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APRIL/MAY 2012
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LIN & ERIC HUMBLE Share the Skinny on CoolSculpting
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Tips to Becoming a Thrifting Fashionista Top Chef: Texas’ Sarah Grueneberg
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Being diagnosed with breast cancer is difficult.
Oncology
Reconstructive Surgery
Radiation Therapy
Support Groups
Breast Surgery
Maria Socci, RN
Di ag no sis
Chemotherapy
SURVIVAL!
The path to survival shouldn't be. A breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and make you feel lost. Our Breast Care Navigator, Maria Socci, RN, will guide you through the challenges of breast cancer so you can focus more on healing. Maria will be there to explain your options, schedule expedited appointments, coordinate second opinions and provide emotional support and guidance throughout your journey to survivorship. The path to survival can be difficult—but it does not have to be. Maria, your Breast Care Navigator, will be there for you every step of the way. For more information, please call Maria at 281-276-8989 or email MSocci@tmhs.org. To schedule a mammogram at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital call 281-242-PINK (7465).
Breast Center
16655 Southwest Freeway Sugar Land, Texas 77479 MethodistSugarLand.com
Contents
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April / May 2012 Volume 4 l Number 1
Revolutionary Technology Helps Win the Battle of the Bulge It’s no secret that advances in technology have vastly improved our quality of life. Now, technology has made monumental advances in helping individuals win a battle that so many have fought over the years: the non-invasive elimination of unwanted fat. Learn how Drs. Eric and Lin Humble of Sugar Land Face and Body Plastic Surgery are utilizing this FDA-cleared treatment to benefit patients.
Features 22 The Hunger Games Phenomenon Meet the talented creators behind the scenes of Katniss Everdeen’s world – 16-year-old whose survival depends on sheer wit and will as she competes in the annual Hunger Games – a primal televised survival event that pits children against one another, leaving only one contestant standing.
26 Top Chef: Texas
Runner-Up Sarah Grueneberg
Drs. Lin and Eric Humble.
What does it take to be at the top in the world of culinary arts? Entertainment Editor Nick Nicholson interviews the Top Chef: Texas runner-up Sarah Grueneberg and her mother, Trish, about everything from growing up as an aspiring chef to what it takes to compete with the best chefs in the industry.
30 Gertrude Barnstone:
The Art and the Woman
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Meet a talented, vibrant 86 year-young artist who creates imaginative, beautiful sculptures for galleries and private collections throughout Houston. With works featured in both The Menil Collection as well as The Contemporary Arts Museum, this seasoned artist has certainly carved a niche as an iconic Houston sculptress. focus on women
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REDISCOVER YOURSELF REFLECT • RECLAIM • REBALANCE
No Needles • No Surgery • No Diet Fat Reduction • Board Certified Physician Supervised
BUY 2 AREAS OF COOLSCULPTING,
GET 1 FREE Expires May 31, 2012 Some Restrictions Apply
Treatment by Ivan A. Rosales-Berber, MD After photo – 60 days after
Dr. Shelena C. Lalji, “Dr. Shel” Board Certified Ob/Gyn
Medical Expert Author & Speaker
Scan to buy Dr. Shel’s new book: I am Woman Photo by Alisa Murray Photography
(281) 313.SHEL (7435) www.DrShel.com 1437 Hwy 6, Suite 100, Sugar Land, Tx 77478
Contents pg
chick flicks
15 The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo This American adaptation follows the unusual partnership of computer whiz Lisbeth Salander and disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist.
24 The Hunger Games Follow Katniss Everdeen as she competes for her life in the Hunger Games – an annual competition that leaves a soul survivor.
33 Charade This classic features Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant in a thrilling Parisienne murder mystery.
41 The Descendants George Clooney searches for answers after his wife is left in a coma.
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) in The Hunger Games. Photo by Murray Close.
style
19 Things We Love
pg
15
A few fabulous finds that we think are worth sharing.
38 Become a “Thrifting” Fashionista Tap into the wide world of resale fashions.
financial savvy 20 Greed is Good
pg
pg
Learn why greed and fear are powerful tools in investing.
