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

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ON THE COVER

Entrepreneur and business owner Perry L. Jordan III brings his 15+ years of restaurant experience to Spring Valley with The Toasted Yolk Café, a combo breakfast/brunch/ lunch/drinks spot with a side of amazing customer service.

Check out the story on pages 4-6.

Cover photo by David Shutts Photography.

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Support the arts

14

8

The Drunken Cyclist’s gift picks for Father’s Day

15

History of Juneteenth SWHS’s principal and teacher of the year Stratford sweeps Tommy Tune Awards

10-11

Community calendar

12

Summer reading list

16

TIP luncheon recap

13

Business profile: One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning

17

“Wicked” at The Hobby Center

18

Dinos Alive roars into Houston

Houstonian Jean Wilson’s 69th birthday bash

19

Spring Branch Community Health Center’s services

S

SBEF gala recap

Editor’s Letter to the Residents

ummer is here, and so is the heat. I am definitely not ready for our infamous 100-degree days, but never fear — we’ve got some great indoor suggestions in this issue to keep you cool and sweatfree. If you and your family love plays and musicals, you’re in luck as several community theaters all around Houston have options for both the adult crowd and the “I need to get these kids out of the house” crowd. We also have a list of books to take along with you on your next beach trip (or just from the bookshelf to the couch), as well as a write-up on the new Dinos Alive Immersive Experience and the timeless musical “Wicked” at The Hobby Center. June also brings Father’s Day (June 18th), Juneteenth (June 19th), and the first official day of summer (June 21). There’s a ton of content packed into this issue, so grab a cold, frosty beverage and get out of the heat with Spring Branch Plus.

Stay cool,

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

Breakfast, Brunch, or Lunch?

Enjoy Them All at The Toasted Yolk Café

By Liz Clearman

B

reakfast and brunch-specific restaurants have made a splash in the Spring Branch/Memorial area over the past several years, and The Toasted Yolk Café in Spring Valley is an eggs-citing (see what I did there?) new addition to our community. Owned and run by Perry L. Jordan III, an entrepreneur and businessman born in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas, he considers it a stroke of faith that he was able to secure this neighborhood location for his restaurant. “The location simply presented itself. Typically, you are approved as an operator and then a location is found. It sort of worked in reverse for me. The location was found and I was able to slide into it,” said Perry.

Faith just happened to be an integral part of his upbringing in Dallas, where he was a member of Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church from the moment he was born. “My greatgrandparents lived directly across the street from the church so there was never an excuse about attending church on Sunday, Monday, Saturday, any day something was being conducted,” he reminisced. Perry’s formal education took him to Prairie View A&M, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and then onto Amberton University, where he got his MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurial Studies.

Married to Dr. Felicia L. Jordan, the couple met at Maggiano’s Little Italy in the Galleria area in December of 2011, began dating, and married in January of 2013. Their courtship wasn’t without struggles as Perry was diagnosed with cancer in the spring of 2012,

and he says that one of his strongest memories from that time period is Felicia spending day after day with him in the hospital and using all of her time, energy, and resources to get him into the well-renowned M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. They later took a cruise to Spain, where Perry enlisted no less than six crew members — including the executive chef and the ship’s captain — to assist him in his marriage proposal to his now-wife. One could say he doesn’t do things in an understated manner!

Prior to owning the Toasted Yolk, Perry was a McDonald’s franchisee for 15 years (he even went to McDonald’s Hamburger University 4

and received a Bachelor of Hamburgerology — no joke). “It provided the opportunity to interact with guests. I have always enjoyed talking to and serving people and The Toasted Yolk experience has provided an opportunity for me to do just that and still remain involved in my family’s life,” he noted.

The most difficult part of starting the business, Perry said, was procuring the loan. “We have not had problems securing the site, hiring people, and developing a management team. As a man of faith I like to believe we are walking in the way of the Lord.”

As if running a booming restaurant (Perry) and being a successful doctor (Felicia) isn’t enough, the couple is kept busy with their two twin 7-year-old girls, Madison and Sydney. Madison’s favorite subjects in school are math and reading while Sydney’s are science and writing; both girls are involved in cheerleading and swimming as their extracurricular activities. Bella, the Jordans’ 11-year-old German Shepherd, is also a beloved part of the family, although her senior age might prevent her from running around as much as she’d like with the kids. Perry’s hobbies — although you might wonder when he has time for them all — include gardening, fishing, watching movies, following Dallas-area sports teams (the Cowboys, Mavericks, and Rangers), and increasing his faith on a daily basis,

an important practice for him. He’s an active member of Brentwood Baptist Church, where he participates in Christian Education, the deacon ministry, and the handbell ministry, Bronze Voices. As if that’s not enough, he’s a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he served on the executive board as chaplain. (If you’re tired just reading all of this, know that you’re not alone.)

