Intown May/June Issue by Intown Magazine

intown may/june 2010

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Houston Renovator 10 Value Investments Unconventional Wedding Haunts Reasons to go Downtown The Best Lunch is Brunch Arts and Entertainment Investment Traps Cold Case Connie The Buzz 4

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intownmag.com intownmagazine@gmail.com

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intown intownmag.com Publisher

M. A. Haines Editor

Tess Regan Web Design Jay Ford

Layout & Design Irene Yang

Contributors April Canik

Marene Gustin

Brenda Jackson Patrick Lesley

Roseann Rogers Photographers Colt Cubillos Tammy Price Advertising

713-525-8607

intownmagazine@gmail.com Intown Magazine is published bi-monthly by SNS Media at 1113 Vine St., Suite 220, Houston, TX 77002. Articles are welcomed and will be given careful consideration for possible publication. Intown Magazine does not assume any responsibility for unsolicited materials. Material submitted will be returned if accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. You can also email intownmagazine@gmail.com. Copyright 2010 by Intown Magazine. All rights reserved. Content may not be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from Intown Magazine. Space reservation deadline for all issues is the 15 days prior to the publication date. Final closing deadline for ads that are not cameraready is the 5th of the preceding month.

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LETTER T

his issue focuses on Houston in the summer, from partying downtown to Sunday brunch on the best patios in town to weddings to tackling those home-remodeling projects. We show you where to go and why, and even some special places to take mom and dad for the upcoming holiday of their namesake. And if it is where to go and what to do that interests you, don’t miss our events calendar or the incredibly comprehensive online version, www.thehoustoneventscalendar.com. You’ll find everything there, from art and entertainment to nightlife to business seminars, charity events, sports and outdoors—you name it, it’s there, with pictures and reviews. Also, if you missed April’s e-dition of the magazine, be sure to sign up by sending an email to intownmagazine@gmail.com, we’ll add your email to the list and you’ll catch some great stories next time.

About the Cover: This issue’s cover is taken from “Hunger” by Dutch artist Jacco Olivier, whose exhibition, First Take: Jacco Olivier is on display at the University of Houston’s Blaffer gallery May 14th through August 7th, 2010. Olivier’s work represents the blending of painting and filmmaking. Images are repeatedly redrawn and rephotographed to create a narrative or story, as it were, of the painting itself. He starts with an image that he paints over time and time again, photographing each stage until the original begins to degenerate and ultimately disappears altogether. What is left is an animated history of the work that captures the intent to find meaning within an image and the gradual deterioration of that aim. If you’re interested in checking out the exhibit, there is a free opening reception on Thursday, May 13, from 6 until 8 p.m. Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided. Blaffer is located in the Fine Arts Building on the central campus of the University of Houston.

Tess Regan

R E M O D E L

W I T H

C O N F I D E N C E .

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10 Reasons to Go Downtown

Downtown is one of the city’s coolest

districts. Some of Houston’s best restaurants, live music venues, clubs and bars are all right there. The newest and coolest of the art scene is there, there is Discovery Green, Minute Maid Park, options are seemingly endless. Still, many Houstonians are afraid to venture down there on a regular basis. And why is that, you ask? Parking. Come on people, it’s not as hard as you think. Parking is free on weekends and after six. Street parking is plentiful, and even in the most crowded of areas, the worst you will have to do is walk a couple of blocks, so do it, get some exercise! Otherwise, spring for five bucks and park it in a lot. In any case, if you don’t, you’ll really be missing out.

1. View of downtown as seen from hotel ICON’s Ritz Suite. 2. The Foundation Room at the House of Blues. 3. Piano at Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar. 4. Lucky Strikes Lounge in the Houston Pavilions

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St. Arnold’s Brewery

The incredibly popular Saturday beer tasting tour is back in its cool new downtown location in the warehouse district on Lyons Ave. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven dollars buys you access to four samples and your very own St. Arnold’s glass. The new state of the art facility is definitely worth a look—and a taste.

Downtown Library

Houston’s largest public library on 500 McKinney has just undergone extensive remodeling, and besides checking out books, you can go to readings and discussion with famous authors in the clean new digs. There is also a new kids/teens section, Inversion Coffee Café, book clubs during lunch and even wii competitions.

Happy Hour and Shopping at the Pavilions

Great happy hours can be found at Polk Street Pub, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, House of Blues, Guadalajara del Centro, Cork Wine Bar, Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar, Mia Bella Trattoria, Andalucia Tapas Bar & Restaurant, Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge and III Forks Steakhouse, all encapsulated within the Houston Pavilions. You can park your car and pub crawl or even do some shopping at BCBG, Forever 21 and Books-A-Million.

Live Music

Catch a concert at one of several premier live music venues. There is House of Blues in Houston Pavilions, Warehouse Live closer to EaDo, Verizon Wireless in Bayou Place and for a more underground, less commercial experience, check out the Red Cat Jazz Café, right off Main near Market Square.

Drinks

Sip, savor, socialize and save at nationally acclaimed VOICE Restaurant and Lounge in Hotel Icon with $1 martinis every Wednesday from 4 pm until 7 pm. For something a little more laid back, cruise down to Market Square, which is undergoing a major makeover and

will soon be the spot to be. Have a glass of wine at La Carafe, vodka poured with a heavy hand at Warren’s, or if you’re in the mood for drinks with food, check out Hearsay, it’s live every night and even offers brunch on Sunday.

EaDo

Explore the emerging EaDo district in East Downtown with stops at Aerosol Warfare Gallery, Northwest International for decor with an Asian flair, noted photographer Jim Olive’s studio, enchanting Texas Guandi Temple and Huynh, a family owned Vietnamese restaurant, recently heralded as one of the best new restaurants in the city. Another stop you won’t want to miss is the Vietnamese sandwich shop in the mall down the road at St. Emmanuel and McKinney, they are hands-down the best in Houston.

Buffalo Bayou

Did you know that the landing on Buffalo Bayou near Spaghetti Warehouse was once the city’s major trading point for slaves? Learn more about Houston’s history with a pontoon boat tour. Aside from a history lesson, it’s worth it purely for the aesthetics. Houston looks like a different city when seen from that perspective, give it a look.

Get Fit, Have Fun

Park it at Discovery Green, do some yoga or pilates in the park, even catch a live music show while you’re working out. Hike and bike the trails of Buffalo Bayou Park or amidst the historic homes of Sam Houston Park.

