SB+ September 2023

HOTWORX

brings the heat to Spring Branch

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

S p r i n g

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September 2023

B e y o n d

ON THE COVER

HOTWORX brings its high temps and infrared-boosted workouts to Spring Branch for a unique twist on keeping in shape. Read the story on pages 4-6.

Cover photo by David Shutts Photography.

7

Bayou City Art Fest comes to Houston in October

14

Kyle Pierson + Spring Branch businesses band together to help a resident in need

8

The Great Age Movement’s “Back to the Future” senior prom

16

Choosing between public and private schools

9

Save the date for “MJ” the musical at The Hobby Center in November

18

Stratford High School hosts Market Days

19

The origins of Hispanic Heritage Month

10-11

Community calendar

20

12

Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association hosts the Red Hot Gala in October

Save the date for The Women’s Fund Rockin’ Resiliency Luncheon

21

The Drunken Cyclist’s Wine 101

13

Pickleball Social opens in Spring Branch

22

SB+ is in search of student writers!

Editor’s Letter to the Residents By the time this issue hits your mailbox, school (and football season) will be in full swing and we’ll all be looking forward to the first day of fall on September 23, even though that doesn’t mean cooler temps are in the air just yet. This month is a longer issue than usual packed with various around-town happenings and save the dates, the opening of Spring Branch’s very own and highly anticipated Pickleball Social, a story reminding us how quickly our community pulls together and helps its own, and tips on choosing between public and private schools. Spring Branch Plus is also looking for our very own student writers from each of the SBISD high schools to help us keep abreast of what’s happening from a student perspective, so be sure to reach out to us if you’re interested.

Happy (almost) fall, y’all!

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

Turn Up the (Indoor) Heat with

HOTWORX

By Liz Clearman

M

egan and Cole Komar, owners of the new Spring Branch fitness franchise HOTWORX, realize that it’s still summer in Houston and that hearing about a heat-based workout might give some of us pause. However, the benefits of infrared heat absorption, combined with either a 30-minute isometric

session or a 15-minute HIIT (high-intensity interval training) session are much more beneficial than the scorching outside heat of our city — they promise. A virtual instruction fitness program that was created with the advantages of infrared heat absorption in mind, HOTWORX is a workout unlike any other. The franchise’s model utilizes what they call a “3D training” approach: heat to 4

raise your core body temperature and speed up your metabolism (bonus: this means less time in the gym!); infrared energy to activate and strengthen the regenerative processes in the body as well as encourage detoxification through muscle contractions; and the exercise itself, which we all know increases your heart rate and maximizes calorie burn. Sounds like the perfect formula.

Funny enough, the Komars’ financial advisor is who introduced them to the concept of HOTWORX. “He knew we were wellness-minded and that I had become a yoga instructor right before COVID,” Megan said. “He encouraged us to try it out. We did and were immediately on board. We were amazed at the mood boost from the intense sweating from our first session.” Both Megan and Cole have always been passionate about healthy lifestyles, including not just exercising but fueling themselves both mentally and physically. Owning a HOTWORX franchise seemed like a logical next step to them both after their personal experience with the training method. This isn’t the Komars’ first rodeo with opening and running a business, either. When they moved from Houston to Round Top in 2013, one of the reasons — besides wanting to raise their children in a close-knit community where everyone knows each other — was to open and run their first business, Pivo’s Ice House in the small town of Lone Oak, serving Cole’s mouthwatering craft burgers and providing a space for live music and festivals.

Basing their next business out of Spring Branch was a no-brainer for the couple.

While they currently live on acreage in quaint Round Top (the same adorable town that so

many flock to for its famed antique show every October), they lived in Spring Valley until 2013 and Cole is from the Memorial area originally, having moved to Houston with his family from Huntsville when he was 7 years old and attending Hunters Creek Elementary, Spring Branch Middle, and Memorial High schools. Megan, who was born in Bay City and attended Stephen F. Austin High School in Sugar Land, insisted that both she and Cole were adamant that they open HOTWORX in Houston when they signed on as franchisees. “It’s home,” Megan claimed. “During the location and development phase, the Spring Branch area opened up. We knew it was meant to be. We lived here. We still have family and friends in the community. Plus, we see how the area is growing and changing and we want to be a part of that change! One of the things we love about Spring Branch is the diversity. The wide spectrum of people, food, and culture can be seen throughout the neighborhood.”

