APRIL 2017
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{Features}
APRIL 2017
18 SPRING BRANCH-MEMORIAL SPORTS ASSOCIATION’S LOVE OF FOOTBALL LEGACY
{COVER STORY}
The Jones family’s coaching legacy spans three generations and stretches over 40 years.
19 SUMMER TRAVEL TIPS
The countdown to summer is on! Start planning with these essentials.
20 TREAT YOURSELF WHILE HELPING OTHERS
The American Heart Association’s Shop With Heart Card event is a unique opportunity to shop while giving back.
21 KEY REALTORS
Meet the Finest in Memorial
24 EASTER SERVICES
A Guide to Easter Services and Activities
34 MEDICAL FOCUS
Health Care News You Can Use
{Columns} 14 HOMETOWN HEROES: Sue and Lester Smith with Coco and Peaches.
Kristin Abello
Photo by Michael Martinez Photography.
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16 absolutely! FABULOUS FINDS
LESTER AND SUE SMITH: Devoted To Giving Back
Memorial area residents Lester and Sue Smith are fun-loving socialites, three-time ballroom dance champions and respected professionals, but most of all, they are passionate philanthropists. Through their generous giving to a variety of community organizations, the couple is leaving a lasting impact.
22 WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Champion Athlete Lizzie Buza Devlin
27 JAN GLENN’S PAWSITIVELY PURRFECT
How to Shoo a Bird out of Your House
28 FAMILY LAW
Power and Control: The Anatomy of Domestic Abuse
44 KIDS’ CORNER
To Eat or Not to Eat
45 SPORTS SPOTLIGHT
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APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
UNDEFEATED IN
SPORTS MEDICINE Sports injuries have met their match. Whether you’re facing a sports injury or just want to up your game, our Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Sports Medicine Institute can help. Affiliated physicians from McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and our team of experienced therapists and sports performance specialists work together to speed recovery and improve performance. It’s a winning combination – and one only found at Memorial Hermann.
Learn more at ironman.memorialhermann.org
TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER | MEMORIAL CITY THE WOODLANDS | SUGAR LAND
CONTRIBUTORS
APRIL 2017 VOLUME 13 | NUMBER 4
{Newsworthy} 17 THE 5TH ANNUAL Blue Plate Special
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23 STRATFORD PLAYHOUSE Presents Brighton Beach Memoirs 41 THE MEMORIAL MARKETTES Present Get Up and Go,
23 Braden Collins, Adam Saldivar, Marie Lauderdale and Abby Gex perform in Brighton Beach Memoirs. Photography by Prudence.
22
It’s the Markettes Show!
{
absolutely! Delicious
}
46 absolutely! DELICIOUS LISTING
24
27
absolutely! {Healthy Living}
28
33 absolutely! Q&A Texas Children’s Hospital
West Campus Answers Your Questions About Ear Infections
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48 The Old Place Cabin at The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park.
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{In Every Issue} 10 EXCLAMATION POINTS! 28 SEEN ON THE SCENE 31 OUT & ABOUT IN THE HEART OF MEMORIAL ON THE COVER: Lester and Sue Smith with Peaches and Coco. Photo by Michael Martinez Photography.
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42 MEMORIAL MENTIONS 47 MEMORIAL MARKETPLACE 48 A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY
APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
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Debbie Clemens absolutely! Fabulous Finds Page 16
Andrew Hollan Contributor Page 22
Christi Smith Contributor Page 24
Jan Glenn Journalist Page 27
Nancy L. Rommelmann Family Law Attorney Page 28
Suzanne Stiles Memorial Mentions Page 42
Patrick Biron Birons Youth Sports Center Page 44
Tammy Hampton Contributor Page 45
EXCLAMATION POINTS! Associate Publisher, LARA BELL Vol. 13 No. 4 April 2017 I have been dreaming about this cover for a while and am so excited that Lester and Sue Smith granted me the opportunity to share their story. You may have seen their names on buildings throughout Houston or heard of their philanthropic work or even their notorious ballroom dancing, but underneath all of that lies a couple with a deep love for each other and their community. Spring brings us a variety of fabulous community events and activities. The Shop With Heart Card is gearing up this month, and absolutely! Memorial Magazine is a proud media sponsor. This spring shopping and dining discount card fundraiser benefits the American Heart Association and is the perfect way to treat yourself while Lara Bell. helping others! Also in this issue, Andrew Hollan brings us Kinkaid graduate Lizzie Buza Devlin in Where Are They Now? on page 22. Read all about what set her apart and made this athlete his choice this month. With Easter on April 16th, Christi Smith shares a personal faith story on fasting and what she has learned through this discipline. Beginning on page 24, learn about some of our area’s Easter services. Have a blessed Easter!
4655 TECHNIPLEX DR. STE 700 STAFFORD , TX 77477 281-690-4242
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PUBLISHER 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 GRAPHIC DESIGNER Marinela Taylor WEB DESIGNER Joey Belleza
Absolutely! yours,
Lara
PHOTOGRAPHY Michael Martinez Photography
Lara Bell-Milam lara@absolutelyfocusmedia.com @larabell
READER FEEDBACK I’m thrilled with the adorable children gracing the March cover story of the library, Lara! Shirley Barr What a fantastic March cover story! Your timeline along the bottom will be of great interest to patrons. Mary Waggoner, board member Friends of the Spring Branch Memorial Library
CONTRIBUTORS M.G. Angulo Patrick Biron Debbie Clemens Jan Glenn Tammy Hampton Andrew Hollan Nancy L. Rommelmann Christi Smith Suzanne Stiles O F F I C E A D M I N I S T R AT O R Alexa Goldstein 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
Subscription requests are free to all Memorial and Galleria addresses. Annual paid subscription of $25 required outside the Memorial/Galleria area.
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absolutely! MemorialTM Magazine is published by absolutely! focus media, 4655 Techniplex Dr., Ste. 700, Stafford, TX 77477. Copyright © 2017 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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Lester and Sue Smith: Devoted to Giving Back
I
first interviewed Lester Smith many years ago on television, and I have been eager to see what he has been up to in the last 10 years since meeting him. Lester and his wife, Sue, prefer to spotlight charities rather than themselves. Their generosity and dedication to the many causes they hold dear is tremendously admirable, and I hope you become as much of a fan as I am after hearing their story.
COVER STORY By Lara Bell
Sue and Lester Smith.
LHS absolutely! Memorial: How did you get started in the oil industry, and what is business like today?
Lester Harold Smith: I grew up in Wharton, where my father was an oilman. I sat on my first well on my 7th birthday, August 16, 1949. There are certain things in life that you never forget – your wedding day, the birth of your child or going to your first dance. For me, sitting on my first well ranks up there with those life-changing moments. I can still remember the sounds and the smells of the oil rig like it was yesterday. I am an independent oil and gas operator working mainly in West Texas. We have no debt and no investors. I have been called a “wildcatter,” which means we drill by gut and instinct, gambling on finding the earth’s resources that were deposited 260 to 400 million years ago. It’s a lot more difficult than finding a needle in a haystack! But, it’s also more fun. We have offices in Houston, Midland and Lubbock, as well as offices across the United States that handle the minerals that we own.
AM
I first remember meeting around 2004 on my television show Wild About Houston at KTBU-TV to discuss the launch of the Honor Your Father Campaign for Prostate Cancer Research. How did you get involved with prostate cancer research?
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As a prostate cancer survivor, I wanted to bring awareness of this silent killer. It is the most common cancer among men, except for skin cancer, and strikes over 200,000 men in the United States annually. Like all cancers, the key is early detection, and we wanted to raise the profile on this disease and encourage men to get a simple prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and take control of their health.
AM LHS
How long have you and your pretty wife, Sue, been married? We have been married 21 years. She is my best friend and the love of my life and has stuck by my side through thick and thin. I adore her.
AM
Is it true you are professional ballroom dancers? When did you both discover that talent? When I was six years old, I performed a dance routine for the first time to the song Camptown Races – and I found a calling. I loved dancing but also performing and being on stage. As a teenager, I loved going to dances and Cotillions, but it wasn’t until my wedding that I took dancing Three-time ballroom dance seriously.
LHS
APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
champions Lester and Sue Smith.
Photo by Wilson Parish.
In preparation for our wedding and honeyover 100 days in the hospital. Just prior to the “We live by moon, Sue and I took dancing lessons, and we double lung transplant, I had two other surwere both hooked. On our honeymoon in Vienna, so I was in pretty bad shape going in. the motto, ‘To geries, we danced at The Winter Palace, and everyone But when you get the call that there is a good wanted to know who the gorgeous woman in the whom much is match, you take your chances. It was a very red gown was. They thought Sue was royalty! difficult time for my family and me. given, much Well, she’s certainly Queen in my book! Today, I am doing great! I have to regain After our honeymoon, we decided to train is expected.’ ” the use of many of my muscles, but I am walkas competitive dancers, and for nine years, we ing, working out 12 to 14 hours a week with a competed around the United States. We trained – Lester Harold Smith trainer and doing physical therapy daily. I am for up to four hours daily. I won my first comso grateful that someone signed a donor card, petition just weeks after successful prostate cancer surgery and I was blessed to have these new lungs. I encourage ev– the first of two National Latin Dance Championships. In eryone to sign up to be an organ donor! addition to competing with Sue in the Latin category, I also competed in Ballroom Dance with a wonderful partner and instructor, Vika Belova. We were three-time ballroom dance champions.
AM
You and your wife donate so much money to worthy organizations in Houston. In fact, you are the single largest donor to cancer causes in Houston at over $100 million in funding. What is the driving force behind your philanthropy? We live by the motto, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” We have certainly been blessed with abundant resources – the result of hard work for decades and decades. We are motivated to give especially in the areas of health care and medical research, because it is so vital to everyone. We are fortunate to live in a time when medical breakthroughs are occurring daily and people are living longer, fuller lives. Everyone deserves the gift of good health. Through our philanthropy, we try to focus on that, because if you don’t have your health, you have nothing.
