february 2015 - absolutely memorial magazine

$2.95

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 600

HOUSTON, TEXAS

FEBRUARY 2015

Dec My Room:Creating Places To Heal

Valentine's DayGIFT GUIDE

FITNESSMotivation

How DoYou SpellLOVE?

INSIDE FRONT

INSIDE FRONT

OnCall Emergency Center is a full-service emergency room that specializes in treating major and minor illnesses with a fully trainedER staff.

Our mission is to exceed a patient's expectation when visiting our emergency center. We will strive to provide the patient with exceptional customer service, low wait times and a comfortable environment. We will develop, train and maintain staff that understand and accept these foundational principles.

Memorial Village1014 Wirt Road

Houston, TX 77055

290 45

10

610

59

8

N

832-834-6414 MyER247.com

• CT Scan

• Digital X-Ray

• Ultrasound

• Lab

• ER Trained Staff

• Major and Minor Illnesses

• Trauma Room

• Pediatric Room

• Orthopedic Room

• OB/GYN Room

OPEN 24/7

WE ARE ALWAYS ONCALLTM OPEN 24/7

FEBRUARY 2015 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelymemorial.com2

campbell wellness center

A one-of-a-kind Memorial area progressive health facility offering a

balance in lifestyle.

• Exercise Prescription• Nutritional Counseling• Massage Therapy• Yoga• Zumba • TRX

• Spinning • Couple’s Dance Preparation• Extreme Cardio• Open Access Colonoscopy• Sports Chiropractor

Blalock Rd.

Long Point Rd.

I-10

Westview Dr.

Bingle Rd.

Campbell Rd.

live your healthiest lifestyle.

1446 Campbell RoadHouston, Texas 77055

281-740-4550www.campbell-wellness-center.com

A hop, skip and a jump.We’re right here in West Houston andready to partner with you in the healthcare of your child.

With a dedicated pediatric emergencyroom, pediatric intensive care unit andmore than 20 pediatric subspecialties conveniently located on site, we offer topcare for kids, close to home. From sportsmedicine to cardiology to ophthalmology,our specialty clinics are staffed by expertsin their fields using the most advancedtechnology, in facilities designed specificallyfor children.

Texas Children’s is ranked #4 in the nationby U.S.News & World Report and is thehighest ranked children’s hospital in thesouthwest. The next time your childneeds medical care, come to us. We’re allabout kids.

For maps and information, visit westcampus.texaschildrens.org.

© 2015 Texas Children’s Hospital. All rights reserved. Texas Children’s Hospital is the only children’s hospital in Texas on U.S.News & World Report’s 2014-2015 Honor Roll. WC420_110114

Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus

18200 Katy FreewayHouston, TX 77094832-227-1000

• Central – Texas Medical Center

• East – San Jacinto

• Northwest – Willowbrook

• Southeast – St. John

Our world-class cardiologists have been pioneering innovations in heart

care ever since Dr. Michael DeBakey revolutionized heart treatment at

Houston Methodist more than 60 years ago. We have built a legacy of

leading cardiovascular medicine by providing patients access to the most

advanced procedures, no matter how routine or complex the condition.

Take your fi rst step toward a healthier heart. Visit houstonmethodist.org

or call 713.790.3333 for a physician referral at one of our seven locations.

• Southwest – Sugar Land

• West – Katy

• North – The Woodlands (opening in 2017)

WE’RE LEADING HEART CARESO YOU CAN LEAD A HEALTHY LIFE.

S:7.25”S: 9.75”

T:8.375”T:10.875”

B:8.875”B:11.375”


DEC MY ROOM: CREATING HEALING PLACES FOR CHILDREN IN NEEDSusan and Kendall Plank created the Houston-based charitable organization to transform the hospital rooms of kids who are in for an extended stay. By providing warm and welcoming spaces, the mother-daughter duo and their team have brought something unexpected to pediatric hospitals across the country – smiles!

12

Susan and Kendall Plank.Photography by Hallie Keller.

F E AT U R E S

16 MEMORIAL SWEETHEARTSDon and Mary Kay Coleman

22 WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?absolutely! Memorial team membersshare their love stories.

32 COMMUNITY IN SCHOOLS:BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT AT SPRING BRANCH MIDDLE SCHOOLThe nation’s number one school dropout program helps students stay on track.

54 VALENTINE’S DAY FOR THE KIDSExplore clever crafts and activities for children to share in the festivities.

55 VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT GUIDEFind the perfect gift for that special someone.

C O L U M N S

18 absolutely! FABULOUS FINDS

36 JAN GLENN’S PAWSITIVELY PURRFECTLove Is a Many Splendored Thing

43 FAMILY LAWTop Ten Tips for Post Divorce Survival: How to Create the Life You’ve Imagined

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

C O V E R S T O R Y

REAL MUSCLEIN HEART

Learn more at heart.memorialhermann.org

Setting the pace in cardiovascular care. Across Memorial Hermann, affiliated heart and vascular physicians performed more than 50,000

procedures last year alone. Break that down and you’ll find Memorial Hermann’s lifesaving expertise

extends from heart rhythm disorders and heart attacks to treatment for advanced heart failure,

including the most complex vascular surgery and heart transplant. Their groundbreaking work

puts this program at the forefront of advancing heart health, and that means patients have a better

chance of recovering faster and returning to the things they enjoy sooner. So for true strength in

cardiovascular care, turn to Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute – Memorial City.


CONTRIBUTORS

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 | V O L U M E 1 1 | N U M B E R 2

N E W S W O RT H Y

19 INTERFAITH MINISTRIES FOR GREATER HOUSTON

Hosts Best Friends Brunch Benefiting aniMeals onWheels Program

26 TEXAS CHILDREN’SCANCER CENTER

Presents “An Eveningwith a Legend”

38 SPRING FOREST MIDDLE SCHOOLDedicates SPARK Park

40 SPRING BRANCHEDUCATION FOUNDATION

Hosts Third Annual Sporting Clay Tournament

42 MEMORIAL DRIVE Donation and Community Garden

53 SPRING BRANCHEDUCATION FOUNDATIONAnnounces Fall Grants

absolute ly!AUTO REVIEW

20 2015 TOYOTA CAMRY

BRAIN TEASER

25 HOW DO YOU SPELL LOVE?

MEDICAL & BUSINESS

39 BUSINESS BRIEFSPurcell Law Firm:A Memorial Hidden Jewel

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

46 FITNESS MOTIVATION

52 absolutely! Q & A Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus Answers Your Questions on Child Life Specialists

absolute ly!DELICIOUS

56 SHOW OFF YOURSWEET SIDEThis Valentine’s Day

58 WINTER & WINE

60 EMBRACE CHILDHOOD With Fun and Flavors of Winter

62 absolutely!DELICIOUS LISTING

I N E V E RY I S S U E

10 PUBLISHER’S PREVIEW

28 SEEN ON THE SCENE

34 OUT & ABOUT IN THE HEART OF MEMORIAL

44 COMMUNITY EVENTS

48 MEMORIAL MENTIONS

64 A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY

ON THE COVER:

Susan and Kendall Plank.

Photography by Hallie Keller.

Suzanne Stiles Memorial MentionsPage 48

48

Jan GlennJournalistPage 36

36

Myles MellorContributorPage 25

25

Debbie Clemens absolutely! Fabulous FindsPage 18

18

Steve KursarAuto EnthusiastPage 20

20

Nancy L. RommelmannFamily Law AttorneyPage 43

43

Stephanie ValtasarosContributorPage 44

44

Jennifer EspeyContributorPage 32

32

The Forum is a prestigiuos destination offering the ultimate standard in living comfort. It is designed for those who treat every day as an excursion and adventure. Conveniently located near the Houston’s world-renowned cultural attractions, extraordinary shopping and exquisite restaurants, The Forum high-rise apartment community offers the finest in delicious meals, entertaining activities, carefree living and warm camaraderie. Call today for more information and to schedule a personalized tour of our distinctive residence.

©2014 Five Star Quality Care, Inc.AL #000757 | SNF #000217


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 © 2015 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. 11 No. 2February 2015

EXCLAMATION POINTS!THE INSIDE SCOOP STRAIGHT FROM THE TOP

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

of $25 required outside the Memorial/Galleria area.

Publishedby

P U B L I S H E RE DI TOR- I N - C H I E FPatti Parish-Kaminski

A S S O C IAT E P U B L I S H E RLara Bell

M A NAG I N G E D I T O RSarah Bearden

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 CoxJennifer Elliott

Molly Ellis Kay Garrett

Juliet Hubbell Andrea Rigamonti

Suzanne Stiles Bonnie Bell Woodrow

A RT DI R E C TORGrace Belleza

G R A P H IC DE SIG N E R SCamille Hay

Erin De Veyra

W E B DE SIG N E RJoey Belleza

OF F IC E A DM I N I ST R ATORAdrienne Boring

P H O T O G R A P H YHallie Keller

C O N T R I BU T O R SDebbie ClemensJennifer Espey

Jan GlennSteve KursarMyles Mellor

Nancy L. RommelmannSuzanne 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]

Associate Publisher, LARA BELL

READER FEEDBACK

@larabell

When I sat down to write this month’s Pub-lisher’s Preview, I reread the story we did for Val-entine’s Day and how each couple met. When I am at a party, a question that typically comes up is “How did you meet your husband?” When I re-alized I didn’t know how many of the girls I work with here at the magazine met their spouses, I resolved to find out their love stories!

Also in this issue, you’re going to meet a Me-morial mother and daughter duo who created a non-profit called Dec my Room. They go into Texas Children’s Hospital, as well as other hos-pitals, and decorate rooms for children who are looking at an extended stay.

You’ll also meet Memorial’s Light family, who are the honorees for the upcoming Texas Children’s Can-cer Center 10th Annual “An Evening with a Legend” Gala, where former President George W. Bush will be honored. The Heart Ball, along with Mardi Gras, school auctions and the beginnings of the Rodeo are all on the way, not to mention Spring Branch Educa-tion Foundation’s Sporting Clays Tournament!

In closing, we once again would like to give our condolences to the family of Kobi Isabella Pickett. Kobi was a beloved 10th grader at Memorial High School who died unexpectedly on January 11th in a

tragic accident. We at absolutely! Memorial Magazine are praying for the family and friends of this sweet girl.

Have a lovely Valentine’s Day!

Absolutely! yours,

LaraLara Bell-Milam

[email protected]

Brent and Lara Milam

Kobi Isabella Pickett

I teach at Stratford, so it’s great to read about the neighborhood kids’ activities and accomplishments.

Kim Counts Lynch

I love the happenings around town articles.

Lauren Gonzalez

I read absolutely! Memorial because it is full of great information!

Moni A. Ecellence

Ne

soss

i Stu

dio

s

Houston’s Leading Health and Vitality Expert

“Dr. Shel”Shelena C. Lalji, M.D.

Call TODAY for FREE Consultation!

281-313-7435www.drshel.com

Get Your Sexy Back!Get Your Sexy Back!

Inner Wellness• Sexual Health / G-shot • Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement• Testosterone Replacement• Hypothyroidism / Weight Loss• Gluten / Food Sensitivities

Outer Wellness• Coolsculpting / Ultherapy• Injectables (Botox / Fillers)• Vampire Facial / Micro-Needling• Laser Skin Rejuvenation

Love Yourself...Inside & OutLove Yourself...Inside & OutYour #1 Resource for Inner Vitality and Outer Rejuvenation

Women’s Sexual Health Seminar

February 11th, 5 - 7 pmRSVP today to: [email protected]

or by calling 281-313-7435

Find Out About:• Vaginal Rejuvenation• Eliminating Vaginal Dryness• Enhancing Libido & Orgasm• Feeling Confident & Sexy• Hormonal Balance

1437 HIGHWAY 6, SUITE 100, SUGAR LAND, TX

COVER STORY

In 2007, Memorial residents and mother-daughter team Susan and Kendall Plank created the first healing place by decorating a family friend’s hospital room. J.B.’s emotions were changed from anxious and unsure to joyful and happy with his room’s new décor. Dec My Room’s co-founder, Ken-dall, 11 years-old at the time, said to her mother, “We’ve got to do this for ev-ery child who is admitted to the hospi-tal for a long stay.” Susan and Kendall never looked back.

A Caring TeamSusan is the president, and her

leadership has propelled Dec My Room to the global and sustainable organiza-tion it is today. With eight pediatric hospitals around the country, Susan works with Courtney Barta, Kathy French and her board of directors to grow the organization. When asked about Dec My Room, Susan said, “It’s all about the kids!”

Susan is close to her cause. She han-dles day-to-day decisions, meets with leaders in the community and reaches out to new pediatric hospitals across the country. “We know that a pediat-ric patient benefits from their hospital room being transformed from a plain space to a comfortable, cozy room. We train our volunteers on how to enrich the patient’s room with bright pops of his favorite colors and interesting themes like Hello Kitty, super heros and SpongeBob SquarePants.” Dec My Room works closely with the certified child life specialists at each pediat-ric hospital. One might even say that Dec My Room is an extension of the healthcare the patient receives.

Bringing Smiles“I have seen, when decorating a

room, a positive change in the patient. They become so happy, engaged and in-teractive. We have a lot of fun with the

I n pediatric hospitals across the country, you might

notice something unexpected: smiles! Dec My

Room, a Houston-based charitable organization

that transforms pediatric hospital rooms into “healing

places,” is responsible for many of those smiles.

Susan and Kendall Plank.Photo by Hallie Keller.


Dec My Room:Creating Healing Places

for Children in Need

Dec My Room volunteer Ashlina Kaposta putting the finishing touches on a new healing place.

www.absolutelymemorial.com l FEBRUARY 2015 13

patients, whether creating a bracelet on a loom or finding the perfect spot on the wall for a super hero sticker,” said French. Many times, the team has heard the patient’s parent say that their son or daughter hadn’t smiled for days until Dec My Room came to the room with their gifts and decorations. Other times, child life specialists have revealed that after Dec My Room completed a patient’s room, the patient ate a meal, which they hadn’t felt like doing lately. The changes the decorated room makes extends beyond the patient to the parents and visitors and even to the healthcare profession-als.

So, how much does it cost to decorate a room? “Volunteers are given a $300 tax-exempt budget for each hospital room they decorate. I’ve seen some wonderful and creative decora-tions with that budget!” explained Courtney Barta, Dec My Room’s treasurer and coordinating director. Once the child life specialist conducts a patient interview, the information is forwarded to Barta. An e-mail then alerts around 125 vol-unteers to see who can shop and decorate within three days of the request.

Once the room has been “dec’d,” the patient is so appre-ciative. Furthermore, volunteers hold great memories of the way the patient received the gifts and decorations. Once the patient is released from the hospital, he can take all of the decorations home.

If you are looking for a way to support Dec My Room, pur-chase a ticket for the 2015 Tootsies Love’s in Fashion event! This year’s co-chair couples are Joanna and Brad Marks and Hannah and Cal McNair.

