Tanglewood/River Oaks Buzz - May 2016

Facing Cancer

Ashley Pratka

by Jennifer Oakley

Foodie Kids Teen Jobs Dining Guide: Happy Hour Classic Baby Fashion Travel Buzz: Scuba Diving Summer Meals Houston, TX Permit No. 2047 PAID US Postage PRSRT STD

Back Porch: A Mother’s Wisdom

EDITOR’S NOTE At age 86, my mom, “Bubby Blanche,” has survived many life challenges. She’s a two-time cancer survivor, both breast and thyroid. She lost a son, who was born on Mother’s Day, and, last year, lost my dad. But she has not let challenges or grief keep her down. Her resilience and hilarious sense of humor constantly amaze and entertain me. This month, meet another incredible, strong Buzz resident who has also survived cancer, Ashley Pratka. Writer Jennifer Oakley captures her tale with detailed, emotional insight. Ashley coped during her dark journey with support from her family and friends, and, ultimately, wrote a book about her survivorship experience. I hope that reading about Ashley’s story will ease some of the fear that comes with a cancer diagnosis. Wishing a happy and healthy Mother’s Day to my mom and to all the loved ones facing challenges out there. 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 Design Manager Staff Writers

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Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman Cheryl Laird Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld John Duboise Tracy L. Barnett Sharon Albert Brier Andria Frankfort Angie Frederickson Todd Freed Michelle Casas Groogan Dai Huynh Annie Blaylock McQueen Jennifer Oakley Cheryl Ursin Sarah Pilger Sanders Jay Janecek Andrea Blitzer Leslie Little Kim Montgomery Darsey Sharp Amber Lewis Michele Luke Helen van Rensburg

On our cover: Afton Oaks resident Ashley Pratka writes about surviving breast cancer in her book, Fears, Tears & Cheers. Cover photo by Nikky LaWell, lawellphoto.com The Buzz Magazines has made all reasonable attempts to verify the accuracy of all information contained within. Advertising claims are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Copyright © 2016 Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this magazine by any means without written permission is strictly prohibited. Printed on recycled paper. Please remember to recycle.

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MAILBAG

Your letters, thoughts, opinions All abuzz Just a note to thank you for your coverage of backyard beekeepers in your April 2016 issue [The Bee’s Knees: Backyard beekeepers have it sweet]. Not only did you shed light on a very important topic, Jennifer Oakley took care to accurately report each beekeeper's story with dedication and an engaging writing style. I have had numerous requests from friends and acquaintances wanting to investigate their own hives! So exciting! Thank you again. Lea Weingarten

Buddies in life and print What a surprise to see my name and story in such a big way in the recent Buzz – thank you for your nice feature [Back Porch: Neighborly get-togethers, by Andria Frankfort, March 2016]! I thought I would be a “little mention,” so it’s quite different to see me quoted line after line. And even more crazy that you also featured Dee Dee Dochen, my good friend of over 20 years! Neither of us had any idea, so it was quite wild to see our names in print in the same space, sharing our stories. Really brought a smile to our day! Many thanks for your good work. Nancy Ehrenkranz

Not a rodeo fan While I usually enjoy your magazine, I was disturbed by your March 2016 article, Rodeo Horsepitality [The secret show within the livestock show, by Michelle Casas Groogan]. If the Buzz residents profiled really love horses, why would they be involved in an event like the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where each day horses are made to suffer in saddle bronc riding events? These beautiful horses are kept captive, moved from city to city, then forced to repeatedly endure the pain of flank straps and spurs so they buck wildly.... I have to believe God did not create these beautiful creatures so we might inflict pain and suffering on them for a few minutes’ entertainment. I’d rather show my love for horses – and all animals – by staying away from rodeos. Shane Axcell

Happy for local magazine Thank you for The Buzz (a first class magazine). As 45-year Bellaire residents, my wife Patty and I always enjoy the informative, relative and interesting articles and outstanding photos on current topics relating to our neighborhood. The ads regarding local neighborhood businesses are well done and very helpful. Keep up the excellent work. Dr. Kelton Ro-Trock, family psychotherapist 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.

Loves “seeing someone I know” Jordan [Magaziner Steinfeld], we are just so honored that you would even tell Jill and Brian's [Fredericks] story, so the [Memorial Buzz] cover was beyond expectations [Cherished Moments: Buzz newlyweds’ weekend weddings, February 2016]! My phone was literally "Buzzing" all weekend! Everyone loves The Buzz, and I always love seeing someone I know in it and, it seems, so do all of our friends. I know Cathy Garcia-Prats well and was SO EXCITED when she was featured on the cover…. Now there is an amazing woman; she is actually opening up a new preschool for kids in need. Thank you for chronicling such a happy and special time for our family. I hope our paths cross again. I can say, knowing how much thoughtfulness you all put into all of your stories is a wonderful thing for our city, and though I am sure you are bombarded with stories, I will always think of you when I come across more amazing people like Cathy! Dianne Brody Editor’s note: Thank you, Dianne, for your kind words about the February 2016 wedding article. Also, we're impressed you remember when Cathy GarciaPrats was on the cover of The Bellaire Buzz six years ago, back in 2010. Andy Blitzer wrote that popular article, A Perfect Ten, about Cathy, mom to 10 sons. If the rest of you want to read it, or missed the wedding article this year, you can find both at thebuzzmagazines.com. TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 6

What’s your story? We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who: • Love being on the water in Galveston. • Have a travel story to share. • Enjoy cooking. • Have a passion or hobby to share. • Know an interesting neighbor to profile. If this sounds like you or someone you know, please contact us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com or 713.668.4157, ext 12.

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NEIGHBORS by Jennifer Oakley, staff writer

Facing Cancer With writing, family and cookies lawellphoto.com

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want to punch cancer,” says Ellie Pratka. “It makes me so mad! To me, cancer is like a shadow of a person – a dark silhouette – and I just want to open the door and punch it in the face.” Ellie is 12. Her mom, Ashley Pratka, was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2014. Ellie’s beloved paternal grandfather, Butch Pratka, died from esophageal cancer in August 2014. In response, Ellie, who lives in Afton Oaks and is a sixth grader at River Oaks Baptist School, has taken up the fight against cancer. By baking. Ellie’s “Cookies for The Cure” is a grassroots effort to help other kids and their families not have to face what she and her mom, dad Al and brother Riley have gone through the past year and a half. “Honestly, it’s been hell on earth,” says Ellie, who talks with the worldliness of an adult while wiping tears away from her blue eyes. “It’s been the worst year of my life. You know, my mom is amazing. The fact that she can go through this process and can be strong is amazing.” For her part, mom Ashley says she did not feel amazing when handed a diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma at age 42. “How on earth had I gotten to this place? I had two beautiful children ages 8 and 10. I was too young to get cancer.” She says the diagnosis, confirmed after she found a lump in her left breast, was surreal, and her first response was to break down. Finding the “fire in my belly” to fight the cancer took time, she says, and help from a neighbor who had “been there.” “I was trying to be strong for my family, but I was terrified. I did not want to lose my breasts, I did not want to have chemotherapy, and I did not want to die.” On the very day that Ashley had her lowest point, inconsolable and crying, unsure what her treatment path would be, neighbor Melanie Rothwell showed up. Herself a cancer survivor, Rothwell looked Ashley in the eyes and said, “You are going to be fine.” Ashley credits Rothwell for being the one who got her braced and ready to face the cancer head-on that day. And, Ashley knew where to go. “Finding the lump in my breast was a complete fluke, but when I came upon it I knew it was concerning,”

BAKING FOR A CURE Ellie Pratka, 12, whose mother Ashley was diagnosed with cancer, sells cookies to raise money for breast cancer research.

says Ashley. “I had just retired from a 17-year career raising funds for cancer research at MD Anderson, so I probably knew a bit more than others, and I knew not to ignore this.” As the tables were turned and she became the patient, she says she “was in shock that this was actually happening to me.” Ashley’s extensive team of doctors helped her

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decide her best treatment option based on her tumor – and the fact that her father had died from pancreatic cancer in 2006 was an additional factor. “Yes, my dad’s cancer was related to mine,” she says. Ultimately, Ashley decided on a double mastectomy after being told a lumpectomy was not an option. “Thanks to my oncologist, she encouraged me to (continued on page 10)

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lawellphoto.com

FAMILY Ellie, Ashley, Riley and Al Pratka (from left) stand together in their fight against Ashley’s breast cancer. (continued from page 8) start with what I knew

was a definite – surgery. Remove the tumor and test it to determine if chemo would even work. What a keen idea! Except for the part about losing your boob, but it left me with the possibility of not losing my hair, too.” Post-surgery, she found out that she was not a candidate for chemotherapy. “I learned my tumor was a grade 3 (poorly differentiated) – not good news – and although no cancer was in my lymph nodes, there was evidence in my lymph system close by. My tumor was a candidate for the Oncotype DX test that looks at 21 genes to determine which treatment plan would work best. [The test indicated that] if I take Tamoxifen, I have a nine percent low-risk of recurrence.... It also revealed adding chemotherapy to my treatment plan would provide no added benefit. The test was a game changer for me because traditionally, based on my pathology, I probably would have been given chemotherapy.” Now, her medical treatment includes taking Tamoxifen, a daily pill, for 10 years, and Ashley

has been advised to be continually be vigilant with her health. Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that blocks estrogen receptors in breast cells. “If estrogen cannot attach to the breast cell it can’t receive its signal to grow and multiply. However, it does not come without side effects but is much less toxic than IV chemotherapy,” she says. “In addition to breast cancer, I am at increased risk for developing ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer and melanoma. I will have my ovaries removed within this coming year, and skin checks are a must! Last year I had a skin cancer removed from my lower eyelid which required reconstruction as well. Yes – two cancers in a year.” Ashley says the whirlwind that she and her family have endured has given her a serious reality check. Learning how to cope with the situation has been stressful for the family – and often filled with humor. “It has been quite a ride so far, but overall promising,” she says. “I went from feeling somewhat isolated to overwhelmed at the amount of support I was receiving after peo-

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ple learned of my diagnosis.” However, telling people she had cancer was tricky. “It was a bit awkward to call friends to say ‘Hi, how are you? Oh, good to hear, well, I have cancer and just wanted you to know. Ok, let’s have lunch soon!” she says, noting that she got the diagnosis at the same time she was recovering from tendon surgery. “So many people would ask me why I was wearing a cast, and inevitably they would conclude with ‘well, that just sucks!’ They were truly concerned about me, but to offer a little levity I would respond with: ‘I know, but you want to know what really sucks? I was just diagnosed with breast cancer!’” Wanting a way to express herself and avoid some of these awkward moments, Ashley took to writing. A self-described private person, she realized she was compelled to open up. Ashley started a care.com page to keep family and friends informed. That page morphed into a blog called winkytink.com, which in turn inspired her to write a self-published book, Fears, Tears & Cheers: Celebrating Survivorship One Day at a Time. “That book sits on my desk at work, and it reminds me of her journey,” says husband Al Pratka, an insurance consultant with Benefits Concepts Inc. “I have seen two different outcomes of cancer. My dad passed away from cancer on August 27, 2014, and Ashley was diagnosed just two months later. Ashley likes to be able to tell her story. We have seen loss, and we have suffered, and we have seen a positive outcome too with Ashley. When you get cancer, it does not mean it is over. Ashley got mad and she decided she was going to fight. I just love her so much.” On the one-year anniversary of Ashley’s cancer diagnosis, her mom, Ann Winkelmann, and sister, Memorial resident Shelby Nielsen, hosted a Survivorship Party. There, Ashley handed out copies of her book and thanked family and friends for helping her get through that first year. Her book documents her cancer journey and also has information about mammograms, patient advocacy and cancer resources. “I have a lot to learn about living life with a cancer diagnosis, and that will only come from others who have ‘been there and done that,’” she says. “I will pay it forward in the future.” And so will Ellie and her cookies. Ellie has raised significant money from her pop-up cookie sales and is donating all of the money back to MD Anderson for breast-cancer research. She is turning her “Cookies for The Cure” into a 501(c)3 and plans to expand her sales. “It’s important to do more to make a difference,” says Ellie. “Because the more I do, the faster this difference will come.”

