february 2014 - absolutely memorial magazine

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FEBRUARY 2014

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Pairing WINE& CHOCOLATE

+ Valentine's Day Gift Guide

A Lifetime Love of Service4 Friends &

Simply DELICIOUS024 Grille

INSIDE FRONT

INSIDE FRONT

www.absolutelymemorial.com l FEBRUARY 2014 1

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FEBRUARY 2014 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com4

F E AT U R E S

18 DIAL DOWN THE DRAMA Living With – and Loving – Teenage Girls

37 SMILE DOCS Meet the Finest DentalProfessionals in Memorial

42 VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT GUIDE Find the perfect gift for that special someone.

C O L U M N S

12 absolutely! FABULOUS FINDS

24 JAN GLENN’S PAWSITIVELY PURRFECTComfortable Creatures: A Love Story

30 FAMILY LAWLove and Marriage . . . And Love During Divorce?

36 SPRING BRANCH SPORTS SPOTLIGHTMeet the Spring Branch MemorialSports Association Kincaid Falcons

C O V E R S T O R Y

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 4

FOUR FRIENDS AND ALIFETIME OF SERVICE For two decades, the Zina Garrison Tennis Academy

has been developing stars in the classroom, on the

tennis court and in the community. The Academy’s

success illustrates the talent, service and bonds

of four women who, after playing tennis together,

made a commitment to help Houston’s at-risk youth.

10

Nancy Lerner, Linda Elliott, Zina Garrison and Billie Jean King celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Zina Garrison Academy.

Photography by Hallie Keller.


3841 Bellaire Blvd. Houston, Texas 713.668.5000


N E W S W O RT H Y

20 SPRING BRANCHEDUCATION FOUNDATIONLegacies of Spring Branch Gala Recognizes Community Leaders

28 VALOBRA JEWELRY Hosts Pin Oak CharityHorse Show Holiday Party

34 LITERARY ADVANCE“Hearts” Baseball Legend Larry Dierker at February 20th Event

CONTRIBUTORS

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4 | V O L U M E 1 0 | N U M B E R 2

ON THE COVER:Nancy Lerner, Billie Jean King,Zina Garrison and Linda Elliott.

Photography by Hallie Keller.

Nancy L.Rommelmann, PLLCFamily Law AttorneyPage 30

30

Jennifer Elliottabsolutely! focus mediaPage 18

18

Doug HarrisContributorPage 10

10

Jan GlennJournalist Page 24

24

Debbie Clemensabsolutely! Fabulous Finds Page 12

12

Amy GrossVineSleuthUncorked.comPage 44

44

Suzanne Stilesabsolutely! Memorial MentionsPage 38

38

N E W T O T H E N E I G H B O R H O O D

32 FARMHOUSE DELIVERY

a b s o l u t e l y !H E A LT H Y L I V I N G

40 absolutely! Q & A

Texas Children’s HospitalWest Campus Answers Your Questions About Radiology

a b s o l u t e l y ! D E L I C I O U S

44 VINE SLEUTH

Wine and Chocolate Pairing

45 024 GRILLE Simply Delicious

46 absolutely!DELICIOUS LISTING

I N E V E RY I S S U E

8 PUBLISHER’S PREVIEW

14 SEEN ON THE SCENE

33 COMMUNITY EVENTS

38 MEMORIAL MENTIONS

48 A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY

Stephanie ValtasarosContributorPage 33

33

Stephenie Cox absolutely! focus mediaPage 45

45

Headed to the ER?

24/7 Emergency Care for kids delivered by board-certified pediatricians.

At Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, children enjoy access to some of West Houston’s

best pediatric care. And now we offer 24/7 Emergency Care specialized for kids. When it matters most.

Use Memorial Hermann’s online scheduling tool ScheduleNow to find a time that works best for you and your child. What could be more convenient? Before you leave home, visit memorialhermann.org and use ScheduleNow to book your child’s ER time online. So when you arrive, we’re ready to see your child.

In the event of a true emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER immediately.

ScheduleNow should only be used if you have a non-life-threatening situation

that requires urgent attention.

Call 713.222.CARE or visit childrens.memorialhermann.org


I hope you remembered that this month is the month of love! Yes, this time of year we celebrate our loved ones with gifts, chocolate, flowers and sweet nothings! The majority of my friends think this is a silly holiday created by card companies and fueled by the mainstream to increase sales in a variety of “lovey” type fields. I say, “Who cares?” One of my favorite memo-ries as a child is making a pretty Valentine’s box out of all my favorite art supplies like doilies, glue, a show box and pink construction paper, and one of my favorite adult memories is doing the same with my children.

I love our cover story this month of love. It is about love, but we are talking about “love” as in tennis. The story of this celebration illustrates the talent, ser-vice and bonds of two pairs of friends who, after playing tennis together, made a

commitment to help Houston’s at-risk youth. Memorial residents Linda Elliott and her friend Nancy Lerner are making a real impact on the lives of young people at the Zina Garrison Academy, and hopefully, you will “love” these ladies as much as we do!

absolutely! Memorial Magazine would like to congratu-late Frostwood Elementary on their grand opening last month. It was a labor of love for many in the community. Watch for our complete story on this very special event next month.

In closing, I would like to wish my husband, Brent Mi-lam, of 11 years, a Happy Valentine’s Day, and if you are

wondering what I’d like for Valentine’s Day this year, here is a hint: Check out page 43. I’d love the ring from I W Marks!

Absolutely! yours,

LaraLara [email protected]

Publisher, LARA BELL

@larabell

Lara Bell.

Frostwood ElementaryPrincipal Ellen Green and

third grader Erikson Pittman.

EXCLAMATION POINTS!THE INSIDE SCOOP STRAIGHT FROM THE TOP

4655 TECHNIPLEX DR. STE 700STAFFORD , TX 77477

281-690-4242

WWW.ABSOLUTELYMEMORIAL.COM

absolutely! MemorialTM Magazine is published by absolutely! focus media, 4655 Techniplex Dr., Ste. 700, Stafford, TX 77477. Copyright © 2014 by absolutely! focus media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. abso-lutely! MemorialTM Magazine does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. abso-lutely! MemorialTM Magazine welcomes editorial submissions from its readers.

Vol. 10 No. 2February 2014

Subscription requests are free to all Memorial and Galleria addresses. Annual paid subscription

of $25 required outside the Memorial/Galleria area.

Publishedby

E X E C U T I V E P U B L I S H E R SMichael & Lisa Fredrickson

E DI TOR- I N - C H I E FPatti Parish-Kaminski

P U B L I S H E RLara Bell

S E N I O R AC C O U N T E X E C U T I V EJessica Kij

AC C OU N T E X E C U T I V E SStephenie Cox

Susan DannhausJennifer Elliott

Kay GarrettAndrea Rigamonti

Suzanne StilesBonnie Bell Woodrow

A RT DI R E C TORGrace Belleza

G R A P H IC DE SIG N E RGinger GarzaCamille Hay

C O M M U N I C AT I O N SC O O R D I NAT O R

Sarah Bearden

W E B DE SIG N E R Joey Belleza

P H O T O G R A P H E RHallie Keller

C O N T R I BU T O R SDebbie ClemensStephenie CoxJennifer Elliott

Jan GlennAmy GrossDoug Harris

Nancy L. Rommelmann PLLC Suzanne Stiles

Stephanie Valtasaros

I N Q U I R I E S281-690-4242

E D I T O R IA L SU B M I S S I O N [email protected]

MarCom Awards is an international competition for marketing and communication professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of marketing and communication programs and print, visual and audio materials. absolutely! focus media competed with Fortune 500 companies, national advertising agencies, corporate and marketing communication departments and PR firms to win the three industry awards.

absolutely! focus media, parent company of absolutely! Brazos Magazine, recently won three international awards for excellence in marketing and communications. The three MarCom Awards were earned for the following initiatives:

Platinum Award February 2013 IssueFort Bend Focus Magazine100 Most Fascinating Things About Fort Bend

Gold Award Communications/PR/Special EventFort Bend Focus Honors the 2012 JEWELS of Fort Bend

Gold Award Marketing

Promotional Campaign/Branding Refreshabsolutely!Focus Media

HOTOFF THE PRESS! A W I N N E R

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absolutely!A W I N N E R

MarCom Awards is an international competition for marketing and

communication professionals involved in the concept, writing

and design of marketing and communication programs and print,

visual and audio materials.

