Cy-Fair Lifestyles & Homes May 2013

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MAY 2013

A Chat with TV Host Deborah Duncan In the Tour Bus with Scotty McCreery BOOKWALTER PHOTOGRAPHY

Real People, Real Homes, Real Style‌Real Cy-Fair Living www.cy-fairlifestylesandhomes.com

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Love that Smile!

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Patients come to Houston from around the globe to experience Dr. Guy M. Lewis’s world class quality, service and expertise in smile design. He has also been the only dentist to receive the Pinnacle Award for 2012 from the BBB, which is the highest accolade given by the Better Business Bureau.

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Guy M. Lewis, DDS is an accredited and founding member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentristry and has been practicing for over 28 years. Dr. Lewis has developed G. Lewis Veneers, a non-prep ultra-thin veneer that employs cutting-edge technology with minimal or no preparation of the teeth. Dr. Lewis has been recognized as a Super Dentist in Texas Monthly every year since the award was introduced.

For a complete list of services, visit our website www.lovethatsmile.com.

Guy M. Lewis, DDS

Dr. Guy M. Lewis is the Official Cosmetic Dentist of the Miss Texas Pageant. He is a founder and the official dentist of mydreamteamdocs.com.

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Contents

CY FAIR Established 2007

CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES May 2013

VERIFIED CIRCULATION COMMUNITY MAGAZINE NETWORK

DIRECT-MAILED MONTHLY TO OVER 39,000 PREMIER HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN CY-FAIR Reaches trade professionals (ASID and GHBA members), area realtors, business, doctors, trade events (home-related trade shows and community events) and the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce

facebook.com/CyFairLifestylesandHomesMagazine cy-fairlifestylesandhomes.com founder and publisher Bill and Linda Anderson

Editor Linda Vaughan Anderson editor@fortbendpublishing.com

32

Office Manager Linda Peterson

Home & Lifestyle 26

A CHAT WITH TV HOST DEBORAH DUNCAN Great Day Houston is one thing... raising son Duncan is another

Editorial Assistant Angela Crissman

Contributing Editors Cheryl Alexander • Kelly Foss Cathy Gordon • Judy Latta Dr. Lori • Denman Moody • Tish Raymond Melanie Saxton • Cindy Ziervogel

Social Editor

30

IN THE TOUR BUS WITH SCOTTY MCCREERY Fans packed the Katy Crawfish Festival during a memorable performance

Kathy Crosby

Photographers J. Pamela Photography, Inc. Bookwalter Photography

Production Manager

32

TRADITIONAL WITH A TWIST A sun-filled home on a corner lot puts a fresh face on tradition Cover photo by Bookwalter Photography

42

NKBA TOP 10 INDUSTRY TRENDS FOR 2013 Major kitchen and bath trendsetters

50

52

PRIZED PLANTS TO DELIGHT YOUR CAT

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Account Executives Marita Pratt • Kim Zeiner Amy Barker Richards Amy Ahlbrand Robinson • Tracy Ray Joe Welch • Jennifer Coleman Donna Sommer

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STILL FEELING HUNGRY AFTER DINNER? Incorporate nutrient-dense raw foods into your diet

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HELPING ZAMBIA’S ORPHANS A family adventure became a mission to build housing

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CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

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Contents CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES May 2013

Departments 10

HAPPENINGS Mark your calendar for upcoming activities and charitable events

16

BOOKS New releases with something for everyone

18

FASHION Distinct & Feminine and Spring Things

26

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CY-FAIR “SCENE’-RY Parties, galas and social occasions with Kathy Crosby

41

ARTS & ANTIQUES BY DR. LORI Collecting Carnival Antiques

54

HEALTH & WELL-BEING High Blood Pressure: The Silent Killer

58

NEW AUTOS See the new Buick Encore

59

WINE Red Wines, and a Wine and Food Extravaganza

60

MEMORABLE WEDDINGS Jessica & Rob

42

64

TRAVEL The Woodlands Resort

68

BUSINESS BRIEFS Keep up with the local business climate and its leaders

Special Promotions 46 51 57 67

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Home Improvement Resources Interior Detail Resources Family Health Matters Summer Fun for Kids

CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

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CAMPUS Read about the achievements of area schools and students

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HISTORICALLY CY-FAIR Cypress Native Helped Promote Oral Hygiene

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H A P P E N I N G S Mirror Image by Dennis Clay.

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Don't miss the Annual Art Car Parade. Downtown Houston will come to life when more than 250 “motoriffic” mobile masterpieces hit the pavement on May 11. The Houston Art Car Parade is a free BYOG (bring your own MAY goodies including lawn chairs, water, treats, but no dogs) event. The Parade has become a nationwide phenomenon and continues to bring out the artist in everyone. This year’s spectacle is expected to draw a crowd of 250,000 fans.

Approximately 250 local, national and international artists will transform everyday automobiles into one-of-a-kind creations meant to amuse, inspire, enlighten and entertain. The parade route includes Allen Parkway, from Waugh to Bagby and back again.

Presented by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, the award-winning Parade preserves and promotes visionary art environments and provides opportunities to discover and celebrate the artist in everyone. At the biggest and best Art Car Parade on earth, the Orange Show dares ogling onlookers to discover their inner artists and to seek inspiration from stunners ranging from an exact replica F-18 fighter jet car to one inspired by the Beatles classic “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” For more information about all of the weekend events, visit houstonartcarparade.com.

Bridgeland welcomes area residents to a Farmers’ Market the second Sunday of each month.

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BRIDGELAND’S FARMERS’ MARKET

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On the second Sunday of each month, stop by Bridgeland for its monthly Farmers’ Market. More than a dozen vendors will sell items from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on May 12 at 16902 Bridgeland Landing near the Lakeland Activity MAY Center. Fresh produce is a staple at the market, which also features baked goods, herbs, nuts, honey, preserves, farm eggs and meat from pasture-fed animals. Live music often adds to the festive nature of the market. Open to the public, the market is organized by the Bridgeland Homeowners Association and a group of resident volunteers.

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CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

HFAC PRESENTS ALEXANDER, BEGINNING MAY 3 Houston Family Arts Center Actors Academy presents the delightful stage adaptation of Judith Viorst’s popular book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Performances run May 3-11 at the new HFAC Fischer Black Box, 10760 Grant Road in Houston.

Tickets for this end of semester production by two different casts are $10 for all ages and can be purchased at houstonfac.com or by calling 281-685-6374.

BARRY SEA PARADOX PERFORMANCES, BEGINNING MAY 3 The Barry Sea Paradox Band is one of the Houston area’s most popular and versatile groups. Featuring Katy’s own Barry and Bobbie Sea, the group specializes in classic soul/rhythm and blues and smooth jazz; but also plays Motown, disco, Latin, swing, rock oldies, standards ranging from Sinatra to Satchmo, and even a little country. The group will be performing May 3, 8:30 p.m.-midnight at Capone’s Bar & Oven, 4304 Westheimer Road in Houston; May 17, Phil & Derek’s, 2811 Bammel Lane in Houston. For the band’s full schedule, call 713-822-5011 or go to barrysea.com. Reservations are recommended for all events.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE IS OPEN Habitat for Humanity Northwest Harris County has opened its ReStore, a home improvement thrift store, located at 13350 Jones Road. Hours are WednesdaySaturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The ReStore provides a new outlet for the recycling and reuse of used and surplus materials. It is a cost-effective outlet for home improvement projects that is open to the public. Quality used and surplus building materials are available at reduced prices. Profits from the Restore help fund the mission of Habitat for Humanity Northwest Harris County by providing affordable housing in the greater Houston area.

Homeowners, contractors and businesses who donate items will receive a tax-deductible receipt. To volunteer, donate or find out more, call 281-8905585 or visit habitatnwhc.org/restore.

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H A P P E N I N G S Attendees will select a bowl from more than 1,000 one-of-a-kind, handcrafted bowls donated

by Houston area ceramists and craft artists.

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EMPTY BOWLS HOUSTON

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Empty Bowls is an international effort to fight hunger, implemented in Houston to benefit the Houston MAY Food Bank. The unique lunch fundraiser will be held Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, 4848 Main Street. The event is a collaboration between Houston area ceramists, woodturners and artists working in all media, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and Lawndale Art Center. In its first eight years, Empty Bowls Houston has raised $342,250 for the Houston Food Bank.

For a minimum $25 donation, attendees receive a simple lunch of soup and bread provided by Whole Foods Market, and can then select a bowl from 1,000-plus one-of-akind, hand-crafted bowls donated by Houston area ceramists and craft artists. The empty bowls serve as a reminder of the empty bowls in the community and world.

Larger bowls are available at a higher price (lunch also included.) Attendees can also enjoy live music and artist demonstrations throughout the day. For information, visit EmptyBowlsHouston.org.

KARDASHIAN APPEARANCE AT SEARS WILLOWBROOK, MAY 4 Kourtney Kardashian and Khloé Kardashian Odom have an in-store appearance to celebrate the Spring 2013 Kardashian Kollection at Sears – Willowbrook on May 4 from 1-3 p.m.

They will meet-and-greet as well as sign autographs for fans. The first 200 people in line who have purchased Kardashian Kollection clothing, intimate apparel, accessories, shoes, home fashions or prescription eyewear from a Sears store between April 28-May 4 are guaranteed to meet Kourtney and Khloé and receive an autographed photo. Sears – Willowbrook is located at 7925 FM 1960 Road in Houston.

WRAP MEETING, MAY 13 WRAP (Wildcats Right After Prom) is CyWoods High School’s parent-driven Project Prom organization. Meetings are held the second Monday of each month. The next meeting will be held May 13 at 7 p.m. in the CWHS Commons.

NWHC AGGIE MOM’S MEETING, MAY 14

BEGINNING

IMPACT A HERO WEEKEND

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The 9th Annual Impact a Hero Weekend in the Greater Houston area will take place May 18-20. The Impact a Hero 5K Walk, Run and Wheel is set for May 18 at 7:30 a.m. at Reliant Stadium. This year, Impact a MAY Hero anticipates more than 3,000 runners including 50 wounded heroes and their families. Houston Texans head football coach Gary Kubiak and several of his coaches and players will participate with wounded heroes. There will also be a Roger Craiger concert.

The Impact a Hero, Hall of Fame Dinner is set for May 19 at 5 p.m at Reliant Stadium.

Janice and Robert McNair will serve as honorary chairs.

The Impact a Hero Golf Challenge will be held May 20 at Champions Golf Club at 10 a.m. Jackie Burke will serve as the honorary chairman.

At the Impact a Hero Kickoff Party in February, Scott H. Koza, chief geophysicist, Gulf of Mexico Exploration for Marathon Oil Corporation, donated $70,000 to support severely wounded post-Sept. 11 veterans and their families. The heroes honored were Army Specialist Dillon Cannon, Army Staff Sgt. Dennis Derr, Marine Cpl. Jack Goodroe and Army Sgt. Rick Yarosh.

Impact a Hero Weekend gives Texans an opportunity to join national celebrities in thanking severely wounded servicemen and women for sacrificing their minds, bodies and sometimes their lives. Visit impactahero.org for more details.

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CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

Northwest Harris County Aggie Mom’s Club is an organization for all former, current, and new Aggie Moms. Regular meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Houston Distributing Company Inc., 7100 High Life Drive and Cutten Road near SH 249.

The Aggie Mom’s Club is a great way to get involved, meet other Aggie Moms, and find out more about what is going on at Aggieland. The main goal of the club is to raise money to provide scholarships for area students attending Texas A&M University, and also to provide funds that support on-campus organizations at TAMU. For additional information, visit nwhcaggiemoms.org.

CY-FAIR REPUBLICAN WOMEN’S MEETING, MAY 14 The Cy-Fair Republican Women’s monthly meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. May 14 at Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Copperfield. This month’s presentation will feature Jerry Patterson, Texas land commissioner. His presentation will include information on current issues that affect the Houston and Cy-Fair areas. Lunch is $15, or have coffee or tea for $3. RSVP is required. Visit the website at cfrw.net. The group meets every second Tuesday of the month. Social begins at 10:30 a.m., with the speaker and meeting at 11 a.m.

Yearly dues are $30.

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H A P P E N I N G S

LYNDA BENTLEY, PC ATTORNEY AT LAW

Family Law NAM’S SOS FOOD DRIVE Northwest Assistance Ministries is in need of individuals and groups to participate in its “Survival Over Summer” Food Drive through April 30. More than 800 families are served

by NAM’s Food Pantry each month. Summer can be especially hard, since children are out of school and utility bills are high.

The demand for food at NAM’s pantry increases by approximately 30 percent each summer. Donations of non-perishable food as well as financial contributions are welcomed. Gifts made through April 30 will also qualify for a proportional matching gift to NAM’s Food Pantry from The Feinstein Foundation.

For more information, including an online giving form and list of suggested food items, visit namonline.org and select “Special Projects” or call 281-885-4555.

Former Judge 30 Years Experience Divorce Modification Enforcement Adoption Paternity Corporate Mediation

ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL AT THE VINTAGE OFFERS CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION CLASSES St. Luke’s Hospital at The Vintage has extended its labor and delivery services to include childbirth education classes. The classes have been developed to prepare mothers for pregnancy and child birth experience; discussions will include information about what is happening to a woman’s body, how the baby grows, nutrition, exercises and breathing techniques, what to expect in labor, and pain management options. The classes will also include postpartum care, breastfeeding, newborn care, and each session will end with a tour of the Labor and Delivery Suite.

Sessions are held at the Cypress Creek YMCA on Thursdays from 7-9:30 p.m. All classes are taught by experienced labor and delivery, postpartum and NICU nurses. For information or to register, call 832-534-7254 or email childbirtheducation@sleh.com.

Will/Probate

281.955.2408 • 281.257.2500 5515 LOUETTA RD, STE. C • SPRING, TEXAS 77379 CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

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Livable Luxury

H A P P E N I N G S B.F. ADAM CLASSIC, MAY 16 The Cy-Fair Educational Foundation will hold the 24th annual B.F. Adam Classic at BlackHorse Golf Club on May 16. The tournament will include lunch, dinner, an awards ceremony and raffle.

The tournament was named after B.F. (Bernard Fred) Adam, a lifelong Cy-Fair resident and a devoted school board member, serving 24 years on the board. B.F. Adam Elementary is named in his honor.

The B.F. Adam Golf Classic has had great success in the past, raising more than $1.7 million for student scholarships. Since inception in 1970, CFEF has awarded more than $4.7 million for students to continue their education beyond high school.

Sponsorships are available at thecfef.org.

NORTH CYPRESS MEDICAL CENTER’S SPRING CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT, MAY 17

Full Service Interior Design Services, Remodeling Design and New Construction Selections.

North Cypress Medical Center will host its 6th Annual Spring Classic Golf Tournament on Friday, May 17, at Blackhorse Golf Club beginning at 1:30 p.m. This year’s tournament will benefit the Lone Survivor Foundation, founded by Retired Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell. The foundation restores hope to wounded warriors and their families through health, wellness and therapeutic support by helping them adjust to the effects of their experiences and assists them as they transition into what may be looked at as their “new normal.” To become a sponsor, contact Stacy Thornton at 832-912-3846 or visit ncmc-hospital.com. The tournament is open to the public.

CYPRESS SYMPHONIC BAND REHEARSALS, TUESDAYS

Visit our website to view before and after photos.

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13013 Southwest Freeway Open to the Public — Mon.-Fri. 9-5 Saturdays By Appointment Only

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CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

The Cypress Symphonic Band has begun rehearsals for its 2012-13 concert season.

The band is a nonprofit organization comprised of community members whose mission is to provide amateur musicians with life-long learning opportunities and the pleasure of playing to improve musicianship and performance skill.

Bring your instrument and play with the band Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. at the Lone Star College University Park Campus in the Nebula room. New members are encouraged to meet the conductor. For information, visit cypresssymphonicband.org.

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H A P P E N I N G S HFAC SUMMER PERFORMING ARTS CAMPS, BEGINNING JUNE 10 Houston Family Arts Center’s 2013 Summer Performing Arts Camps includes 25 different performing arts camps for grades 1-12. HFAC camps run June 10-Aug. 24 for one week or three weeks and feature acting, singing and dance instruction as well as performance opportunities in musicals, dramas, and comedies.

The HFAC Actors Academy three-week Musical Theatre Performance Camps for grades 1-6 and 4-8 are Honk, Jr., The Hobbit, Pinocchio, and Once on this Island Jr. HFAC is offering 11 one-week camps for grades 1-6 that include “Clowning Around,” “Acting Up Improv,” “Imagination Theatre,” “Disney Magic,” “Lights of Broadway,” “American Idol Boot Camp,” “Triple Threat,” “Fractured Fairy Tales,” “Dancing through the Decades,” “Melodrama Madness” and “Glee.”