The sweat-inducing (pun intended) opening of HOTWORX, owning land (and animals — the Komars have chickens, cows, cats, and their most recent addition, a British Labrador and future duck dog for Cole named 5

LuLu) in another Texas town, and raising their two children, Bayln (7) and Barrett (3) leaves the couple with an unsurprising lack of spare time. However, each member of the family manages to fill those coveted spare minutes with hobbies that make them happy. Megan loves yoga, gardening herbs and veggies for

the family from their sustainable farm on their property, reading, working out, spending time with the family, and her prior volunteer work at the Houston Food Bank and Bo’s Place.

Cole’s hobbies include hunting, fly fishing, working on their land, hiking, involvement with Ducks Unlimited and Trout Unlimited, and volunteering at the Houston Food Bank.

The kids have their own busy lives — Balyn is gearing up for second grade and she loves gymnastics, dance, and basketball, while younger brother Barrett is going into his third year in preschool and will start his soccer career this fall.

Travel is another favorite pastime of the Komar crew. One of Megan’s sweetest memories, she said, is a cross-country road trip that she and Cole took after they got engaged where they camped, hiked, and ate their way from Texas up to Seattle and back down through California. Their joint love of travel started when they were dating — they met through mutual friends at a birthday

party in Galveston in 2006 — and they traveled all around the United States chasing live music. Even after their 2013 wedding and the eventual addition of their two kids, they’ve made exploring the country a priority.

“When Bayln was 2 we had the opportunity to travel all over Alaska in a van. We camped our way through the Alaska frontier for two weeks. My favorite trip at the moment is our annual trip to Garner State Park. We take our Airstream and meet about 10 other families and step back in time. We hang out at the river, hike, and play for about a week,” Megan said.

step up their game by adding infrared heat to the mix. Isometric programs (lasting 30 minutes) include Hot Iso, Hot Pilates, Hot Yoga, Hot Buns, Hot Barre None, Hot Core, Hot Warrior, and Hot Bands; HIIT options, which only last 15 minutes and pack a punch, include Hot Cycle, Hot Thunder (with a water rower), and Hot Blast. Don’t forget the FX (or Functional Exercise) Zone, which is a gym-like area geared toward those who want to add on extra training before, inbetween, or after workout sessions. The FX Zone has bands, weights, ropes, and other equipment, as well as silent video training on a television monitor that allows participants to follow various workout routines on their own time.

Another unique offering from the HOTWORX business model that caught the Komars’ attention besides the novelty of infrared heat-based exercise? The studio will be open 24 hours a day. (No, that’s not a typo.) “This opens up 3D training for everyone, no matter your schedule. Now anyone with any schedule has access to any of our HOTWORX sessions,” noted Megan. The variety of workouts is a huge plus, too, appealing to anyone who wants to

HOTWORX Spring Branch is located at 1473 Wirt Road and is slated to open in early fall 2023. Megan, Cole, general manager Brianna, and sales associates Kierra, Aliya, and Bella are excited to welcome Spring Branch Plus readers and would love to talk more about how infrared heat combined with isometric and HIIT exercise can be beneficial for your health. Visit their website at hotworx. net/studio/houston-springbranch or give them a call at 713.234.0067.

6

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Bayou City Art Festival

Comes to Downtown Houston

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Save the Date: October 14-15, 2023

ayou City Art Festival will transform Downtown Houston into a lively outdoor gallery and interactive art event with more art, entertainment, and an intimate culinary art and tasting experience with some of Houston’s top chefs. Houston’s iconic art festival returns to showcase the works of 250 artists in 19 different categories in Downtown Houston Saturday and Sunday, October 14-15, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Located in Sam Houston Park and along Allen Parkway, guests can personally meet the artists, view original works, and purchase one-of-a-kind art, prints, jewelry, sculptures, functional art, and more at all price levels. This year’s featured artist is Michelle McDowell Smith, a mixed media artist from Roanoke, VA. The crowd at Houston’s largest and oldest art festival will enjoy two

entertainment stages, numerous food trucks, a craft beer and wine garden, a VIP Hospitality Lounge, and entertainment. In the Active Imagination Zone, Bayou City Art Festival’s nonprofit partners will host art activities for all ages and include an interactive area for all attendees to enjoy. An exhibition of local college student artwork will be featured in the Collegiate Art Collective. As one of the top outdoor art festivals in the nation, Bayou City Art Festival Downtown benefits local nonprofits and features something for everyone.