MORE ONLINE See this article at thebuzzmagazines.com for three more stories of life after cancer diagnosis, about Buzz residents Claire Frazier, Bill Gage and Stacy Middleman. Plus, watch video clips of Stacy Middleman and Bill Gage talking about their experiences. The first Sunday in June marks National Cancer Survivors Day.

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lawellphoto.com

FOOD by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

Foodie Kids Grown-up palettes

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ine-year-old Jason Shwartz is on a mission. It’s not the kind of mission that typically comes to mind when you think “9-year-old boy.” Rather, it’s a mission to find the best food in the country. Specifically, the best steak. “It started when we were on vacation,” Jason’s mom Risa, a business performance consultant, says. “I just gave him a little piece of steak, and I made a bet with him that he wouldn’t eat it.” That’s because up until then, Jason would only eat prime rib. No steak. But, unbeknownst to Jason, he tried the steak. “He said it was the best thing he’d ever had. Ever since then he’s been on the hunt.” Jason, who is also a serious golfer, never misses the opportunity to visit a steakhouse with his family. “I’ve been to Ruth’s Chris, Pappas, Killen’s, Fleming’s, Vic & Anthony’s, places in New York. Wherever we go, we go for steak,” he says. “It’s his happy food,” his mom says. And he remembers every steak. “Killen’s is really flavory. I like how Fogo de Chão cuts the steak right in front of you, and it’s really, really good. I like how River Palm [in New Jersey] is really big and juicy.” Jason’s tastes extend beyond the carnivorous to a wide range of foods, his favorite being pasta. “I like it at Napoli, and I like homemade pasta from my mom,” he says. “She makes pasta and steak mixed together!” So specific are his tastes that Napoli has a “hidden menu item” called Jason’s Special. “It’s rigatoni with a plain chicken cutlet and mozzarella cheese on the side,” he says. “It’s not on the menu, but if you ask it’s in the computer.” At 12 years old, Jack Klosek is also a veteran restaurant-goer. But while he says Pappas Bros. Steakhouse is “always a favorite,” his preferences run a bit more exotic. “There’s a little Thai place near U of H [Kanomwan] where the food is just so good,” he says. “My favorite thing is the coconut soup with chicken that is just seasoned to perfection.” Recently, his family dined at RDG Bar Annie. Jack perused the menu and chose the pheasant because that was something he’d never tried. He loved it. Jack, who is in sixth grade at The Kinkaid School, recently celebrated his 12th birthday over sushi with friends. “Most of my friends keep an open

mind about it,” he says of his sophisticated taste in food. “Nobody busts my chops, and some people actually think it’s cool.” When asked about his favorite sushi, Jack says, “I like toro, which is the belly of the tuna. It’s a very creamy, melt-inyour-mouth piece of fish. At MF Sushi [his favorite in Houston], I like everything from a seared hamachi with truffle and a lemon slice on top to Wagyu with Dijon mustard and caviar.” Jack’s mom SUSHI KING Twelve-year-old Jack Klosek not only loves to eat sushi; he loves to make Tama, an attorney, it at home. He’s read cookbooks by all the great sushi chefs. says, “He is super Recently, Kelli turned her lifelong love of food into food, super into cooking. He loves sushi so into an Instagram account – @Austinmymouth much he would eat it every day if we let him.” His – with 25,000 followers checking out photos of passion runs deep: Jack’s bedside table holds stacks whatever new dish she’s trying. of cookbooks “by every master sushi chef in the While Kelli does have a full-time job in world. At one point,” Tama says, “I took them Austin, she calls @Austinmymouth “a fun outlet. away because I wanted him to read other things.” I appreciate good food, presentation, the work The Kloseks’ philosophy has always been to that goes into it.” Austin restaurants now reguexpose their children to good food. “Why larly ask Kelli to come in to try new menu items, assume they’ll only eat mac and cheese? Why hoping to get a post on @Austinmymouth. not fettuccini alfredo? One thing Jason, Jack and Kelli share in com“John has such a passion for food that every mon: parents who, from the very beginning, meal he eats is like his last,” Tama says of her offered sushi and steak over pizza and chicken husband, Jack’s father. The passion came from nuggets. “Kids can do anything and eat anyJohn’s upbringing in an Italian home where his thing,” Tama says. “We just have to show them mother made good food an important part of the possibilities.” their lives, a common thread for children growing up with a respect for – and a willingness to try – different foods. See this story at thebuzzmagazines.com for a “I’ve always been into food. My mom [Tali] recipe of the Klosek family’s favorite veal scaloppini is the best cook alive,” says recent college gradwith lemon butter sauce, plus a video clip of Jack uate Kelli Blumrosen. Growing up, she says, “My preparing homemade sushi. mom always had something new on the menu.”

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MORE ONLINE

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KIDS by Cheryl Ursin, staff writer

Blue Willow Bookshop

First Jobs Teens working part-time

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he summer after graduating from Stratford High School, Grant Haralson got a job with Janus 1 Unlimited, a franchisee with 26 McDonald’s restaurants in Houston. One of his tasks: playing Grimace, the purple milkshake character, including at professional baseball games. “The costume’s hot, yes, but it’s fun to see people smile when they see me coming,” says Haralson, now a freshman at The University of Texas at Austin. That first teenage job – flipping burgers, bagging groceries, scooping ice cream – is an experience fewer young people are having. According to the Pew Research Center, fewer than one-third of all American teens held a summer job in 2014. In 1978, almost two-thirds did. But working has value. According to Pew research, every year a person works as a teen results in a 14 to 16 percent increase in their income in their 20s. One reason for the decline in teen employment: teens are busier, at school and with activities. At the same time, fewer can drive. According to a survey done by the AAA Foundation, only 54 percent of all American teens get their licenses before their 18th birthday. While Douglas Whitson, a senior at Strake Jesuit, has worked at Blue Willow Bookshop since September, he says, “Out of my core group of friends, 10 guys, only one has a job, and one used to. The rest play sports.” Teens in their first jobs learn what are known as “soft skills,” such as being on time and dressing and behaving professionally. Some employers of recent college grads say they’ve learned to look specifically for paying jobs on resumes. “Forget the fancy service trips and the extracurriculars,” says one. “We find that the ones who have worked know how to work.” Mentoring teens can be satisfying. “It’s fun to watch them bloom,” says Debbie Adams, Haralson’s boss and mother of two young adults (both of whom worked as teens). Adams, who was an ER nurse before founding Janus 1, worked at a McDonald’s drive-through as a teen. “It was the very best training I could have had to be an

MORE THAN BOOK LEARNING Of his after-school job at Blue Willow Bookshop, Douglas Whitson says, “You learn, not just how to work at a bookshop, but how a business is run and how products are marketed.”

ER nurse,” she remembers. “You were under pressure. You were essentially doing triage.” Allison Goldberg encouraged her two girls, Jordan, 18, and Natalie, 16, to work in the summers. Jordan, now studying social work at UT, started working at the clothing retailer Vineyard Vines as a 10th grader. Natalie, a sophomore at Emery/Weiner School, works the front desk at Row, an exercise studio. “There’s just so much value in working,” says Allison. “I felt strongly that I wanted them to see how much work it takes to make minimum wage and what a rude customer or a kind customer looks like.” What advice do employed teens, their bosses and their parents have for young job seekers? Don’t just blanket a neighborhood with resumes. “Pick places that are interesting to you,” says Jordan Goldberg. Whitson’s family has shopped at Blue Willow since he was small. Valerie Koehler, owner, advises, “Understand where you are applying.” She recommends visiting the business, as a customer. “Go get an ice cream at that ice-cream shop and observe,” she says. “You might even decide that you don’t want to work there.” Allison Goldberg encouraged her daughters to research companies and come up with 3-5 ques-

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tions to ask during the interview. The family also practiced answering interview questions casually, like when they were driving somewhere. Jordan confirms that the preparation did help. Family support is great, but you have to apply alone. “Don’t have your mom pick up the application, don’t have her come in to ask questions, don’t have her come with you,” says Koehler, “and don’t bring a friend to the interview. We want to see that you are brave enough and independent enough to do this on your own.” Don’t fret about looking nervous. Indeed, trying to act nonchalant can be the interview killer. “If someone is dressed nice and seems nervous, that is a good sign,” says Michael Savino of Michael’s Cookie Jar. “Body language is important: Look the interviewer in the eye, have a firm handshake,” says Adams. “Be on time. Speak clearly. And leave your cell phone in your pocket.” Don’t take no personally. Blue Willow “gets a ton of applications,” says Koehler. (And has no current openings.) “I was nervous. They say a lot of things to you at the interview,” says Haralson. “A W-9? What’s that? But don’t worry. They help you. Smile, be polite, be yourself.”

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Moms, Grads & Dads

Gift Guide Perfect gift ideas for even the hardest to please Love Always What She Wants Inch-by-inch diamond bezel-set necklace in 14-karat white, yellow or rose gold. What every mom deserves and desires. Wear it with jeans or a little black dress. Starting at under $900. Select Jewelers, 2221 S. Voss Rd., Houston, Texas 77057, 713.789.3359, www.selectjewelers.com

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The iconic Phillips House Love Always bracelets, mixing high fashion and sentiment. Available exclusively at Lewis Jewelers in Uptown Park and Clear Lake. Lewis Jewelers is a full-service, familyowned jewelry store deeply rooted in the Houston area. Lewis Jewelers, 1141 Uptown Park Blvd. (next to the Drybar), Houston, Texas 77056, 281.204.0555, www.lewisusa.com

Hobie Mirage Outback The Hobie Mirage Outback has everything the serious fisherman needs and wants: stability, speed, comfort and maneuverability. Any of the Hobie Mirage Drive Kayaks make a great gift for moms, grads and dads. Come see our full selection. Fishing Tackle Unlimited, 12800 Gulf Freeway, Houston, Texas 77034, 281.481.6838, www.fishingtackleunlimited.com

Take Your Egg For the Big Green Egg enthusiast who also loves to travel, you cannot go wrong with the Mini-Max! Take the awkwardness out of traveling with your Big Green Egg with the ease of portability offered with the Mini-Max! Available at both locations. Bering’s, 6102 Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77057, 713.785.6400; 3900 Bissonnet, Houston, Texas 77005, 713.665.0500, www.berings.com TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 16

Right on Target Starting at $69 per month, you can gift an Executive Membership to Athena Gun Club. As a member you'll experience one of the finest shooting experiences in the industry, priority lane reservations, complimentary handgun rentals and twelve 15-minute sessions in our live-action virtual training simulator. Best of all, range fees are waived for all Executive Members! Athena Gun Club, 10814 Katy Fwy. (at Beltway 8), Houston, Texas 77043, 713.461.5900, athenagunclub.com

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New Look for Antlers Celebrate nature with unique accessories created from deer and antler sheds. Necklaces, bracelets, and cufflinks (shown here). Visit our Houston studio, full of items for you and your home. Renovate, 7413 Westview Drive, Suite C, Houston, Texas 77055, 713.291.1171, www.renovatehou.com

Modern Boutique Eye Care Dr. Patel & her partners provide quality eye exams and fashionable eyewear in a spacious, high-tech boutique setting. Each exam includes a prescription, retinal photos, glaucoma screening and a special prize for our littlest patients. Call to schedule an appointment! CustomEyes, Spring Valley Town Center, 8420 Katy Fwy., Suite 512, Houston, Texas 77024, 713.827.9500, www.yourcustomeyes.com

Got You Covered Come see this new line for women! JudyP tops take you from morning to night. They’re versatile with a flattering fit. Worn alone or in layers, any of the styles will be that “go to” top that looks good all day long. The Village Clothier (located in Rice Village), 2411 Rice Blvd., Houston, Texas 77005, 713.520.9096

Love Lasts an Eternity!

