SB+ May 23

Gift ideas for May holidays, a MouthwaterinG brisket recipe, sbisd board of trustees election, and more!

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THE COVER

4 Budget-friendly prom tips

8

Editor’s Letter

15 The Drunken Cyclist recommends rosé wines for Mother’s Day

Alley Theatre extends Sherlock Holmes

16 Around the Neighborhood: A guide to your local representatives

May is a highly anticipated and extremely busy month for so many, what with graduations, graduation parties, proms, awards ceremonies, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, finals, STAAR testing (hey, I didn’t say it was all fun and games), and local elections all on the horizon. This month, we squeezed it all in with a tasty brisket recipe for your parties and celebrations, a budget-friendly guide to prom, some practical gift ideas for Mother’s Day, graduations, and teachers that are guaranteed to be a hit, and a reminder about the SBISD board of trustees election on May 6th.

Congrats to our graduates, thank you to our teachers and school staff, good luck on finals, and happy Mother’s Day!

Contact: Dawn Gunther

Email: springbranchplus@gmail.com Phone: 713.828.4604

Cover photo by David Shutts Photography.

Specializing in Bathroom & Kitchen Remodeling

Live Your Best (Budget-friendly) Prom Life

By Liz Clearman

Admittedly, this article may be coming a bit late for two out of the four proms in SBISD that already happened in April, but for anyone attending an end-of-year dance in May, these money-saving tips might just come in the nick of time for pre-prom shopping.

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Tip 1: Much like a wedding dress, a prom dress will likely only be worn once (maybe a few times if you’re lucky). Tuxes, on the other hand, while still pricey, can be reworn and repurposed. Focus on clearance racks, fastfashion stores, and smaller boutiques, and be sure to have your budget in mind prior to beginning the hunt as prices can vary from under $100 to several hundred dollars. I bought my prom dress at Forever 21 for about $25 — granted, this was back in 1997 — and I actually wore it a couple more times since it wasn’t your typical prom dress. Alternatively, check out online rental stores like Rent the Runway for designer dresses on a budget or consider organizing a dress swap with friends; I did this in high school on multiple occasions and it was a fantastic and budget-friendly way to get a new-to-me dress. Don’t sleep on thrift stores, either. We’ve got some good ones in the area that are worth checking out.

Tip 2: If you’re planning on eating out before the dance, stick with somewhere inexpensive, easy for groups, and with a wide variety of menu options (don’t forget to make reservations in advance if it’s a bigger group). Another fun alternative is to get a group together for a potluck dinner at someone’s house, and parents can set up a restaurant-style atmosphere with tables, tablecloths, centerpieces, and candles — but without the hassle of having to make reservations, split the bill, or figure out the tip. Or, consider having a catered meal/food truck where everyone splits the cost evenly.

Tip 3: Prioritize what’s most important to you and budget accordingly. Are you dead set on having your makeup professionally done, or on having a blowout or haircut pre-prom? Is your dress/tux the most important thing? Accessories? Whatever you decide, put most of your budget toward that and go cheaper on the rest.

Tip 4: For the girls, don’t spend a lot on shoes — trust me, you’ll take them off after you and your friends swarm the dance floor. Reuse a pair that you already have, borrow from someone else, or if you must buy some, stick with budget-friendly stores (and opt for a lower heel). I know that wearing sneakers with formal dresses is popular now, and I have to admit, it’s a genius trend that I wish had been around when I was in high school since I always wore high heels and they never lasted more than a couple of hours.

Tip 5: DIY as much as you can to save cash. It’s easy to grab some flowers from the grocery store to craft your own boutonniere or corsage for your date, use faux nails instead of getting a manicure, and have a talented friend do your hair or makeup. Skip the limo rental and take an Uber or Lyft, or simply carpool with your date and friends.

Prom is a milestone experience, and for so many, it’s the last hurrah before high school graduation. Don’t fall into the mindset that spending money will equal a “better” time — focus on your friends, the fun, and the memories. Your wallet will thank you later.

"Service to our neighbors at the highest quality and the best price possible with the promise of money back satisfaction.”

“Breed”Ing Success with NewTrust Real Estate

By Liz Clearman

JCarter Breed is no stranger to the Spring Branch/Memorial area. If you’ve frequented any of the major grocery store chains that dot our neighborhood landscape, you’ve likely seen his face smiling back at you from the store cart advertisements. It’s no wonder he’s one of the premier and most well-recognized real estate agents along the I-10 corridor with his business, recently rebranded and renamed to NewTrustRE (formerly J. Carter Breed Properties). He founded the business in 2015 after a 16-year period as part owner of the RE/MAX Town and Country real estate office when he decided he wanted to start his own boutique firm and the rest, as they say, is history.

