The Bellaire Buzz - January 2015

Pregnant and Fit

by Andria Frankfort

Baby Goes Glam Postpartum Depression Buzz Baby Mealtime Memories Bachelor Buzz Game Houston, TX Permit No. 2047 PAID US Postage PRSRT STD

Babymoon Travel

Jenny Myers

PUBLISHER’S NOTE It’s fitting that we announce the launch of our new website – thebuzzmagazines.com – in this month’s baby-themed issue. Giving birth to this website has been like labor (or so my wife, editor Joni Hoffman, tells me), especially for design manager John Duboise and digital media manager Jordan Magaziner. Now, in addition to reading our monthly print magazines, you can find more local stories, blogs and multimedia, updated regularly, via your phone, tablet or computer. You also can share your own photos, videos, recipes, advice and community events with neighbors; use our People Finder to see stories, photos and videos of friends; search local restaurants by area, cuisine and price; comment on and easily share Buzz articles; and more. In this month’s print issue, we’re introducing Buzz Baby, a new monthly column

by Annie Blaylock McQueen. She’ll talk about life as a first-time mom, with twin babies, and share the stories of other Buzz moms along the way.

Have a happy and Buzzworthy 2015. michael@thebuzzmagazines.com

THE BUZZ MAGAZINES BELLAIRE • WEST UNIVERSITY • MEMORIAL • TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS Published by Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401 info@thebuzzmagazines.com • p: 713.668.4157 • f: 713.665.2940 thebuzzmagazines.com • facebook.com/thebuzzmagazines Editor Publisher Associate Editor Digital Media Manager Design Manager Editorial Assistant Staff Writers

Contributing Writers Vice President, Sales Account Managers

Sales Associates

Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman Cheryl Laird Jordan Magaziner John Duboise Chelsea Hanson Tracy L. Barnett Sharon Albert Brier Andria Frankfort Angie Frederickson Todd Freed Michelle Casas Groogan Dai Huynh Annie Blaylock McQueen Dave Schafer Cheryl Ursin Cathy Gordon, Russell Weil Mitra Azodi Woody Jay Janecek Andrea Blitzer Leslie Little Kim Montgomery Darsey Swaim Helen Hamilton, Michele Luke

On our cover: Jenny Myers, pregnant with her fourth baby in five years, likes kickboxing and says, “What keeps exercising fun is switching it up and having a variety of things to do so you don’t get bored.”

Cover photo by Todd Parker, www.stpimages.com The Buzz Magazines has made all reasonable attempts to verify the accuracy of all information contained within. Advertising claims are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Editorial content does not necessarily express the opinions of the publisher. Copyright © 2015 Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this magazine by any means without written permission is strictly prohibited. Printed on recycled paper. Please remember to recycle.

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 4

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713.764.9850 • mlivingston@gmail.com • www.har.com/mikelivingston BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 5

MAILBAG

Your letters, thoughts, opinions Thanks for the help, Chief Thanks for taking the time to write an article about Avoiding Christmas Crooks [Holiday safety tips from our police chiefs, by Andria Frankfort, November 2014]. I appreciate being included in the well-written piece on how to prevent being a crime victim. The tips shared by Police Chiefs Holloway, Walker, and me hopefully will help everyone as they go about their busy lives during the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s holidays.

The Buzz proves again to be great community partners in informing our friends and neighbors about important and timely topics. Those that follow those helpful tips throughout the year will greatly improve their chance of not being a crime victim.

Thanks for producing such an outstanding monthly magazine. The Memorial Villages Police Department appreciates your desire to partner with us and others to make ours the best community in all of Texas and beyond.

JD Sanders, Chief of Police, Memorial Villages

More on the Festival of Lights Thank you for writing the Chanuka article [Happy Hanukkah: Celebrating the Jewish Festival of Lights, by Russell Weil, December 2014], which I enjoyed reading. Like the gentleman who helped you with the Passokkah story I wish to make a few comments. The word Gelt is money in Yiddish.

Kessef is the word for money in Hebrew. Chanuka Gelt (in Hebrew: Dmey Chanuka) is a Jewish European/East European tradition when the grandparents or the parents give some money to their grandchildren/children for the holiday. Thus, there is no gift giving on Chanukah in Israel. It is a new Jewish American custom undoubtedly taken after Christmas gift giving. (I love Hanukkah Harry.)

Having a collection of Maccabee statues is new to me. Isn’t it an oxymoron? A major Jewish strife against the Greeks was to abolish statue worshiping. But this is probably another new idea. The statues look to me like the figures from The Nutcracker.

Have a wonderful Hanukkah with Latkes=Levivot in Hebrew, and Sufganiyot, and with lighting the Menorah=Hanukkiya, and playing the Dreidel=Svivon.

Devora Borik

Remember the Sky Terrace?

I love the article [Restaurant Memories: A look back at Houston’s dining past, by Russell Weil, November 2014]. My favorite and most missed place is the Sky Terrace downtown, with a fountain like a wishing well where I threw in coins for wishes. My younger brother fell in one time. Very funny moment. The fashion shows in the restaurant were so fun for a young girl to see models and hope one day she could look that great. The models came down from the pedestals and came to the table to show off their fashion and visit with my grandmother and me. My favorite dessert was the ice cream ball covered in toasted nuts with hot fudge sauce, but when I was BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 6

younger I loved the clown cone. As I grew older my one and only thing to order was the salad symphony with the trio of chicken salad, fruit with poppy seed dressing and shrimp remoulade with avocado and large shrimp.

Then the waiters would walk around with their white gloves and silver trays with pop-up lids to give us cinnamon rolls or the best cheese straws. I dined at all the places you mentioned, and it was great fun to share memories with you.

Chef Ellen Schwartz

Brookwood article was worthy Just wanted to say thank you for doing such a nice article on The Brookwood Community [Brookwood Community: Where there’s opportunity for all, by Cheryl Ursin, November 2014]. You did such a great job describing the citizens and the impact Brookwood has had on them. I’ve been there several times – the staff is incredible, and the citizens are so proud of what they do. I can’t wait to share this article with my friends.

Kathy Preston Editor’s note: Thanks for the nice words. To share a link, see thebuzzmagazines.com, where every story is available and shareable online.

Send letters to info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Please include your name, address, phone number and email address for verification purposes. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and space. Views expressed in letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Buzz Magazines, and The Buzz takes no responsibility for the content and opinions expressed in them.

What’s your story?

We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who: • Are on a unique or small rodeo committee.

• Have a Spring Break travel nightmare.

• Have a child who is the school mascot.

• Like to host creative dinner parties.

• Have special Easter or Passover traditions.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, please contact us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com or 713.668.4157, ext 12.

Get More Buzz. Online.

Your community. Your neighbors. Your friends. You.

thebuzzmagazines.com • More stories, blogs and multimedia • Share photos, videos, recipes and community events with your neighbors • Use our People Finder to see stories, photos and videos of friends, neighbors, even yourself • Search local restaurants by area, cuisine, and price • Comment on and easily share articles

Bellaire, West U, Memorial, Tanglewood and River Oaks Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/thebuzzmagazines

NEIGHBORS

by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

Pregnant and Fit Exercising to stay healthy

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 8

while pregnant,” she says. “But if you’re smart and work with someone who knows how to work with pregnant women, especially someone who has had kids and knows how it feels, it’s okay.”

The benefits of staying active during pregnancy are multitude.

“You get a little endorphin kick if you do a mid-morning workout after you drop off kids, and you’ll have a push to get through the afternoon,” Shelley says. Add to that better circulation to prevent swelling, muscle memory to help post-baby bodies remember how to get back into shape and added support for the lower back in the form of strengthened STRONG ARMED Caroline Walter works on upper-body strength. Most exerlegs and gluteal mus- cises are fine to continue during pregnancy. cles. Not to mention, put the baby in the stroller. It’s so easy to just sit “I just feel better,” Jenny says. on the couch, but I feel so much better if I make Risks are low, and most are associated with the time.” “overdoing it or falling while exercising,” Dr. As a mom of a 3 year old and a newborn (she Bolt says. “I recommend the ‘talk test’ for my spoke with The Buzz on her first day back to work patients. If you find that your frequency of after maternity leave), Dr. Bolt can relate. “I tried breathing is so increased that you are unable to to stay active while I was pregnant, but I sympahave a short conversation during exercise, you thize with women working with children. My are likely overdoing it.” advice is to try to do things with your kids. We Dr. Bolt especially recommends swimming. took walks in the evenings with the tricycle.”

“You will feel 10 times lighter in the water, Dr. Bolt reminds patients, “Remember that which feels like heaven to pregnant women.” the goal is not to lose weight or to look better.

Things to avoid: motionless standing after the It is simply to feel better during the pregnancy, first trimester, contact sports or anything with a to stay healthy for your growing baby, to hoperisk of falling. fully make childbirth easier and to avoid unnecIt’s hard to find time for exercise when you’re essary complications. working or a mom or both. “The more kids you “If you keep these goals in mind, it is easier to have, the harder it is to find time,” Jenny says. motivate yourself to maintain an exercise routine “But even when I was pregnant with my third during the pregnancy. Just do what feels good.” and couldn’t get to the gym, I’d go for a walk and stpimages.com

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one are the barefooted-pregnancy days of pickles and ice cream. Today’s expectant moms are lacing up Mizunos and hitting the gym.

Jenny and Chris Myers (the Houston Texans’ center) are expecting their fourth baby, the oldest of whom is ... 4. But all the babies and all the pregnancies during the past few years haven’t slowed Jenny down. In fact, she’s amped up her routine.

“I’ve always done weight training, so with my first pregnancy I maintained that and did a little bit of cardio,” Jenny says. “But this pregnancy, I had started with my trainer just after my son was born [he’ll be 2 in the spring]. I was working out at a higher level before I got pregnant, and I just continued.”

Dr. Katy Bolt says that’s exactly what expecting moms should do. “They should continue whatever they’re used to doing. If they’re not exercising, I encourage them to walk just to avoid excessive weight gain, which can lead to all kinds of issues like gestational diabetes or large babies that would require C-sections,” says the obstetrician/gynecologist at Partners in OB/GYN Care at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women.

Dr. Bolt also warns that inactivity during pregnancy creates a downward spiral. “Swelling increases, causing more discomfort. Then you want to sit more and exercise less. Then there’s more swelling.”

With friends Caroline Walter (whose husband Kevin is the former Houston Texans’ wide receiver) and Hillary Jebbitt, both of whom are also expecting their third and fourth babies, respectively, Jenny has been working out with trainer Shelley Kutsch. The friends meet at Shelley's home studio three days a week.

Exercises include kickboxing, treadmill runs and work on a Bosu balance ball.

Being safe is “all about listening to your body,” Hillary says. “I’ll be running and get a cramp, so I’ll stop. I’ll scale things down. Like if we’re on the treadmill, I’ll max out at level six instead of eight or nine.

“In my first pregnancy I didn’t exercise because I thought I would hurt the baby,” Hillary says. Trainer Shelley hears that fear a lot.

“Women might get scared about exercising

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DISCIPLINE (Left photo) Hillary Jebbitt says, "I know this is my last pregnancy, so I'm not giving myself any leeway. I want to get back to normal after I have this baby." (Right photo) Jenny Myers, pregnant with her fourth baby in five years, likes kickboxing and says, "What keeps exercising fun is switching it up and having a variety of things to do so you don't get bored."

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 9

NEIGHBORS

by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Postpartum Depression When joy turned to anxiety, she found help

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elcoming a baby is one of life’s most joyous occasions. But what happens when not-so-happy feelings surface?

After all, there’s the lack of sleep, emotional vulnerability and massive change that come with a new baby. A new mom may develop the “baby blues,” a bleak mood which is common and typically fades a few weeks after birth.

However, in nearly 15 percent of births, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, mothers experience a more severe mood disorder known as postpartum depression. It may be disguised as the baby blues at first – but the symptoms are more intense and last longer.

Buzz resident Beth Allen Rogers knows firsthand about postpartum depression.

The personal assistant with Ashley Goforth Design grew up in Houston and graduated from The Kinkaid School. She’s married to Todd Rogers, a regional sales manager for Enterprise Fleet Management.

Beth says she had never experienced any form of clinical depression, so it came as a surprise when she developed postpartum depression after the birth of her second child.

She remembers happy times with firstborn Abby. “I would go exercise, run some errands and then either pick her up from school at noon on her short days, or when she had long days, I would go home and eat lunch and take a nap.” Things were under control.

Then, in April 2012, after a smooth pregnancy, she gave birth to son Carter. Everything was fine, until about four days later. Abby came down with severe strep throat, and Carter developed digestive issues and would cry for 6-8 hours straight. Beth and Todd struggled to keep their newborn apart from his sick sister. Beth was forced to quarantine Carter to his nursery as he cried, and her toddler was miserable. Anxiety set in for Beth, and things went downhill.