The fashion show will feature 20 local philanthropic cou-ples who support Dec My Room’s pediatric cause and share the organization’s vision. Tickets may be purchased at www.DecMyRoom.org.

“Tootsies Love’sin Fashion”

Alex and Kasey French celebrated Alex’s new Batman themed room courtesy of Dec My Room.

Benefiting Dec My Room

Wednesday, February 11th6:30 – 9 pm

Tootsies2601 Westheimer Road

Houston, TX 77098

Volunteers and FundraisingNaturally, Dec My Room looks to donors, sponsors and

other organizations for funding and financial support. Dec My Room conducts two fundraisers each year, and the an-nual Ladies Lunch last fall was hosted by Martha Turner and

“I have seen, when decorating a room, a positive change in the

patient. They become so happy, engaged and interactive.” - Kathy French

Kiki Wilson. Dec My Room is also lucky to have generous community host par-ties and grand openings benefiting the organization. One wonderful and most recent example is last fall’s Cheers 4 Charities Event, a premier party that raised thousands of dollars for four Houston-based children’s charities. Other recent shopping parties include events at Ralph Lauren, Internum and Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams.

In Houston alone, Dec My Room has over 185 total volunteers who are involved in transforming a patient’s hospital room into a cozier, more per-sonalized room that is filled with items to comfort the patient during his stay. Dec My Room’s Junior Volunteer pro-gram includes The Girl Scouts of Amer-ica Gold, Silver and Bronze Award can-didates and recipients, The University of Houston, Phi Mu, The St. Agnes Dec My Room Club, Episcopal High School, St. John’s School Varsity Basketball Team, St. Francis Episcopal Day School and numerous community groups and neighborhood organizations.

In June 2014, Dec My Room worked with approximately 75 volunteers at Shriners Hospital for Children in the Texas Medical Center. Stacy Carraro of AMLI in River Oaks enthusiastically spearheaded “AMLI’s Day of Giving” in June 2014, when all 75 of the AMLI Houston associates dedicated a full day of service to Dec My Room. Twenty-five patient rooms were decorated in the morning, and that afternoon the AMLI family created get-well cards and jour-nals for the patients. This past holiday season, AMLI volunteers sponsored a toy drive at each of the six luxury apartment locations for Shriners pa-tients, where nearly 100 patients re-ceived a toy.

Sponsors of Dec My Room give in various meaningful ways. Martha Turner Properties recently added an

option for their realtors to donate a portion of the proceeds of their com-mission to Dec My Room. Under Gary Peterson’s leadership, Houston-based EnCap Corporation is another Dec My Room sponsor. Emergent, a Bio-tech company in Maryland, is looking to start a workplace chapter of Dec My Room at John Hopkins Children’s Center. This year, Dec My Room has received grants from local and national organizations.

A Bright FutureDec My Room currently serves four

Houston hospitals: Texas Children’s Hospital, M.D. Anderson Children’s

Cancer Hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children in the Texas Medical Center and Shriners Hospital for Children in Galveston. Other hospitals that are served by Dec My Room around the nation include L.A. Children’s Hospi-tal, Mattel Children’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital and Dallas Chil-dren’s Medical Center. Dec My Room is growing! Their 2015 expansion in-cludes San Francisco, Austin, Pitts-burg and more.

Dec My Room is located in Memorial at 720 North Post Oak Road, Suite 275, in Houston. Visit www.DecMyRoom.org or call 832-538-1201 for more infor-mation about Dec My Room.

In Houston alone, Dec My Room has over 185 total volunteers who are involved in transforming

a patient’s hospital room into a cozier, more personalized room that is filled with items to

comfort the patient during his stay.

Susan and Kendall Plank.Photo by Hallie Keller.


MEMORIAL CITY | NORTHEAST | SOUTHWEST | SUGAR LAND | THE WOODLANDS

Two names you know well. Now working together in five locations.

Now expert breast radiologists from MD Anderson Cancer Center are interpreting mammograms and performing diagnostic procedures at five Memorial Hermann breast imaging

locations. The same breast centers you count on for a great experience, leading-edge 3-D imaging technology and advanced diagnostic tools are now staffed by MD Anderson doctors.

Isn’t it time you had your mammogram? Visit memorialhermann.org for convenient online self-scheduling with ScheduleNow or call 877.70.MAMMO.

D on and Mary Kay first met more than 50 years ago in 1962, when both were mem-

bers of the original faculty at Memorial High School. Don was head basketball coach and Mary Kay was a history teacher. However, it was 10 years lat-er that a mutual friend and colleague thought they would be a perfect couple and convinced Don to make the tele-phone call that would change their lives in an unexpected way. Don and Mary Kay shared in their own words why they believe their marriage has been a successful one.

Common Values,Beliefs and Vision

“Not only did we find ourselves mutually attracted to each other as sweethearts, but we discovered that we had in common those things that are the bases of an intimate relationship: common values, a common devotion to our Christian faith and above all, a common vision for what we desired in a marriage,” said Mary Kay. “At the heart of that vision is a firm belief that God designed us to be the perfect mates who consciously strive to honor and serve each other every day under all circumstances.

“Another key aspect of our vision was a decision to establish roots in the Memorial/Spring Branch Community, a community we treasure like a mem-ber of our family. This meant that Don would forego opportunities to coach in college. We moved into our home on Taylorcrest in Hedwig Village when we married in 1973 and have made it our home without one regret. We cannot express too strongly how much commu-nity has contributed to our happiness and identity as a couple.

AccommodateDifferences and

Embrace Changesfor the Sake of the Other

“While we had much in common from the start, we also had to embrace changes to accommodate our differ-ences,” said Mary Kay. For example, Don’s life centered on athletics, and Mary Kay’s life involved many charity and social events. Mary Kay embraced the role of coach’s wife with enthusi-asm and rarely missed a game from 1972 until Don retired in 1992. “We still attend Memorial’s home games,” said Mary Kay. “Don embraced his new role with the same enthusiasm and even looked forward to wearing his tux and graciously dancing with all of the ladies at the table.

Family First

“Because ours is a second marriage, we have always embraced each other’s children as our own,” shared Mary Kay.

Don and Mary Kay ColemanMemorial Sweethearts

Keep Romance Alive – Never Lose

That Loving Feeling

“Without a doubt, Don has always taken the initiative to keep romance in our marriage in so many ways: flow-ers for no particular reason, romantic cards, hundreds of them, with the most tender words lovingly underscored; cof-fee brought each morning to wake me up; a smile, a wink and a nod across a crowded room that tells me I am his touchstone; handwritten letters ex-pressing his deepest emotions, holding my hand in the movie, opening the car door and so much more.”

Don and Mary Kay’s blended family 40 years later: Kevin, Brandon and Scott Coleman, Barbara Lovingfoss Mayfield and Don and Mary Kay Coleman.

Mary Kay and Don Coleman on their honeymoon.

Mary Kay and Don Coleman in 1972.



njoy tasteful, distinctive living at The Village of Tanglewood. From our convenient location, spacious apartment homes and culinary cuisine to concierge, valet and active programs—The Village of Tanglewood offers the

exceptional retirement LIFESTYLE YOU DESERVE.

713.977.1400 Move in Today!

1600 Augusta Drive, Houston, Texas 77057 • www.villageoftanglewood.com

Live Life WellTW Absolutely Memorial 7.25x4.75_Layout 1 10/31/14 10:07 AM Page 2

• Dysport• Botox• Restylane• Perlane• Juvederm• Radiesse• Dermaplaning• Chemical Peels• Laser Services• Sclerotherapy• Clear & Brilliant Laser• Skin Pen• CoolSculpting®

713-458-022414441 Memorial Drive, Ste 5 Houston, TX 77079www.skinscriptionsbymelissagibbens.com

Missi Gibbens BS, RN

February SpecialsGet

KissableGet Kissable Juvederm

1 syringe $450 or 2 for $850 (up to a $250 savings)

Glam it up with Glo Mineral Make Up Free gift with Glo purchases of $75 or more

Winter taking a toll on your skin? All moisturizers 15% off

Change your texture and get back that glow with Skin Pen $375 face, neck and post care kit

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!

Anya Hindamarch Sticker BagI had to preorder when I saw these! I’m very excited about the hottest new bag in London headed to the USA. From clutch bags to totes, designer Anya Hindmarch has it going on! She is truly unique and shows her true creativity. www.anyahindmarch.com

Butterfly GuyKnown as “The Butterfly Guy,” Tony Delia is on a mission is to educate people about the plight of the monarch butterfly. You can order a Butterfly Guy pop-up butterfly house and have it delivered, or you can book a presentation. It’s great for gifts or birthday parties!www.butterflyguy.org

Rockstud Chevron Cage Multicolor Sandal Spring is just around the corner, and what a beautiful sandal to have. I like the two-and-a-half inch heel with a buckle vamp strap. These are very comfortable and pretty and will be great through the summer as well. I love all of the colors! www.neimanmarcus.com

Mimi So New YorkBow CollectionThe Bow Collection was created to remind everyone to have a playful attitude. These rings are soft, beautiful and romantic and come in many different color combinations. I have the rose gold one that I love! www.mimiso.com

BY DEBBIE CLEMENS

FabulousFinds

@debbieclemens

Glamorous Laundry WashFor all of you who have delicates and are in need of a good, gentle detergent, this is a product worth trying. There are several choices of scents to choose from. I like the Eucalyptus Glamorous Wash because it is fresh, crisp and clean, but you can choose what you like. Be the diva you are, and go get this! www.tylercandlestore.com



929 Gessner, Suite 1300 – 13th Floor • Houston, Texas 77024 Memorial Hermann Medical Tower – Garage 5

UT Physicians Women’s Centerat Memorial City

UT Physicians Women’s Center at Memorial City offers Comprehensive Care for Women of all ages with a personalized touch at our premier location in Memorial City. Our board certified OB/Gyns, Dr. Barbara Schroeder, Dr. Tiffany Tarrant, Dr. Merrill Sue Lewen and Dr. Jenny Van Winkle are affiliated with UT Health and are able to provide the most comprehensive medical care available in a private, personal and compassionate environment.

For your first gynecologic exam through childbirth, for complex gynecologic issues, for easing the transition through menopause and for staying healthy whatever your age, UT Physicians Women’s Center at Memorial City is uniquely poised to be with you every step of the way.

• Well Woman Care and Preventative Health Screening• General & Complex Obstetrics & Gynecology• Adult & Adolescent Gynecology• Minimally Invasive Surgery/Robotic Surgery• Reproductive and Pelvic Health Issues

713-486-6600 for Appointmentswww.UTPhysicians.com

Physicians: Tiffany Tarrant, MD; Merrill Sue Lewen, MD;Barbara Schroeder, MD and Jenny Van Winkle, MD

UT Physicians Women’s Center at Memorial City

NEWSWORTHY

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston Hosts

Best Friends Brunch Benefiting aniMealson Wheels Program

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Hou-ston (IM) will host its Best Friends Brunch benefiting the aniMeals on Wheels pro-gram at 11 am on Saturday, February 14th at the Omni Hotel Houston. Banfield Charitable Trust has been selected as the honoree for the 2015 event. Brunch chairs include Teena Davis and Wendy and Kristy Phillips, along with chairs of the host committee, Bruce Padilla and Shelby Kibodeaux.

Guests will enjoy a pet treat snack bar, reception and silent auction, followed by a brunch and pet fashion show in which one pet will be awarded the title of “ani-Meals on Wheels Top Dog/Cat.” Serving as silent auction chair is Kim Padgett with 10 fabulous fashion forward auction packages. In addition, a stay in Belize will be raffled. One raffle ticket may be pur-chased for $20 or six tickets for $100.

Founded seven years ago, aniMe-als on Wheels helps homebound sen-iors currently on Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston’s Meals on Wheels pro-gram feed their four-legged friends. The program was established so that seniors would not feel compelled to share their limited resources with their “best friends.” The program relies completely on mon-etary and pet food donations.

“The brunch helps us increase aware-ness for the hungry pets of Meals on Wheels homebound seniors. Our goal is to raise enough funds so seniors can keep their pets and their own meals,” said Warren Wenner, Director of Meals on Wheels at IM.

Sponsorship opportunities range from the $150 Companion level to the $10,000 Best Friends Presenting Sponsor level. For more information or to register for the 2015 Best Friends Brunch, visit www.imgh.org/events/best-friends-brunch.




By Steve Kursar

T he Toyota Camry is the best-selling car in the country, and it holds that distinction for a

reason. It’s simply a very well de-signed and made car. But it has also suffered from the reputation of a car that was boring to drive and bland as plain vanilla. The 2015 Toyota Camry blows that reputation away with an all-new design that will turn heads and change minds. The new car looks more like a sports sedan than the fam-ily mover that has been a mainstay on the American highways for decades.

The credit for this transformation goes to Toyota’s race car enthusiast, President and CEO Akio Toyoda, for recognizing that the family sedan de-serves to be as exciting as a roadster. But it wasn’t always that way. The Toy-ota Camry first made its appearance

on American highways back in the early 1980s, and it was boxy, relatively underpowered and pretty undistinguished. It caught on with U.S. car buyers because it was remark-ably reliable, especially compared to its American competitors.

This new Camry is very different from past generations at first glance. The big, aggressive grill reflects the Toyota family resemblance with its luxury cousins at Lexus, as well as its sporti-er cousins at Scion. The bold exterior design carries through to the interior, where the driver is the star. The steer-ing wheel has a more contemporary, thicker feel, and the stick shift hints at being a sporty manual transmission even though it’s an automatic. These design cues cleverly combine to en-able this new Camry to throw off the boring characteristics that bedeviled past iterations.

The base 2015 Toyota Camry comes with a MSRP sticker price of $22,970 and is equipped with a 178 hp, 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine that

delivers EPA fuel economy ratings of 25 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. It’s not the peppiest engine on the road, but the reward is impres-sive gas mileage. And for those of you who need a bit more zip, the Camry’s 268 hp, 3.5 liter V6 engine gives it some of the best acceleration of any car in its segment and makes for a fun ride every time you get behind the wheel.

The 2015 Camry’s makeover may shock some Toyota owners who in the past happily traded dull design for engineering reliability. This new car is sure to win over families who realize they can have it all.

Follow Steve Kursur at KursarOnCars.blogspot.com.

TOYOTA CAMRY 2015


Preview PartyTuesday, March 3, 5:00 - 8:30 p.m., cost $15

Tickets may be purchased at the church o�ce or at the door.

FREE ADMISSIONWEDNESDAY, MARCH 4

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.THURSDAY, MARCH 5

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Enjoy a meal withfriends at Betty’s

Tea RoomLuncheon

Lunch tickets are availableeach day for $10.

