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Contents ON THE COVER: Jacki Etheredge & Laura Fowell Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson

Serving the Community of Towne Lake

6 6

Towne Lake Community Rallies Behind Queens of Heart

21 Canine Corner

I’m Not a Pinterest Mom

24 Cy-Fair Community Supports Furloughed Federal Employees

10 Cypress Happenings 12 Best of Cy-Fair: Verna Mae’s 14 Best of Cy-Fair: Gourmand Kitchen 16 Best of Cy-Fair: North Harbor Bistro 18 Cypress School News

22 Styling Your Man

26 Russell Holcombe Reflects on Music Career, Retirement Plans 28 Bluebonnets in Texas, Y’all! 30 Hearts of the Queens

PinPointe Magazine

Towne Lake Community Rallies Behind Queens of Heart RESIDENT PROFILE

“You can’t fight cancer alone. It was important to us, as

by Patricia Hudson

Jacki and Laura meet for the first time Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson

their friends, to show them that they have a whole village supporting them in

their time of need” - A Friend

earching for a story line for our upcoming Towne Lake edition of PinPointe Magazine, I stumbled upon an upcoming community event that caught my attention. Two young mothers, living, coincidentally, in the same section of Towne Lake, have been battling aggressive forms of cancer. While the road for their families has not been easy, a group of friends has stepped up to lend their support. As I reached out to interview the friends, I was surprised to learn that none of the them wished to be singled out, preferring, instead, to be known as “The Organizers.”

“You can’t ﬁght cancer alone. It was important to us, as their friends, to show them that they have a whole village supporting them in their time of need,” shared one friend.

I wanted to know how this eﬀort went from kindness to a “kick butt eﬀort,” as one of the organizers had voiced. “A group of us were talking about wanting to do something to show our support for the two families. Someone suggested a spaghetti dinner, and 6 March | April 2019

someone else suggested a poker tournament. We brainstormed and then it transformed into one big, family friendly, game-themed-playing event for the Queens to encompass all of the elements: a spaghetti dinner, silent auction, a family game night, and ending with a poker tournament. So many, many people have stepped up, hundreds, to volunteer in numerous capacities: praying, donating, volunteering to make food, volunteering for the

event, etc. Many people have been compelled to help because they have felt a connection to the situation; they have had a loved one go through this.

We are hosting a benefit for two amazing families, the Etheredge and Fowell families. We want to show them that their community and friends love them and are supporting their fight against cancer. 100 % of the proceeds will be split between the two families to help defray some of the extra expenses that come with fighting (and kicking) Cancer's butt!”

PinPointe Magazine

Queen Jacki

Queen Jacki Etheredge is married to Steven, who is in year three of cancer remission, himself. They have two children, Owen, 15, and Erin, 7, with a third little girl joining the family in March. (At the time of publication, Jacki was 32 weeks into her pregnancy.) “My doctors are hoping that I make it to 34 to 35 weeks. We’re shooting for March 20, as this is my husband Steven’s birthday,” shares Jacki. The family stays busy yeararound with baseball; Owen, a freshman, is a member of the Cy Ranch Sophomore Baseball team. Jacki was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in November while in her second trimester of pregnancy. This is Jacki's second time to battle cancer as she had Hodgkin's Lymphoma in her 20's. She has recently had a few rounds of chemotherapy while pregnant, and will continue treatment after the baby is born.

“So, we live in this amazing neighborhood that’s not only beautiful, but ﬁlled with beautiful and caring people. Our amazing neighborhood is throwing a big party for my family, as well as another family whose mama is also ﬁghting a nasty cancer. We each have small kids, so this show of support means more than anyone can imagine.” - Jacki Etheredge

Steven and Jason provide loving tributes to Jacki and Laura. See pages 30 and 31.

8 March | April 2019

Queen Laura

“The outpouring of support you have shown to Jacki and I are a testament of true friendship, true neighborly love and a true sense of community.” - Laura Fowell

Queen Laura Fowell and her husband, Jason, and have three children: Grace, 5, and twins Emma, 10, and Colin, 10. The family attends Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, and are active with their children's sports and activities. Laura was diagnosed with grade 3 astrocytoma brain cancer in December, 2017. She had brain surgery and they removed as much of the tumor as possible. Laura has just completed a year of chemotherapy and is continuing to treat her tumor with the Optune device.

I’m Not a

By Liz Arrington

Mom Remember when Pinterest became a “thing”? I was a young working mom, and I would spend hours going down the rabbit hole of countless recipes, craft ideas, organization hacks, home design and parenting memes. I became slightly obsessed with crafting a creative, efficient, and picture perfect home for my family. And I was not alone; the Pinterest phenomenon was spreading like wildfire among my peers. Everything was over-thetop creative: class parties, birthday parties, play dates, everything became Pinterest-worthy. Some of us were more successful than others, I definitely fell more into the “Pinterest Fail” category. The more creative moms were labeled as “Pinterest Moms” and the distinction of whether you were one or not became an important factor in my small community. Creativity became synonymous with “Pinterest-worthy”.

before. I respect people who were able to use that to express themselves and share those gifts with us. Creativity comes in so many diﬀerent forms. The mom I was in those early days of Pinterest was overlooking the valuable and unique ways that I WAS creatively parenting, in less obvious or visible ways. My kids and I never got around to any of the painted canvases, stick art, photo-worthy cupcakes, or decoupaged globes. But we DID draw countless trains and dinosaurs on restaurant napkins. We did sing in the kitchen while we made cupcakes from a box, and held dance parties in the living room. I didn’t hand knit a dreamy tooth fairy pillow, but I managed to pull oﬀ a few scarves and crooked hats. I never made a fairy garden in our back yard, but we wandered in the woods and played with sticks and rocks for hours and hours. We. Read. Non. Stop.

I noticed that moms were quick to diminish their own creativity if they were not bringing 25 handmade multilayered Oreo cookie snowman treats to the first grade winter party, or planning themed educational activities for every day of spring break. “I’m not a Pinterest Mom” we would say to each other as we dropped off a bag of suckers picked up at the last minute on the way to school. While I know that ours was not the first generation of moms to competitively try to out-do each other creatively, I am sure that the birth of the “Pinterest Mom” pushed us into a new level. I’m not here to criticize or judge the moms who embraced the creativity a nd i nsp i r a t i o n o f Pinterest. I love that my kids are able to enjoy sp e c ial t rea t s a nd experiences because of these women. Pinterest opened us up to a world of ideas and projects we could share with each other in ways that we had never been able to do

As the role of social media has evolved, so have the ways people use Pinterest. First of all, it’s much more inclusive. I laugh when I look back at my first pins and remember a much younger and more ambitious woman. What a relief to step back and appreciate a more comfortable relationship with my own creativity. Placing unrealistic expectations limits us so much, when creativity is such a natural expression of who we are. When you define yourself in terms of who you are, instead of who you are NOT, there is so much more room for authentic creativity in your life. The moms who were with me in those early years of Pinterest fails and over the top Liz Arrington is a Texas comparisons, I’m so transplant who has settled into we found a way to happy Cypress with her husband, Sean, embrace the different and two energetic boys, Griffin, 12, gifts and abilities we all and Holden, 4. She combines her bring to the table or background in working with classroom. If you find children and families with her love of music, to provide early yourself stuck in the childhood music and movement comparison trap, I invite classes to the families of Cypress. you to take a look at the See this article and more thoughts simple every day ways on creative family life at that you express your www.songfulbeginnings.com. own creativity. PinPointe Magazine

