The West University Buzz - July 2018

Houston, TX

2018 Buzz Photo Contest Winners

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Slipped By by Matt Bennett Second Place, Sports and Action

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JEFFREY RILEY JAMES WATERS

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE This issue reveals the winners of our 13th annual Buzz Photo Contest. As The Buzz has grown, so has our contest.

What began with residents dropping off a few hundred photos on CDs has evolved into a contest with more than 1,500 online submissions, judged by a panel of professional photographers.

The quality of entries in our amateurphotographer contest compares to that of many professional contests. While I do not have a “vote,” I always enjoy sitting in on the judging. It gives me a greater appreciation of everything that makes a memorable photo. I also love to hear the stories behind the images, and the techniques photographers used to capture the photos. I hope you enjoy the winning images and enter your own photos in next year’s contest. michael@thebuzzmagazines.com

THE BUZZ MAGAZINES BELLAIRE • WEST UNIVERSITY • MEMORIAL • TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS

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Contributing Writers

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

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Account Managers

Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman Cheryl Laird Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld John Duboise Tracy L. Barnett Deborah Lynn Blumberg Sharon Albert Brier Andria Frankfort Angie Frederickson Todd Freed Cathy Gordon Michelle Casas Groogan Dai Huynh Annie Blaylock McQueen Jennifer Oakley Cheryl Ursin Russell Weil Benjamin Cohen, Karen Vine Fuller, Katie Hackedorn Andrea Blitzer Stephanie Goldfield Leslie Little Kim Montgomery

On our cover: Matt Bennett took this photo of the Mustangs and Aggies at a game at the Post Oak Little League Pee Wee Field.

Cover photo by Matt Bennett 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 © 2018 Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this magazine by any means without written permission is strictly prohibited. Printed on recycled paper. Please remember to recycle.

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MAILBAG

Your letters, thoughts, opinions Sterling’s story inspires neighbors Cathy did a masterful job on the article featuring our beloved Sterling [Burton] [The Good Neighbor: Everybody loves Sterling, by Cathy Gordon, June 2018]! The photographs all turned out terrific as well! Many thanks to The Buzz for bringing Sterling’s story to life. The article and the party we neighbors hosted for Sterling have brought the neighborhood together even more than before. It’s so nice to have neighbors that check on each other. I heard from several friends who read Sterling’s story, and they let me know how inspiring it is for someone who is 98 to be leading such a vibrant life.

Thank you again for the lovely story.

Robin Burks Editor’s note: Robin, thank you for bringing us this beautiful story. For those who haven’t read it yet, see thebuzzmagazines.com for the online version.

Gifts for gifted dressmaker I just finished reading your article about Denise Moseley and her passion for heirloom sewing [Heirloom Sewing: From dress to lifetime quest, by Andria Frankfort, May 2018]. Back in the late ’70s, French hand sewing was all the rage in Louisiana. I have a few books and patterns to give to Denise, if she is interested.

Betty Lennon Editor’s note: Betty, thank you for your sweet offer. We loved connecting you with Denise.

A fan of podcasts and “Back Porch” We enjoyed reading Andria Frankfort’s recent piece about podcasts [Back Porch: A world of podcasts, April 2018]. Her columns are always filled with wit and humor as well as useful resources. We are now listening to a variety of podcasts (incorporating the helpful hint of the "1.5") on our phones, in the car, and while working out. Thanks for another timely and practical article.

Cheryl and Haran Levy Editor’s note: Thank you for your kind comments, Cheryl and Haran.

We’re glad this story was helpful. If some of you haven’t read it, you can see it at thebuzzmagazines.com. Keep us posted on which podcasts you’re enjoying.

Happy summer, high school grads I received this [a link to Class of 2018: Where are they headed?, by Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld, June 2018] yesterday and quickly shared it with my colleagues. We love this and are excited to see so many of our students in the magazine. Thank you for the fun and wonderful opportunity!

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 6

Shari Durrett, Director of Communications, Second Baptist School Editor’s note: Thank you, Shari, and congratulations to the Class of 2018. If you’d like to see where these high school grads are headed, search Class of 2018 at thebuzzmagazines.com. And if you’re a recent graduate, search High School Grads: Where Are They Headed? on our site to see – and contribute to, if you haven’t already – our annual database of college-bound Buzz seniors.

From our Briarwood student correspondent I just wanted to say thank you for an amazing two years of being part of “School Buzz.” It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I learned so much and hope to use those skills when I start college … as I go out into the world I’ll need connections like this to help me succeed in whatever life throws at me next.

Mackenzie McAnear Editor’s note: Mackenzie, thank you for contributing to School Buzz on behalf of The Briarwood School. We wish you the best of luck as you head into this next phase of life. To any high school students interested in writing for us, check out thebuzzmagazines.com/school-buzz for more details about our School Buzz program. We’re accepting applications now for 2018-19.

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

What’s your story?

We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who: • Know a compelling neighbor to profile.

• Have interesting or funny parenting stories.

• Look just like their mom, dad or a grandparent.

• Recently took a “gap year” before college.

• Traveled to a fascinating travel destination.

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

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NEIGHBORS

by Russell Weil, staff writer

Galveston Restaurant Memories Island favorites from the past

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Mario's Seawall Italian Restaurant private collection

D

riving south on I-45 to Galveston for a quick getaway remains a favorite road trip from Houston. While sand and surf are attractions, Galveston’s dining scene always has been a big part of the island experience.

Here, we take a look back at historic Galveston restaurants from times past. We know these names will spark some memories.

Throughout the 20th century, the Port of Galveston was the gateway for tens of thousands of immigrants to the United States. While some proceeded to other destinations across the country, countless stayed in Galveston to start new lives. Many opened restaurants serving their favorite family recipes.

The Smecca family has maintained a presence in the Galveston dining arena for decades.

Sicilian-born Giovanni Smecca came to Galveston in 1967 with aspirations of becoming a professional fisherman. When that didn’t work out, he teamed with a friend to serve “pizza pie” on Galveston Island, opening Mario’s Flying Pizza, currently located at 2202 61st St. and in Pirates Beach. Giovanni continues to remain a fixture at his restaurants.

His brother, Tony Smecca, a Sicilian raised in Gela, Sicily, eventually settled in Galveston in 1973 with his wife and sons, Johnny and Joey.

Tony made his own mark on the Galveston restaurant scene with Mario’s Seawall Italian Restaurant. The pasta dishes have an authentic New York flavor, and hand-tossed pizza has always been an attraction, but their classic spaghetti started it all. Mario’s is located on Seawall Boulevard at 7th Street with views of the Gulf of Mexico. While Tony Smecca passed away in 2015, his sons and their partners carry on the tradition as Galveston Restaurant Group, which includes sushi, steaks, seafood, pizza and Italian restaurants.

Longtime Galvestonians may recall a Greek immigrant named Theodore Christie, later referred to as “Old Man Christie” by patrons, who arrived on the island in 1917 from New York City. Christie, distinguished looking with gray hair and wire-framed glasses, opened a food stand selling fried-fish sandwiches in Galveston.

This small establishment, known as Christie’s,

ISLAND ITALIAN Owner Anthony Smecca serves pizza with his wife Nilde and their son Johnny at Mario's Seawall Italian Restaurant in 1974.

became a hit. Christie’s Famous Trout Sandwich put them on the map. Served with julienne potatoes and tartar sauce for 25 cents, it was prominently displayed at the top of an early 1930s menu. Another favorite was the fried shrimp platter with tartar sauce, a signature dish.

For the meat-lovers, there were Kansas City sirloin steaks and hamburgers.

Christie’s Seafood was originally located on the bottom floor of The Tremont, but eventually relocated to Houston near the Texas Medical Center in 1934. Granddaughter Maria Christie said recently, “While others later utilized the Christie’s name in Galveston..., no other family-owned Christie’s remained on the island after relocating to Houston.” Theodore Christie passed away in 1968, but Christie’s still serves up seafood at 6027 Westheimer Road in Houston, run by a new generation.

Former Galvestonian and current Buzz-area

resident Gerilyn Farb Gordon has her own old favorites from the island. “The first place I ever had pizza was at Giusti’s on Seawall Boulevard.

We would always order cheese pizza or pepperoni. I don’t think we knew that pepperoni wasn’t kosher. It was always such a treat to go to Giusti’s.” Giusti’s Café (pronounced Joosty’s) at 828 Seawall Boulevard, operated by John Giusti, opened its doors on Galveston Island during the 1940s. Specializing in pizza pies, Giusti’s served traditional Italian dishes including lasagna. This beachfront café was popular with local residents as well as island tourists until closing down in the middle 1960s. A vacant lot exists where Giusti’s once operated.

Gerilyn also remembers John’s Oyster Resort and how it was always crowded each time they visited. The island seafood favorite was located at 7711 Broadway overlooking Ofatts Bayou just south of the causeway. (continued on page 10)

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Christie Family Private Collection

TROUT SANDWICH A Christie's menu from the 1930s highlights the restaurant’s "Christie's Famous Trout Sandwich," introduced to Galveston in 1917.

Owned by the Celli family, John’s was always packed with locals and visitors from Houston. “We would go there for dinner every Sunday night, and after we finished our meal, we would walk down to the water behind the restaurant.” Fried shrimp was Gerilyn’s favorite, while her brother enjoyed the fried tenderloin of trout. “Mr. Celli would come through and talk to everyone. He was very friendly.”

John’s offered indoor dining, but a coveted spot on the back porch overlooking the water was the best seat in the house. Built in 1917 near a terminal of the Interurban (a train that linked Galveston to Houston), John’s closed in the late 1980s. The building later became Immanuel Baptist Church. The white stucco and green accents were painted pink once the church took over. The building, which had been vacant for many years, was eventually demolished in 2009.

