The West University Buzz - January 2020

Dennis Huston and Lisa Bryan

When I Met Mr. Rogers Our First Cars Mad for Mah Jongg Sichuan is Hot

Expand Your Comfort Zone

by Andria Frankfort

Marathon on Every Continent Where to Run in Houston Steel Magnolia Moms Upcycling Artists 100-year-old World Traveler Buzz Baby: No. 4 Houston, TX

Fresh Flavors for 2020

Permit No. 2047 PAID US Postage PRSRT STD

Back Porch: Saying No

JEFF RILEY, MARGARITA BARCENAS, AND JIM WATERS

EDITOR’S NOTE I am trying not to sound clichéd, but, man, I can’t believe it’s 2020. Every year, I set the same New Year’s resolutions: lose 10 pounds, get organized and take a Spanish class. This holiday season, I had one goal – take on the guest bathroom. I found myself at Pottery Barn six times in three days. Meanwhile, my friend is on track to accomplish a really big goal: going back to school to be a nurse practitioner.

When she got a break from class, she called me.

Where are you? I told her I was at Pottery Barn.

She called me two more times in between grueling exams. Each time, yep, I was back at Pottery Barn, shopping for the same tiny bathroom.

It may be time to up my goal game. In this issue, we feature neighbors conquering major goals, from running a marathon on every continent to checking off a bucket-list trip at 100 years old to traveling alone (for the first time) in her 80s to mastering mah jongg. I am inspired. Feliz año nuevo! There, I spoke Spanish. Check! joni@thebuzzmagazines.com

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Contributing Writers Account Managers

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

On our cover: Dennis Huston and Lisa Bryan had a blast taking laughter yoga together.

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

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 4

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 5

MAILBAG

Your letters, thoughts, opinions A special place Cheryl, thank you for writing such a beautiful piece about Noah’s House [Home Sweet Home: Inside Noah’s House, by Cheryl Ursin, December 2019].

Many people have reached out about how the story touched them. And Doug [Wildenradt] is so proud! We will treasure this always!

Ann Voss

Cornbread for everyone Thank you for showcasing my favorite recipes in your publications [Kitchen Traditions: Recipes with staying power, by Andria Frankfort, December 2019].

I received calls from Memorial, Bellaire and Tanglewood – and they all want me to make them a cornbread! It was such a pleasure working with Pooja Salhotra and the photographer, and I feel honored to be in your publication.

It’s nice to see articles about local Houstonians and how they come together for the holidays. We all have our “special” recipe that our family enjoys, and now I got to share mine! I enjoy reading The Buzz each month as I always know people profiled! Happy holidays and keep up the good work.

Shelly Levy

Heartfelt words The article about Cole Dawson was awesome [Braveheart: Giving thanks for a given heart, by Jennifer Oakley, November 2019]. He looks great, and I have shared the article with our friend waiting for a heart. [Jennifer], you are a gifted writer.

Sherry Ritcheson

and so did we. The picture of those adorable golden retriever puppies reminds us of all the joy Sonny brought to our lives… and the mayhem!

There’s nothing more fun than a puppy!

Allison Hamilton

Touching article I want to say a big thank you to Pooja Salhotra and The Buzz for writing and publishing the meaningful and important articles about Touching the Heart, the Jewish Family Service text-based digital wellness initiative sponsored by the Eric M. Suhl Foundation [Touching Hearts: With caring texts from a stranger, by Pooja Salhotra, November 2019]. We have gotten a number of calls and new sign-ups [mentalhealthletstalk.org/touching-the-heart/] since the articles and photos were published, and we thank you for educating so many all over our city about mental health conditions and the need for prevention and wellness and connection. Pooja did such an outstanding job understanding this sensitive topic and writing timely and important work, and I particularly wanted to let you know how professional and capable she is and what an important member of your team. We are very grateful.

Laurie Silver, Jewish Family Service 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.

Spot on Many nice compliments, Cheryl [Kitchen Garden: An edible little yard in the city, by Cheryl Ursin, November 2019]! You really made my year! I never thought a hobby that I love so dearly would land on the cover of a magazine [The Memorial Buzz]. Chris [Oliver] read the article and said, “Spot on – sounds exactly like you!” Thought you would want to know.

Jill Oliver

Passion for plants I finally sat down to read the Buzz article [Native Plants: Creating birdfriendly yards, by Pooja Salhotra, October 2019]. It is beautifully written.

You covered every important aspect of the value of native plants. In fact, you probably expressed what I was trying to say better than I did. Thank you for all your work. I think it has been widely read.

Claire Caudill

Fur baby love Our family loved reading Friends and Dogs: Meeting through fur babies by Annie Blaylock McQueen [October 2019]. Our boxer, Sonny, spent many happy hours playing with dogs at Tanglewood Park. He made friends there WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 6

What’s your story?

We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who: • Are passionate about the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

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

• Know a Buzzworthy neighbor to profile.

• Have an interesting hobby.

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

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 7

NEIGHBORS

Julia Gabriel

by Cindy Gabriel, staff writer

It’s You I Like When Mr. Rogers came to our neighborhood

T

he very fact that a Tom Hanks movie about Mr. Rogers exists gives me hope for 2020. Maybe 20-20 will represent an improvement in the way we see things. Yep. That’s it, I’m sure.

My inner nerd loved Mr. Rogers back in the ’80s, as a 20-something reporter for Channel 11. I didn’t admit that out loud in the consultant-driven pop, bang, sizzle world of TV news, until one day.

That was the day Mr. Rogers came to the Texas Medical Center in Houston, my neighborhood. The morning story-assignment ritual included a run down of news releases about upcoming events for the day. Most were ignored, but some ended up on the maybe list.

When I learned Mr. Rogers was coming to Texas Children’s Hospital, I shot out of my chair. I wanted that assignment. I was adamant.

Some “Oh, Cindy” giggles and eye rolls later, the assignment was made.

The camera guy and I were the only media types to show up to the pediatric cancer floor of Texas Children’s Hospital. A relieved hospital public relations staff couldn’t wait to stop Mr. Rogers from his rounds and pull him into an interview.

But he gently refused. Mr. Rogers felt his time was better spent with kids who weren’t strong enough to attend his “show” later in a conference room.

Time is never your friend in TV news, but, strangely, it worked out for me to sit through the intimate conference-room gathering of about 40 people. It was set up more like a living room, with sofas and chairs pushed up against the wall, as parents and children well enough to attend sardined themselves into the space. A piano was at the front of the room next to the door.

John Costa, his longtime pianist, was at the bench smiling as everyone got situated. I snuggled in on the floor next to the wall. The camera guy and his camera stayed outside setting up for the grab outside the door. (Sorry, “camera guy.”

I don’t remember who you were.)

It must have been winter because I recall sweaters, blankets and a carpeted cozy atmosphere. With that, Mr. Costa swiveled around and hit the keys with the famous musical intro.

Right on cue, Mr. Rogers enters the room, carrying a bag and singing “It’s a beautiful day in the WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 8

neighborhood….”

Then, as he starts talking, we are all let in on how Mr. Costa improvises the perfect musical phrases, adding a magical quality to Mr. Roger’s seated monologue. So, that’s how it’s done.

In this safe, comfy Mr. Rogers world, out from his bag comes a limp, Daniel-the-Tiger puppet, who comes to life as Mr. Rogers slips him on his left hand, stroking him with his right. Daniel is shivering. He’s scared. He can hardly speak. (The piano reacts with nerv- A GOOD FEELING The Tom Hanks movie made Cindy Gabriel think of another ous tinkles.) He’s never reporter who fell under Mr. Rogers’ spell. been in a hospital, and intimate gathering. You would think it would at he’s not sure he likes it. Mr. Rogers assures him least be in an auditorium, but Mr. Rogers didn’t that it’s full of nice people who want to make care much about how the “real world” operated. him better. But he isn’t having much luck getAs the visit wrapped up, I took my place outting Daniel to relax. side the door next to the camera set-up. But Mr. So, he asks the children in the room, most Rogers still wasn’t quite ready. There were a few snuggled up next to a parent, to help him make children who were not in their rooms on his first Daniel feel more at home. He walks on his knees round. He wanted to stop by and catch them to each child, one at a time, and asks if they want now. We waited again. to hug or speak to Daniel to help him feel better.

Finally, our turn came. I don’t remember The first hug comes from a little girl sitting shyly what I asked. It was probably about his reasoning in her mother’s lap. Daniel says it helps a little behind his methods in that cozy room. Mr. bit. The piano tinkles agree. With each stroke or Rogers explained that the way the children hug from a child with cancer, Daniel and the comforted Daniel-the-Tiger is an indication of piano brighten. Mr. Rogers circles the room on the way they, themselves are being comforted. his knees as child-like hugs, pats and “I love He praised Texas Children’s Hospital for doing yous” slowly relax Daniel. Compassion fills the a good job. Trying to be brief, in a space where room as wet-eyed smiles come and go from parI was just another person, I thanked him for his ents and hospital staff trying to hold it together. time. His response has played like a tape in my Just when it is about to feel like more than one head ever since. can take, there is a rapid rap at the door.

“Your questions are very thoughtful. There “Speedy Delivery here.” It is David Newell, should be more reporters like you.” aka Mr. McFeely, with a quick letter and fastIn 2020, I hope I will tell more people the paced song, and then out the door he flies. qualities in them that I like.

This was quite a road-team cast for such an

Your smile can last forever Anna Maria Salas, D.D.S., M.S. Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics

713-481-4885 3642 University Blvd.

Suite 102 Houston, TX 77005 www.westuortho.com

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 9

NEIGHBORS

by Russell Weil, staff writer

Driver’s Seat We never forget our first car

A

t the beginning of my sophomore year at Bellaire High School, I was eager to get my driver’s license. Having taken the required course the previous summer, I would drive my family around whenever they needed to go out, and even when they had nowhere to go. I just wanted to drive. My dad often displayed little patience as he took me out to practice my parallel parking in the Congregation Beth Israel parking lot using broom sticks stuck in two orange cones as boundary markers.

Once I received my driver’s license, I immediately asked to borrow my mom’s 1973 mint green Pontiac Catalina to pick up my high school debate partner to bring him over to my house. When we arrived home, my mom asked my friend how my driving was. He did not hesitate. “He did fine, Mrs. Weil, although I was a little concerned when he hit that old lady crossing the street.” For a moment, my mom took him seriously. She never really cared much for my driving after that first day.

For some reason that I cannot recall, my heart was set on a 1977 Mustang Ghia for my first car.

This was not the classic Ford Mustang that was introduced with the 1964 model, but the second-generation Mustang that was introduced in 1974. I selected a model that was chocolate brown with tan vinyl interior and a tan vinyl landau roof. That Mustang sported a powerful 2.3L V8 engine that gave the car a lot of pep.

Everyone remembers their first car.

A fraternity brother of mine still has his first car that is now 51 years old. Currently living in Austin, former Meyerland-area resident Alan Nirenberg recalls that his brother bought a used 1968 Pontiac GTO around 1969 that would eventually become his own first car.

“I don’t exactly remember the circumstances, but in 1978, when I turned 16, my brother let me use the car. So, the GTO was my first car. I came back from the driver’s test with my new license in hand and immediately was driving a 1968 GTO convertible!”

A couple of years later, Alan bought the nowrun-down car from his brother. Alan let it sit in his mom’s garage for several years and then,

STILL HAS IT Alan Nirenberg is ready to take his restored 1968 Pontiac GTO convertible out for a spin.

eventually, had it towed to where he was living at the time and found a mechanic to do a frameoff restoration. This type of restoration includes the entire body being removed from the car, the frame inspected entirely, and all parts reconditioned – or replaced – and repainted.

“The car had been painted aqua-blue for some reason. But I wanted to take it back to original specs. I took it back to what the car was off the showroom floor. I ordered paperwork based on the VIN that provides exactly how it was equipped and the original yellow paint color.

This took about a year to do. I spent about $17,000 to restore it. It was well worth it. Both financially and emotionally.”

Alan gets comments every time he takes it out for a spin. “Either just a thumbs up or ‘great car!’ People ask if it’s for sale. The 1968 GTO was Motor Trend Car of the Year in 1968.

Driving an original muscle car is the greatest experience.”

Tanglewood resident and neurosurgeon Robert Levinthal and his wife Nancy each

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remember their own first cars.

A 1957 Opal was Robert’s first. “My dad went out and found this vomit-green car, bought it, and it had nothing to do with me,” recalls Robert. Besides the color, the car had another issue. “The previous owner of the used Opal had plugged up a radiator leak with bubble gum.

When I first ran low on fluid, my dad and I found out that the radiator had a hole ‘fixed’ with bubble gum.”

Nancy’s first car in the 1960s was more in line with what she wanted and made her quite happy. Her 1963 white Ford Fairlane 500 sported a bold red leather interior, fun for driving around Austin with friends. “The interior was leather, in perfect shape, red, and it had – or we put in – a 4-track stereo. I thought that, even though it was used, it was great.”

Editor’s note: Our cars may come and go, but memories of our first ride never fade. What was your first car? Let us all know at info@thebuzzmagazines.com, or comment under this story at thebuzzmagazines.com.

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NEIGHBORS

by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Going Green Upcycling artists

W

e’ve all heard of recycling by now.

But with the new year here, we thought it would be fun to explore a related and decidedly more creative trend: upcycling.

What’s upcycling, you ask? As the name implies, it’s taking trash – or something that’s about to become so – and transforming it into treasure, thereby upping its value but also – and this is important – removing it from the waste stream.

We turned to a couple of remarkable upcyclers who, perhaps not surprisingly, are members of Generation Z; young people, it seems, have a higher-than-average awareness of that waste stream, and they are nothing if not creative.

Brice Everhart and Grant Maniér are two individuals who fall into those two categories – but beyond that, they defy categorization. Brice, who is just 12, started his successful upcycled men’s fashion accessory business when he was only 8. And Grant, who is autistic, started his “eco-art” business at the age of 15 as a form of repurposing the torn paper he generated as a form of therapy.

Both have become so successful with their enterprises that they are now educators and philanthropists, using their skills and their income to help others. And both invite readers to include upcycling on your New Year's resolutions list this year – either through DIY upcycling projects of your own, or by supporting local artisans who use repurposed materials.

B

rice, who Small Business Today Magazine described as having “a 40-year-old businessman’s mind in a barely 9-year-old little boy’s body,” was just 8 when he got the idea of launching a business to help his mother, Shareca Vallaire, who was sick and had to close her business. He had a good role model; his older sister, Brooke, who launched Vallaire’s, a custom luxury lifestyle clothing brand in 2011, when she was just 14. He would accompany her to fashion events, and he noticed a man wearing a flower lapel pin.

He observed that men wanted to buy products, too, but Brooke didn’t make anything for men.

One day, his mother was taking down a shower curtain as she was redecorating the bathroom.

ALL INTO UPCYCLING Men’s accessory designer Brice Everhart, now 12, began designing four years ago with repurposed materials, starting with plastic from a shower curtain.

“It was a cheetah print – and I was like, hmmm. It’s plastic, so it can kind of hold up well enough so it won’t get broken in the process of making it, but it will still look presentable, and it has nice colors to it.”

Those were his first lapel pins – the first of many. He cut up his old jeans, his sister’s remnants, and whatever he could find. Then he began broadening his scope to include found objects, like costume jewelry.