Cypress

HAPPENINGS

F O R M O R E , G O T O B E S T O F CY FA I R . C O M

Rotary Foundation Casino Night Saturday, March 23, 2019 • 7:00pm-11:00pm benefitting CyFair Nonprofit organizations Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, 11507 Huffmeister Road rotarycypressfairbanks.org

The 2nd Annual Cy-Ranch Mattress Fundraiser

God of Carnage Playhouse 1960

Saturday, March 23, 2019 • 10:00am-5:00pm Cy-Ranch H.S. • 10700 Fry Rd. • Cypress, TX 77433 Hosted by Custom Fundraising Solutions Houston West Save up to 50% Off Retail! Come get a better night’s sleep AND support the 2nd Annual Cypress Ranch Band & Guard Boosters Mattress Fundraiser! We carry quality name brands like Simmons and Beautyrest mattresses priced up to 50% off retail. Adjustable frame, pillows, and sheets will all help you rest easy! This is ONE DAY only, so we need your help to SPREAD THE WORD by inviting all of your family and friends! Proceeds go directly to the Band Booster Club Program! bit.ly/Beds4CyRanch2

March 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 8:00pm • March 17 3:00pm 6814 Gant Road #116 • Houston, TX 77066 God of Carnage is a play by Yasmina Reza. It is about two sets of parents, one of whom’s child has hurt the other at a public park. They agree to meet to discuss the matter in a civilized manner. However, as the evening goes on, the parents become increasingly childish, resulting in the evening devolving into chaos. (Mature language) 281-587-8243 • www.ph1960.com

Saturday, March 30, 2019 The Lakehouse at Towne Lake 10000 Towne Lake Parkway Cypress, TX 77433 A benefit for the Etheredge and Fowell families Open to the public. More details at: playingforqueenofhearts.com

Bridgeland Community Friday Night Bites Second Friday of every month Friday, March 8, 2019 & Friday, April 12, 2019 • 6pm - 10pm Lakeland Village Center 16902 Bridgeland Landing • Cypress, TX Grab your lawn chairs, blankets and enjoy great food truck fare!

10 March | April 2019

Playing for the Queen of Hearts Benefit

Wine Fair Cy-Fair 2019

Relay for Life of Cy-Fair

Saturday, March 30, 2019 • 5:30pm-8:30pm Cypress Village Station • 25282 Northwest Fwy, • Cypress, TX 77429 Hosted by Wine Fair Cy-Fair and Cy-Fair Houston Chamber www.winecyfair.com

Saturday, April 27, 2019 • 3-9pm Presented by HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress Bayou City Fellowship • 12715 Telge Road • Cypress, TX Support, Celebrate & Remember! Food, DJ, Fundraising, Games, fun for the whole family! Sponsorships available. Contact: cyfairrfl@gmail.com Info at: www.relayforlife.org/cyfairtx

Shield Bearer Running for Hearts 5K Family Fun Run & Walk Saturday, March 30, 2019 • 7:00am-11:00am Windwood Church • 10555 Spring Cypress Road • Houston, TX This family friendly event will feature a 5K timed, trail style run, a 1mile family walk, games for the kids, t-shirts, food, prizes, and lots of fun for all ages. Race registration is $25 for adults (ages 14 and up) and $10 for children (ages 13 and under) before March 15, 2019. Registration, sponsorship, vendor, fundraising, and volunteer information is available at shieldbearer.org/5K. Proceeds for the event will fund services and programs at Shield Bearer, a Houston based 501c3 nonprofit counseling and community resource center that provides services on a sliding scale. Additional information about services and programs can be found online at shieldbearer.org or by calling (281) 894-7222.

Bridgeland Car Show Saturday, April 6, 2019 • 10am-4pm Oak Meadow Park • House and Hahl Road • Cypress, TX 77433 Cars, trucks and motorcycles welcome to enter. 1st-5th place trophies. Contact: info kellyco86@att.net. Space is limited.

Lone Star College - CyFair Library Adult Computer Classes 9191 Barker Cypress • Cypress, TX 77433 Free computer classes. No registration required. All classes meet in the library in room 105. Call the reference desk with any questions For more info, please visit: www.lonestar.edu/library/15212.htm

Free Yoga & Meditation Sessions at the Library Lone Star College- CyFair Library 9191 Barker Cypress • Cypress, TX 77433 No registration, just bring your mat and show up 5-10 minutes before the session begins. No yoga experience is necessary. Tuesdays 7:15am-8:15am Thursdays 5:30pm-6:30pm All sessions are held in library room 131. Please email librarian Jane Stimpson with questions at jane.d.stimpson@lonestar.edu The LSC-CyFair library is part of the HCPL system and open to the public.

For more upcoming events, go to www.bestofcyfair.com

PinPointe Magazine

The Best of Cy-Fair P L A C E S T O E AT

VERNA MAE’S by Patricia Hudson With a schedule so crammed with activity that I seldom take a break from the rat race, I finally decided to give into a craving today. Putting away my laptop, I grabbed my car keys, dodged the raindrops and made my way to Verna Mae’s Po-Boys, Seafood & More, 16010 West Road, for a late lunch. The sign above the door, Bienvenue, beckoned me in; gaily decorated umbrellas and a plethora of purple, green, and gold beads left no doubt that Cajun cuisine

reigns supreme here. But is it “authentic?” Jennifer Bettis, a native Louisiana Cajun, and frequent flier, Gary Barbin from Baton Rouge, love having Verna Mae’s around the corner for a taste of home. Verna Mae’s is owned and operated by Cy Fair resident Susan Ballard and her husband Don. Her daughter, Christy Kyzar, explains, “Verna Mae was my mother’s mother, and the source for many of our recipes. My 12 March | April 2019

grandfather was Italian, and quite a cook, as well. Our remoulade recipe came from him. The idea to open a restaurant actually came from wanting to open a catering business. We were looking for a commercial kitchen when we found this site, and that it actually had a restaurant attached to it encouraged us to buy it in January of 2018.” A family business, Christy and her husband Gary also work at the restaurant. “My 14-year-old is on the payroll and washes dishes, and my other kids are often found bussing tables,” Christy adds. Greeted warmly by the gentleman at the counter, I shared that it was my first visit. Launching into an explanation of the entire menu, he began by telling me that the batter for everything was freshly prepared daily and all is fried per order, and per dietary restrictions. Suggestions of appetizers such as Boudin Balls, $6.99, Fried Gator Bites, $8.99, and the Sampler Platter, $15.99, (offering a choice of four appetizers), put temptation front and center. Elisabeth Lingener proclaims, “The Stuffed Artichokes taste just like I remember from my New Orleans childhood.” Steaming pots of chicken and sausage file, $6.99, and seafood gumbo, $8.99 a bowl, simmered on the stove, begging to be sampled. (I recommend the

