The West University Buzz - February 2020

Josh and mom Bette Pesikoff

2020 Summer Camp Guide Love and Arranged Marriages Today’s Ski Trips 20 Restaurants to Try in 2020 Cindy Gabriel: Stan-the-Grand Volunteering as a Couple

Movies

Made Here

by Cheryl Ursin

The Debutante Tradition Valentine’s-Month Desserts Houston, TX

A Children’s House for the Soul

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Leap Year Birthdays

JEFF RILEY, MARGARITA BARCENAS, AND JIM WATERS

EDITOR’S NOTE I always take my girlfriends’ advice. That’s why I am married. When Michael and I first met, it was not love at first sight. Or even second. On our second date, he opened the trunk of his car, and I saw that it was spotless.

I thought, this isn’t going to work. But we did go out again. This time, we combined our friend groups for a night of miniature golf.

His hair had grown since our first date. He was wearing a yellow and white striped shirt and jeans. He looked pretty darn cute. My girlfriends said, Joni, what is wrong with you? Marry that boy! From that day on, I looked at him differently. The love bug bit. Yes, 31 years later, his trunk is still immaculate, while mine definitely isn’t, and we are happy together. Nudges from others can work. Some Buzz neighbors got more than a nudge – their marriages were arranged. I love Pooja Salhotra’s story this month of three successful arranged marriages – including her own parents’. joni@thebuzzmagazines.com

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BELLAIRE • WEST UNIVERSITY • MEMORIAL • TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS Published by Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401 info@thebuzzmagazines.com • p: 713.668.4157 • f: 713.665.2940 Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter thebuzzmagazines.com Editor Publisher Associate Editors Editorial Assistant Design Manager Staff Writers

Contributing Writers Account Managers

Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman Cheryl Laird Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld Pooja Salhotra John Duboise Tracy L. Barnett Deborah Lynn Blumberg Sharon Albert Brier Andria Frankfort Angie Frederickson Todd Freed Cindy Gabriel Cathy Gordon Michelle Casas Groogan Dai Huynh Annie Blaylock McQueen Jennifer Oakley Cheryl Ursin Russell Weil Paige Fredrickson Andrea Blitzer, Stephanie Goldfield Leslie Little, Jo Rogers

On our cover: Josh and mom Bette Pesikoff in Bette's dining room, where part of the movie Rushmore was filmed.

Cover photo by Nikky LaWell, lawellphoto.com The Buzz Magazines has made all reasonable attempts to verify the accuracy of all information contained within. Advertising claims are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Copyright © 2020 Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this magazine by any means without written permission is strictly prohibited. Printed on recycled paper. Please remember to recycle.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 4

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 5

MAILBAG

Your letters, thoughts, opinions Yes to saying no Starting the new year off in a good direction. I read your Back Porch article [Politely, “No,” by Andria Frankfort, January 2020]. You are absolutely right on target – correct in what you said and clear and well written. People now just need to take your advice.

I have said “no” for several years especially to a zillion fundraising requests, to political requests and a more “polite” no to seeing people that only cause pain or frustration. It isn’t easy or always pleasant but it is imperative for one’s own psychological health.

A “no” is often an affirmation of what is important to oneself and can be as positive to all concerned as a “yes.”

Kathryn Rabinow

Heartfelt story I was touched by your story of Cole Dawson [Braveheart: Giving thanks for a given heart, by Jennifer Oakley, November 2019]. I’ve known Cole to be a good man for many years…. Most people think that legacy planning is just about money. Your story reminds us all that we don’t need to be wealthy to share the most precious thing we have: life. All of us, regardless of financial ability, can be an organ donor and give life. The Talmud tells us that “if you save one life, it is as if you saved the world.” What could be a greater legacy than to have saved the world. Become an organ donor.

Andrew T. Gardener

Heart of the home Noah's House has long held a very special place in my heart. The story of Noah's House is beautiful, but I have often struggled to find the right words to succinctly convey what Noah's House means to the residents, family, staff, and board. Cheryl Ursin's article [Home Sweet Home: Inside Noah’s House, December 2019] has perfectly captured the heart of what makes Noah's House home to so many wonderful people. Thank you to you and your team for helping us share this fantastic story. We are appreciative and grateful.

Toby Dagenhart

Creating a community Thank you for telling the story of Noah’s House! In the article, Home Sweet Home, Cheryl Ursin shines a light on the important work being done

by Jonte Rollins and her team to make every resident feel appreciated, valued, safe and cared for. She masterfully captures the true spirit of Noah’s House – that it is something much greater than simply an independent living facility.

It is a place where the intellectually disabled find the support that they need to live a satisfying and fulfilling life. It is a place where they are loved and celebrated. It is a place called home! Thank you for sharing their story.

Rick Rumford, Noah’s House Board Member

A special gift What a wonderful gift Noah’s House provides to its residents! We are WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 6

so fortunate to have such a loving, caring, and safe environment for those needing the extra help that Noah’s House provides!

Bruce Holzband

Give a crock Wanted to say thank you to Joni, Pooja and the rest of The Buzz team for the lovely coverage on our "Give a Crock" campaign [Thetas Support Give A Crock Campaign, by Pooja Salhotra, “Buzzworthy” blog at thebuzzmagazines.com]. You have no idea how many people have reached out saying they have seen the article, both online and in the December print issue [Buzz About Town, December 2019, The West University Buzz and The Tanglewood/River Oaks Buzz].

Pooja covered the campaign beautifully and captured many great photos.

Second Servings is honored to be in The Buzz, especially being that our office is down the street, and many of our volunteers and supporters are frequent Buzz readers. We truly appreciate the love and support you've shown us and for helping spread the word on our mission to provide food to Houstonians in need while fighting hunger in our city.

Kristen Torrez 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 fun prom stories or traditions.

• Have a special story about Mom. • Have a unique travel story.

• Know a Buzzworthy neighbor to profile.

• Have an interesting hobby.

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

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WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 7

NEIGHBORS

by Cindy Gabriel, staff writer

Lessons on love

I

t all seemed so innocent. Six years had gone by since the death of my husband, George.

Given the difficulty I had looking for men for my single girlfriends, I had pretty much decided no one was out there. Besides, think of the work it would be to break in someone new.

I had already experienced that with my late husband George. We were married following my divorce from a long marriage. I was in my mid50s. George was seven years older when we married. Five years later, George suffered a sudden heart attack and was gone following one trip to the emergency room. Did I want to start over again in my 60s?

“All I wanted was a date,” I told myself. I just wanted to look across the table at a man and see if he could put a sentence together.

Last summer, on these pages in The Buzz, I divulged, perhaps too much, online-dating info about getting to know Stan.

Well now, Stan and I know each other a lot better. So, since a surprising number of you asked, here’s the two-year update.

People say we are a perfect match. Perfect, in my opinion, is a flawed word. Stan and I share many of the same imperfections. No one would accuse either of us of being control freaks, attentive to detail, or driven.

Actually, Stan needs to be driven. He can’t go a month without adding a dent to his car. I still throw my clothes on the floor like a teenager. Our glasses, phones and wallets constantly elude us.

We are both easily distracted, and for good reason. Life keeps unfolding in ways we didn’t plan.

There’s a new young woman in Stan’s life, and she’s a beauty. She’s Arden-the-Adorable, who needs no makeup, born to his daughter Jenny. In the past year he has been slipping over to meet up with Arden, taking in her first infant year, in the middle of his work day.

I don’t mind. I have a little fellow myself, Elithe-Guy. These two smiling, wide-eyed wonders came along four months apart from each other, making Stan and I each first-time grandparents.

With two grown millennials apiece, plus significant others, plus Arden and Eli, the family dynamics have reached Brady Bunch proportions.

Not to mention Stan’s three fascinating sisWEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 8

Morgan Weber

Stan-the-Grand

HIS AND HER GRANDKIDS Stan Ehrenkranz, with “his” Arden Evans, and Cindy Gabriel, with “her” Eli Weber, share some togetherness.

ters who all live in Houston with their spouses and two kids apiece in various places. The number of gatherings for birthdays alone has doubled my social life and tripled my calorie intake.

Then there’s Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover and Hanukkah, weddings and showers, in which I am graciously included.

Yes, they are Jewish. Yes, I am not. Stan loves being Jewish. I love that about him.

“They are a big, loud, huggy family,” observed my daughter Julia, after attending a Yom Kippur gathering called break-fast. It was my second year to attend, and finally Julia and baby Eli were available to come.

She liked the vibe so much that she persuaded Morgan, her husband, to join in for the annual evening Thanksgiving gathering at Stan’s sister Aimee’s house.

“Nothing forced,” I told myself. There are very likable people on both sides of our families.

We just need to give them time to figure it out on their own.

Each of the three Stan sisters hosts at least one holiday gathering a year, always infused with millennial-cousin energy. Some fly in from out of state. They tease and joust with each other, like the little kids they remember being together not so long ago.

Pardon me if this is presumptuous, but I love that Eli gets to experience this slice of the world by proxy. It melted my heart at Eli’s first birthday when he spotted Arden amid the crowd of kids and reached out to hug her.

“He doesn’t even hug me,” said mom Julia.

(Welcome to motherhood, Julia. That’s why you get a card once a year.)

We babysat them together about three times in the past year. When one daughter asks us, we tend to invite the other.

All of this wonderfulness is exhausting. It has greatly impeded my ability to sit on the sofa with the TV remote and sulk.

I had to buy some me time someplace. So I did the responsible thing. I quit my job. OK, I retired, an age-appropriate move, I supposed, at 65. Stan says he’s not retired, just tired.

That’s a joke. I had to buy an extra 40 hours a week just to try to match his energy level.

Joking is an important ingredient in our relationship. He laughs when I introduce myself as his future ex-wife, though we aren’t married.

Yes, the work of merging and blending the collective 12 decades of life is underway. Yes, it’s sometimes daunting.

The easy part is being with Stan. That part is not work at all. It’s, in its own way, kinda perfect.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 9

John Reynolds

NEIGHBORS

by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

Volunteer Couples A different kind of date

D

ating your spouse doesn’t necessarily look like dinner and a movie. For some couples, it’s more about coming together to give back.

David Elledge says that volunteering with his wife is “not just another thing to do together, it’s a wonderful thing to do together, helping other people.”

David and Loretta, retired accountants married 36 years, recently put their couple power to work for Christian Community Service Center’s Jingle Bell Express, which offers parents a “store” where they choose Christmas gifts like toys and books to give to their children. More than 2,800 children from 900 families benefited, with Loretta and David leading a team of committee volunteers who organized myriad details including donations, registration for children and their families, setting up the shop and more.

“Christmas is my favorite holiday,” Loretta says. “The clients at Jingle Bell Express receive food, toys, books. Gosh, that’s wonderful!”

David says he and Loretta have been volunteering most of their lives, just not together. He became involved with the CCSC when the couple’s church, St. Luke’s Presbyterian, one of 40 or so participating churches, appointed him to CCSC’s board of representatives 20 years ago.

Then, Loretta became involved working on committees for CCSC, which met at night. “So I didn’t have to miss work,” she says.

David chimes in: “Work kind of interferes with volunteering.”

“When I retired,” Loretta says, “I could work during the day, so I started working in emergency services, where we have a food pantry and hygiene items and we assist people with their rent or utility bills if they’ve lost a job or had car troubles. We help them get through that difficult time.

“Now we go to CCSC every Tuesday morning. David works in the food pantry, and I answer the phones and set up appointments for people to come in for assistance.”

Do they enjoy volunteering together? “First of all, we’re a couple, and we like to do things together,” David says. “We wake up, eat breakfast together and volunteer together.”

HELPING TOGETHER David and Loretta Elledge volunteer together and recently chaired the Christian Community Service Center's Jingle Bell Express.

Loretta appreciates that she and David can trade stories from their days. “He tells me about people who came into the pantry, about their gratitude. They’re so appreciative of the help.”

There’s a date at the end of their shift. “Most every time we have nachos at Jax Grill,” David says.

Aside from the couple time, Loretta says, “Just seeing the clients, and seeing CCSC make a difference in their lives in important ways, that’s what’s so important to me.”

Sherry and Jerry Ritcheson have been married 55 years. For the past 10, the retired preschool teacher and banker have been working as a team at Hospitality Apartments, where patients living more than 50 miles from the Texas Medical Center come to live for up to three months while receiving treatment.

“Jerry was looking for a project for a Sunday school class,” Sherry says, “and we went out [to Hospitality Apartments] and saw another volunteer mowing the grass. We got a tour, and after that one day, we were hooked.

“We’re inspired by everyone who comes in.

They’re being treated, waiting on transplants.

They’re away from home, battling life-threatening diseases. We’ve made many friends, and we’ve lost many.”

Once a week, Sherry and Jerry answer

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 10

phones, take reservations and check people in at Hospitality Apartments, which is run entirely by volunteers. “We do anything that needs to be done,” Sherry says, remembering when Jerry’s job was to clean the air conditioners and change the air filters in each apartment every month.

“We have a good time together,” Sherry says of her time spent volunteering with her husband. “We always look forward to going over there, and sometimes we’ll stop at Antone’s on the way home to get something to eat after.” She says it’s nice to be able to share their experience: “We can come home and talk about it and talk about what’s going on there.”

Sherry and Jerry also enjoy seeing other couples and families volunteering together. “There’s a Sunday school class that comes for holidays,” Sherry says. “It’s young married couples bringing their children, who knock on all the apartment doors handing out bags of cookies. How could you not smile when you see these darling little children holding out a bag of cookies? It’s inspiring seeing the young couples teaching their children that there’s something more important in life than ‘me.’”

Sherry says volunteering is second-nature to her. “I think it’s what the Lord tells you to do, reach out to those in need. It’s just in my heart.”

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 11

NEIGHBORS

by Pooja Salhotra, staff writer

James Fatica

Debutantes Revitalized for the 21st century

E

ach of the three times Andie Chilson visited Houston Bridal Gallery to have her gown altered, someone inevitably mistook her as a bride.

Shoppers would congratulate the 22-year-old college student wearing the white, Jackie Ostyle dress, and inquire about the big day. Andie, quietly amused, would correct them – “No, I’m not getting married.”

The dress was for her debutante presentation.

The presentation, a black-tie affair, took place on Dec. 28. It featured seven young women from Houston, who were presented in front of their family and friends at The Forest Club, a private country club on Memorial Drive.

The American debutante ball dates to the 1800s, and it was traditionally a way to present young women to high society and to announce their marriageability. But these recent debs, attending colleges across the country, are not focused on tying the knot any time soon.

“The tradition has transformed,” says Christie Fatica, one of the debs and a senior at Bates College. “None of the girls are looking to get married right now. I know I personally am not.

And if someone was expecting me to, I would set them straight.”

Despite their distaste for the patriarchal origins of the debutante ball, the girls were eager to bring back what they see as an important tradition.

“I value tradition,” said deb Margaret Trautner, a senior at MIT who plans to pursue a doctorate in mathematics. “You can have tradition without upholding ideals that are outdated.”

The Forest Club had not held a debutante ball for the past 18 years, due in part to its small size. Unlike other Houston country clubs that have 1,000-plus families on their membership rosters, The Forest Club’s membership includes about 400 families. The smaller community means fewer eligible debutantes each year.

“The interest just fell out,” said Monette Chilson, Andie’s mother and chair of the recent ball. “Times change. Whatever was going on, there just weren’t as many girls interested in being a part of it.”

Two years ago, Monette decided to attempt to bring back the tradition for her daughter. The

LIT UP The Forest Club’s debutantes – the first in 18 years – combined the traditional with the modern, changing into light-up sneakers to dance after their formal presentation. From left: Meg Espey, Hailey Hix, Gia Osso, Chandler Cade, Christie Fatica, Margaret Trautner and Andie Chilson.

Chilsons live down the street from the club, and Monette recalls when her daughter Andie, only 4 at the time, saw the 2001 Forest Club debs in their white ball gowns. Andie thought the debs were princesses and said she wanted to be a debutante when she grew up.

Sure enough, when Andie was a sophomore in college, she brought up the idea. Monette was on it. While the club supported the venture, some members were skeptical of whether the event would pan out; previous members had tried unsuccessfully. Also, the club had previously held its deb balls under a tent in the parking lot, but construction no longer made that feasible.

“It’s a lengthy planning process,” says Jesse Brown, who tried to revive the ball in 2008.

“We got to a point where we thought we had a good class, but then it became uncertain and we couldn’t proceed with it.”

