The West University Buzz - June 2014

Ashley Chilivetis and Alan Appling

Down the Aisle

by Jordan Magaziner

Honeymoon Adventures This Month in Dining: Honeymoon-Inspired Bridal Luncheons Houston, TX Permit No. 2047

Where are they Headed?

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The Polo Girls

EDITOR’S NOTE This month’s article on weddings by Jordan Magaziner brought back fond memories.

Michael, my partner in business and in 25 years of marriage, and I got married in Carmel, Calif.

But it almost didn’t happen. We were living in Los Angeles at the time and I went to Carmel a few days early. Michael called me, panicked, just one hour before his flight. He was still in L.A. and had locked his keys in the car trunk. He said there was no way he could make the flight. I said just go to the airport and I would figure it out. Back then, there were no cell phones. When Michael and his best man finally got to the airport it was too late. Just as they were about to drive eight hours to Carmel, the agent yelled, “Wait! Is your name Michael Hoffman? Your soon-to-be wife called and got you on a flight through Sacramento and San Jose.”

And so the drama and adventure of our life together began. For the newlyweds in this issue, we wish you a lifetime of joy and adventure. Some of the best stories are yet to come. joni@thebuzzmagazines.com

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

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Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman Cheryl Laird Annie Blaylock McQueen Jay Janecek Tracy L. Barnett Andria Frankfort Angie Frederickson Todd Freed Michelle Casas Groogan Dai Huynh Dave Schafer Cheryl Ursin Alex Daily Jordan Magaziner John Duboise Andrea Blitzer Leslie Little Darsey Swaim Laura Callan Helen Hamilton Michele Luke

On our cover: Ashley (Chilivetis) and Alan Appling tied the knot with a church ceremony and enjoyed a unique view of Houston at their Petroleum Club reception.

Cover photo by Kelli Elizabeth Photography, kellielizabeth.com The Buzz Magazines has made all reasonable attempts to verify the accuracy of all information contained within. Advertising claims are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Editorial content does not necessarily express the opinions of the publisher. Copyright © 2014 Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this magazine by any means without written permission is strictly prohibited. Printed on recycled paper. Please remember to recycle.

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MAILBAG

Your letters, thoughts, opinions

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NEIGHBORS

by Jordan Magaziner, staff writer

Down the Aisle

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o, who’s going to be the flower girl?” my mom asked. “Who are your bridesmaids?

What kind of dresses will they wear?”

I stared at her blankly. It was about 10 minutes after my now-fiancé, Matt, had proposed, and I was still shaking from surprise and excitement. More questions were thrown at me when I called to tell friends and family the news: “When is the wedding? Where will it be?”

At that moment, I had no idea. Since our engagement in December, I’ve encountered a never-ending stream of questions with no quick answers. When planning a wedding, I’ve learned, there are way too many choices to make.

I decided to quiz some Buzz residents who recently got married. What were the highlights from their weddings? Here’s the lowdown:

Ashley Chilivetis + Alan Appling Ashley and Alan started dating at Lamar High School, but called it quits after about six months. Six years later, they ran into each other on separate trips to New Orleans and promptly rekindled their relationship upon returning home. Less than two years later, he proposed.

Ashley, who teaches first grade at Grace School, has a knack for event planning. She hired a day-of coordinator to make sure all went smoothly, but she took on the majority of the planning, especially as hubby Alan was studying at South Texas College of Law; he graduated in May. “My house became a fake venue,” she said. “I moved out all the furniture, made a head table on the floor, and placed every single centerpiece the way I wanted it.”

Their reception took place at the Petroleum Club – Ashley said the view of Houston was “spectacular.” To capture the moment, they hired fellow Lamar alumna Kelli Elizabeth for photography. Ashley suggested, in addition to the photo shoots on the wedding day, an afterwedding shoot because of the often-hectic nature of The Big Day. “Plus, it’s one extra time to put on your dress,” she said.

At the party, the photo booth from ShutterQube was entertaining; it was personalized with photos of the couple’s stationery in the background as well as their names and wedding date.

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CINDERELLA STORY Top photo: Before the wedding, Ashley Chilivetis met shoe designer Christian Louboutin, and he signed the soles of her shoes in an elegant bridal design. Bottom left: Alan Appling incorporated their beloved dog, Beau, into the proposal. He created a bow tie collar and engraved, “Will you marry me?” onto tags. Bottom right: The newlyweds were sent off from the Petroleum Club with colorful flower petals. Photo credit: Kelli Elizabeth Photography.

SYMBOLIC ARRANGEMENTS Left: Sarah Graham altered her mom’s 1976 wedding dress; mom Pam Graham surprised Sarah after dress alterations by including both of their wedding dates and initials in blue on the underskirt. Bottom right: Sarah and Pam carried nosegay bouquets with their sorority pins on them. Sarah’s bouquet also included photos of her three grandparents who had passed away. Top right: The groom’s cake represented Matt Garcia’s passion for the Chelsea Blues soccer team. Photo credit: Michael Carr Photography.

Bridal advice: “A lot of people wait to book people to do hair and makeup, and I would say that this should be one of the first things you book,” said Ashley. “They get booked so easily, and this is what you look like on your wedding day.”

Details: Date – Aug. 13, 2013. Venue – Ceremony, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.

Headcount – 275. Wedding coordinator – Erica Gordon, Elite Eventz. Wedding party – 9 bridesmaids and 9 groomsmen; blush-pink gowns from Bella Bridesmaid and tuxes from Joseph A. Banks. The dress – Hayley Paige, Now and Forever. Flowers – Always Floral. Band – Doppelganger Band. Party extras – Baskets of flip flops, glow necklaces and bracelets. Registries – Bering’s, Pottery Barn, Williams & Sonoma.

Sarah Graham + Matt Garcia Sarah, an academic coach, and Matt, a financial advisor, both went to The University of Texas but met while playing kickball in Houston. During a trip to Washington, D.C., Matt surprised Sarah by proposing in the

Bishop’s Garden at the National Cathedral.

Their ceremony took place at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, and the reception was at the Julia Ideson Library. Sarah described the traditional wedding, decorated with white and blush-pink tulips with accents of white hydrangeas, La Perla roses and blush Mokara sweetheart roses, as feeling homey and warm.

Sisterhood played a big role in the wedding.

Sarah and her mom, Pam Graham, were both sisters of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, and her mom’s sorority sister, Ann Whittington with Ann Events, coordinated the wedding. “I found it really helpful to have someone help navigate through all the options, and it helped that she knew me and my family,” said Sarah. For photography, the couple hired Michael Carr, and wife/business partner Lisa Carr turned out to be a sorority sister as well. While walking down the aisle, Sarah and her mom carried bouquets with their sorority pins on them.

Bridal advice: Sarah suggested getting as much information as possible from vendors

before signing anything. “Speak up if you’re not getting exactly what you want,” said Sarah. After seeing their engagement photos, they realized that that wasn’t what they wanted and switched photographers for the wedding weekend.

Details: Wedding date – Feb. 8, 2014.

Headcount – Approx. 220. Food – Jackson & Company. Wedding party – bridesmaids wore matching black Ann Taylor gowns, and groomsmen wore tuxes from Al’s Formalwear. Band: 5th Avenue. Registries: Sur La Table, Pottery Barn and Amazon.

Michelle Lewis + Jonathan Zadok Michelle and twin sister Rachel Lewis are Texans cheerleaders, so it makes sense that a total stranger would know who they are. When at synagogue for Rosh Hashanah, her now-sister-in-law, Amy Zadok, recognized Michelle in the restroom – she had seen the twins featured in The Buzz and The Jewish-Herald Voice. Amy asked Michelle if she could set her up with her brother, Jonathan, who (continued on page 10) WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2014 9

(continued from page 9) works in the family biz, Zadok Jewelers. Michelle said no. But after much back-and-forth, she agreed.

Michelle completed her first semester of nursing school in fall 2013, so Jonathan planned a trip for them to San Juan, Puerto Rico. She knew marriage wasn’t too far off, but he was hinting that the proposal was six months away.

However, the first night of their trip, he surprised her and proposed on the beach.

Both wanted a destination wedding. The springtime ceremony at St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, Calif., was a traditional Jewish wedding. Michelle said the beach surroundings helped create a beautiful, natural atmosphere. “Our friends and family really enjoyed being able to take the entire weekend to relax with each other,” said Michelle.

Bridal advice: Michelle said wedding planning can be stressful, so it’s helpful to work out.

“Exercise is really important, both for how you want to look and for your well-being.”

Details: Date – March 16, 2014. Headcount – 200. Wedding party – The bridesmaids selected their own dresses. The dress – Michelle wore one dress, from Ivory Bridal, for bridal portraits, the ceremony and a post-ceremony photo session; she wore the second (Ventura’s Bridal) for dancing. Photos – Nancy Aidee (Houston) and Duke Photography (Pasadena, Calif.). Colors – Blush pink, silver, ivory. Food – Simon’s Caterers & Special Events. Sweets – French vanilla wedding cake with vanilla frosting made by Schwartz Bakery in Los Angeles, plus ice cream and an exotic fruit bar. Registries – Crate & Barrel, Bed Bath & Beyond, Kuhl-Linscomb, Bering’s.

