January 2009

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002houston | january 09 | volume 11 | issue 121

hip.current.cool guide

002mag.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 table of contents 6 letter from the editor 8 houston map 10 downtown map 12 002news | uptown map 14 calendar 16 museum district 18 art houses+museums+exhibits listings 20 living smart: richard alderman 22 spacetaker

53 GREEN YOUR RESOLUTIONS

53 54 002PROFILE: CAPTAIN PLANET

23 56 archichat: john cryer 57 scene 58 architecture + design: buffalo bayou partnership 59 where to live 60 business profile: daria james 61 finance 62 wise guy 63 scene 64 vroom vroom 65 tools+toys+gadgets 66 restaurant listing

23 GALLERY: M2 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

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for art’s sake: christy karll mcwhorter gish at the movies nonprofit: houston audubon society scene destination: travel tips scene born cool. grow hip.

31 beautiful bugs 32 people of houston 35 002 hits the street 34 costumes for cocktails

36 36 REBIRTH, REFRESH, REVIVE 40 IT’S COOL TO COMPOST

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68 DINE WRITE: RUGGLES GREEN

68 69 70 71 72 73

scene new restaurants chef’s special: wyatt maguire sip codes cd reviews

74 GLORIA GAYNOR: ONE NIGHT IN HOUSTON 41 42 43 44

on our radar retail wrap: hello-lucky 4 greats things i love

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46 LETTUCE INTRODUCE YOU

46 52 4 the park

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club review: block 21 002 nightlife scene recording: mic skills crossword puzzle | before we go

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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Photography by Sofia van der Dys |Hair by Elia Graves at Jose Eber salon and Makeup by Pati + Trixi

W

e are so blessed in this country for so many things. We have the freedom to do and say as we please, and for the most part the safety to come and go as we please. We have immediate and direct access to everything we need and the stuff we want but don’t need.

CARLA VALENCIA de MARTINEZ

Having said that, we also have so much more than we need, which is why we are such overindulgent consumers. Since we aren’t going to stop buying stuff, we’d might as well try to indulge in more eco-friendly and human-friendly companies this year. Everything on the cover is green in some way. Whether it’s recycled materials or green practices by lessening a carbon footprint, using alternative fuels or so many other creative ways to lessen the load on Mother Earth.

Check out the loads of products to green your 2009 in an 002 spin on recycle, reduce and reuse in our rebirth, refresh, revive spread on page 36. And while we are it lettuce introduce you to some of Houston’s green faces (one is actually green) on page 46. Some you’ve heard about in 002 or other mags, but some we’re sure we’re the first to interview.

We also had a chat with Gloria Gaynor who will be in Houston for one night only to celebrate I Will Survive’s 30-year anniversary. Turn to page 74.

This issue is loaded with easy ways to slowly go green, if you haven’t already. Although from casual conversations with people while building this issue, it seems most of you are doing something. And more and more I see people at the grocery store with their own bags rather than taking the store’s plastic or paper.

At home Alex and I recycle and compost. I am amazed at the amount of stuff we recycle and the composting has been an experience! Learn how to compost in this month’s it’s cool to compost on page 40. Those fat worms are from our compost! 002 recycles as well. Check out the loaded car from one month’s worth of trash.

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issue 121

PUBLISHER alejandro martinéz ext 16 a.martinez@002mag.com EDITOR AT LARGE | FASHION DIRECTOR carla valencia ext 13 c.valencia@002mag.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR victoria bartlett ART DIRECTOR alex rosa ext 17 arosa@002mag.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR | EVENTS beatrice valencia ext 11 bvalencia@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 terry-ann chen tchen@002mag.com

isabel terraso ext 14 isabel@002mag.com beenish ahmad beenish@002mag.com PHOTOGRAPHERS sofia van der dys, anthony rathbun, kim coffman, jill hunter, daniel ortiz, kennon evett, gabriella nissen, dax sunga, emily dwyer, aaron m. sprecher, jack potts, michelle watson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS cody bess, dlg ice factory, aaron courtland, tom huynh, sarah gish, eric laignel, lacasse photography, tImothy hursley, tom macLennan, jenny wang, gerardo somoza, tara fisher, hunter jones, lastnightpics.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS michael andre adams, shyla batliwall, brant croucher, michael garfield, sarah gish, patricia gras, sandra gunn, lindsay hagood, sarah hill, jarrod klawinsky, hal lynde, myles mellor, margret miller, nadia michel, stacy parker, jenni rebecca stephenson, justin travis, lance scott walker INTERN lindsay hagood FOR SUGAR LAND SALES

GREEN ISSUE

COVER BY US! PHOTOGRAPHY Gabriella Nissen

OOPS! In the November issue we failed to credit Heather Sampson’s hair and makeup! OOPS sorry.

Makeup by CHANEL at Nordstrom-Galleria and Hair

by Lana Wilborn, Hair Palace in Deer Park. In the December Cover Contest, Belinda Smith’s cover was not credited to her, please visit the website to se it.

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.

Have a great green 2009!

Carla Valencia - Editor at Large Fashion Director 6. january09 002houston

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

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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

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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NEWS WORTHY GALVESTON Hurricane Ike roared ashore on September 13th and upstaged Steve Tyrell as the opening act for The Grand 1894 Opera House’s 2008-2009 “Signature Season.”

Billed as Galveston Island’s most destructive hurricane since The Great 1900 Storm, Ike forced a postponement of The Grand’s season until January 3, 2009. The 20082009 “Signature Season” – it’s Recovery and Reopening – is now set to kick off with a “grand” 114th birthday open house Saturday, January 3rd, from 10am-2pm. Houston performer Rob Landes will entertain at the piano, former CBS television anchor Steve Smith is set to emcee the festivities, and local Galveston icon Vandy Anderson will read the best of “Hurricane Ike Storm Stories” that were submitted to Rosenberg Library and other organizations following the storm. For information about The Grand’s recovery, rescheduled season and other events, visit thegrand.com or call 800.821.1894 or 409.765.1894.

RUN The Chevron Houston Marathon will hold its annual 26.2, 13.1 and 3.1 mile run in downtown Houston on January 18.

The Running USA founding member is the nation’s premier winter marathon, attracting runners from all over the US plus over 30 countries. The Marathon offers the only closed marathon course in Texas and is ranked among the top five in the nation by the Ultimate Guide to Marathons for fastest course, organization and crowd support. More than 200,000 spectators line the course and 5,000 volunteers help organize the race each year. There is also the Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Expo on Friday and Saturday of Marathon weekend. More than 10,000 out-of-town participants and visitors are expected to attend the Chevron Houston Marathon, which will bring approximately $9.74 million to the local economy.

ELMO’S GREEN THUMB Elmo’s Green Thumb promises to grow a happy crop of kids February 5 – 8 at the Reliant Arena. His sunflower, Sunny, was raised from a seed, but has outgrown the flowerpot. Elmo and friends find Big Bird’s garden the ideal place for Sunny to flourish and grow but they are too excited to wait. Rather than let Sunny follow nature’s course, Abby Cadabby, Sesame Street’s fairy-in-training, casts a spell to make Sunny grow. The spell does just the opposite and instead of Sunny growing, Elmo and all of his friends shrink! While Abby searches for just the right words to reverse the spell, Elmo, Zoe, Telly and friends explore Big Bird’s garden from a smaller perspective and learn some big lessons about patience, overcoming their fears and appreciating the role that each creature plays in our ecosystem – from dancing ladybugs and beautiful butterflies to grouchy beetles that scavenge the garden floor. Tickets start at $15, ticketmaster.com or visit sesamestreetlive.com/storylines.asp.

ROOM AND BOARD A 262-room, full-service Embassy Suites Hotel at 1515 Dallas Avenue at LaBranch (adjacent to the George R. Brown Convention Center, the Hilton Americas Hotel and overlooking Discovery Green Park) is set to open. The 19-story property represents the first privately developed, full-service hotel built from the ground up in Houston’s Central Business District in the past 25 years. It is also the first project to be financed since the City of Houston passed an ordinance to spur new hotel construction within walking distance of the convention center.

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Photography by Michelle Watson for LastNightPics.com

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EVENT GRAND OPENING WHERE VAUGHAN CHRISTOPHER GALLERY WHEN NOVEMBER 14

Gallery owners Amy Vaughan King and Ginger Christopher Wright welcomed art enthusiasts to Houston’s new art haven that offers an unparalleled collection of fine works by 20th-century masters ranging from fine art to whimsical pop art. Collectors sipped cocktails and enjoyed light bites while perusing masterpieces from the likes of Matisse to Murakami.

Alexandra Staudt, Paige Moore

Amy Vaughan King, Ginger Christopher Wright

Patricia Nobre-Guedes

Kathy Taylor, Jessica Meyer, Katherine Treistman, Collins Howell

Jermaine Miller, Josh Griswald

Andrew McNevin, Holly Wilkison, Beth DeLozier-Hayes, Houston Hayes

Nicole Mora, Damon Bamboline

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CALENDAR

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woodlandscenter.org HOBBY CENTER 713.315.2525 thehobbycenter.org

HOUSE OF B LUES hob.com

JONES HALL 713.227.3974 joneshall.org MAIN STREET THEATER 713.524.6706 mainstreettheater.com

PERFORMING ARTS + CONCERTS + SPORTS + FESTIVALS + GENERAL INTEREST

MONDAY

TO PURCHASE TICKETS, PLEASE CONTACT:

Hurricane Ike….

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SUNDAY

ALLEY THEATRE alleytheatre.org CWMP Current Season Ends Due To

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MERIDIAN meridianhouston.com MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE (MOT)milleroutdoortheatre.com MINUTE MAID PARK houston.astros.mlb.com MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS mfah.org MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE hmns.org RELIANT PARK reliantpark.com STAGES REPERTORY THEATRE 713.527.0123 stagestheatre.com

Main Street Preview: The Light in the Piazza 3pm Stages Always…Patsy Cline 3pm Toyota The Radio City Christmas Spectacular 4 & 7:30pm

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PLAN AHEAD

THEATER DISTRICT OUTDOOR cityofhouston.gov TOYOTA CENTER 1.866.4HOU.tix houstontoyotacenter.com VERIZON THEATER verizonwirelesstheater.com WAREHOUSE LIVE warehouselive.com WORTHAM CENTER 713.237.1439 worthamcenter.org GENTE DE TEATRO gentedeteatro.org

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WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

February February February February February

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2 Verizon The Killers w/ m83 8pm 3 Toyota Rockets vs. Chicago Bulls 7:30pm 6 HOB Susan Tedeschi w/ James Hunter 8pm 6-7 Toyota The Harlem Globetrotters 7pm & 1:30pm 7 Toyota Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves 7:30pm

Hobby BIH: Spring Awakening 8pm

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THURSDAY

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Hobby BIH: Spring Awakening 8pm Jones HS: Explorer Concert 9:30 & 11:15 am Main Street Preview: The Light in the Piazza 8pm

NEW YEAR’S DAY

January 1-19, The Ice at Discovery Green – Holiday skating on Kinder Lake. discoverygreen.com.

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Hobby BIH: Spring Awakening 8pm Jones HS: Explorer Concert 9:30 & 11:15 am Main Street Opening Night: The Light in the Piazza 7:30pm

January 9, CHRISTINE EBERSOLE & JAMES NAUGHTON, 8pm at Galveston’s Grand 1894 Opera House. Tickets range from $22 - $68. Call 800.821.1894 or visit thegrand.com.

January 9-11, TIRKEDU HOUSTON! A fun-filled weekend of enthusiastic and energetic Israeli dancing at the Jewish Community Center of Houston, tjcchouston.org.

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Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 7:30pm Hobby BIH: Spring Awakening 2 & 7:30pm Jones Peter Cetera 7:30pm Main Street The Light in the Piazza 3pm Stages Always…Patsy Cline 3pm

Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 7:30pm Hobby BIH: Spring Awakening 8pm Jones SPA: Drumline Live 7:30pm Toyota Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers 7:30pm

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Warehouse Live Kyle Riabko 9pm

VI DE O SALON WI TH FI LMMA KER LAURA HARRISON - Ant Farm 1969-71: Early Underground Adventures with Space, Land and Time, 1pm at the Aurora Video Library.

Free, visit aurorapictureshow.org.

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Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 2:30 & 7:30pm Hobby BIH: Spring Awakening 2 & 7:30pm Jones Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto 2:30pm Main Street The Light in the Piazza 3pm Toyota Aeros vs. Lake Erie Monsters 5:05pm

Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 2:30 & 7:30pm Hobby Je’Caryous Johnson’s Love Overboard 3 & 7:30pm Jones Mahler’s Fourth Symphony 2:30pm Main Street The Light in the Piazza 3pm Toyota Carlos Mencia 8pm Wortham HGO: A Midsummer Night’s Dream 2pm

Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 7:30pm Hobby BIH: Spring Awakening 8pm

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Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 7:30pm Hobby Je’Caryous Johnson’s Love Overboard 8pm Toyota Rockets vs. Utah Jazz 7:30pm

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Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 7:30pm Hobby BIH: Spring Awakening 8pm Main Street The Light in the Piazza 7:30pm

STELLALUNA, 10am & 12pm at The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston.

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DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

CHEVRON HOUSTON MARATHON. Begins and ends in Downtown. houstonmarathon.com.

DISCOVER TAP! 3pm Follow Acia Gray, Dianne Walker, and Derick Grant on a playful exploration of rhythm and time. jcchouston.org

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Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 7:30pm Hobby Je’Caryous Johnson’s Love Overboard 8pm

Ja nuary 23, MDA’S PASSPORT TO A CURE: MEDITERRANEAN CRUI SE, 7pm at The Woodlands Waterway Hotel. For more information contact Amanda Hardy at MDA at 713.522.8561 or email her at ahardy@mdausa.org Toyota Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets 1pm

CHINESE NEW YEAR BEGINS Hobby HCS: The Art of the Piano Recital 7:30pm

Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 7:30pm Hobby Je’Caryous Johnson’s Love Overboard 8pm Jones Mahler’s Fourth Symphony 8pm Main Street The Light in the Piazza 7:30pm Warehouse Live Brett Dennen 8pm

Ja nuary 24, TRIPLE FOCUS, 8pm Enjoy an evening of dance that brings together three professional companies presenting works ranging in style from jazz to contemporary. jcchouston.org

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Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 7:30pm

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Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 7:30pm Jones SPA: Batsheva Dance 8pm Toyota Rockets vs. Philadelphia 76ers 7:30pm Wortham Theatreworks USA: Junie B. Jones 10am

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Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 7:30pm Toyota Aeros vs. Quad City Flames 7:05pm

January 31, DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY, spend the evening dancing to The Maria Williams Band. jcchouston.org January 31, THE BRILLIANT LECTURE SERIES PRESENTS DR. MAYA ANGELOU, 7:30pm. For more information, call 713.974.1335.

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

FRIDAY HOB Reckless Kelly with the Gougers 8:30pm Stages Repertory Theatre Always…Patsy Cline 8pm

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Toyota The Radio City Christmas Spectacular 4 & 7:30pm

SATURDAY

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Main Street Theatre Preview: The Light in the Piazza 8pm Reliant Stadium: Monster Jam 7:30pm Stages Always…Patsy Cline 8pm Toyota The Radio City Christmas Spectacular 1, 4:30 & 8pm

JERRY JEFF WALKER, 8pm at The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston. For more information visit, thegrand.com

January 2-11, Houston International Boat, Sport and Travel Show. btamh.com..

Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 8pm Hobby BIH: Spring Awakening 8pm HOB Sister Hazel 9pm Jones Peter Cetera 8pm Stages Always…Patsy Cline 8pm Toyota Celine Dion 8pm Wortham Hope Stone Dance Company 8pm

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January 10-11, HOUSTON CAT CLUB ANNUAL CHARITY CAT SHOW at The George R. Brown Convention Center. houstoncatclub.com.

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Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 8pm Hobby BIH: Spring Awakening 8pm Jones Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto 8pm Main Street The Light in the Piazza 8pm Toyota Aeros vs. Toronto Marlies 7:35pm

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Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 2:30 & 8pm Hobby BIH: Spring Awakening 2 & 8pm | Musiqa: Music About Music 7:30pm Jones Peter Cetera 8pm Main Street The Light in the Piazza 8pm Stages Always…Patsy Cline 8pm Toyota Rockets vs. New York Knicks 7:30pm Wortham Hope Stone Dance Company 8pm

January 10-11, BRIDAL EXTRAVAGANZA 2009 at The George R. Brown Convention Center. bridalextravaganzashow.com.

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Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 2:30pm & 8pm Hobby BIH: Spring Awakening 2pm & 8pm Jones Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto 8pm Main Street The Light in the Piazza 8pm Reliant Stadium: Monster Jam 7:30pm Toyota Rockets vs. Miami Heat 7:30pm

January 17, CHANGE THAT YOU CAN DANCE TO: OBAMA MUSIC VIDEOS 6:30-8:30pm (screening at 7pm) at The Station Museum. A $6 donation is suggested. aurorapictureshow.org RONAN TYNAN, 8pm at The January 17, FRIENDS IN RHYTHM, 8pm Join three of the most internationally recGrand 1894 Opera House in ognized hoofers in the world of rhythm in a syncopated trip through jazz and sound. jcchouston.org Galveston.

Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 8pm Hobby Je’Caryous Johnson’s Love Overboard 8pm Jones 30 Years of “I Will Survive”– A Disco Evening w/Gloria Gaynor 7:30pm | Gloria Gaynor VIP After Party 9:30pm Main Street The Light in the Piazza 8pm Toyota Aeros vs. Peoria Rivermen 7:35pm Wortham HGO: A Midsummer Night’s Dream 7:30pm January 23-25, TRI-STAR COLLECTORS SHOW at The George R. Brown Convention Center. tristarshows.com.

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Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 8pm | Eurydice 8pm Hobby Masquerade: Man of La Mancha 8pm Jones SPA: Joshua Bell 8pm Meridian Tsol 8pm Toyota Aeros vs. Binghamton Senators 7:35pm Wortham HGO: Chorus! 7:30pm

Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 2:30 & 8pm Hobby Je’Caryous Johnson’s Love Overboard 3 & 8pm HOB Badfish – A tribute to Sublime w/Scotty Don’t, Full Service and Idiginis 8pm Jones Mahler’s Fourth Symphony 8pm Main Street The Light in the Piazza 8pm Reliant Stadium: Supercross 7pm Toyota Aeros vs. Peoria Rivermen 7:35pm Verizon John Legend 8pm

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January 24-25, THE OAK RIDGE BOYS at The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston.

Jan. 24-Feb. 1, HOUSTON AUTO SHOW at Reliant Center. houstonautoshow.com.

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Alley Mrs. Warren’s Profession 2:30 & 8pm | Eurydice 2:30 & 8pm Hobby Masquerade: Man of La Mancha 8pm HOB O.A.R. w/Eric Hutchinson 8pm Jones SPA: Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo 8pm Reliant Stadium: Monster Jam 7:30pm Stages Taking Flight 8pm Toyota Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors 7:30pm Wortham HGO: A Midsummer Night’s Dream 7:30pm | Da Camera: Songs of the Earth 8pm

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MUSEUM DISTRICT 1. THE MENIL COLLECTION menil.org

Thru March 1, Imaginary Spaces: Selections from the Menil Collection presents a selection of Giovanni Piranesi’s 19thcentury etching series, Carceri d’Invenzione (Imaginary Prisons), Giorgio De Chirico’s paintings of alienating cityscapes and Michael Heizer’s drawings for sculptural space in the desert from 1969, among other examples. The premise of Imaginary Spaces, organized by Menil assistant curator Michelle White, derives from a series of exhibitions that the de Menils organized in the 1960s.

2. HOUSTON CENTER FOR PHOTOGRAPHY hcponline.org

ETXT (acronym for Emerging Texas Talent), on exhibit thru January 11, features up-and-coming Texas-based artists employing photography and related media in their work.

Each year, HCP holds an annual print auction where artists, galleries and collectors from all over the world contribute high caliber photographic art which is auctioned for the benefit of HCP’s operating fund. One-hundred percent of the sale proceeds go directly to HCP for exhibitions, educational initiatives, outreach programs and HCP’s SPOT magazine. Auction Exhibition and Auction begins January 22.

5. HOUSTON CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY CRAFT crafthouston.org Hot Glass, Cool Collections (in the large gallery) showcases fantastic glass art from the homes of Houston collectors. Works on view represent the many styles and techniques of contemporary studio glass— including hand-blown, kiln-worked, torchworked and cold-worked glass.

Environments: Form + Space features imaginative installations by three emerging glass artists who emphasize the importance of form over function. Both thru March 15.

6. LAWNDALE ART CENTER lawndaleartcenter.org

4. BYZANTINE FRESCO CHAPEL MUSEUM menil.org/Byzantine

Wicker Chairs and Half-and-Half – AJ Liberto and Jessie Robinson, Personal Panopticon – Cory Wagner, and Once Removed – Ann Marie Nafziger are on view thru January 10. In the Space of Absence – Kathy Kelley and Highway 71 Revisited – Barry Stone both open January 23.

7. BUFFALO SOLDIERS NATIONAL MUSEUM buffalosoldiersmuseum.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 hmh.org

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 long-term loan from the Church of Cyprus in an intimate chapel designed by award-winning architect Francois de Menil.

9. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON cmhouston.org

Seasons of Sharing, thru January 5, is Houston’s only multicultural holiday exhibit for children spotlighting seven cultural celebrations, including Diwali, Ramadan, Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Christmas, Kwanzaa and the Lunar New Year. Take delight in a block-long neighborhood of houses where dipa lamps, menorahs, luminarias, Christmas lights, kinaras and the glimmer of the crescent moon will shimmer brightly, lighting the way of the holiday season! Thru January 18, follow the money trail and embark on an electrifying trip to Moneyville. This pulsating “city” will show you how money makes the world go ’round as you discover the history and culture behind today’s economic concepts. Swoosh into FlowWorks and become a plumber or an engineer, inspecting, operating and maintaining the elements of this action-packed exhibit. The first of six new permanent exhibits in the Children’s Museum of Houston’s expanded new building, FlowWorks will be unveiled in the bigger and better Allen Family Courtyard!

10. THE HEALTH MUSEUM thehealthmuseum.org

3. THE ROTHKO CHAPEL rothkochapel.org

Don’t miss the Rothko Chapel’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Celebration January 19 at 7 pm.

the “Final Solution” and life after the Holocaust. A rail car used by the Nazi regime to carry millions of people to their deaths is on display as well as the Museum’s newest addition to its permanent collection – an authentic fishing boat used to ferry Jews from the Danish coast to safety in Sweden during World War II.

The first institution of its kind in the Southwest, Holocaust Museum Houston is a living memorial and education center promoting awareness of the dangers of hate, prejudice and apathy against the backdrop of the Holocaust. The Museum includes exhibition areas, memorials, a theater and a full-service library. The Museum’s permanent exhibit, “Bearing Witness: A Community Remembers,” features authentic film footage, artifacts, and photographs and documents life in pre-war Europe, the Nazi move toward 16. january09 002houston

Check out the museum’s NEW PERMANENT FEATURE: McGovern 4D Theater. Thru January 4, 2009, explore the life and work of Einstein.

Beginning January 23, Zap! Surgery: Beyond the Cutting Edge takes you behind-the-scenes to experience the science behind surgical techniques. Ever wonder how brain tumors are treated? Find out when you conduct simulated surgery with the Gamma Knife. Perform simulated laser surgery to get an up-close look at how tattoos are removed. Test your hand-eye coordination using simulated endoscopic instruments and more!

11. HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE hmns.org

On view thru January 11, Dinosaur Mummy CSI: Cretaceous Science Investigation is a world premiere exhibition featuring Leonardo, the most perfectly fossilized plant-eating dinosaur ever discovered—with almost all of his skin still intact. Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS 2 & The BRAIN – Our Three Pound Gem is on exhibit thru February 22. Dr. Gunther von Hagens and his wife, Dr. Angelina Whalley, have created a holistic meditation on

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the brain that merges anatomy, neuroscience and philosophy that resonates with everyone. Be sure to check out “Fly Me To The Moon,” “Dinosaurs 3D” and “Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk 3D” at the Wortham IMAX Theatre.

12. HOUSTON ZOO houstonzoo.org

Explore a naturally wild world of adventure, education and fun at the Houston Zoo. Set in a 55-acre lush tropical landscape, the Zoo is home to more than 4,500 animals representing more than 800 exotic species.

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first exhibition to examine the critical contributions of black women film and video artists to the field of contemporary art. Featuring projections, installations, interactive CDROM projects, experimental film and video work, the exhibition spans across generations and geographic boundaries to present work by more than 40 artists. Perspectives 164, on view thru February 22, features San Franciscobased artist Stephanie Syjuco. International in scope, The Puppet Show, opening January 17, brings together contemporary artworks in a variety of media that explore the imagery of puppets.

16. THE JUNG CENTER OF HOUSTON cgjunghouston.org

13. RICE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY ricegallery.org

Rice Gallery is dedicated to the creation and exhibition of site-specific installation art. The gallery is located on the ground floor of Sewall Hall, near the main entrance to one of the nation’s most beautiful college campuses. Exhibition Three will be on exhibit January 22 – March 1.

The Jung Center, a nonprofit educational institution founded in 1958, houses one of the Southwest’s finest collections of work in psychology, spirituality and comparative mythology, offering those who treasure the world of ideas

Designed by Cesare Casati

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

Thru January 4, Yuletide: Holiday Time at Bayou Bend provides holiday cheer with a side of history. This year’s theme is Celebrations! and the experience includes: festive lighting in the gardens; eight rooms of the mansion decorated with historic recreations of celebratory moments— holidays, weddings and such—from the 18th to 20th centuries; candlelight tours on select Friday evenings; and holiday entertainment and refreshments. Celebrating 10 Years of the Design Council, thru January 4, celebrates the contributions that the MFAH Design Council has made to the museum’s formation of a collection of modern and contemporary design since the support group’s founding in 1998. Thru January 11, Learning by Doing: 25 Years of the Core Program at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Part II presents the second of a two-part exhibition that concludes the 25th anniversary of the Core Program at the Glassell School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Over the past 25 years the Core program has become an internationally regarded platform, a destination for curators and critics seeking new talent and a respected forum for artists and critics to discuss, debate and develop their work. Art Unfolded: The Gift of Conservation from Japan opens on January 17.

KEY TO SYMBOLS



PARKING RESTAURANT SHOPPING SNACKS FREE ADMISSION

15. CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM HOUSTON camh.org

Thru January 4, Cinema Remixed & Reloaded: Black Women Artists and the Moving Image Since 1970 is the 17. january09 002houston

and learning fresh perspectives and deeper insights into the human condition.