A newer steakhouse, Number 13 Prime Steak and Seafood, stands near where the original John’s Oyster Resort once served Galveston.

During the 1950s and 1960s, most of the hotels on Galveston Island were motor hotels, where a visitor could drive up and park right outside the door to their room. Doors opened up to parking lots, the pool area or walkway balconies along the second or third floors. One of the more prominent places to stay during this

(continued from page 8)

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time was The Jack Tar. Guests splashed around in their kidney-shaped swimming pool, with a bridge crossing the resort-like setting. This midcentury playground located on Seawall Boulevard at 6th Street was across the street from Stewart Beach.

The Jack Tar had various restaurants and clubs, including The Coffee Cove, which opened in 1949. The cafeteria-style room was open 24 hours a day. While some would stop in for a cup of coffee, many hotel guests and locals would grab a bite after being out on the town, enjoying everything from burgers to chili, according to a May 2004 article by Victor Lang from the regional online newspaper, The Guidry News. Later, in 1968, the after-midnight crowd had to find another hangout, as The Jack Tar was sold. It became a part of Galveston history for good in 1973 when the property was demolished to make way for the Emerald Condominiums, now known as Emerald by the Sea. A walk down the island’s memory lane must include Gaido’s. This venerable dining establishment, located at 3828 Seawall Boulevard, has been serving Galveston for over a century.

Fried shrimp and ketchup kept many a kid, including me, happy while their parents lingered. Waiters in white jackets would sprint to

the table with stainless trays of crackers and butter for us to snack on while we waited for our meal to be served. My parents would always order baked potatoes, and I marveled at the carousel of condiments our server brought out as toppings for those potatoes.

Italian immigrant San Giacinto Gaido operated on a straight-forward directive when he first opened Galdo’s doors in 1911. He made it a point to learn what diners wanted to eat and then served it. At the current location since the 1940s, where windows overlook the Gulf, walls of memorabilia tell their story and document the history of Gaido’s, the fourth generation of the Gaido family maintains Mr. Gaido’s simple, effective approach.

The original location was actually on the beach at Murdoch’s Bathhouse just down the street at 2115 Seawall Boulevard. Gaido’s has always relied on the Gulf of Mexico for the daily catch. Today’s Gaido’s is easily identifiable by a gigantic fiberglass crab that has adorned the entrance since 1960.

Editor’s note: This is just a sampling of restaurants from Galveston’s dining past. We’d love to hear about the ones you remember. Comment under this story at thebuzzmagazines.com or email info@thebuzzmagazines.com.

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NEIGHBORS

by Benjamin Cohen, contributing writer

Galveston CVB

Island Happenings Summer events in Galveston

H

ello, summer – the perfect time to enjoy a sea breeze and take a road trip to Galveston. Here are some upcoming events on the island.

Galveston’s Own Farmers Market – The Bryan Museum, 1315 21st St., Sun., July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 9 a.m.-noon; Thurs., July 5, 12, 19, 26, 3-6 p.m. Locally grown produce, prepared foods and edible farm products for sale to support farmers and producers.

The Curt Miller Magic & Comedy Show – Moody Gardens Hotel, 7 Hope Blvd., July 2-8 , 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. This performance returns to Galveston for a 10th year. Magic, music, dance and clean comedy. Admission: kids 3-12: $18; adults: $23.

Bands on the Sand – Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd., Friday and Saturday nights through Aug. 11, 6-10 p.m. Summer concert series (with fireworks) featuring regional band performances.

Admission: $15.

Sunset Tour of Galveston Harbor – Pier 21, 2100 Harborside Dr., every day through Aug. 31, 7-9 p.m. Guests 18 years and older are invited to enjoy a sunset tour through Galveston Harbor. Bring your own snacks, beer and wine (no glass). Admission: $30.

4th of July Parade and Fireworks – 37th St. and Seawall Blvd., Wed., July 4, 7:30 p.m. The 179th City of Galveston Independence Celebration has floats, decorated military vehicles and performers making their way down Seawall Boulevard from 59th Street to 25th Street, with a 20-minute fireworks display to follow.

After Hours in the Museum – The Bryan Museum, 1315 21st St., Thurs., July 5, Aug. 2, 5-7 p.m. Get the inside scoop on the staff’s favorite collection pieces and exclusive access into select galleries. Wine and beer available for purchase. Admission: free.

Movie Night on the Strand – Saengerfest Park, 2300 Strand, 7:45 p.m. Sat., July 7, 7:45 p.m.; Sat., Aug. 4, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 1, 7 p.m.

Family-friendly movies under the stars.

Admission: free.

Red White n Volleyball Tournament – East Beach, 1923 Boddeker Drive, Sat., July 7, 9 a.m.

Hosted by the Gulf Coast Volleyball Association, WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 12

this tournament will feature men’s, women’s, junior’s and coed games.

The first 100 players to check in by 8:30 a.m. will receive a free shirt.

Admission: $25 per person, $50 per team.

Sandcastle Building Lessons – Stewart Beach, 201 Seawall Blvd., Sat., July 7, 14, 21, 28, Aug. 4, 11, 18, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Familyfriendly series to help beachgoers perfect their sandcastles, with tips from the pros.

Admission: free.

Music Night on the Strand – Saengerfest Park, 2300 Strand, July 14, Aug. 11, Sept.

8, 6-9 p.m. Live music, including blues, rock, soul ISLAND TIMES Celebrate the Fourth in Galveston with a parade and fireworks. Plus, and Irish folk. check out Bands on the Sand at Moody Gardens on Friday and Saturday nights.

Admission: free.

19, Sept. 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Families compete Family Day at The Ocean Star – Ocean in life-size versions of classic games. Register Star, 1900 Harborside Dr., Sat., July 14, Aug. online; 888-991-3776.

11, Sept. 8; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy activities and Sandcrab 5k/10k Night Run – R.A. Apffel experiments. Each family day focuses on a difEast Beach Park, 1923 Boddeker Rd., Sat., Aug. ferent theme related to the offshore industry.

11, 8:30 p.m. A night run on the beach under Admission: 6 and under: free; 7-18: $6; over 55 the stars, with refreshments and music. Kid’s and military: $8; adults: $10.

Mile option. Fee includes a shirt and post-race Artwalk – The Strand, Sat., July 14, Aug. 25, food. Admission: $20-65.

6-9 p.m. This event has been taking place for over 25 years and is hosted by the Galveston Arts Center. Guests can stroll through art galleries See this story at thebuzzmagazines.com for links and exhibits across the island. Admission: free. to event websites. Also, check the Events Calendar Galveston Family Beach Challenge – all year long for Houston-area happenings.

Stewart Beach, 201 Seawall Blvd., July 22, Aug.

MORE ONLINE

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 13

KIDS

by Karen Vine Fuller, contributing writer

Slime Time The oozy, gooey trend

B

ack in the day, playing with slime usually referred to Mattel Toys’ oozy, clammy radioactive-green-in-a-miniature-trashcan slime in the ’70s or Nickelodeon Television’s runny, drippy, flourescent green pour-over-your-head-when-you-said “I Don’t Know” slime in the ’80s. Today’s slime has come a long, stretchy way.

In 2017, “How to Make Slime” was the most Googled how-to phrase, according to Google Trends. Millions of Instagram posts and YouTube videos display brightly colored goo filled with glitter and add-ins of all kinds.

There are countless slime recipes, but the base of most concoctions is glue. Last summer, slime makers’ demand for glue was so high, there was actually a shortage of it. Also needed are water and borax, a liquid fabric softener or another “activator.”

Buzz residents are among the enthusiasts.

“I’m a fan of slime because creating it is part science and part creativity,” says Helen Goodman, a sign-language interpreter and mom to Sloan Goodman, seventh grader at Pin Oak Middle School.

Slime is a good icebreaker, says Kristi Coffey, owner of The ’401 restaurant in Bellaire and

MESSY FUN Trafton Academy seventh graders (from left) Isabelle Massaro, Lilian Howard, Lucy Logan, Susannah Rosof, Sofia Dale, Nina Lang and Charlotte Smith had a colorful time at a slime party.

mom to seventh grader Ava Noamouz and fourth grader Mia Noamouz. “The summer before Ava started at Pin Oak, we invited over other nervous-about-starting-at-a-new-school classmates to make slime. The girls were being shy until they started making the slime. I really think the slime creating caused interaction and laughter that were key secret ingredients to lots of new friendships being formed that day.”

Julee Patterson, a CPA and mom of Horn Academy fourth grader Carson, admits the mess, especially the “never-disappears glitter in the grout,” can drive her a little crazy, but she still prefers it over too much screen time. Their family was tickled at Carson’s excitement on Christmas morning over a gallon of clear glue.

Thanks to slime making, third graders from Condit Elementary’s Troop 147032 recently earned

Slimers’ tips “Be careful when working with food coloring, … especially blue. You can pour slime into a balloon to make a stress ball.” – Gianna Vela, fourth grader “Have fun and try new combinations and proportions. I like using liquid Tide (regular formula) or Gentle and Free version if working with clear glue.” – Sloan Goodman, seventh grader “If making the contact solution recipe, take turns adding a little baking soda and a little contact solution one at a time while you’re mixing.” – Chloe Chang, seventh grader “When I was an early slimer I left my slime outside overnight, and it melted. Luckily I was able to use a hose to wash it off.” – Sydney Fell, seventh grader More options Recipes: Butter Slime (Daiso soft clay/corn starch), Glossy (baby oil), Fluffy (shaving cream), Jiggly (lots of water), Cloud Snow (Insta-Snow), Metallic (metallic pigment), Crunchy (fishbowl or foam beads), Stretchy (lotion).

