June 2009

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002houston | june 09 | volume 11 | issue 126

hip.current.cool guide

002mag.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18 20 21

table of contents letter from the editor houston map downtown map uptown map | scene calendar museum district art houses+museums+exhibits scene | living smart spacetaker

54 it’s cool to groom your pooch 56 where to live

58 ARCHICHAT: RANDHIR SAHNI

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22 GALLERY: BLOW UP HOUSTON

22 24 25 26 27

for art’s sake: michael macedo meazell gish at the movies nonprofit: flock scene

62 002PROFILE: NANCY GONZALEZ

62 64 65 66 67 68

28 FLOWERS IN MY GARDEN

28 30 33 34 36 37

60 architecture + design: ideaPaint 61 scene

face of houston winner on our radar people of houston baby love II born cool. grow hip

wise guy finance vroom vroom tools+toys+gadgets restaurant listings

70 DINE WRITE: RAINBOW LODGE

70 72 new restaurants

74 CHEF’S SPECIAL: OOH LA LA CUPCAKES

38 74

38 AIN’T LOVE GRAND? 44 WEDDING LISTINGS

76 RECORDING: SPAIN COLORED ORANGE

44 47 48 49 50

jewel box costumes for cocktails retail wrap: {intimacy} things i love

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52 DESTINATION: MUSTIQUE

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77 78 80 81 82

club review: rare bar 002 nightlife sipcodes cd reviews crossword puzzle | scene

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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

AH...

love is in the air! I bet you all know someone who just got engaged or you’re going to a wedding soon.

It’s that month – June, the most popular month for brides to tie the knot. And it’s our wedding issue. This issue has something for everyone in the wedding.

For the bride, there’s the cover and fashion layout beautifully shot by Gaby Nissen. If you have your dress already, congrats! If not, hopefully these dresses will help you make a decision. We shot on location at a super cool antiques store in the Heights called Installations Antiques. The van der Oord’s who run and CARLA VALENCIA de MARTINEZ own the shop, head to Holland Europe regularly to stock up on wife Becki’s fantastic picks while her husband Jur has a knack for refurbishing everything she picks into something fabulous that you just have to have. They are a great couple whose 100+ year-old warehouse was the perfect backdrop for us, and we thank them for their graciousness with 002! So, newlyweds, if you’re playing house, stop by and stock up!

Honeymoon information can be found in our travel feature. Mustique is the ultimate barefoot luxury destination. You’ll need lingerie and a bikini for Mustique. Our Retail Wrap is the bra whisperer herself, Susan Nethero.

And tear out pages in the Wedding listings section where you’ll find cake makers, caterers, photographers, destinations, gift ideas and so much more! Starts on page 44.

volume 11

issue 126

PUBLISHER alejandro martinéz ext 16 a.martinez@002mag.com EDITOR AT LARGE | FASHION DIRECTOR carla valencia de martinéz 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

isabel terraso ext 14 isabel@002mag.com beenish ahmad beenish@002mag.com PHOTOGRAPHERS kim coffman, kennon evett, jill hunter, jaime lagdameo, gabriella nissen, daniel ortiz, jack potts, anthony rathbun, aaron m. sprecher, sofia van der dys CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS bernard bauri and michelle watson for lastnightpics.com, jordan chan, dan mohr, karen morrison, mark hiebert, jenny wang CONTRIBUTING WRITERS michael andre adams, leigh bell, michael garfield, sarah gajkowski-hill, sarah gish, patricia gras, sandra gunn, travis jones, hal lynde, nadia michel, tim moloney, jenni rebecca stephenson, justin travis, kristina vaqueronemec, lance scott walker, jenny wang, scott ward INTERN wilbert chinchilla, mindy schultz FOR SUGAR LAND SALES

GREAT EXPECTATIONS WEDDING ISSUE

Looking for a special scent to commemorate the day? Turn to page 28 for Flowers from My Garden featuring the latest in spring scents.

We’ve also got a super cool event unlike anything Houston has seen, in Blow Up Houston. Lance Scott Walker gets us the scoop on page 22.

Looking for where to eat? Turn to page 72 for Jenny Wang’s new restaurant picks. Where to go? Beatrice Valencia has you covered on page 80 in SipCodes. What’s just plain cool? Tim Moloney will have you laughing out loud on page 64.

To those getting hitched – Congrats!

To those thinking about it – Do it!

Photography Gaby Nissen Assisted by Stephanie Catalluccio Hair and Makeup by Edward Sanchez Styling by Beatrice Valencia & Dawn Bell Art Direction by Alexandre Rosa & Carla Valencia de Martinez Shot on location at Installations Antiques, 611 West 22nd Street in the Heights; Monique Lhullier gown OOPS! On Page 22 in May's Gallery, the middle images with hands should have been credited as "My Moscow" by Anna Ataeva and Konstantin Sheiko.

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.

Carla Valencia de Martinéz- Editor at Large Fashion Director 6. june09 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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EVENT INTERMISSION AT THE OPERA – A PARISIAN PROMENADE WHY TO CELEBRATE THE HOUSTON GRAND OPERA WHERE THE WORTHAM THEATER WHEN APRIL 4

Photography by Kim Coffman

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The Intermission at the Opera – A Parisian Parade celebrated an evening of roses, wine, fun and music. Live Show Standard Poodles greeted guests, as they walked into the beautiful Wortham Theater. “Moulin Rouge” costumed girls, showgirls and CanCan dancers took over the dance floor to create a vibrant and exciting show. Performances by the Houston Grand Opera and the 21-piece Divisi String Orchestra left guests dancing until 2am.

Lauren Pray, Maria Vilchez

Elizabeth Van Kleef, Zach Hunt

Sharon Gaille, Gabriele Dror

Jennifer LeGrand, Kristen Cannon, Valerie Palmquist

Stacy and John Andell

Sue and Lester Smith

Isabel David, Elizabeth Abraham

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Photography by Kim Coffman

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CALENDAR

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june 2009

SUNDAY

PERFORMING ARTS + CONCERTS + SPORTS + FESTIVALS + GENERAL INTEREST

MONDAY

Alley The Farnsworth Invention 7:30pm CWMP REO Speedwagon & Styx 7pm Hobby Defending the Cavemen 2 & 7:30pm | BIH: Fiddler on the Roof 2 & 7:30pm Main Street Theatre Awake and Sing! 3pm Minute Maid Astros vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 1:05pm Stages Repertory Theatre Grey Gardens 3pm Wortham HB: Of An Era 2pm

Alley The Farnsworth Invention 7:30pm Hobby Defending the Cavemen 7:30pm HOB Third Eye Blind w. Low vs.

Diamond 7pm MOT TUTS’s Humphrey School: Disney’s Aladdin–Dual Language 11am Minute Maid Astros vs. Chicago Cubs 7:05pm Warehouse Gomez 8pm

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Alley The Farnsworth Invention 2:30 & 7:30pm CWMP Rascal Flatts 8pm Hobby Defending the Cavemen 2 & 7:30pm HOB David Allen Coe w/ Resin Valley Boys 7pm Jones David Byrne on Tour 8pm Meridian AftonLive Presents 6:15pm Stages Repertory Theatre Grey Gardens 3pm Wortham HB: Swan Lake 2pm Reliant Park: 2009 Classy Chassis 10am

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MOT Houston Young Artists: Hear ye!

Hear Ye! 11am

Alley The Farnsworth Invention 2:30 & 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: Cabaret 2 & 7:30pm HOB Verizon Wireless presents Reik 7pm Wortham HB: Swan Lake 2pm

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MOT Houston Young Artists: Hear ye!

Hear Ye! 11am

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Alley The Farnsworth Invention 7:30pm Hobby Defending the Cavemen 7:30pm HOB Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine 7pm MOT TUTS’s Humphrey School: Disney’s Aladdin– Dual Language 11am Minute Maid Astros vs. Chicago Cubs 7:05pm Stages Repertory Theatre Grey Gardens 7:30pm Warehouse Little Joy 7pm Wortham HBA: Night Court: Legal Fairy Tales 8pm Houston Dynamo vs. Chivas U SA, 7:30pm at Robertson Stadium on the University of Houston campus

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Alley The Farnsworth Invention 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: Cabaret 8pm

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H obby Defending the Cavemen 7:30pm | BIH: Fiddler on the Roof 8pm H OB New York Dolls 8pm Main Street Theatre Awake and Sing! 7:30pm Minute Maid Astros vs. Colorado Rockies 7:05pm Stages Repertory Theatre Grey Gardens 7:30pm Warehouse Live Passion Pit 8pm

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HOB Matisyahu & Les Claypool w/ Dub Trio 6pm

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THURSDAY

Hobby BIH: Fiddler on the Roof 8pm Minute Maid Astros vs. Colorado Rockies 7:05pm

Minute Maid Astros vs. Colorado Rockies 7:05pm Wortham Bryan Adams in Concert

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Hobby Defending the Cavemen 7:30pm | BIH: Fiddler on the Roof 8pm MOT Houston Metropolitan Dance Company: Swing, Jive & Pop! Into Dance 11am Minute Maid Astros vs. Colorado Rockies 7:05pm Stages Repertory Theatre Grey Gardens 7:30pm

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WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

Alley The Farnsworth Invention 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: Cabaret 8pm HOB Thunder From Down Under 7pm MOT Houston Symphony: Sounds Like Fun 11am Minute Maid Astros vs. Kansas City Royals 7:05pm Toyota Il Divo 7:30pm

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Alley The Farnsworth Invention 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: Cabaret 8pm HOB Filter presents: Santigold w/ Trouble Andrew & Amanda Blank 7pm

Alley The Farnsworth Invention 7:30pm H obby Defending the Cavemen 7:30pm MOT TUTS’s Humphrey School: Disney’s Aladdin– Dual Language 11am Minute Maid Astros vs. Chicago Cubs 1:05pm Stages Repertory Theatre Grey Gardens 7:30pm Warehouse Gaelic Storm 8pm Wortham HB: Swan Lake 7:30pm | HBA: Night Court 2009: Legal Fairy Tales 8pm

Alley The Farnsworth Invention 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: Cabaret 8pm HOB Xavier Rudd w/ Jeremy Fisher 7pm Meridian The Veronicas 7pm MOT KPRC Local 2 Summer Symphony Nights 8:30pm Warehouse Lillian Axe w/ Tame Fury 8pm

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June 17-21, HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL BOAT, SPORT & TRAVEL SHOW at Reliant Park. For info, visit btamh.com.

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Alley The Farnsworth Invention 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: Cabaret 8pm Minute Maid Astros vs. Kansas City Royals 7:05pm Toyota Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood 8pm Warehouse Jenny Lewis w/ Heartless Bastards 7pm

Alley The Farnsworth Invention 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: Cabaret 8pm HOB Ben Kweller w/ Jones Street Station 7pm Minute Maid Astros vs. Kansas City Royals 1:05pm

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COMMUNITY GIVING DAY TO BENEFIT THE HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY. Shop at the 4 Houston area Whole Foods Market locations participating and they will donate five percent of the net sales from the entire day to HHS. For more info, call 713.341.3311 or email lpogue@houstonhumane.org.

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Alley The Farnsworth Invention 2:30 & 7:30pm Hobby TUTS: Cabaret 2 & 7:30pm Minute Maid Astros vs. Detroit Tigers 1:05pm

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CWMP Kid Rock & Lynyrd Skynyrd 6:30pm

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PLAN AHEAD AT THE CYNTHIA MITCHELL WOODS PAVILLION June 13, Menil Movies: Cinematic Works from the Menil July 10, Chicago July 17, Aerosmith Archives, 8:30pm at Menil Park. Admission is free.

July 18, New Kids on the Block June 20, Family Fun Films with Pop Stars, 7pm at July 22, Coldplay Discovery Green Park. Free admission.

July 24, Rod Stewart June 27 & 28, Extremely Shorts 12: Works Three July 25, The Fray Minutes and Under at Molly Gochman’s Studio.

For more info, visit www.aurorapictureshow.org or call AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK – 713.868.2101.

July 3, Vans Warped Tour AT RELIANT ARENA – July 3, Demi Lovato & David Archuleta AT TOYOTA CENTER – July 4, Beyoncé

AURORA PICTURE SHOW EVENTS FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2009

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

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Alley The Farnsworth Invention 8pm Hobby Defending the Cavemen 7:30pm | BIH: Fiddler on the Roof 8pm HOB Robin Trower with Gary Clark Jr. 7pm Main Street Theatre Awake and Sing! 8pm MOT Stages: Peter & the Wolf 11am & 7:30pm Minute Maid Astros vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 7:05pm Stages Repertory Theatre Grey Gardens 8pm Verizon Glenn Beck 7:30pm Warehouse Skyblue 72 w/ Patricia Pike 8pm Wortham HB: Of An Era 7:30pm |The Power of Movement 8pm

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MIXERS AND ELIXIRS, 6pm at the Museum of Natural Science featuring Grady Gaines & the Texas Upsetters. hmns.org.

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Alley The Farnsworth Invention 8pm

CWMP Houston Symphony’s 20th Season Celebration 8pm Hobby Defending the Cavemen 7:30pm MOT HMDC: Summer Sampler of Dance 8:30pm Stages Repertory Theatre Grey Gardens 8pm Warehouse Doug Stanhope 8pm Wortham HBA: Night Court 2009: Legal Fairy Tales 8pm

June 12, Second Annual HPD FOUNDATION MOONLIGHT B IKE RIDE. Two hour recreational ride for cyclists of all ages and abilities on a traffic-free course stretching from 5 to 25miles on Memorial Dr. For more info, visit houstonpolicefoundation.com.

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Alley The Farnsworth Invention 8pm H obby TUTS: Cabaret 8pm MOT Gulf Coast Juneteenth 7:30pm Verizon Amateur Cage Fighting: The Young Guns 8pm Warehouse Jimmie Vaughn 8pm Wortham HB: Swan Lake 7:30pm

RAINN OVER HOUSTON BENEFIT CONCERT, 7pm at Main Street Crossing All ages are welcome! www.RAINNOverHouston.com.

June 19-21, THE INTERNATIONAL GEM & JEWELRY SHOW at Reliant Park. For info, visit intergem.com.

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Alley The Farnsworth Invention 8pm CWMP Texas Music Festival Orchestra 8pm H obby TUTS: Cabaret 8pm MOT KPRC Local 2 Summer Symphony Nights 8:30pm Minute Maid Astros vs. Detroit Tigers 7:05pm

“FUNKY COLD MEDINA” Sammy’s Rockstar Karaoke & Main Street Competition benefiting SNAP! Tickets are $10 at the door.

Visit sammysat2016main.com for more information.

JUNE 26-28, DOCKDOGS® at Discovery Green. Canines compete in distance and aerial events throughout the weekend. Free and open to the public. Visit discoverygreen.com or call 713.400.7336 for more info.

Alley The Farnsworth Invention 2:30 & 8pm Hobby Defending the Cavemen 2 & 7:30pm | BIH: Fiddler on the Roof 2 & 8pm HOB Better than Ezra with Tyrone Wells 8pm Main Street Theatre Winnie the Pooh 1 & 4pm | Awake and Sing! 8pm | Meridian Craig Chaquico 8pm MOT Texas Folklife Resources: Accordion Kings & Queens 6:30pm Minute Maid Astros vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 7:05pm Stages Repertory Theatre Grey Gardens 8pm Wortham HB: Of An Era 7:30pm KBR KIDS DAY ALONG THE BUFFALO BAYOU, 10am-2pm. buffalobayou.org. CO-PAW-CAB ANA!” A NIGHT IN RIO, 7pm at the Hilton Americas Hotel benefitting Citizens for Animal Protection. cap4pets.org. 24TH ANNUAL HEIGHTS FUN RUN, 7:30am. houstonheights.org.

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Alley The Farnsworth Invention 2:30 & 8pm Hobby Defending the Cavemen 2 & 7:30pm Main Street Theatre Winnie the Pooh 1 & 4pm MOT SEHAH/Amandla Productions: The Blew Notes Trio 8pm Stages Repertory Theatre Grey Gardens 8pm Toyota Yanni Voices 8pm Warehouse US Air Guitar Championship– Regionals 7pm Wortham HB: Swan Lake 1:30 & 7:30pm | HBA: Night Court 2009: Legal Fairy Tales 2 & 8pm AMERICA w ith Christopher Cross at the Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park. For more info, visit theshowgrounds.com.

WAUGH B RIDGE B AT COLONY PONTOON BOAT TOURS in Buffalo Bayou. B EST OF B UFFALO BAYOU PONTOON BOAT TOURS, 10am-2pm buffalobayou.org.

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Alley The Farnsworth Invention 2:30 & 8pm Hobby TUTS: Cabaret 2 & 8pm H OB Reverend Horton Heat 8pm Main Street Theatre Winnie the Pooh 1 & 4pm Meridian JMG presents Local Rock Show 7pm MOT KPRC Local 2 Summer Symphony Nights 8:30pm Toyota Dane Cook 8pm Warehouse Bun B & Friends 8pm Wortham HB: Swan Lake 1:30 & 7:30pm Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake, 7:30pm at Robertson Stadium TEX US TOO: DAD’S DAY 5K at Fish Plaza Wortham Center.

Prostate Cancer Run/Walk for prostate cancer awareness. dadsday5k.org. EDDIE MONEY WITH LOU GRAMM at the Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park.

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Alley The Farnsworth Invention 2:30 & 8pm CWMP 3 Doors Down 8pm Hobby TUTS: Cabaret 2 & 8pm HOB Old Skool Rap Nite: Schooly D, Biz Markie, Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh 8pm MOT KPRC Local 2 Summer Symphony Nights 8:30pm Minute Maid Astros vs. Detroit Tigers 6:05pm Verizon Anjelah Johnson 7 & 9:30pm Warehouse Rap-N-Roll Tour ’09 8pm

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GAY PRIDE PARADE held along Westheimer Road. For info, visit pridehouston.org.

TO PURCHASE TICKETS, PLEASE CONTACT: ALLEY THEATRE alleytheatre.org

CWMP- 20th Season Coming Soon!

Check website for 2009 season! woodlandscenter.org HOBBY CENTER 713.315.2525 thehobbycenter.org

HOUSE OF BLUES hob.com

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

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 STAGES REPERTORY THEATRE 713.527.0123 stagestheatre.com

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 RELIANT PARK reliantpark.com

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MUSEUM DISTRICT 1. THE MENIL COLLECTION menil.org

Thru October 11, Drawings on Site include drawings for proposed public monuments by American artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Each drawing was created through “an exchange of words and pictures” and was refined by Oldenburg sketching and van Bruggen’s molding ideas; both signed each drawn large-scale sculptures piece collectively. The reimagining of towns and locales in the U.S., Europe and Asia create visions demanding the viewer have a wishful eye when viewing a Trombone Bridge. Thru June 21 Marlene Dumas: Measuring Your Own Grave. Thru August 2 American Tableau.

2. HOUSTON CENTER FOR PHOTOGRAPHY hcponline.org

Through June 28, HCP 2009 fellows Natan Dvir and Prince V. Thomas will be presenting their works that contain varying approaches to art.

Dvir will present Shelter, an investigation of global proportions that sifts through refugees that have been displaced by their countries experiencing conflict and persecution including his recent studies in Israel and Colombia. Thomas will present On Joy, On Sorrow through the medium of two-channel video installations accompanied by a music score from Joel Love. This piece will assume the role of comparing the two seemingly contrasting emotions. Also through June 28, Infected Landscape, works by Shai Kremer.

3. THE ROTHKO CHAPEL rothkochapel.org

Friday, May 15, 7 pm – Song Salon: Gnosis in Song is a presentation of Gnostic Gospels through music and discussion in collaboration with Rice University religious scholar April de Conick and Divas World Productions. With Becky Baxter playing the harp in conjunction with Sonja Bruzauskas’ vocals, patrons will journey through the contemporary composition of once ancient songs. Another vocal event in collaboration with Yoga for Peace is Kirtan (Kirtan means repeat in Sanskrit). Harmoniously join patrons to chant for peace, love or even enlightenment on Sunday, May 17, 1pm. There is a suggested contribution of $5 - $10.

4. BYZANTINE FRESCO CHAPEL MUSEUM menil.org/Byzantine

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.

Also through July 26, A OneMan Army: The Art of Arthur Szyk.

5. HOUSTON CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY CRAFT crafthouston.org

9. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON cmhouston.org

Literally Figurative runs thru July 3 and presents the first invitational exhibition to be showcased at the Center for Contemporary Craft. Through the use of a variety of medium and artists from across the globe, there is sure to be a piece to explore all aspects of human life in a Literally Figurative way. Through June 21, Wendy Wagner Whimsies will be shown in the artist hall. Not only will the Qwerkys be there but Wendy’s latest ceramic pieces, paintings and drawings will be presented.

6. LAWNDALE ART CENTER lawndaleartcenter.org

Round 3 presents the works of resident artists within the Lawndale Artist Studio Program. Kevin Curry, Amber Eagle and El Franco Lee II will be presenting their completed pieces during their third year.

Washington Avenue: Forgotten to Gentrified showcases photographs, interviews, historical notes and recorded physical changes to Washington Avenue and its citizens. With Robert Sennhauser’s photography taken from Houston Avenue to T.C. Jester, this exhibit effectively portrays a dying neighborhood’s identity due to gentrification. With one identity dying, another is born in Regarding Discards, works by Stephanie Martz that include drawings, photography and collected pages from books which were all discarded and are all used to create each piece. On display through June 13.

7. BUFFALO SOLDIERS NATIONAL MUSEUM buffalosoldiermuseum.com

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

8. HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON hmh.org

The first institution of its kind in the Southwest, Holocaust Museum is a living memorial and education center promoting awareness of the dangers of hate, prejudice and apathy against the backdrop of the Holocaust. The First Thursday of every month, the museum will remain open from 5-8pm for members at the sponsor level and above. Other events during this month through July 5 include Dr. Seuss Wants You! 16. june09 002houston

With the recent additions to the museum comes the new exhibit Powerplay which focuses on getting kids active and helping them understand the relationship between exercise and health.

