The West University Buzz - September 2014

Escape to the Backyard

Charles, Mike and Billy Rogers

by Cathy Gordon

Taking Flight

Take It Outside Big Fun in the Backyard Houston, TX Permit No. 2047 PAID US Postage PRSRT STD

Ovarian Cancer: With Little Warning

EDITOR’S NOTE “I promise there will only be a few people.” It always starts out the same. A holiday was approaching, and I felt the itch to entertain. I didn’t know how to keep it small and simple. I wish I knew now what I learned from residents in this month’s issue about enjoying your backyard.

They keep entertaining simple so they can enjoy having friends over. Good plan. One summer I had the brilliant idea to host a Fourth of July party after we were in the neighborhood parade. I had promised husband Michael it was going to be small. But every time I ran into someone at the parade I could not help myself and said, “What are you doing later?” That night we had over 100 people, including kids, dogs and parents. Michael did not have a clue. When he pulled up to the house he found a huge bouncy water slide across two yards. In the backyard I had set up two rented margarita machines. Minutes before the party, when I plugged them in, they blew a circuit, and the power went out. Enjoy your yards this month. And keep it simple. 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 westubuzz.com • facebook.com/westubuzz Editor Publisher Associate Editors Vice President, Sales Staff Writers

Contributing Writers Digital Media Manager Designer Account Managers

Sales Associates Interns

Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman Cheryl Laird Annie Blaylock McQueen Jay Janecek Tracy L. Barnett Andria Frankfort Angie Frederickson Todd Freed Michelle Casas Groogan Dai Huynh Dave Schafer Cheryl Ursin Cathy Gordon, Greg Hassell Jacob Padden Jordan Magaziner John Duboise Andrea Blitzer Leslie Little Kim Montgomery Darsey Swaim Laura Callan, Helen Hamilton Michele Luke Mark Cox, Alex Daily, Jacob Padden, Madison Tebbe

On our cover: Mike Rogers and sons Charles (standing) and Billy enjoy watching a little football in Casa Dos. Cover photo by Michael Hart Photography, www.hartphoto.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. Editorial content does not necessarily express the opinions of the publisher. Copyright © 2014 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 SEPTEMBER 2014 4

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MAILBAG

Your letters, thoughts, opinions School Buzz a hit I was so happy to see your addition of School Buzz in the August issue [School Buzz: Introducing our correspondents, August 2014]. As the mom of a rising junior at Strake Jesuit, and as an advocate for children through my [nonprofit] work in 12 Houston-area schools (+Works), it’s wonderful to give these future leaders a voice not only on their campuses, but in the wider community. Thanks to you for sharing their important perspectives and news with us, and encouraging their skills as young journalists. And if that wasn’t enough to whet our appetites for fall, Dai’s column on Houston Restaurant Weeks [This Month in Dining, by Dai Huynh, August 2014] was just the ticket to get us out of the heat and into some great Houston kitchens for a cause.

Trish Morille Editor’s note: You can keep up with our School Buzz blog, with regularly updated news from local schools written by students, at westubuzz.com. “Like” The Buzz Magazines on Facebook for links to this blog and other Buzz stories.

Kinkaid student a fan too I wanted to let you know how great I think it is that The Buzz is offering high school writers the opportunity to write/blog as “correspondents” representing our local schools. For those of us (teens) who wish to pursue journalism in college, being given the chance to write for such well-respected community publications, such as The Buzz and the newspaper [The Jewish Herald-Voice] I write a weekly teen column for, not only affords us the ability to reach out and relay information as “teen voices,” but more importantly, enables us to gain valuable experience, responsibility and expertise in our journalistic endeavors.

Good luck to all Buzz correspondents, and best wishes on a great year of writing!

Halle Brazda, The Kinkaid School

IWA pleased to be a part I receive The Buzz at my house and saw the article. What a great idea! I brought the magazine to school today to share. Thank you for having Monica Da Jose be a part of your team.

Mary Aamodt Principal, Incarnate Word Academy

Student travels inspire What a wonderful article in The Buzz [Travel Buzz: Stepping out of the bubble, by Tracy L. Barnett, August 2014] – right before school starts. As soon as the electronic link is available, I will forward it to broader audience.

What a bunch of lucky kids to have experienced Germany winning the World Cup [while] in Germany. It is all about Fussball over there! I wish I had been able to go on Frau Sisler’s trip.

Alexia Benavides Editor’s note: Thanks for the kind words, Alexia. This story about high school students studying abroad is on our website and shareable at westubuzz.com, along with all other stories ever printed in The Buzz.

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

What’s your story?

We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who:

Westbury Christian also on board As a former student journalist (from the days when we’d never heard the word blog!), I am really excited about seeing how this goes for all of the participants.

Justin Lacey, Director of Communication, Westbury Christian School

St. John’s happy with idea I just got my Buzz the other day. The spread looked great. Best of luck with the new feature. There are some extraordinary high school journalists, and I'm glad your readers will have the opportunity to see their work.

David Nathan, Upper School English, St. John's School WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 6

• Know of a beautiful and unique home we should feature.

• Know an interesting neighbor to profile.

• Have recently had a unique or funny travel experience.

• Have a unique or funny family tradition during the holidays (for example: a specific game the family likes to play together, or gift-giving traditions).

• Spend the holidays with family on getaway trips instead of at home.

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

NEIGHBORS

by Cathy Gordon, contributing writer

Escape means heading for the backyard

W

e all crave it. That dream retreat, our escape from the daily rat race of traffic, work and chock-full calendars. A place to unplug. Breathe.

Lucky West University residents Mike and Janell Rogers needn’t endure the expense and hassle of a trip to follow their bliss. Nirvana is just outside their back door, a few paces across a lush, tree-lined lawn. Here sits a charming, open-air, gray cedar-shingled cottage that plays host to all manner of mind-clearing activities.

For the past 10 years, it’s been the perfect athome getaway for the couple and their sons, Billy, now a Rice University student, and Charles, a St. John’s School senior.

“Yeah, I have friends who have vacation homes they never use. I get to use mine every day,” quips Mike of their cupola-topped hideaway, fondly named Casa Dos. The family’s deep roots with a grand oak tree planted the seed for this staycation project.

“About 10 years ago our neighbor next door was selling her cottage and property with beautiful oak trees on it,” explains Janell. “I thought if we don’t buy that lot, we’d just have to move because someone will buy it and remove that beautiful huge oak tree and build some mammoth house. We just couldn’t let that happen.

We’ve enjoyed that tree for years!”

Her lawyer husband heartily agreed. They bought the property, saved the tree and went about building the perfect Rogers retreat, but not without first touring the former owner’s 1930s cottage, slated for demolition.

Charles, a kindergartener at the time, was perplexed. “He turned to his brother and said, ‘I can’t believe we’re moving into that little house just so mommy can save the trees,’” recalls Janell, laughing. “He thought we were moving into the former resident’s place next door.”

Any concerns Charles had quickly disappeared when the family’s recreational getaway took shape. Houston architect Dillon Kyle followed simple instructions. It had to be simple, low-maintenance and outdoorsy. “I grew up in the Blue Ridge mountains, so I wanted something that felt peaceful and rustic,” says Janell.

The retreat follows the footprint of the origi-

hartphoto.com

Twenty Steps to Bliss nal cottage, sitting further back on the lot for privacy.

Beautiful flagstone paths and gardens surround it, including crossbred daylilies planted by the structure’s first owner, a worldclass horticulturist.

“In past years, we’ve had Little League parties here, then high school football team dinners and lacrosse dinners… you name it,” says Janell of their backyard haven.

“Imagine setting up tables for 40 guys in the backyard. It’s been fun.” BACKYARD BLISS Rogers family members (from left: Billy, Janell, Mike and Charles) Their respite retreat to Casa Dos every chance they get for fun and relaxation. also includes a a pavilion look in the main part of the cottage half-length basketball court and pool. At one because we didn’t want it closed in. We wanted point there was a zip line from the mammoth that back and forth feel, to encourage taking oak tree to a pecan across the way. And a part in everything out here,” says Janell. “A whirligig, the four-seated cousin of the teeterplace to chill.” totter, elicits laughs every time someone gets on Yep, casual is key here. The Rogers have been it. “Yes, adults too,” says Mike. known to throw a tablecloth on the ping-pong Mike adores basketball, thus the sports court. table for Thanksgiving gatherings.

And it’s been a hit with son Billy, who played And football season is always popular at Casa Dos. on his high school team. It has improvised as a “We might have 20 kids in here, all watching badminton court as well. And Mike recently the Texans game,” says Mike. took to hitting whiffle golf balls from it. “Just lay “Just picture it. A cold night in January, the out my mat there and shoot ’em,” he says. fire is on and a ton of guys are out there all hud“We’ve found lots of uses for the sports court.” dled in winter gear with their sleeping bags and The cottage has a cubby full of refreshing drinking hot chocolate. It’s quite a scene, so sodas, a bathroom and separate shower so no fun,” says Janell. one need enter the main house after rigorous So fun that the Rogers happily dropped their activity. “It’s full service out here,” says Mike.

Texans football tickets.

It also includes a screened-in dining area, but “What can I say? They have a blast watching the main space is open air with a big-screen telit out here,” she says. “And you don’t fight traffic evision and stone fireplace to accommodate cold getting home.” weather. “We opted for no screens at all, kind of

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 8

hartphoto.com

TEXAN TIME Mike Rogers and sons Charles (standing) and Billy enjoy watching a little football in Casa Dos.

lawellphoto.com

NEIGHBORS

by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

Take it Outside Backyard bashes worth the effort

T

here’s something intrinsically special about being invited into someone’s home. It’s more intimate than meeting at a restaurant. It takes more thought. It’s entry, for a little while, into someone else’s world. But for whatever reason – the huge numbers of great Houston restaurants, the extra effort entertaining requires, the fear of pulling it all together – the option of entertaining at home sometimes gets overlooked.

So as Houston weather peaks and we all want to exit the air conditioning for crisper outdoor climes, it’s time to call some friends, make a date and take it outside. To the backyard.

That’s what Shelly and Jeff Schultz have been doing for the past two-plus years. “We had built our house, and we had this huge backyard with just grass,” says Shelly, a program coordinator for MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Blood Bank.

Eventually Shelly convinced Jeff, her dentist husband, to think about landscaping, even

Tips for throwing a backyard bash Make s’mores on the grill or fire pit. In lieu of the bigger equipment, buy a mini culinary blow torch at Bering’s and caramelize away.

Syma Levy suggests hiring Photo Moto, a restored 1970s Volkswagen Bus that’s been converted into a photo booth. photomotohtx.com Melamine serving pieces are great for outdoors because they’re shatter-proof and sturdier than paper. Olivine in Rice Village has an extensive selection of French and Italian print pieces, and for bright, modern prints try frenchbull.com.

Emerson Sloan in Rice Village stocks happy, party-worthy paper products as well as sparklers, banners and funky disposable wooden cutlery.

Shelly Schultz’s No. 1 outdoor party tip is to find a good mosquito-control system.

though he wouldn’t initially acquiesce to a pool. But one thing led to another, and the couple and their now 10year-old daughter wound up with what Shelly calls “a party house,” complete with a pool, hot tub, arbor, fire table and custom swing bed.

“It’s like a couch, but it’s a swing,” Shelly says of the giant bed-swing that guests inevitably gravitate to and fall in FAMOUS SHOT Shelly Schultz is known for serving Jell-O shots when she entertains. love with. fancy Jell-O shot recipes I’ve thought about “Cole Parish, our landscaping architect, doing, but who has time for that? changed our lives and the way we live,” Shelly “By the way, I’m also the pool boy,” she adds. says. “He took our house from a blank slate to Cathy and David Herr entertain similarly, my fantasy backyard.” having built a backyard pool five years ago.

After the redo, Shelly and Jeff began enter“That’s when it all started, and this whole thing taining outdoors often. “We went from our bunof Sunday parties kind of kicked off,” David says. galow to a bigger house so that we could have The energy trader, his wife and their two young friends come over, so that’s what we do. We’re children host friends every Sunday the family is not fancy entertainers; we just invite people over in town. “They aren’t big raging parties,” David for beer, host school socials and have kids’ swim says. “But there’s an open invitation to friends parties.” When asked if she cooks, Shelly says, and neighbors if we’re in town.”

