Sienna List February 2019

INSIDE

parent life

I

the guide

|

h e a lt h r e p o r t

FEBRUARY 2019

Furry, Flying, &

finned friends

black history in fort bend

in this issue

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THE GUIDE

Furry, Flying, or Finned Friends

11 17

THE LIST

10 Things for a Fresh February

HEALTH REPORT Heart Disease: It Can Happen at Any Age

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MOLDING MINDS

Teen Dating Violence Awareness

MEAGHAN BARSAMIAN C o F ounder - P ublisher @MeaghanBarsamian

ALLEN BARSAMIAN C o F ounder - A ccount M anager

TOLU FALADE P ublication A ssistant

MARJORIE MCCLENDON G raphic D esigner

The List | info@siennalist.com | www.thelist.city | 281-201-5998

@Margiebargie

Shade No More Pain

February 9th | 1:00 until 4:00pm | Sienna Branch Library | 8411 Sienna Springs Drive, 77459 A forum to educate young ladies on teenage dating violence awareness and the preventive signs to be aware of.

C ONTRIBUTORS :

Black History Month Celebration Gala

February 15th | 6:30 until 9:00pm | Missouri City Community Center | 1522 Texas Pkwy, 77489 This event celebrates the lives of individuals who have succeeded as the first in their field while paving the way for others. The gala will benefit the Missouri City Parks Foundation and the Edison Arts Foundation.

JASON LUTHOR C olumnist

Sip and Sing Karaoke Night

February 20th | 6:30 until 10:00pm | B’s Wine Bar | 8770 Hwy 6, 77459 Join B’s for a friendly and casual atmosphere while enjoying fine wine, appetizers, and karaoke!

Junior FUNdamental Team Challenge

March 6th | 10:00 until 11:00am | Rec & Tennis Center | 2701 Cypress Point Drive Kids ages 6-16 can come join in on the fun with an introduction to tennis in a fun, social setting.

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To Advertise, Please call (281)201-5998

ALISA MURRAY C olumnist

@AlisaMurray

community spotlight

Black History In Fort Bend County

and slavery was abolished, steps were taken to make sure that cheap labor remained available in the agricultural south. Confederate veterans Edward H. Cunningham and Littleberry A. Lewis found a loophole around the abolition of slavery; leasing Texas’s entire prison population. The Texas prison system now served as a new source of cheap labor.

Convict leasing is rarely mentioned, but it was the dominant way by which slavery was replaced.

The history of Sugar Land is complicated.

Today, Houston and its surrounding areas enjoys a reputation as one of the most diverse parts of the country. However, Sugar Land’s roots, as its name suggests, can be traced to the farming of sugar in the region. This farming often depended on slave labor, though this slave labor was the kind that could only be found after the Civil War was already over.

In the years after the Civil War ended

Under the convict leasing system, plantations would lease convicted individuals to perform labor on their lands in a system of slavery. The plantation was responsible for feeding these slaves as well as clothing and housing them. The system began in Louisiana as early as 1844, but the process soon spread throughout the United States. This form of slavery did occur to a limited degree in the north, but the system was particularly harmful in the south, where states gave up entire groups of slaves to private leasers.

Sugar Land’s economy was heavily contingent on this system. Sugarcane plantations depended on slave labor, which helped transform the Lower Brazos area. Entrepreneurs such as Matthew, Samuel, and Nathanial Williams began some of the first sugar plantations in the region. These plantations were founded in the 1830s but transformed sugar into a major economic powerhouse within only a decade. The plantations that populated

the area were powered by slave labor until it wasn’t legal anymore, which is when the area switched to the system of “involuntary servants.”

“Involuntary servants” faced many of the same hardships that slaves had faced before them. Working conditions were harsh, mosquitoes carried epidemic causing diseases, servants were regularly beat, and medical care was lacking. This created a high mortality rate among the people working these fields. The convict leasing system, which entered Texas in the 1880s, continued to drive profits for the sugar plantations in the area up through 1910. By then, investigations of the Texas prison system forced the Texas Legislature to eliminate the system of “involuntary servitude.” However, over the course of those three decades many lives were lost.

