jan/feb 2010
Sixpentz
Band From The 60’s
PERSON OF THE YEAR BUCKET LIST 2010 TONY’S TURNS 45 GREEN LEADERS
RODEO UNCORKED!
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT intown
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IRA
CONVERTED TO
ROTH IRA = TAX FREE MONEY
Pioneering Green Builders Arts & Entertainment Person of the Year Boys in the Band Rodeo Uncorked Tony’s Turns 45 Bucket List The Buzz Investing
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rodeo ad
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LETTER
intownmag.com Publisher
M. A. Haines Editor
Tess Regan Web Design Jay Ford
Layout & Design Irene Yang
Contributors April Canik
Marene Gustin
Brenda Jackson Susan Murphy
Roseann Rogers Photographers
David M. Jackson Colt Cubillos Tammy Price Advertising
713-525-8607
This issue Intown pays homage to the things that have always made Houston great and to those that are just beginning to leave a mark on our city. The New Year is about moving forward. In keeping with this, we’ve included a piece on the emerging green building scene—something that will improve the health of our city and the way we live. There is a piece by Morgan Stanley’s Brenda Jackson on the new conditions of a Roth IRA—a way to turn nondeductible contributions into additional savings that can end in tax-free income-- information that will keep your wallet healthy, so be sure to read. We’ve also decided to feature our new mayor, Annise Parker, as Intown’s person of the year. Her integrity and talent epitomize the progressive direction in which we hope this city will continue to move. Also featured this month are institutions that define our city. From Greenway Plaza’s iconic Tony’s to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to Roseann Roger’s social “Buzz,” we take a look at the die-hard anchors that typify Houston culture. The cover shoot is a case in point. Rodeo fixture Michael Briggs, Intown publisher Mike Haines and Premiere model Meagan VanZandt visited Goode’s Armadillo Palace, the place to go for country in town. They had a great time goofing off with the camera while passing motorists on Kirby Drive honked and rubber-necked. They also took a tip from Rodeo Uncorked’s Stephanie Earthman Baird and sampled some of the restaurant/bar’s best vintages. Writer Marene Gustin learned the history behind not just Tony’s but the Houston scene pre-Galleria and Reliant, an amusing contrast between the city’s plethora of upscale restaurants and the way it used it be. April Canik and Susan Murphy wrap things up with their “Houston Bucket List,” classic and contemporary endeavors that delineate the best of our divergent city. In keeping with new for the New Year, Intown now has an online counterpart to our printed magazine, our off-month e-dition. This new feature, together with the website and the bi-monthly you are now holding, completes our triad of repositories on Houston life. If you are not already on our list, send an email to intownmagazine@gmail.com and we will gladly add you. EDITOR Tess Regan
intownmagazine@gmail.com Intown IntownMagazine Magazineisispublished publishedbi-monthly bi-monthly by bySNS SNSMedia Mediaatat1113 1113Vine VineSt., St.,Suite Suite220, 220, Houston, Houston,TX TX77002. 77002. Articles Articlesare arewelcomed welcomed and andwill willbe begiven givencareful carefulconsideration considerationfor for possible possiblepublication. publication. Intown IntownMagazine Magazinedoes does not notassume assumeany anyresponsibility responsibilityfor forunsolicited unsolicmaterials. ited materials. Material Material submitted submitted will be will returned be ifreturned accompanied if accompanied by a stamped, by a stamped, self addressed self envelope. addressedYou envelope. can also You email can intownmagaalso email inzine@gmail.com. townmagazine@gmail.com. Copyright 2010 Copyright by Intown 2010 Magazine. by Intown All Magazine. rights reserved. All rightsContent reserved. may not Content be reprinted may notorbeotherwise reprintedreproduced or otherwise without reproduced written without permission writtenfrom permission Intown Magazine. from Intown Space Magazine. reservation Space deadline reservation for all issues deadline is the for15 alldays issues prior is the to 15 thedays publication prior to date. the publication Final closing date. deadline Final closing for ads deadline that are not for camera-ready ads that are not is camera-ready the 5th of the is preceding the 5th month. of the preceding month.
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ON THE COVER:
Model – Meagan VanZandt / Premiere Models Outfit provided by Cavender’s Boot City / www.cavenders.com Photographer – David M. Jackson Art Direction – Michael Briggs / AD IN Marketing
The Buzz
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By Roseann Rogers
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Art of Conversation -
The CityArtWorks Art of Conversation was all the buzz at the Junior League of Houston. More than 30 well-known celebrity conversationalist and close to 300 guests helped raise money for at-risk children in the Houston area. 1) Connie Reddy, Roseann Rogers,Vicky Dyer-Smtih,Ann Boss. 2) Skip Wagner, Roseann Rogers, Mia Bering. 3) Sheriff Adrain Garcia and Kathy Schenck.
Red Hot Ferrari Festival at Highland Village
More than 1,000 car aficionados perused a rare assortment of 50 pre-eminent Italian automobiles ranging from vintage Ferrari classics to sleeker new models. 4) Haidar Barbouti, Rebecca Spera and Michael Kemper. 5) Festival Shot. 6) Lynn and Bob Keener. 7) Lisa McCoy. 8) Nancy Valobra. *Photo credit: Fulton Davenport. Festival Shot Photo credit: Aaron Courtland 5
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Stehlin Foundation Gala
- More than 500 guests dusted off their cowboy boots and gathered at the Westin Galleria for The Friends of Stehlin Foundation 29th Annual Gala. 1) Robert Earl. 2) Sam and Wendy Aquillano, Rachel Bibb, Darrell and Peggy Delahoussaye. 3) Brad Kaufman, Taylor Hood, Travis Goff. 4) Kathryn McCarter, David Hartland. 5) Katie Clifford, Jacki Evans, Kendelle Tekstar.
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Dress for Success - The event was held at River Oaks Country
Club. More than 350 guests attended the event, raising $370,000 to support this year’s theme of “Pinstripes + Pearls = Success.” 1) Mark and Cristiana Anderson. 2) KPRC Local 2 anchor Rachel McNeill and Roseann Rogers. 3) Holly Thompson and Cathy Fitzpatrick Cleary.
World AIDS Day Luncheon -
Close to 300 guests attended the luncheon at the Four Seasons. Houston’s Channel 55 Lara Bell co-chaired the luncheon that raised more than $120,000 for those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. 4) David Underwood, Jr, Diann Lewter, David Underwood, Sr. 5) Joan Marshak, Bob Devlin, Liz Zaruba. 6) Imogen Papadopoulos, Ed Smith, Lorraine Wulfe. *Photo credit: Dalton DeHart.
Galleria Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cuttings -
7) Joystix- Charles Kalas, Don Sweat, Linda White. 8) Bennie Ferrell Catering- Amber Boyd, Mary Joyce Murray, Jack Younger, Cynthia Ferrell, Renee Ferrell, Kevin Wright, Claudene Greenwood, Don Sweat. 9) Prime Lending- Dana Zimmerman, Karol Dooley, Don Sweat*Photos and names provided by Galleria Chamber of Commerce.
f The TIRZ of Upper Kirby District celebrat-
“Finished At Last,” on Kirby Drive ed
with a ceremonial lighting of the new trees planted along the widened heart-oftown thoroughfare. Pictured Chairman, Buddy Bailey, and Director of the Upper Kirby District, Jaime Brewster. *Photo credit: Night Sky Creative
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The Sixpentz Members
The
Drummer Keyboards Bass Guitar Guitar
Mike Cemo Jim Askins John T. Bonno Paul Guillet Harold Kingham
Boys in the Band Whatever Happened to the 60’s Sixpentz? You’d be Surprised. by Marene Gustin
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Lead Guitar + Vocals Roger Romano
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oday when we think of the local music scene we think Beyoncé, hip-hop and Lyle Lovett.