17. CZECH CENTER MUSEUM 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 wxresearch.org

The John C. Freeman Weather Museum, the first and only museum of its kind in the nation, is a project of Weather Research Center, a Houston-based non-profit educational and research organization, whose goal is to reach as many people as possible and educate them about weather and weather safety as well as make them weather-wise.

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ART HOUSES+MUSEUMS+EXHIBITS BERING & JAMES GALLERY beringandjames.com 805 Rhode Place #500, 713.524.0101

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

ART LEAGUE OF HOUSTON artleaguehouston.org 1953 Montrose 713.523.9530 BLAFFER GALLERY UH Campus, Ent. 16, 713.743.9530 class.uh.edu/blaffer

GALVESTON ARTS CENTER galvestonartscenter.org 2127 Strand St. 409.763.2403 HERITAGE SOCIETY heritagesociety.org 1100 Bagby 713.655.1912

HOUSTON FIRE MUSEUM houstonfiremuseum.org 2304 Milam 713.524.5395 MUSEUM OF PRINTING HISTORY 1324 W. Clay 713.522.4652 printingmuseum.org ORANGE SHOW orangeshow.org 2402 Munger 713.926.6368

PROJECT ROW HOUSES projectrowhouses.org 2501 Holman 713.526.7662 UNIVERSITY MUSEUM tsu.edu/museum 3100 Cleburne Ave. 713.313.7145

"&%

AEROSOL WARFARE GALLERY aerosolwarfare.com 2110 Jefferson ANYA TISH GALLERY anyatishgallery.com 4411 Montrose 713.524.2299

APAMA MACKEY GALLERY mackeygallery.com 628 East 11th Street 713.850.8527 ARCHWAY GALLERY archwaygallery.com 2013 West Gray 713.522.2409 ARTSCAN GALLERY rudolphprojects.com 1836 Richmond 713.807.1836 ART STORM artstormhouston.com 4828 Caroline St. 713.568.8174

BOOKER-LOWE GALLERY bookerlowegallery.com 4623 Feagan St. 713.862.8364 CANAL ST. GALLERY canalstreetgallery.com 2219 Canal St. 713.223.2219 thru January 29, ' '$" ! $"!& $ %

COMMUNITY ARTISTS’ COLLECTIVE 1501 Elgin 713.523.1616 communityartistscollective.org COMMUNE ON NORTH communeonnorth.com 2445 North Blvd.

CAROLINE COLLECTIVE carolinecollective.com 4820 Caroline 713.825.4613 CTRL GALLERY ctrlgallery.com 3907 Main St. 713.523.2875

DAKOTA GALLERY 2324 Shearn 713.523.7440 dakotaframing.com/dfp/dakotagallery.asp DARKE GALLERY darkegallery.com 5321 Feagan 713.542.3802

BARBARA DAVIS GALLERY barbaradavisgallery.com 4411 Montrose 713.520.9200

DESANTOS GALLERY desantosgallery.com 1724 Richmond 713.520.1200 opens January 10, ! ' ! ! $ " " * DIVERSEWORKS diverseworks.org 1117 East Main at Naylor 713.223.8346 DOMY BOOKS domystore.com 1709 Westheimer 713.523.3669

5.

GREEN HOUSE GALLERY greenhouseartgallery.com 716 W. Alabama St. 713.535.6462 thru January 31, $ ! $* "$ ) GREMILLION & CO. FINE ART gremillion.com 2501 Sunset Blvd. 713.522.2701 opens January 15, ## $ GUTHRIE CONTEMPORARY 2734 Virginia St. 713.522.8086

FOTOFEST fotofest.org 1113 Vine Street 713.223.5522

HCC-CENTRAL GALLERY centralfinearts.info 3517 Austin 713.718.6570

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

HOUSTON LANDMARK GALLERY 1200 McKinney 713.927.8800 houstonlandmarkgallery.com

GALLERY 1724 gallery1724.com 1724 Bissonnet 713.523.2547

HOUSTON STUDIOS 707 Walnut St. #100, 713.223.0951

GALLERY SONJA ROESCH gallerysonjaroesch.com 2309 Caroline 713.659.5424 GITE GALLERY thegitegallery.com 2024 Alabama St. 713.523.3311

3.

2.

GOLDESBERRY GALLERY goldesberrygallery.com 2625 Colquitt 713.528.0405

DEBORAH COLTON GALLERY 2500 Summer St. 713.864.2364 deborahcoltongallery.com

ART HOUSES 18 HANDS GALLERY 18handsgallery.com 249 West 19th St. 713.869.3099 January 10-31, ! $ %& !%"! "" $

BETZ GALLERY betzgallery.com 1208 W. Gray 713.576.6954

1. vaughan christopher gallery | 2. canal street gallery | 3. moody gallery gallery | 4. koelsch gallery | 5. thornwood gallery

1.

HOLLYWOOD FRAME GALLERY 2427 Bissonnet 713.942.8885 hollywoodframegallery.com

HOOKS-EPSTEIN GALLERY hooksepsteingalleries.com 2631 Colquitt St. 713.522.0718 thru January 10, $ & ( $ $" ! "& %

JOAN WICH & CO. GALLERY joanwichgallery.com 4411 Montrose 713.526.1557

KINZELMAN ART CONSULTING kinzelmanart.com 3909 Main Street 713.533.9923 KOELSCH GALLERY koelschgallery.com 703 Yale 713.626.0175

LAURA RATHE FINE ART laurarathe.com 2707 Colquitt 713.527.7700 thru January 20, $&)"$ % %

LAURA U COLLECTION lauraucollection.com 1840 Westheimer 713.522.0855

LOVETT INN ART GALLERY lovettinngallery.com 501 Lovett Blvd. 713.522.5224 M2 GALLERYm2-houston.com 325 W. 19th St. 713.861.6070

MCCLAIN GALLERY mcclaingallery.com 2242 Richmond 713.520.9988

MCMURTREY GALLERY mcmurtreygallery.com 3508 Lake St. 713.523.8238 thru January 10, &% * ! opens January 17, ! &+ $ $* !& MEREDITH LONG GALLERY 2323 San Felipe 713.523.6671 meredithlonggallery.com

MIDTOWN ART CENTER midtownartcenter.com 3414 La Branch 713.521.8803 18. january09 002houston

4.

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4.

RETRO GALLERY retrogallery.com 1839 W. Alabama 713.522.7074 RICE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY 6100 Main St. 713.348.6069 ricegallery.org RUDOLPH PROJECTS I ARTSCAN GALLERY 1836 Richmond 713.807.1836 rudolphprojects.com SICARDI GALLERY sicardi.com 2246 Richmond 713.529.1313

SPACE 125GALLERY haatx.com 3201 Allen Parkway 713.527.9330 STUDIO 1107 East Freeway 713.224.5555 MOODY GALLERY moodygallery.com 2815 Colquitt 713.526.9911 thru January 10, $ $ $ # MOTHER DOG STUDIOS 720 Walnut 713.229.9760 home.earthlink.net/~motherdogstudios/ motherdogstudios MOXIE moxiehouston.com 2307 Dunlavy 713.807.7994

NAUHAUS GALLERY texascollaborative.com 223 E. 11th St. 281.615.4148 NOLAN-RANKIN GALLERIES 6 Chelsea Place 713.528.0664 nolan-rankingalleries.com

O’KANE GALLERY uhd.edu One Main St.@UHD 713.221.8042

PARKERSON GALLERY artnet.com 3510 Lake St. 713.524.4945

PEEL GALLERY SHOP peelgallery.org 4411 Montrose Blvd. 713.520.8122 POST GALLERY postgallery.com 2121 Sage, Ste. 390, 713.622.4241 "by appointment only"

POISSANT GALLERY poissantgallery.com 5102 Center St. 713.868.9337 REDBUD GALLERY redbudgallery.com 303 E. 11th St. 713.862.2532

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

THE ARTFUL CORNER theartfulcorner.com 3423 White Oak Drive THOM ANDRIOLA newgallery.net 2627 Colquitt 713.520.7053 opens January 17, & "

!

THORNWOOD GALLERY thornwoodgallery.com 1201 Birdsall 713.861.2787 opens January 17, ! & ", VAUGHAN CHRISTOPHER GALLERY 1217 South Shepherd 713.533.0816 vaughanchristopher.com

WADE WILSON ART wadewilsonart.com 4411 Montrose #200, 713.521.2977 opens January 9, % "& WATERCOLOR ART SOCIETY 1601 West Alabama 713.942.9966 watercolorhouston.org

WINTER STREET STUDIOS winterstreetstudios.net 2101 Winter Street 713.862.0082 XNIHILO GALLERY 2115taft.org 2115 Taft St. 713.622.1846

ZARPOSH INDIA GALLERY zarposhindia.com 1951 Richmond 713.668.2948

EVENTS+NEWS

JANUARY 10, AT THE FRANCISCO STUDIOS, 4TH FLOOR, 2300 MCKINNEY, 6 – 11PM. 832.563.8759 19. january09 002houston

Photography by Tom Huynh

002houston January 09:002houston

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EVENT BLISS-TASTIC AFFAIR WHY BLISS NAIL-SPA LAUNCH PARTY WHERE BLISS SPA WHEN OCTOBER 3

10:29 AM

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Over 200 manicured guests made their way to the highly anticipated opening of Houston’s first nail bar. A gaggle of Houston’s scenesters, young professionals, savvy socialites and established executives grooved to the tunes from DJ Senega and sipped BLISS-tinis while anxiously awaiting the announcement of the night’s lucky winners of a Bliss Pampering Package and a gift certificate for a party of 10 to Sheila Kelley’s S Factor.

Victoria Nelso, Bridget Johnson

Amanda & Jeff Kelly, Allison Ferries, Lauren Stuart

Katie Thoreson, Kristin Castille, Kim Hoffman, Kelly Tuttle

Sylvia & Gordon Quan, Yuki Rogers

A

Karen Diaz, Nicole Taylor

Bliss Models

Nick & Nancy Nikolovski, Anne Powel, Mary Annkuo, Jane & Toan Vuong

Living Smart with Patricia Gras airs on Sundays at 3pm and Thursdays at 10:30pm on HoustonPBS Ch. 8.

LIVING SMART WITH PATRICIA GRAS RICHARD ALDERMAN

I always pray that I will never need a lawyer, simply because Until I met Richard Alderman I never checked my credit I hate conflict. There is one lawyer I don’t mind calling when report. I didn’t know you could actually get it for free.

I need help however, and that’s the people’s lawyer, “What you should do to prevent identity theft, Richard Alderman. He’s written many books on check your credit report at least once a year. consumer law and has been teaching thouThere’s a new law that let’s you do this for “DISCOURAGE LITIGATION. sands how to defend themselves or just forfree. There are three credit bureaus and get about it!!!! I invited Alderman to Living PERSUADE YOUR NEIGHBORS TO Smart so he could discuss identity theft and COMPROMISE WHENEVER YOU other common legal quagmires to avoid if CAN. AS A PEACEMAKER THE LAWYER at all possible.

HAS A SUPERIOR OPPORTUNITY OF

you should go to each one individually and stagger it. You can go to houstonpbs.org/livingsmart under Richard Alderman to find the websites for credit reports.

BEING A GOOD MAN. THERE WILL “True identity theft is when somebody actuSTILL BE BUSINESS ENOUGH.” ally becomes you. They go somewhere else Alderman also reminds us scammers are Abraham Lincoln and they have your credit information and they everywhere. Check scams are the next comlive as you.” Alderman explained this happened to mon problem. “It is the worst consumer scam. him. Someone in California was getting things using his full When it comes to credit cards, identity theft, for example, name. “It is not as complicated as you think. Once someone will never cost you any money because the law will ultigets your social security number, which is the most impor- mately throw the loss back on someone else though it may tant thing they can apply for, they can contact the credit be a hassle, but the law is very different when it comes to misbureau and they start living as you. They have your social takes with your checking account. The law does not protect security number which is the single most important piece of you. The law protects the bank,” says Alderman. information for them to have.” To avoid this, Alderman sugThe scam goes like this. “Someone will send you a check and gests you are very careful about giving out your social secuit will look like a certified check or a cashier’s check. It will rity number; for instance, never put it on a check along with say “here’s this check to show you my good faith for $5000. your name.

Keep $4000 of it and send me a thousand. Go ahead and deposit it.” So you deposit it and you think it cleared. The 20. january09 002houston

RICHARD ALDERMAN + PATRICIA GRAS

bank will accredit it to your account in just a few days and you have a $5000 credit and you think I’m going to send a thousand dollars off and I’ll keep the $4000. This is a legitimate deal. Well, that check will ultimately bounce. It may take a week or it may take two weeks or three weeks – and you have to pay that money back so be very careful anytime. My advice would be, don’t ever give anyone cash back for a check. I have news for you, Richard. I haven’t gotten a check in a long time!

In Living Smart, Alderman will share a few consumer law tips to avoid legal hassles in the future.

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 on the Internet, go to our website www.houstonpbs.org/livingsmart. Patricia Gras is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and the producer and host for Living Smart with Patricia Gras. You can reach her at

www.patriciagrasblogspot.com

002houston January 09:002houston

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SPACETAKER ARTSCENE

10:29 AM

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By Jenni Rebecca Stephenson

i

T’S JANUARY AND ANOTHER YEAR IS UNDER YOUR BELT – OR ROLLING OVER IT. ON NEW YEAR’S, AS THE CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT AND THE ENIGMATIC WORDS TO AULD LANG SYNE ECHO IN YOUR EARS, YOU REFLECT ON BOTH THE JOYS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AS WELL AS FOIBLES AND TRANSGRESSIONS OF THE PAST YEAR – VOWING TO DO BETTER AND BE BETTER IN THE NEXT. THE SLATE IS WIPED CLEAN ONCE AGAIN, AND YOUR ANNUAL SELF-IMPROVEMENT GOALS ARE RENEWED. THE MONTH’S NAME IS DERIVED FROM THE ROMAN GOD JANUS – A SYMBOL OF BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS – WHOSE FIGURE WAS PLACED AT THE HEAD OF THE CALENDAR AND WHO, WITH TWO FACES, COULD LOOK BACK ON PAST EVENTS AND FORWARD TO THE FUTURE. HOWEVER, THE TRADITION OF NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS DATES BACK TO THE BABYLONIANS, WHOSE MOST COMMON RESOLVE WAS TO RETURN FARM EQUIPMENT. THESE DAYS, OUR POPULAR RESOLUTIONS REVOLVE AROUND MONEY MANAGEMENT AND A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE – ALL TOO APPROPRIATE AFTER AN EXCESSIVE WINTER OF EGGNOG, PUMPKIN PIE AND IMPULSE BUYS. THOUGH SOME STUDIES CLAIM RELATIVELY FEW REACH THEIR NEW YEAR’S GOALS, CHANCES FOR SUCCESS INCREASE BY MAKING THOSE GOALS PUBLIC. USHER IN 2009 WITH NEWFOUND RESOLVE TO FULFILL THIS YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS BOTH ARTFULLY AND PUBLICLY.

January 8, 15, 22, 29, 6-10pm – Cultured Cocktails @ Beaver’s Icehouse Tame the Bulge (or indulge the bulge) while celebrating our local art scene with Beaver’s and Spacetaker!

Join us for happy hour at Beaver’s when a portion of the proceeds benefits a new local nonprofit arts organization each week! This month’s featured toasts are Mukuru Art for AIDS, River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, Opera Vista and The Catastrophic Theatre. Free.

January 12, 7:30pm – Inprint Brown Reading Series present Geraldine Brooks DEDICATE MORE TIME TO READING with Inprint, presenting Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Geraldine Brooks. Brooks won the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction in 2006 for her captivating novel, March, the imagined story of the absent father from the classic Little Women. In her newest novel, People of the Book, the former correspondent in Bosnia for The Wall Street Journal creates a story about the survival of the Sarajevo Haggadah, a lavishly illuminated (and real) Hebrew manuscript created in medieval Spain. The Jewish Community Center, 5601 South Braeswood.

Tickets are $5 general admission and free for students/senior citizens. inprinthouston.org January 13, 7pm – Max Ernst in the Garden of Nymph Ancolie: An Illustrated Conversation LEARN SOMETHING NEW with William Camfield, professor emeritus of art history at Rice University,

who has written extensively on Dada and Surrealism.

His books include the critical biography Francis Picabia and the catalogue Max Ernst: Dada and the Dawn of Surrealism, which accompanied the 1993 exhibition at The Menil Collection and The Museum of Modern Art, New York. He and Josef Helfenstein, director of The Menil Collection, discuss Ernst’s newly restored mural Pétales et jardin de la nymphe Ancolie, 1934, within the context of the artist’s career. The Menil Collection – Free.

January 16, 6pm – Opening Reception: Texas Oil: Landscape of an Industry BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE and learn more about the economic engine of our city with the Blaffer Gallery, Mitchell Center and Buffalo Bayou Partnership presenting an exhibition by the Center for Land Use Interpretation (CLUI), Texas Oil: Landscape of an Industry. On view from January 17 to March 28, Texas Oil includes up to 50 Texas sites that CLUI has identified as discrete anecdotes in the overarching story of how oil has sculpted the state’s terrain. Organized according to the oil industry’s phases of production before and after the refining process, “Upstream” will display oil fields, off-shore oil pipelines, terminals, tankers and crude storage, while “Downstream” will feature refineries, petrochemical plants and distribution. Blaffer Gallery – Free.

January 20, 10pm – Grown-up Storytime: A Family Affair Spend More Time with Family and Friends with BooTown Theatre’s Grown-up Storytime: A Family Affair. You sent BooTown stories about your families, they picked the best ones, and now they will be performed for you!

Aunt Mae, Uncle Joe, Granny Slingshot and your weird cousin that moved to the South Pole will all be there.

Performed at Rudyard’s, 2010 Waugh Dr. Admission is a pinch on the cheek and suggested donation of $5.

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THE GALLERY

12/18/08

10:30 AM

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By Margaret Miller Photography Anthony Rathbun

GALLERY M2: NOTHING SQUARE ABOUT GALLERY M SQUARED address 325 w. 19th st, houston, tx 77008 | phone 713.861.6070 | website gallerymsquared.com

m2 gallery floor

B

usiness partners Max Harrison and Michael Kubis opened Gallery M2 in June of 2005 as a labor of love for the arts community. Their objective was to offer visiting, new-to-the-area and local artists a venue that would provide the visibility that leads to success. The hip M2 logo identifies the gallery’s location on West 19th Street in the Heights and marks the spot where many Houston artists got their start.

With more than 28 years of experience in research and development at Brown & Root, Michael keeps the gallery running smoothly. Max earned a degree in art history from the University of St. Thomas but credits his grandmother—a composer, poet, painter and sculptor—for introducing him to what would become his life’s passion. He’s the voice of the business—and the creative force behind it.

THEIR OBJECTIVE WAS TO OFFER VISITING, NEW TO-THE-AREA AND LOCAL ARTISTS A VENUE THAT WOULD PROVIDE THE VISIBILITY THAT LEADS TO SUCCESS. Max identifies the gallery as an artist initiative. Artists are invited to send images of their work on a CD, which is reviewed by a select group of jurors who determine whether the art—video, photography, drawings, ceramics, sculpture, glass—is a good fit for the gallery. The panel includes professors from the art department at the University of St. Thomas as well as working artists such as Sharon Kopriva and her husband, Gus Kopriva, who owns Redbud Gallery.

“We like to think of the gallery as a stepping stone for the artists,” Max says. “A place that gladly shows their work, a place where they can get exposure, learn marketing. I want the artist to think that we’re not the end but a starting point, a beginning.”

Prior to its life as a gallery, the space on West 19th Street was an antique shop and before that, a drugstore. The walls inside Gallery M2 are painted ‘Garden Gate Green,’ an idea suggested by acclaimed designer Kelly Gale Amen.

“We were doing a show featuring his furniture, and he asked whether we could paint the gallery green,” Max remembers. “My favorite color! We brought in a crew and I fell in love with it. That was two years ago in November. At night this place is most beautiful,” he muses. “The ceiling fades away. The artwork glows.”

When the gallery opened, the floor was a bland putty color. Not wanting to repaint it, Max invited children who came in with their parents to draw on it. The floor has become a living work of art. He’s amazed at how many of the kids come back to look at their artwork, to touch it up. There are phone numbers, graffiti, constellations, a fat cat painted orange, a list of names in a box titled “Tribes.” A million scribbled designs. Max points out a large drawing of Texas on the center of the floor. “This was part of a show about the Texas moratorium. In 1976, 385 people were executed. But during the show, one more person was executed. So the number was marked out and changed to 386 — and 386 syringes were exhibited on top of the drawing.”

The owners have a special appreciation for artists that integrate salvaged pieces of ordinary objects. Ibsen Espada, whose work was exhibited at the gallery throughout December, created paintings on cutouts of metal security doors that would otherwise have been thrown away. Artist Joyce Harlow, also represented by M2, crafts whimsical sculptures using found objects, recycling old bits and pieces with fresh creativity. Recycling is a concept that Max finds appealing on many levels.

“EVERY GENERATION ASKS THE SAME QUESTIONS AND HAS SIMILAR CONCERNS. ARTISTS RECYCLE IDEAS, EMOTIONS, FEELINGS AND EXPERIENCES THAT ARE RELEVANT TO ALL HUMANITY.” Max and Michael are sympathetic to the needs of nonprofit groups who need to raise money but who can’t afford to pay for a venue. They’re well known for repurposing their gallery space, donating its use for plays, fashion shows, concerts and other fund-raising events. It’s a way, they say, of giving back.

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FOR ART’S SAKE

12/18/08

10:31 AM

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Interview by Lance Scott Walker Photography Cody Bess

ARTIST CHRISTY KARLL MCWHORTER my essential interest is in nature – particularly landscape – but conveying nature as opposed to depicting it

SO WHAT’S YOUR NEWEST PROJECT? Well, I’m busy working on a few projects ... a oneperson show in 2010, some group shows along the way. Actually, I’ve avoided showing my work publicly for the last four years until recently. I have been producing work—just not showing. I’m excited about changing that. Is that what you’re asking?

Uhmmmm, I can tell you what interests me in my work. My essential interest is in nature – particularly landscape – but conveying nature as opposed to depicting it. I’m concerned with the protecting of nature and the process by which nature protects itself. My work represents the link between humans and the animal world.

DO YOU GET INTO A DIFFERENT SORT OF HEADSPACE WHEN YOU’RE SCULPTING VERSUS PAINTING? Sometimes I’ll work simultaneously on a painting and a sculpture, translating one to another, sharing information. There’s an interaction between the two with the use of materials and techniques. I find it more difficult to translate a drawing into a painting. My paintings are created from scratch and tend to be more abstract. I use metaphors and symbols – sometimes adding a sculptural element to the painting.

Though different processes are used for a particular function in painting and sculpture they each revolve around similar themes. Take for instance, a sculpture of bundled twigs with leaves, strands of hair and cloth wrapped with wire. The compulsive act of wrapping the wire might translate into the building up of layers upon layers of material consisting of leaves, strands of hair and plaster in an area of a painting. Both share organic material symbolizing infinite fragility. Both convey a sense of preserving, protecting, the passage of time and the interconnectedness of all living things.

Regardless of the medium, they share elements of information. I have heard artists say that they feel like two different people when alternating works. It’s funny, sometimes I think my brain works differently than others. (I know my husband would agree... ha!)

An art collector once commented, while viewing my artwork, that transforming complex ideas into the simplest forms appeared easier for me than transforming the more simple. I don’t know, maybe that’s true ... I get lost in simple things. I have always liked philosophy; and the more abstract and complex something is, the more interesting it is to me!

HOW ON EARTH DO YOU GO ABOUT BUILDING A WILDLIFE REFUGE ON YOUR PROPERTY? WHAT KIND OF ANIMALS? My husband, Hal McWhorter, and I had always planned to have a farm in the country. We decided to purchase a property with an existing cabin just outside of Houston (an hour and a half drive), that way our dog Pecos could make the trip with us. I converted the barn into my studio. In 1990, as a supporter of animal rights, I met Dr. Jane Goodall, the well-known primatologist and UN Messenger of Peace. Goodall’s pioneering research transformed scientific perceptions of the relationship between humans and animals. Meeting Jane Goodall and having the opportunity to spend some time with her deeply affected my life.

The more Hal and I discussed our property the more we realized that we wanted to do something special to care for the land and it would have to be in the best interest of the animals that lived there. Mainly the deer that we would share the land with. One night I woke up from a dream—not just any dream, not your ordinary dream, but one so intense that you feel like it is real. I dreamt that I was a deer. I mean, I was the deer. I was a deer hiding in the tall grass and in the distance I could hear the roar of a loud engine. It was coming closer and closer and the roar was getting louder and louder. My heart was pounding. It came so close that I could feel the earth vibrating.

It was the most horrifying feeling. It was such a visceral and horrifying experience.

Creating a wildlife habitat is not that difficult but it is time-consuming. We planted food plots of chickpea and clover.

We set up deer feeders that dispense healthy protein pellets for nutrition. Not corn which has no nutritional value – it’s like feeding them candy. The wildlife refuge takes informed and compassionate action to protect animals and to improve their habitat. Wild animals or farm animals – we have a responsibility toward all creatures.

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GISH AT THE MOVIES

12/18/08

10:31 AM

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By Sarah Gish

WHAT A YEAR 2009 WILL BE! WE’VE HAD THE MOST HISTORIC ELECTION IN MY LIFETIME AND WE’RE SWEARING IN THE FIRST AFRICANAMERICAN PRESIDENT. BUT WE’RE HAVING A LITTLE TROUBLE WITH OUR ECONOMY, AND WE ARE ALL FINALLY AGREEING THAT THERE IS GLOBAL WARMING. WHAT KEEPS US GOING IN THESE CRAZY, EXCITING TIMES? MOVIES! SINCE IT’S THE END OF AN ERA WITH MAYOR WHITE LEAVING US IN NOVEMBER, I CHECKED IN WITH FIRST LADY AND AUTHOR ANDREA WHITE TO SEE WHAT HER FAVE FILM IS. ALTHOUGH SHE WOULDN’T PICK JUST ONE, SHE TOLD ME A FAVORITE IS THE “LORD OF THE RINGS” SERIES: “I LOVED READING TOLKIEN’S BOOKS WHEN I WAS GROWING UP AND DIRECTOR PETER JACKSON’S DEPICTION OF THE SNUG HOBBIT HOUSES IN THE GREEN COUNTRYSIDE WAS PERFECT. TOLKIEN’S MESSAGE HAD AN IMPACT ON ME. IT WAS ONLY WITH GOLLUM’S HELP THAT FRODO WAS ABLE TO THROW THE RING INTO THE FIRE. INSPIRATION, LOVE, LIFE, WISDOM AND DELIVERANCE CAN COME FROM THE MOST UNLIKELY SOURCES.”

