Tanglewood/River Oaks Buzz - March 2023

Clark and Ashley Beecher

by Michelle Groogan

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

I confess: I had never been to a UH Cougars basketball game until we were invited to attend following the photo shoot for this issue’s cover story. (Yes, there are some nice perks to being in this business.) From the moment I stepped into Fertitta Center, I was hooked. There was palpable excitement in the air, and it was hard to believe how vibrant the entire game experience was – and it’s right in our backyard. Sure, it’s easy to jump on the Cougars bandwagon now that they’re ranked #1 (as of press time). But not everyone is this lucky. Others, like the die-hard fans featured in this issue, have endured many years of mediocrity until these last few seasons. I’m glad I got to experience my first Coogs’ game but worry I might not be welcomed back, as they lost that game. As March Madness is about to get underway, all I can say is Whose House? Coogs’ House! michael@thebuzzmagazines.com

THE BUZZ MAGAZINES

Editor-in-Chief Joni Hoffman

Publisher Michael Hoffman

Editor Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld

Editorial Assistant Caroline Siegfried

Design Manager John Duboise

Staff Writers Tracy L. Barnett

Sharon Albert Brier

Cindy Burnett

Andria Frankfort Dilling

Angie Frederickson

Todd Freed

Cindy Gabriel

Cathy Gordon

Michelle Groogan

Dai Huynh

Cheryl Laird

Annie Blaylock McQueen

Jennifer Oakley

Pooja Salhotra

Cheryl Ursin

Account Managers Andrea Blitzer

Leslie Little

Jo Rogers

Your letters, thoughts, opinions

Power of language

I am disappointed and upset by staff writer Cindy Gabriel’s use of “colored” in her recent article Here Comes Aunt Jessie (Feb. 2023). In the first usage, it’s in quotation marks, presumably because that’s how Aunt Jessie referred to Black people or because it was common use at the time. It’s harder to rationalize its use in the next paragraph. Rather than try to make my own fumbling case for why it’s offensive, please read this column by Dahleen Glanton in the Chicago Tribune (https://tinyurl.com/yckwuyah).

I recognize that Ms. Gabriel's larger point was how Aunt Jessie treated people fairly regardless of the color of their skin. In 2023, it's tone-deaf to use such an outdated, loaded term. When I was growing up, it was acceptable to call people with developmental delays and disorders “retarded.” That doesn't make it OK to use the term now, even if I’m talking about my childhood when it was. Our language must evolve along with our culture.

Elissa Miller

Editor’s note: Elissa, we appreciate the feedback. We did not mean to offend; as you mentioned, that term was intended in the context of the era featured in this story.

Fan of Cindy and Aunt Jessie

Every time I get my hands on The Buzz, I always look for Russell Hall’s columns [advertorials on the topics of estate planning and probate]. The first thing I do is see if he has an article.

This month, I was drawn in by the writing style of Cindy Gabriel as she described her Aunt Jessie. I’m writing in because I want to hear more about her. I’d like a whole book of Aunt Jessie. She’s got the makings of a firstclass character. Looks like she knew where she was going, she was determined to get there, and she wasn’t going to let anyone stop her. I liked the story of the dimple and how she called herself an old maid – things that women of that time wouldn’t typically do.

I was brought up by four distinctly strong-willed women: my grandmother, my mother, my twin sister, and later my wife. So I’ve been around strong women all my life, and I identified immediately with Aunt Jessie. No nonsense, and yet compassionate, with heart, and clear-eyed. Here she is out in the newspaper business, and she has the common sense to take a child with her.

I’m not a writer. But if you’ve got a story, tell it in your voice. We can’t really judge history without accounts like this. You are doing us all a big favor. Don’t stop what you’re doing.

Bob Higley

Holiday joy

There are no words to adequately express the joy The Pull of Tractors [by Cheryl Ursin, Dec. 2022] brought to my family. So many people reached out to Van and Bridget [Burkhart] to express what a pleasure it was to read such a well-written article regarding their lives and the history of the tractors. It was amazing, and they were honored to have been chosen for the cover [Tanglewood/River Oaks Buzz].

On a personal note, I can’t recall the last time I worked with a friendlier, love-

lier group of people, who each helped make this entire thing come together. And those were Van and Bridget’s sentiments as well. Thanks so much to all of you.

Lizzy Burkhart

Commentary on comment column

Your column about the NYT Cooking Notes Section [The Notes Section: A Little Spicy by Andria Frankfort, Jan. 2023] was the most entertaining article I’ve read lately, in any publication. Thanks!

Lou Frame

Editor’s note: Thanks, Lou! This story made us chuckle, too. If you missed it, see Back Porch at thebuzzmagazines.com.

A travel gem

I am a friend of the Jayantys, who traveled with them to Piedmont [Touring Turin by Tracy L. Barnett, Jan. 2023]. I enjoyed the article immensely and appreciated the cultural aspect of the region you captured so well in addition to the important food and wine aspects. The Piedmont area has so much to offer, and the historical aspect is lost to many who travel to Italy and spend time in the popular tourist areas.

Dr. Pasquale “Pat” Pingitore

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 stor y?

We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who:

• Have a high school senior graduating in the Class of 2023 who would like to be part of our annual “Where are they headed?” feature. (Submission deadline: April 25)

• Have a milestone life event to share.

• Know a Buzzworthy neighbor to feature.

• Have an interesting hobby.

• Have a compelling travel tale.

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

by Cindy Gabriel, contributing writer

Small Thoughts

On Crazy Eights and world peace – Not A Memoir, Part 5

Let’s play again!” Four-year-old Eli’s face changed from pouty to hopeful after losing his third round of Crazy Eights to his grandma. I, the grandma, was committed to the idea that Eli would learn to play the hand he was dealt, with his mom, Julia, overseeing. But as evidenced by the expression on my two-year-old Lap Assistant’s face, Grandma was getting all the Crazy Eights. It wasn’t about skill. The cards just fell my way.

Life (and Grandma) can be brutal at times. “That’s it!” My daughter, Julia, had enough of me and my so-called teaching principles.

Julia took over the shuffling and dealing, making sure Eli had the winning hand. I’m not proud to say this, but a part of me was actually enjoying winning, not against Eli, but his mom, by proxy. I clearly have some growing up to do.

Because of writing about being four in this Not a Memoir series, my own four-year-old self never seems far away. At least now, the fouryear-old I’m reliving gets to play with other kids, my own grandkids.

When Julia and the boys headed home after a day-long visit, I went back to feel the warmth from that spot where we communed around that card game.

When I started this series, I thought it would touch on the first 13 years in Rosenberg briefly before moving to Houston, my “real life.” Now I’m starting to think that these early days were the most real of all.

If I had not been writing about playing “Old Maid” with Aunt Jessie last month, I doubt I would have been in the mindset to pick up that deck of Crazy Eights cards in that Fredericksburg store that has nothing but old toys from the ’50s.

I have never considered my childhood idyllic. But childhood itself, especially in its earliest form, is the most unfiltered, authentic version of human experience I may ever have. The more I remember, the more I remember; the oddly comforting feelings, the adrenaline rushes, the warmth of acceptance, even the boredom that led to deep imaginary play.

Watching my parents at their typewriters in the newspaper office, with people standing outside waiting for the latest issue, I must have

sensed that those words were somehow causing a rippling effect, for better or worse.

It makes me think about the importance of words and how they can be tossed around so casually, through our cell phones and televisions, showing us at our very worst. There is an instant field of energy in a space between two people when they are together. Maybe that’s what Scripture means, where two or three are together, there I am (paraphrased). That’s one tradition. Yours may say it a different way. If we were together, we could share and compare.

I wonder if I can say anything that will help make a little ripple. My four-year-old self would say that we need to get together and play more games, real games, not the kind on your phone. That stack of Crazy Eights cards feels a lot like a cell phone in the palm of your hand.

Next I think I’ll add Yahtzee, then checkers, then dominoes, and chess to my grandchildren’s game repertoire, before I’m deemed irrelevant. Who knows, this might even be the answer to world peace.

Back in the Jim Crow days, as one story goes, a Black man and a Caucasian man were spotted on a front porch playing checkers in Alabama. Scenes like this and others where people crossed racial lines to be human together resulted in a series of laws to ensure our separation. A 1930 ordinance in Birmingham, Alabama declared: “It shall be unlawful for a negro and white per-

son to play together or in company with each other in any game of cards or dice, dominoes or checkers.” (Smithsonian National Museum of American History, americanhistory.si.edu)

My brain hurts from trying to wrap itself around the issues that come through our TVs and cell phones to divide us. Maybe we should just sit on front porches, around school campuses, and in town squares, and play a little checkers or Crazy Eights. Most big ideas start with small ones.

“People fail to get along because they fear each other. They fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

NOT EXACTLY POKER FACE Two-year-old Faires (pronounced Ferris) Weber spots another Crazy Eight in Grandma's hand as they play against four-year-old Eli on a Saturday at Grandma’s country house in Hunt, Texas.

Julia Weber

NEIGHBORS

by Andria Frankfort Dilling, staff writer

A Galveston Primer

Even in the new, the past is present

We all used to go down to the beach in front of the Galvez hotel,” my mom, Phyllis Milstein, reminisces about growing up in mid-century Galveston. “We used to have ‘Splash Day,’ when the boys would cruise the beach, and the girls would cruise the beach, and all the Galveston and Houston kids would meet our friends there. In front of the Galvez was the place to see and be seen!”

What goes around Galveston comes around: after a long decline, the newly restored (and renamed) Grand Galvez hotel signifies an island renewal. Its exterior pretty in Palm Beach pink, and its interior decked in Baccarat chandeliers, marble floors, and wicker chairs for lounging and people-watching, the Grand Galvez offers a luxurious view to Galveston’s storied past. Once again, it is destined to become a “place to see and be seen” for new generations.

And while there is lots new going on, we can still take a deep breath crossing the causeway, looking forward to a little reduction in blood pressure. Because what’s old is new again, but the past is always present.

That will be especially true the weekend of April 13, when the Tall Ships Challenge festival comes to Galveston’s Harborside. A fleet of tall ships (large, traditionally-rigged sailboats with multiple masts and sails) will sail along the Gulf Coast, stopping in three ports: Galveston, St. Petersburg, Fla., and Pensacola, Fla. Galveston’s own 1877 Elissa – the Official Tall Ship of Texas, a National Historic Landmark, and one of only three ships of her kind in the world to still sail actively – is one of the six majestic ships participating. Go for tours of the tall ships, sailing excursions, interactions with crews, and lots of music, food, and maritime-themed events. And don’t miss Thursday’s Parade of Sail along the Seawall, as the tall ships sail their way along the Gulf Coast into port. For more information and tickets, go to galvestonhistory.org/events/tall-ships-galveston.

Later in the season, on June 10, the World Ocean Day Festival brings kayaking, beach tours, and interactive exhibits for all ages hosted by Moody Gardens, Turtle Island Restoration Network, The American Bird Conservancy and Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, Galveston Arts

Center, and more. Prepare to view and vote: there’s a Beautify the Bucket trash can-decorating contest and a Marine Debris Art Contest, with winners determined by visitors’ votes. Go to artistboat.org for details.

Juneteenth, or June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when 250,000 Black Texas slaves were freed following an order issued in Galveston. The Island is home to the first historically African American secondary school and public library in Texas. Learn more on a selfguided tour of Galveston’s Black institutions and monuments celebrating Black accomplishments. Find details at visitgalveston.com/events/annual -events/juneteenth/.

Then on August 12 and 13, the Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) holds its 36th annual Sandcastle Competition. This isn’t light competition. Architects spend months devising plans for intricate sand structures that they will build on East Beach for five intense hours Saturday morning, working to win the Golden Bucket Award. They’ll be judged on originality of concept, artistic execution, technical difficulty, carving technique, and utilization of the site. In addition to the Golden Bucket, competitors vie for awards in categories including Traditional Castle, Houston-centric, World History, Greatest Feat of Structural Ingenuity, and more. Spectators are invited to view the competition, one of the world’s largest sandcastle competitions, and even take hands-on sandcastle building lessons as they

stroll the beach. Visit aiahouston.org for more information.

If you aren’t free to visit the Island during these special weekends, don’t fret. Galveston beaches – 32 miles of them – are always open, and are entertainment in themselves. Phyllis’ advice is to go shelling on East Beach. “Drive down onto the sand to the very eastern tip,” she says. “There are always great shells there.” Rent umbrellas and chairs at the beaches along the Seawall and make a morning of it.

“When I was a child, my mother and daddy took me to swim in the lagoon, which is the pocket of water at the very end of the east Seawall before you get down to the beach. You can fish off the sand down there and sit and watch all the ships going into the Houston Ship Channel.” That lagoon is now East End Lagoon Nature Park and Preserve and is one of Galveston’s largest undeveloped areas at almost 700 acres. You’ll see walking trails as well as coastal prairie, wetlands, and wildlife including many species of birds you won’t see in the city. Learn more at eastendlagoon.org and sign up for free guided nature walks at galvestonnaturetourism.org/east-end-lagoon-park/.

One more tip for your beach day: “You have to have your shovels and pails and sand molds for making castles, and then take wet sand and dribble it over the top of your castles,” Phyllis says. Maybe not Golden Bucket Award material, but the memories made will make up for that.

GALVESTON PAST AND PRESENT Lindsay Schwartz walks Babe’s Beach, the Galveston beach named for her sons’ great-grandfather, former state senator A.R. “Babe” Schwartz.

by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Mutton Bustin’

A Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo favorite

Shelby Stegent recalls a nail-biting moment watching her then 5-year-old daughter, Caroline, holding on as tight as she could, as a sheep darted as fast as it could across a pen in NRG stadium. Caroline started to slip towards one side, but her tight grip allowed her to ride all the way across.

