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002houston | december 09 | volume 11 | issue 132

hip.current.cool guide

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volume 11

letter from the editor

PUBLISHER alejandro martinéz ext 16 a.martinez@002mag.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | CREATIVE DIRECTOR carla valencia de martinéz ext 13 c.valencia@002mag.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR victoria bartlett ART DIRECTOR alex rosa ext 17 arosa@002mag.com LIFESTYLE EDITOR beatrice valencia ext 11 bvalencia@002mag.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR pixie ibañez ext 10 pixie@002mag.com ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER william king ext 18 w.king@002mag.com ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES carlos valencia ext 12 cevalencia@002mag.com jarrod klawinsky ext 15 jklawinsky@002mag.com brandon smith brandon@002mag.com

Photography by Sofia van der Dys Hair by Elia Graves at Ceron Salon Keratin Complex by Copolla by Rebecca Minier at Studio 21

This

past month I spent about 10 days visiting several nonprofits in town, from Cristo Rey (a Jesuit high school literally taking baby steps to service the community with a freshman class of 82 students all on scholarships) to meeting with a woman who in my book deserves to be canonized a saint over at Dress for Success.

We get so caught up in the small things that it’s truly refreshing to see what a little human kindness is capable of creating – a chain reaction in the future of our city.

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isabel terraso ext 14 isabel@002mag.com PHOTOGRAPHERS kim coffman, kennon evett, jill hunter, jaime lagdameo, gabriella nissen, daniel ortiz, jack potts, anthony rathbun, aaron m. sprecher, sofia van der dys CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS bernard bauri, cody bess, patrick b. mccutchan, epochtimes, jack thompson, jonathan lipking, federico villamayor, nick villamayor, michelle watson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS michael andre adams, allison bagley, patty dominguez, michael garfield, sarah gish, patricia gras, sandra gunn, reyne haines, travis jones, tim moloney, hal lynde, michele meyer, jenni rebecca stephenson, lance scott walker, scott ward FOR SUGAR LAND SALES

CARLA VALENCIA de MARTINEZ

Among things to be thankful for this season is the reality that we are all blessed with people like Nancy Levicki and Father Miguel who are day to day helping create a better community in Houston.

This issue is simply a holiday issue, full of indulgences that we are blessed enough to get to savor.

From visiting a fantastic gallery to eating at the newest restaurants, to receiving as well as giving great gifts. I think I love everything in this issue. If you’re looking to spruce up your hair for the holiday season I highly recommend a visit to Rebecca Minier over at Salon 21 (10850 West Road Suite 103, 713.529.8890). I recently did the Keratin Complex by Copolla system which basically infuses the natural keratin found in the hair to the hair eliminating 95% of frizz and curl.

The results are simply amazing; it’s like I have new hair. I’ve heard it said that if your hair looks good, everything else falls into place. Easy enough!

Please show some love and check out 002 regular contributing photographer Gabriella Nissen's amazing work at her exhibit titled Photographs: Dominic Walsh Dance Theater on display thru January 15, 2010 at Block 7. Stop by for the opening reception at Block 7 Wine Company on December 8, 5:30-7:30pm, 720 Shepherd Drive.

Peace, love and have a magnificent Christmas, Hanukkah and Happy New Year!

THE HOLIDAY ISSUE Cover Image created by J. Giroux OOPS: Apologies to last month’s WHAM article. The dates of the event were Friday, November 20, and Saturday, 21. Also, food was available to purchase for a small fee, not free as indicated in the article. In the Museum District, the image paired with the Museum of Fine Arts actually should have gone with the Contemporary Arts Museum.

002houston Magazine is published monthly by NODO Magazine, L.L.C., 1310 NANCE ST. STUDIO C, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002. Copyright © 2009 by NODO Magazine L.L.C. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

002houston Magazine does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear.

For subscription information, call 713.223.5333x14 or send a check or money order for $35.00 to 002houston Magazine, 1310 NANCE ST. STUDIO C, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002.

002houston magazine

Carla Valencia de Martinéz

Editor at Large | Fashion Director

002HOUSTON MAGAZINE 1310 NANCE ST. STUDIO C | HOUSTON, TX 77002 713.223.5333 | FAX 713.223.4884 | LETTERS@002MAG.COM FACEBOOK: 002HOUSTON | WWW.002MAG.COM

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table of contents

40 on our radar 42 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

december 2009

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4 letter from the editor 6 table of contents 8 contributors 10 houston map 12 downtown map 14 uptown map + party pics 16 calendar 18 museum district 20 art houses + museums + exhibits 22 living smart + scene 23 spacetaker

48 archichat: jay baker, faia 50 SCENE 54 things I love

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24 THE GALLERY: COLTON & FARB GALLERY 25 gish at the movies

26 28 29 30

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FOR ART’S SAKE: LIBBIE MASTERSON nonprofit: kenya scholarship fund a day in the life… born cool. grow hip.

56 58 60 64 65

destination: london it’s cool to have impeccable manners PRIME INDULGENCES 002 profile: dan wolterman finance

66 vroom vroom 67 tools + toys +gadgets

34 35 36 38 39

people of Houston wise guy oh christmas tree costumes for cocktails retail wrap: casa blanca

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68 restaurant listings

31 31 INVINCIBLE 32 SHEN YUN PERFORMANCE

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70 DINEWRITE: STRAITS 72 CHEF’S SPECIAL: BARBARA SUAREZ 74 new restaurants 76 RECORDING: TODY CASTILLO

77 CLUB REVIEW: MERCER 78 nightlife 80 sip codes 81 scene | cd review 82 crossword puzzle + cover contest

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contributors Allison Bagley is a freelance writer who covers shopping, dining, the arts and lifestyle trends. She is a regular contributor to several local magazines, and her work has recently appeared in the and the She is also the editor-in-chief of HoustonTidbits.com, an editorial email subscription that keeps trendy women in the know on Houston hot spots. This holiday season, she will cover Houston’s street fashion and shopping scene for eBay’s new online fashion magazine, In 2008, Piperlime.com named Allison the country’s Ultimate Shoe Lover based on an essay she wrote about a sharp-tongued and sometimes self-involved young woman whose hunt for the elusive quarry of discounted Jimmy Choos colors her entire existence. (She bears no resemblance to her creator, of course). The prize was a trip to New York to design a pair of shoes that later sold on the website, an experience she chronicled for 002.

ALLISON BAGLEY

As the technology expert for several media outlets across the country, Michael Garfield keeps up with the newest technology with a passion. He began his broadcasting career in the late 1990s in Houston on KPRC-TV (NBC) and now hosts syndicated radio and TV segments throughout the U.S. “ ” is currently the longest-running local radio program on The 95-0, Houston’s heritage talk station. In addition to his weekend show Michael hosts a daily live radio program on The 9-5-0 from 9am-11am about local and national issues, featuring unique topics and guests from around the world. Michael is a graduate of The University of Texas and holds a bachelors degree in Communications, Radio-TV-Film. He lives in Ft. Bend county with his wife, Carrie, and three sons.

MICHAEL GARFIELD

Instead of following his peers to the East and West Coasts after graduating college in 2006, Travis Jones decided to head south. A native Texan, the Southern charm and budding opportunities in Houston were just too unique and intriguing to pass up. An aspiring novelist, Travis wants to help re-establish the tradition of the great Southern writer in a new era of big lights, flavors and change. By day, a training director at a downtown energy company; by night, a foodie and dive bar aficionado; and by weekend a traveling outdoor enthusiast, Travis’ writing is as diverse as his list of hobbies and interest. “Writers don’t create a story. Every story already exists, so all you need is a pencil and a bar napkin. When I write, it’s not to express myself. I write to capture a moment in time.”

TRAVIS JONES

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J. GIROUX

With a background firmly rooted in skate and street culture, J. Giroux has developed a creative process and product which reflects his desire to connect the disparate aspects of the pop continuum – music, skateboarding, fashion and party culture – to a fine art aesthetic informed by the relation of form and function, and theory and practice. In addition to pursuing his MFA degree at the University of Houston, Giroux currently runs Pep Rally Inc,. a design and consulting firm, as well as Read & Write Editions, an art publishing company. He has designed, consulted and curated projects for a number of clients such as Creative Loafing (Tampa, FL), USF Contemporary Art Museum, Tampa Museum of Art, Skatepark of Tampa and .

Giroux has shown at spaces such as Objex Artspace (Miami, FL), USF Contemporary Art Museum (Tampa, FL), Berkeley Art Center (Berkeley, CA), Sanctuary Artsite (Burlington, VT) and Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (Houston, TX). www.jaygiroux.com | www.merchline.com/readandwrite

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houston map

What's hip.current.cool? Get on our list, e-mail us at events@002mag.com to make sure you're invited.

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Downtown......................................1 Holocaust Museum.........................2 Galleria..........................................3 Uptown Park..................................4 River Oaks Park.............................5 Rice Village....................................6 Highland Village............................7 Memorial City................................8 Town & Country Village..................9 Loehmann’s................................10 Sam Houston Race Park..............11 Katy Mills...................................12 Sugar Land.................................13 Zoo ............................................14 Museum District..........................15 George Bush Intl. Airport............16 Hobby Airport.............................17 Space Center Houston.................18 Kemah........................................19 Miller Outdoor Theatre................20 Contemporary Arts Museum........21 Houston Museum of Fine Arts......22 Children’s Museum......................23 Houston Museum of Natural Science..24 Houston Arboretum.....................25 Houston Theater District..............26 The Woodlands............................27

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Photography by Daniel Ortiz

002houston December 09:002houston

EVENT TACOS AND TACONES AAMA GALA WHY TO CELEBRATE 39 YEARS OF HELPING LATINO FAMILIES WHERE INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL WHEN OCTOBER 3

The Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans celebrated in high style, 39 years of helping Latino families in Houston. More than 450 supporters gathered at the InterContinental Hotel for a night of high-heeled fun, Latin-style. Yelba Latin Fire, who kept the crowd on their feet the whole night, serenaded guests with some classic Latin tunes. A decadent auction, enticing raffle and fabulous dinner were some of the perfect ingredients to make of this lively night a complete success.

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David Cordua, Ashley Allen, Carlos Obando

Gloria Luna, Elisabeth Hurtado, Yolanda Hernandez

Keeley Huckabay, Natasha Robinson

Laura Jaramillo, Drew Wilson, Paula Mendoza

Maribel and Jose Gonzalez

Melissa Garibay, Natalie Ramirez

Oscar Garza, Michelle and John Arnold

Paula and Bobby Mendoza

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Photography by Daniel Ortiz

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calendar december SUNDAY

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PERFORMING ARTS + CONCERTS + SPORTS + FESTIVALS + GENERAL INTEREST

MONDAY

December 1- January 18, 2010, The Ice at Discovery Green is open! Follow them on twitter @TheIceatDG. Visit discoverygreen.com/icerink for more info.

Alley The Santaland Diaries 7:30pm HOB Café Tacuba 20th Anniversary Tour 7pm Verizon Jackson Browne 7:30pm

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December 1, 2009 - April 22, 2010,, Coats for Cubs at Buffalo Exchange.

Bring your real fur apparel, including trims, accessories and shearling, to any Buffalo Exchange. Used furs provide bedding and comfort to orphaned and injured wildlife. For more, visit buffaloexchange.com.

Alley The Santaland Diaries 2:30pm | HOB Trivium w/ Dirge Within 6:30pm A Christmas Carol 2:30 & 7:30pm Hobby Virtuosi of Houston: Inaugural Concert of the 2009-2010 Season 7:30pm Main Street Theatre The Last Night of Ballyhoo 3pm December 13, The Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 3pm Rose Ensemble in Celebramos Toyota KISS 7:30pm el Nino – A Mexican Baroque Verizon 311 8pm Christmas, 5pm at Christ Church Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 2 & 7:30pm Cathedral. Presented by Houston Early Music. For info, visit Highland Village Ferrari Festival, 10pm-2pm at the HoustonEarlyMusic.org. parking lot of P.F. Chang’s, Anthropologie and Williams Sonoma. Admission is free. For more info, visit shophighlandvillage.com

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Alley The Santaland Diaries 2:30pm | A Christmas Carol 2:30 & 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: The Sound of Music 2 & 7:30pm Jones HS: Very Merry Pops 2:30 & 7:30pm Meridian The Pac tour featuring Saosin 6:30pm Reliant Stadium: Texans vs. Seattle Seahawks 12pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 3pm Toyota Aeros vs. Rockford IceHogs 4:05pm Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 2 & 7:30pm

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December 13-15, Midnight at the Manger, 7:30pm. Cantare @ MFAH

December 13, H-E-B’s Fourth Annual Feast of Sharing,, 1-4pm at the George R. Brown Convention Center – Hall E. For more info, visit heb.com.

Alley The Santaland Diaries 2:30pm | A Christmas Carol 2:30 & 7:30pm Hobby Sandra Organ Dance Co: Amahl & The Night Visitors 2 & 7:30pm | TUTS: The Sound of Music 2 & 7:30pm Jones HS: Handel’s Messiah in Candlelight 2:30pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 3pm Toyota Aeros vs. Grand Rapid Griffins 4:05pm Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 2 & 7:30pm

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Alley A Christmas Carol 2:30 & 7:30pm | The Santaland Diaries 2:30 & 7:30pm H OB Guns 4 Roses–The Ultimate Guns N’ Roses Tribute Experience 8pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 3pm Toyota Trans Siberian Orchestra 3 & 7:30pm Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 2 & 7:30pm

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HOB Stypher w/ Flight Patterns and Manic Drive 7pm Jones Southern USA Falun Dafa Assn.: Shen Yun Performing Arts 8pm Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 2 & 7:30pm

HOB Robert Earl Keen 7pm Meridian The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus 6:30pm Toyota Aeros vs.

Syracuse Crunch 7:05pm

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Alley The Santaland Diaries 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: The Sound of Music 8pm Meridian Impending Doom / Oh Sleeper 6:30pm Toyota WWE Smackdown & ECW 6:30pm Warehouse Baroness 8pm

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HOB Adam Richman 7pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 7pm Wortham Da Camera: A Little Day Music 12pm

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December 3, 002houston Magazine Holiday Party, 9pm at Sammy’s 2019 Main.

We’re celebrating the holidays w/ the Spazmatics! RSVP to events@002mag.com.

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Alley The Santaland Diaries 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: The Sound of Music 8pm HOB Fabolous 7pm Jones HS: Garrison Keillor’s Christmas 7:30pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 7pm Toyota Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 7:30pm

THURSDAY Alley A Christmas Carol 7:30pm | The Santaland Diaries 7:30pm Jones SPA: Bowfire 7:30pm Main Street Theatre The Last Night of Ballyhoo 8pm Meridian Rehab 7pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 7pm Toyota Aeros vs. San Antonio Rampage 11:05am Verizon 30 Seconds to Mars 8pm

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December 3-19, Margo Veil, 8pm at Midtown Art Center. For performance nights and more info, visit mildredsumbrella.com.

Alley The Santaland Diaries 7:30pm | A Christmas Carol 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: The Sound of Music 8pm HOB Sister Hazel 7pm Main Street Theatre The Last Night of Ballyhoo 7:30pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 7pm Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 7:30pm

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December 8-11, Holiday TableTop Tour ’09, 11am-4pm at the Houston Design Center. Presented by Neiman Marcus and the Houston Design Center. For more info, visit thehoustondesigncenter.com.

Alley The Santaland Diaries 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: The Sound of Music 8pm Jones Bayou City Performing Arts: A Twisted Holiday 7:30pm Toyota Rockets vs. Detroit Pistons 7:30pm

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WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

Alley The Santaland Diaries 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: The Sound of Music 8pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 7pm Toyota Aeros vs. San Antonio Rampage 7:05pm Verizon Underoath 7:30pm Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 7:30pm | Jim Brickman Touring: Beautiful World Christmas 8pm

Alley The Santaland Diaries 7:30pm | A Christmas Carol 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: The Sound of Music 8pm HOB LMFAO’s Party Rock Tour w/ Shwayze 7pm Meridian Hawthorne Heights 6:30pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 7pm Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 7:30pm

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Alley A Christmas Carol 2:30 & 7:30pm | The Santaland Diaries 7:30pm HOB Two Tons of Steel & Eleven Hundred Springs 7pm Jones Southern USA Falun Dafa Assn.: Shen Yun Performing Arts 8pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 7pm Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 2 & 7:30pm

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Alley A Christmas Carol 2:30 & 7:30pm | The Santaland Diaries 7:30pm Jones Southern USA Falun Dafa Assn.: Shen Yun Performing Arts 8pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 7pm Toyota Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers 7:30pm Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 2 & 7:30pm

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Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 7pm Toyota Rockets vs. New Orleans Hornets 7:30pm

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Alley A Christmas Carol 2:30pm | The Santaland Diaries 2:30pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 3pm Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 2pm

New Year’s Eve Hobby Ars Lyrica Houston: A Neapolitan New Year 8:30pm HOB Cross Canadian Ragweed 7pm | Totally 80’s New Year’s Eve Bash featuring Thunderpants at the HOB restaurant 10pm Meridian A Texas-Sized New Year’s Eve Celebrations featuring Bob Schneider TBA Reliant Stadium: 2009 Texas Bowl 2:30pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 10pm Toyota Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks 6pm Verizon Eli Young 9pm

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NOT SURE WHAT TO DO? TRY ONE-STOP SHOPPING AT HOUSTONTHEATERDISTRICT.ORG

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Alley A Christmas Carol 7:30pm | The Santaland Diaries 6 & 9pm HOB Aaron Neville’s Christmas Show 7pm Main Street Theatre The Last Night of Ballyhoo 8pm Meridian The Legendary Skatalites 6:30pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 7:30pm Toyota Aventura 8pm Wortham HB: Jubliee of Dance–40th Anniversary Celebration 7:30pm | Da Camera: Dianne Reeves–Christmas Time is Here 8pm

Alley A Christmas Carol 2:30 & 7:30pm | The Santaland Diaries 2:30 & 7:30pm Jones HS: The Twelve Days of Christmas 10 & 11:30am Main Street Theatre The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 1 & 4pm | The Last Night of Ballyhoo 8pm Meridian The Faceless 5pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 3 & 7:30pm Warehouse Davy Knowles & Back Door Slam 8pm Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 2 & 7:30pm

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December 4-5, Home for the Holidays, 2009 Houston Heights Association Holiday Home Tour.

For more info, visit houstonheights.org.

Lost In Space Psychedelic Music Festival 2009, 6pm at Khon’s Bar. Admission is $10.

Heights Mistletoe Madness. Eat, Drink, Shop & Be Merry! For more info, visit heightsmistletoemadness.com.

Alley A Christmas Carol 7:30pm | The Santaland Diaries 6 & 9pm Hobby TUTS: The Sound of Music 8pm Jones HS: Very Merry Pops 8pm Main Street Theatre The Last Night of Ballyhoo 8pm Meridian Winds of Plague 6:30pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 7:30pm Toyota Aeros vs. Peoria Rivermen 7:35pm Warehouse What Made Milwaukee Famous 8pm Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 7:30pm | Mercury Baroque: Hallelujah Messiah 8pm

Hanukkah Alley A Christmas Carol 2:30 & 7:30pm | The Santaland Diaries 2:30 & 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: The Sound of Music 2 & 8pm Jones HS: Very Merry Pops 8pm Main Street Theatre The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 1 & 4pm | The Last Night of Ballyhoo 8pm Meridian Nitzer Ebb 8pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 3 & 7:30pm Toyota Texas A&M vs. New Mexico 5pm Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 2 & 7:30pm | December 12-13 & 19-20, 19th annual production of The Christmas Revels presented by Mercury Baroque: Messiah Revels Houston at the University of Houston’s Wortham Theatre. For more info, visit revelshouston.org.

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Alley A Christmas Carol 7:30pm | The Santaland Diaries 6 & 9pm Hobby TUTS: The Sound of Music 8pm HOB Rob Schneider 7pm | The Dave Matthews Tribute Band 9:30pm Jones HS: Handel’s Messiah in Candlelight 8pm Meridian Rooney 6:30pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 7:30pm Toyota Aeros vs. Texas Stars 7:35pm Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 7:30pm

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Christmas Day

Alley A Christmas Carol 2:30 & 7:30pm | The Santaland Diaries 2:30 & 7:30pm Hobby Sandra Organ Dance Co: Amahl & The Night Visitors 2 & 7:30pm | TUTS: The Sound of Music 2 & 8pm Jones HS: Handel’s Messiah in Candlelight 8pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 3 & 7:30pm Toyota Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 7:30pm Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 2 & 7:30pm

26 Alley A Christmas Carol 2:30 & 7:30pm | The Santaland Diaries 2:30 & 7:30pm Stages Panto Sleeping Beauty 3 & 7:30pm Toyota Aeros vs. San Antonio Rampage 7:35pm Warehouse Hayes Carll 8pm Wortham HB: The Nutcracker 2 & 7:30pm

AURORA PICTURE SHOW Events for the Month of December 09 December 4, DOCUMENTARY: The Guest of Cindy Sherman, 7pm at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.

December 12, POPCORN KIDS: The Be st of the New York Children’s F ilm Festival, 4pm at Spacetaker.

For more information about tickets, visit aurorapictureshow.org.

TO PURCHASE TICKETS, PLEASE CONTACT

ALLEY THEATRE: alleytheatre.org CWMP: woodlandscenter.org HOBBY CENTER: 713.315.2525 thehobbycenter.org HOUSE OF BLUES: hob.com JONES HALL: 713.227.3974 joneshall.org MAIN STREET THEATRE: 713.524.6706 mainstreettheatre.com MERIDIAN: merdian.com MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE (MOT): milleroutdoortheatre.com

MINUTE MAID PARK: astros.mlb.com RELIANT PARK: reliantpark.com STAGES REPERTORY THEATRE: 713.527.0123 stagestheatre.com TOYOTA CENTER: 1.866.4HOU toyotacentertix.com VERIZON THEATRE: verizonwirelesstheatre.com WAREHOUSE LIVE: warehouselive.com WORTHAM CENTER: 713.237.1439 worthamcenter.org

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museum district 1. THE MENIL COLLECTION www.menil.org

This exhibition showcases American artist Cy Twombly‘s monumental work, Treatise on the Veil (Second Version), painted in Rome in 1970. Due to its size – one of the artist’s largest canvases, at close to 33 feet long – it is rarely exhibited. In celebration of this rare hanging, the Menil will also exhibit more than a dozen related drawings and studies from the artist’s private collection. While three of these works on paper were shown with the painting in the 2008 exhibition, “Cy Twombly: Cycles and Seasons,“ at the Tate Modern, London, this will be the first time the entire group of drawings will be exhibited, and the first time they will be shown with the painting. The exhibit will be on view through February 14, 2010.

2. HOUSTON CENTER FOR PHOTOGRAPHY www.hcponline.org

Prime Years, on view thru January 10, 2010, explores the many aspects of aging through images made via 12 different artist’s perspectives. From the editorial to the personal, the work in Prime Years depicts centenarians, artists, relatives and other individuals enjoying, enduring and living their lives beyond the age of 60.

After reaching sixty many people are still in their prime.

“Sixty is the new forty” is their motto. This exhibit emphasizes this positive view of aging without denying its drawbacks. The theme did not lead to the works but rather the works suggested the theme of Prime Years.

3. THE ROTHKO CHAPEL www.rothkochapel.org

An intimate sanctuary available to people of every belief, this modern meditative environment was inspired by the paintings of American abstract expressionist Mark Rothko. The Chapel serves as both art museum and public forum and hosts a range of educational programs, inter-religious dialogues and symposia on critical issues.

4. BYZANTINE FRESCO CHAPEL MUSEUM www.menil.org/visit/byzantine.php

The only intact examples of 13th-century Byzantine wall painting of this size and importance in the Western Hemisphere, these masterworks were stolen by thieves from a chapel in the Turkish occupied town of Lysi, cut into pieces and smuggled off the island of Cyprus.

Rescued and restored by the Menil Foundation, the dome and apse now reside on a longterm loan from the Church of Cyprus in an intimate chapel designed by award-winning architect Francois de Menil.

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5. HOUSTON CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY CRAFT www.crafthouston.org

9. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON www.cmhouston.org

6. LAWNDALE ART CENTER www.lawndaleartcenter.org

Surviving: The Body of Evidence, currently on view, is an exhibit about you and all your fellow humans. Your body carries evidence of many distinctively human features that changed in your ancestors through the process of evolution. All of our ancestors were successful in surviving the challenges of life and adapting to the world around them. Each of them inherited from their parents the characteristics that helped them to survive -– through thousands of generations, and over millions of years, to us. In turn, we will pass on these features to our children and, through them, to our descendants.

