October 2015 - Absolutely Memorial Magazine by absolutely! Memorial Magazine

OCTOBER 2015

Breast Cancer Awareness Friendships Among Survivors

ASK ALEX:

All About Fall

Monstrous MUSEUM

Mayhem

Life Saver

DONNA VALLONE

ADVOCATE FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH

October kicks off Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and all over the country, women, men, organizations and corporations are promoting pink in the hope of saving lives. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, regardless of race or ethnicity – and it’s the second most common cause of death from cancer among white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander and Native American women. There’s no way to prevent breast cancer, but early detection of the disease has proven to save thousands of lives. Thanks to advances in early detection and in cancer treatment, more and more women are able to courageously battle this disease – and survive. One of them is Donna Vallone, whose husband, iconic Houston restaurateur, Tony Vallone, is the owner of Vallone’s at Gateway Memorial City. Donna is the honorary chair of this month’s Sixth Annual Razzle Dazzle “The Power of Pink” Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon. Proceeds benefit the Bobetta Lindig Breast Care Center at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, itself a force in saving the lives of women in our area and beyond. We profile Donna for her extraordinary advocacy on behalf of early detection, her passion for helping women and for sharing her powerful story. She is an inspiring, warm and encouraging figure, with an urgent message for women everywhere: Get your mammogram.

m u c h more than a mall MEMORIALCITY.COM Breast Cancer Awareness | IN THIS ISSUE

“GET YOUR MAMMOGRAM WHEN IT’S TIME,” Donna Vallone says adamantly, her cheerful voice ringing with urgency. “If there’s one message I want to get across, it’s that.” Vallone speaks from a place of experience, and is determined to use her warm, rich personality to help ensure every woman understands the importance of the early detection of breast cancer and that it can save lives. After all, it saved hers. “At the time I was diagnosed, I didn’t realize that I am in the minority for those getting breast cancer. Although it can be a hereditary disease, the majority of women who get breast cancer don’t have breast cancer in their families. And that’s why I’m such an advocate of mammograms.” “I’M A SURVIVOR, BUT WOMEN YOUNGER THAN ME HAVE

Breast cancer ran in Vallone’s family, so she readily admits that “it wasn’t a case of if, but when,” in terms of knowing it was something she’d likely confront. Still, when she got the diagnosis in May of 2007, it was life-altering.

BEEN LOST TO THIS DISEASE. THAT’S WHY I AM SUCH AN ADVOCATE FOR EARLY DETECTION. IF I CAN SAVE EVEN ONE LIFE, THAT’S WORTH IT.”

“I was sad,” she recalls. “But not necessarily surprised.” She went on for treatment and is now eight years cancer free. And she’s doing all she can to make sure other women can have the same sort of success story. Vallone is the honorary chair of this year’s Razzle Dazzle “The Power of Pink” Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser, held every October in Memorial City, with proceeds from the luncheon benefiting early detection programs at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Breast Care with Memorial Hermann at the Bobetta Lindig Breast Care Center. “What’s so wonderful about the Breast Center is you can go there and get a complete work-up,” says Vallone. “If your doctor is someplace else, they’ll send the results. When you walk in, it’s like a spa, I tell you.” She laughs the kind of conspiratorial laugh girlfriends trade across tables of champagne brunch, eager to share her love for this place and this cause. “You’re given a nice, warm robe. Really, you’re treated as warmly as you can be when you’re going to get a mammogram.”

THE BOBETTA LINDIG BREAST CENTER MEMORIAL CITY Every two minutes a new case of breast cancer is diagnosed in the U.S. One in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lives.* The American Cancer Society says that doctors believe thousands of lives are saved every year thanks to the early detection of breast cancer. That’s where the Memorial Hermann Bobetta Lindig Breast Care Center comes in. Its welcoming, spalike environment provides an inviting atmosphere with the latest screening technologies, designed to help women get the best diagnosis and assist them and their health providers with determining the right course of treatment. Patients are greeted with warmed robes, coffee, tea and snacks. The center offers the latest imaging technology, including 3D mammograms.

Lest her passion sound too light for such a heavy cause, Vallone emphasizes that the Bobetta Lindig Breast Center is also on the cutting edge of breast cancer detection. It offers everything from MRIs to DEXA bone scans, biopsies and diagnostics.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Get a mammogram. Encourage your friends to do the same. You could be saving a life.

The Breast Center and its technology saves the lives of many women like Vallone. The woman whose favorite color is pink has become a powerhouse for this cause – and she isn’t afraid to share details about her own history or offer advice to women on how to ask questions of their doctors and about their treatments. Most of all though, she wants women to understand breast cancer’s no joke.

*http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics

much more t h a n a m a l l

M E M O R I A LC IT Y.CO M

To make an appointment call 877-40-MAMMO.

WELCO M E

to the neighborhood

AIR LIQUIDE RELOCATES TO MEMORIAL CITY It was a definite coup for Memorial City when Air Liquide, a world leader in gases and technologies, moved its U.S. and Americas Zone corporate headquarters from the Galleria to Memorial City. Nearly 1,000 employees will take up residence in the company’s new spaces at 9811 and 9807 Katy Freeway. The move signals growth not only for Air Liquide, but for Memorial City and MetroNational as well. “We had outgrown our space in the Galleria,” says Heather Browne, director of corporate communications for Air Liquide. “And while we looked all over the city – in downtown, other Galleria areas and other locations around the city – the combination of space allocation and amenities here in Memorial City not only made sense, it was the right fit.” Air Liquide is a multi-national powerhouse, specializing in gases for industry, health and the environment. The company focuses on renewable energies, medical gases, such as oxygen and nitrous oxide; propellants used to launches rockets; gases used in auto manufacturing; and oxygen used to preserve food. The organization’s administrative and industrial operations will initially occupy the upper six floors of the 20-story tower in addition to the first floor lobby and office space, totaling 155,000 square feet, with options to expand floor space. Its Engineering & Construction operations will occupy two floors of the second building, totaling 67,000 square feet. Both Class A office buildings are LEED Silver and connect to a network of skywalks providing access to Memorial City Mall and other neighboring amenities within Memorial City.

“This move marks an exciting new chapter in Air Liquide’s history as our business continues to rapidly grow and evolve,” said Michael Graff, Chairman & CEO, American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. and Air Liquide Senior Vice President for the Americas. “We are investing in our future, ensuring the right environment, space and resources to support our talented workforce and continue to enable the highest level of innovation and service for our customers.” Air Liquide is excited to call the Memorial City area its new home. “This move marks an exciting chapter in Air Liquide’s history and is in many ways a new beginning for us,” said John Buckley, CEO Air Liquide USA LLC. On behalf of myself and our Houston based employees, we look forward to working in and contributing to the Memorial City area. We are proud to be Memorial City’s newest resident!” Browne says that the new Memorial City address is somewhat centrally located for the organization’s team members. There’s also another key factor she says helped the company seal the deal. “Besides the dining and entertainment amenities, having close access to so many highly regarded schools and healthcare offerings was another factor that we took into account as we explored the area. We’re excited about this new chapter in our corporate history, and we’re looking forward to being part of the neighborhood.” Air Liquide should be fully moved in by the end of October.

M E M O R I A LC I T Y.CO M

m u c h m o re t h a n a mall

POU R S O C I E T Y

opens its doors

“We’re excited!” says Chef Greg Lowry about the newly opened gastropub Pour Society. “This is about being able to cook stuff we like, and giving people a space to hang out, like you would over a weekend with your friends, eating good food and drinking good beer.” The newest addition to Gateway Memorial City is the brainchild of Lowry and his longtime collaborator Matthew Lovelace. The 7,000-square-foot space joins neighbors KUU, Vallone’s and Churrascos, punching up the area’s food scene, and bringing with it an entirely different vibe on dining out. The dramatic and industrial leaning, lightfilled space with soaring ceilings effortlessly blends bar, ballgames and bites for one of Houston’s best looking and tasting sports-oriented eateries to date. Clever custom interior elements bring intimacy and purpose to every nook, while 17 TVs deliver clear sightlines to every cranny. “WE WANT PEOPLE TO COME IN AND FEEL LIKE THEY CAN BE THEMSELVES, RELAX,” SAYS LOWRY. “NOTHING HERE IS OVER-FANCIFIED.”

That said, the menu is much more than burgers and bites. Reimagined Southern favorites dominate, with items such as seven layer with crab, shrimp, guacamole, pinto beans,

sour cream, corn, pico and radish; fried oysters with bacon aioli, toasted bread, arugula and micro cilantro; the Pour’k Burger with a ground chuck and bacon-jam patty, beer cheese and a chile-cheddar bun topped with traditional garnish; Mexican fried chicken thighs with elote mashed potatoes, white cheddar, green chili sauce and egg; and the Pour Man’s Filet with teres major, smashed potatoes, green bean pecadine and ancho-whiskey butter. Guests looking for vegetarian-friendly options will enjoy options such as chilled cucumber and avocado soup; Kim Cheese Sandwich with house made kimchee, pimento and redneck cheddar and Texas toast; and the Non-Texan Sandwich with broccoli rabe, scamorza, tomatoes, fried egg, seasonal greens and seedful toast. In addition, Lowry promises an assortment of bottled beer, with 42 on tap, as well as myriad wine and beer cocktails selections. “We’ve been so welcomed by this community,” says Lowry, who felt the area was ripe for an independent, craft restaurant like this one, and he’s looking forward to sharing his passion for food with his new neighbors. “We’ve been having a good time with it. We’re ready to go.” Located at 947 North Gessner, Suite B190 | 832.831.0950

Memorial City, the city-within-a-city, is a 265-acre mixed-use development located in the heart of the thriving West Houston market. Owned and managed by MetroNational, Memorial City contains 8.2 million square feet of developed real estate and is a unique blend of Class A office space, retail, luxury midrise apartments, chef-inspired restaurants, upscale hotel accommodations including The Westin Memorial City and the Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, the second-largest medical campus in the Houston metropolitan area.

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BACK

TAKING A LITTLE TIME IN YOUR DAY MAY ADD YEARS TO YOUR LIFE. SO WE MAKE SCHEDULING A MAMMOGRAM EASIER. One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. And 85 percent of those women have no family history of the disease. At Houston Methodist, we know the numbers may be scary, so we’re here to help you. We encourage all women to talk with their doctors about scheduling a mammogram online at one of our convenient locations. Central – Texas Medical Center

Southwest – Sugar Land

East – San Jacinto

West – Katy

Northwest – Willowbrook

North – The Woodlands (coming in 2016)

Southeast – St. John Visit houstonmethodist.org/breast-care to learn more or schedule your mammogram online. Houston Methodist West offers 3-D mammograms, using the latest technology in detecting breast cancer.

INSIDE FRONT

SPRING BRANCH Bromley Street | $910s 4/3 - ±2,730 sf pristine home on a large corner lot Kelley Austin | 832.978.0086

MEMORIAL Country Way | $1.9+mil 5/4.5+ - ±5,874 sf custom Colonial on a large lot Joann Lammons | 713.824.4185

MEMORIAL Rocky Meadow Drive | $890s 4/2.5 - ±2,617 sf gorgeous updated home in Fonn Villas Maya Blanton | 713.444.5888

MEMORIAL Warrenton Drive | $1+mil 4-5/3.5 - ±3,629 sf master & 2nd bedroom down | pool Karen Harberg | 713.558.3203

MEMORIAL Wink Road | $3.1+mil 4-5/5.5+ - ±7,136 sf master down | wine room | pool/spa Karen Harberg | 713.558.3203

MEMORIAL Stuckey Lane | $3.3+mil 5/5.5+ - ±8,230 sf master down | gourmet kitchen | pool Karen Harberg | 713.558.3203

MEMORIAL Briar Forest Drive | $770s 3/3 - ±3,148 sf stunning patio home on the bayou Charlotte Leach | 713.252.6121

MEMORIAL Pasture View Lane | $2.2+mil 4/3.5 - ±4,880 sf Mediterranean-style on cul-de-sac Martha Adger | 713.628.3772

MEMORIAL Hedwig Road | $1.6+mil 4/3.5 - ±3,446 sf stunning Contemporary home | pool Carol Lance | 713.252.4709

KATY Birchmere Court | $1.3+mil 6/5.5 - ±5,528 sf executive home on oversized lot | pool Cindy Burns | 281.630.8865

MEMORIAL Lacewood Lane | $5.2+mil 6/7.5+ - ±10,035 sf master down | elevator | apartment Susan Boss | 713.823.6992

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COVER STORY OCTOBER 2015

F E AT U R E S 22 FROM MEMORIAL TO AFRICA

The Baird family spent one week in Zambia through Camp Life sharing their faith and building friendships to last a lifetime.

24 WHEN WORRY BECOMES WORRISOME:

The Difference Between Normal Stress and Anxiety Disorders

27 FOCUS ON THE CURE

Educate yourself and your loved ones about breast cancer awareness and detection.

34 CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH PUMPKIN

Make the most of autumn’s versatile fruit with these facts and tips.

COLUMNS 16 absolutely! FABULOUS FINDS 20 ASK ALEX

All About Fall

Vanessa Vance Tamara LeFevre and Amy Waltz. Photography by Hallie Keller.

12 BEYOND BUTTERFLIES: A GROWN-UP METAMORPHOSIS Four Memorial residents – Tamara LeFevre, Vanessa Vance, Amy Waltz and Ginny Endecott – found common ground in their experiences as breast cancer survivors and became fast friends. While each of their experiences was different, each found hope in embracing the change – and each other.

36 KIDS’ CORNER

The Importance of Failure

38 JAN GLENN’S PAWSITIVELY PURRFECT Scary Creatures

45 FAMILY LAW

Yours, Mine or Ours? The Enigma of Property in a Family Law Case

53 SPRING BRANCH SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Tamara LeFevre Contributor Page 12

OCTOBER 2015

VOLUME 11

NEWSWORTHY 21 CITY ARTWORKS

Presents “Art of Conversation”

26 SPRING BRANCH EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Announces New Board Members

35 LOCAL ORCHESTRA KICKS OFF SECOND SEASON With Music and Sweets

37 JAMIE’S HOPE

Presents Fourth Annual Masquerade for a Cure Gala

44 BENDWOOD SCHOOL TEACHER Attends Space Camp to Improve Skills

46 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF HOUSTON Names New Senior Minister

MEMORIAL RESIDENTS Star in Bonnie & Clyde

54 THE PIN OAK CHARITY HORSE SHOW’S “What to Wear to that Equestrian Affaire”

SPRING BRANCH-MEMORIAL SPORTS ASSOCIATION Presents 2015 Sporting Clays Tournament

55 MONSTROUS MAYHEM At the Children’s Museum of Houston

NUMBER 10

absolutely! AUTO REVIEW

Debbie Clemens absolutely! Fabulous Finds Page 16

16 Alex Belt Silly Silly Girls Page 20

42 2016 FORD FUSION

absolutely! H E A LT H Y L I V I N G

20 Kerstin Brown TMS Serenity Center Page 24

52 absolutely! Q & A

Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus Answers Your Questions About Allergy and Immunology

absolutely! DELICIOUS

24 Patrick Biron Birons Youth Sports Center Page 36

36 Jan Glenn Journalist Page 38

58 HOW TO HOST

A Mad Scientist Halloween Party

61 absolutely! DELICIOUS

With Tony Vallone

62 absolutely! DELICIOUS LISTING

Steve Kursar Auto Enthusiast Page 42

IN EVERY ISSUE 8 EXCLAMATION POINTS!