Steak

Steak your claim on a dinner at one of the city’s top steakhouses ranging from locally grown Vic & Anthony’s to award winning New York import, Strip House.

Sports

Check out the Astros at Minute Maid Park or skip the bleachers for a front row seat at top sports bars, Lucky’s Pub or The Bus. Both are always crowded with sports fans as well as college kids cutting loose.

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Cold Case Connie Real Life HPD Cold Case Investigator

ouston Police Department’s Connie Park could be an Asian version of Cold Case’s Lilly Rush. She’s beautiful, petite, long legged, and her shiny brunette hair swings just below her shoulders, rather like Rush’s blonde tresses. And they both solve old homicides. The only difference is that Park is the real thing, not a TV character. “Yes, I’ve seen the show,” laughs Park. “Although I like CSI better. It’s amazing; I wish we had their technology. Witnesses,

by Marene Gustin

even jurors, watch that stuff and they ask why we can’t get DNA off everything.” But the real-life tech advances she’s seen over the course of her career thrill Park, a 14-year veteran of HPD. And it’s a career she never would have guessed she would have growing up in Seoul, Korea. Her father, a Baptist minister, moved the family to America when she was six. “The only English I knew,” she remembers, “was ‘I don’t know how to speak English.’” But she learned as the family first settled in Los Angeles; then Wichita, Kansas and finally San Antonio. Park was on the verge of graduating from A&M with a business management degree when a booth at a recruitment fair caught her eye and changed

her plans forever. “Over in one little corner of the room was this FBI recruiter,” she explains. “I just thought what they did was so cool.” But one of the FBI’s qualifications is three years professional work experience, so Park went to work in Houston’s oil and gas industry and began volunteering with HPD. But at age 25 she shifted her sites to local police work and signed up for the police academy. “I’d never shot a gun before,” Park says. “And we couldn’t wear makeup, that was tough.” But she made it through. At the time she graduated there weren’t many women in HPD’s ranks, and even fewer who were bilingual. She ended up on patrol in the Southwest beat, a diverse community where her language skills came in handy. “The first five years were great,” she says. “Everything is new and you really want to catch the bad guys and make a difference.” She also loved the camaraderie among her brothers in blue. After a couple of fender benders they started calling her the “tree killer” and after arresting some drunk women who explained they had just left work at Michaels at 3:00 a.m. she got another nickname. “I said, ‘oh, the craft store, where you doing inventory?’” After her partner explained they meant the men’s club, he started calling her the Asian Blonde. “I still laugh at that,” Park says. But she wasn’t laughing at her first homicide. After a stint in the Asian Gang task force she was recruited to the murder squad, the only female in homicide at the time. On February 21, 2001 she, Sgt. John Burmester and Officer Brian Harris, arrived at a town house where a 76-year-old retired schoolteacher had been strangled and tied to the refrigerator “like a dog.” After working the scene and bagging evidence, Park went to her patrol car and cried. Sgt. Eric Mel gave her this advice: Step back and look at the body as evidence. It’s advice she took to heart. Two suspects were caught and confessed to breaking into the woman’s home and stealing her jewelry. They pled out to the lesser charges and did not stand trial for murder. But other cases have been more satisfying for Park. In the spring of 1984, 14-year-old Sharon Darnell made the fateful decision to skip school and hang out with friends. After awhile she was seen heading home across

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Photo Credit: Colt Cubillos intown 11

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a field with 23-year-old Frederick W. Johnson. The next time anyone saw her she had been brutally raped and stabbed at least seven times. Her body, hands bound, was found in an abandoned apartment building. “The officers working the case used good ol’ fashioned detective work,” says Park. “They were pretty sure Johnson did it, but they couldn’t prove it. But what they did do was keep every piece of unique evidence, every fingernail scraping and the post-mortem rape kit.”

One thing Park laments is the loss when more of the legendary officers, the ones she learned from, retire. “I just turned 40 and I still feel like a rookie,” she says. And she’ll soon be starting over in another unit. Park has finally taken her sergeant’s examine and when the promotion comes through she’ll be reassigned. She says she’ll miss homicide and will try to get back someday. In the meantime, this single cop focuses

on family and friends, her Oak Forest home and 14-year-old Lab/Aussie shepherd mix Hopi. She says dating is hard because of the long hours. “When you get a lead you just go, go, go for it,” she says. She does enjoy running and yoga, and eating out, since she doesn’t cook. But it seems like what she most enjoys in life is the job. “I’ve never tried to be one of the guys,” Park explains. “I’m just doing my job as a police officer. I’ve been very lucky to be accepted. I have the best of both worlds.”

And the evidence sat, silently waiting, for more than two decades. In 2005, HPD created a cold case squad to try and clear old homicides. Two and half years ago Park joined the team and asked her old mentor, the now retired Burmester, for cases they should look at. He remembered Darnell, and, she says, even remembered all of the details including the case number. “We went through all the files and sent the evidence to a private lab in Dallas,” says Park. “And we got a hit on CODIS (law enforcement’s Combined DNA Index System). “Since 1995 everyone who goes to prison has to give a DNA sample. We found Johnson in Beeville, in prison for raping another teen.” In fact, Johnson, who had been denied parole in 2003, was up for parole again, at the time. He was denied again and is now scheduled for pre-trial motions in Houston May 15 in the 184th district court on capitol murder charges in Darnell’s case. “The case took us a year,” says Park. “But it was worth it. He was pretty surprised when we went to interview him after all this time, but if we hadn’t caught him he could have gotten out and continued to rape and murder.” Not all cases result in justice, the unit has thousands of cases dating back to 1970. But Park is amazed at the diligence of the old-time cops. “I don’t even know if they knew we would have the technology someday,” she says. “But they saved DNA, they swabbed bite marks, they kept everything until technology caught up.” Today the team sifts through boxes of yellowed reports, databases and evidence bags, tracking down witnesses who have married or moved. She says they’re lucky if they solve four cold cases a year, but that’s four families somewhere that now have closure. intown 13

THE BEST LUNCH IS BRUNCH 14 intown

Hugo’s LobsterTaquito

Berry Stuffed French Toast at Fleming’s

Mockingbird Bistro

www.mockingbirdbistro.com 1985 Welch Street p.713.533.0200 11AM – 3PM The Mockingbird’s casual country-French/ American menu and atmosphere make for an elegant yet laid-back Sunday morning, with Brandy Alexanders and Espresso Martinis alongside the classic Mimosa and Bloody Mary stand-bys.