“Caroline never let go. They had to peel her off the sheep at the end,” said Shelby. She still remembers the audience attendance count that evening at the 2018 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) – 57,351 people to be exact. It was an extra jam-packed crowd – country music superstar Jason Aldean was performing. “It was crazy hearing that many people cheer for your little girl,” said Shelby.

Mutton Bustin’, the Rodeo event Caroline was participating in that evening, is a HLSR fan-favorite. Mutton Bustin’ happens each night of the Rodeo and is one of the final events before the concert starts. In the event, youngsters (children aged 5 and 6, and weighing under 55 pounds) attempt to ride a live sheep across a gated pen. Whoever rides the furthest without falling off is the winner. Win or lose, the kids leave the stadium with an experience they (and their families and friends) will never forget.

Mutton Bustin’ appeared in some rodeos in the 1980s. In the event, a sheep is held in a chute and the little rider is placed on top before it is let loose to run by the opening of the chute. The children wear safety helmets and are often adorned in full rodeo outfits like a real bull rider. Most of the kids participating fall off the sheep before it reaches the other side, but occasionally a child rides it all the way across the pen.

The winner of the night is then interviewed live. The rodeo announcers often ask questions such as, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” or “What was the hardest part?” and the answers the kids spout off engage the crowds and get everyone chuckling.

Recently, we spoke with some Buzz residents on their Mutton Bustin’ experience. One mom called it an “experience of a lifetime” while a kid called it “the best night of my life.”

Caroline’s mom Shelby recalls the nerves and the excitement of being a mom on the sidelines.

The kids who are participating in Mutton Bustin’ get to ride in the Grand Entry Parade to kick off the rodeo, and Shelby says that was a big highlight for Caroline.

To prepare for Mutton Bustin’, Caroline “practiced” riding around the house on her dad Jason’s back. This year, Caroline’s younger sister Emerson, 5, will be Mutton Bustin’. She will be participating the night of the New Kids on the Block rodeo concert on March 7.

“Ironically, that was my first concert when I was 11 at The Summit here in Houston,” said Shelby, laughing. “It will be cool to share that with her. It will be her first concert too.” Emerson has already started to practice – also by riding on her dad’s back – and she plans to wear the same shirt that Caroline wore in 2018.

Patty and Sam Bowen’s son Sam participated in Mutton Bustin’ in 2022 inside NRG as well. At the time, he was 5. Patty says little Sam and big Sam spent time “practicing” as well – with Sam being the sheep and little Sam riding on his back around the house. She said they did not want to get his nerves too high. “We played it off as just Sam and Sam playing around to keep it light,” said Patty.

Patty recalled a calm and collected little Sam on the big night. “He never seemed to be that

nervous,” said Patty. The chute opened and the sheep took off. Sam held on tight, and he made it to the end. He was picked up by the rodeo clown and gave a huge wave to everyone in the stands. “I’ll never forget all the cheers for our little guy,” said Patty.

Little Sam grew up visiting the Rodeo and the carnival since both Patty and Sam have served as volunteers on the Mutton Bustin’ committee. “He’s been around the Mutton Bustin’ tent since he was a baby,” said Patty. “Sam would bring him to my shifts and I would take him to Sam’s so he could see the sheep.” He was ready for his big night.

“The funniest moment was realizing [country singer] Cody Johnson was in the background of most of our photos,” said

A HOUSTON RODEO TRADITION Mutton Bustin’ was introduced in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2009. In the event, kids including Sam Bowen (pictured) attempt to ride a sheep across a pen.

(continued from page 12)

Patty. “He was there to see his daughter ride a sheep as well.”

Alicia and Kyle McIlheran’s son, William, 5, is getting ready to ride this year in Mutton Bustin’. Alicia says that while he is a more cautious child by nature, he is excited. “He is also nervous. He keeps asking, ‘I only have to do it once, right?’” said Alicia, laughing.

Alicia, who has served as a volunteer on the

Mutton Bustin’ committee, says her favorite part of the job is seeing the Mutton Bustin’ kids in their full rodeo getup attire. “It is super cute. They have on rodeo chaps, spurs, and hats.” A lot of the kids talk about their practice sessions by riding on their dad or granddad or uncle’s back – or their large dog.

There are two ways to participate in Mutton Bustin’ at the Houston Livestock Show and

Rodeo. The first is to register in the fall to participate in NRG Stadium. This fills up quickly as there are limited spots. The second way is to sign up in person to participate in the Junction outside of NRG ($15/ride). That is on a first-come-firstserved basis, and it allows for many children to participate. The Junction runs all day during RodeoHouston, this year, Feb. 28- March 19. Search “Mutton Bustin’” at rodeohouston.com.

LITTLE RODEO STARS Mutton Bustin’ has become a popular event at HLSR. Kids aged 5 and 6 can compete in the event. Pictured (clockwise, from top left): Mom Patty Bowen with son Sam awaiting his turn to ride in 2022; Caroline Stegent at Mutton Bustin’ orientation in 2018; Emerson Stegent at orientation for her ride, which will take place this year on March 7; Sam Bowen holding on tight during his ride in 2022; parents Jason and Shelby Stegent with Caroline in 2018.

by Caroline Siegfried, staff writer

Not So Trivial

The power of the weekly hang

I’d like to start off by telling you a Real Science Fact, supported by countless studies, including research from Harvard, Stanford, and the NIH: Strong social connection is one of the most accurate predictors of a person’s long-term wellness.

I’m not sure how we all got this weird idea that socializing is for the weekends, but I wholeheartedly reject it. On a recent Wednesday night, some friends and I were at Rudyard’s, gathered around a firepit (it was a toasty 66 degrees, which is how you know we’re real Houstonians). A woman came to sit nearby, and we struck up a conversation. She told us she came to unwind after the workday. She said she was a big believer in the local bar as town square, church, community center – we laughed as we explained to her that our friend group had in fact been created at a nearby local bar.

A few months ago, the group of us was tangentially acquainted – most of us had gone to Rice, so we knew of each other. At most, friends of friends: enough to nod hi at a party. And then, one by one, we had all become regulars at the Thursday trivia night at Griff’s Irish Pub, a local Montrose dive. We’d progressed from “Maybe you know my friend Sarah?” to a tight-knit crew, together every weekend. Thanks to our weekly tradition, perhaps aided by a little alcohol, we’d become real friends. It’s very Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, no?

But the week before, the completely unfathomable had happened: Griff’s burned down. It was a cinematic tragedy – the bar that made us all friends burned to the ground. We were in mourning. As we described to our new friend Jessica that Wednesday night, Griff’s was our sacred space. I think if any of us knew how, we’d be rebuilding it, brick by brick. “Now we’re lost,” we deadpanned. “Wanderers, drifters!” She was sympathetic. We told her we were on the hunt – looking for our new town square, so to speak.

As much as I’d like to believe that our little crew would see each other every week regardless, I know we need our Thing. A unifying force. Have you ever carried a very, very large empty box up a set of stairs? It’s not hard, but you can’t quite get your arms around it? I always end up knocking down a few picture frames. That’s how I think of the small, quotidian forces of living:

they don’t seem heavy, but they’re unwieldy. Swinging around and pushing things out of their place. Life is full of meetings that run too long and groceries you forgot. There’s something supremely comforting about having one immovable social event. I think of my weekly trivia the way that other women think about getting their hair dyed every month. It’s maintenance – perhaps it will be a little inconvenient. Maybe it’s difficult to make the time for it this week. But friendship requires some upkeep.

My advice to you (backed by real science, apparently): keep your pantry stocked; put your friends on your grocery list. Do you need another metaphor? Do yourself a favor and make a weekly plan with some friends.

As for us, I’m not sure what we’ll do now. It has been proposed that we head down to the ashes of Griff’s with a bottle of liquor, but I don’t think we’re at that point yet. And now that I’m thinking about it, I’m pretty sure that’s illegal.

The good news is that Griff’s plans to rebuild –but in the meantime, we need a new anchor. It could be trivia night, or pickleball, Settlers of Catan,

book club, reality TV, etc. We’re still deciding. Wish us luck finding our new Thing. It’s for our health!

Trivia Nights

Out of an altruistic concern for your personal health and wellness, I’ve gathered a list of places around Houston where you can try out trivia. It’s fun, and maybe even (gasp!) good for you. Lots of bars offer food and drink specials to go with their trivia nights, which are often free, so it’s a walletfriendly event. If you don’t have a group, it’s still fun to go by yourself and make friends with the bartenders and the regulars. Make your own Cheers

Memorial Trail Ice House

Tuesdays, 7 p.m.

Memorial, 6202 Washington Ave.

This laid-back ice house has a half-acre of outdoor seating, lawn games, and steak nights on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Under the Radar Brewery

Tuesdays, 7 p.m.

Midtown, 1506 Truxillo St.

IN-QUIZ-ITIVE MINDS The crew participating in trivia on a typical weeknight. Pictured, from left: Nick Killian, Charlie David, Bob Camps, Caroline Siegfried, Amanda Pope, Patrick Grant, Allison Wagner, Walden Pemantle, and Anton Banta.

Anton Banta

This warehouse-y brewery is at the border of Montrose and the Museum District, just a block away from local fav Axelrad.

Watershed

Tuesdays, 7 p.m.

Meyerland, 820 W Bellfort Ave.

Head to Watershed on Tuesdays and you might spot a local celeb – recent Jeopardy! contestant and Incarnate Word Academy teacher Eric Kerr-Heraly heads here every week to keep sharp on his trivia skills. He says the trivia night has a “fun group of regulars” and encourages people to join.

Moonshine Deck

Tuesdays, 7 p.m.

The Heights, 1239 W 19th St.

This popular Heights bar has themed trivia nights – past themes have included Mean Girls, Friends, Harry Potter, and Marvel. Moonshine also offers a drink special: half-off loaded Topo Chicos, aka “Ranch Waters.”

Front Porch Pub

Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.

Midtown, 217 Gray St.

Amidst the flash of Midtown, a pub has survived! They also have bingo night on Mondays, along with steak nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.

Downtown, 705 Main St.

This downtown hang has plenty of beer and a full pub menu.

Little Woodrow’s Rice Village

Tuesdays, 8 p.m.

Rice Village, 5611 Morningside Dr.

One of the few casual bars in Rice Village that actual Rice students may go to, along with anyone who works at the Med Center.

Ribeye & Rye

Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.

The Heights, 2307 Ella Blvd.

Previously known as The Barking Pig, this bar and grill rebranded as Ribeye & Rye in 2022 with an expanded menu.

Kenneally’s Tuesdays, 8 p.m.

River Oaks, 2111 S Shepherd Dr.

An unassuming Irish pub with bright green awnings, dark wood, and a cult following (open since 1983).

Rudyard’s Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

Montrose, 2010 Waugh Dr.

A classic Montrose haunt open since 1978, with plenty of regulars and yummy bites. Their garlic knots are criminally good – be aware that you may gain a garlic-knot fixation.

CounterCommon Beerworks & Kitchen

Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

Bellaire, 5413 Bellaire Blvd.

Bellaire’s new family-friendly brewpub.

Porch Swing Pub

Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

The Heights, 69 Heights Blvd.

This divey bar has some dedicated trivia night regulars, so be on time to grab a table. Don’t miss the eponymous porch swing on the front patio!

Richmond Arms

Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

Galleria/Uptown, 5920 Richmond Ave. British pub. Lots of beer. $2 per person to play.

Nett Bar

Wednesdays, 8 p.m.

The Heights, 4504 Nett St.

Pro tip: make sure to get a “train shot” –whenever a train passes by, head to the bar for a $1 shot. But don’t head to the bar for every train shot. That’s a recipe for disaster; but more importantly – you might miss a trivia question. When you get finished with trivia, there’s plenty of other activities, including cornhole, bocce ball, and giant Jenga.

Pluckers Wing Bar

Wednesdays, 8 p.m.

The Heights, 1400 Shepherd Dr. Known for their chicken wings, Pluckers also holds a Wednesday trivia night with $4 mugs of Miller Lite.

Trivia Time

Little Woodrow’s Midtown

Wednesdays, 8 p.m.

Midtown, 2306 Brazos St.

In addition to Wednesday trivia, the Little Woodrow’s in Midtown holds their famous Turtle Races on Thursdays. Turtle racing “season” starts in March! You’ve got plenty of time, though – it lasts until November. Not to brag, but I have been the “bucket girl” twice (that’s the person who lets the turtles out to start the race). I’ve got the koozies to prove it!

City Orchard

Thursdays, 7 p.m.

Sawyer Yards, 1201 Oliver St. Airy, wood-filled cider and beer taproom.

Astral Brewing

Thursdays, 7 p.m.

Northside/Independence Heights, 4816 N Shepherd Dr. Indoor/outdoor brewpub with a spacious warehouse feel.

The Owl Bar

Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.

Rice Village, 2424 Dunstan Rd.

This local favorite first opened on Kirby, then moved to a location on West Alabama, and now has moved to a location on Dunstan St. Wherever it is, it’s a classic. $6.50 wines & pints.

The Maple Leaf Pub

Thursdays, 8 p.m.

Midtown, 514 Elgin St.

This Canada-themed bar features hockey décor and poutine.

Game night at home

For those who don’t love the chaos of bars, one good alternative is a little card game/board game night with friends. I recommend setting the day, time, and place – make it a Tuesday at 8 p.m. at X person’s house. For me, one of the best parts of a weekly plan is that no decisions need to be made about those little details. I highly recommend my family’s two favorites: Code Names and Ransom Notes.

I’ve had a lot of people tell me they’re “not good at trivia.” I think that is silly – perhaps because I am quite bad, and very much enjoy it. In the interest of demonstrating the fun of trivia: enjoy our buzzy little quiz! See this story at thebuzzmagazines.com for the answers to these questions.

