SB+ December 2023

Spring Branch print shop

upgrades its location and equipment to provide

speedy service to residents

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December 2023

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/ December 2023 Send comments, thoughts, or ideas to springbranchplus@gmail.com

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December 2023

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ON THE COVER

Ivette Chapman, owner of local print shop Speedy Printing, explains how she took over a frozen-in-time business and modernized it with a location change and upgraded technology. Read the story on pages 4-6.

Cover photo by David Shutts Photography.

7

Spring Branch Community Health Center’s fall luncheon recap

16

Have an eco-friendly Christmas with low-waste gift ideas

17

Woodlawn Garden of Memories chosen as Wreaths Across America site

8

NeuMed hosts fun fall festival at its Spring Branch location

10

“The Ugly Sweater Xmas Musical” presented by TUTS

18

“Reed” All About It

11

TUTS presents “Cinderella”

19

12-13

Community calendar

Tradition continues: “A Christmas Carol” all month long at Alley Theatre

14-15

The Drunken Cyclist recommends his top ten champagnes for the holidays

20

Spring Branch resident starts nonprofit to support Ukraine

22

December holidays celebrated around the world

Woodlawn Funeral Home hosts Día de los Muertos celebration

Editor’s Letter to the Residents The full-blown hustle and bustle of the holidays is here. Weren’t we just sweating through our clothes and bemoaning 100-plus-degree summer temps? I for one am glad that’s over and am enjoying the cooler weather and the unmistakable notes of holiday cheer in the air. December’s issue comes to you chock full of local feel-good stories — a Ukrainian Spring Valley resident who banded together with other Houstonians to start a nonprofit supporting her home country, a small print shop that went from an ‘80s throwback to a fully modernized facility, a recap of several fall festivals hosted by some of our favorite small businesses, holidays around the world, and how to have an eco-friendly gift-giving experience during the season.

However you choose to celebrate this time of year, we here at Spring Branch Plus wish you peace, joy, and simplicity during the holiday season.

Advertising Contact: Dawn Gunther Email: springbranchplus@gmail.com Phone: 713.828.4604

Pink Seat Media, LLC

Publisher/Editor Dawn Gunther

Content Coordinator Liz Clearman

Cover Photographer

David Shutts Photography

Local Printing Business Frozen in Time Gets a “Speedy” Facelift

By Liz Clearman

I

vette Chapman remembers when she and her husband, Kyle, purchased Speedy Printing in 2016 from the current owners, a couple who was planning to retire (they had been running the business since 1993 — who can blame them?). “I decided to buy Speedy because I always liked to work with paper art and crafts and I loved to design invitations, and always did it for every event for our family since I was 13 years old,” said Ivette. When the entrepreneurial couple went to see the business for the first time, she remembers thinking, “This is a time capsule and we are back in the ‘80s.”

While the building and its interior looked to be frozen in time, Kyle gently encouraged Ivette to look beyond the aesthetics and focus on the financials as well as all they could do to ensure that the business was successful. “If you saw a picture of the before and after, you would not believe it’s the same company,” Ivette pointed out.

Kyle and Ivette met in Brazil in 2002 when she worked at Schlumberger Drilling and Measurements as a field engineer and he was employed at Weatherford. After they got married they moved to Venezuela, then continued their around-the-world trek to Argentina, back to Brazil (where Jake, their 15-year-old and a sophomore at Memorial High School, was born), Trinidad and Tobago, and finally Mexico, where Ivette gave birth to their youngest son, Timothy, who’s 12 and attends Memorial Middle School. When the Chapmans moved to Houston in 2013 from Mexico City, Ivette purchased the outdated — but promising — business in order to have a more flexible and family-friendly career. For her, it’s been a dream come true. She’s close to home and the boys’ schools, and with both sons involved in the Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association and Boy Scout Troop 673 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, she’s able to get them where they need to be for their extracurriculars as well as stay involved.

Top: Ivette Chapman Standing, left to right: Orlando Alvarez, Kristine Rodriguez, Mary Grivas Bottom, left to right: Lucas Perez, Eduardo Aparicio, Olianny Cortez 4

Venezuelan by birth, Ivette is focused on keeping her culture alive and well with the boys. “As a person born in Venezuela who has lived in multiple countries, I find it is important to give children exposure to a multitude of cultures. For the past three years, I have worked on the International Day committee at MMS and am currently serving as co-chair. This festival allows the students and staff at MMS to experience different foods, try on costumes, listen to music, play games, and learn facts about different countries. It’s amazing how many different nationalities you find within the school.”

Her original goal after signing on the dotted line to buy Speedy Printing was to modernize equipment and to offer more competitive and quality products, and by all measures, that goal has been met and surpassed. It only took about five years for them to outgrow the original building on Campbell Road, and they chose to make the shop’s second home in the Spring Branch/ Memorial area in May 2021 which, Ivette noted, was simply a convenient location and close to her neighborhood, Riedel Estates, as well as her children’s schools. Now, however?

Her tune has changed. “I can say there is no better place to be. We love our customers and the community; word of mouth is the most powerful marketing tool we have had so far.

Our customers recommend us to their friends and family because they recognize we will give them the attention they deserve,” gushed Ivette.

While they’re still a truly small business in comparison to other printing houses, Ivette is convinced that their willingness to go the extra mile and their higher-than-average

quality standards set them apart. The industry agrees — Speedy Printing won the Excellence Award from the Gulf Coast Printing Industry in 2020. The staff has also been able to contribute their talents to the Spring Branch community; graphic designer Lucas helped bring stunning artwork created by children at the NewSpring Center to life by printing their drawings on giant butterflies that you can see all over the Memorial area.

