The Gentlemen’s Issue
AUTO + MARINE
THE ULTIMATE GARAGE–REVEALED LIFE + CULTURE
5 TRAITS OF THE RARE MAN
FOOD + BEVERAGE
TWO LOCAL EATERIES FOR YOUR NEXT NIGHT OUT
JUNE 2026
32 PALMER WOODS DRIVE
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS, 77381
BEDROOMS: 5 BATHROOMS: 4 FULL & 3 HALF SQFT: 6,504 LOT SIZE: 70,349
Exquisite custom home meticulously maintained by original owners! Overlooking the golf course in Palmer Woods, this home showcases thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship, incredible storage, and attention to every detail. Set on a private, wooded lot, this home has been refreshed to create a polished, inviting space. Warm wood beams, custom millwork, and walls of windows fill the living spaces with natural light. The kitchen (remodeled in 2025) opens to the family room and features premium appliances, Taj Mahal quartz counters, and generous pantry. Two dedicated studies, one with a fireplace. First-floor primary suite offers a peaceful retreat with spa-inspired bath and large walk-in closet. A 2nd bedroom suite downstairs is ideal for aging parents, while upstairs bedrooms and flexible living spaces provide room to grow. Outdoors, enjoy a resort-style 1.6 acre backyard with pool, spa, expansive patio, pool bath, and tranquil golf course views, perfect for entertaining or unwinding.
Letter From the Editor
The life and legacy of George Washington seem to be resurfacing in our cultural imagination— from Angel Studios’ upcoming film “Young Washington” to the early preparations for our nation’s 250th anniversary. (More on that next month!) So it was no surprise that, while reading this issue’s most reflective piece, “The Rare Man” by staff writer Travis Hager, the first president once again emerged from the page.
Hager writes:
“During the American Revolutionary War, Washington was traveling on horseback when he encountered a group of soldiers struggling to move a heavy timber. A corporal stood nearby shouting instructions but made no effort to help. When Washington asked why he did not lend a hand, the corporal reportedly replied that he was ‘a corporal’ and therefore above such labor.
Washington dismounted without another word, joined the soldiers, and helped lift the timber into place. Only afterward did he reveal who he was, adding that if the corporal ever needed assistance again, he should call for his commander-in-chief.”
What makes Washington and men like him a continuing source of fascination in our time? There are many answers to that question, but one especially suited to this month’s edition is character—the character of a true gentleman.
So, to set the tone for the pages ahead—and for the month of Father’s Day—here is Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s definition:
“We feel gentlemanly character present with us whenever…a person shows respect to others in such a way as at the same time implies, in his own feelings, habitually, an assured anticipation of reciprocal respect from them to himself. In short, the gentlemanly character arises out of the feeling of equality acting as a habit, yet flexible to the varieties of rank, and modified without being disturbed or superseded by them.”
Though this issue includes lighter fare—a brief history of the Stetson hat, two restaurant reviews, and a tour of a local’s ultimate garage, to name a few—we hope, as always, to leave our readers, ladies and gents alike, with a deeper appreciation for the heart of the matter: gentlemen belong not only to history, but remain among us still.
Happy reading!
ALEX GRAY, MANAGING EDITOR @THEWOODLANDSCITYLIFESTYLE
June 2026
PUBLISHER
Tonya Butler | tonya.butler@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Alison Bridges | alison.bridges@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Alex Gray | alex.gray@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Dawn Allen
STAFF WRITER
Travis Hager
ACCOUNT MANAGER
The Woodlands City Lifestyle woodlands@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Laura L. Green, Travis Hager, Aunika Anderson, Caleb Butler, Carol Mowdy Bond
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
Learn
Proverbs 3:5-6
Buyers are searching for the right home. Sellers are searching for the right representation. Both start with local knowledge, strong strategy and a team trusted across The Woodlands for 25+ years.
WHO YOU CHOOSE MATTERS.
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Fundraiser “Rescues on the Runway” took place Apr. 2 at The Peach Orchard. 2: The lineup modeled spring fashions from local and national boutiques including Pell 1990. 3: The event benefited The Woodlands based nonprofit Operation Pets Alive (OPA). 4: Supporters, local sponsors and adoptable rescue dogs mingled in the vintage glam setting. 5: One of the evening’s most meaningful outcomes came directly from the runway—adoptions. 6: The event also celebrated OPA’s recent award of a Spay and Neuter Pilot Program contract. 7: The runway show featured well known community models alongside their furry companions. Photography by CS Wedding Co.
Nicole and Doug Freer run a top-producing real estate group bringing expertise and an impressive track record of over 1,100 homes sold and a half billion dollars in sales in 2025. With a background in Finance and Real Estate Investment, their team is able to correctly price and market your home to sell for top dollar! Are You Ready to Buy or Sell a Home?
HOUSTON MARKET INNOVATORS bring their expertise to The Woodlands !
Excellence in Dentistry
Dr. Leah has taken over 140 hours of continuing education with the world-renowned Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) and is working on her Fellowship distinction. Dr. Leah Zils is set to take over Dr. Cagle’s dental practice, dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of exceptional dental care established by her predecessor. Dr. Zils attended the University of Arkansas on a soccer scholarship before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at Texas A&M University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She then graduated from UT School of Dentistry in Houston and hit the ground running with her dental career.