Rock, scissors, paper features the work of five artists from U.S, England and Taiwan who use commercially printed found paper in their workplace to create amazing art. From cutting to folding, stitching, layering and collage, these five artists take the term “recycle” to a whole new level by using scraps of paper as a visual element. Come and see how these artists have created installations, quilts, illustrations and even clothing with paper. Exhibit on view thru January 10, 2010.

Through sculpture and installation, Kia Neill creates simulations of nature that blur discomfort and the fantastic. With her installation Grotto, Neill mimics extraordinary, almost alien, natural landscapes, such as caves and coral reefs, as well as enlarges the diorama of their miniature collectable counterparts, which serve in household aquariums, souvenir cases, gardens, etc. In this work, Neill attempts to produce an environment that reifies the metaphysical association and fantasy such bizarre landscapes can induce. On view thru January 9, 2010.

7. BUFFALO SOLDIERS NATIONAL MUSEUM www.buffalosoldiermuseum.com

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum pays tribute to African-American military history from the Revolutionary War to modern times. During the 1860s, soldiers of the 10th U.S. Calvary were nicknamed “Buffalo Soldiers” for their fierce fighting ability and bravery.

8. HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON www.hmh.org

The creative expression of the 18-year-old granddaughter of a non-Jewish Polish partisan and political prisoner is the focus of a new exhibit at Holocaust Museum Houston. Running through December. 31, 2009, “Sarah Wiernicki: Art for My Grandfather” is the work of local artist Sarah Wiernicki, who was inspired by her grandfather’s life as a Polish resistance fighter and his subsequent experiences in the death camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau and BuchenwaldOhrdruf.

Discover an interactive world of cultural and religious celebrations from around the world at CMH’s Seasons of Sharing, a holiday exhibit, on view through January. 10, 2010. Learn about seven holidays from around the world, all celebrated right here in the Bayou City! With more than 90 languages spoken throughout the Houston area, our city’s cultural diversity has found a home within this exhibit.

10. THE HEALTH MUSEUM www.thehealthmuseum.org

11. HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE www.hmns.org

Disney’s A Christmas Carol 3D – Experience Charles Dickens’ timeless tale as never before – on the 3D IMAX screen!

Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Jim Carrey, begins the Christmas holiday with his usual miserly contempt, barking at his faithful clerk, played by Gary Oldman, and his cheery nephew, played by Colin Firth. But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come – all played by Carrey – take him on an eye-opening journey, they reveal truths that old Scrooge is reluctant to face, and he must open his heart to undo years of ill will before it’s too late. Showing through January 3, 2010.

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12. HOUSTON ZOO www.houstonzoo.org Come to the zoo and get in the holiday spirit with Breakfast with Santa. Christmas is here and that means it’s time to celebrate, so mark your calendars for December 19 or 20, 2010.

13. RICE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY www.ricegallery.org

Big Lectric Fan To Keep Me Cool While I Sleep by artist Wayne White is an exhibit that all Houstonians will relate to. The title of the exhibit is a line from legendary country singer George Jones’s song, “Ragged But Right,” which was stuck in Wayne White’s head when he visited Houston in the sweltering month of June.

Says White, “I kept thinking of hot Houston nights before air conditioning and the young George Jones in this city – full of crazy artistic passion and making music history.” To honor Jones, White created at Rice Gallery a 15-foot puppet head resembling a young, flat-topped Jones, circa 1950. The massive head sits sleeping on its side, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling, billboard-style lettering. “It’s a roadside attraction, a museum relic of a lost world, and a big, weird toy still in its box,” explains White. On view through December 13, 2009.

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16. THE JUNG CENTER OF HOUSTON www.junghouston.org

Jack of Hearts by artist Trudy Askew will make you feel more than good. She combines the emotional impact of bigger-than-life images with bold color to chronicle the life of a rescue dog. Painting is her language; the intersection between reality and imagination is her theme.

Exhibit on view through December 22, 2010.

17. CZECH CENTER MUSEUM www.czechcenter.org

The Czech Center Museum Houston works to preserve, record and celebrate the language, scholarship and arts of Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia and Slovakia.

18. JOHN C. FREEMAN WEATHER MUSEUM www.wxresearch.org

The John C. Freeman Weather Museum is helping keep the community in the know in regards to the different aspects of weather, as well as science, history and safety. Visitors can make their own weather forecast at the WRC Weather Studio, view satellite and radar images of hurricanes, and learn how tornadoes form in the Tornado Chamber and much more!

14. THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON www.mfah.org

Arts of Ancient Viet Nam: From River Plain to Open Sea is an unprecedented exhibition of art from ancient Viet Nam. This is the first U.S. exhibition to address in depth the historical, geographic and cultural contexts of pre-colonial Vietnamese art. Highlights of the exhibition include ritual bronzes, terracotta burial wares, fine gold jewelry, Hindu and Buddhist sculptures, and ornaments made of jade, lapis lazuli, crystal and carnelian. The works have never before been exhibited.

On view through January 3, 2010.

15. CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM HOUSTON www.camh.org

Matthew Day Jackson: The Immeasurable Distance is a solo exhibition that includes works based on Jackson’s artist’s residency at MIT List Visual Arts Center, Cambridge, MA. Jackson’s complex research, histories and hagiographies are manifested in sculptures, constructed paintings, objects, books and videos.

In this exhibition, organized by Bill Arning, Director of the CAMH, Jackson continues his investigations into human consciousness and explores how positive evolutionary developments in human thought and culture occur under physical or mental stress. On view through January 17, 2010.

KEY TO SYMBOLS



PARKING RESTAURANT SHOPPING SNACKS FREE ADMISSION

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art houses+museums+exhibits

1.

1. bering and james gallery| 2. g gallery | 3. nauhaus gallery | 4. center

MUSEUMS

ARTSCAN GALLERY www.rudolphprojects.com 1836 Richmond Ave. 713.807.1836

1940 AIR TERMINAL MUSEUM www.1940airterminal.org 8325 Travelair Rd. 713.454.1940

ART LEAGUE HOUSTON www.artleaguehouston.org 1953 Montrose Blvd. 713.523.9530

Thru December 18, Planes, Trains, Autos, Boats, Bikes

BARBARA DAVIS GALLERY www.barbaradavisgallery.com 4411 Montrose 713.520.9200

ART CAR MUSEUM www.artcarmuseum.com 140 Heights Blvd. 713.861.5526

BLAFFER GALLERY www.class.uh.edu/blaffer UH Main Campus, Ent. 16, 713.743.9530 GALVESTON ARTS CENTER www.galvestonartscenter.org 2127 Strand St. 409.763.2403

HERITAGE SOCIETY www.heritagesociety.org 1100 Bagby 713.655.1912 HOUSTON FIRE MUSEUM www.houstonfiremuseum.org 2403 Milam 713.524.2526 MUSEUM OF PRINTING HISTORY www.printingmuseum.org 1324 W. Clay St. 713.522.4652 MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN HISTORY 7502 Fondren Rd. 281.649.3997

ORANGE SHOW www.orangeshow.org 2401 Munger 713.926.6368

PROJECT ROW HOUSES www.projectrowhouses.org 2521 Holman 713.526.7662 UNIVERSITY MUSEUM www.tsu.edu/museum 3100 Cleburne Ave. 713.313.7145

ART HOUSES 18 HANDS GALLERY www.18handsgallery.com 249 West 19th St. 713.869.3099 AEROSOL WARFARE GALLERY www.aerosolwarfare.com 2110 Jefferson St. #113, 713.503.5714

ANYA TISH GALLERY www.anyatishgallery.com 4411 Montrose Blvd. 713.524.2299

Thru December 31, Light Switch

APAMA MACKEY GALLERY www.mackeygallery.com 628 East 11th St. 713.850.8527 ARCHWAY GALLERY www.archwaygallery.com 2305 Dunlavy 713.522.2409

Thru December 31, V. Chin, Liz Conces Spencer and Ron Outen

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Thru December 31, Natural Recyclers and Wasted Resolve

2.

3.

BERING & JAMES GALLERY www.beringandjames.com 805 Rhode Place #500, 713.524.0101

Thru December 31, Art Box Show

BETZ GALLERY www.betzgallery.com 1208 W. Gray 713.576.6954 BOOKER-LOWE GALLERY www.bookerlowegallery.com 4623 Feagan St. 713.880.1541

CANAL ST. GALLERY www.canalstreetgallery.com 2219 Canal St. 713.223.2219

Thru December 31, Bobbye Bennett

COMMUNITY ARTISTS’ COLLECTIVE www.thecollective.org 1413 Holman 713.523.1616

COMMUNE ON NORTH www.communeonnorth.com 2437 North Blvd. 713.526.3875 CAROLINE COLLECTIVE www.carolinecollective.cc 4820 Caroline St. 713.825.4613 CTRL GALLERY www.ctrlgallery.com 3907 Main St. 713.523.2875

DAKOTA GALLERY www.dakotaframing.com/dfp/dakotagallery.asp 2324 Shearn St. 713.523.7440 DARKE GALLERY www.darkegallery.com 5321 Feagan 713.542.3802 DEBORAH COLTON GALLERY www.deborahcoltongallery.com 2445 North Blvd. 713.869.5151

DESANTOS GALLERY www.desantosgallery.com 1724 Richmond 713.520.1200 DIVERSEWORKS www.diverseworks.org 1117 E. Freeway 713.223.8346

Thru December 19, Third Ward is My Harlem and Lithuania and the Collapse of the USSR

DOMY BOOKS www.domystore.com 1709 Westheimer 713.523.3669

ELDER STREET GALLERY www.elderstreetartist.com 1101 Elder St. 281.250.4889 FOTOFEST www.fotofest.org 1113 Vine St. 713.223.5522

G GALLERY www.redbudgallery.com/gGalleryIndex.html 301East 11th St. 713.822.4842

Thru December 25, Blast India

HOUSTON LANDMARK GALLERY www.houstonlandmarkgallery.com 1200 McKinney 713.927.8800 HOUSTON STUDIOS 746 Walnut St. #100, 713.223.0951 HOLLYWOOD FRAME GALLERY www.hollywoodframegallery.com 2427 Bissonnet 713.942.8885

HOOKS-EPSTEIN www.hooksepsteingalleries.com 2631 Colquitt St. 713.522.0718

GALLERY 1724 www.gallery1724.com 1724 Bissonnet St. 713.523.2547

Thru January 9, Kathryn Dunlevie

Opening November 5, International Discoveries II

INMAN GALLERY www.inmangallery.com 3901 Main St. 713.526.7800

GALLERY SONJA ROESCH www.gallerysonjaroesch.com 2309 Caroline 713.659.5424

JOAN WICH & CO. GALLERY www.joanwichgallery.com 4411 Montrose Blvd. 713.526.1551

GITE GALLERY www.thegitegallery.com 2024 Alabama St. 713.523.3311 GOLDESBERRY GALLERYwww.goldesberrygallery.com 2625 Colquitt 713.528.0405 GREEN HOUSE GALLERY www.greenhouseartgallery.com 716 W. Alabama St. 713.535.6462

GREMILLION & CO. FINE ART www.gremillion.com 2501 Sunset Blvd. 713.522.2701

Thru December 23, John Pavlicek GUTHRIE CONTEMPORARY 2734 Virginia St. 713.522.8086

HCC-CENTRAL GALLERY www.centralfinearts.info 3517 Austin 713.718.6600

KINZELMAN ART CONSULTING www.kinzelmanart.com 3909 Main St. 713.533.9923

KOELSCH GALLERY www.koelschgallery.com 703 Yale 713.626.0175

LAURA RATHE FINE ART www.laurarathe.com 2707 Colquitt 713.824.3575

LAURA U COLLECTION www.lauraucollection.com 1840 Westheimer 713.522.0855

LAZZARA ART GALLERY www.gallerialazzara.com 5400 Mitchelldale St. 713.681.0681 LOVETT INN ART GALLERY www.lovettinngallery.com 501 Lovett Blvd. 713.522.5224

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4.

M2 GALLERY www.gallerymsquared.com 325 W. 19th St. 713.861.6070

McCLAIN GALLERY www.mcclaingallery.com 2242 Richmond Ave. 713.520.9988 McMURTREY GALLERY www.mcmurtreygallery.com 3508 Lake St. 713.523.8238 MEREDITH LONG GALLERY www.meredithlonggallery.com 2323 San Felipe 713.523.6671 MIDTOWN ART CENTER www.midtownartcenter.com 3414 La Branch 713.521.8803

MOODY GALLERY www.moodygallery.com 2815 Colquitt 713.526.9911 MOTHER DOG STUDIOS 720 Walnut 713.229.9760

NAUHAUS GALLERY www.texascollaborative.com 223 E. 11th St. 713.261.1409

Opening December 5, Penny Cerling NOLAN-RANKIN GALLERIES www.nolan-rankingalleries.com 6 Chelsea Blvd. 713.528.0664

O’KANE GALLERY www.uhd.edu One Main St.@UHD 713.221.8042 PARKERSON GALLERY www.artnet.com/gallery/837/parkerson-gallery.html 3510 Lake St. 713.524.4945 PEEL GALLERY SHOP www.peelgallery.org 4411 Montrose Blvd. 713.520.8122 POST GALLERY www.postgallery.com 2121 Sage, Ste. 390, 713.622.4241

POISSANT GALLERY www.poissantgallery.com 5102 Center St. 713.868.9337 REDBUD GALLERY www.redbudgallery.com 303 E. 11th St. 713.862.2532 RETRO GALLERY www.retrogallery.com 1839 W. Alabama 713.522.7074

RICE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY www.ricegallery.org 6100 Main St. 713.348.6069 RUDOLPH PROJECTS I ARTSCAN GALLERY www.rudolphprojects.com 1836 Richmond Ave. 713.807.1836 SICARDI GALLERY www.sicardi.com 2246 Richmond Ave. 713.529.1313

SPACE125 GALLERY www.haatx.com 3201 Allen Parkway 713.527.9330

Opening December 3, Libbie Masterson: STILL STUDIO SEVEN 1107 East Freeway 713.224.5555

TALENTO BILINGUE www.tbhcenter.com 333 S. Jensen Dr. 713.222.1213 TANSU 321-B West 19th 713.880.5100

THE ARTFUL CORNER www.theartfulcorner.com 3423 White Oak Dr. 713.426.4278 THOM ANDRIOLA www.newgallery.net 2627 Colquitt 713.520.7053 THORNWOOD GALLERY www.thornwoodgallery.com 2643 Colquitt St. 713.528.4278 VAUGHAN CHRISTOPHER GALLERY www.vaughanchristopher.com 1217 S. Shepherd 713.533.0816

WADE WILSON ART www.wadewilsonart.com 4411 Montrose #200, 713.521.2977 WATERCOLOR ART SOCIETY www.watercolorhouston.org 1601 West Alabama 713.942.9966 WINTER STREET STUDIOS www.winterstreetstudios.net 2101 Winter St. 713.862.0082

XNIHILO GALLERY www.xnil.org 2115 Taft St. 713.622.1846

ZARPOSH INDIA GALLERY www.zarposhindia.com 2702 Ashford Oak Dr. 713.668.2948 december 09 | www.002mag.com .21

Photography by Daniel Ortiz

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EVENT UNA NOTTE IN ITALIA WHY TO BENEFIT FAMILY SERVICES OF GREATER HOUSTON WHERE INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL WHEN NOVEMBER 7

Rudy Festari, Dr. Michael G. Brown

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It’s raining men, gorgeous men! More than 500 high-profile guests attended the annual Una Notte in Italia event benefiting the Family Services of Greater Houston. As always, it was all about the boys…doctors, sports figures, financial advisers, professional dancers and jewelers, just to name a few. The night belonged to them as they bravely strutted down the runway, modeling exquisite fashions from Festari for Men. As is often the case, there were some fun surprises from the “celebrity” models on the catwalk. Well-known philanthropist/ballroom dancer Lester Smith entertained the crowd with a lively salsa dance as he sauntered the runway, and Franco Valobra brought the crowd to its feet by giving away gorgeous pearl necklaces.

Millette Sherman, Laurel Blando

Robin Reimer, Charles Reimer, Amy Reimer

Mark and Regina Duke

Sue and Lester Smith

Melissa Mithoff, Yendi Thompson

living smart with patricia gras

Kristen Cannon, Lindsey Love

Living Smart airs Sundays at 3pm and Fridays at 10pm on Houston PBS.

SISTER ROSELLE HAAS r.c./Lecturer DEALING WITH PRICKLY PEOPLE 509 I often think I am the only one dealing with irritable, angry, someone that’s got a prickly behavior of one sort or defensive or irksome people on a weekly basis. How do we another or that’s annoying.” deal with irritable behavior? To find out I invited to Living Smart a Catholic sister, Roselle Haas, an experienced spir- Another step is to recognize the person is in pain. itual director at The Cenacle Retreat House in Houston “They’re hurting. They might not be hurting in the to answer the question. Her degrees are in the given situation—encounter in the adult person classical sciences and pastoral ministry, but in their life—but at some point in their life, she has a lot of experience teaching others usually in very early years growing up, “ANGER IS JUST A how to deal with prickly people. How do they needed to back away from a situaCOWARDLY EXTENSION OF we come to a peaceful place in ourselves tion. That they were either lonely or they SADNESS. IT’S A LOT EASIER to deal with such people and situations? were disappointed or they were hurt in TO BE ANGRY AT SOMEONE “What I try to do is help people undersome way by someone that they appreTHAN IT IS TO TELL THEM stand that the person is prickly for a lot of ciated or valued in their life,” says Haas.

YOU ARE HURT.” reasons that have nothing to do with themTom Gates selves. So it’s very often we take that on as a Haas also shares how some people have personal thing, and it’s not. It’s the way the perhigh expectations in their personal relationson learned to protect themselves in difficult situaships. They think they will change after they are tions.” One of the steps to cope then is to not take it per- married, for instance. “Now that they are connected with sonally. Then quit trying to change the irritable person. each other at a very deep level, they figure ‘they will “Our tendency is to want to change the behavior of that change for me.’ Again, we have to come back to accepting person, and the fact is we can’t change anybody else. We the person as they are, because they will grow and they will always need to work on ourselves. So in this particular change, but they won’t change because we expect them to. approach to prickly people, what I help people look at is There’s a big difference in a relationship between an how are they going to choose to act when they encounter expectation and a hope.” Sister Haas says people need to

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PATRICIA GRAS + SISTER ROSELLE HAAS

move towards a goal, hope towards a goal, accepting it without always necessarily approving it.

The bottom line is all relationships take work, and sometimes we have to compromise. “Acceptance is not really approval. If someone is doing something wrong to you, you can accept them for the person that they are, but you don’t have to approve of that.”

On Living Smart Sister Haas will share tips on how to deal with difficult relationships.

Share your experiences by either calling 713.743.8513 or emailing livingsmart@houstonpbs.org. If you miss this program, or if you would like to view streaming videos of past Living Smart shows, go to our website www.houstonpbs.org/livingsmart and click on the guest name.

Patricia Gras is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and the producer and host for Living Smart with Patricia Gras. You can learn more about Living Smart on www.patriciagras.com.

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IT’S DECEMBER. CHANCES ARE YOU’VE BEEN LISTENING TO CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND HOLIDAY MUSIC IN YOUR LOCAL SHOPPING MALLS SINCE OCTOBER. AND CHANCES ARE YOU’RE READY FOR THE BARRAGE OF FRANTIC RETAILER-INDUCED MANIA TO STOP. THE PRESSURE IS ON TO MAKE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON ESPECIALLY MERRY IN HOPES OF IGNITING

By Jenni Rebecca Stephenson THE ECONOMY, SO THERE’S NO END TO THE HOLLY GARLANDS, SANTA HATS AND STARBUCKS SEASONAL LATTÉS IN SIGHT. WHY NOT GO WITH IT? IF ONE HOLIDAY SWEATER IS GOOD, WHY NOT BUY 5? ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY’RE ON SALE! SHOULD YOU STRETCH THAT PRESENT-SHOPPING BUDGET A LITTLE TOO FAR, CONSIDER ALL THE ECONOMIC ART OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO YOU OR BETTER YET— FOREGO THE MALL AND PRESENTS ALTOGETHER AND GIFT YOUR LOVED ONES WITH A MEMORABLE NIGHT OF THEATRE OR A FESTIVE BOAT RIDE. CHANCES ARE THE BEST GIFTS THIS YEAR DON’T COME IN BOXES.

spacetaker artscene

Life is Happy and Sad by Catastrophic Theatre December 3-5, 9-12, 1619 @ 8pm This holiday season, Catastrophic Theatre serves up Life is Happy and Sad, the long-awaited follow-up to Daniel Johnston’s Speeding Motorcycle, chronicling the artist’s early years in Austin. Catastrophic artistic director Jason Nodler created the hit musical Speeding Motorcycle in 2006, drawing from cult phenomenon Daniel Johnston’s words and music. The piece, which received praise from The New York Times, American Theatre and No Depression magazine, focused largely on unrequited love, while Life is Happy and Sad concerns itself with the creative impulse and the importance of friendship. Matt Brownlie, well known to local music enthusiasts as the frontman for bands Bring Back the Guns and Groceries, plays young Daniel, and a live rock band doubles in the other roles. Preview and private reception on Wednesday, December 2 – $50; all other performances Pay-What-You-Can. DiverseWorks ArtSpace (1117 East Freeway) catastrophictheatre.com Margo Veil with Mildred’s Umbrella December 3-19 @ 8pm Mildred’s Umbrella Theater Company rolls out another exciting Houston premier — Margo Veil by Len Jenkin, directed by Philip Hayes. Margo Veil is a young actress whose strange adventures lead her into an ever-changing landscape of dream and reality after she gives up on New York and takes a detour on the way home, which carries her through offices in nameless skyscrapers, trains going nowhere, art house movie theaters in Louisville and tattoo parlors in Albuquerque. Shows on

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays at Midtown Art Center (3414 LaBranch at Holman); tickets $15.

Mondays are ‘Pay as you can.’ For more information: mildredsumbrella.com Christmas Cruises along Buffalo Bayou December 5, 19 58pm Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership in celebrating the holiday season with 30minute pontoon boat rides along Buffalo Bayou, served up with plenty of decorations, brightly colored lights, song and cheer! Boat landing location is Downtown’s Sabine Promenade between Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive (150 Sabine Street). No reservations are taken, and tours are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children under 12 (cash only and no strollers, please). For more information, to schedule a private tour or to check for cancellations due to weather, call 713.752.0314 or visit buffalobayou.org.

Ars Lyrica presents Marc Antonio e Cleopatra December 31 @ 8pm Ring in 2010 with Ars Lyrica at Houston’s most elegant New Year’s Eve celebration.

Rising stars, soprano Ava Pine and mezzosoprano Jamie Barton, join the ensemble for the American première of J. A. Hasse’s Neapolitan masterpiece Marc Antonio e Cleopatra. A festive gala follows, with champagne, delectable hors d’oeuvres and fabulous prizes at Ars Lyrica’s annual silent auction. Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center – tickets $31.25-$41.25; Gala tickets $51.25. For more information, please visit arslyricahouston.org.

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the gallery

By Allison Bagley Photography by Patrick B. McCutchan

COLTON + FARB GALLERY

With a new partner in Dr. Carolyn Farb and an initiative in New York, Deborah Colton Gallery brings Houston artists to the forefront.

2445 north blvd., houston, tx 77098 713.869.5151

D

eborah Colton has some news that very well may change the landscape of the contemporary art world in Houston, and beyond.

Her gallery has long been a space in which to showcase international, national and regional contemporary artists, first in a massive warehouse on Summer Street.

There, Colton “wanted to be in the part of the city where art was created,” and openings of emerging, experimental artists would famously draw over 1,000 people.

Since 2000, the gallery has found a home in the Upper Kirby area. “We’ve built our credibility and reputation based on those very strong shows (at Summer Street), and now we’re giving more local artists a chance to use our national and international contacts. We’re showing work at that very sophisticated level, but not necessarily as conceptual.”

Colton works with artists who have been awarded the prestigious Guggenheim and Rockefeller awards, and who have shown at the Whitney Biennial, in turn attracting serious art collectors to her space.

