The Memorial Buzz - July 2014

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2014 Buzz Photo Contest Winners

First Place, People Toddler by Jennifer Hong

EDITOR’S NOTE The oldest surviving camera photograph, from 1826, is displayed on The University of Texas at Austin campus at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center. An estimated 4 trillion photos have been taken since that first one. And thanks to digital cameras, smart phones and social media, an estimated 400 billion more photos are likely to be taken in 2014 alone. But quantity does not mean quality, regardless of how many editing apps and filters you install on your iPhone. The best photos still, for the most part, take time, equipment and expertise. I’m excited to share, in this issue, the winners of our Ninth Annual Buzz Photo Contest. Sometimes brilliance can happen in an instant, as in Michael Porter’s photo of a jumping dog.

Other times, it requires time, as in Leina Betzer’s photo of her grandfather shuffling cards. This photo was shot on film, and Leina developed it in a darkroom. I’ll let you be the judge. 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 memorialbuzz.com • facebook.com/memorialbuzz Editor Publisher Associate Editors Vice President, Sales Staff Writers

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Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman Cheryl Laird Annie Blaylock McQueen Jay Janecek Tracy L. Barnett Sharon Albert Brier Andria Frankfort Angie Frederickson Todd Freed Michelle Casas Groogan Dai Huynh Dave Schafer Cheryl Ursin Scott Kennedy Russell Weil Jordan Magaziner John Duboise Andrea Blitzer Leslie Little Darsey Swaim Laura Callan Helen Hamilton Michele Luke Alex Daily, Sarah Jane Knowlton Elisabeth Lyles, Jacob Padden Madison Tebbe

On our cover: Jennifer Hong's photo of her toddler looking out the door at big boys playing basketball won first place in the People category.

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 © 2014 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.

MEMORIAL BUZZ JULY 2014 4

MEMORIAL BUZZ JULY 2014 5

MAILBAG

Your letters, thoughts, opinions Liked tales of sailors and graduates Thank you for the great sailing article about our dear friends, the Pappas family [Travel Buzz: Sailing the Greek Islands, by Tracy L. Barnett, May 2014]. We were so happy their dream of sailing the Greek islands became a reality last summer. The article brought their sailing preparations and adventures to life for all the Buzz readers to enjoy. It came as no surprise that Pamela and Gus were able to navigate through rough waters and get right back on course during one of their days at sea. That’s how they live their lives! And celebrating the 4th of July with an American barbecue in Greece with Brits.... OPA! The pictures and write ups in The Buzz of the high school grads were great [Where Are They Headed?, by Alex Daily, June 2014]. I really enjoyed reading about the kids’ kindergarten advice and where they are headed next.

Gina Taylor

Wedding story makes memories It was such a surprise to see the cover (June 2014). Matt and I were house-sitting for my parents while they were in Europe, and we were so stunned! Thank you so much – you did a beautiful job with the article [Down the Aisle, by Jordan Magaziner].

Sarah Graham Garcia Editor’s note: Sarah was one of the featured brides.

Just saw The Buzz – love it! Thank you so much. Great article. Love seeing all the brides and their stories too.

Michelle Zadok Editor’s note: Michelle’s wedding also was spotlighted in the article.

Just got my latest copy of The Buzz – love your Down the Aisle spread!

So beautiful and a fun read!

Brynne Gallman Editor’s note: Congratulations to Brynne and her new husband Mitch on their recent wedding.

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.

Coverage helps mission The third annual Chrysalis Occasion Luncheon held in April by the Hope and Healing Center & Institute was embraced with heartfelt reception by all who attended and heard the powerfully honest story of Liz McIngvale’s struggle with and recovery from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). To identify such a debilitating illness (which will affect some 6.6 million people) with a Houston icon not only heightens awareness to the disease but delivers hope to individuals and families who are struggling with the disorder and its side effects. A sincere “thank you” to Annie Blaylock McQueen [Buzz About Town, June 2014] for covering our event, which further expands awareness into the Buzz communities, and for highlighting the Peace of Mind Foundation, founded by Liz McIngvale to “improve the quality of life for OCD sufferers and caregivers.”

Carol Deason

Winky is a star I loved seeing Winky featured in Neighborhood Tails [The Tanglewood/River Oaks Buzz, June 2014). This is so cute! Thanks so much. She actually hasn’t been doing all that great lately, so this means a lot to me.

Lorís Simón Editor’s note: We hope Winky is doing better.

MEMORIAL BUZZ JULY 2014 6

What’s your story?

We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who: • Frequently host outdoor parties or like to dine al fresco at home.

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

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MEMORIAL BUZZ JULY 2014 7

NEIGHBORS

The Buzz Magazines 2014 Photo Contest

A

fter reviewing more than 1,000 submitted photographs, we are pleased to present the winners of The Buzz Magazines’ Ninth Annual Photo Contest.

With any contest like this, the process is inevitably subjective. However, there are basic principles of photography that must be met, such as lighting, focus and exposure. And there are personal elements to consider: subject, emotion and storytelling. Judging is “blind,” as the judges do not see the names of the photographers.

Our contest is open to any amateur photographer. We do this every summer, so keep that in mind as you are shooting pictures in the upcoming year.

Congratulations to each of this year’s winners, especially our Grand Prize winner, Mauricio Recinos, who will receive a Canon PowerShot digital camera, compliments of The Buzz.

We want to thank our judges – professional photographers Michael Hart, Carol Andrews and Scott Kohn – for their considerable time and effort.

Keep an eye out for next year’s call for entries in our March 2015 issue.

MORE ONLINE To read our judges' bios and more about these photos - and what the photographers were thinking when they took them - see this story online at memorialbuzz.com.

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Grand Prize Winner Baby Blues Photographer Mauricio Recinos, 43, says, “This is a photo of my daughter, Isabella, who was 7 years old at the moment. She was sitting on the dining table at home with some candles. We all want the perfect light for our pictures. So I decided to try with low light. I turned the lights off, lighted some candles and called her so she could help me. So she sat there and looked at me. It paid off.”

Judges’ comments: Simple drama, from the dark background. There are no distractions from the subject and the story. The candlelight presents a beautiful, warm illumination. The child has a believable expression. These ingredients create a powerful and timeless photographic expression of this child. Simple concept and lighting plus good use of negative space result in a strong, compelling image.

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Category: Animals First Place, Walking on Water – In 55-year-old Michael Porter’s photo, a dog jumps joyfully into a pool to retrieve a ball at the Danny Jackson Family Dog Park.

Second Place, Waiting – Photographer Jennifer Hong, 33, says, “Our family dog, Pepper, takes his job as guardian of our home extremely seriously. This is his vigilant neighborhood watch, from ‘his’ window.”

Third Place, Honey Go Lightly – Elaine Matte Mut, 57, photographed her rescue dog approaching her to be petted. “In this bright contrast light,” says Elaine, “she looks ethereal.”

Fourth Place, The Princess – Cory Hryc, 27, explores late-afternoon lighting. “Emma had just woken up and looked a bit groggy. The strong light and shadows really makes this image pop with strong contrast on Emma's fur.”

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Category: People

First Place, Toddler – Jennifer Hong, 33, took this photo of her toddler “as he looked out the doors of his big brother's school, watching big boys running and basketballs flying on the court outside. At this age he is forever trying to get into something that he can’t safely do.”

Second Place, Natural Beauty – Madeline Hamilton, 16, photographed her sister Grace in their backyard. “I was tired of seeing photos of whole faces; they seemed bland. So, I channeled my inner Picasso and captured a more interesting portrait.”

Third Place, Tuckered Tourists – Don Dorsey, 60, says, “The photo is a group of travelers unknown to me touring Italy who appear to have run out of steam after a long outing. The photo was taken in Vernazza, Italy. I like to ‘people watch’ when traveling.”

Fourth Place, House of Cards – Leina Betzer, 16, used film, processed it herself and scanned it into the computer. This photo is of her Opa (grandfather) shuffling cards as they play poker late into a summer night. He gave her her first 35 mm camera.

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Category: Nature

First Place, Honeymoon on Pink – Shu Cheuk, 65, took this shot of “two damselflies mating on a pink lily flower in New Orleans City Park,” with a “nice, out-of-focus, green lily pad in the background.”

