february 2016 - absolutely katy magazine

FEBRUARY 2016

LOVE ISin the Air

KICKIN'in KatySuper Bowl Bash Tips

Katy Elks SweetheartsKaty Elks Sweethearts

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 gastroenterology to ENT, ourspecialty clinics are staffed by experts in 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.

Texas Children’s Urgent Care is now in yourarea. Visit urgentcare.texaschildrens.org tofind hours, location and conditions we treat.

© 2016 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 2015-2016 Honor Roll. WC560_120215

Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus

18200 Katy FreewayHouston, TX 77094832-227-1000

WC560_ad_WC_HopSkipJump_AbsKatyMem_Layout 1 12/4/15 9:56 AM Page 1

FEBRUARY 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelykaty.com2

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 6 | V O L U M E 1 3 | N U M B E R 2

C O V E R S T O RY

10 KATY ELKS SWEETHEARTS’Special HeartsFor Special Children For 29 years, the Texas Elks have sponsored the Texas Elks Camp for Texas special needs children. Through hard work and generous giving, Katy Elks Lodge No. 2628 and its Sweetheart Program are going above and beyond to support these children.

F E AT U R E S

12 LOVE IS IN THE AIR Katy Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

14 VALENTINE’S DAY IDEAS & TIPS Look no further than these 10 ways make your Valentine feel special – and even more loved.

29 10 EASYSUPER BOWL PARTY TIPS Bump it up to the next levelas a party host with these toptips for a touchdown of a time.

C O L U M N S

16 absolutely!FABULOUS FINDS

18 HIGH SCHOOL HOT SHOTMeet Delaney Ferguson

21 FAMILY LAWLove and Marriage . . . and Love During Divorce?

28 KIDS’ CORNERAccept Your Kids, Even When You Disapprove

B R A I N T E A S E R

13 HEARTS AND FLOWERS

N E W S W O RT H Y

20 NATIONAL CHARITY LEAGUE Lady BirdClass of 2016 Senior Presentation

NATIONAL CHARITY LEAGUE, INC.Star Chapter Honors Senior Class

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

26 absolutely! Q & A Texas Children’s HospitalWest Campus AnswersYour Questions About the Flu

a b s o l u t e l y !A U T O R E V I E W

30 2016 MINICOOPER CLUBMAN

CONTRIBUTORS

18

Joan FrancesContributor Page 18

16

Robin Ebrechtabsolutely! Fabulous FindsPage 16

13

Myles MellorContributorPage 13

Nancy L. Rommelmann Family Law Attorney Page 21

21

Cyd WrightWhat’s Kickin’ in KatyPage 32

32

Morgan ZimmermannOut & About in the Heart of KatyPage 2222

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

31 SWAP UP For Big Game Day

C O M M U N I T Y E V E N T S

32 WHAT’S KICKIN’ IN KATY

I N E V E RY I S S U E

4 EXCLAMATION POINTS!

22 OUT & ABOUTIN THE HEART OF KATY

Tammy Iund and Ann Powell.Photography by Hallie Keller.

Patrick BironBirons Youth Sports CenterPage 28

28

Steve KursarAuto EnthusiastPage 30

30

We are setting the pace in cardiovascular care. Memorial Hermann treats the most hearts in Houston, with our affiliated physicians performing

more than 50,000 procedures last year alone. This award-winning, innovative care includes nine

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Learn more at heart.memorialhermann.org

REAL MUSCLEIN HEART


EXCLAMATION POINTS!THE INSIDE SCOOP STRAIGHT FROM THE TOP

absolutely! KatyTM Magazine is published by absolutely! focus media, 4655 Techniplex Dr., Ste. 700, Stafford, TX 77477. Copyright © 2016 by absolutely! focus media. All rights reserved. Reproduc-tion without permission is strictly prohibited. absolutely! KatyTM Magazine does not knowingly accept false or misleading adver-tising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. absolutely! KatyTM Magazine welcomes editorial submissions from its readers.

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Publishedby

Vol. 13 No. 2February 2016

4655 TECHNIPLEX DR. STE 700STAFFORD, TX 77477

281-690-4242

WWW.ABSOLUTELYKATY.COM

P U B L I S H E RPatti 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 O U N T E X E C U T I V E SJennifer Elliott

Molly EllisKay Garrett

Andrea RigamontiSuzanne Stiles

A RT D I R E C T O RGrace Belleza

G R A P H I C D E S I G N E R SCamille Hay

Marinela Taylor

W E B D E S I G N E RJoey Belleza

P H O T O G R A P H Y Hallie Keller

C O N T R I BU T O R SM.G. AnguloPatrick Biron

Robin EbrechtJoan FrancesSteve KursarMyles Mellor

Nancy L. RommelmannCyd Wright

Morgan Zimmermann

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

Happy Valentine’s Day! In this special issue devot-ed to love, we introduce you to two ladies who have big hearts for special needs children. Ann Powell and Tammy Iund were crowned Sweethearts by the Katy Elks Lodge No. 2628, and along with other volunteers in the Sweetheart Program, they have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for these children to experi-ence the Texas Elks Camp free of charge. Speaking of sweethearts, if you need help with some extra special Valentine’s Day ideas, turn to our Valentine’s Day Gift Guide on page 12 and Valentine’s Day Ideas & Tips on page 14.

Also in this issue, you will meet several outstand-ing Katy students. Our High School Hot Shot Delaney Ferguson hails from Taylor High School where she is an outstanding basketball player, leader and friend. The National Charity League, Inc. Lady Bird and Star chapters recently honored their Class of 2016 seniors. These ladies have volun-teered thousands of hours at local philanthropies, and we applaud them.