Scents: Essential oils, scented lotion, foaming hand soap Color: Dry tempera paint, shimmery eye shadow, food coloring Surprise ingredients: Glitter, foam beads, plastic beads, sequins, wiggly eyes, bubble wrap

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their Girl Scout Science at Home badge. Helpers guided the scouts through the chemistry of it all in the driveway. They wore stylish black garbage bags.

The Chang family (of Aqui and Uptown Sushi restaurants) hosted a Neon Slime Dance Party for sixth-grader daughter Chloe. The partygoers used glow-in-the-dark acrylic paint to create glowing slime. Guests boogied under black lights and gave the bash glowing reviews.

“Some parents might promise their kids electronics or money for good grades,” says Melissa Brams, mom of Lauren, Abigail and Emily. “We barter with slime materials. You get an A on your math test, great – I’ll get some glue! And not the cheap kind, it must be Elmer’s.”

Like a special family recipe, slimers have their own favorite ingredients. Here is a basic recipe: Ingredients: ¼ cup of glue (Elmer’s) 1 Tablespoon liquid laundry detergent (Tide Original) Drop or two of food coloring (optional) 2 squirts of shaving (not gel) cream – (optional for fluffier slime) Equipment: Measuring spoons; mixing bowl; spoon; airtight container; plastic gloves.

Pour the glue into a medium bowl. Add laundry detergent to glue and stir until smooth. The mixture should begin to harden and become stringy.

Continue mixing slowly until a ball of slime forms.

Pick up the slime and work between your two hands until smooth. Options: Add food coloring and/or shaving cream. Once mixed, you can play with the slime immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for future play.

MORE ONLINE See thebuzzmagazines.com and search “Slime Time” for a longer version of this story plus more photos.

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NEIGHBORS

The Buzz Magazines 2018 Photo Contest

sponsored by

Icelandic Horses, Grand Prize Winner Darren Inoff, 49, took this photo of three Icelandic horses in Northern Iceland in January 2018. “I was intrigued by these beautiful horses in Northern Iceland during the dead of winter and had to try and capture their beauty,” he said.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 16

A

fter reviewing more than 1,500 submitted images, we are pleased to present the winners of The Buzz Magazines’ 13th annual photo contest.

Congratulations to all and especially to our Grand Prize winner, Darren Inoff, who will receive an Olympus TG-Tracker Action Camera, compliments of Houston Camera Exchange.

With any contest like this, the process is subjective. However, there are basic principles of photography that must be met, such as lighting, focus, exposure and composition. And there are personal elements to consider: subject, emotion and storytelling. Judging is “blind,” as the judges do not see names or any information about the photographers.

We also let our readers vote. We posted the 36 print finalists on our Facebook page, and the photos that received the most “Likes” became our Readers’ Choice winners.

The Buzz Magazines’ annual photo contest is open to all amateur photographers, so keep that in mind as you are shooting pictures in the upcoming year. Watch for next year’s call for entries on our website, social media and in the March 2019 print issue.

Thanks to everyone who entered, our judges, our readers who voted online, and our contest sponsor, Houston Camera Exchange.

MORE ONLINE See this story at thebuzzmagazines.com for details about each winner, plus a link to all photos included in our Facebook Readers’ Choice voting.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 17

Les Aiguilles de Port Coton, First Place/Landscapes Monica Siri, 48, visited the island of Belle-Île-enMer last spring. She captured the Port-Coton needles, the Aiguilles de Port-Coton. That day, after a storm, “The sky burst with color which caused stunning light effects. I had to be there. So I took my camera and tripod and witnessed a wonderful show.”

Cat at Bat, First Place/Sports and Action Claire Zurek, 45, took this photo at the Memorial Middle School baseball fields on April 28, 2017. Anderson Jones, age 10, is pictured at bat. He was playing for the Rebels, a Pee Wee SBMSA baseball team. Jake Alexander, 10, is the batter on deck, and Jackson Ambrose, 10, is the catcher. This photo received third place in our Readers’ Choice Contest.

Frosty River in East Rock Park, Second Place/Landscapes Ting-Tai Helen Weng, 69, took this photo Oct. 4, 2017 in New Haven, Connecticut. The image is of a view of a pedestrian bridge over the Mill River in East Rock Park.

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The Last Leaf, Fourth Place/Nature Mauricio Recinos took this photo of a tree leaf in May while walking his dog with one of his daughters. At first, he couldn’t take any shots because the wind kept moving the leaves. “On our way back I decided to try again. This time I was lucky as for a moment there was no wind. I took some photos, and when I checked them at home, the very last one was the best. The last leaf.”

Full Moon on Duty, Fourth Place/Landscapes Kathy Miller-Fujimoto, 56, took this photo in the early morning hours on New Year’s Day in Manhattan Beach, Calif. A unique moon, known as the Full Wolf Moon, was scheduled to set before first light. “Time was critical, as the moon was just about to dip behind a thick layer of fog. I took a few shots, this rather pleasantly brooding one being my favorite.”

Downtown Vulture, Third Place/Animals Robert Davis, 77, said he’s interested in the architecture of downtown Houston. He took this photograph a year ago on a Sunday with no traffic around and waited till the lighting was perfect.

“The image really captured the geometrical perfection with great light.”

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Peekaboo, Second Place/Animals Mauricio Recinos, 47, took this photo of a monkey at the Houston Zoo this March on a warm afternoon. “The monkey was under the shade of a plant. He would stick out his head to check the surroundings and then he would go back. I found it interesting how he did it and decided to take a photo,” he said. “He looked like he was playing peekaboo.”

Nest Building Failure, First Place/Nature Ying Chun Jerry Pan, 77, took this photo at Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary, March 15, 2018, of a pair of Great Egrets attempting to build a nest on a dead tree.

Slipped By, Second Place/Sports and Action Matt Bennett, 41, took this photo on April 12 at the Post Oak Little League Pee Wee Field “for the showdown between the Mustangs and the Aggies.” At this moment, Reid Sequeira slid in a successful effort to evade Kade Polidori's attempt at a tag out. “The kids love seeing how heroic they are on the field.”

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 20

Bald Eagles Fight, First Place/Animals Ying Chun Jerry Pan, 77, took this photo of a juvenile bald eagle (left) and a nearly mature bald eagle (right) fighting for a fish at Conowingo Dam on Nov. 3, 2017. He had been visiting Conowingo Dam to attend Conowingo Eagles Day.

The Clay Boys, Third Place/People Matt Bennett, 41, took this photo of his nephews Travis, 2, and Bennett Clay, 3, in December 2017 at his office. “It was our second attempt at getting a photo of seven cousins for a Christmas card, and the kids weren’t going for it. Eventually, I gave up and took photos of the cousins going wild, and exactly one photo was worth keeping that made it all worth doing.”

Air Guitar, Fourth Place/People Richard Molnar, 23, took this photo of his friend Sam Lathrop, who’s the lead guitarist for The Beatnik Bandits, a band located near Austin. “Their music has so much energy behind it that I wanted to express that in a single image the best I could.” This photo received first place in our Readers’ Choice Contest.

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Let it Snow, Second Place/People Mauricio Recinos, 47, took this photo of his daughter Marianna last January; at the time, she was 7.

He said his daughters were very excited when it snowed. “Let it snow, Marianna, let it snow...”

Jellyfish, Third Place/Nature Randee Berman, 45, took this photo of the jellyfish exhibit in the Vancouver Aquarium in British Columbia, Canada. “The jellyfish exhibit caught my eye. I loved the tranquility of the jellyfish juxtaposed with the chaos of a Saturday at the aquarium,” Randee said.

Colored Houses, Third Place/Landscapes Peter Deleef, 46, took this photo in February of 2018 in Galveston on the Seawall. He was stopped at a red light and looked over at the condos and liked the colors. Peter had his camera with him and “managed to take the picture before the light changed,” he said.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 22

Seagulls in Flight, Second Place/Nature Mauricio Recinos, 47, took this photo of a flock of seagulls in flight last May in Galveston. “I like the dreamy look of the photo because it is a little different and easy on the eyes. Many times we want sharp, vivid pictures, but sometimes less is more.”

Dancer, Fourth Place/Sports and Action Dr. Yun Wang, 55, took this photo of a dance performance at Miller Outdoor Theatre in May 2017. “I was sitting on the hill and very impressed by the dancers, who displayed energy, passion and beauty.”

They Have Arrived, Third Place/Sports and Action Christopher An, 19, took this photo of college students playing with a football at Clark Field at The University of Texas at Austin. It was “remarkably foggy” that evening.

Christopher, a graduate of Memorial High School, is a second-year mechanical engineering student at UT. WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 23

Mine Worker, First Place/People Joe Naccache, 61, says this portrait is of a former silver mine worker in Pozos, Mexico. “I was deeply moved by my encounter with Don Ramón who still lived with his family in the ruins of the old mine.” This photo received second place in our Readers’ Choice Contest.

Rhythm is Nothing, Fourth Place/Animals Maya Kanani, 18, took this photo of a Japanese sea nettle (Chrysaora pacifica) when she volunteered at the Houston Zoo. A Bellaire High School graduate, Maya is heading to The University of Texas at Austin and will major in journalism. This photo received fourth place in our Readers’ Choice Contest.

Judges Michael Hart has provided photo images to corporations and design firms for almost 40 years. His work is consistently represented in the International Black & White Spider Awards, and an image appears in its book, The World’s Greatest Black and White Photography.

Michael Hart

Nikky LaWell

Nikky LaWell, Certified Professional Photographer and Master Craftsman Photographer from Professional Photographers of America, holds a BFA in photography and specializes in intimate family portraits with a personal perspective.

Bob Gomel, award-winning former LIFE photographer, has photographed President Kennedy, The Beatles, Muhammad Ali, Mickey Mantle, Marilyn Monroe and more. The Library of Congress and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston have his works in their permanent collections.