LHS
Dr. Paul Klotman, Sue and Lester Smith, Dr. David Sugarbaker, Ora Gibson, Carol Sawyer and Robin Young-Ellis at the 2016 Magic of Motown check presentation benefiting The Lung Institute at Baylor College of Medicine.
AM
In addition, you are a two-time cancer survivor. How have these challenges influenced the way you live your life and give back to the community? When you are faced with serious illness, nothing else matters but to try and get well. I have faced my own mortality more than once, and there is no doubt that it has caused me to take stock of what is really important. Sure, it’s great to have resources, but it’s time that is the most valuable – time to spend with those you love. I believe that everyone has something to give – their time, talent and treasure. Maybe you can’t write a big check, but you can write a small one. Maybe you can’t build a hospital or clinic, but you can volunteer there. Maybe you bring some light into an otherwise dark place for someone suffering. This is something anyone can do – and the impact is far reaching.
LHS
Lester and Sue Smith with Dr. David Poplack at the dedication of the Lester and Sue Smith Clinic at Texas Children’s Cancer Center.
AM LHS
You recently had a double lung transplant. How you are doing since that procedure? I had pulmonary fibrosis caused by smoking and acid reflux that for years caused scarring and inflammation of my lungs. I was very sick and was put on the donor list to wait for a good match. In August 2016, I underwent a grueling surgery to replace my lungs and spent
AM LHS
What is one thing Memorialites might be surprised to know about you? You have never met anyone with a stronger will to accomplish anything – and this is applies to all aspects of my life. My dance instructor said I was “strong like a Russian bull,” and it’s true. I apply the same discipline of resilience and grit to all parts of my life. I never give up – it’s in my DNA. www.absolutelymemorial.com l APRIL 2017
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Proudly Supports Our
“Your Neighborhood Financial Advisor”
Hometown Heroes: Kristin Abello By M.G. Angulo
T
J.D. Joyce Investment Management Group, LLC 1811 Bering Drive, Suite 250 • Houston, TX 77057 713-714-8500 • www.jdjoyceimg.com
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want people to know brain and spinal injuries are included in that,” Abello said of why she volunteers. “There is so much that goes into a brain injury, and I want to bring awareness to it.” Rated as the best rehabilitation hospital in Texas and No. 2 in the nation, TIRR Memorial Hermann offers inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation for brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke and neurologic illnesses. Now nearly 15 years after her first volunteering effort for the hospital, Abello helps in any way that she can, and most of her time is helping coordinate fundraisers such as “Two Steppin’ With TIRR,” which features country music artists and a live auction. “TIRR is near and dear to my heart,” Abello said. “I was blessed with a second chance. I love to give back to the hospital that helped save my life and that gave me everything.” Volunteering has always been a priority to Abello, who has two sons with her husband, Raul. She volunteers at her youngest son’s school, Western Academy, and for anyone who asks for her help. Plus, her family always donates clothes to Texas Paralyzed Veterans. But even before her accident, Abello valued opportunities to make a difference. On the day of her accident, she was actually training for a Washington, D.C. marathon and had raised pledges of nearly $1,400 for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. “Volunteering brings people together for the right reasons,” Abello said. “I have always loved helping anyone in any way I can. It fulfills me. It makes me feel whole or complete, like I am doing what I am supposed to do. I feel like my purpose in life is to give to others, and I love to do it with all of my heart.” Photo by David Smith.
here is a moment in her life that Kristin Abello cannot recall, and it was a moment that changed her life in ways most people will never experience. Abello does not remember the devastating impact of the car that hit her at 30 miles per hour in September 2002 while she was out running with her husband training for the 2002 Kristin Abello volunteering at Marine Corps Marathon, nor Tee It Up With TIRR. can she remember what happened immediately after – the helicopter trip to Memorial Hermann Hospital or the week she was in a coma – but she can tell you about the comprehensive effort it took her to relearn everyday skills like walking and talking. For nine months, Abello, now 43, was a patient and outpatient of The Institute of Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) Memorial Hermann Hospital, where she now avidly volunteers. “It was like starting all over again,” Abello said of her rehabilitation. “It was three to five days a week for nine months, but it all had a happy ending.” Prior to the accident, Abello was a zealous marathon runner, and the accident did not end that. Two months after completing her therapy at TIRR, she ran a half marathon in San Francisco. “TIRR was amazing and had me on a strict schedule to get me to lead a ‘normal,’ everyday life again. I thank God, family and TIRR for my recovery being so successful. I thank them for making me ‘me’ again.” One of the ways Abello demonstrates her gratefulness is by volunteering for the hospital, which she has been doing since 2003. “I had been thinking for a long time, ‘I want to do something, I want to do something,’” Abello said, so she showed up to the hospital’s Tee It Up With TIRR golf tournament to help check in golfers and sponsors. The event raised money for brain and spinal cord injury research, a cause Abello eagerly wanted to support. “There are a lot of issues going on in the world, and I
Tracy Lawrence, Kristin and Raul Abello and Pat Green at a TIRR fundraiser that benefited Moran Camp Xtreme, a camp program for children in wheelchairs.
APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
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s u o l u Fab inds F BY DE B B I E C L E M E N S @debbieclemens
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!
Echo Dot This second generation, hands-free, voice controlled device uses Alexa to provide information in so many categories, from the weather to the news, and even allows you to control the lights! The built-in speakers can also connect to Bluetooth and play music from Pandora, Spotify and many others. www.amazon.com
Source Vital Apothecary After Workout Kit This is perfect to carry with you for your shower after a workout. All products feel and smell great to revive you from that strenuous, sweaty workout. www.sourcevital.com
Moon Juice Beauty, Spirit or Brain Dust Made with herbs, plants and bioactive minerals, these dusts work at the deepest levels to enhance beauty, brain, sleep, energy and spirit. That about covers all I need! Sprinkle it in your smoothies or on your salad. www.moonjuiceshop.com
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Bushwick Kitchen Products You have to try these choices of honey and maple syrups. They are perfect for so many uses including topping off pancakes, marinating meats and adding to cocktails. www.bushwickkitchen.com
Sony a6000 Camera I am so impressed by this awesome Sony camera. It quickly downloads photos to my devices wirelessly – no cards, no cords, just Wi-Fi! www.sony.com
APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
NEWSWORTHY
The 5th Annual Blue Plate Special April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Thread Alliance will host its 5th Annual Blue Plate Special as local restaurants join the month-long campaign and fight against child abuse by offering a “blue plate special” dish to their guests. The Blue Plate Special participating restaurants donate a percentage or flat dollar amount of the proceeds to The Thread Alliance. Proceeds help The Thread Alliance toward achieving the ultimate goal of ending the cycle of child abuse. The Thread Alliance is a local nonprofit organization with a mission to bring child abuse awareness to the forefront and provide a central registry of local, state and national resources for those seeking child abuse prevention, intervention or treatment information and services. By increasing awareness and volunteerism through individual and community participation, The Thread Alliance strives to protect every child from cruelty and neglect and make child abuse a thing of the past. Founded by Sheila Aron, The Thread Alliance makes a significant contribution to fight against child abuse. In 2013, Aron launched the Blue Plate Special, The Thread Alliance’s citywide public awareness and education campaign encouraging Houstonians to take action against child abuse and toward healing. A Memorial area restaurant participating in the 5th Annual Blue Plate Special is Jerry Built Homegrown Burgers. During the month of April, the restaurant will offer the Ernie’s Bacon Cheddar BBQ Burger and Houston Salad as its blue plate special. For a complete list of Blue Plate Special participating restaurants, visit http:// www.thethreadalliance.org/blue-platespecial.
www.absolutelymemorial.com l APRIL 2017
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Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association’s
Love of Football Legacy
In
2016, the Jones brothers – Scott, Curt, Wade and Todd – along with Wade’s son Garrett agreed to form and coach a new team in the Varsity Football Division of the Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association (SBMSA) called the Wolfpack. Each of these coaches played football for and graduated from Stratford High School, forming a coaching legacy that spans three generations and stretches over 40 years. It began with Larry Jones, who was a youth coach at all levels in the SBMSA for 18 years and coached each of his six sons. He stopped coaching when his youngest son, Todd, entered the seventh grade at Spring Forest Middle School. Larry coached the Bunker Hill Lions and the Varsity Tigers in the East Division, followed by the Thornwood Thunderbirds, Meadow Wood Eagles and Spring Forest Bobcats in the West Division. While Larry coached Todd on the Meadow Wood Eagles and Spring Forest Bobcats teams, sons Scott Jones and Kyle Hobbs began assisting him. Having grown up with the love of football, Scott, Curt and Wade picked up the torch and coached three sons – Garrett, Graham and Tanner Jones – through the program. Because of their love of football and the many life lessons they felt could be learned from it, the “Jones boys” continued to coach even after their sons had moved on to play for Memorial Middle and Stratford High. They coached the Wildcats and the Wolfpack teams. A heartwarming experience that each of the coaches shared was having one of their former players approach them some years later and say, “Hello, Coach Jones, it’s Bill from the Eagles. I want you to know that I think of you and
Wade Jones and Kyle Hobbs with Larry, Curt, Scott and Todd Jones.
that team frequently, and I want to thank you for that experience.” Hearing reports from those past players about their memories and accomplishments is always a high point. Each of the coaching efforts was accomplished with the help of a large group of dedicated assistant coaches. Many of these combined efforts of the teams were rewarded with multiple scholarships and Tully Bowl successes. Having left the Houston area when he graduated from Stratford High School, Todd had many good memories of playing in the SBMSA and heard many stories about the teams his brothers were coaching. He longed to be a part of the legacy, and particularly to have his son, Hunter, coached by his brothers and him. In 2015, on returning to Houston from living in Chicago, Todd approached his brothers who recognized that it might be the end of this legacy as Hunter, who was the youngest in the extended family, would move out of the SBMSA program next season. They agreed to team up to seek permission to form and coach a new team – the Wolfpack.
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Last year was a great challenge for the new team, partially because seven boys had never played tackle football before. The Wolfpack finished the regular season in a positive position, winning the first two playoff tests in very competitive games. They met the Razorbacks in the Tully Bowl just before Thanksgiving, where they lost in a close game 20-14. The entire season was a very successful effort and possibly a great close to this “Love of Football” legacy.