seafood gumbo; the rich Cajun seasoning transports you straight to Bourbon Street!) Po-Boy choices abound, and range from Gregory Loyacano’s choice, Roast Beef 6” at $6.99/12” at $12.99 to Fried Crawfish, $9.99/$15.99, and Fried Soft-Shell Crab, $12.99/$17.99. There’s a Muffaletta sandwich, resplendent with the marinated olive salad and wonderful selection of meats and cheeses, $6.99/$14.99. The usual fare of cheeseburgers, hot dogs, grilled and fried chicken are also available. What sent me back to my childhood, however, was the final

offering on the Po-Boy/Sandwich side of the menu, a Fried Bologna Sandwich- served on sliced white bread and dressed as requested, just like mama used to make! Price: $4.99! Oh, and I nearly forgot to mention that they offer a Seafood Platter, “A family-sized portion of all your favorite seafood, served with fries, onion rings, hushpuppies, a choice of potato salad or green salad.” Price tag: $39.99.

has the best fried fish in the south. Their crawfish is so tasty, you save your fingers for sucking later. Freshest crab on this side of LA!”

Verna Mae’s 16010 West Rd Houston, Texas 77095 832.674.4976 vernamaes.com

Ah, the Seafood Baskets… the reason I found myself checking out Verna Mae’s in the first place! I was craving some awesome fried fish! Hmm, should I go for the Cajun Fried Catfish, or the fried shrimp, both served with fries, hushpuppies and toasted French Bread, straight from Gambino’s in Louisiana? The solution? I ordered a basket with a half order of each, and paid an extra dollar to try out their onion rings. Like customer Carolyn Cockrell, I LOVED the catfish and shrimp; it was hot, beautifully battered, and more than I could eat with two generous portions of catfish and four shrimp! The onion rings were tasty and ample in number, but the hushpuppies were just a bit too dense for my taste. I opted for water, but wouldn’t have minded having a frozen Hurricane, if I didn’t have other places to be afterwards! My bill came to $15.14, and I took about 1/3 of my basket home to enjoy later. It’s Mardi Gras time, so the crawfish are plentiful, and special events are planned in celebration; live music, DJS, karaoke & Zydeco, even line dancing. “We actually have music on the weekends, but we’ve stepped it up for Mardi Gras,” explained the gentleman working the counter. Verna Mae’s always has Gambino’s King Cakes; order slices of traditional, cream cheese, Bavarian Cream, or Pralines and Strawberry, $4.99. The eatery is kid friendly, with a menu in the $5-$6 range. Cypress Foodie, Stacy L. Tran adds her stamp of approval, “Verna Mae’s PinPointe Magazine

GOURMAND KITCHEN

The Best of Cy-Fair E AT I N G O U T O N A B U D G E T

Review and photos by Craig Hoffman Fat & Happy Foodie • #FatnHappyFoodie We visited Gourmand Kitchen in Cypress. This local family owned restaurant is inspired by a combination of American roots and influenced by European culinary styles. “Gourmand” is a person who takes great pleasure in eating good food and drinks. Gourmand Kitchen does a great job catering to us Cypress Foodies. On my first visit, I was greeted by Chris, one of the owners, who was very gracious and made sure that I had a perfect first impression. I was served a fresh batch of hummus, freshly made, with chips. This complimentary appetizer was so delicious I feasted on seconds. Coming directly from a mid-day workout at Lifetime Fitness, I asked for a healthy option for lunch and he suggested the Ultimate Quinoa with a side of protein. I chose the salmon and was not disappointed. The quinoa was made with broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini,

yellow squash, shaved asparagus, cranberries and a parmesan lemon turmeric dressing. I never knew eating healthy would taste so good. The Ultimate Quinoa is only $8.98, h o weve r, adding salmon, shrimp, beef, chicken or tofu is an added cost. The Ultimate Quinoa is a must try dish! Tonight, my wife ordered the Bistro Filet, a beautiful 8 oz. grass fed tender filet with chimichurri sauce. Her choice of two sides included a spinach salad with red onion, tomatoes and a home-made ranch dressing. The mashed potatoes were whipped and plentiful. Their selection of sides is extensive and includes Truffle Fries, Asparagus shaved Carrots, Roasted Cauliflower, Ancho Bacon Mac & Cheese, Sweet Potato Fries, Whipped Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts and French Fries. Well worth the $22 price tag, we took home leftovers. I requested the BLTA. This is a $9.98 lunch item that features grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, avocado, crispy bacon and pecan pesto ranch in a ciabatta. The freshly made potato chips were top notch. The combination of flavors is on target, however, Ciabatta may be more than what this sandwich needed.

14 March | April 2019

Gourmand Kitchen has a wonderful bar with top shelf liquors and a nice selection of wines to choose from. I tried the “Perfect Margarita,” made with Patron, and my wife enjoyed a

glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The “Perfect Margarita” was super tasty. The top shelf ingredients make this a delicious drink, on the rocks with a salted rim. The wine was generously poured and the bartender stopped by to make sure we were satisfied. “We were VERY satisfied”. The restaurant is very modern with high ceilings and modern music piped in. We prefer sitting in a booth for a slightly warmer atmosphere, which happens to be directly in front of the bar. The staff is very attentive. Whether it’s water refills, clearing plates or just checking on your party, they are there to serve you. It’s nice when the owner stops by your table and shares their story. They are sincere about making sure you get the “Gourmand” experience and want you to feel at home. Truly blown away on my first visit, I had to bring my wife to dinner. Gourmand Kitchen has a weekly “Steak Night;” I highly recommend coming out to take advantage of the restaurant and deals they provide. Make sure to have the hummus and a specialty cocktail to start the evening. Appetizers include the “Brussels Sprouts & Grits” with shaved Parmesan, sea salt and an olive oil drizzle and balsamic reduction. Also

the Argentinian Empanadas which are pastry dough stuffed with seasoned ground all natural beef, egg, onions, green olives with house made chimichurri and cilantro cream. Additional healthy options include their “Veggie Tower” served with eggplant, zucchini and mushroom layers with flaxseed, ricotta cheese, pecan pesto and house tomato sauce (gluten free). Their “Cauliflower Steak”is two pieces of roasted cauliflower topped with a soft poached egg, portobello mushrooms, balsamic reduction, and mashed sweet potatoes. Make sure to check out their website. The pictures on their website are very accurate to what you’ll get when you’re served. Sign up for their Newsletter and be the first to hear about new menu items, special offers, giveaways, discounts and perks. I highly recommend Gourmand Kitchen for a healthy and delicious dining experience.