Sydney Ealand + Robert Eifler

CALIFORNIA DREAMING Top left: Michelle Lewis and Jonathan Zadok cut their French vanilla wedding cake. Bottom: The couple and their families gather under the chuppa at the St. Regis Monarch Beach in California. Top right: Some men take their future fiancées out for advance ring shopping to get a sense of what they like. Jonathan said it’s easier when you’re in the business, as he is. Photo credit: Duke Photography.

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Sydney, a civil engineer, and Robert, who’s in the oil and gas business, met in 2007 but were dating other people. They turned their eyes to each other in 2011. One day, the alarm company called to alert her that the alarm was blaring.

Sydney rushed home to see Robert in a tux on

LUCKY 13 Top left: Sydney Ealand and Robert Eifler both had 13 attendants on their wedding day. Sydney’s bridesmaids wore black silk dresses from Bella Bridesmaids. From left, back row: Annie Eifler, Katherine Plumb, Cabell Wood, Mattie Neeley, Mollie Schall, Deborah McInnes, Caroline Gordy; middle: Laura Sheedy, Adair Flynt, Natalie Ealand; front: Jordan Glasgow, Erin DeCelle, bride Sydney, Clara Driscoll, Emilie Petty. Bottom photo: Sydney and Robert say cheers to a bright future. Right: Guests waved monogrammed napkins as the couple exited the reception and hopped into a 1920s Ford, decorated with a “Just Married” sign and tin cans. Photo credit: Barron & Barron Photography.

one knee with their song playing. He had prepared a surprise feast for family and friends to celebrate their engagement.

Their wedding weekend began Thursday with a rehearsal dinner at River Oaks Country Club; then the guests made their way to the beach for a welcome party Friday at the Roof Garden on the Strand, Saturday brunch at the Hotel Galvez, the ceremony at Trinity Episcopal Church that evening and, finally, the party at The Tremont House.

They offered four food stations, including comfort food with fried chicken, risotto and shrimp mac ‘n’ cheese. For dessert, they had a

white wedding cake with buttercream icing, and the groom’s cake – dark chocolate with chocolate icing – was a black lab in honor of their reallife black lab, Ellie. “We wouldn’t let anyone cut ‘her’ in front of anyone,” said Sydney. They also served late-night bites, including shot glasses of milk with warm cookies, ballpark pretzels and mini Coke cans.

Bridal advice: “We had a problem where our linens didn’t make it in, and we had to pick a different linen before the wedding – it’s just not a big deal,” said Sydney. “Enjoy this time and don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Details: Date – March 29, 2014. Headcount: 360. Wedding coordinator – Cassie Glass. Dress – Monique Lhuillier, Casa de Novia. Photos – Barron & Barron Photography. Flowers: Island Flowers.

Food – The Tremont. Cake – Susie’s Cakes. Band – Professor D. Party extras – photo booth; bins with neon-colored flip flops, Mardi Gras masks, sunglasses. Registries – Williams & Sonoma, Bering’s, KuhlLinscomb, Robert’s China.

MORE ONLINE For more wedding couples, tips on choosing the ring and more, see this story at westubuzz.com.

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TRAVEL

by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Travel Buzz - Honeymoon Adventures Around the World

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ow that you’ve decided to tie the knot, it’s time for the next big decision: What about the honeymoon?

Houstonians, world citizens that they are, fall right in line with global trends. Brooke and Colton Braud, who were married March 22, chose the Maldives – as did one in five of those recently surveyed by Agoda.com, a popular online booking service. The survey asked 15,000 customers all over the world to choose their preferred honeymoon destination, and 20 percent chose the Maldives.

Ashley and Alan Appling, married in August, chose the Greek Islands for their honeymoon –

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the No. 2 destination for North Americans who were surveyed, and tied for No. 2 among the rest of the world.

Sydney and Robert Eifler, who married March 29, opted for New Zealand and Australia; New Zealand was chosen by 5 percent of the respondents.

Beyond trends, Houstonians like to think outside the box too, as our honeymooning couples demonstrated.

The Brauds had a two-part honeymoon, with the two parts as different as they could be. First the theme would be water, with an exquisite island resort; the next would be sand, with a lay-

over in the desert metropolis of Dubai.

Colton had always dreamed of escaping to his own overwater bungalow on a remote tropical island. He researched Tahiti, the Seychelles, and other tropical destinations. The Maldives, a precious island nation set in the middle of the Indian Ocean like a chain of pearls, has only in recent years become a popular tourism destination.

Made up of 1,192 islands grouped into a double chain of 26 atolls, the peaceful nation has decided to capitalize on the spectacular vistas of its turquoise seas by promoting itself as a high-end tourism destination. In recent years, the impetus to welcome tourists has grown with the realization

that these islands may soon disappear beneath the waves due to climate change. The government has set up a fund from tourism revenues to purchase land in India, Sri Lanka and Australia so that island residents will have a place to go if, as scientists predict, the sea level continues to rise.

Brooke and Colton knew they might never have another chance to see this one-of-a-kind place with a colorful reef swimming with hundreds of species right outside their door. They chose Baros Maldives, a resort with its own island that Trip Advisor travelers rated the No. 1 most romantic hotel in the archipelago.

“That was pretty convincing,” said Colton.

They spent their days snorkeling off the edge of their patio, walking the sparkling golden beaches and dining. On the last night, Colton surprised his bride with dinner in the middle of the ocean – on a private sandbank, just before sunset. The hotel had set up a waiter and chef for them; other than that, they had the tiny island to themselves.

“We had champagne and appetizers and walked on the beach and watched the sunset, and then had a candlelight dinner prepared right there for us,” said Colton. “It was an amazing way to end our trip to the Maldives – the two of us on a sandbank in the middle of the Indian Ocean.”

Brooke was, needless to say, swept off her feet.

After five days of this, Colton knew they’d be ready for some urban action – and so it was off to Dubai, a logical layover on the 24-hour trip

AN ISLAND UNTO THEMSELVES A highlight of Brooke and Colton Braud's time in the Maldives was a romantic dinner on a sandbank with their own chef and waiter.

to the Maldives.

“It was perfect,” said Brooke. “We went from lying on the beach one day to going into the desert the next, and then we were indoor snow skiing.”

Naturally the couple hit the massive Mall of the Emirates, the one that grabbed world headlines a few years back when it opened a 22,500meter ski resort inside, with artificial snow and the world’s first indoor black run.

“It was a really stark contrast but at the same time exactly what we needed and wanted,” Colton said.

They packed as much as they could into their three days there: a desert safari tour, an authentic Mexican lunch with table-side guacamole and build-your-own margaritas, skiing an hour later, then for something completely different, an evening in a Thai restaurant. (continued on page 14)

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“It was a complete 180 from what we’d been doing in the Maldives,” said Colton. “We figured, if you’re going to travel that far, you might as well try to do it all.”

The Eiflers felt the same. They both wanted to go somewhere they’d never been – Italy was high on the list, but the weather report for March didn’t look so good. On the other side of the world, Australia and New Zealand were warm and sunny – and there was, of course, the question of the bride’s name. She’d always wanted to go to Sydney… so the stars lined up for the Land Down Under.

They flew into Sydney, and from there to the Whitsunday Islands off the coast. Their first adventure fulfilled a lifelong dream of Sydney’s: snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.

“I’ve wanted to be Jacques Cousteau since I was little,” Sydney joked. The beauty of the Whitsundays exceeded her expectations. They stayed at the top-rated Qualia resort and visited Whitehaven Beach, named the world’s most eco-friendly by CNN.com. It’s also been called one of the most photographed beaches, and with swirling blue waters mixing with snow-white sands, it’s easy to see why.

They packed a lot into their three days here, then headed back to Sydney before catching a flight to Queenstown, the Telluride of New Zealand.

“We decided to make Queenstown our adventure-seeking part of the trip,” said Sydney.

A helicopter tour took them to Madagascar Beach, a glacier lake, a wildflower-filled meadow and a glacier; they took a sunset cruise on a vin-

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tage steamship built the same year as the Titanic; they visited a ranch and observed the sheepshearing operation. The next day they did a 15,000-foot skydiving jump, followed by a bungee jump from the Kawarau Bridge, suspended over the vast chasm of the Kawarau River, where the bungee-jumping craze got its start.

After that they decided to take a more pedestrian approach with a hiking trip into the mountains outside Queenstown. Next day they flew to Auckland on the North Island for a stay at the Huka Lodge near Lake Taupo, where Robert got to go fly fishing. Sydney worked on improving her skills and KOALA LOVE Robert and Sydney Eifler share a moment with Australia's nationenjoying the pinot noir al symbol during an unforgettable honeymoon Down Under. and roasted lamb. around a minute to see who they were talking Asked what her favorite memory might be, to…. It’s such a wonderful time of your life.

Sydney didn’t hesitate.

People are so excited for you; they congratulate “It was strange, hearing people say ‘Mrs. Eifler, you and offer you champagne.” your bags,’” she said with a laugh. “I’d look

8 tips for the best honeymoon The Maldives, the Greek Islands and New Zealand may top the lists of dream destinations for honeymooning couples, but the reality is that budget considerations keep most of them much closer to home – typically, Mexico or Hawaii – and they still have fabulous getaways, said The Honeymoon Hut’s Beth Taylor, a Houston-based honeymoon planner.