She has taken over 140 hours of continuing education with the world-renowned Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) and is working on her Fellowship distinction. She is certified in laser dentistry as well as oral sedation. She is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Zils looks forward to welcoming new clients into the practice, where she can apply her extensive education and experience to provide top-notch dental care.
Welcoming New Patients.
The Back Nine Golf Tees Up in Shenandoah
The Back Nine Golf is a 24-hour indoor golf experience that offers simulators, lessons, leagues and private events within a 3,000-sqft building at 17947 I-45, Ste. 216. Advertised as the most accurate golf simulator in Shenandoah, with its tee times, Back Nine golfers are invited to experience industry-leading analytics and course-like simulation that provide the top golf simulator benefits for mastering your swing—and all at your own convenience. To learn more, visit TheBackNineGolf.Com/ Shenandoah-Tx
Photography by The Back Nine Golf
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice Arrives Just in Time for Summer
Florida-founded Jeremiah's Italian Ice has officially opened its Creeksidearea location featuring treats like soft ice cream, Italian ice, and Jelati—a mix of soft ice cream and Italian ice. Stop by 24225 Kuykendahl Road, Ste. 300 to cool down with some of their favorite flavors, including Italian cheesecake, Birthday Cake, Oreo crumble and more. Jeremiah’s also offers their popular Jelati flavors in cake form, plus other sweet treats. To learn more, visit JeremiahsIce.Com
Photography by Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
ARTICLE BY TRAVIS HAGER PHOTOGRAPHY BY VARIOUS
THE Rare MAN
And The Five Traits That Reveal Him
During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington was traveling on horseback when he encountered a group of soldiers struggling to move a heavy timber. A corporal stood nearby shouting instructions but made no effort to help. When Washington asked why he did not lend a hand, the corporal reportedly replied that he was “a corporal” and therefore above such labor.
Washington dismounted without another word, joined the soldiers, and helped lift the timber into place. Only afterward did he reveal who he was, adding that if the corporal ever needed assistance again, he should call for his commander-in-chief.
Authority expressed through action—rather than announcement—has a way of revealing character. It is precisely this kind of quiet substance that becomes harder to recognize in a present age that prefers its virtues declared loudly and often.
And yet this story about Washington and the corporal endures not because it is grand, but because it is simple. Simple, and rare.
THE NOISE OF THE PRESENT AGE
In an age that rewards visibility, in which the loudest voices travel the farthest, the significance of character has been replaced, in many corners of society, by spectacle: followers, views, engagement.
But there was a time when a man’s reputation traveled slowly through the quiet testimony of others. His name moved through rooms long before he arrived, carried by the simple assurance that he is a good man to deal with.
His internal architecture would be considered by such people rare.
Not rare like a collector’s object or a vintage watch locked in a glass case, novel solely due to the scarcity of their kind. But rare in the older sense of the word—something uncommon because it possesses a quality that most things do not.
A rare book. A rare mind. A rare man.
Here is the sort of rare that cannot be manufactured or mass-produced. It appears singly, slowly, and seemingly without effort over the arc of a long, intentional life.
If you’re watching closely, there are five key traits that reveal the rare man:
I. Integrity When No One Is Watching
Most people behave well when they are being observed. Social pressure has always had a civilizing effect. Laws, customs and expectations guide behavior toward acceptable norms. But the true measure of character appears in the quiet moments where observation disappears. A rare person does the right thing even when it is inconvenient, unprofitable, or unnoticed.
He pays the debt no one would remember. He keeps the promise no one could enforce. He tells the truth when a small lie would smooth the path forward.
This kind of integrity does not originate from fear of punishment. It originates from a private code. And that code becomes visible over time.
“There was a time when a man’s reputation traveled slowly through the quiet testimony of others.”
Caspar David Friedrich, Wanderer above the Sea of Fog (1818).
Business partners learn it first. Friends notice it next. Eventually, even casual acquaintances begin to understand that certain things simply do not happen in the orbit of such a man.
He does not cheat. He does not betray confidence. He does not trade short-term advantage for long-term reputation. And so, his reputation is built in whispers.
This quiet consistency creates something increasingly unusual in modern life: trust, accumulated. Like sediment in a riverbed, trust in this kind of rare man builds layer by layer until it becomes the foundation upon which his entire network of relationships is constructed.
II. The Discipline of Independent Thought
Another hallmark of this rare man lies in intellectual independence.
Most people inherit their opinions the same way they inherit furniture. They come prearranged by the environment in which they were raised: family beliefs, regional attitudes, professional cultures. These influences shape the majority of human thinking. There is nothing inherently wrong with this; social cohesion requires some degree of shared assumption. But rare individuals do something different.
They examine their beliefs. They question them. They test ideas against experience and evidence rather than adopting them out of habit.
This requires a certain courage; independent thought can create friction. It sometimes separates a man from the comfort of the herd. But it also sharpens judgment.
Such individuals read widely. They listen carefully. They remain willing to revise their conclusions when confronted with stronger arguments. Intellectual humility and intellectual strength appear together, a subtle combination to the observer.
And a man who understands these strengths— and his own limitations—has little need to perform. He does not inflate his accomplishments, nor does he diminish them. He simply knows who he is. This creates a curious effect: others often attribute
“People begin to build plans around such individuals. Businesses depend on them. Families lean on them. The rare man becomes, in essence, a structural beam within the architecture of other people’s lives.”
