january + february 2019
You know what you want. We know Memorial. We
welcome the opportunity to be of service
Since 1985, Bernstein Realty has assisted individuals and families with all of their real estate needs. Let us assist you in making a smooth and successful move to, from or around the city.
30 Patti Lynn Lane Sandalwood · $4,250,000
MLS #8064621 | 713.932.1032
W NE
Susan McCauley | 713.858.4532
903 Creek Wood Way
314 Magnolia Heights
Julie Brann | 713.594.8736
MLS #79812823 | 713.932.1032
Hunters Creek Village · $1,875,000
ICE PR
12510 Boheme Dr.
12127 Broken Arrow St. Memorial Forest · $1,460,000 MLS# 14670110 | 713.932.1032
1629 Longacre Dr.
Spring Branch · $1,250,000 MLS #49288549 | 713.932.1032
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2431 Potomac
Memorial Green · $1,685,000
D TE LIS T S JU
Memorial Pines · $1,575,000 MLS #68410534 | 713.932.1032
W NE
7 Lochtyne Cr.
Hedwig Village · $2,449,000
7526 Awty School Lane Spring Branch · $1,200,000 MLS #51356158 | 713.932.1032
W NE
Galleria Area · $950,000 MLS #41245785 | 713.932.1032
4401 Jonathan
Southdale · $735,000 MLS# 71831111 | 713.932.1032
12326 Beauregard
Frostwood · $695,000 MLS #64914634 | 713.932.1032
ICE PR
6311 W Mystic Meadow Med Center Area · $484,500 MLS #8632873 | 713.932.1032
713.932.1032 | www.BernsteinRealty.com
Luxury urban living combines modern sophistication with custom contemporary finishes and amenities above the rest. We invite you to love where you live and live where you love.
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281-886-8082 5020 Kelvin Drive Houston, TX 77005
/ January + February 2019 Send comments, thoughts or ideas to intownmagazine@gmail.com
contents 12
10
ON THE COVER Photo by David Valdez
24
16 8-9 ARTS + EVENTS 10-11 FOOD: THE BEST NEW EATS OF 2018 12-15 BIOTECH ON THE RISE 16-20
COVER STORY: THE LAST LEADER OF THE GREATEST GENERATION
21
THE BUZZ
22-23 THE GAME: SABERCATS’ SAM WINDSOR 24-27 FEATURE: TWO DC TRIBUTES 28-29 FINANCIAL FOCUS 30 THE BUZZ PRODUCTION
PUBLISHER
M. A. Haines EDITOR
Lisa June
memorialvillagesmagazine.com
Web Design CSS Art & Design Layout & Graphic Design CSS Art & Design Graphic Designer Cris Bell Photographer Wells Brown
CONTRIBUTORS
Lindsay Mowad William Hanover Marene Gustin Evans Attwell Philip Berquist Minnie Payne
For advertising rates and information: 713.525.8607 intownmagazine@gmail.com Space reservation deadline is 15 days prior to publication.
Memorial Villages magazine is published bi-monthly by SNS Media. Articles are welcome and will be given careful consideration for possible publication. Memorial Villages magazine does not assume any responsibility for unsolicited materials. Materials submitted will be returned if accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Box 980757 Houston, TX 77098. You can also e-mail intownmagazine@gmail.com. Copyright 2018 by Intown magazine. All rights reserved. Content may not be reprinted or reproduced without permission from Intown magazine.
4 | Mv | January - February 2019
11414 St Germain Way / Royal Oaks $1,695,000 MLS# 2885218
11406 Chartreuse Court/Royal Oaks $1,495,000 MLS# 55197677
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11514 Royal Ivory Crossing/Royal Oaks $899,900 MLS# 92310748
13306 Brentonwood/Parkway Plaza $699,900 MLS# 50836191
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14822 Bramblewood/Nottingham Forest $699,900 MLS# 10961929
1742 D Michigan St/Montrose $499,900 MLS#12773162
1915 Rosewood/Museum District $485,000 MLS# 82315839
With over $2 Billion in sales and over 45 years of combined experience, David and David have the knowledge and skills to provide the highest level of service to buyers and sellers of residential real estate. Our complete digital marketing portfolio includes: Professional Photography * Drone Photos * Brochure Design 3D Tour Technology * Individual Property Websites * Social Media Marketing & Management
David Michael Young
713-320-6453 davidmy@johndaugherty.com www.youngrealtyhouston.com
Publisher’s Letter
Life Lessons from The Greatest Generation hirty F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets from Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, flew to College Station for an aviator’s salute for Houston’s beloved adopted son. The event was well planned and trained for their mission as was George H. W. Bush, “41’s, ” life. The jets soared above for the missing man flight formation which is an aerial salute as one aircraft flies away from the group to signify the passing of an aviator. A well thought out, and executed plan was George Bush’s life. It was however not without hiccups that seemed to make him stronger and more determined. His life (and most everyone else’s) not always went according to plan but staying the course, and with solid life fundamentals, he reached his goals. There is much to be learned from his life. Integrity, honesty, planning, humility, and perseverance were apparent throughout his life. These traits play in any setting and any part of the world. His competitiveness came from his parents, and the desire to achieve and above all to give back through service was Bush’s mantra. Forty-one nearly gave his life at an early age, and his public service continued well into retirement by partnering with a former adversary to do great humanitarian work. In Tom Brokaw’s book The Greatest Generation, he chronicled some 50 person’s lives and determined that this “was the greatest generation any society has produced.” “They made mistakes, but they saved the world,” proclaims Brokaw. Bush was called to duty by his own conviction and became one of the youngest Naval aviators in history, earning his wings at the age of 18. During World War II, Bush was shot down in the Pacific near the island of Chichijima. After being rescued, he went on to fly more combat missions and received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was most likely the best-qualified person ever to become president and had more accomplishments in his four years than many do in eight. We can be proud he called Houston home. 6 | Mv | January - February 2019
CHUBB • PURE • AIG • CINCINNATI
Luxury Home Insurance . . . Discover the Difference!
LUXURY HOMES - VALUABLES - VEHICLES - UMBRELLA LIABILITY
CARRIE OUSLEY | 832.681.5020
11514 Royal Ivory Crossing | Royal Oaks List Price $899,900 | MLS #92310748
Custom modern patio home in gated Royal Oaks Courtyard Villas. LEED certified home. Smart Home. Open living with island kitchen with Miele appliances. Master has enormous en suite bath and 2 walk in closets. Heated pool & fire pits; outdoor kitchen. Corner lot is larger than others in community. Built by renowned McVaugh Custom Homes.
David M. Young | John Daugherty REALTORS | 713-320-6453
2415 Mimosa Drive / River Oaks
List Price $1,750,000 | MLS#70852288
STUNNING! Welcome to this PRISTINE, beautifully designed free standing home located in a gated community in the highly desirable area of River Oaks. Built by Pelican Builders, designed by George Hopkins, this home includes three/four bedrooms including a full floor master suite, 1st floor guest suite with superbly appointed study/sitting room, an elevator, hardwoods, high ceilings, well-appointed island kitchen with Subzero fridge and Wolf appliances and much more. Featuring exemplary architecture and excellent interior finishes.