“No. That doesn’t work. I’m not a cook and I While David is quick to demur – “We’re don’t bake. My skills with decorations are limitnot making five-course meals, just chicken ed. I work full-time, life is busy and full, so to and sliders and hot dogs” – his entertaining entertain it’s take-out and having people over.” style falls a bit closer to the foodie end of the Shelly’s favorite take-out menu is barbecue spectrum, with more attention paid to the from the Old Hickory Inn in Meyerland. “That’s menu, than that of the Schultzes. “I like to be our favorite sausage place, and people go nuts for on the grill, and I’m always cooking someit.” She’s also known for her “skinny” sweet tea thing,” he says. “Sometimes I’ll look for vodka-lemonades and her Jell-O shots. recipes, like this weekend I’m going to make “Everyone talks about the Jell-O shots,” she says. a peach chutney pork dish that I found when “We make them with vodka and different flaone of those summer grilling ideas popped up vored Jell-O, and we have a kid version and an on my computer. I just thought it sounded adult version in different colors so we don’t mix good.” Note: David made the pork and sent an them up.” Shelly is a purist. “There are so many

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 10

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update with the recipe: “The peach pork chops were a huge hit and complemented Cathy’s salad perfectly! I highly recommend them.”

The Herrs don’t have a signature drink, but they do keep their fridge stocked with beer and wine, and they’ll often make margaritas.

Generally, decorations are minimal. But for both children’s birthday parties, they strung up Christmas lights from the back fence to the house. “Week to week we keep it simple,” David says, explaining how they manage to make it happen every Sunday.

Syma Levy takes backyard entertaining up a notch. The party planner and owner of Oulala! What an Event has ideas upon ideas of ways to theme parties and make them “cohesive.” She likes to elevate a backyard barbecue with burlap linens, yellow rose centerpieces in galvanized tins and longneck beer “coozies” printed with something like, “Thank your lucky stars you’re in Texas.”

Instead of barbecue, she suggests grilling steaks – and then branding them with the hosts’ name. (She orders brands at bbqfans.com.) “You could serve Texas wines, maybe have a Texas wine tasting,” she says.

“And serve Blue Bell ice cream with miniature pecan pies for dessert.” (Syma suggests ordering the mini pies from House of Pies or Goode Company Barbecue.)

For a crawfish boil, she decorated with lots of sunflowers and wrote menus on galvanized chalk boards. Mason jars served as glasses for iced tea with mint, and favors were personalized Tabasco bottles that said, “Thanks for spicing up our party.” Syma says, “You could use kraft paper to print your own labels on the computer. Just manually feed it through the printer.” Other readers like to add quartered muffalettas, the New Orleans ham, cheese and olive salad sandwiches, to the crawfish mix.

Zapp’s Cajun Crawtator or Who Dat? potato chips and Abita and Dixie longnecks bring more Louisiana to the party. (Go to nolacajun.com to buy the chips or source more ideas for favors, menu and décor.)

Syma is all for comfort food – mac and cheese, grilled cheese, fried chicken. “It’s generally taboo, but it’s fun to eat it all when we’re given the excuse. I can’t tell you how many parties I throw, and we spend thousands of dollars on tenderloin and sushi, but the adults wind up eating the greasy burgers and waffles meant for the kids.”

With all her creative ideas, the bottom line, Syma says, is that it doesn’t have to be elaborate.

Pick and choose a few details to focus on, and let the rest happen. “We all get dressed up and go out to dinner on Saturday night. But entertaining and being invited to someone’s home refreshes us, gives us something to look forward to,” she says.

“Sometimes we try to make things so different and special, but really we just need to go back to basics and give people comfort – that’s what they love. Keep it simple. People will like it.”

ENTERTAINED David and Cathy Herr invite people into their backyard just about every Sunday.

Shelly Schultz’s Jell-O Shots 3-ounce envelope Jell-O flavored gelatin powder 1 cup boiling water 1 cup Pinnacle Cool Whip flavored vodka Plastic shot cups (Shelly buys hers at Spec’s) Stir Jell-O and boiling water until the powder dissolves. Add vodka and stir. Pour equally into shot cups, and refrigerate for at least four hours.

Shelly Schultz’s Skinny Sweet Tea Vodka-Lemonade Firefly Skinny Tea sweet tea flavored vodka Lemonade of choice Mix vodka and lemonade to taste. Shelly adds 2 shots of vodka to each glass of lemonade.

David Herr’s Grilled Pork with Peaches From a Southern Living recipe ½ cup peach preserves ½ cup olive oil ¼ cup apple cider vinegar 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 4 pork chops or 2 pork tenderloins 1½ teaspoons salt ½ teaspoon black pepper Mix the preserves, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice and mustard together to form a marinade.

Place the pork chops or tenderloins in a resealable plastic bag; add the marinade. Seal the bag and turn to coat meat with the marinade, reserving extra marinade. Chill the marinating pork for 2 to 4 hours. Remove the meat from the bag and discard used marinade. Season pork with salt and pepper, and grill as desired. During the last five minutes of grilling, baste with the reserved marinade.

Cathy Herr’s Arugula Salad Baby arugula Cherry tomatoes Goat cheese Peaches, cut into chunks Store-bought raspberry vinaigrette Mix all the ingredients together in quantities to taste.

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Old city, new lifestyle Recently, some of our clients have been giving up their single-family homes to relocate to a more active urban neighborhood. In Houston, that could mean a move from West University to Rice Village, or Bellaire to Midtown. It’s all part of a trend called New Urbanism.

A 2012 survey conducted by the Kinder Institute for Urban Research found that 51 percent of Houstonians expressed a preference for a smaller home in a more walk-able and urban community. This was quite a change from just four years earlier, when only 36 percent felt that way.

In a way, this “new” trend hearkens back to a time before automobiles shook up the American landscape, creating the modern commuter city where people live in far-flung suburbs and drive to jobs or entertainment in dense urban areas. Many of those beating a path back to more active locations are empty nesters who want to create a new lifestyle now that the kids are gone. A community with residences, shopping and entertainment all mixed together is just the ticket.

One such couple, our clients Michael and Paule, sold their five-bedroom Memorial home when they became empty nesters. “[It was] time to let someone else in,” says Paule. “In fact, the family that bought our house was ‘us’ 20 years earlier. They had young children and wanted to be near good schools.

“Mainly, we were restless; we wanted something to match our current lifestyle. We wanted to be close to commercial centers and to more activities. We wanted a walk-able neighborhood. We wanted diversity. We wanted to do different things.”

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After renting for a year in the Heights, the couple bought a townhome there and haven’t looked back. It turned out even better than they expected. They have saved money and time and wear on their two cars.

So if you find yourself sitting in an empty nest getting bored, why wait for retirement to make a change? Try out a new lifestyle without leaving the city where your friends, family and job are. Many inner cities have been becoming more livable (and safer) in recent years. Green space is on the rise as well. In Houston, a current initiative, Bayou Greenways 2020, aims to create 150 miles of parks and trails along the city’s bayous.

If you consider “urbanizing” your own life, remember there will be numerous financial angles to contend with. For instance, how much of the cash from the sale of an old home should you put into your new residence? Keeping some proceeds liquid might open even more options for creating your new lifestyle. Talk to a trusted advisor putting a plan into action.

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

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NEIGHBORS

by Angie Frederickson, staff writer

Outdoor Play Going big in the backyard

Kevin Long, www.gulfcoastshots.com

G

o play outside! has been shouted at children for generations. Today, it is Mom’s mantra when she has had enough of her children being glued to phones, tablets or Xbox consoles. But outdoor play doesn’t keep screenoriented children as occupied as it once did.

Within minutes of being thrown out the back door, the kiddos often come back in declaring that there is nothing to do.

To lure children outdoors and give themselves some grown-up play space as well, some Buzzneighborhood parents are installing elaborate outdoor equipment to create upscale, modern versions of the cool house on the block.

Building a great backyard was a must when attorney Carlos Abello and his wife, April, searched for a location to build their new house.

They found a large corner lot on a horseshoe street for their classic Mediterranean home. The Abello children, 14-year-old Carlos and 10-yearold Mia, who attend The Kinkaid School, only have to step outside to find a batting cage, sport court, trampoline, ping pong table and a pool with a cabana.

“One thing we don’t have is a tennis court.

My sport got left out. How did that happen?”

April said, laughing.

The Abellos are a sports-oriented family, and the yard suits them. Carlos (the younger) and his friends like to play basketball on the sport court.

There is also the basketball goal on the trampoline and another in the pool. Mia and her friends also play basketball and log hours on the trampoline.

One of dad Carlos’ favorite spots is the batting cage. He has coached baseball and softball for several years. In the spring, Mia’s tournament softball team, the Marucci Lady Bulls, and Carlos’ premier baseball team, the Spring Branch Mustangs, will get the benefit of extra practice and instruction in the Abellos’ backyard.

During football season the Abellos spend Sundays watching the Texans’ away games on their large outdoor TV, which sits above the fireplace in the cabana. They are eager to actually use the fireplace if the weather ever cools down.

They also hold family ping-pong tournaments, which teen Carlos almost always wins. “I never win,” April said.

EASY ENTERTAINMENT Paige Pesek and Claire Boudreaux (from left) enjoy an afternoon of fun in the Peseks’ kid-focused backyard.

Jennifer and Todd Colter also created a yard to entertain their four children between 1 and 10. The Colters moved in about three years ago and installed several kid-friendly structures. Todd and 10-year-old son Lincoln shoot hoops on the sport court and golf on the putting green. One of the best parts of the yard for daughters Carolyn, Charlotte and Corinne is the huge play structure with swings, four slides and two bridges.

“The jungle gym is about 20 feet tall,” said Todd. “We installed artificial turf underneath to help soften any falls.” The Colter girls have all sorts of real and imaginary adventures there.

In their minds, it’s a castle. “The girls love to dress it up,” Todd said. “We even put Christmas lights on it.”

Nine-year-old Paige Pesek also has a backyard to envy. A fourth grader at St. Cecilia Catholic School, Paige enjoys having her friends over to swim in the pool and ride the zip line that runs almost the whole length of the large backyard.

To ride the zip line, Paige first climbs a ladder to a wooden platform. From there she grabs the

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handles, jumps on the seat and rides down the cable line to a large pine tree across the yard.

“It’s perfect for us. The kids can swim while the adults hang out in the outdoor kitchen area and grill and watch games on TV,” said Amy Pesek. When Amy and husband Darrell entertain poolside, quite a few adults take a turn on the zip line, as well.

Darrell’s favorite part of the yard is the putting green they had installed by a local landscape company that specializes in synthetic turf for recreational use in residential yards.

Occasionally weeds grow up from the ground through the turf and Darrell gets them out of there immediately. “That’s his baby,” said Amy. Golf is a father-daughter activity for Darrell and Paige. They spend time together on the putting green and then hit the course at Lakeside Country Club.

Even with all of this entertainment, kids occasionally come inside to say they are bored.

What is Amy’s response? A resounding, “Are you kidding me?!”

Kevin Long, www.gulfcoastshots.com

Kevin Long, www.gulfcoastshots.com

Kevin Long, www.gulfcoastshots.com

Kevin Long, www.gulfcoastshots.com

READY, SET, PLAY Top left: St. Cecilia friends Paige Pesek and Claire Boudreaux (from left) take turns flying across the Peseks’ backyard on the zip line. Top right: Carlos Abello works on his swing in the batting cage in his own backyard. Bottom right: Claire Boudreaux and Paige Pesek (from left) swing their clubs on the Peseks’ putting green. Bottom left: Kinkaid students and siblings Mia and Carlos Abello (from left) go one-on-one on their backyard sport court.

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NEIGHBORS

by Cheryl Ursin, staff writer

Taking Flight When the plane is your own

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ho hasn’t wished for a private plane while standing in the TSA line, shoes and toiletries in hand?

