Ultra Magazine

PEARLAND

CELEBRATING & DISCOVERING LIFE’S FINEST

Holiday Décor Ideas Hiring Caregivers Local Happenings UltraMagTexas.com

PUBLISHER Juliet Hubbell

EDITOR Tamara Abel

ASSISTANT EDITOR Nancy Moreland October 2017

ART DIRECTOR Adra Stafford

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Ann Greer

CONTRIBUTORS Byron Barclay Karen Bunch Newt Harlan Stephanie Brown Howaniec Ahmad Khan Bobby McCallitt Anice Shelton Susan Scott Watts Reader correspondence, editorial submissions and advertising inquiries are welcome.

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@UltraMagTexas.com

CONTENTS CALENDAR

LEGAL

PETS

FAMILY

PEOPLE

HEALTH

HOME

BABY BOOMER

Let Us Hear From You! editor@UltraMagTexas.com

Local Happenings

4

Keeping Your Head Above Water

6

Why Did the Turtle Cross the Road?

9

October is a Busy Month of Fun Events

What to do After Your House Floods

Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University

Find the Silver Linings in Life

10

Scene in Pearland

11

Concussions

12

Holiday Décor

14

Caregiver 101

21

Breast Cancer Survivor Shares Advice

Out and about in the neighborhood

Understanding the Targeting Rule in Football

Clever Ideas for Patios and Doors

Information to Know Before you Hire

Have an event that you would like to let ULTRA readers know about? To be considered for publication, the information must be received two months prior to the issue date. Please email the 100-word write up to editor@ UltraMagTexas.com. Be sure to include the event name, date, time, venue, cost and website information. Please send high-resolution jpeg photos in a separate email.

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ULTRA Magazine is published monthly. All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced by any means whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.

Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. The magazine is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented. Advertisers and their agencies assume all liability for advertising content.

We encourage our readers to support our advertisers.

SPORTS

2

Baseball in October

22

Let’s Go Astros!

UltraMagTexas.com

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1

Repicci, JA, et al., “Minimally invasive surgical technique for unicondylar knee arthroplasty,” J South Orthopedic Association, 1999 Spring; 8(1): 20 -7.

Brown, NM, et al., “Total Knee Arthroplasty Has Higher Postoperative Morbidity Than Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: A Multicenter Analysis,” The Journal of Arthroplasty, 2012.

3 Hall et al., “Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty (Alias Uni-Knee): An Overview With Nursing Implications,” Orthopaedic Nursing, 2004; 23(3): 163 -171.

2

Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure including Navio-enabled partial knee replacement. Navio is not for everyone. Children, pregnant women, patients who have mental or neuromuscular disorders that do not allow control of the knee joint, and morbidly obese patients should not undergo a Navio procedure. Consult your physician for details and to help determine if Navio surgery is right for you.

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3

H

ULTRA CALENDAR

appenings

By Tamara Abel Greer

hundreds of artisans and merchants, to the eclectic food and drink options, patrons are captivated by the experience and transported to another time,” says Terre Albert, general manager of the Texas Renaissance Festival.

“This year, we are excited to announce the addition of the ninth weekend -- our guest will meet a whole new cast of characters. So whether you are a longtime patron returning or a newcomer visiting for the first time, this is a season not to be missed.”

GALVESTON HERITAGE DAY TEXAS RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL Through November 26th Todd Mission, TX texrenfest.com

October 21st 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Hendley Green 2028 Strand galvestonhistory.org Free

Port of Galveston from around the world,” explains Dwayne Jones, GHF Executive Director. “We will recognize the many cultures that made the island an international center in the 19th and 20th centuries.”

The festival will host numerous lectures and entertainers throughout the day.

Lectures include discussions on Galveston’s immigration story from numerous experts and cultural groups.

Specially selected from Galveston Historical Foundation’s Preservation Resource Center, large format images will be displayed throughout Hendley Green. These photos, many of which have never been publicly viewed, showcase Galveston’s incredible immigration history. Admission is free for all entertainment and lectures.

SACRED PLACES TOUR

The fall is near and with it comes the enchantment of the Texas Renaissance Festival, the nation’s largest and most acclaimed Renaissance theme park, bringing the magic of the 16th century to life. The Texas Renaissance Festival will be donating a portion of the total proceeds garnered from the entire 2017 season’s ticket sales to Harvey relief and recovery organizations.