George Stubbs, Blank, de bruine hengst van de Duke of Ancaster, begeleid door Old Parnam. c.1761. The Trustees of the Grimsthorpe & Drummond Castle Trust Lt.
greater authority to him than he claims. His restraint signals substance. His calm signals competence.
In rooms full of self-promotion, the quietly confident individual becomes unusually compelling.
III. Emotional Governance
Another trait lies in emotional self-control. Modern culture encourages expression. It celebrates the dramatic release of feeling as a form of authenticity. There is value in emotional honesty, of course. Suppressing reality serves no one. Yet there is a difference between acknowledging emotion and being governed by it. Rare individuals maintain command of their internal weather.
Anger visits them, but it does not take up residence. Frustration appears, but it does not dictate their decisions. Success arrives, but it does not inflate their sense of self. They possess a steady center.
Psychologists sometimes describe this capacity through the lens of delayed gratification , the ability to favor long-term benefit over immediate satisfaction. Yet the principle extends beyond simple patience. It touches every dimension of life.
The rare person does not sacrifice tomorrow for the pleasure of today. He considers the arc of consequence before acting. Over time, this restraint produces a form of quiet power; in conversation, such individuals possess a certain gravity. They do not dominate discussions, but when they speak, others tend to listen. Their words carry weight because they originate from thought rather than impulse. The man who governs himself cannot easily be manipulated by others.
IV. Reliability
Rare individuals understand the profound power of consistency. If they say they will arrive at eight, they arrive at eight. If they commit to completing a task, the task is completed. No elaborate explanation accompanies the result. No parade of excuses follows failure. Things simply get done. This reliability becomes a form of social currency.
People begin to build plans around such individuals. Businesses depend on them. Families lean on them. The rare man becomes, in essence, a structural beam within the architecture of other people’s lives. Remove him, and things begin to wobble.
V. Solitude
But the rare man is also, reliably, one to retreat when needed. He is comfortable with solitude.
This does not mean isolation or social withdrawal. Rather, it reflects the ability to be alone without discomfort.
Many people fear silence. They fill every quiet moment with noise, conversation or digital stimulation. The rare person understands the value of empty space, that solitude allows reflection. He knows that it allows ideas to develop without interruption. It allows a man to examine his own motivations, to correct his course, and to strengthen his internal compass.
Some of the most consequential decisions in life occur far from crowds. They occur during quiet walks, long drives, late evenings spent thinking through possibilities. The rare individual welcomes those moments. He recognizes them as workshops for the mind.
THE FORMATION OF RARITY
The paradox of rarity lies in its accessibility. Every quality described here is available to anyone willing to cultivate it. Yet few people do. Why?
They require discipline. Day after day, choice after choice, a man gradually shapes his character.
He keeps the promise. He reads the difficult book. He tells the uncomfortable truth. He resists the easy shortcut.
But such consistency is uncomfortable. Such integrity occasionally costs money. Independent thought can create disagreement. Emotional restraint requires effort. Depth demands time.
And these are not fashionable sacrifices in a culture that celebrates immediacy.
So, rarity persists. Not because such cultivated character is impossible. But because it is inconvenient.
In our noisy age, the rare individual remains something of a paradox: unassuming, unadvertised, and yet, unmistakable.
The steady hands in moments of crisis. The principled voices in times of confusion. The reliable builders of institutions that endure beyond a single generation. And when you meet such a rarity of a person, you know it immediately. Not because they announce themselves—quite the opposite.
They tend to be the quiet ones in the room—the men of noble bearing who, without announcement, dismount from their horses to lighten the burden of their fellow man.
THE ENGINE UNDERNEATH EVERYTHING
ARTICLE BY TRAVIS HAGER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK VERMET
The Ferrari Testarossa sporting a new Cavallino.
Nick Vermet and the Collection
Built by
a
Life of Listening to Machines
The ninth-grade shop teacher said bring in an engine. Most boys raided the family garage. Nick Vermet had no engine to raid. His family cut grass with a reel mower, the kind you push. So his mother drove him to a lawnmower shop in Detroit, and a man in the service department returned from the back with a discarded single-cylinder vertical engine made by REO, a marque that traced its bloodline to Ransom Olds himself. Vermet took it apart, and understood something about the relationship between curiosity and mechanical truth that no classroom had yet given him words for. The collection currently in his garage is the long result of that beginning. Detroit in the late 1960s was still the center of something. The GM Tech Center in Warren stood as the engineering headquarters of the automotive world, and Vermet grew up close enough to feel its gravity. He enrolled in small engine repair at thirteen, cut lawns to buy tools, and by 1974 was one of six students sponsored by the Chevrolet Engineering Center to attend GMI, working dyno labs in Warren and driving prototypes at the Milford Proving Grounds. He went on to spend 25 years
Portrait of Nick Vermet.
at Detroit Diesel, rising to executive vice president, before moving through Toyota, Penske, and ultimately Deutz, the engine company founded by the man who codified the Otto cycle and, by extension, made most of the 20th century possible. Through all of it, the cars kept arriving.
"I became a car guy because I'm an engine guy. Cars have engines. So do boats, motorcycles, planes. I've had all of them."