Danton’s

better, it’s magical. They have new paint, new carpet, fab new chairs. They have opened up one whole wall and glassed two others so the place is more gorgeous than ever. At night, the yellow and gold palate makes the restaurant glow. The bar has been enlarged and now flows onto the courtyard, which has freshly-laid slate. It’s a little pricier than others on our list, but you have to realize brunch at Brennan’s is not just a meal, it’s an experience.

www.dantonsseafood.com 4611 Montrose Blvd. p.713.807.8883 11AM – 3.15PM For the ultimate in original, spend your Sunday eating Gulf Coast seafood and listening to Houston’s top blues musicians at Danton’s, the cool Montrose spot that boasts the only live blues brunch in the city. $30 buys you an all you can eat buffet and a live show, alcohol is extra.

The Rainbow Lodge

Dharma Café

Ouisie’s Table

www.dharmacafehouston.com 1718 Houston Ave. p.713.222.6996 10AM – 2PM Dharma is undoubtedly one of the hippest places to catch Brunch on a Sunday in the city. Housed in a cool historic building between midtown and the heights, this perennial pet features a delicious spread packed with fresh ingredients and a complimentary glass of Champagne or Mimosa, all for $17 a person. While you’re there, be sure to try their famous homemade blueberry scones, definitely a must.

Tinto’s

www.tintosrestaurant.com 2015 W. Gray p.713.522.1330 11AM – 3PM For something a little more exotic, try Tapas at Tinto’s. Alberto Alfonzo’s Spanish cuisine is modestly priced ($6 - $9 for Tapas) and the location is lovely while being convenient- right around the corner from River Oaks Theatre. The small Tapas portions will leave you satisfied without being over-full and their drinks pack a flavorful punch.

Brennan’s Redux

www.brennanshouston.com 3300 Smith St. p.713.522.9711 11AM – 2PM Saturday, 10AM – 2PM Sunday When it comes to brunch, there is no comparison to this Houston landmark. Back this year after Hurricane Ike’s devastating electrical fire, Brennan’s is better than ever. Actually, it’s more than

www.rainbow-lodge.com 2011 Ella Boulevard p.713.861.8666 10.30AM – 4PM Brunch at the Height’s classic Rainbow Lodge embodies the notion of first class food and atmosphere at coach prices. They offer the best of Gulf Coast cuisine with 99-cent Mimosas on a huge beautiful deck, need we say more? www.ouisiestable.com 3939 San Felipe St. p.713.528.2264 11AM – 2.30PM Saturday and Sunday Ouisie’s blend of traditional American foods with those of a more ethnic flair culminates with Saturday and Sunday brunch in their Bear’s Garden, whose fountains and greenery epitomize a tranquil setting for early bite. The fare, with options such as Shrimp and Cheese Grits, Seafood Crepes and Best Egg Benedict echoes this delicate balance between the traditional and the exotic.

Hugo’s

www.hugosrestaurant.net 1600 Westheimer Rd. p.713.524.7744 10AM – 2.30PM For $27 a person you can indulge in the flavors of Mexico on one of the most beautiful patios in the city. The spread is some of the most sumptuous Mexican in the city, as the succulent Lobster Taquito pictured at left will testify. And while you’re there, do yourself a favor and try their Red Plum Mojito, you won’t be sorry.

Tacos a Go Go

www.tacosagogo.com 3704 Main St. p.713.807.8226 For a cool, casual brunch, head to Tacos a Go Go in midtown, right next door to the Continental. The Tex-Mex is good and cheap, the décor of old Mexican b-movies paired with Virgen de Guadalupe statues is unlike anything else you’ll find in Houston, and the Mimosas and Sangria are plentiful.

Mother’s and Father’s Day May 9th and June 20th

Ciao Bello

www.ciaobellohouston.com 5161 San Felipe p.713.960.0333 As you might expect, Tony Vallone’s newest eatery is a hands-down winner and a great place to take mom or dad for lunch or dinner on the upcoming holiday. Ciao Bello offers the freshest seafood and vegetables, hand-made pasta, beautiful settings inside and out—just the quality that is synonymous with the Vallone name, only in a more casual setting.

Del Frisco’s

www.delfriscos.com 5061 Westheimer Road p.713.355.2600 Mother’s Day, 11.30AM – 9PM Fit for a Queen: Celebrating Mother’s Day in Style. This year Del Frisco’s celebrates Mother’s Day as only they can, with a succulent spread of soup and salad, entrée, sides and dessert for $42.95. Yvonne Washington will entertain guests with a musical set from 12PM – 4PM.

Fleming’s

www.flemingssteakhouse.com 2405 West Alabama St. p.713.520.5959 Father’s Day, 11.30AM – 3PM Treat dad to a nice brunch at Fleming’s this year, the menu is a steal at $29.95, and includes such fares as Filet Benedict and New York Cheesecake, selections he will undoubtedly appreciate.

Fogo de Chao

www.fogodechao.com 8250 Westheimer Rd. p.713.978.6500 Mother’s and Father’s Day Some restaurants in town are serving a special Mother’s Day brunch, a few are serving one for Father’s Day, but Fogo de Chao is one of the only eateries in the city that remembered both mom and dad. They will be serving their signature Brazilian cuisine on both holidays. So grab mom and dad, a seat, and pick from the 15 cuts of delectable fire-roasted meats.

Tony’s

www.tonyshouston.com 3755 Richmond Ave. p.713.622.6778 11AM – 3PM Tony’s is open for Mother’s Day brunch this year, and we can think of no better place to treat mom. The atmosphere is exquisite. The fine Italian food is the best in the city. The service is unparalleled. The cuisine ranges from sashimi to classic pasta dishes to soufflé, added to that, they offer over 1,000 wines to choose between. Your mother will surely feel like a queen, but as you might guess, Tony’s books fast, so get your reservations in now!

