October 2016
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Brave Faces of Breast Cancer
Fall Décor TRENDS absolutely! Pretty in Pink
Trick or Treat TEASER
Focus on THE CURE
FINDING UNCOMMON SOLUTIONS FOR ONE OF THE MOST COMMON CANCERS. At Houston Methodist, we take an aggressive approach to fighting breast cancer. From accelerating high-potential research to creating unique treatments based on a tumor’s genetics, we offer more innovative options to fight breast cancer at every stage. Our breast care specialists are here to help with • Mammograms, using the most advanced imaging technology • Specialized programs for high-risk patients and aggressive forms of breast cancer • Surgery and the latest options for breast reconstruction • Support services including patient navigators and spiritual care • Clinical trials and innovative research focused on prevention and survivorship To schedule your mammogram, call 713.790.3333. Visit houstonmethodist.org/fightbreastcancer to learn more about our breast cancer services.
TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER • BAY AREA • EAST HOUSTON • SUGAR LAND UPPER KIRBY • WEST HOUSTON • WILLOWBROOK • THE WOODLANDS
INSIDE FRONT
F E AT U R E S
COVER STORY OCTOBER 2016
13 FOCUS ON THE CURE Educate yourself and your loved ones
about breast cancer awareness and detection.
25 absolutely! PRETTY IN PINK See what the community is offering
to support breast cancer awareness.
38 A YARD TO DIE FOR With a little originality and added realism,
store-bought props can rise above the ordinary for an unforgettably spooky setting.
51 FALL DÉCOR TRENDS Create your own Modern Farmhouse look
featuring pumpkins, cotton, reclaimed metal and more.
COLUMNS 12 HOMETOWN HEROES: Courtney Bullard Duperier Grace Givens, Ronnie Pace and Kelly Beatty. Photo by Michael Martinez Photography.
10 THREE BRAVE FACES OF BREAST CANCER In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, three Memorial residents and breast cancer survivors – Ronnie Pace, Grace Givens and Kelly Beatty – shared snapshots of their inspirational journeys.
26 ASK ALEX: The Holiday Shopping Card 28 absolutely! FABULOUS FINDS 30 KIDS’ CORNER Sensory Processing Disorder:
The 1 in 20 Disorder You’ve Never Heard Of
32 FAMILY LAW FAQ’s Regarding the Texas
Divorce Process and Procedures
36 THE LITTLE BOOKMARK Thrillers and Mysteries 39 JAN GLENN’S PAWSITIVELY PURRFECT Eeeeek! Yikes! It Is Howl-o-ween 2016 52 SPORTS SPOTLIGHT
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OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
campbell wellness center A one-of-a-kind Memorial area progressive health facility offering a balance in lifestyle.
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www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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CONTRIBUTORS
10
OCTOBER 2016
|
VOLUME 12
NEWSWORTHY
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NUMBER 10
absolutely! DELICIOUS
45 THE HOUSTON BALLET NUTCRACKER MARKET Presents “The Twelve
40 A SPOOKTACULAR Seasonal Treat
47 ALYSSA ELIAS To Be Honored at 2016 Bone Bash
60 VINESLEUTH Wine Apps Make Wine
Days of Christmas”
49 BAYOU CITY ART FESTIVAL Celebrates 45 Years of Art and Giving Back
50 ROYAL CHEF DARREN MCGRADY Guest Stars at the Upcoming Houston Zest in the West Food & Wine Zestival
53 HOUSTON JUNIOR WOMAN’S CLUB Hosts 33rd Annual Holiday Happening Fundraiser
FAMILYPOINT RESOURCES’
Fall Events
57 KIDS’ MEALS Hosts 8th Annual
Harvest Luncheon
BRAIN TEASER 37 TRICK OR TREAT TEASER
absolutely! H E A LT H Y L I V I N G 56 absolutely! Q&A Texas Children’s Hospital
West Campus Answers Your Questions About the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Selection and Learning Easier
62 absolutely! DELICIOUS LISTING
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28
30
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BUSINESS BRIEFS 46 WOMEN DRIVING BUSINESS High Heels Connections
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Breakfast a Success
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MEDICAL FOCUS 57 HOUSTON HOSPITALS RECOMMEND NEXT LEVEL URGENT CARE For Convenience and After Hours
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IN EVERY ISSUE 8 EXCLAMATION POINTS!
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34 SEEN ON THE SCENE 42 MEMORIAL MENTIONS
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54 OUT & ABOUT IN THE HEART OF MEMORIAL 52
58 COMMUNITY EVENTS 63 MEMORIAL MARKETPLACE
58
64 A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY 60
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OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
Elizabeth B. Elliott elizabethbelliott.com Page 10 Alex Belt Silly Silly Girls Page 26 Debbie Clemens absolutely! Fabulous Finds Page 28 Patrick Biron Birons Youth Sports Center Page 30 Nancy L. Rommelmann Family Law Attorney Page 32 Leslie Little Contributor Page 36 Myles Mellor Contributor Page 37 Cynthia Hand Neely Contributor Page 38 Jan Glenn Journalist Page 39 Suzanne Stiles Memorial Mentions Page 42 Tracy Thornton Tracy Thornton Creative Page 51 Tammy Hampton Contributor Page 52 Stephanie Valtasaros Contributor Page 58 Amy Gross Wine4.Me Page 60
Be one of the women who does something about it. It might surprise you to know that one third of all women and half of those over 55 experience a pelvic floor disorder.* Which is why we’ve assembled a multi-disciplinary team of affiliated OB/GYNs, urologists, gastroenterologists, urogynecologists, physical therapists and more. Every day, they’re tailoring plans for patients wanting to overcome incontinence, pelvic pain, prolapse and the many issues brought on by weakened pelvic floors. MEMORIAL CITY SUGAR LAND TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER
Get to know more about treatment options at memorialhermann.org/pelvicfloor or by calling 713.242.4PFD (4733)
* Source: American Urogynecologic Society
EXCLAMATION POINTS! THE INSIDE SCOOP STRAIGHT FROM THE TOP Vol. 12 No. 10 October 2016
Associate Publisher, LARA BELL
4655 TECHNIPLEX DR. STE 700 STAFFORD , TX 77477 281-690-4242
I love our October Breast Cancer Awareness covers year after year. In this issue, you will meet three incredible breast cancer survivors – Ronnie Pace, Grace Givens and Kelly Beatty – who are fighting the disease and winning. My great grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 75, so it touched my family, and we are always keeping our eye on it. I’d also like to give a shout out to my friend Jennie Baker who is on the board of the Spring Branch Education Foundation. She was diagnosed with Brooks, Lara and Dylan Milam. breast cancer several months ago and is kicking its butt! Also in this issue, learn about upcoming community events like the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market. To see what is new this year, turn to page 45. And FamilyPoint Resources’ annual luncheon and Turkey Trot are just around the corner. Find out more on page 53. We could not do an October issue without some Halloween. If you like decorating your yard, we have some truly spooky ideas on page 38, as well as some fun and fabulous fall décor trends on page 51. Last but certainly not least, the Arthritis Foundation’s Bone Bash is coming up on Friday, October 28th. I chaired this gala three years ago, and I can attest it is a lot of fun. This year, 14 year-old Alyssa Elias from Memorial High School is being honored, so be sure and read her story on page 47. She is brave and fighting juvenile arthritis daily, as well as raising awareness about this disease. Absolutely! yours,
Lara Lara Bell-Milam lara@absolutelyfocusmedia.com @larabell
READER FEEDBACK Suzanne, ON THE COVER: Kelly Beatty, Grace Givens and Ronnie Pace. Photo by Michael Martinez Photography.
Thank you for putting the Holy Spirit cheerleaders in Memorial Mentions in August! I heard about it before I even saw it. There were texts of excitement going around! Carrie Pearson
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OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
WWW.ABSOLUTELYMEMORIAL.COM
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 Nancy Dunbar 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 PHOTOGRAPHY Michael Martinez Photography CONTRIBUTORS M.G. Angulo Alex Belt Patrick Biron Debbie Clemens Elizabeth B. Elliott Jan Glenn Amy Gross Tammy Hampton Leslie Little Myles Mellor Cynthia Hand Neely Nancy L. Rommelmann Suzanne Stiles Tracy Thornton Stephanie Valtasaros O F F I C E A D M I N I S T R AT O R Alexa Goldstein INTERN Zoë Favre 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 Published by
Subscription requests are free to all Memorial and Galleria addresses. Annual paid subscription of $25 required outside the Memorial/Galleria area. absolutely! MemorialTM Magazine is published by absolutely! focus media, 4655 Techniplex Dr., Ste. 700, Stafford, TX 77477. Copyright © 2016 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.
3Breast Cancer
COVER STORY By Elizabeth B. Elliott
Photos by Michael Martinez Photography.
Brave Faces of
Ronnie Pace
Grace Givens
Kelly Beatty
A
pproximately 300,000 women and men in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. That’s about the population of Corpus Christi, Texas – and it’s far too many. While it’s easy to generalize faceless numbers, each one of those people has a unique tale to tell. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, absolutely! Memorial asked three local cancer survivors to share snapshots of their journeys.
The Surprising Face of Breast Cancer Ronnie Pace had suffered with a chronic cough for several weeks when he went to visit his doctor in April 2013. After listening to Pace’s chest and finding his lungs clear, his doctor recommended a routine CT scan just to make sure nothing was hiding behind the heart. The CT confirmed the lungs were fine – but instead showed a tumor in Pace’s right breast. Pace wasn’t concerned about it being breast cancer. There was a 99 percent chance the tumor was benign, and he felt like the odds of winning in Las Vegas were better than the odds of a man having breast cancer. “About 2,600 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States every year,” said Pace. “It doesn’t seem like a big number – unless you’re one of the 2,600.”
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Once he got the results from the core biopsy, however, the worst was confirmed. It was malignant, and Pace had a mastectomy. The results following Pace’s surgery were encouraging. He tested negative for both BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations, meaning he would not need to have his left breast removed. And, his tumor went through DNA testing using the Oncotype DX test, ending up with just an eight percent chance
Judy and Ronnie Pace.
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
of recurrence during the next 20 years. Buoyed by this report and wanting to make a positive difference in the lives of other men as they faced this surprising disease, Pace became somewhat of an ambassador for male breast cancer awareness by establishing a survivor support team. Unfortunately, his good news didn’t last long. In August of 2015, while Pace was being interviewed for a male breast cancer documentary, the videographer asked Pace to remove his shirt and show his mastectomy scar. As he ran his hand over the scar during filming, he felt another lump near the incision site, about the size of an eraser head. Pace did his best to conceal his concern on camera. Soon after, he found out this lump was also malignant. The tumor was removed, and this time Pace’s doctors recommended radiation and oral chemotherapy.
Pace is exceedingly grateful for the care he received at MD Anderson since the beginning of his journey, and he is outspoken in his desire to educate others about the disease. Through speaking events, serving on several committees at the hospital and recently being chosen as chair-elect of the steering committee of MD Anderson’s myCancerConnection, Pace wants men to stop acting too macho to go to the doctor. “If I can help just one person in my life, then I will have done what I wanted to do.”
Singing Her Way to Health When Grace Givens shares her incredible cancer story, it’s best to take note. Filled with optimism in the midst of calamity, the narrative she offers is of a two-time breast cancer and triple bypass survivor who kept up her spirits by singing Ave Maria during every exam or test, and eventually writing a one-woman show using well-known songs to illustrate her journey. Her show is called Survive! and provides laughter, empathy, and most of all, hope for those battling cancer. “When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1978, I had been walking around with a lump in my breast for 10 years,” explained Givens, who had a one-year-old daughter at the time. “I knew I had a lump, but every doctor I saw told me it was nothing.” That “nothing” turned out to be exactly what Givens had feared for so long, and she had a segmental mastectomy of her left breast, followed by radiation.
Grace and Robert Givens with granddaughter Josephine Samira Driscoll.
Radiation in the 70s was “a dinosaur,” Givens said. “They didn’t know how to channel it properly like they do today.” It was bothersome then, but even more so 19 years later, when Givens discovered she needed a triple bypass of the heart as a result of the targeted radiation on her sternum. The 1997 operation was successful, but her recovery was complicated by terrible infections that lasted four years following surgery. Then in 2004, three years after she finally recovered from the complications, Givens went in for her 26th mammogram after her first diagnosis with breast cancer and found out she had another lump in the same breast, this one the same size, only deeper. This time, she had a mastectomy with pedicle flap reconstruction followed by a brief course of chemotherapy. A 38 year cancer survivor, Givens has been called a “pioneer of living long.” “My advice to someone on this journey is to find your passion and let whatever that is carry you through,” said Givens. She is a cantor at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, and when she finds herself in New York City on a Monday night, she performs at Birdland Jazz Club’s famous Cast Party. “Music is my passion. When I sing, I pray twice.”