HFAC has numerous performance opportunities for teens in grades 7-12. The teen three-week performance camps are Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew and Once on this Island. The one-week camps for teens are “Stage Combat,” “Acting for Stage and Film,” “Dialects,” “Triple Threat Boot Camp,” and “Shakespeare Intensive.” A new addition to the HFAC summer program for teens is the audition show Steel Magnolias.

This show rehearses Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings beginning July 16. Performances will be the last week of August.

Dance classes will also be offered this summer. There will be eight ballet 1, ballet 2, pointe, jazz 2 and tap 2 classes taught Tuesday evenings June 11-Aug. 6.The HFAC Royal Academy of Dance program is offering an Alice in Wonderland Ballet Camp Monday and Wednesday evenings July 22Aug. 24.

New this summer is a two-week lighting and sound engineering camp for teens who want to learn how to provide technical support for musicals, comedies and dramas.

For more information or to register, visit houstonfac.com or call 281-685-2623.

Mirror Lake

Architects of the “Garden Lifestyle”

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www.MirrorLakeDesigns.com CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

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Books Smile Design Excellence & Experience

Brent R. Browning, DDS • Family Dentistry • Cosmetic Dentistry • Orthodontics

281-370-4300 130 Vintage Park Blvd. Ste. K Houston, TX 77070 Beautiful new office in Vintage Park just south of Starbucks

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CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

THE DRUNKEN BOTANIST

THE BABY SIGNING BOOK

In this follow-up to the New York Times bestsellers Wicked Bugs and Wicked Plants, Amy Stewart explores the odd, unusual and surprisingly common plants that have produced the world’s greatest spirits. The Drunken Botanist uncovers the enlightening botanical history and the fascinating science and chemistry of more than 150 plants, flowers, trees, fruits and even a few fungi. With a delightful two-color vintage-style interior, more than 50 drink recipes, growing tips for gardeners, and advice that carries Stewart’s trademark wit, this is the perfect gift for gardeners and cocktail aficionados alike.

The interest surrounding baby signing only continues to increase as more parents embrace this means of communication with babies before they can talk.

Sign language gives babies a way to express their wants and needs, easing frustration fro both baby and parent.

The Baby Signing Book, Second Edition by Sara Bingham has been updated to include more ASL symbols, additional case studies and updated information. Part 1 of the book provides an introduction to signing with babies and young children. Part 2 is an illustrated dictionary of 450 ASL signs and Part 3 provides songs and rhymes to sign with your child.

150 BEST EBELSKIVER RECIPES

STYLE, STITCH, STAPLE

Ebelskivers hold modern appeal for home cooks thanks to their ideal shape and size for all occasions. In Camilla Saulsbury’s book 150 Best Ebelskiver Recipes, she has created recipes that range from familiar and comforting to the exotic and intriguing, with many options inspired by international cuisines. This collection of recipes also includes helpful information on essential equipment and advice on ingredients, as well as tips on making perfect ebelskivers every time.

Anyone crafty can learn how to revitalize an entire living room with Hannah Stanton’s new upholstery guide, Style, Stitch, Staple: Basic Upholstering Skills to Tackle Any Project.

Upholstering can seem daunting to beginners, but Stanton’s straightforward techniques and advice create an accessible approach to home design. Learn how to choose and style fabrics to transform even the most dilapidated furniture into gorgeous, updated pieces. Divided into four sections, this book is the perfect go-to guide for sewers, designers, artists and other creative folk.

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THE COMPLETE GLUTEN-FREE WHOLE GRAINS COOKBOOK Whole grains not only offer up a wide variety of health benefits, but are also incredibly delicious. As more and more people are looking for gluten-fee alternatives, The Complete Gluten-Free Whole Grains Cookbook by Judith Finlayson is the perfect fit with recipes featuring amaranth, buckwheat, corn, Job’s tears, millet, oats, quinoa, rice, sorghum, teff and wild rice. This fullcolor book provides a wealth of health information on these grains. In addition, color photographs are included for easy identification.

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Dr. Kathy Gruver, author of the new book Body/Mind Therapies for the Bodyworker, says, “We have the innate ability to change our bodies, simply by changing our language.”

Dr. Gruver’s book explores the mind/body connection and explains how the placebo effect, positive thought, affirmations, hypnosis, meditation and other things are now making headway in mainstream medicine and research. This book will also show healing modalities to add to your life and techniques to easily stop stress response to become healthier.

JUNE 2013 Home Improvement Floor & Countertops Interior Details

For Advertising Information, contact your sales representative or call 281.240.2445 ext. 128 www.cy-fairlifestylesandhomes.com CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

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Distinct & Feminine

Inspired by strong personalities, Iris von Arnim Spring Collection is unconventional and innovative. irisvonarnim.com

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CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

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Lifestyles & Homes } Fashion + Beauty

Even Better Compact Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 CLINIQUE Introducing a cream foundation that restores uneven skin tone and provides radiance. Launched in March 2013, Even Better Compact Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 is Clinique’s newest cream foundation, perfect for achieving moderate to full coverage in a convenient, portable compact. Developed to help restore uneven skin tone, the lightweight cream foundation harnesses the technology of Clinique’s Even Better franchise to diminish the look of discolouration immediately while creating radiant skin over time.

This long-wearing, unique cream-to-powder foundation instantly creates an ultra smooth, flawless finish that keeps skin perfected all day. Its formula contains an antioxidant cocktail of ingredients consisting of Vitamin C and Vitamin E, which work together to help break up and banish the appearance of existing uneven skin tone. The visible signs of sun damage, dark patches, age spots and blemish marks appear minimized, leaving a natural, finished look. To protect skin from further UV sun damage, the cream foundation includes broad spectrum SPF 15, making it the perfect corrective makeup for summer’s harsh weather.

Available in a range of 20 shades and formlated to match a variety of light, medium and deep skin tones, Even Better Compact Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 is packaged in a sleek, portable compact with a convenient oversized mirror and cushiony sponge applicator, pre-treated to help avoid bacterial contamination. This remarkable product is allergy tested and 100% fragrance free, which means we first formulate it without known allergens. Then we allergy test every product 12 times on 600 people. If even one of those 7200 applications incites an allergic reaction, we start over. You can find Even Better Compact Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 online and at Clinique counters nationwide. clinique.com

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LANVIN – Maria Felix Line Pearl Bracelet in glass and brass. lanvin.com

TRUMPET AND HORN – Vintage inspired gold and pearl earrings. Trumpet and Horn is available at Judith Ann Jewels. trumpetandhorn.com

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Cy-Fair “Scene” -ry with

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Kathy Crosby

Please contact me with your event information via e-mail.

I look forward to showing off Cy-Fair’s “scene”ry!

Email: kathycrosby@sbcglobal.net Visit us on Facebook

CALYPSO CARNIVALE Cypress-Woodlands Junior Forum's 25th annual fundraising event, Calypso Carnivale, was held at The Woodlands Marriott Waterway Hotel and Convention Center. The night included a raffle, live auction, bid board and silent auction along with dinner, and dancing to Yelba's Variety Band.

Guests had the opportunity to donate to Fund-a-Cause; the evening’s designated program was Forum Friends which offers large groups of senior citizens the opportunity to develop and nurture friendship and fellowship. Cypress-Woodlands Junior Forum also provides volunteer programs for children and families. Proceeds from the evening's event are used to fund CWJF's service programs.

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Calypso Carnivale

1) Event chairpersons Jo Breetz and Lisa Tucker 2) Deb Haun stands with Penny Powers, the President of Cypress-Woodlands Junior Forum.

3) Joe and Susan Williams.

4) Mary Francis and Dorinda Stedman.

5) Debbie Stanford and Kathy Beisenherz.

Both have previously served as President of CWJF. 6) Peggy Jo Coker, Founder of CypressWoodlands Junior Forum, with husband Dr.

Mack Elbert Coker, DDS ,MS, PC and member of CWJF's Business Advisory Board.

7) Rondi Weber and Julie Scandridge.

8) Crystal and Randy Brown.

9) Cheryl and Paul Foust.

CY-FAIR HOUSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Elizabeth Medina, 17, of Cypress, was crowned Miss Cy-Fair Houston 2013 during the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce pageant at the Berry Center. Miss Medina is

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a senior at A&M Consolidated High School where she is passionate about music and mental wellness with the power of music therapy. As a highly decorated scholar and musician, Elizabeth plans to apply her success and knowledge to earn a medical degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Emcees Jenna Burns and Kevin Weishaar facilitated the entertaining event. Katie Grothaus performed as Ariel, from Disney’s Little Mermaid. She had the princess contestants captivated with her rendition of “A Part of Your World.” Sashes were sponsored by Maid Brigade of NW Houston and the flowers awarded to winners were courtesy of Autumn Leaves Florist and Gifts.

To the 9’s Boutique served as the Pageant Underwriter; other sponsors included Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center, Kwik Kopy Business Solutions, Kids R Kids Learning Academy, The Joint...The Chiropractic Place, Massage Envy and European Wax Center. Judges for the 2013 Miss Cy-Fair Houston Pageant included Gloria Benedict of Luminess Air cosmetics; Bob Covey, President of Cy-Fair ISD Board; Jennifer Langley, Senior Account Executive for Living Magazine; Duc Nguyen, Customer Property Analyst for FMC Technologies; and Tony Gudia, writer for Malone Media Group.

10) Elizabeth Media, Miss Cy-Fair Houston 2013.

11) Serena McKinney, Miss Cy-Fair Houston Teen.

12) Keiana Kreitz, Junior Miss Cy-Fair Houston.

13) Lexie Hoover, Junior Princess Cy-Fair Houston.

14) Hope Vanderburg, Little Princess Cy-Fair Houston.

15) Kyla Steele, Tiny Princess Cy-Fair Houston.

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Calypso Carnivale

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Wine Fair Cy-Fair

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WINE FAIR CY-FAIR Sell-out crowds sipped on wines and sampled great eats at the 2nd Annual Wine Fair Cy-Fair. The weekend kicked off with “One Fine Affair” at Northwest Forest Conference Center’s La Hacienda. More than 100 finely dressed participants gathered for the evening in support of Reach Unlimited, the recipient of proceeds from the live and silent auction thatwas held at the event.

To the 9’s Boutique hosted the “All That Sparkles,” a sold-out pre-event party. It was packed with French champagnes, sparkling wines and culinary treats. Those who were lucky enough to get their tickets early were able to get the VIP treatment with relaxed seating, great views, premium wine and delicious food selections provided by La Madeleine in the VIP Zone presented by The Loken Group.

The Backyard Grill Beer Garden featured tasting selections of local craft brewers’ favorites with offerings from Karbach, Saint Arnold, Independence, No Label, Rahr & Sons and the newly launched Fort Bend Brewing alongside signature nibbles from Backyard Grill and Backyard Smokehouse.

Guests sang along and danced the night away to the captivating tunes of the Robert Hartye Band, back by popular demand on the Aruba Live Music Stage.

Sponsors included H-E-B and Momentum Jersey Village Volkswagen as well as community sponsors including Cypress Village Station, Mercantil Commercebank, ArubaTourism Authority, Cypress Village Apartment Homes, Bridgeland, Republic National Distributing Company, KwikKopy Business Solutions, Mix 96.5, Speedpro Imaging The Woodlands, Trendmaker Homes, Houston Event Photos, Lucas Auto Care, and Timeless Transportation.

16) Lamborghini attended the Wine Fair too.

17) Huge crowds were in attendance for the fun evening!l

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a

Chat withTV Host

Deborah Duncan 26

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Great Day Houston is one thing... raising son Duncan is another

By Melanie Saxton ith May comes thoughts of Mother’s Day, a special occasion celebrating family bonds and the special women in our lives. Deborah Duncan adores her mother, who is 90 years old and ornery. “Mom took about 5,000 pictures of my sister who is six years older and basically an only child until I came along. There are about 200 pictures of my baby brother who was three years younger than me. I was in the middle — I think I have two pictures in hand-me-downs and a faded dress,” jokes the Great Day Houston host.

As the mother of a singleton, all the emphasis is on her 9-year-old third- grader, Duncan. His photo albums will undoubtedly outshine even her sister’s. He’s a photogenic, good-looking kid. “At around 12-18 Deborah and Duncan share a moment on the backyard patio. months he modeled for Foley’s last Memorial Day issue before they spelling would not fit on a billboard and changed over to Macy’s,” says Deborah. the ABC network changed it to “Debra” She recently took him to open a savings in 2000. Deborah later reclaimed the origaccount and the milestone was shared on inal Biblical spelling. the Great Day Houston Facebook page.

Why just one child? “This momma was Near Misses too old to have any more kiddos,” says Where there is a need, Deborah tries Deborah, who was 41 when Duncan was to take an active role in supporting the born. “Maybe if I were younger… this is community as much as possible. A brain my second marriage and I kept thinking I aneurysm in 1997 taught her some of had more time.” life’s most valuable lessons. “I had perfect attendance at school and never What’s in a Name? called in sick. This aneurysm came out of Deborah named her son Duncan after the blue and ruptured while I was workher maiden name. This sometimes per- ing for Lifetime in New York City.” She plexes fans, who ask, “Is he really Duncan had just moved from there from Dallas.

Duncan?” Deborah is married to hus- Then-Governor Bush wrote a letter and band Neal Horner who owns his own Ross Perot sent the first flower arrangecompany and provides iron gated access ment to the hospital. The support from control systems and ornamental or struc- Texas was heartening, and viewers from tural iron art pieces. Duncan’s last name all over wrote letters and even sent their is actually Horner. family members to the hospital to see Deborah’s first name has been spelled how she was faring. different ways. Although her mother “I thought, ‘If you die, know where named her Deborah Kay Duncan, the you’re going, and if you live, that means

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you have more to do.” That “more to do” is her philanthropy work — anything that empowers people.

Blessings of Motherhood When asked how Duncan processes his mother’s celebrity status, Deborah answers, “He sees me without makeup and my hair not combed.” In fact, Duncan doesn’t pay that much attention to his mom’s high- profile image.

She has learned so much from her son, who every now and then says something profound. Once Duncan saw a homeless man and asked, “What happened to his piece of earth?” It touched Deborah’s heart that Duncan wanted to know how people lose their piece of earth and how they will get it back. “Sometimes people lose their way and we should help them find their way,” she re sponded. “Sometimes they are open to it and sometimes not, but we should be open to helping them.”

Duncan’s little friend at school has muscular dystrophy. “I’ll run the first lap for Wyatt,” announced Duncan, which is typical of both his sweet nature and his energy level. “He’s my ADD child and thinks out of the box,” observes Deborah.

“Wait! He never got in the box!”

As for being a mother — yes, Deborah believes being a biological mother is a gift. But women can “mother” in a variety of ways, whether they bear children, adopt, mentor or nurture others through acts of kindness. She believes all of us have some responsibility to look for mothering opportunities.

If She Had a Daughter What advice would she give to a daughter about body image? “I was the chunky little kid until the last years of high

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“We forget that kids want structure even if they get mad. Problems in society and the workplace are due to lack of structure.”

- Deborah Duncan school,” says Deborah, who not only had body image issues, but was often the only African American girl. Additionally, she was raised in a military family and relocated constantly. At times this made it hard to fit in.

“I remember one move that really didn’t feel good because the kids made fun of me. Mom said to start a Misfits Club.” Deborah met one of her best friends (to this day) as the club members banded together and complemented one another. Then came the realization that the nerds were the ones to marry and have children with.

She’s not sure bullying is more prevalent now than in the past. “Remember, Lord of the Flies? It’s human nature to invent more ways to torture each other.”

She believes this goes back to self esteem or a false sense of self-esteem which girls get from their fathers and boys from their mothers. Deborah admits she’s a “pleaser” — a deficit from Dad who is 95

would like to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology to study these powerful family dynamics.

Parenting Partnerships Rarely are Deborah and Neal both away from home the same night. At times they take Duncan with them. “I’m not even going to pretend that it is hard for us, or a magic juggling act,” she says, thinking of the single moms who do it all.

Deborah is grateful that both she and her husband are employed and have Deborah and Neal married in 2001. Her Princess Diana earrings family and friends to fill in and necklace were purchased at auction by Jim “Mattress Mack” the gaps.

McIngvale and given to Deborah as a wedding present. Her Duncan’s childhood is ornery mother quipped, “Oh, those are nice beads.” very different from her own.

