thinking of moving to the Memorial Villages; however it seems impossible to find a home. By the time we pick a home to see, it is under contract. What do you suggest?” Answer: Time is of the essence. Buyers who are serious and not just touring for decorating ideas need to have game on and have a Realtor who is two steps ahead of them for their benefit. Sometimes we cannot wait until the spouse returns from a business trip or even until the weekend when Saturday might be more convienent. If you are in the market to move, have your pre-approval letter ready from your preferred lender, have your tennis shoes on, and get ready to rumble! Many times we know about properties well before they go on the market, so it is imperative in this hotter-than-hot market to be prepared. The first of the year phones started ringing with sellers, but inventory is still down! If you are considering selling, whether moving out of town, upsizing or downsizing, give me a call – I can guide you through this rat race of a market! Davy Oakum Properties is a full-service boutique firm specializing in the luxury market. Reneé Davy Oakum focuses on the clients’ goals first and foremost. Reneé and her firm are consistently recognized and recommended as the ones to go to for real-estate needs. Email your questions to: Reneé Davy Oakum Properties, 12900 Queensbury, Suite 101, Houston, TX 77079, 713.647.8278, renee@davyoakumproperties.com, www.davyoakumproperties.com
If you have a young child, it is important to know what possession and access you can expect when getting a divorce. The Texas Legislature does not have a specific recommended possession and access schedule for children under the age of 3. There are no clear guidelines for when each parent will have access to the child, but instead the court will consider many factors when deciding possession and access. Most likely the court will award the non-possessory parent more frequent contact for shorter periods of time than the standard possession-order awards for children over 3 years of age. There are 13 extremely broad factors the court considers when determining periods of possession for children under 3, such as who has routinely been the caregiver to the child, effect on the child that could result from separation from either parent, and the child’s need to develop healthy attachments to both parents. Overnight visitation is decided on a case-bycase basis, and it definitely not a guarantee prior to the age of 3. K. Nicole Voyles, a partner at Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P., a full-service boutique family law firm, has been recognized as a Texas Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers, a Thomas Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly magazine, for 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013. K. Nicole Voyles, Board Certified in Family Law, Jenkins & Kamin, LLP, Two Greenway Plaza, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77046, 713.600.5500, www.jenkinskamin.com
TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ FEBRUARY 2014 31
DINING GUIDE by Dai Huynh, staff writer
This Month in Dining: Noise Levels Restaurant Listings $ (under $10) $$ ($11-$30) $$$ ($31-$60) $$$$ (over $60) Prices include drink, tax and tip per person Dai Huynh is a James Beard food-journalism award winner and longtime restaurant writer. Her visits to restaurants in our Buzz Dining Guide were anonymous, and she paid for her meals to maintain objectivity. We’d love your thoughts too. Write to info@thebuzzmagazines.com with your own dining opinions and suggestions. Also, you can contribute in the Comments section under the online version of this story at tanglewoodbuzz.com or riveroaksbuzz.com.
Bite Macarons RISTORANTE CAVOUR Ristorante Cavour at Hotel Granduca charms with its quiet, Old European setting.