“I didn’t know I was upcycling at the time; I just wasn’t able to go out and buy fabric, so I would go around the house and look for things that nobody was using,” he said.

In August 2015, he asked his mother if he could start his own business.

“You focus on fighting for your health, and I will focus on creating wealth,” the boy told his mother. When she replied that she wasn’t in a position to help him as she had with his sister, he replied, “I don’t need your help – just call your business friends!”

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That’s how his own line, Vallaire’s for Men, was launched as an extension to Vallaire’s, and Brice began marketing his lapel pins, bow ties and pocket squares to the businessmen he would meet at networking events. Four years later, his work has been recognized by The Washington Post, Fox News and a host of others; he was chosen as Small Business Today Magazine’s Youthpreneur of the Year and was featured in the 10th Edition of Who’s Who In Black Houston, and has won the King Campaign Next Generation Award, among many others.

Besides the pride in being able to help resolve the family’s budget crisis, Brice says, it feels good to give new use to old items instead of sending them to the landfill. And now that he’s an invited guest speaker at schools, organizations, events and businesses, he does his best to spread the word about upcycling and caring for the environment. He also does so through the youth platform he created with his mother, the Young Empowerment Society, (continued on page 14)

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(continued from page 12) which empowers young

entrepreneurs like himself.

“We need to stop because pollution is killing the Earth and the generations to come,” he says.

“Everything goes hand-in-hand.”

G

rant Maniér, aka “Jigsaw Grant,” found his success through his disability. He’s been an artist as long as he can remember, painting and drawing on every available surface. His autism, however, produced a great deal of anxiety, and he began tearing paper as a way to help him cope with the stress of going to a public school where people didn’t understand him; the teachers told him to stop tearing paper, and the kids sometimes bullied him.

His mother, Julie Coy, decided to homeschool him, and he had more time and space to focus on his art. Soon she hit upon the idea of Grant’s piles of shredded paper as a resource. “As a single mom, I couldn’t really afford $300 for a paint supply,” she explained. She suggested to Grant that he use the paper to create mosaics. He started making Monet-Van Gogh-type impressionistic pieces and gifting them to his mother.

His first one, a stunning depiction of a Sun God, caught the attention of one of his mother’s girlfriends, who wanted to buy it.

“I thought, maybe I can get $100 for it,” recalls Julie with a laugh. She ended up deciding to keep the originals and make prints. Years later, the Sun God sold for $8,000.

Grant ended up winning the Eco-Art Championship at the Austin Rodeo, and that kicked off his career. At 15 he launched his business and began getting invitations to teach his art form to classes and workshops. Besides the tornpaper mosaics, he was also using discarded jigsaw puzzles, cut-up greeting cards and mixed media to create his textured, experimental pieces, some of which can be viewed on his website.

Nowadays people save their jigsaw puzzles for him and deliver them to him or leave them at

Impulse Art Gallery; he’s got a collection of over 300 boxes. “It’s a good thing I’m OCD,” laughs his mother, who has developed a system for cataloguing all of Grant’s unusual art supplies.

Grant and his mother have launched a series of books for kids with disabilities, illustrated with his eco-art. The first, Grant the Jigsaw Giraffe: Different Is More, has sold over 14,000 books since it was released last year.

Now 24, Grant is attending an online college part-time, studying acting and graphic design, and paying the tuition with his artwork.

He’s PAPER PALETTE Grant Maniér uses thousands of pieces of recycled paper from magaproud to be able to zines, jewelry, cards, puzzles and more to create his award-winning "eco-art" masterpieces. “pay it forward,” Editor’s note: Buzz sustainable-living columnist donating more than $240,000 of his proceeds to Tracy L. Barnett is an award-winning freelance different charities. And he’s happy to be helping writer covering travel, the environment and social others find ways to find new uses for throwjustice issues in the Americas. aways.

“Really I just want to help with keeping our Earth clean, green and safe,” he said. “You know See this story at thebuzzmagazines.com for links with all the trash in the oceans killing the sea to upcycling ideas and blogs, plus Brice’s and Grant’s animals, and how the whole environment is social media accounts. affected – I’m just trying to do my part to help.”

MORE ONLINE

Upcycling tips Brice and Grant have an abundance of ideas for how you can upcycle your way to a greener 2020, and both are sharing them with workshops and classes.

Here are a few tips gleaned from the two eco-youthpreneurs and other top upcyclers: ● “Be open to seeing … and just play around,” says Brice, who recently hit on the idea of putting tea candles inside leftover spaghetti sauce jars to make Christmas lights, instead of using the electrified plastic ones. ● “Use what you’ve got on hand; you can find material anywhere,” says Grant, who loves using leftover Christmas wrapping paper to do seasonal art and make papier-mâché tree ornaments. ● During the holidays and always, practice the ultimate upcycling: turn your food waste into compost. “If you don’t compost, you don’t have soil,” reasons Brice. “If you don’t have soil, you can’t grow trees. If you can’t grow trees, you don’t have fresh air.” ● Set your mind free. When you look at an old thing, think of

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what else it might be: an old T-shirt becomes your favorite tote bag; that old collection of ties can make a fine apron; old CDs become glittery mosaics. ● Be bold! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. After all, it was going to be trash anyway – right? ● Browse around. You may be shocked that there is now a website called “Top 100 Upcycling Blogs” – and you can subscribe to regular updates here. ● Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right. So says former schoolteacher Gail Wilson of the top-ranked My Repurposed Life blog. Gail specializes in upcycling furniture, and she says you can, too – she didn’t start finding her way around a table saw until she was 50. ● If you’re too busy or not inclined to be artsy, support those who are. One outstanding example is Magpies & Peacocks, a nonprofit design house that collects and reuses post-consumer textiles, clothing, and accessories.

lawellphoto.com

NEIGHBORS

by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

New Year’s Resolution Get a little uncomfortable

N

ew Year’s resolutions are flying fast and furious. In case you haven’t quite settled in with yours, here’s one more to consider: stepping out of your box.

Much of our lives are spent driving the same streets, going to the same places, seeing the same people. Connections often happen through a screen as we communicate through texts and emails and scroll through social media to find out what friends are up to. What if we put our cyber connections on the back burner and imagine the beginning of this new decade as an invitation to try something new? What about entertaining the idea of taking a new class or starting a new hobby? And, while we’re at it, maybe we think about trying to engage with people different from those we typically see.

L

isa Bryan and her husband Dennis Huston, the “legendary” retired English professor at Rice, are the former magisters (adult live-in chaperones) of one of the university’s residential colleges. “It was the best job I ever had!” Lisa says.

She loved being on campus and getting to know the students. Recently though, Lisa was struggling. “A lot of things had built up,” she says, “and I was going through a low time. I’m not a wallflower, I’m an optimist, so I tried to fix it.

“The first thing I did was change the radio program I listened to. I turned to The Answer, 1070 AM, which is a religious station. I don’t always agree with what they’re saying, but there’s this morning show that made me laugh.

And I needed something positive coming in.”

Through the show, Lisa found Jill Robin Payne, a psychologist whom she began seeing professionally. “She’s bubbly and positive, and what she said absolutely turned me around. She said I needed to get laughter in my life.”

Determined, Lisa went on a quest, Googling “laughter in Houston.” That’s where she found laughter yoga.

“This was getting out of my comfort zone,” she says. The class she found was at MD Anderson, but neither Lisa nor Dennis were patients at the time. Lisa remembers thinking, “I’m just going to tell them I need this class.

Why wouldn’t they let me come?”

After scouring the MD Anderson campus to find the class, Lisa found that it had been cancelled. “I just started laughing and said, ‘I’m not going to give up.’

So I got back on the internet, and I found another class at The Jung Center. I just drove over there and found out about it and signed up. I loved it.

Forcing yourself to laugh felt funky, and I was kind of shy, but it was fun watching everyone in the room.

Laughter really is so important and so healing. It’s contagious!”

Seeing how excitFINDING CHUCKLES When she Googled "laughter in Houston," the first thing ed she was about Lisa Bryan found was laughter yoga. laughter yoga, matter how far out you might feel you’re stepDennis accompanied Lisa to a class. “He loved ping. “If you open yourself up and listen to the it too,” she says. “One of my biggest takeaways messages that are coming to you from the is that I learned to laugh in my car while I’m sitUniverse, it can be a wonderful growth and freeting in traffic! ing experience.”

“I periodically challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone,” Lisa says, citing the time she hree years ago, Ann Powell lost her huswas alarmed to realize, when spending lots of band Harold, who owned the clothing store alone time in Idaho while her son finished high Harold Powell for the 37 years they were marschool there, that she was talking to her dogs. “I ried. The couple had traveled the world togethsaw that the volunteer firefighters needed help, er, and Ann had developed a love for Australia so I trained to be one. I actually got firefighter on one of their vacations. But she had never of the year because I went to extra classes to traveled anywhere alone. “I was getting all these learn first responder training. That helped me brochures about a cruise that circumnavigated again last year because it helped me realize when Australia,” Ann says. “I was fascinated by the my husband was having a stroke.” country, I think because of the way it was popLisa says slowing down and thinking about ulated by English prisoners, (continued on page 18) the next step can make all the difference, no

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T

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 17

lawellphoto.com

(continued from page 16) and because it is so far

away. And I wanted to go so badly!”

So Ann, 85, booked her trip. “I have been on many cruises, so I know the ropes,” Ann says.

“The only thing different for me was that I went solo, which was a first-time experience for me.

“It was six weeks over Christmas and New Year’s,” she says. “I made all the plans first and then told my children. I thought they were going to say, ‘But Mother, you’re not going to be here for the holidays!’ But they thought it was a wonderful idea and were all for it.

“I’m a scaredy cat, but I wasn’t one bit scared. The only thing I was a little apprehensive about was having dinner. How do you walk into a room and just sit down? But this ship had a share table, which means that everyone at that table wants to meet people. I don’t know if all the ships do it, because I hadn’t gone solo before. But it was just great. I never felt like a third or fifth wheel, and after a while you meet some people you kind of click with. So I was making plans with them, and I was surprised at how at home and comfortable I felt. I saw new things every day and loved going all around Australia.”

Ann has stayed in touch with one of her new friends. “I met a woman from England who was exactly my same age,” Ann says. “World War II was the big deal when we were girls, and I used to think about the little girls in England who were being bombed. We started talking about the war, and that was so interesting.”

Ann spent Christmas day in New Guinea and New Year’s in Bali. “The cruise ship had beautiful decorations,” she says.

“There’s something nice about doing exactly what you want to do,” Ann says. “You eat where you want to, get up when you want to. Of course, I would have rather been with Harold, but I’m certainly not afraid to go by myself now.”

Ann had such a good experience that she’s already booked a cruise to Iceland, Denmark and Norway for next summer. While she would feel comfortable going alone, Harold’s daughter and her husband decided this upcoming trip sounded like fun, and they’ll be joining Ann.

M

y own creative outlet got a shot of energy when I took a leap and signed up for a writing class in New Mexico last fall.

Completely outside of my comfort zone, taking the class felt frivolous and almost selfish. Not to mention, I had never traveled alone for a week, and I hadn’t taken a class out of town – alone – since college. When I got off the plane in Albuquerque, I literally laughed and said out loud What the heck am I doing here?

Like Ann, I never realized the pleasure of traveling alone, until I actually did it. Full disclosure: I never would have gone had my dad not basically forced me to register and commit.

But thank goodness he did. Not only did I learn a lot, but I was inspired and energized, and I met a whole new group of friends. There were 11 of us, one from every decade, starting with a

SOLO TRAVEL Ann Powell took a risk and learned that traveling solo is fun.

woman who had just turned 30, all from different states. All share a passion for reading and writing. We’ve stayed in touch and continue to do so, checking in with each other, sharing our work and bouncing ideas off one another.

While the week was intensive – 9- to 10-hour days working with an instructor – our last afternoon was free. I ran out to buy my girls some turquoise and went for a drink. Sitting outside, by myself, in my all-time favorite city, having an iced tea and guac, doing my homework on a gorgeous day, I was in heaven. I never would have felt that had I not taken a chance (even if it

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 18

took being pushed off the cliff by my dad).

It’s hard to realize and even harder to remember, but sometimes, taking a step to do one thing differently, or to do one thing that falls outside our convenient, predictable daily routine, creates the space and the inspiration that we need to be able to truly grow. Even when we might not feel completely comfortable about taking that step. A small tweak or two can expand our worlds in big ways.

Wishing you gratifying new connections, sparked creativity and renewed energy in 2020.

Cheers to lots more happy revelations!

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 19

NEIGHBORS

by Jennifer Oakley, staff writer

lawellphoto.com

Mad for Mah Jongg Everyone’s playing the game

T

he clacking of the tiles is a tell-tale sign.

So are the groups of people seated around square tables, choosing and discarding rectangular, colorful tiles adorned with birds, numbers and symbols. Listen carefully and a whole new world of words comes tumbling out: “pungs,” “kongs,” “charleston.”

Across Buzz neighborhoods, residents gather in homes and clubs to play a game celebrating its centennial in America this year. Originating in China, mah jongg, which translates to “clattering sparrow,” is a game of luck and skill – and it’s experiencing a red-hot renaissance right now.

This is not your grandma’s mah jongg game.

Bamboos, craks and dots “I heard the tiles in utero,” laughs Linda Freedman Block, the regional president of Hadassah and a mah jongg aficionado. “My mom played mah jongg every day in the 1950s, and I have been playing for 36 years. I cannot get enough of it!” And true to her word, Block is deeply invested in the game and eager to share her passion.

“On a good week, I am in three games: one Chinese mah jongg and two American mah jongg,” she says. “Plus I sometimes pick up extra games. Our groups will play four to six hours a day.”

Although Block’s mother played during her youth, the experience did not come full circle until Block began playing in earnest when she herself was a mother, pregnant at the time with son Brian. “Some girlfriends asked me to play, and there were 12 of us,” she says. “We had two or three tables each week, and it was a great way to get out at night. Our husbands took care of the kids and it was good girlfriend time – there’s nothing better than that.”

Since then, Block has upped her game and gone on to compete in national mah jongg tournaments and teach others how to play the game that she loves so dearly. “I have taught more than 500 people,” says Block, everywhere from the Jewish Community Center to senior living homes to classes in her own home. "I love to see when people ‘get it!’”

Susan Magaziner was one such student, who excelled to the point where she now plays in one of Linda’s groups. “About 10 years ago, when my

son was a senior in high school and I was about to become an empty nester, one of my friends came to me and said, ‘Do you want to play mah?

And I said, ‘No way, it’s an old ladies’ game!,’” she recalls, laughing.

“But my friend convinced me and got a group of six of us. I am a natural gamer, but I was the last one to catch on to mah jongg. I struggled, but once I got it and it clicked, I became obsessed and I played seven MARVELOUS MAH JONGG Lisa Roy, Christy Wade, Martha Cancelmo (back row, from left) and Betsy Mercer and Amy Reid (seated, from left) are part of a local days a week. Linda mah jongg group that plays every Thursday. is known as ‘the paid out to the winner. “Every year in American mah maven of Houston,’ and when she asked me mah jongg, there is a card created by the to be in a group, I knew I had finally made it.”