Real estate runs almost literally in his blood as Carter’s mother was also a successful agent, with his father joining his wife to help boost her career once he retired. Carter remembers being surrounded by real estate talk, and as many parents do, his mom encouraged him to follow in her footsteps. “At first, I resisted,” said Carter. “Later, I realized my mother knew me well. Once I started in the real estate industry, I knew it was right for me. It suits my personality.” Given this strong family history, the fact that he’s in the top one percent of all realtors in the United States should come as no surprise.

Married to Kris, whom he met in 1991 in Sunday School class at Second Baptist Church and who also helps run the family business, they have three grown children — Megan (34), Faith (23), and Avery (20). Megan is married to Chris, who is also a realtor with his fatherin-law’s company, and they have two of the Breeds’ three grandchildren — Noah, who’s 13 ,and 4-year-old Greyson. Faith is a student at the University of Houston,

and Avery, newly married, just gave birth to the youngest member of the family, James Carter. One of Carter’s favorite things is to tell people about his kids, casually mentioning that their oldest daughter is “older” than their marriage, that there are 14 years between the eldest and the youngest, and that all three daughters have different mothers.

Mentioning that eyes typically go saucer-wide and questions abound about how many times he’s been married, he’ll graciously swoop in and tell the rest of the story, which is that all three girls were adopted (and that Kris is indeed the only spouse). Faith, the middle child, was brought into the family first at 10 weeks old; Avery, the baby of the family, came next when she was a mere four weeks earthside. Megan, the oldest of the three, was brought into the Breed clan at 17 when her mother — Kris’s sister — was diagnosed with cancer, and she and Megan came to live with Kris and Carter. They later adopted Megan, and that rounded out their family of five perfectly. Carter likes to say his family was “uniquely assembled by God.”

The Breed family lived in Bunker Hill for 22 years and just sold their home this spring, downsizing to a smaller home in Spring Shadows. While Bunker Hill Village was a “little paradise on Earth,” according to Carter, he says their new neighbors are incredibly friendly and have been in their homes for decades, in true Spring Branch fashion. Carter grew up in Memorial — attending Bendwood Elementary, Spring Forest Middle School, and Stratford High School — and always knew he wanted to raise his family here. He unabashedly believes in not only the neighborhood and the community, but also the school district, and has given 23 years of volunteerism and service to Spring Branch ISD including being on various Campus Improvement Teams (CITs).

Most recently, Carter ran for a third term in the May 2022 SBISD board of trustees election, and while the results didn’t turn out as he hoped, his six years of service on the board proves that he doesn’t take his love for the area or the school district lightly. He is currently active as an executive committee member on the Spring Branch Education Foundation’s board of directors. “There is no place like the Spring Branch/Memorial community. It’s a blessing to live here and not to be taken for granted. These neighborhoods have a strong sense of community,” Carter said. “I grew up here, went to school here, and settled my family here. Although I sell homes from inside the loop to way out west, this area is my home turf.”

When Carter’s main passion for real estate isn’t leading him to serve his clients, he enjoys traveling and says that for 11 years, they took the kids to Pine Cove Christian Camp in Tyler for a one-week summer (his busiest season) vacation. Favorite trips include Zambia, Africa, a road trip through Colorado, Cabo, Mexico, and the two European Grand River cruises that he and Kris have taken together. His newest hobby is shooting sporting clays, and spending time with the Breed kids and grandkids is also high on the priority list. Kris and Carter have two lovable golden retrievers who keep them on their toes, Moose (3) and Marley (11). Marley, the laidback “old man,” as Carter affectionately calls him, once broke into their chicken coop just so he could take a nap with the friendly fowl, particularly one chicken named Olaf. Moose, on the other hand, still has unbridled puppy energy and has earned the affectionate nickname “Speed Bump” from his family as he always has to be the center of attention, even if he’s lying down. While the adult children may be grown and flown, the furry ones still keep Kris and Carter busy (and vigilant).

The switch from the eponymous J. Carter Breed Properties to NewTrustRE was a “purposeful decision to bring our company alongside cutting-edge technology partnerships which will benefit [us] now and down the road,” Carter said. “The shift provides us with a suite of tools including marketing, contract administration, back-office administration, and much more which will enable us to better serve our clients, market homes more effectively, and provide opportunities for us to grow.” Carter has made it crystal clear to all clients, present and future, that he is still the owner/founder of the company and that he will provide the same high-quality services that have always been a hallmark of his real estate firm. Both tough and prosperous times have strengthened the company’s resolve and relationships, and he is confident that they’ve come out of every tricky situation stronger — benefiting his clients and his colleagues.