Lunch is served from11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

7575 San Felipe Street, Suite 155 | Houston, Texas 77063

Odette Arredondo, MDFamily Medicine

Same Day appointmentS available!THE RIGHT DOCTOR IS RIGHT HERE

IN MEMORIAL

Elissa Love, PA-CFamily Medicine

Lizabeth Riley, MD Family Medicine

Sarah Pike, PA-CFamily Medicine

Schedule online:houstonmethodist.org/primarycare or call 713.266.9955.

Houston Methodist Primary Care Group provides patient-centered, compassionate care to the Memorial community. Our health care providers are experts at guiding you through the process of treating and preventing a wide spectrum of health issues. They enjoy getting to know you and will develop personalized health plans to meet your needs.Our practice offers: . Online scheduling

. Same day access

. Convenient location

. Patient portal for secure communication with your care team. After hours appointments


By Lara Bell

D o you ever wonder how people met? That question often pops up in conversations, so when I sat down to

write for our Valentine’s issue, I thought – wait a minute – I don’t even know how my staff met their spouses. So, I asked my co-workers to send me their stories. No love story is the same, but all are cute!

Will You Be

I had just turned 33 years-old and recently returned from a

two-week vacation in Venezuela with friends. My best friend Rose-ann Rogers and I always celebrate our birthdays together. We are weeks apart and have the same

friends, so while my actual birthday is May 30th and hers is mid-July,

we celebrate together mid-June. My date to the party was someone running

for office, and he had to leave for a political fundraiser. After the party, I was going to head home, but all of my friends encouraged me to go out. I did, and that is when I met Brent Milam. I was hosting a television show called Tube Talk on KTBU-TV. He didn’t know me, which was pretty annoying (lol). He was so shy and quiet, so I gave him my number.

We started dating, and little serendipitous things kept popping up that made us realize we were supposed to be together. We had only been dating a few months when 9/11 happened, and Brent rushed to the station, where we stayed all day just watching in disbelief. We got engaged soon after that and married March 29, 2003.

I think what makes us a great couple is the fact that we are totally opposite. Brent slows me down, and I add spunk to his step! Plus, I can’t imagine two me’s in one house. By the way, the guy I was on a date with at my party the night I met Brent lost the election…and me!

Brent and LaraMilam

Lara BellPublisher

A ndrew and I met over 20 years ago on a blind date. I was fresh

out of college and working for an ad-vertising agency in Houston. One of my co-workers was dating Andrew’s father, and she set us up. We met on the patio at Lake Longhorn Grill on Richmond for lunch one sunny day in April. I think we were both un-sure about going on a blind date, but we hit it off immediately and started dating.

After three years of dating, An-drew proposed. We celebrated that night with an Italian dinner and then went to a Rockets game. We got married in Fort Worth in November of 1997. We have been blessed with two wonderful daughters. We love living in Memorial and raising our girls here, and we continue to enjoy outdoor dining, anything Longhorn related and spending time with fam-ily and friends.

Jennifer Elliott Account Executive

and Contributor

Jennifer and Andrew Elliott


Jan Glenn, Pawsitively Purrfect

Jan Glenn Pawsitively Purrfect

W o n d e r f u l things hap-

pen as a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo volunteer for

the World’s Champi-onship Bar-B-Que. You

just might meet your new best friend and future hus-

band. I did! That was 16 years ago, and after being together for

14 years, we finally married about two years ago. Gene Haynes was already on the publicity subcom-

mittee for the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que when I became a member of the same subcommittee. He was sweet, funny, dependable and caring. After hanging out with the Bar-B-Que group and hearing all of Gene’s sto-ries and escapades, we began dating. He graduated from the University of Arkansas, and I cheer for Texas Tech University, my alma mater. We get along fabulously, ex-cept when Arkansas and Texas Tech play each other in football. After the killing they gave us this year, it was

very quiet around the house for a couple of days.I have an art degree, and Gene has a structural engi-

neering degree. This is how those two come together: Af-ter playing golf and cheating for 30 years, I have a game plan. Gene doesn’t play golf, so he drives the cart. He tells me how to play and all of the things I do wrong.

I creatively hang pictures on the walls at home for that artistic effect. Gene thinks they need to be hung in a row with equal space all around. Get the picture? I am an avid collector and can tell you where I got something, who gave it to me and the year. Gene doesn’t care about material things, and it is hard for him to remember what the gift was that someone gave him the day before. I have been in radio and television for 45 years. Gene struggles with understanding how “the media folk” operate, and I can’t comprehend the engineering world. It is a match made in heaven! Gene says, “Opposites attract, and likes repel.”

The judge who married us, Judge John Donovan, was another member of our publicity subcommittee group. It was a one-minute ceremony at the 1910 Courthouse, and as they say at the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que, “We’re done!”

Jan and GeneHaynes

I grew up in Memorial but moved to Florida after the eighth grade. Even then, I knew I’d be back. After col-

lege, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to live in Washington, D.C. or go straight back to Houston, so I took a job at a sports bar to test Houston again in 1994.

The Rockets were in the playoffs, and the chance of them making it to the finals was pretty good. I was to work on game nights at the bar while I pursued a job in my field during the days. My first night on the job, which was my second night back in Houston, I noticed a guy at a table next to my station and found a few excuses to talk with him throughout the evening. He was out with his British soccer buddies who all had super thick accents, making them a bit challenging to understand. I had no problem understanding him, though.

After the game ended, the bar cleared out, and he in-vited me to go across the street to his place for a drink. I thought it was bit too soon for something like that, so I took his phone number. Days later, I was still too intimi-

dated to call until one of the other waitresses told me he had been in the bar another day. I mustered up the cour-age to call this “older man,” and the crazy dating whirlwind of four and a half years began.

I remember getting ready for our first date. As I had just graduated college and Gary was six years older, I wanted to appear somewhat sophisticated. I wasn’t sure what to drink on such a date. My friend Kristy and I decided I should drink wine, Chardonnay to be specific. And so, not only did this begin the relationship with the man I would marry, but it also launched another relationship – my love affair with wine. Both relationships have yielded some crazy adventures!

Amy GrossVine Sleuth

Amy and GaryGross


Debbie and Roger Clemens

Debbie Clemensabsolutely! Fabulous Finds

I went to Spring Woods High School and was a year young-er than Roger. Roger went to Dulles and moved over to Spring Woods High School to attend school, play

baseball and be coached by Coach Charlie Maria-

no. Roger was new at our school, and I was already dat-

ing someone else. I remember seeing Roger in my history class and a lot from watching the baseball games.

Fast forward. Roger went on to the University of Tex-as, and I went to work for Pennzoil and studied at night school at Houston Community College. I still lived at

home, and my mother worked with one of Roger’s friends’ mothers. After Roger found out that I was no longer in a long-term relationship, we casually reacquainted. He asked me out to go to a wedding, and I did! That was our first date in January of 1984.

We got engaged in April and married in November. It was quick, and we were only 21 and 22 years-old! Roger was in the minor leagues at that time but made his ma-jor league debut on May 15th that same year. We just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary and have four amazing sons. It is a wonderful, whirlwind life! We are still busy bees, healthy and happy.

My advice for marriage is to make sure to balance and nurture your relationship and family. Love is the key. Enjoy each other, and make sure you pick someone you love sharing time with and having fun with. Then, enjoy the journey!

T he year 1996 was a difficult one for me. I was at a crossroads in my life. I was stuck at a dead-end job,

ending a long relationship and just not really happy in general. Something was missing. I needed a change.

I decided to move to Seattle and start a fresh life there. I packed my car and hit the road. I had plenty of time to think about life, and I decided that I needed to go back to Houston and concentrate on my future. I needed a five-year plan. I was hired at a realty company in Downtown Houston, and things started looking up. I was making new friends and moving right along with my career.

One day, our sister company needed help in their ac-counting department, so I was sent over. I arrived after lunch to get started and knocked on the door. The next thing I said was, “There you are!” Everything I was wait-

ing for was standing right in front of me. It was crystal clear. This was exactly where I was sup-posed to be at that exact moment.

In just three short weeks, Ken and I were dating exclusively. Five months later, we were engaged, and five months after that, we were married. I have found my soul mate and could not imagine my life without him.

Tammy HamptonSpring Branch Sports Spotlight

Ken and Tammy Hampton


A dam and I met in the sum-mer of 1993 before our ju-

nior year at Southern Methodist University (SMU). We both were attending the SMU-in-Taos Cul-tural Institute summer school program at Fort Burgwin to ful-fill our science credits at SMU.

At the time, I was dating someone else, but Adam quickly grabbed my interest and became my close friend. My mom often says that when she arrived to pick me up from summer school, she wished she had paid bet-ter attention to the cute blonde friend I introduced her to since he was later to be her son-in-law!

Adam and I graduated from SMU in May 1995 and got en-gaged by the fountain in front of the steps of Dallas Hall on the SMU campus in June 1996. Seventeen years of marriage and three beautiful girls later, I am still thankful I headed to Taos to take geology!

Suzanne StilesMemorial Mentions

Adam and Suzanne Stiles

BRAINTEASER

By Myles Mellor

How Do You Spell LOVE?Crossword by Myles Mellor

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9

10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23

24 25

26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34

35 36 37 38 39

40 41 42

43 44 45

46

47 48 49 50

51

52 53 54

Across

"____ believing in just one mind" Phil Collins (2 words)

1

Rose holders5"I ___ you" Bob Dylan9Dream for the future (3 words)10Main squeeze14Toni Morrison's "___ Baby"16Girl's name in Hawaii that means "beautiful"18"Come Away with Me" singer, first name19Aragorn's love in "The Lord of the Rings"21Armand Hammer art museum is here23Ego's pals24Well-kept secret, for some25"__ of a Woman" movie26For ever Valentine's Day gift28Hospital show31

Down

Katie's beau1Yellow ribbon location? (2 words)2Longoria of "Desperate Housewives"3International Bollywood star (last name)4Kilmer of "At First Sight"5Any day now6Time for love messages (3 words)7Celebs' cute daughter8Cheyenne locale11Bering, e.g.: abbr.12Romantic island13"Bambi" character15Boat races17What an eskimo kisses with19Will Smith romance movie20Oakland baseball players21

Across1 “____ believing in just one

mind” Phil Collins (2 words)

5 Rose holders9 “I ___ you” Bob Dylan10 Dream for the future

(3 words)14 Main squeeze16 Toni Morrison’s “___ Baby”18 Girl’s name in Hawaii that

means “beautiful”19 “Come Away with Me”

singer, first name21 Aragorn’s love in “The

Lord of the Rings”23 Armand Hammer art

museum is here24 Ego’s pals25 Well-kept secret, for some26 “__ of a Woman” movie28 For ever Valentine’s Day

gift31 Hospital show33 “What was ___ think?”

(2 words)34 Haul

35 Cleopatra’s valentine?39 Long for40 Date41 Award43 Sweet Valentine’s day gift45 MJ’s sweetheart, in film47 Boldly49 Diamond or heart, e.g.50 Average name52 “Casablanca” pianist53 Actress who plays

Spiderman’s love54 Coyly

Down1 Katie’s beau2 Yellow ribbon location?

(2 words)3 Longoria of “Desperate

Housewives”4 International Bollywood

star (last name)5 Kilmer of “At First Sight”6 Any day now7 Time for love messages

(3 words)8 Celebs’ cute daughter11 Cheyenne locale

12 Bering, e.g.: abbr.13 Romantic island15 “Bambi” character17 Boat races19 What an eskimo kisses

with20 Will Smith romance movie21 Oakland baseball players22 Lost fish27 Film about racism and

tolerance - that won an Oscar in 2006

29 Juan starter30 Gotten to fall in love with,

in a way (2 words)32 Nicole Kidman’s

character’s lover in “Cold Mountain”

36 Keanu Reeves role37 Sherlock Holmes, for short38 To this day42 Take off43 Celebration items?44 Gazed amorously46 Keats’ creations48 Bottom line51 Hot

See answers on page 63.

NEWSWORTHY

Texas Children’sCancer Center

Presents “An Evening with a Legend”

When Texas Children’s Cancer Center began planning for the 10th anniversary of their major annual fundraiser, “An Evening with a Legend,” they were look-ing for two things to create a successful event: a strong group of honorary chair-persons and a big name as this year’s guest “legend.” They accomplished both, announcing that former President George W. Bush would be the official legend and that the Light family, consisting of Carolyn and David Light, along with their children Susan and David Light and Melissa and Mano DeAyala, would support the event as honorary chairs. The highlight of the sold-out evening, set for February 25th at the Hilton Americas, will be an insightful onstage discussion with President Bush conducted by CBS Host Bob Schieffer.

The Light family has been patrons of Texas Children’s Hospital for more than 30 years. It wasn’t long after the hospital was founded in the 1950s that Carolyn began volunteering there as a provisional member of the Junior League. She was a go-to volunteer for Dr. Ralph Feigin, the

Mano DeAyala, David and David Light, Jr., Melissa DeAyala and Susan and Carolyn Light.

Special Advertising Section

To Advertise:281-690-4242 absolutelymemorial.com


Home Is Wherethe Heart Is

Coming March 2015

• Banks • Developers• Financial Institutions • Furniture • Home Builders • Home Improvements

• Insurance• Interior Designers • Landscape Architects • Pool & Spa Services• Real Estate• Yard Maintenance


Dr. Ernie Layton is a board certified plastic surgeon who operates a successful practice and medical spa in the Houston area. From initial consult to final result, his easy going personality makes patients comfortable, confident and secure.

Love the body you’re in...Love the body you’re in...

LaytonAesthetic

PlasticSurgery

Memorial Hermann Tower929 Gessner, Ste. 2200Houston, TX 77024

713-337-5277www.drernestlayton.com

Dr. Ernie Layton

• Breast Augmentation, Lift & Reduction• Tummy Tuck• Face Lift• Liposuction• Arm & Body Lift• Skin Products, Laser, Ultherapy

Saturday Morning Breast AugmentationsDon’t miss work!

Your NeighborhoodInterior Designers

Call for a FREE Consultation713-827-12828558 Katy Fwy. • Ste. 119

Houston, Texas 77024I-10 @ BingleFurniture • Window Treatments

Upholstery • Bedding • Accessories Rugs • Lighting • Art www.Kaleidoscope-Studio.com

KALEIDOSCOPEstudio of interior design

Judy Buchanan Christine Cook

former physician-in-chief of Texas Chil-dren’s Hospital, since he arrived in 1977, and was a founding member of the Texas Children’s Cancer Center Advisory Board, serving until her son David assumed the role several years ago. Throughout their time as Texas Children’s donors and vol-unteers, Carolyn and David wanted to make sure their children understood the importance of philanthropy and the im-pact it can have on an institution and the people it serves. Today, both Light chil-dren and their spouses donate their time and resources to Texas Children’s.