Travel is also a passion of not just Perry’s, but of the entire Jordan family. “We typically take a local trip with the girls once or twice a year, and Mommy and Daddy get away once every year or two. It may seem simple, but I really enjoy going to New York as often as we can. I enjoy Broadway, the restaurants, the touristy stuff. I believe my wife’s favorite trip (with me) was to Spain,” he said, referring, of course, to their memorable cruise where he proposed to Felicia. For their next trip, Perry and his bride want to take the girls to one of the Disney theme parks to experience the magic of the Mouse.

5

What sets The Toasted Yolk apart from other similar businesses?

“We’ve got great food, great portions, an energetic atmosphere, and clean, bright facilities,” boasted Perry. “The Toasted Yolk Café provides a unique breakfast, brunch, lunch, and drinks experience with curated chef-inspired menus in a lively atmosphere. The café is open daily from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm serving breakfast for lunch and lunch for breakfast.” The Spring Valley location opened on September 12, 2022 and currently employs 38 people for the ultimate customer experience, seven days a week. Perry is especially grateful for his managers, their hard work, and their efforts in making his restaurant a smashing success — General Manager Calvin Thomas, Assistant General Manager Alfredo “Freddy” Castillo, and Assistant Manager Jimnisha “Jimmy” Johnson keep everything running smoothly.

You can visit the dream team to say hi at 8408 Katy Freeway, Suite 100, 77024 — they would love to have you and are confident you’ll enjoy the atmosphere and the dining. Who can resist dishes such as Oscar-style fried green tomatoes, the West Coast Arnold (a twist on eggs benedict, topped with Cajun turkey, bacon, tomato, guacamole, poached eggs, and Cholula ranch), brisket tacos, or the famous Southern delicacy of shrimp and grits? Don’t forget to add on a Bloody Mary, a bellini, or a Rise ‘N’ Shine Punch. My mouth is watering just reading the menu. Stay tuned for a storytime program for the wee ones coming to the community this summer.

Perry leaves this bit of advice for our readers (and for his future customers): “Be nice to everyone you encounter. The Bible says you never know when you may be entertaining angels. Pay it forward and live by The Golden Rule.” Eggs-cellent wisdom indeed.

While the Jordans reside in the Lakes of Bella Terra in Richmond (the clinic where Dr. Jordan works as an internal medicine doctor is a bit more than a mile from their doorstep, although Perry joked, “She could walk to work in 10 minutes but prefers to take the threeminute drive, which includes three stop signs and three traffic lights,”) and have made their home there since 2015, Perry has a constant presence in Spring Valley helping to ensure The Toasted Yolk is run to the highest standards. “Although we don’t reside in the Memorial Villages, I do enjoy our neighborhood and subdivision. Growing up, our neighbors were really neighbors and not just someone you waved at once a week. You actually knew your neighbors, you knew where they worked, and you were inside everyone’s house at least once a month. You were friends that lived in close proximity. It’s the same way now with my neighbors in LOBT. I actually trust my children with some of them,” he said.

6

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Support the Arts This Summer

By Liz Clearman Want a great way to enrich your mind while getting out of the oppressive summer heat? Take advantage of the plethora of arts and culture that we have around Houston, specifically the fantastic community theaters that dot our landscape both in and out of Spring Branch. If you’ve got a theater-loving kiddo, many of them also offer summer classes that culminate in a play at the end of the camp session. Take note of all the options around the city and make plans to support the arts during the hottest months of the year! Please visit each individual theater’s website for exact dates and times as well as ticket prices, age recommendations, and other information.

Alley Theatre, alleytheatre.org “Torera” – through June 4 “The Servant of Two Masters” – June 9-July 2 Broadway Across America at The Hobby Center, houston.broadway.com/shows “Wicked” – through July 2 “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” – August 8-13 Main Street Theatre/MATCH, mainstreettheater.com “The Best of Everything” – through June 18th (MST) “Present Laughter” – July 15th-August 6th (MST) “Junie B. Jones: Toothless Wonder” – weekends, June 10-24 & July 8-30 (MATCH) Miller Outdoor Theatre, milleroutdoortheatre.com Multiple options and performances all summer, check their calendar for details