Ridley Scott’s latest epic, Kingdom of Heaven, will be shown on Monday, February 23, at 7pm because it’s James T. Hackett’s favorite film.

Mr. Hackett is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, one of the world’s largest independent oil and gas exploration and production companies. He is a director of Halliburton and Fluor Corporation and serves as Chairman of the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Kingdom of Heaven is the story of Balian of Ibelin (Orlando Bloom) who travels to Jerusalem during the Crusades of the 12th century where he is cast as the defender of the city and its people. The film uses the minefield of the Crusades and the strain of Christian-Muslim relations as a backdrop.

What other films do Houstonians escape with? The MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON (mfah.org) found out for their ongoing “Movies Houstonians Love” series and it seems that their luminaries enjoy films that explore religious and philosophical differences among people – and how to work those out.

This month they are featuring Dr. Renu Khator’s favorite film, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, an Indian film about a Bengali Muslim and a traditional Tamil Brahmin wife with a young child who are thrown together by chance on a bumpy cross-country bus ride en route to Calcutta. The pair meets up with Hindu extremists and, by working together, save each other’s lives and learn to work out their differences. Dr. Khator is president of the University of Houston and chancellor of the UH System. Khator was born in Uttar Pradesh, India, and is a noted scholar in the field of global environmental policy. Last January, she and her husband Suresh Khator – also a faculty member at the UH – were awarded the prestigious “Hind Rattan” (Jewel of India), given to nonresident Indians for making outstanding contributions in their field. Mr. and Mrs. Iyer will screen on Monday, January 26, at 7pm.

Houston Grand Opera’s General Director and CEO Anthony Freud picked A Man for All Seasons, to be screened on Monday, March 30, at 7pm. Adapted from Robert Bolt’s play, this is the tale of Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield), the Catholic statesman who opposed King Henry VIII’s (Robert Shaw) self-appointment as spiritual leader of the Church of England.

Freud has guided HGO through the staging of acclaimed new mainstage productions and world premieres; the creation of HGOco, a radical initiative aiming to deepen HGO’s relevance throughout Houston and to restore culture and the arts to positions of central importance in our communities; the creation of the Founder’s Council for Artistic Excellence, a multi-year giving society; and the establishment of the NEXUS Initiative, a new audience development program that provides underwriting for free and affordably priced performances for new audiences.

Whatever your personal film faves are, take time to enjoy this amazing new year!

ART FILMS ARE GOOD FOR THE SOUL… TAKE A FRIEND TO ONE! 25. january09 002houston

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NONPROFIT

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By Sarah Gajkowski-Hill Photography Houston Audubon Society

HOUSTON AUDUBON SOCIETY address 440 wilchester blvd., houston, tx 77079 | phone 713.932.1639 | email info@houstonaudubon.org | website houstonaudubon.org

T

he Houston Audubon Society (HAS) is a nonprofit that doesn’t get nearly as much press as it should. Its mission statement references what most people think about when they hear “Audubon”—everything they do promotes the protection of birds and their habitat. This is a much-needed undertaking in a city where constant development and urban sprawl threatens in every direction.

Protecting the birds’ natural environment includes safeguarding everything that birds need to eat, have shelter and give birth to their young safely. Simultaneously, every creature that comes into contact with the birds or their habitat is going to be protected. The Audubon Society operates from administrative offices in the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary off of I-10 and the Beltway and their educational offices are situated on Sims Bayou. Both locations are dedicated to the wildlife indigenous to Houston—after all, it wasn’t so long ago, only the 1940s, that the Medical Center and Memorial Drive at Beltway 8 were extremely rural areas.

On any given day at the Edith L. Moore Sanctuary you can see or detect the evidence of armadillos, snakes, turtles, bats, butterflies and owls. Larger mammals such as possums and raccoons abound as do the hundreds

“IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THEIR NATURAL HABITAT BE PRESERVED,” explained Executive director Gina

of distinct species of birds.

Donovan, “as many animals are unable to adapt to a new diet or different type of shelter once their habitat is destroyed.” Being a chapter of the National Audubon Society, HAS is affiliated but supports itself completely on its own. Edith L. Moore, a scientist who retired to work in dairy farming and logging on Rummel Creek

Trails

Woodpecker

in 1932, left 17 acres exclusively to be used as a Nature Sanctuary by the Houston Audubon Society. It was the first land they ever acquired. Now, it is one of a network of over 15 distinct areas in and around the greater Houston area considered official HAS Sanctuaries.

In particular danger after Hurricane Ike are the Audubon Society’s coastal sanctuaries, High Island and the Bolivar Flats. Internationally known for the abundance of coastal birds who migrate and nest there during late-March to mid-May, Spring Migration is one of the hugest events of the year for HAS. This year, the Society is counting on their dedicated volunteers and tourists to up the ante as far as donations of financial aid and physical labor. Observation decks that stood sturdily just before the hurricane were leveled to mounds of splintered wood. Most devastating of all, the tide that washed inland covered and inundated the marsh grasses and vegetation with saltwater, killing the nesting grounds and all but erasing the food supply for coastal birds and marine life. In addition to the hurricane damage, other projects need funding. One such project is the restoration of the historic log cabin on the Sanctuary land which was once the home of Edith L. Moore.

While conserving their natural habitat is beneficial to the animals, the Houston Audubon Society is making an impact in the lives of individuals, families and Title 1 schools in our city. There are weekly groups that meet with parents and preschool-aged children, focusing on 26. january09 002houston

Rookery

different environmental lessons each week, such as “Animal Sounds” or “Insects.” Families can go on guided tours called “Family Nature Explore” at the Sims Bayou location or “Owl Prowls” at the Edith L. Moore late night during the winter months.

Amazingly the Society even offers incredibly affordable birthday parties complete with a nature craft, a guided tour, pond dipping—all for up to 16 children.

Camps are offered for children during the summer months and urban schoolchildren who often are intimidated by the “woods” are taken on guided tours throughout the school year. And as for the individual who simply needs a quiet walk in the woods, there is a nature trail open 365 days a year, free of charge.

There are many ways to help create a more environmentally friendly Houston. One way is to contact HAS’s website and become a member. A “Birds and Beaches Benefit” this coming March 5th at the Houston Museum of Natural Science will also raise funds and awareness of Texas’ unique pockets of wilderness.

This swanky evening of cocktails, desserts and live music will undoubtedly host some of the hippest and most environmentally friendly Houstonians as well as raise money for the much-needed coastal areas through silent and live auctions.

Visit houstonaudubon.org for more information about the different programs offered at the various sanctuaries, to buy tickets for the “Birds and Beaches” Gala or to inquire about becoming a member.

Photography by Sarah Gish

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EVENT OPENING OF "THRIVE" EXHIBITION WHY "GENDER, CREATIVITY, AND THE NEW LONGEVITY" CONFERENCE WHERE DIVERSEWORKS WHEN NOVEMBER 14 "Thrive," an exhibition organized by DiverseWorks and the UH Women’s Studies Program, kicked off with a bang. Artists in the exhibition include Elice Arce, Suzanne Bloom, Joanne Brigham, Kathy Hall, Roberta Harris, Rachel Hecker, Lynn Rudolph, Debra Rueb, Toby Topek, Kelli Vance and Dee Wolff.

Ciara Searle, Siobhan Searle, Dina Attar-la

Edward Folse, Carol Schwartz

Eleanor Williams, Bill Lassiter, Geri Arama

Lynn Randolph, Maryscott Hagle

Maria & Patricia Guzman, Seth Capron, John

Martha Holstein, Deborah Haynes

Simon, Maggie, Katie, Scott Jernigan

Sally Russ, Beverly Robinson

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DESTINATION TRAVEL ISSUES | RATHER THAN TELLING YOU OF A FABULOUS DESTINATION THIS MONTH, WE DECIDED TO HELP YOU GET AHOLD OF YOUR 2009 TRAVELS WITH A LITTLE TRAVEL EDUCATION AND THE JOYS OF UTILIZING A TRAVEL AGENT.

R CES FO RESOUR EARCH RES TRAVEL isor.com TripAdv rs.com m From e r.com Kiplinge com e n han l.

TravelC

MISCONCEPTION 1. THEY’RE GOING TO TRY TO SELL ME SOMETHING I DON’T WANT—THAT’S HOW THEY MAKE MONEY. A good agent works for you! It’s their job to offer you options. Plus, they are constantly studying what’s new, special and worth the asking price. Their experience is worth its weight in gold and, in most cases, doesn’t cost you a thing. Keep in mind they go on trips to check out various destination cities and are hosted by an array of people and places that want YOU to visit them. So in essence they test various spots.

MISCONCEPTION 4. I DON’T USE A TRAVEL AGENT BECAUSE I DON’T KNOW A GOOD ONE. Take the advice of experts. Condè Nast Traveler annually interviews thousands of agents and taps a select few as “The World’s Best” such as Tom Baker, president of Houston-based CruiseCenter.com and Condè Nast’s “World’s Leading Large Ship Specialist.” Check out this list....or ask a friend or family member. Most of the top agents rely almost exclusively on recommendations of their clients. Chances are if your friends are happy, you will be too.

MISCONCEPTION 2. THEY DON’T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THE PLACE I WANT TO GO AND THEY DON’T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT ME TO MAKE GOOD SUGGESTIONS. Expert agents know the right questions to ask. The process is simple and fun, saves you hours and the results can be amazing. Once you find an agent you trust, you’ve got a ‘new best friend!’

TIPS FOR MAKING THE TRAVEL AGENT EXPERIENCE BETTER AND SAFER THAN BOOKING TRAVEL ONLINE.

MISCONCEPTION 3. THEY CAN’T GET ME AS GOOD A DEAL AS I CAN FIND ONLINE. THE PRICE WILL BE HIGHER IF I USE A TRAVEL AGENT. Savvy travel agents not only have their fingers on the pulse of the best deals – they are also value interpreters…what’s included, what’s not and how to get the most for your money and the best experience for your vacation.

ASK QUESTIONS. As a travel specialist gets to know you, ask some of your own. You’ll feel confident and secure in your decisions about how to spend precious vacation time. You won’t be able to do this when you “click to book.” Booking with an agent gives you peace of mind. One caveat: some online booking sites promote “live agents.” These agents work from scripts and know little, if anything, except what’s on the page in front of them. You’ll be able to tell the difference as soon as you speak with an experienced travel professional.

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SAVE TIME AND AVOID MISTAKES. If that hotel room in Rome you booked online turns out to have one single bed and no bathroom or the connecting flights you selected are humanly impossible to make, you haven’t saved money at all! In today’s complicated world, your agent will make sure your romantic Greek Islands cruise doesn’t turn out to be on a day ferry!

AVOID PROBLEMS. Things happen. It’s the greatest luxury in the world to have someone who’s just a phone call away, ready to be your advocate and problem solver. A well-respected travel professional doesn’t just “talk the talk.” They know the right people in the right places to help when you need it most. There’s just one word for the value of this: priceless!

USE THE FULL RANGE OF A TRAVEL AGENT’S SERVICES. A knowledgeable agent can add all the bells and whistles to transform a vacation into the trip-of-a-lifetime.

With reliable resources all over the world, your wish is their command. There’s no website out there that can customize your vacation like a travel professional.

Photography by Daniel Ortiz

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EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE HOUSTON SLEEP-OUT WHY TO BENEFIT S.E.A.R.C.H. WHERE BLUE LABEL LOUNGE WHEN OCTOBER 29 With sponsors like Max’s Wine Dive, Soma Sushi and Ketel One and a setting like Blue Label Lounge, this event had the foundation for success. Robin and Charles Reimer and Vince Rachal hosted a happy hour of giving that raised $15,000 in one night and made $10,000 more in commitments for S.E.A.R.C.H. Homeless Services.

Charles & Robin Reimer, Vince Rachal, Elise Horner

Doug Dawson, Anthony Weaver

Shireen Taylor, Dirya Paralkar

Fred & Anna Aguilar

Ken Harrison, Kelly Anzilotti

Jessica Winter, Erin Webb

Charlotte Sherwood, Jennifer Stein, Shawn Bloom

Sara Lloyd, Iris Arce, Tamar Mendelssohn

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born cool. grow hip.

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grow green!

AS A PARENT YOU’RE ALWAYS TRYING TO DO THE VERY BEST FOR YOUR CHILDREN. NOW WE LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE MOST PARENTS JUST WANT TO HELP DELIVER TO THEIR GROWING CHILDREN A WORLD AS BEAUTIFUL AND SELFSUFFICIENT AS THE ONE WE’VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW. GRANTED THIS NEWFOUND AWARENESS TO NURTURE MOTHER EARTH IS DUE TO OUR LACK OF TAKING CARE OF HER, BUT THIS HAS SPROUTED STORES LIKE BEBÉ VERDE WHICH ONLY OFFERS GREEN ITEMS.

By Lindsay Hagood Photographed by Sofia van der Dys

{

BEBÉ VERDE 1741 west alabama 713.522.7373 bebeverde.com

}

(clockwise from top left) Green coveralls and pink PJs by Kicky Pants are made with bamboo, $27 & $26 | Sophie the Giraffe by Vulli hails from France and is made from 100% natural rubber and food paint, $20.50 | Sock Monkey by Maggie’s Menagerie – ‘less than perfect’ socks taken from Maggie’s sock and apparel line are used to create stuffed animals made with certified organic fibers, $20 | Pink Cozy Toesies by Isa Booties, eco-friendly shoes are completely animal and formaldehyde-free, $29 | Graphic Guitar All-in-Two Diaper & Black Large Dot by Poppy Pants reusable diapers, $19 each | Disposable Bags Nature Baby Care | Fuchsia Cozy Toesies by Isa Booties | No-Spill Cup (with hole in the middle), Catch Bowl & Utensils by boon, modern, baby-friendly designs, $5.99, $6.99 & $4.99 | Oval xylophone (on floor) by Plan Toys®, made from rubberwood trees, $19 | Safe Sippy™, free of toxic chemicals such as BPA & pthalates, $15.95 | Diapers & Baby Wipes by Nature Baby Care are all biodegradable and made with natural materials, $3.99, $11.99 and $3.79 30. january09 002houston

}

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Beautiful I

Bugs

By Stacy Parker

F YOU’RE MARRIED, OR HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INVITED TO A WEDDING, CHANCES ARE YOU’VE SEEN THE NAME ANNA WEATHERLEY ON A REGISTRY. MOST RECENTLY, WEATHERLEY WAS IN HOUSTON TO SHOW HER LATEST COLLECTION FOR NEIMAN MARCUS. THE INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED CHINA DESIGNER FROM HUNGARY HAS HAD A VARIED CAREER INCLUDING DESIGNING COUTURE FASHION, JEWELRY AND PRINTED TEXTILES. PROUD OF HER INDEPENDENCE, WEATHERLEY HAS NEVER WORKED FOR ANYONE. SHE IS INTERESTED AND INFLUENCED BY BOTANICAL ART BUT HAND-PAINTED OBJECTS REMAIN HER ABSOLUTE PASSION. I had the opportunity to sit down with her and view her current collection. Weatherley is “inspired by just going out for a walk,” she says, “and then I look at the leaves and the flowers so it evolves, so each time I see a leaf I wonder how beautiful they are and even a leaf to me is a beautiful masterpiece.” The emotion is translated into her romantic botanical designs. “Shape is very important to me and my designs are lighthearted and not terribly serious. They are fun and games, one of a kind.”

Weatherley goes above and beyond to create beautiful masterpieces for your table. She designs porcelain with a sense of humor. For example, on a plate she will put a bug, only where your coffee or tea cup will cover it, so when you take a drink the insect will appear. Weatherley loves this sort of deliberate, subtle creative touch. On another nature piece she has a frog attempting to catch a fly. The grasshopper is a favorite, and each one is given a different personality. Her signature insect is the butterfly, which she uses on a lot of her creations, collection after collection. Flowers, fruits, butterflies and bugs are given a new permanent spirit on the surface of fine white porcelain.

Weatherley is very well known in Washington, DC, where she currently resides. Many politicians are avid collectors of her tableware. In fact, the US Senate commissioned her for her works. Her porcelain is in the White House and Blair House. When Prime Ministers come from other countries, they dine with her charming collection watching the insects appear and disappear.

She is currently working on a design for the Senate based on 19th-century frescoes.

Weatherley’s designs bring blooms blossoming, butterflies fluttering and botanicals bursting off plates as only Weatherley can to delight your tabletop. When I asked her what piece a novice collector should begin with, she answered, “So what you do is you create your own flower garden. All of the colors and flowers you love you just put on your table and nothing matches, so you create your own garden.” She is not one of those designers who dictates what you should and shouldn’t do. The whole idea is to mix and match, use bright and different colors to create your own imaginative work of art. Her designs let you be creative. “There is no preference, there is no matching. Create your own table, put everything you love on the table.” Brides from all over the country covet her fairy-tale inspired schemes. Most brides choose “Spring in Budapest” mixed with simply “Anna.”

She is inspired by her hometown in Budapest, Hungary, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe with approximately 20 million visitors a year. Weatherley has roughly 60 painters working for her at her studio in Budapest, to satiate all those brides. She travels all over the country doing about 3-4 signing events a year.

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1

STEPHANIE EDWARDSMUSA

NICOLE LAURENT age 29 sign Capricorn origin Pilgrims occupation Director of Architecture Center Houston

PEOPLE OF HOUSTON

2 age 31 sign Capricorn origin US-Houston Houstonian occupation Realtor®/ Certified EcoBroker®

Photography by Aaron M. Sprecher

3 CISCO CARDENAS age 36 sign Capricorn origin México occupation Bikram Certified Yoga Teacher, Advertising Sales

1. NICOLE LAURENT WHAT IS THE WORST FASHION TREND YOU LOVED? Black nail polish; still love it.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT? Hitting ‘reply all’.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Watching my father perform brain surgery.

HOW DO YOU STAY IN SHAPE? Getting an occasional margarita without salt.

2. STEPHANIE EDWARDS-MUSA WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TREND? I have always done my own thing, whatever is casual.

IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY, WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU WOULD BUY? A home ‘off the grid’.

WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? Have fun with the kids.

WHERE DO YOU PLAN TO GO ON YOUR NEXT VACATION? North Carolina – away to the mountains.

3. CISCO CARDENAS WHAT IS THE WORST FASHION TREND YOU LOVED? They were bad trends, right? Let’s not re-live the past.

IF YOU COULD MEET A CELEBRITY, WHO WOULD IT BE? Carol Burnett – that woman is just amazing.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Laughing with friends on the beach in Greece.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Not one thing. I have learned to like myself just as I am…..Although I have been told I have fat fingers. HA! 32. january09 002houston

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COSTUMES FOR COCKTAILS

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Styling by Beatrice Valencia Photography by Gabriella Nissen Illustration by Cynthia Bogart

LAB 5 FASHION - 309 Gray St. 713.526.5525 HEB BUNKER HILL - 9710 Katy Freeway 713.647.5900 LARA MILLER @ alchemy.net OLSEN HAUS @ mooshoes.com ASHLEY WATSON @ kaightny.com NUGAARD @ shop.nugaarddesigns.com

MEAN,

GREEN

FASHION

MACHINE!

2 1 I have experimented with all sorts of eye creams, but with this one, I can truly SEE the difference. Oil of Olay Total Effect Transforming eye cream $19 @ HEB Bunker Hill

These leaves are real! And dipped in gold.

The leaves are gathered from the trees without harming the environment, and the practice is certified by environmental agencies. Nugaard real leaf earrings $149

5

4

3

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN. WITH OUR SECOND EDITION OF THE GREEN ISSUE, BEING “GREEN” IS NO LONGER A TREND BUT A LIFESTYLE. WHILE OPTIONS WERE A BIT SCARCE LAST YEAR, A WHOLE NEW CROP OF DESIGNERS ARE ON BOARD TO MAKE THIS TRANSITION EASY.

1. This tank is actually 2 looks in one. Wear it this way or flip and expose the knit “x” pattern for a textured look. Even better, the tank is sustainable and all natural. Lara Miller Marie tank in ash $55 | 2. The drape on this pullover coincides with the body – a very organic feel to earth-friendly fashion.

Lara Miller Callie pullover in bone $260 | 3. These are my all-time favorite skinny jeans. When I got a hole in the knee, I thought it was over. But then I started to like the carefree vibe it lends to my outfits. Seven for All Mankind Edie Jeans $180 @ Lab 5 | 4. This cute bootie is pure vegan! The neutral colors make it easy to pair with other outfits and the low heel is a must to trek around. Olsen Haus Groove ankle bootie w/ splatter paint $235 | 5. I had to include this boot. The color is spectacular! The silver paint is so early 90’s. Olsen Haus Luck boot in blue $255 | 6. Made from recycled leather, this bag is quite light and lets my hands remain free for other tasks. Ashley Watson small Lark Bag in navy $308 34. january09 002houston

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002houston magazine hits the streets

DISCOV

Interview and Photography by Lindsay Hagood

ERY G REEN

, GREE N

MARKE

T

NATE MACK,

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BEGIN CREATING RECYCLED ART? Hurricane Ike. It left so much debris. My current work is from a cedar fence that blew over.

SEANNA HARRINGTON, Owner/Designer, Ivy & Holland YOUR JEWELRY IS HANDMADE WITH “NEW & RECYCLED PRETTY THINGS.” WHAT IS THE STRANGEST OBJECT YOU’VE USED TO CREATE A PIECE? One of those

1970’s pull tabs from a Coke can I found on the ground.

MATT & KAI (son) WEAVER,

What’s the best part of your job?

That I’m giving back to the Earth.

LISA HOMMEL,

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BEGIN A “GREEN” COMPANY? Sustainability.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY GABRIELLA NISSEN STYLING AND ART DIRECTION BY CARLA VALENCIA DE MARTINEZ

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1. Feed Bag, $30 at Whole Foods; The Soap & Paper Factory Body Cream $56; Red Flower little flower candle $12 at redflower.com; Lavender and lemongrass Whole Foods Candle $9.99 – made from soy/vegetable, clean burning and scented with essential oils; Sula nail polish rocks! Water-based formulas can be peeled off in a jiffy, which means no harsh polish remover required. $10 at Anthropologie; One With Nature Dead Sea Mineral Soaps with no artificial anything, $3.79 at Whole Foods and Lavender Body Lotion that had us inhaling deeply during the photo shoot. $9.99.

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6. Nude Moisturizing Body Cream, Night Oil Cleansing Face Wash and Lips $14 - $78 at sephora.com – Besides the fact that all Nude formulas are biocompatible, meaning they utilize high-performance bioavailable (or natural) ingredients that work with the skin’s inherent biology, the square-edged, rubberized bottles and jars are completely recyclable and 40% of the collection is made of 50% post-industrial recycled plastics. Plus the exterior sleeve is made of biodegradable starch and can be composted!

2. Soap & Paper Bath Fizzing Bath Salt $36 Salt in fig

4. Pangea Organics Facial Scrub $33 at Whole Foods – their packaging is plantable, soak the box for one minute and plant it for fresh sweet basil!

Burt’s Bees Fabulously Fresh Peppermint and Rosemary soap $4, Whole Foods; Borba’s Gummi Bear Boosters (OK, technically not green but they are good for you), 6 a day keeps skin flawless $25 at borba.com; One With Nature vanilla oatmeal soap; Red Flower Japanese peony cleansing body wash $20, redflower.com – with over 100 products, each with the generosity of scent, health and environmental consciousness, performance and integrity making red flower so innovative. OleHeriksen express the truth anti-aging moisturizer $65 & visual truth eye cream $45 at olehenriksen.com – all paraben-free.

3. SL2 solar-powered flashlight SL, $29 sirtified.com – design funded by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. In developing countries this light saves users money presently spent on lighting kerosene. It also reduces carbon emissions into the atmosphere, carbon particulate inhalation and fire risk, improving the overall quality of life.

5. Sun Jar $40, sirtified.com – The Mason jar + high tech energy-efficient lighting! Highly efficient solar cell, rechargeable battery and low energy LED lamps create an electrical current that charges the battery over a few hours when placed in direct sunlight. Turns itself on when it’s dark, powering the three LED lamps inside the jar.

8. Red Flower Kinmoxei wild lime silk oil $44; DKNY perfume – OK, technically not green, but an apple is!

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7. Cedarwood Sweet Tobacco soy candle by Chesapeake Bay Candle $20 at chesapeakebaycandle.com.

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9. Nou perfume smells perfectly green $85, comobrigante.com; Ancient Attar Pure-fume spirit aroma spray by Aveda – celebrates 30 years of Aveda aromas featuring pure plant and flower essences sustainably sourced from longstanding partnerships with farmers and indigenous peoples across the globe. $70 at aveda.com. Parducci sustainable White Wine from Whole Foods $10.99 – ecofriendly, the sustaibable practices used to produce it have little to no effect on the environment, it tastes good and easy on the wallet. Sukiface exfoliating cleanser $29.95; balancing day lotion $31.95 and bio-C serum $80, all at Whole Foods. All products are hand-made, 100% pure organic skin care integrated with cutting-edge technology. The Sak Pac Eco canvas tote, thesak.com – The Sak’s first sustainable collection donates proceeds from sakroots to the Nature Conservancy Plant a Billion Trees Campaign.

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10. Thymes Essentials collection body scrub, face wash, face polish and foot soak $6 - $27 at thymes.com – Environmentally friendly paraben-free streamlined formulations. Kiehl’s Coriander and Pear Gently Exfoliating Body Scrubs $25 at kiehls.com; Ibex Pez reversible hooded vest $135 ibexwear.com – Their Merino wool supply chain taught them about respecting not only the fiber and sheep, but also about sustainability. In 2006 Ibex’s Woodstock, Vermont headquarters switched to using 100% Cow Power™, one of the country’s fastest-growing renewable energy programs and encouraging employees to ride their bikes to work.

1

2

3

56

4

8 7

9

A Better Bag 99¢ or 79¢ – designed in collaboration with Sheryl Crow to benefit the Natural Resource Defense Council at Whole Foods.

S, TRUNK S E H T ALL EAVE HES, L BRANC URED ON FEAT ERE GES W A P E S FUL THE EAUTI N THE B I T UC O DESTR .