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Since moving to their larger location over two years ago, Speedy Printing has been able to expand their services, offering largeformat printing, perfect binding, contour cutting, and digital foil stamping. This year, they added a flatbed UV printer that allows them to print on large, rigid substrates such as cardboard form aboard, coroplast, PVC, plastic, acrylic, wood, MDO, metal, and pretty much any media that isn’t reflective.

In addition, the machine allows them to do massive cutouts (like fatheads), yard signs, and other life-size cutouts. Point-of-purchase displays and party decorations are also possible with the new printer, and — get this — even furniture. “We’ve printed and cut furniture made of eagle cell, which is a thicker version of cardboard. We are very excited about this machine and the amazing products we can offer now,” said Ivette.

This neighborhood print shop started with only four employees but has grown to employ ten people. There are three graphic designers on-site — Lucas, Alicia, and Ivette — who make customers’ ideas and needs come to life with creativity, printing, and finishing. The designers also guide clients to select the appropriate media, fonts, and graphics, all while ensuring that the final result is what their clients envisioned.

Two printing operators, Eduardo and Abraham, are responsible for the actual printing side of the process, while four employees on the finishing end (Mary, Kristine, Oly, and Orlando) take care of the cutting, gluing, stapling, binding, and guaranteeing an on-time completion with a second-to-none quality standard. Front-facing customer service is handled by GG at the front desk, who takes care of clients and assists them with quotes and orders.

With Christmas just around the corner — Speedy Printing’s favorite time of year — Ivette says she and her staff have been hard at work since October designing and printing Christmas cards and envelopes. The new UV printer they recently acquired, as well as a specialty cutter, allowed them to print the ornaments that grace their beautifully decorated Christmas tree inside the store. For the team, this time of year allows them to watch families and kids grow as they print off holiday cards, but that’s something they get to witness all year. “Sometimes the picture is a wedding, and then the next year, we might see a baby in their grandparents’ arms. Recently, I helped a customer download pictures from his professional camera, and he told me the story of his family, asking me if I knew of the Brady Bunch. ‘We met after our spouses passed,’ he said, ‘and we got married. We both had children of our own and now we have a big, messy family.’ Nothing makes us happier than listening to our customers tell us their stories,” Ivette recounted.

For the future? Ivette and her entire team simply want to provide their customers, both loyal and new, reliable and high-quality printing and design services. Part of the joy of running this business for her is meeting and developing relationships with both people and other businesses alike in the Spring Branch area. “We are really thankful to all our customers and friends that recommend our work. I’m also thankful for the staff; Lucas and Mary have been with Speedy since I started this journey. Lucas is an extraordinary graphic designer and all our customers love him. Mary is our bindery supervisor in charge of all the finishes of our print materials, Eduardo is in charge of large format printing, and Orlando is our driver and helps in all areas,” said Ivette.

Speedy Printing is located off I-10 and Bingle inside the Memorial Design Business Complex at 8566 Katy Freeway, Suite 124. For more information on their services and offerings, please visit their website at speedyprintinghouston.com, give them a call at 713.932.6954, or find them on socials: Speedy Printing Katy Freeway (Facebook) and @speedyprintingkf (Instagram).

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Spring Branch Community Health Center’s Fall Harvest Luncheon Emphasizes Importance of Mental Health

S

pring Branch Community Health Center’s 13th Annual Fall Harvest Luncheon brought together over 220 friends and supporters at the Junior League in Houston on Friday, October 13th to celebrate 19 years of service to the community. Hector Villarreal, owner of Lucho, kept the pace brisk and lively as the MC for the annual event. Among those in attendance were State Representative Armando Walle, Tony Buzbee, and City Council Member Amy Peck. Shawn Alex Nemeth, founding director and CEO of Chester Street Foundation, gave an insightful keynote address on the importance of mental health and the need to embrace and heal childhood trauma.

Receiving the 2023 Louis Faillace Award was SBCHC’s partnering organization, SpringSpirit, a nonprofit founded by Kenny Baldwin dedicated to the physical, mental, and spiritual health of underserved youth in the Spring Branch community. New to this year’s program was the Healthcare Hero Award. This award honored three individuals who have championed community health and have made a lasting impact on the health of the Houston Community.

From left to right: Tony Buzbee, Texas Rep. Armando Walle, Marlen Trujillo, PhD, MBA, Shawn Alex Nemeth

Receiving the award were Connie Claros of United Healthcare, Veronica Sanchez of The American Heart Association, and Francia Urrea of Amerigroup. SBCHC CEO Marlen Trujillo was presented with a proclamation of 19 successful years of service to the Houston community from the office of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. A champagne reception following the luncheon in the courtyard of the Junior League, allowing the guests an opportunity to mingle and enjoy the beautiful fall weather while raising a glass to celebrate the accomplishments of the Spring Branch Community Health Center.

SBCHC recently created an advisory board to help amplify its mission to increase the number of 7

healthy families in our community by providing high-quality, comprehensive health services.

Hector Villarreal is the chair of the advisory board, and members include Claudia Almaguer, Ricardo Barcelo, Marian Cabanillas, Stephanie Clay, Dawn Gunther, Ryan Hartzog, Karen Hernandez, Mary Hill, Carl E. Lee, MD, Lorena Reyes, Jorge Salazar, MD, Roxana Aparicio, MD, James Bertrand, Angela Chairez, Adriana E. Gonzalez, Erica Hattery, MD, Valerie Hernandez, EdD, Matt Hoffman, John Marcellus, MD, Howard Richman, MD, and Marie-Louise Zelmat.