Carter’s retirement dream? To continue doing real estate and building his company and brand. He says he’ll probably always work, and can’t envision actual retirement. With his consistent ranking as one of the top 25 agents in the Houston area (Houston Business Journal) and one of the ten Most Dependable Realtors in Texas (Texas Monthly), there seems to be no end in sight for the face of Spring Branch and Memorial real estate.

NewTrustRE is in the process of rebranding and building their new website (which will be parked at newtrustre.com); in the meantime, please visit jcarterbreedproperties.com for more information and for all of your real estate needs.

J. C arter Breed

Formerly J Ca rter Breed Properties

A Quick History of Mother’s Day

By Liz Clearman

Mother’s Day is among the cadre of national celebrations that we often denounce as “Hallmark holidays” — days that the famous card company (and other retailers) made up to entice our consumer-driven society to buy cards and gifts, as if spending money is the way to let our loved ones know we appreciate them. However, there is a deeper meaning to this celebrated day in May that originated in the United States pre-Civil War. (Note: You’ll notice two different iterations of the name — “Mother’s Day,” singular and “Mothers’ Day,” plural. It is designated as plural in most of the earlier celebrations in the 19th century, and seems to have only gained the singular “mother’s” in the early 20th century.)

A West Virginian woman by the name of Ann Reeves Jarvis started what were called “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” in the mid-19th century with the intent of teaching women how to properly care for their children. In 1868, she organized “Mothers’ Friendship Day,” where moms came together with both former Union and Confederate soldiers in order to promote reconciliation during a time of division in the nation. Another pioneer of the current holiday was abolitionist and suffragette Julia Ward Howe, who wrote the “Mother’s Day Proclamation” in 1870 as a plea for mothers to unite to promote world peace. In 1873, she campaigned for a “Mother’s Peace Day” to be celebrated on June 2nd of each year.

Other women of note were Juliet Calhoun Blakely, an activist who inspired a local Mother’s Day in Albion, Michigan, and the duo of Mary Towles Sasseen and Frank Hering, who organized a Mothers’ Day celebration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with some calling Hering the “father of Mothers’ Day.” The official holiday as we know it today didn’t actually come about until the 1900s and was due to Anna Jarvis, the daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis, after her mother died in 1905 and she wanted to honor the sacrifices that mothers made for their children. Philadelphia department store owner John Wanamaker financially supported her efforts, and in May 1908, the first true Mother’s Day celebration occurred at a church in West Virginia.

Due to Jarvis’s efforts to get the holiday added to the national calendar, President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure in 1914 to establish the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. Unfortunately, the declaration of the day as a national holiday saw the advent of card companies, retailers, and other merchants capitalizing on the popularity, and Jarvis quickly became disillusioned with the commercialization of her beloved holiday. By 1920, she had publicly decried the transformation from a simple day honoring mothers to what it had become, and spent the rest of her life (and money) speaking out against retailers and suing groups that had used the term “Mother’s Day,” even lobbying for the holiday’s removal from the national calendar.

Who knew there was such a dark side to such a happy day?

Source: history.com/topics/holidays/mothers-day

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1 Preschool Story Time

@ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 2:15 pm

3D Printer Orientation @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4 pm

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

Recess Redo @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4:30 pm

4 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 @ 1560 Foley St., 6:30 pm

Full Moon Yoga Series @ CityCentre, 7 pm

5 Cinco de Mayo

Steak Night @ VFW Post 8790, 6 pm

Live Music in the Plaza @ CityCentre, 6 pm

Live! On the Lawn @ Hotel ZaZa, 6 pm

6 SBISD board of trustees election day @ your zoned middle school, 7 am-7 pm

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

7 Sunday Night Live @ CityCentre, 3 pm

8 Teacher Appreciation Week

Tech Help Hour @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 2 pm

Preschool Story Time

@ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 2:15 pm

OFFERING

9 Teacher Appreciation Week

Advanced Conversation Class @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:30 am

Page Turners Book Club @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 6:30 pm

10 Teacher Appreciation Week

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

Recess Redo @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4:30 pm

11 Teacher Appreciation Week

Toddler Time @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:15 am

Yoga for Beginners @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm

Toastmasters @ VFW Post 8790, 6:30 pm

12 Teacher Appreciation Week

Live Music in the Plaza @ CityCentre, 6 pm

Live! On the Lawn @ Hotel ZaZa, 6 pm

13 Memorial Villages Farmers Market

@ First Congregational Church, 9 am

Lifetime Fitness class @ CityCentre, 9:30 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