With the help of a diligent committee, Monette succeeded this time. Over two years, they planned every aspect, from recruiting participants, to selecting centerpieces (hydrangeas and magnolias), to finding a tent for The Forest Club’s tennis courts – the selected location.

Planning also means coordinating several preevents, including a patio party, a mother-daughter luncheon, a Bows & Boogie cocktail party and an etiquette class.

Monette enjoyed watching the girls take ownership of this rite of passage tradition and

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 12

find new meaning in it.

“The assumption was, as we were preparing, that these girls are going to go out and become professional women,” said Monette. “[The etiquette class] wasn’t about how to make a pot roast, or how do you throw a dinner party.

There’s a lot more focus on becoming strong and empowered young women.”

At the presentation, each deb was escorted along the ballroom’s center aisle by her father or grandfather. In line with tradition, the deb then performed “The Texas Dip,” a challenging maneuver that requires the performer to cross her knees, bend over and almost touch the floor with her nose. After all the presentations, the girls danced with their father or grandfather to Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight” and then with their date to “Brown Eyed Girl.”

Once the formal presentation was over, the event transformed into a typical 21st-century party, with hip hop music and coordinated line dancing to “Wobble,” a 2008 rap song. At one point, all the debutantes changed out of their high-heels and donned light-up sneakers, the perfect dancing shoes. Guests took selfies using a custom Snapchat filter.

Now, the club plans to make the ball a biennial tradition. “It’s only going to get better in the future,” said manager Darryl Parnell. “We have the game plan for it, so going forward, it’ll be an even bigger success.”

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NEIGHBORS

by Cheryl Ursin, staff writer

lawellphoto.com

And... Action!

Memories of movies made here

Y

ears ago, Kaitlyn Sharp was at the old Town & Country Mall with her two children when someone approached, asking if she’d like to be in a movie. “Today, I’d think it was a sex trafficker,” she says, “but back then, I said, ‘Sure!’”

Kaitlyn ended up with a “2.5-second role” as a nurse in a 1995 two-part television miniseries called A Woman of Independent Means, starring Sally Field. Kaitlyn remembers Field as being “perfectly pleasant,” which was good because Kaitlyn stepped on her foot during one of their takes. “I was supposed to walk ahead of her through a hospital ward,” explains Kaitlyn. The scene, set in the early 1900s, required Kaitlyn to wear a full-length, striped nurse’s uniform, laceup boots, a bouffant hairdo and a corset. “And that was a real corset,” she remembers.

“Somebody had to lace me into it, and I discovered why women in pictures from that era always stood up so straight.”

It might not seem so, but Houston has been the setting for a wide range of movies. Terms of Endearment (1983) was filmed, in part, in River Oaks, and Urban Cowboy (1980) at Gilley’s in Pasadena. Several space-themed movies, including Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon (2001), Armageddon (1998) and The Martian (2015) have been filmed at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Houston-made movies run the gamut from 1990’s RoboCop 2 (which shows the downtown skyline, the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Alley Theatre) to 2014’s Boyhood (University of Houston-Downtown, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Hermann Park, the Miller Outdoor Theatre and Minute Maid Park), from the 1977 sequel to The Bad News Bears, called The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training (Astrodome and Bayland Park) to Rushmore (1998), directed by native son Wes Anderson at, among other Houston locations, his alma mater, St. John’s School, and its neighbor, Lamar High School.

Ann Barry ended up in a movie because she worked at the apartment complex where the actors were staying. She and her co-workers became extras for the movie Rush (1991), starring Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jason Patric. The

RUSHMORE Bette Pesikoff keeps a scrapbook from when her sons' classmate, Wes Anderson, filmed part of the movie Rushmore at her house. "When the location scout showed Wes the house, he said, 'Hey, that's the Pesikoffs' house,'" said Bette's son, Josh. Anderson considered schools all over the world for his movie before deciding on his alma mater, St. John’s School, and neighboring Lamar High School.

movie was set in the 1970s, and Ann’s scene, the opening scene of the movie, was filmed at the dance hall at The Swinging Door, the famous barbecue restaurant in Richmond. “We were there all night, until 6 a.m.,” Ann remembers. The wardrobe people took a few extras at a time into a trailer and outfitted them with vintage clothes from the ’70s. Ann wore bell bottoms. “I think you see my pants leg in the movie, or maybe it was my friend’s,” she says. The scene had Gregg Allman walking in the front door of the dance hall to the back, where Jason Patric was playing pool. It was a complicated scene to shoot because the filmmakers wanted it to be all

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 14

in one shot. It had to be done several times and took all night.

Tonya Anderson and her friends were tapped to be extras by a friend of a friend and ended up in the television movie Murder in Texas (1981), based on the 1969 death of Houston socialite and equestrian Joan Robinson Hill. The movie starred Farrah Fawcett, Sam Elliott, Katherine Ross, Andy Griffith and Craig T. Nelson. Tonya’s scene was a garden party filmed at the Pierce Ranch near Victoria. “This was big stuff for us,” says Tonya, who was in her 30s at the time. The day of filming started at 5:30 a.m. “We were all walking around like country (continued on page 16)

Courtesy of Houston Film Commission

CAMERA READY With cast, crew, trailers and equipment, a film project temporarily takes over a location – in this case, a Houston neighborhood. This photo is from the filming of the miniseries A Woman of Independent Means, starring Sally Field. Buzz resident Kaitlyn Sharp, an extra who ended up with a “2.5-second role” as a nurse, remembers Field as being “perfectly pleasant,” which was good because Kaitlyn stepped on her foot during one of their takes. (continued from page 14) come to town,” watching

the movie being made, she says. They were given 1960s clothes to wear – “I told them I could remember when I wore these for real,” says Tonya – and drove vintage cars, “big, long Chevys and Lincoln Imperials.” Ryan O’Neal, there with Fawcett, talked to the extras. It was around Thanksgiving and really cold, Tonya remembers, but the extras couldn’t act cold. “It was really interesting, watching the internal workings of making a movie, how they filmed little snippets to splice together and how the actors popped in and out of character,” she says.

Mary Miracle has been in three movies. It all started when she heard an ad on the radio back in the ’70s, looking for extras for The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training (1977). She not only went downtown to sign herself up, but also brought along her three girls, then in elementary school, as well as neighbors and friends and their kids. The movie people said, “Yes, bring everybody,” Mary remembers. They all ended up being extras in crowd scenes shot in Bayland Park and the Astrodome. Mary says she and her neighbor’s young daughter are visible in one scene. “I’d drive a whole carful of kids down, and they were so excited. They were getting paid $30 per day to do it.”

A couple of years later, she and her daughters appeared, ice-skating at the Galleria, in the madefor-television movie Girls in the Office (1979), starring Susan Saint James and Barbara Eden as two women who worked in a department store.

By now, the casting people knew Mary so they called her when Urban Cowboy (1980), starring John Travolta and Debra Winger, came to town. This time, the movie needed all kinds of people, particularly men, for its crowd scenes at Gilley’s Nightclub in Pasadena. Mary con-

vinced her retired parents to do it. “They were in their 80s then, and they’d drive every day to Gilley’s,” Mary remembers. The thing her dad liked the best was the free food. Her mom made Travolta a pound cake.

Full disclosure: My sister-in-law, Linda Thomson, 11 years old at the time, realizing that Travolta was living in a house a few blocks away from her own in Memorial, made him brownies, got on her bicycle and delivered them. In return, he autographed her Saturday Night Fever album.

Apparently, Travolta ate well while he was here.

According to the Houston Chronicle, he also had his own private corner at the Ninfa’s on Westheimer during the filming.

Mary was in Urban Cowboy too. “I remember it like yesterday,” she says. “I was leaning against a pool table at Gilley’s and saw John Travolta was going to walk by. I thought, I’m going to say hi to him, but when he did walk by, I forgot how.”

When Bette Pesikoff got a flyer in her mailbox, asking if she’d be willing to have her house in a movie, at first, she thought it was a scam.

But not only did the request turn out to be real, the director turned out to be someone she knew well. “When the location scout showed Wes [Anderson, the director of Rushmore (1998)] the house, he said, ‘Hey, that’s the Pesikoffs’ house,’” said Josh Pesikoff, Bette’s son and Wes’s friend and classmate from St. John’s School. The Pesikoffs’ house became the house of one of the main characters in the movie, Miss Cross. She is shown eating at their dining room table, and another character, Max, is shown climbing through a bedroom window.

Underwater pool scenes were also filmed in their backyard pool. (Other pool scenes were shot at The Forest Club.)

In total, there were three or four filming ses-

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 16

sions at the Pesikoffs’ house, for three to four days each. “A day to set up, a day or two of filming, then a day to clean up,” explains Bette.

Though the movie crew painted the bedroom purple, hung up purple velvet drapes, moved in an aquarium and also decorated the room with model airplanes that actually belonged to the Pesikoff boys, they also put everything back when they were done, including fixing a roof where their equipment left dents and leaving a new heater in the Pesikoffs’ pool. “They filmed at night,” explains Bette, “because they have more control of the light at night, but they couldn’t film past midnight because some of the actors were children.”

They also filmed at St. John’s during the school’s holiday break. Another of Wes Anderson’s friends and classmates, Mike Maggart, was then a teacher at St. John’s. He was one of several people in the St. John’s community – alums, current students, parents – who ended up in the movie. He played a concierge in a scene filmed at the old Warwick Hotel (now Hotel ZaZa). He checked Bill Murray in.

“They said, ‘And action,’ and my heart was really beating,” says Mike. It took 16 takes, or about an hour, to get the exchange.

Mike’s classroom, redone with new paint and dark blue wallpaper, was in the movie. The crew offered to put it back the way it was after they were done, but Mike liked it.

Think being in a movie might be fun? According to Rick Ferguson, executive director, the Houston Film Commission helps 28 to 40 filming projects per month – and only about half of the projects filmed in Houston contact the commission, he estimates. The commission’s website (houstonfilmcommission.com) lists cast and crew calls for upcoming projects, and you can also list your property in its locations database.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 17

lawellphoto.com

NEIGHBORS

by Pooja Salhotra, staff writer

Confident in Their Skin A Children’s House for the Soul

I

t’s not every girl who gets a chance to stride through an art gallery in Manhattan, modeling a dress she designed herself while her favorite pop song blasts through speakers overhead.

But it is what Texas teens Mia Johnson, Emily Haygood and Alex Schoener did one day last fall.

“I was really nervous about walking out in front of a crowd of people,” says Mia, a junior at The Village School. “But I actually walked out and was so overwhelmed by the amount of support that I started tearing up.”

As Mia struck a pose in her deep green dress – a hue matching her eyes – the pop song “Brave”

by Sara Bareilles played. The song, whose lyrics tell an empowering story about the beauty of being who you are, could not be a more fitting anthem for the moment. In a sense, the fashion show represented the pinnacle of years-long journeys for Mia, Emily and Alex, girls who vary in background and interests, but have shared similar struggles of battling skin diseases.

“I think it’s hard for someone who’s not going through something to understand how tough it is,” said Mia, who has an autoimmune disease called scleroderma. The disease causes the body to attack itself and, in Mia’s case, manifests as lesions and spots on her face. “It was just kind of difficult going through elementary school because kids don’t have a filter and just say things like, ‘Oh what’s on your face?’ It’s the topic of every conversation you start.”

Emily and Alex have faced similar challenges.

Emily, 13, has severe atopic dermatitis, a chronic condition more commonly known as eczema, characterized by visibly dry and itchy skin. Alex, a freshman at Duchesne Academy, has alopecia areata, a condition causing rapid hair loss.

Over time, the girls have discovered that embracing their skin is the first step towards becoming an advocate for other children with skin conditions, and they each speak bravely and openly about their experiences.

“When it started getting worse and worse, I was really scared I was going to enter high school without any hair,” Alex says in a recent video testimonial. “That really shocked me, and it really scared me, honestly, because I didn’t think I was ready for that. But as time went on, I feel

like now I can completely accept who I am.

I can say, ‘Oh yeah, I have alopecia.’”

The girls each point to Houston nonprofit A Children’s House for the Soul for helping them become more self-confident. Launched in 2016 by pediatric dermatologist Alanna Bree, the organization provides HAPPY PLACE Pediatric dermatologist Alanna Bree says operating nonprofit emotional and social A Children’s House for The Soul has made her happier than she has ever been. support for children and traveling to Managua, Nicaragua, on a mission families impacted by any kind of skin disease. trip. She followed up these trips with short-term Were it not for the nonprofit, Mia, Alex and missions in Guatemala and Kenya, all the while Emily are unlikely to have met each other – getting closer to understanding her life’s purpose.

HIPAA laws preclude doctors from connecting Though the goal of the trips were not always patients to each other, and the girls live in difto provide medical care, Dr. Bree often found ferent parts of town. But, through the organizaherself using her medical expertise to help diagtion, Dr. Bree has created a community. nose people’s skin conditions. Skin disease affects “It’s a community where they are not alone,” approximately 20 percent of children and teens. says Dr. Bree. “It is so powerful to realize there With her faith as her guiding compass, Dr. Bree are other people who have the same struggles. It soon realized she needed to return to medicine. changes their perspective.”

“I didn’t think I’d come back,” she said. “I was really burnt out. But I realized I have this special n a Friday morning in 2009, Alanna Bree training and knowledge. There are only 385 stunned her business manager – and herself – board-certified pediatric dermatologists.” by announcing that she quit her job. Dr. Bree was Dr. Bree was certain that, upon returning to working as a pediatric dermatologist at Texas medicine, she wanted to help children with skin Children’s Hospital and had been struggling with diseases using a holistic approach. Unlike other an internal dilemma of whether she was fulfilling medical conditions that children can keep private, her life’s purpose. While she had always dreamed skin diseases are visible. Children with skin disease of becoming a doctor, the logistical realities of the are therefore more likely to suffer from lack of conjob limited her ability to connect with patients in fidence, depression and social withdrawal. the way she had hoped.

So instead of trying to maximize revenue by “I thought back to the reasons that motivated seeing as many patients as possible, she wanted me to be a physician in the first place, and I realto connect with her patients and help them with ized I had veered way off course,” Dr. Bree writes the inevitable struggles that come along with in her book, A Children’s House: A Little Story having a skin conditions.

About a God-Sized Dream. “I was distracted by the “These kids wear their diseases – they don’t get logistics of medicine. Insurance payments (or lack to choose if they share it with the world because thereof), prior authorizations, compliance issues, it’s visible, and it’s the first thing people notice governmental regulations, patient satisfaction about them,” she said. “Kids feel very unsafe, like scores, electronic medical records, malpractice, they have to put on this protective armor.” schedules, paperwork and more paperwork…”

Dr. Bree developed a (continued on page 20) Within weeks of quitting her job, Dr. Bree was

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Kimberly Oehrlein

IN FASHION Emily Haygood, Alex Schoener and Mia Johnson model the dresses they designed for a fashion show in New York City. The customized gowns are patterned with microscopic images of each girl’s skin disease. (continued from page 18) vision for the nonprofit –

a welcoming place with programming to build inclusivity and tolerance – but she lacked the funds to create it. To raise money, she started her own dermatologic practice in a cozy Montrose-area bungalow at 1875 W. Dallas St. But instead of taking home the money she earned, she funneled it into the nonprofit organization, which operates out of the same building.

“My husband is a physician, so I can do it,” she says. “Not everyone has that luxury.”

“It’s made me happier than I’ve ever been,” she added. “It really speaks to the fact that money can’t buy happiness.”

Even now, Dr. Bree takes no salary from her practice or from the nonprofit. Both have expanded and are outgrowing the corner bungalow they share, so Dr. Bree feels it’s time for the nonprofit to have its own space. She envisions a colorful home, equipped with a custom library, a special salon where children with hair loss can try new styles or wigs, a kitchen where kids can come together over meal prep, a play area and more.

Dr. Bree recently launched a capital campaign, trying to raise $1 million in 2020 to purchase and renovate the property next door to the bungalow.

“It’s coming together, and it feels meant to be,” Dr. Bree said. “I can envision the space and the kids. This is going to be the only dedicated place in the whole United States supporting kids with skin disease. This really is history in the making.”

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n the short film I Was Made a Masterpiece, artist Rick Guidotti explores the emotional impact of skin disease, highlighting many fami-

lies from A Children’s House for The Soul.

When Rick, an advocate for those with physical or intellectual differences, decided to hold his New York City art gallery opening in October 2019, he invited Dr. Bree to premiere the film.