Nancy L. Rommelmann Family Law Attorney Page 45

40 OUT & ABOUT IN THE HEART OF MEMORIAL 48 COMMUNITY EVENTS

Stephanie Valtasaros Contributor Page 48

50 MEMORIAL MENTIONS

Suzanne Stiles Memorial Mentions Page 50

64 A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY 50

BUSINESS BRIEFS 49 WOMEN DRIVING BUSINESS SERIES

Provides “High Heel Connections”

56 MEMORIAL CITY MALL Welcomes Maggiano’s Little Italy to West End

Tammy Hampton Contributor Page 53 ON THE COVER: Amy Waltz, Tamara LeFevre and Vanessa Vance. Photography by Hallie Keller.

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

53 Tony Vallone Vallone’s Page 61

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NEUROSCIENCE

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Call 713.242.4410 to book an appointment or visit neuro.memorialhermann.org to learn more.

EXCLAMATION POINTS! THE INSIDE SCOOP STRAIGHT FROM THE TOP Vol. 11 No. 10 October 2015

Associate Publisher, LARA BELL The month of October always evokes shades of pink fluttering in my mind for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Every year, we celebrate those who are on the forefront fighting this illness through a diagnosis, as well as family members caring for their loved ones and the doctors, nurses and researchers looking for a cure. On the cover, we have three very brave Memorial ladies who have battled this horrible disease. Also in the month of October, we look forward to Halloween. Turn to page 34 for a cute pumpkin Brooks and Dylan Milam at the decoration to make, and Jan Glenn shows us some pumpkin patch. spooky animals on page 38 – and they are spooky! When Jan was my producer, around Halloween, she used to book guests to come on the show with bats, snakes and spiders. I think she did it so she could watch me squirm on television! She loves her animals, no matter what type! You’ll also meet the Bairds, a family who spent some time in Africa helping forgotten children, and some Memorial kids who are on their way to Broadway via the new TUTS production of Bonnie & Clyde! As I close, please remember to get tickets to the Spring Branch Education Foundation Luncheon on October 8th at Royal Sonesta. Elaine Turner and Chloe Dao are the featured designers, and Patty Busmire and I are co-chairing. I can promise it is going to be a great time! For tickets, visit sbef.ejoinme.org/styleshow.

Lara Lara Bell-Milam lara@absolutelyfocusmedia.com @larabell

Amazing article. God bless Noah! Thank you absolutely! Memorial!

Lara, I always look forward to my edition of absolutely! Memorial and can’t thank you enough for the spotlight this month! Thank you for all you do for our local community.

Dolores Rosales The goal for Noah was to feel good about himself and have fun! Glad to hear the mission was accomplished. Love your magazine! Robert Prazak

Wendy Dawson Founder, Social Motion Skills Thanks to absolutely! Memorial Magazine for the note! It really was a great pride to be part of the honorees of Legends of the Future: Celebrating Heroines and Heroes Gala. Carmina Zamorano Thanks to absolutely! Memorial Magazine and Lara Bell for choosing us as a Labor Day weekend getaway pick! Hyatt Market Street - The Woodlands

WWW.ABSOLUTELYMEMORIAL.COM

PUBLISHER E D I T O R- I N - C H I E F Patti Parish-Kaminski A S S O C IAT E P U B L I S H E R Lara Bell M A NA G I N G E D I T O R Sarah Bearden SENIOR AC C OUNT EXECUTIVE Jessica Kij AC C O U N T E X E C U T I V E S Jennifer Elliott Molly Ellis Kay Garrett Andrea Rigamonti Suzanne Stiles A RT D I R E C T O R Grace Belleza WEB DESIGNER Joey Belleza O F F I C E A D M I N I S T R AT O R Adrienne Boring PHOTOGRAPHY Hallie Keller

Absolutely! yours,

READER FEEDBACK

4655 TECHNIPLEX DR. STE 700 STAFFORD , TX 77477 281-690-4242

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

CONTRIBUTORS Alex Belt Patrick Biron Kerstin Brown Debbie Clemens Jan Glenn Tammy Hampton Steve Kursar Tamara LeFevre Nancy L. Rommelmann Suzanne Stiles Tony Vallone Stephanie Valtasaros INTERN Santiago Ceballos INQUIRIES 281-690-4242 E D I T O R IA L S U B M I S S I O N S Lara@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

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Subscription requests are free to all Memorial and Galleria addresses. Annual paid subscription of $25 required outside the Memorial/Galleria area. absolutely! MemorialTM Magazine is published by absolutely! focus media, 4655 Techniplex Dr., Ste. 700, Stafford, TX 77477. Copyright © 2015 by absolutely! focus media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. absolutely! MemorialTM Magazine does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. absolutely! MemorialTM Magazine welcomes editorial submissions from its readers.

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www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2015

Vanessa Vance, Tamara LeFevre and Amy Waltz. Photo by Hallie Keller.

COVER STORY By Tamara LeFevre

Beyond Butterflies: A Grown-Up

Metamorphosis

n retrospect, it was like a grown-up game of Freeze Tag. Remember playing that game as a child? Whoever was “it” chased the other players around, freezing them in place by tagging them. Once you were tagged, you couldn’t move until another player “saved” you by tagging you again. In the game I found myself in, breast cancer was “it,” and it had already tagged two people very close to me in the previous 12 months. I kind of knew deep down even before my doctor walked in with her eyes all soft and apologetic: It was cancer. And now, it had gotten me too on July 14, 2014.

The first thing I thought was, “Me? I’m so healthy!” I never smoked, was never overweight, barely drank, exercised and ate pretty healthily except for a major addiction to sugar. There was no history of cancer in my family either. Nevertheless, it chose me, and the whirlwind began. It was Stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the right breast. My gynecologist detected a lump, even though I had just had my annual mammogram and a follow up ultrasound six months earlier. Needless to say, I was no longer feeling “50 and fabulous.” I had certainly experienced challenges before, but this felt much bigger. I repeatedly reminded myself that so many women go through this and survive, yet I also worried about my job and above all, my son, who was starting his freshman year in high school. For me, moving quickly was the answer. But depending on the type of cancer, stage and tumor size, there are a lot of

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

decisions to be made, often without delay or any guaranteed outcomes. What facility will I go to? Lumpectomy or mastectomy? Single or double? Which doctors do I choose? Reconstruction? What kind? If the tumor analysis puts me in only the intermediate zone of risk for recurrence, will I do chemo or not? Within two and a half weeks of my diagnosis, in the same space of time one might spend on a memorable family vacation, I had met with seven doctors, had multiple tests, talked to CanCare volunteers, as well as family and friends, conducted speed-dating style research and scheduled my first surgery – a mastectomy. I was blessed not to need radiation and opted to forego chemo after determining that the potential complications outweighed the likely benefits for my situation. So, I had three surgeries in just over four months and began the ever-so-delightful five-year course of Tamoxifen, an oral medication prescribed to pre-menopausal women with hormone receptor-positive cancers to decrease the chance of recurrence. I entered 2015 with hope, optimism and gratitude, along with some adjustments. Cancer affects a person’s self-image and relationships with others. Some relationships get stronger, while some may not survive.

Tamara LeFevre and son Grayson Hart.

“What surprised me the most was the support I received from people I didn’t expect it from and the lack of support from certain people I did expect it from,” said Vanessa Vance. Married with two boys, Vanessa was diagnosed with Stage 3 invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) of the right breast on March 11, 2014 at the age of 45. Fortunately, however, there was far more support than lack of support, especially within the Memorial community. Vanessa noticed something the month before while in the shower, but like many, wrote it off as a likely cyst, common for women with dense breast tissue. A month later, she decided to get it checked out. Vanessa’s treatment required chemo first to shrink the tumors. Since she had a family history of breast cancer, Vanessa chose to have a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy. She also underwent radiation and later, reconstruction.

Stephen Laney, Jake V. Sandoval, Jack V. Laney and Vanessa Vance.

Vanessa and I were introduced by a mutual friend who thought we might be helpful to one another. She was right. Vanessa invited me over for lunch, and as we sat at her kitchen table and began to talk about our stories, our kids, our fears and the many challenges of treatment, it was more like reconnecting with an old friend I hadn’t seen in a few years than meeting someone new. We soon learned that we were the Kevin Bacon of Memorial. You know, six degrees of separation? We marveled at the fact that we somehow managed not to meet sooner. Every other day, we discovered yet another mutual friend from all corners of our lives. One such friend was Amy Waltz. Amy was the first person to humble me with the kindness of a stranger. She is my neighbor, but we had only briefly met once before. After another neighbor told her about my situation, Amy lovingly left the book Anti-Cancer: A New Way of Life on my doorstep and a card in which she wrote that she would be honored to walk with me through the journey, and she did.

Isabella, Amy, Julia, Brett and Jacob Waltz. Photo by Elisabeth Purdy.

www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2015

“The ultimate metamorphosis can be beautiful, just like the proverbial butterfly, if allowed. We just have to embrace the change – and each other.” – Tamara LeFevre Amy invited me to yoga, took me out for coffee when I couldn’t drive and left me care packages. As it turns out, Amy knew a lot about cancer. She was diagnosed with Stage 2 IDC on March 20, 2008, when she was 35 with three young children under the age of six. Amy endured chemo, radiation, a double mastectomy and many reconstructive surgeries. A stay-at-home mom, Amy quickly put to use her social worker training to focus on becoming healthy. “I was desperate to know why I had been given such a dreadful diagnosis,” said Amy. “The more I read, the more I learned that lifestyle choices, including our food choices, are directly related to most cancers, more so than genetics.” Like me, Amy had no history of cancer in her family and was an otherwise healthy woman. After Amy’s diagnosis, her husband and friends put together a team, Waltz Warriors, to run in the Komen Race for the Cure. They raised $25,000 and didn’t stop there. Every year, Waltz Warriors raises funds for the Pink Ribbons Project, an organization that uses the arts to heal those touched by cancer. Not surprisingly, Amy continues to be a source of information and support to many women going through cancer. Like Amy, learning more about cancer and its prevention gave me the resolve to move through it and into a healthier future. Vanessa agreed, “My adherence to an informed, integrative practice helped me maintain optimism and a rational sense about my remission.” So, my new “breast friends” and I share information while reminding each other of the importance of attitude and the amazing power of our minds to shape our realities. We all have a renewed commitment to visualize health, express gratitude daily, practice “stillness,” pray and nourish our souls. As a single mom with a demanding job, my life is busy and gets out of balance fairly easily. Cancer tagged me and whispered a message in my ear. With cancer comes the gift of new friendships among survivors who lift each other up in a way that no one else can. And, it’s a gift that keeps on giving. Last summer, I happened to see a Facebook post about a woman in our area who had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I hesitated briefly, then remembered how helpful the CanCare volunteers had been to me, so I sent her a message offering to talk. A couple of months later, that same woman was standing at my door to purchase something I had posted for sale on Memorial Area Trading. She had tears in her eyes when she realized I was the person who had sent her the previous message. That was a good time to talk. Ginny Endecott was diagnosed on June 9, 2015 with Stage 3 IDC and is undergoing six months of chemo before having surgery and radiation. When I met her, she was wearing a scarf and hat to cover her bare head and had just dropped off her 12 year-old daughter for the first day of school. Ginny was recovering from the jolt of having just faced the other

parents and kids at school with her dramatically changed appearance, aware of averted eyes and conscious of the fact that not everyone can be immediately comfortable with the change. It’s an adjustment for everyone. Three weeks before her diagnosis, Ginny and her husband fulfilled their dream of buying a rental property in Florida along Highway 30-A. Their plans to refurbish the property were temporarily put on hold after the diagnosis, but Ginny kept moving ahead. “I don’t know what is wrong with me!” Ginny said. “Focusing on home improvement is my new obsession! It’s a way of making sure I have something to plan for, and hunting for deals when I feel well enough has been a nice diversion.” I shared with Ginny that I had done something similar after my diagnosis. I wanted everything in order. I wanted my bedroom fixed up to feel fresh and new. Any update I had ever been considering I suddenly wanted to do. I realized that it was a way of taking control of what I could and also creating something beautiful in the eye of an ugly storm. I told Ginny that I thought her “obsession” was normal and therapeutic. I also introduced Ginny to Amy and Vanessa.

Jason, Ginny and Maddy Endecott with their dog Cookie. Photo by Diana Waguespack.

Going through cancer is a major renovation of the body and soul, but the demolition and reconstruction happen simultaneously. Chemo attacks a person’s system, while at the same time they try to eat healthily to restore and improve their immune system. Parts of the body are literally stripped away, while new parts are added. Medications change a person’s chemistry and personality, while prayer and reflection may expand their heart and appreciation for life. Grief and hope co-exist. While this experience is painful and leaves scars – both physically and emotionally – the ultimate metamorphosis can be beautiful, just like the proverbial butterfly, if allowed. We just have to embrace the change – and each other.

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

WE GET

CHILDREN BETTER

Specialized care. Extra-special attention. At Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, children are our specialty. Our expertise spans all ages and conditions, from fetal surgery in the womb to the grade-schooler with epilepsy or the young athlete with a sports injury. In fact, the aﬃ liated team of pediatric specialists from UTHealth Medical School brings the latest advances in dozens of specialties from neuroscience to orthopedics to cardiology – all in one very special hospital. To learn more, visit childrens.memorialhermann.org

s u o l u Fab inds F

You may know me as a Memorial mom of four fabulous boys and wife to Roger Clemens, but what you may not know is that I love finding cool and unique products because, let’s face it, in a house full of boys, a girl needs her girl stuff! So, here are some things I absolutely love... and hope you will too!