Barbara Kobza | Keller Williams Premier Realty | 832-215-7533
3333 Allen Parkway #2804 | River Oaks
11414 St Germain Way | Royal Oaks Country Club
Take Luxury living to new heights in this 4761 sq.ft. Penthouse with breathtaking panoramic views of Downtown, Medical Center & Buffalo Bayou Park. This stunning 2-floor custom-designed plan with exquisite premium custom finishes throughout was completed in 2013. Twenty ft. ceilings, Lutron controlled lighting & window coverings and incredible sound system. Get ready to be pampered at The Royalton with its 24-hr Concierge & Security, Valet Services, Wine Cellar, 3000 sq.ft Fitness Center, Town Car Service, Infinity Pool, conference rooms, two Guest suites, private theatre, ballroom & 3 Assigned Parking Spaces w/ additional parking included on 1st floor garage.
Designed by renowned architect Robert Damem, built by Tuscany Estate Homes and located in the Estates section of Royal Oaks Country Club overlooking the 12th fairway. Courtyard design around private pool, spa and outdoor kitchen offering both privacy and elegance. The Tuscan design features a wonderful warm open floor plan with 5 bedrooms, master suite down, private study, 3 bedrooms, game room and 2nd study up plus an elegant private Casita and bath off the courtyard. Large family room with soaring ceilings, private dining and wine grotto and golf course views.
List Price $2,800,000 | MLS# 74141243
Barbara Kobza | Keller Williams Premier Realty | 832-215-7533
List Price $1,699,000 | MLS# 2885218
David M. Young | John Daugherty REALTORS | 713-320-6453
Members and affiliates of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing
W W W. G REAT E R HOU STON LU X U RY. C OM
Vi sit O ur
July - August 2018 | Mv Website
|7
Arts + Events
Artupdate houston published every two weeks by houstonintown. Go to website and sign up for newsletter to receive free update. FARMERS MARKET Every Saturday Rain or Shine
MUSIC & DANCE Ars Lyrica Feb. 15
Scherzi musicali
Da Camera
9am - 1pm
January 17 Seeds of Inspiration:
The Influence of Dreams on Early 20th Century Vienna Jazzmeia Horn Septet Stop, Look, and Listen!
19 26 February 1-2 Vienna 1900: In the Garden
Of Dreams
HOUSTON SYMPHONY January 4, 5, 6 Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue 11, 12, 13 Totally ‘80’s 18 Boys ll Men with
Houston Symphony 24, 26, 27 Ravel’s La Valse February 1, 2
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire In Concert 15, 15, 17 The Ella Fitzgerald Song 16 Wild, Wild, West 28 Eschenbach and Josefowicz
Hunters Creek Village at First Congregational Church
Jan.25 through Feb. 25
Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie Feb. 25
Imagination Theatre Match Main Street Theater
Jan. 19 through Feb. 10
Get Happy: Angela Ingersoll Sings Judy Garland
The Secretary
ALLEY THEATRE
STAGES REPERTORY THEATER
Jan. 18 through Feb. 10
The Carpenter
Feb. 8 through March 10
MILLER OUTDOOR THEATER Jan. 23 through Feb. 10
The River Bride
Jan. 31 through Feb. 3
Quack
SinMuros: A Latinx Theatre Festival
MATCH THEATER The Catastrophic Theatre
NSFW
Feb. 13 through March 3
Jan. 24 through Feb. 3
THE ENSEMBLE THEATER
Feb. 15 through March 10
Too Heavy for Your Pocket
BootyCandy
Jan.4 through 19
Barefoot in the Park
Feb. 15 through March 9th
A Doll’s House
Theatre Under the Stars HOBBY CENTER (Sarofim Hall) Jan 12
Googoosh Jan. 15 through 20
The Book of Mormon Jan. 23
Mxm 1st Live US Tour
THEATER A.D. PLAYERS
Wakey Wakey
Theatre Southwest
Jan. 25 through Feb. 24
Jan. 29 through Feb. 3
Waitress
Feb. 1-2
Vienna 1900: In the Garden of Dreams Feb. 15
Scherzi musicali CONCERTS & EVENTS TOYOTA CENTER
January 12 Kevin Hart 22 Justin Timberlake 26 Jaime Mungula vs. Takeshi Inoue 28 Disturbed & Three Days Grace February 5 Fleetwood Mac 10 Marc Anthony 13 Travis Scott 22 Muse
LOUISIANA CHAR-GRILLED BOILED CRAWFISH OYSTERS Farm to table New OrleaNs Style
THE ORIGINAL 4302 Richmond Ave Houston, TX 77027 (713) 623-6321
8 | Mv | January - February 2019
WESTCHASE RAGIN-CAJUN.COM
9600 Westheimer, #80 Houston, Texas 77063 (832) 251-7171
SPORTS Houston Rockets Toyota Center January 7 Denver 9 Milwaukee 11 Cleveland 14 Memphis 16 Brooklyn 19 LA Lakers 25 Toronto 27 Orlando 29 New Orleans February 9 Oklahoma City 11 Dallas 25 Atlanta 28 Miami
MUSEUMS Asia Society Texas Center Ongoing through Feb. 10
Ayomi Yoshida
Ongoing through March 17
New Cartographies
Museum Of Fine Arts Houston Ongoing through Jan. 21
Contesting Modernity: Informalism in Venezuela, 1955-1975 Ongoing through January 27
Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits from Holbein to Warhol
Ongoing through Feb. 3
Ongoing through Jan. 27
Ongoing through March 24
On View Jan. 25 through May 19
Curator’s Choice:
Houston Museum Of Natural Science
Recent Acquisitions of the Houston Museum of Natural Science Life in Stone Microsculpture: The Insect Photography of Levon Biss Tourmaline Treasures
Kindred Spirits: Louise Nevelson & Dorothy Hood
The Condition of Being Here: Drawings by Jasper Johns
Garden Paradise: The Magnificent Safavid Carpet from the Burrell Collection, Glasgow
Contemporary Focus: Trenton Doyle Hancock Roni Horn: When I Breathe, I Draw, Part l
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Ongoing through Jan. 6
Walls Turned Sideways: Artists Confronts the Justice System
Ongoing through February 17
Nicolas Moufarrege: Recognize My Sign
On View: Jan. 19 through March 31
Cheryl Donegan: GRLZ + VEILS
Holocaust Museum Houston Ongoing through May
In The Country Of Numbers, Where The Men Have No Names Ongoing through Jan.6
Menil Collection Selections from the Permanent Collection Contemporary Focus: Leslie Hewitt
Permanent Exhibits Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. Hall Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals Earth Forum Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife Frensley/Graham Hall of African Wildlife Hall Of Ancient Egypt Hamman Hall Of Texas Coastal Ecology Herzstein Foucault Pendulum John McGovern Hall of The Americas Lester & Sue Smith Gem Vault Morian Hall of Paleontology Starke Hall of Malacology Wiess Energy Hall Welch Hall of Chemistry
Death by Natural Causes Trains Over Texas Ongoing
Opens Feb. 8
Biophilia: A Dialogue of Nature, Art and Science Houston Grand Opera Jan. 18 through Feb. 3
Florencia Elamazonas
Jan. 25 through Feb.8
The Pearl Fishers
Ongoing
Vanishing Arts: Highlights from the Beasley-Hwang Collection Ongoing
Cabinets of Curiosities
January - February 2019
| Mv |9
The Best New Eats of
2018
And what to look L
ast year was yet again a banner one for diners, with a slew of new eateries that Houston foodies were anxious to check out. And in particular, two popular chefs each brought two new restaurant concepts to fruition in 2018. All four should definitely be on your list if you haven’t tried them already.