W I N N E R O F T H E

2013MARCOMAWARDS

1 P L A T I N U M • 2 G O L D

FORTUNE 500 COMPAN IES

NAT IONAL ADVERT I S INGAGENC IES

A N D

absolutely!focus media

BRAZOS • FORT BEND • KATY • MEMORIAL

The story of this celebration and the organization it benefits illustrates the talent, service and bonds of two pairs of friends who, after playing tennis together, made a commitment to help Houston’s at-risk youth. Today, the work of Zina Garrison and her friend, Lori McNeil, and that of Linda Elliott and her friend, Nancy Lerner, is mak-ing a real impact on the lives of young people at the Zina Garrison Academy.

The story begins at Houston’s Mac-Gregor Park, where Zina Garrison and Lori McNeil were introduced to a free tennis program started by American Tennis Association champion John Wilkerson. Garrison began playing

tennis on those courts at the age of 10, McNeil at 11, and the two became close friends and eventually doubles part-ners.

“We hit it off instantly,” said Garri-son. “It was easy since we were the two youngest. We did everything together. It helped us become great friends, and we both went on to become top ten players worldwide from Houston.”

Zina Garrison

Garrison turned professional in 1982 after being ranked the Number 1 junior player in the world. She reached a career high of Number 4 and became the first African-American woman since Althea Gibson to reach a Grand Slam final in 1990. At Wimbledon, Garrison beat Monica Seles and Steffi Graf in back-to-back matches before losing the final to Martina Navratilova.

COVER STORYBy Doug Harris

H ouston has welcomed some of the world’s most popular entertainers, athletes and public figures. But for one amazing evening in 2013, a worthy cause, a notewor-

thy anniversary and a milestone birthday brought together a star-studded group so stellar that celebrity watchers every-where took notice.

Four Friends anda Lifetime of Service

With Pam Shriver, she earned the 1988 Olympic Gold Medal in doubles in Seoul and a Bronze Medal in singles. One of the finest doubles players in the game’s recent history, Garrison cap-tured 20 major championship titles.

Lori McNeil

A scholarship athlete at Oklahoma State, McNeil became an All-American collegiate player with three Big Eight Championship titles. She captured 12 Women’s Tennis Association tour sin-gles titles, 40 career doubles titles and scored a stunning first-round victory over defending champion Steffi Graf at Wimbledon in 1994. McNeil achieved a career high of Number 8 in singles and Number 4 in doubles.

Retiring from the tour in 2002, Mc-Neil served as the Assistant Coach of the U.S. Olympic Women’s Tennis Team and as Coach for the women’s team in the World University Games. McNeil was inducted into the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame in 2000, and most recently, into the 2012 class of the Tex-as Black Sports Hall of Fame.

Fate – and tennis – would bring these two champions together for an-other important new chapter in their lives.

Hoping to provide similar opportuni-ties to young people, Garrison, with the help of John Wilkerson, took her prize money from the Family Circle Cup and founded the Zina Garrison Academy in 1993. In 2012, McNeil returned to Houston to become Director of Tennis at the Zina Garrison Academy, reunit-ing the winning team of Garrison, Mc-Neil and Wilkerson.

As it turns out, another pair of friends was on a similar course.

Phot

ogra

phy

by H

allie

Kel

ler


Nancy Lerner, Billie Jean King, Zina Garrison and Linda Elliott.

Lori McNeil and Olympic Gold Medalist Pam Shriver.


Another Dynamic DuoIn the 1990s, a mother of two in Me-

morial was given a set of golf clubs by her husband. “I asked a golf pro how long it would take me to become a good player,” recalled Linda Elliott. “He told me five years!” She returned the clubs and used the money to buy a tennis racquet and a membership at Westside Tennis Club.

At that time, Elliott’s children were enrolled at Frostwood Elementary. El-liot was acquainted with fellow mom Nancy Lerner. One afternoon, Lerner observed that the usually animated and energetic Elliott looked particular-ly down and introduced herself. In the moments that followed, Lerner learned of the passing of Elliott’s father, and a friendship was forged that would last to this day.

“It was the luckiest day of my life,” said Elliot. “Our kids became siblings, and we helped each other through good times and bad.”

The good times included promot-ing awareness of religious diversity among students, teachers and parents at Frostwood. The tougher times saw a back injury for Nancy coupled with the passing of her mother.

In 1996, Elliott began working af-ternoons at Westside Tennis Center with Linda and Jim McIngvale of Gal-lery Furniture. “Without any prep, Lin-da McIngvale invited me to a meeting with representatives of The Nuveen Tour and put me in charge of the proj-ect.” The Nuveen Tour was a 13-event circuit staged on four continents with players competing for $2.5 million. The 1996-1997 Nuveen Tour featured Jim-my Connors, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg, and Westside Tennis Court was to play host. Elliott’s first tennis proj-ect was to oversee the completion of a

3,000 seat stadium and the logistics of the tournament it would house. But, Elliott already knew the first question to ask. “Do you mind if I bring in my talented friend Nancy Lerner?”

“We met every tennis star we ever dreamed of,” Elliott said. “We were thrown into the water and learned how to swim.”

Linda Elliott, Zina Garrison and Nancy Lerner cele-brated Garrison’s induction into the Black Sports Hall of Fame.

Nancy Lerner and Linda Elliott.

Joining Forces

Shortly thereafter, fellow tennis en-thusiast Mindy Brown invited Elliott to work part time with the Zina Garrison Academy. Soon, Elliott was scheduling Garrison’s appearances, negotiating her fees and working on fundraising galas.

When an opening for Academy Di-rector presented itself, Elliott said, “I need to talk to two people: my hus-band, Rick, and my best friend, Nan-cy.” Lerner’s reaction was simple and direct: “It’s not a question of can you do it, it’s do you want to do it?” Soon, El-liott’s love of children and tennis were united, and the Zina Garrison Acad-emy had new leadership.

Lerner later came on board as chair-man of the Academy’s gala in 2002 and became President of the Board in 2008.

As it turns out, the Zina Garrison Academy would not be the only collabo-rative project for these two friends. Le-rner and her husband, Steve, had been looking for a business where their son, David, a Briarwood graduate, could thrive. “In 2011, the Lerners and El-liotts purchased Memorial Drive Tire & Auto. Today, Linda and I run it with the assistance of our talented manager, Doug Peak. Best of all, my son David plays an important role,” said Lerner.

While actively involved in the op-eration of Memorial Drive Tire & Auto,

Elliott directs the affairs of the Zina Garrison Academy from her desk at the automotive repair and service center.

“This enterprise has exceeded our dreams and expectations,” said Lerner. “We treat customers the way we want to be treated, and we incorporate our Academy mission and philanthropy within our business by supporting local schools and causes. It’s not about pay-back; it’s about being a good member of the community.”

The AcademyCelebrates 20 Years

For two decades, the Zina Garrison Tennis Academy has been developing stars in the classroom, on the tennis court, and in the community, with free programming year-round. To date, the Academy has provided educational support and tennis instruction to over 25,000 underserved children in Hou-ston, helping them discover their in-dividual talents, stay healthy and be-come future leaders in the community while learning the sport of tennis.

On Saturday, November 16th, na-tive Houstonian Garrison returned to celebrate both the 20th anniversary of the Zina Garrison Tennis Academy and her 50th birthday. The gala, A Story of Love, included the presentation of the Academy’s “Service with Love” award to tennis legend Billie Jean King. King was honored for her contributions to the Zina Garrison Academy’s program and her championship endeavors on and off the court.

Olympic legends Pam Shriver, Carl Lewis, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Carol Lewis were on hand, along with former Texans players Chester Pitts and Tra-vis Johnson, and NBA Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy. They were joined by former tennis professional Katrina Ad-ams and Taylor Townsend, the Num-ber 1 Junior Girls player in the world.