E K I Y LEFT B

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IT’S COOL TO ________. compost

MPOSTING? WHAT IS CO soil treasures! If g trash into top nin tur is g tin ers os Comp or apple leftov opped banana ere wh it’s you’ve ever dr t track bu u’re on the right ng thi r he behind, then yo es do e tur t’s key. Mother Na er. Table you place it tha sw an ple sim ce. That’s the with your assistan e things that we r and branches ar pe pa s, start scraps, leave of. Once you take advantage not it’s t should learn to bu ist em y feel like a ch ma u yo g, tin os comp

lhas a chemical ba elming. Nature air at, he really that over wh gi, ria, fun intained by bacte a ance that is ma of soil to that in nt ou am all sm a d Ad . mter co wa and your very own and you’ve got to contained area n your pile often tur d re to mix an is t os mp post pile. Be su Co s. proces decomposition eat gr a It’s accelerate the s. en rd ga for plants and in fits and used as fertilizer The results, bene ld! go o int sh way to turn tra anding! rewards are outst

As told to hip composter by renaissance man Aaron Courtland.

Photography by Sofia van der Dys

SUPPLIES

GLOVES 3 WOOD PALLETS WIRE = USED AS HINGE SHOVEL SOIL/MANURE = 1 INCH COARSE MATERIAL = TREE BRANCHES ORGANIC MATERIAL = LEAVES & GRASS

WHOOPS

Remember your gloves – to not get splinters and have any other minor accidents.

SET-UP

DOOR

Find a place out of obvious eye view for your compost bin. Stand your wooden pallets up into a triangle shape with the narrow slits on the inside. Then start combining the pallets with the wire in the top and bottom corners. Leave one corner open to use as a door.

After you have connected two of your corners with wire, test your door by opening and closing.

REDUCE + REUSE + RECYCLE

WHOOPS

Don’t get too excited about your progress. Remember what belongs in the compost bin and what does not!

LAYERS

Start adding your layers of coarse material, organic material, soil/manure, table scraps. *Repeat.*

DO – Tree branches, grass, newspaper, rotten fruit, moldy vegetables; mix and water regularly. (Every 6-7 days during warmer temps and once a month during cooler temps.)

DON’T – Put any meat, dairy products, fats, oils or any animal waste into the compost bin.

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SPREAD

Mother Nature breaks down all the materials and with what’s left over you may spread and sprinkle your compost around your yard/garden. You can even donate your compost to others. If you have little ones, get them involved too. They may be interested in naming some of the critters that are living in your compost bin. Watch your plants and garden flourish from what was once waste!

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ON OUR RADAR

Photo credit: DLG Ice Factory

002+magazine

002houston January 09:002houston

[ICE] Seven of the most acclaimed ice sculptors in the country will compete on SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2009, AT DISCOVERY GREEN. “Houston’s First Annual Magnificent Seven All Out Ice Sculpting” competition will pit seven artists competing to create the best ice masterpiece, using seven tons of ice in seven hours. The public is invited to watch as the top ice carving sculptors in the country create their unique ice sculpture with chain saws, blowtorches and unrivaled creativity. Acclaimed artists and ice sculptors include Reverend Butter, Gonzo, Buddy Rassmussin, Dan Rebolze and Dean Demaris.

[ART]

[VIVE LA FRANCE]

The Museum of Fine Arts opened the Indonesian Gold gallery last month. It houses the collection that the late Alfred C. Glassell, Jr., donated to the museum in 2004 and 2006, a landmark achievement for the MFAH. The collection is the largest in the US and is widely considered one of the best in the world outside of Jakarta. The new installation marks the first time that these unparalleled objects will be seen in this scope, and the gallery will include maps and interpretative materials to help visitors learn more about Indonesian culture and the works on view. The gallery is the second of five new spaces being created to present the Arts of Asia at the MFAH.

THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT, AS PART OF IT STRATEGY TO REJUVENATE ITS TOURISM INDUSTRY, HAS CREATED A NEW FRANCE BRAND THAT INCLUDES A NEW LOGO AND TAGLINE: THE NEW FACE OF FRENCH TOURISM, A MODERNDAY MARIANNE WHO IS SENSUAL, TIMELESS AND FORWARD-LOOKING. (MARIANNE HAS BEEN THE PERSONIFICATION OF FRANCE SINCE THE FRENCH REVOLUTION.)

[RETAIL]

[GO BROWN]

St John’s recently opened its new boutique concept with a palette dubbed “St. John platinum” featuring Cerused oak, Tundra Gray marble and an exclusive crystal chandelier designed by Boyd Lighting, Venetian plaster, and stamped crocodile embossed fixtures with burnished bronze metal accents.

UPS thinks green. We see those trucks day in and out and it’s nice to know they have a green initiative called Decision Green. They find ways to renew, reduce and reuse resources in their global transportation network. UPS incorporates and invents new technology and processes that save time and resources, from alternative fuel vehicles to routing technology.

[YOGA NEWS] JUST IN TIME FOR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS, JOY YOGA CENTER WILL BE OPENING THE DOORS ON THEIR NEWLY ADDED STUDIO EXPANSION! THE ADDITIONAL 1500 SQUARE FEET OF STUDIO SPACE CREATES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE HOUSTONIANS TO DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF YOGA AND TO START THEIR NEW YEAR OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT. 41. january09 002houston

002houston January 09:002houston

RETAIL WRAP

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Photography by Daniel Ortiz

NAME TERESA O’CONNOR | BOUTIQUE HELLO-LUCKY

years in operation 1 in january | address 1025 studewood st., houston, tx 77008 | phone 713.864.3556 | website hello-lucky.com

CURRENT OBSESSION: Chunky Pendants, Bows, Lariats, Chunky Vintage Pins and Earrings for constructing combined upscaled/upcycled necklaces DESIGN INSPIRATION | ICON: INSPIRATION – Ed Hardy, Betsey Johnson, Gwen Stefani, Chloe Dao ICONS – Johnny Depp, Tom Waits, Gwen Stefani, Cameron Diaz HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS BUSINESS? Being a video and installation artist is not a great way to try to make a living so I started creating designs from my installations, like t-shirts, and selling the designs instead of worrying about the marketability of my artwork. This allowed me to make the work I want. While designing I started meeting other artists that were into functional products as well as their fine art. I started working with several of these artists, curating temporary boutiques inside galleries. These shops were called Art Star. Art Star eventually evolved into Hello-Lucky, a boutique with well-designed handmade items. a side note: I have been making jewelry on and off again for years. I believe I made my first jewelry designs when I was about 8. My dad and I would tumble rocks and I would set stones in rings and pendants. My dad would take my designs to Denny’s, his almost daily stomping ground, and show the waitstaff my work.

Some of the staff would buy my jewelry and I would get to see them wearing it when I visited my dad and we would go to the restaurant.

WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER BOUTIQUES? The focus of Hello-Lucky is handmade local, sweatshop-free and select vintage.

Most of the artists I work with are involved in giving back to the community, maybe through donating part of their sales to animal rescue or donating their time to a children’s organization, just two examples. Hello-Lucky works with a nonprofit each quarter donating part of the in-store sales to the nonprofit as well as offering information about the organization at our shop. We also have a drive every two months for another charitable organization such as collecting can goods for End Hunger.

WHAT ARE YOU COVETING THIS SEASON? Bows and feather vintage pins, asymmetrical design. Color with gray-like light blue and just color, especially a good plum-y purple anything.

RULES OF STYLE 1. KEEP IT SIMPLE, OR LAYER IT ON.

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2.

PRETTY EARRINGS ARE ALWAYS IN STYLE.

3.

A NEW T-SHIRT AND AN AWESOME VINTAGE HANDBAG ARE THE PERFECT COMBINATION.

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ONE GREAT FIT Fit Athletic in River Oaks launches a recycling initiative this month. Jack Tompkins, President & CEO Fit Athletic, is committing resources to raise awareness and encourage members of Fit Athletic and the community withthe importance of recycling and going green. Fit is making changes including using water-saving shower heads, faucet aerators to keep water pressure high while saving water, dryer balls to cut drying time on towels, and installing an additional bike rack and encouraging members living close enough to bike to Fit. Houston is the worst recycler among the United States’ 30 largest cities, and recycles just 2.6 percent of its total waste, according to a study this year by Waste News, a trade magazine.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recycling conserves natural resources that help sustain the environment, reduces the need for landfills, saves energy and prevents pollution. The energy- and resource-conserving process consists of collecting recyclable materials, processing those materials into new products and purchasing products made of recycled materials. Sources houstonbeautiful.org/recycle.htm and nytimes.com/2008/07/29/us/29recycle.html

ONE GREAT DESIGN OPPORTUNITY

The Rice Design Alliances’ Spring Lecture Series on The Innovative Graphic Design Profession begins this month. The four-part lecture series will discuss how graphic design as a discipline and practice embraces a wide range of cognitive, experiential and aesthetic skills including typography, identity, branding, print design, interaction/experience, information and sustainability. The lecture series will feature four iconic graphic innovators.

Wednesday, January 21, STEVEN HELLER CoFounder, MFA Designer as Author program, School of Visual Arts, New York Wednesday, January 28, ANDY ALTMAN Founder, Why Not Associates, London Wednesday, February 4, ELLEN LUPTON Director, Graphic Design MFA Program, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore Wednesday, February 11, MICHAEL ROCK Partner, 2x4, New York Series Tickets: RDA, MFAH members - $20, Senior citizens 65 and older - $15, Students with ID - $10, others - $35. Single tickets available as well.

For more information about this, and all of RDA’s exceptional programming and events, please call 713.348.4876 or visit rda.rice.edu.

ONE GREAT LINK

Q-Link, that is. Dubbed the most advanced personal energy system available. Q-Link’s line naturally reinforces, balances and enhances the body’s energetic system, allowing the body to function more efficiently. As a result, the wearer can experience enhanced well-being, increased mental and physical performance, and improved quality of life. People who wear the Q-Link report an improved awareness and calmness, advanced mental focus, stamina and vitality, stronger resistance to the effects of stress, increased energy, strengthened immunities to cell phone, computer and other electromagnetic fields and reduced effects from jet lag. Maybe it’s mental, but all we can say is that we saw a change in attitude of the wearer in 002’s offices. q-linkproducts.com or call 1.800.246.2765

ONE GREAT M.A.CYCLE M·A·C cosmetics has been doing their own green thing for years. Most M·A·C fans are familiar with the initiative and reap the benefits fully while helping Mother Earth. For every six M·A·C primary packaging containers returned to a M·A·C counter or M·A·C Cosmetics Online, you receive a free M·A·C Lipstick of your choice. Just note that since 100% of the retail-selling price of Viva Glam Lipsticks is provided to organizations that help people living with HIV/AIDS, these colours are excluded from the program.

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002houston January 09:002houston

THING I LIKE LOVE

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By Carla Valencia de Martinez Photography by Sofia van der Dys

I’ve been snuggling my cold feet into FitFlops Billow Boot, the winter version of their toning shoes. I was a huge skeptic about all these toning and lifting shoes, but hey, we have to wear shoes regardless. Let a girl dream…but really my calves do look tighter. $125, available at Blissworld.com

Help! Drain stopper – you just can’t help but laugh! $6.50 at sirtified.com

Plumber’s crack, muffin tops, thongs peeking out. No! – these are not THINGS I LOVE by any means. It’s the isABelt that I love! The thought of going into 2009 helping you all avoid all the above quite literally makes me smile. The thin, clear adjustable belt cinches any pant eliminating the gap in the back that affords us all way too much information. $17, isABelt.com.

“NO! NO!” is what I say every time I have to deal with shaving. But I’m kind of digging this at-home kit that reduces growth by 64%. A gentle wave of heat removes hair leaving only a silk smooth memory. $250 at Sephora

I make apple pie every Thanksgiving. This past one my favorite peeler broke (my fault, not the peeler) a quarter way thru peeling my apples, which was disastrous, as I had to resort to my backup, which, well, sucks. I ran out to replace my Kyocera Ceramic peeler only this one is the enhanced version, which pivots! Oh, am I in peeling heaven. $19.95, williams-sonoma.com

Cannot fathom washing dishes without my Williams-Sonoma pop-up sponges. They occupy no space for storage; I switch one out every month, every year.

LOVE them. Set of 12, $14, williams-sonoma.com 44. january09 002houston

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Cannot imagine a day without my Bose® noise-canceling Mobile On-Ear headset.

First and most important they make traveling less painful by canceling out the horrible hum of plane noise (plus the weirdo I inevitably end up having sit next to me) and they make the flight go by so much quicker. I also use them in our loft office where there is zero privacy. Well, now there is in my little Bose® world. $199 at target.com

The perfect slouchy soft messenger/shoulder/tote bag. PiperXL bag in clay by Jennifer Kale. $395, at tracehandbags.com. I’ve been carrying around the same laptop case for an eternity, until this Acme Made paisley print soft sleeve caught my fancy. Pulling out my laptop day after day makes me smile rather than cringe…. $55-85, acmemade.com

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LETTUCE INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME OF HOUSTON'S GREEN MOVERS + SHAKERS RAWFULLY ORGANIC: ONE WOMAN’S WAY TO A HEALTHIER PLANET IS THROUGH OUR STOMACHS nonprofit co-op that provides fresh produce | 713.898.2689 | kristina@rawfullyorganic.com | rawfullyorganic.com

By Nadia Michel | Photography by Jack Potts Hair by Frank Bradfield and Makeup by Evette Melchor Shot on Location at the Gundermann Farm – Thank You

A

glass of raw potato juice may not be for everyone, but the idea of eating organic, local produce certainly has more mass appeal. Less fuel for transportation and a higher nutrient content are pretty much no-brainers.

Rawfully Organic is a nonprofit co-op that provides fresh produce to the community. “It is made for everyone and is run by everyone to save money, time, the Earth and our health,” says KRISTINA CARILLO-BUCARAM, the woman behind the project.

What began as a somewhat self-serving idea in 2007 has now grown into an organization that prepares about 50-60 shares of produce each week.

Carillo-Bucaram, who became a raw foodist to solve health issues, was finding it difficult to afford the large quantities of produce she was purchasing from natural food stores. THROUGH THE CO-OP, FAMILIES CAN GET A LARGE CASE OF VARIED PRODUCE FOR $80 – A BARGAIN COMPARED TO THE ESTIMATED $120 THE SAME AMOUNT WOULD COST AT SOME ORGANIC SUPERMARKETS. That’s because the co-op eliminates the middleman and taxes. It also provides fresher and less handled foods. Members pick up their case, which can include everything from apples to arugula, every Thursday.

While most people would probably opt to at least steam the broccoli that’s in their share, Carillo-Bucaram is adamant about the benefits of eating produce in its unadulterated, living state. “I’ve been able to help many people begin eating raw foods and it’s been so exciting to watch others with specific health problems improve their lives. Whether someone begins to eat raw to heal cancer or to clear up acne, I’ve seen amazing results from both,” she says. After being diagnosed with hyperglycemia, Carillo-Bucaram came upon raw foodism while shopping for sugar-free food alternatives at a supermarket. A stranger approached her and explained the concept. She hasn’t eaten a baked potato ever since.

Her diet now consists mainly of fruit smoothies, large salads, nuts and seeds.

“People look at me and think, ‘Oh! She’s so tiny! She must not eat!’ Then they watch me down 12 bananas and don’t say anything,” she says. The quantity of raw produce she needs is no laughing matter. In addition to pursuing a triple major at Rice University, she also runs six miles a day.

She also makes a point of dispelling the myth that she might be chewing on carrots all day. “Most people think that it would get boring to eat nothing but fruits and vegetables all of the time, but there are actually enough fruit and vegetable varieties on the earth that even if you tried one new variety every day for the rest of your life, you still will not have tried all of the varieties on the planet!”

If eating nothing but raw produce seems like too much to swallow, participating in a co-op like Rawfully Organic might be an interesting option. The concept encourages local farming, which in turn reduces greenhouse-gas emissions from long-distance transportation. The fact that everything is organic is also tremendously better for the Earth. To our health!

TOP THREE REASONS FOR GREENING YOUR HOME 1. REDUCE GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS 2. SAVE MONEY 3. TRY NEW ORGANIC VEGGIES

To get your share, or to get more information, check out rawfullyorganic.com.

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NEW LIVING: THE PLACE TO GO FOR ECO-HOME IMPROVEMENT

By Nadia Michel Photography by Jack Potts

healthy home essentials | 6111 kirby drive | 713.521.1921 | newliving.net

I

n a world where green is marketing’s new goldmine, it’s important to keep an eye on the ball. Store shelves everywhere are awash with household products that claim to be environmentally friendly, but it takes a keen eye to separate the real deal from the fray.

“Make sure the products you are putting in your home are not ‘green washed’,” says JEFF KAPLAN, owner of retail store New Living. “It’s important to ask questions when buying materials to find out how a product is actually made, what’s in it, what kind of labor standards are used and how it is transported. That is what we are trying to do with New Living.”

The store, located in historic Wagner’s Hardware, sells everything you might need for an earth-friendly home. New Living’s green concept is a first on Houston’s home improvement retail scene, usually dominated by big box stores. And the timing could not be more impeccable. “Houston is one of the leading cities today for building green commercial buildings. WE ARE JUST STARTING TO SEE A STRONG INTEREST IN GREEN HOMES AND GREEN HOME REMODELING,” says Kaplan, also a commercial real estate broker.

About half of New Living’s business comes from working with architects, designers, builders and painters.

In the past, using earth-friendly products and materials often meant lower performance. But that is changing quickly. “The technology behind green products has gotten so good that there really are not any trade-offs today.”

Using green products makes increasing financial sense, too. Cleaning products often go toe-to-toe when it comes to price. While Tide’s Liquid Detergent sells for about 44¢ per load, Ecover’s Ecological Laundry Wash costs about 47¢ per load. “The cost is coming down, and we’re talking about pennies on the dollar to do the right thing today.”

Making a home more “green” may be a matter of interpretation, but for New Living, it means focusing on creating a healthy, safe and clean space.

Every choice we make is important. “I think it makes sense to start with the easy, everyday things. Use non-toxic chemicals to clean your house. This is something you are putting in your home on a daily basis and it directly affects the air quality that you and your family breathe.”

While the response from Houstonians has been tremendous, Kaplan points out that what we put into our homes is only half the story. What we put out is just as important. When asked what we should all be doing more of, his answer was unwavering: “Recycling! It’s ridiculous that it’s so hard to recycle here. Just imagine what an impact we could make if every multi-family building in town had a recycling program.”

TOP THREE REASONS FOR GREENING YOUR HOME

1. CLEANING PRODUCTS HAVE SCENTS LIKE LAVENDER AND GERANIUM 2. HEALTHIER INDOOR AIR QUALITY

3. HIGHER REAL ESTATE RESALE VALUE

JEFF KAPLAN | JENNIFER TOUCHET

IDEAS FOR GREEN HOUSEHOLD CLEANING

1. To clean the microwave, scrub it with a blend of three to four tablespoons of baking soda and water.

2. To make a good window cleaner, blend three tablespoons of vinegar for every one quart of water.

3. For some heavy-duty problems, like mold on grout in your bathroom, it’s better to clean more often to prevent it from taking root than to let it grow and then have to resort to a mold remover loaded with chemicals, experts say.

A natural option: a stiff brush, a non-ammonia detergent, baking soda, water and lots of elbow grease.

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By Nadia Michel Photography by Jack Potts

JAMES CRAIG FURNISHINGS: CATCHING SOME ECO-ZZZ’S ecomfort line | 4500 washington ave. ste. 100 | 713.741.2266 | info@jamescraigfurnishings.com | jamescraigfurnishings.com The recently launched Ecomfort line – made by a company based in California – offers the best of both worlds: the lure of increasingly popular memory foam and technologically advanced environmental friendliness.

Conventional mattresses are made with petroleum-based ingredients such as polyurethane foam, which can emit a strong smell because of organic solvents, especially when new. These harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are associated with upper respiratory problems. Some mattresses are also pretreated with formaldehyde-emitting stain- and water-repellants whose manufacture releases perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a likely human carcinogen according to an EPA advisory panel. Most also contain toxic fireproofing chemicals called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Although these were phased out in 2005, they have been linked to developmental harm in animal studies and found in high levels in American women’s breast milk. Also, companies are not openly revealing the contents of the replacement fire retardants they are using, citing trade secrets.

Environmental watchdogs are concerned the new fiber-barriers might include melamine, one less-toxic material used for fire retardancy. Melamine emits formaldehyde when mixed in with other chemicals and applied onto mattresses.

Not quite what dreams are made of.

Made from plant-based materials, Ecomfort is the first eco-friendly memory foam option. Invented by NASA in the 1970s, typical memory foam is made from polyurethane. The patented EcoMemoryFoam conserves energy by employing zero emissions technology in the manufacturing and refining process. The company also uses other sustainable resources like bamboo for product materials and uses preconsumer recycled products in its base layer.

As part of its “green” manufacturing, Ecomfort has also reduced its carbon footprint by compressing mattresses for each shipment. And because the company is U.S.-based, manufacturing facilities save large amounts of fuel compared to their competitors who ship mattresses from the Far East.

Ecomfort – along with Keathley – are tapping into a billion-dollar memory foam market. According to a market study conducted by Furniture Today in its July 21, 2008 issue, 28 percent of consumers prefer a memory foam mattress. They are prized for their anatomical support. “I love it,” says Keathley, who has converted to the eco-bed. “It’s like hard but not because it conforms to your body.”

That, combined with the environmental factor, fit perfectly with James Craig Furnishing’s business model. “We want customers to have a wonderful buying experience. We want to be a responsible business member of the local community and offer products and services that are eco-friendly and all within close proximity to customers’ homes,” says Keathley.

o you’ve switched to eco-friendly cleaning products, organic foods and a battery-operated ride.

But what about the mattress you spend one third of your life on?

James Craig Furnishings also offers eco-friendly furniture from Vanguard and Lee Industries, companies that use wood from certified sustainable forests and vegetable dyes. And for healthy olfactory enhancement, the shop carries Verde, a Louisiana-based line of soy-based candles made with essential oils and packed in recycled materials. As Keathley says, “They have some awesome, refreshing fragrances.”

When JAMES KEATHLEY of James Craig Furnishings opened his Washington Avenue showroom in April 2008, choosing a mattress company was easy. “If someone is interested in a memory foam mattress, can get a superior product for less money than the industry leader, and it is a truly “green” product, it’s a no-brainer,” he says.

Ecomfort king size mattresses range from $1999 for the 10” Solace to $3999 for the 17” Serenity. To top off your green mattress, look for untreated, organic-cotton bedding. It is now widely available and often reasonably priced. You’ll sleep – and breathe – much easier.

S

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By Shyla Batliwalla Photography by Jack Potts

JILL WHITTEN, WOODLAND HEIGHTS RESIDENTS & JEFF SHELL: A MODEL IN BEING GREEN green valentine project | jeff@greenvalentine.org | greenvalentine.org

J

EFF SHELL defines glamour and beauty. To him, glamour and beauty have an inclusive, and perhaps a bit different, definition. Shell is the director of Texas’ prominent Neal Hamil Modeling Agency. The day war erupted in Iraq (the same day Shell turned thirty) sparked a profound change in him. Seeing the fight for resources in the Middle East inspired Shell to become resource independent. He decided to cultivate his own produce, compost his scraps and raise chickens – all in his backyard. With fresh eggs for breakfast and fresh soil under his fingernails, Shell is lessening his carbon footprint every single day. In 2003, he took his own green practices into our community in the Heights and gave birth to the Green Valentine project.

Shell rests his head in a vintage bungalow on a vast plot in the picturesque Woodland Heights. His urban sanctuary is lined with fifteen types of fruit trees and every vegetable you can imagine – a rarely found eco-fiend’s paradise in the heart of one of Houston’s most desirable neighborhoods. To Shell, horticulture, planting stuff to feed yourself and the nature around you, means a healthy lifestyle: “There’s something wonderful about knowing that you are contributing to a living system.” Anything he can’t produce, he purchases from local organic farmers.

Shell is one of the many Houstonians to participate in the locavore movement, a growing group of citizens who commit to eat locally grown foods.

Consider that the average piece of produce you find at a grocery store has traveled nearly 1,800 miles from the farm to your fridge. Consider the oil, gas, packaging and environmental resources saved by purchasing broccoli grown less than one hundred miles from your home.

The desire to beautify his neighborhood inspired the inception of Green Valentine. GREEN VALENTINE RALLIES HOUSTONIANS TO BEAUTIFY AND GREEN-IFY THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD BY MAKING “A PERSONAL CONNECTION TO THE PLACE WE LIVE.” February 14, 2009, will be the sixth annual Green Valentine, a partnership effort with the City of Houston Parks and Recreations Department, the Heights Beautification Project and the Woodland Heights Civic Association. Students from Houston middle schools participate annually. Shell claims that planting encourages them to live a healthy lifestyle and “re-think all the bad stuff.”

Green Valentine participants know something all of us are not as keenly aware of – the importance of trees. Trees produce oxygen. Without oxygen we would not be alive. A full-grown tree gives off enough oxygen for ten people to live each year. No trees – no people, fewer trees – fewer people; it’s just that simple. To date, Shell’s Green Valentine project has planted nearly 200 trees in all the right places around the White Oak Bayou between Studewood and Houston Avenue – a profound impact.

Shell admits that Houston was not set up to be an eco-friendly city. He charges that the wealthy lifestyles Americans are accustomed to have made us wasteful. He advises fellow Houstonians to “start small, educate yourself and evaluate your consumer choices – remember that change does not happen overnight.”

JILL WHITTEN | JEFF SHELL

Few people would forego time with the most beautiful women in the world for time with chickens. Fortunately, here in Houston we have our very own Jeff Shell to remind us that “it’s true what they say about fresh eggs!” Shell says, “Green Valentine is a symbol of my life and where I am” – and that’s a very green, very beautiful place.

To volunteer at this year’s Green Valentine’s event, contact Jeff Shell at jeff@greenvalentine.org and for more information, go to greenvalentine.org.

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By Nadia Michel Photography by Jack Potts

GULF COAST VELOTEQ: THIS DISTRIBUTOR IS BETTING ON EBIKES AS THE NEXT BIG (GREEN) THING. gulf coast veloteq showroom | 2151 richmond avenue, shepherd plaza | 832.533.2607 | gulfcoastveloteq.com “They are going to become a bigger craze than the scooter was in Europe in the 60’s,” predicts JOCK DRUMMOND, president of Gulf Coast Veloteq. With fluctuating gas prices and an exponentially growing demand for all things green, ebikes make sense.