PowerTower is a three-story climbing installation and a dancing/twister mash-up called Stretch It Out is a part of it. During June there will be a vast amount of activities open to the public (at specific times) including FETCH! Science Jobs and a special father’s gift making day that allows children to make a tie, picture frame or coupons for their loved one.

10. THE HEALTH MUSEUM thehealthmuseum.org

Summer is here and school will let out. One alternative to a typical media filled day is the Health Museum’s Summer Camp Program. Children ages 5-13 will come to camp daily from 9-3pm (3-5pm for After Camp Care for working parents) where they will explore educationally fun programs. Starting June, kids can become medical students in Mini Medical School, artists at Camp DaVinci or even take a crash course in Babysitting 101 – prices and dates vary. You: The Exhibit uses the latest multimedia and special effects technology to help visitors understand what is the make-up of you.

11. HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE hmns.org

During the month of June it seems that every exhibit at the HMNS deals with different forms of rocks that include diamonds, ceramic statues and natural canyons. Houstonians will have the chance to not only understand The Nature of Diamonds, but perceive the cultural aspects surrounding them when this exhibit explores its significance in art, literature and uses in the sciences. One of the top 10 museum exhibitions of 2008 as declared by Time Magazine, the Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor will be presented at the HMNS. These warriors were said to guard China’s First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, and is one of the biggest discoveries within the 20th century.

1 2. HOUSTON ZOO houstonzoo.org

During June there will be opportunities available to members to experience Member Mornings where members are offered

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a chance to hear from one of the zoo experts about a specific animal or location in the zoo. Why not take this chance to know more about Toby the Red Panda or Hana, the coolest cat this side of the globe?

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.

Thru May 9, Henrique Olivera: New Installation.

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

Opening June 7, North Looks South: Building a Latin American Art Collection represents unified borders viewed throughout art from a vast amount of Latin American countries. Each acquisition has taken place since 2001 and come from ranging periods of artwork as early as the 1920s. North Looks South is organized around unexpected juxtapositions between artists and works from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, the United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Through June, Houston-based artist Amy Blakemore will be presenting Amy Blakemore: Photographs 1988-2008.

OTHER EXHIBITS YOU MAY ENJOY DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE INCLUDE: Through July 26, Pioneers of Contemporary Glass: Highlights from the Barbara and Dennis DuBois Collection Through September 7, The Nidhika and Pershant Mehta Arts of India Gallery Through September 13, Ways of Seeing: Photography of Ishimoto Yasuhiro Through September 27, Painting the Cosmos: Science and the Art of Frederic Edwin Church

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artwork will present the Houstonians art pieces from varying mediums. The Opening Gallery Party for Turning Point will be Saturday, June 13, 5 - 8pm.

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. There will be a featured film series showcasing The Power of Good, the documentary of Nicholas Winton’s exploits saving Czech children from Nazi tyranny, and Citizen Havel Goes on Vacation.

18. JOHN C. FREEMAN WEATHER MUSEUM wxresearch.org

The John C. Freeman Weather Museum is helping support the National Weather Service in its efforts to educate families about hurricanes in Remembering Ike – 2009 Hurricane Workshop, Ready or Not on May 30

15. CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM HOUSTON camh.org

Gallery One Three Seven: Victoria Whitaker opens June 4 and will present a collection of mini-art exhibitions in Gallery One Three Seven, which is a 1.37 square foot gallery. Along with this unique opening will be an ongoing event that seems perfect for the warming weather: Jacuzzi Movies allows you to fulfill your fantasy of watching a movie from a Jacuzzi, about Jacuzzis, that blissfully fulfills the old saying of “art, imitating life, imitating art”. Perspectives 166: Torsten Slama runs through August 2 and includes drawings on papers as well as new work created just for this exhibit. This Berlin-based artist embodies the narratives of individuals and civilizations that address Slama’s concerns of the past, present and future. No Zoning: Artists Engage Houston shows through October 4.

KEY TO SYMBOLS



PARKING RESTAURANT SHOPPING SNACKS FREE ADMISSION

16. THE JUNG CENTER OF HOUSTON junghouston.org

In celebration of the creative work of The Jung Center’s members and students, the Art and Exhibitions Committee requests submissions for Turning Point, a summer art exhibit, June 2 - July 16, 2009. This call for 17. june09 002houston

at the George R. Brown Convention Center from 10am2pm. This event, free and open to the general public, will have a kids zone activity center, free hurricane preparedness video and items, and R.O.N. (Ready or Not), the interactive robot.

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ART HOUSES+MUSEUMS+EXHIBITS 1. fotofest| 2. g gallery 301 | 3. mcmurtrey gallery

MUSEUMS ART CAR MUSEUM artcarmuseum.com 140 Heights Blvd. 713.861.5526 Thru August 2, '$ /$ 1 $5 0 "2*.12/$ -2,#2.

BLAFFER GALLERY class.uh.edu/blaffer UH Campus, Ent. 16, 713.743.9530 Thru August 1, 5(01$# $-, /#- /$4

GALVESTON ARTS CENTER galvestonartscenter.org 2127 Strand St. 409.763.2403 HERITAGE SOCIETY heritagesociety.org 1100 Bagby 713.655.1912 Thru July 12, $1 !*-0 /1 %-/ 1'$ 00$0

HOUSTON FIRE MUSEUM houstonfiremuseum.org 2304 Milam 713.524.5395 MUSEUM OF PRINTING HISTORY printingmuseum.org 1324 W. Clay 713.522.4652 Thru October 10, '$** /(,10 -% $ , ' /*$0 '$,2 Thru September 5, (*(&/ ,$ (01-/6 -% 1$/+ /)0 ORANGE SHOW orangeshow.org 2402 Munger 713.926.6368

PROJECT ROW HOUSES projectrowhouses.org 2501 Holman 713.526.7662 Thru June 21, -2,# -+$ . "$ * "$ UNIVERSITY MUSEUM tsu.edu/museum 3100 Cleburne Ave. 713.313.7145

ART HOUSES 18 HANDS GALLERY 18handsgallery.com 249 West 19th St. 713.869.3099

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 2305 Dunlavy 713.522.2409 Thru June 4, $#$ , 6)$ $,$ $01$/ Opens June 6, ,#/$ (*)(,0-, -,, $/)(,0 Opens July 4, /!-/$12+ ARTSCAN GALLERY rudolphprojects.com 1836 Richmond 713.807.1836

1.

3.

ART LEAGUE HOUSTON artleaguehouston.org 1953 Montrose Blvd. 713.523.4080 Thru June 19, 2*,$/ !*$ "-*-&($0 !6 20 , 1-")4$** Thru June 19, -,"$ * (0"*-0$ !6 &(1 /) ( ,# * ' !7 #$' BARBARA DAVIS GALLERY barbaradavisgallery.com 4411 Montrose 713.520.9200 Thru June 20, -320 /#- $"*-/2+ ,1'-,6 '2+ 1$

2.

BERING & JAMES GALLERY beringandjames.com 805 Rhode Place #500, 713.524.0101 BETZ GALLERY betzgallery.com 1208 W. Gray 713.576.6954

BLAFFER GALLERY class.uh.edu/blaffer 4800 Calhoun Rd. 713.743.9521 BOOKER-LOWE GALLERY bookerlowegallery.com 4623 Feagan St. 713.862.8364 Opens June 5, (/"*$0 ,# $/$+-,($0 (,1(,&0 !6 1'$ *# 01$/0 ,# $4 1 /0 -% !-/(&(, * /1 CANAL ST. GALLERY canalstreetgallery.com 2219 Canal St. 713.223.2219 Opens June 5, / 3(-, -/#-, '(**(.0-, COMMUNITY ARTISTS’ COLLECTIVE communityartistscollective.org 1501 Elgin 713.523.1616 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 Opens June 19, -(* ,# /-2!*$

DAKOTA GALLERY dakotaframing.com/dfp/dakotagallery.asp 2324 Shearn 713.523.7440 DARKE GALLERY darkegallery.com 5321 Feagan 713.542.3802 Opens June 6, -0' $ +$0 DEBORAH COLTON GALLERY deborahcoltongallery.com 2445 North Boulevard 713.869.5151

DESANTOS GALLERY desantosgallery.com 1724 Richmond 713.520.1200 DIVERSEWORKS diverseworks.org 1117 East Main at Naylor 713.223.8346 Thru June 13, $4 /1 (, 201(, 1- 1"'

DOMY BOOKS domystore.com 1709 Westheimer 713.523.3669 Thru June 6, 02 * ,"-2,1$/0

FOTOFEST fotofest.org 1113 Vine Street 713.223.5522 Ongoing, / 3$*(,& 5'(!(1(-, ($4%(,#$/ $4 + &$0 !6 $5 0 /1(010 G GALLERY 301 redbudgallery.com/gGalleryIndex.html East 11th Street 713.822.4842 -/, , 1/(" /(,- ,# 16 ,#$/0-, GALLERY 1724 gallery1724.com 1724 Bissonnet 713.523.2547

GALLERY SONJA ROESCH gallerysonjaroesch.com 2309 Caroline 713.659.5424 Thru July 4, , 3 , #$/ *-$& GITE GALLERY thegitegallery.com 2024 Alabama St. 713.523.3311

GOLDESBERRY GALLERY goldesberrygallery.com 2625 Colquitt 713.528.0405

GREEN HOUSE GALLERY greenhouseartgallery.com 716 W. Alabama St. 713.535.6462 GREMILLION & CO. FINE ART gremillion.com 2501 Sunset Blvd. 713.522.2701 Thru June 20, ("' /# -"(

GUTHRIE CONTEMPORARY 2734 Virginia St. 713.522.8086 Opens June 6, /(..(,& -21'$/, !6 ,$1 " /$ * 18. june09 002houston

HCC-CENTRAL GALLERY centralfinearts.info 3517 Austin 713.718.6570 HOUSTON LANDMARK GALLERY houstonlandmarkgallery.com 1200 McKinney 713.927.8800 HOUSTON STUDIOS 707 Walnut St. #100, 713.223.0951 HOLLYWOOD FRAME GALLERY hollywoodframegallery.com 2427 Bissonnet 713.942.8885

HOOKS-EPSTEIN hooksepsteingalleries.com 2631 Colquitt St. 713.522.0718 Opens June 6, $**( "-11 $**$6

JOAN WICH & CO. GALLERY joanwichgallery.com 4411 Montrose 713.526.1557 Thru June 27, 1/("( -,7 *$7

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

LAURA U COLLECTION lauraucollection.com 1840 Westheimer 713.522.0855

LAZZARA ART GALLERY gallerialazzara.com 5400 Mitchelldale 713.681.0681 Thru June 7, $-"-,1$+.-/ /6 Opens June 11, 2,$ 5'(!(1

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LOVETT INN ART GALLERY lovettinngallery.com 501 Lovett Blvd. 713.522.5224

M2 GALLERY m2-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 Opens June 6, !) ,& ) "/+0 ". ,$(+,) 0 " ! $ ) MEREDITH LONG GALLERY meredithlonggallery.com 2323 San Felipe 713.523.6671 Opens June 4, *"$'"* ',$'*

MIDTOWN ART CENTER midtownartcenter.com 3414 La Branch 713.521.8803 MOODY GALLERY moodygallery.com 2815 Colquitt 713.526.9911 Opens June 6, ' ''+ &

MOTHER DOG STUDIOS home.earthlink.net/~motherdogstudios/ motherdogstudios 720 Walnut 713.229.9760

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

TALENTO BILINGUE tbhcenter.com 333 S. Jensen Drive 713.222.1213 Thru June 12, +) +'* 0 & ) * 2 "&+"& * 0 + &$ 0 )%, 1 TANSU tansustyle.com 321-B West 19th 713.880.5100 THE ARTFUL CORNER theartfulcorner.com 3423 White Oak Drive

MOXIE moxiehouston.com 2307 Dunlavy 713.807.7994

THOM ANDRIOLA newgallery.net 2627 Colquitt 713.520.7053 Opens June 6, & ) * '++ '!%

NOLAN-RANKIN GALLERIES nolan-rankingalleries.com 6 Chelsea Place 713.528.0664

VAUGHAN CHRISTOPHER GALLERY vaughanchristopher.com 1217 South Shepherd 713.533.0816

PARKERSON GALLERY artnet.com 3510 Lake St. 713.524.4945

WADE WILSON ART wadewilsonart.com 4411 Montrose #200, 713.521.2977 Thru June 28, !")+0 ) ,)- 0 ' "&+"& * 0 '% )

NAUHAUS GALLERY texascollaborative.com 223 E. 11th St. 281.615.4148 Opens June, % ')*% &

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

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

PROJECT ROW HOUSES projectrowhouses.org 2519 Holman St. 713.526.7662 Tthru June 21, ',& '% ( $ REDBUD GALLERY redbudgallery.com 303 E. 11th St. 713.862.2532 Opens June 6, " ! ) ' # . ')# "&' ,+*

THORNWOOD GALLERY thornwoodgallery.com 1201 Birdsall 713.861.2787 Opens June 6, "& +)'% 0 )

WATERCOLOR ART SOCIETY watercolorhouston.org 1601 West Alabama 713.942.9966

WINTER STREET STUDIOS winterstreetstudios.net 2101 Winter Street 713.862.0082

XNIHILO GALLERY 2115taft.org 2115 Taft St. 713.622.1846 Tthru June 22, ," + ) & ,) 0 &&" ) "% )', !

ZARPOSH INDIA GALLERY zarposhindia.com 1951 Richmond 713.668.2948

19. june09 002houston

Photography byKim Coffman

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EVENT HOT GLASS, COOL COLLECTIONS WHY TO CELEBRATE THE CLOSING WEEKEND OF THE

EXHIBITION, HOT GLASS, COOL COLLECTIONS WHERE HOUSTON CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY CRAFT WHEN MARCH 14

Houston’s Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) celebrated its closing weekend of the exhibition, Hot Glass, Cool Collections. Guests gathered to enjoy glass demos by featured artists Paul Stankard and Matt Eskuche. With hot ‘n’ spicy entertainment such as fire eaters, music by DJ Sun, a mojito bar and more, this was surely a night to remember. All proceeds will benefit the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

Michael Meazell, Heather Wagner

Kim and John Ritter

Matthew Vanbesian, Rosie Jowett

Minnette and Peter Boesel, Julie Baker, Karen Hughes

Nelson Morales-Bello, Deborah Yehle

Fernando Valdez, Tammy Smith

A

LIVING SMART WITH PATRICIA GRAS

John Van Domelen

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

ANA MARIA MARTINEZ I grew up listening to music. My aunts would bring over their them and Juilliard paid you towards your education. Then vinyl records (remember them?) and we would listen and there was this Performing Arts Outreach Program – again, dance to music from all over the world. Little did I know, as a through Juilliard – and we went to schools, and these child, the value of music to enhance my ability to ranged from kindergarten to 12th grade in high school, think, create and enjoy life. At the time I was and a lot of them were inner city.” Martinez would not growing up, no one would venture to cut music only teach the value of music but also of doing MUSIC IS WELL programs in schools. Unfortunately that is not what you loved.

SAID TO BE THE the case today. According to studies by the SPEECH OF ANGELS. A few years ago, Russian investigators studied the Gallup industry, budget cuts and shifting priorities have placed music programs in more value of classical music in preschool children. They Thomas Carlyle, Essays, danger than ever. Already, up to 28 million found that after being exposed to classical music for “The Opera” American students do not receive adequate music six months an hour a day, the 4-year-olds improved education. what they call the alpha rhythm frequency which is associated with creativity. “I’d say as far as brain development That’s why I invited Houston-based opera star Ana Maria and connection to the world and how we’re going to see the Martinez, one of the most sophisticated lyric sopranos of our world, the first 6 years of life are critical,” said Martinez. time, to share her wisdom on the value of music in childhood “Ages infancy to six is definitely when you’re going to be development. Martinez, a Latin Grammy™ winner, has sung wired to face the world, and that is when our brains are at with Placido Domingo and Andrea Bocelli but considers her their greatest for being sponges. For example, it’s very greatest accomplishment raising a happy son. important to expose children to multiple languages because they’re soaking it up. With my child, I’m trying as much as I She says she does not consider herself a music education can to speak Spanish to him because he’s going to get the expert but, a graduate of Juilliard, Martinez always wanted to English anyway and of course music.” share her love of music with others. “I was part of this Gluck Fellowship and we went to different places. We went to hospiSeveral studies have also been conducted that find schools tals and hospices and nursing homes and shelters and we with music curriculum have the greatest or the highest acagave our craft and our art to those people and it was free to demic achievers in schools. “I think that music definitely awak20. june09 002houston

PATRICIA GRAS + ANA MARIA MARTINEZ ens certain parts of the brain activity and imagination and creative thinking that other things don’t. I know that a lot of schools really emphasize sports and that’s fantastic and we need that, but we need music as well, precisely because of this,” says Martinez.

On Living Smart Ana Maria Martinez shares how her love of opera has led her to teach the value of music to aid the growth, development and creative awakening in our most precious human resources, our children.

Share your experiences by either calling 713.743.8513 or emailing livingsmart@houstonpbs.org.

If you miss this program, or if you would like to view streaming videos of past Living Smart shows, go to our website www.houstonpbs.org/livingsmart and click on the guest name.

Patricia Gras is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and the producer and host for “Living Smart with Patricia Gras” and “Latina Voices: Smart Talk.”

You can learn more about both these shows on patriciagras.com.

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SPACETAKER ARTSCENE

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By Jenni Rebecca Stephenson

JUNE IS HERE, AND WITH IT, COMES A WHIRLWIND OF SUMMER WEDDINGS AND NUPTIAL CELEBRATIONS. LADIES, IT’S TIME TO INVEST IN THIS SUMMER SEASON’S LITTLE BLACK DRESS; AND GENTLEMEN, YOU MAY AS WELL HOLD ON TO THAT RENTED TUX FOR THE MONTH. STATISTICS INDICATE THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 2.5 MILLION WEDDINGS OCCURRING EACH YEAR, WITH JUNE CONSISTENTLY EDGING OUT THE COMPETITION FOR THE MOST POPULAR MONTH TO TIE THE KNOT. FOR TWENTY- AND THIRTY-SOMETHINGS, IT ALMOST REQUIRES A TRUST FUND TO FINANCE THE VARIOUS CHINA AND CUTLERY PURCHASES FROM FRIENDS’ REGISTRIES, AND GIVEN THIS YEAR’S ECONOMY, NAPKIN RINGS MAY BECOME THE BRIDAL GIFT OF CHOICE. SOME SOURCES CLAIM THE AVERAGE BUDGET FOR A WEDDING IS $20K, MEANING OVER $50 BILLION IS SPENT ON WEDDINGS ANNUALLY. (IT’S NO WONDER THIS MONTH IS ALSO SET ASIDE FOR CELEBRATING THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE!) NO WORRIES IF WEDDING BELLS ARE BREAKING YOUR BANK – SEVERAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS ARE UNITING THIS MONTH TO PROVIDE GUILT-FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL TO LOVE AND CHERISH! JUNE 5, 11am & 7:30pm – PETER AND THE WOLF @ MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE In 1936, Sergei Prokofiev wrote this beloved musical piece to introduce young children to the orchestra and to cultivate a love for symphonic music. Over the years, has become a family favorite and staple of formative musical education. Stages Repertory Theatre breathes new life into this classic score with a vibrant new production illuminating the story of Peter and his friends on a playground in a small town. This blend of music and storytelling should be an unforgettable experience for adults and children alike. Stages performs at Miller Outdoor Theatre – Free. milleroutdoortheatre.com

JUNE 5, 8pm – POWER OF MOVEMENT @ THE WORTHAM CENTER In one night, eleven of Houston’s most remarkable contemporary dance companies will be featured in an exciting assortment of ensembles and styles.

Power of Movement provides a unique opportunity to sample the best Houston has to offer dance fans in one sitting.

Guaranteed to deliver powerful performances and a wide array of genres, from Travesty Dance Group to Dance of Asian America, this showcase of Houston’s dance ensembles is not to be missed.

Wortham Center, tickets $17-32. 713.227.2787 or houstonballet.org JUNE 6, 10am-2pm – KBR KIDS DAY ON BUFFALO BAYOU Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership and KBR for a day filled with family fun, educational activities, music, food, performances and boat rides on the bayou! Including numerous hands-on activities from over 25 Houston nonprofit partners, the event includes a showcase of bayou animals and insects, wildflower seed ball making, wetland hikes, pontoon boat rides, kayaking demonstrations and bird shows (eagles, hawks, falcons) by the Last Chance Forever Raptor Rescue organization. Downtown’s Sabine Promenade – Free. buffalobayou.org

JUNE 13, 8:30pm – MENIL MOVIES: CINEMATIC WORKS FROM THE MENIL ARCHIVES Enjoy Houston’s balmy June evenings for an outdoor screening of rarely seen short films and videos from the Menil Archives. This sneak preview of “Menil Movies” introduces viewers to the range and abundance of the museum’s film archives, including filmic art, Surrealist, DADA and avant-garde films, as well as documentary footage of artists and museum curators. Presented in collab-

oration with Aurora Picture Show, Andrea Grover hosts the “Menil Movies” programs at the Menil Library, where commentary and conversation will provide context for each of the film programs.

Menil Collection – Free. menil.org

JUNE 24, 6:30-8pm – ARTIST’S AND CURATOR’S TALK FOR

Join Blaffer Gallery for an intimate look at the process of creating the museum’s summer exhibition, , a midcareer survey of the artist’s work. The show, consisting of 14 major sculptures, 12 works on paper and a new, site-specific installation created in the gallery space, continues Drew’s enduring engagement with the cyclical nature of existence. Light refreshments with artist and exhibition curator Claudia Schmuckli will be served, followed by a public discussion. Blaffer Gallery – Free. class.uh.edu/blaffer

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THE GALLERY

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Interview by Lance Scott Walker Photography by Jaime Lagdameo

BLOW UP HOUSTON june 26th - july 31st | aerosaol warfare gallery | 2110 jefferson, houston, tx 77003 | hours: tuesday - saturday 11am - 8pm | aerosolwarfare.com june 26, opening reception 7 – 11pm

ON JUNE 26, HOUSTON’S LONGTIME GRAFFITI AMBASSADORS, AEROSOL WARFARE, WILL PRESENT BLOW UP HOUSTON, A COLLABORATIVE GROUP SHOW WITH THE JAMUNGO TOY COMPANY’S BLOW UP DOLLS. BELOW IS A CONVERSATION WITH AEROSOL WARFARE ARTIST GONZO 24-7 WITH THE DETAILS.