Second Place, Ruby Throated Hummingbird and Bottlebrush – Robert Flatt, 66, who took this photo in his West University backyard, has Parkinson’s disease, which he says makes him “move in slow motion compared to the hummingbirds,” so capturing the photo is a thrilling challenge.

Third Place, Wabi-Sabi – Jennifer Hong, 33, shot “this asymmetric, half-spent dandelion” in her backyard, considering “the Japanese concept of wabisabi, accepting and embracing the beauty in imperfection.”

Fourth Place, Green Anole – Les Wolf, 62, took this photo in his yard. “I had just gotten a new camera and went a little photo crazy, taking pictures of everything to test out the camera’s features.”

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Category: Landscapes First Place, Movement – Madeline Hamilton, 16, who shot this tree in remote Alaska, says she loves the movement conveyed “with the aid of the dynamic clouds.”

Second Place, Guard Rock – Bob Jump, 77, likes how his image, taken in Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada, makes it appear “as if the big rock was guarding or protecting the small bush.”

Third Place, Fog on Ouachita – Elaine Matte Mut, 57, took this photo of a small peninsula on fairytale-like Lake Ouachita, Arkansas, in the early-morning fog.

Fourth Place, Wide Open Wyoming – Carl Henry, 59, shot this photo of his cabin and “the amazing Wyoming night sky,” with “a hint of dawn breaking at the horizon.”

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Category: Sports and Action

First Place, Black Crowned Night Heron on West Boulevard – Robert Flatt, 66, has spend the last three spring seasons photographing night herons raising their chicks in Houston’s Museum District.

Second Place, Let’s Go Surfing – Mauricio Recinos, 43, took this photo of his then6-year-old daughter, Isabella, running with her surf board to catch waves at Galveston.

Third Place, Pirouette – Robin Kate Davis, 14, says, “This is a photograph of a dancer and friend from my dance studio warming up before a show at the JCC Kaplan Theatre prior to Uptown Dance Centre’s Fall Dance Infusion.”

Fourth Place, The Gallop – Kathy Zieben, 60, photographed these riders in Santa Barbara, Calif. “The sun was about to set, and I just snapped the shot. It was an impulse to capture this photo because I grew up loving horses, and there they were!”

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Category: Judges’ Choice

Carol Andrews’ choice, Jaguar Portrait – Sam Li, 28, photographed this jaguar at the Houston Zoo. “I volunteer at the Houston Zoo, and the jaguar is my favorite animal. It is incredibly powerful yet strikingly graceful.”

Michael Hart’s choice, Smiling Bear – Paige Barber, 16, says her cousin’s puppy, Bear, who“always looks like he’s smiling,” had just returned from hunting.

“When he wanted me to rub his belly, his smile was so visible it was as if he was smiling for the camera.”

Scott Kohn’s choice, Great Egret Feeding – Ying Chun Jerry Pan, 73 – our Grand Prize-winning photographer last year – captured this great egret feeding its offspring at the Houston Audubon’s Smith Oaks Rookery sanctuary in High Island.

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NEIGHBORS

by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

Turning 50 with Kindness

E

llen Elam turned the tables on turning 50.

Instead of greeting the half-century mark with dread, she chose to make the day meaningful – not only for herself and her family, but for many people she didn’t even know.

Ellen set out to turn April 28, 2014, into a day of “50 Intentional Acts of Kindness.” The idea was that she would spend the day celebrating by doing something nice for someone else, 50 times over.

“Last year, my father had passed away in October, and my sister in September,” Ellen says.

“I was extremely close to both of them, and I didn’t feel like celebrating was what I needed to do for my birthday this year. So I tried to think of something I could do that wasn’t a party that would honor them.

“I thought of doing 50 things for other people because one of the things I always tell my son and the people I work with is, ‘If you need to make yourself feel better, do something for someone else.’ It made perfect sense for my birthday.”

That’s how Ellen, president of Office Effects Inc., an office supply and promotional items company, took on the task of finding 50 acts of kindness that needed doing. “I didn’t have 50 things for myself that I needed to do,” she says.

So she crafted an e-mail asking family, friends, co-workers, clients and acquaintances to send in ideas to add to her list of acts of kindness to be completed on her birthday. In the note, she explained, “Sure I can drive around and pay it forward at Starbucks, pay the toll of the person behind me, donate something to an organization or even leave someone an extra especially large tip, but I want more. I want to help do something because: It is too hard for you to do, you don’t live here, you don’t have the means, you don’t have the words, you haven’t built up the confidence …or you just don’t have the time.”

Ellen wanted intentional acts – nothing random – so that she could truly affect people’s lives in a trackable way. What ensued was an onslaught of responses with ideas and offers to help. Ellen put together a spreadsheet detailing each act of kindness, who requested it, who it was for, and how it would be categorized (a letter, flowers, a visit). “I could logistically look at MEMORIAL BUZZ JULY 2014 16

KINDNESS MULTIPLIED Ellen Elam's family and friends came out to help her achieve her goal of doing 50 acts of kindness on her 50th birthday. Front row, from left: Ana Benitez, Ellen Elam, I.V. Elam, Katy Hole.

Second row, from left: Heidi Harrelson, Drew Elam, Joe Colangelo, Kristi Cooper, Jenny Mooney, Debbie Platt, Jesse Deanda, Abby Platt, Robine Hendricks.

the spreadsheet and figure out what I could do ahead,” Ellen says. “So I arranged for letters to arrive on my birthday, flowers to be sent on my birthday, and I could push ‘send’ on e-mails I had drafted – on my birthday.”

At 5:30 a.m. on the day, Ellen, her husband, their son and about 25 friends boarded a party bus and drove to act out their first deed, bringing doughnuts and kolaches to police officers in Spring Valley. From there, they brought flowers to a nanny – the family she had worked for six years wanted her to know they appreciated her, and they didn’t say it enough. They visited a cancer patient who had lost her job, and they stocked her refrigerator. They went to the Chinquapin Preparatory School, a non-profit, college-prep school for students with limited resources, and gave each graduating senior a gift of computer speakers. “Whatever someone suggested, that’s what we did,” Ellen says.

Throughout the day, friends boarded and got off the bus to fit their schedules. When the sun

set, Ellen and her crew gathered at the Houston Community ToolBank, an organization that lends tools to non-profits. They painted tools and the walls of the ToolBank building. Kids who had been in school during the day and friends who were working could join this leg of the celebration. Ellen arranged for coolers of beer, and the act of kindness became a party.

“People wanted to know why I was doing this on my birthday,” Ellen says. “Well, why not? I had all my family with me, and now I’m hearing all these cool stories about how we affected people. Even people who couldn’t be here told me they went to dinner with their father who they don’t see often, someone committed to visiting a retirement community weekly, someone else is sending a cancer patient a card every week.”

Ellen initially said, “Although this will not be the big, crazy, dancing-on-the-tables ... celebration, it will be a day to remember!”

That it was – for Ellen and for exponential others she’s inspired to keep the kindness going.

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NEIGHBORS

.

by Sharon Albert Brier, staff writer

Rumor Has It Pass the guacamole! Colorful paper flowers adorned the tables at the Hunters Creek Garden Club spring luncheon at Guadalajara Hacienda arranged by Rachel Messina (and yours truly). Nancy Smith happily turned the gavel over to Jane Green to be the new president. Other new officers installed by Geetha Mammen were Lee Hunnell, Smith, Susan Hendrix, Mary Gosnell, Alice Read, Ann Moss, Dianne Cimo and Nancy Glesby.

Messina and Jennifer Pine will plan next year’s luncheon. City Council Member Fidel Sapien spoke about policies and the police and fire departments. What’s said at the garden club spring luncheon stays at the luncheon.

It’s a cliffhanger. Dr. Drew Rossi remembers meeting Jennifer Richards at a surprise party six years ago. Jennifer remembers meeting him in 2010 at a bachelorette party where he was a designated driver. Sometimes timing isn’t everything after all. When they met again at a wedding, Cupid got them. Fast forward to a trip in Las Vegas, when they hiked the summit of a large sandstone red rock. Jennifer rested to admire the frightening cliffs. When she stood up, he got down on his knee to pop the majestic question. His “slow hiker” friends lagged behind to snap a photo of the treasured “Yes” moment.