Contrary to what many people might think, gas-powered motorbikes are not a great environmental choice. “Some reports say traditional scooters have 10 to 87 times higher emissions than cars,” explains Drummond. The numbers can vary, depending on what pollutant is being measured. Scooter and motorcycle emission standards are largely unregulated, so many manufacturers are oblivious.

Power-on-demand ebikes have electric engines and VRSL (Valve Regulated Sealed Lead Acid) colloid batteries that require up to eight hours to charge.

With maximum speeds of about 25 mph, ebikes are intended for city streets only. “You enjoy the view more that way,” suggests Drummond. There is one caveat, however. The bikes can only travel about 35 miles on a full charge, which raises questions about the availability of electrical outlets.

Drummond thinks states and cities will have to make changes to adapt to new technology. He suggests building codes should require electric outlets be readily available to drivers. He likens the amenity to bike racks. “For Americans to make the change there has to be a push from the top,” he says.

Fortunately, if the battery should run out of juice, ebikes have pedals. They also have cargo space under the seat and come in several different glossy models. A recent test drive revealed how much fun these little bikes are. They may not be very aggressive, but they certainly offer a pleasant, comfortable ride. Current Veloteq models range from $1500 to $2000. Recharging the battery costs about 20 cents. It’s hands down one of the most economical rides around.

If the environmental and financial benefits are not convincing enough, VELOTEQ IS ABOUT TO INTRODUCE GROUNDBREAKING NEW TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL MAKE EBIKES RIDE FASTER AND LONGER. A new NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) battery pack is non-toxic and fully recyclable. Smaller and more powerful, the new type of battery allows for speeds of up to 40 mph and charges in about an hour. Veloteq’s new Vader model will be priced at about $3500-4000 (compared to about $3200 for a Vespa with similar specs) and should be available in May. Other ebike brands are available online, sometimes for less money.

Drummond cautions against them, though. “I’ve had people come to me and complain they can’t get any service on bikes they got online,” he says.

A

t first glance, a Veloteq power-on-demand ebike looks a lot like a Vespa, retro curves and all. But lean in a little closer and you’ll find the little tech wonder smells and sounds a lot nicer. The ebike is completely emission-free and only produces a mild buzzing sound when the throttle is turned.

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There are many things we should all be doing to help save our planet. “It’s a holistic solution. It’s about many life changes,” says Drummond. Carbon dioxide emissions are a widely recognized cause of global warming.

Switching to an electric car, lawnmower or an ebike are smart and easy ways to reduce greenhouse gases. Ebikes produce zero emissions, are good-looking and affordable to own. And they come with cruise control. What eco-conscious recessionista could resist that?

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4 THE PARK THE MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY, IN COOPERATION WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND HOUSTON PARKS + RECREATION DEPARTMENT FUN RUN APRIL 4, 2009 | FOR MORE INFORMATION, AND TO REGISTER, VISIT MEMORIALPARKCONSERVANCY.ORG

Alex and I are so excited to be chairing the first ever “4 The Park” Fun Run April 4, 2009. The Memorial Park Conservancy, in cooperation with the City of Houston and Houston Parks & Recreation Department, will host the Fun Run and Picnic modeled after the Katy Trails Run in Dallas. The four-mile run through Memorial Park will include a festival-style picnic featuring 25 local restaurants, beer and wine distributors, the Kid’s Emporium, a Nonprofit Expo featuring environmental groups, and the Corporate Green, featuring some of Houston’s corporate leaders in the “greening” of their industries, where major corporations will showcase their environmentally friendly corporate practices. We anticipate over 2,000 runners and guests will participate in the event, which will benefit the programs and services of the Memorial Park Conservancy. Alex and I use the park on a regular basis as we are sure many of you do as well. Please come out and give back to the park that gives us so much!

Memorial Park was established in 1925. Its 1,503 acres were deeded at cost to the City of Houston in May 1924 by Mike & Will Hogg, sons of James Stephen Hogg, former governor of Texas (1891-95) and native of Rusk, Texas. Memorial Park was created in reaction to letters sent to the Editor of the Houston

Chronicle by Ilona Benda and Catherine Mary Emmott asking the city to consider a park as a tribute to the soldiers who trained at Camp Logan and those who died in World War I. At the behest of philanthropist Ima Hogg (sister to the two donors), several stalwart protectors of park lands (Terry Hershey, Frank C. Smith, Jr., Sadie Gwin Blackburn, Dr. John D. Staub) were charged with protecting Memorial Park from hundreds of various encroachments and development concepts ranging from a fish hatchery to a university to oil drilling. Mrs. Hershey, Mr. Smith and Mrs. Blackburn are still active members of the MPC Board of Directors. The park has served generations of Houstonians as a meeting ground, playground and place for quiet reflection. The Memorial Park Advisory Committee, a cadre of friends of Miss Hogg and community representatives, has served Houstonians dutifully by protecting Memorial Park and fulfilling the wishes of Miss Ima Hogg since her death in 1975. For over 25 years,

the group has met monthly with Houston Parks and Recreation Department directors and city leadership to quietly and capably ensure the protection of the park.

In 2000, the enlarged Memorial Park Advisory Committee was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group. The organization created and championed a Master Plan for Memorial Park designed by Wallace, Roberts & Todd from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Funds raised to provide the base conservation, archeological, vegetation, soil, erosion and traffic flow studies helped the group establish itself among the growing friends of parks groups.

Public use of the park increases every year with the increase in Houston’s population. Money directed to the park from municipal and tax dollars is simply not meeting the needs for maintenance, renovations and repairs at Memorial Park. Tax dollars can only provide minimal maintenance. Private funding is needed to further the improvements necessary to meet the needs of the growing user population.

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K

IM CARLSON IS AN ECO-SAVVY ENTREPRENEUR, GREEN BUSINESS AUTHOR AND ECO-CHIC LIFESTYLE EXPERT. SHE IS THE FOUNDER OF FIVE SUCCESSFUL COMPANIES THAT USE EARTH-FRIENDLINESS AS THEIR DRIVING FORCE. CARLSON’S BOOK, GREEN YOUR WORK: BOOST YOUR BOTTOM LINE WHILE REDUCING YOUR ECO-FOOTPRINT – ABOUT THE MANY ADVANTAGES OF BEING AN ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS – WILL BE RELEASED THIS MONTH. HER LATEST VENTURE IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EARTHSMART PRODUCT STANDARD, A RETAIL PRODUCT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM DEVISED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COUNTRY’S LEADING SCIENTISTS, ACADEMICS AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS THAT WILL PROVE TO BE THE MOST INNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING PROCESS TO DATE.

By Kim Carlson

I will read labels each time I buy personal care products and avoid phthalates (sometimes labeled as “fragrance”) and parabens. Both have been linked to disrupting the endocrine system causing reproduction and fertility, birth or developmental effects.

I will plant a tree. Trees help convert pollution into oxygen, help reduce erosion and absorb carbon dioxide, helping to reduce global warming.

I will wash clothes in only cold water and hang dry my jeans. The water heater is the second largest energy user in the average home.

I will buy at least two locally grown food items each time I go to the store. Not only does it require less energy to get to your table but it tastes better and food purchased soon after harvesting contains more nutrients.

I will buy power strips to plug my electronics into, and remember to turn them off nightly before bed to reduce my phantom load.

On average, 40% of home electricity is used to power electronics and appliances while they are turned off.

GREEN YOUR Resolutions 2009

I will check my tires for the proper pressure once a month. If all four tires are underinflated by only 2psi, fuel efficiency will drop by 4%.

I will buy six concentrated or bulk products to replace my usual choices to save packaging and reduce what I throw away.

I will eat meat one less time per week to cut down my dietary carbon footprint (one calorie of beef uses 33% more fossil fuel to produce than one calorie of vegetables).

HELPFUL SITES: treehugger.com | thegreenguide.com | sprig.com | ivillage.com/green | ewg.org | yahoogreen.com 53. january09 002houston

I will convert part of my lawn from turf to landscaping with drought tolerant and native plants to reduce my water use. Xeriscaping not only saves water, it also saves time and money – no mowing, very little water or maintenance costs.

I will find out if my local electric utility has a renewable energy program that I can opt into such as wind, water, biomass or solar.

Conventional electricity production is the leading cause of air pollution and the largest source of CO2 emissions which are linked to global warming.

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002 PROFILE CAPTAIN PLANET | THE WORLD’S FIRST AND ONLY ECO-SUPERHERO

I am proud to be the world’s first and only eco-superhero. Formed by combining the powers of the Planeteer rings representing earth, fire, wind, water and heart, I stand for the protection of the planet and its creatures. I have an array of superpowers including the ability to fly, strength, the ability to blow hurricane force winds, telepathy, telekinesis, shape shifting and matter transmutation. Though

there is a lot of evil in the world, I believe that people are innately good. I am optimistic and hopeful that we are on the right path for preserving and protecting our fragile environment. I’m glad to be here fighting alongside those who believe they can, and will, make a difference. Remember, it is by your powers combined, I am Captain Planet!

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DO YOU VOLUNTEER? Saving the planet from evildoers is a fulltime job and unfortunately leaves me with little time to do anything else.

DO YOU RECYCLE? Absolutely! Do you?

DO YOU SPEAK ANY OTHER LANGUAGES FLUENTLY? I can speak the five languages of the Planeteers.

WHAT MAGAZINE—OTHER THAN 002 NATURALLY—WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE FEATURED ON THE COVER OF? Green is pretty hot right now, so that’s anyone’s guess. I’m just excited people are talking about it.

ARE YOU MORE LIKELY TO EAT PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST OR CEREAL FOR DINNER? Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so having it twice doesn’t hurt!

SLIPPERS OR BARE FEET AROUND THE HOUSE? I usually have my boots on in case I need to get out the door quickly. You never know when you may be needed.

WHAT AWARDS HAVE YOU WON? My television show has won two Environmental Media Awards (EMAs) as “Best Animated Children’s Program” and was nominated for a Humanitas Prize as “Best Children’s Program.”

ARE YOU NAMED FOR ANYONE? IS ANYONE NAMED AFTER YOU? I think that one is pretty straightforward.

DO YOU HAVE A GARDEN? FLOWER OR VEGETABLE? Yes – both.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SAYING OR LIFE MOTTO? The power is yours!

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BRAG ABOUT YOURSELF? I’m the world’s first and only eco-superhero.

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HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND ON THE COMPUTER EACH DAY? I try and spend some time online answering my fans and keeping up with current events, but I’m not on a computer much.

DO YOU WATCH TV SHOWS OR MOVIES ON THE INTERNET? Who’s got that much free time?

WHO DO YOU CARRY PHOTOS OF IN YOUR WALLET? I don’t really have room to carry a wallet around – tights and all, you know.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? The center of the Earth.

HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE YOUR LAST BIRTHDAY? Gaia and the Planeteers threw a party, but I had to leave halfway through to stop a polluter from dumping toxic waste into the Atlantic. Maybe next year.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MEAL? Veggies!

WHAT’S ON YOUR KEY RING? Who needs a car when you can fly!

HOW MANY SONGS ARE ON YOUR IPOD®? WHAT’S THE NEWEST ONE? The theme song continually runs in my head, does that count?

WHAT REALITY SHOW WATCH? Anything involving nature.

DO

YOU

WHAT HOLIDAY WOULD YOU DECLARE? I think Earth Day and Arbor Day pretty much cover it.

WHAT’S YOUR PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY? There are a million little things each of us can do to save the planet and pretty soon all of those little things will add up to a tidal wave of change.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR HOME? It’s warm.

FAVORITES: MOVIE TOO HARD FOOD VEGETABLES ANIMALS ONLY ONE? TRAVEL DESTINATION ANYWHERE SHOE BOOTS (RED) 55. january09 002houston

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ARCHICHAT

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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. sandragunn.com Photography by Gabriella Nissen • Eric Laignel, LaCasse Photography, Timothy Hursley •

WHAT BETTER PLACE FOR SEAN PENN TO FILM TREE OF LIFE THAN AT JOHN CRYER’S OFFICE OF PAGE SOUTHERLAND PAGE, THE FORCE BEHIND A QUEST FOR DOWNTOWN HOUSTON’S IMMORTALITY – DISCOVERY GREEN. RECENT HONORS/AWARDS AIA Houston firm of the year, 2007; AIA National, one of four nominees for Firm of the Year, 2008 CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL Houston AIA Design Award – Architecture; HBJ Landmark Award – Renovation CLUB QUARTERS HOTEL Preservation Texas, Historic Rehabilitation Award; Greater Houston Preservation Alliance – Good Bricks Award THE GROVE Society of American Registered Architects Design Award; Gulf Coast Chapter, ASID, Best of Hospitality Gulf Coast Chapter, ASID, Best in Show – Commercial PAGESOUTHERLANDPAGE HOUSTON OFFICE Houston AIA – Design Award, Architecture WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT FOR THE FUTURE? We are going through a phase where every project that we do must have sustainable elements in the design. It would be difficult to design a Class “A” office building today that is not designed to meet LEED certification requirements. I am beginning to witness what I call the next phase of sustainable design – “performance-oriented buildings” – bringing together new technologies and sustainable design. We will use breakthrough research in photovoltaic and computer systems to enable the building to perform at a higher level of physical comfort as well as utilize much less energy. We will move from passive sustainable design to active sustainable design. These will marry the art of design with breakthroughs in technology. I think over the next 10 to 20 years we will see amazing new technologies.

SHARE SOME OF YOUR GREEN PROJECTS. The most recent and successful project is Discovery Green, which was designed to meet LEED Gold certification. It is an excellent example of both passive and active sustainable design. The park building and Lake House cafe have deep, shady porches. Carefully designed to create a shield from the hot sun, the porch roofs pitch north to achieve balanced daylight for the outdoor spaces below as well as to encourage air movement, drawing warm air up and out. The south-facing roof of the Lake House porch houses 256 photovoltaic collectors that provide 8% of the power needed for the park. The Grove restaurant is dominated by a long, thin dining room that nestles under the boughs of the live oak alley.

Generous glass walls, primarily oriented to the north, connect indoor and outdoor spaces while providing natural indirect light to interior spaces. A planted green roof over the single-story portion of the restaurant extends a park-like feeling up to the terrace level, contributes to stormwater management and helps insulate the building.

2 1 Certified wood is utilized for soffits, gates, screens and decks on The Grove.

Other sustainable initiatives include: daylighting for 75% of occupied spaces, low volatile organic compounds (VOC) materials used throughout and a landscape irrigation system that reduces the volume of required potable water by 50%.

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Photography by Daniel Ortiz

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JOHN CRYER

COMPANY JOHN CRYER III, AIA – PAGESOUTHERLANDPAGE

My wife and I live downtown. There are so many activities, from biking to theater to sports to restaurants. In addition to Discovery Green, we completed the expansion to Christ Church Cathedral. Our involvement in Downtown began with the conversion of the Rice Hotel. We also worked on the renovations of Keystone Lofts, Commerce Towers and Texas State Hotel, now a Club Quarters.

There is something very exciting about resurrecting historic properties and making them economically viable in a new market.

WHAT CAN THE NEXT MAYOR FOCUS ON TO HELP MAKE HOUSTON MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY? I believe Houston’s global image revolves around Energy, Medicine, Space and the Port. To me it makes business sense and common sense that we commit to the idea to be the world’s center for energy. It requires a strong partnership between business and government. With that comes the emphasis and investment on energy research but also bio-engineering and new environmental technologies. If we can create a research cluster around those elements, then Houston will be seen as the most advanced player in the transitional environmental sector. Can you imagine the power of being seen as the city for energy, research, environment and health? It is a tall order, but we have the fundamentals in place.

EVENT LUNCHEON WHY TO BENEFIT THE BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS, INC. WHERE HOTEL DEREK WHEN OCTOBER 24 Over 250 wonderful, well-dressed women showed their support and curiosity at one of the most anticipated luncheons of the season. Co-chairs Anne Carl, Kim Moody and Rachel Regan brought the first-ever presentation of Fendi’s 2008 Cruise Collection to these eager ladies, all in the name of charity. The event raised over $100,000 for The Bridge!

kimberley Delape, Anne Carl, Rachel Regan, Kim Moody

Deborah Duncan, Mayor Bill White, Philomena Baird

Alicia Smith, Ursaline Hamilton

Yvonne Stern, Ericka Bagwell, Sabiha Rehmatulla

Tricia Oliver, Mauri Oliver

Renee Lange, Veronica Roa

Fendi Model

Lynn Houston, Josie Herrera

5

4 1. the grove 2. cirque lobby luxury highrise residential project in Dallas 3. christ church cathedral 4. pagesoutherland page houston office 5. exxonmobil training center in houston

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ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN

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Rendering by jbenjamin

BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP

Buffalo Bayou Partnership is nearing the construction phase of Buffalo Bayou Partnerships International Coffee Building adaptive reuse at Allen’s Landing in downtown Houston.

Three floors are being renovated within the 1910 building and the thirdfloor rooftop terrace will be planted to create a green roof. All rainwater will be collected and harvested into the cistern. The water will then be used for site irrigation and to clean canoes, kayaks and bicycles. The cistern and green roof help the building in its effort to achieve LEED Green Building Certification. Allen’s Landing is a historic park that truly defines the city of Houston. Often described as “Houston’s Plymouth Rock,” it was

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there in 1836 that August Chapman and John Kirby Allen stepped ashore and claimed Houston as their own.

This site, at the confluence of Buffalo and White Oak bayous, also became Houston’s first port, a thriving commercial hub and a symbol of our city’s entrepreneurial spirit. Through efforts of the nonprofit Buffalo Bayou Partnership, historic Allen’s Landing is being transformed into an active and vibrant destination along Downtown’s waterfront. The Partnership has successfully completed Phase I of Allen’s Landing including a restored historic wharf, embarcadero promenade, entry plaza, hike and bike trails, site furnishings and landscaping.

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WHERE TO LIVE

LOCATION

AMBIENCE

AMENITIES

UNITS/ROOMS

WITHIN REACH

PRICE

CONTACT

DEVELOPERS? EMAIL US AT LETTERS@002MAG.COM

VICTORIAN ROW

PIERCE STREET FLATS

TRINITY AT OAKDALE

1511-1543 DOROTHY ST. HOUSTON, HEIGHTS 77008

207 PIERCE, IN THE HEART OF MIDTOWN

Facades inspired by the Victorian homes of San Francisco with upgraded interior finishes, private drives and spacious backyards.

A 21-unit, “Class A+” Urban Mid-Rise Community built with European-style interior finishes, located in the shadow of Houston’s Central Business District

Freestanding, incredible Georgian architecture inspired homes with designer finishes and style throughout.

Two of our most popular floor plans with open living areas and features that include oak hardwood flooring throughout, natural stone tile, granite countertops, custom alder cabinetry, Jenn-Air stainless steel appliances, oil-rubbed bronze faucets, door levers and lighting fixture. Undermount stainless steel kitchen sink, Kohler sinks and commodes throughout, Moen faucets throughout. Jeld-Wen low-E wood windows at front elevation; Techshield radiant barrier, high-efficiency 14 SEER Lennox AC unit(s) with programmable thermostats.

All the modern European design features normally reserved for private homeowners are found in the Pierce Street Flats. Included in every apartment home are quartz countertops and glass mosaic backsplashes in the kitchen/bathroom/wet bar areas with high-end plumbing fixtures, stainless steel appliances, island kitchens and European cabinetry with frosted glass fronts. Large spacious bedrooms start at 860 square feet. Washers and dryer in each unit. The spacious apartments feature large operable commercial-style windows, dark bamboo hardwoods throughout and boast 10- and 12-foot ceilings. The Midtown Flats have easy, one block walking access to a variety of exciting clubs, restaurants, shopping and other entertainment.

There are 12 homes total: half are approximately 2300 sq. ft. and are 2-story, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, with 2-car attached garage; the other half are approximately 1650 sq .ft. and are 2story, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, with 2-car attached garage.

21 units comprised of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, with studies in most of the 1 bedrooms. Units range in size from 860 s.f. to 1590 s.f.

Extensive use of marble and granite throughout. Dramatic kitchens have top-of-the-line appliances. 12-foot ceilings, 5” plank hardwood floors, tankless water heaters, shower spa, jetted bath, Pro Series appliances, convection micro, stainless venthood, wine refrigerator and tech-ready for a full home automation system capable of controlling lighting, temperature, security and all audio and video systems from a single control system. Each unit is freestanding and has an individual driveway with a porte cochere.

These beautiful homes have large master bedrooms with spa-like bathrooms and beautiful walk-in closets including seasonal clothes storage system.

3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and 2-car garage. All units have an amazing rooftop deck with a beautiful view of Downtown.

Located in the Heights; within minutes from Downtown, Midtown, the Galleria, and major highway access.

Walking distance from Fish, Front Porch, Farrago’s, Komodo’s and numerous Midtown locations

Minutes from museums, Metro Rail, Med Center and Downtown

1731-1739 Oakdale, IN THE BEAUTIFUL MUSEUM DISTRICT, TUCKED AWAY IN A QUAINT RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD!

$274,900 - $329,900

Rents start at $1450, on up to $2865

$420s-440s

Tricon Homes 713.334.6060 sales@triconhomes.com Or visit us online at www.triconhomes.com

A&J Development www.livemidtownflats.com 713-208-5477

Urban Living 713.868.7239 www.urbanliving.com

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BUSINESS PROFILE

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Photography by Tom MacLennan

DARIA JAMES | HOST, "BUILD GREEN" ON HTV IS THIS YOUR INTENDED CAREER PATH? IF NOT, HOW DID YOU GET HERE? Yes. I have been performing and directing theatre and film in the Houston area for many years. Recently I started hosting an exciting new series on HTV about environmentally conscious building in Houston called “Build Green.”

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? A fireman, of course. Yes, fireman. We weren’t worried about gender correctness back then.

WHY HOUSTON? I love Houston! I’ve lived in New York and DC/Virginia area. Great places, great opportunities, but I always felt most comfortable in Houston.

FAVORITE BOOK? Harry Potter – pick one.

FAVORITE BAND? I don’t have a favorite band, but my 10-year-old loves the Black Eyed Peas.

WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION? My mom. Really. She’s an amazing person. When I grow up…

BIGGEST LIFE LESSON LEARNED? Watch how people treat others, ’cause you are not excluded.

HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED? As someone reliable in friendship and in work.

WHO WAS YOUR ROLE MODEL? People who made their way despite adversity like Christopher Gardner and Tina Turner.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? Waitressing.

WHAT DO YOU PLAN ON DOING WHEN YOU RETIRE? Travel.

TEXANS STILL HAVE A REPUTATION FOR BRAGGING. WHAT WOULD YOU BRAG ABOUT? My son. He’s so easy. Thank you, Jesus.

WHAT LUXURY (ITEM OR SERVICE) DO YOU WISH YOU COULD INDULGE YOURSELF WITH? Room Service.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER A HIDDEN TREASURE OF HOUSTON? The Theater community. We all know the Alley, the Ensemble, Main Street Theater and the musicals that TUTS brings in, but have you checked out Dionysus and Collide and Divergence Vocal Theater and many more.

WHAT DEFINES HOUSTON AS YOUR “HOMETOWN”?

It’s where I feel most comfortable and where I never get lost.

HOW MANY MAGAZINES DO YOU SUBSCRIBE TO? None. I’m a grocery store headline reader.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT IN HOUSTON TO SHOW OFF TO A VISITOR? The Corkscrew on Washington Avenue.

IF YOU OWNED A HOUSTON SPORTS TEAM, WHAT WOULD YOU CALL THEM? The Stars – it goes with our Astronaut-ics theme.

FAVORITES: CANDY TRUFFLELADY TRUFFLES BY LAURA PIPKIN MOVIE DRINK JUICE FROM DOLE’S MANDARIN ORANGE FRUIT CUP RESOLUTION TO NOT OVERWORK MYSELF WATCH I DON’T WEAR WATCHES, BUT I LOVE TO WATCH THE RAIN 60. january09 002houston

002houston January 09:002houston

FINANCE

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

COPING WITH MARKET VOLATILITY: CASH RESERVES AND OPPORTUNITIES… Anyone can look good during bull markets. Smart investors are produced by the inevitable rough patches. Even the best aren’t right all the time. If an earlier choice now seems rash, sometimes the best strategy is to take a tax loss if that’s a possibility, learn from the experience and apply the lesson to future decisions.

There also are other ways to wring some benefit from a down market. If you have an IRA or 401(k) whose value has dropped dramatically, you likely won’t be able to harvest a tax benefit from those losses because taxes generally aren’t owed on those accounts until the hal lynde money is withdrawn. However, if you’ve been considering whether to convert a tax-deferred plan to a Roth IRA, a lower account balance might make a conversion more attractive. Though the conversion would trigger federal income taxes, that tax would be calculated based on the reduced value of your account. With some expert help, you can determine whether and when such a conversion might be advantageous.

Finally, some sound research might turn up buying opportunities on stocks whose prices are down because of selling by other investors for reasons that have nothing to do with the company’s fundamentals. A volatile market is never fun, but being able to learn from it can better prepare you and your portfolio in the future to both weather and take advantage of the market’s ups and downs.

IS A CASH RESERVE NECESSARY? A sound financial plan should ensure that you are protected when financial emergencies arise. In times of crisis, you do not want to shake pennies out of a piggy bank. Also, having a cash reserve may help prevent being forced to take on additional debt precisely when another financial challenge is the last thing you need.

Consequently, the first step in the financial planning process should be to establish a cash reserve.

DETERMINING HOW LARGE A CASH RESERVE SHOULD BE. The amount of your cash reserve should be based on your own personal situation.

While basic guidelines do exist, you should adjust them to reflect your unique circumstances. Some of the factors to be considered when determining a cash reserve goal include job security, the condition of your real estate, and the health of you and your dependents. Naturally, such factors change with time, so an annual review and adjustments are important elements of the planning process.

THREE TO SIX MONTHS OF ROUTINE LIVING EXPENSES COMPOSE A TYPICAL CASH RESERVE, BUT THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS. You should generally follow the 3-6 months rule: that is, your cash reserve should equal 3 to 6 months of ordinary living expenses. Occasionally, low job security or high income volatility might suggest having a reserve of up to 12 months of expenses. The actual number of months selected should reflect these and other significant risk factors, such as the adequacy of insurance coverage and the condition of any property you own.

Need help with a retirement plan rollover? Are you planning to retire in the next ten years? For a free review of your current investment situation, contact Hal Lynde / 713.840.3640. hal.lynde@morgankeegan.com. Listen to Hal’s daily stock market report at 6:45am & 3:45pm on 94.5 The Buzz.

