The West University Buzz - April 2024

by Andria

EDITOR’S NOTE

Cindy Gabriel never disappoints with her knack for witty, thought-provoking storytelling. Cindy – who happens to be one of our very first Buzz writers – and I have a long history of late-night, often-convoluted phone conversations. One such recent conversation included: “I’m taking back my contact and keeping it for myself! It’s too good.” Cindy had been in touch with our travel writer, Tracy Barnett, who was working on an article about the upcoming, rare total solar eclipse. I love that our writers help each other out when needed. And I also love their instincts when they’re onto a story that’s just too good to pass up. Turns out that Cindy’s contact’s eclipse experience makes for one heck of a story. And Tracy’s travel story shines bright as she features an 83-year-old “eclipse chaser” and spotlights a teenage eclipse newbie. Both stories are “totally” worth the read (pun intended). joni@thebuzzmagazines.com

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Editor-in-Chief

Publisher

Joni Hoffman

Michael Hoffman

Editor Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld

Associate Editor Caroline Siegfried

Design Manager

Staff Writers

Account Managers

John Duboise

Tracy L. Barnett

Sharon Albert Brier

Cindy Burnett

Andria Dilling

Angie Frederickson

Todd Freed

Cindy Gabriel

Cathy Gordon

Michelle Groogan

Dai Huynh

Annie Blaylock McQueen

Jennifer Oakley

Cheryl Ursin

Andrea Blitzer

Leslie Little

Jo Rogers

Your letters, thoughts, opinions

From a proud grandmother

I'm so proud of Kelsey’s exceptional skills and determination to stay in shape and progress as the goalie she has become [Going for Gold: Kelsey Bing’s journey to the Olympics by Pooja Salhotra, March 2024]. It’s been very exciting to tell my friends and neighbors that she is going to the Olympics in Paris. People I haven’t talked to in a long time have called to congratulate me for having a granddaughter who will be in the Olympics.

Kelsey's engineering job plus all of the field hockey training, traveling, and games is an amazing accomplishment. I’m so happy that through all of this work and dedication, the Olympic trip will make her dream come true.

Alice Bing

Importance of the arts

I wanted to express my gratitude for the work you are doing highlighting the amazing student artists in the Houston area. Works of Rodeo Art [by Karen Vine Fuller, March 2024] was such a great read. I was so thankful that one of my students from Second Baptist School, Lucy Brown, was able to win a gold medal as an 8th grade student with her work Cows Galore. Art is so important in our society and I hope that more people begin to see how much talent the city of Houston has to offer. Let us never forget, you can’t be smart without art.

Kevin Gamas,

Second Baptist School

Celebrating celebrations

Great story about the group of friends from Bellaire getting together for a celebration of six decades of life [Travel Buzz: The Bellaire Birthday Boys go to Sea by Tracy L. Barnett, March 2024]. Fun reading something positive.

Kelly Frels

Story will be forever cherished

I can’t begin to express how touched Steve [Palmer] and I were by the beautiful story you did on us [Forever Valentines: Love and laughs, 51 years later by Cathy Gordon, Feb. 2024]. Although I must admit I originally thought it was going to be a short blurb among a group of other love stories, we had so much fun reliving 50+ years of memories with your warm and engaging writer, Cathy Gordon. Within minutes of meeting her, we felt like we had known her our entire lives and found ourselves spilling out unfiltered details in response to her insightful questions. What a gift she has with words!

We were humbled and honored to be chosen for this story. However, with a few changes of details and names, it could have been written about so many we know who have also been blessed with a good partner, a good marriage, and a bit of good fortune. The couples featured in Meet Cutes [by Pooja Salhotra, Feb. 2024] stole our hearts with their own unique and precious stories. Many thanks to the Buzz dream team: Cathy for capturing us so perfectly, photographer Nikky LaWell for making a dreaded photo shoot effortless and joyful, and the secondto-none editorial staff, Joni Hoffman, Jordan Magaziner, and Caroline Siegfried for the privilege of being included in your Forever Valentines’ issue.

Donna Palmer

Spreading hope

The silver lining in my double hip replacement comeback story [Beating the Odds: From recovery to marathon training by Pooja Salhotra, Feb. 2024] is that I’ve been given the privilege to help others who are suffering with congenital hip dysplasia and arthritis. After the Buzz issue came out, I received a handful of messages from people in the community who are suffering from hip dysplasia and/or arthritis. Being able to show others that life isn’t over with this diagnosis and that there is hope on the other side has been a gift. If I can provide others some of that hope that I was desperately searching for when I was in their shoes, then I feel like I’ve made a difference. Pooja did an incredible job. Not only is she talented and an excellent writer, but she has the ability to make the interview process fun and special.

Carrie Bradshaw

Inspirational story

Amazing story [Heart to Heart: Perhaps love is just waiting to be noticed by Cindy Gabriel, Feb. 2024]. It gave me chills. I think you are right: love is the answer. The bully is most often louder than bullied. We will stand together in love.

Diane Beers Gabouer

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

What’s your story?

We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who:

• Have a high school senior graduating in the Class of 2024 who would like to be part of our annual “Where are they headed?” feature. (Submission deadline: April 25)

• Have unique summer traditions with family or friends.

• Have a milestone life event to share.

• Know a buzzworthy neighbor to feature.

• Have a unique passion or hobby.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, please contact us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com or 713.668.4157, ext 102.

NEIGHBORS

by Cindy Gabriel, staff writer

Eclipsed!: A Love Story

Will she, or won’t she?

It was late in the Summer of 1967. Ellen Hart, 15, a Dallas girl, was spending the summer with her brother Paul Hart and his bride Phyllis at their Houston apartment on Stella Link right across the street from Lipp Dry Cleaners. That day, she walked across the street with her brother with some laundry.

Mike Peck, 16, was working a summer job at Lipp Cleaners, thanks to his aunt and uncle owners, Harold and Libby Lipp. “He was dreamy looking,” said Ellen. Mike seemed mutually smitten as he and Ellen exchanged flirty “hi’s” in a moment that ended all too soon.

The next day, feeling particularly charitable, Ellen decided to pick up her brother’s cleaning for him. Let’s just say that the visit lasted longer, including a tour of the dry-cleaning building, where somewhere between men’s shirts and women’s dresses, Ellen got her first kiss.

Soon Ellen was back in Dallas, finding occasional letters from Mike in her mailbox. (Yes, even teenagers wrote letters back then.)

Then, due to some realignment of the stars, Ellen’s parents decided to move to Houston, enrolling her in Bellaire High School, the same school as Mike. But alas, this is no fairytale. Ellen decided Mike wasn’t her type. “He was in the Science Club and I was more artsy. I liked hanging around the motorcycles and the guys who smoked.”

So nerdy Mike went on to become an international lawyer, while artsy Ellen moved to California and started a luxury leather goods company. Both married other people. Many moons later, it was 2009, the heyday of Facebook. Mike and Ellen, both single again, rediscovered each other.

Ellen was starting to feel the pull of Texas once more after several visits to a second brother, Teddy Hart, and wife Linda’s ranch in La Grange. “There is nothing like a night sky on a Texas ranch,” said Ellen.

Mike was commuting between Houston and Baghdad, when Ellen invited him to a “friends only” visit to Teddy and Linda’s ranch.

“He came with my favorite bottle of tequila and a box of chocolate-covered strawberries,” Ellen said. “We sat on the front porch. He was

so fascinating. He had lived all over the world. We both loved everything about the sky, the stars, the planets, astronomy. We watched meteor showers laying on the grass of my brother’s ranch.”

It took Mike six months of skywatching to get that second kiss. Then he would consistently hear Ellen’s “no” to his proposals.

Yet, in time, the pair found a house on some land called Seven Acres (not the senior living center, just a home for a seasoned couple), in a spot between La Grange and Round Top, that was actually seven acres with an art studio for Ellen.

Mike continued to work abroad while Ellen became a realtor in the Round Top area. “Each full moon, we played Harvest Moon by Neil Young and danced in our wide-open pasture,” said Ellen.

When “The Great American Eclipse” was anticipated for 2017, Mike and Ellen knew they would go somewhere to see it. They mentioned it to their couple friends, Frank Hillbolt and Denise Jacobs, over dinner one evening. Their response was quick and enthusiastic: “Let’s do it.”

They picked a viewing site parking lot in Cheyenne, Wyoming. “We flew into Denver, rented an SUV and started driving.” The roads to the viewing site were so jammed that they decided to take an early exit and see where fate took them.

“We wound up at a beautiful spot called Glendo Lake. We practically had the whole lake to ourselves,” Ellen said. Here is Ellen’s description of the eclipse:

When the eclipse happened, right before it happened, all of the waterfowl took off at the same time and all you could hear were feathers and fluttering.

All of the wildlife knew something was happening. The sky got hazy, but not like anything I had ever seen in my life. Everything got silent, like I never knew before. It was eerie and silent and strange and peaceful and beautiful. It was like everything real just disappeared. The world stood still for like three minutes. And we stood still.

Except for one minor detail at the peak of the eclipse.

At the very moment two hot air balloons came up over the horizon. Mike said, “Are you ever going to marry me?” And I said, “I am.” He kissed me, and Denise said, “What just happened?” I said, “I think I have just been eclipsed.”

Later, over dinner, Denise asked Ellen when this wedding would occur. “I don’t know,” Ellen stalled. “When’s the next eclipse?” Mike kept prodding.

Finally, a favorite song of Mike and Ellen’s came to mind, September by Earth Wind & Fire. Do you remember, 21st night of September? So, on the 21st of September of 2020 (in the middle of Covid), Mike and Ellen held an impromptu Zoom wedding. Ellen’s beautiful three-band ring has a black ring of diamonds, surrounded by two white diamond rings, symbolizing that eclipse moment. Maybe this is a fairytale after all.

Editor’s note: April 8, 2024 will bring us another total solar eclipse, Texas’ first in the path of totality in 146 years. Read this month’s Travel Buzz, Countdown to Totality: Houstonians prepare for rare solar eclipse, by Tracy L. Barnett, for more.

STAR DAZED Mike Peck, Ellen Hart, Denise Jacobs, and Frank Hillbolt at the 2017 eclipse viewing site, Glendo Lake, Wyoming, wearing eclipse T-shirts designed by “artsy” Ellen.

by Andria Dilling, staff writer

Salad Season

Keeper recipes

Emily Webster called her brother Merrick Egan in Dallas. “You’re not gonna believe it,” the interior designer told her brother in her thick New Orleans accent. “They wanna do a story on Gangee Salad!”

Named after their New Orleanian grandmother Elaine Gelpi (“I’m not even sure what last name to give you, because she was a widow four times,” Emily says), the Gangee Salad is simply shredded iceberg lettuce dressed with olive oil and vinegar, salt and pepper. “We called her Gangee,” Emily says, “because I guess my oldest cousin Ellie couldn’t say Granny, and Gangee came out. It’s kind of terrible, but that’s what we called her. We’d have to tell people, ‘Not gangrene, Gangee. But she was Gangee to everybody who knew her.”

Gangee died about 20 years ago, but her legend lives on. “She was precious, just a dream,” Emily says. “I asked her why she kept getting married, and she said, ‘Well I was just never gonna be anybody’s girlfriend!’”

She was adored by her eight grandchildren. “I would get on that streetcar every afternoon after school and go to her house,” Emily remembers. “Right off St. Charles, near Tulane.” Gangee was Emily’s mother’s mother; Emily’s mom still makes Gangee Salad, too: “It’s all my brother wants every time he comes over,” Emily says.

“We’d go to Commander’s [Palace], Galatoire’s, and all the grandchildren would say to the waiters Can you make me a Gangee Salad? And the waiters would say I have no idea what that is. And Gangee would just smile. She had so much pride in introducing herself as Gangee with that little Shirley MacLaine twinkle in her eyes.”

Gangee always used Regina White Wine Vinegar, but Emily says it’s hard to find these days. “It was kind of sweet, so sometimes I’ll even use balsamic vinegar,” Emily says. “The salad was so good because it’s a little bit tangy, a little bit sweet, you get a little bit of every taste.”

Emily has played with the formula over the years, switching to romaine lettuce – “I wanted to make it a little more sophisticated” – and adding cherry tomatoes, hearts of palm, avocado, blue cheese, and “almost a full bag of bacon bits.” But the simple dressing remains, as does

the family’s love for Gangee Salad.

“My Ellie loves a Gangee Salad,” Emily says of her college freshman. Of her sixth grader, she says, “Claiborne’s not quite into it yet, but maybe eventually.”

Gangee Salad

1 head iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced Regina White Wine Vinegar (or another brand) Olive oil

Kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper

Toss the lettuce with vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper to taste.

Emily’s Chopped Salad

3 heads romaine lettuce, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 avocado, cut into small pieces

10-ounce carton cherry tomatoes, cut into halves 14-ounce jar hearts of palm, cut into small pieces

5 ounces blue cheese

A SALAD LEGACY Emily Webster's grandmother “Gangee” lives on in the simple salad her family requests again and again.

(continued from page 10)

crumbles

2.5-ounce bag bacon bits

Balsamic vinegar

Olive oil

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Toss well and serve, dressing with vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper to taste.

Mah

jongg instructor Lacy Price also grew up learning how to cook from her grandmother, Sally Reeder, who lived in Midland. Sally moved to Houston a few years ago and will celebrate her 100th birthday next month; she’s not cooking as much these days. But Lacy says, “A big part of our experience visiting her was in the kitchen. She was a fabulous cook.”