A Family Affair Knowing that breast cancer runs in her family enabled Kelly Beatty to plan ahead. Because her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother all had breast cancer – twice for her mother and grandmother – Beatty knew that once she was finished having children, she would go ahead and have a double mastectomy. “If you have a family history of breast cancer, the recommended protocol is to start checking 10 years before the age your relative was diagnosed. My mother and my grandmother were both 41 when they found out they had it, so I knew I needed to start seeing the doctor when I was 31,” Beatty explained. With that plan in mind, she nursed her second child for a year and made an appointment with her general physician the following month. With
The Beatty Family: Max, Kelly, Jackson and Scarlett.
no physical signs presenting, it was recommended she go in for a mammogram. The test showed she had a lump. “I probably had the lump while I was pregnant,” explained Beatty. “But by nursing my daughter, it stalled out in the milk duct and didn’t grow any further.” Beatty’s mammogram revealed suspicious spots on both her left and right breasts, but she only had a biopsy performed on one. “No matter what, I knew I was going to have a double mastectomy, so it didn’t really matter if they did a biopsy or not.” While they caught the tumor at a Stage 0, it had grown in size so rapidly by the time she had the operation that her doctor referred to it as the “Osama bin Laden of cancer” because it was so aggressive. Thankfully, the surgeon was able to get everything, and she needed no chemotherapy, no radiation and no Tamoxifen. Beatty did have the genetic mutation test, which was positive for BRCA1. Because of this, she was monitored closely by her doctor. When she went in having abdominal pain just three years later, they worked hard to alleviate it until finally, she had a complete hysterectomy. Though her journey was unusual, Beatty’s words of wisdom ring true for all of us: “If you find something, don’t sit around – go see the doctor. Tell the doctor what’s going on when they ask you questions. Don’t assume they are going to find something if you don’t tell them when you have symptoms.”
www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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Proudly Supports Our
“Your Neighborhood Financial Advisor”
Hometown Heroes: Courtney Bullard Duperier By M.G. Angulo
W
fers them a list of resources and then posts ho would have thought being a photos and additional information about Realtor could provide a person the pet online. She also collects pledges or with the opportunity to save donations for pets on death row. lives? Courtney Bullard Duperier probaAs part of her routine, Duperier also folbly had no idea she would become a champion of the lost and abandoned through lows shelters and rescues on Facebook, a her work in the real estate industry, but method that at one time connected her to she has. Guerro, a yellow Lab with a badly injured “Being a Realtor means spending the leg. “I couldn’t get his photo out of my head majority of your time in the car,” said and even had nightmares about him sufDuperier, 40, who has been a Realtor at fering,” she said. So, she visited the shelter John Daugherty, Realtors for more than to video him in hopes that a rescue would 17 years. “I seem to find a lost dog at least offer help. When she arrived, she found once a week.” Those dogs she comes across him in the euthanasia room that was bein the Memorial area now find their way to ing used as a kennel. “The shelter was so her Facebook page in Duperier’s efforts to crowded that the euthanasia room was the save them from shelters or death. only place left. It was so awful.” Courtney Bullard Duperier helped Henry find a Between Duperier and her husband, forever home in Wisconsin through Lola’s Lucky Guerro had a happy ending, though. Dr. Chris Duperier, the Duperier home vi- Day rescue. Mile High Labrador Retriever Mission in brates with the energy of six family dogs. Colorado saw Duperier’s Facebook video “My husband had three poodles – Otis Ray, Ella and Sugar and agreed to help. Guerro’s injured leg was amputated, and – when we met, and I had two miniature dachshunds – Elway he now lives with a couple outside of Denver. On that same and Luke – plus we rescued a rat terrier mix, Penny, last year. day, Duperier came across another puppy with a broken leg “We have a blended dog family,” Duperier added with a that she and her husband immelaugh. “I obviously love animals, and it’s beyond rewarding to diately wanted to foster. “Penny see them find forever homes.” While Duperier has volunteered became our first real foster dog for animal rescues for years, in 2015, she made it a personand our last. We ‘foster failed’ al mission. As a full-time Realtor, Duperier rarely has down and adopted her,” she said with a time, but every day, she carves out at least an hour to network laugh. on behalf of lost or abandoned pets. Duperier also volunteers with “Some days, you might find me at the Harris County Shela myriad of other rescue organiter taking videos of dogs in need so I can post the videos on zations, including Mile High LabFacebook. Other times, you might find me transporting a dog rador Retriever Mission, Lola’s The shelter photo of Guerro that from a shelter to a foster or from a foster to a vet,” she said. Lucky Day rescue, Shaggy Dog inspired Duperier to fight for “And sometimes, I’m just posting away in between appointRescue, ADORE rescue, All Texas abandoned and lost pets. ments or at night before I go to bed.” Dachshund Rescue and Direct Duperier primarily uses Facebook to network, but she HOPE. “More than anything, I want to bring awareness to our also uses the Next Door app, Craigslist and Instagram. When homeless pet situation,” she said. “I’m committed to making a someone in her community loses or finds a pet, Duperier ofdifference one animal at a time.”
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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“I obviously love animals, and it’s beyond rewarding to see them find forever homes.” – Courtney Bullard Duperier
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
October is
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. Educate yourself and your loved ones about awareness and detection. Learn about treatment options available in our community.
www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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FOCUS ON THE CURE
Breast Cancer Screening Is Essential
Dr. Meghana Bhandari Texas Oncology– Sugar Land
In
Dr. Branden Hsu Texas Oncology– Katy and Texas Oncology– Houston Memorial City
the United States, one in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. While awareness of breast cancer has improved, the disease unfortunately remains the second-deadliest cancer among American women. This year in Texas, 15,712 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 2,843 women will die from the disease. Men are at risk, too: 132 men in Texas are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, with 28 cases proving fatal. Other than adopting a healthier lifestyle, early detection with regular mammograms remains the single most effective way for combating the disease. When detected early before it spreads, women have a 99 percent survival rate after five years. “We’ve made tremendous strides in the last 10 years due in part to awareness about the importance of screening and early detection,” said Dr. Meghana Bhandari. “Mammograms can detect a high percentage of breast cancer in women who
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don’t have symptoms, but they are not the only way to identify breast cancer.” Women should begin monthly breast self-exams in their 20s and report any changes to a physician immediately. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam every three years. Women in their 30s should discuss their breast cancer risk level with a physician to determine the most appropriate cancer screening options, including mammograms and MRI screenings. Women ages 40 and older should discuss individual risk factors with a physician to determine recommended timing and most appropriate screenings, including an annual mammogram, annual clinical breast exam and annual MRI screening. Women ages 50 and older should have a mammogram and a clinical breast exam at least every two years after discussion with her physician, and if recommended by a physician, an annual MRI screening. If any changes in the breast are detected, contact a physician immediately to be evaluated. If cancer is diagnosed, women have many treatment options. “At Texas Oncology, our community-based cancer care gives patients the ability to receive most or all of their medical and support services under one roof in the comfort of their own communities near the critical support of family and friends,” said Dr. Branden Hsu. “We provide high-quality care in just about every corner of Texas, including here in the greater Houston area.” Advances in the fight against breast cancer are made every day. In fact, Texas Oncology has played a role in nearly 60 FDA approved cancer-fighting drugs, about one-third of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date. Until a cure for breast cancer is found, regular screenings, awareness and healthy lifestyle choices such as eating well and exercising regularly are among the best tools a woman has to reduce her risk of developing the disease.
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
Debbie McCulloch, Texas Oncology Patient
FIGHT CANCER without going too far from home.
You don’t have to travel to get the cancer-fighting treatment you need. Texas Oncology has more than 400 physicians who bring leading-edge technology and research to more than 165 locations across Texas, so you can fight cancer with your loved ones by your side. TEXAS ONCOLOGY–KATY 1331 W. Grand Pkwy. North, Suite 340 Katy, TX 77493 • 281-392-2757
TEXAS ONCOLOGY–SUGAR LAND 1350 First Colony Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77479 • 281-277-5200
TEXAS ONCOLOGY–HOUSTON MEMORIAL CITY 925 Gessner Road, Suites 310 and 550 Houston, TX 77024 • 713-467-1722
1-888-864-4226 • www.TexasOncology.com
Breast Cancer Patient Requests Christian Surgeon
Sean Boutros, MD, FACS Houston Plastic Craniofacial & Sinus Surgery
T
he Texas Medical Center is the largest medical complex in the world. For many patients, choosing the “right” physician for their care and treatment can be overwhelming. Most people begin looking for a specialist online using a search engine, while others take a more personal foundational approach based on personal values and beliefs. After a long family history of breast cancer, Faith Daniels, 52, had been on a watchlist with routine mammograms since her 30th birthday. At 36, she discovered a lump. At 46, the lump began taking aggressive growth, and she asked her breast surgeon Dr. Jo Pollack for a recommended breast reconstruction surgeon. “I wanted a Christian surgeon I could pray with and who would pray over me before we went into surgery,” Daniels explained. Six years ago, immediately following a double mastectomy
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performed by Pollack, Daniels underwent a Bilateral Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction procedure performed by Dr. Sean Boutros. The technique involves transferring the fatty tissue into the breast pocket without using muscle. Only blood vessels are taken with the fat, and microsurgery is used to reconnect the vessels. “The DIEP procedure doesn’t take a woman’s femininity, her sexuality, her body image or her self-esteem,” Boutros explained. “From the moment we went to see Dr. Boutros and first met him in his personal office, not in a patient room, we knew we were in the right place,” Daniels said. Her concern did not center on herself. She knew her family would have a challenging road of their own. “They would be left to fend for their own emotional journey, unless I found a doctor who would extend the care and compassion and the communication to the families. I knew I would have doctors and nurses and all kinds of people fussing over me,” Daniels explained. “Dr. Boutros and his staff did that and beyond. Knowing that they were cared for allowed me to only worry about me. That’s exactly what my husband and my children needed. Dr. Boutros instilled confidence by making sure he connected with my husband. It was critically important in my decision process and recovery. He and his team took care of me during one of the best most difficult times in our lives.” Today, Daniels is still putting other people first. Her advice to other women is “to know you are so much stronger than you think you are. You need to surround yourself with people who will remind you of that every step of the way. Dr. Boutros and his staff are awesome reminders. I would and do refer him to anyone who asks. I tell them he is a doctor who invests himself in his patients.”
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
FOCUS ON THE CURE
Take Control of Your Health: 7 Steps to Help Prevent Breast Cancer
Steven F. Hotze, MD Hotze Health & Wellness Center
O
ctober is breast cancer awareness month. During this time, pink ribbons are displayed on all types of merchandise from water bottles to appliances. Races and fundraisers unite survivors and loved ones together with a common goal: finding a cure. Americans have become more aware of breast cancer. Sadly, many know this firsthand, whether it has been a personal journey or one where you walked beside a mother, sister, daughter or friend. While we applaud the efforts of heightening breast cancer awareness and finding a cure, it is also important to focus on breast cancer prevention. In support of women who have battled and continue to fight this disease, let us also do our part in raising awareness of breast cancer prevention so that millions of women will not have to depend on finding a cure. Important Steps to Help Prevent Breast Cancer: • Hormone Balance – As progesterone levels begin to decline in a woman’s 30s, bioidentical progesterone can be vital in breast cancer prevention. A 20 year study by Johns Hopkins published in 1981 in the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that women with adequate progesterone levels had less than a fifth of the incidence of breast cancer
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and less than a tenth of all cancers compared to women low in progesterone. These outcomes suggest that having a normal level of progesterone protected women from nine-tenths of all cancers that might have otherwise occurred. • Vitamin D – Ensure that your vitamin D levels are optimal by asking your physician to check your 25 hydroxy vitamin D level. Vitamin D has been shown to decrease risk up to 70 percent. • Healthy Diet – Be sure to eat plenty of organic fruits and vegetables, and cut out sugar and alcohol as much as possible. Sugar weakens the immune system and feeds cancer cells. • Exercise – Treat exercise with the same level of importance as any other appointment on your calendar. If you are new to exercising, be sure to pace yourself to keep from becoming discouraged or injured. Walking three to five times per week for 20-45 minutes is a good place to start. Things to Avoid: • Birth Control Pills – A woman who is not ovulating doesn’t produce progesterone in her ovaries, thus causing estrogen dominance and increasing the risk for breast cancer. • Synthetic Hormones – There is a significant difference between bioidentical and synthetic hormones. Bioidentical hormones are an identical molecular match to the hormones produced by your body. On the contrary, synthetic hormones’ molecular structure has been changed so the so-called hormones are actually foreign chemicals to your body, which can cause a host of side effects. • Xenoestrogens – These foreign estrogens are found in pesticides, insecticides, preservatives, toxins found in cosmetics and personal care products. Xenoestrogens also seep into food from plastics when we heat our food in plastic containers or drink from plastic water bottles that have been left in the heat during shipping. A huge step in the right direction for avoiding xenoestrogens is by only drinking out of glass or stainless water bottles, which are BPA-free.