I
n restaurants, noise has become part of the show. These days, restaurateurs don’t think of it as noise, but rather excitement. Diners are looking for energy, a good vibe, says Shepard Ross, who owns the Glass Wall and the Brooklyn Athletic Club. A lively bar scene conveys popularity. Conversations, music and clinking glasses infuse energy. Without noise, a place might feel “dead.” It is tough finding a quiet restaurant, says Memorial physician Cathi Walsh. The best you can hope for is a background “buzz” that allows you to converse without yelling, “What?” The Buzz decided to take on the challenge of finding places where the decibels didn’t inch toward 80, just under the level audiologists consider damaging to hearing after continual, long-term exposure of eight hours or more. It wasn’t easy. Many restaurants we visited hovered around the high 70s to low 80s, which researchers compare to being in a room with a vacuum cleaner 10 feet away or a noisy urban area. Only one-third full, Nino’s (2701 W. Dallas) was at 76 decibels, while next door at Vincent’s, the decibel level climbed to 87, even though the stone-floored dining room was half empty on a recent evening. Étoile (1101 Uptown), Mark’s (1658 Westheimer), Mockingbird Bistro (1985 Welch), Bistro Provence (13616 Memorial Drive) and Costa Brava Bistro (5115 Bellaire) inched toward the high 70s on busy nights. Provisions bustles at 81. Meanwhile, its fine-dining counterpart, The Pass, occupying the other half of 807 Taft, percolated at 73 – typical of many high-end restaurants. Normal speech is at about 70. So often, even at the most expensive haunts, you have to raise your voice just a tad. Not so typical is Ristorante Cavour (1080 Uptown), which is where Walsh goes for quiet conversations, and lovers toast to future possibilities. This sliver in Hotel Granduca evokes elegant Old Europe, with gorgeous rose bouquets and upholstered furnishings. Here, the sound level rarely pushes past 57. At its quietest, our meter flashed 43 decibels (comparable to a quiet suburban neighborhood at night). Another quiet gem is Olivette (111 N. Post Oak) at The Houstonian. Here, upholstered booths absorb sound waves, and the noise level jumped only to 62. TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ FEBRUARY 2014 32
French pastries Neighborhood: West University Making macarons is a dare, especially in Houston’s soggy climate. These delicate orbs in a multitude of colors and flavors are finicky. Their golden, smooth crust turns into dud-like chews at the hint of humidity. Macarons also demand surgical precision in the sifting of superfine sugar and ground almonds, combined with the beating of egg whites. A misstep and the result is a gritty fistful of chalk. And so, it was a treat (and surprise) to bite into the puffedup salted caramel and pistachio renditions from Bite (recently opened in the Kroger shopping center). At last, the search for macarons “almost” like those from the venerable Ladurée in Paris is over. Granted, the weather was perfect that day – hardly a hint of humidity, nor a disappointed face at this charming white-gloss dessert-coffee house. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sun. 5172-B Buffalo Speedway, 713-664-2483. $
Canopy Creative Gulf-Coast cuisine Neighborhood: Montrose When the weekend arrives, Houston’s motor shifts into idle, and Canopy greets its favorite
meal – brunch. The austere space with blond furniture bubbles with conversations as Claire Smith’s reliable kitchen sends out baby-spinach salads with pulled chicken that is peppy with a dessert-wine vinaigrette, apples and roasted red grapes. Try, too, eggs benedict on sweet potato English muffins and an earthy four-mushroom pot pie. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 3939 Montrose, 713-528-6848. canopyhouston.com. $$
Del Frisco’s Grille Casual American classics Neighborhood: Upper Kirby This casual offshoot of the high-end steakhouse features sandwiches and salads, along with a patio for al fresco dining or energetic tykes. At brunch, over chicken-fried steak and eggs, sip a carafe of build-your-own Bloody Marys with Tito’s Vodka and a plate of fixings that includes pickled green beans, olives and lime wedges. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 2800 Kirby Drive, Suite A-132, 832-623-6168. delfriscogrille.com. $$$