Lacy is a cookbook collector: “In the age of Pinterest and the internet, it’s kind of an oldschool thing,” she says. Her most-prized book is an unpublished one that contains her grandmother’s handwritten recipes, many of them missing some secret ingredient in order to keep the recipe’s magic to herself. “It’s been fun to

pass down to my 16- and 18-year-old girls, watching them enjoy cooking and wanting to make the recipes for their friends.”

A favorite salad that is solidly a part of Lacy’s repertoire is Giada de Laurentiis’ Tri-Colore Orzo. “I kind of made it once probably 10 years ago and now make it all the time by memory,” Lacy says of the recipe she thinks she found on the Cooking Channel (although it’s been so long she doesn’t remember for certain).

“It’s an easy go-to for feeding a large group of people,” Lacy says about the pasta salad. “It’s filling, it uses fresh ingredients, it’s fairly inexpensive, and you can multiply it. It’s easy to double or triple. You can make it ahead and serve it cold.

“And everybody likes it.”

Lacy makes different variations of the same recipe, depending on her mood and the season. “You could do more Mediterranean and use cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion, or I like to use roasted vegetables like butternut squash in the winter.” A simple vinaigrette pulls it all together, which is exactly why Lacy loves to cook: “It brings everybody

together,” she says.

Giada de Laurentiis’ Tri-Colore Orzo

1 pound orzo pasta

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus ¼ cup

2 cups fresh arugula (about 3 ounces)

¾ cup crumbled ricotta salata cheese (Lacy like to sub in feta)

½ cup dried cherries

12 fresh basil leaves, torn

¼ cup toasted pine nuts

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 ½ teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and put it on a large cookie sheet. Drizzle the pasta with the 3 tablespoons olive oil, toss, spread out, and set aside to cool.

Once the orzo is cool, transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and toss gently to combine.

FRESH AND EASY At right: A customizable orzo salad is one that Lacy Price makes for big groups, changing the recipe to fit the season and her mood. Top left: Ingredients for Lacy’s orzo salad, based on the Tri-Colore Orzo recipe from Giada de Laurentiis. Bottom left: Emily Webster’s beloved Gangee Salad.

by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Scored with Love

A grandmother's dedication to baseball and family

Baseball scorekeeping – the method of tracking a baseball game by hand in a scorebook – has become a second language for grandmother-of-four Jo Anne Baskin, also known as “CC” by her grandkids.

The practice, which dates to the late 1870s, involves using a scorebook or scorecard to record every play and event that occurs during a game. The scorekeeper sits with a pencil or pen and intently watches the game, ready to document the action as it unfolds. Professional baseball leagues hire official scorers to keep an official record of each game, but some baseball fans, like Jo Anne, score by hand as a hobby.

Jo Anne is an involved grandmother, attending up to six baseball games each week with her husband of more than 50 years, Coy, known as “CPop” to the kids. To score a game, each player’s performance, including hits, walks, strikeouts, and defensive plays, is tracked using a system of symbols and shorthand notation. The scorekeeper marks the progression of each inning, noting the outs, runs scored, and base runners’ movements. In addition, the scorekeeper records any occurrences, such as pitching changes, substitutions, or controversial calls by umpires.

It is not just about wins and losses in baseball for Jo Anne. It is about the love of one of America’s favorite sports – one that started in her own childhood in Texas in the 1950s while listening to the Houston Buffaloes (the minor league team affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals) on the radio.

Recollections of the old Buff Stadium in Houston’s East End (used by the team from 1928-1961, which later became a Finger Furniture store, with a showroom built around home plate, until 2013) give Jo Anne a nostalgic feeling. Her allegiance to the sport stretches from Little League to the Astros, particularly her favorite player, Jose Altuve.

“They did not have organized softball or baseball for girls when I was growing up,” said Jo Anne. “But I played with the boys in my neighborhood from age 9 to 13.” This might have been foreshadowing for her granddaughter, Taylor Baskin, 11, who last year made Post Oak Little League history by

(continued on page 16)

KEEPING SCORE Grandmother-of-four Jo Anne Baskin (pictured), attends all of her grandchildren's baseball games, keeping score by hand in her baseball scorebooks. Pictured are her grandchildren: (front) Jake Baskin, 17, who plays right field and catcher; (back row, from left) Peyton, 13, who plays pitcher, third base and first base; Wyatt, 15, who plays short stop, pitcher, and third base; and Taylor, 11, who plays catcher, pitcher, and first base.

Dylan Aguilar

(continued from page 14)

becoming the first girl player in POLL to make an All-Star team.

Jo Anne, a retired assistant principal, rarely misses a game for her four grandchildren. The games take place all over Houston, and some are out of state. Regardless of their geographic location, CC and CPop can be found in the stands, Jo Anne with a scorebook in hand. She has become a staple on the fields of Post Oak Little League (POLL), nestled near the Galleria area, where her grandchildren have played.

Jo Anne has been self-taught in her scorekeeping through decades of learning her style. She purchases her scorebooks from Academy Sports and Outdoors and keeps separate books for each grandchild. She has stacks of filled books at home. “They are somewhere up in the attic,” said Jo Anne, in a light-hearted tone.

Jo Anne and Coy were high school sweethearts and married in 1971. Together, they raised two children, son CL and daughter Chrissy. CL has four children with wife Ashley, all of whom play baseball. Jake, 17, and Wyatt, 15, both play baseball for St. Thomas High School, and formerly Post Oak Little League, son Peyton, 13, plays for POLL, and daughter Taylor, 11, plays for poll.

Last year, Taylor had wrapped up a stellar regular season. At the end of the season, the Baskin baseball schedule was busy, and Ashley said they did not make plans to attend the tryouts for the All-Star team for Taylor. A girl had never made it before. “We did not want her disappointed,” said Ashley. They were at another game of one of the boys when CL got a phone call from one of the coaches. “He was asking why Taylor wasn’t there for the All-Star tryout,” said Ashley. “CL

politely said, ‘We didn’t know she would even be considered.’ The coach said, ‘We need Taylor, and we need her bat.’”

CL hung up the phone, quickly left the game, and scooped up Taylor to head to the tryouts. They made it in time, and Taylor demonstrated her skills, hitting, and fielding with precision. She earned her spot on the All-Star team, making POLL history.

Ashley said Jo Anne’s support helps push Taylor through the tough moments. “When she cheers, she always says the right thing,” said Taylor. Taylor’s favorite phrases she hears Jo Anne say from the stands are: “rock and fire,” “it just takes one,” “you’ve got this!” and “yes! yes! yes!”

to the early days of Jo Anne’s scorekeeping hobby, in (continued on page 18)

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME Grandmother Jo Anne Baskin has been scorekeeping baseball by hand since the 1970s. Pictured, top left: An example of Jo Anne’s scorebook; bottom left photo: Jo Anne and Taylor scoring together when Taylor was younger; right: A recent photo of Jo Anne and Taylor Baskin, 11, who plays for Post Oak Little League. Last year, Taylor made Post Oak Little League history by becoming the first girl to make an All-Star team.

Dylan Aguilar

Dylan Aguilar

1975, when Coy was a Houston police officer: The officers would frequently meet up after work under the lights at Memorial Park to play recreation league softball games. “One day, Coy handed me a scorekeeper book, and asked if I would keep track of the game,” said Jo Anne.

“What I liked about Jo Anne keeping the scorebook was that I did not have to rely on what I thought had happened during the game,” said Coy. “So many times, you thought you might have remembered the play happening in a certain way. I could go back and review any of the plays that had taken place during the game.”

Jo Anne recalls the memories of the kids at the field under the lights; when the police officers played, she would sit and score games, and CL and Chrissy would play pick-up baseball games with the other police officers’ kids. “It would be 11 at night after the officers got off work, and they were running around the field playing,” said Jo Anne.

CL’s childhood involves many baseball memories, where his parents were a constant at his own Little League games. “I remember my mom always being there, a scorebook in hand and her distinct voice cheering our team on,” he said.

CL became a pitcher for his high school team, and he often relied on his mom’s guidance during the games. “I would look to her between

innings and ask who the other team had coming up,” said CL. “She would not only tell me 5, 6,7, but she would include what they did in their previous at-bat.” CL experienced the same conversations continued when he coached his own kids in Little League, years later. “I would look to her and ask who is up next and how many pitches our pitcher had thrown,” he said.

And she did not just keep score at her kids’ games. CL remembers watching Jo Anne at Astros games, popcorn in one hand and a scorebook in the other.

During her grandkids’ games, Jo Anne maintains a low profile, quietly sitting high in the stands. “I like to have something to do with my hands during the game,” she said. There have been times when coaches have come to her to ask questions during a game. “There have been times when the coaches, my son being one of them, ask where the batter hits the ball,” said Jo Anne. She sometimes records notes about the day’s weather or notable moments that take place.

But her scorebooks mean more to her than just who won the game. From Little League to professional baseball games, scorekeeping has become her other language. “In my opinion, her scorebook is her diary,” said CL. “It is where she is at a place she loves, which is any ballpark, chronicling

a game she loves and watching, cheering and surrounded by the people she loves most.”

Jo Anne’s kindness and giving spirt are reflected in her dedication to the grandchildren. “She does the things that matter that go unnoticed,” said grandson Peyton. “She makes us laugh when we have had a bad game and reminds us that baseball is a great game, it’s a privilege to play it, but is still just a game.”

Jo Anne’s daughter-in-law Ashley Baskin relies on Jo Anne and Coy’s moral support for her kids. She recalled a time they traveled to Alabama to watch a tournament. “They brought a sense of home and security especially when things got tough,” said Ashley. “Hearing their voices, and being a sounding board at dinner, made all the difference,” said Ashley. For Jake, they did the same for travel ball and travelled all four years of Jake’s summer All-Star games and were faithful members of the parent and grandparent group.

“They bring a cooler of drinks to every game,” said Ashley. “We meet up after the game at their car and they give them a hug and have cold drinks and candy.”

Jo Anne has fully embraced her role as the family's designated scorekeeper. “When I score the plays, I will show where the ball is hit,” she explains, her fingers tracing

(continued on page 20)

FAMILY FIRST Grandparents Jo Anne and Coy Baskin (pictured) rarely miss a baseball game for their grandchildren, Jake, Wyatt, Peyton, and Taylor Baskin. They attend on average six games a week or more between their four grandchildren and have traveled out-of-state for games.

(continued from page 18)

invisible arcs in the air. “In this way, as the game goes on, I can tell where the batter has a tendency to hit the ball,” said Jo Anne. For Jo Anne, attending the games brings her

immense amounts of happiness. “I could go on and on about the joy I have been blessed to have watching my husband, my son, and my grandkids play this wonderful American game,” she said.

Jo Anne’s influence reaches far beyond the scorebook. Her presence in the stands is a source of comfort and reassurance for her family. One that extends beyond the boundaries of the diamond.

THROUGH THE YEARS The Baskins are a dedicated baseball family. Grandmother Jo Anne Baskin has been self-taught in baseball scorekeeping and tracks all of the games in her baseball scorebooks. Pictured are (top photo) the Baskin family including grandparents Jo Anne and Coy Baskin, parents Ashley and CL Baskin (at right) and children (from left) Jake, Wyatt, Peyton, and Taylor, at Post Oak Little League in 2018. Bottom left: Jo Anne, with young Taylor and Wyatt, keeping score at Jake's Little League games when her son CL was coaching; bottom right: grandparents Coy and Jo Anne Baskin are the kids’ biggest fans.

by Cheryl Ursin, staff writer

In It to Win It

World-class taekwondo athletes

Maybe you did taekwondo, the Korean martial art, as a child. Maybe you put your own kids into taekwondo classes. After all, it’s a great activity: it’s physical exercise, it’s a mental challenge, it teaches discipline and coordination, it burns off energy, and it’s fun.

And maybe you remember the rows of students, arranged by belt color, in their dobocks (uniforms), practicing their patterns. At a certain level of proficiency, they get to spar. If they stick with it, they get to test periodically to show their skills and knowledge and move up in belt colors.

But that’s just one part of taekwondo.

“There are two different worlds of taekwondo,” explains Master Gianni Giambi of the Houston Center for Taekwondo. (The title of “Master” denotes that Gianni has attained the level of fourth-degree black belt or higher.) “The traditional world is where you learn the art of taekwondo; it’s where everyone starts.”

Then, there’s the sport of taekwondo, where athletes compete at sparring. You can compete locally, in your state, nationally, internationally, or even, since 2000, at the Olympics. At the international level, all the competitors are black belts.

Two members of the Houston Center for Taekwondo’s G-Force team, 16-year-old Naomi Alade and her 15-year-old brother Joshua, have attained the upper levels of their sport internationally and are eyeing the Olympics.

Their parents, Oladapo “Dap” and Kiyetta Alade, started their two oldest children in taekwondo when Joshua was three and Naomi was four. “Like a lot of folks, we started them in it because it was a good after-school activity, it was exercise, it developed their coordination, it worked off their energy,” says Dap.

They started at Young Brothers Taekwondo, Gianni’s father’s school. Mark Giambi is a Grand Master or ninth-degree black belt. It was Mark who brought up the possibility of Naomi and Joshua moving to Gianni’s dojang (school) to train on a competitive team. “He kept saying, ‘I’m telling you: they’re really good,’” remembers Dap.