She just announced a partnership with one of them, Houston philanthropist and patron of the arts Dr. Carolyn Farb. The two began working together when Farb nurtured a particular gallery artist. “At shows, Carolyn is really engaging with her peers and friends and sharing her excitement and passion for those artists,” Colton says.

“It was just sort of a natural progression” from there, Colton says, adding, “I admire her a great deal.” Farb will serve in a creative director capacity at the gallery, helping with programming, curating, creating events and tying in ways to support arts nonprofits. “These are things that she’s really great at,” Colton says.

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deborah colton | dr. carolyn farb

Along with this news, the gallery has wooed Lester Marks, also a major collector and patron of the arts, to become Director. “I am excited about what can be achieved with our team of such dynamic yet caring individuals. This will be good for all artists and the city in general,” Colton says on her website’s announcement.

Colton’s exciting news extends beyond Houston. In November, she launched OUTPOST NYC DCG at the Emily Harvey Foundation Gallery collaborative space in New York’s Lower East Side. The initiative highlighted work from artists like Salvador Dalí, Jona Mekas and Houston-based Molly Gochman in an exhibition and series of performance evenings, including a live band and poet recitation.

“There was a lot of essence to it,” Colton says. “It created a dialogue to create interaction. That’s what used to happen a lot in New York. We wanted to fill that void again. It’s coming back with a lot of young emerging artists. It’s a very brave thing to get the audience to engage like that.”

Colton, who has lived in the New York area, Tokyo, Bangkok, Miami, Dallas and Houston, says she’d eventually like to open up a space on the Lower East Side – “kind of raw, not overly pristine” – like her former Summer Street. space.

But for now, “we’re an international gallery here in Texas opening a satellite gallery in New York (rather than vice versa). It hasn’t really ever happened before, but it’s a sign of the times. What I’m seeing is a lot more interesting progressive things happening in cities other than New York.”

In conjunction with OUTPOST NYC DCG, Deborah Colton Gallery shows “Knowledge Base” through January 2, an exhibition that allows artists like Gochman and Amy Granat to explore the notions of knowledge and power in an unexpected way.

Colton credits Houston’s strong economy, in part, for its vibrant art scene. “Houston and Texas have a great chance to shine now. We’re like mavericks down here! We never despair, we’re always positive and that’s what makes Houston so fantastic as a city.”

She adds that she hopes innovations like those happening at her gallery will help to inspire other local galleries. “I think we all – the private sector, museums, arts nonprofits – have a really good chance to go to a higher level.”

www.deborahcoltongallery.com

002houston December 09:002houston

gish at the movies

By Sarah Gish

11/18/09

3:44 PM

ART FILMS ARE GOOD FOR THE SOUL… TAKE A FRIEND TO ONE!

THE MOON and CHRISTMAS FILMS The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (mfah.org) is complementing their exhibition The Moon: “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed” with a series of films relating to the moon on December 5 and 6 only, including the film BLAST! They’re reviving the classic Japanese film Rashômon, by Akira Kurosawa, on Friday and Saturday, December 11 and 12, at 7pm and Sunday, December 13, at 5pm.

And the Houston Film Critics Society takes over their screen as they honor “The Best Films of 2009” on one day only – Sunday, December 19, at 4pm. If you think Ebenezer Scrooge is scary, try seeing him oversized in IMAX! The Houston Museum of Natural Science (hmns.org) is showing Disney’s A Christmas Carol through January 3, 2010. Landmark River Oaks Theatre (landmarktheatres.com) just celebrated 70 years last month and is standing proud as the oldest operating neighborhood theatre in our fair city! On their silver screen this month is Young Victoria, with a new opening date of December 18, and A Single Man opening on Christmas Day. A Single Man is the story of George Falconer, a 52year-old British college professor (Colin Firth) who is struggling to find meaning to his life after the death of his longtime partner, Jim (Matthew Goode). George dwells on the past and cannot see his future as we follow him through a single day where a series of events and encounters ultimately leads him to decide if there is a meaning to life after Jim. SMALL SCREENS The Aurora Picture Show (aurorapictureshow.org) teams up with the MFAH to present the documentary The Guest of Cindy Sherman on Friday, December 4, at 7pm at the MFAH. Filmmaker Paul H-O will be in attendance and it should be an interesting conversation: he made the film over a 15-year period while dating the reclusive artist Cindy Sherman.

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It includes interviews with the likes of John Waters, Robert Longo, Danny DeVito and Molly Ringwald and is a film Cindy is said to be unhappy with (isn’t that why they’re called “ex”?!). Bring the whole family to Spacetaker’s Winter Street Studio (spacetaker.org) for Aurora’s “Popcorn Kids” free presentation of “The Best of the New York Children’s Film Festival” on Saturday, December 12, at 4pm. Voices Breaking Boundaries (vbbarts.org) is celebrating their 10th anny on Saturday, December 5, at 7pm at the Houston Institute for Culture (houstonculture.org) at 708-B Lawndale with a party that includes a screening of two films: Houston Artists and Dissent by local filmmaker Laura Harrison, which includes interviews with more than 50 artists – including Rick Lowe and Bapsi Sidhwa – regarding their views on art, activism and dissent, and a brand new short film by Faroukh Virani which captures VBB’s first decade and current projects. City Council member Melissa Noriega will be on hand to present VBB with a proclamation at 7:30pm, presented to VBB for their role in creating justice through art.

ORSON WELLES and much more Get an up-close look at the charismatic-but-sometimescruel Orson Welles in the new film based in real theatrical history, Me and Orson Welles, scheduled to be onscreen

starting December 11. It’s the story of a teenage actor who lucks into a role in Julius Caesar as it’s being re-imagined by a brilliant, impetuous young director named Orson Welles at his newly-founded Mercury Theater in NYC, 1937. Rave Yorktown 15 (ravemotionpictures.com) wraps up their 2009 “Opera in Cinema” series with Mozart’s Cosi Van Tutte on Thursday, December 17, at 7pm and Sunday, December 27, at 1pm. The Alamo Drafthouse (drafthouse.com) was turned into a franchise operation recently and is crammed with films and events this month: “Beer Wars Beer Dinner” (12/5); “Back to the Future with the Houston Delorean Club” (12/11 and 12/12); Until the Light Takes Us (12/11-12/13); “Ladies Night Screening: Ghost (12/17)” and much more! If you’re looking for filmrelated gift items, I recommend Cinema Houston (cinemahouston.info) or Lucky Stars: Janet Gaynor & Charles Farrell (check it out on facebook.com). Happy Holidays!

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for art’s sake

Interview by Lance Scott Walker Photography by Code Bess Assisted by Ryan Booth

LIBBIE MASTERSON A painter by trade, native Houstonian Libbie Masterson took a trip to Iceland several years back and just happened to bring her camera. After shooting the landscape there piqued her interest, she ran with it, and pursued photography as another of her art forms. Several icy landscapes later, she finally ended up shooting right here in her home state.

Your photographic work in its earliest stages has been focused on the colder climates of the globe. Was that a response to growing up in all the Texas heat?

I don’t know. Maybe it’s sort of a little bit because you know, there’s always that fascination with something that’s still new to you. But it has more to do with the light in those places. Because when you spend time in places like Norway and then places like Iceland and Alaska or, to the other extreme in the south – Antarctica – any polar extreme, the light is very different than it is here. I think that may have been my strongest draw initially – the strangeness and the drama of the landscapes in those places.

The grant you got for the West Texas project – did that come with any sort of precursor like ‘OK, your work is great, but you gotta shoot Texas’?

No! Actually, I wanted to do something local because… well, for two reasons. One… I just think it’s important to recognize your own terrain, and sometimes people think that you have to go all the way to Antarctica to see something that’s so different and so strange, and here it’s our own state in West Texas and… maybe it’s drawn a little bit out of the questions that people ask me. People from other places start to ask me what Texas is like and you know it just never ceases to amaze me when I get the ‘do you have an oil well,’ ‘do you ride a horse…’

‘Can you say ‘ya’ll’ for me?’

Oh yeah. I hear it all. Absolutely. I love the landscapes here and West Texas and South Texas and even in the Central… in the Hill Country in Texas, you still find really far out and bizarre landscapes just really close to home.

I was gonna say… temperatures aside, you think about the landscape in West Texas and some of the polar regions you’ve been shooting, and you can draw a correlation between them. Those big, empty skies…

Absolutely. And especially in Iceland. I have some photographs I’ve taken in Iceland that look very much like the photographs that I’ve taken in West Texas. Especially when I photograph in the evening, and the shapes and the structures of the landscape become more of a silhouette and there’s less color involved. I also think it was kind of important considering that this grant was coming from local tax money, that I wanted to honor that, and involve the local terrain. The idea is we’re supposed to be providing something to people that are touring here, and coming to stay in Houston for some purpose or other. So I wanted to kind of touch on that and address that aspect because I feel very lucky to have been given the grant in the first place and

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I’m also trying to create some things that allow me to reach out to students in the area and I just think it’s a good practice – trying to reciprocate a little bit.

Where all are you shooting out there? I’ve always understood that one of the darkest regions of the United States is out there.

It could be, it could be. Where I’m shooting in Big Bend is pretty dark. There’s not a whole lot of interference because there just aren’t any towns. And there are some smaller areas that are growing, like Marfa – it’s just fantastic from what’s going on – and it’s not too far from the McDonald Observatory, which was situated right there because of the lack of interference. When I went to see the McDonald Observatory, I could see the rings of Saturn. I mean it was just incredible. I’d like to hook my camera up to that telescope!

How do you switch back and forth between projects? I know you did the set design for the Mozart show at the Miller Outdoor Theater and then you’ve got something like this – I can’t imagine them being more different in so many respects.

Well, they’re different in what the subject matter is, but in the practice of making them, it’s all about creating an environment that someone can really experience, and I guess ultimately that’s my goal. I started, like, when I was in college, doing installations with fiber optics and flashlights and glass… and I would make these dark rooms that people could go into – and gradually, so your eyes adjust, so you don’t just stumble in blindly – you could just walk into and just kind of be removed from whatever you have going on in your mind, and just step into something else. So, installations are really sort of like stage sets that you can walk into instead of a picture that you’re looking at.

Do you think that the landscape will ever become a lost art, or do you think that it will always persevere?

No, I think it will always persevere. I think it’s just natural. It’s in front of us, we live it, we’re looking at it, we fight over it... boy, do we fight over it! We’ve always fought over it and we will probably always be fighting over it. I just think it’s a natural fascination.

If it’s worth fighting over, it’s worth documenting, right?

Heck yeah! Absolutely. And also … it just never gets boring. It’s like a never-ending subject. It’s timeless, it has nothing to do with – well, I guess it can, if you’re taking a political approach to what’s happening with certain areas of the landscape – but in general, it is an unending subject.

Libbie’s collection of West Texas landscapes, entitled “STILL,” opens Thursday, December 10, at Space 125 Gallery at Houston Arts Alliance, 3201 Allen Parkway, 6pm-8pm. www.libbiemasterson.com

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AN EMPOWERING EDUCATION

nonprofit Interview by Allison Bagley

Alice Hastings-James moved from her native Kenya to the U.S. with her husband in 1989.

They have both enjoyed long careers in the oil industry that have led them overseas and back to Houston, where they are watching their daughter thrive as a student at DePelchin.

“I’m very fortunate,” Hastings-James says of her opportunities. “I count my blessings.”

Turning 50 years old last year was a milestone, she says, and she decided she wanted to do something to aid the community where she was raised. She researched and found the Kenya Scholarship Fund, a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2006 by local attorney Solomon Musyimi. The organization gives scholarships to boys in Kenya, where public high school is not free and only 10% of students receive an education beyond the 8th grade.

Females, Hastings-James says, take lowest priority in many Kenyan homes, so she set out to lay the groundwork for a similar scholarship for girls, and the response has been “beyond expectation. We were just in awe.”

Hastings-James visited Kenya with her sister last year to identify schools with which they now work closely with faculty members who nominate qualified students for scholarships. Potential recipients submit an essay describing their financial needs, community involvement and extracurricular activities. All these items, along with the student’s written communication skills, are evaluated as selection criteria.

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www.kenyascholarship.org

THE LOCALLY RUN KENYA SCHOLARSHIP FUND GIVES NAIROBI FEMALES THE GIFT OF A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION AND, WITH IT, A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE.

It costs $350-400 to send a girl to school for one year in Naroibi. “It’s mind-boggling because that’s what you and I go and spend on groceries at Whole Foods,” Hastings-James says. In the short time the female arm of KSF has existed, 17 girls have received scholarships, even in a time of economic crisis, far exceeding the boys’ scholarship fund.

“We’ve blown their minds,” she laughs. “We are so excited – sometimes I just can’t contain myself!”

Most of the donors to the cause have been women. Many are Kenyan-born American citizens who, like Hastings-James, feel fortunate that circumstances provided them with an education and opportunity in the States. “This gives them a chance to give back to their home without having to physically go there.”

Several, however, are not Kenyan born, but instead friends and neighbors who are moved by the teens’ personal essays.

“It’s about women empowering women,” Hastings-James says.

Scholarships are gifted to students entering 9th grade, so KSF can follow them through four years of high school and then potentially provide opportunity for university education in Kenya or the States. The students are required to maintain a B average and volunteer in the community, often in churches, AIDS hospitals and schools for the deaf or blind. Hastings-James and her fellow

board members – one of which is on the ground in Naroibi – maintain correspondence with the teachers and meticulous records of students’ progress.

Hastings-James describes the conditions of Kenyan schools as “pitiful” when compared with U.S. standards. Transportation is not provided to school, and the furniture and equipment is extremely outdated. Classroom curriculum is essentially the same as in the U.S., except that in computer lab, students learn applications like Microsoft Office by watching their teacher draw charts on a chalkboard rather than working on a computer. “The teachers are teaching them in theory. Can you just imagine learning Word without actually practicing it?”

When she returns home to Kenya next summer, Hastings-James will bring with her donated laptops.

“I’m so anxious to see where we go in 2010,” Hastings-James says with the kind of excited energy that helps persuade potential donors.

With these gifts, “we hope the students will get out there into the world and make changes. And that they will be impacted to also give back.”

TO DONATE TO THE FEMALE KENYA SCHOLARSHIP FUND OR TO LEARN MORE, CONTACT LADIES@KENYASCHOLARSHIP.ORG OR 281.597.0124.

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Patricia and Francisco Dominguez

A DAY IN THE LIFE… M Y HUSBAND AND I WERE INVITED TO SPEND A DAY AT CHILDREN’S MEMORIAL HERMANN HOSPITAL AND PARTICIPATE IN WHAT THEY CALL CHILDREN’S UP CLOSE WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO SPEND A DAY SHADOWING SEVERAL PHYSICIANS IN THE OPERATING ROOM. THIS INVITATION WAS A TREMENDOUS HONOR AND THE EXPERIENCE WILL REMAIN WITH US FOR A LIFETIME.

Memorial Hermann Foundation sent us our own set of scrubs and doctor jackets so we would be properly attired for our “rounds”. We arrived early in the morning and were greeted with breakfast by the surgical team.

Our first stop was at the pre-op room where we met a young patient who was preparing to have his tonsils removed. This child was quite anxious about surgery; however, this patient had been assigned a child life specialist, as does every patient, who walked through the entire surgical process to decrease anxieties and answer all the patient’s questions. The child life specialist came prepared with a bag full of visual aids so she could describe and show everything that was going to take place in the operating room. She used a book with images of tonsils so the patient knew exactly what and where they were, while carefully explaining why the tonsils needed to be removed. She used an anesthesia breathing mask to explain how the patient would fall asleep and gave a choice of 4 different aromas for the patient to use as their night-night juice. The purpose was to get the patient to actively participate in his own surgery – which he did by picking strawberry! Once the education was complete and the patient was comfortable and had all questions answered a Playstation was wheeled in the room for his enjoyment.

We then joined the surgeons in the operating room to witness preparations. Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, which is affiliated with The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, truly takes every detail into consideration for the benefit of the

By Patricia Dominguez

patient including room decorations of Walt Disney’s Nemo and music from Finding Nemo. Once the patient was settled, the mask was put on and the patient went right to sleep with a smile.

At that point we were escorted to our second patient, who was about to undergo heart surgery. My husband and I were provided with surgical masks and hats and taken to operating room number 4 which was already busy with several nurses and doctors preparing for the surgery. The patient was already asleep when we arrived, however we were in time to see the doctors make the initial incision and begin working on this little heart! The heart was very small, and the work that was performed during the surgery so intricate it is difficult to describe. At one point in the procedure they actually stopped the child’s heart for a full hour while simultaneously pumping oxygen through this little body letting a machine do the work. During the one-hour time period this amazing team worked diligently to repair the the defects in the heart.

When the repairs had been made, the doctors restarted the heart. It is difficult to describe the feelings I had watching it resume beating; I was shaken to the core but incredibly moved to witness such a beautiful moment.

I was so impressed throughout the entire day with the facility and the procedures but in the end it was the team – the doctors, nurses, child life specialist and orderlies – who brought the human factor into every single detail of every single moment that really made an impression. These people are highly trained professionals who are there to save the lives of people like you and me every day and they do it by placing the dignity of the patient first. I will never again pass the corner of Cambridge and Fannin without recalling the emotion of that day inside Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.

Because of this experience my husband and I will always advocate and support the only Level 1 pediatric trauma hospital in Houston and the southwest region: Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.

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born cool. grow hip.

COOL TOYS FOR COOL

KIDS

OK, it is that time of the year again and even though it’s supposed to be a time of peace and rejoice, it can end up being more of a nervous-breakdown-trigger for some. Shopping for that perfect gift can be a real pain; you’re going crazy trying to find what your kiddos want – and on top of that you have to deal with overcrowded shopping centers, inadequate customer service, long lines, “we are out of that one” responses, and yes, my favorite…No Parking! So if you are longing to make of your holiday season a more enjoyable one, I suggest you shop online and use that free time to enjoy your family and friends.

Discoverystore.com – Virtual Distance Football, Digital Speed Baseball, Light Vision Goggles | Uglydolls.com – Big Toe, Winkolina, Ox, Action Figure Box | Blablakids.com – Monkey Mozart, Shane, Berry-Lee, Doll | Oompa.com – Amazon Wristwatch, Hippie Chic Lap Desk, Cordoba Building Blocks, Big Domino Animals | Candlewick.com – Oh, baby! Books, Oceanology, Fairies and Magical Creatures, The Twelve Days of Christmas in Texas

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™ ® and © 2009, Pretty Ugly, LLC. All Rights Reserved

By Pixie Ibañez Photographed by Sofia van der Dys

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!!

E L E L B I B I C C N I N I V V N IIN

By Pixie Ibañez Photography by Jack Potts

A

re you a parent? Did you cringe at the photograph of the kids?

This probably represents an everyday scenario – your child comes home from school or a playdate looking like a painter’s canvas; unfortunately this ain’t no Picasso. Let’s face it, there is not much we can do to prevent our kids form getting messy – kids are kids, and children discover their world thru play. Worry no more! We’ve discovered the perfect solution: dress your kids in Bersica® Futurewear and leave your worries behind.

BERSICA FUTUREWEAR is a high-performance clothing line that uses the advanced textile technology NanoSphere®. The Swiss technology allows garments to have an extremely high repellency to water, oil and dirt while offering UV protection PLUS the material is fully breathable, lightweight and very soft. Bersica Futurewear is revolutionizing children’s clothing, allowing moms around the world to breathe a sigh of relief. Bersica is also doing our planet some good: the material used is environmentally friendly meeting the bluesign® standard which guarantees the highest possible exclusion of substances harmful to the environment and humans and requires less washing saving you money and the water.

DRY!

WET! For more information or to purchase Bersica® Futurewear, visit www.bersica.com or call 832.200.8742.

HOLIDAY SPECIAL! enoy 25% off the regular price of $29.95.

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IT WOULDN’T BE THE HOLIDAYS WITHOUT….SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS

Dec. 21-23, 8pm | Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana, Houston, TX 77002 Tickets are $30-$150 | Call Ticketmaster 800.745.3000 | www.ticketmaster.com or www.shenyunperformingarts.org

By Nadia Michel | Photography by EPOCHTIMES

If

your holiday traditions need a little freshening up, Shen Yun is just the ticket. The extravagant show is chock-full of dazzling costumes, music and dancers that will leave you humming Chinese tunes through the holiday season.

Traditional Chinese dance is taken to the next level in this internationally renowned mega-production.

Having performed in the world’s most prestigious venues – including Radio City Music Hall in New York and Paris’ Palais des Congres – Shen Yun Performing Arts is a global phenomenon.

Part dance, part acrobatics and with plenty of theatrics, Chinese dance seduces the senses with an unmatched level of gracefulness and beautiful storytelling.

Imagine what it would look like to see flowers come alive in a magical world, and you’ll begin to grasp the essence of this show. Twirling parasols, silk brocades and crimson lips flutter in synch on animated backdrops conjuring celestial palaces and blossoming landscapes, creating a dreamlike spectacle for entranced audiences.

SCORE! Following an opening gong, the orchestra performs a fusion of Chinese and Western classical music.

Nytheatre.com calls the original score a “beautiful sound…with strikingly intricate melodies.” Audiences

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will discover the two-stringed Chinese erhu, a violinlike traditional instrument which amazingly conveys such a wide array of emotions. Solo vocal performances, accompanied by piano, trump any language barrier through the power of music. Thunderous drums shake the stage and reverberate, adding intensity to dramatic scenes.

COSTUME COUTURE Shunning the stereotypical mass production of 21st century China, Shen Yun Performing Arts’ costumes are all hand-made. Paying tribute to the country’s 5000year-old culture, imperial robes and shimmering headpieces celebrate a colorful history. Masterful dancers bring vibrant silk dresses to life, making them flow like water. Clothing is an essential part of China’s rich cultural heritage, and these authentically reproduced costumes are a feast for our Western eyes.

THE SECRET (No, not that secret!)

Shen Yun performers bring an intangible quality to the show. Philadelphia Weekly says, “These beautiful, gifted people are expressing something that’s both pure and good.” Many of the dancers practice a self-cultivation discipline called Falun Dafa, which teaches truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. This appreciation for life is evident is both the choreography and the performance.

In addition to spiritual pursuits, Shen Yun’s performers are dedicated and accomplished; many of them have won international dance and music competitions.

While this is a Chinese production, it has moved far beyond its borders in both talent and recognition.

CHINESE HISTORY 101 Classical Chinese dance is unique in that it incorporates graceful technique with athletic movement and even jaw-dropping aerial skills. But it is the ethnic and folk dances which truly exemplify the diversity that exists within China and its surrounding areas. Different ethnic groups are represented in numbers like “Yi Ethnic Dance,” reminiscent of East European dances yet absolutely Chinese.

Storytelling is another hallmark of Shen Yun productions. Dramatic portrayals of traditional stories convey timeless values that are important in Chinese culture.

These ancient tales, like that of the heroine Mulan and General Yue Fei, inspire morality and courage.

DON’T SNOOZE OR YOU’LL LOSE While other traditional holiday shows offer a predictable dose of sugar plums and Christmas merriment, Shen Yun Performing Arts delights, amazes and inspires people of all ages. Don’t miss this opportunity to be truly, world-class entertained.

- Shen Yun Performing Arts was established in 2006. | - Shen Yun is a nonprofit organization, based in New York and independent of China’s communist regime.

- The orchestra is composed of over 40 musicians. | - Three Shen Yun companies have been invited to perform in over 100 cities around the globe.

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1

people of houston

JUSTIN MCCORD

DIANA WARREN

age 47 sign Virgo origin Oklahoma occupation Hair designer@ Michaelyndon Salon

age 24 sign Gemini origin Houston, TX occupation Pastry Lady & Mother of 4

Photography by Anthony Rathbun

3 JEFFREY SCOTT SULMA age 26 sign

Sagittarius origin Houston, TX occupation General Manager, Tony’s Restaurant and Partner, Ciao Bello Restaurant

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2

1. JUSTIN MCCORD

-IF YOU COULD MEET A CELEBRITY, WHO WOULD IT BE? That ‘s a tie – Eckhart Tolle and The Dalai Lama.

-IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY, WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU WOULD BUY? One-bedroom apts. In Madrid, Vancouver and San Francisco.

-WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MUSICIAN? Yo-Yo Ma. -WHAT WAS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT? I can’t say that here.

-WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Or here either!

-WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?

2. DIANA WARREN

.

-WHAT IS ONE THING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT? My children – & cake flour.

-WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MUSICIAN? Jay-Z.