For more information, please visit sbchc.net.

NeuMed’s Fall Festival: A Kaleidoscope of Fun and Community Cheer!

By Carly Teers, NeuMed Modern Urgent Care + IV Therapy

W

hen Fun Met Festivity!

On a bright and bubbly November 12th, 2023, NeuMed threw the most fantabulous Fall Festival ever! It was a carnival of joy, bursting with laughter and community spirit. Thanks to our awesome sponsors like ReMax Spring Branch and PJ’s Coffee Spring Branch, it was a day packed with unmissable fun!

Bounce into Excitement!

Imagine a bounce house so vibrant, sponsored by HotWorx, that it became the heartbeat of our festivities. Kids and grown-ups alike were jumping with joy, literally!

Unleash Your Inner Picasso!

Got a flair for the artsy? Our creative corner was a riot of colors and imagination. Face painting, arts and crafts - you name it, we had it. It was like walking into a rainbow!

Games, Giggles, and Good Times!

From giggles over games to friendly high-fives, the festival had it all.

The air was electric with excitement, and the sound of laughter was our favorite melody.

Raffle Razzmatazz!

And oh, the raffles! With prizes like a month’s membership at Rumble Boxing Memorial, everyone had their fingers crossed for a win.

Pizza Paradise!

Let’s talk about the hero of the day - Yellow Door Pizza! It wasn’t just pizza; it was a slice of heaven that tantalized our taste buds.

A Community that Celebrates Together!

This wasn’t just a festival; it was a tribute to our amazing community. A big shoutout to all our sponsors and friends like My Fit Foods Heights, Warran-T Fitness, and Blacks Bodega for weaving this tapestry of togetherness.

Thank You, You’re All Stars!

A heartwarming thank you to everyone who joined the fiesta. Your smiles, energy, and support made this more than just a festival – it was a celebration of our vibrant community spirit!

Here’s to many more memories and festivals that sparkle with the magic of community and fun. Cheers to NeuMed’s Fall Festival, where every moment was a story waiting to be told!

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Meet the Cast of the New TUTS Musical,

The Ugly Xmas Sweater Musical

T

heatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is excited to introduce you to the stellar cast of Houstonians in the world premiere of The Ugly Xmas Sweater Musical, a brand-new musical.

Ringing in the holiday spirit is the always-fashionable cast of The Ugly Xmas Sweater Musical are: Julia Krohn as “Cheryl,” Brooke Wilson as “Olga,” Kevin Cooney as “Charlie,” Nicolas Garza as “Doug/Niles,” and Kiara Caridad as “Kelli. Joining them are Trey Lewis who is serving as the understudy for “Doug/Niles” and “Charlie,” and Sophia Clarke who is serving as the understudy for “Cheryl,” “Olga,” and “Kelly.”

Co-written by TUTS Artistic Director, Dan Knechtges — who also serves as director and choreographer on the production — and Megan Larche Dominick, The Ugly Xmas Sweater Musical takes you inside the annual holiday party at a large company that no one knows is on the brink of disaster! Joining Knechtges on the production is Music Arranger, Michael Holland, Musical Director, Ben Childress; Lighting Designer, Hudson Davis; Costume Designer, Colleen Grady; Sound Designer, Andrew Harper; Hair & Makeup Designer, Jayson Kolbicz; Assistant Director, Alan Kim and and Production Stage Manager, Stephanie Britton. Casting for The Ugly Xmas Sweater Musical is provided by TUTS Artistic Line Producer, Laura Nan Peete.

Hailed as a riotous mashup of “The Office” and “Project Runway,” with improvisational hilarity like “second city” this interactive, laugh-out-loud musical is the perfect holiday treat for everyone. The Ugly Xmas Sweater runs November 28 through December 24 at the Theatre Under The Stars. Tickets start at just $40, and are available online at TUTS.com, or by contacting the TUTS Box Office by phone at (713) 558-8887 or in person by visiting the Box Office located at 800 Bagby Street.

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Cinderella

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heatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is thrilled to introduce the enchanting cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

“Cinderella is a timeless tale beloved by so many, and we are excited to bring this version to life on our stage for the holiday season,” said Dan Knechtges, TUTS Artistic Director. Leading the cast are Brianna Kaleen as “Cinderella,” Soara-Joye Ross as “Godmother,” Jason Schmidt as “Christopher,” Courtney Markowitz as “Stepmother,” Gemini Quintos as “Grace,” Sarah Sachi as “Joy,” Brian Mathis as “King,” Melrose Johnson as “Queen,” and Mark Ivy as “Lionel.” Joining them in the ensemble are: Mike Baerga, Kahlil Cabble, Dwayne Cook, Kelly Lomonte, Miles Marmolejo, Betty Marie Muessig, Aisha Ussery, Kaleb Womack, Kenzie Woolridge, and Teresa Zimmermann.

The Teen Ensemble includes: Anastasia Zepeda, Jacob Hurst, Kallie Green, Beatriz De Andrade E Lima, Madison Weaston, Mabyn Coleman, Jayden Strawn, Sam Morales, Jessie Vance, Glenn Carter, Nicolas Schweers, Abby Yadan, Haley Griffin, Will Merkle, Riley Korfhage, and Julian Lammey. Cinderella is directed by Eboni Bell Darcy, music directed by John Cornelius, and choreographed by Monica Josette. Joining Darcy’s team on the production; Costume Designer, Colleen Grady, Lighting Designer, Renee Brode; Sound Designer, Andrew Harper; Projection Designer, Brian Pacelli: Hair & Makeup Designer, Kelley Jordan; Associate Director, Betty Marie Muessig, and Production Stage Manager, Caskey Hunsader. Casting for Cinderella is provided by Calleri Jensen Davis Casting and by TUTS Artistic Line Producer, Laura Peete.