Colby Stewart, a 48-year-old local ophthalmologist, knows the feeling well. Not only does he fly to Tennessee every month, but at 6-feet, 7-inches tall, he really feels the lack of legroom.

“The airlines cram you in,” he said, “and then the flight will be late. It’s so frustrating.”

Stewart recently joined a group of friends, some who fly as a hobby and some, like Stewart, who want the convenience of their own plane, and bought a 6-seat Piper Matrix.

Ironically, Stewart doesn’t use the plane to go to Tennessee. There is no way around it: Flying in your own plane is always more expensive than flying commercially, when a commercial flight is available. And Stewart’s propeller plane would take twice as long, four hours, than a jet to make a trip of that distance. “At some point, you just say, ‘I’ll take the misery,’” said Stewart.

What a small private plane is good for is replacing long car trips. Stewart and his friend, Cameron Greenwood, recently took their two teenaged daughters, Carolyn and Remi, on a father-daughter quail-hunting trip. It would have taken them six hours to drive to the South Texas ranch where they hunted.

In their own plane, they took off minutes after arriving at the airport, since there’s no need to go through security. They rode in a cabin resembling a well-appointed SUV. And the foursome, along with pilot Don Sims, arrived at the ranch, landing on the ranch’s own landing strip, 1 hour and 20 minutes after leaving Houston. The entire overnight trip took a total of 24 hours, which would have been impossible without the plane.

Chris deZevallos, an avid pilot who grew up in Memorial, would rather take his daughters, 4year-old twins Katharine and Sarah, in his plane than put them in the back of his car and drive them on Houston’s freeways.

“I used to ride motorcycles,” he said.

“Statistically speaking, the biggest risk to a motorcyclist are the drivers around him. When you fly, the biggest risk is yourself. Planes are as safe as you make them.”

FATHER-DAUGHTER WEEKEND Carolyn Stewart, bird dog Leo, Colby Stewart, Remi Greenwood and Cameron Greenwood, from left, enjoyed a whirlwind quail-hunting trip.

His wife, Shelly deZevallos, also a pilot, said they recently flew their girls to Sea World, a trip that took 1½ hours each way by plane, rather than 4 hours by car. “Planes are an incredible time-saving tool, for both business and family,” she said. “Plus, they are a joy to fly. My girls will look up and say, ‘Oh, we’re inside a cloud!’”

In a way, planes are like boats, vacation homes and horses: fun to own but also involved.

For many plane owners, aviation becomes a central part of their lives. The deZevallos live in a “hangar home” at West Houston Airport.

Shelly, whose family has owned the airport since 1971, is a third-generation pilot who was flying before she had her driver’s license. She and Chris met in a hangar at the airport. Chris had learned to fly when his work in real estate had him traveling to locations without good commercial air service.

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This year, the family’s Christmas-card photo featured their plane, a Beechcraft Bonanza. And daughter Katharine spells her name the oldfashioned way, with an “a,” because she is named after Wilbur and Orville Wright’s sister, who was deeply involved in running their pioneering aviation business.

Steve Wright has been flying since 1967 and has owned his own plane since 1974. “I really wanted to be a commercial pilot,” he said.

Instead, he taught people to fly while attending law school. Because of his plane, his family’s hobby has always been travel. Wright, who flew to Florida last month with his wife, Jan, said, “During their childhoods, we flew our kids to 45 of the 50 states, to Canada, to the Bahamas. Our family history is written in my log books.”

Private airplanes come in two main types: jets, whose engines create thrust, pushing the

hartphoto.com

FUN FLIGHT Carolyn Stewart and Remi Greenwood, from left, had a fun weekend with their dads when they all flew to South Texas.

plane forward, and planes that use propellers.

Turbo-props are in between: They use a jet-like engine to power their propellers.

Jets can travel farther and faster. Depending on the length of the trip, a jet can be twice as fast. However, they are much more expensive to buy and operate. Jet prices start at $1 million, with yearly maintenance costs of about $500,000. Some companies, such as Jet Linx, which runs its own terminal at Hobby Airport, and NetJets, seek to make private jet travel more convenient and (relatively) less expensive. Still, the cost is thousands of dollars per flight hour. Even Warren Buffett, whose company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns NetJets, finds the cost of a private jet hard to justify.

According to a recent article in Forbes, Buffett named his own beloved jet “The Indefensible.”

Propeller planes range widely in price. A 2seat, single-engine Cessna can go for as little as $10,000, while a brand-new, 6-seat, twin-engine Beechcraft Baron sells for $800,000.

Planes do not depreciate as quickly as cars and sometimes gain value. Steve Wright bought his first plane in 1974. “It cost $9,500, which was a lot of money back then,” he said. “I sold it for $12,500 five years later.” That plane is still flying – and is now worth $30,000.

That’s because planes are meticulously maintained. “Planes are basically kept, mechanically, in the same condition as when they rolled off the assembly line,” said Donald Sims, whose

company, Sims Air, provides aircraft management, pilots and flight instruction.

Learning to fly your plane is involved, so involved that Stewart, after taking about 20 hours of flying lessons 10 years ago, decided not to pursue it. “To be a really good pilot, you have to fly all the time,” he said. “I liked flying but didn’t think I would be able to devote enough time to it. I figured it’s better that I do what I do best – ophthalmology – and hire a pilot to do what he does best.”

Stewart’s not alone. Sims, a certified flight instructor, estimates that only about half the people who start flying lessons go on to get their private pilot’s license. That basic license is good for “visual flight rules” (VFR); basically, you can fly when you can see. To fly in less-than-perfect weather and through clouds, you need to have an instrument rating so you can fly under “instrument flight rules” (IFR); Sims estimates that fewer than 10 percent of all private pilots go on to get that rating. Pilots can also get “rated,” with additional training, to fly certain makes and models of airplane. Private pilots have to revalidate their licenses at least once every two years, taking a “check flight” with a certified flight instructor.

Brady Crosswell, a co-owner of Stewart’s plane, had gotten his license in 1988, then, in the early 2000s, stopped flying while his family and a company he had started were young.

Crosswell, who is instrument-rated, has

undergone 25 hours of additional flight instruction over the last six months to regain currency and to become rated for his Piper Matrix.

Learning to fly is a bit of a psychological and emotional exercise. “Anyone can learn to fly, but some can’t get past the fear,” explained Chris deZevallos. “Everyone’s afraid at first, but you have to be able to push past that fear and fly the plane anyway.”

Learning to fly by the instruments adds another layer to that. When people can’t see while flying, they can become disoriented, a situation pilots call “the leans.” The pilot will feel as if the plane is turning, climbing, even flying upside-down when it is not. “People will swear they are hanging upside down against their seat restraints,” said Sims.

Sometimes, when teaching someone to rely on the plane’s instruments, a flight instructor will put a hood over the student’s head. Said Chris deZevallos, “You have to get to the point where you will go by ‘the six-pack,’ the six gauges in front of you, and ignore what your body is telling you.”

So, owning your own plane won’t allow you to always avoid flying commercially.

(Boo.) But it is fun. And it can be convenient, especially when you travel to locations without good commercial service. But beware: It can also become an involved avocation. “It’s really a great hobby,” said Crosswell, “and a great escape.”

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 17

NEIGHBORS

by Michelle Casas Groogan, contributing writer

With Little Warning Ovarian cancer first felt like stomachache

T

hey say it comes with a whisper.

Ovarian cancer. It can start with an inconspicuous annoyance that masks itself as digestive issues like bloating, cramping or constipation.

The symptoms can lead to a dangerous delay in diagnosis, making this cancer particularly scary, says Buzz-neighborhood resident Cathy Lang.

Cathy is a grandmother, fly-fishing enthusiast and two-time breast cancer survivor who has spent the last year fighting her biggest battle yet.

“Breast cancer is bad, but ovarian cancer is worse because it’s so hard to detect and the cure rate is not good. It’s scary,” said Cathy. “There have been lots of tears. I have grandchildren I want to see grow up.”

In May 2013, almost 13 years after surviving breast cancer, symptoms mimicking stomach problems revealed ovarian cancer. Within a month Cathy had undergone a full hysterectomy and had begun aggressive treatment.

Within four months she was in remission and could focus on living and fishing. She and her husband bought a vacation home in Jackson

Home tour Nov. 6 - 23 The Buzz Magazines is partnering with the Home of Distinction project. Davis Builders is constructing an impressive 6,000-square-foot home at 5308 Woodway Drive that will be open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays noon-5 p.m. Nov. 6-23. Tickets are $10 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Judith Liebenthal Robinson Ovarian Cancer Foundation. See homeofdistinction.com.

The JLR Foundation was created to honor Judith Liebenthal Robinson, Ph.D., a NASA scientist who, despite exercise, a healthy diet and regular exams, was diagnosed with advanced-stage ovarian cancer and died within a year. It was Judy’s mission to raise awareness about the vague symptoms of ovarian cancer and to improve screening procedures.

Hole, Wyoming.

“Don’t be afraid of what you have to do next,” said Cathy. “It’s like the whac-a-mole game. It pops up.

You knock it down. It pops up again. You knock it down again.”

And that is the disheartening game Cathy finds IN THEIR SHOES Suzy Reedstrom, lead associate minister at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, knows what she is talking about when she counsels others herself forced to battling cancer. play again. In have been much longer.” The first surgery was a April of this year, more discomfort revealed full hysterectomy, which led to a joyful 11 small nodules in her abdomen. Within a month months of remission. Then more bad news. Each they doubled in size. She has spent her summer subsequent round has included a different drug in Jackson Hole undergoing another aggressive or a different diet, but there has been one conregimen of chemotherapy. stant Suzy gives credit to.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that “Women know their bodies better than anyabout 20,000 U.S. women get ovarian cancer body, and if something doesn’t seem right you each year and that about 75 percent of those have got to keep pushing to figure it out. I women die within five years. If ovarian cancer preach that constantly. I kept pushing. I wasn’t is found and treated before the cancer has spread satisfied. I knew something wasn’t right. I think outside the ovary, the five-year relative survival your body tells you that.” rate is 92 percent, according to the American The American Cancer Society says the most Cancer Society. However, only 15 percent of all common symptoms of ovarian cancer include ovarian cancers are found at this early stage. bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, trouble eatOvarian cancer causes more deaths than any ing or feeling full quickly, and urinary symptoms, other cancer of the female reproductive system, such as the need to go urgently or frequently. the CDC says, but it accounts for only about 3 The society says a woman should visit a doctor percent of all cancers in women. when she experiences any of these symptoms Lead associate minister at Memorial Drive daily for more than a few weeks.

United Methodist Church and longtime area Despite feeling tired, Suzy hasn’t missed a full resident Suzy Reedstrom finds herself ministerday’s work, and she graduated with her doctorate ing most every day to those affected by cancer. in ministry just last year. And she is spending She didn’t predict she would have such a permore time with family, having weekly family sonal connection. She is in her third round of a dinners and making memories with her husband three-year battle with ovarian cancer. It started and two grown sons. with discomfort in the abdomen. She insisted “I think it shakes up everything inside you. on a colonoscopy that indirectly led them to the Then it has a ripple effect in your family. It’s discovery of ovarian cancer. hard to tell my boys I have cancer, and it’s hard “My colonoscopy saved my life,” said Suzy. “It to tell them each time it comes back,” she said. revealed a tumor growing on the outside. It had “I don’t have control over it, but I’m going to do attached itself to my colon, and that’s what was everything in my power to beat it.” pushing, and thank God it did that or it would

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 18

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 19

TRAVEL

by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Travel Buzz Togetherness at sea

T

here was a time when family get-togethers were filled with long, heart-to-heart conversations around the dinner table.

Nowadays, with families spread out all over the country, we’re more likely to find each other on Facebook than in the dining room. And even when we’re together, we’re often really not, thanks to the multiple intrusions from our handheld electronic devices.

Enter the multi-generational family cruise gathering – today’s answer to the family reunion.

ALL ABOARD The Treadwell family takes a family photo at port in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. From left, back row: Scott Schroeder, Rachel Schroeder, Madison Schroeder, Pam Treadwell, Jerry Treadwell, Haley Schroeder, Julie Treadwell, Brett Treadwell. Front row: Katelyn Treadwell, Austin Treadwell, Tyler Schroeder, Courtney Treadwell.

