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Fall 2015 Issue • UptownCOUNTRY MAGAZINE
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UptownCOUNTRY MAGAZINE • Fall 2015 Issue
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Buying or Selling a home?
Contact Jacque Kendrick 713-826-1097 jkendrick@cbunited.com
:ĂĐƋƵĞ <ĞŶĚƌŝĐŬ ƵŶĚĞƌƐƚĂŶĚƐ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƟŶŐ͕ ŶĞŐŽƟĂƟŶŐ ĂŶĚ ĮŶĂŶĐŝŶŐ͘ džƉĞĐƚ ĂŶĚ ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞ ƚŽƉ ƋƵĂůŝƚLJ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ǁŚĞƚŚĞƌ ďƵLJŝŶŐ Žƌ ƐĞůůŝŶŐ͘ >ŝŬĞ LJŽƵƌ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚĂŶƚ͕ ĚŽĐƚŽƌ Žƌ ĂƩŽƌŶĞLJ͕ LJŽƵƌ ZĞĂůƚŽƌ ƐŚŽƵůĚ ďĞ Ă ƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂů ǁŚŽ ĐĂŶ ŚĞůƉ LJŽƵ ŵĂŬĞ Ă ǁŝƐĞ ĚĞĐŝƐŝŽŶ͘
Don’t sell yourself $hort!
Jacque Kendrick Broker Associate ABR, CRB, CRS, GRI, CNE, CHMS, CREC
713-826-1097
WƌŝǀĂƚĞ dĞŶŶŝƐͬ^ƉŽƌƚƐ ŽƵƌƚ͕ WŽŽů͕ 'ĂƚĞĚ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ͕ ĂŶĚ Ă ŇŽŽƌ ƉůĂŶ ǁŝƚŚ Ăůů ƚŚĞ ƐƉĂĐĞ LJŽƵ ǁĂŶƚ͊ dŽŵďĂůů ^ĐŚŽŽůƐ
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&ĂďƵůŽƵƐ EĞŝŐŚďŽƌŚŽŽĚ ǁŝƚŚ tĂůŬŝŶŐ dƌĂŝůƐ ĂŶĚ tĂůŬ ƚŽ dŽŵďĂůů ^ĐŚŽŽůƐ
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Fall 2015 Issue • UptownCOUNTRY MAGAZINE
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U
ptown CO U N T RY MAGAZINE
CONTENTS FEATURES
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Fall Festivals are upon us! A great way to spend the afternoon with your family and kick start the Christmas Shopping Season. This year take advantage of everything your local community has to offer with so many Fairs and Festivals, there’s sure to be one that’s perfect for you!
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Football season is here. Celebrate with the perfect party snacks. Whether you’re a sports fan or not you’ll appreciate how easy it is to prepare snacks that even the most discerning fan will enjoy!
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Looking for a great family getaway this winter? Had enough of the Texas heat and humidity? Enjoy crisp clean mountain air, snow activities, food and amazing amenities at Colorado’s Vista Verde Ranch. Treasure Abounds Community Events Families Make America Great Fall Festivals Goal Post Snacks Tomball Friday Night Football Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Vista Verde Artistic Living Hunting Places
(6) (8) (10) (12) (16) (17) (20) (22) (26) (28)
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Publisher The Success Group Editor in Chief Advertising Vicki Nordquist Kristine Pirtle vicki@uptowncountrymagazine.com (832) 602-7929 uptowncountry@gmail.com
FROM THE EDITOR By Grace Lamar
W
ith summer finally behind us, we at Uptown Country Magazine are looking forward to not only cooler weather, but the start of the fun holiday season. Our area of Tomball and Vintage Park is one of the best areas in the Houston metroplex to live and gives us the feel of country living with all the amenities of the big city. We are a growing area that residents can be proud of, with some of the best schools and families who value traditions and also look forward to the future.