FIRST OF ALL, AREN’T THEY SUPPOSED TO BE CALLED BLOW UP ACTION FIGURES? Yeahhh!!! I will take that to the next boardroom meeting.

SO HOW DID AEROSOL WARFARE CONNECT WITH JAMUNGO? It’s a crazy story, man. Jamungo… the guys that run it, they’re based out of Austin and you know how South By Southwest kind of connects people, so we had met them at South By a couple of years ago and we went back up to Austin one day for a retrospective graffiti art show of Austin. So we cruised up there and we touched base with those guys again and they pretty much were like ‘look, we’re about to launch this Blow Up Doll, or at least the 9-inch blank… it’d be so cool if you guys could do something with it.’ They’re in the toy business and in the gallery/exhibition business, so they were like ‘if you can do anything with it, that’d be awesome.’ So we’re like ‘let’s get some dolls and get them to the right people.’ A group show was the initial idea.

IS THAT WHY THEY CREATED THE BLANKS? Yeah, they created a 9-inch blank – following with all the other major toy people – that people can customize just for your own personal shits and giggles. So they entered that customized market by dropping their own 9-inch BUD. So we were pretty much like ‘you get a couple of artists, we’ll get a couple of artists and we’ll collaborate together and throw this awesome show.’ That was two years ago. Then one crazy drunken night in Houston we decided that if we did it here we’d just call it Blow Up Houston, and then we kind of changed the focus and said ‘instead of doing a national call out for artists, let’s just focus on Houston.’ Houston artists – to kind of showcase what Houston has to offer.

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gonzo | jamungo toy

IS THE WHOLE THING AN OPEN CALL? Well, what we did is we got 25 of them and kind of hand-selected who got them, and then the other 50 were open call. So we were pretty much like ‘look, if you’re down with the show, come by, grab the toy, it’s yours, bring it back and we’ll put it in the show.’ A lot of people, they’ve always asked how they could be a part of an Aerosol Warfare exhibition here. There’s opportunities – you just gotta wait for ’em.

Really, the show was slated to happen a while back but after a while the Blow Up Dolls kinda ran dry and there was a big wait coming out of China. They had to make them, and then ship them, and then they were on a boat, and on a dock… so the process of getting 50 of them, that was just a big wait. So we finally got them, put the call out and we’ve had a pretty good response from a whole wide range of artists.

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gonzo | jamungo toy

HAVE THE ARTISTS BEEN TALKING ABOUT WHAT THEY’LL DO? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE LIKE? Yeah, it’s gonna be pretty crazy. Some of the people are adding sculpting clay and so they’re gonna actually like morph the doll, adding to it to change the configuration of the actual doll. One person who’s involved is gonna change the head out and make a snow globe. A lot of people are trying to stay away from the stereotypical… what people are going to expect, so I’m actually looking forward to seeing the results.

AND WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR YOURS? I KNOW YOU’RE DOING ONE. Well (laughs), the one I’m working on… I have an 11-inch Gonzo doll that was manufactured back in the ’80s. I’m kinda known… those are my little… like the Chinese have the Terracotta Warriors? I have a mass of Gonzo dolls that I plan to unleash on the city. But, that’s kind of my calling card… people make that connection. So what I’m gonna do is cut the head off of one of the Gonzos and put a Blow

Up Doll head on the Gonzo – which is wearing a tuxedo. So I’m gonna swap the heads, basically. Not too crazy, but effective.

WHAT WILL THE ACTUAL EVENT BE LIKE? It’s gonna be crazy. That type of show hasn’t happened here in Houston. There have been some toy-related things, but Houston has not had a customized toy event.

Other major cities have these type of events, but this will be the first in Houston.

Houston is always playing catch-up, and I think now the toy craze… people are starting to understand what’s happening with it. So I’m looking forward to it. Plus, by default, when it’s a group show… it’s like Voltron. Each artist is their own person, but when they come together, they all bring their own audience and it’s just overwhelming. It’s gonna be really cool. And what’s cool about it is that everyone starts out with the same canvas, and then we’ll see how each one was treated and we’ll go from there.

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FOR ART’S SAKE

5/20/09

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By Sarah Gajkowski-Hill Photography by Jack Potts

ARTIST MICHAEL MACEDO MEAZELL

E

clectic doesn’t even begin to describe the studio where Houston artist Michael Macedo Meazell works. The combined warehouse space, patio deck and completely renovated home looked more like a hip party pad of an art aficionado.

Strange and wonderful “inspirations” surround the artist every day – an old Jack in the Box head (the type you’d actually speak your order into back in the day), a vintage jukebox that used to sit in his grandmother’s Mexican restaurant, and then extremely contemporary touches such as speakers hung like huge sunflowers about the deck and its four vintage plastic couches.

Just as the surrealists collected objects to inspire their work, Meazell has favorite themes, but basically he is one who looks for the extraordinary in the ordinary.

When I ask him where he gets the vintage cigar box tops he uses in so many of his works, or the medieval map of Constantinople (or some such religious and archaic map complete with sea beasts and Church Fathers ornately figured into the geography), he replies: “The trash.” It’s hard for me to think of him as a “found artist.” And it begs the question, Houstonians, just what exactly do you throw out in your trash? Despite these queries, Meazell laughingly replies that some of the collection is derived from gifts people have given him or book stores but maintains that he primarily uses “found” materials. Back when he began his art, he said he would even find the paint he used, and each piece would cost approximately 25 cents to make. The days have changed significantly for Meazell as his intricate collages sell for upwards of $5,000 and need to travel all around Texas in order to be completed. The result of his labor are huge (5 feet by 4 feet, easily), mixed media collages which include objects as diverse as 1950’s Texas driving maps, old postage stamps, Vogue magazine ads (he doesn’t even remember of what) and of course the maps and cigar box art.

His is a difficult process, one with many steps. To give a general idea of his process, Meazell creates a collage of paper, sometimes even incorporating paint onto the surface. Then it is scanned here in Houston and sent to a Dallas business. There, the image is enlarged and printed on aluminum. After the piece arrives back in Houston, sometimes it is deemed finished, and other times it gets another layer of paint. If this is what he decides, he usually uses mural grade paint so that the huge piece is safe for outdoor display – meaning it is UV ray- and water-resistant.

Sometimes there are pieces, like a beautiful wall-sized mural of three globes all encircled with planets, that are not suitable for outdoor display, if the top layer includes paper or non-mural paint. The paint on the outside of the pieces is raised so far from the aluminum surface, it’s a wonder it can dry and harden at all.

Turns out, it does take forever – and he fixes this problem in a most unique way. There is a heavy-duty plastic sheet on which he has directly painted his abstract and colorful accents. They are always drying and when he needs to use one on a mural, he simply peels the paint from the plastic like unraveling a fruit roll-up (to use a delicious analogy). In addition to his large output of intricately and beautifully crafted one-of-a-kind pieces, Meazell is the Executive Director of the Arts Initiative Houston, a nonprofit which encourages people to patronize galleries, dance performances and just generally takes the fear out of going to view art. He maintains that so many people don’t get involved in the art scene for fear that someone will ask them a question they don’t know the answer to or will not understand the work. The organized but informal tours allow people to have guest speakers, artists and gallery owners socialize with those who would otherwise not take in a performance or an exhibition.

The work of Michael Macedo Meazell perfectly combines elements of outsider art and the contemporary digital practices that have changed our culture’s idea of mixed media. Houston collectors have taken notice of his one-of-a-kind approach to preserving, combining and presenting iconography that is singular and beautiful – hopefully the rest of the nation will follow suit.

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By Sarah Gish

FILMS ARE EVERYWHERE… I love the variety of venues hosting film screenings (some of them outdoors) as a way to attract new audiences! They don’t show first-run films, but the camaraderie can’t be beat. Hosting screenings this month and beyond are Vintage Park (vintageparkhouston.com) with Raiders of the Lost Ark (June 13); Saengerfest Park in Galveston (galveston.com) with another screening of Raiders of the Lost Ark (June 6); Super Happy Fun Land (superhappyfunland.com) with obscure films on Monday nights in their new location at 3801 Polk Street; and the Houston Public Library (houstonlibrary.org) with teen films at their central branch (June 9 and 19). The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (mfah.org) is busy this month! They’re screening the classic film, Singin’ in the Rain, one time only on Sunday, June 7, at 2pm as part of their “Target First Free Sundays” for families – love that Gene Kelly and the squeaky voice of Jean Hagen (and also starring Debbie Reynolds)! American banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck journeys to Africa in Throw Down Your Heart, screening one weekend only, Friday and Saturday, June 12 and 13, at 7pm and Sunday, June 14, at 5pm.

And a son-to-father tribute film, In a Dream, weaves the story of the lives of artist Isaiah Zagar and wife Julia, which screens Friday and Saturday, June 19 and 20, at 7pm and Sunday, June 21, at 3pm.

Sunday’s screening will include special Father’s Day festivities at the Museum!

WHAT CAN YOU DO IN 48 HOURS? If you’re looking for wild and wooly fun, then join the “48 Hour Film Project” madness (48hourfilm.com/houston/) which is hitting our city June 5-7. The “48 Hour Film Project” is a wild and sleepless weekend in which movies are made in just one weekend. On Friday night, each team gets a character, a prop, a line of dialogue and a genre, all to include in their movie, which must be completed 48 hours later. The final products will screen June 10-11 at the Studio Movie Grill (studiomoviegrill.com). This crazy idea sprouted in D.C. as a way to encourage filmmaking – to emphasize more doing and less talking. Speaking of wild and woolly, the new exhibition at DiverseWorks (diverseworks.org), “New Art in Austin: 20 to Watch,” includes video installations by artists Yoon Choo and Jill Pagallo – Choo’s pieces feature haircuts in progress and a discussion of names and Pagallo’s piece, “Note to Self,” records her improvised interactions with a 23” poseable doll, “Jill”, customized to look “just-like-her”. The Landmark River Oaks Theatre (landmarktheatres.com) has Easy Virtue (June 5) and the Angelika Film Center (angelikafilmcenter.com) has The Hangover (June 5); O’Horten (June 12); Moon and Food Inc. (June 26).

COMEDIANS and AURORA PICTURE SHOW “Stand-Up 360” is a summer-long series of seven original featurelength comedy films that feature different sets of comedians, with each film being hosted by the endearing Caroline Rhea (best known as Aunt Hilda in “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch”). Rave Yorktown (ravemotionpictures.com) began screening the series in May and continues this month with films on Thursdays at 8pm on June 4, 11 (“Film 3”) and June 25 (“Film 4”). Aurora Picture Show (aurorapictureshow.org) is hosting movies at three different venues, starting at the Menil Park on Saturday, June 13, at 8:30pm with “Menil Movies: Cinematic Works from the Menil Archives” which was curated by Aurora Picture Show Founder Andrea Grover.

This program offers a sneak preview of a forthcoming bi-annual educational film program called “Menil Movies,” which will take place in the Menil Library. The one-hour program will be hosted by Andrea Grover and will present films contextually, including commentary, viewing and conversation about art and cinema. Families can romp to music by the Pop Stars and films from the “Children’s Film Festival Seattle 2009”. The Pop Stars show is a songwriter’s circle where four singers, who are also fathers (a.k.a. Dads Who Rock), take turns singing their songs and backing each other up with extra instrumentation and vocal harmonies. Join the fun on Saturday, June 20, at 7pm at Discovery Green (discoverygreen.com). Also at Discovery Green, KUHF-FM (kuhf.org) is hosting a screening of Metropolis on June 5 at 7:30pm as part of their “Silent Film Concert Series”.

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

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NONPROFIT

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By Nadia Michel

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FLOCK TO SUPPORT THE HOUSTON ZOO To become a member of Flock, check out www.houstonzoo.org/flock. The zoo’s four-star rating from Charity Navigator ensures that donors’ money will be used wisely.

upporting the Houston Zoo is no monkey business. As a 501(c)3, Houston Zoo relies exclusively on guests, members and donors to provide annual operating revenue and capital support. A new group, Flock, is getting the city’s young hotshots together to support the Zoo’s mission.

Locally, Houstonians also have a lot to gain from having a successful zoo. Teachers, parents and students can combine fun with learning while developing an appreciation for the natural world.

Summer Camp Zoofari and events like Boo at the Zoo are perennial favorites that the zoo uses to further its educational mission.

“A lot of people getting involved are telling us the zoo has changed so much since they last came – 20 years ago!” says Nick Espinosa, Director of Development. “Unless you have kids, you probably don’t come to the zoo so often,” he adds. Hence Flock. Primarily aimed at members aged 21-40, Flock is an opportunity for young professionals to get involved with conservation efforts and mingle over cocktails with other like-minded individuals. “We are really trying to attract that demographic,” says Espinosa.

Flock members get exclusive volunteering opportunities, discounted tickets to Flock events (there are about three per year) and to Feast with the Beasts, the Houston Zoo’s annual culinary event. The $150 fee also entitles members to free admission for one year, discounts on admission tickets for friends and family, and a chance to participate in exclusive zoo travel. “We are working on some really exciting destinations,” confides Espinosa.

Best of all, contributing financially to the Zoo is a great way to play a crucial role in the success of education and animal care programs, global field projects and local conservation initiatives.

Saving wildlife here and around the world Supporting the Houston Zoo’s conservation mission has a global impact. Not only does the Houston Zoo continuously develop educational programs for the community, but it also supports projects in regions around the world aimed at preserving endangered species and using resources wisely. In 2008, the Houston Zoo contributed about $700,000 to conservation efforts around the world – a higher percentage of the budget than that of any other zoo in America. The Houston Zoo is currently working in Asia, Africa and South America to help native populations develop more sustainable lifestyles.

The Zoo’s goal is to sustain animal populations and to preserve as much of the natural world as possible. The key to achieving this is the preservation of biological diversity.

Making sense (and dollars) since 1922 In fiscal year 2008, the zoo contributed $29.8 million to the local economy. This included $13.2 million in wages and benefits to approximately 350 full-time and seasonal employees and interns, $7.1 million in other operating expenses and $9.5 million in capital expenditures.

The zoo is the second-largest free attraction in Houston. Each year, more than a quarter of the 1.6 million visitors enter at no charge through free days, school programs and other free ticket programs. As a paid attraction, the zoo is fourth in line behind Moody Gardens, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the Astros.

Providing first-class accommodations The Houston Zoo’s keeper-to-animal ratio is among the highest in the country. The 4,500 animal residents enjoy the care of a large staff of keepers and veterinarians year-round. Cleanliness and healthy diets are of utmost importance, as is physical and mental stimulation and encouraging natural behaviors.

The 55 acres of zoological gardens are constantly being looked after and improved, ensuring that it is “truly a zoo for all,” as Espinosa puts it. As a result, many Houstonians choose the zoo as a venue for weddings and other gatherings.

Flock’s next social event will be on June 18 from 6-9pm. Saint Arnold’s beer will be providing drinks for the outdoor affair, which will be held between the giraffes and the elephants. A DJ and raffle for one-of-a-kind animal experiences (think feeding a lion) will keep things interesting if the adjacent large mammals decide to play shy.

Everyone is invited, but members get a discounted rate.

“At our last event, Jared Lang, Momentum Audi’s General Manager, was able to get a kiss from Callie, our sea lion,” says Espinosa. Lucky guy Lang serves on Flock’s Advisory Committee, along with an impressive list of notable community volunteers – including (but not limited to) David Cordua, 002’s own Beatrice Valencia, Gloria Luna, Katherine Orellana and Jennifer LeGrand.

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Photography by Mark Hiebert

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EVENT ULI YOUNG LEADERS WHY TO SHOWCASE THE LUXURY APARTMENT HOMES WHERE 2125 YALE AT WEST 22ND STREET WHEN MAY 14 Over 50 real estate professionals joined Tim Myers, Managing Partner of Allied/Orion as part of the Urban Land Institute’s Lecture Series. 2125 Yale features luxury apartment homes designed by Meeks and Partners in some of the cities oldest neighborhoods. Select homes feature the site’s historic value to its former Kaplan’s Ben Hur store, which had been around for 90 years.

Apolonio Munoz, Lisa Cavender, Gene Blevins, Theresa Parker, Keith Malone

Martin Kaplan, Charles Crane

Keith Malone, Ricardo Rivas, Steven Freeman

Derick Thompson, Steven Freeman, Aaron Singh, Melissa Hill, Randy Odinet

Martin Kaplan, Ann Taylor, Tim Myers, Catherine Bezman

Sid Edmonds, Wyndy Ramirez, Max Kech, Russell Bynum,Theresa Martin

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Photography by Gaby Nissen

Lavender, nasturtiums, orchids, mimosa, geraniums, dill and fennel from photographer Gaby Nissen’s garden mingle with the latest in Spring’s fragrances.

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From Eau de Sisely 3 at Neiman Marcus clockwise: Estee Lauder available at esteelauder.com; Eau de Sisley 2; Chloe purse spray (comes with leather case) at Saks Fifth Avenue; Jean Paul Gaultier at Sephora; Eau de Sisley 1; Estee Lauder ; L’Eau d’Issey at Sephora; Estee Lauder ; Gucci at Neiman Marcus; L’Eau d’Issey ; Jean Paul Gaultier at Sephora 29. june09 002houston

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Austin-based Green Mountain Energy Company donated Ballroom Marfa’s new roof. The photovoltaic (PV) solar panel system is mounted on the facility’s roof and visible from the street. Fairfax Dorn, Ballroom Marfa Executive Director, said, “as a proud recipient of Green Mountain’s donation for the solar array system, Ballroom Marfa is extremely enthusiastic to serve as a role model to actively promote cleaner energy for the West Texas community.”

002+magazine

on our

radar

FOOD+DRINK FOOD & WINE COCKTAILS 2009 IS THE ULTIMATE SUMMER ENTERTAINING GUIDE FROM FIZZES TO FREEZES, BEERS TO BITTERS AND MARGARITAS TO MOCKTAILS. F&W TAPPED THE NATION’S TOP MIXOLOGISTS, AS WELL AS THE F&W TEST KITCHEN STAFF, TO COMPILE MORE THAN 150 OF THE BEST COCKTAIL AND PARTY-FOOD RECIPES, INCLUDING MUST-HAVES FROM THE NATION’S HOTTEST BARS AND LOUNGES. HOUSTON’S BACKSTREET CAFÉ AS WELL AS BEAVER’S ARE INCLUDED. $14.95 AT BOOKSTORES NATIONWIDE AND AT FOODANDWINE.COM.

ACHIEVEMENTS Three students were were named the top winners at the 60th annual Intel International Science and Engineering Fair event organized by Intel Corp., the world’s largest computer chip maker. Among them was Li Boynton, 17, of Bellaire, Texas. Boynton explored the economic use of bioluminescent bacterium for detecting a broad range of water contaminants and a pesticide. Her project showed a correlation between a reduction in light intensity of bacteria cultures and the presence and toxicity of contamination.

GREEN Mayor Bill White, Council Member Sue Lovell and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the Grand Opening of New Urban Forestry Facility located at 12025 Sowden last month. The new facility is a renovation of a former Public Works Maintenance Facility and is an example of the use of existing city assets to maximize construction funding. Renovations include the conversion of an existing warehouse into staff offices, meeting space and storage facilities; the conversion of other existing buildings into maintenance shops and garages for maintenance vehicles; the removal and replacement of an existing car wash with a new fueling station; and parking lot improvements, site lighting, security fencing and landscaping. 12025 Sowden, Houston, Texas 77055, www.houstonparks.org Discovery Green hosts an exciting array of free exercise, cultural and family events from 6am to 11pm. Please check website for so much more! www.discoverygreen.org.

Friday, June 26 – Sunday, June 28, DockDogs® – Regularly televised on the Outdoor Channel, DockDogs competition consists of dogs jumping into water from a designated dock with the largest or highest leap earning victory. Thursdays Rock at Discovery Green presented by Capital One Bank – 6:30pm. Free admission. June 4 – Del Castillo, Spanish guitars with corrido cool and Austin flair…Friday, June 5, KUHF Silent Film Concerts, 8pm, Houston Public Radio presents a series of 1920s silent film screenings accompanied by live music by Texas musicians. Saturdays, 10am – 2pm – Recycling Saturdays presented by Biolage. Bring your paper, glass, plastic and cans.

CRAVE released its newest concept for brides just in time for our wedding issue! Brides-to-be – or those entertaining for them – can customize a fondant topper. Initials or dates are popular – and the color options are endless. Or a custom wedding cupcake tower made of walnut. CRAVE Cupcakes is located in Uptown Park at 1151-06 Uptown Park Boulevard, phone: 713.622.7283, www.cravecupcakes.com.

Dessert Gallery Bakery & Cafe moved its flagship store from its current backstreet location to a frontand-center space at 3600 Kirby Drive at Richmond Avenue. Debuting at the Kirby store, and to be added at the other locations in the near future, are several new menu items. On the sweet side of the menu, look for a selection of filled cupcakes; Brownies get a category all their own with the addition of four new flavors; and on the savory menu, “of-the-day” rotation of soups, quiches and casseroles; and a build-your-own section that allows diners to customize sandwiches, salads and wraps. Dessert Gallery is located at 3600 Kirby Dr., 713.522.9999. www.dessertgallery.com.