“I started noticing [the postpartum feelings] when Carter was 2 weeks old. I was having terrible panic attacks. I was scared to be alone, which was a big sign because I am an independent person and never have had trouble being alone before. I knew things were not right,” Beth said.

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 10

She even developed a strange fear of choking. “I was afraid to even eat yogurt or applesauce. I could not lay down for a nap or go to sleep at night because I was so anxious. I would have panic attacks in my sleep, and every morning when I woke up after only a few hours of sleep, I had butterflies and nerves like I was about to go run a POST-BABY BLUES Beth Rogers (pictured, with her husband Todd and children Abby race.” and Carter) experienced postpartum depression after Carter’s birth in 2012. She is Beth knew this doing well now and wants to help other women by telling her story. was hard for Todd Today, she says she is in a great place in her life. too. “As a husband, you feel helpless because Her daughter Abby started kindergarten at there was nothing I could do,” Todd said. “You Frostwood Elementary this fall, and Carter is a feel like you lost a part of someone and begin to happy toddler. question whether you may have caused some or “If I had to say one thing to other women out all of it in some way.” there [experiencing postpartum], please know “At first,” Beth said, Todd “did not realize that you are not alone,” Beth said. “You are not how bad it was because I kept a lot inside, hopmaking this up in your head. It is real. There is ing it would just subside. He was very supportive such a stigma against antidepressants and anxiof me and really stepped in helping with the kids ety medications. People take medicine every day and household duties.” for high blood pressure, thyroid problems and Beth made the decision to seek professional other medical conditions, and no one even help and called Houston psychiatrist Dr. Joe thinks twice about that. Postpartum depression Treadaway, recommended by a friend. is a real condition, and most times you need Beth needed a support team, so her family medicine to help overcome it.” stepped in. Beth’s mom flew down from St. She urges other women to not go through it Louis and scooped up Beth and the two grandalone. She even offered to speak (via email at kids. Todd stayed in Houston and worked while rogersbeth1177@yahoo.com) with Buzz readers Beth and the kids stayed in St. Louis for one who want to share experiences. month. She took her prescribed medication, “You need a strong support system,” she said. which she credits as a lifesaver.

“Be good to yourself.”

“I would talk to [the psychiatrist] every day from St. Louis. I thought I was going to never be myself again, and he would always reassure me Are you or someone you know at risk for postthat my hormones were out of whack and that I partum depression? To learn more, see this story at was not going to be like this forever,” she said. thebuzzmagazines.com.

After some time, the depression went away.

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BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 11

NEIGHBORS

by Cathy Gordon, contributing writer

Baby Goes Glam Today’s nursery rocks to a stylish beat

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 12

our aesthetic. The minute I found out I was pregnant, I ordered the changing table, but we couldn’t find the matching crib.

They had discontinued it.”

David came to the rescue. “He found it randomly in another color scheme while searching online, and, as luck would have it, it was at a store in Houston.

He had the paint matched so it would go with the other piece. I was beyond-the-moon excited! I had my heart set on it.”

The couple chose furniture to OOH BABY BABY Mod baby Giorgiana is quite comfy in her Lou Lou ghost chair grow with their by designer Philippe Starck. baby. The crib on translucent, acrylic shelves mounted on the converts into a toddler bed and then to a twin. wall. A fun grouping of Giorgiana’s hats doubles “Just seemed like the smart thing to do,” says as art on another wall.

Frani, whose once catch-all room with treadmill A vintage sputnik chandelier adds a fun and desk morphed into snuggle central. A black, touch of drama while a fluffy, lattice-style rug modern glider-rocker from Monte Design adds from the online shopping venue, One Kings to the Hollywood glam look. And a gold pouf Lane, keeps things comfy underfoot. “But from Kuhl-Linscomb provides a shiny accent Giorgiana has learned that she can grab some and pull-up spot for Giorgiana. “It was one of fistfuls from the rug, so it might be replaced her favorite spots for testing her legs.” sometime soon,” says Frani.

A child’s transparent Lou Lou ghost chair by For now, the wall’s chalk renderings come designer Philippe Starck was the perfect babycompliments of David, Frani’s cousin and their shower gift for a touch of mod. “I love the way nanny. But they all eagerly await Giorgiana’s it’s so unobtrusive and light,” says Frani. doodles. In the not-too-distant future, mom and The self-confessed “bookaholic,” Frani is hopdad might have to explain that the walls outside ing Giorgiana will inherit her love of reading. of the nursery are off-limits to baby graffiti.

“Books hold a very special place in my heart. I “Yes, I can see it now,” says Frani. “No, honey. read to her all the time. This is our special You can only draw on these walls. I’m sure that place,” she says, pointing to the glider. Baby conversation will have to happen someday.” books are within easy reach, cleverly displayed stpimages.com

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rani and David Denenburg have a discerning eye for design. The vintage pommel horse repurposed as a bench in the couple’s 1930s River Oaks house serves as a clue.

“Maybe we’ll take up gymnastics one day,” jokes Frani.

So it follows that 11-month-old daughter Giorgiana’s nursery benefits from some spirited creativity. There’s no explosion of baby-girl pink here, no Mother Goose mural sweeping the room. This baby’s pad has the look and feel of their eclectic home. Except their little one gets to gleefully scribble on chalkboardpaint walls.

“She’s going to have so much fun doodling on them. But she has to get past wanting to eat the chalk,” deadpans Frani. “Then it’s free rein.”

Parents have creative license when it comes to today’s nursery design. Gone are the days of strict, gender-specific hues and nursery-rhyme murals. The cow has jumped over the moon too many times.

A fresh approach? Create a room with the personality of your home and add child-appropriate details and fun pops of color as accents.

“It was so much fun seeing it all come together,” says Frani, an attorney who describes her nursery as “Hollywood Regency style.”

She tackled the room with gusto once learning she was pregnant. It was ready for baby months early. “We wanted it to be gender-neutral because we didn’t know ahead of time if we were having a boy or girl,” she explained. “And more than anything, it had to fit us and be cohesive to the rest of the house.”

Husband David knew better than anyone what that meant. He carries a dominant, designsavvy gene. The professional renovator managed the remodel of their house and its addition. And the couple, with her parents, co-owns Station 3, a 1905 Houston fire station near downtown that David thoughtfully restored and converted into a venue for weddings, parties and other events.

“The man has vision,” Frani says.

Frani does too. She knew just the furniture to make the dream nursery materialize. “I had seen this particular dresser-changing table and crib set and knew immediately that it would go with

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NURSERY NIRVANA (Clockwise from top left) Parents Frani and David Denenburg created the perfect, oh-so-chic baby pad for daughter Giorgiana; A modern dresser-changing table and crib were starting points for the dream nursery; Frani and Giorgiana spend hours of bonding time in this streamlined glider-rocker from Monte Design; Giorgiana’s walls are her canvas, but for now, Frani’s design-student cousin, Rachel Coco, and the nanny, Alejandra Garcia, do the doodling.

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 13

NEIGHBORS

by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz Baby Chapter One: pregnancy Buzz Baby is a new column about life with babies, from the perspective of a first-time mother.

If you have baby stories to share, leave a comment under this article at thebuzzmagazines.com or email info@thebuzzmagazines.com.

M

y husband Tyler and I had a lifechanging moment about a year ago.

We heard these surprise words at our first ultrasound appointment. “Okay, so you’re sitting down. There are two in there.”

Today, if you run into me at the grocery store, I won’t have makeup on. I’ll be pushing a cart of formula and diapers. I’ll be wearing my Baby Bjorn carrier, and I’ll also have a car seat in the cart.

This is my new life as a mom to Cash and Lila, born July 22.

My pregnancy was pretty smooth. I was put on bed rest at 28 weeks, which is common for twin pregnancy. Tyler’s life changed more than mine at that time. For the duration of my pregnancy, he went to the grocery store, walked the dogs, cooked dinner and ran errands. He even dropped off pillows to be monogrammed.

I never knew how much our lives would change when they arrived. There have been smiles (I guess smiles are a given with two new babies), tears (they had a short NICU stay to grow a little, which I’ll talk about in a future column), serious sleep deprivation (sleep for hours straight? Yeah, right), and a learning curve (you should see how fast I can change a diaper now).

I hope you enjoy taking this parenting adventure with me every month in this new column. I’ll also be sharing the experiences of other Buzzneighborhood moms. This month, we talked about the nine months before the baby(ies) arrived.

Mom-of-three Jenny Myers is expecting her fourth child with her husband, National Football League player Chris Myers, who is a center with the Houston Texans. Jenny is due March 31 with a boy. They have three kids, Makenna, 4, Cailin, 3, and Keane, 1.

“This has been my hardest pregnancy actually because I’m chasing after three little kids,” said Jenny, laughing.

Jenny says she experienced the common morning sickness at first and, later, uncomfortBELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 14

able aches. “Headaches are my telltale sign I’m pregnant,” she said.

“My hardest pregnancy moment was at my 20-week ultrasound for Keane. I found out he has a bilateral cleft palate,” said Jenny. “It was devastating when I found out.”

“I cried really hard for about one week. But then I was like, okay, it is what it is. So I educated myself on everything I need to know.” When Keane arrived, the worry subsided. “The moment he was born, all my fears went away. TALE OF TWO BABIES Buzz Baby columnist Annie McQueen, pictured at her baby shower, and her husband Tyler welcomed their twins, Cash and Lila, this He is amazing. He has summer. In this month's column, Annie and Buzz-area moms discuss pregnancy. had two surgeries, his lip was so embarrassing.” repaired and the palate repaired. He will always She had to take it easy for the next two weeks. have another surgery as the face changes.”

“I went to the doctor to make sure everything was Jenny is a fitness enthusiast and encourages okay. I had a concussion and whiplash on my neck.” other moms, if they are physically able to, to Luckily, everything was fine and Caroline exercise during pregnancy. “Even if it’s just walkwent on to have a healthy, full-term pregnancy. ing,” said Jenny, “it helps with the labor. I work A much happier pregnancy moment was at out three to four times a week, kickboxing or 28 weeks. Andrew and Caroline invited their getting on the treadmill.” (For details, see this families to attend a 4-D ultrasound experience month’s Pregnant and Fit article.) at a facility called The Inside Story Ultrasound.

Her advice for other expectant moms with “They have a really nice room with big-screen children is to prioritize. “The most important televisions,” said Caroline. “We all got to see thing, when you have other children, is you still him up close and personal.” have to worry about taking care of yourself,” said Caroline’s advice to first-time expectant Jenny. “The toys will be picked up later. The dishmoms is to relax. “As much as you want to worry es will get done. Take a 30-minute nap instead.” about everything on your first pregnancy, Realtor Caroline Bean and her husband because there is a lot of unknown, just try and Andrew, an insurance broker, had their first enjoy every second because it’s really special,” child, Harrison, on Aug. 4. Caroline recalled said Caroline. “You’re bonding with your child.” some good and bad memories of her pregnancy.

For me, all I can say is life as a new twin mom At ten weeks, she was returning items at a store is full. when, suddenly, something didn’t feel right.

My hands are full (of bottles and diapers), my “I said, ‘I don’t feel that good,’ and then I put head is full (of questions about their futures), our my head down. I was starting to black out,” said house is full (of swings, toys and play mats), but, Caroline. “The next thing I knew I was on the most important, my heart is full. ground. I had to call Andrew to pick me up. It

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 15

FOOD

by Russell Weil, contributing writer

Mealtime Memories Childhood hits and misses

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istockphoto.com/kcline

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ur recent Restaurant Memories story sparked such lively discussion that I thought we could continue the conversation with meals we enjoyed, or despised, from our childhood.

For me, childhood means the 1960s, a decade when new trends in convenience were presented. Introduced in the 1950s, frozen dinners exploded in the Sixties when Swanson’s added desserts (such as apple cobbler and brownies) to their four-compartment trays. I remember those warm cinnamon apples after my fried chicken or franks-and-beans platters. Frozen dinners, along with hamburgers, pizza and fried chicken, made up my entire culinary palate as a child.

Times have changed, and children of all cultures are now exposed to a wider variety of foods they now crave, things like sushi, falafel, aji de gallina, pupusas, saag paneer and lassi drinks. But, I have to wonder if children today would have eaten any American mainstays from decades past?

I can imagine their faces if their parents placed a tin-foil tray of processed food on the table, or how their tummies would handle instant mashed potatoes that originated as a powder.

My stomach is even turning at that memory, as it did one summer in the mid 1970s when I was first presented with “Potato Buds.” I gagged on the first bite, and it was another 20 years before I would even consider giving mashed potatoes another try.

Family meals in my house would not be considered gourmet in any decade. While my mom was great at baking, she lacked in the cooking department, and was quite aware of her shortcomings. As dinner was served promptly each night at 5:30, I was told to eat what was in front of me, or eat peanut butter. (Let’s just say I ate quite a bit of Jif.) Eating peanut butter was often the better alternative to being told that I couldn’t leave the table until I cleaned my plate. That scenario had often lasted until 9 p.m., when I still hadn’t taken a bite, and my parents were too tired to prove a point. Yes, I had a strategy.

