The West University Buzz - January 2017

McKenna and Melissa Granberry

Women Who Tri The Wishing Trees Chef’s Corner: Nicole Routhier Super Bowl Home Rentals

Exercise Playlists

by Andria Frankfort

Teen Fingerboarder a YouTube Hit A Child Advocate Passport Tips from the Pros Houston, TX

Super Bowl Spurs New Restaurants

Permit No. 2047 PAID US Postage PRSRT STD

Buzz Baby: Witching Hour

EDITOR’S NOTE Every year, I have the same resolutions: Lose 10 pounds and get more organized. Maybe this month’s issue – with stories on healthy meals, women triathletes and workout playlists – will help. (Plus, I love Jennifer Oakley’s inspiring Wishing Trees story.) Also this month, Travel Buzz writer Tracy Barnett shares passport tips and mishaps. I read the first draft of Tracy’s article the night before leaving for Playa del Carmen on an annual girls’ trip. I learned that a Buzz resident had to redo his passport because he was wearing glasses in the photo. Apparently, that’s a no-no now. I realized I was wearing glasses in my passport photo! I held my breath until stepping onto the flight. (As it turns out, existing passports with eyeglasses are grandfathered in.) Déjà vu. Last year, a few days before leaving for the same trip, I learned your passport cannot expire within six months of traveling. Luckily I was able to rush and get a new passport in time. (Mexico no longer enforces this rule.)

A new resolution is to plan ahead and get a new passport photo without my glasses. Right after I lose 10 pounds and organize my desk. Wishing you a happy and resolute new year. joni@thebuzzmagazines.com

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Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman Cheryl Laird Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld John Duboise Tracy L. Barnett Sharon Albert Brier Andria Frankfort Angie Frederickson Todd Freed Cathy Gordon Michelle Casas Groogan Dai Huynh Annie Blaylock McQueen Jennifer Oakley Cheryl Ursin Randi Blaschke Diana Moga Jay Janecek Andrea Blitzer Leslie Little Kim Montgomery Amber Lewis Helen van Rensburg

On our cover: McKenna Granberry and her mother Melissa both run regularly, with inspiration from music.

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 © 2017 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 JANUARY 2017 4

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 5

MAILBAG

Your letters, thoughts, opinions Wants more restaurant memories I enjoyed reading More Restaurant Memories [Stories from Houston’s Dining Past] by Russell Weil (Dec. 2016) just as much as I loved the original story (Restaurant Memories by Russell Weil, Nov. 2014). You should make this a regular feature in The Buzz. I just ordered the book mentioned in the story (Lost Houston by William Dylan Powell). As a native Houstonian, it’s cool to hear about some of the places I ate as a child.

David Engler

Greg’s letter sparked second story I’m pretty sure I wrote to you about Sorrento, having wondered what had happened to it. Really enjoyed the article. I ate at Sorrento with my parents when I was 7 or 8. They offered a military discount, and my father was at Ellington.

I have eaten at every place in bold font in your December 2016 [More Restaurant Memories] article. I graduated from Rice in June 1966 and Air Force OTS in September. Our rehearsal dinner was at Ye Old College Inn in September. We got married at St. John the Divine.

A very nice professor who lived in our college rounded up a bunch of us one Sunday night and took us to the Cleburne Cafeteria on Cleburne.

We went crabbing with friends one day in the 1960s, first time for all of us. Some died (crabs, not friends) on the way home. The other guy was a med student, was worried. I called the San Jacinto Inn and asked for the manager, real nice guy, [who] said, “They will be fine; we can’t use dead ones because we don’t know when they died, but three hours is not a problem.” I’m a lot better at crabmeat retrieval now.

Another neat place was Bill Williams’ Savage Style Chicken (try that one today with caricature Indians by a fire) on South Main (I frequented the oyster bar, they did not check IDs for beer sales). He may also have owned the MacGregor House on OST. I probably have matches from every place listed.

Greg Reilly From Russell Weil: Your original email sparked this article. Thank you again for sharing your memories with us.

Everyone remembers Felix Mexican Restaurant Of course I remember Felix’s. It was a family staple growing up in the late ’70s and ’80s; we spent many Sunday post-church lunches there. It’s where I learned the concept of “hot plate!” My grandfather, Fred Brown, lived in West U from 1951 until his death in 2008 at age 100. Felix’s was one of the last few places where he’d still ask to go to lunch in his 90s (along with Becks Prime and Demeris BBQ), and he’d comment on how much a lunch there cost back in the ’50s. A family friend claims to have Felix’s original queso recipe; I’d better hunt that down.

Susan Barrett WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 6

Enjoying celebrity status while it lasts Thank you so much for the wonderful article that you put together of us [Twice Blessed: Dual-religion couples talk faith and family, by Jennifer Oakley, December 2016]. We love everything about it, and it was so well written and told our story just as we would have wanted it. Imagine my delight whilst we were on vacation and began to receive messages that we were on the cover [of The Bellaire Buzz]!

We so enjoyed the experience and felt so comfortable working with you all. I had so much fun. Jennifer is so awesome and was so easy to open up to and talk about our life. I also loved the photographers that did our pictures [georgefloresphotography.com] – they made the experience such fun.

I really enjoyed telling our story because it is truly a success story, and there's so much to take away from it.

I am overwhelmed by the email, Facebook and phone messages we are receiving. Everyone absolutely loves the pictures and story. Funny how so many of our friends didn’t know we share different faiths. For now, I'm going to enjoy my celebrity status whilst it lasts.

Sharon and Mark Chetty 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.

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We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who: • Frequently use local parks.

• Have stories from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

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• Know a compelling neighbor to profile.

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

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• Teen Drivers Ed • Adult Drivers Ed • DPS Approved Road Testing • Next Schedule of Classes for Teen Drivers Education: Starts Monday, January 9, 2017 713-349-9888 • www.houstonareadrivingschools.com 5959 West Loop South, Suite 190, Bellaire TX 77401 T.D.L.R. #C1715

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 7

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NEIGHBORS

by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

Exercise Playlists Music that keeps you motivated

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t’s January, and our New Year’s resolve will never be stronger. If you’re looking at the new year as impetus to get your workouts in gear, you’re not alone. According to a Nielsen survey, the No. 1 new year’s vow last year was to “stay fit and healthy” or to “lose weight,” a promise that 69 percent of us made to ourselves.

But resolving to do something and actually doing it are two different things. How can we keep the first-week momentum going?

One way: with music.

Ann Hill has been running two miles a day, five days a week through the neighborhood for years. But only recently has she discovered some apps that make her workouts a little easier.

“One summer, I found what Nike [the Nike+ Running app] called a ‘Tempo’ playlist,” Ann says.

“I really liked it because it would say, ‘Start running,’ and then start playing music at my tempo.

It was all what I call ‘spa music.’ I could zone out and get into the groove. The summer I stuck with it, I did get faster because it told me my pace.”

Ann, who has three daughters, says she’s not much on listening to the radio. “Once the girls get out of the car, and there’s no noise, I’m like, ‘Oh, there’s no noise!’” So she depends on apps to choose the music she runs to. There are many.

“You can play music through Map My Run, but I need to play with that to figure it out, and fiddling with that app is not what I’m going to do tonight. Run Faster is one that might make me run faster, but it kind of yells at you. I need

someone to tell me, ‘You’re doing a great job,’ not, ‘You’re going too slow.’ There’s another app called Spring, which will time your pace. But I get tired of all these apps that are $5, $5, $5, until you’ve spent $50 a month.”

Ultimately, Ann joined Spotify for $10 a month. “You can listen to songs and say, ‘Yes, I like that,’ and put it in your playlist, so you’ve got songs that motivate you to run.” Or you can choose already-set playlists. “I listen to a playlist called Confidence Boost,” she says. “It plays mostly Top 40.”

Another option she likes is audio books.

“When I’ve done that, I sometimes find myself extending my run to finish a chapter. And there’s definitely no repeating [songs] when you’re listening to a book.”

Melissa Granberry also runs three to four times a week and has run marathons with her husband Zach. “When I’m running, I need a beat,” the mother of three says. “I think it just kind of keeps me going, gives me something to sing along to in my head and keeps me distracted.”

Unlike Ann, Melissa chooses each song on her playlist. “It’s embarrassing what’s on my running playlist,” she says. “It’s dance and rap and stuff with a beat, songs from the ’90s and 2000s.

A lot of old Justin Timberlake. Although when I walk Rocky [the dog], it’s more like Ed Sheeran, songs I like, and I don’t need a beat.

“I’m constantly adding to it and taking things off. If I keep skipping a song, I’ll take it off. And

MOTHER-DAUGHTER TEAM McKenna Granberry and her mom Melissa both like to run while listening to playlists they each put together.

if they play a good song at Row or Orangetheory [gyms Melissa frequents], I’ll add it to my list.

The other day at Orangetheory I added a song to my playlist as soon as I got in the car.”

Melissa’s daughter McKenna, a junior at Lamar High School, follows her mom’s footsteps and runs three miles every weekday for Lamar’s cross-country team. While she doesn’t like listening to music for sprints, she does when running distance. “I think listening to music helps my workout, because it gives me a rhythm to breathe to,” she says. “It helps me set a pace. I can tell how long I’ve been running by how many songs I’ve played, and sometimes the songs will give me more energy to run faster.”

Like her mom, McKenna uses Apple Music to add songs to a customized list. “Whenever I hear a song with a good beat, whether it’s on the radio or on one of my friends’ playlists, I will add it to my own,” she says. Unlike her mom, McKenna says she’d rather not share all of the songs on her playlist, because some aren’t entirely appropriate. But favorites include Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé.

Running Playlists Melissa’s list Lose Yourself, Eminem Kiss This, The Struts Locked Out of Heaven, Bruno Mars Don’t Let Me Down, The Chainsmokers Don’t, Ed Sheeran King Kunta, Kendrick Lamar This is How we Do, Katy Perry Like I Love You, Justin Timberlake Carry Out, Timbaland and Justin Timberlake Magic, B.o.B All About It, Hoodie Allen WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 8

She Sells Sanctuary, The Cult Not Afraid, Eminem Boom Boom Pow, Black Eyed Peas Suedehead, Morrissey The Way I Are, Timbaland Kiss Kiss, Chris Brown NO, Meghan Trainor Truffle Butter, Nicki Minaj Yeah!, Usher Starboy, The Weeknd Hello Good Morning, Diddy/Dirty Money 24K Magic, Bruno Mars

McKenna’s list Swimming Pools, Kendrick Lamar m.A.A.d. City, Kendrick Lamar Backseat Freestyle, Kendrick Lamar Know Yourself, Drake 9, Drake Energy, Drake Partition, Beyoncé 7/11, Beyoncé I Mean It, G-Eazy, featuring Remo Pursuit of Happiness, Kid Cudi

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NEIGHBORS

by Angie Frederickson, staff writer

Women Who Tri Swim, bike, run: Why pick one?

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fter surviving breast cancer, privateschool consultant Shakti Dalal was eager to get back to her life. Four years earlier, and just two months after her youngest child was born, she had been diagnosed and begun treatment. “The whole process makes you feel old and sick,” Shakti said.

At the advice of another survivor, she looked into triathlon as a way to regain her strength and feel young again.

Shakti was used to taking group fitness classes, but she hated running and described herself as “not exactly athletic.” But she was determined to succeed, so she and her sister, Kavita Murthy, signed up for the Spa Girl Tri at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort near Austin. About three months before the event, Shakti began training, starting with running. After her first 1mile run, she was convinced she couldn’t do any more. “Training was very, very tough because my body has been through a lot, but I stuck with it,” she said.

Her race goal was to complete the sprint-distance 300-meter swim, 10-mile bike ride and 2mile run without stopping and without coming in last place. She accomplished both of those goals and crossed the finish line exhausted, but knowing she wanted to do it again. Sprint triathlons are now a big part of her life, and once she feels strong enough, she hopes to complete an Olympic-distance race. “It’s amazing what your body can do,” Shakti said.

Triathlon is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, especially among women in the over-40 crowd, according to USA Triathlon, the national governing body for the sport. It became an Olympic sport in 2000 at the games in Sydney, Australia. A combination of swimming, biking and running requires varied training, but, says participants, also keeps boredom to a minimum.

Beginner adults usually start with shorter-distance sprint races and progress to the Olympic distance, and even half and full Ironman events.

Although distances vary from race to race, a sprint is generally a 300-400 meter swim/10-mile bike/3.1-mile run; Olympic triathlon is a 7501500-meter swim/22-25-mile bike/6.2-mile run;

half Ironman is 1.2-mile swim/56mile bike/13.1mile run, and full Ironman is 2.4mile swim/112mile bike/26.2mile run.