Étoile Authentic French Neighborhood: Galleria area When several talented French chefs urge you to try the food at Étoile, it’s hard to dispute their keen taste for the food of their homeland. Just as they said, the flavors here are true, and owner-chef Philippe Verpiand and wife Monica Bui have created an alluringly warm showcase for a hearty coq au vin and tender sole meunière with lemon caper sauce, fingerling potatoes and roasted cauliflower – both brunch items. Briny mussels flavored with tomatoes and onions are served with homemade pomme frites and garlic aioli. The beauty of this place is almost everything is made from scratch, including the crusty baguettes. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sun. 1101 Uptown Park Blvd., 832-668-5808. etoilecuisine.com. $$
Huynh Restaurant Contemporary Vietnamese Neighborhood: East Downtown Pho Huynh closed on Milam Street, then reopened as Huynh Restaurant in old Chinatown. The food, still under the guidance of Mama Van Bui, shines on contemporary white plates. She specializes in dishes from Hue, the culinary core of Vietnam. Delicate steamed-rice crepes glisten with wellseasoned pork and black mushrooms. Her boluc lac explodes with flavors of pan-seared tender beef threaded with smoky jalapeño and caramelized garlic. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sat. 912 Saint Emanuel, 713-224-8964. huynhrestauranthouston.com. $$
Island Grill & Juice Bar Smoothies and burgers Neighborhood: West University/Tanglewood Granted, the smoothies with natural juices at Island Grill are pretty lush. The Island Oasis is ripe with sweet pineapples, strawberries, coconut juice and vanilla yogurt. The juices – from wheatgrass to coolers made with veggies and fruits – are refreshing. But surprisingly, this neighborhood joint is noted for breakfast bagel sandwiches, pita sandwiches and muscular 8-ounce Angus burgers on soft buns. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. (closes 4:30 p.m. Sun.), 4024 Bellaire Blvd., 713-665-5388. 5709 Woodway, 713-334-4036. islandgrillhouston.com. $$
Kenny & Ziggy’s New York deli Neighborhood: Galleria area Kenny & Ziggy’s is a wood-panelled delicatessen plastered with movie posters, memorabilia and anything else that might invoke Broadway. Homesick New Yorkers line up for pickled herring, bagels, lox, potato pancakes, and pastrami and corned-beef sandwiches, which owner Ziggy Gruber stacks with hand-sliced, triple-smoked beef. While packed for lunch, breakfast draws a much smaller crowd. But hearty morning fare is Kenny & Ziggy’s best-kept secret. The two eggs any style are a bargain at $7.95 and with enough food to share with your best friend. Huge serv- (continued on page 34) TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ FEBRUARY 2014 33
meringue. The Southwestern pulled-pork quiche with shortbread-like crust is the envy of other chefs. Lunch & dinner, Tues.-Sat., 5305 Bissonnet, Bellaire. 713-218-6300. mchughtea.com. $
Osteria Mazzantini
CANOPY Canopy serves bacon-wrapped Texas quail with a fig-goat cheese tart, arugula-fennel salad and onion marmalade. (continued from page 33) ings are the standard here.
Even so, the Texas-size bowls of homemade matzo ball soup empty quickly. These tender orbs have won competitions all over town. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Mon.-Sun. 2327 Post Oak Blvd., 713-871-8883. kennyandziggys.com. $$
La Casa Del Caballo Mexican steakhouse Neighborhood: Montrose Gregarious Latin voices ring through this Mexican steakhouse that buys its premium beef from the storied Allen Brothers in Chicago. Owner-chef Carlos Abedrop butchers a whole rib rack himself to ensure the right cut. The steak here isn’t the buttery, tender sort American diners have come to expect. Here, it has the kind of chew that bursts with forceful flavors from beef grilled over mesquite fire. The lamb, too, while tender, is resilient with its characteristic gamey nuances. Meats are good by themselves even with the standard sides of smoke-kissed beans, skin-on fried potatoes and three-alarm salsas. Lunch & dinner, Mon.-Sun., 322 Westheimer, 832-623-6467. lacasadelcaballo.com. $$$
Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot Northern Chinese Neighborhood: Galleria/Uptown Paper-thin slices of lamb bob in bubbling broth fragrant with herbs and spices. Friends gather around, wielding chopsticks to cook meats and vegetables at this interactive Chinese-fondue establishment, famous in China but under the radar here except among China natives in the know. Houston is lucky to have one. Platters of raw ingredients (beef, chicken, lamb and seafood) arrive with a ying-yang hot pot divided by a mild broth in one side and a fiery chili-infused broth in the other. Meats are dipped in the broths, followed by noodles, tofu and vegetables. Lunch and dinner, Mon.-Sun., 5901 Westheimer, 713-9750687. littlesheephotpot.com. $$