“The world is bigger now, more global major differences in who you pray to, but and accessible,” says Deborah. Though we want to instill in Duncan a love and her son has lived in Houston his entire respect for humankind and do our life, she believes that travel and best to contribute,” she says. When she exposure to other cultures is is asked to speak at different places, important, Duncan has visited often the feedback is, “You could be one Puerto Rico and Scotland and will of us.” Deborah believes the message is undoubtedly enjoy more trips universal. abroad. “I want him to appreciate all of us — everyone around the State of the World Parents may worry about the economy, globe. Like they say, it takes a vilwars and their children’s future. Some lage to raise a child.”

On setting limits, she believes may say this is worst time in the history of technological toys and gaming are the planet. “Really?” asked Deborah. good for, “If you don’t do this right “Think about the Civil War and the now, you won’t see that in six plagues that wiped out Europe. Are we in Duncan’s chores earned him “dragon dollars” with which to weeks!” There is a difference the worst of times or best of times?” A buy Tina, his tan bearded dragon. The larger yellow male is between being a parent and a recent conversation with Condoleeza Rice named in honor of T-Rex. Deborah loves that they don’t friend. “We forget that kids want reminded Deborah that America has surshed fur, unlike Chester, the family’s Jack Russell Terrier. structure even if they get mad. vived the Revolutionary War, the Great and still married to her mother. “He Problems in society and the workplace Depression and all the things that have taken place after the monumental 9/11 wasn’t the strongest figure he should have are due to lack of structure,” she says. been for his girls,” she comments, perThey visit Lakewood, Second Baptist, attacks.

“We got through it and triumphed. We haps because the world wasn’t exactly synagogues and mosques, sometimes swimming in parenting and relationship out of curiosity. “We are Christian and need to teach our kids that life is a series of books at the time. One day Deborah enjoy church-hopping. Sure, there are experiences.”l

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By Melanie Saxton Photography by Debi Beauregard arch 23 was a big day for country music fans who arrived from all over the state for an appearance

by American Idol winner Scotty McCreery.

He included Katy, Texas in his 2013 Weekend Roadtrip Tour and played for throngs who enjoyed the food, rides, a variety of bands— and especially Scotty’s signature deep vocals.

We climbed aboard his tour bus and were greeted with his famous smile and iconic cross necklace. He was raised by parents who taught him to be polite, humble, and appreciative of the many blessings which have come his way since winning Season 10 finale of American Idol. He was just 16 at the audition and became the youngest male Idol winner (at 17) in the show’s history with a record-breaking 122 million fan votes. He joined fellow Idols and finalists including Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry and Adam Lambert in producing No. 1 hits.

As the youngest male artist to open at the top of the all-genre chart with a debut album release, Clear as Day, he watched his hard work pay off in just 13 weeks as the album became certified platinum (over one million sold) in the U.S. “I Love You This Big” and “The Trouble with Girls”became gold singles.

Christmas with Scotty McCreery, his 2012 holiday album, was also certified gold.

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Scotty lit up the Katy Crawfish Festival will a billboard, a tour bus and his iconic smile.

Fans and Travel In 2011 Scotty won the American Country Awards Artist of the Year: New Artist. As they did on Idol, fans voted him in as New Artist of the Year at the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. He earned additional nominations and awards such as CMT Music Awards USA Breakthrough Video of the Year. “We were on the road about 200 days last year, and will probably do the same this year,” says Scotty. Tour manager Mike Childers commented that despite a demanding schedule, Scotty managed to take some time off last year to play baseball. Downtime is a precious commodity spent with family and friends, often

watching basketball and Duck Dynasty. When asked if he has any pets, he joked, “Yes, two dogs and my band.” He’d like a Labrador or an English Bulldog, but for now has to settle for his parents’ pair of Bichon Frise “fou fou dogs.”

What’s not to love about this 19-year-old sensation? “McCreeriens” follow Scotty on Twitter and Facebook, and a glance at the fan blogs reveals international posts from Canada, South Africa and India. He especially thanks those who fly or drive to his concerts from great distances. For instance, Emily Woxland has followed Scotty since he auditioned for American Idol and voted for him each week. She arrived in Katy from Fort Worth and has previously driven to

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What’s not to love about this 19-year-old sensation? “McCreeriens” follow Scotty on Twitter and Facebook, and a glance at the fan blogs reveals international posts from Canada, South Africa and India. social media as his fans Arkansas and Tennessee for past weighed in. Scotty loves his big performances. “Our five-hour sister Ashley, who celebrated a drive and ‘weekend roadtrip’ was 23rd birthday on March 25, two definitely well worth it!” she days after Scotty’s appearance enthused. in Katy. This coincided with his Fellow superfan Liz Matjeka television appearance as a traveled from Kerrville with her host at the American Country husband Rob. They joined Music Top New Artist special on daughter and son-in-law, Kim the Great American Country and Rob D’Ambroso of Katy, (GAC) channel. along with grandsons David and Andrew and granddaughter The Future Catherine Oxford, who drove in As fans clamor for new with her husband Adam from music, Scotty is testing songs for Boerne. All attended the VIP audience reaction. We’ll see if meet-and-greet after Scotty’s per“See You Tonight,” “Rock This formance. “A lot of fans were ini(L-R) Superfans enjoyed a meet and greet with Scotty: Andrew Knowles, Kim Night” and “Suntan” will appear tially drawn to Scotty when we D’Ambroso, David Knowles, Liz Matjeka, Scotty McCreery, Catherine Oxford, on an album to be released in heard his amazing voice at the Adam Oxford and (front kneeling) Rob D’Ambroso.

September. Watch for a new Idol audition. As we got to know single in May. this wonderful young man with tion for American Idol was announced. “Why His advice for aspiring music artists? “Stay his strong faith, values, and most of all his awe- not?” he thought, but passed when the timing some talent, we have grown more committed conflicted with church camp — something he strong in your faith. You don’t have to do this or as fans,” she says. looked forward to every year. In fact, he was that. Look at families like the Bumberas or Duck The biggest “fan surprise” of the evening baptized at church camp at the age of 12. “It Dynasty who stick to their values.” He admires came when Kendall Bumbera of Katy was was then that I accepted Christ — the pastor people who hold fast to their ethics and stay treated to a face-to-face meeting with Scotty said if it felt like peanut butter in my veins (and true to themselves even when faced with fame.

Scotty is considering taking a lighter course aboard his bus. She was in shock! Little did she it did), then I got it.” know that her sports agent, family and Scotty’s As one of the better pitchers at his high school load at college but is determined to graduate. management team had arranged this special in Garner, North Carolina, he opted to audition He’s even more determined to pursue his music moment, particularly because she and Scotty in Milwaukee despite an interruption in base- career and tour the country, fulfilling a dream have so much in common. They happen to ball practice. His dad used frequent flier miles to that only a handful of young men could ever both be juggling college and careers. Kendall, transport the family. Scotty’s rendition of “Your imagine. In the midst of it all, he’s just very gratea NASCAR race car driver, has been a Scotty Man” by Josh Turner caused Jennifer Lopez to ful for the opportunity.l fan since his Idol audition. Likewise, Scotty is a comment, “You made me smile!” Randy fan of race cars.

Jackson and Steven Tyler were blown “What do you drive?” asked Kendall. away as he sang Travis Tritt’s “Put Some “An F150 named Loretta,” answered Scotty, Drive in Your Country.” They sent him to who soon learned she owns a Silverado.

Hollywood and the rest is history.

“Who’s your favorite Texas country music Scotty’s parents could not be prouder. artist?” she wondered.

His father Michael was born to a Puerto “Randy Rogers is one,” he said, and hap- Rican mother and American father, which pened to be hers, as well. means Scotty claims a 1/4 Puerto Rican “I have that bracelet,” she commented, point- heritage. He is connecting with these roots ing to the I AM SECOND inscription on his wrist, through Spanish courses as a freshman which testifies to their belief in putting God first. at North Carolina State College. A 13-hour “Really? That’s cool,” he responded as he course load in communications has him spoke of his religious upbringing. juggling weekend appearances and academics.

Faith and Family Support from his family helps, especially As a Southern Baptist, Scotty’s values res- from mom Judy Cooke McCreery — his onate with people of faith. He just happened to biggest fan. She couldn’t attend the Katy Surprise! Race car driver Kendall Bumbera was be on the computer when the Nashville audi- Crawfish Festival but followed along on treated to a meeting with Scotty aboard his tour bus.

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Traditional With a Twist

A sun-filled vestibule with a herringbone floor and washed brick wall greets visitors to this abode. A friend of Mary’s gave her the chest years ago. | Mary found a clever way to display cherished plates that she inherited from a friend. Here, they make a lovely statement on the dining room wall. | This home is a stunner with a bevy of balconies and outdoor spaces that usher the outside in.

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A sun-filled home on a corner lot puts a fresh face on tradition TEXT BY CATHY GORDON | PICTURES BY BOOKWALTER PHOTOGRAPHY

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t’s a lovely feeling, entering a home and experiencing that sense of déjà vu. Maybe it’s the porch and the way it frames the sunset just like at your grandmother’s house. Or it’s the dining room that reminds you of family dinners growing up.

Whatever the case, the house has that sense of familiarity — in a good way.

That’s the creative sense that custom home builder Mary Ross draws upon every time she designs a home. And the house she built for herself is no exception.

“If people walk in and they feel at home right away, either because they like the home or because it

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A handsome study in soft neutrals is the perfect space for pow-wows about work.

Mary’s accountant uses this space. On the far wall are framed mementoes that mean a lot to this homeowner — pictures of her grandparents and a store they owned in the 1930s and piano pieces that Mary played as a child. The window seat is perfect for catching the sunset. | A sisal rug, washed brick fireplace wall and comfortable neutral furnishings make up the den.

Mary is a self-described “Marshall’s fanatic” and has from time to time, come away with super finds. This elegant coffee table is one of them. Sofa is from Laurie’s Antiques. The painting was a gift.

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IT’S TRADITIONAL WITHOUT BEING STUFFY. DESIGN ELEMENTS UNITE FOR A FRESH, CURRENT LOOK WITH MASS APPEAL.

reminds them of Aunt Suzy’s dining room or grandma’s porch, that’s the kind of feeling I want them to have when they walk in a house,” explains Mary.

“I don’t want people to drive down the street 10 years from now and say, ‘Oh, that was built in 2012.’ I want a classic look that stands the test of time. I would say it leans toward southern classic.

I love the big porches and columns and balconies and that classic southern traditional feeling that comes with it. People feel instantly at home, but the house has a little bit of a contemporary or more current edge to it.”

One needs look no further than Mary’s house to understand this design aesthetic.

It’s traditional without being stuffy. Design elements unite for a fresh, current look with mass appeal. The 4,300-square-foot dwelling is elegant without being fussy, the kind of place where you know feet are welcome on the coffee table. “It’s got to be comfortable. I mean homes are meant to be lived in, right?”

If homes can have a disposition, Mary’s house is definitely sunny.

Here, a view from the den and dining room into the kitchen and mudroom beyond. The home’s rooms are connected in a sweep of beautiful white oak floors. Dining room chandelier (Carol’s Lighting) add a touch of whimsy and casual, yet elegant furnishings offer comfort. | An elegant, vintageinspired place-setting adds drama at the dining room table.

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THIS PAGE: This roomy kitchen is a vision with white oak floors, an oversized Calcutta Gold marble island, limestone countertops and an elegant chandelier for a splash of sparkle.

French doors lead to the courtyard for open-air living. | Pretty in Purple: Lovely flowers frame the farmhouse kitchen sink. | This lovely courtyard gets lot of use and French doors can be opened for easy access and instant open-air living. RIGHT: A bouquet of brushes makes an artful statement in this cast-iron urn in Mary’s studio. | Who wouldn’t be inspired in this lovely studio off the home’s courtyard? Some of Mary’s work is displayed on the easels. “Very therapeutic,” she says of her time spent painting.

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A cheerful vestibule with herringbone brick floor, washed brick wall and charming orchid-on-yellow vintage-inspired wallpaper greets visitors. That space alone is enough to put one in a good mood. “This space just makes me happy,” says Mary.

A step up and you’re in the main foyer that allows views of the house from front to back. Beautiful white oak floors sweep through the dwelling, contrasting with creamy large block paneling for a clean, streamlined look. (floors by Southern Star).

A roomy study to the left offers one of the best views of the sunset from a window box seat. “This room was designed mainly so my accountant can work in here, but the view from that window is very nice,” says Mary, who has accessorized here with treasured family mementoes — framed piano music she played as a child and pictures of her grandparents and a store they owned back in the 1930s.

“I think your accessories always mean more when there are those connections to them,” she says.

The den is a comfortable mix of neutrals with a sisal rug underfoot. A washed brick fireplace wall is a nice accent here.

Mary, a self-described devout Marshall’s shopper, found quite the piece for her family room there — an elegant coffee table that blends wonderfully into her casual, yet elegant décor. “I couldn’t believe it… a great find. And that sucker is heavy!”

Some homeowners don’t use dining rooms much, perhaps only for special occasions during the holidays. Not Mary.

This beautiful room, outfitted in velvet chairs and a special inset bench that fits perfectly at the table’s edge when its extensions are in, is the primary eating area in the house when company comes.

And family comes often, as her sons and grandchildren live in the area.

A wall of plates, cleverly staggered over one another in artful fashion, spans a wall

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THESE PAGES: The downstairs powder bath is calming and elegant with marble countertops and soft, vintageinspired wallpaper. The antique mirror and artwork by Mary are the perfect accessories here. | Sleepovers are always fun for Mary’s grandkids. Her two granddaughters get the royal treatment in their feminine-inspired bedroom. She also has a bedroom for her two grandsons.

“It’s so much fun to have the grandkids over. I love the stayovers!” | Functional spaces can be elegant too.

Here, the mudroom behind the kitchen is enormously useful and visually stunning with its vintage-inspired orchid-on-yellow wallpaper.

in this space. Mary inherited them from a dear friend. “I just couldn’t bear to eat on them. I wanted to display them where we can see them,” she says. A real showstopper in this room is the crystal chandelier, dripping in stars. (Fine Art chandelier, Carol’s Lighting). “I fell in love with it. I’m really into the chandelier thing. I just think it finishes off a house. Just a little bit of whimsy when you turn a corner is never a bad thing.”

Limestone countertops, an oversized Calcutta Gold marble island and handmade ceramic backsplash tiles (Emser Tile) make this kitchen shine. Adding to that sparkle is a

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delightful chandelier hovering overhead and adorable checkered curtains that Mary made above the farmhouse sink.

Indeed, this homeowner has the creative knack. She is also a painter and uses a space past the kitchen as an art studio. When weather allows, French doors surrounding the studio and kitchen can be opened to the courtyard, a great design element when entertaining.

Organization is key to a streamlined home and this dwelling’s mudroom behind the kitchen has every feature for keeping things in check. A butler’s pantry area as well as storage for work-related items is cleverly tucked away in this part of the house as well.

The stair railing leading to the upstairs was left in its natural color with just a bit of sandblasting for a unique look. “I wanted it to look old and natural,” Mary explains. The second floor leads to a large master bedroom with grasscloth walls and striking crewelwork draperies. The master bathroom is a picture of relaxation in smooth porcelain floors, marble countertops and sparkling crushed glass tiles that frame the bathtub.

The other end of the bathroom leads to a large closet and utility room.

The home also has a media room tucked away on the second floor and two bedrooms that are especially appreciated in this house — one for her two granddaughters and the other for her two grandsons, each

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CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

with their own bathroom.

“I just love when they come over and it’s nice that they can have their own bedrooms here,” says Mary.

“Family is what it’s about. Great house for that.

“When it comes down to it, you just want to be comfortable where you live and you want the same for your friends and family. I think this house accomplishes that.”l

Walls of grasscloth and crewelwork draperies give the master bedroom a warm, soft vibe. | A beautiful master bath with shimmering chandelier invites relaxation. Countertops in Carrara marble add an elegant touch. Crushed glass tiles add sparkle around the bathtub.

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Arts & Antiques by Dr. Lori Step Right Up: Collecting Carnival Antiques recently appraised a vintage carnival game on the season 4 premiere of Discovery channel’s Auction Kings that was picked by Gallery 63’s picker and general manager, Jon Hammond. Today, antique and vintage carnival games are a hit with collectors, traders, and yard sale shoppers as shown by the sale of the clown toss carnival game during the live auction featured at the end of the show.

Designers like to add these carnival items to interior design concepts to introduce whimsy and collectors amass these objects to recall the good old days. From the original objects used in vintage carnival games to the signs that advertise those popular games along the midway, patrons at America’s amusement parks and fairs remember the lazy days of playing games of chance. Yet, these pieces of Americana are as popular as they are pricey.