Evidence of those lost lives can be found in the 95 bodies discovered, on accident, while the Fort Bend Independent School District began was constructing a new school. The discovery forced a halt in the school’s development as activities clashed with the school district over what should be done with the land. Today, organizations such as the National Black United Front are working to find a resolution regarding how to best honor the lives of those black prisoners and former slaves. The district needs a new school built, but the memory of the departed also has to be preserved.

Debates on the issue are still ongoing.

FEBRUARY 2019

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FURRY, FLYING OR FINNED FRIENDS Who has a better appreciation for pets than the professionals that dedicate their lives to helping our pets stay healthy and happy?

This issue celebrates pet-passionate individuals that show our furry, flying or finned friends’ compassion.

For those who have made an everlasting impact on your heart, and the heart of your pet. Whether you’re a cat person, dog person, a fish person, or a horse person there’s one thing we can all agree on, and that’s the incredible work carried out by pet-passionate professionals.

This month, The List Magazines teams up with local pet professionals to shine a light on those who help our pets live long, happy, and healthy lives!

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To Advertise, Please call (281)201-5998

putting DOGs first

Mark and Ashley Mitchell, owners of Wash Groom Go Mobile Dog Grooming | Sit Walk Stay & The Dog Shop Salon, are answering the need for your pet’s well being by offering grooming boarding, pet sitting, dog walking and daycare services.

Our business today is a culmination of 6 years of hard work and big dreams. We are so excited to add cage free doggie day care, luxury boarding and salon style grooming to our existing top-notch pet services. We are driven by our desire to help our neighbors by caring for their four-legged family members with love, respect and compassion. We owe a huge thank you to the community for joining us on this awesome journey, and we hope that you will continue to be a part of our story.

281-643-7180 | www.washgroomgo.com

Wash Groom Go

There just aren’t enough hours in the day. We live in a busy world with a million people going in a million directions. Sometimes it’s hard to give your beloved dog the attention he/she needs. Give yourself a break with Wash Groom Go Mobile Dog Grooming. We make grooming convenient by coming to your location. Your dog never leaves their home or neighborhood! We groom your dog from start to finish in our state-of-the art grooming salons. Our salons have all the amenities you find at a typical grooming facility.

We just recently purchased a third mobile grooming salon and added two new professional groomers to our existing staff, so that we can accommodate more appointments and provide more flexibility in scheduling. We want to make getting your dog groomed as simple as possible, on your schedule not ours. Mobile Groomers: Tiffany Campbell, Brianna Blaisdell, Gail Jordan, Koree Martinez.

The Dog Shop

281-710-4898 | www.thedogshoptx.com

“It’s the sort of space that we like to think dogs would have designed for themselves if they could have.” We knew from the onset we wanted to foster a different kind of culture, something fun, clean and inviting. We know what it’s like to worry when you need to be away from your dog for a day or two. Are they okay? Are they worried or sad? Are they having fun? Do they miss me? We created a space to ease that. Your dog gets to play all day with other dogs his/her size, age and temperament while being under constant supervision. Your dogs become members of our family.

They need socialization, exercise and love. The Dog Shop provides all of this with our highly engaging staff. We are an allencompassing facility with a full range of services where dogs can relax, play and enjoy themselves in the hands of professionals who truly care.

Professional Dog Grooming - We get dogs. It’s that simple!

Your dog can be the envy of the neighborhood with a little help from The Dog Shop pet stylists. Our grooming staff brings more than 40 + years of combined experience to the area and can give your dog the treatment they deserve. Our experienced bathers and groomers will treat your dog with love and gentle hands that you cannot find anywhere else.

Groomers: Rebekah Foley, Destiny Vercher, Khristopher Conway

FEBRUARY 2019

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To Advertise, Please call (281)201-5998

the guide Sienna Plantation Animal Hospital Located next to Baines Middle School, Sienna Plantation Animal Hospital (SPAH) provides general veterinary care to dogs and cats (wellness planning, sick visits, surgery, dentistry and nutritional counseling). We also provide daytime emergency care with an in house lab and radiology suite for rapid diagnosis. SPAH is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), an achievement held by only 11% of veterinary hospitals in the nation! Our team is committed to providing high-quality, modern, veterinary medicine that evolves with the latest medical research.