“David and Melissa spent several of their summer breaks at Texas Children’s with me as I volunteered, and they loved interacting with the patients,” said Caro-lyn. “Our whole family understands the impact Texas Children’s has on count-less lives, and we want to give back so more children can have the opportunity for long, healthy lives.” The Light fam-ily will be among the invaluable Texas Children’s supporters celebrating the 10th anniversary of “An Evening with a Legend,” which has grown to be one of the most popular, most successful fundraising events in Houston. In just nine years, the event has raised over $45 million for Texas Children’s Cancer Center, thanks to distinguished names like Robert Duvall, Dr. Denton Cooley and the Apollo Astronauts.

“The work we do is made possible by the generosity of those who donate to improve pediatric cancer outcomes,” said Dr. David Poplack, director of Texas Children’s Cancer Center. “We are so grateful to the Light family for their con-tinued support of the hospital and this year’s Legends event.”

Raising such a significant amount of money in a relatively short period of time speaks volumes to the awareness in the community that Texas Children’s Can-cer Center is a leader in its field. As the largest pediatric cancer and blood dis-ease center in the United States, Texas Children’s Cancer Center conducts more studies on cancer medicines in children than any other pediatric cancer program in the world. Visit www.texaschildrens.org/legends for more information on the event.


• Affordable Rates• Excellent Customer Service• Small & Large Dog Day Care• Dog & Cat Boarding• We Support Area Dog Rescues

Where your pets are like our family!

w w w . f r i t z k e n n e l . c o m713.464.9852Located off IH-10 and Bunker Hill,

just past Costco and HEB

9513 Yupondale • Houston, TX 77080

Thank youfor supporting

a Veteran owned small business.

Come Tour Our Renovated Facilities.

SE

EN

on t

he S

cene

Houston Baptist University’s Spirit of Excellence Gala Benefiting Student Scholarships

Dora Cantu & James Smelley Catherine Shoppa & Jordan Taylor

Hope Johnson, Madeline Collier & Jean Johnson

Bryce, Archie, Linda & Cary Dunham

Diane & Stanley Williams

Janice & Bob McNair

David & Karla Stutts

Erik & Nancy Littlejohn


NO DOWNTIME • NO NEEDLES • NO LASERS

BEFORE 12 WEEKS AFTERSecond CoolSculpting® Session

BEFORE 16 WEEKS AFTERCoolSculpting® Session

BEFORE 12 WEEKS AFTERSecond CoolSculpting® SessionPhotos courtesy of Flor A. Mayoral, MD

12 WEEKS AFTERFirst CoolSculpting® Session

Photos courtesy of John B. Fasano, MD

Photos courtesy of Grant Stevens, MD, FACS

Treatment in Half the T ime!Only Dual Sculpt in Memorial

BEATBULGE

The

www.skinscriptionsbymelissagibbens.com

14441 Memorial Drive, Suite 5 Houston, TX 77079

(Located between Kirkwood and Dairy Ashford)

Call Today

713-458-0224

Corbin Robertson & Robert Sloan Eduardo Huerta, Kacie Wall, Hope Johnson & Patrick Mulvey, Jr.

Scott & Soraya McClelland

Lisa & Jerry Simon Rachel & John Rosson Rebecca Hove & Joanie HaleySherry & Jim Smith

November 11, 2014 • The Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel

William & Sharon Morris Linda Davis & Bruce WilliamsJaci & Jim Smith, Jr.

Phot

os b

y Ki

m C

offm

an.


STOCK MARKET MAKING YOU NERVOUS?

Berges Investment Group 11757 Katy Freeway, Ste. 1300, Houston, TX 77079

INVEST IN APARTMENTS WITH MARKET LEADER STEVE BERGES,

AUTHOR AND INVESTOR WITH OVER $250 MILLION IN TRANSACTIONS!

TO LEARN MORE GO TO

WWW.STEVEBERGES.COM

EARN FIXED RATES FROM 10% TO 12%

EQUITY POSITIONS ALSO AVAILABLE 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

HAVE YOU BEEN HIDING YOUR SMILE?

We can help.Tooth Extractions • Dental Implants • Computer Guided Implant Surgery

Teeth in a Day • Bone Grafts • IV Sedation • Facial/Dental Trauma RepairOrthognathic/ Reconstructive Surgery • Oral Pathology

Photo by Simon Gentry. Pictured is Brit Wallis.

on t

he S

cene

Magical Musical Morning: Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow S

EE

N

Carolyn & Sophia Mohsenzadeh

Tyler Shen with Santa

Ting Bresnahan & Audrey Cochran

Matthew Gonzalez with SantaSasha & Vivek Subbiah

Josh, Danielle & Coulson Batchelor with Mila Burrow & Beckett Batchelor

Marshall & Ava Wood with Santa

Matt & Major Matthews


Betsy Garlington, Sybil Roos & Betty Tutor

Benefiting the Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Programming • December 14, 2014 • River Oaks Country Club

Cynthia & Taliana Onstott with Frosty the SnowmanAlex Neuhaus

James & Kathleen Jennings

Christina, Mark, Christopher, Andrew & Nicholas Hanson

Marshall & Nicholas Mosing with Santa

Kim Lucas, Vicki West & Lilly Andress

Viviana, Daniel, David, Jack & Charles Denechaud

Phot

os b

y Ca

tchl

ight

Gro

up.


CIS boasts an impressive 94 per-cent graduation rate among students who stay with CIS all the way through school. SBISD is such a believer in CIS that at least one on-site CIS proj-ect manager is present on every Title I SBISD school campus.

But what if your SBISD school isn’t classified as Title I? Case in point is Spring Branch Middle School (SBMS). SBMS has always been unique within the district with its diverse student pop-ulation. It is not a Title I school. How-ever, nearly 40 percent of its students attended SBISD Title I elementary schools, and many are considered at-risk for dropping out for a variety of rea-sons, including difficult financial situa-tions, unstable home lives and language obstacles. So, imagine what it must have been like for these kids to enter a school with no CIS program available as a safety net. The need to fill this void of vital services did not go unrecognized.

Four years ago, a collaborative partnership of SBMS parents, some of whom are former SBMS Bears them-selves, along with Chapelwood United Methodist Church, local community and civic groups and SBISD and CIS Hous-ton officials, got together to explore the possibilities of bringing CIS to SBMS. Everyone wanted to make it happen, but the catch was how to pay for it.

Getting the word out was impera-tive. A fundraising breakfast was held, and a campaign was created to educate the SBMS community about CIS. Dona-tions were made, and CIS was put in place at SBMS for the 2011-2012 school year.

Flash forward four years, and the im-pact the program has had on the SBMS community has been overwhelmingly positive. Having CIS on campus allows teachers to teach and the school coun-selors to focus on the academic needs of SBMS students. Nelda Zuniga, the CIS on-site project manager at SBMS, serves as an important liaison between teachers and parents. Many parents do not speak English, so Zuniga keeps the lines of communication open, which before CIS, would have been closed or hampered due to language barriers.

Zuniga’s job isn’t easy. She current-ly has 60 students on caseload, those recognized as being most at-risk for dropping out, but her enthusiasm and focus have been instrumental in build-

ing the program. In addition to her caseload, hundreds of students are benefiting from the after-school tutor-ing sessions Zuniga has implemented. She has partnered with parents, men-

tors, SBMS students and the Memorial Mustangs Outreach Bunch (MMOB) to come in and help students with a vari-ety of subjects. Zuniga has also brought in girls’ and boys’ groups to work with the kids, started a chess club and regu-larly organizes educational field trips, such as visits to local college campuses and attending student tech conferences.

The SBMS community has embraced the program as well. Many students are now study buddies with CIS students, and a variety of healthy lifestyle groups meet during the week, including soccer, basketball, running and yoga. SBMS Girl Scout troops lead book clubs, sum-mer camps and outings with their fel-low Bears. Additionally, CIS is actively involved with school-wide events, such as the recent Thanksgiving food drive, where over 100 turkeys and food items were donated and given to SBMS fami-lies in need, plus the cafeteria and cus-todial staff.

Creating a community of support is what the CIS program at SBMS is all about. It’s referred to as “Bears for Bears.” By helping to remove the ob-stacles that stand in the way of staying in school and respecting and looking out for one another, CIS at SBMS believes all Bears will stay on track to gradu-ate and be successful in life. To find out more about the unique story of CIS at SBMS, visit bears4bears.org or contact [email protected].

By Jennifer Espey

Nelda Zuniga

Communities In Schools: Building a Communityof Support atSpring BranchMiddle School

C ommunities In Schools (CIS), the nation’s number one

school dropout prevention program, has been serving the needs of Houston area/Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) students for nearly 40 years.

CIS Running Club members Bo Espey, Dominic Paredes, Marc Viera, Cristobal Gonzalez, Jason Munoz, Jonathan Jandres, Kimberley Franco, Mariana Fernandez and Roberto Aparicio at the 2014 Conoco Rodeo Run.


929 Gessner, Ste 1300Houston, TX 77024

Garage 5

UrogynecologyCenter

Caring for women with pelvic floor

disorders...

at Memorial Hermann

Memorial City

Apurva B. Pancholy, MDis fellowship-trained and board certified in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) and Obstetrics & Gynecology. Urogynecology combines expertise in urology and gynecology to provide women with a holistic approach and comprehensive care for conditions that cause pelvic pain and often limit activity.

Common conditions treated:H Loss of bladder or bowel controlH Pelvic organ prolapseH Emptying problemsH Sexual dysfunctionH Painful bladder problems

Dr. Pancholy and his compassionate staffwill allay your fears and educate you aboutthe latest technology in testing and treatments so you can get back to living your life.Services include:H Multichannel Urodynamic TestingH CystoscopyH PessariesH Pelvic floor physical therapyH Sacral and peripheral nerve stimulationH Botulinum toxin bladder injectionsH Interstitial cystitis therapyH Surgery for pelvic organ prolapseH Surgery for bladder or bowel incontinence

Conveniently located in the Medical Tower

Memorial Hermann Memorial City

Appointmentsand Information:

713-486-6160

Urogynecology Center

Dr. Apurva B. Pancholy

1-888-4UT-DOCS | www.UTPhysicians.com

Dr. Kasia Lindhorst

8800 Katy Fwy., Ste. 220Houston, Texas 77024

713.461.1509 www.smiles-for-kids.com

Q&AWith Dr. Kasia Lindhorst

Parents are our greatest allies in treat-ment of their children and in making first visits successful and easy. However, they could also sabotage those visits acciden-tally by trying too hard to prepare the kids with too much information. Here is what we recommend in order to make that visit successful!

Do:Read kids friendly books about visit-

ing the dentist. Make the visit exciting, and connect it with something else they might be looking forward to. Most pediatric den-tists will let you come in for the first visit to just walk around the office, play in the reception area, visit for fun and to meet the team. If your little one is particularly anx-ious, you can split the first visit into small steps. At Smiles For Kids, we often do one procedure at a time to earn kids’ trust.

Don’t: Do not use the dentist as a punish-

ment or threat for other actions. Do not take them to an adult dentist for your own cleaning as adult cleanings are often longer, use “scary” instruments and sometimes draw some blood. Do not share any of your own fears of the dentist with the kids or tell them how terrible it was “when I was a child…” You want to make their expecta-tions positive and exciting to lead them to success.

Dos and Don’ts of Preparing Your Kids

for Dental Visits

NEUROLOGY & SLEEP MEDICINEAges 6 years & up

Cypress • Katy • Memorial

SLEEPY DAYS ANDSLEEPLESS NIGHTS?

713-465-9282www.sleepandneurology.com

Todd J. Swick, M.D., P.A.


IN THEHEART

M E M O R I A L

OUT&ABOUT

Jana Philips and Cornelia Guest.

absolutely! Memorial Magazine was honored to be a sponsor of the 2014 Theta Charity Antiques Show, which was recognized as one of the top three in the nation. Since its inception in 1952, the Theta Charity Antique Show has raised over $6.5 million to medical research, cultural arts education endeavors in the Houston Area.

Barbara Pierce Bush, Lisa Schwartz and Jenna Bush Hager.

Cousins Cooper Berg and Carter Masraff enjoyed a day at the ranch.

American historian and author William Seale.

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent, creator of the Bureau’s Art Crime Team and author Robert Wittman.


Cancer Fighters of Houston held their Silver Tea this past December with over 100 people in attendance! Enjoying the event were Pat and Suzie Wilkes with Mary and Ron Florence.

The Christmas Eve service at Chapelwood United Methodist Church had a nativity scene where Joseph was played by Travis Booth, Lily Johnson and Patricia Lynn were angels, Kimberley Perez was Mary, Jordyn Lewis played baby Jesus and Cole Johnson was a king.

Three new Eagle Scouts from Boy Scout Troop #641 were recently honored at their Eagle ceremony. Congratulations to Mason Walker, Benjamin Crawford, Jr. and Christopher Stewart!

Jeff and Jacob Jones made a winning father-son hunting team!

Jan Glenn’sPawsitively Purrfect

I have always loved animals. They were everywhere on our farm, and they all seemed to get along with each other. Horses, cattle, pigs, chickens, rabbits and an occasional skunk or raccoon were

the norm. I loved all living creatures except for the rattlesnakes, which showed up without warning. Mother always hollered, “Be careful, and watch out for snakes! Remember, they come in twos!”

I talk a lot about animals, but I also talk to them…or with them. They might not understand the lingo, but they un-derstand the tone of a voice. They know the difference between angry yells and love chats.

Speaking of chatting, conversations about pets can always break the ice at parties. It is almost the same as talk-ing about grandchildren. At a party, ask someone if they have a pet, and watch out. If they do, the “yap yap” door will open, and you have a new best friend. Animal people are crazy about their Fido and Garfield, and most have pictures to share.

Notice how children talk to their pets and not down to them. That is because they haven’t learned to treat an animal as anything other than an intelligent, liv-ing being.

Some famous folks in show biz are known for their compassion for four-legged pals, and they don’t mind shar-ing their time and energy to help animals. Mention animal enthusiast, and Doris Day pops up at the same time. She has the Doris Day Pet Foundation and pours a lot of heart and money into it.

Betty White has served in leadership positions in multiple animal organiza-tions. For 40 years, she has urged ani-mal lovers to support the Morris Animal Foundation, which helps fund medical and health research for animals. Bob Barker, former host of The Price is Right, always spread the good word for animal welfare during his time on the show. He closed each show with a plea to viewers to spay and neuter their pets.

Ellen DeGeneres has launched a Facebook game called Joy Kingdom where players can choose to donate earned currency to their favorite animal charities. Mary Tyler Moore supports ani-

Love Is a Many Splendored Thing mal causes and went to Washington to testify at a congressional hearing against steel leg traps.

Jimmy Stewart almost brought John-ny Carson to tears on The Tonight Show when he read a poem he wrote about the death of his dog. It was a love poem and tribute to his best canine friend. Hillary Swank, a two-time Oscar winner, was executive producer and co-host of The Great American Dog-a-Thon. Her pet mantra is a simple one: “Animals just make my life richer, and it wouldn’t be the same without my dogs.”