10 Things You Might Not Know About SBMSA 1. Established in 1961 as a 501(c)(3) to provide youth sports programming to kids within the Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) community, today SBMSA is one of the most comprehensive multi-sport associations in the country. 2. SBMSA is a six sport association: baseball, softball, flag and tackle football, basketball, soccer and lacrosse. 3. SBMSA is completely voluntary and is led by six sports boards and one big board of directors. 4. Programs are run on break even budgets. Fundraising and sponsorships cover scholarships and capital improvement needs. 5. SBMSA offers full or partial scholarships for families in need, and 7.75 percent of total participants in 2016 received scholarships. 6. Programming changes based on community feedback. SBMSA experimented with community tournament baseball in 2016 and merged SBMSA’s boys’ lacrosse and the Memorial Knights. 7. Since 2008, $1,995,000 was spent on capital improvements for SBISD fields and facilities. Last season, by the numbers: 8. There were 7,400 total registrants. 9. There were 4,885 games played across all sports at SBISD fields. 10. Over 1,800 community member volunteers touched the association, including 1,500 coaches. For more information, visit www. sbmsa.org.
SUMMER TRAVEL TIPS
A
Advertorial
Before You Hit the Road, Is Your Car “Road Ready?”
family road trip can mean hours of fun, or if there is car trouble, hours stranded by the side of the road. The car care specialists – and disaster prevention experts – at Memorial Drive Tire & Auto suggest a quick “pretrip checkup” called a “PMI,” which stands for preventive maintenance inspection. They will check a car’s brakes, suspension and car battery, which are essential for a smooth, safe drive. They will also check the tire integrity and air pressure, along with fluid levels, including anti-freeze in the radiator, regardless of the time of year. And if there are plans to be on the road for an extended period, an oil change would be a respectful nod to Murphy’s Law that might pay big dividends. As veterans of countless family road trips, Owners Linda Elliott and Nancy Lerner offer a few suggestions based on their own experiences. First, ice down a small cooler with a closeable, spill-proof lid with your family’s favorite beverages in plastic containers. Snacks like packaged baby carrots and yogurt with spoons help keep the little ones – and the big ones – from getting “hangry” between stops. Try instituting periodic electronic device “blackouts” every other hour to promote conversation. Include a trash bag for disposable items, a pen and legal pad for taking notes on ideas and conversation starters, and remember, a simple deck of playing cards is an inexpensive form of multi-generational family recreation. For more information, call Memorial Drive Tire & Auto at 281-497-0830 or visit www.MemorialDriveTireAuto.com.
READERS’ CHOICE AWARD WINNER Linda Elliott and Nancy Lerner, Owners
BEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP 281-497-0830
14715 Memorial Drive near Dairy Ashford Houston, Texas 77079 MemorialDriveTireAuto.com www.absolutelymemorial.com l APRIL 2017
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Treat Yourself While Helping Others
H
oustonians are famous for their philanthropy. Nonprofit events drive the social scene, and a different one happens almost every night in the Bayou City. As much as Houstonians give back, they also love to shop, so the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Shop With Heart Card event creates a unique opportunity for both to join forces for good. A longtime supporter of the AHA, Rosemary Schatzman recognizes the benefits of the Shop With Heart Card event, a spring shopping and dining discount card fundraiser benefiting the AHA. “I love that with this card, every purchase I make can have a meaning. It’s during a seasonal time where I’m spending a lot – wedding, graduation and Mother’s Day gifts, you name it – and it means that much more that I get to support AHA’s mission. All it takes is a $50 donation, and in return, I get a card for amazing discounts to top retailers in the Houston area,” said Schatzman. Katie Brass is one of many Houstonians looking forward to this premier spring shopping and dining event. The Shop With Heart Card works like most discount card fundraisers. Supporters purchase the Shop With Heart Card for a minimum donation of $50. Then, from Friday, April 28th through Sunday, May 7th, cardholders can use their card to save 20 percent off regularly priced merchandise at participating retailers and enjoy a complimentary appetizer or dessert with the purchase of an entrée at participating restaurants.
2017 Shop With Heart Card Heart Guild volunteers Lesha Elsenbrook, Karen Miller, Lu Caltagirone and Roz Pactor. Photos by Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design.
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2017 Shop With Heart Card Heart Guild volunteers Robyn Barnes, Laura Davenport, Julie Haralson and Melissa McAnelly.
This year, hundreds of the finest retailers and restaurants from across Houston and surrounding areas have signed up to participate to support this great cause including Tootsies, Kuhl-Linscomb, The Container Store, Madewell, Bering’s, Vallone’s, Saint Bernard, M PENNER, Tony’s, Stuart Weitzman, America’s and Tory Burch. A full listing of participating retailers and restaurants is available on the Shop With Heart Card website and in their annual Merchant Card Directory. Brass noted that many people use the Shop With Heart Card as an opportunity to not only give back but to spread awareness of AHA and its mission among the community. “I am not always in town or have time to shop during the 10 day event, but I do not let that stop me from giving back. If I am unable to directly benefit from the perks, I will gift the card to a friend or family member. By doing so, I am able to continue to support AHA through my donation and generate greater awareness, often gaining a new supporter in the process.” The Heart Guild of Houston, a fundraising branch of the AHA, coordinates the annual Shop With Heart Card event. Thanks to the generous support of volunteers, underwriters and sponsors, the Heart Guild is able to donate 100 percent of the proceeds from Shop With Heart Card sales directly to the AHA. The AHA is one of the most recognizable and trustworthy non-profit organizations in the United States with a full 80 cents of every donated dollar going to fulfill the organization’s mission of “building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke,” the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers of both men and women. The AHA accomplishes this mission by funding research, education and community outreach across the nation and here in Houston. “Heart disease and stroke have touched many of our lives,” said Shop With Heart Card Chair Julie Haralson. “This is an easy way to give back to our community and honor our loved ones while having a great time shopping, dining out and saving money. It’s mutually beneficial for everyone involved.” The 2017 Shop With Heart Card is available for purchase online at ShopWithHeart.org now through April 13th and at participating retailers starting April 13th for a minimum donation of $50. Visit www.ShopWithHeart.org for more information.
APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
PROFILES Roya Arfa
Beth Wolff Realtors
Jason Hendricks Beth Wolff Realtors
As one of Beth Wolff Realtors’ consistent top producers, Roya Arfa is a committed and highly productive real estate professional. She is dedicated to achieving her clients’ goals and is readily available and accessible, demonstrating the resolve to ensure a successful transaction. Arfa has received a 100 percent customer service satisfaction rating the past several years. She has also earned numerous professional designations including multiple corporate relocation designations, the Real Living Premier Service Diamond award and the QSC Platinum Service award. Arfa has a Master’s degree in psychology with a minor in business from the University of Houston. She is married with two daughters, and her leisure pursuits include traveling with family, biking, movies and going to museums.
Jason Hendricks is a native Houstonian and a Memorial resident. A licensed Realtor and attorney, Hendricks relies on his legal background in negotiations and contractual matters. He gets exceptional marks from past clients and strives for his clients to always feel comfortable, knowing that their interests are being protected. In addition to his legal background, Hendricks was immersed in the real estate world long before he began working full time as a real estate agent. Hendricks gained valuable knowledge from his experience in the family business, developing a number of subdivisions and commercial building sites. Additionally, Hendricks’ wife is an architect, and they have designed, built and renovated homes for themselves, family and friends. Hendricks is active in the community as a scout leader and a baseball coach.
1775 St. James Place, Suite 100 • Houston, TX 77056 713-622-9339 • royaarfa@bethwolff.com www.bethwolff.com
1775 St. James Place, Suite 100 • Houston, TX 77056 713-622-9339 • jason@bethwolff.com www.bethwolff.com
Linda Ricca
Beth Wolff Realtors
Stephen Sheffer Beth Wolff Realtors
Native Houstonian Linda Ricca’s professional portfolio includes a wide-ranging career of accomplishments. Prior to joining Beth Wolff Realtors, Ricca was an ICU nurse and transitioned into health care technology services and consulting. Managing numerous detailed projects and providing guidance to clients is similar to managing real estate transactions. According to Ricca, there is a strong emotional element in both real estate and health care that requires sensitivity and understanding. She employs a wealth of experience gained from working with her former husband, a residential builder. When not selling real estate, Ricca volunteers for the Houston Ballet and serves on the Advisory Board for the Baylor College of Medicine Partnership. Her leisure time includes getting away to her country place and spending time with her friends and grown children.
Stephen Sheffer, a resident of Houston since 1976, received his B.B.A. from Texas A & M University. With a focus on quality and customer service, Sheffer is an accomplished negotiator and diligent worker. Since 1993, he has been involved in residential construction and sales, building and selling homes. This experience created an opportunity for him to open his own custom home building firm until he joined Beth Wolff Realtors. He has been a Top Producer with the company since starting in 2008. Sheffer specializes in numerous areas throughout Houston including Bellaire, West University Place, Memorial and The Woodlands. He is an active member in The Association of Former Students of Texas A & M University. Sheffer enjoys cooking, coaching youth sports and spending time with his wife and four children.
1775 St. James Place, Suite 100 • Houston, TX 77056 713-622-9339 • lindaricca@bethwolff.com www.bethwolff.com
1775 St. James Place, Suite 100 • Houston, TX 77056 713-622-9339 • stephen@bethwolff.com www.bethwolff.com www.absolutelymemorial.com l APRIL 2017
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Champion Athlete
By Andrew Hollan
Lizzie Buza Devlin
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izzie Buza Devlin, a graduate of Kinkaid School and Brown University, was a mixture of Brandi Chastain, Jennie Finch, Lola Jones, Babe Didrikson Zaharias and a splash of Emma Stone.
Photos by Jesus Tirso/Decca Photography.
From early childhood through college, Lizzie Buza Devlin excelled at sports.
Lizzie Buza Devlin.