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
FOCUS ON THE CURE 7 Things to Know About Mammograms
UT Physicians Women’s Center at Memorial City
A
mammogram is an important step in taking care of yourself and your breasts. The American Cancer Society recommends women ages 40 and over get a mammogram every year, along with a breast exam by a doctor or nurse. Knowing what to expect may help you get through the process more smoothly. Here is what you need to know before you go: What is a mammogram? A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast used to find breast changes. X-rays were first used to examine breast tissue nearly a century ago. Where to get it? Find a center that specializes in mammograms. When you find a facility you like, stick with it. Having all of your mammograms at the same facility makes it easier for doctors to compare images from one year to the next. When to schedule? Schedule your mammogram about a week after your menstrual period. Your breasts won’t be as tender or swollen, which means less discomfort during the x-ray. What to wear? Wear a two-piece outfit. Do not apply deodorant, antiperspirant, powder, lotion or ointment on or around your chest on the day of your mammogram. What to expect? The entire procedure takes about 20 minutes. The breast is compressed between two plastic plates for a few seconds while an xray is taken. Getting the results. You should get your results within 30 days. If doctors find something suspicious, you’ll likely be contacted within a week to take new pictures or get other tests. That doesn’t mean you have cancer. A suspicious finding may be just dense breast tissue or a cyst. What to pay? Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and almost all private insurance plans now cover yearly mammograms, with no co-pay or other out of pocket costs. Medicaid also covers mammograms.
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Physicians: Tiffany Tarrant, MD; Merrill Sue Lewen, MD; Barbara Schroeder, MD and Jenny Van Winkle, MD UT Physicians Women’s Center at Memorial City offers Comprehensive Care for Women of all ages with a personalized touch at our premier location in Memorial City. Our board certified OB/Gyns, Dr. Barbara Schroeder, Dr. Tiffany Tarrant, Dr. Merrill Sue Lewen and Dr. Jenny Van Winkle are affiliated with UT Health and are able to provide the most comprehensive medical care available in a private, personal and compassionate environment. For your first gynecologic exam through childbirth, for complex gynecologic issues, for easing the transition through menopause and for staying healthy whatever your age, UT Physicians Women’s Center at Memorial City is uniquely poised to be with you every step of the way. • • • • •
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 www.UTPhysicians.com
929 Gessner, Suite 1300 – 13th Floor • Houston, Texas 77024 Memorial Hermann Medical Tower – Garage 5 www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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FOCUS ON THE CURE
Cancer Doesn’t Mean We Have to Stop Living: Regain Your Energy and Vitality!
Dr. Shelena C. Lalji Dr. Shel Wellness & Medical Spa
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oday, there are 14 million cancer survivors in the United States. Many continue to suffer from the side effects of cancer and cancer treatments as long as 10 years after completing treatment. These patients are looking for help to restore and maintain their health. Oncologists are focused on pathology and destroying cancer cells but are not usually the source of strategies to restore and maintain healthy function. There are natural solutions to help survivors regain their energy, vitality and quality of life after cancer.
Nutritional Testing and IV Therapy Having the proper balance of essential nutrients is important to feel well, have energy and help prevent the reoccurrence of cancer. This is especially important for cancer patients, since the treatments for cancer can deplete the body of key nutrients. Nutritional Deficiencies Testing is a means to identify which vitamins, minerals, amino acids
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and antioxidants a person is deficient in so that they can supplement appropriately. IV Therapy is a method of delivering important nutrients directly into the bloodstream. By bypassing the digestive system, a person can get the benefit of 100 percent of the nutrients, since they do not have to bypass the digestive system. Some of the most important nutrients that are vital for the prevention of cancer include glutathione, which is the body’s master antioxidant; vitamin C, which helps reduce inflammation in the body and the Myers Cocktail, which can help with energy and overall wellness. Supplementation with high quality, medical grade supplements are also important. Some of the more important supplements for breast cancer survivors are DIM, which is important in helping to remove unhealthy estrogen metabolites, and N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), which helps the body produce more of the antioxidant glutathione.
Inflammation, Gut Health and Food Sensitivities Inflammation is one of the primary causes of cancer and all diseases, for that matter. Inflammation in the body originates from the gut. One of the primary causes of an unhealthy gut is the overgrowth of a yeast called candida albicans. Candida overgrowth can commonly occur due to the overuse of antibiotics that kill off the good bacteria in the gut that are essential to keep the candida from taking over. Another common cause of gut in-
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
flammation is food sensitivities. Most people are aware of food allergies, but food sensitivities are much more common and commonly go overlooked, since they do not cause an anaphylactic reaction. The most common food sensitivities are corn, wheat, dairy, soy and eggs. Food Sensitivities Testing is an important part of identifying food sensitivities so that a person can avoid foods causing inflammation in their body.
MonaLisa Touch for Vaginal Atrophy A woman’s sexual wellbeing is also an important part of a life of vitality. Unfortunately, a condition called Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy (VVA) can commonly occur in women after undergoing cancer treatments. Breast cancer treatment increases the prevalence of VVA, because the surgical and chemotherapeutic agents used in its treatment can cause or exacerbate VVA. A revolutionary treatment for VVA called MonaLisa Touch can restore the vagina to a healthy state and greatly reduce the symptoms associated with VVA, which can include vaginal dryness, irritation and painful intercourse. This procedure is highly effective, fast, painless and completely safe for breast cancer survivors. Restoring a life full of health, energy and vitality can be achieved with a combination of these natural solutions. Be your own health advocate, and educate yourself on integrative treatments to ensure long-term health that is cancer free!
FOCUS ON THE CURE
With Medi-Weightloss®, I Got More Than My Life Back!
How Is Breast Cancer Staged?
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fter a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, doctors will figure out whether it has spread, and if so, how far. This is called staging. The stage of a cancer helps determine how serious the cancer is and how best to treat it. Staging is the process of finding out how widespread the cancer is when it is found. The stage is the most important factor in deciding how to treat the cancer and determining how successful treatment might be. To determine the cancer’s stage after a breast cancer diagnosis, doctors must answer these questions: • Is the cancer invasive or non-invasive? • How big is the breast tumor? Has it grown into nearby areas? • Has the cancer spread to nearby lymph nodes? If so, how many are involved? • Has the cancer spread to other parts of the body? Depending on the results of the physical exam and biopsy, a patient might need more tests to help determine the stage. After looking at the test results, your doctor will tell you the stage of your cancer. The earliest stage cancers are called stage 0 – carcinoma in situ – and then range from stages I through IV. Some of the stages are further divided into sub stages using the letters A, B and C. As a rule, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. And within a stage, an earlier letter means a lower stage. Cancers with similar stages tend to have a similar outlook and are often treated in much the same way. Source: www.cancer.org
Like many folks,I struggled with my health. I was pre-diabetic, and I hadn’t done anything to change that. It wasn’t just about carrying extra weight, not fitting into my clothes, or not being happy when I looked in the mirror. I wanted a future where I fully participated in the many opportunities of life!
Trudy, actual Memorial patient lost 50 pounds!†
BEFORE
How did I make a change? A friend of mine told be about her 70-pound weight loss success with Medi-Weightloss®. I found the closest Medi-Weightloss® and decided to call & start my journey to a healthier life. At my Initial consultation, I was impressed with the friendly, helpful, and supportive staff. My counselor confirmed that I could lose up to 20 pounds in the first month†. Though I was a bit skeptical because of my previous attempts as weight loss, the experts at Medi-Weightloss® gave me the confidence I needed to reach my success. Medi-Weightloss® is NOT a diet! It is a physician-supervised plan that educated me on how to eat proper portions, exercise moderately and make healthier life choices. Losing 50 pounds† has freed me of so much extra weight – and I’m not just talking about the pounds. When you feel better about yourself, you feel more positive in so many other ways. That positivity helps you with everyone and everything around you. Medi-Weightloss® helps you reach your goals. You just have to decide to get started! Are YOU ready to make a change? Call 281.299.3912 to get started today.
FREE
ASSESSMENT HOUSTON MEMORIAL 14637 Memorial Dr., Ste. C Houston, TX 77079
281.299.3912
† On average, patients compliant with the Medi-Weightloss® Program lose 6.4 pounds the first week and 14 pounds the first month. Rapid weight loss may be associated with certain medical conditions and should only be considered by those who are medically appropriate. © 2016 Medi IP, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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Study May Prevent Hair Loss for Breast Cancer Patients During Chemotherapy Scalp Cooling for Alopecia Prevention (SCALP)
Frankie Ann Holmes, MD Medical Oncologist Memorial Hermann Cancer Center – Memorial City
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an scalp cooling prevent hair loss during chemotherapy for breast cancer? Memorial Hermann is one of six sites in the United States where physician researchers are investigating the safety and efficacy of the Paxman Orbis Hair Loss Prevention System in reducing hair loss in women with breast cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy. If the U.S. randomized Phase III clinical trial shows outcomes similar to prior studies in Europe, Scandinavia, Australia and Japan, researchers are hopeful it will lead to FDA approval of the device. More than 235 women will be enrolled in the American trial, which began in December 2013 and is expected to close by the end of 2016. “Most women who participate, whether they’re receiving the cooling cap or are in the control group, are delighted to be a part of this study,” said affiliated medical oncologist Frankie Ann Holmes, MD. Holmes has focused her professional career on treatment and research into a cure for breast cancer. “Many patients have commented that loss of hair ‘outs them’ as cancer patients, which they resent and consider an invasion of privacy. Yes, you can wear a wig, but having your own hair gives you a feeling of control at a time when you lose significant control over your day-to-day life,” explained Holmes. Holmes joined the US Oncology Network and Breast Cancer Research Committee – and the medical staff of Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center – after 15 years of practice at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Memorial City was selected as a study site through her research connections and collaboration with the Lester
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and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine, the sponsor of the clinical trial. “Dr. Holmes’ practice is at the core of a strong Memorial City-based breast cancer treatment group with outstanding specialists in medical and surgical oncology and plastic and reconstructive surgery, as well as a strong multidisciplinary tumor board,” said Michelina Cairo, MD, an affiliated medical oncologist who joined Holmes as a partner in November 2015 from Texas Oncology in the Texas Medical Center. “Our strong medical community and robust network of collaborators allow us to offer patients a very high level of care, which made Memorial Hermann Memorial City an appealing site for the trial.” The Paxman scalp cooling cap and subsequent series of clinical trials grew out of the personal experience of Richard Paxman and his family. “My mother had quite aggressive breast cancer at the age of 34, when I was 10,” said Paxman, who is managing director of the family-owned company. “At the time, her physicians offered scalp cooling as a potential way to prevent hair loss, but it failed to work. When her hair began to fall out, it was a visible sign of her illness that very much affected our family dynamics. Later, my father began investigating the technology with a real drive to do something better for patients going forward. We’re hoping the results of the U.S. trial will be in line with previous international results.” Trial participants wear the cooling cap 30 minutes before chemotherapy, during chemotherapy and 90 minutes afterward. They – and the physicians – know who is randomized to cooling versus the control group. A physician and a blinded observer examine every participant before each chemotherapy session. “The trial adds a little more than an extra hour to the chemotherapy experience, but women who are participating recognize the benefits and tell us it’s worth the extra time,” Cairo said. “What’s exciting for us as physicians is the results we’re getting.” Holmes believes the trial also affirms the value of the human touch in caring for patients. “The success of the device relies heavily on ensuring that the cap is intimately attached to the scalp,” she said. “If the device is successful, women undergoing treatment for breast cancer will be able to continue to live their lives as normally as possible with control over the information they share with the outside world.”
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
FOCUS ON THE CURE
Lose Your Love Handles & Be Ready To Rock Your Skinny Jeans Discounts Available for Multiple Treatment Areas
Call Today
713-458-0224 www.skinscriptionsbymelissagibbens.com
14441 Memorial Drive, Suite 5 Houston, TX 77079 (Located between Kirkwood and Dairy Ashford)
Got Tickets? Join us on Facebook Facebook.com/AbsolutelyMemorial
“Like” Us Today!