What was initially slated as a small presentation snowballed into a full-fledged fashion show featuring Mia, Alex and Emily.

“At first, it was just going to be Lindsey [director of community engagement for the nonprofit] and I presenting the film, but then I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if one of our teens comes?’ Teenage girls are the most powerfully affected by skin disease because that’s such a critical time of interacting with the world and personal beauty,” Dr. Bree said.

“And then I was like, it’s New York. Let’s go big.”

Over the course of only two months, the idea for the fashion show came to fruition. The idea stemmed from artwork by A Children’s House for the Soul board member Dr. John Cangelosi.

A board-certified dermatopathologist, Dr. Cangelosi’s work focuses on diagnosing skin disorders under the microscope. Realizing that skin abnormalities can look artistic when viewed upclose, he has showcased photographs of various skin conditions at art exhibitions. Dr. Bree had always wanted to incorporate his art into a project with her non-profit, but had never found the right fit – until the film premiere.

Dr. Bree hired designer Kimberly Oehrlein, whose branding company had created the logo for A Children’s House years earlier. Oehrlein, a self-taught dressmaker in Cypress, was to take Dr. Cangelosi’s images of Emily, Alex and Mia’s skin diseases and then use them as the pattern for customized gowns.

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Essentially, the girls would wear their skin disease on a dress they designed themselves.

“How impactful if they got to define how they want to wear their disease in such a beautiful way,” Dr. Bree said.

During a consultation with Oehrlein, each of the girls discussed what their dream dress would look like. Oehrlein helped them select a color, bodice and neckline. “We really put the design in the girls’ hands,” Oehrlein says. “We pretty much gave them full creative control.”

Once she mocked up the silhouette of the dresses, Oehrlein examined Dr. Cangelosi’s slide images and figured out the best way to incorporate them onto the fabrics. Depending on the flow of each dress, different materials were used. Emily’s dress was purple satin and chiffon, Alex’s pink princess dress was a polycrepe fabric, and Mia’s was satin.

After spending about 60 hours on each dress – from the concept to the final construction – Oehrlein had the dresses in tow and traveled to New York City with the girls along with their moms and Dr. Bree.

Behind the scenes, the girls were nervous. Each had spent years hiding behind their diseases, and now they were about to wear them for a room full of people. But when the time came, and all eyes were on them, they each wore their skin proudly.

“You could tell they felt so empowered, so confident and so beautiful,” Oehrlein said.

“There was a different kind of confidence in her,” says Emily’s mom, Amber Haygood.

“Watching her and the other two girls walk out with so much confidence and just loving themselves – it was powerful.”

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DINING

by Dai Huynh, staff writer

20 Restaurants to Try in 2020 Where to eat out in Houston Andrea Weir

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ouston has morphed into a dining mecca, drawing tourists with more than 10,000 diverse eateries and restaurants.

Yes, we said it: tourists. In the past year or so, we’ve received calls from out-of-state friends and family members asking about all the great dining options in town. They wanted to explore Houston’s bucket list of eateries.

Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles are already internationally known for their restaurants, and now Houston is right up there with them. Naturally, we felt that this should have been the case all along. Our city, after all, showcases so many cuisines, from Argentinian steak to Vietnamese pho. There are so many places to try, but since 2020 has arrived, we’re starting out with just 20.

We wanted a mix of cheap eats and high-end establishments, along with spots that offer a snapshot of the locals and the city’s diversity.

Most important, these places are Houston born and bred, with deep Bayou roots. Here is our short list of essential restaurants – old and new – for visiting friends and relatives devoted to a sumptuous, and sometimes dizzying, tour of what the city’s restaurants have to offer.

Arco Seafood Restaurant, 9896 Bellaire Blvd Suite K, 713-774-2888. Even though “seafood” is its middle name, the star attraction here is the whole crispy Peking duck. It deservedly draws a crowd. Every few minutes, a burnished beauty rolls out of the kitchen, exquisitely carved and served with ice cold, crunchy cucumber sticks and the usual accompaniments of feather-light steamed buns, plum sauce and scallions.

Admittedly, when it comes to fresh seafood, Hai Cang Harbor Seafood (11768 Bellaire Boulevard) down the street has a slight edge, but many Chinese patriarchs might argue that the recently remodeled Arco has a more varied menu, with the added benefit of fresh, marketpriced Cantonese seafood.

What to order: Meaty, seared short ribs with black pepper sauce; Peking duck; black pepper shrimp; sautéed ginger-scallion lobster; typhoon fried eggplant; XO crispy turnip cake; Phoenix buns (steamed and filled with warm, gooey, sweet egg custard).

COLTIVARE For pizzas, Coltivare uses Revival pepperoni, pasture-raised, antibiotic-free, butchered and smoked in-house.

BCN Taste & Tradition, 4210 Roseland, 832-834-3411. If you want something buzzy, trendy and delicious, head to chef Luis Roger’s latest concept, MAD, a vivacious display of Spanish tapas, glass chandeliers, spinning mirrors and glowing orbs. But if you crave classic Catalan flavors and great ingredients, worthy of a Michelin star, the stately BCN Taste & Tradition has your number. Swathed in white linens, with meticulous service to match, BCN’s immaculate Spanish flavors shimmer with finesse. Modern-cooking maestro Ferran Adrià heavily influenced and inspired Roger, who worked at the famed El Bulli in Spain for a time.

What to order: The menu revolves seasonally, but the shellfish specials are usually a good bet.

Staples include fresh pickled anchovies; Manzanilla olives from Spain; spicy patatas bravas; sunny-side-up eggs with Spanish Ibérico ham; sous vide rabbit loin with porcini rice and sauteéd artichokes; suckling Ibérico pig.

Better Luck Tomorrow, 544 Yale Street; 713802-0845. James Beard Award-winning chef Justin Yu and cocktail maestro Bobby Heugel

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opened “this neighborhood bar with food” in spring 2017. Soon after, Food and Wine named BLT (as referred by regulars) as one of its 2018 Restaurants of the Year. BLT has been off to the races ever since, going strong with weekend brunch, creative cocktails and such clever dishes as griddled corn miso butter and lime. Already been? You also will find creative riffs from Yu at his contemporary restaurant, Theodore Rex. What to order: Fried crispy chicken with pickled cabbage; a pizza-like Chinese pancake, dubbed “Not a Pizza”; Party Melt with beef patty, crispy cheese and caramelized onions; Salty Cat Gin cocktail with grapefruit and salted fruit.

Blood Bros. BBQ, 5425 Bellaire Blvd, 713664-7776. Brothers Terry and Robin Wong, with pitmaster Quy Hoang, fork over a menu inspired by the culinary riches of Houston’s diversity. So, along with Texas brisket, regulars chomp on Vietnamese smoked turkey banh mi and mouthfuls of smoked sausage gumbo. The barbecue offerings – smoked pork ribs, Texas brisket, smoked turkey – anchor a freewheeling blackboard of Louisianan- (continued on page 24)

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Robert Jacob Lerma

FEGES BBQ This platter is a carnivore's delight, with beef short ribs, pulled pork, pork ribs, sliced brisket, beef belly burnt ends, smoked chicken, boudin and sausage. (continued from page 22) and Asian-inflected spe-

cials and sides. This is part of Blood Bros.’ appeal. There always is something new to try.

What to order: Texas brisket; smoked pork ribs; smoked turkey; jalapeño-and-cheese sausage; tri-tip pastrami po’boy; Mexican chocolate-chip cookie; brisket fried rice; bacon-crawfish mac and cheese; smoked pork rib tamales; jalapeño creamed corn.

Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith Street, 713522-9711. Open since 1967, this Gulf Coastinspired gem oozes with Southern charm and impeccably executed Creole and Cajun classics.

For many Houstonians, stepping into Brennan’s courtyard during Sunday brunch is like escaping to New Orleans without leaving town. The Old World service and plush dining room make many diners nostalgic for the gentile city Houston used to be. The menu of Creole classics made Brennan’s of Houston the cultural landmark it is today and an example of Louisiana’s influences on the city’s eclectic foodways.

What to order: Mesquite-grilled fish with satsuma vinaigrette; shrimp and stone-ground grits; Soup 1-1-1 (demitasse of three soups); Cajun fried frog legs with homemade boudin blanc; grilled oysters with jalapeño breadcrumbs; strawberry shortcake.

Café Caspian, 12126 Westheimer Rd., No. 100, 281-493-4000. The moment you walk through Café Caspian’s ornate wrought-iron doors, the Persian scents overload the senses with musky saffron, browning butter, floral

hyacinth, earthy sumac and perfumey rose water. Food is the center of Persian culture, and here, you’ll find families celebrating its rich culinary tapestries. It’s a beloved home away from home for many Persians, who praise Café Caspian’s kebabs and tender rice pilaf.

What to order: barg (marinated chicken tenders); stuffed kabob; ground beef or chicken skewers; chicken breast with pomegranate and walnut sauce; saffron ice cream.

Coltivare Pizza & Garden, 3320 White Oak, 713-637-4095. Come at peak hours, and you’re going to wait 30 minutes or more, but the Italian fare is worth the wait. Nab a seat at the counter and watch all the fun action in the open kitchen. The rustic room is bursting at the seams with eager diners for a reason. Chef Ryan Pera’s pastas, pizzas and small plates are lively and full of vivid flavors that lure folks back. Already been? Pera of Agricole Hospitality also operates Night Heron, Miss Carousel, Indianola, Vinny’s, Eight Row Flint and Revival Market – all are worth a visit.

What to order: Specials like duck salad with peaches; roasted hazelnuts; ricotta gnocchi with greens; tomato basil or pepperoni pizza; spaghetti with black pepper and Parmesan.

Don Café, 9300 Bellaire Blvd, 713-777-9500.

If you haven’t tried a classic Vietnamese banh mi, just visualize a warm, yeasty French baguette, halved and stuffed with various cold cuts (your choice); fresh coriander; cool, crispy cucumbers; and pickled carrots. Don Café fol-

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lows the tradition of Saigon-style banh mi topped with a riot of garnishes to lift the sandwich from merely good to genius. Introduced to Vietnam by the French in the early 20th century, the first banh mi (pronounced BUN-mee) were simply buttered bread and pâté or ham, much like a Parisian sandwich.

What to order: Don special sandwich; papaya salad with dried beef jerky; barbecue beef banh mi; pate-and-ham banh mi; pork meatball banh mi (served warm).

Feges BBQ, 3 Greenway Plaza, Suite C-210; 832-409-6118. Former chef-now revered pitmaster Patrick Feges and wife Erin Smith (a talented chef herself) push the envelope and give Houston barbecue a modern (and dare we say healthier) flair in an office-tower food court of all places. Here, the vegetable sides are as enticing as the outstanding, charred, peppery brisket, whole hog sandwich and smoked boudin.

What to order: The brisket, sausage and rib plate; brisket sandwich; loaded baked sweet potato; Moroccan-spiced baby carrots; elote corn salad; kale salad; mashed sweet potato; banana caramel cream pie.

Hugo’s, 1600 Westheimer Road, 713-5247744. Chef Hugo Ortega’s flagship introduced many Houstonians to the regional tastes of Mexico. Housed in a 1925 Joseph Finger building, Hugo’s boasts compelling, authentic fare and a handsome bar that features a wide array of agave spirits and antojitos (small spicy appetizers that can make for a meal). (continued on page 26)

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talented James Beard Award winner also has the critically acclaimed Oaxacan-inspired Xochi and Mexican seafood-driven Caracol.

What to order: Any of Ruben Ortega’s desserts; oxtail soup; grilled carne asada; lobster taco; plantain empanadas; braised tender suckling pig with handmade tortillas.

Kata Robata, 3600 Kirby Drive, Suite H, 713526-8858. Chef Manabu Horiuchi sets the impeccable tone for this popular Japanese restaurant. One out of every three chefs we’ve interviewed declares this to be his or her favorite sushi and sashimi spot. These days, sushi is pricey, but Kata has a wallet-friendly lunch menu with one of the most outstanding chirashi, with eight kinds of assorted sashimi with sushi rice and pickles. At lunch, it sells for $23, compared with $39 in the evening.

What to order: Chirashi; grilled Hamachi collar cheeks; daily sashimi and sushi specials; misomarinated black cod; miso lobster macaroni and cheese; grilled octopus with yuzu.

Killen’s STQ, 2231 S. Voss Road, 713-5860223. Ronnie Killen made a name for himself selling steaks and barbecue. Here, he showcases wood-fired steaks, along with a few barbecueinspired items, including smoked beef short ribs with espresso barbecue sauce.

What to order: Honey-truffle biscuits; arugula and peach salad with burrata; chicken-fried ribeye; fried onion rings; smoked short ribs; brisket ragu over rigatoni.

Mala Sichuan, 9348 Bellaire, 713-995-1889.

Not only does Mala Sichuan serve up some of the best Sichuan specialties in town, but it also is a good starting point to explore Houston’s vibrant Chinatown. It’s a few doors down from Six Ping bakery (try the durian bread). Mala’s food also is consistent, even on the busiest of nights.

What to order: Dan dan noodles; garlic cold cucumber; cumin lamb; salt-and-pepper shrimp; sauerkraut fish soup; shredded pork in spicy garlic sauce; spicy garlic eggplant; spicy crispy chicken; northern boiling fish; stir-fried garlic water spinach.

Nancy’s Hustle, 2704 Polk, 346-571-7931. A favorite of many toques, this tiny nook, with chef Jason Vaughan helming the kitchen, has garnered fans with its bold flavors and surprising twists. A must-try: Nancy cakes with whipped butter and trout roe. Vaughan’s bold, imaginative flavors include marinated white anchovies with an apple salad and buckwheat sourdough bread with shallot satsuma jam.

What to order: The menu changes with the season, but usually the grilled meats, salads and pastas are on target. Also worthwhile are lamb tartare; Meyer lemon cream with bay leaf oil and satsuma; Parmesan cheesecake with black pepper honey.

One Fifth Gulf Coast, 1658 Westheimer, 713955-1024. One Fifth (which changes its concept every year) is the brainchild of James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd. One Fifth highlights dishes from the Gulf Coast states and will be open through July 31. Shepherd isn’t sure

David A Brown Photography

(continued from page 24) Already been there? The

KATA ROBATA Kata Robata pleases devotees with premium, fresh sushi like this spicy tuna roll.

what his next concept will be, but in the meantime, diners can savor wood-roasted flounder almandine and barbecue shrimp. Already been here? Shepherd also owns Georgia James steakhouse and UB Preserv.

What to order: Smoked chicken and tasso gumbo; smoked pork, chicken, and shrimp jambalaya; boudin-stuffed quail; slow-roasted duck with cane syrup; blackened ribeye.

Pondicheri, 2800 Kirby, 713-522-2022. How about an Indian breakfast to jump start the day, or any time really, with Pondicheri’s all-day breakfast menu? Chef Anita Jaisinghani captivates with an ever-evolving menu, with the added benefit of a bakery, Pondicheri Bake Lab + Shop, on the second level of the building.

What to order: Lamb keema and eggs with a carrot paratha; any of the colorful thali of little dishes, like the Rancher 28 with butter chicken, duck kofta, grilled lamb chop, and greens and carrot roti; pomegranate pani poori; baked eggplant with walnut and naan.

Shun Japanese Kitchen, 2802 S. Shepherd Drive, 832-409-5888. Chef Naoki Yoshida cut his teeth at one of our favorites, Nippon, in the Montrose area. Now, he and sous chef Dylan Thompson are putting their spin on classic Japanese izakaya.

What to order: Yuzu ceviche with jalapeño; spicy salmon poke; miso-glazed eggplant; sous vide pork belly; duck pozole ramen; miso-marinated smoked and grilled mackerel; seared duck breast with yuzu, plum puree, golden beets and apple.

Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, 1140 Eldridge Parkway (832-230-3842) and 6401 Woodway Drive (713-334-7295). Sylvia Casares is the undisputed “Enchilada Queen.” Her cozy, tiled restaurants lure Texans from all over the state craving for authentic, stellar beef and cheese enchiladas draped in earthy chili sauce. For a meatier version, there is the “Lubbock” with chile con carne. Fans will testify that this gal

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from the Rio Grande Valley knows her enchiladas and superb mesquite-grilled beef fajitas.

What to order: Tampiqueña plate with fajita steak and enchiladas; Mexico City chicken enchiladas with salsa verde; spicy Hidalgo grilled pork enchiladas topped with avocado slices and a salsa verde or a seriously spicy red sauce; chocolate tres leches.