The prestigious Kinkaid School in the Memorial area has graduated many female athletes who have won championships and dominated the competition over the decades. My choice for the all-time top female athlete at Kinkaid is Lizzie Buza, now Lizzie Devlin. A tenacious desire to win combined with speed, agility and athletic ability makes her the best of the best for the Falcons. When asked about her first sports memory, Devlin recalled playing competitive soccer at age six on an all boys’ team. She went on to become a member of the Kinkaid School Athletic Hall of Honor. She now lives with her husband and children in the exclusive Memorial area and is still active in tennis, running and golf. Devlin begins golf play always from the men’s tee box. She is a licensed physician assistant who earned her advanced degree from Baylor College of Medicine. Devlin’s advice to girls considering competitive sports is emboldening:
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“Find what is important to you and do it with all of your heart. Do not be afraid of being an athlete.” As a midfielder, she never heard the crowd or opposing coaches. Illegal violations by players did not faze her. Playing with a quiet confidence, Devlin did what she thought was right at all times during athletic competition. Her alert observations of opponents and ability to see everything in slow motion led to her winning edge. Her visualization skills were remarkable in seeing the future before it happened on the field. Neither a case of heatstroke nor a broken leg she sustained while playing softball for Brown University kept her from pursuing her athletic endeavors. She never missed a
Lizzie Buza Devlin was named Field Hockey 2002 Most Valuable Player and Field Hockey 2000 Rookie of the Year at Brown University.
APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
Devlin has held onto her softball glove and field hockey sticks.
practice or game while at Kinkaid and Brown University. After interviewing Devlin’s coaches, family members, U.S. Field Hockey in Colorado, and researching her records, and statistics, I believe she is the best female athlete in the 111 year history of the prominent Kinkaid School. Many of the records she set for Kinkaid’s track and field program still stand. A coach’s dream, Devlin has been described as smart, tough, highly motivated and cunning. Opponents on the field said she was like an incoming missile. With a full trophy cabinet of both individual and team awards, she deserves recognition for being the standard-bearer for female athletics at Kinkaid School. Lizzie Devlin is a champion of champions.
NEWSWORTHY
Stratford Playhouse Presents Brighton Beach Memoirs
Complimentary Décolleté Treatment with Full Face Package
Abby Gex, Allison Delgado, Marie Lauderdale, Adam Saldivar, Rachel Stone and Braden Collins.
Call for your appointment today
Photography by Prudence.
The award-winning Stratford Playhouse presents Brighton Beach Memoirs, Neil Simon’s hilarious semi-autobiographical portrait of the writer as seen through the eyes of 15 year-old Eugene Morris. Morris’ chronicles of his misadventures growing up in 1930s are a reminder that family is the one constant in the crazy journey of life. Directed by Christian Holmes, this Tony award-winning play is an affectionate and entertaining lesson in overcoming hard times with warmth and humor. Holmes is excited to bring this play to the Memorial community, as well as showcase talented young actors. Tickets for Brighton Beach Memoirs are $16 in advance and are available for purchase online or at the Stratford Box Office. Performances are scheduled at 7:30 pm April 27th through 29th and May 4th through 6th, with matinee performances on April 29th and May 6th at 2:30 pm in the main stage auditorium at Stratford High School, located at 14555 Fern Drive. Parental guidance is suggested for children under the age of 13. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit shsplayhouse.org or call 713-251-3449.
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14441 Memorial Drive, Ste 5 • Houston, TX 77079 The non-invasive Ultherapy® procedure is FDA-cleared to lift skin on the neck, on the eyebrow and under the chin as well as to improve lines and wrinkles on the décolletage. For full product and safety information, including possible mild side effects, visit www.ultherapy.com/IFU. ©2016 Ulthera, Inc. Ultherapy and See the Beauty of Sound are trademarks of Ulthera, Inc . 1001958B
Celebrate with all independent Houston bookstores Saturday, April 29th Call for details 281-497-8675 14532 Memorial Dr. @ Dairy Ashford www.bluewillowbookshop.com www.absolutelymemorial.com l APRIL 2017
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By Christi Smith
Easter Services
Fasting in Faith
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ife without Jesus is bland. It’s not just without flavor though. It’s spoiled rotten. Fasting enlightens us to this truth. When our stomach aches and lusts to be filled, it’s a physical reflection of what should be our spiritual hunger for Jesus. We should long for the day of His return, when we will feast together and celebrate the absence of tears, disease, starvation and death. This is the good news of Easter. When I was in high school, I developed an eating disorder. By God’s grace, it was short-lived, but it made me fearful to fast. What if it triggered my food issues? But Jesus said not if you fast but when (Matthew 6:17). He also promised that those who hunger and thirst for His righteousness will be filled. Fasting, therefore, isn’t an option for those who follow Christ; it’s a command that ironically offers abundance. In the last year, with the insights and encouragement from Christian friends, I have fasted in faith. The revelation it has given me about my spiritual diet – my relentless appetite for sin and the cravings I should have as a follower of Christ – is rich. It has jump started my spiritual metabolism in a way that nothing can. My conclusion? I’m not hungry enough for Jesus.
It’s no mistake that the Bible is full of food metaphors. The Promised Land is Lilly Kathryn, Riley, Chase, Christi, CeCe described as flowing and Annsley Smith. with milk and honey, the Word as our daily bread and Christians as salt to a sinridden world. Food is a life source. It nurtures and fuels us. It can be comforting, satisfying, even intoxicating. Jesus is this and so much more! Psalm 34:8 says, “O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” There is nothing sweeter than experiencing the power of God through prayer, fasting and Bible study. When we meet with the Creator and Giver of all things good, our cup overflows. Conversely, when we stuff ourselves on life’s temporal pleasures – food, social media, working, exercising, shopping, busyness and more – we can become spiritually anorexic, deplete of the fruits of His Spirit. This Easter season, come to the table of grace and be filled by the Living Water and Bread of Life, Jesus, the One who sustains and satisfies our souls above all.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
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APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
Easter Services
Advertorial
Hope
“T
he miracle of Easter helps us to see that no tragedy, no loss, no betrayal, no problem is final,” said Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Alf Halvorson. “God will always have the last word, and like the first, it is the Word of Life. That knowledge gives us the perspective to measure all of our grief and worries against the victory of the empty tomb, so that no earthly calamity can drive us to despair and no tunnel can be so dark that there is no light at the end of it. That is the central message of Easter: Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, our sins have been paid in full, so no matter how far we have strayed from God, we can always come home again. “According to Scripture, the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in the Christian’s life. Our response to the miracle of Easter is to live fully as conduits of Christ’s love, working together to see the wounded healed, the hungry fed and the lost found. We’d love for you to join us as we celebrate Jesus’ message of hope for the world.” Located at 11612 Memorial Drive, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church holds services Sundays at 8:30, 9:45 and 11:15 am. For a schedule of Holy Week Services, visit lent.mdpc.org. For more information, call 713-782-1710.
At
Our Only Hope
the end of the day, one may ask, “What do Christians really have to offer to our world?” It is a good question that many people ask. What do you think? Are we here to offer good moral advice based on the example of Jesus? Without question, if people did what Jesus said, the world would be a better place. C.S. Lewis was right in saying, “That does not go far enough.” What do Christians have to offer the world? Tallowood Baptist Church answers the question in the same way Christians have for the past two millennia. Jesus was more than just a great teacher giving out advice. He is the Savior who died for the sins of all those who have not followed the wisdom of God revealed in the scriptures. He accomplished this not by shaming people and scolding them. As Holy Week draws near, in this season of preparation, Christians remember that Christ became the substitute on the cross. On Easter Sunday, Tallowood will celebrate Christ’s triumph and the victory of life over death. The good news of Jesus Christ is the only hope of having a lasting impact on the world. His death and resurrection remain the only hope of personal transformation. Join Tallowood to experience His love, forgiveness and the joy of a transformed life. For more information, visit www.tallowood.org. www.absolutelymemorial.com l APRIL 2017
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Easter Services
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MEMORIAL DRIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH
Join the Story H O LY W E E K April 13th – 16th Maundy Thursday ……… Good Friday……………… Saturday Easter Vigil… Easter Sunday……………
7 pm 12 & 7 pm 8 pm 10:30 am
12211 Memorial Drive Houston, TX 77024 713.468.9443 www.mdlc.org
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APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
Jan Glenn’s Pawsitively Purrfect
How to Shoo a Bird out of Your House
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pring is in the air, and so are the birds! There are new babies in the backyards, momma birds at the bird feeders and papa birds looking out for their families. They are singing up a storm, because spring has finally sprung. Recently, one of those happy birds decided to pay my husband and me a visit inside our house. As we were walking in the front door, the tiny little bird flew inside before we could stop it. That little creature probably thought it was in Disneyland with all of the new things to explore and perch on. We had to get it out, because we had a cat in the house that would have loved to play hunting games with it. So, the fun began. We chased that little feathered friend all over the house, opening doors to coax it out, rolling up newspapers to gently shove it to closed areas in order to catch it with a pillowcase and making human barriers to direct it to open doors. Finally, an idea popped up in my blonde head to turn out all of the lights in the house except the one in my study, and just maybe it would go to the lighted study and sleep. Since I could close the door to my study, I would have it trapped. There is another door in the study to an outside atrium that I could open, and it could escape that way. The next morning, I walked into the study and saw one of my collectible dolls move ever so slightly. Ah ha! The game was up. I shut the study door, opened the atrium door and waited for about five minutes. That tiny little thing flew right out the door to freedom. How simple was that? After all of this chasing and fretting over a bird in the house, I checked the web to see what I did right and
wrong, so I would be prepared if this ever happened again. It said the main thing to do is to stay calm. Now, that is hard to do. The harder you try to shoo a bird out, the more frightened the bird becomes, and the more frantically it flies around. Here are five ways to calmly get the bird back outside and reclaim peace in your home:
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Open all of the windows and doors. The more outlets the bird has, the better the chances that he’ll find a way out. Try to relax. Take a deep breath and sit down. The more you move around, the more frightened the bird will become. Chances are good that with all of the flying around, the bird will find one of the open windows or doors and fly out. After 30 minutes, if the bird still hasn’t found a way out, use a rolled up newspaper to gently coax – by lightly pushing, not swiping – it out a door or window. If this doesn’t work, you will have to try and catch it. To catch a bird, use a large fish net to scoop up the bird. If there is no net, use a towel by throwing it over the top of the bird, scooping two ends under it and grabbing the other two ends to form a hammock.