Gourmand Kitchen 9818 Fry Rd. • Suite #130 • Cypress, TX 77433 281.694-5295 • gourmandkitchen.com

For more information on places to dine, go to www.bestofcyfair.com. PinPointe Magazine

NORTH HARBOR BISTRO

The Best of Cy-Fair E AT I N G O U T O N A B U D G E T

Review and photos by Craig Hoffman Fat & Happy Foodie • #FatnHappyFoodie So it’s Wednesday night and We’re having a craving for Chinese food. Not just any Chinese food but GOOD Chinese food. I’ve tried several local Chinese restaurants in NW Houston/Cypress over the last 30 years. Sometimes you need to order from them 2 or 3 times before you find something you like...then you just order the same meal every time. I want something new...something fresh...something GOOD! Thanks to the internet I’m able to search the community for new restaurants, look at pictures of food and read reviews. I can’t believe it, right here in the neighborhood about 5 miles away is “North Harbor Bistro”. I’ve never seen such raving reviews and high ratings of any restaurant like I’m seeing for them. So.....here we go!

Young Brothers Tae Kwon Do and Wonderland Pediatric Dentistry. Parking was not a problem. We were greeted by a very friendly and smiling Sarah who was working as manager, hostess and waitress. They have other very friendly staff, however, she went out of her way to make sure we had an excellent experience.

We arrived around 6:30pm, they are tucked away in a strip center off Fry Rd. and N. Bridgeland Lake Pkwy between

I told her this was our first time visiting, my friend Brian and I enjoy eating, and we were open to recommendations.

832-334-4862 (GUN2) 15926 Cypress N. Houston #100 Cypress, TX 77429 We have a great selection of Firearms! Both New & Used! Pre-Owned Cash Consignment Guns & Appraisals Smith & Wesson • Howa • Beretta • Ruger • FNH Glock • Colt • Springfield • KelTec • Benelli • Savage Sig Sauer • Remington • DPMS • Henry • Winchester Taurus • HK • Bersa • Mossberg • Rock River Weatherby • Stag • Walther • And Much More!!!

www.agroutdoors.net 16 March | April 2019

Store Hours: Tue. - Fri. 9:00am - 6:00pm Saturday 9:00am - 4:00pm Sunday-Monday CLOSED

We started with appetizers: 1. Chicken Spring Roll (2 for $2.95) - these were basically two thin fried egg rolls with sweet and sour sauce (more sweet than sour). These were delicious. Egg rolls are a staple of any Chinese restaurant. These have to be good....and they were. 2. Cheese Puffs (6 for $5.50) these are what other restaurants refer to as Crab Rangoon. These were loaded with cheese, mild crab flavor and were perfectly displayed. My daughter and I order these everywhere we go. I’ll be bringing her next time. 3. Pan Fried Pork Dumplings (8 for $6.50) - this was recommended by Sarah as a customer favorite and I’m glad we ordered them. I could have ordered a second or third they were so good. Served hot with dipping sauce. The Main Dishes: 1. Mongolian Beef ($10.95) - perfectly cooked, tender beef with grilled onions and delicious. We fought over this one. This is a top seller and now I know why. 2. Spicy Triple Delight ($14.50) - Scallops, shrimp and chicken stir-fry with mixed vegetables in a special brown sauce. OMG...The Sea Scallops were HUGE. The protein was plentiful in this dish and the spice was just right. I’m sure you may request different levels of heat. We asked for sides of white rice, fried rice, combo fried rice and Lo mein noodles. We were totally impressed with all of the sides. The combo fried rice was loaded with meats. We could have ordered the Lo mein with vegetables or meats also but we were already unbuttoning

our pants and loosening our belts (not really ??). The Lo mein was excellent! The Ambience: I was really impressed with the interior. Large tables made with thick real wood table tops, sturdy cushioned chairs and tiled floors. Cloth napkins with silverware on each table. The Asian chandelier lighting was a nice touch. This offered a very warm and welcoming environment. Much nicer than many other Chinese restaurants we’ve experienced. I always check the bathrooms; they were large private bathrooms, very clean and spacious. How much room do you really need? The owners, Ray and Ying Mao and their two young boys, ages two and three, reside in The Bridgelands. They’ve been servicing the community for a few years, and according to Sarah they’ve recently been awarded best restaurant within the community. The reviews from BeyondMenu.com (order online) go back to 2016 and they are rated 4.76 out of 5 (63 reviews). North Harbor Bistro delivers for free ($15 minimum order) within a 5 mile radius. If you are outside the 5 mile radius they’ll still deliver for a small delivery fee. Their website offers pictures that are very accurate to what we ordered and received at our table. Bottom Line: North Harbor Bistro is just that...a Bistro. They serve a variety of dishes, have a beautiful ambience and provide a wonderful dining experience. Sarah was a delight and we look forward to returning to try many more of their specialty dishes. The prices are very reasonable for the serving sizes and to offer free delivery within a 5 mile radius is a big bonus when other delivery services normally charge a fee. I give them a big thumbs up. North Harbor Bistro 10920 Fry Rd #600 • Cypress, TX 77433 281.246.1171 • northharborbistrotx.com

PinPointe Magazine

CYPRESS SCHOOL NEWS News Source: CFISD News & Bridgeland High School Media

Cypress Ranch Dance Team Showcases Talents

Cy Ranch Classics at the 2019 CFISD Dance Show-Offs on Jan. 19 at the Berry Center

The CFISD Dance Show Offs and Solo and Ensemble events showcased secondary dance programs, with over 200 individual performances, and 26 team routine performances over two days. Each dance team performed two routines at the event, which kicked off with a performance by the All-District Dance Team. Dancers gave solo and ensemble performances at the Berry Center on Jan. 18, prior to Saturday’s events. The combined events featured more than 700 participants districtwide. Nine students were recognized for excellence in dance and were named recipients of the 2019 All-District Dance Team Scholarships. These students included Cypress Ranch Classics Kendall Lyons- $250, and Asia Franklin– $1,500.

Youth Art Month Capitol Student Art Selections Wells Elementary student, Stella Roger, was chosen along with 8 other students from the District to represent Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in the Texas Art Education Association Youth Art Month Capitol Exhibit. These CFISD art students are in the Stella Roger: The Sun’s View in the Morning running to showcase work among other PK-12th grade students from over 50 participating Texas School Districts, Private and Charter Schools. Approximately 115 pieces of artwork will be chosen from overall submissions to be on display during March – Youth Art Month, at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum from March 3-17, 2019

Bridgeland Student Receives Special Merit Award in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Competition CFISD’s winners in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) School Art Program were announced in early January, following judging by art teachers and professors, art professionals and the members of the Texas Art Education Association board. The judges chose the top artwork from CFISD student artists, with the selections taken to NRG Arena for the next level of the contest. Bridgeland High School sophomore Christen Lee’s artwork, “Country Boy I Love You,” won a special merit award in the High School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Program.

Cy-Ranch Wrestler Wins Runner-Up at UIL State Competition

Zack Good wrestles Katy’s Daniel Manibog in the Class 6A 160-pound championship at the UIL Wrestling Championships on Feb. 23 at the Berry Center.