While most carnival games show heavy use and only fair condition, the evidence of age on these objects adds to their desirability. Prices are high, as a black Americana ball toss game sign commands $500-$1,000, and the accessories from a skeet shooting game bring $250 to $275. Highly sought-after carnival collectibles are those which come with complete parts in working order. Oddly enough, the well-worn and lovingly used look of some of these hand-lettered signs that announce the games which read “3 balls for $1” or “Whack a mole” with a painted image of a frightened rodent make many of these carnival advertisements quite appealing, too.

filled bags from one side and try to get their bag into the clown’s opened mouth.

Their opponent did the same thing from the other side of the booth. The winner got a prize.

The clown toss carnival game that I appraised on Auction Kings during the popular Gallery 63 pick-off episode was made by Game Time Inc. of cast iron and brightly painted, and ranges in value from $350 to $450. Some of these games were even re-purposed as decorative trash can covers at amusement parks.

Watch video from Auction Kings at http://ow.ly/i2CXT to see an example of this carnival game. I also provide more information in the video about its history and current value.

When collecting these old carnival games, accessory objects, and signage, you can almost smell the cotton candy!l

I

Renewed Interest in Carnival Games Carnival games that required rare objects such as a gigantic wooden sledgehammer used to ring a bell posted high above the carnival grounds, old milk bottles that even the strongest baseball pitch couldn’t topple over

Clown toss carnival game made by Game Time.

(because one bottle was hollowed out and replaced with a heavy lead shot inside), or primitive shooting target game animals like brightly painted figural ducks or squirrels carved of wood are still all the rage with antique collectors.

The Americana market stirred the interest for these collectibles in the 1970s and today, many new collectors are returning to the collecting category.

Today, some of the most popular carnival games are those which still stir the spirit of the amusement park. Similar to the bean or corn kernel bag toss games (also known as corn hole — where a kernel-filled bag is tossed underhand into a hole in a piece of wood), the clown toss carnival game was once played by two opponents or opposing teams positioned on opposite sides of a carnival booth. Players would toss corn-kernel

Dr. Lori Star Appraiser on the hit TV show Auction Kings on Discovery Channel.

Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and awardwinning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents appraisal events nationwide. Watch Dr. Lori appraise antiques on Discovery’s hit TV show, Auction Kings airing Thursdays at 9 p.m. Learn about your antiques at www.DrLoriV.com or call (888) 431-1010. Visit her Facebook at: Facebook.com/DoctorLori

CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

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H O M E

I M P R OV E M E N T S

NKBA Top 10 Industry Trends for 2013 BIRDWELL PHOTOGRAPHY & MULTIMEDIA

Major kitchen and bath trendsetters: gray color schemes, quartz surfaces and transitional style

Designer Allison McCowan’s budget-friendly kitchen also exemplifies the gray transitional color scheme.

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s we settle into a seemingly healthier national economy, some kitchen and bath design trends continue to flourish, while consumer budgets for these projects appear to have shrunk just a bit. To get specific: • Gray color schemes in both kitchens and baths have witnessed a dramatic escalation since 2010, particularly over the past year.

Used currently in 55% of kitchens and 56% of bathrooms, shades of gray are growing in appeal, creating chic, sophisticated spaces that many consumers desire.

• Also, continuing an important trend from last year, transitionalstyle kitchens and baths have clearly surpassed traditional styles, a longstanding favorite until 2012.

• While the use of quartz finishes was in slight decline last year, it has surfaced as a clear trendsetter this year, coming a close second to granite.

• Homeowners spending on their kitchen and bath remodels was trending upward a year ago, but the latest numbers tell a slightly less robust story. Heading into 2012, the total cost of the average kitchen and the average bath design was $51,050 and $18,575, respectively. As we move into 2013, the figures have dipped to $47,308 in kitchens, while staying steady at $18,538 in bathrooms.

A

Over 300 National Kitchen & Bath Association member-designers participated in the 2013 NKBA Design Trends Survey, reporting the materials, product types, and styles that they specified in their kitchen and bath designs over the final three months of 2012. While broad trends won’t be evident in every local market, the following are the top overall trends that emerged for kitchens and baths across the United States and Canada.

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KITCHENS & BATHROOMS Shades of Gray In kitchens, shades of gray have noticeably jumped in use over the past three years. There was a significant

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BRANDON BARRE‘ ©

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The simple power and beauty of white cabinetry is evident in this kitchen by designer Jane Lockhart.

increase from 9% of kitchens in 2010 to a remarkable 55% in the final three months of 2012. Similar to kitchens, grays in bathroom remodels have risen from 12% to 56% since 2010.

Whites and off-whites remain the top color schemes of both kitchens and bathrooms, used in 73% and71%, respectively, an increase of 6 percentage points in both categories over the past year. Beiges and bones remain the second most popular color scheme in both rooms, followed by grays and then browns.

Browns are slightly in decline in bathrooms, falling from 39% in 2012 to 35% this year, but sepia tones rose from 11% to 17% in kitchens and 11% to 18% in bathrooms.

QUARTZ Quartz was the second most popular counter-surface material used in kitchens and baths last year. This year, it has signif-

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CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES /MAY 2013

icantly narrowed the gap with granite, increasing from 69% to 80% in kitchens and from 53% to 65% in bathrooms. Meanwhile, granite held steady in 2013, with 87% usage in kitchens and 71% in bathrooms.

Identified as the key trend for 2012, the popularity of solid surfaces in kitchens continues to rise, growing from 11% in 2010 to 35% in 2013. Marble still remains a popular bathroom vanity-top material, only moderately dipping in popularity from 46% in 2010 to 39% this year.

in the bathroom are still positioned No. 1, currently used by 61% of NKBA-member designers.

As a consequence, traditional styles sit in second place in both rooms, their popularity holding steady at 60% in kitchens and 58% in bathrooms. Contemporary designs secured a close third in the most recent poll, maintaining a steady 52% usage in kitchens and increasing slightly from 53% to 57% in bathrooms.

KITCHENS

Trending Transitional Styles In 2012, the popularity of transitional style — a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary — exceeded that of its traditional counterpart, which had been the clear topper in 2010 and 2011. In our latest survey, transition expanded its lead in the kitchen, with usage growing from 59% to 69%, Likewise, transitional styles

White Painted Cabinetry Among painted cabinetry, white has stayed on top of the chart since last year.

Given its remarkable, upward climb over the past three years, it’s clearly no fad. The popularity of white-painted cabinetry jumped from 47% to 59% in 2012 and further increased to 67% this year.

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Use of light, medium and natural finishes has remained more or less consistent over the past year. Light finishes are currently used by 30% of respondents, medium finishes by 54%, and dark finishes by 55%. Use of glazed finishes, which held at 44% in 2011 and 2012, increased by four percentage points this year.

Glass Backsplash The preference for glass splashes has grown dramatically over the past three years: from 42% in 2010 to 64% this year.

At the same time, while natural stone tile showed consistent growth during 2011 and 2012, usage dropped from 60% to 55% in the latest survey. Ceramic or porcelain tile held its top position for the third consecutive year, but overall usage fell by 11 percentage points between 2010 (88%) and now (77%).

Over 300 National Kitchen & Bath Association member-designers participated in the 2013 NKBA Design Trends Survey, reporting the materials, product types, and styles that they specified in their kitchen and bath designs over the final three months of 2012.

LED Lighting Energy-efficient lighting is widely used by member designers in both the United States and Canada. As consumer awareness of energy efficiency has risen, it comes as no surprise that light-emitting diode, or LED, lighting is being specified by a higher percentage of designers, increasing from 70% to 77% over the past year. The significant uptick from 50% in 2010 indicates that this trend has serious staying power.

Meanwhile, there has been no significant change in the use of compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) and incandescent bulbs, with current usage at 26% and 41%, respectively.

Continued on page 67 CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

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An example of transitional styling is this luxury spa bath by designer John Sylvestre, CKD.

Continued from page 65

Touch-activated Faucets Growing in popularity are touch-activated faucets, specified by 32% of member designers, versus only 20% of designers in 2011 and 2012. Pull-out faucets are still in the top position, as they have been since 2010, with usage rising from 88% in 2010 to 94% this year. Pot filler faucets grab the second spot this year, gaining five percentage points over the past year to 33%.

Satin Nickel on the Rise When it comes to faucet finishes in kitchens, satin nickel has been on the top since 2011, its usage increasing from 42% in 2010 to 60% this year. Bronze or oilrubbed bronze finishes are also being specified more often, growing from 41% to 50% in the past year. The increased popularity of these three finishes most likely comes at the expense of polished nickel and polished chrome. The latter, which had seen a rise in usage in 2012, dipped from 52% to 47% in the latest survey; polished nickel dropped from 25% to 20%.

vey participants this year — down from 93% in 2011. Natural stone tiles have also declined since 2011 dropping from 77% to 59% in 2012, and to 57% this year. However,

they have been the second most popular type of flooring used since 2011.

Undermount Sink Undermounts are in slight decline this year, dropping from 94% in 2012 to 87%.

But here again, they remain the most specified type of lavoratory sink — not just in the latest poll, but over the past three years. Integrated sink/tops have seen modest growth, increasing from 35% in 2012 to 41% currently.

Average Costs: No Growth In the NKBA Design Trends Survey each year, designers are asked for the total average cost of the kitchens they design, including materials and labor. In 2010, the figure was $44,800; in 2011, it dropped to $40,500. In 2012, the figure rose significantly to $51,050. However, this year witnessed another modest decline, to $47,308.

In 2010, bathroom remodels stood at $18,575 and dropped to $16,475 in 2011.

But the average spend increased to $18,850 in 2012, indicating homeowner remodeling budgets were on the rise. As we entered 2013, the figure plateaued at $18,538.l

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CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

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Prized Plants to Delight Your Cats A dash of plants can go a long way to improve your cat’s quality of life

Lucy enjoys tasty greens.

By V. J. Billings Photography by Mountain Valley Growers hether your beloved family feline eats commercial pet food or homemade gourmet delicacies, she will almost certainly crave organic "pet plants" like catnip. One good whiff can cause cats to chase their tails or streak up the stairs (then later take a good long nap). But there are other plants also favored by felines and you can grow them all at home.

It’s really not so surprising that Catnip, Cat Thyme and Mint are each attractive to cats. They all come from the same family, Lamiaceae. Of course, Oregano and Lavender also come from this family and cats don't seem to care a whit about those. Ah! Sweet mysteries of life.

W

Catnip Trivia We all know Catnip can turn the sweetest kitty into a clown, but here's some catnip trivia you may not know: It doesn't seem to affect very young kittens. Lions apparently like it. Not all cats like it. It tends to be inhaled rather than ingested.

And certain ants produce the same chemical as found in catnip... which can drive a kitty crazy as she roams the yard.

Oh, and there are organic catnip toys to be found on the Internet.

You can harvest catnip without much effort at home. Catnip grows easily both from seed and transplants and tolerates many different climates and soil conditions. The Nepeta genus is quite large and there is often confusion over common

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CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

It’s really not so surprising that Catnip, Cat Thyme and Mint are each attractive to cats. They all come from the same family, Lamiaceae. Of course, Oregano and Lavender also come from this family and cats don't seem to care a whit about those. names. In Europe, Nepeta cataria is often called Catnep or Catmint. Catmint is a name we reserve for ornamental Nepetas. These Nepetas like grandiflora and siberica are sprawling bluish purple flowered herbaceous plants suitable for borders and mixed perennial gardens.

And while I think they are wonderfully cinnamon scented, cats don't show any desire to romp in them.

Growing and Drying Catnip I read several references about cats destroying transplants before they can become established and was surprised— we have never experienced this problem with catnip. Cat Thyme is another story.

Cats are attracted to freshly tilled soil, so it would probably help to put your new plants in an established garden with some coarse bark chips around it.

Catnip reseeds readily, so weed often

to prevent the seeds from setting. This also happens to be good for harvesting.

Like most culinary herbs, by the time the seeds are formed the vigor and oils of the leaves have declined.

For the best kitty nip, cut the plant in full flower. Hang the entire plant upside down in a warm, dry and dark space. As soon as it's crispy dry, strip the leaves and seal them in an airtight container out of the light. Avoid crumbling until you want to stuff it in something, like a miniature Christmas stocking or a child's old cotton sock. The euphoric effect can also be savored with a fresh stem. Now even indoor cats can enjoy something fresh and green from your garden.

Cat Thyme For persnickety pussycats who snub catnip, we recommend Cat Thyme (despite the smell). When I first became acquainted with Cat Thyme, I thought of it more as something you might foist off on your worst enemy instead of a treat for my tabby. Where catnip is musty and greensmelling, Cat Thyme smells like something died. CATS LOVE IT. So we hold our noses and allow kitty to enjoy one of Mother Nature's more pungent treats.

A member of the Teucrium genus, this plant looks like a Thyme. However, like most of its fellow Teucriums, it is not culinary. Just don't try to convince cats of that.

Establishing a stand of this slow-growing perennial gem can be tough. We had to cage our first plants with upside down gopher cages because they kept getting munched. After they start growing, a few nibbles here and there didn't hurt.

My Cat Thyme is a favorite napping plant for our cat. Of course, this always wreaks havoc with the perfectly pruned hedge I keep trying to trim it into. If your cat goes for Cat Thyme, you will probably need more than one because each one only grows to about 10 inches. It has bright magenta flowers and blooms in summer for about three or four weeks. The dead flower stems need to be sheared off after blooming.

Because it grows slowly, Cat Thyme makes a well-behaved potted plant. It only

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CY-FAIR ADVERTISING

takes a sprig to bring inner peace and contentment to your kitty and it can be dried and still have an effect. For drying, it is best to cut the sprigs when flowering starts or after the plant starts to recover from the shearing you gave it. Dry whole sprigs wrapped in little bundles and store in an airtight container. It's hard to get enough leaves because they are so small, so just open the jar and give your pal a posy now and then.

Mints Who doesn't prize peppermint or salivate for spearmint? Mint may actually have met its match when it comes to the cat. Sometimes they chew and rub on it so much that the plant has to be replaced.

The variety doesn't seem to make much difference. But then we have not done a blind meow test to see if species matters.

Perhaps southern felines prefer Kentucky Colonel Mint while California cats choose Chocolate Mint?

Unless you have lots of gardening ground to give up, keep your mint confined to a container. They are invasive and can take over a garden. Mints like sunshine and water (shade makes wimpy plants). Cut it back to the ground a couple of times a year and don't expect to see it over the winter.

Of course, it may be dried (try throwing some dried leaves into the catnip sock for purr-fect potpourri). But cats seem to prefer their mint fresh.

Valeria I hesitate to mention Valerian since it is not something we have seen firsthand.

But it seems to have a connection with cats. This makes sense since Valerian, like catnip, actually helps with sleep. And like Cat Thyme, it really stinks.

Rats are supposed to be attracted to Valerian and maybe the cats are after the rats? Folklore suggests the Pied Piper had Valerian in his pocket. I wonder if the people of Hamlin missed their cats, too?

There are medicinal uses of herbs for cats and valerian is suggested as a nervine — something to soothe those touchy cat nerves. This might be an interesting topic for your veterinarian, but you can also search online for natural pet remedies or see Valerian in our online catalog at mountainvalleygrowers.com. l

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KEECHI CREEK BUILDERS Keechi Creek Builders is a nationally recognized, award-winning design/build, remodel and custom home building company. Their objective is to partner with you to create a home that improves your quality of life. With over 25 years of combined experience and serving CyFair since 2007, they have quickly become one of the most reliable companies in Houston.

Owner Brandon Lynch, CGB, CGP, CAPS serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Houston Builders Association. Texas A&M Class of ‘01.

281-914-4951 keechicreekbuilders.com 21175 Tomball Parkway, Suite 328

FAR PAVILIONS Whether using a backdrop of wall paper or faux finished wall textures, adding interesting wall art creates a depth of perception that adds to the ambiance. Far Pavilions carries many such architectural elements that are original pieces of wall art which create that “wow” factor, when hung on wallpapered or faux finish walls.

281-579-3858 Farpavilions.com 20425 Katy Freeway, Katy

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Tea Herb Gardens Perennial herbs to delight your taste buds

By V. J. Billings Photography by Mountain Valley Growers ea is one of the simple pleasures of life, and growing tea herbs is rewarding. Lemon Grass, Kentucky Colonel Mint, Cardamom, Moujean Tea, Grape Sage, Stevia... these perennial herbs delight taste buds as you learn to blend your own teas.

While many herbal teas are chosen for their health benefits, the following six herbs were chosen for their flavor. That they also happen to be good for you is just one more reason to explore the many facets of tea plants. Growing your own tea herbs gives you the satisfaction of knowing your brew was grown without chemicals, harvested at the peak of perfection, and preserved with minimal disturbance to the leaf, giving you a perfect cup of tea.

Now is the time to order seedlings.