Parents of the couple, Amy and Brad Richards and Andrew and Kathleen Rossi, are excited about the summer 2015 wedding.

Classic rock. Emily Wolf threw a rocking party to celebrate her classic hubby Jamie Wolf’s 40th birthday. The partiers met at the Wolf house for margaritas and Mexican food before departing on The Wave (a party bus) to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion to hear Journey. Unexpectedly the party doubled when they met another group of Rummell Creek friends who also took a party bus. Michael Green, J.B. and Laura Napier, Jean Neustadt, Rob and Christine Potosky, Greg and Kourtney Veiseh, Barney Graham, Doug Chamberlain, Alan Knust, Oliver Jones, Elise and Chad Cooper, and Scott and Betsy Humphrey were in on the sing-along Don’t Stop Believin’.

Wonderful neighbors. When Marnie and Nicolas Medina gave birth to Juan Pablo MEMORIAL BUZZ JULY 2014 18

SCENIC SCHEME It wasn't just a hike in the park after all. It was an over-the-edge proposal when Drew Rossi asked Jennifer Richards to marry him.

Medina Feb. 27, he spent the first two weeks in neonatal intensive care at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center. He was born at 37 weeks, weighing 5 pounds, 13 ounces, when mom Marnie developed atrial fibrillation. Juan Pablo’s older siblings – Alexandra, a sophomore at Duchesne; Nicolas Jr., a seventh grader at St. Francis; and baby sister Eva Luna, 2, who attends Chapelwood preschool – meant there was plenty to keep track of. A plea went out to neighbors for meal support. Meals came, and an added bonus was the new friends she acquired along with the outpour of “love they neighbor.”

Juan Pablo is giggling, and Marnie sends a big thank you.

Welcome to Hunters Creek. After they outgrew their Southampton/West U area home, a search began in Memorial for Dr. Quang and Staci Henderson’s large blended family. Khyle and Jade Danhach will go to Memorial High and Spring Branch Middle, respectively, and Sophie Henderson will be at Memorial Drive Presbyterian preschool. Thor, a Great Dane pup, has found jogging with Staci his passion. Staci’s 90-year-old grandfather, Ralf, has rediscovered swimming.

Quang’s other two children, Tien and Lilan, will visit on weekends.

Family ride. The Baker families rode the BP MS150 bike ride from Houston to Austin.

Their youngest riders were only 12. Reese Baker, with his son Bryce and daughter Kylie, were on KSBJ Team Hope, while Reese’s niece and nephew, Catherine Baker and Austin Baker, rode with the Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church group. They started at Rhodes Stadium in Katy and joined over 12,000 bikers to raise money for multiple-sclerosis research. Austin Baker is riding 70 days this summer, from Austin to Anchorage, Alaska, with a UT bike team for Texas 4000 for Cancer.

Summer read. Mia Bering’s mom, Margaret McBride, was in town to promote her first novel, That Melvin Bray. It’s a story of the incredible power of friendship and forgiveness. The book signing at The Houstonian was for family and friends. Micah Bering, Margaret’s granddaughter, was first in line. Other fans were Carol Sandvick, Ana Amacarella Burns, Jody Sommer, Meredith Barineau, Jana Stiffel and Margaret Chamblee.

Have some good news to share? We want to know. Email us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com.

TRAVEL

by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Travel Buzz - Family Reunions: Getting Away to Get Together

C

arolyn Johnson ought to get the prize for best in-law ever. When she married her husband John 11 years ago, she entered a whole new world: the world of the large family.

John is one of nine children, and his mother was one of nine as well, each with families of their own, some quite numerous.

“I can’t imagine having that many brothers and sisters; I only have one, and he has to be the be-all and end-all,” she says with a laugh. “I said, ‘How in the world am I ever going to meet them all?’”

Since their grandparents had died a while back, no one took it upon themselves to organ-

ize a gathering, so the family just never got together anymore.

“I opened my fat mouth and said, ‘We ought to have a family reunion’ – and now I’m in charge.”

This May she just organized her third reunion – 124 strong.

Bonnie Bibeau was luckier. Her husband Brian’s family has had a tradition already in place for several generations; all she had to do was make a covered dish and start getting to know folks.

Brian’s paternal grandmother was one of 10 children, and as they grew up and started having

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children of their own, they realized they’d need to be organized to keep the family together.

That’s when they began gathering in Houston; by the late ‘60s, they had begun renting out a space at a rustic ranch-style resort near Wimberley over Labor Day weekend. Now the family has grown so big they just take over the whole resort.

“My father in law has pictures of reunions from when he was a little boy,” Bonnie says. “It kept the family tight, and as the family has grown, everyone’s welcome. Now I’m one of the crew, and our kids get to enjoy it, too.”

Whether your family is big or small, summer-

time can be a good time to get away from it all and catch up, cementing the familial bonds and connecting with nature. And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune; the Texas Hill Country is full of options. The important thing is to do it.

The Johnsons chose as their rendezvous point the so-called Cowboy Capital of the World, Bandera, Texas, where the family-run Mayan Dude Ranch provided all the requisite ingredients for those who wished to explore their inner cowboy: 348 acres of woods and fields and trails traversed by the Medina River, a whole herd of horses and the ranch hands to guide you on them, down-home cooking and a whole lot more.

The Johnson-Kelly clan would start their day with a trail ride to a cowboy breakfast – those who were so inclined, that is, as others opted to sleep in and have breakfast in the lodge.

Visiting, hiking, fishing, swimming in the pool or playing in spring-fed waters would ensue until lunch, which would be served poolside in the covered pavilion. Another trail ride was available each afternoon and a hayride to a cookout at Hicksville, an old western town replica for the kids. Evening entertainment ranged from a petting zoo of exotic animals like a porcupine and a lemur, a piñata full of candy for the kids and two-stepping lessons with a DJ spinning favorite country tunes.

“One day a guy comes in with a humongous

TOGETHERNESS, COWBOY STYLE Carolyn and John Johnson, hosts of a 124-kin family reunion at the Mayan Ranch in Bandera, sporting their reunion T-shirts, take a photo break around the old oak tree with their family, (from left) Jana, Cole, Michael and Lily Johnson, Renea and Morgan Menzies and Robert Moore.

longhorn, and you can sit in the saddle and have your picture taken on it,” Carolyn recalled.

“I tell people, ‘You can do any of this or all of it – or you can stay in your cabin the whole time.

The only thing you have to do is be here on

Saturday at 10:30 a.m. for the group photo – in your T-shirt.’” She had commemorative T-shirts printed up, and when each of the guests arrived, they got a goody bag with the shirt, cap, name tag and a little gift. This (continued on page 22)

MEMORIAL BUZZ JULY 2014 21

(continued from page 21) year, it was a limestone

picture frame and a Texas-shaped cookie.

About 50 years ago, the Bibeau clan chose as its gathering place the historic 7A Resort, on the Blanco River in Wimberley, and some years it’s drawn up to 100 people. Brian’s father Wayne remembers when the family moved its gatherings to the resort.

“He remembers it was like a dream: horseback riding, forts, creeks, pools and Pioneer Town,” said Bonnie.

When his children were little, he loved playing with them where he used to play, “even managing to catch a nice bass right out of the river and popping it on the grill to share with the whole family. Now, he’s overjoyed to watch his grandkids start the magical world of discoveries of this resort at each family reunion.”

The family-run resort is home to Pioneer Town, which features an old confectionary, a little post office, an opera house with a theater that shows old movies, and a master storyteller. Back when Wayne was a kid, each section had authentic demonstrations by blacksmiths, postal workers and other workers. “In essence, it was a ‘working’ town,” said Bonnie. Time has settled it to a few working venues and opened the rest to museum spots.

Brian’s uncle Scott Bibeau runs a restaurant in Corpus Christi, and he packs up all his barbecue equipment and takes it along. Everyone provides covered dishes – most of them from recipes passed down through the family – and Uncle Scott provides the barbecue. “And it’s one non stop buffet,” said Bonnie.