Win ticket giveaways to area attractions and events!
www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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FOCUS ON THE CURE Breast Reconstruction
John T. Nguyen, MD, FICS Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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reast reconstruction is one or more operations performed to restore all components of the breast of women who have undergone mastectomy or removal of the entire breast. Breast reconstruction after mastectomy has evolved over the last century to become an integral component in the therapy for many women with breast cancer. A complete breast reconstruction includes recreating the breast mound, the nipple and areola complex so that the breasts are symmetric with regard to pigmentation, shape, size, projection and position. The Goals of Breast Reconstruction: To provide permanent breast contour. To make the breasts look balanced. To give the convenience of not requiring an external prosthesis. Breast Reconstruction Can Be Performed Using: Artificial material (a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or saline) placed under the skin. The woman’s own tissues (skin, muscle, fat) from another part of the body (flap reconstruction). Pedicled flap: In this type of flap reconstruction, the tissues remain connected to the area of the body from which they are taken. Specifically, the blood supply to the transplanted tissues is not interrupted. Free flap: In this type of flap reconstruction, the tissues are cut
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off from the original area and grafted to the chest, and a new blood supply is created for the grafted tissues. A combination of artificial material and the woman’s own tissues. Timing of Breast Reconstruction: Immediate Versus Delayed Immediate breast reconstruction is reconstruction that is performed at the same time as the mastectomy. Delayed breast reconstruction is reconstruction that is performed weeks, months or years after the mastectomy. Surgeons differ in their opinions about when breast reconstruction should be performed. If radiation therapy needs to be administered after mastectomy, then breast reconstruction is generally delayed until the skin in the treated area has healed. Excellent results can usually be achieved by either immediate breast reconstruction or delayed breast reconstruction. Reconstruction Using Implants Implants are designed to recreate the original breast shape and contour. A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or saline. A tissue expander or balloon is inserted beneath the skin and chest muscle either during the mastectomy procedure or at a later operation. The surgeon periodically injects saline into the balloon to gradually fill it over several weeks or months so that the overlying skin can expand. After the skin over the breast area has stretched enough, the tissue expander is removed in a second operation and a permanent breast implant is inserted. Some women do not require tissue expansion before receiving an implant; for these women, the surgeon inserts an implant directly. Flap Reconstruction Flap reconstruction is a reconstructive surgery in which a flap of skin and fat with or without muscle is transplanted from a part of the body, such as the lower abdomen, back, thigh or
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
buttock, to the chest area, where it is shaped to form a new breast mound. Like the implant surgery, this operation can be performed at the same time as the mastectomy, or it can be delayed. Advantages of Flap Reconstruction: May eliminate the use of foreign material in the body. Reconstructed breast usually looks and feels more natural. Will last the woman’s life span. When successful, requires minimal touch-up or redo operations throughout a woman’s lifetime. Disadvantages of Flap Reconstruction: Increased complexity and length of the surgery. May require a longer recovery period if muscle is included in the reconstruction. Additional donor site scars. Some women may require an implant, in addition to the flap reconstruction, for recreating the breast. If flap reconstruction is the selected option for reconstructive surgery, then the surgeon must decide from which part of the body the required tissues are taken. The tissues for breast reconstruction can be taken from the back, abdomen, buttock or thigh. Reconstruction of the Nipple and Areola Once the breast mound has been reconstructed, the nipple and areola (pigmented area around the nipple) can be recreated approximately two to three months after the first breast reconstructive surgery. A nipple can be created using skin from the inner thigh, behind the ear, reconstructed breast or labia. The skin can be tattooed to match the other nipple and areola. The reconstructed nipple and areola have very little sensation. Women who decide not to have nipple and areola reconstruction performed can consider the option of nipple prosthesis.
absolutely
Power through with pink tourmaline. This beautiful, sterling silver bracelet by Sara Blaine is handcrafted with a toggle clasp. The stones are individually prong set in the leaf motif undercarriage. Loggins Jewelers, 14015 Southwest Freeway in Sugar Land. Call 281-242-2900; www.logginsjewelers.com.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, remember, support and honor your loved one with a free fall mum courtesy of Garden Guy. Supplies are limited. No cash value. Garden Guy. Call 281-208-4400; www.garden-guy.com.
Fall in love with China Baroque’s pink collection just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. China Baroque will participate in the Holiday Shopping Card October 20th to 30th benefiting the American Cancer Society. China Baroque, 879 Frostwood Drive in Memorial. Call 713-996-8995; www.chinabaroque.com. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Twenty-Two Fifty Interiors is currently featuring the beautiful Mark Roberts 2016 Spirit of Hope Fairy “representing the hopes, dreams and commitment of so many to find a cure for cancer.” Twenty-Two Fifty Interiors, 2250 Lone Star Drive in Sugar Land Town Square. Call 281-265-2250; www.twentytwofiftyinteriors.com. www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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Ask Alex:
The Holiday Shopping Card
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ver 20,000 people die of cancer every day. According to the American Cancer Society, the lifetime probability of a man developing cancer is 1 in 2 and a woman is 1 in 3 as of 2014. If you, someone you love, a friend or a co-worker has or has had cancer, they are part of the growing number of people affected by this horrible disease. You can help fight back. “Pay it forward” with the American Cancer Society, VICTORY Houston and the Holiday Shopping Card from October 20th to 30th this year.
Q
What is the Holiday Shopping Card?
A
The Holiday Shopping Card is the traditional start of the Houston area holiday season. Shoppers purchase the Holiday Shopping Card for $75 and receive a minimum of 20% off merchandise at over 600 participating retailers. The purchase of each card is a $75 donation that goes to the American Cancer Society, Gulf Coast Region in an effort to raise more money for the American Cancer Society. I have participated for five years and find it so rewarding!
Q
A
How do I find a list of stores that participate in the Holiday Shopping Card?
You can find a list of retailers in the Houston area at www.holidayshoppingcard.com. Once you purchase the Holiday Shopping Card, you will receive a book with all of the retailers, the area that they are located and a description of the store.
Q
A
Q
What is VICTORY?
A
Founded in 1987 as a volunteer organization to help in the fight against cancer in the Houston area, VICTORY has 130 active members and is a special branch of the American Cancer Society. The Holiday Shopping Card and The Cattle Baron’s Ball are the special events that provide VICTORY with the revenues for this fundraising endeavor.
Q
A
Where do the funds raised by the Cattle Baron’s Ball and the Holiday Shopping Card go?
All funds raised at both events are for research grants, educational programs and service programs at the American Cancer Society.
What is the history of the Holiday Shopping Card?
In 1997, VICTORY presented the first Holiday Shopping Card. Celebrating its 20th year of presenting the card, they have contributed over $14 million dollars in proceeds from this event to the American Cancer Society. All money raised is by selling the card, and the organization does not get proceeds from the 20% savings. Their goal this year is to raise $1 million.
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OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
Q&A
With Dr. Kasia Lindhorst
Dr. Kasia Lindhorst
How often does my child need x-rays taken? Frequency of x-rays depends on many factors. Some of them are contingent on home dental care and eating habits, and some are related to independent factors such as salivary bacteria. At Smiles For Kids, we evaluate each child based on all of these factors before we decide on an x-ray schedule. Kids with good oral hygiene, flossing, no previous or recent cavities, and a good diet can get x-rays as infrequently as every 18 to 24 months. However, children who are at higher risk must be checked more often, either every 6 months or yearly.
What if I don’t want x-rays taken on my child? Once the frequency of x-rays is carefully assessed by the dentist, it becomes very important to follow your dentist’s recommendation. Not taking x-rays at prescribed times can lead to missing important information that cannot be seen during a visual oral exam. Cavities grow and if not detected in time, they can become large, which in turn can lead to much more expensive and invasive treatment needs than if they were caught early and could have been avoided.
www.skinscriptionsbymelissagibbens.com
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. ©2015 Ulthera, Inc. Ultherapy and See the Beauty of Sound are trademarks of Ulthera, Inc.
1002221C
The only Tween Book Festival in the country Saturday, October 22nd www.tweensread.com
8800 Katy Fwy., Ste. 220 Houston, Texas 77024 713.461.1509 www.smiles-for-kids.com
Call for details 281-497-8675 14532 Memorial Dr. @ Dairy Ashford • www.bluewillowbookshop.com www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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s u o l u Fab inds F
You may know me as a Memorial mom of four fabulous boys and wife to Roger Clemens, but what you may not know is that I love finding cool and unique products because, let’s face it, in a house full of boys, a girl needs her girl stuff! So, here are some things I absolutely love... and hope you will too!
BY DE B B I E C L E M E N S @debbieclemens
Virzoom Virtual Games Here is a great Christmas gift idea for fun, healthy gaming! This folding VR bike controller includes five full virtual games for an incredible virtual experience. This gets your body moving, so you get exercise while playing! www.virzoom.com
Coffeeboxx This clever, portable coffee maker works with all K-cups, including hot chocolate, tea, lattes and soups! How great is that? This is perfect for all day outings or late nights! www.oxx.com
Alexander McQueen Capes and Blankets I'm all over these capes and blankets! I love skulls anyway, but these are really great for Halloween. They are made out of cashmere and totally perfect for fall weather. www.alexandermcqueen.com
Casablanca Nut Bowl with Horn Hand les For every holiday or party, I always put nuts and candy out at my house. I’m very happy with these! www.carlyleavenue.com
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Lariat Love These chokers, tassels and lariats can be worn several ways. They are lightweight and easy to wear! www.debbieclemens.com
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
Where your pets are like our family!
• Affordable Rates • Excellent Customer Service • Small & Large Dog Day Care • Dog & Cat Boarding • We Support Area Thank you Dog Rescues for supporting a Veteran owned small business.
Come over for a tour! 9513 Yupondale • Houston, TX 77080 Located off IH-10 and Bunker Hill, just past Costco and HEB
713.464.9852 www.fritzkennel.com
www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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K
r e n or n
C Bir ’ rick t s a id By P
o
Sensory Processing Disorder: The 1 in 20 Disorder You’ve Never Heard Of
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ach week at camp, around 150 to 200 kids come through our day programs. It is fun and everything that camp should be, and of course, it comes with all of the normal ups, downs, joys and challenges of dealing with that many kids – and parents! While we are used to the frequent number of children with diagnosed disorders who join us, a large number of undiagnosed children at camp exhibit symptoms of a disorder that most parents have never even heard of: Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). According to the Star Institute for SPD, as many as 16 percent of children exhibit the symptoms of SPD. And yet, because the disorder is relatively unknown among parents, and because it shares some symptoms with the autism spectrum, it can be difficult for childcare companies to properly identify the signs and implement an engagement program that best serves that particular child. So, what is SPD? While the Star Institute website provides an amazing, in-depth explanation, in a nut shell, SPD refers to the way a child’s brain handles sensory input from their environment and how they respond to those sensory inputs through action and emotion. Un-
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like similar disorders, the senses themselves are perceived normally, but the processing of and response to those experiences is abnormal. Symptoms of SPD include: sensitivity to certain noises, touch, smells or even people; lack of empathy; becoming overwhelmed by large groups, loud
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
noises or sensory overload; difficulty making friends; motor skill difficulties and becoming easily distracted, fidgety and aggressive. Many of these symptoms are the same as those characteristic of other, more well-known disorders. And while your child’s doctor is a great resource and has the knowledge to best assess and treat your child, parents should use caution when a camp, teacher or day care quickly “diagnoses” your child with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Many of these programs, though well intentioned, don’t have the medical expertise to properly identify your child’s situation. Treating a child with SPD as if they have ADD doesn’t help them, since the former usually involves intense therapy and the latter medication. So, what can you do if you are worried that your child might have SPD or be exhibiting its symptoms? Luckily, it is treatable if properly identified, and there are a ton of resources available for parents and patients. Visit www.spdstar. org to learn more about SPD, get more resources, find assessments and get in touch with evaluations and treatment options near you. And if one in 20 kids has SPD, all parents should learn more about it.
Holiday Open House
Thursday, November 3rd RISK-FREE 30 Day Trial of the
Invisible Hearing Solution
20% OFF DURING
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE (some exclusions apply)
◆
10am - 6pm
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VSA & Chan Luu Jewelry Bella Notte Linens & Lili Alessandra Bedding
Lite Bites & Drinks Mark Roberts Fairies, Nativities & Ornaments Custom Holiday Florals and Trees
evice. earing D isible H v In n A Finally,
100% INVISIBLE! HASSLE-FREE!
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Twenty Two Fifty Candle
281.265.2250 • www.twentytwofiftyinteriors.com F: 1.877.402.0210 • 2250 Lone Star in Sugar Land Town Square
With This Coupon During Holiday Open House
Scheduling In Home Holiday Decorating today! Please call 281.265.2250 to schedule!
NO BATTERIES TO CHANGE! CAN BE WORN DURING ALL ACTIVITIES! *Expires 09/30/2016
We are the
experts.
The convenience you want with the hearing experts you need.
(832) 539-3310 AllisonAudiology.com 12900 Queensbury Lane #100 Houston, TX 77079
Linda Elliott and Nancy Lerne, Owners
Taking a drive just to look at leaves?
We can make sure your ride is ready! 281-497-0830
14715 Memorial Drive near Dairy Ashford Houston, Texas 77079 MemorialDriveTireAuto.com www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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FAQ’s
Regarding the Texas Divorce Process and Procedures By Nancy L. Rommelmann, Family Law Attorney
According to the Texas Family Code: General Residency Rule for Divorce Suit:
A suit for divorce may not be maintained in this state unless at the time the suit is filed either the petitioner or the respondent has been: (1) a domiciliary of this state for the preceding six month period and (2) a resident of the county in which the suit is filed for the preceding 90 day period.
What are grounds for divorce?
The court may grant a divorce without regard to fault (“no fault divorce”), cruelty, adultery, conviction of felony, abandonment, living apart or confinement in mental hospital.
Is it separate or community property?
Visit our store in Memorial
879 Frostwood Drive 713-996-8995 www.chinabaroque.com
(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)
ph 713-622-3000 www.attorneynancyrommelmann.com Call us today for a consultation!
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FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY
FAMILY LAW
• 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
Community property consists of the property, other than separate property, acquired by either spouse during marriage. A spouse’s separate property consists of: (1) the property owned or claimed by the spouse before marriage; (2) the property acquired by the spouse during the marriage by gift, devise or descent and (3) the recovery for personal injuries sustained by the spouse during the marriage. Property possessed by either spouse during or on dissolution of marriage is presumed to be community property. The degree of proof necessary to establish that property is separate property is clear and convincing evidence. If one spouse makes a gift of property to the other spouse, the gift is presumed to include all of the income and property that may arise from that property.
What is a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO)?
This is a court order that sets forth acts which either one or both parties are prohibited from doing immediately after the petition is filed. It usually prohibits bad acts such as hiding money from the other spouse, attempting to hide a child of the parties and harassment. If a person violates a TRO, they can be held in contempt of court and punished by a fine and sentenced to jail.
What if I reconcile with my spouse?