Indeed, that’s the biggest mistake people make, says Skip Neal of Honeymoon Guru of Austin. “Things are expensive – even if you want to go to Cancun. People will tell me, ‘I want five stars but my budget only allows for three, so you need to get me five.’ People need to be a little more realistic.”

Advice from the experts: • If money is an object, choose a cheaper destination. If you’ve got $6,000 to $8,000, stick closer to home. The Maldives or French Polynesia will be a minimum of $12,000 for five days.

• Spend the money instead on extras – like an upgraded room category, a private plunge pool or a swim-up room – that will make your stay really special.

• Don’t over-plan; too many activities can run you ragged and leave you with little time for relaxation.

• Leave for your honeymoon on Monday if the wedding is Saturday. This will give you time to rest so you’re really ready to enjoy the honeymoon, and will also allow you to enjoy your wedding and your friends and family a little more, rather than having to catch an early flight after your wedding night. You’ll also get better rates on airfares and possibly hotel rooms too.

• Mexico, and especially the Riviera Maya, is where you’ll get the most bang for your buck, says Taylor, which is why about 75 percent of her clients end up going there. For those who are worried about safety concerns, don’t be. “Mexico is a whole country, not just a place,” Taylor emphasizes. Mexico’s top tourist destinations are far from the conflict zones. And if you’ve already been to the Riviera Maya, you will have an entirely different experience in Puerto Vallarta, the Riviera Nayarit, Cabo San Lucas, or one of the beautiful colonial cities in the interior.

• Reserve your honeymoon suite six to nine months ahead of the wedding.

• Ask yourselves how much time you want to spend on the flight. “A lot of people want to do Tahiti or Bora Bora, but they don’t really want to spend eight hours on a plane,” said Neal.

• Consider hiring a honeymoon planner to cover all the bases – and to make sure all the memories are good ones.

• Some travel agents, like the Honeymoon Hut, have a gift-registry service for their clients. Some resorts participate, so that guests can register to give a couples massage, a tour or a room upgrade, for example. If their resort isn't registered, couples can write in their own idea for what they'd like the gift money to go towards.

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“Dad loved us, but...”

Hopefully, you will never hear these words in your family, but take a moment and visualize a woman sitting with her two adult children at the dining room table. Just days earlier, without warning, this family’s husband and father passed away. A proud, loving and successful provider, he had for 32 years taken care of all of the finances, while his wife took care of almost everything else.

The woman and her children, fresh off a few days of shock, grief and caring community friends, are now sifting through equally heavy parts of emotion and mounds of papers and files, trying to figure out how to navigate the enormous financial decisions that confront them.

“Your father really loved us,” the woman says. “But he left us in the dark.

How are we going to figure all of this out?”

Grief and loss have now compounded.

No one ever thinks this kind of thing will happen to them. Certainly, the extra burden of worry was never part of the patriarch’s plan for his family.

However, we all know that unexpected tragedies can occur. And when the surviving spouse does not have a working grasp of the family’s financial situation and resources, a bad situation can become much worse.

In the midst of grieving, the spouse may for the first time have to face questions such as, “Where does the money come from to pay bills?”, “Where did he keep important documents such as insurance policies and financial documents?”, “How do I sift through the clutter of all these confusing financial moving parts?”, and “Who do I turn to now for trusted financial advice?”

To avoid this scenario, here are four ways that can help you prepare –

today. First, develop one document that summarizes the most important information your family will need in case something happens to the more financially knowledgeable spouse. Second, create a consolidated file or secure web page that summarizes your family’s net worth and captures all of your financial accounts, such as checking, savings, brokerage, 401(k), mortgage, etc. Ideally, this should update dynamically as account values change.

Third, identify one secure storage place for important documents such as wills, insurance policies, etc. Virtual, cloud-based storage of scanned documents is an ideal way to protect the information from fire, theft or misplacement. Finally, build a support group of family and trusted friends with whom you can bounce financially related ideas, thoughts and issues.

Again, we hope nothing like our earlier scenario ever happens to you.

But making time to plan for the possibility can be one of the most loving acts of kindness spouses can give each other.

James Waters, CFP®, PartnersInWealth, 3400 Bissonnet, Suite 145, Houston, Texas 77005, 713.964.4028, jrw@partnersinwealth.com, www.partnersinwealth.com

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DINING GUIDE

by Dai Huynh, staff writer

This Month in Dining: Honeymoon-Inspired Bridal Luncheons Restaurant Listings istockphoto.com/webphotographeer

$ (under $10) $$ ($11-$30) $$$ ($31-$60) $$$$ (over $60) Prices include drink, tax and tip per person

TASTE OF TRAVEL Bridal luncheons provide the perfect excuse to get a taste of where the happy couple will be honeymooning. You can travel with your taste buds, from Italy to Mexico, in Houston restaurants.

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round of festivities precedes a wedding, but none was more fondly remembered than the surprise bridal luncheon my sisters hosted the day before the ceremony. It was a gift of respite and relaxation before things got really hectic. Traditionally, the bridal luncheon is a heartfelt gathering where the bride exchanges gifts with her bridesmaids and closest friends over lunch, brunch or afternoon tea. It’s usually hosted by a close relative or best friend.

With plans to honeymoon in France, my siblings gave me a glimpse of Parisian life at Brasserie Max & Julie (4315 Montrose). The boutique French wines and salade landaise with sautéed chicken liver and lardons over frisée provided a tasty sampling of things to come.

If you’re planning a bridal luncheon and uncertain what to do, why not take their idea and go with the honeymoon theme? It’ll be fun and meaningful.

If the newlyweds are flying to Italy, consider Da Marco Italian Restaurant (1520 Westheimer). In Marco Wile’s upscale restaurant, the eloquent simplicity of risottos and pastas, such as spaghetti with sea urchin, mirror those found in Italy. Arcodoro (5000 Westheimer) serve dishes unique to the island of Sardinia. Meanwhile, owner Tony Vallone of Tony’s Houston (3755 Richmond Avenue) made his name by introducing Houstonians to the true flavors of Italy – from lilting marinara sauce prepared with authentic Italian San Manzano tomatoes to home-made paper-thin lasagna pasta.

Heading to England? When I was in London, the tastiest nibbles were created by the Indian restaurants that populate every street corner of the city. At Kiran’s ( 4100 Westheimer), enjoy the best of two worlds during its weekly 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon teas. Savor wild mushroom samosas and English cucumber finger sandwiches with steaming masala tea. Or travel to India one afternoon and explore the world of spices at Ashiana Indian Restaurant (12610 Briar Forest Drive).

Before climbing to the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, fill up on the pisco brandy cocktails and spritely ceviches at chef Roberto Castre’s sleek Peruvian spot, Latin Bites (5709 Woodway). From Veracruz to Baja California, Hugo Ortega’s Caracol (2200 Post Oak Blvd) showcases the coastal seafood heritage of Mexico, whereas his Hugo’s (1600 Westheimer) brings to mind the earthy, complex interior-region cuisines of Oaxaca, Puebla and Mexico City.

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Dai Huynh is a James Beard food-journalism award winner and longtime restaurant writer. Her visits to restaurants in our Buzz Dining Guide were anonymous, and she paid for her meals to maintain objectivity. We’d love your thoughts too. Write to info@thebuzzmagazines.com with your own dining opinions and suggestions. Also, you can contribute in the Comments section under the online version of this story at westubuzz.com.

Editor’s note: All of this month’s restaurant listings are wedding-party friendly.

Canopy Creative Gulf-Coast cuisine Neighborhood: Montrose When the weekend arrives, Houston’s motor shifts into idle, and Canopy greets its favorite meal – brunch. The austere space with blond furniture bubbles with conversations as Claire Smith’s reliable kitchen sends out baby-spinach salads with pulled chicken that is peppy with a dessert-wine vinaigrette, apples and roasted red grapes. Try, too, eggs benedict on sweet potato English muffins and an earthy four-mushroom pot pie. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 3939 Montrose, 713-528-6848. canopyhouston.com. $$

Caracol Mexican coastal cuisines Neighborhood: Galleria Hugo Ortega is largely credited with introducing Houstonians to the foodways of Mexico. His namesake restaurant, Hugo’s, on Westheimer captivates with soulful interior specialties, while Caracol showcases Mexico’s lilting coastal cuisines. Ceviches and crudos shine against a snow-white interior dressed with deep-sea creatures by renowned illustrator

Charley Harper. Jalapeño and ginger give great spark and crunch to conch, while scallops combined with sweet mango, papaya and lime crudos dance merrily between sweet, salty and tangy. A house favorite is oysters smoked in a wood-burning domed oven, then drizzled with a luscious chipotle butter. The menu leans toward seafood, but there are meatier options, such as bone-in short rib with cocoa nib and roasted duck with pumpkin seed sauce. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 2200 Post Oak Blvd., No. 160, 713-622-9996. caracol.net. $$$

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

Del Frisco’s Grille Casual American classics Neighborhood: Upper Kirby This casual offshoot of the high-end steakhouse features sandwiches and salads, along with a patio for al fresco dining or energetic tykes. At brunch, over chicken-fried steak and eggs, sip a carafe of build-your-own Bloody Marys with Tito’s Vodka and a plate of fixings that includes pickled green beans, olives and lime wedges. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 2800 Kirby Drive, Suite A-132, 832-623-6168. delfriscogrille.com. $$$

Étoile Authentic French Neighborhood: Galleria area When several talented French chefs urge you to try the food at Étoile, it’s hard to dispute their keen taste for the food of their homeland. Just as they said, the flavors here are true, and owner-chef Philippe Verpiand and wife Monica Bui have created an alluringly warm showcase for a hearty coq au vin and tender sole meunière with lemon caper sauce, fingerling potatoes and roasted cauliflower – both brunch items. Briny mussels flavored with tomatoes and onions are served with homemade pomme frites and garlic aioli. The beauty of this place is almost everything is made from scratch, including the crusty baguettes. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 1101 Uptown Park Blvd., 832-668-5808. etoilecuisine.com. $$

Hugo’s Regional Mexican Neighborhood: Montrose Tex-Mex was the game in town until risk takers such as Hugo’s owner-chef Hugo Ortega set out to educate Houstonians about the food of his motherland.