People of all ages participate in triathlon, but the surge in new 40something athletes may be an issue of practicality.

Triathlon training can be expensive; the bikes alone can cost thousands of RUNNING TO THE FINISH Elaine Griffin trains for the final portion of an Ironman dollars. There are race: a 26.2-mile run. also entry fees and give it another try, but to compete in the half travel costs, and younger adults may not be able Ironman in Austin. “I just decided I was going to afford to take it on. for the big one,” Sheri said. She went to a swim It also requires lots of time. Training is differclinic and joined a triathlon training group, and ent for everyone, but most sprint beginners comwas consumed. “It was intense because I was mit to working out nearly every day of the week going from nothing to a half Ironman. I just for about three months. Athletes swim, bike and dove in and committed.” run on different days, and much like marathon In 2015, Sheri completed her first full training, the workout distances increase as you Ironman. She followed other triathletes’ advice get closer to the race. to take it easy and just get it done. “The overMany parents in their 30s are consumed with eager people often peter out. My goal was just to infants and toddlers, and a triathlon training finish, and I was smiling when I did,” she said. schedule is impossible. In their 40s, they may find When people express amazement at what she schedules and budgets are a bit more forgiving, accomplished and tell her they are intimidated, and it’s a perfect time to start something new.

Sheri reminds them that the training is a gradual Licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medibuild. “Once you get into it and start training, if cine practitioner Sheri Davidson has been a runyou stay consistent, you can do it.” ner for years, but recently began competing in Stay-at-home mom of three Elaine Griffin has triathlon. She joined a running club where she completed four Ironman races, in addition to met triathletes, and was inspired by their accommany more half Ironman, Olympic and sprint plishments. Although she had no idea what she triathlons. She trains Mondays through Fridays, was getting into, Sheri registered for a sprint while her kids are in school, so she can reserve triathlon. The cycle and run portions went well, weekends for family time. but open-water swim did not. “The swim was She goes to Lakeside Country Club to swim horrible,” she said. “I swam with my head above laps. She loves to run through Piney Point water the whole time.”

Village and along the Terry Hershey trail, but After that first experience, Sheri took a break. when bad weather hits, she runs on her treadmill.

A couple of years later, she decided to not only

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Scott Flathouse Photography

TEACHING WHAT SHE LOVES Trainer Karen Klucznik inspires women and children to join in her favorite sport, triathlon.

Bike training takes her farther from home. On Fridays, she drives to Hockley or Fulshear for her long rides, which are more than four hours, and sometimes her fellow triathletes join her. When training is at its peak before a race, she relies on her husband, Justin, to get the kids to school.

“His support is a big dynamic,” she said.

The longest training day begins at 5 a.m. when she drives to Hockley for a seven-hour bike ride, followed by a run. By starting early, she is finished and back home to pick up the kids from school at 3 p.m.

Elaine has always been active and ran marathons before her children were born. In 2001, she underwent major pelvic surgery and was told she would never run again. With the help of physical therapists, orthopedists and other sports-medicine professionals, Elaine began running again, but was in continuous pain. A friend suggested she look into triathlon, as a way to take a break from a running-only regimen. “I didn’t know anything about it, so I went to Barnes and Noble and bought the Idiot’s Guide to Triathlon Training and read it cover to cover,” she said.

In her first sprint triathlon, Elaine didn’t have a tri bike and showed up with her mommy, three-speed, cruise-the-neighborhood bike.

Despite having the wrong equipment and never having swum in a lake before, she loved it and bought a tri bike later that afternoon. Having the right kind of bike makes a huge difference.

Tri bikes are designed, aerodynamically, to

reduce drag so you can ride faster. They also take stress off of the quadriceps so you can save your leg strength for the run to the finish line.

“Commitment and hard work are very important to me,” Elaine said. “Competing at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, is a definite bucket-list item.”

For home builder and mom of four Erin Stetzer, the best part of triathlon is passing along the tradition to her children. She and her husband, Alec, began triathlon within the last couple of years and didn’t realize the kids were paying attention. “They saw us committing to training and the daily preparation leading up to the race, and the kids got interested,” Erin said.

The Stetzer children are still involved with seasonal school sports, but the oldest three now do four or five triathlons in the summer. The oldest daughter, Morgan, 13, loves running and wants to concentrate on triathlon, but not all of the Stetzer kids are motivated by the sport itself. Patrick, 11, just wants the popsicles at the end of the race.

“I am amazed at the changes in my kids,” Erin said. What she loves about triathlon is that kids have to be self-sufficient. In other sports the parents are right there, micromanaging every step, but during triathlon the kids are on their own during the race and at the transition stations between the three race sections. “Parents are there at the beginning and the end, but in the middle it’s all kids.”

Karen Klucznik started triathlon in her 40s and loved it so much she became a trainer. She

wanted to use her racing knowledge to inspire women and children, and she is now a USA Triathlon-certified coach at The Houstonian.

“We have our own team, and it’s growing by leaps and bounds,” she said.

Many women in their 40s come to Karen looking for a new workout regimen. Their kids are getting older and they are looking to start something new. “We redefine ourselves in our 40s and ask questions like ‘Where are we going?

What’s next?’” She wants to teach women that it’s not too late to get started.

Karen’s advice to beginners is to find a training group. “There are so many groups out there, and triathlon is such a welcoming community,” she said. Triathlon relays are a great place to start, because with a team of three, each person does only one part of the race. “It’s scary in the beginning, but you build up gradually. It has changed my life,” said Karen.

Countless women tell the same story about their experience with triathlon: Before they started training, they never thought they could do it. Although she is a professional trainer, Karen is still in shock each time she finishes a race. “I always think, ‘Seriously? Me?’” she said.

“If there is a whisper in your soul, then do it. Go to a race and watch the finish, because it’s incredibly inspiring. And don’t ever be afraid.”

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

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NEIGHBORS

by Jennifer Oakley, staff writer

The Wishing Trees In Pumpkin Park, trees carry dreams

O

nce there was a tree…. and she loved a little boy. – “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein Two years ago, while undergoing treatment for sarcoma cancer, Alexandra Knight wished for trees. Inspired by her two young sons and Shel Silverstein’s poem, “The Giving Tree,” Alexandra dreamed about trees that would make people happy. And then, in a turn of what some would call kismet, Alexandra came across a story that crystallized her wishes.

As she was recuperating from chemotherapy, Alexandra saw a segment on the NBC Nightly News about a woman in San Francisco who transformed a tree outside her front door into a wishing tree. The woman said the holiday season brought her down, and she wanted to turn the tide. So, she strung lights on her tree, provided ribbons and pens and tags and offered them to the public for free. What started as a way to cheer herself up morphed into a steady pilgrimage of people who traveled to her tree to write messages of hope and love and dreams.

And every day the boy would come and he would gather her leaves and make them into crowns and play king of the forest. He would climb up her trunk and swing from her branches and eat apples. And they would play hide-and-go-seek. And when he was tired, he would sleep in her shade. And the boy loved the tree....very much.

Lying on her living room couch, Alexandra looked out her front windows towards River Oaks Pumpkin Park and she envisioned Wishing Trees in place of a concrete slab that had once housed Cinderella’s Pumpkin Coach.

It seemed fitting that a park named after a fairy tale would have trees that sprout wishes.

“When the idea came and I saw the video, I was actually in the middle of treatment,” says Alexandra, the elegant and graceful owner and designer of Alexandra Knight, Inc., a small luxury-goods accessories company. “I had 11 rounds of chemo that lasted over 10 months, for sarcoma cancer. It was a very trying time for me physically and mentally, but an aggressive treatment was recommended because of the second sarcoma. I believe I was the one really who needed

the hope and the wishes, so why not make a tree grove across the street to offer them up.”

“I wish I could have a better life,” “I wish people would accept us all, for whoever or whatever we are” – anonymous tags on The Wishing Trees Alexandra shared her idea of planting Wishing Trees with husband Brady and sons Thomson, now 10, and Truett, now 8. The boys, who attend River Oaks Baptist School, loved the concept and they decided the trees would become a family affair. Together, they planned to get the trees planted, the materials available and then tend to the trees so that park goers would always be able to enjoy them.

“It’s been an amazing experience to watch it all unfold,” says Brady Knight, owner of Knight BEST WISHES The project Alexandra Knight envisioned has come true with the creation of The Wishing Trees. River Oaks Pumpkin Park visitors write on tags Planning Corporation. and post their wishes and dreams.

“The trees represent an Wishing Trees. “I thought about these trees and outlet of hope, love and optimism. I feel like our thought, ‘This is so fabulous.’ Because the community and nation are starving for someCinderella Pumpkin had been removed to be thing, anything positive. The trees capture a perrefurbished, there was this perfect space – and son’s curiosity and puts a smile on their faces – that is a magical place and something special had that is a definite positive in today’s environment.” to replace it.” It took less than a year to work out Once the Knight family decided to be “all in” the logistics. (The renovated Cinderella for the trees, Alexandra knew who to query for Pumpkin eventually was moved to the park’s help. She asked friend Susan Cooley, whom she play area and unveiled in March 2016.) calls “the Grande Dame of River Oaks parks,” While Alexandra worked on signage and to assist with the legwork involved. pulling together tags, ribbons, scissors and colCooley, president of the non-profit Friends of orful pens, Cooley worked on city permits – and River Oaks Parks, says she was on board the finding the right type of (continued on page 14) moment Alexandra started talking about the

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 12

trees needed to be sturdy enough to hold the tags but also small enough so that children could reach their branches. Cooley settled on a trio of Apricot Blossom Trees, which are also considered to bring good fortune.

“I wish she had loved me back,” “I wish someday that I will find my birth parents and be able to talk to them” – tags on The Wishing Trees Cooley says that the three apricot trees have been a focal point of the park from the moment they were planted. Planted with some space between them, there is room for the branches to expand and grow, making room for all the wish tags.

“The trees in the park are a gathering place,” she says. “They open up conversations. I have met so many people out there, and they start up the conversations.” Cooley says both children and adults write out their wishes. “There are a lot of themes written on the tags,” she says. “There are a lot of themes about regrets and unrequited love. And a lot of prayerful gratitude.”

Alexandra says they intentionally created an easy process for park visitors to write their wishes. “There are instructions on the side of the supply hut and on the back of the large sign we made explaining the trees,” says Alexandra. “All you need to do is write your wish, note of gratitude or dream on the tag and hang it on the tree.

You can embellish it with different color pens we supply, we have lots of different colored ribbon to tie it on – we try to offer creative supplies to help craft their perfect wish tag.”

The supply box is situated next to the trees and works on an honor system. Visitors take the items they need to write their wishes, but don’t take the materials out of the park.

And for those who cannot visit the trees in person, Alexandra has made wishing a virtual reality. The trees can be followed via social media on Instagram at @thewishing_trees; Facebook at The Wishing Trees at River Oaks Park, the website thewishingtrees.org and email at wishes@thewishingtree.org. “We created these for people who could not physically visit the trees but want to take advantage,” she says.

“They can email us their wish and we will write it and tie it onto the tree on their behalf.”

“I wish I had many friends,” “I wish for no more animals in cages,” “I wish I could ride a real horse” – tags on The Wishing Trees Alexandra believes that the simple act of taking pen to paper can be transformative for people, allowing them to voice their wishes in a tangible way. “I really loved the idea of children and adults alike having a place to go together and make wishes and write about their dreams and what they are grateful for,” she says. “I think these trees bring happiness to so many in different ways. Every time I visit the trees they give me something for thought and I leave rich, full and a little better every time.”

Southgate residents Jaime and Greg Cnossen recently brought their daughters, Bree, 6, and Emily, 3, to the park and became enchanted

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(continued from page 12) trees to be planted. The

WISHFUL THINKING Thomson and Truett Knight (from left) help take care of the Wishing Trees in River Oaks Pumpkin Park. They also frequently pen their own wishes.

with the trees. “My daughter saw the trees when we were walking up to the park and discovered they were wishing trees,” says Jaime Cnossen. “It is so neat to see this in the neighborhood – the trees are magical.” Bree promptly posted wishes to have a horse and to fly.

The Wishing Trees have been open to the public for a little more than a year now, and Alexandra says that she loves to watch how visitors react. Last spring, right before son Thomson’s Post Oak Little League baseball team was to start playoffs, Alexandra invited the team to their house for a party. Alexandra gave each player a tag and a pencil and then took them across to the Wishing Trees. The boys immediately gravitated to the trees but their wishes surprised her.