Roughly how many homes in total (throughout Bellaire, West U, Tanglewood, River Oaks, and Memorial) receive an issue of The Buzz each month?

a) 15,000 b) 30,000

c) 43,000 d) 58,000

How many wings does a bee have?

a) 2 b) 4

c) 6 d) 8

On average, how much honey does a worker bee produce in its lifetime?

a) 1 teaspoon b) 1/8 teaspoon

c) 1/4 cup d) 1/16 teaspoon

One of the first examples of the modern magazine was created in 1663, by a theologian and poet from what area?

a) modern-day Germany b) modern-day England

c) modern-day France d) modern-day Italy

by Russell Weil, contributing writer

Burger Buddies

For the love of hamburgers

Some guys meet regularly for golf or poker, to run, or jam and make music together.

Just over a decade ago, a few friends and I began getting together for monthly “Burger Buddies” gatherings out of our common obsession with hamburgers. While there have been great ones, as well as some that were barely edible, our team of burger adventure seekers has stuck together through them all. We enjoy the camaraderie of our group, reminiscing about burgers from days gone by and planning our next quest. While our conversations center around the burgers in front of us, they can also run the gamut from sports, politics, and family updates.

Burger comparisons often take center stage, and the company is stellar.

Collectively, Richard Fish, Mark Newman, Scott Scheinthal, and I agree that when there is a lull in any conversation, just ask us about our favorite hamburger. Each has a preference or something to say about a burger we did or didn’t enjoy. The banter will pick right up and can be a lengthy one.

During these discussions, we are frequently asked two burger-related questions: What are our favorites in Houston and what makes a good burger? Our favorites differ, but we tend to concur that a good hamburger is all about the meat.

Our journey as burger buddies takes its cue from the storied Texas history of the hamburger. For more than a quarter of a century, Athens, Texas, has been boasting that the world’s first hamburgers were created in the late 1880s at a small cafe on the Henderson County courthouse square run by a man known as Uncle Fletcher Davis. According to legend, Uncle Fletch took his sandwich to the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. There it was dubbed “hamburger,” a term apparently coined in mockery by St. Louis citizens of German heritage who viewed the culinary practice, native to Hamburg, Germany, of devouring large handfuls of ground beef, some-

BURGER BUDDIES Richard Fish, Scott Scheinthal, Russell Weil, and Mark Newman (pictured, from left) enjoy hamburgers on one of their regular burger adventures at El Topo in West U.

times raw, as being barbaric.

Here in Houston, hamburgers have always played a role in our culinary history. Though there were fewer available, and the compositions were less creative, a good-tasting hamburger has always been available. With many fine restaurants now offering them at various price points on their menus, these delectable sandwiches are no longer exclusive to fast-food burger joints. Hamburgers have evolved into more than just a quick bite.

Growing up in Meyerland, my favorites were the flame-broiled versions in the neighborhood. I recall eating many delicious burgers at Burger King on South Post Oak Rd. near Willowbend Blvd. As I navigated the line inside, the smell from those flame-broiled patties greeted me as soon as I queued up. Ordering mine plain with ketchup only, my love affair with the hamburger grew with each visit.

Equally as enticing were the burgers at Luke’s Hamburgers, also located on South Post Oak, that I enjoyed as a teenager. Known today as Annies Hamburgers (10821 S Post Oak Rd.), these flame-broiled favorites were a step up from fast food and were cooked to order. Their hamburgers provided the same smokiness as Burger King, but with less of the conveyor-belt approach. It was at Luke’s that I branched out, dumping the ketchup, and adding bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onions to my burger. The gourmet burger was emerging.

Another classic local burger spot, Bubba’s Texas Burger Shack (5230 Westpark Dr.) remains popular today. Family owned and operated for over 30 years, what was once called an icehouse off Westpark has now turned into the burger shack under the freeway. Bubba’s proclaims to have been the first restaurant in Houston to sell Buffalo (American Bison) burgers back in the ’80s, which is why they are known as the Home of the Buffalo Burger. No fries on the menu, but their Jalapeño Potato Salad is a tasty substitution. Lunch is their busy time and can get crowded, so pack some patience.

Carrying

my love for burgers with me well into adulthood, I was fortunate to discover that some close friends shared the same passion, and we began to embark on our journey to seek out the best burgers in Houston and other travel destinations. I often include our adventures in my blog, Eat More Burgers (eat-more-burgers.com).

As self-proclaimed burger aficionados, each of us has figured out the best way to experience a hamburger by building our own creations. Selecting the right temperature, toppings, as well as add-ons (such as a fried egg or guacamole) and bread options, each is certain that we have fashioned the perfect hamburger.

Over time, I have become a fan of the smash burger, with two thin patties adorning the bun, rather than one thicker patty. The meat should have a subtle charred crust driving the juices to the center. Adding a slice of cheese that is even-

ly melted on top of the patty is another favorite ingredient. Enhancing a burger with toppings can offer a contrast in flavors that should complement each other.

In my opinion, if the meat is not of good quality or isn’t prepared properly, the burger is not enjoyable. Also, beware of any “secret sauce” on a burger, as it is frequently there to hide the fact that the meat is not quality.

Bellaire resident Mark Newman, an IT professional, believes the best burgers have some type of theme. It could be a German pretzel bun and hearty mustard or one with a gourmet meat grind, such as a mixture of short rib and tenderloin beef and topped with caramelized onions.

When asked about his favorite Houston burger, Mark shared, “B&B Butchers (1814 Washington Ave.): Top-shelf ingredients and a simple presentation – this is an all-around winner that does everything right. Cooked to order.

You won’t be hungry when you’re done.”

Afton Oaks resident, physician Richard Fish shares my sentiment on the importance of the meat on a hamburger. He said, “I really like to be able to taste a great patty. I am happy with a medium to medium-rare patty, but a good smash burger is wonderful too.” He recently shared with the group that mayonnaise is a non-starter for him when enjoying any hamburger.

Richard said, “One of my favorite burgers is the Kimchi Burger at burger-chan (5353 W Alabama St., Suite 110) near the Houston Galleria. In general, I am an umami addict –anything that ups the umami aspect, smashing the patty and getting a caramelized crust, sautéed mushrooms or onions, kimchi. Can’t get enough of it!”

Bellaire resident and local attorney Scott Scheinthal agrees that it’s first and foremost about the meat. “No

(continued on page 22)

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MEAT Top photo: Scott Scheinthal ranks the Classic Cheeseburger from Relish as his top choice for its char-encrusted patty. Bottom photo: Writer Russell Weil continues to put the Bacon Cheeseburger from Stanton City Bites at the top of his list for its patty, a mixture of chuck and brisket that’s ground fresh daily.

Relish Restaurant & Bar Russell Weil

amount of ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise will ever make a bad burger taste good,” he said. Scott also feels that there is no need to mask the flavor with cheese. “I prefer my burgers medium rare with a nice crust,” he added.

Scott’s favorite is the Classic Cheeseburger from Relish (2810 Westheimer Rd.) in the River Oaks area. House-ground beef is adorned with cheddar cheese, coriander onions, aioli, house-made pickles, lettuce, and tomato atop a sweet and toasted bakery bun. “Each ingredient complements the char-encrusted patty that was prepared the way it should be – medium-rare temperature with a delightful pink center. The juices oozing out added a nice punch,” he shared.

Stanton City Bites (1420 Edwards St.) in First Ward remains at the top of my burger list. Theirs is a mixture of chuck and brisket that is ground fresh daily creating a hint of sweetness to balance out the salty flavors of the burger. My favorite on their menu is the Bacon Cheeseburger complete with a nicely charredcrusted patty adorned with a light amount of mayonnaise, lettuce, bacon, cheddar cheese, onions, jalapeños, and topped with a fried egg nestled on a homemade bun. The myriad of flavors delights with each bite.

We all have our favorites, but honorable mentions go to several amazing hamburgers found in unlikely settings. Il Bracco (1705 Post Oak Blvd.), newly opened in the Uptown area, offers a divine cheeseburger that is tender and flavorful. House-ground chuck, aged provolone, Calabrian chile peppers, arugula, fennel, and red onions blend for a delectable burger complemented by pungent aromas.

El Topo (6119 Edloe St.) is a New Western restaurant in West University that features savory tacos on house made, heirloom corn tortillas. Yet, their Smash-ee burger shines with a 44 Farms ground patty, shaved onion, and melted cheese on a potato bread bun. This tender creation literally melts in your mouth.

Lemongrass Café (5107 Bellaire Blvd.) boasts a delicious Kobe Beef Burger on their lunch menu. A full half-pound of Kobe beef is prepared well-done with melted gorgonzola cheese, caramelized onions, bacon, lettuce, and tomato on a butter bun, served with a side of grilled pesto vegetables. The contrast of ingredients makes this burger unique and flavorful. Plus, vegetables are a healthier side than fries.

The Toasted Coconut (1617 Richmond Ave.) serves tiki-inspired food and cocktails in Montrose. Their World-Famous Cheeseburger offers a unique Polynesian-style favor. Two patties, American cheese, chili aioli, pickles, onions resting on a moist and sweet Hawaiian bun. Creative cocktails and a good selection of shareables will complement your burger order.

Parking is sparse, but parking on a side street is always an option.

As our group’s adventures continue, we are excited about legendary Houston rapper Bun B’s Trill Burgers’ upcoming brick and mortar location (3607 S Shepherd Dr.) joining the Houston burger scene soon. I had the pleasure of meeting Bun B in person and trying out their OG Trill Burger at last year’s Southern Smoke Festival. Walking into the Friday night event at Hermann Park, I noticed Trill Burgers had the longest line among the other booths. Made with 44 Farms beef, Trill sauce, onions, and pickles, this burger was well worth the 20-minute wait. Apparently, the rest of America agrees, as Trill Burgers won Good Morning America’s Best Burger Competition last summer. Our group also looks forward to Lankford’s

Bellaire (5208 Bissonnet St.), which is slated to be up and running this month. First established as Lankford Grocery & Market in 1937, a mom-and-pop grocery store in Houston’s Fourth Ward/Freedmen’s Town area, Lankford’s continues to be a family-owned business, proudly run by third-generation Lankford family members Paul and Jessica Prior. While Lankford Grocery & Market primarily focuses on lunch, Prior plans to be open for dinner at the Bellaire location.

As I mentioned, a conversation around hamburgers can go on and on. While I wind this down so my buddies and I can focus on burger quality testing, I hope that you will take part in some research of your own. Share your old and new favorites with us. Leave a comment on the online version of this story at thebuzzmagazines.com or email info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Cheers to many more burger adventures.

FANCY MEETING YOU HERE Finding a burger in an unlikely setting is always a nice surprise. Top photo: The Cheeseburger from Italian newcomer il Bracco, located in Uptown, is made from house-ground chuck and the burger buns are baked fresh throughout the day. Bottom photo: The Smash-ee Burger from El Topo in West U is nestled on their menu between tacos and other Mexican specialties.

Russell Weil Russell Weil

by Michelle Groogan, staff writer

Coogs Madness

For The City

Whose House? Coogs’ House!” – the rallying cry, like rolling thunder, reverberates through the University of Houston’s state-of-the art Fertitta Center where record-breaking crowds gather to witness the nationally-ranked Cougars play basketball.

By all accounts, the quality of hoops delivered this season has been consistently superb and that’s made the opportunity to absorb the action in person the hottest ticket in town.

From their “Coogs’ House” in West University, fans Gil and Katina Jackson call it recognition that has been a long time coming.

“We’ve had about 25 lean years of mediocracy, so this is very exciting,” said Gil Jackson, a surgical oncologist at Houston Methodist Hospital and a true fan of the game, as he grew up in the basketball worshiping state of Kentucky. Irreversibly, Gil’s allegiance has been pledged to the red and white since the late ’90s when his son Alex played baseball for UH and his wife, Katina, started volunteering with the UH Athletics Department.

Katina Jackson has been on a 25-year crusade to improve the facilities and overall UH Athletics program. No longer a volunteer, she’s now the Senior Associate Athletics Director. In fact, many fans cite her relentless and meticulous effort as a driving force behind the return of the Cougars to the top of the college basketball world for the first time since the “Phi Slama Jama” era.

“Phi Slama Jama” is a name coined by former Houston Post sportswriter Thomas Bonk in the ’80s referring to the Cougars’ explosive, high-flying style of play. The nickname was quickly embraced and trademarked by the team coached by Guy V. Lewis and featuring future NBA Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler.

The Cougars’ backslide as a program in the post Phi Slama Jama era was exacerbated with the 1996 breakup of the Southwest Conference and UH’s exclusion from the Big 12 conference.

“I have to say when we hired Coach (Kelvin) Sampson (in 2014) we had nothing for him to recruit to. Hofheinz (Pavilion) was really outdated. The locker room was absolutely horrible. We didn’t have anything to show the kids,” said Katina. “But he has slowly built this program

into what it is today. Kelvin Sampson is truly amazing in how he can develop players. He has never been interested in the ‘one and dones’ like a lot of the top programs.”

“I remember games where there were like 100 people in the stands. Now it’s the best basketball game experience in Houston. It’s just exciting, beautiful, and intense,” said Gil Jackson. “Coach Sampson and his team are fantastic.”

Game Day is truly a family affair with the Jacksons and their four adult children, Marina Christensen, Alex, Scott, and George Jackson, and Gil and Katina’s 10 grandchildren. Alex graduated from UH and Scott got his MBA from UH. All five families live within two blocks of each

other in West U and they go to as many Coogs basketball games as they can. The whole family went to see the Coogs battle it out with the Final Four in Indianapolis in 2021. And equally exciting for everyone was watching Alex and Scott’s sons serve courtside as ball boys at a recent game.

“It’s just been wonderful being that we’re sold out at every game; people are just clamoring for tickets,” said Katina. “It’s been an incredible journey, watching the transformation of UH basketball from where we were to where we are now.”

The Fertitta Center has been a game changer, renovated and renamed in 2018. A whole new culture of tailgating and pre- and post-game activities lures fans outside on Cullen

SLAM DUNK FOR THE COOGS Gil and Katina Jackson have been loyal Cougars fans for many years and are excited to cheer on the nationally-ranked team this season. Katina, the UH Senior Associate Athletics Director, is proud to see all of the team’s hard work coming to fruition.