Each afternoon, my brother and I would ask the same question. “What’s for dinner?” Rarely would we get an answer that made us happy. Most

YUM? It's questionable whether many of today's children, growing up with food their parents would have considered exotic, would be fans of frozen "TV dinners" from decades past.

kids would be excited to hear that hamburgers were being served, but we would run and hide.

My mom’s hamburgers were just plain awful. She would fry them on a skillet, while smoking a cigarette with her free hand. Since it took me years to recover from the trauma of my mom’s burger meals, it’s a miracle I ever became such a fan of hamburgers that I now write a burger blog.

Of course, there are several foods still appreciated by many kids today that were staples from our childhood, like fish sticks. Fish sticks became overkill in our house. For many years, my brother never knew that fish came in any other variety, and wanted to know if he could go fishing to catch some.

In speaking with young Buzz-area residents, I have learned that sushi is especially popular today.

Molly Horowitz, a senior at The Emery/Weiner School, says, “I love sushi because I love fish, and I love how it comes in so many different forms and flavors. There is always a new creative roll or dish to try so you never get bored with it.”

Sherry Sinor says her 10- and 12-year-old boys love sushi and sashimi, even though they are picky eaters. “It’s not cheap filling two boys up at a sushi restaurant!”

My first encounter with sushi was as an adult

in my mid-20s. I had a fear of chopsticks and raw fish, and this was on full display when I attempted to eat my California Roll with a fork and knife. I applaud Molly and the Sinor boys (Jack and Matthew) for achieving what I could not.

On a recent Saturday evening at Samurai Japanese Steak & Sushi restaurant, I noticed that most of the tables were filled with teenagers and kids marveling at the hibachi show being put on as their meals were prepared tableside. As a child, I would have definitely enjoyed this adventurous setting. However, I doubt I’ll ever be fully trained to catch shrimp flying into my mouth as the chef pitches it in my direction with a cleaver.

Another adventurous eater, college student Michael Scheinthal says his favorites include Chinese dumplings, samosas, lamb gyros and crawfish. No matter how open-minded he and other young diners are, I’m guessing there is one dish that remains unpopular today, as it was when my mom served it for dinner.

Liver and onions, anyone?

Editor’s note: What are some favorite (or least favorite) meals from your childhood? Would your kids eat them? Email info@thebuzzmagazines.com or comment under this story at thebuzzmagazines.com.

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Planning your reitrement life Financial planners (myself included), as well as people approaching retirement, often fail to plan for the non-financial aspects of retirement.

All of a sudden retirees, especially those who’ve worked in corporate jobs for many years, have oodles of time to fill. What can be a blessing for some can be a curse for others. Planning your life in retirement can go a long way toward making retirement enjoyable.

Some people naturally pursue their skills and interests. Others are bored.

I remember what NFL great Mike Ditka once said about why he unretired and became the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. He said he was tired of having his only decision of the day be which golf shirt to wear!

Planning activities in retirement can help us to pursue healthier, happier lifestyles during our retirement years.

Retirement can be looked at as an opportunity. As children and young adults, we went to school to prepare for our careers. During our working years, we had responsibilities to our families, bosses, and others. In retirement, we only have responsibility to ourselves!

I think it’s important to evaluate and consider what’s important to each of us. For this reason, I often have clients do a series of exercises that are intended to help determine just that. First we identify areas of importance.

Then we identify the level of effort expended in each area. Then we evaluate how satisfied they are. The goal is to help a couple determine what’s important to each of them, what adjustments might be made, and to help determine if their actions are in alignment with their values.

Activities play an important role in a happy retirement. Some people

tire of enjoyable activities such as hobbies and travel after a short time. I find creating and maintaining a social network that allows us to meet new people and provides for frequent interaction with others is very important.

Studies have shown that keeping our minds active is essential in maintaining good memory function and overall mental well-being. Physical activity is always important for physical and mental health, but so is the kind of stimulation gained from a pastime, hobby, or pursuing a cause.

This material is intended for informational purposes only and should only be relied upon when coordinated with individual professional advice, as individual situations may vary. All information contained herein is derived from sources deemed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed. Securities and advisory services offered through SagePoint Financial, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance services offered through Park Place Financial, which is not affiliated with SagePoint Financial or registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. SagePoint Financial, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice. Legal advice provided by Christopher J. Maurer. 6300 West Loop S., Suite 690, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.667.4884.

Christopher J. Maurer, J.D., CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in Bellaire, with over 20 years of experience. He can be reached at 713-667-4884 or www.parkplacefinancial.co.

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BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 17

NEIGHBORS

Bachelor Goes Buzz Reality-TV romance turns happy-hour sport

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ince the pilot episode of ABC’s The Bachelor way back in 2002, loyal audiences have eagerly watched and discussed the show, with its dream dates and exotic locales, and, especially, the rise and fall of their favorite competitors.

The reality-TV show, where 25 women compete to win the attentions of one handsome man, with some women weeded out each week, may inspire its share of derisive jokes. But for those of us willing to ignore the cameras, it’s a modern Cinderella story.

And for some of us, The Bachelor is a sport.

My first year out of college, my friends and I struggled with the sudden stresses of work and lack of constant social interaction. We searched for excuses to get together, but life seemed to always get in the way. We realized that “adults” have to schedule their fun. The one thing we could all agree on was the guilty pleasure of engulfing ourselves in reality television. Plus, it was cheap. This is how our “Bachelor Fantasy Football: The Final Rose Bowl” came to be.

The Bachelor was the perfect excuse for a weekly girls night. For more fun, we made it a competition. A quick Google search brought the concept of the Bachelor Fantasy Football game to our attention. Players picked the women they thought would make it to the end of the 15-week show, “winning” as favorites of the coveted bachelor.

We tweaked the game and came up with our own system. We draft players after watching the first episode; each person chooses five women per team (a “quarterback,” two “active players” and two “bench warmers”). To score points in an

Join the fun To kick off The Bachelor season, The Buzz is hosting a drafting and live-viewing party for the first 100 people to sign up Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. at Ciro’s on Bunker Hill, 9755 Katy Fwy. There will be free appetizers, a cocktail and the chance to win door prizes. To register for admission, see thebuzzmagazines.com.

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 18

lawellphoto.com

by Chelsea Hanson, staff writer

episode, your quarterback and active players must complete a task on the score sheet created based on events in previous seasons.

“It’s not all about pretty faces and great personalities. It’s a competition. The girls have strategies to get the man of their dreams,” says Claire Dominy, a 24year-old digital marketing manager.

“Looking over the 24 different ways to GAME FACES Decades of friendship among women in the Bachelor Fantasy Football league have lead to intense and fun competition. From left (top row) are Kathleen score points, I creat- Manning, Chelsea Hanson, Kristen Byrd, Stephanie Bardwil, Claire Dominy, (bottom row) ed a strategy that Ali Fescenmeyer, Blaire Howard, Muriel Forney, Christine Strake and Whitney Easterling. worked last year.

I sent out written recaps the day after the Three out of my five players made it to the end.” show aired. That way, even if life got in the way Our first year, six of us played. The score cards and you missed, you could feel included. filled with ways to get points: sneaking a kiss, sit“Knowing that was coming on Tuesday was the ting in a hot tub, and receiving the coveted final perfect brain break. The nicknames [of the rose of the night. Even the most passive of my women competitors] were always hysterical, and friends became addicted to the thrill of leading it let me feel like I was there listening to my the scoreboard. friends when I had to miss out,” said Kristen “My fiancé played in so many fantasy [footByrd, 24, an HBU graduate student and ball] leagues. He drove me crazy with constantly Stratford High School grad. reading up about his players and trying to make Bachelor Fantasy Football quickly grew to 19 predictions. Well, he had the last laugh – my friends. And here’s the real news – this season, first year on the Bachelor Fantasy Football which starts Jan. 5, featuring stylish farmer Chris league, I was completely hooked. Reading blogs Soules as The Bachelor, we’re inviting Buzz and recaps, I was desperate to see how my team readers to get in on the fun. would fare, and of course I lost horribly,” said We’ll explain how it works, and you can form Christine Strake, 25, a human resources coordiyour own leagues and play along with us. Even if nator and Memorial High School graduate. you don’t host weekly viewing parties, we think The best part was having a place to be you’ll love the drafting and the competition. every single Monday. It kept us sane on what All of my episode recaps – along with the felt like the longest day of the week. “It forced rules and a score sheet – will be posted each me to put down my grading, have a glass of week at The Buzz Magazines’ new website, wine, and enjoy being around my friends. It thebuzzmagazines.com, on my blog, “The was cheap entertainment. Being 24, that is Final Rose Bowl.” always the best kind,” says Blaire Howard, a Now I just need a pair of those Cinderella Hunters Creek Elementary teacher and shoes. And maybe a wand.

Memorial graduate.

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Starve or feed a cold?

As we head into cold and flu season, many of us will catch a viral infection that will give us symptoms of a common cold: runny and/or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, headache, and yellow mucus. So if we’re infected, we should take an antibiotic, right? Wrong! Antibiotics don’t work on viruses, and viruses cause colds. A review of sinus infections from the New England Journal of Medicine (2004;351:902-910) stated that using antibiotics is usually not recommended until the mucus has been discolored for at least 7 or 10 days. Many of the patients we treat for allergy to multiple antibiotics develop those allergies when their antibiotic is changed over and over again. It gets changed because they take the first antibiotic when the “cold” first appears. Amazingly, the antibiotic does nothing to treat the virus, which runs its course. The patient, not feeling any better, asks for another antibiotic. And sometimes another.

For years, the line about chicken soup was, “Will it help?” “Well, it couldn’t hurt.” Scientific evidence suggests that chicken soup actually does help. It contains the amino acid cysteine, which has been shown to thin out thick mucus secretions and help relieve congestion. Hydrating by drinking Gatorade, water or any non-caffeinated beverage helps further.

What about “feed a cold, starve a fever.” It’s actually not a bad idea. A fever without cold symptoms may be the flu (influenza), another viral infection often manifest by nausea and vomiting. Starving the fever by withholding food is reasonable if one is nauseated, but make sure you drink plenty of fluids. Gatorade is a good choice here, too.

What else works when you have a cold? Rinsing your nose out with a

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salt-water solution a couple times a day.

Some people prefer a Neti Pot, and others like the NeilMed squeeze bottle.

Whichever you use, mix the salt with distilled water, not tap water. I’m sure the city makes clean drinking water, but I’m not as confident in the old pipes it runs through.

Mucinex works by increasing the water content in the mucus, so that the mucus thins out and you can cough it up or blow it out. For a stuffy nose, you may want to consider a decongestant spray such as Afrin. But don’t use Afrin more than 5 days in a row or you may become physically dependent on it (addicted).

And remember: Skip the antibiotics until the mucus is yellow or green for at least a week.

No one nose allergies like we do.™ Note: Information contained in this article should not be considered a substitute for consultation with a board-certified allergist to address individual medical needs.

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BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 21

TRAVEL

by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Travel Buzz The Babymooners

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rancyne and Kevin Jacobs are people who like to travel. They didn’t think of themselves as trendsetters; they just wanted to have a last hurrah and take some time for themselves as a couple before their lives would change forever.

So when Francyne was pregnant and the invitation to her friend’s daughter’s bat mitzvah in New York arrived in the mail, they decided to go for it. It would be their first babymoon – but it wouldn’t be their last.

They’d both spent time in New York, but never as tourists. This time they went all out: They stayed at the Waldorf Astoria, saw the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Empire State Building. They walked together across the Brooklyn Bridge. They went to a Yankees game.

“Personally I didn’t feel any different about it,” Francyne recalls. “It [the pregnancy] didn’t affect my energy level, what I could do or wanted to do. We were on the subway when a teacher motioned for one of his students to get up and give me his seat – I thought, ‘Why would you?’

Then I looked down and said, ‘Oh, yeah, it’s because I’m pregnant!’”

Babymoons are an ideal way to slow down and capture the moment – bonding time for a couple when they are about to enter a stage where their relationship takes a back seat to the needs of the new little one. It can be a time for long walks, heart-to-heart talks, lingering over a candlelight dinner – dreaming together about the new life about to enter the world – activities that soon may be looked back upon as an impossible luxury.

“I think we had a great time,” recalls Francyne. “It’s a trip we look back on fondly. I don’t want to say we got the travel bug out of our systems, but it helped us feel more focused on what was about to come later.”

The only down side was that they arrived just in time for a heat wave – ironic, as they’d thought to escape the brutal Houston heat in early June – but temperatures in New York were in the high 90s, and the air conditioning wasn’t as good as back home, she noted wryly.

