The West University Buzz - November 2024

Jean Jenner and mom Nathalie Willig

Beyond Football: Tailgating Time A Heart for Fostering Children Resilient Heads and Hearts Lobster at Thanksgiving?

Gifting Books Putting a Face to Foster Children

Storied Thanksgiving Recipes

by Andria Dilling

The Gift of Travel

Houston, TX Permit No. 2047

A Diagnosis Can Be a Good Thing

PAID US Postage PRSRT STD

What to Binge Watch

EDITOR’S NOTE I heard whispers outside my office: You ask her . . . No, you ask her! I had just hung up from a frustrating phone call, finding out I had to reschedule a photo shoot for the third time. The minute I heard those sweet, tiny little voices, I smiled and got over my cranky self. I knew exactly who was in our office lobby: two young sisters, about 4 and 6 years old. They had come for their weekly visit to the doctor next door, and for the past few weeks, they have popped into our office to ask for a gumball. For 20 years, we have had a simple, old-school gumball machine in our lobby. These adorable sisters get so much joy from our gumball machine; they get giddy to turn the handle, anxiously awaiting to see who gets which color. It always makes my day. With everything going on in the world right now, perhaps one of the stories in this issue of The Buzz will make your day.

Turn the pages to read about beloved family recipes for Thanksgiving, neighbors who open their hearts and homes to foster or adoptive children, moms of special-needs children supporting one another, an adult sibling who surprised his sister and nephew with a wild travel adventure, and lots more. In any case, feel free to stop by our office anytime for a gumball. Happy Thanksgiving. joni@thebuzzmagazines.com

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

Account Managers

Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld Caroline Siegfried John Duboise Tracy L. Barnett, Sharon Albert Brier, Cindy Burnett, Andria Dilling, Angie Frederickson, Todd Freed, Cindy Gabriel, Cathy Gordon, Michelle Groogan, Dai Huynh, Annie Blaylock McQueen, Ben Portnoy, Pooja Salhotra, Cheryl Ursin Andrea Blitzer Leslie Little Jo Rogers

On our cover: Jean Jenner (pictured with her mom, Nathalie Willig) uses Thanksgiving leftovers to make a delicious turkey and sausage gumbo.

Cover photo by Nikky LaWell, lawellphoto.com The Buzz Magazines has made all reasonable attempts to verify the accuracy of all information contained within. Advertising claims are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Copyright © 2024 Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this magazine by any means without written permission is strictly prohibited. Printed on recycled paper. Please remember to recycle.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ NOVEMBER 2024 4

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ NOVEMBER 2024 5

MAILBAG

Your letters, thoughts, opinions Inspired to pursue journalism Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be a School Buzz reporter for Memorial High School for the past three years. The Buzz gave me the motivation to dig deep into the inner workings of Memorial while simultaneously expanding my journalistic skills for each story. I am grateful that I got to be a part of such an amazing program dedicated to highlighting schools in the Houston area and their untold stories.

I applied to be a reporter my sophomore year of high school. I remember being scared to ask to interview someone or to ask them questions. But with each article, I gained confidence in my interviewing and writing abilities. School Buzz allowed me to independently tackle each article, teaching me responsibility with each deadline and showing me that I want to be a journalist. Being able to share my work with my community and hearing that people enjoyed reading my articles inspired me to keep writing. Thank you to The Buzz for pushing me to get out of my comfort zone and always follow the story. Three years later, I have chosen to pursue journalism in college and in my future and I would not have done it without School Buzz.

Alden Farrow, School Buzz reporter, Memorial High School Editor’s note: Alden, we love hearing that our School Buzz program has made such an impact on you and that you’ve decided to pursue journalism! See thebuzzmagazines.com/columns/school-buzz.

my life. And, thank you, Memorial Buzz, for writing a new era update on the second half of my life – as a very happy and blessed resident and coach.

Heidi Burge Editor’s note: Thank you, Heidi! We were intrigued when Buzz intern Natalie French brought up your story over the summer; turns out another Buzz summer intern, Gia Gaston, knew your family, too. We knew immediately you were “Buzzworthy” and were happy you agreed to be featured.

Captured his essence Cathy, it’s great [Magic, Music, Medicine, More: And this inventor’s ‘humerus’ Halloween by Cathy Gordon, on brother Billy Cohn]. I think you really captured the zillion facets that make Billy so unique!

John Cohn Email us at mailbag@thebuzzmagazines.com. Or send to Mailbag, The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet St., Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401. Please include your name, address, phone number and email address for verification purposes. Letters or emails addressed to The Buzz Magazines become the property of the magazine, and it owns all rights to their use for publication. Addresses, phone numbers and email addresses will not be published. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length.

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.

From our neighbor and original WNBA player Thank you to the entire Buzz team for your perseverance and determination to write a story on my life [The Highest Heights: Basketball – and Disney movie – stardom by Andria Dilling, Sept. 2024]. You did a wonderful job of gathering the facts, writing a heartwarming story, and taking highquality photos, right in my backyard! It was so well done.

I recall that [two of your] summer interns [Natalie French and Gia Gaston, who knew Heidi’s son Jonathan] were the reason you even heard about my story. That makes me smile. I have lived around the world, and I swear, the world gets smaller and smaller the more places I go. I am blessed with a wonderful community!

I think at some point in the past 24 years here in Houston, I know and have coached most the kids around here, or their family has been involved with my Hoops School, my kids and their schools, or our neighborhood.

What’s best is when those same sweaty third graders I coached 17 years ago want to come back and coach the new crop of Hoops School kids. It’s a wonderful circle of life – a fun circle of giving back, and it’s all because my father, Larry Burge, made me try basketball back in 1985 when I didn't want to!

I’m so grateful to my late parents, Mary and Larry, for raising me to value people and being a coach! Thank you, Disney, for making a movie about WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ NOVEMBER 2024 6

What’s your story?

We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who: • Have inspirational stories related to New Year’s resolutions.

• Have a unique love story.

• Love to read and would be interested in sharing favorite books.

• Know a Buzzworthy neighbor to feature.

• Have a milestone life event to share.

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

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NEIGHBORS

Julia Weber

by Cindy Gabriel, staff writer

A Diagnosis Can be a good thing

I

’m having surgery. It’s a line I’ve been sharing lately and it’s quite the attention grabber. I’m downright excited about it and it’s not even a facelift. My perhaps over-optimistic view is that I will feel younger, smarter, and more energetic after this.

Last month, I told The Buzz Magazines that I needed to skip a month of this column. My brain is tired. Being forgetful is my natural state.

But it’s getting worse.

My neighbors texted me. “Did you know your trunk is open with groceries still in it?” All I remembered is I unloaded enough groceries to make lunch, then ate, felt sleepy, and passed out on the sofa. I can nap away the day, then have insomnia all night. My balance is also getting worse, making me afraid to walk Zoe-the-dog.

This isn’t normal aging.

My family practice doctor, Imaad Siddiqi, M.D., took a comprehensive blood panel, and saw high calcium. After a few more tests he said, I think you have hyperparathyroidism. I want you to see an endocrinologist. Dr. Siddiqi recommended Dr. Cristina Boccalandro. Yes, you definitely have hyperparathyroidism, she said. Do you have kidney stones?

No, I don’t have kidney stones, though it is a common symptom. But I have other symptoms, like dry itchy skin, swollen lower legs, and foremost, brain fog and fatigue. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that in the process, I was tested for osteoporosis. I have that too, big time they say.

Hyperparathyroidism can actually cause osteoporosis, removing calcium from your bones into your bloodstream, urine, and out of your body.

See? I forget the most important things. I also forgot to say that this has nothing to do with my actual thyroid gland. Those four letters – para in parathyroid – mean next to. The parathyroid are four glands right behind the thyroid, each the size of a grain of rice. Their job is to regulate your calcium. One or more of those four little glands will show up looking enlarged in imaging, because of a tiny, benign growth on the gland.

The good news is, there is a cure, said Dr. Boccalandro.

A cure? That’s a strong claim for a doctor I didn’t meet through an infomercial. It requires

day surgery in which the surgeon removes the offending gland or glands. Amazingly, only one of those four tiny glands needs to be working in order to regulate your calcium normally.

How convenient. The body comes with spare parts. What a machine.

Dr. Boccalandro set me up with Helmi Khadra, M.D., Chief of Endocrine Surgery at Methodist Hospital for further inspection, and to schedule the day surgery. He saw two enlarged glands through SOFA TIME Grandsons Eli and Faires Weber help pass the time as Cindy imaging. Once removed, Gabriel counts the days until surgery. my blood calcium level depression, etc. We often bear it silently, not should return to normal almost instantly. wanting to invoke the eye roll of the skeptic The more I bring this up in conversation, who thinks we’re hypochondriacs – leaving us the more common it seems. Oh, my sister-inwondering if they’re right. law’s sister-in-law had that. I’ve heard some verHere’s a big takeaway from my experience: I sion of that reaction in three out of four condid not have an endocrinologist on my regular versations. I called two of those people and doctor list. I do now. My own 39-year-old quizzed them. One lived in Houston, the other daughter, Laura, has had fatigue and brain fog in New Jersey. One considered herself a highsymptoms most of her adult life. She went to an energy person to begin with and didn’t notice endocrinologist after my experience, where a any symptoms. But weeks after her surgery, she cyst was discovered on her pituitary gland. She reported a surprising burst of energy that she has been on medication for it and reports more didn’t know was missing. Another reported a energy, less brain fog, and based on the scales, a dramatic loss of energy that was actually cripbetter metabolism. pling. She reported an equally dramatic lifeHyperparathyroidism surgery itself is highly changing turnaround that started the day of specialized and only a handful of surgeons perher surgery. The doctor said to take it easy the form it. Dr. Khadra is one of the few in Houston. first couple of days, but I started reorganizing my He makes a tiny incision in the front of the neck house the same day, she said. that he promises will basically disappear in a I’m not reporting this because I think everyone matter of weeks. has hyperparathyroidism. But some might. Turns By the way, do you have kidney stones? Dr. out, according to the NIH, about 100,000 people Khadra asked. There was that question again. develop primary hyperparathyroidism each year.

No, I said, but you’re not the first to ask. Since he Primary hyperparathyroidism is three to four doesn’t leave scars, I couldn’t resist one last questimes more common in women than in men. tion. Could you throw in a neck lift while you’re at So many women I talk to in daily life report it? No, he said, but you’re not the first to ask. vague symptoms of fatigue, hair loss, insomnia,

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Your smile can last forever

Anna Maria Salas, D.D.S., M.S. Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics

3642 University Blvd., Suite 102 Houston, TX 77005 www.westuortho.com 713-481-4885

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NEIGHBORS

Lobster at Thanksgiving?

Maybe not

M

y favorite Thanksgiving was in 1967.

I was visiting my mother who lived in New York City at the time. She confessed to me that she really didn’t care for turkey, and I felt the same way. We went to a seafood restaurant where we treated ourselves to a very nice lobster dinner. My second favorite Thanksgiving dinner was in 1962 when I was a freshman in college in Boston. A friend invited me to his family’s Thanksgiving dinner. This was an Italian family in East Boston. The table was laid with a tiny turkey the size of a chicken, but for the 20 or so guests, there were huge bowls of linguini with marinara sauce, plates of arancini, sausages, eggplant parmesan, lasagna, and lots of bottles of Chianti.

When my wife and I have hosted Thanksgiving dinners, we’ve usually had a traditionally roasted turkey. Once, a friend invited me to bring my bird to his house, where he had a deep fryer. He set it up, but it wasn’t worth his while to cook just one turkey. So, various friends would arrive Thanksgiving morning, place their turkey in the fryer, and leave a half hour later with a cooked turkey. But then you had to make separate stuffing for the turkey even though it never really got stuffed.

My favorite turkey was years ago, after I took a trip to Italy with two friends and their wives.

In Tuscany, the wives found out about a cooking class. We guys needed a little convincing, but we all decided to take the class from the Irish chef with the very Italian name – Seamus. In the class, Seamus taught us how to debone a chicken leaving only meat with intact skin. This is then rolled up with chard, grapes, and spices inside, and roasted in wine. I did this successfully on return to Houston, so that fall I thought it would be a good idea to try it on a turkey. I got a 20-pound bird and proceeded to debone it.

After two and a half hours, my back hurt, but I had a turkey with no bones and intact skin. I rolled it up with herbs and grapes inside, and I cooked it in some cheap box wine. Yes, it was yum, but, well, I don’t think I’ll repeat this labor-intensive culinary feat.

How did Thanksgiving and turkey get linked in the first place? As children, we are told of the

Aimee McCrory

by Ben Portnoy, staff writer

“first Thanksgiving” held with the Pilgrims thanking the local Indians for their help settling into the New World. There is actually some truth to that. One historical account exists.