At first, the Alades weren’t sure they wanted to do that. “I mean, I could see they were a little more coordinated than the other kids, but they were only five and six,” says Dap. The Giambis

convinced the Alades to allow Naomi and Joshua to compete at one event, which they both won. The Alades decided to try the classes at the Houston Center to see if Naomi and Joshua liked them.

“Well, they loved them,” says Dap.

These days, the two Carnegie Vanguard tenth graders (Joshua skipped a grade) are among the most highly ranked taekwondo athletes in the world. Both are members of Team USA, the

team that represents the United States in international sports competitions, Naomi since 2019 and Joshua since 2022. Joshua is currently in the junior division (ages 15-17). Naomi is allowed by the sport’s rules to compete in both the junior and the senior (ages 18-32) divisions for a time. In fact, just this past February, she competed for the first time in the senior division at an international competition, the Canada Open in Vancouver, and won the gold in her weight

BY DEGREES Siblings Joshua and Naomi Alade are among the best taekwondo athletes in the world. The tenth graders at Carnegie Vanguard (Joshua skipped a grade) are both members of Team USA, the team that represents the United States in international sports competitions.

class. Although she is competing (and more often than not, winning) against the best women taekwondo athletes in the world, when it comes to qualifying for this year’s Olympics, she is just a hair’s breadth too young: Taekwondo athletes have to turn 17 years old by August to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Naomi turns 17 in December. Her coach, Gianni, sees a positive in this: “She will be an experienced, seasoned veteran

for 2028,” he declares.

Competitive taekwondo is not as big a sport in the U.S. (yet) as it is in other parts of the world. “In this sport, if you are an aspiring Olympian in the U.S., you have to travel,” says Dap. “And when you first do, even though you were dominating the national competitions in the U.S., you’ll get your eyes opened when you’re in Europe and Asia.” The level of competition internationally is so much higher. In a

tournament, athletes compete in one-on-one matches. As long as they are winning (the competitions are single elimination), they might compete in three or four matches in a day. Each match is three rounds. Each round is 90 seconds (for the junior division) or two minutes (for the senior). “And that feels like a long time when you’re facing someone who is trying to kick you, particularly in the head, as hard as they can,” says Dap, who competed a

SWIFT KICKS Top: Joshua and Naomi demonstrate some kicks. Bottom photos: Joshua and Naomi in their final matches when they both won gold at the National Championships in Jacksonville, Fla. in July 2023 (left photo: Joshua in red; right photo: Naomi in blue).

Kyle Newsome

Kyle Newsome

(continued from page 23)

little bit at the local level himself both as a kid and again as an adult when Naomi and Joshua started doing it.

Although taekwondo competitors do punch each other, the focus is really on kicking. They wear a padded helmet, a torso protector, shin and forearm guards as well as sensing socks and gloves when competing.

As in fencing, taekwondo equipment is wired with sensors that record when a kick or punch connects with the opponent and with what force. Judges also watch. As in boxing, a taekwondo fighter can win by knockout, either actually knocking their opponent down or just stunning them so much that they can’t continue to fight after the referee gives them an eight-count. Otherwise, a fighter wins a round by earning more points than his or her opponent. A punch to the torso is worth one point. (No punches to the head are allowed). A kick to the head receives more points (three) than a kick to the torso (two), and a spinning or rotating kick, where the fighter spins in the air before landing the blow, earns more points (four points if to the trunk and five if to the head). Generally, whoever wins two out of three rounds wins the match.

Taekwondo is also strategic. For example, when two fighters face off against each other, they start bouncing on their toes. This is to be ready to kick quickly, but it also hides what kind of kick they might be planning. “Human beings

try to sense patterns,” explains Dap. Taekwondo fighters try to lull their opponents into thinking they know what’s coming next, so they can land a kick their opponent didn’t expect.

What is it like to be an elite taekwondo athlete? Naomi and Joshua practice four to five times a week, usually after school, year-round.

“To be really good, you have to put in the work,” says Joshua. “You have to work hard to get where you want to be.”

“It is a microcosm of how life works,” agrees his dad. “It’s about discipline and dedication. You do what you need to do.”

And now that they are competing internationally, they travel – a lot. “We try to keep it to two competitions a month,” says Dap. “And at first, that was very daunting, a whirlwind.” He and Kiyetta have settled into taking turns traveling to competitions with Naomi and Joshua. Recently, Kiyetta went to Vancouver with Naomi, then the following weekend, Dap went with Naomi and Joshua to Reno, Nevada. Gianni also goes with them. A taekwondo athlete is required to have a coach, preferably their coach, in their corner at competitions. The entire Alade family, including 10-year-old Faith and 9-year-old twins, Elijah and Isaiah, made a vacation out of a recent competition in Costa Rica. Joshua and Naomi have been to Turkey, Uzbekistan, Bosnia, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Mexico to compete. Future trips

on the books include Brazil and Korea.

“The kids enjoy the travel. They’ve got a lot of cool stamps in their passports,” says Dap. “We’ve been to places we might not ever have gone but they were pretty cool.” They were in Bulgaria for almost two weeks for a competition and Uzbekistan for almost a week. Naomi and Joshua especially liked Uzbekistan, where the event’s organizers arranged tours for the athletes and their families with local college students as their guides.

Gianni points out that at such elite levels, “Parental involvement and investment is so important. It’s a gigantic advantage.” The Alades do a great job, Gianni says, in a role where it can be hard for parents, caught up in the excitement, to be a positive force and not a negative one for their children. Gianni remembers a study where researchers asked elite athletes what the worst part of their experience was growing up in their sport. “Ninety percent of them said it was the drive home with their parents,” he says. In another study, a researcher pointed out that the parents of athletes have “a great potential for positivity,” but also, even though well-intentioned, parents can “be a considerable negative influence.”

“Parents don’t always realize how perceptive their kids are of them,” says Gianni. “That raised eyebrow. Those crossed arms.”

Dap doesn’t believe in forcing a child to do a

KICKING IT Naomi and Joshua demonstrate the power and grace of taekwondo kicks.

sport. The youngest three Alades tried taekwondo and decided it wasn’t for them. (They play soccer.)

Naomi and Joshua are close and are each other’s biggest supporters. The siblings spend a lot of time together: at school, at the dojang, on their travels. They cheer each other on at competitions. And when asked, “Who is your biggest inspiration?” for their profiles on the Team USA website,

Naomi replied, “My younger brother, Joshua,” and Joshua answered, “My big sister, Naomi.”

“You do need a certain mindset to do a combat sport, to go into fights where someone’s going to kick you in the face and in the body as hard as they can over and over again,” says Dap.

Both Naomi and Joshua are serious students. They both want to be doctors like their parents.

They say juggling all the things they want to do, and do well, is all about time management.

And Naomi and Joshua thrive on the challenge and the competition of their sport.

“I like it because I’m good at it,” says Joshua with a quiet smile.

“It does feel pretty good to be up on that podium,” agrees Naomi with a grin.

A FAMILY AFFAIR Clockwise, from top left: Naomi and Joshua both won gold at the U.S. Grand Prix Final in 2022; Joshua and Naomi on the day they were awarded their second-degree black belts in 2017; Naomi with Coach Gianni Giambi when Naomi won at the Pan American Championship in 2019; and the Alade family at Naomi and Joshua's eighth-grade graduation from Veritas Christian Academy in 2022. Pictured (top, from left) Dap, Naomi, Joshua, Kiyetta; (bottom, from left) Isaiah, Faith, and Elijah. Joshua was both the youngest member of the class and its valedictorian.

SPORTS

by Michelle Groogan, staff writer

Raising the Bar

The art of pole vaulting

Ted Mucher doesn’t call himself a thrill seeker, but most afternoons, the Memorial High School senior is catapulting himself into the air using a 14-foot, 165pound flexible pole. As a member of the MHS pole vaulting team, he remembers how he happened upon the track and field sport when he was at Spring Forest Middle School.

“I was on the track team and our coach was like, ‘we need pole vaulters.’ I knew I wasn’t fast enough to do the running events and not strong enough to do the shotput and discus. So I said, ‘let me just try this’ and it turned out to go my way,” said Ted, who also plays varsity soccer for MHS.

Since then, Ted has been a two-time district champion in pole vaulting and a regional qualifier. An injury kept him out of competition for most of last year, but this year, he has reached a new personal record of 13 feet. He credits his success to all of his coaches, but one in particular is someone he sees during his own time: the highly sought-after, world-renowned pole vaulting coach, David Butler, at Rice University.

“He’s very different from any other coach I've ever had,” said Ted. “I could tell that he knew a lot by the way he was coaching me. So I just kept coming back week after week, year after year and then the work started showing and I won district in eighth grade.”

David Butler is called the Zen master of the pole vault. He has coached world-champion athletes and has mentored Olympic champions including the current world-record holder and gold medalist Mondo Duplantis. At the age of 70, his passion for the sport keeps him coming back to the pit... a giant blue mattress flanked by a steel shipping container full of equipment in a far corner of the track at Rice University. It’s where he has spent the last 24 years teaching his technique, 22 of those years as a volunteer assistant coach for Rice.

“This event will beat the crap out of you. You have to be a sprinter, a gymnast, a weightlifter, an acrobat all at the same time. The body is getting pressed and the other side of the body is getting stretched and there’s a lot of pounds of force on the jump off the ground and you’re carrying a pole that is five meters long and it's heavy,” said Coach Butler.

Pole vaulting involves a highly complex and technical approach. Athletes must sprint down a runway, stick the pole precisely, and then use it to propel themselves and clear a bar while using contortionist moves, twisting and bending. Coach Butler sees it as beauty and artistry. He had an early appreciation for ballet, and took some dance classes in college. He started to understand dance sports athleticism and ended up minoring in dance in college.

“I see any movement-oriented endeavor as a work of art. Let’s face it, we appreciate the beauty of Michael Jordan dunking. We take pictures

of it and slow it down because this is something that’s beautiful and effortless. I think that when you have an athlete that goes to the top level, what they're doing is quite beautiful.”

Ted’s mom, Dorina Mucher, described the uneasiness she felt when she learned her son wanted to try pole vaulting in middle school.

“I'm a pediatrician, so I was a little apprehensive about having a middle school gym coach train my son in pole vaulting. It scared me to death, as you can imagine,” said Dorina. “I heard through the grapevine that there was a Rice coach that was holding training sessions on

TAKE OFF Ted Mucher, a senior at Memorial High School, makes the heart sign before jumping at a meet at Clear Brook High School. Ted makes the gesture to show his appreciation for those who love and support him in both varsity sports, track and field and soccer.

(continued from page 26)

Sundays. And so we started going there on Sundays. And now he’s a senior and he is very competitive at the pole vault, and that's all because of Coach Butler.”

Coach Butler has produced more than 80 medal winners in conference, NCAA, and USA Champs, but he makes a living giving private lessons and loves teaching the “never ever” beginners.

He is always teaching, consulting, mentoring, and cheering. And finally in 2020, he put it all

down on paper. He wrote The Pole Vault: A Violent Ballet, 240 pages detailing “everything pole vault.”

“In pole vaulting there has to be a certain violence in your mind that you're not going to back off and be afraid. And at the same time, you have to allow yourself to relax and not try, which is the essence of all sports,” said David.

Former student athlete, Ally Daum, graduated from Memorial High School in 2000 and Rice University in 2004. She is now an ER

physician in Houston. She remembers wanting to learn the pole vault but was told in the late ’90s it was not a girls sport. Coach Butler was there escorting Ally and other high school teammates to the UIL board in Austin and successfully petitioned the board to create an equal girls event the following year.

“He’s one of the best in the world. He's taught so many amazing athletes and helped pioneer techniques to improve pole

ABOVE AND BEYOND Top photo: Coach David Butler with Rice University athlete Javier Alatorre at the conference championships in Birmingham, Ala. Bottom left: Ted Mucher flies high on the pole vault and plans to continue jumping in college. Bottom right: Coach Butler, just back from speaking at an athletic conference in Pingtung, Taiwan, coaches Rice University pole vaulting champion Alex Slinkman, who is a National qualifier and holds a world ranking in pole vault.

Courtesy of Rice Athletics

Courtesy of Rice Athletics

Jackson Yacob

(continued from page 28)

vaulters’ heights and break their own PRs. People come to him from all over the world and he goes over the world teaching his techniques,” said Ally.

Rice University senior, Alex Slinkman, is ranked in the world's top 100 for Men’s Pole Vaulting. He remembers being a nimble kid, always climbing things and pretending to be ninja-like. He met Coach Butler at a summer camp in his home state of Virginia. He approached Coach Butler and predicted he would pole vault for him at Rice one day.

“He is responsible for all my success. He has

helped me mature as a person, as an athlete, as an artist. And he has taught me to hone my skills to pursue what I want,” said Alex. “He has funneled my passion to where it actually produced results. He’s like my best friend.”

Coach Butler is considered one of the top technical minds in the field with more than 50 years of coaching experience, but what he does for the students is above and beyond a glorious moment of flight. It is to make them better at problem solving and figuring out life for themselves and it starts with specific instructions for the summer.

“I don’t want them to jump in the summer. I

want them to climb rocks, ride bicycles, swim and dive. Take ballet and do yoga,” said Coach Butler. “That’s because when they come back, and they start learning again, they can learn faster.”