Boulevard. Inside the arena, Cougar Brass, the university’s premier band for indoor sports, entertains fans who now fill the arena long before opening tip.

It’s all familiar territory for Gus Pappas, whose Coogs’ House is in Bellaire. Talking to Gus about his Coogs would convert any mediocre fan into a die-hard devotee. His law office is adorned with Cougars memorabilia including limited edition Phi Slama Jama posters from the 1983 and 1984 games when Gus was a cheerleader at the University of Houston. In fact, so certain was Gus that the Coogs would reach the Final Four in 1984, he stuck around for a fifth year of undergrad before law school just to cheer for Olajuwon and crew. That season, the Coogs’ quest for a national championship fell short in the title game. Gus admittedly carries a chip on his shoulder about how the Coogs have been treated over the last four decades.

“There are T-shirts out there that say,

‘Houston vs. Everybody.’ If you talk to a real, true, knowledgeable [University of] Houston person, they have always believed we will always be in a position of nobody respecting us,” explained Gus. “And we wear it with a badge of honor, but it makes us hungry. And we actually thrive in that scenario.”

There is a long history of the University of Houston being overlooked for membership in big conferences, exclusion which shorted UH untold millions in revenue over the decades. That legacy of disrespect ends July 1 when the Coogs move out of the American Athletic Conference into the Big 12.

“There was a 37-year drought between our [UH] Final Four appearances,” said Gus. “It’s such an incredible feat to get where we are, from the abyss we were in. I’m just proud of these guys. There is a culture of toughness, togetherness, and selflessness and that makes winners. The lesson is that hard work brings results, and I am enjoying the ride.”

Elena Pappas, also a lawyer in Houston, joins her dad, Gus, for a lot of the games, taking turns with her other two sisters, Lexi and Demi and their mom, Pamela. Even though Elena is a proud Texas Aggie, she grew up wearing a lot of red and white – and the occasional Belle costume.

“He would take me to the games as a kid and one Christmas my mom made me a Belle costume. I remember wearing that to the games and running up and down the stairs,” said Elena. “It’s funny because, of course, I want them to win, but I really want them to win for my dad. He goes into like a two-day mourning period if they lose.”

Ashley and Clark Beecher both graduated from UH (in 2008 and 2000, respectively) but met each other as UH alums. The couple, whose Coogs’ House is in Tanglewood, owns a restaurant group in Seaside, Fla. and makes it to as many sporting events as they can with their four children: 13-year-old (continued on page 26)

HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN Coogs super-fans are relishing the Coogs’ climb to the top. Clockwise, from upper left: Gil and Katina Jackson with two of their sons, Alex (on left) and Scott (on right); Dean and Kathy Pappas, pictured with their daughter Maria and son-in-law George Popps, who is married to their daughter, Dena (not pictured); Dean and Kathy Pappas have spent decades rooting for the Coogs; Gus Pappas was a UH cheerleader in the 1980s – during the Phi Slama Jama era – and continues to be a die-hard fan today.

(continued from page 25)

Charlotte, 11-year-old Anniston, 7-year-old Hazel, and 3-year-old Whitworth. Ashley said she never imagined being so invested in her alma mater. It goes way beyond just buying season tickets: she has been co-chair of the University of Houston Hall of Honor Gala since 2021. Hall of Honor is a special fundraising event honoring student-athletes and coaches for their contributions and raising money for student athletics scholarships. The next Hall of Honor Gala is September 14, 2023, the same weekend of the first Cougars’ Big 12 Conference home game.

“It’s shocking that even though UH is a Tier One powerhouse and an absolutely fantastic school, our athletics donor pool is not as huge as it is at the University of Texas, Baylor, and A&M. They might have hundreds and thousands of bigtime donors. We don’t – we’re a very small community, and we all know one another,” said Ashley. “We all have the same goal in mind, to raise money for student-athletes and better facilities that will continue to attract families to entrust the University of Houston with their kids.”

Dean and Kathy Pappas (unrelated to Gus’ family, even though they share a last name

and a passion for the Coogs), whose Coogs’ House is in Memorial, have a ritual they refuse to skip on Coogs’ Game Days: They make sure they enjoy their cup of joe in their lucky UH mugs. The roots of their dedication are easily traced back to the Phi Slama Jama days when Dean was an undergrad at UH before going to South Texas Law School. Kathy went to school in California but quickly became a fan when she met Dean.

“I never thought we would get back to where we were,” said Dean Pappas, who owns an insurance law firm. “One year I had season tickets, I think Ray McCallum was the coach. They mailed them to me. I stuck them in my drawer where I keep my bills and I never opened them again. I put them in the recycling [bin] at the end of March. It’s hard to believe it dipped down to where it was.”

But they never gave up on the Coogs nor those seats. The couple got a chance to build a friendship with Coach Sampson when they held a fundraiser at their home last year.

“At first, I thought he didn’t want to be here [at the fundraiser] because coaches have to do all these PR things,” said Kathy Pappas. “But he was just so fun, he stayed late, and he just

had a great time. He’s a good man and I think that has a lot to do with why they’re winning. He’s invested in this team for real and those kids trust him and it’s a really neat dynamic to watch and be a part of. It’s not just about the wins. He is teaching them how to be men in today’s society.”

Their 27-year-old son, George Pappas, went to UH just one year before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin to play baseball, but he admits he still bleeds red and white.

“I’ve been a fan from a young age, we go to pretty much every football and basketball game that they offer, both home and away,” said George, who was going to Coogs games long before dealing with traffic (due to the increased number of excited fans) was an issue. “We’ve loved that school for a long, long time. Some of my fondest memories I’ve had with my dad were at University of Houston events and that includes the Round of 32 and Sweet 16 in 2018.”

And no one could dream up a better scenario for the Coogs this year with another hopeful run for the title than winning it in their own backyard, with the Final Four happening at NRG April 1-3. Go Coogs!

HOUSTON’S HOOPSTERS Left: Clark and Ashley Beecher love supporting their alma mater and enjoy attending games, usually with their four young children in tow; UH alum Gus Pappas with his daughter, Elena, all smiles outside of the Fertitta Center; Ashley Beecher serves as co-chair of the UH Hall of Honor fundraising event.

March Madness and Final Four

The 2023 NCAA Division I Men’s basketball tournament starts March 14 and will involve 68 teams playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the NCAA Division I men’s college basketball national champion. See ncaa.com.

Men’s Final Four Fan Jam Events

The 2023 Final Four takes place in Houston and offers a fun experience for fans, including:

Final Four Fan Fest

Fri., March 31: 12-8 p.m.; Sat., April 1: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., April 2: 12-8 p.m.; Mon., April 3: 12-6 p.m.

George R. Brown Convention Center

$8 pre-sale; $10 at the door; free for kids 12 and under

Enjoy fun for the whole family with interactive games, special celebrity and athlete appearances, autograph signings, and more.

March Madness Music Fest

March 31-April 2

Discovery Green

Free with registration

Local and big-name national acts hit the stage at this free, three-day music festival over Final Four Weekend. Stay tuned for the 2023 lineup. Past artists have included Maroon 5, Katy Perry, The Chainsmokers, Bruce Springsteen, Panic! at the Disco, Flo Rida, Miley Cyrus, and more.

Final Four Friday

March 31, doors open at 10 a.m.

NRG Stadium

Free

This public event includes open team practices for the Men’s Final Four teams from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Then at 3:30 p.m., watch Reese’s NABC All-Star Game, featuring top studentathletes from around the country. The event will include interactive activities and entertainment for fans of all ages.

Final Four 4 Miler

April 1, 8:30 a.m.

Hermann Square at Houston City Hall

Registration starts at $30 for adults and minors

Runners start at Hermann Square at 8:30 a.m. before heading out to Allen Parkway, and will finish the race back at City Hall. All participants will receive a medal, a t-shirt, and complimentary entry to the Final Four Fan Fest. Thirty percent of net profits from the Men’s Final Four 4 Miler will go to Girls on the Run Greater Houston Chapter.

Final Four Dribble

April 2, 1 p.m.

Downtown Houston

Free; registration required to participate

At the Dribble, thousands of youth ages 18 and under dribble a one-mile course with their own basketball. All participants receive an NCAA Dribble T-shirt, basketball, and free entry to the Final Four Fan Fest. The course takes children and their guardians from Houston City Hall to the Men’s Final Four Fan Fest.

See finalfourhouston.com/events for more details.

FULL-COURT PRESS Record-breaking crowds gather to witness the nationally-ranked Cougars play at the state-of-the-art Fertitta Center.

Jon Burke/Houston Athletics

. by Sharon Albert Brier, staff writer

Rumor Has It

Girls trip to Cabo. Bess Wilson and her sisters, Jeannette Masraff and Ann Wise, took all the women in their family to Cabo for a fabulous escape on a long weekend. Daughters and daughters-in-law were happily included. They stayed at Bess and Rob Wilson’s home in Pedregal. They watched whales breach in the ocean from the house and had a fun night of dinner and dancing at Bagatelle Los Cabos. There was a lot of down time by the pool and endless laughter telling family stories. What is said in Cabo stays in Cabo.

Goals. They met at a social kickball game practice (through Houston Sports and Social Club) and after practice and post-practice drinks and wings at Pluckers, Rabbi Aaron Sataloff scored a first date with Wendi Reichstein. They saw each other four times that week. She got the diamond on New Year’s Eve at the St. Regis Houston. Their Chocolate Lab mix was honored at the wedding with an espresso martini called The Charlie and was also featured on the wedding cake, sneaking a bite on the side of the cake. A photo booth with a rose gold sequin backdrop was a hit with guests posing with props. At midnight, confetti poppers burst all around to ring in 2023 as mini cheeseburgers, fries, and champagne were served on the dance floor. VIPs were parents of the couple, Susan and Bruce Reichstein and daughter Samantha Reichstein (maid of honor) and Susan and Alan Sataloff.

No agenda. When Steve and Susan Jukes realized they had some down time, they spontaneously booked a plane trip to Spain without any hotel reservations. On a layover to Madrid, they found a parador to stay in. Since it was off season, they felt confident there would be choices and they were right. They rented a car and used their 25-year-old guidebook. One parador had been a former hospital and later a jail. If only the walls could talk! One of their favorite stops was in Ronda overlooking the beautiful gorge. A peek at Málaga with all the yachts and their two weeks was near the end. Back in town in time for Christmas.

Christmas in Paris. The holiday lights were blazing in the window displays and the

whole city sparkled. Kitty Strain and daughter, Sarah Strain, and son, Sam Strain and fiancé Nicole Acevedo, lost themselves in the Musée d’Orsay, La Galerie Dior, and haute cuisine with wine. Whoops, Sarah accidentally left the country with Kitty’s passport, so Kitty had an unexpected stop and delay at the American Embassy to get travel documents. Sarah’s friend Catherine Shoppa saw the social media post about the delay and reached out. She and Kitty spent the extra night on the town at the Ritz and Ralph Lauren’s Restaurant and still managed to eat street food at one of Anthony Bourdain’s old haunts before the fun wound down.

’50s style. Wear something from your “Glory Days” of the ’50s. That is what the invitation said to Jack Hillman’s old friends as he turned 90 with a ’50s party. Daughter Susan Hillman Thomas hosted the party at Los Tios. Jack moved to New Braunfels about a year ago to live with Susan and her husband Tim Thomas. Faye Johnson wore her husband Tom Johnson’s track letter sweater from Lamar High, and he wore his basketball letter Texas Tech jacket. Helping to celebrate were Russel and Pat (Waughtal) Orr. Friends also wore letter jackets from San Jacinto, Austin (where Jack went), Reagan, Strake Jesuit, and Texas Tech, and all got an A+ for attendance.

A progressive party. The elegant party catered by City View Catering started off at Vicky and Howard Dyer-Smith’s home for cocktails and appetizers that included caviar. The night was chilly but the group of 16

walked over to Michele Hosko’s where she and Scott Drysdale hosted a gourmet dinner. The grand finale for bananas foster and bite-sized desserts was at Joyce and Bob Diamond’s with a specialty drink with a chocolate and salt rim. All the hosts live on the walkable Tangle Lane and all the friends have entangled lives in a good way.

Preparation for Groundhog Day. Birthday gals from Four Leaf Towers gathered at Café Annie for lunch but did not have ground anything or hog for that matter. Phyllis Milstein, who started the Social Club at the Four Leaf, enjoyed the camaraderie with Jo Reid and Esta Kronberg among the 12 others. And no one talked about their birthday or their age. They discovered the groundhog saw its shadow and six more weeks of winter is upon us.

MORE ONLINE

See Rumor Has It at thebuzzmagazines.com for additional photos. Have some good news to share? Email us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com.

A FUN LONG WEEKEND Bess Wilson and her sisters, Jeannette Masraff and Ann Wise, took all the women in their family to Cabo for a fabulous escape. Pictured (from left) are Kim Wise, Perry Sharman, Jennifer Wise Martinez, Katie Wise Stanton, Jeannette Masraff, Ann Wise, Bess Wilson, Mary Catherine Sharman, Whitney Easterling Sharman, Markley Masraff Berg, Ali Wise Murphy, and Catherine Baker Ellis.

. by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz Baby

Kid-friendly day trips

Buzz Baby is a column about life with little ones. Writer Annie McQueen is a mother of four children under the age of 8.

Spring break is a great time to find places nearby to explore. With a toddler or baby, it can be challenging to come up with fun and easy destinations without having to pack more than a diaper bag. We decided to list some easily accessible places from Houston – so parents can get there and back before naptime. All destinations are about an hour’s drive or less and have a family-friendly vibe.

Mom-of-two Jennifer Beitler recently visited a unique gem in the countryside not far from home. She and some friends took their kids on an outing to visit a castle – that’s right, a castle.