Editorial Director Grace Lamar Grace Lamar advertising@uptownmagazine.com (832) 349-1427 Photographer Heather Holloway Materials due the 20th of the month preceding the run date. Creative Director Kasha Ford Reader Services Mailing Address - Delivery 14351 Torrey Chase Blvd. Contributing Writers Suite #E Ben Rehder Houston, TX 77014 Grace Lamar Phone: (281) 705-9568 Fax: (281) 893-1029
ON THE COVER The Fall Holidays are upon us! Photo: Stock
Uptown Country celebrates our communities and our lifestyle. We look with great anticipation to the fall, even if not a tree in our area boasts of a golden or orange leaf. That burst of color will come at Christmas, when the rest of the country’s trees has barren limbs. Our trees will give a last heave ho, and then get ready for new buds just weeks into what should be the dead of winter. Fall is our season to watch football, go to endless craft shows, and make lists for Christmas giving that we will ultimately lose. It is the season for home cooking, the smell of turkey wafting from the oven, and pecans that need shelling. It is the season that we renew our time with loved ones, as family and friends come to visit. Enjoy the season before us. Refresh yourself with a reprieve from our endless summer and enjoy all the great things our area has to offer. {UCM}
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Volume 1, No. 1 UptownCountry Magazine PO Box 681397, Houston, TX 77268 | (281) 705-9568 The entire contents of the magazine are copyrighted October/November 2015 by UptownCountry Magazine All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. UptownCountry Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and other material unless accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. UptownCountry Magazine is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or management.
Fall 2015 Issue • UptownCOUNTRY MAGAZINE
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TREASURE ABOUNDS
Lizzy
at
By Grace Lamar Photo’s Heather Holloway
G’s
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orget about Black Friday and even Cyber Monday. If you want a shopping experience that gives you a feel-good glow, make Lizzy G’s your destination this holiday season. Liz left Oklahoma to join her Aunt Ginger in Houston to open a gift shop filled with handmade artwork, paintings, and all different kinds of specialty items that can’t be found in box stores. A whole shop devoted to beautiful one-of-a-kind crafted items and a shop where the customer isn’t just someone who buys, but is also a friendship waiting to be made.
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They chose Vintage Park as their location and turned a sterile space into a cozy world, where one can meander through tables and shelves of eclectic items to find unique personal gifts just right for even the hardest-to-buy-for friends and relatives. As any woman can tell you, men are hard to
UptownCOUNTRY MAGAZINE • Fall 2015 Issue
buy for but with Lizzy G’s expansive men’s collection of gifts, that task is easy. At first glance, it seems it would take days to look at everything, however, Liz and Giner have made the shop an entertaining place to browse From whimsical to home decor, Lizzy G’s never disappoints. www.uptowncountrymagazine.com
Don’t worry about how to wrap your special gift once it’s bought as their signature wrapping service makes that job non-existent. Silky brown paper topped with a teal ribbon and box let’s friends
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and family know the very best has been chosen for them. As the holidays approach, now would be a good time to head over to Lizzy G’s. No one loves shopping in December at
malls full of cars and people. But at Lizzy G’s you get the opportunity to put the joy back in the season’s shopping, and the excitement of giving relatives and friends that special gift selected just for them. {UCM}
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Teachers Of The Year Tiffani Burroughs (left) and Jessica Reeves were selected as Tomball ISD’s Teachers of the Year. Burroughs serves students in kindergarten through grade four as a reading specialist at Rosehill Elementary School.
Willow Creek Shows Their Pride Willow Creek Wildcat 4th graders show their pride in the TMHS Rock The Block Homecoming Parade.
New High School Engineering Courses Offered TISD implemented the first of three new high school courses based on engineering curriculum provided by Project Lead The Way – a non-profit organization and a provider of K-12 STEM programs.
Community News & Events
Do you have a community event you’d like to have added to Uptown Country’s Community Calendar? Contact our Editor Vicki Nordquist at vicki@uptowncountrymagazine.com 88 Uptown UptownCOUNTRY COUNTRYMAGAZINE MAGAZINE• •Fall Fall2015 2015Issue Issue
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Downtown Lamp Post Stroll November 20, 6:00 PM through December 31 @ Downtown Tomball Downtown Tomball celebrates the holiday season by decorating the ornamental lamp posts throughout Olde Town. Dozens of lamp posts are decorated by downtown merchants and organizations as standing works of whimsical art. Stroll block after block along Main, Commerce and Market Streets and soak in the Christmas spirit as only Tomball can present it! They are beautiful by day, spectacular by night!
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Fall Music Concert: A Spooky Good Time! October 27, at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. This Halloween themed and family friendly event features the LSC-Tomball Concert Choir, Jazz Band, and department musicians offering a rousing selection of seasonal favorites. The incredible Tomball Intermediate School Choir will be joining us – bring the family!
Lone Star College Seeks to Make Voting Easier Lone Star College is making it easier to be engaged in the election process by partnering with Turbo Vote, which helps citizens register to vote and also sends reminders about upcoming elections.