National Mah Jongg League with different, varied hands that you play with 152 tiles, which The card includes eight flowers and eight jokers,” says Getting the game to “click” is rewarding, playBlock. “In contrast, in Chinese mah jongg, you ers say, because mah jongg does require concendon’t play with jokers or flowers. There are set tration and memorization. The game is played patterns with a ton of possible combinations.” using tiles (which are divided into suits called bamboos, craks and dots), racks (a stand to place Jokers and flowers the tiles, as well as to push the tiles out), dice – Players say the game is always fun because the and the card. “You win the game when all 14 of new card requires ever-changing memorization your tiles match a hand on the card,” says Block. and challenge. “I was totally intimidated at the “When we get the new card every year, I wait start, and I thought there was no way I will learn by the mailbox every day for it to arrive,” says how to do this. But for me, the test is: Can I Magaziner, half-joking. “My husband knows to drink wine and play mah jongg?” quips Betsy not talk to me for a week and within 10 days I Mercer, laughing. “But I am not there yet. Every have the whole thing memorized.” time I drink wine I suck. The game does take a The card, which is released every April, prolot of mental gymnastics.” vides the patterns of hands that are played for Amy Reid started Mercer’s West U group that year. The hands have varying degrees of difthree years ago. They have 13 members, and ficulty, with a monetary amount (ranging from they play every Thursday, (continued on page 22) 25 cents to 75 cents) attached to each hand,

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 20

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 21

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FUN AND GAMES At left: Diane Kaminsky, Fredell Belasco, Susan Magaziner and Linda Freedman Block get ready for Block’s electric mah jongg table to shuffle the tiles for their next game. Top right: Amy Reid’s mah jongg group has their cards ready to play their next game. Bottom right: Jennifer Saucer’s personalized mah jongg Joker tiles are on display next to her mother’s vintage bakelite mah jongg tiles, mah jongg dice, shufflers and the 2019 playing card. (continued from page 20) rotating houses and host-

ing the games with food and drink. Creatively, they communicate all of their plans via the GroupMe app.

“I like the competition, and I like the social interaction,” says Reid, noting their group has created a different system for rewarding winning hands. “We like the competition, and you better not show up without your money because that is a reward system for sure! We play 50 cents a hand – and 50 cents of a mah jongg win is like a million dollars!”

Mercer says the betting makes the game even more competitive. “We are baseball moms and we bet,” she says. “Whatever the card is, we double it.”

Dragons and winds Across the board, the biggest draw in mah jongg, however, seems to be connecting with friends. “What I look forward to each week is half camaraderie and half it is an interesting game," says Allison Strawn, who plays with a group of six every Wednesday at The Briar Club.

“To me, playing is like a puzzle, and it is very gratifying to solve a puzzle.”

Jennifer Saucer, who plays in Strawn’s group, agrees. “One friend said we had to learn how to play so we don’t get beat when we are in a retirement home one day,” she says, laughing. “I love the mental aspect of it and I love the social aspect of it – we are all genuinely concerned

about each other.”

The group asked Claudia Selzer, an avid player, to give them mah jongg lessons, which Saucer believes helped them learn the right way.

“Claudia started with the basics so we had a good foundation to build on, and she taught us in a way that we could understand. We all decided to go on a field trip to Where the Winds Blow after three weeks of lessons,” says Saucer, referring to the mah jongg supply and gift store in southwest Houston. “It was so much fun picking out our tiles. We felt like we were ready to play because we had our monogrammed mah jongg sets done!”

Joan Mauel, who plays with Saucer and Strawn, says their group, having just formed nine months ago, seems a little late to the party – but they are delighted to finally get in on a game others already knew about. “It has meant a forced couple of hours a week to think about nothing but patterns, and I think that is a good thing to use your brain in that way. Everyone in our group is lovely. I am thrilled to be a part of that,” says Mauel. “I think mah jongg is becoming super popular all of a sudden.”

Or maybe it always was, and it’s just now being experienced in new and different ways.

Robin Lindley, who plays in Reid and Mercer’s group, says that even though they have been playing for three years, she has watched her mother-in-law play for decades. “She has all kinds of antique and vintage tiles,” says Lindley.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 22

“The tiles are just so unique. That’s also part of the fun. My mother-in-law has collected tiles from different antique shops and festivals.”

Besides collecting antique sets to play with, players can also challenge themselves by going online. “I play on a mah site online with live players every night,” says Magaziner. “My husband laughs at me, but I have made so many friends and we will make it a point to meet up at mah jongg tournaments.”

Block has something that is revolutionary in the mah universe: an electric mah jongg table, which shuffles the tiles at the press of the button.

“My table is really special because I won it for a first place in a mah jongg tournament!” she says.

“When mah jongg came to the United States in the 1920s, back then all the bubbies [a term of endearment for a Jewish grandmother] played.

Now it has become so widespread,” says Magaziner “Mah jongg is a game you can play with all ages, and I have played with people from their 20s to their 90s. To play, you have to be so alert and so aware of everything,” says Block. “It has been proven that mah jongg is so good for the mind and without question keeps you sharper as you age. I would say anyone who is even slightly interested should jump in feet first and take a class or find a friend to teach them. It’s a mindstimulating game where you need to think quickly, and it’s social time spent with friends — it is the best.”

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lawellphoto.com

SPORTS

by Pooja Salhotra, staff writer

Around the World One marathon at a time

W

hen Randy Keith played baseball at Houston’s North Shore High School, running was torture.

“I did not like running,” the 61-year-old real estate developer says. “To me, running was always punishment as a baseball player. You do something wrong, you go run.”

Now, Randy is on his way to becoming part of a select group of runners who have completed the Abbott World Marathon Majors – the six most prestigious marathons in the world – plus, a marathon on all seven continents. Randy joined the select Seven Continents Club this year after knocking off marathons in South Africa and Antarctica, and he’s set to run his last Abbott World Major at the 2020 London Marathon.

“Randy downplays it a lot, but it’s pretty incredible,” says his wife, Donna.

Since the Seven Continents Club was founded in 1995, only 527 men and 263 women have become a part of the exclusive group. Overlap that with the Abbott World Majors, marathons in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City, and Randy will be part of an even more elite group of runners with both designations come next spring.

Some might find Randy’s commitment to running maniacal. He’s completed 95 races, including some of the most challenging marathons in the world. One of them – the Pikes Peak Marathon in Colorado – he’s completed seven times. Another one, the Inca Trail Marathon to Machu Picchu, was a grueling nine-and-a-half-hour uphill climb on difficult terrain. But Randy finished it eager to run more.

“I met people from all over the world,” Randy says. “They had done so much, and it really inspired me. I got on a path to do the continents and the World Majors because, at my age, you never know when you’re going to go over the cliff.” He chuckles. A genial man with a calm demeanor, Randy has a positivity that carries him through tough races – Donna says he even smiles while running.

After Randy runs London in April 2020, he has no plans to stop. After London, he wants to do more global runs – St. Petersburg, The Great Wall of China and a race above the Arctic

TEAM KEITH After Donna married marathoner Randy Keith in 2003, she started running half marathons. Randy has completed marathons on all seven continents, and Donna is on a mission to do the same with half marathons.

Circle in Norway.

“I used to always say, once I ran 100 marathons, I’d never run another,” Randy says.

“But I never quite thought I’d run a hundred.”

R

andy developed an interest in running in his late 20s. After graduating from The University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in accounting, he worked in public accounting and lived near Houston’s Medical Center, where he saw a neighbor run every day. “I wondered why he did that,” Randy says. “I’d go play softball and basketball – all of these pick-up games. And I said, ‘Why would you want to run? Just go play a sport.’”

But when Randy joined his neighbor for a three-mile run one day, he started seeing the

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lure of the strenuous activity. “I was about dead after, but I kind of got into it,” he says.

Then, Randy went to support a friend running the Chevron Houston Marathon in January 1987. Seeing his friend cross the finish line made Randy decide it was something he too wanted to experience. And the next year, he did.

The day Randy completed his first marathon was typical for Houston: hot and muggy. That made for a tough race. “It wasn’t the best experience in the world,” Randy says, adding that he probably did not run enough long runs in his training. But, two years later he was back at it again, and ever since, he has run at least one race every year excluding one.

Randy’s success as a runner seems a combina-

RUNNING THE WORLD At left: Randy Keith practices high-altitude running in Breckenridge, Colo. At right: Donna and Randy Keith explore South Africa after completing races there.

tion of opposing forces. On the one hand, Randy has a competitive streak. Seeing others complete the 26.2 miles in Houston – and later hearing people talk about running different continents – inspired him to do the same. But he pairs his ambitiousness with a balanced approach. He will run his 30th Chevron Houston Marathon in January 2020, in part because he knows when to push himself and when to back off.

“You don’t need to run hard every time you run,” says Randy. “You need to run easy at times.”

Randy considers himself lucky; he’s a rare case of a serious runner who has not been dealt a serious injury. Randy attributes this to “good genes.”

The 5’11’’ runner has a slender frame well-suited to endurance training. But the dozens of medals displayed in his home also come from diligence.

In the months leading up to a race, Randy runs about four days a week. On training days, he wakes up at 5:30 a.m., does a few dynamic stretches and is out the door. He often runs near his home in Memorial, and, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, joins the Rummel Creek Boot Camp, a group of about 40 men from his neighborhood who gather for an hour-long workout, led by volunteers.

By the time race day comes around, Randy has tapered his training; he’s well-rested and full of adrenaline, but careful not to start too fast.

The first five to six miles should feel easy, he says. Miles 4-20 should be run at a quicker pace,

and on a good day – when he’s trained well and the weather is right – that pace is maintained through the end of the race.

Sometimes, Randy’s races are tough. It’s hot and humid outside, he gunned it at the outset, or training was imperfect. Around Mile 20, he “hits the wall,” and running even one more mile seems impossible. “It’s just so hard to move and to run and to run fast,” he says. “You’ve depleted all the glycogen in your muscles, and you have nothing left. A death march is a good description.”

Although running is an individual sport, it’s the social aspects of training that seem to bring Randy the most joy. He speaks happily about Strava, a mobile app through which he connects with runners he’s met at different races. On the app, Randy likes giving “Kudos” – similar to liking a Facebook post – when he sees a friend has completed a great run.

On Saturdays, Randy runs in Terry Hershey Park with friends from the Boot Camp. He’s also gotten his wife, Donna, into running.

“He taught me how to run,” says Donna, who worked as a real estate broker before retiring two years ago. “He just started a little bit at a time, and the next thing I knew I was training for the Houston Half Marathon.”

The tall blonde has always been athletic – she ran track in junior high and high school and was into weight-lifting and aerobics classes as an adult. But she became a serious runner only after

marrying Randy in 2003. Doing so, she says, has yielded health benefits, from losing weight to maintaining heart health.

Donna and Randy approach running with different mentalities. While Randy is always on the lookout for the next big challenge, Donna runs more leisurely. And while Randy has never run a half marathon (13.1 miles), Donna has no desire to run the full 26.2-mile race.

“He wouldn’t be caught dead running a half marathon,” Donna says. “I like half marathons because it’s a challenge, but I don’t have to be as disciplined as him.”

F

or the Keiths, running is more than a shared interest. Empty nesters with more free time than before, the couple uses marathoning as a way to travel to some of the most far-flung places on the planet. This year, they experienced their biggest adventure yet, when they ran the half and full marathons in Antarctica.

The couple was on a three-year waiting list for the race, organized by Marathon Tours & Travel, a company dedicated to organizing adventure trips centered around marathons. The site of the race, King George Island, restricts Marathon Tours to 100 people onshore at any one time.

With only 200 runners allowed per year, most people wait at least two years to participate.

The March 2019 trip started out with three nights in Buenos Aires, (continued on page 26)

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GLOBETROTTING At left: Randy Keith adventures in Machu Picchu after completing a grueling marathon on the Inca Trail. At right, top: Donna and Randy Keith celebrate completing the 2019 Aramco Houston Half Marathon and Chevron Houston Marathon, respectively. At right, bottom: Donna and Randy Keith show Texas pride while exploring Antarctica, where they both ran races in 2019. (continued from page 25) where Donna and Randy

met the others on the trip. From there, they flew to Ushuaia on the southern tip of Argentina and boarded a ship that sailed through the Beagle Channel, the Drake Passage and the Shetland Islands until reaching King George’s Island.

“It wasn’t for the faint of heart,” Donna says.

“Many people got sick on the boat.”

Donna and Keith got lucky with nice weather – it was about 30 degrees and sunny on the day they ran the race with about 100 other runners.

In years past, the race has been delayed or cancelled due to blizzards. The terrain was hilly and muddy, no trees in site – “very much like a lunar surface,” says Donna.

After completing Antarctica, Randy and Donna ran full and half marathons, respectively, at The Big Five Marathon in South Africa.

There, they ran through the habitat of elephants, rhinoceros, buffalo, lions and leopards.

At one point, the race was diverted because of an elephant stampede.

“I was literally finishing my half marathon in

a quarter mile, and the next thing I know all these men are in the road telling us to get in the jeep,” Donna recalls. “We were all stopped for 15 or 20 minutes because this herd of elephants was making its way down the course. How many people can say that?”

Donna has run half marathons in three continents and is now on her own mission to complete a half on every continent.

R

andy freely admits that running 100 marathons is a crazy venture. Even for a veteran, the last few miles of a race can be arduous.

“Those last six miles when you’ve hit the wall – I don’t care if you run a two-and-a-half-hour marathon or a five-and-a-half-hour marathon.

It’s tough for all of us.”

Part of why Randy runs marathons is to stay in shape and to feel good. He says that how he feels for the 23 hours in the day that he’s not running makes the grueling hour of running worth it.

But some health experts question whether running so many marathons is over-exerting the

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human body. Research is clear that running 15 to 20 miles per week is a healthy way to maintain heart health. “There’s no benefit beyond that, and I don’t know if there’s a negative,” Randy says.

In his own experience, the benefits outweigh any potential negatives. “A lot of people say, ‘You’re going to have bad knees.’ But I think it’s just the opposite,” he says. “I think people who run are more mobile than those who don’t [….]

And if it does get me eventually, I was doing something I like to do.”

Randy’s perspective on running has changed over time. While his goal at one point was to break a personal record, he no longer expects that.

Now, when he approaches the starting line, or when he is running Memorial Park on a Saturday morning, he’s thinking more about gratitude.

“Honestly, the older you get, it’s the fact that you can still do it,” Randy says. “That’s what makes you want to keep doing it. I know it’s a little deep, but I still get out there and think, it’s a beautiful morning and I’m out here running.

And I can do it.”

lawellphoto.com

SPORTS

by Pooja Salhotra, staff writer

Where to Run in Houston Now there’s no reason not to

W

ith the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon approaching this month, thousands of Houstonians are in training mode.

For inspiration in the coming year, some local runners agreed to share their favorite places to train. Ready. Set. Run!

Memorial Park Memorial Park is a destination for runners and walkers of all levels. “It’s everyone’s favorite,” says Tim Neckar, who coaches P.E. at T.H. Rogers School and ran his first marathon at age 14. Most popular is the 3-mile loop. The path offers ample room, and with plenty of lighting, runners feel safe after dark. Parts of the path are shady, and there are water fountains and even a clean bathroom along the trail.

For speed training, Tim recommends the quarter-mile asphalt timing track, situated north of the Tennis Center. Tim also highlighted the running trails on the south side of the park – “where mountain bikers go for trail riding” – perhaps well-suited for runners looking to get away from the crowds.