Lucille’s Creative Southern Neighborhood: Museum District The fried green tomatoes – lightly crisped and anointed with a rich, bright-orange remoulade sauce – know few peers around town. This and a glass of New Zealand sauvignon blanc, in this refurbished brick building, would do just fine for lunch. That and a side order of chef-owner Chris Williams’ hot rolls. Look around. You’ll see many breaking bread while waiting for shrimp and grits and the pan-roasted white fish on a pile of pancakes, surrounded by candied-sweet cherry tomatoes. Lunch and dinner, Tues.-Sun., 5512 La Branch, 713-568-2505. lucilleshouston.com. $$$
Masraff’s Upscale modern American Neighborhood: Galleria Pristine ingredients fortified by skilled execution highlight this Houston establishment, refreshed by relocating to Post Oak Boulevard. Natural light pours into an elegant room that sets the stage for food that packs flavor and character. Caramelized diver scallops are glossed with carrot-ginger bisque and buttery sweet corn. Gumbo is buoyant with jumbo crab claws, and the filet has the discernibly rich taste of prime beef. Lunch & dinner Tues.-Fri. and dinner Sat. 1753 Post Oak Blvd, 713-355-1975. masraff.com. $$$
McHugh Tea Teahouse and more Neighborhood: Bellaire This shabby chic corner charms with its English ambiance illuminated by tea-cup chandeliers, refurbished tea sets and ornately framed photos of famous tea sippers, including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis and Michael Jackson. Fragrant organic teas – hibiscus blossom oolong, masala chai and cabernet assam – gently brew in glass orbs while regulars fork into lemon and chocolate pies topped with solidly crisp, snow-white
TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ FEBRUARY 2014 34
Upscale rustic Italian Neighborhood: Galleria/Uptown Whipped lardo butter arrives with pillowy potato bread. If diners don't succumb to chefowner John Sheely's opening act, then they'll likely fall for his house-made ravioli, stuffed with earthy sweetbreads and kale, then lightly tossed in seared browned butter dotted with aged balsamic vinegar. The flavors are appealing – caramelized saltiness shot through with sweet and sour notes. Desserts are creative but grounded in Old World flavors, such as a mousse made with limoncello and an orange-olive oil cake with olive oil ice gelato and zabaglione. Lunch and dinner, Mon.-Sun., 2200 Post Oak Blvd. No. 140, 713-993-9898. osteriamazzantini.com. $$$$
Pass & Provisions Inventive modern fare Neighborhood: Fourth Ward A duo eatery in one space – white-tablecloth Pass and bustling Provisions. Pass is a caviar affair, while Provision serves casual edibles, including smartly donned sandwiches and billowy pizzas with such toppings as kale with pork sausage and duck confit with potato and pickled currants. There are some crossovers of dishes and kitchen playfulness between the two menus. Provisions, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sat; Pass, dinner only. 808 Taft, 713-6289020. Passandprovisions.com. $$-$$$$
Pizzeria Solario Neopolitan pizzeria Neighborhood: Highland Village When it comes to the Neapolitan pies at this cheery spot with patio seating, there are no tricks, just good techniques: a fiery 800-degree wood-burning oven that chars the edges of a bubbly, soft-bottom pizza (you can request a crispier bottom). The creamy mozzarella and garlicky white sauce are made in house. Try the Appolonia with soppressata salami, black pepper, parmesan cheese and an egg on top. The pizza margherita is satisfyingly direct, simply spiced with vibrant plum tomatoes, mozzarella and organic basil. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 3333 Weslayan, 713-892-8100. pizzeriasolario.com. $
Post Oak Grill Gulf Coast classics Neighborhood: Tanglewood Happiness exists in a bread basket at this popular outpost for business lunches. The basket usually cradles oven-fresh biscuits fragrant with green onions, bacon and cheddar cheese. One really isn’t enough; nor is two or three. Slow down, though, or you’ll fill up before the perfectly grilled rainbow trout arrives, glistening lightly with butter-caper sauce. Polo Becerra is a classic chef with a timeless approach of keeping ingredients simple and clean,
with just a sheath of sauce to elevate the flavors of beef and seafood. Lunch & dinner, Mon.-Sat., 1415 S. Post Oak Lane, 713-993-9966. postoakgrill.com. $$$