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IT’S FAMILIES WHO MAKE AMERICA GREAT By Grace Lamar
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veryone has heard about famous families; names like Hilton, Trump and the Waltons are well-known across the world. But what about the not so well-known families who live in the neighborhood and are making their mark by contribution to the area. The family who’s kids are well- adjusted and their business is thriving. The family that is at all the sporting and community events while finding time to help their neighbor when asked. We all have super families in our community, but they just don’t
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get the recognition or spotlight they deserve. Mike Lopez, his wife Martha and their three children Matthew, Mason and Morgan are just such a family. Mike, owner of Houston Cool Pools would be the first to tell you that their family is just normal, but in today’s crazy world, normal is hard to come by. It takes special people to keep a business prosperous, while spending most of your down time taking kids to school and sporting events and still making sure the family has time for home and community needs.
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Daughter, Morgan, is in Challenge Soccer which entails loads of after school practice, games on the weekends and out-of-town tournaments. Just that one sport would be enough to keep most families hopping, but add to that their son Matthew who is on the Tomball Memorial High School Swim team, and Mason who plays football for Willow Woods Junior High, and you have a schedule that would leave most families blurry eyed. Mike and Martha however, take it all in stride. Martha, works with Mike in the family pool business www.uptowncountrymagazine.com
and is fun and outgoing. She is a mother always ready to lend a hand with whatever the family, neighborhood, or school needs. Continually on the go, she veers from business to school and family like a pro football player running the obstacle course. Mike, the proud dad, is the first to recount every sports play, swim lap, or academic achievement his children have made. You may or may not know the Lopez family, but you can be sure that they and other families like them living in our area are what makes America great. It’s not material wealth, possessions, or newspaper headlines, but people who care about family, community, school and values that sometimes get lost in our hurried society Unfortunately, lots of us don’t
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even know the family next door, but maybe it’s time we met them. It’s time we boast about the good neighbors we have, like the Lopez family. Maybe it’s time we stop complaining and realize that while
everything isn’t perfect in our little area, it’s folks like Mike and Martha who are working daily to make not only their family, but also our area great. {UCM}
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Fall Festivals
2015
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OCT 22-24 GYPSY MARKET Food trucks, holiday items, antiques and junk. Over 90 vendors Klein ISD Multi Purpose Center 7500 Hwy 2920 OCTOBER 24 TOMBALL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL An afternoon of old-style Bluegrass music featuring David Davis & the Warrior River Boys, the Lone Star Bluegrass Band, Border Town Ramblers, and Aunt Erma’s Fillin’ Station. Jammin’ area, kids zone, food, vendors and more! 11 - 6:00 PM @ The historic downtown Depot
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 24 - ST DUNSTAN’S STREET OF SHOPPES FALL FESTIVAL Join us for a day of family fun & shopping for homemade gifts, books, jewelry, plants & baked goods plus “once loved treasures” in our church shoppes & those of vendors/crafters. St Dunstan’s 14301 Stubner Airline OCTOBER 24 -25 ST. ANNE’S CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FALL FESTIVAL Fun Filled Family days of games, food, music, auctions, bingo, beer and wine, ne, BBQ dinner, and lots more... St. Anne’s Catholic Church 1111 South Cherry St. Tomball R 29 - 31 OC TOBE IONAL T INTERNA STIVAL E QUILT F xhibits, special superb e tours. Featuring sses, lectures & top la events, c learning events & n. io H a n d s o n m a c ro s s t h e n a t n o io fr quilters . Brown Convent George R ter, Houston niors Cen dents & Se tu s 0 1 $ s, lt $ 1 2 Ad u
Top 10 Festival Foods Let’s be honest. Carnival rides are fun, live music is exciting, but there’s one main reason I go to fairs and festivals. It’s for the food! With Festivals drawing near we’re counting down the Top 10 best festival foods we can’t wait to eat! 10. CORN DOGS: Not the fanciest of festival foods, but easy to eat while you’re waiting in line for the ferris wheel or a cold beverage. 9. KETTLE CORN: Bonus points if the kettle corn cooker is wearing an old fashioned western outfit, and using a big black cauldron to make the popcorn! 8. FRESH SQUEEZED LEMONADE: A must at every festival outing. You gotta have something to wash down all those fried Twinkies and kettle corn, right? 7. ROASTED CORN: Mmmm. Basically use the corn as an excuse to eat a stick of butter with creole seasoning.
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4. COTTON CANDY: Pink over blue every time. 3. FUNNEL CAKE: Extra powdered sugar!