Oprah Winfrey is the ideal foster mommy. All of her pets are fed by a chef and have their own nanny. Winfrey will leave $30 million in trust for them when she dies to make sure they are taken care of. Whoa!

Locally, there are many personalities who love their animals and use their clout to help raise money for animal causes, including Channel 11’s Mario Gomez, Channel 2’s Frank Billingsley, Channel 13’s Casey Curry and Rob Landes.

Doris Day said, “Pets are here to teach us what love is all about. I have never found in a human being loyalty that compares to that of a pet.” As a baby boomer, I realize that there are few-er years ahead of me than behind, but one thing is certain. My love for animals will be a part of those years! They are not my whole life, but they make my life whole.

The Alexander Kitty Kats.

The bond between children and their pets has become a classic cliché around the world – a boy and his dog or a girl and her horse. Pictures of animals with children riding their dogs or sleeping with their cats are all over the Internet.

Ms. Samantha enjoying her afternoon nap.

Tammy Whynot watching The Texans, her favorite team.



Patio Covers • Outdoor Kitchens • Screened Porches • Decorative Patios • Sunrooms • And More!

281-265-1994Call today to schedule a free design consultation

For Design Ideas, visit TexasCustomPatios.com

YOUR DESIGN-BUILD Outdoor Living Experts

Dentistry with a woman’s touch...

690U

556U

General and Family Dentistry

915 North Gessner Rd., Suite 660, Prof. Building 3, Houston, TX 77024Located Next to Memorial City Mall

Call Today 713-465-3626www.SBarfieldDDS.com

[email protected]

Your complete care includesTooth-Colored Fillings • Crowns • Veneers • “Zoom” In-Office Whitening and Take Home Trays

Professional Cleanings and Polishings • Implant Restorations

Member Of:Texas Dental Association • Academy of General Dentistry • American Dental Association

•in Historical Downtown Rosenberg•

Wed-Sat 10-5 Sun 12-5 • 801 2nd Street281-232-0035 or 832-595-9600

Enjoy The Sights & SoundsWhile You Shop Around!

D&S Antiques & Collectibles Mall

Come shop with us, then explore Historic Downtown’s 3 restaurants and 12 other antique & boutique shops.

D&S Refinishing & Restoration

Like Us or Follow Us

• Caning • Weaving • Some Reupholstery• Complete Repair and Refinishing Shop

• Sewing Machine Repair• Scissor Sharpening Full Line of Howard

Wood Care Products


www.townandcountryortho.com

713-465-3400788 West Sam Houston Pkwy. North, Ste. 201, Houston, TX 77024

Call today for a complimentary exam.

There’s nothing sweetersmile. than a beautiful

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Dr. Carin Domann Dr. Angela Orfanos

NEWSWORTHY

Spring Forest Middle School (SFMS), with the help of Principal Dr. Kaye Williams, recently dedicated its newly installed SPARK Park. In just under 18 months, the school has been transformed into a vibrant, colorful and warm campus. As expressed best by a student, “The outside now looks like the inside makes me feel.”

In attendance at the dedication were County Attorney Vince Ryan, City Councilman Jack Christie, Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) Associate Su-perintendent Dr. Jennifer Blaine and SPARK Executive Director Kathleen Ownby, as well as parents, commu-nity and SPARK board members and SBISD representatives. Dr. Williams accepted an American flag presented by Emily Taylor from U.S. Representa-tive John Culberson’s office, a Texas flag presented by Wendi Lojo from State Senator Dan Patrick’s office and a certificate of recognition presented by Deanna Harrington from State Rep-resentative Jim Murphy’s office.

Highlights of the new SPARK Park include native Texas landscaping, benches and gathering areas for kids and families, a multi-use sport court for exercise and play, signage and maps, as well as beautiful public art-

work that is most definitely the star of this project that brought together stu-dents, parents, faculty and community.

Artist Rose Toro created the mosaic work and, with the help of SPARK co-chairs Jennifer Bradshaw and Alison White, engaged the students to help. Amazingly, every student in the school had an opportunity to piece together either a flag on the diversity wall of 190 flags from around the world, one of the many giant sports balls at the north entrance facing the fields or a letter for a positive affirmation word.

The school also enlisted two former students, who now attend Stratford High School, to create artwork. An-drew Ford painted a welcoming bob-cat – the school’s mascot – for the north entrance, and Maddie Harms,

along with kids from the SFMS after school program, painted two bob-cat sculptures. The SPARK Park is a welcoming space for the whole com-munity to enjoy, and those involved couldn’t be more proud of the way it turned out. For more information about the SPARK School Park Program, visit www.sparkpark.org.

Spring Forest Middle SchoolDedicates SPARK Park

The SPARK Park giving tree.

A painting of the school’s mascot.


Auto Repair & Maintenance State Inspections H Air Conditioning

Alignment H Tires H Computer Diagnostics

281-497-083014715 Memorial Drive • Houston 77079www.MemorialDriveTireAuto.com

“SERVICE IS OUR BEST PART!”

Mem

orial Drive

I-10 Katy Fwy

N. Dairy Ashford Rd.

N

N. Eldridge Pkw

y.

Nancy Lerner and Linda Elliott, Owners

Proud Supporterof the

Zina GarrisonACADEMY

10321 Katy Freeway Jason’s Deli strip center

Between Beltway 8 and Gessner, Off I-10

Back row: Ms. April Cunningham 9th Black, Zoe Hetman, Michael Brumme, Bradley Koecurek and Luis Garcia, 7th Black. 2nd Row: Michael Chen, Jasmine Casarez, David Casarez, Leo Tran, Nate Carpenter, Jake Hetman and Lea Tran. 3rd Row: Pablo Chapellin, Dylan Sedlar, Bennett Martin, Carter Keene, Riley Wells and Winston Ooi. 4th Row: Katrina Hartman, Conner Thorsen, Jasper Hartman, Lea Tran, Annie Jones, Sarah Tesarek, Si Ooi and Alejandro Aponte.

“We Build Kids’ Self Esteem”West Houston’sOldest & Most

Experienced Karate& Martial Arts School

46 Years Personable &

Safe Instruction

713-464-7937 • www.houstonkarate.com

For more than 28 years, Tim Pur-cell has been a respected name for lawsuits involving serious injuries and wrongful death, as well as insurance and business disputes. Purcell has tried scores of cases to jury verdict and settled hundreds more short of trial. Many of these resulted in seven figure recoveries for his clients. He has successfully prosecuted appeals be-fore the Texas Supreme Court.

A native Houstonian, Purcell gradu-ated from Memorial High School in 1978. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University with honors and his law degree from the University of Houston in 1985. After practicing with a large Houston firm for many years, Purcell opened his own law practice in 2001, the same year he was elected by his peers as Chair of the Houston Bar Association Litigation Section.

Purcell has been board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law continuously since 1992. Less than 10 percent of all Texas attorneys are board certified in any specialty, and less than two per-cent are board certified in Personal In-jury Trial Law. Purcell was also elected to membership in The American Board of Trial Advocates, an honor bestowed on only a small, select group of ac-complished trial attorneys.

Purcell has been married to his wife, Hilary, for 25 years, and they have three children. He believes in client re-lationships built on trust, integrity and total dedication to his client’s cause. The nation’s leading legal directory awarded Purcell its highest rating for legal ability and ethics.

If you or a loved one has been seri-ously injured, contact Purcell, an ex-perienced trial attorney with proven results. As always, the initial consulta-tion is free. Visit www.PurcellLaw.com or call 713-465-8888 for more infor-mation.

Purcell Law Firm:A Memorial Area

Hidden Jewel

BUSINESSBRIEFS


Have your weddingdetails and photospublished in print

and online inour magazine!

Remember the day you said “I do” like

it was yesterday.

Real Weddings

If you or your children have recently married and you would like to enter for a chance to be featured in our Real Weddings, all you need is at least ten high-resolution photos of the ceremony and/or reception. It doesn’t matter where the wedding took place, as long as it was in the last year and you or your parent(s) reside in the Memorial area. Photographers are also welcome to submit photos – all absolutely free!

Visitwww.absolutelymemorial.com

Coming in JuneNEWSWORTHY

Spring Branch Education Foundation

Hosts Third Annual Sporting Clay Tournament

Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF) is gearing up for its third annual Sporting Clay Tournament. The event, a favorite for Memorial residents, raises funds for grants and scholarships for Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) students. The tournament is Thursday, February 19th at American Shooting Centers, lo-cated at 16500 Westheimer Parkway, and is chaired by Kirk Guilanshah of Memorial Hermann, David Pruitt and Pat Zadow.

“Not only will participants have the opportunity to enjoy an exciting tourna-ment, they will be contributing toward a good cause,” Guilanshah said. “The Foundation does an outstanding job of providing valuable programs to enhance the education of every student on every SBISD campus.”

Novice shooter or expert, there’s a place for everyone at this tournament. Registration, lunch and games begin at 11 am, followed by a safety briefing at 12:30 pm. The 1 pm shoot concludes with a raffle and awards ceremony. Reg-istration begins at $250 for individual shooters; team sponsorship is $880 for four shooters. To register, visit sbef.ejoinme.org/sportingclay or download a brochure at www.springbranchisd.com/SBEF/sportingclay. Call 713-251-2381 for more information.

Got Tickets?

Facebook.com/Absolutely Memorial

Join us on Facebook

Win ticket giveaways to area attractions and events!

“Like” Us Today!

www.absolutelymemorial.com

absolutely! Memorial Magazine wantsto provide readers with the best community

feature magazine possible. We want to focus on our READERS and mail

exclusively to residents who invite us into their home. Requests are FREE to all

Memorial and Galleria addresses*.

* Annual paid subscription required outside Memorial and Galleria areas. Call 281-690-4242.

12 Issues aYear Delivered Free

FREESUBSCRIPTION

Co-chairs Kirk Guilanshah, Pat Zadow and David Pruitt.


13132 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77079(Near Beltway and Memorial Dr.)

NewLocation!

(281) 497-7920

Monday - Wednesday • 8am - 5pm

DrJenningsOrtho.com

2013 Texas Monthly Super Dentist

Brad Jennings, DDS, MDS

Fewer visits. Better results. Orthodontics simplified.

13132 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77079(Near Beltway and Memorial Dr.) Monday - Wednesday • 8am - 5pm

DrJenningsOrtho.com

2014 Texas MonthlySuper Dentist

WE ARE THRILLED TO BE PART OF

your community.We have been proudly providingHouston pets with all-natural foodand treats for the past ten years.

EXCLUSIVE CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAM!

Buy 10 bags of thesame brand of dry, frozen

or select freeze-drieddog food and receivethe 11th bag FREE!

NATURAL PAWZ LANTERN LANE

$5 OFFany purchase of$20.00 or more

Offer Expires: March 31, 2015REDEEMABLE AT ANY LOCATIONExcludes food and grooming.Offer cannot be redeemed for cash. One coupon per household. Cannotbe combined with any other offer.coupon code:01-vp1114

BRING IN THIS AD FOR

12512-A Memorial Drive Houston, TX 77024STORE HOURSMon - Fri: 10am - 8pmSat: 10am - 7pmSun: 10am - 6pm

HOUSTON’S #1 LOCALPET SUPPLY STORE!

LAW OFFICES OF JOHN VONG, PLLC

2900 Woodridge Drive, Suite 307

Houston, Texas 77087 (Inside Chase Bank building)

• Personal Injury (Auto & Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death)

• Business (Entity Formation, Contracts)

• Commercial Litigation• Divorce & Custody• Criminal Defense

• Wills & Power of Attorney

832-224-6818Call Us to Schedule a No Obligation Consultation

WWW.VONGLAWFIRM.COM

John H. VongManaging Attorney

Keith W.T. Edwards Associate Attorney

Kevin Q. PhanAssociate Attorney

9950 Westpark Drive, Suite 304

Houston, Texas 77063(Westchase District Close

to BW 8 & Memorial)

Two Office Locations


www.BeforeAfterConstruction.com

Serving theGreater Houston Area,

The Woodlands, Cypress, Katy, Spring and Galveston.

Outstanding workmanshipand customer serviceis what sets us apart!

Request your free estimate today! Contact us at: (713) 205-7134 or (832) 248-5899

Additions

Custom Bath andKitchen Remodeling

Flooring

Painting

Outdoor Kitchens

Remodeling and Construction

After

Before

Refresh your space for the new year!

www.amoveablefeast.com

• NEW Fresh Juicing Menu• Vitamins & Supplements• Bulk Herbs & Teas• Natural Body Care• Knowledgeable Staff

Dine-Inor

Take-Out

9341 Katy Fwy @ Echo Ln. (I-10 Exit 759/759A)

Open Mon. thru Sat. 9 am - 9 pm

Natural Cafe & Health Food Store

713-365-0368

Serving Houston Since 1971

NEWSWORTHY

The Memorial Drive Donation and Community Garden began in 2014 to provide organic produce for local food banks. After two successful harvests, a third bed was added to increase the varieties of plants grown for the winter season. This year, the organization invites the Memorial community to grow their own organic produce in the garden beginning with spring planting. In the coming months, beds will be added for interested parties on a first-come basis.

Come grow with the Memorial Drive Donation and Community Garden! For more information or to sign up, visit www.mdlc.org or call 713-468-9443.

Memorial Drive Donation and Community Garden

701 N. Post Oak Rd., Ste. 332

Houston, Texas 77024

www.CarePartnersTogether.org

W hen you need in-home assistance,

you can trust us! We provide

compassionate and caring services all

day, every day. Our services include: light

housekeeping, personal care, medication

reminders, transportation, shopping,

errands and more!

Making Days

BETTERCarePartners Together

Call today tolearn about our

New Year specials!

713-263-7277


• Divorce Planning• Divorce (Contested or Uncontested)• Child Custody• Child Support• Complex Property Division• High Net Worth Divorce• Parental Relocations• Post Divorce Modifications• Paternity and Parental Rights• Visitation Rights• Grandparent’s Rights• Pre- and Post- Martial Agreements• Adoptions• Collaborative Law• Alternative Dispute Resolution (mediation and arbitration)

Nancy Rommelmann is regularly consulted by local media for her on-air analysis about family law.

Straight Answers • Strategic ThinkingCompassionate • Experienced

Memorial City Plaza – Tower Two820 Gessner, Suite 1630, Houston, TX 77024(across from Memorial City Mall)ph 713-622-3000www.attorneynancyrommelmann.comCall us today for a consultation!

nancy L. rommeLmann

FAMILY LAW

F a m i l y L a w A t t o r n e y

J.D. JOYCEINVESTMENT MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC

Pantone 874

Black

1811 Bering Drive, Suite 250Houston, TX 77057

713-714-8500

www.jdjoyceimg.com

Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. J.D. Joyce Investment Management Group, LLC is a separate entity from WFAFN.