DON’T MISS HAL’S MARKET UPDATES AT 6:40AM AND 3:40PM AS CAPTAIN CASH ON 94.5 THE BUZZ. 61. january09 002houston

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By Brant Croucher

y u g e is

w

H

OLIDAY EATING IS MUCH LIKE A RECKLESS SHOPPING SPREE ON YOUR FAVORITE PLASTIC CARD. IT’S A EUPHORIC FEELING WHERE THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS ‘NO’

AND THERE ARE SEEMINGLY NO CONSEQUENCES – THAT IS, UNTIL YOUR STATEMENT DROPS AND IT COMES TIME TO PAY. GUESS WHAT? IT’S JANUARY AND THE RESULTS ARE IN: YOU ARE FATTER THAN YOU WERE IN NOVEMBER. IT’S TIME TO PAY. • DON’T FRET, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN OF 2008’S TRANSGRESSIONS (THOUGH SOME OF THEM MIGHT HAVE CARRIED INTO 2009 VIA NEW YEAR’S EVE, BUT EVERYONE GETS A PASS FOR THAT) AND START ANEW. WHY NOT GET INTO SHAPE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE? I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT GOING TO THE GYM AND RUNNING ON A TREADMILL FOR 30 MINUTES UNTIL YOU GET BORED. I’M SAYING GET OUTSIDE, ENJOY THE MODERATE WINTER AND LOVE YOUR CITY! WE’VE GOT COUNTLESS PARKS, TRAILS, HIKES AND EVENTS NEAR WHEREVER YOU TAKE RESIDENCE. TO HELP YOU GET STARTED, I FOUND A PARK, A BOOK AND A NOBLE CAUSE THAT WILL HELP YOU LOSE THE FLAB!

Get Fit with Gators

Try on a Triathlon

Train with a Team

Brazos Bend State Park is located just 45 minutes southwest of downtown Houston and features over 5,000 acres of lush, coastal prairie and hardwood forest terrain that front more than 3 miles of the Brazos

Almost nothing challenges your mind and body like training for and competing in a triathlon. The thought of swimming, biking and running in one day – or even one week – may sound daunting. But with proper training and nutrition, almost anyone could at least complete a Sprint Triathlon (half-mile swim, 12-mile

Having a person to train with can make getting into shape a lot more fun. Having a team of people and a cause can make it a life-changing experience. For over 20 years, Team and Training has been helping athletes of all ages and experience levels train for triathlons, marathons, century bike rides – all while raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We’re not talking just a couple bucks. Team in Training raised over $71 million to fight blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma in 2008 alone.

I discovered Team in Training in 2006 and I can’t speak highly enough for the program they have put together.

It’s a great way for novices to get started in the endurance sport world but it’s also a great way to touch the lives of the surrounding community in effort to find a cure for blood cancers.

Check out the website to find an information session in your area! teamintraining.org

River. The park is home to over 300 species of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles – including alligators. Oh yeah, there are many freely roaming alligators which is what really makes the experience an exciting one. They can be seen sunning themselves along the trails or resting partially submerged just off the banks of the swampy marsh that the trails run through. The best way to experience it all is to grab an all-terrain bike or take a hike. There are over 35 miles of trails, which means one visit most probably won’t be enough. Pets are welcome, just keep them on a leash – else you might be traveling home solo while a gator sleeps off a big meal. For more info, including hours, maps and directions, go to: brazosbend.org/

bike and a 3-mile run). The question is where to start?

Multisport expert coach Joe Friel has compiled an everything-you-need-to-know book, aptly titled “The Triathlete’s Training Bible,” which explains in great detail how to plan, train for and compete in a triathlon.

Chapters cover setting goals, assessing personal fitness levels, racing, recovery, nutrition and suggested workouts. There’s even an annual training plan template.

What better time to start than January 1? You’ll be amazed how the training and discipline positively influence the rest of your life.

Available at stores or online for $22.95.

62. january09 002houston

Oh and ‘Tis indeed the season for starting anew, which is what I’ll be doing in the hills of Tennessee come late January.

I’ve enjoyed sharing this monthly column with you all and I’ll miss my H-town.

Best, Brant

Photography by Aaron Courtland

002houston January 09:002houston

12/18/08

11:09 AM

Page 63

EVENT HOLIDAY PREVIEW OF PIAZZA SAVANNAH WHY TO BENEFIT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WHERE PIAZZA SAVANNAH WHEN DECEMBER 9 Guests were awed with this spectacular development that needs to be on your list of must-sees. While checking out various units, guests enjoyed live jazz music as well as wines by Barfoot on skyline view, 4th floor balconies and libations by Tommy Bahama rums. Not to leave guests hungry, Arcodoro provided delectable mini-desserts and pastries.

Todd Partridge, Mike Hoff

Allison Jacobs, Karla Nieves

K.C. Gifford, Maria Tracy

Melinda Stergess, Carole Moffatt

Liliana Rendon, Adriana Robles, Micheline Newall

Robert Spiegel, Rachel Holland

Deborah & Doris Thomas

Jonas Ziburkus, Nkemdilim Okeke, Jokubas Ziburkus & Saule Okeke-Ziburkus

63. january09 002houston

002houston January 09:002houston

VROOM, VROOM

12/18/08

11:09 AM

Page 64

By Michael Andre Adams

think big

BE IT PASSION OR POLITICS, WE “GET IT” THAT WE MUST DO SOMETHING TO MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE FOR TODAY AS WELL AS ALL GENERATIONS TO COME. IN THE PROCESS, MANUFACTURERS ARE MAKING IT COOL TO GO GREEN IN A BIG, HOT WHIP!

THINK GREEN

2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE 2WD HYBRID SUV

S Price: $70,735 / $72,780 Annual Fuel: $1,553 (15,000 miles @ $2.07/gallon-Regular Unleaded) Mileage: 20 city / 21 highway Floss Points: Power Retractable Running Board

urely there’s been at least three times in your driving history when you finally managed to get around the car at the head of the traffic hold-up only to find some dear elderly person in an oversized Cadillac driving far below the speed limit. To help dispel that image, Cadillac has stepped up its game in the new millennium with nouveau style and modern day bling, in green. • The larger-than-life front grill on this boxy baby softly speaks the language of whisperquiet luxury as she glides by on dazzling 22-inch rims with “HYBRID” insignia on the lower side panels, front and rear windows.

• Inside, there’s not

much else one could ask for: seating for seven – heated and cooled (on the front row) on the seat cushions and backrests, triple climate zones, a navigation system with automatic alerts to advise of upcoming traffic concerns that is also capable of re-routing, blind spot alert that notifies of oncoming traffic, power tailgate (open and close), a blazing stereo by Bose, DVD and for the second and third rows, an extremely easy to raise/lower third row, to name a few. • A powerfully efficient 403 horsepower V8 engine is driven by a six-speed, twomode hybrid transmission yielding unprecedented mileage for a vehicle of comparable size. This is Cadillac today.

2009 MERCEDES ML320 BLUETEC SUV ong gone are the days when a dieselpowered Mercedes could be heard long before seen, leaving a trail of soot-laden, choke-you-to death smoke for nearly a mile! Instead, Mercedes’ Bluetec process uses two catalytic converters and a solution known as AdBlue to convert the smoke of the past into a harmless nitrogen and water vapor that meets the same emissions standard as gasoline engines sold in California. And they managed to do it, oh, so quietly – literally and figuratively. • Talk about style, the ML has never looked so good. Its pushed back front grill and full-figured rear, swoosh side body panels (yielding car sexy appeal with aerodynamic rooftop curves allowing it to sail through the wind) all work well to epitomize the awesome new look of

L Price: From $49,475 / $58,885 Righteous!

Annual Fuel: $2,108 (15,000 miles @ $2.81 gallon-Diesel) Mileage: 18 city / 24 highway Floss Points: Qualifies for a $900 Energy Tax Credit

64. january09 002houston

Mercedes now. • The 210 horsepower, dieselpowered V6 engine with seven-speed transmission has the ability to yield nearly double the mileage of a gasoline-powered engine, which is the entire hype of driving a dieselpowered vehicle. • To drive it is to love it.

Smooth on take off, while coasting, or coming to a stop, the diesel engine is no longer a sacrifice in these areas. However, should you decide to roll incognito, the ML features privacy glass to keep lookers on the outside while you sit comfortably in your heated seats, holding your heated steering wheel, listening to your fully integrated iPod® on the thumping Harmon Kardon® stereo. • Full navigation makes it simple to get from point to point and back again and again, on just one tank of diesel fuel. Imagine that!

002houston January 09:002houston

12/18/08

TOOLS+TOYS+GADGETS

A

11:10 AM

Page 65

By Michael Garfield Michael Garfield photography by Kennon Evett

CRICKET WIRELESS BROADBAND MODEM

The ability to surf the Web from almost anywhere has been a long time coming. Most wireless companies now have small cards and USB devices that can be inserted into laptop computers to send and receive data over their cellular signals. The best bang for the buck is the new Cricket Broadband. This service gives customers unlimited, high-speed, wireless Internet service anywhere in Cricket’s coverage areas.

Getting online is a snap. Pick up a USB Modem, load the installation disc into your Windows or Mac computer and plug in the modem. Faster than you can chirp, you are surfing at super-speeds. As with Cricket’s cell phone plans, their Broadband customers do not have to sign a contract to take advantage of the unlimited monthly access. The service costs $35 per month for current Cricket cell phone customers and $40 per month for non-customers. Now there is no need to hunt for coffee shops or hotels to find Wi-Fi signals. $59 Modem | mycricket.com/broadband

A

HP MINI-NOTE

A new category of laptop computers is taking the marketplace by storm – the Netbook. These very small, light and portable machines are great for surfing the Internet from most anywhere but are also full-fledged, energy-efficient systems. HP offers different models geared toward the business and consumer users. Each weighs about 2.6 pounds and measures a svelte 1” thin.

The high-definition screen measures almost 9” diagonal, and HP managed to keep the keyboard at almost full-size. The business-oriented 2133 model has several USB ports, integrated Wi-Fi, hard drive capacity up to 160GB and a Vista operating system. The consumer version – Model 1000 – offers much of the same but with lower hard drive and memory specs and a Microsoft XP system. If you are looking for a lighter load to carry when traveling or even at school, it may be time to go Mini. $359 - Mini-Note 1000 | $499 - Mini-Note 2133 | hp.com

A CUSTOM BOBBLEHEAD A FLIP MINOHD CAMCORDER My first video camcorder was expensive, weighed about 8 pounds and used VHS tapes. Thankfully the technology in these devices progressed and now they are very small, inexpensive and don’t even need tape. The Flip MinoHD is a simple camcorder that all family members can use. The pocket-sized gadget weighs a mere 3.3 oz. and measures a measly 4” x 2” x 0.6”. The original Flip Mino took good quality video but this new high-definition model records in cinematic widescreen. It has only a few buttons that do not need explaining and a 1.5” color, no glare display to see what you are shooting. What makes The Flip unique is its built-in USB connector. Just flip it out and plug the camera directly into a PC or Mac. Videos are uploaded directly to YouTube and other online websites. The camera has 4GB of memory to hold up to 60 minutes of video. Order one online and you can customize it with your own photo, logo or design. $229 | theflip.com

Who would not want to be immortalized with the ultimate symbol of fame and celebrity? Not a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame but with your own bobblehead! Headbobble.com offers anyone to become a 7” tall porcelain figurine by simply emailing a few photos of themselves to its website. To impress your office rivals with a hand-crafted statue of your visage, just upload three images of your smug mug to the site, choose a body for your bobble, and submit your order. The process takes 4-6 weeks and the final product is remarkably accurate to actual photos submitted. Set one in a prominent place to intimidate your foes. From $79 | headbobble.com

MICHAEL GARFIELD IS KNOWN AS "THE HIGH-TECH TEXAN®" TO MILLIONS OF RADIO LISTENERS AND TV VIEWERS. HE CAN BE HEARD AND SEEN ACROSS MANY MARKETS DISPERSING TECHNOLOGY NEWS AND TIPS. HIS RADIO PROGRAM AIRS IN HOUSTON ON THE 9-5-0 EVERY SATURDAY AT 11AM. VISIT HIS WEBSITE AT HIGHTECHTEXAN.COM. 65. january09 002houston

002houston January 09:002houston

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12:31 PM

Page 66

RESTAURANT LISTINGS Noe noerestaurant.com Four Riverway. 713.871.8177

american

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

Azuma [japanese] azumajapanese.com •909 Texas. 713.223.0909 •5600 Kirby. 713.423.9649

Open City ochouston.com 2416 Brazos. 713.522.0118

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

Polo’s Signature 3800 Southwest Frwy. 713.626.8100 polosignature.com

Antone’s •810 Capitol. 713.224.4679 •2724 West T.C. Jester. 713.686.4338 •4520 San Felipe. 713.623.4464 Antone’s Catering. 713.977.4000 Americas cordua.com •1800 Post Oak Blvd. 713.961.1492 •21 Waterway Ave. 281.367.1492

Benjy’s 2424 Dunstan. 713.522.7602 benjys.com Bistro Lancaster 701 Texas Ave. 713.228.9502

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

Fish [japanese] fishhouston.com 309 Gray. 713.526.5294 Gigi’s Asian Bistro 5085 Westheimer. 713.629.8889 Kam’s [fine chinese cuisine] 4500 Montrose Blvd. #C. 713.529.5057

Quattro inside The Four Seasons Hotel 1300 Lamar. 713.276.4700 fourseasons.com

KUBO’S [japanese] kubos-sushi.com 2414 University Blvd. #200 713.528.7878

Tart Café tartcafe.com 4411 Montrose. 713.526.8278

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

THE OCEANAIRE SEAFOOD ROOM 5061 Westheimer. 832.487.8862 theoceanaire.com

Mak Chin’s [pan asian] makchins.com 1511 Shepherd. 713.861.9888

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

Boom Boom Room 2518 Yale St. 713.868.3740 theboomboomroomhouston.com

Skyline Bar & Grill Hilton-Americas 1600 Lamar. 713.577.6139

Bowl eatbowl.com 607 Richmond. 832.582.7218

oceanaire

SPINDLETOP Hyatt Regency Houston 1200 Louisiana St. Houston, TX 77002 713.375.4775 spindletopathyatt.com Glass Wall glasswalltherestaurant.com Spindletop, atop the Hyatt Regency 933 Studemont. 713.868.7930 Houston, features innovative steak and seafood fare. The elegant Gravitas atmosphere creates the perfect gravitasrestaurant.com setting for business dinners 807 Taft. 713.522.0995 and special occasions. CLOSED spindletop UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. La Strada lastradahouston.com 322 Westheimer. 713.523.1014 SoVino sovinowines.com Daily Review Café 3412 West Lamar. 713.520.9217 dailyreviewcafe.com

507 Westheimer. 713.524.1000

Lake House Waterside Cafe Discovery Green North Side. thegrovehouston.com

Max’s Wine Dive maxswinedive.com 4720 Washington. 713.880.8737 McCORMICK AND SCHMICK’S •1151 Uptown Park. 713.840.7900 •1201 Fannin St. [Houston Pavilions] 713.658.8100 mccormickandschmicks.com/houston.com

The Grove thegrovehouston.com 1611 Lamar. 713.337.7321

PAGODA [vietnamese] pagodabistro.com 4705 Inker St. 832.673.0400 RA SUSHI [japanese] rasushi.com 3908 Westheimer. 713.621.5800 UPTOWN SUSHI uptown-sushi.com Uptown Park. 713.871.1200 Zake [japanese] 2946 S. Shepherd. 713.526.6888 ZUSHI JAPANESE CUISINE 5900 Memorial Dr., #102.

713.861.5588 zushihouston.com

Antidote Coffee 729 Studewood. 713.861.7400 myspace.com/antidotecoffee

asian 26TEN SUSHI [japanese] 2610 Sage. 713.974.4000

mccormick and schmicks

Monsoon Wok & Lounge 1200 McKinney, #103.

713.571.SAKE monsoonhou.com

bakery+ coffee+tea+others

Voice inside Hotel Icon 220 Main. 832.667.4470 hotelicon.com

Monarch inside Hotel ZaZa 5701 Main. 713.527.1800 monarchrestaurant.com

les givral’s kahve

Bright & Early 4825 Washington. 713.934.8234

Auntie Chang’s Dumpling House 2621 S. Shepherd.

713.524.8410 auntiechangs.com

Café Brasil 2604 Dunlavy. 713.528.1993

ra sushi

The Coffee Groundz coffeegroundz.net 2503 Bagby. 713.874.0082 66. january09 002houston

Baby Barnaby’s barnabyscafe.com 602 Fairview. 713.522.4229

Tiny Boxwoods tinyboxwoods.com 3614 W. Alabama St. 713.622.4224

Crave Cupcakes couture-cupcakes.com 1151 Uptown Park Blvd. 713.622.7283

Diedrich Coffee diedrich.com 4005 Montrose. 713.526.1319

The Breakfast Klub thebreakfastklub.com 3711 Travis. 713.528.8561

Franklin Street Coffee House 913 Franklin. 713.236.8433 Inversion Coffee House 1953 Montrose, #A. 713.523.4866 inversioncoffee.com

The Buffalo Grille thebuffalogrille.com •3116 Bissonnet. 713.661.3663 •1301 S. Voss. 713.784.3663

kubo’s

Empire Café empirecafe.net 1732 Westheimer. 713.528.5282

Kraftsmen Baking kraftsmenbaking.com 4100 Montrose #C. 713.524.7272

Fountain View Café 1842 Fountain View. 713.785.9060

Mango Beach [snow cones] 2304 White Oak

Rustika Café 3237 Southwest Frwy. 713.665.6226

Swirll [frozen yogurt] •1944 West Gray.

•15955 City Walk. swirlls.com Taft Street Coffee 2115 Taft. 713.522.3533

Te House of Tea teaagora.com 2402 Woodhead. 713.522.8868

Teahouse teahousebeverage.com •104 Main. 713.228.3063 •2089 Westheimer. 713.526.6123

pagoda

bar-b-que

Beaver’s beavershouston.com 2310 Decatur St. 713.864.2328 Goode Company Texas Barbecue goodecompany.com 5109 Kirby. 713.522.2530 zushi

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

Pizzitola’s Bar-B-Cue pizzitolasbbq.com 1703 Shepherd. 713.227.2283 Thelma’s 1020 Live Oak @ Lamar. 713.228.2262

breakfast 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

cajun+creole+ southern

BB’s Kitchen thebetterbite.com 2710 Montrose. 713.524.4499 Houston’s This Is It Soulfood 207 W. Gray. 713.659.1608 thisisithouston.com

Mardi Gras Grill mardigrasgrill.net 1200 Durham. 713.864.5600 Soul On The Bayeaux 3717 Dowling. 713.528.0732 Treebeards •315 Travis. 713.228.2622 •1117 Texas. 713.229.8248 •1100 Louisiana. 713.752.2601 •700 Rusk. 713.224.6677

beaver’s

Zydeco Louisiana Diner 1119 Pease. 713.759.2001

european+french Brasserie Max and Julie [french] 4315 Montrose. 713.524.0070 maxandjulie.net

Café Montrose [belgian] cafemontrose.com 1609 Westheimer. 713.523.1201 Charivari Specialty Restaurant [european] 2521 Bagby. 713.271.7231 charivarirest.com

indian

Indika indikausa.com 516 Westheimer. 713.524.2170

002houston January 09:002houston

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12:32 PM

Page 67

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

italian

ARCODORO arcodoro.com 5000 Westheimer. 713.621.6888 ARTURO’S ITALIANO arturosuptown.com Uptown Park. 713.621.1180 Divino Italian Restaurant 1830 W. Alabama. 713.807.1123 divinohouston.com Mia Bella 320 Main. 713.237.0505 Mingalone Italian Bar & Grill 540 Texas. 713.223.0088 mingalone.com RISTORANTE CAVOUR inside Hotel Granduca. granducahouston.com 1080 Uptown Park. 713.418.1000

latin 1308 CANTINA [mex] 1308cantina.com 1308 Montrose. 713.807.8996

Las Alamedas [mex] lasalamedas.com 8615 Katy Frwy. 713.461.1503

El Meson [cuban] 2425 University. 713.522.9306

The Lemon Tree [peru] 12591 Whittington. 281.556.0690

El Patio [mex] •6444 Westheimer. 713.780.0410 •2416 Brazos. 713.523.8181

TIO PEPE [spain] Tacos a Go-Go 5213 Cedar St. tacosagogo.com Bellaire, TX 77401 tio pepe 3704 Main. 713.807.8226 713.667.4409 tiopeperestaurant.net mediterranean+ Best PAELLA and SANGRIA in Houston!

Houston’s original and still most authentic greek Spanish cuisine.

Droubi Bros.

Newly renovated. Under new management.

•507 Dallas. 713.625.0058 •919 Milam. 713.571.6800 Lucio’s [new american latin]

El Rey [cuban-mex] •233 Main. 713.225.1895 •910 Shepherd. 713.802.9145

el tiempo

EL TIEMPO CANTINA [mex] •3130 Richmond.

713.807.1600 •5602 Washington.

713.681.3645 eltiempocantina.com

Escalante’s [mex] escalantes.net 4053 Westheimer. 713.623.4200

905 Taft. 713.523.9958

Maria Selma [mex] mariaselma.com 1617 Richmond. 713.528.4920 Molina’s Cantina [mex] 4220 Washington. 713.862.0013 molinasrestaurants.com

Irma’s [mex] •22 N. Chenevert.

713.222.0767 •1314 Texas. 713.247.9651

NINFA'S THE ORIGINAL 2704 Navigation Blvd.

713.228.1175 Catering 713.977.4000

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

Picazo Restaurant Bar & Grill 1421 Preston. 713.236.1300 picazodowntown.com

Café Piquet [cuban] 6053 Bissonnet. 713.664.1031

Rioja Spanish Tapas riojarestaurant.com 11920 Westheimer. 281.531.5569

Niko Niko’s nikonikos.com 2520 Montrose. 713.528.1308

Saffron Moroccan Cuisine 2006 Lexington. 713.522.3562 saffronhouston.com

pizza

Candelari’s candelaris.com 6002 Washington. 832.200.1474

ninfa’s 67. january09 002houston

Frank’s Pizza frankspizza.com 417 Travis. 713.225.5656 Romano’s Flying Pizza 1528 W. Gray. 713.526.1182

Star Pizza starpizza.net •77 Harvard. 713.869.1241 •2111 Norfolk. 713.523.0800

steak+chops Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House delfriscos.com 5061 Westheimer. 713.355.2600

niko niko’s

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse 2405 W. Alabama.

713.520.5999 flemingssteakhouse.com

Morton’s mortons.com •5000 Westheimer. 713.629.1946 •1001 McKinney. 713.659.3700

Pappas Bros Steakhouse pappasbros.com 5839 Westheimer Rd. 713.780.7352

Perry's Steakhouse & Grille 9827 Katy Freeway. 832.358.9000 perrysrestaurants.com Spencer’s Steaks & Chops 1600 Lamar. 713.577.8325 spencersforsteaksandchops.com

Strip House theglaziergroup.com 1200 McKinney. 713.659.6000 SHULA'S STEAKHOUSE Hyatt Regency Houston 1200 Louisiana St. Houston, TX 77002 Reservations: 713.375.4777 Private Dining: 713.375.4709 Shula's is known for serving premium steaks as well as an impressive roster of seafood and chops. Reserve one of three private dining rooms for business meetings or special occasions.

shula’s

002houston January 09:002houston

DINE WRITE

12/18/08

11:11 AM

Page 68

By Jenny Wang of imneverfull.com Photography by Jenny Wang of imneverfull.com

HOUSTON’S FIRST CERTIFIED GREEN RESTAURANT, IS COMPLETELY STYROFOAM-FREE | RUGGLES GREEN

1. sweet potato gnocchi 2. hi-protein hempenadas 3. bruschetta trio

2311 West Alabama Houston, TX 77098 713.533.0777 www.rugglesgreen.com

HOURS:

10 AM – 10 PM daily

sample menu selections appetizers • Hi-Protein Hempenadas™ – Four Delicate Empanadas, with High-Protein Hemp Flour, Golden Raisins, Nutty Hemp Seed and Ground Natural Beef – served with Roasted Garlic Cilantro Sauce $8.95 • House-Made Organic Hummus – with Homemade Flatbread $6.95

soups|salads • Fire-roasted Tomato-Basil, with Crispy Puff Pastry Dome & Fresh Mozzarella • Ruggles Green Hothouse Tomato Salad – Beefsteak Tomatoes, Micro Greens, Mozzarella & Texas Goat Cheeses, Fresh Basil Textures & Balsamic Vinaigrette

sandwiches|pastas With choice of Sweet Potato Fries, French Fries or Fresh Fruit with Organic Hemp Poppyseed Dressing • Ruggles Green Veggie-Nut Burger – with Hemp Protein, Micro Greens & Fresh Mozzarella, served on a Whole Wheat Bun $8.95 • Salmon Pasta – Multi-Grain Pasta, Salmon, Sundried Tomatoes, Olives, Capers and Roasted Garlic in a Fresh Pesto Cream Sauce $12.95

1

2

I

t turns out Green Dining isn’t about eating more veggies.

Or eating a strictly vegan diet. Or even providing a food sourced from organic products and free-range proteins that would give any Austinite a foodgasm. It entails considering environment along with cuisine – which is no easy task as these efforts are very counterculture in the restaurant industry. Try calling up Sysco and asking for organic flour or paper drinking straws.

Ruggles Green, Houston’s first certified green restaurant, is completely styrofoam-free. They’ve replaced 42 existing 65watt halogen lights with 16-watt compact fluorescent. (You do the math.) Their recycling program not only includes glass, cardboard, aluminum, paper and plastic, but fryer oil gets converted into biofuels to generate recyclable oil credits that they donate to the Houston Bayou Preservation group.

Employees wear uniforms and caps made out of hemp and bamboo. Menus are printed on post-consumer recycled paper using soy inks. Toilets have been replaced with eco-friendly ones with two flushing options to conserve water.

Being certified by the Green Restaurant Association requires maintaining an educational program to promote green practices and implementing four new steps each year set by the organization to become, well… “greener.”

Ruggles Green is good – like Al Gore good – but in more ways than just that. Sure the kitchen uses over 50% organic, all-natural ingredients, but even if you’re more brie-hugger than treehugger, you have to agree that food just tastes better when made from high-quality, chemical and preservative-free ingredients. CHEF OWNER BRUCE MOLZAN OF RUGGLES GRILL AND RUGGLES GRILLE 5115 HIRED JONATHAN DEMARCO OFF THE LINE AT CAFÉ ANNIE TO RUN THIS KITCHEN. If “green” implies bland and vegetarian to you, you’re in for a shocker. No Boca burgers or Tofurkey here. For that, my friends, Field of Greens is across the street.