The family organizes its own activities, and it can get pretty competitive – each year there’s a golf tournament, and they form teams and vie for biannual bragging rights. This is

PUT 'ER THERE The Bibeaus take their team sports seriously. Brian tosses an iron in the horseshoe tournament, with the pioneer blacksmith shop in the background.

followed by a horseshoe tournament. For those who’d rather do other things, there are options; cooks gather in the lodge, river wanderers explore the Blanco, and the kids play ping pong and arcade games.

Intergenerational activities are the norm; her girls, at ages 1, 2½ and 4, find plenty of ways to be engaged, as do the elementary school kids and the teens.

The Bibeaus are a musical family, some of whom play semi-professionally, and so toward

the end everyone gathers with their instruments, occasionally including the spoons or bones, and they put on a little participatory concert. There’s an intermission with an awards ceremony for the competitive events.

“It’s a really good place to let everyone be themselves and then come together,” Bonnie says.

MORE ONLINE For links with ideas for destination family reunions, see this story at memorialbuzz.com.

Organizing a family reunion Perhaps the biggest question, if you are thinking of organizing a big family gathering, is how to go about it. Carolyn Johnson started from scratch, and being a former banker, she knows how to get things done in the most efficient way possible. She shared her methodology with us.

• If your family is large, use a spreadsheet to manage the information – spreadsheets are an excellent tool for managing constantly changing information on a variety of people. “The first year I just put their name on; then I would put the sister they were descended from. Then I color-coded it and made name tags of that color – for example, Lillian is my husband’s mom, and all the Lillian family is blue – so you can see from a distance, if their name tag is blue, they’re part of your immediate family.”

• Choose a place with a variety of lodging options, with rooms for families, couples, singles and elders.

• Choose a place where the kids can roam at will without worrying about them getting hurt. “We have 32 people under 18 years old – and lot of them are little kids,” she said. “It’s funny to see them like little chickens running together and playing – and it’s very safe so parents don’t have to be micromanaging.”

• Put on your gumshoe hat. Carolyn discovered one time that the only descendant of one of the eight sisters who had attended the first reunion had passed away. The only thing she knew about her was that she was from Smithville. “I called the Smithville City Hall and asked for any relatives of Joyce Vinklarek, who had passed away. They said, ‘Oh, you mean Ronnie and Bobby? Which one do you want?’”

• Don’t do it too often, or people will burn out, especially the organizer. Carolyn organizes the Johnson-Kelly reunion once every three years. “People really want to come because they know it will be three years before there’s another one,” she commented.

• If it’s a two-day reunion, make sure not to over-plan the activities so folks have free time to hang out in smaller groups or simply get away for a while.

• Share the spreadsheet or contact list with all attendees so they can stay in touch between reunions. Also, follow up with the families to hear how the reunion has affected their lives. Particularly for families that have not been getting together for a long time, it can be a meaningful time for re-connection. “We had cousins in their 20s who never knew each other,” she said. “They’ve become really close now; one cousin was a groomsman in the other’s wedding.”

MEMORIAL BUZZ JULY 2014 22

MEMORIAL BUZZ JULY 2014 23

SPORTS

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by Todd Freed, staff writer

SportzBuzz

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he Second Baptist Eagles capped off a spectacular baseball season by winning the TAPPS 4A State Baseball Championship. The Eagles defeated Fort Worth Christian 12-1 in the state final to finish the season with a 33-4 record.

“It’s gratifying to see these guys close out what they started and set off to accomplish,” said Eagles head coach Jeff Schroeder, who’s led Second Baptist to four state titles in his 25 seasons as the team’s head coach. “We had an incredibly gifted and talented team in every phase of the game, including pitching, defense, offense.”

On the mound, the Eagles were especially tough, with juniors Jake Bedevian and James Todd boasting 10-0 and 10-1 records, respectively. Senior Wade Strother was 7-1 on the season while senior relief pitcher Hunter Stockard had six saves. Bedevian was also among the offensive leaders, as were catcher Chris Cunningham, shortstop Cade Edwards and junior Reagan Czuba.

“I knew the expectations and legacy of this baseball program,” said senior second baseman Chad Erb. “I remember watching first-hand in 2011 when we came within one strike of the state championship. To finally get this state championship in my senior year is a proud moment and something I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.”

In TAPPS 5A, the St. Thomas High School Eagles, won the 23rd state baseball championship in school history, defeating Tomball Concordia Lutheran 2-1 in the state final. The championship was secured when St. Thomas senior Ben Condora knocked in Rawlings Elam with the game-winning run in the Eagles’ final at bat. Sophomore Matthew Ashbaugh pitched a complete-game four hitter.

“It tops all my baseball experiences,” said Condora. “It was the biggest game of my life.”

Condora’s dramatic game-winning hit was especially heroic considering he was playing on a severely swollen and bruised knee injured while sliding a day earlier in the state semifinals.

The knee was so banged up that St. Thomas trainers had recommended that Condora, who could barely walk, not play in the state final.

“They advised me not to play, and I advised them MEMORIAL BUZZ JULY 2014 24

STATE CHAMPS St. Thomas senior Ben Condora gets a celebratory hug from junior Wendell Champion after Condora knocked in the game -winning run in the Eagles' state-championship victory over Concordia Lutheran. Also pictured is St. Thomas junior Max Machiorlette.

that I wasn’t about to sit out. The trainers did an amazing job of getting me ready. My knee was totally wrapped up, and I was somehow able to play.”

If that weren’t enough, the hit marked the second time in the post-season that Condora’s final at-bat heroics had led to a St. Thomas victory. In the Eagles’ first-round playoff series against Plano Prestonwood, St. Thomas trailed by two runs in the bottom of the seventh when Condora connected on a game-winning, threerun home run to keep the Eagles’ season alive.

Along with Condora, the Eagles were led all season by fellow standout seniors Michael Rodgers and Jordan Bautista-Rosales. Rodgers was the game-winning pitcher in the state semifinal victory over St. Pius, while BautistaRosales had one of the RBIs in the state-final victory. All three of those seniors, along with Wendell Champion, were named to the state all-tournament team.

“We wanted to bring the championship home for our school and leave our own legacy here,” said Bautista-Rosales. “We also wanted to win for Coach (Jeff) Lousteau. He’s a great coach, and he deserved it.”

For the sixth time in the last eight years, the Strake Jesuit Crusaders advanced to the Texas High School Lacrosse League Division 1 playoffs.

After finishing second in the city of Houston, the Crusaders advanced to the regional round of the post season before falling to eventual state champion Episcopal School of Dallas.

“We had a great group of guys,” said Crusaders head coach Michael Block. “Our seniors were especially outstanding. They worked hard and loved to play together.”

On the defensive end, Block had high praise for a number of players, including goalies Max Bastian and Kevin Murphy as well as Jack Cartwright and Sean Rosetti. “Jack and Sean were our huge anchors defensively. They played virtually every minute of every game.”

In addition, midfielders Andrew Eichelberger, Jack Mullins and John Lilly enjoyed great seasons, said Block, as did attackers Austin Michals and Camron Cousino. “It was also a really nice bounceback season after we failed to make the playoffs last year. We’re loaded with a lot of young talent, so we have a lot to build on for next season,” he said.

Editor’s Note: Todd Freed is the Emmy Awardwinning co-host and producer of the KUBE SportsZone, which airs Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m. on Channel 57-KUBE. To submit high school sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, please email todd@thebuzzmagazines.com.

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Afrin vs. Nasacort In 2014, Nasacort became available without a prescription. Nasacort is the inhaled nose spray of triamcinolone, a corticosteroid (steroid). You may have heard of injectable triamcinolone by the name Kenalog. Nasal steroids are the first drug of choice for prevention of allergic rhinitis (hay fever). This class of meds is totally different from the other nose sprays available OTC, such as Afrin, Vicks Sinex or Dristan. Those decongestants provide rapid but temporary relief of nasal congestion. The problem with the nasal decongestants is that the more you use them, the less well they work. In fact, continual use leads to a physical dependence, or addiction.

Nasal steroids, such as Nasacort, Nasonex or Flonase, are a different type of decongestant. They work by preventing the inflammation that leads not only to congestion but also the nasal itching, sneezing and runny nose. If you wait until you have a stuffy nose, they are no more effective than salt water. If you use them on a regular basis, they can prevent not only congestion but also nasal itching, sneezing and runny nose.