Butch Hall has been in the business for 53 years and has photographed more than 1,000 weddings.

His specialties include aerial, forensic, portrait and animal photography. He now teaches and encourages local photographers at Houston Camera Exchange.

MORE ONLINE Bob Gomel

Butch Hall

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 24

See this story at thebuzzmagazines.com for judges’ bios and contact information.

KIDS

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by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz Baby

Showered with love – and gifts

Buzz Baby is a column about life with little ones.

Writer Annie McQueen has three children under the age of 4.

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ids equal stuff. For babies, there are two types: necessities such as strollers and burp cloths and then the “I would never buy this myself” smocked outfits or monogrammed diaper covers.

Luckily, some genius invented baby showers.

But how do you pull these special parties off, as a host or as a guest of honor?

There are steps to take early on, such as deciding on who will be hosting, checking with the guest of honor on a date and time, and deciding on a budget and theme. Will it be all women?

All men? For couples? In the workplace? A surprise? Parents-to be can pick a few places to register for items for baby. Typically, the stores are listed on the invitation so guests have some suggestions on what to buy.

Houston Texans senior event manager Disney Harris and her husband Max welcomed their baby girl, Emy, this past January. Disney’s friends, including Camila Cubero, Mary Till Donaldson, Ashlie Simon, Alex Comerota, Lacey Berlau and Nikki Bermudes, threw her a baby shower in December.

Since Disney and Max opted not to find out the gender until birth, the theme was gender neutral. ”[It] was very neutral and earthy,” she said. “The invitation was simple with greenery. I let them run with the theme since I can be a little opinionated.”

The hostesses personalized many aspects of the shower, a popular trend in baby-shower planning. They printed out baby photos of Disney and Max and also maternity photos of Disney to display during the party.

“They also had a cute station set up where they had an ABC book in English and Spanish,” said Disney. “People could draw in a photo and associate a word with it. They also had cute outfits hanging, with tags on them that said fun sayings like ‘Baby H’s Sunday Best.’” They also set up tiny baby shoes and filled them with flowers.

Disney said that when she hosts a shower for a friend, she likes to play into whatever season it is for the theme. “We hosted one last December WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 26

OH, BOY Megan MacIntyre’s friends hosted a blue and white-themed baby shower before son Robbie’s arrival. Megan’s hostesses included (pictured, back row, from left) Annina Emmott, Katie Rottet, Anne Louise Blanchard, Lytch Gutmann, MacIntyre, Diana Bridger, Shea Yoese, Caroline Bean, and (front) sister-in-law Shannon MacIntyre and (not pictured) Molly McConn, Kendall McCord and Amanda Morrow.

and did a winter theme with a hot chocolate bar,” she said. “I also love to do a snack bar of all the fun treats that the momma-to-be is craving.”

Another trend Disney has seen for showers is a request from the hostess to bring all gifts unwrapped. “The gifts were all displayed on a table. We all were able to mingle with the mom-to-be versus sitting down and watching her open them all.”

Showers can create lasting memories in the special time of waiting for the baby’s arrival.

“One thing that I loved was that everyone signed a book as their card so we were able to create an amazing library of books for Emy,” said Disney.

Megan MacIntyre’s friends hosted a baby shower for Megan prior to her and husband Shaw’s son Robbie’s arrival. Since they knew the gender and name, the hostesses chose a blueand-white theme for the shower and incorporated his name on the décor.

Shades of light and dark blue hydrangea surrounded tables, next to baskets filled with customized baby-buggy iced cookies that said “It’s

a boy!” and “Robbie” and blue M&Ms. “I have a major sweet tooth so the hosts made sure there were lots of sweets,” said Megan.

The hostesses – Caroline Bean, Anne Louise Blanchard, Diana Bridger, Annina Emmott, Lytch Gutmann, Shannon MacIntyre, Molly McConn, Kendall McCord, Amanda Morrow, Katie Rottet and Shea Yoese – served Tex-Mex food, including quesadillas, chips, guacamole, queso and churros for dessert, adding a Fiesta theme to the daytime party.

Megan stood outside, held her baby bump, and smiled next to the oversized customized balloon with Robbie’s initials on it: “RMS.” Another trend these days is for second- and third-time parents is to host a “sprinkle,” a low-key version of a baby shower to shower the expectant parents with love and necessities – like diapers.

MORE ONLINE See this story at thebuzzmagazines.com for more photos of baby shower decorations, and leave a comment to share your favorite shower memories.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 27

FOOD

by Katie Hackedorn, contributing writer

The Junior League of Houston

Cooking Buzz Seaside summer supper 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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alveston during my childhood. I can practically smell the salt in the air and feel the sand between my toes, remembering hours of shell-hunting, castle-building and card games with my grandmother.

I also remember how hungry and tired we were after spending all day in the sun and salt water. I’m not sure what my parents’ strategy was in those days, but if I were planning dinners today, I would start my evening with a nice frozen drink. Frosé is the perfect summer cocktail, and Peace Meals has a great recipe, Rosé Wine Freezes. Although some drink recipes are intimidating, this one is refreshing and easy to modify if you prefer more of one flavor.

A light supper of salad and shrimp is delicious, simple and crowd-pleasing. The Nine Day Slaw in The Star of Texas Cookbook makes enough for a crowd and stays good in the refrigerator (and even gets better) for several days. It has a tart and sweet flavor, so you may want to adjust the vinegar and sugar amounts to suit your tastes. It serves as a versatile side dish to many meals, so plan for barbecue a few days later to continue enjoying this slaw.

The Tomato and Asparagus Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette is a tasty way to incorporate some vegetables; summer tomatoes are the best! Its light flavor is the perfect complement to a shrimp dish. Shrimp are a staple for meals at the beach, and the Cilantro Lime Shrimp is a flavorful favorite. I love all of the spices used in the recipe, but that can be daunting to pack for a week at the beach. The grocery store bulk spice aisle is a lifesaver! The shrimp dish can be served with the Avocado Tomatillo Salsa or even plain white rice. The salsa doubles as a delicious starter when served with chips.

Don’t you remember the homemade ice cream you loved as a kid? Even though I know it wasn’t simple for my parents to make, it was always a crowd-favorite. The Lemon Milk Sherbet is a simplified recipe (no churning) and a refreshing treat to cap off a meal. Use milk in place of cream WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 28

STARRING SEAFOOD Cilantro Lime Shrimp is a flavorful summertime favorite. For a refreshing dish, try it served with Avocado Tomatillo Salsa.

to make this dessert a little lighter.

Cilantro Lime Shrimp From Peace Meals ½ cup olive oil 3 cloves garlic, pressed 1 teaspoon dried thyme ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro ½ jalapeño, seeded and minced 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon coarse salt 1 teaspoon brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper Juice of 2 limes 1½ to 2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined Whisk together all the ingredients except the shrimp in a medium bowl. Add the shrimp to the mixture and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Place the shrimp and marinade in a skillet, and cook over mediumhigh heat until the shrimp turn pink, about 5 minutes. Serves 4 to 5.

Avocado Tomatillo Salsa From Peace Meals 5 medium tomatillos, husked and rinsed 4 medium avocados, pitted, peeled, and coarsely chopped (about 4 cups)

1 to 2 jalapeños, seeded and minced 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice ½ teaspoon minced garlic ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro ¾ teaspoon coarse salt Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Place the tomatillos on a foil-lined baking sheet and roast in the oven for 25 minutes, turning once halfway through. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Coarsely chop the roasted tomatillos and combine with the avocados, jalapeños, lime juice, garlic, cilantro and salt. Serve warm or chilled with tortilla chips. (Can also serve with Cilantro Lime Shrimp.) Makes about 4 cups.

Lemon Milk Sherbet From Houston Junior League Cookbook 6 lemons 1 cup boiling water 3 cups sugar 2 quarts milk or cream Squeeze lemons. Pour boiling water over rinds.

Add lemon juice and sugar to lemon rind mixture; let stand until syrupy. Strain syrup and chill.

Stir in milk or cream (depending on richness desired). Pour into container of ice cream freezer; cover tightly. Pack with ice and ice cream salt.

Freeze until firm. Makes about 3½ quarts.

MORE ONLINE See thebuzzmagazines.com for more recipes mentioned in this article.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 29

Dolce Neve Gelato

DINING

by Dai Huynh, staff writer

Chef’s Corner

Marco Silvestrini

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h, the icy delights of summer. A sunkissed, blond toddler scarfs down a scoop of vanilla gelato at Dolce Neve Gelato (4721 N. Main). His delighted mom, a first-time customer, gives owner Marco Silvestrini a thumbs up. “OK, it’s kid approved,” she says.

Just six years ago, Silvestrini, 37, was working in the fast-paced finance sphere of New York City. Now, along with older sister Francesca and her fiancé, Leo Ferrarese, the Italian native is churning out possibly the best gelato in town.

The Houston shop in the Heights – gleaming white and modern – is their second Texas location. Silvestrini has been credited with coming up with Dolce Neve’s most creative flavors, including fromage blanc with apricot jam, crème fraiche with sage-butternut squash, and pearand-ginger sorbet. Here, he explains the differences between Italian gelato and ice cream, his favorite store-bought vanilla brand, and why he left New York for Texas.

When did you open the location in Austin? Why didn’t you stay put in the Big Apple and open a shop there?

It’s too risky to open a gelato shop in New York. You have so many there already. A friend of mine suggested Austin, and so we opened on South First Street in January 2014. Last year in March, we opened the Houston location. Now I split my time driving between the cities: three days in Austin and three days in Houston.

Your grandparents were farmers in a small town in central Italy, so what inspired you to open a gelato shop?