Queensbury Theatre/Tribble School, queensburytheatre.org “Ride the Cyclone: The Musical” – June 1-4 “Disney’s Schoolhouse Rock!” – camp session June 5-16, performances June 16-18; camp session July 17-21, performances July 21-23 “Disney’s Camp Rock: The Musical” – camp session June 26-30, July 3, & July 5-7, performances July 7-9 Broadway Baby workshop – camp session July 10-14, performance July 14 Wildfish Theatre, wildfishtheatre.org “Finding Nemo Jr.” (K-2nd grade) – camp session June 12-16, performance June 16; camp session June 26-30, performance June 30; camp session July 10-14, performance July 14; camp session July 24-28, performance July 28 “Finding Nemo Jr.” (2nd-6th grade) – camp session June 12-23, performance June 23; camp session July 10-21, performance July 21; camp session July 31-August 11, performance August 11 “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” (6th-12th grade) – camp session June 19-30, performance June 30; camp session July 17-28, performance July 28; camp session July 31-August 11, performance August 12 7

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s I mentioned last month, after years of trying to get my father to appreciate wine, I gave up a couple of decades ago. There is little doubt that my last act before they put him in the casket will be to pry the can of Michelob Ultra out of his hand. This was underscored when I flew back to Detroit this past fall to help him clean out his house after his wife passed away unexpectedly. Several years prior to her death, my stepmother stopped inviting us all over for Christmas dinner. My siblings and I assumed that the two of them, who were clearly advanced in age, saw the “tradition” as too much work and they had decided to let “the kids” handle the year-end celebration.

That is what we thought, but after walking into their house that brisk November afternoon, I knew there was another potential reason: My dad’s wife was a hoarder. And there was stuff everywhere. Without delving too far into what we found in the house, here are a few illustrative items that we uncovered: Several boxes of unused, still in cellophane photo albums (it took quite a bit of convincing to assure my father that I had no use for them). There was also at least one case (12 one-liter bottles) of extra virgin olive oil (all of which had a July 2013 expiration date). And there was a bottle of 1990 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame champagne, in its original box, with about an inch of dust on it.

Say what?

As I had mentioned, my father is not a wine guy, not even close. The only other bottle of wine I found in the house was a 2009 Italian pinot grigio, which clearly someone had gifted them back in 2010. So how on earth did they have a bottle of champagne that is likely worth close to $300 today? After about 37 seconds of reflection, it dawned on me: I had given it to him.

Twenty-five years ago.

For Father’s Day. With Father’s Day coming up this month, I thought I would provide a few suggestions as to what to do for your father.

First, as the above story hopefully underscores, before you drop a couple hundred bucks on a wine related gift, make sure your father actually drinks wine (you would think that would be obvious, but…). Second, don’t get caught up in the myriad products out there designed to get you to part with your hard-earned cash. For the true wine lover, they are concerned with two main things: getting the bottle open and pouring it into some sort of receptacle. Other than that?

Superfluous knickknacks.

I open, on average, about 1,000 bottles of wine every year. Yes, on any given day, I open about three bottles of wine (of course, I don’t finish all those bottles, but…) and I have just about every wine gadget known to the wine world: countless aerators, bottle chillers, wine preservation systems, decanters, even a Coravin, and I don’t use any of them on a daily basis.

So what do I use (and what should you get dad)?

• A corkscrew. I probably have 30-40 different corkscrews and I use exactly two on a regular basis. Both are made by Château Laguiole. There are a ton of corkscrews with the name “Laguiole” on it (a region in France known for knife production and pronounced “La-Yole”), but the original and best is still Château Laguiole. They start north of $100 and can get pretty pricey, but they are worth it and dad will love it (yes, even if he already has one).

• Wine glasses. Most wine drinkers consider Riedel the gold standard when it comes to stemware but if your father is like me, he no longer buys them since they are a) expensive and b) break far too easily. But I would bet my bottom bottle that he would love to have a few more (90% of the wine I drink, er taste, is poured into Riedels). If this is the road you choose, buy at least two (four would be better) of the same kind (they run about $30-40/stem) and don’t overthink it, get either the standard cabernet or chardonnay glasses.

• Last, if all else fails, you could always buy him a bottle of actual wine, of course. My advice here? Buy him something you yourself might also want to drink someday, a wine that ages quite well. I don’t know, a bottle of prestige champagne, perhaps?