6. TURKEY LEGS: Wanna feel like a caveman and eat a tasty snack? Turkey legs are the way to go! 5. MEAT ON A STICK: Sausage, chicken, kabobs… yum, it’s all good! www.uptowncountrymagazine.com
2. CARAMEL APPLES: The only downside? Eating the rest of the apple after you’ve demolished the caramel coating. 1. DEEP FRIED DESSERTS: Seriously, fried Oreos can be a life changing experience. Fall 2015 Issue • UptownCOUNTRY MAGAZINE
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NOVEMBER 5-7 NUTCRACKER CLAUS MARKET Featuring the very best of the Northwest Houston Claus Market featuring independent designers, artists and crafters. From the fashionably chic to the hip and cutting edge, shoppers are sure to find an original gift for everyone on their list. In Association with Klein ISD to bring winter coats and clothing to kids in need. Klein Multipurpose Center
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER 7 - ST. IGNATIUS LOYOLA WOMEN’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAZAAR Gift for everyone and all ages. Holidays start here and we have everything for everyone on your Christmas list. St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church 7810 Cypresswood Drive NOVEMBER 12-15 HOUSTON BALLET NUTCRACKER MARKET A holiday shopping wonderland - hundreds of vendors from all over the world. Unique gifts and foods. NRG Center, Houston NOVEMBER 13-14 CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND MARKET 150 booths full of Christmas cheer and showing galore. Everything to put under your Christmas tree in one place. Champions Forest Baptist Church, Corner of Stubner Airline and Strake Rd.
DECEMBER
NOVEMBER 20-21 DICKENS ON CYPRESS CREEK Over 75 booths filled with crafts, clothing, collectibles, antiques, food, and entertainment held throughout the Cypress Creek Christian Church facility. Admission is free. Cypress Creek Christian Church 6823 Cypresswood Drive DECEMBER 11-12 TOMBALL GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET AND FESTIVAL Willkommen Y’all 200 street vendors, antique shops, carnival, food/beer, German and Texas music, arts and crafts, live preformances and kinderfest. Down Town Tomball - Free Parking and Shuttle DECEMBER 12- CHRISTMAS ON COMMERCE Christmas on Commerce is a traditional holiday family event with a sleigh full of fun for the kids. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, Christmas crafts, activities, vendors and food, and lots of live entertainment 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM @ Commerce Street in downtown Tomball
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Herzlich Willkommen! It’s a Texas German celebration on the old downtown streets of Tomball, Voted #3 In Top German Christmas Markets in USA You do not have to be German to enjoy this festival.
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ome and enjoy the family-friendly ambience – Gemütlichkeit – of this unique music/street festival with four stages of live continuous music and an open air market along with antique shops in the old town area. Dance to the music of Auf Geht’s Band, Chris Ryback, Alpenmusikanten, Euro Fest Band, Das Ist Lustig, Tubameisters, Valina, and get into the festive spirit with the sounds of strolling Christmas carolers. It’s a Texas German celebration at Christmas time on the old downtown streets of Tomball Texas. An estimated 175 unique and interesting street vendors will line Market and S. Walnut Streets, selling German Christmas items, arts and crafts, and much more. Visit
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the “Weihnachtshaus” inside the Community Center at 221 Market Street at the corner of Cherry Street ZKLFK ZLOO EH ÀOOHG ZLWK *HUPDQ FORWKHV DQG VRXYHnirs for sale. Three German tents and music stages will house biergartens decorated with German themes and Christmas lights. Tables and chairs will allow you to relax with your Dunkles Bier (dark beer), or a warm cup of Glühwein. Don’t miss the traditional Dutch Santa, Elf, live Christmas tree, clowns, juggler, strolling entertainers, and Santa Claus himself. These characters welcome free photo request, so bring your camera. The Kinderfest (kid’s area) will provide entertainment and fun for the young visitors. It includes carnival rides, bungee-jumping, rock wall, petting zoo, pony ride, walk on water, and more. Enjoy the free hayride and the Christmas lights tour at the museum district. Food vendors will include traditional German food and drink, Glühwein (mulled wine), beer, Christmas Stollen & Homemade Breads, Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and pastry), Bratwurst, red cabbage, sauerkraut, apple strudel, etc., and will, also, include festival foods like funnel cake, corn dogs, hot dogs, hamburgers, kettle korn, and barbeque. The Festival is sponsored by the City of Tomball, Tomball Sister City, and German Heritage Festival www.tomballgermanfest.org gradsand@yahoo.com, (281) 379-6844 {UCM} Fall 2015 Issue • UptownCOUNTRY MAGAZINE
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GOAL POST
party snacks
Nothing says fall like a great football game, friends and a load of chips and dip to munch while you scream “Go Team”at the TV set. These dips are easy and filling so sent out invites all your friends to join you yelling for your favorite team. BACON & CHEESE POTATO NACHOS Ass m A many any an y ((already alre al lread ady dy b baked) ak ked ed) d) P Potatoes ottat atoe toess as you think you can handle! • 1 lb. crispy & crumbled Bacon • 1 tbsp. Cumin • 1 tbsp. Chile Powder • Olive or Vegetable Oil • A large Zipper baggie • Your favorite Nacho Toppings
P Pe Peel eell a and nd d sslice lice li ce u up p tthe he potatoes into 1/4 inch disks. Place into the Zipper bag and drizzle with oil, add spices & shake until all the taters are evenly coated. Grill until golden on both sides. Layer with cheeses and toppings Place in oven at 350 deg. until melted together and serve up a gooey cheesy plate full and dig in!