Our clients are confident their pet is receiving the best care possible.

meet Our Veterinarians

Dr. Brian Smith just celebrated his ten-year anniversary as the owner of SPAH. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA), and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP). He holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University, and a B.S. from Trinity University. He and his wife, Sarah, have lived in Sienna since 2005, and they love raising their four children in the community. Dr. Smith coaches youth teams, regularly attends St. Catherine of Sienna Episcopal Church, and donates to local schools and charities. He is a Purple Jacket Honoree of Ridge Point High School.

Dr. Becky Nevotti lives in Sienna with her 2 children, Baron and Evalyn, and their two dogs. She is an active member and volunteer at The Harvest United Methodist Church and also volunteers every March with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and loves being a vet in Sienna Plantation because of the wonderful people and pets she meets on a daily basis. Her areas of special interest include dermatology, nutrition and soft tissue surgery. Dr. Nevotti attended Texas A&M University and graduated with a B.S. in Biomedical Science and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. She is also a member of the AVMA, TVMA, and AAFP.

Dr. Jessica Rivera enjoys caring for dogs and cats and building a strong bond with her clients. Her passions include internal medicine, orthopedic surgery, and geriatric medicine. She is married to Victor M. Porras, Jr., who is also an Aggie and owns his own law firm.

They have a daughter, Eliana Nicole, and attend Second Baptist Church. Dr. Rivera earned a Master's Degree in Biomedical Science in 2006 from Texas A&M University and graduated with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University in 2011. She is also a member of the AVMA, TVMA, and AAFP.

Dr. Stephen Marsh enjoys living in, and serving, the Sienna community. “The people here desire exceptional care for their furry, family members.� He, and his wife, Taylor, look forward to raising their young family in Sienna. He adopted his dog, Springer Dinger, from Sienna Pet Fest 2018. Dr. Marsh grew up in Jackson, MS, and attended the University of Southern Mississippi. He then moved to Texas and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University in 2016. He is also a member of the AVMA, TVMA, and AAFP.

siennaplantationanimalhospital.com

281-778-5244

FEBRUARY 2019 FEBRUARy

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Valet

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Car Services

(281)906-2888 www.PrestigeValetHouston.com

silver screen ISNT IT ROMANTIC FEBRUARY 14th Natalie is a young woman disenchanted with love. Her worst nightmare comes true when she discovers she’s playing the leading lady in a real-life romcom and must escape every cliché in order to finally find her happily ever after.

CAPTAIN MARVEL MARCH 8th Carol Danvers, a former U.S. air Force fighter pilot, is turned into one of the galaxy’s mightiest heroes and is caught in the center of a galactic conflict between two alien worlds.

THE AFTERMATH MARCH 15th Post World War II, a British colonel and his wife are assigned to live in Hamburg during the post-war reconstruction, but tensions arise with the German who previously owned the house and now cohabitates with the couple.

US MARCH 15th Husband and wife Gabe and Adelaide Wilson take their children to the beach house, hoping to spend time with friends.

Their serenity soon turns to tension and chaos when a group of “strangers” arrive uninvited.

februarY 2019

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10 Things for a

the list

BY ALISA MURRAY

WWW.ALISAMURRAY.COM

Fresh February

Slap Your Mama Garlic Wings

These wings are a hit and my boys ask for them regularly. I use an orange blossom honey that you can get in the cheese section at H-E-B. It’s in a glass bottle with a stopper but you can make your own by squeezing oranges into the honey and then glazing the meat. This also works well when baking a ham.

You’ll need: Two packets of winglets 1 tbsp. garlic salt 1 tbsp. pepper Olive oil Orange blossom honey Lay out the washed winglets in a flat and shallow pan.

Drizzle olive oil on them to coat lightly…for those cooks that measure stuff you’ll use about a tablespoon Lightly sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper and then run a glaze of the orange blossom honey in a zig zag pattern across each winglet. Place in a 375-degree oven for 30 mins and then crank up the broiler. Watch them to make sure they are crispy and caramelized, but not burned.