Newman’s Castle and Newman’s Bakery, located just outside of Bellville, offer tours six days a week starting at 10:30 a.m. for $15. The castle has a moat and a 3,000 lb. working drawbridge. Owner Mike Newman built the castle in the late 1990s.

Jennifer said her boys, Easton, who is in kindergarten, and Everett, a second grader, were mesmerized by the experience. “They make it super fun and theatrical for the kids,” said Jennifer. “Before the tour starts, one of the guides knights each child with a real sword. My boys loved that part,” she said.

Jennifer said that another favorite for the kids was the catapult. “There’s a little pond next to the castle and it’s a true antique catapult and they do a demonstration. The kids get involved again for this part and it was very fun,” she said. It is about 50 miles from Houston, making it an easy there-and-back, kid-friendly spot. It is helpful to have plenty of time to explore it all. “It is mostly a self-guided tour so be sure not to miss checking out the top flood bell tower and ringing the bell,” she said.

Another kid-friendly day destination is Brazos Bend State Park, located about 35 miles from Houston in Fort Bend County. The entrance fee is $7 per person 13 and older; kids under 13 are free. There is a kid-friendly, free nature center where kids can see baby alligators, snakes, and more. Volunteers are on hand to educate families

about wildlife. It has almost 5,000 acres of nature with ponds and campsites. There is a playground near the campsite and restrooms, making it a great spot for families. As you walk around the pond, be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife.

Around 50 miles south of Houston, Lake Jackson is a neat day trip spot with a free marine museum, Sea Center Texas. Kids are sure to love this educational handson marine experience. The museum helps produce marine fish for stocking Texas waters and promoting coastal conversation.

North of Houston is a family fun park, 7 Acre Wood, which includes a petting zoo, a mini-golf course, a Western play town, a large playground and sandbox, a zip line, horseshoes, and more. Admission is $8.50 per person.

Last but certainly not least, is a visit or two (or more) to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – it is not an out-of-town destination but certainly worth adding to the springbreak list. This year, the Rodeo is running Feb. 28 to March 19. It is packed with fun activities for children of all ages. The Rodeo grounds open at 9 a.m., which is great if you want to get an early start and beat the crowds. (Note: Also in this issue, read Mutton Bustin’: A Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo favorite , which includes information about the popular HLSR event.)

A cute kid-friendly area at HLSR is Fun on the Farm, which is free (no carnival tickets required) and open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The area gives children of all ages a chance to explore the world of agriculture. The children get hands-on experience through participating in farm chores such as gathering eggs, pretending to milk a cow, planting and harvesting crops, and feeding pretend chickens in a chicken coop. The attraction also includes a mini credit union branch where children can learn about how credit unions work. The Fun on the Farm rodeo volunteers (some of whom happen to be teachers on their Spring Break) are wonderful at explaining each step of the process.

If there is still energy to burn before naptime, check out the carnival games or grab some delicious Rodeo fare like corn dogs, fresh-squeezed lemonade, or ice cream. After the sugar rush subsides, it will make for an extra nice nap.

CASTLE IN THE COUNTRY Newman’s Castle, located near Bellville, makes for a unique day trip for families. Tour the castle to see a working drawbridge, moat, and more medieval charm. Pictured are brothers Easton and Everett Beitler recently touring the castle.

. by Cindy Burnett, staff writer

Buzz Reads

Five picks for March

Buzz Reads is a column about books by reviewer Cindy Burnett. Each month, Cindy recommends five recently or soon-to-be released titles.

Go as a River by Shelley Read (historical fiction) – Go as a River is a stunning and unforgettable debut set in rural Colorado that tells the story of one woman’s hardscrabble existence and how she learns to make her way in a man’s world. Seventeen-year-old Victoria Nash keeps her family’s household running while her father and brother tend the family’s peach farm in 1940s Iola, Colorado. When she meets a young Native American man on his way through Iola, the pair fall in love, but their relationship sets in motion a shocking chain of events that ultimately sends Victoria into the mountains and onto a new path. Read’s incredibly strong sense of place and ability to bring the natural world to life is the backbone of the story, but the characters stole my heart, particularly Torie, and this book will stay with me for a long time.

The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell (mystery) – The creative concept of this book drew me right in: A dead body is found during the filming of a highly rated baking show set at Grafton, a historical mansion in rural Vermont and the main host’s childhood home. For the 10th season of “Bake Week,” host Betsy Martin is less-thanthrilled to be sharing the spotlight with “Cutting Board” host Archie Morris while filming the episodes at her home. When small things start going awry on day one like salt replacing sugar in a cannister, no one thinks twice about it. But when a dead body is found, the contestants realize that something more sinister is at play. Told from the point of views of the various contestants and Betsy, The Golden Spoon is a delightful mystery set in the world of baking competitions with an Agatha Christie vibe. The book is already being made into a limited series on Hulu and will lend itself well to the screen.

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano (fiction) – With Little Women as a jumping off point, Napolitano writes an incredibly moving and engrossing family drama centered around the four Padavano sisters and William Waters, the lonely individual with a sad past, who becomes inter-

twined with them and inadvertently threatens to rupture their bond. Each sister has a distinct personality, some more likable than others, but it is William who truly steals the show. Growing up, his parents treated him poorly, causing him to struggle with mental health issues but as the story progresses he finds the inner strength with the help of some loyal friends to find his path and to learn to accept honest and real love into his life. Hello Beautiful is storytelling at its finest, and it portrays life, loss, and love in all its different forms, the beauty and price of love, and the extraordinary power of human connection. This is a must read.

The Last Beekeeper by Julie Carrick Dalton (climate fiction) – This stellar addition to the fast-growing climate fiction genre is set in the future, approximately 10 years after society collapsed. While most of the world believes that honeybees are extinct, Sasha returns home to find the research her father, nicknamed The Last Beekeeper, swears exists, research proving that bees are still alive on Earth. With her father in prison, the family home was abandoned so Sasha finds squatters occupying her old home, individuals anxious to avoid the terrible state housing. As she settles in, the group becomes a refuge for her until she spots a lone honeybee, a sighting that can subject her to derision and potential harm. Toggling back and forth in time and slowly unraveling the mystery at the heart of the story, The Last Beekeeper is a powerful reflection on the importance of caring for our planet and how dependent humans are on the natural world. Interwoven with this disturbing glimpse at what the world could look like without bees is a beautiful story of hope, friendship, and the importance of relationships

and community. I highly recommend this one.

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto (mystery) – Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is a laughout-loud mystery set in San Francisco’s Chinatown. When 60-year-old Vera Wong finds a dead body in her tea shop, she calls the police, but not until after taking a flash drive from the dead man’s hand and hiding it. Frustrated with the police’s investigative work (it looks nothing like how the cops solve cases on TV), she decides to do a little detective work herself. Corralling the four individuals who stop by the shop following the body’s discovery, Vera works to crack the case while inadvertently making new friends with the people she is sure are suspects. Filled with humor and hijinks, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is a delight from beginning to end.

Editor’s note: Southside Place resident Cindy Burnett also writes our weekly Page Turners column at thebuzzmagazines.com. She hosts the award-winning Thoughts from a Page Podcast, is co-creator of the Houston literary event series Conversations from the Page, runs the Instagram account @thoughtsfromapage, and regularly speaks to groups about books.

WHAT TO READ This month’s picks include two fun and light mysteries, a compelling historical-fiction title set in Colorado, a stunning climate-fiction book, and an excellent family drama.

Cindy Burnett

. by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Travel Buzz

Snowmass: Hitting the Slopes with Eva

Stephanie Tran learned to snowboard with husband Sam Johnson when they were in college. His parents had a cabin in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and Sam’s lifelong passion for the sport was contagious. But in 2016, after 10 years of winter snowboarding getaways with Sam, Stephanie had an accident on the slopes in Whitefish, Montana, tearing her ACL and sidelining her from the sport for years. Two pregnancies and raising a little girl and twin boys made it hard to even think about going back.

But in late January, thanks to a continuing education seminar in anesthesiology (Stephanie’s profession) at a ski-in, ski-out resort in Snowmass, she and Sam, an attorney, decided to celebrate daughter Eva’s fourth birthday with a special trip. They left the 22-monthold boys, Alex and Flynn, with Grandma and Grandpa “because it would have been insane” to bring them, said Stephanie.

“It was great – I honestly think this was the best family vacation we’ve ever had, and probably the best ski trip, too,” said Stephanie, still exhilarated a day after her return to Houston.

She wasn’t actually planning to snowboard; her idea was to attend the seminar, hang out with Eva and Sam or just relax in her down times, and enjoy the Winter Wonderland that is Snowmass in January. For Sam and Eva, it would be a rare chance to spend some one-onone father-daughter time, and for Eva to take her first ski lessons.

The trip was not without its hiccups – what was supposed to be a 2½-hour direct flight to Aspen-Snowmass turned into a 7-hour marathon with a layover in Los Angeles when their flight was canceled due to the weather, and their return trip was delayed by three hours as well. But Eva took it all in stride; she was excited. And when they finally landed in enchanting Snowmass, Stephanie and Sam were pretty excited too.

“I’ve never been to Snowmass before, but it’s really geared toward family,” she said. Easyaccess public transport, including a gondola, made getting around a pleasure instead of a chore. “We stayed at the Viceroy, which is in the base part of the village, and we could take a five-minute walk into town and catch the gon-

dolas to the mall area –the entire city was very well planned out.”

They arrived in time to rent their ski equipment and for Stephanie to attend the welcome reception. That’s when she shared her doubts about snowboarding with a couple of Australian grandmothers, one of whom had suffered a similar injury in the past and had returned to skiing.

“She said, ‘Oh, I have a really bad knee too. Sounds exactly like mine. But I’m skiing –you know, you're in the ground longer than you're alive. I figure, one day I'll need a knee replacement anyway.’ And I was like, okay, if they can do it… I can do it.”

Stephanie was also encouraged by the perfect conditions of Snowmass; her accident had happened in rough and icy terrain, but Snowmass was covered in the lightest, softest powder imaginable, and the many blue and green slopes were groomed to perfection each morning. “So that’s kind of why I pushed myself to get out there,” she said.

The conference was organized by a group called “Holiday Seminars,” and it’s structured to take full advantage of the venue. It started with a morning lecture and breakfast from 7-9 a.m., before the ski lifts open, then resumes after the lifts close. Sam and Eva breakfasted on their own, then they all met up, grabbed their ski equipment, and headed for ski school for Eva’s first lesson – literally on her fourth birthday.

“We dropped Eva off at the ski school at 9:30 a.m. sharp and didn’t pick her up until 3,” said Stephanie. The school was based in The

Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center, a ski school for kids touted as one of the best in the country, with a “magic carpet” that takes them up a tiny hill and a mini ski lift called “Skittles.”

Luckily the school was located right alongside one of the best ski runs, so when they would do their runs they could peek in on her and see how she was doing. They weren’t sure she would love it – but from what they could see, she was doing fine.

“I couldn’t be more proud of her,” said Sam, “how she handled being dropped off in a class with a bunch of kids, doing something she’d never done before. It’s hard, you’re cold, you’re not comfortable, you’ve got these boots that hurt your feet and your legs – but she was a little trooper, and I think the experience really built character. It probably really scared her, but she made it through and was successful – it was a great learning experience for her.”

For Stephanie, that morning was a real milestone as well. She was nervous, but the powder

SPECIAL MOMENTS IN SNOWMASS Sam Johnson, Stephanie Tran, and their daughter Eva escaped to Snowmass, Colo., for a recent getaway, where they celebrated Eva's fourth birthday and a return to the slopes after a seven-year hiatus.

was fluffy and deep, and it was a much easier mountain than others she had snowboarded. “It’s like getting back on the bike – it came back pretty quickly and easily,” she said. “I just took it really easy, and Sam waited for me to come down. We took the greens and the blues – and I’m not the best, but I still got out there,” she said.

It meant a lot to Sam, too, that she was able to do it. “That was a really special part of the trip, because that was a hobby I was worried that she had lost because of the injury,” he said. “And for her to get back on the horse and ride – I think that was one of the most special parts of the vacation.”

After Stephanie finished with her evening class, they met for a birthday dinner – Italian, at

the elegant Il Poggio, where they ordered dessert to-go and had a party in their room.

Snowmass itself was magical – free family-oriented events and features abounded, like the food truck that served s’mores by the fire, free ice-skating, a game room for the kids, and the spectacular Snowmass Luminescence, a dazzling interactive art and light display.

One night, instead of taking the gondola from dinner at The Stew Pot in Snowmass Mall, they meandered their way back home to Base Village, wandering through the pulsating, sparkling series of LED-illuminated walkways and arches that was Luminescence. Eva loved the music so much she danced all the way – “She was having

like a rave out there in the cold by herself, dancing up a storm,” said Stephanie. “It was the cutest thing ever.”

Another highlight, which Stephanie and Sam did solo while Eva was in ski school, was the Long Shot – said to be Colorado’s longest ski run, it took two ski lifts and a strenuous hike to get to the top – but the views were amazing, and the ride down even more so.

“That was very cool for me, with Stephanie, for us to do that together, especially after the long hiatus from the sport,” said Sam. “It was so scenic, you know, kind of backcountry, not a lot of people around. And it’s kind of like exploring a winter wonderland, riding this board down the mountain. So it was a won-

DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW Top photos: Sam, Stephanie, and Eva took a dog sled tour of the mountains, guided by eight Alaskan huskies and a musher named Aidan; bottom left: Eva delighted in her first real snow, making snow angels and snowballs, and immersing herself every chance she got; bottom right: Sam and Eva meandered through the dazzling Luminescence light and sound show.

derful memory that I’m sure we’ll cherish for a long time.”

Tuesday after ski school they booked lunch and a dog sled tour through the backcountry with Krabloonik, an unforgettable adventure with a musher named Aidan and eight Alaskan husky sled dogs.