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8 Multi-agency Women’s Job Fair hosted by Harris County Sheriff’s Office @ 18650 Clay Rd., 9 am Studio Movie Grill Summer Series: “The Boss Baby: Family Business” @ SMG CityCentre, 10 am Yoga for Beginners @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm Toastmasters @ VFW Post 8790, 6:30 pm

All Month: Dinos Alive Immersive Exhibit runs June 1-30 except for Tuesdays “Wicked” at The Hobby Center runs June 1-30 1 Summer Socials @ CityCentre, 5 pm Yoga for Beginners @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm Spring Branch Super Neighborhood Central meeting @ 1560 Foley St., 6:30 pm

9 Live Music in the Plaza @ CityCentre, 6 pm 10 Memorial Villages Farmers Market @ First Congregational Church, 9 am American Shuffleboard Tournament & Queen of Hearts Drawing @ VFW Post 8790, 2 pm Queen of Hearts Game @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm Live Music in the Plaza @ CityCentre, 6 pm

2 Live Music in the Plaza @ CityCentre, 6 pm Steak Night @ VFW Post 8790, 6 pm 3 Memorial Villages Farmers Market @ First Congregational Church, 9 am American Shuffleboard Tournament & Queen of Hearts Drawing @ VFW Post 8790, 2 pm Queen of Hearts Game @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm Live Music in the Plaza @ CityCentre, 6 pm

11 Sunday Night Live @ CityCentre, 3 pm 12 Studio Movie Grill Summer Series: “The Bad Guys” @ SMG CityCentre, 10 am Tech Help Hour @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 2 pm Books Alive! Too Many Frogs @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 2:30 pm

4 Sunday Night Live @ CityCentre, 3 pm 5 Studio Movie Grill Summer Series: “The Boss Baby: Family Business” @ SMG CityCentre, 10 am Preschool Story Time @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 2 pm 3D Printer Orientation @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4 pm

13 Studio Movie Grill Summer Series: “The Bad Guys” @ SMG CityCentre, 10 am Advanced Conversation Class @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:30 am Page Turners Book Club @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 6:15 pm Tuesday Nights at the Library: Board Gaming Spring Branch Memorial Library, 7 pm

6 Studio Movie Grill Summer Series: “The Boss Baby: Family Business” @ SMG CityCentre, 10 am Advanced Conversation Class @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:30 am First Rule of Punk — Teen Book Club and Zine Workshop @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4:30 pm Tuesday Nights at the Library: Beatles Karaoke @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 7 pm

14 Flag Day Studio Movie Grill Summer Series: “The Bad Guys” @ SMG CityCentre, 10 am Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Presents Terrific Turtles @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 2 pm Charity bingo @ Loose Cannon Bar, 7 pm

7 Studio Movie Grill Summer Series: “The Boss Baby: Family Business” @ SMG CityCentre, 10 am Charity bingo @ Loose Cannon Bar, 7 pm

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15 Studio Movie Grill Summer Series: “The Bad Guys” @ SMG CityCentre, 10 am Summer Socials @ CityCentre, 5 pm Yoga for Beginners @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm Spring Branch Super Neighborhood East meeting @ 1414 Wirt Rd., 7 pm

23 Live Music in the Plaza @ CityCentre, 6 pm

16 Parachute Play Time @ CityCentre, 9 am Live Music in the Plaza @ CityCentre, 6 pm Hamburgers and hot dogs @ VFW Post 8790, 6 pm

24 Memorial Villages Farmers Market @ First Congregational Church, 9 am American Shuffleboard Tournament & Queen of Hearts Drawing @ VFW Post 8790, 2 pm Queen of Hearts Game @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm Live Music in the Plaza @ CityCentre, 6 pm

17 Memorial Villages Farmers Market @ First Congregational Church, 9 am American Shuffleboard Tournament & Queen of Hearts Drawing @ VFW Post 8790, 2 pm Queen of Hearts Game @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm Live Music in the Plaza @ CityCentre, 6 pm

25 Sunday Night Live @ CityCentre, 3 pm 26 Studio Movie Grill Summer Series: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” @ SMG CityCentre, 10 am Preschool Story Time @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 2 pm SBSID board of trustees regular meeting @ Wayne Schaper Sr. Leadership Center, 6 pm

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27 Studio Movie Grill Summer Series: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” @ SMG CityCentre, 10 am Tuesday Nights at the Library: Origami Crane Curtain Craft @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 7 pm

20 Studio Movie Grill Summer Series: “Minions: The Rise of Gru” @ SMG CityCentre, 10 am Advanced Conversation Class @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:30 am Tuesday Nights at the Library: Cooking Chicken Piccata @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 7 pm

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29 Studio Movie Grill Summer Series: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” @ SMG CityCentre, 10 am Summer Socials @ CityCentre, 5 pm Yoga for Beginners @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm 30 Live Music in the Plaza @ CityCentre, 6 pm

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Beat the Heat With This Summer Reading List

W

e don’t need to be told twice how unbearably hot the summer months (and spring months, and some of the fall months) are in Houston. We live it every year, we sweat through shirts daily, and we stumble into the arctic blast of blissful air conditioning as often as we can. I personally do not enjoy summer at all, so I’m always looking for any alternative to being … well, outside.