BY D E B B I E C L E M E N S @debbieclemens

Solheim Cup Commemorative Ball Marker It’s always fun to support the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), and you can too by remembering the ladies’ 2015 Solheim Cup with this one of a kind USA ball marker. Go USA! www.debbieclemens.com

Staub Ceramic Pumpkin Cocotte

Gianvito Rossi Halter-Strap Sandal

Made of stoneware with a vitreous glass porcelainenamel finish, this pumpkin cocotte is perfect for baking and serving soups, casseroles or vegetables. Have that festive fall lunch or dinner, and celebrate the fall harvest! www.williams-sonoma.com

This is a stylish and comfortable sandal for the fall season, especially in Houston! I love the two-tone look and chunky cork heel, and they also come in all black. www.barneys.com

Eve Lom Rescue Mask Paula Cademartori Mini Shoulder Bag This bag can be worn as a crossbody bag or carried as a tote with the strap removed. I love the suede and leather star appliqués. It’s a totally fierce handbag with flamboyant colors and exquisite Italian artisanship! www.net-a-porter.com

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

Voted “Best Mask for Congested Skin,” this rescue mask features camphor, almond and honey infused Kaolin clay and can be used once a week. If your skin is blotchy or breaking out, or if you have jet lag or morning puffiness, this versatile mask will get your skin back on track! www.evelom.com

Advertorial

Barbara J. Wilson, MD, FACS:

Gifted Hand Surgeon

n May 22nd at 7 AM, when Verna Schoen turned and slipped on a roly-poly, lemon-sized Magnolia tree seed pod, she was airborne for a split second, then came crashing down forearm first, shattering it to smithereens. She didn’t dream this was going to be one of her lucky days. This was the day she would land Barbara Wilson as her surgeon. By 7:20 AM, Verna was in the nearest emergency clinic, where she was referred to Houston Hand Surgeon Dr. Barbara Wilson. Miracle #1: “When a friend called for an appointment,” Verna explained, “Dr. Wilson answered the phone, because her receptionist was out.” Miracle #2: “Dr. Wilson worked me in for a 1 pm appointment and then as an ‘add-on’ surgery at 4 pm on a Friday.” Verna’s radius X-ray looked like a jigsaw puzzle, so the only option was a four and a half-inch by two-inch titanium plate screwed into place to fuse the bone fragments. Miracle #3:

“Rather than suffering through the Memorial Day weekend with a badly broken arm,” marveled Verna, “I was already healing.” Miracle #4: “Less than a day after the surgery, I could bend my swollen fingers into a fist and almost cross my thumb to my little finger. It was amazing. In my opinion, she is not just a physician, she’s a magician.” One of the people who inquired about Verna’s injury is a well-known Houston business owner. He preferred to remain anonymous for purposes of this article, but referring to Dr. Wilson, he said, “From what I’ve seen and

Over dinner at the Ristorante Cavour, Barbara J. Wilson, MD, FACS (center) discusses options for “anonymous” Houston entrepreneur (left) referred by grateful patient Verna Schoen (right). Dr. Wilson is a clinical instructor for the Baylor University Hand Surgery Fellowship Training program and an active member of the American Society of Surgery of the Hand.

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

Barbara J. Wilson, MD, FACS

heard, I wouldn’t have anyone else operate on my hand. Some people just have God-given talent.” Wilson Hand Surgery 6550 Fannin Street, Ste. 2321 Houston, TX 77030 832-530-4081 Verna Corriveau-Schoen, CLU, ChFC, MSFS is a Wealth Advisor, COO and Partner at Robertson Wealth Management. Member Insured Retirement Institute. Securities offered through First Allied Securities Inc. A Registered Broker/Dealer Member: FiNRA/SiPC

any more people have afflictions “below the elbow” than you might at first imagine. Arthritis of the thumb joint is the most common form of arthritis among women. The good news is this can be treated surgically. Many men have what is known as “trigger finger” that can be very disfiguring and inconvenient. Trigger finger is a condition whereby the fingers or thumb catch or lock when bent. It happens when tendons in the finger or thumb become inflamed, usually as the result of repeated movement or forceful use of the digit. Some people have never been diagnosed and simply work around the affliction. Happily, non-surgical remedies for this condition can produce almost immediate relief.

Are you ready for Skinny Jeans? 20% off all Coolsculpting Treatments

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713-458-0224

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shyneenergy.com

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• Implants • Bonding • Sealants • Bridges • Fillings • Veneers • Sedation • Dentures • 3-D Imaging

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Call for an appointment: 713-461-5770 8803 Gaylord Drive, Houston, TX 77024 www.bryanritcheydds.com www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2015

Ask Alex: All About Fall

lex Belt is a Memorial mom, business owner and all around in the know kind of gal. Friends call on her relentlessly for advice on how to plan a party and what trend is “in.” Now that fall has arrived and Halloween is just around the corner, it’s time to prepare. So, we’re doing what everyone else does – asking Alex!

I have purchased some of your hand-painted Halloween door decorations in the past. Do you still sell artwork for the holidays?

Hannah and Hollyn Bothe, Jeannette Belt and Jessica Youngblood all dressed up for Halloween.

Q A

Do you have a favorite place to buy unique Halloween costumes?

I absolutely love Chasing Fireflies. Almost all of our costumes have come from this fabulous website, www.chasingfireflies.com. My girls start looking at the catalog in July when the Halloween costumes start appearing and circle the ones they want. I like these costumes because they are not the same old costumes that everyone else will have. The quality is worth the price. I go all out on our Halloween costumes, because I store them once they are worn and will keep them forever. With three girls, I have been able to pull a costume out of a box for many lastminute costume changes.

Yes! The top three places that I recommend are Memorial Drive United Methodist Church (UMC), Dewberry Farms and Blessington Farms. Photo from http://dewberryfarm.com

My family still loves painting our holiday door decorations! This is how we got started, after all. The Silly Silly Girls Gift Boutique offers many different designs, from hand-painted to manufactured. We sell out of our hand-painted door decorations quickly, so call early for a custom piece. If we don’t have any hand-painted door decorations left, we offer tons of other door décor that can be personalized to make your door very whimsical! Visit www.sillysillygirls.com.

Q A

Do you have a list of really good pumpkin patches in the area, so I can get a photo with my little one?

The corn maze at Dewberry Farms.

I am looking for some fun activities for my kids during the fall. What are some things that you are looking forward to this season?

A Rio Wade

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

I am so excited that Dewberry Farms has teamed up with Blue Bell for the 2015 fall season. Their corn maze is comprised of the Blue Bell logo cut into the corn stalks. With miles of trails cut into the maze, kids are sure to have a great time trying to navigate the twists and turns in search of the exit. When they find their way out, they can head over to the parlor for some wonderful Blue Bell ice cream.

NEWSWORTHY

Denise Bush Bahr and Olga Bush.

City ArtWorks Presents “Art of Conversation” As art education in schools declines, the need for a creative visual art outlet for children becomes increasingly important. Memorial residents Denise Bush Bahr, Deborah Colton and Olga Bush, along with River Oaks resident Evelyn Leightman, have come together for “Art of Conversation,” a fundraiser for the Spring Branch-based non-profit City ArtWorks set for noon on November 2nd at the Junior League of Houston. Chaired by Colton and Leightman and honoring Bahr and Bush, the event will feature over 30 celebrity conversationalists. Proceeds will provide a significant percentage of the funds necessary to support City ArtWorks’ children’s visual arts enrichment programs. In addition to offering programs that benefit lowincome children, City ArtWorks features an Art After School program for elementary and middle school students and Art Smart for younger children. Tickets to the luncheon are available for $175 each, and tables may be purchased for $1,750 to $5,000. For more information, contact Reyes Ramirez at 713-681-1331 or visit www.cityartworks. org.

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www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2015

From Memorial to Africa

aising a family in the Memorial area is a dreamy scenario for most parents with its beautiful neighborhoods, excellent schools and thriving church communities. However, it can provide a very narrow view of what the rest of the world looks like. For many parents, there is a common struggle of providing their children with all of the material comforts of America while impressing upon them the real struggles of extreme poverty in other parts of the world. It is hard for a child to comprehend what it means to live on a dirt floor and eat one meal a day when they have no standard of comparison, nor do they understand what it means to be a double orphan – to have lost both parents and to live as a burden to other family members or neighbors. The Bible states in James 1:27, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress.” The Baird family chose to step out of their comfort zone this past summer and to live out their Christian faith. They traveled to Zambia, Africa to minister to orphans through an organization called Family Legacy. On July 23rd, Mark, Gwen, Lillie, Charlie and John Baird boarded a plane in Houston. Two days later, they arrived in Zambia with a simple mission: to share the Gospel of Jesus with orphans and to love them without reservation. They spent a week doing exactly that through Camp Life, a Va-

Charlie Baird with a new friend in Zambia.

Lillie, Gwen, Mark, Charlie and John Baird with their “Zambia family” at Camp Life in Zambia, Africa.

cation Bible School day camp on the Family Legacy compound, which is located outside Zambia’s capital city of Lusaka. For seven weeks of the summer, Family Legacy bused in nearly 1,000 Zambian orphans for a fun-filled camp centered on teaching them the amazing grace of Jesus Christ. Most of these children had never played on playground equipment or colored a picture with crayons. Camp Life gave them the opportunity to do this and so much more. Most importantly, the orphans were given a chance to be a child, untethered and allowed the freedom to experience the simple joys of childhood. Each Baird family member was responsible for shepherding a group of 10 Zambian orphans through the week. According to the Bairds, one of their favorite days was toward the end of the week when the Americans went into the neighborhoods where the orphans lived. On this day, the orphans shepherded the Americans, leading them through their villages, as they unashamedly shared the Gospel with the locals in their community. These communities, located on the outskirts of Lusaka, have no running water or

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

electricity. The median age in Zambia is 16, so there are many children roaming the streets and alleyways. Of the 13 million people living in that country, one million are orphan children. Family Legacy impacts children not only through Camp Life but by also offering them the opportunity to get an education through a Legacy school, where they receive a top-notch Christian education, a warm nutritious meal each day and a school uniform. These programs are paid for through sponsorships, which mostly come from Americans who attend Camp Life, as well as their family and friends. It is a small, monthly sacrifice that changes the life of a Zambian child forever. Currently, the Bairds sponsor two orphans, and they spent the week at Camp Life with both of them. The Bairds’ week in Zambia may be over, but the friendships they built with the Zambian orphans will forever be a part of who they are. “We think about them every day and can’t wait to see them again next year,” said Gwen. The experience was so meaningful for the entire family that they are already making plans for their return trip next summer.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP

IN ELIMINATING

JOINT

PAIN

Contact a Memorial Hermann Joint Center. And start living pain free. Staying active is key to staying healthy. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why Joint Center specialists use the most advanced treatments to get you moving again. From new prescription options, to minimally invasive surgical interventions, our affiliated body of experts is ready to help you find the best path to the life you want to live.

Call 713.272.1888 or visit jointpain.memorialhermann.org for more information or to make an appointment.

By Kerstin Brown

When Worry Becomes Worrisome: The Difference Between Normal Stress and Anxiety Disorders

ou’re worried about X, Y and Z. You obsess about them for hours every day, maybe for weeks. It’s safe to assume that most of us have experienced stress in one form or another, whether it’s a deadline at work, a family conflict or an important decision. But, contrary to popular belief, there is a difference between normal stress and anxiety. Dr. Kimberly Cress, Medical Director at the TMS Serenity Center, says the main difference between worry and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is that the symptoms start to cause dysfunction and are more frequent with GAD. Excessive stress and worry about a variety of everyday problems that is disproportionate to the events and that linger six months or more can indicate GAD. One recent study found that people without GAD tended to worry an average of 55 minutes a day, while those with GAD worried for 310 minutes each day. That’s one hour of worry compared to five. Stress and worry are the body’s reactions to a circumstance or situation that requires a physical, mental or emotional adjustment or response. While people typically associate stress with negative responses, it can be caused by any change – even positive ones. Anxiety is a general term for several disorders that cause nervousness, fear, apprehension and worry. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in America, affecting around 18 percent of the United States’ population in any given year and almost 30 percent of American adults across their lifespan. The average age of onset is 31 years-old and affects twice as many women as men. Anxiety can become a problem when your worry flip switch gets stuck to the “on” position. “It starts to become dys-

functional,” stated Dr. Cress. “You feel like it’s affecting your relationships, work and ability to enjoy yourself. You can’t turn it off.” How do you know whether this is typical stress or worry or if you have GAD? Dr. Cress noted some major differences: Normal Worry: • Worrying does not interfere with your relationships, job or social life. • You feel that your concerns are controllable and can be dealt with at a later time. • Your worries cause only mild distress. • A specific cause initiated your worrying. • Worry only lasts for a brief period with a beginning and an end. • Worry isn’t usually accompanied by physical or psychological symptoms. GAD: • Worrying significantly interferes with work or social activities. • You feel that your worrying is out of your control. • Your worries are very distressing and pervasive. • Worrying began for no reason. • Three or more physical or psychological symptoms occur with your worrying, such as sleep problems, irritability, tense muscles, problems concentrating, fatigue or restlessness. Chronic worry and stress can also trigger a host of health issues. The problem occurs when fight or flight is triggered daily by excessive worrying and anxiety. The fight or flight response causes the body’s sympathetic nervous system to release stress hormones, such as cortisol. These hormones can boost blood sugar levels and triglycerides (blood fats) that can be used by the

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

body for fuel. The hormones also cause physical reactions such as: • Difficulty swallowing • Dizziness • Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) • Fast heartbeat • Fatigue • Headaches • Irritable bowel with diarrhea and/or constipation • Irritability • Muscle aches • Muscle tension • Nausea, knots in the stomach • Nervous energy • Rapid breathing • Shortness of breath • Sweating • Trembling and twitching When to Get Help: Many will see their general physician numerous times to address their physical complaints, but they are not aware that GAD is the cause. When individuals struggle with multiple physical symptoms throughout the body, the common denominator is anxiety. GAD is typically treated with psychotherapy, medications or both. However, when an individual cannot tolerate medications due to side effects, or they continue to suffer from anxiety despite numerous medications, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy is a great treatment option. If you’re struggling with overwhelming anxiety, don’t hesitate to seek help. Contact a mental health professional if you are feeling overwhelmed by stress, excessive worry or if you feel stress is affecting your health. “We’ve had great success treating patients who suffer from anxiety with TMS Therapy,” Dr. Cress stated. “We’re able to turn the worry switch ‘off’ and get patients back to enjoying their lives again.”

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antiques • mid-century modern • industrial • contemporary • art • home decor • jewelry • gifts

NOVEMBER 6, 7 & 8

“A Little Bit of Round Top in Houston”

FIRST DASH

NOV 5TH 6-9 PM

Preview Party & Shopping

Friday: 10-8 pm Saturday: 10-6 pm Sunday: 10-4 pm Admission - $10 Daily Food Trucks • FREE Parking

$25

(includes event & 1 day general admission) Benefiting Child Advocates, Inc.

1055 GESSNER • Corner of I-10 & Gessner • Houston, Texas • DesignAntiqueShowHouston.com www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2015

NEWSWORTHY

Caring for women with pelvic floor disorders...