GROWTH “Construction of approximately 2.9 million square feet of new retail space will be completed and opened in the greater Houston area in 2009,” predicted Ed Wulfe, President of Wulfe & Co. According to Wulfe & Co.’s Annual Retail Survey, the 2.9 million square feet of new retail space projected for 2009 will bring the Houston area’s total shopping center space to approximately 159 million square feet even though it represents a 53% decrease over last year’s 6.02 million square feet of new space completed. “Occupancy rates are at 83.7%, which is a 2% decrease over 2008, and rental rates remain stable at an average rate of $1.62 per square foot per month,” Wulfe stated.

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1

ANN CHAI DICK

LESLIE FARNSWORTH

age 39 sign Virgo origin Sarawak, Malaysia occupation Fundraising Event Planner

age Hmm... sign Sagittarius origin Houston, TX occupation CEO, FrogDog Communications

PEOPLE OF HOUSTON

2

Photography by Daniel Ortiz

3 DUSTIN MARTIN age 26 sign Virgo origin Galveston, TX occupation Credit Analyst – Bank of Houston

1. LESLIE FARSWORTH •WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TREND? Twitter. (Although I hope it’s not just a trend.) Follow me: @lfarnsworth!

•WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Recently, starting off my first dark-of-the-night leg of the Texas Independence Relay.

•WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO HANG OUT? Coffee Groundz.

•HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? As streamlined as possible.

2. ANN CHAI DICK •WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TREND? Mini cars! I want a Smart car just to drive me and my cat Gus around town.

•WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Leaving my job to start my own business.

•WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO HANG OUT? My back deck.

•WHERE DO YOU PLAN TO GO ON YOUR NEXT VACATION? Vietnam.

3. DUSTIN MARTIN •IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY, WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU WOULD BUY? A black, 1970 Plymouth Barracuda.

•WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Being able to help my parents during the hurricane late last year. They live in Galveston and were displaced for about three weeks. They stayed with me in Houston until the Island was re-opened.

Being able to provide a place for them during this incredibly difficult time was one of the most gratifying things I have ever been able to do.

•WHAT WAS THE BEST CONCERT YOU EVER ATTENDED? Jonny Lang, Delbert McClinton and The Steve Miller Band @ The Woodlands – it was mesmerizing.

•IF YOU COULD ONLY WEAR ONE COSMETIC PRODUCT, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Underarm deodorant – this is a MUST have.

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G

BABY LOVE II

OING INTO THE ADOPTION WORLD IS LIKE ARRIVING IN A FARAWAY COUNTRY. YOU’RE IMMEDIATELY ENGULFED

BY THE UNFAMILIAR: THE SMELLS, THE PEOPLE, SPOKEN WORDS. YOU’RE EXCITEDLY ANXIOUS, YET RELIEVED WHEN YOU FEEL THE GUIDEBOOK IN YOUR SATCHEL, JUST WHERE YOU PACKED IT.

By Leigh Bell

THIS WAS ADOPTION, WITHOUT THE GUIDEBOOK. HERE, THE VERNACULAR, RULES, PEOPLE AND EXPECTATIONS ARE VASTLY DIFFERENT THAN OUR EVERYDAY. SURE, THERE ARE PLENTY OF WEBSITES AND BOOKS WRITTEN ON ADOPTION – AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT-MANDATED REGULATIONS TO FOLLOW – BUT WHEN YOU’RE DEALING WITH THE EMOTIONS AND HUMANNESS OF THE PROCESS, NO SET RULES APPLY.

YOU ARE ON OWN. JEFF AND I WERE ON OUR OWN.

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

First, we narrowed down our “adoption journey” – this is what social workers call it – to working with a U.S. agency, rather than adopt internationally or through the state foster-care system.

But, Jeff and I were the rare birds of adopting couples: open to a minority child. Most aren’t, so we probably wouldn’t wait that long.

Domestic adoption generally entails adopting a newborn from a birthmother who’s pregnant when you’re “matched” with her. Forget Juno. It’s nothing like that. Still touching but not nearly as funny.

In a nutshell: Birthmother wants to make an “adoption plan” (the phrase “putting a child up for adoption” is no longer PC) and finds an agency to select an adoptive family. Agency shows birthmother profiles of potential adoptive families, which are essentially “About Us” books complete with photos.

Based on these books – yes, that’s it – birthmother chooses a family to adopt and raise her biological child. Once the match is made, adoptive family pays for birthmother’s expenses (on top of adoption agency’s fees) until baby is born. Birthmother, depending on her wishes, may or may not ever meet adoptive family.

Adoptive families may wait nine months or three years or more to be matched with a birthmother. They don’t come a dime a dozen. In fact, only 1 percent of newborns in the United States are put up for adoption, according to

Being matched with a birthmother doesn’t mean you get a baby. One major rule of adoption: There’s no sure thing.

A birthmother can back out of the adoption, without repercussion, up to 48 hours after the baby is born, according to state law.

She has this right, no matter how much money you’ve given her. No matter how many tiny outfits you’ve bought or what color you painted the nursery. It doesn’t matter how much love you have for this baby. The birthmother can – and lots do – take the child and run.

This is the deal.

So, why were we doing this? I asked myself almost every day. We could possibly have our own children (but we weren’t sure because we had not tried … but we soon would). Why spend the time, money and hassle on adoption?

Because we believe that a child needs us. Because every child deserves a mother, father and stable home, and we 36. june09 002houston

can provide that. Because this is how our family is meant to be.

After weeks of research, we chose a local, nonprofit adoption agency that works with low-income birthmothers who cannot financially and/or emotionally support a child.

At the same time, we stopped birth control and began trying to get pregnant. A lot was going on.

Oddly enough, little stressed me out more than the “Profile” book we had to make (I think psychology has a term for this … deference, maybe). But, this book was the one thing – the only thing – on which a birthmother based her decision. You can’t call her, saying: “Pick us!

Pick us!”

We looked up examples of “Profiles” online, and just as I feared, these weren’t simple, little books. They were elaborate scrapbooks handmade, I could’ve sworn, by Martha Stewart. OK, I’m about as crafty as an anteater.

Never touched a pair of pinking shears.

Would we ever get picked?

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born cool. grow hip.

by Kristina Vaquero-Nemec Photographed by Gabriella Nissen

FOR MOMMY I took SkinCeuticals self tanner to my Dr. who approved it for me. You may want to ask yours if your preggers before you slather it on. Polish first for a flawless finish. www.skinceuticals.com A WELL-STOCKED CADDY IS A MUST WHEN DIAPER DUTY CALLS. KEEP THIS EASY TO TOTE CADDY HANDY WITH ALL THE ESSENTIALS... AND DON’T FORGET A DISTRACTION TOY – LIKE THESE ADORABLE HAND KNIT DOLLS, PEE-PEE TEEPEES TO KEEP YOU DRY AND A FRESH TEE JUST IN CASE!

CADDY STYLE!

Diaper Caddy by JJ Cole $29.99 available at Babies “R” Us Hand knit dolls and T-shirt by Bla Bla Kids $24$34 available at www.blablakids.com. Pee-Pee Teepees

by Beba Bean $13.30 available at www.bebabean.com

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Photography by Gaby Nissen Assisted by Stephanie Catalluccio Hair and Makeup by Edward Sanchez Styling by Beatrice Valencia & Dawn Bell Art Direction by Alexandre Rosa & Carla Valencia de Martinez Shot on location at Installations Antiques, 611 West 22nd Street in the Heights Monique Lhuillier gown and all All jewelry by Coronation, Vintage Oasis & The Way We Wore Shoes from Joseph’s & Neiman Marcus

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Wedding Listings Before you put that on – consider color!

THE CANNON AFFAIR offers full-service event coordinating specific to each client’s unique needs. Contact the Cannon Affair to coordinate an elegant wedding for you, enabling you to enjoy the celebrations as an amiable hostess rather than dash about as an anxious planner.

NOT ALL BRIDAL WHITES ARE CREATED EQUALLY.

Trust the color experts to select your perfect wedding white and look 10 pounds slimmer in an instant! lauren f. battistini 281.989.4086 lauren@colormycloset.com

It's a day to get pampered and be spoiled all the way with an afternoon at the spa before your big day!

Available for Spa Bridal Showers, Bachelorette SPArties & fun get-togethers.

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DOMINION POST OAK A special place for your special day!

Guest Suites available

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Marissa Olson - Event Coordinator 2323 McCue Rd. | Houston, TX 77056 | 713.629.5100 office|713.629.5112 fax| www.dominionpostoak.com

Events + Places + Beauty

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FINISH STRONG SPORTS The right pair of running shoes will make sure you fit into the perfect dress.

6426 Washington Avenue 713.861.9779 www.finishstrongsports.com

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LOVE LEE

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is fresh, heartwarming and artfully candid. Specializing in documentary style wedding, destination and boudoir photography, owner Margaret Lee's images are sure to capture the intimate mood of any moment!

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Photography + Art

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SELECT STUDIOS LILIBETH ANDRÉ Portrait and Art commissions

Wedding Photography by ARTHUR GARCIA Call or email for info and studio appointment: info@lilibethandre.com 832.660-7517 | www.lilibethandre.com

selectstudiosphoto.com 713.961.2840

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Wedding Listings

Dallas - Houston

Rehearsal Dinners Bridal Showers Bachelor Parties Wedding Receptions

BACHELOR AND BACHELORETTE PARTIES Bachelor, Bachelorette, and Engagement Parties VIP Bottle Service for the discerning Bride and Groom Contact us for your private viewing

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4819 Washington Ave. For Reservations: 713.426.0123 info@manoronwashington.com

Food + Drink

Professional French Bakery Creating edible works of art in a variety of flavors and fillings

Barbara Suarez |1100 West Dallas | Houston, TX 77019 Phone: 713.652.5135 | fax: 713.652.5139 www.morethancakes.com | info@morethancakes.com Consultations by appointment only.

MASTER CHEF CATERING We provide event catering from simple setup and drop off, to full service black tie affairs. For events from 10 to 3000 guests including Fundraisers, Weddings, Bridal Showers, Baby Showers, Business lunches, and Holiday Events with an extensive Menu selection to fit any budget and the flexibility to create custom menus for any event.

We were just voted in the top three wedding caterers 2009 by Click2houston.

713.823.6921| www.masterchefcatering.net

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Shiny Pretty Things

JEWEL

BOX

by Kristina Vaquero-Nemec Photography by Gabriella Nissen

Jewelry Available at Priscilla of Boston in Uptown Park.

Maria Elena Headpiece $446, Maria Elena bracelet $300, Saratoga earrings $240, Spartacus earrings $240, Haute Bride double necklace $315, Brooches $145-$225, Silk flower hair pins $120-$150, Haute Bride pearl bracelets $70-$210, Niagara earrings $510, Malis Henderson headpiece $230 47. june09 002houston

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COSTUMES FOR COCKTAILS

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

Neiman Marcus - 2600 Post Oak Blvd. 713.621.7100 neimanmarcus.com Babies-R-Us - 6145 Westheimer Rd. 713.785.8697 Target - 2580 Shearn St. 713.331.0376 Michael Kors - 5015 Westheimer Rd. 713.629.7200

8

1

7

2 6

GOOD VIBRATIONS 3

WHETHER YOU’RE HITTING THE BEACH OR HITTING THE SUMMER FESTIVALS, HIPPIE CHIC IS A LOOK THAT SUITS BOTH SETTINGS. I’M GRAVITATING TOWARD AIRY DRESSES, BILLOWY TOPS, ANYTHING WITH PAISLEY PATTERNS OR TIE-DYE, BOYFRIEND SHORTS, FRINGE, ANYTHING THAT REMINDS ME OF THE SUMMER OF LOVE.

4 I couldn’t resist. With the swine flu, came hysteria and a newfound appreciation for cleanliness. Practice good hygiene and “wash” those hands. Lord knows who’s been touching what, before they touch that handrail you seem to be so fond of. Hand Sanitizer

available @ Babies-R-Us PRICELESS!

5

The love affair with turquoise continues…Turquoi se and sterling silver bracelet Bea’s own.

1. Lightweight tops are essential as the mercury hits its peak. Tokai Top available @ womens.quiksilver.com 2. I fell in love with this watch at first sight and so have all my friends. Michael Kors stainless steel white and gold watch @ Michael Kors 3. This bright pink may be too much for the office but it’s perfect for weekends or vacation. OPI “I’m Indi-a mood for love” nail polish @ Target 4/5. Crafted in Brazil, the quality leather, studs, buckles are the most clean, chic details my eyes have ever seen. Matt Bernson sandals available @ mattbernson.com 6. This slouchy boyfriend style short is a happy medium of the tiny cutoff. Mozambique shorts available @ womens.quiksilver.com 7. Johannesburg Top available @ womens.quiksilver.com 8. These sunglasses don’t weigh a thing. So long, heavy sunglass headaches! Matthew Williamson sunglasses @ giltgroup.com 48. june09 002houston

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RETAIL WRAP

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Photography by Karen Morrison

BOUTIQUE INTIMACY | NAME SUSAN NETHERO (aka the Bra Whisperer)

years in operation houston store opened in may 2008. intimacy has been in business for almost 17 years as bra fit stylists. additional locations are in nyc, boston, chicago, miami, san diego and atlanta. dallas opens later this summer. address the galleria restaurant wing across from ann taylor at street level phone 832.397.6960 | website myintimacy.com CURRENT OBSESSION: Beautiful lingerie has always been an obsession, but what I’m most passionate about is educating women on the importance of a great bra fit and how proper selection of undergarments can enhance a woman’s body. {intimacy} has become recognized nationwide for its bra fit and styling expertise, thanks to numerous appearances on national programs like Oprah, The Today Show, What Not To Wear, How to Look Good Naked, Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style, Inside Edition, as well as local TV shows such as Great Day Houston, Fox Morning News, Wild About Houston, CW and more! In addition, we’ve been recognized nationally by the media for our knowledge of shapewear, daywear, sleepwear, bridal, lingerie and swimwear.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS BUSINESS? After a lifetime of problems getting a good bra fit and limited styles in my small bust size, I was compelled to launch a company specializing in bra fit that would provide women of every size with comfort, style and definition, along with a broad mix of styles for every wardrobe need, from updated T-shirt bras to fashionable selections for career, romance and classic designs. As an entrepreneur, I sought to learn from world experts and trained under the British royal bra fitter from Rigby & Peller in London, June Kenton.

WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER BOUTIQUES? We teach women that with the proper undergarment fit and style women can be confident and self-assured, no matter what size she is. We educate and demonstrate the

functionality and improvements on her body, providing solutions to problems that she has lamented over for most of her adult life. We do not use a tape measure; that is often inaccurate. We have developed a proprietary holistic approach to fitting that embraces each woman so she can feel and look her best without feeling intimidated at the onset of her fitting. Our informational and compassionate service is provided by expert trained staff available for personalized FREE consultations.

1. Bustline should always be lifted midway between shoulder and elbow. Every inch lift makes you look ten pounds thinner – and taller, too!

2. Center “the girls” inside the body frame; this makes a full-busted woman look smaller and a small-busted woman look fuller!

3. To minimize appearance of “back fat,” make sure the band is firm. 90 percent of the support comes from the band being level across the bodice, not angled up the back.

Most women wear bandwidths that are too large.

4. Seek the most youthful styles in the right size to fill the cup (no overflow or underfill). Don’t go to unattractive mature styles if you want to feel fit, firm and young.

5. Bra straps should not dig into your shoulders. Straps are meant to stabilize not lift; only 10 percent of the support should come from straps.

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RULES OF STYLE

DESIGN INSPIRATION | ICON: I am inspired daily by lingerie designers from Europe and around the world. The attention to detail in such lines as La Perla, Lise Charmel, Chantelle, Prima Donna, Fantasie, Fauve, Freya, Marie Jo and Simone Perele is exquisite and unparalleled. Our mission is to select the best styles and collections for the small to fullest bust, from A to KK cup size, constantly updating and changing with fashion trends on the runway.

WHAT ARE YOU COVETING THIS SEASON? For summer, the styles and colors are seductively fresh and fun, with beautiful bra strap detail that can become a great “accessory” for summer outfits. We are offering more strapless, plunge and push-up bras in fashion collections for the fuller bust, up to G cup.

We’re also excited about our new convertible t-shirt bra styles that allow a woman to change her bra to halter or racer back styles.

And our bras with new “breathable” spacer cups are perfect for women who live in hot, humid climates like Houston.

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THINGS I LIKE LOVE

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By Carla Valencia de Martinez Photography by Sofia van der Dys

OK, LADIES, AS A FAIRLY NEWLY WED, THESE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITES THAT HELPED ACTUALLY BEAUTIFY OR JUST MADE ME FEEL THAT WAY!

LADIES, THERE’S SIMPLY NO DELICATE WAY TO PUT THIS. IF YOU DON’T, YOU PROBABLY SHOULD GROOM DOWN THERE. ZHEILA AT SWEET SENSATIONS IS AN ARTIST AT THE BIKINI WAX – SERIOUSLY. NOW I’M NOT GONNA LIE, THE EXPERIENCE IS UNIQUE AND NOT QUITE PAINFUL RATHER SHOCKING, IF THAT MAKES ANY SENSE. IF YOU MANAGE TO SCORE AN APPOINTMENT, YOU BETTER NOT BE LATE AND YOU SURE AS HECK BETTER NOT FLAKE, ’CAUSE SHE’LL REMEMBER AND YOU’LL NEVER GET IN AGAIN. SWEET SENSATIONS, 2606 PERSA, 713.807.7770

With a bevy of worries running through your head like Will the dress fit?

When will I find it? What flavor cake? First dance song? etc.…sleep is key to everything! Sleep Scentsations are these aromatherapy pillow liners that help you relax yourself to sleep. It’s an easy and painless solution. $19.99 for 8. www.sleepscentsations.com

ANOTHER KEY ELEMENT TO GOOD HAIR IS A GOOD CUT. I RELY ON ELIA GRAVES. MY HAIR WOULD BE DISASTROUS WITHOUT THE RELATIONSHIP I HAVE WITH MY STYLIST. IF YOU DON’T HAVE ONE, I RECOMMEND YOU FORGE A RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE YOU LIKE!

Embrace bra strap turns any of your bras into a racer back painlessly, so no straps stick out – perfect for honeymoon evenings when you throw on a tank with a skirt or linen pants oceanside! The line also makes these small packets of double stick strips perfect for wedding day mishaps. $8.50 at www.iloveembrace.com When you get home, if you haven’t already been cooking meals for two – www.allrecipes.com allows you to customize any recipe for you two newlyweds or for the night you break out your china for a dinner party!

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Great skin is another must!

Linda Robles of the Smooth Skin Bar not only has the most relaxing bungalow in town, but her hands are magical. I have re-occurring breakouts that only she can extinguish. But for a quick fix I LOVE Natura Bisse’s Diamond Peel at Neiman Marcus. Another MUST HAVE is the Tanda Acne Light Therapy Treatment, a hand-held device that delivers near-clinical light therapy treatments at home. It comes with an additional head that diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It doesn’t work on cystic or severe acne, but does on mild to moderate. The day I started using mine my skin was a mess, but I have only had minor flare-ups since which the Tanda has stopped from turning into a mess.

Available at Innovative Aesthetics, 3303 Audley Street, 713.468.8759.

FRESH BREATH! LOVE THE NEW MINI-ALTOID TINS AND GUMS. ALL THAT CHAMPAGNE WILL INEVITABLY GIVE YOU SKUNK BREATH. AT DRUG STORES.

Mally makes the most universally flattering, unshimmery bronzer that will last you the whole wedding day! She is the makeup artist to the stars who makes them all look like they bake all day in the sun, but in reality – this is their secret.

Bronze Genius $45, www.QVC.com

Bridal Edition

I just discovered Shu Uemura’s Hair & Scalp Ceremony offered exclusively at Azur Salon. The multi-sensorial therapy ritual is performed with made-to-measure products and Shiatsu-inspired massage to help balance, relax and energize. There are three different ceremonies depending on your time and price point. The Purifying Ceremony is $25 for 15 minutes; the Hair Care Ceremony is $35 for a half hour. I did the Complete Ceremony (combo of the two), which is $60 for 45 minutes (add $20 for a blowout) and combines a moisturizing Deepsea base and Absolu oils. You get an iPod with relaxing tunes, an eye mask and a blanket to use while you nap at the shampoo bowl into complete relaxation to awake with luscious locks!

Azursalon.com | 3425 S. Shepherd Dr. 713.526.3200

Have a great wedding and honeymoon!

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DESTINATION

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By Carla valencia

MUSTIQUE

hotel cotton house | location saint vincent and the grenadines | tel 1.888.240.9945 | mail reservations@cottonhouse.net | website cottonhouse.net

the cotton house hotel great room

IF

the view from the veranda

YOU’RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING OFF THE BEATEN PATH, SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT AND MAGICAL – MUSTIQUE IS IT.

I have visited many an amazing destination but this is hands-down the ideal honeymoon choice. Once you arrive on the island, the magic begins. The scent of the sea air sprinkled with the fragrance from the fresh flowers intoxicates. While the most beguiling shade of blue Caribbean ocean hypnotizes well into a sparkling evening of stars sprinkled in the midnight blue sky. It’s amazing how in under one hour you are taken back to a simpler place in time where you have no choice, nor do you notice that you are completely and utterly relaxed.

Granted it’s not the easiest place for Houstonians to get to, but trust me, once you get there it is well worth the travel. We flew American Airlines to Miami and overnighted in Miami, then flew the next morning to Barbados and waited a few hours for the Grenadines Airways 50-minute small-plane island hopping “taxi” that got us to the Mustique airport. I am not going to lie to you, the plane is small, but the Grenadines Airways people fly it so easily and flawlessly that once you get over it, it’s really not that bad. The airport in Mustique is adorable and capacity is limited to about 17 people at any given time. There are a few other options to getting there – but like I said, the island is so WOW (really) that do whatever it takes to get there…

A little history about Mustique, because there really is more to it than the “celebrity holiday capital of the world.” (Mick Jagger, Tommy Hilfiger and David Bowie all own properties here, to name just a few.) LORD GLENCONNER (THE HONORABLE COLIN TENANT) PURCHASED THE ISLAND IN THE GRENADINES OVER 40 YEARS AGO FOR $67,500. At the time there was no water, roads or a jetty for sea access. Only a mass of dense scrub, little vegetation, cattle and sheep and about 100 or so people who lived there. Tennant uprooted his family and by 1964

a new village called Lovell was created for the villagers. By 1968 the islanders were producing cotton on a plantation (which would later become The Cotton House.)