Rice University Loop “I might be a little biased on this one,” says Rice University graduate and running enthusiast Haley Kurisky, “but Rice is a great place to run.

Right by the medical center, the trail is full of fit doctors and students running but is never too crowded.” The dirt trail surrounding campus is just short of 3 miles and is well shaded with large oak trees lining the trail. Haley, a law student and a Buzz columnist, suggests parking along Main Street, in Rice Village, or in one of the marked visitor lots around Rice’s campus that charge by the hour.

Hermann Park and Brays Bayou Situated just across from Rice University, Hermann Park is a popular spot for runners trying to extend a Rice University loop jog into a longer training run. Brian Williams, who has completed a marathon in all 50 states, likes to start his run at Rice Village, hit Hermann Park, then continue to Brays Bayou, running all the

way to the University of Houston-Downtown.

“The city is becoming really good for running,” says Brian. “They are expanding and connecting a lot of bike routes. For an urban landscape, it’s quite nice.” Brian suggests checking out the Houston Bike Plan Map for a full picture of the city’s bike trails.

Terry Hershey Hike and Bike Trail

RUNNING HOUSTON Steve Howard and Patti Brock Howard run all over, University neighborhood, along Buffalo Bayou and

Located in West including their own West Houston, this park offers through Memorial Park. an east-west running and biking route along the Buffalo Bayou.

Veteran marathoner Randy Keith rattled off several reasons he loves running this park: “water fountains every mile or so, three bathrooms between Highway 6 and Beltway 8, lots of shade on both sides.” He added that “in flat Houston, there are some very small hills that add a little change.”

Terry Hershey is ideal for long runs, said his wife, Donna Keith, who runs half marathons. The park’s main trail runs about 12 miles and connects to George Bush Park, where you can add more mileage. Keep in mind that lighting is limited, and the main trail is pavement.

Buffalo Bayou Park This 160-acre greenspace features plenty of hike and bike trails, including a 5.6-mile scenic loop running from downtown to Shepherd Street Bridge. “I especially liked running along the Bayou in the early mornings at sunrise where you could see the downtown skyline,” says Patti Brock Howard, who has run more than 10 marathons. But if you aren’t a morning person, running in the evening might give you a chance to spot the thousands of bats at the Waugh Drive “bat bridge” at sunset.

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Heights Boulevard A hidden gem is the Paul Carr Jogging Trail, a wide, roughly 2-mile long esplanade running from I-10 West to West 20th Street. Emily Guyre, a third-generation Houstonian who runs the half-marathon every year, says, “I love the way the trail meanders up and down the middle of a major thoroughfare while giving me the feeling that I’m up close to nature.” She also enjoys the sites along the path: a historic Heights World War II memorial, a Victorian rose garden, Donovan Park Playground and a Lombard lamp that was a gift from Hamburg, Germany, to the city of Houston. Parking is available along Heights Boulevard.

Your Own Neighborhood Sometimes, there’s nothing better than running in your own neighborhood. For me, running through my neighborhood, Bellaire, is both convenient and a way to admire new homes and say hello to other neighbors out jogging or walking their dog. I enjoy going North on Ferris Drive, weaving in and out of tree-lined streets such as Braeburn Drive, Pocahontas and Patrick Henry. I then go past the Bellaire City Library on Jessamine, loop around the Bellaire Zindler Park and run South on South Rice.

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Taste Sichuan Bistro

DINING

by Dai Huynh, staff writer

Spice is Life Where to find Sichuan food

A

wave of Sichuan (or Szechuan) restaurants has opened in the last 12 months.

The rise of food from the Land of Plenty reminds me of the mid-2000s when sushi caught on and, more recently, the ramen and poke craze.

My family frequently treks to Houston’s sprawling Chinatown to slurp on homemade dan dan noodles, cumin lamb, and spicy stir-fried eggplant at Mala Sichuan. If too tired for the stopand-go traffic on Bellaire Boulevard, we’ll drop into Yunan Yang’s Pepper Twins for the Fish Swimming in Pickles and crispy Golden Eggplant with salted duck egg yolk. About two years ago, Yang shared her ambition to open 20-plus Sichuan restaurants in the Houston area, plus dozens more in major U.S. cities. She has four now, but it seems that others have the same idea.

The beneficiaries are Houston diners addicted to the lip- and tongue-numbing sensations known as mala. But it isn’t just our city that Sichuanese cooking has conquered. Fellow restaurant writers and food editors have noted it has made inroads in London, New York, San Francisco, Vancouver and other dining cities.

With the rise in Sichuan's popularity, restaurateurs are less timid about opening beyond the borders of Chinatown. That’s good news. I don’t always want to make the 20-minute drive to Mala Sichuan in Chinatown. Now, I can now stay off the tollways and still dive into spicy boiled fish.

One rainy afternoon, I get a phone call from my Chinese friend, Jane Liu, who lives near West U. “We’re going to Mama’s Kitchen for lunch,” she says. The name didn’t ring a bell.

“You’ll like it,” she adds.

In about 10 minutes, I’m pulling into the postage-sized parking lot of Mama’s Kitchen.

Diners pack into the diminutive, 4-month-old space, next to a swanky hair salon. Our group of three arrives early to snag a table, not to mention parking. Inside, nearby office workers, Chinese families, and international students gather around wooden tables. Jane orders the interactive Hand Beat Eggplant, spicy beef tenderloin spangled with silken tofu, and red braised pork fragrant with ginger.

Until Mama’s Kitchen came along, Mala Sichuan on Bellaire Boulevard topped Jane’s list of Sichuan favorites.

“It doesn’t drown the tastes and textures of dishes with chile oil and salt,” she says. Neither does Mama’s Kitchen, the businesswoman adds, plus it serves some unique, traditional dishes.

SO IT BEGINS A Sichuan meal often starts with a palate teaser, such as Sliced Take the boiled egg- Beef and Oxtail Tongue in Chili Sauce at Taste Sichuan Bistro. plant – diners employ a has fully embraced the “buzzy” tingly qualities of wooden pestle to pound in bell peppers and garhua jiao peppercorns, says 26-year-old Vivian lic oil. Along with jasmine rice, the silkened Wang, co-owner of Mama’s Kitchen with husdish helps to subdue salty, savory seafood and band Alec. meat dishes.

“Alec and I run the business,” she says. “But Plain, understated flavors are as important as it’s my mother who knows how to control the the clamorous dance of chiles, fermented black flavors.” beans and pickled vegetables, Jane says. “In Mom Tianxiu Peng is a Sichuan native who Sichuan, like the rest of China, it is about balhas settled in Houston to help Vivian with her ance.” So diners will couple dried red chilerestaurant and baby. Meanwhile, Vivian’s dad laden dishes, such as crispy chicken, with remains in Chongqing, the hot pot capital that straightforward stir-fried greens. was part of Sichuan until 1997. Every few A bowl of clear-simmered soup sits at the center months, he supplies Mama Kitchen’s with spices of many family tables. It is plain jane when comand Sichuan peppercorns, which are not spicy, pared to nearby dishes slicked with chili oil. But Vivian says. It is the chiles that give Sichuan its the mellow soup made with either oxtail, pork, fiery reputation. chicken or duck remnants serves as a palate After Mama’s Kitchen, another West U friend cleanser. My Chinese friends say it helps to soothe directed me to Hu’s Cooking. The contemporary chile-scorched throats and provide a pleasing conrestaurant, with its blond-wood aesthetics, quicktrast to the “dry” rice. In many parts of China, it ly garnered fans from the Medical Center, isn’t unusual to eat a meal without a drink, so in Bellaire and Rice University area. Owner John this case, the soup doubles as a beverage.

Hu helped start another Sichuan restaurant, Many Americans, like myself, associate Cooking Girl, a block away on West Holcombe Sichuan with the buzzy tingle of Sichuan peppers, Boulevard. Soon after the former architect sevbut these fragrant orbs are not part of the pepper ered ties with Cooking Girl, he opened Hu’s. family. They’re citrus berries from the prickly ash His website touts a different kind of Chinese tree. Sichuan pepper owns the misnomer thanks fusion, with a unique twist and interpretation of to a molecule called hydroxy-alpha sanshool, Taiwanese and Sichuanese food. Take, for which causes that odd prickly sensation. example, the tender, white boa buns with garlic China has eight regional cuisines. Hunan and beef and green scallions. Traditionally, northern Guangdong (Cantonese) have dominated our Chinese cooks make this with pork. local food scene until now. You’ll find Sichuan Across 610 Loop in the heart of the Galleria pepper in cupboards all over China; it is part of area, Fei Fei Yang has charted a bold endeavor with the famed five-spice powder. But only Sichuan

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Taste Sichuan Bistro

Taste Sichuan Bistro

Taste Sichuan Bistro

CHOICES Sichuan restaurants are booming in H-Town. From left: the Beef Golden Soup, Grilled Spicy Fish and Spicy Sichuan Lamb, all at Taste Sichuan Bistro.

the 1,800-square-foot Taste Sichuan Bistro in Centre at Post Oak. The shopping center is home to Nordstrom Rack, Morton’s Steakhouse, Grand Luxe, Moxie’s Grill & Bar and Arhaus Furniture.

The energetic restaurateur hopes to captivate diners with elegant presentations and less wellknown standards from the land-locked southwestern Chinese province. Yes, she anticipates some raised eyebrows. After all, she opened the popular hole-in-the-wall Sichuan Noodles seven years ago in Chinatown. It showcases 30 noodle dishes, most of them ranging between $8.95-$10.95. So, she understands that for many diners, Chinese cooking fits snuggly into the cheap-eat category.

That shouldn’t be, she says, given that China's cuisines are ancient and complex. She hopes to persuade Houston diners to have a greater appreciation for Sichuan after they sample chefs Qiang Qin and Ling Zeliang’s refined interpretations. Many Sichuan dishes have wit, surprising and enchanting diners, she says.

Her most popular dish sells for $31.95. It con-

sists of two sizable roasted New Zealand legs of lamb topped with peppers and an enticing fermented black bean sauce. So far, it has received rave reviews online. Yes, there is a hint of heat, but the dominant taste is “lamb” and a multitude of other flavors.

Another show of restraint is the Boiled Fish Slices, which arrived on a beautiful wooden platter with a U-shaped handle. For $15.95, it easily served two people, and four with another entrée. At other Sichuan restaurants, this delicate flounder dish stumbles in a sea of red chili oil. Here, I savored the subtle brininess and the vegetal hum of fresh Sichuan green peppercorns and serrano peppers.

Fei Fei refrigerates the perishable Sichuan green peppercorns to preserve the herbaceous notes. Its sibling, the more common dried red peppercorns, possesses flowery, citrus notes underlined by wood tones.

Sichuan food is about a variety of flavors, and spicy is only one, Fei Fei says. There is saltiness, sweet and sour, bitter, and even smoky. The

magic is when all those flavors are masterfully combined. When done correctly, the diner can pick up those nuances, and each dish will taste distinct. But in the hands of an amateur, Sichuan cuisine suffers, and dishes taste all the same.

“There are so many Sichuan flavors to explore,” Fei Fei says. “I hope to introduce them to diners.”

While wrapping up my research on the food of Sichuan, my sister emailed me about Wula Buhuan on Briar Forest in the Energy Corridor.

The restaurant is from Jojo Wang, the owner of Spicy Girl Midtown. I’m already making plans to check out her new concept on Chinese New Year on January 25 and celebrate the Year of the Rat over double-cooked pork and kung pao chicken. As the waiter said on the phone, Wula Buhuan loosely translates to, “Life without spice is no fun.”

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

Sichuan restaurants in Houston New kids on the block ● Hu’s Cooking, 2502 W. Holcombe Boulevard, ● Mama’s Kitchen, 3815 Richmond Ave, Suite B, www.themamaskitchen.com ● Mian, 9600 Bellaire Boulevard, Suite 102B, 281-974-1252 ● Taste Sichuan Bistro, 5000 Westheimer, www.tastesichuan.com ● Wula Buhuan, 13346 Briar Forest Drive, www.wulahouston.com Oldies, but goodies ● Chengdu Taste, 9896 Bellaire Boulevard, Suite A,

www.chengdutastehouston.com ● Mala Sichuan Bistro has three locations: 9348 Bellaire Blvd., 1201 Westheimer Road, and, in Katy, 23119 Colonial Parkway, mala-sichuan-bistro.business.site ● Pepper Twins has four locations: 1915 W Gray St., 315 Fairview St., 3915 Kirby Drive and, in Katy, 1315 W Grand Parkway South, www.txpeppertwins.com ● Schezuan House, 9252 Bellaire Boulevard, Suite C, 832-581-2091 ● Sichuan Noodles in Dun Huang Plaza, 9889 Bellaire Boulevard, C305, 832-831-3038 ● Spicy Girl, 917 Winbern, spicygirl.business.site

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NEIGHBORS

by Michelle Casas Groogan, staff writer

Steel Magnolia Moms The race that wasn’t – and will be

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eteran runners understand what it takes to properly prepare for a serious race: discipline, discomfort, stamina building, carboloading. It is a degree of commitment that discourages most casual joggers and certainly those who rarely run at all – which brings us to the extraordinary pledge of a dozen Houston women, both runners and rookies, to collectively tackle one of the toughest relay races in the running world.

Inspired by each other and fueled by grit and grace, 12 women – all moms – dedicated themselves to running a Ragnar Relay, a series of long-distance races across the country. This race was 200 miles from San Francisco to Napa Valley, with each team member running three legs with differing degrees of difficulty. It would be a total of 36 hours of grueling, perpetual motion, with a shared goal of crossing the finish line for the benefit of everyone, sore of foot, but full of heart. The name they go by seems entirely fitting, “Steel Magnolias.”

Steel Magnolia Moms is one of the largest support groups in Houston for moms who share in the joys and challenges of raising a child with special needs. Their children represent more than 66 different syndromes or diagnoses in areas of cognitive, social, physical and emotional differences.

Their goal simply stated on their homepage: “We are all on a rocky road with the most beautiful, gorgeous views. Let’s do it together.”

Elizabeth Elder of Memorial founded the group in 2016, first starting up a Facebook group and later forming the nonprofit organization.

Her inspiration came after posting on social media and being touched by the support of other moms going through similar challenges. Today the group is 610 strong with chapters in Houston and Austin. It positively supports moms by providing wellness workshops, retreats, socials and educational seminars to promote their own health and happiness.

“Literally that’s what this run was about; we are all on an unknown, winding, rocky road with beautiful views. It was symbolic for Steel Magnolia Moms, and it was symbolic for our own journeys,” said Elizabeth, who works part time in marketing and sales and is mom to three children, Annabelle, 9, Blair, 8, and Clark, 2.

GEARING UP Twelve moms of special needs children are training to run Ragnar Del Sol, a relay race from Wickenburg to Mesa, Jan. 31-Feb. 1. Back row, from left: Nikki Thomason, Dahlia Brown, Kelly Scoggins, Dawn Kemp, Shana Halvorsen. Front row, from left: Liz Maberry, Shannon Essex, Marla Grace, Elizabeth Elder, Evelyn Nordin, Laura Ryan and Kate Peden.

The two oldest have Leigh syndrome, a rare genetic mitochondrial disease that affects their ability to generate energy. Annabelle and Blair use wheelchairs to get around and can’t stand or walk without assistance.

Running is not new for Elizabeth and a couple of the other team members, but most everyone else in this group was a rookie. The commitment involved getting up before dark every Saturday morning for five months and meeting with a trainer from a running group, InFlight Running.