A Must Have for All Whether it’s a YETI Rambler, Colster, Lowball or the newest addition to the family, YETI Bottle, a stainless steel YETI is a must have for any occasion. The Monogram Shop offers a great selection of unique gifts for teachers, moms, dads and grads. Come see us today! The Monogram Shop, 5860-H San Felipe, Houston, Texas 77057, 832.251.8771, www.monogramshophouston.com

Tenenbaum Classic Jewelers, now home to Queen of Heirs, has just what you are looking for this Mother's Day! Our expanded inventory features a vast selection of unique, rare and collectible estate jewelry with styles ranging from vintage to contemporary. Tenenbaum Classic Jewelers, 1801 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, Texas 77056, 713.629.7444, www.tenenbaumjewelers.com

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A Sense of Familiarity, Freedom and Security - University Place, Adult Living Community Resident Profile

If you’re looking to feel young, inspired and full of life, please spend a few minutes with Virginia Hunt, a current resident of University Place – Houston’s only senior-living community owned by a health system. A native of Baytown, Virginia has always lived along the Gulf Coast and for 59 years has called southwest Houston her home. For this active 82-yearold Houstonian, the decision to move into a senior-living community was a thoughtful process. “I knew I wanted to live in a senior-living community. My children are in their prime, and I wanted them to have a sense of security, knowing that their mother wasn’t alone. I was living in our larger family home with a big backyard, and the upkeep was quite a task. I love to travel and wanted to be able to leave at my leisure, so I decided to make the move, not only for my family’s peace of mind, but also for the freedom this lifestyle provides me,” says Virginia. Virginia’s daughter, Mary Ruthe Miller, feels secure about her mother’s choice in communities. “Aside from this being our mother’s first choice when it came to the next chapter in her life, we’re also happy to know that she has access to help 24 hours a day,” says Mary Ruthe. “It’s wonderful because she doesn’t have to worry about managing a singlefamily home. Recently, we had some bad weather that included wind and hail. Before University Place we would have worried about her safety; now we know she’s in good hands. We just wanted her to be comfortable and worry-free.” Once the decision to move was made, Virginia began her quest to find the perfect community. She visited several places throughout the Greater

Houston and Fort Bend areas but the convenience that University Place offered couldn’t be matched. “My son, who lives out of town, frequently works in Houston,” Virginia says. “When he’s here I’m so central he just stays in my guest bedroom, which gives me extra time to spend with him. I often help my daughter with parties, errands and other events; she lives close, so I’m just a 15-minute drive away. I’ve always been very social, and I’ve enjoyed the social events University Place hosts. Volunteering at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital is one my passions, and I’ve been able to continue to give back, as the hospital is around the corner. I’m able to go to neighboring stores and attend social events – everything is in close proximity.” In addition to the central location, University Place has so much more to offer residents. From the spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments to fitness classes and cultural events, residents get the most out of retirement. Everyday convenience ● 24-hour emergency and security ● Housekeeping, utilities and Wi-Fi included ● Covered and valet parking for residents ● Salon and dry cleaning services ● Landscaped courtyard ● Restaurant-style fine dining buffet ● Guest accommodations ● Library and technology center ● Swimming pool with heated Jacuzzi ● General store ● Continuing Care Retirement Community ● Privileges at Houston Baptist University including fitness membership For more stories like Virginia’s or to schedule a tour, please call 713.541.2900. To view floor plans, videos and photos, please visit Retire.memorialhermann.org.

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NEIGHBORS

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by Sharon Albert Brier, staff writer

Rumor Has It Of note. Ladies arrived with good vibes for the Houston Symphony League Spring Membership Lunch at Jana Arnoldy’s lavish home, co-chaired by Nancy Strohmer and Mary Ann Reynolds Wilkins. Vice president of education Rita Aron announced the recipient of the Ardyce Tostengard Crystal Cello award as Maryiglyn Glenn, for her nurturing of young artists. Among the 145 enjoying the glorious setting were Betty Tutor, president Darlene Clark, president-elect Beth Wolff, Helen Perry, Paula Mott, Rini Ziegler, Barbara Le Grange and Alex Blair. Jana stepped out in feathered wings to tout the upcoming symphony gala, The Carnivale Ball, May 14 at Jones Hall. She and co-chair Scott Arnoldy have surprises in store to create the Rio rhythm the minute you arrive. Mary Ann and David McKeithan are serving as the auction chairs. For tickets, contact denise.furlough@houstonsymphony.org. Got the dirt on neighbors. Some people find plastic pink flamingos in their yard on their birthday, but dog-walking friends Cheryl Frick, Court Greer, David Hoffman and Hank Lee surprised Mary Maxey by having a pallet of St. Augustine grass delivered to her house. Dubbed “Starbarks,” Mary’s porch has become a gathering spot for early-morning dog walkers, where owners sip coffee while their furry friends frolic in the front yard. Mary’s yard was definitely in need of some TLC, so neighbors took it upon themselves not only to purchase the sod but plant it as well. Mary was overcome with gratitude by what she describes as the most thoughtful birthday present ever. The next morning over coffee, the “weekend landscapers” admitted they would have slept better had they popped a couple of extra-strength Tylenols before bed. Six friends. In 1966, Linda House, Joan Belk, Mildred Shuford, Joan McGee, Sue Nicholas and Lilly Faison started a book club that quickly grew to 16 members. Recently, Carol Ann Paddock, Linda Duessel and Doris Bernard hosted the 50th anniversary of the Les Belles Lettres Book Club at Carol Ann’s home. Melinda Rose and Mary Jane Pizzitola presented each member with a commemorative book.

BOOK BUDDIES Members of the Les Belles Lettres Book Club have read over 450 books since 1966. Pictured here are Carol Ann Paddock, Carol Kors, Doris Bernard, Anne Pinion, Tamara Ham, Mary Espinosa, Kathleen O’Connor, Sheryl Roper, Janet Atsinger, Mary Jane Pizzitola, Linda Duessel, Paula Faillace, Mary Jane Holm, Martha Ann Satterwhite, Meredith Griffis, Comly Lewis, Dorothy McLemore, Anne Turner, Catherine Frazier, Sue Bennett, Carole Gilbreath, Ann Moss, Sandra Stephens, Melinda Rose, Kate Hawk, Mary Lou Thomas and Dona Badgett.

The members reminisced about places they traveled together. Since its founding, the group has read over 450 books. There are still 26 Les Belles in the club. Janet Atsinger, a 49-year member, summed it up by saying, “The book club is about journeying through life with friendship, reading and having fun.” Graduation around the corner. Houstonians Eric Olsson and Stuart Monteith became fast friends as Ole Miss freshmen in the same dorm. They pledged the same fraternity as freshmen and have lived together as roommates since. They rounded up 30 of their Ole Miss senior classmates and flew to Negril, Jamaica, to enjoy their last Spring Break week. They went to all heights as they cliff dived and snorkeled. Sensory overload kicked in with colorful sunsets and reggae music in the background. Real life starts soon. What do these Broadway plays have in common? School of Rock, Kinky Boots, Something Rotten! and Disaster! Chaos! Sandie and Mike Carnahan enjoyed each one of them in their “Four Days, Four Plays” trip to New York. Lucky for them there was only a good time involved in their trip, which included a lot of walking and testing out new restaurants. Snowflakes. The actual milestone num-

TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 20

ber is not that important to Betty Tutor when it comes to birthdays. She and her husband Jess Tutor and their son Brooks Tutor and granddaughters Layla and Savannah celebrated Betty’s special birthday on a Santa Fe getaway in the mountains. Layla and Savannah were thrilled to see snow for the first time, as it poured down an hour after they arrived. Little did they expect to snow ski and ride horses on the same trip. While in the city, they admired art at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Don’t hate. The No Place for Hate Luncheon May 4, co-chaired by Lyn Schmulen and Caren Sweetland, will feature Dr. Jennifer Arnold of Texas Children’s Hospital and TLC’s The Little Couple. The Kinkaid Lower School’s Dr. Nancy Simpson will be among those honored with the Walter Kase Teacher Excellence Award for outstanding efforts to create a school atmosphere that promotes respect for and understanding of diversity. For tickets to the luncheon at the Hilton Houston Post Oak, email Angela Atlas at aatlas@adl.org.

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

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TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 21

KIDS

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by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz Baby

Classic baby fashion lawellphoto.com

Buzz Baby is a column about life with babies from the perspective of a first-time mother.

T

he fashion industry is ever-changing. Styles come in, out and back again like stone-washed jeans. The same goes for babies’ fashion. Some, like smocked baby clothes, stand the test of time, while others fade. The school my twins attend is like a baby catwalk every morning. Most of the kids are wearing smocked outfits, monogrammed “bubbles” (one-piece rompers) and white Keds. A few outliers strut through the parking lot, toting their nap mat while wearing pink Converses, skinny jeans and a trendy T-shirt that sometimes I wish came in my size. Do the babies care? Of course not. But it’s fun to dress your kids while they let you. Soon enough, you will have no say in the matter. Anna Kimball, who works for Hewlett Packard Enterprise, dresses her boys, 1-year-old Simon (“Si”) and 3-year-old Phin, in “classic outfits with fun colors,” she said. “I love simple plaids, stripes and checks.” Anna’s husband Tripp, who works in real estate and construction, said he is not a fan of anything that snaps and is happy not to choose. “Anna usually has their outfits already picked out.” For dressier occasions, Anna typically selects classic bubbles and rompers for Si, and a buttondown with a fun belt for Phin. “I know a lot of kids insisting on dressing themselves,” she said. “At this age, Phin has not. Now, I’m not saying I haven’t had to bribe him to put something on with a lollipop.” There’s usually a favorite piece that gets passed down to the younger sibling. “Phin had a white-linen infant guayabera bubble,” said Anna. “It was passed down to Si. I loved it so much we did his first Christmas card in it.” Gone are the days of dressing siblings in the same outfits; many places sell a coordinating romper and button-down shirt, so the print is the same, but the style is different. “One of my favorite [outfits] is a navy, white and pale-red plaid, short-sleeve, button-down, linen shirt that Phin has worn with white or navy shorts,” said Anna. “Si has a matching romper that is the most precious cut.”

SIBLING STYLE Paige Foote dresses twins Ellie and Henry in monogrammed, smocked outfits. At right: Anna Kimball likes coordinating outfits and bright-colored Native shoes for sons Phin and Simon.