Francyne, being pregnant, was especially susceptible to the heat. So they went on their outings BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 22

BABYMOON IN THE BIG APPLE Kevin and Francyne Jacobs took in the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty while expecting their first baby.

in the mornings; in the heat of the day they’d come back and rest and relax. Then at night they’d go out for a nice dinner or take in a show.

That was when they were expecting Halle. For David, their second child, they never got around to taking a vacation, so their second babymoon was for Aaron, their third, and they were feeling confident and at ease with the experience. They decided on a laid-back vacation at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek in Colorado.

It was a place neither of them had gone, and it was nice to experience that as a couple – to be able to go hiking, have a couple of romantic dinners and be outside and in nature, to relax, to sleep in, something the two little ones back home rarely allowed.

For the Jacobs, the babymoon was just an extension of a custom they’ve integrated into their relationship.

“Whenever we travel we try to go away at least once a year just the two of us,” says Francyne. “It’s kind of a reconnecting weekend, and it’s a priority in our lives. It was a good way to really re-focus on ourselves and figure out how we were going to move forward.”

Laura and Chris Curry aren’t sure where they first heard the word “babymoon,” but they both knew they wanted to do it: a last hurrah before little Cora would join them, making them three.

“We wanted to go somewhere that would be fun for both of us: somewhere with good food, good weather, not too far,” says Laura. “I was 30 weeks, so I was pretty far along. I didn’t want to

go to Vegas, or the beach; I didn’t want to be a bathing suit.”

They ended up going to The Lodge at Pebble Beach, Calif., where Chris played golf. One day Laura curled up in the golf cart wrapped in blankets and accompanied him on the course, and another day she lounged in the spa. Throughout the vacation, the two of them basked in the postcard-perfect charm and beauty of Pebble Beach.

“It was amazing,” she recalls. She’ll never forget, for example, the evening at The Inn at Spanish Bay, another golf course on the coast where a bagpipe player piped out a melody as the sun went down, bonfires brightening up the beach.

The trip served to bring them closer, and to give them space to talk about subjects they hadn’t yet broached. It was the first time they could share their fears about the birth and the coming changes.

“It was a safe place we set aside, this time with no other interruptions; it was on our minds, and it was a good opportunity to let it sink in and feel, very purposefully, that it would be the last time it was going to be that kind of vacation,” says Laura.

For Rachael Berry, she knew from the beginning she wanted to take a babymoon. “All my friends were doing them, and I thought it was such a cute idea,” she recalls. “Then we thought, ‘We’re about to have a baby, it’s going to be expensive – maybe we shouldn’t.’”

But then her husband, Jimmy, had a midweek business meeting in Miami.

“I said, ‘OK, we’re going.’ I flew up on a

GOLF, OF COURSE Chris and Laura Curry celebrated their first babymoon in Pebble Beach, where Chris walked the course and Laura rode in the cart under a blanket.

Friday. I was really dying to lay on the beach and get a little tan before the baby came,” says Rachael. They stayed at the “trendy and fun” James Hotel in South Beach, ate at Joe’s Stone Crab and had a romantic lunch at the Delano Hotel.

For April and Ben Liebman, the first babymoon was in the Mayan Riviera where they’d been married a year before, when April was seven months pregnant with their son Levi – at Ceiba del Mar near Puerto Morelos. For the babymoon with their daughter Penelope two

years later, they went to the One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos. On both trips they encountered other expecting couples – obviously on their babymoons, as well.

“Being able to relax in a beautiful atmosphere was an amazing way to, No. 1, relax and decompress before having a newborn, and No. 2, spend quality time with my husband alone,” said April.

“If the babymoon is for a first baby, you have no idea what is about to happen, so you might as well and try to relax while you can. If the babymoon is for a second baby, you know exactly

what is about to happen so you really want to try and take a relaxing trip while you can.”

The important thing, according to all the babymooners we spoke to, is to take some time as a couple to celebrate and focus on the relationship before everything changes.

“I definitely recommend to people to take the time to be self-indulgent; don’t make a lot of plans,” advises Laura. “You will go on vacations after this, but it will never be the same. You’re thinking about your baby, thinking about home – it’s a whole different life.”

Gearing up for your babymoon Karen Haysley from Nine Maternity, a maternity clothing store, helps a lot of prospective babymooners gear up for their getaways. She offered a few tips for our readers: • Second trimester is the best time to travel. Most women are beyond morning sickness, and your due date is still far enough away so you can travel comfortably. Always consult your doctor if you are traveling far from home.

• Pick a location that you can relax in and be pampered. Save the hiking and scuba diving adventure for another time. Your future is full of half-asleep and overnight rendezvous with your bundle of joy, so make the most of the time between the two of you. Unwind, reconnect and get pampered.

• Treat yourself to a cute weekender bag. It will hold all of your essentials, fit in the overhead compartment and double as your hospital bag when your big day arrives. Bonus – pack the bag to send baby to Grandma’s when you get to take your next adult vacation.

• Remember to celebrate the moment! If you’ve chosen an island locale, rock that bikini and enjoy the view from a beach chair – with umbrella coverage, of course. Must-pack piece: a Rachel Pally caftan for a date night and stroll on the beach. The celeb fave goes from glam to casually chic and is quite simply the most effortless travel style we’ve ever seen.

• This outing will be reminiscent of your honeymoon. Tap fellow vacationers to snap pictures of the two of you so you can capture the beauty of this time together.

• Some of the best babymoons can be found in your own city. If this is Baby No. 2 or more, it may be harder to find someone to watch the kiddos while you get away for a few days. Choose a resort-style hotel in your own city and spend the day by the pool, get pampered, have dinner at the hottest spot in town and make your way home after the sitter has put the kids to bed.

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 23

FOOD

by Mitra Azodi Woody, contributing writer

Cooking Buzz

“And baby makes four...”

Cooking Buzz is a column produced in partnership with the Junior League of Houston, a women’s charitable and educational organization founded in 1925.

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veryone told me that going from one child to two children would turn my house upside down. They said I would have less time but more on my plate. So when our daughter was born in 2013, I was expecting changes.

However, one challenge I was not expecting was how difficult it would be to cook a nightly meal.

With my son, our first born, I made his baby food from scratch and would often make his favorite, Parmesan Risotto, from The Junior League of Houston’s cookbook Peace Meals, but with the addition of my youngest, time seemed to escape. I often faced the reality that I would not have a meal ready by dinnertime.

This was one change that did not sit well with me – a home-cooked, nutritious meal, where the family sat down together, was something I had grown up with and wanted to pass on to my children. As a big fan of making plans, I decided to tackle this new challenge as follows: • Find recipes that would work for our whole family, including the baby as she started to eat solid foods; • Include my oldest in cooking, with the added bonus of a little “Mommy and Me” oneon-one time; • Look for make-ahead recipes that would help me better manage my time; and • Depend on the Junior League Pantry for the nights where cooking was just not going to happen.

I am pleased to report that I found some goto recipes that fit my time constraints while satisfying the palettes of my children and my foodie husband. Two favorites that work for both adults and babies are the Fragrant Carrot Soup from Peace Meals, and the Whipped Carrots and Parsnips from Stop and Smell the Rosemary.

The soup was a hit the first time I served it, and it has since become a fall and winter staple.

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bonus.

For the Whipped Carrots and Parsnips, I double the recipe and serve one portion for dinner, along with the Herb Roasted Chicken from Stop and Smell the Rosemary, and then freeze the leftover Whipped Carrots and Parsnips in baby-food containers for my OUT OF THE BOX MAC Play with the cheeses in this recipe – try aged cheddar, goat cheese or Emmenthaler. For adult tastes, consider adding prosciutto daughter. and peas.

One of my family’s knock-knock joke that never seems to end. favorite recipes is a great make-ahead option: Spinach and Mushroom Enchiladas with Parmesan Risotto Cilantro Cream Sauce from Peace Meals. My Peace Meals son asks for it often, and it helps my efforts to 3 to 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth follow “Meatless Mondays.” Another make4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided ahead meal that satisfies the kid in all of us is the 1 medium onion, finely chopped “Out of the Box” Macaroni and Cheese from 1 clove garlic, minced Peace Meals. This creamy, crave-worthy dish is 1½ cups Arborio or Carnaroli rice perfect for when nothing but cheese and noodles 1 cup dry white wine will do. ½ teaspoon coarse salt Cooking has become a new favorite activity ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper with my son. While at times messy, it is a lot of ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus fun and has led to our morning go-to: the additional Sunshine Smoothie from Peace Meals. Whether 3 tablespoons fresh Italian flat leaf parsley, we follow the recipe exactly or add fruit on chopped hand, this simple recipe gives us a delicious and nutritious start to the day.

In a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a Of course, everything I have said comes with simmer and keep warm over low heat. In a septhis disclaimer: Some days a beautiful, madearate saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter from-scratch meal does not happen. On those over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic days, instead of turning to a drive-thru, I turn to and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until my freezer, which is stocked from the Junior the onions are transparent, about 5 minutes.

League’s Pantry. The Pantry, in the Junior League Add the rice and cook, stirring, until it is well Building at 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, is open coated with the butter and starts to turn transluTuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. You can swing cent, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and simby for bakery items, frozen casseroles and boxed mer gently, stirring, until all the liquid is lunches. (The kitchen also makes party trays absorbed, 3 to 5 minutes. Ladle ½ cup of the with four days of notice.) When I’m in a pinch, warm broth into the rice mixture and simmer, our favorites are the Spaghetti and Meatballs stirring occasionally, until the broth is absorbed. and the Chicken and Spinach Crepes.

Repeat, adding ½ cup of broth at a time, until I am happy to say that on most nights you will the rice is cooked through but still firm, 20 to find my family eating a meal together, talking 25 minutes total. Add the remaining 2 tableabout the day and, often, laughing at my son’s

spoons of butter and the salt, pepper and Parmesan. Stir to incorporate. Adjust seasonings as desired. Serve immediately, topping with additional grated Parmesan and the parsley.

Serves 4 to 6.

Fragrant Carrot Soup Peace Meals 5 to 7 cups vegetable broth 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 2½ teaspoons coarse salt, divided 2 cloves garlic, minced 1½ teaspoons cumin seed, toasted and ground 1 teaspoon coriander seed, toasted and ground 3 teaspoons peeled and grated fresh ginger pinch of cayenne pepper 2 pounds carrots, peeled and thinly sliced 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and thinly sliced ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro ½ cup heavy whipping cream Heat the broth in a saucepan over low. Heat the olive oil in a stockpot; add the onions and ½ teaspoon of the salt. Sauté for 5 minutes; then add the garlic, cumin, coriander, ginger and cayenne. Cook until the onions are soft, about 10 minutes. Add a little of the warm broth if the mixture dries out. Add the carrots, sweet potatoes, 1 more teaspoon of the salt and 4 cups of the warmed broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the carrots are tender. Allow to cool slightly. Purée the soup in small batches in a blender. Return the soup to the pot and add the orange juice and additional broth to achieve desired consistency.

Season again with the remaining teaspoon of salt and additional cayenne if desired. In a small bowl, stir together the cilantro and cream. Serve the soup with a drizzle of the cilantro cream on top. Serves 8 to 10.

Whipped Carrots and Parsnips Stop and Smell the Rosemary 1½ pounds carrots, peeled and sliced into ½inch pieces 2 pounds parsnips, peeled and sliced into ½inch pieces ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature and cut into pieces freshly grated nutmeg salt freshly ground pepper Place carrots in a large pot of boiling salted water. Lower heat, cover partially, and cook 5 minutes. Stir in parsnips. Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Drain. Return vegetables to pot. Stir over medium heat until excess moisture has evaporated. Purée vegetables and butter in a food processor until smooth.

Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Serve warm. Serves 8.

Herb Roasted Chicken Stop and Smell the Rosemary 1 large whole chicken (4 pounds) 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano or marjoram ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon olive oil Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Rinse chicken inside and out with cold water. Remove pockets of fat just inside chest cavity. Pat dry. Blend garlic, rosemary, thyme, oregano, pepper, salt, and olive oil to make an herb paste. Rub herb paste over chicken and under skin. Roast, breast side up, 20 minutes. Turn and roast another 20 minutes. Turn again and roast another 35 minutes.

Remove chicken from oven. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest 15 minutes prior to carving. Serve chicken au jus with crusty bread.

Serves 4.

Spinach and Mushroom Enchiladas with Cilantro Cream Sauce Peace Meals Cilantro Cream Sauce: 3 cups heavy whipping cream ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper 1½ teaspoon coarse salt 3 cups chopped cilantro leaves (about 1 bunch) 5 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 5 teaspoons cold water Enchiladas: 1 teaspoon butter ½ large onion, diced 8 ounces fresh button mushrooms, stemmed and quartered 20 ounces frozen chopped spinach, cooked ½ cup stale bread crumbs 1 teaspoon white pepper 1 ⁄8 teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon chili powder 1 egg coarse salt 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided 10 tortillas Mix together the cream, cayenne, salt, cilantro, and the dissolved cornstarch in a 2quart saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir until thickened, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and mushrooms, and sauté until the onions are transparent. Remove from heat and set aside. Squeeze the excess water out of the cooked spinach. Place the spinach, bread crumbs, white pepper, nutmeg, chili powder and egg in a food processor and pulse until blended thoroughly; season with salt. Transfer the spinach mixture to a large mixing bowl

and stir in the reserved onion-mushroom mixture and 1 cup of the cheese. Spoon about ¼ cup of the filling onto each flour tortilla, roll up and place seam side down in a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Pour the Cilantro Cream Sauce evenly over the enchiladas and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes or until brown and bubbly. Serves 4 to 6.