You can file a “nonsuit” to dismiss your divorce proceedings. “Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.” - Unknown
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
Fresh and Fabulous • Restore Volume
Radiesse Dermal Filler $100 off
• Restore Your Skin’s Texture Save $50 off SkinPen and Clear and Brilliant Laser
• Now Offering Body Tightening Say Good Bye to Sagging Skin Call Today for your Complimentary Consultation
713-458-0224
14441 Memorial Drive, Suite 5 • Houston, TX 77079
www.skinscriptionsbymelissagibbens.com
Customized, One-on-One Language Lessons Languages: • English • French • Spanish • German • Italian • Portuguese
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Dysport Botox Restylane Perlane Juvederm
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Radiesse Dermaplaning Chemical Peels Laser Services Sclerotherap
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Dr. Katia Lemke, DMD Orthodontic Specialist
• Free Orthodontic Exam & Consultation • Insurance & Flexible Financing Available • Braces for Children & Adults
Experienced Native Teachers
• Advanced Orthodontic Treatment with & Lingual Braces
27 Years of Experience Accent Reduction for Foreign Professionals By appointment only languages@bebilingual.com www.bebilingual.com
713.789.6338
9055 Gaylord, Suite 100 • Houston, TX 77024
713.782.4566 www.lemkeortho.com 7887 San Felipe, Ste. 150 • Houston, TX 77063
www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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Seen on the Scene
Houston’s Retirement Tradition ener a t i o Serving multiple g
Indigo Night: Couture Soiree Benefiting the Martinez-Arpin Foundation August 27, 2016 •The Home of Tommy O’Neill
ns f o r 4 0 y e a r s !
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A Continuum of Care Campus • Independent Living • Assisted Living • Skilled Nursing & Rehab
SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY! 2501 Westerland Dr. @ Westheimer Houston, TX 77063
713-783-6820 Hear Residents’ Stories at
FREE
LUNCH & TOUR TODAY!
Photos by David Brown and Roshan Maoyed.
www.Treemont.com
CALL FOR
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Alberto & Stephanie Vogel with Lily Paxon & Enrique Salinas Tania Demeris, Robert Hiliker & Marilyn Smith David & Rosangela Capobianco Dorian Herrera & Carmen Marie Montiel Charles & Tammie Johnson with Tracy & Harry Faulkner Mauricio Vallejo, Liliana Molina, Alex Martinez-Arpin, Sandra Fonseca & Alberto Uribe Tommy O’Neill & Brent Whiteley 7
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OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
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By Leslie Little
Thrillers and Mysteries Don’t read with the lights off . . . The Black-Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin As the execution nears of the man who tried to kill Tessa Cartwright 18 years ago, she faces old ghosts and recurring nightmares of that night she was buried alive with the other “Black-Eyed Susans,” the nickname given to Tessa and the unidentified girls found in a field of those same flowers. Is the killer still free, and is he the one who has been planting those crazy, creepy flowers in her yard every year since she was found? Pick this twisted novel for your next read!
Songbyrd by Anna Silver Innocence Byrd and her mom move around a lot, but all she wants is to stay in one place, meet a nice boy and have a normal life. Her mom has had a long string of boyfriends. The last one ended badly, and they had to leave town quickly again. When her mom is arrested for murder, Innocence learns that the Byrd women have a mysterious secret, and modern-day mythology becomes real life.
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware Check your fear meter before diving into this novel. Lo Blackwell finally gets her dream job as a travel writer when she’s invited on the maiden voyage of the Aurora, a boutique cruise ship, but did she really just hear the woman in the next cabin scream and then a body-sized splash? With suspicion at every turn and the unexpected surprise of a jilted lover on the ship, is Lo’s dream job becoming a nightmare?
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OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
BRAIN TEASER By Myles Mellor
Trick or Treat Across 1 5 10 12 13 15 18 19 20 21 23 24 27 29 31 33 35 36 38
Teaser
Scary Halloween game (goes with 56 across) Kind of trap Apple pie cooker Picture Harvest carriers, traditionally Place to watch football, perhaps Oz man Bird in the making Nightmare street Kind of pudding Kilogram, for short Thanksgiving potatoes Look into the future Shelter High card Audi-visual, for short Bite of apple pie perhaps “Psycho” bad guy
40 41 42 43 45 48 50 51 52 54 55 56 57
Football position Chargers’ state Came across Thanksgiving fare Last word of a Poe title 2001 computer Turkish title of rank Fall features Conduct Wolf down Batman foe See 5 across Ivan the Terrible, for one
Down 1 2 3 4 6 7
Halloween arachnid Halloween color Turkey slicer Passion Turkey seasoning Halloween wear
8 9 11 14 16 17 22 23 25 26 27 28
Horror classic, The ___ Sewer mammal School session When Harry Met Sally star, first name Actress, Basinger View Hasty escape Peace item Harvest time action (2 words) Buckets (2 words) “Is it soup ___?” Relishes
Dr. Carin Domann
30 32 34 36 37 39 43 44 46 47 49 53
Takes out Land of the euro, for short Pot material Illuminated, at night Crop yield It works like a charm Breakfast food Ghost wear, perhaps Swelled head Not so common Medical organization Augusta state
See answers on page 63.
Dr. Angela Orfanos
Trick or Treat,
let us make your smile sweet! Please call today for a complimentary exam. www.townandcountryortho.com
713-465-3400
788 West Sam Houston Pkwy. North, Ste. 201 • Houston, TX 77024 www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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By Cynthia Hand Neely
FEATURE
A Yard to Die For A grisly graveyard can lure gobs of ghouls to your manor this Halloween if you have the spirit. With a little originality and added realism, store-bought props can rise above the ordinary.
Haunting Tombstones Make typical foam tombstones thicker. Using only glue meant for foam, glue two identical designs back-to-back. When the glue is dry, give it more “age” with a drizzle of water tinted with acrylic paint. Fill a spray bottle part way with water and add a few drops of rust colored or deep green paint. Shake to mix. It should be transparent in strength. Outside, lightly spray the top of your stone allowing the water to run down and leave streaks on all sides. Let dry and repeat until you like the results. Decrepit is your goal. Size is better than quantity when it
comes to gravestones – think large. Once planted in your yard, the prop that looked so nice and big in the store can look pitifully puny when dwarfed by your lawn’s expanse. Arrange tombstones as they would be found in an ancient, derelict cemetery. Some should be crooked and others facing different directions. Pile pine straw, leaves and sticks in mounds where the bodies would be buried.
Spooky Spider Webs Instead of the usual packaged spider web product that looks like spun cotton candy, try Spanish moss, the gray moss that dangles from big oak trees in iconic southern plantation photos. It’s available, dried and packaged, in floral departments at hobby stores. Just pull it apart so it is stringy and loose, then drape from low-hanging branches and everything else for instant creepiness.
Eerie Epitaphs Personalize your dead zone with original epitaphs. If you can’t find gravestones with plain fronts, flip and use the blank backsides. Paint family names like “Reserved for (your name here)”
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OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
or comical epitaphs such as “Here Lies Little Randy, Ate Too Much Candy.” Be sure to use acrylic paint, because oilbased paint will eat through the foam, dissolving it into a mess.
Other Frightening Accents A real shovel propped at a grave, fullsized skeletons posed with fake ravens on their shoulders, lanterns with batteryoperated candles and a fan blowing your fabric ghosts accent this final resting place. Whether you hire someone to create your display or dig your own, no graveyard is worth its bones without accent lighting. Simple, colored spotlights in green, blue or purple, staked in the ground, do the trick for treaters. Beware of electrical cords that could be a tripping hazard. Aim lights into tree branches, point a few at the tombstones and skeletons, and when darkness falls, you won’t need a full moon for your Halloween decorations to dazzle.
Jan Glenn’s Pawsitively Purrfect
Eeeeek! Yikes! It Is Howl‐o‐ween 2016
T
he festive holiday party scene of 2016 is coming up! It’s time to start the season of dressing up, eating bunches and entertaining. It is the best part of the year, and I am not talking about human fun. I am talking doggie activities, because your pooch loves this time of the year, too. Howl-o-ween is a great excuse to be silly for both humans and pets alike. It is on the night of October 31st when ghosts and witches are said to appear. The vampires, zombies, headless horseman, ghosts and ghouls come out of their creepy hideouts and begin their quest of frightening pets and people. It has been going on in the USA since 1921, when the first recorded Halloween celebration occurred in Anoka, Minnesota. It is a time to have extra treats around for everyone in the household. This is the part of any holiday that Fido and Princess like best. On Halloween, they get to partake in weird delights such as spider pup cakes, mummy dogs, bloody finger hot dogs or pumpkin biscuits. My round hound, Gracie, loves the eating part of a holiday, but she thinks dressing up is a little “ruff.” She has never enjoyed dressing up and having her picture taken, but she certainly loves the extra treats that seem to be plentiful. I don’t want to put a damper the party, but there are a couple of food items you have to avoid giving pets: chocolate, raisins and Xylitol, which is a sugar substitute. They are extremely harmful to animals. I have found a great store that has everything you need to celebrate Halloween with your dog. It is called Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming, located in Sugar Land. Picture this: You walk in, and it looks like a Halloween party already in progress. It is decked out for the holiday.
This is not a trick. It’s a treat, especially at the cookie table, where there are gobs of gourmet goodies galore for little fourlegged goblins. Some of the best ghoultastic treats are truffles, brownies, cannolis, mini monsters and spooktacular iced cookies. It is also a place where a pooch can go from beast to beauty in a couple of hours. Any persnickety pooch that doesn’t like costumes should be happy with some colorful bows or neck attire. Either way, he will almost be too cute to spook. Woof Gang franchise owner Cathy Dorris said, “We are having a party on October 22nd from noon to 3 pm. It’s a Halloween costume party, and every dog that comes dressed up gets to go trick or treating for a free cookie. Better yet,
Mila, a Clumber Spaniel, is dressed up to party.
the best costume wins a huge prize.” This year, there are crazy and creepy costumes to choose from. Depending on your pet’s personality, he might prefer to be a movie star, sports hero, a swashbuckling pirate or a beautiful princess. Maybe the classic look of tux and a tail or another animal suits your doggie’s fancy. Hurry and decide, because the witching Halloween night will be here soon! So, here is to all you party animals of Howl-o-ween 2016. Eat, drink and be scary. I am witching you a Franken-tastic good time and a spooktacular night. These are the gh’oul times with your pooch. A haunting you will go . . . Bugs and hisses . . . I need a coffin break . . . Somebody stop me!
Spooktacular iced cookies made for four-legged goblins. www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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absolutely! DELICIOUS
H
ay rides and pumpkin carving aren’t the only time-honored traditions of fall. This time of year also brings the opportunity to enjoy spooktacular and hairraising seasonal treats. Whether served alone in a glass or incorporated in tasty recipes, limited edition TruMoo Orange Scream can help you whip-up festive sips and snacks. Inspired by orange frozen pops with vanilla ice cream and made with no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial growth hormones and no artificial sweeteners, this creamy orange milk is so frightfully delicious and nutritious, it might make you scream with joy. And this fall, the colorful milk is getting a makeover. In celebration of DreamWorks’ Trolls, Poppy and Branch – the eternally optimistic troll and her overly cautious counterpart – will make an appearance on specially marked bottles of TruMoo Orange Scream and Chocolate milks. Kick off this year’s fearsome festivities with recipes inspired by the movie and its beloved characters: Truly Colorful Crepes and Poppy’s Orange Scream Pudding Parfaits. It’ll be no surprise when the whole family asks for more. For more exciting recipes, visit TruMoo.com, and find TruMoo Milk on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Truly Colorful Crepes
Serves: 6 Crepes 2 Large eggs 1/4 Teaspoon salt 1 Cup all-purpose flour 1 1/4 Cups TruMoo Orange Scream milk 1/3 Cup confectioners’ sugar 3 Tablespoons melted butter 1 Teaspoon orange extract
In large bowl, combine eggs, milk, flour, sugar, melted butter, orange extract and salt. Beat with wire whisk to combine well. Cover and place mixture in refrigerator for one hour or up to two days. Stir mixture with spoon. Heat lightly greased 9-inch skillet over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup batter into center of pan; quickly swirl or spread mixture to fill skillet. Cook each crepe 30 seconds. Flip and cook another 10 seconds until lightly browned. Place crepe on large cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining batter. Do not stack crepes on top of each other. To serve, place two small scoops of frozen yogurt in center of crepe; fold sides over to close. Sprinkle crepes with confectioners’ sugar, grated orange peel and sprinkles, if desired.
Poppy’s Orange Scream Pudding Parfaits Serves: 4 1 Package (16.5 ounces) refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough 1 Package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding and pie filling 2 Cups TruMoo Orange Scream milk Whipped topping Blue and green sprinkles Prepare cookies as package directs. Set aside. Prepare instant pudding as package directs, using milk. In a glass or parfait dish, crumble one cookie; top with large spoonful of pudding. Repeat layering. Dollop with spoonful of whipped topping; top with sprinkles. Repeat to make three more parfaits.