When asked about Garrison and McNeil, Lerner offered the ultimate praise. “They bring to the table not only world class talent in tennis but also the values and standards of their day to day living. They remember the opportunities they had, and they care about the kids. Together, they are a force of nature.”


BY DEBBIE CLEMENS

FabulousFinds

You may know me as a Memorial mom of four fabulous boys and wife

to Roger Clemens, but what you may not know is that I love finding cool and unique products because, let’s face it, in a house full of boys, a girl needs her girl stuff! So, here are some things I absolutely love... and hope you will too!

@debbieclemens

The Lip KitSmaller handbags need smaller lipsticks. These

are great because they are bite sized and each has two colors. There is one on each end to take you

from day to night. So easy, compact and convenient!

www.sephora.com

Diamond Cand lesWell, this is a different concept, but it works! These candles are fun to give as a gift because they have a ring inside. Yes, a

ring valued from $10 to $5,000 is inside of every candle. You could be the lucky person who gets a nice ring! Oh, and yes, they smell wonderful!www.diamondcandles.com

21 DropsEssential Oil TherapyFind a more vibrant way to live by trying oil therapy. There are 21 customized drops all blended with antioxidants and jojoba skin oils to protect and nourish. If you need something to invigorate, focus, decongest, assist with pain relief, headache or to uplift, try these! I plan on trying them all, but I loved number 21 called “Inspire.”www.21drops.com

Golden Thread NecklacesFor my birthday, I was given one of these

precious necklaces, and I am enjoying it so much! If you love things that are monogrammed, these are great. I invite you to check out this line because it has much to choose from, and you can

customize to your own personal style!www.goldenthreadshop.com

Bond NYC TrifectaLimited Edition PerfumeWhat a great Valentine’s gift! Here are three mini collectibles that all smell amazing, and the bottles are beautifully “rhinestoned” in Swarovski crystals! There are several Bond perfumes andmen’s colognes I love, onebeing called the Smell of Peace.www.bondno9.com

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Kim Segelke & Shauna Paul Samantha Feldman, Carin Domann, Angela Orfanos & Krista Martinez Jennifer Evans & Josh Beasley

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December 4, 2013 • Marque in CITYCENTRE

Aymeric Martinoia & Akash Bhagat Michelle Putnik & Cindy McGinty Danielle Steele & Phil Lonsway Amanda Abiassi & Jodi Kincannon

Matt Caire & Lindsey Robinson Margaret Stratton & Lara Bell Missi Gibbens & Tabitha Smith Heather & Ernie Layton

Kristie Poldervaart & Frank DelrossoJohn M. Carrabba, Rick Bongiovanni,

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Y ou knew you were blessed when you brought home your delicate pink bundle of joy. You show-

ered all your love on her and watched her blossom. As she grew, you enjoyed tea parties and baked cookies together. You hugged and laughed often. She wore princess dresses, and she adored you.

Then, she went to middle school, you bought her a cell phone, and everything changed.

For mothers with teenage daughters, it’s not uncommon to feel like you’ve gone from blessing to battle mode in the blink of an eye. Licensed therapist and life coach Colleen O’Grady believes there are things you can do to make the teen-age years more positive and enjoyable for you and your daughter. “If moms have a strategy, they can have good moments with their daughter every day,” O’Grady said.

She suggests looking for small op-portunities to show you are interested in your daughter. Just five minutes here or fifteen minutes there can really make a difference. Look for moments when she is

needed, you can come up with some-thing that helps your daughter make amends. For example, you can have her help you make dinner. “Empower her to be a healthy adult by learning to make amends. It’s a great life skill.”

Of course, it’s easy to say don’t match your daughter shout for shout, but not “losing it” in the heat of an argument can be pretty difficult. O’Grady recommends a couple ways to help you achieve that goal. A big part of her Power Your Parent-ing Program urges mothers to take care of themselves. She describes the Mom Phenomenon as when “you pay attention to everyone and everything in your life ex-cept you.”

Imagine yourself as a cup. When you first become a mother, you are full of pa-tience, love and kindness. That is what spills out of you for your child. However, if you become consumed with caring for everyone else and neglect yourself, you become full of stress, exhaustion and resentment. Then stress and anxiety will be spilling out of you towards your child. O’Grady firmly believes, “It is crucial to pay attention to you.”

Finally, O’Grady stresses living with intention. “An intention is a guiding prin-ciple that helps you remember what your really want and how you want to respond to your family.” Just saying you intend to be a good mom is too broad. You have to really examine your desires for your family and create a very personal statement. For

example, if you fear you are too hard on your daughter, your intention could

be: “I intend to see my daughter’s strengths.”

O’Grady advised that, “If you live proactively and inten-tionally, these can be the best years with your daughter.”

By Jennifer Elliott

Living With – and Loving – Teenage Girls

DramaDial Down the

relaxed to strike up a conversation. Also, make sure that you don’t become the 24 hour monitor. “You can get so stuck being the 24 hour checker that your relationship becomes all about the list of things she has to do,” advised O’Grady.

Additionally, moms need to resist en-gaging in all the drama their daughters may create. O’Grady explains that teen-age girls are hard-wired for drama. A girl’s prefrontal cortex, which controls impulsiv-ity and emotional outbursts, is not fully developed until her late 20s. Combine that with her changing hormones, and you have a recipe for some tense mo-ments and conflict.

“Drama is the enemy of any moth-er daughter relationship,” commented O’Grady. When your daughter is having a meltdown, the biggest priority is to get her to calm down and de-escalate the situ-ation. This is not the moment to resolve the conflict or dole out punishments. “The reward for not reacting in that moment

is that you have time to create a plan.”

Later, if you feel a conse-quence is


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NEWSWORTHY

Spring Branch Education Foundation Legacies of Spring Branch Gala Recognizes Community LeadersLearning. Achieving. Sharing. That’s the characteristics

Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF) was looking for when its 2014 Gala committee chose the inaugural Legacies of Spring Branch honorees. They found just the right people.

Doug Foshee will receive the Spring Branch ISD Distin-guished Alumni Award. Barry Abrams will be honored with the SBEF Lifetime Achievement Award. Andrea White will accept the Susan and Larry Kellner Champion for Education Award.

“These community leaders have made valuable contribu-tions to education,” said Katherine Dawson, co-chair of the February Legacies of Spring Branch Gala. “Not only are they legacies of Spring Branch ISD and representatives of the ex-cellent education they received, but they set an example for all of us in the way they ‘pay it forward’ in assuring excep-tional education for generations to come.”

Foshee, a graduate of Spring Branch High School, is chairman, president and CEO of Sallyport investments and the former CEO of El Paso Corporation. He serves on the boards of Rice University, KIPP and Houston Endowment Inc., among others. The Southwest Texas State University graduate earned an MBA from Rice University. He is an Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient for his commitment to help-ing children succeed. He and his wife, Sarah Foshee, MD, have four children.

Abrams, a Westchester High School graduate, earned degrees from Princeton University and the University of Tex-as School of Law. Administrative partner in the law firm of Blank Rome, Houston, he received the Edwin P. Rome Pro Bono Award for his commitment to seeking equal access to justice for all. He is an SBEF former chair and current chair of its Fund for the Future Endowment. He is president of the Spring Branch Family Development Center. He and his wife, Sue, have two daughters.

White graduated from Memorial High School before earn-ing undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas. She has published four award-winning books of his-torical fiction for middle school-age children. She and her husband, Bill, former mayor of Houston, partnered with Houston ISD to organize a Reach Out to Drop-Out Walk, ap-pealing to teens to re-enroll in school. She chaired Houston A+ Challenge, which promotes classroom and dis-trict best practices. The Whites have three grown children.

The honorees will be celebrated at the SBEF Legacies of Spring Branch Gala scheduled for Friday, February 21st at the Hyatt Regency Downtown. Memorial High School graduate and Texas Country singer/songwriter Cory Morrow will be the featured entertainer. For tickets, visit springbranchisd.com/sbef. Cory Morrow


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TW Absolutely Memorial 7.25x4.75_Layout 1 12/31/13 8:51 AM Page 2

From Left Deborah McLean, Monica Balderas, Bob Collier, Mary Chapman Cantu, Norma Munive PrimeTerry Pasternak, Kristen Hale, Laura Locastro Ogburn, not pictured Sherry “Jake” Jakeway.