Finally, the Super Bowl celebrates 50 years this month. Turn to page 32 for details from Cyd in What’s Kickin’ in Katy, and we have some fabulous tips for throw-ing a successful – and delicious – Super Bowl bash. Enjoy this issue!

Absolutely! yours,

LaraLara [email protected]

Dylan Milam.

@larabellBrooks Milam.

ON THE COVER:Ann Powell and Tammy Iund.

Photo by Hallie Keller.

READER FEEDBACKOsteoStrong Richmond, A Bone Health and

Wellness Studio, has been advertising with Fort Bend Focus, absolutely! Brazos, absolutely! Katy and absolutely! Memorial for three years. I have had tremendous results and will continue to advertise in the future. Thank you for your beautiful magazine and helping me to grow my business.

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Editor’s Note:Bonnie Holland Elementary School student Jace Ferrer was incorrectly identified as Jason Cai on page 23 in last month’s issue.

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For 29 years, the Texas Elks – a branch of the Elks, one of the largest and most active fraternal organiza-tions in the world – have sponsored the Texas Elks Camp that provides traditional camp activities from music, sports, bowling and art to indoor rock climbing and swimming for Texas spe-cial needs children from seven years old to 15 years old. But more than this, the children who attend this camp find solace, inspiration, encouragement and achievement through camp counselors and the featured activities.

This year, funds are being raised for a trip to Sea World for the campers the coming summer, and each Friday, a graduation ceremony will be held where the camp counselors bestow upon the campers a special award for their achievements during camp.

T here is a camp in

Ottine, Texas where

more than 300 chil-

dren who come from different

backgrounds, livelihoods and

cultures learn the same vital

lesson: Having a difference

doesn’t make a difference.

Phot

o by

Hal

lie K

elle

r.

over $6,000 in grants, and this year, we will provide over $7,700,” said Iund. “Throughout the state of Texas, the Texas Elks Grant program will provide over $300,000 in assistance to children in need.”

And this assistance is all because of the Sweetheart Program, Iund stressed. “The focus of the Sweetheart Program is 100 percent on special needs children,” said Iund, who was crowned the 2015-2016 State Sweetheart by the Texas Elks Association. Iund, along with all of the Elks lodges in the Gulf Coast District, made the district the highest fundraising one last year with a net of more than $119,000 topping all other districts by $40,000. She also broke the per capita record with $61 per capita with her fundraising efforts.

“Each lodge in Texas chooses a per-son or sometimes a committee to be the Sweetheart for that lodge,” Iund ex-plained. “This Sweetheart works hard during the lodge year to raise funds. At the end of the lodge’s year, the lodge Sweetheart turns in monies raised at District. The Sweetheart who raises the most money is crowned District

“For the campers and their families, this is an experience that some only dream of,” said Tammy Iund with the Katy Elks Lodge No. 2628. The camp hosts seven three-week sessions each summer, and the children attend camp free of charge, because the camp is 100 percent supported by funds raised by a strategy called the Sweetheart Program, which is implemented at each of the Texas Elks lodges around the state.

Fundraising for Children in Need

The Sweetheart Program is a two-pronged effort: It raises funds for the Texas Elks Camp, as well as the Texas Elks Grants, which also benefit special needs children. While the camp instills an empowering environment, the Tex-as Elks Grant program provides fund-ing for medical equipment, procedures and the like. The families who need assistance complete the grant applica-tion, and it is submitted to the nearest lodge for review.

“Last year, the Katy Lodge provided Tammy Iund.

COVER STORYBy M.G. Angulo

FEBRUARY 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelykaty.com10 FEBRUARY 2016 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelykaty.com10

Katy Elks

Sweethearts’

Special Hearts

for Special

Children

www.absolutelykaty.com l FEBRUARY 2016 11

F ounded February 16, 1868 in New York, the Elks, a 100 percent volun-

teer organization, has given away more than $3.5 billion to charitable, welfare, educational and veterans programs through its Scholarship, Veteran and Sweetheart programs since 1878. With 2,100 lodges nationwide operating un-der the motto “Elks Care, Elks Share,” the Elks have award an estimated $3.3 million in college scholarships a year.

Ann Powell’s Sweetheart Plans

The current Katy Elks Lodge Sweet-heart is Ann Powell, who, like Iund, said being a sweetheart is in her blood. “My mother was the Lodge Sweetheart one year, so I guess it runs in the fam-ily. As a Sweetheart, we get much more out of it than the kids. There is nothing more gratifying than knowing you have helped improve the life of a child.”

Powell has hit the ground running with her fundraising efforts, having already held the Lip Sync Show in September and planning for the 2nd Annual Sweetheart Dinner set for Thursday, February 11th – the largest of the Katy Lodge’s Sweetheart Pro-gram fundraisers.

Sweethearts also host a myriad of dinners, drawings and fun events like a prior carnival night where volunteers took pies to the face for donations. “As we often say in the lodge, ‘It’s for the kids,’” Powell said. “My objective would be, as I am sure all Sweethearts in the state of Texas, to raise the most money I can to support this won-derful program.”

In addition to the February dinner, Powell is pushing the Red Pig Program to reach her goal of surpassing last year’s record. “We have lots of red pig banks that we fill with coins,” Powell explained. “There are a lot of business-es that allow us to place them in their business, as well as a lot of lodge mem-bers who fill them at home.” Powell said the community’s support is vital to the Sweetheart Program’s success and hopes that Sweetheart functions will

2nd Annual Sweetheart Dinner and Auction

Sweetheart and goes on to the state convention to represent the district and lodge to compete for Texas Elks State Sweetheart.”

To date, the Katy Lodge has held the State Sweetheart title more than any lodge since 1979, and nine State Sweet-hearts hail from the Katy Lodge. Iund, who said she has been involved with the Katy Lodge since she was 18, fol-lowing in her mother’s footsteps, said it takes “a lot of work by a lot of people” to earn the title of State Sweetheart.

