Prime Living Magazine

november/december 2012

Texas

The Luxury of Choice

what a

gem

Get an inside look at the world’s most precious gems

Deck the Halls Houston home basks in the splendor of the holidays

Winter Paradise Borneo: Where unparalleled luxury and leisure await

luxelife} the

Herald in the season with blissful getaways, exquisite jewels and all that dreams are made of

large and in Charge!

Space and elegance. Space for your imagination to create the home of your dreams.

The elegance and sophistication of creative floor plans, designed specifically for your lifestyle.

all in the perfect master planned community for you.

Imagine an easier commute, spacious kitchens, and outdoor entertainment areas, all in a Large and in Charge, Partners in Building home in a Johnson Development community.

We build communities with a unique sense of place.

at Johnson Development we take pride in designing our communities to foster the active lifestyle of our residents, while preserving and utilizing the natural beauty of the local landscape. Today is your day, your time—live it.

johnsondevelopment.com partnersinbuilding.com

Fort Bend Parkway

riverstone.com

facebook.com/riverstonecommunity From US-59 in Sugar Land take Hwy 6 south 3 miles

Partners in Building introduces homes on large homesites in Riverstone. Priced from the $500’s, our dramatic elevations often include large covered patios, turrets and rounded studies, while our interiors include guest suites and open kitchens with large center islands.

Homes from the $500s . 3,500 to 6,000 sq.ft.

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Partners in Building is excited to offer custom homes in Woodforest’s gated enclave of lakeview and golf course homesites. Standout design features in our homes include downstairs gamerooms and expansive outdoor living spaces with summer kitchens and fireplaces.

Custom homes from the $600’s.

Homes from the $600s . 3,700 to 6,000 sq.ft.

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Partners in Building offers a variety of estate and half acre homesites in Sienna Plantation. Our homes feature voluminous living spaces and well-designed family gathering areas. Partners in Building can custom design your new home from scratch, or start from our expansive library of plans.

Homes from the $550s . 3,500 to 6,000 sq.ft.

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november/december 2012

22 31

home for the Holidays

points of light

Four local heroes keep the spirit of community volunteerism alive

Houston homeowner celebrates the season one room at a time

56

bliss in borneo

Discover luxury, intrigue and adventure in the heart of southeast Asia

november/december • 2012

3

11

alsoinside

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Karyn Dean

9 • cocktails & conversation • Where to Go, What to Do Buzz • Stepping Out • In Rare Form • Holidays on Parade

Orchestra Redefined • All Decked Out • My Life

kdean@prime-living.com

Publisher Terry Dean

37 • connoisseur • PL’s Guide to Discerning Taste Subtle Simplicities • Good Eats • Table Talk

Fizz, Sparkle, Pop • All Dressed Up

tdean@prime-living.com

13

Managing Editor Michelle Jacoby

49 • the gentlemen’s room • For the man who commands the very best Geared Up • Out of the Box • The Gift that Keeps on Giving

In Your Dreams • Four-Wheel Fun

mjacoby@prime-living.com

Art Direction & Design LuckyYou! Creative Erin Loukili Misty Voitovski

62 • escape • Greetings from destinations

near and far

Enlightened Explorer • Grapevine 69 • live well • Feel Good, Look Good The Doctor is In • Health News • Caviar Dreams

He Spends, She Spends • The Holiday Hustle

www.luckyyoucreative.com

Advertising director Rodrigo Hurtado

40

rhurtado@prime-living.com

senior Account Executive David Drake

76 • prime list • Events, Galas and Fundraisers An Evening with Deepak Chopra • Autumn & Winter 2012 Collection Debut

50 Shades of Red • World Master Chef’s Dinner

the

ddrake@prime-living.com

52

director of marketing Jennifer Dean jend@prime-living.com

Circulation/ Distribution Brian Stavert

list

bstavert@prime-living.com

Contact 311 Julie Rivers Drive Sugar Land, Texas 77498 281.277.2333

79

76

on the cover Faberge's Diamond Trellis Egg made from ivory, gold, enamel, and rose-cut and brilliant diamonds. While the egg was on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science in April, other Faberge objects will join the new McFerrin Faberge Collection at the museum in January. For more information, visit hmns.org. Photography by Thomas DuBrock.

4

prime-living.com

Editorial Inquiries editor@prime-living.com Advertising Information advertise@prime-living.com subscribe AT www.prime-living.com ©2012 Prime Living Magazine is a publication of SRG Services, Inc., published bi-monthly.

Copies are mailed and hand-delivered to households and businesses throughout the greater Houston area. This publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the express prior written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility to any party for the content of any advertisement in this publication. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position of the publication.

1801 POST 1801 OAK POST BLVD, OAK HOUSTON, BLVD, HOUSTON, TX 77056 TX 77056 713.629.7444 713.629.7444

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publisher’s note the prime living crew

shares some of our favorite holiday classics

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”

“The Grinch” (Jim Carrey version)

Terry Publisher/CEO

Victoria Administrative Assistant

“A Christmas Story”

“A Christmas Carol” (Jim Carrey version)

David Senior Account Executive

“Miracle on 34th Street” Tom Graphics/Design

“The Grinch” (Jim Carrey version) “Home Alone”

“The Nightmare Before Christmas”

Brian Circulation/Accounting

N

coming up

6

prime-living.com

“Elf” Mark Photographer

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”

ot sure why, but I’ve always loved the holiday season. I’m sure it must have to do with my childhood memories, but whatever it is, this time of year is truly something special.

One of my most favorite things to do during the holidays is to cuddle up on the couch, put my feet up and settle in for hours of holiday entertainment. Once the first cold-snap hits Texas, this selfproclaimed TV junkie immediately gets the scoop on the upcoming holiday shows and specials, and plans my TV show lineup.

Call me sentimental, but some of my fondest memories are of watching holiday variety shows, from the “Kraft Music Hall” specials to “Bob Hope – Hope for the Holidays.” And who could forget Christmas specials by Andy Williams, Bing Crosby and

“Home Alone” Michelle Managing Editor

Alex Ad Coordinator

Jennifer Director of Marketing

karyn dean Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

Rodrigo Advertising Director

Erin Art Director

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” Misty Designer

Ed Sullivan? Those were the days!

There is, however, one holiday classic that I, without fail, watch every year. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” starring Burl Ives has been a holiday favorite of mine for as long as I can remember. I plan on keeping this tradition going strong for years and years to come.

In celebration of the upcoming holidays, the Prime Living crew shares some of our favorite holiday classics.

On behalf of our Prime Living family, we wish you and your family a happy and

healthy holiday season and the very best for 2013! Feliz Navidad!

kdean@prime-living.com P.S. Have a favorite holiday TV show or movie of your own? Share your picks with us on our Facebook page!

From dramatic weight loss stories to the latest trends in fitness and well being, start 2013 off on the right foot with our special Health and Wellness issue.

AMBASSADORS

Did you know?

We treat

over 120,000 patients annually in our two dedicated pediatric emergency centers.

Join Ambassadors today.

Become an Ambassador for Texas Children’s Hospital and be a voice for sick and injured children in our community and beyond.

Memberships begin at $250. To learn more, call 832-824-6900 or visit ambassadors.texaschildrens.org. © Texas Children’s Hospital. All rights reserved. Dev 026_092012

True Elegance

Elegant Jewelers, Inc

3376 Highway 6 | Sugar Land, Texas 77478 | 281-980-5599 | ElegantJewelers1.com

Fast, Expert Jewelry and Watch Repair /All Work Done On Premises by Master Jewelers | Watch Batteries (While You Wait) | Appraisals (Certified Gemologist On Staff)

Paul Carrizales / American Prestige Photography

cocktails & conversation.

cocktails & the prime living guide to what's happening now

inside:

Dancers Marietta Johnson and Kevin Prothro, Fred Astaire Dance Studio River Oaks.

10 12 13 14 16 18 20

• • • • • • •

The Buzz | What's New Hot List | Stepping Out Point of Interest | In Rare Form Nostalgia | Holidays on Parade Arts | Orchestra Redefined Design | All Decked Out My Life | Centennial Historian

november/december • 2012

9

buzz

Royal Tea I

n celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee year, the annual Theta Charity Antiques Show honors this historic event with “Royal Tea,” Nov. 15-18 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Guest speakers include Sally Bedell Smith, author of “Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch;” interior designer Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill; and Penny Deupree and Keri Deupree Wilt, great-granddaughter and great-great-granddaughter of Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of “The Secret Garden.” Leigh and Leslie Keno, world-renowned antiques experts and TV hosts of PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow” will also speak at the show. In addition, replicas of the Crown Jewels will be on display.

The four-day event will showcase antiques ranging from fine art to furniture from 50 dealers from around the world.

Special events include a gala preview party, lecture series, and a luncheon and book signing with Spencer-Churchill. thetaantiquesshow.com

start your

Lone Star

love N

o one has bigger hearts than tried-and-true Texans. Just ask the makers of SKYY Vodka, who, this past summer, teamed with the Boot Campaign to support Texas troops dealing with physical and emotional issues.

With the release of the Lone Star Limited Edition Bottle, Texans who purchased the bottle did their part in contributing to this organization whose roster of supporters includes Pat Green, Deborah Duncan and Troy Aikman. bootcampaign.com, skyy.com

engines

P

atients at Texas Children’s Hospital will get to trade their hospital beds for hot rods thanks to a special event guaranteed to put you into overdrive. On Dec. 9, the indiGO Auto Group presents Drive 4 Kids, where exotic and luxury car enthusiasts can get up close and personal with a worldclass collection of vehicles. Attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to be donated to a TCH cancer patient. River Oaks Shopping Center, 2050 W. Gray St. 713-599-1271

join the club

W

hen you think of Hockley, Texas, golf mecca may not immediately come to mind. But this burgeoning community located 35 miles northwest of Houston is quickly raising the eyebrows of not only die-hard golfers, but also outdoor enthusiasts, thanks to the Houston Oaks Country Club & Family Sports Retreat. Complete with an 18-hole championship course, fishing lakes, baseball fields, swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, the facility offers a wide variety of activities, as well as a clubhouse, restaurant and meeting space. And with membership options are available, guests will finally find a luxurious retreat for fun and recreation. 22602 Hangar Road, Hockley. 713-888-0000, houstonoaks.com

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prime-living.com

Theta Antiques Charity Show | SKYY Vodka | Randy McCall | Hugh Hargrave Photography

cocktails & conversation.

cocktails & conversation.

buzz

celebrate the season in

style with these latest looks

Luscious l ay e r s L

ooking for the go-to jewelry piece this season? Jewelry designer Gillian Julius takes the wrapping and layering out of dressing with this show-stopping, multi-layered leather bracelet. Available in a variety of colors—as well as gold, silver or mixed metals—this piece can go from casual to dressy in a blink of an eye. The bracelet can be found at Raspberry Rose, 2434 Rice Blvd. 713-529-2260, raspberryroseboutique.com

Holiday Finery

D

Gillian Julius | L.K. Bennett | Ciate

uring the holidays, make your little black dress go a long way with a crop of new accessories guaranteed to change up your look. L.K. Bennett (Kate Middleton’s favorite store) has a few accessories that can put some dazzle into your holiday wardrobe.

The Dawn round-toe, gloss-patent leather platform, for instance, has an accented brogue bow and ankle strap, giving this classic heel a pop of holiday color. Or opt for the Nina metal-frame clutch with printed snake leather and coil strap sparkles. And don’t worry, ladies. You don’t have to go across the pond to snatch up these fashion musts—they’re available at the L.K. Bennett store in the Galleria. 713-961-0009, lkbennett.com

in style Get in step with the latest looks at these upcoming trunk shows Neiman Marcus, Houston Galleria Nov. 8-9 Escada Nov. 9 Jude Frances Nov. 10 VenEffect

C

Nov. 15 Rubin Singer Nov. 16 Monique Lhuillier

Nov. 13 Maison Rabih Kayrouz

Nov. 16 Guy Bedarida of John Hardy

Nov. 13 Laurel Berman of Black Halo

Nov. 19-21 Oscar de la Renta Spring

Nov. 13 Bogosse brothers Patrick and Fabrice Tardieu

Nov. 28 H. Stern

Nov. 15 Lubov Azria of

hoosing between festive nail colors is no longer a battle this holiday season. That’s because beads are what’s in. If you want to make a fashion-forward statement right down to your fingertips, try a unique technique that involves sprinkling tiny beads onto wet nail polish, then finishing with a clear topcoat. For those with a not-so-steady hand, try the Ciate Caviar Manicure available at high-end and specialty beauty supply stores. ciate.co.uk

Nov. 15-17 RCM

Nov. 12-13 Carolyn Tyler

Nov. 14 Zac Posen

finger painting

Herve Leger

Nov. 28 Dior Cruise Nov. 29-30 Fantasia Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 Crown Color

Tootsies Nov. 8-9 J. Mendel

Nov. 16 Gemma Kahng

Nov. 8-9 Overture Judith Leiber

Nov. 28-29 M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza

Nov. 15-16 David Peck

Dec. 13-15 Claudia Lobao Jewelry

Events subject to change.

Roseann Rogers Known as Houston’s “Buzz Lady,” Roseann Rogers has been on top of the Houston’s social, fashion and entertainment scene for nearly 15 years. A regular contributor to Prime Living, she is also a TV personality, spokesperson and active philanthropist.

november/december • 2012

11

cocktails & conversation.

hot list

SSQQ Dance Studio

Whether you’re looking to brush up on your line dancing skills or meet a fellow dance wannabe, this Heights-based dance studio is right up your alley. With an emphasis on casual group lessons, SSQQ (which stands for slow-slow-quick-quick) offers everything from the Western two-step to the East Coast Swing.

1431 w. 20th st.

713-869-0777 ssqqdance.com

Houston Dance Factory

Led by salsa dance expert Eddy Deynes (also known as Salsa Eddy), this studio is all about spicing things up. If you’re looking to give your dance moves a little kick, sign up for belly dancing, salsa or samba. They even offer the Cuban bachata or the cumbia, which started in the Caribbean coast of South America.

It’s holiday season and you know what that means, right?

It’s time to dust off your dancing shoes and prepare to trip the light fantastic! Check out these five dance studios that are guaranteed to help you get your groove back.

Fred Astaire Dance Studios

Named for the late-great master of dance himself, Fred Astaire Dance Studios are synonymous with the style and grace of this American icon. From bolero to ballroom, the dance studio offers a variety of styles perfect for any occasion. And with nine locations throughout the greater Houston area, you’ll have no excuse to get one step ahead. nine houston-area locations fredastaire.com

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prime-living.com

River Oaks School of Dancing

Prepare for the holiday social season with a lesson at this popular dance studio in River Oaks. Opt for private ballroom lessons or enjoy the company of others at their Friday group practice parties, ranging from the foxtrot to the Viennese waltz. The studio recently began offering Zumba classes, as well.