This summer, Anna has several checked rompers for Simon. “Phin will wear shorts in the same color with a white guayabera,” said Anna. For warmer months, she buys plain white shirts from Walmart and has them monogrammed in bright colors like lime green and orange. For shoes, Anna said the boys like the lightweight, slip-on brand called Native. “The brighter the better. We let them pick the colors.” Messes happen. “Recently, my mom [Debbie] kept them for the weekend,” said Anna. “She got them dressed in nice white shirts for an outing. Phin talked her into taking them on a TCBY outing at the end of the night. [She] called me and said the outfits were covered in chocolate ice cream.” Nothing a little stain remover couldn’t get out. Paige Foote, a mom of 9-month-old twins, Henry and Ellie, said her go-style for the babies is “classic.” “I want them to look like babies for as long as possible,” said Paige. “I love smocked bubbles and dresses for Ellie, and Jon Jons and rompers for Henry.” Paige said she selects light colors like baby blues, pink and pastels and simple patterns such as polka dots. She also loves baby moccasins from the brand Freshly Picked. They’re colorful,

TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 22

soft and great for pre-walkers. Paige’s husband Brandon, who works for Shell Oil, bought the kids their first fishing shirts for the lakehouse from Prodoh Youth Outdoor Apparel. “He doesn’t like the bubbles I put Henry in. Too girly,” said Paige. Shopping can be time consuming. “I mostly shop online,” said Paige. “I follow a lot of shops on Instagram too, like Smocked Auctions and Cecil and Lou. I find a lot of clothes that way.” It can be a challenge keeping beautiful baby clothes clean and wrinkle free. The twins “both wore long, traditional baptism gowns, and I was convinced they would wrinkle in their car seats,” said Paige. “We brought them to the church in pajamas and dressed them in the parking lot. Looking back, that wasn’t the best idea.” Even though the chocolate stains may not come out, and the wrinkles may stay wrinkled, this mom thinks it’s all worth it to see your little trendsetter show off his or her (mom’s) style this summer.

MORE ONLINE For more baby stories, see thebuzzmagazines.com for writer Annie Blaylock McQueen’s weekly column, “Mommy Moments.” If you have stories to share, leave a comment online or email info@thebuzzmagazines.com.

TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 23

TRAVEL by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Travel Buzz Underwater wonderland

M

arty Aaron’s been scuba diving all over the world; he’s experienced underwater blasts in the Red Sea, been chased by seals in the Galapagos and observed the sleeping sharks of Isla Mujeres, just to name a few aquatic adventures. One of his favorite diving memories takes place in the Blue Hole, a natural wonder off the coast of Belize near Turneffe Island. “I was with one of my brave daughters,” the real estate investor recalls – Haley, who is now getting her doctorate at Palo Alto University in neuropsychology, was about 13 at the time. “She didn’t like to be controlled. We would dive together as partners; she would touch everything. Porpoises, turtles, sharks. I was grabbing her arm and pulling her back. I said, ‘You have to stop this, it’s dangerous.’” He would tell her of the importance of staying close to him, too, but Haley would have none of it. One day they were immersed in the depths of the Blue Hole when a 10-foot shark swam right in front of her. “She immediately swam behind me and stayed there for the rest of the dive,” he recalls with a laugh. “The signal for shark is a hand on top of the head – she’s got a hand on her head and she’s shaking like a leaf – and that’s the last time I had to talk to her about staying close to me and not touching things.” Scuba diving immerses one into another world. It serves as a training ground, a bonding ground, and a context that pushes one far beyond the limits of the ordinary. It’s a humbling glimpse into the vast intricacy of nature, and it can also be an immersion in the art of the possible. For some Buzz families, diving has served many roles over the years, but perhaps most importantly, it’s helped them to grow – as individuals, and in their relationships. For the Scheps family, diving has been at the center of family life. Brent has been diving for about 30 years, and Melinda’s not far behind with 25 years. All of their four children are certified, and the youngest, Spencer, got his certification at the tender age of 10. “It’s such an incredible, beautiful world down there – you’ve got to go experience it,” says Melinda, a retired network engineer, waxing elo-

SET TO EXPLORE Brent, Spencer and Melinda Scheps set off for Piranha Cove, located in Grace Bay of Turks and Caicos.

quent as she describes swimming through a school of spadefish, or cave diving with an 8-foot speckled moray eel, or watching as a school of 40 silvery barracudas swim by down below her. They wanted to share this world with their children, so they started them young at home in the pool. “We got them comfortable with the masks and the gear,” she said. They learned to breathe out of the snorkel and wear the mask without fogging it up, and how to clean it underwater. Every year they would go to Turks and Caicos, and at the resort they’d take their junior dive training, learning to use a compass, how to regulate buoyancy and all the other basics. Melinda remembers with a chuckle on one of Spencer’s first dives when, still under the influence of Nemo, he reached out to grab onto a turtle. “He thought it would be so much fun to grab the turtle and ride on it while it swam. So he grabbed the back of the turtle and thought it was the most wonderful thing in the world.” Little did he know that touching was against the rules. The divemaster threatened him that if he did it again, he would be kicked off the dive. Little Spencer learned quickly one of the cardinal rules of diving: respect. Now an eighth grader at St. Mark’s Episcopal,

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Spencer has 35 dives under his belt. All the other kids are grown – Cameron, 25; Kelly, 27; and Taylor, 29 – and Melinda’s grateful to have an activity that brings them all back together again. “It’s played a huge role in our family,” said Melinda. “It’s been a great way for us to all get together and do something that we love.” For nurse Carol and physician Eric Rothenberg, diving got more difficult when the boys came along – until they discovered Beaches, an all-inclusive resort in Turks and Caicos where the diving and daycare are included, and where the diving is close enough that Carol didn’t have to worry about leaving the boys behind. It was a great place for them to learn and to dive together as the boys got bigger. Now, says Carol, the time they spent teaching the boys to dive is paying off in first-rate diving buddies. Paul, a first-year medical student at UTMB-Galveston, and David, now a sophomore at The Emery/Weiner School, are now challenging their parents to new heights. David, who got his certification when he was 11, is heading off this summer to Sail Caribbean, which hosts a diving camp in the British Virgin Islands to get his master diver certification. “We started as a more casual experience, but

RAYS OF WONDER Steve, Susan and Jordan Solcher take a break from diving in the Cayman Islands to get up close and personal with a stingray.

David has taken it to a whole new level,” Carol said. “For my husband, this is the really good time for him. When they’re children, they need more help. Now that they’re older he can really go to the limits with them – and now they’re getting to the point where they’re taking him to the limit.” Last summer, for example, they chartered a boat from the U.S. Virgin Islands and went out to dive the RMS Rhone, a U.K. Royal mail ship wrecked in 1867, where The Deep was filmed. David was “fearless,” his mother declared, and joined as his brother and father descended more than 100 feet, entered the wreck and explored it. David has been a lucky diver, his mother says; he has been face-to-face with a 13-foot dolphin and a whale shark while diving at Turks and Caicos. For Steve Solcher, chief financial officer at BMC Software, and wife Susan, a realtor, diving has laid a foundation for their life as a couple. Susan took a scuba-certification class at Texas A&M her first semester and loved it so much she got her advanced certification her second semester. Steve was a diver, too, and some of their first dates were dive trips to Cozumel and the Bahamas. Their children – Christian, 25, and Jordan, 23 – have grown up accompanying them on dive trips, from the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to the Cayman Islands. Other dive trips were just for

them – a way to nurture their relationship. “It’s something we have a common love for; it’s a really neat activity that we look forward to,” she said. One of the most exotic trips was to a remote island off the coast of Mozambique, where they heard the low moan of whales swimming nearby as they dove. “Every time I go I’m always amazed,” Susan said. “When I get in the water I just pinch myself and say, I wish people could see what I’m seeing – the nature, the fish, the beauty, the coral – so few people really get to see the beauty from underneath. If you could see the vast variety of different species, the schools of fishes, the sponges… and to be breathing underwater – to me it’s phenomenal that we get to do that.” She’ll never forget their first night dive in Akumal, off the Mexican Riviera Maya. “The octopus come out at night, and they’re amazing to watch,” she said. “Some are huge, some are small; the colors at night are so different … you see a lot of things at night that you don’t see in the day. When you see it at night the colors are really vivid.” Melinda, too, is fascinated by night diving. “The whole sea changes at night – it’s almost like Night at the Museum, all the things that are hidden come alive. The giant lobsters you’d never seen that day are all walking around; massive crabs moving around the coral; the moray eels are out, and you can see them slithering

around on the sand. And you wiggle your hand back and forth, and it’s like you’re diving in thousands of lightning bugs… it’s beautiful.” Perhaps most important to Marty, however, is the chance to fully engage yourself and your family in life – as opposed to the Facebook version. “Diving with your kids brings three aspects into your life,” said Marty. First, there’s the recognition that your time together is very valuable. Second, there’s the physical component – now you have a reason to learn to swim better. Third, there’s the thinking part – they had to get experienced in the physical, equipment side and the mental side – learning how to do the calculations, learning about pressure, air, nitrogen narcosis. At the end of the day, he says, diving is a metaphor for life. “It was all about creating an environment or an arena where they could see themselves grow without unnecessary harm,” said Marty. “You learn about something, and then you apply it. Driving a car, scuba diving, being in a relationship – diving is the same process, and life is the same process. I’ve always brought it back that you’re the product of your experiences. Diving for me was just the arena for doing it.”

MORE ONLINE See this story at thebuzzmagazines.com for links to dive classes and resorts. In July, check The Buzz for a story about outstanding diving opportunities in Texas.

TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 25

The Junior League of Houston

FOOD by Sarah Pilger Sanders, contributing writer

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

W

hen you are young, every holiday is special, but growing up on the East Coast, Memorial Day always held a special place in my heart as it signaled that summer was near. Unlike Houston, where summer can start in March, East Coast summers truly begin when the community swimming pools open on Memorial Day. It meant sundresses, lemonade and long daylight hours, and, most importantly, school break was just around the corner. Holidays can elicit strong memories and nostalgia, often tied to the food you grew up eating. To me, Memorial Day is all about the grill. Something about a hamburger hot off the grill with ketchup and mustard squirting out all sides of the bun just screams summer. Summer foods aren’t the formal dishes of winter holidays but the kind that truly test the camouflaging nature of your loud summer prints. Summer food has the brilliant quality of often being very simple. Compared to complicated roasts, fancy hors d’oeuvres and even cocktails that require a hand beater, Memorial Day embraces simple dishes with rich flavor. My favorite way to start a summer party is with Orange Blossom Punch out of Stop and Smell the Rosemary. This light, refreshing cocktail welcomes your guests in from the hot day and lets them know that your event is not just for kids. Be sure to chill cups ahead of time for an extra crisp taste. As you sit down to eat, serve your guests a salad complete with a protein that is savory, but not overwhelming. The Prosciutto and Orange Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette from Peace Meals pulls together summer staples like avocado and honey and pairs them with toasted nuts and salty prosciutto. You can’t ask for a better start to a backyard meal. Nothing brings back the childhood elation of Memorial Day like hamburgers on the grill. The first lighting of the grill at the beginning of summer was practically a religious ceremony in my house. My father typically over-poured

the lighter fluid for dramatic effect, and my mother softly chastised him while her face beamed with delight. Today, I try to give my children the thrill of an old-fashioned barbecue with the Ole Mole Hamburgers from The Houston Junior League Cookbook. These slider-style burgers SUMMERTIME STARTER The Prosciutto and Orange Salad with Honey Balsamic are easy and cap- Vinaigrette pairs avocado and honey with toasted nuts and salty prosciutto. ture the seasoning From Peace Meals of what a homemade burger should have. Prosciutto adds a salty bite to this picture-perFor side dishes, I have two summer favorites. fect salad. What is a cookout without a bean dip? Specifically, the Texas Bean Dip from The Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette: Houston Junior League Cookbook was one of the ½ cup olive oil first dips I learned to make as an adult, and I still ¼ cup white Balsamic vinegar pull it out for many occasions. It’s quick, simple 1 Tablespoon honey and a crowd-pleaser every time. Next, I recom½ teaspoon coarse salt mend a vegetable. But what is the fun of a veg¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper etable unless it is fried? The Fried Cauliflower from The Houston Junior League Cookbook is simSalad: ple and to the point. Veggies are better when 5 ounces mixed baby greens they are dredged in flour and dipped in hot oil. 2 medium avocados, pitted, peeled and sliced This is a party after all. 2 medium navel oranges, peeled and secChocolate Chunk Cookies and Strawberries tioned Eric, both out of Peace Meals, are sweet classics ¼ pound prosciutto, torn into bite-size pieces with small twists. The cinnamon and oats in the 1 ⁄3 cup chopped walnuts, toasted cookies make these treats far from ordinary but simple enough to please children and adults. Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients in a The strawberries are tart and refreshing and can small bowl. Place the mixed greens in a large bowl. be served on their own, on top of a cake or pie, Add the avocados, oranges, prosciutto and walnuts, or even in a drink. and toss with desired amount of Honey Balsamic Whatever you decide to serve at your summer Vinaigrette. Serve immediately. Serves 4. soirée, make sure it’s all about the three Fs: flavor, freshness and fun.