BARBECUE DEVILED EGGS • 12 Large Eggs • 1/4 Cup Mayonnaise • 1/3 Cup finely chopped smoked pork • 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard • 1/4 Tsp Salt • 1/2 Tsp Pepper • 1/8 Tsp Hot Sauce Garnish with Paprika
Place eggs in single layer in large saucepan, add water to 3” depth. Bring to boil, cover, remove from heat, and let stand 15 minutes. Drain and fill pan with cold water & ice. Crack and peel eggs under cold running water. Cut eggs in half lengthwise and carefully remove yolks. Mash yolks with Mayonnaise. Stir in pork and next 4 ingredients, blend well. Spoon yolk mixture evenly into egg white halves. Garnish, if desired.
BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP • 2 Cups shredded, cooked chicken • 1- 8 oz. pkg. softened cream cheese • 1/2 Cup Franks® RedHot® Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce or Franks® RedHot® Buffalo Wing Sauce • 1/2 Cup Blue Cheese or Ranch Dressing • 1/2 Cup Crumbled Blue Cheese or your favorite shredded cheese
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine all ingredients and spoon into shallow 1 quart baking dish. Bake 20 minutes or until mixture is heated through; stir. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired. Serve with crackers and/or vegetables.
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TOMBALL Friday Night Football Tradition
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very Friday night in Tomball the bands play and the referee’s blow the whistle to begin what is a rite of fall passage - the high school football game. But what we watch during a Friday night game isn’t exactly how football began in Tomball. It was during the fall of 1934 that Tomball’s first football team was organized. Fourteen athletes plus
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a seventh grade water boy and Pete Young, a young twenty-one year old coach snagged from Sam Houston University met across the street from the old two-story school on Cherry Street to begin the first Tomball High School football team. Without a formal field, a vacant lot was marked off and a goal post erected with two by four intersecting tall saplings. The dressing room for the team was a shed and
the shower was nothing more than a water hose suspended from the rafters. With no money in the coffers for uniforms, the team received second hand equipment from Jeff Davis High School in Houston. Soft leather helmets topped faded purple numbered sweatshirts over padded khaki pants. Pressed cardboard took the place of real shoulder pads and
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Klein’s department store fitted the kids with high-topped brogan shoes and a local shoe repair shop nailed leather cleats to the soles. Meeting in the school cafeteria, the team voted on their colors and mascot. Red and white won by a large majority over second place blue and white and the cougar was voted in as the official mascot with the bearcat coming in a close second. There was no doctor on the field, and the first aid kit consisted of only a roll of tape, rubbing alcohol and mercurochrome. The tape was used more on the equipment than for the boys. With no age limit, any school student was eligible to play for the team and some of the players were as old as the coach, having to skip a year or two of school to help out with home finances. By the second fall season, Tomball helped form a district with Willis, New Waverly, and Lovelady. With the help of John Faris, a tackle from Klein and Lowell Cox, a center guard, Tomball came up with a winning season. Vying for the Championship with Lovelady, Tomball found itself alone on the field when Lovelady had to forfeit the game because they didn’t have the funds to purchase gas for the trip to Tomball. Ready to head to more games and wins, by the third season, Tomball had expanded its games to include West Columbia, East Bernard, Aldine, Jeff Davis, Conroe, La Porte and San Jacinto. A new coach and a forfeit again by Lovelady, gave Tomball another district Championship. Much has changed over the years, but one thing remains, the boys, the game, the fun and the support of the town for Tomball Friday Night Football. {UCM}
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UptownCOUNTRY MAGAZINE • Fall 2015 Issue
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Fall in Love with your Home for the Holidays
DECORATING DEN INTERIORS
®
Carrie Davies Interior Designer Owner
281.719.0741 cdavies@decoratingden.com www.carriedavies.com
Complimentary Consultation Custom Window Treatment/Bedding, Furniture, Flooring, Lighting, Accessories, Paint Consultation, Space Planning & Renovation
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NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP. Getting Your Yard, Shrubs & Flowers Ready for a Winter’s Sleep.