A Pilgrim leader named Edward Winslow wrote a letter describing life in the Plymouth colony of 1621. He records that READY FOR THANKSGIVING Writer Ben Portnoy finds his holiday crusthe corn harvest was fine tacean missing. thanks to using the that graces our Thanksgiving tables today. By the Indians’ method of growing corn by fertilizing way, the genus Meleagris was chosen in the 18th it with a herring or shad. Winslow writes that century because it meant guinea fowl in Greek. the Wampanoag Indians were very loving, and In 1782 the bald eagle was designated our they brought five deer for a thanksgiving feast. national bird. Two years later, Benjamin The Pilgrims supplied “fowl.” Historians believe Franklin wrote a letter to his daughter, Sarah, this was not turkey but more likely duck or in which he extolled the virtues of the turkey geese. So, there really was a 1621 feast consisand panned the eagle as a “bird of bad moral tent with the European tradition of a thankscharacter.” From this arose a legend that giving meal at harvest time. Many years would Franklin had proposed the turkey as our national pass, however, before we had an official bird. Well, he didn’t, but maybe the turkey Thanksgiving holiday. would have been better.

Sarah Josepha Hale wrote a novel, In many ways, the turkey is a magnificent Northwood; a Tale of New England, in 1827. In bird. For example, the forehead of the turkey has it, she describes a New England thanksgiving loose erectile tissue called a snood. Male turkeys meal with a turkey “at the head of the table.” sometimes spar with each other, and when they One assumes the turkey was cooked. Ms. Hale get excited, the snood, which hangs down about campaigned for an official Thanksgiving holian inch, engorges with blood and may grow to day, and finally in 1863, Abraham Lincoln as much as six inches. Male turkeys may fatally declared the last Thursday in November to be a injure each other by lacerating an opponent’s national holiday of Thanksgiving. engorged snood. To prevent that loss of turkey But what of the turkey? How did it get to share life, some farmers remove the snood from chicks, its name with the nation occupying Anatolia? and that is called, should you want to know, “deThere are various stories about that, and snooding.” Our national symbol, the bald eagle, Encyclopedia Britannica lists the most common. may appear majestic as it swoops through the air Guinea fowl from Madagascar were imported to or picks up some unsuspecting salmon, but does Europe through Turkey and became known as it have a snood? No. “turkey cocks.” Our turkey looked a lot like the Well, as for me, Thanksgiving will be here guinea fowl, so when the Mexican turkey soon, and I guess I am in the minority for my pref(Meleagris ocellata) was imported to Spain in erence of lobster over turkey. So, my guests will 1519, it looked like guinea fowl, and the name be served the traditional turkey as well as cranturkey was applied. The very similar North berry sauce and stuffing. Come to think of it, I American bird (Meleagris gallopavo) was importjust don’t know how to stuff a lobster...or do I? ed to Europe in the 1600s, and that is the turkey

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FOOD

by Andria Dilling, staff writer

Beyond Football What to serve at a tailgate

W

e are deep in tailgate season and the big question is: What’s on the menu?

Whether you are hosting outside of a stadium or snacking in the living room, party food is part of the fun. Where to begin? We asked a few seasoned sports fans for their tailgating best.

Hook ’Em: Landry Family UT Tailgates As the mom of a just-graduated member of the University of Texas Pom Squad and a son who played baseball for A&M and is now a redshirt freshman first-baseman at Tulane, Christi Landry knows a few things about college football tailgates. But the A&M graduate and retired attorney hasn’t always been a tailgating pro.

“We never dreamed we’d do it,” Christi says of herself and her husband Andy, also an attorney. “But then our daughter was at UT and a Pom, and we totally fell in love with it.”

Now the Landrys host an annual UT tailgate – they choose the game weekend a year in advance – but when their daughter started school, they also started from scratch. “We ordered pop-up bars from Amazon, and we went to a restaurant we liked in Austin and asked if anyone was interested in bartending,” Christi says. “And years ago, my husband and I were watching Shark Tank, and we saw these two brothers who started a concept servicing tailgates. When Kirby Jane started school, we Googled, and the Tailgate Guys [now RevelXP] had become a big thing on every college campus.

“It’s genius. They set up the tent, TV, fans, and they give you coolers of ice. Beforehand they’ll send us pictures of potential spots and ask us what looks best to us.”

Over the years, the Landrys have learned what works and what doesn’t. Barbecue is too messy: “You need plates and all the utensils.

When we did that, we wound up giving it all to my daughter’s boyfriend’s fraternity, and they were happy to take it off our hands!” So they’ve settled on Taco Cabana breakfast tacos and pizza taken care of by RevelXP. Andy supplies his super-popular grilled jalapeños stuffed with sausage and cheese, wrapped in bacon, and doused in teriyaki sauce. Christi fills in with

HORNS UP Former Southwestern Pirate baseball player Andy Landry and Aggie Christi Landry have come to love their Longhorn tailgating tradition. The Longhorns and Aggies will meet up at Kyle Field Thanksgiving weekend, bringing back the 96-year tradition that hasn't happened since 2011.

cheese and crackers, dips, and homemade tamales she found through a friend of a friend in Austin.

She also makes sure everything is on theme, with custom Styrofoam cups, straws, napkins, and koozies. “I love to decorate silly stuff,” she says. “A couple of years ago a friend was coming, and I told her the general vicinity of our tent.

She saw shiny and glitter from 10 blocks away and knew where we were.”

Christi says an LSU tailgate she went to years ago made an impact: “They had a chandelier.

One of these years I’m going to figure that out.”

For now, she has boxes of burnt orange and white swag and, even though her UT daughter graduated, she plans to keep the fun going. “I can’t just let all that stuff sit there!”

Andy Landry’s Tailgate Stuffed Jalapeños Christi says, “He can’t make them fast enough!”

1 pound mild Italian sausage

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1 pound shredded sharp cheddar cheese 20 medium-sized jalapeños 2 red onions, sliced 10 strips honey bacon, cut in half so that you have 20 shorter strips Teriyaki sauce In a medium bowl, mix together the sausage and cheese. Hollow out the jalapeños, wearing gloves while scooping out the seeds. Stuff the sausage-cheese mixture into the peppers. Place a slice of onion over each of the filled peppers.

Wrap the peppers with a strip of bacon and secure with a thick toothpick. Grill over a hot fire. Glaze the peppers with teriyaki sauce for 1 minute before pulling them off the fire.

Texans Tailgating: Bloody Marys and More Over 14 years of Houston Texans tailgates, Carolyn Sunseri and her Texas First Bank tailgating crew – most of (continued on page 14)

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GAME ON Top left: Snacks and UT spirit at the Landry tailgate; bottom left: Christi Landry loves her Longhorn tailgate "bling," and has the cups – and straws and swizzle sticks – to show for it. Top right: Carolyn Sunseri is famous for her “breakfast in a cup” Bloody Marys at their Texans tailgates; skewers hold the “breakfast” part of the Bloody Marys - pickled okra, mozzarella, pepperoni, peppers, and more. (continued from page 12) whom are family – have

become their own professional set-up team.

There’s a bank RV, outfitted with shelves and bins for all the tailgating supplies – a fold-up grill, pop-up tents, chairs, tables, bar-highs, paper products – plus air conditioning and TV. Everyone has an assignment, and Carolyn’s is the bar.

“I usually have a line by the time I set up the bar at the tailgate,” says Carolyn, who is Vice President of Administrative Services for Texan Title Holdings. That’s mostly because she is famous for her over-the-top Bloody Marys, a.k.a.

“Breakfast in a Glass.”

“They’ve kind of evolved over the years,” Carolyn says. “I just started adding garnishes to Bloody Marys. Little things like a blue cheese olive, mozzarella balls. Then I added pepperoni, and cheese, and baby corn, and then bacon, a spicy green bean. Celery, of course.

Whatever you can think of. People send me ideas of things like fried chicken and crab, but I don’t get that fancy.”

To us, these look like the fanciest Bloody Marys ever. To Carolyn, they’re pretty simple:

“I just use a mix, and doctor it up with Tabasco, Worcestershire, lime, celery salt. I used to be able to find bacon salt for the glass rims, but I haven’t found it lately. I’ll add horseradish – the squeezable kind – and vodka, not too much. It’s more for everything else. People don’t get drunk on my Bloody Mary,” Carolyn laughs.

And then there’s the skewer, which is the vehicle for all of the aforementioned garnishes, and how Carolyn’s Bloody Marys have earned the name “Breakfast in a Glass.” To top it all off, there are deviled eggs, either threaded onto the skewers or perched on top. “I always have extra deviled eggs because there are guys who love them,” Carolyn says.

Skewers and garnishes, eggs included, get prepped pre-game, so that all there is to do at the tailgate is mix and assemble. Others work on their assigned contributions – maybe biscuits and gravy, maybe made-to-order omelets – at the tailgate. If it’s a night game, there will be fajitas and oysters grilled in muffin tins, some using Carolyn’s grandmother’s Rockefeller recipe. But Breakfast in a Glass is reserved especially for Bloody Mary mornings.

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Carolyn Sunseri’s Breakfast-in-a-Glass Bloody Marys Salt and pepper Fresh limes Celery salt Worcestershire Tabasco Creamy horseradish sauce Vodka Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix Ice Crispy bacon strips Celery stalks Spicy pickled green beans For the skewers: Deviled eggs, blue cheesestuffed olives, kalamata olives, pepperoncini, pickled okra, pepperoni, mozzarella balls, pickled corn, cherry tomatoes, etc…

Mix together salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. Rim a glass with lime juice and dip in the salt and pepper mixture. Add a squeeze of lime and dashes of celery salt, Worcestershire, Tabasco, and horseradish sauce to the glass. Add about a jigger of vodka. Top (continued on page 16)

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BEST TIME OF THE YEAR Clockwise, from top left: Carolyn Sunseri’s Bloody Marys sometimes come with a deviled egg on top; Ellie Clark, Susan Clark, and Linley Clark – two generations of Tigers – tailgate together at LSU; pimento cheese, served as a dip or in a sandwich, is an LSU tailgate favorite; Andy Landry’s stuffed jalapeños are always gone as fast as he can make them at their UT tailgate parties. (continued from page 14) that with Zing Zang, fill-

ing the glass halfway to the top. Cover with another glass and shake gently. Add ice to fill the remainder of the glass. Garnish with bacon, celery, green beans, and a skewer.

Tiger Tailgating: The ‘Gold (and Purple) Standard’ If you search for the number one college tailgating scene in the country, you’ll find LSU ranked at the top. In U.S. News & World Report’s “20 Fun Campuses for College Tailgating,” Dan Wolken, a USA Today sports columnist, said, “It's kind of the gold standard for food on game day. You can walk through the parking lot in Baton Rouge and you’re going to get five different recipes of jambalaya, and it’s all going to be good."

Susan Clark, an account executive at Old Republic Title who attended LSU and now has two daughters there, backs him up. “Jambalaya is an obvious,” she says of her college days tailgating at LSU and now, going back as a parent.

“It’s an easy thing to make a lot of.” But there’s so much more.

“One of my favorites is the crawfish pies that my friend’s husband picks up and brings in from New Orleans,” Susan says. “They’re not a pieshape, they’re more shaped like an empanada, and I’m hoping they do them this year because I’m going to be going by their tailgate for the Ole Miss game.”

Other notable LSU Parade Grounds finds: king cakes, Popeyes and Cane’s chicken strips, snowball machines, po-boys, and caterers grilling chicken and beef skewers. Finger sandwiches are an easy one; pimento cheese ranks high.

Pimento Cheese Finger Sandwiches Pimento cheese (this recipe was originally shared in our online Back Porch Table column) is a great addition to a tailgating menu. Serve it as a dip or pull it into a sandwich for easy finger food.

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 1 cup mayonnaise (such as Duke’s) ½ teaspoon dry mustard ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon garlic powder

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1 medium jalapeño, seeded and minced 1 4-ounce jar pimentos, drained well and diced 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese 2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese 2 cups shredded smoked gouda cheese White bread Butter, softened Mix cream cheese and mayonnaise with a fork until smooth. Stir in the spices, jalapeño, and pimentos. Fold in the shredded cheeses and mix well.

Lay the bread slices in a single layer on the counter. Spread each with a thin coat of butter (this ensures your sandwiches won’t get soggy).

Spread pimento cheese on half of the bread slices, then top with the other half of the bread slices, buttered sides down. Cut off crusts, then slice each sandwich into thirds. Place on a plate or serving tray covered with a slightly damp tea towel topped with plastic wrap until serving (this step keeps the sandwiches from drying out).

Whatever your 2024 tailgating plans might be, enjoy the season everyone looks forward to!

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NEIGHBORS

by Michelle Groogan, staff writer

Resilient Heads and Hearts Moms supporting other special-needs moms

I

t was never in the plan for Emily and Chris Scherman to call Houston home. Their lives were in Canada; they met at the University of Calgary in Alberta, got married, and in 2013 had a baby girl named Annabelle.

“We didn’t know at birth that anything was wrong,” said Emily. “The doctor found a tiny cleft in her palate and that prompted a whole gamut of genetic testing and that’s how we found out.”

Annabelle was born with a rare genetic disorder, so rare that it doesn’t have a name, just a number called the Q-12 deletion. She was born with a cleft palate and a heart malady that required surgery. They would later discover global developmental delays resulting in speech and intellectual disabilities.

Annabelle needed intense therapeutic intervention. It felt like an insurmountable barrier for Emily and Chris – a barrier which demanded drastic action. And by then the couple had a second daughter, Evangeline, who was born without the genetic anomaly.