On Friday nights, they ran in Hershey Park in Memorial because an important part of running a relay is learning to run on tired legs. Their stick-to-it-iveness comes from the all-consuming job of being a special needs mom.

Kelly Scoggins of Tanglewood, who also works as a financial advisor at Goldman Sachs, has 4-year-old twin girls, Sammy and Kit, and an 18-month-old son named Teddy. The joy of

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overcoming unexplained infertility to being pregnant with twins was short lived. She explains how her happiness was hijacked when she and her husband, Drew, got the devastating diagnosis that one of the twins had Down syndrome and a rare lymphatic malformation.

“I remember how hard that time period was when your faith is being tested,” said Kelly. “A big part of this run for me was reaffirming that I have conquered that and that I am better because of it and I’m not blaming anyone else and certainly not my daughter. But a big piece of it for me is running for other moms who aren’t there yet, moms who are still in the trenches questioning their belief and their faith. So I wanted to help raise money to help reach those ladies.”

“I was tired of being on the sidelines of my life,” said Marla Grace, Heights mom to three boys, James, 14, William, 12, and Henry, 10.

The oldest was diagnosed with Dandy-Walker

RISING FROM THE ASHES Steel Magnolia Moms make lemonade out of lemons at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, where the race would have begun.

The group took a symbolic run wearing custom running pants designed by Buzz resident Leslie Denby of DYI (Define Your Inspiration). From left: Dawn Kemp, Nikki Thomason, Dahlia Brown, Kelly Scoggins, Shana Halvorsen, Elizabeth Elder, Evelyn Nordin, Shannon Essex, Laura Ryan, Marla Grace, Liz Maberry and Kate Peden.

syndrome and multiple congenital anomalies. “I knew it was a crazy idea, but it was a big motivation for me to get some things in check. I support my family and my kids, but it was time to put myself on the priority list. Special needs moms walk a path that’s a little bit different, and you need to take care of yourself.”

Shannon Essex, team co-captain, was the initial inspiration and “the runner” of the group.

She has two daughters; the oldest, 6-year-old Sophie, has congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) leading to chronic lung disease and Russell-Silver syndrome.

“When I got Sophie’s diagnosis at our 20week scan they put me on bedrest and took away my running shoes. Then once Sophie was born I sat in the hospital for 311 days and never put on my running shoes. I was determined to get back to that part of me,” said Shannon.

She slowly got back into running and ran during her second pregnancy to another daughter, Maddie. That’s when she met Elizabeth, and the two of them sat in a café and dreamed up the Super Steel Magnolias Ragnar Team.

“When you’re a special-needs mom, you can’t walk that road by yourself; you need other people to help and support you, but at the end of the day it’s you walking your own path. And that’s what Ragnar is… Only I can run the miles, but I can’t finish this race and the 200 total miles without the team. In life you run a hard race, but when you do it with the support of a team, you feel like you can do anything,” said Shannon.

Dahlia Brown of Memorial has two children:

7-year-old Amos and 5-year-old Avery. Amos has a neurological condition causing an intellectual disability along with severe ADHD. Dahlia is no novice, having trained for a marathon years ago. But this time it’s not about fitness.

“It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience so far. Each of our journeys with our children has been so different, and we’re so inspired by each other. Not all of us moms walk out of the hospital and bring our babies home. I brought my son home and he was perfectly typical, and we were told everything was fine for so many months and years. And then suddenly we were told, ‘Wait, something is not right,’” said Dahlia.

Evelyn Nordin was one of the first to join the team even though she had never run before, but what she found even more challenging than running was sharing her personal story on the fundraising page about her 9-year-old son, Ian, who has autism.

“I had never shared my story before publicly and then to put it out there was almost shameful, which is ridiculous because it’s not a story of weakness, but of strength. All the family/work balance, autism research, appointments, therapeutic schools, therapies and medical interventions for Ian were a blur. But it was worth it.

Unfortunately, I traded my health for his. Now, I am setting aside a bit for me. I am running with my sisters on this journey and can now see the beauty in my life's challenges.”

After five months of intense planning, fundraising and training, the team raised $70,000 for Steel Magnolia Moms. They made it to San Francisco, with every minute planned

out, only to get devastating news.

The race had been canceled due to wildfires in Napa and Sonoma counties.

“It was heartbreaking and hard. It’s something we didn’t plan for,” said Shana Halverson of Meyerland, whose daughter, 11-year-old Dylan, has a chromosomal deletion that has resulted in two open heart surgeries and four spine surgeries; Dylan is also challenged with autism and sensory processing disorder. “But that’s where being a special-needs mom helped us. We know how to take the curveballs. We always have a Plan B. We deal with what we were given, and we know how to do that.”

They shared hugs and tears, but got back up and put on their running shoes and spent a couple of nights relaxing. “We were all brokenhearted, but when we all had a little time to heal, there we were on a group text chatting about mundane things,” said Elizabeth Elder. “We had each other, and you can’t knock us down.”

It was a message from a friend of Shannon’s that proved to be the most telling for the next phase of this journey.

“The text said, ‘It’s ok if you fall down and lose your spark. Just make sure that when you get back up, you rise as the whole damn fire.’ We were, like, ok, we’re going to come back stronger,” said Shannon.

Those words have since been backed by action. All 12 of the Steel Magnolias who were denied the run in Napa have booked their journey to cross the finish line in Phoenix for Ragnar Del Sol next month, on Feb. 1.

Out of the ashes, the Steel Magnolias will rise.

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KIDS

by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz Baby

Number four

Buzz Baby is a column about life with little ones.

Writer Annie McQueen has four children age 5 and under.

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lmost four years ago, I wrote a Buzz Baby article with the headline “When the Fourth Arrives.” I met Buzz parents who had four kids and spoke to them about what life is like when you have that big of a crew.

Their experiences seemed so far from my own personal parenting journey, as we had only two kids – 1-year-old twins – at the time.

I recall one woman describing the day she took her newborn son along with her as she chaperoned her older son’s field trip to the zoo.

I had a vision of her, recovering from childbirth, as she nursed her baby by the tigers and rocked him by the bears.

Now, I get that story. In November, we welcomed our fourth child, Henning.

It has been a challenging experience, bringing a brand-new baby home when there are three older kids, with different needs, big emotions, and even a little bit of homework.

Time feels limited to do all the things – endless laundering of tiny socks, never-ending dishes and more, and sometimes, like that mom I spoke to back in 2015 pointed out, I feel like there’s not always enough Mommy to go around.

It’s not perfect, and that’s okay.

I am not sure how this magically works out, whether the universe sends childbirth-order vibes out, but, so far, he’s been a perfect fourth child. He’s sweet and easy-going. He loves to be held by his older siblings – our daughter, who turns 3 this month, and the twins, 5. He has deep brown eyes that peer around our crazy house as he takes in the sights and sounds, which also includes barking dogs – we have three of those.

I have learned an important lesson so far with having a fourth: Keep your expectations at a realistic level. All the time. It’s never going to all get done, and never going to feel like you have it all together.

For example, I let the twins dress themselves for Pre-K each day. After early-morning breakfast and lounging in pajamas, they retreat to

Haley Webster/Three Smudges Photography

.

their rooms to pick their clothes. This is my daily morning entertainment: to see what they’ll waltz into the room wearing. If they’re clothed and it’s appropriate for the weather that day, we roll with it.

Oh, and you know those perfect family photos of moms and dads holding a tiny sleeping newborn, swaddled up in their arms, while their toddler is gazing into their new baby sibling's eyes? Yeah, those AND BABY MAKES FOUR Georgia McQueen, 2 at the time, holds baby brother are harder than Henning in the hospital. they look to pull the teacher, from the hospital bed while nursing off. Props to you, parents with those shots.

Henning. This was the first time I had received I had scheduled photos with a local Houston an email like this about my son. It hit me at that photographer whose work I had been Instagrammoment, and my heart started to ache a little. stalking. We got on her books a week after we My son was going through something, acting got home from the hospital. I was so ready to out at school that day, possibly adjusting to a capture those sweet moments of Henning snooznew baby at home, or maybe just having an off ing away while the three older ones looked on day, and I was in the bed at the hospital, unable at him, my husband and I sitting next to them, to go to him – to hug him, talk to him, and see looking on at our four children. how we could work the problem out. I felt it However, my dreams were pretty much shatstrongly at that moment – the reality of being a tered when my 5-year-old daughter walked in mom of four. with freshly cut bangs that she cut herself – not For now, we’re enjoying this ride, one day at to mention a busted chin from falling off a chair. a time. Sometimes, as I look around my house, Immediately following her, my son walked in, with scattered opened markers on the ground, with a huge chunk of his bangs cut, too. shoes and dirty school socks on the floor, the I should have known life with four would be a dog chewing the corner of the rug, I have to ride. I was sitting in the hospital bed, holding our remind myself of that heartbreaking truth – the 24-hour-old Henning when an email hit my years with the tiny ones don’t last forever. We’ll inbox. It was from my son’s teacher. He had a nothave many new chapters ahead. so-great day at school. It opened with, “Annie, I For now, I’ll enjoy the chaos. You know what hate to send this to you right now but…” they say – babies don’t keep.

I showed the email to my husband. I emailed

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WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 35

TRAVEL

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by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Travel Buzz R

A century of travel

uth Peters celebrated her 100th birthday as only a consummate world traveler could do: with a steep climb up the long staircase of Blarney Castle in Ireland, where she leaned back and kissed the fabled Blarney Stone.

It’s something that had been on her bucket list since her dear friend Marie told her about it. She and Marie had been friends for more than 50 years, and when Marie’s husband died, she began traveling, and would always come back and tell Ruth of her adventures. But Marie had passed away the year before, and Ruth was determined to do it soon.

“When I get to heaven I’ve got to tell Marie I did the same thing,” she told her daughter and traveling companion Gayle Christie, who has been globetrotting with Ruth since her retirement in 2013.

Although judging from Ruth’s energy level and her good spirits, it seems as though Marie will have to wait awhile – the lively centenarian doesn’t show any signs of slowing down anytime soon. As Buzz readers may have already seen in 2017 in Travel Buzz: 97 Years of Travel, Ruth and her late husband, Kenneth, who was a flight instructor as well as a farmer, started seeing the world early through the International Flying Farmers, and though Kenneth passed away in 2009, Ruth never stopped traveling.

“I didn’t know she was actually going to do it,” said Gayle of the stone-kissing feat. Blarney Castle was the highlight of a 14-day Dublin-toLisbon cruise last October, and the two will never forget the adventure. It had been pouring down rain all morning, but as soon as they arrived at Blarney Castle the clouds parted, the sun came out and the day began to sparkle.

“Mom said, ‘I think I’m going to do it.’ So the two began to climb the narrow stone staircase.

After a strong ascent, they came to a curve and Ruth said, “Oh, I think I have to sit down.”

Gayle turned around and looked. “I said, ‘Oh, no – there’s no way we can go back down.’ There were 50 people behind us!’”

But she needn’t have worried. Ruth had waited a long time for this, and she was determined.

She caught her breath and continued the climb.

It took them 45 minutes, but when they made it to the top, a crowd of about 60 cheered as two

gentlemen leaned her back to kiss the stone.

“Word got out that a 100-year-old lady was kissing the Blarney Stone,” said Gayle with a laugh. “Then there was a sort of receiving line, where everyone wanted to shake her hand.”

BLARNEY CASTLE Gayle Christie (at left) accompanied mother Ruth Peters on The two laughed in a bucket-list trip to the Emerald Isle and the 15th century medieval stronghold. merriment at the memand Ruth laugh heartily at the memory. “And ory. And that was just the beginning; it was still Mother just said, ‘Bottoms up!’” a week until her birthday, and a memorable week Their fast bond with the Jamesons wasn’t it would be. They landed at the Shannon what they’d expected – but they quickly discovAirport in County Clare, near the dramatic and ered a mutual love for gardening. Ruth is a liferocky West Coast of Ireland and the much-vislong farmer, and while you can take the girl off ited Burren region. Their “happy, fun and knowlthe farm, Gayle is living proof that you can’t take edgeable” driver, Colm with Adams & Butler, the farm out of the girl. Gardening remains a picked them up at the airport and headed for core practice in her life and her mother’s as well. their first destination, the stunning Cliffs of The pair enjoyed traveling from one end of Moher, which had been a highlight of Marie’s Ireland to the other, enjoying the delightfully Ireland tour and promised to be one of Ruth and fresh and flavorful Irish potatoes – perfectly fried Gayle’s as well. Here the mother-daughter duo every time, according to Ruth. But the best part also enjoyed another regional attraction: the of the Ireland tour was the people – everyday Burren Perfumery. Inspired by the many fragrant people they met everywhere they went, especialflowers in the wild local landscape, the organic ly when they went into the pubs to warm up from perfumery is also home to a popular tea room the nippy October weather. that gave the travelers a taste of the delicious cui“They’re just happy people,” said Gayle. sine they’d be enjoying on the Emerald Isle.

“They’re so outgoing and friendly and they really A special highlight of their Ireland tour was a love people; they love to laugh and have fun and long leisurely tea at the Tourin House, family enjoy life. It felt really different from the dolce home of the Jameson sisters, of Jameson Whiskey vita in Italy – the people were really genuine.” fame – Kristin, Andrea and Tara – the ninth-genThere were a couple grumpy people they encouneration descendants of company founder John tered in line one time – “I can’t believe you’re so Jameson. What made it really special was a threeirresponsible as to take your 100-year-old mother to hour heart-to-heart with the Jameson sisters themBlarney Castle,” they remembered being told. selves – a connection their travel agent Sandra Notably, the curmudgeonly travelers were not Irish.

Ortiz of Woodlake Travel set up for them. (“We “Remember that girl who pulled us aside and don’t normally spend three hours with anyone,” she had purple hair?” Gayle reminded Ruth.

Kristin told them as they departed.)

“She wanted to meet Mother – she just so “We just really hit it off with them and had the impressed everybody. People come up to Mother most incredible time,” said Gayle. “Along with tea, all the time because she’s such an inspiration, they served a shot of whiskey. And so, while we’re and they say to her, ‘You’re my hero.’” sipping our tea, Kristin says, ‘Well, bottoms up!’

Ruth’s can-do and common-sense approach to “So I have a photograph of Mother where we life has extended to her travels. She starts every all have our crystal glasses, and mine’s full and day, when possible, with a brisk walk, tries to eat our friend’s is full but Mother’s is empty.” Gayle

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THE BIG KISS Top left photo: It took awhile, but Ruth Peters made it to the top of Blarney Castle, where two men helped lean her back to kiss the legendary stone, purported to bestow the gift of gab on the kisser. Bottom left: Ruth received a rousing round of applause from all those who had gathered around. Right photo: Ruth takes a break from her packed itinerary to enjoy the River Wye. The Wye River Valley straddles the border between England and Wales and is one of the island's most dramatic landscapes.

a healthful diet and takes a number of “pharmaceutical grade” or high-quality vitamins, minerals and food supplements, preferring self-care and prevention over the health care system, which she’s largely managed to avoid.

“She doesn’t look 100, and she certainly doesn’t act it – but what does a 100-year-old look like anyway?” Gayle asked. Ruth’s photos speak for themselves. Most of her friends are at least 15 years her junior and are in assisted living; most are amazed to hear of her exploits. Marie, one of her oldest friends, was in her 80s when she passed away.