“Out of the Box” Macaroni and Cheese Peace Meals 5½ tablespoons butter, divided ¾ cup panko bread crumbs ¼ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3 cups whole milk 1 teaspoon coarse salt 1 ⁄8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 8 ounces finely shredded Gruyére cheese ¾ cup mascarpone cheese ½ pound (8 ounces) cavatappi or other hollow pasta Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt 2½ tablespoons of the butter over low heat. Add the panko and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, toss well and set aside. Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Add the flour and stir frequently for 5 minutes, not letting the flour brown. Gradually whisk in the milk and cook for 5 minutes, whisking constantly. Add the salt, pepper, Gruyére and mascarpone, and continue to whisk until the cheese melts; remove from heat (mixture may be thin). Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and return to the pot; pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and mix well. Pour the pasta mixture into a 9- by 13-inch baking dish and sprinkle with the panko mixture. Bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 30 to 45 minutes. Serves 4 to 6.

Sunshine Smoothie Peace Meals 2 cups frozen mango chunks 2 cups frozen peach slices 1 to 1½ cups freshly squeezed orange juice 6 ounces low-fat vanilla yogurt ¼ teaspoon almond extract ¼ teaspoon cinnamon Combine the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Serve immediately. Serves 2 to 3.

MORE ONLINE To share or view print-friendly versions of these recipes, see this story at thebuzzmagazines.com. To buy a cookbook, see jlh.org or call 713-871-6608.

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 25

KIDS

by Jordan Magaziner, staff writer

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School Buzz

From our student correspondents

S

ince this summer, I have been privileged to work with nearly 50 students from 21 high schools as part of our online School Buzz blog.

These students balance tough academic workloads with extracurricular activities, in addition to turning in regular blog posts. They’ve produced compelling writing and photography, interviewed peers, teachers and administrators, and reported back on what’s happening from their perspectives. I couldn’t be prouder. Below, I’ve selected one excerpt that moved me and one that made me laugh. For more posts, see School Buzz at thebuzzmagazines.com.

Robert M. Beren in Israel Lilly Gelman wrote a personal account of her experience on the Robert M. Beren Academy two-week trip to Israel. She wrote: “[The trip was] full of amazing sights, fascinating museums, spiritual Sabbaths, and memories to last a lifetime. But there was one lesson we learned that made the trip unforgettable.

Two terrorists entered a synagogue in a town in western Jerusalem and slaughtered five innocent Israelis while gravely injuring many others. The terrorists planned their attack so that it would take place during the morning services, when the synagogue would be packed with people.

Later that afternoon, in an area south of Jerusalem, hundreds of high school students made a human chain and sang to show their unity and support for the families affected. The following morning, at the same synagogue in which the attack took place, over 2,000 people showed up for services. These people were not going to stop living their lives and were not going to stop fighting for their country.

The events of that day shook me. I called my mother, crying, telling her I wanted to come home. This is how she responded. ‘Look around.

Have the cars stopped driving, the people stopped walking, or the buses stopped operating?

No. Because if every time Israel was attacked the country came to a standstill, there would be no Israel. If you run away, the terrorists have won.

By staying, you are doing your part in showing your unity and support for Israel. So go, enjoy the rest of your trip. Do not live in fear.’

This struck me as profound advice that can BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 26

JOURNEY Students from the Robert M. Beren Academy took a two-week trip to Israel. From left, top row: Rabbi Aharoni Carmel, Ari Hoffman, Hersh Bootin, Mecah Levy; middle row: Zevy Yanowitz, Brett Kleinman, Salvador Bentolila, Josh Pershel, Roni Buchine, Eisheva Teigman, Raizel Adler, Lauren Mueller, Shirley Lipski, Melissa Stock, Rebecca Stock, Lilly Gelman, Mrs. Elisheva Levitt, Amit Benhamo; bottom row: Neal Taibel, Ilana Lashak, Anabella Berti, Avi Passy

be applied to any person in any country. Every country has had its share of terror, and without the unity that followed, those countries would not have pulled through. Think of 9/11, and the Boston Marathon bombing. In dire times such as those many people fear that there is nothing they can do to help. That is false. By not running away, not living in fear, and showing unity, we are fighting back, and we will pull through.”

HSPVA in Austin Seokhyun Baek of The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts wrote about a trip to the Texas Book Festival. He wrote: “The Creative Writing department at HSPVA took a field trip to Austin, where they attended the 18th annual Texas Book Festival to bond with each other, take a (very temporary) reprieve from school, and get inspired by the 250-plus authors who attended. However, the trip wasn’t all about the festival. The department stopped by McKinney Falls State Park, along with the Museum of the Weird, to further enhance comprehension of nature, people and literature.

At HSPVA, it’s rather fair to say we’re not the most athletic group (other than the Dance Department), and when the teachers surprised us with a one-mile hike, more than half the department turned white as a sheet. Keep in mind this is the school that forces an online PE class upon its students (excluding the Dance Department), and simply going up a flight of stairs is justification to take a breather. Luckily, the department managed to avoid the hike by enjoying the waterhole and the environment instead.

The next location was the Museum of the Weird, and for the sake of conserving the reader’s stomach, I will only mention that the department watched a sideshow, causing several to bail out of the room, complaining of symptoms that can typically found in a ‘side effects may include…’ section of a drug commercial.

With our energy spent, we went to a foodtruck park. And with that, everyone headed for the hotel and collapsed into their beds.”

Editor’s note: School Buzz is written by students.

Editorial content does not necessarily express the opinions of the publisher or editor.

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 27

SPORTS

by Todd Freed, staff writer

SportzBuzz I

t was another run to glory for the Stratford Spartans, who captured the UIL Class 5A State Cross Country Championship for the second straight year.

“The first time was great, but to repeat is especially tough against great competition from across the state,” said Spartans cross-country coach Tony Brillon. “The kids really wanted this title. They were simply motivated to repeat as state champions.”

Leading the way for Stratford was senior Austin Richard, who, for the second straight year, finished second overall in a field of 149 runners. “Austin had a great season again,” said Brillon. “He finished first in every major meet of the season leading up to state.”

The Spartans’ second best finisher at the state meet was none other than Austin’s twin brother Hayden Richard, who crossed the finish line 14th overall. “Hayden was in 40th place at the one-mile mark, and to see him move up as much as he did was tremendous,” said Brillon. “Both Hayden and Austin are extremely smart and highly motivated individuals. Much like the rest of the team, they’re also very goal oriented.”

Another runner reaching his goals was senior Paul Brastrom, who was the Spartans’ third best finisher at state. “Paul saved his best race for last,” said Brillon. “He had fluctuated during the season, but really showed a lot of character with his run at the state meet.”

Coming in just behind Brastrom was fellow senior Doug Baker, followed by junior Jake Roberts. Rounding out the top seven for the Spartans were sophomores Devin Fahey and Sam Evetts. “From the first day of summer, our guys trained to win a state championship,” said Brillon. “The reason for our success is their discipline and commitment to the program.”

Despite injuries to two of star players, expectations remain high for the Bellaire Cardinals boys basketball team this season. Bellaire is trying to weather the storm while players Christian James and Jarren Greenwood recover from injuries. James, who’ll play college ball at Oklahoma and is considered one of the region’s top players, suffered a broken leg during summerleague play. He’s expected to return to the team BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 28

Kevin Long/Gulf Coast Shots

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in late January.

In addition, senior Jarren Greenwood, who averaged 20 points and six assists last season, has been out most of the year with a broken left toe. He also should return to the lineup sometime in January.

“It’s pretty tough to lose your two top players, but we have a lot of guys stepping up,” said Cardinals head coach Bruce Glover. Filling in for Greenwood at IT WAS A GREAT KNIGHT Episcopal Knights linebacker Trey Horne, seen here making a big tackle in the Knights’ 37-30 playoff victory over Dallas’ St. Marks, won the point guard the Private High School Defensive Player of the Year award. position has been for a district championship. Plus, we’re also excitLeonard Pradia, who was a sixth-man type of ed that our junior varsity is coming off an undeplayer last season. In addition, Glover cited the feated season. I really believe the future is bright play of sophomores Maxwell Evans and Jaylon for Lamar basketball.”

Peevy as well as junior DeAndre Boyd.

The football season may be over and done “It’s been fun coaching these guys,” said with, but not without some major awards for local Glover. “We’ve played close games against an players at the Touchdown Club of Houston’s extremely tough schedule. It’s only going to Private High School Awards Dinner. From the make us better in the long run, and once we get Southwest Preparatory Conference Champion Christian and Jarren back I have no doubt that Episcopal Knights, senior Trey Horne was honwe’re going to be a really good basketball team.” ored as the Defensive Player of the Year.

Over at Lamar, third-year Texans head basIn addition, Kinkaid Falcon Tyler Higby, ketball coach Jerry Van Dusen expects big who’ll play college football at Michigan State, improvements over a team that went 15-13 last was named the Lineman of the Year, while season. “We have a really nice mixture of young Second Baptist Eagle Chase Wertheimer and and experienced players,” said Van Dusen. The John David Bishop of Bay Area Christian coach had high praise for his young backcourt shared the Ironman of the Year Award. tandem of freshman Tamir Bynum and sophomore Markus Valliens. “Those two guys are Editor’s Note: Todd Freed is the Emmy Awardgoing to be something special. I expect both to winning co-host and producer of the KUBE be playing Division 1 college basketball.”

SportsZone, which airs Saturday and Sunday at 6 Meanwhile, senior Rodrick Harris is leading p.m. on Channel 57-KUBE. To submit high school the team in scoring, while Van Dusen says fellow sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, seniors Donzell Henton and Darion Butler have please email todd@thebuzzmagazines.com. all been big contributors. “We expect to compete

A

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Probate can wait. Sometimes.

When someone dies, probate is not mandatory. Family and friends may collect assets without going to court, and many do, thanks to beneficiary designations and survivorship agreements, which only require a death certificate.

Next of kin is responsible for the body, and whoever holds the will must file it with the county clerk. And that’s about it. After that, Texas allows four years to probate the will, longer if you have a good excuse. Probate clears title. If done within four years, it also provides letters testamentary, which lets the applicant clean up (“administer”) the estate.

Many estates never require probate. The will is filed with the county clerk, and it just sits there, forever. So why probate, and when do it? First, don’t bother unless necessary to collect an asset or solve a problem. Second, it depends.

It’s hard to prepare a tax return or look for assets without letters testamentary. No one wants to talk to heirs. They want the executor appointed by the probate court. If you plan to file for an income tax refund in April, probate the will in January.

Is there a house? Once the last owner dies, the homeowner’s insurance lapses after a grace period, typically 60 days. Probate, and quickly, may be required to get new insurance in place. This is critical if there’s a mortgage.

If the new owner doesn’t get insurance, the lender will buy it for them, and not at a discount, either. That’s called forced-place insurance.

Property taxes are another story. The over-65 exemptions transfer to the surviving spouse, but not to other heirs. Exemptions are determined as of

Healthy Smiles Need More Than Bubbles

January 1 each year. The new, higher bill comes out October 1. If you plan to sell the house to escape the taxes, know that you can list it immediately, but that probate may be necessary to close.

Watch out for IRAs and other retirement plans. The IRS allows until September 30 of the year following death to finalize the beneficiary. This window is helpful if there are problems with the beneficiary originally designated, or if the IRA goes to a trust under the will, but the custodian won’t listen to the executor until the will’s probated.

A quick, somewhat reliable tip: when Dad dies, before resting on the four-year rule, confirm that he designated Mom as his IRA beneficiary, that they owned the house together, and that they filed joint income tax returns.

We write wills and go to probate court. We offer no-obligation initial interviews for estate planning and administration, so it costs nothing to hear specific recommendations that suit your needs. Foreign nationals and international families welcome.

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BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 29

SPORTS

by Angie Frederickson, staff writer

SportzBuzz, Jr. W

elcome to SportzBuzz, Jr., a column spotlighting neighborhood athletes in elementary and middle school.

Game, set, match River Oaks Baptist School seventh grader Dylan Hoover (top photo) serves up a winner at The Briar Club. After taking lessons for two years, Hoover began playing matches this year and competes for The Briar Club against other surrounding clubs. She has played with the junior program, for 12-14 year olds, for the past two seasons and looks forward to continuing this spring. In addition to dedicating hours on the tennis court, Hoover also splits her time between field hockey, soccer and, of course, homework.