Whether you plan to spend the next three months indoors or you’ve got plans for a dreamy vacation somewhere, use this reading list to detach from the world around you for a bit and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet.

Happy reading!

Beach Reads “Same Time Next Summer” by Annabel Monaghan “Summer Sisters” by Judy Blume “That Summer Feeling” by Bridget Morrissey “The Farm” by Joanne Ramos “The Nigerwife” by Vanessa Walters “The Vanishing Half ” by Brit Bennett Controversial “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury “Lawn Boy” by Jonathan Evison “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood Nonfiction “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy “Not Now, Not Ever” by Julia Gillard “Quietly Hostile: Essays” by Samantha Irby “The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Save the World” by Jonathan Freedland “The Teachers: A Year Inside America’s Most Vulnerable, Important Profession” by Alexandra Robbins “When the Heavens Went on Sale: The Misfits and Geniuses Racing to Put Space Within Reach” by Ashlee Vance

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Self-Improvement/Self-Help “7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess” by Jen Hatmaker “10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works” by Dan Harris “Essential” by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus (The Minimalists) “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning” by Margareta Magnussen

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Business Profile:

One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating

By Liz Clearman

I

f this doesn’t seem like the perfect business profile for the beginning of the hottest months of the year, I’m not sure what else would fit that bill. One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating has been serving the Houston area for over 50 years, and it’s a job they don’t take lightly. Their goal is a simple one: to make the lives of their customers better by helping them stay comfortable in their homes. The company employs more than 100 people, ensuring that whenever a Houstonian makes that desperate “Help! My air conditioning has gone out!” call in the middle of the summer (because isn’t that always when it happens), they have plenty of people ready and willing to help as quickly as possible.

The company is excited to share with the community their featured product: Aeroseal. Aeroseal is a revolutionary ductsealing technology that helps evens out hot and cold air distribution throughout a house while balancing temperatures. In addition, it allows for proper humidity control while simultaneously creating cleaner air. Most importantly for Texans it provides noticeable

energy savings, which is vital during peak heat season, especially since leaks in your air ducts can result in a 20-30% loss of conditioned air (yikes!).

Have you ever thought about how that conditioner air gets into your house? It’s all through your ductwork, but since the air is invisible, you might not even know you have a problem. Think about it like this: If you have a 50-foot water hose rife with holes, and you turn it on, you won’t have good water pressure coming out of the nozzle — but you’re still paying for that water. Same issue with leaky ductwork as it can cause higher power bills since your system has to run continuously as well as hot and cold spots in your house due to uneven temperatures.

The Aeroseal process is simple, beginning with an inspection of your HVAC by highly trained technicians who commit to additional weeks of training to make sure that the product is right for your system. Then comes the scheduling, pressurizing your system, creating a temporary hole to connect the Aeroseal system to your ducts, the sealing process, and

lastly, testing the system to ensure that all leaks are sealed and that your system is returned to normal. The process typically takes anywhere from 60 minutes to a couple of hours. Aeroseal is guaranteed for 10 years in residential applications, but has an expected life of 40 years based on testing. No better bang for your buck than sealing your HVAC system, providing up to a 95% duct leakage reduction in your home, and having it last for decades!

For more information on Aeroseal and to schedule your inspection, please visit One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating’s unique link for our readers at onehourheatandair.com/ sbmagazine.

OMG (Or “Old”MG)!

Houston’s Jean Wilson Celebrates Her Birthday Like a Boss

D

on’t let anyone tell you — or Jean Wilson, for that matter — that birthdays aren’t still fun when you’re an adult. The sassy Houstonian celebrated her 69th (insert giggles here) birthday on May 6th at The Ballroom at Tanglewood and encouraged her guests to wear scandalous, sexy attire to commemorate the notable numbers. The theme centered around “naughty or nice,” which Jean left up to interpretation for each of the 150 attendees who packed the ballroom on Saturday night.

The guest list for the bash included the birthday gal’s former colleagues, family, and friends from her many philanthropic efforts, the Houston society scene, and the Asian community. Celebrities spotted at the shindig were Theresa Roemer (famous Houston socialite), Brian Wice (legal analyst for Channel 2), and Carmen Roe (legal analyst for Court TV). Thankfully, no legal analysts — or lawyers — were needed that evening for anything other than a good time.

By Liz Clearman

Partygoers were treated to the sultry vocals of Stevie Nicks sound-alike Brooke Alyson and her Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Nightbird, in addition to the basspounding beats of DJ Freddy Batres. The 13

highlight of the evening, according to the birthday girl, was “All the scandalous outfits and my friends having fun with the handcuffs and whips.” I think that says it all. Happy 69th, Jean!