This fresh, dazzling and empowering production of the classic tale.

This “Enchanted” version of the classic tale is Inspired by the acclaimed teleplay starring Brandy and Whitney Houston. The timeless, magical fairy tale is reborn as a beautiful, inspiring and romantic story featuring Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most beloved songs.

A glorious and wonder-filled holiday treat for the entire family as only TUTS can do.

Cinderella runs December 5 through 24 at the Theatre Under The Stars. Tickets start at just $40, and are available online at TUTS.com, or by contacting the TUTS Box Office by phone at (713) 558-8887 or in person by visiting the Box Office located at 800 Bagby Street.

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Happy holidays!

Memorial City Mall: Merry Memories with Santa! through Dec. 24th (check merrymemorial.com for times and reservation details) TUTS’“The Ugly Xmas Sweater Musical” through Dec. 24th TUTS’“Cinderella,” Dec. 5th-24th Alley Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” through Dec. 30th

9 Hanukkah The Nutcracker on Ice @ Memorial City Mall, time TBD Memorial Holiday Market @ Memorial City Mall, time TBD Rudolph Run @ CityCentre, 7 am Memorial Villages Farmers Market @ First Congregational Church, 9 am Farmer’s Bazaar @ St. Christopher Episcopal Church, 10 am American Shuffleboard Tournament & Queen of Hearts Drawing @ VFW Post 8790, 2 pm Queen of Hearts Game @ VFW Post 8790, 5:30 pm

1 3D Printer Orientation @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4 pm Steak Night! @ VFW Post 8790, 6 pm 2 Customer appreciation event @ The Post Bingo Hall, all day ($2,500 door prize) Memorial Villages Farmers Market @ First Congregational Church, 9 am The Tiny Market @ John Knox Presbyterian Church, 9 am Splat Zone Holiday Toy Drive @ Splat Zone, 11 am American Shuffleboard Tournament & Queen of Hearts Drawing @ VFW Post 8790, 2 pm Queen of Hearts Game @ VFW Post 8790, 5:30 pm

10 Hanukkah Sensory-friendly visits with Santa @ Memorial City Mall, 11 am 11 Hanukkah Pet-friendly Visits with Santa @ Memorial City Mall Preschool Story Time @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 2:15 pm

3 Sensory-friendly visits with Santa @ Memorial City Mall, 11 am 4 Pet-friendly Visits with Santa @ Memorial City Mall Preschool Story Time @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 2:15 pm Bayou City Art Festival artist application deadline, by 12 am CST

12 Hanukkah Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe HTML Coding Class for Teens @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4:30 pm Page Turners Book Club @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 6:15 pm

5 HTML Coding Class for Teens @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4:30 pm 6 St. Nicholas Day/Feast of St. Nicholas Baby Time! @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:15 am Full STEAM Ahead! @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4 pm

13 Hanukkah Baby Time! @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:15 am Video Games @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4 pm

7 Hanukkah Toddler Time @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:15 am Teen Chess Club @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4:30 pm Yoga for Beginners @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm Spring Branch Super Neighborhood Central meeting @ VFW Post 8790, 6:30 pm

14 Hanukkah Jingle & Mingle on the Lawn @ Memorial City Mall, time TBD Toddler Time with H.E.Buddy @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:15 am Pico Park Game @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4:30 pm Yoga for Beginners @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm Energy Corridor Farmers Market @ 1520 Eldridge Pkwy, 5 pm

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December American Shuffleboard Tournament & Queen of Hearts Drawing @ VFW Post 8790, 2 pm Queen of Hearts Game @ VFW Post 8790, 5:30 pm

Toastmasters! @ VFW Post 8790, 6:30 pm 15 Hanukkah Parents’ Night Out @ Splat Zone, 5:30 pm Hamburgers & hot dogs @ VFW Post 8790, 6 pm

24 Christmas Eve Pancha Ganapati

16 Celebration raffle @ The Post Bingo, 9 am (sessions at 12, 2, and 4 pm; prizes total $15,000) Memorial Villages Farmers Market @ First Congregational Church, 9 am Coffee and Coloring @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10 am Wreaths Across America @ Woodlawn Garden of Memories, 11 am American Shuffleboard Tournament & Queen of Hearts Drawing @ VFW Post 8790, 2 pm Queen of Hearts Game @ VFW Post 8790, 5:30 pm

25 Merry Christmas!

Pancha Ganapati SBISD winter break 26 Boxing Day Kwanzaa Zartosht No-Diso SBISD winter break 27 Kwanzaa SBISD winter break

18 SBISD secondary school early dismissal Pet-friendly Visits with Santa @ Memorial City Mall Preschool Story Time @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 2:15 pm

28 Kwanzaa SBISD winter break Yoga for Beginners @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm Toastmasters! @ VFW Post 8790, 6:30 pm Toddler Time @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:15 am Energy Corridor Farmers Market @ 1520 Eldridge Pkwy, 5 pm

19 SBISD secondary school early dismissal Cocoa & Board Games @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4:30 pm 20 SBISD elementary and secondary school early dismissal Baby Time! @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:15 am

29 Kwanzaa SBISD winter break Toddler Time @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:15 am

21 Yule Pancha Ganapati SBISD winter break Toddler Time @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:15 am Yoga for Beginners @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm Spring Branch Super Neighborhood East meeting @ Harris County Assessor, 7 pm