James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd shuttered his signature Underbelly restaurant last year but brought us two more options. One, UB Preserv, is a more casual, smaller Underbelly with dishes from various cuisines. Lots of Asian bites that are both more simple and cheaper than versions on the old Underbelly menu. It resides in the old Jimmy Chew Asian kitchen spot on Westheimer Road UB Preserv 1609 Westheimer Rd. 346.406.5923 ubpreserv.com And last fall Shepherd reopened the newly remodeled Underbelly spot just down the road from UB Preserv, turning it into a steakhouse named for his parents: Georgia James. Carefully sourced steaks seared in cast iron skillets or cooked to perfection over a wood-fired grill are delicious on their own but paired with sides of crispy Brussel sprouts and whipped potatoes are enough for any Texas sized appetite. Georgia James is open for dinner only right
“Baller Board” at Georgia James Steakhouse 10 | Mv | January - February 2019
now and do expect to pay steak house prices for those big slabs of meat. However, with the demise of the Highland Village Smith & Wollensky, it’s a bonus to have a new steak house in InTown. Georgia James 1100 Westheimer Rd. 832.241.5088 georgiajamessteak.com Native son Ford Fry, who made his chef ’s name in Atlanta with multiple eateries, returned to Houston in 2015 to open State of Grace in River Oaks across from his alma mater Lamar High School. Last year he was back again to open two new eateries in the Heights and they are both under one roof. Last September Superica opened serving up well-crafted Tex-Mex. Think fajitas, queso and delicious salsas. Fry has two Supericas in Georgia and it may seem strange that a non-Texas import could wow Houstonians but then again, look at Fry’s roots. He grew up eating this food and it shows.
forward to in 2019
Food
by Marene Gustin
by Marene Gustin
Superica dining room
pers with smoked bacon and jalapeños washed down with one of their seasonal cocktails. Eunice 3737 Buffalo Speedway 832.491.1717 Opening at the same time, next-door eunicerestaurant.com La Lucha bills itself as a modern update of the old San Jacinto Inn restaurant So, there are five top spots from 2018 which was famous for its oysters and that should whet your appetite, but here’s fried chicken. The historic inn is no longer but La Lucha is the next best thing if a few to look out for this year. The team behind Nobie’s restaurant you’re craving oysters on the half shell, is adding a new tiki-inspired eatery in peel-and-eat shrimp and a fried bird Montrose in the spring. The Toasted Cowith a side of biscuits and pickles. This charming slice of Gulf Coast life is also a conut will open in the old Maria Selma’s full bar and opens for dinner during the spot at 1617 Richmond Ave. and offer week starting at 5:00 p.m. Saturdays and tiki-style cocktails and Caribbean, Latin American and Southeast Asian flavored Sundays the spot opens at noon. dishes from chef/owner Martin Stayer. La Lucha 1801 N. Shepherd Dr. 713.955.4765 laluchatx.com Superica 1801 N. Shepherd Dr. 713.955.3215 superica.com
Louisiana born chef and partner Drake Leonards is a newcomer to the Houston food scene but his Eunice (named for his hometown) is a welcome addition to the Greenway Plaza neighborhood. As you might expect from its roots, the restaurant’s menu is Cajun/ Creole comfort food with lots of seafood, gumbos and grits. Do try the fried quail from Bandera and the Cajun duck pop-
La Lucha fried chicken and biscuits
Get your Hawaiian shirts ready and follow The Toasted Coconut on Facebook for upcoming details. Popular meat palace Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille moves inside the loop this year as it takes over the two-story former home of California Pizza Kitchen at 1997 West Gray St. in River Oaks. If you’ve been to any of the locations in the ‘burbs you’ll know to expect fine dining, big steaks, tableside presentations and a fabulous bar. Do look for the signature Symphony Kabob, a feast of filet, lobster and shrimp on a hanging skewer. Check perryssteakhouse.com for opening updates. If you missed the last service on New Year’s Eve at Danton’s Gulf Coast Seafood and Steaks just wait a bit. This month it should reopen with a new name, Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine at 1985 Welch St., the former longtime home of Mockingbird Bistro. The change came about as the Chelsea Market location was sold with the intent to tear it down to build new apartments. Restaurant owner Kyle Teas decided the move was the perfect time to rebrand, Eugene is his father’s name, and to spruce up the menu. Do expect most of the signature dishes and cocktails to remain but look for a few new items. There’s already a website up at eugeneshouston.com so you can follow their progress. January - February 2019
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Biotech on the Rise in Houston
"E
verything is bigger in Texas,� is a common refrain of Texans. And Houston does little to dispel the rumor currently ranked as the fourth largest city by population and rising. Our city is known as the energy capital and hosts the Texas Medical Center (TMC), the largest medical complex in the world. Comprised of 58 institutions, the TMC sits on 1,345 total acres, employs over 106,000 people, supports 10 million patient encounters annually, and has an economic impact of $25 billion. Put into context, the TMC alone ranks as the 8th-largest downtown business district in the United States (US), right after Philadelphia and Seattle.