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all landscaping is something of a celebration. It is a rite of passage from the long hot summer to cool days and the anticipation of a winter cold snap. But also remember that there’s much work to be done, tasks that will prepare your yard for winter (and for the spring that inevitably follows). Jeremy Macki of Hortus Landscaping knows a lot about what is necessary, not only to assure that your yard is ready for winter, but ready for the first buds of spring that arrive almost too quickly on the gulf coast. We talked to him to get the real story on what needs to be done. “Winterizing is one of the top priorities for your yard. A good
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fertilization will help promote growth of the roots through winter. This is also a great time to aerate your soil before you apply the fertilizer to make sure it reaches deep to give the roots a special feeding before winter.” Of course, Jeremy told us, “putting an extra layer of mulch on your flower beds will help if we get a hard winter with temperatures below freezing.” SOM E OTH ER TI P S FROM JER EM Y AR E:
1.
Adjust your sprinkler system. Yards won’t require as much water during the winter.
UptownCOUNTRY MAGAZINE • Fall 2015 Issue
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Give all your flower beds a good edging to keep grass and weeds from creeping in.
3. 4.
Carefully prune back shrubs to help promote spring growth. Dig up and store warm season bulbs and plant spring bulbs. www.uptowncountrymagazine.com
5. 6. 7. 8.
Great time to plant new shrubs, trees or do any transplanting of existing plants. Divide perennial flowers and plants to promote vitality.
Get Roses ready or Harden off, some roses need to be prepared for the cold.
Add compost to soils to prepare for spring Be prepared to protect cold sensitive plants. Don’t wait for a deep freeze announcement on the news. Taking the above simple steps not only keeps your lawn healthy, but helps save on cost when spring comes around and the winter cold is just a memory. {UCM}
For more information on winterizing your yard, contact Hortus Landscape Design at: 832.586.6224 HortusLandscapeDesign.com
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Looking for a FUN getaway this Season?
VISTA VERDE olorado’s Winter Wonderland is just outside of Steamboat Springs, home of the world famous Steamboat Ski Resort. You’ll find a quiet escape where you can experience winter as its best. Your all-inclusive winter vacation at Vista Verde combines the amenities of a luxury Colorado resort with the relaxed and intimate atmosphere of a ranch vacation. Hideout in a cozy log cabin with private hot tub and enjoy delicious, freshly prepared meals in between adventures out in the snow. At Vista Verde you can count on small guest counts, personal service and warm Western hospitality. Christmas and New Year’s weeks are perfect for families looking for a unique way to celebrate the holidays. Then, we shift into our adult-only vacation times from early January until
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and relaxing tranquility. What is Backcountry Touring? The skis are a mid-range width and weight, falling in between light cross country classic skis and heavy telemark or AT skis. Likewise, the boots are a midweight boot, much like a hiking boot, that give you more support than a classic cross country ski Cross Country Skiing on boot, but less than a heavy plastic your Winter Vacation As Vista Verde turns to “Vista Blan- telemark boot. With this equipment you can ski on a frozen lake, ca” there are more ways to enjoy the outdoors in this special part of across an open meadow, through the West. Vista Verde’s ski program the aspens or pine groves, at the offers something for everyone. bottom of a ravine with dramatic rock outcroppings, or up a hillside, then down the other side. Backcountry Ski Touring The hallmark of a winter vacation The views and vistas and the at Vista Verde is heading out with sounds of silence are fabulous. Our guides have all the our talented guides to explore knowledge to take you out into the backcountry on skis. Called “Backcountry Touring,” this expethe backcountry safely, and instruct you on the technique rience offers the perfect balance required. Whether you’re a combetween invigorating exercise mid-February. When President’s Day weekend rolls around, the kid’s program kicks back into gear and we’re open for families from then, through our March spring break weeks. The ranch closes for the season late-March when the snow starts to melt away.