Cruising out of Texas Here are some excerpts from “Reflections on a Texas Cruise Market,” a Buzz-exclusive online essay by Harry Shattuck, veteran cruise traveler and retired Houston Chronicle travel editor: The Texas cruise market continues to expand (after a brief lull), and by February of 2015 will include six passenger ships. By this time next year, the Port of Galveston will have four ships year-round, the Carnival Magic (3,600 passengers, double occupancy); Carnival Triumph (2,758); the Carnival Freedom, a newcomer to Texas (2,974); and Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas (3,114). The importance here is that these are all year-round clients. In January 2016 (or thereabouts), the Navigator of the Seas will be replaced by the Liberty of the Seas, an even bigger Royal Caribbean ship (3,634).

Also in Galveston, the Disney Wonder will return for a brief stay in November and December of 2015 with cruises to the Western and Eastern Caribbean. Disney has not announced plans for future years.

At the Port of Houston, the Bayport Cruise Terminal, which remained idle for several years, now has two clients, Princess and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), but only for winter itineraries (up to six months). For the 2014-15 winter, those lines’ ships will be the Emerald Princess (3,114 passengers) and the Norwegian Jewel (2,376). For the 2015-16 winter season, they will be replaced by the Norwegian Jade, a similar-size ship to the Jewel, and the Caribbean Princess, similar to the Emerald Princess.

The biggest issue facing Texas ships is potential fog delays during winter months. Also, ships are pretty much restricted to the Western Caribbean, other than sailings to the Bahamas and Key West, Fla. In a one-week period, they cannot access the other Eastern Caribbean ports. Carnival is experimenting with its Freedom when it moves from Fort Lauderdale to Galveston, sailing 12-day cruises that include several Eastern and Southern Caribbean ports. If Cuba opens up, it will be a huge help.

On shorter cruises (4 and 5 days), only the Western Caribbean is accessible from Texas – usually just Cozumel on four-day Carnival cruises and Cozumel and Progreso (for Merida) on five-day Carnival sailings. On most seven-day cruises, it’s the same, with Cozumel usually included, along with two or three other ports that vary – either a Jamaican port, Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize City or Costa Maya.

Princess is a bit more upscale, with a slightly older and more sedate passenger load, but it’s not dull, and it still caters to travelers on a budget. Princess prefers to be classified as a premium line, one step above budget, but it depends on the ships and itineraries. Its ships are big and roomy. Some staterooms are terrific. Entertainment is good. I’ve probably done seven or eight Princess cruises (the original Love Boat) and always feel at home.

Carnival no longer fits the former image of beer-guzzling around pools all day. Its entertainment is among the industry’s best. Its specialty restaurants are high quality. But it helps to know what cruise you are taking. I’ve done them all, and I can attest that a four-day weekend cruise (Thursday night to Monday morning) typically is more raucous – or should I say festive – than a five-day midweek cruise (Monday to Saturday) or a seven-day cruise.

Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, and later the Liberty of the Seas, are beautiful ships. They have a fantastic indoor promenade.

Norwegian Cruise Line is a participant in AARP’s travel program. AARP members can save up to 5 percent for cruises purchased in advance. That’s what we did for an upcoming cruise on the Jewel. We saved about $375 each (or $750 for both of us) just by being AARP members. NCL is the only AARP-affiliated line with a ship based in Texas.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 20

A TURKISH CELEBRATION Mary Abell celebrated her 70th birthday in Ephesus, Turkey, a stop on a family cruise. From left: David Abell, the Rev. Ed Abell (Uncle Ed), Mary Abell, John Abell, Caty and Tom Gleason, Joe and Melinda Abell, Julie and Randy Merritt. Not pictured: Amber, James and Frank Abell.

Now with the new departures of two major cruise lines – Princess and Norwegian – from the Bayport Cruise Terminal, in addition to the cruises offered from Galveston, Houstonians have even more options to choose from, often less than an hour from their door.

We talked with several Buzz-neighborhood families who have had family get-togethers on cruise ships, ranging from small and intimate to big and boisterous. All reported an unforgettable bonding experience.

“One of the best things that came out of this experience for us as a family was that we were forced to log off,” said Buzz Magazines editor Joni Hoffman, who together with husband Michael and their two sons, Andy and Matt, were invited on a Princess Cruise of the Eastern Caribbean to check out the new offerings. “It’s the first time in years in our family that we had dinner seven nights in a row – especially without cell phones.”

Joni, a self-described cell phone addict, says she doesn’t remember ever logging off since she’s had her phone. And while the cruise ship had wifi available, it was expensive enough that it was mainly for emergencies. This situation produced a family dynamic that most parents long for.

“We talked, we laughed, we had serious discussions that probably never would have happened on land,” she said. “We really bonded as a family.”

The Hoffmans enjoyed the Princess Cruise’s slightly older demographic, which gave the ship a calmer feel; there were no children under 10 on their ship.

Joni and Michael had a cabin with a balcony, while the boys had a separate cabin inside, and they all went their separate ways during the day.

But the family established two traditions – coffee on the balcony in the morning and champagne on the balcony before dinner.

“It was just great,” said Joni. “We would sit out on the balcony, hang out, read, have coffee.

I would absolutely splurge for a balcony room – it’s worth every penny.”

Julie and Brett Treadwell and family celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary of Brett’s parents, Pam and Jerry Treadwell, aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise recently and found it to be a wonderful bonding experience as well.

“One of the highlights was the family dinners every night. There was an 8:30 seating,” she recalls. “That was our one time we knew we would all see each other. We had a great time talking and laughing, and the staff would do magic shows to entertain the kids. It was so nice to spend time with the family.”

The Treadwell group included their three children as well as Brett’s sister and brother-inlaw, Rachel and Scott Schroeder, and their three children. The Schroeders live in Atlanta, so this extended period together was not something that had ever happened before.

The best part, Julie said, was that they could just focus on each other – and having a good time. “Nobody had to cook or clean up; we just met and had a nice dinner.”

Making it extra special were the two formal nights, when everyone got dressed up. Even the kids

loved it. Little 8-year-old Austin, Julie and Brett’s youngest, wore a necktie for the first time ever.

The Treadwells took a 7-day cruise of the Eastern Caribbean, with ports in the Bahamas, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Their ship, the massive Oasis of the Seas, until recently was the world’s largest cruise ship, with a capacity of more than 10,000 people, with a maximum of 6,295 passengers and 4,000 staff.

Another local family, Joe and Melinda Abell, joined a family cruise event hosted by Mary Abell on the occasion of her 70th birthday.

Mary treated her six children and their spouses – and one lucky 5-year-old grandson – to a cruise through the Greek Isles, beginning with Athens and ending in Istanbul, for a once-in-a-lifetime family bonding experience. They were also joined by Mary’s brother, Father Ed Abell, a Catholic priest who has served in the Memorial area for many years. Father Ed conducted a private family Mass for Mary’s birthday on the Greek island of Patmos, where St. John wrote the book of Revelation.

The cruise was on the ultra-luxury, small-ship cruise liner SeaDream I, actually more of a yacht than a cruise ship. On board were 95 staff and 95 passengers. “You have your own personal attendant, basically,” Melinda said. “It’s one of the top luxury cruise liners of the world, and it was a true sea dream for me.”

MORE ONLINE To read the full text of Harry Shattuck’s essay, click the Travel tab at westubuzz.com.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 21

KIDS

From our student correspondents

L

ast month, The Buzz launched a new online blog, School Buzz, which highlights what’s going on in local high schools from the perspectives of students. At the time, school hadn’t yet begun, but that didn’t stop our new editors and reporters from getting started. See below for some excerpts. To read the rest and see what’s new, check out School Buzz at bellairebuzz.com.

Sean Herring

School Buzz

Creative works Cyrus Pacht of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts wrote that many HSPVA students are dedicated to their art area even when school lets out for summer. Others explore interests outside of their chosen field.

Cyrus reported: “Matthew Toffoletto, a senior in creative writing, is equally passionate about musical composition, exalting the ‘ridiculous uncertainty about dots and lines’ that doesn’t come with mere textual writing, and basking in the exciting sentiment of ‘I hope this works.’

‘The thing with the writing department, and with writers,’ he expounds to me, gesticulating with his hands, ‘is that they’re generally not performers; they’re not a face or a person to display. They’re the directors, the creators: the people who work backstage and orchestrate events and creations and have eyes and ears and noses that can help guide works of art to the proper smell. So this goes hand-in-hand with music; why not write both?’”

National Geographic tour Emery High School’s Miranda Levy spent much of her summer touring Ireland on a National Geographic Student Expedition.

She wrote: “There is something about exploring new places together that brings people that much closer. These trips have taught me about myself not just as a writer, but as a traveler. I cannot wait to explore even more places in the future, hopefully with some of the many close friends I have made through National Geographic. There is a saying in Gaelic that goes: An rud is annamh is iontach. This means: The thing that’s seldom is wonderful. I think this perfectly describes why this trip is so wonderful.”

BRITISH ISLES TRIP Carnegie Vanguard High School organized a trip to the British Isles for nearly 40 students, parents and friends. Here, the group takes a break at Sunbury-on-Thames.

Hot dogs in the Big Apple Lamar High School’s Mark Cox recently reported: “This summer Zach Pearson (a junior at Lamar High School) visited New York City. He went with his friend, Andrew Hoffman, and his father. In New York, they spent lots of time walking around the city, eating food and celebrating Independence Day. Both Zach and Andrew participated as judges for the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest as well. ‘Heading into the event, I had no idea what to expect,’ Zach recalls. ‘It ended up being a great experience that I will never forget.’”

Rhinos beyond borders Carnegie Vanguard High School’s Ari Rotenberg wrote about a school-organized trip to the British Isles. The group consisted of nearly 40 students, parents and friends. Ari wrote: “In the 18 days they were there, the group visited Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England. Some chose the option to visit Paris on a short exten-

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 22

sion as well. Those on the trip enjoyed a delightful cuisine and were able to witness what, according to student Ricky Noriega, was ‘the most beautiful countryside I had ever seen.’ The group visited historical monuments such as Blarney and Edinburgh castles, William Shakespeare’s birthplace and Stonehenge. They learned about the origins of Big Ben and the Scottish Witch Trials and had the opportunity to ride the London Eye. Carnegie student Zoe Herring commented on the group’s tour of The Beatles Story museum, saying that the unique experience and greater understanding given to her by the museum has given her a ‘greater appreciation of the people in the band and the band as a whole.’

All of the participants enjoyed the trip and recommend the program for others in the future.”

Editor’s note: Support neighborhood students by commenting, liking and sharing at westubuzz.com and facebook.com/thebuzzmagazines.

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.

by Todd Freed, staff writer

Kevin Long, www.gulfcoastshots.com

SPORTS

SportzBuzz A

s the high school football season kicked off, it did so with high expectations for the Bellaire Cardinals.

Bellaire returns several key starters from a team that went 8-3 last year, marking its winningest season since the 1970s. “We’re excited about the strides our program has made the last several seasons,” said Bellaire head coach Trey Sissom.

The Cardinals figure to make big strides offensively behind all-district quarterback Trevon Smith, who accounted for 2,400 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. “Trevon is a very athletic quarterback who’s dangerous both with his arm and his legs,” said Sissom.

Another big threat with the ball is running back Xzaviar Campbell, who rushed for 1,150 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. “We spread the ball around quite a bit, so for any running back to rush for that many yards in our system is pretty impressive,” said Sissom. The Cardinals also boast a big-time offensive weapon in junior wide receiver Courtney Lark, who’s ranked as the top junior receiver in the entire state.

“Courtney is a phenomenal talent,” said Sissom.

Defensively, Sissom is especially excited about the return of linebackers Jaylon Stiner and Shellie Adams, who are three-year starters for the Cardinals. “Those guys really anchor what we do defensively.” Sissom also had high praise for sophomore defensive end Alex Duke, who also was a standout on the Cardinals’ basketball team as only a freshman last season.