Is it safe to use nasal steroids long term? After >25 years of use, we think so. These are microscopic doses of steroids that are effective only because they are applied directly to the target organ (i.e., the nose). Nasacort contains 55 micrograms (55 mcg) of triamcinolone. Meanwhile, your adrenal glands produce 5 milligrams, or 5,000 mcg, of cortisol each day. So a couple sprays of Nasacort in each nostril is inconsequential, unless you are taking additional types of steroid.

Like Claritin going OTC in 2002 being followed by Zyrtec in 2007 and then Allegra in 2011, Nasonex will probably be the next nasal steroid to go

OTC, probably after it goes generic in a year or so. For patients with high co-pays, it may be less expensive to buy name-brand Nasacort OTC than to get the generic as a prescription; plus there’s a $4 coupon on their website.

If you use a nose spray regularly, there are three important facts in the user’s manual: 1. Even though Nasacort has been proven effective at 2 sprays each nostril once each day, it works better if you use 1 spray twice each day.

Once a day works “better than placebo,” but it’s rare we have a patient come in saying he or she wants to feel “better than placebo.”

2. Inhale the nose spray SLOWLY & DEEPLY, so it gets distributed over a wide area inside the nose.

3. Aim the spray AWAY from the nasal septum in the middle. Aiming laterally reduces the chance of getting a nose bleed.

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.

Alnoor A. Malick, M.D., The Allergy Clinic, 7707 Fannin, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77054, 713.797.0993, *1200 Binz, Suite 180, Houston, Texas 77004, 713.522.9911, www.allergyclinic.com, *Operating as Houston Allergy & Asthma Clinic

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MEMORIAL BUZZ JULY 2014 25

Scott Kennedy

SPORTS

by Scott Kennedy, contributing writer

SportzBuzz, Jr.

W

elcome to SportzBuzz, Jr., a column spotlighting neighborhood athletes in elementary and middle school. This month we’re all about baseball.

Tearing up the competition Scott Kennedy

The Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association Hooks, who had seven wins, two losses, and one tie in the regular season for ages 7-8, competed against the Giants, who went undefeated in the regular season. The Hooks beat the Giants in an early-playoff matchup, but they met again in the Gold Division championship. The Giants won the first game 9 to 4, but because the playoffs are double-elimination, a rematch had to be played immediately after, resulting in the eighth game in eight days for the Giants. In the final game, the Hooks rallied to win 12 to 6, and were presented with their first-place trophies. Afterward, Jacob Witte, Thomas Womble, Cameron Ertan, Robby Hendrix, Michael Peavy, Jackson Staley, Luke Nini and Miles Reitman (pictured, top photo) and (not pictured) Todd Dixon, Alexander Donnelly, Jack Ramsey, Chance Voorhees and Beckham Wagner ran through their team sign.

Sliding into first place

Scott Kennedy

The Peewee 9U Rebels met the Orioles again in the Gold Championship.

The Rebels went 7-2 in the regular season, while the Orioles went 8-1, and the Orioles beat the Rebels early in the playoffs. The Rebels got their revenge in the championship, winning 7 to 5 in the first game and 12 to 1 in the rematch. The Rebels had to win two in a row because the Orioles hadn’t lost yet in the playoffs. Caden Perry is pictured (middle photo) sliding safely into third base in the first matchup. Other players were Kevin Eddington, Jack Johnson, Joshua Lee, Mario Lozada, Connor Masraff, Cade McMillan, Stefan Sabatelli, Zade Shenaq and Mason Swagerty. The team was coached

by Russell Masraff, Ryan McMillan, Carlton Perry and Brian Swagerty.

Team members included Kai Andrews-Sands, Dominic Bujanos, Jacob Cerda, Nicholas Harris, Cole Johnson, Patrick Mallon, Jack Napier, Brady Ramm and Anthony Reynosa, with head coach Juan Cerda and coaches John Bujanos, Patrick Ramm and Jim Welsh.

Kicking up dust The Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association Peewee 10U Hawks met the Pirates for a Gold Championship rematch after the Hawks beat the Pirates a few days earlier. The Hawks, who won nine and lost two in the regular season, met the Pirates, who won eight, lost two, and tied one in the regular season, in the first matchup. The Hawks won the game 9 to 2. It was the Pirates’ first playoff loss, but the Hawks triumphed again in the rematch, this time 13 to 2. Caden Welsh (pictured, bottom photo) is shown facing off against the Pirates’ catcher in a close play at the plate.

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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NEIGHBORS

.

by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz About Town Amanda’s army

A group of fourth graders from Memorial Drive Elementary, including (pictured, from left) Amanda Janecek, McKenzie McKown, Alexis

Gill, Tyler Minter, Alden Labban, Charlotte Collins, Carolyn Branca and Berkley Segelke, aka “Amanda’s Army,” gathered to fight cystic fibrosis. They walked in the annual Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Great Strides event at the Lynn Eusan Park on the campus of the University of Houston. More than 700 walkers participated and raised over $725,000. Of that amount, $17,000 came from Amanda’s Army.

$1,000 presented by Tracey Rogan (at right), Frostwood PTA president. He was one of 81 Spring Branch Independent School District seniors receiving scholarships at the Spring Branch Education Foundation 2014 Bright Stars of SBISD, Celebrating Academic Excellence awards program.

Marcus got money

Undefeated

Memorial High School student Marcus DeAyala (pictured, at left) received a Frostwood PTA Scholarship in the amount of

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church sponsored the Astros in the West Houston Christian League. This year, the Astros played in the

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majors division and went undefeated. Pictured from left are (front row) Hayden Shearer, Leo Boswell, Joseph Romero, Daniel Valencia, (second row) James Shea, Nathaniel Shea, Robert Watts, Parker Cone and (back row) coaches Raymond Romero, Joe Cone and Michael Shea. Not pictured are Mark Triana, Luke Triana and Daniel Romero.

The newest board Stratford High School recently announced its new executive board members. The board is already working on plans for next school year, including planning the homecoming dance and raising donations for charities like Ronald

McDonald House, Oasis for Orphans, Amigos for Christ and American Cancer Society. They also are working on the second annual “The Big Day,” where students go out in the community and provide service for one day. Pictured are (top row, from left) Hanna Lauritzen – treasurer, Harper Jones – historian, Tucker May – vice president, Charlotte Kaiser – philanthropy, Christi Gregory – vice-president, (front

row, from left) Abigail Jackson – president, Grace Whitmire – parliamentarian, and Morgan Brast – secretary.

Armadillos take all The Armadillos of the Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association Rookie League took home the gold championship, winning four straight playoff games and (continued on page 30)

MEMORIAL BUZZ JULY 2014 29

(continued from page 29)

finishing first out of 26 teams. The Armadillos, made up of kindergarten boys from St. Francis Episcopal Day School, were led by head coach Kent Setrum and assistant coaches Stephen Boutros, Canaan Factor and Tim Jones. Pictured celebrating their win (top row, from left) are Ken Faterkoswski, Jones, Factor, Setrum, Gretchen

he received an email asking for donations to send kids to summer camp he decided to design a T-shirt and sell them at his high school, raising $450 for Special Olympics. Pictured here, Blake is handing over the money to a representative from Special Olympics. Some of the basketball team members who bought the shirts were there, too.

Against Leigh’s Syndrome). The fundraiser, which took place at Saint Arnold Brewery, attracted nearly 200 attendees and raised over $95,000. The funds benefit research into the neurometabolic disorder at the UT Mitochondrial Center of Excellence at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital through the Memorial Hermann Foundation.

Run, kids, run

Power of PALS Setrum, Boutros, (middle row, from left) Ben Turner, Lane Helle, Blake Keller, Aidan Woodbury, William Isler, Barrett Faterkowski, Luke Boutros, (front row, from left) Evan Jones, Brady Schneider, Canaan Factor Jr., Dilan Dalal and Jackson Setrum.