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HOUSTONRENOVATOR.COm

ay is National Home Improvement Month, and we thought we’d help you get a jump-start on your summer remodeling projects with some tips from the experts. They let you in on projects that will increase the look and value of your home from inside to out, whether you are looking to sell in an unfriendly market or simply revamp your living space.

presents Remodeling Top 10: An Expert Guide an introduction to Houston’s newest remodeling & home design authority by sns media publisher of intown magazine, intownmag.com, thehoustoneventscalendar.com, houstonrenovator.com

Additions

When it comes to the value of a home, square footage is key. Bigger is always better, and anything you can do to increase the size of your property is a good idea, from room additions to garage apartments to home offices to patios and sunrooms, there are a multitude of projects to consider. As Rob Hellyer of Premier Remodeling told us, it is important to take your neighborhood and type of home in to account when determining which project is right for you. If the majority of homes in your area have three bathrooms and you have two or three, the addition of a bath or half-bath would be a good investment. Bill Shaw of Williams Shaw & Associates notes that another good idea is to concentrate on the bedrooms. “What really elevates the value and the demand for a home right now is the expansion of the master suite.” He goes on to say that, “when the homes in some of Houston’s greatest neighborhoods were built they designed the bedrooms, closets and bathrooms to be tiny.” Homeowners nowadays, he says, are looking for space, functionality and a little luxury. 16 intown

Courtesy of John Moore Renovation

Kitchen

According to Katheryn Houk of John Moore Renovations (yes, the same John Moore that is the #1 plumbing, a/c, heating and electrical repair service in Houston), “kitchens carry the highest return on investment when compared to other remodeling projects for your home. When your remodel adds square footage, then you can expect an even higher return. In Houston the average kitchen gut and remodel project ranges from $40,000 to $60,000. You can expect to get an approximate return of 75% on an average kitchen remodel. Style, form, and function are the three main ingredients in approaching a kitchen remodel. Ensure the materials you select work together for the overall style result. The form of each element used should reflect the overall style you want to achieve. Think through the function of your current kitchen; keeping the things that work and changing or improving the areas that are problematic. Focus on the features that can be incorporated in your new kitchen such as pull out trays, cutlery dividers, or opening up a wall. Low maintenance materials seem to be a common winner. If style form and function are the cake then value is the icing. Plan carefully and seek the help of an experienced professional to assist you with your project.” We also spoke with Rob Hellyer of Premier Remodeling, who let us in on some trends he’s been seeing in kitchen renovation lately. He said that, “one thing that hasn’t changed over the years is the desire for kitchens to be updated. Granite has long been the favorite for kitchen countertops, but we are now seeing honed marble making inroads. Quartz composites such as Silestone are also popular alternatives to granite—though not necessarily less costly, they are lower maintenance.” He goes on to say that “it seems everyone wants an island kitchen, and often the island cabinetry is of a different style and/or color from the rest of the kitchen.” He also mentioned that when purely considering the added value aspect, countertops and backsplash are key.

Bathroom

Bathrooms go hand-in-hand in desirability factor for those looking to renovate a home or buy one, for that matter. “In the bathroom, a new large shower is a desirable feature, particularly in the master bathroom,” according to Hellyer. He goes on to advise that careful planning is key. There are many issues with regard to power, water supplies and drains to consider, so it is extremely important to consult a professional. He goes on to warn that, “when you update part of a kitchen or bath, it makes those parts that are not addressed stand out more.” So again, careful consideration is the main ingredient to a successful remodel.

Landscaping

It is incredible the difference good landscaping can make to your home’s appearance. We looked at before and after images from AJ’s Landscaping and Design and Blackbird Landscapes, and the contrast is tremendous. We asked Jason Cothren of Blackbird a few questions about what to consider when delving in to a landscaping job. “The most important project outside will be what you have going on in the back yard. The front is important—it’s the first thing people see, but the back is where you spend your time. This is where you want people to slow down, take it all in and stay a while.” As for what’s hot in Houston, Jason says that, “the current trend in home landscaping and design is simple, clean projects that are both easy to maintain and high on style. I’m seeing less and less clients who want 20 different plant species in a given area and more who are choosing to go with one to three plants for that same area.” He goes on to say that, “mass plantings of single plants let each grouping shine and give impact while keeping it simple and sophisticated.” As for what is coming next, Jason feels that “texture will be big in years to come. I want people to touch things in the garden and I think this will be a hot topic in future projects.”

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Outdoor Design

A.J. Benys, Jr. of AJ’s Landscaping points out that landscaping is not just about flowers and grass. It extends to bigger budget projects like outdoor kitchens, fireplaces and pits, golf putting green, tennis courts, play courts, patios, decks, swimming pools, cocktail pools, water features, landscape lighting, sculpture gardens and ecological water management—irrigation, drainage, recycling. All of these have a tremendous impact on the look and value of your home. According to Benys, the complexity of these projects should not be attempted lightly, so you should definitely hire a landscape design/build firm to complete your project.

Paint

The easiest solution is not always the most obvious. If you’re looking for a quick fix and don’t want to spend a whole lot of money, paint will definitely get you the most for your money. A fresh coat of paint, done properly, makes a significant difference in the look of a home. Added to that, it elevates the look of your property while lowering your utility bills. A few quick tips: a high-quality paint like Sherwin-Williams Classic-99 for interior and Sherwin-Williams A-100 Gloss for exterior is your best bet. Also keep in mind

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Courtesy of AJ’s Landscaping

that all house painting requires two coats, so don’t skimp on quality or quantity, it’s not worth it in the long run. On average, a two-coat pain job should last five years. Consider “green” paint, which contains little to no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). VOCs are released through gasses in the paint and are harmful to your lungs and the environment. Consult your local painter for more information.

Flooring

When it comes to flooring, carpet is still king as far as the most used floor coverings in homes go. According to Bill Kerr, 20year floor business manager with Robert’s Carpets, ideal floor coverings require much consideration when it comes to value. “Most people don’t know the difference in $30 or $60 a yard carpet,” he says. He went on to say that most real estate agents he deals with maintain that hardwood floors generally add the most appeal and value. But if cost is your main concern, carpet is definitely the way to go, as the price of hardwood per foot is nearly double. But if it’s hardwood you have your heart set on, Kerr distinguishes the different types for you. “Traditional pure hardwoods we sell, but mostly it is engineered hardwoods today, due to the finishes and ease of glue-down installation on the mostly slab foundations you see today.” Kerr goes on to say that, “pure hardwoods require maintenance due to cupping and warping in Houston’s subtropical climate. Some prefer the pure hardwoods due to the life expectancy, but the numbers are smaller and smaller each year.” According to Kerr, it is important to

remember that for many parts of the house, certain coverings are not ideal. “I am an empty-nester now and can finally have that lily white carpet I’ve wanted in the bedroom.” With kids or a lot of traffic, some areas are better for ceramic tile or a darker color of carpet. Ceramic tile is mostly replacing vinyl tiling. When it comes to laminates, Kerr mentioned that “buyers under 40 don’t distinguish between hardwoods and laminate, mostly the over 40 crowd prefers the hardwood to laminate.”