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inspiring women
36 Frozen? Let’s Start Thawing Out! Melt those mental blocks of ice and get refocused!
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I chose MD Anderson in Sugar Land - Michelle Williams
When I had breast cancer, the world’s leading care was right here. My team of experts in Sugar Land focused only on me and my cancer. They guided me through advanced MD Anderson treatment options including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, clinical trials, and support services. They customized a plan just for me. Having MD Anderson in my community kept me close to my two boys and close to home. I chose MD Anderson in Sugar Land. Find Your MD Anderson today.
Appointments Available
713.745.9940
FindYourMDAnderson.com
The Woodlands
Katy Sugar Land
Texas Medical Center Bay Area
Contents travel
42 Swamp Tour Follow one woman’s wet walk on the wild side in Florida’s swamplands.
stepping out with focus on women 29 The Literacy Council of Fort Bend Presents Wine & Music 2012 “A Silver Celebration” Support this important cause and help spread the message of literacy at the organization’s annual fundraiser.
pg
44 Stepping Into The Blu Girl’s Night Out at Blu Restaurant & Lounge.
home
25 Sienna Plantation Hosts Friends & Family Open Home Tour April 13th – 29th.
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If you think that alligators are the only things you need to worry about in the swamp, you are being optimistic.
34 Creating Beauty Turn up the drama and create a beautiful space in any home.
well woman
fine arts
Join Methodist Sugar Land Hospital for a free seminar to learn about gynecological disorders and minimally invasive treatments.
• Houston Metropolitan Chamber Art Festival • The University of Houston presents: Shakespeare on the Green • Houston FotoFest 2012 Biennial • Sugar Land Food and Wine Affair
45 Robotic-Assisted Surgery Helps Women Recover Faster
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columns
40 Woman to Woman
47 May 2012
By Alisa Murray Some Like it Hot, But I Do Not!
• Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition • Spacetaker’s Cultured Cocktails • Brilliant Lecture Series presents: A Conversation with George Clooney • Little Black Dress Project
48 The Last Word From The Urban Etiquette Handbook Practicing Proper Cellular Conduct
pearls of wisdom
32 May is Mental Health Month Teresa Cox Reading, RN
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46 April 2012
Get Ready for Spring at Anything Bling! 281-240-0752
16165 City Walk, Sugar Land Town Square www.anything-bling.com
Come visit our Newly Renovated Salon as we Celebrate our 23 rd Anniversary! • Hair • Nails • Skin Care
• Massage • Full Body Hair Removal
• Body Treatments • Specializing in Color Correction
281.980.5160 Give Gift Certificates
15510 Lexington Blvd., Ste. G, Sugar Land, TX 77478 (Between Williams Trace & Hwy 6) www.SalonEbenDaySpa.com April / May 2012 l
An Concept Salon & Day Spa Since 1989
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editor’s point of view I
Patti Parish-Kaminski, Editor in Chief
Change is Good
S
pring is in the air, and that means it’s time to revamp, renew and rejuvenate. Basically, it’s time for change – something that not everyone – myself included at times – joyfully embraces. Take, for example, getting in shape for the spring. Although getting ready for swimsuit season is admittedly not something I personally look forward to, in this issue we share with you a revolutionary technological advancement in eliminating pockets of unwanted fat by freezing them. And, let’s face it – all pockets of fat are unwanted so eliminating them – without surgery, anesthesia, needles or drugs – is something worth getting excited about! Drs. Eric and Lin Humble share with us this new treatment – CoolSculpting® – that is producing amazing results for their patients. And, it’s not just for their patients. Lin has personally tried CoolSculpting, and this top doc says it’s the real deal. Finally, something to challenge the “no pain, no gain” mantra that really works! Yes, that’s something worth changing. Spring is also the time to revamp your wardrobe, and while changing out clothes for the season can be challenging, we share with you some phenomenal tips on a new trend to get your wardrobe fashionably forward this spring without breaking the bank: thrifting. Last year, thrift store shopping grew 7% according to the National Association of Resale Professionals, and we have some fantastic tips on shopping thrift stores and releasing your inner Thrifting Fashionista. Yes, change is good when it comes to a new wardrobe. With the change in weather, spring is also the perfect time to get out – to go, do and see all that our great city has to offer before the heat gets too oppressive. What better way to change up your routine than spend an afternoon looking at fine art? In this issue, we’ve brought you an inspiring article on Houston artist Gertrude Barnstone who at 86 years-young is still creating beauty and sharing it with others. Gertrude has pieces in The Menil Collection and in The Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston. Her work – and her story – will rejuvenate your spirit. At her age, Gertrude still affects change by sharing her gift with others. I’m sure Lynn Povich as the first female Senior Editor at Newsweek magazine has seen her fair share of change both in the workplace and in the world, and to summarize her point of view, change is good. Povich said, “Change is often rejuvenating, invigorating, fun... and necessary.” I couldn’t agree more.