Urogynecology Center at

Spring Branch Education Foundation Announces New Board Members

Memorial Hermann Memorial City

Apurva B. Pancholy, MD

Dr. Apurva B. Pancholy

Common conditions treated:

H H H H H

Loss of bladder or bowel control Pelvic organ prolapse Emptying problems Sexual dysfunction Painful bladder problems

is fellowship-trained and board certified in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) and Obstetrics & Gynecology. Urogynecology combines expertise in urology and gynecology to provide women with a holistic approach and comprehensive care for conditions that cause pelvic pain and often limit activity.

Dr. Pancholy and his compassionate staff will allay your fears and educate you about the latest technology in testing and treatments so you can get back to living your life. Services include:

H H H H H H H H H

Lisa Schwartz

Urogynecology Center

Multichannel Urodynamic Testing Cystoscopy Pessaries Pelvic floor physical therapy Sacral and peripheral nerve stimulation Botulinum toxin bladder injections Interstitial cystitis therapy Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse Surgery for bladder or bowel incontinence

929 Gessner, Ste 1300 Houston, TX 77024 Garage 5 Conveniently located in the Medical Tower Memorial Hermann Memorial City

Appointments and Information:

713-486-6160

www.UTPhysicians.com

Meet Stephan Pastis Sunday, October 18th

www.inprinthouston.org for details

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

The Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF) recently named new members to its board of directors for the 2015-2016 term. SBEF provides a vehicle for donors to make tax-deductible gifts to benefit Spring Branch Independent School District to enhance the education of its 35,000 students. Lisa Schwartz, co-owner of Balfour Yearbooks, Houston/European office, is the boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chair and J. Carter Breed, owner of REMAX Memorial Town and Country, is secretary and treasurer. Both are completing two-year terms. New members to the SBEF board of directors, serving three-year terms, include Jennifer Cobb, Becky Fenn, Sheri Leigh-Gross, Tamma Howell, Daniel Irving, Marc Magness, DDS, Jeff Majewski, Vincent Montalbano, Dr. Scott Muri, Kristi Robishaw, Warren Sloan, Laura Stein and Dmel Tatum. SBEF is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to supporting Spring Branch ISD students and educators. It partners with the district and community to fund programs that enhance education and prepare students for the future. For more information, visit www. springbranchisd.com/sbef.

October is

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Educate yourself and your loved ones about awareness and detection. Learn about treatment options available in our community.

www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2015

FOCUS ON THE CURE

Common Breast Cancer Myths: The Truth About Breast Cancer

Dr. Michelina Cairo Texas Oncology– Sugar Land

Dr. Frankie Ann Holmes Texas Oncology– Sugar Land

hile early detection and advances in treatment have created millions of breast cancer survivors, it remains the second-deadliest cancer affecting American women. As oncologists, we often hear misconceptions about the disease from patients. It’s important to have the facts and dispel common myths surrounding breast cancer.

Myth No. 1: You’ll only get breast cancer if you have a family history. A higher risk of developing breast cancer can be inherited through gene mutations. “Only five to 10 percent of cancers are from inherited gene mutations, and many women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease,” said Dr. Michelina Cairo, medical oncologist, Texas Oncology–Houston Memorial City. If you have a strong family history of cancer, genetic testing can identify your risk for certain cancer types, including breast and ovarian. Reducing risk and detecting cancer early are the most important things people can do to protect their health.

Myth No. 2: If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, you must have your breasts removed. A breast cancer diagnosis does not automatically result in a mastectomy. The type and stage of the cancer will impact the need for a mastectomy or lumpectomy. Treatment

options, often used in combination, can include radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, bone-directed therapy or hormone therapy. A clinical trial may offer the best approach to fighting cancer. Texas Oncology, through its affiliation with US Oncology Research, has contributed to the approval of more than 50 FDA-approved cancer-fighting drugs, nearly one-third of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date. “Patients interested in participating in a trial should consult with their oncologist to determine eligibility, benefits and risks,” said Dr. Frankie Ann Holmes, medical oncologist, Texas Oncology–Houston Memorial City.

Myth No. 3: Lumps in your breasts mean you have breast cancer. Many conditions may cause breast lumps, including benign conditions. It’s important to pay attention to other less-known symptoms of breast cancer, including change in breast size or shape; thickening of breast or underarm; nipple retraction or discharge; dimpled skin near the breast; tenderness or pain in breast or nipple; a lump under your arm or around the collarbone or irritation, redness, scaliness or swelling on the breast, nipple or skin near the nipple. While these are symptoms of breast cancer, changes in your breasts can also indicate non-cancerous conditions. “Consult your physician immediately if you experience any of the symptoms above,” said Dr. Holmes.

Myth No. 4: Breast cancer only affects women. Breast cancer is more common in women; however, men can also be diagnosed. About one in 1,000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in his lifetime. Breast cancer can have a huge impact on the lives of those diagnosed and their families. While it cannot be completely prevented, there are steps women can take to decrease their risk. “Regular exercise, limiting alcohol intake and maintaining a healthy body weight may reduce your breast cancer risk,” said Dr. Cairo. “With regular screenings and advanced technology and treatments, more people than ever are surviving this disease.”

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

Holley Kitchen, Texas Oncology Patient

FIGHT BREAST CANCER next to the comforts of home.

When you’re fighting breast cancer, it helps to be near the things you love. That’s why Texas Oncology brings leading-edge cancer-fighting technology to more than 150 locations across Texas, so you can get the treatment you need near your home. TEXAS ONCOLOGY–KATY 1331 W. Grand Pkwy. North, Suite 340 Katy, TX 77493 • 281-392-2757

TEXAS ONCOLOGY–SUGAR LAND 1350 First Colony Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77479 • 281-277-5200

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1-888-864-4226 • www.TexasOncology.com 1-888-864-4226 • TexasOncology.com

FOCUS ON THE CURE

Cancer Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Mean We Have to Stop Living: Regain Your Energy and Vitality!

Dr. Shelena C. Lalji Dr. Shel Wellness & Medical Spa

oday, there are 14 million cancer survivors in the United States. Many continue to suffer from the side effects of cancer and cancer treatments as long as 10 years after completing treatment. These patients are looking for help to restore and maintain their health. Oncologists are focused on pathology and destroying cancer cells but are not usually the source of strategies to restore and maintain healthy function. There are natural solutions to help survivors regain their energy, vitality and quality of life after cancer.

Nutritional Testing and IV Therapy Having the proper balance of essential nutrients is important to feel well, have energy and help prevent the reoccurrence of cancer. This is especially important for cancer patients, since the treatments for cancer can deplete the body of key nutrients. Nutritional Deficiencies Testing is a means to identify which vitamins, minerals, amino acids

and antioxidants a person is deficient in so that they can supplement appropriately. IV Therapy is a method of delivering important nutrients directly into the bloodstream. By bypassing the digestive system, a person can get the benefit of 100 percent of the nutrients, since they do not have to bypass the digestive system. Some of the most important nutrients that are vital for the prevention of cancer include glutathione, which is the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s master antioxidant; vitamin C, which helps reduce inflammation in the body and the Myers Cocktail, which can help with energy and overall wellness. Supplementation with high quality, medical grade supplements are also important. Some of the more important supplements for breast cancer survivors are DIM, which is important in helping to remove unhealthy estrogen metabolites, and N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), which helps the body produce more of the antioxidant glutathione.

Inflammation, Gut Health and Food Sensitivities Inflammation is one of the primary causes of cancer and all diseases, for that matter. Inflammation in the body originates from the gut. One of the primary causes of an unhealthy gut is the overgrowth of a yeast called candida albicans. Candida overgrowth can commonly occur due to the overuse of antibiotics that kill off the good bacteria in the gut that are essential to keep the candida from taking over. Another common cause of gut in-

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

flammation is food sensitivities. Most people are aware of food allergies, but food sensitivities are much more common and commonly go overlooked, since they do not cause an anaphylactic reaction. The most common food sensitivities are corn, wheat, dairy, soy and eggs. Food Sensitivities Testing is an important part of identifying food sensitivities so that a person can avoid foods causing inflammation in their body.

MonaLisa Touch for Vaginal Atrophy A womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sexual wellbeing is also an important part of a life of vitality. Unfortunately, a condition called Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy (VVA) can commonly occur in women after undergoing cancer treatments. Breast cancer treatment increases the prevalence of VVA, because the surgical and chemotherapeutic agents used in its treatment can cause or exacerbate VVA. A revolutionary treatment for VVA called MonaLisa Touch can restore the vagina to a healthy state and greatly reduce the symptoms associated with VVA, which can include vaginal dryness, irritation and painful intercourse. This procedure is highly effective, fast, painless and completely safe for breast cancer survivors. Restoring a life full of health, energy and vitality can be achieved with a combination of these natural solutions. Be your own health advocate, and educate yourself on integrative treatments to ensure long-term health that is cancer free!

FOCUS ON THE CURE Did You Know?

UT Physicians Women’s Center at Memorial City

reast cancer can affect both men and women and is one of the most common forms of cancer. Thanks to increased awareness and screenings, many cases are diagnosed early and treated successfully. Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is the most common form of breast cancer, accounting for about 80 percent of all breast cancers. Although IDC can affect women of any age, it is most common among women age 55 or older. The good news is that this type of cancer is highly curable, provided it has not spread outside of the ducts to other breast tissue. Survival rates for any breast cancers diagnosed in the early stages are excellent.

hen a person is diagnosed with breast cancer, tests are then conducted to study the cancer cells. According to the National Cancer Institute, such tests are used to determine how quickly the cancer may grow and the likelihood that the cancer will spread throughout the body. These tests also may help doctors determine a course of treatment and if a patient is likely to experience a recurrence of the cancer down the road. One such test is the estrogen and progesterone receptor test, which measures the amount of estrogen and progesterone receptors in cancer tissue. The cancer may grow more quickly in patients who have more of these receptors than normal. In addition to measuring the amount of these hormones in the cancer tissue, an estrogen and progesterone test can determine if a treatment aimed at blocking estrogen and progesterone may prevent the cancer from growing. Source: metrocreativeconnection.com

Left to Right: Barbara Schroeder, MD; Tiffany Tarrant, MD; Jenny Van Winkle, MD and Jenna Mury, NP UT Physicians Women’s Center at Memorial City offers Comprehensive Care for Women of all ages with a personalized touch at our premier location in Memorial City. Our OB/Gyns, Dr. Barbara Schroeder, Dr. Tiffany Tarrant and Dr. Jenny Van Winkle are affiliated with UT Health and are able to provide the most comprehensive medical care available in a private, personal and compassionate environment. For your first gynecologic exam through childbirth, for complex gynecologic issues, for easing the transition through menopause and for staying healthy whatever your age, UT Physicians Women’s Center at Memorial City is uniquely poised to be with you every step of the way. • • • • •

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FOCUS ON THE CURE Breast Reconstruction

John T. Nguyen, MD, FICS Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

reast reconstruction is one or more operations performed to restore all components of the breast of women who have undergone mastectomy or removal of the entire breast. Breast reconstruction after mastectomy has evolved over the last century to become an integral component in the therapy for many women with breast cancer. A complete breast reconstruction includes recreating the breast mound, the nipple and areola complex so that the breasts are symmetric with regard to pigmentation, shape, size, projection and position. The Goals of Breast Reconstruction: To provide permanent breast contour. To make the breasts look balanced. To give the convenience of not requiring an external prosthesis. Breast Reconstruction Can Be Performed Using: Artificial material (a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or saline) placed under the skin. The woman’s own tissues (skin, muscle, fat) from another part of the body (flap reconstruction). Pedicled flap: In this type of flap reconstruction, the tissues remain connected to the area of the body from which they are taken. Specifically, the blood supply to the transplanted tissues is not interrupted. Free flap: In this type of flap reconstruction, the tissues are cut

off from the original area and grafted to the chest, and a new blood supply is created for the grafted tissues. A combination of artificial material and the woman’s own tissues. Timing of Breast Reconstruction: Immediate Versus Delayed Immediate breast reconstruction is reconstruction that is performed at the same time as the mastectomy. Delayed breast reconstruction is reconstruction that is performed weeks, months or years after the mastectomy. Surgeons differ in their opinions about when breast reconstruction should be performed. If radiation therapy needs to be administered after mastectomy, then breast reconstruction is generally delayed until the skin in the treated area has healed. Excellent results can usually be achieved by either immediate breast reconstruction or delayed breast reconstruction. Reconstruction Using Implants Implants are designed to recreate the original breast shape and contour. A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or saline. A tissue expander or balloon is inserted beneath the skin and chest muscle either during the mastectomy procedure or at a later operation. The surgeon periodically injects saline into the balloon to gradually fill it over several weeks or months so that the overlying skin can expand. After the skin over the breast area has stretched enough, the tissue expander is removed in a second operation and a permanent breast implant is inserted. Some women do not require tissue expansion before receiving an implant; for these women, the surgeon inserts an implant directly. Flap Reconstruction Flap reconstruction is a reconstructive surgery in which a flap of skin and fat with or without muscle is transplanted from a part of the body, such as the lower abdomen, back, thigh or

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buttock, to the chest area, where it is shaped to form a new breast mound. Like the implant surgery, this operation can be performed at the same time as the mastectomy, or it can be delayed. Advantages of Flap Reconstruction: May eliminate the use of foreign material in the body. Reconstructed breast usually looks and feels more natural. Will last the woman’s life span. When successful, requires minimal touch-up or redo operations throughout a woman’s lifetime. Disadvantages of Flap Reconstruction: Increased complexity and length of the surgery. May require a longer recovery period if muscle is included in the reconstruction. Additional donor site scars. Some women may require an implant, in addition to the flap reconstruction, for recreating the breast. If flap reconstruction is the selected option for reconstructive surgery, then the surgeon must decide from which part of the body the required tissues are taken. The tissues for breast reconstruction can be taken from the back, abdomen, buttock or thigh. Reconstruction of the Nipple and Areola Once the breast mound has been reconstructed, the nipple and areola (pigmented area around the nipple) can be recreated approximately two to three months after the first breast reconstructive surgery. A nipple can be created using skin from the inner thigh, behind the ear, reconstructed breast or labia. The skin can be tattooed to match the other nipple and areola. The reconstructed nipple and areola have very little sensation. Women who decide not to have nipple and areola reconstruction performed can consider the option of nipple prosthesis.

FOCUS ON THE CURE

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any abnormalities found on a mammogram are not necessarily cancer, but rather are benign conditions like calcium deposits or dense areas in the breast. If the radiologist or a doctor notes areas of concern on a mammogram, further testing may be needed. This can include additional mammograms known as compression or magnification views, as well as ultrasound imaging. If further imaging is not effective, a biopsy, wherein a sample of breast tissue is taken, will be sent to a laboratory for testing. In some instances, an MRI may be taken when mammography or ultrasound results are negative and it is still not clear what is causing a breast change or abnormality.