Gridiron victors The Southwest Football League’s sophomore Aggies (middle photo) won the 2014 championship with a 40-13 victory over the Tigers. The third and fourth grade Aggies had an 8-1-1 season. Team members represent many schools, including St. Vincent de Paul, West University Elementary, River Oaks Elementary, The Joy School, Herod Elementary, Kolter Elementary, Roberts Elementary and Condit Elementary. Pictured (top row, from left) are coaches John Keeler, Lawrence Thomas, Sean Mulcahy, Peter Buettgen (head coach) and David Gibbs. The Aggies (middle row, from left) are Will Jenkins, Jack Keeler, Noah Johnson, Bennett Connelly, Wyatt Hansen, James Stanton, Colin Mulcahy, Rex Petrulis, William Barr, Hudson Gibbs, (bottom row, from left) Samuel McGuire, Eli Gebhard, Nick Gebhard, Andrew Buettgen, Desmond Rubio, Gunther Blencke and Franco O’Malley. The SFL just completed its 11th season and has more than 340 children from Bellaire, West University and River Oaks areas, ranging from first through eighth grades.

On the attack St. John’s School sixth grader Pete Anton (bottom photo) cradles the ball and gets past his opponent in a recent tournament, playing for the Hornets team, which is part of the Houston Youth Lacrosse (HYLAX) organization. Anton’s father, Drew, coaches the Hornets along with coach Tim Profitt. Lacrosse runs in the Anton family. Drew played for Washington and Lee University, and Pete’s twin brother, Elliot, and older brother, Ashton, play in tournaments as well. Pete competed in several tournaments this fall, including the Cy-Fair tournament and the Sno-Ball tournament held at The Kinkaid School.

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Editor’s note: Send your best high-resolution photos and behind-the-scenes stories about young local athletes, in both team and individual sports, to SportsBuzz, Jr. at info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Include all contact info, names, ages, grades and schools. Featured athletes must live in Buzz-circulation neighborhoods. Items will be published on a space-available basis.

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BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 31

NEIGHBORS

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by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz About Town Special seniors

team’s seniors on game night against Milby High School. The hard-working seniors were honored on the field at half time along with their parents.

Pictured (top row, from left) are Hannah Tang, Joanne Lee, Sarah O’Neal, Jackie Chadwick, Megan Suchart, Maya Hunter, Cynthia Cruz, Hennessy Hardman, (middle row, from left) Sydney Duran, Hannah Kay, (front row, sitting from left) Natale Jones and Sydney Williams.

Church helps adoption happen The Bellaire High School Belles performed a halftime performance dedicated to the dance

Louisiana State University graduates Renee and Ryan Clary (pictured) have been on a difficult journey over the past three years. They have been

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struggling to become parents. They’ve experienced multiple attempts at fertility treatments, and now the couple says they feel God has called them to become parents through domestic adop-

to participate. Early-bird tickets are also being sold at a discounted price. Pictured (top row, from left) are committee members Cynthia Alonso, Viviana Ramirez, Anne Stoeber, Jennifer Cross, Michal Lutfak, Sarah Kass, Holly Koehn, Archna Vajpayee, Pegi Newhouse, (front row, from left) Terry Leavitt-Chavez, Sejal Patel, Jami Fowler, Erin Mould, Ali Septimus, and Kristi Coffey. For more information, see conditpto.org.

Burned that bird off The morning after Thanksgiving, a group of stuffed neighbors met on the beautiful grounds of Evelyn’s Park to burn off their turkey-day meal. The event was put on by Evelyn’s Park Conservancy and West U Fitness. Brent and Cassie Gallagher led the group in a workout they called “burn the bird,” which zapped some holiday cals. EPC volunteers helped set up the event. For more information about events at Evelyn’s Park, see evelynspark.org. tion. Friends from their church, Crosspoint Church in Bellaire, have rallied to coordinate a huge garage sale to raise funds for adoption.

Everyone is invited to the garage sale at 4613 Kingfisher, 77035, on Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Jan. 17 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you are interested in donating items for the garage sale, please contact Renee at reneemclary@gmail.com.

To make a donation to their adoption campaign, see gofundme.com/claryadoptionfund.

The great gala Condit Elementary School's PTO will host a Great Gatsby-themed gala to commemorate Condit's 100-year anniversary. The parents welcome all Bellaire community members, including past, present and even future Condit parents, to the event March 7 at the Houston City Club. The PTO is seeking auction donations, underwriters and volunteers, if you would like

‘Tis the season The Houston Fire Department hosted a toy drive called The Great Toy Giveaway at Fire Station 37 on Stella Link Road. Fire Chief Terry Garrison and volunteer students from Pershing Middle School collected toys from residents. Participants were treated to a hot cup of coffee and breakfast tacos (continued on page 34)

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 33

(continued from page 33) from Los Cucos. The

donations were then dropped off at the New Light Christian Center in northeast Houston, in time for Christmas Day.

Red-carpet royalty

Carpet Gala and Auction on Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Bayou City Event Center. The event is an annual adult-only evening for parents, staff, alumni, friends and neighbors of Horn Academy. Organizers are anticipating a recordbreaking turnout this year. Individual tickets are $120, and a table of 10 is $1,300. Email gala@hornpto.org or see the Horn PTO website.

Record-breaking evening

Michelle Watson

Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson and Jacqueline Baly (pictured, from left) attended the Crime Stoppers of Houston Gala. The gala broke records by raising over $390,000. Deborah Duncan and Chester

The Horn Gala and Auction Committee cochairs, including (pictured, from left) Jessy Morgenroth, Mindy Vondenstein, Jada Hallmark and Rebekah El-Hakam, invite parents to the Horn Academy’s Rock the Red

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 34

Pitts emceed the evening and introduced the keynote speaker, Fox Business News’ John Stossel.

Crime Stoppers Executive Director Rania Mankarious said Houstonians are connected to the mission of the public-safety organization.

Attendees included Dominique Sachse, Nick Florescu, Michael Pearce, Matt Burrus, Miya Shay, state Rep. Gene Wu, HPD Chief Charles McClelland, Sheriff Adrian Garcia, Special Agent in Charge Michael Anderson, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Roseann Rogers, Vicki Rizzo, Mauri Oliver and Donae Chramosta.

Go away, GAN The non-profit organization, Justin’s TRIumph Over GAN, hosted its inaugural gala and auction titled Allies For GAN to raise awareness for the rare genetic mutation called Giant Axonal Neuropathy. The event was a WWII 1940s theme complete with GAN Bomber specialty drinks and cuisine. Guests were treated to the Third Coast Swing band. Auction highlights included two flights in original WWII planes, packages for trips to Colorado and Galveston, and a weekend stay at a home in Round Top for antiques week. Proceeds from the gala and auction all go toward funding research to find a cure for GAN. Pictured (from left) are Barb Ostdiek (co-chair), Jeryl Golub (cochair), Lisa Derenthal, Kim Sanford, Aileen McCormick (co-chair), Jen Ward, Alicia

left) Emerson Chapin, Lily Riddle, Kylie Koehn, Amelie Rozowski, Eliana Antonoff, Chloe Clements, Kailea Kegel, (top, from left) Isabella Sorenson, Audrey Vo, Margot Rozowski, Katherine Keenan and Emily Nakata.

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Harrison, Kay Harrison and Sandy Rodriquez.

See justinstriumph.org.

Future doctors Members of Girl Scout Troop 147013 participated on a tour of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. This was an opportunity for the first- and second-grade girls to gain

exposure to the operating rooms and surgical ward, and to learn about the many aspects of patient care in a hospital dedicated to treating cancer. Starting their tour in the operating rooms, the girls learned about the Da Vinci robot and its utility in cancer surgery, with a demonstration by Dr. Brian Chapin, assistant professor in the Division of Urology. Pictured are (front row, from

Friends, including Laura Greaser, Jennifer Blum, Candace Thomas, Jessica Graham, Alex Inman and Jamie Hardin, gathered for an evening at Carrabba’s hosted by Tissy and Rusty Hardin.

The group caught up and toasted to a new kids’ website called Tiny Geese where lists of toys that have been mom-tested and approved can be found.

Hardin, Graham and Inman created the site.

Be seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and community news to info@thebuzzmagazines.com.

Items are published on a space-available basis. Also share your photos and videos, plus upcoming-event listings, on thebuzzmagazines.com.

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 35

PASSION FOR POETRY Rohan Gupta, a fourth grader at Condit Elementary, loves to write and has read his poetry at public readings.

KIDS

by Rohan Gupta, age 9

Buzz Kidz

Exploring the world through words

B

efore kindergarten, I learned to read.

Because I read a lot, I started writing. I wrote small stories, and then I typed them up and made them into miniature books that have been kept over the years. Now, I read long chapter books in a series. I like these books because they have complicated storylines and characters with strong emotions. Today I like to write realistic fiction because it’s not too silly, but it can happen.

When I was in third grade, I participated in a program put on by Writers in the Schools (WITS).

We wrote poems and literature that we shared with our class. Mrs. Gloria Álvarez, our WITS teacher, was very kind. WITS took us to the Houston Arboretum, and it was my first time there. I used my senses to reach out to the world. Mrs. Álvarez

explained that poetry is not all rhymes. I wasn’t so sure about that before. Poetry is a story that uses lots of action, adjectives, and enough nouns to give a very detailed idea about what you’re talking about. I started writing much more!

I like when other people pay attention to my work. I once made a poem up, and Mrs. Álvarez really liked it, along with the other WITS people. Then I got an envelope that stated I could go to the Menil Collection to read my poem out loud, with some other students. I felt proud because I was the only one to read two poems.

A few months later, I got an invitation to go to a Houston Public Poetry reading. Published poets read there. I heard a few poems and read my own. I wanted to learn from the other writers, and I did.

stylish • sexy • pregnant

N I maternity NE

I love writing, and it’s important because I put my ideas into it. Writing is permanent. It can be cherished forever. My writing will change as I get older. It will make more sense, and I’ll use bigger words. Writing is fun. It comes in many different forms, and can be found everywhere. As you can see, my life of writing will always go with me.

Want to be a Buzz Kid? Email approximately 350 words, a high-resolution photo and caption to info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401.

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DINING GUIDE

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by Dai Huynh, staff writer

Kid-friendly restaurants lawellphoto.com

This Month in Dining

Restaurant Listings $ (under $10) $$ ($11-$30) $$$ ($31-$60) $$$$ (over $60) Prices include drink, tax and tip per person Dai Huynh is a James Beard food-journalism award winner and longtime restaurant writer. Her visits to restaurants in our Buzz Dining Guide were anonymous, and she paid for her meals to maintain objectivity. We’d love your thoughts too. Write to info@thebuzzmagazines.com with your own dining opinions and suggestions. Also, you can contribute in the Comments section under the online version of this story at thebuzzmagazines.com.

Adair Kitchen LITTLE MATT'S Five-year-old Reagan and 8-year-old Ainsley Pinkerton stay entertained at this kid-friendly American restaurant with a game room.

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cDonald’s and Chick-fil-A aside, there are restaurants that provide room for a kid to be a kid. Amy Campioni has a short list of places where her 6-year-old daughter can play while Mom visits with her hubby or BFF without feeling rushed or dreading the imminent, “Mom, I’m bored!”

Trying to prolong the dining experience is a losing battle. No amount of beseeching can dissuade a bored, determined tyke. With a hyper 5-year-old daughter of my own, I’ve learned to eat quickly or visit places with a playground, patio or expanse of green, like one of Campioni’s favorite eateries, Tiny’s No. 5 (3636 Rice Boulevard). Here, kids can do somersaults after chomping on wood-fired margherita pizzas and warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies.

CityCentre’s Ruggles Green (801 Town and Country Lane, Suite 1B) also attracts throngs of families.

It has a stellar kid’s menu with such items as all-natural chicken tenders and quinoa linguini with olive oil or marinara sauce and optional turkey meatballs, and the patio feeds into CityCentre’s green lawn.

“I also love Little Matt’s in West U,” Campioni says. “It has a little game room for the kids.” Its motto is “Where food meets fun.” The American eatery (6203 Edloe) attracts parents for another reason. Located near West University Elementary, this BYOB establishment “sometimes offer free wine and margaritas,” Campioni said.

Cedar Creek Bar and Grill (1034 W. 20th Street) in the Heights is another Campioni haunt with sloping Hill Country landscaping and a bridge over a little creek that allows children to get close to nature under watchful eyes.

An hour or more of fun can be expected at Überrito Mexican (formerly Mission Burrito) (2245 W. Alabama) with its giant mulch playground. Children can run it off at the Discovery Green urban park, home of the Lake House (1600 McKinney), overlooking Kinder Lake, where, after polishing off burgers and kobe hot dogs, diners can ice skate from November through early February. The rest of year, folks can rent motorized model boats or kayaks or play in the shady playground and soaking fountains on the 12-acre urban park.