The planting of coconut groves along with cultivation of limes, oranges, grapefruits and vegetables was initiated and livestock and the local fishing industry began to prosper. Tennant established The Mustique Company to oversee the interests of the island and oversee development, and to this day The Mustique Company still pretty much runs things on the island.

As the island prospered Tennant’s elite circle of friends began to visit but it was the sailing of the Royal Yacht Britannia to Mustique and Tennant’s wedding present to Princess Margaret of a 10-acre plot of land in 1960 that heralded a world of change. The island quickly became the international playground of the 1960s and 70s drawing royalty and the famous to the island.

There is really only one full-service hotel option on the island – the Cotton House.

THE PROPERTY IS SITUATED ON A HILLSIDE SURROUNDED BY THE CARIBBEAN SEA TO THE WEST AND THE ATLANTIC OCEAN TO THE EAST. The 13-acre retreat’s jewel is the original 18th-century cotton warehouse and sugar mill that Tennant restored to create economy for the island on his arrival. The late British designer Oliver Messel carefully restored Cotton House incorporating his experience in theatre set design into wildly intricate shell-encrusted armoires and end tables.

There are 17 guest rooms, cottages and suites and the two-bedroom residence.

EACH ONE HAS AMAZING VIEWS AND PRIVATE PATIOS OR TERRACES WHILE 11 HAVE THEIR OWN PLUNGE POOLS. Our guest room, the Maddox Balcieau House, was a duplex suite. Situated on the highest part of the resort, the bungalow featured a living room on the ground level with a terrace overlooking the island, a full bathroom and a more than luxuriously stocked mini-bar. Down the stairs was the master suite with a patio that opened up to the lush hillside with its own plunge pool. The king bed was veiled in a romantic voile netting. We slept with the French

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coccoloba house

hibiscus house

macaroni beach

doors open and the netting protecting the bed – night after night listening to waves crash with the light of the moon seeping in the room – heaven.

The Cotton House is a member of Leading Small Hotels of the World and is managed by GLA Hotels.

For reservations, call 1.888.GLA.8380 or visit www.cottonhouse.net For rental information, contact 1.800.747.9214 or email villarentals@mustique.vc. www.mustique-island.com

The main house is centered around the Great Room with a full bar and various lounge areas sprinkled with Messel’s quirky interior design style including a stunning armoire featuring taxidermied birds typical of the island. MEALS ARE QUITE SIMPLY PERFECTION. Breakfast is served off the Great Room’s veranda (or in your room) overlooking the property and includes on-site baked breads like chocolate croissants, banana nut bread and muffins; fresh fruits with granola and yogurt; and Cotton House eggs benedict! Lunches are picturesque at the Beach Café overlooking Endeavor Bay, or the Cotton House will arrange a picnic lunch at one of the popular beaches like Macaroni Beach. Dinner is served on the veranda by candlelight and is Italian fine dining with beach dinner barbecues, when in-season, twice a month.

Did I mention lobster?…the diving in Mustique is breathtaking. If you are not PADI certified, the Cotton House is home to seasoned dive masters who can get you certified while on your honeymoon. AND COMING FROM SOMEONE WHO WAS ACTUALLY CERTIFIED DURING HER HONEYMOON – IT TRULY IS MAGICAL. Our dive had us pulled by a fairly strong current along the base of a mountain, viewing sea turtles, lobsters, a variety of coral and plant life incomparable to anything that can be described on land – all while listening to whales calling to one another.

sapphire house

sheherezade house

The Mustique Company holds weekly cocktail parties Tuesday evenings in the Great Room for guests as well as residents of the island. The spa is a few steps from the beach and features a fitness center, but the surrounding nature trails are well worth the run or hike. If you go during high-season, Thai masseuses are brought in who give the most unforgettable massages.

Although the Cotton House is the only hotel option, THERE ARE A VARIETY AND RANGE OF VILLAS WHICH CAN BE RENTED ON A WEEKLY BASIS starting at $5,000. Each villa has its own dedicated staff of at least three; the larger villas have a butler and/or house manager as well as the use of a vehicle. Complimentary services such as laundry, tennis courts and weekly movie nights are also available. The villas are stunning rentals in design with an unparalelled attention to detail. wyler house 53. june09 002houston

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groom your pooch IT’S COOL TO _____________.

DON’T TRIM NAILS UNLESS YOUR DOG LETS YOU DO THIS EASILY…OTHERWISE, LEAVE TRIMMING OF THE NAILS TO VETS OR GROOMERS.

BATHING Shampoo: Oatmeal works well here in Texas because of our itchy dogs. Always use shampoo designed for dogs (not people!). Conditioner: use after washing to seal the hair shaft. Always be sure to completely rinse all shampoo out.

Rinse, rinse and rinse again! It’s very important that you place cotton in the dog’s ears to keep them dry and keep shampoo and water out of their eyes and nose – they have feelings too!

Inspect your pet’s ears and clean them with cotton ball, Q-tips and dog-specific ear cleaner. Some breeds may require the hair to be plucked out so air can circulate. You may wish to consult your vet or a professional pet stylist for help with this.

as told to our groovy groomin’ dude by Houston Pet Talk magazine’s editor Michelle Mantor.

Featuring Sir Jay Gatsby Falkor Ragsdale, King Charles spaniel. Photography by Jill Hunter.

Don’t have time for a bath? Try using Kiehl’s For Your Dog Spray-N-Play Cleansing Spritz at Kiehl’s in Highland Village or www.kiehls.com.

A FEW EXTRA TIPS: -Keep the area around eyes clean by wiping them with a clean warm, damp, cloth daily. Use a flea comb to help remove eye matter that may have built up in the inner corner of the eye.

-Keep the hair on the bottom of the foot trimmed with small scissors or clippers. This hair can bring in extra dirt and can also cause the pet to slip on tile or wooden floors. They can also form mats between their pads.

-Leave anal glands to groomers or the vet…you’ll be glad you did!

Slicker brush (many types available, choose one of medium softness) – Be sure to completely brush and comb pet after bathing to insure your pet is mat free. If you bathe your pet and miss this step you may be setting in or tightening the mats. Mats can leave your pet unsightly and uncomfortable.

DON’T LET GATSBY GET AWAY FROM YOU! Be sure to use the proper size nail trimmer and have styptic powder available in case of bleeding.

Sir Jay Gatsby Falkor Ragsdale 54. june09 002houston

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WHERE TO LIVE

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DEVELOPERS + BUILDERS PLACE YOUR PROPERTIES HERE – EMAIL US AT LETTERS@002MAG.COM

803 SAULNIER

FLOYD STREET CASAS

LEELAND VIEWS

LOCATION

803 SAULNIER, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77019

4407-4413 FLOYD ST. IN THE MAGNOLIA GROVE SECTION OF RICE MILITARY

2234 LEELAND STREET, JUST EAST OF DOWNTOWN

AMBIENCE

Perfect view to downtown Houston from the master, kitchen and living room plus downtown view from balcony on the second floor.

Spanish-Colonial inspired facades with sharp detailing add charm to this 4-unit custom development, which offers buyers two distinctly different floorplans.

Freestanding homes in gated community featuring stunning views of Houston’s Downtown skyline.

AMENITIES

This town home has all you could want & close to downtown with great views too! Amazing upgrades including real wood flooring, granite countertops, balcony off dining, surround sound, no common walls, kitchen appliances & built-ins, wine rack, tinted windows, remote control lights plus remote control blinds in master & remote control alarm system. Prewired for speakers on patio & balcony (included), energy efficient & great for entertaining.

UNITS/ROOMS

2 bedrooms, 1 office, 2 full baths, three-story (master on the third)

WITHIN REACH

Walking distance from Downtown, Minute Maid, Toyota Center, Aquarium

PRICE

CONTACT

All homes feature hardwood flooring throughout, with the exception of the 1st floor on the 2440 sq. ft. plan (44114413 Floyd) which instead is tiled in elegant natural stone with mosaic inlay. Jenn-Air stainless steel appliances, granite, natural stone backsplashes and custom alder wood cabinetry can be found in all units. Darker toned finishes such as lighting fixtures and faucets add warmth to the home, as do the medium toned earthy paint colors.

Moen faucets and Kohler fixtures throughout homes. Jeldwen vinyl windows, Techshield radiant barrier, high-efficiency 14 SEER Lennox AC units with programmable thermostats are all included as well.

There are 4 homes total: half are approximately 3050 sq. ft., 3-story, 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom, 2-car attached garage

Rooftop terrace with spectacular Downtown views, three finish packages to choose from, oversized rainfall shower head with body spray in both full baths, granite countertops throughout, minimalist cabinetry with glass drawers and doors, master suite with adjoining study, contemporary and industrial fixtures, open living area with balcony, large master closet with built-ins, pre-wired for surround sound, alarm, CAT-5 and cable.

2 bedroom, 2.5 baths, 4 stories, 2-car garage

Located in Rice Military, within walking distance to the restaurants, bars and retail developments located in the Washington Corridor and just minutes by car to Downtown, Midtown, the Galleria, via major highway access.

Within minutes of Downtown, Minute Maid Park, Toyota Center, Discovery Green Park, Medical Center and UH

$240,000

$429,900 - $459,900

Starting at $269,900

Luis Martinez 713.419.3561 luis@decmar.com

TRICON HOMES 713.334.6060 SALES@TRICONHOMES.COM OR VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.TRICONHOMES.COM

713.868.7226, www.urbanliving.com, www.leelandviews.com

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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 Dan Mohr | Hair by Shelly at French Twist www.frenchtwisthouston.com

RANDHIR SAHNI | LLEWELYN-DAVIES SAHNI, INC. education background master of architecture/urban design, rice university, 1971 master of architecture, kansas state university, 1968 bachelor of architecture and ms, university of baroda, 1966 professional affiliations american institute of architects, texas society of architecture, urban land institute, american planning association specialty architecture | planning+urban design website theldnet.com LISTENING TO A R. RAHMAN’S AWARD-WINNING , GOT ME WRITING AND DANCING! IF YOU HAVEN’T EXPERIENCED INDIA, IN ONE WORD, GO! I HAD AN EYE OPENING, LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE WITH THE INSIGHT OF TOM BAKER FROM CRUISECENTER.COM. WE SPENT TWO ENLIGHTENING WEEKS TRAVELING THROUGH RAJASTHAN VISITING JEWEL-STUDDED PALACES, PARTIALLY SUBMERGED TEMPLES, THE CHAOS OF THE STREETS WHERE PAINTED ELEPHANTS PULL UP BESIDE YOU AT A STOP NEXT TO A FAMILY OF 5 ON A MOPED. FROM MUMBAI, CAMPING WITH HIS FATHER IN THE HILLS TRACKING BENGAL TIGERS, WHO KNEW RANDHIR SAHNI WOULD BE OFFERED A SCHOLARSHIP FROM RICE UNIVERSITY FOR ONE OF HIS MASTER’S DEGREES IN ARCHITECTURE BUT SPECIALIZING IN URBAN DESIGN. I GUESS IT IS A CASE, AS WE SAY IN TEXAS, OF “DANCING WITH THE ONE THAT BROUGHT YOU”. I AM DELIGHTED TO INTRODUCE TO YOU, MR. RANDHIR SAHNI, SCHOLAR AND A GENTLEMAN. HIS INFLUENCE WILL CHANGE HOW MIDTOWN HOUSTON RELATES AS A COMMUNITY THROUGH STAR PLAZA AT THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS. BY OPENING UP THE CAMPUS AND ADDING GREENSPACE AND DIRECTIONAL PLANTING, THE HCC CAMPUS WILL BECOME AS ICONIC AS THE RICE UNIVERSITY IS TO THE MUSEUM DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD.

sandra gunn | randhir sahni

WHAT DROVE YOU TO ARCHITECTURE? WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT IT? The profession gives me the ability to influence, as well as shape, the urban environment. I love trying to figure out “what makes cities tick.”

WHAT DROVE YOU TO “GREEN” ARCHITECTURE? We were “green” before “green” became fashionable.

-In 1979 we worked on Post Oak Park, a 42-acre development planned for over 4 million square feet in UPTOWN with over four acres of open space.

-In 1981 we worked on the master plan of Houston Center, a 12-city block complex with Discovery Green park as its epicenter. Precepts include: a walking, mixed-use complex of 12 million square feet with housing, workplace, hotels, convention facilities and necessary attendant functions.

-From 1980-1994 we worked on Ben Taub Hospital and the LBJ replacement hospitals in the Texas Medical Center and focused our efforts on energy consumption, water retention, the use of mass transportation, medical equipment recycling, compact efficient 850,000 SF and 420,000 SF buildings on 11- and 20-acre sites.

-In 1985 we worked on the plans for the residential development around Lake Woodlands.

-In 1991 we worked on the UPTOWN/Galleria master plan to bring the light rail through the area and reduce the use of automobiles.

-In 2002 we worked on environmentally sensitive flood recovery for The University of Texas Health Science Center within the Texas Medical Center.

-In 2003 until 2005 we worked on the Image Plan of both Houston airports.

-From 2005 to the present we’ve been working on environmentally sensitive development of

Houston Community College campuses.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT IT? Providing for quality urban growth while having the least impact of a growing population on the environment.

CURRENT PROJECTS: Texas Southern University – Technology Building | Houston Community College – Star Plaza | Ed Wulfe/TxDOT – Redo of the Gulfgate Pedestrian Bridge over Loop-610 Infrastructure and image work for HCC RECENT PROJECTS: Buffalo Bayou Walk | Bush and Hobby Airport Master Plans and Image Plans | Downtown Houston Theater District Master Plan | City of Houston – Central Water Testing Facility SO, THINKING BACK TO THE DRAWINGS YOUR MOTHER HAD UP ON THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN YOU WERE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL...WHAT WERE THEY? We didn’t have a refrigerator when I was growing up. Instead, we got our cool water from an earthen pot. I didn’t have time to draw as a child. I was away at boarding school in India from the time I was 9 years old and was on a very regimented schedule which didn’t allow for time to “draw.”

HOW DID YOU COME TO LIVE/WORK IN HOUSTON AND WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN TO MAKE THIS YOUR HOME?

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hcc central campus = view of the star plaza at hcc central campus

I came to Houston to attend Rice University and was admitted to the first group of 10 students for the Master of Architecture in Urban Design. Houston was, at that time and still is, a laboratory for urban development – no limitation, no zoning restrictions – it attempts to answer the question what does something want to be. I chose to stay in Houston because I appreciate Houston’s high level of acceptability and unique way of thinking.

HOUSTON IS A VERY UNIQUE CITY. NO ZONING, AND ONLY RECENTLY A SENSE OF URBANISM, LACKING IN TRUE HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND PLENTY OF “COOKIE CUTTER” CONSTRUCTION. HOW DO YOU DESIGN AROUND THIS? Not so! The Bayou Plan prepared in the 1920s attempted to give the city a form.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR HOME....

I have designed my last two homes.

House #1 – On a 8,000 SF lot introverted. No windows; skylight in atrium. All rooms have 12’ wide glass opening into an atrium – resulting in year-round moderated ambient temperature.

SIMPLE USE AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY House #2 – On a 1.2 acre lot with 100+ trees in City of Piney Point. The house design is extraverted. Zoned AC by floor. All rooms with extensive glass which is shaded by tree cover in summer and rooms exposed to sun during winter resulting in extensive sunlight in every room and lower ambient temperature throughout the house. SIMPLE USE AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY. House construction completed in 120 days.

TELL US ABOUT THE “GREEN ELEMENTS” IN YOUR OWN HOME No irrigation, no trees cut; 18” overhangs; use of renewable material – wood floors/ structure/exterior; higher EER, natural light; storm water retention; preservation of habitat – snakes, rabbits, birds, owls, raccoons, armadillos.

ITCHING TO WORK ON? A project with the listed precepts. New urban center that takes into consideration the changing fixes: social equalization, information adaptability, respect for the living, respect for natural resources, minimal intervention into nature, conservation of energy.

WHAT STAMP OR IDEA DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE ON THE WORLD AND WHY? Gaudi-like legacy, Barcelona, Spain.

BEST PLACE IN HOUSTON TO HANG OUT? My house.

HOW CAN CHILDREN BE ENCOURAGED TO APPRECIATE ARCHITECTURE? By giving them opportunities to understand and comprehend why we build.

WHAT CAN THE NEXT MAYOR FOCUS ON TO HELP MAKE HOUSTON MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY? Among other things treat the bayous as a unique form giver, open space, manage METRO’s improvements, encourage the electric car by creating special paths as was done for bicycles during the Lanier Administration.

IF YOU WERE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, WHAT ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY WOULD YOU FOCUS ON? Bio from waste, nuclear, wind and sea.

IF YOU HAD TO LIVE OFF THE LAND, WHERE WOULD YOU LIVE? North Texas, Southern Colorado or California.

FAVORITES: GADGET iPHONE HOBBIES WATCHING PEOPLE MEAL SIMPLE VEGETARIAN MOVIE AND FUNNY MOVIES BEST ENCHILADAS CHEESE ENCHILADAS AT NINFA’S WINE SINGLE MALT WHISKEY CAR PORSCHE 911 VACATION SPOT ALASKA LAST PLACE YOU WANT TO GO BEFORE YOU GO JOURNEY BACKWARDS FROM WHERE I CAME. HOUSTON; INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA; BOULDER, COLORADO; MANHATTAN, KANSAS; DELHI, INDIA; BARODA, INDIA; JHASI, INDIA; KANPUR, INDIA; ALIGHAR, INDIA; MERRAT, INDIA; SHAHJAHANPUR, INDIA; LAHORE, PAKISTAN. IF YOU WERE NOT AN ARCHITECT, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? ECONOMIST WITH EMPHASIS ON CREATION OF WEALTH. YOUR MOTTO DO MORE FOR OTHERS THAN YOURSELF. 59. june09 002houston

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ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN IDEAPAINT | INSPIRING CREATIVITY www.ideapaint.com

This paint rocks! Imagine being able to scribble all your ideas, inspirations, rantings and ravings all over the wall in your office or living room and wiping it clean the minute you change your mind or fulfill one of the ideas?

Jeff Avallon along with 2 college buddies got together and came up with the idea to create dry erase paint. As soon as they graduated they decided to get serious about this idea but had two leading labs in the country tell them off the bat that the formula could not be made. So they contacted one of the largest labs in the country with their idea and after two years of self-imposed stringent requirements they were able to fulfill their original premise to inspire

60. june09 002houston

teamwork as well as the creation of a collaborative dynamic environment.

Furthering the quality of their product, they hired a 3rd party lab to go out and figure out what made dry erase boards lose their efficiency over time; they figured out it was the solvent in the markers. Every brand was tested on a microscopic level, going so far as to take abrasive pads until the markers failed, showing that in comparison to everything on the market there was only 1 other dry erase board out there that beats them – in terms of longevity only but not performance.

We’re sure you’ll love this stuff as much as we do!

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EVENT BUFFALO BASH WHY TO CELEBRATE ALL THAT THE BUFFALO BAYOU HAS TO OFFER WHERE BANKS OF BUFFALO BAYOU – SABINE PROMENADE WHEN APRIL 25 Bayou Buddies, the young professional organization of Buffalo Bayou Partnership, celebrated along with their guests on the banks of Buffalo Bayou. The Buddies and their guests enjoyed a combination of music from Katie Stuckey, various lawn games, crawfish and libations. Some sponsors of the event - Gables Memorial Hills, HearsayRuggles, LADD Photography, and 1to1 Printing – did an amazing job with through the entirety of the event.

Isla Ali, Mark Simmelkjaer

Terry Peng, Ellie Essalih

Kevin Schott, Courtney Votaw, Zach Hunt

Penny Nichols, Jamie Sebastian

Claire and William Getschow

Katie Stuckey Band

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002 PROFILE

5/20/09

3:36 PM

Page 62

A conversation with Carla Valencia de Martinez

NANCY GONZALEZ | HANDBAG DESIGNER

I SAT WITH NANCY GONZALEZ LAST MONTH AT NEIMAN MARCUS IN THE HOUSTON GALLERIA WHERE SHE WAS MAKING A PERSONAL APPEARANCE TO MEET THE FANS OF HER EXOTIC BAGS. IN OCTOBER OF 1998, NANCY SOLD HER FIRST COLLECTION OF 8 DESIGNS IN 5 COLORS TO BERGDORF GOODMAN; TODAY THERE ARE 150 DESIGNS IN

MORE

THAN

300

COLORS.

THE

COLOMBIAN PETITE FIRECRACKER IS A DELIGHT TO BE AROUND. HER HAPPINESS IS CONTAGIOUS. SHE STARTED MAKING BELTS AND LEATHER GOODS (SHE HAD FREESTANDING BOUTIQUES

THROUGHOUT

COLOMBIA)

WHEN SHE APPROACHED BERGDORF. TODAY HER BAGS ARE CARRIED BY COUNTLESS CELEBRITIES, GRACING MANY A RED CARPET, AND SELL OUT BEFORE THEY EVEN HIT THE STORES.

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5/20/09

DO YOU VOLUNTEER? One of the most important reasons for why our company is based in Colombia is to create jobs where we actually train the staff to make the high-quality bags we make. We have a training center where they are taught a new skill. We also tend to hire women, because for me children are so important to our future and I think that when a mother (in our culture) has a job, that child grows up in a better environment.

We also have a daycare on site for their children.

DO YOU RECYCLE? We use all organic and natural materials.

All our glues follow this philosophy.

DO YOU SPEAK ANY OTHER LANGUAGES FLUENTLY? No.