--WHAT WAS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT? Singing a song and forgetting the words in a church PACKED full of people.

-WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Knowing that I met the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with!

-WHAT WAS THE BEST CONCERT YOU EVER ATTENDED? Maxwell.

-WHERE DO YOU PLAN TO GO ON YOUR NEXT VACATION? Punta Mita, Mex.

3. JEFFREY SCOTT SULMA

-IF YOU COULD MEET A CELEBRITY, WHO WOULD IT BE? I would have liked to have met Hendrix.

-WHAT IS ONE THING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT? Good pizza and Italian red wine.

-WHAT WAS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT? I’d like to spare myself further embarrassment.

-WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Becoming Tony Vallone’s business partner.

-WHAT WAS THE BEST CONCERT YOU EVER ATTENDED? Pantera and Black Sabbath. I was in seventh grade.

-WHERE DO YOU PLAN TO GO ON YOUR NEXT VACATION? St. Regis in Bora Bora. (Thanks to the article in !)

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WISE GUY

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GIVE ‘TIL IT HURTS

by Tim Moloney Photo of Tim Moloney by Gabriella Nissen

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE…IT’S THAT MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN. BUT IT CAN ALSO BE A HASSLE, ESPECIALLY IN THE GIFT-GIVING DEPARTMENT. IN FACT, JIM BEAM® BOURBON RECENTLY SPONSORED AN ONLINE SURVEY OF 1,059 AMERICAN MEN AGES 21-29 AND ASKED RESPONDENTS A VARIETY OF QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE HOLIDAYS, INCLUDING THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES GUYS FACE. ABOUT 42 PERCENT OF GUYS NAMED GIFT BUYING AS THEIR TOP HASSLE, ESPECIALLY DECIDING WHAT TO GIVE TO WHOM. PARENTS TOP THE LIST OF THE MOST DIFFICULT PEOPLE TO SHOP FOR, WITH THE SIGNIFICANT OTHER (GIRLFRIEND, WIFE) COMING IN SECOND. OF THE 77 PERCENT OF GUYS WHO PLAN TO GIVE THEIR MALE FRIENDS GIFTS, THE MOST POPULAR PRESENTS WILL BE LIQUOR AND ELECTRONICS (ABOUT 20 PERCENT EACH). I’D LIKE SOME OF BOTH, SANTA, IF YOU’RE LISTENING. Since you can’t give everyone some JIM BEAM, I thought I’d call on some of my trusted retail regents to get some over-the-top gift ideas for guys and gals, recession be damned! Answering the call of duty were pals Franco Valobra, our local jeweler to the stars, as well as Terry Zmyslo, the courtly ringmaster of Saks Fifth Avenue.

BLING IT ON

tim moloney

SCENT-SATIONAL Now it’s time for Terry, who’s pushing pricey perfume. “IF THE SKY’S THE LIMIT?” he advises, “then go for our outsize 42ounce amphora (teachable moment: Amphorae first appeared on the Syrian coast around the 15th century BC and spread around the ancient world, used as the principal means for transporting and storing grapes, olive oil, wine, oil, olives, grain, fish and other commodities) emblazoned with 17,500 swarovski stones, outfitted with a golden spigot and topped off with an elliptical mirror resting on a honeycomb base. A Saks exclusive, this wonderment is contained in a white patent leather gift case. “We offer it with the Bond No. 9 eau de parfum of your choice,” says the talented Mr. Zmyslo. It can be yours for $3,500. This is guaranteed sexy time.

Photography by Jill Hunter

Franco Valobra, four years in town, has become the go-to guy for major jewels, fine watches, BUCCELLATI treasures and antiques. You might have seen him on the runway recently as a celebrity model for Family Services of Greater Houston’s “Notte In Italia” fashion event. Just to set the record straight, this Italian LEAN OUT WITH LAYN Stallion was casually tossing strands of real pearls into the crowd Welcome to our second installment of “LEAN OUT WITH during his walk (other commentators, ill-informed and un-named, LAYN”, our go-to fitness guy, whose advice is especially impordescribed them as fakes). Well, there’s nothing fake tant in this month of gluttony and overindulgence. The topic? The about this guy. For Christmas gifting your favorite best time to do cardio. The answer? Anytime! “The most imporlady, he recommends a fantastic 18kt yellow tant thing is that you just do it. Continuous cardiovascular exergold cuff featuring 26.4 karats of glittering cise, such as walking, jogging, stairclimbing or cycling, susdiamonds. You can make her happy for just tained for at least 30 minutes, will burn body fat no matter when $72,000 with this one-of-a-kind piece. For you do it. However, if you want to get the maximum benefits possiguys, Franco has designed 18kt yellow-gold ble, they you should consider getting up early and doing cardio button covers that easily pop over your cuff before you eat your first meal.” There’s a lot of science behind this advice, buttons (regular or French-cuff shirts). With Photography by Jill Hunter but unfortunately we don’t have time to go into all that this month…I’ve got sapphire monogram, you’re out only $1,500. You can order them with any stone – diamonds, emeralds, presents to buy, eggs to nog, menorahs to light and cardio to do. rubies (price varies), and they’ll be ready in three to four WISHING YOU AND YOURS ALL THE BEST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON….AND days. Come on, you’ve been good this year, so why not?

PLEASE DON’T DRIVE DRUNK AFTER ALL THAT JIM BEAM. CALLING A CAB IS THE WISEST THING A WISE GUY CAN DO.

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Oh, Christmas Tree

W

ith Christmas upon us, it won’t be long before you’re heading out in search of the perfect Christmas tree for your home. Many families have a tradition of decorating the tree together, while drinking hot apple cider and listening to Christmas carols. As you hang your ornaments one-by-one, you might think about where they came from.

There is actually more to the history of Christmas ornaments than how you acquired them – that is, how they came to hang on a tree and where they originated. The history of the Christmas ornament dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries in Germany.

The first evergreens that were decorated did not feature blown glass balls; instead, they were hung with real fruit.

Eventually, trees would make their way into homes, where fruit or cut pastries were hung from their limbs. This explains why many ornament makers over the years have created designs in the likeness of grapes, oranges, bananas, etc. Christmas became commonly celebrated in the United States around 150 years ago; however, it did not become a legal holiday until 1891.

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by Reyne Haines Photography by Gabriella Nissen Ornaments from Rummel Creek Village Antiques

Before World War II, 80-90% of Christmas decorations in the U.S. were German-made. Germany had virtually no competition in the ornament business until around 1925, when Japan and Czechoslovakia began producing ornaments for export to the United States. The original cost of an ornament was 1-3 cents apiece. Today, ornaments are more than a nickel, and a bit more ornate than their predecessors. Most ornaments are still from Germany. And while ornaments are being produced in paper, wood, metal and porcelain, glass is the most desirable medium of all.

If you’re thinking of collecting ornaments, your options are endless – there is no wrong way to collect! One of the leading makers of contemporary glass ornaments is Christopher Radko. An especially famous design of this company is “A Partridge in a Pear Tree.” This ornament originally sold for $38. No longer in production, it has now sold for as much as $1,000 on the secondary market.

Whether you’re a serious collector or just interested in adding a new ornament or two to your tree each year, they represent both a rich history of holiday celebration—and the personal memories that you’ve collected over the years.

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costume for coctails

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310 Rosemont – 1965 W. Gray 713.522.8133 Anthropologie – 4066 Westheimer Rd. 713.840.9428 Target – 2580 Shearn St. 713.331.0376 YSL – 5015 Westheimer Rd. 713.621.2117

Styling by Beatrice Valencia Photography by Kennon Evett Illustration by Cynthia Bogart

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR. THERE’LL BE MUCH MISTLETOEING AND HEARTS WILL BE GLOWING WHEN LOVED ONES ARE NEAR. IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR -Andy Williams

OK, faux-fur is definitely an acquired taste. I personally love it! The quality nowadays is ridiculous. This provides just enough warmth for our tepid winters.

Glam Vintage Soul vest @ 310 Rosemont Dress and jewelry all wrapped into one makes getting ready that much easier.

Prairie New York @ 310 Rosemont This clutch is big enough to bring all your necessities along. Should you get tired of clutching it, there’s a chain strap inside.

KaiaPeterka Leather clutch @ 310 Rosemont

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I might have the most wishy-washy skin type ever. It’s sensitive. It breaks out. It can get oily. So finding the right skin products without breaking the bank is challenging. Who wants to experiment and then deal with the aftermath?! This moisturizer has been spectacular. Great for my sensitive skin and no breakouts to date – all at a decent price tag.

Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Moisturizer @ Target I like the monochromatic effect with the same color pump as the dress. It forms a long line for the eye to follow.

YSL Tribute platform pump @ YSL A few stacks of sparkle and I’m holiday ready! I’m a sucker for sparkles…

Rosena Sammi bracelets @ rosenasammi.com

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retail wrap Photography by Code Bess

CURRENT OBSESSION It depends on the season. Sometimes I find one kind of flower that I like and I can use it every day. But maybe for the next job, I find something else and the creation process starts again.

DESIGN INSPIRATION | ICON To be honest I don’t have one. With my experience, I have learned to get the flowers I like and fix them together and suddenly it comes out to something that I am satisfied with.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS BUSINESS? A few years ago I started doing flowers as a hobby but slowly I was getting orders and keeping busy. Until 6 years ago, I decided to open my own shop.

WHAT ARE YOU COVETING THIS SEASON? Fortunately, I have a very good list of costumers but these days the flower business is getting more competitive. So I only wish to keep my costumer, happy and see my business grow every year.

}

years in operation six | 2711 princeton, houston tx 77009 | 713.528.9090

{

WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER BOUTIQUES? Well, that is a question that my costumers can answer for me. I guess it’s making arrangements that you are not going to find everywhere. I listen to what my client wants but add my personal touch and creativity.

WILLIAM FIERROS | CASA BLANCA FLORAL SERVICES

5 Rules of Style

1. FRESHNESS 2. ELEGANCE 3. VARIETY OF EXOTIC AND BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 4. SIMPLICITY 5. AND OF GOOD TASTE

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KENNY & ZIGGY’S MADE WRITER 002+magazine

on our

radar

world cup Following last month’s press conference, Houston moved up to #3 in the rankings of US cities with the most votes to host the

World Cup in 2018/2022. Houston needs you to go to www.gousabid.com/houston and vote to bring the World Cup to our city!

food+drink

DAVID SAX’S TOP 10 DELIS LIST IN THE COUNTRY IN MAXIM. SAX IS THE AUTHOR OF “SAVE THE DELI.”

doing good Any woman currently undergoing chemo can sign up for a cleaning service that provides FREE house cleaning 1 time per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment.

Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her ZIP code area arrange for the service. www.cleaningforareason.org NEARLY 200 VOLUNTEERS FROM PEACE FOR THE CHILDREN, ALLIANCE FOR MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES, ORGANIZERS FROM KABOOM! AND RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITIES JOINED FORCES LAST MONTH TO BUILD A NEW, SAFE PLAYGROUND AT LOS ARCOS APARTMENTS ON FONDREN. THE NEW PLAYGROUND DESIGNS ARE BASED ON DRAWINGS PROVIDED BY CHILDREN WHO ATTENDED A DESIGN DAY EVENT IN HOUSTON.

wheels The Washington Wave

Alex Brennan-Martin’s

Bistro Alex opened up last month at CityCentre, serv-

ing lunch, brunch and dinner. His Café Rosé will be open every day 6:30am to 11pm, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner – and will be the first in Houston, the second in the state of Texas and only the 11th in the U.S. to receive worldrenowned coffee and espresso manufacturer Illy’s prestigious Artisti del Gusto (Artists of Taste) status.

– parking lot for Jitney service off Houston

Ave. & Memorial thewashingtonwave.com Umm, if you haven’t heard by now, you’re living in a cave but Washington is police central. Come Thursday through Friday, if you don’t have a designated driver, you don’t have a prayer. I’ve heard stories of people having had one to two beverages being hauled to jail with a DUI. Not my idea of a good time. And then the idea we’ve all been thinking about, our get rich quick scheme, appeared. Say hello to The Washington Wave. A “jitney” service that for a fee of $5 a ride or $8 for a nightly pass will take you up and down the Washington Corridor stopping at predetermined points on the route to drop off passengers within walking distance from their favorite watering holes.

With a central parking lot with 450 spaces at Houston Avenue or access to pedestrians who are in the area and “wave” the jitney down, this is the most safe and ingenious idea to come to fruition. Services are available Thursday through Saturday from 6pm-3am. Be safe and catch the “wave.”

Sonic Automotive Group is pleased to announce

Maria Moncada Alaoui as the new General

Sugarland Shake opened its 3,175 square feet of space last month at City Walk in Sugar Land. Sugarland Shake will reflect a modern interpretation of the classic diner and will serve hamburgers, hot dogs, soups, sandwiches, salads, desserts and milkshakes. The space will feature original artwork commissioned by local artist Roberto Cervantes.

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Manager of AUDI/PORSCHE WEST HOUSTON on I-10 at Kirkwood. Maria’s career includes 15 successful years in the Domestic and Luxury car industry right here in Houston. “I am very excited to be part of such a great team here at Porsche Audi West Houston and look forward to building another team of professional sales consultants as we open Momentum Luxury Cars, our brand new pre-owned showroom across the street.” Stop by one of three showrooms and welcome Maria and while you’re there, check out the brand new 2010 Q5 or the recently unveiled 2010 Panamera, a four-door luxury sedan, the first true sports car with pure Porsche performance that brings sport car goosebumps to four people all at once!

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Holiday Gift Guide

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A gift for the home be you and change the world.

JUST PURE WATER

COQUETTE BOUTIQUE & BISTRO Owner Aries Milan carries a selection of lines including Michelle Mason, LnA, Alexis Lamontagna, Alice McCall (of Australia), Graham & Spencer, Young, Fabulous, & Broke, and Sass & Bide and phenomenal smelling candles from Dayna Decker, as well as an assortment of fashionable accessories including handbags, jewelry and scarves. The collection shines with so-soft tees, crop jackets, sequined leggings, chic little dresses and much more. Along with the fashions offered at Coquette, an in-store bistro with tables and chairs offers sandwiches and pastries daily from Scott Tycer’s Kraftsmen Bakery. Your fashionable girlfriend, wife, mother or best friend will go crazy for a gift certificate from such an original boutique option!

Revolutionary new technology converts air to pure drinking water. User friendly and generator compatible. Dehumidifies and purifies the air and is energy- and cost-efficient.

Learn more at www.indefinitepossibilities.com Contact info@indefinitepossibilities.com for more information.

Showroom at New Living Green Building + Home Store 6111 Kirby Drive

1848 Westheimer at Hazard, 713.527.7377

Looking for a gift for a wine lover? Need a great bottle of wine for your friends or neighbors? We have great gift solutions for all of the wine enthusiasts in your life.

The 2010 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ International Wine Competition winners have been selected. Add the winning wines to your holiday shopping list. A full listing of the 2010 winning wines can be found at www.rodeohouston.com.

Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer? Tickets to Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup and Best Bites Competition are ideal. At the February 21, 2010, event, enjoy samples of the winning wines along with scrumptious bites from 60 Houston-area restaurants and catering institutions. Vote for your favorites in the Best Bite Competition that evening. Tickets and tables may be purchased by calling 832.667.1128.

For more information on any Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition winners or events, please contact wine@rodeohouston.com.

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little Liebling Are you looking for the perfect gift for a little darling girl or boy? little Liebling is the right place for you, offering exclusive children’s wear as well as practical and fun accessories inspired by the owners’ Northern and Southern German heritage. Every single piece is handmade in their studio in Houston. The items shown here are only a small selection from an extensive collection online.

By the way, “Liebling” is German..... for darling or sweetheart – and for your darling, only the best is good enough, therefore only the highest quality and comfort by using only natural fabrics is offered. Have a look at the online store for more great gifts: www.littleliebling.com!

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Holiday Gift Guide

zoé klutch Don’t be a Coach Clone. Accessorize your originality with these one-of-a-kind ‘upcycled’ clutches made from vintage finds. zoé klutch is isabella dean’s (ecofriendly jewelry) latest product line and boasts handmade clutches crafted from recycled tees and jeans complete with working interior pocket perfect for tucking away a few bucks or lip gloss. Features 100% cotton thread, classy hardware and extra lofty batting. Whether it’s your fave sports team, greatest concert tee or even your alma mater or sorority, zoé klutch can take your most prized treasure and recycle it into your very own bag! 5% of every sale is donated to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of the owner’s grandmother. Don’t miss the big holiday promo: 25-40% off ready-made clutches www.zoeklutch.etsy.com. Buy a unique gift this year, but don’t break the bank (all clutches under $60).

For information about custom orders, visit www.isabelladean.com crafty stuff for crafty folks.

From the uptown sophisticate to the downtown diva, Charming Charlie’s got everyone on your list covered. With thousands of fashion jewelry pieces to choose from as well as handbags, scarves and more, your favorite females will be delighted with their special gift or gift card from Charming Charlie.

And with prices that don’t break the bank, you will be too.

Visit www.charmingcharlie.com for a location near you.

Now open in the Houston Galleria, rink level, by Neiman Marcus.

dannyclarkphotography.com

dannyclarkphotography.com Magdelena Necklace by VSA $218

Stop by Raspberry Rose to discover the endless possibilities of amazing gifts for the special ones in your life! This Rice Village mainstay is not only the place to find the latest trends from well-known brands such as Velvet, Ella Moss, Michael Stars, Johnny Was & Chan Luu, it’s also a place to get fashion advice you can trust. Stocked with great sexy little tops, holiday dresses and denim galore, we are sure to get you ready for your next night out on the town.

Exclusive to The Rose is the jewelry line, Virgin, Saints, & Angels (VSA) from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Inspired by goddesses and worn by celebrities, these unique pieces encourage enlightenment, expression and creativity by incorporating imagery and symbolism borrowed from life in Mexico. For the holidays, owner Carrie Schwartzenburg recommends the gorgeous Magdelena Necklace as the perfect gift of the season. Come by soon – these beauties go fast!! 2434 Rice Blvd. 713.529.2260

TOMS - Silver Glitter Shoes $60 After getting all dolled up at Raspberry Rose pop across Rice Blvd to check out Carrie Schwartzenburg’s latest venture, Loop A Shoe & Accessory Boutique. Here you will find a wide variety of your favorite shoemakers like Bernardo, Sam Edelman, Jeffrey Campbell and Seychelles. You can even find the popular TOMS Shoes where for each pair sold a pair is given to a child in need. As an added bonus, Loop has tons of clothing, handbags and jewelry priced under $100 – making fabulous gifts for the holidays. Super-chic & ultra-trendy, we’ll keep you “in the loop” when you shop at Loop! 2427 Rice Blvd. 713.520.5511

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Holiday Gift Guide

RIVER OAKS WATCH

TW Steel CE.1030, retail price $600

The absolute must-visit destination when shopping for the man in your life this season, this recently opened, chic and comfortable boutique is offering the perfect accessory for his lifestyle whether he’s going scuba diving in the Seychelles or just retrieving the kids from the shallow end of the swimming pool. Watch aficionados and partners, David Lewis and Brian Jordan, shopped the top watch collections throughout Europe and the US this year, with the goal of buying only the best pieces from the best designers in the sports watch world.

With prices starting at $600, the inventory includes selections from Graham, Alpina, TW Steel, Hamilton, Frederique Constant and Tutima (many of the collections Texas exclusives to ROW).

2736 Virginia, 713.533.1452

PARADIGM TRAINING CENTER Conveniently located in the Galleria/Bellaire area of Houston, provides a fun and exciting opportunity to get in shape. Paradigm offers Yoga and Fitness/Core Conditioning classes in addition to Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Wrestling instruction. The Kickboxing class consists of high-intensity training drills, calisthenics, Thai pad drills and heavy bag work to keep you light on your feet as well as light in the midsection! Students will learn to punch, elbow, clinch, knee and kick. You’ll burn fat and calories as well as improve strength, muscle tone, muscle endurance and flexibility. The workout is fun, safe and accommodates all levels of fitness. Memberships make a great gift for anyone looking to get in shape or for someone who is passionate about martial arts. For more information, visit the website at www.txgym.com

Houston’s Only Couple’s Spa THE PETITE RETREAT GIVE A GIFT, GET A GIFT November 15 thru December 31, 2009, purchase a holiday present of a gift certificate at the increments below and get a gift card to pamper yourself!

• Buy a $50 gift certificate, get a $10 gift card.

• Buy a $75 gift certificate, get a $15 gift card.

• Buy a $100 certificate, get a $20 gift card.

• Gift certificates are available online instantly!

Or try a Holiday Special – Three treatments are rolled into one amazing experience – a great way to enjoy the sweet aromas of the season!

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Holiday Season Sampler Full Body Exfoliation Hydrating Spice Wrap Holiday Spice Massage 80 minutes $165 Holiday Pampering Package Refreshing Hydration Facial Joyful Bliss Mani-Pedi Swedish Massage 3 hours $185 (originally $230)

Mani/Pedi • Waxing • Facial • Massage

Bliss Nail Spa

701 Shepherd Drive, #100 Houston, TX 77007 | 713.864.8787 www.bliss-nailspa.com

A perfect romantic get away.

Book your Couple's Spa Package today! www.the petite retreat.net Nominated for Best Couple's Spa and Best Massage in Citysearch.

Chiropractic Care . Massage Therapy . Nutrition and Weight Loss . Detox Programs Insurance accepted 713.520.8999

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The St. Regis opened in June 2006 and remains one of the most beautifully laid out resorts in the area featuring 100 serene over-water and beach villas, some with terrace whirlpools or private swimming pools. One, two and three-bedroom villas range in size from 1,550 square feet to the resort’s ultra-luxurious 13,000-squarefoot Royal Estate, set apart in a secluded cove. Exotic thick wood floor planks invite you to press bare feet onto the uneven cool floors. Sliding doors throughout, lead you to endless seascapes from all viewpoints of the villa. The resort has the ability to instill complete relaxation, inspire healthy activity, beckon relaxation at the Miri Miri spa, inspire awe with its amazing marine-life, and leave you craving more with its three restaurants including a signature Jean-Georges over-water restaurant Lagoon, Sushi Take – Bora Bora’s first sushi restaurant – and Te Pahu serving breakfast and lunch. www.stregis.com/borabora

Holiday Gift Guide

Pet Paradise truly is paradise for pets! The luxury pet resort provides a clean, safe and fun environment for your pet while you are away. Pet Paradise has spacious play areas, indoor/outdoor climate-controlled suites and a bone-shaped swimming pool. Their holiday gift cards make the perfect gift for pet lovers and their pets! What pet doesn’t deserve a trip to paradise?

BORA BORA ST. REGIS

For more information, visit www.petparadiseresort.com

DANTON’S CLASSIC GULF COAST STYLE Two third-generation Houstonians and lifelong friends are the secret behind Danton’s. A sincere belief that seafood straight from the Gulf Coast has the sweetest, freshest flavors, paired with a family heritage of teaching the men how to cook a steak that any steak house would be proud to serve, is at the essence of Danton’s. Walls are adorned with treasured black and white photos of friends and the owners’ family members, dating back to the 1920’s. Beautiful antique maps of coastal areas and waterways and sketches of the Gulf Coast by well-known artist Richard Fowles are also part of the décor. Danton’s is about real food, cooked and prepared the way their grandparents did. Think of the place that Ernest Hemingway, Glen McCarthy, Howard Hughes or Albert Glassell might have met in their heyday.

4611 Montrose Blvd # A100 | Houston, TX 77006 | 713.807.8883

Just in Time for the Holidays!

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Season and MiniSeason Tickets are on sale now. Guarantee your seats today to see Brooks & Dunn – The Last Rodeo Tour, Jonas Brothers, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw and more.

To purchase tickets, visit www.rodeohouston.com or call 832.667.1080. december 09 | www.002mag.com .45

Holiday Gift Guide

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SOLÓRZANO TEQUILA

NAUGHTY LEMONADE: 2 parts TY KU Liqueur Simply Lemonade Your imagination!!!!!!!!!!!

THE TRUE SUAVE OF THE BLUE AGAVE The super premium Solórzano tequila is primed to become the most coveted bottle to locate.