2621 s. shepherd dr.

713-529-0959 riveroaksdancing.com

Arthur Murray Dance Studios

In 1912, entrepreneur Arthur Murray was inspired by his love of dance to start a chain of franchised dance studios. One hundred years later, Murray’s vision of bringing dance to people of all ages has not only been realized, but is going strong thanks to the approximately 270 studios around the world. three houston-area locations arthurmurrayhouston.com

Fred Astaire

Stephanie Adler with Ben Steifert | Fred Astaire Dance Studios

steppingout

5711 hillcroft ave.

713-780-8080 houstondancefactory.com

point of interest

cocktails & conversation.

In Rare Form Story | elizabeth exline

Houston Museum of Natural Science

I

t’s been said that diamonds are a girl’s best friend.

But at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, home to the Lester and Sue Smith Gem Vault, you can buddy up with all manner of gems—from an opal the size of four fists, to a colorless sapphire.

Forget Facebook. This is where your real friends are.

But despite the many statement pieces on display, you might become most intrigued by the natural crystals that are often juxtaposed with their cut and polished counterparts. This is no accident.

“We take the natural mineral crystals and the jewels, and we put them in extremely dramatic display cases with very theatrical lighting,” says HMNS president Joel Bartsch. “So even if you don’t care a whit about rocks, when you walk into the space, you’re just like, ‘OK, what is this? This looks fantastic!’”

Within the vault’s carefully curated collection of fewer than 50 pieces, you will find rare and lovely specimens like kunzite in rich lavender, alexandrite,

and orange and green garnets. (The last of these received curiously dichotomous settings: The orange garnet is an uber-contemporary ring; the green garnets became a Victorianinspired necklace and earring suite replete with ribbons and bows.) Then of course there’s that mammoth colorless sapphire, which is set to look like it’s floating in space alongside a hefty, 103-carat blue sapphire.

Sapphires, in fact, make a strong showing in the 4,000-square-foot exhibit hall. In addition to the colorless and the blue, there is a 168-carat yellow sapphire whose size and quality make it extremely rare.

Obtaining pieces like these is the result of relationships that have spanned the past 35 years, Bartsch says. After amassing a sizable collection of raw natural crystals, the museum worked with many of the same miners, cutters and polishers to begin furnishing the gem vault three years ago with its pieces. The result of all this careful collecting is an exhibit that is at once worldclass and contextually aware.

“It’s Texas, right?” Bartsch quips. “So our ladies have big hair and big jewels.”

Bartsch is referencing that installation-size yellow sapphire, but his good-natured ribbing reveals a bigger truth. One in which a place’s quirks—like Houston’s naturally philanthropic and geologically minded community—sire the sort of topnotch attractions the gem vault has become.

now showing Prepare to be dazzled by the latest exhibits at the Lester and Sue Smith Gem Vault.

Gemstone Carvings: The Masterworks of Harold Van Pelt

Renowned for his gem photography, Harold Van Pelt is as talented at creating artworks as he is capturing them on film.

His quartz, rock crystal and agate pieces transcend traditional limitations to become translucent, ethereal works of art. This debut collection reflects the entirety of Van Pelt’s 40-year career in carving.

Gems of the Medici

houston museum of natural science 5555 hermann park drive 713-639-4629 hmns.org

With pieces dating back to the first century B.C., this exhibit taps the collections of a dynasty that defined art and culture for years and, in so doing, brings the drama of the age to life. On exhibit through March 31, 2013.

november/december • 2012

13

cocktails & conversation.

nostalgia

Holidays on Parade A

merican songwriter Harold Arlen said it best when he tunefully penned: “I love a parade!”

And who would disagree? Whether it’s a festive holiday march through a major city or a gaggle of neighborhood kids hauling their family pets in a caravan of shiny red wagons, the notion of a “parade” is as captivating a one as we can conjure.

In fact, no matter how tiny a town we might hail from, it’s tough to find one of us without a memory of being hoisted on our parents’ soldiers to catch a glimpse of the local parade. No one forgets that rousing march down Main Street, replete with all the pomp and circumstance, horns and hubbub, balloons and baton twirling, and, of course, the vision of gaily decorated floats gliding effortlessly along.

One could argue that there’s nothing more traditionally American, or, for that matter, more fun.

Some parades are so grand that they’ve become national classics, beloved by all. Who hasn’t spent a Thanksgiving morning tuned into the legendary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Each year, while the turkey roasts and the cranberries bubble, we sit mesmerized in front of the TV, waiting for Santa to appear

14

prime-living.com

and officially open the holiday season. And, across the country, it’s a given that the annual Rose Bowl would hardly be the same without the gala Rose Parade.

As all-American as our parades might seem, many of them have their roots in

Did you know?

Pasadena’s famous Rose Parade is noted, not surprisingly, for its floats being festooned with brilliantly colorful flowers. But just how many?

To give you an idea, it takes about 20 daisies, 30 roses or 36 marigolds to cover just 1 square foot of float. Each year, all of the floats together require approximately 18 million flowers.

other countries. The Macy’s parade, for instance, got its start in 1924, when the store’s European sales clerks and other employees, longing for the kind of traditional celebrations they enjoyed in their native countries, marched from 145th Street in Harlem to the Macy’s department

store on 34th Street. Accompanying them were floats galore, professional bands and live animals on loan from the Central Park Zoo. More than a quarter million people lined the streets and cheered that first cavalcade, a success so rousing that Macy’s management vowed then and there to make it an annual tradition.

Closer to home, Texas has its own parade traditions that add annual zest to the state’s holiday festivities. In Houston, for nearly the past six decades, the HEB Holiday Parade has become as revered a Texas tradition as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays it inaugurates.

San Antonio’s Holiday River Parade is another Thanksgiving spectacle. This threedecade-old tradition features illuminated floats, bands and costumed participants winding their way along San Antonio’s famed River Walk.

The Fort Worth Parade of Lights is yet another holiday festival designed to kick off the season in Texas style. Traditionally held the Friday evening following Thanksgiving, it boasts more than 100 highly illuminated entries bedecked with half a million lights and the annual Sundance Square Christmas Tree.

© Macy's Inc.

Story | Bruce Farr

Parade

trivia

WHERE'S THE PARADE?

Match these annual parades with the cities where they’re held.

1

What was the original name for the Rose Parade?

A. The Battle of the Flowers Parade B. Everything’s Coming Up Roses Parade C. As Sweet as a Rose Parade

2

Which annual U.S. parade can claim the highest attendance?

A. St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City B. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade C. Mardi Gras Parade

3

How long is the longest parade in the United States?

A. 18.7 miles B. 26.5 miles C. 32 miles

4

Which was the first giant balloon to ever appear in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

A. Snoopy B. Mickey Mouse C. Felix the Cat

cocktails & conversation.

nostalgia

Parade

City

The Rose Parade

Dallas

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Toronto, Canada

The Santa Claus Parade

Pasadena, Calif.

Mardi Gras Parade

New Orleans

Neiman-Marcus Children’s Parade

New York City

parade songfest

Through the years, a lot of popular songs have been written about or for parades. Fill in the blank with the missing lyrics in these famous songs.

1. “Seventy-six 110

in the big parade,

just behind.”

2. “In your

, with all

you’ll be the

grandest lady in the Easter parade.”

3. “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy, a Yankee Doodle do or die/A real live nephew of my

, born on

.”

comer/I simply got to march, my heart’s a drummer/Don’t bring along the cloud to

.”

5. “Tiny Lights are glowing/Every Christmas morning we march to the

.”

Parade Songfest Answers: 1. trombones, coronets; 2. Easter bonnet, the frills upon it; 3. Uncle Sam, the Fourth of July; 4. Rain on my parade; 5. Lollipop Parade

A true American icon, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been going strong for more than 85 years. For a look back, scan this code or visit bitly.com/ historyparade.

Parade Trivia Answers: 1. A. It was known as The Battle of the Flowers parade for several years, after it was founded in 1890. 2. B. With approximately 150,000 marchers and a throng of more than 2 million on-site viewers, the St. Patrick’s Day parade in NYC is has the largest attendance in the United States. 3. A. The Tacoma/Puyallup/Sumner/Orting Daffodil Parade in Washington goes on all day and is 26.5 miles in length. 4. C. Felix the Cat, 1927.

En Route

Where's the Parade? Answers: Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena, Calif.; Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York City; The Santa Claus Parade, Toronto, Canada; The Mardi Gras Parade, New Orleans; Neiman-Marcus Children’s Parade, Dallas

© NYC & Company | © Macy's Inc. | Pasadena Tournament of Roses

4. “Get ready for me love, ’cause I’m a

november/december • 2012

15

arts

orchestra

redefined

Story | John DeMers

W

hen the orchestra formerly known as Mercury Baroque take the stage in November and December, they just might feel justified launching into the stirring pop refrain “A Whole New World.” After all, the group and its artistic director Antoine Plante flung open their specific historical period to embrace a much broader slice of the classical music repertoire.

Mercury. That’s the only name on the program now. Except, for this first year at least, there’s what some of us might call a password hint: “the orchestra redefined.”

“It’s music we use to make our city better,” says Plante, who moved to Houston from Montreal in 1997 to earn an MA from Rice. “That really is more of what we are than the Baroque era, more than the specificity of our repertoire. We decided that ‘Baroque’ limited us. It made our music less accessible.”

And these days in the arts, you are nothing if you’re not accessible.

Still, many things about the surprisingly irreverent ensemble have not changed since it was founded in 2000, starting with the “period instruments” the orchestra plays. With the expansion to take in the Classical and Romantic eras, there’s a demand for a wider range of what Plante simply calls “tools.” But the instruments used in any Mercury performance remain ones

actually made and used during the time of a piece’s composition. The sound they deliver to modern audiences, therefore, is the sound composers like Handel, Mozart and even Beethoven had in mind.

Also parts of the accessibility issue are ticket price and concert location. To those ends, Mercury is joining other arts groups in Houston by offering seats for as little as $10 and taking groups of all sizes to play in halls, art galleries, high schools and churches from Memorial to The Woodlands—a long way from downtown, in other words. Those outreach efforts pay off, Mercury believes, giving music to many who appreciate it, yet who are reluctant to make the big evening concert commitment.

Although Mercury has several performances in its Neighborhood Series in 2013, the two remaining concerts of 2012 belong to its Downtown Series, held in the Cullen Theater at the Wortham Center. November brings Bach & Sons featuring guest conductor and world-famous harpsichordist Christophe Rousset with a program of Bachsplural: J.S., W.F., C.P.E. and J.C. In December, the group nudges back toward its roots with A Baroque Christmas, showcasing Plante conducting and soprano Lauren Snouffer with a series of pieces by Corrette, Bernhard, Scarlatti, Corelli and, of course, the holiday-friendly Handel.

Spotlight: Sicardi Gallery

This year has seen big changes for the Sicardi Gallery in Montrose, namely the opening of its new location on Alabama, close to the Menil Collection. Designed by architect Fernando Brave, the new space is roomier and, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, enjoys lots of natural light. Known for its focus on Latin American art, the gallery will exhibit the works of Mexico City artist Gabriel de la Mora through the end of the year.

1506 w. alabama st. • 713-529-1313 • sicardi.com

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review gone

Randy Wayne White

T

here once was a guy named Travis McGee. He lived on a houseboat in Fort Lauderdale, had a sidekick and many friends. He turned a tough, but vulnerable gaze upon an immoral world and, by the end of each book, saved someone from a very unpleasant fate.

We don’t have Travis McGee anymore, except in the paperbacks John D. MacDonald left behind, but we do have Doc Ford, living in a house on stilts near a marina on the opposite side of Florida. And we have his creator, longtime Florida fishing guide Randy Wayne White.

Like MacDonald before him, and even like Carl Hiaasen now, White delves into the corruption and violence beneath the facade of America’s tropical paradise.

Yet few popular fiction writers understand better the natural beauty that keeps their heroes anchored in one place.

White’s latest Doc Ford novel is “Gone” and it’s a movie thriller waiting to happen. Far less predictable is White’s debut of a new heroine in what promises to be an exciting parallel to all those Ford books. Hopefully, White won’t feel compelled to do what the late-great Robert B. Parker did with his Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall novels: decide the two had to sleep together on the same pages. Hannah Smith is a fishing guide like her creator, a large and physically resourceful 30-something who can do the difficult things White clearly has in mind for her. I’m happy to meet her, actually, since I need more than one Florida vacation a year. – JD

Simon Gentry | Penguin Group

cocktails & conversation.

Never stop learning.

Never stop growing.

Never stop, period.

Welcome to a new day.

Come discover a community where you never stop growing.

Our residents fall in love with where they live. And how they live.

Located in Richmond just off US 59 Call 877-256-0272 for directions

Del Webb Sweetgrass offers an unparalleled active adult lifestyle designed just for you! But don’t take our word for it, nothing showcases the Del Webb lifestyle better than a personal visit, so come out and join us!

For more information visit delwebb.com/sweetgrass

At least one resident must be 55 years of age or better, a limited number of residents may be younger and no one under 19 years of age. Some residents may be younger than 55. Community Association fees required. Complete offering terms for the homeowner’s association is in an offering plan available from sponsor. Void where prohibited. Prices reflect base prices and are subject to change without notice. Lot premiums may apply. Details available upon request. Photography is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be an actual representation of a specific community, neighborhood, or any completed improvements being offered. Š2012 Pulte Home Corporation.

cocktails & conversation.

design

Bayou Bend Collection

ALL decked out Yuletide: Holiday Time at Bayou Bend

Nov. 17 to Jan. 1 Known for its Yuletide tradition, Bayou Bend will once again come alive with the holiday spirit at this annual event featuring festive lights, decorations, candlelight

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tours and historic American room settings. A variety of touring options are available, including guided house tours, self-guided tours and Candlelight Evenings.

Proceeds support the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, education programs, research, conservation and maintenance.

713-639-7750, mfah.org/bayoubend

Carols by Candlelight: Heights Home Tour Nov. 30 to Dec. 1 Tour six unique homes all decked out in holiday finery at this annual tour in the historic

Heights district. Enjoy the sounds of carolers and musicians at each home, or at the Houston Heights City Hall & Fire Station, where local food trucks will be on hand to offer tasty bites.

You can also stroll the historic neighborhood’s tree-lined streets, filled with antique stores, vintage clothing shops, art galleries and neighborhood cafes.