Many traditional Mexican establishments have failed, but not the high-ceiling, palatial Hugo’s, with such comida tipica as a soulful off-the-menu oxtail soup, earthy moles and snapper tamales fragrant in banana leaves. Perennial favorites are the wood-grilled rib-eye steak and baby pig roasted in banana leaves, not to mention pan-fried grasshoppers, which taste like popcorn and are delicious when paired with a blanco tequila. The crown jewel is Hugo’s Sunday brunch – a majestic cornucopian spread, worth every peso. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 1600 Westheimer Road, 713-524-7744. hugosrestaurant.net. $$$

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La Casa Del Caballo Mexican steakhouse Neighborhood: Montrose Gregarious Latin voices ring through this Mexican steakhouse that buys its premium beef from the storied Allen Brothers in Chicago. Owner-chef Carlos Abedrop butchers a whole rib rack himself to ensure the right cut.

The steak here isn’t the buttery, tender sort American (continued on page 18) WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2014 17

Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau/ Julie Soefer

REVIVAL MARKET The smoked Mangalitsa hot dog is tucked between a slow-dough pretzel bun and crowned with green-tomato relish and crispy chicharrón. (continued from page 17) diners

have come to expect. Here, it has the kind of chew that bursts with forceful flavors from beef grilled over mesquite fire. The lamb, too, while tender, is resilient with its characteristic gamey nuances.

Meats are good by themselves even with the standard sides of smoke-kissed beans, skin-on fried potatoes and three-alarm salsas. Lunch & dinner, Mon.-Sun., 322 Westheimer, 832-6236467. lacasadelcaballo.com. $$$

Masraff’s Upscale modern American Neighborhood: Galleria Pristine ingredients fortified by skilled execution highlight this Houston establishment, refreshed by relocating to Post Oak Boulevard.

Natural light pours into an elegant room that sets the stage for food that packs flavor and character.

Caramelized diver scallops are glossed with carrot-ginger bisque and buttery sweet corn. Gumbo is buoyant with jumbo crab claws, and the filet has the discernibly rich taste of prime beef. Lunch & dinner Tues.-Fri. and dinner Sat. 1753 Post Oak Blvd, 713-355-1975. masraffs.com. $$$

McHugh Tea Teahouse and more Neighborhood: Bellaire This shabby chic corner charms with its English ambiance illuminated by tea-cup chandeliers, refurbished tea sets and ornately framed photos of famous tea sippers, including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis and Michael Jackson.

Fragrant organic teas – hibiscus blossom oolong, masala chai and cabernet assam – gently brew in glass orbs while regulars fork into lemon and chocolate pies topped with WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2014 18

solidly crisp, snow-white meringue. The Southwestern pulled-pork quiche with shortbread-like crust is the envy of other chefs.

Lunch & dinner, Tues.-Sat., 5305 Bissonnet, Bellaire. 713-218-6300. mchughtea.com. $

Osteria Mazzantini Upscale rustic Italian Neighborhood: Galleria/Uptown Whipped lardo butter arrives with pillowy potato bread. If diners don't succumb to chefowner John Sheely's opening act, then they'll likely fall for his house-made ravioli, stuffed with earthy sweetbreads and kale, then lightly tossed in seared browned butter dotted with aged balsamic vinegar. The flavors are appealing – caramelized saltiness shot through with sweet and sour notes. Desserts are creative but grounded in Old World flavors, such as a mousse made with limoncello and an orange-olive oil cake with olive oil ice gelato and zabaglione. Lunch and dinner, Mon.-Sun., 2200 Post Oak Blvd. No. 140, 713-993-9898. osteriamazzantini.com. $$$$

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

Passandprovisions.com. $$-$$$$

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

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

Quattro Contemporary Italian Neighborhood: Downtown Talented chef Maurizio Ferrarese brings the flavors of his native Italy to Quattro at the Four Seasons Hotel. The dining room is an elegant affair. Quality is high, and almost everything is made in-house. Just as engaging is the adjoining Vinoteca Quattro bar where an eclectic group of downtown workers unwind over Italian beers, wines and Italian small plates during happy hour. From 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, guests can purchase a wine or cocktail and allyou-can-eat antipasti for $18. Breakfast, lunch & dining Mon.-Sun. 1300 Lamar, 713-6501300. quattrorestauranthouston.com. $$-$$$$

Sparrow Bar + Cookshop Modern American Neighborhood: Midtown Monica Pope is forever reinventing herself

and her restaurant concept. Her latest incarnation, the Sparrow Bar + Cookshop, applies beautiful, subtle flavors to farm-fresh local ingredients. Bronzed Texas quail nestles on warm yellow-corn grits hinting of orange zest. Caramel miso and blossom butter enhance hanger steak.

Creativity carries over to a dynamic cocktail menu. Pope grasped the value of using fresh fruits and herbs in drinks long before it became a trend. Her hand-crafted cocktails push boundaries to offer new, exciting flavors, such as a vodka creation with roasted red bell pepper puree, shiitake mushroom vermouth and jalapeño syrup. Lunch and dinner, Tues.Sat., 3701 Travis, 713-524-6922. sparrowhouston.com. $$$

Texas de Brazil Brazilian steakhouse Neighborhood: Memorial Two things are required to appreciate this Dallas churrascaria chain: a big appetite and friends to cheer you on while forking endless skewered meats that are paraded around the cheery room. The waiters are charming, even after your third visit to an extraordinary salad bar, featuring every vegetable imaginable. The Brazilian steakhouse also offers a light menu for about half price. Dinner Mon.-Sun. 822 Town & Country Blvd., 713-730-3013. texasdebrazil.com. $$$

Tony’s Upscale Gulf Coast Italian Neighborhood: Upper Richmond Old World Italian provides a water-walled backdrop for star sightings, anniversaries, birthdays and engagements over Riedel glasses and Christofle flatware. Cinematic plots unfold under the watchful eye of consummate restaurateur Tony Vallone, whose Gulf Coast Italian menu sparkles with chef Grant Gordon’s astute seasonings and delicate swordplay of flavors.

When available, try the pea ravioli with lamb sausage, which shimmers with creamy richness. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Fri. and dinner Sat. 3755 Richmond, Houston, TX 77046, 713-622-6778. tonyshouston.com. $$$$

Underbelly Upscale Texas eats Neighborhood: Montrose Underbelly chef-owner Chris Shepherd’s menu is a touchstone of the nose-to-tail movement. The Oklahoman is known to haul a whole hog through a roomful of diners, and his passion is mirrored by a striking woodcutting of a snout at the entrance. Family-style offerings include a pork roast with smoky sweet cornbread. Another piglet rendition is spicy kimchi stew.

Shepherd shares his fondness for Asian cuisines with sweeping touches here and there – all of which are satisfying against an airy, modern, Texas Hill Country setting, with maple wood communal tables, fresh wildflowers and a wall of homemade preserves. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Thurs. and dinner Fri.Sat. 1100 Westheimer Road, 712-528-9800. underbellyhouston.com. $$$

THE SALON 3642 University Blvd. 77005 713.668.0333 • WWW.STUDIO3THESALON.COM

Vallone’s Modern-American steakhouse Neighborhood: Memorial The option of adding any homemade pasta, such diminutive corn ravioli or short-rib tortellini, to your steak dinner for $9 adds to the appeal of the impeccably hand-cut slabs of steaks. But really all that is required for the juicy, charred, dry-aged, bone-in ribeye is a side of fries and a robust California cabernet. With his new steakhouse, restaurateur Tony Vallone again illustrates that he knows good food, and his impeccable tastes are expertly translated on the menu by executive chef-partner Grant Gordon.

Normally, we skip sauces, especially when the steaks (wet and dry age) shine with just a dash of salt. But in this case, the cabernet foie gras jus and spicy béarnaise are hard to pass up, as is the Colorado lamb chop with chickpea purée. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. and dinner Sun. 947 Gessner, 713-395-6100. vallonessteakhouse.com. $$$$

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

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2014 19

NEIGHBORS

by Alex Daily, contributing writer

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Where Are They Headed?

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fter applications, essays and testing, members of the Class of 2014 finally have decided where they will be going to college. For some, their future careers have been decided since kindergarten, but others’ passions have shifted dramatically over years. Read on to see where our local students are headed.

If you or your student isn’t listed here, not to worry. See westubuzz.com to enter the details in our annual database of graduating seniors.