“I wasn’t too sure about it – after a day on the slopes I thought we’d be so tired – but Stephanie was so right to book that thing,” said Sam. “Eva was giggling, ecstatic the whole time – at one point she turned around and gave Mom and Dad a big kiss right in the middle of it.”

Eva lobbied heavily to go swimming in the heated pool after that. “I was like, Eva, it’s 13 degrees out!” said Stephanie. But Eva would not be dissuaded.

“I got in the pool once; the rest of the time I was in the hot tub. But her poor daddy had to go running back and forth from the hot tub to the pool,” said Stephanie. “It’s a pretty cool feeling when your hair is frozen and your body’s hot.”

For Wednesday’s adventure, they skipped ski school and headed for the Breathtaker – an aptly named Alpine roller coaster, a raised track that winds its way through more than a mile of forest, at some points flying downhill at speeds up to 28 mph.

“She was a little afraid the first time,” said Stephanie. “She said her face was cold so we put

on her ski goggles and she was fine. And to make it fun for her, we sang her favorite Paw Patrol songs going down. So it was kind of a Paw Patrol adventure because they always use racecars and stuff. And, you know, she loved it.” They went through the whole course three times – and Eva asked to go again, but the pass was for three rides.

She also loved the snow – it was the first time she’d ever been able to play in the snow, not counting an icy little dusting that happened once in Houston.

“Any time she saw the powder she wanted to make snowballs and snow angels,” said Sam. “It was really magical to see it for the first time through her eyes.”

For Sam, having the opportunity to spend oneon-one time with Eva while Mom was at her seminar was also magical – something that has been nearly impossible in their busy lives, especially in the last two years since the twins arrived.

“My wife and I try to actively spend one-onone time with each of the kids, though it’s hard to do that, especially with the poor twins, who got left behind — we end up kind of lumping them together.”

But for three magical mornings, they got to hang out, just the two of them. They got a breakfast buffet package in the Viceroy’s restaurant,

Toro, and had the buffet together every morning.

“That was really special; we would make a plate together. They had pancakes one day and French toast the next. It was fun for her to pick out what she was going to eat, and it was nice for her to carry her plate and have some authority over what she was eating.”

They would color on the kids’ menus and they’d take them to the room and color on the coloring pads, and watch cartoons in the room. Then Mom would arrive, and it would be time for the day’s adventures.

All too soon it was time to pack their bags and take one last outing to the Snowmass Mall, where they checked out the free ice skating at a place called The Collective, a public gathering space and hub for community events, with a game room and a “Selfie Den.”

They’re already planning their next trip –maybe one more with just Eva, said Sam, to train her up a bit more so she can help with the boys, when they’re ready for ski school. Four years old, they’ve decided, is the perfect age to start.

One memory ended up coming home with them. As they were leaving Krabloonik on their first day, they passed through the souvenir store. They couldn’t resist buying a keepsake for Eva – a stuffed husky she named “Snowy” that she cuddled with all the way home.

(continued from page 37)

WINTER WONDERLAND Clockwise, from upper left: View from the top of the Long Shot, said to be Colorado's longest run; strolling around in the snow, Eva can't resist the temptation to throw a snowball at her dad; Eva catching the flurries on her tongue as the family walks up to the tubing area at Elk Camp; the threesome in front of The Collective, the epicenter of Snowmass Base Village activities – most notably, in the winter months, ice skating.

by Dai Huynh, staff writer

Chef’s Corner Greg Gatlin: Cooking with family and love

Greg Gatlin, the popular barbecue pitmaster, remembers sitting down for breakfast every morning with his two brothers. His no-nonsense mother, Mary, made sure of that.

“Mom stayed home, so she cooked breakfast every morning,” the Houston native says. “It was pancakes. It was eggs. It was waffles. It was grits. It was bacon. It was biscuits. It was oatmeal. It was whatever she felt like cooking. We always would get a hot meal before school.”

Family meals were also a nightly routine, and on Sundays, it was all about barbecue. Greg smiles as he recalls playing in their backyard with his two cousins and brothers while his father, Henry, and uncles barbecued ribs and brisket. The smell of smoke intertwined with family is forever etched in his memory.

Decades later, these happy moments inspired the Rice University graduate to abandon a corporate real estate career for the restaurant business, even though one-in-three eateries fails within a year. However, with dogged determination, the Gatlin’s BBQ owner has reached another milestone.

“I got the call this morning,” the 43-year-old says, eyes wide. “At first, I thought, ‘Oh, no. What’s gone wrong this time?’ Michelle Wallace, our former executive chef who left earlier this year to do her own thing, called and said, ‘Are you sitting down? I need to tell you something.’”

Greg was named a Houston semifinalist for the James Beard Awards’ Best Chef: Texas, along with Kiran Verma of Kiran’s (Indian cuisine), Benchawan Jabthong Painter of Street to Kitchen (chef-driven Thai), and Ai Le of Nam Giao (central Vietnamese). The James Beard Foundation, whose awards are viewed as the Oscars of the culinary world, will announce the finalists on March 29, and the awards will be presented on June 5 in Chicago.

“You can aspire to do something, but if you don’t have the right people with you, you won’t make it,” Greg says. “I share this with my mom and dad, and everybody who has been a part of Gatlin’s.”

That includes Uncle Ray, his dad’s brother. “He passed away four or five years ago, but he

used to barbecue for church and family functions. He was someone you would watch and learn. When he passed, I would tell my dad so many times, ‘I wish Uncle Ray was here to see this.’”

How heat reaches the meat sets barbecue apart from other cooking methods. So, the first lesson is getting the fire just right, which Greg learned from his uncle. Another secret to a good barbecue? Season your meat the night before. “Ray was a big stickler about that. He would say, ‘Don’t bring that meat over here and throw it on the pit if you just seasoned it.’”

Food and family are cornerstones of the Gatlin family. “I had uncles, cousins, and greatuncles who would always barbecue. I would watch my mom cook, I would go into the kitchen and taste everything, or she’ll call me into the kitchen and tell me, ‘Hey, I need you to help me do this or that.’ That’s where the love, passion, and curiosity for food came from,” Greg says.

Despite his passion for food, the St. Thomas High School graduate went on to play defensive back for the Rice Owls and earned an economics and sports management degree from Rice University in 2002. Still, that itch for the food business wouldn’t go away, so he signed up for culinary school, but the timing was wrong. He was expecting his first child, so he went to work for Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen for three years instead to learn the ins and outs of the restaurant business.

Afterward, Greg started his own catering company, relying on his Rice Owls buddies and university connections. “It expanded from there,” he says. Finally, in 2010, Greg, along with his mom and dad, opened their tiny, hick-

ory-smoked Gatlin’s BBQ on West 19th Street, offering brisket, pork ribs, turkey, pulled pork, chicken, and sausage, plus sides and desserts.

“Barbecue was what we knew,” Greg says. “Also, at the time, a lot of the barbecue places were chains, the Luther’s and the Pappas, and some older barbecue places, especially the African-American places, have died off. There was a market for a small, niche barbecue place in town. Back then, if you had guests, you would have to drive to Lockhart or further for really, really good barbecue. I remember our first day. It was just the four of us: Mom and Austin up front, and Dad and I were in the back, working the pit. I thought, ‘If we can get 50 people a day, we could break even.’ Our rent was cheap at the time. We didn’t have any debt going into it.”

Greg described the moment as the perfect storm: There was a demand, and it was the start of social media. He lured 50 people into the joint on the first day, and it snowballed. Soon enough, Gatlin’s BBQ outgrew its eight-seat dining room. Fans applauded its tender blend of Central and East Texas-style barbecue, homemade sides, and desserts, including Mary’s fullflavored giblet-and-liver dirty rice and her plush peach cobbler. By 2015, the barbecue joint

CHEF GATLIN Pitmaster Greg Gatlin garnered a loyal following for his fork-tender hickory-smoked brisket at Gatlin’s BBQ. His latest concept, Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers, pays homage to southern fare and fresh Gulf Coast seafood.

Lindsey Cooper-Trevino

moved to larger digs at 3510 Ella to meet growing demand. These days, his sociable parents continue to welcome guests at their counter-service Gatlin’s BBQ while Greg focuses on his latest venture, Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers (302 W Crosstimbers St.), a full-service 80-seat restaurant in the historic neighborhood of Independence Heights, about eight miles north-

west of downtown.

“What was I thinking?” Greg says with a laugh. “This place is an extension of our barbecue. I grew up around here. Our home church is four minutes from here, and there isn’t a place for good, fresh seafood in this neighborhood. I’ve always loved Gulf seafood and Southern traditions, so that’s the inspiration for Fins &

Feathers. The stars of the show here are the fried catfish and fried chicken, and you have to have good biscuits with fried chicken.”

These days, folks from as far away as Katy and the Woodlands drive to Fins & Feathers for the crispy fried chicken and Not My Momma’s airy buttermilk biscuits. But Greg’s personal favorite is the grilled jerk chicken

FINS & FEATHERS From oysters and gumbo to New Orleans-inspired barbecue shrimp, Fins & Feathers has something for everyone. Top photo: A table spread with fried catfish at the center. Bottom left: H-Town Hot Sandwich offers the choice of crispy fried chicken or fish tossed with a Viet-Cajun hot sauce. Bottom right: Shrimp po’ boy.

Becca Wright

Becca Wright

Becca Wright

with its sweet, savory sauce. “It’s a nice dish that people don’t get all the time unless they go to a Jamaican restaurant, and this is our spin on it,” he says.

Here, he divulges a few secrets and shares his recipes for Grilled Jerk Wings and TexasStyle Brisket.

Greg Gatlin’s Texas-Style Brisket

1 cup yellow mustard

¼ cup dill pickle juice

1 cup kosher salt

1 cup medium grind black pepper

½ cup paprika

½ cup granulated garlic

12-pound brisket, trimmed, leaving ¼-inch fat cap on point and flap

In a bowl, mix the mustard and pickle juice; set aside. In another bowl, combine the kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic; set aside. Coat the brisket with the mustard-and-pickle juice mixture, followed by the dry seasoning mix. Make sure you coat the entire brisket. Now lightly cover the brisket with foil and set it aside in the refrigerator overnight or for at least eight hours. When you’re ready to barbecue, get your pit to 250 degrees. Greg likes to use hickory wood. But you go with your preference. It’s all good. Be sure the smoke is clear, then place the brisket on the pit for three hours. Afterward, let the pit come down to 225 degrees and smoke it for another five to seven hours or until done. Resist the temptation to open the smoker during those first five hours. Let the brisket rest for two hours on butcher paper before you slice it. Serves 18–24.

Grilled Jerk Wings

For jerk seasoning:

2 tablespoons kosher salt

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground allspice

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 tablespoon ground thyme

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

8-10 whole chicken wings

For jerk sauce:

½ pound butter

8 stalks green onions, roughly chopped

8 ounces ginger, peeled and roughly chopped

2 tablespoons allspice berries

4 cinnamon sticks

2 tablespoons black peppercorns

1 package of fresh thyme

6–8 habanero peppers, roughly chopped

2 garlic bulbs, separated and peeled

6-8 habanero peppers, roughly chopped

1 cup brown sugar

4 tablespoons tomato paste

3/4 cup white vinegar

SOUTHERN FARE Top: Fluffy hoe cornmeal cakes served with fried wings and maple chipotle glaze is on the brunch menu. Bottom: Fins & Feathers’ famous crispy fried chicken (brine soaked for 24 hours) with buttermilk biscuits served with seasonal jam, bacon jam, or honey.

You can buy store-bought jerk seasoning or make your own. In a bowl, combine the salt, garlic, onion powder, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme, paprika, and cayenne pepper. In a larger bowl, toss the chicken wings with the jerk seasoning, ensuring that you coat all sides. Cover, refrigerate, and allow the wings to marinate while you make the jerk sauce.

In a pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the green onions, ginger, garlic, allspice berries, cinnamon, black peppercorns, and fresh thyme. Stir and allow the ingredients to sweat over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Lower heat if necessary to prevent the ingredients from burning. Add habanero peppers, sugar, and tomato paste. Stir well and let simmer for about three minutes. Add white vinegar and about two cups of water; stir well. Add more water if necessary if too thick. Allow the sauce to reduce and thicken to reach about medium thickness, about

30 minutes, on low to medium-low heat. The sauce should be thick enough to coat a spoon lightly when ready. Let the pot cool slightly before carefully straining the jerk sauce through a sieve into a large measuring cup or bowl.

Fire up the grill (or you can bake the wings in the oven). Heat the grill to medium high. Using grill tongs, dip a wad of paper towels in oil, then carefully rub the grill grate until it is glossy and coated. Grill the wings, covered, and flip them occasionally until they are golden brown and cooked through, about 20 minutes. Keep a close eye on the grill: If flare-ups occur, or the wings begin to burn, move the wings to a cooler part of the grill or reduce the heat. When they’re done, toss the wings in jerk sauce and enjoy! Serves 3-4.

Editor’s note: Buzz dining columnist Dai Huynh is a James Beard food-journalism award winner and longtime Houston-based restaurant writer.

Sergio Trevino Lindsey Cooper

. by Todd Freed, staff writer

SportzBuzz

While the path to securing a scholarship to play college football has brought on greater challenges this year, local schools still fared impressively on National Signing Day.

“College football’s new transfer portal rules means there’s less and less openings for players right out of high school to secure scholarships,” said Stratford head football coach Todd Rankin. “Many college recruiters are opting to pursue players from other colleges rather than incoming freshmen. If all that weren’t enough, a lot of college players are still making use of their extra year of eligibility granted to them due to the Covid season. So, there’s players out there in their fifth, sixth, or even seventh year of college football.”

Stratford will be represented at the next level by several players. Highly touted tight end Hawkins Polley signed with Baylor during the early signing period in December. In addition, Stratford offensive lineman James Tejeda signed with Mary Hardin-Baylor while offensive lineman Hudson Perroni is a preferred walk-on at Rice University.