“The tags were so moving,” she recalls. “I expected every single one of them to say, ‘Let’s win the playoffs,’ or ‘I wish to be a MLB star,’ and I was amazed because the tags read, ‘Thanks for getting us this far in the playoffs,’ ‘I wish to have coach Wiley again next year,’ and ‘Thank you for supporting my family,’ along with some heartbreaking ones that gave a glimpse into the pressures these children carry and hold on their shoulders to be the best. Sharing this with our coach created such compassion, love and support around the players, and many of the boys have been back several times after.”

As with the Trevi Fountain in Rome, where

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 14

tourists throw coins in while making a wish, visitors have steadily been making their way to Pumpkin Park to make their wishes. To keep up with the traffic, the Knight family spends most Sundays replenishing supplies and recycling old tags that get time worn. It’s a way to stay connected to the trees and keep giving back to those who want to wish.

“It makes me feel really warm inside because we are making a really big impact on people,” says 10-year-old Thomson Knight.

“I don’t need very much now,” said the boy. “just a quiet place to sit and rest.

I am very tired.” “Well,” said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could, “well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest.”

And the boy did. And the tree was happy.”

“I love ‘The Giving Tree’ poem because the tree is selfless,” says Alexandra. “I want to create more happiness and love legacies in life.

When people have the courage to write a wish, they are one step closer to having it come true.” Alexandra’s face lights up when she looks at the trees. “I love to watch those tags flutter in the wind,” she smiles. “Those are the wishes at work.”

Editor’s note: To donate to Pumpkin Park, see houstonparksboard.org/projects/. For more information, email FriendsOfRiverOaksPark@gmail.com.

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NEIGHBORS

Mi Casa Es Su Casa

lawellphoto.com

by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Residents rent their homes during Super Bowl

P

hebe Chen was sharing a drink over happy hour when the group started talking about the upcoming Super Bowl Feb. 5 and the recent trend of renting one’s house to sports fans.

“Someone said, ‘Oh, gosh – your house is perfect for Super Bowl. You should rent it out!’” said Phebe. “I said no way, partly because I’ve never rented a house before, and also my 98year-old dad lives with me, and so I didn’t think it would be something I could take on.”

Fast-forward a few weeks, and Phebe began browsing on the subject. “We are also at the same time in the process of building a smaller house outside of Bellaire, and I had just redone a bunch of things outside and inside the house, and I thought, ‘Hey, maybe I should consider it, since the house is going to be in tip-top shape now.’”

Her main hesitation was her father. Then she discovered that he could temporarily stay at a local respite care facility. So she sat down with him, and he gave her the thumbs up.

“I realized it could be a good change of pace for him,” said Phebe. His usual caregivers agreed to continue their visits in the nursing home. “So that made me decide – ok, I’m going to do this.”

She called the city of Bellaire to get a permit.

The city inspected the home and gave her a certificate of occupancy good for six months. The cost: $80. “They just wanted to make sure the lights are on, that it’s not in violation of the fire code, etc.”

She checked different websites with different options; one, Super-Bowl-Rentalz.com, specifically targets Super Bowl fans and charges $249 per rental.

Another one, eventhomes.com, has different levels of service that go for different prices, starting with a free listing and topping out at $79 for a listing with greater visibility. Then of course there’s Airbnb.com, the all-purpose home-rental behemoth, which costs nothing but takes a percentage of the rental fee. HomeAway.com, based in Austin, is another such service.

Phebe decided to start with Airbnb since it’s free; if she doesn’t get a renter soon, she said, she could always decide to sign up on another one later. She plans to ask for a sizeable deposit to

cover any damages that might occur during the renters’ stay. Her lease specifies that she has 30 days to discover any problems before returning the deposit.

Leash Yu, an insurance specialist with the Leash Agency, has been inundated with calls recently from people who are interested in leasing out their homes.

“We are getting lots of inquiries (mainly from our high-net-worth clientele) on this subject,” he wrote. “They are asking, ‘If I rent my home to someone during Super Bowl, does my homeowners insurance cover the home if something happens?’”

Because of all of the questioning, he made a SUPER BOWL B&B Like many others throughout Houston, Phebe Chen and husband Mark Ward (pictured with dog Javier) decided to take the leap and few phone calls to the rent out their home during the Super Bowl. company’s luxury carripossible solution. ers. Two of them said, “absolutely no coverage;” Some websites, like Airbnb, offer insurance one said, “Yes, but we’ll non-renew coverage if coverage as a part of their agreement, although they sustain a claim,” and one said, “Only if the it may not be enough to cover the entire worth client pre-approves the tenant.” of the property. Others do not. Super-BowlHe offers the following advice to everyone Rentalz.com, for example, only connects potenconsidering this option: tial renters with homeowners and offers market1. Contact your insurance agent to verify ing services, said managing director Bill Ryan. coverage.

His site’s highest listing thus far is a River 2. If the agent says there is coverage, have Oaks mansion that goes for $10,000 a night. that put that in writing.

The deal includes daily maid service and a driv3. Regardless of whether the insurance comer. Such add-ons help sweeten the deal, Ryan pany will afford coverage during this shortsaid. “We’ve seen a lot of creative add-ons, from term rental, the homeowner should have the personal limo driving to gourmet meals cooked tenant secure an insurance policy for “special every night to tours of the area.” events” that covers rented premises. This insurance policy should name the homeowner Editor’s note: Communities have varied policies as an “additional insured.” The insurance polabout renting, so property owners should check with icy should cover the home in case of a full loss their local government and homeowners associations. of the property. Consult the agent for the best

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 16

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 17

NEIGHBORS Jasmine Chen

by Diana Moga, contributing writer

A Child Advocate Buzz resident helps struggling families

A

few years ago in southwest Houston, Child Protective Services removed four siblings – ages 2, 4, 6 and 7 – from the care of their parents. The oldest had missed 53 days of school, triggering a CPS investigation.

CPS called the excessive absences a sign of child neglect and placed the four children in the temporary care of a local relative.

At 1:30 the following afternoon, an initial court hearing took place. A CPS caseworker, an attorney for the parents, an attorney for the children and a presiding judge would ultimately decide on a path to healing for the family through a legal process that would last at least 12 months.

In this case – and others when the case is nuanced or tricky – the judge makes a special request: “Appoint a child advocate to this case.”

The child advocate appointed was Bellaire resident Allison Hart. She has served 16 children in seven cases as a volunteer for Child Advocates, Inc. The non-profit’s mission is to break the cycle of child abuse by mobilizing court-appointed volunteers to speak on behalf of children in the foster-care system.

Allison signed on for volunteer orientation and the 30-hour online training course in 2002.

“I just got so frustrated reading the newspaper and thought, somebody needs to do something.”

But it wasn’t until the Houston Marathon that she made the commitment to get involved.

“Somehow I found time to train for this marathon, so I ought to find the time for this.”

With Allison on the case as an advocate, she and the Child Advocates supervising coordinator made their first visit to the four children.

Their first impressions were not good, and a few more visits revealed that one of the children had lost a considerable amount of weight and another had been to the ER. “A lot of things didn’t add up,” said Allison.

They attempted to contact CPS to remove the children, but CPS was slow to return their emails and phone calls. “It’s just such an overburdened system…. It’s not uncommon to call and their voice mailbox is full.”

It wasn’t until they visited again, this time with the attorney representing the children, that they had success. Two days before a scheduled

court hearing, CPS removed the children from the home. “I think if Child Advocates had not been on the case,” said Allison, “the children may not have been removed at all.”

There is a need in Houston for more child advocates. Each year, the city averages over 4,000 children in the fostercare system, and child advocates, because of volunteer shortfalls, serve about half.

Volunteering FOR THE KIDS Allison Hart, who advocates for children in foster care, and her husinside a legal band Wes have four children: (from left) Charlotte, Clint, Cade and Callie. process can feel ble.” Allison and her husband, Wes, adopted intimidating, but Allison said people need not their daughter from Ethiopia at the age of 3. “My feel discouraged from getting involved. “People daughter lost her first family – it’s a loss she’ll have often think that I must have a legal or socialher whole life. And while I’m thankful she’s part work background to do this work, but just by of our family, I wish someone could have interbeing a concerned person, I know my role with vened to keep her from experiencing that loss.”

Child Advocates makes an impact.”

Allison hopes to be that person for other kids.

In the end, the parents were able to earn back “My role is to advocate for the best interest of their children, and the case had a happy ending. the child. I really enjoy that because at court Child Advocates helped the parents with comhearings I can speak directly from my conmonplace details like getting bunk beds and more science on whether parents have done everystubborn problems, like the tenacious case of thing the court has asked toward earning back head lice that was keeping the kids home from their children. Sometimes, I have to say the parschool and the start of all the trouble for the faments are not ready, but other times I get to chamily. “I think sometimes it’s a relational poverty we pion the effort parents have made.” don’t often think about,” said Allison. “I see it Allison hopes her volunteerism inspires her with a lot of families that don’t have safety nets own kids to serve the community. “I think or support when something difficult happens.” sometimes we just cater so much, and I think it’s As a mom to three biological children and one good for my family to sacrifice in this way adopted child, Allison’s mission to serve these because they know I’m going to visit kids who families is personal. “What I learned from adoptmaybe don’t have anybody who is concerned ing my daughter has given me an even bigger about them. It helps put things in perspective.” heart for preserving birth parents if at all possi-

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 18

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lawellphoto.com

KIDS

by Cheryl Ursin, staff writer

Fingerboarding on YouTube Teen’s hobby makes grandmother celeb too

I

t’s too bad we don’t have a better word for it.

Refer to someone’s interest as a “hobby” and that someone will protest. “Hobby” signifies something silly or trivial – which is too bad.

Research shows that having a hobby – an interest, outside of work or school, something done just for enjoyment – confers many benefits.

People who have hobbies enjoy better physical and mental health than the average, are less fatigued, report being happier, handle stress better and experience more success in their careers.

And hobbies often don’t stay small. They can open up a new world, introducing the hobbyist, and sometimes her family, to an entire community.

Kelsey Barker, a 15-year-old sophomore at Episcopal High School, discovered her hobby the summer before fifth grade: fingerboarding.

This interest, especially popular among 12- and 13-year-old boys, involves making, collecting and performing tricks with miniature skateboards. And not the kind you can get for $3 at Target, Kelsey points out. (Parents here are nodding their heads, thinking, “Of course, they couldn’t just cost $3.”) “Professional” fingerboards are handmade out of several parts – the deck, the truck and the wheels – which, together, cost about $100 and need to be specially ordered, sometimes all the way from Berlin, a hot spot for fingerboarding.

The tricks done on fingerboards – your first two fingers act as the rider’s legs – are the same tricks done on real skateboards.

The community of fingerboarders is large and connected. Once you start fingerboarding, Kelsey explains, you can start your own YouTube channel. Hers, Kelsey Fingerboards, which she started in 2011, has over 14,000 subscribers and 800,000 views.

Fingerboarders have started their own companies, handmaking the boards and miniature skateparks. These companies sponsor fellow fingerboarders, sending them products that they then “unbox” in videos on YouTube. Kelsey has both been sponsored and has sponsored others.

Fingerboarders hold “meet-ups” for each other. Kelsey has travelled to Boston several times with her family and to Berlin – yes, Berlin – because of her fingerboarding. She also holds

a meet-up of her own, called Texas Rendezvous, every summer here in Houston: arranging for a venue (St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Bellaire), promoting it (on her YouTube, Twitter and Instagram accounts), finding sponsors to provide raffle prizes, and setting up the miniature skateparks and the sound system. “And Kelsey is on the microphone all day, running it,” says her mom, HARDER THAN YOU THINK Both Kelsey Barker and her grandmom Betsy Kristen. Usually, around Smith are well-known in the fingerboarding world. Kelsey's two YouTube videos 30 to 50 fingerboarders featuring Betsy have been viewed almost 200,000 times so far. attend these events, “live streams” on YouNow, where she takes which, financially, break even. questions from fingerboarders. “I’m popular in For her next Rendezvous, Kelsey turned to this sport,” she laughs. “My draw is the talking; GoFundMe to raise money for a miniature I can’t fingerboard at all. It’s hard.” skatepark. Cost: roughly $2,000. Only one person, Questions Kelsey and Rachel have posed to a boy from New Zealand, donated, but he donated their grandmother ranged from, “Do you know the entire amount. “We told him we needed to what lol means?” (Betsy did) to would she twerk know it was OK with his parents and got back a (“Not happening”). In another video single-line email, ‘Yes, I am Harry’s mom, and I (“Unboxing Veneer With My Grandma,” know what he did,’” says Kelsey’s mom, Kristen, almost 24,000 views), Betsy recounts “the worst who then decided they should also wait 60 days and most embarrassing accident” she had skiing, to make absolutely sure Harry’s parents have seen when she knocked down the James Bond actor that charge on their credit card. The Barkers Roger Moore. The viewer comments on the heard nothing, so Kelsey put in her order, due to videos where Betsy makes an appearance range arrive from Berlin in a couple of months. from “best grandma ever xD” and “Again your Kelsey’s most popular video on her YouTube grandma is so awesome” to “Dude your grandma channel, with almost 160,000 views, is entitled is better at finger boarding than me” and “Teaching My Grandma and Sister to “Grandma blink twice if you’re OK.” Fingerboard,” starring Kelsey’s grandmom, 73Betsy thinks her granddaughter’s hobby – year-old Betsy Smith, and 13-year-old little sister through which Kelsey has learned myriad skills, Rachel, an eighth grader at Trafton Academy. from videography and woodworking to marketBetsy is all for Kelsey’s hobby. A former arts ing and public speaking – is great. Fingerboarders and crafts teacher at St. Francis Episcopal are, Betsy says, “the nicest bunch of kids.”