1. Lyndsey Lafitte – Annunciation Orthodox School, Lamar High School; McKinley Wade – River Oaks Baptist School, Lamar High School Cousins Lyndsey and McKinley have always been close but with different interests. As a child, Lyndsey wanted to be either an author or a rock star. She has decided to major in biomedical sciences at Northwestern University. She wishes she could tell her kindergarten self to be more outgoing and to take more risks. McKinley dreamed of being an astronaut. McKinley would remind her kindergarten self to work hard, advice that she has adopted herself. She will attend the College of William and Mary, planning to earn a degree in business.

2. Will Reid – West University Elementary School, Pershing Middle School, Lamar High School At a young age, Will was obsessed with baseball, hoping to one day become a professional baseball player. Though his love of baseball is still present, Will has decided to pursue a career in business at Baylor University. He wishes he could tell his kindergarten self to treat everyone kindly.

3. Kristen Santiago – Post Oak School, Annunciation Orthodox School, St. John’s School Ever since elementary school, Kristen has had a passion for dance. She wanted to be a ballerina when she was younger, and that desire for dance has continued. The St. John’s senior has committed to Columbia University, planning to major not only in chemistry but also in dance. Her advice to her kindergarten self would be to try new things because you never know what you’ll like.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2014 20

4. Bowie Lin – West U Elementary School, Lanier Middle School, Bellaire High School When he was younger, Bowie wanted to be a pediatrician, architect and an astronaut. He has since decided to study biochemistry and cell biology at Rice University. He wishes he could tell his kindergarten self not to worry about what other people say, and do whatever makes you happy.

5. Connor Albert – Presbyterian School, St. John’s School When he was younger, Conner wanted to be a lawyer. However, since his early days, Connor has changed his career path. He will now study environmental engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey.

6. Sarah Oakley – West University Elementary School, Trafton Academy, Episcopal High School Like many young girls, Sarah loved dressing up and trying on new outfits, dreaming of one day being a famous fashion designer. Her passion for art and design is still prominent in her life.

She will double major in studio art and business at Washington University in St. Louis. Sarah would tell her kindergarten self to enjoy everything while it lasts.

7. Xavier Marshall – St. Theresa’s Catholic School, St. Thomas’ Episcopal School Inspired by the brave cops he always heard about, Xavier hoped to one day become a police officer. Since then, he has realized that his interests are more focused in business. Xavier has chosen to attend Texas A&M University for college, studying finance in the Mays School of Business. Xavier would tell his kindergarten self to never stop learning.

8. Matt Speer – Shlenker Elementary School, The Emery/Weiner School, Episcopal High School Though Matt wanted to be a doctor as a child, his interests have changed dramatically.

After enjoying theater so much in high school, he has decided to study theater performance and production at Texas State University in the fall.

He would advise his kindergarten self to take advantage of nap time.

9. Collin Burwinkel – Horn Elementary School, Pin Oak Middle School, St. Thomas High School Even though Collin loved Bellaire baseball when he was growing up, he was fascinated by The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore. He admits to practicing being the weatherman often, making up fake weather reports for fun. Collin still dreams of being involved in the media industry and will major in public relations or media communications and broadcasting at the University of Alabama.

Collin’s advice to his kindergarten self would be to make new friends, but remember to keep in touch with old friends, and just to enjoy life.

10. Sam Schwager – The Kinkaid School “Dream big, but live in the present,” Sam would tell his kindergarten self. Even when he was younger, Sam wanted to be the owner of his own company. He has continued to be highly motivated. In the fall, he will study engineering at Stanford University.

11. Cooper Deal – The Kinkaid School Cooper, whose career goal in kindergarten was to be well-off, is still on track to achieve his dream. The Kinkaid senior plans to study business at the University of Georgia in the fall. His advice to his kindergarten self would be to remember to share his toys with others.

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SPORTS

by Cheryl Laird, staff writer

The Polo Girls

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hen you think of polo in town, what likely pops to mind is the Houston Polo Club, that surprising patch of urban green bordered by the tangled trees of Memorial Park and roaring Interstate 10.

Also, we’re guessing, you envision women in lovely hats on the sidelines and men – athletic, confident, possibly privileged – in white britches, dwarfing their galloping ponies, bumping each other and whacking a ball in aggressive scrums down a large grass field.

Those pictures aren’t wrong. But they don’t tell the whole story, including the unlikely tale of four teenage girls who play in small arenas where the ball bounces off surrounding walls at crazy angles, and the action is concentrated and intense.

This spring, one Houston girls’ team, cobbled together from four different high schools, did something nobody expected. They won the Interscholastic Central Regionals, beating longtime powerhouse Indiana prep school Culver Academy, where polo is a varsity sport, and earning a trip to Connecticut for the Interscholastic Polo Nationals, where they placed third in the country.

“Words cannot describe how proud I feel of my team and everything we have accomplished together,” says Lauren Rae, a junior at The Kinkaid School and one of the team members, along with Episcopal High School senior Kendall Plank, St. Agnes Academy junior Nora O’Neill and Foster High sophomore Courtney Price, formerly of Memorial High.

“I’m passionate about horses, and that’s really what I love about the game itself,” says Kendall, the veteran team captain who will play polo for Texas A&M University this fall. “It combines a competitive team sport with this incredible animal, and the adrenaline rush you get when you’re out there is unparalleled.”

Like many players, Kendall started because she loved horses. She tried jumping lessons, but, attracted to the thrill and the team sport, switched to polo lessons with trainer Barlee Flanders at the Houston Polo Club.

In Interscholastic polo for high schoolers, as in Intercollegiate play for university students, you don’t always ride your own horses. You travel to WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2014 22

the competing school’s arena and compete on donated horses from that school and the region.

While there are some equine gems in the programs, there are also some tricky, challenging mounts, and riders must be able to handle all sorts.

This year’s Central Regionals were held here, but not at the Houston SWING THAT MALLET Kendall Plank, who will Polo Club. They were at play polo at Texas A&M the vast ERG Polo University, served as the Complex in Brookshire, high school team’s capwhich also serves as the tain. Inset photo: From left are Regionals-champion home field of the Texas teammates Nora O’Neill, A&M Polo Club. Most Lauren Rae, Kendall and drivers of cars whizzing by Courtney Price. on nearby I-10 don’t realize there are multiple full-size polo fields – each nine times bigger than a football field – just beyond sight, where mature trees from an old pecan plantation border scenic expanses of manicured grass.

It’s all very lovely and civilized – until you approach the covered arena surrounded by parked cars. Spilling out of it are raucous sounds: parents hollering from bleachers, the smack of a ball hitting a wooden wall, the nonstop throbbing of hooves and an amplified announcer’s tense play-by-play: “Busting clear of the pack! A shot on goal!”

Inside, the action is anything but ladylike. It’s hard-core. The reason for the riders’ helmets and horses’ protective boots becomes clear as mallets swoop in high-speed circles, and galloping ponies bump each other at high speed, then stop and “sit” on their haunches to turn and race the other way.

These lightweight ponies, most technically small horses, are among the most adaptable of equines, sensitive yet tough. Their manes are buzzed off (“roached”) and tails are braided up tight to stay out of the way.

Local instructor and player Mark Prinsloo says polo, like other team sports, is largely about anticipating each other’s moves. He thinks of it as field hockey on horses, except the defense is more like basketball, where you position yourself to block

an established “line.” “You get next to the opposing player, shoulder to shoulder, and ride him off.”

Team member Nora says polo is like another favorite sport; soccer. But in this case you’re controlling the four legs of another creature with a mind of its own, plus swinging a stick after that elusive, rolling target.

“This sport is hard to play!” says Courtney, who recently met up with Kendall at the ERG arena to watch the national Intercollegiate finals between teams who had traveled from across the country. Courtney will take over Kendall’s spot as team captain of the girls’ high school team next season, and she already is anticipating next year’s Regionals.

During breaks in between “chukkers,” as periods of play are called, she eyes a band of little girls on a patch of grass outside the arena. On foot, the girls dash back and forth, chasing a ball and swinging “foot mallets.”

Recruits.

MORE ONLINE For a video of the polo team, see this story at westubuzz.com.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2014 23

SPORTS

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by Todd Freed, staff writer

SportzBuzz

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s the Bellaire Cardinals softball team entered the post-season playoffs, they did so as District 20-5A Champions.

So, what else is new? Bellaire has won its district title in 15 of the last 17 seasons, including the last eight years in a row.

“We end up with great kids year after year who have a passion for the sport,” said Cardinals head coach Brien Tuffly. “Plus, Bellaire is such a tremendous academic institution, and a lot of kids want to go school here. Fortunately for us, a lot of them can play great softball.”

Bellaire closed out the regular season with a lofty 24-4 record and was ranked among the top 10 Class 5A teams in Texas. “There’s a lot of talented players in our lineup,” said Tuffly. “Many of these girls have been playing together since they were kids. We’re pretty strong in all facets of the game.”

Leading the way for Bellaire is a five-some of seniors who will play softball on the collegiate level. Pitcher Gabriela Alatorre, who’s been on the mound for every victory this season, will suit up for Rochester University, while third baseman Molly Oretsky has signed with Penn, shortstop Libby Brown is heading to Houston Baptist University, center fielder Jasmin Vasquez is going to Stetson, and left fielder Sara De La Cruz has signed with The University of Oklahoma City.