14 HAPPY MOTHeR’S DAY!

Sunday Night Live @ CityCentre, 3 pm

16 Advanced Conversation Class

@ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:30 am

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

Recess Redo @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4:30 pm

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Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

18 Toddler Time @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:15 am

Yoga for Beginners @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm

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

19 Stratford High School prom

Northbrook High School prom

Parachute Play Time @ CityCentre, 9 am

Hamburgers and hot dogs @ VFW Post 8790, 6 pm

Live Music in the Plaza @ CityCentre, 6 pm

Live! On the Lawn @ Hotel ZaZa, 6 pm

20 Memorial Villages Farmers Market

@ First Congregational Church, 9 am

Woodlawn Funeral Home’s Park Revitalization Day @ 1101 Antoine Drive, 10 am

Blood drive @ Memorial City Mall, 11 am

Paws for Literacy @ 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 pm

Live Music in the Plaza @ CityCentre, 6 pm

21 Sunday Night Live @ CityCentre, 3 pm

22 SBISD board of trustees regular meeting @ Memorial High School, 6 pm

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

23 SBISD secondary early dismissal

Advanced Conversation Class @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:30 am

24 SBISD secondary early dismissal

Recess Redo @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4:30 pm

25 SBISD elementary and secondary early dismissal; last day of instruction

Intermediate Word @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4:30 pm

Yoga for Beginners @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm

Toastmasters @ VFW Post 8790, 6:30 pm

26 Last day of school for SBISD students – welcome to summer!

Live Music in the Plaza @ CityCentre, 6 pm

Westchester Academy of International Studies

graduation @ Don Coleman Coliseum, 7 pm

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

Northbrook High School & YES Prep graduations @ Don Coleman Coliseum, 10 am

Memorial High School graduation @ Don Coleman Coliseum, 1 pm

American Shuffleboard Tournament & Queen of Hearts

Drawing @ VFW Post 8790, 2 pm

Spring Woods High School graduation @ Don Coleman Coliseum, 4 pm

Queen of Hearts Game @ VFW Post 8790, 5 pm

Live Music in the Plaza @ CityCentre, 6 pm

Stratford High School & SBAI graduations

@ Don Coleman Coliseum, 7 pm

28 National Brisket Day & National Burger Day

Sunday Night Live @ CityCentre, 3 pm

29 Memorial Day

30 Advanced Conversation Class @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 10:30 am

Full Moon Yoga Series @ CityCentre, 7 pm

31 Recess Redo @ Spring Branch Memorial Library, 4:30 pm

Meet The Cast Of Rent!

Houston’s home for musical theatre, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS), introduces the phenomenal cast of its brand-new original staging of Jonathan Larson’s iconic Bohemian musical, RENT! “RENT is one of those new classics that is beloved by so many, and this will be the first time we’ve produced a brand-new production of it,” said TUTS Artistic Director, Dan Knechtges. “We have an amazing director, Ty Defoe, who is bringing an incredible vision for this production to life on stage.”

Leading the cast of RENT is Scott Redmond in the role of “Mark Cohen,” Adrian Lopez as “Roger Davis,” Teresa Zimmermann as “Maureen Johnson,” Simone Gundy as “Joanne Jefferson,” Tomás Matos as “Angel Dumott Schunard,” Will Mann as “Tom Collins,” Isabella De Souza Moore as “Mimi Marquez,” and Jamall Houston as “Benjamin Coffin, III”. Joining them in the ensemble are: Kahlil Cabble, Dwayne Cook, Jack Gereski, Jayson Kolbicz, Stephanie Jones, Tyler Lewis, Miles Marmolejo, Dominic Pecikonis, Gemini Quintos, Sarah Sachi, Yasmyn Sumiyoshi, and Raven Justine Troup.

The teen ensemble, which is made up of students from TUTS Humphreys School of Musical Theatre includes: Anastasia Bevis, Glenn Carter, Jasmine Lin, Dylan Loria, Gracie McDaniel, Sydney Meek, Gwyneth Parrish, Rizal Patagoc, Laiza Rivera, Bella Sanchez, Jayden Strawn, and Jaqueline Trinh-Juarez.