October 21st 9 a.m. – 1p.m.

1859 St. Joseph’s Church 2202 Avenue K, Galveston galvestonhistory.org $15

Enjoy music, craft beer, food and entertainment from numerous cultural groups and organizations throughout Texas while learning more about the early days of immigration through the Port of Galveston at Galveston Historical Foundation’s Galveston Heritage Day. “Something magical happens when patrons enter the Royal Gates at the Festival. From our curated entertainment lineup to the 4

“The festival is our time to celebrate the thousands of families that came into the UltraMagTexas.com

The popular Sacred Places tour benefits Galveston Historical Foundations’s ongoing restoration of St. Joseph’s Church, the

oldest wooden church in Galveston and the oldest German Catholic church in Texas.

A wide range of religious traditions and building styles will be featured, highlighting the island’s rich religious heritage while showcasing the depth and range of Galveston’s sacred architecture. Attendees are asked to check in at the 1859 St. Joseph’s Church, 2202 Avenue K, for tour passes or to purchase day-of tickets.

“Galveston’s Sacred Places are a significant part of our history. When you tour these great buildings you can learn the story of generations of Galvestonians,” states Jones.

“This tour is a glimpse into our past and one that will broaden your idea of what living on the island is really like.”

Churches included on this year’s tour are: Sacred Heart Church, St. Joseph’s Church, Galveston Bible Church, Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, and Wesley Tabernacle United Methodist Church.

PAINT THE REVOLUTION: MEXICAN Modernism, 1910–1950 Through October 1st, 2017

The Museum of Fine Arts Houston Caroline Wiess Law Building 1001 Bissonnet Houston, TX 77005 Paint the Revolution: Mexican Modernism, 1910–1950 charts the development of modern art in Mexico and the social, political, and cultural forces that shaped it over the course of nearly half a century Featuring some 175 works—including prints, photographs, books, newspapers, easel paintings, large-scale portable murals, and mural fragments—Paint the Revolution is unprecedented for its breadth and variety.

The most comprehensive exhibition of modern Mexican art displayed in the United States in more than seven decades, Paint the Revolution presents masterpieces by well-known figures such as Frida Kahlo, José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Rufino Tamayo. Also on display are works by many of their important contemporaries, including Manuel and Lola Álvarez Bravo, Miguel Covarrubias, Alfredo Ramos Martínez, Carlos Mérida, Roberto Montenegro, and Dr. Atl (Gerardo Murillo).

Three historical murals by los tres grandes (“the three great ones”)—Orozco, Rivera, and Siqueiros—are digitally re-created and projected in the galleries. The exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to see the emergence of Mexico as a center of modern art.

BAYOU CITY ART FESTIVAL October 14th and 15th Downtown Houston Bayoucityartfestival.com Ticketed Event The 14th Annual Bayou City Art Festival features nineteen disciples of art will be exhibited along with food trucks, music and a children’s creative zone. continued on page 18

October 14-15, 2017 • TICKETS: $12 Online - $15 at the Gate 19 DISCIPLINES OF ART • 300 ARTISTS • FOOD TRUCKS • MUSIC • CHILDREN’S CREATIVE ZONE

#HouArtFest • #BayouCityArtFest • www.bayoucityartfestival.com UltraMagTexas.com

5

KEEPING YOUR HEAD ABOVE WATER After Your House Floods

ULTRA LEGAL Courtesy of Byron K. Barclay

6

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Hurricane season always brings flooding and storm damage to the top of mind, and having survived Hurricane Harvey last month, you may be wondering about flood insurance, and how your homeowners’ insurance works with the National Flood Insurance program. Of course if your home flooded, you are probably knee deep into the claims process. Here are a few pointers: In most cases, homeowners’ insurance does not cover damage to your home caused by rising waters. A broken toilet, washer or dishwasher that overflows or leaks would likely be covered by your homeowners’ policy, but damage to your home from storm waters that rise in the street and enter your home is specifically excluded from your homeowners insurance policy.

Damage to a home from a roof leak that occurs during a storm, where wind-driven rain enters your home may likely be covered, but you also may have some kickback from your carrier about such a claim.