Blake’s good deed Blake Berry (pictured holding the check) is a varsity basketball player from Memorial High School. He has worked with Special Olympics and loves the organization so much that when

Pals Mike and Emily Sperandio, Craig and Tahra Peterson, and Bridgette and Keith Bilski (pictured, from left) attended the second annual fundraiser for the organization PALS (People

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Helen Bergen and Elle Espey (pictured, from left) were just two of the runners who helped Memorial Drive Elementary take home the Most Participation award at the 2014 Running for the Arts. Spring Branch Education Foundation presented the school with $500 gift certificates from both Academy and Young Audiences of Houston. Memorial Drive had 32 percent of its student body running in the 22nd annual event, says event chair Laura Cannaday.

Running for the Arts raised $64,000. Proceeds benefit the Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum and the Health Fitness Teachers Association.

Hear them roar The Wildcats won the Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association 12U softball championship

Elizabeth Sloan, Peyton Mitchell and Zoe Gray, as well as head coach Baris Ertan and assistant coach Quentin Riley.

in a battle against the Comets with a score of 54. The Wildcats finished the regular season in first place with a record of 11-1-1. Pictured (front row, from left) are Leyla Ertan, Brooke Onorato, Ana Sofia Meyer, Rachel Riley, Taylor Dixon, (back row, from left) Brianna Ramirez, Jazalynn Johnson, Nicole Walz,

Sweet not sour

In honor of National Lemonade Day, Jacob Lackey, Peter Park, Justin Ryu, Tate Barnhill, Tucker Reinhardt, James Lo, Anthony Huynh, Trent Herndon and Andrew Su (pictured, from left) served icy cold lemonade at Lowe’s for the Time4LemonAid stand on behalf of Alpha Charity League (ACL) Delta chapter. The hot and sunny day attracted many thirsty customers, and the stand was very successful. They donated all proceeds to Texas Children’s Hospital and the Chris Saiz Point the Way Foundation, which provides scholarships for student athletes.

Be seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and community news to info@thebuzzmagazines.com or 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401.

Items are published on a space-available basis.

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WALK FOR FUNDS Lauren Perillo (#11), Abby (#12) and Kendall Simpson (#1), and (not pictured) Caroline Perillo of Memorial High School organized a walk at the Houston Zoo. Also pictured are Memorial's Navy Seal Team.

KIDS

by Kendall Simpson, age 16, Lauren Perillo, age 16, Abby Simpson, age 15, Caroline Perillo, age 13

Buzz Kidz

Mother-daughter contributions

F

or as long as we can remember, our moms were volunteering. That’s how they met.

That’s how we met. We were just 6, 5, 5 and 3 years old. Our houses looked like warehouses and mail houses, depending on what they were working on. We’re not sure if they were friends first or volunteered together first, but they’re all the faces we grew up with and have become like family. They always found a way to include us, whether we were helping prepare a meal, stuff an envelope or deliver something. Mostly it seemed fun to help people, but occasionally we got a glimpse into how important what we were doing was to others who are less fortunate.

Recently, our moms joined the National

Charity League with us. It’s an all-volunteer organization that provides opportunities for mothers and daughters to volunteer together, and helps prepare the next generation of volunteers. In particular, Easter Seals made a big impact on all of us. Seeing first-hand the struggles people with disabilities and their families face is eye-opening. But then you see how charity work can make a difference, from basic needs to life skills to family resources, and you can’t help but want to be part of that.

When our moms were asked to co-chair Easter Seals Walk With Me, they suggested that we all do it together. It was overwhelming and exciting at the same time. The event’s success wasn’t just on our mothers this time, but also on

us. We started meeting with Easter Seals staff, our moms and each other. They gave us a voice, and we were really part of something bigger than ourselves. We came up with a plan to raise money, recruit walkers and get our friends involved. We’ve raised nearly $200,000 to help people with disabilities and their families get the help they need. We are glad we found an organization that makes a difference in lots of lives, including ours.

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, TX 77401.

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DINING GUIDE

by Russell Weil, contributing writer

Laura Max Nelson

This Month in Dining: Burgers Restaurant Listings $ (under $10) $$ ($11-$30) $$$ ($31-$60) $$$$ (over $60) Prices include drink, tax and tip per person This month’s Restaurant Listings are by guest writer Russell Weil, who is stepping in while Buzz reviewer Dai Huynh is on vacation. Russell is an expert on burgers. He has his own blog at eat-moreburgers.com. Each restaurant mentioned here has a common denominator – at least one fantastic burger on the menu. If you have opinions about local burgers or restaurants, we’d love to hear them.

Write to info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Also, you can contribute in the Comments section in the online version of this story at memorialbuzz.com.

COTTONWOOD The Squirrel Master is a poblano-stuffed burger with a jalapeño fried egg, pepper jack and bacon.

H

amburgers have always been my quintessential comfort food, beginning with childhood visits to (the former) Burger King on South Post Oak. This remains true. Over the years, my hamburgers of choice have evolved from quick grab-and-go meals into, at times, sophisticated and flavorful presentations.

Some favorite spots grind and mix the typical chuck with brisket or short rib. Japanese-beef Wagyu and Kobe, plus Angus and buffalo, are top-ingredient additions. For me, the most euphoric result is a light crust on a cooked-to-temperature, juicy patty, along with my topping of choice – a fried egg. Beware of hamburgers flaunting a restaurant’s “special sauce,” which can hide poor-quality, flavorless meat.

Three buddies and I embark on a monthly “Burger Buddies Adventure.” Maybe you’ve read about it in my blog at eat-more-burgers.com. My personal favorite is the bacon cheeseburger, topped with a fried egg on freshly baked challah, at Stanton’s City Bites, 1420 Edwards Street in the First Ward, which was founded in 1961 as a grocery store. The Squirrel Master Burger topped with a jalapeño fried egg, from Cottonwood at 3422 N. Shepherd in Garden Oaks, is another favorite. Mockingbird Bistro, 1985 Welch Street in the Montrose area, otherwise known for its Texas/country French cuisine, has an M Bistro Burger that shines. Burger buddy Scott Scheinthal loves Shepherd Park Draught House, 3402 N. Shepherd Drive in Garden Oaks, especially the burger with bacon, fried egg, gorgonzola, gouda and cranberry preserve on a homemade brioche bun. And, for that true oldschool comfort burger, my go-to spot (since my Bellaire High School days) has always been Bellaire Broiler Burger, 5216 Bellaire Blvd., especially the #2 with bacon and cheese.

These burgers represent just a sampling of local ones worth cheering about. I always enjoy hearing from others about the burgers they love. So, share your favorites in the Comments under this story at bellairebuzz.com. I’ll add them to my to-do list.

MEMORIAL BUZZ JULY 2014 34

Bellaire Broiler Burger Classic flamed-broiled burgers Neighborhood: Bellaire The good old days are still here at the BBB. This place has not changed since I was in high school, spending many afternoons hanging out after lunch when I should have been in class.

This is the quintessential, unchanged, classic burger shop from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Try the juicy, flame-kissed, bacon cheeseburger with smoky, crisp bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped lettuce, onions and light mayo. All the right blends of flavors and scents make this a top burger choice. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sat., 5216 Bellaire Blvd., 713-668-8171. $

Cottonwood Bar fare Neighborhood: Garden Oaks From the owners of Raven Grill comes Cottonwood in Garden Oaks. Part bar, part pub, part band venue, along with an excellent patio (fire pits, games, live music, etc.), Cottonwood also offers a great burger selection.

The Squirrel Master Burger is a poblano-stuffed patty, topped with a jalapeño fried egg, pepper

jack cheese and bacon. The egg adds a spicy kick to the burger, but does not overpower the flavor of the meat. Dinner Mon.-Thurs.; lunch & dinner Fri.-Sun; brunch Sun. 3422 N. Shepherd Dr., 713-802-0410. cottonwoodhouston.com. $$

Down House Neighborhood modern fare Neighborhood: Houston Heights Kimchi is a Korean dish of seasoned, fermented vegetables. Add that and a fried egg to the burger at Down House in the Heights, and you have the awesome Kimchi Burger. A thick, Augustus Ranch, grass-fed, Texas-meat patty is topped with cheese, kimchi and a sunny side-up egg. The moist challah bun is well accented with bulgogi sauce, the Korean equivalent of a teriyaki marinade. This is a quaint Heights favorite.