12 | Mv | January - February 2019
The TMC has long been recognized for its research and clinical care excellence. However, it has historically lagged behind other key hubs in converting that research into viable biotechnology companies (biotechs) whose primary aim is to develop life-saving medicines to improve patient outcomes. Biotechs also generate a great deal of interest from investors. While more than 90% of publicly traded biotech companies don’t generate revenue, the promise of a holy-grail drug can support market capitalizations in excess of $1 billion. At the beginning of 2018, the biotech sector performed so well that its 10-year annual returns more
than doubled the increase for the S&P 500 over the same period. Currently, Boston and San Francisco hold the top spots for biotech investment thanks to symbiotic relationships across top academic institutions, venture capitalists, entrepreneurial academicians, and a large pool of experienced executive management. But a tectonic shift in culture and investment in recent years is fueling the rise of Houston as a global player in this industry. The vast trove of basic research discoveries coming out of our premier institutions such as M.D. Anderson, Houston Methodist and Baylor College of Medicine are now finding commer-
cialization opportunities here at home. On its current trajectory, Houston’s biotech industry could be less than a decade away from being considered a leader in the biotechnology arena. Recent Biotech History in Houston Houston is already seeing the successful launch of biotechnology companies. For example, Houstonian Nancy Chang, Ph.D. took her company Tanox public in a successful IPO in the early 2000s. It was then acquired by Genentech in 2006 in a transaction worth about $919 million. Last year, Roche and Novartis grossed $1.83 billion in Xolair sales, the asthma drug that originated from Tanox. Another example comes from Woodlands-based Lexicon Pharmaceuticals which also went public in the early 2000s. Though its trajectory was not quite as steep as Tanox, in 2017 the company had its lead compound, XERMELO approved in the US, the European Union (EU) and certain other territories for carcinoid syndrome diarrhea. Lexicon has a second drug for Type 1 Diabetes under review by US and EU regulatory bodies with a potential launch in mid-2019. The Current State of Affairs Over the past 5 years, there has been an unprecedented boom of investor dollars pouring into biotech companies here in Houston. Over this period, we have seen on average, 1 IPO per week. Bellicum Pharmaceuticals (based in the TMC and spun out of Baylor College of Medicine) is one such company. Bellicum is developing treatments to treat pediatric blood and bone cancers and is a good demonstration of the risk/reward profile of investing in biotech stocks. Bellicum’s capitalization has ranged from $120 to $500 million over 2018. Organizations such as TMCx are working to create an environment where ideas, technology transfer, commercialization expertise and Fortune 500 companies such as Apple, AT&T, and Johnson & Johnson can thrive. Specifically, J&J has built its JLabs facility at the TMCx spanning 30,000 square feet of space dedicated to the commercial development of devices and therapeutics in the life science area. It is the largest device incubator in the country for J&J. The advent of big data, cognitive computing and sequencing technology and its aggregation and processing fueled the creation, under the leadership of immediate past president Ron DePinho, of a completely new organizational paradigm for developing drugs. Institute of Applied Cancer Science (IACS) at MD Anderson Cancer Center was set up to buck the 95% failure rate drugs entering clinical trials and reduce the exorbitant costs endured by cancer patients. While some MD Anderson faculty were skeptical at first, IACS now represents a one-of-a-kind internal drug discovery program that identifies high-quality clinical candidates aimed at targets for both orphan indications and high unmet medical needs. IACS has
Dr. Imran Alibhai January - February 2019
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generated a significant return on investment including increased technology licensing revenue more than six-fold, from $42.6 million in the years 2006–2010 to $264.0 million in the years 2012–2016. Impressively, with more than $500 million in contractually committed funds, MD Anderson has earned the number one status nationally in both corporate alliance and IP/Commercialization revenue in recent years. These resources are further fueling its mission to end cancer. The Future With the inflow of investor dollars and programs being further de-risked, we are seeing the next generation of biotech companies surface in Houston. One recent example is Tvardi Therapeutics (www.tvardi.com). Tvardi is a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Houston, at based at the TMCx. The company was founded last year by Drs. Ron DePinho, David Tweardy, and Mike Lewis. Tvardi’s lead asset is a cancer drug that not only targets cancer cells but also emboldens the immune system to better recognize tumors. The compound has already entered clinical testing, is well tolerated and has early signs of activity against tumors. The company recently announced the completion of a $9 million Series A financing and the appointment of Imran Alibhai, Ph.D. as Chief Executive Officer. He is an example of a generation of experienced management in our biotech ecosystem. Dr. Alibhai was raised in Dallas and attended Duke University as an undergrad. He returned to Texas to attend UT Southwestern Medical School. “At the time, I thought it would be my last opportunity to live in Texas as there was a dearth of biotech opportunities in the state,” stated Dr. Alibhai. After receiving his Ph.D., Dr. Alibhai headed to Seattle to work in biotech venture capital, followed by a hedge fund in San Francisco and eventually to NYC to be an M&A investment banker. During his time as a banker, he convinced a Houston physician who spent 7 years as a hospitalist at Houston Methodist to marry him and move to NYC. They ultimately returned to Houston to raise their family. Prior to joining Tvardi, Dr. Alibhai was an SVP and Managing Director at DNAtrix, another Houston success story in biotech. DNAtrix is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company spun out of MD Anderson Cancer Center developing oncolytic viruses for cancer. During his tenure, DNAtrix raised multiple rounds of financing, entered 14 | Mv | January - February 2019
into and enrolled a Phase 2 immuno-oncology collaboration with Merck, and licensed and moved into the clinic a next-generation armed virus. In addition to a world-class group of founders and a new CEO, Tvardi has a pre-eminent Advisory Board which is headlined by MD Anderson’s Jim Allison, Ph.D. This past month, Dr. Allison was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for his work in elucidating how the immune system can be harnessed to treat cancer. “I am honored that Tvardi’s board has entrusted me to lead the company,” said Dr. Alibhai. “Our lead compound, TTI-101, has already demonstrated excellent safety with early signs of activity. This activity, coupled with the pre-eminent drug developers and scholars comprising Tvardi’s founders and board, is a fantastic platform to build an innovative, successful company in Houston.” With its lead asset in already clinical trials and multiple other compounds ready for near-term human testing for indications beyond cancer including inflammation and fibrosis, Tvardi is poised to follow or perhaps surpass the groundwork laid by past successful Houston biotech companies. Concluding Thoughts In short, everything is indeed bigger in Texas and it seems the biotech industry is yet another reason why. With several success stories logged and new ones like Tvardi on the rise, it’s easy to see why Houston has one of the youngest, fastest growing and most diverse populations, cultures and industries anywhere in the world. For those looking to create health care technology, new cancer treatment or a genomics company, the city of Houston presents opportunities many other cities can’t match.
BUNKER HILL VILLAGE | 316 Bunker Hill Road
What is
biotechnology ? At its simplest, biotechnology is technology based on biology - biotechnology harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives and the health of our planet. We have used the biological processes of microorganisms for more than 6,000 years to make useful food products, such as bread and cheese, and to preserve dairy products. Modern biotechnology provides breakthrough products and technologies to combat debilitating and rare diseases, reduce our environmental footprint, feed the hungry, use less and cleaner energy, and have safer, cleaner and more efficient industrial manufacturing processes. The biotechnology sector focused on developing medicines has grown by leaps and bounds since the 1990s. Currently, there are hundreds of biotechnology health care products and vaccines available to patients, many for previously untreatable diseases. The industry has spawned giant companies in the medical space such as Gilead Sciences, Amgen, Biogen Idec, and Celgene. At the other extreme are thousands of small, dynamic biotech companies, engaged in the development of the next-generation of medicines to treat disease and improve human health.
BUNKER HILL VILLAGE | 12014 Tall Oaks Street
Stately traditional home on ± 28,923 sq. ft. lot with circular gated Extensively renovated 2016-2018, on ± 51,955 sq. ft. lot with drive, master down with sitting area, game room and 3 car garage. library, game and media rooms, pool, spa and putting green.
4-5 BEDROOMS | 4.5+ BATHS Offered at $2,250,000 MLS 98625011
6 BEDROOMS | 4.5+ BATHS Offered at $3,625,000 MLS 93319295
Karen Harberg REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® Circle of Excellence, Hall of Fame
281.546.9444 karen.harberg@sothebyshomes.com karenharberg.com
WEST UNIVERSITY | 3132 University Boulevard
SPRING VALLEY | 9010 Elizabeth Road
Extensively remodeled traditional home with marble island kitchen, hardwoods, bonus room and 2-car attached garage.