“A Sweetheart operates best with a support system, and we have just that in Katy,” Iund said. “We call it the Sweetheart Committee. This is a close group of friends who will do whatever it takes to raise funds and awareness for the program. Without this group of friends, I could have never been crowned State Sweetheart.”

The Katy Elks Lodge No. 2628 is do-ing its part in that contribution by host-ing its 2nd Annual Sweetheart Dinner and Auction on February 11th at 6 pm at Beckendorff Farms Historic Event Venue at 28533 Morton Road in Katy.

The biggest fundraiser for the Lodge’s Sweetheart Program, the event will fea-ture a dinner, as well as a silent and live auction with Glenn Beckendorff as the auctioneer. Former Katy Mayor Don El-

help spread the word about Katy Elks and the Sweetheart Program.

“The Katy Elks Lodge and all Elks Lodges across Texas are a great place to work on behalf of the many charities the Elks support,” Iund said. “While working hard, you make lifelong friends. The smiles you see at camp graduation or the thank you notes from families who receive grants make it so worthwhile. The friends you make are like the cherry on top of the cake. It is a gift and blessing to be able to be in-volved in such a program.”

For more information about the Katy Elks Lodge No. 2628, call 281-391-2763 or visit www.katyelks.org. For more information about the Texas Elks Camp, visit www. texaselkscamp.org.

der, Jr. will serve as the evening’s emcee. “This event is a big event for us,”

said current Katy Elks Lodge Sweetheart Ann Powell. “For $25, you will receive a wonderful dinner and be entertained by both a live and silent auction. Other fundraising is occurring all the time,” she added. “We are constantly holding din-ners and raffles and will be having activi-ties during the Super Bowl as well.”

Call 281-391-2763 for more details.

Debbie Tharp, Sarah Garcia, Tammy Iund and Cherie Guillory worked the Katy Elks booth at the 2015 Katy Rice Harvest Festival.

Ann Powell.

While she isn’t this year’s Sweet-heart, Iund said she cannot imagine a time when she won’t be involved with the program. “Once a Sweetheart, al-ways a Sweetheart,” she said.

Donna Powell, a past State Sweetheart, with daughter Ann Powell.

Photo by Hallie Keller.


K AT Y VA L E N T I N E ’ S D AY G I F T G U I D E

RIDE IN STYLEGive 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.

A CUSTOM OUTDOORLIVING SPACESurprise your sweetheart, and give a gift that will add 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.

SKINCEUTICALS ADVANCED ANTI-AGING SYSTEMThis system is proven to combat and prevent accumulated signs of damage by providing advanced daytime environmental protection, promoting skin’s nightly repair and increasing skin’s density by 18.9%.Dr. Shel Wellness and Medical Spa, 1437 Highway 6, Suite 100 in Sugar Land. Call 281-313-7435; www.drshelmd.com.

is in the AirLove

VALENTINE’S DAY BLOOMSSend your Valentine a special message with a custom made bouquet from LC Floral Designs. LC Floral Designs, 204 Highway 90A East in Richmond. Call 281-342-8839; www.lcfloraldesigns.com.

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HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY FROMSUGAR LAND PLASTIC SURGERYPucker up with kissable lips using Avéne Cold Cream Lip Cream for soft, luscious lips and the all-in-one day cream Journée. Your honey will fall even more in love with a face so flawless! Sugar Land Plastic Surgery. Call 281-980-8000; www.MyBodySurgeon.com.



Grand Lakes Presbyterian Church

6035 South Fry Road • Katy, Texas 77450 • 281-646-7500 • Visit us at www.grandlakespc.org

“Transforming Lives in Christ”

• Youth Programs and Events• Adult Bible Studies• Senior Gatherings• Regular Services at 9 and 11 am

Come experience authentic worship and meaningful friendships! We are an intergenerational community that is committed to the highest care for one another, growing in faith together, never alone.Together we strive for a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

Rev. Dean Pogue, Senior Pastor

Across1 Takes out4 “Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak _____”7 Got introduced to9 Brazilian hot spot10 Basic building blocks of trust11 Kind of poodle13 Mischief-maker14 “Summer time, when the living is ____”16 “The Lord of the Rings” good guy17 A gentleman opens it for a lady19 Did you find the right ___?21 Romantic instrument for love songs23 Wedding material26 Tango or salsa27 Taylor and Burton, for example28 Go word for a latino lover29 Meeting time, about32 Banjo sound33 Madonna’s ex35 Watch chains39 One of the most romantic movies of all time41 Diamond measurement44 Valentine’s day present46 Leave47 Excellent48 Bank holding49 Alumna bio word50 Dearest

Down1 Word for a loved one2 Spring flower3 Classic date time (2 words)4 Oz man

5 Romantic flowers6 “Gone With the Wind,” for example7 Flower to be kissed under8 Helen of ___9 Most well-known lover of all time?12 “Fields __ Gold” Sting15 Rainbow shape16 Compass heading18 Alternative word

19 Start & go romance (2 words)20 Drinks a little champagne, perhaps22 “Strength, Courage and Wisdom” singer (2 words)24 Happening!25 React to a break-up?28 Mariner’s direction30 D.H. Lawrence initials31 Cleopatra’s lover32 Symbol

34 Lovely!35 ____ head over heels for36 Floating ___ (2 words)37 Snack38 “__ of a Woman”40 “Love __ love you, baby”42 Sharp feller43 Where are you __?44 ___-do attitude45 Garden tool

BR

AIN

TE

AS

ER

By

My

les M

ello

rHearts and Flowers

See answers on page 27.