Memorial OfficeCHICAGO TITLE

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A new wellness center has recently opened in the Memorial Area of Houston. Founded by Gastroen-

terologist, David Nemoto, MD, Campbell Wellness Center is a progressive health facility that brings to light a quite different approach to holistic.

Focusing on the values that people need to take into consideration key as-pects of their health, Dr. Nemoto is paint-ing what he knows is the big picture for healthy living. As a runner and marathoner active in the Houston running community,

Dr. Nemoto has taken the steps to create a facility founded on “PMA” – Positive Men-tal Attitude. He formed Campbell Wellness to help anyone seeking to improve and create balance in their lives and to bring together the vital pieces of the wellness “puzzle.” Campbell Wellness Center en-capsulates a fitness center, yoga studio, a one-of-a kind home-style kitchen, and a spa that includes both massage therapy and cosmetic rejuvenation. And, for on those nice 100 degree days in Houston, Campbell Wellness also offers hot yoga classes in their outdoor garden.

One unique program that Campbell Wellness is offering this winter season is the Transformation Program. Containing the areas of nutritional counseling, per-sonal training, yoga, Zumba and mas-sage, the Transformation Program is truly a complete package. Taking place over a period of 12 weeks, clients go through a full education of proper exercise routines with Campbell Wellness’ exercise physi-ologist, from calisthenics to free weights to plyometrics to functional training.

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In balancing with their exercise pro-gram, Campbell Wellness’ registered dieti-tian educates clients onto a path that will set them up for success. Meeting weekly, clients go over portion sizes, customized diets specifically to their needs, grocery store tours and education that works to instill confidence and break bad habits.

Rounding out the program, clients may choose a weekly yoga or Zumba class, as well as a one hour massage by one of Campbell Wellness’ licensed massage therapists.

A one-of-a kind home-style kitchen.

Weight room.

“This program is not set up as a quick fix weight loss program, but rather meant to help clients achieve what being healthy truly is,” states Campbell Wellness’ exer-cise physiologist Art Sherry. “We are offer-ing a baby steps approach to those who want to live their healthiest lifestyle.”

And, for those seeking a pleasing aes-thetic look, cosmetic rejuvenation services are provided by a highly skilled physician, Dr. Akihiro Izumi, which include botox cos-metic, dermal fillers, platelet rich plasma, autologous fat transfer enhanced with platelet rich plasma, sclerotherapy, meso-therapy, photo rejuvenation and photo hair removal/reduction.

Campbell Wellness Center is conve-niently located just north of I-10 at 1446 Campbell Road. To register for services, visit www.campbell-wellness-center.com or call 281-740-4550.

Campbell Wellness Center in the Memorial Area.


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Jan Glenn’sPawsitively Purrfect

Sharon’s “children” are all different in their manners, species and attitudes.

Trixie and DixieTrixie and Dixie were rescued from a

tree in 2004. A dog had treed the three- month-old kittens, and Sharon came to their crying rescue.

ZivaZiva joined the clan in the fall of

2010 when the house, whose yard she had been living in, began an extensive remodeling. She was displaced. Not anymore! She sleeps at the foot of “her mom’s” bed each night and is the first to say “hello” in the morning.

O’ReillyO’Reilly was found in 2002 in a trap on

the porch of a house that had been aban-doned. He was thin, and his white and or-ange coat was so filthy he looked brown.

Comfortable CreaturesA Love Story

PegAlthough Sharon doesn’t like to admit

it, Peg is probably her favorite. “She went from being a hissing feral cat, to a lap cat who looks at me with goo-goo eyes! How can you resist that? She is my shadow.”

SullySully is a big black cat who was aban-

doned as a kitten at a nearby church. He almost died in 2009 when he was bleed-ing internally due to a rare parasite. He charmed all of the staff at the emergency clinic during his three-day stay and sur-vived to resume his position as the hand-some leading man of the household.

You have heard the saying, “For the best seat in the house, move the cat!” In this home, each cat has its own spot of choice, and no one messes with it. Not Sharon, not another cat, not a guest, no one! Sully, the lead cat, prefers the top of the china cabinet. He can observe all the goings-on from his vantage point. Min-nie likes the top of the refrigerator, not only for the view, but for the warmth gen-erated by the appliance.

You can’t find a litter box anywhere. They are all hidden behind plants and furniture. Some are even disguised as furniture. The stylish white table in the master bathroom is really a cleverly de-signed litter box.

“I realize that 14 is a pretty intimidat-ing number, although I have had as many as 20 cats before. We have a finely tuned routine. Everyone has their preferred eat-ing spot and sleeping spot, and we try to be respectful of each other’s territory, myself included. Of course, I haven’t slept late in years,” said Sharon.

Sharon’s love affair with cats began in her childhood but blossomed after she started her pet sitting business. It is called Creatures Comforts, and she has been busy loving and taking care of oth-er’s precious creatures for over 20 years.

Sharon and her 14 cats have more fun than you can shake a stick at. It’s just a plain ole love story.

For fourteen loving and beautiful felines, it doesn’t get any better

than the home of their best friend, Sharon Carter. You can call it a cat house or a feline hostile, but for these creatures, it is heaven in the Heights! They live very hap-pily together and have for years. They are all Sharon’s very own cats, and she calls them her “fur-ry children.” They call her “our adopted mom.” Now, Sharon has expanded her love of felines to include a pet sitting business called Creatures Comforts.

I have visited with Sharon and her cats many times and have never heard a cross meow or a cat fight. How can that be? “I think they have an intuitive knowledge that enables them to realize their lives have been literally saved,” said Sharon. “Although they all come from different locations and backgrounds, they have bonded to form a functioning family that compliments each other. My home is truly enriched by their antics and loving energy.”

O’Reilly

Peg

Sharon Carter and Dixie

Sharon Carter’s cats.



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Q&AWith Dr. Kasia Lindhorst

Q When do I start taking care of my baby’s teeth and gums?

A It’s best to start very early on before the teeth even erupt by wiping off

his or her gums with a moist washcloth or gauze to get rid of any sugar from milk and food. As soon as teeth erupt, you can start using a soft, small toothbrush. Always re-member to put your little one to bed with clean teeth and brush them after that last nighttime bottle of milk to prevent early childhood cavities.

Q When do I start using tooth-paste?

A You can use non-fluoridated (train-ing) toothpaste as early as you’d like.

However, fluoride should be added to your little one’s routine around 18-24 months of age. Tiny amount of less than ¼ of a pea-size should be used early on and will get a little bit bigger as your little one gets older. If his or her teeth are touching, flossing will also be important for overall dental health. Baby teeth have very thin enamel and mak-ing sure that they stay cavity free is crucial!

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Valobra Jewelry, a sponsor of The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show since 2007, hosted a festive holiday party at its High-land Village location on December 5th for approximately 100 VIPs and media rep-resentatives. Valobra hosted this special event to encourage support for the 69th Annual Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, which runs March 19th through 30th, at The Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy. Haras Dos Cavaleiros and Irish Day Farm are the title sponsors of the 2014 horse show.

Valobra unveiled the “Crown Jewel” of The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show – a handmade pearl bracelet of 18-karat yel-low gold, 48 illustrious pearls, 37 karats of gem quality Peridot and 12.33 kar-ats of gem quality Margonite valued at $25,000. Supporters of the equestrian event can win this bracelet by purchas-ing a raffle ticket as part of the show’s fundraising efforts. The winning ticket will be drawn at the closing Pin Oak Grand Prix event on March 29th.

One of the oldest and most respected horse shows in the United States, The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show was estab-lished in 1945 and has raised more than $5.5 million for children’s charities. Texas Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at Texas Children’s Hos-pital and Candlelighters’ Childhood Can-cer Family Alliance are the beneficiaries.

absolutely! Memorial and absolutely! Katy Magazines are honored to be me-dia partners for the 2014 events. The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show welcomes members, sponsors, volunteers, com-petitors, exhibitors and spectators. For more information, visit www.pinoak.org or call 713-621-6290.