SBISD Educators Win District and State Awards

By Liz Clearman

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ur educators strode into summer with a bang! Not only do we have our amazing teachers of the year within SBISD, HEB’s yearly Excellence in Education Awards also recognized the phenomenal talent that we are so fortunate to have in our district. At the district level, Susan Thorn (Buffalo Creek Elementary) and Nakhestcia Franklin (Guthrie Center) both won SBISD Teacher of the Year for primary and secondary campuses, respectively. The other nominees for this award were Megan Carpenter (Sherwood Elementary School), Nan Chandler (Hunters Creek Elementary School), Jerson Andrade Flores (Northbrook Middle School), Soha Nassef (Northbrook High School), and Charles Reed (Spring Woods High School). The 2023 Principals of the Year for the district are Spring Branch Elementary’s David Rodriguez and Spring Woods High School’s Jennifer Collier.

On April 30th, HEB hosted its 21st Annual Excellence in Education Awards ceremony at La Cantera Resort and Spa in San Antonio, awarding $430,000 in cash awards and grants to deserving educators and districts all over the state. Spring Woods High School represented our district beautifully, winning two major awards. Ryan Beeler, a beloved teacher at Spring Woods High School, won the Rising Star Secondary award, which comes with a $5,000 check for himself as well as a $5,000 grant for the high school. Principal of Spring Woods, Jennifer Collier, won the School Principal Secondary award for her outstanding work, taking away $10,000 in cash and a $25,000 grant for SWHS. Spring Branch ISD was also one of five finalists nominated for Large School Districts in the state of Texas, and Betsy Young (Memorial High School) was a finalist for the Leadership Secondary award.

The SBISD campus teachers of the year can be found here: springbranchisd.com/news/read-more/~board/sbisd-post-board/ post/congratulations-to-sbisds-2023-campus-teachers-of-the-year.

A huge congratulations to all our nominees and winners for representing SBISD and for your immense dedication to Every Child in the district. We are #SBISDProud!

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Juneteenth:

What Is It and Why Is It Important?

By Liz Clearman uneteenth pops up on the calendar each year on June 19th (hence the name combining “June” and “19th”), and I’d venture to guess that most people are at least vaguely aware that it has something to do with slavery and emancipation. However, did you know that it officially marks the day — made a state holiday by Texas in 1979 and a national holiday by Biden in 2021 — when federal troops came to Galveston in 1865 to demand that all enslaved people be freed?

Two years prior, the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln, and two months before that, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia. Slavery continued to have a stronghold in Texas even after the Proclamation was signed, and many slave owners moved here to escape the Union presence during the Civil War because they knew no one would question their “activities.” The inhumane practice didn’t officially end in the Lone Star State until U.S. General Gordon Granger read the orders on Texas soil that stated: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”

Once the general read the orders, celebrations broke out amongst a quarter of a million newly freed Black people — and Juneteenth was unofficially born. In 1866, freedmen in Texas organized festivities on June 19th for what became an annual acknowledgement of those released from slavery, called Jubilee Day, and as Black people left Texas and settled in other parts of the country, the tradition followed and spread, culminating today in prayer services, barbecues, dancing, and music. In December of 1865, slavery was abolished nationwide with the enactment of the 13th Amendment of the Constitution.

J

Ryan Beeler

Jennifer Collier

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Stratford High School Sweeps Tommy Tune Awards

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By Liz Clearman

here is no shortage of talented kids and phenomenal theater programs inSBISD, and that was proven to all of Houston on Thursday, May 4th at the annual Tommy Tune Awards held by Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) at The Hobby Center. Forty-eight Houston-area schools submitted 53 full-length shows to compete in 18 different categories. Stratford Playhouse’s production of “Young Frankenstein,” its cast, and its production team were nominated for a total of 13 awards, walking away with a whopping nine wins — more than any other school — all listed below. My daughter and I saw the production and we were both blown away by everything — the awards are much deserved.

A huge congratulations to everyone involved with “Young Frankenstein” — it was monstrously successful!