WHAT MAGAZINES DO YOU SUBSCRIBE TO? , a Colombian magazine called and ARE YOU MORE LIKELY TO EAT PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST OR CEREAL FOR DINNER? Cereal for dinner. I love cereal!

SLIPPERS OR BARE FEET AROUND THE HOUSE? High heels! I don’t take them off except for sleep! I think it’s hereditary; my mother is 88 years old and still wears her Manolo Blahniks.

ARE YOU NAMED FOR ANYONE? IS ANYONE NAMED AFTER YOU? I never understood why the name “Nancy,” to me it’s very American. I never got an explanation.

DO YOU HAVE A GARDEN? FLOWER OR VEGETABLE? Orchids, thousands of natural orchids, all over my house and gardens.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SAYING OR LIFE MOTTO? No se puede dar lo que no se tiene – which translates to: You can’t give, what you do not have.

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WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BRAG ABOUT YOURSELF? That my bags are in the Metropolitan Museum!

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND ON THE COMPUTER EACH DAY? The minimum amount possible, none.

WHO DO YOU CARRY PHOTOS OF IN YOUR WALLET? No, not at all.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? Cali, Colombia.

HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE YOUR LAST BIRTHDAY? My last birthday was last week! You are not going to believe what I did. It was a day of meditation. Well, half the day. I celebrated with my staff in Cali. I was very happy because I received cards and flowers from my staff which is very significant to me.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MEAL? I love to eat! I love everything – my favorites are sweets.

WHAT’S ON YOUR KEY RING? It’s going to sound crazy, but I don’t have a key ring, or keys.

HOW MANY SONGS ARE ON YOUR iPOD®?

WHAT’S THE NEWEST ONE? No, well, yes, but I never use it. It’s not something I use too often.

WHAT’S YOUR PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY? Ser feliz is un acto de disciplina – Happiness is an act of discipline – I learned it from the Dalai Lama.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR HOME? Everything! The ambiance overall – I wanted it to be like a sanctuary full of peace, harmony, fresh flowers.

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WISE GUY

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3:37 PM

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meat market SUMMER

by Tim Moloney

I’M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO FORGETS EVERY “WINTER” JUST HOW HOT HOUSTON GETS IN THE SUMMER. IT’S ONLY JUNE AND ALREADY I’M CRAZY FROM THE HEAT. WHAT’S A WISE GUY TO DO? THE ANSWER, MY FRIENDS, JUST MIGHT BE AT A SWANK HOTEL NEAR YOU. That’s right – Houston is catching on to what Las Vegas, Miami and Los Angeles funsters already enjoy: the weekend hotel pool party. Our versions might not be as raucous as those at the aforementioned cities, but give it time. I’m sure LaStrada never started off as a circus of the stars, either.

First up, Downtown: The Four Seasons Pool Day Pass. For just 20 bucks, the “My Pool’s Better Than Your Pool” pass will leave guests saying just that. With full-day access to all of the pool services, patrons can revel in poolside massages, frozen fruity beverages and the best of the chef’s haute pool cuisine. It’s available every Saturday, Sunday and all holidays, and your $20 admission includes valet parking!

Speaking of valet parking, it’s free at Marvy Finger’s new One Park Place 37-story luxury high-rise building across the street from the Four Seasons. Well, it’s free if you’re a resident or guest. One Park Place has a one-acre pool deck that has to be seen to be believed. There’s nothing else like it in Houston. They don’t offer day passes, but roughly $2,500 a month puts you into a super luxury pad. Hey, you’re getting free valet, remember?

Last, and certainly not least, of your pool options is the kooky, high-energy, luxy Hotel ZaZa. Although they don’t offer pool passes right now, they always seem to be having crazy weekend pool parties with the young and the restless in attendance. However, with any spa treatment (and there’s a whole list for guys) at their ZaSpa, you get full-day pool access. So, you can show off your newly waxed torso or your facialized mug while playing “Marco, Polo” with fellow sun worshippers.

Marcus offer these two fine suggestions. The Michael Kors floral boardshorts (real men wear flowers) go for $125, and the Vilebrequin floral print trunk (something tells me floral is hot this season) will set you back $245. Trivia: St-Tropezborn Vilebrequin trunks are made out of spinnaker canvas (sailing is, after all, the king of sports in the gulf of Saint-Tropez, but you knew that). The suits dry more quickly in the sun and wind. “Vilebrequin” is the French word for “crankshaft” and a reference to its designer’s passion for automobiles. Now you’ve got some good bullshit to use around the pool.

All this swimming is making me hungry. Summertime means firing up the grill, but often, the results can be hit or miss.

Not anymore! That’s right – our friend Michael Cruz of Pete’s Fine Meats (49 years of meaty goodness) offers these rules for the perfect steak: • Choose a steak that has good marbling, and preferably aged. A cut that’s too lean is going to end up rubbery or tough.

• Don’t go smaller than an inch-and-a-half thickness. Anything thinner is going to be well done or ruined. Remember, you want a pink or bloody center.

• Only grill steaks that are at room temperature. If you put cold meat on a hot grill, it shocks the meat and gets tougher. Set your steaks out two or two and a half hours before grilling.

• Make sure your grill is as hot as possible. Sear the steak four minutes on one side, sear four minutes on the other side, flip it again and cook four minutes, and then flip a final time and grill for four minutes – remember 4 4 4 4.

There you have it, folks, the perfect steak. Pete’s sells a seasoning rub that is world-famous, by the way. You can get yours for $6.89 at the store.

Oh crap, I’m running out of space here. I still wanted to go into what wines to pair with different meats. Let me leave it at this: Andy Adams of The Corkscrew – my own personal Jesus – recommends Argentian Malbec wines for their peppery, rich fruity flavors. The perfect complement to your new steak. For $20, he says you can get a good cabernet, or a phenomenal Malbec. Of course, he’ll sell you either.

He’s got more than 250 wines in stock.

Until next month guys – have fun swimming, grilling and drinking. That’s what summer’s all about. And don’t forget your sunscreen. See you in July. I’ll give Andy some more column space then so you can really go nuts with your wine pairings.

BE WISE!

fourseasons.com/houston | oneparkplacehouston.com | hotelzaza.com/houston | neimanmarcus.com | petesfinemeats.net | houstoncorkscrew.com Now, what to wear? No banana hammocks, please. Our friends at Neiman

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FINANCE

5/20/09

12:29 PM

Page 65

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

INVESTING IN A LOW INTEREST RATE ENVIRONMENT LOW INTEREST RATES CREATE A DILEMMA. DO YOU ACCEPT A LOW RETURN BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOU MUST PROTECT YOUR PRINCIPAL? OR DO YOU TAKE ON GREATER INVESTMENT RISK IN ORDER TO TRY FOR A HIGHER RETURN? IN BALANCING THOSE TWO CONCERNS, HERE ARE SOME FACTORS TO THINK ABOUT. CONSIDER LADDERING YOUR CDS When yields on Treasury bonds began dropping last year, many investors were attracted to certificates of hal lynde deposit (CDs) offered by banks that needed to attract capital. However, interest rates won’t stay low forever, and at some point you may want access to your money before a CD matures. One way to achieve higher rates while retaining flexibility to adjust your strategy over time is to ladder CDs. Laddering involves investing in CDs with varying maturity dates. As the shorter-term CDs mature, you can reinvest in one with a longer term and higher rate. Over time, laddering can give you both the higher rates typically offered by longer-term CDs and the ability to adjust as interest rates change.

Example: Susan wants to invest $60,000 in CDs. She puts $20,000 in a six-month CD that pays 2.6%, another $20,000 in a three-year CD that pays 3%, and the final $20,000 in a five-year CD that pays 3.5%. When the six-month CD matures, she reinvests that money in another five-year CD. When her two-year CD matures, she reinvests it in still another five-year CD. At that point, funds from a maturing CD will be available roughly every other year, but will earn the higher five-year rate. If rates are lower when a CD matures, she has the option of investing elsewhere. (This is a hypothetical example and doesn’t represent the results of any specific investment.)

PAY ATTENTION TO EXPENSES Low returns magnify the impact of high investing expenses. Let’s say a mutual fund has an expense ratio of 1.00, meaning that 1% of its net asset value each year is used to pay operating expenses such as management and marketing fees. That 1% represents a bigger relative bite out of your return when the fund is earning 3% than it does if it’s earning 10%. At the higher number, you’re losing only about 10% of your return; at 3%, almost a third of your return goes to expenses. Before investing in a mutual fund, carefully consider its fees and expenses as well as its investment objective and risks, which can be found in the prospectus available from the fund. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. If you prefer individual stocks, keep an eye on trading costs.

COMPARE INTEREST RATE AND YIELD SPREADS When market instability drove many investors to the safety of Treasury bonds, their prices rose and yields fell. As a result, the spreads between Treasury yields and those of corporates and municipals have been relatively high over the last year because non-Treasury bonds have to offer higher yields to compensate for investors’ anxiety about the safety of their principal and possibility of default.

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 3:45PM AS CAPTAIN CASH ON 94.5 THE BUZZ. 65. june09 002houston

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VROOM, VROOM

5/20/09

12:29 PM

Page 66

By Michael Andre Adams

FOUR FOR THE ROAD BEFORE WE MOVE INTO OUR SUMMER COUPES AND CONVERTIBLES SERIES, HERE ARE A HOT FEW WITH FOUR FOR THE TRANSITION…

2009 Dodge Charger SXT Base: $25,510 MPG: 17 city/25 highway Annual Fuel: $1,560 (15,000 miles @ $2.08/gallon-regular) Don’t you see this car everywhere? Have you ever wondered what it is that makes it so danggone popular? After a few days behind the wheel, now I know…At the top of the list are its hot looks and $25K base, which is very decent for a full-size vehicle with great gas mileage.

Charger is Ram tough inside and out, yet they’ve managed to finesse its sturdy exterior looks with a smooth and cushy ride with gas mileage that’s especially impressive from a 6-cylinder, 3.5 liter engine with – in the case of this model – a four-speed transmission. Add to that the “Preferred Package” @ $2,405, for leather enhancements (on seats, steering wheel, shift knob), power seats, windows, temperature control air and a few more goodies and, voila, here’s your stimulus deal!

2009 Audi A4 Sedan 3.2 Quattro MSRP: $40,000 MPG: 17 city/26 highway Annual Fuel: $1,733 (15,000 miles @ $2.31/gallon-premium)

NOTE: Unlike most models on the lower end of a luxury brand, Audi assigned leather seating areas – as opposed to just trim – on the A4 and interior floor lighting, which is so cool when unloading the car at night. Go Audi!

Considered entry level by most (despite the smaller 5-door A3), the hot, new design of the A4 has taken the market by storm, thanks in great part to a more full-scale luxury look that completely defies even the slightest thought of entry level. Have you noticed how within the past two years Audi seems to have suddenly come alive with its fierce designs from face to fanny?

The brand’s tastefully subtle, signature grill has been assigned to every whip in the brand, which has set them apart big time! And the LED daytime running lights – outlining the BiXenon automatic headlights on the upgraded models like the 3.2 A4 and other S-class models – are a demonstration of swagger in full effect. The 265 hp engine with six-speed automatic transmission powering Audi’s legendary all wheel drive (Quattro) system makes it almost impossible to notice the powerful shift. Couple that with a lightweight, but solid feel and you’ve got one very comfortable sedan.

2009 Mazda RX-8 R3 MSRP: $31,930 MPG: 16 city/22 highway Annual Fuel: $1,927 (15,000 miles @ $2.31/gallon-premium) So, you want a sports car, but you’ve got a spouse and a small kid, or two. And while a sports sedan is nice, sometimes it just won’t do. Two words: Mazda, baby! Boasting a 232 horsepower engine with a six-speed manual transmission, the four door, four seater RX-8, is in fact a sports coupe! “Freestyle” is the official name for the doors behind the front doors that – according to tradition – open in the reverse direction, despite the more common name: “suicide doors.” Personally, I think they’re beyond cool and amazingly convenient. Owners of the top-of-the-line R3 model are privy to exclusives such as a rear wing spoiler, 19-inch rims, a snazzy front bumper and Recaro sport seats inside. Bluetooth, Xenon headlights and a 300watt Bose system are available to nearly all.

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5/20/09

TOOLS+TOYS+GADGETS

3:38 PM

Page 67

By Michael Garfield

VERIZON WIRELESS MIFI

FLIP ULTRA HD Most all tech products are destined for upgrades. Once manufacturers figure out what they left out of original versions, they build new ones with more features. And we must go buy them. Such is the story for the new Flip Ultra HD video camera.

Improving from last year’s Mino HD, the Ultra shoots high-definition video footage, has a bigger LCD screen (2” instead of 1.5”), longer recording time and battery life. Also new is that it runs on AA batteries instead of just recharging via a USB connection. The Ultra HD also comes with a rechargeable battery that will last for about three hours. The pocket-size camera has 8GB of flash memory – enough for up to 120 minutes of video. And the key that makes this line of cameras the hottest on the market – flip out the USB connector and pop the camera directly into your computer for quick uploading to websites. $199 | www.theflip.com

WiFi makes hopping on the Internet very easy. Just find a wireless hotspot, connect your device and you are surfing with no wires. Now you can create your own WiFi zone.

Developed by Novatel Wireless, the MiFi 2200 lets customers create a personal WiFi cloud delivering high-speed Internet connectivity through the Verizon Wireless network. The small, 2 oz. device has internal antennas that – when connected to the VZW mobile broadband network – can be shared with up to five WiFi-enabled devices. Now when you travel your whole family can share a wireless Internet connection for notebooks, gaming devices or portable media/MP3 players. $99.99 after $50 rebate | Monthly data plans from $39.99 | www.verizonwireless.com

NEARBYNOW COM

POGOPLUG

Need a dress or accessories to attend a wedding but unsure if your favorite clothing shop carries the style or size you need? You could spend the day calling stores but why not just find it online? NearbyNow will tell you which retailers have specific items near you, place a hold on a product you’re curious about – and even find out which items are on sale. I have found this website to save me time I’d normally spend searching multiple sites for a specific item; then it saves money by locating the items you want and indicating where they are on sale. In addition, you’ll receive directions to the local stores where these items are currently available (and the name of a helpful clerk), as well as the opportunity to feel and even try on the items before purchasing.

It’s the closest thing to instant gratification on the Net. www.NearbyNow.com

You’re on a business trip when you realize important files you need to work on are on the computer at home. A small white contraption called Pogoplug can bail you out. This could not be simpler.

Plug Pogoplug into your home network router and plug a USB hard drive into Pogoplug. Now you can remotely access and share files on that drive over the Internet. There is no software to load or messing with networking settings.

Tapping in from anywhere provides great peace of mind. Fire up your browser, go to my.pogoplug.com, and log in. Or you can download software onto your PC or Mac that will let you access files on your computer through Windows Explorer or Mac Finder, just as if they were “local” drives. (You still need Internet access.) Now you CAN leave home without it. $99 | www.pogoplug.com

MICHAEL GARFIELD is known as “The High-Tech Texan®” to millions of radio listeners and TV viewers.

His radio program airs in Houston on The 9-5-0 weekdays from 9am-11am and Saturdays 11am-2pm.

Visit his website at www.hightechtexan.com.

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RESTAURANT LISTINGS american

*17 inside Hotel Alden 1117 Prairie. 832.200.8800 aldenhotels.com Artista In the Hobby Center 800 Bagby. 713.278.4782 cordua.com

Table 7 720 Fannin St. 713.227.4800

spindletop

Boom Boom Room 2518 Yale St. 713.868.3740 theboomboomroomhouston.com

Daily Review Café dailyreviewcafe.com 3412 West Lamar. 713.520.9217

La Strada lastradahouston.com 322 Westheimer. 713.523.1014

ruggles green

Ruggles Green rugglesgreen.com 2311 West Alabama. 713.533.0777

Bedford bedfordrestaurant.com 1001 Studewood. 713.880.1001

Gravitas gravitasrestaurant.com 807 Taft. 713.522.0995

Auntie Chang’s Dumpling House 2621 S. Shepherd.

713.524.8410 auntiechangs.com

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

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

Glasswall glasswalltherestaurant.com 933 Studemont. 713.868.7930

26ten Sushi [japanese] 2610 Sage. 713.974.4000

Polo’s Signature 3800 Southwest Frwy. 713.626.8100 polosignature.com Post Oak Grill postoakgrill.com 1415 S. Post Oak. 713.993.9966

Tart Café tartcafe.com 4411 Montrose. 713.526.8278

Textile textilerestaurant.com 611 W. 22nd Street. 832.209.7174 The Oceanaire Seafood Room 5061 Westheimer. 832.487.8862 theoceanaire.com Shade shadeheights.com 250 W. 19th St. 713.863.7500 Skyline Bar & Grill Hilton-Americas 1600 Lamar. 713.577.6139

bakery+ coffee+tea+others

asian

Open City ochouston.com 2416 Brazos. 713.522.0118

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

Bowl eatbowl.com 607 Richmond. 832.582.7218

Voice inside Hotel Icon 220 Main. 832.667.4470 hotelicon.com

Noe noerestaurant.com Four Riverway. 713.871.8177

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

Zush [japanese] 5900 Memorial Dr., #102 713.861.5588 zushihouston.com

The Grove thegrovehouston.com 1611 Lamar. 713.337.7321

Monarch inside Hotel ZaZa 5701 Main. 713.527.1800 monarchrestaurant.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

Bistro Lancaster 701 Texas Ave. 713.228.9502

SoVino sovinowines.com 507 Westheimer. 713.524.1000

McCORMICK AND SCHMICK’S •1151 Uptown Park. 713.840.7900 •1201 Fannin St. [Houston Pavilions] 713.658.8100 mccormickandschmicks.com/houston.com

Fish [japanese] fishhouston.com 309 Gray. 713.526.5294

Avalon Drug Co. & Diner •2417 Westheimer. 713.527.8900 •12810 Southwest Frwy. 281.240.0213

The Breakfast Klub thebreakfastklub.com 3711 Travis. 713.528.8561

The Coffee Groundz coffeegroundz.net 2503 Bagby. 713.874.0082

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

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

Diedrich Coffee diedrich.com 4005 Montrose. 713.526.1319

Inversion Coffee House 1953 Montrose, #A. 713.523.4866 inversioncoffee.com

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

Kraftsmen Baking kraftsmenbaking.com 4100 Montrose #C. 713.524.7272

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

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

zushi

DON DIEGO COFFEE dondiegocoffee.com 208 Travis. 713.228.3560

Kubo’s [japanese] 2414 University Blvd. #200. 713.528.7878 kubos-sushi.com

Monsoon Wok & Lounge ra sushi 1200 McKinney, #103.

713.571.SAKE monsoonhou.com

SPINDLETOP Hyatt Regency Houston 1200 Louisiana St. Houston, TX 77002 mccormick and The Lake House schmick’s 713.375.4775 1600 McKinney. 713.337.7320 spindletopathyatt.com thelakehousehouston.com Spindletop, atop the Hyatt Regency Houston, features innovative steak and Mariposa inside Neiman Marcus seafood fare. The elegant atmosphere cre2600 Post Oak Blvd. 713.621.7100 ext.2166 ates the perfect setting for business dinners and special occasions. CLOSED UNTIL FURMax’s Wine Dive maxswinedive.com THER NOTICE. 4720 Washington. 713.880.8737

Bright & Early 4825 Washington. 713.934.8234

pagoda

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

breakfast 11th St. Café 748 E. 11th St. 713.862.0089

Gigi’s Asian Bistro 5085 Westheimer. 713.629.8889 Kam’s [fine chinese cuisine] 4500 Montrose Blvd. #C. 713.529.5057

Thelma’s 1020 Live Oak @ Lamar. 713.228.2262

Antidote Coffee 729 Studewood. 713.861.7400 myspace.com/antidotecoffee

Café Brasil 2604 Dunlavy. 713.528.1993

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

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

Mango Beach [snow cones] 2304 White Oak 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

bar-b-que

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

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

Empire Café empirecafe.net 1732 Westheimer. 713.528.5282 Fountain View Café 1842 Fountain View. 713.785.9060 Rustika Café 3237 Southwest Frwy. 713.665.6226 Tiny Boxwoods 3614 W. Alabama St. 713.622.4224

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 Zydeco Louisiana Diner 1119 Pease. 713.759.2001

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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

Kiran’s kiranshouston.com 4100 Westheimer. 713.960.8472 Narin’s Bombay Brasserie 3005 W. Loop South. 713.622.2005 narinsbombaybrasserie.com El Tiempo Cantina [mex] •3130 Richmond. 713.807.1600 •5602 Washington. 713.681.3645 •1308 Montrose. 713.807.8996 eltiempocantina.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

Lucio’s [new american latin] 905 Taft. 713.523.9958

Maria Selma [mex] mariaselma.com 1617 Richmond. 713.528.4920

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

GUADALAJARA HACIENDA •1201 San Jacinto. 713.650.0101 •9799 Katy Freeway.

713.461.5300 •2925 Southwest Freeway.

713.942.0772 •27885 I 45 North. guadalajara 281.362.0774 hacienda guadalajarahacienda.com

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 Café Piquet [cuban] 6053 Bissonnet. 713.664.1031 El Meson [cuban] 2425 University. 713.522.9306 El Patio [mex] •6444 Westheimer. 713.780.0410 •2416 Brazos. 713.523.8181 El Rey [cuban-mex] •233 Main. 713.225.1895 •910 Shepherd. 713.802.9145

Irma’s [mex] •22 N. Chenevert.

713.222.0767 •1314 Texas. 713.247.9651

Ninfa's The Original 2704 Navigation Blvd. 713.228.1175 Picazo Restaurant Bar & Grill 1421 Preston. 713.236.1300 picazodowntown.com Rioja Spanish Tapas riojarestaurant.com 11920 Westheimer. 281.531.5569

tio pepe

The Lemon Tree [peru] 12591 Whittington 281.556.0690

Tacos a Go-Go tacosagogo.com 3704 Main. 713.807.8226

mediterranean+ greek

TIO PEPE [spain] 5213 Cedar St. Bellaire, TX 77401 713.667.4409 tiopeperestaurant.net Best PAELLA and SANGRIA in Houston!