The Breakfast Klub, 3711 Travis, 713-5288561. Politicians and the general public dine in perfect harmony over plates brimming with waffles and wings or fried catfish and grits. On Fridays and Saturdays, there is a late-night breakfast service from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. At lunchtime, there are rotating specials, such as red beans or étouffée.

What to order: Catfish and grits with eggs or potatoes; fried chicken wings and Belgian waffles; buttermilk biscuits with pan sausage gravy; bacon, egg and tomato on sourdough.

Tony’s, 3755 Richmond, 713-622-6778. There is a reason why Tony’s has been around for nearly six decades. Restaurateur Tony Vallone keeps flavors vivid and quality high by hiring uber-talented, young chefs with a knack for classic and creative fare. His latest find? Executive chef Austin Waiter, a 27-year-old Connecticut native, who won Vallone over with his superb sauces and soups. You can get a glimpse of Waiter’s creativity with the nightly tasting menu. As for service, it remains impeccable, and the same goes for the impressive wine selections and well-honed Italian dishes, both traditional and modern interpretations.

What to order: Seasonal and vegan tasting menus; Muscovy duck pate; pappardelle Bolognese; duck confit-stuffed pasta; roasted Colorado lamb; venison tartare; squid ink spaghetti with baby octopus.

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

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lawellphoto.com

NEIGHBORS

by Pooja Salhotra, staff writer

First Comes Marriage And then comes love

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here’s a special term for when two people meet, date, fall in love and then decide to tie the knot. It’s called a “love-marriage,” explains Devinder Mahajan, a retired engineer who lives in Memorial.

Devinder briefly pondered having a love-marriage. It was, after all, the norm among his American friends in Cleveland, where Devinder worked at a consulting company. But, perhaps out of a sense of obligation to the tradition of arranged marriage, Devinder set these thoughts aside and willingly had his parents in India help orchestrate his marriage.

“There is no doubt that questions [about arranged marriage] arose in my mind,” says Devinder, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1960 to pursue an engineering degree. “But whenever doubts would come, my answer was, it has worked for centuries past, so it would work for me.”

And by all accounts, it did.

For 54 years, Devinder has been married to Sushma Mahajan, a retired pathologist he met through his family. In some ways, the two seem wildly different. Devinder is a talker while Sushma is a listener – even when they first met, at an arranged meeting in Sushma’s dad’s office in New Delhi, Devinder was talking non-stop while Sushma could barely get a word in. And while Devinder has a genial demeanor – he often laughs at his own jokes, whole-heartedly with his shoulders bouncing and his head thrown back – Sushma is thoughtful and more serious.

But in their values and beliefs, what the couple says matter most in a union, the two are aligned. Both come from families dedicated to social service. Devinder’s father and Sushma’s grandfather were heavily involved in Arya Samaj, a Hindu organization that cultivates strong moral values. And the two are similar in their progressive ideals. For instance, neither wanted their marriage to include a dowry, an ancient custom with patriarchal origins.

“We don’t have any incompatibilities,” Devinder says. “I think it’s mainly because our background and views are so similar that it’s worked out so well for us.”

The premise of arranged marriage is that bas-

ing an important life decision on practicalities, not lust or emotion, is most conducive to a lasting relationship. In traditional arranged marriages, parents select a spouse for their son or daughter, considering factors such as the person’s family background, education level and values. The practice was common worldwide until the 18th century, and it remains common today in some parts of the world, including South Asia, Africa and the Middle East. According to some estimates, more than half of marriages worldwide are arranged, and more than 20 million of such unions exist today.

Arranged marriages are not forced, for the 54 YEARS AND COUNTING Top photo: Devinder and Sushma Mahajan, married future bride and 54 years, have built a relationship grounded in shared values and respect. Bottom photo: Devinder places a traditional wedding garland on bride Sushma at the couple’s groom must con- wedding ceremony in India. sent to matrimony, compliments. When Devinder says he was the but there is typically no dating involved, either. first in his family to immigrate to the States, for The future bridegroom may meet only once or instance, Sushma expands, “He was the first one twice before deciding to marry. in his entire extended family, and then he helped Without having dated, love was hardly a fachis cousins come over.” tor in Devinder and Sushma’s decision to wed.

When Devinder explains that he helped develBut today, their love is evident in the way they op the Houston branch of Arya Samaj, Sushma speak about each other. Though Sushma is pipes in: “He had to super- (continued on page 30) reserved, she peppers her husband’s stories with

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Dylan Aguilar

A PERFECT MATCH Left photo: Although Rakesh (left) proposed to Seema Mangal (right), he still considers his marriage “arranged” in that extended family and friends facilitated the couple’s introduction and union. Right photo: Rakesh applies vermilion, a red powder, on the parting of Seema’s hair as a symbol of matrimony. (continued from page 28) vise the whole thing.”

Devinder speaks equally reverently about his wife. When Sushma tells me her upbringing inspired her to join Pratham, an education nonprofit, Devinder interrupts that she was on the board for 11 years.

“It’s been a plus having similar thinking,” Devinder says. “That helps to reinforce respect and love for each other.”

A

s with most arranged marriages, the Mangals’ union began with the parents.

“As soon as I started med school, my mom started sending pictures [of potential matches],” says Rakesh Mangal, a doctor who now lives in Bellaire with his family. “In India, my grandfather and friends all started looking.”

But Rakesh was not interested in marriage.

He wanted to finish medical school before settling down. He even pushed his younger brother to get married before him in order to detract attention from himself. His brother obliged.

“Then the pressure was off,” Rakesh said. “It was a big relief for me.”

But, relief didn’t last long. When Rakesh started residency, his mom cracked down again.

“Any holiday I came home, my mom would be

there with pictures,” he said. “I can’t tell you how many I saw.”

Rakesh wanted to please his parents, but he also was determined to finish residency before marrying. And once residency was finished, he wanted to complete his fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, followed by another fellowship in endometriosis surgery. By then, his mother was worried about her son’s marital future.

She approached a priest about Rakesh’s situation.

The priest, who read Rakesh’s palm and offered predictions based on astrology, said Rakesh would need to fast for three consecutive Saturdays, after which he would meet his future wife.

“I said yeah, right,” Rakesh said. “But I said I’d go along with my mom.”

Rakesh, though skeptical, fasted for the next three Saturdays, even while on a vacation with his friends.

Coincidence or not, the Tuesday after his last fast, Rakesh found his soul mate.

Having just returned from a two-week vacation, Rakesh went to check his mailbox.

Unsurprisingly, his mailbox was stuffed with envelopes containing photographs of potential matches. While pulling out the envelopes, one fell to the ground. In a hurry to get to work,

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Rakesh stuffed all the envelopes back into the mailbox, except the one that fell on the floor.

When he opened it, Rakesh first saw a photo of a religious statue, in front of which stood a beautiful woman, Seema.

“I just got the chills,” Rakesh said. “As soon as I saw the picture, there was no question in my mind. I had to meet her.”

Rakesh and Seema began talking on the phone and finally had a chance to meet when Rakesh travelled to India. Both said they were struck by how easy conversation was.

“We were just talking and talking and couldn’t stop,” Rakesh said. “I don’t know where the time disappeared.”

After meeting, both Seema and Rakesh were ready to say I do, but they wanted to move slowly.

“We didn’t make any decision at that time,” Seema said. “We were both ready, but we didn’t want to do anything under pressure. We wanted to take our time and see how we felt about it.”

The two continued to talk on the phone for several months, with Rakesh spending $1.50 per minute to make the long-distance phone call from Louisiana. One day, he proposed to Seema over the phone. “I said how about it, and she said yes. Or actually she (continued on page 32)

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lawellphoto.com

MEANT TO BE Left photo: Atul and Poonam Salhotra, who met through a matrimonial listing in a newspaper, will celebrate 33 years of marriage this October. Right photo: Poonam and Atul share their first dance at their wedding. (continued from page 30) said okay,” Rakesh cor-

rected himself.

Within 10 days, Rakesh and Seema were married.

Although Seema and Rakesh had autonomy over their marriage and spent some time getting to know each other before getting married, they still consider their matrimony “arranged” and say the system can work well if done correctly.

“I think it’s not bad if you don’t force it,” Seema said.

“We wouldn’t have known how to meet with thousands of miles between us,” Rakesh added.

“I think what works is using friends and family as a means to connect to someone. They aren’t going to send you just anybody.”

I

s marriage the culmination of romance, or the beginning of romance?” My dad, Atul Salhotra, poses this question when I start probing him on the details of his arranged marriage to my mom, Poonam Salhotra. “I debated this topic and won when I was in graduate school,” my dad adds. “I think love grows.”

My dad shares the Mahajans’ belief that similar upbringings and values typically facilitate a compatible union. But the way he found his partner was not through a mutual connection, but through a newspaper.

My dad was nearly done with graduate school

at MIT when his parents – sitting all the way in India – began pressuring him to find a wife. They decided to place a matrimonial ad in India Abroad, a weekly publication targeted towards Indian-Americans. My mom, meanwhile, was completing her own doctorate across the country in New York City. She too faced marital pressure from her parents, who placed a matrimonial ad for their daughter in the same newspaper.

“My mom would actually look through the ads and circle the ones she thought were good,” says my mom, who immigrated to the U.S. with her parents when she was 11 years old. The ads typically included a name, age, education level and photo upon request – similar to the online dating profiles people create today.

The ad was just a preliminary step. “A lot of things would happen before the girl and guy met,” my mom explains. “A lot of investigations were done, and generally you’d try to find someone who knew both parties. There’s a lot of background work.”

Unbeknownst to my mom, this background work was well underway, and it was soon discovered that my mom’s grandfather knew my dad’s father and thought well of him.

In the spring of 1987, my dad trekked from San Francisco to meet my mom. In the tiny town of Gowanda in upstate New York, my dad spent the day with my mom and her family. They ate

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 32

lunch together, went to the local Indian grocery store and watched a Bollywood movie.

My mom soon forgot about the meeting. By this point, she’d had several such meetings with potential partners, and she was more focused on her schoolwork anyway. But after further communication between the two families, another meeting took place in June, and it was soon decided that Atul and Poonam would get married.

My parents consented to the marriage, but neither was thrilled about it either.

“I was kind of indifferent,” my mom says. “He seemed like a good person.” How romantic, I think.

“Our families were very compatible, which was important,” my dad adds.

My parents spent the first several months of marriage getting to know each other’s quirks – what most of us learn, and decide whether we want to put up with, during the dating phase of a relationship.

While they like to joke that they may not have ended up together had they dated, they’ve still built a loving relationship built on compassion and respect.

“It was sort of meant-to-be,” my mom says of the match. “I mean come on. Who goes all the way from San Francisco to Gowanda?”

“Love is a long-term thing,” my dad says.

“It’s not just infatuation. It’s responsibility and a commitment.”

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2020 Summer Camp Guide W

hen we think of camp, so many images pop into our minds. Crackling campfires and sticky s’mores. Silly songs and stories. Chilly lakes and The Blob. Hiking, biking, swimming, dancing, playing. And above all, learning new skills, discovering new interests, gaining sometimes-lifelong friendships and occasionally marriages.

Buzz-area residents are fortunate in that Houston is home to many types of 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 guide 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. You can also view this directory online, where you will find links to camps’ websites.

Bayou City Fencing Academy Est. 1990 Ages: 6-15 camp (6-adults classes) Co-ed • Day camp 4997 West Bellfort Ave., Houston, Texas 77035 832-338-9808 • deycohen@aol.com • myfencingacademy.com Camp Director: Louise Lepie Strategy, tactics, athleticism, and the enrichment of the total fencer are the focus of our program. Engagement and decision making are at the core of our instruction. With an emphasis on building self-confidence, fencers work on three basic skills: footwork, blade work, and tactics. In addition, they learn about tournament protocol, refereeing, scorekeeping, and the rules of the bout. Our students experience the fun inherent in the sport as they participate in challenging fencing games.

Camp Champions Est. 1967 Ages: 6-17 Co-ed • Overnight 775 Camp Road, Marble Falls, Texas 78654 830-598-2571 • info@campchampions.com • www.campchampions.com Camp Director: Erec Hillis Camp Champions has had a tradition of excellence since 1967. Fantastic activities and the best-trained counselors are a few of the reasons that Camp Champions is consistently ranked among the top camps in the country. Our passion is to help every camper grow into the Champion they are intended to be. Two and three-week sessions are offered where we create a loving community and encourage every camper to discover the best versions of themselves.

Informational meetings in Houston scheduled for February and March. See www.campchampions.com for details.

Camp Chapelwood Est. 1987 Ages: 5 years-5th grade Co-ed • Day camp 11140 Greenbay St., Houston, Texas 77024 713-465-3467, Ext. 160 • jbuchwald@chapelwood.org • www.chapelwood.org/camp Camp Director: Joanne Buchwald Located in the heart of Memorial, Camp Chapelwood is a longtime summer tradition for children ages five years old through fifth grade. Our enthusiastic and caring counselors ensure each camper has a great experience at each of our five one-week sessions in June and July. Campers will make new friends while participating in fun and challenging activities such as gymnastics, cooking, crafts, self-defense and games. Exciting field trips are planned, and special groups are brought in to provide entertaining and educational shows for the campers. Online registration opens Feb. 14. We hope to see you this summer!

Camp MasterChef Est. 2018 Ages: 8-16 Co-ed • Day/overnight The Village School, 2005 Gentryside Dr., Houston, Texas 77077 754-301-8885 • info@campmasterchef.com • www.campmasterchef.com Camp Director: Enric Onos Camp MasterChef is an immersive culinary experience designed for kids and teens ages 8-16. It’s an unforgettable week full of cooking, learning, team challenges and fun! Campers sharpen their culinary skills under instruction from expert chefs. They also develop healthy lifestyle and personal-growth WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 34

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skills alongside training by our staff of culinary professionals and counselors. Our camp includes daily cooking lessons, meeting MasterChef contestants, team challenges, competitions, Master Classes and nightly theme parties.

Camp Olympia Est. 1968 Ages: 6-16 Co-ed • Overnight camp 723 Olympia Drive, Trinity, Texas 75862 936-594-2541 • campinfo@campolympia.com • www.campolympia.com Camp Directors: Debbie Stubblefield, Administrative Director; Cody Mauldin, Director of Boys’ Camp; Michelle Mauldin, Director of Girls’ Camp Camp Olympia is dedicated to having fun together, helping people grow in body, mind, and spirit. Established in 1968, Camp Olympia is a private, overnight Texas summer camp for boys and girls ages 6-16 offering one, two and three-week sessions. Camp Olympia blends its rich camping history and experience with its continual growth and exciting additions, making it a nationally recognized summer camp.

Camp Young Judaea-Texas Est. 1952 Ages: 6-15 Co-ed • Overnight camp 121 Camp Young Judaea Drive, Wimberley, Texas 78676 713-723-8354 • info@cyjtexas.org • www.cyjtexas.org Camp Director: Frank Silberlicht Since 1952, CYJ Texas has given thousands of Jewish children life-changing summers. We offer a fun, inclusive, challenging, action-packed, safe environment where campers can play, grow and make lifelong friendships. Camp activities include swimming, sports, arts and crafts, Maccabia (color war), singing and dancing, campfires and so much more! A love of Israel and Judaism is infused in everything we do, and we foster that love in our campers.

We encourage all our kids to try new things and build new skills each summer. We offer a weekend taste of camp for entering first and second graders, 9day mini sessions for entering second and third graders, and 3-week sessions for entering third-ninth graders.

Code Ninjas Tanglewood Est. 2018 Ages: 6-14 Co-ed • Day camp 5709 Woodway Drive, Houston, Texas 77057 832-777-3662 • tanglewoodtx@codeninjas.com • www.codeninjas.com/locations/tx-tanglewood Camp Director: Carma Abboushi Transform your child's love for technology and video games into an exciting learning adventure this summer. Code Ninjas camps offer an immersive environment for children to explore and develop new problem-solving skills, gain confidence, have fun, and make new friends. Subjects include Robotics, JavaScript, Python, Minecraft Create, Roblox Create, Scratch, Web Design, App Development, and others. It's an unforgettable experience!

Seats are limited.

Gerry and Greta’s Art Camp Adventures Est. 2009 Ages: 1st-5th grade Co-ed • Day camp 10371 Stella Link, Houston, Texas 77025 713-817-0177 • gerryandgreta@gmail.com • www.artcampadventures.com Camp Directors: Gerry Melot and Greta Bernitz Gerry and Greta’s Art Camp is a great way to expose campers to art history, different styles of art and art materials in a happy and relaxed atmosphere.