Ted Mucher says Coach Butler has been more than a pole vaulting coach to him – he is also a life coach.

“He tells us, ‘I want you to mess up and find out what's wrong with it and correct it and then do what you can to fix it,’” said Ted. “I'm so glad I have a great coach like him in the area. Even if I don’t vault in college, I can just always still talk to him because he's such a good guy.”

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS Top photo: Rice University senior Alex Slinkman is ranked top 10 in the NCAA. He holds a personal record of 18’6” in the pole vault. He is majoring in sports management at Rice and plans to stay with the sport professionally after graduation.

Courtesy of Rice Athletics

Courtesy of Rice Athletics

Courtesy of Rice Athletics

2024 Summer Camp Directory

Summer camps can provide a special opportunity for growth, a place for kids to discover new interests and skills, meet new friends, and flourish as individuals. Buzz-area residents are fortunate in that Houston is home to many types of summer camps, programs, and classes to choose from, including specialized sports, arts, and educational programs for all ages. Additionally, many overnight camps are located just a car or bus ride away.

Choosing the right camp for your child depends on your child’s personality, interests, summer schedule and other factors. This directory is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all camps. Instead, our goal is to provide readers with a snapshot of each camp and program, as a starting point in the research process.

Note: View the 2024 Summer Camp Directory online at thebuzzmagazines.com/summer-camp-directory. Please check back as new camps will be added frequently.

Alliance Fencing Academy Summer Fencing Camp

Est. 2004

Ages: 5-14

Co-ed • Day Camp

1117 Upland Dr., Houston, Texas 77043; 1544 Sawdust Rd., Suite 304, The Woodlands, Texas 77380 713-410-6655 • inform@alliance-fencing-academy.com • www.alliance-fencing-academy.com

Camp Director: Andrey Geva, U.S. Olympic and National Coach

Summer Fencing Camp at Alliance is an opportunity for your children to have fun exploring one of the original and foundational sports of the modern Olympic games while picking up technical and competitive skills that will last them a lifetime. Renowned instructor and Olympic team coach Andrey Geva and his highly trained coaching staff provide a fun, safe, and exciting setting for kids to learn the sport of competitive fencing. Houston summer camp dates: June 3-7, June 24-28, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2 and Aug. 5-9. The Woodlands summer camp dates: June 3-7, July 15-19, July 29-Aug. 2.

ARTS Summer Camp

Est. 2004

Ages: 6-18

Co-ed • Day Camp

114 N Live Oak St., Fayetteville, Texas 78940 979-378-2113 • programs@artsforruraltexas.org • artsforruraltexas.org/summercamps

Camp Director: Tory Farley

For 20 years, Arts for Rural Texas (ARTS) has enriched lives through art and art education with an emphasis on children's programs. During the summertime, ARTS has a weekly ARTS Summer Camp open to all children, 1st-12th grade, for $100/week, from June 3-July 26. Our camps offer opportunities for your school-aged child to have fun while learning and practicing visual and performing arts. The camps are located at the Schmid ARTS Annex in Fayetteville, the Schulenburg ARTS Campus in Schulenburg, Create Space in Columbus, the Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange, and the Performing Arts Center in La Grange.

Battle Bots and Drones Robotics Summer Camp

Est. 2012

Ages: 4-16

Co-ed • Day Camp

4007 Bellaire Blvd., Suite KK, Houston Texas 77025 713-454-7004 • KidsRoboticAcademy@gmail.com • KidsRoboticAcademy.com

Camp Director: Dee Memon

Set the path of building robots and programming for PK-12. We offer STEM-themed, hands-on activities. The week ends with a friendly battle-bots minicompetition. Join Robotics specialty camps for competitive programs. Some famous camps include EV3 BattleBot, REV-Bot, Tetrix-Bot, VEX-Bot, Arduino-Bot, Blockly, Java Programming, Python Programming. We offer options of full-week and half-week day camp, with sessions running May 28 through Aug. 16. The option of select days is available. Register by May 1 to receive a 10 percent discount on a full-week camp.

Camp Bulldog

Est. 2021

Ages: 4-12

Co-ed • Day Camp

2203 North Westgreen Blvd., Katy, Texas 77449

713-290-9025 • Jordan.Packman@houston.nae.school • nordangliaeducation.com/bis-houston/outstanding-experiences/summer-camp

Camp Director: Jordan Packman

The British International School of Houston’s summer camp, known as Camp Bulldog, encourages your child to continue to grow through a variety of exciting summer skill-building activities. Camp Bulldog has been thoughtfully designed for kids from ages 4-12. Magical experiences and “aha” moments are frequent when your child is surrounded by caring friends and staff who encourage them to try new activities and explore beyond what they ever imagined possible.

Creator Camp

Est. 2021

Ages: 6-13

Co-ed • Day Camp

Memorial: 12535 Perthshire Rd., Houston, Texas 77024; Montrose: 1800 Sul Ross St., Houston, Texas 77098 713-417-9025 • support@creatorcamp.org • creatorcamp.org

Camp Director: Cazden Morrison

Creator Camp is on a mission to change Texas kids’ relationship with technology, transforming them from consumers to creators! Ages 6-13. Camps start at $159! Hands-on media classes in YouTube Production, Filmmaking, Animation, Music, Roblox, & Minecraft Coding. We’ve taught thousands of kiddos in the Houston area and are thrilled to teach even more this summer! All of our teachers are industry experts, and help our students discover what they’re truly passionate about.

Discovery Camps at The Health Museum

Est. 1962

Ages: 5-14

Co-ed • Day Camp

1515 Hermann Dr., Houston, Texas 77004

713-521-1515 • camps@thehealthmuseum.org • thehealthmuseum.org

Camp Director: Kennethia Rideaux

School is out, but learning (and fun) is in! Unleash the power of science through Discovery Camps at The Health Museum. Your child will engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities, such as dissecting real animal organs, exploring veterinarian science, simulating surgery on a patient simulator, and finding your inner chef, all while learning about medical science and the human body. Kids have intelligent fun, make friends, and make the most out of their school break.

Elite University Summer Camps

Est. 2005

Ages: 5-13

Co-ed • Day Camp

Camp Midtown: First Lutheran Church, 1311 Holman St., Houston, Texas 77004

Camp West University: St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School, 6802 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, Texas 77025 832-350-6194 • contact@elitemusicfinearts.com • www.elitesummercamps.com

Camp Director: Jeré Fernandez

Elite University Summer Camps is proud to serve the Houston communities of the Medical Center, West University, Museum District, Midtown, and River Oaks with two convent locations. Elite USC provides the very best in STEM, art, culinary arts, horseback riding, water sports, and outdoor activities. West U Camp dates: June 10-July 19. Midtown Camp dates: June 10-Aug. 19.

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Summer Camp

Est. 1922

Ages: 5-17

Girls • Day Camp and overnight camp

Casa Mare: Seabrook, Texas; Misty Meadows Ranch: Conroe, Texas; Camp Agnes Arnold: Conroe, Texas 713-292-0300 • customerservice@sjgs.org • www.gssjc.org/summercamp

Camp Director: Mariah Balmer

Get ready for awesome new and returning sessions at Misty Meadows Ranch, Casa Mare, and Camp Agnes Arnold! The horses, sailboats, and lake are waiting for you!

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Holy Spirit Episcopal School Summer Camps

Est. 1962

Ages: K-8th grade

Co-ed • Day Camp

12535 Perthshire Rd., Houston, Texas 77024

713-468-5138 • Basketball and Multisport Camps: llander@hses.org; Cheer and Dance Camps: swilliams@hses.org; Math Camps: rdriver@hses.org • hses.org

Camp Director: Basketball and Multisport Camps: Leveil Lander; Cheer and Dance Camps: Shelia Williams; Math Camps: Rachel Driver

Holy Spirit Episcopal School offers Basketball Camp, a Multisport Camp, and Cheer and Dance Camps that provide fun, establish athletic competition, develop self-esteem, teach sportsmanship, improve motor skills, and strengthen discipline. HSES also offers a Middle School Math Preparation Camp to review and sharpen skills for 5th grade, including fundamentals and problem solving, and Dancing with Decimals Math Camp for incoming 3rd and 4th graders that focuses on multiplication, division, fractions, and decimals. HSES Camp Dates: Basketball Camp, June 3-6, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.; Multisport Camp, June 10-14, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.; Cheer and Dance Camps, Session 1: June 17-20, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and Session 2: July 22-25, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.; Middle School Math Preparation Camp, June 24-27, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.; Dancing with Decimals Math Camp, June 10-13, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Camps are $150 per session. Email registration: Basketball Camp and Multisport Camp: llander@hses.org; Cheer and Dance Camps: swilliams@hses.org; Math Camps: rdriver@hses.org.

Houston Christian Summer Camps

Est. 1998

Ages: 4th-8th grade

Co-ed • Day Camp

2700 W. Sam Houston Tollway N, Houston, Texas 77043

713-580-6000 • twheeler@houstonchristian.org • houstonchristian.org/camps

Camp Director: Teddy Wheeler

Houston Christian High School is excited to offer Summer Athletics Camps as well as host Camp Invention. Rising 4th through 8th graders with additional sessions for high school students can join our highly acclaimed coaches and program directors for unforgettable experiences. Basketball Camps, June 3-6; Track Camp, June 3-6; Camp Invention at HC, June 10-14; Baseball Camp, June 10-13; Myles Jones Pro Lacrosse Camp, June 10-14; Camp Invention at HC Week #2, June 24-28; Lacrosse Camp, July 15-18; Volleyball Camp, July 29-31. To register, visit our camp website.

Houston Elite Cheer Summer Camp

Est. 2013

Ages: 3-13

Co-ed • Day Camp (all day or half day sessions)

1800 Sherwood Forest St., Ste. B2, Houston, Texas 77043 713-464-1445 • houstonelitecheer@yahoo.com • houstonelitecheer.com

Camp Director: Lakeyn Johnson

Join HEC for a jam-packed week of exciting and challenging activities. Summer camp will include gymnastics, cheerleading, tumbling, arts and crafts, games, water days, obstacle courses, and more! Our goal is for campers to have loads of fun while promoting fitness. May 28-Aug. 9. Full days: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Morning half-days: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Afternoon half-days: 12:30-4 p.m.

Houston Yacht Club Summer Sailing Camp

Est. 1957

Ages: 6-18

Co-ed • Day Camp

3620 Miramar Dr., Shoreacres, Texas 77571 281-471-1255 • sailing@houstonyachtclub.com • houstonyachtclub.com

Camp Director: Paul Barnes

Sailing camp is an opportunity for youth to learn to sail. Our goal is to create lifelong sailors. Kids sail small boats single-handed or in pairs while US Sailing certified instructors coach from small power boats. We use Optimist, Sunfish, C420, and ILCA-Laser dinghies with opportunities to try keel boats during camp. For sailors passionate about the sport, we offer a full year race team that competes regionally and nationally.

iKids Camp

Est. 2007

Ages: PreK-5th grade

Co-ed • Day Camp

Locations in West U and River Oaks 713-665-5200 • support@ikidsinc.com • www.ikidsinc.com

Camp Directors: N/A

iKids Inc. is your one-stop, out-of-school shop, offering the flexibility you need with the care you can trust. Providing enriching programs essential to your child’s development since 2007.

J Camps

Est. 1960

Ages: 3-16

Co-ed • Day Camp

5601 S. Braeswood Blvd., Houston, Texas 77096

713-729-3200 • mbell@erjcchouston.org • www.erjcchouston.org/camp

Camp Director: Hollie Buza

J Camps is the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC’s day camp program for children in preschool through grade 9 with options for art, culinary, dance, gymnastics, sports, tennis, theatre, and so much more! We provide a Jewish summer camp that supports every camper’s social emotional growth as they form friendships, gain independence, build confidence, and find joy in each day through a Jewish lens!

Kidventure Day Camp

Est. 1994

Ages: 3-16

Co-ed • Day Camp

2501 Central Parkway, Suite B2, Houston, Texas 77092 (camp office)

713-960-8989 • houston@kidventure.com • kidventure.com/houston-summer-camp

Camp Director: Neira Galan

For three decades, Houston families have made Kidventure the summer day camp of choice for their children. Kidventure is more than just a summer of fun. It’s a summer of opportunity. That opportunity is one to grow in confidence, create friendships, and be a part of something special. And now, that’s needed more than ever. With 16 Houston locations, there is no more memorable, rewarding, and convenient camp option anywhere. Pick and choose your weekly schedule from June 3-Aug. 9, 2024 for any of our age-appropriate camps including our Discoverers (ages 3-5), Explorers (1st grade-5th grade), and Leads (6th-9th grade). Make this summer one your child will remember forever.

Kidventure Overnight Camp

Est. 1994

Ages: 8-16

Co-ed • Overnight camp

11701 FM 2244, Suite 240C, Austin, Texas 78738 (camp office)

512-263-8992 • overnight@kidventure.com • kidventure.com/overnight-camps

Camp Director: Mollie Bent

Being a part of Overnight Camp is more than just an adventure; it’s a life experience. The opportunity to climb to new heights, paddle a river, fly through the air, and do it all with your new best friends is unlike any adventure. For 30 years, Kidventure Overnight Camp has been a Texas tradition for thousands of kids. Now, more than ever, our kids need camp. Camp allows our kids to build real friendships, gain confidence, become more independent, and dream big. This is the real power of Kidventure Overnight Camp. Choose from three Overnight Camps including Safari (ages 8-12), Quest (ages 8-12), and Echo (ages 13-16). Make this summer the adventure of a lifetime for your child.