New construction on ±15,000 sq. ft. lot with master down, library, game and media rooms, summer kitchen and 3 car garage.
3 BEDROOMS | 3 BATHS Offered at $950,000 MLS 6824657
5 BEDROOMS | 5.5+ BATHS Offered at $2,275,000 MLS 43779329 January - February 2019
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16 | Mv | January - February 2019
Cover Story
M
any declared George Herbert Walker Bush’s death the end of America’s Greatest Generation. A war hero who persevered in times of defeat and dreamed big and whose lone term as the 41st president of the United States saw the end of the Cold War. He formulated a political dynasty for his family that influenced politics for decades. “Bush was a figure of an older, fading order of American power,” wrote Bush biographer Jon Meacham in “Dynasty and Power,” a 2015 biography. “When his family and friends looked at him, they saw a man who could have spent his life making and spending money, but who had chosen to obey the biblical injunction, drilled into him by his parents, that to whom much is given much is expected.” Bush had always felt destined to greatness by his parents. They instilled the notion that life was a contest and winning was its own reward. He saw plenty of defeat losing as many elections as he won. “My motivation’s always been — you know, to be captain,” according to Bush historian Meacham. “Whatever it is. That’s not good in a way, but in a way it is. It’s what motivated me all my life. . . . Whatever you’re in. Be number one.” Pearl Harbor was enough to convince the young Bush that service called, and considered enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force because he thought “you could get through much faster.” He became most say the youngest aviator in the U.S. Navy, flying bombing missions in the Pacific. He was shot down and became a decorated war hero narrowly escaping death and capture. Both his mates perished, and his thoughts about them stayed with him his whole life. After, he married Barbara Pierce. His wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush, died in April of, 2018, the same year as her husband. At Yale, which Bush completed in two and 1/2 years, he earned Phi Beta Kappa and was the baseball teams’ captain and first baseman. After his graduation from Yale University in 1948, he was offered a job at
his family’s Wall Street investment firm and turned it down and in 1948, in his new Studebaker which was a graduation gift, headed to Texas. He landed in Odessa with their new baby, George. Neil Mallon, a family friend, was the head of Dresser Industries, a leading oilfield equipment company and the young Bush started his career an entry-level sales position with an oilfield tool company. In 1950 he formed an oil company with backing from his father and some of his father’s friends. With no geologic or engineering background, Bush learned the business from the ground up and later, joined forces with two brothers, Hugh and William Liedtke, to form Zapata Petroleum. Zapata had raised money and gambled on a field in Coke County that
An Orderly and Profound Life that Has Affected American Politics Indefinitely by William Hanover Photos by David Valdez January - February 2019
| Mv | 17
The Bush Clan
Ten Things You May Not Know about
George HW Bush
1 Bush was one of the youngest Navy aviators in history at the age of 18.
2
Bush’s “voodoo economics” attacks in 1980 toward Reagan nearly cost him a chance to be his VP.
3
Bush’s father, Prescott Bush, was an early supporter of Planned Parenthood and George H.W. Bush himself supported family planning as a congressman and an ambassador to the United Nations.
4
Bush’s approval rating reached 89 percent after the Gulf War, better than Ronald Reagan ever enjoyed.
He was at the center of the Iran-contra scandal late in Reagan’s second term.
5
supposedly was “played out.” One of the brothers, Bill Liedtke, had said years later that the young company drilled 130 wells and never had a dry hole. And his place in history will long be overshadowed, Meacham acknowledges, “by the myth of his predecessor and the drama of his sons.” ree of scandal or great controversy, with one troubling exception — his role as vice president in the Iran-Contra scandal. Bush was the last president to have served in the military during World War II. His experience in international diplomacy helped him well as he dealt with the unraveling of the Soviet Union as an oppressive superpower, and later the rise of China as a commercial behemoth and potential partner. He spent the next three decades in the political limelight, a career mostly free of scandal or great controversy, with one exception — his role as vice president in the Iran-Contra scandal. Bush was elected president in 1988
6 7 18 | Mv | January - February 2019
“Poppy,” was his childhood nickname.
Only he and Martin Van Buren in 1836 won the election to the presidency while serving as vice president.
as the successor to Ronald Reagan, a conservative icon whom he ran against and then served as vice president. Unlike Reagan, he was a pragmatic leader guided by moderation, consensus building, and a sense for problem-solving shorn of partisan rhetoric. Like his father, who served in the U.S. Senate, he swore no allegiance to orthodox tenets. Bush was put to the test shortly after taking office. Surging movements in Eastern Europe saw the opportunity to free themselves from the Soviet yoke, thanks in part to the liberalizing influence of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Bush’s measured response allowed events to unfold, including the destruction of the Berlin Wall, without triggering potentially catastrophic responses from Soviet hard-liners. Bush again displayed his diplomatic skills in the summer of 1990 when he coordinated a multinational response to the military invasion of tiny Middle East nation Kuwait by neighboring Iraq
8
He stood 6 feet 2 inches.
Bush started his career as a salesman with an oilfield tool company.
10
9
Flew 58 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
President Bush and Polish President Lech Walesa flash the peace sign to cheering crowds in Gdansk, Poland, 1989.
and its dictator, Saddam Hussein. The victorious Operation Desert Storm brought high approval ratings that appeared to guarantee a second term. Domestic matters proved a different sort of challenge. Plagued by inherited budget deficits and a Congress under the control of Democrats, Bush was pushed into a tax increase that
belied his explicit promise to allow none. He agreed to it because he recognized it was in the country’s best interest, but the political damage was severe. His re-election bid fell short, a failing that haunted him for years. Uncharacteristically, it even caused him to wonder whether history would regard him as a failure.
WORTHWHILE CONVERSATIONS
SIMPLIFYING AND ORGANIZING IN THE NEW YEAR How do you help people fulfill those predictable resolutions about better organized finances? “Predictable” is correct. In our 48-year history, we’ve consistently heard this goal from clients. It is logical because complicated and disorganized financial planning means stress and leads to only one result – procrastination over important decisions. The good news: just a few simple steps can result in significant improvement in your planning. For most people, it starts with preparing an up-to-date Balance Sheet that lists all of your financial accounts and assets along with all debts owed. Update this yearly as a financial discipline. An updated Balance Sheet makes sense. Where’s the simplifying? Find opportunities to simplify by consolidating assets and liabilities into a smaller number of accounts that are easier to track and manage. Over time, many families “proliferate” financial accounts which no longer make sense as a whole. Consolidating accounts makes it easier to properly manage personal finances, reducing costs and account fees.