The projects are creative, designed to be easy for the youngest campers, yet challenging for the older ones. We provide a daily morning snack and daily play time in the bounce house. The small camp size ensures every camper receives lots of attention and guidance. Join us this summer June 8-Aug. 7, 2020. (There is no camp the week of June 29.)

Global Quest Summer Camp Est. 2018 Ages: 3-15 Co-ed • Day camp 2203 N. Westgreen Blvd., Katy, Texas 77449 713-290-9025 • BISHsummer@houston.nae.school • http://www.bishouston.org/summer Camp Director: Admissions Department Global Quest Summer Camp is the summer camp experience hosted by the British International School of Houston (BIS Houston) open to all children ages 3-15. Global Quest brings all of the best elements of BIS Houston’s globally respected curricula to enrich your child’s summer and turn it into an engaging adventure. The camp is set in the vibrant, award-winning BIS Houston campus and features activities in performing arts, physical education, (continued on page 36) STEAM, and more.

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(continued from page 35)

Houston Camera Exchange – Kids Camp Est. 2017 Ages: 14 and older Co-ed • Day camp 5900 Richmond Ave, Houston, Texas 77057 713-789-6901 • info@hcehouston.com • hcehouston.com Camp Director: Sharlie Douglass HCE Kids Camp is designed to help a new generation learn the basics and enjoy all kinds of photography. Cameras will be provided for hands on applications of exposure, composition and live shooting.

Houston Elite Cheer Summer Camp Est. 2013 Ages: 3-15 Co-ed • Day camp (all day or half day sessions) 1800 Sherwood Forest Street, Ste. B2, Houston, Texas 77043 713-464-1445 • houstonelitecheer@yahoo.com • houstonelitecheer.com Camp Director: Lauryn Arntz Join HEC for a jam packed week of exciting and challenging activities. Summer camp will include gymnastics, cheerleading, tumbling, arts and crafts, water balloon wars, obstacle courses and more! Our goal is for campers to have loads of fun while promoting fitness.

Incarnate Word Academy Summer Camps Est. 2002 (camp); 1873 (school) Ages: 6th-8th grade All girls • Day camp 609 Crawford Street, Houston, Texas 77002 713-227-3637 • ssheppard@incarnateword.org • www.incarnateword.org/camps Camp Director: Sarah Sheppard Join us this summer to experience team-building fun at Incarnate Word Academy! We offer a volleyball camp to help middle school students develop leadership skills, practice athletic fundamentals, and connect with other students.

iSpy Summer Camp at St. Mark Est. 2008 Ages: 4-11 Co-ed • Day camp 1515 Hillendahl Blvd., Houston, Texas 77055 713-468-2623• camp@stmarkhouston.org • gostmark.org/camp Camp Director: Brenda Palacios Our camps engage children in active and instructional ways. Each week includes field trips, educational guests, pool/splash days, library time, computer lab, art and lots of fun!

J Camps Est. 1960 Ages: 3-16 Co-ed • Day camp 5601 S. Braeswood Blvd., Houston, Texas 77096 713-551-7208 • jcamps@erjcchouston.org • www.erjcchouston.org Camp Director: Stefani Rozen J Camps is your home for the summer. With a wide array of camp options, we have something for everyone ages 3-16. Traditional camps, as well as specialty, sports, art, dance, theater, tennis and gymnastics camps, are available throughout the summer. We have well-trained, experienced and caring staff working with the campers with a low camper-to-staff ratio.

JumpBunch Camp Est. 2003 Ages: 3-5 Co-ed • Day camp 5501 Main St., Houston, Texas 77004 713-894-7477 • jbhoustoncamps@jumpbunch.com • www.jumpbunch.com/houston Camp Director: Cindy Taylor JumpBunch has over 50 games, and our camp will be filled with them! Each day your child will enjoy several sports and fitness activities that are the perfect size and challenge for preschool campers. Each child will have their own piece of equipment for each game, staying engaged and active all day. In addition to fun and unique games, the camp day will also consist of arts and crafts, active outdoor playtime, music and more!

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Marine Military Academy Summer Camp Program Est. 1965 Ages: 11-18 (if not yet graduated from High School) All boys • Overnight camp (4-week session) 320 Iwo Jima Blvd., Harlingen, Texas 78550 956-423-6006, Ext. 861 • admissions@mma-tx.org • www.summer-camp-mma.com Camp Director: Sgt.Maj. Gary Bass Unplug your son this summer! Make the most of his summer, and enroll him in our 4-week camp. Ages 11-18 (campers grouped by age). At MMA Summer Camp, he’ll be in constant motion. Every day, he'll participate in challenging, exciting outdoor activities that build discipline, teamwork and confidence. As he has fun, he’ll also learn how to focus, problem solve and overcome his fears. No other camp will strengthen his body and mind like MMA Camp!

Sea Star Base Galveston Summer Camp Est. 2014 Ages: 8-17 (day), 11-17 (overnight) Co-ed • Day and overnight camps 7509 Broadway St., Galveston, Texas 77554 409-572-2560 • info@ssbgalveston.org • www.ssbgalveston.org/camps Camp Director: Glenn Urbach Sea Star Base Galveston is a non-profit organization, providing outstanding marine and aquatic programs where youth can learn teamwork and leadership skills, self-reliance and confidence, maritime career pathways and independence of mind, body, and spirit. Summer Camp activities include sailing, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and intro to SCUBA. Campers learn S.T.E.M concepts on our 111-foot floating classroom – the Baysmart Express, water safety skills and oceanography, all while exploring Offatts Bayou and Galveston Bay. SSBG also offers youth sailing camps, as well as boater safety, sailing, fishing and swimming classes.

St. John the Divine Vacation Bible School Est. 1943 Ages: 4 years through 5th grade Co-ed • Day camp 2450 River Oaks Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77019 713-622-3600 • children@sjd.org • sjd.org/vbs Camp Director: Deanna Lawson St. John the Divine Vacation Bible School is here to assist families in introducing their kids to Jesus Christ, to plant the seed of God's Word into their hearts, to model the love of Jesus through a team of caring volunteers, and to nurture and shepherd them into a lasting relationship with God. Join us this summer for Vacation Bible School, July 27-30, 2020.

The Stewart Center Therapy Groups Est. 2015 Ages: 3-high school Co-ed • Day camp 1830 Kersten Drive, Houston, Texas 77043 713-973-1842 • info@stewartcenterhouston.org • www.stewartcenterhouston.org Camp Director: Dr. Natalie Montfort The mission of The Stewart Center is to provide a full range of therapeutic services and high-quality, comprehensive assessment to families in the Houston community and to be a center for identification and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. This summer, we will be offering fun and exciting therapy groups to ensure that your students don’t lose the skills they learned throughout the school year. Offerings include Lego Group, PAWS (Partnering Animals with Success), Social Skills Groups, and more! Give us a call to learn more about summer at The Stewart Center.

Summer ASAP! Est. 2017 Ages: 3-10 Co-ed • Day camp 10420 Hillcroft St., Houston, Texas 77096 713-551-8100, Ext. 2013 • summerasap@westburychristian.org • www.westburychristian.org/summerprograms Camp Director: Jarrett Ward At Westbury Christian School, summer is fun – and educational. The 10-week Summer ASAP! camp is much more than just daily child care. Campers ages 3-10 have fun making friends and participating in hands-on sports, STEM, social studies and theater arts activities presented by certified teachers.

They also take part in a summer-long Vacation Bible School, enjoy age-appropriate swimming/water play, see some popular local attractions, and welcome special guests to campus for show-and-tell. (continued on page 38) WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 37

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(continued from page 37)

Summer at St. Mark’s Est. 2015 Ages: 3 year olds through rising 8th grade Co-ed • Day camp 3816 Bellaire Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77025 713-667-7030 • jrush@stmes.org • www.stmes.org/summer Camp Director: Juli Rush The community of St. Mark's Episcopal School celebrates the uniqueness of each child. We are stewards of our students' intellectual curiosity, faith, and passion for discovery. We cultivate joy, playfulness, and growth in a child-centered environment.

Summer Camps at The Houston Museum of Natural Science Est. 1987 Ages: 6-12 Co-ed • Day camp 5555 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, Texas 77030 and 13016 University Blvd., Sugar Land, Texas 77479 713-639-4625 • summercamp@hmns.org • www.hmns.org Camp Director: Scott Stevenson A summer of education and adventure awaits your child at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Week-long, hands-on science summer camps feature science activities for children ages 6-12. HMNS Summer Camps are held at the main Houston Museum of Natural Science location and at the Houston Museum of Natural Science Sugar Land. The action-packed 2020 summer lineup includes camps featuring chemistry, outer space, robotics, physics, social studies, dinosaurs and many other topics, all supported by our world class exhibits.

Summer@STH Est. 2009 Ages: 4th -12th graders Co-ed • Day camp 4500 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77007 281-864-6348 · summer@sths.org · summer.sths.org Camp Director: Deanna Woodlief Our extensive summer offerings provide an array of academic, enrichment, athletic, and credit recovery (high school only) camps for elementary, middle school, and high school 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, on the stage, in the lab or on the field. Rethink your summer – Summer @ STH!

Uptown Dance Summer Camps Est. 1999 Ages: 3 and up Co-ed • Day camp 7417 Shadyvilla Lane, Houston, Texas 77055 713-686-0334 • info@uptowndancehouston.com • www.uptowndancehouston.com Camp Director: Beth Gulledge-Brown Our school was established in order to bring the highest quality of dance training to all our students. We are interested in training dancers of all ages and levels in order to bring them to their full potential as dancers, foster a lifelong love and appreciation of dance, and provide a quality performance experience that will instill confidence and poise. This summer we offer a wide variety of programming: Dance Intensives for intermediate and advanced dancers June 1-20 and July 13-August 1 and Children’s Dance Camps for ages 3-9, dates TBD. Please visit our website for details.

URJ Greene Family Camp Est. 1976 Ages: 7-17 Co-ed • Overnight camp 1192 Smith Lane, Bruceville, Texas 76630 254-859-5411 • gfc@urj.org • www.greene.org Camp Director: Loui Dobin Summer 2020 at URJ Greene Family Camp is going to be an exciting summer filled with incredible programs, activity offerings, and the same Jewish community that has transformed the lives of campers for 45 years. From swimming in Lake Jake to climbing the Alpine Tower, performing on stage to painting a mural, doing Israeli dances to swaying at Shabbat services, there’s something for everyone at GFC. We look forward to seeing you this summer!

West U Baptist – Super Summer Stuff Est. 1997 Ages: 2 months-13 years Co-ed • Day camp 6218 Auden, Houston, Texas 77005 713-668-2319 • jdennis@wubc.org • www.wubc.org/sss WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 38

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Camp Director: Jennifer Dennis Super Summer Stuff is a high energy summer day camp at West U Baptist. We offer exciting field trips and have fun programming throughout the summer for a wide age range. Every week has a different theme that teaches and instructs as well as builds basic skills. Friendships are made, learning is encouraged, and we have a ton of fun! Join us for Super Summer Stuff Day Camp from June 8-July 24 (closed June 29-July 3).

YMCA Camp Cullen Est. 1974 Ages: 5-17 Co-ed • Overnight camp (also, family camps and corporate events) 460 Cullen Loop, Trinity, Texas 75862 936-594-2274 • campcullen@ymcahouston.org • www.ymcacampcullen.org Camp Director: Andrew Hood Nestled among the tall pines along the shores of Lake Livingston lies one of the premier camps in Texas. At YMCA Camp Cullen, located just north of Houston, youth and teens enjoy an experience of a lifetime. Campers take part in a wide range of choice-based activities, including water sports, horseback riding, a high-adventure course, nature exploration, science, arts/drama and much more. Teen leadership camps are also offered. In addition to the fun and challenging activities, sleepaway camps teach the character values of the YMCA: caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith, all in a safe and supportive environment. Experience More. Achieve More. YMCA Camp Cullen.

Yorkshire Academy Summer Program Est. 1984 Ages: 24 months-6th grade Co-ed • Day camp 14120 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77079 281-531-6088 • darnell@yorkshireacademy.com • www.yorkshireacademy.com Camp Director: Lori Darnell Yorkshire Academy offers “one stop” summer camp shopping for ages 24 months-6th grade from June 1-July 17. Yorkshire’s weekly camps include academics, over 50 enrichment programs, theme-based options for our little ones and full-time care. The unique element of its program is flexibility: camps are offered for half day, full day, and full-time care. In addition, a student can enroll in an academic camp in the morning and an enrichment camp such as chess, yoga or engineering in the afternoon or vice versa. This is a community-wide program that attracts campers from beyond just West Houston and Katy.

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by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz Baby

Time for us

Buzz Baby is a column about life with little ones.

Writer Annie McQueen has four children age 5 and under.

C

ouples raising small children can face a challenge in finding time for their relationship – remembering those days before the toddlers were throwing a fit and the baby’s diaper pail was full.

Whitney and Ryan Burns are no exception.

Whitney, a director at Hines Southwest Region development office, and her husband Ryan, an engineer who’s also pursuing his MBA, have a 3-year-old son and one more on the way.

A lot of experts say it’s important to focus on the relationship with your significant other first and foremost. Bringing a baby into the mix – or two or three – can introduce new challenges.

A few Buzz couples – including Whitney and Ryan – shared ways they make time for their relationship amid the craziness of life with small humans.

Whitney and Ryan certainly know what it’s like not to take for granted the simplicity of just being together. The couple started out with a long-distance relationship. Their lives have changed dramatically. “With general day-to-day chores and stressors, taking time for just Ryan and I to connect can often get pushed to the back burner,” Whitney said.

Whitney says a typical date night out isn’t their approach – it’s just taking time for easier things, like connecting on a walk (no phones allowed, their rule). The couple started this ritual when they first started dating when Whitney lived in New York City and Ryan lived in Philadelphia.

“One of our favorite activities was to just walk around and explore,” Whitney said. “We kept that tradition going when we moved together to D.C., and while Houston isn't as walkable as any of those places, we still make it a point to take long walks together.” They often take their son in the stroller while he naps, so no babysitter required.

“Although our dates are usually simple strolls around the neighborhood instead of exciting dinners at the coolest new spot in town, it works for us and that's what matters,” said Whitney.

The pair also curl up to watch their favorite

Arzu Vargas Photography

KIDS

show, Schitt’s Creek, after Jack has gone to bed.

Agustina and Josh Rayner, who have two girls, Amelia, 6, and Lucia, 3, met through a triathlon group in 2007.

They’ve been married for nine years.

The pair love running – they even ran a marathon together on their honeymoon in Barcelona.

Now as parents, they book a babysitter to come before the sun rises so they can run together. “Often [we] find our long runs are the best WALKING DATES Whitney and Ryan Burns (pictured, with 3-year-old son Jack) time to catch up take regular phone-free walks together to catch up. and talk without from her aunt and uncle: “You don’t give 50/50 someone interrupting,” said Agustina. in a marriage, you give 100/100 because if you Desirae Regueiro knew she was picking the aren’t giving 100 percent of yourself to the most right guy when she married Robert seven years valuable relationship, it will not make it, espeago. Robert knows her quirks, including how cially when you throw all of life’s hardships in.” particular she can be, and he finds it endearing.

Those hardships have found their way in, such The couple has three small children under the as when Desirae went into early labor while pregage of 5, William, Ellis and Mary Nell. nant with Mary Nell at the Fort Lauderdale airDesirae says their No. 1 focus in their marport last summer on their family vacation with riage while raising kids is keeping up with comthe kids. There they were – bags already checked munication. “Always, even when it’s not someand standing in the middle of the airport. Desirae thing we want to hear, it’s all about the delivery had to take an Uber ride to the nearest hospital. of the message. We make intentional time once The couple communicated and stayed as calm as a day to check in face-to-face, which sounds they could. “Robert handled the whole thing like incredibly simple, but when you have three a champ,” she said. Luckily, she had just a short small kids, it’s really meaningful.” hospital stay, was discharged and able to make They are also diligent about booking a the next flight back to Houston. babysitter for regular date nights, which Desirae A lot of people say, “Happy wife, happy life,” but says was hard to get into the groove of after havthere’s another saying that’s just as true, “Happy ing a third baby, but they stuck to it. parents, happy kids.” Happy Valentine’s Day. They also heed their favorite marital advice,

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WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 41

TRAVEL

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by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Travel Buzz

Today’s ski trips

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hen Stephanie Nguyen first began skiing in the ’90s, safety wasn’t something skiers thought much about. “I didn’t wear a helmet; I remember skiing with sunglasses and a New York Yankees baseball cap,” she recalls with a laugh. “It was crazy, but that was normal back then.”