In addition, Rankin expects several other players to sign in the coming weeks with Division II and III schools, including his son and quarterback Nash Rankin. Rankin has committed to play at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. In addition, wide receiver Triston Williams, linebacker Cooper King, defensive lineman Austin LaRue, and defensive end Jared Botary are all expected to make their official commitments in the coming weeks.

National Signing Day was a successful one for the Lamar Texans, who had five players officially commit to play college football, with more players expected to do so in the coming weeks. The signees so far include Carson Skotak (Amherst), Deuce Connor (Trinity Valley Community College), quarterback Kenneth Rosenthal (Oklahoma Baptist), defensive tackle Jarvis Butler (Midwestern State), and defensive back Omarion Marshall (Texas A&M Kingsville).

“I think what stands out with this group is the

academic side of things. Kenneth has a full scholarship with a 4.0 GPA and Carson going to Amherst is impressive,” said Lamar head football coach Mike Lindsey. “Our starting running back Jack Gonzalez was accepted to West Point on a nonfootball offer, so we’re also pretty proud of him.”

Lindsey echoed the sentiments of Coach Rankin regarding the additional difficulties for players to secure football scholarship in 2023.

“It’s been a tough time for high school players with the transfer portal and a lot of college players having that extra year of eligibility due to Covid. There’s just less and less spots available for high school kids,” said Lindsey.

Still, the future looks promising for Lamar regarding football recruiting with four of its underclassmen already receiving offers to play major college football. Junior wide receiver Tristen Brown, junior running back and quarterback Jordan Reaves, sophomore offensive lineman Dramodd Odoms, and sophomore running back Brandon Thomas are being recruited by schools such as Texas Tech, TCU, Houston, Penn State, and other top programs.

tunity to play at Notre Dame. My favorite thing about both Dillon and Micah is that more than being great football players they are extremely humble and will do whatever it takes for the sake of the team,” said Kinkaid head football coach Nathan Larned. “As for Aedan, he’s a kid who put in the extra work that led to him being an All-SPC player on our offensive line. He’s also one of the nicest persons you’ll ever going to meet.”

Ayear

after his older brother and fellow Kinkaid teammate Dillon Bell signed to play for the national champion Georgia Bulldogs, Micah Bell is heading to play major collegiate football for Notre Dame University. The younger of the Bell brothers made his commitment official during the early signing period in December but was recognized in an on-campus ceremony that included Kinkaid teammate Aedan Hogan. Hogan will play offensive line for Delta State University in Mississippi, a perennial powerhouse in Division II football.

“Much like his older brother Dillon, Micah is just an outstanding kid who deserves the oppor-

TheSt. John’s Mavericks are sending a foursome of players to the college football ranks, including tight end Pierce Leverett, who’ll play in the Ivy League for Brown University. “Pierce came to us as a ninth grader who thought of himself as only a basketball player. He’s simply grown and blossomed on the football field,” said Mavericks head coach Kevin Veltri.

“In addition, linebacker Dax Garza and kicker/punter Caden Perry are both heading to Division III Bowdoin College in Maine, while offensive lineman Ben Perkins was leaning towards Washington University in St. Louis. “

Editor’s note: Todd Freed is the host and executive producer of H-Town High School Sports, which airs Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on CW39 and Monday-Thursday on AT&T SportsNet SW. To submit high school sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, please email todd@thebuzzmagazines.com.

BOUND FOR BROWN St. John’s Mavericks tight end Pierce Leverett is heading to the Ivy League where he’ll play collegiate football for Brown University.

Kevin Long/Gulf Coast Shots

. by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

SportzBuzz Jr.

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

Rising tennis star

William Benton (pictured, on left, with Ernesto Estivariz, tennis director at Giammalva Racquet Club), a third grader at Wilchester Elementary School, is reaching accomplishments in tennis. He started playing at the age of 3 ½ and has continued to work on his skills each year. He is working his way up the national and state rankings in United States Tennis Association (USTA) junior tennis. William started out in the developmental USTA tournaments at age 7, moved up, and is now playing in USTA 12-and-under tournaments. William, who’s left-handed, started out ranked approximately 4,000 in the country in 12 and under, and in the last year, he broke into the top 1,000 in the United States (he is ranked #998). He is ranked number 171 in Texas and quickly climbing in the Boys 12U age bracket. His favorite player is Rafael Nadal who, like William, is a left-handed player.

A season for the books

The Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association Nebraska Cornhuskers varsity tackle team completed a hard-fought season. The team was made up of fifth- and sixth-grade players from around the Memorial area. The team finished first in the East division. They were seeded no. 2 overall and made it to the semi-final game, losing to the Oilers, who went on to win the Tully Bowl. Pictured are (back row, from left) coach Kirt Adams, head coach Rob Christy, coach Lee Staley, coach Jason Dillee, Max Ezanidis, coach Chris Fort; (third row, from left) Carter Moore, Chevas Holden, Parker Christy, Jaxon McSpadden, Caden Killian, Dylan Gompers, Jack Cofer, Paskal Hernandez, Jeb Dillee, Ross Staley; (second row, from left) Jacob Bidros, Weston Adams, Ford Steward, Jake Salinas, Riggs Hammer, Marshall Fort; (front row, from left) Datyn Kaul and Bryant Gordy

Soccer stars

In an exciting weekend tournament, the Albion Hurricanes FC 2012 Premier 1 soccer team came out as champions at the Cavalry Aggie Classic Tournament. The team is made up of girls from Rummel Creek Elementary, Memorial Drive Elementary, The Kinkaid School, Frostwood Elementary School, St. Francis Episcopal Day School, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, and Wilchester Elementary School. Pictured are (back row, from left) Baker Bechtol, Piper Bowden, Brynn Eastman, Maddy Plumhoff, Marcela Melendez; (front row, from left) Claire Sherman, Marissa Gan, Maddie Bayliss, and Hannah Thorton. Not pictured: coach Axel de Buyl. The girls play in the United Soccer Club league during the year, playing up against teams born in 2011. They have made it to the championship in all three of the tournaments they have played in this season.

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 SportzBuzz, 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.

Kevin Cofer

Get Your Morning Buzz

by Ibraheem Razouki, age

17

Buzz Kidz

TECHNOLOGY THAT HELPS Lamar junior Ibraheem Razouki, who fled Iraq as a child, is passionate about helping refugees. Ibraheem recently met the City of Houston’s Director of Innovation, Mr. Jesse Bounds, at the Ion to pitch his project ISO Lattice, a collection of robots that provide aid in refugee crises.

AIM to AID

Iwas born in Baghdad, Iraq. My childhood was filled with danger and uncertainty. From 2003 to 2011, the country was experiencing a rapid shift in power, and armed militia groups were trying to take control of various territories. I almost died three times before the age of one due to poor living conditions and the constant threat of violence. Eventually, my family and I were able to escape to the United States as refugees, seeking a haven from the turmoil of our homeland. In the United States, I founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called AIM to AID, which helps Muslim refugees in the Houston area get the resources they need to start new lives. We have hosted numerous donation drives and reached out to thousands of people to bring awareness to the refugee crisis through a strong social media pres-

ence along with distributing custom-made brochures across Houston. We also partnered with organizations like the Refugee Services of Texas and the Islamic Society of Greater Houston to raise awareness about the refugee crisis.

In addition to my work with AIM to AID, I have been developing a concept called ISO (Integrated Safety Operation) Lattice. This is a collection of robots that can be deployed in disaster zones to provide essential services like internet access and food and water to refugees who often do not receive the disaster relief they need, as well as assisting in natural disaster scenarios. This idea was inspired by considering my local community of Houston and its issue with hurricanes as well as my community back home in Iraq. This concept has gained recognition from venture capitalists, who named it a finalist in the

Ambition Accelerator Summit, sponsored by the Taco Bell Foundation and Ashoka Changemakers. I have also had the opportunity to work closely with the Mayor of Houston and the Ion, an innovation/entrepreneurship space, to bring ISO Lattice to the next level. In the coming months, I am planning a TEDx event in Houston to inspire further entrepreneurship and technological advancement.

Editor’s note: Read more about AIM to AID at hsaimtoaid.org. For updates on the TEDx event, see tedxyouthhouston23.carrd.co.

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.

Dr. Lew is board-certified in family medicine

Goldilocks and the Three Dust Mites

Once upon a time, there was a young lady named Goldilocks. On one occasion, she entered (uninvited, of course) into a home of three dust mites. Having skipped breakfast for just a protein bar, she was hungry. She sat down to their breakfast table to eat some unfinished porridge. She found the Papa dust mite’s porridge too hot and the Mama dust mite’s porridge too cold. But the Baby dust mite’s porridge was Just Right. OK, you know where this story is going… But why is this allergist recounting this fairy tale?

It’s about allergy shots, of course! You see, there are three ways to build up the dose of allergy shots. We have to start shots at a low dose, since you’re allergic to the ragweed, oak trees, cats and, of course, dust mites. But you don’t really benefit from the shots until they are at a high enough dose to teach your immune system to stop having “false alarms” and having serious immunologic reactions to harmless substances.

The traditional approach is to build up the dose of the shots carefully. This is Mama Bear. You go to the allergist’s office once or twice a week for several months, each time increasing the dose by a little bit.

In the 1990s and with the advent of managed care, with a separate copay for each “date of service,” RUSH became popular. This “Papa Bear” approach meant that the allergist would try to build up the dose as high as possible in one day. Sometimes, it works, but often, the patient goes into anaphylaxis. We have successfully done RUSH over 6,000 times since 1996, but we perform this procedure less often than we did 15 or 20 years ago. Why is that? Baby Bear, of course!

When Papa Bear’s bed was too hard and Papa Bear’s porridge was too hot, but Mama Bear’s bed was too soft and porridge was too cold, Goldilocks found Baby Bear’s particulars just right.

In this vernacular, Baby Bear is an inbetween build up called cluster. We perform about 10% of that RUSH procedure over about 90 minutes once or twice a week, for a total of about 12 visits, and make it all the way to the effective maintenance dose relatively quickly. It’s possible to start allergy shots and get to maintenance dose in six weeks if you cluster twice a week. Almost every insurance company, except Medicare and Humana, cover accelerated allergy shot build ups. If you haven’t had time to go on allergy shots or never achieved relief with previous lower dose attempts, we might be able to help.

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.

David B. Engler, M.D., The Allergy Clinic, 7707 Fannin, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77054, 713.797.0993, *1200 Binz, Suite 1400, Houston, Texas 77004, 713.522.9911, www.allergyclinic.com, *Operating as Houston Allergy and Asthma Clinic

Neighborhood Tails

Lulu, age 10 months, Mix, W Alabama St.

My name is Lulu and I live in Afton Oaks with a couple of siblings who were rescued from the streets of Houston, just like me. When I was about six weeks old, I was scooped up walking down the feeder road of I-45 North. My family agreed to foster me until I was old enough to be adopted. But I wasn’t worried. I knew I would win over their hearts! I mean, look at me. One bright blue eye and brown eye; one ear up and one ear down. I am just crazy enough to be endearing. I run around like a speed demon and love to dig up flower beds. This photo of me was taken in Basalt, Colo., which is near my summer home (notice, I said “my”). Being in The Buzz is my first attempt at fame… who knows where you might see me next!

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.

Avoiding caregiver burnout

Recently, I suggested to one of our long-time clients that he take a weekend off from caring for his wife. He retired four years ago, but he hasn’t taken a break from being his wife’s caregiver during that time. Now, he’s close to burning out.

I told him to give me a week’s notice that he wants to take a weekend, and we’ll ensure there’s sufficient coverage for his wife to feel comfortable without him.

He hasn’t given me notice yet.

At S. Gerber & Associates, we understand when you want to be your loved ones’ primary caregiver. But no one can provide care 365 days a year. We all need breaks to indulge in our hobbies and social interactions. Abstaining from these things is detrimental to your mental and physical health and leads to caregiver exhaustion.

Many people fear leaving their loved one because the care that person will receive when they’re gone won’t be the same – and that’s true. But sometimes, it’s refreshing for the loved one to see a new face. They might need a break as much as you do.

If you’ve done your research and you’re confident you’ve found a competent caregiver you’re comfortable with (preferably through an agency that has carefully vetted that caregiver), you can get away to recharge, mentally and physically. When you return, you’ll be an even better caregiver.

S. Gerber & Associates, 3730 Kirby Dr., Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77098, 713.857.3227, sid@personalcaregiving.com

Never too late to sign

If you’re on your deathbed, recalling all the people that annoy you, know that it’s never too late to sign a new will. Unless you’re dead. Then it’s too late. Or you lack mental capacity. Then it’s too late. Or you can’t hold a pen. . . . Wait a minute; that’s not too late.

In Texas, a power of attorney cannot authorize the agent to sign a will for you. Surprisingly, without any documentation, someone else can often sign for you as “an instrumentality,” not as an agent. Proxy signatures work for any document, including deeds and beneficiary designations. Specific rules apply to wills, powers of attorney, and directives to physicians.

Section 251.051 of the Estates Code allows anyone to sign a will for another in the testator’s presence and under the testator’s direction. Guiding the hand of your semi-conscious father doesn’t count; that’s fraud. But a few words from Dad, his yes to a specific question, or even just blinking one eye can be enough direction. Regardless, Dad still must understand the contents of the will when signed.

Proxy signatures for a durable power of attorney are little different from wills, except the signer must be an adult and must be in the principal’s “conscious” presence. Section 751.0021, Estates Code.

Another person can sign a medical power of attorney for you in your presence and at your “express” direction, but only if you are physically unable to sign. Section 166.154, Health & Safety Code.

A competent adult may make an oral directive to physicians in the presence of two witnesses and the attending physician. Section 166.134, Health & Safety Code.