Do the same with credit cards and liability accounts. Imagine the feeling of efficiency as it becomes easier and quicker to manage accounts (auto-payments, paperless files). Also, don’t forget to protect these accounts from cyber-fraud. Use a Password Manager to organize and easily recall secure passwords. You haven’t used the “B” word yet… What about a Budget? Our Wealth Planning Committee, a multidisciplinary group of professionals (CPAs, JDs, and other credentialed firm members), meets to brainstorm such topics and has developed a client-centered approach. Committee Chair, Phillip Hamman, CFP®, CFA, commented about budgets: “We should re-invent budgeting since ‘Budgeting in Reverse’ is sufficient for most – simply identify the required savings and accumulation targets, and make sure you hit those numbers.” Where can you get help? Slaying the “Organization Dragon” is more than a weekend exercise. If you need help
getting things in order, talk with your financial advisor since they may have expertise. We advise people to be careful in seeking help. Choose an advisor 100% committed to the Fiduciary business model, with a legal duty to put their clients’ best interests first. This is the model we follow at Linscomb & Williams. Contact us if you would like to sit down and create an organized financial plan at our offices here in Houston.
Linscomb & Williams is located at 1400 Post Oak Blvd., Ste. 1000 in Houston, TX For more information call 713 840 1000 or visit www.linscomb-williams.com. Linscomb & Williams is not an accounting firm.
January - February 2019
| Mv |19
Barbara and George Bush, with dog Millie
David Valdez Photographer
20 | Mv | January - February 2019
His place in history may be overshadowed, Meacham acknowledges, “by the myth of his predecessor and the drama of his sons.” Mostly he was free of scandal or great controversy, with one troubling exception — his role as vice president in the Iran-Contra scandal. “I think over the years he fares well,” said presidential historian Henry Brands, an author and a professor at the University of Texas. “If voters have a referendum and they vote you down, that automatically puts you down a rung. It’s unfair.” “The world was fortunate to have his background and instincts at a turning point,” said Robert Gates, who served as Bush’s CIA director and deputy national security adviser. “The collapse and end of the Cold War look sort of pre-ordained in hindsight, but for those who were there, it was not clear how it would happen.” Gates, who served in eight presidential administrations, suggested that Bush never received the credit he deserved for quietly “greasing the skids” that saw communists slide from power in the Soviet Union. “There is no precedent in all of history for the collapse of a heavily armed empire without a major war,” Gates said. “He was a figure of enormous historical importance.” “What’s wrong with trying to help people,” he once asked. “What’s wrong with trying to bring peace? What’s wrong with trying to make the world a little better?” His one term arguably resulted in more significant legislative achievements than Reagan’s two, among them the Americans with Disabilities Act, a bolstered Clean Air Act, and an increased minimum wage. He was defeated in an unusual three-way contest with Democrat Clinton and Texas billionaire Ross Perot — a sour coda to a stellar career. After graduating from high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, David Valdez graduated from high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he was trained as a photographer and served with the 836th Combat Support Group for four years. Valdez was employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a photographer. He left the federal government to become chief photographer for Nations Business magazine published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce before becoming the personal photographer to then-Vice President George Bush. In 1988, President Bush appointed Valdez Director of the White House Photo Office. During this administra-
tion, he traveled to 75 countries and all 50 states with the President. In 1997, he published George Herbert Walker Bush: A Photographic Profile. Valdez is on the Board of the Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas and an advisor to the Marlin Fitzwater School of Communications at Franklin Pierce University. Freelancing, based in Georgetown, Texas Valdez’s clients include: Republican National Committee Franklin Pierce University LBJ Presidential Library National Park Service National Geographic Traveler Georgetown View Magazine Popular Hispanics Magazine CBS PBS
Vivian Wise and Joanne Herring King
16TH ANNUAL LEGACY (FOMERLY LUNCHEON) COCKTAIL PARTY
Diane Lokey Farb
Sheridan and John Eddie Williams hosted the event in their beautiful River Oaks Home. The evening supported the Legacy’s Little Readers program presented by H-E-B. Co. Chairs: Sheridan Williams, Elizabeth Petersen, Melissa Mithoff, Katherine Murphy, Shannon Hall and Marcus Sloan Honoring: Richard Flowers Dollars raised from the cocktail party will guarantee completion of Legacy’s new pharmacy building which will be dedicated in Flower’s name. Guests in the crowd were very generous. Highlights: Barbara McKnight catered the evening (Catering by Culinaire) created a bountiful buffet of Flower’s favorite southern comfort foods, Fried Chicken, white cheddar mac and cheese, deviled eggs, crab cakes and brisket. Katy Caldwell, Executive Director spoke about Legacy’s mission, highlighting the programs in the community.
Chree Boydstun, Marcus Sloan and Sheridan Williams Yvonne and Rufus Cormier
Amy Miller, Jeff and Kathryn Smith and Todd Miller
Richard and Ginni Mithoff
By Lindsay Mowad
SALVATION ARMY OF GREATER HOUSTON
John, James and Ann Bookout
Charles Roff,Hugh Roff, Ann Roff and Nathalie Roff
The Salvation Army of Greater Houston chaired by Nathalie and Charles Roff, with special guest Wanda Durant, hosted its 22nd annual luncheon at the River Oaks Country Club. The event drew 376 guests and raised more than $576,000 in support of the organization’s housing, emergency shelter, rehabilitation, disaster relief, social services and Christmas assistance programs. Following an invocation by Major Kent Davis, Houston area commander, Wanda Durant — entrepreneur, CEO, philanthropist and mother of NBA champio — shared her personal journey and the importance of philanthropy. In this community since 1889, The Salvation Army Greater Houston Area Command serves Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties through youth programs, homeless shelters, disaster relief, social services, senior programs and rehabilitation. The mission of The Salvation Army Greater Houston Area Command is to meet human needs without discrimination. Nationally, The Salvation Army assists nearly 30 million Americans each year across 5,000 communities.
Joe and Cathy Cleary
Rose Cullen, Wallace Wilson and Jeanie Kilroy Wilson Linda McReynolds, Elise Joseph, Walter McReynolds and Jenny Elkins
Maria and Neil Bush, Judy and Charles Tate
| Intown | Mv||21 January - February 2019 2019 25 January - February
The Game
Houston Sabercats’ Sam Windsor Rugby Gaining Mainstream Popularity John Granato (JG): Your Season is coming up, tell us about it. Sam Windsor (SW): Yup very close. We have two exhibition games before the league starts. January 11th is our first one, down at Constellation Field home of the Skeeters. That’ll be a return to Constellation for us; we played a nine-game exhibition season there last year so we’re really looking forward to going back down there. We had a great time there, the fans came out in the thousands, we put on a good show, and we’re hoping to repeat that this year. March 22nd is our home opener at the new Aveva Stadium, down the 288 at the Houston Sports Park and we’ll have five of our remaining home games played there. JG: Is it already, how’s it looking? SW: Not yet, it’s in progress. It’s looking great. JG: How many will it seat? SW: About 3 and a half thousand, which is modest for us. And if we pack that next year we can we can go to the city and say, “Hey we want more seats”. JG: Were you drawing that last year? SW: WE got 5 and half thousand to our home opener at Constellation and we averaged between 2 and 3 for the remaining games. Raheel Ramzanali (RR): So, the big thing with Aveva is just making sure that there’s a plan in place. You’ve got to build it up slowly and I think that it’s going to work for sure because you can actually serve stuff out there too, which is big because last year you couldn’t. SW: Exactly, that was a big thing for the other games we played at the Delmar Sports Facility at Dyer Stadium, which is an HISD School so we couldn’t serve beer on site. So a few of the supporters got a bit angry at that and didn’t turn out. Plus we were playing in June and July where it was near 100 degrees and 22 | Mv | January - February 2019
we wear a black jersey, black shorts. So it wasn’t great. JG: Are tickets affordable? SW: Tickets are very affordable. They’re on sale, single game tickets, season tickets. Single game tickets start between 20 and 30 bucks and you can get a season pass for under 300 bucks. Very affordable for a day or a night out for the whole family. JG: How well do Houstonians know the game? SW: They do! There’s surprisingly a lot of rugby in the city. There are over 50 teams from youth to both men’s and women’s. We’ve got a D1 team so they play in the national D1 competition. One of our coaches, Paul Emerick is here, he’s an ex-USA representative, he’s the coach of the West Houston Lions and he’s also the skills coach for us. He’s building a great program out there and it’ll be like our Triple A league, a feeder club for us. They’ve got players who are looking to
take their rugby to the next level, so we’re giving them a platform to perform. We can see them play, track their progress, and in a year or two’s time we bring them in to the Sabercats program. RR: And it’s really cool for these club teams now to have something to aspire for right here in the city. I know you found some guys at last year’s try-outs. You just want to get them in and maybe you discover somebody to be a part of your team. JG: Did you find any talent in the try-outs? SW:Last year we had 3 guys play consistently through the year. This year we had about 6 or 7 guys from our combine play for us in our exhibition games and our preseason scrimmages. So they’ll play a factor throughout the season and hopefully a couple of them will get a chance to play in the league. JG: Were there any novices who didn’t know anything about rugby who came out?