Source: Family Features / TruMoo
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Filling Frozen yogurt Confectioners’ sugar 1 Tablespoon grated orange peel Blue sprinkles (optional)
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
Family Owned & Operated Since 1970
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The American Girl Fashion Show is the ul�mate mother‐daughter experience! In its 22nd and nal year, the HITS Theatre‐produced event includes breakfast, lunch or tea at the Junior League of Houston, a fashion show and a girl‐friendly marketplace.
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American Girl Fashion Show November 5th 10am & 1pm November 6th 1pm & 4pm
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1306 Blalock, Houston, TX 77055 713-461-5695 Mon. – Sat. 10 am - 6 pm Bradleysartandframe.com
The Episcopal Church Women of St. Martin’s present the
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Joy of Giving Market
Building Confidence One Smile at a Time Ask About Our New Patient Special Most Insurances Are Accepted
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Find the perfect
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Tuesday, October 18, 4 – 8:30 p.m. $15 admission – with hors d’oeuvres
Wednesday and Thursday October 19, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. October 20, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free admission
717 Sage Road at Woodway For more information, call 713-985-3844 or visit stmartinsepiscopal.org/joy-of-giving-market.
www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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Mentions Memorial
The Petty family had a great July 4th trip to see the Boston Pops. Enjoying the evening were Taylor, Carolyn, Alex, Amanda, Guy, Jane and Emma Petty. BY SUZANNE STILES suzanne@absolutelyfocusmedia.com
Sixth graders Jackson Stubbs and Spencer Woolsey enjoyed water skiing on Lake Conroe.
Claire Bryant, a freshman at Memorial High School, qualified for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympic meet held this year in Houston. She placed 2nd in the long jump and triple jump and 4th in the high jump. Congratulations!
Cuties Claire Besetsny, Charlotte Anderson and Marin Jackson left for Camp Longhorn. Frostwood Elementary brothers Lyle and Lyndon Raymond explored during their trip to Washington, D.C.
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OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
Frostwood Elementary 5th grader Logan Beardsley caught a five-and-a-half foot stingray in Sea Island, Georgia.
Duchesne Academy Fifth Grade Junior Girl Scout Troop 18963 began its Bronze Award in the fall of 2015 after the girls voted on a literacy and beautification project to benefit the children at Our Lady of Guadalupe School (OLG), located in the Second Ward in the East End. Pictured are troop members Mackenzie LaCroix, Ava Ford, Kyndal Cooper, Elisabeth Barrett, Audrey Smith, Abigail Lambert, Fiona Charlton, Elizabeth Yzaguirre, Charlotte Charlton, Chloe Evans, Gabby Frugoni, Echo Malinowski-Cunningham, Emily Newell, Ava Grzeszczuk, Carolina Noyola, Sophie Anna Charlton, Katie Garofolo-Ro, Myra Saxena, Victoria Vasquez and Mekala Kumar.
Kindergarten buddies Jackson Whisler with Will and Nate Long were ready for a great year at Wilchester Elementary.
University of Houston Chi Omega alumnae Sara McLean, Dani Papetti, Janet Jones, Margaret Brown, Cathy Coers Frank, and Drue Da Silva attended the University of Houston “Chalk Talk” women’s sports camp at Cougar Stadium.
Gavin Watler, Cullen Thomas, Brent Bishop, Braden Tellepsen, Natalie Haas, Alec Voss, Taylor Smith and Cooper Wozencraft all graduated 8th grade from St. Francis Episcopal Day School in 2013. Now they are all seniors at Memorial High School and will graduate in June 2017!
Frostwood Elementary sisters Elizabeth and Alexandra Molokin loved their visit to their grandparents in Miami, Oklahoma. www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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Mentions Memorial
Frostwood Elementary 4th grader Alden Farrow met a friend during vacation to St. Kitts, West Indies.
Nora Robinson had an extra magical 3rd birthday party! Celebrating were Tyler Hutchinson as Prince Charming and Sandra Wilson as Cinderella with partygoers Addie Keracik, Harper Patton, Brooke Davis, Hadley Kannady, Ava Atchinson, Hallie White, Ella Cate Harper, Annabelle Davis, Nora Robinson, Emma Stephenson, Eloise White, Sloan Atchinson, Collins Wiley and Meredith Mraz.
Brother and sister Anna Teresa and Diego Oliver were all smiles before school.
At Wilchester Elementary were brothers Luca and Linden D’Amico.
Davis Pinion, John Hubbard and Whit Patterson, 2nd graders at Frostwood Elementary, had a great time fishing on the Gallatin River in Big Sky, Montana.
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Frostwood Elementary 3rd grader Maureen and dad Hank Min visited Hong Kong over the summer.
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
The Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market Presents “The Twelve Days of Christmas” The 2016 Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market “The Twelve Days of Christmas” will be held at NRG Center from November 10th through 13th. This larger than life market is the perfect place to shop for unique holiday gifts, including home décor, gourmet food, clothing, toys, candles, jewelry, novelties, accessories and more. Select new vendors make their debut each year at the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market, and this year’s new items include retro and nostalgic candy that can be purchased in bulk, apparel and lifestyle accessories that promote kindness, customizable gifts including dog collars and monogrammed jewelry, handcrafted jewelry from California and a merchant with handmade toy chests for over 90 types of plush animal puppets! Memorial area merchants on display at the Nutcracker Market include Texas-themed apparel and accessories vendor Paris Texas Apparel Co., Mirta Tummino Studio featuring one of a kind handmade jewelry, The Lipstick Ladies and more. This year’s “The Twelve Days of Christmas” theme was carefully selected by Market Chairman Mary Alice Parmet. The theme celebrates the shopping spirit of the holiday season and the camaraderie the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market creates among shoppers and the community. “The Market is an annual fundraiser for Houston Ballet Foundation, the Academy and its scholarship programs,” said Patsy Chapman, chief executive officer of the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market. “We are grateful to every shopper, as they are directly impacting local arts education and supporting the passions of young dancers.” Ten percent of all merchandise sales, plus the proceeds from admission and special event tickets, stays in Houston supporting the various programs of Houston Ballet and its Academy. With the funds raised in 2015, 53,675 Houston area students were exposed to ballet through the Academy’s education and community engagement programs, more than $875,000 was awarded to 344 students to continue their dream of study-
NEWSWORTHY
ing dance at Houston Ballet Academy, and students from 321 Houston area schools got their first opportunity to see ballet and hear from dancers through free programming, performances and classes at Houston Ballet’s Center for Dance. Special event tickets and Priority Shopping/Four Day Pass tickets can be purchased now! General admission tickets are $20 at the door. Discount tickets go on sale starting October 17th at all Randalls locations across Houston and online. Call 713-535-3231 or visit nutcrackermarket.com for more information.
2016 Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market Special Events and Priority Shopping Wells Fargo Preview Party Wednesday, November 9th • 7 – 10:30 pm Tickets start at $250 Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show and Luncheon Thursday, November 10th • 9 am – 12:30 pm Tickets start at $135 Macy’s Fashion Show and Brunch Friday, November 11th • 9 am – 12:30 pm Tickets start at $135 Priority Shopping/Four Day Pass Tickets are good for repeat admission all four days and 9 am early admission Thursday, November 10th and Friday, November 11th. Tickets are $50 each at NRG or by calling 713-535-3231 prior to November 4th.
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BUSINESS BRIEFS
Women Driving Business High Heels Connections Breakfast a Success
The All American Basket Winner: Dr. Petra Cravens Donated by Connie Inman, Constance McDerby, Dulcie Wink and Debra Crabtree “It’s All in the Bag” Winner: Pat Reed Donated by Tere Batista and Megan Salch
Photos by Genesis Photographers.
A fascinating address was given to the attendees of the Houston West Chamber of Commerce Women Driving Business High Heel Connections Breakfast by Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, executive vice president and treasurer of Walmart. After enjoying a wonderful breakfast prepared by the Lakeside Country Club staff, gift baskets were raffled to the guests:
Jeannie Bollinger, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot and Sarah Cain.
Two Beautiful Stage Bouquets Winners: Astrid Calderon and Jenny Aday Donated by Sarah Cain Visit www.hwcoc.org for more information.
The Ultimate Uptown Park Experience Winner: Debra Crabtree Donated by Rachel Price, Ann Lasher and Stephanie White VIP Pass to the Prestigious Woodlands Wine & Food Week Winner: Susan Thompson Donated by Constance McDerby
City Ballet of Houston The Nutcracker The Grand 1894 Opera House (800) 821-1894 or www.thegrand.com
Saturday, Dec. 10th 2 & 7:30 pm Sunday, Dec. 11th • 2 pm Adults $28 Kids 12 & under $24
Join us to experience the behind the scenes magic of The Nutcracker! Ballet enthusiasts have an opportunity to hear a presentation about The Nutcracker and meet the dancers. This special presentation is included with your ticket to the Saturday or Sunday afternoon performance!
official school Academy of City Ballet of Houston 46
P. F. Chang’s Dinner for Two Winner: Roseann Rogers Donated by Gerard Charles
Liz Carreno, Susan Thompson and Constance McDerby.
Marcos A/C AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING
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OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
NEWSWORTHY
Alyssa Elias to Be Honored at 2016 Bone Bash Alyssa Elias is honored to be named the 2016 Bone Bash Gala Youth Honoree. This year’s event is set for Friday, October 28th at 7:30 pm at Hotel Derek with proceeds benefiting the Arthritis Foundation. Elias’ focus is to bring awareness to the disease so that a cure can be found. Elias was first diagnosed at the age of seven with psoriatic arthritis. The symptoms began when she was in first grade with a swollen finger, which was believed to be an infected tendon sheath. Later that year, Elias’ mom noticed she had several swollen toes and fingers. During her initial visit, a rheumatologist quickly diagnosed her Alyssa Elias. with juvenile arthritis (JA). With the help of medications, Elias quickly went back to being her active self. After a year of treatment, Elias was pronounced to be in remission, which lasted three years. In January 2014, Elias was having symptoms once again and was no longer in remission. She experienced shooting pain down her left leg and in her back, hindering her from playing the sports she loves. Soon after, both of her sacroiliac joints, ankles, wrists, hands, knees and almost every finger and toe were painful to the touch. Elias has not let it slow her down. Elias attended the Arthritis Foundation’s Juvenile Arthritis Conference in 2015 in Orlando, Florida. The conference helped her find her voice and empowered her to keep fighting. Elias’ motto is, “I might have arthritis, but arthritis doesn’t have me.” Elias, now 14 and a freshman at Memorial High School, had the top fundraising team at the Arthritis Foundation’s 2015 Jingle Bell Run in The Woodlands. She even placed in the top finishers for her age category and medaled. She ran for all of the kids who could not because of their painful arthritis. Elias can continue to say “yes” to the things she enjoys including basketball, golf, volleyball and track. She now talks about her arthritis with her friends and teachers at school. She is encouraging everyone to join her at the Bone Bash Gala. For tickets and more information, visit www.HoustonBoneBash.org.
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713.622.9339 www.bethwolff.com Each office is independently owned and operated.
www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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t n e t t A
s! d e w wly e N ion
Coming January 2017
Here Comes the Bride Submit your info today and have your wedding details and photos published in print and online in our magazine. If you or your children have recently married and you would like to enter for a chance to be featured in our Here Comes the Bride, all you need is at least twelve high-resolution photos of the ceremony and/or reception. It doesn’t matter where the wedding took place, as long as it was in the last year and you or your parent/s reside in Memorial area. Photographers are also welcome to submit photos.
Contact: sarah@absolutelyfocusmedia.com or visit www.absolutelymemorial.com 48
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
NEWSWORTHY
Now Enrolling for Fall
Bayou City Art Festival Celebrates 45 Years of Art and Giving Back Under the iconic Downtown Houston skyline, the Art Colony Association, Inc. (ACA) will celebrate 45 years of fine art and giving back to the community. Through its festivals, ACA has raised $3.5 million for local non-profit programs and provided a venue for over 20,000 artists to showcase their work to thousands. On Saturday, October 8th and Sunday, October 9th from 10 am to 6 pm, ACA will spotlight more than 300 artists at its annual Bayou City Art Festival in Downtown Houston. As one of the top 10 outdoor fine art festivals in the United States, the weekend celebration will provide guests with the opportunity to see and purchase unique, custom art. A percentage of proceeds from the festival will benefit up to 10 local non-profits. The festival will feature music, food trucks, beverages, entertainment a children’s creative zone and more. “This event has such a deep-rooted legacy in Houston, and it’s an honor to once again share this weekend celebration with thousands of supporters, hundreds of artists and local non-profit partners,” said Bridget Anderson, executive director of ACA. This year’s featured artist Dania Olivares represents the diverse, eclectic community of all participating artists. Ranging from 3-D art to acrylic on canvas, Olivares’ style is unique and colorful. Olivares is a self-taught mixed-media artist born in McAllen, Texas and raised in a small town in Mexico. Olivares began her career using recycled materials in her paintings, a theme that is consistent in her pieces today. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.artcolonyassociation. org or email info@bayoucityartfestival. com.