Houston and the surrounding area (Zone 9) can experience very warm temperatures. Whatever you plant during May should remain well watered. Plant your herbs in a container in the ground and add coarse textured potting soil (and perhaps some organic fertilizer). Herbs get flavor and scent from sun and need heat and light to make oil — a delight to our noses and taste buds.

Lemon Grass Lemon Grass is a tall, non-invasive, clumping grass that likes warm summer days, moderate water and plenty of room. Marginally hardy in Zone 8, it can be successfully grown in a large container and divided and replanted when it outgrows its space. The underground thickened stem is prized in Asian cooking for its spicy lemony taste. Often the blades are discarded, but they make a very refreshing and aromatic tea.

Lemon Grass blades can be three or more feet in length. They are very sharp, so be careful when harvesting to not scratch bare arms. The grass can be used both fresh and dried and is quite flavorful by itself. It adds a welcome twist of lemon to any other herb tea or black tea and is especially good with Oswego Tea's rich flavor. Lemon Grass Sun Tea

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Kentucky Colonel mint (a spearmint) can be blended into cool iced teas, Mint Juleps, and Mojitos.

over ice makes hot Houston summer afternoons tolerable.

Cardamom Cardamom is one of the 1,500 species that belongs to Zingiberaceae, the warm, spicy, fragrant ginger family. Unfor tunately, it will not flower and make Cardamom pods in this country. But, the leaves are highly aromatic and can be used for herb tea. It also grows well in a container and makes a decent house plant where light levels are good.

Cardamom leaves are most aromatic when used fresh, but do retain some flavor and fragrance when dried. The fresh leathery leaves should be torn into large pieces before they are placed in the cup or tea pot and they should be allowed to steep for at least 15 minutes. Adding just one leaf to any brew will delicately scent the tea.

Kentucky Colonel Mint Kentucky Colonel Mint survives our hot temperatures and can make garden areas quite delightful, especially when mixed into cool iced teas, Mint Juleps, and Mojitos. Kentucky Colonel Mint is a bright green spearmint with very large heart-shaped leaves. It can be used fresh

or dried, either by itself or in combination with other mints.

Because mints can be invasive they should always be grown in wide containers, not the ground. Why? While it tastes nice, mint doesn't "play" nice and is a determined plant that can break containers, fall on the ground and take over.

They can thrive in afternoon shade as long as they get about five full hours of sunshine and plenty of water. Cut them back to the ground after flowering.

Moujean Tea A relatively unknown plant, Moujean Tea is a native of West Indian scrublands that grows fairly slowly to about three feet. It produces clusters of creamy white flowers that in warmer zones are followed by tiny dimpled orange fruits. Both leaves and fruits are scented of vanilla when brewed.

The tiny leaves and fruits may be used fresh or dried. They are quite tough so it is necessary to steep the tea for a longer period of time for fresh use and it is nice to grind or pulverize for dried use.

Grape Scented Sage Found growing at higher elevations

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in the mountains of Mexico, this gorgeous Salvia was once botanically called Salvia Tarahumara after the Tarahumara Indians who use it medicinally. Indeed, this was what first prompted us to experiment with it as a tea over 15 years ago.

We used fresh leaves and flower blossoms and brewed up a light green-grapeflavored ambrosia that is good both hot and iced.

Grape Scented Sage grows to over six feet by six feet and blooms its bright grape-colored flower during the cooler days of spring and fall, also providing a great looking, highly aromatic bush during our hot summers. Pruning is not necessary unless done for shape.

Hummingbirds, beneficial insects, and bees love it as well.

Stevia It is hard to believe that just a few years ago Stevia was introduced to the U.S. as a plant for home gardens. Stevia is a small plant that prefers full sun and plenty of water. It dies back to the ground and returns each year.

Its sweet leaves may be harvested for fresh use at any time, but for drying,

choose the crop that comes in the fall after the flowers have been trimmed off and the plant has regrown. It takes a fair amount of fresh leaves to flavor tea. Start with a half-teaspoon per cup and see if that adds the right sweetness. Dried leaves are more concentrated and can be used at about half the fresh amount.

As with other tea-time plants, refrain from over-plucking the young leaves.

Plants derive their "food" from leaves, so leave your transplanted Stevia alone for several weeks before sampling it.

The Perfect Cup Now that you are well on your way to owning a thriving herb garden, imagine the delicious cups of tea you'll enjoy this summer. Herb teas can be brewed by pouring pure water brought just to the boil over fresh or dried herbs and letting them steep between 5 and 20 minutes, or by adding them to a large glass jar filled with pure water and letting the sun do the work of infusing the herbs. The quantity of herbs to use will depend on the herbs and your taste.

Start with a tablespoon of dried or two tablespoons of fresh herb per cup and

adjust to taste. Use each herb independently at first to become familiar with its flavor. Then try two together and then three and so on. Take notes as you create your herbal masterpieces. The six herbs presented here can be blended with each other to make dozens of different combinations and can be enjoyed hot or iced.

The tea herbs chosen for this garden are hardy enough to return each year in Zone 9, providing years of harvests.

Zone 9 Tea Plants: Angelica, Hollyhock, Most Mints (no Pennyroyal), Bee Balms, Catnip, Sweet Bay, Basils, Lemon Verbena, Spanish Tarragon, Licorice Mint, Yarrow, Marshmallow, Hops, Hyssop, all Lavandula angustifolias and Lavandula x intermedias, all Salvia officinalis, all Culinary Oreganos, all Rosemary, Winter and Creeping Winter Savories, Pink Savory, Parsley, Bronze Fennel, Red Clover, Mullein, Pennsylvania Dutch Tea Thyme, Italian Oregano Thyme, Orange Balsam Thyme, Silver, Lemon Thyme, and English Thyme.

See more at the website, mountainvalleygrowers.com.l

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H E A LT H

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W E L L - B E I N G

The Silent Killer HIgh blood pressure is on the rise in the U.S., especially among young adults

By Cheryl Alexander ecause today more than 65 million Americans suffer from the effects of high blood pressure (HBP), it is more important than ever for us to understand the disease so we can better control the disease. And since recent research shows that the number of young adults with HBP is increasing, this awareness has become even more urgent.

The National Institute of Health reports that the new study — which read the blood pressure of more than 14,000 men and women between 24 and 32 years of age — revealed a higher percentage of high blood pressure readings than results from a previous major study, which reported only 4 percent of adults 20 to 39 years of age struggled with the disease. Steven Hirschfeld, Associate Director for Clinical Research for the NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Develop ment (NICHD) says, “Investigations into the reasons underlying the reported differences between the [two studies] will no doubt yield additional insight into the measurement of high blood pressure in the young adult populations.”

The study also indicated that they were unable to pinpoint any reasons for the differences. In addition, they said that most of the young people affected are unaware that they have HBP.

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What is High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood on the walls of the arteries and veins as it moves through the body. Much like tides which rise and fall, it is normal for blood pressure to rise and fall throughout the day, being lowest when you are sleeping and rising when you awaken. However, when the pressure stays elevated over

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Categories for Blood Pressure Level in Adults Category

Systolic (top #)

Diastolic (bottom #)

Normal

Less than 120

AND

Less than 80

Prehypertension

120-139

OR

80-89

High Blood Pressure Stage 1

140-159

OR

90-99

Stage 2

160 or higher

OR

100 or higher

The ranges in the table apply to most adults over age 18 who don’t have short-term serious illnesses.

time, the heart must pump harder and work overtime, possibly leading to various, serious health problems, ranging from hardening of the arteries, stroke and brain hemorrhage, to kidney malfunction and blindness.

Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers, the systolic (pressure during a heartbeat) over the diastolic

Because blood pressure rises with an increased body weight, losing as little as 10 pounds will help to lower blood pressure. (pressure between heartbeats). For example, a measurement of 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) is recorded as “120 over 80.” Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80.

Individuals with pressures between 120/80 and 139/89 are considered to have pre-hypertension and are likely to develop high blood pressure unless they take preventative measures.

The ranges in the table apply to most adults over age 18 who don’t have short-term serious illnesses.

It is also important, according to the Mayo Clinic, to be aware that blood pressure also rises when you’re excited, nervous or active. If your numbers stay above normal most of the time, you’re at risk for health problems, and the risk grows as blood pressure numbers rise.

If you’re being treated for HBP and your readings come back repeatedly in the normal range, then your blood pressure is under control; however, you still have the condition. You must still visit your doctor regularly and follow your treatment plan to keep your HBP under control.

Additionally, be advised that your systolic and diastolic numbers may not be in the same blood pressure category. In this case, the more severe category is the one you fall under. For example, if your systolic number is 160 and your diastolic number is 80, you have stage 2 HBP. If your systolic number is 120 and your diastolic number is 95, you have stage 1 HBP. If you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease, HBP is defined as 130/80 mmHg or higher. HBP numbers also differ for children and teens.

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What Causes High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure has the tendency to rise as we age, unless we take steps to prevent or control it.

Some medical problems—such as chronic kidney disease, thyroid disease, and sleep apnea—may cause blood pressure to rise, and also some medicines may increase your blood pressure. For example, asthma medicines (corticosteroids) and cold-relief products may have this effect. It is important for you to inform your doctor about all of the medicines you take, including over-the-counter products.

In some women, birth control pills, pregnancy, or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may cause blood pres-

sure to rise. Women using birth control pills typically have a small rise in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. If you already have HBP and are considering birth control pills, be sure to tell your doctor about your HBP. Discuss how often you should have your blood pressure checked and how to control it while taking the pill.

Using HRT to reduce the symptoms of menopause may cause a small rise in systolic blood pressure. If you already have HBP and are considering using HRT, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. If you decide to take hormones, find out how to control your blood pressure and how often you should have it checked.

Many times, children under 10 years old who have HBP have another condition (such as kidney disease) that’s causing it. Treating the underlying condition may resolve the HBP. The older a child is when HBP is diagnosed, the likelier they are to have essential hypertension, which means the cause is unknown.

Assessing Your Risk Though many Americans develop high blood pressure as they age, it is not a characteristic of healthy aging.

This is especially critical for the African American community as the disease tends to begin at an earlier age and be more severe. In addition to being at

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Still Feeling Hungry After Dinner?

Incorporate nutrient-dense raw foods into your diet

By Erin Nicole Anderson Do you ever feel robbed of energy even after drinking several cups of coffee? Does your breakfast leave you feeling unsatisfied or restless? If you are tired of eating processed, refined, nutritionally absent foods filled with preservatives and synthetic flavorings, as well as a heavy-handed complement of white sugar and sodium, listen up.

With convenient packaging, the conventional snack may seem like our friend; however after an hour our blood sugar levels drop and all we want to do is consume more of the same nutrient-lacking foods. This continuous cycle results in unstable energy, an uncontrollable appetite, mood swings, a less-than-radiant appearance, and ultimately, poor health.

The secret to breaking away from this perpetual cycle of eating processed foods is to eat RAW FOODS! This is the solution for anyone craving a satisfying, nutrient-dense, and most importantly, an unprocessed way of eating.

Raw snacks that are unheated, uncooked, and in their natural state are delicious and easy to make. Raw Energy by Stephanie Tourles is an excellent guide to eating raw and provides numerous recipes. A great way to start on this healthy path void of processed foods is to incorporate whole foods like raw nuts, seeds, nut butters, honey, unsulfured dried fruits, coconut, oats, carob, cocoa, freshly extracted juices, nut milks, and all varieties of fresh and frozen raw fruit. These foods aid the digestive system and give skin a healthy glow. Snacks you can prepare include brownies, trail mix, granola bars,

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increased risk, they also experience higher rates of death from stroke and kidney disease than does the general population.

While an individual’s blood pressure may be normal now, 90 percent of Americans over 50 years of age have a lifetime risk of high blood pressure and should take action before being diagnosed with high blood pressure.

smoothies, fruit slushes, crisp vegetable chips, soups and dips. Here is a fairly simple recipe you can try at home.

Chewy Cherry Charger Balls INGREDIENTS: 1 cup raw almonds 1 cup dried, pitted cherries, sweetened with apple juice or unsweetened 1 cup raw almond butter 3 tablespoons raw agave nectar or raw honey ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper pinch of sea salt 1. Grind the almonds to a medium texture in a food processer or nut and seed grinder.

The almonds should look similar to very coarsely ground Parmesan cheese.

2. Put the almond meal, cherries, almond butter, agave, cinnamon, cayenne, and salt in the medium bowl. Using a large spoon or your hands, thoroughly mix the ingredients until a cohesive dough is formed.

3. Pinch off pieces of the dough and form into balls about 1 ¼ inch in diameter and set aside.

4. For the best flavor and consistency, allow the balls to set for 24 hours before eating.

Store the balls in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator and consume within 2-3 weeks. They can be individually wrapped using wax-paper or plastic wrap to enjoy to enjoy as portable energy bites. l

An Ounce of Prevention Because blood pressure rises with an increased body weight (and obesity is a known risk factor for developing high cholesterol and diabetes, which in turn can lead to heart disease), losing as little as 10 pounds will help to lower blood pressure.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, two recent studies confirm the blood pressure benefits of maintaining a healthy diet. First is the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) clinical study, which tested the effects of food nutrients on blood pressure, emphasizing consumption of fruits, vegetables, lowfat dairy foods, whole grains, poultry, fish and nuts. It also stresses the reduction of fats, red meats, sweets and sugared beverages.

Second is the DASH-sodium study, which demonstrates the importance of lowering sodium (salt) intake.

Most Americans consume far more than the current daily recommendation of 2,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium—about a teaspoon of table salt—or less (including all salt and sodium consumed, not just at the table, but also in cooking). For those with HBP, consuming even less is advisable, since the DASH-sodium study revealed that diets containing no more than 1,500 mg of sodium per day had better pressure-lowering effects.

Regular physical activity is another good step toward controlling or even

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P R O M O T I O N A L

Family Health Matters preventing high blood pressure. Begin with 30 minutes of moderate-level activity (brisk walking, bicycling or gardening) on most days of the week. You can even divide the activity into three, 10-minute periods each.

Another healthy action is to limit alcohol intake. Excess alcohol can raise blood pressure along with damaging the liver, heart and brain. Drinks should be kept to a maximum of one drink (12 ounces of beer or five ounces of wine) per day for women and two for men.

Finally, quit smoking. Among other things, smoking damages blood vessel walls and speeds hardening of the arteries. Ceasing smoking reduces the risk of heart attack in just one year.

Another healthy action is to limit alcohol intake.

Excess alcohol can raise blood pressure along with damaging the liver, heart and brain.

TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL WEST CAMPUS We all know good nutrition is important, but for young athletes, maintaining a balanced diet is critical to the health, growth and development, safety and success of their sport. Eating the right kinds of foods at the right time can help provide the sustained energy during exercise and promote the recovery muscles need after strenuous exercise.

Protein is one of the necessities to build and repair muscles and to boost the immune system. The need for protein in an athlete is increased, but many athletes over consume protein and under consume calories.

Children can make healthy protein choices by choosing lean meats (turkey, fish, sirloin, beans, tofu), using egg whites instead of whole eggs, choosing low fat dairy products (skim milk, 1% milk, low fat yogurt), and avoiding fried meats. Two to four hours before a workout, a moderate amount of protein can be eaten with carbohydrates. This can be repeated within 30 minutes after a workout to help reload the depleted muscles with the fuel they need. Depending on a child’s age, a young athlete’s protein needs can be calculated: 0.5 to 0.8 grams of protein per pound of body weight. westcampus.texaschildrens.org

METHODIST WILLOWBROOK HOSPITAL Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, started like any other day for Project Manager (Information Technology) Yogesh Goel. But at 8:53 a.m. he started having chest pain like none he had ever experienced before. He called 9-1-1 and just four minutes later Cypress Creek Emergency Medical Services (CCEMS) paramedics were at his side.

CCEMS called ahead to Methodist Willowbrook Hospital where staff quickly prepared for his arrival in the Emergency Department to treat him for a type of heart attack called ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, or STEMI. As an integral part of these synchronized efforts, the hospital’s Cardiac Catheterization Team also made arrangements that allowed for the seamless transition of Mr. Goel to the Cath Lab for an emergency angioplasty. As a result, Goel’s door-to-balloon time (the amount of time from when the patient arrives at the hospital until treatment with angioplasty) was only 27 minutes. Following his procedure, Goel is feeling well

Take Control Today, clinical guidelines recommend that doctors work with patients to keep their blood pressures below 140/90 mmHg, and even lower for people with diabetes or kidney problems. In all cases, patients are encouraged to lose excess weight, exercise regularly, not smoke, limit intake of alcoholic beverages, and follow heart-healthy eating plans, including cutting back on salt and other forms of sodium.

Since high blood pressure is a silent killer, often with no obvious or visible symptoms, the only way to find out if you have hypertension is through testing at your doctor’s office, where they can make the diagnosis on the basis of two or more readings taken on different visits.l

and has regular checkups every few months with his cardiologist.