Rice Athletics STEM Camp

Est. 2016

3rd-5th grade

Co-ed • Day Camp

6100 Main St., MS548, Houston, Texas 77005 713-348-5648 • njg2@rice.edu • RiceOwls.com/STEMLetics

Camp Directors: Nancy Gealow, M.Ed.

The Rice Office of STEM Engagement and Rice Athletics offer week-long day camps during the summer for current 3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-grade students. These day camps are designed to keep students both mentally and physically active during the summer. Students explore different forms of energy, physics, mathematics, computer science, and engineering through active exploration activities in the classroom and on the playing field.

Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School Radiant Summer

Est. 2024

Ages: Kindergarten-8th Grade

Co-ed • Day Camp

4900 Jackwood St., Houston, Texas 77096 713-666-3111 • info@stes.org • www.stes.org/radiantsummer

Camp Director: N/A

Saint Thomas’ Episcopal is pleased to offer Radiant Summer – an enriching summer experience for kindergarten-8th grade students. This comprehensive summer academic program is designed to meet many student needs: enrichment, acceleration, review, and strengthening of basic skills.

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Second Baptist School Summer Camps

Est. 2021

Ages: K-6th grade

Co-ed • Day Camp

6410 Woodway Dr., Houston, Texas 77057

713.365.2310 • summercamps@secondbaptistschool.org • secondbaptistschool.org/summercamps

Camp Director: Ashleigh Manion

SBS is thrilled to offer a variety of arts and sports summer camps for campers entering grades K-6. Weekly summer camps are offered May 28-June 13, 2024, with morning (9-11:30 a.m.) and afternoon (12:30-3 p.m.) sessions available. Each camp will be led by our highly acclaimed teachers and coaches as they work alongside campers with excellence and expertise. We look forward to your camper joining us on campus for a fun-filled summer.

Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese & Sign Language Camps

Est. 2011 in Houston, 1995 in Mexico City

Ages: 3-5 and 6-11

Co-ed • Day Camp

Multiple locations in the Houston area 281-565-1388 • info@languagekids.com • languagekids.com

Camp Director: Vanessa Simpson

Childhood is the best time to learn another language, and it has never been so much fun. Make the most of your child’s summer with our engaging immersion camps in Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese, Sign Language, and English. With more than two decades of language teaching experience under our belt, we are masters at teaching languages to children in fun and innovative ways. Multiple locations and extended schedules. In-person and virtual options. Payment plans are available.

SPX Summer Camps

Est. 2010

Ages: Grades K-12

Co-ed • Day Camp

811 W. Donovan St., Houston, Texas 77091

713-692-3581 • jeff.feller@stpiusx.org • www.stpiusx.org/summercamps

Camp Director: Jeff Feller

Summer camps at St. Pius X High School offer a variety of athletic and fine art experiences during the summer months of June and July. The expert coaches and faculty at SPX coordinate these fun activities for all participants to grow in skills and knowledge while making new friendships in the process. From theater to baseball, there is a camp opportunity for everyone!

St. John the Divine Vacation Bible School

Est. 1943

Ages: 4 years through 5th grade

Co-ed • Day Camp

2450 River Oaks Blvd., Houston, Texas 77019

713-622-3600 • dlawson@sjd.org • sjd.org/vbs

Camp Director: Deanna Lawson, Director of Children’s Ministry

St. John the Divine Vacation Bible School is here to love kids, love families, and share the hope of Jesus. Join us this summer, July 29-Aug. 1, 2024, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Summer at Camp Regis

Est. 1991

Ages: 3-14

Co-ed • Day Camp

7330 Westview Dr., Houston, Texas, 77055 713-682-8383 • pweikel@theregisschool.org • theregisschool.org/life-at-regis/summer-programs

Camp Director: Pam Weikel

Camp Regis allows your child to continue building upon the previous year’s learning while offering formative, engaging, and fun experiences that nourish their mind, body, and spirit. Camp Regis will run for six weeks, beginning on June 3 and concluding on July 19. Each camp offered, whether full-day or half-day, is one week long. Camp Regis is co-ed, and non-Regis students are welcome.

Summer at St. Mark’s

Est. 2015

Ages: 2 years-rising 8th grade

Co-ed • Day Camp

3816 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, Texas 77025

713-667-7030 • jrush@stmes.org • stmes.org/summer

Camp Director: Juli Rush

The Summer at St. Mark’s Day Camp includes Adventure Routes like Movement, The Arts, and STEAM, which include activities like tae kwon do, break dancing, yoga, sewing, creative writing, drama, robotics, e-sports, and more! This year’s overall theme is Self-Discovery at St. Mark’s, and each week of our seven-week camp gives campers the chance to dive into unique experiences, water play, and “Here Trips.” Hours are 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Middle-school students can complete our popular Counselor in Training Program where they receive leadership training, service learning, and advanced specialty camp classes. Check out stmes.org/summer for our full description of each week’s theme and to register!

Summer Camps at The Village School

Est. 1990

Ages: Pre-K3-8th grade

Co-ed • Day Camp

13051 Whittington Dr., Houston, Texas 77077 281-496-7900, ext. 4011 • vssummer@thevillageschool.com • thevillageschool.com/summer

Camp Director: Adreanna Gantt

The Village School's Summer Camp 2024 will feature 8 weeks of fun! Camp begins May 28 and runs through July 19, 2024. It is open to all Houston area students (Village and non-Village). Each weekly theme includes water activities, arts & crafts, sports, games, and awesome experiences! In addition, Summer Camp 2024 will host 4 weeks of Athletic camps that include: Racket sports, Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Soccer, Dance, Swim, Lacrosse, Fitness Fun and PE Games, all taught by coaching professionals. Our camps are designed to be full or part day, so campers can join us for a combination of day and athletic camps depending on schedules. For more information, contact Camp Director Adreanna Gantt.

SUMMER@STH – Aquinas Academy

Est. 2009

Ages: 3rd -12th graders

Co-ed • Day Camp

4500 Memorial Dr., Houston, Texas 77007 713-864-6348 • carol.mandola@sths.org • summer.sths.org

Camp Director: Carol Mandola

Our extensive summer offerings provide an array of academic, enrichment, athletic, and original credit and credit recovery (high school only) camps for students. Our mission is to provide an experience which sparks curiosity and ignites passion while improving core skills through a wide range of fun yet challenging activities in the classroom, in the lab, or on the field.

Yorkshire Academy Summer Program

Est. 1984

Ages: PreK-6th grade

Co-ed • Day Camp

14120 Memorial Dr., Houston, Texas 77079 281-531-6088 • randel@yorkshireacademy.com • www.yorkshireacademy.com

Camp Director: Callie Randel

Yorkshire Academy’s Summer Program offers one-stop summer-camp shopping June 3-July 15, 2024. With over 40 enrichment camps, there is something for everyone. Work the right side of your brain in the morning and the left side of your brain in the afternoon, and switch the next week. Yorkshire Academy’s enrichment camps include offerings such as filmmaking, golf, Harry Potter camp, coding, dance, circus arts, Minecraft, tennis, theater, soccer, engineering, and more. This is a community-wide program that attracts campers from beyond just West Houston and Katy.

. by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz Baby Outdoor spring activities

Buzz Baby is a column about life with little ones. Writer Annie McQueen is a mother of four children under the age of 9.

Ready to embrace the outdoors for sunshine-filled adventures? From park picnics to splash pad adventures, there are countless outdoor spots around town suitable for babies and toddlers.

Mom-of-two Angela Currie’s go-to spot for her 2-year-old train-loving son, Jon, and his big sister Jill, 4, is a classic Houston outdoor space, Hermann Park (6001 Fannin St.). The train is very close to their school, The Rise School, so it has become the perfect after-school activity. As soon as they pull into the parking lot and Jon hears the train at the park, he gets excited. The train loops around the park and takes off near the ponds and paddle boats. “Jon loves the Hermann Park train, and then heading to the Zoo after the train,” said Angela.

They do a loop around the Zoo to see their animals (Jon and Jill’s favorites are lions and tigers), sometimes stopping for a sweet treat to cool down. Another favorite spot for the Currie family is the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center (4501 Woodway Dr.). “We enjoy walking all of the trails and playing at the park there,” said Angela. After they take in the outdoor nature, they check out the lizards and snakes on display inside the nature center.

Aside from these well-known Houston spots, their family frequently visits the green space at Stomping Grounds (1223 W. 34th St.), an outdoor space with food spots and more, near Garden Oaks. “The kids run around the green space after ice cream,” said Angela. They also like to check out the local live music over an outdoor meal there.

In the area, they also love Oak Forest Park (2100 Judiway St.), an all-inclusive park built with funds raised through the campaign “More Than 1Way 2Play” and designed to be a park for all abilities. “We are grateful for this park for our daughter, Jill, who has Down Syndrome,” said Angela.

“One of my favorite outdoor memories with the kids was picking up breakfast and having a picnic at Memorial Park (7575 North Picnic

Ln.),” said Angela. They brought bubbles and balls and set up a blanket amongst the trees in the Eastern Glades.

When visiting a park suitable for babies and toddlers, it is helpful to find one that is fully or partially fenced, which provides a secure environment where little ones can roam freely. This is especially helpful for parents of multiples or with small children close in age. Artificial turf adds a layer of safety, ensuring curious mouths remain free from grass, rocks, or sticks.

A few more parks to check out include:

Evelyn’s Park Conservancy - 4400 Bellaire Blvd.

Playgrounds for wide range of ages, butterfly gardens, splash pad, on-site restaurant, expansive green space.

Fire Truck Park - 3743 Garnet St.

Renovated playground with Fire Truck themed play structures.

Levy Park Conservancy - 3801 Eastside St.

Recently rebuilt with a splash pad, community gardens, and more.

River Oaks Pumpkin Park - 3600 Locke Ln.

Fully fenced playground on five acres, with a lighted sports field, scenic hiking trail.

Splash pads offer a refreshing haven for water play. Here are some local favorites perfect for springtime splashing:

Bellaire Town Center Family Aquatic Center - 7008 Fifth St.

Miniature water park with various amenities for kids of all ages.

Gateway Fountain at Discovery Green1500 McKinney St.

Massive splash pad adjacent to Discovery Green in downtown.

Ervan Chew Park (Dunlavy Park) - 4502 Dunlavy St.

Surrounded by oak trees, this park includes picnic areas and basketball courts.

Jaycee Park Splash Pad - 1300 Seamist Dr.

Simple splash pad adjacent to a playground.

In addition to parks and splash pads, Houston offers many stroller-friendly trails that are great to take younger children on a walk or run. Check out these trails:

Nature Discovery Center, Russ Pitman Park - 7112 Newcastle St.

Meander through woodlands, wetlands, and prairies on a mile-long loop. Explore the nature play area halfway through the trail.

Seymour Lieberman Exer-Trail at Memorial Park - 6501 Memorial Dr.

Memorial Park has approximately 30 miles of trails, including the flat and wide Seymour Lieberman Exercise Trail, a 3-mile flat trail perfect for a stroller walk or run.

Rice University Running Trail - 6100 Main St. This is a 3-mile running trail on a shaded flat path around Rice University.

Terry Hershey Park - 15200 Memorial Dr.

Explore the picturesque Terry Hershey Park along the walking trails, offering bayou views and benches to rest.

Marvyn Taylor Exercise Trail at Hermann Park - 2145 N MacGregor Way

A 2-mile trail loop around scenic Hermann Park, near the Zoo and museums.

The Paul Carr Jogging Trail Park - Heights Blvd. at W. 18th St.

A 2-mile trail, featuring art installations and benches for resting. Stop by Donovan Park after a walk.

Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens22306 Aldine Westfield Rd., Humble

Visit the Children's Garden, near acres of trails surrounded by plants, flowers, trees, and paths perfect for a stroller hike and kid-friendly nature walk.

With spring, new adventure blossoms for young children. So, grab your sunscreen, and our guide, and head outside to soak it in.

SOAKING UP THE SUN Siblings Jon and Jill Currie (pictured) enjoy springtime activities outside such as exploring Houston Arboretum and Nature Center and its Nature Playscape.

Lily June Photography

.

by Cindy Burnett, staff writer

Buzz Reads

Five picks for April

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

American Daughters by Piper Huguley (historical fiction) – Piper Huguley’s latest novel, American Daughters, charts the unlikely and secret friendship between Alice Roosevelt, President Teddy Roosevelt’s daughter, and Portia Washington, daughter of educator Booker T. Washington. When the two men developed a friendship, their daughters were unexpectedly brought together in 1901 and began a lifelong relationship that triumphed over race and politics. This relationship was kept under wraps due to the time period and drama that result from President Roosevelt’s and Booker T. Washington’s interactions with each other, but Huguley relies on both research about the two women individually as well as the time period to develop a story of what it would have looked like and how it would have impacted their views of what was happening with respect to race relations in the early 20th century. I found it fascinating to evaluate how much has changed from this time period compared to our current one and to see what has not. American Daughters is a timely read that will have readers thinking about what we all have in common versus focusing on our differences.