RENT is directed by Ty Defoe. “I am looking forward to getting to dive deeper into the material for this show with the designers and cast! We will be looking at it through the lens of today!” said Defoe. Joining Defoe on the production is Musical Director, Wiley DeWeese; Choreographer, Monica Josette; Scenic Designer, Ryan McGettigan; Costume Designer, Colleen Grady; Lighting Designer, Brian Tovar; Sound Designer, Andrew Harper; Hair & Makeup Designer, Kelley Jordan; and Assistant Director, Stacy Hawking. Casting for RENT is provided by Calleri Jensen Davis Casting and TUTS Artistic Line Producer, Laura Peete.

Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RENT is a magnificent and sensational musical that has captured the hearts of millions of theatre fans around the world. Created by Theatre Under The Stars for a Houston audience, this brand-new production will inspire audiences and make memories to last a lifetime. A glorious production only at Theatre Under The Stars. RENT runs May 16 - 28 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets start at just $40, and are available online at TUTS.com, 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. Theatre Under The Stars is grateful to our season sponsors Hampton Inn/Homewood Suites and ABC13. Theatre Under The Stars is funded in part by the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, The Brown Foundation and The Wortham Foundation. RENT is sponsored in part by ConocoPhillips.

Fire Up the Grill!

By Liz Clearman

Brisket, burgers, and beer — all three are staples if you’re hosting or attending a BBQ on Memorial Day, which falls on May 29th this year. Coincidentally, or maybe not at all, National Brisket Day and National Burger Day both fall on Sunday, May 28th. I’ll let you put two and two together, but in the meantime, here’s Weber’s (the famous grill company) recipe for a to-die-for brisket.

Ingredients:

• 12 pounds untrimmed whole beef brisket

• ¼ cup salt

• ¼ cup coarsely ground black pepper

• 2 cups favorite barbecue sauce

Directions:

Equipment needed:

• Smoker (grill)

• Spray bottle

• Instant-read thermometer

• Parchment paper

• Heavy-duty aluminum foil

1. Using a very sharp knife, trim the fat on the fatty side of the brisket so it is a scant ¼-inch thick, making sure it is no thinner than that. On the meatier side, remove the web-like membrane so the coarsely grained meat underneath is visible. Make sure to cut away and discard any hard clumps of fat on both sides of the brisket.

2. In a small bowl stir together the salt and pepper. Coat the entire surface of the brisket evenly with the seasoning. Put the brisket on a plate and refrigerate until ready to smoke (you can do this up to 12 hours in advance).

3. Prepare the water smoker for indirect cooking over very low heat (200° to 250°F). Brush the top cooking grate clean.

4. Spray the brisket on both sides with water to wet the surface. Add 3 or 4 large mesquite and/or oak chunks to the smoker. When smoke appears, place the brisket, fat side down, on the top cooking grate, and cook over indirect very low heat, with the lid closed, until a nice dark crust forms on the surface, about 4 to 5 hours, adding the remaining wood chunks to the smoker after the first hour. The surface color of the brisket is important as it indicates you have created a good “bark” and the brisket will no longer absorb much smoke. While color is the primary indication, you should also check the internal temperature of the brisket with an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part; it should register between 150° and 160°F.

5. Remove the brisket from the smoker and spray it again on both sides with water. Spray a large sheet of parchment paper with water to dampen it, then wrap the brisket in the parchment, covering it completely. Now wrap the brisket in heavy-duty aluminum foil, again enclosing it completely.

6. Place the wrapped brisket, fat side down, on the top cooking grate and continue cooking over indirect very low heat, with the lid closed, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the brisket registers 200° to 203°F and the meat is so tender than when you press it with your fingers through the foil it feels like a giant marshmallow, 5 to 7 hours or longer. Tenderness is a more important indicator of doneness than temperature, as timing can vary according to the beef breed and characteristics of the meat.

7. Transfer the brisket, still wrapped in parchment and foil, to a dry, insulated cooler, close the lid, and let the meat rest for 2 to 4 hours.

8. Unwrap the brisket and place it on a cutting board, being careful to keep the precious juices trapped in the wrappings. Pour the barbecue sauce into a medium saucepan and warm over medium heat on the stove until hot, about 5 minutes.

9. While the sauce heats, cut the brisket across the grain into thin slices. Serve the slices with as much or as little of the sauce as you like. You can either drizzle the reserved meat juices over the slices or add them to the sauce. If the meat from the flat portion of the brisket is a little dry, coarsely chop it and mix it with as much sauce as you like.

Source: weber.com

election Alert!