30 Kwanzaa Memorial Villages Farmers Market @ First Congregational Church, 9 am Blood drive @ Memorial City Mall, 11 am American Shuffleboard Tournament & Queen of Hearts Drawing @ VFW Post 8790, 2 pm Queen of Hearts Game @ VFW Post 8790, 5:30 pm

22 Pancha Ganapati SBISD winter break 23 Pancha Ganapati Memorial Villages Farmers Market @ First Congregational Church, 9 am

31 New Year’s Eve Kwanzaa

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Ten Top Champagnes for the Holidays

By Jeffrey M. Kralik, Ph.D. (The Drunken Cyclist)

E

very year at this time I hear it, and I bristle. It drives me absolutely crazy and for years I fought it down to the last fiber of my being (or at least to the last bubble of the bottle). It seems like just about everyone in the wine industry (and beyond) considers these next couple of weeks to be “Champagne Season.” ex·as·per·a·tion /iɡˌzaspəˈrāSH(ə)n/ noun a feeling of intense irritation or annoyance. “she rolled her eyes in exasperation.”

While I do not doubt that more than 50% of champagne consumption in the U.S. occurs in the last two months of the calendar year, I think that is, well, stupid. As I have mentioned countless times, I consider champagne to be the most versatile of all wines. As such, it should be consumed at virtually any (and every) meal and all year long.

And I espouse that dictum to the fullest.

Regardless, I have come to accept that at least 50% of the population in the U.S. is forever doomed to make poor decisions, so why should this be any different?

This year, I decided to conduct a little experiment, of sorts. I thought I would track down the ten top-selling champagnes (by cases sold) in the U.S. and taste them blind to determine which among them was actually the “best”.

The first two wines on the list are both part of the huge conglomerate, LVMH, and they accounted for over a million cases (12 standard 750ml bottles) combined in 2022 and represent close to two-thirds of all the champagne sold in the U.S. (and that gets a “yowza”).

Veuve Clicquot (647k cases): Retail $50. Fruity, yeasty, good sparkle, lengthy finish. Veuve gets a bad rap because of its presence on top of the best-selling list and that is dumb. Excellent. 92 Points.

Moët & Chandon Impérial (594k): Retail $45. Slightly golden in the glass with oodles of baked bread yeastiness and subtle citrus notes. The palate is tart, balanced, and loaded with a delicate sparkle.

Excellent. 90 Points.

14

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After the top two behemoths, there is a huge drop-off when it comes to sales in the U.S. Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut (67k): Retail $45. Plenty of yeasty and nutty notes along with tree fruit aromas on the nose (pear, mostly).

The palate exhibits plenty of finesse, lovely nutty flavors, and a good balance of acidity with a dash of sweetness. Very Good. 89 Points.

Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive (60k): Retail $40. Yellow, almost gold in the glass with a dirty, flinty aspect on the nose with a bit of red berry fruit, some yeastiness, and celery root. Very Good. 87 Points.

Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut (52k): Retail $50. A floral quality on the nose, with under-baked bread, and freshly grated lemon grind. The palate is tart and yeasty with a vibrant sparkle and the finish is slightly above average. Excellent. 90 Points.

Mumm Cordon Rouge (50k): Pale straw with perhaps a slight golden tint. The nose here is slightly richer with more peach than pear, and not really any citrus on the nose. But there is plenty of fresh-baked croissant goodness here. Rich, deep, fantastic. Excellent. 91 Points.

Piper-Heidsieck (45k): Retail $45. Rich, yeasty (more so than fruity), and nutty, this really is right in my wheelhouse as it is a fullerbodied champagne. Healthy, fine sparkle, with a lengthy, nutty finish.

Delicious. Excellent. 92 Points.

Taittinger Brut Réserve La Française (34k in 2020): Retail $50. Pale straw in the glass with all kinds of yeasty goodness, slightly obscuring the pear and golden apple fruit (with a twist of lemon rind) on the nose. Excellent. 91 Points.

The final two I added to the blind tasting for separate reasons. The Kirkland (i.e., Costco) champagne is a bargain at $20 and widely popular among budget-conscious wine writers and consumers alike.

The second, Mailly Grand Cru, is another co-op, but it is much smaller than Nicolas Feuillatte. It is, however, our favorite champagne, so much so that we named our dog Mailly.

Kirkland Signature: Retail $20. Yeasty and ripe peach make for a very pleasant nose, leading to a surprisingly fruity palate (again, ripe peach), good sparkle and acidity. For twenty bucks? A solid champagne.

Very Good. 88 Points.

Mailly Grand Cru Brut Réserve: Retail $42. Another pale straw with a yellow tint, this is far more citrus than the first two in this flight, with a floral aspect, and plenty of yeastiness here too. Nutty, really nutty on the palate, fantastic. Excellent. 93 Points.

Need help with wine? Contact me: jeff@thedrunkencyclist.com.

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‘Tis the Season for (Eco-friendly) Gift Giving

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By Liz Clearman

t’s the holiday season, and that means the stress of finding the *perfect* gift for everyone on your list.

While gift giving can be delightful, this is also the most consumer-driven time of year — the National Retail Federation estimated that Americans spent between $942-$960 billion (yes, you read that right — billion) on Christmas in 2022. Shockingly, TransUnion reported that despite the economic downturn of the past few years, many Americans are planning to spend even more in 2023. As someone who is passionate about decreasing my carbon footprint and eco-minimalism, allow me to introduce some low- to no-waste gift ideas that are customizable for anyone on your list, and most don’t involve anything tangible. Shopping with intention this season is a win-win for you (less stress), the recipient (who needs more clutter in their lives?), and the planet (less waste overall). For gifts that aren’t “things,” try handwriting a note inside of a card explaining their gift — a homemade gift certificate of sorts — and don’t forget to wrap it in a reusable gift bag and 86 ribbons and bows to up the eco-friendliness.