“Nothing was really working for Annabelle,” said Emily. “There aren’t many private school options for children with disabilities in Canada and you cannot get therapies within the school setting. So really her whole life, and my whole life, and Evangeline’s whole life was spent running to therapies and appointments after school.”

The fact that Chris worked for an oil and gas firm with an office in Houston offered a providential option. Almost three years ago, when Annabelle was 8 years old, the family moved to the Spring Valley neighborhood and enrolled Annabelle at The Monarch School, a private school for children with learning differences.

To her parents’ relief, Anabelle was soon getting the resources she required and as fate would have it, soon so would her mother.

For those who’ve lived it, a disability diagnosis for a beloved child quickly morphs from a soul-crushing blow to a life-transforming crusade – an often utterly exhausting journey to do the next right thing. It is a caregiving marathon inevitably filled with feelings of stress and anxiety.

Studies show that mothers of children with

DOING WHAT IT TAKES Chris and Emily Scherman with daughters Annabelle, a fifth grader, and Evangeline, a second grader. The Scherman family moved to Houston from Canada to get better services to help Annabelle, who has special needs.

disabilities are more likely to have poor mental health that leads to other conditions such as depression, sleep disorders, and even physical ailments like migraines and musculoskeletal pain.

Emily Scherman’s path was no different.

It was the Schermans’ realtor who told Emily about a Houston-based mother’s group for children with special needs called Steel Magnolia Moms (SMM). Emily found that the group was more than just a much-needed avenue for mental health support. Within SMM, Emily found

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women like herself. She found it to be a perpetual group hug of sisterhood.

“This organization has been one of the greatest blessings I have encountered here. SMM is a special place for special moms to positively support one another and share in the joys and challenges of raising a child with special needs,” said Emily. “[The term] special needs includes vast diagnoses and prognoses, but our joys and sorrows, hopes, and fears make us the same.”

Steel Magnolia Moms (continued on page 20)

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WARRIOR MOMS Left photo: Shannon Essex, Emily Scherman, Stephanie Tobola, Elizabeth Elder, Adonia Cokinos, Liz Maberry, and Connie Reyna (pictured, from left) at the Steel Magnolia Moms Holiday Market to help raise funds for mothers of children with disabilities. Right photo: Mary Elizabeth Hand, director of the Nick Finnegan Counseling Center, and Elizabeth Elder, founder of Steel Magnolia Moms, at the Center’s gala last month where Steel Magnolia Moms was honored and recognized as a community partner. (continued from page 18) emerged from the heart

and mind of Elizabeth Elder, a Bunker Hill resident, who launched the non-profit group after giving birth to two wheelchair-dependent children diagnosed with Leigh syndrome.

Although Elizabeth had a strong network of family and friends, she felt isolated and unable to relate to the vision of motherhood she had hoped for and dreamed of. While the Elders had a third child – a son without the genetic condition – their daughter, also named Annabelle, passed away due to complications from her disease in October 2021 at the age of 11.

“I struggle with all the feelings that swoosh around this time of year… sadness because I miss her. Fear it will happen again. Gratitude for the time we had with her. Joy for the memories we shared. Grief because we will share no more.

Pride for the difference she made,” said Elizabeth. “Fear, guilt, isolation, grief, anxiety, sadness, and stress are all words too commonly used to describe the journey with our specialneeds children. And that’s why we prioritize mental health, by offering a safe space for moms to express their feelings.”

SMM’s “Head to Heart” program provides professional psychological support with private and group therapy and a weekly support group

for members through a partnership with the Nick Finnegan Counseling Center (NFCC) located in River Oaks.

Mary Elizabeth Hand is the executive director. She was a close childhood friend of Nick Finnegan, who died tragically in a car accident in 2004 before starting his freshman year at the University of Texas at Austin. She has witnessed the transformative power of counseling and is passionate about the health and healing the two groups can bring about together.

“If you can help one person, their life can be so positively changed to then make a difference in someone else’s life. And I think that is what NFCC and Steel Magnolia Moms have the ability to do together,” said Mary Elizabeth.

“Elizabeth and SMM are truly doing such incredible work in the community and supporting so many moms.”

The two women met last year through their sons’ kindergarten class at Bunker Hill Elementary and have become fast friends. The duo is committed to exterminating the stigma surrounding mental health.

“I think it’s really important for everyone to realize that everyone’s issues are important to them, no matter what the issue is. It’s unique to me and my family and my child, and that still deserves time and attention.”

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In seven years, mostly through word-ofmouth, SMM has grown to over 2,500 members.

Services have expanded to include not only mental health and wellness resources for moms, but also a mom’s camp and sponsorships for their special-needs children to also attend summer camps. But it’s the kinship, the sisterhood, which these moms treasure most: knowing that others are taking the same, often difficult journey, and they need not travel alone.

For Emily Scherman, it’s helped provide the bridge from just surviving to truly thriving.

“For me, doing both group therapy and individual keeps me balanced. I find that when I’m not as consistent with either, the wheels sort of start wobbling and maybe one wheel comes off.

So then I remind myself why it needs to be a priority,” said Emily. “I feel like it makes me a better mom when I take the time to do the therapy.”

Editor’s note: Steel Magnolia Moms will host the 5th annual Holiday Market on Nov. 7, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Blue Box of the Powder Keg located at 1300 Brittmoore Road. All proceeds of the market support mental health, personal wellness, and respite for moms of children with special needs. For more information about SMM or to purchase online-only Grand Slam tickets to the market, go to steelmagnoliamoms.com.

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ARTS

by Cindy Burnett, staff writer

Cindy Burnett

Gifting Books For everyone on your list

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oliday gift giving can be a fun but occasionally stressful process; trying to find the right present for every person on your list can be difficult. Books make great gifts because they cover so many different subjects and genres – there is something for everyone.

Here are some ideas of books, some newer and some published in years past that would still make for a great gift.

For the die-hard Texan or new-to-Texas person in your life: Being Texan by the editors of Texas Monthly (nonfiction) – The Lone Star State is a larger-than-life place known for its sprawling cities, trailblazing innovators, and traditions. In this collection, the editors of Texas Monthly highlight the people, customs, land, culture, and cuisine found in the state. Featuring essays, reportage, recipes, and recommendations from the magazine’s contributors, Being Texan explores the varying landscapes, life as a Texan, underappreciated episodes of Texas history, and Texas arts community. In addition to making a fabulous holiday gift, this compilation would go well on a guest-room nightstand for visitors to pick up while they are staying in your home.

For the nature lover or as a hostess gift: The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer (nonfiction) – Braiding Sweetgrass author Robin Wall Kimmerer returns with another book about learning from the natural world, in this case the serviceberry. In this little gem (in both length and size), Kimmerer asks how we can learn from the plant world by examining the serviceberry’s relationship with nature, which includes interconnectedness, reciprocity, and gratitude.

For the music lover: Danny Clinch: Still Moving by Danny Clinch, foreword by Bruce Springsteen (nonfiction) – For years, Danny Clinch has been a well-known photographer of the music scene, photographing a whole host of artists from Johnny Cash to Tupac Shakur. His photos have graced hundreds of album covers and have also appeared in publications such as Vanity Fair,

SPIN, and Rolling Stone.

They are often the images people associate with a particular musician. Still Moving follows his lengthy career with more than 200 images of the most iconic musicians of all time, along with his personal stories and a foreword from Bruce Springsteen.

The book can be purchased on Amazon, or an autographed copy can be purchased from his website. transparentclinchgallery.com/products/still-moving For the Taylor Swift fan: FOR THE FICTION FAN Looking for some gift ideas for the holidays? After Invisible Strings: Annie by Anna Quindlen is a great book for those who enjoy compelling stories.

113 Poets Respond to Quindlen’s novel explores the myriad of ways people experience grief. the Songs of Taylor accomplish a goal while all sorts of hilarity Swift edited by Kristie Frederick-Daugherty ensues. The focus on older characters and inter(poetry) – In this anthology of original poems, generational relationships makes this one a Kristie Frederick-Daugherty, a poet and professtandout. sor who is writing a dissertation examining how For the true-crime lover: Swift’s lyrics intersect with contemporary poetBroadway Butterfly by Sara DiVello (truery, decided to bring together a group of poets to crime fiction) – This meticulously wellpay homage to Taylor Swift. Mirroring Swift’s researched and riveting debut novel takes place ability to send her fans down rabbit holes decodin 1923 New York City and chronicles the ing her lyrics from to the clues she sprinkles in unsolved murder of flapper Dot King. The crime her wake, this group of writers channels the riveted New York City, and female reporter Julia same vibes by inviting the readers to actively Harpman doggedly worked the case, hoping to participate as well. The audience can decode get a leg up on her male coworkers. DiVello which song each writer is alluding to from the keeps the story moving along and weaves Easter eggs in their works. together the various storylines effectively and For the person who likes books with older seamlessly. She also includes a postscript that protagonists: details what happened to all of the characters How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley after the hubbub over the crime faded away. (fiction) – When the city council proposes sellFor a quirkier gift: ing the local community center where a seniors’ Loneliness & Company by Charlee Dyroff social club meets, the Social Club joins forces (speculative fiction) – This debut novel set in with the parents of the daycare housed in the near future New York stars a young woman who center to fight back. Pooley crafts a tale filled finds herself tangled in a secret government with entertaining characters, each with their project combating loneliness and how she finds own unique backstory, who come together to

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Photo Courtesy of Transparent Clinch Gallery

Kevin Mazur

FOR THE MUSIC LOVER Renowned music photographer Danny Clinch’s Still Moving, with a foreword by Bruce Springsteen, will appeal to music lovers of all kinds. On left: Danny with Bruce Springsteen; on right: a copy of the book, which follows Danny’s lengthy photography career, including more than 200 images of legendary musicians.

meaning and connection in a world beset by isolation. Loneliness & Company is another great exploration of the loneliness epidemic that is taking hold in our world today and how technology contributes. For fans of tales about the importance of community and interacting with each other.

For the person who like compelling stories: After Annie by Anna Quindlen (fiction) – When Annie Brown dies suddenly, her husband, her children, and her closest friend are left to find a way forward without the woman who has been the lynchpin of all their lives.

Quindlen’s exploration of the myriad of ways people experience grief is what makes this book a standout as well as serving as a reminder that you can move on from grief without leaving the departed behind. This will appeal to fans of character-driven books about human resilience and healing.

For the person who likes creepy stories: We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer (thriller/mild horror) – Eve is home by herself when Thomas and his family knock on her front door and explains that he grew up in the home Eve and her partner, Charlie, recently purchased. As soon as the family enters the home, strange things start happening, including the disappearance of the family’s youngest child somewhere within the dwelling, and the family refuses to leave. The eeriness factor is off the charts; We Used to Live Here is dripping with dread, tension, and a fun creepiness factor.

For the romantic: The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood (romantic comedy with magic realism) – A recently deceased woman meets “the one” in the afterlife waiting room, scoring a second chance at life (and love!) if she can find him on earth before 10 days are up. The premise and implementation of this one are so

entertaining as is the London setting, and the shoutouts to other romance authors and novels added to the fun.

For the historical fiction lover: Can’t We Be Friends by Denny S. Bryce and Eliza Knight (historical fiction) – This novel explores the boundary-breaking, genuine friendship between Ella Fitzgerald, the Queen of Jazz, and iconic movie star Marilyn Monroe. Highlights are the authors’ take on what the friendship between these iconic women could have looked like and how they supported each other.

For the person who loves feel-good stories: The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston (fiction) – 82-year-old Frederick Fife is facing crushing debt when he inadvertently stumbles into the life of another man. This utterly delightful book demonstrates what a difference a kind person makes in the lives of others, and readers will be wanting a Frederick in their lives. The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife hits all the right notes; it is funny, hopeful, poignant, touching, and engaging.

For the adventurer: Dixon, Descending by Karen Outen (fiction) – Two brothers, Dixon and Nate Bryant, seek to become the first Black Americans to summit Everest. After things go horribly awry, Dixon returns home a changed man, constantly replaying his decision to climb the mountain. Outen’s accounts of climbing Everest are engrossing, and her depiction of grief and the many different forms it takes are compelling and insightful.

For the armchair traveler: May the Wolf Die by Elizabeth Heider (mystery) – This gripping debut mystery is set in Italy, following a female detective haunted by her family’s past and tasked with untangling the city’s organized crime and the modern U.S. military presence there. The Naples set-

ting and strong sense of place make this timely mystery a standout. Hopefully, it will be the start of a series.

For your friend or relative in a book club: Scandalous Women by Gill Paul (historical fiction) – Scandalous Women tells the story of Jackie Collins and Jacqueline Susann, two dynamic, groundbreaking writers renowned for their scandalous and controversial novels, and the fictionalized friendship they developed.

Paul documents the barriers these women shattered as well as how they both changed the world of publishing.

For the mystery lover: Middle of the Night by Riley Sager (thriller) – In the latest thriller from Riley Sager, a man must contend with the long-ago disappearance of his childhood best friend – and the secrets lurking just beyond the safe confines of his picture-perfect neighborhood. Fans of Sager’s older books will welcome his return to a non-paranormal plot with a more realistic ending. I love his focus on relationships and trying to return home as an adult. There is a good amount to ponder in this one.