Flood insurance covers damage to your home from storm waters that enter your home. This insurance is 100% federally funded. Even though you may have purchased your flood insurance from Allstate, State Farm or some other insurance company, those carriers are only offering the coverage on behalf of the government’s National Flood Insurance Program. This means that all of your flood insurance proceeds will be paid by federal funds, and the federal government pays the insurance carrier’s costs for handling your claim. Because the federal government is intimately involved in the flood insurance program, federal courts have consistently held that claimants must strictly comply with federal requirements when seeking federal funds, including flood insurance proceeds.

When submitting a claim under a flood insurance policy, your “proof of loss” must be verified by an affidavit or notary. Your proof of loss must also state with specificity the amount of your loss, and should be timely filed. Claims must usually be filed within sixty days: however in almost every natural disaster where the President has declared a “federal disaster,” that deadline has been extended (as it has for Hurricane Harvey claims). Because you are not eligible to collect flood insurance unless and until you have STRICTLY complied with your obligations

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KEEPING YOUR HEAD ABOVE WATER continued from page 7 in the Standard Flood Insurance Policy, you would likely benefit from reading the National Flood Insurance policy, particularly Section VII, paragraph J, which lists your obligations under the policy. The entire policy can be found online here: https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1449522308118-6752c210f65aed326a9d df4a0ddaca1f/F-122_Dwelling_SFIP_102015.pdf

.

Your obligations under federal law are viewed as necessary conditions that must be strictly complied with before you received federal funds under the policy. You may not rely on your flood adjuster’s opinion or guidance on whether you have complied with your obligations. If the policy says you have to do A, then you should do A. If your adjuster tells you to do X even though you’re required to do A and you follow your adjuster’s guidance and advice instead of what the policy requires, that same adjuster may legally and lawfully deny your flood claim for failing to do A, as required under the policy. The courts have been exactly that demanding.

An experienced lawyer can guide you through dangerous waters. If you have questions about a claim or a loss, don’t hesitate to contact an attorney sooner rather than later, and good luck.

BYRON K. BARCLAY BKBarclay@lawyer.com www.BarclayLawFirm.com 713.224.2334

BIOGRAPHY & DISCLAIMER Byron K. Barclay is a Houston, Texas attorney and Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law. In addition, Mr. Barclay handles estate planning matters and is regularly appointed to serve various courts in Harris County as an Attorney Ad Litem for the estates of persons who have died without a will. Mr. Barclay also handles commercial litigation, divorces, family law and child custody issues.

The foregoing article is offered only as a public service to this community and does not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. This site and column should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. You should always consult a suitably qualified attorney regarding any specific legal problem or matter. The comments and opinions expressed on this site are of the individual author. Nothing in this column or on any website where it may be published is intended to create an attorney-client relationship and nothing posted by Mr. Barclay constitutes legal advice.

Should you have questions, you may forward them via email to Mr. Barclay at BKBarclay@lawyer.com. Questions may be edited for length or clarity. Mr. Barclay will choose questions submitted for brief answers and possible publication. Mr. Barclay reserves the right to choose which questions to answer, and submission of a question does not guarantee that he will provide an answer.

8

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Why Did the Turtle Cross the Road?

College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University

ULTRA PETS

H

ave you ever wondered why turtles cross the road? There are a few reasons why these slowpokes venture into the street, but no matter their agenda, we should be cautious of their presence while driving.

“Turtles often cross the road after rain events,” said J. Jill Heatley, associate professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “Additionally, many times they are female turtles seeking an appropriate place to lay their eggs.”

If you come across a turtle in the road while driving, the turtle may benefit from a helping hand to get to safety; however, Heatley said to be careful in doing so.

“If you can pull safely off to the side of the road and traffic permits, you can gently move the turtle to the side of the road in the direction it was headed,” Heatley explained. “If the turtle is injured, you can also take the turtle to a rehabilitator or veterinarian for care.”

Even if traffic permits you to save a turtle’s life, you should be careful handling certain turtles for your own safety. Heatley said some turtles, such as the alligator and common snapping turtle, could injure a person by biting or jabbing at them with the rear of the shell.

“Only experienced individuals should handle these animals,” Heatley said. “But in the case of box turtles, soft-shelled turtles, and slider turtles, they may be safely handled by

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grabbing the rear of the shell while wearing lightweight gloves.”

If the turtle needs to be taken to a veterinarian, it can be placed in a cardboard box. Otherwise, Heatley said uninjured turtles should remain in the wild to live their lives and breed.