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio (speculative fiction) – This delightful and unique debut novel explores the possibilities and ramifications of endless choice. Lauren, an unmarried young woman on a night out with her friends, arrives home to find a random stranger ensconced in her flat, claiming to be her husband. While she doesn’t know this man, the photos on her phone and her friends say otherwise. While Lauren is trying to come to terms with this altered state, the new husband goes up into the attic to change a lightbulb and promptly disappears with a new man taking his place. Realizing that her attic is providing her with an endless supply of different husbands, Lauren begins to evaluate how to decide when enough is enough after swapping out a large number of husbands. I loved the concepts explored in this book including finding an ideal mate, settling, exploring choice, and so much

more. And I loved the humor infused throughout. The Husbands will appeal to readers who like clever and thoughtprovoking reads as well as those who enjoy creative premises.

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians: True Stories of the Magic of Reading

by

James Patterson and Matt Eversmann (nonfiction) – This gem is perfect for anyone who loves books and the way in which they bring people together. The authors spent countless hours interviewing booksellers and librarians, as well as others in literary-related jobs including researchers, archivists, teachers, and more. The result is a compilation of anecdotes and stories about how these individuals began their careers and/or the impact their role has had on them and others, heartwarming or humorous anecdotes about their stores/libraries, and how book banning is impacting bookstores and libraries. What I particularly loved about the book is that each chapter has a unique voice and viewpoint to it; I felt like I was sitting with each individual and listening to their particular story. Some resonated more than others with me, but every chapter was engaging and interesting and reminded me why I like to read.

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan (historical fiction) – Inspired by true events, The Underground Library follows three young women in London during World War II, Sofie, Katie, and Julie. They meet at the Bethnal Green Library, right before the German bombs destroy the roof of the library. Forced to seek shelter underground, they decide to bring the library into the Underground Station as well and succeed after some pushback. The story is a celebration of libraries, librarians, and books as well as the manner in which Londoners survived extreme hardship and how they endured. Ryan vividly depicts life underground and brings to life fascinating aspects of World War II that I had not been privy to before.

What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan (mystery/thriller) – With echoes of recent real-life cases, What Happened to Nina? takes the reader on a whirlwind journey following Nina’s disappearance. Together since they were 16 years old, Nina and Simon attend separate colleges and occasionally struggle to spend enough time with each other. When the couple takes a weekend trip to the country, only Simon returns, claiming that Nina went off to see friends. But why can no one reach her? Her disappearance draws intense media focus, and people begin speculating on social media about where she is and what might have happened. In an effort to protect Simon, his parents launch a malicious social media campaign targeting Nina and her family. McTiernan chose to have the four parents and the police detective relay the tale, each character slowly disseminating important details about what is unfolding. I loved hearing from each parent, and she inhabits each character so persuasively. While I didn’t like certain individuals, I did understand what motivated them to take the actions that they each did, and I was forced to reflect repeatedly about what I might do in such a situation. What Happened to Nina? is a thoughtprovoking and cautionary tale.

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 selections include a clever tale about choice, two historical-fiction titles, a nonfiction book about the importance of booksellers and librarians, and a thriller about a girl who goes missing.

Cindy Burnett

. by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Travel Buzz

Countdown to Totality: Houstonians Prepare for Rare Solar Eclipse

Joe Keathley, an eclipse veteran who at 83 has been chasing these spectacular cosmic events around the world for more than 30 years, and Ike Diamond, 15, a student at Xavier Academy, are two of the local folks who will be setting their sights on the skies come April 8. That's the date of Texas’ first solar eclipse in 146 years, and its last for another 21.

For Ike, it’s his first eclipse, and he has no idea what to expect. For Joe, it’s quite likely to be his last. And for the first time, it will be close to home: the line of totality passes over his ranch in Pearsall.

It all started for Joe, a retired salesman and part-time rancher, in 1991, when he heard about an upcoming trip scheduled by the Houston Museum of Natural Science to Oaxaca to see the eclipse. It would be an unusually long eclipse, plunging parts of Mexico and the Caribbean into darkness for almost seven minutes. Joe found a contact who helped him set up his own itinerary and he invited his buddy Scott Langdale, and Scott invited his girlfriend, Lynne Covey. Thus began Joe’s tradition of colorful, off-the-beaten-trail itineraries assembled with the help of a personal contact from the destination country.

The trio booked flights to Mexico City and on to Oaxaca City, renting a car and driving over the mountains to explore the Oaxaca coast, from Puerto Ángel to Puerto Escondido. Then they headed back up to Oaxaca City in the culture-rich highlands. Monte Albán, the archaeological site that contains the remains of an ancient Zapotec metropolis, would be the impressive site of their first total solar eclipse.

“We were hooked, and set our sails on that day for what has become a lifetime pursuit,” Joe recalls in his brand-new self-published book, The Lucky 7. That seven minutes set him on a course that took him on seven adventures in more than a dozen different countries, as far-flung as Romania, Zambia, and Turkey. What they all had in common was an opportunity to gather with friends and family and immerse themselves in new cultures and landscapes – and then, the unmatchable experience of a total solar eclipse.

“You watch it for the first time with your

glasses on and you don't know what to expect,” he explained. “It starts when you see ‘first contact,’ when the moon first touches the sun. And it goes from there… It's unimaginable. Your heart starts beating, your hair stands on end, and you have this feeling you want to cry – it’s just spectacular.”

Ike, for his part, is excited, but a little bit skeptical; he doesn’t have a good sense of how it will be. Like hundreds of thousands if not millions of others, the Diamonds will be traveling to the Hill Country to see three minutes of totality. They’ll be camping out at Camp Young Judaea near Wimberley.

“I'd imagine that, like, when I see it, it'll look a lot like night. I see why it's interesting because this is a rare solar eclipse, but I don't see why it's such a big deal.”

His mother, Farell, laughed. “It’ll blow his mind,” she predicted. It will be her first eclipse as well, but she’s heard enough to know.

Joe, for his part, will be joining family and friends on his ranch in Pearsall, and will be taking plenty of provisions for a long stay, as he’s anticipating unprecedented traffic conditions.

“This one is going to be a madhouse, if you don’t know what you’re doing,” he said. It will be a very different experience for him than his previous eclipse adventures. “Not only will there be no exotic road trip but it will be passing over 12 million people in the cities of San Antonio and Austin, Waco, Dallas and Fort Worth, plus all the people that will be packed into the Texas Hill Country.”

Dr. Carolyn Sumners, vice president of astron-

ECLIPSE CHASERS With the ancient Zapotec city of Monte Albán, Oaxaca, Mexico as a backdrop, Joe Keathley, Lynne Langdale (then Lynne Covey) and Scott Langdale point skyward as the great eclipse of 1991 begins.

omy at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, explains that Houston will reach 94 percent of totality. What makes this eclipse so different from others in our lifetimes is that it will be passing over major populations; indeed, it’s the first time Texas has experienced totality since 1878, and it’s the last time until 2045, “so for most Texans, this is ‘the’ Texas eclipse,” she said.

For those who want to experience full totali-

ty, she recommends having your site identified ahead of time and leaving well before the actual eclipse event to reach a point somewhere along the 115-mile band of totality.

The eclipse will enter North America around Mazatlan, on Mexico’s west coast, crossing the border into Texas near Del Rio, sweeping across the state, and leaving at Texarkana before crossing through a wide swath of the Midwest and

the Northeast. In Texas, the Hill Country will be Ground Zero, with Austin and Waco right on the centerline; the western half of San Antonio will be included, as will much of Dallas/Fort Worth.

As with all solar eclipses, Sumners warns, it is important not to look directly at the sun without eclipse glasses or a good filter because the intensity of the light can

(continued on page 44)

SOUTH OF THE BORDER Three of Joe Keathley’s eclipse adventures were in Latin America and the Caribbean. Top: Joe and crew stop for a group photo in the village of Coroico in the Andean foothills of northern Chile. Joe is second from the right, with his hand on wife Pat's shoulder. Right: Joe captured the "diamond ring" effect that occurred during the 1991 eclipse. Middle: Preparing for the big event at Monte Albán in 1998. Bottom: Joe and friends on the beach on the island of Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe, French West Indies.

(continued from page 43)

burn the retina, causing permanent damage to the vision.

The museum is offering an eclipse outing at LoneHollow Ranch in the Texas Hill Country. For those who will be in Houston, the museum will host a viewing event through the whole range of the eclipse, with a wide range of safe viewing options: eclipse glasses, pinhole projectors, telescopes equipped with special filters.

That said, there’s nothing like totality, as those who have seen it agree.

“The temperature will drop, and you’ll say, ‘This is weird,’” said Sumners. “The sky won’t look right, the air won’t feel right, the ground won’t look right; everywhere that shadows are being cast, they will be eclipse shadows.”

That’s what Joe and his band experienced time and again: first in Oaxaca, in 1991, and then in Northern Chile in November of 1994. At Monte Albán, he befriended Tekla and Richard Sanford, a couple from California who are wine producers,

and they kindled a lasting friendship. Richard mentioned he knew of a place in Northern Chile that would be ideal to watch the next eclipse. So the group quickly decided to meet in La Paz, Bolivia, and take the opportunity to explore the two neighboring countries.

This time, Joe’s wife Pat joined him, along with his brother Mo, friends Scott and Lynne, and other friends. In subsequent years, their daughters Kim and Kelly would join them, as well. With the help of a native of La Paz that Joe found through his networks, he planned an itinerary taking them through the Andean highlands of Lake Titicaca and the tropical lowlands to the south, shopping for weavings among the Aymara ladies with their little bowler hats and petticoats and pollera skirts.

Then it was a flight over the Andes to Arica, the northernmost town in Chile, on the Pacific Coast. And then it was up into the Andes to the town of Copaquilla near Putre, Chile, where it

hadn’t rained for 100 years. That’s where they would watch Eclipse No. 2.

Their travels in subsequent years are detailed in his book. The book is rich with Joe’s color photography of the places he has visited in his eclipse sojourns, revealing his deep love for culture and for the humanity of his subjects – as well as his love for a good party, especially a good eclipse party.

Sun, sea, and sand provided the backdrop for their next eclipse in the French West Indies on the island of Guadeloupe, in 1998; the serendipity of the island’s traditional Carnival celebration was the cultural icing on the cake. They wouldn’t have to wait long for the 1999 eclipse, which was epic; they flew into Germany, rented a car, drove through Austria and Hungary, and ended up on Romania’s Black Sea for the big event. The accountant for Joe’s company, who was from Romania, helped plan that itinerary. “All this driving to see an

(continued on page 46)

ECLIPSE SAFARI Clockwise from upper left: Joe checks out the progress of the eclipse with a filtered telescope during the group's African adventure in 2001; the Africa group poses for an eclipse shot; hot air balloons over Cappadocia, Turkey in 2006; the group sets off in a balloon of their own to see Cappadocia's fairyland landscape from above.

(continued from page 44)

eclipse of less than only one minute,” commented Joe. He forgot to focus his lens, but at the very last moment he remembered and got one good shot.

Africa followed, in 2001, beginning with a bow hunt in South Africa. They followed that with a luxury safari camp in Zambia on the lower Zambezi River, where the moans of hippos and the cries of bush babies sang them to sleep. An astronomer who worked at the Hubble Telescope accompanied the group on that eclipse day, bringing his gear with him to give them all the inside scoop on the celestial event.

It was five years before Joe found himself planning a Turkey itinerary – this time with the help of a Turkish astronomer he found on the Internet. Their tour included an unforgettable hot-air balloon ride over the fairy castles of Cappadocia, tours of an ancient Roman city with an amphitheater, and a front-row seat to the eclipse on the Mediterranean coast in Antalya.

It wasn’t until 2017 that Joe and Co. decided to set off for another eclipse adventure – this one, for the first time, right in the USA. “We have now grown from three in Mexico to 14 on the beach in South Carolina,” he reported in his book’s last entry; this time, they were joined by four grandchildren.

Once again Joe called on a friend from his chosen spot – in this case, Charleston, S.C. – and the friend did not let him down. Their 2017 eclipse was at the Wild Dunes Resort, perfect for their wild and crazy gang. Lots of fine dining was on the itinerary, along with sightseeing along the Mt. Pleasant coastline, and mostly, enjoying each other.

Looking forward to Eclipse 2024 is bittersweet. On the one hand, it’s a small miracle that the line of totality will be crossing his ranch, and many friends and family will be joining him there. But there’ll be no road trip, his favorite part of all of his adventures until now. The roads will be too packed for any kind of spontaneous tourism.

“I’ll be 84 this fall, and things change,” he mused. “You can’t look forward to things because of the things that happen physically. If my wife could still travel, though, I'd probably be planning another one.”

One thing’s for sure, though. After spending many hours combing through his 1,200 slides (not to mention the countless prints), reading through his and Pat’s notes, finding a designer and writing and rewriting the draft of his book, he can finally sit back, grab a beer, and relax.

It’s been one heck of a ride. And, to be sure, it still is.

“Even if you can’t see totality, everyone in Houston will be able to see a part of the eclipse,” Joe said. So get your eclipse glasses, go outside and see something you may never see again.”

Editor's note: For another out-of-this-world eclipse story, read Eclipsed! A Love Story: Will she, or won't she? by Cindy Gabriel, also in this issue.

TOWARD TOTALITY Clockwise from upper left: Ike and Farell Diamond are looking forward to seeing their first eclipse on April 8; Joe and the eclipse chasers celebrate the big event in August 2017 at the Wild Dunes Resort in South Carolina; this time, Joe's two granddaughters and the grandchildren of their friends were able to join them; Joe was able to capture photography of seven eclipses between 1991 and 2017, and now at the age of 83, is preparing to photograph what he believes will probably be his last one.