Quattro Contemporary Italian Neighborhood: Downtown Talented chef Maurizio Ferrarese brings the flavors of his native Italy to Quattro at the Four Seasons Hotel. The dining room is an elegant affair. Quality is high, and almost everything is made in-house. Just as engaging is the adjoining Vinoteca Quattro bar where an eclectic group of downtown workers unwind over Italian beers, wines and Italian small plates during happy hour. From 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, guests can purchase a wine or cocktail and all-you-can-eat antipasti for $18. Breakfast, lunch & dining Mon.-Sun. 1300 Lamar, 713-6501300. quattrorestauranthouston.com. $$-$$$$
Sparrow Bar + Cookshop Modern American Neighborhood: Midtown Monica Pope is forever reinventing herself and her restaurant concept. Her latest incarnation, the Sparrow Bar + Cookshop, applies beautiful, subtle flavors to farm-fresh local ingredients. Bronzed Texas quail nestles on warm yellow-corn grits hinting of orange zest. Caramel miso and blossom butter enhance hanger steak. Creativity carries over to a dynamic cocktail menu. Pope grasped the value of using fresh fruits and herbs in drinks long before it became a trend. Her hand-crafted cocktails push boundaries to offer new, exciting flavors, such as a vodka creation with roasted red bell pepper puree, shiitake mushroom vermouth and jalapeño syrup. Lunch and dinner, Tues.-Sat., 3701 Travis, 713-524-6922. sparrowhouston.com. $$$
The Lemongrass Café Asian fusion Neighborhood: Bellaire Polite service and a thoughtfully conceived menu endear Lemongrass Café to Houstonians. Chef-owner Fah Vorarittinapa marries the flavors of Chinese, Thai, Japanese, French and American cooking. Her signature dish remains the juicy tiger shrimp, stuffed with bacon and swaddled in crisp kataifi noodle, anointed by a sweet, spicy tamarind sauce. Pad thai is given a twist with a Japanese egg crepe. Her trio soup sampler is a composition of the soup of the day, French mushroom consommé and Thai tom yum chicken. Lunch & dinner, Mon.-Sun., 5109 Bellaire, 713-664-6698. lemongrass-cafe.com. $$
Tony’s Upscale Gulf Coast Italian Neighborhood: Upper Richmond Old World Italian provides a water-walled backdrop for star sightings, anniversaries, birthdays and engagements over Riedel glasses and Christofle flatware. Cinematic plots unfold under the watchful eye of consummate restaurateur Tony Vallone, whose Gulf Coast Italian menu sparkles with chef Grant Gordon’s astute seasonings and delicate swordplay of flavors. When available, try the pea ravioli with lamb sausage, which shimmers with creamy richness. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Fri. and dinner Sat. 3755 Richmond, Houston, TX 77046, 713-622-6778. tonyshouston.com. $$$$
Teotihuacan Tex-Mex originals Neighborhood: Northeast Houston Diners pack in day after day for grilled steaks, chiles rellenos and flautas in a room decorated with festive streamers. Co-owner Silvia Galvan applies soy sauce and black pepper to make fajitas and juicy sirloins with grilled onions. A must try: grilled shrimp, bathed in garlic butter, particularly satisfying wrapped in homemade corn tortillas and a dollop of lush guacamole. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 4624 Irvington, 713-695-8757. teomexicancafe.com. $
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The “per diem” allowance method can be used to cover the cost of meals, lodging and incidental expenses for business trips. When using “per diem,” the employee does not have to give the company proof of actual expenses, if the allowance is equal or less than the Federal Travel Rate. You do have to account for the date, place, and business purpose of each trip. If you are selfemployed or 10 percent or more owner of the company, these per diem rules cannot be used for you. They can be used for your employees. The per diem rate for 2014 for many places is $170 per day. This goes up to $251 per day for some high-cost-cities. These rates do not include hotel and local taxes. These rates includes about $46 to $71 for meals and $5 for incidental expenses. The official “per diem” federal rates are revised every October in IRS Publication 1542 (available online at www.gsa.gov or at www.irs.gov/pub1542). There is a mobile application at the Apple Store or Android Market for rates at each city. Call us at 281-890-1111 for our most popular free publication, “57 Top Tax Tips for Your Business.” It includes tax-saving ideas for your S corporation, PC, PLLC, LLC, LLP, partnership or professional practice. Our CPA firm has prepared more than 40,000 tax returns for businesses and individuals over the past 28 years. “More knowledge. Less Taxes” is our motto. Lawrence Rohal, CPA Services LLC, 2909 Hillcroft, Suite F (near Westheimer),77057, 281.890.1111, Amazing02@msn.com, www.AmazingTax.com