“We’ve made the playoffs the last four seasons,” said Sissom, “but our goal this year is to win a district championship and get beyond the first round of the post season.

After advancing all the way to the Class 4A state semifinals last year, the Stratford Spartans are primed and ready for another big season in 2014.

“Last year was amazing, to say the least,” said Spartans head coach Eliot Allen. “We graduated a big bunch of seniors, but a number of our underclassmen saw significant playing time. We should be a pretty good team.”

Among those returning from last year’s state semifinalist team is junior running back Rakeem Boyd, who rushed for over 1,600 yards while splitting time as a sophomore. If that weren’t

enough, Boyd also averaged a lofty 10 yards per carry. Boyd should have some running room ahead of him with the return of three all-district offensive linemen in Wade Touchstone, Jack Whitaker and center Houman Ziary.

Allen also likes what he sees in junior quarterback Bryce Cooper, while wide receiver Torin Justice returns after a standout sophomore season.

On defense, the Spartans’ strength will be up front with the first-team, alldistrict linemen Mikal Pruitt and Alex Miller.

With the likes of LEADING THE WAY Coming off a standout season in which he threw for Katy, Cinco Ranch and 1,700 yards and rushed for another 700 yards, quarterback Trevon Smith is Katy Seven Lakes out of back to lead the Bellaire Cardinals' offensive attack. the picture, the terback Matthew Jordan and wide receiver Memorial Mustangs are the favorite to win a Morgan Whatley, who caught 10 touchdown district championship this season. After compasses last season. peting against the Katy ISD schools for the last On the ground, running backs Kris Beasley several years. Memorial has been realigned into and Colton Taylor, who both saw limited action a district composed mostly of schools from the last year, will be called upon to help carry the Aldine ISD. load for what has traditionally been one of the That’s not to say that Memorial didn’t more area’s best rushing attacks. On the offensive line, than hold its own against the Katy schools, earntop returners include George Pappas and ing a playoff spot every season and even advancCharles Combe. Defensively, the Mustangs lost ing to the Class 5A state semifinals in 2010 key starters such as Khari Dotson and Cameron before falling to eventual state champion Cibolo Crawford, but if history is any indication, the Steele. Just last season, Memorial advanced to Mustangs’ defense should be as stingy as ever. the third round of the playoffs before losing to Memorial looks to make another deep run in the Manvel in the 5A Region III semifinals. post-season playoffs.

Now, as a district favorite in 2014 and even boasting a Top 10 Greater Houston pre-season Editor’s Note: Todd Freed is the Emmy Awardranking, the Mustangs will have some big shoes winning co-host and producer of the KUBE to fill with the graduation of their two leading SportsZone, which airs Saturday and Sunday at 6 rushers in Matt Collins and Nick Abreus, who p.m. on Channel 57-KUBE. To submit high school accounted for 1,700 yards and 19 touchdowns sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, last season. To fill that void, the Mustangs bring please email todd@thebuzzmagazines.com. back several offensive players, including quar-

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 24

Images, Inc.

SPORTS

SportzBuzz, Jr.

Jennifer Tiras

by Jacob Padden, contributing writer

W

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

Williamsport hopefuls The 10U Bellaire Little League All-Star team competed in the Texas East state tournament in Tyler, becoming just the third team ever from Bellaire Little League to advance to state and the second team ever to make it to the state championship game.

One of the most exciting moments occurred in the first stage of their success. They entered the last inning of the district-championship game trailing 5-4 against cross-town rival, West University Little League. It appeared that Bellaire’s season was over, until Josh Blum stepped up to the plate and clobbered a three-run, walk-off home run.

“Bellaire has a great ball club, and we enjoy battling it out on the field every year,” said West U manager Joe Woodcox. “This year we got the feathers. Next year we get the chicken!” Members of his West U squad included Davis Bell, Justin Ganim, Foster Hord, Grady Jones, Calvin Kelly, Andrew Michael, Diego Monacelli, Robert “Tres” Organ, Peter Sall, Nick Sullo, Davis Towns, Davis Wells, Wilson Woodcox and Blake Young, with coaches Trey Bell and Robby Organ.

After Bellaire’s victory, the team’s confidence was at an all-time high continuing on to sectionals, where they beat Pearland in the championship game 5-0. Then they rolled into the Texas East state tournament.

Despite losing in the second round to Elgin, they fought back to play Elgin for the second time in the final. Once again, they found themselves down, losing 3-1, with their shot at the state title slipping away. The boys maintained their composure and came back to tie the game, finally winning in extra innings.

Bellaire had to win a second game against Elgin to claim the title. Despite coming up just short, losing 9-6, it was a thrilling experience for the players, coaches, parents and those supporting the scrappy team back home.

Aidan Reichek, Noah Beinart, Charlie Mullen (pictured, at right), Caden Biedermann and Josh Blum all pitched well, giving up a combined 16 runs in nine games prior to state. Luke Mandola caught well and contributed at the plate. Reese Tiras hit consistently, leading off throughout. Scott Cricks and Sam Toubin each came up with game-winning hits in the extra-inning victory against Elgin. Matt Chotiner, Carter Dixon, Cody Ayers, Max Melamed and Michael Posoli played solid defense and had some clutch at-bats. Coach Luke Mandola lead the team with manager Martin Reichek and coach Corey Ayers.

“I cannot wait for next year,” said Caden, who hit two home runs, two doubles and six RBIs in the district-championship game, “so we can win it all!”

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

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Finding your financial advocate What’s the difference between a customer and a client? When it comes to finding an advisor who will truly serve as your financial advocate, understanding the difference between the two can make all the difference in the world. A customer relationship is driven by a transaction taking place, such as when buying a car or a mutual fund. A client relationship is based on objective advice that advocates for what is in your best financial interests.

Think about a recent car purchase from an auto dealership. Were you a customer or a client? Most of us would agree that even after you drove the car off the lot, you were still a customer and not a client. While the dealer was there to educate you on the cars he or she sold, it was not the dealer’s job to objectively advise you on which car was in your best interest. It was also not in the dealer’s job is to seek the lowest purchase price for you, but rather the highest. There may have been, for example, the same car available for less money at competing dealer next door. As a result, your financial interests will typically be at odds with the dealer’s interests. The automotive industry and much of the financial services industry are very similar in this regard. Consider the following: 1. Both industries have vast dealer networks to distribute their products, such as dealerships for cars and bank and brokerage offices for financial products such as CDs, wrap accounts, mutual funds and annuities; 2. Both industries give their sales people important-sounding titles such as vice president, consultant, manager or advisor, rather than the more apt title of salesperson or broker; and

3. Both industries operate with an abundance of sales incentives for their employees, such as commissions, fees and sales quotas, many of which are not visible to their customers.

Regardless of whether you're buying a car or a mutual fund, it is your job to be an informed customer and the burden is on you to advocate for what is in your best interests. An alternative approach is to hire a financial advisor who works directly for you as your financial advocate – the foundation of a true client relationship. Because you are paying the advisor directly a fee that is not contingent upon you buying any financial product, such a relationship will be in sharp contrast to the customer relationship in which your advisor receives fees and commissions from what you buy. Your relationship with your advisor as a client should always put your best interests first and not be contingent upon you buying a financial product.

Matt Goff, President and Chief Investment Officer, The Goff Financial Group, 11 Greenway Plaza. Suite 1425, Houston, Texas 77046, 713.850.8900, GoffFinancial.com

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 27

NEIGHBORS

by Jordan Magaziner, staff writer

Buzz About Town Family fun run

The third annual West U Halloween Dash 5K and one-mile Kids Fun Run will take place Saturday, Oct. 11, starting at 8 a.m. and 8:45

a.m., respectively. This family-friendly event will take place on a flat, fast, USA Track and Fieldcertified course within the tree-lined streets of West University Place, starting at 6104 Auden.

Costumes are optional but encouraged. Judges will award prizes for Best Female, Best Male, Best Couple and Best Child. Prizes will also be awarded for the top three male and female finishers in these age groups: 10 and under, 11-14, 15-19, 2029, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60-plus. Early registration continues until Sept. 25, and all runners who register prior to Sept. 30 will receive a Tshirt. Proceeds benefit West University Elementary. Registration is open at westupto.org.

Trafton Academy Educating Minds, Building Character for Life Building on over thirty years of experience

Plant Mart Oct. 2-4 The Garden Club of Houston’s 72nd annual Bulb and Plant Mart will be held Oct. 2-4 at its new location, St. John the Divine Church. Shoppers will find more than 500,000 top-quality bulbs from domestic and international suppliers, including hundreds of varieties of tulips, iris, amaryllis, daffodils, hyacinths and hard-to-find plants. Over the summer, garden club members have taken on the project of growing the native milkweed that monarch butterflies use as their host plant, and it

Watch their smiles grow.

Pre K(4), Kinder, Grades 3-8

View our office app at the App Store

Open House Dates Pre K, K & Lower Elementary October 22, 2014, November 13, 2014 & January 29, 2015 8:30 am

Grade 5 & Middle School October 15, 2014, November 6, 2014 & January 22, 2015 8:30 am

Oral healthcare for the growing & developing child

Small class sizes • Honors & on-level curriculums Sports • Enrichments • Extended day until 6:00 Interest in touring or a shadow day for your child?

Admissions office: 713.723.5888 ● admissions@trafton.org 4711 McDermed, Houston, TX 77035 ● trafton.org WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 28

Joel J. Vela, D.D.S. Bellaire Pediatric Dentistry, P.A. 6750 West Loop South, Suite 795 713.661.1100 • www.bellairesmiles.com

will be available at the plant mart. Visitors will receive a horticultural guide for Houston and can visit the conservation booth, which will feature native and drought-tolerant plants curated by experts. Pictured (from left) are Gwen Smith, Mathilde Hoefer and Adele Bentsen at last year’s Plant Mart. See gchouston.org.

the Mental Health/Mental Retardation Agency of Harris County. Tracy and Lolly are pictured (from left) toasting to some quality sister time at Tracy’s house. For more information about registering for the luncheon, call 713-661-1022.

Breast cancer challenges

Stiletto strut

Let’s play ball

West U Little League Fall Ball is in full swing for baseball players ages 7-14. Fall Ball focuses on baseball basics, instruction and rotating new positions. Practices will be held weekly, starting Sept.

8, with games played on Sunday afternoons and evenings. Pictured is Kagan McAlpin, a second grader at West U Elementary, swinging a bat during the spring 2014 season. Visit westull.org and have fun supporting your neighbors this season.

Sisters Lolly Friedman Miller and Tracy Stein will be honored at the Hadassah Women of Courage Awards Luncheon Oct. 19 at the Westin Galleria. Lolly and Tracy have both faced their own challenges with breast cancer, so the fundraiser is particularly special to them, as it benefits the Hadassah Medical Organization, which has conducted groundbreaking work in breast cancer research. Lolly, a Bellaire resident, has been instrumental in furthering the missions of the United Jewish Appeal, the Jewish Federation, AntiDefamation League and MD Anderson’s Cancer Survivorship Steering Committee and its Clinical Care Workgroup, while maintaining an active law practice. Tracy, a West U resident, has been an active leader in the Jewish Federation, Anti-Defamation League, Vanderbilt Hillel and

West U residents Trish Hayes and Tricia Georgiou, along with Megan Hotze of Bellaire, are joining the fight against breast cancer as cochairs of the Neiman Marcus Stiletto Strut and Luncheon Sept. 24 at the Westin Galleria. The event will honor Jane and Ed Parker and Dr. C. Kent Osborne, director of the Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine, and will benefit breast-cancer research at the Lester and Sue Smith Breast (continued on page 30)

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 29

(continued from page 29)

Center at Baylor. The event will begin at 11 a.m. with a champagne toast at Neiman Marcus, followed by a short strut to the Westin Galleria where guests will enjoy a luncheon and style show, “The Art of Fashion.” Dominique Sachse of KPRC Local 2 will serve as event emcee. Pictured (from left) are Trish, Tricia and Megan at the informal kick-off announcement for the Stiletto Strut. For more information, call Sanah Haque at 713-798-1649.