SBISD Board of Trustees election on May 6th

By Liz Clearman

Each May, SBISD holds its board of trustees election for whichever seats are up for reelection in that particular year. While these local, district-wide elections seem small in the big scheme of things, they’re a vital part of ensuring that the school district in which you live has citizens on its board who truly care about all children and who will ensure that truly important issues – such as tax rates, the district’s budget, equitable education, advocating for SBISD during legislative sessions, and listening to community members – are at the forefront.

For 2023, Positions 1 and 2 are on the ballot, with two candidates running for each seat (none of them are incumbents). Candidates on the ballot for Trustee Position 1 are David Lopez, who lists his occupation as a school administrator, and Courtney Anderson, who lists hers as a stay-at-home mom. For Trustee Position 2, Becky Ardell Downs, a pastor, and

Shannon Mahan, a speech pathologist, are also on the ballot.

Early voting begins on April 24th and goes through May 2nd; locations for early voting are Wayne F. Schaper, Sr. Leadership Center (77080), Don Coleman Community Coliseum (77079), Holy Cross Lutheran Church (77055), City of Piney Point Village (77063), SBISD West Support Campus (77043), and St. Jerome Parish Activity Center (77080). Election Day is May 6th, and you’ll vote at your zoned middle school (regardless of where your child actually attends): Landrum, Memorial, Northbrook, Spring Branch, Spring Forest, Spring Oaks, or Spring Woods.

Do your research, talk to your neighbors, make a plan, and VOTE! Check out SBISD’s election website for more information and specific details on voting: springbranchisd.com/ about/board-of-trustees/elections/currentelections.

Learn more about each candidate on their websites: Pos. 1

David Lopez: davidforsbisd.com

Courtney Anderson: courtneyforsbisd.com Pos. 2

Becky Ardell Downs: beckydowns.com

Shannon Mahan: shannon4sbisd.com

Student Art Shines Bright During Create Fest

SBISD Featured News

Spring Branch ISD students recently showcased their creativity during Create Fest, a multi-faceted visual arts event that includes a student artist business fair, art competitions, art workshops, and a district-wide art show. Create Fest was hosted at Westchester Academy for International Studies and celebrated the visual arts, while also providing an opportunity for students across SBISD to showcase their artwork in a professional and public environment and connect with local artists in the community. “Thank you to our sponsors, parents, staff and student volunteers! Without their support our festival would not exist,” said Sally Doyle, SBISD Visual Arts coordinator. “This event was created to give our students another avenue to be creative and expand our reach into the community.”

Event sponsors included Magness Orthodontics, Adventure Chix, Smiles for Kids, the Ussher family and the Metcalf family. Funds raised were used to purchase contest supplies, event t-shirts and banners, art contest winner prizes and infrastructure fees. “We hope everyone enjoyed Create Fest and we look forward to seeing everyone next year!” concluded Doyle.

The list of winners can be found here: springbranchisd.com/news/ read-more/~board/sbisd-post-board/post/student-art-shines-brightduring-create-fest.

A Bouquet of Rosés for Mom

By Jeffrey M. Kralik, Ph.D.

There was never so much as a drop of alcohol in my house growing up in the Midwest; sure, my father drank the occasional beer, but that was rare and when he did, it was something regrettable like Red, White, and Blue (Pabst Blue Ribbon’s second beer). I can’t remember my mother, the daughter of a dairy farmer, ever having any alcohol; she insisted that we drink milk at every meal and she did the same. It was not until my junior year in college, while studying abroad in Strasbourg, France, that I had my first glass of wine. It was another few years after that, while leading a bike trip through Burgundy, that the “wine bug” really hit me, but I have been a devotee ever since.

Over the years, I have tried to “infect” my mother (my father is a lost cause) with an affinity for wine with mixed results. Given her affinity for Pepsi (not Coke), I thought I would first give her some white zinfandel, a sweet, often overly fruity mess that many in the wine world consider an abomination (I, on the other hand, while preferring a slow, painful death to drinking white zin, still can appreciate its contribution to saving the wine industry).

That worked, but too well. To this day, she keeps a box of Franzia white zinfandel in her refrigerator (it might very well be the same box, but I am too horrified to ask). Nonetheless, every Mother’s Day I send her a bouquet of rosés with the hope that she will eventually turn the corner and become a full-blown wine-lover. Yes, at this point in both of our lives, I fully realize that will never happen but I persist in this Mother’s Day tradition of mine for two reasons. First, a bouquet of real roses will last maybe a week before wilting and dying (which she finds depressing); and second, at least I know when I go to visit, there will be several bottles in her house worthy of consumption (but finding space in the fridge to chill them will certainly be a challenge given that enormous box of white zin).