Since so many people ask for her secret to good living, Gayle typed up the “Ruth Peters’ top 10 secrets on how to live an exciting & active life in your 100s.” (See below.)

After Ireland, the pair made their way down through Europe, taking in a tour of Normandy, including Omaha beach – especially significant for Ruth, whose brother was a World War II veteran; a couple of stops in Spain, where they enjoyed some delicious paella; and a visit to Portugal’s enchanted Douro Valley, home to the

famous Port wine. From there they set sail to Lisbon, where they visited the royal stables and watched a dressage performance with the magnificent Portuguese Lusitano horses. Another highlight in the Portuguese capital was a “tuk tuk” (motorized rickshaw) ride around Lisbon.

On Ruth’s big day, Oct. 24, they were aboard the cruise ship, where the pastry chef created an enormous chocolate cake with 100 edible flowers.

The staff aboard the Ovation had already begun to feel like family as the pair had already done the Dubai cruise three times, most recently in April and May of 2019. This time, Sandra found them a beautiful resort in the desert 45 minutes outside the city, Al Maha (meaning oryx in Arabic). Surrounded by giant sand dunes and nestled among the lush palm groves of an oasis amid the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, the ladies had their own infinity pool where the gazelles would come for an occasional sip. Gayle went riding, for an unforgettable desert sunrise on an Arabian horse. Then they boarded their cruise ship and went through the Suez

Canal and the Strait of Hormuz to Oman, where they stocked up on frankincense – another of their secrets to a long, healthy life, as they drink a glass of water with 10 drops in it every day.

Mother and daughter alike are grateful for the perspective that global travel has given to them.

“It affects your outlook,” says Ruth. “You don’t just see one corner of the world; you see the whole perspective. You don’t just keep your thoughts in this little space where you live.”

It also helps you understand diverse points of view, added Gayle. “You actually meet people and learn that not everyone is like-minded. You hear other people’s perspectives, and you like the people so you listen to them – and that makes you more aware that everybody has hopes and dreams and disappointments. People are people everywhere, and they just want the best for themselves and their families.”

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

Ruth Peters’ top 10 secrets on how to live an exciting & active life in your 100s 1. Strong faith and relationship with Jesus Christ 2. Pray constantly 3. Read the Bible and uplifting articles 4. Be involved in organizations that help people 5. Take many “pharmaceutical grade” vitamins

6. Drink hot water 7. Walk daily 8. Eat everything 9. Be positive 10. Laugh, forgive, and love

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 37

Photo courtesy of the Junior League of Houston

FOOD

by Emily Vechan, contributing writer

Cooking Buzz Fresh flavors for 2020 Cooking Buzz is produced in partnership with the Junior League of Houston, a women’s charitable and education organization founded in 1925.

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f you’re like me, a fresh start is in order after the holiday season, with its hams and turkeys, gravies and jellies, potatoes, stuffings and casseroles.

To fight back against that food coma, you can’t go wrong with the right salad. Try the Seared Yellowfin Tuna Salad with Wasabi Vinaigrette. You’ll quickly forget it’s low-carb with that kick of spice. For those craving a more international flare, I recommend the Vietnamese Pork Tenderloin and Rice Noodle Salad.

With both allergens and the flu season still in the air, make Vitamin C intake a priority. The Chicken in Orange Sauce gives you a tasty and natural alternative to desperately chugging Emergen-C. The recipe calls for fresh orange juice – this is important, since the fresh stuff has almost twice the amount of Vitamin C per serving compared to concentrate. All kinds of citrus fruits boost your immunity, so the lemon juice in the Herbed Baked Salmon makes that dish another great option as well.

When you’re ready to rejoin the festivities, combine liquid spirits with your New Year plan. The Baked Red Snapper with Feta uses ouzo liqueur, a clear, sweet, anise-flavored liqueur from Greece, to complement its Mediterranean medley of tomatoes, capers, and onions. Or, you can pop some bottles to make Champagne Chicken, with a sauce that combines the bubbly with fresh thyme, rosemary, garlic, and lime juice.

For those with a sweet tooth, we’ve got your back on that too. The Low Fat Flan is delicious and swaps those heavier creams and whole eggs for skim milk and egg whites.

Enjoy flavorful eating to start your year off right.

Vietnamese Pork Tenderloin and Rice Noodle Salad From Peace Meals Note: Use thin rice vermicelli noodles rather than regular rice noodles (which are thicker and can become gummy after they are cooked). Substitute 3

NEW YEAR, NEW RECIPES Try the Vietnamese Pork Tenderloin and Rice Noodle Salad this year.

tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of anchovy paste if you cannot find fish sauce.

Vinaigrette: 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ teaspoon ground chili paste or Asian chili pepper sauce 3 Tablespoons sugar ½ cup hot water 3 Tablespoons bottled fish sauce 1½ Tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar ½ teaspoon coarse salt Pork: 1 Tablespoon brown sugar ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon coarse salt 1 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed Salad: 8 ounces thin rice vermicelli 1 English cucumber, cut into matchsticks 2 carrots, peeled and cut into matchsticks 1 cup fresh bean sprouts 2 cups red leaf lettuce, torn 2 Tablespoons each chopped mint, cilantro and basil, for garnish (use Thai basil if available) 3 Tablespoons chopped peanuts, for garnish Puree the garlic, chili paste, sugar and water in a small food processor. Transfer the mixture to a small saucepan. Add the fish sauce, lime juice, vinegar and salt, stirring over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes.

Let cool.

Combine the brown sugar, cayenne, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl and stir with a fork. On a large piece of foil, sprinkle the spice rub over the pork tenderloin, cover tightly

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 38

with foil and seal; chill for at least 30 minutes or as long as overnight. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Remove the foil and place the tenderloin on a lightly oiled roasting pan. Roast for 30 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in the center reads 145 F. When done, place the tenderloin on a cutting board and allow it to rest for about 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 F. Cut into ½-inch slices and then cut into ¼-inch strips.

Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the vermicelli. Boil the noodles for about 3 minutes until soft or according to package directions.

Drain and rinse under cold water and set aside to cool. If the noodles start to stick together as they cool, toss them in a bowl with a small amount of the vinaigrette. In a large bowl, toss together the cucumber, carrots, bean sprouts, noodles and desired amount of the vinaigrette.

In a large serving bowl, layer the lettuce, noodle mixture and pork. Garnish with chopped herbs and peanuts. Serve at room temperature. Serves 4 to 6.

Seared Yellowfin Tuna Salad with Wasabi Vinaigrette From Peace Meals Since the fish is served rare, purchase sashimi grade only and serve it the same day you buy it.

Wasabi Vinaigrette: 1 teaspoon wasabi paste 1½ Tablespoons rice wine vinegar 1½ Tablespoons soy sauce 5 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper Tuna: 2 Tablespoons dark sesame oil 2 Tablespoons soy sauce

Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined; season with salt and pepper, and set aside.

Mix together the sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and lime juice in a small bowl. Place the tuna steaks in a small baking dish, cover with the marinade, wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Heat a skillet over mediumhigh. Remove the tuna from the marinade, and coat generously with sesame seeds and pepper. Sear the tuna for 1 to 1½ minutes on all sides (or longer for tuna that is cooked through). Remove the tuna and cut into ¼inch slices.

Combine the greens, radishes and cucumbers in a large bowl. Divide the salad between 2 plates and top with the tuna slices. Drizzle the salad with the vinaigrette and garnish with green onions. Serve immediately. Serves 2.

Herbed Baked Salmon From Stop and Smell the Rosemary 1½ pounds thickly cut fresh salmon fillet, skin intact ¾ cup mayonnaise (can use light or nonfat) 3 ounces Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (¾ cup) 6 Tablespoons minced green onions 3 Tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (basil, dill, parsley, chervil, thyme, or a combination) 2 Tablespoons minced red bell pepper Juice of ½ lemon Salt Freshly ground pepper Cayenne pepper Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix mayonnaise, Parmesan, green onions, herbs, bell pepper, lemon juice, salt, pepper and cayenne in a small bowl. Spread over salmon to within ½ inch of edges. Spray shallow baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and warm in oven 20 minutes. Place salmon skin side down on dish (it should sizzle). Bake 20 minutes or until just flaky. Do not overcook. Salmon should be medium-rare to medium. Skin should be crispy and may be eaten or removed, as desired.

Serves 4.

Photo courtesy of the Junior League of Houston

1 Tablespoon peeled and grated fresh ginger 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice 2 sashimi grade yellowfin tuna steaks, 6 to 8 ounces each Sesame seeds Freshly ground pepper Salad: 5 ounces mixed baby greens 4 radishes, sliced ½ cup sliced English cucumber Green onion curls, for garnish

BETTER-FOR-YOU DESSERT The Low Fat Flan from Stop and Smell the Rosemary is delicious and swaps heavier creams and whole eggs for skim milk and egg whites.

2 Tablespoons plus 2 Tablespoons olive oil ¼ cup minced onion 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 can (14½ ounces) whole tomatoes ½ cup tomato paste 2 Tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained 1 teaspoon dried oregano ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper ¼ cup plus 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley Salt Freshly ground pepper 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (1 cup) 1 Tablespoon ouzo liqueur

breasts. Season with salt and pepper. Cover bowl and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove chicken from marinade and place in a small roasting pan. Reserve marinade. Roast chicken 20 to 30 minutes, basting occasionally with marinade.

Place chicken on a platter and cover to keep warm. Pour pan juices into a saucepan. Add remaining marinade. Cook mixture over medium-high heat until reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. Spoon sauce over chicken and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs. Serves 2.

Low Fat Flan Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Pat fish fillets with a damp cloth. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring, until onion is transparent. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, capers, oregano, red pepper flakes, ¼ cup parsley, salt and pepper. Cook 10 minutes.

Pour remaining 2 tablespoons oil into a baking dish. Add fish in a single layer. Pour tomato sauce over fillets. Bake 15 minutes. Sprinkle with feta. Bake 5 minutes. Sprinkle with ouzo and remaining 2 tablespoons chopped parsley.

Serve piping hot. Serves 4 to 6.

Champagne Chicken

Baked Red Snapper with Feta

From Stop and Smell the Rosemary 1 cup champagne 12 sprigs fresh thyme, minced 3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice 4 cloves garlic, chopped 2 large sprigs fresh rosemary, minced 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper Fresh rosemary sprigs

From Stop and Smell the Rosemary 2 fresh red snapper fillets (1¼ pounds each), skin removed

Combine champagne, thyme, lime juice, garlic, and rosemary in a large bowl. Add chicken

From Stop and Smell the Rosemary ½ cup sugar ¼ cup water 2 large eggs 3 large egg whites 1 can (14 ounces) low-fat sweetened condensed milk 1½ cups skim milk 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, without stirring, until syrup turns a deep amber color, 5 to 8 minutes. Immediately pour syrup into 1½- to 2-quart soufflé dish or 6 individual Pyrex custard cups.

Tilt dish to coat with syrup. Whisk eggs and egg whites in a large bowl. Blend in sweetened condensed milk, skim milk and vanilla. Pour egg mixture through a strainer into syrup-coated dish. Bake in a hot water bath 60 to 70 minutes.

Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. Invert soufflé onto a platter. Serve immediately.

MORE ONLINE See thebuzzmagazines.com for more recipes.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 39

SPORTS

by Todd Freed, staff writer

SportzBuzz

TAPPS

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ith its 31-20 victory over Lakehill Preparatory of Dallas, the Emery/Weiner Jaguars secured this year’s TAPPS six-man Division 1 state football championship. The victory also marked the second state title in the last five years for Emery/Weiner.

In the state championship final, the Jaguars were led by a tremendous game from running back Leo Gerst, who rushed for 214 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Doran Yustein also connected with tight end Josh Blum on a critical 30-yard, second-half touchdown.

“We had a small but mighty senior class, and those three guys set the tone on and off the field,” said Jaguars head coach Jason Reimers.

“The trio of Austin Smith, Ben Dauber and Connor Koenig really led the way in this year’s run to the state finals.”

With its final 12-1 record, the Jaguars also tied a school record for most victories in a season. “I think this year’s championship is a title for the school and the entire community. The fans showed up in droves for our state final in Waco, and it’s an honor to bring the title back to Stella Link,” said Reimers.

Propelled by an epic comeback victory in the state finals, the St. Agnes Academy Tigers captured the TAPPS 6A state volleyball championship. The Tigers faced six match points while trailing 24-19 in its fourth set versus Prestonwood Christian before rallying for a 27-25 victory. At one point, St. Agnes trailed two sets to nothing prior to its improbable comeback, which was capped off by a 15-13 victory in the fifth and deciding set.

“In those courageous moments you saw the eye of the tiger,” said Tigers head coach Cydryce McMillian. “I watched in awe as our girls battled through an incredible amount of adversity and pressure.” By withstanding that kind of pressure, the Tigers brought home their first state volleyball title in 15 years. “Our seniors kept us focused all season long on what we wanted most, and that was to win the state championship.”

As for those seniors, Tigers outside hitter Sahara Maruska will play collegiate volleyball at Rice while libero Julia Bradshaw will suit up for Pennsylvania next season. McMillian also had high praise for the leadership of fellow seniors Isabella

STATE CHAMPS The St. Agnes Academy Tigers staged a monumental come-from-behind victory over Prestonwood Christian in the state finals to win the TAPPS 6A state volleyball championship.

Agee and Audrey Leonard. “All of our girls put in so much effort from day one and had the laser-like vision to win a championship. It was a great victory for the entire St. Agnes community.”

In a memorable championship final, the St. John’s Mavericks persevered through two overtime periods and then a 1v1 shootout to defeat the rival Kinkaid Falcons for their second straight SPC girls field hockey title. “It was a high intensity back-and-forth battle,” said Mavericks head coach Craig Chambers. “Both teams slugged it out.”

While neither team scored in regulation and then the two overtime periods, Mavericks senior Sadie McCabe broke the scoring drought with the first goal of the shootout. Senior Kennedy Sholeen and sophomore Sloan Davidson then added two more scores, and goalie Tyler Kennedy kept the shutout intact for the ultimate 3-0 St. John’s victory.

The SPC Championship capped off a magnificent 18-2 season for St. John’s, with its only two losses coming against the country’s top-ranked field hockey teams at the Max National Field Hockey tournament in Pennsylvania. “We won one of our games in Pennsylvania and played really well against the nation’s top-ranked team,” said Chambers. The Mavericks played

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 40

extremely well all season behind an immensely talented lineup, which included 11 players who’ve committed or already signed to play field hockey at the major collegiate level.

For the second straight year, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart captured the TAPPS 6A state field hockey championship. At the state tournament, the Chargers first defeated rival St. Agnes in a 2-0 overtime thriller, with Cee Cee Van Pelt and Saphia Zaman scoring the only goals of the game. The Chargers then shut out All-Saints Episcopal 1-0 in the statetitle game. Ariel Schumacher set up Genna Montalbano for the only goal of the game.

With two magnificent shutouts to her credit, goalie Camille Lobb was named the state tournament MVP. In addition, the Chargers were led all season by the sensational play of Schumacher, who was only one of four players in the entire state to be named on the Max Field Hockey “Top 40 Players to Watch List.”