Hint: There’s no sauce needed for dipping as these are absolutely PERFECT from pan to plate!

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NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PORTRAIT ARTIST & AWARD WINNING COLUMNIST.

Take your “green” thumb to a new level by cutting toilet paper rolls in half. Stuff paper towels in the bottom and fill them up with moisture-rich potting soil. Start seedlings in a warm place to go directly into the garden next month.

Buy a bouquet of fresh flowers and display them in a tablescape that brings the outdoors in!

Go through all the medicine cabinets. Gather anything expired and dispose of properly. Inventory the non-medical items and make sure to restock up on masks, shampoo, soaps and salts.

Go through your friends list and make sure to write their birthdays into your calendar. This will make it easy for you to drop them a nice card to let them know how much you love them!

Plan an amazing spring break. Think about going somewhere you have never been to before. The world is your OYSTER, my dears!

I have just finished learning all about Kenya. What could be more memorable than Giraffe Manor and feeding baby elephants?

On my nightside table now “Feeding You Lies” by Vani Hari, “In the Company of Women” by Grace Bonney and The Holy Bible.

Go through your February - April home decor and see if there’s anything that is broken to fix, give away or trash. Keep an area in your attic that has decorations there exclusively so that you can seamlessly move in between seasons and enjoy your home more in 2019.

Make a point to try a new recipe each week and secretly make it vegetarian. This family members will never know that they aren’t really eating meats with so many great options out there. You will be both creative and healthier in no time!

Take the children to the zoo with sketch pads and pens. Have them leave their devises in the trunk and spend two hours in the sun soaking up vitamin D and drawing their favorite animals.

Keep those sketches and tiny masterpieces in a safe folder and by the end of year you’ll have enough art to create a full calendar to make and give as gifts to the grands! They’ll love it and the kids will too!

FEBRUARY 2019

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Sienna Gymnastics & Karate Call today for a free trial class!

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FEBRUARY 2019

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Everything you need. Right in Sienna Plantation.

Taking care of you and your family is what we do best. Memorial Hermann Convenient Care Center in Sienna Plantation is proud to now offer pediatric care. It’s convenience without compromise – all from one of Houston’s most trusted health systems.

To schedule an appointment or check in online, visit memorialhermann.org/ccc or call 281.778.1105.

Sienna Plantation Village 8780 Highway 6, Suite B Missouri City, TX 77459 Located at the southwest corner of Highway 6 and Sienna Parkway in Sienna Plantation Village. Near HEB.

PUBLICATION: Sienna List INSERTION: 02.01.19 MATERIALS DUE: 01.08.19 LATITUDE JOB NUMBER: MHH-2019 Advertising-January CLIENT: Memorial Hermann JOB NAME: I am a mother of four.

Sienna CCC ER My oldest 3 are in their LIVE: mid-twenties, either focused on 7.25” x 9.75” school (or graduated), in SIZE: relationships, 8.375” x 10.875”working full-time and pretty BLEED:much doing everything a young adult does. My youngest is 8.885” x 11.375” a 7th grader.

They’re all truly the COLORS: greatest I love how much 4cp/0 of 133 friends. ls; theySW280 love and support each other.

But FORMAT: as close as they all are, I feel there Press canReady be a between them PDFdivide X TRG Link to Pub. of the age gap. My at times because QUESTIONSfeels CALL: left out when they 12-year-old Anna Olah stay out late or watch rated-R films. @ 214-696-7909 She gets so upset when we explain

to her why she can’t do certain things with them. How can we bridge this gap in a way that’s convenient and reassuring for both sides? I don’t want my oldest 3 to feel obligated, but I also don’t want my youngest to feel lonely or left out

Help her communicate her thoughts and feelings to her siblings. They are not obligated to do anything differently (and may not have the time), but expressing her feelings will help her to cope with them. If her siblings hear what she has to say, they may also make an effort to include her and spend time making her feel special. For those times when feeling left out is unavoidable, just be there to acknowledge the feelings and comfort her until they pass. Then do some problem-solving with your daughter to come up with other ways to have fun and pass the time when her siblings are busy. She can plan activities with her friends, enjoy a mother-daughter movie night, or get involved in sports and extracurricular activities. Reassure her that the time will come when she can participate in the same activities as her siblings. Make sure you are clear and consistent about specific age limits for those activities to avoid any arguing and negotiating. Most importantly, make sure your daughter is developing an identity of her own that is separate from her siblings.