For the fine arts enthusiast: The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby (nonfiction) – Valby’s exhaustively researched book chronicles the forgotten stories of the five main female dancers who danced with the Dance Theatre of Harlem long before Misty Copeland became famous. It focuses on racism and discrimination, friendship, resilience, and a beautiful and special sisterhood.

Editor’s note: Cindy Burnett also writes our weekly Page Turners column at thebuzzmagazines.com. She hosts an award-winning book podcast entitled Thoughts from a Page Podcast www.thoughtsfromapage.com, runs the Instagram account @thoughtsfrompage, and regularly speaks to groups about books.

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NEIGHBORS

by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

A Heart for Fostering Children The Tramuto family’s journey Maggie Gomez Photography

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n a soccer field sideline, the Tramuto family cheers on 8-year-old Evie.

Parents Katie and Rob have four children – Charlie Kate, 12, Davis, 10, Evie, 8, and Brooks, 8 – who are all there to watch. This game is just one stop on a busy Saturday filled with activities.

Rob holds their 11-day-old foster baby. The care and attention they will pour into her will be temporary – but will have lasting effects.

“We were given just a short notice by our organization that she was coming to us,” said Katie. She had been at a doctor’s appointment with one of her children when her phone rang. It was her foster agency. When she answered, they said, “There is a 6-day-old baby; can you take her?”

Katie says with fostering, no matter the age of the child, you cannot overthink it. “You just have to say yes. If you think too hard, you will not do it.”

The Tramuto family has been fostering children, from tiny babies to older children, for the past 10 years. They have fostered more than 30 children, keeping them from as little as 24 hours for emergency placement care, to up to 11 months.

“We are in it for whatever they need,” said Katie.

The kids running around their mom and dad at the soccer game, with their new foster sibling, is a glimpse into Katie and Rob’s daily lives – a life of fostering, where love, sacrifice, tears, and service all intersect.

Katie, who homeschools their four children, and Rob, a director of business applications for a school safety software company, foster through the nonprofit organization Loving Houston Foster and Adoption Ministries. They are approved to foster through the state, and have undergone training, inspections, and regular steps to keep up to date with their qualifications.

Their four children have grown up alongside their foster siblings. It is a family affair, and they are all on board to do it. They have received feedback along the way, particularly in the beginning.

“Some did not know why we would choose to bring the hard into our family,” said Katie. “But [over time], we have seen our family and friends grow in their understanding of foster care and foster children that have come through our home.”

Katie and Rob learned about fostering

SERVING HEARTS The Tramuto family – parents Rob and Katie (holding their foster baby) with their four children (from left) Evie, Brooks, Charlie Kate, and Davis – have welcomed more than 30 foster children of all ages into their home.

through a program at their church, and felt a calling to serve. Now, they have fostered children ranging from a few days old, to toddlers, to older kids. “At first, Rob was a little hesitant to do it, but after we got in the car after church, he said, ‘I want our kids to have love for other people like these people do.’”

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For the Tramutos, it is about serving. “The Lord put it in my heart more than a decade ago to care for these kids,” said Rob. “That our home, and one of the directions of our family, would be to provide a loving and safe home for them. To have our kids join us on this journey has been so rewarding,” Rob said.

Fostering is not just something they do – it is at the core of their family values. But it is not always easy. It is a lifestyle built around love, patience, and the desire to teach their children to care for others. “We want to teach our children to love others like Jesus,” said Katie.

For Katie, fostering fills not only her home, but her heart. “My love language is more babies,” she says with a laugh. She grew up with three brothers, and Rob two sisters, and now enjoys what she says is “controlled chaos” at her home. “We do not have the biggest home, but it is filled with love,” she said.

Their day-to-day routine is anything but easy, but it is rewarding. “Every time a foster child leaves our house, it is hard,” she says. “We always discuss it with our kids and make sure they still want to continue fostering.”

There are often tears when the foster child departs their home, but they are grateful to stay in touch with some of their foster children’s families. “We are sometimes able to get pictures of kids after they leave our home,” said Katie. “It is fun when other families from our agency adopt a kid we have had in our home, and we get to follow them as they grow up.”

Fostering, for the Tramutos, is a family decision. They have built their household around shared responsibilities and honest conversations, constantly checking in with their kids to ensure that everyone is on board.

Katie’s day as a mom and a foster mom begins at 5:30 a.m. when she wakes up to feed their foster baby. After a few sacred quiet moments with coffee, she walks the dogs and catches up with Rob, who works from home. By 7:30 a.m., their four kids start to wake up, and breakfast is a family affair. From 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., they tackle homeschooling through their university model school, followed by household chores and baby care.

Afternoons are a mix of free time for the children, games, and outdoor activities, while Katie often takes their foster baby for a visit with their birth mother. Evenings are packed with extracurricular activities – dance, soccer, cheer, gymnastics, and baseball – but they make family dinners happen as often as possible. “It is one of my favorite things we do, even when it is crazy busy,” Katie says.

For the Tramuto children, fostering has shaped their lives in profound ways. She and Rob have worked hard to involve their children in the process, explaining what fostering means and encouraging them to express their feelings when a foster sibling leaves. “We talk about it openly,” Katie says, “and we always give them the choice to say if it is too much.” Despite the challenges, they continue to stay on the path they feel they have been led to.

Katie says, for those who want to help in ways other than fostering, the Oak Forest Foster Closet, a local organization, is always in need of supplies like formula, diapers, and gently used clothing. “Not everyone is called to foster, but

FOSTERING LOVE The Tramuto family (pictured, watching their daughter Charlie Kate cheer at a football game) learned about fostering children through their church 10 years ago. They foster through the organization Loving Houston Foster and Adoption Ministries.

anyone can support foster families,” Katie says.

The Oak Forest Foster Closet, which provides essential items for foster families, has become a lifeline for the Tramutos. Donating to organizations like this can relieve some of the burdens foster families face, especially when it comes to the practical needs of caring for children who often arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs (see oakforestfostercloset.org).

Katie’s advice for anyone considering fostering? “Be prepared for it to change your life,” she

says. “It’s not easy, and it’s not always pretty, but it’s worth it.” There are steps to take during the application process, including background checks, home inspections to keep up to date, training, and more (which can be found at dfps.texas.gov; read more about Loving Houston at lovinghouston.net).

The Tramutos have opened their home and hearts to so many children, and through it all, have remained a family unit, changing the lives of not only their foster children, but their own.

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NEIGHBORS

by Cathy Gordon, staff writer

Poignant Portraits Kelly Gebhart of Gebhart Photography

Putting a face to foster children

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hose faces. Full of hope. With deep, expressive eyes, in a variety of hues.

Brown, like luminous orbs of chocolate.

Green, the shade of spring clover.

“I don’t remember exactly where I saw photographs of all these children. It was a mall, I think. But I do remember the effect those photos had on me,” says Ashlee, 44, a family pastor, who was captivated by the faces staring back at her from plain-woven canvases.

She’d stumbled upon an exhibit by Heart Gallery of Greater Houston, an array of portraits of foster children needing homes. The gallery – operated under the non-profit organization BEAR (an acronym for BE A Resource) – is on a mission to connect adoption-available children, at-risk and under Children Protective Services, with stable, loving families. It sets up exhibits, permanent and temporary, in a variety of venues, within Harris and its 12 surrounding counties.

An estimated 6,000 youth in the Texas foster care system are eligible for adoption, according to the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and Heart Galleries of Texas.

About 1,500 are older youth, sibling groups, or those with complex medical or behavioral needs. Those are the ones that the gallery focuses on. Research shows that they only have a 1 percent chance of being adopted before aging out of the foster care system. But if a professional photograph is taken of that same child, and exhibited in a public space, their chances for permanent placement shoot to 60 percent.

This month, National Adoption Month, is a reminder that every child deserves a forever family, say Heart Gallery workers.

“I looked at those pictures and read about how these kids were waiting for a family and thought ‘This can’t be!’ I was like, ‘Wait! There are kids who need a family right here in our community? Right in our own backyard?’” recalls Ashlee, who requested that her last name not be used. “All I had really known about adoption was that people spent a significant amount of money to adopt from overseas. I felt like the Lord was telling me, ‘You need to become a foster parent.’”

KICKING BACK WITH THE K TEAM Single adoptive mom Ashlee is all smiles with the sibling trio she adopted. From left: Knox, 5, Kynlee, 4 and K.J., 7, her “K Team,” brought a profound dimension to her life that she never dreamt possible, says the family pastor, who was inspired by a Heart Gallery exhibit of foster children years ago.

Ashlee, single, was perfectly happy. She had a full life, her friends, a job she loved. But that spark was lit. So, she set about getting her license to foster.

In short order, she opened her home. First, to a 2-month-old baby boy, who was eventually placed with a relative, and then, to a brother and sister, 6 and 7, who were with her a year and a half before being reunited with parents after a carefully monitored transition period.

“I loved the experience. But having those two foster experiences back-to-back, I just assumed I’d take a break for a while,” she says.

Then came a phone call. “My caseworker said she had a colleague who had a case I needed to look at. She kept saying to me, ‘You need to talk to my colleague. These kids need to come to your house.’” A set of three siblings.

K.J., now 7, was the first that Ashlee took in, a 2-year-old at the time. He was followed by his brother, Knox, and sister Kynlee, who were 15 months and a newborn. They are now 5 and 4, respectively. “I call them my K Team,” she chirps.

So, in the middle of a global pandemic, when the world shut down, Ashlee opened up. She

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became a family of four, mom to a tenacious trio, all under the age of 3.

In November of 2021, they stood before a judge, all chipper in smiles, as the magistrate declared them a family. Ashlee had adopted her K Team.

“It’s crazy and wild and I drive a messy minivan, but I just can’t imagine if I hadn’t said ‘yes’ to all of this. It’s why I love Heart Gallery so much, especially trying to get siblings adopted together. There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not watching my kids together, even if it’s fighting with each other, and I think to myself, ‘They might not have ever known each other.’ What a real tragedy that would have been.”

“It’s important that we provide an experience of unconditional love in a family to each and every child that we can,” says Merri Hahn, community outreach and Heart Gallery manager.

“The key to getting these kids to relax so we can capture those beautiful smiles is to do something fun, whether it’s taking them to the park or something individual, something a child is interested in. A lot of times we will get with the caseworker ahead of time and find out what that is.

Kelly Gebhart of Gebhart Photography

“We were asked by the Department of Family and Protective Services to take on this initiative,” Hahn continues. “BEAR has been in existence for 27 years and it was the perfect organization to oversee this.”

Since the gallery’s official launch in September 2021, 108 children have been permanently placed through various avenues – adoption, kinship and/or guardianship, or reunification with parents. “We’ve been lucky to see a number of siblings adopted together,” Hahn says.

Heart Gallery also has Match Parties where children in the foster care system can connect with licensed families who are interested in adopting.

The outlook is bleak for those who age out of the foster care system, starting adulthood with no support. Approximately 60 percent are jailed within the first year, 70 percent are pregnant or parenting by age 21, 50 percent battle substance abuse, and 40 percent end up homeless within that first year, states Hahn.

West University resident Barbara Perlick, a volunteer photographer for Heart Gallery, winces at these statistics. “You just feel for these children. You so desperately want them to find their forever family,” she says. Perlick tries to tell the child’s story through her portraits, taking them on an adventure of sorts.

“Being able to tell about them, their interests, is important. I had this one boy who really loves boxing. I know a professional boxer and called him up. I bought this child some boxing gloves and we went to the gym, and they had a great time.”

Former professional boxer Lou Savarese of Braeswood was happy to host the sparring event.

“I was easy on him. I let him hit me a few times,” cracks Savarese, of the child, 11 at the time. He keeps in touch with the boy, who was later adopted by a relative.

“Just imagine if all of these kids had a chance,” he says. “I grew up, coming from the best. I had everything I needed. Maybe not everything I wanted, but everything I needed.

Family was number one. That’s what you want for every kid.”

Meredith Marshall, board president of BEAR, can’t imagine a more important goal than finding a child a home.

BEAR sponsors several programs to support foster children: BEAR Necessities provides clothing, toys, diapers, hygiene items, etc.; BEARing Gifts serves 26,000 children in the Greater Houston area through its holiday drive (which also offers the option to sponsor a child for the holidays); BEAR Back to School serves more than 16,000 with school items.

Adding Heart Gallery of Greater Houston to BEAR’s program lineup was a gamechanger, says Marshall. “We have all kinds of services to help in crisis situations, but when these kids are basically starting over, what could be better than giving them a forever home? The gallery means

FINDING FOREVER HOMES Top photo: Pumpkins and little munchkins on the couch make for a fun fall scene. From left: Siblings K.J., Kynlee, and Knox were adopted together by mom Ashlee. Bottom photo: Meredith Marshall, BEAR’s board president, stands before a sea of photos, all children who have been successfully adopted after their photographs were exhibited by Heart Gallery of Greater Houston.

so much for children who have been released of all parental control and are available for adoption. Their pictures really spike adoption rates.”

Marshall hosted a party at her River Oaks home last fall, an educational event attended by donors and others, introducing them to the concept of Heart Gallery.

The Texas First Lady, Cecilia Abbott, spoke at the event, as did proud adoptive mom, Ashlee. Abbott’s team, the Governor’s Commission for Women, rallied for the Heart Gallery concept, cheerleading for it in the legislature, leading to its funding.