I was raised in the Texas Panhandle on a farm, and never in 18 years did I have a wild bird in the house. Other little creatures would find their way in, but never a wild bird. I move to the big city, and there is no stopping the creatures that have gotten in. About a year ago, my hubby and I had a snake in the house that we chased down. Birds are better to deal with. I can live with a bird in the house a lot better than a snake. The little feathered friend has been gone for a while now. It was quite an interesting visit. However, I am still finding little presents it left me all over the house! www.absolutelymemorial.com l APRIL 2017
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Seen on the Scene
Power and Control: The Anatomy of Domestic Abuse
Houston Social Book 2017 Launch Party Benefiting Local Charities February 9, 2017• The Ballroom at Bayou Place
By Nancy L. Rommelmann, Family Law Attorney
D
omestic violence has been identified as one of the major causes of emergency room visits by women in recent times. The following behaviors are symptomatic of the anatomy of an abuser/victim relationship. If you see yourself in the following behaviors, seek professional help immediately to get out of the abyss of abuse. Using Intimidation – Making her afraid by using looks, actions, gestures, smashing things, destroying her property, abusing pets, displaying weapons
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Using Emotional Abuse – Putting her down, making her feel bad about herself, calling her names, making her think she’s crazy, playing mind games, humiliating her, making her feel guilty Using Isolation – Controlling what she does, who she sees and talks to, what she reads, where she goes, limiting her outside involvement, using jealousy to justify actions
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Using Children – Making her feel guilty about the children, using the children to relay messages, using visitation to harass her, threatening to take the children away Using Male Privilege – Treating her like a servant, making all of the big decisions, acting like the “master of the castle,” being the one to define men’s and women’s roles Using Economic Abuse – Preventing her from getting or keeping a job, making her ask for money, giving her an allowance, taking her money, not letter her know about or have access to family Using Coercion and Threats – Making or carrying out threats to do something to hurt her, threatening to leave her, to commit suicide, to report her to welfare, making her drop charges, making her do illegal things Emotional abuse is far more common than physical abuse, and its consequences are equally devastating. A great book on this topic is Anger Busting 101 - New ABCs for Angry Men and the Women Who Love Them written by Houstonian Newton Hightower.
4 Photos by Kim Coffman and Bonner Rhoden.
FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY
Denying, Minimizing and Blaming – Making light of the abuse and not taking her concerns about it seriously, saying the abuse didn’t happen, shifting responsibility for abusive behavior, saying she caused it
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Jeff Henry, Warner Roberts & Scott Evans Charity Yarborough, Leisa Holland-Nielsen & Marilou Garza Sybil Roos Joann Crassas, Franelle Rogers & Jo Ann Petersen Kim Padgett & Cheryl Byington Ben Pickell & Alex Driscoll Cynthia Motton & Arnau Martin
“Please don’t ever blame yourself or feel like you deserve it.”
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APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
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Have you ever wondered how the tooth fairy tradition started? 8
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Join Abella, a precocious little fairy, on her journey through Tulip Hollow, and learn how she accidently starts the tooth fairy tradition. Local author
Zane Carson Carruth debuts her first children’s book.
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This delightful book makes the perfect Easter gift! 12
Available on Amazon.com
FAMILY LAW
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Dawn Gunther & Nikki Hart-Lacey Walt Zipprian & Ernie Manouse Roseann Rogers & Lara Bell Doug & Winell Herron Brad & Joanna Marks with Hannah & Cal McNair Jane-Page Crump, Diane Kingshill & Susan Vick Mady & Ken Kades Alice Danneman & Carolyn Farb Sidney Faust & Elsie Eckert Jada August with Tica
• Divorce Planning • Divorce (Contested or Uncontested) • Child Custody • Child Support • Complex Property Division • High Net Worth Divorce • Parental Relocations • Post Divorce Modifications • Paternity and Parental Rights • Visitation Rights • Grandparent’s Rights • Pre- and Post- Marital Agreements • Adoptions • Collaborative Law • Alternative Dispute Resolution (mediation and arbitration)
Nancy Rommelmann is regularly consulted by local media for her on-air analysis about family law.
Straight Answers • Strategic Thinking Compassionate • Experienced
Nancy L. Rommelmann Family Law Attorney
Memorial City Plaza – Tower Two 820 Gessner, Suite 1630, Houston, TX 77024 (across from Memorial City Mall)
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ph 713-622-3000 www.attorneynancyrommelmann.com Call us today for a consultation! www.absolutelymemorial.com l APRIL 2017
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Seen on the Scene The 69th Annual Charity Ball Benefiting the Junior League of Houston’s Community Program and Volunteer Initiatives February 9-11, 2017 • The Junior League of Houston
Photos by Michael Martinez Photography.
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Lance & Meghan Baker with Layne & Chris Childs Amber & Edwin Tabora Mark & Jone Fichter Brittany & Kevin Kushner Casey Schrade & Bethany Buchanan John & Perry Ann Reed Abby Khatiblou & Beth Zdeblick Summer & Jason Craig
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APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
OUT &
ABOUT IN THE HEART
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MEMORIAL
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J.J. Watt crashed a recent Memorial High School JVB Soccer practice with Joie Jamison, Ali Hildreth, Sarah Sarver, Maria Alaman, Taylor Bradock, Kate Skaggs, Meredith Ryan, Taylor Price, PK Raines, Susana Teske, Kayla McCarey, Ashlyn Feeney, Charlotte Crow, Lucia Caranti, Sophia Grekin and Donalyn Bily. 15
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Eva Schloss, stepsister of Anne Frank, and Becca Cason Thrash lit the “Candle of the Silent Six Million” honoring the memories of those tragically lost in the past.
Mary Sharman, Katie Mears & Mitra Woody Pam Lovett, Shannon Wiesedeppe, Peggy Roe & Jennifer Roberts Amy Dunn Jayne Johnson, Abbey Roberson & Jennifer Howard Christina & Logan Keslar Chris & Peyton Wallace Katie & Ryan Cooper Jared & Mimi Foerster Marian & Tim Hilbert 17
www.absolutelymemorial.com l APRIL 2017
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OUT &
ABOUT
Stratford High School Student Council and Rummel Creek Elementary art classes teamed up with hundreds of kids across the nation to help The Scarlett Fund make and deliver Valentine’s Day cards to cancer patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City. Over 400 cards were made by these local students alone!
IN THE HEART
MEMORIAL
Stratford Student Council students Kate Boas, Ashley Barrett, Brooke Maham, Isa Terrazas, Ellie Pena, Amy Deaton and Audrey Hudson.
Memorial Sloan Kettering patient Tyler DeCourcey.
Ladies in shades of red celebrated women and men doing good in the community at Warner Roberts and friends’ annual Sweetheart event at Saks 5th Avenue.
Sybil Roos and Cindy Rose.
Angela Poujol, Angie Roberts and Marikay Evens.
Ellie Francisco and Nidhika Mehta.
Hosts Sylvia Forsythe, Kim Moody, Anne Carl, Warner Roberts, Deborah Duncan and Alicia Smith.
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APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
absolutely!
& QA Ear Infections 101 Expert: Dr. Ronald Vilela, pediatric otolaryngology surgeon at Texas Children’s Hospital.
Q:
WHAT IS AN EAR INFECTION?
A typical ear infection is an inflammation of the middle ear. It’s one of the most common childhood infections and can occur in one ear at a time or both ears at the same time. Ear infections are more common during cold and flu season.
Q:
Q:
HOW ARE EAR INFECTIONS TREATED?
Q:
HOW CAN YOU SOOTHE A CHILD WITH EAR INFECTIONS?
Some infections might clear on their own with close followup. Antibiotics are typically used to treat ear infections. If your child has reoccurring ear infections, they might be a candidate for ear tubes.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help to soothe a child with an ear infection. Sometimes, your doctor may prescribe a numbing ear drop for temporary relief.
Q:
IF CHILDREN HAVE FREQUENT EAR INFECTIONS, WHAT DAMAGE COULD THIS CAUSE?
Frequent ear infections could lead to decreased sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics if frequent rounds of antibiotics are used, making infections in the future more difficult to treat. Hearing loss is a rare but potentially permanent residual of frequent ear infections.
Q:
HOW CAN EAR INFECTIONS BE PREVENTED?
Maintaining adequate hygiene and trying to keep the nose as healthy as possible are the best ways to prevent ear infections. Using nasal saline mist or spray daily can help to prevent an upper respiratory infection or allergies from leading to ear fluid or an infection. To learn more about the otolaryngology department at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, call 832-227-1420.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF EAR INFECTIONS?
Many situations can contribute to developing an ear infection. A middle ear infection can be caused by infection of fluid behind the eardrum, secondary to a viral or bacterial upper respiratory infection or uncontrolled allergies.
Q:
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS PARENTS SHOULD LOOK FOR IN THEIR CHILDREN?
Symptoms can include ear pain, ear drainage, fever, irritability, sleeplessness, poor appetite, cough and nasal discharge. Children who aren’t old enough to speak might be fussier or seem to have trouble hearing or responding to quiet sounds. Tugging on the ears is not a reliable symptom to help your doctor lead to the diagnosis of an ear infection.
The Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus. Photo by A. Kramer.
www.absolutelymemorial.com l APRIL 2017
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Advertorial
Medical Focus Health Care News You Can Use
Lift, Sculpt and Tighten As summer rounds the corner, people start thinking about ways to be “bikini season ready.” Whether they want to remove unwanted fat or tighten sagging skin, non-surgical combination therapies are the answer for looking best! Often, patients don’t realize that fillers like Sculptra and injectables like Kybella can be used on the body to soften cellulite dimples and eliminate pockets of fat. Now, Coolsculpting has three-dimensional cooling technology that can now be done in half the time with less tissue trauma and even better results. The experts at SkinScriptions by Melissa Gibbens can lift sagging knees with Sculptra and BTL Exilis Ultra body tightening treatments. Stem cells also show promising results for restoring volume and improving skin texture. SkinPen is effective for improving the appearance of stretch marks on the face and body. SkinScriptions by Melissa Gibbens can fade these stretch marks and improve skin integrity and elasticity over a series of treatments. Many times, patients may have lived with certain insecurities for a lifetime, but with the latest technologies, the sky is the limit for looking their best. Life is too short to be held back by insecurities. SkinScriptions by Melissa Gibbens offers complimentary consultations to help each patient understand which options are right for them. Customization for each patient and not being treated “like a number” is important when choosing a cosmetic provider. Flawless is a call away. SkinScriptions by Melissa Gibbens is conveniently located in the heart of Memorial at 14441 Memorial Drive, Suite 5. For more information, call 713-458-0224.
Are You Bikini Ready? Sculpt and Tighten 10% off BTL Exilis Ultra 20% off Coolsculpting
14441 Memorial Drive, Suite 5 Houston, TX 77079 www.skinscriptionsbymelissagibbens.com • Dysport • Botox • Restylane
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APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
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Medical Focus
Advertorial
UT Physicians Women’s Center at Memorial City
UT Physicians Women’s Center at Memorial City UT Physicians Women’s Center at Memorial City offers comprehensive care for women of all ages with a personalized touch at their premier location in Memorial City. Their board certified Ob/ Gyns, Dr. Barbara Schroeder, Dr. Jenny Van Winkle, Dr. Maggie Richter and Dr. Yesenia Blancas along with Jenna Mury, NP, are affiliated with UT Health and are able to provide the most comprehensive medical care available in a private, personal and compassionate environment. For a patient’s first gynecologic exam through childbirth, for complex gynecologic issues, for easing the translation 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. Services offered at UT Physicians Women’s Center at Memorial City include well woman care and preventative health screenings, general and complex obstetrics and gynecology, adult and adolescent gynecology, minimally invasive and robotic surgery and reproductive and pelvic health issues. For more information and to schedule an appointment with a physician at UT Physicians Women’s Center at Memorial City, visit www.UTPhysicians.com or call 713-486-6600.
Left to Right: Barbara Schroeder, MD; Jenny Van Winkle, MD; Maggie L. Richter, MD; Yesenia Blancas, 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. Dr. Barbara Schroeder, Dr. Jenny Van Winkle, Dr. Maggie Richter and Dr. Yesenia Blancas are affiliated with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth 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. • • • • •
Well Woman Care and Preventative Health Screening General & Complex Obstetrics & Gynecology Adult & Adolescent Gynecology Minimally Invasive Surgery/Robotic Surgery Reproductive and Pelvic Health Issues
UT Physicians Women’s Center at Memorial City
713-486-6600 for Appointments TO ADVERTISE Visit www.absolutelymemorial.com
www.UTPhysicians.com
929 Gessner, Suite 1300 – 13th Floor • Houston, Texas 77024 Memorial Hermann Medical Tower – Garage 5 www.absolutelymemorial.com l APRIL 2017
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Advertorial
Medical Focus Your Hormones Control Everything
Natural Bio Health’s providers have been helping patients for almost 20 years feel better and learn why imbalanced hormones cause issues and symptoms. Their providers take an in-depth approach in identifying solutions for patients to improve their quality of life through their Hormone Replacement Program and Medical Weight Loss Programs and by listening to how patients feel. Natural Bio Health’s products are made with all natural ingredients, not synthetic ingredients. Their hormones and supplements are naturally compounded by expert pharmacies that specialize in bioidentical hormones and wellness supplements. Natural Bio Health’s mission is to inspire and educate patients to identify why they are experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, poor sleep, foggy memory, low libido or struggling to lose weight, as well as to prevent disease. They begin with an extensive blood panel consultation that covers more than a common check up to identify hormone levels, thyroid health, cortisol levels and more. Once they identify the deficiencies within the blood panel, the experts at Natural Bio Health are able to create a customized wellness program that is unique to each patient. Natural Bio Health’s providers then follow a patient’s wellness journey for life with regular visits and blood panels to measure how his body is responding and how his health is improving and benefiting from the hormone program. Learn more and schedule a complimentary visit with one of the providers at Natural Bio Health Houston, located 9090 Gaylord Drive, Suite 204. For more information, call 832-516-7770 or visit NaturalBioHealth.com.
Convenient, Affordable Care: The “Next Level” of Health Care The health care landscape is rapidly changing with the advance of telemedicine and digital diagnostic tools literally at everyone’s fingertips, though many aspects of medicine continue to require a personal touch. The “art of medicine” at its origin is strongly tied to a physician’s ability to make eye-to-eye contact and “lay hands” on a patient, individually assessing, interpreting and treating. Next Level Urgent Care, LLC is seamlessly melding today’s technology and traditional medicine to provide patients with rapid, affordable and streamlined continuity of care for the entire family – from wound care and broken bones to school sports physicals. The first accredited urgent care facility in Houston, Next Level Urgent Care was just four years ago the vision of Juliet Breeze, MD, chief executive officer and mother of four. The organization provides easy access to top level health care providers and support developed to fill a gap in health care: convenience of care. Now with nine neighborhood locations in and around Houston, Next Level combines personal patient care with medical technology, onsite health care providers and a network of top rated specialists. Every clinic provides onsite imaging and treatment for a range of problems, including ear, nose and throat conditions, gastrointestinal, gynecological and women’s health issues, pulmonary, minor cardiovascular issues and musculoskeletal injuries. The clinics, open every day from 9 am to 9 pm, also offer occupational health services. For more information, visit www.nextlevelurgentcare.com or call 281-783-8162.
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APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
Freeze Away Fat Are you tired of stubborn fat? Would you like to experience a simple and powerful, noninvasive solution that will leave you feeling happier about what you see in the mirror? Coolsculpting is the world’s No. 1 noninvasive fat reduction procedure with a highly selective method of removing stubborn fat – up to 25 percent – that is resistant to diet and exercise with no surgery, no needles and no downtime. It is FDA-cleared, safe and effective. CoolShape offers a broad range of revolutionary techniques and procedures that aim at targeting problem areas and eliminating fat cells without damaging surrounding tissue. Their applicators can be used to treat the chin, bra fat, arms, abdomen, love handles, inner and outer thighs and more. During treatment, intense cooling is delivered to target areas. Patients may experience mild sensation, pinching and tugging, but this feeling subsides within 10 minutes. Once the fat cells are treated, they are gone for good as the body naturally processes the fat and removes these cells. During the treatment, patients may check emails, listen to music, read, nap or just catch up on shows on their big screen, high-definition television in a private room. When a new patient visits CoolShape, an experienced Coolsculpting specialist will sit with him and develop a custom treatment plan to meet the patient’s personal goals. Contact CoolShape today at 713492-0566 or www.thecoolshape.com to schedule a free consultation and get $200 off the first two treatments. See ad on page 11.
Medical Focus
Advertorial
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Advertorial
Medical Focus Cancer Prevention at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of Houston
Just as they say the eyes are the window to the soul, the mouth is a window to the rest of the body. Just by looking into a patient’s mouth, an oral surgeon can tell if the patient is drinking enough water, has significant reflux or has a history of bulimia. A few years ago, one of the surgeons at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of Houston (OMSH) saw a woman for a painful mouth ulcer and noticed that her tongue had a blue stripe down the middle. She was referred to an endocrinologist, who diagnosed her with Addison’s disease, which not only explained the ulcers but many of her other health issues. While most things that are painful or just don’t look right in a person’s mouth are as simple as a trauma from biting the cheek, there are lumps, bumps and color changes that can represent more serious disease processes. One good rule of thumb is that if any red, white, black or ulcerated area persists more than two to three weeks, it should be evaluated by a dental professional. Oral cancer is most successfully treated if caught in the early stages. Oral and pharyngeal cancer will be diagnosed in 48,250 Americans this year. There are several historical risk factors including male gender, smoking and alcohol abuse. However, there has been more attention recently on its association with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Routine screenings by a trained dental professional are an important tool in the prevention of oral cancer. For more information, call OMSH at 713-464-2833 or visit www.OMSH.us.
Paul S. Metz, DDS, MD • Shelley Seidel, DDS, MD John G. Orfanos, DDS, MD
Schedule your
WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL this Summer
Bone Grafts • Sleep Apnea Correction Dental Implants • IV Sedation • Facial / Dental Trauma Orthognathic / Reconstructive Surgery Oral Pathology • Teeth-in-a-Day
713.464.2833 www.OMSH.us
8800 Katy Freeway, Ste. 210 • Houston, Texas 77024
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APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
Bio-Identical Estrogen and Testosterone Pellet Therapy As people age, their naturally occurring hormones decline and become out of balance. Hormonal imbalance can lead to many unwanted symptoms including weight gain, fatigue, low libido, anxiety, depression, belly fat, insomnia, lack of muscle mass and initiative, just to name a few. Pellets are derived from natural plant sources and then modified at the molecular level to perfectly match what the body naturally produces. Pellets are available as testosterone and estrogen and can be administered for both men and women. Pellets are about the size of a grain of rice and are inserted through a very quick and simple in-office procedure under local anesthesia. Unlike other therapies, pellets are “cardiac driven,” so as blood flows over the pellets, hormones are released as the body needs it. Over time, the pellets will be completely used and dissolved by the body. On average, pellets will last three to four months for women and four to six months for men. Advantages of pellet therapy include: no more weekly shots or daily creams; consistent, optimal levels of hormones; prevention of highs and lows or the “roller coaster effect,” and “re-pelleting” is only needed every three to six months. Dr. Shel Wellness & Medical Spa is proud to offer pellets as an option for achieving optimal hormone balance. To find out if you would benefit from hormone optimization or any other services, request a complimentary consultation by calling 281-313-7435 or visit www. drshel.com. See ad on page 5.