18 March | April 2019

Cypress Ranch High School senior Zack Good nearly quit wrestling in January after suffering an injury but finished as the state runner up. Good suffered a facial injury during the CFISD Invitational. He’d recently enlisted in the military and didn’t want to hinder his future plans. But coaches and teammates convinced Good to see it all the way through and it ended up with him standing on the medal stand at State. The following girls’ wrestlers placed among the top six in the state: Lydia Ramos, Cypress Ranch – fifth place, 110 pounds Olivia Mottley, Cypress Ranch – fifth place, 119 pounds In the boys’ tournament, Cypress Ranch was the highest-placing team, tying for 15th with 37 total points. The following boys’ wrestlers finished among the top six in the state: Xavior Harrell, Cypress Ranch – sixth place, 106 pounds Zack Good, Cypress Ranch – second place, 160 pounds

Cypress Ranch High School junior Olivia Mottley (below) placed fifth in the Class 6A 119-pound division at the UIL State Wrestling Championships, held Feb. 22-23 at the Berry Center. Mottley won three matches at state, finishing with 60 for the year and setting a 6A single-season record for all weight classes.

Cy-Ranch Girls Basketball Defeats Oak Ridge The Cypress Ranch Lady Mustangs defeated Oak Ridge 54-41 on February 14to win the AREA matchup and move on to the next round of playoffs. Photo Credit: Greg Andrews

PinPointe Magazine

Bridgeland and Cy Ranch Students Earn Regional 2019 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Bridgeland and Cy Ranch students were among the regional winners from 18 Harris County school districts in the 2019 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, hosted by the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE). The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards provide teen artists and writers in grades 7-12 the opportunity to showcase their work as it identifies and documents their outstanding achievements. The competition’s mission is to bring outstanding visual art and writing to a national audience by showcasing work and encouraging young students’ creative journeys and career development. Students were recognized with Gold Key, Silver Key and honorable mention awards. Artists receiving Gold Key recognition will have their work advanced to the national competition.

GOLD KEY WINNERS Bridgeland Chanel Deady - Photography Broken Image Griffin Kaye - Photography Distortion Mia Lawton - Digital Art Holding On Amanda Luca - Photography Yearning Faith Neumann - Photography Mitosis Cypress Ranch Chelsia Allen - Photography The Otherside Emma Keiser - Digital Art i wanna be a cowboy babbyy Ashlyn Chlouber - Photography Michael Jayvion Harold - Digital Art Bacon Distortion

SILVER KEY WINNERS Bridgeland Christen Lee - Drawing and Illustration So Fetch! Mia Lawton - Digital Art A World of Light Amanda Luca- Digital Art Cece Hannah Maringer - Drawing & Illustration Scream It Out Alexandra Thompson - Photography Hades

Cypress Ranch Joshua Gutierrez - Digital Art Smothered Argos Lara - Painting Frida Has Feathers Kayla Roth - Photography Diorama Katherine Pilbeam- Photography Into the Light Zane Plaisance- Art Portfolio The Unseen Alexandra Cowburn- Photography Focus

HONORABLE MENTION WINNERS Bridgeland Hanson Lee - Digital Art The Rip Behind The Wall Anya Mohammed- Drawing & Illustration Confusion Marley Moran - Digital Art Kuroo Kayla Pendleton - Mixed Media Guitar Noah Rivaz - Digital Art Geometric Portrait Diana Rodriguez - Photography Snow Brother Bristol Sawicki - Ceramics & Glass Dragon Mug Emely Sierra - Photography Night Alexandra Thompson- Photography Pistanthrophobia

Cypress Ranch Alyssa Cassity - Digital Art Swinging Alyssa Cassity - Art Portfolio Inner Reality Emma Hilburn - Sculpture Placebo Casey Lewis - Digital Art Vintage Men Gianna Ligotino - Art Portfolio Countenance Lauren Manahl - Digital Art Lost Catherine Morales - Digital Art Fountain of Youth Catherine Morales - Art Portfolio Life Itself Andrew Parkerton - Art Portfolio Connections Lauren Pavlina - Photography Reflections of the Past Katherine Pilbeam - Photography Lost Mary Shank - Sculpture Just a Girl Rebecca Shannon - Photography Perspectives Alexander Sundara - Digital Art Time’s Eye Ana Tovar - Digital Art Sailing On A Boulder

Salyards Sixth Grade Student Wins MS Spelling Bee Salyards Middle School sixth-grade student Shawn Ray won first place by correctly spelling the word oaxaca in the 24th round of the annual districtwide Middle School Spelling Bee, held Feb. 7 at the Berry Center.

For more school news visit: www.bestofcyfair.com. 20 March | April 2019

And follow us on facebook: Pinpointe Magazines - Cypress

Canine Corner

By Patricia Hudson

Editor’s Note: When Sean Christopher, my only child, went off to college, I was devastated. I decided to “replace” him with a rescue pup. Sophia, a precious, petite, but pregnant little yorkie-poo, had been abandoned in someone’s backyard! SAVE Rescue Coalition took her in, found homes for her puppies and had her spayed. When I saw “Lilo,” on SAVE’s website, I fell in love! She was exactly what I needed, and by the love she has shown me, it was what she needed, too. Sophia, as we call her, is my constant companion, my source of comfort, and joy. (She is sleeping contentedly, sharing my recliner, as I type!) Sophia and I want to encourage everyone to “Adopt, not Shop.” We are introducing a new column, The Canine Corner. Here is our first Doggie Dossier.

Gloria

Sweet little Gloria was dropped off on the side of the road in Vidor, TX and left to fend for herself. Houston Beagle and Hound Rescue was contacted to get her some help. Gloria was in rough shape when she went to see the vet and needed lots of TLC. Now, this purebred Beagle is a very good looking 9 ½ year old girl with a soft tri-color coat of fur, thanks to a small pill for her thyroid. Gloria weighs about 25 lbs. She is spayed, and all of her shots are up to date. She is house-trained and is good with other dogs and kids. Gloria is getting used to slow, gentle walks and loves to play outside with her other beagle sisters. Most of the day, you will find her snoozing away in her kennel. She normally prefers to nap there during the day. At night, she’ll either snooze in the kennel or on her favorite doggie bed. Gloria enjoys being picked up and rocked like a baby when she’s in the mood! She’s getting better at house manners, but may need a bit more training. She knows how to sit when it’s treat time and will run to her kennel to gobble away her breakfast and dinner. Gloria has been with HBHR far too long, and is ready for her forever home. Please welcome her in and make her golden years the best years of her life.

Houston Beagle and Hound Rescue, Inc. (HBHR) is a non-profit 501-(c)-3, all-volunteer organization dedicated to beagle and hound rescue. We are a small group of volunteers who foster dogs in our homes. There is no shelter facility. We provide placement assistance to shelters and individuals who need to find homes for hounds which, for various reasons, have become stray or homeless. Most of our animals come from high-kill animal control facilities where they were scheduled to be euthanized. Our goal is finding homes for the dogs with families who want to continue our mission of giving the neglected dogs a second chance. “We currently have around 40 dogs, most of whom are vetted, but some are boarded because we simply don’t have enough fosters.” -Cindy Compton, HBHR Events Coordinator For more information about Gloria and other Beagles looking for a family, please go to: www.houstonbeaglerescue.org

PinPointe Magazine

STYLING YOUR MAN SUBTLE WAYS TO STEP UP YOUR MAN'S STYLE, WITHOUT CHANGING WHO HE IS.