He has owned more than 200 automobiles by his own estimate, offered without ceremony.
Walk the garages with him and a logic emerges that has nothing to do with display. Each car earns its place by doing something the others cannot. The Bentley handles an evening out. The AMG SUV handles the dogs. The truck hauls. And then there are the cars that handle something harder to define.
The Ferrari Testarossa occupies its own register. Not the fastest car in the garage—the 812 Superfast, with its 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 climbing to a 9,000 RPM redline and 800 horsepower, holds that position without effort. But the Testarossa carries a different kind of weight. Its flat-12 engine sits low and wide behind the cockpit, sounding unlike anything else Ferrari ever built. Vermet recently added a Cavallino to the hood patterned after a one-of-a-kind Daytona owned by Ferrari itself. Two cars in the world now wear that script. He mentions it without pausing to let it land.
The 812 Superfast is for something else entirely. It can be driven like a touring Mercedes or like a Ferrari at full extension, the difference measured entirely in right foot pressure. "You can go three miles an hour through The Woodlands," he says, "or 212 on a proper road. That choice belongs to you."
The De Tomaso Pantera, currently mid-restoration, is the car he sold years ago and knew he would find his way back to. Designed by an American, commissioned by an Argentine, built in Italy, powered by Ford. It fits no clean category. Vermet has always been more interested in what something does than where it belongs.
He still thinks about engines the way he did at 13. The collection in his garages is simply the evidence.
A Vintage Lamborghini 400 GT.
The De Tomaso Pantera.
Set your schedule. Make an impact. Build a life you’re proud of.
Behind each of our 200+ City Lifestyle magazines is someone who cares deeply about their community. Someone who connects people, celebrates businesses, and shares the stories that matter most. What if that someone was you?
Or maybe it’s someone you know. If this isn’t the right time for you, but you know someone who could be the perfect fit, we’d love an introduction.
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AN EXCERPT FROM EPISODE 6 OF SHARE THE LIFESTYLE, A CITY LIFESTYLE PODCAST
Photographer: Brittany Dawn Short
Creative Director: Jen Birn
Stylist: Stephanie Coultress O’Neill
Location: Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, TX
MIKE JOHNSON HAS BUILT HIS LIFE AROUND ONE QUIETLY RADICAL IDEA: THE STANDARD YOU SET PRIVATELY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS.
After eight years in the Air Force, a celebrated run on national television, and a health crisis abroad that sent him deep into supply chains and ingredient certifications most founders never touch, the result is Oshun — a luxury ritual brand built on provenance you can trace and integrity you can verify. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Mike shares what it actually takes to build something worth putting your name on. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full episode.
Q: YOU BECAME A FAN FAVORITE ON THE BACHELORETTE AND THEN LEFT THE SPOTLIGHT. YOU MOVED TO MEXICO, LEARNED SPANISH, THEN COSTA RICA, AND BUILT A COMPANY. WHAT DID THAT EXPERIENCE TEACH YOU ABOUT HUMAN BEHAVIOR?
A: “If you’re a good person going in, that shows. If you’re not, that shows too. I also learned that people form this parasocial relationship with you — they assume things about you. When all actuality, different circumstances bring out different parts of who you are. I was on TV trying to find love. The kindness people were showing after felt a bit fake, because they wanted to be a part of something that isn’t who I am individually, but a part of what they saw on TV. And so I had to get away from everybody and everything and the noise.”
THE QUIET STANDARD:
MIKE JOHNSON
“Too many people have prayed for me. So I’ve got to get up and do the walking.”
— Mike Johnson
Q: YOU JOINED THE AIR FORCE RIGHT OUT OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE. WHAT WERE YOU ACTUALLY RUNNING TOWARD?
A: “There was something in me that was saying: I’m not living up to my full potential. I was being a follower. My uncle said, ‘What’s going to make you become an adult the fastest?’ I said, obviously, the military. The Air Force broadened my thought process more than anything. We’re so caught up in our own perception — when you learn to understand different people’s perspectives, it adds to you in so many ways.”
Q: WITH OSHUN, YOU OWN YOUR MANUFACTURING, YOU EMPLOY A CHEMIST, EVERY PRODUCT HAS A BATCH NUMBER TRACEABLE TO ITS ORIGIN DATE. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO THAT DEEP WITH THE BRAND?
A: “The EU bans 1,100 ingredients in personal care products. The U.S. bans nine. That’s my starting point. Oftentimes, it might be the same ingredient, but it comes from a place where it doesn’t have the highest purity. And 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed. Every product Oshun makes carries a batch number that goes back to the exact day it was created — I can show you every single supplier, the date, the origin. I own more than one part of the supply chain because that’s the only way I can stand behind what’s in the bottle.”
This conversation is just the beginning. Mike goes deeper into why he’s buying land up north, the family in the Philippines who prayed over his factory floor, and what he’d tell every person ready to stop performing and start building. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.
MIKE JOHNSON
Kirb Appeal
YOU CAN HAVE YOUR BIG SCREEN AND EAT WELL TOO
ARTICLE BY LAURA L. GREEN | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
The bar and eatery is located in Indian Springs Center at the intersection of Woodlands Parkway and Kuykendahl Road.
Fries, wings and Brussels sprouts are cooked in beef tallow upon request.