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Celebrate the Season

with Pumpkin

Did You Know? • About 6.7 million pounds of pumpkins are planted annually in Texas on roughly 3,300 acres. • If all of the pumpkins grown in Texas were lined up side by side, they would probably reach from Austin to Houston. • For decorating a fall landscape, pair pumpkins with corn stalks, hay bales and scarecrows.

Unusual Pumpkin Varieties Cinderella Pumpkin: The official name of the Cinderella Pumpkin is Rouge Vif d’Etampes. It is a beautiful French heirloom pumpkin that first became available in the United States in 1883. Foodies say this pumpkin’s rich, thick flesh is moist and custard-like with a sweet flavor. Fairytale Pumpkin: This is another native of France with an equally impressive, official name – Musque De Provence. The rind is dark green when immature and transforms into a gorgeous, deep mahogany. The flesh is deep orange and suitable for cooking and baking in pies.

utumn has arrived, and with it comes one of the season’s most popular staples – pumpkins. Make the most of autumn’s versatile fruit with these facts and tips.

Pumpkin Care To enjoy pumpkins and gourds through the fall and well into winter, follow these easy care tips: • Don’t cut or puncture the skin of the pumpkin. • Avoid carrying pumpkins by the stalk; carrying pumpkins from the bottom is safest. • Keep pumpkins out of the sun and extreme heat.

• When placing pumpkins in the landscape, place them on upside down containers or a solid surface. Avoid letting them sit on soil or in wet areas. • Keep pumpkins dry or displayed in an area where they can air dry should they get wet.

Knuckleheads: These pumpkins are a tough, battle-hardened sort. The hard shells and warts on knuckleheads pay homage to these folks. Jarrahdale Pumpkin: Now a selection from across the globe, Jarrahdale is a New Zealand heirloom variety prized for its slate blue color, ribbed exterior and delicious orange flesh. Carve or bake it like any other squash. Its golden to orangecolored flesh is nutty, sweet and stringless. Baby Boo Pumpkin: Baby Boo pumpkins are, indeed, babies. To maintain the stunning white color, these pumpkins are harvested prior to full maturity. They become a very pale yellow when fully ripe. Long Island Cheese Pumpkin: This pumpkin is a Long Island, New York native.

The “cheese” part of the name comes from the general look of the pumpkin –reminiscent of a wheel of cheese. The Long Island Cheese Pumpkin is very popular for pies. One Too Many Pumpkin: This seedcatalog description says volumes about the One Too Many Pumpkin: “Coloration reminiscent of a bloodshot eye, with redorange ‘veins’ patterned intricately over a white background.” Yes, that’s one inebriated pumpkin. Rascal: The Rascal pumpkin was bred specifically to raise funds for cancer research. The Hoffman family, who runs the Outstanding Seed Company, has been affected by cancer over the years, and the company donates a portion of their proceeds from seed sales to cancer research.

How to Decorate a Pumpkin Without Carving 1. Select a large pumpkin with a flat bottom, no deep blemishes that cut into the pumpkin flesh and a good, strong stem. 2. Wash the outside of the pumpkin carefully. 3. Use an ice pick to puncture the stem close to its base and thread an 18 inch florist wire through the hole. 4. Make a large bow with streamers using two yards of wired ribbon in colorful fall prints. If combining prints, use two yards for each print. 5. Create a topper by fastening decorative faux spray to the base of the stem with florist wire and add a bow to cover the wire. 6. Enjoy your festive pumpkin this season! Then, carefully store ribbon and faux topper in tissue for future pumpkins.

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

NEWSWORTHY

Local Orchestra Kicks off Second Season with Music and Sweets Memorial residents can now enjoy great live classical music right here in the Memorial area. Join the Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra (ECHO) as it kicks off its second season on October 23rd from 7 to 9 pm with a concert entitled Suite on Music at BridgePoint Bible Church, located Violinists Pablo Donatti and Maryland Liff. at 13277 Katy Freeway. This program highlights both orchestral suites and music inspired by sweets and includes works by Bach, Holst, Grieg, Prokofiev and more. A pre-concert dinner and a selection of sweets will also be offered from 5:30 to 7 pm. ECHO is dedicated to the enhanced appreciation and understanding of orchestral music in the Energy Corridor area and surrounding communities. Founded just last year, the group rapidly grew to over 60 musicians, a mix of professional performers and amateurs, many of whom live and work in the Energy Corridor and Memorial area. ECHO’s conductor is Michael Fahey, who also serves as the Director of Orchestras at Stratford High School. ECHO is passionate about collaborating with other cultural arts groups while igniting the spirit of music in the Energy Corridor. Later events this season include the second annual New Years Eve “Masquerade” Gala hosted by the Holiday Inn Houston West-Energy Corridor, a spring concert with music flavored by the Middle East, India, South Pacific and China featuring the classical Indian dance group Silambam Houston and several chamber music concerts by ECHO’s string quartet Opus 4. For more information about www.skinscriptionsbymelissagibbens.com ECHO, including how to join the group as a musician, complete 14441 Memorial Drive, Ste 5 • Houston, TX 77079 season details or to purchase (Located between Kirkwood and Dairy Ashford) tickets, visit www.ECHOrchestra. org. The non-invasive Ultherapy® procedure is FDA-cleared to lift skin on the neck, on the eyebrow and

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r e n or n

C Bir ’ rick t s a id By P

The Importance of Failure

hen I first started learning how to play the guitar, my fingers hurt – a lot. You see, one of the downsides for beginners is the fact that the strings press into the fingertips, causing blisters. Strangely, long rest won’t help, because if you wait too long, your fingers return to their soft starting state and blister all over again. So, the only way to learn to play guitar is to really hurt your fingers, and once you do, keep playing through the pain. Eventually, your fingers form callouses, and you can play without any pain. Your body literally grows stronger in the face of adversity and challenge, but it sure doesn’t happen overnight. When I describe it that way, it makes you wonder why any sane person would ever start playing such an instrument, but in fact, most things in life follow a similar process. Failure, or rather pushing oneself to the point of failure, is how our minds and bodies learn, grow and develop to their highest potential. This is especially true in children.

Nowadays, there is a tendency to create what I call “bubble wrap kids,” or children who are sheltered from any form of failure or negativity. While the inherent intentions for this are good, and I definitely have them with my own sons, we have to realize that putting our children in these environments necessarily limits their growth and potential. To learn how to walk on a beam, a child will first have to learn how to fall off the beam safely. In fact, a child’s inner ear balance and muscle memory is directly influenced by the sensation of falling and vertigo. The next time they try, they will be a little bit better. So instead of never letting them on the beam, or never letting them fall, we let them fall in a controlled, safe way using spotting, mats and skill progressions. This is a very key distinction. If we were to hold on to the child and never let him fall, his balance would not develop, and he would never be able to walk on the beam on his own. This doesn’t mean we try unsafe skills or don’t take necessary precautions to keep children safe, but it does mean that we don’t bubble wrap them. Kids know they might fall, but they also know we won’t let them hit the ground. This builds both skills directly and courage and trust indirectly. Raising a child can be very much like this sometimes. When it comes to riding a bike, dealing with conflict, saying “I’m sorry” or any other challenge or life lesson, it is important to give children a chance to fail. There is no doubt they will sometimes get hurt and maybe get a blister or two, but in the end, teaching them to push through the failures will make them stronger and better equipped to tackle the next challenge they face. It’s okay to let them know they may fall. Just make sure they know you’ll never let them hit the ground.

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

NEWSWORTHY

Jamie’s Hope Presents Fourth Annual Masquerade for a Cure Gala

HOUSTON BALLET

Nutcracker Market A Holiday Shopping Wonderland

Putting on the Ritz THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12

10 am - 8 pm

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 Apostolia Tsimberidou, Garrick Glascock and Jamie Gilmore.

Jamie’s Hope is excited to announce its upcoming 4th Annual Masquerade for a Cure Gala set for Friday, October 23rd. This must-attend fundraising gala raises needed funds for targeted therapy research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The Corinthian in downtown Houston will once again host the signature sell-out event. Known for its towering columns, crystal chandeliers and stylish architectural detail, this venue sets the stage for an enchanting evening as guests step back into time and enjoy the elegance of this year’s theme, Old Hollywood Glam. Hundreds of generous hearts will join together in their exquisite ball gowns and black tie attire, delighting in an all-inclusive evening including an open premium bar, seated dinner, live music, exotic entertainment, live and silent auctions and more! Brian and Megan Cushing, Dr. Quang and Staci Henderson, Chita Johnson and Lane Craft, Brad and Joanna Marks, Brent Milam and Lara Bell, Cal and Hannah McNair, Chris and Jenny Myers, Dr. Lamar and Theresa Roemer and Kevin and Caroline Walter were all among last year’s attendees. Inspired by Jamie’s Hope founder and Memorial resident Jamie Gilmore’s rare form of cancer, acinic cell carcinoma, many are working hard to find a more effective treatment for not only Gilmore but for all of those affected by cancer. Evidence indicates that matching patients with targeted drugs results in response rates that are higher than those expected without such matching, attacking cancer cells while doing little damage to normal, healthy cells. A limited number of tickets are currently available at www.JamiesHope.org/Masq2015. For more information, contact Amanda@JamiesHope.org.

10 am - 8 pm

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14

10 am - 6 pm

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15

10 am - 6 pm

Admission is $20 each at Market or $18 each at Randalls and Ticketmaster beginning October 19. Half-price admission daily 3 hours prior to closing. Children under 5 are free.

FOR TICKET INFORMATION CALL 713.535.3231 OR NUTCRACKERMARKET.COM

All proceeds benefit Houston Ballet Foundation, its Academy and Scholarship programs.

NOT ALLOWED: Strollers, wagons, rolling bags, rolling carts and pets

www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2015

Jan Glenn’s Pawsitively Purrfect

Photo from animals-zone.co

What isn’t fun but frightening are the creepy creatures that walk the earth every day and show up when you least expect them. We are talking about snakes, sharks, bats, wolves and alligators. Creatures as large as a grizzly or as small as a mouse can make you run The great white shark is known for for cover. its formidable size. Everyone has that one creature of which they are most afraid. Rattlesnakes are mine, and that is because I grew up in the Texas Panhandle where there are plenty. I have had my share of almost stepping on one to last me for the rest of my life. My daddy was bitten by one when he was working the cows one day. He ended up in the hospital for weeks and later said it was the worst pain he had ever experienced. I don’t like rattlesnakes! Do bats give you the heebie jeebies? These winged mammals get a bad rap thanks to some tall tales and their ties to Halloween and vampires. However, most bats in the United States prefer The vampire bat has been involved with insects to blood. That’s legends for centuries. great news for humans and bad news for the mosquito population in Houston.

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

Photo from duiops.net/seresvivos.

Photo from animals-zone.com.

ipes! It is Halloween and time for the monsters, vampires, zombies, skeletons and mummies to invade our world. It is the season when we get up close and personal with the sea pods from outer space and when those strange and scary creatures known as Dracula, Frankenstein and Werewolf lurk in the dark. Those creatures are lots of fun, and that is because we know they are make believe.

Photo from animals-z

one.com.

Scary Creatures

The one word at the beach that can make you run for your life is “shark!” It should! This sharp-toothed beast has 3,000 teeth, can grow up to 20 feet in length and weighs 4,500 pounds. It is one of the scariest fish in the sea. Jellyfish and stingrays can hurt you, but a shark will have you for dinner. For livestock and small pets, coyotes are public enemy number one. They are cousin to the gray wolf, which is no sweetie pie either. They can run up to 43 miles per hour and jump 13 feet high. They want privacy, but with the urban communities growing and taking over their territory, they With sharp teeth and speed, the gray are becoming more viswolf is widely feared. ible in the city. With a scaly body, menacing glare and powerful chops, the American alligator is one of the most feared animals on the planet. An alligator’s tail can pack a wallop and break bones with one swing. The real strength lies in its jaws. The best way to make it loosen its grip is to punch the beast in the eyes, nose or ears. As soon as people hear the word “skunk,” they cringe. Some creatures are scary because of the force of their bites or the sting of their claws. The skunk has something better: It can get you with a squirt of its musk. The odor of this liquid is enough to discourage Skunks are known for their ability to most enemies. In addition spray a liquid with a strong odor. to the awful smell, it also burns and stings when it touches the skin. The skunk can shoot from the right, left, front and back without turning around. It also can rear up on its front legs, as if doing a handstand, and spray over its head. I grew up scared to death of skunks until a friend gave me a baby skunk as a pet when I was in my last year at Texas Tech University. The “stink sacs” had been removed, which rendered it harmless. Stinky ate cat food, learned to use the litter box and was a very sweet pet. It slept all day and wanted to play at night. When Stinky was stomping and playing, he was a happy skunk. When he quit trying to crawl in bed with me at night, I was a happy human! A friend of mine grew up with pet snakes. Another loves having bats in her backyard, and another loves bees. I share these experiences to show that even though some animals are frightening, once you understand them, they might not be so creepy. True animal lovers will accept most of God’s creatures. It doesn’t mean they aren’t scared to death of some of them though. I draw the line at rattlesnakes.

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OUT &

ABOUT

The Albion Hurricanes’ 02 Girls, led by Danny Hill, concluded a very successful soccer season by winning the South Texas State Championship, then moving on to win the Region III Championship in Little Rock, Arkansas and securing their place in the United States Youth Soccer National Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they placed third. Congratulations!

IN THE HEART

MEMORIAL Landrie Young, Terin Graham, Lauren Geczik, Meredith Clark, Clare Jesulaitis, Nicole Cybul, Arianna Ghafari, Barbara Olivieri, Laine Woelfel, Gabriela Padilla, Lauren Pirotte, Kelsey Hranicky, Blakeley Buckingham, Kiran Singh and Ashton Kettler at the National Championship Luncheon. Guests of the late summer Sinners & Saints dinner party dressed as either a sinner or a saint and chose which end of the table – red or white – to sit at for a five-course meal. The group plans to make it a round robin event, where another couple will host a themed dinner in October.

Staci Henderson and Quang Henderson with Taft and Dana McWhorter.

Graham Gibbens was ready for his first day of school. Good luck Graham!

Charlie Harrison and Harry and Sophie Bishop cooled off with frozen treats at the Memorial Forest Club Labor Day Pool Party.

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

Adam Stiles helped his wife Suzanne Stiles, Parent-Teacher Association president at Spring Branch Middle School, by changing the marquee out front.

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Open Auditions for Nutcracker ages 6-12, October 4th Audition for aadchance y otof dance at Jones Hall Ac emGrand and the Galveston 1894 Opera House 1331 Upland Drive, Building #6 • (346) 701-7275 info@cityballetofhouston.com

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City Ballet of Houston The Nutcracker “ Your Neighborhood Financial Advisor”

The Grand 1894 Opera House (800) 821-1894 or www.thegrand.com

Saturday, Dec. 12th 2 & 7:30 pm Sunday, Dec. 13th • 2 pm Adults $25 Seniors/Students $22 Kids under 10 $20

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Ballet enthusiasts have an opportunity to hear a presentation about The Nutcracker and meet the dancers. This special presentation is included with your ticket to the Saturday or Sunday afternoon performance!