3

The concept is fast, casual dining with a conscience. And the grub is more gourmet than granola.

Start with ”hempenadas” made from high-protein hemp flour, ground natural beef, golden raisins and hemp seed. I admit these empanada-inspired pastries sound like they might taste like the cardboard they are recycling, but one bite left me wondering if there would be any left on the plate to take home. No such luck. Red pepper aioli complemented the meaty, cumin-spiced filling more nicely than the crispy calamari it debuted with earlier.

The meal superstar was the sweet potato gnocchi made from organic sweet potatoes and flour and pan-seared until a gorgeous crust developed. Why gnocchi is usually boiled and gummy is beyond me when it can be enjoyed like this. The slightly sweet pasta enhances the sage brown butter sauce and the addition of gruyere cheese on top transcends each fork full into cheesy nirvana.

The mac and cheese is constructed out of pasta from quinoa – a complete protein source that’s also gluten-free and high in fiber, magnesium and iron. This grown-up version of everyone’s childhood favorite is combined with gruyere, fontina and two types of cheddar. Is Kraft still making “The Cheesiest”?

You decide.

A wood-fired oven (still being constructed at press time) will be cranking out ten kinds of pizzas. Foodies may choose The Dale’s Pizza over the Margherita as it taunts with promises of apple-smoked bacon, prosciutto, crème fraiche and mozzarella. Wash it down with the refreshingly, fragrant pomegranate melon green (iced) tea which is not to be missed.

My favorite bread pudding has always been Ruggles’ signature white chocolate bread pudding now also found here. It’s more rich and custard-y than traditional versions which makes it so exceptional.

Who knew going green would turn out so tasty?

68. january09 002houston

Photography by Gerardo Somoza

002houston January 09:002houston

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EVENT FIRST-EVER CHILD ADVOCATES PINS & PLAY WHY TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHILD ADVOCATES WHERE 300 HOUSTON WHEN NOVEMBER 13 Community and business leaders raised money for Child Advocates while battling it out for bowling bragging rights and celebrating the opening of 300 Houston. Page Parkes, Child Advocates and 300 Houston hosted this spectacular evening whose proceeds benefited Child Advocates’ mission to provide services and raise awareness in the fight against child abuse.

Child Advocates

Page Parkes & her models

DJ Marc Nicholson

Most spirited team memberr

Paul Barkley, Sonya Galvan

Shephali Perkins

300 Lane Captain

69. january09 002houston

002houston January 09:002houston

NEW RESTAURANTS

12/18/08

11:16 AM

Page 70

Photography by Lindsay Hagood• | Photography by Shannon O’Hara +

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

SMASHBURGER

THAI BRICK CAFE

7811 MAIN STREET

•

+

•

GOODE COMPANY BARBEQUE

1302 NANCE STREET 713.222.7772

www.mysmashburger.com

CEDAR CREEK

20102 NORTHWEST FREEWAY 832.678.3562 www.goodecompany.com

1034 W 20TH ST. 713.523.4500 www.onioncreekcafe.com

CUISINE burgers

CUISINE thai

CUISINE authentic made-from-scratch, texas cuisine

CUISINE american

CHEF N/A

CHEF N/A

CHEF LEVI GOODE

CHEF N/A

“Smashburger, created by burger lovers for burger lovers.” And they aren’t kidding. I’m a food lover. I don’t favor one thing over the other, rather certain flavors over others. I love to taste the unexpected. Mind you, this doesn’t mean weird because it’s rather unfortunate that as a food lover I definitely have an aversion toward certain textures. However, this burger does NOT fall into that category. I enjoy burgers. This one was a pleasant surprise. I had the Classic smashburger. THEY TAKE CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF AND SMASH IT ON THE GRILL TO SEAL IN FLAVORS. HENCE, THE SMASHBURGER NAME. It’s seared to perfection, American cheese added on top to melt and placed on a delicious butter-toasted egg bun.

A dab of top-quality mayo and ketchup are added along with the smashburger special sauce. Crisp lettuce, fresh sliced tomatoes, red onion and crisp kosher-style pickles top it off. I finished the whole thing off AND the yummy French fries. A first for me. If this doesn’t sound like your style burger, you can create your own smashburger with an assortment of buns, cheeses, sauces/ dressings and toppings to choose from. For the dieter in you, they also have smashburger salads. For the “dog” in you, they have smashdogs. They even offer a smashchicken. Smashburger created by burger lovers for ME, a new burger lover. I’m craving one just writing this…

On a corner in the artsy warehouse district in Downtown Houston sits a tiny Thai restaurant, a corner that was the most memorable first home of Dharma Café. I don’t see nearly enough traffic as I’d like to at the café where the food tastes like a home-cooked meal. APPETIZERS OF CRISPY ROLLS STUFFED WITH VEGGIES AND GLASS NOODLES, DEEP FRIED AND SERVED WITH SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE OR EDAMAME OR SA-TEA MARINATED CHICKEN ON SKEWERS SERVED WITH CUCUMBER SALAD AND PEANUT SAUCE ARE MADE AS YOU ORDER AND TASTE JUST LIKE IT. My favorite Tom Yum soup with fresh mushrooms in spicy lemon grass broth with shrimp is more delicious than what I was savoring in my head. The warm soup with a kick warms my cold body on the spot and the shrimp are fresh and delicious. There are salads and noodles galore as well as enough varieties of curries to make your head spin. The prices range from $2.99 – $12.95 and there are lunch specials. Stop by the next time you need a lunch spot downtown.

The Houston Premium Outlets, a brand new Super Target and the explosion of new development has made Northwest Houston another of our city’s many vastly expanding areas. Now the largest of its seven restaurants, Goode Company Barbeque, has opened with a bang. THE IMPRESSIVE 9,000-SQUARE-FOOT DINING SPACE INCLUDES A PATIO, CHILD’S PLAYGROUND AND SPACE FOR LIVE MUSIC – AND SOON WILL BOAST A 70-FOOT WINDMILL WATER TOWER. The “general store” appearance gives it a homey atmosphere. Tender beef brisket, made-fromscratch Czech sausage, homemade jalapeno cheese bread (my personal favorite) and the legendary Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie all keep with Levi Goode’s tradition of great barbeque. Not only do they offer mouth-watering, finger-licking ribs but everything you need to have your own barbeque. Shop online for their custom products, from a portable kitchen grill to their bottled secret barbeque sauce. So after you’re done splurging at the Outlets and you feel like wearing a sauce bib, take your friends out to eat.

Goode Co. is expert at catering as well so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy. The menu is available online.

Jarrod Klawinsky

Hidden away in a far corner of 20th Street in the Heights sits Cedar Creek Café but it isn’t really a café at all. IT IS BROTHER TO ONION CREEK AND DRY CREEK CAFES, ALSO IN THE HEIGHTS AND ALL OWNED TOGETHER. The cabin style interior is dark with a huge bar conveniently placed in the center of the dining room. The arcade was a nice touch; it gave us something to do while we were waiting for our drinks.

You can’t go wrong with the menu, everything from shrimp baskets to burgers to fried pickles. If it gets too loud, which it inevitably will, then the spacious patio wrapping around the front of the building is perfect. Price point $4-$12.

Carla Valencia

Beatrice Valencia

Carla Valencia

70. january09 002houston

002houston January 09:002houston

THE CHEF’S SPECIAL

12/18/08

11:17 AM

Page 71

Photography by Tara Fisher

CHEF WYATT MAGUIRE | RESTAURANT CHEZ ROUX AT LA TORRETTA, DEL LAGO RESORT + SPA cuisine classical french technique with local ingredients | private room chez roux offers an intimate, private dining room and elevated chef’s table in the kitchen address 600 la torretta boulevard – overlooking lake conroe in montgomery, texas | phone 936.448.4400 | website latorrettadellagoresortandspa.com FAVORITE LATE NIGHT SPOT FOR A BITE? Le Halles on Park Ave. in New York City. I used to go there around 12:30 or 1am and order a Kronenburg 1664 beer, steak tartare and a cone of frites. No better way to round out a late night.

BEST BREAKFAST? I have to say, it’s banana pancakes and good maple syrup shared with my wife at our house.

BEST BRUNCH? The 2nd Avenue Deli in New York’s Murray Hill neighborhood. My order is the hot pastrami sandwich with spicy mustard and classic egg cream soda.

WHAT INGREDIENT CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT IN THE KITCHEN AND WHY? Salt. There are so many different kinds from all around the world…all with their own personality, flavor and different use. The trick is to know how to apply them and when; if you can “taste” the salt, there is too much.

WHAT UTENSIL CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT? A spoon. Regular size and similar to what you have in your kitchen drawer at home.

I use them so much it almost feels like an extension of my hand. It’s a tool to plate food with, an accurate measurement and very helpful to handle delicate items.

WHAT’S YOUR PET PEEVE? Lateness. Being punctual is the first impression you can give to someone. Arriving late for reasons that could have been avoided are just excuses.

FAVORITE AFFORDABLE WINE? When I go out to dinner I usually order a moderately priced wine. I rarely drink wine at home – I would rather enjoy a nice artisan beer. One of my favorites in flavor and price is Otter Creek Copper Ale from Vermont.

FAVORITE PLACE FOR DESSERT? The Bridge Café, New York City – the best Red Velvet Cake I have ever had.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE CHEF, RESTAURANT AND DISH? Jean-Louis Palladin, The French Laundry Restaurant in Yountville, California, and … favorite dish? That’s a tough one. I would have to say the Steamed Languostines with Hollandaise, Saffron and Tomato at La Régalade bistro in Paris. It was a very simple dish, but the flavors were perfect. Sometimes it’s not about how many components you use to make a dish, but about how to showcase a few great ingredients, execute them to near perfection and let the dish speak for itself.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, TELL US YOUR WORST CLIENT EXPERIENCE? I have been lucky enough to have never encountered a client that could take the title of the “worst client experience.” However, I do have an incident that could be labeled as the worst experience with a client. The first wine dinner I ever did had a menu that was heavily French influenced. The dishes were cooked as classically as I could do them with the butter, cream, duck fat, etc.…etc.…all the really good stuff and a lot of it. My family came to support me, and along with them, they brought my grandfather. By the sixth course, my grandfather was complaining of chest pains. I found out later at the hospital that the pains were due to indigestion, not my food!! Since then, I take into consideration how I use certain ingredients. Sometimes less is more!

FAVORITES: SONG “BETTER TOGETHER” BY JACK JOHNSON BOOK “THE FOOD OF FRANCE” – WAVERLY ROOT. THIS BOOK GIVES DETAILS OF EACH REGION IN FRANCE AND WHAT INGREDIENTS, FOODS AND WINES THEY OFFER THAT MAKE THAT AREA SO DIVERSE FROM THE NEXT. QUOTE FROM A MOVIE “DREAMS FIRE THE IMAGINATION, BUT WITHOUT ACTION, IT GROWS COLD.” ACTION HERO MIGHTY MOUSE. HE’S SMALL BUT CAN DO BIG THINGS. SWEET MY WIFE MAKES A DESSERT WITH CARAMEL, CHOCOLATE, PECANS AND OATS THAT’S THEN BAKED IN THE OVEN. THAT WITH A GLASS OF MILK MAKES ME VERY HAPPY.

CHEZ ROUX AT LA TORRETTA 71. january09 002houston

002houston January 09:002houston

SIP CODES

By Beatrice Valencia

12/18/08

11:19 AM

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!

IT’S A NEW YEAR AND HOPEFULLY A NEW TIME IS UPON US! CERTAINLY HERE IN HOUSTON, WE HAVE THE OPENING OR “COMING SOON” OF VARIOUS BUSINESSES. HAPPY, HAPPY, JOY, JOY, INDEED! WE HAVE MANY NEW PLACES AND CONCEPTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO. I’D EXPECT WASHINGTON TO BE SATURATED, AND I’D THINK THIS WOULD PROMOTE FOOT TRAFFIC RATHER THAN CAR TRAFFIC. WHICH WOULD THEN PROMOTE THE USE OF CABS, AND THE TIRED, OVERWORKED POLICE CAN TAKE A BREAK FROM HUNTING REVELERS DOWN ON WASHINGTON AND EVERYONE COULD BE, I DON’T KNOW, A BIT SMARTER ABOUT THEIR DRIVING DECISIONS. EXPECT YOUR CHOICES FOR PLACES TO GO TO GET TEN TIMES MORE CHALLENGING NOW THAT YOU’LL HAVE OPTIONS. OH, BE AFRAID. BE VERY AFRAID. INDECISION WILL SURELY BE AN EPIDEMIC. I’LL TRY MY BEST TO NAME AND DESCRIBE A FEW PLACES I’VE HEARD ABOUT ON THE STREET OR, NOT GOING TO LIE, READ ON THE INTERNET. BUT LIKE MOST NEW UPCOMING COOL THINGS, THEY LIKE TO BE VERY HUSH-HUSH OR VAGUE ON DETAILS SO YOU’RE FORCED TO CHECK IT OUT AND REACH YOUR OWN CONCLUSION. YOU KNOW, COOL TO ME MAY NOT BE COOL TO YOU. SO, HAPPY OBSERVING AND OPINION SORTING TO YOU IN YOUR QUEST TO FIND YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLACES TO HIT.

1

LET’S START WITH THE MUCH-AWAITED HOUSTON PAVILIONS…

LUCKY STRIKE LANES- As a bowling buff it is blasphemous that I haven’t been to 300 at press time. I plan on doing that ASAP. That aside, a bowling alley downtown is long overdue. I feel for all of you who have lived there and found yourselves ill with boredom. Welcome to a new chapter of your life! And soreness in places you would’ve never imagined.

Think of it as an entertaining workout because it’ll hurt that badly. Soon you’ll be addicted trying to better your score and secretly practicing to impress your friends. Not that I have resorted to any of those tactics.

From what I’ve seen, this is not your regular bowling alley. It’s hip, cool and modern. It might have you rethinking what to wear to go bowling because this will be your night out.

2

Page 72

SOME OTHER SPOTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO ARE: III FORKS STEAKHOUSE- With locations in Dallas and Austin, they promise to be a dining experience like no other, an equal and mouthwatering balance between fish and beef.

CUPCAKE CAFÉ EXPRESS- Not sure what they’re about but cupcake is in the name and I’m sold…

YAO’S RESTAURANT & BAR- Yes, that’s as in Yao MING. Already on the Westside, you’ll finally get your chance to go inside the loop!

CORK WINE BAR- Already in Pearland and Clear Lake. I like wine, I like the direction this is going.

PETE’S DUELING PIANO BAR- There’s one in Austin so the addition to Houston is much appreciated. Highly entertaining and interactive from what I’ve read.

There is more restaurant, entertainment and retail info available at houstonpavilions.com.

3

WEST AVENUE IS GOING UP ON WESTHEIMER AND KIRBY AND WILL BE “AN URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD OF INTRIGUING SHOPS, RESTAURANTS AND ENTERTAINING PLACES.” CRU- A wine bar and restaurant already wildly popular in Dallas will make its home in West Avenue. Think European café, with French accents, and the food is described “as a contemporary collection of French-Continental, Asian Fusion and Wine Country separated into categories of sharing plates, dinner entrees and cheese flights.” My curiosity is piqued…

PIE BAR- A sleek gourmet pizza bar open until 2am. Yes, I used the word bar, therefore you will be able to get a drink there too.

THE SOCIAL HOUSE- Established in Dallas, this Gastropub concept makes its debut in Houston. If you are like me and not sure what a Gastropub is, let me help you out. This is what I found: “Gastropubs, brainchild of London in the 1900s, combine a relaxed and cozy ambiance plus a diverse and innovative menu prepared to the standards of a fine restaurant.” Sounds delish!

SWIG- Born in San Antonio, they’re the experts in martinis. They also offer your other vice liquors, beers and wine. Plan on hearing live jazz music and having the chance to puff on a cigar. Definitely a Johnny Walker Black place...

WILDFISH- “Wildfish is a restaurant where the atmosphere is exciting, the food is center stage and the staff is dedicated to every detail.” I probably couldn’t describe it any other way. Its other location has earned accolades in excellence.

4

I REACHED OUT TO VARIOUS “SOURCES” AND THIS IS WHAT I HAVE GATHERED ON SOME SPOTS SPROUTING UP AROUND TOWN THIS YEAR.

RARE BAR- 700 Durham 713.515.1082 rarebar.com This restaurant and lounge will be a “unique concept that bridges the gap between the dining experience as we know it and cutting-edge nightlife entertainment. Rare Bar will deliver on this promise by generously feeding the five human senses.” I don’t know about you, but I’m ready!

ANVIL BAR & REFUGE- 1424 Westheimer Rd. Bobby Heugel, former Beaver’s mixologist, and business partner Kevin Floyd, also from Beaver’s, are the brains behind this endeavor. Expect nostalgia at its finest, from the 1959 structure to the vintage glasses to a “classic approach to cocktails that rejuvenates some forgotten recipes.” And of course, their own original cocktail 72. january09 002houston

recipes. Exclusive microbrews and an eclectic wine offering will also be available for the cocktail-challenged. Food such as pizza, salads, sandwiches and cheese plates will be served late into the night to pair with your cocktails. As if that weren’t enough, some of Houston’s finest and most experienced bartenders in the business will be serving up top-notch service.

BYRD’S MARKET- On Prairie and Main this high-end gourmet outpost will offer fresh prepared foods and specialty items. Rumor has it a wine bar will be opening up next door.

A LITTLE BIRD ALSO TOLD ME THAT AT ONE PARK PLACE, A GROCERY STORE IS IN THE WORKS AS WELL AS A WINE BAR/CAFÉ.

5

A FEW DETAILS ON SOME MAINSTAYS THAT ARE GETTING FACELIFTS OR SECOND LOCALES:

BENJY’S on Washington promises to be a happening scene and I’m predicting it will be busting at the seams with popularity. The renowned architect behind the Belmont in Austin was the genius behind the striking structure.

CAFÉ ANNIE, which is moving to Ambassador Way, is said to be a 3part concept with the main dining room, “grill room” on the second floor adjacent to Bar Annie with an über-exclusive lounge downstairs.

RUGGLES GRILL 5115 is in talks of creating an interesting bar and lounge scene. I hear maybe a revamp on the menu too. A few touches to create a nighttime scene are in the works.

SO VINO officially has their liquor license so run over there a get yourself a yummy cheese plate and wash it down with a libation of your choice.

002houston January 09:002houston

CD REVIEWS

12/18/08

11:20 AM

Page 73

By Lance Scott Walker

"$ " (Roc-A-Fella) Put me in the minority of folks who thought " ! %$ was fresh, $ #$" $ was brilliant and " % $ was irritating.

So is this one, but in such an unpredictable way that even West’s choice to lather all the vocals in Auto-Tune is almost excusable.

That’s because the production is all over the place—big strings and fat synths rolling over (as the title suggests) beats that are largely backed with a TR-808 drum machine and select measures of booming, epic tom-toms to give it depth. Oh, and he # # That part could be an experiment, could be the fact that he is pulling from a thick emotional Rolodex of late (with the death of his mother and breaking off of his engagement) or it could be the fact that it only took West until his fourth album to explore the very real possibility that, with some artists, rap has its limitations. And he goes for it, only scarcely returning to spitting form in a few choice spots and only casually reminding you that he ' # known as a rapper via drops from Jeezy and Weezy on two of the tracks. That issues a balance that he strived for on his last release but which ended up sounding patchwork. That much is good, but the fact of the matter is that this record is " in Auto-Tune (the Peter Frampton effect, for those not in the know), and that’s unfortunate because Kanye can sing—' . And he can write melodies. And he had proven himself an apt producer before he ever set foot in front of the microphone. But he paints an ever-decadent coat over all of that by consulting T-Pain to learn how to use Auto-Tune correctly? Dude, don’t call T-Pain next time!

KANYE WEST

ABN $ #

#

$ $ # (Rap-A-Lot)

It’s almost become comical, the number of combinations in which H-Town rappers Z-Ro and Trae are involved with one another. Both appear on each other’s solo albums, they are each members of Guerilla Maab, and they have undoubtedly appeared on many a Screw tape together. Oh yeah, and they’re cousins. But each of their projects, though they might both be front and center, is markedly different from the other. Of those, although it might be the lesser known, ABN is arguably the most cohesive. And it might sound outlandish in respect to the tone of their previous efforts, but this really # their darkest work. It’s also their warmest. $ #* Comes off sounding more like an R&B or soul record than it does Southern Rap, with Ro and Trae’s deep, gruff voices harmonizing and floating over thick beats and backing tracks that wouldn’t sound out of place on a gospel record. And though their voices are both characteristically deep, it’s the binary effect that makes them sound so good together, with Trae hovering at a whisper at points and Z-Ro erupting into emotional tirades full of spit and venom. It might be gangsta R&B and soul, but it’s still gangsta. As Trae sings on “Still Gets No Love,” the album’s the penultimate track: $ ( %# ) #$ % ) % & ") ) ## . No matter how it sounds, it’s still there; where do you think they got their name?

SCOTTIE SPITTEN & KING MIDAS AS SPITTEN KING

(Peace Uv Mine) Two main things stick out about this five track EP from these local rappers. One is that the guest appearances on here are ! " $ ) chosen. Kay (The Foundation), (The Legendary) K.O. and EQuality (H.I.S.D.) all pepper the last two tracks like relay racers, with the latter of whom bridging the two. But that isn’t a strike on the other tracks. In fact, that’s the other hook here—the fact that this short bit of work ends up playing like a full-length album. And that’s because the production fades and swells in and out ' $ the tracks, expanding the dynamics and not limiting to the admittedly cursory vibe an EP typically exudes. And where some records, EP or not, typically begin to float away on the last track, that’s where this one actually locks into its groove right before it signs off, with the brilliant, “I’m on Fire,” a track which also marks the first time you’ve heard a reference to “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” followed by a beat built around a sample of Duran Duran.

73. january09 002houston

002houston January 09:002houston

12/18/08

11:21 AM

Page 74

GLORIA GAYNOR:

ONE NIGHT IN HOUSTON

By Nadia Michel

LISTED AT #97 ON BILLBOARD’S GREATEST SONGS OF ALL TIME, “I WILL SURVIVE” WAS FIRST RECORDED IN 1978 AND RECEIVED THE GRAMMY AWARD FOR BEST DISCO RECORDING IN 1980.

TO CELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF WEDDING AND RADIO PLAY (AND COUNTLESS BAD KARAOKE RENDITIONS!), GLORIA GAYNOR IS PERFORMING WITH THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY IN A ONE-NIGHT-ONLY SPECIAL CONCERT EVENT.

How has music changed over the last 30 years?

I think it’s changed quite a lot. It doesn’t have the one element that I’m always aware of, which is live musicians. When we recorded in the 70’s we had 30 or 40 guys in the studio. These days they have a couple of guys with keyboards. The music today is lacking the spontaneity that comes from a bunch of musicians working together.

What is it about “I Will Survive”?

The song celebrates the tenacity of people. It celebrates women in a man’s world.

What does disco music stand for?

It’s positive, upbeat; it helps relieve stress – which a lot of people seem to be having these days.

Is disco alive today?

Disco music is alive and well. I think we’ve just changed the name to protect the guilty. We now call it dance music!

How do you like being dubbed the “Queen of Disco”?

If it’s coming from fans who think that my music was the best of disco, I like it.

Who are your favorite current artists?

I love Alicia Keys and Brian McKnight. Laura Jones is great, too. And don’t we all always love Whitney? Oh, and Beyoncé.

Do you have a disco ball in your house?

I have a disco ball over my dance floor. I use it when I have parties.

Do you like hearing your songs at parties?

I enjoy it. It’s wonderful to know something you’ve done endures. Especially as a mature person, I appreciate the value of endurance.

What are you currently working on?

I have a gospel album coming out next year.

Who is your most surprising fan?

Michael Jackson! The night before 9/11 we did a show at Madison Square Garden. He called me after the show and thanked me for my performance and told me he was really happy to have met me.

What’s the best part of being Gloria Gaynor?

Having the opportunity to share my love of God with the audience. I became a born-again Christian in 1982. In 1989, I asked God if he would be happy if I put at least one gospel song on each album. He said no. Then I said I’d make only gospel albums. He said no again. So I did not work the entire year of 1989. I spent it with God. It was actually the most exciting year of my life. Then I stopped bargaining with God and decided I was going to use my music to share His love. Then he said, “As long as your music is performed for my glory, it is not laical, it is sanctified.”

What is the least known fact about you?

People probably don’t know I used to make all my stage clothes. These days I don’t have time. This year, I was invited to Bette Midler’s Halloween party and I went as Nefertiti. I couldn’t find a big enough necklace so I thought I’d make one myself; but when I went to use my old sewing machine, it didn’t even work anymore!

Gloria Gaynor appears with the Houston Symphony January 23 at Jones Hall at 7:30pm. Concert and after-party tickets can be purchased at the Houston Symphony Customer Service Center at Jones Hall from 10am to 6pm, Monday through Saturday, by telephone at 713.244.7575 or on the Internet at houstonsymphony.org.

Official events of the special disco evening will also include a VIP After-Party with Gloria Gaynor, catered by Jackson and Company. Hosted by Milton Townsend, Melissa Mithoff and Mark Sullivan, the party will be on the stage at Jones Hall immediately after the concert.

South Beach night club in Houston will host a theme party titled “I Will Survive” later that night. There will be no cover charge for the party at South Beach for anyone holding a ticket stub from the Gloria Gaynor concert.

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002houston January 09:002houston

12/18/08

11:21 AM

Page 75

DISCO MUSIC IS ALIVE AND WELL. I THINK WE’VE JUST CHANGED THE NAME TO PROTECT THE GUILTY. WE NOW CALL IT DANCE MUSIC!

FAVORITES FAVORITE NICKNAME: GG FAVORITE SONG OF ALL-TIME:: “I Will Survive” FAVORITE MEAL: Fried chicken wings with biscuits from Popeye’s, or with fries, at Hooters FAVORITE GREEN THING TO DO/PRODUCT: Reducing and recycling plastic

75. january09 002houston

002houston January 09:002houston

12/18/08

CLUB+LOUNGE REVIEW

11:24 AM

Page 76

By Travis Jones Photography by Daniel Ortiz

BLOCK 21 | 2420 WASHINGTON AVE.