In tennis, it was a magnificent season for the Memorial Mustangs, capped off by a state championship in boys doubles from the duo of senior Ciro Lampasas and junior Sam Giammalva. The Mustangs tandem also happen to be cousins.

“Sam and Ciro were kind of the favorites going into the state tournament, but they had to play at an extremely high level to win it all,” said Mustangs tennis coach Budd Booth. “They played great, winning three tough matches in straight sets.”

CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON The Lamar High School girls lacrosse team was all smiles after defeating the St. John’s Mavericks for the first time to win the City of Houston Lacrosse Championship.

In addition, the Memorial girls doubles team of seniors Nousha Nowamooz and Courtney Wright finished second in the state, winning their state quarterfinal and semifinal matches before falling to Plano West in the state championship final.

If all that weren’t enough, Memorial juniors Tadhg Collins and Parker Siller advanced to the state quarterfinals in boys doubles, as did the Mustangs’ mixed-doubles duo of sophomore Max Palmer and junior Meredith Hughes. In all, eight of the 16 qualifiers at the state tennis tournament were from Memorial, which was more than any school in Texas.

“It’s pretty amazing to not only have that many kids qualify for state but also do so well once they get there,” said Booth. “Our kids are very dedicated to the sport, and even though they play a lot of USTA tennis, they also really enjoying competing at the high school level.”

It’s been a monumental season for the Lamar High School girls lacrosse team, which earned a No. 1 seeding entering the Texas Girls High School Lacrosse League State Championship Tournament. Lamar earned the top seed by virtue of a pair of major victories, including an 11-8 win over The Woodlands in the district championship, followed by a 9-5 victory over St. John’s to win the city championship.

“This is my eighth year to be involved with Lamar lacrosse, and we had never defeated St. John’s,” said Bill Wade, president of Lamar

Let Our Crew Feed Yours WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2014 24

Women’s Lacrosse. “It was really special to get that win. A lot of our girls and the St. John’s girls play together in the summer for the Texas Rangers club team, so it’s a pretty spirited rivalry.”

Lamar, who won a state championship in Division II lacrosse in 2012, has made a smooth transition into Division I play. “We’ve been able to get some consistent coaching, and we’re blessed with some really good talent,” said Wade.

The talented lineup features five all-state selections, including goalie Katherine Farmer, midfielders Tobey Falk, Lyndsey Lafitte and McKinley Wade, and attacker Macy Moseley.

Three of those five will play at the collegiate level, with Farmer going to Rhodes College, Lafitte committing to Northwestern and Wade heading to the College of William and Mary.

“Lyndsey and McKinley are also first cousins, so it’s been really nice to have them on the same team. They’re very close friends,” said Wade.

In addition, a trio of Lamar juniors were selected to the Texas High School Girls National Team. Hannah Gant, Aileen Qin and Mikayla Davis will compete in this summer’s Women’s Lacrosse National Team tournament.

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

FREE Chips and Medium Drink with sub purchase Bellaire @ Stella Link - 713-665-7827 Meyerland Plaza - 713-660-7827

CONGRATULATIONS to the St. Thomas High School Class of 2014!

May Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge guide you in all your future endeavors!

These young men join more than 10,000 St. Thomas alumni and will be moving on to college and universities across the country.

Elioth Acevedo-Caballero III Alexander Michael Adrion Oluchukwu Joseph Agu William Robert Aigner National Honor Society Philip Wayne Alani Connor Culmer Alo Carson Whittemore Badger Michael Steven Bak National Honor Society Jordan Manuel Bautista-Rosales Peter James Bedell Jacob Anthony Birsinger Sammy Charles Bosco Jaren Martell Bradford Robert Maxwell Brant Keon Javon Broadnax Christopher Jesse Burbridge National Hispanic Scholar National Honor Society Walter Alec Burns Collin Daniel Burwinkel Russell Matthew Cadle Phillip Andrew Carter National Hispanic Scholar National Honor Society Jack Harrison Chadbourne Laurence Kendall Clarke Eliott James Cleveland Matthew Faber Cole Benjamin Parsley Condara Glenn Graham Cordua Christopher Joseph Cox Logan Andrew Crocker Marty Vu Dang National Honor Society Alexander Gerald DeClaire Mack Coleman Dowdall Dennis Patrick Duffy Avery Christian Dufilho JonEric Echavarria Rawlings Spiers Elam Daniel Thompson Farley Grady James Fleming George Christian Lightfoot Gabel Samuel Lewis Gallant José Arturo Garcés Aaron Christopher Garcia National Honor Society Fabián Eduardo García National Honor Society Philip Henry Garza Jopert Banay Gavino National Honor Society John Joseph Gentempo Damian Anthony Gonzales

Mitchell James Gonzales National Honor Society Diego Gonzalez Luke Matthew Gorski Harrison Thomas Grant National Honor Society Amanpreet Singh Grewal Carter Lawson Grigsby Timothy Willibrord Groten Gregory George Guidry National Honor Society Alexander Matthew Han Daniel Paul Hanna Ryan Edward Hanse Kurt Matthew Hanson, Jr. David Denton Harris Peter David Hawkins National Merit Commended Student National Honor Society Jake Sebastian Helmburg National Honor Society Rolando Hernandez, Jr. Santino Luke Herrada Zachary Bryce Hill Coby Richard Hitipeuw Nathan James Hoelker Matthew Lee Hughes Samuel Konz Irvine Jabari Ayo Jackson Jordan Anthony Jenkins Nathan Marcus Jennings Carter Forbes Jones James Brandes Keating Joseph Angelo Khawly Clayton Reed Kiatta Collin John Klenke National Merit Commended Student National Honor Society Spencer Ryan Krumholz Zackary Thomas Krus Michael Anthony Kurzy Mason Lee Lane Christopher Dai Lap Le Thomas Garrison Herrmann Lee Brandon Chase Longer Joseph Dominique Lowery National Honor Society Kyle Clark Lozano National Hispanic Scholar Stephen James Luther Pedro Pablo Luzuriaga IV Ferris Mouhanad Mahaini Darryl Dela Cruz Maniego Derrick Dela Cruz Maniego Ryan Joseph Manley Travis Robert Martin

Aaron Dario Martinez Andrés Martínez-Herran Thejus - Justin Sheji Mathews Andrew Cameron McCulloch National Honor Society Grant Steven McCullough Brent Armond Miles Robert Thomas Milhollin Tristan James Miller Juan Luis Mirón Joshua Andre Mitford Ryan Christopher Molina Julian David Moncada Daniel Lewis Morgan National Merit Finalist National Honor Society Jonathan Gabriel Morin Taylor Paul Thomas Mullen Eduardo Navarrete Timothy Schmidt Nemec National Merit Scholar National Honor Society Aaron Thien An Nguyen National Honor Society Michael Collin Nielsen National Hispanic Scholar National Honor Society Matthew Vardeman O’Connor James Alan Olsen II National Merit Finalist National Hispanic Scholar National Honor Society Paul Vincent Palomo Michael Ernest Payne Alejandro Eduardo Pérez Austin Ward Peters Jacob Andrew Podlin Jairus AuShawn-Lee Pollard Andre Michael Pradia, Jr. Charles Renauld Pressler Christian James Quinn Graham Patrick Quinn Xavier Noel Ramirez Joshua Craig Reece Ross Michael Reul, Jr. National Merit Finalist National Honor Society Michael James Rodgers Mario Gabriel Rodriguez William Robert Rose Brady Scott Roth Christopher Ryan Rzasnicki National Honor Society Kevin Ian Salcedo National Merit Commended Student National Honor Society

Tristan Randal Salinas National Hispanic Scholar National Honor Society Daniel Henry Sanders Douglas Benson Sauter Kyle Allen Scott Salutatorian National Merit Commended Student National Honor Society Kirk Anthony Selexman, Jr. Sutter Patrick Sharp David Elvis Shaw National Honor Society Israel Sierra-Uribe Diego Alexander Singleton Michael David Slaughter Robert Christopher Somma National Merit Commended Student National Honor Society Nicholas Angelo Spedale James Michael Stavinoha Anthony Daniel Stephenson Cole Weston Stevenson Blair Evan Thoman Valedictorian National Merit Scholar National Honor Society Peter Samuel Thurston Cyrus James Tolman National Honor Society Mark Anthony Toscano Antony Pham Tran Dakota Hanks Villarreal Kevin James Viola Michael Robert Viola Matthew Thomas Vogelsang Michael Thomas Walker Jonathan Alexander Wall National Honor Society Christopher Taylor Waters Neal David Watson Alec Michael Weninger National Honor Society Thomas Everett Wilbanks Brian Starkey Williams National Honor Society John Linden Williams Travis Allen Williamson Alexander Lee Wilson Nicholas Ben Wong Edgar Michael Yokubaitis National Hispanic Scholar Timothy Alan Zallar National Honor Society Michael Richard Zartler Christopher Alan Zook Jr.