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2016 FORD FUSION T

he 2016 Ford Fusion looks and drives as fresh today as it did when it first appeared on American highways four years ago. This fivepassenger family car is no boring, midsize sedan that disappears into the scenery. The Fusion won’t get lost in the crowd with the rest of those ho-hum vehicles waiting in line at any school carpool lane. The 2016 Fusion is the second of its generation but the first mid-size Ford sedan that is a truly global vehicle. The first generation was sold only in North America, but previous Ford CEO Alan Mulally started the trend of introducing European models into American dealer-

ships. This second generation Fusion, marketed as the Mondeo in Europe, is characterized by two aspects crucial for all car buyers on the other side of the Atlantic: fuel economy and lively handling. And for 2016, there are several different engine options that make the Fusion an amazingly versatile performer. The base 2016 Fusion has an MSRP of $22,110 and comes equipped with a 175 hp, 2.5 liter, four-cylinder engine that gets 22 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Once you move up in the model’s line up, you have the opportunity to opt for the lively 181 hp, 1.5 liter, four-cylinder Ecoboost engine that gets 25 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. If you need more oomph, the top-of-the-line sporty engine is the 240 hp, 2.0 liter, four-cylinder Ecoboost with fuel economy numbers of 22 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. For the driver who wants to maximize fuel economy, the 2016 Fusion offers two alternatives. The Fusion Hybrid is equipped with both a gasoline engine and an electric battery that team up

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

to deliver 44 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. Then there’s the Fusion Energi, a plug-in hybrid vehicle with a larger battery that can be driven as a pure electric vehicle on short trips and then as a hybrid for longer journeys. All Fusions feature Ford’s state-ofthe-art Sync connectivity system, which allows the driver to not only make and answer hands-free phone calls but control the climate, entertainment and navigation with just the sound of your voice. The 2016 Ford Fusion continues to deliver a complete package for the consumer that demands a stylish ride but wants a choice of either a family sedan, a sporty sedan or a green sedan. Take your pick! Follow Steve Kursar at KursarOnCars. blogspot.com.

Q&A

With Dr. Kasia Lindhorst www.WoodlakeSquare.com

Dr. Kasia Lindhorst

What should I do if my child “knocks out” his or her baby tooth? Front baby teeth, although important for looks, are not necessary for development of the jaw or speech. If your little one avulses (knocks out) a baby tooth, you should not try to put it back in. It will only cause harm to the permanent tooth or attach itself to the bone in an unhealthy way. Call your pediatric dentist, because the area needs to be checked for any further damage to the bone, roots or other teeth.

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What about a permanent tooth? Now we are talking full emergency immediate phone call mode! You have about one hour to reimplant that tooth, so call your dentist. In the meantime, do not hold the tooth by the root. Gently rinse it if it is dirty and store in saliva or milk. It’s best if you can put it back in the empty tooth socket. A Tooth Saver Solution will also work great. Head to your dentist immediately to reimplant the tooth and splint it (stabilize with wires). You will also be asked to see a root canal specialist within a few days, and the tooth will be monitored for a future need for root canal.

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NEWSWORTHY

Bendwood School Teacher Attends Space Camp to Improve Skills tronaut missions, experienced time inside simulators and even took a virtual tour into space to save the International Space Station (ISS). On her first mission, she was a Lunar Mission Specialist on the Orion spacecraft with orders to complete an Extravehicular Activity (EVA) on the moon. As a materials scientist on the ISS, she manufactured polyurethane foam as an experiment. In the classroom, Nipper received STEM lessons to bring home. Her camp team built rockets and launched them, and Nipper built and tested land rovers and landers using tiny egg payloads. She also worked on water filtration systems to support life. “One of the unique parts of this program was collaborating with teachers from all over the world. In my team alone, I had the privilege to work with educators from Indonesia, The Netherlands, Turkey, Canada and India,” Nipper said. “Our team name was Destiny, and I truly believe it was destiny that brought us all together during this life-changing space camp. I returned to ‘Dare Mighty Things’ and to do more for my students.” Camp attendees like Nipper took part in classroom, laboratory and field training exercises, which are linked to U.S. science and math teaching standards. All of the teachers received 45 hours of continuing Nancy Lerner and Linda Elliott, Owners education credit and had the option of earning graduate hour credits through the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The space camp was sponsored by Honeywell as part of its awardwinning math and science education initiative. Nipper and other Honeywell educators received full scholarships for tuition in the sixday program, round-trip airfare, meals and accommodations and program materials. 281-497-0830 For more information, visit www. 14715 Memorial Drive near Dairy Ashford spacecamp.com. Houston, Texas 77079

Molly Nipper, a SPIRAL program Gifted and Talented teacher at the Bendwood School, recently returned from the Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy based in Huntsville, Alabama at the United States Space and Rocket Center. The Spring Branch ISD instructor was one of 200 teachers from 38 states and 22 nations to attend the skills-focused camp in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) from June 11th through 15th. NASA’s U.S. Space and Rocket Molly Nipper Center functions as the official visitor information center for the Marshall Space Flight Center. The Space Academy camp week provided Nipper with authentic astronaut-level training, as well as hands-on activities and missions based on teacher teamwork, leadership and decision-making. Nipper took part in mock as-

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Yours, Mine or Ours? The Enigma of Property in a Family Law Case

2015 Texas Monthly Super Dentist

By Nancy L. Rommelmann, Family Law Attorney

he following is a brief overview of characterization of property in Texas.

Property is characterized as separate or community at the time of the inception of title to the property. This is known as the “Inception of Title Rule.” Separate Property (SP) is property owned prior to marriage; acquired during the marriage by gift, devise or descent; property/proceeds acquired by the sale of SP assets and recovery for personal injuries sustained during marriage, except for recovery for loss of earning capacity. Community Property (CP) is property acquired by either spouse during marriage, other than SP. There is a presumption that all property is CP upon divorce, and “clear and convincing” evidence is required to establish the property as SP.

FAMILY L AW ATTORNE Y

Quasi-Community Property is divisible in Texas in a decree of divorce even though it is not CP. Texas courts can treat property acquired in another state that would have been SP in such a state as CP if at the time of acquisition, the property would have been CP in Texas. Proportional Ownership Interest and Mixed Character – This interest arises when both the separate estate of a spouse(s) and the community estate of the spouses have interests in property. This can occur when a party or the parties acquire property prior to marriage. If a purchase is made partially with SP and partially with community credit, the separate and community estates own the property as tenants in common, and each estate owns an undivided interest in the proportion that it provides consideration for the property. The names on the title to property do not determine the character of the property as SP or CP. Property cases can be fact intensive, and nuances in transactions can make significant differences in the outcome. Consult with an attorney skilled in this area to insure the outcome is a correct one.

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NEWSWORTHY

First Congregational Church of Houston Names New Senior Minister The members of First Congregational Church (FCC) of Houston, a part of the United Church of Christ, have called the Rev. Jonathan C. Page to be their new senior minister and to continue the church’s long tradition of progressive Christian ministry in Houston. FCC selected Page, a Harvard-educated minister, scholar and author, after a yearlong search process, which foRev. Jonathan C. Page cused on renewing the church’s position as a community leader on issues of faith, social justice and peace. “First Congregational Church of Houston has an impressive record of leadership among progressive churches in the Houston area,” said Page, who began Sunday, August 30th. “Given the changing landscape of American Christianity and the continued growth of Houston, FCC is well-poised to thrive in the years ahead. People are hungry for a church

that rejects biblical literalism, affirms the compatibility of science and religion, welcomes LGBT Christians and has a passion for social justice. I am excited to see what God has in store for FCC and blessed to be a part of their journey.” Page was most recently the senior minister at United Church of Christ-Congregational in Ames, Iowa. Before that, he was assistant minister at Harvard University’s Memorial Church and a chaplain at Massachusetts General Hospital. With a bachelor’s degree from Harvard and a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, he has also published extensively as a columnist for The Ames Tribune and AccessLine, a publication for the LGBT community in Iowa. He recently completed his second book, a novel focused on Christian faith and set in the Niger Delta. “Jon shares the vision which FCC was founded upon: No matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome,” said Tom O’Neill, FCC’s moderator. “He also shares our passion for mission work and for challenging conventional notions of Christian belief. We’re excited that he is joining us, and we look forward to what’s ahead for our congregation and for this community.”

Memorial Residents Star in Bonnie & Clyde Memorial residents Scott Fonseka and Ella DuCharme, both students at Theatre Under The Stars’ (TUTS) Humphreys School of Musical Theatre, take on the vibrant roles of young Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in TUTS Underground’s production of Bonnie & Clyde showing October 1st through 11th. At the height of the Great Depression, Parker and Barrow went from two small-town nobodies in West Texas to America’s most renowned folk heroes and the Texas law enforcement’s worst nightmares. Fearless, shameless and alluring, the Tonynominated Bonnie & Clyde is the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire country. The legendary Frank Wildhorn, who wrote this thrilling musical, has been actively engaged during the rehearsal period of this TUTS Underground production. “I am so excited about being in Bonnie & Clyde, because I will be Scott Fonseka

able to put on a show with so many talented actors,” said 13 year-old Fonseka, an eighth grade student at Memorial Middle School. “Being able to perform in a new show with the creators on hand means a lot, because I will be able to see how they imagined the show while they were writing it.” DuCharme, a seventh grade student at The Kinkaid School, said, Ella DuCharme “Playing the role of young Bonnie is especially meaningful to me, because she loves to perform and has big dreams to be in a ‘picture show’ – just like I’d love to do one day. Knowing that this musical is based on historical fact makes it even more exciting to me. The show’s music is brilliant, and getting to work with the original creative team is something I never imagined I would have an opportunity to do.” Visit www.tuts.com/underground for tickets or more information.

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••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

EVENTS

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••

By Stephanie Valtasaros

October 24th, Noon – 4 pm ArBOOretum

October 16th – 18th, 23rd – 25th and 30th Zoo Boo

The Broadway cast of Matilda The Musical. Photo by Joan Marcus.

October 6th – 16th Matilda The Musical Theatre Under the Stars presents Matilda The Musical, the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, the musical is a winner of 50 international awards, including four Tony Awards. For show times, tickets and more information, visit www.tuts.com or call 713-315-2400.

October 11th, 18th and 24th, 1 and 4 pm Goodnight Moon Main Street Theatre presents their musical production of Goodnight Moon based on the children’s book by Margaret Wise Brown. Published in 1947, Goodnight Moon is the beloved bedtime story that has charmed and comforted generations of children. The play is recommended for Pre-Kindergarten and up. Children under the age of three are not allowed in the theater. The production will take place at Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston, located at 3400 Main Street. For tickets, visit www. MainStreetTheatre.com or call 713-524-6706.

Celebrate Halloween at the Houston Zoo, located at 6200 Hermann Park Drive, for three weekends of family fun. Decorate pumpkins, get a Halloween tattoo, go trick or treating and help Zoe the Zoo Keeper on her Halloween adventure as she releases sea turtles, Attwater’s prairie chickens, howler monkeys and Houston toads back to their natural habitat. Kids are welcome to wear their Halloween costumes. All Zoo Boo activities are included with paid admission to the zoo and free for members. For more information and tickets, visit www.houstonzoo.org/zooboo.

Celebrate Halloween at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. There will be trick-or-treat trails, hayrides through the forest, live owls, pumpkin decoration and other fun, family activities. The Arboretum grounds will be closed to parking, so free off-site parking will be available all day at the garage, located at 1001 West Loop, just south of Buffalo Bayou on Loop 610. Free shuttles will run throughout the day to transport attendees. Tickets are $15 for ages 3 and up. For more information, visit www.houstonarboretum. org or call 713-681-8433.

October 17th – 18th, 8 am – 6 pm Wings Over Houston Airshow The United States Air Force Thunderbirds and the Breitling Jet Team headline this year’s Wings Over Houston Airshow at Ellington Airport, located at 510 Ellington Field. There will also be numerous exhibits and activities, including a Heroes and Legends tent featuring distinguished veterans signing autographs and memorabilia, the NASA Driven to Explore Exhibit, Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Hangar 57, Experimental Aircraft Association, National USA Forces Museum, a kids’ carnival, motion simulator rides and more. For tickets, visit www.wingsoverhouston. com or call 713-266-4492.

Pumpkin decorating at ArBOOretum. Photo from facebook.com/HoustonArboretum/photos.

October 31st, 11 am – 2 pm Sherwood Parent-Teacher Association Carnival Families are invited to enjoy food, photos, games, craft booths and lots of fun at Sherwood Elementary School, located at 1700 Sherwood Forest Street. Sherwood’s Parent-Teacher Association Annual Carnival is the biggest fundraiser of the year. For more information, contact silvia.urteaga@springbranchisd.com or call 713-251-6900.

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OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Women Driving Business Series Provides “High Heel Connections” Amidst the rolling hills of Pine Forest Country Club, the Houston West Chamber of Commerce’s (HWCOC) Women Driving Business Series, presented by Women’s Memorial Hermann Memorial City, kicked off on August Jeannie Bollinger and 19th with a VIP breakfast Dr. Sonya Sloan. event. Over 170 female business owners, entrepreneurs and executives gathered to form “high heel connections,” while meeting physicians from Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center and enjoying each other’s company. New for this year, attendees were invited to participate in a networking activity amongst their tablemates, giving each person an opportunity to expand their professional network by exchanging introductions in an all-female atmosphere. “It’s no secret women network differently than their male counterparts,” said HWCOC President and CEO Jeannie Bollinger. “Our committee has made making the foundation of professional relationships a priority this year. Our goal is for each attendee to walk away from the event having met at least one new contact, so they may expand and strengthen their professional networks.” Attendees were introduced to Keynote Speaker Dr. Sonya Sloan, a traveling orthopedic surgeon, non-profit founder and the first African American Homecoming Queen at Texas Tech University. Dr. Sloan compared the old versus new definition of “success” for women, stating that over 1.5 million women are self-employed, and in 2012, more than 126 million female entrepreneurs were starting or running new businesses in over 67 economies across the globe. The audience was shocked to learn that women start businesses with around one-third of the level of finance of their male counterparts. In true orthopedic surgeon fashion, Dr. Sloan also mentioned foot injuries are up over 60 percent amongst women because of changes in footwear fashion, while highlighting the painful surgical remedies for many ailments associated with wearing high heels. The breakfast concluded with giveaways awarded to three lucky women. The Women Driving Business 2015 series will conclude on October 22nd with its High Heel Connections Social. For more information, call 713-785-4922 or visit www.womendrivingbusiness.com.