Windows

When it comes to home remodeling, more light means more value. Consider adding some windows or possibly augmenting those you have with a more modern or interesting design. You might want to check out Renaissance Windows and Doors, they are the exclusive provider of Infinity by Marvin and Hurd Windows—the finest wood windows in their class. The price is a little steep-- $800 to $2400 per window, put it will certainly add value and appeal to your space. Another consideration, in this climate, is installing hurricane windows. According to Frederick Cilurso, Houston builder and remodeler for over 30 years, “they help keep out flying debris and include solar protection. The glass may break but a plastic interlay helps hold the glass together, keeping debris out. In damaging storms, it also helps ensure that the walls and roof of your home are stable and safe.” Frederick uses Simonton StormBreaker Plus, specifically designed to withstand coastal winds. Another factor Frederick suggests

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Clockwise: Windows by Renaissance. Vanity for bathroom by John Moore Renovation. Bosch 800 Plus Dishwasher. Bathroom by Premier Remodeling

you keep in mind is the installation of energy efficient windows. Frederick recommends Energy Star Simonton Windows, which are top of the line when it comes to efficiency, while remaining affordable. Between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010, you may also qualify for a tax credit up to $1,500. The calculation is 30% of the cost up to $1,500. Make sure you install energy efficient windows and retain your NFRC (National Feneration Rating Council) label and sales receipt when you prepare your taxes. You will also need to use tax form 5695 when claiming your credit.

Energy Efficient Appliances

Nobody wants a big bill, and energy efficient appliances impact not just your wallet, but the environment as well. Going green with new Energy Star appliances adds value to your property and entices potential buyers. 70% of the energy used in a home is for appliances, space heating, water heating, cooling and refrigeration. As with the energy efficient windows, this will help you save on your taxes to boot. To make it easy on yourself, check out Bosch, they have the finest in energy efficient appliances, from dishwashers to refrigeration to laundry.

Timeliness

Knowing when to remodel is just as important as which project to tackle. According to Bill Shaw of Williams Shaw & Associates, “right now is a smart time for homeowners to remodel because interest rates are still low, the cost of materials are low, Houston labor costs are extremely reasonable and vendors are offering great deals. He goes on to say that, “to put it simply, homeowners can get the most for their money right now. Prices are expected only to go up from here, which is why homeowners who have been considering a remodel should act now.” There you go, no time like the present. 20 intown

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“I do” at the zoo? Summer brides have interesting options By April Canik

conomic and environmentally-friendly weddings are the rage in 2010 as brides (likely prompted by their fund-challenged fathers) give the over-the-top wedding a second thought. Bridal magazines tout a retro trend that includes an increase in backyard weddings, homemade wedding favors and other vintage details that are low on pretension and unnecessary extras. One budget-stretching trend growing in popularity is having individualized bridesmaid dresses. According to wedding planners, more and more brides are warming up to the idea of establishing a color palette and allowing their wedding party to choose their own dress accordingly. Catering to the special whims of brides is easy in a big city. The Houston area offers dozens of wedding venues for every budget, whether the bride is a traditionalist or an ultra-individualist. 22 intown

Picturesque indoor/outdoor settings around town

A landmark since 1965, Vargo’s Restaurant in the Memorial area has long been the setting for romantic, outdoor weddings. Whether the event is grand and extravagant or intimate and simple, the panoramic vistas include a private lake and acres of magnificent gardens sprinkled with swans and peacocks. Photo opportunities abound on illuminated footpaths and suspended bridges that lead to a charming gazebo. Heaven on Earth is a full-service ceremony and reception venue in Southwest Houston specializing in providing the elegant backdrop of a 66-room mansion. The chapel focal point is magnificent twin staircases flanked by Palladian windows overlooking the gardens. The Alamo at the Northwest Forest Conference Center is a full-scale replica of San Antonio’s historic mission on Telge Road. These 800 acres offer an elegant setting with a unique Texas flare for brides seeking creative photo backdrops featuring open-air Spanish style courtyards, foun-

tains and lush gardens. Just outside the 610 Loop North is another unique setting for a local wedding. Ashton Gardens is best known for its distinctive glass enclosed chapel where the wedding party can enjoy stunning views of the private forest, lush greenery and fountain-filled gardens. Other venues offer a “destination-wedding” feel without leaving the city limits. For example: Tuscany Villa provides a touch of Italy within the natural landscape of Historic Katy. Providing “Southern grace and charm with Texas-size hospitality” is the Great Oaks Manor in Sugar Land, Texas – an antebellum style historic mansion.

Budget-friendly options

According to wedding coordinator Gayle Eury, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church hosts several ‘walk-in’ weddings each year. “Walk-in weddings are traditional church ceremonies, but usually include less than 10 people, just a few weeks of planning,

Personalization Plus Perhaps the ‘wildest’ wedding venue is the Houston Zoo, which provided a unique backdrop for nine weddings last year, and will be the venue of the upcoming nuptials of zoo employee Ashley Beswick. “I am a hoofstock keeper at the Houston Zoo, working with such animals as the giraffes, okapis, and tapirs, so the zoo seemed a natural fit for my September wedding,” says Ashley. The zoo can seat anywhere from 60 to 300 people depending on the venue. There are six locations to have a wedding including: the Aquarium, Sea Lion Deck, Natural Encounters Building, Reptile House, the Brown Education Building and the Reflection Wedding at the Zoo

Pool. The zoo will add additional venues as renovations are completed on the jaguar exhibits and the African Forest opening in December. “Weather permitting, our ceremony will be at the Reflection Pool and the reception will be in the Natural Encounters building,” adds Ashley. “Otherwise, the ceremony will take place indoors, in front of the large coral reef tank.” The zoo offers catering and other services including Champagne toasts, cake cutting, bar tending, and audio equipment. Another unique service offered: giving guests a “hands-on” experience with some of the smaller animals while the wedding party is taking pictures. It is also not uncommon for a wedding photographer to snap a picture of the bride kissing the sea lion--after kissing the groom. And the zoo is the ideal destination for elephant shaped wedding cakes (true story). Adds Ashley, “Our entire family and guests are very excited to attend our wedding. It is not everyday that someone gets married at the zoo. It is fun and unique and I would recommend it to anyone.”