SW: Last year I reckon it was 50-50, people who had seen rugby and people who had never seen rugby. And then that was sort of a weekly occurrence. So the crowds got bigger, and then the rugby lovers and rugby crowds got bigger because there were people who had never seen or heard about it who came and they fell in love with it from watching one game. JG: We watch rugby on TV. We see the all blacks. Do you have to be a big guy if you want to play against those guys? SW: For any rugby player, that’s probably the aspiration. You want to play against the best, you want to beat the best. So challenging yourself against the better teams is something that is part of rugby. I watch a lot of football and now that I’m living in the states I have a newfound respect for it. But football is a game where you run at faces not spaces, while in rugby you run at spaces not faces, if that makes sense. So you can be small and little, but if you’re nimble and fast, you can get past someone, evade them and juke them out, and you
can play as long as you need or as long as you like. I’m not a big bloke in rugby terms, but if you’ve got your technique right when it comes to tackling and running then you can’t run without legs is what we like to say. So if you tackle someone by their legs, we tackle with our shoulders below the waist, that’s the most effective way to bring someone to the ground. RR: Are you ready for a decline this year? Because you’re officially married and usually when what happens that’s it right. SW: Nah, nah we’re still on the upward swing, we’re going good. My private life we’re on the up and rugby we’re on the up as well. We’ve got more fans, we’ve got a new team coming in, some new players, so we’re really looking forward to doing a lot better than we did last year, giving Houston something to cheer about and hopefully we bring another championship to this great city. JG: Where are the other teams? SW: We have Austin and New Orleans who are our two of our rivals, so we’ve
got a couple good derby matches against them. We’ve also got San Diego, Seattle, Utah, Colorado, New York’s in it this year, Toronto’s in it this year, so it’s plenty of travel. Boys coming from overseas get a chance to experience America, different cultures and different cities. We’re trying to advertise it to the world and make it a viable rugby option for players who are still in the peak of their career but also guys who are starting out wanting to get a break in the professional game. JG: And it’s the premier league in the states? SW: It is. It is the only professional rugby league in the states. JG: When does the season start? SW: January 11th we have an exhibition game and then Febuary 22nd we have our first league game. You can get tickets at houstonsabercats.com so come along! Aveva stadium will be the place to be! JG: Appreciate it! SW: Thanks for having me on guys. Cheers!
Let me guide you home. Recent Memorial Transactions
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All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage. Compass is a licensed real estate broker. Equal Housing Opportunity.
January - February 2019
| Mv | 23
Two Unexpected DC Tributes by Hon. Philip Berquist Honorary Consul of Croatia for Texas
by Peter Berquist
R
ecently I was honored to be invited to a series of events in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the upcoming retirement of Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah. A long-time friend of his from Houston, Monzer Hourani, had arranged a very special weekend in the Capitol. (I was graciously invited since I had been president of the Moores Society at the University of Houston for three years some twenty years ago). On Monday evening, December 3, there was to be a concert in the National Cathedral honoring Senator Hatch. Performing would be the entire orchestra and chorus of the Moores School of Music, the Houston youth chamber orchestra, Virtuosi of Houston, country star Lee Greenwood and many others. UH faculty members, Franz Anton Krager, Andrzej Grabiec would conduct the combined orchestras, and Betsy Cook Weber the chorus. Mr Hourani himself also was to conduct as well. Then, on Friday evening, former president George H. W. Bush passed away at his home in Houston. With the official state funeral now scheduled for Wednesday morning at the National Cathedral, the planned Hatch event was now in jeopardy at the same time that everyone boarded multiple flights from Houston to Washington. The National Cathedral could no longer be the venue as it would be closed for preparations for the funeral of 41. 24 | Mv | January - February 2019
Trump International Hotel Washington, D.C.
President George H.W. Bush hearse, with Air Force One in the background World War II Memorial Military honors for the president
January - February 2019
| Mv | 25
Monday evening concert at the Kennedy Center.