School and The Mad Potter, Betsy lets Kelsey use her art studio to build ramps and has bought woodworking materials and tools Kelsey needs See this story at thebuzzmagazines.com for links to make her skateboards. It was Betsy’s idea to to Kelsey’s videos and social-media accounts. appear on YouTube. Betsy has also done some

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 20

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WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 21

KIDS

.

by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz Baby

Witching hour and tantrums

Buzz Baby is a column about life with babies from the perspective of a first-time mother.

I

t’s 3:44 p.m. My toddler twins and even my dogs are following me around the house.

Everyone is whining, tired and bored. It’s the dreaded witching hour.

I open the drawer where I stash toys, stickers, lollipops and even bones for the dogs. I throw the dogs some raw hides, grab my bag and throw some snacks in. The kids and I vacate the premises while the bored pups assume their chewing positions.

Staying in the house during witching hour – typically anywhere from 3 p.m. until dinnertime for us – is the equivalent of listening to nails on the chalkboard for hours.

We venture to a park, Gymboree Play and Music, or the Trotter Family YMCA. I used to have Target on this list, but that expensive habit had to stop. Some days, we stay at home and just bear it.

For Buzz mom-of-two Holly Loftin, the dreaded afternoon slump has involved a fire extinguisher. Her son Cort is 5, and daughter Cooper Claire is almost 3 months. One evening, her husband Aaron was working late while she was preparing dinner with the kids. “It was actually my second day home alone with both kids,” said Holly. “Cort was playing with a toy that wasn’t doing what he wanted it to do, so he threw it across the room and broke it. He was hysterical and screaming so loudly that he woke up the baby, and she started crying.”

Holly rushed to calm everyone down but as she did, she started to smell smoke. “I went into the kitchen and realized that the oven was on fire.” Olive oil had leaked through the potatoes’ aluminum foil and caused a fire. “I had to grab the fire extinguisher, put out the fire, all while everyone was still screaming.”

Holly said she has learned “less is more” when it comes to the more difficult hours of the day.

“I have found the less I am doing, the smoother things run; multi-tasking hardly ever works out during these hours. Being prepared as much as possible is key, having dinner already made and bottles prepared.”

Brady Peters, a mom of four, says her witching hours can differ due to the varying ages: Cullen,

6, Zach, 5, Kelly, 2, and Bennett, 6 months. “Just this morning, about five minutes after I woke up, [Kelly] had a meltdown that lasted a good 15 minutes.”

She said to handle typically challenging times, she likes to keep a routine. “I have found these Kenson Kids ‘I Can Do It’ chore charts on Amazon.

The kids are really into earning stars for their charts, and [I take them] to Target when they reach a certain goal.”

Sometimes, routines can be difficult. “My husband [Dan] is always telling me to be A MOM WITH A PLAN Brady Peters – with children Cullen, 6, Zach, 5, Kelly, 2, more in the and Bennett, 6 months, keeps to a routine to handle the stressful witching hour. moment,” said “Another tactic is to give my kids eye contact as Brady. “But, right now I really like knowing that much as possible in a hectic morning. I get on their the kids eat dinner at 5 p.m. and bedtime is at 7 level and listen carefully to what they are wanting. p.m. It helps me feel like I’m more in control, [This] takes like one minute each, but when and even if it’s a false sense of security, I’ll take [Coralyn] is about to melt down, slowing down and it.” connecting with her makes a huge difference.”

Michelle Collins, mom of Coralyn, 3, and Michelle’s kids, like most others, can also Joel, 16 months, and a licensed professional have rough afternoon and early evening hours. counselor, says her family’s most difficult time “Going outside can be the only thing to calm of the day is first thing in the morning, which my babies down sometimes. Getting them away presents a big challenge for her because she is from the playground is another story.” “not a morning person.”

Her “worst-case scenario” is waking up late and not being prepared for the day. “If I am For more baby stories, see thebuzzmagazines.com for [being] super mom, the tactic is getting up 30 writer Annie Blaylock McQueen’s column, “Mommy minutes to an hour before the kids wake up, so I Moments.” If you have stories to share, leave a comhave time to compose myself and think through ment online or email info@thebuzzmagazines.com. the day,” said Michelle.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 22

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WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 23

istockphoto.com/GeoPappas

TRAVEL

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by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Travel Buzz

Passport tips from the pros

C

arol Deshong knows about planning – as the owner of a small business she does plenty of that. So when she booked daughter Claire’s senior Spring Break trip to Cabo, she was careful to make sure her passport wasn’t expired.

“I remember feeling relieved that it wasn’t, so I just paid my money before the Spring Break trip in March, and that was October.”

She didn’t think too much more about it until her travel agent, Nora McMordie, sent an e-mail a week before the departure making sure everyone knew that if a passport was set to expire within six months of the return date, it would be necessary to get a new one.

“That’s when we went into freakout mode,” recalls Carol, with a laugh. “Hers was expiring in May, and the trip was in March.”

Like many people, the Deshongs didn’t know about the six-month rule that many countries have. It’s not a new rule, but it has been increasingly enforced in recent years, and U.S. citizens

Where to get a passport The Buzz readership area is loaded with places where you can apply for or renew your passport – provided you don’t wait until the last minute. Here are some: • Astrodome Post Office, 8205 Braesmain Drive, 77025 • Fleetwood Station, 315 Addicks Howell Road, 77079 • Julius Melcher Station, 2802 Timmons Lane, 77027 • Long Point Station, 8000 Long Point Road, 77055 • McGovern/Stella Link Neighborhood Library, 7405 Stella Link Road, 77025 • Memorial Park Post Office, 10505 Town and Country Way, 77024 • Rich Hill Station, 2950 Unity Drive, 77057 • University Station, 1319 Richmond Ave., 77006

traveling on passports that expire in fewer than six months have increasingly been denied airline boarding or been detained upon arrival in certain foreign destinations.

(Canada and Mexico currently do not enforce the six-month rule, but some Central and South American countries do.

Check travel.state.gov, which lists entry requirements by country.)

Carol flew into PLANNING AHEAD An especially large number of passports are expiring soon, action. The soonest so be prepared for company in the passport-renewal lines. appointment she could Ironically, Fradkin is an opthamologist. make was three weeks later, which was too late.

(The eyeglasses rule started November 2016.

She made it anyway, and then they went to the If your current valid passport from before passport office. The fact that they had an November 2016 has your glasses, it is fine.) appointment expedited their process – and they David Hill experienced a stranger borderwere able to get the passport within 24 hours. crossing dilemma, and one that’s a bit more She was lucky. Many others incur heavy complicated to fix. Having a common name has expenses when their tickets must be changed, or made him the unfortunate namesake of a conthey miss out on entire vacations or business victed criminal, meaning that several times he trips. Virginia Elliott, a spokesperson for the U.S. has had the traumatic experience of being Bureau of Consular Affairs, advises travelers to misidentified and manhandled at the border. go the extra mile to make sure their passports are His wife, Denise Nepveux, has suggested he valid early in the travel-planning process. solve the problem by taking her name. David Currently the government is experiencing an says that after his last such experience, he’s conenormous spike in renewals, she said, because sidering it. in 2007 the Western Hemisphere Travel Our experts offer our readers the following Initiative was put into place, requiring a passpassport tips for the year ahead: port for travel to Canada, Mexico and other • Be sure that the name on your plane ticket – places that previously hadn’t required a passand that of every family member – is exactly the port. Nearly 18 million people applied for passsame as the name on your passport. ports that year, most of which have a validity • Don’t bother with a paid passport service. The of 10 years. They will all be expiring soon, process is easy, and a number of post offices and prompting a backlog in passport renewals and libraries in the Houston area offer this service. potentially slowing things down.

• Make sure the expiration is six months out Another tip Elliot offered was to be aware from the return date, not the departure date. that eyeglasses are no longer allowed on passport The most common passport problem is this one, photos. Buzz reader Allan Fradkin didn’t realize according to Nora. this and recently lost three weeks in his pass• See travel.state.gov for detailed information port-application process when he sent in passon the passport application and renewal process. port photos in which he was wearing glasses.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 24

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 25

FOOD

The Junior League of Houston

by Randi Blaschke, contributing writer

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

J

an. 1, 2017 – a brand new year, a brand new blank slate, and a brand new chance to make a New Year’s resolution to get healthy.

If you’re anything like me, I love New Year’s resolutions and the chance to start fresh, with no mistakes, yet.

Every year losing weight and being healthy are consistently ranked as the top resolutions for Americans. Come January, the gym is packed, the grocery stores are crowded, and we are cold-turkey undoing the holiday overindulgences that we’ve just spent the past holiday season packing on.

Until next week…. And we are burned out of eating salads and would just about jump on anyone walking by us with a cookie.

Most of us equate healthy eating with salads and depriving ourselves of treats. I love salads, but sometimes they can get a little boring, and who really knows what two tablespoons of salad dressing look like for a serving size?

Mediterranean Lentil Salad from Stop and Smell the Rosemary is a different take on a traditional salad, full of protein-packed lentils, and it can be made ahead of time and taken to work for lunch.

I’ve found that the best method for sticking to healthy eating is to find hearty, filling recipes of food that I already enjoy. One of my favorite tricks is to substitute cauliflower for rice and make zucchini noodles (“zoodles”) for pasta.

These simple swaps eliminate calories and carbohydrates, and I don’t miss the real stuff. Many come prepackaged at the grocery store to eliminate prep work. I love to make cauliflower “fried rice” (simply shred a head of cauliflower on a grater or by pulsing in a food processor and stir fry in a little sesame oil until soft) and pair it with the Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry from Peace Meals for a delicious weeknight meal.

As far as not having any kind of treat? Well that just makes being healthy depressing! Some people can have a bite of the indulgence they are craving and feel satisfied. Others would prefer a lower fat or calorie dessert so they can have a full-sized serving. Either way, deprivation is a

IT'S A NEW YEAR Pair the Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry from Peace Meals, with some cauliflower "fried rice" for healthy bonus points.

sure-fire way to fall off the bandwagon. Low-Fat Flan from Stop and Smell the Rosemary is a perfect example of an indulgent dessert lightened up to allow for a full-serving size.

In January, I am looking for something warm and hearty, good for the cold weather. A filling stew to prep the night before and throw in my slow cooker before work is the Moroccan Vegetable Stew from Peace Meals. Using Greek yogurt instead of plain also increases the protein to help me feel fuller longer.

Let’s dispel those failed-resolution statistics and stick to our goals this year. And maybe even next.

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry From Peace Meals 1 flank steak, about 1 pound ½ cup oyster sauce ¼ cup chicken broth 2 Tablespoons sherry 2 Tablespoons brown sugar 2 teaspoons sesame oil 2 teaspoons cornstarch 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil, divided 1 head broccoli (about 1½ pounds), cut into bite size-florets 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped 6 cloves garlic, minced 3 green onions, thinly sliced 1 Tablespoon peeled and grated fresh ginger 2 cups cooked rice

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Place the flank steak in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together the oyster sauce, broth, sherry, brown sugar, sesame oil and cornstarch in a bowl; set aside. Remove the steak from the freezer. Slice the meat along the grain into 3 long pieces; slice again thinly against the grain into bite-size pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet or wok over high. Stir-fry the beef until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Transfer the meat and accumulated juices to a clean bowl. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in the same skillet and add the broccoli, bell pepper and 1⁄3 cup of water. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is bright green, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Uncover and continue to cook until the liquid evaporates, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil, the garlic, green onions and ginger. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the reserved oyster sauce mixture and beef, and toss until the beef and vegetables are well coated with the sauce. Serve over a bed of rice (or that cauliflower “fried rice”).