Here are the rosés that will make up this year’s “bouquet”:

Château de Trinquevedel, Tavel: $20. In Tavel, only rosé wines are allowed to be produced, and this is one of my favorites. Darker in color than most pink wines, with bigger body and heftier flavors. The importer is Kermit Lynch, which is pretty much a guarantee of quality.

Château Miraval, Côtes de Provence Rosé: $25. This is the wine that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie originally made “together” but after a bitter and ugly divorce, Angelina is no longer part of the picture. Luckily, the Perrin Family still makes the wine and I always have a handful of bottles in the cellar.

Caves d’Esclans Whispering Angel, Côtes de Provence Rosé: $25. Along with Miraval, Whispering Angel can be found almost everywhere, which is not (necessarily) a bad thing. Sascha Lachine, the proprietor, set out to make the best rosés in the world and I, for one, think he has succeeded. Fruity and dry, with plenty of subtle fruit and zippy tartness. Another wine that we always have on hand.

Pedroncelli Dry Rosé of Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, CA: $15. This one might be a little harder to find, but it is worth it. Zingy acidity helps to reign in the abundant strawberry and watermelon fruit, while the finish lingers for quite some time.

Stoller Pinot Noir Rosé, Willamette Valley, OR: $30. Almost a bubblegum pink in the glass, this lovely wine from one of the leading producers in the Willamette boasts bright fruit and plenty of tartness. Made from pinot noir, the Valley’s signature grape and one of the best varieties for rosé.

Rodney Strong Pinot Noir Rosé, Russian River Valley, CA: $25. Widely available for around $15, this wine is always one of the top scorers at my annual blind tasting of American rosés. Bright, cheery, and loaded with cherry aromas, this wine is at home both at the beach and on the table.

Les Sarrins, Côtes de Provence Rosé: $30. I tried to limit my list to a half a dozen, but I just love this wine. Made by Bruno Paillard of Champagne fame, this wine is bursting with juicy fruit and fantastic acidity. It has recently become available through H-E-B and we buy it up by the case.

(You can find Jeffrey at thedrunkencyclist.com.)

Alley Theatre extends Sherlock Holmes and The Case of the Jersey Lily

The Tony Award®-winning Alley Theatre announces the extension of Sherlock Holmes and The Case of the Jersey Lily to run to May 14, 2023. The comedy-mystery Sherlock Holmes and The Case of the Jersey Lily by Katie Forgette is directed by Alley Theatre’s Associate Producer & Casting Director Brandon Weinbrenner. Tickets can be ordered online (alleytheatre. org) or by phone (713.220.5700).

The wit of Oscar Wilde meets the cunning of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In this comic twist on a classic sleuthing caper, Wilde’s muse, actress Lillie Langtry (a.k.a. the Jersey Lily) presents Holmes with what seems like an open and shut case. But with his superior powers of deductive reasoning, Sherlock wastes no time in exposing a much more sinister conspiracy. Meanwhile, Oscar Wilde is in the throes of writing his acclaimed The Importance of Being Earnest and Holmes might inspire some of the play. In a fast-paced ride full of surprises and disguises, Holmes and Watson must do whatever it takes to help their friends … while facing their greatest foe. Connect with us: @alleytheatre, #AlleySherlock

Press Release

A Handy (and Necessary) GuIDe TO YOuR STATe LeGISLATORS

By Liz Clearman

It would be a vast understatement to say that there’s a lot going on in the 88th Texas legislative session (if you missed my article on recapture and how it affects SBISD, it’s available in our April issue). The current session ends on May 29th, so you still have time to contact your senators and representatives about the issues that matter most to you. Because there are so many bills affecting public education, and therefore SBISD, I have also included the members of both the Texas Senate Committee on Education as well as the House Public Education Committee and their contact info.

To track what bills are currently before our legislators, visit legiscan.com/TX. To see who represents you in both the Texas legislature and the U.S. Congress, go here: wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home.