Online early bird tickets will be available on August 15, 2023.

Physical tickets will not be sold at the gate and can only be purchased online. For more information about Bayou City Art Festival or to purchase tickets to the festival, visit bayoucityartfestival.com.

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The Great Age Movement to Host “Back to the Future” Senior Prom Gala Save the Date: Friday, September 15, 2023

T

he Great Age Movement will host the “Back to the Future” Senior Prom Gala on Friday, September 15, 2023 at The Ballroom at Tanglewood from 6:30-10:30 pm. The event will support Great Age Movement’s capital campaign to build senior fitness parks and support development of exercise programs in community green spaces, including the organization’s third Great Age Fitness Park™ for senior citizens in the 5th Ward area of Houston.

The Senior Prom Gala will feature dinner, premium cocktails, an exciting raffle, silent and live auctions, a roaming photo booth, dancing, and the crowning of Senior Prom King and Queen. Highlighting the evening will be celebrity guest speaker Joan MacDonald (IG: @trainwithjoan), a 77-year-old fitness instructor with 1.7 million Instagram followers and author of “Flex Your Age: Defy Stereotypes and Reclaim Empowerment.” Her fitness journey has been featured on Good Morning America, ABC News, MSNBC News, and the Tamron Hall Show and in People

Magazine, Women’s Health Magazine, Glamour Magazine, Woman’s Day, and many more. Co-chairs Dr. Khaled and Amal Khalaf and Joe and Kirin Wells will welcome guests to a night of fundraising and entertainment provided

by Baton Rouge’s cover band Speak Easy to perform favorite dance hits. Presenting sponsors are WellMed Medical Management, United Airlines, UnitedHealthcare, and The Ballroom at Tanglewood.

Great Age Fitness Parks offer seniors free scheduled workout classes using evidence-based fitness stations led by trained volunteers and other purposeful activities to promote routine exercise and socialization. The organization focuses on emerging neighborhoods to remove the cost of fitness as a barrier for seniors on a limited income. In addition, the nonprofit partners with private developers and community organizations to fulfill its mission to build senior fitness parks that promote health, learning, and socialization in Houston and surrounding areas. The Great Age Movement invites everyone to be a part of an exciting evening of dancing through the decades and entertainment while supporting and contributing to the vision to provide indoor and outdoor community opportunities for seniors. For more information on the Great Age Movement including benefits and opportunities, scholarships, and general donations, please email greateragemovement@gmail.com, visit thegreatage.org, and follow the organization on Facebook (Great Age Movement) and Instagram (@greatagemovement).

8

The HOTest Spot in Spring Branch

is Now Open

713.234.0067 • 1473 Wirt Road • Houston 77055

“MJ”the Musical is Startin’ Somethin’ in Houston!

9

Photo by Matthew Murphy

MJ

makes its Texas premiere November 14–19, 2023 at the Hobby Center. He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to Houston as MJ, the multi–Tony Award®-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, begins a tour of its own. Created by Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status.

Roman Banks (Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen and “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”) will play the title role of ‘MJ’. Joining him in the First National Tour cast will be Jamaal Fields-Green (MJ – Alternate), Brandon Lee Harris (Michael), Josiah Benson (Little Michael), Ethan Joseph (Little Michael), Devin Bowles (Joseph Jackson/Rob), Mary Kate Moore (Rachel), J. Daughtry (Berry Gordy/Nick), Josh A. Dawson (Tito Jackson/ Quincy Jones), Jaylen Lyndon Hunter (Little Marlon), Matt Loehr (Dave), Da’Von T. Moody (Alejandro) and Anastasia Talley (Katherine Jackson/Kate).

Tickets for MJ start at $40 and can be purchased online at thehobbycenter.org, broadwayatthehobbycenter.com, or in person at The Hobby Center Box Office (800 Bagby, Houston, TX 77002).