To schedule a consultation with a Methodist Willowbrook physician, call or visit the website.

281-737-2500 methodistwillowbrook.com

HAMILTON VEIN CENTER DR. CARLOS R. HAMILTON III You wouldn’t think it, but skin problems on the legs may be more than skin deep. The real problem might lie in the leg veins that pump blood back toward the heart. When these veins aren’t functioning properly and blood flows backwards — a condition called venous insufficiency or vein disease — blood can seep into surrounding surface veins and skin tissue. This causes skin in the lower leg and ankles to change color and become thin, dry and itchy — all symptoms of an advanced form of vein disease called venous dermatitis.

Venous dermatitis has many aliases — congestion eczema, gravitational dermatitis, and stasis eczema, to name some. People can spend years going to their doctor or dermatologist, getting temporary relief or none at all, from steroid creams to wraps. Yet that only treats the symptoms, not the underlying cause. Hamilton Vein Center is the leader in venous dermatitis diagnosis and treatment. If you suffer from skin conditions on the leg, give them a call and schedule your free consultation.They can help.

281-565-0033 mHamiltonVein.com

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N E W

AU T O S

By Kelly Foss; MyCarData.com

BUICK ENCORE | Starting price: about $24,000 n order to fully leverage the maximum benefit from expensive automotive engineering, manufacturers are now making world cars and multiple variants of a given design platform. European manufacturers have done this for some time and now the domestics are getting the hang of it.

Looking at the new Encore from Buick, one might ask oneself…what is that any-

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how? It’s a new type of vehicle that blurs the line between car and, and…I’m not sure. However you classify the new Encore, it’s an enjoyable and efficient vehicle.

Encore, a French word usually meaning “again” is an interesting name for a new vehicle that we’ve never seen before.

Personally, I had to just look at it for a while to comprehend where it fits in today’s automotive tapestry.

I would describe it as a compact car that’s been stretched upwards and made taller. The heightening of the vehicle allows more interior space and a higher seating position which in turn provides better visibility plus easier entry and exit.

All things being equal, most drivers prefer sitting higher in their vehicles and the Encore delivers that.

The Encore is a 5-passenger compact SUV/CUV with a small engine and a useful cargo area. Though it is happy in any driving condition including extended freeway cruises, its advantages really shine in the city. It is highly maneuverable, easy to park, solid, quiet and well controlled.

My test model was a Premium with front-wheel drive and a sticker price of $31,475. It included leather seating, navigation, moonroof, power everything, 120 volt power outlet, rear backup camera etc.

You can get functionally the same vehicle without all the luxury options for about $26,000.

The Encore is remarkably quiet inside.

Much of that can be credited to the Bose active-noise cancelling technology. Bose offers noise cancelling in their headphones and has basically replicated it in the cabin of the new Encore. It adds measurably to the large car feeling of composure in the Encore. Very clever indeed.

Power for the Encore comes from GM’s new small turbo 1.4 liter 4 cylinder engine. It is mated to a very good 6-speed automatic transmission and is available in either front or all-wheel drive. The drive train is well balanced and the car has spirited performance. Still, I averaged 28.4 miles per gallon in a week of driving which is very good. During freeway cruises I was routinely getting 37-40 mpg according to the car’s onboard computer.

This car is no bigger than necessary yet offers upscale features and a composed driving experience. For comparison, the Encore has 48 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seats folded flat. The larger Chevy Equinox has 63, about 25 percent more. Buick’s own large SUV, the Enclave, has twice the cargo capacity but weighs ¾ of a ton more. With the Encore you get the full Buick experience in a miniature efficient package. l

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W I N E

Red Wines, and a Wine and Food Extravaganza On the left, Denman Moody at 6’1”, 195 lbs. the right,Moody Yao Ming ByOn Denman at ??? www.denmanswineblog.com

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This year’s Wine and Food Week in The Woodlands features Food Network star Emily Ellyn, bringing her retro rad style to her role as Wizard Gourmet (Master of Ceremonies).

By Denman Moody TheAdvancedOenophile.com Wine-in-a-Box: Big House Red 2011 — With a base of Petite Sirah and Syrah this is a successful blend of 10 or so varietals, including some of the Italians. My favorite box red. Three liters with a spigot. That’s 16 six- ounce glasses of pretty decent red wine for just over a dollar a glass. Wow, wow and double wow! We keep a box in the fridge, and just serve cold, especially in the summer. $16.95 More Red Values: Paul Mas Carignan Vieilles Vignes Savignac Vineyard 2010 — From 50+ year-old vines overlooking the Mediterranean in the Languedoc Region in southeastern France.

Normally a blending grape, here is an example of how it attains excellence by itself when properly made from old

vines in just about perfect conditions.

Not a whopper, but gentle and balanced with deep color and some richness. Perfect with a cheeseburger. $16 Alexander Valley Estate Merlot 2009 —Always a bolder-style Merlot, this also has an elegance from the longer, cooler growing season. Black cherries and plums in the aroma with a hint of eucalyptus. Notable structure with a good finish. Try with “… pan roasted duck breast finished with a sauce made with the Merlot and seasonal cherries.” $20 Alexander Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 — To celebrate 50 years in the wine business, Alexander Valley Vineyards has updated their estate wine labels. The blend is all five Bordeaux varietals aged in French and American oak for 14 months.

Restrained elegance, lovely fruit and complexity. Without a doubt, one of the best Cabs in this price range. $20 Nickel & Nickel Syrah Darien Vineyard Russian River Valley 2010 —

Delicious, jammy berry flavors with hints of earth and spice. Aged in French oak, this is a Syrah that can stand up to many of the great northern Rhones. Only 970 cases. Fabulous with a big, juicy slice of perfectly cooked prime rib! $53 YAO MING Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2009 — Following its launch in mainland China, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve Napa Valley — the latter at $625 a bottle and extremely limited — were served to a coterie of professional wine sippers at Reef Restaurant recently.

The wine is made with great care, using rigorous hand sorting, natural yeasts and the very best techniques possible to craft this beautiful example of Napa Cab. An elegant prize, it exhibits a class and breed uncommon for a first-try wine. Slightly austere, which presages solid aging potential, nevertheless, it is supple and concenContinued to page 67 CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

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Memorable Weddings

Jessica

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Rob

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CALEB FLEMING, BIG BOX PHOTOGRAPHY

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here is something magical about military weddings, especially one brimming over with Marines and miracles. It is no wonder Jessica Kelly and Rob Whidby served Thanksgiving dinner at their November wedding reception, for they had much to be thankful for.

First Date

Playfully holding Rob were bridemaids Nicole Higgins, Amy Castranova, Jessica Purvis, Natalie Kelly, Maid of Honor Lindsay Kelly, Amy Whidby, Jennifer Rurak, Heather Morrow, and Jessica Whidby. Rob’s medals earned while serving in the Marine Corps. The groomsmen wore a mix of Army and Marine dress uniforms. L-R: Eddie Wright, Todd Martin, Jim Piepgrass, Nick Lavoie, Jeff Blanchard, Best man Ryan Whidby, Rob Whidby, Jim Kelly, Mark Puig, Rhett Boren, Chuck Jackson and Blake Barrington. Rob writes writes Jessica a heartfelt note before the ceremony.

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Jessica and Rob met through Rob’s friend, Eddie, who lost both arms serving in Iraq. Eddie was involved in Operation Grateful Nation for wounded veterans. It just so happened that Jessica served on the board. Eddie introduced her to Rob, who moved to Houston to support Eddie after serving in the1st Reconnaissance Battalion of the Marine Corps.

Just before their initial introduction Rob was stung by a yellow jacket. Fortunately, Jessica was able to see past the swollen red nose. There was an instant connection and both fondly recall the awkward, funny moment on their first date when Jessica closed the car door on Rob's leg.

They dated two years and Jessica relocated to upstate New York to earn her MBA. They went their separate ways, but fate intervened five years later. Miraculously Jessica survived a horrific snowmobile accident resulting in 21 broken bones and a brief coma. Rob heard about the accident and reached out to Jessica's brother on Facebook. He then began calling her while she underwent physical rehabilitation in Boston.

Courtship & Proposal Soon Jessica moved back home to be closer to her mother and stepfather, Resa and John Wing of Houston. As fate would have it, she and Rob ran into each other at the Zac Brown concert during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

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This reunion sparked another official round of dating. Both loved Army vs. Navy football games, concerts and road trips. They drove or flew to California, New York, Florida, Maine, Arizona, St. John's and St. Thomas and became inseparable.

Jessica and Rob vacationed in Boston and visited Gloucester, Maine — a place where Jessica had lived previously. They dined at her favorite restaurant and hiked up to the top of Brace's Rock in Brace's Cove overlooking the North Atlantic Ocean. The following morning Rob asked for her hand in marriage, recalling a previous trip when

they snorkeled in an unexpected storm. The choppiness of the ocean caused Jessica to struggle, and Rob swam them both to safety. His proposal included a promise to enjoy the smooth water and also to carry Jessica through life's rough waters to shore. After all, they had already experienced better and worse... or so they assumed until the unthinkable happened: Jessica underwent a routine MRI and learned she had a hole in her heart caused by the accident. This required heart surgery and Rob stood by her side as she underwent treatment.

In a tender mother-daughter moment, Resa Wing ties the ribbon around her daughter’s waist and attaches the veil.

Jessica’s Alvina Valenta wedding gown awaited the moment she would wear it as a bride. Stuart Weitzman shoes were the perfect complement to her dress and veil. Proud father Jim Kelly and stepfather John Wing walked Jessica down the aisle.

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Memorable Weddings

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For Advertising Call Fort Bend Publishing 281.240.2445, ext. 128

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Wedding Announcements are $300 which includes one photo and approximately 250 words. email:Linda@houstonlifestyles.com

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The Wedding and Reception Jessica married her Marine during Veteran's Day Weekend on Nov. 10, the 237th birthday of the Marine Corps. The country club wedding ceremony was followed by a reception at the home of bride’s parents on the golf course just minutes away.

Style: “I love a romantic, rustic style with a patriotic flair,” says Jessica, who faced doctor appointments, hospital visits and instructions to avoid stress. She entrusted her wedding planning to her sister-in-law Natalie Kelly, a local designer (nataliekellydesigns.com) who was told, “Take that description and run with it!”

A November wedding date and festive fall hues blended a theme of red, white and blue with a traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner menu and desserts such as apple, pecan and pumpkin pies. This inspired the floral hues in the bride's bouquet of High & Orange Magic roses and touches of burgundy. Orange Mokara orchids added to beautiful centerpieces.

Jessica chose an Alvina Valenta soft fluted silk bridal gown with a sweetheart neckline, asymmetrical ivory Alencon lace bodice, ivory satin ribbon and jeweled floral detail. Her ensemble included a veil, Stuart Weitzman shoes and Jessica’s grandmother’s pearl necklace worn at her 1946 wedding. Bridesmaids wore dresses by J. Crew Wedding Collection, nude platform pumps and necklaces given to them as gifts by the bride.

The groom and groomsmen were all past or current members of the Marine Corps or Army.

Rob wore his Marine dress blues and his groomsmen wore their dress uniforms and swords.

A simple but romantic three-tiered wedding cake was covered in butter cream icing, champagne-colored ribbon and simple flower accents.

The top tier of Amaretto with Bailey's filling sat atop a second tier of dark chocolate with Kahlua filling and a bottom tier of French vanilla with coconut filling. In a uniquely military tradition, the bride and groom cut their cake with a sword. The groom’s cake of red velvet and cream cheese frosting was decorated with the U.S.M.C 1st Reconnaissance Battalion emblem.

Family and Atttendants: Jessica’s mother and the groom’s parents, Barb and Jim Whidby, proudly watched as Jessica was walked down the aisle by both her stepfather and her father, Jim Kelly. Family friend Judge J. Kent Adams officiated. Maid of Honor Lindsay Kelly (the bride’s

older sister) was joined by seven bridesmaids: Nicole Higgins, Amy Whidby, Heather Morrow, Jennifer Rurak, Jessica Purvis, Amy Castranova and Natalie Kelly. Jessica’s niece, Julia O’Donnell, served as junior bridesmaid. Parker Kelly and Kaitlyn Kelly, Jessica’s nephew and niece, were adorable as ring bearer and flower girl.

Ryan Whidby, the groom’s twin brother and best man, joined seven groomsmen: Blake Barrington, Jeff Blanchard, Jim Piepgrass, Eddie Wright, Jim Kelly, Rhett Boren and Mark Puig.

Additional sword detail included Charles Jackson, Nick Lavoie and Todd Martin who stood in for groomsman Eddie Wright and the Army soldiers who could not be in the sword detail (a Marine tradition).

Special touches: A surprise awaited Rob in the summer house of the property in honor of the birthday of the Marine Corps — a special Scotch, cigar and popcorn bar announced by Jessica during toasts. The guys spent the rest of the night drinking scotch, smoking cigars and swapping war stories from Vietnam to Iraq.

The beer in a variety of flavors was graciously donated by friends of the family, Cynthia Fisher and Jim Koch of Sam Adams Beer of Boston Beer Company. Included were bottles adorned with Jessica and Rob’s picture along with bottles of BrewlyWeds.

A post-ceremony BBQ for Veterans Day at the Wing’s Ranch in Navasota was held the next day.

One hundred trees were planted and 21 (representative of a 21-gun salute) were dedicated in honor of veterans who touched the lives of the wedding guests and friends of the family including Sgt. Eddie Wright. The veterans gave a speech to acknowledge three of the most influential people with whom they had served and recognized them with a plaque on trees lining the driveway.

Behind the scenes: A beer-tasting bridal shower and a brunch in lieu of a rehearsal dinner were unique components in the pre-wedding festivities. The bachelor and bachelorette parties both included dinner and dancing. A flurry of hair and makeup, manicures, pedicures and massages prepared the bridal party.

Honeymoon: The couple plans a honeymoon visit to St. John’s BVI this year when Jessica is medically cleared. In the meantime, she and Rob dote on their Golden Retriever Toby and are grateful to be surrounded by friends and a strong, supportive family. l

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Jessica and Rob share a first kiss as husband and wife. A romantic sky was the perfect backdrop as the new husband embraced his wife. Jess & Rob take their Sam Adams from Mark Zientek of Carlton Woods who provided all of the catering and staff for the reception. The bride and groom’s first dance as husband and wife.

The bride’s three-tiered cake was simple, romantic and included champagne ribbon and fall floral hues. The groom’s cake of red velvet and cream cheese frosting was adorned with the U.S.M.C 1st Reconnaissance Battalion emblem. Bride and groom feed each other the first slice of wedding cake. The newlyweds make their exit.

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T R AV E L

Stay and Play at The Woodlands Resort This Summer The entertaining getaway that’s not far away

hen looking back on family vacations it’s fun to think of the carefree days spent basking in the sun, the delicious poolside food, the comfortable rooms and, of course, all the laughs and new memories made with your family.

What’s not fun to remember are the hours spent in the airport, on a plane, in a rental car and carrying your luggage every step along the way. So ditch the drama this year and discover your new close-to-home summer resort with all of the fun and none of the hassle.

Set within nature’s backdrop of stately trees and sparkling lakes, The Woodlands Resort is located just 30 minutes north of downtown Houston and rests among 350 wooded acres. For over 38 years, The Woodlands Resort has been the resort of choice for families throughout Texas looking for a nearby respite from the traditional urban experience.

Guestrooms feature all the comforts

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of home with views of the property’s lakes, dazzling pools and tree-lined fairways. Families bask in the volume of kid-centric activities and amenities, including the resort’s signature Forest Oasis Waterscape™ boasting a lagoonstyle pool, two-story waterslide tower, flowing waterfalls, pop fountains and underwater music and murals. And whether dining poolside at Cool Water Café or in The Woodlands Dining Room, the resort’s flagship dining locale, leisure guests find themselves blissfully entertained exclusively within the resort.

For the golf enthusiasts, the resort features two on-property championship golf courses, Panther Trail™ and The Oaks. Both incorporate all the ingredients for exceptional golf – deep woods, glistening waters, exceptional fairways and pristine greens. With tree-lined fairways and challenging elevations, the courses allow golfers of

all skill levels to test their talent and grow their game. For tennis lovers, the resort features a world-class tennis center with 21 first-rate clay and hard court playing surfaces.

When it’s time to relax, The Spa at The Woodlands Resort provides Mom and Dad with a deserving array of specialty treatment options ranging from relaxing to results-oriented experiences. From body treatments and facials to pampering of the hands and feet, The Spa staff is highly trained at the art of delivering a restorative experience within a serene and peaceful environment.