MORE ONLINE

Prosciutto and Orange Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 26

See this story at thebuzzmagazines.com for more recipes mentioned in this article.

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TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 27

SPORTS

by Todd Freed, staff writer Bruce Bell Media

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SportzBuzz I

n the aftermath of tragedy, the students of Bellaire High School held an emotionally charged celebration called Hooping for Luv, a trio of all-star basketball games to raise funds for the families of the four victims of a Spring Break car accident. The accident took the lives of 18-year-old Bellaire Cardinals volleyball star Jade Robinson, her 19-year-old sister Brianna, who herself was a former track star at Bellaire, and 17-year-old former Bellaire student Brittanie Johnson. Shelby Coleman, an 18-year-old senior at Lamar High School, was the only survivor of the accident. A standing room-only crowd of about 2,000 turned out to HISD’s Butler Field House for the games, which featured many of the area’s top basketball players. “I’m just amazed how our students put together such a great event in a short amount of time,” said Bellaire volleyball coach Ap Clarke. “It was totally the kids who did all of this.” The idea for the event originated from Bellaire senior basketball player Deon’ta Lagway, a former boyfriend of Jade Robinson and a close friend of Jade’s family. “I felt like we owed it to them to have this big event and donate the money to the families. I knew the girls my entire high school life, and I just wanted to help out and make them proud and make their families proud.” Lagway played in the all-star event alongside Bellaire teammate Maxwell Evans. “It just feels so good that all these great high school players from across Houston came together to play for something special. It means so much to a lot of people,” said Evans. With a lineup of who’s who in Houston high school basketball, the games themselves evolved into a highlight-reel, slam-dunk festival. But the highlight was how the Bellaire and Lamar communities rallied around the families of the girls. “Obviously, by all the people who are here

you can see how those girls touched so many lives, even way beyond Bellaire High School,” said Bellaire sophomore volleyball and basketball player Cody PLAYING WITH LOVE Bellaire High School basketball player Deon’ta Lagway was soaring high during the slam-dunk competition of the Hooping For Luv benefit basketFillmore. “We just ball games. The Cardinals senior was a driving force behind the event, which raised wanted to have an funds for the families of Houston teens killed in a Spring Break car accident. event that brings Giuliana Madrigali, who Amarantos calls the everybody together as a community.” heart of the team. “Giuliana is a vocal playmak“Jade would just light up a locker room,” said er who sees the field really well. She led the disBellaire sophomore volleyball player Sharea trict in assists this season.” Washington. “She’d come in and yell out, ‘Hey, Amarantos had praise for several other playeveryone,’ and always put a smile on everyers, including senior Kate Rottino, freshman body’s face. Jade just had that personality that Grace Collins and sophomore Grace Youchum. when you were having a bad day she would just “Kate is one of our captains. She’s just a really brighten you up.” consistent player who’s always doing the right “Jade was just a special person on and off the things on the soccer field.” court,” said coach Clarke. “On the court, she Collins, only a freshman, led the team and was a hard-working player who just loved to play district in goals with 42 goals in 22 games. volleyball. Off the court, Jade was a lover of life.” “That’s pretty spectacular,” said Amarantos. In other news, on the soccer fields, it’s been “Grace is extremely fast with an excellent left one of the greatest seasons ever for the and right foot. She’s already being looked at by Memorial Mustangs girls’ soccer team. The some of the top colleges out there.” Mustangs won 21 of their 22 regular-season As for Youchum, Amarantos describes the games, followed by a 3-0 shutout over Cy Fair in sophomore midfielder as a tremendous athlete the bi-district playoffs. The only regular-season who does amazing things with the ball. “Grace loss of the year for Memorial was when the is just a lot of fun to watch.” Mustangs were without three key starters who were still playing basketball at the time. Editor’s Note: Todd Freed is the Emmy Award“I have an extremely competitive group of winning co-host and producer of the KUBE girls who really enjoy playing soccer with each SportsZone, which airs Saturday and Sunday at 6 other,” said Mustangs girls soccer coach Lindley p.m. on Channel 57-KUBE. To submit high school Amarantos. “They go out there and battle hard sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, game in and game out.” please email todd@thebuzzmagazines.com. Among the so-called battlers is senior

TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 28

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SPORTS

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by Angie Frederickson, staff writer

SportzBuzz, Jr. W

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

Tournament champs The Spring Branch Middle School girls 8B basketball team (top photo) won a tournament championship and finished with a winning season. Led by coach Chenique Whitney, the girls showed tremendous improvement over the season. At the Alief Tournament, the Lady Bears played against Alief Middle School, Spring Forest Middle School and O’Donnell Middle School, and were victorious in each of the games. The championship game was especially tough, and the girls rallied at half time to increase a small first-half lead and eventually beat O’Donnell. The winning Lady Bears are (top row, from left) Evelyn Silsby, Taylor Dixon, Samantha Hilder, Valeria Lopez, Reagan Goodwine, Natalie Atkinson, Emma Buesinger, coach Chenique Whitney, (bottom row, from left) Daisy Leon, Andrea Ramirez, Taylor O’Hara, Lily Williams, Mary Kristin Cokinos and Lilah Dinh.

For love of dance Dancers Helena Stewart, Katelyn Krivan, Lauren Biar and Olivia Brown (middle photo, from left) participated in the eMOTION Dance Company’s annual community show at Bellaire High School. The event draws dancers from around the city to showcase their dance pieces. These four eighth-grade girls are part of Memorial Dance Center’s Coral Company, which presented a hip hop routine at the event. During the spring competition season, the company competes in many events where they are scored on various elements of their performance. The eMOTION show is different because dancers are not competing, but instead are given the opportunity to enjoy dancing simply for the fun of performing.

Victory in overtime The 11-13 girls Sky team (bottom photo) won the Spring BranchMemorial Sports Association gold-division basketball championship. In a game played at the Coleman Coliseum, the Sky beat the Shock, 47-44, in an overtime battle. After being down 10 points early in the fourth quarter, the Shock came back to take the lead with only one minute remaining on the clock. Key shots by the Sky’s Leyla Ertan and Meta Sapien sent the game into overtime, where Sophia Cone shot two important free throws, followed by a three-pointer by Sapien to win the game. The championship Sky players are (bottom row, from left) Kane Kinney, Gabby Rosenwasser, Ellie St. Martin, Ava Picone, Meta Sapien, Kinsey Jacobs, Ellington

Whitaker, Sydney Shelton, Sophia Cone and Leyla Ertan, and (top row, from left) coaches Fidel Sapien and Baris Ertan. Editor’s note: Send your best high-resolution photos and behind-the-scenes stories about young local athletes, in both team and individual sports, to SportzBuzz, Jr. at info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Include all contact info, names, ages, grades and schools. Featured athletes must live in Buzz-circulation neighborhoods. Items will be published on a space-available basis.

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Point. Click. Win. Enter The Buzz 2016 Photo Contest DEADLINE MAY 15TH The Buzz Magazines is pleased to announce our eleventh annual Photo Contest. Winning photos will be published in our July issue and on our website beginning July 1. Our grand prize winner will receive a Canon PowerShot digital camera. To submit photos, and for contest rules, visit thebuzzmagazines.com and click on the banner at the top of the home page. You can also view our 2015 winners online.

Grand Prize, Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS digital camera (*or camera of equal value) TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 31

Daniel Ortiz

NEIGHBORS

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by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz About Town Out of this world

experiences about his time in the U.S. space program. Col. Cunningham was the Lunar Module pilot on the Apollo 7 mission and was NASA's third civilian astronaut. Pictured (from left) are Col. Cunningham, Grady Middle School principal Gretchen Kasper-Hoffman and sixth grader Will Eknoyan.

Gearing up for the gala

Grady Middle School sixth graders were visited by Colonel Walt Cunningham, who shared his

A preview party for the Nora's Home at the Kentucky Derby May 6 gala kicked off at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House. Nora’s Home is a 16-suite facility for transplant patients traveling to Houston to stay. Over 50 supporters

TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 32

attended the reception, and each brought a bottle of wine to donate towards the gala auction. The executive director of Nora's Home, Kayla Lehmann, welcomed guests. The party was hosted by Brigitte and Bashar Kalai (pictured). Gala honorees are the Boudwin and Bono families. For tickets, see norashome.org or call 832831-3720. Tickets start at $1,000 for two.

A beautiful memorial

tions throughout the area through March 2017. Viewing locations can be found on the museum’s web site at hmh.org/butterflies.

Danielle Stewart, Pond, (front row, from left) Anna Gurvitch, June Lovland, Natalie Wall and Lauren Granello.

Fay turns 25

Spring fling

A crowd gathered as the Holocaust Museum Houston marked its 20th anniversary with a champagne reception at Neiman Marcus. Pictured (from left) at the event are Gail Klein (board chair), Steve Estrin (board member) and Denise Estrin. The event was held to launch an exhibit developed with help from children across the globe. More than 1.5 million handmade butterflies were submitted to the museum from every continent except Antarctica to memorialize the 1.5 million children who were killed in the Holocaust. The result is “The Butterfly Project,” a series of six traveling cases with some of the more thoughtful and thoughtprovoking samples. Three of the cases remained at Neiman Marcus and three at The Galleria through March 31. All six will appear at loca-

Dave Rossman

Priscilla Dickson

Margaret Brown (little girl, pictured) and her grandmother, Bonner Ball (pictured), posed at an “egg-cellent” breakfast and photo event benefitting MD Anderson Children’s Cancer

Parents, teachers, faculty and staff from The Fay School poured into the Corinthian downtown for school’s annual gala and 25th anniversary celebration. Flowers and dangling crystal balls draped the ceiling as a cocktail reception kicked off the silent auction. Gala co-chairs included Elva Akin, Carrie Chaplan, Jennifer Cunningham, Shanna Halperin, Megan Pond, Tica Perwien, Erica Levit, Sarah Pollock, Jennifer Shellist and Debbey Guy. Wowing the bidders were live-auction items such as a black Lab puppy and a vacation at a home in Watercolor, Florida. The event raised a record $500,000 for the school. Pictured are (back row, from left) Shellist, Guy, Akin, Melissa Lawson, Chaplan, Rina O'Malley,

Hospital. The children got to play with live bunnies, as photographer Annette Boatwright captured portraits of the children. In addition, children enjoyed Easter crafts, ceramic-egg decorating, coloring, face painting, (continued on page 34)

TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 33

Dave Rossman

(continued from page 33) balloon-animal artists and

private playtime within The Little Galleria play area. All of the proceeds went to charity.