Every community should have a go-to gathering place, one that can be counted on for great food, a thoughtful beverage list, and the kind of comfortable atmosphere that invites guests to settle in to watch their sporting event of choice or simply hang out and catch up with friends. That kind of spot is familiar to residents of Houston Heights, Upper Kirby and other Houston watering hole epicenters, but they’re fewer and farther between in The Woodlands.
You’ll find them in Hughes Landing and along The Waterway—not an arduous drive from Indian Springs, Sterling Ridge, or Cochran’s Crossing, but nevertheless, a bit of a logistical commitment—you have to plan to go out, and consider traffic and parking options. For those living near Kuykendahl at Woodlands Parkway, the time was ripe for an elevated sports bar closer to home. That’s why the opening last November of On the Kirb Organic Eatery & Sports Bar in Indian Springs Center has been a boon for nearby residents. The fifth iteration of the popular elevated sports bar concept conceived by restaurateur Joe Arbeely brings to The Woodlands the winning combination of healthy, organic menu options and a welcoming sports bar environment—a dual focus that Arbeely innovated at the original Kirby Drive location.
“I love sports, I love the energy at a bar, but I always hated the greasy feeling after you left,” says Arbeely. To him it seemed incongruous that while people were eating this way, they were watching athletes who were fit and making healthy choices. At the time, Arbeely was discovering the personal benefits of meal prepping and eating healthy. “I wanted to open a place that brought that energy.”
He set about creating a menu of bar favorites that went where no local sports bar had gone before: fully organic poultry, dairy and beef; keto-friendly and
gluten-free options; wings and fries cooked in beef tallow upon request; beef that’s not only grass-fed but grass-finished—as opposed to finishing with grain, which can include unhealthy additives, said Arbeely. At the heart of the menu are On the Kirb’s firebrick oven pizzas, with crusts made from Caputo “00” ultra-finely milled flour from Italy. The pizza crust you raved about on your trip to Naples? Arbeely is importing THAT flour.
“The 00 is the healthiest you can get, no bleaches, no additives. We wanted to bring that to our guests,” he explained, noting that On the Kirb ferments its dough for three days to develop the flavor and texture. A gluten-free cauliflower crust is also available.
When the original On the Kirb opened in 2016, the juxtaposition of “sports bar” and “healthy eating” raised eyebrows, says Arbeely. “We actually got pushback online. People couldn’t get it—how can you be a sports bar and be healthy?” But once they experienced the atmosphere and the menu, it clicked for them. Soon, Arbeely was opening locations in Midtown, Katy/Fulshear, Greenway and, most recently, the new Woodlands outpost, which features a roomy patio, a private event area, numerous 10-top tables for large group gatherings, three 150-inch HD video walls, and a multitude of viewing screens positioned so that every seat has a clear view of the action.
Within the sleek, sports bar setting, the On the Kirb menu delivers elevated, healthier versions of fan favorites. The fish tacos are made with wild-caught cod, the salmon is ocean-raised, and the chicken wings are organic. Tortilla chips, pita chips, whipped feta and hummus are made in-house, as are the oversized soft pretzels served with sriracha queso, perfect for noshing on with a local craft beer on tap. Daily menu specials include Monday “Pizza and Vino Night” with $10 build-your-own pizza and $15 bottles of house wines,
“I love sports, I love the energy at a bar, but I always hated the greasy feeling after you left.”
— On the Kirb’s Joe Arbeely
“The 00 [pizza flour] is the healthiest you can get, no bleaches, no additives. We wanted to bring that to our guests.”
and Wednesday is steak night, with a $30 filet, potatoes and veggies, along with $5 glasses of house wine.
Happy hour runs Monday through Friday, 4 to 7 p.m., says Arbeely, offering light bites, charcuterie boards, and sides made with the same healthy ingredients, along with drink discounts. Fun cocktail offerings include a hibiscus marg made with Patrón Reposado, hibiscus syrup and fresh lime juice, and the Gin Weasley made with Bombay Sapphire, fresh strawberries, lemon juice, basil leaves and ginger beer. The bar features organic wines and tequilas, zero-calorie vodkas and a list of creative mocktails.
Brunch service happens Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with brunch favorites and cast-iron skillet combinations featuring chilaquiles and cage-free eggs, served alongside $5 bloody marys and mimosas. Larger parties will want to take note of the mimosa carafes and colossal mimosa towers available.
Arbeely wants On the Kirb to become a true neighborhood hub in The Woodlands, for a guys’ night out, ladies who lunch, a family brunch or a casual date night. His measure of success? When a woman likes On the Kirb so much that she wants to take her man to a sports bar, Arbeely says he knows he’s done his job.
The Slappin da Bass cocktail is made with Grey Goose, blackberries, thyme-infused syrup, lemon juice and soda.
VISIT ON THE KIRB AT 6777 WOODLANDS PKWY, THE WOODLANDS, TX 77382.
On the Kirb makes its own hummus, whipped feta, and pita chips. Happy hour happens Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
TIP YOUR HAT
STETSON MARKS A MILESTONE
ARTICLE BY CAROL MOWDY BOND
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROL
MOWDY
BOND/ WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
As an enduring symbol of the North American West, the cowboy hat is an experience, and a popular one at that. A lot of the thanks goes to John B. Stetson, whose hat concept is celebrating its 161st anniversary this year. And while Stetson didn’t invent the cowboy hat, he sure threw his name onto the globally well-known crown, and you’ll find plenty of Texans sporting the look.