“For all the things my hands have held, the best by far is you.” - Andrew McMahon

SportzBuzz SPORTS

. by Todd Freed, staff writer

For the first time since 2013, the St. Thomas Eagles are state wrestling champions, capturing the TAPPS state title by a 14-point margin over second-place Dallas Bishop Lynch. “Our wrestlers performed to the best of their ability,” said St. Thomas wrestling coach Mike LeHolm. “Every single one of our guys matched or exceeded their seeding going into the tournament. Everything came together at once and was a total team effort. It was incredible.”

The Eagles boasted a trio of state champions with junior Roberto Pacini (113 lbs.), freshman Joshua Guzman (150 lbs.), and junior Trace Langin (285 lbs.) all capturing gold medals. Pacini and Guzman were also qualifiers for the Prep Nationals.

In addition, the Eagles had five runner-up finishers at the state meet in freshman Logan Koteras (106 lbs.), junior Jacob Prochaska (144 lbs.), senior Boyd Quinlan (157 lbs.), senior David Grattan (175 lbs.), and sophomore Italo Chavarria-Mendez (190 lbs.).

For LeHolm, the championship was especially rewarding after coming within one point of the state title in 2019 and then another runner-up finish in 2022 for the Eagles sixth year head coach. “It was a big win for our program,” added LeHolm. “It just seems like everything we’ve been working towards the last six seasons has come to fruition. I have a great coaching staff, which includes my brother and even several volunteers. We were able to get the kids to believe they can do it and they went out there and won the title.”

With its dominating SPC Wrestling Championship, it was another remarkable season for the St. John’s Mavericks wrestling team. Along with the SPC title, the Mavericks also captured the Prep State Duals Championship and the Texas Prep State Championship.

“It’s the fourth year in a row we’ve won all three of those major state-wide championships so that’s amazingly special,” said Mavericks head wrestling coach Alan Paul. “I don’t think that’s ever done before by another school. The strength of our team is our cohesiveness. We have a strong culture of togetherness. We had 47 wrestlers on our roster this year, which is our biggest team ever.”

The Mavericks won the SPC title by a lofty 74-point margin while remarkably placing a finalist in 13 of the 14 weight-divisions. Five Mavericks won individual SPC championships including Braden Lane (115 lbs.), Mason Lum (126 lbs.), Nico Sturgis (144 lbs.), Yahya Mir (165 lbs.), and Noah Jamison (215 lbs.) The remaining finalists for St. John’s included Cameron Baird, Spencer Arouty, Jet Ligums, Barrett Mossman, Michael Mann, Henry Denham, Sebi Rodriguez, and Wyatt Childers

“It truly was a remarkable year for our entire team,” added Paul. “My assistant coach Danny Henderson and I have been together here for 18 years. Along the way we’ve won ten SPC Championships, seven Prep State Championships, and six State Dual championships.”

It was a double-dose of basketball championships for the Episcopal Knights with both the Knights boys and girls teams winning SPC 4A Championships.

For the Knights girls team, it marked their first basketball championship in 36 years having wrapped up the title with a 66-54 victory over rival Kinkaid in the SPC tournament final. “It’s just a testament to the girls and the hard work they put forth starting back in early summer,” said Knights girls basketball coach Chelsea Bass. “Our goal from day one was to win the championship and to win it all in our home gym made it all the more special.”

In the championship final, the Knights were led by a sensational game from McDonald’s AllAmerican Me’Arah O’Neal. The daughter of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, the Knights senior capped off her high school career with a 28point outing in the title game. “From the very start the goal was to win an SPC Championship,” said O’Neal. “It was pretty much all that Coach Bass talked about and to grind through the season and get the championship meant everything.”

On the boys side, the Knights victory over Dallas St. Mark’s in the SPC tournament final marked its second SPC championship in the last three years. “We as coaches always have groups that we feel special with and this is mine,” said Knights head coach Wayne Jones. For his part, Jones also picked up a monumental 700th career victory this past season.

“This senior group has been incredible from day one. They came in during the Covid year and had their season cut short. They still ended up playing in three straight championship finals while winning two SPC titles. I couldn’t be any prouder of these guys.”

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.

SPC CHAMPIONS The Episcopal Knights celebrated their first SPC Girls Basketball Championship in 36 years. The Knights secured this year’s title with a 66-54 victory over rival Kinkaid in the SPC tournament final.

. by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

SportzBuzz Jr.

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

Dancing in the Big Apple

Caylee Canonico (pictured), 8, a student at River Oaks Baptist School, recently performed in one of the most prestigious competitions in the United States – the New York Dance Festival. There, she performed her Latin ballroom routine, and earned first place in her preteen age group within a four-dance Latin Championship. Her coaches are Viktor Shumylo and Natia Kuprava of Dance Barre HTX. They were able to help her take her moves and talent and turn it into a winning combination. The competition, held in the heart of New York City, showcased talent from all over the country. Caylee and her coaches represented Houston with talent on the national stage. Congratulations to Caylee for the unforgettable experience.

A Monsoon of fun

The West University Softball Association spring season is underway. Players from the Monsoon adorned in their team colors and festive attire lined up on the streets of West U to walk the annual WUSA opening day parade.

McDavid. Onlookers, fans, and family members stood along the route, and cheered on the nearly 99 teams as they marched down the streets of West U. The 2024 season marks a big milestone with its largest enrollment to date at almost 1,000 girls. The registrants are distributed across 99 teams. Teams spared no effort this year in displaying their team spirit in the costume competition. After the parade, the opening ceremonies kicked off followed by the annual WUSA family-friendly carnival where players and families enjoyed games, inflatables, bouncy houses, food, and more fun.

Rockies at Rice Day

Bellaire Little League players from the Rockies enjoyed Rice Day at Reckling Park. The event brought together players, coaches, and families from BLL for a showcase of talent and an annual tradition. National League teams from the BLL took to the field. Spectators filled the stands, enjoying the excitement for the spring season of baseball. The players enjoyed icy treats from Kona Ice Truck and more delicious dishes from food trucks that lined up. Volunteers helped make the day a success, managing everything from the scoreboard to walk-up music.

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.

Pictured (from left) are Audrey Bischoff, Nora Washington, Isabel Covey, Brooke Kaplan, Amelia Heins, Brooke Lepow, Jacqueline Walters, Elle Naulls, and Ivy

Pictured (front row, from left) are players Richard Roberts III, George Minetos, James Cannon, Avyay Patel, Drew Callaci, Kenner Benson, Jack Mandel, Leonardo Pineda, Mitchell Moore; (second row, from left) Ashton Palmer, Euan Anthony; (back row, from left) assistant coach Cody Moore, head coach and manager Keith Benson, and assistant coach Anant Patel.

KIDS

by Noor Khan, age 16

Buzz Kidz

APLIÉS AND PERSISTENCE Noor Khan, a sophomore at DeBakey High School for Health Professions, has taken over 400 barre classes, and loves how it has built her confidence, energy, and focus.

Building strength, barre none

t first glance, the serene studio adorned with mirrors and ballet inspired barres might be an odd place to associate with strength and mental fortitude. Yet, the 50minute barre class that seamlessly blends yoga, Pilates, and ballet isn’t just a way to lift weights, tone muscle, and burn fat, but also a way to uncover a hidden reservoir of strength just waiting to be tapped into. More than 400 transformative, empowering, and sculpting classes later, barre classes have not only reshaped my body, but also my mindset, infusing my life with strength, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment.

Like many others in my classes, my introduction to barre came during the upheaval of the Covid pandemic. Stepping into a barre class during such uncertain times was a leap of faith, but

it became a cornerstone in my journey towards mental toughness. Barre demands unwavering focus and precision. During my first class, every movement felt like a test of my endurance. Music blaring, muscles on fire, I felt like my body was reminding me of my limitations, but I was inspired by the energetic instructor and those around me.

After many milestones and challenges, I now introduce many others to class with me. I have not only gained newfound confidence in myself, but also seen improvements in my focus, time management, and overall energy. No matter how tired I am before class, I always feel refreshed, energized, and mentally sharper after my workout. This feeling has been well supported by research; according to a study written about in a 2023 Washington Post article, just six minutes of exercise can multiply the

production of a neurochemical called BDNF, known to be essential for lifelong brain health.

Managing an exercise routine with school can be challenging, but I stay committed by attending on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and three to four weekday evenings after school. Because I usually have limited time due to schoolwork and studying, barre class also forces me to stay on task and manage my time better. I’ve mastered completing my work without getting sidetracked by distractions, and it definitely sweetens the deal on the ice cream cone I get later!

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.

Hives: chronic vs. acute

Have mosquito bite like bumps without mosquitoes buzzing around? Randomly flaring up with itchy welts on and off for six or more weeks? You may have “chronic” hives.

“Acute” hives occur commonly, go away on their own within a few weeks. They can be due to a reaction to a food or medicine. Sometimes they are tied to a viral illness.

“Chronic” hives, by definition, happen on and off for six weeks or longer. These more protracted hives may last minutes, hours, or sometimes days before fading away only to return. The process of fading and recurring can go on and on.

First assumption is one might be allergic to something in their environment, diet, or medication list. That could indeed be the case.

However, in many/most cases of hives that come and go for six weeks or longer, the hives are actually random (not due to a specific external trigger).

Chronic hives are common. They may happen to two to four percent of the population. Researchers for years have looked to find the cause. For the last decade-plus, data suggests most of the cases are actually an auto-immune condition. The body makes a protein that recognizes a “self” molecule as “foreign” and triggers the immune system to release chemicals such as histamine that cause the itching and swelling. (In fact, some patients with hives will also have swelling to a more extensive degree leading to a swollen lip or hand, for example.)

Fortunately, most patients with acute hives get over them on their own. Unfortunately, chronic hives can linger and make life miserable. Chronic hives can go away on their own as well. However, not knowing when, and thus hav-

ing to suffer while waiting, is miserable.

Unfortunately, chronic hives are common. Luckily, since they are common, lots of research attention has been and still is being paid to them and their treatment. Because of all this research, we have learned when, where, and how to focus our investigative approach and treatment.

There are several currently available treatments (some simple, some more complex) that can be very effective. Additional new treatments are being studied and might come to be available for patient use in the near future.

Until there is a cure, we focus on symptom relief and using the safest medicines possible.

If you think you have allergic hives or autoimmune hives, the doctors and staff at The Allergy Clinic can help you sort things out and make a treatment plan for you.

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.

Anthony J. Weido, 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

Frieda, age 7, German Shepherd, Sunset Blvd.

I’m Frieda: beautiful and – I’m proud to say – not so easy to handle. My German ancestry shows! My dad thought he was a tough athletic guy, but when he picked me out of the litter, I quickly showed him who ran things. For five years I dominated. Dad and I shared the bed; the sofa was mine. I rolled in puddles at my pleasure in the garden, then jumped on whatever I wanted with my dirty paws. But then Dad fell in love. I wasn’t the only female in the house anymore. She took one look at our rundown house and transformed it: clean sheets, new sofa, a well-tended garden. I tried to ignore her rules, nipped her hands a few times, and gave her my German stare. To no avail. She too is of German descent, strong willed and determined. My life has changed, but now I looove my mom, and I’m the happiest dog on our block! 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.

Importance of communication

When Marjorie and Jim (not their real names) started showing signs of failing health, their daughter Susan sat down with them to discuss what kind of care they wanted if the time came when they weren’t able to fully take care of themselves. They didn’t want to leave their home, and they had enough insurance and assets to cover the cost of private, in-home caregivers.

Susan found it uncomfortable bringing up the subject, but if she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have known her parents’ wishes or that they could financially afford what they wanted.

Marjorie and Jim were relieved that Susan had asked them; it allowed them to feel comfortable that they could direct their future care.

This scenario illustrates how essential communication is between adult children and their parents. Having this conversation when your loved one is still able to tell you what they want allows that loved one to maintain some control of their lives if they later become impaired but still cognizant. That feeling of control and respect is critical for their continued mental and physical well-being.

But there’s another part to this story: Susan’s two siblings were opposed to what Susan told them their parents wanted. Next month, we’ll talk about that.

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

Avoiding guardianships of the estate

Few parents expect to die before the children are adults, but it happens. The consequences are horrible, less so if the parents plan.

When one parent dies, the survivor is the natural guardian of the person for minor children. On Dad’s death, Mom doesn’t need a court order to take Junior for his shots. However, Texas does not recognize a natural guardian of the estate, not even Mom. If Dad left anything to Junior, e.g., life insurance, a court order is required for Mom or anyone else to collect and manage it for the minor child. Until then, that inheritance is stranded, and friends and family have to use their money, not the decedent’s, to care for Junior.

Without the least estate plan, the judge typically appoints a guardian of the estate to manage the minor’s money. A guardianship is the most feared proceeding known to the law. The surviving parent has priority, then grandparents and great-grandparents, then next of kin. It’s not automatic, and an application and hearing are required. Once appointed, the guardian has to post a bond, file an inventory, get the court to approve a budget and investment plan, and do an annual accounting. Lawyers, CPAs, and fees are involved, and every year until the ward turns 18 and the guardianship terminates, at which point Junior blows the money anyway. What freshman won’t enjoy being the richest kid in the dorm?