If you are one of those love-struck individuals with some-one special in your life, you want to make your Valentine feel special. While going out for a romantic dinner or gifting chocolates and flowers may be traditional Valentine’s Day ideas, there is always scope for doing something new.

To make the occasion even more special, here are 10 Val-entine’s Day tips that can make your plan an instant hit with your beloved. So, look no further for ideas to make your Valentine feel special – and even more loved.

1 Present your Valentine with personalized gift items that are sure to make him feel like a million bucks. It

could be a piece of jewelry, photo frames, shopping vouchers or perfume. The options are virtually endless when it comes to personalizing and customizing gifts.

2 Try creating a trea-sure hunt with

clues leading up to an event or a gift that you have planned.

3 Wake up your beloved with the sight of a love note that tells your Valentine just how much you love him. Strew

them around the house and at every place you know he might look. The fact that he will find your notes of love everywhere is sure to make him feel special.

4 Write a love poem or a love song to your beloved. This will not only make your beloved feel loved, but it is sure

to melt his heart too.

5 Try to take your loved one out for a fancy dinner. If you are the home bird kind, then preparing a special meal

may be the best thing. Think of a candlelit dinner, talks and the perfect food. What more could the heart want? Try deco-rating the room with the theme of love. Heart-shaped bal-loons and decorations are bound to make the day seem as special as it can be.

6 For those who love to travel, go away on a sabbatical to a lovely destination.

7 Relive the tale of your romance. Try recreating the moments that made you fall in love, and watch the

sparks fly.

8 Pamper your lover or even go out for a spa pampering session together. It is bound to fill the day with delight.

9 Surprise your sweetheart by preparing a “10 Reasons I Love You” Valentine’s Day breakfast. On your Valen-

tine’s plate, leave a letter or card listing 10 reasons why you love your partner.

10 Create an intimate Valentine’s Day evening at home. Put on soft, romantic music to set the mood. After a

hearty dinner, get on the dance floor and sway to the tunes.

Valentine’s Day

Source: www.mydearvalentine.com

T here is no other day as Valentine’s Day when love is celebrated with so much zest. Couples wait for this

day of love to indulge in romance and prove their chivalry. While some draw inspiration from romantic movies and love stories, others invent their own style of celebrating it.

Ideas & Tips

Before

FREE

Valentine’s Day

FabulousFinds

BY ROBIN EBRECHT

You may know me as a Katy mom of three amazing boys and wife to Daryn, 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!

Limited Edition Bombshell PerfumeDo you want to make your Valentine happy? This limited edition Swarovski crystal bottle of Bombshell fragrance should do it! It is absolutely gorgeous in person, and the scent is fantastic too!www.victoriassecret.com

Custom Monogram PillowsMonogram pillows are a great gift for anyone. Choose from any color, and customize it for your special someone or just for you!www.pepperminttwist.com

Custom Wooden SpoonsThese designer wooden spoons are beautiful enough to display but perfect for serving too. These spoons can be customized in many different ways! They make great wedding or housewarming gifts.www.saltmarketplace.com

Minky Couture BlanketsI love, love, love these blankets! I give these for gifts, and everyone loves them. You choose a fabric pattern and then select a satin trim color and the size you prefer. They are absolutely fabulous.www.minkycouture.com

Personalized Porcelain BowlsThese porcelain bowls hold 32 ounces – perfect for cereal, ice cream or soup! Choose any family character to personalize it with. These make great gifts.www.personalcreations.com



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Book your Wedding, Corporate BBQ or Family Reunion now!For more information call Morgan Zimmermann, Event Director, at 281-712-9740

5443 Katy Hockley Cut-off Rd. Katy, TX 77493 www.cottonranchevents.com

Meet Delaney Ferguson

By Joan Frances

HOT SHOTHigh School

“From school work to friendships and even at home, I consider myself true to my word, and I will do everything in my power to

follow through with what I say I will do.” – Delaney Ferguson

“S triving for excellence, meeting the challenges of today, preparing stu-

dents for tomorrow...Taylor High School lives up to its motto: Taylor Made for Success.” This pledge is re-inforced every school day as teachers and administration encourage diver-sity and individuality. James Taylor High School in Katy Independent School District has a defined and ac-curate goal for all students: to make them a success at whatever they en-deavor to do. Students take different paths throughout their high school experience to achieve individual fulfillment. One senior who has ac-complished her goals these past four years is Delaney Ferguson.

Delaney has been engaged in playing basketball all four years of high school. She has always been an aggressive player, scoring double-digit points as a freshman and soph-omore. She has been a member of the varsity basketball team the past two years and plays the post position. The team practices 11 to 12 hours a week. Delaney’s friendships with her teammates are strong. They all look out for one another on and off the court. They are a family and are committed to doing the very best they can for the school and for one another. They have played well at tournaments in the past few years.

As a leader and team player, Delaney plays with confidence and commitment. She said, “As a leader, my team’s success is solely on me. If my team is successful, then I know I have done my job, but if not, then I have failed them. We work together

as a unit to play basketball the best we can. This is what camaraderie is all about and why I enjoy playing this sport. Basketball is a physical sport of course, but it’s the mental challenge that keeps my team and me on the court having the most fun. To figure out which way a player may go and how to stop the opposing side, the strategies we use to be sure we are passing the ball and where we should be all require teamwork and knowing each other really well.”

One value Delaney lives by is de-pendability. “Being dependable is very important to me. When someone needs something, they can always count on me to do it. From school work to friend-ships and even at home, I consider my-self true to my word, and I will do ev-erything in my power to follow through with what I say I will do.”

Delaney’s favorite teacher at Taylor is Adena Sealock, her French II teach-er. “She is a fun teacher. All of her stu-dents know she enjoys teaching by her positive attitude and great disposition.