In 2012, I was working for a large management-consulting firm in New York, and I was tired. I wasn’t happy about the project I was working on. There was a lot of restructuring involved, and that meant firing people.

I realized a fancy career wasn’t enough to make someone happy. I quit my job and started thinking about what really made me happy.

I thought about the hospitality industry and how it is a meeting place for people, where they can take a step back to find some peace and quiet. My sister and I love desserts, and I remembered how our family and friends would WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 30

always go for gelato after dinner. It was a ritual for us.

So, you and Francesca decided that she should attend Carpigiani Gelato University in Bologna, then work with gelato maestro Gianfrancesco MARCO SILVESTRINI Marco Silvestrini, with business partner Leo Farrarese and sister Francesca Silvestrini, recapture their childhood days in Italy with Dolce Cutelli at Gelateria De’ Neve Gelato in Houston and Austin.

Coltelli in Pisa, one of the important. Some will use fillers to give it a silkier most famous gelato shops in Italy? mouth feel, but we stay away from fillers. We The most difficult part was coming up with make everything from scratch, even roasting our the recipe, the conceptual part, and Francesca own pistachio nuts for better flavor. does that. I also work on recipe development, Where do you go for gelato or ice cream, and but my focus really is the execution, acquiring what is your favorite store-bought vanilla ice cream? ingredients and working with the farmers. Leo, I do our R&D, so I like to try different places. meanwhile, focuses on the churning. But we all One place I like is Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, do a little bit of everything. It’s a family business. with locations in Ohio, California, Georgia and What does Dolce Neve mean?

Missouri. In New York, there is Morgenstern’s Dolce means sweet, and neve means snow, so (2 Rivington Street). They have interesting fla“sweet snow.” It’s like that story I told you earvors. As for store-bought ice cream, Jeni’s is lier, how centuries ago, people around Sicily available at Whole Foods and Central Market. gathered fresh snow from Mount Etna and added honey and fruits.

More sweet spots to cool off Who invented gelato?

There's never a wrong time for ice cream, There are different stories, but most believe especially during summer in Houston. In the gelato was invented in the 16th century by an past few years, the city has witnessed an icy-treat Italian chef in the court of Catherine de Medici. revival. Here are a few to sample: But who is the godfather of gelato? Many conAqua S: This Australian import’s specialty is sider it to be a Sicilian, Francesco Procopio dei soft-serve cones in clouds of cotton candy. Or Coltelli, who moved to Paris in the late 16th top with toasted marshmallows, pop rocks or century and started selling gelato, popularizing caramel popcorn. Signature flavors: sea-salt-flait to the public. vored and aqua-colored; jackfruit; durian How is gelato different from ice cream? matcha; (my favorite) lychee. Ambiance: Bright The main difference is the amount of fat. Ice in a swirl of aqua clouds, the shop hums with 20cream has 15 to 50 percent. Gelato has between and 30-somethings. 9889 Bellaire Blvd.; 11:30 6 and 8 percent fat. Second is the amount of air. a.m.-midnight daily; www.aquas.co Gelato is denser, so less air. The third difference Class 502: When this Southeast Asiais gelato is served at a slightly higher temperainspired ice-cream shop opened, lines were out ture, around 5 degrees Fahrenheit, so your palate the door. It’s still buzzing with college students can perceive the flavors a little more. giggling over cylinders of ice cream with topEach region has its own style. Sicilians like it a litpings from mango to Pocky sticks. Signature flatle sweeter with no egg yolks. Venetians prefer it richvors: Mind-blowing Matcha, Mango Madness, er, fattier, with more cream. The Tuscans opt for Sassy Strawberry and Banana. Ambiance: less fat, less sweet, more refreshing. What about Adorable schoolhouse theme, with Post-it notes Dolce Neve? as wall art. Watch ice cream be spread onto cold We prefer clean flavors. Texture is very

Julie Soefer

PETITE SWEETS This dessert spot expanded its options last year to include homemade ice cream from Lee's Creamery, made with milk from grass-fed cows and free-range Texas eggs.

plates, then formed into delicate rolls. 9889 Bellaire Blvd., noon-11 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., noon-midnight Fri.-Sat., noon-10 p.m. Sun.; www.facebook.com/Class502.TeaHouse Cloud 10 Creamery: A darling of chefs; 10 seasonal flavors plus original standards, but because pastry chef/owner Chris Leung makes a half-gallon at a time, he’s open to making small batches of custom flavors. Signature flavors: café sua da, peanut butter and jelly, marzipan, Nutella & marshmallow ice creams; mango sorbet. Ambiance: The Rice Village location took a minimalistic approach. The new Heights location is a cozy bungalow with a big patio and yellow picnic tables. 5216 Morningside Drive and 711 Heights Blvd. Hours vary between shops but roughly lunchtime through the night. www.cloud10creamery.com Dolce Neve Gelato: Feels like a gelato shop in Italy. The concept was started by Marco Silvestrini, sister Francesca and Leo Ferrarese.

Many organic, local ingredients. Signature flavors: Salted caramel, stracciatella, Crema Dolce Neve (custard with lemon zest), coconut milk with black-raspberry jam. Ambiance: Gleaming with white and silver. 4721 N. Main St., noon10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs. and Sun., noon-11 p.m.

Fri.-Sat.; www.dolcenevegelato.com Gelazzi: Along with pizzas, 30-plus flavors of gelato and sorbets; many family recipes from the ’50s. Signature flavors: pistachio, bacio, stracciatella, mango sorbet, strawberry-balsamic gelato. Ambiance: Think of an old-timey movie theater draped in red. The cozy space oozes Cinema

Paradiso charm. 3601 White Oak Dr. Noon10:30 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., noon-11:30 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.; gelazzi.com Hank’s Ice Cream: Hank’s remains a favorite after two decades. Rotating list of 100-plus flavors. Its most famous customer, Beyoncé, gets banana pudding. Signature flavors: Cake batter, dulce de leche, chocolate chip, guanabana (soursop). Ambiance: Walking into Hank’s is like walking into your favorite aunt’s home. It’s lived in, with a lilac wall of photos and plaques.

Most folks drop in for a pint to take home. 9291 S. Main St., 12-8 p.m. Tues.-Sat., 3-7 p.m. Sun.; www.hanksicecream.com Kwality Ice Cream: So grateful to the friend who turned us on to this Indian ice cream shop with locations across the country. Kwality time is quality time for families whose parents grew up enjoying an ice-cream brand by a similar name in India’s sweltering summers. Signature flavors: malai, pista (pistachio), kesar (saffron kulfi), fig with walnut (my favorite), Ferrero Rocher, butterscotch, cheesecake. Ambiance: Upbeat red-coral walls with neon-green accents. Bustling with Indian families and teens, it brims with conversations and laughter.

5636 Hillcroft, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and Sun., 11-midnight Sat., (also in Sugar Land); www.kwalityfoods.com Moody Ice: Where childhood memories are made. Playful, fruit-flavored-ice. In the back are stacks of fresh fruit for house-made syrups.

Moody Ice (topped with fruits) or Hawaiian

style (drizzled with condensed milk and topped with ice cream). Signature flavors: strawberry & habanero, Tiger’s Blood, blackberry & lavender (for Moody). Matcha, lemon-lime, hibiscus, chocolate coconut (for Hawaiian). Ambiance: Perfect for families, there are games for kids.

1919 N. Shepherd Drive. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily, www.moodyice.com Petite Sweets: This dessert spot expanded its options last year to include homemade ice cream from Lee Ellis, co-founder of State Fare, Lee's Fried Chicken & Donuts, and Pi Pizza. Lee’s Creamery ice creams are made with milk from grass-fed cows and free-range Texas eggs.

Signature flavors: Mexican chocolate, strawberry cheesecake, double vanilla bean. Ambiance: Natural light pouring through wall-to-wall windows. 2700 W. Alabama St. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Mon.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 12:3010 p.m. Sun.; www.petitesweetshouston.com Smoosh: A custom ice-cream-cookie truck for the Z Generation. Signature flavors: Choose baked cookies for sandwiching, waffles (Wednesdays), churro cookies (Fridays).

Premium vanilla, butter pecan, mint chocolate chip, strawberry, no-sugar-added country apple pie, plus toppings. Ambiance: A stop-by blue truck with an orange logo in Rice Village.

Address: 5505 Morningside Drive. 1-8 p.m.

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

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 31

SPORTS

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by Todd Freed, staff writer

SportzBuzz I

n a truly dramatic SPC Championship final, the Episcopal Knights scored in their last at bat to defeat the rival Kinkaid Falcons 6-5 in the title game.

Knights senior Jack Grams raced home from second base with the winning run off the base hit to left field by sophomore Tanner Witt as the Knights stormed the field for a memorable celebration. “Once Tanner hit that ball, there was no way I was going to hold up at third base,” said Grams. “I was so confident in Tanner and the rest of this team that we were going to get this win. It’s really an indescribable victory.”

“It was just an amazing game to be a part of and also to watch,” said Knights head coach Matt Fox. “Kinkaid is tough, and the game could’ve gone either way. I’m just proud of the way our guys battled and stayed focused. It was a special night.”

Among those leading the Knights all season long was senior pitcher and Texas Longhorn commit Peter Geib. “Peter is one of the best players we’ve ever had here at Episcopal,” said Fox. “He’s really irreplaceable.” In addition, Fox had high praise for senior second baseman Hunter Megarity. “Hunter’s the epitome of grit and determination. He’s one of the best leaders we’ve ever had in our program.”

Led by the dynamic duo of sophomores Christine Wang and Denise Pan, the St. John’s Mavericks won their second straight SPC Girls Golf Championship. For her part, Wang also won the individual SPC Championship with a 1-under par, 141, over the 36 holes. Pan was second individually, finishing three strokes back with a 2-over par score for the two rounds.