But if you were in Houston in the mid 60’s, maybe hanging out at the La Masion Au Go Go club (in an old church in what we now call Midtown), you may have been swaying to the sounds of Sixpentz. It was a typical 60’s rock and roll mop-haired boy band that had a top 100 hit in “Summer Girl,” and was described on the charts as “a sunny little combo with a sound that’s like some of the best California artists of their generation.” But so many one-hit-wonders end up disappearing into the abyss of music lore that it makes you wonder, where are the Sixpentz today? Two of the original members took very different paths: lead singer Roger “Rock” Romano stayed in the music industry and today has his own recording studio while drummer Mike Cemo is the retired president and CEO of AIM Distributors, Inc. and a former University of Houston regent (as in the about to open Cemo Hall). And, oddly enough, they have a new CD out.
Houston in the 60’s was a booming place. The increased business at the port during World War II was spurring growth and the world spot light shone bright when NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center opened here in 1961 in what is now the city’s Parks and Recreation Department headquarters and again with the opening of the world’s first domed sports stadium — the Astrodome — in 1965. It was a time when the city’s opera and ballet were beginning to thrive and also a time when rock and roll was seeping into the mainstream. “We were just right there when the whole Beatles phenomenon hit,” says Romano. “Thousands of kids where sitting in their rooms with guitars and we were right there in the middle of the whole culture change.” At the band’s zenith it played country clubs and high school proms, cut singles and even opened for the likes of Paul Revere and the Raiders. But before all that the key boys in the band were just high school kids trying to get girls. “In 1961 we were at St. Thomas,” Cemo remembers, “sitting in study hall thinking why we weren’t dating enough girls and we thought starting a band would help.” Cemo went out and bought a snare drum and took a few lessons. Jim Askins played keyboard and Romano played guitar. A few other friends rounded out what they called the Jim Askins Combo. It was fun but after graduation they drifted away, most into serious study mode. Cemo went to UH while Romano went off to seminary then returned to Houston to study at the University of St. Thomas. But by midyear he realized that just wasn’t for him. “That’s when we got back together and started playing seriously,” says Romano. They called the band Sixpentz, although there was some confusion over the name after some early posters spelled it Six Pents. But that didn’t matter because Houston was suddenly in love with the guys who sang Beach Boy covers and did five-part harmonies. Romano recalls that it was a pretty heady time. “We made a $100 a night, twice a week. That was a lot of money then. We paid for our garage apartments and college.” Cemo was making three times as much money as his dad, a barber, and drove a 66 Corvette Coupe. They played gigs in Texas and Louisiana, recorded a few singles and yes, got a few girls. Both Cemo and Romano remember playing gigs where girls went crazy and swamped them and where some country boys took offense to the girls throwing themselves at the longhaired musicians. Once the highway patrol had to keep watch while they loaded out, although that, and some similar stories may have grown over the years. “I guess the thing I remember most,” says Cemo, “was opening for the British Invasion Tour with Herman’s Hermits and The Animals at the old Coliseum. They had 12,000 screaming fans in there.” intown 11
“All I remember was the girls screaming,” says Romano. “I couldn’t hear a thing. Mike had to take the count because the mic was up by the drums on this platform.” “I was about 25 to 30 feet above the stage,” Cemo recalls. “It was wonderful. We played six songs and it went really well. At the end I threw my drumsticks into the audience and leaped off the platform.” And almost onto the main attraction. “I’m falling through the air and I see Peter Noone below me. All I can think is that ‘great, I’m going to be known as the guy who killed Herman!’ I fell right at his feet and rolled across the floor as he gave me a dirty look!” “Maybe that story has gotten a little expanded over the years,” laughs Romano. “But he did jump off that platform!” After college the group split up. Bass player John T. Bono went into law, Cemo into finance, Askins into the mortgage business in Colorado. Only Romano stayed with the music, having some success with a band called Doctor Rocket and the Sisters of Mercy. “But it stopped being fun after awhile,” he says. That’s when he returned to Houston and opened The Red Shack in 1988 in what is, literally, a red shack in the Heights, where he’s produced jazz, blues, R&B, techno, rap, commercial voice-overs and sound effects ever since.
Left Photo: Clockwise from top left: Harold Kingham, Roger “Rock” Romano, John Bonno, Jim Askins, Paul Guillet, and Mike Cemo. All photos provided by Mike Cemo.
And that might have been the end of the band. But as the St. Thomas group was planning it’s 40th high school reunion Romano thought it would be fun to get the guys together and record a CD to give away to their classmates, even though some of them hadn’t touched an instrument in decades. But they did it, and then five years later they recorded The Sixpentz: Summer Girl the Complete Recordings and sold it on the Internet. “Those songs just pull you back into the past,” Cemo says. “You remember where you were when you first heard them, they’re the songs we grew up with.” Plus, Romano says, they’re great to dance to.
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Mike Cemo
Last year they got together again and recorded a new CD under the name Jim Askins Combo — Looking Back: Songs of the Sixties. It’s doing pretty well in Internet sales with both boomers and new audiences. “But we’re all turning 65 this year,” Cemo says. “I think we’re probably done.”
Or not. “The biggest blessing in this is that we’ve all gotten to be good friends again,” Romano says. “Hanging out and playing music.” “I don’t want to wait so long to cut another one.” And the beat goes on. Looking Back: Songs of the Sixties is available at www.jimaskinscombo.com. The Sixpentz: Summer Girl the Complete Recordings is available on several Web sites including amazon.com. John T. Bonno Paul Guillet
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Everyone Goes to ...
Tony’s Venerable Eatery is a Texas Legend at 45 What do eight presidents, Pavarotti and Princess Margaret have in common? They — along with about half of Texas — have dined at Tony’s Galleria Chamber to honor 2010 Texas Legend at February Gala by Marene Gustin
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ony Vallone’s eponymous eatery turns 45 this year and is still going strong, wowing foodies and hosting parties, ladies who lunch and anyone who just enjoys the ambience and service that is synonymous with Tony’s. And this year the Galleria Chamber of Commerce recognizes this milestone by awarding the restaurant its 2010 Texas Legend accolade at a February 19 gala. “Tony Vallone was a charter member and either he or Donna have served on our board since the Chamber was formed,” says Chamber President Don Sweat. “It was a natural choice.” Renowned food and wine critic John Mariani will be the keynote speaker at the event, he’s been a Tony’s fan for more than a quarter of a century. “Early on I recognized he was one of the most important restaurateurs in Houston,” Mariani says. “He has some of the finest Italian food in the country. He’ll do anything, pay anything, to get the finest ingredients.”