Texas state senators who represent SBISD: Paul Bettencourt: paul.bettencourt@senate.texas.gov; 512.463.0107

Joan Huffman: joan.huffman@senate.texas.gov; 512.463.0117

John Whitmire: john.whitmire@senate.texas.gov; 512.463.0115

Texas house representatives who represent SBISD: Mano DeAyala: mano.deayala@house.texas.gov; 512.463.0514

Lacey Hull: lacey.hull@house.texas.gov; 512.463.0727

Penny Morales Shaw: penny.moralesshaw@house.texas.gov; 512.463.0620

Texas Senate Committee on Education: Brandon Creighton: brandon.creighton@senate.texas.gov

Donna Campbell: donna.campbell@senate.texas.gov

Paul Bettencourt: paul.bettencourt@senate.texas.gov

Brian Birdwell: brian.birdwell@senate.texas.gov

Peter Flores: peter.flores@senate.texas.gov

Phil King: phil.king@senate.texas.gov

Morgan Lamantia: morgan.lamantia@senate.texas.gov

Jose Menendez: jose.menendez@senate.texas.gov

Mayes Middleton: mayes.middleton@senate.texas.gov

Tan Parker: tan.parker@senate.texas.gov

Angela Paxton: angela.paxton@senate.texas.gov

Drew Springer: drew.springer@senate.texas.gov

Royce West: royce.west@senate.texas.gov

House Public Education Committee:

Brad Buckley: brad.buckley@house.texas.gov

Alma Allen: alma.allen@house.texas.gov

Steve Allison: steve.allison@house.texas.gov

Charles Cunningham: charles.cunningham@house.texas.gov

Harold Dutton: harold.dutton@house.texas.gov

Cody Harris: cody.harris@house.texas.gov

Brian Harrison: brian.harrison@house.texas.gov

Cole Hefner: cole.hefner@house.texas.gov

Gina Hinojosa: gina.hinojosa@house.texas.gov

Ken King: ken.king@house.texas.gov

Oscar Longoria: oscar.longoria@house.texas.gov

Matt Schaefer: matt.schaefer@house.texas.gov

James Talarico: james.talarico@house.texas.gov

Mayday, Mayday!

Gift Ideas for the May Holidays

By Liz Clearman

Ihope your budget is ready for this month — with Mother’s Day, graduation, and teacher appreciation/end-of-year gifts, May can feel like a doozy. If you have money saved to help lessen the sting, that might make the spending feel a little easier, but if somehow this month snuck up on you, let’s talk about easy and thoughtful gifts for each of the major May happenings. Of course, take into account each individual’s preferences when you’re shopping; these are more generic ideas based on prior experience and can apply to most anyone.

Graduation Gifts

For the high school grad (heading into college or going straight into the working world):

• A laundry basket full of cleaning supplies and other necessary dorm/ apartment needs

• Gift cards to several fast food or quick service restaurants in the area where they’ll be living

• Towels (bonus: monogrammed so that they don’t get mixed up and lost in a communal dorm bathroom)

• A bedding set

• Swag with their college or university’s name on it (a t-shirt, a beach towel, or a keychain are great ideas)

• Something related to their chosen profession (Job in plumbing or construction? Try a gift card to Lowe’s or Home Depot. Culinary student? A cookbook, head coverings, or a first aid kit. Veterinary/animal sciences field? Scrubs, a pair of sneakers, or a fun engraved stethoscope tag.)

• Cold hard cash

For the college/professional school grad:

• Nice office supplies if they’re entering an office job setting

• A session with a professional for resume/cover letter help

• A sturdy, well-made tote bag/crossbody satchel for taking laptops and papers to and from work

• Gift cards to local restaurants to ease the transition into adulting

• A travel mug or tumbler to keep morning coffee or tea steaming hot

• A well-insulated lunch tote

• Cold hard cash

Mother’s Day Gifts

• A nice lunch or dinner out with the whole family

• A gift card for a swanky mani/pedi or massage

• A gift card to a favorite store (Barnes & Noble, Target, Amazon, Ulta, etc.)

• A donation to her charity of choice

• A photo book or photo calendar with recent family photos

• Her favorite snack, chocolate, coffee, or tea

• A heartfelt, handwritten note or card

Teacher Appreciation/End-of-Year Gifts

(Note: Be cautious with giving teachers food — especially homemade — or anything with scents, unless you’re confident that you know of any allergies or sensitivities. I also recommend staying away from trinkets such as mugs as teachers typically get a plethora of those.)

• A gift card to a favorite store or one with a variety of options (such as Target, Amazon, Walmart, etc.)

• A gift card to local restaurants to ease the stress of having to cook after a long day of teaching kids

• A beautiful bouquet of flowers (that they can toss when the year is over) or a low-maintenance plant, such as a succulent, for their desk

• A 12-pack of the teacher’s favorite soda, tea, sparkling water, etc. (Alcohol might be an appropriate gift *if* you know the teacher’s preferences)

• A basket or storage bin that they can use in their classroom filled with school supplies that they otherwise might have to buy themselves

• A handwritten note from you and/or your child(ren) expressing what the teacher or admin has meant to you