She always finds ways to make the lessons more interesting. I look so forward to coming to her class every day. Mrs. Sealock helps us under-stand what we are doing and why. She is always available to help and continues to push her students to be the best they can be.”

One thing Delaney will treasure the most about her high school ex-perience is, “The people I have sur-rounded myself with during this senior year. The past three years have been a growing time for me as a person. Friendships are so impor-tant, but just like any time of dis-covery, I had to figure out who my true friends are. I will treasure these friends for a lifetime.”

Delaney is still undecided on the college she will attend in the fall but will major in physical therapy. Congratulations on your commit-ment to success Delaney, and good luck as you take the next step to your future.

Delaney



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National Charity League, Inc.,Star Chapter Honors Senior Class

On Sunday, January 17th, National Charity League, Inc. (NCL, Inc.), Star Chapter honored members of its graduating class at the chapter’s Class of 2016 Senior Recognition and Presentation. At the event, the 18 young ladies, known as Tick-tockers, were honored for their service to the community, which included volunteering more than 3,000 hours at local philan-thropies over the last six years.

“It has been a pleasure to watch these girls grow into confi-dent, young adults ready to embrace the world,” said NCL, Inc., Star Chapter President Mary Kay Yu. “We congratulate them on their accomplishments and are excited to see what the next chapter will bring for each of them.”

NCL, Inc., Star Chapter currently has 292 members and pro-vides hands-on volunteer service for 29 philanthropic organiza-tions in the local community. Among these philanthropies are the Westview School, the food pantry and resale shop of Katy Christian Ministries, Citizens for Animal Protection; Society of St. Stephen - Home Delivered Meals, American Red Cross and more.

Taylor Watson, Dana Barker, Sarah Staines, Kaylee Buchanan, MacShayne Walpole-Molinar, Stefanie Chang, Cydney Varner, Brenna Smith, Cami Squires, Claire Sullivan, Kaycee Swierc, Sarah-Kate Fowler, Caroline Black, Sarah Roberts, Cassidy Lovett, Anna Miller, Christine Butterfield and Kaitlin Everhard. Photo by Nikki Guest.

National Charity League, Inc. (NCL, Inc.) Lady Bird Chap-ter proudly honored the 2016 graduating class at its Senior Presentation Ceremony at the Westchase Marriott on January 31st. The 18 seniors and their mothers volunteered more than 4,628 hours at Katy area philanthropies over the past six years. This is the first class that has completed all six years with the Lady Bird Chapter since the chapter was formed in 2010.

The Lady Bird Chapter’s total philanthropy hours have sur-passed 5,700 hours so far this year in support of their philanthro-pies. NCL, Inc. is a national non-profit, mother-daughter service organization. Some of the 21 philanthropies that National Char-ity League, Inc. Lady Bird works with includes the Fort Bend County Women’s Center, Eternal Food Ministries, Keep Kids Connected, Willow River Farms, Project Linus, Neighborhood Kidz Club, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels and more. Congratulations NCL, Inc. Lady Bird Chapter Class of 2016!

National Charity League Lady Bird Class of 2016 Senior Presentation

Haley Wakeham, Katherine Gerken, Anna Bowman, Stevie Clewett, Tristin Trevino, Kara Killinger, Lauren Ramsey, Cairn Timko, Payton Haas, Kendall Rollins, Kaelyn Compas Echiverri, Melissa McDonald, Meredith Reese, Rebecca Dillon, Samantha Evans, Kendall Pogue, Hannah Skeen and Skylar Devers. Photo by Kevin Hoehne.


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

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

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

be shown during a divorce?

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

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

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

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

Many readers enjoyed this from last year, and I think it’s worth the read again.

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IN THEHEART

K AT Y

OUT&ABOUT

By Morgan Zimmermann

High school students from three Houston area schools – Katy ISD’s Miller Career Center Culinary Program, Cy-Fair ISD Culinary Academy and Westside High School Culinary Academy – participated in the 10th Annual Landry’s, Inc. Iron Chef Competition at The Galveston Island Convention Center. During the event, the students met with Landry’s, Inc. chefs and top executives to gain valuable insight into a career in the hospitality industry. The Iron Chef Competition is an annual culinary contest in which the company’s most talented executive chefs from coast to coast compete for the title of “Landry’s Iron Chef.”

Chef John Baker with students Lauren Simmons, Aaron Kalenda, Caroline Curtis, Nancy Alvarado and Chef Chelsea Gumm.

The unveiling of the James Williams Elementary Patron Wall at Katy ISD’s James Williams Elementary honored all of the school’s generous patrons. Second graders sang the school song, and refreshments followed.

Julie and Anita Pickett. Laura and Allison Wolfe. P.J. Reeves.

Tess, Jack, Sophia and Ben Stephens.

Phot

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Wat

son.

[email protected]

Star of Hope’s Courtney Hill Khorrami and Shay Morris.

Odessa Kilpatrick Elementary School fourth grader Shay Morris decided to forgo receiving birthday presents at her recent 10th birthday party and instead asked guests to bring donations. In doing so, Shay collected over 100 items that she took to Star of Hope. While Shay was there, she also received a guided tour of the facility. Shay told the tour guide, “It makes my heart happy to be able to come out and donate.” Way to go Shay!


Firethorne kindled the spirit of the season with a “Christmas Around the World” Holiday Party. A uniformed flight attendant greeted “passengers” at the front door of the Visitor Center, where they were “whisked away” to a destination brimming with international food buffets and drawings for a variety of gift prizes.

Bethany McCade welcomed guests against a passport stamped backdrop.

Meet Katy’s littlest fan, Lillian Marie Wagner.

Go Katy! Senior football players celebrated their State Championship win.

The first baby born this year at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital was Aaron Jacob Payan, born to proud parents Edgar and Mariana and big brother Cristian. Aaron weighed 5 lbs. and 15 oz. and measured 18.5 inches when he came into the world at 3:25 am on January 1st. Welcome to the world, Aaron!