FAM

ILY

LAW

ATT

OR

NEY

By Nancy L. Rommelmann, Family Law Attorney

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new.”

– Socrates

Divorce is a significant milestone in a person’s life, and that is no doubt an understatement. How does one navigate through the uncharted waters of life after divorce? Allow yourself to create and embrace a brighter, happier life…the life that you’ve imagined!

1 Re-energize your job skills/career. Take courses if need be to sharpen your existing

skills. Do what you have a strong interest in, or even better, a job that you have a passion for!

2 Think “outside of the box” when consid-ering new relationships, friendships and

neighborhoods to move to. Reinvent yourself! Try something new. Make certain the “new” is emo-tionally healthy for you…not destructive.

3 Become an obsessive accountant of your personal finances. Know where every penny

goes. There is a lot of online information and free financial counseling available through a multitude of companies to help you with your finances and financial planning for your future.

4 Lean on those you trust. Make time to maintain your most important family relation-

ships and friendships.

5 Don’t hold a perpetual “pity party” for yourself. Allow yourself to feel your emo-

tions, but then move on quickly from the negative ones.

6 You are your children’s most important role model. Be mindful of this in all that you

do or say, particularly to your ex-spouse in the presence of your children.

7 Try new hobbies, go back to school or vol-unteer for a charity you are interested in.

Actively seek to broaden your world and experi-ences. Reevaluate how you spend your time, and seek activities that give you joy and a sense of satisfaction. Don’t allow past routine to restrain you.

8 Maintain certain traditions for the sake of the children, but also purposefully create new

ones.

9 Attend worship services regularly – even if you feel like God isn’t being fair.

10 Take care of your body. Eat properly and exercise regularly.

Top Ten Tips for Post Divorce Survival:

How to Create the Life You’ve Imagined


A gift sure to sweeten their day.

Treat your loved ones this Valentine’s Day.

Expires 2/28/15. Limit one offer per guest. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Redeemable only at the bakery listed. Must be claimed in-

store during normal business hours. No cash value.

FREE Bundtletwith purchase of a bundtlet

Houston Uptown5000 Westheimer Road, Ste. 108

(713) 552-9100

February 26th Houston Ballet Presents Romeo and JulietIt’s been 28 years since Houston Ballet staged a new production of the well-known love story. Set to Prokofiev’s breathtaking score, Welch’s classic pro-duction weaves the poign-ant tale of the star-crossed pair exquisitely. With lavish sets and costumes by acclaimed Italian designer Roberta Guidi di Bagno, the production pays tribute to Renaissance Italy. The theme is classic, and the choreography is fresh. Visit www.houstonballet.org for more information, tickets and additional show dates.

By Stephanie Valtasaros

EVENTS

SUBMIT YOUR EVENTSE-mail [email protected]. Include the event date, time, location and a short description of the event.

February 6th and 7th The Buddy Holly StoryThe Society for the Performing Arts presents a musical telling the true story of Buddy Holly’s meteoric rise to fame from that moment in 1957 when That’ll Be the Day hit the airwaves until the day the music died less than two years later. Armed with a Fender Stratocaster guitar, his signature specs and a charismatic blend of rockabilly swagger, Buddy explodes onto the stage in a jukebox musical fully loaded with classics. The performance will be held at Jones Hall, located at 615 Louisiana Street. For tickets, visit spahouston.org or call 713-227-4772

February 6th – February 15th Marvel Universe LIVE!Watch your favorite Marvel Super Heroes come to life in an action-packed arena extravaganza. Produced by Feld Entertainment, Marvel Universe LIVE! will perform at NRG Stadium, located on Reliant Parkway. The show is hailed as the most technically advanced live show ever, with cutting-edge special effects, pyrotechnics, aerial stunts, martial arts, motorcycles and more. For tickets, call 832-667-1400 or visit www.marveluniverselive.com.

February 22nd, 3 pm Rob Landes in ConcertPianist Rob Landes will perform “Music You Love.” His broad following will fill the seats, so come early. Tickets are $10 at the door, and proceeds will benefit the Restorative Justice Ministry of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church (MDUMC). The concert will be at MDUMC’s Wesley Hall, located at 12955 Memorial Drive. For more information, call 713-468-8356 or e-mail [email protected].


A Continuum of Care Campus• Independent Living • Assisted Living • Skilled Nursing & Rehab

CALL FOR FREELUNCH & TOUR!

2501 Westerland Dr. @ WestheimerHouston, TX 77063

713-783-6820

Houston’sRetirement Tradition

www.Treemont.com

Serving multiple generations of Houstonians!

ASK ABOUT“INDEPENDENCE

PLUS”THAT COMBINESINDEPENDENT

APARTMENT LIVING & HOME HEALTH

Timothy M. Purcell

Medical MalpracticeLegal Malpractice

Dangerous Rx Drugs & Medical Devices

Serious Personal Injuries & Wrongful Death

Insurance Claim DenialsBusiness Disputes

• 28 Years Litigation Experience• American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)

• Past Chair of HBA Litigation Section• Highest Rating for Legal Ability & Ethics• Vanderbilt University with Honors & University of Houston Law

Call for a free consultation713-465-8888Patriot Bank Building

7500 San Felipe (at Voss), Ste. 600Houston, Texas 77063

www.PurcellLaw.com

Board Certified Attorney at Law

Care we provide includes:

Well child visits from birth to 18 years of age

Sick visits

Routine childhood and youth immunizations

School / sports physicals

ADHD consultation and much more

Partners in Health Pediatrics

Sonober Umair, MD, FAAPDiplomate American Board of Pediatrics

Dr. Umair is fluent in Spanish,Hindi and Urdu languages as well.

Come and experience ourpersonalized care for your child.

713-255-0400902 Frostwood Dr., Suite 179

Houston, TX 77024(Medical Plaza One)

Fax: 713-255-0404

www.pihpeds.com

We accept all types of health insurance plans

including Medicaid.

Walk-ins are welcome.

Call us to schedule an appointment today.

Dedicated to theHealth of Children and Youth


FITNESS MotivationT hey say February is the busiest time of the year for gyms, weight loss products

and trainers. Many people start off the new year with strong intensions of weight loss and fitness but blow their New Year’s fitness resolutions by the third week of January. Check out these cool gadgets and gear to keep you motivated through spring break!

techGLAMMany fitness gurus received a Fitbit for the

holidays, but some are reluctant to use it due to the limited looks of the rubber bands. The Etsy company techGLAM combines designer Joann Mantovani’s passions and being inspired by all of the colors, im-ages, people and places that surround her every day. The Bohemian style leather wrap bracelets are made of genuine leather cord, as well as stone, czech glass, semi-precious and Swarovski beads in a variety of colors.

Dress up your look with this beautiful piece instead of wearing the traditional rubber wrist band that seems to clash with dressy outfits. In addition to this bracelet, Mantovani has also designed pendants and bracelets that store the Fitbit Flex, Fitbit One and Fitbit Zip devices, as well as beaded sliders for Up Band by Jawbone. Visit www.techGLAM.net to see the full collection.

Power Shower Refreshing Wipes

Who doesn’t love feeling clean? When you’ve got to squeeze a run into the middle of the after-noon, these portable wipes can help make it so you’re not grody for the second half of the day. Ideal for a quick refresh after a group run, they are safe to use on the entire body and perfect to carry to the gym or keep in your car. Now, go break a sweat! Find them at www.nathansports.com.

ab

solu

tely

!H

EA

LTH

Y L

IVIN

GB

y L

ara

Be

ll

One of the best ways to stay healthy and flush toxins is to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Motivate yourself to consume more water

by adding a splash of freshness with this handy water bottle that boasts a built-in flavor infuser. Simply add fresh fruit or your ingredients of choice to the infuser for a dose of fun flavor throughout the day. Find a variety of fun colors at www.adnart.com.

HAPIfork

Eating too fast leads to poor digestion and poor weight control. The HAPIfork is an electronic fork that helps monitor and track your eating habits, as well as coach you into healthier eating habits. Pair the tool with your smart phone or tablet over Bluetooth to see your eating stats, such as how long it took to eat your meal, the amount of fork servings taken per minute and intervals between fork serv-ings. Then, upload your eating data for analysis and coaching on an online dashboard. For more infor-mation, visit www.hapi.com.

PortionMate is a set of six color-coded cylinders with volumes from largest diameter to smallest diameter: green is one cup, yel-low is 3/4 cup, orange is 1/2 cup, blue is 1/3 cup, red is three ounces and purple is one ounce. The pur-pose of these products is to help you lose weight and stay on track with portion control as you measure foods directly into your plate or bowl. Brilliant!

These measuring tools work with any diet plan. Each set includes a detailed 64 page Nutrition and Meal Planning Guide, which contains carbohydrate and calorie counts for over 500 whole foods. Visit www.portionmate.com for more information.

Glass Water Bottlewith Built-in Fruit Infuser

MonogrammedYoga Mats

Are you looking to improve your core strength, posture, balance and flexibility by taking up yoga this year? Don’t forget to acquire a cute mat first! These high-quality foam mats designed by Sassy Southern Gals Boutique are perfect for yoga, Pilates or meditating. They offer superb grip, amazing durability and premium graphic designs that are printed directly onto the mat. Visit www.sassysoutherngals.com to choose a pattern, color, monogram style and more.

PortionMate™



MentionsMemorial

BY SUZANNE STILES

[email protected]

Bob, Victoria, Caroline, Trey and Boston Vaughan celebrated the New Year in South Beach Miami, Florida.

Spring Branch Middle School moms Liz Rotan, Fiona Guinn, Helen Schmidt and Katie Nance hosted a beautiful holiday party at the home of Rotan to raise money for the upcoming school auction.

Memorial High School freshmen Ellie Rotan, Kaylin Willet and Maddie Moudy prepared for the Freshman Garage Sale scheduled for February 18th through 21st at the corner of I-10 and Benignus Road at 10303 Katy Freeway in the Jason’s Deli parking lot. Happy shopping!

Meadowood Elementary School friends Collin McKnight, Duncan Fry, Mac Konitzer, Ellie Grizzell and Avery Cooper enjoyed some free time together on the playground.


Garrett Green, Brooke Kearns and Will Strock had a blast at the Bunker Hill Elementary first grade character day.

The Junior Varsity Tackle “Aggies” were the Tully Bowl Champions! The team had an

undefeated season of 11-0. Pictured are Head Coach John

Denson, Assistant Coaches Kevin Ferworn, Doug Schick, Drew Yoder and Jon Muska

and players Judge Azios, Benjamin Brady, Chase Cole,

Jerome Conkright, Diego Denson, Spencer Dunbar,

Jason Ferworn, Josh Hyland, Mac Konitzer, Luke Lovoi,

Harrison Mansfield, Truman Muska, Daniel Poteet, Dylan Schick, Ryan Smith, Charlie

Williams and Anthony Yoder.

Daniela Maarraoui as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Catherine Stiles as Clara performed in The Nutcracker with City Ballet of Houston and Margo Marshall School of Ballet.

Kakki, Renee and Emily Lange attended Houston Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi’s Holiday Tea.

Tracy Barkley-Ackerley and Jennifer Carmichael attended a general meeting of the Houston Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi.

Riley Smith helped make 2,200 sandwiches at Kids Meals, a meals-on-wheels program for hungry preschool-age children.


MentionsMemorial

Congratulations to the Terminators Soccer team on repeating as the 2014 Season Champions in the Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association (SBMSA) Senior Boys Division. On their way to winning the SBMSA Championship, the team finished the season and the playoffs undefeated! Pictured are coaches Allen Teague, Jim Kueser and Martin Buscher and players Raul Barralaga, Thomas Teague, Henry Zaleski, Javier Paredes, Alec Zavala-Corso, Thomas Neyland, Charles Buscher, Evan Quan, Jerry Wei, Roger Pineda, Alex Gomez, Colin Meyer and Jack Kueser.

Bunker Hill Elementary girls Cate Zenner, Adaire Cramer and Caroline Thomas enjoyed“snow much fun” at Lakeside Country Club.

Celebrating Canon’s 14th birthday at Pirates Beach were J.P. Graham, Andrew Plant, Preston Witt, Canon

Culver, Hayden Allen, Tyler Ziegenbein, Reagan Mansfield, Kyle Schleinschok,

Zamar Salas, Leah Mullins, Laura Powell, Taylor Krosby and Isa Moreno.

Owen and Westy Bennett are proud of their Ole Miss Rebels this year!

Rummel Creek Elementary second grader Sarah Haywood attended an event at River Oaks Country Club.

Let our awards speak for usHERMES• 2014 Platinum Winner: Fort Bend Focus

100 Most Fascinating Things About Fort Bend

• 2014 Gold Winner: Fort Bend FocusFirst Annual Focus Favs

• 2014 Honorable Mention: absolutely! MemorialMemorial’s Model Gardener Kelly Emberg

• 2014 Honorable Mention: absolutely! BrazosLunches of Love

MARCOM• 2013 Platinum Winner: Fort Bend Focus

100 Most Fascinating Things About Fort Bend

• 2013 Gold Winner: Fort Bend FocusFort Bend Focus Honors the 2012 Jewels of Fort Bend

• 2013 Gold Winner: absolutely! focus mediaMarketing/Promo Campaign/Branding Refresh

TEXANA• 2013 - 2014 Platinum Winner: absolutely! Brazos

Media of the Year Award

• Hermes Creative Awards is an international competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional materials and programs, and emerging technologies.

• MarCom Awards is a creative competition for any individual or company involved in the concept, writing and design of print, visual, audio and web materials and programs.

• Texana Center’s Media of the Year Award received at the organization’s 4th Annual Reaching for the Stars Awards Ceremony.

BRAZOS • FORT BEND • KATY • MEMORIAL

www.absolutelyfocusmedia.com281.690.4242

absolutely!


abso

lute

ly!

Q A&Child Life Specialists

Q: WHAT CAN A CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST DO FOR MY CHILD?

Child Life Specialists are known for their dedication to mak-ing a child’s trip to the hospital a friendlier one. Each special-ist promotes coping in these stressful environments through play, preparation, education and self-exploration. Whether this means going step-by-step through a procedure with pretend

equipment on a teddy bear or learning a new deep-breathing exercise, it is clear that each child feels much more at ease with their treatments, procedures and surgeries. Keeping children in-formed about what is happening has a huge impact on their outcome. Even the ability to make small decisions themselves, such as choosing their flavor of anesthesia or which toy they want to conduct medical-play with, can make all the difference by giving children a sense of control.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TECHNIQUES THAT CHILD LIFE SPECIALISTS USE TO

HELP CHILDREN? First and foremost, our knowledge of child development and

understanding of the effects of hospitalization on children are the best tools we have as Child Life Specialists to help children through their treatments. Many times, it is more fear of the unknown – not knowing or understanding what health compli-cations they face, not knowing what types of treatments they will have to undergo, not knowing where Mom and Dad are through the whole process – that leads to a child’s unease. If we can help children have a better understanding of all of these things by explaining it in ways and words they grasp and allow-ing them the opportunity to ask questions, we find that children are more comfortable, more compliant and more confident with their health care.