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Love and Marriage . . . and Love During Divorce?By Nancy L. Rommelmann PLLCFamily Law Attorney

Y ou’ve heard the phrase, “Love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage,” but can

love be shown during a divorce?

Consider the following ways to love while going through a divorce:

1. Love yourself: Take care of yourself. Do healthy activities that make you feel good about yourself (exercise, get involved with your church or spend time with good friends). Don’t beat yourself up. Don’t indulge in addictive behavior. Spend your energy on positive pursuits that allow and promote personal growth. Daily evaluate your motives and actions and hold yourself accountable to honorable behavior, which actually results in you gaining power with your soon-to-be ex-spouse.

2. Love your children: Children don’t want to be in the middle of a divorce. Be sensitive to your children, their needs and what they are going through. Give them the gift of your time and undivided attention during this difficult time. Show the other parent respect while in the presence of the children.

3. Love your soon-to-be ex-spouse: Okay, maybe it’s difficult to show love to your soon-to-be ex-spouse, but you can show respect, and be nice. Take the high road. Don’t be petty. Do the right thing for the right reasons, particularly as it relates to your children who are subject to the divorce. Your children deserve to see this behavior from both of their parents. This is hard work at a personal level, due in part to the mix of emotionally charged issues that come up throughout a divorce, but do the “work.” You won’t regret it.

“There needn’t be ‘broken’ families, defined by divorce decrees and the like. Families can be defined and bound by love and other matters of the heart.”


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With a passion for growing commu-nity through food, Farmhouse Delivery believes in supporting local producers. Each Farmhouse Delivery producer has been hand-selected to provide the most nutritious and delicious food available. As a member, you are not only helping facilitate a personal healthy lifestyle but also a healthy local economy. Sit-ting down at the dinner table knowing exactly where your food comes from provides a sense of peace in both body and mind.

For $39 a week, or every other week, you can enjoy over 10 seasonal items, harvested for immediate delivery. The weekly newsletter informs you of your upcoming bushel delivery and prompts you to make additional selections or substitutions per deadline. The week of delivery, you will receive an email with the exact contents of your box and simple preparation and storage sugges-tions. Without a commitment, you can try Farmhouse Delivery for as long as you like.

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EVENTSBy Stephanie Valtasaros

February 1st – 23rdAlley Theatre Presents Freud’s Last SessionFreud’s Last Session centers on legendary psychoanalyst Dr. Sigmund Freud who invites little-known professor C.S. Lewis – who later wrote the children’s classic The Chronicles of Narnia – to his home in London. Lewis, expecting to be called on the carpet for satirizing Freud in a recent book, soon realizes Freud has a much more significant agenda. On the day England enters World War II, Freud and Lewis clash on the existence of God, love, sex and the meaning of life. For tickets, visit www.alleytheatre.org.

February 18th – 23rd Ghost The MusicalGexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center series presents the production based on the award-winning film. This musical employs special effects and stage illusions never before seen in an on-stage musical that leave audiences astonished. The special effects help to create the compelling love story of Sam and Molly, a young couple whose connection takes a stunning turn after Sam’s untimely death. Tickets start at $30. Call 800-982-ARTS or visit www.thehobbycenter.org.

Katie Postotnik and Steven Grant Douglas in Ghost The Musical.

© J

oan

Mar

cus

2013

.

February 20th, 22nd, 23rd and 28thHouston Ballet’s AladdinHouston Ballet presents the American premiere of the celebrated English choreographer David Bintley’s full-length Aladdin, a magical tale of love, trickery and triumph. Aladdin is a co-production of the Houston Ballet Foundation and Birmingham Royal Ballet. Performances will be held at Wortham Theater Center, located at 501 Texas Street at Smith Street. For tickets, call 713-227-2787 or visit www.houstonballet.org.


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NEWSWORTHY

Literacy Advance of Houston’s Ex-ecutive Director Melanie Fisk recently announced plans for the non-profit’s 50th anniversary year in 2014. Literacy Advance has provided adults in Hous-ton with free basic literacy classes led by trained volunteer tutors since 1964. In addition to basic literacy (Adult Ba-sic Education – ABE), Literacy Advance provides English as a Second Language (ESL), family literacy services, transition services to help students become eco-nomically self-sufficient and workforce

Literary Advance “Hearts” Baseball

Legend Larry Dierker at February 20th Event


Learn more: WestchaseDistrict.com or 713-780-9434

The year-round market features more than a dozen vendors offering fresh meat,

produce and locally-made specialties.Every Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church10503 Westheimer Road (at Rogerdale)one block west of Sam Houston Tollway

Westchase DistrictFarmers Market

Enjoy fresh, local

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• Board certified orthodontists with over 66 years combined experience• Conveniently located off of Gessner across from Memorial City Mall• Creating beautiful smiles for kids, teens and adults• Complimentary initial exams

902 Frostwood Ste 300 • Houston, TX 77024 • 713-468-9669magnessorthodontics.net

development classes to help prepare Houston’s workforce for the jobs of to-morrow.

A series of events will take place in 2014 that support the organization’s fu-ture plans, beginning with the Reader Cup golf fundraiser on February 20th at TopGolf honoring Larry and Judy Dierker. Literacy Advance was launched 50 years ago in 1964. That same year, legendary Hall of Famer Larry Dierker began his professional baseball career. What’s the connection between a baseball legend and a non-profit that provides free adult literacy programs?

“Larry Dierker has donated over 1,200 tutor hours and helped raise more than half a million dollars for us over the last seven years. Larry re-wrote the As-tros’ record books many times during his career. In the same way, Larry and Judy have helped others re-write their sto-ries,” said Melanie Fisk.

The already near sellout event will include team golf, dinner and cocktails, recognition of the Dierkers, silent and live auctions, prizes, schmoozing with sports celebs and more. White Oak Gives Back returns as Presenting Sponsor, joined by other sponsors such as Anheuser-Busch, FGS Consulting, Goya Foods, Dan Pastorini, Houston Astros, Pinnacle Financial Solutions, SYSCO, Valiant Ex-ploration, Yahoo! and SportsRadio 1560.

For more information, visit www.liter-acyadvance.org or contact Josh Beasley at [email protected] or 713-266-8777.

Larry Dierker, Milo Hamilton and Judy Dierker.


From the heart of Houston, JJ Design Group brings you the finest in traditional & antique designs. With vast experience in interior decoratives, we offer a plethora of design services ranging from interior decoration, furniture restoration, and custom pillows! Please visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to see our latest works and featured products!

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It takes guts, hard work and dedication to play sports,so Athletic Orthopedics & Knee Center salutes the kids

and parents who hit the fields week after week.

Meet the SBMSA Terminators who were named Boys Soccer Champions!

9180 Katy Freeway(I-10 and Campbell)Houston, TX 77055

713.984.1400www.aokc.net

SprinG Branch

Sports

Spotlight

For the 3rd consecutive year, the Terminators are the SBMSA 11-12 Boys Soccer Champions. Team members are Alex Biro,

Grant Brown, Corbin Kinder, Jack Kueser, Charles Buscher, David Mavergeorge, Josh Caldwell, Thomas Teague, Patricio Vera,

Aaron Nahm, Brennan Keimig, Jude Foreman, Sam Caldwell, Nick Engles, Dylan Merritt, Jesus Bonilla, Trevor Prince, Jim Kueser,

Allen Teague and Martin Buscher.


PROFILES

D r. Carin Domann and Dr. Angela Orfanos pride themselves on excellence and ef-ficiency. The doctors trained together at the University of Texas Dental School and

have similar treatment philosophies, keeping patient care consistent at every appointment. Dr. Domann and Dr. Orfanos are Board Certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. They collaborate on every patient case and discuss options for the best treatment. They are a family united – one of the doctors is an Aggie and the other a Longhorn!

Dr. Carin Domann (Dr. D) is a native Houstonian. Her family is blessed with two pre-cious sons, Brooks and Ryne, and a big yellow lab named Luther. When Dr. D is not treat-ing patients, you can usually find her chasing her boys, exercising, volunteering, spending time with friends or relaxing in Port Aransas. Her favorite food is a tie between pizza and chips and salsa! And, fresh flowers make her smile!