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Memberships or tickets to a museum, a zoo, an arboretum, an indoor playground, a class, or anything similar

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Plan a brunch, lunch, or dinner one-on-one

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Replenish something you know they use often (have a family member who loves to bake? Give them a reusable bag or container with flour, sugar, and other pantry staples)

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A zero-waste starter kit that includes things like un-paper towels, cloth napkins, reusable makeup remover cloths, soap savers, bamboo toothbrushes, reusable cotton swabs, etc. (you can find tons on Etsy)

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Tickets to a fun seasonal experience — The Nutcracker ballet, Polar Express train ride, and Santa’s Wonderland in College Station are a few popular ones

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Something consumable/edible (a candle they can burn, food or other treats, a favorite tea or coffee, a nice bottle of wine)

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Offer to do something for them (babysitting, cooking a specified number of meals, helping an elderly family member or friend with chores, etc.)

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A subscription service like Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, Kindle Unlimited, or Audible, just to name a few

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Services such as housekeeping, pedicure, manicure, massage, car detailing — bonus — you can support a local business at the same time!

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Gift certificates to a favorite store or restaurant (my personal preference)

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Donation to their favorite charity

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Woodlawn Funeral Home & Garden of Memories Announces it Will Continue as an Official Location for the 2023 National Wreaths Across America Day

Call The VERGI Pet Emergency Hotline at: (713) 932-9589

The cemetery will join the more than 3,700 participating locations across the country to Remember, Honor and Teach on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023

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ational nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) recently announced that Woodlawn Garden of Memories in Houston, Texas has once again joined in the mission to Remember, Honor, Teach, as an official location for 2023. This is the 7th year that the cemetery will participate in this national program.

Wreaths Across America started as a simple gesture of thanks that has grown into a national, yearlong movement of dedicated volunteers and communities coming together to not only remember the nation’s fallen and honor their service, but to teach the next generation about the value of freedom. This year, there will be more than 3,700 participating locations placing veterans’ wreaths on National Wreaths Across America Day — Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 — with more than two million volunteers coming together.

The goal for Woodlawn Garden of Memories is to raise enough funds to place 1,000 sponsored veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of all the local heroes laid to rest there, to ensure that the individuals who served to protect the freedoms of our country never be forgotten and to bring the community together in patriotic commemoration.

“We are forever grateful for the thousands of supporters who dedicate their time, energy and resources to fulfilling our mission all year long,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. “These individuals and their communities know the value of remembering the fallen, honoring those who currently serve and teaching the next generation about the sacrifices made for our freedom every day, and because of their continued support, Wreaths Across America continues to grow and touch new people each year.”

Those interested in volunteering for Wreaths Across America or sponsoring a wreath for Woodlawn Garden of Memories, are invited to visit https://www.woodlawnfh.com/upcoming-events/wreaths-acrossamerica-2023 to learn more. National Wreaths Across America Day is a free community event open to all people.

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

All Wreaths Across America Day events are non-political/religious events, open to all people. For more information, to donate or to sign up to volunteer, please visit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.

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Woodlawn Funeral Home Hosts 1st Annual Día de los Muertos Event

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ía de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a two-day Mexican holiday extending over the first two days of November that reunites the living and the dead (and, despite its proximity to Halloween, has nothing to do with the October 31st celebration).

Families create “ofrendas,” or offerings, that honor their departed loved ones which are then placed on altars decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the dead, and the favorite food and drink of the ones being honored.

To help recognize this unique holiday, Woodlawn Funeral Home & Garden of Memories (located at 1101 Antoine Drive) hosted its first annual Día de Los Muertos event on November 1, 2023. It was a huge success with over 500 people who participated in the festivities at the funeral home. Woodlawn would like to thank local sponsors Hinojosa & Salinas, PLLC, Metro by T-Mobile, Dave & Busters, Metro Houston Properties, Alien Eats Food Truck, Friohana, and Telemundo Channel 47. See you next year!

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“Reed” All About It

By Reed Ingersoll, Memorial High School student

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hen most people think of an extracurricular activity, they think of sports, fine arts, or clubs — but some SBISD students spend their time raising farm animals and learning about the world of agriculture.

Students participating in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program go to the Spring Branch FFA Agricultural Center twice every day to tend to their animals’ needs in preparation for the annual Spring Branch Show & Sale hosted in the winter.

Members of FFA begin the process of raising a farm animal by selecting what species they want to buy.

“People who wanted to do a goat had 30 minutes to look at all of them and decide which ones were the best,” junior Alicia Andrews said.

“We drew numbers to see who gets to pick when. I got number six, which is a good pick, so I got one of my top choices.”

Students may pick between cows, pigs, goats, chickens, and other varieties of animals to raise, making commitments that can last between two and eight months depending on the species chosen.

“At first, I decided only wanted to raise a cow,” senior Emily Fultz said, “but since I was already going to the barn for the cow, I decided to also do a pig for extra money.”

Students in the program start every day at the barn before school, evaluating their animal daily to determine what it needs. Once students feed their animal, they walk them for 20 to 30 minutes to exercise and practice showmanship. Students work with their animals to make sure they walk with confidence, obedience, and are relaxed when the auction comes around.

“In the mornings, I feed my lamb a protein feed, because right now I’m focusing on muscle growth,” sophomore Gage Schisler said. “Once he eats all his food, I take him on a walk and if he’s good I feed him some hay as a treat.”