Aaron Payan.

Kris Perez, Corey Griffin and Jon Letter.

Colton Walker and Noah Lopez.

Robert White, Mary Jo Jasperson, Wayne Meyer, Pam Roberson, Vicki Welsch, Janet Burkett, Christine Cardiff and Randy Carr.

Tom Gunnell and Janet Theis.

BrendaCampbell.

Mariana, Edgar and Aaron Payan.


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IN THEHEART

K AT Y

OUT&ABOUT

Jim Potesta, Kathy Vallejo and Jared Matthews.

Marty Reichenthal and Charlotte Morales.

Orangetheory Fitness launched its seventh Houston area location in Cinco Ranch with a VIP Grand Opening party on January 4th. Throughout the evening, hundreds of guests had the opportunity to sign up for an Orangetheory Fitness membership, pre-book classes and enter in a variety of raffles, including Snap Kitchen gift cards and Orangetheory Fitness water bottles. The newest studio opened for classes on January 5th.

Morton Ranch High School teachers Diane Delacruz, John Martin, Marina Ealy and Sarah Thomas cheered on their fellow teachers and staff as they played reindeer games after their holiday luncheon.


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Q: WHAT IS THE FLU?The flu is a contagious, respiratory illness caused by the

influenza virus. The annual flu season typically starts in the fall and ends in the early spring, with peaks occurring from Novem-ber to March. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between five and 20 percent of the United States population gets the flu, and as many as 200,000 people are hospitalized for flu-related complications each year. Sadly, 141 children died from the flu and flu-related complications during last year’s flu season.

Q: WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THE FLU?Most children with the flu will develop fever, headache,

runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, de-creased appetite, muscle and body aches and fatigue. Although many will recover within seven to 14 days, some children may develop flu-related complications, such as ear or sinus infections, pneumonia, dehydration, worsening chronic medical symptoms and even death. Some people are at a higher risk for developing flu-related complications requiring hospitalization. They include:

• Children younger than two-years-old.• People, including children, with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, neurological conditions (i.e., cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, seizure disorder), chronic lung disease (i.e., asthma, cystic fibrosis), heart disease, blood disorders (i.e., sickle cell disease), endocrine disorders (i.e., diabetes mellitus), kidney and liver disorders, metabolic and genetic disorders and those with a weakened immune system (i.e., cancer).• Women who are pregnant or postpartum, within two weeks of delivery.• Adults older than 65 years-old.

Q: WHERE SHOULD I TAKE MY CHILD IF HE IS SICK?

Most healthy children with mild symptoms can be safely treated at home. Parents should provide their ill child with fever and pain-reducing medications, such as acetaminophen or ibu-profen, plenty of fluids and lots of rest. However, if a child is at high risk for developing flu-related complications or exhibiting worsen-ing symptoms, he should be taken to the pediatrician, urgent care or emergency center.

Q: HOW CAN I PREVENT MY CHILD FROM CATCHING THE FLU?

There are a number of ways parents can help decrease the spread of flu and prevent their children from getting sick, including:

• Getting their child a flu vaccine each year.• Covering their child’s nose and mouth with a tissue while sneezing or coughing.• Throwing away tissues immediately after each use.• Encouraging frequent and proper hand washing.• Cleaning surfaces in the home and toys with a household disinfectant.• Discouraging kids from sharing drinking cups, utensils, toothbrushes and towels.• Keeping ill children at home until he is no longer

contagious or without fever for at least 24 hours.

Each year, the influenza virus causes mild to severe disease in children of all ages. Although most children can be safely observed and treated at home, if your child ever develops worsening or severe symptoms, such as rapid or increased work of breathing, pale or bluish skin color, persistent vomiting, significant dehydration or decreased or minimal responsive-ness, please seek immediate medical care. Texas Children’s Emergency Center at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus is open 24/7 and Texas Children’s Urgent Cares clinics have evening and weekend hours.

EXPERT: Dr. Katherine Leaming-Van Zandt, pediatric emergency medicine physician at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, answers some of the most common questions about the flu.

The Fluab

solu

tely

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Q A&

Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus.

It’s “ah…ah…ah…fluuuu” season, and the sounds of sniffles, sneezes and coughing have been echoing through the Texas Chil-dren’s Hospital West Campus emergency center walls! Caring for a sick child is not always easy or straightforward, so here are some flu basics to help your family get through this flu season.


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Kids’ CornerBy Patrick Biron

Fundamentally, children require acceptance to live a happy and fulfilled life. If a child feels that he will only be accepted because of what he accomplishes, chooses or avoids, there are negative, scientifically documented consequences that can last a lifetime. Conversely, children who feel assured of their acceptance have higher grades, take leadership positions amongst their peers and are exponentially less likely to bully other children.

Richard Lavoie, an expert in child social behavior, said, “The number one need of any human is to be liked by other humans. But our kids are like strangers in their own land. They don’t

understand the basic rules of operating in society, and their mistakes

are usually unintentional.” Children who don’t feel

accepted are more likely to have depression, anxiety, poor grades, experiment with ille-gal substances and

seek out unhealthy relationships later in life.

Your child desperately needs to know at his core

that he is acceptable to

you, especially during those times when he doesn’t succeed, makes mistakes or falls short. An easy way to describe this is unconditional love. Parents need to always be an advocate for their children. Make sure you prioritize them and that they know they are your priority. Stand up for them as long as that acceptance doesn’t blind you toward bad behavior, because after all, they are just children.