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NEIGHBORS
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by Andria Frankfort, staff writer
Back Porch
Breaking up with your hairdresser James Arturo, behance.net/runamokstudios
F
or three years, Donna had great hair, the kind of hair that always looked like she had just emerged from a salon. The kind of hair that, 30 years later, still has her friends talking. That’s because for three years, 30 years ago, Donna dated her hairdresser. “He was French, and he was hot,” she says, clarifying that not only was he the hot hairdresser in town, but also that he himself was hot. “From the first time I sat in his chair, he started flirting with me. We went out once, and that was it. “It was a girl’s dream, the best thing in the world. We’d go out, and he’d fluff my hair. If my hair looked bad, he’d say, ‘Let me fix it for you.’” But according to Donna (not her real name), her hairdresser-boyfriend “was a player” and eventually found other interests. They broke up, and, she says, her hair “went downhill very quickly.” “Before I told anyone we had broken up, people knew. Because of the hair situation.” She’s quick to point out that all was amicable and they remained friends. But it wasn’t comfortable enough for her to keep him on as a hairdresser. “I’ve never found anyone else like him,” she says. Eric Lindsey, owner of Kharisma Hair Studio here and Salon Myo in Aspen, says picking a hairdresser “is like dating. Some clients are monogamous; some jump from chair to chair. You have to date around and find the hairdresser that works for you.” While most of us won’t ever experience a hairdresser breakup as personally as Donna did, we’ve probably had to break up, one way or another. Jane, a mom of three, says she broke up, then got back together, with her current hairdresser. “She was a little moody,” says Jane (not her real name). “The cuts were getting inconsistent, and I couldn’t talk to her about it.” When the hairdresser took a medical leave of absence, Jane says she was desperate for a cut and went elsewhere. “She never contacted me, so I just stayed with the new person.” Eventually, Jane wound up seeing a colorist at the same salon where her old hairdresser was working. “I saw her and remembered the good times. Now we’re back, and she’s cutting my daughter’s hair, too.
STAY OR GO Choosing a hairdresser “is like dating,” says one hair studio owner. “Some clients are monogamous; some jump from chair to chair.”
“At first I felt like I had to make up for leaving. But everything was left unspoken, and now we’re fine.” Bringing a family into the mix, as Jane did, can complicate matters. Teacher Pam’s daughter Anna (not their real names) has been going to the same hairdresser since she was 13. Now that she’s engaged to be married this summer, Anna wants to use someone new for her wedding hairstyle. The problem, according to Pam, is that the hairdresser is excited to be a part of Anna’s milestone and “probably thinks he’s invited to the wedding.” Compounding matters, the hairdresser recently posted pictures on Facebook of another bride, sharing how proud he was to have styled the bride’s hair throughout her life to her big day. “He was so happy to be part of the wedding,” Pam says. “I showed Anna the pictures and post because I feel so badly that she doesn’t want to use him, and all Anna could say was, ‘I hate the hair.’” Darcy Eaves, co-owner and stylist at Studio 3, advises, “You don’t owe your hairdresser an
TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ FEBRUARY 2014 38
explanation. If you’ve been with them for a long time, it’s nice to call or send a note. But we don’t own our clients.” Eric, who likens picking a hairdresser to dating, agrees, and adds, joking, “I’m not for everyone. If you want your hair fried and broken off, go see someone else.” Julie (not her real name), a newscaster, was honest with her hairdresser, and it paid off. “I went to someone for six years and we were close,” she says. “One day my friend told me my hair was yellow. I hadn’t realized, because you don’t really see yourself. But sure enough it was yellow. So I told my guy, who tried to fix it but couldn’t. Then I went to his salon while he wasn’t there and asked them not to tell him, and they couldn’t fix it. I really wanted to stay with him, but I just couldn’t make it work. So I wrote him a nice letter and mailed it. He texted me and thanked me for being a good friend.” To this day, the two remain friends. But Julie’s got a new hairdresser. And hair that’s not yellow.