Teen Chess Club @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4:30 pm Yoga for Beginners @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm Spring Branch Super Neighborhood Central meeting @ 1560 Foley St., 6:30 pm 8 3D Printer Orientation @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4 pm

1 Mexican Food Night @ American Legion Post 654, 6 pm Steak Night! @ VFW Post 8790, 6 pm Northbrook High School homecoming game vs. Aldine @ Tully Stadium, 7 pm

9 Memorial Villages Farmers Market @ First Congregational Church, 9 am Not-So-Board Games @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 2 pm American Shuffleboard Tournament & Queen of Hearts Drawing @ VFW Post 8790, 2 pm Queen of Hearts Game @ VFW Post 8790, 5:30 pm

2 The Tiny Market @ 2525 Gessner Road, 9 am 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, 5:30 pm

11 Patriot Day Tech Help Hour @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 11 am Preschool Story Time @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 2:15 pm

3 Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center blood drive @ John Knox Presbyterian Church, 9 am

12 Teen Typing Class @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4:30 pm Page Turners Book Club @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 6:15 pm

4 Labor Day SBISD staff/student holiday 5 Teen Typing Class @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4:30 pm

13 Baby Time! @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:15 am Kid’s Krafty Korner @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4 pm

6 Baby Time! @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:15 am Board at the Library @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4 pm

14 Energy Corridor Farmers Market @ 1520 Eldridge Pkwy, 4 pm Yoga for Beginners @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm Toastmasters! @ VFW Post 8790, 6:30 pm

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September Queen of Hearts Game @ VFW Post 8790, 5:30 pm

15 First day of Hispanic Heritage Month Parachute Play Time @ CityCentre, 9 am

25 Preschool Story Time @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 2:15 pm

Hamburgers & hot dogs @ VFW Post 8790, 6 pm The Great Age Movement “Back to the Future” Senior Prom Gala @ The Ballroom at Tanglewood, 6:30 pm

Spring Branch Super Neighborhood North meeting @ 10355 Centrepark Dr. #220 @ 6:30 pm

16 Memorial Villages Farmers Market @ First Congregational Church, 9 am

26 SBISD board of trustees regular meeting @ Wayne Schaper Sr. Leadership Center, 6 pm

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

27 Video Games @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4 pm

18 Preschool Story Time @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 2:15 pm

28 Energy Corridor Farmers Market @ 1520 Eldridge Pkwy, 4 pm

20 SBISD pre-K, elementary, and middle school early dismissal/staff development

Online Design: Canva @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4:30 pm

Baby Time! @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:15 am

Yoga for Beginners @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm

Full STEAM Ahead! @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4 pm

Toastmasters! @ VFW Post 8790, 6:30 pm

21 Energy Corridor Farmers Market @ 1520 Eldridge Pkwy, 4 pm

29 Stratford High School Market Days VIP event @ SHS, 5:30 pm

Yoga for Beginners @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm

Memorial High School homecoming game vs. Northbrook @ Tully Stadium, 7 pm

Spring Branch Super Neighborhood East meeting @ 1414 Wirt Rd., 7 pm

30 Stratford High School Market Days public event @ SHS, 9 am

23 Happy first day of fall!

Pin frog floral workshop @ Freedom Floral, time TBA Memorial Villages Farmers Market @ First Congregational Church, 9 am

Memorial Villages Farmers Market @ First Congregational Church, 9 am

Paws for Literacy @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 2 pm

American Shuffleboard Tournament & Queen of Hearts Drawing @ VFW Post 8790, 2 pm

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Save the Date for

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WHO: Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association WHAT: 6th Annual Red Hot Gala WHEN: Saturday, October 7, 2023 Reception at 6:00 pm Dinner at 7:30 pm WHERE: Royal Sonesta Houston, 2222 W. Loop South, Houston, TX 77027 EVENT CHAIRS: Elizabeth & Alan Stein PRESENTING SPONSORS: Bobbie Nau & Hallie Vanderhider Honorary Community Partner: Ben Berg/Berg Hospitality Group HPFFA: Patrick M. “Marty” Lancton, President PRICES: Table of 10: $5,000; $10,000; $15,000; $25,000; $35,000; & $50,000 Individual tickets: $500 & $1,000 Buy tickets at houstonsbravest.org or contact Laura Stein at lstein@ local341.org or 713.223.9166 PRESENTATIONS: National Anthem by fire fighter Joe Rice; Houston Fire Department Honor Guard; HFD Pipes and Drums; 2024 Fire Fighters Calendar winners ATTIRE: Red Haute Attire BENEFITING: HPFFA Charitable Foundation’s purchase of equipment and training support

12

Pickleball Social Swings into the Branch

By Liz Clearman

Spring Branch Just Got

SERVED. NOW OPEN Mention this ad for 1 Free Open Play Session

T

he saying goes that you shouldn’t do business with friends but 28 years of solid friendship under their belts for Ivan Alvarez, Juan Carlos Flores, and Bruno Ortega has proven to be just the right mix for the opening of the much-anticipated Pickleball Social in Spring Branch. “We often discussed the idea of creating a place where we could hang out with friends and family, but life kept us occupied with our respective careers. Juan Carlos managed his construction company, I focused on finance, and Bruno ran a pickleball place,” said Ivan.