Serves 4.

To buy a Houston Junior League cookbook, see jlh.org or call 713-871-6608.

MORE ONLINE For other recipes mentioned in this story, see thebuzzmagazines.com.

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New year, new you New year, new you! I’m sure you have heard that statement before, but has it worked yet? Regardless, if you are a weekend warrior or a diehard gym-goer, this time of year you will notice a huge increase in traffic in the gym – until about Feb. 17, when people start to give up, when life gets in the way, and there are just so many other distractions that training gets placed on the back burner. This is also the time frame when the numbers on the scale stop going down and the results stop showing (and those New Year “resolutioners” give up). So what then? Well hopefully these few tips will help get you in the right direction and keep you going long into the New Year – and achieve this “new you” that you’ve been waiting and hoping for.

First and foremost, be there! Get into the gym after work. Bring your workout gear in a duffel bag, leave it in the car and rock and roll as soon as you get off work. Don’t go home.

Second, cardio is not the answer. As a beginner, the treadmills are great and can have their benefits. But don’t stay on that cardio equipment for too long. In order to see some great results (specifically fat loss) you have to do things your body is not used to. So in order for your body to change you need to include exercises and movements that you typically don’t do. Don’t get me wrong; cardio has its place, but there are some better ways, like using strength training, to achieve that new look you have always wanted.

Include exercises like squat to rows, step ups to shoulder pressing, and lunge to curls to press. These movements require the most metabolic

demand on the body and therefore require the most amount of energy (fat) to burn. If you feel uncomfortable with some of these movements, get hooked up with a qualified trainer.

They can put you on a good strengthtraining program which can get you in the right direction.

Don’t listen to all the hype.

Infomercials are fantastic at convincing you to give them money. Those six-pack shortcuts and hardcore insanity video workout programs don't work; they just burn you out and hurt you. Your workout routine should be a program that caters to you, not a cookie-cutter routine with a pretty face barking exercises through the TV screen. Instead of a video, choose a real person who cares about your results as much as you do. Remember that there are local professionals who would love to help you reach your goals.

Feel free to email us if you'd like to see a topic featured here.

Good luck in 2017!

David Boettcher, Team Member, Pledge To Fitness, 4665 Southwest Fwy., Suite 207, Houston, TX 77027, 877.348.3481, www.pledgetofitness.com

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DINING

by Dai Huynh, staff writer

Nicole Routhier

Find out about your favorite chefs, and where they like to eat, in our Chef’s Corner column. This month, restaurant writer Dai Huynh interviews chef Nicole Routhier.

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ow is the coffee?” asks Le Colonial culinary director and partner Nicole Routhier in a lilting FrenchVietnamese accent. “We use Cafe Du Monde, just like the Vietnamese. We have Vietnamese who come here, and they would complain if we didn’t use Cafe Du Monde for our coffee.”

French-Vietnamese Nicole is very aware that Texas has the second largest Vietnamese population after California. Here, you can’t fudge. Too many people know it. “In a way, I’m a traditionalist,” says the chef. “I like to respect my roots. It’s important because without it, we wouldn’t have Vietnamese cuisine.

I like the flavors to be as authentic as possible, but if there is room for improvement, I’m going to take that opportunity to tweak it a little. Why not, right?”

The elevated food presentation complements the old-world elegance of 6-month-old Le Colonial, gleaming with polished wood and verdant with towering palm fronds and banana plants. The scene at 4444 Westheimer harkens to a languid French colonial era of sitting rooms lined with chinoiserie furniture, silk and men in white linen. Nicole’s menu, however, is anything but staid.

Working closely with executive chef Dan Nguyen, she has updated dishes that she created for the opening of the original Le Colonial in New York 24 years ago. And while she may substitute salmon for the traditional catfish, or even add a dash of local flavor, like tossing Texas grapefruit into the goi ga chicken-and-cabbage slaw, the vibrant essence of Southeast Asia remains intact.

Like French cooking, which Vietnamese cooks heavily borrowed from for more than half a century, sauces make or break a chef. Here, Nicole hasn’t dumbed down her sauces, unlike many Vietnamese restaurants vying for a wider audience. Her vivid dipping sauce for the porkand-shrimp egg rolls that legendary food editor

Craig Claiborne praised is a vivid sing-song of sweet and sour fish sauce infused with fresh lime juice instead of the monotone white vinegar that most Vietnamese restaurants across the United States have come to rely on to cut costs and labor.

The success of the first Le Colonial led to a Chicago location in 1996, which Nicole also helped to open. A year later, Nicole left all that behind to relocate to Houston with her husband, Anthony Laudin.

She settled into teaching classes at Sur La Table and Central Market while stepping closer to retirement – until one day, when the 60-year-old chef was persuaded back into the commercial kitchen by Le Colonial founder Rick Wahlstedt and partner Joe King. We caught up with Nicole on a recent afternoon as she sat in quiet corner of the restaurant, sampling a variety of her top sell- NICOLE ROUTHIER Le Colonial's Nicole Routhier, who is French-Vietnamese, ers. She does this occa- is known for her sauces and her award-winning book, The Foods of Vietnam. sionally on a whim to It took me three years to finish The Foods of gauge quality and consistency. In between bites, Vietnam. I never wrote in my life, but it was a she recounted how crispy fried spring rolls made labor of love. I was in my late 20s and about to her famous and led to her influential The Foods graduate from the Culinary Institute of America of Vietnam. in Hyde Park. At about the same time, New York What prompted you to write your first Times food editor Craig Claiborne wrote an artibook, which won all sorts of awards, including cle about the lack of authenticity in Asian the Julia Child Award for Best American cuisines, particularly Vietnamese. He wrote Cookbook from the International Association about how much he loved Vietnam, and the of Culinary Professionals?

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 28

Julie Soefer Photography

Chef’s Corner

Julie Soefer Photography

LE COLONIAL Le Colonial's Bo Luc Lac, shaken beef, is a classical example of the marriage of French and Vietnamese cuisines.

foods were so great, he could never forget the flavors. It bothered me so much that I wrote him a letter. I thought, “I really wish he could taste my food.”

He responded and invited you to cook at his home in the Hamptons. He also invited chef Jacques Pépin.

It was a good thing I didn’t know that Jacques Pépin was coming. I was already nervous. Craig had decided to use my dinner as the basis for an article. He didn’t know what he was going to write, but he made me promise to include cha gio. He had been dreaming of the fried spring rolls he had in Vietnam. I thought, “My mom makes a mean cha gio, so I’m going to make a mean cha gio.” It included crab, chicken and shrimp, and I use Vietnamese rice paper, not the Chinese wrapper.

When I laid out the meal, he zeroed in on the spring roll. He would eat it, stone face. I couldn’t tell if he was enjoying his food or not.

Meanwhile, Jacques Pépin and the Italian countess were saying, “Wow, this is good.

Fantastic.” Craig followed up with a few questions and that was it; I went home.

His article on your banquet came out two weeks later. He praised your cha gio and described your shrimp soup as having exceptional texture and flavor, containing fresh slender bamboo shoots.

The article came out, and I had agents and editors urging me to write a Vietnamese cook-

book. The thought never entered my mind until then. I thought people write books only after they retired. But then I realized that for me, the book was about keeping my heritage alive. You see I had lost my mother so young, and I felt I never had the chance to give back to her. She had sacrificed so much for me and my sister. So I realized that it was never too soon or too late to start such a thing. In my way, the book was my gift to her, for all that she had given and taught me.

Many people are familiar with Vietnamese food. But what about when the book was published in 1989?

That was another reason I wanted to write the book. Back then, when you mentioned Vietnamese food, it was, “Oh is that like Chinese?” I would spend hours explaining that it was not.

Vietnamese New Year coincides with Chinese New Year on January 27. Will you have a special menu?

I’m working on that right now, and I’m always open to ideas. What do you think I should have on the menu?

Maybe banh tet, the Vietnamese glutinous rice cake stuffed with mung bean paste and pork?

Yes, maybe in the form of tamale or, even better, fried lightly until crispy on the outside and serve with homemade pickles. You know we also make excellent beef pho soup here. We serve it as an appetizer here, and we simmer the broth

for hours with tons of bones and oxtail. I’m thinking of maybe shredding the oxtail and making fried oxtail dumplings for Vietnamese New Year.

That sounds terrific. Speaking of delicious food. Where do you and your husband go to eat these days?

For French, another food I can’t go a month without, my favorite is Artisans (3201 Louisiana Street). I go for the bouillabaisse. It’s hard to find good bouillabaisse, and Artisans’ version is very good. For special occasions, they have wonderful foie gras. Almost everything on the menu is good.

On my days off, it’s a no brainer. I love Chinese food. I also want something I don’t have to think too much about. A favorite go-to spot is Mein Restaurant (9630 Clarewood Drive, Suite A13) for Cantonese. Try their pan-fried dumplings. They’re really good, along with their honey-roasted pork.

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

MORE ONLINE See thebuzzmagazines.com/restaurants for restaurant listings. Use the restaurant finder to search by area, cuisine and price. Leave a comment online or write to info@thebuzzmagazines.com with your dining stories and suggestions.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 29

DINING

by Dai Huynh, staff writer

This Month in Dining

Super Bowl spurs new restaurants Julie Soefer Photography

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ouston’s kitchens are heating up.

Restaurants open throughout the year, but 2017 brings scores of fresh choices and a blast of energy. With Super Bowl LI just around the corner, the frenzy of new openings is fever high. Here is our look at new restaurants to fork into now and concepts to look forward to.

Just a month ago, Étoile owners Monica Bui and husband-chef Philippe Verpiand were speedily adding the final touches to their 5,000plus-square-foot duo concept in Marvy Finger’s residential high-rise One Park Place. Brasserie du Parc (1400 McKinney Street) follows their popular French restaurant in Uptown Park.

“We wanted Brasserie du Parc to be done before Super Bowl. Everybody is trying to get their restaurants open before the Super Bowl,” Bui says. “Typically January is a slow month for restaurants; everybody is recovering from the holidays. But this year, with the Super Bowl, it’ll be different.”

The Super Bowl is expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, so new eats, looking to infuse a little cash back into the coffer after an extensive build-out, have sprouted all over the city the last five months. Game day at NRG Stadium unfolds on Feb. 5, but the post parties and concerts stretch over nearly two weeks. To start, Downtown’s Discovery Green Park anticipates 1 million football fans during its free10-day Super Bowl LIVE fan festival starting Jan. 27.

Brasserie du Parc sits across from Discovery Green, and Bui hopes festivity goers will spill into the restaurant, with its stylish 360-degree square bar, mezzanine and spacious terrace that connects to Crêperie du Parc, a walk-up window that serves to-go sweet and savory crepes from France and Japan.

Nearby, as part of an extensive makeover, the Four Seasons Hotel (1300 Lamar) has partnered with famed restaurateur-chef Richard Sandoval to develop Bayou & Bottle, a top-flight lobby bar and restaurant opening this month.

Sandoval, with more than 40 restaurants around the world, will showcase rare whiskeys and more than 70 varieties of bourbon along with a New American menu.

RELISH RESTAURANT & BAR Relish’s lamb chops arrive in their natural juice with green peas and charred lemon.

One of the most anticipated openings this month is James Beard award-winning Underbelly chef Chris Shepherd’s ambitious One Fifth (1658 Westheimer Road), which changes concept every year for five years, starting with his steakhouse. “Every 11 months, we’ll change,” he said. “The idea is to close in August, which is a tough month, because it is hot. So it’s a good time for us to change concept.”

Super Bowl aside, with mixed-use development on the rise along with seven new mid-rises and high-rises in downtown, a slew of new restaurants are on the burner this year. Here are ones to try now.

• Kiran Verma continues to add her magical

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 30

touch to classic Indian fare at her new Kiran’s at Levy Park (2925 Richmond). The elegant new location offers many old favorites along with new dishes. One big difference: Verma no longer hosts her immensely popular Afternoon Tea on Saturday. Instead, it’s now available Monday-Friday to the delights of fans of this timeless tradition with an Indian twist.

• Watch out, toques. Ronnie Killen is inside the Houston city limits. The notable Pearland chef has combined his two popular concepts – Killen’s Barbecue and Killen’s Steakhouse – into Killen’s STQ (2231 S. Voss). The focus here is on wood-based preparations, from wood grilling to classic smoke.