In 2023, Texas committed $12 million to expand the gallery model across the state and provide extensive post-adoption support for

these permanent placement families, like resources for counseling and therapy.

“Post-adoption funding is being rolled out now,” says Marshall. “That’s a very important piece of all of this. Life happens, so you want to set up these children and their families for success. You don’t want a situation where a child is adopted, then reintroduced into the foster care system. That would be an absolute fail.”

Taking down a portrait because a child is permanently placed “is the best feeling in the world,” says Memorial resident Kendall Pierce, a Heart Gallery outreach coordinator who works with exhibit venues. “It makes my day, my month, my year,” she says, “especially when some of the older kiddos (continued on page 28)

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Scenes by Christian Partnerships for Children

FACES OF FOSTER KIDS Top left photo: A Heart Gallery of Greater Houston exhibit at Memorial City Mall features children who are available for adoption. Bottom left photo: Lily, all about play in this photograph featured in a Heart Gallery exhibit, is hoping for a forever home. Right photo, top to bottom: Siblings Alizea, Devon, Davian, and Julian are a stair-step quartet in this canvas portrait, displayed by Heart Gallery. Heart Gallery often features sibling sets to be adopted together. (continued from page 27) and sibling groups get a

home.”

Adoptive parent Ashlee, mom to that formidable “K Team,” thinks back to seeing those children’s portraits in a mall those years ago.

“What’s so powerful about Heart Gallery is that it’s a reminder that these are our kids. This is going on right here. And if we don’t do something, what’s going to happen? People sometimes say, ‘I could never be a foster parent.’ But

there are so many things you can do. So many people helped make it possible for me to do this, by bringing meals or dropping off kid clothes when theirs outgrew them. The Heart Gallery and BEAR brings all these things to people’s minds. They remind us that there are ways to help. There’s something all of us can do.”

On a recent night, her kids fast asleep, Ashlee tended to laundry and spoke of her messy minivan life with her brown-eyed, brown-haired trio.

It was a busy day with busy kids. But she wouldn’t trade it for anything.

“I’m exhausted, in a good way,” she quips.

“This is the life that I never knew that I always wanted.”

Editor’s note: The Buzz Magazines has permission from BEAR to publish the photos of foster children in this article; these children are legally available for adoption (as of when this issue went to press).

Finding that Forever Home Heart Gallery’s first exhibit of foster children’s portraits, held at Minute Maid Park in October 2021, resulted in 26 adoptions within a year, says volunteer photographer Barbara Perlick. “That’s the power of these exhibits.”

“Some of our [Astros] players through the years have really appreciated BEAR as an organization, what they do for children and families,” says Marian Harper, Vice President of Foundation Development, Player Engagement and Family Relations, who helps manage programs and fundraising for the Astros Foundation. “So, we just have continued to work with them after that first display of the Heart Gallery here, whether it’s charity tickets or donations for auction items.”

A portion of the proceeds from the Astros’ Champions for Healthy Families Lunch and Fashion Show in September was donated to Heart Gallery, she says. “The wives of Astros players modeled. We’re all about promoting healthy families. This is a great way to do it.”

Permanent exhibits around the area include local malls such as Baybrook, Deerbrook, First Colony, and Willowbrook; 33 locations of Tide Cleaners, and Museum of Illusions Houston. Some current exhibits include Houston Improv at the Marq’e Entertainment Center, iTouchDiamonds, Memorial City Mall, and Red Dessert Dive, as well as a digital display showing at CityCentre.

For a full list of exhibit locations and ways to help through donations, volunteering, or hosting a Heart Gallery exhibit, visit heartgalleryhouston.org/get-involved/visit-an-exhibit/.

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FOOD

by Andria Dilling, staff writer

Storied Thanksgiving Recipes Not your average turkey and dressing ean Jenner says that growing up in New Orleans, she didn’t really like gumbo.

“It was sort of a necessity,” the retired audiologist, who’s lived in Houston for 35 years, says.

“Gumbo originated in the lower economic class we were in. It’s what you make when you throw together a bunch of leftovers, and it can feed hundreds of people.” Then she quips, “I didn’t know that when I was growing up, but now I’ve watched The Bear.”

“Same thing with jambalaya. And red beans and rice on Mondays; the fishermen had a day off, so you couldn’t get fresh seafood on Mondays. So when I was growing up, I was kind of like Oh, gumbo again.”

Jean’s grandmother – the cook in the family – was Sicilian, and her grandfather was Cajun.

Mamadear, as Jean’s grandmother was known, was used to making tomato sauces, while Nampy, her grandfather, was a hunter and fisherman. When they fed their family, a typical Sunday dinner would include eggplant parmesan and stuffed artichokes, some sort of wild game, and cannoli for dessert. “It was all Italian roots with a little bit of Cajun,” Jean says.

She adds, “My mom was a good cook, but my grandmother was such a good cook that all my mom really did was the presentation. Cooking from scratch wasn’t so much in vogue when she was younger. Although I do remember stirring the pot for her every now and then.” Jean’s mom, Nathalie Willig, moved to Houston from New Orleans just five years ago. She will turn 100 next spring.

Jean’s family would have gumbo five or six times during the winter, but she says the real treat was the gumbo her grandmother made with Thanksgiving leftovers. “The turkey carcass is the best thing ever for a base,” she explains. Her turkey and sausage gumbo has become the Jenner family’s Thanksgiving leftover tradition.

“It’s the best gumbo you’ll ever have – don’t throw the turkey carcass away,” Jean says. “You can add the gravy. My grandmother used to add some stuffing if it wasn’t thick enough. I chop up the liver, gizzards, all that, because it adds a richness and a flavor you can’t reproduce. You

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SOUP FOR YOU Jean Jenner and her mother Nathalie Willig have served gumbo for many years in Nathalie’s gumbo bowls. Nathalie will turn 100 this spring.

just can’t really recreate it unless you have the turkey from Thanksgiving.”

Jean says not to be afraid of what some think is a daunting process. “Once you get over making the roux, it’s the easiest thing to make,” she

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says. “You don’t need to wake up at 7 a.m.; you can simmer for a couple hours and it’s fine. It just takes a little bit of patience.” Jean says a recent roux took an hour to make. “I just put some music on – The Mavericks or Eagles Radio

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NEW ORLEANS IN HOUSTON Gumbo is a Jenner family post-Thanksgiving tradition. Jean Jenner says gumbo isn't as hard to make as people might think. Serve gumbo with a green salad, French bread, and a scoop of rice (or cold potato salad if you are from Louisiana, like the Jenners).

– had a glass of wine, and talked to my dog,” she says. “If you need to cheat, there is a roux that comes in a jar. Tony Chachere’s [Instant Roux] is my favorite. If my roux is not dark enough, I’ll put a little of that and some water in and [the gumbo] will darken up.” Jean also uses the Tony Chachere’s as a base for Thanksgiving gravy.

Even though she cooks most of the Thanksgiving Day meal (except for the manicotti – husband Rick’s mother is Italian, too), Jean says she can’t wait to wake up and cook again on Friday morning, surrounded by her family. “And I might have a Bloody Mary while I’m doing it, but don’t quote me.”

1 quart chicken or beef broth Meat (no skin) from leftover Thanksgiving turkey, chopped or torn (or meat from 2 rotisserie chickens), including all the juices Any leftover vegetables from the turkey 1 pound sliced andouille sausage (or your favorite sausage) 1 cup leftover Thanksgiving gravy (or ½ cup Tony Chachere’s Instant Roux mixed well with cold water) 1 tablespoon Tabasco 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Salt and pepper to taste Gumbo filé for serving, optional

Jean Jenner’s Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey and Sausage Gumbo

Finely chop all the vegetables (do not use a food processor, as this will make them too fine).

Place in a large bowl.

To make the roux, place the fat in a large cast iron pot or a large stockpot/Dutch oven, and heat over medium. When it starts to sizzle, add flour and stir constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon over medium heat so the roux does not burn. This can take 30 minutes to an hour, so have a glass of wine ready and a good movie on. When the roux is a peanut-buttery or cocoa color, add all the veggies and half the

2 medium bell peppers 6 large sticks celery, including the inner tender sprigs and leaves 2 sweet onions 6 cloves garlic 1 bunch parsley, chopped, divided 1 cup fat (Jean uses ½ cup bacon grease and ½ cup vegetable oil, but you can swap based on what you have and like) 1 cup flour

parsley. Immediately add the chicken or beef broth. Let simmer for 45 minutes on low. If it looks dry, add a little water as needed. Add the turkey and sausage, gravy, Tabasco, Worcestershire, and salt and pepper, and let the gumbo simmer for as long as you like.

Hint: The gumbo is even better the next day and freezes beautifully. Serve with a green salad, French bread, and a scoop of rice (or cold potato salad if you are from Louisiana!).

Sprinkle the rest of the parsley on top.

D

esigner and builder Linda Elston’s family is also Italian – and German – and they also make turkey gumbo after Thanksgiving. But they add an extra Italian element: “We have a big crowd,” she says, “and the day or weekend after the holiday, we bust out enough meatballs to feed an army! It’s a cooking fest for the whole weekend.

“Saturday we’ll invite the whole gang over again, and whatever meatballs we don’t eat, we’ll freeze and have for Christmas. We’re the typical Italian family where everything happens around food.”

For years, Linda’s father Richard Wedel (a.k.a. Dick, a.k.a. Pops) (continued on page 34)

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HOLIDAY TURKEY Linda Elston’s father Richard Wedel was forever in charge of their family’s Thanksgiving turkey. When he died a few years ago, Linda took over and now makes a turkey brined with apples and oranges. (continued from page 33) was in charge of the

turkey. “When he was sick [with Alzheimer’s], my stepmother, who is from Korea, took over the turkey,” Linda says, “but it was always dry.

So when he passed, I took over.”

In search of a way to make a turkey that was not dry, Linda came upon a friend’s recipe for brining. “I’ve gotta give him all the credit,” Linda says, although she’s tweaked the recipe a bit to make it her own. “It’s Craig Blanchard’s recipe. He’s another builder who I do design work with. We were together a few days before Thanksgiving one year, and I shared my story and said What are we going to do with the turkey now that my dad’s gone? When I tell you this recipe is the most delicious. Imagine cutting the turkey and all you smell is the orange and apple – it smells like the holidays.”

While Craig smokes his turkey, Linda bakes it. “My dad used to not brine,” she says. “His recipe was to stuff it. But that brining is a gamechanger.

“I used to wake up early with my dad to enjoy all of his traditions,” Linda says. “It was super special with him, just a time when he was calm and enjoying the moment. He was a hard-working engineer, but at Thanksgiving he just enjoyed serving the family.”

Linda Elston’s Apple and Orange-Brined Turkey For the brine: 1 gallon water 2 cups salt 2 cups sugar 1 cup whole peppercorns 1 head garlic, cut in half 1 large bundle fresh rosemary 1 large bundle fresh sage 1 large bundle fresh thyme Combine all the ingredients in a large stock pot and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20 minutes.

Cool.

16-pound turkey, punctured so that it absorbs the brine Brine 1 quart apple cider 5 apples, cut in half 5 oranges, cut in half and squeezed 1 bag ice 1 stick butter, softened Dry rub (Linda likes one from texasbbqrub.com) Carrots Onions, quartered

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Bay leaves Oranges, peeled Place the turkey, brine, apple cider, apples, oranges, and ice in an ice chest for 30 hours, making sure the breast side of the turkey is down.

Preheat the oven to 225 degrees. Remove the turkey from the brine and pat dry. Rub butter under and on top of the skin. Apply your favorite dry rub (or salt and pepper) to the outside. Place in a large roasting pan and stuff the turkey with the carrots, onions, bay leaves, and oranges. Roast until the internal temperature of the turkey is 170 to 175 degrees, about 35 minutes per pound. If the skin is getting too brown, soak a cheesecloth with water and oil and drape it over the skin.

V

aughan Clark is good friends with Anita Jaisinghani, the owner and chef behind the Indian restaurant Pondicheri, and author of Masala: Recipes from India, the Land of Spices [A Cookbook]. “We walk and talk for two hours every morning, and she is always telling me to do this or add a little of this to what I’m making,” Vaughan says.

That is how Vaughan (continued on page 36)

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SWEET POTATO BLISS Vaughan Clark says her friend Anita Jaisinghani’s Masala cookbook recipe for sweet potatoes mashed with fenugreek will convert the most stalwart sweet potato haters; Vaughan's grandchildren Garner Clark, Powell Clark, and Hunt Forage (from left) love to visit her kitchen. (continued from page 34) began making fenugreek

mashed sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving. Rather than the traditional Thanksgiving-style casserole with cinnamon and marshmallows, Vaughan uses a simple mix of ghee, salt, and fenugreek, the Indian spice that is subtly sweet and bitter, with a hint of a maple flavor.

“The fenugreek makes it so savory and so wonderful,” Vaughan says. “It’s so easy, and I will tell you I have taken these sweet potatoes places where people don’t like sweet potatoes, but they

like these. We brought them to a hunting lodge in Eagle Lake, Texas, and everybody was going What are these sweet potatoes? Everybody loves them. They’re not sweet or maple-y or orange-y.