FFA members not only learn about punctuality, hard work, and commitments, but they are also exposed to real life situations regarding investments and managing money smartly. Before students even see their animal, they are required to pay up to $1000 for it depending on the species. FFA members also must pay for all the supplies that their animal needs, which can range from basic necessities such as food, soap, harnesses, and heaters, but if their animal gets sick, can also be medicines or vet appointments.

“FFA is a lot of hard work,” junior Colt Lovett said. “It’s definitely worth it when you sell your animal and get a bunch of money though.”

The night before the auction, students and their animals engage in a competition against other animals of that species. Animals are judged based on their figure and behavior as well as how the student presents them. The animals are then ranked from best to worst, which determines their place in the auction.

“Last year I had the 5th place overall pig, but I also won the showmanship award for handling my pig the best out of everyone,” sophomore Kyle Ingersoll said. “I won a belt buckle and got more money in the auction than pigs that placed similar to mine.”

Students finally get to see their months of hard work pay off when the auction comes around. This year, the Show & Sale will be held on February 10th at the SBFFA Ag Center if you want to attend and support SBISD students’ hard work and accomplishments.

Junior Alicia Andrews with her goat, Casper.

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Alley Theatre Kicks Off the Holiday Season with Houston’s Holiday Tradition

A Christmas Carol

Artistic Director Rob Melrose’s Adaptation Combines Magic, Music, and Dickens

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he Tony Award®-winning Alley Theatre and Artistic Director Rob Melrose announces the return of Alley’s holiday tradition, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. This holiday favorite promises to be a dazzling Christmas feast, featuring the Alley’s Resident Acting Company. Resident Acting Company member David Rainey returns as Ebenezer Scrooge for the sixth time at the Alley.

Timeless Tradition: A Christmas Carol celebrates the timeless tradition of Dickens’ beloved tale. Audiences can expect colorful Victorian costumes, lively dancing, and stunning sets that transport them to 19thcentury London.

Entire Resident Acting Company: A Christmas Carol showcases Alley Theatre’s entire Resident Acting Company.

A Magical Transformation: Experience the miraculous transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge as never before. With the help of some theatre magic, the spirits of Christmas come to life.

The Perfect Blend of Carols: A Christmas Carol strikes just the right balance with a blend of traditional Christmas carols, filling the stage

with the joyous sounds of the season. Audiences can expect to be enchanted by the a cappella renditions of their favorite carols.

Create Cherished Memories: Alley Theatre invites audiences, ages 6 and older, to celebrate the holidays and create cherished memories with family and friends. This heartwarming production is a Houston tradition that continues to captivate and inspire.

Artistic Director Rob Melrose shares his thoughts on this year’s production, “I’m so excited to go back into rehearsals for A Christmas Carol. It is one of the biggest productions Alley Theatre has done to date, and it was such an honor and a pleasure to create a brand-new adaptation last year! My goal was to lean into Dickens’ original witty and descriptive language, to fill the play with traditional Christmas songs sung a cappella, and to have the play be full of spectacle and magic...giving audiences visions of parts of the novella they have never seen on stage before. This year, we are working to make the production even better and can’t wait for you to see it!” Managing Director Dean Gladden 19

Photography by Lynn Lane

adds, “For decades, Alley Theatre’s A Christmas Carol has been a holiday tradition for so many Houston families. We are thrilled to bring back our spectacular production from last year to continue that Houston tradition.”

Performances of A Christmas Carol begin Friday, November 17, and run through Saturday, December 30 in the Hubbard Theatre. Tickets to A Christmas Carol are now on sale, starting at $29. Discounted tickets are available for military, senior, educator and any student, regardless of age, with a valid student ID for designated performances in designated sections. Tickets can be ordered online (alleytheatre.org) or by phone (713.220.5700).

Perfect for family audiences (children ages 6 and older).

Houstonians Band Together through Local Nonprofit to Support Ukraine

By Liz Clearman

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onprofit HTX4Ukraine (Houston for Ukraine), founded

by Ukrainian-born Iryna Marchiano, has a mission — to protect and save lives in the Ukraine. Iryna also wants to ensure a peaceful future for her Texas-born children and their generation. Founded on the night of February 24, 2022 and officially registering as a nonprofit later that year, HTX4Ukraine focuses on advocacy and fundraising, using the money they raise to purchase and deliver a wide variety of lifesaving tactical medical aid, protective gear, and equipment to the people of Ukraine. “Our organization is run by unpaid volunteers and we are proud to operate with close to 0% overhead,” noted Iryna. The nonprofit is comprised of both those born in Ukraine (such as Iryna) who have found a second home in Houston, first-generation Americans (mainly children of post-WWII Ukrainian refugees), and Houstonians who don’t have a drop of Eastern European blood, but who are passionate about the cause nonetheless.

Bringing people together and watching the magic happen — “And, well — art,” said Iryna — is her biggest inspiration. “When I moved to Houston in 2008, two weeks before Hurricane Ike, I did not know what to expect. But the next 15 years brought into my life a plethora of extremely kind and interesting people from all over the world. Each of them is uniquely beautiful, talented, and driven in their own special way. As head of communications at HTX4Ukraine I enjoy engaging with the local community, educating children and adults alike about the country of my birth, and most importantly, introducing fellow Houstonians to the wealth of Ukrainian cultural heritage and traditions,” Iryna said. In addition to her passion for connecting people, she’s also a huge patron of the arts, having served as a co-instructor in various workshops teaching community members the art of traditional Ukrainian Easter egg decorating alongside Nestor Topchy, a well-known Houston-based experimental artist (he currently has a solo exhibit at The Menil Collection through mid-January 2024).