Though wild turtles may need our help every now and then, you should not risk your own life to save a turtle. If you do see a turtle crossing the road, drive cautiously and stop to help, if needed.

9

FIND

Bestselling author, nurse and breast cancer survivor shares advice for healthy living.

THE SILVER LININGS IN LIFE ULTRA FAMILY

Every year, approximately 250,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer. As a veganeating, marathon-running, mother in her 30s with no family history of breast cancer, Hollye Jacobs was unexpectedly diagnosed with the disease. Now, the nurse turned New York Times bestselling author of “The Silver Lining: A Supportive and Insightful Guide to Breast Cancer” has partnered with Allstate to help everyone impacted by cancer receive a free guide with practical tips, important information and inspiration to inform and support people from diagnosis, through treatment and recovery, and into life after cancer.

Exercise: Pace yourself and set reasonable goals to take control of a healthy lifestyle. Begin slowly but consistently to establish a positive habit on which you can build; even a slow stroll

photo courtesy of thesilverpen.com

can be transformative for your health. reached audiences far beyond her circle Healthy eating: Like exercise, good

of friends and family. She encourages

nutrition helps offset exhaustion that comes

people to write down at least three

with the weight of daily stresses and fatigue. A

silver linings each day, from noticing the

balanced and healthy diet doesn’t have to be

color of a flower to petting an animal.

photo courtesy of thesilverpen.com

expensive. Incorporate nutrient-dense foods

“I am honored to partner with Allstate to empower

like avocados and nuts, and drink plenty of

women with knowledge to take control of their health water. Whenever possible, avoid alcohol, sugar and encourage each other along the way,” said Jacobs.

and processed foods.

Educate yourself: Be an active participant in your health by learning from trusted sources and resisting the urge to blindly search online for

“I hope we can all be there for each other and find the Encourage each other: Jacobs’ biggest life

information. When learning anything

lesson from her experience with cancer was

new, be patient, open, flexible and

As a follow-up to her successful book, Jacobs offers

that asking for help is a sign of strength, not

assertive to find what works best and

this inspiring advice on how to find the silver lining

weakness. If you think that you could benefit

most comfortably for your routine.

and feel your best in any situation:

from professional or spiritual support, pursue it.

silver linings in life.”

Celebrate positive thinking and remember that The free Silver Lining Companion Dress the part: Dress to feel your best no matter

everyone reacts to life’s unexpected struggles

Guide is available for download or for

where your day takes you, from school to work to

and pain differently. Be kind and patient with

pick up at participating distribution

chemotherapy. Invest in pieces that make you feel

others and, most importantly, yourself.

centers and select Allstate agencies nationwide. Download or find the

comfortable and confident. During her chemotherapy experience, Jacobs found that cotton scarves were the easiest to tie and most effective at staying comfortably on her head when out and about.

10

Express yourself: For Jacobs, writing was

nearest participating distribution

cathartic. Her book evolved from her blog, www.

center at www.Allstate.com/

TheSilverPen.com, which unexpectedly

SilverLining. (Family Features)

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S

ULTRA PEOPLE

cene in Pearland

By Nancy Moreland

New Men's Health Clinic Now Open in Pearland The Pearland office is offering new patients a free wellness check in October and November for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

ManCenters is an Innovative health clinic focusing on issues specific to Men. This clinic is supervised by a board certified urologist, Russel Williams, specializing in fertility, hormone management, and other male specific health issues.

One of the goals of this practice is to naturally enhance the patients fertility and hormone production, not merely synthetically treat the patient with replacement hormones.

Submit your good news and photos to Editor@UltraMagTexas.com and it may appear in the next issue of ULTRA Pearland!

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CR NOW ED WIT PL H AC TH ES E TO UR

!

MAN CENTERS The Center for Men’s Health ` Low Testosterone ` Fertility Evaluation ` Urinary Frequency

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832-358-8600 | mancenters.com UltraMagTexas.com

11

NEW RULE ATTEMPTS TO

TACKLE CONCUSSIONS ULTRA HEALTH

By Bobby McCallitt

oncussions have become a major concern for everyone involved C with the game of football – and rightfully so. By its very nature, football is a violent and sometimes dangerous sport, but no one wants it to be considered life-threatening.