“They really are so simple – really good with turkey, but also fabulous with a pork loin, and pretty on the plate, too.”

Vaughan Clark’s Fenugreek Mashed Sweet Potatoes, from Masala: Recipes from India, the Land of Spices [A Cookbook]

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Combine 2 large, peeled, diced sweet potatoes (roughly 1 pound each) and 1 cup water in a pot. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until cooked through. Drain off excess water if needed and mash in ¼ cup dried fenugreek leaves or 1 cup fresh fenugreek leaves, a few tablespoons thick yogurt or heavy cream, and a few tablespoons of butter or ghee.

Serve warm.

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Cindy Burnett

ARTS

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by Cindy Burnett, staff writer

Buzz Reads

Five picks for November

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

I’m Starting to Worry about This Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin (fiction) – Lyft driver Abbott nervously accepts an offer of $200,000 cash to transport a woman named Ether across the country with a large black box. But she has a list of rules he must follow: he cannot look inside the box; he cannot ask questions about the box; he cannot tell anyone what he is doing; they must leave immediately; and he must leave all trackable devices behind. What ensues is a hilarious and timely tale about the way technology and the internet have completely overrun our lives. As the internet community speculates about what’s in the box as well as sparking rumors that this duo is preparing to launch a terror attack, the tension mounts. A variety of characters narrate the story, which works particularly well and so many thought-provoking issues are raised. I’m Starting to Worry about This Black Box of Doom will appeal to fans of quirky, unique, and creative stories and is well worth the read.

Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp by Michelle Moran (historical fiction) – This story of family, loss, and the difficult choices people sometimes have to make is a powerful reminder that the truth is usually more layered and nuanced than the stories brought to the screen in Hollywood. Moran’s historical fiction tale follows the life of the von Trapp family’s complicated matriarch through a dual timeline narrative that follows Maria’s life in Austria from her early years through meeting the von Trapps and the creation of the Broadway musical several decades later as Oscar Hammerstein works on the Broadway musical about the von Trapp family. Readers will most likely be surprised to learn that Maria was the disciplinarian of the family, that she was not initially in love with Captain von Trapp but married him for the kids, and that the family did not escape in the night over the Alps to freedom. The details about her early years and how they informed her life as well as how she unsuccessfully petitioned Hammerstein to alter aspects of the Broadway musical are fas-

cinating and kept me turning the pages.

Moran includes an indepth Author’s Note about her WHAT TO READ This month’s selections include a quirky, cautionary tale about a research as well as mysterious black box, historical fiction based on the life of Maria von Trapp, the first in a new series by the Thursday Murder Club author, a collection of short stories, and what happened to a nonfiction book about chickens. each von Trapp clever mystery, authentic characters, and humorfamily member. Fans of The Sound of Music and ous dialogue and scenes combine to make this historical fiction novels will love this one. one a winner. This book is a good fit for Thursday The Man in Black & Other Stories by Elly Murder Club fans, mystery readers, and those Griffiths (short stories) – Elly Griffiths takes a who enjoy a fast-paced story. break from her Ruth Galloway, Harbinder Kaur, What the Chicken Knows: A New and Max Mephisto series to pen this fabulous Appreciation of the World’s Most Familiar collection of short stories. While some of them Bird by Sy Montgomery (nonfiction) – This include her series characters, many are standshort, delightful book by National Book Award alone tales and even those referencing her finalist Sy Montgomery delves into the lives of beloved characters can be easily enjoyed without chickens, particularly her flock of hens she reading her previous books. These vignettes dubbed the Ladies. Adding to her collection of cover a broad range of genres including ghost stobooks about the octopus, the hummingbird, and ries, psychological suspense, cozy tales, and even the hawk, What the Chicken Knows highlights some horror as well as a story narrated by a cat. the things that make these birds so remarkable: My favorites include Articulation, Castles in the some of them like to be held and cuddled; Air, Turning Traitor, and What I Saw From the Sky. chickens have different levels of intelligence It is easy to dip in and out of this collection, and and distinctive personality characteristics; they certain characters in one story make appearances have individual voices so that no chicken in others, creating a thread that runs throughout sounds the same as any another chicken; and the book. This book will appeal to fans of short they communicate with at least 24 distinct calls stories and Elly Griffiths as well as serving as a including numerous calls signaling distress or an great introduction to her writing for those who emergency. While Montgomery is familiar with have not read her books before. these details about chickens, she realized over We Solve Murders by Richard Osman (mystime that most other humans are not; instead, tery) – In We Solve Murders, Richard Osman they know surprising little about this very comtakes a break from The Thursday Murder Club mon bird, so she sets out to change that with series to launch a new series about a daughterhumorous anecdotes and her engaging narrative in-law, Amy Wheeler, and father-in-law, Steve style. This charming book will make a great gift Wheeler, duo who get drawn into a murder plot at the holidays or as a hostess gift and will that is endangering Amy’s life. Amy is employed appeal to animal lovers as well. as a bodyguard for Maximum Impact Solutions, a personal security company, whose latest assignEditor’s note: Book reviewer Cindy Burnett ment takes her to a private island in South also writes our weekly Page Turners column at Carolina where she is charged with guarding a thebuzzmagazines.com. She hosts an award-winfamous author, Rosie D’Antonio. When they are ning book podcast entitled Thoughts from a Page attacked, the two go on the run around the world Podcast www.thoughtsfromapage.com, runs the and eventually bring Steve into the mix to help Instagram account @thoughtsfrompage, and regthem solve the ever-growing number of murders ularly speaks to groups about books. targeting influencers that are tied to Amy. The

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TRAVEL

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by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Travel Buzz

The Gift of Travel: Scaling New Heights Together

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hat started as a simple family reunion quickly transformed into an unforgettable adventure, pushing 60something Teri Gerber, her younger brother Ricky Silverman, and Teri’s 23-year-old son Sammy to their physical and mental limits. In the majestic San Juan Mountains of Colorado, a rock-climbing experience on the Via Ferrata in Ouray tested their courage, endurance, and, most importantly, their bond.

“Via Ferrata,” or “Iron Way” in Italian, is an approach to climbing in which iron rungs are installed into cliffsides to make rock-climbing more accessible. It has been popular for decades throughout Europe, with more than 1,500 Via Ferrata routes throughout the world. But in the US, there are only a couple dozen or so, partly due to a prohibition on the installation of permanent anchors on public lands in the US. That ban is being challenged, but meanwhile the trend is starting to catch on in the US as private landowners like the one at Via Ferrata Ouray are installing routes.

Ricky, who had recently moved from Houston back to Durango after nearly 30 years, suggested a special family adventure. Teri, always up for a challenge, was excited to join him, not realizing what she was about to embark on. “I thought we were going on some special hike,” Teri said with a laugh. The surprise came when Ricky revealed they would be tackling the Via Ferrata, a challenging rock-climbing route that involves climbing steep canyon walls using metal rungs, cables, and carabiners.

Ouray, Colorado, known as the “Little Switzerland of America,” is a picturesque mountain town nestled in the San Juan range. It’s renowned for its stunning scenery, with jagged peaks, waterfalls, and towering canyon walls, making it a paradise for adventurers.

Ricky had first spotted the Via Ferrata a year earlier, while hiking with his daughter. “We were above this canyon, and I saw these metal bars soldered into the wall. I thought, ‘What the hell is this?’ I knew then that I had to come back and try it,” Ricky said. When Teri and Sammy came for a visit, he saw the opportunity to share the adventure with them. “I thought it would be

VICTORY AT THE SUMMIT Ricky Silverman, Teri Gerber, and Sammy Gerber (pictured, from left), triumphant, nearly at the top of their epic climb at Via Ferrata Ouray.

the perfect adventure, something we had never done together.”

For Ricky and Sammy, the thrill of the climb was immediate. Sammy, an adventurer at heart, embraced the challenge. “He had no fear,” Teri said. “I was so proud of him. He just went for it without hesitation.”

But for Teri, the reality of the climb set in quickly. As they began to ascend the canyon walls, attached to cables with carabiners, the magnitude of what they were doing became intimidating. “I kind of had a panic attack maybe a third of the way up,” Teri admitted. Suspended thousands of feet above the ground, the overwhelming reality hit her hard. “My heart started racing, and I just thought, ‘I can’t do this.’”

The Via Ferrata is not for the faint of heart.

At several points during the climb, Teri had to confront her fear of heights. “There were these two long bridges – just cables really – that you had to walk across, and you’re clipped in, but it still feels like you’re walking on nothing,” she explained. “It was so scary.”

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For Teri, the mental challenge was just as intense as the physical one. Suspended on the side of the mountain, she recalled, “I just go, ‘I can’t do this.’ It was fun, but I just kind of realized the overwhelming part of it all... but there was no turning back. The guide said it’s easier to go up than down.”

Ricky noticed her struggle and stepped in to help. “Her heart was racing, and she needed to stop and collect herself,” Ricky said. The guide, Mark, also helped keep Teri calm. “He talked me through it, helped me take it one step at a time,” Teri said. “Then he gave me these little dried mango slices, which really helped.”

The climb, which is typically a three-hour journey, took them five hours. “We were not in a hurry,” Ricky explained. “It was about the experience, about being together, and taking in this incredible place.”

For Ricky, the climb was euphoric. “I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face,” he said. “You’re climbing up these rebar rungs, thousands of feet in the air, with nothing but (continued on page 42)

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HIGHS AND LOWS Clockwise from upper left: Ricky stops near the top for a little fun and a photo opp; Teri on the side of the mountain, trying to find her footing; Sammy “hanging” out at a cable bridge crossing; Teri peeking up at the photographer (brother Ricky) during her first climb. (continued from page 40) air beneath you. It’s an

amazing feeling.”

Despite the fear and exhaustion, Teri pressed on, encouraged by her son and brother. “Sammy and Ricky were amazing,” she said. “They kept pushing me, telling me I could do it, even when I wasn’t sure I could.” The climb became a test of mental strength just as much as physical endurance. “You can’t let fear stop you. That was the biggest lesson for me.”

As they climbed higher, the views became even more breathtaking – jagged peaks stretching into the sky, the town of Ouray far below,

and the sun casting a golden glow over the landscape. “When you looked out and saw how far you’d come, it was incredible,” Teri said. “The beauty of the place, and the fact that we were doing this together – it was unforgettable.”

By the time they reached the top, Teri was completely drained, but the sense of pride she felt made it all worth it. “I was completely depleted but very proud of myself. I was like, here's a woman from Texas in her 60s doing this.

I was sure there weren’t that many of us.”

Ricky shared her pride. “ It had been quite the experience through her eyes...I think that

she would just say that accomplishment was enough.”

After the climb, the trio celebrated their achievement with burgers and a well-deserved soak in the hot springs. “That hot spring saved me,” Teri said, laughing. “I think it brought me back to life after everything we’d been through.”

For Teri, Ricky, and Sammy, the trip to Ouray wasn’t just about conquering a mountain.

It was about conquering fears, deepening their bond as a family, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. “It was the ultimate gift of travel,” Teri said. “We’ll never forget it.”

Tips from Our Travelers From Teri Gerber Worth the splurge: Ouray has incredible hot springs. Go to a private hotel that has day passes. Much nicer than the public hot springs.

We got a pass at Twin Peaks Lodge & Hot Springs.

Favorite restaurant: Maggie’s Kitchen for really good burgers.

Don’t forget: Be open to new experiences. Never goes as planned but usually is the story you ended up remembering.

Safety tip: We did a day trip from Durango. Very incredible drive but treacherous. Not recommended if you have an RV or not used to driving mountain roads.

If You Go Source: basecampouray.com Like most Via Ferrata sites, the Via Ferrata Ouray offers multiple routes you can take with differing levels of difficulty. Check the website before you go to see which route is right for you.

What to bring: Gloves (Leather is good, and fingerless are cool); mid-layer insulated jacket; waterproof shell jacket (if there is any chance of rain); at least 1 liter of water; snacks; a cellphone/camera; sunscreen. You will be required to use certified safety gear, which can be rented from Via Ferrata Ouray, including: Climbing helmet (to protect from rockfall); climbing harness; Via Ferrata Lanyard; adequate footwear (either dedicated hiking shoes or approach shoes with sticky rubber soles).

You can find a list of other Via Ferrata sites in the US in the September 2023 edition of Afar Magazine. Ferrata Guide (ferrataguide.com) gives you everything you need to get started as well as a window onto the wide world of Via Ferrata.

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Jack Faulk

SPORTS

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by Todd Freed, staff writer

SportzBuzz David Shutts Photography

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ith a number nine national ranking to start the season, the St. John’s Mavericks were again a powerful force in girls field hockey. The Mavericks win total early in the season included a high profile 2-0 victory over the conference rival Kinkaid Falcons. For its part, Kinkaid owned an eye-popping number two national ranking entering the early season showdown. St John’s also defeated nationally ranked Conestoga High School of Pennsylvania at the Max Field Hockey National High School Invitational.

“We’re led by a trio of senior captains who’ll also play Division1 field hockey in college,” said Mavericks first-year field hockey coach Emily White. The standout trio includes midfielder Eliza Perrin (North Carolina), defender Chloe West (Cornell University), and Ellie Burger (Brown University). Perrin was also named to the all-tournament first team at the Max Field Invitational.

