Whatever happened to ...?

FROM THE STAUBACH FAMILY TO PAGEANT-WINNING KOI, SOOTHING SUCCULENTS, THE CRESPI AND CRYOTHERAPY, HERE’S AN UPDATE ON SOME OF THE MOST INTRIGUING NEIGHBORHOOD STORIES AND PHOTOS OF THE YEAR.

The Cat That Survived A Fire

THEN: Norm the cat was adopted by Meredith Powell as a baby. Norm also lived with dog Stella, a Catahoula hound. An electric wire started a fire in the attic. Powell and Stella were snuggling in the den. Powell’s fiancé, Mark, was cooking in the kitchen. Suddenly, Mark heard a pop and saw smoke. He ran into the den and yelled, “There’s a fire! Get Stella and get out the front door.” Norm was in the master bedroom, and the door was closed.

NOW: The family relocated to Houston “Norm is doing great in Houston. He is happy in his new home, and he loves to snuggle,” Powell says. “He also loves to chase after his favorite treats.”

Super Trendy Succulents

THEN: Courtney Goldberg’s succulent arrangements, accented with patterned sand, gemstones and natural elements, have been spotted at charity luncheons at Neiman’s, Ascension, a Kent Rathbun event, medical spas and downtown o ce buildings. Urban Spikes, a name inspired by the porcupine quills she sometimes uses, has a word-ofmouth following after just two years. During our photo shoot, she was pregnant with her third son.

NOW: Business is booming, and Goldberg is looking to relocate the business from her house into a workshop. “We have launched two new exciting o erings for our clients. Jackson Hayes Goldberg, or ‘Jax’ as we call him, arrived on July 9, a day after my birthday. He is a frequent visitor in the workshop and the new boss. He loves watching the team work as he’s mesmerized by the colors and textures. His big brothers have welcomed him with loving arms.”