Proceeds go toward maintaining Marmion and Donovan parks, the Heights Boulevard esplanade, city hall and the fire station. The tour is open from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday and 3 to 9 p.m. on

Saturday. 713-861-4002, Ext. 7, houstonheights.org

21st Annual CASA Christmas Home Tour

Dec. 7-8 A Fort Bend holiday tradition, the 21st annual CASA Home Tour includes five beautifully decorated homes; live entertainment by choral groups, violinists, harpists and pianists; and fresh-baked cookies and cider served in designated “cookie homes.”

Sweetwater Country Club will also open its doors for a special lunch buffet.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

I

f you need a nudge to get into the spirit of the season, Houston’s holiday home tours will surely do the job. Each benefiting a local nonprofit, these beautifully decorated homes will inspire you, while helping out great organizations dedicated to bettering our communities.

design

CASA Christmas Home Tour

Favre, Perry & Furman | Dan Finelt | Michael Ramos of Ramos Photography

Proceeds support Child Advocates of Fort Bend County (CAFB) and their programs serving abused and neglected children. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a candlelight tour on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.

281-344-5100, cafb.org

The Heritage Society’s 50th Annual Candlelight Tour

Dec. 7-9 Holidays past come alive at the Heritage Society’s 50th Annual Candlelight Tour. This year’s event features decorated buildings, historic characters, carolers, a performance by the Houston Boychoir in St. John Church, family entertainment and holiday fare at the Candlelight Café.

There will also be a Golden Candlelight Tea Party on Dec. 2. Hours are 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday. 713-655-1912, heritagesociety.org

cocktails & conversation.

CASA Christmas Home Tour

Heights Home Tour

Heritage Society Candlelight Tour

Heritage Society Candlelight Tour

holiday sEE & Do Nov. 2-3 Sugar Plum Market See a sleighful of unique gift items with 100 different vendors. Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Road, Stafford.

281-636-6272, sugarplummarket.com Nov. 6-18 Winter Holiday Art Market A wide variety of art and specialty items made by more than 60 local artists. Winter Street Studios, 2101 Winter St. winterholidayartmarket.com Nov. 8-11 Nutcracker Market More than 300 national and international merchants.

Reliant Center. 713-535-3231, nutcrackermarket.com

Nov. 17 to Jan. 21 The Ice at Discovery Green Open-air ice skating rink in the heart of downtown Houston. 713-434-7465, theiceatdiscoverygreen.com Nov. 21 Wortham Theater Center Tree Lighting Watch as 8,000 lights are illuminated on a 25foot Christmas tree. 502 Texas Ave. 713-237-1439, houstonfirsttheaters.com Nov. 22 Holiday Parade Kick off the holidays with this 63rd annual parade presented

by H-E-B. Downtown Houston. ifest.org/events/6

Dec. 1- 2, 8-9, 15-24 Breakfast with Santa Have breakfast with Sharkey and Santa Claus at the Downtown Aquarium.

410 Bagby St. 713-315-5112, aquariumrestaurants.com Dec. 1, 8, 15 Buffalo Bayou Holiday Cruises Enjoy a holiday-themed pontoon boat ride along Buffalo Bayou. 713-752-0314, buffalobayou.org Dec. 9 2012 Total Jingle Bell Run Shed those extra holiday calories in support of a valuable Houston program.

Downtown Houston.

713-659-8501, ymcahouston.org/jingle-bell-run Events subject to change.

november/december • 2012

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cocktails & conversation.

my life

Centennial

historian

It’s like a 10,000-piece jigsaw puzzle. But this is real life, and these were real people.

Melissa Kean

S

“

tudents ask me all the time how I got this job,” laughs Melissa Kean, as she looks around Rice University’s Woodson Research Center, where a collection of books and boxes and photos crowd every available space. “And, I have to tell them, it was an accident. I had no idea such a thing even existed.”

Kean is the university’s centennial historian, a job that’s part detective, part reporter, and part caretaker. She spends her days combing through documents, talking to people about their experiences at Rice, cataloguing finds and writing about it all on her blog on the university’s website (centennial.rice.edu).

With a Ph.D. in history and a natural curiosity about how pieces of the past and present fit together, she’s a natural fit for what she does. She was appointed historian following her tenure as part of the university’s 2004 presidential search committee, a position she was named to while a postdoc in history at Rice.

“I’d go from building to building, hunting through attics and basements and under stairwells,” she says of her quest for information about Rice’s first 100 years.

“I found a gold mine of stuff shoved behind the bleachers of the old gym, dating back to the 1930s.”

And much of what she’s amassed has been on display around the city and all over campus as part of Rice’s Centennial Celebration, commemorated this past October. Among the historic photos and letters detailing the university’s founding, she’s had everything from cheerleading uniforms to Rice’s first president Edgar Odell Lovett’s glasses.

“It’s like a 10,000-piece jigsaw puzzle,” she says about working with an endless array of documents and datebooks, photos and ephemera. “But this is real life, and these were real people.”

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Story | holly beretto

Photography | lis purdy

home for the

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Holidays

w

ith 11 Christmas trees, miles of ribbons and more Santas than you can count, the only thing missing from this Houston home is the partridge.

Story | Elizabeth Exline Photography | Brian Bookwalter

november/december • 2012

23

i

love all the beautiful things,” says interior designer Regina Gust.

“She has a lot of beautiful things to work with.”

Gust, president of Regina Gust Designs, could easily be talking about her store, Regina Gust Designs Holiday Boutique. Like its owner, the shop specializes in holiday décor. (In fact, it’s only open between October and December.) But while she takes pride in her inventory, Gust isn’t rhapsodizing about what’s on her shelves; she’s admiring the Houston home of Penny and Paul Loyd.

Interior designer Regina Gust took her color cues from homeowner Penny Loyd, using traditional red in the foyer (above) and more playful riffs on holiday colors in the bedrooms (right).

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And for good reason. The 12,000-square-foot residence takes three days and multiple truckloads of garlands, ornaments and nativity scenes to decorate.

The result, however, validates the effort: The Loyds’ home is at once inviting and sophisticated, cohesive and reflective of a large family’s personalities.

“I’m trying to do an elegant look for my community,” Penny explains, “but I’m also trying to make it a real warm family place, because the whole family gathers here.”

A Christmas Story

For the Loyds, Christmas means a lot more than throwing together a cocktail party and making a family dinner on the big day. The couple routinely field requests from charities wanting to hold events in their home, and they host parties themselves, like the annual shindig they throw on the 23rd for their friends with small children. (During the party, Santa makes an appearance, and the Loyds’ daughters and their friends dress up as elves.)

Infusing holiday dÊcor with elegance sometimes means toning down the bright colors and opting for chilled hues like IN this tree, which is trimmed in teal, white and crystal. november/december • 2012

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During the Loyds’ annual Christmas party for friends and children, the little ones will often be dispatched on contests to count how many angels, nutcrackers or Santas are on display in the house, a game that’s more about searching than winning. “They’re all right!” Penny laughs. “I don’t know how many I have, but somebody wins.”

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“My family, friends, charities and especially my faith all play an important role in my life at this time of year,” Penny explains.

“For me, it’s worth the time to make my home feel festive and welcoming, not just for my family and our traditions, but for all who come to visit.”

The result is a commanding, yet whimsical effect that starts in the great room, a vast space with floor-to-ceiling windows.

There, Gust bedecked a fireplace with a mammoth gold-andgreen garland, and she trimmed a 14-foot Christmas tree with gold ribbon and ornaments the Loyds have acquired from around the world. Flanking the tree are several figurines, including a 10foot camel whose hump opens to reveal gifts for the Loyds’ two grandchildren.

The room bears witness to Gust’s ability to tie many different pieces together. “[Penny] had a lot of her own

decorations,” Gust explains, “and what I do is enhance them.”

O, Christmas Tree

One department in need of Gust’s elfin touch was that of the Christmas tree, because in the Loyds’ house, trees must be both magnificent and abundant. Every room of note seems to have one, including personalized conifers in the bedrooms of the Loyds’ five children and an SMU-themed tree in alumnus Paul’s office.

“When you’re putting ornaments on a tree,” Gust explains, “you don’t just stop there. You want to add some type of icicle to reflect the light. You want to add ribbon. You want to add some type of filler that brings the tree alive.”

Penny, meanwhile, provided the direction. One tree finds itself showered with fuchsia and pink, while another wears swirling branches of red, green and silver and multicolored pompoms.

The Loyds open their doors to numerous people each holiday season, from charity fundraisers to personal gatherings, so creating a spectacular entry and drawing on traditional colors and themes throughout the home is critical for achieving the right ambience.

“For me, it’s worth the time to make my home and welcoming, not just for my family and our traditions and parties, but to visit.”

feel festive

for all who come

november/december • 2012

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Ornaments pay homage to sororities, colleges and Christmascentric concepts like peace and love. And at least two trees serve as tributes to alma maters, including a Duke-decorated affair in honor of the Loyds’ future son-in-law.

The two trees that perhaps best reflect Penny herself, however, are as dichotomous as the home’s double mission of elegance and festivity. The first, located in the master suite, is carefully trimmed in celadon and gold. It speaks softly of stockings, mulled cider and sparkling gifts while serving as a velvet-slippered transition away from the entry’s more traditional red-and-gold treatments.

The second, surrounded by elves and a reindeer, presides like a giant candy cane over the kitchen and family room,

reminding visitors that Penny is a mother of five as well as a consummate hostess.

“That’s a really fun, whimsical, red-and-white tree,” Gust enthuses about the latter. “We keep adding to it each year. It just gets prettier and prettier.”

Beauty and the Tree

The Loyds’ home, lovely as it is, is more than just a sum of its trees, though. It is also a repository for all those exquisite things Gust so admires. There are the nativity scenes, for instance, which the Loyds have collected from all over the world and which include a cheerful Patience Brewster set located on a hallway console table.

“It takes a year for me to order that collection and get it,” Gust says. “She only makes so many pieces.”

Similarly, Penny has amassed a number of collectibles from Katherine’s Collection, another of Gust’s favorite designers. Add to that the Santas, elves and nutcrackers that peek around corners and perch on countertops, and a theme begins to emerge that supersedes all the others. Yes, the home is beautiful. Yes, it exudes the Christmas spirit. But ultimately it is a testament to Gust’s and Penny’s mutual enthusiasm for beauty and celebration.

“It’s something I’m very passionate about,” Gust says of her job. And when passion and beauty combine, the best of the Christmas season becomes revealed.

The Loyds have collected nativity scenes from all over the world, but the Patience Brewster set (top right) is a particular favorite.

Gussied up pigs and caricatured Santas, meanwhile, add a spark of irreverence that’s in keeping with the season’s sense of festivity.

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exquisite

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points Light

of

Story | Bruce Farr Photography | Mark Lipczynski

a

s in holiday seasons past, Prime Living has once again selected from your nominations four stellar members of the greater Houston community, a quartet of men and women who represent the absolute best spirit of giving selflessly and continuously in a variety of ways that humble us, inspire us, and make us stand up and feel proud.

november/december • 2012

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don wolf

Community heroism reveals itself in many ways, some examples sudden and dramatic, others quieter and less immediate, growing over time into something meaningful and truly heroic. Don Wolf ’s story takes the latter path.

Wolf, a Nebraska transplant, moved to the quiet suburb of Katy in the late 1980s, started a family and began working as a special education teacher at the local high school. A few years later, a parent from nearby Alief Independent School District questioned why there wasn’t a Special Olympics program in Katy, like there was in her community. Finding a coach was the first prerequisite, she was told. So someone approached Wolf about possibly getting things started. A self-described “follower” for most of his life, Wolf wasn’t sure he was the person for the job.

“With me, it was always a case of ‘tell me what to do and I’d do it,’” he explains. “But,

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leader of the pack for this program, they needed someone to take a real lead and head it up, so I thought, ‘What the heck, I’ll try it.’”

And try it he did. He got the Katy program underway in 1998 with just six athletes. The following fall, another seven or eight joined. Today, the program is a rousing success, hosting more than 130 athletes between the ages of 8 and 50, who compete year-round in seven different sporting events: basketball, bocce, bowling, golf, softball, swimming, and track and field.

Although the program and its participants originally were dubbed the Katy Stampede, after Wolf got involved and began putting his stamp on the program with his tireless work in its behalf, the powers that be soon saw to it that the name be changed to its current moniker, the Wolf Pack.

Wolf, who for many years has served as the life skills teacher at Cinco Ranch Junior High School, has found the entire experience rewarding and moving.

“It’s touched my heart,” he says. “Special Olympics parents, athletes, anybody involved with special needs are a great population of people. Seeing the smiles that we put on these athletes faces is pure rejuvenation for me.”

Wolf has touched a few hearts himself. At the Katy Wolf Pack’s annual sports banquet last August, the evening culminated with the announcement of Coach Wolf being named Coach of the Year for Texas’s Special Olympics. The audience erupted in tears and applause. He is now in the running for Coach of the Year for Special Olympics for North America.

But with typical small-town modesty, Wolf emphasizes that he’s just one person of many who have made the Wolf Pack a success.

“I hate that this has become just about me. It’s about the Wolf Pack, the athletes, the parents, the other coaches…there are so many other people who are involved. Without them, there wouldn’t be a Wolf Pack.”

points Light

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barbara & chris payton It took Friendswood residents Barbara and Chris Payton a few years before they felt comfortable with the decision to become volunteer “puppy raisers” for a nonprofit group called Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). But now that it’s a fait accompli and they have a remarkable young golden retriever named Olden in their care, they wish they’d done it much earlier.

One day at the mall, Barbara picked up a brochure about CCI (cci.org). She was intrigued with how the organization’s primary mission is to groom and train puppies for service to special needs individuals, such as the elderly and disabled. A retired registered nurse, she talked to her husband about getting involved with helping to raise the puppies.

“But I just wasn’t sure we would have the time,” she explains. “And besides, we realized we’d be taking a dog with the understanding that he or she would leave us after their training was over, and we weren’t sure how that would go over with our three children.”

Following the CCI protocol, as puppy raisers, Barbara and Chris signed up to provide “basic training” to their young charge. That involves 14 to 16 months of socialization and other general skills, after which Olden will be returned to CCI for six months of more advanced training prior to being placed with a special needs candidate.

Becca Gordon, an instructor with CCI, explains that in the second phase, she and other CCI trainers teach the puppies 50 commands.

“Then they get trained for a couple of weeks alongside their new human partners before they fully graduate as assistance dogs,” Gordon says, adding that because of the volunteer nature of the puppy raisers’ service and the financial support of generous donors, CCI is able to provide the dogs to their special needs clients completely free of charge.

On Aug. 1, 2013, Olden is scheduled to leave the Paytons’ care and move on in his training. It’ll be tough to let him go, both Barbara and Chris admit, but, as Chris says, “We went into this knowing that it was part of the deal. Our thoughts are that there

wellbred wouldn’t be anything more rewarding than to see him placed with somebody in need.”