Anne Lewis, who is gearing up to head to Steamboat Springs with a new baby, is a mother of four and appreciates the presence of ski schools, which weren’t around when she was learning. “My dad just put me between his legs and said, ‘Let’s go!’”

Now the kids get up to speed very quickly.

Hers quickly switched to snowboarding, and they love the terrain parks, where they enjoy videotaping themselves as they glide through the trees.

Cell phones on the slopes have made a huge difference, she says. “Now you can use your phone to call each other and say, ‘Where are you, and can you meet up for lunch?’”

Since Stephanie and Anne began skiing, there’s been an evolution in technology, skiwear and gear that has revolutionized the industry.

High cuisine, high fashion and top service have come to the slopes. It’s gotten easier to ski, and easier to do it in places that would have been unthinkable before.

More people are skiing; 10.3 million people skied over the winter of 2018-19, a million more than the year before. Safety is a priority, with 85 percent of adults and 99 percent of children using helmets during 2018-19, according to Adrienne Saia Isaac of the National Ski Areas Association.

One trend that is making the slopes a bit more accessible economically is the advance purchase of lift tickets. Today, buying a lift ticket at the ski area is like buying a plane ticket at the airport; the best deals can generally be found online in advance. Many ski areas partner with companies like Liftopia or Get Ski Tickets to help manage their pricing.

“It’s a great deal for the consumer who knows when they want to go skiing, and can definitely help families save money on single-day lift tickets,” said Isaac.

Technology has made new areas accessible to the sport, as well, said Bill Jensen, CEO of

SNOWY NEW YEAR The Nguyens – Stephanie, John and Zachary – ring in 2020 in Aspen, Colo. (Jeff wasn't able to make this one.) Stephanie took up snowboarding to keep up with her boys.

Telluride Ski & Golf, and have also made it more enjoyable. “If you haven’t skied in 15 or 20 years, the evolution in ski technology is really significant and is a factor in where people can ski.”

A machine called a winch cat now grooms very steep terrain, he said, opening steeper slopes for a thrilling ride. Ski design has also come a long way, making the sport easier for people to master. “A couple of weeks ago we had someone who was 42 who hadn’t skied since high school.

In one or two hours, they were at the top of the mountain skiing on the intermediate trails saying, “Oh my God, this is so much fun.”

Anne and Stephanie have also seen the rise of snowboarding, which has captured the full attention of their kids. Stephanie took up snowboarding herself in an effort to keep up with her two boys. “I get made fun of but they never, ever have to wait for me,” she says with a laugh. “I stay

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right there with them. I’m a mama bear; I’m always worried about leaving anyone behind.”

Stephanie’s boys began skiing at 4. Now Zach is a junior at Episcopal, and Jeff just graduated from Louisiana State University, and they’re still doing it as a family, everywhere from Tahoe to Utah to Steamboat, Colo. Their new favorites are Aspen and Telluride. “It really defines who we are as a family, being in the mountains.”

Zach, unfortunately, suffers from severe altitude sickness – so much that he has ended up in the Aspen hospital multiple times. It hasn’t dissuaded him in the least. “The poor guy, I’m like, why do you still want to go? But he just loves it that much.”

Recently they hit upon a solution – an oxygen tank, rented and delivered to his room. Zach is far from alone in his ailment, of course, and ski resorts are rising to the (continued on page 44)

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(continued from page 42) occasion, with oxygen

canisters available now in ski shops and hotel spas and gift shops. Services like Alpine Oxygen will deliver tanks to your room at a reasonable price. Some upscale hotels are offering oxygen bars, and even oxygen rooms. “Now we call ahead and an oxygen tank is waiting for us when we arrive,” Stephanie said. “Having an oxygen tank delivered to our hotel or condo is the best thing that we ever did."

Looking back, Stephanie sees so much that has changed – and generally for the better.

“When we first started it was painful – because the equipment was uncomfortable, it was cold and you didn’t have the right gloves.”

Skiwear has seen a revolution as well. Each year brings breakthroughs in breathability, sustainability and waterproof performance – and of course, downright cuteness. Kids’ snowsuits sport fluffy manes, unicorn horns and dinosaur tails.

“The gear has changed so much – everything used to be so old-school,” said Stephanie. “It used to be you wanted to have all your own gear. But now every year there’s something new, so it’s not really taboo anymore to rent.”

Dining has definitely changed, as well, she said. “Now you have a little card you put in your pocket, and things are more automated, so it’s so much easier. Food options are better now; you can go up on the mountain and have pho.”

Another thing that’s changed is the level of service. Indoor lockers keep your boots warm and dry. Some high-end resorts offer valet services to help skiers store equipment, have it ready to go at the base of the mountain, and get boots and skis on and off, especially helpful if you’re skiing with children or dealing with health issues.

At the other extreme, there are those who not only want to schlep their own gear for the sake of the workout but are actually skiing uphill – skinning, it’s called, and it’s part of a family of uphill snow sports that include split-boarding for snowboarders. A big advantage, besides the calorie burn, is that you can head up the mountain before the lifts open and beat the crowds.

Another thing that is changing, Stephanie and others have noticed, is the climate. “The more time you spend up there, people are all talking about climate change, and the seasons are getting shorter,” she said. “Three years ago, there was like zero snow and everyone was freaking out. But then last year you could ski all the way until May. It seems like every year, something makes you go, hmmm…”

Indeed, the industry as a whole has taken notice, and sustainability has been at the top of the priority list. As an increasingly inconsistent climate impacts the industry – whether it’s through less snow or more snow than average, increasing droughts and wildfires or other weather extremes – voices within the ski industry are taking a more vocal stand, said Isaac.

“The voice of the ski industry and outdoor recreation in general has gotten increasingly louder when it comes to sustainability and its impor-

HITTING THE SLOPES The Lewises in Park City, Utah: (from left) Max, Katie, Jane, Anne and Jake. Anne is a fan of ski schools, which weren’t around when she was learning.

tance,” said Isaac. For years she’s seen a trend among resorts large and small of greater investment in the environment, with renewable energy, greening their supply chain, more thoughtful resource management, waste reduction and implementing recycling and composting.

“A somewhat newer trend is how vocal resorts have been in terms of the advocacy side,” she said. “Within the last few years we’ve seen a real increase in terms of educating their guests and speaking out for the science they believe in and advocating climate-friendly policy… because at the end of the day, without snow, you don’t have skiing. It’s pretty simple.”

For Maddy Payne, a graphic designer and grad student at the Savannah College of Art and Design, sustainability is key. “Seasons have definitely shortened since I started skiing about 18 years ago. I have noticed, though, that Breckenridge Ski Resorts are making more of an effort in regards to sustainability, which is really great.”

Indeed, Breckenridge has shown remarkable leadership in the industry with its “Commitment to Zero” initiative, said Isaac, in which they’ve pledged to achieve a zero net operating footprint by 2030. This sustainability goal includes zero net emissions, zero waste to landfill, and zero net operating impact on forests and habitat.

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A trend Maddy has noticed to be gaining popularity – and something she’s been enjoying herself in the past couple of years — is backcountry skiing.

“It's a great workout, provides fresh powder, and is actually better for the environment because it doesn't use the chair lift or require snow machines to keep up with large masses of people,” she said. “For me, each winter I am most excited about just getting to go up on the mountain early in the morning and before the crowds.

It's peaceful, exhilarating and challenging all at the same time.”

She’s looking forward to seeing what new gear comes out. “It's always nice to know it was produced in an ecological/environmentally friendly way,” she said. “Since we do so much during winter seasons on the mountain, I do think it's really important that we make sure we don't upset the balance of nature after we've hung up our skis and our boards.”

Editor’s note: Buzz travel columnist Tracy L. Barnett is a Lowell Thomas travel journalism award winner and longtime travel and environmental writer.

MORE ONLINE See this story at thebuzzmagazines.com for links to mentioned sites.

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Skin care resolutions for 2020 With thousands of skin care products, it can be hard to know what is best for your skin. In truth, there are two simple steps that are of paramount importance and benefit. For your 2020 skin care resolutions, ensure that your skin care regimen focuses on these two steps.

1. Sunscreen Every Morning Although a cliché, the most important part of any skin care regimen is sun protection. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays damage the skin, leading to accelerated aging and skin cancer. In fact, we get enough sun exposure each day driving to and from work to cause this damage! It is important to put sunscreen on your face every morning before you start the day. For gentlemen, don’t forget your ears, neck and scalp if not covered by hair or clothing.

Pick a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Make sure it says “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB.” I prefer sunscreens with “physical blockers” such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, but traditional “chemical” sunscreens can do the job beautifully as well.

For those who fear the off-putting “smell” or the “greasy” feeling of sunscreen, there are now numerous products devoid of these flaws. My favorite brands include Elta MD, Cetaphil, CeraVe and Neutrogena. Your dermatologist can also recommend other, more tailored options for your skin type and preferences.

2. Retinol Night Cream Retinol is a vitamin A analogue that increases cell turnover and regeneration. It is well known for its use in the treatment of acne, as it decreases inflammation and unblocks clogged pores. It is also instrumental in the anti-

aging process, by decreasing fine lines, improving skin texture, and evening out color irregularities. Many overthe-counter night creams include retinol; my favorite is Differin cream.

These products can be initially irritating. I advise patients to use these topicals three nights per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), then increase to nightly use as tolerated. It should not be used during pregnancy or for women who are breastfeeding.

Life can be busy and complicated.

Your skin care regimen does not need to be. Ensuring proper sun protection in the morning and use of a retinol cream at night are the key steps to any successful regimen. For specific medical skin issues or extremely sensitive skin, a customized routine may be required. I love sharing tips and tricks of my trade as I believe that RESULTS MATTER! Kayla McNiece, Board-Certified Dermatologist and FellowshipTrained Mohs Skin Surgeon, Bellaire Dermatology Associates, 6565 West Loop South, Suite 800, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.661.4383, www.bellairedermatology.com

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Photo courtesy of the Junior League of Houston

FOOD

by Paige Fredrickson, contributing writer

Cooking Buzz The holidays’ final course Cooking Buzz is produced in partnership with the Junior League of Houston, a women’s charitable and education organization founded in 1925.

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think of the holiday season as a several-course meal. Thanksgiving is the appetizer, with all the delectable sides, kicking it off. Christmas is the main course, where a family’s traditional meal differs from one house to the next. The New Year is the beverage and bubbly, to complement what you’ve eaten the past two months.

Then comes Valentine’s Day, which I consider the dessert to top it all off.

Baking desserts is one of the first cooking skills I got the hang of. As long as I follow the recipe, it rarely goes too wrong. I regularly use my work colleagues as guinea pigs for new dessert recipes.

They give honest feedback and keep me from eating it all myself. Around Valentine’s Day, they often get a new dessert on a weekly basis.

I love chocolate, and chocolate holds the leading role when it comes to Valentine’s Day. Try the Truly Different Chocolate Cupcakes from The Star of Texas cookbook if you want a cupcake that tastes better than a brownie and doesn’t need to be frosted. The Mint Chocolate Cupcakes from Stop and Smell the Rosemary are a fun twist on your standard Valentine’s chocolate, while the Charlotte Chocolate Russe from The Star of Texas is another traditional treat that doesn’t involve turning on the oven.

Not everyone is a “chocoholic,” and there are times where I crave something sweet but am not quite in the mood for chocolate. The Amaretto Angel Food Cake from Stop and Smell the Rosemary and the Bite Size Bourbon Cakes from Peace Meals are two delicious recipes that will continue to keep you off chocolate. These are also easy to make for a party or friend gathering.

Chocolate or no chocolate, any of these dessert recipes are the perfect way to close out the course of your holiday season.

Truly Different Chocolate Cupcakes From The Star of Texas 4 squares semi-sweet chocolate 1 cup margarine ¼ teaspoon butter flavoring

CHOCO MINT, YES Consider the Mint Chocolate Cupcakes from Stop and Smell the Rosemary for Valentine’s Day, or any day.

1½ cups chopped nuts 1¾ cups sugar 1 cup flour 4 extra-large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Melt chocolate and margarine in a heavy pan. Add butter flavoring and nuts. Stir until blended. In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until well blended. Do not beat. Add chocolate mixture and stir until blended thoroughly. Spoon batter into muffin pans lined with paper baking cups.

Fill each cup half full. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes or until done. Yields 24 cupcakes.

Mint Chocolate Cupcakes From Stop and Smell the Rosemary 2 cups cake flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup unsweetened cocoa ⅔ cup (1 stick and 2⅔ tablespoons), unsalted butter, at room temperature 1½ cups superfine sugar 3 large eggs 2 teaspoons peppermint extract 1 cup milk Frosting: 3 ounces semi-sweet chocolate 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter 1 teaspoon peppermint extract Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin cups with paper liners. Sift flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa. Set aside. Cream butter and sugar until light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in peppermint extract. Slowly blend in flour mixture, alternating with milk, until blended. Spoon batter into paper liners, filling each cup three-fourths full.

Bake 12-15 minutes, or until cake tester

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inserted in center comes out clean. Do not overbake. Cool cupcakes in pan on a wire rack 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes to wire rack to cool completely. Melt chocolate and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir until smooth.

Remove saucepan from heat and stir in peppermint extract. Cool frosting until spreadable. Frost cupcakes. Yields 20 cupcakes.

Chocolate Charlotte Russe From The Star of Texas 2 packages ladyfingers 4 squares unsweetened chocolate ¾ cup sugar ⅓ cup milk 6 eggs, separated 1½ cups unsalted butter 1½ cups powdered sugar 1½ teaspoons vanilla ⅛ teaspoon salt 1 cup whipping cream, whipped Shaved unsweetened chocolate Line sides and bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with ladyfingers. If necessary, trim one end so the scalloped end just reaches top of pan. Melt chocolate in double boiler over hot, not boiling, water. Combine sugar, milk and egg yolks and add to chocolate. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and thick.

Cool. Cream butter with ¾ cup of the powdered sugar. Stir into chocolate mixture and beat well.

Add vanilla. Beat egg whites and salt until stiff.

Gradually beat in remaining powdered sugar. Fold gently into chocolate mixture. Spoon into prepared pan and chill. Remove sides of pan and garnish with dollops of whipped cream and shaved chocolate before serving. This dessert can be frozen before adding the whipped cream. Serves 12.

MORE ONLINE See thebuzzmagazines.com for more recipes.

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How to educate yourself about your family’s finances Many families divvy up household responsibilities such as grocery shopping, cleaning or maintenance tasks based on skills, interest and family dynamics.

Household finances are one area, however, where delegation to a single family member is not advisable. At some point, one spouse will inevitably be on their own, due to death, disability or divorce. If that spouse is uninformed about the family’s finances, it can be stressful, and irrevocable mistakes can sometimes occur.

Since founding our firm nearly 20 years ago, we’ve fielded common questions from people who suddenly find themselves in charge of the money, including “From which account should I pay bills?”; “What are the bills, and do I have enough to cover them all?”; “What accounts do I have, and what’s the purpose of each one?”; and “Am I going to be okay?”

Of course, spouses need not be equally involved in day-to-day household money management. However, we recommend that the more knowledgeable spouse review key financial information at least once or twice a year with the less involved spouse to prepare them.

Here are four areas to cover to gain confidence and familiarity with your household finances: 1. Establish an overview of everything owned and owed. Create a simple, one-page summary list of your household accounts (checking, savings, brokerage, retirement, etc.), and debts (mortgage, car loans, etc.). Ask your spouse probing questions about each account: What’s the purpose of the account?

How is it accessed (i.e. websites and passwords)?

2. Understand how money comes in and where it goes. In other words,

what are the sources of income, what are typical expenses, and how are savings managed? Develop an understanding of what bills to expect, what they are for, how frequently they arrive, and how they are paid.

3. Organize the above information. Keep your own private record of everything you’ve reviewed so you will know where to turn if needed. Each time you get an update, refer to the file so you can compare the current information to what was covered in prior discussions.

4. Identify a trusted confidant to assist you.

While expertise with personal finance is a plus, it’s not required. The most important criteria for a confidant is someone you trust who also has good judgment. A friend or family member may not be a good idea, as interpersonal dynamics may interfere with successful results. You can engage professionals with specific financial expertise as needed.