In an effort to help reduce the likelihood of head trauma, a new rule was put in place to discourage the types of hits found responsible for the majority of concussions: targeting.

Targeting is a personal foul that carries not only a 15-yard penalty but the disqualification of the offending player. The thought and 12

hope is that this consequence will be enough to dissuade players from committing these types of hits, as no one wants to be ejected.

What is targeting? “Helmet-to-helmet contact” is most often used to describe targeting and considered by many to be the primary example.

In reality, there are many helmet-to-helmet contacts during a football game and most are not targeting. In almost all cases, targeting will be committed against a “defenseless player”. A defenseless player is defined as “one who because of his physical position and focus of concentration is especially vulnerable to injury”. (The ball carrier, for example, is usually never considered a defenseless player.) Examples of defenseless players are:

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A PLAYER IN THE ACT OF OR JUST AFTER THROWING A PASS. A RECEIVER ATTEMPTING TO CATCH A FORWARD PASS OR IN POSITION TO RECEIVE A BACKWARD PASS, OR ONE WHO HAS COMPLETED A CATCH AND HAS NOT HAD TIME TO PROTECT HIMSELF OR HAS NOT CLEARLY BECOME A BALL CARRIER.

A KICKER IN THE ACT OF OR JUST AFTER KICKING A BALL, OR DURING THE KICK OR THE RETURN. A KICK RETURNER ATTEMPTING TO CATCH OR RECOVER A KICK. A PLAYER ON THE GROUND. A PLAYER OBVIOUSLY OUT OF THE PLAY. A PLAYER WHO RECEIVES A BLIND-SIDE BLOCK. A BALL CARRIER ALREADY IN THE GRASP OF AN OPPONENT AND WHOSE FORWARD PROGRESS HAS BEEN STOPPED.

A QUARTERBACK ANY TIME AFTER A CHANGE OF POSSESSION. A BALL CARRIER WHO HAS OBVIOUSLY GIVEN HIMSELF UP AND IS SLIDING FEET-FIRST. Any hit to the head or neck area of a defenseless player is targeting. Regardless if the hit is with the helmet, shoulder, arm, etc. – if the force of the contact is above the shoulders, it is a foul and an ejection. The idea is to train players to lower their target zone, thus reducing the type of head trauma that causes concussions. Forcible contact with the crown (top) of the helmet is also a targeting foul that has been around for years (spearing).

Sports are a great way for kids and teens to stay healthy while learning important team-building skills. Football teaches things like work ethic, teamwork, camaraderie, overcoming adversity, and teaches wonderful life lessons. It is a great team sport and one that should be played without striking fear into the hearts of parents. The new targeting rule is one step in trying to accomplish that task. „

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13

Creative r o c e D FOR DOORS & PATIOS

By Karen Bunch

The front entrance to your home is the first hint as to what awaits inside. It’s your home and your creativity should shine.

The entrance may not be inviting and interesting but can be with a little creative design work. Shake your doubts away and put on your big girl gloves and get to work!

It may take a couple of tries, but adding and adjusting items just makes it better. Splurge on the focal-point items and visit resale shops or garage sales for the rest. Ribbon tells its own story. Inexpensive ribbon is great to add to wrapped packages but not for a mantle, entry, tree, chandelier, or patio. If it’s a piece you want to stand out, then take it to the max with beautiful ribbon. Designing your entrance or patio enhancements takes time and effort but is well worth it because you will enjoy seeing it every single day.

Once you have decided it is time to change or take down your handiwork, take some photos so you can refer to them the next time you want to put up the decorations. This will help you remember what you really liked and what brought you pleasure every time you entered the home. Pack everything away in clear plastic tubs. You will be organized for the next time!

Supplies | Wire cutters | Pruning shears | Fabric scissors | Floral Wire | Work gloves | Small nails | Screw in eye hooks

9TIP Grapevine or greenery can be used. Use gloves to protect your hands when unrolling, twisting and cutting the grapevine or greenery. This is a very time-consuming and tedious process but if done properly only has to be done once.

It is much easier with two people. It’s helpful to unwind the grapevine a day or two before the installation to relax the coiling. If you want to paint it rather than leaving it natural, do it at this point. Glitter can also be added at this point.

| Glue gun with glue sticks | Extension cords | Drape cloth | Broom | Trash bags | Ladder or step stool

Preparation | Collect all your decorating materials (even the ones you’re not sure you will use or like).

| Take the tags off everything and dust if necessary. | Lay out the drop cloth and spread all the materials out so you can see everything.