Medical Focus
Caring for women with pelvic floor disorders...
Urogynecology Center
Paying Attention to Pelvic Floor Disorders More than one-third of women are affected by pelvic floor disorders at some point in their lives, but they don’t always seek medical attention for the condition. “Some women may feel uncomfortable talking about these issues, so they suffer in silence with life-altering symptoms that are related to their pelvic floor disorders,” said Apurva Pancholy, MD, FPMRS, who is one of the few board certified, Accredited Fellowship-trained specialists in the Houston area in the emerging field of urogynecology. The pelvic floor consists of the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue that support a woman’s pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus, vagina, rectum and urethra. Among the most common pelvic floor disorders include: urinary tract dysfunction, including urinary incontinence; bowel dysfunction, including the involuntary loss of stool or gas or constipation; pelvic support prolapse, which results in tissue protruding from the vagina; sexual dysfunction, which is characterized by a low desire for intimacy, vaginal dryness or pain during intercourse and pelvic pain, including chronic discomfort that may result from previous surgeries, such as mesh implants. “Many factors put women at risk for pelvic floor disorders, but today, we have numerous treatment options that can be tailored to fit a woman’s lifestyle and improve her quality of life,” said Dr. Pancholy. For more information about pelvic floor disorders or to make an appointment with Dr. Pancholy, call 713-4866160. For more information about UT Physicians Urogynecology Center at Memorial Hermann-Memorial City, visit www.UTPhysicians.com.
Advertorial
at
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
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
Unexplained Fatigue & Pain? Are you . . . ➤ ➤ ➤
Having muscle pain, muscle spasm or tightness? Experiencing numbness or tingling in the face, arms, hands, legs, or feet? Suffering from unexplained chronic fatigue?
We are here to help! Unexplained Fatigue and Pain Center Call 832-408-9007 www.absolutelymemorial.com l APRIL 2017
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Medical Focus
Advertorial
Treemont Uses Beloved Music to Renew the Lives of Residents with Dementia Memories forge identities and make people unique. Yet dementia chips away at memories and often makes it difficult to remember family, friends and the past life the individual has lived. The goal of the Music & Memory Program is to get people living with cognitive and physical challenges to find renewed joy in life through beloved music favorites. It taps into an Alzheimer’s individual’s deep memories and helps renew their past life connections, thereby improving their quality of life. Residents become happier, more social and receptive to daily care and family visits. Music favorites can help reduce depression and anxiety. Treemont Health Care Center (HCC) was selected by the State of Texas to participate in the Music & Memory Program. A key motivation is that personalized music can reduce the usage of anti-psychotic medications and affect behaviors in a positive way. Each resident receives an iPod and a playlist of songs specifically created for them. A resident with dementia may remember the song that was playing when he first laid eyes on his future wife even though he may no longer recognize his children. Treemont families are surprised by their loved one’s experience. Isabelle played the organ for her church choir. “When Isabelle experiences anxiety, she is easily redirected when she hears gospel music, and that is why she is perfect for the Music & Memory Program,” relayed Treemont HCC Activity Director Nancy Lyles. Treemont is located at 2501 Westerland Drive at Westheimer in the Memorial area. For more information, contact Nancy at 713-783-4100 or www.Treemont.com.
Houston’s Retirement Tradition ons of Houstonians! Serving multiple generati
A Continuum of Care Campus • Independent Living • Assisted Living • Skilled Nursing & Rehab
CALL FOR FREE LUNCH & TOUR! 2501 Westerland Dr. @ Westheimer Houston, TX 77063
713-783-6820
www.Treemont.com 40
CHECK OUT Treemont’s Therapy & Rehab Program CALL RACHEL AT
713 783-4100
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When Diet and Exercise Is Not Enough Staying healthy and looking good is a common goal for most women. Sometimes, a hectic lifestyle and stressful jobs make it nearly impossible to maintain an ideal body. Also, many women often gain or maintain resistant fat in undesirable areas regardless of what they do. Over time, this unwanted fat can be very discouraging and severely impact a woman’s body image. There are many options available to help address unwanted fat. By far, the most effective and reliable is liposuction. The procedure is safe, affordable and can target the difficult, stubborn areas that no amount of diet and exercise can. The Sugar Land Plastic Surgery team has seen first-hand time and time again how liposuction can make such a remarkable and immediate difference in the appearance of the body, especially in the stubborn areas. This extra help motivates patients and gives them confidence to achieve further fitness and live healthier lifestyles. Consultations with Dr. John T. Nguyen at Sugar Land Plastic Surgery are always complimentary. With your commitment and their help and support, you can achieve the results you have been working so hard for. Visit www.MyBodySurgeon.com for more information. See ad on page 9.
NEWSWORTHY
The Memorial Markettes Present Get Up and Go, It’s the Markettes Show! The Allergy Antidote Did you know that over 40 percent of the population experiences allergic symptoms? Twenty percent have allergy problems that require medical treatment. Allergies can occur at any age and are especially likely to develop during times of stress. Are there certain times of year when you suffer from sniffling, sneezing, fatigue and headaches? How about itchy, watery eyes or frequent colds, sinus infections, bronchitis and asthma? Allergy symptoms can also cause digestive problems, skin rashes and throat and ear infections. In children, allergies can cause hyperactivity, which is often treated with amphetamines like Ritalin or Adderall instead of treating the underlying cause. Allergies are abnormal reactions by the immune system to normally occurring substances in the air, such as weed, tree and grass pollens, dust mites, mold spores and animal dander. Foods can also cause reactions. The most common food allergies are to wheat, corn, egg, milk, yeast and soybean, all of which are found in processed foods. Allergies adversely affect a person’s quality of life and burden the immune system. Why go through another year feeling miserable and reaching for over the counter drugs that only mask the symptoms? There is a better, natural alternative to the time-consuming hassle of allergy injections. Hotze Health & Wellness Center has successfully treated thousands of people using immunizing allergy drops under the tongue. Referred to by patients as “magic drops,” they are safe, convenient and effective. Hotze Health & Wellness Center is on a mission to help patients become healthy and well, naturally. For more information, call 281-6988698 or visit www.hotzehwc.com. See ad on Inside Front Cover.
Erin Bruchmiller, Suzahn Peralta, Katie Ferris, Alexis Lyle, Alexis Stovall, Amanda Wright, Madison Killion, Grace Cooksey, Chiara Scopice, Tina Khosrowshahi, Madison Dahmer, Logan Morris, McKenna Trammell, Annie Papin, Alli Hessel, Victoria Guerra, Claire Bingamon, Laura Huo, Sydney Flynt, Avry Francis, Becca Owens, Ginny Lo, Reagan Gertner, Alex Miller, Cassidy Irish, Namjoo Ko, Stephanie Walker, Rebecca Read, Sydney Spilman, Andrea Hilliard, Lindsay Bopp, Julie James, Florencia Garcia, Ashley Keeling, Emily Bruchmiller, Ashleigh Duke, Amanda McMillan, Elizabeth Skrabanek, Maddie Stephens, Keely Kirchhoff, Hannah Kim, Avery Dickinson, Shanell Mao, Sarah Telle, Taylor Tuscai, Kathleen Protz and Aidan Shine.
Take a trip around the world from the comfort of your seat with the award-winning Memorial Markettes! Get Up and Go, It’s the Markettes Show! will showcase electrifying hip-hop, jazz, pom, contemporary, kick, lyrical and tap routines choreographed to the music of Katy Perry, Rascal Flatts, Shania Twain, Luke Bryan, Justin Bieber, Daft Punk, Fergie, Beyonce, Iggy Azalea, The Musical Chicago, Chris Brown, Kanye West, Shakira and more familiar artists. Special guest performances will help make your itinerary truly a night to remember! Performances will be held Friday, April 21st and Saturday, April 22nd at 7 pm at Memorial High School’s Performing Arts Center, located at 935 Echo Lane. Purchase $15 reserved seats at www.memorialmarkettes.com or at the door.
Also
Now n E rofollr ing Summer
Finish the Year Strong and Excel on your Math Tests! We Make Math Make Sense®
9778 Katy Freeway, Suite 500 Houston, Texas 77055 [ In the HEB Center, on the feeder, next to The Egg & I ]
PreK–12TH GRADE
Mathnasium of Memorial City
713.973.MATH (6284) Mathnasium.com/memorialcity
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Mentions Memorial
The Memorial Middle School 7th grade girls’ A Team won the Houston West Tournament. Celebrating their big win were Evelyn Lavielle, Brooke Brenton, Emily Frekhtman, Bianca Pinal, Emma Wright, Erin Jackson, Phoebe Sullivan, Sarah Shields, Ava Picone, Lucy Gaines, Emily Keeling, Allyson Carter, Kathryn Carter and Allie Raia. BY SUZANNE STILES suzanne@absolutelyfocusmedia.com
Phil Kelley, Steve Darnall, Carol Alt and Jeff Miers had a great evening at the Accenture Super Bowl Party!
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church Senior Pastor Alf Halvorson will kick off the reading at 6 am on Monday, April 10th at The Spoken Word, an opportunity to experience God’s Word in a special way during Holy Week.
The Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association Sophomore Aggies team Kevin Ferworn, Daniel Ramos, John Denson, Will Cooper, Jack Barry, Jack Gilbert, Bubba Fewell, Alejandro Hernandez, Peter Vescovo, Eric Ferworn, Javaris Williams, Adam Wharton, Rylan Reichenau, Javier Denson, Blake Barry, Caden Cooper, Tyler Fewell, Gray Gilbert, Braden Vanderschoor, Ranes Denman and Leonardo Herrera won the Tully Bowl. Congratulations!
Edward Heard enjoyed a morning of duck hunting!
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APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
Alpha Chi Omegas and their guests Tom and Carrie Wood, Anne and David Glover, Elizabeth Jordan, Sonia and Mark Owen and Tina and Ben McCarthy enjoyed the Houston Alumnae Panhellenic Foundation Annual Wine Tasting Event.