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And while Tony’s is known for such delicacies as the shaved white Alba truffles that grace the pasta each fall and the simple but divine lobster bisque as well as an unparalleled wine cellar, one thing many
diners don’t know is that the original Tony’s was just a casual hole-in-the-wall Italian joint on Sage Road where Macy’s now stands. Vallone, a native Houstonian of Neapolitan ancestry, did most of the cooking and pretty much everything else, including stuffing quarters into the utility meter out front to keep the juice to the icebox flowing. It was a time when oil was king, the Astrodome was opening and southwestern cuisine wasn’t even a twinkle in foodie eyes. Dining out meant Tex-Mex or steakhouses, and that might have meant that Tony’s would have stayed just a simple place for lasagna except for two things. First, Vallone is a workaholic who just happens to love food. He studied, he ate, he cooked. And he spent every day in his restaurant. “You can’t run a restaurant from a boardroom, a computer or a golf course,” he says. And he didn’t.
and in 2004 he sold off most of the empire to Landry’s Inc., but he kept Tony’s and moved it to a new spectacular designed-from-theground-up location in Greenway Plaza. “I slowed down for awhile but now I’m back!” Vallone exclaims. And indeed he is. As Tony’s turns 45 this year he now shuttles back and forth between the famous foodie haven and his new Ciao Bello restaurant, while also serving on several nonprofit
“We opened in 1965, I was the first to do seafood pasta. We had to buy our calamari from bait shops.” Tony’s on Sage, 1965
The second thing was that his landlord, Gerald Hines, had a vision for an indoor mall. And, like everything Hines did, it was going to be Texas-sized. So when he started to clear the land to build the Galleria he moved Vallone and his little eatery to Post Oak Blvd. “He was very influential in what I am today,” Vallone says. “He kept telling me I could do so much more. He took me to Chicago to all the best restaurants and he moved me to Post Oak.” And that’s where the legend really began. Vallone started to up the culinary talent in Houston, he added white tablecloths and trained his staff to be perfection in person. Houston took notice and so did the influential columnist Maxine Messinger, who became a personal friend and for years brought celebrities to Tony’s and wrote about the restaurant in bold face almost daily. “He could have coasted along on the society crowd,” says Mariani. “But he didn’t. He kept getting better and better and opened new restaurants.” In fact, Vallone begat an eatery empire: La Grigila, Grotto, Vallone’s and Anthony’s - all foodie havens and see-and-be-seen places. He also inspired an entire generation of chefs who sprang from his kitchen and have now opened their own eateries including such celebrities as Mark Cox and Monica Pope. Health problems slowed him down
boards and co-chairing galas with his lovely wife Donna. But on most days you’ll find the couple at Tony’s. Despite the white tablecloths and white truffles, the real appeal is that diners know they will get the best Italian food in Texas and the added benefit of being treated like neighborhood regulars. No matter if you’re a president or princess, you’ll be treated like royalty while tucking into a plate of the best pasta this side of Roma. intown 15
Then and Again in 2010:
Houston’s Bucket List
“I have not yet begun to procrastinate.” Think about it. What works as a thought-provoking t-shirt slogan can also describe an entire lifestyle. As 2010 unfolds, perhaps it is time to stop with the ‘someday’ comments and focus on a few life goals: from lofty aspirations about changing the world to realistic and simple tasks to do for your own good (or just for fun). If a true-to-life “Bucket List” is too much to tackle before the eggnog is completely gone, consider forming a ‘Houston Bucket List’ of things you have been meaning to do for months, years or even decades. Brainstorm a “To Do” list by yourself, or include the family in exploring your hometown. There are new sights to see and old ones to revisit, and what better time than the present to get started. Here are some ideas to jump-start your list:
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by April Canik and Susan Murphy
10 8 9 7 Do something...beneficial.
Do something...retro.
aTake control of your money. Learn
If you would rather die that speak before a group it is time to shed your inhibitions and become more secure and marketable. Find your courage at one of many Toastmasters groups. CONTACT: http://www. toastmasters-d56.org. Jody White, ACS, ALS, publicrelations@toastmasters-d56. org
Yale Street Grill in the Heights is a diner where you fondly remember – or will experience for the first time– gathering at the local soda fountain. Sit at the counter for breakfast, lunch, or stop in for a root beer float or strawberry soda. CONTACT: 713-861-3113, 2100 Yale Street aVisit a one-room 1898 schoolhouse. A schoolmarm brings history to life with lessons as they may have been taught to our great-great grandparents. West Bay Common School Children’s Museum in League City offers a hands-on pen and ink lesson, reading at the recitation bench, slate lessons and spelling bees, with recess in the Barn Museum. $4 admission. CONTACT: 281-554-2994, www.oneroomschoolhouse.org
Do something...picturesque.
aGo Greek. Houstonians can experi-
financial principles at Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University in classes held throughout the Houston area. Hear testimonies of changed lives that include freedom from debt, paid off mortgages, completely funded retirement and improved marriages. $99 for a lifetime membership. CONTACT: www.daveramsey.com
aConquer your fear of public speaking.
aFocus on photography. Houston photography enthusiasts, FotoFest 2010 Biennial runs from March 12 through April 25 and includes exhibitions, forums, talks, film and video programs on contemporary U.S. photography. CONTACT: 713.223.5522, http://www.fotofest.org aBehold, a beautiful sight. The Wil-
liams Water Wall in Houston’s Galleria area has been a lovely backdrop for photographers, both professional and amateur since 1985. Brides, prom goers, picnickers and out-of-towners have visited this spectacular 64-foot-tall urban waterfall. CONTACT: 2800 S. Post Oak Boulevard
aTake a trip down memory lane. The
Do something...ethnic.
ence authentic Greek food, wine, dancing exhibitions and artifacts at the 44th Annual Houston Greek Festival on October 7-10 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral. $5 tickets; 12 and under free. CONTACT: 713-526-5377, www.greekfestival.org aRoad warriors, make it your way. At Kublai Khan’s Crazy Mongolian Stir-Fry, feast like Gengis Khan and his warriors did centuries ago. Pick your noodles, veggies, protein, zesty spices and sauces to build your own bowl of stir-fry and release them into the hands of capable chefs at the enormous sizzling grill. CONTACT: 713-690-2244, 13708 NW Freeway, www. kublaikhanstirfry.com
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Do something...outdoors.
TACT: rchitty@unitedwayhouston.org
parks. Designated and built specifically for your dog to socialize and exercise safely, these fenced, off-leash dog parks have a variety of amenities including swimming ponds, agility equipment, shaded seating and walking trails. CONTACT: info@ houstondogpark.org or www.houstondogpark.org aSoak up the beauty of the Houston/ Galveston Bay area aboard a dinner cruise. One of the nicest, newest and largest luxury yachts in the area is known as the FantaSea and offers family-friendly and romantic excursions ranging from $40-$70/person, including special music and cuisine. CONTACT: 281-538-9600 or www.thebigwhiteboat.com
Do something....courageous.
aTake Rover to one of the 20+ area dog
Do something...savvy.
aLet good deals come your way. From
Houston Symphony tickets to personal training packages to healthy, ready-toeat meals, Groupon delivers an e-mail to your inbox offering a heads up each day on ways to get what you want, generally for more than half the price. CONTACT: www.groupon.com/houston/ aMore good deals for Houstonians. Follow Vicki Powers, Houston on the Cheap blogger, for fabulous deals on everything on food, magazines, movies, books, admission fees and more. CONTACT: www. houstononthecheap.com or @HOUcheap on Twitter.
aView Houston from a hot air balloon. Several companies in town will
take you up, up and away on a sunrise or sunset adventure some 500-1000 feet off the ground. Prices start from $170 and options range from basic to those complete with picnics or a grand finale champagne toast. CONTACT: Al Muir, Aeronaut, 281463-0080; AL@bearcreekballoons.net aPaint a masterpiece. Enjoy an evening of hands-on fun, friends and fine art at Pinot and Picasso. You bring the drinks and they provide the canvas and the artist that will help you create your own version of the featured painting. A fun date night, family event or girls’ night out! Two-hour classes on Thursdays available for $35/painter; 3-hour classes on Fridays are $45/painter. CONTACT: fun@pinotandpicasso.com, 2406 Taft, 713-523-4769
Do something...thoughtful.