A Child Life Specialist can assist your child during procedures by teaching breathing techniques and allowing children to make small decisions in the treatments they undergo. All specialists are trained in a number of distraction techniques to help chil-dren get through the treatments. Based on our developmental assessment, the child’s anxiety level/interest and previous ex-perience, we may use iPad play, I SPY books, toys with lights or sound, bubbles, music, comfort touch or guided imagery.

Visit westcampus.texaschildrens.org or call 832-227-1180 for more information about Child Life services at Texas Chil-dren’s Hospital West Campus.

at Texas Children’s HospitalWest Campus

EXPERT: Rachael Walker, Child Life Specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus.

Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus. Photo by A. Kramer.

Texas Children’s West Campus’ third floor playroom. Photo by A. Kramer.

Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, located at I-10 and Barker Cypress, houses 19 subspecialty outpatient clinics, in-patient hospital services and the only 24/7 dedicated pediatric emergency center in the West Houston area.


NEWSWORTHYSpring Branch Education FoundationAnnounces Fall Grants

This spring, Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) students will build robots, till gardens and master graphing calcula-tors, thanks to grants from Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF). SBEF re-cently awarded $82,228 in grants to fund education enhancing projects through-out SBISD. Superintendent Duncan Klussmann referred to SBEF as the dis-trict’s “research and development arm.” Fall grants, district-wide:

• SBISD Council of PTAs – Scholar-ships are underwritten for SBISD col-lege-bound students.

• Operation Graduation – A facilitator will guide students who are at risk of not graduating.

• Early Childhood – Kindergarten teachers at Spring Shadows, Hollibrook and Edgewood Elementary Schools will receive additional instruction on early reading.

Fall grants, SBISD campuses:• Bendwood Elementary – SPIRAL

students will build and program func-tional robots.

• Hollibrook Elementary – Students will benefit from portable labs for hands-on science exploration.

• Hunters Creek Elementary – Stu-dents will learn good citizenship as they maintain campus gardens and a school-wide recycling program.

• Landrum Middle and Northbrook Middle – Graphing calculators will help students master higher math reasoning tasks.

• The Lion Lane School – Toddler siblings and parents will participate in a young reader program and receive books to begin a home library.

• Memorial High – Language Arts III students will use iPads and apps for advance placement and college-level coursework.

• The Panda Path School – Staff de-velopment for Pre-K teachers will focus on science activities involving water,

structures and young naturalist projects. • Pine Shadows Elementary – An

action-based learning lab will support physical and academic growth for K-2 students.

• Rummel Creek Elementary – iPads will be used in the music classroom to teach creative techniques.

• Sherwood Elementary – The art classroom will receive a drying rack.

• Spring Forest Middle – A multi-sen-sory lab will provide Life Skills students with stations and activities to help im-prove motor and social functioning.

• Stratford High – Each student will receive an academic planner.

• Westwood Elementary – Third grad-ers will use Netbooks for research and project-based learning.

To make a tax-deductible donation to the Foundation or for more information, visit http://springbranchisd.com/sbef or call 713-251-2381.

BRAZOS • FORT BEND • KATY • MEMORIAL

For a detailed job description, and to submit your resumé, visit www.absolutelyfocusmedia.com

absolutely! focus mediais currently acceptingresumés for

Graphic Designer

Account Executiveand


Some couples opt to leave children in the capable hands of a babysitter come Valentine’s Day and enjoy the evening solo. But for those who want to include youngsters in their fun, they can explore the many enjoyable and clever crafts and other activities available.

Learning Games

Valentine’s Day can be turned into a learning opportunity for children. One idea is to create an “Attracting Love” game that illustrates the power of mag-nets and the laws of attraction. Fill an empty glass jar with various items made into heart shapes. These can include small pieces of pipe cleaner, paper clips, paper and even aluminum foil hearts. Put the top on the jar and shake up the contents. Let children guess which items will be attracted to a magnet, then have them test their theory with a strong mag-net rubbed on the outside of the jar. See which hearts are attracted to the magnet.

Other learning games can include matching or finding the differences be-tween pictures, counting paper hearts or making recipes of modeling dough.

Dessert Fun

Invite youngsters into the kitchen to try their hands at different recipes, making sure that they have a chance to sample their handiwork afterward. Faux chocolate truffles made with chocolate sandwich cookies can be a tasty treat for little hands. Start by mashing up some Oreo® cookies, then add them to a bowl with one 8-ounce package of cream cheese. Mix until everything is incorpo-rated into a sticky batter. Truffles can be made into balls or heart shapes. For children celebrating winter fun, turn the truffles into edible snowmen. Dip the truffles into melted chocolate or colored candy melts to coat. Place on a wax pa-per-covered cookie sheet and refrigerate for an hour, or until the truffles are firm.

Crafts

Children can have fun cutting out cu-pids, making coloring pages or doing just about any other Valentine-inspired craft, like making their own cards.

Another craft idea is to write secret love notes with invisible ink. Lemon juice can be used as invisible ink. Have chil-dren write a message by dipping a cotton swab or their finger in lemon juice and then writing words on a white piece of paper. Once the papers have dried, an adult can reveal the message by placing the paper in front of a heat source, such as an iron or a light bulb. The message will magically appear and reveal those secret sentiments.

Children can get crafty by making gifts for the special people in their lives. Combine the concept of valentines with the ambiance of a candle. For an even safer alternative, opt for an LED-flame candle instead of traditional candles.

Kids can glue foam conversation hearts, sold at many craft stores, to the outside of the candle. Wrap the middle of the candle with ribbon, and they’ve just created an easy, heartfelt gift.

Kids’ Dinner

Encourage the next generation of chefs to create culinary masterpieces, which they can then serve to family members or friends. Children can even prepare dinner as a token of appreciation to their parents.

Plan recipes with kids in advance, but look for age-appropriate menu ideas, par-ticularly those that will not require much use of the stovetop or other dangerous kitchen appliances. Kids can always do the prep work and then ask an adult to put the food into the oven for cooking.

One easy idea is to create heart-shaped hamburger sliders and Valentine-colored mashed potatoes. Use red potatoes with the skin on to create the potato mash. The sliders can be shaped by hand or us-ing a heart-shaped cookie cutter.

Valentine’s Day is just around the cor-ner and presents many opportunities for children to share in the festivities.

Kids

A lthough Valentine’s Day may be geared toward adults, children are quite drawn to the celebration as well. Perhaps it’s the promise of candy or choco-

late that gets their attention, but Valentine’s Day annually appeals to the younger set.

Valentine’sDay

For The

Source: metrocreativeconnection.com


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

DETOX MADE EASY

Dr. Shel’s Advanced 14 Day Detox Kit is a comprehensive, science-based nutritional program designed to support safe and effective detoxification. Everything you need is consolidated into daily packets to ensure that you don’t miss any necessary nutrients! Dr. Shel Wellness and Medical Spa, 1437 Highway 6, Suite 100 in Sugar Land. Call 281-313-7435; www.drshel.com.

RIDE IN STYLE

Give your sweetheart a hot new ride this Valentine’s Day from

TexasDirectAuto.com. With thousands of vehicles in stock,

you’re sure to find a ride that you will love! Texas Direct Auto,

12053 Southwest Freeway in Stafford. Call 281-499-8200; www.TexasDirectAuto.com.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY FROM SUGAR LAND PLASTIC SURGERY

Don’t know what to get your loved ones for Valentine’s Day? Avene Cold Cream Lip Cream is the perfect gift for soft, subtle kissing lips, in combination with the all-in-one day cream Journee, for a complete rejuvenated look. Purchase both in February and receive 10% off with a free makeup bag. Sugar Land Plastic Surgery. Call 281-980-8000; www.mybodysurgeon.com.

things weLoveVALENTINE’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.

A CUSTOM OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

Surprise your sweetheart, and give a gift that willadd value to your home. Cuddle up in a new outdoor living space! Call Texas Custom Patios today. Texas Custom Patios. Call 281-265-1994; www.TexasCustomPatios.com.

VALENTINE’S TREATS FOR PETS

Locally owned and located at Lantern Lane Center, Natural Pawz is Memorial’s newest pet destination. Stop by with your pet and sample some favorite treats, or find a Valentine’s Day treat or toy. Natural Pawz, 12512 Memorial Drive in Houston. Call 832-428-4325; www.naturalpawz.com.

absolutely!DELICIOUS

Source: Family Features

Show Off Your Sweet Side ThisValentine’s DayT reat family, friends

and co-workers to

something they will all love

this Valentine’s Day by making

easy and impressive cookies.

Start with your favorite roll-

out cookie recipe, or simply

dress up store-bought ones

by adding some simple details

with icing.

• Prepare and roll out cookie dough following recipe directions. Use the three smallest cutters from four-piece heart nesting cookie cutter set to cut out shapes. Bake and cool cookies.

• Divide royal icing into three equal portions, and tint three shades of rose. Thin aportion of each shade following recipe directions. Use tip three and full-strengthtinted icing to outline cookies. Use thinned tinted icing in cut decorating bag tofill in cookies; gently tap to smooth icing. Let dry overnight.

• Use icing to attach cookies, stacking largest to smallest; place icing decorationon top.

Stackable Ombre Heart Cookies

Favorite Roll-out Cookie RecipeRoyal Icing – Recipe on wilton.comRose Icing Color

Heart Micro Mini Icing Decorations

Scalloped Heart CookiesEach cookie serves 1.

• Prepare and roll out dough following recipe directions. Use largest cutter fromthe four-piece heart nesting cookie cutter set to cut out shape. Bake and coolcookies.

• Divide icing into four equal portions. Tint one of each portion light burgundy,dark burgundy and combination of red-red/Christmas red. Reserve last portionwhite.

• Starting from top edge of heart, use tip 102 and icing in dark burgundy, lightburgundy, red and white to pipe V-shaped groups of two petals, one piped fromleft and one from right, to create row of petals in alternating colors. Repeat with second row between petals in first row. Continue to repeat pattern until cookies are covered.

Each stacked cookie serves 1.

Favorite Roll-out Cookie RecipeReady-to-Use White Creamy Decorator Icing Icing Colors: Burgundy, Red-Red and Christmas Red

From the cupids at Wilton, here are three ways to leave them smitten with sweets this Valentine’s Day.

• Desserts with dimension.Triple your treats by stacking three decorated cookies in different sizes together and attach them with icing.

• Complement with color. A simple piping technique looks stunning when piped in different colors on your cookies.

• Get to gifting.Wrap your finished treats in a Valentine’s Day treat bag or box.

For more fun and delicious Valen-tine’s Day recipes, baking tips and inspiration, visit www.wilton.com.



Time management is all about spending your time wisely and doing what matters to you most. Let us take care of your grocery delivery needs.

SHOP FOR YOUR GROCERIES ONLINE IN 3 EASY STEPS

Log on to memorialconcierge.com

Upload your grocery list, search for specific items, or browse the aisles and select your groceries.

After ensuring all items are in your shopping cart, select a delivery time and follow the checkout instructions.

www.memorialconcierge.com855-65-CLICK

ORDER TODAY AND GET 10% OFF

YOUR FIRST DELIVERY*

Enter offer code MMC when checking out

10% OFF FOR

SENIOR CITIZENS*

*Discount applies to delivery charges only

and discounts cannot be combined

Give her a gift she can use all year long...Grocery Delivery!

Contemporary AmericanMemorial & Kirkwood | 281.531.7550

www.urbankitchenhouston.com

Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Us

14008 Memorial Drive, Suite FHouston, Texas 77079

Gorgeous Hill Country Home SiteWaterfront Lot in Comal County

Just 20 minutes from San Antonio and minutes from the Guadalupe River in Spring Branch, this 1.72 acre lot is your Hill Country dream come true!Amazing views on the hillside lot that features a mead-ow with waterfront along Spring Creek, The Crossing at Spring Creek, an acreage home site community, is the per-fect place to build your Hill Country getaway. The commu-

nity offers all underground utili-ties, paved, county maintained roads, plus a beautiful 10+ acre owners-only park with scenic hiking trails, a swimming pool and pavilion and a playground.REDUCED

For Sale By Owner

281.728.1204

Coming in our March IssueSpecial Advertising Section

SummerFun GuideSummerFun Guide

To advertise, call 281-690-4242.


W inter is a great time to experiment with new culinary

creations that incorporate the bold flavors of wine for delicious results. Nothing pleases the senses quite like a comfort food dish on a chilly evening. If you’re planning a menu for just you and your mate, a small group of close friends or a full-blown dinner party, stock up on great wine selections to complete the menu.

Chicken Thighs with Potato, Lemon and Castelvetrano Olives

Recipe created by Tracey Shepos on lacrema.com


Winter & WineWinter & Wine

Servings: 48 sprigs oregano, leaves picked

(1/2 cup packed) 5 cloves garlic 2 lemons, one zested and one

cut into eight wedges2 teaspoons cumin 3 tablespoons olive oil

8 chicken thighs (1 1/2 pounds), bone in, skin on

2 large Russet potatoes, peeledand cut into 1/2 inch circles

4 teaspoons kosher salt 1 cup Castelvetrano olives,

pitted and drained

Preheat oven to 350°F. In food processor, combine oregano, garlic, lemon zest, cumin and two tablespoons

oil. Process until chopped. Place mixture in large bowl and toss with chicken thighs. In 10 inch cast iron pan, layer one tablespoon oil and top with potatoes and sprinkle

with two teaspoons salt. Place chicken thighs on top and sprinkle again with two tea-spoons salt. Scatter lemon wedges in between chicken thighs.

Place pan over medium heat, cook for five minutes or until edges start to brown. Immediately place pan on top rack in oven and bake for 10 minutes. Adjust oven tem-perature to 400°F and cook for another 25 minutes or until chicken is browned and internal temperature reaches 160°F. Scatter olives on top and serve.

Classic Roast Chicken and La Crema Sonoma

Coast Chardonnay

Fresh oregano, fragrant garlic and buttery Castelvetrano olives star in this tra-ditional chicken dish, which pairs wonder-fully with vibrant La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. Just as in the Burgundy region of France, these vineyards offer an unusually long, cool grow-ing season, so grapes develop complex flavors. The Sonoma Coast Chardon-nay is beautifully aromatic, with an intriguing interplay of lively citrus and subtle toasted oak, laced with just a kiss of butterscotch.