Patti Parish-Kaminski
Stay focused!
on
6
Now issues a year 10
focus on women
Patti Parish-Kaminski editor@FOWmag.com
facebook.com/FocusOnWomen l April / May 2012
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Heard Through the Grapevine
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Lisa, Everyone has been raving about the magazine! Thank you, again, for putting me on the cover! Marcie McCutchen Chef for You Dear Ms. Fredrickson, On behalf of the Sugar Plum Market Committee, we would again like to express our sincere gratitude for supporting the 2011 Super Plum Market! Your generous donation contributed to raising $200,000 for many worthy Fort Bend charities making an impact in our community. Thank you again for partnering with us – together we can make a difference! Sincerely, Stephanie Van Horn 2011 Sponsor Chair Sharlene Jacobson wrote on our Facebook: Very nice event tonight... Thanks for the invite. The food, drinks and seeing everyone was great...Like the New BLU Restaurant…
Find us on Facebook and give us your thoughts! facebook.com/FocusOnWomen For questions and comments, please e-mail: editor@FOWmag.com
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We can install and manage your entire Kitchen or Bath Remodeling Project! • Benedettini Cabinetry
• Showers & Tubs • Countertops & Backsplashes • Wood Floors, Carpet & Tile
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contributors
Nick Nicholson is the Entertainment Editor for Focus on Women and the Film and Entertainment Critic for CNN Radio, the Fort Bend Star newspaper, Fort Bend Focus and Pearland Focus magazines. He is the co-founder of the Houston Film Critics Society and is currently the President of the organization. In The Hunger Games Phenomenon on page 22, Nick gives us an inside look into making the best-selling novel into a now top-grossing movie and the people behind the monumental project. – including author Suzanne Collins. On page 26, in Top Chef: Texas Runner Up Sarah Grueneberg, Nick interviews the Texas finalist about her rise to fame on reality television. Nick and his wife, Mikki, reside in Sugar Land, Texas.
Art connoisseur and broker Ana Villaronga-Roman has over twenty years’ experience in contemporary art consulting and artist representation. In Gertrude Barnstone: The Art & the Woman on page 30, Ana interviews the Houston legend. With pieces in a permanent collection in The Menil Collection and The Contemporary Arts Museum, Gertrude shows how at 86 years young, she is still going strong creating beauty for so many to enjoy. Ana is a founding member and is chairperson of both the Fort Bend Culture & Arts Alliance and the Katy Culture & Arts Alliance. She serves on the boards of ARTreach and Katy Area Artists and resides in Houston, Texas with her husband and son.
Tanya Sterling, wife and mother of three, is the founder and director of the JOY Ministry, a special needs ministry at First Methodist Houston, and a freelance writer. On page 36 in Frozen? Let’s Start Thawing Out!, Tanya takes a look how a successful entrepreneur defrosted her life and got busy – real busy – creating a successful business and future for her family. Tanya and her family reside in Sugar Land, Texas.
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REDISCOVER YOURSELF REFLECT • RECLAIM • REBALANCE
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy hCG & Nutrition • Allergy Drops • Gluten Sensitivities Lasers • Coolsculpting Fat Reduction
! l a i c e Sp
Botox $10/ unit
Mondays only – Min. 30 units. Some restrictions apply.