aGive the gift of time to cancer patients. Cancer Counseling Inc., a non-profit organization that offers free counseling to Houston area cancer patients and their families, needs volunteer clerical help for as much or little time as you can spare. Located inside Loop 610 on Richmond Avenue. CONTACT: Elizabeth Wilson, 713-520-9873, www.cancercounseling. info
aFill out simple tax returns for low
Do something...educational.
aLearn something about your body. The
Museum of Health & Medical Science is an interactive haven for the young and young-at-heart. Exhibits include a large walk-through view of the human body called the ‘Body Pavilion.’ Discussions and interactive talk sessions also feature the pros and cons of smoking habits, importance of a healthy lifestyle and many other workshops to educate visitors of all ages. CONTACT: 713-521-1515, info@ thehealthmuseum.org, 1515 Hermann Dr. aUpdate your computer skills. Feel like you are being left behind in the technology dust? The United Way of Houston offers one-day classes in Excel, Word, QuickBooks, PowerPoint and Dreamweaver – among others. Basics are taught in computer labs for a mere $70, sometimes as low as $35 during off-peak dates CON-
experience with lane-side bistro food service, floor-to-ceiling video screens, light and video shows, private lounges and trendy bar. CONTACT: 713-461-1207, bunkerhilllanes.com, 925 Bunker Hill
Do something...wacky.
aCelebrate Halloween 2010 with a visit
to the National Museum of Funeral History. Visit a 1900s casket factory exhibit or learn how embalming was handled during Civil War times at this most unusual destination that is simultaneously creepy and fascinating. Open until 4 p.m. on most days for admission price of $7/child or $10/adult. CONTACT: info@nmfh.org, 415 Barren Springs Drive, 281-876-3063. aEnjoy a “strikingly different” bowling experience. Several new bowling alleys in Houston are giving the nation’s most popular indoor sport a new twist. AMF 300 Lanes in the Memorial area and Lucky Strike at 1201 San Jacinto offer an upscale
income Houstonians. If you like to work with numbers and help families and individuals who need tax preparation assistance, this opportunity is for you. Volunteers are trained as certified IRS volunteer tax preparers and are needed as little as three hours per week during tax season. CONTACT: Register online at http://www. neighborhood-centers.org
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Houston’s
Green Leaders I
Virginia Point Home
n a culture where ‘going green’ is a growing concern, Houston is following the movement to its foundation—green building. For those who don’t know, green building entails not just energy and environmental efficiency but economic responsibility as well. It revolves around a few key concepts, the first being conservation of energy and natural resources. Green homes use less energy and water by way of innovative design meant to use less and save more. That is to say, these homes are built with the mantra, ‘form follows function,’ and are meant to interact with their environment in a practical way. Allow me to demonstrate. In a climate like our own—gruelingly hot and humid with the occasional hurricane thrown in, it makes little sense to build an East coaststyle brownstone or spacious Southern ranch house. Bricks hold in warmth while
modern metal-sided homes reflect solar heat. Following this same line of thinking, it would be imprudent not to install solar panels and a rainwater collection system. Suffice to say green building takes advantage of a structure’s natural surroundings while treating them gently. Another principle has to do with the selection of materials that go into the building process. Selecting those readily at hand in your locale reduces energy, cost and damage to the environment. As Blake Horton of Dovetail Builders puts it, “in green construction, the elements of design and the materials selected create a synergy that ultimately yields a home that is not only of better quality, but also better for the environment.” Aside from the environment, building green saves money. Green homes garner lower insurance rates, friendly financing and government incentives for those that are LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy
fHCI uses ICF to strengthen walls, lessen noise and improve energy efficiency in their townhomes.
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by Tess Regan
and Environmental Design). They also cost you a lot less on utilities, as most of these are self-sustaining by the home. There are a handful of green builders in the city. Durable Residential Builders formed in 2008 (but represents over 30 years of building industry experience), part of a partnership with Texas A&M to find out how to build a home the ‘right way’ – and green. What they came up with is a building system that emphasizes strength, durability, comfort, safety and efficiency-- all while staying cost-conscious. Their main focus is strength, something we can all appreciate in this hurricane prone city. Durable Residential’s system uses ICF (insulated concrete forms) walls that put six and a half inches of reinforced concrete between you and the environment. They use Pella Hurricane Windows and the DECRA metal panel roof is a 150mph, 50-year roof that sports a backup generator and offers comfort and safety to
Durable Residential Builders’ rainwater collection systems and attics that maintain temperature for more useful storage.
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the homeowner. Not only are these roofs built to last, but they are excellent insulators as well, saving that much more on electricity costs. Durable’s green connection extends to every detail of the build. They utilize low-odor, no VOC (volatile organic compound) paint, sealer and finishes, Energy Star appliances (more money off your electric bill), and Masonite Safe’N Sound doors, whose interior is composed of pre-consumer recycled content. Rainwater is harvested from about 70% of the roof and collects in a sealed underground cistern. Durable Residential employs Moss Landscaping for the lawn, which is drought resistant and relies on local species of plants. They even go so far as to worry about green pest control. Their homes feature a pest control system with a sodium based product that acts as a drying agent, desiccating insect’s exoskeletons, and it is 100% non-toxic. If you’re looking for more evidence of the smart techniques employed by green buildings, stop here: you can enter the attic of a green home during the midst of summer with no ac on and find it room temperature. Since 1998, Dovetail Builders, has been in the practice of recycling all materials they can. They began incorporating more and more green building techniques into their process, their to-date masterpiece culminating in September of 2009 with the Virginia Point home owned by Dan and 14th Court of Appeals Justice Adele Hedges. That home, which was the first certified LEED Platinum home in Houston, boasts 91% site energy generated (140 Solar Panels, 28KW system), 45% less energy consumed (high-efficiency HVAC and hot water) and zero utility water demand (rainwater collection and purification). The next on the list is Home Corporation International, or HCI. They have been building in the Houston area for five years, including town houses in the Inner Loop area and Memorial Park. To stay green, HCI uses low-flow plumbing fixtures, tankless water heaters, systems to maximize energy efficiency and steel strapping that allows the structure to withstand winds over 180 mph. To learn more you can visit their current project at www. reserveathamman.com. The green building scene in Houston doesn’t end there. Emerging Green Builders, a group composed of students and young professionals aimed at educat-
fHouston’s first green roof at the University of Houston. Same structure, 1949, pictured above.
ing the public about the green building movement is quickly gaining popularity. Habitat for Humanity is another green resource. They provide an outlet to both donate and purchase building materials. That extra door or removed stove can now be recycled, and thus kept out of our landfills. The next generation of green
builders continues with the University of Houston. Goeff Brune of GBA Architecture and Design spearheaded the construction of the Burdette Keeland Design Exploration Center at the college, the first and only structure with a green roof in the city. The emphasis of the
project centered on energy conservation, including recycling of the materials present in the old structure, originally built in 1947. Now the all-green remodeled building houses students from the Gerald Hines College of Architecture, learning new ways to build and design without harming the environment. Buildings consume 30% of energy in the U.S., and construction of those account for 40% of the nation’s waste. It is time we look to the future and change the way we build, remodel and think about the homes we live in.