Take me out to the ball game (and marry me)

Many a baseball fan has popped the question at an Astros game (sometimes via the jumbo screens), but who would think to get married at one of Houston’s largest athletic facilities? When Hurricane Ike damaged two prominent venues in 2008, they claimed bankruptcy and left dozens of couples without a wedding, and without their deposits (some as high as $20,000). Television chef Rachel Ray saved the day by hosting a mega-wedding rescue. On November 2, 2008, Minute Maid Park became the unlikely backdrop for a fairytale winter wedding for 33 couples. A smaller-scale downtown wedding venue is located a block from the Houston Chronicle. “My wife and I were married at the Magnolia Ballroom in the Magnolia Brewery Building downtown, which was a great place for an innovative ceremony,” says Ronald B. Walker. “I remember the beauti-

Wedding at Magnolia Ballroom. Photo by Sharon Nicole Photography

no music and expenses under $500 for use of the chapel, parlor and honorarium for the minister,” says Gayle. She adds, “St. Luke’s has a beautiful chapel and sanctuary where brides particularly love the 103-ft. center aisle, which we are told is among the one of the longest in Houston.” She recommends brides apply creativity to the planning of the reception and retain the integrity of the worship service for the wedding. “Our couples appreciate getting married in a worship service setting as they begin a lifetime of commitment to each other.” Another money saving tip: Brides that want larger, traditional weddings can cut expenses by getting married on Fridays, since the costs are less than Saturday rates.

ful wooden floors and spacious windows flooding the room and providing awesome views of the city. Everyone remarked on the uniqueness of the place and how special that made the event.”

Have it your way Local art community aficionado Bryan Tailor interjects an entirely different perspective on weddings. “My wedding took place at The Orange Show and was officiated by over 30 ordained ministers wearing tie-dyed clothing,” says Bryan, who is also ordained. “We then had a mobile reception on a flat bed truck with a band, and the entire wedding reception moved through the city with four different stops around town.” Bryan caters to couples wanting an unconventional wedding. Among other zany backdrops, he’s done a wedding at the Alabama Ice House for roller derby enthusiasts, and one at a Houston warehouse. “The warehouse was the wedding venue for a Halloween wedding where I was carried into the area in a coffin by the groomsmen,” he adds, “I’ve been the minister at a zebra-themed wedding, and a New Year’s Eve wedding where all of the wedding party appeared as a characters from Alice in Wonderland.” As the time-tested wedding season approaches, couples in Houston have plenty of choices as to where they tie the knot. These allow each wedding to be the unique expression of the bride and group as they begin life together. intown 23

Real Illusions: How We Trick Ourselves about Finances

is subject to the likelihood of shrinking purchasing power, especially over time. A canoeist struggling to get upstream against current and wind will have the illusion of movement, but he will have to switch to a boat with a motor to make real progress.

e all like to think that we make rational and wise decisions when managing our money. But most of us are influenced far more by our emotions than our brains. Why do smart people make irrational investment decisions so commonly and so easily? The fascinating study of behavioral economics and decision science fills many books, but let’s look at a few of the ways in which investors’ minds play tricks on them.

The Hoarding Pack Rat—Treasuring What We Own The preference to keep things the way they are is called the “status quo bias.” We tend to fall in love with what we own and stick to the familiar even if we would likely be financially better off with a different investment. We validate our prior choice by sticking with it. What we know feels better than what we don’t know.

The Timid Bunny—Worrying Over Risk Why do so many people bank their money in savings accounts, CDs and money markets when they are often actually losing money if measured against inflation and taxes? Some people do it because they are so fearful of risk that they don’t consider that such fixed investments are not risk-free. The interest credited to your account each month

The Foolish Sheep—Fearing Loss We are so averse to accepting loss that we will throw good money after bad. This is sometimes called the “sunk cost fallacy” —our inability to let go of money that’s already been spent or lost. We will invest more money on car repairs simply because we’ve already spent so much on the car. Rather than evaluate a losing investment on its cost—

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as we are prone to do—it makes more sense to assess its current potential for loss or gain. If you would not choose to buy that investment today, then why do you make the choice every day to keep your money invested in it? Usually, it is because you are focusing on the past—what you have already spent. But it has no relevance to the future. The Little Chicken—Focusing on the Negative We feel the pain that comes from loss more acutely than we do the pleasure from an equal or greater gain. If you invest $100,000 in a stock portfolio, and it rises in value to $150,000 but then drops to $130,000, you are more likely to be motivated by the disappointment in your “loss” of $20,000 than the pleasure in your gain of $30,000. You may focus on your phantom loss rather than your available gain. This can lead you to be less willing to sell a profitable stock and buy an undervalued one, even though we have all heard that it makes more sense to buy low and sell high. The Stubborn Mule—Refusing to Change We frequently decide not to decide, and that inaction can cost serious money. There are so many options out there that we become paralyzed and stay with the familiar. Often this is motivated by fear of short-term regret at making a less-than-perfect decision even though we know that there are no perfect decisions. But, as Mark Twain said, “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do.” By placing more emphasis on what we have already expended than on what could be gained by change, we ignore lost opportunity costs because they don’t seem real. But with your financial security at stake, where you are headed is much more important than where you have been. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument, or to participate in any trading strategy. The securities/instruments discussed in this material may not be suitable for all investors. Any particular investment should be analyzed based on its terms and risks as they relate to your specific circumstances and objectives. This is not a research report and was not prepared by the research departments Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated or Citigroup Global Markets Inc. It was prepared by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney sales, trading or other non-research personnel. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney makes no representation or warranty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of this material. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney does not render advice on tax or tax-accounting matters. This material was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer under U.S. federal tax laws. Clients should consult with their tax advisors before making any tax-related investment decisions. Investments and services offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, member SIPC. Submitted by: Patrick Lesley and Brenda Jackson. © 2010 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. intown 25

713.639.7300 www.mfah.org Ongoing – 5/9 Prendergast in Italy Ongoin – 5/9 Ruptures and Continuities: Photography Made after 1960 from the MFAH Collection Ongoing – 5/23 Feathers. Fins, and Fur: Natural History Illustration of the 19th Century Ongoing -- 5/23 Eye on Third Ward: Jack Yates High School Photography Ongoing – 5/23 Sargent and the Sea Ongoing – 6/13 Alice Neel: Painted Truths Ongoing – 7/18 Liquid Lines: Exploring the Language of Contemporary Metal

museums

Museum of Natural Science

Houston Center for Photography DeQuincy Booker-Bust (2003)