“Eliza is one of the most skilled ball handlers I’ve ever seen at the high school level. She’s just a phenomenal playmaker,” said White. “Also, Chloe is one of the most solid defenders you’ll find at this age and level. We have so much faith in her in the backfield. As for Ellie, she’s a difference maker on the forward line who creates opportunities on the attack.”

Coming off a season in which the defending SPC Champions finished the year ranked ninth in the nation, the Mavericks remain a big-time power in high school field hockey. “A lot of our girls are playing year-round,” said White. “They train and play extreme hard. Our middle school program is also a great feeder and foundation for our success.”

While St. John’s continues to make its mark on a national platform, the emergence of the Kinkaid Falcons field hockey program has made the area a national hotbed for the sport of field hockey. “I think it’s pretty incredible how this game has grown in the south,” said Kinkaid field hockey coach Jackie Ciconte. “It’s a credit to the girls and the commitment they’ve shown to put themselves right up there with the best teams in the country. It’s just really cool to see both us and St. John’s ranked among the

FIELD LEADERS Top photo: St. John’s midfielder Eliza Perrin is a top playmaker for a Mavericks field hockey team that was ranked among the nation’s top 10 teams to start the season. Perrin will play collegiately for the University of North Carolina. Bottom photo: Kinkaid Falcons goalkeeper Merritt Skubisz was an all-tournament selection at the prestigious Max Field Hockey National Invitational. Also pictured with Skubisz is Falcons sophomore defender Annie Swanson.

nation’s top teams.”

Much like St. John’s, the Falcons also competed strongly in the prestigious Max Field Hockey National High School Invitational.

“We lost a tough 2-0 game to start the tournament to The Hill School of Pottstown, Pa., which was ranked number one in the nation.

We hate to lose, but our girls learned a lot from that loss. We closed out the tournament with a great 3-0 victory over The Agnes Irwin School,” said Ciconte. “They’re another national power from Pennsylvania.”

The Falcons lineup is loaded with high-end talent including seven players who’ve either signed or committed to play major collegiate field hockey. Kinkaid senior forward and first team All-American Caroline Raynes will play for the University of Virginia next season, while senior forward Ella Ou is heading to Yale University, and senior goalkeeper Merritt Skubisz will suit up for the University of North Carolina. Skubisz has followed quite nicely in the footsteps of her older sister Annabel, a 2020 Kinkaid graduate who plays goalkeeper for Northwestern University.

If all that weren’t enough, Kinkaid juniors

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Grace Essalih and Jackie O’Donnell have both committed to Stanford University while fellow junior Cat Rosser will play collegiately at Duke University and junior Courtney Whittaker is heading to the University of Denver.

Impressively enough, four of Kinkaid’s former players competed in the final four of last season’s NCAA D1 Field Hockey Championships including Kyle Massey (Duke), Mia Abello (Virginia), Hope Haynes (North Carolina), and Annabel Skubisz (Northwestern).

“I just think we’re fortunate to have built a foundation that encourages our players to push their limits and embrace challenges,” added Ciconte. “Our girls really care about each other.

They’ve created a family-like bond and trust that helps them to be successful both on and off the playing field.”

Editor’s note: Todd Freed is the host and executive producer of H-Town High School Sports, which airs Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on CW39 and Monday-Thursday on AT&T SportsNet SW. To submit high school sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, please email todd@thebuzzmagazines.com.

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SPORTS

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by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

SportzBuzz Jr. W

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

Bullsharks attack The Bullshark Baseball 10U select team coached by Taylor Taska celebrated a win at the Perfect Game Baseball Association Tournament.

After an exciting round of early games, they stepped out to defeat the Huffman Hawks with a final score of 15-7. After battling through the earlier stage of the tournament, they rallied to win three in a row and take home some hardware. This game was a rematch against the Hawks, which made the victory especially sweet. Pictured (from left) are Mitchell Gaston, Sam Weinberger, Raleigh Nyboer, George Minetos, Zachary Welch, coach Alex Diaz, George Dols, Simon Harrer, coach Taylor Taska, Duke Ball, Roscoe Glitz, John Luke Munz, Michael Nooteboom, and Manolo Garza.

Making Waves The West University Softball Association 14U Wave fall team earned the runner-up spot in the USFA Fall Super Six NIT Tournament 14U Open Class Division. The tournament was held at the Shadow Creek Ranch Fields in Pearland. The 14U Wave are (pictured, front row, from left) Sydney Monkmeyer, Lily Hughes; (middle row, from left) Madison Kimble, Clara Pasche; (back row, from left) Caroline Casey, Claire Koush, Callan McKay, Taylor Martin, Haylee Cross, Elena Chapman-Ramirez, and Madison Pinnix; not pictured: coach Danny Hughes. WUSA has a busy season planned this fall, supporting six fall tournament teams. The six fall tournament teams are spread out for the age divisions of 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U. In addition to the tournament teams, the fall recreation league had a record 560 players enroll this fall.

Serving up a win In some exciting volleyball news, the Pershing Middle School seventh-grade volleyball team finished first place in an impressive 2 and 0 record against all schools at a recent tournament. The tournament was hosted at Pershing Middle School. The team is coached by Ashley Hollway. Various middle schools participated in the tournament including Hogg Middle School, Dawson Middle School, and Lanier Middle School. Pictured are (back row, from left) players Noraya Jones, Mackenzie Duncan, Zoe Cheng, Sophie Mactitas, coach Hollway; (front row, from left) Maya Menaisi, Karis Lim, Brooklyn Graves, Mira Magid, Thi Nguyen, Mia Maldonado, and Vienna Djunaedi. Not pictured: Nicole O’Driscoll.

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

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ NOVEMBER 2024 46

Get Your Morning Buzz Every weekday morning, enjoy your coffee + the buzz in your inbox. Our e-newsletter, Morning Buzz, features buzzworthy stories about neighbors every day, Monday-Friday.

Sign up to find out what we’re buzzing about at thebuzzmagazines.com/morning-buzz.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ NOVEMBER 2024 47

A WORTHWHILE PURR-SUIT Andrew Yu, a fifth grader at St. Mark’s Episcopal School, was inspired by a real-life incident at school to write his own book, The Muddy Kitties.

KIDS

by Andrew Yu, age 10

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Finding a story in the mud

ne day in fourth grade, an author named John David Anderson came to our school to talk about his new book and how he became a writer. He told us that he would write every day. He rewarded himself with a piece of chocolate every time he wrote 2,000 words. And, just like that, it hit me that I could write a book.

I started making books just for fun and my own entertainment, not to publish. I would create small books out of stapled paper, drawing characters and writing stories by hand. But soon I got bored. I didn’t have a good story. I figured that it was far too hard for an ordinary kid to publish a book. And so I quit.

A few weeks later, something unfortunate happened at school. My club with my friends, called the Muddy Buddies, got in trouble for playing in

mud behind the school. Our teacher banned us from playing in mud. It was an outrage! I wanted our club back. I tried to think of ways, but none of them would work. Finally, I realized: This was my story. I could write a book about this! I started writing my story by hand in a notebook I got from a book fair (it was a fluffy journal with a cute cat and milkshake on the cover).

It took months…and months…and months… just to complete the first step of writing the story.

There was still a ton more to go. I expected the rest to be easy, but little did I know that a ninemonth-long project had just begun. I typed my second draft on Google Docs during my free time and even on vacations. I drew the pictures and let my older brother Jason edit it along the way.

He’s in seventh grade, and he was my first fan.

My goal was to finish before the start of the school year. A week before school started, my book was approved by the publisher and released on Amazon! My book, The Muddy Kitties, is a story based on real life about friendship and resolving problems. The Muddy Kitties is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle.

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.

Create a buzz for your biz.

BELLAIRE MEMORIAL RIVER OAKS TANGLEWOOD WEST UNIVERSITY Mailed to 58,000 homes monthly.

To advertise in The Buzz Magazines, contact us at 713.668.4157, ext. 101 or advertising@thebuzzmagazines.com

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ NOVEMBER 2024 48

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2024 update on pneumonia vaccines The bacterium Streptococcus pneumonia (i.e., Strep pneumo) is the number one bacterial cause of pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, and middle ear infections. The first pneumonia vaccine came to market in 1945, but was rarely used since the new wonder drug, penicillin, worked so well (at the time – we can cover resistance to antibiotics some other time!). That vaccine was “tetravalent”; it only covered four of the serotypes of Strep pneumo.

Think of a “serotype” as “cousin” or “kinfolk” in the Strep pneumo family.

There are about 30 serotypes that cause most of the Strep pneumo disease, and different serotypes cause adult pneumonia vs. childhood ear infections.

In 1983, a 23-valent version came out that we still use today: Pneumovax.

The problem with the early vaccines is they didn’t protect against infection very well. A conjugated vaccine called Prevnar-7 came out in 2000. It used a much better technology that offered better protection against infection, but only protected against seven serotypes. It led to Prevnar-13 in 2011. For over 10 years, we immunologists would give an adult Prevnar-13 to get the good technology on board, then 8 weeks later, follow that with the old Pneumovax to offer some protection against all 23 serotypes. It was a good strategy, but we all wished that Prevnar would cover all the relevant serotypes.

In 2021, Pfizer came out with Prevnar-20. Now, when adults in the USA turn 65, they are advised to get Prevnar-20 instead of the older vaccines. Not to be outdone, Merck, who had come out with the 15-valent Vaxneuvance in 2021, has a 21-valent vaccine called Capvaxive. There is incomplete redundancy between the Pfizer-20 and Merck-21 vaccines. The Merck vaccine is based on CDC data to target the strains most commonly causing disease in adults.

However, in life, the “law of unintended consequences” always shows up. You may think that Pneumovax is of no value with the newer, conjugated vaccines that provide so much better protection.

Usually, that’s correct, but there are no absolutes in medicine. Pneumovax is still critically important, not as a therapeutic measure, but as a diagnostic measure, so immunologists can determine if someone’s immune system knows how to mount an immune response using only IgG2. We don’t have vaccines for every pathogen, and patients with frequent infections who fail Pneumovax often benefit greatly from infusions of healthy antibodies. The problem is that with Prevnar-20 and Capvaxive-21, pharmacies no longer find it necessary to carry Pneumovax. Many small allergy/immunology practices can’t afford to keep it in stock if it’s used rarely and most of the box expires before it’s used. And some insurance companies, always using flawless logic, no longer reimburse for Pneumovax since it’s “obsolete.”

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 1400, Houston, Texas 77004, 713.522.9911, www.allergyclinic.com, *Operating as Houston Allergy and Asthma Clinic

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ NOVEMBER 2024 49

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Neighborhood Tails Lavish, age 5½, Dwarf Dutch Bunny, South Blvd.

I’m Lavish, a bunny living the lavish lifestyle that I deserve! That wasn’t always the case, however. I was an Easter bunny gift, and my humans knew nothing about rabbits. That first night gives me nightmares. I mean, really: a wire cage, no mats for my poor paws, not nearly enough hay to nibble... and on the back patio, with the wild animals! Luckily, they’re quick learners. I moved indoors the next day. Now I have tunnels at my disposal, toys to chew on, a cat tower to relax by the sunny window, plus parsley and cilantro (organic, of course). I love playing outside, but I have a little trouble staying away from the acorns – not good for my tummy. I can jump on command: over your legs, onto the couch, you name it! I love hearing “Good job!” But if I hear those words, I better get a treat. Treats are my business and business is good.

Got a cute critter? Email a picture of your pet with approximately 150 words to info@thebuzzmagazines.com or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ NOVEMBER 2024 50

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Boosting your child’s immunity As school kicks off and the respiratory season approaches, bolstering your child’s immune system becomes more important than ever. While instilling habits like hand washing and coughcovering is vital, ensuring your child’s nutritional needs are met can make a significant difference.

That’s where PurePediatrics steps in with our advanced micronutrient testing.

This comprehensive test analyzes your child’s levels of essential vitamins and minerals, helping tailor their dietary needs for optimal health. During the winter months, Vitamin D is crucial for immune defense, while Vitamin C and Zinc can mitigate cold symptoms. Probiotics and Omega-3 fatty acids further support the immune system, reducing respiratory infection risks.

With the prick of a finger, micronutrient testing allows us to create personalized nutrition plans, ensuring your child receives the right nutrients to thrive. By understanding their unique needs, you can proactively support their immunity and overall well-being.

Empower your child with a robust defense against seasonal challenges.

Schedule a “meet and greet” with our doctors at PurePediatrics today and discover how micronutrient testing can be a game-changer for your child’s health this school year. Prioritize their wellness and give them the best start possible!

Roshni Sambasivan, M.D., PurePediatrics, Bellaire, Memorial & River Oaks; 6750 West Loop S, Suite 465, Bellaire; 7700 San Felipe, Suite 470, Memorial; NOW OPEN 3355 W. Alabama, Suite 400, River Oaks. purepediatrics.com. 832-431-4336.

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Death certificates My father lasted 15 months after signing his own death warrant in the form of medical orders for scope of treatment that prohibited resuscitation, blood products, and IV antibiotics. In the meantime, I couldn’t bring myself to write an obituary, but I did collate his vital statistics for the death certificate, which I printed and kept in the car.