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By Brenda Jackson and Patrick Lesley MorganStanley Smith Barney Galleria Office
IRA CONVERTED TO
ROTH IRA =
TAX FREE MONEY
B
ecause they allow qualified investors to withdraw all contributions and those earnings that meet certain requirements without federal income tax, Roth savings vehicles now appeal to a growing list of investors. Previously, Congress limited Roth conversions to those whose modified adjusted gross income was under $100,000. Under the new rules, however, the conversions will be available to investors at any income level, starting in 2010. So if you’ve maxed out your 401(k) or 403(b) contributions and don’t qualify to make Roth IRA contributions because of your income level, you still can make nondeductible contributions to a traditional IRA in 2009 and 2010 and then convert it to a Roth IRA in 2010.
Thanks to some recent tax law changes, high-net-worth individuals who are exploring additional ways to build retirement savings may want to take a closer look at traditional IRAs. In May 2006, the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act (TIPRA) revised some of the guidelines covering IRAs. As a result, high-income investors whose earnings level would previously have restricted them to a traditional IRA can now convert those to Roth IRAs starting in 2010 and reap the long-term tax advantages if they will be in the same or a higher tax bracket in retirement. 22 intown
Then, when needed during retirement, investors can make withdrawals from the Roth IRA tax-free. Taxes will not be owed on the original nondeductible contributions because they’ve already been paid, although the previous earnings on those contributions will be taxable. Those who convert in 2010 only have the extra incentive of being able to spread the tax liability over the following two years. Thereafter, all future earnings in the Roth IRA will be available for tax-free distributions if certain requirements discussed below are met. With a traditional IRA, account holders
are taxed on both their original contributions and their investment earnings when they start withdrawing money. Essentially, the tax responsibility has been deferred, not eliminated. The tax responsibility for a Roth IRA comes at the front end with nondeductible contributions. One of the advantages to account holders, however, is that they do not have to pay any taxes — even on investment earnings — at the time of withdrawal. And that means that Roth IRAs essentially can make investment income tax-free income.
in 2011 and 2012. All future earnings, however, will accumulate tax-free and all withdrawals from the Roth IRA will be tax-free as well, if the distribution requirements are met (i.e., later than age 59½ and five years after Roth IRA is established). And that’s something all investors can appreciate. For more information, please contact Brenda Jackson or Patrick Lesley of the Lesley & Jackson Team at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Houston Galleria Office. Call 713-968-3092 or 713-9683017.
The opportunity to translate nondeductible contributions into additional savings that could result in a tax-free income stream for retirement is especially attractive for high-net-worth individuals who can afford to pay the conversion taxes without using funds from the account itself. By doing so, an investor can avoid paying taxes on the distribution as well as an early distribution penalty of 10 percent. This assumes that a Roth IRA has been open for at least five years and the investor is at least age 59½. Moreover, because high-net-worth families often have retirement income from other sources, they may not need to tap into their converted Roth IRA for many years, if at all. (Unlike traditional IRAs, there are no mandatory withdrawal rules for Roth IRAs if individuals are 70½.) So investors who choose the conversion option can theoretically shelter their earnings for years — an attractive advantage in estate planning.
Note: If you already have a traditional IRA with pre-tax dollars (i.e., deductible contributions, rollovers from qualified plans), you should consult your tax advisor about the aggregation rules that will apply if you convert any traditional IRA assets to a Roth IRA.
Here is a simple example of the potential advantage of doing a Roth conversion: A married couple where both spouses are under age 50 can make nondeductible contributions of up to $10,000 ($5,000 per spouse) to traditional IRAs in 2009 and later. That amounts to $20,000 in additional savings, excluding earnings, in 2009 and 2010. When the couple converts their traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs in 2010, the taxes due will, unless elected otherwise by the client, be paid for in equal installments
Tax laws are complex and subject to change. This information is based on current federal tax laws in effect at the time this was written. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney’s Financial Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. This material was not intended nor written to be used for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. Individuals are urged to consult their personal tax or legal advisors to understand the tax and related consequences of any actions or investments described herein. Articles are published for general information purposes and are not an offer or solicitation to sell or buy any securities or commodities. Any particular investment should be analyzed based on its terms and risks as they relate to your specific circumstances and objectives. Investments and services offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, member SIPC. © 2009 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
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events Arena Theater
7326 Southwest Freeway 713.772.5900 www.arenahouston.com 1/8 Patti Labelle 1/9 Willie Nelson 2/5 Steve Harvey
Art 4 Life
1113 Vine Street 713.623.6796 1/24 Silent and live auctions benefiting AIDS Foundation Houston
Cabaret for a Cure
1600 Lamar 713.739.8000 www.hilton.com 1/15 2nd Annual Cabaret for a Cure @ Hilton Americas
Discovery Green
1500 McKinney St 713.434.7465 www.discoverygreen.com 1/5 Jazz On Ice 1/9 Ice Day presented by Capital One Bank 1/9 Magnificent 7 Ice Carving Competition Ongoing - 1/18 The Ice Ongoing - 2/28 Administaff Holiday Balloon
Galleria Chamber of Commerce
713.629.5555 www.galleriachamber.com 2/19 Annual Gala honoring Tony Vallone Omni Riverway at the Grand Salon
George R. Brown Convention Center
1001 Ave. De Las Americas 713.853.8000 www.houstonconventionctr.com 1/2 - 3 High Caliber Gun & Knife Show 1/9 HHF - 24th Annual Career & Education 1/15 - 16 Metal and Muscle Expo 1/15 - 17 2010 Houston Marathon 1/20 Counting on Quality of Place Symposium 1/23 - 24 TRI-STAR Collectors Show 1/30 College Preparatory Conference 1/30 - 31 Health Baby & Child Expo 2/27 Houston Wedding Showcase See website for complete event listings
Houston Hispanic Book Festival
6780 Southwest Freeway 713-977-7911 www.hispanicbookfestival.com 2/21 at Hilton Houston Southwest
Houston Zoo
24 intown
6200 Golf Course Dr. 713.533.6500 www.houstonzoo.org 1/28 Call of the Wild Lecture Series: International Rhino Foundation
International Holocaust Remembrance Day 5401 Caroline St. 713.942.8000 www.hmh.org 1/27 @ Holocaust Museum Houston
Photo Collection of Choreographer Mark Morris
615 Louisiana Street 713.227.4772 www.spahouston.org Ongoing - 1/13 @ Society for the Performing Arts
Reliant Park
1 Reliant Park 832.667.1400 www.reliantpark.com 1/8 - 17 Houston International Boat, Sports & Travel Show 1/9 Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam 1/22 - 24 International Gem & Jewelry Show 1/27 - 31 Houston Auto Show 2/3 – 4 Construction Expo 2/4 – 7 Sesame Street Live 2/6 Monster Jam 2/7 Quince Girl: Bridal and Quincenera Expo 2/10 - 14 Houston RV Show 2/12 - 14 Texas Home & Garden Show 2/13 H-Town Blues Festival 2/25 – 27 World’s Championship BBQ Contest See website for complete event listings
Rothko Chapel
1409 Sul Ross St. 713.524.9839 www.rothkochapel.org 1/29 Song Salon: Tonal Transcendence - Composers and Human Rights 2/20 Chanting in the Chapel
Saint Arnold Brewery
2522 Fairway Park Drive 713.686.9494 www.saintarnold.com 1/31 3rd Annual Saint Arnold One Pot Showdown
Sam Houston Park
1100 Bagby St. 713.655.1912 www.shrp.com 1/1 – 2/27 Live Thoroughbred Racing Ongoing - 4/3/10 Thoroughbred Horse Racing
The 32nd Annual “Original” MLK Parade
1/15 - 18 The Black Heritage Society has planned several events for the weekend of The 32nd Annual “Original” MLK Parade, themed “Dreamkeepers 2010.”