STETSON AND MEXICAN VAQUEROS
The son of a hatter, Stetson left school early to learn the trade. While traveling in the West in 1860, the Mexican vaquero 10-gallon sombrero impressed him. So, he created his own version, launching his “Boss of the Plains” hat in 1865 and manufacturing the hats in Philadelphia. He crafted them out of fine fur from beaver, rabbit, and other small animals so they
Silent film sensation Tom Mix usually wore a Stetson-off-white-ten-gallon hat, pictured in Paris in 1925.
would stand up to the elements. The hats were ideal for working Westerners, and they were a big hit.
The Stetson hat became the gold standard for fedoras, flat brims, and other classic styles. Over time, the word Stetson became interchangeable with the word hat. Often referred to as Stetsons, cowboy hats also have the nickname "ten-gallon hats."
THE INS AND OUTS OF COWBOY HATS
A cowboy hat has both a high crown and wide brim that are designed to protect the wearer from the elements. These hats were originally made to shield a cowboy’s face, neck, and eyes from heavy rains and intense sun, and were usually made of materials that could weather the elements and keep him dry. A cowboy could also use his hat to offer water to his horse.
Over time, the hats underwent various changes. The brim was turned up to stay clear of ropes, and the crown was pinched to allow for better control. Modern cowboy hats are usually made of fur-based felt, straw, or even leather, with different materials depending on the weather conditions. The sweatband stabilizes the fit of the head.
A FASHION STAPLE AND THEN SOME
THERE’S MAGIC IN THOSE CROWNS
As symbols of respect, possibly nothing says Texas like good ole buckaroo hats. Well over half a century ago, they became part of Texas state highway troopers’ uniforms. Plus, Texas was the first to adopt an official state hat. A 2015 Lone Star State legislative resolution designated the cowboy hat as the official hat of Texas. So it’s no surprise that cowboy hats are worn by law enforcement in Fort Worth and other towns. Beginning in 2025, Dallas police officers were allowed to wear cowboy hats on duty.
It just goes to show that some things were made to last.
Beyond their practical purposes, cowboy hats have become a fashion staple. The first King of the Cowboys, silent film sensation Tom Mix (1880-1940), was a Pennsylvanian who sometimes claimed to be Texan, and he usually wore a Stetson-off-white-ten-gallon hat, making Stetson a household name. It takes some guts to wear a cowboy hat. But then, that’s part of the charm. So, famous names have been rockin’ the cowboy look around the world for decades, and they include everyone from Louis Armstrong, Lady Gaga, Georgia O’Keeffe, Matthew McConaughey, and Joanna and Chip Gaines, to Beyoncé.
Yeehaw!
Album Reviews
Rude and Metamodern Sounds in Country Music
ARTICLE BY CALEB BUTLER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY STOCK
RUDE
In 2023, Spiritual Cramp released their self-titled debut LP after a string of shorter releases beginning in 2017. Throughout the progression of those releases, the San Francisco band polished its approach, offering a catchy buffet of energetic, pop-inspired punk influenced by a hint of reggae and dub. The album was full of the expected political and sardonic lyrics.
On 2025’s Rude, vocalist Mike Bingham has turned the mirror on himself, offering a much more personal lyrical approach with themes of belonging, love and leaving home. The band has also honed its songwriting chops, offering bigger choruses, danceable rhythms and a production style creating more space for the band’s organic dub and reggae influences. With only a handful of the 13 tracks breaking the three minute mark, Rude is a concentrated dose of high energy rock begging to be played on repeat. Fans of the Clash, Devo and Talking Heads will find a lot to like in Rude, while fans of Weezer, the Killers and The Cars might become punk converts after a couple spins.
METAMODERN SOUNDS IN COUNTRY MUSIC
With Sturgill Simpson’s first breakout album, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, the songwriter couldn’t escape comparisons to Waylon Jennings while exploring more philosophical and psychedelic themes and charting his career divorced from Nashville’s impositions. This focus on independence and creativity quickly made Simpson one of the most recognizable voices of the new country outlaws alongside Tyler Childers, Charley Crockett and Zach Bryan. In his first appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, he spoke at length about his frustrations with establishment country music and his desire to explore new musical territory. He did so with 2016’s exceptional Memphis soul-inspired A Sailor’s Guide to the Earth . Since then, Simpson has been a chameleon, choosing to explore synth, funk and rock music, even contributing vocals to a full-on club dance track by Diplo.
“Fans of Weezer, The Killers and The Cars might become punk converts after a couple spins.” “
In 2024, as promised in his Rogan interview, Simpson adopted a new moniker, Johnny Blue Skies, and released two new albums, one of which is reminiscent of ZZ Top’s late 80s output. Fans of Simpson might miss his powerful vocal range as the rhythms are the focal point of these songs, while readers left alienated by Simpson’s previous experimental forays might find it difficult to put down cold-hard cash for a physical copy of this release, unavailable through streaming services. However, if you’re a Simpson die-hard or adventurous listener, you might find this the perfect background music for your next party.