Based on the positive experience they’re enjoying with Olden, the Paytons say that after he graduates, they are considering taking another puppy under their wing.

“I think we would,” Barbara says. “It’s been a nice experience with him. We’ve enjoyed

watching Olden mature and grow up, and I think it would be fun to do it yet again.”

There’s even the possibility that once Olden is placed in service, the Paytons might be able to visit with him from time to time.

“If the person he’s placed with is open to it, I think they might stay in touch with us,” Barbara says. “That would be nice.”

november/december • 2012

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points Light

of

showered with love

judi marchand

Planning and hosting baby showers may not sound like grounds for being singled out as a community hero. But when the event planners are Sugar Land resident Judi Marchand and her team of self-proclaimed “41’s First Mates,” you can throw normal expectations right out the window. The numerical moniker, by the way, honors the nation’s 41st president George H.W. Bush and

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his family.

Under that rubric, Marchand and a trio of her close friends and fellow volunteers have banded together to actively promote a national nonprofit called Operation Shower (operationshower.org). Founded in 1997

by LeAnn Morrissey, the organization was created to provide “joyful baby showers for military families to ease the burden of deployment.” Morrissey and her volunteers

do so by hosting lavish baby showers and offering other services for expectant wives of active-duty military personnel. The showers become massively produced and orchestrated “extravaganzas,” as Marchand describes them, designed to honor scores of military momsto-be in one fell swoop.

After finding Operation Shower online, Marchand and her cohorts thought it might be a great fit for their First Mates group.

“We were seeking a way to honor our former president,” Marchand explains, “so we asked ourselves what would happen if we were to create a baby shower for the newly named aircraft carrier, the USS George H.W. Bush?”

After raising $25,000 for the event, Marchand and her colleagues became the main sponsors of what was dubbed the “Sea to Shining Sea” baby shower. Held last year in Norfolk, Va., the shower feted more than 80 moms-to-be whose spouses or significant others were assigned to the massive carrier.

Marchand, a registered nurse, devotes herself to many causes (she humorously describes owning a set of napkins emblazoned with “SUV: Stop Unnecessary Volunteering”). As of this writing, Marchand and her “41” team are planning to host another, similar event at Texas’s Fort Hood U.S. Army base in early November.

“We’ll be honoring pregnant women who are either active military or the spouses of active military connected to the base,” says Marchand, who says her motivation to give back stems from her childhood.

“When I was young, my family had a tragedy involving the loss of a family member,” she continues. “Growing up in that family dynamic causes you to get an understanding of what it is to be in need, or to have sadness in your life, and then to experience the kindness of a neighbor giving you a hand-me-down outfit or whatever.

There’s such an emotional and financial burden in these circumstances so, as an adult, I realized how wonderful it felt to be on the receiving end.”

“

�

thursday, november 8

saturday, november 10

Friday, november 9

sunday, november 11

10:00 am to 9:00 pm 10:00 am to 9:00 pm

10:00 am to 6:00 pm 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Admission is $13 eAch At mArket or $12 eAch At houston-AreA rAndAlls beginning october 15. half-price admission daily 3 hours prior to closing. children under 6 are free.

For ticket inFormAtion cAll

713.535.3231 www.nutcrackermarket.com

Official SpOnSOrS

All proceeds benefit houston ballet Foundation, its Academy and scholarship programs. strollers, wagons, rolling bags, rolling carts and pets are not allowed in the market.

connoisseur

the prime living guide to discerning taste

inside: Trippa ravioli, Quattro

38 40 42 45 46

• • • • •

main dish | subtle simplicities small bites | good eats table talk | dining news uncorked | fizz, sparkle, pop entertain | All Dressed Up

november/december • 2012

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connoisseur main dish

subtle Simplicities

Story | Holly Beretto Photography | Mark Lipczynski

The thing to understand about Quattro, located in downtown Houston’s luxe Four Seasons Hotel, is that it’s a place where Chef Maurizio Ferrarese is determined to blend the rich flavors and subtle simplicities of the dishes of his beloved Italy with the finest Texas ingredients. It’s this little brush of Lone Star flair that makes the menu so inspired and so overwhelmingly diverse.

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Settle in to a table overlooking the skyline and order up a Fizzy Pomegranate cocktail to toast the season. This red sensation just looks festive and the blend of Pama liqueur, sparking wine and pomegranate juice is the perfect aperitif.

No matter the weather outside, fall is soup season, so check out Ferrarese’s pasta e fagioli, a comfort-food blend of cylinder pasta with a blend of kidney, cannellini and black beans in a richly truffled broth that arrives in its own cast-iron cooking pot. This is something to savor, and the addition of fall vegetables like zucchini, squash and carrots makes it a rustic, creamy new spin on a classic.

The venison carpaccio appetizer is made to share, its stunning slivers of meat perfectly paired with a Brussels sprouts, celery root and apple salad.

Ferrarese added some chestnuts, too, calling them something that always come to mind when he thinks of fall dishes.

If you seek a hearty main dish, don’t miss the Texas akaushi beef lasagna. Stuffed with layers of pasta, beef and ricotta cheese, it’s an absolute must-taste, positively oozing with flavor. The roasted striped bass with citrus compote is lighter fare, but still packs a tasty punch. The fish is firm, with a crispy skin and

accompanied by braised fennel and Belgian endive, adding an earthiness to the sassy pop of orange and lemon.

You should also consider the veal osso bucco, big chunks of tender veal served atop a creamy polenta with crunchy vegetables and just the barest hint of truffle.

“This is how I connect with my homeland,” Ferrarese says.

“For every recipe I create, I want to find ways to have those Italian flavors and showcase Texas ingredients. And all of these dishes say fall and winter to me.

I’m very in tune to the seasons.”

For dessert, opt for the Signature Dessert combination of tiramisu, cannoli and skewered fruit. This sampler of sweets has something for everyone: the pistachio inside the cannoli filling is heavenly, the fruit changes by season, the tiramisu is perfect.

Just about everything is perfect at Quattro, including the welcoming atmosphere in this swanky space. Simmering just under the surface of this elegant scene is a homey feeling, where the food is really the star.

quattro 1300 lamar st.

713-276-4700 quattrorestauranthouston.com

connoisseur main dish Texas Akaushi Beef Lasagna Fondue 1 liter milk 8 oz. flour 6 oz. butter 10 oz. Castelmagno cheese 1 egg yolk Pasta dough 15 oz. all-purpose flour 9 oz. semolina flour 1.8 oz. olive oil 9 oz. egg yolks Salt Pasta filling (Bolognese sauce) 4 cups Akaushi ground beef 5 basil leaves, julienned 1/2 cup Parmigiano or Parmesan cheese, grated 2 cups ricotta cheese 1/3 cup carrots, chopped 1/3 lb. celery, chopped 1/3 lb. onion, chopped 1/2 glass red wine 5 cups pomodoro or tomato sauce Pasta: Mix the ingredients in a large bowl until there is no flour left. Once you have a smooth dough, keep kneading for several minutes until all components are well integrated. Form a ball, cover with a damp cloth and let rise.

With a pasta machine or a rolling pin, make paper-thin sheets of pasta, blanche in boiling water and cool down in iced water. Dry the sheets with a napkin.

Fondue: Melt the butter, add the flour and let cook for 4 minutes.

Add boiling milk, stir and let cook for 4 more minutes. Add the egg yolk, Castelmagno cheese and stir until smooth consistency.

Filling: Preheat a sautĂŠ pan, and then add a touch of extra virgin olive oil and the vegetables. In another sautĂŠ pan (very hot), pan roast the ground meat and add it to the vegetables. Add wine, let it reduce. Add pomodoro sauce and simmer for 2 hours. When it has cooled, add ricotta cheese, Parmigiano cheese and basil.

Build the lasagna by buttering the insides of a baking dish. Start with a layer of pasta, then fondue, then Bolognese sauce. Do this until you have 4 layers. Cook in a 355-degree oven for 30 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes at room temperature, then serve.

Makes 4 servings.

Venison carpaccio

Pasta e fagioli

Texas akaushi beef lasagna

Signature Dessert

Roasted striped bass

november/december • 2012

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connoisseur

small bites

country Tastes

French Cowboy

good eats

When Chef Philippe Schmit (aka the French Cowboy) decided on a re-concept for the bar downstairs at his eponymous Galleria-area restaurant, he smartly brought in sommelier Vanessa Trevino Boyd to help build a stellar wine space, augmented with boutique winery bottles and funky, by-the-glass selections.

Come in to Phil’s Wine Bar for that reason alone. It’ll be an exploration in world tastes so fun and exciting, you’ll marvel that you didn’t need your passport stamped.

If the wine list is the showstopper, the light bites menu makes a strong bid to steal the show. A combination of pizzas and other munchies, it’s designed to highlight both Schmit’s creativity and Trevino Boyd’s seemingly endless array of wines.

Make sure you order the Phil’s Charcuterie platter, Schmit’s homage to both his French and Houston homes. Arriving on a rustic cutting board, it’s an assortment of Prosciutto di parma, rosette, coppa, house-dried sausage, a homemade country terrine, mustards and pickled vegetables, accompanied by a caraway rustic baguette. You’d be wise up front to ask for more of the baguette, as it’s both delicious and a perfect vessel for the creamy, richly flavorful terrine. The dried sausage packs a heated punch and the Prosciutto is a joy.

Have Trevino Boyd offer up a pairing for you, and prepare to be dazzled by the depth of flavor and layers that ensue.

Story | Holly Beretto Photography | Mark Lipczynski

For a new take on the well-rounded meal, table-hop these Houston eateries for some of the best tastes in town.

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phil’s wine bar at philippe 1800 post oak blvd.

713-439-1000 philippehouston.com

c connoisseur

small bites

winter fare

“It’s pretty common to see game show up on menus in the fall,” says Prego chef and co-owner John Watt. “So one of the things I wanted to bring to our diners was a twist on that.”

That twist arrives in the form of a pan-roasted elk loin, an off-the-menu special at Prego from now through February. Watt buys the elk from Broken Arrow Ranch in Ingram, then turns this venison cousin into something approaching the divine by pairing it with homemade truffle ravioli, rapini and a savory Chianti glaze. Look up winter in the dictionary; there’s a picture of this dish.

It’s truly a perfect pairing of rich comfort foods. The meat is leaner and less gamey than venison or bison, and it has an almost sweet taste to it, perfectly augmented with the glaze in which Watt’s blended star anise, black peppercorns and a little cinnamon and vanilla for good measure. This makes for a woody, earthy feel. The ravioli are plump and yummy, and the truffle doesn’t overpower, thanks to Watt’s combining it with mozzarella and Yukon potato for the filling.

This whole arrangement cries out for a big, red wine, whether you opt for a chewy Tuscan blend or a black-fruit-laden California Cabernet. You’ll want that to stand up to the boldness of the game and pasta. Lucky for you, Prego has several from which to choose. prego 2520 amherst • 713-529-2420 • prego-houston.com

show stopper

Was ever a dish so associated with Brennan’s than Bananas Foster? Likely not, as this signature dessert was invented at the restaurant’s iconic location in New Orleans.

This luscious combination of bananas and ice cream, in fact, is the No. 1 dessert at Brennan’s of Houston (during this summer’s Houston Restaurant Weeks, the place sold 322 of them in a week).

“To me, it’s all about how great these simple ingredients can be,” says executive chef Danny Trace. “And there’s a certain intimacy to it, too, as you’re standing tableside, putting on a show.”

And what a show it is. A server wheels out a cart with bananas, ice cream, rum, butter, brown sugar and cinnamon next to your table, and begins rolling the butter and sugar in a heated pan. Then the rum get added and there’s a little flambé action.

The bananas are rolled around in this joyous syrup and by the time your server shakes some cinnamon over the concoction, you’ll think you’re seeing fireworks.

It’s all served over vanilla ice cream and is a sheer delight, both in terms of what you’ve watched be created in front of you and the creamy, caramel-like taste. It’s a dessert that blends hot and cold and beautifully sassy notes. Yet it all feels like the most comforting of comfort foods.

“It really just doesn’t get any better than Bananas Foster,” says Trace. brennan’s of houston 3300 smith st.

713-522-9711 brennanshouston.com

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connoisseur table talk

Southern Style

L

ucille’s, a Southern restaurant with European influences, has opened in the Museum District. “Hearing bits and pieces about my great-grandmother, Lucille Bishop Smith, inspired me to open a restaurant,” says chef-owner Chris Williams. Lucille and her family owned U.S. Smith’s Famous BBQ and Lucille’s Fine Foods General Store in Fort Worth. She also sold the first all-purpose Hot Roll Mix in grocery stores and American Airlines served her famous chili biscuits.

In honor of his great grandmother, Williams’ graciously restyled Mission-era bungalow has three cozy dining spaces paved in hardwood floors, an open kitchen, fireplaces, and blackand-white photos of Lucille on the walls. You’ll also find raised garden beds with a variety of tomatoes, basil, collard greens and various herbs used on the menu of shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, braised oxtails, Mrs. Smith’s chicken, and sautéed greens. 5512 La Branch St., 713-568-2505, lucilleshouston.com

Hola Alma

A

ward-winning chef David Guerrero, recently introduced Alma Cebiche + Pisco Bar, a Peruvian restaurant with contemporary flair. The new eatery in the Energy Corridor is warm and inviting with iblings Nick Adair and Katie Adair Barnhart recently opened Adair Kitchen serving soft cream-washed walls adorned with Peruvian fresh, all-natural American cuisine made with high-quality ingredients. artifacts and a rotating selection of vibrant “Our mother, who is a great cook, created most of the recipes we’re using,” says Barnhart. Adair Kitchen will offer counter service during breakfast and lunch, and table service canvases by Bolivian-born, Houston-based artist Javier Duran. during dinner.

The menu spotlights classic dishes, “We love our mother’s salads. She had a way of making healthy food taste gourmet,” says incorporating the exotic South American Adair. “Always fresh, she allowed us to choose what we wanted in our salad, from spring mix, spinach or butter lettuce, to avocado, bacon, black beans and grilled chicken, ahi tuna or steak. ingredients for which Guerrero is known.