Toyota Center
1510 Polk St. 713.758.7130 www.houstontoyotacenter.com 1/2 Disney Live! Rockin’ Road Show 1/30 Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, & Larry the Cable Guy 2/5 - 6 The Harlem Globetrotters 2/22 Jay-Z with Young Jeezy 2/28 The Lipizzaner Stallions
Verizon Wireless Theater
520 Texas St. 713.230.1666 1/16 Eddie Griffin 1/29 American Carnage Tour: Slayer and Megadeth with Testament 2/12 Jim Gaffigan
Rodeo Events:
1/9 Diamonds and Scrubs Gala at the Wortham Center 1/8 – 9 Chili When It’s Chilly Cookoff at San Jacinto Mall 1/10 Go Texan Beauty Pageant at San Jacinto College 1/15 SuperStar Rodeo at Galena Park ISD Agriculture Facility Complex 1/16 Nacogdoches Go Texan Dance 1/15 – 16 BBQ Cook Off at Texas Saloon 1/17 Judging Contest Committee Fundraiser at Dave & Busters 1/23 Spaghetti Western at Big Texas 1/23 Kick Off Dance at Whites Park 1/30 Navarro County Area Go Texan Steak Dinner and Live Band at Knights of Columbus Hall 1/30 Boots and Buckles Ball at Humble Civic Center 1/29 – 30 Washington County Go Texan Weekend 2/6 Steak Dinner Dance at Brazoria County Fairgrounds 2/6 Rodeo In the Park at Kelsey Seybold Clinic 2/6 Bowling Tournament at Armadillo Lanes 2/21 Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup and Best Bites Competition at Reliant Center 2/19 – 21 Top Hands Horse Show at Reliant Arena 2/23 Trailriders Dinner/Dance at NASA Johnson Space Center 2/23 Rodeo Roundup at City Hall 2/26 Trail Rides Meet in Memorial Park 2/27 Parade with a Perfect Point of View at Jones Plaza 2/27 Downtown Rodeo Parade in Downtown Houston 2/25 – 27 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest at Reliant Park 3/2 – 21 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Visit www.rodeohouston.com/events/ for complete listings
UnCorking the Rodeo
C
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Wine Events Rock hampion steers, bronc riders, counthe auction gala, too, describing the winning try acts, funnel cakes and awardwines. But before the winners can be awarded the inscribed saddles and belt buckles they wining wines? will receive, there’s a whole lot of work to be For old-time visitors done. to Texas rodeos, wine events may “Very long hours,” Baird says of the work inseem out of place. But not so for Stephanie Earthman Baird and members of the popular volved. “No less than 20 hours per week, most wine committees of the Houston Livestock weeks hover around 30 to 35 hours, we have Show and Rodeo. about 350 volunteers on our committee yearround. As head judge this year, I actually did Baird, who formed BevCo International, not taste any wines unless asked to discern if LLC — a wine and spirits import company a wine was technically sound — corked? Oth— with her husband David in 2002, is chair of the Wine Competition Committee. erwise off? — but the 75 judges seated across “I’ve been around wine and rodeo my enour 15 panels each tasted about 110 wines, plus tire life,” Baird says. “Put the two together and an additional 40 to 50 for the super panel on voila!” Baird began drinking wine in college. Sunday to decide the top ten winners.” Nearly “It started in 1982, but 1,800 bottles were I knew nothing and entered in the intercould not afford anynational competition thing serious. Guys in and judged last Nothe Aggie corps huntvember. Grand Chamed —venison, geese, pion Best of Show dove — and I cooked went to Davis Family and provided wine for Vineyards, Cabernet the dinner parties.” Sauvignon, Napa ValBaird says mostly ley, 2005; the Reserve they drank Chianti Grand Champion Best from straw bottles but of Show was Laetitia in the late 80’s she Vineyard & Winery, started to travel with Nadia Red Bordeaux Exxon on a grassBlend, Arroyo Grande roots plant developValley, 2005 and the ment project. The Top Texas Wine was project manager was Flat Creek Estate’s a wine aficionado; Mistella. Stephanie E. Baird, Chair of the she paid attention, got Money raised by Wine Competition Committee interested and asked a the Wine Competition, & Steve Roe, Officer in Charge of WCC lot of questions. the Rodeo UnCorked Round-Up and Best In 1998 she began to volunteer with the rodeo and when Houston Bites Competition, February 21, and the became one of the first stock shows and rodeos Champion Wine Auction and Dinner, March 7, goes to the rodeo’s scholarship fund. As for to judge wine as well as cattle in 2004, she jumped at the chance to volunteer. the hundreds of volunteers who help pull this Wine competitions and rodeos aren’t reoff, well, they have a lot of fun doing it. “Our ally an odd mix when you realize that grape backroom volunteers create their own sub-pargrowing and wine making are a booming part ties with food and decorative wine glasses and aprons, their creativity and spreads are quite of Texas agriculture. Today there are 181 winthe scene.” Baird says. “One team had two eries in the state, generating 2.4 million galhuge briskets on hand! Some very funny wine lons of vino and more than 9,000 jobs with an glasses on the scene as well. So while some economic impact of $1.35 billion. Last October the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo backroom jobs may not be glamorous, the fun launched its first annual wine competition and injected makes them coveted jobs.” will auction the champions — just like chamSo while you’re enjoying the big name acts pion steer and sheep and fowl — at the rodeo like Brooks and Dunn and Rascal Flatts this in February. year, watching the calf roping and nibbling Houston’s wine committee has become so those funnel cakes, you might also want to popular over the years that it has split in two: stop by the wine garden and taste some of the the competition committee and a separate one best wines in the world, including some from for the gala Champion Wine Auction and DinTexas. ner on March 7. Even though most of Baird’s work is behind her, she’ll be helping out at by Marene Gustin
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museums
Museum of Natural Science: Faberge/ Spirits & Headhunters
Bayou Bend
1 Westcott St. 713.639.7750 www.mfah.org Ongoing – 1/3 Yuletide at Bayou Bend 1/17 Bayou Bend Family Day: Asian Influences 2/21 Bayou Bend Family Day: Love is in the Air
Children’s Museum of Houston
1500 Binz www.cmhouston.org 1/2 – 6 Kick Off the New Decade Wonderweek 1/7 – 13 Family Fit Wonderweek 1/18 MLK Day Celebration 1/21 – 27 Bubble Wrap Bonanza 1/28 – 2/3 Rhythms of the Heart Wonderweek 1/30 – 5/23 Building Brainstorm
Contemporary Arts Museum
5216 Montrose Blvd. 713.284.8275 www.camh.org Ongoing – 1/17 Matthew Day Jackson: The Immeasurable Distance Onging – 2/7 Perspectives 168: Anna Krachey, Jessica Mallios, and Adam Schreiber 1/7 Perspectives Talk: Toby Kamps 1/14 Artists/Scholars Talk: Daniel S. Goldberg, JD, PhD 1/17 Matthew Day Jackson: The Immeasurable Distance closes 1/28 Perspectives Talk: Kurt Mueller 1/29 Opening reception: Barkley L. Hendricks: Birth of the Cool 1/30 Artists/Scholars Talk: Barkley L. Hendricks
Health Museum
1515 Hermann Dr. 713.521.1515 www.thehealthmuseum.org Ongoing – Jan. 3 Surviving: The Body of Evidence
26 intown
Holocaust Museum Houston
5401 Caroline St. 713.942.8000 www.hmh.org Ongoing-4/4/2010 A Blessing to One Another: Pope John Paul II and the Jewish People Ongoing-3/21/2010 Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews During the Holocaust 2/2 – 4/25 The Book of Memory
Houston Center for Photography
1441 W. Alabama St. 713.529.4755 www.hcponline.org Ongoing – 4/16 Landscapes: A Photography Exhibit by Houston and Texas Artists Ongoing – 1/10 Prime Years
Lawndale Art Center
4912 Main St. 713.528.5858 www.lawndaleartcenter.org 11/20-1/9/2010 “Blow Up Heart” by Monica Vidal, “Grotto” by Kia Neill, “Moonlight Towers” by Andy Mattern, “Vicious Venue” by Shawn Smith, “Negotiation” by Jasmyne Graybill, “Snack Projects” featuring Claire Chauvin.