All of that is very different from approval. Acceptance is all about the child as a person, but approval is all about their choices and behavior. For example, the following are actions you should always disapprove with your child:

• When they lie.• When they disrespect others.• When they abuse drugs.• When they hurt others.Disapproving of these actions should be framed in a loving

way if possible, such as, “I love you so much, it makes me so disappointed when you make bad choices.” It takes purposeful parenting to walk the fine line between approval and acceptance, but if you apply this correctly, you might even one day hear your kids say that famous phrase, “I want you to yell at me – just please don’t be disappointed!”

If you have a topic or question you’d like covered or simply want more information, e-mail Patrick Biron at [email protected].

W e have a saying at the gym: “Praise the

child, punish the behavior.” Put another

way, we should always accept a child for who

they are but actively disapprove behavior when

needed. This is an incredibly difficult distinction

but can be even more challenging when dealing

with our own children. Let’s be honest – it’s just

way easier to lose our patience with our own

kids than others’, blurring the lines between how

we view them and how we view their choices.

Accept Your Kids, Even When You Disapprove

1 Send Invites. Send these out early. As soon as you say “go” on the party being at your place, send out a “save the date”

text, email or tweet.

2 Prepare Ahead. Everyone knows the stress of that early guest ringing the doorbell when you’re sweeping the floor

and moving furniture. Don’t let that happen! Make sure to prepare ahead of time. That means clean the house, set out chairs, place serving platters out on the table or counter – do everything but bring out the food. This will greatly reduce your stress and make sure that you are ready to go before the pre-game coverage starts.

3 Add Décor. What separates a dime-a-dozen party from a memorable one? Décor! Bring in the big guns and make it

festive. Skip balloons and go for linens and tissue poms in team colors. Linens are easily rented, and you can make your own poms. No need for candles or flowers. This is a football game, not a wedding! Banners are also a great addition.

4 Spice up Pools. Half of the Super Bowl fun is the accompa-nying pools! Make it even more exciting for guests by buying

a couple of prizes, such as a bottle of whiskey or movie passes, for the big winner at the party. Put them on display so people know what they’re playing for.

5 Beverage Diversity. Most guests will be in beer mode, so have iced tubs ready to go. Make sure you have plenty of

options available, including a non-alcoholic punch, lemon-lime in-fused water and soft drinks. To up the ante, create a signature drink with a football name to greet guests upon arrival and get them in the game mood.

6 Team Menus. Make the menu planning easy, and base it on the hometown of the teams. If you have a little extra in the

budget, consider contacting your favorite local restaurant and see if they could deliver some of your favorite dishes in party form.

7 Babysitter. Your friends will think you’re an absolute genius! Hire a babysitter from a certified agency who will provide

games and fun for the younger kids who haven’t quite developed a love of the game yet. Kid-proof a room in your house and let guests know that their kids are welcome, and they can sit back and enjoy the party.

8 Favors. Yes, it is enough to feed guests, but it’s that much nicer when you send them home with something. It doesn’t

have to break the bank, but a football cookie for the ride home, a keychain or a beer koozie are wonderful “thank you for coming” gifts. Place in a bowl by the door, and you’re good to go!

9 Photo Booth. You’ll really impress guests and give them a memento in photo form by setting up your own photo

booth. Clear an area near the front door and hang a colorful cloth, a banner or even streamers to create a backdrop. Encourage guests to mug for the camera when they arrive. Add a helmet and football for props, and watch the fun begin!

10 Dessert. Sweets are a must for any party.

Consider setting up a candy display in team colors. Bake cookies and cupcakes to set out during half-time when guests will start craving sugar. Think eas-ily accessible, handheld sweets for less stress on your part.

Source: NFL.com

By Michelle Lynn Buckley


Super BowlParty Tips

Easy

L et’s be honest. If it came down to bare essentials, you could have a successful Super Bowl party with a big screen

television, a bowl of chips and a room of pals. But, wouldn’t it be nice to bump it up to the next level and be the party of the year? Here are the top 10 tips for a touchdown of a time.


absolute ly!AUTO REVIEW

absolute ly!AUTO REVIEW

By Steve Kursar

T he all-new 2016 MINI Cooper Clubman is the answer for par-ents who long to own one of

these iconic sports cars but also need space and cargo room that most fami-lies demand. The new Clubman is longer and wider than its predecessor with a roomy enough interior to transport five relatively comfortably without any of the fun parts for which MINI is known. Driv-ing one will assuredly make you one of the cooler parents in the carpool lane.

The Mini began life back in 1959 as a cleverly designed small car manufac-tured by the British Motor Corporation. The car quickly became one of the defin-ing symbols of the hip culture in 1960s

2016MINI COOPER CLUBMAN

With four doors and room enough for several suitcases behind the back seat, you’ll easily be able to get the kids and all of their stuff to school and to prac-tice. The split rear doors allow for easy loading, and they look cool too. Some interior design features might seem a bit quirky at first, but being different is a hallmark of the MINI brand.

The new Clubman is sure to bring so many new devotees to the brand simply because of its four doors and a roomy interior. But, this is no ordinary family se-dan. This car is still all MINI.

Follow Steve Kursar at KursarOnCars. blogspot.com.

London. Performance versions of the little car were also very successful on the rally circuit. However, due to economic reasons, the brand became part of a group that was sold in 1994 to BMW. In 2000, the German carmaker rejuvenated the brand as MINI but made sure to keep the car distinctive, fun to drive and just plain fun.

The new Clubman is available with two different powerplants. The base model, with an MSRP of $24,100, has a 134 hp, 1.5 liter inline three-cylinder twin turbo engine. Mated with the manual six-speed transmission, estimated EPA fuel economy is 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. If you need a little more sports car in your Clubman, then the Cooper S can deliver with a 189 hp, 2.0 liter inline four-cylinder twin tur-bo engine. This larger engine definitely delivers a lot more fun with just a slight drop in fuel economy getting 26 mpg city/32 mpg highway.