Highlights include Antichucho Limeno, beef We’re letting our diners do the same.” heart with huacatay sauce; Scallop Tiradito, Two-story, floor-to-ceiling windows at the front of the restaurant create an airy and lightcured scallops with creamy Tiger’s milk and filled dining room. The spotlight is a black, 10-foot, sheet-metal pig dancing above a row of booths. The Adair Family also owns Los Tios Mexican Restaurants and Skeeter’s Hamburgers. avocado puree; and Arroz con Pato, duck confit with green peas, aji escabeche, and dark 5161 San Felipe, 713-623-6100, adairkitchen.com beer. 1275 Eldridge Parkway, 281-293-0001, almahouston.com

All-American Adair

S

Hello & Goodbye Openings

• Barnaby’s, Market Square • Brio Tuscan Grille • BB’s Café, Greenway Plaza • Café Dolce Gelato • Sparrow Bar & Cookshop

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• 1253 Tapas Bar, Uptown Park • Bellissimo Ristorante, Heights

Closings

• Samba Grille • Trattoria Il Mulino • Yao Restaurant & Bar

Lucille's | Deborah Smail | Adair Kitchen

The latest restaurants to join and leave the Houston dining scene

connoisseur

Sips & Nibbles

E

rin Hicks, cookbook author and regular fixture on the local foodie circuit, has just released her latest homage to the local dining scene. The fourth installment in her Houston Classic series, “Houston Small Plate & Sips,” showcases a sampling of small plates, complete with beer, wine and cocktail pairing; and personal tips from the chefs, mixologists and sommeliers themselves.

Highlights include Reef ’s Shrimp Shooters and Uchi’s Salad, as well as Mockingbird Bistro’s Braised Short Ribs and Brasserie 19’s Butterscotch Tarts. On the cocktail side, sips include an Aviation from Mongoose Versus Cobra, a Persimmon Julep from Anvil, and a Lillet & Croquet from the soon-to-open Brooklyn Athletic Club. ‘“Houston Small Plates & Sips” is a great book for dreaming or designing a spectacular dine around at home,” says Hicks.

Just in time for the holidays, the book is available online at erinhickscooks.com.

Culinary Edge

U

ber chefs Terrence Gallivan and Seth Siegel-Gardner have unveiled their highly anticipated The Pass and Provisions eatery in the shuttered Gravitas space. In a brave move, the young chefs are featuring dual concepts sharing one kitchen.

The Pass, which should open late fall, offers refined prix fixe menus in an upscale, 36-seat setting where chefs and guests interact via the open kitchen. Anticipate an ever-changing menu reflecting the chefs’ diverse culinary experience sharpened from working in celebrated kitchens including Viajante in the United Kingdom, Aquavit, Gordon Ramsay at The London in New York City, and Houston’s Kata Robata.

Now open is the more casual 54-seat Provisions with a bar and a tightly-edited menu featuring creations with smoky traces from the massive wood-fired oven. Think oysters, steaks, and blistered thin-crust pizzas topped with tallegio, fingerling potatoes, or perhaps caviar, along with unusual house-made pastas and artisan bread and cheese boards. Also expect innovative vegetable dishes sourced from regional farms. We can’t wait to try the homemade soft serve ice cream and fresh baked pies! 807 Taft St., 713-628-9020, passandprovisions.com

Erin Hicks / William Jones Miller | Cuchara | Trish McCabe Rawls

Art of Cuisine

C

uchara has been open only a few months, but already has an artsy reputation. Designed

by Collaborative Projects (responsible for Haven and Underbelly), it’s a feast for the senses starring whimsical ceiling and wall murals by artist Cecelia Beaven, sister of owner Ana Beaven. Striking light fixtures and furnishings, polished concrete floors, huge windows, and cool tableware in eye-popping hues complete the stylish-industrial look.

Expect genuine Mexican bistro fare just as colorful with creative twists like searedcrusted lamb loin with chile avocado sauce; al pastor fish with corn puree and pineapple; or rose petal, pear and peach salad with orangeguajillo pepper vinaigrette. Perch at the large neighborhood-style bar and sip on artisan agave cocktails made with indigenous fruits like mamey and pink grapefruit. robin barr sussman Artsy types will be giddy over this newcomer Robin Barr Sussman is a Houston-based freelance writer who specializes in food, wine and travel. Her work has appeared built from the ground up. 214 Fairview. in Texas Monthly, My Table, and Private Clubs magazine.

713-942-0000, cuchararestaurant.com

table talk

Side Sips Wine events you won’t want to miss Hail to the Champ

Congrats to Massraff Restaurant’s sommelier Ben Stevens, winner of the Iron Sommelier of Houston 2012.

Held at the Houstonian Hotel in September, more than eight sommeliers competed, while a select panel of wine judges participated, including former title-holder and Wine Chair Sean Beck of Hugo’s/ Backstreet Café.

Competitors were rated on wine choices, creativity, presentation and knowledge of their wine selection. The annual fund-raising event was sponsored by the Periwinkle Foundation, which develops programs for children being treated at Texas Children’s Hospital.

Hill Country Holiday

Take a break from the baking, shopping and package wrapping and hit the Fredericksburg Holiday Wine Trail, Nov. 30 to Dec. 16. The sparkling, self-guided tours include 33 participating wineries such as notable Becker Vineyards, Duchman, Torre di Pietra and more. Listen to Christmas carols, warm your toes by the fireplace, and taste up to three samples of the wines. Special treats and ornament gifts are also included. 872-216-9463, texaswinetrail.com

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connoisseur uncorked

Fizz, Sparkle,

POP Story | John DeMers

J

ust about everybody will pop a few corks this holiday season. But this year, following the latest “what’s old is new again” fixation of some excellent local mixologists, we’ll be popping corks on sparkling wine and making cocktails at the same time. That’s right: another new idea, fresh from 1862.

That was the year Jerry Thomas, the patron saint of all modern bartenders and (by his own historical period) resolutely “preProhibition,” touched on the champagne cocktail in his iconic book, “How to Mix Drinks – The Bon-Vivant’s Companion.”

In those days, of course, being a bon vivant (or “good liver,” which I always think is funny) meant belonging to a very exclusive club. It meant enjoying bubbles, bitters and perhaps a splash of cognac with all your fellow rich folks at dinner parties and posh soirees.

These days, not only is the champagne cocktail a good bit more democratic— helped along by affordable sparkling wines from places like Spain, California and even New Mexico—but it’s also a great deal more diverse too. Here’s a quartet of classics to try at your house this holiday season.

Kir Royale One of the genre’s originals, this remains one of the best ways to introduce yourself to the joys that await. When you mix the French black currant liqueur called crème de cassis with still wine, it’s called merely a Kir. So mix yours with bubbles and you have a Kir Royale.

The color in the tall champagne flute is a perfect prop for any holiday party.

Freixenet

Poinsettia The name alone makes this champagne cocktail hard to resist this time of year, when most of the gatherings you attend will have these brightly colored holiday plants spread around every horizontal surface. To whip up this one, simply stir 5 ounces of sparkling wine with a 1/2 ounce of cranberry juice, 1/4 ounce of orangetasting Triple Sec and a twist of lime.

Mimosa We know, this is for Mother’s Day, right?

Except it’s always great at brunch or any festive breakfast, and there tend to be plenty of those this season—even if they happen later and later in the morning.

Our best recipe calls for 5 ounces of sparkling wine with 1 ounce of freshly squeezed orange juice, with a small orange slice for garnish.

Bellini A lot has happened to the Bellini since its invention in 1931 at Harry’s Bar in Venice. For one thing, it has evolved from a seasonal offering only in northern Italy to a year-round favorite across the globe. And for another, its special white peaches have been mostly replaced by the more common yellow variety. Use light, dry Italian prosecco as your sparkling wine, and mix it as onethird to two-thirds blended peaches with a little bartender’s simple syrup. Happy holidays, indeed!

Royale Treatment Celebrate the holidays with a DIY Kir Royale. But first, get expert tips on how to prepare this favorite holiday cocktail by scanning this code or visiting tinyurl.com/8gg66ej.

John DeMers Covering food and wine for more than 25 years, John DeMers hosts the Delicious Mischief radio show heard in Houston, Dallas and Austin (deliciousmischief.com).

He is the author of 45 published books.

november/december • 2012

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connoisseur

entertain

all dressed up Houston-area interior designers pull out all the stops in annual Holiday Tabletop Tour

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delightful details

Take an organic approach to napkin settings by using neutralcolored linens and a sprig of metallic-flecked berries.

connoisseur

entertain

When it comes to the holidays, it’s all about the presentation— from the top of the Christmas tree right down to the dining room table. For some holiday décor inspiration, draw design cues from these beautiful displays. bow tied

modern edge

Make your guests feel even more special with a pretty little gift waiting for them as they arrive to their seat.

For an updated holiday celebration, mix square plates with round drink ware, creating a contemporary feel.

home plate

go red

Create some drama to your table by adding simple, yet vibrant pops of color. This candy-apple red napkin, for instance, makes a bold statement.

With the bounty of meals to be having enough plates is heavenly served, bite a must. From chargers to dessert Sink your plates, this display makes for a teeth into the well-stacked setting. deliciously doughy goodness of a sweet beignet.

The Goods Add a steaming cup of coffee and Winners of the 2011 your world is Houston Design Center’s complete.

Holiday Tabletop Tour best in show

Designed by Connie LeFevre, ASID, of Design House Inc. 713-803-4949, designhousetx.com

best dinner service design

welcome table

Make your table warm and inviting by adding simple touches like sprigs of green and candles in vintage-inspired holders.

Designed by Louise Girard, ASID, of Charlotte Nail Antiques. 713-869-9511, charlottenailantiques.com

best use of color

Designed by Regina Gust and Teri Pugh of Teri Pugh Studio.

713-581-7975, teripughstudio.com

best use of florals and greenery

Designed by Jason Broughton, ASID, of the American Society of Interior Decorators with Bacarrat. 281-533-7446, jbroughtondesign.com

honorable mentions

Bunch and Shoemaker, Leisure Collections, MCA Systems with Christofle, Dauphin Sales and Osborne Cabinets & Millwork.

Kim Coffman

hearth & home

Bring the spirit of the season to your table with these charming plates illustrated with nostalgic holiday scenes.

2012 event

Holiday Tabletop Tour – Deck the Tables! will be held Dec. 4-7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Houston Design Center, 7026 Old Katy Road. 713-864-2660, thehoustondesigncenter.com

november/december • 2012

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JOIN US FOR

photos courtesy of Jorden A. Perrett

Benefitting the Texas Children’s Cancer Center Don’t miss this all day event featuring an exhibition of Ferraris and rare automobiles, an awards ceremony with awards ranging from Best Vintage Model to People’s Choice, lively music, and complimentary bites provided by Highland Village restaurants!

All proceeds raised will benefit Texas Children’s Cancer Center.

Donations can be made at the event.

Special Thank You to:

WHERE Highland Village DATE Sunday, November 11 TIME 10 am to 3 pm

For further questions or sponsorship info contact PAUL@FERRARIFESTIVAL.COM Ferrari of Houston Highland Village Risi Competizione

gentlemen’s room

For the man who commands the very best

inside: Can-Am

50 52 54 55

• • • •

Man Cave | Geared Up Driver's Seat | Out of the Box High-Tech | In Your Dreams Great Outdoors | Four-Wheel Fun

november/december • 2012

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gentlemen’s room man cave

Story | Jake Poinier

I

up

f you’ve got a sports car whose price tag runs into six or seven figures, it would be cruel to make it spend lonely nights in a twocar garage with standard-issue cabinetry, bleak florescent lighting, and a run-of-themill concrete floor.

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At the upper echelon, it’s not about having a storage and fix-it space for these cars— which have such sophisticated computers that they’ll call your mobile if the tire pressure falls—but rather about enjoying them as pieces of pure art.

It’s fitting that the birthplace of the automobile, Detroit, Mich., would set the standard for ultra-luxury car accommodations. Designed by DesRosiers Architects of nearby Bloomfield Hills, the three-level structure, whose top floor is a luxury penthouse with complete living

GarageMahals

quarters, has plentiful, large windows and an art gallery feel throughout.

The main-level garage—which ranked No. 1 in HGTV’s “Top 10 Garages”—at any given time might house four to eight Maseratis, Bugatis, Ferraris or a Mercedes Maybach. The space features ribbon-cut mahogany walls, black Andes granite and textured porcelain floors, a door that disappears into the ceiling, and elegant men’s and women’s lavatories. The lower level is a detail shop dedicated to keeping the vehicles looking fine.

DesRosiers Architects | GaragaMahals

geared

DesRosiers Architects

gentlemen’s room man cave

DesRosiers Architects

the essentials GarageMahals

“In addition to displaying these magnificent cars, the bigger picture was that the owner wanted the space to be multifaceted for entertaining,” says the firm’s president and founder, Lou DesRosiers.

“Every Fourth of July, he encloses the courtyard with a two-story custom tent, cooling the entire area for a 300-person banquet with A/C soffits from the building.

They’ve also hosted weddings, presentations, dances, you name it.”

At Scottsdale, Ariz.-based GarageMahals, the focus is on taking aspects of a person’s life and conceptualizing one-of-a-kind custom spaces.

“Hundreds of hours and dozens of concepts go into a project before we engineer, fabricate or install anything,” says Gary Kahl, COO. “It’s the difference between a Ford Escort and a Lamborghini—the tolerances are extraordinarily tight.”

The company’s Zen Retreat, for example, was built to be an extension entertainment space, with understated organic colors and materials, and a floor that incorporates metallic copper particles within an epoxy paint. A recent project included more than 400 lights to highlight certain aspects of the garage, while another features a mezzanine level with a lounge area and bar. And all of the company’s designs incorporate a patent-

pending column-and-cover system to hide the doors when the garage is open.

While many of Garage Mahals’ projects run into the millions of dollars, Kahl offers an interesting perspective.

“For a luxury kitchen remodel, you might pay $350 to $600 a square foot,” he says.

“Here, you’re talking $150 to $250, fully custom and fabricated. It’s actually a costeffective way of improving your living space— and the last frontier in your home.”

Extreme Garages If you’re looking for some garage inspiration, nothing will get your engine going better than a look inside two of the most extreme garage builds. Scan these codes or go to YouTube and search for HGTV’s Top 10 Garages. jake poinier Phoenix-based contributing writer Jake Poinier built a tree house for his then-toddler son back in 1999, but it was far too small to evolve into a proper man cave.

Racing simulator

The CXC Motion Pro II features an authentic racing seat, an elaborate motion and force feedback system, and an audio-visual setup that consists of up to three 46-inch screens and a 5.1-channel surround sound system. $26,000 and up. cxcsimulations.com

Slot-car track

Transport yourself back to your childhood with custom slot-car tracks that can emulate anything from Le Mans to Laguna Seca for racing your buddies with scale model cars—or even a full-scale Porsche 917K replica that opens with a push button to reveal a figure 8. $15,000 to $75,000. slotmods.com

Lounge area

Auto themes naturally lend themselves to car-part related solutions: checkered floors, bar stools made from racing wheels, and couches made from back seats of cars. And if you’ve got a home theater area, why not trick it out with stadium seating using racecar driver’s seats?

november/december • 2012

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gentlemen’s room driver's seat

Story | jeff yip

A

pre-dawn shower has delivered a beautiful Houston morning perfect for a early drive on rain-slicked streets. As I venture outside, I’m greeted by a sweet, cool breeze. Even cooler—and just as sweet—is Porsche’s 2013 Boxster.