START SMALL : FUNKY COLOR OR WILD PATTERNED SOCKS. BOWTIE > TIE SKINNY TIE > NOT SO SKINNY TIE POCKET SQUARE? GO BRIGHT OR GO HOME. 22 March | April 2019

When it comes to making style suggestions for your partner, it is best to tread lightly. Men are creatures of habit and comfort, so sliding into a super skinny jean with a slim fit tee may not be in the cards. With that being said, the way the clothing fits your hubby makes a big difference. A smaller framed man looks even smaller in baggy clothing, and a larger framed man will look bigger if his clothes are a size or two up. STYLE TAKEAWAY: Regardless of his size, don't let your man get lost in clothes that are big and baggy. I am constantly buying and suggesting clothes for my husband that I think are cool or trendy, and they are now currently at a resale shop because they have never been worn. My husband has great fashion sense, but he also has his limits. He has to dress professionally during the week, so on the weekends he is super casual. Knowing this, I trade out his older, faded, "Sponge Bob, square tees" (wider than they are long) for comfortable, slim fitting solid tees. Fitted tees are a great weekend option, and also can be worn under a blazer if you have a dinner date! ! STYLE TAKEAWAY: Find and embrace HIS style, not what YOU want his style to be.

MEN: THINGS TO CONSIDER 1. If you have not worn it in over a year...get rid of it. 2. Pick one: Brown leather or black leather accessories, but never both. 3. Try something new, a funky patterned shirt, fashionable scarf or hat...live a little.

4. Try to be the best dressed guy in every room. What would that look like for you? 5. Start noticing the way your favorite sports player dresses off of the field. Are there any outfits you could copy with what is in your closet? 6. Keep your brand a secret...stick to logo-less looks. 7. SINGLE GUYS: Think of any errand, or adventure outside of your house as an opportunity to meet someone new...so dress for the occasion. The coffee shop, grocery store, and dog park are all places where you could meet "The One." 8. Size matters. Between a guy who wore a shirt that was super baggy, and a guy that wore a shirt that was WAY too tight...you are neither...Be that guy that wears a shirt that fits him. 9. If you are uncomfortable, DON'T DO IT! There is a difference between trying something out of your comfort zone, and being physically uncomfortable. One is ok, the other is NOT.

10. Don't be so hard on yourself. Clothing is like packaging, it is not more important than what is inside. You should be willing to take a chance and try something new, but also stay true to who you are and what works for your lifestyle. Steve Jobs wore a black turtleneck for most of his adult life, and he did fine for himself... and so did David Bowie.

Style Questions for next issue? Email highheelsnmohawks@gmail.com

PinPointe Magazine

Cy-Fair Community Supports Furloughed Federal Employees By Patricia Hudson

community ministry, and local eateries from Cypress, Tomball, Spring, and Katy, are reaching out to help to fill the stomachs of furloughed federal workers. Metta Archilla, Cypress Area Eats Administrator, connected with restaurant owners in the community to compile a list of participating establishments. “The willingness of these owners to offer support to the furloughed government employees has been amazing,” states Archilla.

Andy Correa of Andy’s Kitchen

“I

cannot say enough good things about Andy We Wagon… He made my night by helping this government family out by paying for our dinner. We are so grateful, Andy, and love having your restaurant in our community.” —Rachel Baker Smithmier, on Andy’s Kitchen There is no doubt that the nation has been adversely affected by the longest government shutdown in history. While 800,000 furloughed federal employees have returned to work and back pay has been promised, there remains an uncertainty whether an additional shutdown may occur. In the face of adversity, Cy-Fair has reached out to support government employees reeling from the shutdown. A food lovers’ Facebook group, a

24 March | April 2019

Jaxton’s Bistro owner, Jason Howard, reflects on the shutdown. “I think for most families and just people in general, not being able to provide for and feed your family is an unimaginable fear. Unfortunately, that is a reality for far too many of our community members today. These are friends and family members that have supported Jaxton’s over almost 3 years, and we definitely feel compelled to reciprocate the best way we know how. We pour our hearts into our passion of feeding people, and until these hard-working friends of ours resume their ability to earn their wages, we’ll be sending our hearts and love out to them through our food.” “While the recent shutdown has ended, restaurants have continued to provide food assistance, in an effort to help government employees get

Metta Archilla of Cypress Area Eats

back on track. Please feel free to visit these restaurants to understand what relief is being offered, under what terms, and when. Contact me, Metta Archilla of Cypress Area Eats Facebook food group, if you know of any area eateries participating, or if you would like to assist in this community endeavor.” Jason Howard of Jaxton’s Bistro

Metta adds a generous offer of her own. “If you are an FFE and would like a hot meal, but are hesitant to ask, I encourage and invite you to personally p.m. me to arrange for a home cooked meal. God-willing, my family will do what we can for as long as necessary to help assist during the shutdown.” For information about services still being offered to recently furloughed government employees, please private message Metta Archilla on the Cypress Area Eats Facebook page. Cy Fair Helping Hands, a community non-profit, continues to encourage recently furloughed government employees to come to their office in Copperfield to sign up for assistance with food. It is recommended that they email phudson@cyfairhelpinghands.org for additional information.

Saturday, March 30, 2019 The Lakehouse at Towne Lake 10000 Towne Lake Parkway Cypress, TX 77433

A beneﬁt for the Etheredge and Fowell families 4:30-6:30 PM Spaghetti Dinner 6:30-8:00 PM Family Fun Activities 8:30-10:30 Poker/Blackjack Tournament Amazing Silent Auction Items!

This event is open to everyone, not just TL residents. It is being hosted by friends of the families and is not an oﬃcial Towne Lake community event. More details at: www.playingforqueenofhearts.com

Participate in the Online Silent Auction at: www.playingforqueenofhearts.com/silent-auction PinPointe Magazine