Mathnasium of Memorial City
713.973.7000
Mathnasium.com/memorialcity 9778 Katy Freeway, Suite 500 Houston, Texas 77055 [ In the HEB Center, on the feeder, next to The Egg & I ]
KALEIDOSCOPE studio of interior design
Your Neighborhood Interior Designers Call for a FREE Consultation
713-827-1282 Judy, Jordan & Christine
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8558 Katy Fwy. • Ste. 119 Houston, Texas 77024 I-10 @ Bingle
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FREE SUBSCRIPTION www.absolutelymemorial.com
absolutely! Memorial Magazine wants to provide readers with the best community feature magazine possible. We want to focus on our READERS and mail exclusively to residents who invite us into their home. Requests are FREE to all Memorial and Galleria addresses*.
12 Issues a Year Delivered Free * Annual paid subscription required outside Memorial and Galleria areas. Call 281-690-4242. www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
49
Royal Chef Darren McGrady Guest Stars at the Upcoming Houston Zest in the West Food & Wine Zestival
MAKING SPACE FOR LIVING “We are in the process of interviewing builders. Which questions should I ask to make the most informed decision?” Most people want to know “how long will it take” and “how much will it cost” but there are other questions that will help you decide which builder is the best personality fit for you and your family. Who will be my primary point of contact? Does your builder have a superintendent? How often can you expect to meet your builder in person? Answers to these questions will help you ascertain how involved the builder will be in the overall project.
The Ninth Annual Zest in the West Food & Wine Zestival is coming on Wednesday, October 19th to Château Crystale, located at 2517 South Gessner Road. A premier Houston West Chamber of Commerce event, Zest in the West is presented by Kroger and produced by Food & Vine Time Productions. Proceeds benefit the West Houston Leadership Institute. This year’s Zestival welcomes special guest Darren McGrady, known as “The Royal Chef” for his illustrious career as chef to Britain’s royal family and service to several heads of state. McGrady has worked for Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess Darren McGrady. of Wales and Princes William and Harry for 15 years and has cooked for five United States presidents. His cuisine has been featured on American Airlines in first and business class in-flight meals between Europe and the U.S. McGrady is owner of Eating Royally fine dining, an author, culinary consultant, event planner and public speaker now living in Plano, Texas. Make plans to attend Zest in the West, meet Chef McGrady and enjoy gourmet food samples, wine and beer from some of the top beverage vendors and restaurants in the area. Fan favorite activities include a food tasting competition, a wine pull where attendees participate in a wine bottle drawing and a live auction. For more information about Zest in the West, contact 713-785-4922 or visit www. hwcoc.org.
Can you provide references from previous clients? One of the best ways to get to know builders is through the eyes of their clients. Was their project on time and within budget? How do you handle the budget and change order process? Change orders can be the biggest source of friction between builders and clients when not handled properly. How does the builder handle communications on these issues? What makes you unique from other builders? Every builder has a different philosophy when it comes to building a home. Make sure you choose the builder whose goals and values align with your own.
832.527.6968 www.stetzerbuilders.com
Erin Stetzer President, Stetzer Builders, Inc.
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NEWSWORTHY
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
FEATURE
By Tracy Thornton
Fall Décor Trends The Modern Farmhouse look is very popular this fall. Everywhere you look, you’ll see natural-shaped pumpkins in every color that look like they’ve just been picked up off of the ground.
Cotton blossoms still inside their seedpods are a favorite with designers. Extra large, fauxstone pumpkins make a large-scale statement for largescale porches.
Oversized lanterns look fabulous all year long with realistic, flickereffect, remote-controlled candles.
Reclaimed metal and wood from hurricane remnants are a fresh approach to repurposing trash into whimsical yard art and door décor.
Life-sized, posable scarecrows look great on a hay bale or rocker and offer a friendly greeting to all who visit.
Happy fall y’all! 51
Sports Spotlight By Tammy Hampton tammy@absolutelyfocusmedia.com
It takes guts, hard work, dedication and energy to play sports!
Bayou City Broncos Tommy Willis, Creagan Sands, Patrick Johnson, Harris Ranger, Spencer Dunbar, Chris Blundell, Ryan Smith, Tyler Barber, Connor Haygood, Cameron Donley, Cooper Sands, Ben Brady and Dylan Schick.
salutes the kids and parents who hit the fields week after week.
Congratulations to these outstanding team players!
Rebels Hudson and Stacey Hamilton, Susan, Everett and Jackson Rinehart, Teresa and Nicholas Ferruzzo, Maria Rinehart, Melanie and Lee Fowler, Julie and Connor Masraff, Tiffany McMillan, Beck Hollingsworth, Caden Perry, Sarah and Mason Swagerty and Cade McMillan.
Wilchester William Allen, Ross Mandery, Luke Hall, Jack Stephenson, Collin Davis, Levi Ward, Price Brunson, Oscar Cohen, David Sanchez, Henry Noguiera, Jack Jones, Lane Lippold, Patrick Howard, Ben Dimitri, Jackson Montalbo, Trey Smalling, Brayden Medlock, Parker Fournier-Grande, Liam Robinson, Rhodes Harper, Connor Treadway, Jack Lasseigne, Jake Victor, Jay Squillante, David Delgadillo and Will Long.
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NEWSWORTHY
Houston Junior Woman’s Club Hosts 33rd Annual Holiday Happening Fundraiser Houston Junior Woman’s Club (HJWC) will hold its 33rd annual Holiday Happening fundraising luncheon and style show on Monday, October 17th at 10 am at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, located at 8686 Kirby Drive. HJWC is pleased to honor Sybil Roos for Holiday Happening 2016. Roos, a community philanthropist, is a lifelong supporter of children’s causes and the arts in Houston. HJWC has greatly benefited from her generosity over the years, allowing the club to help better the lives of many children. Over the last 33 years, HJWC has raised almost $5.5 million for local children’s charities. Funds raised by HJWC will benefit Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Texas Children’s Cancer Center at Texas Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Houston and other local children’s charities. Holiday Happening 2016 will feature a live auction, big board and silent auction, as well as a holiday market where gift baskets and a wide array of handcrafted gift items can be purchased. In addition, a winter and holiday style show will feature beautiful fashions from Elizabeth Anthony. Debra Duncan, host of Great Day Houston, will serve as emcee.
Marilyn Mogus and Yvonne Johnston at the annual Holiday Happening. Photo by Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design.
Holiday Happening is open to the public. Individual tickets are $175 and reserved tables start at $1,750. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Christine Cummins at 713-868-1830, Nina Lambright 713-789-5676 or by visiting www.houstonjuniorwomansclub.org for more information.
FamilyPoint Resources’ Fall Events FamilyPoint Resources is doing great things for the Memorial community and has two upcoming opportunities for residents to build Memorial’s neighborhoods and children. First, the organization’s 7th annual fundraising event “Building Something Beautiful Together” Luncheon is set for Tuesday, October 4th at Lakeside Country Club. The event will celebrate the amazing life of the community, share stories and build deeper connections. Then on Saturday, November 19th, the 2016 Nottingham Forest Turkey Trot is a community-wide one-mile walk
and 5K run held in the beautiful Nottingham Forest neighborhood. The Turkey Trot will begin at 9 am at the Nottingham Forest Club, located at 325 Kickerillo. Both the one-mile walk and the 5K will be on a course that starts at the Nottingham Forest Club and winds throughout the Nottingham Forest neighborhood. FamilyPoint Resources is committed to empowering children and families in the community to overcome cycles of poverty and in bringing people together from all sides to build a stronger and more enriched neighborhood. Servicing Spring Branch kids, FamilyPoint Resources is a non-profit organization whose mission is evident each and every day in the lives of families and kids. They provide athletics, tutoring, mentoring and family services for lowincome families in west Houston. For more information on purchasing a ticket or table to the luncheon, visit www.familypointresources.com or call 713-252-9631. For more information on the race, visit www.familypointresources.com/turkey-trot.
www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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OUT &
ABOUT IN THE HEART
MEMORIAL Stratford football player Luke Little woke up to this not so little sign in his yard created by Gia Osso, Mia Fjerstad, Kate Frenza and Ashley Joyner for the first football game.
At The Buckingham were Cathy Lightfoot, Lisa McCubbin, Clint Hill and Julie Fenske during bestselling author Hill’s visit. What a treat for residents!
Founder and creative guru Lee Ellis welcomed absolutely! Memorial’s Suzanne Stiles and Jennifer Elliott to State Fare Kitchen & Bar, a popular mainstay in the Memorial neighborhood.
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Mark Edelman was among the physicians, employees and volunteers whose works of art were featured at Memorial Hermann Memorial City’s first-ever art stroll.
Kicking off the new academic year at Spring Branch ISD’s Back to School Health Fair were Brenda Stardig, Scott Muri and Sonia Soto. Maddie and her dad John Stephens had a great time at the Memorial High School football game!
Time flies when you’re having fun! Lara Bell and Roseann Rogers celebrated their 20th anniversary birthday bash at Café Annie. The annual event has become a summer party tradition amongst their closest friends and family. More than 125 guests mixed and mingled while sipping wine and tasting a variety of signature appetizers. Photos by Michael Saavedra.
Michelle Maersh, Angela Poujol, Venessa Sendukas and Lisa Erwin.
Amy Rincon and Arielle Lawson-Ho.
Kim Padgett, Deborah Elias, Sonia Soto and Jennifer Evans.
Birthday girls Roseann Rogers and Lara Bell.
Brad and Joanna Marks with Amanda Abbasi.
www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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& QA
absolutely!
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
EXPERT: Dr. Matthew Musick, medical director of the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Texas Children’s Hospital. The very thought of your child requiring intensive care is terrifying. So if your son or daughter is ever admitted to the PICU, your overwhelming emotions and abundant questions are perfectly normal. Here is a guide to the PICU.
Q:
WHAT KIND OF CARE DOES THE PICU PROVIDE?
Q:
WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON REASON CHILDREN REQUIRE CARE IN THE PICU?
The PICU is an area that provides expert care and high level monitoring for illnesses affecting crucial organs, such as the brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.
The most common reasons children require care in the PICU are because of severe infections, seizures or other brain disorders, serious injuries or recovery after large surgeries. Some kids also have complications of existing medical conditions that might require intensive treatment.
Q:
WHAT IF I HAVE MEDICAL QUESTIONS I WANT ANSWERS TO?
You will have many medical questions. Commonly, we are asked: What caused this? How do you treat this condition? What is going to happen? Have you ever seen this before? These are all very appropriate, and we do our best to answer any questions. We won’t always have exact answers, as we might be waiting on test results or maybe the tests are all negative, but we still have the necessary experience to provide guidance and treatment for your child. Despite this guide to the PICU, the experience will be undoubtedly stressful. The environment is noisy and cramped, your child will need many tubes, IVs and machines, and you will be mentally and physically exhausted. To help your child recover, it is crucial to take care of yourself. That means eating right, taking breaks, leaning on your support network and asking for help. We have plenty of people here to support you. Visit westcampus.texaschildrens.org or call 832-227-1000 for more information about the PICU at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus.
CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE CLINICAL TEAM AND THE STAFF THAT WILL BE INVOLVED IN MY CHILD’S CARE?
The clinical team of doctors, nurses, therapists and pharmacists all have training and expertise focused on the care of critically ill children. We are in the hospital and at the bedside treating your child 24/7. Taking care of critically ill children can require a lot of people, and parents often feel a bit lost by the sea of faces. The best advice is to constantly ask individuals their role on the medical team. When there are many different medical teams involved in your child’s care, it can be useful to ask which team is officially in charge. Lastly, whenever in doubt about the system, just ask your child’s nurse.
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Q:
The Texas Children’s Hospital Main Campus.
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
MEDICAL FOCUS
NEWSWORTHY
Kids’ Meals Hosts 8th Annual Harvest Luncheon “We don’t have much to eat, but every weekday we are sure that we will get food for the kids, and that’s what matters most,” said Rosa, mother of three who is enrolled in the Kids’ Meals program. Every day in Houston, more than 88,740 children are uncertain of where their next meal will come from. Kids’ Meals is working to address hunger and food insecurity plaguing many children under the age of five who are not yet enrolled in school and do not have access to a free meal program. As the only program of its kind in the nation, Kids’ Meals mission is to end hunger among preschool-aged children by Monique Boling and Susan Whitney. delivering free, healthy meals year-round to the doorsteps of Houston’s hungriest preschool-aged children. On Friday, November 4th, Kids’ Meals will host its 8th Annual Harvest Luncheon at the Hilton Americas Downtown from 11:30 am to 1 pm. The featured speaker will be New York Times bestselling author of The Glass Castle Jeannette Walls. The book has sold four and a half million copies in the United States, has been translated into 30 languages and was named one of the “Top 10 Books of the Decade” by Amazon.com. The story gives hope to those facing challenges and makes them realize anything is possible. New Memorial resident and upcoming reality show star Susan Whitney is one of this year’s Harvest Luncheon chairs. “The Harvest Luncheon is Kids’ Meals single largest fundraising event of the year, and in a city as blessed and generous as Houston, no child should go hungry,” said Whitney. “I would love for the city of Houston to show up big so they don’t have to turn away any child who is in need. We have the resources to end childhood hunger.” Prior to the luncheon, Kids’ Meals will have a Harvest Market at 10 am, where guests will have the opportunity to shop from some of Houston’s finest markets. Individual tickets to the Harvest Luncheon are $250 and $2,500 for a table of 10. “It has been so exciting to see Kids’ Meals grow over the years. We are hoping to raise $215,000 through the Harvest Luncheon this year. That would be incredible since every two dollars we raise feeds a hungry child,” said Harvest Luncheon chair and Memorial resident Monique Boling. Contact Beth Braniff Harp at bharp@kidsmealshouston.org or 713-6955437 or visit www.kidsmealshouston.org for more information.