Rediscovering an appreciation for nature and its beauty is not hard to do at the resort and throughout The Woodlands community. With nearly 200 miles of hike and bike trails through the southern reaches of the East Texas Piney Woods, families can marvel at the unending canopy of trees and the vary-

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ing species of birds. With over 100 Texas parks and several lakes, you can take time to enjoy nature in its purest form on foot or on a rented bicycle with a guided map to find your way.

The Woodlands has many amenities to entertain and delight staycationers. With over 400 upscale retailers, dining destinations and galleries, The Woodlands Town Center offers an endless array of kid-friendly sights and eats. Market Street and The Woodlands Mall, just a short ride from The Woodlands Resort, offer some of the finest restaurants and shopping in the area.

Diners overlook The Woodlands Waterway™ where you can enjoy kayaking or a Waterway cruise.

If you time your visit appropriately, you can be a superstar in your teen’s eyes by surprising them with tickets to see any number of popular musical talents this summer at the nearby Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion — everyone from Mumford & Sons and John Mayer, to Train, the Jonas Brothers and Keith Urban will be performing live.

With room packages to suit any occasion, The Woodlands Resort makes vacationing with your family easy, affordable and most of all, fun. Your summer vacation is closer than you think so start planning your getaway today at woodlandsresort.com or call 866-882-9996. l

For over 38 years, The Woodlands Resort has been the resort of choice for families throughout Texas looking for a nearby respite from the traditional urban experience.

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Helping Zambia’s Orphans A family adventure became a mission to build housing Golfing FORE Orphans It is a huge goal to build one of these houses, but according to Matranga, 25 other local area families have done just that.

Now five additional families have joined together to host Golfing FORE Orphans on the beautiful Longwood Golf Course in Cypress on Thursday, May 23. Shotgun is 1 p.m. This event kicks off the Memorial Day Weekend and raises funds for a great cause.

"We have $80,000 to raise, and together we can do it!" says Matranga, and invites the community for golf, a great BBQ dinner, auction and the chance to win some excellent prizes.

Zambia’s Orphans John Eagle Honda is the "People ask me, 'Why Hole N One Car Sponsor. "Be Zambia?'" says Matranga. Her here for a chance at a brand answer comes from James new Honda Accord EXL," 1:27 — “Religion that God our says Matranga. Calloway Jackie Matranga and her group of boys from Camp Life in Zambia, Africa, last June.

Father accepts as pure and Golf has donated brand new faultless is this: to look after golf clubs valued at over alone an added burden. orphans and widows in their distress.” $1,500 to be auctioned off at the event.

She adds, "My family has worked with Other sponsors include Krogers, TSI More than 800 Americans travel to Zambia every summer with Family Family Legacy Missions and seen the (Turn-Key Specialists) Engineering Legacy Missions. “We work with the chil- miracle of this orphanage project. Company, Lanier Law Firm, Beck & dren and rescue the worst abused/ The children are rescued from extreme Masten GMC North, Longnecker & neglected orphans, bringing as many as circumstances and are moved into a lov- Assoc, Joe Myers Toyota, A&E Graphics we can into the orphanage,” says Lisa. ing environment with an excellent edu- and many more. Lucky individuals can Each house built by donors can be win fourth-row Rockets tickets, a weekZambia is a country with named, and Lisa's group “Messiah end getaway package in Walden on House.” Matranga explains that Messiah Lake Conroe, and signed gear from the more orphans per capita means Savior, and that is exactly what Houston Texans. than anywhere else these children need — saving.

All proceeds will go directly to Messiah According to Matranga, there are more House and the 12 children who are waitin the world. orphans in Zambia, per capita, than any ing to move in. other country in the world. At over one cation. There is already a fully million orphans, the statistics are grim. functioning school built alongside the Tournament Facts: One out of every six children is without orphanage."

Thursday, May 23, 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

With the hope of God, His love, safety parents.

Longwood Golf Club An additional startling fact: Orphans and an excellent education, Matranga 13300 Longwood Trace Dr., Cypress are told that they are cursed by God and believes these kids will be on track to be Tickets: $125 per golfer the future leaders of Zambia, and that that is why their parents died.

For more information: 832-448-9504 Worst: It is very typical for orphans to God is sending help to the helpless one Email: llmatranga@comcast.net be abused by angry relatives who do not child at a time, one willing American Website: familylegacy.com/ have enough food to feed themselves, let- family at a time. messiah-housel

By Melanie Saxton he year 2004 was a lifechanging one for the Matranga family. Lisa and her children Alayna, Jackie, and Christian vacationed in Africa expecting to fall in love with the wild life and landscape. Instead they fell in love with the orphans of Zambia. Return visits are now part of their lives, and after nine years they took the leap of faith to help the most vulnerable children.

The Matrangas have joined with four other families to host Golfing FORE Orphans, which will raise funds to build a house at the Tree of Life Children's Village.

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P R O M O T I O N A L

Continued to page 59

trated with hints of blackberries and violets with a lengthy finish. This wine has an extra dimension of gorgeous fruit and texture in the mid palate which raises it to the level of many of the top and priciest Cabs made in Caifornia. The regular Cab is available at Vic and Anthony’s Steakhouse for $300. It is also available for $170 at yaofamilywines.com.

Wine and Food Week, June 3-9 This year’s Wine and Food Week in The Woodlands and Houston area features scores of events with more than 500 wines, 50 restaurants, legendary wine producers, culinary personalities from around the globe and at least one modest winewriter.

Wizard Gourmet (Master of Ceremonies) is Food Network star Emily Ellyn, bringing her retro rad style and recipe re-dos to the state’s largest, most comprehensive epicurean extravaganza, with 10,000 atten-

dees expected over the 7-day event.

Constance McDerby, co-owner with husband Clifton of Food and Vine Time Productions, says Emily “has single-handedly started a movement to dig through your mom’s old recipe box and re-do the recipes to make them rad and trendy. She makes cooking fun again and we can’t wait to enjoy the food frenzy she brings to the table.”

Please visit wineandfoodweek.com to peruse the wine and food events (including mine!), and select the one (s) that click your clock.l Denman Moody is the former publisher of Moody’s Wine Review, which the Washington Post said was “...certainly the best publication in this country for tracking the state of rare and exotic wines.” He was also the contributing editor on rare wines for the International Wine Review in New York from 19841990. He is currently a freelance wine writer and wine consultant. Full disclosure: Denman now is the Texas broker for Dr. Konstantin Frank wines.

TheAdvancedOenophile.com

Baylor Junior Golf Camps BAYLOR GOLF ACADEMY OVERNIGHT CAMPS The Baylor Golf Academy Overnight Camp, now in its 10th year, is designed to develop junior golfers of all abilities and skill levels. Campers will receive basic and advanced instruction that is required to excel on the collegiate level by NCAA coaches and players.

Daily instruction will be at Baylor University Golf Center where students will have access to the same areas used by the Baylor golf teams. Campers will receive V1 video analysis, use the Trackman Launch Monitor, and play Twin Rivers Golf Club.

Dates: June 16-20, 2013 • June 23-27, 2013

summer fun PAGE PARKES CENTER OF MODELING AND ACTING Page Parkes Center of Modeling and Acting is the largest model and talent group in the Southwest, training and representing talent for 32 years. Channing Tatum, Alexis Bledel, Brooke Burns, among others, have been helped by President Page Parkes-Eveleth in their starting career. A Cypress resident and featured in the E! Entertainment reality show “Scouted!” Page Parkes offers modeling and acting camps to kids and teens in the Cypress area. Carrying out the motto “People Are Getting Extraordinary” Page Parkes continues to be a powerhouse name in talent development with offices in Houston, Austin, and Dallas.

713-807-8200 pageparkes.com 1535 West Loop South, Suite 100, Houston

UPCOMING PREVIEWS JUNE 2013 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONS

Ages Boys and girls, ages 10-18 (all skill levels)

Ages Boys and girls, ages 6-18 (all skill levels)

www.baylorgolfacademy.com www.baylorgolfacademy.com/camps.cfm Location: Twin Rivers Gold Club - Baylor’s Bailey Golf Center • Waco, TX Camp Size: The camp will be limited to the first 40 campers and will provide a 5:1 camper-to-coach ratio. Campers will be organized by age and skill level for more effective learning Per NCAA rules, the Baylor Gold Academy Day Camps are open to any and all entrants and enrollment is only limited based on number, age, grade level, and/or gender

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Dates: July 22-26, 2013 -- 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Full Days) July 30-August 2, 2013 -- 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (Half Days)

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BAYLOR GOLF ACADEMY DAY CAMPS Participants at the Baylor Golf Academy Day Camps will receive instruction from the Baylor men's golf coaching staff and current and former Baylor golfers. All players will receive instruction on: V1 video analysis systems, the short game, full swing, rules and etiquette and course management. All students will be separated by age and his/her skill level. In case of inclement weather, the camps will be held in the indoor facility at Baylor's Bailey Golf Center.

Cosmetic Surgery & Dermatology Med Spas Men’s Sexual Health

For Advertising Information, contact your sales representative or call 281.240.2445 ext. 128 www.cy-fairlifestylesandhomes.com

CY-FAIR LIFESTYLES & HOMES / MAY 2013

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B U S I N E S S

B R I E F S

Village Builders broke ground on the next Benefit Homes Project in Bridgeland.

‹Bridgeland Ground-breaking ceremonies for the next Greater Houston Builders Association Benefit Homes Project took place March 21 at 12526 Brook Cove Drive in Bridgeland. Village Builders is building the home on a site donated by Bridgeland. This is the fourth year Bridgeland has participated in the Benefit Homes Project, which brings together builders, developers and vendors to donate services and materials to build homes that are sold at market value. Hoping to raise top dollar, the homes are built with numerous upgrades and amenities and approximately 75 percent of the sale benefits the project’s designated charities — the Alzheimer’s Association, HomeAid Houston and Texas Children’s Cancer Center. The home should be completed in the summer.

“Each year, this fundraiser brings in a significant amount of money for these three charities, with nearly $8 million raised during its 33-year history,” said Peter Houghton, Bridgeland’s vice president of master planned communities. “We are happy to take part in such an important initiative by providing a homesite for the project. It strengthens the home’s marketability when it is located in a desirable community like Bridgeland.”

‹North Cypress Medical Center North Cypress Medical Center announced that is has been named one of a select group of hospitals identified as providing outstanding performance in the delivery of a positive experience for patients during their hospital stay, as measured by Healthgrades, the leading online resource that helps consumers search, evaluate, compare and connect with physician and hospitals.

To be eligible for the Healthgrades 2013 Outstanding Patient Experience Award, North Cypress Medical Center had to meet the clinical quality threshold for this award and have

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data for a minimum number of HCAHPS surveys: Clinical Quality Threshold – North Cypress Medical Center ranked among the top 80 percent of hospitals for clinical quality as ranked by average z-score across the conditions and procedures that Healthgrades evaluates using Medicare data; and Minimum Number of HCAHPS Surveys – North Cypress Medical Center had data for at least 100 Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems surveys to reliably assess performance.

“I am extremely proud of our extraordinary staff and physicians in achieving this distinction. North Cypress is dedicated to providing every patient with the best in quality care coupled with exceptional customer service. We strive for excellence every day, “said Dr. Robert A. Behar, chairman of the Board and chief executive officer.

arrival, Goel’s door-to-balloon time (the amount of time from when the patient arrives at the hospital until treatment with angioplasty) was only 27 minutes. Mohammed Khan, M.D., cardiologist, performed the emergency angioplasty, which involved threading a small catheter with a balloon on the end into the blocked artery, inflating it, and then placing a small, metal mesh tube called a stent to keep the artery open.

Following treatment at Methodist Willowbrook, Goel is feeling well and has regular checkups with his cardiologist.

(L-R) Liliana Casanas, ultrasound technologist; Candice Chang, director of diagnostic imaging; and Zachary Smith, ultrasound technologist.

‹St. Luke’s Hospital at The Vintage

Yogesh Goel (center), wife Shalini, and children Divita and Abhishek, are joined by members of CCEMS and the Methodist Willowbrook team.

‹Methodist Willowbrook When Yogesh Goel began having chest pains like he had never experienced before, he called 9-1-1 and in four minutes, Cypress Creek Emergency Medical Services paramedics were at his side. They quickly did an EKG and sent the results to Candace Powell, M.D., emergency department physician at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, who determined he was having a certain type of heart attack called a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, or STEMI. A STEMI requires fast action because permanent damage will occur if blood flow is not restored to the heart. According to the American Heart Association, people having a heart attack should have artery-opening surgery called angioplasty within 90 minutes of first being seen by paramedics. Due to the coordinated efforts of CCEMS calling ahead to the hospital and staff there preparing for his

The imaging department at St. Luke’s Hospital at The Vintage continues to show its commitment to patient safety and quality care. Multiple studies and reports were sent to the American College of Radiology (ACR) for evaluation on image quality and report integrity, and the vascular imaging lab was granted ACR accreditation.

‹Cy-Fair ISD Cy-Fair ISD has named Nicole Ray as its new assistant superintendent for communication and community relations. Ray assumed her new role April 1 and will oversee the communication, community programs and Partners in Education departments.

Ray replaces Kelli Durham, who retired as the assistant superintendent for communication in December following a 28-year education career.

Ray comes to CFISD from the private sector, where she has spent her entire professional career in sales/marketing and management. She received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Houston. In addition to her work experience, Ray has served as an active volunteer in both CFISD and the community.

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C A M P U S

Cy-Fair Culinary Academy instructor Kara Palermo and Jonathan Manalili.

CULINARY STUDENT PLACES THIRD AT FCCLA REGIONAL CONTEST - Cy-Fair High School senior culinary student Jonathan Manalili placed third in the Mystery Basket Contest during the Texas Family Career and Community Leaders of America Region 4 Leadership Meeting in Galveston. Manalili placed third among 26 competitors in the event, which was sponsored by the Texas Beef Council.

Using their own cooking equipment, students were given one hour to create a meal using four ingredients from the mystery basket: flank steak, a red bell pepper, an avocado and an orange. As a top-three finisher from his region, Jonathan qualified for the Mystery Basket Contest at the 2013 State FCCLA Leadership Meeting in Dallas.

Gavin Ng, Cypress Falls, Goalkeeper; Marco Solano, Jersey Village, Goalkeeper; Brandon Anselmi, Cy-Fair, Goalkeeper; Second Team All-District – Fernando Hernandez, Langham Creek, Forward; Zach Brown, Cypress Woods, Forward; Kevin Garcia, Cypress Springs, Forward; Marlon Cardenas, Cypress Ridge, Forward;Tyllen Bicakcic, Cypress Falls, Forward; Chase McLaughlin, Cypress Woods, Midfielder; Austin Hendricks, Langham Creek, Midfielder; Eduardo Cedeño, Cypress Ridge, Midfielder; Angel Cardona, Cypress Falls, Midfielder; Murtza Rizvi, Cy-Fair, Midfielder; Mauricio Arreguin, Cypress Ridge, Midfielder; Alex Guerrero, Jersey Village, Midfielder; Andrew Yeang, Langham Creek, Defender; Kristian Martinez, Cypress Woods, Defender; Tripp Manzella, Cy-Fair, Defender; Brian Gravesmill, Cypress Creek, Defender; Ludym Lopez, Cypress Ranch, Defender; Kevin Robles, Cypress Lakes, Defender; Eduardo Beltran, Cypress Ridge, Defender; and Brian Godoy, Cypress Lakes, Goalkeeper.

COACHES SELECT ALL-DISTRICT BOYS’ SOCCER TEAM - Cy-Fair SD boys’ soccer coaches released the All-District 17-5A Boys’ Soccer Team following the end of each team’s season. Langham Creek High School senior Samuel Omondi was named the Offensive MVP and Langham Creek senior Connor Harwell was named Defensive MVP. Langham Creek head coach Scott Tucker was named Coach of the Year.

The following athletes were named to the first and second all-district teams: First Team All-District: Roberto Lopez, Jersey Village, Forward; Geoff Orhiel, Cy-Fair, Forward; Robert Garza, Cypress Ridge, Forward; Josue Turcios, Cypress Springs, Forward; Juan Carlos Salmeron, Cypress Lakes, Forward; Cameron Ross, Langham Creek, Midfielder; Jorge Callejas, Cypress Lakes, Midfielder; Selvin Medrano, Cypress Springs, Midfielder; Funcia Kenneh, Cypress Springs, Midfielder; Greg Gutierrez, Jersey Village, Midfielder; Jacob Marek, Langham Creek, Midfielder; Faustino Martinez, Cypress Ridge, Midfielder; Bryan Mendoza, Langham Creek, Defender; Ravi Lumba, Cypress Ridge, Defender; Thomas Ebeweber, Jersey Village, Defender; Travis Hasting, Cy-Fair, Defender; Hudson Hernando, Cypress Falls, Defender; Christian Gomez, Cypress Lakes, Defender; Raul Luera, Cypress Springs, Defender;

(Front row, l-r) Mikel Ellison, dad; Tyler Ellison; Bronze Ellison, mom; (back row) Coach McIntyre, head baseball coach at Blinn; Maddi Ellison, sister.