The Basilian Fathers – Teaching Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge in Houston since 1900 St. Thomas High School | 4500 Memorial Dr. | Houston 77007-7332 | 713.864.6348 | www.sths.org WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2014 25

NEIGHBORS

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by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz About Town Lanier Sinfonia scores Lanier Middle School Sinfonia, the school’s top string orchestra, competed at the district UIL competition at Elsik High School. Participating were bass musicians Drew Pruitt, Ewan Curtis (pictured) and Grant Phillips, who all auditioned for and made the prestigious Region Orchestra this year. Ewan also plays in the jazz band at Lanier. Sinfonia’s

conductor is teacher Aleta Cole. The orchestra performed three musical pieces, and musicians also were tested in sight reading. Sinfonia received all ‘1s’ from the judges in both events, the top score a varsity team can attain.

A Southern soirée Greg Grissom and his wife, St. Mark’s Gala cochair Jamie Grissom, and Dave and co-chair Hollie Fulghum (pictured, from left) welcomed guests to their sold-out event at The Houstonian Hotel and Spa. This year’s gala, The Southern Soirée: The Soul of St. Mark’s, was one of the most successful in the school’s history, raising over

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$197,000. A large collection of student artwork, parent and student socials, unique items, and oneof-a-kind experiences were auctioned through an online bidding center and in a live auction.

Pre-prom promenading It was a Hollywood entry for Emery/Weiner High School seniors as they arrived at the Selzer family home for a pre-prom photo session. The

Also, Patrick and James received their senior bats, a long-standing tradition, at the West University Little League closing ceremonies after playing for 11 years.

Happy dance home is on a U-shaped street, which got so backed up with traffic that each student was dropped off one car at a time, creating a red carpet-like moment. Neighbors clapped as the students walked by. Some among the glitterati were Erika Selzer, Kayla Roseman, Vanessa Ross, Melissa Darlow, Ryan Brandt, Lindsey Bronston, Ariel Brown, Hannah Kass, Andrew Gomel, Joseph Kuperman, Samantha Minkowitz, Brook Lampert, Drew Levy, Richard Fielkow, Jennie Levy, Eric Uzick, Margery DePriest, Isabelle Bressler, Oren Rosenbaum, Alyssa Cohen, Jordan Dokell, Grant Zucker, Matthew Leightman, Gal

Tuchshneider, Samuel Spier, Noah Baliff, Cameron Rubenstein, Alec Lapin, David Kramer, Melanie Lopez, Aaron Warga, Darci Papell, David Romo, Cameron Cavalier, Alison Wulfe, Andrew Frederick and Alexa Barsky.

Buddy system Matt Ashbaugh, James Grant, Cameron Cash and Patrick Leyendecker (pictured, from left), all sophomores and baseball players at St. Thomas High School, joined in the fun as “buddies” at a Challenger game. Challenger is a baseball program for kids with disabilities, where everyone gets to participate and no score is kept.

Residents like Dee Dee Dochen had a ball at the 15th annual Rock ‘n Roll on Rice Blvd. block party organized by Fawaz Hashmi and John Stokes. Several Houston nonprofits joined in for a surprise flash mob, dancing for partygoers to Pharrell Williams’ song Happy. Dochen and others helped get the crowd going as everyone circled around. Participating nonprofits were TUTS’ Humphreys School of Musical Theatre, DePelchin Children’s Center, Music Doing Good, Brighter Bites, Houston Center for Literacy, AVANCE Houston, Urban Harvest and ESCAPE Family Resource Center. Local band Moondance played (continued on page 28)

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2014 27

for everyone. To see the video, go to YouTube.com and search Mind/Body/Spirit “Happy” Flash Mob.

Texas time Nearly 200 West University Elementary fourth graders enjoyed a learning experience in the state capital of Austin. The day started early when five buses loaded at 5:30 a.m. Students had a full day of Texas history and government, with visits to the Capitol and Visitors Center and the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum, where they watched the popular interactive movie about Texas. They stopped at the Texas State Cemetery, suggested to them by Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, and learned colorful stories of the lives and deaths of politicians and military figures. They enjoyed cookies that Sen. Joan Huffman sent, as well as Rep. Sarah Davis’ pres-

Smile

entation on how to turn a bill into a law.

Jenny Antill

(continued from page 27)

Hope and OCD Bonnie Weekley and Sam and Melinda Stubbs (pictured, from left) were among 400 who attended The Hope and Healing Center and Institute third annual Chrysalis Occasion Award Luncheon at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church.

Luncheon chairs were Liz and Matt Rotan, and speaker and Chrysalis Award recipient was Elizabeth McIngvale. Her parents, Linda and Jim McIngvale, were honorary chairs. Elizabeth told a powerfully honest story of her illness and recovery from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and her father gave his perspective of her illness. Elizabeth’s accomplishments include earning a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in social work. She is a licensed master social worker and has founded her own non-profit

foundation, Peace of Mind Foundation. Her mission is to improve the quality of life for OCD sufferers and caregivers.

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The Nichols

In honor of Bill

together for the American Diabetes Association Sweethearts Mother/Daughter Fashion show at Tootsies. It was an afternoon of fun and fashion with over 100 mothers and daughters in attendance. Each high school Sweetheart volunteers at least 15 hours for the American Diabetes Association and also raises at least $2,000 in donations.

Cajuns and cowboys Lamar High School 2003 and Southern Methodist University 2007 grad Sarah Lawson married Texas A&M 2006 graduate and Rice University MBA 2013 grad Travis Covington at the Wild Onion Ranch in Austin. To honor Travis’ Louisiana roots in the predominantly

Texas-themed wedding, they went with a “Cajun Cowboy” theme for the food, with crawfish-etouffee pies and chicken-fried quail.

They served bourbon-carrot-flavored King Cake for dessert. Guests enjoyed all types of tunes, including country, of course, by the Texas Unlimited Band. Wedding-party members included Jeff Borgan, Jordan Brown, Becca Burnitt, Logan Campbell, Julia Domning, Eric Doyal, Sarah and John Egerman, Sarah Hawkins, Daniel Jenkins, Sam Laurence, David Lawson, Robert Lawson, Margaret Pearce, Michelle Pine, Nora Reardon, Jolie Relyea, Megan Schuler, Anna Thomas and Zach Wolf. The couple honeymooned in tropical Anguilla.

Southside Place firefighters, residents and friends gathered to accept Firehouse Subs’ donation of a $16,000 thermal-imaging camera to the Southside Place Fire Department. Firehouse Subs owners Jeff Lepow and his wife Heather stood with the family of volunteer firefighter Bill Perlmutter, who passed away last year of cancer. Bill had helped get the project going, and he and Jeff had been working on the project together prior to his passing. Jeff ensured the project came to fruition. The camera donation is in honor of Bill’s life. Pictured (from left) are Lepow, Bill’s wife Marjorie, their daughter Celeste and granddaughter Maggie.

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

Items are published on a space-available basis.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2014 29

CELLO SUCCESS Charles Seo, a senior at The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and a scholarship recipient of the nonprofit Music Doing Good, performs at an award ceremony. He will attend The Colburn School on full scholarship.

KIDS

by Charles Seo, age 18

Buzz Kidz

Following musical dreams

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usic runs in my family. My mother was a church pianist, and my dad played the trumpet. During church services as an infant, with no one to look after me, I would lie underneath the piano my mother was playing and enjoy the music, never crying. I believe this is where I got my musical talent. Despite my parents’ love for music, they were extremely disappointed and upset when I told them that I wanted to major in music. They wanted me to become a doctor, lawyer or engineer. However, I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I finally convinced them by reminding them that my Korean name, Chanyoung, means “to praise and glorify the Lord’s name with music.” I was in the 10th grade when I made that decision. Ever since, I started entering local concerto competi-

tions and won a lot of them, one by one. By the time I became a senior, I had won first place in all the local competitions in Houston, so I started applying for bigger, international competitions such as the Ima Hogg Competition. I thought, “Why not give it a try?” I had no idea that I would make it into the semifinals. Soon, I will be competing with professional musicians as the youngest competitor. I was also invited to participate in two other prestigious international programs, Stulberg International String Competition and the Irving M. Klein International String Competition. I believe I arrived at where I am today because I had many helping hands. My mentor, Brinton Smith, is more than a teacher to me. He is like a father to me, and he taught me so many things, not just

about music, but about life. I believe that once an individual finds what he wants to do, he should try his best to achieve that goal. Many obstacles may block his path, but he must not give up. I will continue to work towards my own goals, and I hope to become a person who can help students who are in need.

MORE ONLINE To hear Charles play, see the video with this story at westubuzz.com.

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

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Corporate fiduciaries Imagine you named your daughter as executor under your will. She can’t stand up to her husband, and you worry he’ll spend her inheritance. You could leave the money in trust, but if she’s the trustee, the money will still find its way to him.

Or suppose your children would make perfect executors, but they are so successful and busy that they prefer to delegate.

In either case, a corporate fiduciary might be the answer. Rather than friends or family, you may name a qualified company as executor or trustee under your will.

As executor, the corporate fiduciary would go to probate court, pay your debts, file your final tax return, and distribute what’s left. Fees start at 3 percent of the estate. If family might fight, this can be an efficient way to split the pot. The expense is finite and predictable because the executor’s job is done once the assets are distributed. The money can go directly to the kids, free of trust.

If the children are young or unreliable, a trust may be necessary. As trustee, the corporate fiduciary holds the money and makes distributions (“No. You may not have $50,000 for a new car.”). Fees may be 2 percent, more or less, per year. A trustee serves until the money runs out. Over time, the expense can be considerable.