She may be the artist of the family, an excellent writer, or a talented soccer player. High self-esteem and a sense of belonging will serve as buffers to help her through these difficult transitions.

How do I talk to my kids about the #MeToo movement? I have 3 teens; What a wonderful source of 2 girls and a boy. I want them to feel pride and joy to see your safe coming forward if they’ve ever felt kids develop such a close uncomfortable in certain situations and friendship as they mature! A large know how to make others feel the same. age gap between siblings can I want them to learn how and when to be tricky to navigate, particularly for say no and to understand that they, and the youngest siblings who often feel only they, have autonomy over their own left behind. First of all, it is important bodies, and that other people have the to keep in mind that feelings are not same right. necessarily a bad thing! As parents, our instinct is often to protect our children This is such an important from hard experiences and difficult topic for all parents to think about. emotions. However, those experiences It sounds like you already know and emotions can be some of life’s what you want them to learn, but the greatest learning opportunities. Your question is how to teach them and to 7th grader may have no control over the ensure that they follow through. Parents reality of her siblings moving forward should begin talking with their children with their adult lives, but she does have about body safety and appropriate control over a few things. She may need touching from an early age. It is helpful opportunities to talk about her feelings to teach age-appropriate but accurate and why she feels the way she does. words for private parts and the difference between “good touches” and “bad

parent life touches.” Talk about where your child can and cannot be touched, by whom, and under what circumstances. During elementary school, talk to your children about appropriate and inappropriate behavior (including examples). Discuss body safety rules and make a list of at least 3 trusted adults to tell if anyone breaks a rule. Give them frequent opportunities to ask questions (without judgment) and read books together that teach body safety. During middle school and high school, have discussions about healthy sexuality, healthy relationships, and setting boundaries. Kids are often reluctant to talk to their parents about these topics, because they worry about overreactions and punishment. It is incredibly important to keep an open dialogue with your kids, emphasizing that they will not be in trouble if they have questions or topics they want to discuss.

If these conversations are uncomfortable for parents, there are always counselors and mentors who are willing to help.

Along with the conversations, be aware of the subtle messages your children might be receiving by well-meaning family and friends. When your child’s cousin tickles her and she says “Stop!” make sure it stops. At family gatherings, don’t pressure your son to give hugs to strangers. If a friend makes an inappropriate joke about women, don’t tell your children it was all in good fun.

Be certain that the boys and girls in your home are held to the same standards of behavior. The messages we want our children to learn need to be loud and clear with no room for confusion. Visit www.rainn.org and www.e2epublishing. info (Educate2Empower Publishing) for more information on these topics and helpful resources.

FEBRUARY 2019 february

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Heart Health

Screenings

Is your heart at risk? One in four deaths in the United States is caused by heart disease each year. Heart disease is very dangerous because many chronic conditions that lead to the disease often go unrecognized while slowly damaging your heart. Toussaint Smith, M.D., boardcertified cardiologist with Houston Methodist Cardiology Associates at Sugar Land, explained some of the most common cardiac conditions and what you can do to help protect yourself.

THREE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS High cholesterol – Individuals with high cholesterol are twice as likely to develop heart disease as those with lower levels of cholesterol. “The body needs cholesterol for many things that are useful,” Smith explained. “But, when you have too much cholesterol, it builds up in the walls of blood vessels. When this occurs in the arteries of the heart, it can lead to a heart attack.” One of the most troubling aspects of high cholesterol is that it often presents no symptoms, meaning it’s crucial to have your cholesterol checked by your doctor regularly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults have their cholesterol checked every five years.

High blood pressure – One-third of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, a condition that can have potentially lifethreatening consequences. “High blood pressure has been called the silent killer,” Smith said. “It is a kind of background threat to your health when you have it.

High blood pressure affects the entire body, putting you at higher risk for stroke, heart attack, atrial fibrillation (AFib) and can also put strain on your kidneys, causing damage.”