LANGHAM CREEK HS SENIOR SIGNS LETTER OF INTENT - Langham Creek High School senior Tyler Ellison has signed with Blinn to continue his baseball career. Tyler is a team captain for the Lobos and plays outfield and first base.

STUDENTS ADVANCE TO NATIONAL FBLA COMPETITION - Six Cy-Fair ISD students placed in the top three of their respective categories at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference and Competition to qualify for the FBLA 2013 National Leadership Conference.

More than 1,300 top FBLA students from Texas competed in 57 events at the State Leadership Conference, held in Dallas.

During the event, students networked with peers, discussed parliamentary procedure of formal business meetings and participated in a state voting caucus.

The following CFISD students qualified for

the National Leadership Conference, scheduled for June 27-30 in Anaheim, Calif.: Cypress Woods High School senior Matthew Potts placed first in Health Care Administration; Cypress Creek High School junior Nicole Tranchita placed first in Public Speaking II; Cypress Creek sophomores Cory Shneffler and Nick Bounds placed second in Marketing; Cypress Lakes High School senior Jahlen Mathis placed third in Economics; and Cypress Ridge High School freshman Pooja Agrawal placed third in Intro to Business Communications.

Four other students placed in the top five of their respective events at the FBLA State Leadership Conference: Cypress Creek High School senior Navya Puvvada placed third in PowerPoint Advanced; Cypress Creek High School senior Dhruti Gopaluni won the Who’s Who chapter award, as well as third-place in Computer Applications/Spreadsheet and a fifth-place award in Local Chapter Report; Cypress Creek High School sophomore Sai Mulukuri placed fourth in Business Math; and Cypress Creek High School freshman Brandon Sheets placed fifth in Intro to Technology Concepts.

Additionally, Cypress Ridge High School senior Frank Jarquin, the school chapter president as well as the Houston Area FBLA president, won $1,000 in scholarships for his leadership. FBLA gave only five such scholarships away.

JERSEY VILLAGE STUDENT ATTENDS SPACE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM - Jersey Village High School senior B. Dewayne Newton II was one of four Texas students and 227 from around the world selected to attend the 2013 Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. The HLCA provides students with a unique opportunity to engage in sessions addressing current issues in science, technology and engineering. The weeklong program is designed to develop their capacities through hands-on challenges and build their leadership skills.

Newton and his fellow attendees engaged in interactive activities and workshops created to enhance their leadership fundamentals, including simulating jetfighter pilot training; scenario-based space missions; designing, building and testing their own rockets; and meeting with top scientists, engineers and former astronauts to reinforce core leadership competencies and provide them with firsthand accounts of professional experiences.

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C A M P U S

Leah Bydalek won one of 15 Scholastic Art & Writing Portfolio Gold Awards.

Mention winners of the competition. HCDE is one of 100-plus regional participants in the competition. Gold Key Award winners advance to the national competition. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards provides a creative, competitive arena for students in grades 7-12. It is the 90th year of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

Alexandria Derkowski

STUDENTS WIN SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING NATIONAL MEDALS - Six CFISD students were among 37 Harris County teens recently chosen as Scholastic Art & Writing national gold and silver medal winners. Cypress Falls High School senior Leah Bydalek won one of 15 national scholarships for her gold-medal art portfolio, which includes a $15,000 cash scholarship along with the eligibility to earn more than $8 million in scholarships from more than 60 higherlearning institutes across the country. Bydalek was the only winner named from the state of Texas.

Bydalek entered the Scholastic Art & Writing regional competition hosted through Harris County Department of Education. Her portfolio was forwarded for national judging, and she will travel to a reception at Carnegie Hall in New York City to be recognized for her accomplishment in May. Cypress Woods High School junior Simon Purrington won a gold medal in the Photography category for his work, entitled Invisible Graffiti.

Four other students earned Art & Writing silver medals: Jersey Village High School junior Brandon Harris, Photography, Antique Antiques; Jersey Village High School junior Brandy Rodriguez, Photography, Self Portrait with Veils; Cypress Woods High School senior Lauren Thawley, Portfolio, various works; and Langham Creek High School senior Taylor McCaslin, Personal Essay/Memoir, Miss Pecos.

In 2013, a record number of 230,000 submissions were received in the art and writing competition in 28 categories, including dramatic script, journalism, humor, novel-writing, science-fiction, as well as painting, sculpture, photography, fashion design, film and animation and video game design.

Earlier this year, the Harris County Department of Education named 925 regional Gold Key, Silver Key and Honorable

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Stephanie Posada won Best of Show in the Salon Innovation category at the SkillsUSA District 8 Leadership and Skills Conference.

COSMETOLOGY STUDENTS WIN AWARDS AT SKILLSUSA DISTRICT COMPETITION - Cy-Fair ISD cosmetology

CY WOODS HS JUNIOR TO COMPETE AT TSA STATE CONFERENCE - Cypress Woods High School junior Alexandria Derkowski had an impressive showing at the Brazos Valley Technology Student Association Region 6 competition, placing first in all 12 categories in which she entered projects. Derkowski competed at the TSA State Conference in Waco.

Alexandria had five projects compete and place at regional and state Technology Student Association (TSA) competition during her freshman year.During her sophomore year, she had seven projects place at regional and state TSA, with one advancing to nationals, where she placed in the top 10.

This year, all 12 of her projects placed first at regional TSA.

JERSEY VILLAGE HS WINS SECOND PLACE IN TASB VIDEO CONTEST Jersey Village High School won the secondplace award in the high school category of the Texas Association of School Boards “Texas Public Schools Rock!” student video contest.

More than 100 schools participated in the first-ever contest sponsored by TASB. Jersey Village’s video, “JVHS Rocks,” earned the school a $2,500 prize. Guthrie High School of Guthrie Consolidated School District won first place and a $5,000 award.

“JVHS Rocks <vimeo.com/58460701> ” was co-directed by junior James Owens and senior Shane O’Neal, with additional help from senior Jamie Meun, sophomore Clare Wineman, junior Joy Travis, junior Mohammed Khan and senior Idara Akpan.

students won a series of awards, including four Best of Show honors, during the SkillsUSA District 8 Leadership and Skills Conference. Cypress Springs High School entered 20 projects and received 20 firstplace awards, all rated Superior, to qualify for the SkillsUSA Texas Leadership and Skills Conference. Junior Kira Clark won Best of Show in the Fantasy Hairstyling category.

Cypress Springs’ other first-place winners were: Abigail Coronado, Alyssa Lopez, Andrea Repreza, Azaria Del Villar, Carolina Davalos, Estefani Perez, Ginah Santiago, Ledis Santos, Liliana Sanchez, Luisa Martinez-Gomez, Nicholas Putch, Michelle Parra, Vanessa Milla and Zhayra Diaz Barron.

Cypress Ranch High School had 20 students qualify for the state competition. Junior Stephanie Posada won Best of Show in the Salon Innovation category.

Cy-Fair High School submitted 27 projects, all of which qualified for the state competition.

Junior Ashlee Flavian-Day won Best of Show in the Day and Evening Comb Out category.

Cypress Ridge High School had 17 firstplace winners who will move on to state.

Cypress Creek High School had six students receive ribbons and advance to state: Vivian Alcantar, Brittni Sherwood, Marlen Zamora, Amanda Martinez, Christina Morris and Taylor Lessing.

Cypress Lakes High School senior Cynthia DeGante won Best of Show in the Nail Art category. Five other Cypress Lakes students placed in the top five: senior Elizabeth Cayetano, second place; sophomore Fred Webster, third place, Men’s Haircutting Skills; senior Nina Edwards, third place, Estethics/Facial; senior Marlen Morales, fourth place, Cosmetology Skills; and senior Nidia Godoy, fifth place, Cosmetology Skills.

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C A M P U S

Diane Dunbar presents Emma Farmer with an engraved state winner medallion for being the state winner in the Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Contest.

SAMPSON STUDENT WINS STATEWIDE CONTEST FOR HANDWRITING - Sampson Elementary School third-grade student Emma Farmer was recognized as the state winner for the ZanerBloser Handwriting Contest during a surprise ceremony at the school.

Zaner-Bloser regional sales representative Diane Dunbar presented Farmer with an engraved Zaner-Bloser state winner medallion, and gave her language arts and reading teacher Karen Smith an engraved Glass Diamond Award. Additionally, Sampson Elementary will receive a $200 Zaner-Bloser coupon.

Farmer is now eligible to be the ZanerBloser National Grade-Level Winner. Winning students are eligible for more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes.

Knight, Cypress Ridge, Midfielder; Brianna Brosch, Cypress Ranch, Defender; Rachel Leal, Cypress Creek, Defender; Chandler Cooney, Cy-Fair, Defender; Lauren Gilbert, Cy-Fair, Defender; Jennifer Francis, Cypress Creek, Defender; Jessica Suchma, Cypress Ranch, Defender; Alexis Overdiek, Cypress Falls, Defender; Samantha Sobel, Cypress Lakes, Defender; Allison DeLeon, Cypress Ranch, Defender; Skylynn Monroy, Cypress Springs, Defender; Mallory Majewski, CyFair, Goalkeeper; Second Team AllDistrict – Reilly McGlamery, Cypress Creek, Forward; Megan Mugavero, Jersey Village, Forward; Ashton Ashley, Cypress Ranch, Forward; Katie Boane, Cy-Fair, Midfielder; Abby Buck, Cypress Creek, Midfielder; Haiden Carangie, Cypress Ridge, Midfielder; Dana Clancy, Langham Creek, Midfielder; Alexis Segovia, Cypress Ranch, Midfielder; Maria Sopher, Langham Creek, Midfielder; Sydney Daubendiek, CyFair, Midfielder; Hannah Baker, Cypress Woods, Defender; Daniella Miranda, Cypress Lakes, Defender; Caitlyn Spears, Cypress Creek, Defender; Sydney Carangie, Cypress Ridge, Defender; Andreina Quintana, Cypress Falls, Defender; Rachel Dozier, Cy-Fair, Defender; Monica Stevenson, Cypress Ranch, Defender; Serena Gallego, Cypress Springs, Defender; Katie Wright, Cypress Woods, Defender; Jaime Taylor, Jersey Village, Goalkeeper; and Taylor Ray, Cypress Woods, Goalkeeper.

COACHES SELECT ALL-DISTRICT GIRLS’ SOCCER TEAM - Cy-Fair ISD girls’ soccer coaches released the All-District 17-5A Girls’ Soccer Team following the conclusion of each team’s season. Cy-Fair High School senior Hannah Dauzat was named the Offensive Player of the Year and Langham Creek High School junior Nicole Schaaf was named the Defensive Player of the Year. CyFair freshman Sarah Hluza was named the Newcomer of the Year. Cypress Ridge High School head coach Sulema Tamez was named Coach of the Year.

The following athletes were named to the first and second all-district teams: First Team All-District – Jasmine White, Jersey Village, Forward; Regan Garant, Cypress Woods, Forward; Deja Stevenson, Cypress Ranch, Forward; Alisa Trejo, Cypress Creek, Forward; Kayla Ragusa, Cypress Woods, Forward; Emily Castro, Langham Creek, Midfielder; Kristen Ginsburg, Cy-Fair, Midfielder; Shelby Stephens, Cypress Woods, Midfielder; Janelle Toner, Cypress Ridge, Midfielder; Christina Connealy, Langham Creek, Midfielder; Gracie

senior Arabella Cruz (88-78), senior Leanne Haynes (90-86), junior Carly Stephenson (97-105), freshman Kaley Martin (94-99) and sophomore Emma Lund (105-112).

Cy-Fair’s scoring was comprised by freshman Sarah Carlat (89-95), sophomore Nicole Brinkley (95-100), freshman Esha Dewan (95-96), sophomore Courtney Johnson (104-91) and freshman Laura Palmer (95-92).

Cypress Woods and Cy-Fair will be joined at regionals by the two individual medalists, Cypress Ranch High School senior Alexis Fichtel (83-84 – 167) and Cypress Creek High School senior Emily Moore (87-93 – 180).

Thornton seventh-grade student Cora Bell asks ISS astronaut Chris Hadfield about what his career aspirations were in middle school during the ARISS event.

THORNTON MS STUDENTS MAKE CONTACT WITH ISS ASTRONAUT -

(L-R) Kaley Martin, Carly Stephenson, Arabella Cruz, Leanne Haynes and Emma Lund.

CYPRESS WOODS GIRLS WIN 17-5A GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP - The Cypress Woods High School girls’ golf team placed first in the District 17-5A Golf Championships, held at Cypress Lakes Golf Course.

Cypress Woods shot a two-day score of 737 to win the tournament, ahead of secondplace Cy-Fair, which shot a 748. Both teams competed at the Region III-5A Golf Championships.

Cypress Woods’ scoring was comprised by

Thornton Middle School students celebrated a successful transmission with the International Space Station when they took part in the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program.

During an approximate nine-minute window of ham radio correspondence between Houston and outer space, students took turns asking questions to Cmdr. Chris Hadfield, a Canadian astronaut aboard the ISS. Commander Hadfield, who became the first Canadian astronaut to walk in space in 2001, is currently commanding ISS Expedition 35.

Thornton seventh-grade teacher Tom Maxwell, a ham radio enthusiast who has been planning the event since last summer, declared the communication an overwhelming success. Maxwell said he received emails from teachers as far away as Cuba and Mexico City who said they enjoyed watching the correspondence live via the Cy-Fair ISD website.

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Historically Cy-Fair

Sponsored By

CYPRESS NATIVE HELPED PROMOTE ORAL HYGIENE

By Jane Ledbetter

F

or some reason, even today in this age of modern dentistry, the mere idea of going to the dentist causes some degree of anxiety for a large number of people: Will a cavity be found? Will I have to have a tooth pulled? Thankfully, today there are anesthetics and specialized dental tools to make the dental process much more tolerable than it used to be.

People have been aware for many years that their teeth needed care and should be kept clean, but did not know exactly how this was to be done. They often used a finger to rub chalk, salt or soot on their teeth to try to clean them. Some chewed on various plant fibers for the same purpose, and used such objects as wood, thorns, and even porcupine quills as toothpicks. If a person was unfortunate enough to get a toothache, blowing tobacco smoke into the patient's mouth and holding it there might provide some comfort; chewing the wood of a "toothache tree" (Texas prickly ash) would anesthetize the tooth and gum somewhat. But usually the only real cure was pulling the tooth.

As American medicine emphasized more and more the link between tooth decay and poor oral hygiene, more and more companies began developing toothbrushes and toothpastes. The Colgate Company developed toothpaste and sold it in a jar in 1873; toothpaste became available in a tube in 1890. Toothbrushes began to be mass produced in the USA in 1885. These brushes had bone handles with boar hair bristles. It was 1938 before the Dupont Company created the first nylon toothbrushes.

The next step in oral hygiene was to teach people the necessity of brushing their teeth regularly. The San Antonio School District developed a program used in elementary schools to teach youngsters the value of good oral hygiene. They hired vaudeville actor Heinrich Krueger, who was born in 1873 and raised in the Cypress area, to help them promote oral hygiene. Similar efforts were made in other schools, resulting in many children learning how to care for their mouths and teeth. However, most Americans did not get into the habit of regular tooth brushing until after World War II when the soldiers came home and brought this habit with them.

Toothpastes and toothbrushes were sold in Juergen's Store from an early date. The store is located at 26026 Old Hempstead Highway in Cypress Top Historic Park.

( Above) Heinrich Krueger (stage name: "Blondie Kerr") talking with students and others outside a San Antonio school where he helped present oral hygiene to the students. â?&#x2013; (Below) Heinrich Krueger and school children amid posters advertising good oral hygiene.

Museum buildings in the Park are open 9 a.m.-noon and 1:15 p.m.-4 p.m. on Tuesdays for drop-in visitors and small group tours. Cypress Historical Society docents conduct large group tours Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. To schedule a tour for a different time, please call this Precinct 3 office number: 281-357-5324. The Park is also home to the Cypress Historical Society and its library, housed in the bright yellow depot building.

Office hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. plus the third Saturday of each month from 1 - 4 p.m. For information, call 281-7580083; email cypresshistsociety@att.net; or visit the website, cypresshistoricalsociety.com. l

Historical facts courtesy of Cypress Top Historic Park & Cypress Historical Society: Preserving Cypress History for Posterity.

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