“Christine is one of the top-rated girls golfers in the region, and Denise is right there within reach. They’re both great players,” said Mavericks golf coach Jack Soliman.

In addition, Mavericks junior May McCabe finished fifth individually to earn All-SPC honors, and senior Morgan Sholeen was the fourth top scorer for the Mavericks as St. John’s rolled to a lofty 45-stroke victory. “We had a lot of solid depth on this team,” said Soliman. “The girls worked on their short game in the off-season and played really well in a big tournament WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 32

KNICE JOB, KNIGHTS The Episcopal Knights captured the SPC Baseball Championship with a dramatic lastat bat victory over the rival Kinkaid Falcons.

against some of the large UIL 6A schools. Facing that really good competition was a great experience for us.”

In the UIL 6A state golf tournament, Stratford Spartans junior Matthew Riedel captured the individual state championship with a spectacular 9-under par score over the two rounds of play at the Legacy Hills Golf Course in Georgetown. Riedel’s second-round, 5-under par included a sensational score of 32-over the final nine holes. “I played that back nine on the final day as well I possibly could have,” said Riedel. “To come out and beat such a great group of golfers was a huge confidence boost for me. It was also an unreal experience the following week to get all the congratulations from my classmates and across the Stratford community.”

“Matthew works harder than any athlete I’ve encountered at fine tuning his game,” said Spartans golf coach Ryan Cozad. “I saw him go to an all new level competitively over the 36 holes of the state tournament. Matthew was laser focused, and that run on the final back nine was amazing.”

In tennis, the Memorial Mustangs tandem of senior Andrew Esses and freshmen Drew Morris captured the UIL 6A Mixed Doubles

Championship, capping off an undefeated 26-0 season for the duo. “They had a truly amazing year,” said Memorial tennis coach Bud Booth.

In the state final, Esses and Morris defeated a duo from Lake Travis high school in a memorable three set match. “After Andrew and Drew dropped the second set, Andrew came over and told me that this was going to be his last set of high school tennis, and we were going to win this thing. Drew also played amazing, and she’s just a freshman.”

In addition, Mustangs freshman Aleksandra Dimitrijevic advanced to the state semifinals in girls singles before falling to the ultimate state champion, while Memorial’s boys duo of Ben Westick and Artur Zigman also advanced to the state semifinals. In all, it was a memorable year for Memorial, with the Mustangs having won the 6A Team Tennis State Championship last fall.

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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Have your oil changed...

I was recently visiting with our client Ron, and he mentioned something that really got my attention. He said, “Jim, you taught me a lesson about investing when we first started working together that I have followed, and it has worked out beautifully.”

I am always interested in ideas that clients find particularly helpful, especially ideas that have withstood the test of time – 23 years in this case. I was curious, so I asked to which lesson he was referring. He said: “Jim, you said I should look at my investments about as often as I get the oil changed in my car. And here is the real important part: put the same amount of emotion into it.”

We shared a good chuckle as I had forgotten all about that one.

Here are just a few of the stock market cycles Ron and his wife Kathleen have experienced since we started working together in September 1994: ● Technology Boom (1990) +239 percent ● Technology Bust (2000-2002) -26 percent ● Global Market Crisis (mostly 2008) -43 percent ● Post Crisis Rally (2009-2018) +280 percent During all the market’s ups-and-downs, Ron and Kathleen remained calm and took in stride the performance of their portfolio – both good and bad.

How “beautifully” has the simple advice above worked for Ron and Kathleen? Retired for a few years now, they stopped by the office to ask us to lower the income they receive from their portfolio. They have more income than they need to satisfy their very comfortable retirement lifestyle.

The Moral of the Story is the temperament of the investor is a key factor in how successful they will be over the long-term. The most successful

investors we have worked with over the years exhibit a bit of emotional detachment in how they react to their portfolio’s ups and downs. The enemy of successful investing often is not how a portfolio is structured or what is going on in the economy; it is how we respond to news events. So, the next time you are tempted to sneak a peek at how your portfolio is performing, stop and consider “Is it time to get my oil changed?” If not, don’t look.

At PartnersInWealth®, we understand how important financial peace of mind is – and just how challenging it is to achieve. Families like yours can face a range of issues, from feeling like you have no control of your complex financial situation and no plan to help you gain control, to needing a sounding board for your financial decisions yet having no trust in traditional advisors.

Our goal is to help you achieve enduring financial confidence so you can focus on what’s important to you.

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

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 33

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.

Baseball USA champs The 10U Bellaire Braves tournament baseball team (top photo) celebrated a hard-fought win after earning first place in the Baseball USA Spring Classic tournament. On the way to the champion title, the Braves competed against 22 teams from both the Houston and Austin areas. In the final game, the Braves defeated SSK1 Crew of Tomball, 10-6. The championship game happened to be on manager Ryan Loving’s birthday, and his son, Luke, gave him a great gift: a grand-slam homerun. The champs are (top row, from left) manager Ryan Loving, coach Murray Kalmin and coach Jeff Gorski; (middle row, from left) Marco Quintanilla, Luke Loving, Nico Broyles and Nathan Kalmin; (bottom row, from left) Hayden Summers, Liam Miller, Ryan Richter, Preston Gorski, Nick Gillette, Hudson Zach and Zac Selzer.

A winning tradition The St. Anne Catholic School track team (middle photo) finished in second place in the large-school division of the Greater Houston Catholic Athletic Association (GHCAA) 2018 championship meet, hosted at Strake Jesuit High School. Each year, for the past five years, St. Anne has placed in the top 3 of 46 schools. This year, 29 St. Anne students qualified for the finals; the boys’ team placed second, and the girls’ team placed fourth. The middle-school track stars are (top row, from left) Graham Arnold, Trey Robinson, William Blakes, Patrick Bates, Brin McCauley, coach Yasmin Taylor, Joseph Rivero, Sarah Olmos, Arissa Jokhio, Jane Volf and Alexander Ostrom; (middle row, from left) coach Leo Monsegue, coach Monico Nunnally, Cannon Dickerson, Anna Smaistrala, Eduardo del Olmo, Reed Ruffeno, Andres Aleman, Trevor Lombard, Leah Jordan and Elia Volf; (bottom row, from left) Parker Tran, Nicolas Barriga, Ben Lauzon, Reed Smaistrala, Trip Arnold, Nolan Hughes, Leo Heuring and Henry Loft.

Intramural face-off Seventh- and eighth-grade Houston Youth Lacrosse (HYLAX) House League players (bottom photo) celebrate winning the Soper Cup at the Texas Heroes League championship. Patrick Dobson, Alisdair McFarland, Gabriel Meyers, coach Chad Muir and Robert Riser (pictured, from left) are members of Team Houston in the HYLAX intramural league. Within the seventh-/eighth-grade division, nearly 40 boys were divided into eight teams to play small-sided lacrosse games. The games are fast paced and offer a different experience from their usual inter-league play. Ultimately, Team Houston took top honors at the championship, after defeating Team Travis, 11-9, at the HYLAX South Campus Sports Fields.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 34

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

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Five-syllable words Doctors often seem to have their own language, speaking in scientific medical terms that often confuse those trying to understand them. Even when a doctor says, “I don’t know,” it can come out as, “The precise mechanism has yet to be fully elucidated.” Seriously, I heard a speaker use those very words at a Q&A session at a recent medical conference.

Inside the hospital, it’s especially bad. Did you get sicker after you were admitted to the hospital? Perhaps a nosocomial, iatrogenic case of pneumonia?

That probably means someone didn’t wash their hands and infected you.

In the field of allergy, we describe hives as “urticaria” and swelling as “angioedema.” It’s bad enough that you can’t stop itching, but it adds insult to injury when the doctor’s explanation involves terms such as "eosinophil," "immunologic" or "idiopathic." In fact, attempting to use the internet to translate some of these terms can lead an unsuspecting individual into a deeper maze of medical jargon with even more five-syllable words!

Our doctors certainly know all the five-syllable words, but we focus on making ourselves understood, so we reserve those fancy words for the times we’re speaking with medical professionals. Even if there comes a time when patients can use Google Translate or myLINGO in their doctors' office, we will continue to emphasize patient education because we realize there is a lot of confusion about allergies and how they can be treated.

Instead of treating you with “corticosteroids” or “bronchodilators,” we will treat you with medications that decrease inflammation and open up the airway.

Speaking of treatments, another common place to find more five-syllable words is in the package insert that comes with all medications. Patients with

an inhaler often try to read the package insert for guidance on how to use their inhaler. This insert usually has barely legible microscopic fine print with several pages’ worth of instructions and directions.

There is no substitution that can replace one-onone, hands-on training with an inhaler. As boardcertified specialists in adult and pediatric allergy, asthma and immunology, we will also sit down with you and explain how these medications are to be taken and how to operate any medication device, such as an inhaler. We are armed with the latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies and asthma, balanced with the common sense that comes from decades of experience.

Coming up in next month’s Buzz: Alpha Gal. Alpha Gal sounds like a strong female leader, but it’s a short way of referring to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (and you thought five-syllable medical words were bad).

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

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SQUASH, THE SPORT Rishabh Sharma, an incoming sixth grader at T.H. Rogers, had a scare with a finger injury but worked to recover and become a top squash player again.

KIDS

by Rishabh Sharma, age 11

Buzz Kidz

Squash and the power of belief

P

assion is what drives people. My passion is squash (the sport and not the vegetable!), which deeply affects me and defines who I am and what I do. Playing squash has given me many wonderful memories. I held a racquet when I was just 5 years old, started playing competitions when I was 8 and finished in the top 10-ranked players in the U.S. in my under-11 age group. I turned 11 in April, and now my goal is to finish in top five players nationally in the under-13 age group.