Outstanding Musical: “Young Frankenstein” Outstanding Ensemble: Marcie Baker and Jillian Harris Outstanding Music Direction: Marcie Baker and Jillian Harris Outstanding Lead/Jimmy Awards® Nominee Winner: Nic Rhew for the role of Dr.Frederick Frankenstein (Nic will travel to New York to compete for the national Jimmy Awards® ceremony in late June) Outstanding Scenic Design: David Clayton and Garrett Sugg Outstanding Costume Design: Sammer Ali and Emma Whitton Outstanding Sound Design: Alex Borg, Henry Cohen, and Josh Hummel Outstanding Stage Management: Kate Diers North Star Award: Kira Sledge (Also an Outstanding Lead finalist, Kira was awarded a scholarship to participate in TUTS’ “Head Over Heels” production later this year)

SBEF Space City Rodeo Gala Success Will Allow SBISD Students and Staff to Reach New Frontiers Press Release

Left to right: Minda & Bill Caesar; Nigel & Jackie Jenvey

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o-Chairs Brenda Stardig and Sheri Stegent welcomed guests to the Spring Branch Education Foundation Space City Rodeo on March 31. Together, this mission team set records. Attendees raised a 10-year high of $345,922 to support grants to Spring Branch ISD departments and campuses, scholarships for graduating SBISD seniors, and school supplies for economically

disadvantaged students on Title I and nonTitle I campuses in the school district.

Brenda Stardig wrapped up the excitement of the evening: “This was a special night for SBEF and SBISD. Each person in the room was united for a single purpose — to provide the resources necessary to help our students as they prepare for the future and to help our teachers and district provide innovative 15

curriculum and programs. We could see the greatness we can achieve when we come together to support our community.”

The SBEF Space City Rodeo Gala was also an opportunity to honor Dr. Jennifer Blaine, Ed.D., SBISD Superintendent of Schools.

Sheri Stegent was grateful to have the chance to recognize Dr. Blaine. “We were thrilled to be able to share Dr. Blaine’s achievements with our guests. Dr. Blaine is the backbone of SBISD and her commitment to our district, our teachers, and our students makes our district truly special.”

Since 1993, Spring Branch Education Foundation has worked alongside Spring Branch ISD to support both students and educators. SBEF partners with Spring Branch ISD and the community to fund programs that enhance education and prepare our students for the future. For the last seven years, SBEF has given more than $1 million to Spring Branch ISD annually. In 2022, SBEF also funded every SBISD teacher grant request, provided school supplies for each economically disadvantaged student at every SBISD Title I and non-Title I prekindergarten, elementary, and middle schools, and awarded $209,000 in scholarships to graduating SBISD seniors.

Honoring Courageous Health Care Leaders Editorial Staff

Terri Burke, Rosie Valadez McStay, MPH, Robert Hilliard, MD, Susan Feigin Harris, JD

Dr. Marc Boom, Dr. Julie Boom

Dr. Peter Hotez, Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi

The Immunization Partnership’s annual luncheon raises record-breaking $225,000!

Texas does everything big, including supporting what we believe in.

Health care advocates demonstrated their support in a big way at the “Courage in Action” luncheon where event honorees were recognized for their brave actions to ensure access to life-saving vaccines, despite a tumultuous tide of anti-vax rhetoric.

More than 250 guests attended The Immunization Partnership’s annual luncheon to honor superheroes in health care administration, vaccine development, and health care services. Terri Burke, executive director of The Immunization Partnership, presented awards to Marc L. Boom, MD, president and CEO of Houston Methodist Hospital; Peter J. Hotez, MD, and Maria Elena Bottazzi, PhD, co-directors of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development; and Legacy Community Health’s Robert Hilliard, MD. Author Marie Brenner of The Desperate Hours: One Hospital’s Fight to Save a City on the Pandemic Front Lines, engaged attendees with an intimate look at how staff at one New York City hospital braved the COVID-19 crisis that was for several months described as a hoax.

Ultimately, the ‘hoax’ took the lives of over one million Americans, and over 90,000 Texans.

Luncheon co-chairs Susan Feigin Harris, JD, and Rosie Valadez McStay, MPH, and guests helped to raise nearly $225,000 for the statewide organization, the voice for Texans who want to prevent disease.

Fact:

The Grass isn’t Greener where you water it...

The Grass is Greener where it’s Arti icial

Photography by Quy Tran

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D|G DAWN GUNTHER EXCLUSIVE REALTOR

Press Release

Fact: 257 people move to Houston every day.

If you’re thinking about selling, now is the time.

WICKED, Houston’s most popular musical, will return to the Hobby Center May 31 – July 2, 2023 as part of the Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center 2022-2023 Season. Tickets for the return engagement went on sale Friday, December 9 at 10AM. The Broadway sensation WICKED looks at what happened in the Land of Oz…but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent.

When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”

With a thrilling score that includes the hits “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” and “For Good,” WICKED has been hailed by The New York Times as “the defining musical of the decade,” and by Time Magazine as “a magical Broadway musical with brains, heart, and courage.” NBC Nightly News calls the hit musical “the most successful Broadway show ever.”