“Last winter, while on a ski trip with our neighbors, the topic of pickleball came up. We realized how enjoyable the game was and how there weren’t many places around our area to play. During the plane ride back, we decided to take action. We thought it would be a great way to combine our desire for fun gatherings with the community aspect of pickleball.”

Despite some skepticism on Ivan’s part, Juan Carlos surprised him a week later with news that he had found the perfect location.

Without a business plan or a manager in place, the uncertainty lingered, but once Ivan saw the place in person, he was sold.

The duo signed the lease, started working on the concrete details, and took a leap of faith. After a few months passed, they began the search for a general manager — someone experienced enough to run the business. According to Ivan, they interviewed several candidates but nobody quite fit

832.549.4299 1055 Conrad Sauer Houston 77043 the bill (you see where this is going, right?) until Bruno unexpectedly became available. With his prior experience running a pickleball facility, the final puzzle piece fell into place. “With Bruno’s expertise, we felt more confident about our venture’s success,” said Ivan. They even gave him an appropriate title: Grand Pickleball Director.

If you’re still unfamiliar with what this strangely-termed sport is (I giggle every time I say the word), pickleball resembles both tennis and ping pong but has its own rules, paddles, and court dimensions and is played with a hard plastic ball. Various community Facebook groups have been buzzing about the highly anticipated opening of the club since the beginning of the year, and while Ivan admitted that this journey has had its share of challenges, delays, and learning experiences, the three friends are thrilled to watch people of all ages enjoying themselves in the environment they created together. “It was a culmination of years of friendship and the shared effort to turn a simple idea into a reality,” Ivan said.

Pickleball Social is located at 1055 Conrad Sauer Dr. and has both indoor and outdoor court options (as of the printing of this article, the indoor space is still being completed). You can follow them on Facebook at “Pickleball Social,” and their phone number is 832.549.4299.

13

It Takes a Village, and Spring Branch Delivers

By Liz Clearman

K

yle Pierson — the unofficial “mayor” of Spring Branch and former owner of The Branch Craft Beer & Foodery — didn’t fall far from the apple tree, so to speak. His mom, a Eucharistic minister in the area, volunteers her time twice a month to visit homebound residents, give them communion, and pray with them. After one particularly trying day at the beginning of June, she came back visibly upset, recounting to Kyle the disrepair of an elderly woman’s house she had visited earlier that afternoon in Spring Branch’s Holley Terrace neighborhood.

There were numerous electrical hazards, overgrown trees and grass filled the yard, holes peppered the ceiling, the back door was rotten and falling apart, the 80-year-old resident slept on a mattress on the floor, and most dire of all, Ms. S. (abbreviation used to protect her identity) didn’t have working air conditioning — a dangerous gamble in this brutal Houston summer heat.

Kyle’s mom, knowing his reach in the community, asked what he could do to ensure that Ms. S.’s house wouldn’t be a danger to her anymore. Kyle didn’t hesitate.

Heading straight to The Branch’s Facebook page, which Kyle turned into a community building page that has 6,600 likes and 7,200 followers, his SOS garnered an immediate response from his loyal “Branchachos,” as he affectionately calls them. By the time he posted, he had already secured two new window a/c units as well as a bed frame.

After multiple requests for a GoFundMe from those who wanted to donate money to the effort, Kyle obliged and created a fundraising page. Initially, he set the goal at $2,000, his estimation as to what it would cost to make the necessary repairs to Ms. S.’s house. By the end of the day, donations had rocketed

past his goal, reaching around $5,800 from over 100 donors. The “Help fix Ms. S.’s house!” fundraiser caught the attention of GoFundMe, who let Kyle know that his efforts had broken the record for similar ones in Texas for one day. When he realized the magnitude of the community’s response, Kyle arranged to fix more than he had originally planned, including having her almost two-foot-tall grass cut, putting in multiple new a/c window units, patching holes, power washing, and double checking the electrical work.