Every death in Texas must be documented by a certificate of death, generally within 10 days. The funeral director handling disposition of the body files the death certificate electronically. When the body is instead donated to science, the hospital, medical school, or mortuary school files it.

Death registration requires information from the funeral director, the certifier of the cause of death (attending physician, medical examiner, or justice of the peace), and the informant (typically family or a close friend with the personal, non-medical information).

The death certificate, including the informant’s description of marital status and surviving spouse, are used to apply for insurance benefits, settle pension claims, characterize marital property, and transfer title to real and personal property.

Sometimes, two parties provide conflicting information. The informant may state that the deceased is married (either common-law or by ceremony), but the family says otherwise (or vice versa). This puts the funeral director to adjudicating the identity of the surviving spouse. The funeral director can ask for documentation or list the information provided by the informant because he or she is the funeral home customer. The funeral director has a statutory obligation to file the certificate on time, at the risk of not resolving or maybe not even knowing of errors and disputes. The state Handbook on

Death Registration instructs funeral directors, “If necessary, conflicting parties can resolve their argument through the court system.”

Amending a death certificate doesn’t always require litigation. The informant, funeral director, and immediate next of kin may submit an Application for Amendment to Certificate of Death. Unfortunately, without a court order, only the original informant may amend the marital status of the deceased. Medical amendments, e.g., cause or manner of death, may be made by the certifier of the cause of death and require a different form.

Given the stakes and the short deadline, prepare your informant to win the race to the funeral home by gathering your own vital statistics and sharing them in advance, either with family or with the funeral director. Every funeral home has their own intake form. Most seem to interpose a salesperson, at least online. For a Vital Statistics Form that you can download without triggering a sales call, visit www.distinctivelife.com/resources/forms.

We write wills and go to probate court. Foreign nationals and international families welcome.

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

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NEIGHBORS

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by Angie Frederickson, staff writer

Buzz About Town Books, art, and conversation

and went on to play football for their schools.

This group appeared in The Buzz Magazines in

funds for the Periwinkle Foundation’s programming for children and teens facing cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, who are receiving treatment at Texas Children’s Hospital. At the end of the evening, Drew Jerdan of Bad News Bar was named 2024 Iron Bartender Champion, and Lynzie Holland of Johnny’s Gold Brick received the People’s Choice Award.

Saturday mornings turned Friday Night Lights High school football players Morgan Tannery, Will Hazen, Jordan Clay, and Lawson Behan (pictured, from left) grew up together as members of Southwest Football League (SFL). Each of the boys started in the 5/6 age group and played for six years until they aged out of SFL

Houston’s own Ms. Universe Neil Jou Studio

The 52nd annual Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival presented by the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center (ERJCC) of Houston begins Nov. 3 and runs through Nov. 16. Vice chair Vicki Teller and Book Festival co-chairs Jeryl Golub and Christine Laskin (pictured, from left) invite the community to enjoy this year’s event, headlined by authors Noa Tishby and Mitch Albom. Opening night takes place Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel, presented in collaboration with the ERJCC, the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, Congregation Beth Yeshurun, and Congregation Emanu El. Guests will hear Tishby discuss her new book Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew, co-written by former professional football player Emmanuel Acho. On Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m., beloved author Albom discusses his latest novel The Little Liar, a story of hope and forgiveness that takes readers from the coast of Greece in WWII to California during the Golden Age of Hollywood. For more information, including this year’s lineup, tickets, and book sales, visit erjcchouston.org/jewish-book-arts-festival.

2019 during their SFL days, and they decided to re-create the same photo five years later, now dressed in uniforms for The Kinkaid School, Bellaire High School, and Lamar High School.

Families involved with SFL are known for keeping in touch after the players leave the league, and all four of these boys credit their early SFL days for instilling a love of football. “You rarely meet a starter in the prep or public leagues in our area that didn’t get their start in SFL,” says Morgan Tannery.

Bartending for Periwinkle Alicia Cantu and Lauren Herring (pictured, from left) were among the crowd at the Houston Theater District’s Lyric Market food hall for the 2024 Iron Bartender competition. Benefiting the Periwinkle Foundation, the annual contest pits local bartenders against one another to earn the title of Iron Bartender. Chaired by Sean Beck, the annual event brought together the best bartenders from favorite locales to raise

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ NOVEMBER 2024 52

Hajera Naeem (pictured) was recently crowned Ms. Universe International 2024 in Las Vegas.

The former 2021 Ms. Universe, aspiring runway model, and local law firm paralegal plans to use her platform to promote efforts to empower women. Hajera began participating in pageants to highlight the lack of participation by Pakistani women and to (continued on page 54)

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ NOVEMBER 2024 53

Jacob Power Photography

(continued from page 52) inspire more women who

share her heritage to do the same. She has competed in pageants for more than a decade and holds titles including International Ms. Pakistan, Ms. Southwest Global, and Elite Miss Southwest Earth. During her reign as Ms. Universe, Hajera will work with women’s organizations to assist victims of violence and promote mental health.

Houston Astros winning night Garrett and Jayne Johnston and Jennifer and Scott Allison (pictured, from left) joined more than 550 guests at the Post Oak Hotel for the Team Up event, benefiting charities supported by Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker, second baseman José Altuve, and pitcher Josh Hader. The three players hosted the evening that raised more than $600,000 for nonprofit organizations in Houston.

Emcees Julia Morales and Johnny Holloway led the event that included both live and silent auctions while guests mingled with Astros players including Ryan Pressly and Mauricio Dubón.

Team Up donations will benefit the local community through the Kyle Tucker Foundation’s support of hospice-care organizations, the José Altuve Foundation at Athletes and Causes’ support of The Sunshine Kids Foundation, Josh Hader’s support for child foster care through Covenant House and Be A Resource (B.E.A.R.), and the Lance McCullers Jr. Foundation’s efforts for pet rescue and animal shelters.

Style and service

traditional Chinese mooncakes during the annual Mid-Autumn Festival and donated proceeds to charitable organizations. What began as a quarantine activity during the pandemic turned into an ongoing project that has raised

Baking Chinese mooncakes For the past four years, Bellaire High School junior Serena Li (pictured) has made and sold Daniel Ortiz

The Junior League of Houston (JLH) held its Opening Style Show, celebrating its dedication to community service and previewing the latest fall fashions. Models of Style and Service featured JLH members on the runway, dressed in this

year’s hottest fall attire from clothing retailer BURU and jeweler Mignonne Gavigan. More than 450 guests enjoyed a three-course menu, drinks, and a pop-up shop after the style show.

Proceeds from the show support JLH partner organizations including The Museum of Fine Arts, Texas Children’s Hospital, Star of Hope Mission, Kids’ Meals, and the Houston Food Bank. Runway models included (pictured, from left): Ashley Seals, Lynn Sawyer, Kathryn Clayton, Audrey “Kitty” Morton, Brandy Thibodeaux, Michelle Esparza, Victoria McNeil, Maddy Gunderson, Carrie Engerrand, Jordan McPhail, Leesi Jinadu, Hannah Cobb, Kaylee Hoffner, and Lee Pierce Milton.

more than $1,300 for the World Health Organization, Houston Food Bank, and other nonprofits. Traditional mooncakes date back to more than 3,000 years ago and are typically eaten each year during the festival. Filled with lotus paste and imprinted with intricate designs, mooncakes are notoriously difficult to make.

Serena dedicates long hours to the process; some ingredients must be prepared weeks in advance and, once assembled, the mooncakes need to bake and then rest for a couple of days to allow them to soften.

Cheers to the Class of ’28 Parents of Lamar High School freshmen (pictured) kicked off the school year with a festive gathering at Marquis II. (continued on page 56) WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ NOVEMBER 2024 54

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(continued from page 54) The social event had a

great turnout with more than 50 parents meeting and preparing for the next four years together. Parents from legacy middle schools including Pin Oak, Pershing, and Lanier had a chance to widen their circle of friends while enjoying refreshments at a favorite neighborhood spot.

Led by freshman parent representatives Trish Hilliard and Lisa Lim, moms and dads for the Class of 2028 are off to a great start as they get involved with their kids’ new school through fundraising and social events.

OU superfan Oklahoma University (OU) sophomore Lauren Clarke (pictured, right) made her TV debut on ESPN College GameDay. The 2023 Bellaire High School graduate and her “Try Again Next Year” sign were featured during the sports-network broadcast of OU’s first Southeastern

Dr. Phylliss Chappell

15 years of The Dominican Family

Dominican Family. After enjoying dinner together, guests heard from speakers about the organization’s 15-year history of addressing social injustices including poverty, human trafficking, and homelessness.

The Dominican Family of Houston, founded in 2008 by the Dominican Sisters of Houston, celebrated its 15th anniversary, marking a decade and a half of faith-filled service, community building, and dedication to social justice.

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Conference (SEC) game against the University of Tennessee. Along with her California-native roommate Erica Smith (pictured, left), Lauren, an elementary-education major and starting attack player on the OU women’s lacrosse team, camped out beginning at midnight before game day to secure a prime spot for the show’s broadcast from Norman, OK. Be seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and community news to info@thebuzzmagazines.com.

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WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ NOVEMBER 2024 57

NEIGHBORS

by Andria Dilling, staff writer

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The Shows: What to watch during holiday downtime

y daughter and I recently walked into our Monday afternoon Pilates class and ran into our old friend Bob Luna.

Bob, a Renaissance man of a fitness instructor, restaurateur, and singer, was just wrapping up a dance class that we love to watch him lead.

With his big smile, he came across the room to us and, without saying hi, said, “Are you watching the show?!”

We knew exactly what show he was talking about – Nobody Wants This – and not only had we watched it, but we, too, were obsessed. The 10-episode Netflix series follows Joanne, an agnostic sexcapades podcaster played by Kristen Bell, and Noah, a.k.a. “Hot Rabbi,” played by Adam Brody, as they fall in love against all odds – and all family members’ opinions. “The show,” as Bob called it, is a laugh-out-loud rom-com, spot-on, if not exaggerated, in its observations about human nature and intermarriage, probably because it’s based on creator Erin Foster’s real-life relationship with her husband Simon Tikhman. Bob, whose husband is Jewish, says, “What I loved about it is that there were stereotypes within and outside the Jewish faith. You don’t often see it done that well.”

But our show of the moment isn’t the only bingeable new release this fall. If you find yourself with a little extra time over the holidays, check out some of these promising picks. We’ll be right there with you.

What Netflix’s Emily in Paris lacks in weight is more than made up for in fashion and frivolity. “It’s predictable but cute,” Debra Orkin, a retired dental hygienist, says. “And it’s for sure more fun than watching all the news.” For an extra grin, look up the impromptu lip-sync of Wannabe by the Spice Girls performed by Lily Collins (Emily, and also Phil Collins’ real-life daughter) on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Apple TV’s seven-episode series Disclaimer stars Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, and Sacha Baron Cohen in a psychological thriller that turns a journalist (Blanchett) into the main character of a story she does not want told. The same platform’s second season of the dramedy Shrinking brings back Jason Segel and Harrison

Ford as therapists who themselves are deeply flawed, and totally human.

HBO’s The Franchise spoofs Hollywood, following the cast and crew of a second-rate superhero movie. Isn’t everything a little funnier with a British accent?

Speaking of British accents, The Great British Baking Show airs for its 15th season on Netflix.

Beloved for gathering home bakers under a tent to compete for the POPCORN READY Holiday downtime is a great time to binge a new TV show or two. award of Star Just in case nothing has piqued your interest Baker, The Great British Baking Show is the thing yet, Houston’s New York Times bestselling author one of my daughters and I stream in bed togeth(and Booklist’s “reigning queen of comfort er when we just need some mindless happy. reads”) Katherine Center says K-Dramas, or For Bruce Springsteen fans, there’s documenKorean television, on Netflix are her happy tary Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E shows. “These are soap operas in the best way,” Street Band, available on Hulu and Disney+. she raves, adding, “I cannot fall asleep now Road Diary is just that – a video account of the unless I hear the sounds of Korean people talkE Street Band’s 2023 tour, plus bonus footage ing!” Katherine especially recommends Crash from shows beginning in the ’70s.

Landing on You (Netflix), the story of a beautiMore from Netflix: Lonely Planet, starring ful Korean businesswoman who is paragliding Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth in a midlife when a freak tornado flings her into North crisis romance; Anna Kendrick starring in and Korea, where she then gets stuck in a tree and is directing Woman of the Hour, a fictionalized rescued by a man Katherine calls “the Brad Pitt account of a real-life serial killer who appeared of Korea.” “People get shot, there are blood as a bachelor on The Dating Game in 1978; The transfusions…and the actors fell in love with Perfect Couple, an eye-candy whodunnit based each other while they were filming the show! on Elin Hildebrand’s book and starring Nicole “It takes a minute to build, but give it an Kidman and Liev Schreiber in a fabulous episode or two. You will come to care about Nantucket setting; and the unauthorized these people so much…it will lift your heart Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, right up into the clouds.” starring Chloe Sevigny and Javier Bardem, and For a holiday weekend – or any time – that’s the follow-up documentary The Menendez pretty hard to beat.

Brothers with interviews of the siblings from jail.

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