One day, two hunts

The Cook girls (Molly, almost 3, and Allison, almost 6 months) enjoyed not one but two Easter egg hunts on Easter Sunday. “Our family had a fun Easter,” said their mom, Melissa Cook. “Having two girls this year for Easter was an absolute dream.” Melissa said the girls woke up for an early-morning egg hunt in their yard. Next, they ventured to the Bayou Club for lunch with Melissa’s parents, Missy and Kevin Millin, and another egg hunt.

Luncheon kickoff Rainy weather and a last-minute location change to another home in the River Oaks area

did not dampen the numbers or the enthusiasm of the 60-plus guests who attended the kickoff for the inaugural At the Heart of Families event. The luncheon, benefitting Harris County Protective Services for Children and Adults, will be held Sept. 27 at the Junior League of Houston. The chairs for the event, including Jack Sweeney, Ellie Sweeney, Marilyn DeMontrond, George DeMontrond, Frances

Dyess and John Dyess (pictured, from left), visited with the guests and encouraged them to purchase tables for the luncheon.

Living legacies The Southwell family gathered at the American Heroes: Portraits of Service exhibit opening at Belmont Village Senior Living Hunters Creek to honor Bob Southwell for his service during

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TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 34

Family fun

Thomas Sanders

The Erwin family participated in the Briargrove Elementary annual first-grade program for the third time. All four Erwin children have attended Briargrove Elementary. Ashlon, now a junior at Bellaire High School, and Aedin, a freshman

the Korean War. Pictured (from left) are Campbell Southwell (grandson), Ian Southwell (grandson), Barbara Southwell (wife), Bob Southwell (sitting), Brian Southwell (son), Justin Treat (grandson), Kelley Southwell (daughter-in-law) and Brent Southwell (son). Not pictured are daughter Karla Havlina, and her husband Glenn (who live in Pensacola) and granddaughter Nicole Southwell. Belmont Village commissioned photographer Thomas Sanders to photograph the 11 resident veterans who live at Belmont Village. Each veteran is pictured with personal memorabilia from war experiences. The portraits are now part of a permanent, public exhibit. At the unveiling, City of Hunters Creek Mayor David Wegner, the NJROTC program at Spring Branch ISD’s The Guthrie Center color guard and other community members gathered to honor the veterans.

at Bellaire, attended the school from kindergarten to fifth grade. Their first-grade twin brother and sister, Crawford and Grace, continued the family tradition by performing in the dog-themed musical "Arf." Pictured are mom Melissa Erwin and Grace.

Go, Lexie, go Lexie Boudreaux (pictured, third from left) gathered with friends and supporters including (pictured, from left) Beth Smith, Lauren

Cancienne, Molly Evans, Lucia Clark and Dawn Persia. Why? Lexie is up for the challenge to become Woman of the Year. She kicked off her campaign at The Briar Club. Each year, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Gulf Coast Chapter launches its Man & Woman of the Year fundraising campaign. The campaign is a competition among the candidates (10 women and nine men from the Houston area) to see who raises the most money. Each dollar raised is considered a vote. Lexie’s beloved grandmother, Anne “Mamoo” Wallace, lost her 7-year battle with stage 4 nonHodgkin lymphoma last year. See mwoy.org/pages/txg/houston16/lboudreaux. 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.

TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 35

JUSTICE Elizabeth Kliakhandler, a first-year student at Lamar High School, wants to raise awareness of gender inequality.

KIDS by Elizabeth Kliakhandler, age 14

Buzz Kidz I

Stopping sexism

am always looking for interesting opportunities to volunteer and get involved in my community. I have spent time volunteering at local pet shelters, but I have been searching for something that would really help me grow as a person. This year, I decided to download a book called A History of U.S. Feminisms by Rory Dicker, simply for education. However, this book really opened up my eyes to the injustices of gender inequality and how sexism still exists in the present. After reading this book, I began researching these occurrences in the many different countries of our world. Could this really be true? Wasn’t gender equality already a thing? Apparently not. I found that many people, primarily women,

are still facing discrimination and violence today. A woman in San Paulo is assaulted every 15 seconds (source: The Globalist, 2014). This is an ongoing problem, and change must be made. As I researched, I decided that I had to make a difference. With the help of my classmates, I have put up several posters in school reminding both teachers and students to treat people equally regardless of sex. I see this as a daily reminder to my school that no matter who you are, you deserve to be treated with respect and should show others the same. I have also started a blog in which I discuss gender preference around the world. Additionally, I am planning on writing a petition to several large companies against the sexualization of women in advertisements. I am also

TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 36

looking to volunteer for the organization DoSomething.org and am currently fundraising to donate to that cause. This may not have been exactly the volunteer opportunity that I initially expected, but it sure is a great one.

MORE ONLINE See this story at thebuzzmagazines.com for a link to Elizabeth’s blog. Elizabeth also is editor of our School Buzz blog at Lamar High School. Check out all School Buzz blog posts at thebuzzmagazines.com/schoolbuzz. 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.

TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 37

DINING GUIDE

by Dai Huynh, staff writer

This Month in Dining

Happy-hour countdown

KATA ROBATA The Texas Kobe Yakiniku roll is $8 at during happy hours.

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ouston transitions from work to happy hour, when liquid goodness soothes parched throats as early as 3 p.m. Happy times are afoot until the dinner bell strikes at 6:30 p.m. or so. Not to worry, reverse happy hour kicks into gear soon enough. Late-night socials are trending, thanks to the likes of 8-9-10 at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, which has 8 appetizers – most for $9 each – until 10 p.m. Clever marketing, even tastier filet mignon flatbread. Here, we start the happy-hour countdown to toast bargain bites and drinks. 3 p.m. – Saltillo Mexican Kitchen (5427 Bissonnet) has half-off enchiladas and appetizers 3-5 p.m. Between 4 and 6 p.m., diners sip on 2-for-1 house cocktails along with $7 wines and $3 beers. Critic’s choice: trio of tacos and chicken enchiladas verde. 4 p.m. – Etoile (1101-11 Uptown Park Blvd.) lets you eat and drink like a king on a pauper’s budget. Chef-owner Philippe Verpiand’s fine touches extend to his “Green Hour” menu 4:30-6:30 pm. Sunday-Friday. It’s called the “Green Hour” because of the $12 absinthe and top-notch, hand-crafted $7 cocktails. Critic’s choice: house-ground burger with pomme frites, 10-ounce angus ribeye, sautéed shrimp with fingerling potatoes and imported cheese plate with dried fruits and jam. Next door at Songkran Thai Kitchen (1101-8 Uptown Park) chef-owner Junnajet Jett Hurapan composed a $5 appetizer menu along with $3 beers and $5 wines. Critic’s choice: $18 tasting plate with a choice of four appetizers, including tamarind meatballs, Thai sausage and chicken lettuce wrap. 5 p.m. – Kata Robata (3600 Kirby) has a selection of sushi rolls and appetizers between $4 and $9. Like Uchi (904 Westheimer), happy hour is only for an hour and a half, ending at 6:30 p.m. But TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 38

it picks up Saturday, and on Sunday, happy hour specials are noon-5 p.m. with $3 mimosas. Critic’s choice: tuna tartare, salmon and soft shell crab roll and the Longhorn roll with fried shrimp, fresh water eel and avocado. 6 p.m. – Latin Bites (5709 Woodway) slashes prices for its signature cocktails and hot bites by half 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Critic’s choice: crispy beef empanadas and anticuchos, or grilled heart with roasted potatoes. Seasons 52 (4410 Westheimer Road and 842 W. Sam Houston Parkway North) locations features a “sunset” menu 4-6:30 p.m. with $5 small plates, $6 wines and $8 specialty cocktails. Critic’s choice: Hawaiian Cosmopolitan with pineapple vodka, seared ahi tuna and lollipop lamb chops with balsamic. 7 p.m. – Caracol’s (2200 Post Oak Blvd.) 3-7 p.m menu is impressive with $7 appetizers and $6 wines and cocktails. The main attraction is half a dozen raw oysters with a glass of white wine for $13.50, or go for the gold medal with a bottle of Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Champagne and a half dozen woodroasted oysters for $65. Critic’s choice: braised pork taquitos, fried oyster tacos and crab fritters. 9 p.m. – Guad Texas Chef-Mex (2925 Southwest Freeway) rises like a phoenix after a fire two years ago, garnering fans with its tasty botanas ($3-$8) and $5 house margaritas. Happy hour is 3-6:30 p.m. But on Friday and Saturday, it starts again 9-11 p.m. Critic’s picks: bacon-wrapped quail and ceviche tacos 10 p.m. – Morton’s Steakhouse (1001 McKinney Street and 5000 Westheimer) discounts some beers and wines 4-6:30 p.m., but the $7 bar bites are available until closing. Critic’s choice: crab-cake BLT, mini cheeseburgers, filet mignon sandwiches, steak tacos, shrimp cocktail and crab-spinach dip. 11 p.m. – Aka Sushi House (2390 W. Alabama) buzzes with reverse happy hour 9 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday. Last call is 15 minutes before closing at 10:30 p.m. MondayThursday. A successful business model here, happy hour starts at 3 p.m. weekdays and all day Sundays. Nibble and drink specials are $4-9. Critic’s choice: baked mussels, gyoza and spicy crunch tuna roll.

Restaurant Listings $ (under $10) $$ ($11-$30) $$$ ($31-$60) $$$$ (over $60) Prices include drink, tax and tip per person Buzz Dining Guide columnist Dai Huynh (D.H.) is a James Beard food-journalism award winner and longtime Houston-based restaurant writer. Contributing reviewer Russell Weil (R.W.), a Houston native, is the author of the blog Eat More Burgers, eat-more-burgers.com. Their visits to restaurants in the Dining Guide were anonymous, and they paid for their meals to maintain objectivity. We’d love your thoughts too. Write to info@thebuzzmagazines.com with your own dining opinions and suggestions. Also, you can contribute in the Comments section under the online version of this story at thebuzzmagazines.com.

Bollo Woodfired Pizza Pizza and Italian Neighborhood: Upper Kirby Bollo Woodfired Pizza offers casual dining in a modern, relaxed atmosphere. Specializing in Neapolitan pizza, Bollo bakes their creations in an 800-degree, wood-fired oven. There is a mon-

itor in the dining room where customers can keep an eye on their pizza while it is being made. The result is a pizza with tangy flavors and bubbling cheese on a thin, crispy, homemade crust. Choose the pizza as an entrée, or pair with their classic salads, small plates of crispy calamari or lobster ravioli, as well as entrée pastas, beef, chicken and fish dishes. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Mon.; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun. & Tues.-Thur.; 11 a.m.11 p.m. Fri. & Sat., Happy hour: Mon.-Fri, 4-7 p.m.; 9 p.m.-close. 2202 A West Alabama, 713667-0391. bollohouston.com. $$ – R.W.