Bayou Bend

1 Westcott St. 713.639.7750 www.mfah.org 5/16 Family Day: Creature Comforts 6/20 Celebrate Father´s Day at Bayou Bend

Children’s Museum of Houston

1500 Binz www.cmhouston.org 5/22 Young Inventors Showcase Competition 6/5 Secrets of Circles Grand Opening 6/19 Celebrate Juneteenth

Contemporary Arts Museum

5216 Montrose Blvd. 713.284.8275 www.camh.org Ongoing – 5/2 Perspectives 169: Odili Donald Odita 5/7 – 7/11 Perspectives 170: Cruz Ortiz 5/15 – 7/25 Hand+Made: The Performative Impulse in Art and Craft

Health Museum

1515 Hermann Dr. 713.521.1515 www.thehealthmuseum.org Ongoing – 5/9 Backyard Monsters 5/2 Triple Crown Polo Fundraiser 5/8 Naturally Wild at The Health Museum 5/11 Evening with Genetics 5/29 – 9/6 Animation featuring Cartoon Network

Holocaust Museum Houston

5401 Caroline St. 713.942.8000 www.hmh.org Ongoing -10/3 Never Let it Rest! An Art Project by Hans Molzberger

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Houston Center for Photography

1441 W. Alabama St. 713.529.4755 www.hcponline.org 5/7 – 6/27 Made by Will - Selections From Four Portfolios 5/7 – 6/27 Collaborations VII: Portraits of Self 5/7 – 6/27 Scott Dalton Macondo: Journeys in Garcia Marquez´s Colombia 5/7 – 6/27 Matt Eich - Carry Me Ohio

Lawndale Art Center

4912 Main St. 713.528.5858 www.lawndaleartcenter.org 5/7 – 6/12 Lawndale Artist Studio Program Exhibition - Dawn Black, Nick Meriwether & David Waddell 5/7 – 6/12 Spoiler – Ann Wood 5/7 – 6/12 The Stand – Lily Cox-Richard 5/7 – 6/12 Farming of the Future (Now is The Only Thing That is Real) - Malcolm Smith 5/7 – 6/12 Snack Projects featuring Rachel Hecker 5/14 Altered Realties 5/20 Audio Transmission for Beginners Workshop with Nick Meriwether

Menil

1515 Sul Ross Street 713.525.9400 www.menil.org Ongoing – 7/25 Steve Wolfe on Paper Ongoing – 8/8 Leaps into the Void: Documents of Nouveau Realist Performance Ongoing – 8/15 Maurizio Cattelan 6/6 The Artist’s Eye: Nathaniel Donnett on Robert Rauschenberg

Museum of Fine Arts 1001 Bissonnet St.

1 Hermann Circle Dr. 713.639.4629 www.hmns.org Ongoing – 7/25 Faberge: Imperial Jeweler to the Tsars Ongoing – 9/6 Magic: The Science of Wonder Ongoing – 9/6 Archaeopteryx: Icon of Evolution 5/8 Adopt A Butterfly 5/10 Behind-the-Scenes Tour - Fabergé: Imperial Jeweler to the Tsars 5/11 All that Glitters is...Gold! 5/18 Magic 101

Museum of Printing History

1324 West Clay Street 713.522.4652 www.printingmuseum.org Ongoing – 8/14 Printing with Light 5/4 – 6/12 PIGC 2010 Graphic Excellence Awards 5/20 Printing With Light Gallery Talk

Rienzi

1406 Kirby Dr. 713.639.7800 www.mfah.org 5/5, 6 Houston Grand Opera Studio Recital 5/9 Early Music Southwest Recital 5/20 Gallery Talk 5/20, 27 Twilight Tours 6/2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Storytime Tours

Houston Center for Photography Lauren McMillian

arts & theater

713.315.2400 www.thehobbycenter.org Ongoing – 5/2 Meet Me in St. Louis Ongoing – 5/9 Little House on the Prairie 5/6 – 5/8 Mixed Rep 5/9 Roman Holiday 5/14 – 5/23 Jane Eyre 5/25 – 6/6 Young Frankenstein 5/28 – 5/29 The Curt Miller Magic & Comedy Show 6/15 – 6/27 Menopause: the Musical 6/30 – 7/25 Wicked

Houston Grand Opera

510 Preston St. 713.228.6737 www.houstongrandopera.org Ongoing – 5/1 Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades Ongoing – 5/14 Handel’s Xerxes

Houston Symphony- Jones Hall

University of Houston Blaffer Gallery Tomas Saraceno exhibition A.D. Players

2710 West Alabama St. 713.526.2721 www.adplayers.org Ongoing – 5/30 The Little Foxes

Alley Theatre

615 Texas Avenue 713.220.5700 www.alleytheatre.org Ongoing – 5/9 Harvey 5/21 – 6/20 Intelligence-Slave 6/9 – 6/27 Boeing-Boeing

Broadway Across America in Houston The Hobby Center 800 Bagby St. broadwayacrossamerica.com/Houston 5/25 – 6/6 Young Frankenstein 6/30 – 7/25 Wicked

Company OnStage

536 Westbury Square 713.726.1219 www.companyonstage.org 5/7 – 6/12 Funny Money

DiverseWorks

1117 East Freeway 713.223.8346 www.diverseworks.org 5/1 flickerlounge: Selection of short films by Dara Greenwald 5/2 How To Be A Yes Man 5/13 – 5/22 Vault 6°: Blau & Baptism 6/16 Luck of the Draw 9!