$100 Off 2nd Syringe of Juvederm or Radiesse
Expires May 31, 2012. By certified injector. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
Dr. Shelena C. Lalji, “Dr. Shel” Board Certified Ob/Gyn
Medical Expert Author & Speaker Scan to buy Dr. Shel’s new book: I am Woman Photo by Alisa Murray Photography
(281) 313.SHEL (7435) |
www.DrShel.com
1437 Hwy 6, Suite 100, Sugar Land, Tx 77478 April / May 2012 l
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guest columnists
Will Hardee
Hardee Investment Group Page 20
20
34
Keron Weathered Out of the Box Design Page 34
Joy B. Dowell
PennyWise Resale Centers Page 38
38
40 Alisa Murray
Alisa Murray Photography Page 40
Debi Beauregard
Debi Beauregard Photography Page 42
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April/May 2012 Vol. 4 l No. 1 4655 Techniplex Dr. Suite 400 • Stafford, TX 77477 www.FOWmag.com To advertise call 281-690-4242 • TOLL FREE 1-888-430-7469 Direct mailed to physicians in the area and to Focus on Women subscribers, and available at demand distribution locations. PUBLISHERS EDITOR IN CHIEF ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES OFFICE MANAGER ART DIRECTOR ART & PRODUCTION CONSULTANT GRAPHIC DESIGNERS WEB DESIGNER
ON THE COVER
Drs. Lin & Eric Humble, Sugar Land Face and Body Plastic Surgery Photo by Doug Carter
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Michael & Lisa Fredrickson Patti Parish-Kaminski Nick Nicholson Jessica Kij Susie Ainsworth Robyn Miller Mary Doetterl Norma Loredo Grace Belleza Joey Belleza Elizabeth Pace Debi Beauregard Joey Belleza / JOBpageGraphics.com
The views and opinions expressed by our advertisers and columnists do not necessarily reflect those of the Publishers and their staff. 2012 Focus on Women Magazine. No material from this publication may be copied or in any way reproduced without written permission from the publishers. Published by
absolutely! focus media
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RESTAURANT | LOUNGE
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO Sony
Treat yourself to culinary creations by Executive Chef Jett Hurapan
(formerly of Buddakan, NYC)
2248 Texas Dr., Sugar Land, TX 77479 Located in Sugar Land Town Square
281.903.7324
www.blusugarland.com
T
his stylish, American adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s novel chronicles the unusual partnership of disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) and tattooed computer whiz Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara.) Working together to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of a wealthy businessman’s niece nearly 40 years earlier, they find themselves thrust into a dangerous web of secrecy and deception.
Alpha Counseling Services Begin Leading Your Life….
Psychotherapy Services for Adolescents, Adults, Couples & Families
Seeking help is a sign of strength. Lead yourself to a better state of well-being.
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Licensed Clinical Social Worker
By Nick Nicholson
Phone: 281-207-1295 | Fax: 281-207-1296 suja.cheriyan@alphacounselingservices.com www.alphacounselingservices.com 19901 Southwest Freeway, Suite 114, Sugar Land, TX 77479 April / May 2012 l
www.FOWmag.com
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cover story By Patti Parish-Kaminski Photo by Nesossi Studios
Drs. Lin and Eric Humble of Sugar Land Face and Body Plastic Surgery.
Revolutionary Technology Helps Win the Battle of the Bulge T
echnology has made critical advances over the past fifty years designed to vastly improve our quality of life. It has allowed us to explore space, to communicate on a global basis instantly and to cure diseases. And now, technology has made monumental advances in helping individuals win a battle that so many have fought over the years: the non-invasive elimination of unwanted fat.
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Researchers at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, have developed a patented technology that cools fat and ultimately, destroys fat cells. It literally kills the fat cells which are then eliminated naturally from your body. The result? An undeniable reduction of fat in the treated areas.