H

SPICING UP THE WASH WITH A KOOKY GENIUS

ere’s an interesting tidbit: Block 21, the latest lounge on Washington Avenue, has a room named after Howard Hughes. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, Wiki him, rent The Aviator or, God forbid, just open a book. Another interesting nugget: Hughes is buried across the street from Block 21 in Glenwood Cemetery. I swear I’m not making that up. And I swear I’m not just trying to creep you out or arm you with random info for your next game of Trivial Pursuit; I mention this peculiar fact because Hughes’ maverick genius lives, reincarnated by this new hotspot on The Wash.

Block 21 is tucked between two drab buildings on 2420 Washington Avenue, near Sawyer, but don’t miss it; Block 21 is the penny you find lodged between your couch cushions. The dandelion bursting from between the snaggled cracks in a sidewalk.

A bona fide diamond in the rough. Approaching Block 21, you can immediately tell you’re getting into something special. The impressive oaken doors, lavishly draped in violet and white fabric are reminiscent of a flamboyant Middle Eastern palace.

Polished and decorated with ornate woodwork and colorful accoutrement, they stand prepared to transport visitors to another world. Surprisingly, no password required.

No nooks and crannies to hide away in, visitors step immediately into an erupting Turkish bazaar of lights, sound and wonder. The ceiling above is blatantly industrial, the ground a cold and unapologetic concrete, but what hangs in the air is what sets Block 21 apart. IMPORTED FROM MOROCCO BY WAY OF THE BIG APPLE, STUNNING HAMMERED-BRASS LIGHT FIXTURES DANGLE AND SEND SHARDS OF BRILLIANTLY HUED LIGHT EVERY WHICH WAY to the beat of freshly spun music, like earrings on a giant belly dancer. An entire wall is devoted to a 30-foot video screen onto which projectors cast deliciously trippy, computer-generated effects like an ever-changing canvas of light.

The crowd is one of the most diverse in Houston, particularly because of Block 21’s ability to maintain an atmosphere that is both laid-back and tantalizingly exotic. THE OWNER, ZIGGY, WHO ALSO OWNS ANOTHER HOUSTON FAVORITE CALLED THE FLAT, recognizes that Block 21 is what it is, so to speak. He simply set the wheels in

motion and lets the dress code and atmosphere manage itself through the marketplace of ideas, the law of averages and a bunch of other economic terms I pretend to understand. In other words, Block 21 has the ability to adapt and fill the demand of whatever mood Houston is in.

When darkness falls on any given Friday evening and Houston comes out to play, the sun comes up at Block 21. DJ Sun, that is. He spins a heavily percussive, jazz/Latin infused blend of homegrown grooves designed to get you moving, but even more importantly, DJ Sun guides you on a musical journey. He keeps the energy high and with bass pumping and lights bouncing in rhythm, he takes visitors to wherever they please.

And of course, there’s Hughes Bar. NAMED AFTER THE ECCENTRIC PLAYBOY OF SPRUCE GOOSE FAME, THE SMALL ROOM IN THE BACK OFFERS A RESPITE FROM THE FRENETIC FRONT OF HOUSE. Painted in the colors of a go-go sunset, back here you can live the cush life as you relax on the booths that line the wall or a seat at the bar. Although available for private parties, Hughes Bar doesn’t lend itself well to the term VIP. Anyone can saunter down the hallway to this lounge-within-a-lounge on most any given night, because at Block 21, everyone is a “very important person.”

The bar is made from salvaged Live Oak and resembles driftwood as people cling to it. It boasts a full selection of beer and cocktails, and their price drops farther than the DOW during Block 21’s happy hour from 4 to 9. What sticks out the most about Block 21’s drink selection though is the seductive caipirinha that smashes the laws of libation. Concocted from Brazilian sugarcane liquor, lime juice and sugar, its seductive appeal stems from a sexily refreshing simplicity that, for lack of a better word, is just plain delicious.

Block 21 adds the perfect spice to the dish that is Washington Avenue. Delectably different yet laid-back and inviting, the place has found its niche. Exciting. Kooky.

Genius. Howard Hughes would be proud.

76. january09 002houston

Photography by Hunter Jones for LastNightPics.com

002houston January 09:002houston

12/18/08

11:26 AM

Page 77

EVENT GRAND OPENING PARTY WHY TO CELEBRATE A NEW YOGA STUDIO IN TOWN WHERE YOGA ONE STUDIOS WHEN NOVEMBER 14 There’s a new yoga studio in town and it’s taking names and kicking you-know-what! The grand opening proved to be a celebration for the senses. With bites, organic beers, belly dancing, chair massages, henna tattoos AND actual sweat-breaking yoga demonstrations taking place, all guests were entertained whatever fitness level they’re inclined.

Jennifer Buergermeister,

Natalya Gooch

Albina and Roger Rippy, Nicole Haagenson

David Dove, Lucas Gorham, Y.E. Torres, Lizzie

Marina & Natasha

Liav Amar, Yana Kristal, Yoni Sade

Nicole Laurent, Eric Osteen, Vika Filippov, Joey Romano, Jenni Rebecca Stevenson

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002houston January 09:002houston

12/17/08

12:33 PM

Page 78

002NIGHT LIFE downtown

702 702 W. Dallas. 713.654.8040 702houston.com A+ BAR inside Alden Hotel 1117 Prairie. 832.200.8800 aldenhotels.com BANK BAR 220 Main. 832.667.4477 hotelicon.com

CABO 417 Travis. 713.225.2060 cabomixmex.com COPA CABANA 114 Main. 713.223.COPA copacabanalounge.com

C&F DRIVE INN 6714 N. Main. 713.861.0704 CHAR BAR 305 Travis. 713.222.8177 charbarhouston.com CLUB ICE/MANTRA 711 Main. 713.225.3500 mantrahouston.com

THE COTTON EXCHANGE 202 Travis. 713.213.1141 cottonexchangelounge.com

DEAN’S CREDIT CLOTHING 316 Main. 713.227.3326 myspace.com/deanscreditclothing

DIVE LOUNGE inside the Aquarium 410 Bagby. 713.223.3474 EIGHTEEN TWENTY 1820 Franklin. 713.224.5535 myspace.com/1820bar ETTA’S LOUNGE 5120 Scott. 713.528.2611 FLYING SAUCER 705 Main. 713.228.7468 beerknurd.com

GLO 505 Main. 713.223.3456 club-glo.com

HEAT 511 Main. 713.225.8020 myspace.com/clubheat_houston HOUSE OF BLUES 1204 Caroline. 1-888-40-BLUES hob.com/houston

BARS + CLUBS + LOUNGES + WINE BARS JAZZ AT THE MAGNOLIA 1100 Texas. 713.221.0011 magnoliahotels.com

TOC BAR 711 Franklin. 713.224.4862 myspace.com/tocbarhouston

LA CARAFE 813 Congress. 713.229.9399

galleria + uptown

JET LOUNGE 1515 Pease. 713.659.2000 myspace.com/jetlounge

LEVEL 412 Main. 713.227.0410 myspace.com/levelhouston LIVE SPORTS CAFÉ 407 Main. 713.228.5483 livesportscafe.com

LONE STAR SALOON 1900 Travis. 713.757.1616 MOLLY’S PUB 509 Main. 713.222.1033 mollyspubs.com

NOTSUOH 314 Main. 713.237.8220 myspace.com/notsuohmusic

RED CAT JAZZ CAFÉ 924 Congress. 713.226.7870 redcatjazzcafe.com

RESERVE 101 1201 Caroline. 713.655.7101 reserve101.com

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

SHAY MCELROY’S 909-A Texas. 713.223.2444 mcelroyspub.com SKYLINE BAR & GRILL 1600 Lamar. 713.577.6139 (inside Hilton Americas)

STATE BAR & LOUNGE 909 #2-A Texas. 713.229.8888 thestatebar.com

THE TREEHOUSE Discovery Green 1611 Lamar. 713.337.7321 thegrovehouston.com THE VAULT 723 Main. 713.224.6891

VENUE 719 Main. 713.236.8150 venuehouston.com

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

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

BELVEDERE 1131 Uptown Park. 713.552.9271 belvedereinfo.com

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

UROPA 3302 Mercer. 713.627.1132 cluburopahouston.com

WILD WEST 6101 Richmond. 713.266.3455 wildwesthouston.com

heights + washington

THE BLACK SWAN 4 Riverway. 713.871.8181 (inside the Omni Hotel)

BLUE LABEL LOUNGE 4500 Washington. bluelabellounge.com CLUB 26 TEN 2610 Sage. 713.974.4000 myspace.com/club26ten

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

RA SUSHI 3908 Westheimer. 713.621.5800 rasushi.com

REMINGTON BAR 1919 Briar Oaks Ln. 713.403.2631 (inside St. Regis Hotel) theremingtonrestaurant.com ROXY 5851 W. Alabama. 713.850.ROXY myspace.com/roxyhouston

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

CHAISE LOUNGE 4219 Washington. 713.861.2300 chaiseloungehouston.net

CITIZEN LOUNGE 4606 Washington. 713.862.4448 THE CORKSCREW 1919 Washington. 713.864.9463 houstoncorkscrew.com CORLEONE BAR & GRILL 813 Jackson. 713.863.8223 (behind Patrenella’s) patrenellas.net COSMOS CAFÉ 69 Heights. 713.802.2144 cosmoshouston.com

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

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DARKHORSE TAVERN 2207 Washington. 713.426.2442 dhtavern.com

DECO 510 Gray. 713.659.4900 decohouston.com

THE DRAKE 1902 Washington. 713.861.9600 thedrakebar.com

EPIC 3030 Travis. 713.862.4810

THE DIRT 222 Yale. 713.426.4222 myspace.com/dirtbar

EL TIEMPO CANTINA 5602 Washington. 713.681.3645 eltiempocantina.com KOBAIN 33 Waugh. 713.862.9911 kobain.net

MOLINA’S 4720 Washington. 713.862.0013 molinasrestaurants.com ONION CREEK 3106 White Oak. 713.880.0706 onioncreekcafe.com

PEARL BAR 4216 Washington. 713.863.5337 pearlbarhouston.com

THE SOCIAL 3730 Washington. 713.426.5585 thesocialinfo.com

midtown

13 CELSIUS 3000 Caroline. 713.529.8466 13celsius.com

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

EL PATIO 2416 Brazos. 713.523.8181 elpatio.com

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

HOWL AT THE MOON 612 Hadley. 713.658.9700 howlatthemoon.com

IBIZA LOUNGE NEXT DOOR 2450 Louisiana. 713.520.7300 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 themapleleafpub.blogspot.com THE MINK/THE BACKROOM 3718 Main. 713.522.9985 themink.org

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

RICH’S 2401 San Jacinto. 713.759.9606 richshouston.com

BOND 2700 Milam. 713.529.2663 bond2700.com

COACHES 2204 Louisiana. 713.751.1970 CHRISTIAN’S TAILGATE 2000 Bagby. 713.527.0261

SAMMY’S 2016 Main. 713.751.3101 sammysat2016main.com

SAINT DANE’S BAR + GRILL 502 Elgin. 713.807.7040

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STATUS 2404 San Jacinto. 713.659.5400 myspace.com/statushouston

CEZANNE JAZZ CLUB 4100 Montrose. 713.522.9321 blacklaboradorpub.com

SCOTT GERTNER’S SKYBAR 3400 Westheimer. 713.520.9688 msypace.com/scottgertnersskybar

BAKER STREET PUB 5510 Morningside. 713.942.9900 bakerstreetpub.com

DOWNING STREET 2549 Kirby. 713.523.2291 downingstreetpub.com

THE ROOF 2600 Travis. 713.522.4900 roofbarhouston.com THE WET SPOT 160 W. Gray. 713.523.7768 wetspot-houston.com

THE DAVENPORT 2115 Richmond. 713.520.1140

THE TAVERN 1340 W. Gray. 713.522.5159 thetavernongray.com

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

LIZZARD’S PUB 2715 Sackett. 713.529.4610

SWIVEL 2621 Milam. 713.222.2057 swivelhouston.com

TIPSY CLOVER 2416 Brazos. 713.524.8782 WHISKEY CREEK 2905 Travis. 713.526.4225 whiskeycreekhouston.com

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

ZEPPELIN 3101 San Jacinto. 713.521.7300 myspace.com/zeppelin713

montrose + shepherd

ABSINTHE 609 Richmond. 713.528.7575 absinthelounge.com

AGORA 1717 Westheimer. 713.526.7212 agorahouston.com AVANTGARDEN 411 Westheimer. 832.519.1429 avantgardenhouston.com

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

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

CATBIRDS 1336 Westheimer. 713.523.8000 catbirds.com

GUAVA LAMP 570 Waugh. 713.524.3359 myspace.com/guavalamphouston

THE FLAT 1702 Commonwealth. 713.521.3528 ETRO 1424 Westheimer. 713.529.3449 myspace.com/etrohouston GRIFF’S 3416 Roseland. 713.528.9912 griffshouston.com

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

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

VELVET MELVIN 3303 Richmond. 713.522.6798 myspace.com/thevelvetmelvinpub VINTAGE 2108 Kipling. 713.522.4200

ZAKE LOUNGE 2943 S. Shepherd. 713.526.6888 zakerestaurant.com ZIMM’S MARTINI & WINE 4321 Montrose. 713.521.2002

museum district

LZ PUB 2239 Richmond. 713.522.7118

MONARCH LOUNGE 5701 Main (inside Hotel ZaZa).

713.526.1991 monarchrestauranthouston.com

MCELROY’S PUB 3607 Sandman. 713.524.2444 mcelroyspub.com

outer loop

MARFRELESS 2006 Peden. 713.528.0083

METEOR 2306 Genesee. 713.521.0123 meteorhouston.com

THE NEXT DOOR 2020 Waugh. 713.520.1712 myspace.com/thenextdoorgallery NUMBERS 300 Westheimer. 713.526.6551 numbersnightclub.com PRIVE 910 Westheimer. 713.526.6551 privelounge.com

POISON GIRL 1641-B Westheimer. 713.527.9929 myspace.com/poisongirlbar.com SOUTH BEACH 810 Pacific. 713.529.7623 southbeachthenightclub.com

SLIDER’S BAR 1424 Westheimer. 713.528.2788 slidersbar.com

DENIM BAR 16090 City Walk. 281.275.5925 (inside the Burning Pear) theburningpear.com THE DERRICK TAVERN 1127 Eldridge. 281.759.4922 thederricktavern.com

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

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

rice village

ARMADILLO PALACE 5015 Kirby. 713.526.9700 thearmadillopalace.com

BAM BOU 2540 University. 713.521.7222 bambouhouston.com

BRONX BAR 5555 Morningside. 713.520.9690 myspace.com/buddhalounge ERNIE’S ON BANKS 1010 Banks. 713.526.4566 erniesonbanks.com

THE GINGER MAN 5607 Morningside. 713.526.2770 gingermanpub.com JOHNNY’S SPORTS BAR 2511 Bissonnet. 713.521.9928 myspace.com/joialounge

KAY’S LOUNGE 2324 Bissonnet. 713.528.9858

LITTLE WOODROW’S 5611 Morningside. 713.521.2337 littlewoodrows.com THE LOUNGE AT BENJI’S 2424 Dunstan. 713.522.7602 benjys.com

VOLCANO 2349 Bissonnet. 713.526.5282

KENNEALLY’S IRISH PUB 2111 S. Shepherd. 713.630.0486 irishpubkenneallys.com

MEZZANINE LOUNGE 2200 Southwest Frwy. 713.528.MEZZ mezzaninelounge.com MUGSY’S 3200 Kirby. 713.526.5595

RICKSHAW BAMBU 2810 Westheimer. 713.942.7272 rickshaw-bambu.com ROLL-N SALOON 4200 San Felipe. 713.622.7487 TACO MILAGRO 2555 Kirby. 713.522.1999 taco-milagro.com

THE WINE BUCKET 2311 W. Alabama. 713.942.9463 thewinebucket.com

warehouse district

EIGHTEEN TWENTY 1820 Franklin. 713.224.5535 1820bar.com

river oaks + kirby

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

THE ARMADILLO PALACE 5015 Kirby. 713.526.9700 thearmadillopalace.com

NEXT 2020 McKinney. 713.221.8833 whatsnexthouston.com

AZTECA’S BAR & GRILL 2207 Richmond. 713.526.1702 aztecasbarandgrill.com

THE BIG EASY 5731 Kirby. 713.523.9999 bigeasyblues.com

COVA 5600 Kirby. 713.838.0700

5555 Washington. 713.868.3366 covawine.com

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THE MERIDIAN 1503 Chartres. 713.225.1717 meridianhouston.com

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

WAREHOUSE LIVE 813 St. Emanuel. 713.225.5483 warehouselive.com

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Interview by Lance Scott Walker Photography by Anthony Rathbun

MIC SKILLS SO YOU’RE GOING OUT ON TOUR WITH VERTUAL VERTIGO. ARE YOU GOING ON THAT SMALL TOWN RUN THEY’RE DOING? Yeah, it’s called “Fum Buck Egypt…” The way it started was, some promoters in Montana hit them up and they were like ‘yo, we want you guys to come to Montana.’

And they were like ‘really?’ and they’re like ‘yeah, man, we never get anything; everybody always skips us, we have to go to Seattle for shows or whatever— we’d love to have ya’ll come through.’

THOSE TOWNS ARE HUNGRY. Definitely! I mean I’m seeing the potential to be crazy.

I’ve never been to half of these places anyway. So I don’t know what to expect.

WHO DID YOU WORK WITH ON THE BEATS FOR DEFIANT? The entire album is mostly Digi and Vango, and then after that it’s Alpha 20/20, actually Mike from Mike and Ike. He does production as well. And then Darren of Last Soul Descendents, High Stakes gave me a couple of tracks…

WERE YOU GOING FOR A CERTAIN VIBE ON THAT? THERE SEEMS TO BE THIS SORT OF CONTINUITY, THIS EPIC 70S CRIME DRAMA/DISASTER FLICK VIBE WITH THOSE REALLY DESPERATE-SOUNDING STRINGS BACKING YOU UP. Definitely. When I started working on it, I said to myself that I wanted to do an album that was a cohesive unit.

I wanted it to be a concept album, and at the same time be versatile and show a whole lot of different sides of me, but more than anything I wanted it to kind of tell a story of me, make the introduction official. So this is the first time people get to hear my story, and I wanted to tell it in a way that’s kind of stylized, with a message behind it. So when I sat down two years ago and started on Defiant, I was a solo artist and I joined a group at the time and the entire feel of the album kind of swinged a lot. Going back to last November when we parted ways, I went back to square one and back to the core of what the album was; I just threw away everything I did with them and I took a few tracks that I was workin’ on, remixed them and I just started reaching out to people. There were other artists that were reaching out to me and were like ‘well, what are you workin’ on?’ I told them the concept of the album, what I was going for, and to send me some tracks and I’ll pick some stuff. Some of the tracks came out by accident in that I heard the instrumental and it spoke to me and I thought ‘I know what I want to do for this song; this is something I wasn’t even thinkin’ of—I’m glad you

played this.’ And in some cases there were things where I’d come up with a title… like I really wanted to do a song called “Criminal,” and for that one I went over to Vango’s house where he makes all his beats and he was playing me this ill orchestra sample and I was like ‘what is that?’ and he had started workin’ on it a few hours ago. And it was perfect. I sat down and I wrote the entire song on Christmas Eve last year. It’s ironic; I wrote a song called “Criminal” on Christmas Eve, but it just captured the vibe I was goin’ for. That was the first track for the new album. As soon as we got that, we knew where we were goin’.

they’d have these neighborhood watch things, so I’d come home and there’d be a bulletin on my door, on everybody’s door in the entire complex and it would be like ‘there was an incident on the property involving an African American male, approximately this tall, wearing jeans,’ part of me… it’s funny, but it’s not because the description of the incident, I kinda laughed at it because I’m thinking that it’s me. That I’m unknowingly just walking past somebody’s window being paranoid – maybe they thought I was a Peeping Tom when I’m just walking by their window to get to my apartment.

So part of me is like ‘is that me?’

IS “CRIMINAL” CONTROVERSIAL IN YOUR MIND OR JUST IN THE RESPONSE YOU’VE GOTTEN TO IT? It’s both. In my mind it’s controversial because… I came up with the concept of the song before I wrote it. I moved into a new neighborhood, right outside of The Heights, kind of Memorial area. Gentrified. It was a situation where I was kind of one of the ‘brown’ folks, and I could see some neighbors was kinda cool, but some people in my apartment complex just gave me the stare down. Or I’d walk past them in the hall and they’d lock their door really fast. I’ve gotten that vibe all throughout my life so it didn’t really bother me but it started building up on me day by day when I’m coming home, doing late hours in the studio, feelin’ good, and then I come home walkin’ into my apartment and it’s like ‘oh, run!’

SO IT’S KIND OF THIS IRONIC FAKE IDENTITY YOU CREATED FOR YOURSELF TO GET PAST IT. Yeah! Kind of like ‘maybe I did do this!’ It’s not that I’m thinkin’ I peeped inside somebody’s window, but maybe I parked my car and walked past somebody’s window and just happened to look at something in that direction and at the same time they peeked out and saw me and ‘oh my god! Stop peepin’ in my window!

I’m so uncomfortable!’ Every week, these bulletins would keep coming up, and I would read the descriptions and it was on my side of the complex, and at about the time I come home from the studio, so now I’m starting to take it personally—this isn’t a joke.

Somebody realistically think I’m a criminal. They’re thinking this is a trespasser. It started to mess with my mind. So I started to kind of freak out and… ‘did I do that?’ while at the same time jokin’ with myself like…

I’m not a Peeping Tom. You should be laughing at this. www.myspace.com/micskillstheillest

IT GETS OLD. Yeah! It gets old, and it culminated in a thing where

IT’S IRONIC; I WROTE A SONG CALLED “CRIMINAL” ON CHRISTMAS EVE, BUT IT JUST CAPTURED THE VIBE I WAS GOIN’ FOR. THAT WAS THE FIRST TRACK FOR THE NEW ALBUM. AS SOON AS WE GOT THAT, WE KNEW WHERE WE WERE GOIN’.

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OO2CROSSWORD

Crossword by Myles Mellor

ACROSS

KRISTINA’S FAVORITE RAW RECIPE LIVING ZUCCHINI & YAM ANGEL HAIR PASTA – serves 4 Ingredients: 2 cups angel hair pasta from 1 large zucchini 2 cups angel hair pasta from 1/2 medium size yam 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions Directions: You’ll need a Saladacco to make the angel hair pasta. Otherwise, use a salad grater—but it won’t be the same as having those long strips of “pasta” to twirl with a fork on a spoon!

28. Plant transfer

1. Campaign for a natural planet

30. Haricot or green

4. Environmentally friendly currency?

31. Reverberate

10. Wonder 11. Green color 12. Leaves and trees, etc.

15. Uncooked 16. Redwood, for example 21. Green color 22. ___ alert 23. ABBA song, with “Mamma” 24. French lake 25. Green color and veggie 26. Cell stuff 27. Prevent

BEFORE WE GO

32. French for green 36. Tree that weeps 37. They wear green on St Patrick’s Day 39. Very high, for short 40. Unhygienic 44. Green color or herb 46. Growing area 47. Emissions contributing to global warming DOWN 1. Anne of Green ____

2. Green advice for a dieter? (2 words)

20. Midway green on the golf course

3. Big zero

21. Note

4. Unit of weight, for short

26. Medical man

5. Corn segment 6. Green grass eater 7. Necessary duty 8. Green tree 9. Southernmost part of the US in turquoise-green waters 13. Male green grass eater

29. Green color and green soup 30. Lawn game locale, with green 33. Oil carriers 34. Green___ (beginner) 35. Green tree

Crowe who liked green-eyed ladies in “3:10 to Yuma” 38. Green creeper 41. Yes, captain 42. Double 43. Girl’s name 44. Green color 45. Promotions (abbr.)

46. Background, for short

37. Russell __

DECEMBER ANSWERS

14. Healthy drink when “green” 17. Celebrity 18. Management position, abbr.

19. Fully developed 82. january09 002houston

Wash zucchini, yam and green onions under cool running water.

Peel zucchini and yam if needed.

Cut zucchini into 2-inch pieces. Place in Saladacco and adjust setting for angel hair pasta.

Process zucchini until you have 2 cups. Set aside.

Slice yam into 2-inch sections.

Repeat process until you have 2 cups. Set aside.

Hint: Taste the yam pasta before making the full 2 cups. If you don’t like it as much as the zucchini, then make less yam and more zucchini.

Sometimes the yams just won’t cooperate in the Saladacco. In this case, use a vegetable grater.

Arrange pasta artistically on dinner plates. If pasta seems too long, cut into manageable lengths.

Sprinkle green onions over yam and zucchini. Set plates aside while you make the sauce and cheese.

Step Two: MARINARA SAUCE: makes 3 cups Ingredients: 3/4 cup very loosely packed sundried tomatoes 2-3 ripe tomatoes, equivalent to 1 1/2 cups chopped 2+ tablespoons chopped green onion or mild sweet onion 1/4 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves (use more if you’re crazy about basil) 4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

4 teaspoons olive oil 1/2-to-1 teaspoon powdered bay leaf (a coffee mill will work to grind the leaves in a pinch) 1 clove garlic 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Directions: Soak sundried tomatoes in just enough water to barely cover them for 2 hours.

(Tip: If you don’t have time to soak, put tomatoes in a dry blender and process until they are broken into tiny pieces. If you opt for this method, then add 1/2 cup cool spring water after dry blending and run machine for about 30 seconds.)

If you’ve soaked the tomatoes, put into blender with soaking water.

Add onion, vinegar, olive oil, garlic,salt, pepper, and bay leaf; blend until smooth.

Wash fresh tomatoes and cut into chunks.

Add to blender. Pulse until coarsely mixed.

Add basil. Pulse until leaves are the size of small flecks.

Step Three: PINE NUT CHEESE Ingredients: 1/2 cup pine nuts (make sure nuts are fresh!)

1/4 cup filtered, or spring, water 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 small clove garlic, peeled 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan salt Directions: Put pine nuts in blender with 1/4 cup water, salt, lemon juice and garlic. Blend until creamy, scraping down sides of blender periodically.

(Tip: If you don’t have time to make the cheese, use whole pine nuts, tossed over pasta at the end.)

Final Presentation: These dishes create a synergistic taste experience! Spoon marinara sauce over pasta. Put a dollop of pine nut cheese on the top. Add a few chopped olives. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil if you like, or a sprinkle of freshly ground salt or pepper. Serve pasta with some greens for a full spectrum meal.

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