BRC Gastropub London-inspired gastropub Neighborhood: Rice Military Lance Fegen marinates his chicken in a honey brine prior to encasing the moist interior with a crisp, nutty crust. Short-rib brisket burgers evoke contented sighs while fried oysters are light but forcefully flavored in this wood-paneled masculine beer haven with engaging feminine touches, such as flamboyant wallpapers inspired by the glossy Viceroy, a boutique hotel in Santa Monica. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. Happy hour: Mon.Fri., 3-7 p.m. 519 Shepherd Drive, 713-861-2233. brcgastropub.com. $$ – D.H.

Brooklyn Athletic Club Modern American Neighborhood: Museum District

Food and play go hand-in-hand at this concept influenced by Shepard Ross’ childhood in Brooklyn, where bocce ball highlighted family gatherings. The fork-tender pork osso buco and robust pasta and meatballs are made more enjoyable watching friends challenge each other at croquet. Lunch & dinner Tues.-Sun. Happy hour: Mon.-Fri., 4-7 p.m. 601 Richmond Ave., 713-5274440. thebrooklynathleticclub.com. $$ – D.H.

Caracol Mexican coastal cuisines Neighborhood: Galleria Hugo Ortega is largely credited with introducing Houstonians to the foodways of Mexico. His namesake restaurant, Hugo’s, on Westheimer captivates with interior specialties, while Caracol showcases Mexico’s lilting coastal cuisines. Ceviches and crudos shine against a snow-white interior dressed with deep-sea creatures by renowned illustrator Charley Harper. Jalapeño and ginger give great spark and crunch to conch, while scallops combined with sweet mango, papaya and lime crudos dance merrily between sweet, salty and tangy. A house favorite is oysters smoked in a wood-burning domed oven, then drizzled with a luscious chipotle butter. The menu leans toward seafood, but there are meatier options, such as bone-in short rib with cocoa nib and roasted duck with pumpkin seed sauce. Lunch & dinner (continued on page 40)

TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 39

Following the success of True Food, Phoenixbased Fox Restaurant Concepts has launched another winning venture with this reasonably priced Italian eatery, where community dining is part of the appeal, along with homemade pastas and pizzas. A soaring space with bulbous overhead lighting and well-coiffed customers, North Italia manages to captivate and nurture our love affair with Italian cooking. Dishes to try include the seasonable vegetable salad, the highly touted bolognese, fig-and-prosciutto pizza, ricotta gnocchi with braised beef short ribs with horseradish crema, and Italian donuts. Call ahead for reservations or avoid peak hours if you hate to wait. North Italia, with a view of the kitchen behind floor-to-ceiling glass, is packed and loud during prime times. But that's part of the fun. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. Happy hour: Mon.-Fri, 3-6 p.m.; Sun., all day. 1700 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 190, 281-6054030; northitaliarestaurant.com. $$ – D.H.

Saltillo Mexican Kitchen GUAD TEXAS CHEF-MEX Guad's bacon-wrapped quail doubles as an entree during happy hours. (continued from page 39) Mon.-Sun. Happy hour:

Mon.-Fri., 3-7 p.m. 2200 Post Oak Blvd., No. 160, 713-622-9996. caracol.net. $$$ – D.H.

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. Happy hour: Sun.-Fri, 4:30-6:30 p.m. 1101 Uptown Park Blvd., 832668-5808. etoilecuisine.com. $$ – D.H.

Hay Merchant Craft food and beer Neighborhood: Montrose Located on lower Westheimer, which was named for the German immigrant and hay merchant Mitchell Louis Westheimer, this craftfood and beer establishment in a rustic setting is a popular spot. Their website proclaims that “beers are always served at the proper temperature, with the correct pressure and gas mix, in appropriate glassware, and by folks who know what the hell they’re talking about.” In addition to nearly 100 beers on tap, the food served is darn good as well. I paired a pint of Sierra

Nevada Pale Ale with their Citrus BBQ Pork Buns – fish sauce, iceberg lettuce, smoked pork, tomatoes and cilantro on a fluffy steamed bun. Other food offerings include a warm pretzel with “redneck cheddar cheese dip,” Texas chili with cornbread, and the “Cease and Desist” burger served with hand-cut fries. Be prepared to wait if you have a large party. 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Mon.Fri; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Sat. & Sun. Happy hour: Mon.-Sun., 3-6 p.m. 1100 Westheimer Rd., 713528-9805. haymerchant.com. $-$$ – R.W.

Max’s Wine Dive American food and wine bar Neighborhoods: Washington Ave. and Montrose The Austin-originated Max’s Wine Dive is known for its award-winning fried chicken. If you have ever tried it, you know what I am talking about. The well-seasoned flour gives way to a flavorful crispy crust. A 36-hour soaking in buttermilk and jalapeño gives the three-piece chicken plate its signature moistness. A side of honey-chipotle dipping sauce has the right amount of spice and contrast to each bite. Max’s is popular, so expect a wait without a reservation. With the rustic charm of exposed brick, and bottles of wine adorning the walls, the long sleek bar is popular at both the Washington Avenue and Fairview locations, so sit back, or stand up, and enjoy because the fried chicken is worth the wait. 11 a.m.-midnight Sun.-Thu.; 10 a.m-2 a.m. Fri.-Sat., Happy hour: Mon.-Fri., Open-6 p.m. 4720 Washington Ave. 713-6444949. 214 Fairview St., Ste.2. 713-528-9200. maxswinedive.com. $$ – R.W.

North Italia Modern Italian Neighborhood: Galleria area

TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 40

Mexican Neighborhood: Near Bellaire Fans of La Casa de Caballo will be happy to hear that it has immigrated near the city of Bellaire and rechristened itself as Saltillo. Many of the old favorites remain, including the 4 pound-plus ribeye cap ($190) large enough to share with five of your BFFs, or for a smaller group of four, there is the 3-pound top sirloin ($80). Saltillo is smaller in size but in many ways with more charm. We like, too, the three-course lunch specials for $20. Try the tasty trio of tacos. Lunch Mon.-Sun. & dinner Mon.-Sat. Happy hour: Mon.-Fri., 3-6 p.m. 5427 Bissonnet St., 832-6236467. saltillomexicankitchen.com. $$$ – D.H.

Seasons 52 New American Neighborhoods: Highland Village/Memorial Seasons 52 is reminiscent of Houston's on Kirby, with similar synergy and dimly lit decor. There are multiple booths, each with its own lamp for an intimate, yet casual setting. The interior is well thought out, unified like most chains, but more upscale. Seasons 52 is motivated by seasonal ingredients, like a chef-driven restaurant, changing its menu quarterly along with showcasing new weekly specials. A plus? Nothing on the meal is more than 475 calories. It also has glutenfree and vegetarian menus. Consider the Winter Vegetarian Tasting with quinoa-citrus salad, soft black-bean taco, seasonal roasted vegetables and an amazingly innovative, yet simple cedar-roasted tofu. There is the standard grilled rack of lamb, roasted chicken and stellar flat-bread pizzas. The mini desserts in a cup are sensible, diminutive, four or five bites at most. Try the pecan pie with vanilla mousse or carrot cake with cinnamon honey. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sat. Happy hour: Mon.-Fri., 4-6:30 p.m. Locations: Highland Village, 4410 Westheimer Road, 713-621-5452; CityCentre, 842 W. Sam Houston Parkway, 713464-5252. seasons52.com. $$ – D.H.

South Coast Grill Gulf Coast cuisine Neighborhood: Downtown Satisfying food can be such a good trip down memory lane. Rechristened and revamped, the restaurant formerly known as Massa's Seafood Grill provides that and more. Marching proudly into the next era of Houston dining, owner Joseph Massa continues to honor his family’s 72year-old tradition of good, solid Gulf Coast seafood and Creole specialties. Fewer and fewer restaurants are doing Gulf Coast cooking right these days, which is why of late we find ourselves delving into Massa's spicy grilled catfish with red beans and rice. Try, too, the pecan-crusted rainbow trout lovingly doused with lemon buerre blanc and served with potatoes au gratin. The composition pairs beautifully with a crisp sauvignon blanc. Although a recent addition, the shrimp and grits with blackened shrimp is another crowd favorite. Open lunch & dinner Mon.-Fri. & Sat. for dinner. Happy hour: Mon.-Fri, 4-7 p.m. 1331 Lamar, 713-655-9100. southcoastgrill.com. $$-$$$ – D.H.

Underbelly Upscale Texas eats Neighborhood: Montrose Underbelly chef-owner Chris Shepherd’s menu is a touchstone of the nose-to-tail movement. The Oklahoman is known to haul a whole

hog through a roomful of diners, and his passion is mirrored by a striking woodcutting of a snout at the entrance. Family-style offerings include a pork roast with smoky sweet cornbread. Another piglet rendition is spicy kimchi stew. Shepherd shares his fondness for Asian cuisines with sweeping touches here and there – all of which are satisfying against an airy, modern, Texas Hill Country setting, with maple wood communal tables, fresh wildflowers and a wall of homemade preserves. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Thurs. & dinner Fri.-Sat. Happy hour: Mon.-Sat., 3-6:30 p.m.; 10 p.m.-midnight. 1100 Westheimer Road, 712-5289800. underbellyhouston.com. $$$ – D.H.

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

béarnaise are hard to pass up, as is the Colorado lamb chop with chickpea purée. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sat. & dinner Sun. Happy hour: Mon.-Fri., 4:30-6:30 p.m.; Sun., all day. 947 Gessner, 713395-6100. vallonessteakhouse.com. $$$$ – D.H.

Weights + Measures American Neighborhood: Midtown This bakery/restaurant/bar starts with freshly baked breads, pastries and donuts at dawn with the Slow Dough Bake Shop. As the sun rises higher, it gracefully leads Midtown dwellers into a well-crafted, 150-seat restaurant that oozes urban cool. A smart, playful menu and wine list entice foodies while late at night, the bar, christened Love and Squalor, features cocktails and hundreds of beers along with an abbreviated menu. Dishes to try: wood-grilled mortadella, roasted carrot pizza and lacquered duck breast with snap peas. Bake shop: 6 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Lunch: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dinner: Monday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 5-11 p.m.; Brunch: Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Happy hour: Mon.-Fri., 3-6:30 p.m. 2808 Caroline St., 713654-1970. weights-measures.com. $$ – D.H.

MORE ONLINE See thebuzzmagazines.com for all restaurants that have been reviewed by The Buzz. You can use our restaurant finder to search by area, cuisine and price.