COUNTRY MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• Fall Fall 2015 2015 Issue Issue 22 UptownCOUNTRY
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plete novice, or have been skiing all your life, we will get you into appropriate terrain for your ability and fitness level. Classic and Skate Skiing Our 15km of groomed trails around the ranch are great for classic and skate skiing. The terrain is geared towards a beginner or intermediate skier, with loops taking you through open meadows, over babbling creeks, and into the aspens. Grab some gear and head out before breakfast for a sunrise ski or just get out there and enjoy the trails during the day when you just want to enjoy the peace and quiet on your own. Our guides will provide an Intro to Skiing for beginners, and we offer a Skate Ski Clinic several times throughout the week for those looking to take it to the www.uptowncountrymagazine.com www.uptowncountrymagazine.com
next level. The Adventure Center is stocked with first-class, complimentary equipment for all the different kinds of skiing, and we can outfit you with just the right gear. So come explore and enjoy!
Winter Time Kids Program Kids are like puppies in the snow. They jump in it, the roll in it, they eat it, and they seem to never get cold! A family snow vacation at Vista Verde means quality time
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together, sharing new experiences, creating memories, but also some time for Mom and Dad to relax and recharge on their own. The engaging kids program is for children 6-12 years old, and we will wear them out! From tubing to riding horses to snow shoeing to just playing in the snow: we get them outside and keep them going all day long.
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Each day brings a new adventure for the kids, and after having breakfast with you, they can run on over to the Kids Hut to meet up with the Kid Wranglers for the morning. After a fun-filled morning they will meet up with you again for lunch, and then off they go again until later in the afternoon. Although we do encourage families to participate in
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activities together, we know the allure of the fun to be had with the other kids is a strong pull. But, what a great problem to have! Some evenings are together as a family with casual meals and evening programs. On other evenings we have what we call a “formal dinner” for the adults and the Dine ‘n Dash dinner for the kids. Parents can enjoy a quiet www.uptowncountrymagazine.com
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meal with a nice glass of wine and other adult conversation while the kids have a quicker, more kid friendly dinner and then head off for a fun activity. Teens are welcome to join the kids program any day, and for any of the Dine ‘n Dash meals. There is not a formal teen program during the winter months, but we invite them into the fun, whether with the adults or the kids. Snowshoeing in the Colorado Rockies The joy of snowshoeing is getting out and soaking up the backcountry without having to worry about technique or form. Why? Because there is literally no techniques to snowshoeing besides being able to walk like a duck! www.uptowncountrymagazine.com
With some simple pointers about going up and down hills, off you go. If you would like, a guide can take you on a tour up to Hinman Lake, the Cliffs or somewhere even further away from the ranch. Or you can go and romp
around by yourself. Snowshoes allow you to access some places that you just can’t get to on skis. You can make it into a great workout in the deep snow, or just go for a stroll on one of our snowshoe specific trails that are already groomed for you. (Cont. on page 30)
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Artistic Living Around The World
H
ow We Live is an intimate photographic journal of designers’ and artists’ homes from around the world, including Mumbai, Beirut, Marrakech, Reykjavik, Mexico City, and Amsterdam, amongst others. American photographer Marcia Prentice traveled to each of the international cities to experience and present ‘the soul’ of a diverse selection of domestic spaces, revealing the unique spirit of
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each creative environment. The book includes homes shown in the context of both the pristine, more-established design cities as well as urban locales where economic disadvantage and strife impacts daily life. Each of the 18 featured homeowners provide a glimpse into their private, interior world to show us how the design and atmosphere created in one’s own home can be the ultimate artistic canvas.
UptownCOUNTRY MAGAZINE • Fall 2015 Issue
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MARCIA PRENTICE is an American photographer whose style captures the intersection of emotion and design in the home. Her photography has been featured in such publications as Architectural Digest, Vanity Fair Italia, and Casa International (Beijing). • A lavishly illustrated travel journal or interior design book from interiorphotographer, Marcia Prentice, featuring 18 different international cities and homes. • A look inside the private, domestic spaces of creative thinkers from around the world. • A distinctive sourcebook for ‘of-themoment,’ non-opulent global style and personalized interior design.