Millennials and marriage

Several years ago, Ben Harwood Rose saved the day on a flight, stopping a deranged passenger from acting on threats. When the flight safely landed, Ben said, an airline representative told him he could have anything he wanted as a thank you. At the time, Ben said he didn’t need

anything. However, this summer, when he was seeking a special way to propose to girlfriend Laura Max Nelson, he decided to call in the favor. Laura thought they were heading on an ordinary weekend trip to Boston and had no clue Ben had worked out an elaborate plan to propose in first class on the flight. The day didn’t go exactly according to plan – especially as Hurricane Arthur caused a major delay on the flight – but ultimately, Ben couldn’t wait any longer. At the gate, Ben got on the intercom, told Laura that he loved her and wanted to marry her. He got down on one knee and proposed. She was stunned and happily said yes. Their hotel room in Boston was decorated with framed photos of the couple and their dog, plus champagne, flowers, chocolates and other goodies.

Interestingly, just the day before, Laura, founder and blogger at website TheLightFiles.com, had discussed on FOX 26 the topic of millennials (individuals born 1983-2001) and marriage. She had no idea that at the end of that very next day, she’d be a millennial planning her wedding.

Parents Leisa Holland-Nelson and Dr. Franklin and Cindi Rose are thrilled.

Anna Giesler. Highlights included a private tour of the Sistine Chapel, ancient sites of Rome and a Segway cruise through Borghese Gardens.

George said it was surprising that only 85 percent of the Pompeii site has been explored. He said Capri was a lot of fun, especially the views while riding the chairlift to the top, and that “of course the girls had to have custom sandals made” while there. The group totaled approximately 40, about half kids, and other half parents and grandparents. Pictured (from left) are George, Anna and DiAnn posing with gladiators in Rome.

50th birthday fun

Gladiators This summer, George Sutherland ventured to Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri and the Amalfi Coast on a week-long Tauck Bridges tour with his wife DiAnn and 13-year-old granddaughter

Lynette Cone woke up on her 50th birthday this summer to find her yard “flocked” with hot pink plastic flamingoes. Her neighbors had surprised her with the fun tradition. That evening, friends and family gathered to continue the celebration.

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Although it was a Thursday night, all of the invited guests attended the party. Pico’s catered for dinner, the DJ set the scene with music, and the fiesta didn’t die down till 1 a.m. Her husband, Dr. Mark Cone, is a physician at Texas Woman’s Hospital but is famous among friends for his

her sons, 20-year-old Luke (at left) and 18-yearold Quinton, who also roasted and toasted her; 13-year-old Lilly was at Camp Longhorn but attended the party in spirit by sending chocolatecovered strawberries plus a card. “It was one of those crazy nights where everyone was in a great mood,” Lynette said, describing singing, dancing, karaoke and line dancing as among the favorite activities of the night.

band will perform during half time at all Lamar football games and at the 2014 UIL Marching Contest. Pictured (from left) are Cody Aitch, Cameron Valenzuela, Chayse

Dive into the movies The City of West University Place hosted a family-friendly Dive-In Movie at Colonial Park Pool, first featuring The Lego Movie and then The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Families watched the movie from the pool or stayed dry and watched from the grass on blankets and chairs.

Mark your calendars for more outdoor movie screenings with the Movies in the Park series; Oct. 17 featuring Green Lantern and Oct. 24 featuring Brave, both at 7 p.m., Colonial Park Pavilion area.

See westutx.gov for community events.

Marching band slideshow-making skills. Mark played such a topnotch, roast-and-toast kind of movie that Lynette heard from many of her girlfriends the next day that their husbands plan to hire Mark for future birthday celebrations. Pictured are Lynette with

Members of the Lamar High School Marching Band were hard at work this summer preparing for their 2014 marching program. The theme this year is classic rock, and the ensemble will be playing Carry on Wayward Son by Kansas, Nights in White Satin by the Moody Blues and Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. The

Black, Toni Zaayman, Jordyn Pursell, Philip Sterling, Kyle Glenn and Kahlil Glenn, welcoming freshmen to camp.

Editor’s note: The Buzz congratulates Annie and Tyler McQueen on their beautiful twin babies.

Annie Blaylock McQueen, associate editor and Buzz About Town columnist, is currently out on maternity leave, spending time with her newborn babies, Cash and Lila. In the meantime, Jordan Magaziner is handling this section. As usual, please send your high-res photos and community news to The Buzz at info@thebuzzmagazines.com or 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Items are published on a space-available basis.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 31

WORLD TRAVELER Morgan Rosenbaum, an eighth grader at The Emery/Weiner School, visited four countries in three weeks with his grandparents. One highlight was spending time in the Bugatti factory in Molsheim, France.

KIDS

by Morgan Rosenbaum, age 13

Buzz Kidz

Trip of a lifetime

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was about to embark on the trip of a lifetime, a three-week, four-country road trip around western Europe with my grandparents. After the endless 9-hour flight, we landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport and rushed off our plane to get our bags. Once the whole airport ordeal was complete and we had gotten our car, we headed off to our first destination, the DDay beaches at Normandy for the 70th anniversary. After all of the celebrating and fanfare, we began the rest of our journey through the waffles and chocolates of Belgium to Amsterdam, where we would spend another three nights.

After Amsterdam, which was full of many interesting experiences, such as having a car broken into, the Anne Frank house, and the infa-

mous Red Light District, we headed on into Bratwurst country, Germany. We spent almost a week in the schnitzel and sausage heaven before pushing on back into France. During this week, we made many stops in places such as Munich, Cochem, which is a pretty little town on a river in the mountains, and Neuschwanstein Castle in the Alps.

After our time in Bavaria, we headed back into France to a small town called Colmar, which is basically the French version of Salem, and is home to a slew of “witches.” From there we were able to visit the largest car collection in Europe, the Cite de L’Automobile in Mulhouse, France. The next day we had a rather more special attraction, the Bugatti factory in Molsheim, France.

This factory hand builds some of the fastest production cars in the world, and I was able to see it. The people who showed us around were very nice and even went so far as to offer us drinks and dessert as well as give me an owner’s brochure, which they only give to Bugatti owners (of which there are few). After that unforgettable and exclusive experience, we headed into the heart of France, Paris, where we spent the remainder of our trip before the endless flight home.

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, TX 77401.

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Do I get anything?

Who among us has not learned of a relative’s death and listened respectfully to the informant, all while the thought flickers, “Do I get anything?”

First, shame on you. Second, it depends.

Regardless whether the deceased left a will, nonprobate assets come off the top. Beneficiary designations and survivorship agreements trump any will.

Typical nonprobate assets include IRAs, 401(k)s, life insurance, annuities, brokerage accounts, and any accounts with designated beneficiaries. Survivorship agreements are most common on bank accounts and CDs, but appear on vehicle titles, too. Visit eepurl.com/TZvXj for more on vehicle title.

A death certificate is about all that is needed to collect nonprobate assets. What is left goes through probate.

The usual probate estate includes a house, car, bank accounts, and personal property. Less common are mineral interests, rental property, time shares, a farm, closely held businesses, and certificated securities, e.g., bonds or stock certificates.

Expenses, creditors’ claims, and allowances for the surviving spouse and children are paid from the probate estate first, which is usually exhausted before creditors reach nonprobate assets. What’s left passes according to the will. If the will omits you, you don’t get anything.

The State of Texas provides several alternate plans for anyone who dies intestate, depending whether the decedent was married, left children or other descendants, or left children by someone not the surviving spouse.

Each heir’s share varies with community, separate, real and personal property. It gets complicated quickly.

Texas Estates Code chapter 201 explains particulars. The Harris County Probate Courts’ handout, Texas Descent and Distribution, illustrates the effect of not having a will. www.harriscountytx.gov/CmpDocuments/51/Handouts/ DescentDistribute.pdf.

The laws of descent and distribution are cruelest to surviving spouses. Most spouses make wills leaving all to each other, then the kids. Look at the first page of the chart. Under the laws of intestacy, the surviving spouse loses two thirds of the separate property to the children. If the decedent left one child by someone else, the surviving spouse also loses half the community property. The law reads as if anyone who doesn’t make a will hates his or her spouse.

Even with the chart, determining your share still takes a family tree, a very detailed list of assets, and an accounting of expenses and claims.

Probate’s almost done before an heir’s exact cut is known.

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

Russell W. Hall, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Board Certified – Estate Planning and Probate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 6750 West Loop So. Ste. 920, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.662.3853, www.rwhpc.com

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 33

DINING GUIDE

by Dai Huynh, staff writer

This Month in Dining Almost-homemade entertaining

Restaurant Listings $ (under $10) $$ ($11-$30) $$$ ($31-$60) $$$$ (over $60) Prices include drink, tax and tip per person

NOTHING BUNDT CAKES Bundtlets are individual-sized little cakes. Flavors include (pictured) chocolatechocolate chip and white chocolate raspberry. Dai’s favorite is the lemon.

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’m a cheat. I admit it. There hasn’t been a dinner party or patio brunch where I haven’t enlisted the help of a restaurant, deli or dessert gallery. I love to cook and entertain friends and families, but it never hurts to supplement a home-cooked meal with a few bought goodies. It benefits both me and my guests: less stress for me and more treats for them.

Often, I prefer focusing on the main course, like smoking a brisket or grilling fajitas, but leaving desserts to someone else. These days, Houstonians have more options than grocery stores – although the Central Market (3815 Westheimer) cupcakes that a friend served at a recent outdoor party were incredibly moist with a surprisingly balanced butter-cream frosting.

I also wouldn’t hesitate grabbing a dozen or so cupcakes at Smallcakes (1531 Eldridge Pkwy.). And Nothing Bundt Cakes (5115 Buffalo Speedway, Ste. 400) sells Bundtinis. The bite-sized beauties are sold by the dozen for $18.50. A personal favorite is the zingy lemon cake, but there is also chocolate, red velvet and white chocolate raspberry. I like my guests to have choices, so I get three of every flavor. For an upscale soiree, Common Bond Café and Bakery (1706 Westheimer) lines up beautiful tarts and other desserts like bejeweled soldiers behind glass window. In the past, I created a stunning display by layering 14-plus flavors of macarons from Bite Macarons (5172-B Buffalo Speedway) on three-tiered pedestal service plates. I took the same approach with the Indian desserts from Bombay Sweets (5827 Hillcroft).

Inevitably, there is always a vegetarian or two in the party mix. When this is the case, I turn to the experts, like Green Vegetarian Cuisine (6720 Chimney Rock, Suite Y), which has several party plates that includes falafel, kale, tabouli, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, banana peppers, feta and tatziki.

My guests have nibbled on dips from Leibman’s (14529 Memorial) and beef brisket and pork tamales from Alamo Tamale & Taco (809 Berry Road), followed by grilled beef and chicken from Fajita Pete’s Mexican Grille & Cantina (4050 Bellaire Blvd.). Salads are a cinch after I saw a woman bring her giant salad bowl to Island Grill & Juice Bar (multiple locations) to be filled with crispy lettuce, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, bell peppers and feta cheese. She said it’s a time-saver.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 34

Dai Huynh is a James Beard food-journalism award winner and longtime restaurant writer. Her visits to restaurants in our Buzz Dining Guide were anonymous, and she paid for her meals to maintain objectivity. We’d love your thoughts too. Write to info@thebuzzmagazines.com with your own dining opinions and suggestions. Also, you can contribute in the Comments section under the online version of this story at westubuzz.com.

Leave time to enjoy your own party. This month, I’ve highlighted places with catering menus. Post Oak Grill offers great selections of hors d’oeuvres, such as mushroom canapés, hoisin-glazed lamb lollipops and coconut-crusted fried shrimp. Revival Market, Adair Kitchen and Kenny & Ziggy’s are my go-to spots for cheese, smoked fish and charcuterie platters.