Preview party Mon. Oct. 26, 6:30-9 PM Tickets $12 in advance/$15 at the door

Open shopping Tues. Oct. 27, 9 AM-7 PM Wed. Oct. 28, 9 AM-3 PM

United Methodist Women . Proceeds support missions

Benefiting

You are invited to the 21st annual

American Girl Fashion Show at the Junior League of Houston

Saturday, November 14 Breakfast—10:00 a.m. Lunch—1:00 p.m. Sunday, November 15 Lunch—1:00 p.m. Tea—4:00 p.m. Enjoy elegant refreshments, enter to win prizes, and learn how clothing has changed over the years to reflect history, culture and girls’ individual styles during this fun-filled presentation of historical and contemporary fashions. Birthday Packages available starting at $2,000 Runway Tables available starting at $1,650 Individual Tickets available starting $50 VIP Model Packages available for $150 Purchase Online or by Phone: www.hitsfashionshow.com Phone: 713.904.3777 311 W. 18th Street

Benefiting HITS Theatre Houston, TX 77008 www.hitstheatre.org

www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2015

Mentions Memorial

Spring Branch Middle School seventh graders Thomas Collins, Jeffery Zatorski, Beau Edwards and Braden Lanclos were all dressed up for Dance Club at the Houston Racquet Club.

BY SUZANNE STILES suzanne@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Memorial Middle School seventh graders Lizzie Gissel, Megan Benz, Olivia Stuyck, Caroline Bullers, Lauren Chaffin and Lindsey Moore spent the evening at Dance Club.

Kate and Patrick Murphy started kindergarten and third grade at Wilchester Elementary.

Bunker Hill Elementary students Morgan, Hannah and Courtney Brenner biked to school on the first day.

First graders Sophie Dickson and Ellie Kay Eubanks went back to school at Wilchester Elementary.

Memorial Drive Elementary students Luke Duffield, Cairo Farid, Trevor Kabele, Max Van Marle and Pierce McLeod were ready to take on third grade!

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

With the help of instructors Luis Garcia, a 7th degree Black belt, and April Cunningham, a 9th degree Black belt, Justice McCown and Sarah Tesarek received their Junior Blackbelt at Houston Karate Academy.

Guests celebrated at a birthday party honoring Lara Bell足足-Milam and Roseann Rogers at B&B Butchers and Steakhouse. Chase and Pierce McLeod were ready for a new school year at Memorial Drive Elementary.

Marcy DeLuna, Roseann Rogers and Courtney Zubowski-Haas.

Brooks, Lara and Dylan Milam.

Michelle Maresh, Angela Poujol, Lisa Eirwin and Vanessa Sendukas. Pulin, Ayush, Anuj and Namrata Kothari enjoyed hiking at Yellowstone National Park.

Peyton Donovan had a swinging good time in San Francisco, California.

Brazos Donovan caught a great wave while surfing in Santa Cruz, California.

Fourth grader Olivia Sauvageau, Valley Oaks Elementary librarian Becky Lee and fourth grader Campbell Zahn kicked off the first day of school with a hug.

www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2015

absolutely!

& QA EXPERT: Dr. Maria Buheis, pediatric allergy and immunology physician at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, answers some of the most common questions about childhood allergies.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF ALLERGIES THAT AFFECT CHILDREN?

The two broadest categories of childhood allergies are environmental and food allergies. Environmental allergies can include pollen, dust mites, mold and animal dander. Food allergies, which typically appear in young children, often include milk, eggs, soy, wheat, peanuts and fish or shellfish. The allergies that children develop heavily depend on what they are frequently exposed to in their natural surroundings.

WHY SHOULD I TAKE MY CHILD TO A PEDIATRIC ALLERGIST AS OPPOSED TO A GENERAL ALLERGY CLINIC?

It’s best to take your child to a pediatric-specific allergy and immunology clinic like at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus. In a pediatric setting, everything from the equipment and facility is designed specifically for children. At our clinic, we only see children, so we are very familiar with what type of reactions to expect from the child, as well as the common allergy test indicators. For younger children, distractions are sometimes needed to get their attention away from the slight pinch of the prick. For these patients, child life specialists are available who can provide toys and interact with the child to help them through what can be a scary time. Since older children like to know what to expect during the allergy test, the child life specialists can help explain the entire process and can play guessing games with them to predict the allergens that will appear.

WILL MY CHILD GROW OUT OF THEIR ALLERGIES?

The short answer is sometimes. For some food allergies such as milk, eggs and soy, about 60 to 80 percent of children outgrow them by school age. But only about 15 percent of children outgrow peanut allergy. It also works in reverse. Your child can develop an allergy later on in life as a teenager or an adult. For more information, contact the Allergy and Immunology Clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus at 832-227-2280.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD HAS A FOOD OR ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGY?

A good allergy evaluation starts by taking a detailed history of your child’s symptoms and performing a physical examination. Then, your allergist will discuss with you if allergy testing is recommended. For seasonal allergies, I typically encourage parents to wait until their child is at least three-years-old before testing, as it will be more accurate if the child has been exposed to a variety of potential allergens through the different pollen seasons. Testing for food allergies and potential indoor allergens can be done at a much younger age, as exposure begins much earlier in life. The allergy test is fairly simple. We introduce a small amount of allergens to the child by slightly “pricking” the surface of their skin. For babies and toddlers, the test is typically performed on their back, where there is more surface. For older children, it is often done on their forearm, because they tend to like to see what is going on and have fun guessing which allergen they will react to. After about 15 minutes, we begin to see swelling around the specific allergens that are causing the problems.

Allergy and Immunology

The main lobby at Texas Children’s West Campus. Photo by A. Kramer.

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

SprinG Branch

Sports Spotlight By Tammy Hampton sbmsapics@gmail.com

It takes guts, hard work, dedication and energy to play sports!

The Panthers: Georgia Byers, Sam Rank, Brooke Landry and Hallie Mauritzen won third place in 8U.

salutes the kids and parents who hit the fields week after week.

Congratulations to these outstanding Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association (SBMSA) team players! The Cyclones: Jackson McAllister, Logan Landry and Kelly Hammack had a blast this season!

The Raiders: Garrin Hatfield, a Pre-K student at Chapelwood, kept his eye on the ball.

SBMSA Players: Olivia Freedhand, Ella Ryan, Elizabeth Cooper and Emily Rogers are fifth grade friends from Second Baptist School. www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2015

NEWSWORTHY

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show’s “What to Wear to that Equestrian Affaire” The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show will host its fourth annual fundraising luncheon and fashion presentation, “What to Wear to that Equestrian Affaire,” on Wednesday, October 21st from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at one of Houston’s most exclusive private venues. ABC-13 anchor Ilona Carson will serve as emcee for the second consecutive year. The women’s fashion presenter this year is David Peck USA, and the men’s fashion presenter is LUCHO. Alexis Caruselle, Pin Oak Charity Horse Show Executive Committee member, and Hector Villarreal, owner of LUCHO, are serving as event co-chairs. Both are also members of The Young Pin Oak Club. Models will include Pin Oak Charity Horse Show sponsors, competitors and supporters, as well as representatives of Houston area media organizations.

Laura Shuford, Vice President of Development at Texas Children’s Hospital, one of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show’s beneficiary charities.

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show was founded in Houston in 1945 and has raised more than $6 million for its designated charities: Texas Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at Texas Children’s Hospital and Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance. The 71st Anniversary Pin Oak Charity Horse Show will be held March 22nd through April 3, 2016, at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy. Individual tickets and sponsored tables for the fashion luncheon event are available for purchase. Sponsor benefits vary based on the level of financial commitment. In-kind support is also welcomed and appreciated. For more information on tickets, tables or sponsorship opportunities, call 713-621-6290, visit www.pinoak.org or email info@pinoak.org.

Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association Presents 2015 Sporting Clays Tournament Mark your calendars for Friday, November 13th, when the Spring BranchMemorial Sports Association (SBMSA) will host the second “Shoot So They Can Score” Sporting Clays Tournament at the American Shooting Center. The event, chaired by Steve Vierra, will again feature shooting games, a raffle and an awards dinner.

Steve Vierra

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OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

Contributions raised from the Sporting Clays Tournament provide direct funding to neighborhood youth while helping to sustain SBMSA coaches and volunteers throughout the Greater Houston area for years to come. SBMSA’s long-term goals include field improvements and providing bathrooms, concessions and storage at all of their facilities. Additionally, the organization is working hard to expand the reach of SBMSA to offer more scholarships to needbased families. SBMSA believes that if the kids are on their fields or in their gyms, they are going to get a positive experience with outstanding volunteer coaches and role models. Make plans today to join SBMSA at this year’s shoot for friends, food and fun! For more information on how to participate in this community-wide event, contact Molly Ellis at ellismolly@yahoo. com.

Monstrous Mayhem at the Children’s Museum of Houston Monstrous mayhem will be unleashed when the Children’s Museum of Houston is transmogrified into the Monsters’ Museum of Houston from October 10th to 31st. Guests will witness how monsters have rummaged, scoured, combed and turned the Museum upside down to make room for their monster lairs. This hair-raising experience will allow attendees to “catch monsters” in the act, interact with their pals, participate in monster hobbies and discover why monsters may be just simply misunderstood! The Museum’s beloved Moe Monster will steer guests through a gnarling Halloween adventure complete with daring dragons, ghastly ghosts, rotten mummies, otherworldly aliens, man-eating plants, musical skeletons and more, with the intention of learning from the best and brightest in Monsterdom! Guests can also participate in Adopt-a-Monster October 10th to 14th. Join Monsterdom and blend into the crowd of monsters by wearing a one-eyed, one-horned monster hat offered October 10th to 14th, zombie brain mask and glow in the dark skeleton bone necklace, or simply stop by Halloween Street and put on a monster mask disguise from October 15th to 31st. Uncover the “terribly gone wrong” experiments concealed in the Crazed Chemist Lab, where Frankenstein’s wrath is set to be unleashed. Get caught in a web of mystery at the Spider Lair, where some of the most sinister spiders reside and Ghosts in Bottles are charged with a spirited life force. This is where mysterious monster hobbies are untangled every week and Moaning Monsters call out for the monster within each guest. From October 15th to 31st, watch Ghost Pearls vanish into a poof of smoke and crack open liquid light energy in Glow Bracelet Chemistry. The Bat Colony’s “infestation” will make guests want to flap their bat wings to get away. But, it may also change their perspective on how bats are more than meets the eye. Plus, hidden spiders and coral snakes lurk within. Design a spider hat or a coral snake bracelet to pay respect to these venomous creatures. Attendees can bring their cameras and head outside to the

Pumpkin Patch or listen to abominable stories about terrible singing monsters at the Haunted Library. In addition, there will be trick-or-treating from 4 to 6 pm Tuesdays through Fridays and 4 to 8 pm on Thursdays, as well as all day during weekends and Halloween Day. Moe’s Monster Mash Bash and Monster Drive-In takes place from 4 to 8 pm on Saturday, October 31st as Houston’s ultimate Halloween party for kids. Boogie to the hauntingly hip tunes of DJ Zin and enjoy pumpkin painting, dancing and trick-or-treating. Guests should come dressed in their most boo-tiful or frightfully freaky monster costumes and catch a late night flick at the Monster Drive-In beginning at 6:15 pm. For more information, visit www.cmhouston.org or call 713-522-1138. Moe Monster greeting guests.

Dr. Katia Lemke, DMD Orthodontic Specialist

Braces for Children & Adults • New Low-Dose DIGITAL X-ray •

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The Children’s Museum of Houston transformed for Halloween.

Advanced Orthodontic Treatment with & Lingual Braces

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Flexible After School Hours

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Free Orthodontic Exam & Consultation

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Insurance & Flexible Financing Available

713.782.4566 www.lemkeortho.com 7887 San Felipe, Ste. 150 • Houston, TX 77063

www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2015

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Memorial City Mall Welcomes Maggiano’s Little Italy to West End MetroNational announced Maggiano’s Little Italy will build its third Houston-area location at Memorial City Mall. The restaurant will be situated on the undeveloped land on the west side of the mall between The Cheesecake Factory and California Pizza Kitchen and will encompass approximately 8,600 square feet of space. Construction of Maggiano’s will begin this fall, and completion is projected for fall 2016. “We couldn’t be more excited that Maggiano’s will be building its third Houston-area restaurant in Memorial City. This is a great time for our development,” stated Harry Hadland, VP Property Management, Retail and Hospitality Properties for MetroNational. “Maggiano’s is known for its family-style menu and warm and friendly atmosphere. Having this popular restaurant as part of the Memorial City family will be a great addition for our neighbors, tenants and shoppers.” Maggiano’s is best known for their authentic ItalianAmerican menu with award-winning pastas, regular chef specials with seasonal ingredients, signature salads and

delicious desserts. Hadland added, “Maggiano’s is the first step toward expanding the West End of the mall as a part of MetroNational’s long-term vision to make Memorial City one of Houston’s premier destinations to live, work and play. Our plan is to have new retail, restaurants and a green space in place and open by the holiday season 2016.” For more information, visit www.MemorialCity.com.

BRAZOS • FORT BEND • KATY • MEMORIAL

Natural Cafe & Health Food Store

Dine-In or Take-Out • NEW Fresh Juicing Menu • Vitamins & Supplements • Bulk Herbs & Teas • Local, Clean Meat For Sale • Knowledgeable Staff Serving Houston Since 1971 9341 Katy Fwy @ Echo Ln.

absolutely! focus media is currently accepting resumés for

Graphic Designer

(I-10 Exit 759/759A)

713-365-0368 Open Mon. thru Sat. 9 am - 9 pm

www.amoveablefeast.com 56

For a detailed job description, and to submit your resumé, visit www.absolutelyfocusmedia.com

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

Excellence in Community Service Winner of a 2015 Communitas Award The Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals Recognizing exceptional businesses that are unselfishly giving of themselves and their resources, and those that are changing how they do business to benefit their communities.

absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Excellence is a habit. Recognition is earned.

utely! l o s b a community focused. Other Recognition for Community Service Excellence: Texana Center Awards Recipient • Media of the Year Award – 2011 through 2014 MarCom Awards Recipient • JEWELS of Fort Bend • GEMS of Fort Bend • Pro Bono: Casa de Esperanza Hermes Creative Awards Recipient • Focus on the Cure: Cancer Awareness • Pro Bono: Lunches of Love • Design: Make-A-Wish Foundation, Gulf Coast

absolutely! DELICIOUS

How to Host a Mad Scientist Halloween Party

ransform your house into Frankenstein’s lab with a few party tricks and Halloween treats. Set the scene with a mad scientist-themed sweets table, and carry it home with a crazy good menu featuring frightfully yummy appetizers, mocktails and of course, treats. For more Halloween party ideas and inspiration, visit www.wilton.com.

he Guest of Horror: You can’t have a mad scientist Halloween party without Frankenstein. This easy buttercream cake makes a big statement, a fantastic centerpiece for your sweets table and will make others green with envy over your decorating skills.