Menil
1515 Sul Ross Street 713.525.9400 www.menil.org Ongoing – 1/3 Joaquin Torres-Garcia: Constructing Abstraction with Wood Ongoing – 2/14 Cy Twombly: Treatise on the Veil Ongoing – 2/28 Body in Fragments 2/12 – 8/15 Maurizio Cattelan
Museum of Fine Arts
1001 Bissonnet St. 713.639.7300 www.mfah.org Ongoing – 1/3 Arts of Ancient Viet Nam: From
River Plain to Open Sea Ongoing – 1/3 Building the Master Drawing Collection Ongoing – 1/3 Chaotic Harmony: Contemporary Korean Photography Ongoing – 1/10 The Moon: “Houston, Tranquility Base Here. The Eagle Has Landed” Ongoing – 1/18 Joaquin Torres-Garcia: Paintings in Houston Collections Ongoing – 1/24 Collecting the Past: 25 Years of Documenting Museum History Ongoing – 2/14 Your Bright Future: 12 Contemporary Artists from Korea Ongoing – 2/21 Recent Accessions in Design 2/14 – 5/23 Sargent and the Sea 2/14 – 5/9 Prendergast in Italy
Museum of Natural Science
1 Hermann Circle Dr. 713.639.4629 www.hmns.org Ongoing – 1/3 Under the Sea 3D Ongoing – 1/4 Dawn of the Space Age Ongoing – 1/31 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition Ongoing – 2/28 Spirits & Headhunters: Vanishing Worlds of the Amazon Ongoing – 4/4 Faberge: Imperial Jeweler to the Tsars 2/26 – 9/6 Magic: The Science of Wonder
Museum of Printing History
1324 West Clay Street 713.522.4652 www.printingmuseum.org Ongoing – 1/23 Paper & Ink Ongoing – 3/13 Taller Michoacan Ongoing – 3/20 QWERTY: A Typewriter Retrospective
Rienzi
1406 Kirby Dr. 713.639.7800 www.mfah.org 2/19 – 20 Houston Grand Opera Studio Recitals
A.D. Players
2710 West Alabama St. 713.526.2721 www.adplayers.org 2/18 – 3/28 Ret.
Alley Theatre
arts & theater
615 Texas Avenue 713.220.5700 www.alleytheatre.org 1/20 – 2/14 Wonderland 1/25 Inprint – David Wroblewski 2/3 – 2/28 Mrs. Mannerly
Art League Houston
1953 Montrose Blvd. 713.523.9530 www.artleaguehouston.org 1/15 – 2/26 A Wishing Well for Houston
Sargent - En Route pour la Peche Museum of Fine Arts
Broadway Across America in Houston The Hobby Center 800 Bagby St. broadwayacrossamerica.com/Houston 1/5-17 A Chorus Line 2/23 – 3/7 Cirque Dreams: Illumination
Company OnStage
536 Westbury Square 713.726.1219 www.companyonstage.org 1/15 – 2/20 Thunder Rock 1/16 – 2/20 Snow White & the Seven Dwarves
DiverseWorks
1117 East Freeway 713.223.8346 www.diverseworks.org 1/15 The New Normal 1/21, 22, 23 Company Clare Dyson – The Voyeur 2/12 – 13 So Percussion – Imaginary City
Houston Ballet
501 Texas Ave. 713.227.2787 www.houstonballet.org 2/25 – 3/7 Lay Bayadere
Hobby Center
800 Bagby St., Ste. 300 713.315.2400 www.thehobbycenter.org 1/9 Musiqa 1/11 Inprint – Mary Karr 1/22 – 24 Tuna Does Vegas 1/28 – 31 The Screwtape Letters 2/9 – 20 Miss Saigon 2/11 – 14 Romeo & Juliet 2/19 – 21 Camelot
Houston Grand Opera
510 Preston St. 713.228.6737 www.houstongrandopera.org Wonderland Alley Theatre
1/22 – 2/7 Puccini’s Tosca 1/29 – 2/13 Britten’s The Turn of the Screw 2/4 Concert of Arias
Houston Symphony- Jones Hall
615 Louisiana St., Ste. 101 713.227.3974 www.joneshall.org 1/7 – 10 Marin Alsop’s Mahler’s First 1/15 – 17 Rhapsody in Blue 1/21- 24 The Planets – An HD Odyssey 2/5 – 7 Red Carpet Oscar Party 2/19 – 21 Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony 2/25 Frankie Valli 2/26 - 28 Cavanaugh’s Billy Joel & More 2/27 Beauty & the Beast
Main Street Theater
2540 Times Blvd. 713.524.3622 www.mainstreettheater.com 1/2 – 24 Master Class by Terrence McNally 2/13 – 3/14 A Double Bill of Murder and Alienation in the Face of New Technology: A Number by Caryl Churchill and Machinal by Sophie Treadwell 2/13 – 3/27 Barbara Park’s Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business
2/26 – 3/7 Big Love
University of Houston Blaffer Gallery
120 Fine Arts Building 713.743.9530 www.class.uh.edu Ongoing – 2/6 Josephine Meckseper Ongoing – 2/6 Jon Pylypchuk 1/21 Foundation for Modern Music Concert 2/4 Artist’s Talk with Jon Pylypchuk 2/26 Opening Reception for Annual Student Exhibition 2/27 – 3/13 2010 School of Art Annual Student Exhibition
Wortham Center
500 Texas St. 713.237.1439 www.worthamcenter.org Society for the Performing Arts: 1/15 – 16 Mark Morris Dance Group
C.S. Lewis’
The Screwtape Letters Hobby Center
Opera in the Heights
1703 Heights Blvd. 713.861.5303 www.operaintheheights.org 1/28 – 2/6 Un Ballo In Maschera
Radio Music Theatre
2623 Colquitt 713.522.7722 www.radiomusictheatre.com Ongoing-1/16 A Fertle Holiday 1/21 – 3/8 Birthday From Hell
Texas Repertory Theatre Company 14243 Stuebner Airline Rd 281-583-7573 www.texreptheatre.org 2/3 – 21 Romeo and Juliet
Theatre Under the Stars 800 Bagby, Ste. 200 713.558.2600 www.tuts.com 2/9 – 21 Miss Saigon
University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance
133 Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center 713.743.3003 www.theatredance.uh.edu
The fiendishly funny theatrical adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ classic novel opens at the Hobby center on January 28 and runs until the 31st. The Fellowship for the Performing Arts production stars award-winning actor Max McLean as Screwtape. Photo credit: Johnny Knight intown 27