Houston Hospitals Recommend Next Level Urgent Care for Convenience and After Hours Houston Methodist Primary Care Group recently announced it plans to collaborate with Next Level Urgent Care for the provision of after-hours care for its patients. In an effort to allow patients greater access to care at night and on the weekends without over-utilizing the emergency departments, organizations such as Kelsey-Seybold, OakBend Medical Center and Community Health Choice also recommend Next Level Urgent Care to their patients when primary care physician offices are closed. “We are working with Next level Urgent Care to be sure our patients always have access to care when they need it,” said Stephen Spielman, president of Houston Methodist Primary Care Group. “This partnership offers an important alternative to the emergency room for non-life threatening issues.” With hours extending to 9 pm seven days per week, Next Level Urgent Care can treat a variety of conditions, including fever, allergies, wounds needing stitches, broken bones and sports or work injuries. Next Level can also provide sports and work physical examinations and can identify and refer chronic illnesses to primary care physicians to be managed on an ongoing basis. “We are honored to be the trusted medical facility for after-hours care by such high quality health care organizations,” stated Juliet Breeze, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Next Level Urgent Care. Visit www.nextlevelurgentcare.com for more information.
www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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EVENTS By Stephanie Valtasaros
October 2nd, 9th, 15th, 22nd and 29th Duck for President
October 26th and 27th, 7:30 pm The Aluminum Show
Main Street Theater presents Duck for President based on the popular book by Doreen Cronin. Unhappy with the working conditions on Farmer Brown’s farm, Duck campaigns to put himself in charge and seeks nothing less than the highest office in the land! The play takes place at Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston, located at 3400 Main Street. Visit www.mainstreettheater.com or call 713-524-6706 for tickets.
Miller Outdoor Theatre, located at 6000 Hermann Park Drive, presents The Aluminum Show, a unique and energetic experience for the entire family that combines movement, dance, visual theater and humor. The Aluminum Show uses recovered materials from industrial factories that are reused to build the set, dress the cast and interact with the audience. This is a ticketed event for the covered seating area. As always, there is open seating on the hill. Visit www. milleroutdoortheatre.com for more information.
October 6th – 9th Mamma Mia!
• Breakfast
Pancakes French Toast Breakfast Tacos Omelets
• Burgers Angus Buffalo Turkey
• Kabob Platter • Salmon
LEGO KidsFest brings all of the creative, hands-on fun of LEGO building and experiences together in one entertainment-packed family event to NRG Center at North Stadium Drive. The event is for children of all ages and builders of all skills and interests. Get creative in the construction zones, meet LEGO master builders, participate in group builds and see life-sized models made entirely from LEGO bricks. For tickets, call 1-877-528-4757 or visit www.legokidsfest.com.
Photo from milleroutdoortheatre.com
Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Mamma Mia!, a jukebox musical written by British playwright Catherine Johnson based on the songs of ABBA. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. Visit www.hobbycenter.org or call 713-315-2525 for tickets.
October 21st – 23rd LEGO KidsFest
• Pitas
Gyros Beef Chicken Fish Vegetable
• Beer & Wine Santa Margherita La Crema Kim Crawford Stella
Est. 2000
www.islandgrillhouston.com
Happy Hour 3 to 6 pm 20% off all Beer & Wine
Free Hummus with Purchase of 2 Entrées
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
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OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
By Amy Gross
Wine Apps Make Wine Selection and Learning Easier
Source: wine4.me
L
ooking for a great bottle of wine amid a massive wall of wine at the grocery store or big box wine retailer?
sensory science, not opinion. Wine4.Me can also help with everyday food pairing, listing dishes such as chicken enchiladas, grilled catfish and barbecue.
I’m sure you know there are treasures there for every tastebud, but finding the perfect bottle for yourself or a friend can be a challenge. Some stores have great wine stewards but most don’t. And most wine stewards can’t keep total recall of every wine on the shelf and remember what you like too. So, what do you do? Just turn to your phone. Depending on what you are looking for, I bet there is an app for you. Here are a few:
Available for iPhone and Android, Vivino rose to fame as one of the first apps to have a great scanning feature and has since grown to include the largest crowd-sourced collection of wine reviews. Every wine is given a star-rating based on the reviews entered. Any user anywhere can add their personal review of a wine, so it’s a great place to look for opinions on wines or to share reviews with others. Curious about different vintages? Vivino makes it easy to check reviews of different years back to back.
Wine4.Me
Delectable
Available for iPhone, Wine4.Me enables any wine lover to find wines he might like, regardless of wine knowledge. A user simply taps a wine he knows, loves or dumps it, and begins building a personal taste profile and a ranked listing of wines to try from that data. The more wines that are loved or dumped, the better the user profile becomes, very much like the music app Pandora. To make this work, all of the wines in the app’s database are characterized objectively based on a set list of attributes by a team of wine professionals using
Available for iPhone and Android, Delectable is another wine app with an excellent scanning feature. Scan a label to get crowd-sourced reviews of a wine, or snap a shot and leave a review for others to enjoy. I like to think of Delectable as an Instagram of wine. There are so many beautiful bottle shots of wines being enjoyed! Delectable is a great place to follow a favorite sommelier or wine maker and see what she is drinking. To look for wines that fit their palates, users can follow someone who has similar tastes and see what wines they share.
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Vivino
Tipple Want to get better at writing your own tasting notes? Available for iPhone and Android, Tipple guides users through doing exactly that, with easy to follow instructions and a clearly defined process. Snap a picture of any wine label or pull up a wine from your camera roll to get started. Tipple will ask questions about the wine’s color, aroma, flavor and more, enabling users to get as specific as they like or stay general. Once users finish entering information, Tipple saves their thoughts to their profile for easy reference later.
OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
absolutely memorial_happy hour.pdf
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In the Westin Memorial City ● 945 Gessner Rd. ● 77024 ● 281.501.4350 ● 024grille.com ● Complimentary Self-parking www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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A B S O L U T E LY ! DELICIOUS LISTING CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN CUISINE MASRAFF’S 1753 Post Oak Blvd. 77056 713-355-1975 www.masraffs.com Hands on proprietors, Russell and Tony Masraff, recognized premier Houston restaurateurs, offer affordable elegance, attentive yet unobtrusive service and exquisitely fresh American cuisine prepared with the best ingredients from around the world. Located in the heart of the Galleria, Masraff’s features the perfect ambience for business and social gatherings. Whether dining in one of the elegant dining rooms, stunning bar area with the elevated fireplace or The Patio on the Boulevard by the waterfall, Masraff’s impeccable service offers a dining experience to remember.
ITALIAN & AMERICAN CUISINE THE DEVINE AFFAIR RESTAURANT & WINE BAR 14021 Memorial Dr. 77079 281-759-6300 www.thedevineaffair.com This casual, fine dining neighborhood restaurant is located in the heart of the Memorial/Energy Corridor. Established in 2010, the restaurant is proudly owned by native Houstonian and Texas Aggie Lindsey Jeffery. Recognized by Open Table and Trip Advisor as one of Houston’s “Top Best Italian Restaurants” and “Neighborhood Gem,” Devine Affair offers a variety of dishes including seafood, steaks, pastas, homemade desserts and daily specials. Devine Affair offers exceptional food, wine, service and ambiance in a friendly, comfortable atmosphere at an affordable price.
CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE FINE DINING KUU RESTAURANT 947 Gessner Rd, Ste. A180 77024 713-461-1688 www.kuurestaurant.com 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. “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
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OCTOBER 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com
MEMORIAL
MARKETPLACE
Leslie & Co. Ladies’ Store Houston
The Shoppes on San Felipe 1415 South Voss Road #115 Houston, Texas 77057
Denise Darnell Owner
713.960.9113
713-975-8866
Window treatments, custom tailored one stitch at a time!
SINCE 1984
draperymontage.com 9223 Kingsville Street Houston, TX 77063
Spa for the Spirit
Ancient Methods for a Modern World Guided Meditation Yoga Classes Energy Work Chakra Balancing
Psychic Readings That Offer:
• Answers • Guidance • Clarity • Accurate Insights on Life’s Issues
• Overcome Challenges • Repair Relationships • Make Important Decisions Clearly
Knowledge, enlightenment and answers await you.
832-844-KNOW
Readings are also available for social and charitable events. Answers from page 37.
Southwell ’s
Hamburger Grill Buy one hamburger, fries and drink, get another hamburger for F R E E !
Trick or Treat Teaser
Limit 1 coupon per customer. Expires November 1, 2016
Memorial 713-464-5268 9410 Gaylord TX 77024
Galleria 713-789-4972 5860 San Felipe TX 77057
www.absolutelymemorial.com l OCTOBER 2016
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A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY By The Heritage Society Images from the 1869 map of Houston, Permanent Collection of The Heritage Society
Mapping Houston:
H
1869
istoric maps tell us many interesting stories about the past. Tracing Houston’s history through an examination of its streets, bayous and buildings reveals as much about the diversity of people settling here as it does the geography. Historic maps often highlight subjects such as politics, land use, economics, transportation and patterns of settlement that change throughout the region’s history. One map in particular provides an amazing look at the City of Houston in 1869. Only a handful of these beautifully detailed maps still exist. The center portion of the roughly five-foot by fivefoot map was drawn based on surveys by Civil Engineer William E. Wood. It includes the outlines of hundreds of existing buildings and plots of land with the owners’ names. Like most maps, the names of the streets are included, but it also depicts the location of churches, brick yards, stables, hotels and even cemeteries. Prominent city
buildings like city hall, market house and the court house are included along with the rail lines that cut through the city. Buffalo and White Oak bayous are drawn in detail along with names of some businesses like Phoenix Iron Works and Baldwin’s Sausage Factory. Shortly after the Allen brothers founded Houston in 1836, it was divided into political districts called “wards.” The five wards of Houston are printed in bold lettering on the map. The Sixth Ward was added later in 1876. The ward system, a precursor to today’s City Council districts, was a common method of organizing city government in the early 19th century. The lines were drawn along obvious boundaries including bayous and major streets, and each ward elected two aldermen to the City Council. The city of Houston changed to a commission form of government just after the turn of the 20th century, thus making the wards no longer political boundaries. A few separate, smaller maps are
The Fourth Ward section of the 1869 map of Houston.
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included at corners of the 1869 map. At the bottom left is a railroad map of Texas complete with a “table of traveling distances,” and the original plan of Houston is in top left corner, highlighting the importance of Buffalo Bayou to the city’s founding. A map of “new Houston,” a future addition to the city in the lower right includes Brays Bayou. The population was just 15,000, and the total taxable value of real estate was $7 million. Despite the few statistics listed, there is no actual legend for the map. Several areas are colored yellow, pink or blue with no obvious explanation. Some of these maps are printed in black and white, so the color may have been added later by the owner of each map. Adorning the edges of the map is a series of lithographs of notable buildings in Houston. They were drawn based on “views” or photographs taken by John Philip Blessing, a local photographer and business owner who moved to Texas in the 1850s. The views include Houston City Stables, Mrs. Brown’s Young Ladies Seminary, the residences of J.T.D. Wilson, A. Whiteker, E.S. Perkins, the Eureka Mills, the Masonic Temple, Houston Gas Works, Allen Station, the Pillot Building, Perkin’s Corner, the Morris Building, Christ Church, the Old Capitol building and Buffalo Bayou Draw-Bridge. The images were lithographed by William H. Rease of Philadelphia. He was a prolific lithographer of advertising prints in Philadelphia during the 1840s and 1850s and known for his inclusion of human details. The best way to truly appreciate all of the details in this wonderful map is to see it in person. The Heritage Society will have a map exhibit titled You Are Here: Maps of Texas from October 26th through January 7, 2017 featuring this 1869 map of Houston.
INSIDE BACK
heritagetexas.com Our most important client is you.
LOWRY BENZ 832.444.1825
LACEY CANNON 281.582.3992
JO COCHRAN 281.582.3961
REBECQUE DEMARK & NANCY SCOTT 713.252.8899
CHRISTINE DUNCAN 281.582.3959
HENRY EAGAN 281.757.2628
TRISHA FLETCHER 281.582.3915
HANK HUNDLEY 713.504.4288
MARGE HOPKINS 281.582.3951
PATTY JACKSON 281.582.3960
LISA JONES 281.723.2614
SCOTT LANDRETH 281.582.3925
KAREN MARTIN 281.582.3910
CLARANN MCCOY 281.582.3907
DONNA PIERCE 281.582.3903
SHELLY PORTER 713.446.2473
SHARYN SHORT 281.582.3922
CAROL WALDROP 281.582.3962
Memorial Office 14340 Memorial Drive Houston, Texas 77079 281.493.3880
MARTHA WHITE 281.582.3956
LYNN ZARR, JR. 713.341.1667
ROBIN MUECK Chairman/CEO
BACK
Post Oak Park Office 1177 West Loop South Twelfth Floor Houston, Texas 77027 713.965.0812
®