{UCM} © How We Live by Marcia Prentice, published by teNeues, www.teneues.com. Beirut, Lebanon, Photo © 2015 Marcia Prentice. To order visit: www.teneues.com/shop-us/how-we-live.html
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Hunting for a Place to Hunt By Ben Rehder ang around a group of hunters long enough and you’re likely to hear a common lament: Hunting in Texas is out of reach for the common man or woman. Opportunities are scarce, and those that exist are just too expensive. Bottom line: Hunting has become a sport for landowners, the wealthy and the well-connected. While that assessment might not be totally off-target — especially considering that a hunt for a trophy white-tailed deer can cost $5,000 or $10,000 or more for a single weekend — many hunters overlook an affordable and readily available option: the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s public hunting program, which offers a range of hunting opportunities as diverse as the state itself. “Practically everything that is huntable in Texas, you can hunt under our program,� says Kelly Edmiston, program specialist. And he has the specifics to back it up.
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“Pheasant hunting up in the Panhandle, blue quail hunting out in West Texas, quail hunting down in South Texas, dove hunting all over,� he says. “Eastern turkey hunting out east. You want to do a little fall bow hunting for Rio Grande turkeys, you go to San Angelo. Deer hunting, obviously. Feral hog hunting in a lot of places. Even something rare, like bighorn or pronghorn, we have opportunity. We have all the rabbits and hares you can shake a stick at. “We even have chachalaca hunting down in the Valley. Most people don’t even know what a chachalaca is, but we have it.� The biggest challenge? Choosing how you want to participate; with an annual public hunting permit (also known as “walk-in hunting�), through the drawn-hunt system or by a combination of the two. There are also plenty of oppor-
tunities for young hunters through the program’s youth-only hunts. You can find a wealth of information, including application and permit fees, the previous year’s number of permits and applicants for each area, hunter success rates and much more in a handy booklet published each year on http://tpwd.texas.gov/ {UCM} PUBLIC TEXAS LANDS FOR HUNTING •
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Sam Houston National Forest Wildlife Management Area -161,508 acres East Texas Granger Wildlife Management Area -10,888 acres Central Texas South Loraine - 320 acres West Texas Red Bluff Reserve - 2,000 acres West Texas Ray Robers WMA - 41,303 acres - North Texas Sabine River Authority 8,062 acres East Texas Mount Moriah - 550 acres Central Texas Mimosa Farms - 1451 acres South Texas Chapparral WMA - 15,200 acres - South Texas Gene Howe WMA - 5,395 acres - Panhandle Pat Mayse WMA - 8,925 acres - North East Texas www.uptowncountrymagazine.com
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(Cont. from page 25)
Resort-Like Amenities If you have the expectation of amenities like you would find at the best resorts, Vista Verde will deliver, but in a casual and warm manner. We have invested heavily in the ranch over the years and are proud of our major Lodge addition, classy Indoor Riding Arena, Kids cabin, landscaping improvements and swim-
ming pool. In addition, we are constantly rotating our cabins through an upgrade and updating process. With a philosophy of, “How can we make this better?”, there are always new projects on the horizon to meet the expectations of a well traveled guest who expects the best of a resort, but in our dude ranch setting. In Room – Each Cabin and Lodge room offers a snack bar,
I offer on location photo sessions in the Cypress and surrounding areas. I’m personally not a big fan of “stuffy in-studio portraits” with paper backgrounds to choose from. I prefer to go on location to capture the best possible image for you to keep forever. Whether it is at your own home or a location you pick. I can also help suggest locations for you as well depending on the RYHUDOO ¿QLVKHG SURMHFW you are going for.
heatherenid714@yahoo.com heatherholloway.smugmug.com
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refrigerator stocked with complimentary beverages, coffee maker, hairdryer, robes, plus much more. Each day our magical housekeeping fairies come and tidy up for you, as well as turn down your beds in the evening. And you read it right, there are no phones or TV’s in the accommodations. Wireless internet is available in the Main Lodge at no charge. The Fitness Center offers an elliptical and treadmill as well as a multi-gym for strength training. Chances are, you’ll never visit this area as you can get a better workout with a better view on the trail! But it’s here for those times when you just need a gym fix. Yoga is also offered weekly. The Swimming Pool debuted in June 2011 and gives you a place to relax and cool off at the end of the day, or when you’re just not ready for another adventure. The Coyote Corral is where you’ll find the spacious Kid’s Cabin and the low ropes course. The kids pretty much own this area, but the adults can resort to bribes for entrance into the Kid’s Cabin. The Great Room is an area for lounging as well as gathering with other guests and staff during Happy Half-Hour daily and some of our evening programs. With beautiful views of the “Sunday pasture” and a great roaring fire in the winter months, it’s elegant and spacious, yet warm and inviting. {UCM}
Vistaverde.com 970.879.3858 reservations@vistaverde.com www.uptowncountrymagazine.com www.uptowncountry.com
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