9TIP Natural colored grapevine with clear lights and muted ribbon colors and burlap can be kept up all year long! It is beautiful at night and creates a welcoming entrance or patio.

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| Plug all the lights in to check they work. | Roll each strand of lights into a ball starting with the male plug end and ending with the female end on top.

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ULTRA DESIGN

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CREATIVE DECOR FOR DOORS AND PATIOS continued from page 14

Design Tips | Clean up as you go. Clean up as you go. Clean up as you go. | Screw in the small eyehooks around the area for the garland to be hung. | Use plenty of hooks to hold the ďŹ nished weight of the garland and decorations. | Hang the bare garland using wire to attach it to the eyehooks. | Use the small nails if it works in a certain spot. | Generously wrap with the lights. Better to have too many lights than not enough. Clear lights can remain in place as decorative items change.

Colored lights work well for a speciďŹ c design.

| Start with three of the largest decorative items, then your favorite pieces.

Attach the items using the oral wire or ribbon. These items can usually be larger than you think.

| Continue choosing the decorative items to hang based on descending size. | Step back every so often to take a look and make adjustments to the placement and spacing.

| Group smaller items in bunches or glue a group together to give them impact.

" ž À à LLL For a Seasonal Garland or Wreath:

| Vintage items from a resale shop | Children’s toys | Dollar Store & Target items | Decorations no longer in use or showing a little wear | Old centerpieces that can be repurposed | Slightly chipped and non-working items | Used and new fabrics | Ornaments | Figurines | Natural elements (pinecones, leaves, acorns, owers, berries, gourds) 16

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can often be seen on weather radar. Located in Buffalo Bayou Park, the bat colony can be seen by crowds from a variety of good vantage points. The bats prefer to emerge from the east side of the bridge, often in a whirling vortex to gain height, speed, and as a group to deter predators. The bats tend to emerge after sunset but as a natural event, it isn’t always predictable. Temperatures below 50° or rain sometimes delay or prevent the emergence.

HAPPENings continued from page 5

PEARLAND FARMER’S MARKET October 14th, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Pearland Town Square www.pearlandtowncenter.com

WAUGH DRIVE BAT COLONY

LIVE MUSIC IN PEARLAND

October 6th and 20th Waugh Drive Bridge between Memorial Drive and Allen Parkway www.Houstontx.gov/parks/batpage

Wondering where you can go to catch some live music in Pearland? Here are 3 good options:

The Houston Area Bat Team offers free, educational “Bat Chats” at the Waugh Street Bridge Observation Deck the first and third Fridays of every month.

Shop for fresh, locally sourced items at the Pearland Farmer’s Market in its new location. Hosted monthly, the Pearland Farmer’s Market includes an assortment of vendors selling items such as fresh vegetables, handmade soaps, baked goods, honey and plants.

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The Waugh Bridge Bat Colony lives in Houston year round. Every evening at sunset, 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from underneath the bridge as a group to feed on area insects creating an impressive sight.

The cloud of bats is so immense that when they emerge, the Waugh Drive Bat Colony

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Live Music in Pearland

KING’S BIERGARTEN at 1329 Broadway offers authentic German/ Austrian cuisine in a casual, inviting setting.

The relaxed atmosphere is family friendly and includes live music on Fridays and Saturdays.

of genres are featured with live bands performing weekly on the patio every Friday and Saturday night.

BIG HORN BBQ at 2300 Smith Ranch Road is a locally owned Pearland restaurant with a fun western vibe, smoked-to-perfection meats and a variety of genres playing live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Hosting an Event?

HOSTING AN EVENT in November or December? Let our readers know about it! To be considered for publication, the information must be received two months prior to the issue date. Please email a 100-word-maximium synopsis to editor@UltraMagTexas.com. Be sure to include the event name, date, time, venue, cost and website. Please send high-resolution jpeg photos in a separate email. „

FLOYD’S CAJUN SEAFOOD at 1300 Broadway is a local favorite that offers a great selection of Cajun inspired dishes with a touch of Texas. A variety

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ULTRA BABY BOOMERS

Caregiver 101: Information You Should Know Before You Hire When looking for the perfect caregiver, many

the types of crimes that speak volumes about

CRIMINAL RECORDS:

families don’t know where to begin. Though

an applicant’s character and past.