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) – Irregular heartbeats, or heart arrhythmias, can put strain on the heart and the systems it supports. AFib, is one of the most common heart arrhythmias and a

health report

L i f e st y l e Ch a n g e s C an L e s s e n Ca r d iac C on c e r n s condition that often worsens with age. “In a normal heartbeat, the heart has a natural pacemaker that fires electricity located in the right upper chamber of the heart,” Smith explained. “In between a normal beat, the heart rests. When the heart has beats coming from different locations than the natural pacemaker, it can cause extra heart beats. This is AFib.” Among the most dangerous potential effects of AFib are stroke and heart failure.

REDUCING YOUR RISKS While these cardiac conditions must be taken seriously, effective treatment options exist for all of them. Medications are available that can help reduce high cholesterol levels and bring blood pressure levels to a normal range. AFib similarly can be treated with medications as well as promising new surgical options. But, Smith stresses that in addition to proper medical care, it’s vital to improve your lifestyle choices to lower your risk of future heart problems. Focusing on making healthy food choices and getting regular physical activity are two of the most important behaviors you can adopt for heart health.

“Many diseases of the heart are caused or worsened by living a sedentary life with poor eating habits,” Smith said.

“Combining effective treatment with lifestyle changes offers the best hope for a healthier life for most people. That’s why the first thing we do for cardiac patients at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is implement patient education to help develop healthy dietary and exercise habits.”

To schedule an appointment with Toussaint Smith, M.D., at Houston Methodist Cardiology Associates, visit houstonmethodist.org/appointments or call 713.776.9500. For the latest news, events and information visit our Facebook page at fb.com/methodistsugarland.

FREE HEART HEALTH SCREENINGS Schedule an appointment to learn more about your 10-year risk for heart disease and receive cholesterol and blood pressure screenings. The event is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 21, in the Brazos Pavilion Conference Center on the Houston Methodist Sugar Land campus. Registration required. For more information or to register, visit events. houstonmethodist.org/heart-sl or call 281.274.7500.

FEBRUARY 2019

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molding minds TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

February marks a time for teens to think about dating and the violence they sometimes experience in a relationship.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is designed to bring awareness to the level of violence that teens sometimes experience in their dating life. It’s estimated that every year, more than 1.5 million high school students suffer from dating violence.

Unfortunately, it’s estimated that three out of four parents have never talked to their children about domestic violence. For many teens, this leaves them unaware of when they should seek help or who they can turn to.

they need help. For instance, teens to who need to talk to someone with experience in this area can contact the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline.

Both parent and teens can also visit various web resources if they’d like to know more.

Love is Respect and the Date Safe Project are just two websites where you can learn more about teen dating violence.

For more information about resources that can help you or your child, visit www. teendvmonth.org.

It’s important for parents to be aware of the signs of domestic violence that teens might suffer from during their relationships.

A few red flags can signal parents to deep problems that their kids are undergoing.

For instance, teens often lose interest in activities they once enjoyed when they’re in an abusive relationship. If your child has been involved with a sport or activity for a long time and suddenly loses interest, it’s time to become concerned.

Another major warning sign is if your child suddenly becomes more isolated. Teens in abusive relationships often stop seeing friends and family. This pattern of isolation can key you into the fact that your teen is currently suffering from abuse. A more blatant sign of abuse is if your child’s significant other is verbally abusive or extremely jealous of who your child hangs out with. Such obvious signs should be considered immediate warnings that your child needs help.

Controlling behavior is another red flag to watch out for. If a significant other tries to check up on your child constantly, this is a major sign that they might also have abusive tendencies. If your child is always apologizing for their significant other, that might be a warning sign as well. Of course, besides these signs, you should also be on the lookout for blatant signs of abuse. If a significant other loses their temper easily, if your child comes home with unexplained injuries, or if your child mentions that their significant other has a violent temper, it’s time to get involved.

Part of talking to your child about these issues involves letting them know who they can turn to if they need help. As family members, you’re their first line of defense against abuse. However, there are also other places for an abused teen to turn if they feel

FEBRUARY 2019

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