Adair Kitchen American fresh-fare Neighborhood: Galleria The Belgian waffles were tender inside, slightly crisp outside, and beautifully dressed with ripe, fresh strawberries lightly showered with white powdered sugar. But along with the usual breakfast fare, such as fluffy pancakes, scrambled eggs and French toast, Adair Kitchen turns out some not-so-common, stellar options, such as a sourdough toast topped with buttery avocado and chorizo-flavored pork sausage (which can be amped up with an optional fried egg). Combined with fresh cilantro, lime and a side of mashed black beans, it leaves a favorable impression of this hip shabby chic space that manages to appeals to hipsters and families with its creative juices (like Just Beet It with apple and kale) and updated traditional dishes, such as pecan-

crusted baked chicken with citrus glaze.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 5161 San Felipe, 713-623-6100. adairkitchen.com. $$ NEW LISTING!

Alamo Tamale & Taco

Tacos and tamales Neighborhood: Northside Village Alamo Tamale & Taco encompasses everything we love about Houston – good, down-toearth, cheap, Tex-Mex tacos on-the-go for breakfast and lunch. At sunrise, the line snakes out the door at the location on Navigation bordering downtown. But at the Berry Road outlet near the Heights, a major expansion about a year ago has helped alleviate the large crowds that clamor for the $1-2 tacos billowing with an assortment of steam-table offerings including barbacoa and carnitas. But as it did in the ’60s, Alamo continues to etch its reputation making pork, beef brisket, chicken and jalapeño-cheese tamales. Breakfast & lunch Mon.-Sun. (Closes at 5 or 6 p.m.) 809 Berry Road, 713-692-6363. $

Bite Macarons French pastries Neighborhood: West University Making macarons is a dare, especially in Houston’s soggy climate. These delicate orbs in a multitude of colors and layered flavors are finicky. Their golden, smooth crust turns into dud-like chews at the hint of humidity.

Macarons also demand surgical precision in the sifting of superfine sugar and ground almonds, combined with the folding of egg whites. A misstep results in a gritty fistful of chalk. And so, it was a treat to bite into the carefully crafted puffed-up salted caramel and pistachio renditions from Bite’s pastry chef-owner Sandia Horng. At last, the search for macarons in the Bayou City that were “almost” like those from the venerable Ladurée in Paris is over. Granted, the weather was perfect that day – hardly a hint of humidity, nor a disappointed face at this white-gloss dessert-coffee house. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 5172-B Buffalo Speedway, 713-6642483. bitemacarons.com. $

Bombay Sweets Indian vegetarian Neighborhood: Sharpstown The all-you-can-eat buffet steams with aromatic basmati, vegetable curries and sautés that are constantly being replenished, keeping the selections fresh and tasty. Families and college students also come for chaats, such as samosas, idly rice cakes, lentil doughnuts and pani puri, a crispy hollow pastry filled with chili-spiked potatoes. A salty, sweet and tart explosion detonates when you pour the accompanied spice-fueled tamarind water into the shell. The chaser?

Soothing masala chai. Lunch & dinner Mon.Sun. 5827 Hillcroft St., 713-780-4453. $

Common Bond Café & Bakery Pastries and sandwiches

NEW LISTING!

Neighborhood: Montrose area The long search for moist, buttery kugelhopf ends here. Speckled with brandy-soaked raisins, the sultan’s turban-shaped cake-bread is a soul-satisfying breakfast with a steaming café au lait. The moistly crisped walnut chocolate chip cookies, even at $3plus apiece, are worth it. The only version that surpasses these, you can’t get since it comes out of my brother’s oven. Not every pastry is perfect at Common Bond. Its frequently touted plain croissant falls short on texture. While beautiful to look upon – glisteningly golden-brown – the overly crisped shell tastes dry and interior mealy. Scones, too, were tough. But the pastries that are nearly perfect here, like the kouign amann (a flaky, buttery, caramelized, sugar-topped pastry), surpass their counterparts around town. Common Bond bustles at breakfast, and for good reason. Offerings include a stellar sourdough sandwich stacked with pork sausage, cheddar, frisee and fried egg. Be kind; share it with a good friend. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Tues.-Sun. (Kitchen closes 3 p.m. daily, but the dining room remains open for coffee and dessert until 7 p.m.). 1706 Westheimer Road, 713-529-3535. wearecommonbond.com. $$

Cottonwood Bar fare Neighborhood: Garden Oaks From the owners of (continued on page 36)

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 35

GREEN VEGETARIAN CUISINE This Chimney Rock restaurant serves vegetarian specialties, including a hefty Mediterranean Bowl brimming with sliced carrots, tomatoes, quinoa tabouli, kale salad, grape leaves, black olives, pecan hummus, tzatziki sauce and falafel patties. (continued from page 35) Raven

Grill comes Cottonwood in Garden Oaks. Part bar, part pub, part band venue, along with an excellent patio (fire pits, games, live music, etc.), Cottonwood also offers a great burger selection. The Squirrel Master Burger is a poblano-stuffed patty, topped with a jalapeño fried egg, pepper jack cheese and bacon. The egg adds a spicy kick to the burger, but does not overpower the flavor of the meat.

Dinner Mon.-Thurs.; lunch & dinner Fri.-Sun; brunch Sun. 3422 N. Shepherd Dr., 713-8020410. cottonwoodhouston.com. $$

Down House Neighborhood modern fare Neighborhood: Houston Heights Kimchi is a Korean dish of seasoned, fermented vegetables. Add that and a fried egg to the burger at Down House in the Heights, and you have the awesome Kimchi Burger. A thick, Augustus Ranch, grass-fed, Texas-meat patty is topped with cheese, kimchi and a sunny side-up egg. The moist challah bun is well accented with bulgogi sauce, the Korean equivalent of a teriyaki marinade. This is a quaint Heights favorite.

Be patient if there are crowds. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon-Sun., 1801 Yale St., 713-8643696. downhousehouston.com. $$

Funky Chicken Gourmet fried chicken Neighborhood: The Heights It seems simple enough – fried, moist chicken with skin so brown and enduringly crisp. Yet many chefs don’t get it right, and even fewer are able to take it to the next level. The exception is two-time James Beard winner Bradley Ogden.

The Las Vegas superstar chef and son Bryan recently opened the Funky Chicken – the first of

many, they hope. We couldn’t be happier that they’re testing their recipes on Houstonians. The Ogdens have perfected the art of fried chicken with a savory coating reminiscent of the paperthin, amber-glass crust on a crème brûlée. The barely-there breading allows you to taste crispy skin along with the expertly marinated organic chicken. Funky Chicken also serves roasted chicken and gourmet sides like quinoa salad and roasted brussels sprouts. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Fri. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Sat.-Sun. 181 Heights Blvd., 832-924-4655. realfunkychicken.com. $ NEW LISTING!

Green Vegetarian Cuisine

Kosher vegetarian Neighborhood: Bellaire-Gulfton area Enchiladas, spaghetti and quinoa are on the menu of this San Antonio-based vegetarian kosher chain that is fast attracting a loyal following among green devotees and non-vegetarians hooked on the kitchen’s clean, simple flavors. The dishes are largely straightforward – from a portabella burger with A.1. steak sauce and caramelized onions to fried eggplant parmesan over marinaratossed spaghetti. The key is ultra-fresh salads and ingredients brought to life by zippy sauces, which are always available for the asking. The green poblano ranch dressing doesn’t come with the satisfying Frisbee-sized Mediterranean Bowl. But try it to add another dimension to the quinoa tabouli, black olives, falafel patties, dolmas, carrots and tomatoes. Chipotle mayo pairs nicely with the artichoke and portabella quesadilla. Such wellprepared and affordable grub draws a constant stream of regulars to this friendly nook with an earthy-crunchy vibe. Don’t leave without trying a vegan brownie or a hostess cupcake. Lunch & dinner Sun.-Fri. 6720 Chimney Rock, Suite Y. 832649-4184. eatatgreen.com. $$

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 36

Island Grill & Juice Bar Smoothies and burgers Neighborhood: West University/Tanglewood Granted, the smoothies with natural juices at Island Grill are pretty lush. The Island Oasis is ripe with sweet pineapples, strawberries, coconut juice and vanilla yogurt. The juices – from lemon-ginger shots to coolers made with veggies and fruits – are refreshing. But regulars also come for breakfast bagel sandwiches, pancakes and egg tacos.

Muscular, 8-ounce Angus burgers on soft buns lure many folks for lunch and dinner, along with fresh, pristine salads and pitas stuffed with a variety of grilled vegetables, seafood and meats. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. (closes 4:30 p.m. Sun.), 4024 Bellaire Blvd., 713-665-5388. 5709 Woodway, 713-334-4036. islandgrillhouston.com. $$

Kenny & Ziggy’s New York deli Neighborhood: Galleria area Kenny & Ziggy’s is a wood-panelled delicatessen plastered with movie posters, memorabilia and anything else that might invoke Broadway.

Homesick New Yorkers line up for pickled herring, bagels, lox, potato pancakes, and pastrami and corned-beef sandwiches, which owner Ziggy Gruber stacks with hand-sliced, triple-smoked beef. While packed for lunch, breakfast draws a much smaller crowd. But hearty morning fare is Kenny & Ziggy’s best-kept secret. The two eggs any style with potatoes, bagel or toast are a bargain at $7.95 and with enough food to share with your best friend. Huge servings are the standard here.

Even so, the Texas-size bowls of homemade matzo ball soup empty quickly. These tender orbs have won competitions all over town. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 2327 Post Oak Blvd., 713871-8883. kennyandziggys.com. $$

Local Foods Chef-driven gourmet deli Neighborhood: Rice Village Hand-crafted sandwiches and salads from chef Dylan Murray draw a diverse crowd. Savor duck confit smothered with melted brie, aioli and cranberry preserves on wheat bread. Shrimp-and-crab on ciabatta with green goddess dressing is another must-try. Sandwiches come with two sides that include Tuscan kale with golden raisins and potato chips speckled with Old Bay seasonings. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 2424 Dunstan, 713-521-7900. houstonlocalfoods.com. $$

Post Oak Grill Gulf Coast classics Neighborhood: Tanglewood Happiness exists in a bread basket at this popular outpost for business lunches. The basket usually cradles oven-fresh biscuits fragrant with green onions, bacon and cheddar cheese. One really isn’t enough; nor is two or three. Slow down, though, or you’ll fill up before the perfectly grilled rainbow trout arrives, glistening lightly with butter-caper sauce. Polo Becerra is a classically trained chef with a timeless approach of keeping ingredients simple and clean, with just a sheath of sauce to elevate the flavors of beef and seafood. Lunch & dinner, Mon.-Sat., 1415 S. Post Oak Lane, 713-993-9966. postoakgrill.com. $$$

Revival Market Gourmet market and café Neighborhood: The Heights Partner Morgan Weber and chef Ryan Pera source fresh ingredients from local growers and suppliers. Their multifaceted concept (grocery store, deli, patisserie and coffee shop) is unique, with much to admire. It expands on a growing theme in the culinary world, in which chefs return to the basics, curing their own meats and preserving their own fruits. Weber and Pera take it a step further by raising their own heritage pork and chicken. You’ll also find artisanal foodstuffs, including house-made vinegars and pickles. Seafood bycatches are from PJ Stoops.

Antibiotic-free smoked meats and sausages (try the boudin) are from Pera and charcutier Adam Garcia. Breakfast, lunch & dinner Mon.-Sun. 550 Heights Blvd., 713-880-8463. revivalmarket.com. $$

Smallcakes Cupcake emporium Neighborhood: Memorial We stumbled on this tiny, sweet-smelling shop by accident, and a happy one at that. The cupcakes here are edible icons of childhood innocence.

Nearly perfect. Voluptuous. The cake is moist and tender. The well-balanced frosting is buttery and fluffy. The Choco-holic (chocolate cake and chocolate buttercream) and the Caramel Crunch (with sea salt and pretzel) exemplify grown-up flavors and high-quality ingredients. About 15 flavors are featured daily by this Kansas franchise founded by Jeff Martin, who competed on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars and was featured on The View, where one of the hosts declared, “Now this is a red velvet cupcake right here.” Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sun. 1531 Eldridge Parkway, 281-9209110. smallcakesmemorial.com. $

Thai Gourmet Traditional Thai Neighborhood: Galleria Area Here, the lemongrass, coriander and galangal sing with clearly identifiable voices. Thai Gourmet’s flavors are bold. Sweet, sour and salty combine harmoniously, particularly in the fisherman’s soup brimming with mussels, scallops and shrimp. The execution of pad thai and beef satay are very fine, while the fiery beef curry with potatoes and chicken green curry rarely disappoint. Lunch & dinner Mon.-Sat. 6324 Richmond Ave., 713-780-7955. thaigourmethouston.com. $$

MORE ONLINE For more restaurants and to comment, see this story online at westubuzz.com.