A twist of the key and the Boxster’s engine barks to life, then settles into a delicious, menacing growl. Bright blue skies dictate that this joy ride will be al fresco, and we appreciate that the cloth top’s one-touch controls are just where you expect them to be.

(No wonder Stuttgart’s cars

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are so popular with those of us hard-wired to drive, not study instruction manuals.)

The newest generation of Porsche’s mid-engine twoseater sports new bodywork, aggressive new wheel and tire combinations, aero tweaks and a touch more horsepower.

For 2013, Porsche has baked in several real improvements: the top mechanism drops wickedly quick (less than 10 seconds); is simpler, lighter and quieter; and you can raise or lower the roof at any speed below 31 mph.

By Porsche standards, our loaner came with a miniscule list of options. But those 10 extras still added almost $18,000 to a base car’s $60,900 MSRP. (Our tester was the 315-horsepower 3-liter S; the standard Boxster makes do with a 2.7-liter powerplant that produces a still-potent 265 ponies and starts at $49,500.)

Enthusiasts looking to

box

maximize performance, driver involvement and satisfaction can safely pass on goodies like the Bose surround sound infotainment package. Who needs it when these Porsche engines make a music all their own?

Those in touch with their inner tiger, however, definitely need to check the box that says Porsche Doppelkupplung. PDK, as it is mercifully abbreviated, gets you Porsche’s latest-generation automated manual seven-speed transmission. This amazing bit of engineering “learns” your driving style, quickens shifts, changes shift points and even helps the Boxster eke out an EPA highway rating of 21-city/30-highway mpg.

In the real world, if you’re that hung up on economy, you’d pop for a Prius. This low-center-of-gravity beast begs to be driven con brio and you don’t have to get anywhere near its 170 mph top speed to

get lost in that classic Porsche exhaust music.

But the Boxster’s appeal isn’t just about drop-dead gorgeous lines, speed and cornering grip. The silver bullet jogged a decades-old memory of my friend Donna Lee dropping by my house to show off her spanking-new Porsche 914 at a time when “real men” were still into Detroit muscle cars.

Like my dear friend, the 914 was ahead of its time, a midengine roadster that was marketed as a fun, stylish fun car that got 30 mpg. Porsche’s newest Boxster is a reminder that solid concepts—and friendships— never go out of style. jeff yip Jeff Yip’s work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, San Jose Mercury News, Houston Chronicle and the New York Times, as well as consumer and trade magazines. He’s a second-generation car guy who still has the 1969 Chevy his dad loved.

Porsche

outofthe

gentlemen’s room wealth

the gift

giving

that keeps on

Story | samantha Kennedy, US Trust

W

ith the holiday season quickly approaching, gift giving is on the minds of many Houstonians; despite the economic downturn, philanthropic giving is still strong in the Energy Capital. In fact, according to Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator, Houston recently topped a national list of U.S. urban areas with the best-performing nonprofit organizations.

Philanthropic giving at its core is about investing in making the world, and the communities in which we live, a better place. More individuals, families and foundations are looking at their charitable giving under this lens—as an investment.

They’re interested in measuring the return on investment (ROI) and developing a strategy for giving that aligns with their financial goals and beliefs.

One strategy that can satisfy both philanthropic ROI and passion for investors is giving to organizations that benefit women and girls. Not only are investors thinking about how they can make the most of their philanthropic dollars—with regard to social impact, but also in terms of how to make tax-advantaged philanthropic donations that support their overall financial goals.

While every investor needs to consider their own personal passions and values, research shows that donating to

organizations that support women and girls stands to be one of the most effective ways to impart social change on families, communities and the world. Improving the life of a woman creates opportunity and can benefit her extended family and future generations.

Since women are often disproportionately impacted by the issues of the world— including poverty, health care, human trafficking, natural disasters, education, homelessness and human rights, among others—supporting women and girls, if done correctly, is high-impact philanthropy.

During a recent luncheon at the Asia Society Texas Center, panelists discussed the latest in what is known as “gender lens investing,” a new, cutting-edge investing field that focuses on making investment decisions that benefit women and girls while seeking a financial return.

If you do decide to support women and girls, or another charity that is dear to you and your family, here are a few ways to incorporate philanthropic giving into your financial picture—rather than simply writing a check.

1

First and foremost, it’s critically important you determine the amount that you can confidently give away without jeopardizing your future quality of life. Ask your U.S. Trust advisor to

provide a cash flow analysis, which will help you evaluate the probability of your current investment portfolio meeting your financial goals.

2

As the expiration date nears on the two-year extension to the Bush tax cuts, you could stand to save millions by making your philanthropic donations before the 2012 calendar ends. By taking advantage of the tax exemptions before time runs out, you can make a donation to the charity of your choice without incurring taxes.

3

Find an organization or a cause you are passionate about and explore how to make the most out of your contributions.

It’s also crucial to think about where you want to invest your resources. Perhaps you want to focus on local community or on a wider geographic area. Take some time to think about where there is the greatest need for these resources, and where you think you can have the greatest impact.

Overall, consider thinking about philanthropy a little differently than you have in the past—think about how to make the most impact with the best ROI, and how to incorporate giving into your portfolio. Together, these strategies will ensure you make the most of your philanthropic dollars this holiday season.

Information in this material is not intended to constitute legal, tax or investment advice. You should consult your legal, tax and financial advisors before making any financial decisions. If any information is deemed “written advice” within the meaning of IRS Regulations, please note the following: IRS Circular 230 Disclosure: Pursuant to IRS Regulations, neither the information, nor any advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax related penalties or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. U.S. Trust operates through Bank of America, N.A., and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation. Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC.

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gentlemen’s high-tech tech room high

in your

Dreams

Story | Michael Garfield

Cintiq24 HD Touch There’s nothing really new with touchscreen tablets thanks to innovative gadgets like Apple’s iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab. But if you’re the creative type looking for a complete tool for design, video, art and animation, the Cintiq24 HD Touch may just be the ticket.

Designed to replicate the traditional experience of working with conventional tools like pens, markers and brushes, it also allows user the ability to work with software applications. The display has LED backlighting and more than 1 billion (yes, billion) colors.

Don’t expect to carry this tablet in your purse or briefcase, however, as it weighs close to 63 pounds (with stand).

But at $3,699, it should also double as your PC. wacom.com

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HT’s app list

ICON A5 Light Sport Aircraft The FAA created a new category of aircraft called Light Sport and a new pilot license, the Sport Pilot, aimed at consumer recreational flying. ICON is taking advantage of these new categories by initially building a twoseat, folding wing amphibious aircraft. The ICON A5 Light Sport Aircraft will operate on automobile gas, and have a max speed of 120 mph and a range of 300 nautical miles.

While the A5 won’t be ready to sit under your tree this Christmas, the company is taking orders now for delivery in 2016. Place your order for the $139,000 vehicle and be sure to have your credit card handy for the $5,000 refundable deposit. iconaircraft.com

Sony 4K TV You know all about 3-D, but have you heard about 4K? Widely used in movie-making, this format is making its way into homes with a whopping 8 million pixels, four times as many pixels found in a standard 1080p TV. The Sony 4K XBR-84X900 TV is the company’s first 4K screen and comes in the single 84-inch size. It’s an edge-lit, LED-based LCD TV that features passive 3-D (a first for Sony) and comes with a 10-driver stereo speaker system. This is the largest, highest resolution picture Sony has ever produced on a TV and they’re quite proud of it as you can see from the price tag, which rings in at around $25,000. sony.com

The High-Tech Texan gives us a taste of a few high-ticket apps

VIP Black

Looking for a personal butler right at your fingertips? With this members-only app, users (whose net-worth is required for approval) get the global VIP treatment with partners such as Gordon Ramsay Restaurants and Virgin Limited Edition.

Be sure your iTunes account has enough credits for the $999.99 download.

XA1

With a spectrum analyzer made to give real-time feedback of the audio spectrum, this app is perfect for music pros. Get accurate readings when mixing your record thanks to a visible reference for sound. At $179.99, it’s merely pocket change compared with similar apps that run around $800.

Medicine Central

You may not be a doctor in real life, but you can virtually play one with this $159.99 app for your Android smartphone. The ultimate guide for physicians, residents and students has everything from drug interaction facts to a pocket guide to diagnostic tests.

Michael Garfield Known as “The High-Tech Texan®” to audiences nationwide, Michael hosts technology and issueoriented talk radio shows six days a week on The 9-5-0. See what he’s up to at HighTechTexan.com.

Samsung | Icon Aircraft | Sony

S

ince we’ve been told the economy is getting better, why not splurge on your loved ones this holiday season? Luxury high-tech gear isn’t for the faint of heart when it comes to thrills, adventure seekers, early adopters and those without a platinum credit card. Happy holidays!

four-Wheel

gentlemen’s room outdoors

fun

Rubber Meetsthe Off-Road Power is power, but transferring it properly to the ground calls for specialty tires and a keen eye Story | doug pike

Cam-Am

E

volution of the ATV has turned ground once nearly impassable into an unbounded outdoor highway that leads at once in all directions. Today, the right vehicle can take you and your gear virtually anywhere.

The current generation will learn someday of a time when ranches and marshes were crossed either on horses or on foot, when daring to “go where no man has gone before” often resulted in a lost boot or a call to a wrecker service.

Now, the savvy outdoors enthusiast can select from a fleet of vehicles designed to chew up and spit out mud, sand and rocks. They’ll do everything but dive underwater, and some come darned close to that capability.

Since the original threewheeled (and highly dangerous) all-terrain vehicles were introduced decades ago, the

machines have evolved into two distinctly different machines.

So-called “four-wheelers” followed first, adding muchneeded stability and safety to the class. Early models had their issues, but those were resolved long ago. Today’s fourwheelers, from practical models for weekend fun to bull-strong beasts for full-time ranch work, have expanded sportsmen’s ranges and routes.

Four-wheelers can drag just about anything anywhere, usually on the trailer used to ferry the machine to the gate. A drawback, seldom discussed, is that it’s just plain awkward for two grown men to ride together on a four-wheeler. (For the same reason you almost never see two dudes on a Harley.)

Enter the side-by-sides, machines configured truly to their names so that neither of its occupants need sit close behind

the other and wrap arms around a waist to feel secure.

More seriously, the standard side-by-side adds a roof to protect not only from light rain, but also from falling debris.

And behind the two passengers, owners can opt for pickup-style cargo space, extra seating and a variety of other uses for space over that rear axle.

Whether their occupants ride north-south or east-west, contemporary ATVs can be counted upon to get us there and get us back. How much mud comes along for the ride is up to the rider.

doug pike Doug Pike has traveled the world to satisfy his passion for the outdoors.

During his career, he has won 100-plus state and national awards for writing, broadcast and photography.

on inflation. Or deflation.

Any quality ATV can take you through a muddy bog or up a rocky hill; fitting your machine with the right tires will get there faster and more safely. Steve Ertle, owner of Tejas Motorsports in The Highlands, recommends investing in a second set of tires and rims.

Most ATV owners know when they leave home, what sort of terrain they’re most likely to encounter during their time off road.

Changing all four tires in advance, in the garage, is quick insurance against sticking the machine or having it lose purchase on a steep grade.

Carry an air gauge and pump, if there’s room, or keep both fairly close. The lower the pressure, within safe guidelines, the more rubber is actually on the ground doing its job of maintaining traction.

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escape

bliss in

Borneo Story | dave O. Dodge

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escape

Discover adventure, intrigue and luxury in the heart of southeast Asia

Shangri-La Resort Hotels

l

ocated in the geometric center of southeast Asia, Borneo is an exotic land filled with mystery and intrigue. Made up of three countries—Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia—the island nation is known for the remarkable flora and fauna that blooms in its rainforests (some dating back 130 million years), and the looming Mount Kinabalu, which soars 13,400 feet above it.

With its diverse landscape and indigenous people, Borneo has been a favorite destination with adventure seekers. Today, however, it has come into its own as a tropical paradise with luxurious accommodations and amenities.

This transformation can be attributed to the addition of three world-class Shangri-La Resort Hotels: Rasa Ria, Tanjung Aru and Kuala Lumpur. Based in Hong Kong, this luxury resort chain—which takes its name from a 1940s novella entitled “Lost Horizon”—offers firstclass accommodations around the world. And like the mythical utopian society, no detail has been overlooked, no expense has been spared. november/december • 2012

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escape

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru

Paradise Found Located in Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia, Shangri-La Tanjung Aru is the ultimate escape for rest and relaxation.

Begin your journey to total bliss at CHI, The Spa, situated on its very own island surrounded by the South China Sea. Here, you can experience techniques inspired by the traditions of Bobohizan, the island’s native healers, which use such native ingredients as pulverized pearls from the bays of Semporna, Borneo volcanic mud, and indigenous plants and herbs like cocoa beans, soya, ginger and pegaga leaf.

Continue your passage to tranquility by enjoying the resort’s natural surroundings. Stroll along white-sand beaches bordered by crystal clear waters or venture to nearby Kinabalu National Park. A paradise of natural wonders, this lush jungle features the rafflesia, the largest flower in the world, and natural orangutans in their natural habitat.

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escape Sidetrip: At World's End

Shangri-La Tanjung | Fairmont Mayakoba

A hidden treasure awaits in the Riviera Maya If you subscribe to the notion that, according to the Mayan calendar, we only have a few weeks left on this earth, then don’t bid farewell without a visit to Mayakoba on the Riviera Maya in the Mexican Peninsula.

Mayakoba has three luxury brand resort properties: Rosewood, Banyan Tree and the Fairmont Mayakoba, all surrounding El Camaleon, the signature 18-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman.

Connected by a series of canals and manmade lagoons, each hotel is unique within the world of Mayakoba. The Banyan Tree (banyantree.com) boasts 132 pool villas built into the natural landscape and decorated with handcrafted Mayan furnishings, while the Rosewood (rosewoodhotels. com) offers 128 modern suites complemented with such amenities as rooftop sundecks and oversized terraces. At the Fairmont (fairmont.com), 401 elegantly-appointed rooms range from jungle-view casitas to beach suites.

And just like the diversity of its accommodations, each property has its own distinct amenities and services. From the renowned Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont, to the unique dining experiences at the Banyan Tree, to the signature butler service at the Rosewood, these properties offer different experiences, while sharing the harmonious beauty of the their natural surroundings.

Whatever brings you to the Mayan Riviera—whether it’s the beach, the history or the ultimate luxury experience— Mayakoba is not to be missed.