Tequila Solórzano is crafted from 100% Blue Agave plants that are allowed to mature eight years before harvest. The True Suave of the Blue Agave. www.solorzanotequila.com Solórzano available at Spec's

TY KU PREMIUM LIQUEUR Combining soft citrus, fresh melon with the balance of teas and botanicals, added to the subtle structure of premium Asian spirits. The delicately blended taste finishes with a hint of ginger, the drink is versatile, ideal alone or as the main ingredient in today’s resurgence of crafted cocktails www.trytyku.com

Bak’s

CABANA CACHAÇA The only super-premium cachaça imported in the U.S. is adding a tropical twist to the coldest time of year. The national spirit of Brasil is a perfect complement to the wintry holidays, with the juxtaposition of the earthy spirit with the traditional flavors of the season resulting in deliciously surprising cocktails.

Cabana Cachaça blends perfectly with cranberries, cinnamon and nutmeg in the original recipe below. This innovative libation can be served at any size celebration and brings the opportunity to escape from the cold by adding some Brasilian spice to your traditional holiday party.

Holiday Caipirinha

2 oz. Cabana 5 lime quarters 5 cranberries 1 1/2 tbsp. cinnamon-sugar blend Dash of nutmeg Muddle lime quarters, cranberries and cinnamon-sugar blend. Add Cabana and ice and shake. Pour into a rocks glass and garnish with 3 cranberries, a spring of rosemary and a dash of ground nutmeg. www.cabanacachaca.com

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BISON GRASS VODKA SET TO “STAMPEDE” ACROSS TEXAS THE TRUE SUAVE OF THE BLUE AGAVE After over two decades of regulatory resistance, U.S. vodka connoisseurs can now celebrate with authentic Bak’s Bison Grass Vodka. For centuries in eastern Poland, massive buffalo have roamed the lush and fertile fields that are full of rich flowers and “Zubrowka” or “Bison Grass,” an herb essential for survival and full of virility. High Society would celebrate hunting successes with a special vodka flavored with “Bison Grass,” in belief this would yield grand power and youthful virility which centuries later had been banned from American shores.

Untill Now! This revolutionary product is not your typical flavored vodka, rather a vodka rich in flavor.

Bak’s Bison Grass Vodka retails for about $24.99/750ml.

Ask for it at Spec’s Downtown and your favorite liquor stores. www.bisongrassvodka.com

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By Sandra Gunn, a native Houstonian and Realtor. Her firm, Sandra Gunn Properties, specializes in the unique and prides themselves on being architects of community. | www.sandragunn.com Sandra’s makeup by Asher - Kuhl Linscomb

archichat

JAY BAKER, FAIA | Jay Baker Architects www.jaybakerarchitects.com

Photography by Jaime Lagdameo

hometown grew up in Omaha, Nebraska education background Received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Iowa State University and a Master’s degree from Rice University, where he subsequently taught architectural design for 10 years.

FOUNDED IN 1991, JAY BAKER ARCHITECTS HAS PRODUCED A BODY OF WORK RECOGNIZED FOR DESIGN EXCELLENCE AT LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL LEVELS. FOR CONTRIBUTIONS AS PRACTITIONER, TEACHER AND VOLUNTEER IN SERVICE OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, JAY BAKER WAS HONORED AS A FELLOW OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS IN 2002. WE SPENT A WONDERFUL AFTERNOON AT HERMANN PARK WHERE JAY HAS BEEN

ACTIVELY

INVOLVED

WITH

THE

HERMANN

PARK

CONSERVANCY IN BRINGING NEW LIFE TO ONE OF HOUSTON’S PREVIOUSLY UNDERUTILIZED ASSETS. ONCE LITTLE BIGS OPENS THIS MONTH ON ZOO CIRCLE DRIVE OVERLOOKING THE LAKE, WATCH OUT FOR A NEW CROWD RIDING THAT LITTLE TRAIN AT “HAPPY HOUR”!

YOU ARE KNOWN FOR A LARGE AND VARIED BODY OF AWARD-WINNING RESIDENTIAL WORK. WHAT ARE SOME COMMON THREADS IN HOW YOU APPROACH DESIGN? Jay Baker Architects is a residential practice, and ours begins by defining program and place. Program defines need and just as importantly, want.

Place is something else again. What an architect sees as place is typically seen by a client (initially at least) as property. The difference is substantial, for in place resides the clues to prompt a tailored response: sun orientation, vegetation, vehicular and pedestrian access, neighborhood scale and adjacent structures, among other things.

Fundamentally, uniting program with place depends on scale and proportion. Scale involves respect for already existing adjacencies. Proportion involves the relationship between what is built and what is not. Indeed, it is as important to consider what not to build as much as what to build. Craft at the conceptual beginning is vital, for without it, craft at the assembly stage means relatively little. It has been very interesting over the years to compare similarities between the earliest doodle and the more refined documentation that appears later in the process.

Our process promotes logical investigation in pursuit of the authentic, as authenticity trumps the simply unique. As collaboration concludes on a project, our clients share authorship of something that is readily familiar to them, but that they hadn’t seen before.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING AN ARCHITECT? I grew up with a creative family, so I’ve always been involved with making things.

But for me, the collaborative process is the most enjoyable aspect of practice. Of

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jay baker | sandra gunn

course, that means collaborating with the talented and enthusiastic people in my office. Foremost, though, it means collaborating with our clients. A good architect becomes better at his or her craft by having big ears before getting any big ideas.

As collaboration leads to advocacy, the client gets the very best building that they have learned (and can afford) to build, no matter the scope, budget or aesthetic sensibility.

YOU’VE HAD A LONG VOLUNTEER CAREER WITH THE RESTORATION OF HERMANN PARK, AND YOU RECENTLY RECEIVED THE CIVIC VISION AWARD FROM AIA HOUSTON FOR YOUR WORK THERE. TELL ME ABOUT THAT. Not all design opportunities come about as the result of a commission. Sometimes one has to see an opportunity, become architect-citizen and simply raise your hand.

In 1992, as incoming President of Rice Design Alliance (RDA), I was challenged to address the downtrodden nature of Houston’s Hermann Park. It seemed to me that using design as a catalyst for change was not only appropriate, but might be uniquely effective.

The RDA, along with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of Hermann Park as partners, sponsored an international design competition focused on the historic heart of the park. Winners were promised the commission.

It was initiated in February of 1992; by the submittal deadline in October, we had received 117 entries from 26 states, Italy and Puerto Rico. The competition renewed interest in the entirety of Hermann Park’s 455 acres, and in 1993 a Master Plan by Laurie Olin began. By 1997, the Master Plan was adopted by City Council, and by late in 2008, $51 million had been raised from both public funds and private donors for capital improvements to the park. The competition winners completed

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FAVORITES Gadget Anything Apple makes Gift Getting my Dad’s sense of humor Favorite Book lately, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle Restaurant The Grill Room at The Four Seasons in New York Building The Kimball Art Museum, The East Wing of the National Gallery of Art Motto Take note of your surroundings, value the power of imagination, and get involved

their Heart of the Park project in 2004.

My ongoing involvement has been as Board Member of the Hermann Park Conservancy where I chair the Projects Committee.

ANY TRUTH TO THE RUMOR THERE IS GOING TO BE A “MARTINI BARGE” IN THE PADDLE BOAT LAKE? He laughs….

WHAT PERSON HAS BEEN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL IN YOUR LIFE? My grandfather, Sam Reynolds. He was a U.S. senator and a champion golfer. He taught me how to play golf, showed me what it was to be a gentleman, and built me a treehouse when I was 8 and he was 75. Ever since that treehouse, I was fascinated by the process of making something. The desire to be an architect came pretty early.

WHAT WAS THE PROUDEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE? That’s a really hard question. I have two lovely daughters, so I can’t pick the birth of one over the other.

So, I’ll say the day we broke ground on the reflection pool in Hermann Park, after 9 years of working to make it happen. I look forward to many more days like that one.

pool aerial before and after

south blvd. house

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Compiled by Pixie Ibañez

Events / Photo Credit Lucky Strike Lanes - Bernard Bauri Hotel Sorella Fashion Show - Michelle Watson Barkitecture Yappy Hour - Claire Learned Tequila Social at Cyclone Anaya's - Bernard Bauri House of Blues Halloween Bash - Jonathan Lipking All photographers by www.lastnightpics.com

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EVENT: LUCKY STRIKE LANES WHY: GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION WHERE: HOUSTON PAVILIONS WHEN: OCTOBER 8 On Thursday, October 8, Hollywood-based Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge opened the floodgates to its 18th venue, located across from the House of Blues on the 3rd floor of Downtown’s Houston Pavilions. Despite the sweltering heat, droves of Houston’s hottest and hippest lined up to get a sneak peak at Lucky Strike’s lavish interior and sample nibbles like bacon-wrapped dates and tuna “midi burgers” from Executive Corporate Chef Bill Starbuck. The 24,886-sqf locale is no ordinary bowling alley – it’s a family friendly-yet-hip atmosphere by day, and sleek, clubby vibe by night. So cool!

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EVENT: BOOS, BLUES & BOOZE 002 HALLOWEEN PARTY WHY: JUST FOR FUN WHERE: FOUNDATION ROOM @ HOUSE OF BLUES WHEN: OCTOBER 30 What a spooktacular night! Halloween enthusiasts flocked to the Foundation Room for what promised to be a hell of a party, and boy, did it deliver! It was crazy – good crazy – the line literally wrapped around the building and despite the wait, Halloweenians (I just made that up) kept their cool and their ready-to-party attitude. Among this year’s most vamped up costumes were Pirates, Octomoms, Jon and Kate plus Eight, a Jelly Fish, Twister, Pixies, a Terrorist Trio, Vikings and even a Mexican Piñata…oh! And there were some eerie and sexy ones too. It was a ghoulishly good time!

EVENT: FASHIONTINI WHY: TO BENEFIT CATWALK FOR A CURE WHERE: HOTEL SORELLA @ CITYCENTRE WHEN: OCTOBER 22 Houston’s new kid on the block, Hotel Sorella @ CityCentre, was definitely the place to be and be seen. It was a night of fashion, featuring the latest trends from M2M. Partygoers sipped on signature martinis and nibbled on delicious bites from Straits Restaurant. After the show, guest strolled their way to Monnalisa, a very chic, L.A- inspired lounge where models from sexy swimsuit label Zingara showcased the latest styles and provided guests with plenty of eye-catching entertainment.

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EVENT: BARKITECTURE YAPPY HOUR WHY: TO BENEFIT PUP SQUAD WHERE: HOUSTON PAVILIONS WHEN: OCTOBER 23 Barkitecture Houston was a huge success, raising a very generous amount to benefit Pup Squad, an animal rescue group whose goal is to rescue orphaned animals, provide them full medical care and ultimately find them a loving home. Fifteen firms participated, yielding a total of 21 custom and quirky doghouses, which were later auctioned off. “Best in Show” was awarded to Newberry Campa Architects. Guests enjoyed tasty seafood treats and refreshing cocktails from McCormick & Schmick’s. Yappy good time!

EVENT: TEQUILA SOCIAL WHY: TO INTRODUCE CYCLONE ANAYA’S NEW HAND-PICKED TEQUILA WHERE: CYCLONE ANAYA’S WHEN: OCTOBER 28 Rico Valencia and Vienna Molder, from the famous Cyclone Anaya’s Mexican Kitchen restaurant, traveled to the mystical state of Jalisco, Mexico, in search of their very own single barrel ultra tequila and found what they were looking for at La Cofradia, Casa Noble Distillery. Family, friends and customers gathered at Cyclone Anaya’s for Tequila Social, a fiesta to celebrate their new Cyclone Anaya’s hand-picked tequila available only for a limited time. Guests nibbled on some of their new appetizers and sipped on Casa Noble single barrel signature margaritas. Guests also had the opportunity to meet the founder of Casa Noble, Jose Hermosillo, for a little Q&A.

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things i like love

By Carla Valencia de Martinez Photography by Sofia van der Dys

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OVER UP ALL S S N RIEND RATIO AND F DECO Y E IL H M T A .

F AR S WITH THE YE S AND ERING H HS OF T T A N ARKET G O / M S M , D IL O N A SA CKT ARKET T TW STORE IES/CO TRAL M HE LAS T IN T N R E T A D C P U E T DO CK HE ABO UND A S STO , BUT I , ALL T HING IES FO Y ITEM ATHER PRETTY M T VERYT E L E IS M W IA H U E T C Y V E IN K H I LO THE SP ANGE ’T LOO ED WIT VE ALL THE CH DOESN STOCK O , L Y Y N I L L L .

B .

W S A A TO OB USU FINDS NTAIL E. IT PR CENT R E UNK IS THAT E R R O L T L T M S Y A D O M AND DS AN THEM. E MY M LE FOO G FOR ERE AR O H IN H !

P L P W IL , SHO K TO F SPEC’S E TRUN , HEB, H O T C T IN S T CO BASKE LARGE A P E E K

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Fresh flow ers from W hole Food mozarella s; Panetto di buffalo ne from C Podre Dei entral Mark Antinori 20 L e o ni available et; blue m 04 Spec’s; ussels and a t C Martha Ste entral Mark clams; Veuve Cliq w e t a rt a nd Whole ’s Dinner a uot at Cost Foods; Ma t Home at co; Whole rchese Costco; No Food’s itty rda natura -bitty bund l sp Silverleaf t ring water; cakes; thé Ghost Pep de noel at per salsa a Central Ma t Whole F rket; oods;

truffles at ket; chocolate ar M l ra nt Ce at i wheat gnocchi s; Villa Antinor olive oil; whole at Whole Food a te e Be en Fratori Cutrea ue nFeed bag; Q e overload brow Whole Food’s drops; chocolat m gu et m ur Central Market; go ods at Central ec’s; Whole Fo Ribbon Candy Sp in at Th 4 t; 0 ke 0 2 ar a M l ra Toscan Foods.

Toreno at Cent corn at Whole arket; Torrone M ee l ff ra to nt e Ce at ol at ies ns choc Island Confectio Market; Candy

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destination

By Michele Meyer Photography by UK

ON THE TRAIL OF SHERLOCK HOLMES WHERE TO STAY – To think the Milestone was once a lunatic asylum. The Victorian-era boutique hotel now boasts elegant themed suites with modern comforts of flat-screen TV, Penhaligon’s bath products, personalized calling cards and a pet preference form for fave bedding and treats (www.milestonehotel.com, starts at $420).

– The Langham, built in 1865, reopened in April as a businessperson’s dream, though charging $30 a day for broadband Internet is most unciv il! But we loved being steps from famed discounters Top Shop, H&M and Marks and Spencers (www.langhamhotels.com, starts at $667).

M

the langham

ISS MARPLE? THAT’S WHAT NEIGHBORS CALL NOSY US, BUT WE PREFER MS. SHERLOCK HOLMES. NOW THAT’S A DETECTIVE.

Fire (stpauls.co.uk). At the bottom, he lunges through a door … and ends up in the crypt at St. Bartholomew the Great, a church whose carved wooden pews facing the center aisle were flaunted in Four Weddings and a Funeral’s final nuptials.

So we crossed the pond to probe rumors that the elusive Victorian-age sleuth would reappear twice after evaporating Without a Clue in 1988.

This time, think chants not vows: Ritchie used St. Bart’s for a sacrifice. “It’s only a film,” says rector Martin Dudley. “I have more problem with opera than Satanism.”

Besides, the crew spiffed up after filming – a nice perk since 300-year-old St. Paul’s, the world’s first Anglican church, had spent $59 million for a soot lift by hand, exposing gleaming white bones.

It’s true. Come Christmas Day, Sherlock Holmes arrives as an action-drama directed

by Madonna-ex Guy Ritchie, with Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as sidekick Dr. Watson.

No Brits seemed perturbed that the comely Law would play portly Watson, modeled by writer Arthur Conan Doyle on himself. Nor did they mind subtlety being sacrificed on Hollywood’s altar with a James Bond-like plot of a Satanic cult attacking Britain. Rather, they dissed American Downey as the latest to play their hero on screen, TV or stage. Just wait till they hear about the next film, with Borat’s Sacha Baron Cohen as Holmes and Will Farrell as Watson.

Still, if all the world’s a stage, Brits are at its center, with iconic heroes of modern times (Bond) and yesteryear (Holmes) who overlap more than you’d think.

So the game was afoot as we chased clues to a new view of ol’ Britannia: rarely visited movie locales and the moody moors of Devon, central to Doyle’s top novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles.

THE CASE OF THE SPIRAL DESCENT “Ours is a gritty take on Holmes,” says Holmes location manager, Adam Richards.

“We made it darker and more real.” Imagine horse-drawn Hansom cabs clattering down foggy, cobbled streets and sinister gaslit alleys with danger lurking in each shadow.

Holmes does. Downey fights then flees down the grand circular staircase of St. Paul’s Cathedral, rarely seen by the public – other than in Harry Potter and the Goblet of

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Speaking of the skeletal: fog laces Victorian-era Brompton Cemetery, where mossencrusted, leaning headstones are topped with chipped crosses and crying marble angels. A pivotal character is buried here – though his grave is found empty. But Holmesian spookiness isn’t the cemetery’s sole draw. With a regal colonnade and 39 acres of weeping ash, copper beech and Japanese cherry trees, it’s hosted a splendid funeral in Johnny Depp’s Finding Neverland and a chapel set in Russia in 007 flick Goldeneye. From the tombstones, author Beatrix Potter even borrowed names for characters Peter Rabbit and Squirrel Nutkin (www.Royalparks.org.uk).

Still, we were glad the cemetery closes at 6 – it’s too scary after dark.

THE CASE OF THE LEPRECHAUN AND THE PUNCH BOWL Well-known Holmes haunts left us yawning. “In The Footsteps of Sherlock Holmes” guide Adam Scott made a charming 6’ leprechaun with kelly-green shoes, yet even Freemason’s Hall, the film’s secret sect headquarters, was dull. Other tours focus on Da Vinci Code and Harry Potter sites (www.londonwalks.com).

But not to be missed are the Baker Street underground station’s silhouettes of Holmes’ head – with hawk nose, deerstalker hat and calabash pipe endlessly repeated on tiled walls. So much for London’s smoking bans!

An army of white-bonneted Mrs. Hudsons (Holmes’ housekeeper) arm cash registers at the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221 B Baker Street, where thick dust makes wax figures look like the walking dead. Our advice is elementary: Hire a new maid! (www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk)

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Rather than the Sherlock Holmes Pub (sherlockholmespub.com), we recommend Ritchie’s own “boozer,” as locals say, The Punch Bowl, where the director and Law got punchy with ale. Some label Ritchie a “Mayfair Mockney” (think cockney) for entertaining Prince William, Bono and Paris Hilton with New Zealand wine and organic smoked salmon (41 Farm Street, Mayfair).

THE CASE OF THE MISSING WAISTLINE Holmes haunts aren’t complete without hopping a train two hours southwest to Exeter St. Davids, then hiring a ruddy guide to explore fogswept Dartmoor. Like Watson, we traipsed “the sodden moor, full of dark imaginings, the rain beating … the wind whistling.”

Famished, we tucked into (OK, binged on) warm scones piled with clotted cream in Princetown. So what if clotted could refer to its effect on arteries! It’s simply divine – and if it explains Doyle’s figure, we don’t blame him.

Call it further research when we took a horse and trap – as the author might have – to a five-course Victorian dinner at Laughter Hole House, a private manor where performers re-enact Hound. Easily a highlight (baskervillecarriages.co.uk/).

So were ghostly tales of mischievous pixies told ’round the fire at Devon’s Bovey Castle (www.boveycastle.com). Waistcoated and chiseled-chinned storyteller Chris Salisbury, aka Spindle Wayfarer, proved words (and song) make great theatre. We could see his Old Meg of the Moor with “skin stretched like greased parchment” leaping before a “cauldron that bubbled and spat.” Says Salisbury, “Celtic mythology lives in the air between people.”

the milestone | The black and white conservatory

And so it is your turn, dear reader, to weave the next tale.

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to have impeccable manners

as told to 002’s highly solicited man by Club Etiquette founding director, Gigi Lewis, who has been teaching social and business etiquette since 1995. Keep these tips close and they’ll get you through the holidays in top form! Club Etiquette, 281.589.5437, 14351 Chadbourne Drive +

www.clubetiquette.com. Also on Facebook. Photography by Gabriella Nissen | Dummy clothes by M2M Fashion www.m2mfashion.com

DINING How many times have you taken your neighbor’s bread plate?

DO Try applying BMW – follow the letters from left to right Bread, Meal, Water...It’s very embarrassing if you eat from the wrong bread and butter plate. I unfortunately know from experience.

What do you do if there is no bread and butter plate?

IN HOME GET–TOGETHER

David Brown (713.664.0466) offers these great host gifts, wrapped and ready to place.

It’s the season for events held in homes DON’T forget a host/hostess gift.

DON’T bring fresh flowers wrapped in paper. This makes the host waste time finding a vase, trimming the flowers, adding water, etc.

DO bring flowers in a vase ready to place.

DO place bread on your dinner plate if a b & b (bread and butter) plate is not provided at a meal.

DON’T put the bread directly on the table cloth....

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HOLDING A WINE GLASS PROPERLY DO hold at the base of the stem.

DON’T get your fingers all over the glass and heat up the wine with your body heat!

SENDING THANK YOU S ’

DO send a thank you for a gift received. A quick e-mail is OK, but does not replace a handwritten note. It should be around 3 lines long, mention the gift item and how you will use it.

DON’T text or email your formal thank you!

& RSVP ING to events ’

bon appetit

DO RSVP promptly for an event. There is a legitimate reason for this! I had an extra 100 people show up to my wedding reception and we ran out of food and drink!

DON’T bring people along with you to an event you were invited to. This is what happened at my wedding.....the laws of etiquette state, only bring who is addressed on the envelope, period. If it is an informal event, and you are unsure if you can bring your spouse, significant other or a friend, there is nothing wrong with asking the host(ess), just as long as you do it in a non-coercive way.

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Miele al Tartufo (truffle honey) similar varieities available at Central Market 60. december 09 | www.002mag.com

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Prosciutto di San Daniele available at Central Market and Whole Foods december 09 | www.002mag.com .61

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The perfect tunic shirt Rebecca & Drew 62. december 09 | www.002mag.com

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Nespresso CitiZ Coffee Machine at Sur la Table december 09 | www.002mag.com .63

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002 profile

Interview by Greg Scheinman

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WITH GREG SCHEINMAN ON PBS, PRESENTED BY IW MARKS, IS A UNIQUE DOCUMENTARY STYLE TV PROGRAM GIVING YOU AN ALL-ACCESS PASS INTO THE LIVES OF HOUSTON’S MOST PROLIFIC PERSONALITIES FROM THE WORLDS OF BUSINESS, PHILANTHROPY, ENTERTAINMENT, THE ARTS AND SPORTS. IN COLLABORATION WITH ON PBS CHANNEL 8, MAGAZINE IS PROUD TO BRING YOU A SNEAK PEEK INTO THIS NEW SHOW TURNING KEY HOUSTONIANS INSIDE OUT.

Dan Wolterman joined Memorial Hermann Healthcare System in 1999 and was named President and CEO in 2002. Before joining Memorial Hermann, he was Senior Vice President of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Health Care System. Mr. Wolterman earned a B.S. degree in business administration in 1979 and an M.B.A. in finance in 1980 from the University of Cincinnati and a Masters Degree in healthcare administration from Xavier University in 1982. He has over 27 years experience in the healthcare industry and a long history of community involvement. Mr. Wolterman has been Chairman of numerous organizations, including the Greater Houston Partnership, Texas Hospital Association Board of Directors, Voluntary Hospitals of America – Texas Board of Directors, Air Quality Task Force (at the request of Mayor Bill White), and is a board member of the American Heart Association, Houston Region and the Greater Gulf Coast Chapter of United Way. He has received numerous recognitions, most recently the AHA Grassroots Champion Award, Health Access Texas Public Health Award, InterFaith Care Partners Sustaining Presence Award and Xavier University Distinguished Alumni Award. In addition, he was named one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare 2009 by Modern Healthcare magazine. Married to Lori Genitempo Wolterman, they have three children, Daniel, Savannah and Linleigh.

DO YOU VOLUNTEER? Yes! American Heart Association, United Way. DO YOU RECYCLE? Yes. DO YOU SPEAK ANY OTHER LANGUAGES FLUENTLY? No. WHAT MAGAZINE—OTHER THAN 002 NATURALLY—WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE FEATURED ON THE COVER OF? Modern Healthcare, Time, Golf Digest.