THE SALON 3642 University Blvd. 77005 713.668.0333 • WWW.STUDIO3THESALON.COM WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 37

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Ask Dr. Southern

Thetas welcome Cornelia Guest

How can I prevent wrinkles?

A wrinkle is an area of skin that has been folded so many times that it has become thin. Youthful skin has enough elastic fibers that it snaps back after folding. Most aging of the skin is from sun (UV light) exposure that breaks down those elastic fibers, and the skin loses its ability to snap back. So the No. 1 strategy to prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging skin is to avoid UV exposure. We can’t live totally indoors, so we protect when outdoors.

Avoid the midday sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and, of course, wear sunscreen. If outdoors for a prolonged period, reapply sunscreen every hour or so because most sunscreens do break down or get sweated off. Make a habit of applying sunscreen every morning, even if you don’t think you will be outside much. Just a few minutes a day walking to and from your car really adds up over weeks, months and years.

Other strategies for wrinkle prevention include applying antioxidants such as vitamins C or E, retinol or tretinoin, or even injecting neurotoxins to relax those muscles that are doing the folding. Prevention is always best in medicine, but even with the best efforts our skin will still age, just more slowly. And once wrinkles have already developed, there are numerous treatments that really can turn back the clock and give skin a more youthful appearance.

Jeanne Southern, MD, Metropolitan MedSpa, 3005 W Loop S. Fwy., Suite 240, Houston, Texas 77027, 713.468.4247, DrSouthern@metmedspa.com, www.metmedspa.com

The much anticipated annual Theta Charity Antiques Show is fast approaching. Treasures and Traditions, the 62nd Theta Charity Antiques Show, premieres November 20-23 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Exhibit Hall A. During the four-day antiques extravaganza, novices and enthusiasts alike will have exclusive access to over 50 of the most prominent antique dealers from around the globe. The show offers a diverse selection of everything from exquisite furniture to vintage jewelry to one-of-a-kind artwork. At the 62nd Theta Charity Antiques Show, dealers exhibit items with prices ranging from modest to high end, to offer options for buyers of every price range.

Saturday’s featured speaker is Cornelia Guest. Guest is known for her philanthropic passion for animal activism through fashion design as well as her entertaining abilities exhibited in her books. She has made special appearances on the Food Network and Extra. Guest will speak during the lecture series at 10:30 a.m. and sign copies of her recent book, Simple Pleasures: Healthy Seasonal Cooking & Easy Entertaining, following her presentation. Tickets to the forum are $10.

General-admission tickets for all four days are $10. Since 1952, the Theta Charity Antiques Show has donated over $6.5 million to Houstonarea charities.

For more information regarding the show and to purchase advance tickets, visit www.ThetaCharityAntiquesShow.com.

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 38

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Does the shoe fit?

A minute with Maisie

Foot problems typically develop in early adulthood and get worse as the foot spreads with aging. For many people, bunions run in the family. In people with leg length discrepancies, bunions usually form in the longer leg.

Women are especially prone to developing bunions. Years of wearing tight, poorly fitting shoes, especially high-heeled, pointed shoes, can bring on bunions. Such shoes gradually push the foot bones into an unnatural shape.

To keep your feet in their best shape, follow Dr. Weinstein’s shoe buying tips: 1. Always buy shoes in the afternoon hours, as our feet tend to swell as the day goes on. 2. Shop for shoes with the type of sock or stocking that you plan to wear with them. 3. Measure your shoes to fit the longest toe, being sure that you have at least ¼ to ½ thumb’s width at the end of the shoe. 4. Never squeeze your foot into a shoe for the sake of fashion. 5. Have your foot measured each time you buy a new pair of shoes, as our foot size tends to change as we age. 6. Don’t buy shoes only by the size marked. Each shoe designer will fit differently. 7. Never buy shoes hoping they will stretch with wear. Chances are, they won’t. 8. Walk around in your new shoes to be sure they fit and are comfortable. 9. Always check your feet for blisters that can form from improperly fit shoes.

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

Many clients ask me, “What do I do if my co-parent is not paying his or her child support as court ordered?”

As a single parent, budgeting for your family becomes extremely difficult when your co-parent doesn’t contribute financially pursuant to the court order. Holding your co-parent accountable means filing a Petition for Enforcement of Child Support and forcing this parent to explain to the court why he or she is not paying the child support. While a parent may have excuses, such as job loss, it is that parent’s responsibility to modify the child support obligation immediately to avoid contempt. If the court finds that the co-parent had the ability to pay the support but failed to do so, the court can impose several remedies, including finding the co-parent in contempt of court, ordering attorney’s fees, levying bank accounts and even jail time. While this may seem extreme, failing to support your children is not merely irresponsible, it is criminal.

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

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

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Fortunately, she is starting to give me some leftovers. I can usually tell the difference between my dog toys and her “baby” toys, but sometimes I forget. Finally, I am an AKC Good Citizen and a member of “Caring Critters” and love helping people. I am very curious and like to say hello to everyone I see.

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Open House for Prospective Students Sunday, October 12 and November 9, 2014 • 2 - 4 p.m. in the MJPFC Online applications and reservations will be available September 1, 2014 at www.saintvincentschool.org For further information please contact Renee McCurry, Director of Admissions - 713-663-3541

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Admissions Fall Preview for Prospective Parents on Wednesday October 29, 2014 at 9:30 A.M. 1500 Sunset Boulevard | 713.535.6400 | www.emanuelhouston.org

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Sulfa allergy The term “sulfa” refers to a drug in the sulfonamide group. This includes the sulfa antibiotics such as Bactrim and Pediazole, but also sulfonamides that are not antibiotics. Some of these non-antibiotic sulfonamides include the diuretics Lasix (furosemide), Diamox (acetazolamide) and HCTZ. Other non-antibiotic sulfonamides include the arthritis medicine Celebrex (celecoxib) and the migraine medicine Imitrex (sumatriptan). Whereas penicillin allergy often goes away if you avoid penicillin drugs for several years, sulfa allergy usually does not go away.

Interestingly, if you are allergic to sulfa antibiotics, it is frequently OK to take most sulfa non-antibiotics. In 2003, The New England Journal of Medicine published an article that concluded people with sulfa antibiotic allergy could potentially be allergic to non-antibiotic sulfa drugs like Celebrex or Lasix, but that the Celebrex or Lasix allergy is not a result of the allergy to the sulfa antibiotic (N Engl J Med 2003;349:1628-35). In fact, those allergic to penicillin (most certainly structurally different from sulfa) were actually more likely to react to the non-antibiotic sulfonamides than those allergic to sulfa antibiotics.

Confusion remains about sulfa allergy because some people allergic to Bactrim can take Celebrex and some can’t. Here’s the explanation: people who are allergic to one drug are at higher risk to be allergic to other drugs.

It’s similar to the “iodine allergy” myth which mistakenly links shellfish allergy to x-ray dye hypersensitivity. In other words, people with allergies tend to be the same people with other allergies.

There are some sulfa non-antibiotics that have increased cross reactivity

with sulfa antibiotics. One of these is Azulfidine (sulfasalazine), which is used for rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease. Some drugs used to treat the HIV virus infection or AIDS are sulfonamides.

Two of these antiviral agents are amprenavir and fosamprenavir. Although not technically antibiotics (as they don’t kill bacteria; rather they kill viruses), they should be used with caution by those allergic to sulfa antibiotics as they also have increased cross reactivity.

Drug allergy is a complicated science.

Allergists who are board certified by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology spend two or three years in additional training in clinical immunology after becoming board certified in pediatrics or internal medicine. At Houston’s Allergy Clinic, we then spend a lifetime trying to master the field.

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

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

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 41

NEIGHBORS

by Andria Frankfort, staff writer

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Back Porch

Entertaining the family

W

ith all the talk of entertaining this month, I started thinking about a different kind – the kind we do every night, for our families. It’s not always (or even often) what we’d do for company, but if you think about it, what we do every day must be at least as important as what we do for special occasions, right? It’s like wishing for the weekend: If we hold out for Saturday, we won’t enjoy the other days of the week.

Problem is, we get into ruts. I’ll make the

Italian Meatballs and Sauce 6 garlic cloves, mashed 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 28-ounce cans Cento brand San Marzano whole tomatoes 2 teaspoons salt, divided 1 teaspoon pepper, divided 1 pound ground chuck 1 cup ricotta cheese 4 cloves garlic, chopped 4 shallots, chopped ½ cup grated parmesan cheese 1 cup panko bread crumbs 1 egg, beaten lightly In a large, lidded sauté pan or pot, brown the mashed garlic in the olive oil until the garlic is “cappuccino” brown.

Add the tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper to the pan. Mash the tomatoes in the pan with a potato masher. Simmer the sauce for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix the ground beef, ricotta cheese, chopped garlic, shallots, parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, egg, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.

Shape meatballs and place in the simmering sauce. Simmer for 7 to 10 minutes (depending on meatball size) and turn the meatballs over. Simmer another 7 to 10 minutes.

Serve with pasta. Add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil, olive oil or spices on top if desired.

same recipe every week for weeks at a time, even though it wouldn’t be too taxing to rotate the repertoire.

I have to know I’m not inspiring any kind of dinner table magic with turkey taco salad. From an envelope.

In that spirit, my friend Sarah Sampson had a clever brainstorm: Have a party where everyone brings one of their family’s favorite recipes, cooked, along SO MANY CHOICES Claire Gorman and Michael Halverson check out what their moms brought to a recipe taste-testing party. Claire's mom's meatballs were with enough copies of a favorite. the written recipe for Laskin, Karin Davidson, Michelle Frankfort and each family to take home. The kids come, taste Brandy Silverman run together every Tuesday everything, and you go home with recipes for morning after carpool. Then they go back to one anything they’ve approved. Not to mention, of the women’s homes – it rotates – and cook a you’ve got one night’s dinner down, having fed family dinner together. The host chooses a your people at the party. Genius. recipe, buys ingredients and tells the other three After a couple of years talking about what a what containers to bring. Then each great idea she had, Sarah and I finally gave it a runner/chef brings dinner home to her respecgo this summer. It was seriously last-minute – I’m tive family. talking three-day notice – but we sent an e-mail Christine, an integrative-health coach, is all to a few friends we know like to cook and asked about “doing things you love and combining them to join us for a glass of wine while we them. We all want to cook, and we want to expanded our fall recipe reserves and the kids socialize,” she says. “We would be running, talktaste-tested and (hopefully) hung out together. ing about recipes and what we were making for Amazingly, the kids – all 16 of them, ranging dinner, so Karin suggested we just cook together. in age from 5 to 17 – approved just about every Now we run, wash our hands and do a recipe. recipe. “I’d really like my mom to make some of It’s something we need to do anyway, and our those [recipes] because all of those were delifamilies get excited about what we bring home.” cious,” 12-year-old William Perdue said. “I think They recap afterwards via e-mail, sharing what maybe we should do it every once in a while, at their families, including nine children ages 7 to least every year. There was nothing I didn’t like.”

12, liked or didn’t like. The foursome calls themWilliam’s favorite? Neighbor Susan Gorman’s selves the “Run Away Chefs.”

Italian meatballs (see recipe).

“We experiment with healthy recipes,” The idea engaged 12-year-old Will Christine says. “And we’ve made our lives a litSampson enough that he made dessert for the tle more simple. It’s a wonderful thing.” crew – meringue cookies with cardamomspiced strawberries.

Come to find out, another group of moms are For more recipes, see this story online at way ahead of Sarah and me and have been sharwestubuzz.com. ing recipes for the past year and a half. Christine

WEST UNIVERSITY BUZZ SEPTEMBER 2014 42

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