Houston’s original and still most authentic Spanish cuisine.

Newly renovated. Under new management.

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

713.522.7654

Molina’s Cantina [mex] 4220 Washington. 713.862.0013 molinasrestaurants.com

Droubi Bros.

•507 Dallas. 713.625.0058 •919 Milam. 713.571.6800

Cafe Lili [lebanese] cafelili.com 5757 Westheimer. 713.952.6969 Niko Niko’s nikonikos.com 2520 Montrose. 713.528.1308

Saffron Moroccan Cuisine 2006 Lexington. 713.522.3562 saffronhouston.com tila’s

el tiempo 69. june09 002houston

pizza

Perry's Steakhouse & Grille 9827 Katy Freeway. 832.358.9000 perrysrestaurants.com

Candelari’s candelaris.com 6002 Washington. 832.200.1474

Spencer’s Steaks & Chops 1600 Lamar. 713.577.8325 spencersforsteaksandchops.com

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

Strip House theglaziergroup.com 1200 McKinney. 713.659.6000

Frank’s Pizza frankspizza.com 417 Travis. 713.225.5656

Pink’s Pizza pinkspizza.com •710 West Gray. 713.521.7465 •1403 Heights Blvd. 713.864.7465

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

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

FACT: THE MOST POPULAR DAY TO EAT OUT IN THE U.S. IS SATURDAY. SECOND IS FRIDAY, THIRD IS SUNDAY. MONDAY IS THE SLOWEST DAY FOR RESTAURANTS.

Pappas Bros Steakhouse pappasbros.com 5839 Westheimer Rd. 713.780.7352

002houston June 09:002houston

DINE WRITE

5/20/09

4:12 PM

Page 70

By Jenny Wang of imneverfull.com Photography by Kim Coffman

YOU GAME?

1. local suckling pig breast, beets, noble px vinegar 2. fricassee of maine lobster & other shellfish, morels, bacon spätzel 3. carpaccio of local spring lamb, watercress 4. tagliatelle "alla carbonara," hattermann farms egg, guanciale, parmigiano-reggiano

2011 Ella Blvd. Houston, TX 77008 713.861.8666 www.rainbow-lodge.com

HOURS:

Tue-Fri 11:30am-10:30pm, Sat 6-10:30pm, Sun 10:30 am-10:30pm

sample menu selections salads • Signature Slow Smoked Duck Gumbo, Andouille Sausage, Wild Rice Pilaf $7 • Local Beets, Arugula, Texas Chevre, Smoked Pine Nut Tapenade, Apple Cider Reduction $8

meat, game + fowl • Bryan Farms chicken wrapped in pancetta, house made chicken sausage, baby vegetable fricassee, tender greens, natural jus $22 • Filet of North American bison, swiss chard, fennel, garden eggplant purée $45 • Roasted naturally raised Hill Country pork spring onion & potato terrine, orange scented ham jus 26

fish + shellfish • Fricassee of maine lobster & other shellfish, morel mushrooms, bacon spätzel, English peas & tendrils $42 • Seared local snapper, black-eyed peas and corn succotash, blistered tomato bouillon $28

dessert • Soft bittersweet chocolate, cajeta mousse, spicy peanuts, breton cookie $8

1

2

I’

ve been following Chef Randy Rucker for some time now.

Although I wasn’t around town to visit his ambitious, yet ephemeral downtown restaurant, Laidback Manor, I was privy to the most intimate of introductions in his own home when he launched Tenacity Supper Club, a short-lived, but long-remembered series of multi-course dinners which were attended by local foodies, food bloggers and restaurant/chef personalities. I attended several of these dinners during its brief four-month life and each night reminded that there was no food quite like his in all of Houston.

Another nouvelle interpretation of a classic was the fricassee of lobster and shellfish. This isn’t the French, cream-heavy, stewed chicken dish you might expect, but a delicate play of lobster tail, New Zealand cockles, morel mushrooms, bacon spätzel and fresh English peas in a heavenly mushroom jus. The morels tasted reconstituted but the umami of the mushroom broth and the extra punctuation of fresh pea tendrils made this entrée sing.

When I heard that Rucker had accepted the executive chef position at Rainbow Lodge, I’ll admit I was skeptical. The Rucker I knew was associated with foams, amazing raw seafood applications, molecular gastronomy and pushing the food envelope, so to speak.

Rainbow Lodge was a successful, respectable restaurant but seemed to have a completely different type of clientele.

And yes, you’re supposed to eat the garnishes.

RUCKER WILL NEVER PUT ANYTHING ON YOUR PLATE THAT’S JUST THERE TO “LOOK PRETTY.” Inedible garnishes are a cardinal sin to those pretty serious about food.

I had no choice but to watch and wait. The end result is more impressive than I could have dreamt up. Donnette Hansen, the owner of Rainbow Lodge, has done a brilliant job of balancing both the old and new. With Rucker at the helm in the kitchen, the restaurant has transformed into a serious dining destination.

Carpaccio of spring lamb was a glowing example of a Rucker-esque adaptation of an old-school dish. Thin slices of rare sous-vided lamb were wrapped around small bundles of fresh watercress picked from their own gardens. Smoked crème fraiche, powdered capers and fried artichoke chips added interesting yet subtle layers of flavors and textures. Each bite of lamb was perfectly salted with a fresh crunch of watercress. The distinctive, pungent thumbprint of the greens lingered nicely on the back end.

Also an excellent starter and no doubt an updated legacy dish, shrimp boudin packed a surprising amount of heat. Sweet roasted ramps complemented the smoky boudin sausage, and roasted shellfish bouillon foam melded all the flavors together.

70. june09 002houston

And in case you’re wondering, Rainbow Lodge “still got game.” Muscovy duck breast over red quinoa with mint, peas and carrots was winsome. Verjus, or “green juice” made from unripe grapes, and a cream-based carrot purée added just the right notes of acidity and sweetness that pair so well with duck.

Served with the chef’s tasting menu, Bison filet was perfectly medium-rare and almost fork tender. A lot less gamey-tasting than I expected, it was perched atop cauliflower purée with superb “sour ketchup” made from ají amarillo (Peruvian hot pepper), sudachi (Japanese citrus) and champagne vinegar. Even more unexpected, the other side of the plate held the gift of broiled unagi with a huge morel propped on top of it.

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3

4

The tasting menu also brought one of the tastiest pork creations to ever hit my palate. Suckling pig breast was brined, rolled up with pork loin, poached in miso and seared off. The resulting reel of meat was unctuous with the texture of a brûlée crust. It was served with a slightly bitter beet purée and Noble Sour P.X. vinegar made with Pedro Ximenez grapes (used to make the sherry of the same name) to provide enough acid to cut the fat. The symphony of sweet, salty, bitter and buttery was beautifully composed.

On this particular evening, the tasting menu also included a course of sliced Santa Barbara abalone served with an alluring, smoky dashi foam, a wonderful throwback to a similar dish during the days of Tenacity. The most memorable course was braised cock’s combs with a surprisingly gelatinous texture glazed with kabayaki (Japanese eel sauce) and served over black forbidden rice.

Somehow “fusion” or “New American” doesn’t adequately describe the confluence of flavors Rucker aptly orchestrates on a daily basis. Those terms also don’t give him cred for trying to source locally or for growing most of the herbs, greens and edible flowers that end up on your plate either. I simply refer to his cuisine as “modern” which seems more encompassing and use the word “exceptional” to describe how it tastes.

To get the full monty, I implore you to take the food adventure that is the chef’s tasting. If you’re lucky enough you might even get a spot at a Tenacity Redux dinner now being re-born at Rainbow Lodge. It’s my educated guess that a reservation at this table will be the envy of all the local fooderati.

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5/20/09

NEW RESTAURANTS

3:41 PM

Page 72

By Jenny Wang Photography by Jenny Wang

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

BRISA COCINA MEXICANA 5161 SAN FELIPE ST. | 713.993.9899 brisamexican.com

CALLIOPE’S PO-BOY

VINOTECA POSCOL

2130 JEFFERSON ST. | 713.222.8333

1609 WESTHEIMER | 713.529.2797

CUISINE MEXICAN

CUISINE PO-BOYS

CUISINE ITALIAN

CHEF DIANA RAMOS

CHEF QUAN TRAN

CHEF MARCO WILES

Despite being taco-ed out from reviewing four Mexican restaurants last month, I was lured to Brisa by the stellar early reports rolling in from other foodie friends. BRISA FILLS THE VOID OF UPSCALE MEXICAN IN THE GALLERIA AREA AND THEY ARE DOING IT REALLY WELL. I started with queso cilantro – triangles of Chihuahua cheese rolled in crushed pork rinds and deep-fried – served with some kick, a poblanotomatillo sauce. The cheese was smooth and gooey and that green sauce was bright with the perfect amount of tang. Tacos chicharrones de fajita was another winning appetizer of cubed beef fajita rolled in a melted Chihuahua and Oaxacan cheese “tortilla” and cut into shareable pieces. The same spectacular tomatillo sauce spooned on top.

A daily special of pumpkin seed-crusted trout in a chipotle-tomato sauce was fresh with a crunchy, nutty crust that didn’t overwhelm the delicate fish. On the menu, Enchiladas Brisa stuffed with chicken was topped with a spicy, nutty and irresistibly savory Oaxacan-style mole. The accompanying refried beans were addictive and probably the best I’ve ever had.

I suggest winding down with a mango margarita.

I usually stay away from such concoctions because they tend to taste overly artificial but Brisa’s version didn’t. It was nicely balanced with ingredients I promised not to divulge in a Trechas chile powderrimmed glass.

IN THE ORIGINAL JENNI’S NOODLE HOUSE SPOT IN THE EAST END, YOU’LL FIND A NEW SET OF ASIAN OWNERS. THESE ARE RECENT TRANSPLANTS FROM HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI, WITH A TALENT FOR TURNING OUT NOLA-STYLE POOR BOYS. I recommend jumping in head-first with the Surf and Turf loaded with fried shrimp, shaved roast beef and brown gravy on locally baked bread fashioned after the crusty Leidenheimer French bread in New Orleans. The textures of the bread and light cornmeal-based battered shrimp were very satisfying and the blanket of gravy added a rich, wet goodness to each sloppy bite.

In fact, all the fried seafood here was good.

Shrimp, oysters, catfish and soft shell crab are fried in a specially tweaked, finely-tuned cornmeal batter.

Since each type of seafood cooks and tastes differently, Chef Tran doesn’t believe in a “one batter fits all” kind of approach.

Although owner Lisa Carnley stresses that Calliope’s is a po-boy shop, the seafood gumbo was definitely rave-worthy. A lighter roux made it less viscous than usual, but it packed a lot of body and heat even making the bottle of Tabasco on the table irrelevant. As an added bonus, Calliope’s runs a rainy day gumbo special. A bowl of this deliciousness is only $5 when it’s dumping cats and dogs.

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LOWER WESTHEIMER IS DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB RECLAIMING ITSELF AS RESTAURANT ROW FOR FOODIES, THANKS IN LARGE PART TO MARCO WILES OF DA MARCO AND DOLCE VITA FAME. His newest installment in the former Café Montrose digs is a wine bar and salumeria fashioned after those in his hometown in the Fruili region of Northern Italy.

I was impressed on many levels. The wine list (all Italian, of course) was reasonably priced with most bottles in the $30 range and a fancy cuvinet behind the bar dispensing twelve wines by the glass. Wiles had four house-cured meats on the menu: velvety veal lingua, porky porchetta, pork cheek sausage which was drier than expected and testa, the finest headcheese I’ve tasted. The rest of the menu featured fine imported cheeses and small plates including bruschette, risottos and paninis meant for sharing. I enjoyed a sensational baccalà mantecato, a creamy salted cod spread that is a great representation of Venetian cuisine. All the desserts were diet-dropping but my fave was a Nutella and banana grilled sandwich.

Vinoteca Poscol opens daily at 5pm. Don’t be surprised if you see Chef Wiles pulling into the parking lot on a motorcycle in his chef whites. He’s no doubt coming in from checking on his other landmark restos just a few blocks away.

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5/20/09

THE CHEF’S SPECIAL

4:04 PM

Page 74

Photography by Jordan Chan

CHEF VANESSA O’DONNELL | RESTAURANT OOH LA LA THE DESSERT BOUTIQUE cuisine gourmet desserts and coffee | private room no | catering yes | attire casual address 23920 westheimer parkway, katy, texas 77494 | phone 281.391.2253 | website oohlalasweets.com

FROM THE MINUTE SHE BAKED HER FIRST PIE WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL, O’DONNELL FELL IN LOVE WITH FOOD, ESPECIALLY DESSERTS. EVERYBODY LOVES DESSERTS, AND THIS GAL LOVES MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY. THIS IS WHY SHE CHOSE TO BEGIN HER CAREER AS A PASTRY CHEF AT THE ART INSTITUTE. WHILE ATTENDING SCHOOL, O’DONNELL DID TWO INTERNSHIPS. FIRST AT THE RENOWNED BRENNAN’S OF HOUSTON, AND A SECOND INTERNSHIP WITH CHEF FRITZ GITSCHNER, CERTIFIED MASTER CHEF AT THE HOUSTON COUNTRY CLUB. WHILE INTERNING AT THE HOUSTON COUNTRY CLUB, O’DONNELL MET HER SECOND PASSION IN LIFE – HER WONDERFUL HUSBAND. O’DONNELL FELT THAT IN ORDER TO REACH HER POTENTIAL, SHE NEEDED THE FREEDOM TO CREATE HER OWN DESSERTS. O’DONNELL’S MOTHER HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR AND AFTER LEAVING HCC, SHE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ASSISTING WITH THE LAUNCH OF OOH LA LA. SINCE OPENING OOH LA LA, O’DONNELL HAS TRULY REALIZED HER PASSION AND HOPES TO CONTINUE MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY WITH DESSERTS FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

FAVORITE LATE NIGHT SPOT FOR A BITE? Anywhere that I can get good sushi.

BEST BREAKFAST? Anything at Buffalo Grille.

WHAT INGREDIENT CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT IN THE KITCHEN AND WHY? In my home kitchen it would be garlic because it adds a tremendous amount of flavor to anything. In my Ooh La La kitchen it would be sugar because without that I could not make anything!

BEST BRUNCH? Perry’s Steakhouse Crab Cake Benedict.

FAVORITE PLACE FOR DESSERT? Ooh La La.

WHAT’S YOUR PET PEEVE? Things being dirty or unorganized.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE CHEF, RESTAURANT AND DISH? Too many to have just one.

WHAT UTENSIL CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT? Spatula.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, TELL US YOUR WORST CLIENT EXPERIENCE. I had a customer complain because her cake was too big. It was the size she ordered, but she said she couldn’t take it because she didn’t have enough room in her refrigerator.

FAVORITE AFFORDABLE WINE? Renwood Syrah

OOH LA LA THE DESSERT BOUTIQUE

FAVORITES MUSICIAN OH, WOW, I HAVE SO MANY THING TO DO ON A DAY OFF SPENDING TIME WITH MY HUSBAND AND MY TWO YORKIES, MADDIE AND BELLA PLACE TO RELAX AT HOME SHOE I CAN’T TELL YOU, IT’S A SECRET! CAR MERCEDES ML320 74. june09 002houston

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5/20/09

2:38 PM

Page 75

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RECORDING

5/20/09

3:42 PM

Page 76

by Lance Scott Walker Photography by Anthony Rathbun

with SPAIN COLORED ORANGE Interview Gilbert Alfaro SO MANY YEARS, SO MANY LINEUP CHANGES. DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’VE ARRIVED AT THE BEST? I think so. The weird thing is that I did the old Spain Colored Orange which was mostly acoustic and a couple of keyboards with Erica and Greg Cruz way back in the day… I called it Spain Colored Orange and then I just stopped playing for three years or something like that. Just took a break.

When I decided to get back into starting a band I got together with Jason Morris and Steven Burnett and then [Jason] ended up moving to Austin and he suggested Steve Torres and Mike Dugat and some other people.

ALL THOSE GUYS GO WAY BACK TOGETHER. Yeah, and I always wanted a horn player but I didn’t know any. Steven did, and that’s how we got Eric. Long story short – we were called 8-Track Charade, we actually released a demo, we played a couple of shows and we played a show with The Firebird Band, Chris Broach’s band, and he liked the band a lot and he wanted to put the record out and the guys were stoked but the one thing that they asked is that we change the band name. They wanted to go back to Spain Colored Orange because they didn’t want to think about it for days. So we kind of adopted the name from past years.

SPAIN COLORED ORANGE AS A NAME, THOUGH – I MEAN THAT WAS A SIDE PROJECT FROM WHEN YOU WERE IN BLUEPRINT, WASN’T IT? Yeah, it goes way back. I recorded something in Austin with John Croslin. It was a long time ago.

REALLY WITH THIS BAND, YOU AND ERIC JACKSON HAVE BEEN THE TWO CONSISTENT PIECES. Yeah, that’s true.

WELL, THAT BRINGS ME AROUND TO THE POINT, THOUGH—YOU REALLY HIT A TURNING POINT ONCE YOU ADDED ERIC AND HIS TRUMPET. WHOLE NEW SOUND. Right. I knew I wanted a trumpet player and I actually bought a piano, I bought a Wurlitzer… I figured we’d find someone to play. The band that I was wanting to start was going to have a keyboardist and a horn player. Turned out nobody wanted to play [keyboard]. I had to really simplify everything—I don’t really play piano. I never took lessons or anything, so I just kind of practiced every day and learned how to sing and play piano, but you’re right—once I got the horn, it brings a different vibe.

DO YOU EXCLUSIVELY WRITE ON THE PIANO NOW? I write on the piano probably 80 percent of the time, possibly more. But I just bought a guitar five months ago. I told the guys I was gonna start writing guitar songs. I’m missing it.

ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT YOU WENT THROUGH A PERIOD OF TIME WHEN YOU DIDN’T ACTUALLY OWN A GUITAR?

Left to right: Steve Aikey | Eric Jackson | Steve Torres | Mike Dugat | Gilbert Alfaro

I owned one, but I didn’t get it out of the case for a long, long time. I have a Fender Rhodes, a Wurlitzer, an upright piano in my… I mean, that’s all I do. But I’ve been playing guitar and trying to get back into playing again. It’s become a little difficult, though, because I forgot how to write songs with vocals playing guitar. At least in the style I wanna play. But I don’t wanna go back to what I was doing in the ‘90s or any of that.

SO IS SNEAKY THE LOST ALBUM, PARTS OF IT? I don’t know if I want to say that it was lost… it was definitely on hold. We couldn’t release it and it was just a lot of problems. And finally when Chris let us out of the contract— it was getting ugly for a little while—he finally said ‘you take the record and do whatever you want with it.’ It was really, really good news. The only problem was that the guys were getting desperate and they were like ‘let’s just release it ourselves.’ I just didn’t want to do that because we had a good producer come down and do the record and it was just so much work and effort… it was a lot of fun making the record but I just didn’t wanna release it ourselves.

TRUTH BE TOLD, THOUGH—RELEASING A RECORD YOURSELF NOWADAYS DOESN’T HAVE THE SAME SHORTCOMINGS IT USED TO. That’s true. But I mean when you release something, you have high hopes for it and you definitely want it to get distributed. And you wanna have press and everything. It’s really good to have that help, especially someone that’s excited about the record. And we got lucky because Shout It Out Loud Music really loves the record and they’ve really been good to us.

76. june09 002houston

AFTER ALL THIS TIME, AND BEING ON HOLD, NOW THAT IT’S RELEASED DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU GOT SOMETHING OFF YOUR CHEST OR OFF YOUR BACK? Not off my back… maybe off my chest, I guess. I’m happy it’s out. We’ve been getting pretty good reviews and people are digging it so I’m really happy about it. Again, it should have come out a long time ago but we’re going back in the studio next month in Austin for about a week and a half…

Of course we have another album’s worth of material written.

THAT’S HOW IT WORKS. We’re really excited about the next record. Recording it at Mike McCarthy’s studio in Austin and hopefully… our goal is to have it ready by November. Whether we can release it by that time… it would be weird to have two albums out in a year but we’re not gonna wait a year or anything.

IN HOUSTON THERE’S ALWAYS BEEN THIS STIGMA WITH WINNING AWARDS—THE HORROR! EITHER BANDS COME APART AT THE SEAMS, THEIR STREET CRED EVAPORATES OR WORSE. HAVE YOU GUYS AVOIDED SLIPPING ON THE CONCRETE BOOTS? I think so. We do get shunned a lot for it but it doesn’t bother me. I just tell the guys ‘you know what, just leave it alone.’

There’s always people that just don’t like certain decisions that you make, but I play music and I love to do it and of course I’d like to do it for a living. Who wouldn’t? www.myspace.com/spaincolouredorange

002houston June 09:002houston

5/20/09

CLUB+LOUNGE REVIEW

3:43 PM

Page 77

By Travis Jones Photography by Aaron M. Sprecher

RARE BAR | 700 durham, houston, tx 77007 | 713.843.7590 | rarebar.com

A CLASSIC ANGLE ON HOT HOUSTON NIGHTLIFE

F

RANK SINATRA AND AUSTIN POWERS ARE ON A DOUBLE DATE WITH CARMEN ELECTRA AND PENELOPE CRUZ….wait, stop me if you’ve heard this one. Anyway, it’s obvious they need to find a bar with taste, flair, sex appeal and a dash of class. And also, they’re hungry. Oh, and they also want to go to a place where they can sprawl out a bit. So Sinatra turns to Carmen and says…wait…no – a nun and a three-legged dog walk up to them…wait…no, that’s all wrong.

Nevermind, I’m horrible with jokes, but truth be told, Rare Bar on 700 Durham Drive is no laughing matter anyway. Although it would surely please our hodgepodge assortment of characters here, Rare Bar isn’t joking when it comes to pleasing the pickiest.