Is it worth it? Many trust companies don’t think so unless you leave $1 million or more, though some trust companies will accept as little as $300,000. Even a $5 million estate can be uneconomical; e.g., undeveloped land with no cash for taxes and insurance.

Discounts are available when the trust company serves as an agent rather than a fiduciary. A real person is named executor or trustee, but the trust company does all the work. This can be a good solution for the children who are successful but busy.

Every trust company will review the family and the estate and will reject assignments that appear unsuitable. Is there an ongoing business that’s difficult to manage?

Too many beneficiaries in prison or rehab?

If naming a corporate fiduciary, meet with them to confirm your family is a good fit. Better yet, consider funding a trust in your lifetime, to test drive the fiduciary and fine tune your plans. Whatever the cost, it’s often less than estate administration by ungrateful or incompetent heirs.

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

Russell W. Hall, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Board Certified–Estate Planning and Probate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 6750 West Loop So. Ste. 920, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.662.3853, www.rwhpc.com

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A minute with Maisie

Specialists in Ob/Gyn

Many clients ask me, “Can someone be married without a formal ceremony?” The Texas Family Code provides that an informal marriage, or “common law marriage,” is possible if the parties live together as husband and wife, hold themselves out as husband and wife, and agree to be married. If one party denies the existence of the informal marriage, the parties can litigate these facts and are entitled to a jury on this issue. While there can be an informal marriage, there is no mechanism for an informal divorce. Therefore, if you think you may have entered into an informal marriage, seek the advice of counsel as it does require a formal divorce in order to dissolve the marriage.

Maisie A. Barringer is a partner at Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P., a full-service, boutique, family law firm specializing in divorce, child custody modifications, grandparent access, paternity, adoption, and premarital and postmarital agreements. Maisie A. Barringer has been recognized as a Texas Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly magazine for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013.

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

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

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

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

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Honey and allergies: sweet relief or sticky disappointment?

In these days of increasing allergy prevalence, it seems everyone’s got a quick fix. One of the more common claims states that taking a tablespoon of locally produced honey every day can rid you of your allergies. As the theory goes, local honey contains local pollen, and eating it exposes you to daily amounts of the pollen in the same way allergy shots or drops would, eventually “desensitizing” you to the pollen.

Here’s the problem with that theory: the pollen in honey is not the same pollen that makes you sneezy, runny, itchy and stuffy. Allergenic plants (the ones that do make you sneezy, runny, stuffy) pollinate by wind. They produce pollen that is very light, thus giving it the ability to become airborne.

This pollen is then transferred on air currents to other plants, causing pollination. In order for this method of pollination to be successful, the plants must produce very large quantities of the pollen in order to make contact with another plant.

The fact that these pollen particles are so light, produced in such high volumes, and are airborne is what makes them allergenic to those of us who breathe the air around us (and thus the pollen). The majority of pollen that winds up in honey, however, comes from plants that rely on insects for pollination. They produce only a small amount of pollen and rely on nectar to attract insects that then carry and distribute pollen to other plants. Thus, honey is more likely to contain pollen from flowering plants like hibiscus, clover, or fruit trees, not the oak or ragweed pollen that plagues allergy sufferers.

But let’s put it to the test: In 2002 a study out of Connecticut looked at the role of daily honey ingestion in reducing allergic symptoms of nasal congestion,

drainage and sneezing. They compared three groups: local honey, national honey and placebo (honey-flavored corn syrup). No difference was found in allergic symptoms among the three groups (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2002;88:198– 203). There have, however, been reported cases of people suffering severe allergic reactions, even anaphylaxis, after eating honey. These reactions are believed to stem from the pollen contained in the honey. Rarely, honey can even contain botulin spores, which, while harmless to most children and adults, can be toxic to an infant’s less developed intestinal tract. Thus, honey should never be fed to infants under 1 year old.

Honey has many other purported health benefits, including cough suppression, antimicrobial qualities and antioxidants, and eating local honey helps to support the local economy and local farmers, but if you’re expecting it to ease your allergy symptoms, you might be in for a not-so-sweet surprise.

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.

Lisa Dargel, MS, MPAS, PA-C, The Allergy Clinic, 7707 Fannin, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77054, 713.797.0993, *1200 Binz, Suite 180, Houston, Texas 77004, 713.522.9911, www.allergyclinic.com, *Operating as Houston Allergy & Asthma Clinic

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Dudi Al-Fayed, age 17, Marquette St. I may still look and play like a kitten, but I’m 17 years old. I don’t like to be picked up, and I will wage war on Mom’s ankles when least expected. I’m not really bad, though. I love to garden with Grandma and decorate for holidays with Mom. I love music. Right now, I’m really into John Mayer. I love NASCAR; Kasey Kahne is my favorite driver because he is so pretty. I stay on neighborhood watch for other cats, raccoons and possums. So, have no fear – Dudi is here! I stay in my yard, although other cats wander in to get a taste of my food. My Mom and Grandma feed me fancy food. I’m very picky about the kind of food I eat, but at 17, I’ve earned the right to be. They also give me treats. My favorite is the “Party Mix.” I have to say, I have it good here in West U. 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, TX 77401. Featured pets receive two passes to Rover Oaks Pet Resort. Each pass can be redeemed for one day of lodging in a Bunk House Suite, 25 percent off your next grooming appointment or 25 percent off one obedience training class.

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NEIGHBORS

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by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

Back Porch

“You’ll definitely wear it again...”

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s a bride, Amy Kalmin thought she was pretty savvy. Fourteen years ago, Amy, who’s in business development, married her commodities-broker husband Murray surrounded by 10 or 12 bridesmaids (14 years and three kids later, who remembers?). For their dresses, she chose long purple skirts and asked all the bridesmaids to add their own black velvet top.

The idea was that the friends would undoubtedly wear their own tops again, and the skirts, Amy thought, would be perfect for subsequent parties.

“I was convinced my skirt was the most brilliant thing,” Amy says. “They’d wear these long, beautiful, iridescent, eggplant skirts again with a white Gap shirt, á la Sharon Stone. It was going to be the new thing.” But it didn’t quite work out.

“I’ve never seen any of my friends in one of those skirts again.”

Just about every bride who’s ever had bridesmaids thinks the same thing: Theirs is going to be the dress that everyone loves wearing again and again. I was guilty of it. Looking back, I still hold that my dresses (all 12 of them) were classic and pretty and intrinsically wearable, but ultimately they were what they were: bridesmaids’ dresses.

What is it with brides? What are those rosy glasses (or is temporary narcissism a better descriptor?) that tell us our dress is the best one ever, the one that people will wear again and again?

Bobbi Asarch has been a bridal consultant since 1984, and she says in all those years, nothing’s changed. “I don’t think there’s ever been a bride who hasn’t said, ‘I have this really cute dress….’ Maybe it’s really cute, but 10 other girls are going to be wearing it. And if you’ve got several bridesmaids who are friends and are all going to the same party, nobody would show up in the dress they wore in ‘Julie’s’ wedding, along with all of their friends.”

Ironically, Bobbi says her daughter Tracy is the only bridesmaid she’s ever known to actually wear a bridesmaid’s dress again. “It was a wedding about 17 or 18 years ago,” Bobbi says. “And those wide, flowy pants were in. I remember Tracy bought another top to go with the flowy bridesmaids pants, and she wore those pants.

That’s the only time I can remember someone actually wearing the dress again.”

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JUNE 2014 38

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Amy Kalmin was sure her bridesmaids would wear their purple skirts after her wedding, but then reality set in.

So what to do with the bridesmaids dresses?

Having a closet full of gowns that cost several hundred dollars each – that you’ll never don again – isn’t too practical.

Bobbi suggests looking at retail shops. “Call bridal shops and ask where people could take their gowns,” she says. “Or maybe if it’s long, cut it off, or take it to a dressmaker who knows what she’s doing and add a lace collar, or put a belt on it.”

I saved mine for my girls to play dress-up in, which has been kind of fun, because with each wearing, even as the dresses got dragged outside into the yard, I’d remember different friends’ weddings.

Or, take a cue from Amy. Though her iridescent, eggplant skirts never saw another all-night party, it turned out she was a pretty savvy bride.

Even before she was a bride.

Prior to getting engaged herself, Amy and her friend Ceron, the hairstylist, hosted a wedding shower for a friend, instructing everyone to wear a favorite bridesmaid’s dress. “The party was at the height of the time you were in wedding after

wedding, spending a fortune, just out of college, with closets full of dresses,” Amy says. “My friend and I were talking about how funny it was that we had all these gowns, when we’d really rather have spent the money on something we’d wear again. So we thought we’d give everyone a chance to wear the dresses again.

“I vividly remember sitting in my apartment with Ceron, piled up on the sofa with junk food and bad TV, coming up with what we thought was such a clever invitation and theme. We cracked ourselves up.”

The party was at Ceron’s house. “It was quintessential wedding. We had a Mexican-bakery version of a tiered wedding cake and a champagne fountain. If memory serves, we utilized the fountain for the whole weekend. There were no children to wake up for then.”

Still, a few years later, as a bride Amy just knew her skirts would live to see another party.

Bobbi could have set her straight. Her advice for something a bridesmaid might actually wear again? “Pick good shoes.”