Servings: 10 – 126 Dried chili pods, seeds and stems removed

Salt and pepper, to taste1 1/2 pounds top round cut into cubes1 1/2 pounds chuck steak cut into cubes1 cup vegetable oil1 Medium onion, chopped3 Small cloves garlic, minced1 1/2 ounces chili powder1 tablespoon paprika3 tablespoons cumin2 tablespoons oregano steeped

in 1 cup of red wine1 tablespoon cider vinegar

Smoky Chili and Murphy-GoodeHomefront Red

Just as a robust chili calls for a blend of signature ingredi-ents, so does the perfect wine to complement it. The smoky fla-vors of seasoned steak cubes and dried chili pods will please the palate when united with Murphy-Goode Homefront Red – a blend of syrah, merlot, petite sirah and zinfandel. This wine is comfort food friendly and fruit forward. Plus, for every bottle sold, the winery donates 50 cents to Operation Homefront, a national non-profit that provides assistance to service members and their families.

Toast dried chilies over medium heat for about two minutes. Add two cups of water and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain out chilies to cool, then chop and reserve.

Season meat liberally with salt. Heat oil over high heat in a large, heavy bottom pot until it begins to smoke. Carefully place beef into pan and brown on all sides until moisture cooks out and light brown film forms on bottom of pan. Reduce heat to medium. Drain meat of oil and fat.

Add onions and garlic, cooking until soft. Add chili powder, paprika and cumin. Cook until fragrant. Add reserved chopped chilies and rest of ingredients except for cheese and stir well with wooden spoon, scraping browned bits off bottom of pot.

Reduce heat to low and simmer for one hour, occasionally stirring. To serve, place in bowl and sprinkle with grated cheese.

Chili with Pepato CheeseRecipe created by Dirk Yeaton on murphygoodewinery.com

1/2 teaspoon cocoa powder2 cups beef broth10 ounces stewed tomatoes1/2 cup grated Pepato cheese

Phot

o co

urte

sy o

f Get

ty Im

ages

.

Toasted S’mores and Kendall-Jackson Grand

Reserve Pinot Noir

Take the traditional fireside treat to a new, gooey level with homemade, wine-infused marshmallows served with a glass of Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Pinot Noir. Please your sweet tooth and palate with lively berry pie notes defined in wild strawberry and black cherry, with hints of vanilla and earthy aromas.

In a bowl, combine powdered sugar and corn-starch. Grease two loaf pans or one 8 or 9 inch square pan and dust with half of powdered sugar mixture. Pour out any ex-cess mixture back into bowl.

In bowl of stand mixer with whisk at-tachment, combine pinot noir and 1/4 cup water. Sprinkle gelatin over liquid. In small saucepan, combine remaining 1/4 cup of water, sugar, corn syrup and salt. Clip on candy thermometer. Heat mixture over medium heat until it reaches 240°F.

Turn mixer on low and drizzle sugar mixture in slow and steady stream down side of bowl. Once entire mixture is in, increase speed to high and let it mix for 10–12 minutes, until lukewarm and fluffy.

Using greased spatula, scrape mix-ture into pans and spread out evenly. Dust tops with remaining powdered sugar mixture and use hands to flatten mixture out completely. Set for one hour, cut into squares and dust squares with remaining powdered sugar mixture.

Pinot Noir Marshmallows

Recipe created by Molly Yeh on mynameisyeh.com

Servings: 161/4 cup powdered sugar1/4 cup cornstarch1/4 cup Kendall Jackson

Grand Reserve Pinot Noir

1/2 cup water2 packets unflavored

gelatin powder3/4 cup sugar1/2 cup light corn syrup1 pinch salt


Nearly 70 percent of Americans agree that hot chocolate is the drink that most reminds them of their child-hood, according to a new survey by Wakefield Research. This winter, while the weather is brisk, warm up by tak-ing a flavorful walk down memory lane with these fun takes on the classic hot chocolate.

The Rocky Road Hot Chocolate and Gingerbread Hot Chocolate are heartwarming treats that ward off winter chills and satisfy sweet, nostal-gic cravings. The rich, velvety-smooth milk combines your favorite chocolate and marshmallow flavors into a drink that’s delicious when enjoyed cold and equally good when tried hot. For more recipe ideas, visit www.TruMoo.com.


Embrace Childhood with Fun and

Flavors of Winter


• In a small a saucepan over mediumheat, heat chocolate marshmallowmilk, cinnamon, ginger and clovesuntil just boiling.

• Remove from heat. Garnish with cinnamon stick and favorite gingerbread cookies if desired.

• To heat in microwave, combine above ingredients in glass measuring cup or bowl. Heat on high one minute or until warmed through. Garnish as above.

A s a kid, the win-

ter season was

always a special

time of year filled with ice-

skating, favorite movies and

fun board games. Bringing

back carefree moments from

winters past can be as easy

as gathering together family

and friends for game night

and sipping your favor-

ite wintertime drink – hot

chocolate.

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat chocolate marshmallow milk,graham crackers and vanilla until milk is hot.

• Pour into mugs. Garnish with chocolate chips, graham crackers, toastedalmonds and mini marshmallows if desired.

• To heat in microwave, combine milk, graham crackers and vanilla in largeglass measuring cup or bowl. Heat on high one minute or until warmedthrough. Garnish as above.

Tip: For an extra toasty flavor, broil mini marshmallows until lightly browned before garnishing.

Rocky Road Hot ChocolateServings: 2

2 cups TruMoo ChocolateMarshmallow milk or TruMoo Chocolate milk

1/4 cup coarsely broken graham crackers

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Chocolate chips, graham cracker pieces, mini marshmallows and toasted almonds for garnish

Gingerbread Hot ChocolateServings: 2

2 cups TruMoo ChocolateMarshmallow milk or TruMooChocolate milk

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon ground gingerDash ground cloves,

Cinnamon sticks and gingerbread cookies for garnish



new Pollo Mango Mole

11129 WestheiMer& Wilcresthouston, texas

713.952.3287cantinalaredo.com

Join us for Valentine’s Day

Sip the finest margarita

Savor fresh seafood, enchiladas and more with sauces from scratch

Join us for drinks, dinner, lunchor Sunday brunch

taste the MoDern siDe of Mexican cuisine

Valentine’s Dinner February 14, 2015

three-course prix fixe menu with amuse-bouche du chef

90.00 per couple 45.00 per additional person

(tax and 20% gratuity not included)

complimentary valet parking

reservations required call 281.501.4350

or visit www.024grille.com


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

GRILLE

024 GRILLE945 Gessner77024281-501-4350Facebook.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.

CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN CUISINE

MASRAFF’S1753 Post Oak Blvd.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.

JAPANESE CUISINE

KUU RESTAURANT 947 Gessner, Ste. A18077024 713-461-1688 www.kuurestaurant.com

Situated in the new Memorial Gateway complex, Kuu Restaurant has now opened to bring upscale Japanese dining to West Hou-ston. Executive chef Adison Lee, formerly of Nobu, has brought his talent and passion for Japanese fusion cuisine to the Memorial area. Focusing on artistry and complementary flavors, Kuu has a constantly changing menu featuring locally raised ingredients. With an extensive wine list and private dining area, Kuu is well equipped to handle any event.


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.


URBAN KITCHEN14008 Memorial Drive, Ste. F77079281-531-7550www.urbankitchenhouston.com

This casual yet classy neighborhood restaurant is tucked in a centric shopping center located at the corner of Memorial and Kirkwood, just blocks away from the Energy Corridor. Urban Kitchen features the perfect ambience for business and social gatherings. The terrace is surrounded with beautiful planters providing a perfect setting for those who enjoy the outdoors. Regardless if you visit during lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch, Urban Kitchen offers a dining experience to remember.

HEALTHY ECLECTIC

A MOVEABLE FEAST9341 Katy Freeway 77024713-365-0368www.amoveablefeast.com

Family owned since 1971, A Moveable Feast remains the gathering place for foodies of all tastes. The delicious food is prepared in a healthy way, using only the freshest ingredients. Enjoy seafood, Texas bison and grass-fed beef burgers, Tex-Mex, vegan entrées, hummus, fresh juices, many wheat-free choices and more, all served up counter-style in a funky atmosphere. Enjoy wine and cold beer on the patio surrounded by unique gardens. Good vibes abound in this unusual café inside a health food store.

Natural Café and Health Food Store


MEXICAN

CANTINA LAREDO11129 Westheimer77042713-952-3287www.cantinalaredo.com

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

9668 Westheimer #300,Houston, TX 77063(Located in the Randalls shopping center)

713-785-4555www.WoodlakeSquare.com

www.fiveguys.com

Skip the line,ORDER ONLINE!

There are over 250,000 possible ways to order a burger at FIVE GUYS®.We use only fresh ground beef and peanut oil.There are no freezers in FIVE GUYS® locations, just coolers. Nothing is ever frozen.

FACTS

HOURS:11AM-10PMEVERY DAY

Limit 1 coupon per customer.Expires February 1, 2015Galleria

713-789-49725860 San Felipe

TX 77057

Memorial713-464-52689410 GaylordTX 77024

Southwell ’sHamburger Grill

Buy one hamburger, fries and drink, get another hamburger

for FREE!

Limit 1 coupon per customer.Expires April 1, 2015

Details at www.bluewillowbookshop.com

281-497-867514532 Memorial Dr. @ Dairy Ashford

Joshua Jay

Monday, February 16th

at 5 pm

Be amazed! Meet Magician

ABSOLUTELY!DELICIOUS LISTING

T1

W O2

H E3

A R4

T S V5

A6

S7

E S8

O A V A W9

A N T U

M10

A K E A W11

I S12

H13

L14

O V E15

R

T Y T16

A R17

N18

A N I

N19

O R A H20

A21

R W E N22

L23

A

O E I24

D S A25

G E E

S26

C27

E N T D28

I A M O N D29

S30

E31

R C I32

I33

T O T34

O W

A35

N36

T37

H O N Y38

T P39

I N E

S40

E E M41

E D42

A L N P

C43

H O C O44

L A T E S K45

E N T

O G N P O46

S A

R47

A S48

H L Y C49

A R D D50

O W

K U E I51

R E A A

S52

A M D53

U N S T S54

H Y L Y

Answers to puzzle on page 25.

How DoYou Spell

LOVE?

W hen the new government of the Republic of Texas was organized, one of its first

challenges was paying the military ex-penses and debts for the war the Tex-ians had just fought with Mexico. On June 9, 1837, Congress authorized the first circulating paper money of Texas. It was called “Star Money” because of the prominent five-pointed star in the center of the bill. They were printed by Cruger & Moore in Houston and were designed only to be a temporary issue.

To provide higher quality bills, the Texas government issued its first series of engraved notes in 1838. They were marked “Government of Texas” and fea-tured several allegorical figures. These notes also listed the City of Houston as the location of the seat of government. The Government of Texas notes were printed in denominations of $1, $3, $5, $10, $20 and $50 by the private firm of Draper, Toppan, Longacre & Co. of Phil-adelphia and New York.

These notes were initially signed by Henry Smith as Treasurer and Wil-liam G. Cooke, who signed the name of Sam Houston as President. As noted by James P. Bevill in his book The Paper Republic, Congress passed an act allow-ing Houston’s personal secretary to sign his name on the bills. The practice was continued by Texas’ second President, Mirabeau B. Lamar.

The allegorical figures on these notes are examples of the intricate art of 19th century engraving and provided the Texas government with a level of quality that would be difficult to counterfeit. The images were painstakingly engraved by hand with customized details. The god-

desses of liberty, justice and agriculture were combined with Texas scenes like buffalo hunting to create unique bills for the new republic. There were small vari-ations in the designs. For example, all denominations of these notes depicted a seated portrait of Lady Liberty with a shield or an eagle, except the $5 note, which pictured her standing.

The second issue of notes, authorized by Congress on December 14, 1838, co-incided with the seat of the government moving from Houston to Austin. The change, or small denomination notes, featured allegorical vignettes reflecting wildlife and western themes of Texas. The printing quality of these $1, $2 and $3 Republic of Texas notes was impres-sive. They included intricate designs of Native Americans, a cowboy on a white horse roping a longhorn and a cotton plant, the primary cash crop of Texas. Printed in New Orleans, these bills were signed by the comptroller and treasurer.

New bills were authorized by Con-gress on January 19, 1839 in larger de-nominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 and $500. The printing of these Repub-lic of Texas “redbacks” marked the first time a design appeared on the reverse of a Texas note. They had a distinct red-dish or burnt orange color with the let-

A LITTLE PIECEOF HISTORY

By The Heritage Society

Paper Money in the Republic of Texas

The “Republic ofTexas” $1 change note.

Permanent Collection of The Heritage Society; Gift of Mr. Henry David.

ters T-E-X-A-S surrounding a five-point-ed star. These were issued concurrently with the change notes and were printed by the firm Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson of New York and New Orleans. The front of these notes featured a host of new allegorical figures and vignettes. They also included portraits of Erastus “Deaf” Smith, famed scout of the Texian Army, on the $5 redback and Stephen F. Austin on the $50 redback.

The “Republic of Texas” $50 noted featured the portrait of Stephen F. Austin. The reverse “redback” is also shown.Permanent Collection of The Heritage Society;Gift of Mr. Henry David.

The value of Texas paper money de-preciated almost immediately after it was dispersed, simply because the gov-ernment did not have the gold or silver to back it up. Overprinting money, along with the fact that the United States ex-perienced a bank panic in 1837, crippled the Texas economy. Although it is not helpful for those who lived in the time of the Republic, Texans today place great value on these bills for their artwork and the tangible piece of Texas history they represent.


The “Government of Texas” $5 bill featured the standing Liberty goddess.Permanent Collection of The Heritage Society;Estate of John Corley Silvey, Jr.

INSIDE BACK

INSIDE BACK

BACK

BACK

Wherever life takes you, CALL ON US

H E R I TA G E T E X A S .COMMemorial: 14340 Memorial Drive, 281.493.3880 • Royal Oaks: 11689 Westheimer, Suite C, 281.679.0101

Molly McBirney281.582.3913

clarann Mccoy281.582.3907

Suzan Phenicie281.582.3904

Donna Mullane281.582.3950

Donna Pierce281.582.3903

roBin MueckPreSiDent/ceo

Sharyn Short281.582.3922

Martha White281.582.3956

carol WalDroP281.582.3962

Vicki JackSon713.899.5221

liSa JoneS281.723.2614

ann knoche281.582.3911

Scott lanDreth281.582.3925

karen Martin281.582.3910

Shelley Filla281.582.3957

Trisha Fletcher281.582.3915

Marge Hopkins281.582.3951

Janice irelanD281.620.8427

Patty JackSon281.582.3960

Lacey Cannon281.582.3992

Jo Cochran281.582.3961

Rebecque Demark & Nancy Scott

281.582.3964

Rita Donnelly281.582.3930

Christine Duncan281.582.3959

february 2015 - absolutely memorial magazine

Documents

fullservice emergency

sfupdated home

sfsophisticated home

story home

sfnew construction home

sftraditionalstyle home

sfmodern smarthome

pediatric subspecialties