Houston Ballet

501 Texas Ave. 713.227.2787 www.houstonballet.org 5/27 – 6/6 Pecos 6/10 – 6/20 La Fille Mal Gardee

Hobby Center

800 Bagby St., Ste. 300

615 Louisiana St., Ste. 101 713.227.3974 www.joneshall.org 5/1,2 Pink Martini 5/1 Carnival of the Animals 5/7 – 5/9 Handel’s Water Music 5/13, 15, 16 Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony 5/21 – 5/23 Rite of Spring and “Rach 3” 5/28 – 5/30 Cirque de la Symphonie 6/5 Ima Hogg Competition

Main Street Theater

2540 Times Blvd. 713.524.3622 www.mainstreettheater.com 5/8 – 6/6 Arcadia 6/10 – 7/11 Tomfoolery - The Words and Music of Tom Lehrer

Radio Music Theatre

2623 Colquitt 713.522.7722 www.radiomusictheatre.com Ongoing – 5/8 Birthday from Hell 5/13 – 8/28 Fear of Ducks

Texas Repertory Theatre Company 14243 Stuebner Airline Rd 281-583-7573 www.texreptheatre.org 5/5 – 5-23 A Flea in Her Ear 6/3 – 6/27 Always, Patsy Cline

University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance

133 Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center 713.743.3003 www.theatredance.uh.edu 5/2 Spring Dance Concert

University of Houston Blaffer Gallery 120 Fine Arts Building 713.743.9530 www.class.uh.edu 5/14 – 8/7 Tomas Saraceno exhibition 5/14 – 8/7 First Take: Jacco Olivier

Wortham Center

500 Texas St. 713.237.1439 www.worthamcenter.org 5/5 A Little Day Music 5/15 Classical in the Raw

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events

sports

7326 Southwest Freeway 713.772.5900 www.arenahouston.com 5/7 Ludacris 5/8 Rickey Smiley & Fantasia: Love & Laughter 5/29 O’Jays 5/9 Mocedades 5/14 Lonestar Beatdown Mania 5/16 Al Green 5/22 Sukhwinder Singh “Jai Ho” 5/30 The Lettermen

Houston Astros

Arena Theater

George R. Brown Convention Center

1001 Ave. De Las Americas 713.853.8000 www.houstonconventionctr.com 5/1 – 2 Lonestar Regionals 5/7 – 9 MalicJewels Jewelry & Gift Show 5/8 National CSTEM Challenge 6/12 Houston’s Obesity Awareness Summit 6/18 – 20 TRI-STAR Collectors Show 6/19 – 20 High Caliber Gun & Knife Show 6/27 – 29 Southwest Food Service Expo 2010

Reliant Park

1 Reliant Park 832.667.1400 www.reliantpark.com 5/3 – 5/6 Offshore Technology Conference 5/20 WBEA Expo 5/21 – 23 Tattoo & Body Art Expo 5/22 - 23 4 Wheel Parts Truck and Jeep Fest 6/11 – 13 International Gem & Jewelry Show 6/12 – 13 GHBA- New Home & Remodeling Show 6/13 7th Annual Classy Chassis Concours d’Elegance benefiting Shiners Hospitals for Children

Toyota Center

1510 Polk St. 713.758.7130 www.houstontoyotacenter.com 5/25 – 26 Taylor Swift 5/28 Los Tr3s Tour 6/9 Maxwell & Jill Scott

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www.houston.astros.mlb.com 5/3 – 6 vs, Arizona 5/7 – 9 vs. San Diego 5/19 – 20 vs. Colorado 5/21 – 23 vs. Tampa Bay 5/31 – 6/3 vs. Washington 6/4 – 6 vs. Chicago 6/18 – 20 vs. Texas 6/22 – 24 vs. San Francisco

Houston Dynamo

www.houston.mlsnet.com 5/1 vs. Wizards at Robertson Stadium 5/5 vs. FC Dallas at Robertson Stadium 5/13 Mexico vs. Angola Soccer at Reliant Stadium 5/22 vs. United at Robertson Stadium 5/29 vs. Union at Robertson Stadium 6/26 vs. Rapids at Robertson Stadium

Rice University

riceowls.cstv.com Baseball at Reckling Park: 5/5 vs. Texas Southern 5/14 – 5/16 vs. Southern Miss 5/20 – 5/22 vs. UAB

University of Houston

www.uhcougars.com Baseball at Cougar Field: 5/7 – 5/9 vs. Tulane 5/11 vs. Texas A&M 5/14 – 5/16 vs. Marshall 5/18 vs. Rice 5/26 – 5/29 Conference USA Championship

Sam Houston Race Park

5/1 Live Quarter Horse Racing - The Marshall Tucker Band and Molly Hatchet 5/15 Live Quarter Horse Racing - BLUE OCTOBER 5/29 Live Quarter Horse Racing - Foghat and Blue Öyster Cult

(1) Page Parkes-Eveleth

The Buzz (1) Courtney Hopson and Neal Hamil

(1) Joy Echols and Rachel Brown

(3) Hildy Caplan, Nelda Womack, Stephanie Milam and Joann Crassas

(3) Laura Davenport and Christy Rowland

Events clockwise: (1) Social Book 15th year of publication and unveiled its 2010 edition at Discovery Green. (2) Houstonian and abstract photographer Charlie Ferguson’s new exhibit “Wasted Expressions.” (3) “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” event benefiting Houston’s Ronald McDonald House at the Crowne Plaza Reliant Park Hotel. For more photos, visit www.thehoustoneventscalendar.com (2) Morgan Goen

(2) Charlie and Veronica Ferguson (2) Aston Stressau & Nicole Fertitta

(3) Marjanne Gillick and Linda McLLwain

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John A. Burdine, MD 1936 ~ 2010

HEALTHCARE PIONEER, FORMER ST. LUKE’S CEO AND VISIONARY BEHIND THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER

John Alton Burdine, MD, former chief executive officer (CEO) of St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in the Texas Medical Center was a pioneer in developing Nuclear Medicine into the crucial role it plays in healthcare today. In 1972, the St. Luke’s Nuclear Medicine Service, under Dr. Burdine’s direction, reported a new breakthrough technique to evaluate lung function at the inception of lung disease. By 1973, Dr. Burdine was certified by the American Board of Nuclear Medicine and was a leading national authority in the field. He served as chairman of the Committee on Nuclear Medicine for the Texas Medical Association and also became an active member in the National Society of Nuclear Medicine, serving on numerous committees, as a member of its Board of Trustees and, ultimately, as its president from 1982-83. In early 1984, he was elected Chief of 30 intown

Staff at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. In August of 1984, Dr. Burdine was named CEO and head administrator of St. Luke’s and the Texas Heart“ Institute. In 1987, his title changed to president and CEO of St. Luke’s, and in 1991, his title changed again to vice chairman and CEO, a position he held until he retired in 1994. During his 10 years as head of St. Luke’s, Dr. Burdine continued to emphasize providing patient care at the highest level. He believed it was important for St. Luke’s to have the most modern, state-of-theart facilities and equipment available, and he led the effort to construct the St. Luke’s Medical Tower, later renamed The O’Quinn Medical Tower at St. Luke’s. Dr. Burdine passed away on April 12 and is survived by his wife, Ann, three children and five grandchildren.

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