Not to be thwarted, forces were called in the save the day. Rumor was that the late Senator Edward Kennedy’s widow, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, arranged for the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to be the new venue. It may or may not have been Ms Kennedy, but somehow strings were pulled and the event was salvaged. Edward Kennedy and Orrin Hatch, despite their vast differences in politics and constitutional interpretations, had been best friends. With a new performance venue now secured (perhaps a blessing as the Kennedy Center certainly is better equipped, both physically and acoustically for such a concert) the other events of the weekend could now begin as originally planned. These included a dinner at the
Berquist visits with Rep. (elect) Dan Crenshaw and Croatian Consulate officials
| January 26 - February 2019 24 || Intown Mv | January - February 2019
Trump International Hotel (the lead hotel for the weekend) on Saturday night for well over 100 guests. Local Houston area member of Congress, Pete Olsen and newly elected Dan Crenshaw were among the guests. On Sunday morning, the ballroom of the Trump was the location for a brunch featuring Senator Hatch with several hundred guests attending including the student musicians following their morning rehearsal. Monday evening was the concert at the Kennedy Center. The place was packed and the performance exceeded all expectations. During the concert many tributes were made. The Mistress of Ceremonies was the widow of “The Champ” Muhammad Ali, Ms Lonnie Ali. Mak-
ing tribute speeches were Victoria Reggie Kennedy, Congressman Randy Weber, Senator John Cornyn, Senator Ted Cruz and Republican National Chair, Ronna Romney. Following the concert, another huge dinner was held at the Kennedy Center. After the dinner, a number of us went to the US Capitol Rotunda to pay our respects to “41” President George H.W. Bush, probably a once in a lifetime opportunity. We arrived about midnight and there was a modest line on that cold and damp evening. In front of me was a young couple and their 14 year old son. They had driven down from Pennsylvania, about a three hour drive, for the experience. They would drive back to get to work and school following the viewing
in the Rotunda. I was very impressed at their passion to do this with their son. Security was very tight but we were allowed unlimited time in the Rotunda for 41. We left the Capitol about 2:15 am and returned to the Trump for our last night. After flying home on Tuesday, my wife, Lisa Powell, and I had another great honor as we were invited, as part of the Consular Corps of Houston, to be at Ellington when the remains of 41, along with his entire family, returned to Houston. Naturally, there was personal time to explore Washington, D.C. I visited the World War II Memorial for the first time as well as the usual visits to the Mall and the Lincoln Memorial. I also found a great cigar/pipe shop a block and a half from the White House, W. Curtis Draper Tobacconist, at the same location since 1889. About a block away I found yet another treasure - Shelly’s Backroom tavern. Not only do they sell cigars and have a humidor - they maintain personal humidors for their customers - this allowed Shelly’s to be grandfathered when the no smoking rules in D.C. were put into place. Also a personal Bucket List item was finally checked off - a visit to Ford’s Theater and the Peterson House, where, of course, President Lincoln was shot and died in 1865. I was able to conduct some official consular business as well as I visited the Croatian Consulate for a meeting with Ambassador Pjer Šimunuvić. Post script - One person in particular needs to be acknowledged for the Hatch Tribute. Dr Garrett Peel, a member of the Virtuosi of Houston board of directors, produced the entire event. It was flawlessly done, with the most able assistance of his wife, Mandie. All flights, hotel accommodations, transportation in D.C., dinners et al were coordinated by them. Considering a last minute change of venue that would have driven most sane people over the edge, the Peels were seemingly not bothered at all. Everything was done to a gracious state of perfection. One can only imagine the kind of care that Dr Peel provides for his heart patients!
Shelly’s Backroom tavern sells cigars and maintains personal humidors for their customers
SAVINGS SALE
SEE SHOWROOM FOR DETAILS
The Shoppes at Memorial Villages 1022 Wirt Road #308 Houston, TX 77027 NE corner of I-10 at Wirt 713.627.8970 cabinetsanddesigns.net January - February 2019
| Mv | 27
Financial Financial Focus
Prepare financially for a
DISASTER
H
earing the first tornado siren of the season or tracking a hurricane’s path as it approaches the coast is a sobering reminder that Texans are vulnerable to natural disasters that leave damage and disruption behind. We’re taught to prepare—buy a weather band radio, create an evacuation plan, locate a safe place to shelter, stock up on essential supplies—but we may not be as ready for the financial stresses a disaster could bring. Prepare now to financially weather a natural disaster. Maintain a robust emergency fund. A significant disaster could displace you from your home or business for weeks, even months, and damage or destroy your personal property and vehicles. While you wait for insurance payments, you could need funds to live on and begin to recover. That’s why financial experts suggest that you maintain an emergency fund equal to at least six months of living expenses in an account that is liquid and easily accessible, such as a money market account. 28 | Mv | January - February 2019
By Karin Hall Senior Vice President Frost Commercial Banking
Keep cash on hand. In the wake of a disaster, large sections of your community could lose power, leaving you in the difficult position of paying cash for virtually every daily essential. Local ATMs may also be inaccessible because of damage or simply out of cash because of heavy use. To prepare yourself for these possibilities, keep enough cash in a safe place in your home to pay for a few days of necessities, such as food and gas. Store documents safely. Storing valuable hard copy documents in your home is convenient, but storage in a bank safe deposit box increases the likelihood your documents will survive anything Mother Nature brings your way. Store birth certificates, marriage and family records, adoption papers, wills, property deeds, insurance policies, passports, Social Security cards, immunization records, bank account and credit card information, and contracts in your safe deposit box. Review insurance coverage regularly. With the help of an insurance professional, examine your insurance policies—homeowners or renters, auto, and business property. This review will help ensure you have the right type of coverage for risks you are likely to face and the right amount of coverage for the value of your property, and will prevent unpleasant surprises if you need to file a claim.
Would you like to know more about Frost? Contact Karin Hall at 713.388.1190 or karin.hall@frostbank.com. Investment and insurance products are not FDIC insured, are not bank guaranteed, and may lose value. Brokerage services offered through Frost Brokerage Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, and investment advisory services offered through Frost Investment Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Both companies are subsidiaries of Frost Bank. Investment management services, financial planning and trust services are offered through Frost Wealth Advisors of Frost Bank. Additionally, insurance products are offered through Frost Insurance. Deposit and loan products are offered through Frost Bank, Member FDIC. Frost does not provide legal or tax advice. Please seek legal or tax advice from legal and/or tax professionals.
PERSONAL SERVICE AVAILABLE IN HANDSHAKES AND HANDHELDS. With the Frost App for iPhone® & Android ® you can deposit checks, transfer funds, find nearby locations and talk to a real person at the bank with a single tap.
frostbank.com 600 W Sam Houston Parkway N, Suite 730 Houston, TX 77024 (713) 388-7529 MEMBER FDIC
January - February 2019
| Mv | 29
Pinky Pampell and Dr. Robert Sloan
Jim Smith, Sherry Smith and Dr. Robert Soan
Tadd Tellepsen, Chip Gaines and Jennifer Tellepsen (Photo by Michael McKenney)
HBU HOSTS By Lindsay Mowad SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE GALA WITH KEYNOTE SPEAKER CHIP GAINES
Steve and Becky Kerns
Donna and Tony Vallone
Chairs Dr. Stewart Morris, Sr., Linda Davis, Bruce Williams, Becky Kerns, Steven Kerns and Houston Baptist University (HBU) hosted its Spirit of Excellence Gala, presented by Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. McNair and Dr. Stewart Morris, Sr. at The Post Oak Hotel. The event began with an auction of experiences at HBU, such as A Night at the Museum – private tour and dinner in our three University Museums, HBU Cheerleader for a Day, Camp HBU and much more. Guests had the privilege of listening to keynote speaker, Chip Gaines. Chip and his wife Joanna authors of New York Times bestseller, The Magnolia Story. Additionally, they co-starred on the popular HGTV show, Fixer Upper. Founded in 1960, Houston Baptist University is a private, Christian university with a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, with over 3,300 students. The money raised from the Gala will go toward providing the 94 percent of students that receive financial aid the money they need to attend HBU. For more info visit www.hbu.edu.
Linda and Archie Dunham
Photos by Dave Rossman Anne Neeson and Craig Janies
Mary Kate and Ben Carl
Steven and Katie Alaniz Chip Gaines and Dr. Robert Sloan
Guests browse Silent Auction items
Silent Auction items
30 | Mv | November - December
Dr. Stewart Morris and Jerry and Lisa Simon
WITH JOHN DAUGHERTY, REALTORS
Pictured above: Memorial Villages, Lindenwood Dr Pictured to the left: John A. Daugherty, Jr. Chairman and CEO Cheri Fama, President and COO
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