The moniker Rare Bar comes not from a flamboyant outer facade. Seemingly just another bar on another booming Houston corner, Rare Bar doesn’t put on its show outside. However, throw your keys to the valet and step inside, and you’ll understand how Rare Bar lives up to its name as it welcomes you back to the bedroom.

Definitely not a reference to the excitement level Rare Bar provides – just a nod to the comfort level and lavish layout it has mastered. Rare Bar is dressed in the motif you’d have chosen for your own bedroom if your wife didn’t own you at this point. Your dreams of a swingin’ bach-pad may have been supplanted by eggplant drapes and a subscription to “Dog Sweater Aficionado,” but, hey, you can live vicariously through Rare.

Sexy artwork on the walls, clean lines of linen draped over darkened windows and leopard-print couches bejeweled with crimson, silk throw pillows send a loud and clear message: Rare Bar is for people on the prowl – Houstonian twenty- and thirty-somethings in hot pursuit of sexy.

RARE BAR IS MODELED AFTER THE NEARLY EXTINCT “SUPPER CLUB,” ONCE EXTREMELY POPULAR BACKIN-THE-DAY IN CHICAGO, GERMANY AND URBAN SOUTHEAST ASIA. Weary thrill seekers would meet at such clubs, often after traveling a good distance, to enjoy the whole nightlife shebang. From happy hour cocktails to dinner, dessert, more libations and dancing, everything on a patron’s nightlife voyage was there under one roof with one common denominator – comfort. Comfort in knowing that you wouldn’t have to interrupt a flirty convo with a hot date, a business deal on the brink or a wild night out by hauling the whole crew to location after location. RARE BAR RE-INVIGORATES AN OLD SCHOOL, BREAKFAST-IN-BED, ONE-STOPSHOPPING VERSION OF NIGHTLIFE TRADITION WITH A CONFIDENT VIGOR.

77. june09 002houston

With Rare Bar, you won’t miss out. You won’t miss the game with the ample flatscreens that surround, and you won’t miss the hottest music to move to either; Rare Bar spins a hot selection of house fusion, on par with any dance club in or out of the loop. Most importantly though, you won’t miss out on a great meal. Rare Bar’s commitment to comfort shines via an extensive menu of nonconforming bar grub. From tender, aged ribeyes and strips to unique takes on burgers and other classics and decadent desserts for every taste, Rare Bar ensures that Houstonians have something to come back for no matter their mood.

The pricing of both food and drink is perfect, including a steal of a bottle service. And although it’s not superfluously stocked, the bar service matches the surroundings.

Don’t be surprised if you never have to leave your seat to order a drink, or that you can’t escape Rare Bar without a hello from every employee, from bar-back to owner.

Rare Bar is on to something, and is giving Houston a fresh take on luxury using a classic approach. In fact….now that I think about it…yeah – I remember how that joke goes now. Stay with me on this. Our characters were looking for taste, flair and sexy class, right? Yeah, so anyway, here goes: Why did Houston cross the road and leave the other places behind? Because Rare Bar is so well done. Get it?

Nevermind.

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002NIGHT LIFE downtown

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 JAZZ AT THE MAGNOLIA 1100 Texas. 713.221.0011 magnoliahotels.com

BARS + CLUBS + LOUNGES + WINE BARS JET LOUNGE 1515 Pease. 713.659.2000 myspace.com/jetlounge

LA CARAFE 813 Congress. 713.229.9399 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

TOC BAR 711 Franklin. 713.224.4862 myspace.com/tocbarhouston

VENUE 719 Main. 713.236.8150 venuehouston.com

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

galleria + uptown

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

BLVD 610 LOUNGE 3005 West Loop S. 832.875.3997 blvd610.com THE BLACK SWAN 4 Riverway. 713.871.8181 (inside the Omni Hotel)

UROPA 3302 Mercer. 713.627.1132 cluburopahouston.com

WILD WEST 6101 Richmond. 713.266.3455 wildwesthouston.com

heights + washington BLUE LABEL LOUNGE 4500 Washington bluelabellounge.com

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

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

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

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

COSMOS CAFÉ 69 Heights. 713.802.2144 cosmoshouston.com

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

DARKHORSE TAVERN 2207 Washington. 713.426.2442 dhtavern.com THE DIRT 222 Yale. 713.426.4222 myspace.com/dirtbar

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THE DRAKE 1902 Washington. 713.861.9600 thedrakebar.com

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.

BOND 2700 Milam. 713.529.2663 bond2700.com

COACHES 2204 Louisiana. 713.751.1970 CHRISTIAN’S TAILGATE 2000 Bagby. 713.527.0261 DECO 510 Gray. 713.659.4900 decohouston.com

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

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

SAMMY’S 2016 Main. 713.751.3101 sammysat2016main.com

SAINT DANE’S BAR + GRILL 502 Elgin. 713.807.7040

STATUS 2404 San Jacinto. 713.659.5400 myspace.com/statushouston SWIVEL 2621 Milam. 713.222.2057 swivelhouston.com THE ROOF 2600 Travis. 713.522.4900 roofbarhouston.com

002houston June 09:002houston

THE WET SPOT 160 W. Gray. 713.523.7768 wetspot-houston.com TIPSY CLOVER 2416 Brazos. 713.524.8782 UNION BAR 2708 Bagby. 281.974.1916 myspace.com/unionlounge 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

5/20/09

12:32 PM

THE DAVENPORT 2115 Richmond. 713.520.1140

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

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 CEZANNE JAZZ CLUB 4100 Montrose. 713.522.9321 blacklaboradorpub.com

GUAVA LAMP 570 Waugh. 713.524.3359 myspace.com/guavalamphouston

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 zimsbar.com

METEOR 2306 Genesee. 713.521.0123 meteorhouston.com

BOHEME WINE & CAFÉ BAR 307 Fairview. 713.269.0859 barboheme.com

VELVET MELVIN 3303 Richmond. 713.522.6798 myspace.com/thevelvetmelvinpub

MCELROY’S PUB 3607 Sandman. 713.524.2444 mcelroyspub.com

AGORA 1717 Westheimer. 713.526.7212 agorahouston.com

BARTINI 1318 Westheimer. 713.526.2277 clubbartini.com

THE TAVERN 1340 W. Gray. 713.522.5159 thetavernongray.com

LZ PUB 2239 Richmond. 713.522.7118 MARFRELESS 2006 Peden. 713.528.0083

AVANTGARDEN 411 Westheimer. 832.519.1429 avantgardenhouston.com

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

museum district

montrose + shepherd

ABSINTHE 609 Richmond. 713.528.7575 absinthelounge.com

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

PRAVADA 2815 S. Shepherd. 713.533.1200 pravadahouston.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

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

MONARCH LOUNGE 5701 Main (inside Hotel ZaZa) 713.526.1991 monarchrestauranthouston.com

outer loop

rice village

ARMADILLO PALACE 5015 Kirby. 713.526.9700 thearmadillopalace.com

BAKER STREET PUB 5510 Morningside. 713.942.9900 bakerstreetpub.com BAM BOU 2540 University. 713.521.7222 bambouhouston.com

BRIAN O’NEILL’S 5555 Morningside. 713.522.2603 brianoneills.com BRONX BAR 5555 Morningside. 713.520.9690 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 300 HOUSTON BOWLING 925 Bunker Hill 713.461.2431 300houston.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

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

river oaks + kirby

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 DOWNING STREET 2549 Kirby. 713.523.2291 downingstreetpub.com

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

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

LUCKY’S PUB 801 St. Emanuel. 713.522.2010 luckyspub.com THE MERIDIAN 1503 Chartres. 713.225.1717 meridianhouston.com

NEXT 2020 McKinney. 713.221.8833 whatsnexthouston.com PASHAA ULTRA LOUNGE 2010 McKinney. 713.344.0305 myspace.com/pashaahouston

WAREHOUSE LIVE 813 St. Emanuel. 713.225.5483 warehouselive.com

002houston June 09:002houston

SIP CODES

5/20/09

By Beatrice Valencia

3:47 PM

Page 80

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!

THE SUMMER SOLSTICE IS JUST 20 DAYS AWAY, ASSUMING YOU ARE READING THIS ON THE 1ST. GET READY FOR THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER AND THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR. THE HEAT INDEX IS UP AND WE’RE SEEING MORE SUNLIGHT (THAT’S IF IT HASN’T BEEN RAINING, OF COURSE). THIS MUST EXPLAIN WHY I HAVE SO MANY NEW THINGS TO WRITE ABOUT! MORE SUNLIGHT, MORE ENERGY, LONGER DAYS AND SUMMER EXCITEMENT ARE FUELING MY DESIRE TO BE OUT! I’VE DISCOVERED SOME NEW (TO ME) PLACES AS WELL AS NEW FINDS AT OLD PLACES THAT I’M VERY EXCITED ABOUT. SO WHY WASTE SPACE AND LET’S DIG IN, SHALL WE…

SOMETHING NEW! AT SOMEWHERE OLD… SHANDY’S- 5814 Memorial Dr. 713.426.2675 I’m aware I just mentioned them last month but I have to dish on my new favorite find for these hot summer days. I stopped in for a quick lunch and spotted a man having just polished off the shrimp cocktail. It was a warm breezy day and we sat outside so a shrimp cocktail seemed ideal. I ordered a small side salad just for fullness sake. The salad came out first. I got a pretty healthy serving of romaine lettuce with sundried tomatoes, shredded cheese and vinaigrette. Nothing fancy, just a salad, once again to fill me up a bit since the shrimp cocktail is an appetizer portion. Served in a chilled mediumsized cocktail tulip glass, a mixture of shrimp and avocado chunks swim in cocktail sauce. It’s a slightly sweet cocktail sauce but with a bit of lime juice you should be fine.

It’s refreshing and delicious on a warm day – say after lounging out by the pool.

PORCH SWING PUB- 69 Heights Blvd. 713.880.8700 www.porchswingpub.com By the time you read this, crawfish season might be over. I have no clue how it works. (I’m Mexican!) The point is, after tasting crawfish at various places, Porch Swing has had the best, in my opinion, that is. They’ve been super spicy, like to the point I just wait for my lips to get numb so I don’t feel it any longer, and pretty big in size. There’s nothing I hate more than a bucket of small crawfish. Like in all other places, you get a couple

potatoes and corn cobs which is never enough in my opinion. If the season is over, ’til next year!

BRONX BAR- 5555 Morningside Dr. 713.520.9691 www.thebronxbar.com After many years away from Rice Village, I returned on Wednesday for a pre-celebration for my brother’s birthday. I won’t lie, I feel my time/age there has expired, i.e., I’m too old. It was very nostalgic and all the new construction and makeovers were a bit weird. Anyone remember the car shop that used to be next to Baker St.?! Bronx is completely re-done since those days. A much larger, cleaner – dare I say – trendier interior gave way to Scarface posters and huge fans tucked away into corners. And although it seemed like a completely parallel universe, it happened to be 90’s night. Holy cow, people! I was enjoying myself so much, I wanted to stay regardless of it being Wednesday night and having to work the next day. Any and all music you can remember from the ’90s is mixed or played at some point from Tupac to Tootsie Roll. If you feel a song might have been overlooked, you can always present the challenge to the DJ. I didn’t even dance and I was giddy to hear some old school favorites.

RED LION- 2316 S. Shepherd Dr. 713.782.3030 www.redlion.com OK, I’m in love with this pub. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve never been to London so I have this daydream of being there or I’m just enamored with the décor. Either way, I’m hooked. The mahogany wood, red booths are my favorite areas to sit. I can sit there and imbibe various brews and look up and it’s 2am!

This kind of night out has made its way to the top of my favorites to do. Something about this place doesn’t give me chronic yawn attacks either. I suffer from this at most pubs, bars and lounges after a while of sitting around. I finally got around to trying something of their menu and the experience put this pub up on a pedestal. I tried the panseared tuna salad after a friend told me about this tuna appetizer they used to have that was delectable. I know what you’re thinking: tuna, pub, are you CRAZY?! I was secretly thinking the same thing. Sushi grade tuna is served over fresh mixed greens with house made Sweet Chili dressing. The tuna grade and its preparation were perfection, to be honest. I’m a big foodie and this pub fare was phenomenal.

MCCORMICK & SCHMICK’S- 1151 Uptown Park Blvd.

713.840.7900 www.mccormickandschmicks.com OK, this one will be quick because aside from their 80. june09 002houston

Rockefeller oysters that I cannot get enough of, this is a good bit of information. Their happy hour offers some pocket friendly deals, folks. I’m talking food options that begin at $1.95 and go up to $4.95!

That’s ridiculous! In a good way, of course. The happy hour menu differs at various locations and is printed daily.

They also offer different drink specials for each day of the week. Check out their website to get a sample peek at one of their happy hour menus. They also offer these deals for late night. Please call your area McCormick and Schmick’s for times.

ESCALANTES- 12821 Kimberly Lane 713.467.5577 Dropped in for dinner before a concert, making this my second experience here and most likely not my last. Rumor has it they have a skinny girl margarita, meaning no sugar, which we had to taste.

You’d think no sugar translates to not sweet but that’s not the case. I’m not a fan of super sweet margaritas. I like mine lemony and tequila-y. This one has a bit of sweetness to it that is manageable. Obviously it was good because I had 3! A record for moi. I typically get through half of one before everyone else is on 2. In order to balance this act, I order the Guadalajara combo. A chicken fajita enchilada is topped with roasted corn sauce and served with a chicken soft taco and guacamole. You get a healthy serving of food that tastes as good as it sounds.

SOMETHING NEW AT A NEW (RELATIVELY) PLACE… RARE BAR- 700 Durham Dr. 713.843.7590 www.rarebar.com Tucked away off Durham, across the street from Kicks! you’ll find this relatively new bar/restaurant/lounge. Offering you a new place to relax, eat, catch a game and down a few of your choice, Rare is just that…rare. A combo of banquette seating and high bar tables make up the main area with private banquette seating in the far back of the bar. I am a big fan of the leopard print covered banquette that lines the windows. It is so comfortable I can sit there for hours and not move.

Add in some delicious sliders, fries, a killer shake and I’m set. I shared the classic and BBQ sliders and added some Cajun fries to the side. The classic is Angus beef served with mixed greens on a brioche roll while the BBQ is BBQ brisket with slaw on a buttermilk biscuit. Yum! Cajun fries aren’t too covered in flavor so it combos nicely. The finale

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CD REVIEWS is a handmade ice cream shake with Kakaw Nib & Kream. I prefer the vanilla. The chocolate is a bit rich after that meal. I sat in my comfy banquette and let that all settle while the late night party crowd settled into their tables with bottle service. Good food with good people watching, what more could I ask for.

THE BROKEN SPOKE CAFÉ- 1809 Washington Ave. 713.863.7029 www.thebrokenspokecafe.com I had passed by this little café often and it wasn’t until a friend raved about the burgers that I finally made it a point to go. Stopping in for lunch with a girlfriend who eats here quite often made me even more secure about my decision. We started with the hummus that has pico with avocado chunks in it too. Over hummus, I met owner Roy de la Garza whose dedication to kids/teens I admired. An artistic teenager is behind the painting on the ceiling of the restaurant. Inspiring much! Very interesting owner if you get the pleasure to meet him.

I had the turkey avocado sandwich while my friend ordered the “Broken Spoke” veggie burger. The sandwich has sliced turkey, avocado, lettuce, tomato, red onion and mayo. I asked for mine on multigrain bread.

The bread, sandwich, the whole thing tasted fresh, homemade and delicious. I took a bite of my friend’s burger which had grilled onions, mushrooms, jalapeno, mayo, a slice of provolone and WOW! It’s all melted together in this ooey gooey yumminess!

I didn’t even mind the veggie patty! The experience made this place one of those, I-can’t-wait-to-try-everything-on-themenu places for me!

HOUSTON ZOO1513 N. Macgregor Dr. 713.533.6500 www.houstonzoo.org/flock SAVE THE DATE – JUNE 18!!! At press time, the next Flock event will be on this date at the zoo! If you haven’t become a member of this young supporters group, there’s always time. Join likeminded individuals who are enthusiastic about this classic Houston institution and its conservation efforts. There are a plethora of perks to becoming a member beyond just free admission to the Houston zoo for one full year!

SPAIN COLORED ORANGE

By Lance Scott Walker

&

(Shout It Out Loud Music)

The finest pop moments of this record have all been frontloaded and shoved into one 3-minute, 45-second block of time: “Who Am I.” But that’s not to say that there aren’t other worthy moments that emerge during these 12 tracks; it’s just that, after a listen or two, one will unconsciously find themselves humming the trumpetto-piano/vocal relay that makes said track jump right off of the record. To be sure, this quintet of local boys keeps it interesting throughout— &' vacillates between Submarine-era Beatles, Vegas-style showtunes and half-lit carnival music that is fitting both for the Ferris Wheel and the dark, musky tent in which the hypnotist and palm readers bide their time. It would be impossibly ignorant not to point out a Tom Waits vibe here, but vocalist/keyboardist Gilbert Alfaro’s almost blurry, lost vocals lead it off into another direction altogether. When the record gets darker during its second half, they retreat even further. The words are written, the lyrical patterns are clear and it’s obvious he’s not winging it, but the vocals become more of an instrument than a narrator when the music begins to space out a bit in “Better Left Alone” and “Remember It was Christmas Time.”

Of course, they take it back to the creepy carnival vibe with “Birds and the Bees,” in which they employ a bunch of kids to sing the chorus. What the shit is that?

PAUL WALL

"#

(Swisha House)

It’s getting difficult to really understand in which direction Paul Wall is even moving. If he made an entry into the greater rap canon in 2005 with a sort of table of contents of what was going on in Houston (which " arguably was), then he graduated to become a caricature of himself on the follow-up.

Some would say that now he’s quite nearly a full-blown cartoon.

Whereas could lean on laying out the H-Town dictionary (comprehensively) for both the clueless and those in the know, only “Daddy Wasn’t Home” emerges as any lingering hint of knowledge on this one. & might be a more appropriate title. But then, maybe we’re putting too much weight on what Paul " $ be saying and forgetting the fact that though he did lay out a sort of handbook on Houston in , he shouldn’t necessarily be responsible for doing the same every time. And maybe can’t. "# is full of club jams. There are lyrics filling verses, but every track seems to hinge on the hook more than the content within rather than the message that could/would/should leak out. Dude’s just trying to have fun?

AU REVOIR SIMONE #

# #

# (Our Secret Record Co)

This sounds like as much a tribute to the meek, kitten-faced synth pop of the ’90s (ala Slumberland/Sarah Records) as it does the more refined adult contemporary of the era just prior to that (ala Kate Bush and Suzanne Vega). There is nothing dynamic about ARS—the overwhelming majority of # … is produced by synths and drum machines and helmed by all three of these Brooklyn ladies’ voices. But there is a certain experimentation in staying within those bounds, and the three of them master that. This is a mature pop record. Unlike a lot of their contemporaries who would either complicate or oversimplify what they’re doing, Au Revoir Simone is taking obvious pains to push their songwriting beyond the tools they use to produce it. On this, their third full-length. “Organized Scenery” is a perfect bit of dark pop. ! $ # # # !" " # " # % 81. june09 002houston

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EVENT ONE-YEAR CELEBRATION WHY CELEBRATE WHERE CITIZEN LOUNGE – 4606 WASHINGTON WHEN MAY 16

Friends and family gathered to help celebrate the one-year anniversary of Citizen’s opening. Complimentary cocktails and Benjy’s hors d’oeuvres were catered throughout the night. One of Washington Avenue’s hottest spots was packed with table reservations full of the beautiful Houston scene. A few lucky guests walked out with some serious swag bags full of goodies.

OO2CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Welsh pooch 6. Cupid 10. Call for help 13. Round gasket 14. Breezy room in Hawaii 16. You’ll get a bang out of it 17. Dreamy dress for the bride 19. Parisian street 20. Sounds from a train whistle 21. Most suggestive, as art or film 23. Something to be picked up at a bar?

26. Caviar 27. Palm off 28. Harmonizes 30. Ties to 33. Some cuts of meat 34. Prepare baby food 35. Break ground, in a way 36. Cows’ mouthfuls 37. Bridge positions 38. Hazy memory 39. Rocky Mountain Indian 40. She’s slender and graceful 41. Silk pattern 42. False starts 44. No experts,

they 45. Shopping meccas 46. Ardent admirer 47. Rapturous rhyme 48. Pointed beard 50. Assumed name 52. It’s a cinch in Japan 53. It may be handto-mouth at the reception 58. Drapery holder 59. Ermine in summer 60. Ready to go 61. Another way of saying “I do” 62. Skirt lines 63. Something may be written in it DOWN 1. Whisper sweet nothings 2. Hockey great Bobby 3. Hook up 4. Pesky bug 5. Shuns 6. Bring joy to 7. Tabloids 8. Lennon’s love 9. Doctor, in old slang 10. Extended ride 11. Responsibility 12. “Leave it in,” to an editor

15. Like Rollerblades wheels 18. Petting places, perhaps 22. “__ it or lose it” 23. Prime ingredient in baby powder 24. Rabbitlike rodent 25. They may be pretty and all in a row 27. Forward in time 29. Winners have two 30. Zodiac boundaries 31. Visited a foreign land, perhaps after the honeymoon 32. Dreamy 34. Insect’s sense organs 37. Some canines

38. Baby in blue 40. Sows, like wild oats 41. Copes 43. Posed 44. Remained in bed 46. Moves like a dragonfly 48. Highly graphic 49. Slender woodwind 50. First man to wear a ball and chain?

51. Jazz technique 54. Anonymous John 55. Reminiscence word 56. He’s a real doll 57. “Able was I ___ I saw Elba”

MAY ANSWERS

82. june09 002houston

Photography by Bernard Bauri from lastnightpics.com

002houston June 09:002houston

Photography by Bernard Bauri from lastnightpics.com

002houston June 09:002houston

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002houston June 09:002houston

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