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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Dry-skin care tips for kiddos and adults During the winter months, skin can dry out and become flaky, red and irritated. This is due to the breakdown in the skin’s protective barrier, allowing moisture to leak out and allowing irritating factors to seep in. Think of a birthday cake … without a protective frosting barrier, the cake dries out and becomes crusty and brittle. Children and adults with a history of eczema, a skin condition characterized by recurrent itchy flares of sensitive skin, are at an increased risk for dry skin. Simple steps can be taken to prevent and treat flares of dry skin.

The first step against dry skin is altering bathing habits. The hotter the bath water we use, the drier our skin becomes. Lukewarm water is best to maintain skin moisture and our ability to enjoy our bath or shower. After bathing, pat dry with your towel, allowing a little moisture to remain on the skin. Follow this with an application of your favorite moisturizer (see below on how to pick your moisturizer). Repeat application of moisturizer throughout the day can strengthen your defense against dry skin too.

Professional trick: For extremely dry winter hands, apply a generous amount of petroleum jelly to the affected area and cover with cotton gloves or socks.

After a couple hours (or a full night’s sleep if worn to bed), your hands will be markedly improved!

Limiting exposure to potential “drivers” or “triggers” of dry skin is also important. These may include stress, cigarette smoke, fragrances (perfumes, candles, washing detergent, air fresheners), fresh Christmas trees, bubble baths or harsh soap, and the list goes on. By reducing exposure to such things, skin is less likely to be irritated, red and scaly.

Picking a moisturizer can be quite overwhelming, as there are hundreds of products to choose from. In short, the thicker the moisturizer the better. Ointments (greasy like petroleum jelly) are best. Creams (thick and white) take the silver medal. Lotions (watery and thin) take the bronze medal.

Oils receive the sad fourth-place ribbon (they get on towels and clothing but are not absorbed well into the skin). Good moisturizers often have a “bland” smell because they avoid fragrances which might “trigger” sensitive skin. A few of my favorite over-thecounter brands are Cetaphil and CeraVe. However, feel free to go for the generic alternatives – they are great too.

As winter continues, we hope these tips are able to keep dry, flaky, irritated skin at bay. At Bellaire Dermatology, we are happy to help in any way – Because Results Matter.

For more severe or persistent cases, please consult with a board-certified dermatologist.

Kayla McNiece, Board-Certified Dermatologist and FellowshipTrained Mohs Skin Surgeon, Bellaire Dermatology Associates, 6565 West Loop South, Suite 800, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.661.4383, www.bellairedermatology.com

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 41

SPORTS

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by Angie Frederickson, staff writer

SportzBuzz Jr. W

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

Concentration on the court All eyes were on the ball at the Veritas Christian Academy middle school varsity volleyball game. Helena Arnold (top photo, left) and Tiara Gordon (top photo, middle) prepare to return the ball during a game in their undefeated season. For the first time in school history, the volleyball team completed a shut-out winning season with a 16-0 record and won the Greater Houston Athletic Conference championship. The girls also finished first in their division and eighth overall in the 2019 Bayou City Volleyball Tournament. Varsity champs are Ellie Veeningen, Audrey Finch, Kate Mueller, Eden Droog, Virginia Fairfield, Helena Arnold, Ava Farris, Tiara Gordon, Kara Thomas and Mikayla Villafuerte.

Aggies for the win The Southwest Football League’s (SFL) Aggies (middle photo) won the Junior Tackle championship with a 14-6 win over the Longhorns. After a winning regular season, the fifth- and sixth-grade Aggies advanced through the playoffs to reach the final game. Ford McCauley had a 12-yard touchdown in the first quarter, followed by a 47-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Cameron McNulty had 5 tackles for loss and was a standout on defense all night. Other notable plays were Tripp McCarty’s 12-yard reception for a fourth-down conversion and Sloan Rippstein’s interception in the final minute. Proudly displaying their championship trophies are (top row, from left) coach Robert Crawford, Tripp McCarty, Evan Crawford, Coen Ogier, Ford McCauley, coach Tim McCauley, (bottom row from left) Mario Cerros Jr., Dax Butler, Sloan Rippstein, Cameron McNulty, Andy Garcia, Toby Fly, David Ramirez, Jayden Chargois, Preston Gorski and Brody Hetzler.

Making history Presbyterian School seventh-grade basketball player Sydney Parks (bottom photo, second from right) recently scored her 300th career point.

Sydney was the first female in Presbyterian School history to reach 200 points as a sixth grader, and she joins an elite group of players who reached the same goal during their time at Presbyterian School, over the last decade.

She was instrumental in helping the sixth-grade girls team go undefeated during the 2018-19 season. This year, along with teammates Maureen Ebaugh, Warner Stahlbaum, Brett Selldin, Claire Murray and Bella Woodcox (pictured, from left), Sydney and the JV Presbyterian School Panthers are currently undefeated.

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.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 42

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Allergies in older adults In April 2017, the AARP Bulletin wrote about allergies, and since it’s an AARP publication, it focused on adults age 50 and over. Before the 1990s (like when Drs. Engler and Malick were training), it was taught that allergy was an ailment of the young and usually got better as one became older. Further, it was thought that older individuals didn’t suddenly “become allergic.” Since the 1980s, though, the prevalence of allergy has increased in all age groups. It is now known that one can develop allergies at any age.

Just as treatment is different in children than it is in adults, a great deal of caution goes into considering therapeutic options in older adults. For instance, oral decongestants, such as Sudafed, are more likely to cause side effects in older adults (e.g., high blood pressure, insomnia, irritability, and/or rapid heart rate). Sudafed PE is much safer. It doesn’t contain any “Sudafed” (pseudoephedrine) at all; rather, it contains phenylephrine, a much milder decongestant. Antihistamines, such as Zyrtec, Benadryl and Xyzal, can make you sleepy. Claritin and Allegra are less likely to cause sedation. Of further concern about sedating antihistamines is that long-term use increases the risk of dementia. The only antihistamine NOT on that list is Allegra (even Claritin is sedating and with anti-cholinergic effects at higher doses).

Generic Allegra (fexofenadine) is much less expensive and works just as well for about 95 percent of our patients. Costco sells it as “Aller-Fex,” and Walgreens as “Wal-Fex”.

Nasal steroids are usually tolerated better than any of the oral medications because a much smaller dose of medicine is required to be effective since the medicine is applied directly to the nose. But some nasal steroids cause

nosebleeds; original Flonase is most likely to cause a bloody nose. Two other over-the-counter nasal steroids, Flonase Sensimist and Rhinocort Allergy, are less likely to cause a bloody nose.

One treatment that works well in younger and older patients is allergy shots. Once we identify what you are allergic to, we can use allergy shots, or immunotherapy (IT), to make you less allergic.

As opposed to medications listed above, which just treat your symptoms, IT is disease modifying.

IT teaches your body’s immune system to ignore the dust mites, cat dander or tree pollen that can cause “false alarms” in the allergic. A word of caution about IT, though: many so-called allergists are not board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, and don’t use optimal doses of allergens in their recipes. All three allergists at The Allergy Clinic and Houston Allergy and Asthma Clinic are not only board certified by ABAI, but maintain that certification on an annual basis.

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

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

A thoughtful, play-based approach to education

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WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 43

INSTEAD OF PRESENTS Gabriela Hess, a fifth grader at The Joy School, requests donations for charity instead of birthday gifts. Here she’s pictured with her donations for AniMeals.

KIDS

by Gabriela Hess, age 11

Buzz Kidz F

Celebrating giving

or the last few years, I have been doing charity work for my birthday. Four years ago, before my birthday, my parents said, “We are giving you an option.” For my birthday, my option was my friends could bring me presents, or I could ask my friends to bring a donation. After doing some research, I picked the charity called “Undies for Everyone.”

Undies for Everyone is a charity that gives students in underserved schools a fresh pair of underwear in case a kid has an accident in class.

That way, the kids can go back to class and not get bullied. No one deserves to be bullied.

The year after that, Harvey hit Houston.

There were a lot of homeless animals because some houses flooded and people lost their pets or could not take care of them. We found a char-

ity called Houston Pets Alive. I asked my friends if they could donate pet food instead of giving me presents. We took the food to the rescue.

They gave me a tour of where they were keeping the cats and the dogs. There was so much food, it barely fit in my mom’s car.

Last year’s birthday, I had a very small party, so I skipped a year. This year, I had a bigger party, and I asked my friends to bring pet food again. This year I found a charity called AniMeals. AniMeals is like Meals on Wheels for animals. It’s for people who cannot afford to buy their pets food. The pet food is delivered to their homes.

My parents thought it was so nice that I asked for donations instead of getting gifts that they offered to give me a little money for every person

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 44

who donates. This is great because now I can save up to buy cool things! It’s also great because it makes me feel happy that I can help others.

Going forward, I want to do more charity work, not just for my birthday.

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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Compromise to collaborate My estate planning practice attracts a lot of overachievers, clients who are not just good at what they do, but good at everything they do, including managing money. And maybe that’s why they have estates large enough to plan.

On the other hand, after a point, achievement doesn’t just distinguish them; it isolates them. They may be exceptionally successful at real estate, investments, or business. They build portfolios and micro-empires that no one else can manage, or even understand. Not without reason, they believe they are uniquely qualified to invest the family money, that no one else can do better, and that it’s foolhardy to pay a professional to do worse than they’re already doing for free.

Short term, they are correct. Long term, they flirt with disaster. If they die or become disabled before divesting or delegating, the portfolio may be liquidated at a discount, leaving family worse than if they’d invested in the S&P 500.

As a rule of thumb, know your expiration date, count backwards five years, and calendar a succession plan. Invariably, that means dumbing things down, lowering expectations, and, heaven forbid, increasing costs. On death or disability, your agents and executors should be able to manage the portfolio without sacrificing their own family to save yours. Instead of 14 percent return per annum, expect closer to 6-8 percent. After accounting for inflation and taxes, 3.5 percent a year may be the realistic maximum.

Tax return preparation needs to be delegated, too. Solo CPAs are the least expensive, but they age at the same rate as everyone else. If the family money will last multiple generations, maybe the accounting firm should,

too. Yes, mid-size firms are more expensive, but that’s the price of continuity.

There’s an upside to delegation.

Collaboration is easier when facilitated by someone outside the family. The spouse or child who can’t sit still for five minutes while you extoll your own glories will invest one or two hours listening to a paid professional who doesn’t know half what you do. And it will be worth it. In an inevitable crisis, when you are unable to respond, they will have someone who can support them while they support you.

Overachievers hate to slow down, even if only to allow others to catch up, but eventually, it’s less important that you do your best than that you allow others to do theirs. Towards the end, resolve to do less, but listen and teach more.

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

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

Watch Their Smiles Grow

“Babies are such a nice way to start people.” - Don Herrold Photographing new beginnings for over 20 years A Portrait Remembers 713.523.4916 nikky@lawellphoto.com www.lawellphoto.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 2020 45

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PETS

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New year, difficult resolutions

Neighborhood Tails Teddy, age 6, Cockapoo, Sunset Blvd.

Talk about a lucky day in more ways than one! It was 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 7, 2013, when my brother and I met two people who were looking to adopt a Cockapoo (Cocker spaniel/poodle, now probably called a Cockerdoodle). Well, there we were – Scotch and Whiskey, as we were known at the time. I was Whiskey. We had been owner-surrendered along with our mom. Well, lucky No. 1 was that my mom had already been spoken for, and lucky No. 2 was that my brother had, too. So, there I was – the pick of the litter! Lucky No. 3 is that I went home with them that day six and a half years ago, and the three of us couldn’t be happier. And, oh by the way, I now go by Teddy!

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.

The beginning of the year is a time when people often make resolutions to change their lives. For many, these include joining a gym or beginning a diet. For some in unhappy marriages, they make the resolution to move forward with a divorce. The decision to divorce is not always easy, but there are steps that can help those going through this process.

First, it’s important to have the support of friends or family. Even the most amicable divorces are stressful, so it is helpful to have at least one confidante outside of the legal proceedings. Second, gather financial documents, such as account statements, tax returns, and appraisals. This information is necessary to value the marital estate and ensure the property division is equitable. Lastly, it’s critical to find an attorney who is experienced in family law. Seek out a referral from a trusted professional, such as an accountant or therapist, rather than relying on the advice of a friend of a friend or an attorney who has never practiced family law.

The process of divorce can be difficult, but for many it is necessary to improve their lives and emotional health.

Elizabeth H. Edwards is an associate attorney at Tindall England PC, a family-law firm specializing in divorce, child-custody modifications, grandparent access, paternity, adoption, and premarital and postmarital agreements.

Tindall England PC, 515 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 500, Houston, Texas 77027, 713.622.8733, www.tindallengland.com

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To advertise in The Buzz Magazines, contact us at 713.668.4157, ext. 11 or advertising@thebuzzmagazines.com WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 46

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Staying healthy in 2020

Classical Pilates

Ring in this New Year using a strategy that keeps you healthy and enjoying life. Keeping up with medical appointments can sometimes be challenging. An easy way to keep track is using a cell phone calendar with set reminders. Organizing a medical folder can be very helpful in recalling your medical history. Keep a list of all the medications you take on your phone, including over-the-counter medications as well as vitamins and supplements.

Well-being assessment ideally includes consideration of emotional and social developments.

Lifestyle patterns related to weight start with weight, body mass index, nutrition, exercise and sometimes metabolic assessments. Physical conditions change over time, with blood pressure, cholesterol and cardiovascular status becoming increasingly important. Pneumonia and influenza immunizations, among others, also become more important with age. Cancer screening should be coordinated with the appropriate providers. Hormonal symptoms and bone health may be a priority for post-menopausal women.

Routine population-based guidelines are important. Specifics unique to your situation, especially the presence of risk factors and/or disease, may indicate a need for management tailored for you. Regardless of your age, it is important to practice awareness. Be familiar with your body so that, if you notice a change, you can report it to your doctor for the appropriate evaluation.

Wishing you a joyous and prosperous New Year.

Women’s Care at Museums’ Gate, Meredith V. Morgan, MD, 2 Chelsea Blvd., Houston, Texas 77006, 713.795.4145, www.DrMeredithMorgan.com

Courtney Lindsay and Kale Luhrman opened their doors in 2018 after a collective 20 years teaching and training across the U.S. with titans of the Classical Pilates industry like Alycea Ungaro, Deborah Lessen, Jennifer Kries, Blossom Leilani Crawford, Benjamin Degenhardt and more.

The two mothers were tired of traveling to the East and West coast to get their hands on the “real deal.”

No Houston studio, save one, at the time had Classical equipment (manufactured by Gratz). While there were incredible teachers in Houston, most were training on Balanced Body and had a mixed approach to delivering the workout.

The way these women had experienced the work could not be replicated in this setting. If they couldn’t bring the teachers trained under Joseph Pilates "Elders" to their hometown, they would bring the equipment and the training.

Control Studios is the first to host a 3rd Generation teacher-training program led by Alycea Ungaro, owner of Real Pilates NYC, protege of Romana Kryzanowska, who took over Mr. Pilates’ studio after his passing.

Teachers here are graduates of the highly esteemed 600-plus-hour training systems in the industry. Control Studios offers classes and privates on all Classical Apparatus: Reformers, Wunda Chairs, Spine Correctors and more.

Whether you’re looking for a workout or career shift into teaching Pilates, you will discover your “Fountain Of Youth” at Control Studios. In the words of Pilates himself, “You’re only as young as your spine….”