PRESIDENT + CEO MEMORIAL HERMANN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

dan wolterman | greg scheinman

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SAYING OR LIFE MOTTO? “It is what it is” and “Tough times never last, but tough people do!”

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND ON THE COMPUTER EACH DAY? About an hour a day answering e-mails.

DO YOU WATCH TV SHOWS OR MOVIES ON THE INTERNET? No.

ARE YOU MORE LIKELY TO EAT PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST OR CEREAL FOR DINNER? Cereal for dinner.

DO YOU CARRY PHOTOS IN YOUR WALLET? Yes, of my wife and children.

SLIPPERS OR BARE FEET AROUND THE HOUSE? Bare feet.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? Cincinnati, Ohio.

WHAT AWARDS HAVE YOU WON? I have been fortunate to be recognized with several, the most recent being the AHA Grassroots Champion Award and the Health Access Texas Public Health Award.

HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE YOUR LAST BIRTHDAY? With extended family at a Mexican restaurant.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MEAL? Filet mignon and baked potato.

ARE YOU NAMED FOR ANYONE? IS ANYONE NAMED FOR YOU? No! My son’s name is Daniel.

WHAT’S ON YOUR KEY RING? Car key, house key and office key.

DO YOU HAVE A GARDEN? No

HOW MANY SONGS ARE ON YOUR IPOD®?

WHAT’S THE NEWEST ONE? 377, Leona Lewis– Bleeding Love.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BRAG ABOUT YOURSELF? I am a great husband, father and golfer.

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DAN WOLTERMAN

WHAT REALITY SHOW DO YOU WATCH? None.

WHAT HOLIDAY WOULD YOU DECLARE? National Stress-free Day – first Friday in April.

WHAT’S YOUR PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY? Do the right things, the right way, for the right reasons..

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR HOME? My wife, 3 children and 3 cats live there and it is a warm, comfortable environment.

IF WE COULD INTRODUCE YOU TO ANYONE, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY? (YOU NEVER KNOW WHO WE KNOW!) Jack Nicklaus – to learn to get the most out of your God-given talents, how to be humble when you have great success, how to balance an excellent career with family responsibilities … and golf tips!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN HOUSTON? -Play golf at all the outstanding courses in the area.

-Eat out at one of the many great restaurants in Houston.

-Attend Houston Rockets, Houston Texans and Houston Astros games.

- Walk in Memorial Park.

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finance

By Hal Lynde, Managing Director, Morgan Keegan Photography by Daniel Ortiz

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HAL LYNDE / ANSWERING FINANCIAL QUESTIONS THAT COUNT SHOULD I BE CONCERNED WITH INCAPACITY?

INCAPACITY means that you are either mentally or physically unable to take care of yourself or your day-to-day affairs. Incapacity can result from serious physical injury, mental or physical illness, mental retardation, advancing age, and alcohol or drug abuse.

INCAPACITY CAN STRIKE ANYONE AT ANYTIME. Even with today’s medical miracles, it’s a real possibility that you or your spouse could become incapable of handling your own medical or financial affairs. A serious illness or accident can happen suddenly at any age. Advancing age can bring senility, Alzheimer’s disease or other ailments that affect your ability to make sound decisions about your health, or to pay your bills, write checks, make deposits, sell assets or otherwise conduct your affairs.

PLANNING AHEAD CAN ENSURE THAT YOUR WISHES ARE CARRIED OUT. Designating one or more individuals to act on your behalf can help ensure that your wishes are carried out if you become incapacitated. Otherwise, a relative or friend must ask the court to appoint a guardian for you, a public procedure that can be emotionally draining, time consuming and expensive. An attorney can help you prepare legal documents that will give individuals you trust the authority to manage your affairs.

MANAGING YOUR PROPERTY WITH A LIVING TRUST, DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY OR JOINT OWNERSHIP. If no one is ready to look after your financial affairs when you can’t, your property may be wasted, abused or lost. You’ll need to put in place at least one of the following options to help protect your property in the event you become incapacitated.

YOU CAN TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF YOUR PROPERTY TO A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST. You name yourself as trustee and retain complete control over your affairs as long as you retain

hal lynde

capacity. If you become incapacitated, your successor trustee (the person you named to run the trust if you can’t) automatically steps in and takes over the management of your property. A living trust can survive your death, but it can be expensive to maintain and administer.

A DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY (DPOA) allows you to authorize someone else to act on your behalf. There are two types of DPOAs: a standby DPOA, which is effective immediately, and a springing DPOA, which is not effective until you have become incapacitated. A DPOA should be fairly simple and inexpensive to implement. It also ends at your death. A springing DPOA is not permitted in some states, so you’ll want to check with an attorney.

ANOTHER OPTION IS TO HOLD YOUR PROPERTY IN CONCERT WITH OTHERS. This arrangement may allow someone else to have immediate access to the property and to use it to meet your needs. Joint ownership is simple and inexpensive to implement. However, there are some disadvantages to the joint ownership arrangement. Some examples include (1) your co-owner has immediate access to your property, (2) you lack the ability to direct the co-owner to use the property for your benefit, (3) naming someone who is not your spouse as coowner may trigger gift tax consequences and (4) if you die before the other joint owner(s), your property interests will pass to the other owner(s) without regard to your own intentions, which may be different.

Please submit your financial questions to hal.lynde@morgankeegan.com or call 713.840.3640. All personal information is kept confidential. All submissions will be responded to but may not appear in the publication.

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vroom, vroom

L IS FOR LOVE THIS CHRISTMAS!

By Michael Andre Adams

LOVE that LEXUS… All new for the pack leader in Japanese luxury is the Lexus HS 250h sedan. Celebrated as the brand’s first dedicated hybrid design, the HS offers Lexus luxury in a fuel-efficient, technologically advanced design. Built on the Prius platform with bigger/wider18-inch wheels and tasteful hybrid insignia, HS is turning heads all over town. Inside it boasts all the goodies you’d expect a Lexus to include: automatic windows (up/down, all 4), heated/cooled seats, navigation with voice recognition and real-time traffic voice updates, a crisp yet thumping 15-speaker Mark Levinson stereo, lane keep assistance, radar cruise control, front/rear park assist and a pre-collision system with driver attention monitor to zap you out of a daze. All of this with a 2.4 liter electric-drive motor yielding 35 MPG city/34 highway, at an MSRP of $36,970. And did I mention rain-sensing wipers? I love those!

LOVE that LACROSSE… Designers at Buick are doing all they can to shake the image of “grand-pop’s whip.” And in the Lacrosse CXS for 2010, they’ve come 360 degrees! Intending to attract the eyes of a Lexus buyer, Lacrosse offers a competent 3.6 liter V6 engine, a bodacious Lincoln-esque grill to decorate the upswept hood highlighted by chrome-covered air vents and sleek, Lexus-eque body with semisculpted front and rear quarter panels. Touch the handle of any door (with the remote in close proximity) for interior access, where – get this – there are no more bench seats! Everything is conveniently within arm’s reach. And you’ll love the ambient lighting across the wood trimmed dashboard.

From here touch the button and it’s on, so you can be gone! Even with Harmon Kardon’s 384-watt stereo you get more thump than clarity. However, rather than a navigation system, you’ll receive one year of turn-by-turn directions from Onstar, rear park assist and Bluetooth at an MSRP of $33,015, including 17mpg city and 27 highway. Buick – you’ve come a long way, baby!

LOVE that LARAMIE...

A big ole chrome bumper and commanding chrome grill sits at the tip of the tractor trailer-like hood. Chrome is king of the 20” rims, on the gas cap, dual exhaust pipes and RAM insignia. As a result, this baby turns the heads of men and women both on and off the road. Make no mistake it is THE Mack Daddy! Second to its compelling presence is interior luxury. Expect to discover all the features you’ve come to expect in a luxury SUV including video entertainment with Sirius TV for passengers on the heated second row, a heated leather wrapped steering wheel for the driver, whose seat also cools (as does the front passenger’s), a very nice 506-watt Alpine stereo with satellite radio, iPod connection, navigation system, back-up camera, rear park assist and a powerful 5.7 liter V8 Hemi engine. Keep your tools and other precious items locked in the side boxes that align the lighted rear cab with locking tailgate. Class IV receiving hitch for towing allows you to pull one mighty heavy load. Keep this in mind when you realize the MPG rating at 14 city/20 highway, at $48,315. So if power with a huge heaping of style is what sets you apart, LOVE is LARAMIE!

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Motorola DROID This indeed may be the “iPhone killer” that wireless phone companies continue to tout at each new handset release. Launched in early November by Verizon Wireless, the DROID delivers a user-friendly experience that rivals Apple’s ubiquitous smartphone. The DROID is the first smartphone powered by Google’s Android 2.0 operating system. Though a tiny bit heavier than a typical PDA, it has a very thin slide-out keyboard for users who don’t want to use its virtual keyboard. The 3.7” hi-res screen is brilliant and the touchscreen zoom, pan and scroll features made navigating menus and the web almost too easy. Verizon claims to have the fastest 3G network and I saw no issues even with heavy video downloads. A built-in 5 megapixel camera could make you throw away your regular camera and the video is DVD quality. The Google Market (think App Store) already has 10,000+ applications and, of course, everything by Google works flawlessly.

tools+toys+ gadgets

By Michael Garfield

FLO TV Personal Televison Handheld analog TV sets became obsolete earlier this year when broadcasters shifted to digital signals. So for on-the-go entertainment or to watch TV during power outages, it’s time to get a new gadget. FLO TV offers a 5-ounce, 3.5-inch touch-screen and a tuner that receives content via the FLO mobile TV network. The recently launched service features live broadcasts of shows from most of the major networks and such cable staples as ESPN, MTV and Nickelodeon. The MediaFLO broadcast service is available in over 86 metro areas and it’s expected to reach 200 million consumers by year end. Its battery supports more than 5 hours of active FLO TV viewing or 300 hours standby. A touch-screen makes for easy navigation and the built-in stand helps position it upright on any flat surface.Never leave home without your TV again. $250 plus $9 per month | www.flotv.com

$199 with two-year contract www.verizonwireless.com

WiFi Enabled Body Scale

Keyboard Scanner Desktop real estate in your home or office is valuable. Fewer devices mean your desk will have more room and less clutter. All-in-one gadgets are popular and here is a peripheral that kills two birds with one stone. KeyScan, the inventor of the integrated keyboard-scanner, recently launched its KS810-Plus Imaging Keyboard. Quite simply it has a scanner built in to the top of a keyboard. And it is simple to use. It features a no-touch, auto scan software that lets you complete your most frequent scanning task without touching any buttons. The scanner is speedy and grabs images in both color and gray. I had no problem scanning single and multiple pages and plastic-coated ID cards. KeyScan even put a USB hub in the keyboard to make it easy for plugging in more devices without crawling under your desktop.

$99.99 | www.keyscan.com

Why does the world need a scale with WiFi? Because it can be manufactured, that’s why. But if you are into monitoring your health and weight this is a pretty cool product. The WiFi Body Scale automatically records a user’s body weight, lean & fat mass, and calculated body mass index (BMI) to his/her secure webpage and/or iPhone application. With its extra-flat (.9“) black and steel design, the scale looks great in any bathroom. It uses bioelectric impedance analysis to calculate a user’s body fat composition. And it tracks an entire family’s health progress with its multi-user function – recognizing up to 8 users the moment they step on the scale and adds the stats to their individual tracking graphs. $159 | www.withings.com

Michael Garfield is known as “The High-Tech Texan®.” His radio program airs on The 9-5-0 weekdays from 9am-11am and Saturdays 11am-2pm. Visit his website at www.hightechtexan.com. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @hightechtexan.

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002houston December 09:002houston

La Strada www.lastradahouston.com 322 Westheimer. 713.523.1014 The Lake House 1600 McKinney. 713.337.7320 www.thelakehousehouston.com

Mariposa Neiman Marcus 2600 Post Oak Blvd. 713.621.7100 ext. 2166

american

*17 inside Hotel Alden 1117 Prairie. 832.200.8800 www.aldenhotels.com

McCormick and Schmick’s •1151 Uptown Park. 713.840.7900 •1201 Fannin St. 713.658.8100 www.mccormickandschmicks.com

Artista In the Hobby Center 800 Bagby. 713.278.4782 www.cordua.com

Noe www.noerestaurant.com Four Riverway. 713.871.8177

*17

Americas www.cordua.com •1800 Post Oak Blvd. 713.961.1492 •21 Waterway Ave. 281.367.1492

Open City www.ochouston.com 2416 Brazos. 713.522.0118

Polos Signature www.polosignature.com 3800 Southwest Frwy. 713.626.8100

Barnaby’s www.barnabyscafe.com •5750 Woodway. 713.266.0046 •1701 S. Shepherd. 713.520.5131 •414 West Gray. 713.522.8898 •604 Fairview. 713.522.0106 •602 Fairview. 713.522.4229

Post Oak Grill www.postoakgrill.com 1415 S. Post Oak. 713.993.9966

Benjy’s www.benjys.com •2424 Dunstan. 713.522.7602 •5922 Washington Ave. 713.868.1131

BISTRO ALEX NEW www.bistroalex.com 800 W. Sam Houston Pkwy CityCentre 713.827.3545 Block 7 Wine Company 720 Shepherd Dr. 713.572.2565 www.block7wineco.com Boom Boom Room 2518 Yale St. 713.868.3740 www.theboomboomroomhouston.com

Quattro www.fourseasons.com 1300 Lamar. 713.276.4700 Ray’s Franks & More 1302 Nance St. 713.224.6441

RDG | Bar Annie www.rdgbarannie.com 1800 Post Oak Blvd. 713.840.1111 Ruggles Green www.rugglesgreen.com 2311 West Alabama. 713.533.0777 Tart Café www.tartcafe.com 4411 Montrose. 713.526.8278

Textile www.textilerestaurant.com 611 W. 22nd Street. 832.209.7174

Bowl www.eatbowl.com 607 Richmond. 832.582.7218

CAVA BISTRO www.cavabistrohouston.com 300 Main St. 713.229.9504 Courses inside the Art Institute of Houston 1900 Yorktown. 713.353.3644 Eddie V’s Prime Seafood 12848 Queensbury Ln. 832.200.2380 www.eddiev.com

Shade www.shadeheights.com 250 W. 19th St. 713.863.7500

The Grove www.thegrovehouston.com 1611 Lamar. 713.337.7321

Voice Hotel Icon 220 Main. 832.667.4470 www.hotelicon.com

asian

FOUNDATION ROOM | House of Blues 1204 Caroline. 832.667.7800 www.houseofblues.com/foundationroom

Auntie Chang’s Dumpling House 2621 S. Shepherd. 713.524.8410 www.auntiechangs.com Kam’s [chinese] 4500 Montrose Blvd. #C. 713.529.5057

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Glasswall www.glasswalltherestaurant.com 933 Studemont. 713.868.7930

restaurant listings

Daily Review Café www.dailyreviewcafe.com 3412 West Lamar.

713.520.9217

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Kubo’s www.kubos-sushi.com 2414 University Blvd. #200. 713.528.7878

bar-b-que

Beaver’s www.beavershouston.com 2310 Decatur St. 713.864.2328

LES GIVRAL’S KAHVE [vietnamese] 801 Congress St. 713.547.0444 www.lesgivrals.com

Pagoda [vietnamese] www.pagodabistro.com 4705 Inker St. 832.673.0400 RA SUSHI www.rasushi.com •3908 Westheimer. 713.621.5800 •12860 Queensnbury Ln. #234 713.331.2792

Goode Company TX Barbecue www.goodecompany.com 5109 Kirby. 713.522.2530

breakfast

Zake 2946 S. Shepherd. 713.526.6888

11th St. Café 748 E. 11th St. 713.862.0089 Avalon Drug Co. & Diner •2417 Westheimer. 713.527.8900 •12810 Southwest Frwy. 281.240.0213 CAFÉ ROSÉ NEW www.bistroalex.com/cafe-rose 800 W. Sam Houston Pkwy CityCentre 713.827.3545

ZUSHI www.zushihouston.com 5900 Memorial Dr., #102.

713.861.5588

les givral’s kahve

Crave Cupcakes www.couture-cupcakes.com 1151 Uptown Park Blvd.

713.622.7283

Antidote Coffee 729 Studewood. 713.861.7400 www.myspace.com/antidotecoffee

Empire Café www.empirecafe.net 1732 Westheimer. 713.528.5282

Café Brasil 2604 Dunlavy. 713.528.1993

Fountain View Café 1842 Fountain View. 713.785.9060

COCO’S CREPES www.cocoscrepes.com 218 Gray St. 713.521.0700

More Than Cakes www.morethancakes.com 1100 West Dallas. 713.652.5132

Don Diego Coffee www.dondiegocoffee.com 208 Travis. 713.228.3560

Rustika Café 3237 Southwest Frwy. 713.665.6226

Tiny Boxwood’s www.tinyboxwoods.com 3614 W. Alabama St. 713.622.4224 Diedrich Coffee www.diedrich.com 4005 Montrose. 713.526.1319 Inversion Coffee House 1953 Montrose, #A. 713.523.4866 www.inversioncoffee.com Kraftsmen Baking www.kraftsmenbaking.com 4100 Montrose, #C. 713.524.7272 Taft Street Coffee 2115 Taft. 713.522.3533

zushi

Pizzitola’s Bar-B-Cue www.pizzitolas.com 1703 Shepherd. 713.227.2283

UPTOWN SUSHI www.uptown-sushi.com Uptown Park. 713.871.1200

The Coffee Groundz www.coffeegroundz.net 2503 Bagby. 713.874.0082

Houston’s This Is It Soulfood 207 W. Gray. 713.659.1608 www.thisisithouston.com

Luling Bar-B-Q Bar 138 West Gray. 713.520.6400

Straits [singaporean] www.straitsrestaurants.com 800 West Sam Houston Parkway N, 713.365.9922

bakery+ coffee+others

cajun+creole+ southern

Sugar Baby's Cupcakes www.ilovesugarbabys.com 3310 S Shepherd. 713.527.8427 The Breakfast Klub www.thebreakfastklub.com 3711 Travis. 713.528.8561 The Buffalo Grille www.thebuffalogrille.com •3116 Bissonnet. 713.661.3663 •1301 S. Voss. 713.784.3663

ra sushi

THE FRUIT PALETTE NEW www.thefruitpalette.com 2413 Rice Blvd. 713.523.7848

Mardi Gras Grill www.mardigrasgrill.net 1200 Durham. 713.864.5600

Treebeards •315 Travis. 713.228.2622 •1117 Texas. 713.229.8248 •1100 Louisiana. 713.752.2601 •700 Rusk. 713.224.6677 Zydeco Louisiana Diner 1119 Pease. 713.759.2001

european+french Brasserie Max and Julie [french] 4315 Montrose. 713.524.0070 www.maxandjulie.net Charivari Specialty[european] 2521 Bagby. 713.271.7231 www.charivarirest.com

Feast [european] www.feasthouston.com 219 Westheimer. 713.529.7788

indian

Kiran’s www.kiranshouston.com 4100 Westheimer. 713.960.8472 Narin’s Bombay Brasserie 3005 W. Loop South. 713.622.2005 www.narinsbombaybrasserie.com Shiva Indian Restaurant 2415 Times Blvd. 713.523.4753 www.shivarestaurant.com

italian

ARCODORO www.arcodoro.com 5000 Westheimer. 713.621.6888 ARTURO’S www.arturosuptown.com Uptown Park. 713.621.1180 MIA BELLA www.miabellatrattoria.com •2006 Lexington St. 713.237.0505 •320 Main. 713.237.0505 •110 Vintage Park. 281.251.8930 •Houston Pavilions (Coming Soon) Mingalone Italian Bar & Grill 540 Texas. 713.223.0088 www.mingalone.com

Ristorante Cavour Hotel Granduca. www.granducahouston.com 1080 Uptown Park.

713.418.1000 uptown sushi

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LAS VENTANAS RESTAURANT & CANTINA 14555 Grisby Road., Houston, TX 77079 @ Energy Corridor 281.752.6990

COMING SOON! Authentic Mexican food lovers can breathe a sigh of relief, Alex Sneider is back! After working 17 years with his father, owner of Houston institution Las Alamedas, Alex is venturing on his own with Las Ventanas Restaurant & Cantina, set to open early 2010. With the help of Executive Chef Erasto Ceja, Las Ventanas’ menu promises to offer patrons true authentic "Mexico City style" food in a relaxed family atmosphere. The large, tree-covered outdoor patio will be the perfect place to enjoy their signature margaritas. See you soon, Amigos!

LES GIVRAL’S KAHVE - 801 Congress St. #101., Houston, TX 77002 | 713.547.0444 | www.lesgivrals.com Coming Soon... 4601 Washington Ave. | Houston, TX 77007 Best “Lunch Spot” 2006 Best “Vietnamese” 2005, 2006, Best “Sandwich” 2004, 2005 - AOL City Guide, City Search, Houston Press.

Best “Cheap Eats” 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, Best “Take Out” 2008, Best “Downtown Restaurant” 2007 A favorite among 002houston staffers, LES GIVRAL’S KAHVE is set to open at 4601 Washington Avenue. The yummy French Vietnamese restaurant known for its sandwiches, noodle dishes and pho is opening up a new beautiful space. Expect a full bar, large patio and new additional items fusing current items with monthly changing options. Plus they’ll be open late!

ONION PATCH 10111 Hammerly Blvd., Houston, TX 77080 | 713.722.0666 "Only at the Onion Patch will you find a unique blend of Peruvian, Cuban, Italian and American food in a warm, family-friendly setting. We make everything fresh from start to finish, and it shows.

You can almost taste the cilantro and lime...the delicious, Latin-inspired flavors wafting through Dalia's kitchen.

Freshly made Peruvian ceviche that pleases the palate like no other. Delectable Cuban pulled pork, waiting to be savored. Italian style thin-crust pizza made from scratch, just like the one you had at that restaurant in Naples.

Imagine all of your favorite meals enjoyed from your travels – or even your dream destinations – here at one place.

Be transported."

Valentino + Vin Bar Hotel Dereck. www.valentinorestaurantgroup.com 2525 West Loop South. 713-850-9200

El Tiempo Cantina [mex] •3130 Richmond. 713.807.1600 •5602 Washington. 713.681.3645 •1308 Montrose. 713.807.8996 www.eltiempocantina.com

latin Café Piquet [cuban] 6053 Bissonnet. 713.664.1031 CIELO MEXICAN BISTRO www.cielomexicanbistro.com 300 Main St. 713.229.9500 CYCLONE ANAYA’S [mex] •5761 Woodway Dr. 713.339.4552 •309 Gray St. 713.520.6969 •1710 Durham Dr. 713.862.3209 www.cycloneanaya.com El Meson [cuban] 2425 University. 713.522.9306 El Patio [mex] •6444 Westheimer.

713.780.0410 •2416 Brazos. 713.523.8181 El Rey [cuban-mex] •233 Main. 713.225.1895 •910 Shepherd. 713.802.9145

FREEB!RDS WORLD BURRITO www.freebirds.com •3745 Greenbriar. 713.524.0621 •528 W. Bay Area Blvd. 281.557.2300 •6940 FM 1960 West. 281.444.3336 •9774 Katy Fwy. #700. 832.358.0300 •1923 Taylor, # F. 713.862.0080 •1640 Lake Woodlands Dr. 281.419.80 CATERING 888.392.2287 Guadalajara del Centro 1201 San Jacinto. 713.650.0101 www.guadalajarahacienda.com Irma’s [mex] •22 N. Chenevert. 713.222.0767 •1314 Texas. 713.247.9651

cyclone anaya’s

The Lemon Tree [peru] 12591 Whittington.

281.556.0690

TILA’S [mex] www.tilas.com 1111 S. Shepherd.

713.522.7654

Cafe Lili [lebanese] www.cafelili.com 5757 Westheimer. 713.952.6969

Lucio’s [new american latin] 905 Taft. 713.523.9958 Maria Selma [mex] www.mariaselma.com 1617 Richmond. 713.528.4920

NIKO NIKO’S www.nikonikos.com 2520 Montrose. 713.528.1308

tila’s

Ninfa's The Original 2704 Navigation Blvd. 713.228.1175 ONION PATCH [cuban-peru] 1011 Hamerly Blvd. 713.722.0666

SAFFRON MOROCCAN CUISINE 2006 Lexington. 713.522.3562 www.saffronhouston.com

pizza

Candelari’s www.candelaris.com 6002 Washington. 832.200.1474

Picazo Restaurant Bar & Grill 1421 Preston. 713.236.1300 www.picazodowntown.com Rioja Spanish Tapas www.riojarestaurant.com 11920 Westheimer. 281.531.5569 Tacos a Go-Go www.tacosagogo.com 3704 Main. 713.807.8226

mediterranean +greek Droubi Bros.