In addition to various individual community members, multiple companies stepped up and offered their services, including Divin Electrical Services (divinelectric.com); RH Tree Services (832.277.6947), our July 2023 cover feature Home Remedy Houston (homeremedyhouston.com), The Restoration Team (therestorationteam.org), ABC Exterminators (281.213.0448), Samson Pest Services (samsonpest.com), and Rankin Power Washing (rankinpowerwashing.com).

As of the time of publication, three out of four major repairs had been made including installation of working a/c units, fixing of all hanging electrical wires, and cutting down trees and branches in her yard that were in danger of falling. All other work has been placed hold due to Ms. S.’s emotional overwhelm and exacerbation of pre-existing physical conditions. A glimmer of hope shines on as The Restoration Team, a collaborative effort by churches across Houston born out of Hurricane Harvey’s lasting devastation, will remain on call for whenever she is ready to get started again, and Kyle has donated all existing funds to them for that time.

If this doesn’t exemplify “It takes a village,” I don’t know what does.

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The Great Debate: Public or Private School?

By Liz Clearman

I

’m going to start this article with an inarguable conclusion and state for the record: One type of schooling isn’t superior to another. There are benefits and drawbacks to both and each unique family unit needs to choose what works for them, regardless of the “supposed” pros and cons. When comparing the two, parents should look at several factors including affordability, accessibility to programs for learning differences, diversity, and teacher training and certification, to name a few. Keep in mind that many school districts offer public, in-district charter or magnet schools that have a lottery system for new students (think Westchester Academy of International Studies and Cornerstone Academy in Spring Branch ISD) or that focus on a particular field of study (for example, Energy Institute High School or DeBakey High School for Health Professions, both in HISD).

Affordability is an easy one to start — public schools are free, while private schools are most decidedly not. EducationData.org states that the average yearly tuition for 2023 among the nation’s K-12 private schools is $23,830; in Texas specifically, average annual tuition for private schools is $10,462.

While private schools often have financial aid available for families who need it, it’s hard to beat the cost of your neighborhood public school. If you decide that going private is the way to go, keep in mind that schools run by specific religious groups (especially Catholic schools) tend to cost less than secular private schools. Including the cost of uniforms or other clothing, school supplies, field trips, school pictures, and other incidentals is also prudent, regardless of your situation. Public schools tend

to also have wraparound specialists, Communities in Schools (CIS) representatives, or another equivalent resource to assist lower-income students and their families with whatever support they may need whether that’s clothing, food, or housing.

How about diversity? While private schools are not a monolith, data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that as of 2019, about 66% of students enrolled in private schools were white (with the remainder of students being 12% Hispanic, 9% Black, 7% Asian, and 5% two or more races), compared to 47% of white students attending public school (with the remainder being 28% Hispanic, 15% Black, 5% Asian, and 4% two or more races). While this is not to say that private schools don’t have any diversity, if you’re looking for a mix of backgrounds, cultures, races, ethnicities, and religions, public school will generally be your best bet.

Make no mistake, diversity does not just have to do with race or ethnicity — there are so many other factors that are too involved for this article that fall under the umbrella of diversity.

Let’s talk about students with learning challenges or difficulties. By law, public schools are required to provide access to “a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensure special education and related services to those children,” according to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, ASD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, or a number of other syndromes that might make learning challenging, they will often be better off attending the neighborhood public school with an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or a 504 in place, as private schools are not required to accept those with special needs. That being said, there are private schools that specifically cater to children with learning differences — especially in a major metropolitan area like Houston. Of course, we circle back to affordability here as specialized private schools aren’t always accessible price-wise to those who need it.

Another factor to consider is teacher training, certification, and standardized testing. Public schools require teachers to be certified, while private schools don’t necessarily have certification as part of their criteria; however, private schools often look to hire those with extensive subject matter expertise and/or advanced degrees, and can be more selective when looking to staff their schools with top-notch educators. In addition, private schools aren’t beholden to the often controversial state standardized testing (STAAR, anyone?) and therefore are able to offer a more flexible, creative curriculum. On the flip side, this can also mean that curricula used in private schools might not be updated as often as it’s required to be in public school.

Bottom line: Research individual private and public schools in your area to determine the best fit for your child and your family. What’s important to you — whether it’s extracurricular activities, sports, religious education, diversity, or accessibility — might not be of any concern to your neighbor. Tour campuses, talk to administrators and current families at each school, and look at U.S. News & World Report’s yearly rankings of the best schools — from preschools up to high schools and including charter, magnet, and STEM-specific schools — to make your very personal decision.