Agu Ramen

AGU RAMEN Agu Ramen’s Hakata-style ramen has rich, milky pork tonkotsu broth and ramen noodles.

• Oahu-transport Agu Ramen (1809 Eldridge Parkway South, 9310 Westheimer, 7340 Washington Ave.) garnered international accolades for Japanese-born chef Hisashi Uehara’s belly-warming ramen noodle soups, with their long-simmering dense broths. There are 20-plus options, including the black garlicfused Original Kotteri, bobbing with seabura, lush slivers of pork-back fat cherished by the Japanese for its creaminess.

• Relish (2810 Westheimer) has evolved from a top-notch soup-and-sandwich shop on San Felipe to a restaurant and bar. Newlyweds Addie D’Agostino and chef Dustin Teague have refashioned their brain-child to include a fullservice dinner menu of lamb chops, rotisserie chicken and New Orleans barbecue shrimp.

Lunch retains its casual counter-service draw with signature hand-crafted gourmet sandwiches and salads.

• The newly minted 150,000-square-foot Marriott Marquis (1777 Walker Street), with multiple rooftop lawns, houses several venues.

Among them are Xochi, where James Beardnominated chef Hugo Ortega stretches his culinary muscles with creative interpretations of modern Mexican. Walker Street Kitchen serves American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Then there is two-story Craig Biggio’s eponymous sports bar, Cueva wine-and-tapas bar and Texas T for coffee and pastries.

• The area around Discovery Green, Hilton Americas and the revamped George R. Brown Convention Center is being dubbed as the

Avenida Houston district and touted as the city’s new restaurant row and entertainment hub. A number of new additions line its streets, including Houston standards Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Pappasito’s Cantina, Grotto and Bud’s Pitmaster BBQ. • Marvy Finger’s second downtown high-rise, 500 Crawford, features two Italian concepts from Houston Astros owner Jim Crane. Osso is an upscale, white-tablecloth, northern Italian restaurant with veal chops, steaks, seafood and homemade pastas. Kristalla is a three-meal, casual Italian trattoria.

• The Pit Room (1201 Richmond) is smoking with satisfied customers and tender brisket and pulled pork. Sausages – three kinds, including jalapeño-cheddar pork and black pepper-garlic venison – are made fresh daily. Buy a pound or opt for one-to-three-meat plates with two sides.

• The Adair Family Restaurant Group added an American bistro, Eloise Nichols Grill & Liquors (2400 Mid Lane, Suite 100), and Bebidas Juice, Coffee & Bites (2606 Edloe Street) to its impressive roster that includes Skeeter’s Mesquite Grill, Adair Kitchen and Los Tios Mexican Restaurant.

Here are some restaurants to put on your musttry list when they open in the upcoming months: • Without a doubt, one of the most anticipated openings for many of our Chinese foodie friends is Yauatcha in The Galleria. Slated to open in March, the Houston location is a big score for H-Town. It is the first U.S. location for

the London’s Michelin-star dim sum and sophisticated French patisserie concept, which currently has only two locations, in England and India.

• Fig & Olive, an upscale Mediterranean import from New York, will open in The Galleria this fall.

• New York-based 10,000-square-foot Nobu, a Japanese-Peruvian sushi concept from acclaimed Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, will open on the second level of The Galleria this fall.

• Hopefully by spring, Houstonians will judge for themselves if Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken (1815 Washington Avenue) deserves its A-plus ratings for its crispy signature coating.

• Chef Jamie Zelko will debut Ivy & James in the spring when the first phase of the renovated Evelyn’s Park (4400 Bellaire Boulevard) opens at the former site of the Teas Nursery.

The park board selected Zelko after an extensive research and interviews of restaurants across the city. Ivy & James will focus on sustainable, healthy fare along with classes on gardening and cooking.

• Former Underbelly and Reef sous chef Ryan Lachaine should be in the kitchen of his Riel Restaurant (1927 Fairview) by early 2017.

His succinct menu features 18 or so modern American options with hearty touches from his windswept prairie roots of Manitoba, Canada.

• Tilman Fertitta’s high-profile, 10-acre, Uptown/Galleria project, The Post Oak, will be anchored by a luxury hotel, posh apartments and the famed Mastro’s Steakhouse, the first one in Texas. It’s slated to open in spring.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 31

SPORTS

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by Todd Freed, staff writer

SportzBuzz C

halk up another powerful season for the Memorial Mustangs tennis team, which advanced to the state finals in team tennis for the fifth time in school history.

To get there, Memorial captured its eighth straight regional championship, before ultimately falling to Plano West by a 10-6 margin in the Class 6A State Team Tennis Championship Final.

“Our kids just played outstanding all year,” said Mustangs tennis coach Bud Booth. The Mustangs boasted an overall record of 18-1, with their only defeat coming in the state-title match. Memorial also won its 12th consecutive district championship, and owned a No. 1 state ranking for virtually the entire season. “It was really exciting for us to have that No. 1 ranking, and the kids also held up to the pressure that comes with that kind of recognition.”

Memorial’s No. 1 boys singles player was Andrew Esses, with Anthony Huynh, Artur Zigman, Neil Mabee, Ben Westwick, Cole Rassner and Thomas Graves also winning big matches throughout the season. On the girls’ side, freshman Natalija Dimitrijevic, who teamed with Rassner to win their state-finals match in mixed doubles, was the Mustangs’ No. 1-seeded player. Plus, Chloe Sands, Natalie Hur, Maya Prakash, Sarah Mabee, Nina Solovyeva and Lauren Vu were all major contributors in the Mustangs’ magnificent run to the state finals.

The Emery/Weiner Jaguars finished just three wins shy of defending its TAPPS Division 1 state championship in six-man football. The Jaguars were defeated by Austin Veritas Academy 77-66 in the second round of the playoffs to finish the year with a 9-2 record. Ironically, the Jaguars had defeated Veritas in the third game of the regular season 78-64. “It still was a great year,” said Jaguars head coach Adrian Adams. “It’s really difficult to win two state titles in a row. We had a bull’s-eye on our back all season.”

Adams had high praise for a standout senior class, including quarterback David Kleban, who threw for over 2,000 yards and 47 touchdowns, while four-year letterman Lewis Graubart led the team with over 100 tackles. In addition, Michael Ran not only had nine interceptions on defense,

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS For the third consecutive season, the St. John’s Mavericks captured the SPC Boys Cross Country Championship. The Mavericks had five of the top 20 finishers at this year’s SPC meet.

but also scored 11 touchdowns as the Jaguars’ leading receiver. Another top receiver was Garrett Glover, who scored 11 touchdowns this season.

On the ground, senior Grant Schneider scored 20 touchdowns, while also accounting for five interceptions on defense. Other big contributors from that senior class included defensive back and up-back Brandon Gomel, defensive lineman Michael Talisman, receiver Jake Plantowsky, kicker Jacob Levin, running back Zack Pokroy and tight end Kyle Stein.

In cross country, the St. John’s Mavericks ran away from the field to handily win their third straight SPC Boys Cross Country Championship. “We have great depth on this team, and all our guys ran a tremendous race,” said Mavericks coach Richie Mercado.

The Mavericks boasted five of the top 20 finishers at the SPC meet, including Drew Woodfolk, who finished fifth overall. “Drew ran really well despite battling some hip issues that bothered him this season. He’s a great runner and a hard worker,” said Mercado.

The other top 20 finishers for St. John’s, who all earned all-state honors along with Woodfolk, were Sam Faraguna, Jayan Hanson, Sean Jackson and Pearse Higgason. In addition, Ian Thakur and Samuel Ho, who both just finished

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 32

just outside the top 20, scored valuable points as St John’s chalked up the 16th SPC Boys Cross Country Championship in school history.

For the third straight year, St. Agnes Academy finished a strong second at the TAPPS 6A State Cross Country Meet. “We ran solid all season,” said Tigers coach Kristi Robbins. “We were always in the top three at the major UIL meets we competed in across the state.”

At the TAPPS state meet, senior Maryella Cohn led the way for the Tigers with a thirdplace overall finish, while junior Emily Sullivan was the next top finisher for St. Agnes. Also running well for the Tigers at the state meet were Amber Boettiger, Savannah Marks, Emelia Bartusiak, Claire Scott and Emory Reilly.

“Our freshmen stepped up and all the girls ran their best at state. They worked hard all summer and gave it everything they had,” said Robbins. “Plus, with three of our top girls returning, we should have a great shot at winning it all next season.”

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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The truth on LTC insurance I often have clients tell me wonderful stories of how long-term care (LTC) insurance provided for an elderly relative or friend when they really needed it. Shouldn’t I get coverage for myself, they ask?

The short answer is that I generally advise against it. I’ll explain why, but first, what is LTC insurance? These policies pay a capped daily amount for services to help you with basic activities such as bathing, dressing and eating, if you are left unable to perform those duties yourself. That unfortunate circumstance could befall any of us, for example, as a result of a stroke or advanced-stage dementia. Depending on the policy, LTC insurance might also cover other types of skilled care and apply to care in either your own home or a nursing facility. The difference from ordinary health insurance is that LTC insurance is designed for long-term help, wherein the insured may not realistically be expected to get better over time.

Such insurance can sound very tempting, but the disappointing truth about LTC policies is that, while many early adopters did benefit from them, they are not such a good deal anymore. Since it was a new form of coverage, insurers initially underestimated how much they would have to pay out, and underpriced their policies as a result. Having learned their lesson the hard way (through a hit to their profits), insurers have now adjusted in various ways.

Many companies simply left the market. The number of firms offering LTC coverage has declined from around 100 at one time to only a handful today.

Companies that do offer coverage have often scaled back on exactly what

Watch Their Smiles Grow

their policies will cover. You could find yourself in a dispute over small print when trying to get an insurer to pay. And you should expect to pay handsomely for any bells and whistles in your coverage through a higher premium.

Fixed-premium LTC policies are extremely hard to find now. And as your premium rises with age, if you can no longer afford it you might end up losing all the money you had invested in a policy.

The final verdict on LTC insurance? My usual advice is to take the money you would have paid into it and put that into an investment asset instead. That way the money can be there to help if you need it. And you might well end up with more money that way than if you had taken an LTC policy.

As we get older it’s hard not to worry about things like losing our ability to live independently. That’s why it’s so important to arrange your complete financial life so that you are prepared for a variety of challenges. That’s the way to put your mind at ease, so you can fill it with gratitude for what you have instead of worry for what may or may not come. Insurance is one of the ways in which to do that, but not necessarily the only way.

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

Oral healthcare for the growing & developing child Joel J. Vela, D.D.S. Bellaire Pediatric Dentistry, P.A. 6750 West Loop South, Suite 795 713.661.1100 • www.bellairesmiles.com

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 33

SPORTS

.

by Angie Frederickson, staff writer

SportzBuzz, Jr. W

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

SFL champs The freshman Ducks (top photo) won the Southwest Football League championship with a 26-12 victory over the Longhorns. After ending the season with a 7-1 record, the first- and second-grade boys went on to defeat the Irish in the playoffs before meeting the Longhorns in the final game. During the regular season, the Ducks and Longhorns played against each other twice, and each team won once, making the championship game evenly matched.

The Ducks were able to hold on in the second half with solid defense to win the game. The championship Ducks are (from left) Zach Negro, Oliver Zinn, James Young, Kyle Brooks, Pryce Cravens, Garrett Schellinger, Nicholas Starling, Case Lindsay, Charlie Adams and Lloyd Jamieson.

The Emery/Weiner School eighth-grade blue volleyball team (middle photo) finished the season as runner-up in the Greater Houston Athletic Conference.

Last year, they won the GHAC championship as seventh graders and returned for another strong season this year. A highlight of this season was their thirdplace finish in the Fort Bend Christian Academy tournament, where they defeated Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, River Oaks Baptist School and Trafton Academy. The team is (top row, from left) Mia Kalinsky, Eliana Haas, Taya Kol, Simone Newar, coach Angie Gubitz, Zoe Tuchshneider, Hayley Selzer; (bottom row, from left) Samantha Sorkin, Bergen Friedman, Maya Levy, Carly Schneider, Cassidy Rubenstein and Kayla Frank.