Alpha Gamma Delta HAPF President Connie Zieba, Kappa Alpha Theta’s Cooky Mays, Alpha Phi’s Lyn Flynt and Gamma Phi Beta’s Susan Banks attended the HAPF Annual Wine Tasting Event.
Frostwood Elementary fourth graders Eugenia Rincon, Megan McWilliams and Elizabeth Morse earned several awards at the recent Dupree Dance Competition.
Bumblebees and Frostwood Elementary second graders Olivia Beyer, Rebecca Lawrence and Sloan Winkler are part of Memorial Dance Center’s new Mini Company team.
Spring Branch Independent School District varsity divers Harrison New, Caitlyn Stone-Whitehead, Savannah Nordin, Isabelle Nuzzo, Kaivon Dixon, Allison Nolasco and Peyton Donovan competed in the District 14 6A Dive Meet.
Congratulations to the eighth grade Spring Branch District cross-country meet winners! Memorial Middle School student Mary Kate Skrabanek took first place, and Spring Branch Middle School student Chandler Gartner took second.
Frostwood fifth graders Yara Aljarrah, Deveny Gilmore, Luke Chipman and third grader Lilya Aljarrah were at Blue Willow Bookshop with Lisa McMann, the author of the UNWANTEDS series, as she signed her new novel, Dragon Captives.
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er n r Co n
’ Biro s ck i r t d Ki By Pa
To Eat or Not To Eat
If
you’ve ever spent more than four minutes around any child, you have probably noticed their fascination with sugar. And, if you’ve ever tried to check out past
the candy bar display or drive by a donut store on a Sunday, you’ve found yourself asking the following questions:
1
Why do my kids crave sugar so much? Let’s face it – kids don’t just have a sweet tooth. They have a sweet jaw. But, there actually is a reason for this. A child’s body is instinctively programmed to view sweet tasting foods as high energy. This is because the molecule glucose is necessary for producing energy in virtually every cell in their body, all of which can break it down, and sweet foods contain glucose. Fructose, another famous sugar-related molecule, is very similar to glucose; however, it can only be broken down by liver cells into a form of fat and a few byproducts. Sucrose, the scientific word for table sugar, is a combination of the two – one glucose and one fructose molecule attached to one another. The sweet foods we crave are high in some combination of these three molecules. So, the body realizes this super important molecule glucose is commonly found through sucrose, and since glucose is necessary for every cell in the body to function, kids – and adults – crave it. The issue comes
from the amount of sugar we eat, and more specifically to the amount of fructose we eat.
2
Should we avoid high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)? That’s a highly debated question, but the answer is both yes and no. Many research studies have been done comparing HFCS to refined sugar or any other type of sweetener. The general consensus is that the body really can’t tell the difference between these sweeteners, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t avoid them. What your body really needs is glucose. Fructose on the other hand, whether it is ingested through high fructose corn syrup, table sugar or anything else, doesn’t have the same necessity nor benefits of glucose. In fact, the Harvard School of Public Health’s Department of Nutrition has released many resources showing how the diet patterns and national increase in fructose intake is directly correlated with increases in obesity, diabetes and liver disease. So, while HFCS and table sugar are basically the same thing, that doesn’t mean you should chow down on either one. The healthiest diets will hold both to moderation.
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But what do I do about the “sugar high?” That’s a great question but
APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
actually is a bit of a misconception. In fact, numerous studies have shown that a rise in the level of sugar in the blood doesn’t cause hyperactivity. Rather, the body produces and releases insulin in response to this elevated sugar level. If a child eats too much sugar too quickly, the body can release more insulin than it might need, swinging the pendulum the opposite direction and making the blood sugar levels too low. Hypoglycemia, as this is medically called, causes the behavioral shifts we typically would associate as the “sugar crash.” To avoid it, pace kids’ sugar intake to avoid shocking their systems into releasing too much insulin. Foods high in fiber are especially good at helping slow the rise and fall of blood sugar levels.
4
How can I give my kids glucose? The best place to ask that question is with your child’s doctor or nutritionist. But, it’s not hard to look at nature for the answer. Raw milk is one of the absolute best sources of nearly every vitamin, molecule and mineral we need, and it’s one reason why mothers are encouraged to breast feed. Unpasteurized milk is hard to find, but its pasteurized cousin still is great. Countless other “non-sweet” foods supply the body with glucose too, including pastas, potatoes and vegetables high in starch.
Sports Spotlight By Tammy Hampton tammy@absolutelyfocusmedia.com
Congratulations to these outstanding team players!
SBMSA 7/8 Boys Basketball Platinum Division Champions Bill Onorato, William Hoogendam, Bardo Bucknell, Tanner Drda, Asif Dakri, Mark and Robert Onorato, Tanner Watkins, Dain Dakri, Ethan Kook and Anthony Curtis.
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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
Southwell ’s
Hamburger Grill Buy a hamburger, fry and a drink and get a regular hamburger for F R E E !
Limit 1 coupon per customer. Expires May 1, 2017 Limit 1 coupon per customer. Memorial Expires February 1, 2015Galleria
713-464-5268 9410 Gaylord TX 77024 46
713-789-4972 5860 San Felipe TX 77057
CONTEMPORARY
CONTEMPORARY
AMERICAN CUISINE
JAPANESE FINE DINING
MASRAFF’S 1753 Post Oak Blvd. 77056 713-355-1975 www.masraffs.com
KUU RESTAURANT 947 Gessner Rd, Ste. A180 77024 713-461-1688 www.kuurestaurant.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.
Executive Chef Adison Lee brings a fresh perspective to the art of fine dining. Intent on precision and complexity of flavors, Lee’s menu features seasonal ingredients and fish flown in from Japan, alongside hand-crafted cocktails and an award-winning wine list.
APRIL 2017 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
“If you appreciate exciting dishes served in a handsome environment, with wines and cocktails of more than passing interest, it’s well worth investigating.” – Alison Cook, Houston Chronicle
• Breakfast
Pancakes French Toast Breakfast Tacos Omelets
• Burgers Angus Buffalo Turkey
• Kabob Platter • Salmon
• Pitas
Gyros Beef Chicken Fish Vegetable
• Beer & Wine Santa Margherita La Crema Kim Crawford Stella
Happy Hour 3 to 6 pm 20% off all Beer & Wine
Free Hummus with Purchase of 2 Entrées
Est. 2000
www.islandgrillhouston.com 979 Bunker Hill Rd. Houston, TX 77024 832.831.7071 Please visit our Tanglewood & West U locations
Your neighborhood grill Voted #1 Restaurant by Memorial High School Students
MEMORIAL MARKETPLACE
EVA GOMEZ • SPANISH TUTOR 281.799.3543 easyspanish.houston@gmail.com www.easyspanisheducation.com
Cleaning | Restoration | Appraisal
10% OFF Cleaning / Restoration 713.622.4444 • abrahamsrugs.com www.absolutelymemorial.com l APRIL 2017
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The Old Place Cabin at The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park.
A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY By The Heritage Society
C.F. Duer:
Immigrant, Capitalist, Texan
A
building nearly two centuries old is bound to contain numerous stories within its walls. The Old Place Cabin at The Heritage Society is such a place. The house was built in 1823 on Clear Creek by John R. Williams, one of Austin’s “Old Three Hundred” original settlers. Erecting a dwelling was required for land grants, so Williams built this cabin to meet his obligation. He owned other land at the time and likely never even lived in the cabin. The cabin that Williams built was destined to be home to many other families instead. Despite being several miles south of town, the cabin served as rental property at times. One tenant, Christian Frederich “C. F.” Duer, an immigrant and aspiring entrepreneur, rented the cabin in 1843. Twenty-year-old Duer emigrated from Germany eight years earlier with his mother, stepfather and younger half siblings. He set out on his own, and within a few years, he had a business with a partner in Florida called Suwannee Springs. These visionaries built a therapeutic resort, which became renowned for healing sulphur waters and saw thousands of visitors! Duer never knew the true benefit from this endeavor though. He sold out to his partner by 1839, before the spring’s heyday. Duer’s travels took him to Texas prior to the end of his business in Florida, and the lure of Texas may well have been his motive. While wrapping up his business affairs and clearing debts in preparation for a move west, Duer found time to court a wife as well. He was invited to spend Christmas at
Built in 1823 by John R. Williams, the Old Place Cabin featured a mud chimney.
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the home of a prosperous planter, Bennet Maxey Dell. Duer presented Mr. Dell’s 15 year-old daughter, Mary Standley, with a book of love poems. The two began exchanging letters, and before long, they were married. With his wife in tow, Duer returned to Texas to seek his fortune, settling in the young town of Houston. Duer’s entrepreneurial spirit flourished with early business ventures included lending, land speculation, mercantile and rental properties. Despite his great efforts, Duer found himself struggling to provide the quality of life his wife was accustomed to. In 1841, little more than a year into the marriage, the Duers added a baby girl to the family and another in 1843. Perhaps the strain of the growing family or merely the distance from her childhood home took a toll on Mary. She took her newborn and toddler and made the difficult journey back to Florida alone. Duer recorded these things in a diary, which fortunately allowed a glimpse of life in early Houston. He grew despondent without his family but also more determined to provide a proper home for them and to increase his means. Duer moved into a single room when his family left and rented the house to maximize his income. Eventually, he moved out entirely and took lodging at the Capitol Hotel. He began to cast around for property to accommodate his growing family, settling ultimately on Williams’ cabin. Duer began a new enterprise: rounding up cattle. Not long after moving to the cabin, Mary and the children returned. There were hardships to be sure, but the move must have seemed like a change of fortune for the Duer family. The cattle venture paid off, and with the earnings, Duer leveraged more land. Some of this land was north of Houston in what today is known as Rose Hill. Duer helped found a new community there of German immigrants. Duer’s success continued to build. His community thrived, and he was appointed postmaster. Rose Hill became the stagecoach and mail stop connecting Houston to Huntsville and places north. Duer operated a wagon shop with a large stable to rest and change the coach horses. He built a plantation in Rose Hill with his own mill and a general store. Duer had made his fortune. He was a successful merchant and part of the elite planter class.
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