Authentic.

Diverse.

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THIS IS REGIS. START YOUR REGIS EXPERIENCE TODAY! www.theREGISschool.org/Inquire

Sources: educationdata.org/average-cost-of-private-school; usnews.com/education/k12/articles/private-school-vs-public-school; nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cgc

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Stratford High School’s “Market Days” Returns

Offer Valid Monday - Friday, Dine in only Expires September 30th, 2023

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lated as both a community event and a fundraiser for Stratford’s class of 2026, Market Days returns this month on September 29 & 30 starting with the featured VIP event on Friday night from 5:30-8 pm, an event so popular last year that it’s making a comeback for 2023. Friday’s evening soirée will be a ticketed event with food, music, and a raffle available only to those in attendance. The main event on Saturday, September 30 is from 9 am-1 pm and is open to everyone. Vendors who participate in Market Days get to keep 100% of their profits, while the vendor booth fee goes toward raising funds for Stratford High School class of 2026’s Project Prom. Thirty-four vendors will have indoor booths on Friday night and both indoor and outdoor vendors will be featured on Saturday, as well as a Spartainaire clinic. For more information, email stratfordmarketdays@gmail.com.

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Oppenheimer is in Houston to help you pursue your financial goals and aspirations.

The Origins of Hispanic Heritage Month

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• Wealth Management and Advisory • SMA’s – Separately Managed Accounts • Retirement / Estate Planning Strategies • Employee Benefit Plans • Stock Options/Purchase/Buy-Back Plans • Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans

By Liz Clearman

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eptember 15-October 15 is nationally recognized Hispanic Heritage Month, where people of Hispanic/Latino/Latinx culture and origin — regardless of race — are celebrated.

It began as a weeklong commemoration in 1968 when California Congressman George E. Brown, who represented heavily Hispanic/ Latin East Los Angeles and a portion of the San Gabriel Valley, wanted to do something to recognize the many contributions of the culture and its people, especially after the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

On September 17 of the same year, Congress passed Public Law 9048, requesting the president to annually declare September 15 and 16 the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Week. The proclamation called upon the “people of the United States, especially the educational community, to observe such week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.” President Lyndon B. Johnson simultaneously issued the first Hispanic Heritage Week proclamation nationwide.

A few other Latin American nations share September 15 as a notable date, namely Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, who all declared their independence from Spain on that day in 1821. In addition, Mexico declared its own independence from Spain on September 16, 1810, Chile’s independence date (also from Spain) is on September 18 of that same week, and Belize broke free from Great Britain on September 21, 1981. That’s a lot of celebration to pack into one week, so in 1987, U.S. Representative Esteban E. Torres of California proposed expanding Hispanic Heritage Week into a full month in order to give Hispanic Americans ample time to honor their culture. Following Torres’s lead, in 1988, Senator Paul Simon from Illinois submitted a similar bill that passed Congress and was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan; in 1989, President George H.W. Bush became the first president to declare September 15-October 15 National Hispanic Heritage Month. Since then, every sitting U.S. president has issued a similar proclamation.

Source: history.com

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The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency:

13th Annual Rockin’ Resiliency Luncheon

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Save the Date: Sunday, October 22, 2023

he Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency, a nonprofit providing Houston-area women and girls with the tools needed to be advocates for their health, along with luncheon co-chairs Beth and Cynthia Wolff are hosting the 13th Annual Rockin’ Resiliency Luncheon on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at the Omni Houston Hotel. ABC13’s Gina Gaston will emcee and welcome guests along with girls and women who participate in The Women’s Fund’s Health Education programs to a fun-filled afternoon featuring Houston attorney, entrepreneur and fitness guru Roslyn Bazelle Mitchell as the keynote speaker. An education session on trending topics such as “My Body, My Mind, Myself,” “What’s Stress Got to do With It?”, “Post it, Snap it, Tweet it!”, and “Creating Change for a Healthier YOU” will begin at 11 a.m. and is open to all guests.

The Women’s Fund supporters will indulge in a silent auction co-chaired by Clara Orlean and Megan Butler, as well as a baubles and bubbles champagne raffle for a chance to win luxury prizes and experiences such as fine jewelry and more. Girls can purchase “Balloon Pop Bags” filled with fun gifts and restaurant vouchers.

Guests will enjoy the shopping extravaganza featuring twenty unique vendors. Merchants interested in participating as a vendor at the Rockin’ Resiliency Luncheon can email womfund@thewomensfund. org to request a vendor application and more information.