ARTICLE BY AUNIKA ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIO RIVAS
Passing the Plate
How the Chef Behind Sea & Lemon Continues His Father’s Legacy
Imagine growing up surrounded by the rhythm of restaurants—the sizzle of the grill, the hum of conversation, and the rich aroma of fresh spices. For Mario Rivas, that world wasn’t imagined; it was home. Inspired by those early experiences and an enduring family legacy, he and his wife, Gloria, opened Sea & Lemon in The Woodlands, a restaurant that brings authentic Pacific Mexican flavors to every thoughtfully crafted dish.
HANDCRAFTED RECIPES
INSPIRED
BY MEXICO’S COAST
Rivas is the mastermind behind every plate, as each recipe is uniquely his own. Created through years of trial and error, the Sea & Lemon menu is inspired by his extensive travels and family heritage.
“Over the years, my wife Gloria and I spent time traveling across the Pacific coast of Mexico, from places like Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta to smaller coastal towns, experiencing the depth and variety of that cuisine,” says Rivas. “When we moved to the U.S., we saw an opportunity to bring those flavors into a concept that feels approachable, while still staying true to where they come from.”
THE LEGACY OF
“THE GOLDEN BOAT”
Rivas’s father, Don Felipe Rivas, opened his first restaurant, La Barca de Oro, or
“The Golden Boat,” in Los Angeles in the 1960s. It was one of the first of its kind in the area to serve authentic Mexican food. Later, the family moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, and continued the restaurant business. Rivas says his father was often in the kitchen, instilling in him a passion for cooking.
“When I get inside the kitchen—any kitchen—the smell reminds me of my dad. He was my hero in everything, and in food,” says Rivas.
DEVOTED TO CRAFT
This love of cooking has shaped Mario into a true gentleman of his craft—one who honors his heritage through every dish, and embraces innovation through the restaurant’s experimental kitchen lab menu. In his signature dish, zarandeado, shrimp seasoned with spices imported from Mexico, he brings that vision to life.
“It’s a recipe that took me over ten years to develop, trying it across countless places along the Mexican coast, learning, adjusting, and refining until it felt right,” says Rivas. “It represents everything behind Sea & Lemon: depth of flavor, simplicity, and a strong connection to the sea.”
His determination extends beyond the plate, as he introduces unique cuisine to a wider audience, elevates the overall customer experience, and pursues a Master’s in Business.
“Legacy is not just about building a business. It’s about building something meaningful that my family can be part of.”
CONTINUING THE LEGACY
What began a generation ago continues today as Rivas and his wife work alongside their children.
“Legacy is not just about building a business,” says Rivas. “It is about building something meaningful that my family can be
part of. I want to pass down that same sense of commitment, passion, attention to detail, and respect for both the craft and the people we serve.”
Looking ahead, Rivas hopes Sea & Lemon will do just that—from his father’s kitchen to his own.
Pacific Mexican dishes at Sea & Lemon.
ARTICLE BY KIM HILL
GUYS’ GUYS’
Has it been too long since your tribe gathered to rib and one-up each other as only guys can do? To help plan a getaway for just the guys, City Lifestyle gathered an eclectic list of locations offering tons of things to see, do and experience. Here’s hoping the only ribs one will get on this guys’ getaway are the kind to hold in hands while barbecue sauce drips onto shirts. Scottsdale/Phoenix
There’s no other tournament on the PGA Tour like the Waste Management Phoenix Open and no hole like the legendary 16th, where 20,000 boisterous fans boo the tee shots that miss the green. The other 51 weeks of the year, golfers can play TPC Scottsdale or try one of more than 200 courses in the Scottsdale area, a top golf destination. Another winter event is the BarrettJackson Collector Car Auction. Even if one’s only collector car was a Hot Wheels, it’s a blast to peruse the acres of autos for sale before heading inside to watch the unique or renowned cars crossing the auction block. When it’s time to get moving, the strenuous hike up Camelback Mountain in nearby Phoenix
is a bucket-list item. Need a more moderate trail? Experience the same magic of the majestic saguaro cactus in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
New Orleans
It’s always a party in New Orleans (NOLA), especially when it comes to festivals, many of them centered around music. Folk to funk, gospel to jazz, zydeco, blues, African and other musical styles are celebrated on the Jazz and Heritage Festival’s 12 stages. If free admission is more desired, don’t miss the French Quarter Festival featuring local musicians and food vendors representing dozens of New Orleans restaurants. Part of the fun of Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo is admiring revelers’ watercraft, some of them homemade just for this festival on the banks of Bayou Saint John. If one of the festivals can’t be attended, there’s still plenty of NOLA live music, particularly the jazz clubs on Frenchmen Street. And when a break from crowds is needed, take a guided swamp tour. Kitschy, yes, but it’s a hoot to cruise around on a swamp buggy while looking for alligators.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
“America’s Sports Car” is produced at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant, where visitors can join guided tours to observe Corvettes being built and learn the fascinating history of these sexy autos. See examples of all Corvette generations at the National Corvette Museum. And if the need for speed is still felt, a few times a year Xtreme Experience offers driving or ride-along events in exotics like Ferraris or Lamborghinis at the National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park. After getting all revved up, cool down at Mammoth Cave National Park, the longest known cave system in the world and a World Heritage Site, where guided tours take participants through tunnels humans have used for thousands of years. And after all this touring, the Bowling Green area is the southernmost point in the Kentucky Bourbon Trail of distilleries.