Control Studios, 2116 Bissonnet St., Houston, Texas 77005, 713.855.8582, www.controlstudios.work

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 47

Jenny Antill

NEIGHBORS

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by Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld, staff writer

Buzz About Town Highlighting heritage The West University Elementary School community is looking forward to the 2020 International Festival Jan. 24, 4:30-7:30 p.m.

The annual event will have a parade, cultural performances, a scavenger hunt and food tastings. Pictured are students dressed up in their heritage attire, representing 22 countries: (top row, from left) Seriah Thomas, Nicholas Harjadi, Lena Sophie Beddar, Zach R. Madison, Nina Shimaguchi, (second row, from left) Rhea Salerian, Varnika Mehta, E. Abdallah, Marisa Greer, Salem Shatnawi, Anya Bharadwaj, Caithleen Harjadi, (third row, from left) Lyla Pichon, Johanna Dorn, Ana Sofia Orozco, Carlton Haase, Meriah Thomas, Ava Daljipi, Alice Ginzel, Lyla Davis, Lily Spooner, Morayma Suarez-Lopez, (fourth row, from left) Yash Shivani, Alina Farshadi, R. Abdallah, Aws Hammad, Harvey Dong, Catherine Coulomb and Elijah Harrison.

Rita Davis, Forever Baby Photography

Writers in the Schools hosted its most successful fundraising gala at The Astorian. About 350 guests gathered for “Ticket to Imagination” to support quality creative writing instruction. Chairs were Laura and Michael Pipkin, and auction chairs were Kalinda Campbell and Seema Mir. The 11th annual gala raised $225,000. This year’s event honored Dr. Lenora Noroski from Texas Children’s Hospital. Former Houston and Southwest regional youth poet laureate Jackson Neal emceed and reflected on his journey from his first poetry slam. Neal introduced Houston’s new youth poet laureate, Madison Petaway, a junior at Westbury High School. WITS students

Michelle Nguyen, Henry Botros and Diego Coreas read original poems. Guests were treated to travel-inspired poetry written in real time by WITS students. Pictured are (from left) Emily Pipkin Blackwell, James Blackwell, Michael Pipkin and Laura Pipkin.

Fashion for families Holly and Austin Alvis, Christine Falgout and Bill Gutknecht, and Holly and Steve Radom chaired the Catwalk gala, raising more than $500,000 in support of A Shelter for Cancer Families. This year, ASCF purchased property in the heart of West University in large part due to the success of the fall fashion event. Now with a permanent home, the organization is able to provide more than 5,600 nights of housing a year.

This year, ASCF presented six new ambassador families, including FOX 26 Houston’s anchor Melissa Wilson, who walked the runway with her family to a standing ovation. Wilson emceed the event, paying homage to her son Caleb who overcame childhood leukemia three years ago and her son Zach who stood by his brother’s side during this time. The evening ended with a River Oaks District’s fashion show produced by Ursaline Hamilton featuring Veronica Beard and Moncler. Pictured are Jason Reed, Lindsey Lindsey and Jonathan Lindsey.

Holiday cheer Johnny Than for Jenny Antill Photography

dabfoto creative/event photography

Ticket to imagination

More than 250 gathered at the home of Beth and Nick Zdeblick for the annual Ambassadors for Texas Children’s Hospital Holiday Party.

The Zdeblicks shared why their family is devoted to the Texas Children’s (continued on page 50) WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 48

WOMEN’S CARE AT MUSEUMS’ GATE

Focused on Women’s Midlife Medicine • Menopause • Osteoporosis • Preventative health

Our Caring Style • Individual attention • Friendly supportive staff • Appointment duration appropriate to each woman’s need • Consideration for each patient’s personal schedule

KRISTI NEAL Real Estate Broker, Licensed Attorney and Certified Mediator 713.858.4595 • kristi@candkpropertieshouston.com candkpropertieshouston.com

2 Chelsea Boulevard Near the Texas Medical Center Free parking on the premises

Houston, Texas 77006 713-795-4145 www.drmeredithmorgan.com

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 49

Dr. Christopher Caldarone, chief of congenital heart surgery. Dr. Caldarone thanked the Ambassadors and announced they raised $856,566 for the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program at Texas Children’s. Pictured is the Zdeblick family.

Monica Ho

(continued from page 48) mission and introduced

Dave Rossman

Bridge bash

More than 220 young professionals braved chilly temperatures at the fifth annual Urban Wild Bridge Bash, on Memorial Park’s Living Bridge.

The Glow in the Park event, presented by Ernst & Young, raised more than $30,000 for the Memorial Park Conservancy, to care for Memorial Park. Co-chairs were Alexis Caruselle and Jeffrey Yates, and the host committee included Kadriye and Avery Alcorn, Michael Bassila, Blair Chesnut, Robert and Ben Clark, Caroline Dawson, Robert Erni, Greg Germain, Elizabeth Gregory, Zenab Haq, Kathleen Hotze, Megan and Luke Hotze, Deja Land and Josh Ibarra, Andrew Lin, Brandi Lisenbe, Krissy and George Pepi, Yvette Salazar, Ashley Underwood and Lee Younger.

Pictured are (from left) Krissy Pepi, Evan Meehan and Lacey Rybarczyk.

at Bellaire High School, organized a school supply drive for Avondale House, a center for people with autism. Lyndon, a junior at Episcopal High School, organized a winter coat and clothing drive for Emergency Aid Coalition. John, a junior at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, organized teams of volunteers to rebuild a degrading bridge near Trailhead #12 on the Lone Star Hiking Trail. Nick, a junior at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, designed two garden areas and organized volunteers to improve the grounds of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church.

Troop 125 has had 221 Eagle Scouts since the first one in January 1947.

Singing cadets

Celebrating new Eagles

Kickball classic The Periwinkle Foundation held its 6th annual Periwinkle Kickball Classic at the Houston Sportsplex. Forty-eight teams entered in the tournament, and seven high schools competed in the high school bracket. The St. John’s Class of 2020 were crowned the champions, and the St. John’s Class of 2021 finished as runner ups.

Other schools included St. Agnes Academy/Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, Bellaire High School, The Emery/Weiner School, St. John’s Class of 2022 and Dulles High School. Pictured are champs (from left) Ryan Doughty, Matthew Laborde, Jackson Heijman, Travis Ho (holding trophy), Savannah Farmer, Cooper Hay, Amelia Williams (in front), Mira Thakur, Eliza Holt (in front), Charlie McGee and Katherine Johnston. Not pictured are Catie Beck, Athena Adrogue and Erin Oldham.

More than $52,000 was raised for The Periwinkle Foundation, which supports those affected by cancer and other illnesses at Texas Children's Hospital.

Creativity and community

Boy Scout Troop 125, chartered by St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, recently honored four of its newest Eagle Scouts, (pictured, from left) Lyndon Walsh, Pramit De, John Powell, Jr., and Nick Aruffo. In kindergarten, Pramit and Lyndon started the Boy Scout trail together at Roberts Elementary, joining Cub Scout Den 9.

John and Nick also started early on, in Cub Scout Den 10 at The Regis School. All four boys, as Webelos, became Scout friends when they joined Pack 505 at St. Vincent de Paul, earning their Arrow of Light before crossing over to Boy Scouts Troop 125. Pramit, a junior

Houston A&M University Mothers' Club is hosting a scholarship concert at 7 p.m. Jan. 10 at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. The Singing Cadets – the longtime Voice of Aggieland – will perform. The Singing Cadets have sung in 10 countries and at the services of Barbara Bush and George H. W. Bush. Many of the Cadets are from Houston and graduated from high schools such as Strake Jesuit, Memorial High School, Episcopal High School and The Emery/Weiner School. Houston-area Cadets include (pictured, from left) Jose Rueda, Aidan Hill, Will Othon, Brian Swanson, Ben Snow, Clayton Reid, Aaron Daniel, Clay Ozuna and (not pictured) Evan Diebner. See houston.aggiemoms.org.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 50

Four hundred women filled the Crosspoint Church gym for the 25th annual Table Grace Women’s Ministry event. The festive evening focused on table décor, decorated by different women in the theme of their choosing. There were blue twinkle fairy lights, a college football theme complete with (continued on page 52)

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 51

Michael McKenny

The write way Reid Ryan and Jeff Bagwell. This year’s honorary chairs were Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Mayor Sylvester Turner. Luncheon chairs included Barbara and Michael Gamson, Patti and Mike Morgan, and Marcie and Bob Zlotnik (pictured). The Host Committee was chaired by Renee and Alan Helfman.

Spotlighting service

The nonprofit iWRITE Literacy Organization honored 100 student authors and illustrators at the 10th Anniversary iWRITE Luncheon and Book Signing. The event focused on stories on international culture and honored seven women who exemplify global leadership and represent the seven continents of the world. Honorees included Alex Blair, Dr. Seun Adigun, Lisa Helfman, Donatella Benckenstein, Dr. Sippi Khurana, Dr. Meenakshi Wadhwa and Dr. Louise Owen. More than 400 guests attended, and the organization raised more than $100,000 to support writing programs. Workshops and summer camps will be held at the Houston Public Library and other locations in 2020.

Guests had the opportunity to meet authors and illustrators, including West University Elementary School students Sophia Yu (pictured), Yutia Li and Prisha Shivani.

Volunteer Houston, a program of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, celebrated 45 years of service at an anniversary dinner held at Hilton Americas-Houston. This inaugural event raised over $100,000 for the program. The highlight of the evening was an address by Robert M. Gates, the 22nd secretary of defense, former president of Texas A&M University and former director of the Central Intelligence Agency. It was followed by a fireside chat with his daughter Eleanor Gates, director of Volunteer Houston.

Home-run event Holocaust Museum Houston honored The Astros Foundation for its commitment to service and building an open-minded society at their Guardian of the Human Spirit Luncheon. This year’s luncheon, which was held at the Hilton Americas-Houston, raised $615,000 to fund programs that share the dangers of prejudice and apathy, using the lessons of the Holocaust. The 2019 Guardian of the Human Spirit Award was accepted by Twila Carter, executive director of The Astros Foundation. H-E-B President Scott McClelland moderated a conversation with WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 52

A Daily Point of Light award was presented to philanthropist Regina Rogers by Neil Bush, chairman of Points of Light. Melanie Lawson, ABC 13 news anchor, was the emcee, and her father, the Rev. William A. Lawson, provided the invocation. Pictured are (from left) Doe Florsheim, Robert Gates and Henry Florsheim.

Volunteer Houston connects people and groups with nonprofits; see volunteerhouston.org.

Campout in West U The 13th annual Fathers & Flashlights urban campout took place on the fields surrounding West University Elementary School. Camping out were 527 kids and 255 dads, and more than 250 volunteer moms helped. Cochairs were the Huth, Morrison and Parker families (pictured).

The event raised more than $156,000 for West U parks, plus in-kind donations valued at $38,700.

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.

Lauren DeFrehn Photography

posts, glass ornaments hanging from golden branches, a moving roller coaster and carousel made from Legos, reindeer fine china, Pac-Man blob chair backs, real five-foot tree centerpieces and more. Aurora Hafer and Rhonda Ward each received an award celebrating 17 years of consecutive table decorating. Guest speaker was Laura Seifert of Yes Ministries. Pictured are (from left) Stephanie Lu, Jen Savery, Alli Sears, Jeanie Cravens, Lego master and table hostess Regina Chiang, Britt Guarglia, Andrea Karow and Jessica Evans with the moving roller coaster and carousel made out of Legos. Search "Table Grace 2019" at thebuzzmagazines.com for more photos and details by Karen Vine Fuller.

Photo courtesy of Interfaith Ministries

Priscilla Dickson

(continued from page 50) homemade table-size goal-

PK & K Observations

11

Jan 2020

Application Deadline

15

Jan 2020

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 53

NEIGHBORS

by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

Back Porch F

Politely, “No.”

or a few years, everyone, it seems, has been praising Shonda Rhimes’ Year of Yes. The writer, executive producer and creator of the mega-hit tv series “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” wrote Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person as documentation of her commitment to a year of accepting speaking engagements, interviews, parties – all things that had previously sent her retreating to the safety of home.

There’s a lot to be said for saying yes; it changed Shonda Rhimes’ life for the better. She expanded her world, wore glamorous clothes, lost 150 pounds (by saying yes to self-care and no to cravings). She inspired thousands to follow her lead.

But as we embrace a new year – a new decade! – I’ve been wondering what might happen if we started saying no sometimes.

Hear me out: this isn’t about being negative. Just the opposite, actually. It’s about giving ourselves permission to say no to all the shoulds and have tos, clearing space for what we truly want in our lives. Maybe that’s just called setting boundaries.

Before I go much farther, let me preface what I’m about to champion. Twenty years ago, a therapist gave me the book When I Say No, I Feel Guilty, one of the first “self-help” books written way back in 1975 by Manuel J. Smith.

The mere fact that someone gave me this book opened my eyes to a problem I didn’t realize I had: I never said no. Now, if you’re solid on boundaries and know how to honor them, you don’t need to think about how or when to say no. Maybe you’re rigorous enough that reading Year of Yes would be an excellent way to start 2020. But if you’re like me, jumping around in hopes of keeping everyone happy, maybe this new decade presents an opportunity for us to consider the power of a polite no.

Maybe we say no to prioritize our own happiness. Like, if you’re going to be a grump when it comes time to actually make the cookies you signed up to bring to the PTO bake sale, save yourself and everyone around you the huffing and say no in the first place.

But this isn’t all about happiness, because no isn’t always the thing that’s going to make us

behance.net/runamokstudios

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happiest. I remember being invited out for dinner when I had a baby.

I knew it was the baby’s bedtime, I knew she would get restless, but I wanted to get out.

So I’d say yes. Only to say, two hours later when the baby was fussing and I was worn out, “I should have listened to myself.”

It’s not easy saying no. We don’t want to be seen as difficult or closedoff or mean. So I thought we yes people could use some coaching on how and when to say no. Here’s what my digging around NO THANK YOU Learning to say no in an intentional, polite way can be a worthrevealed: while challenge.

Saying “I don’t” to you? What’s not? instead of “I can’t” is more effective. Kristin • Remember you’re saying no to the request, Wong, in her New York Times story “Why You not to the person.

Should Say No More Often,” wrote that “I • Be honest. If there’s a reason you’re saying can’t” leaves room for negotiating (I can’t go to no, share it, even if it’s that you just don’t want happy hour tomorrow night can be countered with to do something.

How about next week?).

• Be resolute. Don’t succumb to pushiness, Mikaela Kiner, founder of UniquelyHR, and stand your ground. writes in Fast Company that we should ask our• Practice. Choose a low-stakes situation, like selves, “If I don’t do this, will it matter in three when the Target clerk asks if you want a Target weeks, three months, three years from now?” credit card.

(My mom always gives this advice about what • Be prepared to miss out. You’re going to to get upset about and what to let go.) In the miss an opportunity by saying no. Remember same story, she reminds us that, even though we that you’re choosing; you’re saying yes to somemight not realize it, we are in control of how thing else. busy we are.

Hopefully this arms the more timid of us with Need specific instructions? Peter Bregman, a tools to politely say no in the coming year. I leadership coach, wrote this in “Nine Practices to promise no hard feelings if I ask you to lunch Help You Say No” in the Harvard Business Journal: and you decline.

• Identify your priorities. What’s important

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JANUARY 2020 54