Dr. Angela Orfanos (Dr. O) grew up in the Spring Branch area. When Dr. O is not en-gaging in orthodontics, you can find her enjoying new restaurants, exercising, spending time with family and friends, walking her white Labrador retriever Santo, or listening to her favorite music, like Classic Rock or Alternative tunes. Spring is her favorite time of year and pasta is her favorite food. She also adores her precious baby girl, Madeline Marie.

The doctors have the most rewarding job in the world. They have the privilege of mak-ing others smile each and every day! Dr. Domann and Dr. Orfanos enjoy being lifelong learners and desire to strive for excellence in their profession.

Dr. Angela OrfanosDr. Carin Domann

Town & Country Orthodontics

911 Town & Country Blvd.Houston, TX 77024

713-465-3400www.townandcountryortho.com

Town & Country Orthodontics

OUR SMILE DOCS

SMILEDOCS

As an orthodontist, Dr. Drew Darsey enjoys developing rela-tionships with the many won-derful families in the community. He also feels fortunate to have the opportunity and the ability to give patients the perfect smile that they have always wanted.

A great smile can give you the self-confidence to truly change your life. Whether it is tradition-al braces, clear braces or Invisalign, Darsey-Krivan Orthodon-tics will customize treatment tailored to your desired results.

Their caring staff understands that your family’s healthcare and time is of utmost importance to you. That is why the phi-losophy of their practice is centered on serving you: minimal waits, quality time with your doctor and excellent service from top to bottom. Darsey-Krivan Orthodontics looks forward to having you or your child as part of their orthodontic family.

Drew DarseyDDS, MSD

Darsey-Krivan Orthodontics

9090 Gaylord, Suite 103Houston, TX 77024

713-464-8905www.memorialvillageortho.com

Meet theFinest in Memorial


Martha Turner Properties Vice President and Partner Tom Anderson and Vice President of Sales Marilyn Thompson partnered with The Carmen and David Bridges Joyful Toyful to provide toys for children in need during the holidays.

BY SUZANNE STILES

MentionsMemorial

[email protected]

Weidner Hasou & Co. on Memorial hosted the Plaza Oaks Women’s Club for an evening of shopping, champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Enjoying the event were Kristen McGee, Sara Morrow and Ashley Frysinger.

Wilchester Pack 599 Webelos 1 members John August Perez, Jack Harkins, Daniel Poteet, Jack Weatherly, Connor Lee, David Satterwhite and Neil Aylor visited with Senator Dan Patrick.

The SBMSA soccer team, The Cobras, won the 9-10 boys Gold Championship. Pictured are Reed Howell, Jonquil Chase, William Elliott, Cole Daniels, Kyle Brown, Kevin Yi, Conrad Smith, Mason Jones, Jackson Piercy, Sam Cohen and Matthew Goff.

Cancer Fighters of Houston held its Holiday Silver Tea at the home of Gerald and Joyce Lott with 150 members and guests enjoying the holiday festivities. Pictured are Ginger Moore, Nancy Parker and Susan Mullen.

Treemont Retirement Community residents Doris Reilly and Ed Young enjoyed music in the lobby.

Tony, Linden and Luca D’Amico enjoyed the Dads and Donuts at Wilchester Elementary.


The Bunker Hill Elementary Ambassadors delivered the food collected in the school food drive and also assembled 200 meal boxes to help out Houston families over the holidays – over 5,000 meals! Pictured are Lizzie Gissel, Claire Reed, Daragh Haddon, John Strock, Rushil Mehta, Abhinav Sinha, Aditya Biradar, Jack Swantkowski, Lindsey Moore and Sarah Beth Rother.

SBMSA’s FC Barcelona celebrated their Gold Division Championship in soccer with their Meadow Wood teachers who came out to support their winning season. Celebrating were Chris Blaine, John White, Cameron Cronin, Bennett Fry, Jake Brand, Andrew Ferworn, Luke Hammer, Mazen Johar, Caden DiPaolo, Kay Taylor, Peggy Gonzales and Delia Dunavin.

Artist Hanh Tran and #8 Dynamo Kofie Sarkodie greeted Bunker Hill Elementary girls Peyton Long, Tess Waggoner, Jade Lawson-Ho, Cara Chaffin, Charlotte Odom, Brooke Maddox, Cora Howard, Mykaela Lawson-Ho, Avery Basham, Baker Berg and Charlotte Stiles after a Dynamo game.

Auction chairs Kristi Voinis, Anita Ramke, Julie Brink, Regina Lane, Christy Engvall, Amy Hubbard, Kristi Robishaw and Holly Carr showed off the grand prize for Frostwood’s Field of Dreams Raffle – a Bennche 700XHD Crew! Raffle tickets are $50 each or 5 for $200, and only 425 tickets will be sold. Contact [email protected].

Jordan Heath, a student at Frostwood Elementary, performed in the Houston Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker at the Wortham Theater.

Get ready to rumble with the Stratford Playhouse’s revival of the classic musical West Side Story with Stratford thespians Caitlin Ehlinger, Stephen Swank, Eliza Masewicz, Collins Rush, McGregor Dalton and Alli Klasing.

Phot

o by

Cla

ire S

harp

.

Two Westin Houston Memorial City Associates have been nominated into the finals of the annual Hospitality On Parade Awards Banquet. Congratulations to Viviana Racines, 024 Grille server, for the Food and Beverage Award and Meghan Moreo, Associate Director of Sales, for the Houston Spirit Award.


Q: WHAT DOES A PEDIATRIC RADIOLOGIST DO?

A pediatric radiologist is a medical subspecialist who focuses on the diag-nosis of illnesses and injuries of children of all ages using a variety of imaging techniques and equipment. The pedia-tric radiology team at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus provides timely, comprehensive imaging procedures for pediatric patients. Computed tomogra-phy (CT), radiography (X-Ray) and fluoros-copy, interventional radiology, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound capabilities are all available at Texas Chil-dren’s Hospital West Campus.

Q: WHAT ARE SAFE RADIATION LEVELS FOR CHILDREN?

It’s important to limit radiation expo-sure for everyone. However, while all

abso

lute

ly!

Q A&Radiology

From MRIs and X-rays to CT Scans, pediatric radiolo-gists have a number of tools to aid them in quickly and accurately diagnosing and assessing a child’s

illness or injury. While many families may be familiar with an X-ray exam, some may not know about more advanced technologies like CT scans or MRIs. Also, with the recent national media spotlight on radiation exposure, many par-ents may be concerned about what levels of exposure are appropriate for children.

Below, Dr. J. Herman Kan, a pediatric radiologist at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, answers some of the most common pediatric radiology questions.

Located at I-10 and Barker Cypress, Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus houses the only 24/7 pediatric emergency room in the Greater West Houston area, four surgical suites and a minor procedure room, inpatient services and advanced imaging services including ultrasound, MRI and CT scans. Visit www.westcampus.texaschildrens.org.

Dr. Herman Kan

Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus CT room.

types of radiation carry risks, low-levels of exposure are safe. What many may not realize is that we are all exposed to radiation on a daily basis by simply walk-ing around. The amount of radiation ex-posure a child receives from diagnostic tests, including CT scans or X-rays, is relatively small.

If your doctor refers your child to Tex-as Children’s Hospital West Campus for a CT scan, rest assured that your child will receive a very low amount of radia-tion because our studies are tailored for children. On average, our radiation doses for individual CT studies are 40 percent lower.

Q: HOW CAN RADIATION LEVELS IN CHILDREN BE MINIMIZED?

It’s important to have your child’s imaging performed at a child-friendly

facility. While many clinics and hospitals offer diagnostic radiology, many are not set up for children. Having your child’s testing done at a pediatric facility is vital as it ensures the machines and levels of radiation that are administered are ap-propriate to the size of your child. Also, having your child’s testing conducted at a pediatric facility with highly trained experts, like at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, ensures that your child’s tests are done accurately the first time and the results are interpreted by expert pediatric radiologists. This will minimize the need for repeat testing and more ra-diation exposure.