Frankenstein Cake Serves 12

TOOLS • 6 Cups favorite cake recipe or mix • 4 Cups Wilton White Ready-To-Use Decorator Icing (4.5 pound tub) System • Black icing pouch with tips • Large candy eyeballs

• 6-by-3-inch round pan • 10-by-16-inch cooling grid • Cake plate • Cake leveler • Angled spatula • Disposable decorating bags

Prepare cake mix according to box instructions, and make two layers using 6 inch round pans. Bake and cool on cooling grid. Prepare Spring Green icing using this color tint formula from the Color Right Performance Color System: 4 cups icing + 30 Y + 6 B. Stack layers on cake plate for a two-layer cake, using leveler as needed. Ice cake sides smooth with green icing. Use black pouch icing without tip to cover top of cake. Use tip of spatula to create spiral effect. Use black pouch icing with star tip to pipe pull-out bangs around top edge and two hair strands on cake top. Prepare a disposable decorating bag with green icing; cut a hole in point of bag the size of tip 3. Attach candy eyeballs with dots of green icing. Pipe green eyelids. Use black pouch icing with round tip to pipe dot nose and neck bolts, outline mouth and stitches.

ittle Monsters Mocktail: Play mixologist with a perfect potion recipe featuring a few easy ingredients: apple juice, club soda and delicious drops of Treatology flavor concentrates in taste-tempting Cinnamon Graham and Creamy Vanilla Custard flavors.

Apple Pie Potion Makes 8 to 10 servings

• 1 Liter club soda, chilled • 5 Cups apple juice, chilled • 7 Drops Wilton Treatology Warm Cinnamon Graham Flavor Concentrate • 3 Drops Wilton Treatology Creamy Vanilla Custard Flavor Concentrate • 4 Drops Wilton Yellow Color Right Performance Color • 1 Drop Wilton Blue Color Right Performance Color In large pitcher, combine club soda, apple juice, Warm Cinnamon Graham and Vanilla Custard flavors and colors. Whisk until well combined. Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.

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hili Mac Cup Concoction: Use a regular muffin pan to bake mac and cheese cups – a fun twist on the kids’ favorite. The macaroni cups are the perfect chili topper for a hearty fall favorite.

Mac and Cheese Cups with Chili Makes 24 servings

• 2 Tablespoons butter • 1/4 Cup all-purpose flour • 2 Cups milk • 8 Ounces white American cheese, shredded

• 1 Package (8 ounces) Monterey Jack cheese, shredded • 1/4 Teaspoon onion powder • 1/4 Teaspoon dry mustard

• 1/4 Teaspoon ground black pepper • 1 Package (16 ounces) elbow pasta, cooked and kept warm • 2 Cans chili, 25 ounces each

Heat oven to 350°F. Prepare two muffin pans with vegetable pan spray. In large pan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir flour into butter and cook 2 minutes on medium heat, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk milk into flour mixture and cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and stir in cheeses, onion powder, dry mustard and pepper. Stir in cooked pasta. Divide evenly into prepared pans. Bake 15 minutes or until bubbly. Cool in pans 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in saucepan, heat chili according to package directions. Serve each macaroni cup on top of 1/4 cup chili. Tip: To make ahead, refrigerate macaroni and cheese cups in muffin pans after baking. When ready to serve, remove from pans and microwave 30 to 45 seconds each until heated through.

andy Corn Craze: Halloween wouldn’t be the same without candy, especially candy corn. Wow guests with your inventive use of the iconic Halloween flavor.

Candy Corn Cupcakes Makes 2 dozen cupcakes

• 1 Package (16.25 ounces) white cake mix • Egg whites, water and vegetable oil to prepare mix • 17 Drops Wilton Orange Color Right Performance Color • 3 Drops Wilton Yellow Color Right Performance Color • Package (10 ounces) Wilton Limited Edition Candy Corn Candy Melts Candy

• 1/4 Cup heavy whipping cream • 2/3 Cup solid vegetable shortening • 2 Tablespoons honey • 1 Teaspoon Wilton Imitation Clear Vanilla Extract • 2 Cups confectioners’ sugar • Candy corn for garnish, optional

Heat oven to 350°F. Prepare muffin pans with baking cups. In large bowl, beat cake mix, egg whites, water and colors with electric mixer at low speed 30 seconds. Scrape bottom and sides of bowl; beat at medium speed 2 minutes. Divide batter evenly among baking cups, filling about 2/3 full. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pans on cooling grid 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on grid. In medium microwave-safe container, combine Candy Corn Candy Melts Candy and heavy cream. Microwave at 50 percent power 1 minute. Stir. Microwave on half power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melts are almost melted. Stir thoroughly until mixture is smooth. Cool slightly. In large bowl, beat shortening with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add Candy Melts mixture and beat until smooth. Beat in honey and vanilla. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Pipe or spread onto cooled cupcakes. Top with candy corn, if using. Source: Family Features

www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2015

t n e t t A

s! d e w wly e N ion

Coming January 2016

Real Weddings Submit your info today and have your wedding details and photos published in print and online in our magazine. If you or your children have recently married and you would like to enter for a chance to be featured in our Real Weddings, all you need is at least ten high-resolution photos of the ceremony and/or reception. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter where the wedding took place, as long as it was in the last year and you or your parent/s reside in Memorial area. Photographers are also welcome to submit photos.

Contact: sarah@absolutelyfocusmedia.com or visit www.absolutelymemorial.com 60

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

Tony Vallone

No matter what brand you use – canned or fresh – a tomato should taste like a giardino in bocca, a garden of flavors on the palate!

absolutely! DELICIOUS

with

By Tony Vallone

absolutely! Delicious

ow that the summer and fresh tomato season are over, it’s time to start using canned tomatoes again for tomato-based pasta sauces, like the homemade spaghetti we serve here at Vallone’s with canned San Marzano tomatoes from Italy – the best kind of tomatoes, in my opinion. Here at the restaurant, we use San Marzano tomatoes that I import myself especially for all of my restaurants. But, there are many great brands of canned tomatoes that you can get at your local supermarkets such as Central Market and H-E-B. When you’re shopping for canned tomatoes for sauces, look for tomatoes that are rich, thick and naturally “garden” sweet. Avoid tomatoes to which sugar or water has been added. A lot of canned tomatoes sold in the United States appear to be Italian. But, be sure to look carefully at the label. Many are not, in fact, imported. In general, Italian brands are the best. After all, the Italians eat canned tomatoes every day nearly nine months out of the year! Make sure the label says “product of Italy,” and look out for “San Marzano” tomatoes. San Marzano tomatoes are from the area around Naples, which is famous for its volcanic soils and Mediterranean sun, the ideal conditions for growing tomatoes rich in flavor and natural sugar. They are the very core of the Neapolitan kitchen. American canned tomatoes are often water packed, and they can be unripe and bitter. That’s why many brands have sugar added to them. Sugar is a proper ingredient in any good tomato sauce, but it must be used judiciously. That’s one of the reasons why you want to look for tomatoes to which no sugar has been added. If you still have your heart set on fresh tomatoes, look for Nature Sweet Cherubs tomatoes. I have no connection to the brand, but that’s what I use at home when I want fresh tomatoes in fall and winter. These little grape tomatoes are always sweet, and one package will serve an entire family. H-E-B carries Nature Sweet Cherubs and has a great selection of Italian products in general. I have no connection to H-E-B; I just like to shop there. Email Tony@VallonesHouston.com to submit a food-related question to Tony.

Homemade Spaghetti with San Marzano tomatoes, pancetta and basil at Vallone’s.

www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2015

A B S O L U T E LY ! D E L I C I O U S L I S T I N G

Natural Café and Health Food Store

CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN CUISINE MASRAFF’S 1753 Post Oak Blvd. 77056 713-355-1975 www.masraffs.com Hands on proprietors, Russell and Tony Masraff, recognized premier Houston restaurateurs, offer affordable elegance, attentive yet unobtrusive service and exquisitely fresh American cuisine prepared with the best ingredients from around the world. Located in the heart of the Galleria, Masraff’s features the perfect ambience for business and social gatherings. Whether dining in one of the elegant dining rooms, stunning bar area with the elevated fireplace or The Patio on the Boulevard by the waterfall, Masraff’s impeccable service offers a dining experience to remember.

CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN CUISINE URBAN KITCHEN 14008 Memorial Drive, Ste. F 77079 281-531-7550 www.urbankitchenhouston.com

HEALTHY ECLECTIC A MOVEABLE FEAST 9341 Katy Freeway 77024 713-365-0368 www.amoveablefeast.com

This casual yet classy neighborhood restaurant is tucked in a centric shopping center located at the corner of Memorial and Kirkwood, just blocks away from the Energy Corridor. Urban Kitchen features the perfect ambience for business and social gatherings. The terrace is surrounded with beautiful planters providing a perfect setting for those who enjoy the outdoors. Regardless if you visit during lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch, Urban Kitchen offers a dining experience to remember.

Family owned since 1971, A Moveable Feast remains the gathering place for foodies of all tastes. The delicious food is prepared in a healthy way, using only the freshest ingredients. Enjoy seafood, Texas bison and grass-fed beef burgers, Tex-Mex, vegan entrées, hummus, fresh juices, many wheat-free choices and more, all served up counter-style in a funky atmosphere. Enjoy wine and cold beer on the patio surrounded by unique gardens. Good vibes abound in this unusual café inside a health food store.

MEXICAN

JAPANESE CUISINE

CANTINA LAREDO 11129 Westheimer 77042 713-952-3287 www.cantinalaredo.com

KUU RESTAURANT 947 Gessner, Ste. A180 77024 713-461-1688 www.kuurestaurant.com

Cantina Laredo specializes in authentic Mexican dishes in a sophisticated and upscale atmosphere. The entire lunch, dinner, Sunday Brunch and Cantina menus are all available for take-out, some delivery and catering. Selections such as Ensalada de Cilantro y Pollo, Cascabel Ribeye and Tacos al Carbon are divine, not to mention the Mexican apple pie that is served with a warm brandy butter and choice of cinnamon or vanilla ice cream.

Situated in the new Memorial Gateway complex, Kuu Restaurant has now opened to bring upscale Japanese dining to West Houston. Executive chef Adison Lee, formerly of Nobu, has brought his talent and passion for Japanese fusion cuisine to the Memorial area. Focusing on artistry and complementary flavors, Kuu has a constantly changing menu featuring locally raised ingredients. With an extensive wine list and private dining area, Kuu is well equipped to handle any event.

Southwell ’s

Hamburger Grill Buy one hamburger, fries and drink, get another hamburger for F R E E !

Limit 1 coupon per customer. Expires November 1, 2015

Memorial 713-464-5268 9410 Gaylord TX 77024 62

Galleria 713-789-4972 5860 San Felipe TX 77057

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

A scary good treat.

Houston Uptown 5000 Westheimer Road, Ste. 108 (713) 552-9100 nothingbundtcakes.com THE MODERN AMERICAN GRILLE FOR ALL OCCASIONS

COME IN AND TRY OUR NEW MENUS!

BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER • PRIVATE DINING ROOMS Saturday & Sunday Brunch 7am-1pm • Happy Hour Daily 4pm-6pm Inside the Westin Memorial City 945 Gessner Rd. ● 77024 281.501.4350 ● 024grille.com Complimentary Valet

COMPLIMENTARY KID’S MEAL WITH THE PURCHASE OF AN ADULT ENTRÉE Limit one voucher per four guests. May not be used with any other promotion, bento box or holiday special at 024 Grille. Excludes tax and gratuity. Expires: 09/30/2016

www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2015

Houston Gets a Modern High-Rise

A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY By The Heritage Society

he skyline of downtown Houston is an ever-evolving mixture of buildings spanning the 20th century. Among the grand and gleaming skyscrapers is one building that represents a turning point in the mid 20th century: The Melrose Building. At this time, the skyline – which before had been dominated by the likes of neoclassical buildings, such as the Rice Hotel, and art deco buildings, including the Gulf Building in its more ornate form and the 1939 City Hall – shifted wholeheartedly toward modernism. Modernist architecture, and specifically the International Style, existed in Houston before World War II; however, it was not until 1952 that this new expression of architecture touched the skyline in its complete form. Characterized by a cubic form, lack of ornament, a sense of weightlessness and emphasis on horizontal lines, the International Style and its later variations typify the “glass box” office building that became prevalent in the United States office landscape in the 20th century. The Melrose Building, completed in the same year as the Gulf Freeway, was the first office tower in the city to fully exhibit the International Style.

Characterized by a cubic form, lack of ornament, a sense of weightlessness and emphasis on horizontal lines, the Melrose Building was characteristic of the “glass box” office building that became prevalent in the 20th century.

“Designed With the Future in Mind,” according to a Houston Magazine advertisement, the Melrose Building is

The Melrose Building was the first office tower in Houston to fully exhibit the International Style of architecture.

the work of local architects Hermon Lloyd and W. B. Morgan on a commission by Melvin A. Silverman and Bennett Rose – together, Melrose. The building was one of the first major commissions and the first office tower for the duo, who had previously designed Rice Stadium and would later contribute to the Astrodome and several more Houston high-rise buildings as Lloyd, Morgan & Jones. The developers wished for the building to be as modern and advanced as possible in every way. Beyond that, the architects were fairly free to design what they wished. The 21 story office building was constructed with a solidcolored, buff brick exterior punctuated by rows of windows placed asymmetrically. Concrete sunshades protruding four feet from the building above every floor reduced air conditioning costs and emphasized the horizontal lines between floors. Inside, the building’s layout catered to flexible use by large office tenants with an elevator bank along one windowless exterior wall that left the remainder of the floor space open, with few columns obstructing the open space. Tenant spaces could be left open or divided into smaller offices. A state-of-the-art “Carrier Conduit Weathermaster Air-Conditioning System” provided more tenant flexibility by allowing each office to be heated or cooled separately. Just over a decade

OCTOBER 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com

later, the interior layout was adjusted to provide speculative space for smaller offices and larger tenants on alternating floors. Currently vacant, the Melrose Building still stands at the corner of Walker and San Jacinto, now across the street from 2 Houston Center. Despite receiving one major exterior change in 1970, when the original turquoise spandrels were covered with opaque bronze panels and the original casement windows were replaced with single-pane tinted ones, the overall form and appearance of the building remain as original. Now eclipsed by dozens of modern and postmodern office towers spanning the 20th and 21st centuries, the relatively small and understated Melrose Building stands hidden in plain sight as a reminder of the city’s evolving skyline and Houston’s staggering 20th century growth.

The 21 story office building was constructed with a solid-colored, buff brick exterior punctuated by rows of windows placed asymmetrically.

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