Iryna, her husband Matt, and their two girls, 6-year-old Zoryana and 8-year-old Solomia, moved to Spring Valley Village in early 2021 during what some might say was, to put it mildly, a rough time in Houston and the nation. COVID was still raging and the Great Texas Freeze/Winter Storm Uri was right around the corner. Neighbors ensured they were warm and helped to defrost their pipes, and they ended up finding even more community in Spring Branch Presbyterian Academy, where Iryna and Matt chose to put the girls in school.

A year later, when Ukraine was invaded by Russia, Iryna found out just how tight-knit the Spring Branch community truly is.

“When the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, teachers at the school offered to babysit our girls for free because they knew I was on the go with HTX4Ukraine day and night. The first few days of the invasion were a blur, and I lost ten pounds that first week. By day three, I finally pulled myself together and took my youngest to school. When I entered her classroom, I broke down in tears — each one of her 4-yearold friends was wearing a ‘Stand with Ukraine’ T-shirt. All of them. And they all came over and hugged me. My heart was breaking for the people of Ukraine, but it was also oh-so-full of love and gratitude for these little kiddos and their parents. Because of the pandemic, I never really knew any of them all that well beforehand, yet this is what they chose to do, and this is what they chose to teach their children about. I will forever be grateful for the grace and kindness that was shown to me and our family during that difficult time,” Iryna reminisced.

The idea for the first HTX4Ukraine fundraising bake sale came from a fellow SBPA mom, Allison Mathis, who wanted to do more than just wear T-shirts. After securing the necessary permits, putting out a call throughout the Ukrainian community for homemade cakes, and reaching out to local business owners for support, the bake sale was full steam ahead. With the assistance of businesses like Cambrian Coffee and Jonathan Levine of Jonathan’s The Rub, who both donated cakes and other pastries, the team raised $5,000 in the span of two hours. A few weeks later, HTX4Ukraine partnered with Kerry Pauly of KP’s Kitchen, who put together a “spirit night” of sorts where a percentage of the day’s profits went to the nonprofit; in addition, Jonathan, together with Ryan Lachaine of Riel Restaurant in Montrose, supported the establishment of the Houston Borscht Cook-off competition which now takes place annually two weeks before Thanksgiving.

While the organization was born out of a horrific invasion, Iryna and the rest of the HTX4Ukraine team have nurtured it and watched it flourish into a vehicle for connecting communities. By providing medical equipment, tactical aid, and other necessities, this tightknit organization is ensuring that the people of Ukraine know that even from halfway across the world, they are cared for and lifted up.

“We couldn’t have done it without y’all’s support,” said Iryna. “We are grateful! Ukraine is grateful!” For more information on the team behind HTX4Ukraine, events, the story of how they formed, how to get involved, and to donate, please visit their website at htx4ukraine.org.

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Not Just Christmas:

Around the World Holidays Celebrated in December

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By Liz Clearman

id you know that there are multiple other holidays recognized around the world that take place in December (not including New Year’s Eve)? Christmas and Hanukkah are the most known, but there are other religious and cultural festivals and celebrations that take place during what many of us consider the holiday season. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of several of those holidays, when they’re celebrated, and their significance.

1. Advent (Sundays, Dec. 5th-24th): A Christian time before Christmas to celebrate the upcoming birth of Jesus through prayer, fasting, repentance, and the lighting of a candle every Sunday on an Advent wreath.

2. St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6th): Christians celebrate this to honor the birthday of St. Nicholas, the inspiration behind Santa Claus.

3. Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8th): The day of the Immaculate Conception that honors the Virgin Mary, typically acknowledged by Catholics who go to church and feast on this holy day.

4. Bodhi Day (Dec. 8th): This is a Buddhist tradition — also known as Rohatsu — that honors the day on which the Buddha (Siddartha Gautama) is said to have reached enlightenment.

5. Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12th): Celebrated by Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, this is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico who symbolizes patriotism and devotion.

6. Hanukkah (Dec. 7th-15th): An eight-day Jewish holiday that centers around lighting one candle on a menorah per night (and typically giving one gift per night), Hanukkah serves as a time when Jewish people reflect on how a day’s worth of oil miraculously lasted for eight days during a battle between a small group of their ancestors and the Greek-Syrian army in 165 B.C. 7. Yule (Dec. 21st): Also known as the winter solstice or the darkest day of the year, Wiccans and Neo-Pagans recognize Yule to celebrate the sun coming back out and the days getting longer. It was originally a Norse festival popular in Scandinavia and began to be associated with Christmas in the ninth century.

8. Pancha Ganapati (Dec. 21st-25th): Hindus worship Lord Ganesha (also known as Ganapati), the elephant-headed deity of culture and new beginnings, during this period. Families create a shrine for the occasion, exchange gifts, and have feasts.

9. Boxing Day (Dec. 26th): Our neighbors across the pond in Great Britain celebrate this holiday that dates back to when Queen Victoria ruled in the 1800s; upper class Brits gave servants and workers a day off as well as a gift.

Now, Boxing Day has become more of a commercialized gift-giving holiday.

10. Kwanzaa (Dec. 26th-Jan. 1st): This cultural holiday was created by Black nationalist Maulana Karenga in 1966 to unite the African American community after the Watts Rebellion in a Los Angeles neighborhood. There are seven principles for Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, creativity, and faith.

11. Zartosht No-Diso (Dec. 26th): More than 3,000 years ago, the Prophet Zoroaster founded Zoroastrianism — one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions — and he is honored on this day by followers visiting a fire temple and offering prayers.

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Happy Holidays!