Sweetwater Lifestyle

Summer Fair Fever

In Good Taste Benjy’s on Washington Benjys.com | 713.868.1131

Who can’t remember a magical summer night at an outdoor fair, looking up at the dazzling Ferris wheel and dreaming of what it would be like to be at the very tippy top? There’s something incredibly nostalgic and uniquely American about the summer fair experience and the cherished childhood rides and attractions that accompany them. Something that makes each one of us feel young, carefree, and full of summer anticipation.

Grilled Lamb with Mint Pesto and Watercress Salad INGREDIENTS Lamb 1 lb 4 tbsp

boneless leg of lamb Baharat seasoning salt and pepper as needed

The first Ferris Wheel was designed and constructed by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., for the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, where it opened to the public on June 21, 1893. It was the largest attraction at the event, and was built to rival the 1,063foot Eiffel Tower, the centerpiece of the 1889 Paris Exposition. This first “pleasure wheel” was an engineering feat for its day: It carried 2,160 people at a time, with some 38,000 passengers circling daily. It took 20 minutes for the wheel to make two revolutions, allowing riders ample time to take in the ever-changing scenery.

Mint Pesto 1 c 1/2 c 1/2 c 2 tbsp 2 tbsp 1/2 c 1 c

mint, chopped basil, chopped spinach, chopped garlic, minced ginger, minced juice, lime, fresh grapeseed oil salt and pepper as needed

Watercress Salad 1 bunch 1 tbsp 1 tsp

watercress olive oil juice, lemon, fresh salt and pepper as need

Time would tell that the glittering, spinning wheel would soon overshadow the linear tower in popularity, with numerous “Big Wheels” being built soon after Ferris’ revelation. In recent years, the Ferris wheel has had a resurgence of popularity, as well, with the circular structures popping up in London, Beijing, and Orlando, and countless other cities around the world. Today, every city seems to want its own permanent observation wheel to attract tourists and tout that their town is indeed

PREPARATION Season the lamb with the Baharat, salt and pepper. Place in the cooler for 24 hours. Slice thinly with a very sharp knife. Mix all the ingredients for the pesto and refrigerate for 24 hours. Place the lamb in a bowl and top with 3 tablespoons of the pesto. Mix thoroughly. Place the lamb on the grill for 1 minute, then remove it and place it on a serving plate. Top the lamb with 2 tablespoons of the pesto. Season the watercress with the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Top the grilled lamb with salad and serve immediately.pesto. Repeat the process to get to 3 inches and garnish with basil and a sprinkle of dried oregano on the top.

on the map. Of course, Ferris wheels aren’t the only big attraction at summer festivals. Traditional summer fairs are filled with classic arcade games, charming animal shows, and more funnel cake and cotton candy than anyone can eat, offering up wholesome fun that harkens from an earlier, simpler time. Families can gather together and all find something that entertains them while enjoying the great outdoors. Fair fare has even gone more upscale in recent years, with a variety of intriguing BBQ and even gluten-free options often available. If nothing else, a summer fair can help reacquaint you with a summer breeze while you celebrate the warm weather and enjoy some all-American fun with your family and friends. Why not head to a summer fair in your area and take a spin on the big wheel? We think you’ll be surprised at how much you enjoy the view.

Harness the Power of the Sun There are many misconceptions about solar energy for residential use. When we think of solar panels, many of us have the vision of large, somewhat unattractive, panels attached to all or most of the roof. In addition, homeowners may consider solar energy is only for the wealthy due to the prohibitive cost of the panels themselves.

A new appreciation for the principles of solar

thermodynamics has produced higher efficiency, greater performance, improved appearance and better return on the solar investment. Higher efficiency means that fewer solar collectors are needed to do the job and they do not necessarily have to go directly on the building. In addition, homeowners can subscribe to “community solar gardens,” and generate solar electricity without actually having solar panels on their own rooftops. With the introduction of flexible thin-film solar cells, solar power can even be integrated into building materials. Sharp, a solar panel manufacturer with headquarters in Japan, recently introduced transparent solar power windows.

The size of a solar panel in 1953 was a bulky 213 inches by 130 inches and only converted 4.5% of available energy into electricity. Today a solar panel is a trim 64 inches by 39 inches and can convert 15% of available energy to electricity. In 2015, the average US home will use around 300 kWh in electricity per year. Twelve 280 Watt solar panels generate at least 300 kWh each year. The result is energy independence for the household with an initial investment of around $12,000 for the solar system. With the introduction of net metering and feed-in tariff (FIT) schemes, homeowners can now “sell” excess electricity, or receive bill credits, during times when they produce more electricity than what they actually consume. In addition, most homeowners today choose leasing or power purchase agreements to finance their solar panels. This drastically reduces, or in some cases completely eliminates, the upfront costs of a solar panel system, and allows homeowners to start saving money from the first day.

Event Calendar JULY | AUGUST 2015 Sunday Live Blues Brunch Danton’s Gulf Coast Seafood Kitchen | July 12-August 30 DantonsSeafood.com | 713.807.8883 Come enjoy great local musicians and full service dining from Danton’s on Sundays from 11am-4pm. Some of the specials to look forward to are house cut French toast, chicken & seafood gumbo, and Eggs Benedict Danton. Specials change depending on season and availability.

Houston World Series of Dog Shows NRG Park | July 15-July 19 NRGPark.com | 832.667.1400 Visit one of the finest indoor dog shows in America held in Houston’s NRG Park. Along with breed judging and obedience, you’ll discover agility dogs racing over obstacle courses, fly ball teams hurdling to beat the clock, and four-footed athletes catching Frisbees and dancing to music. Join us for practical clinics on dog health, grooming and training or attend a “Meet the Breeds” seminar to find the perfect pet for you.

25th Houston International Jazz Festival Bayou Music Center | July 31 VisitHoustonTexas.com | 713.230.1666 Join in to hear sweet Jazz music filling the air in Downtown Houston for the 25th Annual Houston International Jazz Festival. The Houston International Jazz Festival presents the most exciting artists from around the world, bring a diverse mix of styles to Houston.

Your Wedding Experience Houston NRG Park | August 9 NRGPark.com | 832.667.1400 Celebrity wedding planner, David Tutera is proud to unveil his newest project. The goal is to give couples inspiration and tools to make their wedding as special as their relationship. Celebrity appearance will also be made by the Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro!

Sam Smith Toyota Center | August 14 HoustonToyotalCenter.com | 713.758.7200 The Toyota center welcomes the Best New Artist, Sam Smith, who set a record with four Grammy wins, marking the most awards ever received by a U.K. artist following the release of a debut album. In The Lonely Hour, which has sold more than five million units worldwide, received the award for Best Pop Vocal Album and his No. 1 single “Stay With Me.”

According to Greentech Media, a solar energy system is being installed every 4 minutes in the US today. By 2016, a solar system will be installed every 83 seconds. The obvious primary benefit of solar energy is its renewability. Plus, harnessing solar energy generally does not cause pollution. But maybe solar power’s greatest strength is that it can easily be deployed to consumers everywhere, thus making it “The People’s Power.”