During the luncheon, The Women’s Fund will recognize Stephanie and Katie Tsuru as the recipients of the Sue Trammell Whitfield Award for Resiliency for their involvement in strengthening the health and wellness of Houston-area women and adolescent girls through volunteerism, leadership, and philanthropy. The Women’s Fund will also honor Terri Earles, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC with The John P. McGovern Foundation “Champion in Women’s Health and Wellness” Award for her dedication to providing exemplary and compassionate service for adolescent girls’ and women’s health and wellness.

The Women’s Fund invites everyone to support the mission to help more adolescent girls and women lead happier, healthier, and more resilient lives by purchasing a table or tickets to the Rockin’ Resiliency Luncheon at thewomensfund.org/special-events.

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Wine 101

By Jeffrey M. Kralik, PhD (The Drunken Cyclist)

ith the kids back in school, it is time for a little adult education, some Wine 101. I have been conducting wine tastings and wine education for the better part of two decades now and some of the same questions come up repeatedly. Here are a few of those common queries with answers that might help you “pass” your next wine event.

What is wine?

That’s an easy one. Basically, any fermented fruit juice is considered wine, but the vast majority of wine (99%+) comes from fermented grapes. There are over 10,000 species of wine grapes, but only a couple dozen or so are widely available.

Why is there such a wide range of prices for wine?

Are more expensive wines worth it?

Many factors go into the price of a bottle of wine, but by far the most significant is the cost of the fruit. In California, this can vary greatly, from a few hundred dollars per ton in the lesser-known regions to as much as $20,000/ton (or more) in Napa Valley. Why the huge difference? Part reputation, part “terroir” which is, briefly, the quality of the environment where the grapes are grown (soil, climate, etc.). Other factors include whether the wine was aged in oak barrels, which can run as high as $2,000 per barrel.

As for “worth”? That is all in the tongue of the beholder. In my opinion, there are noticeable increases in quality with roughly every $10 augmentation in price (e.g., a $20 wine is usually noticeably “better” than a $10 bottle) up to perhaps $50 or $60. After that? While more expensive wines tend to be “better” than less expensive wines, the incremental change is less north of $50.

Wine people seem like a pretty pretentious lot, always swirling their wine, sniffing the glass.

Doesn’t it just smell like grapes?

There is a lot to unpack here. First, I would agree that there is far too much pretentiousness in the wine world, but there are good reasons

different aromas. That is the reason that food tastes bland when you have a cold and causes you to over-salt or add more sugar (because those flavors can be detected by the tongue). When it comes to discerning the aromas in wine, some are better than others. My older son is like the vast majority of the population; he smells a wine and says it “smells like grapes.” Others, like my younger son, can, through either “natural ability” or a lot of practice, pick up the many nuances of wine that make it so enchanting to millions of people.

for all the swirling and sniffing. Generally speaking, the presence of oxygen in the production of wine is a bad thing as it causes the wine to age prematurely and can make the wine taste stale or dull. Once the wine is in the glass, however, oxygen is a very good thing as it helps the wine “open up” or “breathe” (essentially releasing aromas and flavors). One of the best ways to get oxygen into the wine is to swirl it around a bit either in a glass or a decanter.

As for the sniffing, the human tongue can detect five basic “tastes”: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami (a savory meatiness found in soy sauce, mushrooms, aged steak, etc.). All other tastes actually come from the smells detected by the nose, which can discern around 10,000 21

White wine with fish, red wine with meat. It sounds like there are a lot of rules with wine.

Let’s dispel one wine myth right now: There really are no rules when it comes to wine other than drink what you want when you want. Sure, for most people, that traditional rule of thumb works, but there is solid reasoning behind it. In general, seafood has softer proteins and fats and more delicate flavors. That is why it pairs well with most white wines. Beef and other meats have bigger and bolder flavors and tougher proteins, which is why red wine, which has an element that most white wines don’t (tannin), is better suited for juicier, fattier meats.

But back to my main point: when it comes to wine, you do you. You want to have a big California Cabernet with your trout? Go right ahead. A light Pinot Grigio with ribeye? Sure, why not? Even though this is Wine 101, no one is grading you, we all get an A! Do you have any questions about wine you want answered? Or perhaps help with a wine tasting?

Reach me at: jeff@thedrunkencyclist.com

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