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Bunions and hammertoes

A minute with Maisie

Bunions and hammertoes are common causes of painful toes. A bunion isn’t a growth, but a misalignment of the bones in the foot. Although bunions and hammertoes can result from heredity, arthritis and bone abnormality, a more frequent cause is the prolonged wearing of shoes that squeeze the toes into pointy or narrow toe boxes. Bunions and hammertoes more often occur in women, but this doesn’t mean men are exempt. Bunions may not be painful at first, but you may notice a bump on the side of your foot, and that it’s harder to put on tight shoes. Over time, the bunion can become extremely painful and lead to reduced muscle strength in the foot. Hammertoe, a deformity that develops when tendons and ligaments in the toe contract, cause the toe to bend over and curl up, resembling a hammer. The top of the toe may then rub against your shoe, causing irritation, corns, calluses or bursitis. The problem often develops in the second toe, resulting from a bunion that has formed in the big toe, pushing it inward and displacing the second toe. Everyday, we see these and other foot problems in our practice. Remember to check your feet daily for any unforeseen foot issues. Bellaire Podiatry/Nail Laser Center of Houston, Dr. Barry P. Weinstein, 4909 Bissonnet, Suite 120, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.721.5500, www.BarryWeinsteinDPM.com

Many clients ask me, “What is a Child Advocate?” The Texas Family Code provides that a volunteer advocate may be appointed in cases involving CPS where termination of the parental rights is requested. They must be trained and certified by the court to appear as a volunteer. Typically, these volunteers are indispensable champions for children in foster care, particularly when CPS is so overwhelmed by their voluminous caseloads. If you are interested in helping children in foster care, please contact Child Advocates, Inc. at www.childadvocates.org for more information. Your time and attention could make the difference in the life of a child. Maisie A. Barringer is a partner at Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P., a full-service, boutique, family law firm specializing in divorce, childcustody modifications, grandparent access, paternity, adoption, and premarital and postmarital agreements. Maisie A. Barringer has been recognized as a Texas Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly magazine for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P., Maisie A. Barringer, Partner, Board Certified in Family Law, Two Greenway Plaza, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77046, 713.600.5500, www.jenkinskamin.com

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When aging parents need a psychological assessment All of us with elderly parents worry about them, especially about changes in behavior or mood. Yet determining if these changes are normal can be difficult. That’s where a psychological assessment can make all the difference. When to get an assessment If you’re concerned about any of the following, consider an assessment: • Changes in cognitive functioning. This may mean a decline in memory or other thinking skills. Decision-making and planning can become difficult. They may start to get lost while driving, or their ability to drive safely is starting to become a concern. • Substance use. In addition to alcohol or illegal drugs, prescription drugs can affect behavior, mood and cognitive functioning. Also, older individuals are usually more sensitive to medications, including sleep aids and benzodiazepines, which help with anxiety but can affect cognition. • Depression or anxiety. While many older adults have these issues successfully treated by an internist, some may need the expertise of a psychiatrist or other mental health professional. For example, depression can affect cognition, and what can look like the early stages of dementia can really be untreated depression. “There are many reasons why adult children want their aging parents to complete a psychological assessment, but it’s often because they are worried about dementia or Alzheimer’s,” said Harrell Woodson, PhD, administrative director of The Menninger Clinic’s Outpatient Services. “But what may look like a dementia is sometimes something else, and a

thorough assessment can help determine what’s really going on.” What’s included At Menninger, psychological assessments are typically done over 4.5 days with a team that includes a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker and other specialists as needed. The assessment includes interviews with the patient, the patient’s doctors and the family so that the team can get a 360-degree view of the patient. Testing may include neurocognitive, psychosocial and neuropsychiatric evaluations. A thorough review of all medications is included, as is an assessment of the patient’s physical status, a MRI and lab tests. The team leader helps the patient understand each step along the way. At the end of the week, the team leader and psychiatrist meet with the patient and family to review the findings and recommendations. Recommendations Recommendations can range from inpatient, partial or outpatient levels of care as well as assisted living or in-home assistance. Psychotherapeutic and medication recommendations may be offered and additional workups suggested. To make an appointment for an assessment, call 713-275-5000. The Menninger Clinic, 12301 S. Main Street, Houston, Texas 77035, www.MenningerClinic.com

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sponsored by

PETS

Neighborhood Tails

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College-prep checklist 713.662.2119 www.roveroaks.com

Scooter, age 13, Beagle, Milan Estates My name is Scooter, but my friends call me Scooty or Scoots. I’m a Beagle and love to howl and sing. Even though I’m 13, I love to run and play with my toys. I have a wonderful life, spending most of the day sleeping or looking out the window. I love my family and friends and spend a lot of time at our neighbor’s house chasing squirrels and possums and standing on the first step of the pool. When I was 9, I had a ruptured disc and went to Texas A&M for surgery. They are the best, and I’ve been running and jumping ever since. My favorite time of day is when I go for a walk with my dad or watch the Golf Channel. My brothers don’t live with me anymore, but I love when they come home to visit. Thank you for listening to my story. 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.

May is often viewed as the “make or break” month for many high school students. Major projects, assignments, last set of exams, Advanced Placement (AP) exams, and final exams seem so impossible yet so critical for future college plans and aspirations. Juniors must do well on AP exams and final exams, and take the SAT or ACT one last time. Sophomores are advised to take practice SAT and ACT exams to determine which test is better for them, and plan to start preparing for them this summer. Here’s your May checklist: • Take a FREE 2nd SATurday practice test on May 14 at Firat Education. • Register for the June 4 SAT and/or June 11 ACT. • Register for the June 4 SAT Subject Tests (at least two recommended). • Begin planning for summer college visits. • Finalize plans for internship/job and volunteer activities over the summer. • Juniors: Begin finalizing your college list by May 31. For more customized help with college preparation, please call us or email us. Our professionals develop and execute a customized plan for each student that aligns school academics, standardized testing, and college counseling with college and career goals. Firat Educational Solutions, LLC, Ibrahim Firat, MBA, Independent Educational Consultants Association Professional Member, 3701 W. Alabama, Suite 390, Houston, Texas 77027, 713.871.1048, www.firateducation.com

Meet Former First Lady Laura Bush and Jenna Bush Hager May 17 Call us for details 14532 Memorial Drive at Dairy Ashford Houston, Texas 77079 • 281.497.8675 www.bluewillowbookshop.com

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Summer-camp survival It’s time for summer camp. Activities like camping can be fun, but they can also increase your contact with outdoor pollen, contact allergens like poison ivy and harsh sunlight, as well as your chances for encountering stinging insects like bees, yellow jackets and wasps. Individuals with allergies should take appropriate precautions, such as avoiding camping during high pollen seasons for those with pollen allergies, having appropriate medications with you, and carrying injectable epinephrine to treat reactions to stinging insects. Don’t let your EpiPen get exposed to excess heat. The epinephrine is not as effective if it has been left in a hot car. (Those who experience a severe insect-allergic reaction must also obtain immediate emergency medical treatment.) With outdoor activities, those with eczema and those taking specific medications that make them more sensitive to the sun should avoid sun exposure for extended periods and always apply sunscreen lotion. Remember to apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before anticipated sun exposure. Most of our patients with very sensitive skin recommend Vanicream-brand sunscreen. Besides being free of dyes, lanolin, fragrance and formaldehyde like all Vanicream products, the sunscreen also contains no PABA or oxybenzone. Swimming, whether in a pool or a lake, dries out the skin. Be sure to re-apply moisturizers after drying off. For parents of enthusiastic children, sleeping in a primitive tent may not sound fun. Try to find a hotel nearby. When making a hotel reservation, ask if there are allergy-proof rooms available. Rooms without carpet are best if they are available. If you are sensitive to molds, request a sunny, dry room

away from areas near indoor pools. Also, if you have allergies to any animals, inquire about the hotel’s pet policy, and request a room that has been pet-free. Those who are allergic to dust mites may want to bring their own dust-proof, zippered covers for pillows, or personal bedding. If you encounter any flying stinging insects, remain calm and quiet, and move slowly. Many stinging insects are searching for nectar, so don’t look or smell like a flower – avoid brightly colored clothing and perfume when outdoors. Because the smell of food attracts insects, be careful when cooking, eating or drinking sweet drinks like soda or juice outdoors. Keep food covered until eaten. Wear closed-toe shoes outdoors and avoid going barefoot. Also, avoid loose-fitting garments that can trap insects between material and skin. 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

Create a buzz for your biz. BELLAIRE WEST UNIVERSITY MEMORIAL TANGLEWOOD RIVER OAKS To advertise in The Buzz Magazines, contact us at 713.668.4157, ext. 19 or advertising@thebuzzmagazines.com

TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS BUZZ MAY 2016 45

NEIGHBORS

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by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

Back Porch

A mother’s legacy, in writing behance.net/runamokstudios

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hen Shelby Nielsen left home for college, she had no idea how to do laundry. Or cook. Or, for that matter, boil water. “I didn’t have to know how to do any of that,” she says. “My first week or so [at A&M], my roommate and I lived off instant mashed potatoes because we figured out how to boil water and add flakes. But I soon set my stove on fire, because if you add butter to the water and it boils over because you’re watching Knots Landing, you start a fire.” And that’s how Shelby’s idea to make a “Good to Know” book for her children began. “The idea really came from my mother. When we went off to college, she gave us [Shelby and her sister, Ashley Pratka] a binder that was a cookbook.” The store-bought binder, called Where’s Mom Now That I Need Her? Surviving Away from Home, contained information written by the author on nutrition, grocery shopping, recipes, laundry, first aid, what to do when you’re sick and car and bicycle maintenance. At the end of each chapter were lined pages for handwritten additions. “My mom added family favorites to pre-written recipes in this book,” Shelby says. “In the very back of the binder there were common sense things like how to get stains out. “But I wanted my kids to really know about these things. I wanted them to have some of these skills down as second nature when I send them off into this big world.” Shelby’s children still have a little time to learn: Rachel, who was born on Mother’s Day, turns 14 this month; Caroline is 10; and Zach is 8. “With technology, it’s all so easy,” Shelby says. “All you have to do is Google. But sometimes you don’t have time to even do that.” Like when the water in the toilet began to rise. Instead of frantically finding a plunger, Shelby’s response was to yell, “Hey everybody! Gather ‘round!” Her kids were shocked. “They were all like, ‘What are you doing? It’s going to overflow!’ But I wanted everyone to see it. I turned off the water right as it was about to overflow to show them that you can turn the water off and stop something from happening. And

STARTING FROM SCRATCH It's not easy to impart all the knowledge we want to give our children. Shelby Nielsen got organized and started a "Good to Know" book of life lessons she wants her children to know when they leave home.

then we plunged. “Now they know how to plunge a toilet.” Not only that, it’s all documented in Shelby’s “Good to Know” binder. Divided into sections, the three-ring notebook is full of tips and ideas under four headings: “Things About the House;” “What to Do If...;” “Things to Aspire To” and “Things to Inspire.” On one page, Shelby simply instructs her children to keep wooden utensils out of the dishwasher to prevent warping. But it’s more than simple kitchen rules. “Some of the spoons we use every day belonged to your great-grandmother,” Shelby’s note reads. “She was an amazing cook. Cherish the tools she used and take care of them.” Other ideas for the house include everything from how to cut green onions (“with scissors, safer and easier than a knife”) to cleaning out the lint filter in the dryer (“if your clothes or towels are taking forever to dry, it may need to be cleaned out”) to using daylight savings days as reminders to change smoke alarm batteries (“take the time to buy enough batteries for all of the alarms in the house and go ahead and replace them with new batteries … you only have to listen to that blasted chirping once”).

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There are first aid tips, advice on what to do when an earring falls down the faucet, and examples of a well-written thank-you note (along with an example of one that was “still sweet” but didn’t quite hit all the bases). There are favorite prayers: “A good prayer is nice to have on hand. Here are a few of my favorites,” Shelby writes, in her own handwriting. She includes a photocopy of “A Prayer for a Married Couple” that her grandfather carried in his wallet “his whole married life. It was folded and tattered.” Add to that notes on coping with flat chests, bushy eyebrows and feeling small. It’s a mix of common sense and “deeper life lessons,” all told on scraps of paper, some typed, some handwritten, some taken from other sources. All imbued with family history and Shelby’s best hopes for her children. Sort of like a Mother’s Day gift in the form of a frayed, no-frills, homemade book that spans generations. Happy Mother’s Day.

MORE ONLINE For an excerpt from Shelby's "Good to Know" book, see this story at thebuzzmagazines.com.