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 38

American fresh-fare Neighborhood: Galleria The Belgian waffles were tender inside, slightly crisp outside, and beautifully dressed with ripe, fresh strawberries lightly showered with white powdered sugar. But along with the usual breakfast fare, such as fluffy pancakes, scrambled eggs and French toast, Adair Kitchen turns out some not-so-common, stellar options, such as a sourdough toast topped with buttery avocado and chorizo-flavored pork sausage (which can be amped up with an optional fried egg). Combined with fresh cilantro, lime and a side of mashed black beans, it leaves a favorable impression of this hip shabby chic space that manages to appeals to hipsters and families with its creative juices (like Just Beet It with apple and kale) and updated traditional dishes, such as pecancrusted baked chicken with citrus glaze.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 5161 San Felipe, 713-623-6100. adairkitchen.com. $$

Antica Osteria Regional Italian Neighborhood: Southhampton Antica Osteria, in a vintage brick house,

attracts an eclectic mix with its warm, old-fashioned feel. There are Turkish movie stars, socialites, ingénues, young lovers, media types and, even, parents with well-behaved children. The attractions are the well-prepared pastas; spaghetti carbonara lush with cream and pancetta makes the strongest impression, along with abundantly friendly service and a homey vibe. Every meal begins with complimentary bruschetta and ends with a gracious smile.

In between, there are simple, satisfying antipasti. Many customers order pastas as their entrées, but for those who must have meat, consider the deftly prepared osso buco – an occasional special – or the grilled angus fillet. Dinner Mon.-Sat. 2311 Bissonnet, 713-521-1155. anticarestaurant.com. $$$

Arnaldo Richards’ Picos Regional Mexican Neighborhood: Upper Kirby Many remain nostalgic about the old Pico's location on Bellaire. But upon entering the new locale, it's hard to fault owner Arnaldo Richards for moving into this graciously appointed, hacienda-inspired space made warm and inviting with coral tablecloths, ceiling beams and dark furniture.

His food, too, has been tweaked, often with winning results. The tomato salsa sings. The ranchera salsa smolders with charred tomatoes. The chicken consommé soup is still a cure for the blues, swimming with pulled chicken, onion, cilantro, Mexican rice and avocado. A dash of Serrano pepper provides a mild, welcome kick. And his signature huachinango a la Veracruzana (red snapper) is elegantly draped with an exquisitely light tomato sauce flavored with green olives, capers and chiles güeros. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 3601 Kirby, 832-831-9940. picos.net. $$

Coppa Osteria Artisanal pastas and pizzas Neighborhood: Rice Village Like Coppa Ristorante Italiano, this casual rendition applies the principles of Italian cooking by allowing ingredients to speak with minimum interference. Chef Brandi Key’s clarifies ingredients and judges flavors finely. Pizzas shine. Creamy burrata shimmers with peppery extra-virgin olive oil. Spaghetti carbonara crackles with black pepper and the creaminess of raw eggs and Parmesan cheese. Calabria chili and Meyer lemon brighten shrimp linguine with parmesan cream. Lunch & dinner Mon.Sun. 5210 Morningside, 713-522-3535. coppaosteriahouston.com. $$

Corner Table Contemporary American Neighborhood: Upper Kirby The Paleo Diet – a nutritional regimen centered around eggs, nuts, pasture-raised meat, fresh fruit and vegetables – is no longer a fringe movement. It has charged into the mainstream, spawning how-to books and glossy magazines. There are restaurants inspired by Paleo, including Corner Table, a multi-faceted space that boasts a luxe wine room reminiscent of France's Louis XIV era, a live-music lounge and a cozy mixology room with a speak-easy vibe. At the center is the restaurant, which shines even brighter with a culinary rising star at the helm. Ja'Nel Witt – winner of Gordon Ramsay's season 11 of Hell’s Kitchen – adds a muchneeded global flair to the menu, from a beet-root hummus with an undercurrent of cumin to a wood-fire pizza topped with eggplant baba ganoush, roasted red pepper and feta cheese. Under her watch, the kitchen is turning out sharper fare with succinct presentations and clean, multi-dimensional flavors. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sat. 2736 Virginia Street. 713- 568-9196. cornertablehouston.com. $$$

HK Dim Sum Chinese dumplings and small bites Neighborhood: Bellaire Chinatown HK Dim Sum, or formally Hong Kong Dim Sum, has been stuffing Chinatown families full of dumplings since 2007. To grasp its popularity, arrive by 11 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday, or else you’ll find yourself waiting in line outside this tiny nook until one of the many crowded tables clears out. Order some xiu mai pork dumplings or hakao, (continued on page 40) BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 39

Julie Soefer Photography

lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. (closes 4:30 p.m. Sun.), 4024 Bellaire Blvd., 713-665-5388. 5709 Woodway, 713-334-4036. islandgrillhouston.com. $$

Local Foods Chef-driven gourmet deli Neighborhood: Rice Village Hand-crafted sandwiches and salads from chef Dylan Murray draw a diverse crowd.

Savor duck confit smothered with melted brie, aioli and cranberry preserves on wheat bread.

Shrimp-and-crab on ciabatta with green goddess dressing is another must-try. Sandwiches come with two sides that include Tuscan kale with golden raisins and potato chips speckled with Old Bay seasonings. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 2424 Dunstan, 713-521-7900. houstonlocalfoods.com. $$

Pass & Provisions Inventive modern fare Neighborhood: Fourth Ward A duo eatery in one space – white-tablecloth Pass and bustling Provisions. Pass is a caviar affair, while Provision serves casual edibles, including smartly donned sandwiches and billowy pizzas with such toppings as kale with pork sausage and duck confit with potato and pickled currants. There are some crossovers of dishes and kitchen playfulness between the two menus. Provisions, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sat; Pass, dinner only. 808 Taft, 713-628-9020.

Passandprovisions.com. $$-$$$$ HOLLEY'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & OYSTER BAR Try the satisfying dark seafood gumbo brew with duck confit and fried oysters. (continued from page 39) which are translucent-

skinned, shrimp-filled dumplings. Dip them in red vinegar and chili oil to bring out their sweet shrimpiness. The rest of HK's selections – from pan-fried turnip cake and fragrant lotus leaf stuffed with sticky rice and ground meats to pork ribs with black beans – stands up to the tasty example set by the pork xiu mai. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun., 9889 Bellaire Boulevard, 713-777-7029. $ NEW LISTING! Holley's Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar

Upscale seafood Neighborhood: Midtown Mark Holley is back. The Brennan's of Houston alum reeled in many diners, overseeing Pesce's kitchen for a decade. But in 2012, Landry's sold it, leaving Holley without a kitchen burner and fans floundering. Ironically, quality, upscale seafood restaurants are rare gems in this Gulf Coast city, so Holley's Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar is a welcome addition. At his namesake, Holley has free rein, sprinkling his menu with his life experiences, from the cobblestone alleys of New Orleans to Kentucky bluegrass. You'll find, too, touches of Asian influences, most notably the large-format, Thai-style whole snapper for two. It's a perfectly crisped rendition paired with two tangy dipping sauces, fried BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 40

rice and braised greens. No doubt, it will stir up memories for former Pesce regulars, but Holley's updated version is even tastier. The same goes for the shrimp-and-okra gumbo, a nourishing dark brew now enriched with duck confit and topped with delicately fried oysters. A crowd pleaser is the yieldingly tender sesame Park House Rolls, a traditional fare that gets an haute spin with three accompanying spreads: poblano pimento cheese, smoked drum mousse and pickled vegetables.

Truthfully, these yeasty rolls as a starter and the homey apple bread pudding would make any evening at Holley's go swimmingly. Lunch Mon.Fri. & dinner Mon.-Sat., 3201 Louisiana, 713491-2222, holleyshouston.com. $$$

Post Oak Grill Gulf Coast classics Neighborhood: Tanglewood Happiness exists in a bread basket at this popular outpost for business lunches. The basket usually cradles oven-fresh biscuits fragrant with green onions, bacon and cheddar cheese. One really isn’t enough; nor is two or three. Slow down, though, or you’ll fill up before the perfectly grilled rainbow trout arrives, glistening lightly with butter-caper sauce. Polo Becerra is a classic chef with a timeless approach of keeping ingredients simple and clean, with just a sheath of sauce to elevate the flavors of beef and seafood.

Lunch & dinner, Mon.-Sat., 1415 S. Post Oak Lane, 713-993-9966. postoakgrill.com. $$$ NEW LISTING!

Island Grill & Juice Bar Smoothies and burgers Neighborhood: West University/Tanglewood Granted, the smoothies with natural juices at Island Grill are pretty lush. The Island Oasis is ripe with sweet pineapples, strawberries, coconut juice and vanilla yogurt. The juices – from lemon-ginger shots to coolers made with veggies and fruits – are refreshing. But regulars also come for breakfast bagel sandwiches, pancakes and egg tacos.

Muscular, 8-ounce Angus burgers on soft buns lure many folks for lunch and dinner, along with fresh, pristine salads and pitas stuffed with a variety of grilled vegetables, seafood and meats. Breakfast,

Seasons 52

New American Neighborhoods: Highland Village/Memorial Seasons 52 is reminiscent of Houston's on Kirby, with similar synergy and dimly lit decor.

There are multiple booths, each with its own lamp for an intimate, yet casual setting. The interior is well thought out, unified like most chains, but more upscale. Seasons 52 is motivated by seasonal ingredients, like a chef-driven restaurant, changing its menu quarterly along with showcasing new weekly specials. A plus?

Nothing on the meal is more than 475 calories.

It also has gluten-free and vegetarian menus.

Consider the Winter Vegetarian Tasting with

quinoa-citrus salad, soft black-bean taco, seasonal roasted vegetables and an amazingly innovative, yet simple cedar-roasted tofu. There is the standard grilled rack of lamb, roasted chicken and stellar flat-bread pizzas. The mini desserts in a cup are sensible, diminutive, four or five bites at most. Try the pecan pie with vanilla mouse or carrot cake with cinnamon honey. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sat. Locations: Highland Village, 4410 Westheimer Road, 713-621-5452; CityCentre, 842 W. Sam Houston Parkway, 713-464-5252. seasons52.com. $$

Sparrow Bar + Cookshop Modern American Neighborhood: Midtown Monica Pope is forever reinventing herself and her restaurant concept. Her latest incarnation, the Sparrow Bar + Cookshop, applies beautiful, subtle flavors to farm-fresh local ingredients. Bronzed Texas quail nestles on warm yellow-corn grits hinting of orange zest.

Caramel miso and blossom butter enhance hanger steak. Creativity carries over to a dynamic cocktail menu. Pope grasped the value of using fresh fruits and herbs in drinks long before it became a trend. Her hand-crafted cocktails push boundaries to offer new, exciting flavors, such as a vodka creation with roasted red bell pepper puree, shiitake mushroom vermouth and jalapeño syrup. Lunch and

dinner, Tues.-Sat., 3701 Travis, 713-524-6922. sparrowhouston.com. $$$

The Lemongrass Café Asian fusion Neighborhood: Bellaire Polite service and a thoughtfully conceived menu endear Lemongrass Café to Houstonians. Chef-owner Fah Vorarittinapa marries the flavors of Chinese, Thai, Japanese, French and American cooking. Her signature dish remains the juicy tiger shrimp, stuffed with bacon and swaddled in crisp kataifi noodle, anointed by a sweet, spicy tamarind sauce. Pad thai is given a twist with a Japanese egg crepe. Her trio soup sampler is a composition of the soup of the day, French mushroom consommé and Thai tom yum chicken. Lunch & dinner, Mon.-Sun., 5109 Bellaire, 713-664-6698. lemongrass-cafe.com. $$

Triniti Contemporary American Neighborhood: Upper Kirby Eye-catching modern architecture aside, chef Ryan Hildebrand and his kitchen staff, which includes talented chef de cuisine Greg Lowry, manages to bridge wildly inventive cuisine (check out the nightly eight-course tasting menu) with updated steakhouse classics, such as a perfectly seared garlic-thyme prime New York steak accompanied by

a roster of sauces. You can choose up to three, such as the samba-sake butter or whole grain mustard.

The menu also features accomplished desserts, such as the hazelnut mousse. Lunch & dinner Fri.-Sun. and dinner Wed.-Thurs. 2815 South Shepherd. 713527-9090. trinitirestaurant.com. $$$$

Underbelly Upscale Texas eats Neighborhood: Montrose Underbelly chef-owner Chris Shepherd’s menu is a touchstone of the nose-to-tail movement. The Oklahoman is known to haul a whole hog through a roomful of diners, and his passion is mirrored by a striking woodcutting of a snout at the entrance. Family-style offerings include a pork roast with smoky sweet cornbread. Another piglet rendition is spicy kimchi stew. Shepherd shares his fondness for Asian cuisines with sweeping touches here and there – all of which are satisfying against an airy, modern, Texas Hill Country setting, with maple wood communal tables, fresh wildflowers and a wall of homemade preserves. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Thurs. and dinner Fri.-Sat. 1100 Westheimer Road, 712-5289800. underbellyhouston.com. $$$

MORE ONLINE Use our restaurant finder at thebuzzmagazines.com to search local restaurants by area, cuisine and price.