Q: WHAT EXACTLYIS A CT SCAN?

Computed Tomography, more com-monly know as a CT scan, is an imagining technique where a computer uses X-rays to make a series of detailed pictures of the inside of the body. The CT machine is big and looks like a large doughnut.

Your child will lie on a table, secured by soft safety straps. The table will move slowly through the middle of the machine while the pictures are made. At Texas Children’s, you can stay in the room with your child to offer reassurance.


Paul S. Metz, DDS, MD • Shelley Seidel, DDS, MDJohn Orfanos, DDS, MD

713.464.2833 www.OMSH.us8800 Katy Freeway, Ste. 210 • Houston, Texas 77024

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M E M O R I A L VA L E N T I N E ’ S D AY G I F T G U I D E

Lovethings we

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FRESH FOOD DELIVERY

Simplify your life by having local produce, clean meats and artisanal food products delivered to your doorstep. It also makes a great gift for the foodie in your life! Farmhouse Delivery. www.farmhousedelivery.com.

MAKE YOUR VALENTINE’S DAY SWEET

With a variety of flavorsand decorations available in bite sized bundtinis, personally portioned bundts and 10-inch decorated cakes, Nothing Bundt Cakes is sure to make your Valentine’s Dayone to remember. Nothing Bundt Cakes, 5000 Westheimer Road, Suite 108 inHouston Uptown.Call 713-552-9100.

VALENTINE’SAUTOMOTIVE SPECIAL

Mention absolutely! Memorial and receive a Valentine's discount on a special product, BG Ethanol Fuel System Defender and Drier, that will keep the heart of your car running efficiently. Memorial Drive Tire & Auto, 14715 Memorial Drive. Call 281-497-0830; www.memorialdrivetireauto.com.


RELAXATION GETAWAYGive your special someone a gift of love and relaxation in your own backyard. Make every event an outdoor event with family and friends. Call today for a free design consultation.Texas Custom Patios. Call 281-265-1994;www.TexasCustomPatios.com.

VERTICAL COSMETIC IIShown in Neptune, an ocean inspired pattern, this clever cosmetic from Cinda B stands upright and can even hold full-sized bottles. Made in the USA. Luggage and Leather.www.luggageandleather.com.

PILATES REFORMER FORA HEALTHY, STRONG BODYMake someone special top priority allyear with a gift of fitness. Enjoy three free Reformer classes at a convenient location. Dominic's Ultimate Pilates Studio,821 Frostwood Drive. Call 713-647-0708; www.dupilates.com.

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Although some might disagree with me, I absolutely love wine and chocolate together. I just

love playing with all of the combina-tions to see what flavors work the best for me. Sure, sometimes I find a few that definitely do not work, but then I come across those pairings that sing and all is well again. And, who can complain when you just “have to” open a few different bottles of wine and gather a few different types of choco-late together for science? Or artistry? Or whatever?

Now, I do realize that not everyone has the patience that I do to keep try-ing different combinations of wines and chocolates. Sometimes you just want to go with what you know will be good, es-pecially when you are trying to impress someone on a Valentine’s Day date, even if that someone you want to im-press is already your spouse. You gotta keep the sparks going, right?

So, for those of you who want a bet-ter chance of success without all of the experimentation, I’ve got a few guide-lines for you.

Wine and Chocolate Pairing GuidelinesWhen you want a go-to guide for

wine and chocolate pairing, here’s what you really need to know:

In general, your wine should be at least a touch sweeter than your chocolate.

This is also the case for other des-serts as well, and it explains why wed-ding cake never complements the dry sparkling wine it is most often served with at weddings. What a shame for both the bubbles and the cake! But I digress. When matching chocolate and wine, the darker, more bitter choco-late with a higher percentage of cacao typically goes with the more tannic and bolder wines.

Following that rule, here are a few successful pairings:

• Milk chocolate with sweet Riesling or dessert wines• Dark chocolate with Merlot or Petit Syrah• Dark semisweet chocolate with Merlot or Pinot Noir• Dark bittersweet chocolate with Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel

Now that you know the rules, I would like to encourage you to give them a try and play around with them a bit. Keep in mind that you may not feel that every Merlot or Petit Syrah will go with dark chocolate. So, to ex-plore, you might consider opening several Merlots with one or two dark chocolate options and trying all of the combinations. Or, you might want to gather several chocolate options and two wine options each of two varieties. For example, two bottles each of Merlot and Petit Syrah.

Wine is meant to be explored, and just like you and I may not agree on our favorite wines, we might also not agree on our favorite wine and choco-late pairings. I think the best way to find out what you like is to give a few combinations a try. And, I can almost guaran-tee doing this on a date night or even with a group of friends can be a lot of fun. Open up a few different bottles of red wine, pull out some different chocolates and see what you like best.

Here’s to a happy Valentine’s Day with lots of wine and chocolate. Cheers!

Wine and Chocolate Pairing

By Amy Gross

Wine and Chocolate Pairing ChartLooking for a fun and easy way to determine what you like and don’t like when pairing wine and chocolate? Download Amy’s Wine and Chocolate Pairing Chart at:vinesleuth.com/uncorked/category/wine-and-food/wine-and-chocolate-wine-and-food.


024 Grille is located in the heart of Memorial at Gessner and I-10

in the Westin. The convenient, compli-mentary valet service makes visiting a breeze anytime of day or season. Upon arrival, you will notice the friendly service that Westin is known for.

There are many new restaurants in the area, but I am consistently pleased with the quality and service at 024 Grille. I can be a bit picky about my food, and the dishes like the Risotto or the Pan Seared Salmon melt in my mouth each time I get them. I have tried just about everything on the menu from lunch to dinner, and I have to say 024 Grille is a restaurant that does not disappoint.

It is a perfect place to host a dinner, a party or just catch up over lunch or din-ner. 024 Grille will be able to meet your needs and surpass your wants. It is sim-ply a delicious experience.

Ryan Hess is the Director of Restau-rants and Bars at the Westin at Memorial City and oversees 024 Grille, 024 Lounge and Ingredients Café. Wanting to know more about 024 Grille, I had a few ques-tions for Ryan.

024 GrilleSimply DeliciousThe Westin at Memorial City-Houston945 Gessner, Houston281-501-4350www.024grille.com


024 Grille’s Ryan Hess.

AM If there is one thing that sets 024 Grille apart from all of the

other restaurants in town, what would it be?

RH Our top notch service and ex-cellent quality of Winn Meat’s

Sterling Silver steaks. Our local bistro feel, with the tradition of a Texas steak-house, makes 024 Grille a very fresh place to enjoy an evening out. We also offer a very attractive wine list at a com-fortable price range.

AM Tell us a little

about yourself and how you got into the restaurant industry.

RH I graduated from Pennsylvania Culinary and Hospitality Man-

agement. I began a passion for food and service at a young age working for my mother who was also a chef. As a very young child, I always wanted to dine out at full service restaurants and enjoyed watching Julia Child’s cooking show on television.

AM As director of the restaurants and bars at the Westin, what

is your vision for 024 Grille?

RH My vision for 024 Grille is for the venue to become a top of

mind choice for Houstonians celebrat-ing special events wanting a private din-ing room with great food and wonderful service.

AM What are the dishes that pa-trons rave about the most at

024 Grille?

RH Client favorites are the 18 oz. Cowboy Rib Eye, Grilled

Jumbo Gulf Shrimp and the Texas Trail Sticky Toffee Pudding.

AM What specials will you have for Valentine’s Day this year?

RH We will feature items such as Filet Mignon with a wild mush-

room demi glace, Mahi Mahi with a gin-ger pineapple teriyaki glaze, Jumbo Gulf Shrimp cocktail and flourless chocolate cake with cinnamon mousse. It will be a four-course dinner for $150 per couple.

By S

teph

enie C

ox

ab

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ly!

DE

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024 Grille’s plated Rib Eye.

024 Grille’s Cinnamon Mousse

1qt Heavy Whipping Cream

1 ½ Cup Powder Sugar

2 Tbsp of Ground Cinnamon

Put heavy whipping cream into kitchen food processor, and blend on high until the cream forms into thick ribbons. Add rest of ingredients and blend until fully incorporated, about 2 minutes. Hold cream in a metal pan in refrigeration until service.