The interior may not rival a full-size SUV, but compared to the other MINI models, the Clubman is in its own class.


Use Unexpected Ingredients. Many dips and sides prominently feature the gooey goodness of cheese. Put a fresh spin on these dishes with high-quality, sophisti-cated options that feature more robust flavors, such as pungent blue cheese, smoked Gouda or tangy goat cheese.

Sweeten up Your Spread. To mix in sweet with the savory options, find a spot on the table for some fresh fruit flavor. Favorites such as fruit salad, fruit pizza or fruit kabobs can make for a delectable treat to accompany the rest of your game-day fare.

Mix It Up. Smoky flavors and bourbon are trending upward in kitchens, backyards, bars and restaurants across the country. Combine the two for a creative spin to your beverage spread. Seep Johnsonville Fully Cooked Smoked Brats in bourbon for about a day to extract smoky and savory flavors, and mix the bourbon for a mod-ern twist on the Manhattan cocktail.

Find more creative recipes to spice up your game-day spread at Johnsonville.com.

Directions:1. De-case sausage and sauté in large pot; use wooden spoon

to crumble sausage as it cooks. 2. Once sausage is nicely browned, stir in onion, garlic,

chili powder and cumin and continue cooking until onion softens, about 5 minutes.

3. Add beer or broth and allow it to simmer for an additional5 minutes, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.

4. Stir in tomatoes and tomato paste and allow it to simmer,uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes on medium-low, stirring occasionally.

5. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.6. Finally, stir in beans and corn.7. Let this come to a simmer, and it’s ready to serve! Can be

prepared a day ahead.

Ingredients:2 Packages of Johnsonville Hot Italian Sausage Links (use mild links for less spicy chili)1 Large onion 3 Cloves garlic, minced2 Tablespoons chili powder (use mild chili powder for less spicy chili)1/4 Teaspoon cuminSalt and pepper

1 Bottle (12 ounces) dark beer or one cup beef stock1 Can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes2 Tablespoons tomato paste1 Can (15.5 ounces) red kidney beans1 Can (15.5 ounces) black beans1-1.5 Cups corn (frozen or fresh off the cob)

MVP Chili

C hicken wings, guacamole and cheesy dips are America’s top choices for most big game day menus, but the same reci-

pes year after year can get tiring. Forget the same-old spread, and surprise your guests with a little more taste and pizazz this year. Put these tips into play for a winning combination your team can celebrate.

Big Game DaySwap up for

Swap Up with Sausage. Transform typical dishes by swapping sausage into recipes, such as chili and nachos, which typically incorporate ground beef. The built-in flavor lends great taste and convenience to these dishes. Instead of chips and queso, add brat sausage to nachos to make “brat-chos.” Or, give this MVP Chili recipe a try!

Source: Family Features

absolutely!DELICIOUS

What’s Kickin’ inKaty

By Cyd [email protected]

February 2nd Groundhog Day

February 4th – 7th Oklahoma!Thursday – Saturday at 7:30 pmSunday at 2 pmTaylor High School Performing Arts Center20700 Kingsland BoulevardPresented by the Taylor PlayMakers, this production is known as Rogers and Ham-merstein’s landmark of the American musi-cal theatre. For more information and ticket prices, visit www.taylorplaymakers.com.

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

February 5thNational Wear Red Day National Wear Red Day for Women is a mas-sive national public awareness day the first Friday each February, urging women, people from all walks of life, businesses, towns, schools, the media, buildings and landmarks to “go red” and “glow red” to bring attention to the leading killers of women – heart dis-ease and stroke. For more information, visit www.goredforwomen.org.

February 6th Katy Half Marathon6:30 amKaty Mills Mall5000 Katy Mills CircleThe 2nd annual Katy Half Marathon is now part of the Bayou City Half Marathon Series. The race includes distances for athletes of all ages and skill levels with a half marathon, half marathon relay, 5k and a kids 1k race. For more information and registration details, visit www.katyhalf.com.

February 7th 3:30 pm KickoffSuper Bowl 50Are you ready for some football? Throw a party with family and friends to celebrate 50 years of Super Bowl fun! Check out www.nfl.com/superbowl/50 for details on the big game.

February 10th Ash Wednesday

February 13th 9 am – NoonCans for a CureTradition Bank550 Pin Oak RoadBenefiting Keep Kids Connected, this event encourages participants to drop off alumi-num beverage cans for recycling. Proceeds from recycling cans go to purchase Netbook computers for kids battling cancer or other life threatening illnesses to help them stay connected with family and friends. For more details, visit www.keepkidsconnected.org.

February 4th – 6th Into the Woods7 pmTompkins High School Performing Arts Center4400 Falcon Landing BoulevardMark your calendar for an enchanted evening as the Tompkins High School Fine Arts De-partment participates in its first Tommy Tune Awards with the musical production Into the Woods. Advanced tickets are $12 or $15 at the door. Visit www.tompkinstheatre.com for more details and to purchase tickets.

February 14thHappy Valentine’s Day

February 15th Presidents Day

February 17th – 20th 73rd Annual Katy ISD FFA Livestock Show and Rodeo L. D. Robinson Pavilion6301 South Stadium LaneThe Katy ISD Future Farmers of America (FFA) Livestock Show and Rodeo Associa-tion, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation consisting of Katy area business leaders, current and former FFA parents and other volunteers. This rodeo supports agricultural education and is held in conjunction with the school district’s annual FFA livestock show. Visit www.KatyISDLivestockShow.org for a schedule of events.

F ebruary in Katy is kickin’ with plenty to do! From Super Bowl mania to high school performances, rodeo and more, we are

absolutely! sure you will find something you love to do this month!


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february 2016 - absolutely katy magazine

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