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Assets in a divorce

Your retirement puzzle

In your divorce you need to divide all your assets. If an asset is not divided in the divorce, it may cause future litigation. This includes even a bank account with $30 in it that you think is unimportant to list. It is important you request the information you need from your spouse in discovery in order to uncover any assets you were unaware of and/or do not know the value. It is equally important you list assets in your divorce decree specifically so a person cannot hide undisclosed financial accounts (i.e. list specific banks accounts instead of listing that husband is awarded all bank accounts in his sole name).

Clients are often are suspicious that their spouse has hidden assets in anticipation of divorce. By requesting financial statements you may be able to trace transfers to other accounts that have not been disclosed. If you fail to request information and settle your divorce without doing due diligence or you list an asset vaguely, you will not be able to come back after the divorce and claim you were unaware of the asset at the time of settlement or that you were unaware of the proper value (for example, you find out a business is worth more than you thought).

K. Nicole Voyles, Board Certified in Family Law, Jenkins & Kamin, LLP, Two Greenway Plaza, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77046, 713.600.5500, www.jenkinskamin.com. Named a Texas Rising Star for 2008, 2011-2014 and Texas Super Lawyer for 2014 by Texas Super Lawyer, a Thomas Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly magazine.

Completing your retirement puzzle starts with having a plan for long-term care. You may tell yourself that you will never need care, but … what if you do? With people living longer, isn’t it reasonable to believe you won’t always be as healthy as you are today? As we age, daily activities that we now take for granted may one day require some help. Whether it’s home care or a need for more skilled services, there is nothing that will have a greater impact on your retirement plan than the need for long-term care. If you haven’t already figured this into your retirement plan, then where will the money come from? Imagine how your lifestyle and family obligations might be impacted if you had to start paying an additional $5,000 per month for care? How much of this cost would you be able to cover?

With the start of a new year, why not take some time to think about your own retirement plan – and whether you’ve done enough to protect it. A long-term care insurance policy not only provides the funds to help pay for care, but more important, it will protect your assets and your income.

At MyersYounger LTC, we’re able to provide you with all of the information needed to determine whether, or not, this coverage is a good fit for you. We offer a full range of long-term care solutions, from a variety of carriers, and can present you with an unbiased comparison. Please note that these are insurance policies, and medical underwriting is required. There’s no cost or obligation for our services.

MyersYounger LTC, 2537 S. Gessner, Ste. 207, Houston, Texas, 713.661.7118, www.myersyoungerltc.com

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Think vein treatment today Pacifier? Finger? Or thumb?

Now that the holiday season is over, it is time to think about getting your legs smooth and pain free for the next swimsuit season.

Winter is a good time because varicose-vein treatments often involve stockings that are best worn during months when you can wear long pants.

UT Physicians’ board-certified vascular surgeon Dr. Sheila Coogan specializes in the latest noninvasive treatments to remedy the full spectrum of venous disease. These treatments not only enhance the legs’ appearance but also improve overall health, increase circulation and ease pain. You deserve pain-free legs and smooth skin.

Patients treated with minimally invasive techniques, such as Sclerotherapy, VNUS Closure and Microphlebectomy, typically resume their regular activities in approximately one day. The varicose-vein patients are treated in the clinic located in our Bellaire office. Get back to the active life you enjoy with beautiful legs.

UT Physicians invites you to join us at our free vein-screening event 9 a.m.-noon, January 10, 2015 at our Bellaire location. To schedule your free screening appointment with vascular surgeon Dr. Sheila Coogan, please call 713-486-5175. Appointments are limited.

Dr. Sheila Coogan, UT Physicians, 6700 West Loop South, Suite 520, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.486.5175. For more information on UT Physicians, see www.UTPhysicians.com.

Ever wonder which of these habits destines a child to wearing braces?

Pacifier-, finger- and thumb-sucking habits are examples of normal coping mechanisms on which many infants rely to cope with stressful situations. Access to a pacifier may be easier to limit since fingers and thumbs are attached. In utero thumb sucking has been documented with sonograms! Ultimately, your children will choose which, if any, habit is most comforting to them.

One type of habit in no way influences the need for orthodontic treatment more than another. Intensity, frequency and duration of habits are more reliable predictors of future orthodontic needs than the type of habit.

So when is the right time to stop these habits? Most children have all primary teeth present by the age of 3. Until that time, it may not be possible to determine what effects these habits have on the position of the teeth or jaws. Discontinuing these habits may also prove more difficult before a child has surpassed significant developmental milestones like potty training and moving to a big bed. And since each child is unique, Dr. Vela and his team will help develop a specific plan to help your child successfully discontinue the habit at the most appropriate time. Call the office today to discuss any habit-related questions and give us the opportunity to watch their smiles grow!

Bellaire Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Joel Vela, 6739 West Loop South, Suite 795, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.661.1100, www.bellairesmiles.com

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 43

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Bella, age 7, Border Collie mix, Acacia St. My name is Bella (but not after the Twilight character). I’m a 7-year-old Border Collie mix with a beautiful golden coat and cunning demeanor. My owners drove nearly three hours to adopt me from a shelter, and I’m loving my luxurious life lounging around. I have bacon-flavored snacks, a Tempur-Pedic bed and a personal water bowl refiller. As an only dog, I get all of the attention, and let’s not forget the compliments I receive on my walks around the neighborhood. I really do live up to my name. On the weekends, I like to play fetch and roll over, and I balance snacks on my nose. I don’t always get rewarded with treats, but love and attention are all I need. I’m trying to watch my figure anyway. Yup, I’ve got it good here – now if only I could get my owners to stop vacuuming.

Got a cute critter? Email a picture of your pet with approximately 150 words to info@thebuzzmagazines.com or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401. Featured pets receive two passes to Rover Oaks Pet Resort. Each pass can be redeemed for one day of lodging in a Bunk House Suite, 25 percent off your next grooming appointment or 25 percent off one obedience training class.

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BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 44

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Get ready to bare your feet

Is your baby’s smile at risk?

Switching from boots to open-toe shoes and sandals in the late spring is a happy occasion for many Houstonians. However, there are those who dread the seasonal change of footwear because of toenail fungus-related embarrassment. Fungal infections can cause a person’s toenails to become distorted, discolored, thick and brittle. In more serious cases, odor, discharge and painful skin inflammation may occur.

Over the years, assorted toenail fungus-treatment methods have arisen. Unfortunately, not all of them have proven to be worthwhile. Laser treatment for toenail fungus, however, is very effective. The procedure, which is done in the comfort of our office, involves a laser beam aimed directly at the patient’s clean, polish-free toenails. The beam kills the existing fungus without harming surrounding tissue. There is generally no pain and no downtime.

Depending on the severity, two 30-minute laser treatments may be needed.

The patient’s toenails will improve in appearance over time. The amount of time before results are visibly seen vary based on each individual’s situation.

Once the fungal infection has been resolved, patients are encouraged to take a variety of precautionary measures, including topical anti-fungal creams, moisture-wicking socks, anti-fungal powders, shower shoes and well-fitting footwear. To learn more or ask questions about laser treatment for toenail fungus, please contact our office and schedule a consultation.

Bellaire Podiatry/Nail Laser Center of Houston. Dr. Barry P. Weinstein, 4909 Bissonnet, Suite 120, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.721.5500, www.BarryWeinsteinDPM.com

“First Tooth, First Visit” is the motto of both the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s and Urbach Pediatric Dentistry. Germs that cause tooth decay are already in a baby’s mouth before teeth appear, just waiting for that first tooth to attack.

Dr. Mark and Dr. Alan recommend bringing your baby in when the first tooth erupts and certainly no later than the child’s first birthday. Decay in baby teeth can cause pain, and infection can spread. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily and smile with confidence. That all starts with the very first tooth.

“We’ve been protecting children’s teeth for decades, and now with my son Dr. Alan on board, we’re launching Bellaire and West U’s third generation of pediatric dentistry. We’re very excited here,” Dr. Mark said.

Parents are welcome to join their kids in treatment, from the waiting room to the X-rays to the cleaning. “I was a patient there, and I’m still cavity free at 32 years. We’ll be with him forever,” said returning mother Genny.

And now, with Dr. Alan on board, Urbach Pediatric Dentistry, your “Big Authority on Little Teeth,” is ready to welcome new babies aboard the Happy Tooth Train. Make your family’s appointment today!

Urbach Pediatric Dentistry, 4101 Greenbriar, Suite 120, Houston, Texas 77098, 713.522.6366, UrbachPediatricDentistry.com

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 45

stpimages.com

NEIGHBORS

by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

.

Back Porch

Grandmother magic

Y

ou never think of yourself as old enough to be a grandparent.”

At least that’s what Donna Palmer, grandmother to 10-month-old Jack, thought. But then her daughter Erika Mandel became pregnant, and Donna, a kindergarten teacher at St. John’s School, went into full grandmother mode.

“I was the last of all my friends to have a grandchild,” Donna says. “For years I looked at everyone’s baby photos, and I knew I would like it, but I had no idea how much. Being a grandparent is truly unconditional love. Something changes inside of you.”

Melinda Overstreet, first-time grandmother of 4-month-old Harrison, would agree. “I was elated,” Melinda says of the day her daughter Caroline Bean announced she was pregnant.

Lifelong friends Caroline Bean, Rachael Berry and Diana Bridger met as little girls, when their mothers got to know each other in Bible study.

All first children, they and their moms – Melinda Overstreet, Melissa Blandford and Joan Dunlap, respectively – forged friendships, following each other through school and back to Houston after college. This year, within five months, the threesome of daughters had their first babies together – Rachael was first with a girl, and Caroline and Diana had boys. All are the first grandchildren in their families.

“We threw each other’s baby showers, and I helped with registries since I was the first,” Rachael says. “We had no idea what we were doing, so it was very helpful.”

All three are working moms – Caroline is a real estate agent, Rachael is a decorator, and Diana is a commercial real estate broker. Diana says, “It’s been fun to have friends to go through this together. We can get real with each other and help.”

They get together often, for playdates and lunches. Caroline says, “These babies will be good friends.”

BELLAIRE BUZZ JANUARY 2015 46

Caroline says, “I called my mom before I even told Andrew [her husband] because I wanted to wait for him to come home.” Fast forward a few weeks to the day the sex of the baby was revealed: All the grandparents, parents and siblings gathered at her mom’s home. Caroline had given a sealed envelope to the staff at Moeller’s Bakery, and when the family members cut the cake at Melinda’s place, the inside was blue, surprising everyHANGING OUT Melinda Overstreet and her first grandson, Harrison Bean, spend one – including lots of time in the nursery Melinda, an interior designer, designed for him.

Caroline and Andrew – being Lali and Pops. with the news the baby was a boy.

“But really, this baby could call Steve anyAs an interior designer, Melinda helped her thing, and he would love it.” daughter decorate the nursery. “I thought I’d be Now that the babies are here, both Donna able to breeze through and I’d know everything, and Melinda say the love and connection came but it’s all changed so much,” Melinda says. immediately. “I fell in love with Harrison so “These girls know all the gadgets. We had a early,” Melinda says. “You just have to remember wonderful time pulling together colors and furto enjoy every bit. You want each stage to come niture. The last experience that was that much – you want them to walk and crawl – but you fun was her wedding.” have to be careful not to wish their lives away Part of the baby prep included naming the new and just get to know their little personalities.” grandparents. Melinda originally played with Donna loves having time and energy to pay French names inspired by her Louisiana roots, but attention to the “little details. There’s nothing but she thought they might be difficult for a baby to pure joy because you’ve been through the worries, learn. So she’s settled on Mimi, which was what and you worried about everything. Now you can her children called her own mother, and tentajust enjoy every part of their being. It is truly magic.” tively Poppy for her husband Steve, Harrison’s Not everything has changed, though. “My grandfather. But Caroline says, “Everything could mom still treats me like her little girl,” Caroline change, because if Harrison doesn’t want to call says. “Now I’m just taking care of a baby.” Her her Mimi, she won’t be Mimi.” mom concurs. “She’s still my little girl, and she’s Donna says she “bounced around the typical a wonderful mother,” Melinda says. “I love how names, and while they are precious, they weren’t she’s brought the songs and nursery rhymes in for me.” So she got creative and named herself that I brought to her. It’s a reflection of tradiLali, while her husband Steve, Jack’s grandfations that are continuing, that my mother gave ther, will be Pops. Donna loves the names to us and to Caroline and Austin [Melinda’s son] because it embodies a partnership. “It’s not and are as old as my own grandmother.” about being Lali or about being Pops. It’s about