•507 Dallas. 713.625.0058 •919 Milam. 713.571.6800

niko niko’s

Dolce Vita Pizzeria y Enoteca 500 Westheimer. 713.520.8222 www.dolcevitahouston.com

Frank’s Pizza www.frankspizza.com 417 Travis. 713.225.5656 Pink’s Pizza www.pinkspizza.com •710 West Gray. 713.521.7465 •1403 Heights Blvd. 713.864.7465 Star Pizza www.starpizza.net •77 Harvard. 713.869.1241 •2111 Norfolk. 713.523.0800

steak+chops Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse www.flemingssteakhouse.com •2405 W. Alabama. 713.520.5999 •788 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. North 713.827.1120 Morton’s www.mortons.com •5000 Westheimer. 713.629.1946 •1001 McKinney. 713.659.3700

MO’S www.mosrestaurants.com 1801 Post Oak Blvd. 713.877.0720 Pappas Bros. Steakhouse www.pappasbros.com 5839 Westheimer Rd. 713.780.7352 Spencer’s Steaks & Chops 1600 Lamar. 713.577.8325 www.spencersforsteaksandchops.com

Strip House www.theglaziergroup.com 1200 McKinney. 713.659.6000 Shula's Steakhouse Hyatt Regency 1200 Louisiana St. 713.375.4777 mo’s

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STRAITS | SHARING THE GIFT OF FLAVOR

dine write

By Beatrice Valencia Photography by Jack Thompson

1. chef chris yeo 2. banana crepes

800 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. N. [CityCentre] Houston, TX 77024| 713.365.9922 www.straitsrestaurants.com

HOURS:

Open 7 days Lunch 11-4 Weekdays dinner from 5 until 10 Weekends dinner from 5 until 11

sample menu selections

small plates • Roti Prata: Crisp griddled Indian Flatbread, Curry Dip • Straits Spare Ribs: Bali Style Five Spice Barbeque Pork Ribs

raw bar • Sashimi: Ahi Tuna, Fresh Salmon, Wasabi, Soy Sauce, Pickled Ginger • Oysters

beef + seafood • Tamarind Beef: Wok Fired Filet Mignon, Brussels Sprouts, Arugula Salad, Tamarind Sauce • Beef Rendang: Spicy Braised Beef, Kaffir Lime, Pandan Polenta • Whole Striped Bass: “Ikan Goreng” Crisped Whole Striped Bass, Baby Bok Choy, Thai Basil Chili Sauce • Straits Risotto: Shrimp, Clams, Mussels, Laksa Coconut Curry

rice, noodles + vegetables • Shrimp Pad Thai: Rice Noodles, Fish Cake, Shrimp, Peanuts, Fried Egg • Wok-Fired Vegetables: Fresh Brussels Sprouts or Okra, Garlic Chili Sambal

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1

S

ingaporean cuisine is not one I would’ve ever sought out to try on my own. To be honest, it wasn’t even a blip on my radar. Where would I even begin? Where do I go? What do I order? I’m adventurous to a certain extent with cuisine but this required guidance.

That all changed when I received a press release for the opening of Straits Restaurant in CityCentre. Adjacent to the entrance of Hotel Sorella, this contemporary lounge/restaurant venture, aims to win over patrons with its flavorful cuisine and grown-up getaway atmosphere.

Patio seating surrounds the perimeter of the restaurant taking advantage of all their alloted space. Once inside, behind the hostess stand, is the lounge area (hello, grownup getaway!), next to the massive bar that acts as a divider between restaurant and lounge. Set up in an L-shape the restaurant seating runs along almost the length of restaurant with the kitchen alongside it. At the very end are 2 private dining areas with long wooden rectangular tables and curtains to keep prying eyes out. Don’t get too comfortable. It is merely a curtain that separates the entire restaurant and kitchen from you. The lighting in the restaurant area is much brighter than the shockingly dim lounge at the entrance. The dimness plays into the grown-up area much nicer than bright lighting, I assume.

I have to be honest, were it not for our knowledgeable waitress, I probably wouldn’t know what to make of the food I was ordering. I was sorry to hear she was only in from San Francisco to help out for the week. Although, I’ve heard of service being spotty, I can only chalk it up to jitters. On the occasions I’ve visited, the service has been attentive.

We started with the Roti Prata – an Indian flatbread that is crispy, flaky on the outside but soft on the inside. It comes in this origami-like shape with no real bottom or top. Just tear pieces off and dip into the curry side sauce. It’s not that big of a serving – surprising for a family-style serving concept. This does leave room for tasting other options like their savory vegetarianfriendly crispy samosas with sweet chili garlic dipping sauce.

(You’ll notice sweet and savory being a recurring theme throughout the dishes.)

I could devour two tuna towers if I didn’t look like a total hoarder. The fresh chilled ahi jewel bits mixed with ginger, kaffir lime leaf and doused in wasabi aioli, served with wonton chips, is a fluidity of flavor and texture.

There are two things I was apprehensive about, one being the amount of curry used in various dishes. I’m not the biggest fan of the spice. And two, I’m a picky meat eater. Anything overcooked, undercooked, etc., and you lose me.

Good for them (and me), neither was an issue.

The Tamarind Beef and Lemongrass Beef, two completely different cuts of meat, left me salivating for more. The Tamarind beef with its tender wok-fired filet “nuggets,” crunchy brussels sprouts, spicy arugula salad, all drizzled with tamarind sauce is satisfyingly filling. The delightfully light Lemongrass Beef with grilled marinated skirt steak, seasonal greens and Straits frites is a completely different take on flavor. It’s, dare I say, refreshing.

I’m still craving their version of chicken pot-pie. Never having been a fan of pot-pie, I was taken aback with the marriage of flavors from the hearty curried chicken, carrots and potatoes that hide tucked away under just the fluffiest dough pie shell covering. It’s substantial, like a warm cashmere sweater. It’s food coma inducing. It’s rich. I crave it when it’s cold outside to keep me warm inside.

Chef Chris Yeo is the mastermind behind such innovative combinations that introduce Singaporean cuisine to your table to share family style. His attention to detail for combining flavors and textures so as not to overwhelm but entice would seem daunting to most but appear effortless on the plate and tantalizing to the palette.

And to think, we’ve only begun to delve into the vast sea that is the Straits cuisine.

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the chef’s special Photography by Sofia van der Dys

PASTRY CHEF BARBARA SUAREZ restaurant more than cakes | cuisine custom cakes + desserts 1100 west dallas, houston tx 77019 | 713.652.5135 www.morethancakes.com This professional French bakery has been creating edible works of art since 1995. Barbara Suarez of More Than Cakes was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, in South America. Her interest for the art of sugar began at the early age of five, introduced by her mother. She began taking classes for kids during vacation times and at the age of 12 was working with chocolate, fondant (a sugar paste), marzipan (a candy made of almond paste) and was already making cakes. Barbara went to school for civil engineering but decided that her passion was in the pastry industry. She then traveled to Boston where she graduated as a chef. Barbara also did an internship in France, and since 1989 has been a Pastry Chef in the industry. “Sugar has always been very exciting to me because you can do so much with it, it is unbelievable. Working in the art of making wedding cakes is absolutely fulfilling.”

barbara suarez

FAVORITE LATE NIGHT SPOT FOR A BITE? Uptown Sushi.

WHAT UTENSIL CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT? Spatula.

BEST BREAKFAST? Oussie’s Table.

WHAT’S YOUR PET PEEVE? Messes.

BEST BRUNCH? Backstreet Café.

FAVORITE AFFORDABLE WINE? Santa Ema from Chile.

WHAT INGREDIENT CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT IN THE KITCHEN AND WHY? Honey, because it’s good for your health!

FAVORITE PLACE FOR DESSERT? My bakery.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE CHEF, RESTAURANT AND DISH? Pastry chef Jacque Torres, chocolate desserts.

FAVORITES: FLOWER ORCHILD MOVIE THE NOTEBOOK SONG ME ENAMORA... MOTTO LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT 72. december 09 | www.002mag.com

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new restaurants

By Beatrice Valencia

Photography Bill Olive

NEW RESTAURANT? EMAIL US AT LETTERS@002MAG.COM

FOUR SEASONS - ENOTECA MENU

INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL - TABLE ONE

1300 LAMAR ST. | 713.650-1300 | www.fourseasons.com/houston

2222 W. LOOP-SOUTH | 713-6277600 | www.intercontinental.com

CUISINE ITALIAN + WINES

CUISINE GLOBAL

CHEF MEREDITH

CHEF PETER LAUFER

N., AN ITALIAN WINE ESTABLISHMENT PRIMARILY DIRECTED AT GIVING VISITORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TASTE WINES AT A REASONABLE FEE.

Quattro, already a bistro-style restaurant serving Italian food at the Four Seasons, has adopted this style of dining at dinner including small plates to share with the introduction of their entoeca menu. With plates starting at $9 and under, it will be hard to stop yourself from ordering one of everything. Which we practically did. The menu consists of antipasti, flatbreads and then four choices of small plates each of Mare, Carne, Terra and Formaggi.

We thought we’d try one from each section and soon wound up with a few from each. Among our orders were the Terra antipasti (grilled veggies), Prosciutto and Principessa flatbread, crispy red potato latkes, salmon roe, dill crème frâiche and shaved red onion and a poached asparagus, smoked salmon, quail egg and tarragon lemon caper vinaigrette from the Mare section. And that’s what we started with! Most of the small plates come with 3 bites, a convenient serving for finding those that are your favorite. The Prosciutto and Principessa flatbreads have more pieces to share. They both provide an explosion of flavor thanks to a delicious combo of Prosciutto di Parma, gorgonzola cheese, fresh fig and arugula on one and duck confit, fontina cheese, spinach and pomegranate on the latter. Standouts in flavor were the traditional sirloin steak tartare, autumn venison shank ragout with rustic yellow corn polenta, and the truffled butternut squash raviolo with sage brown butter. The venison shank ragout was just as described – autumn. It’s tastes like fall. The venison is tender and flavorful and the corn polenta has just a touch of sweetness I assume from nutmeg that makes it a nice comforting dish. The truffled butternut squash raviolo is a nice complement to the venison. Finding the perfect wine pairing for these dishes is made easy with their dummy-proof enoteca wine list. One side contains reds ranging from earthy and spicy, round and smooth “super” Tuscans to plump and robust. On the other side the white wines are also split into categories including bubbly, balanced and fruity, light and crisp, and rich and satisfying. With 3-oz., 6-oz. or bottle serving options, you can try several or settle on your favorite. I tend to drink wine slower than most so a 3-oz. pour is perfect to be able to try various varietals. The price points vary starting at $4 and up depending on the pour and wine. But the ordering fun doesn’t end there: the dessert or dolce menu is equally divine! So as not to ramble on, I’ll stick to just a few we tried and LOVED. First up, the chocolate zeppole; as we learned, it’s like a chocolate doughnut. Served in a mini-martini glass with orange sugar, these pillowy mounds of doughnut have a molten center. So it has components of the lava cake in a doughnut. It’s not overtly sweet so it’s a perfect nightcap. I like my coffee to be dessert or like my coffee in my dessert. The chocolate brioche with espresso foam and fresh raspberry is a subtle form of this but their espresso affogato is palpable! An Illy espresso shot comes aside a bowl of ice cream with a bit of whipped cream and beignets. The fun part is dousing the ice cream with the espresso and then dipping the beignets into the “coffee ice cream.” You would think this would’ve kept me up for hours but to be honest, after an amazing meal full of “explosions” of flavor, I was exhausted! This sort of dining experience transforms an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience. Not just of food and wine but of laughter and camaraderie.

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GLOBAL CUISINE SOARS TO NEW HEIGHTS AT THIS NEW CHEF’S TABLE DINING EXPERIENCE. Located in The Restaurant, Table One is a special dining experience that begins the moment you arrive. On the wall that leads you to your table is a hanger that shows the chef is in and working; hence the jacket is not hanging on the hanger. Tucked away into a spacious corner atop a wooden platform is a cherry wood table that seats 10 to 12 comfortably. Above hangs a chandelier of 240 antique spoons and music plays in the background so the kitchen isn’t the only sound you hear. Beautiful simple photographs hang on the walls around the table with the main show being Executive Chef Peter Laufer in the kitchen preparing your dinner.

Available for dining 7 days a week, all that is required for reservations for Table One is a 48-hour notice to cater your course menu to any food allergies or dislikes. On my particular visit, we were the third in the series of diners at Table One. Our special menu was dated and labeled as such and on a regular occasion, diners would sign a ceiling tile in commemoration afterward, as diners in the first and second series had already. We savored everything from Florida Stone Crab with Cleopatra’s Tears, the German version of aged balsamic vinegar (a bit sweeter but delicious) to Akaushi Flat Iron Steak on Butternut Squash Truffle Cake.

The first dish was of Mediterranean influence with a German twist (the Cleopatra’s Tears) and the latter dish was of German influence with a Texas twist, being Texas grown and fed Akaushi cattle. Each component stood out on its own. The steak was not overpowered in spices, letting the meat quality be the main focus. Paired with the butternut squash truffle cake, which was surprisingly light, and we had a marriage of clean flavors that didn’t overpower one another. My favorite item, only because I have a sweet tooth, was The Globe dessert. This epitomizes the experience; it’s interactive, fun, beautifully presented and DELICIOUS! Essentially a chocolate fondue, you are presented with a chocolate globe that has raspberries and brownie inside. On one side is a plate with pound cake, strawberries and Oreos for dipping; on the other side is a cup full of hot chocolate syrup. You pour the hot chocolate on top of the globe to make a hole and reveal the berries and brownie inside and the dipping begins! You couldn’t find a more intimate or personalized dinner anywhere else.

This is a perfect dining situation for important birthdays, engagements and rehearsals, anything that requires special attention. Choose from a dinner of four to twelve courses, with or without wine pairings. The sky really is the limit at Table One.

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recording

By Lance Scott Walker Photography by Anthony Rathbun

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TODY castillo

A

HOUSTON INSTITUTION FOR MUCH OF THE LAST DECADE, SINGER/SONGWRITER TODY CASTILLO HAS NOW RELOCATED TO AUSTIN. FAR BE IT FROM THE TYPICAL REASONS THAT AN ARTIST MOVES THERE—HE ACTUALLY DID IT FOR HIS FAMILY. NOT LIKE IT HURT HIS MUSIC CAREER, THOUGH. CASTILLO’S SOPHOMORE EFFORT, WINDHORSE, HAS BEEN DRAWING ACCOLADES BOTH AT HOME AND IN THE HILL COUNTRY. SO HAS AUSTIN BEEN A FRESH START FOR YOU, MUSICALLY OR OTHERWISE? Well, you know, moving here – I’m from Corpus but I consider myself from Houston because I lived most of my adult life there. I really kind of grew up in Houston, so there’s always that weird Houston-Austin thing going on, and I probably had the same attitude of ,man, ‘Houston’s a lot cooler, dude!’ So when we moved here I didn’t really have the idea that my music would flourish because I’d already been to New York. But it is a fresh start in a way. The thing was, the real reason that we’re here is just because we spent so much time in Houston and my wife had just finished school—she got her Master’s in acupuncture—Chinese medicine. And now we have two boys. We lived in the Museum District in Houston and we had a nice little place.

We loved it and we’d kind of really settled in nicely. But it was really small, and there were still crackheads taking pisses in our courtyard every once in a while. And my kids are playing down there, you know? Now it’s a different story.

HAVING A FAMILY FOR A LOT OF ARTISTS SORT OF PUTS THE SHUTTERS ON TOURING AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING. NOW WRITING A NEW BATCH OF SONGS, DOES IT AT ALL AFFECT THE SONGWRITING, KNOWING THAT YOU LIKELY WON’T REALLY BE TAKING THEM ON THE ROAD ANYTIME SOON? No, I never think about that. You’re right – when you have kids, it does definitely… it’s a weird cliché about how it’s hard to be away from home, but all I ever knew was ‘get on the road.’ And I did a lot of road work. When I moved to New York I was in a couple of different bands and I toured a lot on the Eastern Seaboard there, so all I ever wanted to do was be on the road, but if you do have kids and it wasn’t an accident and you don’t wanna be – it’s hard to get away from. But it doesn’t change the writing, and me and my friends were joking about that: ‘do you get married and become a dad and just start sucking really bad?’ I don’t, I guess because I feel that some of the artists I grew up listening to – that kind of happened to them, you know?

Part of that might have just been them getting old. But I don’t do anything different.

I had all these paranoias about getting married ruining everything, but if you marry the right person it’s all good.

FOUR YEARS BETWEEN ALBUMS AND REALLY A LOT HAS HAPPENED IN YOUR LIFE WITH YOUR BROTHER AND YOUR NEW FAMILY – UPON RELEASING WINDHORSE, DID IT REALLY GET A LOT OFF YOUR CHEST? In a way it was, I guess just because of the times. I was probably hanging around the whole Onion Creek scene playing with Paul [Valdez] back in the day and that

was kind of around the time when that first record came out and we were playing a ton around town – my brother had just died in that time period. And then my wife lost a couple of people close to her. It was a real rough year. We had just gotten married and just a lot of things were changing. So while we were supporting that first record, a lot of these songs were being written. So a lot of these songs are kind of old now. But I think it’s just like anybody. If anything has any kind of impact on your life, good or bad, and you’re a writer or an artist, it’s gonna come out. You can’t hide it.

TELL ME ABOUT “MUSTANG ISLAND.” THAT’S A STANDOUT. DID YOU ACTUALLY GROW UP THERE? No, I was born in Kingsville, Texas, which is right next to it. It’s a naval air station.

It’s right by Corpus. So I was born there and then I grew up in Corpus. My parents divorced and my dad stayed in Corpus, my mom moved to San Antonio and so I moved there and she remarried and then right around 6th grade or so, that relationship ended and she went to college back in Kingsville and I went to live with my dad in Corpus. So it was kind of a back and forth scene – my grade school was in San Antonio but I graduated from Corpus. So we’d go to the back all the time. We were big skaters and surfer guys.

SO MUSTANG ISLAND WAS THE BEACH FOR YOU? Yeah, we’d cross the bridge and go into Mustang Island. Only takes a few minutes to get there from where we lived. It was real cool – and that song was about skipping school, going there on a Wednesday or a Tuesday when nobody was there.

And it was also raining, but it was awesome, dude. It’s one of those things where I wish I had a picture of it. I wish I had a picture of that day. We were getting close to graduating high school and I just remember thinking ‘well, I’m moving to Houston.’ We were all splitting up. So me and my brother went with a couple of girls from high school, skipped school and went there. You know, you have those days – it wasn’t like it was so mindblowing, but it was just a fun time and the way everything looked, the way the sky was – it was just a great day. It just burned an impression in my memory. www.todycastillo.com

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club+lounge review

By Travis Jones Photography by Daniel Ortiz

I

MERCER | UPPER KIRBY CURES THE COMMON EVENT

3302 mercer st., houston, tx 77027 | 713.627.1132 | www.mercerhouston.com

could be the Jeff Foxworthy of “You Might Be a Poser” zings. If you think hanging velour drapes in the back corner of a square room makes a VIP lounge…If you think flashing lights and speakers loud enough to give you an ear-bleed means your dance floor is the place to be…If I can see the IKEA tags on your furniture that looks like it belongs in the Taj Mahal, and you’re trying to pass it off as “authentic atmosphere”…you might be a poser. When the cool kids get tired of this same, laughable routine, they head to Mercer.

of mind. No, I’m not having a Half Baked moment – the acoustics do this tricky thing that allows the frenetic domains of DJ Senega (Friday nights) and DJ XRay (Saturday nights) to fade to a mere hum while sexy sounds of jazz and blues emerge. Welcome to the Sinatra Lounge.

Cooler than the other side of the pillow.

What once was Europa on 3202 Mercer Street, is now, well, Mercer, a resurgent Houston lounge scene tucked away in one of Houston’s most tradition-rich neighborhoods, Upper Kirby; which is appropriate, because despite its youthful appeal, Mercer does nightlife in a seasoned, tradition-rich fashion. A friendly handshake from the owner and a fairly priced drink from the conversational (even when they’re swamped) bar staff aren’t things they consider special – they’re just a given that reflects an old-world hospitality uncommon in most establishments. Savvy Houstonian 20–40-somethings are taking notice.

This uncanny ability of Mercer’s to effectively assume multiple attitudes is what allows the lounge to specialize in large parties and lavish private events. The perfect place for a corporate holiday bash with a little exotic flare, Mercer prides itself on being “the cure for the common event.” TGI Friday’s just doesn’t cut it anymore. It’s time to pull out the big guns, call in a caterer and let Mercer help prove that your #1 Boss coffee mug isn’t just an ironic joke your employees are playing on you. To arrange a decadent private party experience, simply call the number or visit the website listed up top. Throw me on the guest list while you’re at it.

While legends as to why the place is called Mercer abound, Mercer’s place in Houston nightlife is obvious. If you consider Houston one giant, raucous party (the hottest club in Texas if you will) Mercer would be the VIP lounge, tucked away in the shadow of the city.

Secluded, yet right under your nose, Mercer’s location couldn’t be better for those looking to get away from it all without getting away from it all. An enticing cave from the outside, the inside boasts a network of rooms that have been handcrafted by the owner to reflect different moods and tastes. And if he could take any time to offer you advice, you wouldn’t be in such a dry spell, trust.

Large enough for groups of 15, four different suites await guests in different sectors of the maze-like structure. Some with rich, ornate, red and gold Moroccan-inspired detail, and others with warm and simple, earthy browns inspired by the fat man himself, Buddha … not Santa.

Mercer’s three bars and covered patio are strategically positioned to ensure that patrons are never far from a cold drink as they wander the corridors or take a breather from the energetic dance floor. As they wander though, one particular turn of a corner transports visitors into an entirely different frame

If your drink has enough fresh fruit in it to feed a vegan for a month…If the guy at the bar is wearing blue jeans more expensive than his ’91 Geo Metro valet parked out back…If you could GO ON FOREVER WITH THESE…I’ll see you at Mercer.