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escape

Shangri-La Rasa Ria

Taste of Adventure Taking guests on a true culinary journey is the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort on Pantai Dalit Beach in Sabah, Malaysia. Located a few miles from Koto Kinabalu, the resort offers some of the best food in all of southeast Asia.

Here, Malay, Chinese, Indian and western cuisines come together, resulting in six distinct eateries that offer even the most discriminating diner a vast array of unique and sumptuous flavors.

From Tepi Laut Makan Street, a beachside experience that captures the essence of Malaysia’s street food stalls; to the upscale Naan – Flavours of India, where guests will delight in the refined tastes of northern India, it’s no wonder Rasa Ria in Malay means “a taste of happiness.”

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escape

Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur

if you go Urban Opulence Located in the capital city it is named for, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur is a hidden paradise in the heart of a bustling metropolis. With more than 650 custom-appointed guestrooms, guests can choose from an array of accommodations, including five suite options ranging from executive to specialty suites.

But for a truly luxurious and decadent experience, book the Royal Suite. Known as Suite Twenty Eight Hundred, the suite is bedecked lush upholstery, white Italian marble, floor-toceiling mirrors and sweeping views of the city.

The attention to detail and service don’t end at the accommodations. For the business traveler, the Horizon Club is a personal sanctuary that offers all-day refreshments, evening cocktails, complimentary breakfast and personal services. And for the consummate foodie, there are several fine dining experiences, including Shang Palace, which offers authentic Cantonese cuisine created by awardwinning chef Tan Kim Weng.

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa shangri-la.com/kotakinabalu/ tanjungaruresort

Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort shangri-la.com/kotakinabalu/ rasariaresort

Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur shangri-la.com/kualalumpur/ shangrila

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escape enlightened explorer

A

Seaside Utopia

t Playa Vik José Ignacio, six uniquely decorated casas provide a private and beautiful home away from home. Located along the Uruguayan coastline near Punta del Este, the art-filled abodes surround a two-story sculpture building designed by Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott. Works by contemporary artists and designers from Uruguay and around the world are showcased at the retreat, making Playa Vik José Ignacio a haven for design-forward international travelers.

Along with eye-catching elements like hand-painted floors, elaborate murals and sculptures, guests enjoy access to prime beachfront property and a vast wine cellar, 75-foot cantilevered pool, game room, spa, gym and seaside restaurant. playavik.com

Urban Retreat

N

Hip & Historic T

he new eight-story Wythe Hotel seamlessly blends old and new with characteristic Brooklyn style. Built in 1901 as a cooperage where barrels and casks were made, the building reveals its industrial past through evocative details like original pine beams, exposed brickwork and cast-iron columns.

Rooms also feature vintage mirrors and custom beds made from reclaimed ceiling timbers, as well as modern amenities like radiant floor heating and seasonally stocked mini-bars. “Band rooms,” which sleep four to six people, include TDK sound systems.

From Wythe Hotel’s location on the Williamsburg waterfront, Manhattan’s skyline is a glittering tableau. Soak in unbeatable views of the horizon on the sixth floor bar and terrace, Ides. Or dine at Reynards on the ground floor, where locally sourced dishes cooked in a wood-fired oven go hand in hand with the artisanal flavor of the surroundings. wythehotel.com

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Viks Retreats | ME London / Foster + Partners | Wythe Hotel

ewly opened in September, ME London offers a sophisticated stay in the heart of West End. The 157-room hotel’s sleek design is a departure from the ordinary, in everything from the building’s exterior, to its faucets and fixtures designed by acclaimed architecture firm Foster + Partners.

Accommodations range from rooms with private terraces and floorto-ceiling windows, to suites with large, separate marble bathrooms.

At the rooftop bar Radio, sip innovative cocktails while you take in panoramic views of the city and famous landmarks like St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and Covent Garden. melondonuk.com

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escape enlightened explorer

Vacation in Vail

L

ooking forward to ski season? In Vail, Colo., luxury resort Solaris Vail is a mountain getaway as perfect as the powder. Four-, three- and two-bedroom residences are available as vacation rentals, most boasting stone fireplaces, expansive kitchens and baths, mountain views and climatecontrolled wine storage.

In addition to the ski slopes, take advantage of fine dining, shopping, and amenities like a private spa, fitness center, movie theater, bowling alley and complimentary ski valet.

With the “Stay Winter, Get Summer” deal, book a two-bedroom with den Solaris residence during the 2012-2013 season and enjoy a complimentary stay the same number of nights in summer 2013. solarisresidences.com

share the experience n your next trip, record

Alluring escape

O

n the famed Son Tra Peninsula of Vietnam, the new Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort draws travelers from across the globe with its picturesque, private bay and signature décor. The 197-room resort combines elements of globally and locally inspired design, featuring a palette of earthy colors and a host of luxury amenities like deep-soaking marble tubs, private terraces and pools, and award-winning cuisine.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites—including the Imperial City of Huê, Hoi An Ancient Town and the My Són ruins—are located nearby, as well as the Montgomerie Links golf course and Danang Golf Club. On-site Harnn Heritage Spa will open this December. ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental

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your favorite sights and sounds for friends and family back home with the GoPro HD HERO2. The camera is small and mountable practically anywhere, whether it’s your wrist, the top of a bicycle helmet or the end of a surfboard.

Capable of capturing professional 170-degree, wideangle 1080p video, as well as 11-megapixel still photos at a rate of 10 photos per second, the GoPro will ensure that your audience doesn’t miss a moment of the adventure. Available in Outdoor, Motorsports or Surf editions; some specialized mounting accessories sold separately. $299.99. gopro.com

kathryn hunter Kathryn Hunter is an Austin-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in “Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine.”

Studio JK | GoPro | InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

O

Magical Setting

Exceptional

Experiences

U

niquely situated on the banks of Oak Creek in Sedona’s magnificent Red Rock country, L’Auberge de Sedona is a place where magical moments happen. Dine on our creekside patio under the cool canopy of sycamore trees. Take a private outdoor shower under the starry night sky. Our staff will take every opportunity to delight you. Quite simply, this is a hotel experience unlike any other.

Conde’ Nast Gold List 2011 • Travel + Leisure World’s Best 2011 Contact your Virtuoso Travel Specialist to reserve your stay and enjoy exclusive benefits including daily resort credits. www.virtuoso.com

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/laubergedesedona

Find us on Twitter twitter.com/laubergesedona

301 L’Auberge Lane • Sedona, AZ 86336 • Phone 1-800-905-5745 • lauberge.com

post cards

see & do

Story | kathryn hunter

D

ubbed the “Christmas Capital of Texas,” Grapevine is a city that definitely earns its yuletide nickname. From late November to January, more than 1,400 holiday-themed events turn this Dallas-area shopping hotspot into a Texasstyle North Pole.

Santa never has trouble steering his sleigh to Grapevine thanks to the millions of lights that sparkle throughout the city. Especially illuminated events held in Historic Downtown Grapevine include the Parade of Lights, Carol of Lights and Light Show Spectacular. The Twinkle Lights Boat Parade takes place on the water, a floating festival visible from the shores of Lake Grapevine.

Family activities are also in abundant supply.

Attend Christmas on Main Street to hobnob with your favorite Christmas characters and take a tractor-drawn wagon ride through town. Or board the North Pole Express on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad for a magical one-hour journey by train, with highlights like ornament making, caroling

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and pictures with Santa. Family Christmas Movies are shown at the Palace Theatre, and young and old alike will enjoy musical shows by the Texas Tenors and the Grapevine Opry.

In the spirit of the season, the Gaylord Texan Resort, a 1,511-room hotel overlooking Lake Grapevine, becomes a winter wonderland complete with giant ice sculptures, snow tubing, a 54-foot Christmas tree and a life-sized gingerbread house. This year, the ICE! attraction, carved from 2 million pounds of ice, will be themed “DreamWorks Animation’s Merry Madagascar.”

Grown-ups 21 and older can enjoy a ride on the Christmas Wine Trains, 1920s vintage coaches where music, dessert and wine tastings bring the ultimate in holiday cheer. And shopping is one of Grapevine’s year-round draws. Along with elaborate holiday decorations, Historic Downtown Grapevine features many local, unique stores, and Grapevine Mills mall offers 1.6 million square feet of shopping and entertainment.

Christmas Wine Trains On Dec. 13 or 20, board an adult-only wine train on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad for caroling, dessert and a visit from Santa. Wines will be available for purchase, and the featured winery will educate guests about their selected wines.

705 S. Main St. 817-410-3123 www.gvrr.com Grapevine Opry At the Palace Theater, tap your toes to popular holiday shows like “Fabulous Fifties Christmas” and “New Year’s Country Eve.” Shows feature both contemporary and traditional music performed live and accompanied by Grapevine Opry’s acclaimed house band.

300 S. Main St. 817-481-8733 www.gvopry.com

Gaylord Texan Resort

grapevine

Lone Star Christmas at Gaylord Texan Resort At ICE!, experience 20-foot ice slides and interactive displays of life-sized ice sculptures at “DreamWorks Animation’s Merry Madagascar.” At the Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW Tubing attraction, ride down an eight-lane tubing hill covered in real snow.

1501 Gaylord Trail 866-782-7897 gaylordhotels.com

Want a perfect, worry free lawn or to practice your short game at home?

Improve the use, look and value of your outdoor space with Green Links synthetic turf solutions. Our lawns are consistently clean, dry, perform and look great throughout the year. Our golf greens look and play like country club greens; they make perfect practice and entertainment areas. Contact us to discuss how our experience and products can enhance your outdoor space.

Golf Greens | Synthetic Turf Lawns | Playgrounds

GreenLinksInc.com 713.932.9997

you.

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vitamins Healthy living

live well

Happy Patients

budget

relax

Cardiovascular

Concierge medicine

Fitness health Active aging

yoga

Firmness

flexibildance ity

Prevention

Burn calories

nourish zumba live well marriage allergies

Beauty bliss

endurance vitamin d

guilt free

the prime living guide to better health

inside:

70 71 72 73 74

• • • • •

Soothing massage

Feel Good | The Doctor is In Health Buzz | What's New Look Good | Caviar Dreams Be Good | He Spends, She Spends His & Hers | The Holiday Hustle

november/december • 2012

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live well

feel Good

the doctor is in i

Story | Angela ambrose

magine leisurely, same-day appointments and 24/7 access to your doctor, even on weekends and holidays. A growing trend in concierge-style medicine makes this a reality.

“I give my cell phone number out to my patients, so there’s no answering service,” says Dr. Kirk Lee of Personal Physicians of Sugar Land, where he and his partner have been practicing concierge medicine since 2006. “We make house calls occasionally…and I know just about everybody’s medical profile inside and out.”

Concierge medicine, also referred to as boutique, retainer or niche medicine, gives patients unlimited access to their doctor and assistance with all aspects of their care including scheduling of tests and specialty appointments.

All this personalized service comes at a price. On the average, patients pay an annual fee of $1,500 to $3,000 up front,

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with some fees as low as $800 and others as high as $15,000, according to Roberta Greenspan, president of Specialdocs Consultants Inc. Greenspan’s company is an independent consulting firm that helped Lee and more than 100 other physicians transition from a traditional medical practice to concierge medicine. In addition, doctors charge a fee for office

overbooked schedule.

“I was pulling my hair out,” he says. “I was good to spend 10 to 12 minutes with a patient, if I was lucky. Now, 30 minutes is kind of the minimum. Quite often they’re ready to leave before I’m finished.”

Today, Lee has around 300 patients in his practice, compared with traditional family practices, which average around

have the funds for which to afford me,” says Lee, who offers a small number of scholarships to patients who are financially unable to pay the annual fee and who were a part of his traditional practice.

“Happy doctors breed happy patients,” says Greenspan. “They have quality time to devote to each and every patient who walks in the office and no one feels rushed.”

With the anticipated increase in health care demand, Greenspan says she expects a growing number of doctors to switch to concierge medicine.

Although concierge medicine offers clear benefits

“Happy doctors breed happy patients.” visits, and some concierge practices such as Lee’s do not accept commercial insurance.

Before converting his traditional practice to concierge medicine, Lee says he felt frustrated and overwhelmed trying to squeeze thousands of patients into his

2,000 patients nationwide, says Greenspan.

Although concierge medicine is available to patients of all ages, Lee says his practice tends to attract a large number of retirees.

“Older patients have more medical issues. I think they also

to participating physicians and patients, a number of critics believe it may worsen the shortage of primary care doctors and promote a two-tiered health care system in which those who can afford to pay more will receive faster, higher quality care.

H e a lt h B u z z

live well

massage matters l

ooking for a way to reduce soreness and inflammation after intense exercise? A soothing massage may be the answer, according to a report published in Science Translational Medicine.

Canadian researchers from McMaster University found that massage activates genes that speed up recovery and healing of the muscles after exercise and decreases pain.

Participants received a 10-minute leg massage after riding a stationary bike to the point of exhaustion. Biopsies showed that massage not only reduced inflammation, but also stimulated the muscle cells to produce new mitochondria, the cells’ powerhouse that converts food to energy.

benefits of

balance

a

ccording to a University of Sydney study, older adults can cut their risk of falling by nearly one-third by participating in balance and strength training exercises. Study participants included more than 300 men and women age 70 and older who had fallen at least twice in the previous year.

Less than 10 percent of seniors regularly engage in strength training and even fewer participate in balancing exercises.

Falls are the No. 1 cause from injury in seniors over the age of 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In a separate study published in the British Medical Journal, researchers found that taking a large daily dose of vitamin D helps cut the risk of falls by as much as much as 26 percent.

Vitamin D3 is preferred over the more commonly used vitamin D2 because the body absorbs it more easily.

dance for

z

fitness

umba is one of the hottest fitness trends in the nation, but is it an effective workout? A recent study commissioned by the American Council on Exercise found that Zumba is a total body workout burning an average of 369 calories per class—more than kickboxing, power yoga or step aerobics.

The Latin-inspired, interval-style classes emphasize core conditioning and flexibility, and burn extra calories because they alternate between high and low intensity dance moves. Subjects exercised at about 80 percent of the average predicted heart rate maximum, which is within the industry’s target zone for improving cardiovascular endurance.

brain p

power

racticing tai chi three times a week improves memory and cognitive abilities, according to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Seniors who did tai chi during an eight-month, randomized and controlled study not only showed cognitive improvements, but also an increase in brain size compared to the group who had no intervention. During the same time period, a third group participated in engaging discussions three times per week and showed a similar increase in brain volume, but more limited cognitive improvements than the tai chi group. angela ambrose Angela Ambrose has been a writer for more than 20 years, working for Fortune 500 companies and the U.S. Public Health Service, as well as national magazines, newspapers and websites. She is also nationally certified group fitness instructor and a registered yoga teacher.