A thorough search will identify any felony

the Internet offers a quick solution for finding caregiver information, it can also be a

LIVE COURT RESEARCH:

misleading source.

In addition to a traditional online search,

or misdemeanor criminal convictions. This search should be current enough to include any pending cases involving the candidate.

you should also conduct the more thorough Whether looking for a babysitter for a few

option of live court research. Though a

weeknights or a full-time nanny, knowing

more costly choice, live court research

the history of your caregivers is vital. In fact,

extensively searches current and past court

according to the Office of Juvenile Justice

records, both state and federal. Look for a

and Delinquency Prevention, babysitters are

screening company with the most up-to-

responsible for 4.2 percent of criminal acts

date information, such as Validity Screening

against children under six years of age. Though

Solutions, who has more than 1,600 record

this is a small percentage, some believe these

researchers that cover all jurisdictions in the

types of crimes could have been prevented

United States, to offer the most current and

with the appropriate information up front.

accurate information. For more information, visit www.validityscreening.com.

When conducting a background check, there are two main types to choose from: live court research and online database searches.

CREATE A CAREGIVER CHECKLIST “A thorough screening includes live court

ONLINE DATABASES: With an affordable price tag and a quick turnaround with information, many people turn to online sites when looking for the appropriate caregiver for their family. Though many of these sites tout that their applicants are ‘mom recommended,’ many are simply electronic databases with little investigative reporting on applicant history. Though they do report major offenses, such as felonies, these sites often miss the mark on reporting minor crimes and misdemeanors. These are

research in addition to an online web search,” said Darren Dupriest, president and CEO of Validity Screening Solutions. “Make sure your search includes an all-encompassing look at an applicant’s verifications, records with federal and state agencies and other personal assessment screenings, which are all important determinants when choosing the best caregiver for your family.”

Before choosing the appropriate background check, make sure it hits all the important

SEX OFFENDER REGISTRIES: A criminal record search alone does not include significant sex offender information because each state has its own stand-alone registry. Be sure to look for a screening company that offers a multi-state check.

DRIVING RECORDS: For caregivers required to drive on the job, a thorough check of their driving history is essential. This includes the possession of a valid driver’s license, and ensuring it has not been suspended, revoked and the applicant has no objectionable moving violations.

VERIFICATION: A proper check will ensure that past employment, certifications and references are verified through the original source.

A complete review of a potential caregiver ensures you are entrusting your family to the safest, best care possible. It also provides peace of mind while you are away from them, which, in itself, is priceless. (Family Features)

marks listed below: UltraMagTexas.com

21

ULTRA SPORTS

in October

By Bobby McCallitt

October baseball can mean only one thing –our team has qualified for

Mariners, and Texas Rangers. By winning the West, the Astros have

the post-season. The 2017 Houston Astros have won the American

qualified for the Divisional Series and based on the record of the three

League West and by doing so, are in a good position to play for, and

division winners, will be seeded 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. The number 2 seed

possibly win, the World Series.

will play the number 3 seed, while the number 1 seed will play the team advancing from the Wild-Card game. The Astros, with the 2nd

In Major League Baseball, there are two leagues – the American and

best record of the division winners, will play the Boston Red Sox, who

the National – and as of 2012, each league sends five teams to the

have the 3rd best record of the division winners. By virtue of having

post-season. There are three divisions in each league – West, Central,

the American League’s best record, the Cleveland Indians will host

and East – and each division winner automatically qualifies for the

the wild-card winner.

post-season, along with two wild-card teams. The wild-card teams are the two teams with the highest win total among non-division winners.

With some solid pitching, timely hitting, and a little luck, the local 9 might just be representing Houston in the Fall Classic – otherwise

The two wild-card teams play in a one-game playoff after the end of the

known as the World Series. Since their inaugural season in 1962, the

regular season, with the winner advancing to the Division Series. The

Astros have only played in the World Series one time, 2005, and have

three divisional champions and the wild-card winner play each other in

never won a World Series game. So let’s root, root, root for the home

the Division Series. The winners advance to the League Championship

team and maybe this will our year.

Series and play for the right to advance to the World Series.

The Houston Astros play in the American League West Division, along with the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle 22

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Go Astros!

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