Proxy signatures for deeds, trusts, and other documents are enabled by more general principles that should also work for wills, powers of attorney, and directives to physicians, at least if the above laws are also followed. First, subject to very specific requirements, a notary can sign any document for another who is “physically unable to sign or make a mark” in the presence of a disinterested witness. Section 406.0165, Gov’t Code. Second, anyone at all can sign if verbally authorized by another. Texas courts have recognized this so-called common-law proxy since 1924. The subsequent statutes don’t revoke this right; they just narrow it a bit for the specific documents discussed above.

A proxy signature may not be needed at all. Texas accepts a rubber stamp, typewriter, or printing as an original signature, if adopted as such. Acknowledgement before a notary is evidence of adoption. Initials or just a mark also count as a signature.

We write wills and go to probate court. Foreign nationals and international families welcome.

Russell W. Hall, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Board Certified – Estate Planning and Probate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 6750 West Loop South, Suite 920, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.662.3853, bellaireprobate.com/blog

. by Angie Frederickson, staff writer

Buzz About Town

The Brookwood Story

More than 1,700 guests gathered at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts for an evening at the theater in celebration of The Brookwood Community’s 40th anniversary of providing purpose for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Brookwood Community is a God-centered home and entrepreneurial environment that creates meaningful work for 240

An army of support

The Salvation Army of Greater Houston recently hosted the 2023 “Love Beyond” annual dinner. Robert and Louise Bland (pictured) chaired the event at the Houstonian Hotel Grand Ballroom.

adults. Brookwood’s program began in 1983 at their main campus in Brookshire and has since expanded with additional satellite campuses. Guests at The Hobby Center viewed the debut of Chispa House’s documentary Finding Purpose: The Brookwood Story, a powerful film that captures the magic of The Brookwood Community as told by the citizens who live and work there. Scott and Soraya McClelland and Carol and Michael Linn (pictured, from left) were honorary chairs for the event that raised more than $1,000,000 for Brookwood’s programming. Following the film, award-winning musician Ryan Bingham, best known for his role as Walker in Yellowstone, performed a concert for the guests. For more, search Brookwood Community: Where there’s opportunity for all by Cheryl Ursin (November 2014) at thebuzzmagazines.com.

Tom Forney, chairman of the advisory board for The Salvation Army Greater Houston, introduced the keynote speaker, David Weekley, chairman of David Weekley Homes. Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, National Commander of The Salvation Army USA, gave the Address of the Salvation Army Today and presented The William Booth Award for outstanding community service to the Elkins family for their generous philanthropy to the community.

Music and matrimony

Max Chanon and Caitlin Helfman (pictured) were married under the chuppah at the Post Oak Hotel. Caitlin, a graduate of the Emery/Weiner

School, is the daughter of Renee and Alan Helfman, and Max, a native of Dallas, is the son of Anita and Todd Chanon. The ceremony and reception took place in the hotel’s grand ballroom, and guests enjoyed a cocktail hour with passed hors d’ oeuvres, a dumpling station, sushi rolls, and a custom raw poke bar. The evening featured a variety of entertainment, starting with music by Limelight Band. Later in the evening, the guests were surprised by iconic Houston rappers Slim Thug, Paul Wall, and Lil Keke, and finally a DJ performed on top of a floral-decorated Maserati. The happy couple kept the party going until 2 a.m. when they left the reception through sparkler fountains and were escorted by Houston Police officers. Caitlin and Max live in Dallas, where she is an assistant marketing manager and he is a commercial real estate broker.

Honoring our public-health advocates

The Immunization Partnership is preparing for its 14th annual luncheon, “Courage in Action.” The event, benefiting pro-

(continued on page 54)

Jacob Power Photography

Phillip Burn

Marco Wang Photography

Quy Tran

(continued from page 52)

grams that aim to increase immunization rates in the community, will be held at River Oaks Country Club on Thursday, April 20, at 11:30 a.m., chaired by Susan Feigin Harris and Rosie Valadez McStay. Guests will hear from keynote speaker Marie Brenner, author of The Desperate Hours: One Hospital’s Fight to Save a City on the Pandemic Front Lines, who will share the challenges that one of our nation’s preeminent hospitals faced during the pandemic. The event honors public-health leaders, advocates, and providers, including Dr. Marc L. Boom, president and chief executive officer, Houston Methodist Hospital, Dr. Peter J. Hotez, and Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi, co-directors of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, and dean and associate dean of National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, and Legacy Community Health. Pictured at the 2022 luncheon are Kay Tittle, The Immunization Partnership executive director Terri Burke, and Catherine Mitchell. See immunizeusa.org.

Tri Delta’s the SALE

Terri Tarwater, Suzanne Mouton-Odum, Wendy Sicola, and Marlee Tarwater (pictured, from left) shopped ’til they dropped at the SALE, presented by Houston Tri Delta Philanthropies, Inc. and benefiting MD Anderson Cancer Center. More than 1,300 shoppers took over Bayou City Event Center for the three-day shopping extravaganza featuring more than 50 of Houston’s premier boutiques. The annual event is known for having great

shopping deals, with some of the markdowns reaching up to 75 percent off normal prices from high-end merchants The SALE kicked off with the VIP preview, Cocktails & Couture, where sponsors and underwriters enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and champagne. By the end of the third shopping day, Tri Delta alumnae had raised more than $225,000 to fund research for children diagnosed with cancer.

Celebrating 30 years of Camp for All

support and dedication. The festive event was held at The Revaire and raised more than $1.2 million to send more than 9,000 children and adults with challenging illnesses or special needs to camp on Camp for All’s 206-acre site. Event co-chairs Laurie and Chris Baker and Debra and Steve Gilbreath welcomed guests for a wonderful evening of inspiring thoughts from past and current Camp for All campers, a silent auction, wine pull, and live auction. In a particularly moving moment during the gala, camper Mayra Delacruz, who has cerebral palsy, shared touching memories of her Camp for All experiences.

Families serving together

Marion and Rob Anderson (pictured) joined a crowd of supporters at the 30th anniversary Camp for All gala, honoring Martha and Buzz White and Patrick Samuels for their longtime

Kindergartener Elijah Aberdeen (pictured) spent the morning at the Houston Food Bank as part of River Oaks Baptist School’s sixth annual All-School Day of Service. Held on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to honor Dr. King’s legacy of love and service, the event is the hallmark of the school’s service-learning program, which weaves the importance of community service and engagement into programming throughout the year. The day was a family affair, with opportunities appropriate for children as young as three to participate with their parents. More than 470 volunteers served on campus, at home, and across the city, serving Kids’ Meals, Star of Hope, Meals on Wheels, Houston Food Bank, Books Between Kids, and more.

100 years of the Blue Bird Circle

Volunteers Abigail Tonry, Liana Hillendahl, and Betsy Duplechin (pictured, from left) are preparing for the Blue Bird Circle’s 100th anniversary gala celebration. The long-

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Dave Rossman

Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Power Photography

anticipated event is scheduled for March 11 at The Ballroom at Bayou Place and is chaired by Blue Bird volunteer Sarah Burchfield. Founded in 1923, the Blue Bird Circle is a group of more than 300 women volunteers dedicated to supporting the needs of children with neurological disorders who are being treated at Texas Children’s Hospital. The 100th anniversary celebration honors Texas Children’s Hospital’s Dr. Huda Zoghbi for her extensive and life-changing research with pediatric neurological disorders. Guests will enjoy dinner, dancing to the GROOVES band, a live auction, and silent auction. In honor of the milestone, the Blue Bird Circle is making a $10 million gift to the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital. See thebluebirdcircle.com.

A baby boy on the way

Alexander Paul Vitenas and Sarah Aghili Vitenas (pictured) surprised friends and family with a big announcement on their annual holiday card. The couple is expecting their first child this summer, a boy who will be named George Carl Gustav Vitenas. Grandparents Dr. Paul Vitenas, Jan Vitenas, and Mehran and Ladan Aghili can’t wait to spoil their grandson. The new mom and dad are already planning to take their son along with them as they explore their favorite outdoor spots in town, including the Houston Zoo, Levy Park, and Buffalo Bayou Park. George’s “big sister” Zara (aka 5-year-old German Shepherd) can’t wait to have a sibling. Sarah and Alex have always enjoyed the outdoors and were featured (along with Zara) in Garden to Table by Andria

Frankfort in our May 2022 issue, where they shared their love of gardening.

Women on the way up

Joan Karff’s Women on the Way Up (JKWOWU) held its annual Women on the Way Up brunch at the home of Christine and Mark Laskin. The organization, founded by the late Joan Karff in 2001, provides college scholarships to promising Lamar High School graduates from underserved backgrounds. Scholarship recipients participate in a year-long mentorship program and receive a $1,000 scholarship and a laptop to take to college. This year’s brunch included board members, former scholarship winners, and this year’s collegebound winners (pictured).

The butterfly luncheon

The Houston Hospice 22nd Butterfly Luncheon, benefiting the Butterfly Program for

pediatric hospice patients and their families, is scheduled for March 24 at the Junior League of Houston. The Butterfly Luncheon committee consists of Sally Rice, Catherine Randall, Katherine Lucke, and Robin Burke, who are coordinating this year’s event. Luncheon guests will hear from the Hampton family who lost their beloved son and brother, Jake, who was cared for by the Butterfly team. (For more on the Hampton family, read Our Brother Jake by Michelle Groogan at thebuzzmagazines.com, published in April 2022.) Pictured at last year’s Butterfly Luncheon are (from left) Houston Hospice board member Al Gatmaitan and wife, Nancy, and Monica and Wallis Hampton. For more information, visit houstonhospice.org.

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 upcoming-event listings on thebuzzmagazines.com.

Anthony Rathbun Photography

Shunney Nair

. by Andria Frankfort Dilling, staff writer

Back Porch

Spring Cleaning Gone Wrong: You threw that away?

Are you in spring cleaning mode? Stop and read: We’re here to save you a little heartache.

My mom remembers a time maybe 30 years ago when her spring cleaning went awry. “I took a coat to the Salvation Army,” she remembers. “A couple of days later, Dad said, ‘Where’s my new cashmere coat?’ and I said, ‘It’s in the closet,’ and he said, ‘No, that’s my old coat.’ And I went, ‘Oooh my goodness…’”

Dad says, “She called the Salvation Army, and of course they didn’t know – or care – what she was talking about but told her to come on down and see what you can find.”

“So I go running over there,” my mom tells me, “and there’s the coat in a pile on the floor with a $3 tag on it. And then I had the nerve to fuss at them about having it on sale for $3!”

“I don’t think she had to pay the $3 to get the coat back, but I’m not totally sure,” Dad laughs.

Tiffany Smith and her mom Mary Evelynn Sorrell remember what they call “a family legend.”

“In 1923, my great-great-grandparents, Forrest and Mary Ellen Hodges were preparing to move from Marshall, Texas to Houston,” Tiffany says. “Legend has it that after selling their Marshall house and mostly packing it up, Forrest and [his son Clarence] left Marshall first, taking [his daughter Norma Faye] with them. That left sweet, shy Mary Ellen alone to finish packing. This was not a decision she was crazy about, so she quickly packed up the rest and called on people who might be interested in purchasing, or simply removing, items she felt they no longer needed. Then she hopped on a train to Houston.

“Unfortunately, part of that was a large trunk of my then-recently deceased great-great-greatgrandfather’s books. Mary Ellen sold them for $2 to a rummage man. As my romantic great-greataunt Norma Faye would tell it, those books consisted of a ‘vast’ library of precious first-edition tomes. The family has mourned its loss all these years, now going on 100 years to be exact. Truth is, we’ll never know what was in that trunk. But it’s always been a fun story for the family to tell.”

Some regrets started with intentional cleanouts. “If I knew in the ’80s that my clothes

would be in style in 2023, I would have kept all my tie dyes and bell-bottoms!”

Wendy Burgower says. And Laura McCullough says, “I’d give anything to have my record albums from the ’80s back.”

But about those mistakes, Tevia McLaren is practical: “I can’t think about it. What’s done is done, and I have to move on.”

Moving on is just what tidying expert Marie Kondo has been doing. Kondo became an icon with her bestselling 2014 book, The LifeChanging Magic of Tidying Up, and in 2019, the Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo Recently, she admitted that tidying isn’t her top priority these days, now that she’s welcomed a third child. She shared, at a recent event, as reported by the Washington Post: “I have kind of given up on that in a good way for me. Now I realize what is important to me is enjoying spending time with my children at home.” Her confession created shock waves among devotees, while validating the not-sotidy – especially parents.

When Allison Wagner thought she’d lost her winter wardrobe, she had to shift her priorities, too. “I lived in Seattle for six years, and I was moving to Berlin in August,” she says. “I had a lot of stuff in Seattle to move. So when I went home for July 4, I brought a bag filled with all my winter clothes. I wasn’t going to need them that last month in Seattle. When I got to Wimberley, where my parents have a house, I dumped all the clothes out of my suitcase so I could use it to bring another load home next month, and I put the clothes in one

giant black trash bag.” You can guess the rest of the story. “In August, I was home in Houston, moving to Berlin, and I’m packing and I’m like Gosh, where are my nice boots? Where is my blue coat? And then it hits me: it’s all in that garbage bag. To which we realized, we probably threw it away!

“I came to accept it. I moved to Berlin without a single winter clothing item. I lasted like a month, then I really needed boots and a coat!” Allison replaced her clothes and stayed warm in Berlin. But when she came home this past Christmas and the family went to Wimberley, “My mom [Terese Wagner] asked me to bring something to the guest house. I went inside, and out of the corner of my eye I see a garbage bag in the closet, and I’m like No way. And I see a bright blue thing – my coat! Everything is there. I even made a video for my friends because I had been complaining to them that my parents threw everything away. It was kind of like a Christmas miracle.”

The moral of the story? Keep spring cleaning in check. Don’t let it turn into something that might become next year’s Christmas miracle.

THINK BEFORE YOU TOSS An overzealous spring-cleaning session can come back to haunt us.