live music
Anderson Fair
2007 Grant St. 832.212.4057 www.andersonfair.com Folk music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Big Easy
5731 Kirby Dr. 713.523.9999 www.thebigeasyblues.com Live music nightly
Blanco’s
3406 W. Alabama St. 713.439.0072 www.houstonredneck.com Wednesdays open mic, Thursday and Friday live country music
Continental Club
3700 Main St. 713.529.9666 www.continentalclub.com Live music nightly
Dean’s Credit Clothing 316 Main St. 713.227.3326
Gallant Knight
2511 Bissonnet 713.942.9940 www.thegallantknight.com Live music Fridays and Saturdays
Goode’s Armadillo Palace 5015 Kirby Dr. 713.526.9700 www.thearmadillopalace.com
House of Blues
1204 Caroline Street 713.652.5837 www.houseofblues.com
Jet Lounge
1515 Pease St. 713.659.2000 www.thejetloungehouston.com
Last Concert Café 28 intown
1403 Nance St.
LA folk Irish rock’n’roll seven piece, Flogging Molly, plays the House of Blues February 10th
713.226.8563 www.lastconcert.com
Mango’s
403 Westheimer Rd. 713.522.8903 www.mangoscafehouston.com
Meridian
1503 Chartres 713.225.1717 www.meridianhouston.com
Mink
3718 Main St. 713.522.9985 www.minkonmain.com
Mucky Duck
2425 Norfolk Street 713.528.5999 www.mcgonigels.com Live music nightly
Numbers
300 Westheimer Rd. 713.526.6551 www.numbersnightclub.com
Rudyard’s British Pub 2010 Waugh Dr. 713.521.0521
Scott Gertner’s SkyBar 3400 Montrose Houston, TX 77006 713.785.1840 www.scottgertner.com
Under The Volcano 2349 Bissonnet St. Houston, TX 77005 713.526.5282
Warehouse Live
813 Saint Emanuel Street 713.225.5483 www.warehouselive.com
Walter’s on Washington 4215 Washington Ave. 713.862.2513 www.4215washington.com
sports Houston Dynamo
www.houston.mlsnet.com 1/2 – 6 InterLiga 2010 Soccer Tournament 2/5 – 6 The Harlem Globetrotters at Toyota Center
Houston Rockets
www.nba.com/rockets 1/9 vs. New York Knicks 1/13 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves 1/15 vs. Miami Heat 1/18 vs. Milwaukee Bucks 1/23 vs. Chicago Bulls 1/25 vs. Atlanta Hawks 1/27 vs. Denver Nuggets 1/29 vs. Portland Trail Blazers 1/31 vs. Phoenix Suns 2/2 vs. Golden State Warriors 2/6 vs. Philadelphia 76ers 2/16 vs. Utah Jazz 2/20 vs. Indiana Pacers 2/24 vs. Orlando Magic 2/26 vs. San Antonio Spurs
Houston Texans
www.houstontexans.com 1/3 vs. New England Patriots
NFL Superbowl
2/7 South Florida Check your local TV listings
Rice University
riceowls.cstv.com Basketball at Tudor Fieldhouse: 1/6 vs. Cougars 1/16 vs. Memphis Tigers 1/20 vs. SMU Mustangs 2/3 vs. Tulane Green Wave 2/6 vs. UAB Blazers 2/20 vs. ECU Pirates 2/24 vs. Marshall Baseball at Reckling Park: 2/23 vs. Texas State 2/24 vs. Lamar 2/26 vs. Elon (Rice Invitational presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors) 2/27 vs. Nebraska 2/28 vs. Texsa A&M Corpus Christi (Rice Invitational presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors)
Houston Aeros
www.aeros.com 1/3 vs. Abbotsford Heat 1/8 vs. Rockford IceHogs 1/10 vs. Rockford IceHogs 1/16 vs. Toronto Marlies 2/1 vs. Abbotsford Heat 2/3 vs. Peoria Rivermen 2/12 - 13 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins 2/14 vs. Chicago Wolves 2/25 vs. Manitoba Moose 2/27 vs. Texas Stars
University of Houston
www.uhcougars.com Basketball at Hofheinz Pavilion: 1/6 vs. Rice Owls 1/9 vs. Tulsa 1/13 vs. UTEP 1/20 vs. UCF 1/30 vs. Marshall 2/6 vs. Southern Miss 2/13 vs. SMU 2/24 vs. Memphis Baseball at Cougar Field: 2/19 - 21 vs. Texas State 2/26 - 28 vs. Santa Clara
Come downtown this Winter and get your sports fix with the Houston Aeros. For as little as $13 a ticket you can experience the tenuous amalgamation of family fun and brawling on the ice. The Houston Aeros take on rivals the Texas Stars February 27th.
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person of the year Annise Parker. Hard work, determi-
nation and honesty have led her to become Houston’s next mayor and Intown’s person of the year. Fiscally conservative yet progressive, Houston’s openly gay mayor has garnered national attention.
T
he newly elected mayor is not only an inspiration but a lesson and testament to what can be achieved through hard work and dedication. Annise Parker was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth but to the owner of a fish camp in Biloxi, Mississippi—a business that eventually went under, leaving the family anything but rich. While attending three different junior and senior high schools, Annise became an athlete in long and high jumping and track while earning a merit scholarship, thus allowing her attendance to Rice University. Upon graduation she found employment with Texas Gulf Oil and Gas and later Mosbacher Energy, where she used early information technology and the then cutting-edge software to work with economic modeling. Parker’s political ambitions began early. In 1986 she was elected president of the gay political caucus, volunteering for Kathy Whitmire among others. In 1991 and 1995 she unsuccessfully ran or city council, until 1997, when her determination paid off with an At-Large council seat. Upon the expiration of those term limits, Annise ran and won the position of city controller. Term limits again prompted her to seek higher office, this time for the city’s most prestigious office, mayor. That race pitted her against some pretty tough odds. Here at Intown, we felt Brown was the candidate to beat, what with the vast sums of money at his disposal, and Locke’s far-reach30 intown
ing connections made him a heavy contender as well. This notion was soon dispelled with our witness of a debate held by the Galleria Chamber of Commerce at Houston’s Junior League. There the tide began to shift. Parker easily trounced both Brown and Locke. Her stellar performance made us understand that, not only was she bright and truly concerned for her city, but she had what it takes to overcome the advantages held by both her competitors. It was clear then and now that her hard work, determination and honesty have led her to become the person most qualified to face the coming challenges for this great city we call Houston. Annise Parker certainly has ambition, and no one will argue that she has a first-class mind. Perhaps it is a bit cynical, but we were interested to learn that, while she is a politician, Ms. Parker also has a first-class heart. In 2003, she and her partner adopted two older African-American girls. Wanting to share their lives with children is nothing new for couples, but most choose infant. Mature children come with more problems and parenting them requires vast reserves of patience and love, two qualities that Parker obviously has a great deal of. Annise and her partner also took in a teenager who had been thrown out of his home, raising him as their own until he was an adult. Intown names Annise Parker as person of the year, since as far as finding a leader with honesty, integrity and heart goes, Houston would be hard-pressed to do better.
Ecohardwoodfloors.com
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