Be patient if there are crowds. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon-Sun., 1801 Yale St., 713-8643696. downhousehouston.com. $$

Island Grill & Juice Bar Smoothies and burgers Neighborhood: Bellaire, Memorial Situated in a neighborhood strip center, this simple café with counter ordering is a pleasant surprise. They have a varied menu that includes healthy entrees, Mediterranean favorites, smoothies and, for me, an Angus Beef Burger. I choose the bakery-fresh wheat bun, cheddar cheese, fresh leafy lettuce, onion and light mayo. The meat comes out sizzling, steaming and flavorful. Great place for families and kids. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon-Sun. (closes 4:30 p.m. Sun.), 4024 Bellaire Blvd., 713-665-5388. 5709 Woodway, 713-3344036. islandgrillhouston.com. $$

Jonathan’s the Rub American classics Neighborhood: Memorial Villages A hidden gem in Hedwig Village, Jonathan’s the Rub is known for its burger selection. One of them, “The Rub,” is a chargrilled, rub-seasoned, ground-chuck patty topped with cheese and applewood-smoked bacon, served on a Sheila Partin sweet sourdough bun with creamy “Jonny Sauce.” Owner Jonathan Levine’s strength is driving the juices to the center of the patty. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Fri.; Dinner only Sat. 9061 Gaylord, 713-465-8200. jonathanstherub.com. $$

Kenny & Ziggy’s New York deli Neighborhood: Uptown Burger from a deli? That was my question, but Kenny & Ziggy’s answered my question with undoubtedly one of the best burgers I have ever devoured. Made from Pat LaFrieda Meat (ground chuck and short rib) flown in from New Jersey, the Boulevard Big Boy is topped with layers of crumbled beef bacon, fried onion strings, gouda cheese and hickory sauce on a homemade challah sesame seed bun. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 2327 Post Oak Blvd., 713-8718883. kennyandziggys.com. $$

JONATHAN’S THE RUB The Texas Burger is served with Texas-made sharp cheddar, bacon, sautéed onions, lettuce and tomato.

Lowbrow Eclectic food and drink Neighborhood: Montrose There are those establishments specializing in great burgers, and those that offer a great burger on their menu. Falling into the latter category is Lowbrow – launched under the guidance of culinary director Matt Marcus, who’s also chef/owner at Eatsie Boys Cafe. The Juicy Lucy Burger is a Fontina- and jalapeño-stuffed, longhorn-beef patty with arugula, pickled shallots and crispy shallots. Add cheddar cheese and crispy bacon, and you have the masterpiece that is the Juicy Lucy. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun.; weekend brunch. 1601 W. Main St., 281-5018288. lowbrowhouston.com. $$

Moon Tower Inn Burgers, hot dogs, beer Neighborhood: EADO Moon Tower Inn in EADO attracts all kinds, from yuppies and business professionals to earthy types and bikers. They offer two burgers – “The Cheech” and “The Chong.” The Cheech looks like a mountain of burger. The bun is soft with a sweet flavor, and the meat is flavorful, cooked to medium-well. Poblano pepper, Sambal mayo, bacon, Dr. Pepper marmalade and chevre make this one burger to love. In this rustic, outdoor, no-frills eatery, you can have a real burger adventure in a cool part of town. Dinner Mon.-Sun. 3004 Canal St., 832-9691934. damngoodfoodcoldassbeer.com. $

Shepherd Park Draught House Pub fare Neighborhood: Garden Oaks From the Pink’s Pizza family, tucked neatly into a strip center in Garden Oaks, Shepherd Park Draught House is a cozy pub that offers several burgers. In the Poblano Burger, the bun is pillowsoft and buttery, and the meat has a hint of black pepper and a layer of not-too-spicy peppers that

gives it a nice kick. Once you sample the pub’s burger and neighborhood hospitality, you might just have found your own “Cheers.” Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun.; weekend brunch. 3402 N. Shepherd Dr., 832-767-1380. shepherdparktx.com. $$

Stanton’s City Bites Grocery store and burgers Neighborhood: First Ward This First Ward hamburger haven is second generation-owned by the family of the late Art Fong, and its burgers are deliciousness defined.

The meat (chuck) is ground daily on site with brisket for a sweet taste to balance out the salty flavors of the burger. My regular is the Bacon Cheeseburger with a light amount of mayo, lettuce, onions, jalapeños and a fried egg on a homemade challah bun. The patty is cooked medium with a charred crust, and the egg lightly oozes out.

Craft beers, folding tables and old wooden floors complete the perfect burger haven. Lunch & dinner Tues.-Sat.; lunch Sun. 11-4. 1420 Edwards St., 713-227-4893. stantonscitybites.com. $

Zelko Bistro American bistro Neighborhood: Houston Heights This warm and cozy Heights-area bistro, tucked away in a converted bungalow, serves a medium-cooked burger with cheddar, lettuce, caramelized onions, crunchy bacon, tomato, pickles and dijonnaise on brioche with truffle fries. The bun is nicely grilled with butter on its flat side, puffy and sweetly flavored with the right amount of flavor contrast. The thinly sliced truffle fries melt in your mouth. Lunch & dinner Tue.-Sun.; brunch Sun., 705 E. 11th St., 713-880-8691. zelkobistro.com. $$

MORE ONLINE For more restaurants and to comment, see this story online at memorialbuzz.com.

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A minute with Maisie

Clicking or popping?

Many clients ask me, “At what age can a child decide with which parent they primarily want to live?” The Texas Family Code provides that the best interest of the child is the paramount consideration, so while the child can express his or her desires with the judge in chambers, the child’s desires are not binding on the court. Obviously, the older and more mature the child, the more weight a court may give the child’s desires.

Parents should always refrain from discussing this issue with their children, no matter their age, as it puts the children squarely in the middle of a custody battle and can emotionally damage the children. It is best to work with your attorney and therapist to discuss the best way to communicate with your children during this very emotional and stressful time. Maisie A. Barringer is a partner at Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P., a full-service, boutique, family law firm specializing in divorce, child-custody modifications, grandparent access, paternity, adoption, and premarital and postmarital agreements.

Maisie A. Barringer has been recognized as a Texas Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly magazine for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013.

Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P., Maisie A. Barringer, Partner, Board Certified in Family Law, Two Greenway Plaza, Ste. 600, Houston, Texas 77046, 713.600.5500, www.jenkinskamin.com

“Why is my jaw clicking or popping?”

“What does this mean if it does?” “Is it bad if it does not hurt?” These are some of the questions I am asked very frequently.

Clicking and/or popping are just a couple of the more common symptoms, which number in the hundreds, associated with TMJ problems. TMJ’s more accurate term is called TMD, or Tempromandibular Disorder. TMD refers to a broad array of symptoms that can arise from an issue in how the lower jaw functions and rests.

Hidden underneath the many symptoms of TMD are generally a negative impact on blood flow to the brain, a diminished airway, and nighttime sleep problems. TMD results when the upper and lower teeth do not contact and mesh correctly. This is analogous to a house being on a level foundation.

An uneven foundation puts excess stress on a house, causing cracks. In the same way, an uneven bite may cause teeth to crack or a jaw to click and pop. Clicking and popping often result from this unstable bite position.

Whether it hurts or not, clicking and popping are warning signs the position of the teeth are causing significant problems that could result in future more costly issues and pain. As an LVI Fellow, I specialize my training in advanced aesthetics and neuromuscular science as well as TMJ disorders.

Dentistry by John Barras, DDS, 1330 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 1300, Houston, Texas 77056, 713-993-9814, www.johnbarrasdds.com

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What a waste!

Specialists in Ob/Gyn

Is your spouse giving gifts or money to a new girlfriend or boyfriend? If so, your spouse may be wasting community assets. If your wife or husband is wasting community assets during the marriage, that may entitle you to larger share of the remaining community property in the divorce.

Waste occurs when a spouse spends money or uses property for an improper purpose. You may be able to make a claim for waste if assets or money were spent on a girlfriend, a secret gambling habit or illegal drugs, for example.

Unfortunately, not all losses by a spouse are regarded as waste. Spending too much money on legitimate activities (such as shopping or golf) will not be considered “waste” by a court even though you may consider such spending to be wasteful.