Cypress Ranch Band Director,

Russell Holcombe

Reﬂects on Music Career, Retirement Plans

by Patricia Hudson

"My greatest pride is that I feel like me and my team made a place for every kid that wanted to be in the band. " – Russell Holcombe, Cypress Ranch Band Director, 2008-2018

fter 29 memorable years, Cypress Ranch Mustang Band Director, Russell Holcombe, has uttered his last “Hey, Band!” and has stepped down from his podium. His reaction? It wouldn’t surprise his 2,800+ musicians, band parents, and music colleagues to hear him respond, “It is, what it is!” When did you decide to become a musician? “I come from a family of musicians. My oldest brother was an All-Stater with Jerry Junkin, the Director of Bands at the University of Texas. Fred Junkin, Jerry’s Dad, was our high school Band Director. I started playing piano at 4 years old. Being a musician wasn’t a choice, it was expected.” How did you choose to become a percussionist? “I went to my 5th grade interview, thinking that I would be a percussionist because of my piano background. I told that director that I wouldn’t be a percussionist because he hadn’t met my father, a very discipline-oriented man. I told him my father would not tolerate a drummer living in our house. Well, apparently, he had already discussed this with my Dad, and percussion was decided.” What formal training did you receive? “I took lessons throughout high school, studying with a teacher who had drum corps experience. He put me in contact with a drum corps in Houston, 26 March | April 2019

and in 1984, I marched snare drum in Drum Corps International, DCI, with the Houston Night Hawks, the Sky Ryders from Hutchinson, Kansas in 1985, and with the Troopers from Casper, Wyoming, from 1987-88.” With whom did you study at UH? “I started at UH in the fall of ‘85. I studied percussion with Joey Sanchez for one year, then with George Womack, (Houston Symphony), on orchestral percussion and Tom Cummings for drum set and Vibraphone. I loved drumming, but I can never thank Mr. Ed Greene, director of bands at UH for his guidance and teaching in the UH Wind Ensemble.” With which groups did you perform? “I played a lot in college: Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Marching Band, Cougar Brad’s (basketball band), and percussion ensemble.” What made you choose a career in education? “I really thought about coaching and teaching math. Math was always easy for me. However, I

wanted to do for kids what my teachers, Fred Junkin and Ed Greene had done for me!” Where have you taught? “I taught lessons through college at Stratford HS and Northshore HS, and did consultant work as a percussionist in the schools before I graduated. I started band directing at Arnold Junior High in 1990, and assisted at Cy-Fair High School with the marching band drumline. I was the first assistant director at Cy-Falls High School in 1993, and was there 4 years before opening Cy-Springs in 1997. After 11 years at Springs, I opened Ranch in 2008.” What memories will you keep from your years at Cypress Ranch? “We started small, with about 50 kids and met in three different class periods. From there, we grew to five concert bands. The program did well: 10 years of sweepstakes, national winners in the Mark of Excellence competitions, named Best in Class multiple times, most years with multiple All-Staters, Area finalist twice, invitational marching contest championships, and performances at the National Concert Band festival as a featured group in 2014 and 2017. My greatest pride is that I feel like me and my team made a place for every kid that wanted to be in band. While I’m proud of the soloists, the drum majors, the All-Staters, I’m just as proud of the kids who came off the field or walked off the stage, who gave it their all and represented themselves, their families, me, and their school with a pride that was evident in their eyes. They didn’t quit and took to heart ‘Trust, Commitment, and Excellence,’ and that means the most to me.”

playing and being on the field with them or watching them from the stands, but umpiring keeps me on my toes and allows me to still be a part of the game.” Russell and his wife, Vicki have been married for 27 years. “She was my high school sweetheart; we met in band! I cannot express enough love and admiration to Vicki. She has always stood by me and our sons, without exception!” Sons, Brent, 22, and Drew, 19, share their father’s love of music and baseball. As members of the Mustang Band, Brent was a percussionist, and Drew played the French Horn. Editor’s Note: My son was a trumpet player in the Mustang Band from 2010 – 2014, and he was also a member of the baseball team. Mr. Holcombe accommodated his passion for music and for baseball by working out a practice schedule. I will never forget the pride I felt in every performance! I can honestly say that I enjoyed the spirit of camaraderie, the pursuit of excellence, and the family atmosphere that Mr. Holcombe fostered in the band hall, on the field during marching season, and on the stage for orchestral performances. No matter the outcome of a competition, Russell always took the time to tell his kids that he was proud of their effort, and to thank the parents for their support. While some of his after-the-game speeches were on the lengthy side, (sigh!), band members and parents alike will never forget Russell’s corny jokes, together with his life lessons!”

What are your future plans, now that you have retired? “I love baseball; umpiring has given that love a place. Nothing will replace the time I had with each of my sons

PinPointe Magazine

By Mike McCurdy

composition. Think of how you want the photo to look before you take it. Think of the light around you. Is it going to make my subject squint? Will the photo be too dark due to shadows across faces? And last but not least, will a giant tree branch in the photo look like it is protruding or sticking into my beautiful daughter’s head? Think about what you want to take a photo of and put your subjects in the correct spot.

t’s the most wonderful time of the year! NO, I’m not talking about Christmas right now, I’m talking about Bluebonnet Season in Texas Y’all! If you are new to Texas let me tell you quickly that Bluebonnet Season is a State wide phenomenon. It is a time of year that we Texan’s spend trying to find our perfect patch of pristine, not trampled, field of bluebonnets. Once you find this spot, and believe me, some families have secret locations that they do not tell a soul, you take your yearly trip with your family and get that quintessential Texas family photo! So, now you are in the perfect spot and it’s time to take photos. What do you do? How do you get that perfect shot? To me, photographers come in many different varieties. Some are the phone camera type that simply whip out a phone, click the camera app and just start snapping hoping to get that perfect shot with the 200 photos you take! Others bring along the latest mirrorless camera with a 28 March | April 2019

high end softbox and 600 watts of power at your disposal. Both of these types of photographers have something in common. The basics of photography! To get the perfect shot, no matter what camera or gear you have with you, you must first start out with

It is very common to take pictures around noon time. Honestly, this is probably one of the worst times to take photos unless you have some sort of shade to help hide the sun. Noon is the worst time for squinting eyes, harsh shadows etc. If you can, try getting up early in the morning or take your photos during the afternoon sunset. Photographers call the hour after sunrise or the hour

Photo by Patricia Hudson

before sunset the Golden Hour. Why? Well, the sun casts a beautiful golden light during these hours, and you usually have a beautiful sky as well.

and how you will need to position your subjects. These are basic things, but will go a long way to getting that perfect shot for you and your family!

Another good tip is to get low to your subject. Get on their level. Donâ€™t shoot up at your subjects exposing the underside of their chin. Try to get a shot straight into their eyes, or ever so slightly above them.

Have fun yâ€™all, and if you find that perfect spot for bluebonnets, let me know!! (Yeah right!)

Have fun this year during our Texas Bluebonnet Season, BE CREATIVE with your photos and think of the compositions you want to get before you leave the house. Also, be mindful of the light that will be available to you

Mike McCurdy is the owner of McCurdy Media based in Cypress, Texas. McCurdy Media specializes in both photography and videography for corporate, real estate, family photography and other marketing needs.

PinPointe Magazine

Hearts of the Queens

Earlier in this issue we introduced you to Jacki Etheredge and Laura Fowell and their brave battles against cancer. Now, hear from their loving husbands.