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Look Good

Caviar dreams y Story | jessica mebane

ou’ve worked hard all year and now, ’tis the season of reward. Ice down the good champagne and polish the Lalique crystal. And, whatever you do, don’t forget the caviar, dah-ling.

This season, rather than nibbling on the decadent delights, pamper yourself with all the unctuous goodness that hides in those glossy, little sturgeon eggs. Whether it’s bringing back strength and shine to hair or awakening dormant regenerative skin cells, caviar has the cellular building blocks to really get your holiday look glowing.

So treat yourself to a little excess this Christmas and spoon out a few moments of beauty bliss.

Hair Because caviar contains a treasure trove of Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin C, it provides

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antioxidants that help protect against harmful UV damage to your hair and hair color.

Try Alterna’s Caviar Brightening Blonde Shampoo, with an anti-aging formula that keeps your color from fading or turning brassy, as well as cytokines, which stimulate micro stimulation and overall youthful vibrancy and strength.

To combat thinning hair, use Alterna’s Caviar Clinical three-part system, with its caviar extracts, as well as red clover and saw palmetto to protect fragile hair follicles. As a bonus, the absence of minoxidil in this formulation means no scalp irritation, making it safe for pregnant women and those with medical issues such as high blood pressure. alternahaircare.com Skin This year marks La Prairie’s 25th anniversary of its famously opulent Caviar Collection.

Spring saw the launch of La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Lift, “an intensive lifting serum that gives your skin both an instant lift and long-lasting firmness with the highest concentration of pure caviar extracts.”

In addition, La Prairie will offer a limitededition decadent holiday keepsake: Caviar Cristal, which is “perfect for the beauty and caviar connoisseur.” This item will feature Skin Caviar Luxe Cream paired with a gorgeous blue-and-silver crystal case.

According to La Prairie, the supreme hydrator is enriched with rare caviar extracts and offers unparalleled firmness, while it protects and nourishes the skin. laprairie.com Nails Make sure your nails are dipped in plush, up-to-the-minute glamour this season by requesting the caviar manicure at your favorite salon. Or, better yet, get your DIY on and try out Ciate’s Caviar Manicure line of nail polish and beads.

Ciate’s fall collection features three new glamorous shades: Stop the Press (silver, gunmetal and pink pearls), Candy Shop (turquoise, fuchsia and orange) and Head Turner (teal and bronze). Get this avantgarde manicure or pedicure done the day of your swanky event, as it tends to last in all its beady beauty for only a day or two at most, a little longer as a pedicure. ciate.co.uk

nailed it

To get the luscious look of caviar on your fingertips, scan this code to see exactly how the experts at Ciate do it. You’ll be ready to dazzle in no time!

Ciate | Alterna | La Prairie

live well

Be good

HE spends, SHE spends i Story | mary jo rapini

s your money problem her shoes or his gadgets?

Market research points to the fact that advertisers and retail outlets are wise to the difference in men and women shoppers. While women tend to shop for family and fashion, men buy the big ticket items such as cars, boats, big-screen TVs and the newest technology.

This is somewhat individualistic depending on a man’s lifestyle and a woman’s lifestyle, but if you talk to married couples, you will find this difference can be a form of conflict for many of them.

Financial problems are one of the three main reasons for divorce (third only to communication and sex) so expert suggests having a budget with which you can both live and work. Here are a few suggestions

ask the experts Prime Living’s healthy living experts answer your healthand beauty-related questions

Q

What are the signs of digestive problems? Ask yourself these questions: • Do you frequently feel bloated after a meal?

• Do you take antacids with you when you travel?

• Are you taking a prescription acidblocking medication?

• Do you avoid foods that don’t “agree” with you?

• Do you have abdominal discomfort that is relieved by a bowel movement?

• Do you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

• Do you suffer from a chronic skin condition?

that will help you budget your shopping and remain happily together: Budget meetings. Financial experts say that one of the main ways to stay on track with your marital budget is to have monthly budget meetings. Talking about upcoming bills and having a plan will help reduce the chance of being in debt. It also helps you shop guilt free if you know up front how much money you can spend.

Retirement. Make sure you have a separate savings for retirement. This helps the couple feel as though they are working on a future together and can be one aspect of your marital vision.

In charge. Appoint someone as head of finances. This person should be the one who • Have you ever been on extensive antibiotic therapy?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, some of the important structures and/or functions of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract may need healing.

The digestive system is an amazing, complex network of organs. These organs work together to extract nutrients from the foods we eat and remove harmful substances from both what we eat, absorb and produce via normal cellular processes.

A

– Dr. Afreen Pappa, Javani Med Spa

Q A

Will my asthma worsen as I age?

If so, is there a treatment?

Asthma affects millions of Americans, young and old, each year. It can present at any age and symptoms may include cough, breathlessness, chest tightness or

Have a healthy living question for our experts? Email your query to editor@prime-living.com.

obl

live well

has the greatest insight into money, finance and retirement. Doing this helps keep files organized so, in the event of a crisis, both people would be able to find current files regarding finances.

Hire a professional. If you feel there are areas of your budgeting in which you are weak, then hire a professional. Smart people understand they can’t be good at everything.

It’s validating to know that someone professionally trained in finances is looking out for your success.

You can’t have everything you want when you want it. That new handbag, shoes or TV are not entitlements. The greatest sense of satisfaction comes from working toward something and earning it.

As with all things, the more you communicate with your spouse about why you want a particular item, the better. Then you can budget for it, purchase it and enjoy it together.

mary jo rapini Mary Jo Rapini is a Houston-based psychotherapist specializing in sex and relationships. In addition to being a speaker, author and TV personality, she shares her expert advice Tuesday mornings on Mix 96.5 and Friday mornings on Fox 26 Houston. For information, visit maryjorapini.com.

wheezing. Symptoms might not always be severe and can sometimes declare themselves at night or when doing physical exercise.

With age, asthma can worsen if not controlled with proper measures or treatments. Therapies often include medications, but must also include addressing environmental triggers, allergens (pets, dust mites, molds), chemicals or other irritants. Smoking can also further deleteriously affect lung function. Signs of poorly controlled asthma include oral steroid use, excessive use of rescue inhalers, and frequent urgent care or hospital visits.

Asthma treatments have evolved with a better understanding of the causes and with appropriate treatment regimens. There are also a host of newer agents on the horizon that target the immune system in specific ways and provide hope to millions of asthmatics in need of better treatments.

– Dr. Puneet Shroff, Houston ENT & Allergy

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his & hers

the holiday hustle Story | jessica mebane

h

ow does a few weeks at the end of the year—originally set aside for good times and great cheer—devolve into such a quagmire of stress and resentment for so many happy couples?

Dr. Matthew M. Clark, leader of the Mayo Clinic’s Resiliency Domain for Healthy Living Program, offers some ways to avoid the usual pitfalls. “The idea is to remove the word ‘stress’ from our holiday vocabulary and replace it with ‘resilience,’” he says.

After all, this sublime and sublimely crazy time period is just another one of life’s many challenges, and how we remain flexible and supportive of ourselves and our partners during the busiest time of year is the real secret to rediscovering the season’s true meaning of joy and love.

women I will be buying most of the presents; he’s clueless (until the bill arrives next month).

men GIFTS

She should buy most of the presents; I’m clueless.

Dr. Clark: Set a budget and shared shopping list for both of you to adhere to and stick to it to avoid last-minute surprises.

I’ll be cooking and baking for days because everyone expects my special recipes to make the perfect holiday table complete.

Holiday Baking/ Cooking

She’s a fantastic cook and I’m an enthusiastic recipe tester. I’d take more of her and less of her cooking if she’d relax a little.

Dr. Clark: Norman Rockwell painted holiday scenes that didn’t exist in reality and no one will care if the cookies are burnt, especially your partner.

Order takeout and spend time at the holiday table instead of being buried in the kitchen away from your guests.

I don’t know why we can’t have a clean house when guests arrive. It’s just a few extra minutes here and there.

Holiday Cleaning

I don’t know why the house has to look perfect, but she does tend to nag me into helping with the house more than usual.

Dr. Clark: There is no such thing as a perfect house, host or hostess. In the end, no one will remember the shine of your best crystal, but rather the good times they had with you.

I’m going to stuff the turkey with bits of Uncle Norbert this year if he insists on talking politics.

Relatives

Some members of our family can be a challenge to manage at the holidays.

Dr. Clark: Remember that holidays are an opportunity to show your relatives you value spending this special time with them… and also show your partner how much you appreciate their acceptance of your relatives at this hectic time.

I don’t know how he does it; eating like a horse, drinking like a fish and never gaining a pound. After weeks of partying and cooking, I’m not looking forward to wearing double Spanx just so I can get into my New Year’s ensemble for four hours.

over indulging

I don’t know what the big deal is. I can handle my liquor and don’t seem to overeat at Christmas the way some people do.

Dr. Clark: Studies at the Mayo Clinic show both sexes tend to over-indulge during the holidays and turn to “comfort eating.”

Instead, commit to shoring up each other’s energy supply this holiday by walking at night together three times a week.

Don’t have the time between cooking cleaning and shopping.

exercise

I don’t have the time to exercise consistently, but I do manage to.

Dr. Clark: Gyms show a decline in attendance during November and December, so it’s not just women who seem to let exercise fall by the wayside. Carve out time for yourselves, whether it’s journaling, kick-boxing or just a walk outdoors to enjoy the seasonal changes. There’s a lot of value in letting nature nurture your soul.

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s 

An Evening With Deepak Chopra

the

Westin Galleria Hotel â&#x20AC;˘ 9.9.12

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Event chairs Philamena and Arthur Baird, Anuradha and Mani Subramanian, Nidhika and Pershant Mehta, and Leena and Ash Shah welcomed friends and supporters to the Westin Galleria Hotel for the Akshaya Patra Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fundraiser in Houston. For the past 11 years, the foundation has been feeding children in schools throughout India. Today, it provides daily meals to 1.4 million children in more than 9,000 schools. As guests mingled to the sounds of the Indian sitar, they buzzed with excitement to hear advisory board member Deepak Chopra, global leader and pioneer in the field of mindbody medicine, speak passionately about his involvement with the foundation. The evening ended on a high note with Leena and Ash Shah making a legacy endowment of $1 million.

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Photography | Kim Coffman

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1 Arthur and Philamena Baird 2 Deepak Chopra 3 Kavita Rao, Ashok Rao and Sheela Rao 4 Amit and Arpita Bhandari and Judge Ed Emmett 5 Deepak Chopra, Nidhika and Pershant Mehta 6 Dr Rahul Pandit and Aaron Ray Hermes 7 Nita and Neil Jolly 8 Tanaz Choudhury, Lisa Gochman and Yasmine Haddad 9 Mehrnaz Gill and Jaleh Sallee

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Autumn & Winter 2012 Collection Debut jimmy choo at the galleria • 9.19.12

Houston fashionistas were greeted with bubbly and hors d’oeuvres as Jimmy Choo and Atrium Ready to Wear hosted them to an Autumn/ Winter 2012 collection launch benefitting Heroes for Children. Ten percent of event sales went to this organization that provides financial and social assistance to Texas families with children battling cancer. As guests mixed and mingled, they enjoyed an informal fashion show of Atrium Ready to Wear’s 2012 fall collection paired with Jimmy Choo pumps. Atrium owner Luvi Wheelock was on site to chat with guests about fall trends.

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Photography | Daniel Ortiz

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1 Luvi Wheelock and Diane Lokey Farb 2 Mercedes Pilegge and Nadine Boutrous 3 Monica Bickers, Faith Majours and Luvi Wheelock 4 Michelle Vera-Priest, Donna Marie Jendritza and Heather Domingue 5 Carrie Evans, Alissa Maples and Kalie Sanders 6 Karina Barbieri

50 Shades of Red

the

sullivan's steakhouse • 8.31.12

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More than 250 people came out to bid farewell to a red-hot summer at the 50 Shades of Red VIP party, held at Sullivan’s Steakhouse.

General manager Zaidi Syed and regional manager Arthur Mooradian welcomed guests with a glass of Moet & Chandon Champagne (rose, of course; Christian Grey’s favorite) and Belvedere specialty cocktails aptly named Charlie Tango, Inner Goddess and Laters, Baby.

Momentum Audi showcased the R8—the 50 Shades car of choice— on the red carpet, while members of the Houston Ferrari club also displayed their red Ferraris. Sullivan’s executive chef Horacio Degante provided tantalizing hors d’oeuvres as guests grooved to the sounds of live entertainment and entered to win a slew of sexy prizes. The American Heart Association was the evening’s charity partner.

Photography | Roswitha Vogler

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1 Zaidi Syed, KimPadgett and ArthurMooradian 2 Erin Hicks and Shepard Ross 3 Allison Hradecky and Natalie Petrie 4 JaredLang

november/december • 2012

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World Master Chef’s Dinner

the

Private Residence • 9.29.12

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The culinary stars shone bright on Sept. 29, when master chefs Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud and Jérôme Bocuse prepared a fourcourse dinner for 150 guests at a private residence in Houston. The exclusive event, which went for $2,500 a plate, raised more than $400,000 for the Harris County Sherriff’s Office Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides contributions to the sheriff’s office. Funding from the foundation will be used to provide protective equipment, continued officer training and financial support for the families of wounded and fallen deputies. In May, the foundation donated bulletproof vests to the office’s Reserve Command.

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1 Sheriff Garcia and Chef Thomas Keller 2 Marie Le Notre 3 Chef Jerome Bocuse 4 Sheriff Adrian Garcia, Gina and Devinder Bhatia 5 Nancy Valobra, Beatrice Bornibus, Julia Rigdon, John and Yulia Houghtaling, Laurie Krohn 6 Michael Gameson and daughter, Ericka Bagwell, Alex Klein 7 Jerome Bocuse, John and Yulia Houghtaling 8 Sheriff Adrian Garcia, Monica Garcia, Larry Blackburn, Marijo and Denman Moody

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9 Chef Kevin Maples, Alyssa Maples, Michael Plank, Deana (event chair) & Larry Blackburn 10 Ericka Bagwell and Carol Linn 11 Virginia Steppe, Jerome Bocuse, Alyssa Maples 12 Daniel Boulud 13 Michael Landoldt and Ann Wismer 14 Stephen and Kena Cope 15 Richard Rosendale 16 Franco and Nancy Valobra 17 All the chefs

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parting

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light up the night Expect the holiday season to start off with a bang, thanks to the annual Uptown Holiday Lighting. Held on Nov. 22, the event features more than a half-million lights lining Post Oak Boulevard and an dazzling fireworks spectacular. uptown-houston.com

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Photography from Uptown Houston. prime-living.com

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