If you are not in charge of the family finances on a day-to-day basis, it is easy to put off doing something about this vulnerability. Implementing a regular review of household finances is one of the most caring, thoughtful and responsible things that a couple can do together. To get started, schedule a regular time to discuss these matters. For example, your anniversary month may be a good touchpoint to remind you.

James R. Waters, CFP®, PARTNERSINWEALTH, 3400 Bissonnet, Suite 145, Houston, Texas 77005, 713.964.4028, jrw@partnersinwealth.com, PIWHouston.com

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 47

SPORTS

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by Todd Freed, staff writer

SportzBuzz I

n the wake of this past season’s SPC football championship, there were high honors for the Episcopal Knights at the Touchdown Club of Houston’s annual Private School Football Awards Dinner. Episcopal’s Steve Leisz received the Private School Coach of the Year Award while Knights senior middle linebacker James Ogunrin won the Defensive Player of the Year Award.

“James was the MVP of our team,” said Leisz.

“He practiced and played extremely hard. He was the consummate grinder, and I expect him to play at the next level.” Along with his football accolades, Ogunrin also made his mark in wrestling, finishing among the top 16 at the Prep Wrestling Nationals. “He’s just a really athletic kid,” added Leisz.

As for the Coach of the Year Award, the seventh time was the charm for Leisz, who’s been a Coach of the Year nominee on six previous occasions. “This honor simply reflects the type of season our entire team put together in winning the SPC Championship,” said Leisz. Earlier in the season, Leisz, who’s led the Knights to four SPC championships since becoming the head coach at Episcopal in 2006, also reached a major milestone by securing his 100th career victory.

Additional player of the year finalists for Episcopal included Nick Mayberry and Ethan Tuckwood on offense and defensive finalist Obe Lewis.

As a standout player on offense, defense and even special teams, Kinkaid Falcons senior Victor Garza won the Private School Ironman of the Year Award. Along with ranking as the team’s leading receiver this past season, Garza was one of the Falcons’ top rushers at running back, while also playing virtually every down on the other side of the ball as a lock-down defensive back. If that weren’t enough, Garza was the team’s top kick and punt returner and, for icing on the cake, was the Falcons’ starting kicker and punter.

“Victor’s a guy that never wanted to come off the field,” said Kinkaid head football coach Nathan Larned. “He understood what he had to do and was mentally tough with a tremendous grit and work ethic. Plus, he’s a pretty dynamic player.” Player of the year finalists for Kinkaid also included Jordan Ricks on defense and line-

PLAYER OF THE YEAR Episcopal Knights senior James Ogunrin won the Defensive Player of the Year Award at the Touchdown Club of Houston’s annual Private School Awards Dinner. Off the field, Ogunrin also finished among the top 16 at the Prep Wrestling Nationals.

man Duncan Shields.

For the TAPPS Division II State Semifinalist Second Baptist Eagles, quarterback Josh Johnson received the Private School Offensive Player of the Year Award, and Eagles defensive tackle Dylan Cordell won the Lineman of the Year Award. This past season, Johnson threw for a lofty 2,289 yards and 38 touchdowns while also rushing for another 670 yards.

“Josh is just a tremendous talent and great team leader who set an example for our kids to follow,” said Second Baptist head coach Terry Pirtle. “In his two years as a starter we won 23 of 26 games, including a 12-1 record this past season. That’s a pretty impressive standard.”

As for Cordell, the 6’3”, 290-pound senior was a part of 48 victories as a four-year starter for the Eagles. “Dylan was a really good offensive lineman for us back as a freshman before making the transition to the defensive side. He never missed a workout and was just an outstanding player over a four-year varsity career,” said Pirtle.

“He has collegiate football offers from HBU and several D3 schools.”

Second Baptist also boasted several Player of

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the Year finalists with Nate Dyman and Jonathan Gooden on defense, specialist David Nunez and Ironman finalist Jaylon Coleman.

As the placekicker for the TAPPS Division 1 State Semifinalist St. Thomas Eagles, senior Paul Langemeier received the Specialist of the Year Award. “Paul has an amazing ability to not only kick the ball out of the endzone, but also to stick the ball in corners, which was a real weapon for us,” said St. Thomas athletic director Mike Netzel. “He’s going to get several offers to play in college, and I’m confident it’ll be at the Division 1 level. Paul also plays soccer for us and is a really good student.”

The Eagles also had several player of the year finalists, including Josh Crissmon on offense, Daniel Coco and Cooper Thomas on defense, as well lineman of the year finalist Chidera Umeh.

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

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Yes, food allergy can be treated It is estimated that 4 percent of American children and 1 percent of American adults have a true food allergy (not just a food intolerance). For decades, the standard of care for food allergy was avoid eating that food and, if the allergy was severe, carry an EpiPen to use in case of accidental ingestion.

In 2015, the LEAP study was published, proving that feeding peanuts to infants at high risk for developing food allergy significantly decreased the risk that they would become allergic to peanut. Only 1.9 percent of the treated group developed peanut allergy by age 5, whereas 13.7 percent of the peanutavoidance group became allergic to peanuts. This was a complete paradigm shift from “expert consensus” developed in the 1990s, which recommended that high risk children avoid common food allergens until age 3 or 4.

But what about those already allergic? The lack of treatment has been a source of frustration. A successful phase 3 trial was presented in November 2018, showing that those allergic to peanuts can undergo desensitization. Aimmune, the company trying to bring the treatment to market, hopes to get FDA approval in 2020. However, some allergists across the country, including us, have been performing off-label food desensitizations for several years. This involves once a week trips to our office to increase the dose from a few milligrams of peanut flour (diluted in water) until we have our patients eating 4 to 8 peanuts twice each day.

Once we have someone eating that many peanuts, they have a very low risk to have an allergic reaction to peanuts. The main disadvantage is that you must continue eating the peanuts indefinitely, or you may become allergic again. Thus, rather than a “cure,” our goal is “desensitization,”

which is defined in the New England Journal of Medicine as “an increase in the reaction threshold to a food allergen during active therapy.”

(NEJM 2017;377:1168-1176) Desensitization requires ongoing therapy indefinitely.

Aimmune is currently studying only peanuts, and plans to start studying egg allergy after their peanut product is on the market. Off label, though, we have protocols for almost all foods that cause true food allergies, including eggs, milk, wheat, soy, cashews, pecans, walnuts, and seafood. Again, there are risks to the desensitization procedure, but those risks are less than full blown anaphylaxis by accidentally eating the food one is allergic to. And the comfort of not having to be hypervigilant at all times is a great relief. If you are interested in this procedure for yourself or your loved one, please contact our office.

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

David B. Engler, M.D., The Allergy Clinic, 7707 Fannin, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77054, 713.797.0993, *1200 Binz, Suite 180, Houston, Texas 77004, 713.522.9911, www.allergyclinic.com, *Operating as Houston Allergy and Asthma Clinic

MELINDA DAWES 2019 TOP PRODUCER Elite real estate brokerage firm offering concierge services, legal services and expert negotiations. Specializing in West University and Inner Loop.

713.302.6765 • mdawes5@me.com • candkpropertieshouston.com

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 49

SPORTS

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by Angie Frederickson, staff writer

SportzBuzz Jr. W

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

Victory in the SFL The Southwest Football League’s (SFL) Texas Longhorns (top photo) defeated the LSU Tigers in the sophomore division championship.

Winning the final game was a true team effort with outstanding efforts from each player. Kannon Wright and Ken Tanaka each scored two touchdowns, and Nathan Hubbard had a game-changing interception to ice the game. After losing the first game of the season, coach Ray Wright credits the team coming together and a strong defense for producing the championship win. The winning Longhorns are (top row) coach Ray Wright; (bottom row, from left) Josiah McHale, Taylor Royston, Kannon Wright, Kyle Schoener, Ken Tanaka, Caesar Grant, Charlie Swallen and Nathan Hubbard.

Lacrosse with a mission Pin Oak Middle School’s 7th/8th grade Blue team (middle photo) placed third in their pool at the Burning Flower Lacrosse Tournament. In addition to playing some great lacrosse, the Chargers helped support the mission of the tournament by bringing stuffed animals to donate to police departments, for children to hold for comfort in times of crisis. The annual tournament is held in honor of a former Cy-Fair lacrosse player who suddenly passed away from a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Each year, teams from across the Houston area bring donations to help others in need. Pin Oak was proud to enter two teams in the tournament, and the 6th/7th grade White team (not pictured) also participated. The Blue team members are (top row, from left) Reagan Brown, Bethany Belgrove, Natalie Torgerson, Mara McCarthy, Sloane Phillips, Addison Phelps, Zophia Ugalde, Rachel Kohl, coach Dietz Vollrath, Emma Vanderbloemen, Lauren Wasaff and coach Kirstin Vollrath; (bottom row, from left) Nur Makdisi, Lorelai Hawkins, Maddie Vollrath, Bella Hendricks and Annie Love.

Soccer players give back Westbury Soccer Club players Jacob Lewis, Zaihao Zhang and Sam Patsch (bottom photo, from left) celebrate after winning their bracket at the 3rd Annual Westbury Soccer Small Goals Tournament and Toy Drive. In the 3 v 3 tournament, Westbury coaches create 3-player teams to form a competitive round robin for the club to come together for fun and to support the community. In addition to playing soccer on a beautiful afternoon, the players brought toys to donate for Pancho Claus and the Westbury Deck the Halls Parade organization. Pancho Claus distributes toys to needy children in the Houston area for Christmas. After the tournament, approximately 200 toys were delivered to Westbury Houston Fire Department, Station 48.

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. WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 50

at info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Include all contact info, names, ages, grades and schools. Featured athletes must live in Buzz-circulation neighborhoods. Items will be published on a space-available basis.

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IRAs, retirement and estate planning after the SECURE Act The SECURE Act, effective January 1, is the biggest news in IRAs and qualified benefit plans since the 2006 Pension Protection Act. Pop quiz: 1. How will the SECURE Act affect retirement plans? For most, not much. 2. How will it affect IRAs and estate plans? Your widow is fine; other beneficiaries: not so much.

SECURE is kind to savers. Those under age 70.5 at the end of 2019 may wait until 72 to begin required minimum distributions. Those working past age 70.5 may now contribute to an IRA. For some couples that can mean $14,000 in deductible contributions. The lifetime payout remains available to plan participants, before and after the Act’s effective date.

SECURE is brutal to beneficiaries, limiting inherited IRA stretches to 10 years. Before, Mom could take her IRA distributions over her life and designate her son as beneficiary. If he was 50 on Mom’s death, his distributions could span another 34.2 years, his life expectancy.

After SECURE, Mom still spreads her IRA distributions over her life, but the designated beneficiary must withdraw the entire account within 10 years of Mom’s death. Accelerated income tax is bad enough at the individual rate, but tragic if the designated beneficiary is a see-through trust (compressed trust brackets hit the top rate quicker). As before, the payout is still a mandatory 5 years if a designated trust is not see-through.

Some “eligible designated beneficiaries” still enjoy a life expectancy payout: i) the surviving spouse, ii) the plan participant’s minor children, iii) the disabled, iv) the chronically ill, and v) individuals within 10 years in age of the plan participant, e.g., siblings. The kicker: the 10-year limit applies when

the beneficiary dies, or, in the case of the minor children, when they age out. Existing plans for these beneficiaries still work, but should be read for non-eligible beneficiaries that SECURE treats more harshly.

Roth conversions make sense more often now, especially given adult children in a higher income tax bracket.

Designated beneficiaries of plan participants who died in 2019 may disclaim within 9 months of death, so children or grandchildren can lock in the old inherited IRA stretch.

September 30 of the year following death remains the deadline to fix broken beneficiary designations.

This article was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by the taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer.

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

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

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 51

CHECKMATE Shelev Oberoi, a ninth grader at Xavier Academy, won the Texas State Chess Championship.

KIDS

by Shelev Oberoi, age 13

Buzz Kidz

Earning National Master in chess

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’m playing against a 1300,” I said to my dad. I was a 2196.

It was the first day of the 2019 Texas State Chess Championship that was being held in the ballroom of a hotel. But I wasn't there to win State. The truth is that I really wanted the four rating points I needed to hit 2200, which would earn me the title National Master (NM). This number reflects your wins and losses as well as your overall level in chess (points are earned through wins and deducted in losses).

National Master is a huge aspiration for many chess players, but almost no one earns it because of the high-level skill and hours of study it requires. For me, the rating represents the thousands of hours of work I have put into chess. By becoming an NM, I'd be higher rated than 99.4

percent of all chess players.

On the first day at State, I played well and left the first round triumphant. I went home and rested up; the next day I would play three games, each lasting about 90 minutes, and each with a stronger opponent. After two wins, I was paired against my friend, who is very good and pretty close to my level. It was an up and down game, but it eventually ended in a draw (or tie).

By the next game, I was exhausted, and my opponent had a way to draw, but he missed it.

And that meant I won. In the fifth round, I played someone with whom I was tied for first. I won that round. The funny thing about the game is all of it but five moves I knew by memory because I had studied it before.

The last game I was paired against someone

decent, but I was motivated to win, and I pulled it off to become the state champion and, more importantly, become a National Master, which is something I have been working on for years.

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.

Another reason to celebrate with a portrait… when the braces come off.

A Portrait Remembers 713.523.4916 nikky@lawellphoto.com www.lawellphoto.com

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 52

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Gateway to independence West U/Southside Real Estate At our private school for students with academic and social challenges, parents walk through the doors for many reasons. Parents want a place for their child to overcome their anxiety and be confident approaching young adulthood.

We always ask them the same question: “What do you see for your child’s future independence?”

Parents are focused on the typical pieces of an academic environment but can’t quite put their finger on what will make their child successful. We believe that in addition to academics, students need a focus on personal accountability and a better understanding of their relationship to the world around them. Building a foundation of lifelong learning and employment skills prepares them to become meaningful contributors to their community, so we orient all of our programs around transitioning to adulthood because we know a diploma does not ensure independence after graduation.

At Gateway, we understand our students will make mistakes. We have created an environment where students learn from their mistakes by emphasizing how mistakes are one step in the process of continuous improvement. Through this process, our students are developing confidence, resilience, and personal accountability.

Our hope is that through academics, social/emotional learning, employment training and experiences, and physical fitness habits, our students are empowered to become self-sufficient young adults.

Gateway Academy, Michele Joseph, MEd, Head of School, 3721 Dacoma St., Houston, Texas 77091, 713.659.7900, www.thegatewayacademy.org

This past year, 2019, was another very good year for real estate activity in the West University and Southside Place (WUP/SSP) markets, assisted by mortgage rates dipping under 4 percent. A total of 273 single-family homes were sold, slightly over the sales of 2017 and 2018 and equal to a 10-year high last realized in 2010. The average sales price of both new and resale homes was $1,434,140, up slightly from 2018. The high sales activity tightened inventory level to 3.8 months, considered a seller’s market.

Resale market: Resale homes sold at an average price of $1,350,000 in 69 days and at 97 percent of list price. Resales made up 89 percent of the WUP/SSP market in 2019.

New-construction sales: The remaining 11 percent of the market, 30 homes, were new-construction sales, and they averaged $2,289,673. Newconstruction homes were on the market an average of 232 days, due, of course, to the time under construction.

Distribution of sales: Distribution was little changed from 2018, with 23 percent under $1 million, 41 percent between $1 and $1.5 million, 22 percent in the $1.5 to $2 million range and 14 percent over $2 million. Six homes were sold for over $3 million.

The year 2020 is expected to be another strong year for Houston real estate, with the Houston metro-area forecast to add 42,300 jobs.

Unemployment is already at record low levels, interest rates are under 4 percent, and the stock market continues to set record highs.

George Sutherland, Greenwood King Properties, 832.435.7942, george@greenwoodking.com

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 53

sponsored by

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Money and information

Neighborhood Tails Lily, age 2, Labrador Retriever, Jarrard St. My people and their adult children picked me up at the breeder’s when I was 11 weeks old, despite learning that I had an eye “infection.” Actually, it is a birth defect, and I am blind in my right eye. I play just as hard as other pups, though, so my people say I don’t know I’m blind. Some say I am spoiled, as I get four or five walks a day, but hey, I’m worth it. A bit more about me: I love everybody and wear my heart on my paw; my favorite activities are eating and the puppy park; my ambition is to sniff everything on every walk; and my guilty pleasures are bully sticks. My turn-ons are meeting new people and belly rubs, and my turn-offs are pups who don’t play. Fun fact: I once self-baptized at church by jumping into the water bucket during the Blessing of the Animals!