Fred Provada Photography

Volleyball-season success

Crushing the competition St. John the Divine’s Orange Crush team (bottom photo) won the United Church Athletic League soccer championship. Led by coaches Shawn Gross and Billy Bragan, the third- and fourth-grade boys defeated a River Oaks Baptist School team, 3-1, in the final game. The Orange Crush finished the regular season in a tie for first place and was seeded first in the playoffs. The championship soccer team is (top row, from left) coach Billy Bragan and coach Shawn Gross; (middle row, from left) Stockard Bragan, Maxwell Gross, Sam Griggs, Angus Harris, Lawson Duncan, David Qian, Phillip Sitton; (bottom row, from left) Spencer Fairbanks, Adrian Castillo, Connor McCain, Pierce Crist, William Sasser and Parker Moore; not pictured: Lachlan McFarland.

Proud sponsor of West University and neighboring sports WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 34

Editor’s note: Send your best high-resolution photos and behind-the-scenes stories about young local athletes, in both team and individual sports, to SportzBuzz, Jr. at info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Include all contact info, names, ages, grades and schools. Featured athletes must live in Buzz-circulation neighborhoods. Items will be published on a space-available basis.

979 Bunker Hill, 77024 • 5709 Woodway, 77057 • 4024 Bellaire Blvd., 77025 • islandgrillhouston.com

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A minute with Maisie

Stepping into a healthy 2017

Many clients ask me, “Where will my divorce take place?” Jurisdiction and venue issues arise most often when one party has moved to another county or state and the other party remains in the marital residence. The Texas Family Code provides that you or your spouse must have resided in Harris County for the preceding 90 days and the state of Texas for the preceding six months prior to the filing of the petition if you desire to file your divorce action in Harris County, Texas.

Obviously, if there are multi-state issues, this can become quite complicated, but the Texas Family Code has codified Uniform Acts that provide some guidance for potential jurisdiction dilemmas. If there are jurisdiction questions in your case, do not hesitate to contact an attorney as these issues can become quite problematic if not resolved according to the law. Maisie A. Barringer is a partner at Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P., a full-service, boutique, familylaw firm specializing in divorce, child-custody modifications, grandparent access, paternity, adoption, and premarital and postmarital agreements.

Maisie A. Barringer has been recognized as a Texas Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly magazine for 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012-2015.

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

When making your New Year’s resolutions, remember to include exercising your feet. Exercising your feet on a regular basis not only improves overall foot health, but may also reduce the risk for injury.

Walking is the best overall foot exercise.

Before walking or doing any other type of exercise, take a few minutes to warm-up and stretch, therefore strengthening the muscles in your feet. Start out slowly, aiming for 20 minutes three times a week and gradually increasing. If you’re not wearing the proper shoes for exercise, you’re leaving your feet vulnerable to injury. Get your shoes properly fit and pay attention to their shelf life. Most good running shoes last 300-600 miles. Make sure your shoes provide enough support, but allow your feet to breathe.

Always walk with your head up and your back straight while swinging your arms freely. If you encounter pain in your feet when exercising, don’t try to self-diagnose your problem. Ignoring your pain could make it worse and/or put added stress on the other muscles in your body. Be good to your feet, and they will be good to you! Don’t hesitate to bring your foot pain or other foot ailments to us for relief. Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy New Year!

Bellaire Podiatry/Nail Laser Center of Houston, Dr. Barry P. Weinstein, 4909 Bissonnet, Suite 120, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.721.5500, www.BarryWeinsteinDPM.com

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 35

CHEF MARISA Marisa Papell, a senior at The Emery/Weiner School, is heading to culinary school next year. Here she’s pictured (at left) with her sister Darci, who came home from college for Marisa’s Thanksgiving dinner.

KIDS

by Marisa Papell, age 18

Buzz Kidz S

From Mother’s Day meals to culinary school

ince the fifth grade I have been obsessed with cooking. This passion started when I cooked my first meal on Mother’s Day without the help of my sister Darci. Every year, we cook for my mom to thank her for everything that she does. That year, I made a five-course meal consisting of cucumber and dill soup, steak with red wine sauce, coconut rice, coconut brownies and Italian lemonade. From then on, I immersed myself in all things food-related.

The first step I took to become a better chef was to watch many hours of Food Network. I learned from famous chefs who taught me how to make weekend meals for my family, and how to make holiday celebrations show stopping through food. I knew that I needed a way to practice and learn more so I spent three summers at C’est Si

Bon cooking school in North Carolina. I learned how to make fresh pasta and homemade bread, and I spent time in the garden tasting fresh herbs.

Then, I made it my goal to take my parents to new restaurants all around Houston. I have found many favorites, but the one that I will always go back to is Triniti Restaurant. The open kitchen gives me insight about what working in a restaurant one day will be like. I have made it my mission to collect as many cookbooks as possible, which now seem to be overflowing all over my house.

Recently, I was given The Laws of Cooking: And How to Break Them by Justin Warner. The book combines unlikely ingredients in a way that you would have never thought to do yourself.

Next year I will be attending culinary school (either at Culinary Institute of America or

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Johnson & Wales University), and I can’t wait to see where my adventures with food take me because I have enjoyed every minute. I can’t wait for what is next.

MORE ONLINE See this story at thebuzzmagazines.com for Marisa’s current favorite recipe, Damaris Phillips’ Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Sea Salt Marshmallow Caramels, which she made for this year’s Thanksgiving.

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.

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5104 Cedar Street in Bellaire (behind Starbucks on S. Rice) 713-470-2600 www.bigfrog.com/bellaire WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 36

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A specialty school

College-prep checklist

Crossroads School, Inc. is an academic specialty school that directly addresses the educational needs of children with learning differences and the social/emotional needs directly occurring from them.

The Crossroads student population is comprised of children with a variety of learning differences, such as ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia, which we address with our individualized curriculum. Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NVD or NVLD) is a lesser known disorder that we also address. The cognitive and functional limitations of NVLD affects the child’s daily home and classroom performance. Children with this diagnosis will have poor coordination and difficulties with math, following instructions, meeting deadlines, handling new tasks, developing friendships and understanding social interactions.

Such behaviors often get misinterpreted as being lazy or uncooperative rather than understood and addressed as a neurological dysfunction. As with most learning disabilities, NVLD is lifelong, should be diagnosed by a psychologist or neuropsychologist, and is most often done so in the middle to late childhood years.

Being aware of the existence of NVLD helps parents, teachers and doctors ask relevant questions and lead to more accurate diagnoses and interventions.

Crossroads School, Inc. is accredited by TAAPS (Texas Alliance of Accredited Private Schools).

Crossroads School, Inc. is currently accepting applications for the 201718 school year. For more information contact info@crossroadshouston.org or visit our website, www.crossroadshouston.org.

Crossroads School, Inc., located in the Galleria area at 5822 Dolores Street, Houston, Texas 77057, 713.977.1221, www.crossroadshouston.org

Congratulations to all the seniors who have applied to college and to those who have already received acceptances. While the seniors round the corner, and there is more to be done to prepare for the first year in college, it is time for the juniors to really step into those college-prep shoes.

Here’s your January checklist: • Watch for senioritis! You’re not done yet.

Colleges will still look at your final grades.

Start this last semester strong, but also stay strong until the finish.

• Continue to research and send in any scholarship applications.

• While you wait for decisions, tour colleges that you may not have visited yet.

• Juniors, you must start test prep now, if you haven’t already. Schedule a FREE 2nd SATurday practice test on Jan. 14 to get you started.

• Take the Jan. 21 SAT (Register by Jan. 10).

• Register by Jan. 20 for the Feb. 11 ACT. For more customized help with college preparation, please contact us.

Our professionals develop and execute a customized plan for each student that aligns school academics, standardized testing, and college counseling with college and career goals.

Firat Educational Solutions, LLC, Ibrahim Firat, MBA, Independent Educational Consultants Association Professional Member, 3701 W. Alabama, Suite 390, Houston, Texas 77027, 713.871.1048, www.firateducation.com

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 37

sponsored by

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Lily, age 10, Brussels Griffon, Talbott St. Hello, everyone. My name is Lily, and I am a 10-year-old Brussels Griffon. My “two-legger” mom rescued me from the National Brussels Griffon Rescue when I was 3 months.

My new dad was ill, but I was his loyal companion for three years, sitting in the chair while he read or lying next to him when he was feeling punk. I was sad after he died, but then I had a new job – looking after Mom. Fast forward to my fifth birthday. I got a new dad, who I love very much. My pet sitter taught me to sit, stay, spin, roll over and to play hide ‘n’ seek. Sometimes I go to The Gathering Place with Mom to do my tricks and let the clients pet me. My favorite activities are walks with my parents and curling up next to them in bed. Life is good!

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. Featured pets receive two passes to Rover Oaks Pet Resort. Each pass can be redeemed for one day of lodging in a Bunk House Suite, 25 percent off your next grooming appointment or 25 percent off one obedience training class.

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BELLAIRE WEST UNIVERSITY MEMORIAL TANGLEWOOD RIVER OAKS To advertise in The Buzz Magazines, contact us at 713.668.4157, ext. 19 or advertising@thebuzzmagazines.com

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 38

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Time to train your dog

How do you choose a school?

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) has declared January to be “National Train Your Dog Month.” In support of this theme, the APDT-certified trainers at Rover Oaks Pet Resort encourage pet owners to look for training opportunities to positively shape your dog’s behavior and enhance your relationship with your best friend. Here are the Top 10 Reasons why our clients come to Rover Oaks needing help from our trainers: (1) Improve socialization and/or prevent fearful behavior, (2) Stop jumping up, (3) Come when I call, (4) Instill good potty training habits, (5) Help with pulling too hard on leash, (6) Control puppy nipping and mouthiness, (7) Stop running out the front door, (8) Improve relationship with a friend’s dog or a relative’s dog, (9) Stop nuisance barking, and (10) Control destructive chewing behavior. As indicated in last month’s issue of The Buzz, helping Fido with good manners isn’t necessarily difficult. It may just require understanding how to reinforce good behavior and how to change undesirable behaviors – and then making a commitment to spend a little time each day working with your beloved canine. For help, there are a variety of excellent books available on positive, rewards-based training, or you can contact the training department of Rover Oaks at 713-662-2119, option 4. Have a great month!

Rover Oaks Pet Resort, 2550 West Bellfort, Houston, Texas 77054, 713.662.2119, www.roveroaks.com

Once you have calculated the student/teacher ratio, reviewed the curricula, and assessed the overall student preparation for middle school, what really makes your decision? We know it’s more than what we can show you on paper. The answer lives within each family.

“We chose BYDS because we were looking for a nurturing environment with play-based learning, a strong academic program, and integrated Judaic studies. Most importantly, a school where our children would be happy. We found that and more at BYDS. Small class size allows teachers to focus on students individually. Kids are more engaged with the hands-on learning approach. Teachers foster independence, creativity, and problem solving.

Hebrew classes and the expansion of the Spanish language program add to the appeal of BYDS. A strong sense of community and the focus on Jewish culture and values made BYDS the best choice we could have made for our family. We, and our children, have made incredible friends at BYDS.” – Season Paquette and Misha Govshteyn, Pre-K and Kindergarten parents Our curriculum involves a topnotch academic program and is rooted with strong Jewish values. These universal values are built into everything we do at BYDS. Come visit for a private tour where you can ask all the questions you’ve been wondering about choosing the right school for your family.

Beth Yeshurun Day School, 4525 Beechnut Blvd., Houston, Texas 77096, 713.666.1884, admissions@byds.org, www.byds.org

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WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 39

Dave Rossman

NEIGHBORS

.

by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz About Town Fun on the field

of child sex trafficking, and honor Anna and Dr. Zachary Hodges. See houstonjuniorforum.org.

Celebrating 75 years Cancer survivors, families and friends of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, including (pictured below, from left) Dr. Elizabeth Mittendorf and Dr. Jennifer Litton, gathered in the Texas Medical Center to celebrate MD Anderson’s 75th anniversary.

The event raised nearly $15 million to support MD Anderson’s mission to end cancer. Some 2,000 guests, including dignitaries from around the world, including Vice President Joe Biden and former President George H.W. Bush, attended the gala that raised nearly $14 million.

West University Elementary School first graders Kirsten Moon and Hannah Berlin (pictured, from left), along with students, faculty and parents, ventured outside for some healthy competition at the school’s annual field day. Kids enjoyed competing against others in their grade level in various games. They darted across the field in the baton relay, 50-yard dash and potato-sack race, and gave it their all in tug-of-war.

Full and fulfilling The Friendsgiving pot dinner at Carolyn Shelton’s home for the Houston Junior Forum was a warm and fuzzy evening. Her 14-foot table had multiple main courses. The members were also bubbly about the upcoming HJF Conversations of the Heart luncheon at Hotel ZaZa Feb. 9, co-chaired by Laura Hellums and Pat Martin. It will feature Nikki Richnow, cofounder of Freedom Place, a haven for victims WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 40

Helping the homeless Laura and Steve Jones (pictured), along with more than 350 patrons, attended the Trees of Hope holiday gala at The Citadel on Kirby.