Goes great with chocolate cake!


A B S O L U T E LY ! D E L I C I O U S L I S T I N G

CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN CUISINE

THE WYNDEN1025 South Post Oak Lane, 77056281-768-6070www.thewynden.com

Masraff’s has long since been known for excellence and uncompromising quality, and this tradition continues with our event venue, The Wynden. Nestled in the center of the prestigious Galleria area, The Wynden features a picturesque courtyard along with a Tuscan setting for indoor events. Perfect for corporate or social, wedding or fundraiser, Masraff’s exquisite cuisine and impeccable service will ensure that your next event will be a memory made to last a lifetime.

is the Proud Media Partner

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Four generations of recipes. Home-style Italian cuisine. A Carrabba family eatery.

John M. Carrabba, Proprietario

Full-Service CateringPrivate Banquet RoomsBox Lunches & Delivery

www.piattoristorante.com

Royal Oaks11693 Westheimer281.759.7500

Galleria4925 W. Alabama @ Post Oak Blvd.713.871.9722

Coming soonto The Heights


ITALIAN

PIATTO RISTORANTE 11693 Westheimer @ Royal Oaks Club Dr., 77077281-759-7500

4925 West Alabama @ Post Oak Blvd., 77056713-871-9722 www.piattoristorante.com

At Piatto, you’ll taste the Carrabba family’s lifelong passion for food in every delicious bite. John Marion Carrabba, owner of Piatto, has family recipes that have been handed down through four generations; you’ll enjoy authentic Italian cuisine made the old-fashioned way – from scratch! These delicious dishes are served by a superb staff in a warm and relaxing environment. From boxed lunches to a large dining banquet, Piatto can help make your next event a delicious success! Piatto offers catering for all occasions – social, business or ‘just because.’ Extensive on-site banquet rooms and off-site catering available.

A B S O L U T E LY ! D E L I C I O U S L I S T I N G

MEXICAN

CANTINA LAREDO11129 Westheimer, 77042713-952-3287www.cantinalaredo.com

Cantina Laredo specializes in authentic Mexican dishes in a sophisticated and upscale atmosphere. The entire lunch, dinner, Sunday Brunch and Cantina menus are all available for take-out, some delivery and catering. Selections such as Ensalada de Cilantro y Pollo, Cascabel Ribeye and Tacos al Carbon are divine, not to mention the Mexican apple pie that is served with a warm brandy butter and choice of cinnamon or vanilla ice cream.

CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN CUISINE

MASRAFF’S1753 Post Oak Blvd.Houston, 77056713-355-1975www.masraffs.com

Hands on proprietors, Russell and Tony Masraff, recognized premier Houston restaurateurs, offer affordable elegance, attentive yet unobtrusive service and exquisitely fresh American cuisine prepared with the best ingredients from around the world. Located in the heart of the Galleria, Masraff’s, features the perfect ambience for business and social gatherings. Whether dining in one of the elegant dining rooms, stunning bar area with the elevated fireplace or The Patio on the Boulevard by the waterfall, Masraff’s impeccable service is sure to offer a dining experience to remember.

GRILLE

024 GRILLE945 Gessner, 77024281-501-4350Facebook.com/024Grille

024 Grille combines the atmosphere of a local bistro and the classic tradition of a Texas steakhouse. This contemporary restaurant provides a full menu of locally-inspired foods for freshness and classic dishes with a twist. Complete with four intimate private dining rooms, a sophisticated wine list and a signature cocktail menu, 024 Grille is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Limit 1 coupon per customer.Expires March 1, 2014

Southwell ’sHamburger GrillBuy one hamburger, fries and drink, get another hamburger

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Galleria713-789-4972

5860 San FelipeTX 77057

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The Litterst family enjoying the lakes at Sam Houston Park, circa 1914.

City Beautiful Movement InspiresHouston’s First Park: Sam Houston Park

F ounded in 1899, Sam Houston Park is the first and oldest mu-nicipal park in the city of Hou-

ston. This beloved historic green space was originally part of the land granted by Stephen F. Austin to John Austin in 1824.

Over the years, the park has served Houstonians as a center for outdoor recreation and social activities. Prior to the establishment of a city park system, the only public green spaces were cem-eteries like Glenwood or Olivewood. By the 1890s, social reformers nationwide began to promote an idea known as the “City Beautiful” movement. Advocates of the movement sought to improve both the scenery in urban areas and its in-habitants through beautification. They believed society’s ills would be swept away as the beauty of the city would inspire civic loyalty and improve moral-ity. Civic minded Houstonians, particu-larly women, joined the movement and encouraged the beautification of their city as well. Under the leadership of Mayor Sam Brashear, the city acquired just over eleven acres of land to estab-lish its first park. The park was sim-ply named City Park until 1902 when it was changed to Sam Houston Park.

By the early 1900s, Houston’s work-ing class neighborhoods had grown around the park as the town’s popu-lation surged. Several women’s clubs were formed in an effort to deal with the problems associated with the rapid urbanization of Houston. In Novem-ber of 1901, fifty women organized the

Houston Civic Club with the intent of “educating public sentiment in favor of a cleaner and more beautiful Houston.” They promoted sanitation by institut-ing yearly “clean up days” and passed an anti-expectorating ordinance. (No spitting!) In 1904, Park Superintendent O.H. Noland agreed that, “We are very likely to judge a city and its people by the looks of its streets, public buildings, parks and other city property. If they are neat, well-kept and attractive, it is safe to say the city is thriving and in-habited by an energetic, thrifty, intelli-gent people.” By turning their attention to the “parkless condition of our city,” the women of the Civic Club genuinely intended to uplift the citizens of Hou-ston.

Providing a safe environment for outdoor recreation was a key element in the City Beautiful movement. By 1902, Sam Houston Park spanned fifteen acres and was lighted on Sunday nights with the gates left open until 10 pm giv-ing workers an opportunity for “a little recreation after their daily toils.” The installation of playground equipment was also greatly encouraged by the Civic Club. Park Superintendent Noland be-lieved that “children play in the street, break lamps and windows and commit numberless acts of mischief” without a safe place to play. The playground equipment originally included swings, climbing poles and ropes, a seesaw, gi-ant slides, sliding bars and a teeter lad-

der. The playground was crowded every afternoon.

As a result of the efforts of the ladies of the Civic Club, a series of free band concerts were offered in Sam Houston Park from the central bandstand, which had been erected in 1901. One hundred benches were placed around the park and around the bandstand for comforta-ble seating. Sunday attendance of 4,000 was not uncommon.

By 1908 a water mill, several lakes, a refreshment pavilion and a wading pool were also constructed under the direc-tion of Park Commissioner Marmion. Children and adults alike enjoyed the addition of animals to Sam Houston Park. The first zoo animals as listed in the Superintendent’s report for 1902 included a bear cub, two gray wolves, deer, rabbits, guinea pigs, two monkeys, an alligator and more. The next year, they added a Gila monster, a wild cat, a fox and six more alligators. A variety of birds completed the zoo population, including wild ducks, owls, a chicken hawk and a goose. The park featured at least three hundred goldfish and two fountains. To enhance the natural beau-ty of the park, a hothouse was built to grow palms, ferns, roses and other unu-sual horticultural specimens.

Sam Houston Park was established 115 years ago based on a sincere sense of responsibility by reformers to im-prove the lives of Houstonians. As Park Superintendent Noland noted, the peo-ple in the city desired “a healthful open-air environment where their physical well-being might be improved.” With its large pathways, playground, wading pond, musical concerts and zoological offerings, the park became a major at-traction with over 200,000 visitors an-nually by 1915. In 2013, Sam Houston Park underwent a series of improve-ments that will ensure its continued en-joyment by future generations of Hou-stonians.

A LITTLE PIECEOF HISTORY

By The Heritage Society

Phot

o: G

ift o

f Rub

y L.

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erst

.Photos from The Heritage Society Permanent Collection.

The children’s playground at Sam Houston Park. Postcard, circa 1910.

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