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.

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Houston, Texas 77006 713-795-4145 www.drmeredithmorgan.com WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 54

The value an individual places on personal finances often stems from what they experienced in their family of origin. It is not uncommon in a marriage for one spouse to be very in tune with the family’s wealth and spending, while the other spouse has not really paid attention. With a new decade upon us, now is the perfect time to ensure that both spouses are knowledgeable. Creating an inventory of all assets and liabilities, listing the name and account numbers for each account, the year’s beginning balance, and any other important information for the account, can be beneficial in the event of a death in the family or an unfortunate divorce. Keeping track of the family’s income and spending habits can also be helpful for future planning. Financial disputes are one of the most stated reasons for divorce, but often it is simply a lack of sharing of information that creates the problem or frustration.

Monthly, quarterly, or at least annual sharing of this information can minimize or even eliminate some of these cares and concerns.

Angela England, a partner at Tindall England PC, handles complex divorce and family matters and is board certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Tindall England PC, Angela England, Partner, Board Certified in Family Law; Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 515 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 500, Houston, Texas 77027, 713.622.8733, www.tindallengland.com

The Buzz Magazines 2019 Pet of the Year Contest Winners

First Place Winner Gentry

Second Place Winner Bomber

Third Place Winner Sebastian

Congratulations to our 2019 Buzz Magazines Pet of the Year winners!

As always, competition for Pet of the Year was fierce with more than 21,000 votes cast on our website. Thank you to all who voted.

Thank you to all of our contest sponsors for your support. Our first, second and third place winners have each received prizes from our sponsors.

To have your pet considered for 2020, please submit a high-resolution photo and 150 words from your pet’s perspective to info@thebuzzmagazines.com.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 55

Lisa Beth Photography

NEIGHBORS

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by Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld, staff writer

Chris Gillett Houston

Buzz About Town Nancy Aideé Photography

Tied the knot

Produced by the JFS Alexander Institute for Inclusion in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, the free festival promotes inclusion through art forms. Dee Dee Dochen (on left) is chair, and Benjy Hershorn (on right) is co-chair. ReelAbilities 2020 will feature 16 award-winning films, the UP Abilities speakers event, ReelMusic Concert, two art exhibits and educational programs in schools and workplaces. See ReelAbilitiesHouston.org. On Feb. 5, a lunch and panel discussion will mark the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, led by Lex Frieden, festival honorary chair.

friends to celebrate together afterward, including Marla’s parents, mom Leslie Beckman and stepdad Stephen Beckman and dad William Shields and stepmom Karen Shields. Seth’s parents, Moses Esquenazi and Ava Esquenazi, can’t wait to celebrate the big day in Houston.

Community quarterback

Lights and romance Helen Frierson, the daughter of Theresa and Ray Frierson, and Kirby Taylor, the son of Gina and Keith Taylor, married Nov. 9 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. A reception followed at the Houston Country Club, with dancing to music by Hot Sauce ATX. The night before, the groom's parents hosted a dinner at Brennan's.

Helen, a CPA and graduate of the UT McCombs School of Business, is a tax manager at Deloitte Tax LLP. Kirby, a graduate of Rice University, is an associate for TD Securities.

The couple met during seventh grade at Lanier Middle School before going to separate high schools, Lamar and Bellaire. They reconnected in 2015. They live in West University with their puppy, Tuvé.

Inclusive arts festival The eighth annual ReelAbilities Houston Film and Arts Festival will take place Feb. 11-20.

Four years ago, Marla Shields attended the Gobble Gala, an annual event that takes place the night before Thanksgiving, with longtime friends Lisa and Michael Friedlander. There, she was introduced to Seth Esquenazi through friends from Moishe House, a Jewish nonprofit that provides discounted housing to young professionals who create engaging programs for the community. Seth had just moved to Houston from South Florida, and while Marla remembers thinking he was cute and sweet, Seth was overwhelmed with meeting so many new people at the time. A month later, Marla and Seth were reintroduced at a music festival and started dating. On Dec. 21, 2019, they went to see Christmas lights in River Oaks, a tradition since their first holiday season together, and Seth popped the question. Jake Schrager and his girlfriend Sam Becker, a fellow Moishe House couple, helped with the surprise, and Lisa Friedlander captured the proposal. Seth had coordinated with Marla’s sister, Melissa, to gather family and close

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 56

Annette Tarver (pictured) received the grandprize 2019 Houston Texans Community Quarterback Award for her commitment to Christian Community Service Center. The Community Quarterback Award, developed through a partnership (continued on page 58)

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 57

(continued from page 56) between United Way of

Greater Houston, the Houston Texans and BHP, recognizes individuals who have shown true volunteer leadership in their communities.

The prize carries a $25,000 donation to CCSC in Tarver’s honor. Nine other Community Quarterback Award finalists each received $5,000 gifts to their organizations. The honors were presented on-field during a pre-game ceremony at the Dec. 8 Texans game.

Aimee Silver

Love in La La land

The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo have teamed up with the Region 4 Education Service Center to kick off a new volunteer-led reading program called Reading Roundup. Through an initial $100,000 grant from HLSR, the Reading Roundup program will provide volunteer reading mentors to elementary classrooms across Houston, Katy and Spring Branch ISD. The program is for first-, second- and third-grade classes and aims to engage children in the stories, promote critical thinking skills, build vocabulary and inspire them to read on their own at home. Pictured is West U resident Lisa Jakel, a member of Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation Ladies for Literacy Guild, volunteering for Reading Roundup at Memorial Elementary School. Reading mentors commit to reading to the same classroom for one school year, two to three times each month with the provided books and lesson plans. See bushhoustonliteracy.org/readingroundup.

Season of giving Sheila Newar and Michael Wernick went on their first date in August 2016 at La Scala, an Italian restaurant in Beverly Hills. They immediately hit it off. After dinner, Michael invited Sheila to his friend’s birthday party and Sheila met all of Michael’s closest friends that night.

Sheila and Michael spent every weekend together, switching off Newport Beach, where Sheila lived, and Los Angeles, where Michael lived.

Sheila, a graduate of St. John’s School, moved to Los Angeles in 2018. This winter, Michael proposed to Sheila on the beach in Santa Barbara.

He had flown to Washington, D.C to design an engagement ring with his family and then to Houston to ask Sheila’s father for his blessing, while keeping it a surprise for Sheila. The two are excited to plan their big day in Houston.

Parents Adam Newar and Evi Marnoy and Shelley and Susan Wernick are thrilled.

This winter, West University Elementary School welcomed third grader Diego Morales. Diego’s family had moved to Houston because his 11year-old brother, Victor, required cancer treatment from MD Anderson. Victor has been battling bone cancer since he was 8 and, after he stopped responding to chemotherapy, was sent to Houston for an experimental drug treatment.

The boys’ mom, Yesenia, was expecting another baby at the time. When Diego’s teacher, Rachel Treviño, learned about the Morales family’s situation, she was moved to help. Rachel reached out to the WUES community and her own network through Facebook. Assistant principal Amber Pinchback collected baby gifts from faculty and staff. After just a week, Rachel had collected $6,750, plus gift cards, baby items and Christmas gifts for the Morales kids. Two days after Yesenia delivered her baby girl, Sofia,

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 58

Rachel and administrators from WUES visited the nonprofit A Shelter for Cancer Families to surprise the Morales family with the check and gifts. Yesenia had no idea and said she’s deeply Lauren Langston

Rodeo roundup

grateful. Pictured are (from left) Victor and Yesenia Morales, Sofia Morales, Diego Morales and teacher Rachel Treviño. See more details and photos at thebuzzmagazines.com; search “West U Community Embraces the Season of Giving" by Pooja Salhotra.

Central Park proposal Alyssa Kleinman and Jared Higgins first met in 2010 at Emory University. A graduate of The Emery/Weiner School, Alyssa grew up in Houston while Jared grew up in Carlisle, Mass.

Both of their mothers were raised on opposite sides of the same apartment building in Queens, NY. After they met in Atlanta, Jared moved to New York City, and Alyssa followed shortly after. On a snowy night, Jared took Alyssa ice skating in their favorite NYC location, Central Park. Despite this being Jared’s first time on ice skates, he gracefully got (continued on page 60)

Rachel Kim Photography

proposed as a crowd of skaters cheered. The couple celebrated with parents Ellen and Michael Kleinman, siblings Jonathan and Mackenzie, soon-to-be sister Rachel Navon, and parents Carolyn Hoffman and Colin Higgins.

Every step counts St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School

(continued from page 58) down on one knee and

They sat outdoors by the lake and a bonfire at the Four Seasons Austin, where he popped the question. Mindy was surprised to hear that everyone at the party was in on the plan and wanted to celebrate with the couple, along with their parents, Elyse and Howard Schultz and Neil and Pam Tofsky, and additional close friends from Houston, at a nearby bar. Mindy’s dad said it was his best birthday ever.

Douglas McCafferty

Surprise celebration

Mindy Schultz and Kevin Tofsky met during their high school days. Although Mindy attended Bellaire High School and Kevin was a student at Episcopal High School, they were both involved in B’Nai Brith Youth Organization.

Kevin was the “beau” of Mindy’s BBYO chapter.

In 2014, they found themselves at the same party, where Kevin asked if Mindy would want to grab drinks one day. Fast forward to December 2019. Kevin asked Mindy to go to Austin to celebrate a family friend’s birthday. It happened to be her dad’s birthday the following day, but her dad said he was happy to celebrate once the two were back in town. At the party in Austin, Kevin claimed he was sleepy, and they went back to the hotel for a late dinner.

Students at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School are teaming up to run in the 15th Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Steps for Students 5k Run/Walk Feb. 15 at Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston. Steps for Students is an annual event benefiting the 58 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Event day will include a sunrise mass, 5k USA Track and Field Association-sanctioned race, Catholic School Village and post-race party. Pictured are (back row, from left) Owen Sweeney, Micah Love and Sophia Riley; (front row, from left) Jo Jo Sweeney, Camryn Love, coaching assistant Amere Lattin, Ella Sweeney and Auroro Riley. Lattin will run hurdles in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

feated during the tournament, defeating Kingwood 12-3, Gulf Coast Storm 12-2, St. John’s 11-1 and Legend (Austin) 7-3. Lamar played The Woodlands in the championship and won 9-2. Pictured are (top row, from left) head coach Kristin Marchese, Caleigh Wilbourn, Sasha Arlinghaus, Sarah Behan, Kassidy Isaacson, Lola Somera, Kaelin Isaacson, Layla Collins, Kiki Jordan, Bissy Muller, Lindsay Elwood, Chloe Herrera, Mia Sorak, assistant coach Myleka Booze; (front row, from left) Hayden Hancock, Ashley Lapp, Iliana Almendarez, Julia Faubus, Annabel Foye, Mary Leath, Kara Lorenz and Mackenzie Gill.

Not pictured: Tori Julian, Abby Carrizales, Asia Delasbour and Nyla Price.

Written in the stars

Lamar lacrosse champs

Prissy Roosth hosted 13 friends for dinner, followed by lively games of mah jongg. Décor included sparkling, hand-beaded ornaments in decorated bowls and a cat motif throughout the home in homage to Prissy and Tommy’s love of furry felines. Astrologer Nan Hall Link gave readings to all the guests privately. Pictured are (sitting, from left) Marcia Katz, Susan Baum, Gail Swartz, Prissy Roosth, Sandy Harris; (standing, from left) Glenda Waldman, Ann Goldfarb, Judy Schwartz, Marilyn Evans, Cookie Portnoy, Sharon Brier, Sandi Seltzer Bryant, Patsy Segal and Sandy Herzstein.

The Lamar High School Women’s Lacrosse team are back-to-back champions of the Cy-Fair Burning Flower Tournament. The Varsity Division included 13 teams from the Houston and Austin area. The Lady Texans went unde-

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.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 60

WORDS change the

WORLD SISTERHOOD LUNCHEON FEATURING

BARBARA PIERCE BUSH

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020 11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. Patron Reception in Kahn Gallery at 11:00 a.m.

Speaker in Barish Sanctuary at 11:30 a.m.

Seated Luncheon in Feld Hall at 12:30 p.m.

CONGREGATION EMANU EL 1500 SUNSET BOULEVARD, HOUSTON, TEXAS COUVERT $75 Benefitting Congregation Emanu El Sisterhood, Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation, and Global Health Corps www.emanuelhouston.org/form/wordschangetheworld For more information contact sishood@emanuelhouston.org or call 713.529.5771

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ FEBRUARY 2020 61

NEIGHBORS

by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

Back Porch I

Leap year birthdays

never really understood leap year. Didn’t get why we had one year, sometimes, with an extra day. Huh? There’s a very good, if not simple, explanation for why every fourth year has a Feb. 29, turning a 365-day year into a 366-day year. The Earth takes not a mere 365 days to orbit the sun, but 365 days, five hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds. Those extra minutes add up, and in order to keep our calendar synched with the seasons, we added a Feb. 29. It’s called leap year because if New Year’s Day fell on a Tuesday in 2018, it logically fell on a Wednesday in 2019. But in 2020 – a leap year – New Year’s will fall on a Friday. It “leaped” over Thursday.

That’s all to say that you probably don’t want anything significant to happen on Feb. 29. You won’t be able to commemorate it annually – only every four years. So when the doctor’s office tried to schedule my first child’s birth (a c-section; she was breach) on Feb. 29, I said no way.

Most people don’t have that choice.

That same year, Mickie Strait was due to deliver her first son, Jackson, now a sophomore at A&M, on March 4. “On the 28th,” she remembers, “I was leaving work, and I just didn’t feel well. My friend said, ‘What if you’re in labor?’ I said, ‘I’m not. I am not having a leap year baby.’”

During the night, though, Mickie continued to feel bad. When she and her husband Bill went to the hospital, “I broke down and sobbed,” she says.

“I was willing it not to happen. I asked the doctor, ‘Isn’t there anything we can do?’ But Jackson came right in the middle of the day on Feb. 29. Bill said, ‘Think about it, he’ll have a cool birthday. It can be a pickup line!’ But I told Bill that was not a good pickup line, and it was a good thing we met in high school if he thought it was.

“I was sad for him to only have a birthday every four years. When he was 3, Jackson came home from preschool crying because his birthday wasn’t on the calendar. Trying to explain leap year to a 3 year old? I hardly understand why we have leap year.”

Twenty years later, I wondered if having a leap year baby had turned into something fun.

“Jackson’s [two] brothers think it’s hilarious and awesome,” Mickie says. “His youngest brother

tells him he’s really the youngest. But it still annoys me!”

Teresa Sisro was born on Feb. 29, eight Feb. 29ths ago, at 12:19 a.m. (“How old is she now?” would be a great trivia question at the dinner table tonight.)

“They were in shock that it came so close to not being on the 29th,” the executive assistant says of her parents. “My dad tried to pay off the nurse to change my birthday, but she couldn’t legally do it.”

Teresa says she didn’t notice that her birthday was special until fifth grade or so. “My parents would give me a birthday party on the 28th or the first,” she SIXTH BIRTHDAY, 24 YEARS For those of us born on Feb. 29, official birthdays says. “At first I did are few and far between. feel a little bit Cheese because I was turning 4. And last leap cheated. The teachers wouldn’t have anything year, I got all my friends and went to Pump It Up. for me at school, and my parents would have to When we got there, they said, ‘Where are the tell them we could celebrate on the first. But kids?’ They were a little confused.” when my parents made it, ‘Oh, you can have One of Teresa’s friends remembers the party: two birthdays,’ then it was okay.

“All of us 20-somethings had an absolute blast,” “I’ve never met anyone with the same birthshe says. “It was so funny celebrating that way. day,” she says. “When I get my ID checked And, yes, we did go out for drinks afterward!” when I go out, they’ll have a reaction. Or when As of this printing, Teresa hasn’t decided how I’m at the DMV, they’ll say, ‘Your birthday’s not she’ll celebrate this Feb. 29. “Everybody’s asking popping up,’ and then they’ll realize.” me what we’re going to do. Maybe go-karts and Having had so few “official” birthdays, Teresa’s mini-golf, or maybe we’ll go way back and go to parties have been mostly kid-themed. “When I a roller rink.” was 16, all my friends surprised me at Chuck E.

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