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BARS + CLUBS + LOUNGES + WINE BARS

002 night life

downtown

511CLUB 511 Main. 713.221.8833

A+ BAR inside Alden Hotel 1117 Prairie. 832.200.8800 www.aldenhotels.com BUTTERFLY HIGH 902 Capitol. 713.237.2337

C&F DRIVE INN 6714 N. Main. 713.861.0704 CHAR BAR 305 Travis. 713.222.8177 www.charbarhouston.com

CLUB ICE/MANTRA 711 Main St. 713.225.3500 www.mantrahouston.com

THE COTTON EXCHANGE 202 Travis. 832.507.5906 www.cottonexchangelounge.com DEAN’S CREDIT CLOTHING 316 Main. 713.227.3326 www.myspace.com/ deanscreditclothing

DIVE LOUNGE inside the Aquarium 410 Bagby St. 713.223.3474 EIGHTEEN TWENTY 1820 Franklin. 713.224.5535 www.myspace.com/1820bar ETTA’S LOUNGE 5120 Scott. 713.528.2611

FLYING SAUCER 705 Main St. 713.228.7468 www.beerknurd.com

HOUSE OF BLUES 1204 Caroline. 1.888.40.BLUES www.hob.com/houston JET LOUNGE 1515 Pease. 713.659.2000 www.thejetloungehouston.com LA CARAFE 813 Congress. 713.229.9399

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LIVE SPORTS CAFÉ 407 Main. 713.228.5483 www.livesportscafe.com

LONE STAR SALOON 1900 Travis. 713.757.1616

LUCKY STRIKE LANES & LOUNGE 1201 San Jacinto. 713.343.3300 www.bowlluckystrike.com MOLLY’S PUB 509 Main. 713.222.1033 www.mollyspubs.com NOTSUOH 314 Main. 713.409.4750 www.notsuoh.com

PETE’S DUELING PIANO BAR 1201 Fannin. (Houston Pavilions) 713.337.7383 www.petesduelingpianobar.com RED CAT JAZZ CAFÉ 924 Congress. 713.226.7870 www.redcatjazzcafe.com

RESERVE 101 1201 Caroline. 713.655.7101 www.reserve101.com

SAMBUCA JAZZ CAFÉ 909 Texas Ave. 713.224.5299 www.sambucarestaurant.com SHADOW BAR 213 Milam. 713.221.5483 www.theshadowbar.com

SHAY MCELROY’S 909 Texas Suite A . 713.223.2444 www.mcelroyspub.com STATE BAR & LOUNGE 909 #2-A Texas. 713.229.8888 www.thestatebar.com THE BREWERY TAP 717 Franklin. 713.237.1537 THE B.U.S 1800 Texas. 713.222.2287

TOC BAR 711 Franklin. 713.224.4862 www.tocbar.net

VENUE 719 Main. 713.236.8150 www.venuehouston.com

WILD WEST 6101 Richmond. 713.266.3455 www.wildwesthouston.com

galleria+uptown

heights + washington

BAR 12•21 MORTON’S 5000 Westheimer. 713.629.1946 www.mortons.com

BLANCO’S 3406 W. Alabama. 713.439.0072 www.houstonredneck.com

BELVEDERE 1131 Uptown Park. 713.552.9271 www.belvedereinfo.com BLVD 610 LOUNGE 3005 West Loop. 832.875.3997 www.blvd610.com THE BLACK SWAN (Omni Hotel) 4 Riverway. 713.871.8181 CLUB 26 TEN 2610 Sage. 713.974.4000 www.myspace.com/club26ten

IDENTITY BAR 5959 Richmond. 713.785.0999 PLANETA BAR-RIO 6400 Richmond. 832.251.9600 PAPARRUCHOS 3055 Sage. 713.212.3178 www.paparruchos.com

BEER ISLAND 2631 White Oak. 713.862.4670 BIG STAR 1005 W. 19th. 281.501.9560 www.bigstarbar.com BLUE LABEL LOUNGE 4500 Washington

BLOCK 21 2420 Washington. 713.337.1410 BOOM BOOM ROOM 2518 Yale. 713.868.3740 www.myspace.com/ boomboomroomhouston

CORKSCREW 1919 Washington. 713.864.9463 COSMOS CAFÉ 69 Heights. 713.802.2144 www.cosmoshouston.com

DAN ELECTRO’S GUITAR BAR 1031 E. 24th St. 713.862.8707 www.danelectrosguitarbar.com

DARKHORSE TAVERN 2207 Washington. 713.426.2442 www.dhtavern.com DUBLINER LOUNGE 4219 Washington. 713.861.2300

RA SUSHI 3908 Westheimer. 713.621.5800 12860 Queensbury. 713.331.2791 www.rasushi.com

REMINGTON BAR St. Regis Hotel 1919 Briar Oaks Ln. 713.403.2631 www.theremingtonrestaurant.com RICHMOND ARMS 5731 Kirby. 713.523.9999

5920 Richmond. 713.784.7722

ROXY 5851 W. Alabama. 713.850.ROXY www.myspace.com/roxyhouston

THE TASTING ROOM 1101-18 Uptown Park. 713.993.9800 114 Gray. 713.528.6402 2409 W. Alabama. 713.526.2242 www.tastingroomwines.com

EI8TH 5102 Washington. 713.880.3500 KOBAIN 33 Waugh. 713.862.9911 www.kobain.net

MANOR ON WASHINGTON 4819 Washington. 713.426.0123 www.manoronwashington.com NOX 4701 Nett. 281.701.4248 www.noxhouston.com

ONION CREEK 3106 White Oak. 713.880.0706 www.onioncreekcafe.com

PANDOR 1815 Washington. 832.296.6220

PEARL BAR 4216 Washington. 713.863.5337 PORCH SWING PUB 69 Heights. 713.880.8700

REBEL’S HONKY TONK 5002 Washington. 713.807.7040

www.rebelshonkytonk.com

REIGN 4105 Washington. 713.869.0404 SAWYER PARK SPORTS BAR 2412 Washington. 713.863.9350 www.sawerparkhouston.com THE CORKSCREW 1919 Washington. 713.864.9463 www.houstoncorkscrew.com THE DIRT 222 Yale. 713.426.4222 www.dirtbar.com

THE DRINKERY 4115 Washington. 713.426.3617

THE DRAKE 1902 Washington. 713.861.9600 www.thedrakebar.com

THE LOT 4212 Washington. 713.868.5688 www.thelothouston.com

THE SOCIAL 3730 Washington. 713.426.5585 www.thesocialinfo.com

midtown

13 CELSIUS 3000 Caroline. 713.529.8466

3RD BAR 2600 Travis. 713.526.8282 BLOCK 21 2420 Washington Ave.

BOND LOUNGE 2700 Milam. 713.529.2663 www.bond2700.com

COACHES 2204 Louisiana. 713.751.1970 www.coachesjv.com CHRISTIAN’S TAILGATE 2000 Bagby. 713.527.0261 www.christianstailgate.com

DECO 510 Gray. 713.659.4900 www.decohouston.com

EL PATIO 2416 Brazos. 713.523.8181 www.elpatio.com EPIC 3030 Travis. 713.862.4810

FIX LOUNGE 2707 Milam. 832.281.2101 FRONT PORCH PUB 217 Gray. 713.571.9571 www.frontporchpub.com

HOWL AT THE MOON 612 Hadley. 713.658.9700 www.howlatthemoon.com

IBIZA LOUNGE NEXT DOOR 2450 Louisiana. 713.520.7300 www.ibizaloungenextdoor.com KOMODO’S 2004 Baldwin. 713.655.1501

LEON’S LOUNGE 1006 McGowen. 713.659.3052 THE MAPLE LEAF 514 Elgin. 713.520.6464 www.themapleleafpub.com

THE MINK/THE BACKROOM 3718 Main. 713.522.9985 www.minkonmain.com

OPEN CITY 2416-A Brazos. 832.483.8357 www.ochouston.com RED DOOR 2416 Brazos. 713.225.0640 www.reddoorhouston.com

RICH’S 2401 San Jacinto. 713.759.9606

SAMMY’S 2016 Main. 713.751.3101 www.sammysat2016main.com SAINT DANE’S BAR + GRILL 502 Elgin. 713.807.7040

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STATUS 2404 San Jacinto. 713.659.5400 www.myspace.com/statushouston

CATBIRDS 1336 Westheimer. 713.523.8000 www.catbirds.com

THE STAG’S HEAD 2128 Portsmouth. 713.533.1199 www.stagsheadpub.com

BAM BOU 2540 University. 713.521.7222 www.bambouhouston.com

THE ROOF

GUAVA LAMP 570 Waugh. 713.524.3359

VELVET MELVIN 3303 Richmond. 713.522.6798

BRONX BAR 5555 Morningside. 713.520.9690

SWIVEL 2621 Milam. 713.222.2057 www.swivelhouston.com 2800 Travis. 713.522.4900

THE WET SPOT 160 W. Gray. 713.523.7768 TIPSY CLOVER 2416 Brazos. 713.524.8782

UNION BAR 2708 Bagby. 281.974.1916 www.myspace.com/unionlounge WHISKEY CREEK 2905 Travis. 713.526.4225 www.whiskeycreekhouston.com

XO BAR & LOUNGE 2611 San Jacinto. 713.651.9900 www.myspace.com/xohouston

ZEPPELIN 3101 San Jacinto. 713.521.7300 www.myspace.com/zeppelin713

montrose + shepherd

ABSINTHE 609 Richmond. 713.528.7575 www.absinthelounge.com

AGORA 1717 Westheimer. 713.526.7212 www.agorahouston.com

ANVIL+REFUGE 1424 Westheimer. 713.523.1622 www.anvilhouston.com AVANTGARDEN 411 Westheimer. 832.519.1429 www.avantgardenhouston.com

BARTINI 1318 Westheimer. 713.526.2277 BOHEME WINE & CAFÉ BAR 307 Fairview. 713.269.0859 www.barboheme.com

BOONDOCKS 1417 Westheimer. 713.522.8500 www.myspace.com/boondocksbar BYZANTIO 403 W. Gray. 713.520.6896 www.byzantiohouston.com

CEZANNE JAZZ CLUB 4100 Montrose. 713.522.9321 www.blacklaboradorpub.com

www.myspace.com/guavalamphouston

THE DAVENPORT 2115 Richmond. 713.520.1140

THE FLAT 1702 Commonwealth. 713.521.3528 GRIFF’S 3416 Roseland. 713.528.9912

THE HARP 1625 Richmond. 713.528.7827 LOLA’S 2327 Grant. 713.528.8342

LZ PUB 2239 Richmond. 713.522.7118 MCELROY’S PUB 3607 Sandman. 713.524.2444 www.mcelroyspub.com METEOR 2306 Genesee. 713.521.0123 www.meteorhouston.com THE NEXT DOOR 2020 Waugh. 713.520.1712

www.myspace.com/thenextdoorgallery

NUMBERS 300 Westheimer. 713.526.6551 www.numbersnightclub.com

PRAVADA 2815 S. Shepherd. 713.533.1200 www.pravadahouston.com PRIVE 910 Westheimer. 713.526.6551 www.privelounge.com

POISON GIRL 1641-B Westheimer. 713.527.9929

www.myspace.com/poisongirlbar.com

SOUTH BEACH 810 Pacific. 713.529.7623 www.southbeachthenightclub.com SCOTT GERTNER’S SKYBAR 3400 Montrose. 713.520.9688

www.msypace.com/scottgertnersskybar

THE TAVERN 1340 W. Gray. 713.522.5159 www.thetavernongray.com

www.myspace.com/thevelvetmelvinpub

VINTAGE 2108 Kipling. 713.522.4200

museum district

MONARCH LOUNGE Hotel ZaZa 5701 Main 713.526.1991 www.monarchrestauranthouston.com ZIMM’S MARTINI & WINE 4321 Montrose. 713.521.2002 www.zimmsbar.com

outer loop

300 HOUSTON BOWLING 925 Bunker Hill 713.461.2431 www.300houston.com

DENIM BAR 16090 City Walk. 281.275.5925 www.theburningpear.com THE DERRICK TAVERN 1127 Eldridge. 281.759.4922 www.thederricktavern.com

FIREHOUSE SALOON 5930 Southwest Frwy. 713.977.1962 www.firehousesaloon.com HUSH 15625 Katy Frwy. 713.330.4874 www.hushonline.com

VINE WINE ROOM 12420 Memorial Dr. 713.463.8463 www.vinewineroom.com VINO 100 11693 Westheimer. 281.759.4100 www.vino100houston.com

BRIAN O’NEILL’S 5555 Morningside. 713.522.2603 www.brianoneills.com

ERNIE’S ON BANKS 1010 Banks. 713.526.4566 www.erniesonbanks.com

KAY’S LOUNGE 2324 Bissonnet. 713.528.9858

BAKER STREET PUB 5510 Morningside. 713.942.9900 www.bakerstreetpub.com

MUGSY’S 3200 Kirby. 713.526.5595

RED ROOM 2736 Virgina. 713.259.9952

ROLL-N SALOON 4200 San Felipe. 713.622.7487 THE BIG EASY 5731 Kirby. 713.523.9999 www.thebigeasyblues.com

LITTLE WOODROW’S 5611 Morningside. 713.521.2337 www.littlewoodrows.com

THE GINGER MAN 5607 Morningside. 713.526.2770 www.gingermanpub.com THE LOUNGE AT BENJY’S 2424 Dunstan. 713.522.7602 www.benjys.com

VOLCANO www.2349 Bissonnet. 713.526.5282

river oaks + kirby

BLANCO’S 34060W. Alabama. 713.439.0072 COVA 5600 Kirby. 713.838.0700 5555 Washington. 713.868.3366 www.covawines.com DOWNING STREET 2549 Kirby. 713.523.2291 www.downingstreetpub.com

KENNEALLY’S IRISH PUB 2111 S. Shepherd. 713.630.0486 LIZZARD’S PUB 2715 Sackett. 713.529.4610

THE GALLANT KNIGHT 2511 Bissonnet. 713.942.9940 www.thegallantknight.com

THE WINE BUCKET 2311 W. Alabama. 713.942.9463 www.thewinebucket.com UNDER THE VOLCANO 2349 Bissonnet. 713.526.5282 www.cabomixmex.com

warehouse district

EIGHTEEN TWENTY 1820 Franklin. 713.224.5535

LUCKY’S PUB 801 St. Emanuel. 713.522.2010 www.luckyspub.com

THE GREEN ROOM 813 St. Emanuel. 713.225.5483 THE MERIDIAN 1503 Chartres. 713.225.1717 www.meridianhouston.com

NEXT 2020 McKinney. 713.221.8833 www.whatsnexthouston.com

PASHAA ULTRA LOUNGE 2010 McKinney. 713.344.0305 www.myspace.com/pashaahouston

rice village

ARMADILLO PALACE 5015 Kirby. 713.526.9700 www.thearmadillopalace.com

MEZZANINE LOUNGE 2200 Southwest Frwy. 713.528.MEZZ www.mezzaninelounge.com

MERCER LOUNGE 3302 Mercer. 713.627.1132 www.mercerhouston.com

WAREHOUSE LIVE 813 St. Emanuel. 713.225.5483 www.warehouselive.com

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002houston December 09:002houston

sip codes

By Beatrice Valencia

11/18/09

4:32 PM

Restaurateurs, club/bar owners, pubbers, etc., if there is a special event or something you would like the public to know about, email me at bvalencia@002mag.com and I will help spread the word for you. See you out!

FALL FUNK, WINTER WOES, CALL IT WHAT YOU MAY BUT I’M BURNT OUT, FRIED! CREATIVELY, MENTALLY, I’M AMAZED I CAN COMPLETE THOUGHTS AT THE TIME. AND I CAN’T EVEN BEGIN TO THINK ABOUT CHRISTMAS SHOPPING, CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S! THAT’S RIGHT. I’M ALREADY HEAD FIRST INTO DECEMBER. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO DAYS OFF. AND BY THAT I MEAN, MENTALLY CLOCKING OUT. NO MORE ONOMATOPOEIA, METAPHORS, SIMILES, ADJECTIVES, NOUNS, VERBS, ETC. AND IMAGINE, I’M NOT LIKE THE MILLIONS OF MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS, FATHERS, SONS, BROTHERS, HOSTESSES OR HOSTS HAVING TO ACTUALLY PUT THESE HOLIDAYS TOGETHER OR IN MOTION. I GET TO SIT THERE, BRAIN CHECKED OUT, AND ENJOY THE MEAL/PARTY. NOT ONLY DO THESE LADIES (OR GENTLEMAN) WORK ALL DAY TO MAKE A HOUSEHOLD RUN OR WORK (YIKES!) THEY HAVE TO WORK OVERTIME ON THE HOLIDAYS FOR THE FESTIVITIES. IT’S NO WONDER YOU TAKE TWO WEEKS OFF IF NOT MORE. SO IN CONCLUSION, I SALUTE, CHEERS, RAISE MY GLASS, TIP MY HAT, TO ALL MENTIONED ABOVE WHO MAKE OUR HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES THOSE MEMORIES THAT LIVE ON IN MY MIND AS SOME OF MY MOST CHERISHED MOMENTS IN LIFE.

Soma- 4820 Washington Avenue 713.861.2726 www.somasushi.com After repeated text-pics from my brother’s meals here, I decided I should get myself into Soma ASAP. And what should you expect from a sushi lounge located in a shopping center, only the best. And Soma delivers. My brother has a penchant for their Toro Crunch so there was no way I was going to pass up my chance to try it.

Fatty tuna, green onions, blue fin tuna and tempura chives are wrapped into the most buttery delicious, fallapart-in-your-mouth combo I’ve had in a REALLY long time. I also had to have the Crazy Irish-man roll. A combination of salmon, tuna and avocado is rolled into green soy bean paper, flash fried and topped off with smelt fish roe, spicy mayo, sweet sauce and green onion. I call it the cheeseburger of sushi rolls because it’s definitely a crowd pleaser even for the biggest sushi-phobe. It is definitely the most “dressed up” of sushi rolls. This menu has inventive touches sprinkled throughout, so expect the unexpected.

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Bliss Nail Spa- 701 Shepherd Dr. #100 713.864.8787 www.bliss-nailspa.com I have to acknowledge these super ladies, B and Paulina, for fixing my claws on a moment’s notice. Yearning for a manicure all weekend because my cuticles, hangnails, color were OOC, I had to wait until the start of the week due to a busy schedule. Monday, after work, I couldn’t take it any longer and dropped in on them. Literally. No call, no appointment, walked in with nails that needed some TLC. Although they had appointments scheduled within an hour, B got straight to work nursing my cuticles and hang nails to health. Her attention to my nails was so dedicated even though I was merely a walk-in. Paulina did an amazing job with a pretty difficult (but beautiful) lavender color I chose. Thank you, ladies!

Brixx- 5110 Washington Avenue 713.864.8811 So it’s been awhile since I’ve hit the “scene.”

Birthdays are my main event to explore what’s new. After a night at the zoo for Feast of the Beasts, I met up with some friends for a birthday at Brixx. Having barely heard about it for the first time that week, I did a little research. Described as an upscale patio bar, I was a little worried as to how upscale they meant. The whole bar opens up to let the outside in. A huge patio deck is in the back and the bar sits in the middle of the whole thing. Inside, plasma screens play videos; there’s a lighting system with misters. (They don’t actually mist with water but more like a smoke effect.) All I can say is, I remember arriving, dancing and then after that I’m not quite sure where the night went. No worries, I was with friends and woke up in bed safe and sound with a massive hangover. All in all, I haven’t had a night like that in ages. It was so much fun.

HONORABLE MENTION: Ragin Cajun- 4302 Richmond Ave. 713.623.6321 www.ragin-cajun.com Three words people: Ryan’s Brownie Sundae.

Meal, great. Dessert, holy cow! As you know, I have a sweet tooth so when I read this sundae

description and there was the tiniest Hershey trademark next to it, I had to have it. I thought if anything, I would get a mediocre brownie with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and a cherry on top. Not a totally bad deal when you think about it. What I got was a perfect, moist, bittersweet chocolate brownie, with vanilla bean ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream and, yes, a cherry on top. Those little things make ALL the difference. This brownie is the BEST I’ve ever had in a restaurant. It’s NOT hard, crunchy, flaky or lacking in flavor. It’s almost cake-like and the flavor is not too sweet, so devouring the whole thing (which I did) is no challenge at all.

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EVENT RENDEZ-VOUS ITALIAN NIGHT WHY EVENING HONORING ITALY WHERE CAVATORE ITALIAN RESTAURANT WHEN OCTOBER 8 More than 300 of Houston’s international crowd attended the Italian masqueradestyle soiree, Rendez-Vous Italian Night, organized by Katia Condette, who provided guests with a warm and lively atmosphere with the help of opera singer Vivian Jimenez and folkloric Italian musician Franco Fusco. Cavatore Italian Restaurant prepared some of their signature dishes and offered guests a wonderful array of Italian wines. Partygoers danced the night away thanks to DJ Gary, who entertained the guests with hip music from around the world.

cd reviews

By Lance Scott Walker

KURT VILE Childish Prodigy (Matador) Matador has never been more excited about a signing than they are about that of Philly’s young Kurt Vile this past summer. The only perplexing thing about that proclamation is the idea of any record label being excited about any signing in this day and age. Kind of like the Creator running out a new line of dinosaurs right before the Ice Age. That said, Kurt Vile is musically exciting. The rawness is going to attract the tiny hordes who will buy any poorly recorded disc solely on that merit. But in Vile’s case, he has found a way to balance that lo-fi beastliness with top shelf guitar playing and a rich, throwback rock’n roll voice that floats ever so gently above his warm bluesy riffs. But these are pop songs above all – the genres that inform Vile’s songwriting might swing wild enough across the spectrum to satisfy the most fervent record collector, but ultimately this is as new as it is decadent in its influences.

Something about the way he blends it all together makes it as now as it is timeless.

Whether or not that’s going to tip Matador’s scales back towards smiling on their way to the bank as they did with Cat Power and Yo La Tengo, well…

SLAYER World Painted Blood (Sony) There are few bands whose name can inspire such fear, excitement and reverence as can Slayer. Ironically for some (like when models wear their t-shirts), yes, but wholeheartedly for their masses of fans. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to name a metal band whose fans stick closer to them and as fiercely as do Slayer’s. While even diehard Metallica fans have a love/hate relationship with their career, Slayer’s output over the last quarter century has been so consistent as to defy the scorching criticism that has been heaped on the other big 3 of thrash metal. World Painted Blood is no letdown. Not letup. To put on a new Slayer record is to know what to expect and to still be caught off guard. The title track jumps right out of the chutes and it hardly slows down except for a few misguided breakdowns (they can get old in spots, right?). In fact, the only area in which this record fails is in the song titles – I mean…

“Beauty Through Order”?

Z-RO Cocaine (Rap-A-Lot) After a couple of lackluster releases in recent years, you might have thought this dark, brooding Houston rapper would have taken a step back. Really, it’s difficult to argue that Z-Ro, easily one of the top 5 rappers in Houston, has lived up to his potential. He should be huge, far beyond the local stage, and yet even with all of the grand regard in which he is held by his peers, here he still sits. Maybe he realizes that, because on this two-disc set, he’s gone all out. All in. There are 15 different guest appearances across 34 tracks, with a host of different producers, and so for what it’s worth, Cocaine ends up (intentionally) serving as more of a table of contents than Paul Wall’s The People’s Champ did (quite intentionally) in 2005. But it’s not just because of the guests. Perhaps as a testament to his admittedly brilliant (in spots) career, he references himself in lots of places. Like, lots. Whether he’s phrasing something the way he did on an earlier hit, dropping in a line from an older track or just all-out covering another track (Fondren and Main), there are elements of this that feel (funny enough) like an emeritus of sorts. Only Z-Ro hasn’t given us his opus yet. Far too much more to be done on his end. Perhaps this is a purging of sorts, a way of him putting his career behind him so he can move on to the next step. Be that so, he sent it off right – on the last track, where the audience at a live Z-Ro show recites the entirety of “Mo City Don” back to him from the floor.

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BEFORE WE GO 2009 COVER CONTEST

RUNNERUP | patrick turk

THANKS TO ALL WHO SUBMITTED ORIGINAL ARTWORK FOR THE 2009 DECEMBER COVER! HERE ARE THE TOP 7 RUNNERUPS. VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE AT WWW.002MAG.COM TO SEE THE OTHERS AS WELL AS TO READ THE ARTIST STATEMENTS.

happy holidays

OO2CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Prefix for legal or trooper 5. Benedict XVI is one 9. Conduct, as a conflict 13. State with certainty 14. Killed 15. Fling with force 16. Box in the theater 17. Works with dumbbells 18. Middle of March 19. Shortest day of the year 22. Finnish bath 23. Bit of body art 24. Vegas venture 26. Defraud 28. Kilmer of “The Doors” 29. Tax-filing mo.

30. She lost a shoe 35. Iranian currency 38. The mark of Zorro 39. Scout unit 40. Piles of debris 43. Contend 44. Word with sports or training 45. Busy person 47. Swan song

48. Ermines in summer 51. Sudden contraction 53. Joyeux Noel 56. Flu symptom 57. Port-au-Prince is its capital 58. And others, for short 60. Plaintiff 61. Santa’s little helpers 62. Looney Tunes company 63. Towel word 64. Wimbledon ranking 65. Titan whose children were swallowed

by Cronus DOWN 1. Chum 2. State positively 3. Record holder 4. Sports center 5. Turn one into many 6. Boatman’s blades 7. Small flame in a gas range 8. Put into servitude 9. Artisan with a pocketknife 10. Video’s counterpart

82. december 09 | www.002mag.com

11. ___-Roman wrestling 12. “If all ___ fails ...”

14. Pretty to look at 20. “...three men in a __“ 21. Word at a maze entrance 24. Candy buys 25. Monumental 27. Get your hands on some dough?

31. Placed in a bank 32. Scoreless tennis game 33. Kind of cloth 34. Mirrored 36. Hired hands

37. Atomizer’s output 41. Doors in a submarine 42. Condition some soaps are formulated to prevent 46. Templeton in “Charlotte’s Web” 48. Switch smoothly 49. More factual 50. Oil-producing rock 52. Political campaign tactic 53. Moonshiner’s mixture 54. Bank of France?

55. Identical 59. Grassland

1

2

3

4

5

6

NOVEMBER ANSWERS

1. noor hartsfield | 2. allison benefield | 3. nicole bogart 4. helena gijsbers van wijk | 5. don suttajit | 6. stutz

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