My coach and parents have helped me grow my skills, and in life. They taught me respect, responsibility and how to learn from my mistakes. Without this, I would never have become the player I am today, and my mind would not have been as strong as it is today.

There have been challenges along the way that have given me chances to grow. In February of last year, I had a serious accident. I severed my finger, and had to stop playing squash. I thought I would never get my finger back and lose my edge. Doctors attempted a reattachment surgery, but the surgeon told us that part of my finger could be gone forever.

My mind rejected that idea. I thought I could heal my finger as long as I believed it could be healed. And it worked. I was back on the court in less than a month, and my finger was fine in three months. And from there I realized that I could do anything as long as I believed in it.

From there, I went back to playing like my old self in two months. I played in the Junior Silver National Championship in April last

year. I continued to persevere and worked hard to improve my skills and ranking. Finally this year in March, I got to play in the Junior Championship Tournament and was recognized as the Most Improved Player in my age group

by US Squash. So now, I continue to strive to become a better player and a better person.

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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Guns, liability, and insurance Guns are found in about 40 percent of Texas homes. When unattended, best practice is to unload them and lock up guns and ammunition separately. For safety ideas, visit www.nrablog.com/safety-education/. Failure to exercise reasonable care leads both to tragedy and to liability.

Texas homeowners insurance policies typically cover visitors to the home who are injured by firearms negligence. Those intentionally shot by a child with a gun the insured was negligent in storing are also covered.

The insured and other residents of the household are not covered. If your child shoots a sibling and a neighbor, only the neighbor is covered.

Homeowners policies usually exclude coverage for intentional acts. As a practical matter, this means self-defense is at your expense, not the insurer’s.

If you shoot a would-be robber, are sued, and win, most homeowners insurance will not defend you or pay your legal fees. Texas is not among the 13 states that extend coverage by finding that self-defense is unintentional.

Some Texas umbrella insurance policies do cover self-defense and defense of others. My own umbrella policy excludes intentional acts, but has an exclusion to the exclusion for the “use of reasonable force by an ‘insured’ to protect persons or property.”

If you keep guns at home, discuss with your insurance agent.

Supplemental and specialty policies are available for hunting accidents, bail bonds (think self-defense then criminal charges), and defense costs.

Are you an executor for an estate with guns? Collections are often underinsured against theft or damage. It’s common for homeowners policies to apply a sublimit to firearms, much like jewelry or artwork. Adequate cov-

erage may require an inventory and an additional insurance premium. If the firearms hold no special value to the heirs, selling may be better than insuring them.

What’s in the collection? Ordinary rifles, pistols, and shotguns are easy. Transfers to nonProhibited Persons require no paperwork.

Shotguns and rifles generally may be transferred to minors, except that a federal firearms licensee may not transfer a shotgun or rifle to anyone under 18. Minors may take ownership but not possession of handguns and ammo.

A Prohibited Person includes felons (convicted or merely indicted), fugitives, drug users, mental defectives, illegal aliens, most non-immigrant aliens, the dishonorably discharged, former U.S. citizens, and anyone convicted of domestic violence or under a restraining order. Recognize yourself but aren’t sure? Visit www.atf.gov/firearms/identify-prohibited-persons for details.

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My favorite thing about walking through Colonial Park is when kids stop and play with me. Sometimes they ask if I'm a Pug or a Chihuahua, but I'm neither! I also love walking to Tiny's Milk & Cookies because sometimes the nice folks who work there sneak me a little treat. Squirrels don't bother me, but I sure do love chasing birds. Because of my squishy/flat face, sometimes I get too hot on walks and have to be carried home by my humans. If you ever see me taking a stroll through the neighborhood, be sure to stop and say hello! I love making new friends. You can also follow my adventures on Instagram: @french_theodore.

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Children and dental education

A minute with Maisie

Ever wonder how you get cavities? Eat sweets.

Ever wonder how you keep from getting cavities? Don’t eat sweets.

Simple, huh? It’s too bad it’s not that easy. Dental decay is the result of a bacterial infection. In fact, it’s the most common childhood infection. Were you aware the bacteria responsible for dental disease comes from parents and primary caregivers? As parents, we transmit this bacteria when we kiss our children, blow on their food and share utensils with them. We pass down our dietary and snacking habits. Is fruit a better snack than chips, crackers, pretzels or goldfish? How much is too much snacking? We pass down our hygiene habits, too. Don’t believe flossing is necessary? Guess what doesn’t get stressed to your child? How many times are you supposed to brush daily? And for how many minutes are you supposed to brush? When should my child begin to use fluoride toothpaste?

The answers to these questions are not usually offered in a classroom. The answers to these questions and many others can be found when visiting the dentist. Pediatric dentists offer a valuable dental education for both children and parents: the kind they don’t get at school. We’re not just about cleaning teeth. The pediatric dentist and the pediatric dental team are educators who help you and your child learn to care for both their oral and overall health.

Bellaire Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Joel J. Vela, 6750 West Loop South, Suite 795, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.661.1100, www.bellairesmiles.com

Many clients ask me, “At what age can a child decide with which parent he or she primarily wants to live?” The Texas Family Code provides that the best interest of the child is the paramount consideration, so while the child may express his or her desires with the judge in chambers, the child’s desires are not binding on the court. Obviously, the older and more mature the child, the more weight a court may give the child’s desires.

Parents should always refrain from discussing this issue with their children, no matter their age, as it puts the children squarely in the middle of a custody battle and may emotionally damage the children. It is best to work with your attorney and therapist to discuss the best way to communicate with your children during this emotional and stressful time. Also, the court may appoint an amicus attorney to represent the best interest of the children. This advocate is a lawyer who will meet with the children, investigate the case and make recommendations to the parties about what he or she believes is in the best interest of the children.

Maisie A. Barringer is a partner at Jenkins & Kamin, L.L.P., a full-service, boutique, family-law firm specializing in divorce, child-custody modifications, grandparent access, paternity, adoption, and premarital and postmarital agreements. Maisie A. Barringer has been recognized as a Texas Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly magazine for 2008, 2009, 2010 , 2012, 2013 , 2014 and 2015.

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

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Daniel Ortiz

NEIGHBORS

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by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Buzz About Town Prom-dinner month

for a fundraiser benefiting children’s and animal organizations in Houston. The event raised more than $360,000. Guests included players Carlos Correa, George Springer, Gerrit Cole, Justin Verlander, Brad Peacock, Collin McHugh and Joe Smith. Surprise guest and National Baseball Hall of Fame member Biggio dropped by, along with Houston Texans player Greg Mancz. A popular auction item was dinner at B&B Butchers with Kara and Lance McCullers Jr., Verlander, Altuve and Keuchel. Funds will be given to various charitable causes including animal-rescue efforts through the Lance McCullers Jr. Foundation as well as The Sunshine Kids Foundation, which helps children with cancer.

Friends and neighbors gathered at the West U Community Building for fried chicken and friendly conversation at the monthly West U Senior Center theme meal. Glennie Scott provided entertainment to keep the fun going.

Carmine Petrillo and Marcella Grams (pictured) were crowned “prom king and queen.”

The National Charity League, Post Oak Chapter provided a photo booth. The July theme meal is Surfin’ Safari on July 24. Sign up for theme meals by calling 713-662-5895.

Off to middle school

Catchlight group

Astros team up

Craig and Patty Biggio (pictured, from left), along with some Houston Astros players, gathered for a multi-cause fundraiser. Pitchers Lance McCullers Jr. and Dallas Keuchel, along with 2018 American League MVP José Altuve, teamed up WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 40

West University Elementary School (former) fifth-graders Lillian Cutrer, Jaina Jhunjhunwala, Myaan Sonenshein and Lilianna Sundet (pictured, from left) celebrated at a picnic at the Southside Place clubhouse before their graduation ceremony and ended the day with a pool party. At the ceremony, principal John Threet and fifth-grade teacher Karen Miller delivered inspirational speeches. It was a bittersweet time for the kids as they will be going to various middle schools throughout Houston.

Jewish Family Service gala Jewish Family Service of Houston, a non-profit social service agency that provides support for people facing challenges, hosted its 105th anniversary gala, bringing in a record-breaking $1,700,000. Pictured are board president Joy Kaplan and Joe Kaplan. The evening was cochaired by Sandi and Steven Wolf and Rori and Jason Feldman, and welcomed more than 800 guests at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Guests enjoyed performances by iLuminate from America’s Got Talent while (continued on page 42)

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Do you work out for health or fitness?

Do you work out for health, or do you work out for fitness? These terms are not synonymous, as fitness is more of a sport, i.e., bodybuilding, fitness competitions and CrossFit, while health is a bit more important as it refers to improving various markers such as cholesterol, blood pressure and triglycerides. The difference between working out for fitness and working out for health is in the routines, the nutrition and the overall lifestyle of the individual.

When it comes to fitness, exercise routines are strict, nutrition is meticulously measured and life is catered around spending hours in the gym.

Fitness requires determination and dedication to implement exercise into a routine, sometimes twice daily! This can be an overwhelming and draining lifestyle for some, and often requires long hours month after month in the gym. On the other hand, exercising for improving health is more of a moderate and modified wellness program. It is not nearly as important to measure food or modify the daily schedule. The individual’s lifestyle can remain mostly unrestricted, with the exception of some slight food and activity changes. This is a more manageable and realistic program for most, which greatly reduces the burden and obstacles of exercise.

The term fitness gets thrown around without really understanding what that truly entails. Certainly looking like a fitness model or bodybuilder is not as important for some than others. Rather, what is often more important for many clients are the changes in blood pressure, the effect on energy levels, loss of body fat and the impact it has on the triglyceride/cholesterol levels. There are certainly some “side effects” of exercise, like

stronger muscle, denser bone and better posture. These will often come alongside any methodology of exercise and activity. Clearly these are great adaptations; however many shouldn’t strive for fitness when improving health is the necessary goal.