Whatever the case, it is important to inform your attorney if you believe your spouse is wasting community assets. If your spouse is attempting to waste or hide money during the divorce, your attorney may seek a court order to protect your property until the assets are divided. Your attorney may also be able to obtain an appropriate adjustment to the property division to compensate you.

Cindy Diggs, Board Certified in Family Law and Civil Trial Law, Holmes, Diggs & Eames, PLLC, 5300 Memorial Drive, Suite 900, Houston, Texas 77007, 713.802.1777. www.holmesdiggs.com

We are a unique practice – a family of three physicians devoted to providing a high quality of care to women. In addition to general obstetric and gynecologic care, we specialize in abdominal/pelvic surgery, vaginal surgery, pelvic reconstructive surgery, laparoscopy and robotic surgery. We also perform in-office procedures, avoiding hospital costs and general anesthesia.

Drs. Sebastian, Jonathan and Connie Faro have a combined experience of more than 40 years in Houston. Stephanie Meyers, our nurse practitioner, has several years of obstetrical experience and has recently joined our practice, working with Dr. Connie Faro.

We specialize in the treatment of OB/GYN infectious diseases and benign diseases of the vulva, vagina, cervix and reproductive organs. We have a special interest in the medical and surgical management of Hidradenitis Suppurtiva, a skin disease/infection that affects hair-bearing areas of the body, especially the underarms, breast, vulva, groins, thighs and buttocks.

We provide medical and/or surgical management based on a mutual decision by the patient and her physician. We believe in the patient having a thorough understanding of the problem, management options and the need for follow-up. Call today for your appointment.

Connie Faro, M.D., FACOG, Stephanie Meyers, WHNP, 713.799.9900, Suite 840; Jonathan Faro, M.D., Ph.D., Sebastian Faro, M.D., Ph.D., FACOG, 713.383.9579, Suite 930; Specialists in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 7400 Fannin, Houston, Texas 77054

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If your property is currently listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers.

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Accessing a safe deposit box

Ask Reneé, the Realtor

One of the more common places where original wills and life insurance policies are stored is a safe deposit box.

One problem that arises after a loved one passes away is the family’s inability to access the safe deposit box. In order to avoid this problem, you should name at least one other person on the bank’s records. However, if no one else is named, the family has two options.

First, Texas law allows certain family members to be able to examine the contents of a safe deposit box. They are the spouse, descendants, parents, and the person named executor in a copy of the will. If the family members don’t qualify or the financial institution does not cooperate, the other option is to obtain a court order. Under both options, the individual requesting access only has permission to view the contents. If a will or policy is found, the bank will deliver the document to the probate court.

Sloan & Moyer LLP is offering a summer 10 percent discount off estateplans packages if you sign up during the months of July or August 2014.

Please bring a copy of this article to your initial consultation.

Brett M. Moyer and Mitzi D. Rivero are estate planning and probate attorneys practicing in the West Houston area. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation for your estate planning or probate needs.

Sloan & Moyer LLP, 11767 Katy Fwy. Suite 1130, Houston, Texas 77079, 832.327.1180, www.sloan-moyer.com

Do you have a question regarding your property or something real estate-related? This is a great opportunity to email me with your questions. All emails will be answered, and each month, one will be featured here in The Buzz.

Question from B. Lewis in Bunker Hill: “Reneé, is it better when putting your home on the market to up the list price with a cushion or list closer to the bottom line?”

Answer: “It is critical to go by recent comparable sales in your neighborhood.

Over-pricing a property does nothing but delay an offer, add unnecessary days on market and lead to missed opportunities to sell. Market pricing is always your best bet and will keep you from becoming a frustrated seller.

Davy Oakum Berkshire Hathaway Home Services is a full-service boutique firm specializing in the luxury market. Reneé Davy Oakum focuses on the clients’ goals first and foremost. Reneé is recognized by the Houston Association of Realtors as a top producer year after year. Reneé and her team are consistently recognized and recommended as the ones to go to for real-estate needs.

Reneé Davy Oakum Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Anderson Properties, 12900 Queensbury, Suite 101, Houston, Texas 77079 and 3600 Kirby, Suite T, Houston, Texas 77019, 713.647.8278, renee@davyoakumbhhs.com, www.andersonprops.com

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NEIGHBORS

by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

Back Porch I

Summer Reading

t’s time again to check on what everyone’s reading. This year everyone’s been talking about so many poignant books for teens – books that both the 12-ish set and their parents have been reading – that we thought it would be fun to include them in the mix. There’s something for everyone.

Twelve-year-old Joshua Rassin is wellequipped to review books. A rising seventh grader at Pershing Middle School, Josh whizzed through his school’s 2013 summer reading list, after which he proceeded to read every book on the Texas Library Association’s middle school recommendations via its Lone Star Reading List.

His all-time, No. 1 recommendation? Wonder,

by R.J. Palacio.

“This is my best recommendation for anyone in middle school, boy or girl,” Josh says.

“Pershing recommended it, and both my parents loved it too.”

Wonder is the story of Auggie, a boy born with severe facial deformities, who enters school for the first time in fifth grade, wanting nothing more than to be just like everyone else.

But Auggie isn’t like everyone else. And herein lies the story, which weaves narratives from Auggie and the cast of characters in his orbit into what the author called “a meditation on kindness.” Josh says, “The message of the book is that everybody is the same. If someone is different, it doesn’t mean you should treat them differently.” Required reading for some middleschoolers, Wonder is a book that brings laughter, tears and a heightened sense of empathy to readers of all ages.

Josh recommends The Lions of Little Rock, by Kristin Levine, as another book with a similar message. It’s the story of two 12-year-old girls starting middle school: one painfully shy, the other black and passing as white in 1958 Little Rock. It’s about friendship, history and racial discrimination. “The girl who everyone thought was white but wasn’t got kicked out of school, and then everyone made fun of her friend for being her friend,” Josh says.

Teen-lit recommendations don’t stop with teens. Kristen Leach, a mom of three boys and outgoing president of the West U Elementary MEMORIAL BUZZ JULY 2014 42

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PTO, encourages everyone to read John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars (which was massreleased in June as a movie). “The love story and the fight for a quality life by the main characters was beautiful,” Kristen says. “The fact that they were thoughtful, smart, deep teenagers was fitting because they were facing more than anyone should ever have to.

They didn’t have the luxury to be concerned with superficial things when they were in a battle for their lives…. I sobbed at the end, but I am very glad I read it.”

BETWEEN THE LINES Twelve-year-old Joshua Rassin whizzes through books, Other John Green making him a particularly good source for book recommendations. books that are immenseegory. 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in ly popular with 13-year-old girls, their moms and My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My their moms’ friends: Looking for Alaska and Paper Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works – Towns.

A True Story is the story of Harris’ on-air panic Kristen also suggests Orphan Train, by attack, which led Harris, who “always assumed Christina Baker Kline. Set in the early 1900s that meditation was for robed gurus, acid-dropand present day, it tells the history of orphan pers, and people who keep yurts in their backtrains, which carried children to adoptive famiyard,” to find that meditation really did help him lies from the mid-1800s until the early 1930s, become “10 percent happier.” through the story of a foster teen and the woman Ali Katz, who is always reading and also is she works for. “The history behind this book is working to become certified to teach meditafascinating,” Kristen says. “The main characters tion, says, “Dan’s experiences are incredibly are resilient people who forge unexpected relatable, and his access to so many of our friendships. It is a good book to take to the world’s spiritual leaders make him an amazing beach.” source for information and unique perspective.

The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion, is [He] is the average Joe learning to meditate.” another favorite of Kristen’s. “The protagonist Harris will be speaking in Houston at The Jung is a genetics professor with undiagnosed Center’s Spring Benefit on March 31, 2015.

Asperger’s,” she says. “It was interesting to have the main character be brilliant but completely oblivious to his own issues. It is a fun and quirky Still wanting more? Joshua Rassin offers a few book [and] a fast read.” more book recommendations for boys. Find them at ABC anchor Dan Harris’ new bestseller fits memorialbuzz.com. into the non-fiction but still beach-worthy cat-

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