Austin
Live music rules here, with iconic venues such as Antone’s, The Continental Club, the White Horse and hundreds of other locations, from dive bars to big stages. From rock and blues to country and urban, music is heard every night of the week (and many afternoons as well). When guys are hungry, there are tons of barbeque and Tex-Mex joints. Unique food trucks are truly a thing here, with nearly 2,000 food trailers in town. Burn some calories biking or running the Southern Walnut Creek Trail or one of many paved paths. Get out on the water in a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard on Lake Travis or Lady Bird Lake. Take a dip in the historic Barton Springs Pool, where the underground springs keep the water around 68 degrees all year.
GETAWAYS
GETAWAYS
FOUR GREAT PLACES FOR GROOVES, GRUB AND GAWKING WITH BEST BROS
GIVE YOUR MAN
A Look at The Man Cave
ARTICLE BY EMILY FOSTER INTERIORS
Ok ladies, for those of you that live with your man and are not too keen on his collection of deer heads or affinity for all things Chicago Blackhawks, then let me help you create his very own man cave, that you and he can be proud of.
CONTINUED >
HIS SPACE
With how a man cave is usually done in mind, there are plenty of ways to make this hideaway both agreeable and full of style. I always start with what is most important to your man and 9 out of 10 times it is comfortable seating. So, with that in mind, I start with smart seating. Do we need a sectional? Can we get away with a cool reclining chair? Do we need Barstools? Comfortable, durable, and stylish seating is my jumping-off point.
COMFORTABLE SEATING
THE RIGHT TELEVISION
Next, of course, there will need to be a TV for gaming and/or sports watching. Try and get him the size he wants, if it can work in space and not be too obnoxious (ladies, you’ll thank me later) because this is all men truly care about. He gets his big TV, then you have more of an opportunity to get what you want in the rest of the house. It’s a win-win.
EXPRESSIVE DECOR
Lastly, without getting too “theme-y,” I organize what he loves and treasures into a gallery wall. I recently did one wall of really cool wallpaper for a husband that was a huge Star Wars fan. It was a black and white Star Wars print that gave this aficionado a fun way to bring his subject matter and style together.
No matter who you are or what you like, I believe every person needs a space where he or she can relax, breathe and be joyful in. Man Caves are no exception.
Meredith Boudousquié Founder | Editor-In-Chief
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
JUNE 4TH
Crushing It With Cocktails 2026
The Woodlands Waterway Marriott | 6:00 PM
Shaken, stirred and absolutely sensational—get ready for Crushing It With Cocktails! This Wine & Food Week event is bringing back the heat this year with an epic tasting experience and high-energy cocktail competition. Watch top mixologists battle it out while you sip and sample innovative creations, bold flavors and crowd-favorite classics. Must be 21+ to attend. Go to WineAndFoodWeek.Com/Crushing-It/.
JUNE 6TH
The
Woodlands Farmers Market
Grogan's Mill Shopping Center | 9:00 AM
The Woodlands Farmers Market is a weekly community event sponsored by the Grogan's Mill Village Association. Held every Saturday morning, it offers local produce, artisan goods and fresh finds. Profits from the Market are returned to the community through the Grogan's Mill Village Association's philanthropic programs.Subscribe to the weekly newsletter for a vendor sneak preview at GrogansMill.Org/Newsletter-Signup-TWFM.
JUNE 6TH
Fired Up Tour
The Woodlands Fire Station #6 | 10:00 AM
The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Services invites you to experience an exciting series of Fired Up Tours at your local fire stations to celebrate the partnerships that keep our community safer! Get a close-up look at fire apparatus, meet our dedicated firefighters and learn essential fire safety practices. For details, contact Neighborhood Services at 281.210.3800 or Neighbor@TheWoodlandsTownship-Tx.Gov.
JUNE 11TH - 13TH
Piney Woods Film Festival 2026
Lone Star College Montgomery
The Piney Woods Film Festival, held in Montgomery County, is a celebration of bold, independent cinema from around the world. Founded under Broadcasting Texas, a 501(c)(3), and rooted in Texas creativity, they proudly spotlight student and emerging filmmakers while providing a vibrant space where stories from every background take root, grow, inspire and thrive. Go to PineyWoodsFilmFestival.Org.
JUNE 13TH
Waterway Nights Summer Series
31 Waterway Square Place | 7:00 PM
Enjoy live music by local and regional performers in the picturesque setting of Waterway Square at Waterway Nights each Saturday this June. On Saturday, June 13, enjoy the Tropical Steelpan Orchestra (Instrumental Variety) with your friends and family. Stroll the Waterway as you listen, or stop to dance amid the picturesque views. Go to TheWoodlandsParks.Com/Events/Concerts/Waterway-Nights
JUNE 27TH
Hilary Duff in Concert with Jade LeMac and La Roux
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion | 6:00 PM Hilary Duff’s “The Lucky Me Tour” makes its stop in The Woodlands on Jun 27. Duff will perform songs from her sixth studio album, luck... or something, and hits from years past. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets range from $29.50 for lawn seats to $149.50 for the pit. Go to WoodlandsCenter.Org/Events/2026/Hilary-Duff.
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