Steven Etheredge, on Jacki

Jacki and I became best friends towards the end of high school and shortly thereafter, began dating. While we were engaged, at age 25, Jacki was diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkins Disease, a Lymphoma cancer. We were so young, scared and confused as to why this was happening. There never was a fear of Jacki not beating it, but there was definitely a fear of what she would have to go through. She was absolutely amazing and so strong through her treatment. Over the years, I’ve experienced first-hand how this is her theme; she just powers through things and keeps on striding. After six months of chemo and almost two months of radiation, we finally heard what we had hoped and desperately prayed for...”REMISSION!” The internet was still in its infancy years then, but we were fortunate enough to find a Lymphoma support group which I believe was huge in helping my Queen not feel alone. In fact, as we approached her 20 years of remission milestone, we still talk with dear friends from that group. There were many obstacles and lifelong changes happening before our eyes. Some happened out of the realm of our comprehension, or at least we chose not to hear. Mainly, the possibility we would never be able to have children. Fast forwarding a few years, we were blessed with our first miracle, our beautiful boy, Owen. Thank you, Lord! Seven years after the birth of our son, we were once again blessed with another “Miracle,” our daughter, Erin. She is so beautiful and kind and inherited her grandmother’s ability and love of art. Again, thank you Lord!

A little before Erin’s 4th birthday I was diagnosed with Stage IV Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. It was a shocker and I guess pretty far along. The very minute we began sharing the diagnosis, we were absolutely ﬂooded with support. My son’s baseball team instantly began bringing us dinners and wore my ribbon on their uniforms.. Rennell Elementary put together a huge gift basket with all kinds of goodies and ﬂooded it with dinner gift cards. We received the most beautiful words of wisdom and cards from friends and family. Our neighborhood, Towne Lake, also put together a huge support system part of which included prepared meals we could heat up at anytime. And then there were the endless prayers and prayer chains that I believe got us through this.

My treatment took about a year and a half (I achieved remission 8 months in). It was very trying and involved. We were once again given the impression we would be unable to have more children...more on this later. While we always believed we would once again kick cancer to the curb, it was not an easy journey. I

30 March | April 2019

was stuck in bed for almost the entire duration and that left Jacki with a full-time job, raising and taking care of our children, and running the entire show. Again, Jacki strapped us on her back and carried us through.

Fast forwarding a few years, actually, almost exactly seven years since the birth of Erin, we were blessed with the news that Jacki was pregnant. What a miracle!! After what we’ve been through, we deserved it!

Timeout..not so fast. A couple of months into Jacki’s pregnancy, a time that should be ﬁlled with smiles and dreams and picking out paint colors with our children, and already high risk at age 43, Jacki found a fairly large lump in her breast. With all we had invested in our lives and experienced and overcome, we were probably able to stomach this blow a little easier than most. We are very comfortable with our Lord and believe we’ve earned the right to be on a ﬁrst name basis with him. This eases things, as we throw our hands up and leave it to him.

Shortly later we got the test results back for Jacki’s diagnosis. It was positive for breast cancer that had also metastasized to her liver... there isn’t even a statistic for someone that can check so many boxes. As we currently go through our third cancer together we know she will again beat it! There’s no questioning it. She won’t let herself lose, I won’t let her lose, our children won’t let her lose, our friends and family won’t let her lose, and if that’s not enough, Team Jacki won’t let her lose!

I’d like to say a little about Team Jacki. Our friends, family, neighbors, out-of-town friends, even some friends-of-friends have joined in to make a super show of care and support for Jacki. We made a Team Jacki shirt, thinking maybe a few of our relatives would want one. Just a few days in, however, almost 180 shirts were ordered. With the help of a few very dear friends, 75 loved ones showed up on Christmas morning at our house to surprise Jacki. I simply have no words to express what that meant to Jacki, Owen, Erin, and I. The support doesn’t end there. A nightly meal train request was created by one of our besties and since then, we have been fortunate to have that part of daily stress removed. There’s never enough time in a day to thank everyone for the support we have received, but we include our thanks in our daily prayers. It is our hope that our friends and family know how much they are appreciated and loved in return. It is just amazing how our neighborhood, Towne Lake, has opened their arms and embraced us. Because of everyone’s love, we never feel alone.

There are times when we understandably have a lot of questions and could easily throw in the towel. I guess the biggest question is “Why Us?” which we are able to answer “Because we can!”

Jason Fowell, on Laura

Ever since I met Laura in law school, she has been fearless. Never to shy away from anything challenging, she started her legal career as a Harris County Assistant District Attorney, where she helped bring justice and peace of mind to countless families. She worked to put some terrible people behind bars, and even tried a case against the legendary Racehorse Haynes. She was relentless in her pursuit of justice while carrying the respect of the defense attorneys, as she had a problem acknowledging someone truly innocent of a crime.

She left the DA’s oﬃce to enter private practice, where she worked with her father doing probate and family law. In no time at all, she built her own successful practice before we decided to start our family. We had a plan for her to stop working, but she worked hard all the way until just a few weeks before the twins were born. I have a distinct memory of watching her walk through the courthouse in the ﬁnal few weeks of work, six months pregnant with our twins, pulling a cart with legal documents, heading into court. I know that wasn’t easy.

We have been fortunate enough that our kids have never known her to work. But because she is such a busy body, Laura instead took her energy and volunteered for just about everything that crossed her path, including the PTO.

It’s always been my responsibility to make sure she has everything she has ever wanted, whether she asked for it or not. She brings joy to any room and always a pleasure to visit with. She is smart, tenacious and enthusiastic. I would follow her anywhere. She helped me start my own practice, and has been my number one fan in everything I’ve done, including publishing my own book.

Laura has taken that same attitude in fighting this cancer. She has done everything asked of her, including changing her diet to a keto diet, to minimize her sugar intake (sugar feeds her type of cancer). She did 6 weeks of radiation after the surgery, and was on chemo one week each month since the surgery. Her doctors recommended she wear the Optune device, which creates electric fields that disrupts cancer cell division. While the treatment is next generation stuff, it requires her to shave her head and carry around a battery that powers the device. It’s not easy for her to exercise, and the anti-seizure medication has various side effects, including sometimes causing her to almost lose her balance.

Before this all happened, Laura never missed any of Colin’s football or soccer games, watched all of Emma’s gymnastics practices, and took Gracie to all her activities, including ballet and gymnastics. I can’t say enough nice things about my wife; I’m lucky to have her. She does not deserve to suﬀer through this terrible disease. No one does.

I also don’t have enough nice things to say about the families that are putting this event together. I’m appreciative enough when people merely ask about my wife’s health. I don’t know how to thank them, and any thanks I could say would not be enough. I can’t repay them for their generosity or their efforts. Such kind hearts and everyone should be so lucky to have neighbors like them.

When she was first admitted into the hospital and the first mri and cat-scan showed an irregularity, no one refused to provide any detail on it first. Eventually, one of the neurologists leveled us with what he thought it was.

Laura had an open craniotomy, where she was awake for a couple of hours of her 6 hour surgery while the neuro surgeon removed the tumor. Her surgeon was one of only a few doctors in this country that could perform the surgery she underwent. During surgery, a neuro psychologist would ask Laura questions during the tumor resection, so the surgeon could remove as much of the tumor while keeping as much healthy brain tissue as possible. So it was certainly amusing to Laura during surgery when she answered a math question correctly while her surgeon got it wrong.

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