Often, social media, publications and TV give the wrong perspective by embellishing fitness instead of endorsing health. While I am all for the increase in participation of individuals going to the gym, it shouldn’t be a competition to see who’s got the biggest muscles or leanest waist. Rather, it should be about how it can positively improve overall health. Changing the perspective of fitness from an impossible journey to attainable and measurable improvements should provide a sense of invigoration and determination. With all the stressors bogging us down, exercise should be our way of escape and release.

Regardless of your age or abilities, exercise should be done with a purpose, and workouts should be specific to the individual.

Your exercise program should start with a goal and end with a plan, so what’s yours?

David Boettcher, Team Member, Pledge to Fitness and Director of Education for the National Personal Training Institute, 4665 Southwest Fwy., Suite 209, Houston, Texas 77027, 713.401.2841, www.pledgetofitness.com

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 41

enjoying a seated dinner. The event also featured a live auction, which raised over $300,000. The program ended with a surprise, when Sue and Lester Smith took the stage along with the organization’s CEO, Linda Burger, and event chairs, presenting the organization with a $300,000 check.

(continued from page 40)

West U parks friends

The City of West University Place hosted the 2018 Star Citizens Award luncheon celebration.

This year’s recipients were 2018 Park Lovers’ Ball chairs William and Jennifer Swallen and Jennifer and Daniel Blum (pictured, from left).

This year’s ball, themed A Night in Old Havana, raised more than $400,000 for West U parks. Mayor Susan Sample presented the awards. In the crowd at the Cyclone Anaya’s lunch was Susan White, parks and recreation director, Jeremy Veld, parks and recreation administrative manager, Donna LaMond, executive director of Friends of West University Parks Place Fund, and Mark Prescott, chair and member of the Friends board.

All for Africa

Cesar Wallace

Over 150 guests packed into Ouisie’s Table for Houston’s Wild Night Out African Wildlife

Conservation Fundraiser, hosted by Rob Fuller and Cathryn Gabor. Pictured (from left) are Elizabeth Cosgrove, Gilbert Sabinga, Jack Yuen and Cameron Smith. Guests mingled and shopped vendors in support of African wildlife and communities. Proceeds from the event benefited various organizations, including Painted Dog Conservation (Zimbabwe), Save the Elephants (Kenya), and Elephant Crisis Fund and Friends of Samburu (Kenya). The popular live-auction items of the evening were the Tiffany & Co. “Save The Wild” elephant

brooch supporting the Elephant Crisis Fund and a luxury safari to Botswana donated by Wilderness Safaris. Spotted in the mix were David and Audrey Gow, Dr. Ahmit Lahoti and Dr. Sonia Jacob Lahoti, Bruce and Lynn Connery, Woody and Marcie Garmon, Curtis and Iva Knobbe, Cullen Geiselman, Janeen Judah, Heidi Dugan, Melinda and Jim Noel, Tracey Kearny, John and Mary Kenner, and Steve and Robin Kuntz.

Judy’s Mission Possible Co-chair Michelle Phillips, co-chair David Peck and Susan Baker (pictured, from left), along with about 400 other guests, gathered at The Houstonian hotel for the annual Judy’s Mission Possible luncheon. Michelle’s mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer a few weeks before their wedding in 2007 and passed away from the disease in 2010. Cindy Winton, board president and honorary chair, along with host committee chairs Jill Reno Simpson and Geoffrey Simpson, applauded the funds raised of over $160,000. Speaker Susan Baker shared her personal journey as a survivor of ovarian cancer. Dr. Tyler Hillman shared the perspective of the physician and the impact the funds raised will make on research. Judy’s Mission Ovarian Cancer Foundation was inspired by Judith Liebenthal Robinson, a NASA scientist who was diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer and passed away in 2010.

Roberts at the food bank The fifth-grade class from Roberts Elementary School got into the spirit of volunteerism on a field trip. The students, (continued on page 44) WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 42

Named a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School

Online applications for the 2019-2020 school year will be available mid-August.

For further information visit www.saintvincentschool.org or contact Renee McCurry, Director of Admissions - rmccurry@svdp-edu.org.

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School • 6802 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 43

along with their teachers, Victoria Bahr, Virginia Berens, Maury Bryant and Anne Moliver, went on a field trip to the Houston Food Bank in May, where they packed over 3,600 meals in 3 hours. Helping out were students Mila Jeremic, Roberto Estrada, Jack Heemer, Autry Oran and Corahn Graham, among many others.

(continued from page 42)

Thomas DuBrock

Saving Katy Prairie

Nearly 200 guests, including Jacque and Kevin Bartol (pictured), filled the Houston Country Club for the Katy Prairie Conservancy’s 2018 Bash: Be Part of Our Story, which celebrated the nonprofit’s commitment to the conservation of the coastal prairie. The honoree was Kurt Hanson, a community volunteer for land conservation. Guests mingled during cocktail hour, surrounded by original art created for the Katy WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 44

Prairie by local artists and photographers, all part of the silent auction. The annual fundraiser brings together hundreds of community members who are supportive of KPC’s mission to protect a sustainable portion of the Katy Prairie.

Global finals placement The St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School’s “Destination Imagination” team won sixth place out of 81 teams at the Global Finals in Knoxville, Tenn. Pictured (from left) are Katie Vojvodic, Ella Joseph, Luisa Iero, Michelle Asselin (coach), Bailey Raymond, Peyton Tan, Lili Shore, Monsignor Bill Young, and principal

Carolyn Sears. The middle school team advanced to the Global Finals for the third year in a row after top finishes in the regional and state competitions. More than 1,400 of the topscoring teams from 45 states and 14 countries attend the Global Finals each year. The Destination Imagination program offers academic challenges in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, fine arts and service learning.

Be seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and community news to info@thebuzzmagazines.com.

Items are published on a space-available basis. Also share your upcoming-event listings on thebuzzmagazines.com.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 45

NEIGHBORS

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by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

Back Porch

Cleaning up after camp

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ JULY 2018 46

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t takes a special kind of scrubbing to clean kids and their gear when they emerge from summer camp. First the kids themselves come home, maybe after they’ve confided that they lost their toothpaste the first week of camp, but all’s okay because they’ve realized toothpaste is not really an everyday necessity. Right behind them comes their stuff: trunks and duffels literally exploding with musty T-shirts and towels, stillwet bathing suits, and, if you’re lucky enough to send your kids summering at the lake, sand.

I can smell the dank as I write, even though my girls’ camping years ended in 2016. Some things you don’t forget.

Like the travel soap dish I opened one year to reveal the telltale perfect etching of a Dove bird atop the bar of soap, just like it comes out of the box. Or the year – that would be every – that I popped my girls onto the kitchen counter after their second showers, feet dangling into the kitchen sink, veggie scrubber ready to go to work under their nails. (We did dispose of the scrubbers.) Or the time they both inexplicably picked up staph at camp, requiring everyone in the house to bathe in Clorox and also stuff antibacterial cream up our noses for a week or so.

I obviously missed some post-camp cleanup hacks somewhere. So I asked around.

Because this is 15-year-old Lauryn Kapiloff’s last year camping in Wisconsin, her mom Tracy admits to playing just a little dirty. “I purposely did not add any labels to her things this year. I told her, ‘Just don’t bring anything home that’s dirty or stained.’ I might need to write a note that she has permission to leave ratty tennis shoes or whatever. Bottom line, ‘Do whatever you can do to not have to bring extra duffels back home.’”

But if they do bring it all home, “Bleach the flip-flops,” is what Dinah Huthnance, a veteran mom of three campers – two boys and a girl – recommends. “I just put the flip-flops and the shower basket and the hair brush – all the stuff you can keep – in the washing machine on a heavy bleach cycle. I put a towel in so it doesn’t bang up the inside of my washer. Then I pull it all out and let it dry completely.” Once it’s all dry, Dinah vacuum-packs everything in those huge Ziploc bags you buy at Target. (Lifesavers, those bags, because

AFTER CAMP There’s nothing quite like the clean-up that has to happen when kids come home from camp, but happy campers make it all worth it.

not only do they keep gear together, but you can also compress the air out of them, making everything a lot flatter.) “I also place Bounce dryer sheets between each fold of the sheets and comforters, so everything smells fresh until the next year. And it’s wonderful because next year you don’t have to do anything but pack it up.”

After eight years of sending two girls to two camps, Shari Frankel endorses the full-on washand-fold. “I bring it all straight in the suitcases to the washateria,” she says. “I sort out all the stuff that’s not washable and bring it home. They weigh the rest, wash it and fold it, and I don’t have any sleeping bags breaking my washer or not drying properly. It costs less than maybe $100, and it’s done. The dirty clothes, the sand, even bugs – they never even enter my house.”

A friend who asked for anonymity in order to not implicate her sons’ camp remembers one year’s party favor: Bedbugs. “The camp never

called to tell us they had it,” she says. “The only way we knew was because the boys had bites all over their bodies. After we realized, one of the moms bagged everything up in dark garbage bags and put them in the back of her car and drove around with them in the heat for several days to kill the bugs because that’s what she read to do on the internet. She said, ‘If I had known, I would have rented a trailer to go home!’”

After that, the same mom says, “I wash everything that comes home, even the clothes that have been washed and Saran-wrapped at camp. Even the towels that haven’t been used. All of it. I take everything straight to the laundry room and make piles taller than my waist and start washing. Then I put it all back in the camp duffels and store it, and then wash it all again before I pack them the next year.”

One last suggestion from an anonymous parent: “I usually have it all shipped home while we’re on family vacation!”