Now the 5th longest-running show in Broadway history, WICKED is the winner of over 100 international awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards. Since opening in 2003, WICKED has been performed in over 100 cities in 16 countries around the world (U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Germany, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, The Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland and China) and has thus far been translated into six languages: Japanese, German, Dutch, Spanish, Korean and Portuguese. WICKED has been seen by over 60 million people worldwide and has amassed over $5 billion in global sales.

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Winnie Holzman. The production is directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello with musical staging by Tony Award winner Wayne Cilento. WICKED is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

For more information about WICKED, please visit WickedTheMusical.com. Tickets start at $54 and are available online at TheHobbyCenter.org or BroadwayAtTheHobbyCenter.com; the Hobby Center Box Office (800 Bagby, Houston, TX 77002) and all Ticketmaster outlets. Discounts available for groups of 10 or more.

For more information, please call (888) 451-5986 or e-mail houston. groups@broadwayacrossamerica.com.

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Dinos Alive Roars Into Houston Press Release

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inosaurs are making a comeback through immersive storytelling in Houston. John Zaller, executive producer of Exhibition Hub ​​says dinosaurs may only roam in our imaginations now, but they previously roamed freely throughout Texas. If you take a four-hour drive north of Houston to Dinosaur Valley State Park you can see evidence of their footprints that were uncovered by paleontologist Roland T. Bird who in 1940 discovered the dinosaur fossil trackways by the Paluxy River in Texas, which later became a famous exhibit at the American

Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Thanks to Zaller and his team at Exhibition Hub, you don’t have to travel to D.C. or Glen Rose, Texas to go back in time to experience the wonder and awe of the Jurassic era in Texas; instead you can immerse yourself in Dinos Alive Houston at the Marq’e Entertainment Center and celebrate National Dinosaur Day on June 1, so it’s the perfect time to get your roar on before this interactive and immersive exhibition leaves Houston for good at the end of June.

Dinos Alive is an immersive exhibition taking you back millions of years to the land of giants. With the help of realistic, life-sized moving replicas and a fully themed venue, you’ll step right into the Jurassic era and meet over 80 specimens of famous dinosaurs.

See what it feels like to walk alongside some of the largest animals to have ever set foot on our planet! Dinos Alive allows guests to explore the dense jungle of the Jurrasic era and see dinos in their natural habitat with the help of the latest virtual reality technology and a fully decorated venue. A mesmerizing digital created using the latest video-mapping technology will take guests

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hundreds of years back and will bring ancient creatures to life. During this experience, guests will feel as if they’ve stepped into another world that predates history. All ages are welcome at Dinos Alive! From captivating VR technology to spectacular installations, the exhibit provides something for everyone and features an interactive space for children, where they can play the role of paleontologists and tame some iconic dinosaurs.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting dinosaliveexhibit.com/houston. Follow Dinos Alive on Instagram (@dinosaliveexhibition) and Facebook (@dinoaliveexhibition).

1829 Bingle Rd, Houston 77055

225-614-7837

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At Spring Branch Community Health Center, our mission is to increase the number of healthy families in our community by providing high quality,comprehensive healthcare services.

FAMILY MEDICINE

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

PEDIATRIC

We offer quality, person-centered primary and preventive health care services to improve our patients overall health and well-being. Our boardcertified family and internal medicine providers focus on prevention and early identification of common medical problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease.

We believe in caring for the wellness of the entire person – and that includes mental health.

Through assessment, counseling, therapy, and medication management, our team can help meet a wide variety of needs.

Our goal is to keep every member of the family healthy – and this includes young child and youth.

Our Pediatric staff is dedicated to meeting the healthcare needs of infants to teenagers, and our certified providers offer full-service pediatric care.

Spring Branch Community Health Center – Family Medical Clinics & Wellness Centers in West Houston, Katy & Cypress Texas sbchc.net 19

Spring Branch Community Health Center has Obstetrical/Gynecology services that include prenatal care by certified Nurse Practitioners, and Physicians. To ensure a more personal relationship with the attending staff, we encourage our patients to ask questions.

PRENATAL & POSTPARTUM

WOMEN’S HEALTH

DENTISTRY

Our health center services focus on providing quality, wellrounded care for our female population. The goal of our health center is to provide healthcare that focuses on prevention and early identification of common medical problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease.

Our health center services focus on providing quality wellrounded care for our community. The goal of our health center is to provide healthcare that focuses on prevention and early identification of common dental problems.

SB+ is proud to be an advisory board member!

SpringBranchPlus.com 713.828.4604

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