A declaration of guardian for children isn’t required, but parents often sign one, if only to give someone younger or better than Grandma priority. The form doesn’t avoid a guardianship, it just preempts Grandma.

Best practice is to avoid guardianship of the estate in the first place.

Make any gift to Junior subject to a contingent trust for minor and incapacitated beneficiaries. This doesn’t fit on many beneficiary designation forms. The trust terms are usually set out in a Will, making it a “testamentary” trust. Like the Will, it can be revoked any time until you die; the money’s yours until then, not Junior’s. Better yet, extend the trust to age 25 (or later), so Junior will be more mature than at 18.

Beneficiary designations trump Wills. After making the Will, change any beneficiary designations from Junior to “The Trustee(s) named in my Will.” Technically, this disinherits Junior, so his trustee can collect the funds without a guardianship. If you make the right Will but forget to change the designations, Junior gets the money anyway, and it may either be stranded until he’s 18 or else decimated by an expensive, avoidable guardianship.

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

Buzz About Town

Core golf values

Event chairs James and Cassandra Casey (pictured) joined 300 guests at River Oaks Country Club for the Houston Golf Association and First Tee-Greater Houston Core Values luncheon. Deborah Duncan served as emcee for the

6th annual fundraising event that brought in $230,000 for youth elementary, after-school, and traditional golf programs. This year marks the 20th anniversary of First Tee-Greater Houston, an organization that provides educational programs to build character, instill values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Houston Astros owner and chairperson Jim Crane and the Astros Golf Foundation were recognized for support of the organization and for the successful Memorial Park program location.

Houston Christian HS on stage

Members of the cast of Houston Christian High School’s production of Les Misérables (pictured) took the stage for sold-out performances. Starring students Joey DeLongchamps as Jean Valjean, Yianni Rokas as Javert, and Layla Borghese as Fantine, Houston Christian Theatreworks performed the world’s longest-running musical adapted from Victor Hugo’s novel. The operetta was directed by Tommy Tune award-winning director Dr. Bobby Linhart and choreographed by Melissa Tyler, capturing the central themes of love and redemption, justice, and injustice. A cast and crew of 140 students performed at the state-of-the-art Dunham Theater at Houston Christian University.

American Heart Association’s centennial

The 2024 Houston Heart Ball, Pulse of the Century, was a huge success. Event chair Kelly Hackett and survivor-honoree Wallis Marsh (pictured) welcomed more than 500 guests to the ballroom at the Hilton Americas to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the American Heart Association. The evening also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Houston Heart Ball and raised $1.25 million to help fight heart disease and stroke. Guests enjoyed cocktail hour while listening to an electric violin performance by Demola, and then took their seats for the program led by emcee Khambrel Marshall. After a video introduction of 16 honorees, they all gathered on stage for a standing ovation. Tim Singletary and Joanne Houck, longtime supporters of the American Heart Association, wrapped up the evening with a champagne toast that was followed by a balloon drop and dancing to the Midtown 10 Band.

Dinner with the church ladies

Twenty-five women from West University Methodist Church gathered for a fun evening of appetizers, dinner, and dessert during a progressive dinner at three West University houses. The first stop was the home of Michele Carlin, who got the party started with charcuterie board appetizers. Next stop was the home of Sue Jensen for the main course meal of Italian food, and Jane Dudek’s home was the grand finale with dessert and coffee. Pictured are (top row, from left) Kim Weill, Ginger (the Carlin

(continued on page 58)

family dog), Michele Carlin,

. by Angie Frederickson, staff writer

Daniel Ortiz

Tracy Eason

(continued from page 56)

Karen Vine Fuller, Sheryl Moore, Gwen Diaz-Ridgeway, Jenny Finney, Lynne Jackson, Jean Best, Barbara Hale, Jane Dudek, Amanda Dearborn, Holly Kinahan, Randa Schmitt, Laura McDonald, Meg Caldwell, Trudy Lynch; (bottom row, from left) Ann Weissman, Maggie Maxwell, Lucy Leonard, Paige Dominey, Dale Waller, Janet Lindley, and Janine Schueppert; not pictured: Ann Cheek and Sue Jensen.

Glow in the park

Robbie and Ashley McDonough, Laura Goodrum, and Jean and Daniel Irving (pictured, from left) hit the links with fellow Ambassadors for Texas Children’s Hospital at the Memorial Park Golf Course to celebrate the Texas Children’s Houston Open, which took place in late March. The Glow in the Park event provided a sneak peek into the excitement of

Johnny Than

the tournament, and guests were transported via golf cart to the event space that featured a glowin-the-dark putt-putt course, neon arches, glowing LED tubes, and black lights. After remarks from Texas Children’s Hospital president Debbie Sukin and Texas Children’s Houston Open vice president Brian White, the Astros’ mascot Orbit officially opened the putt-putt course. Auctioneer Brittany Hebert Franklin started the bidding that raised funds to support Pawsitive Play and Texas Children’s Hospital, and supporters mingled with special guests Pawsitive Play dogs Pluto, Cohen, and Crosby.

Bow Wow West

Rev. Dr. Tamla Wilson, Dr. Kathy Flanagan, and Joy Sewing (pictured, from left) joined other animal lovers at the 11th annual Interfaith Ministries Wags & Whiskers brunch and pet fashion show. The sold-out event benefited the

Animeals program, which provides pet food, toys, and preventive vet care supplies to the pets of homebound seniors in Interfaith Ministries’ Meals on Wheels program. Dressed in western wear, supporters gathered at the Hotel ZaZaMuseum District and raised more than $113,000.

The Bow Wow West-themed event featured a celebrity pet fashion show, lunch, and silent auction. Walking the catwalk for Interfaith Ministries were Roger Applewhite and Keyser Soze, Ivonne Camarena and Don Cheto the cat, Beth Clark and Yeti, Freddy Cruz and Sparrow, Louise Goldberg and Rosie, Karen Jankowski and Bella Donahue, Kian Tavackoli and Moose, and Beth Wolff and Dandy.

Hearts of hope

Supporters of Bo’s Place gathered at the Hilton Houston Post Oak to celebrate 34 years of serving the community. Sue Smith and Lauren and Rob Gray (pictured, from left) enjoyed the Hearts of Hope luncheon and helped raise more than $450,000 to support (continued on page 60)

Quy

Tran

JOAN LAUGHLIN LIZ CONCES SPENCER

the nonprofit bereavement center’s grief-support services, education, and resources. Guest speaker Kreis Beall, cofounder of Blackberry Farm, an award-winning Relais & Chateaux resort in East Tennessee, and author of The Great Blue Hills of God: A Story of Facing Loss, Finding Peace, and Learning the True Meaning of Home, inspired the crowd with her experiences of living with grief. Event co-chairs Emily and Mark Covey, Laura and Mark Dalton, and Amy and David Mitchell put together a beautiful afternoon that honored Lauren and Rob Gray with the Robin Bush Award, given in memory of President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush’s daughter.

Rodeo trailblazers

Nancy Motley, Tayrn Sims, Jennifer Van Matre, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Kristie Manning, and Isela Garcia (pictured, from left) were honored for their commitment to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) at the 24th annual Trailblazers Awards luncheon and fashion show.

A record-breaking crowd gathered at The Hilton Americas-Houston for the event benefiting the HLSR. More than 2,000 supporters gathered in the ballroom that was transformed into a fashionshow runway for the Saks Fifth Avenue show. KHOU’s Mia Gradney and Len Cannon emceed the program that included remarks from Rodeo president and CEO Chris Boleman, trailblazer officer-in-charge Wendy Lewis Armstrong, and chairman Ann Massey.

Once upon a time

Members of The Junior League of Houston celebrated three enchanted evenings. Elizabeth Kendrick, Ashley Seals, and Amanda Hanks Bayles (pictured, from left) attended the 76th annual charity ball, Enchanted: An Evening Once Upon a Time. Chaired by Ashley Seals, the three-night event held at the Junior League wel-

comed more than 500 guests and raised more than $800,000 to support people in Greater Houston through 32 community projects and community assistance grants. Guests at the Thursday-night Into the Woods kickoff party enjoyed enchanted-themed cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, dueling pianos, and music from DJ Mohawk Steve. Friday night’s program included live music from Houston-based Radio Live and a big board auction emceed by ABC13 reporter-anchor Briana Conner. The sold-out Saturday program featured live music from Satellite, a five-piece Texas band, and a big board auction emceed by journalist Brandi Smith

Not your childhood Cinderella

Diane

joined other dance enthusiasts at River Oaks District’s Steak 48 to celebrate the production of Houston Ballet’s Cinderella. More than 100 guests gathered for cocktails and sommelierselected wines, along with passed bites including New York strip, mushroom crostini, mini crab cakes, and tuna poke. Costumed dancers mingled with the crowd while Houston Ballet executive director Jim Nelson shared details of the modern interpretation of the classic fairytale.

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.

Dale Volpe and

Sudy (pictured, from left)

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Jacob Power Amber Magic Studio

Alex Montoya

Jacob Power

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Submit photos for our 19th annual Photo Contest. Deadline May 15.

To submit photos, and for contest rules, visit thebuzzmagazines.com/photocontest Winning photos will be published in our July issue and on our website. To view our 2023 winners, visit thebuzzmagazines.com/2023-photo-contest

Our grand prize winner will receive a Canon EOS R10 mirrorless camera with a RF-S18150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM lens kit from Houston Camera Exchange. Also, a two-night stay in a deluxe suite at Blossom Houston, plus a $200 dining credit to their new restaurant, MoLiHua, and a $150 credit to The Total You Spa inside of the hotel.

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. by Andria Dilling, staff writer

Back Porch

Sprucing Up Or, aging isn’t for sissies

Fifty-three, and I finally understand why Nora Ephron felt bad about her neck.*

At first, I thought it was just 2020 and Zoom, with all the weird camera angles and screens with colors they tell you “look different than they do in real life.” Surely, the computers created colors and shadows – very unflattering shadows – that didn’t exist naturally.

But four years later, it’s not Zoom. My bathroom mirrors – and car windows, and glass doors, and anything else with reflective surfaces – are verifying what the computer screen suggested. Which is, I have a 53-year-old neck.

Even writing that makes me cringe.

Not for the fact that I’m 53. No, I know far too well that reaching a certain age is something to be thankful for. Not only that, but my mother always told me that after 40, you just don’t care about what so-and-so thinks of your shoes, or whether they’re talking to the other moms about you skipping out on the school auction committee. (Maybe that’s not entirely true: I will always care about the mom who was in the corner at a Halloween party whispering that she couldn’t believe my six-year-old daughter had lice. And I will always smile remembering that her son showed up with bugs in his hair two weeks later. But that’s about my children, not my shoes.)

Also, it’s not so much that I care about what other people think of my neck. It’s just that it looks to me like not me when I catch sight of it – or of the crow’s feet around my eyes or the wrinkles between them or the vertical lines sprouting up and down from my lips. And that is where my experimentation with Botox started.

I’m not new to those shots that are supposed to freeze our muscles in order to freeze our expressions in their youthful states. In fact, I am a multi-year subscriber to the smoothing benefits of a few little pokes of a needle. It’s the best kind of torture. Once, my spin instructor at The Houstonian said, “I want you all working so hard you’re grimacing. That is, those of you who can grimace. You know what I’m talking about.” I did.

What I am new to is the full-on mortification that came a few weeks ago, when the Botox turned on me.

This is what happened: Those vertical lines on

my mouth plus the bathroom mirror were finally too much. So while I was in the dermatologist’s office to relax the lines between my eyes – simple enough, and something most women I know have at least attempted – I asked if there was anything minor she could do about the lines on my lips, save for fillers, which are another level I didn’t want to reach. Two tiny shots of Botox, she said, and off I was into the world of women with smooth, unpuckered lips.

For a couple of days, I swore I saw what was supposed to be “subtle” improvement, somewhat softened lip lines that surely nobody else would notice, but that made me excited. A few more days into this happy state, my lips and I went to a mah jongg game with new friends – two women I knew a little bit, and five more I had never met. We sat down to play, and I ordered a Diet Coke with a straw, a big treat. That’s when it happened. I took a sip of Coke, not a giant sip, nothing out of the ordinary, and before I could swallow, the Coke came spewing out of my new lips. Not dribbling down my 53-year-old neck but projecting out onto the mah jongg tiles.

OF A CERTAIN AGE

Everyone has a different idea of what “aging gracefully” means. For some women, it includes a little Botox. For actress Diane Keaton, it includes her ubiquitous turtlenecks.

For now, there’s Diane Keaton, queen of the turtlenecks. Diane Keaton can make a turtleneck look like the chicest thing you could ever wear. But Diane Keaton is an icon, and most of us would be hard-pressed to pull her look off, especially in Houston.

Thank God only one of my new friends saw this play out. All I could do was shrug and say, “Botox?” She understood. Also thank God this state only lasted a few days. I am again happy with my lips and unafraid of straws.

Sadly, as far as I know Botox doesn’t do anything for a turkey neck. There are experts who have other solutions for that, but they’re out of my comfort zone. At least for now.

So collars, especially popped, are my dear friends. I just need to remember to give them proper protection next time I decide to sip a Coke after a visit with the dermatologist.

*Nora Ephron’s book I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman was published in 2006 and remains a classic account of what it means to age in a world where we often think aging is something to be “fixed.”