Honorary chair Lynn Wyatt, along with gala cochairs Donna Grehn and Sharon Schwartz, planned the evening in cel- (continued on page 42)

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The underachiever’s estate plan I was having lunch with a renowned estate planner. “Bob,” I asked.

“What’s your exit strategy?” “Die,” he responded brightly.

It doesn’t get simpler than that, but the results can be haphazard, and the cost ruinous. Not to you, of course, because you’re dead. I guess that was Bob’s happy insight.

I make a living serving people who fret about death and disability, and insist on planning for it. They want wills, sometimes revocable trusts, and powers of attorney. This article is not for them.

This article is for the underachievers. To those who refuse to plan, I salute you. I also have some advice that, while short of a proper plan, might ease things for your caretakers and your heirs.

If you live happily ever after, you will become disabled, and someone else must pay your bills. A power of attorney or a revocable trust are the most effective ways to enable someone else to use your money, but since you’ve given up before you started, those are off the table. Instead, add a joint owner without right of survivorship to your bank account. Dead or alive, the other owner can access your funds to care for you now or pay for a funeral later, and can distribute the remainder to your family without probate. Avoid survivorship bank accounts. The survivor doesn’t have to share. If they do, it can be a taxable gift.

Do use survivorship agreements to keep your car, motorcycle, boat, and trailer out of probate. The State of Texas printed one for you on your original motor vehicle title. Parks & Wildlife has separate forms for boats and motors.

Direct deposit your IRA distributions into the joint account. Make it automatic, and have federal income tax withheld. Direct deposit your Social Security there, too.

Buy life insurance. Leave it to someone who doesn’t need it, and who cares.

The State of Texas has already written a will for you. It’s called the laws of intestacy. Probate will be required to confirm your heirs and to clean up the mess you left. It will be more expensive because you did not plan, but a happy family with money can solve a lot of problems.

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, www.rwhpc.com

Celebration ofTexas Art 2017 January 18 through February 24 • Williams Tower Gallery 2800 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX Juror: Jose Esparza Chong Cuy Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

Remnant IV • Susan Busby, Lubbock

For more information, visit assistanceleague.org/Houston

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 41

(continued from page 40)

ebration of Trees of Hope’s 27th year. The non-profit helps improve the lives of children at Star of Hope, an agency for the homeless. The black-tie evening featured music by the David Caceres Band and an auction that broke an organizational record, raising nearly $100,000 in paddles-up donations alone.

Over $600,000 was raised in total.

Mark Hawkins

Lamar at NRG

The Lamar High School football team played at NRG Stadium in a third-round playoff game against the Atascocita Eagles. The game was exciting the whole way through, but with three minutes left in the game and Lamar in possession, their pass was intercepted for a 46-yard return, and the Eagles took the lead 28-27. The Texans still celebrated a great season, with an outstanding record of 11-2. This year, several senior players will graduate, including star quarterback Owen Holt (pictured).

Pin Oak giving

Autumn Beckman

Pin Oak Middle School recently participated in #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giv-

ing. Pictured (from left) are eighth-grade students supporting their school, including Annabella Berwick, Chloe Atha and Stevie Neumann. POMS students encouraged people to make donations to the POMS fitness track campaign. They also collected new and gently used tennis shoes to donate to the Emergency Aid Coalition. The day was a success, bringing in over $4,500 in donations toward the fitness track and 255 pairs of shoes.

The Houston scene More than 360 people gathered for the 2016 Scenic Houston annual dinner at the Houston Country Club. The event honored the organization’s 2016 “Scenic Visionary,” Larry D. Johnson. Event co-chairs David Hightower and Julie Peak (pictured, from left), along with guests, began the evening with an outdoor cocktail reception followed by a seated dinner in the ballroom. The award recognizes a community leader who has helped enhance Houston streetscapes, public spaces and neighborhoods.

The event raised more than $390,000 to support the work of Scenic Houston.

All for children Volunteers with the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston 27th Annual Children’s Scholarship Ball are busy planning an event to benefit local children. The funds raised will benefit the Irvin Kaplan Children’s Scholarship Fund, and the event will take place on March 4 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. The ball helps to ensure that kids can participate in early childhood care, educational activities, special-needs programs and J Camps. Each year, more than 300 children receive scholarship assistance. The 2017 honorees, Lauren and Jeremy Blachman and Scott McClelland, were selected for their service to both the Jewish and secular community and for their efforts to improve the quality of life for children.

Honorary chairs are Eve and Bobby Lapin and Lisa Helfman. Event and (continued on page 44)

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 42

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Starve or feed a cold?

As we head into cold and flu season, many of us will catch a viral infection that will give us symptoms of a common cold: runny and/or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, headache, and yellow mucus. So if we’re infected, we should take an antibiotic, right? Wrong! Antibiotics don’t work on viruses, and viruses cause colds. A review of sinus infections from the New England Journal of Medicine (2004;351:902-910) stated that using antibiotics is usually not recommended until the mucus has been discolored for at least 7 or 10 days. Many of the patients we treat for allergy to multiple antibiotics develop those allergies when their antibiotic is changed over and over again. It gets changed because they take the first antibiotic when the “cold” first appears. Amazingly, the antibiotic does nothing to treat the virus, which runs its course. The patient, not feeling any better, asks for another antibiotic. And sometimes another.

For years, the line about chicken soup was, “Will it help?” “Well, it couldn’t hurt.” Scientific evidence suggests that chicken soup actually does help. It contains the amino acid cysteine, which has been shown to thin out thick mucus secretions and help relieve congestion. Hydrating by drinking Gatorade, water or any non-caffeinated beverage helps further.

What about “feed a cold, starve a fever.” It’s actually not a bad idea. A fever without cold symptoms may be the flu (influenza), another viral infection often manifest by nausea and vomiting. Starving the fever by withholding food is reasonable if one is nauseated, but make sure you drink plenty of fluids. Gatorade is a good choice here, too.

What else works when you have a cold? Rinsing your nose out with a

salt-water solution a couple times a day.

Some people prefer a Neti Pot, and others like the NeilMed squeeze bottle.

Whichever you use, mix the salt with distilled water, not tap water. I’m sure the city makes clean drinking water, but I’m not as confident in the old pipes it runs through.

Mucinex works by increasing the water content in the mucus, so that the mucus thins out and you can cough it up or blow it out. For a stuffy nose, you may want to consider a decongestant spray such as Afrin.

But don’t use Afrin more than 5 days in a row or you may become physically dependent on it (addicted).

And remember: Skip the antibiotics until the mucus is yellow or green for at least a week.

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

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

Delicious Food. Creative Ideas. Professional Staff.

Let us cater your special occasion • Weddings • Engagement parties • Bar/Bat Mitzvahs • Personal celebrations • Corporate caterings • Client entertaining • Staff lunches • Office parties

Owners - Frank N. Demeris and Stathy Demeris 4803 Bissonnet St. Bellaire, Texas 77401 713.664.7964 charliesandco.com

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 43

Mark Katz

(continued from page 42)

silent auction chairs are (from left) Marci Gilbert, Abby Ackerman, Erika Kaufman and Ashley Roseman.

An elegant affair

Flores (at right) recently participated in a farmto-table supply chain. One component is an apiary, where students maintain beehives from which honey is harvested, bottled and sold in the students’ Homegrown Market twice a year.

Harvesting honey St. Catherine’s Montessori seventh graders Tomas Spencer (pictured, left) and Christopher

Jenny Antill

Hosts Rini Ziegler and Danielle Ellis welcomed more than 45 guests to The Ultimate Garden Party benefitting Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Programming. The guests spent the afternoon enjoying a string

quartet while exploring the garden and listening to social tips from guest speaker Shelby Hodge, a longtime Houston society reporter. They shopped Neiman Marcus finds too. Pictured (below, from left) are Anna Dean, Darrin Davis, Robin Angly and Mario Gudmundsson.

They used a smoker to smoke out the bees, collect the frames of honey, uncap the honey cells, and spin the frames in a hand-cranked extractor that uses centrifugal force to push honey out of the cells and onto the walls of the drum. The honey that collects at the bottom is sieved for debris, bottled and sold.

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 JANUARY 2017 44

NEIGHBORS

.

by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

Back Porch

Sleep better in 2017 behance.net/runamokstudios

W

e know we are supposed to sleep six to eight hours a night. We’re aware of the facts: Better sleep equals better memory, better moods, increased happiness, decreased anxiety and depression and safer driving. And that’s just the beginning.

But for almost half of us, sleep is elusive. So much so that the Center for Disease Control calls sleep issues “a public health epidemic.”

Multiple studies show that people who sleep less than the recommended amount are 7.5 times more likely to be overweight. They are also more likely to suffer from heart disease, diabetes, depression and memory issues. Still, for so many, we’re operating on less-than-optimal shut-eye.

“I have to force myself to stay in bed almost every night around 3 or 3:30,” says one 50-yearold entrepreneur. “I want to get up, because I’m wide awake. So I lay there and roll around and try to stay in bed as long as I can. And then I’ll finally get up and start emails or whatever else I need to do for work. If the paper is there, I’ll read it. But usually I have to wait for the paper because I’m up too early.”

The businessman, who asked to remain anonymous, says his sleep issues started six or eight years ago as a result of being extra busy at work. “I’m always thinking about work,” he says.

“But then during the day, I’m exhausted. I feel tired and disconnected.”

Jennifer Guss understands the dilemma. As an internist who suffers with sleep, and as the mother of two children who do as well, Jennifer has heard it all.

“My mother will tell you I have been an insomniac since I was born,” she says. “It waxes and wanes for me with stress, but I am always a terrible sleeper.

“In my practice, I deal with sleep issues a lot.

It’s a very common, big issue.” Jennifer is quick to point out that she is not officially a sleep expert, but between her patients, her children and herself, she has learned a lot.

“Without the right amount [of sleep] for your body, you won’t feel well. Your immune system needs sleep to function. If you’re tired, you get sick.”

Jennifer says the causes of not being able to sleep are different for different people. Some

COUNTING SHEEP Sleep is important for your health, mood and safety, but for almost half of us, it's hard to get.

common ones: alcohol, caffeine, certain medications (both over-the-counter and prescription), stress, and heavy or fried foods. Another cause might be lack of exercise – your body should be physically tired enough to sleep.

If you’re looking to improve your sleep in 2017, Jennifer has a stable of tricks to try. “The first step,” she says, “and I follow this myself, is basic sleep hygiene. Don’t drink caffeine after noon. It affects us up to 12 hours later. Limit alcohol. Look through your medications to check for stimulants. And you don’t want to exercise right before bedtime.”

Jennifer says the bedroom should be “very dark, very quiet and cool. I sleep with my room at 69 degrees. I have major A/C bills, but it helps.” Keep your body warm, though. Jennifer suggests sleeping in socks or warm clothing.

Another tip: white noise. “It tends to be helpful for a person who wakes in the middle of the night, by giving them something consistent to concentrate on.” Try a white noise app on a smartphone or buy a white noise machine at a store like Target or Sharper Image.

“If this first step doesn’t work, definitely talk with your physician to determine the cause of

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2017 46

the issue,” Jennifer says. She says drugs like Tylenol PM and Unisom are safe for intermittent use and not habit-forming. What about prescription sleep aids? “Ambien, Lunesta, Xanax – these are safe to use as long as they’re safe for the individual and used very intermittently, less than three times a week, under the direction of a physician,” she says.

Above all, Jennifer says to stay calm. “Most people do not need uninterrupted sleep every night,” she says. “If you wake in the night, try not to be upset about the fact that you’re not sleeping.”

More tips on sleeping well from the experts: • Take Melatonin or B-12 supplements.

• Read something boring in bed.

• Do not use blue lights – cell phones, TVs, computers – within two hours of bed or when waking in the middle of the night.

• Use lavender essential oils in a diffuser.

• Drink tart cherry juice twice a day.

• Incorporate seaweed and kiwi into your diet.

• Eat foods rich in magnesium, like leafy greens and almonds.

• Consider twin or separate-mattress beds if your partner keeps you awake.

TRUST LOOKS LIKE THIS.

When you choose UT Physicians, you are selecting individualized care from a team of more than 1,000 clinicians ready to meet your medical needs. UT Physicians offers advanced technologies with a personalized touch at our flagship location in the Texas Medical Center and a growing number of sites throughout the greater Houston area.

1-888-4UT-DOCS www.UTPhysicians.com