The technology, called CoolSculpting®, is a breakthrough non-invasive procedure that uses cooling technology to noticeably eliminate fat without surgery. Debuting on the consumer market in September of 2010, Dr. Eric Humble of Sugar Land Face and Body Plastic Surgery, describes the elimination process. “The fat cells get marked for death, and there is a natural mechanism that rids them from your body. They are eliminated by a natural process.” So, just how much fat is eliminated with CoolSculpting? According to clinical studies, the fat reduction is measured at an average of 22 to 25% reduction. In contrast, when you diet, Dr. Humble explained that fat cells simply shrink. “When you gain weight, your fat cells get bigger. When you lose weight, your fat cells are still there; they are just smaller. With CoolSculpting, the fat cells are eliminated.”
Freezing Fat?
The idea for the revolutionary technology behind CoolSculpting was born from the observation that children who ate a lot of popsicles had dimpling in their cheeks due to a loss of fat from the excessive exposure to the cold. With CoolSculpting, Dr. Lin Humble visits with patient Angela Garza about the benefits of CoolSculpting.
a barrier is placed between the skin of the treatment area and the machine. Dr. Lin Humble, who has had amazing results from CoolSculpting as a patient herself, describes the sensation as a feeling “like a vacuum.” “There’s a pulling sensation when the machine gets applied and attaches to your skin. You feel a sucking of your skin and some mild discomfort that lasts about ten minutes.” Though the technology is freezing the target fat cells, according to Dr. Lin Humble, there’s no discomfort as the cooling technology numbs the treatment area. “Skin has a higher threshold for temperature than the fat does,” explained Dr. Lin Humble. “Fat freezes at a much lower temperature. For example, when you put soup in the refrigerator, you’ll see that the fat freezes and rises to the top. CoolSculpting doesn’t hurt your skin or other organs because the fat is like the soup in the refrigerator. It freezes and dies off.” The treatment lasts one hour per area, and there is no down time for the patient, which is an amazing benefit. “You don’t have to recover,” said Dr. Lin Humble, who is a board-certified medical internist. “There is no anesthesia or risk from anesthesia, no needles, no diet, no pills. You don’t have to take time off of work. You can have an hour of treatment per area, and you go back to doing whatever you need to do. It’s easy, and it works.” CoolSculpting is FDA-cleared to treat the flank areas more commonly referred to as muffin tops, back fat and love handles as well as the post-pregnancy pooch area. The procedure is effective at treating these unwanted pockets of fat by chilling them to 5 degrees centigrade. According to Dr. Eric Humble, patients return after eight weeks and take photos to measure the results. “The least amount that anyone lost in a trial was 10%,” said Dr. Humble. “The average loss is 22.5%. Patients are getting phenomenal results with CoolSculpting.” Most patients can tell a discernable difference within a couple of weeks with CoolSculpting even if the scale shows no change. “I tell my patients to throw out their scales,” said Dr. Humble. “Fat doesn’t weigh very much. Weight is all skin and water; fat cells themselves are very light.”
What’s the Skinny on
FDA-cleared for successfully eliminating fat from trouble spots that are diet- and/or exerciseresistant, CoolSculpting is the only clinically proven, non-invasive procedure to selectively and reliably reduce fat using a patented cooling technology. CoolSculpting benefits include: • Patients can start to see results as soon as three weeks following treatment with the most dramatic results after two months. • Common areas that have been successfully treated include the muffin top and love handles. CoolSculpting is not a laserassisted or ultrasound fat reduction technology. • Eliminates fat in target areas without special diet supplements or exercise programs. • CoolSculpting is non-invasive – no anesthesia, no needles, no pills, no surgery. To find out if you are a candidate for CoolSculpting, contact Dr. Eric Humble at Sugar Land Face and Body Plastic Surgery at www. beautybecomesyou.com or 281.313.0555.
April / May 2012 l
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Before
Dr. Eric Humble uses CoolSculpting on patient Demys Norori. The procedure is noninvasive and takes approximately one hour.
After
“It’s important to listen to patients’ goals and provide them with individual treatment plans with realistic expectations to help them achieve them. CoolSculpting is helping many of my patients realize their goals with a seamless, non-invasive, cost-effective treatment.” ~ Dr. Humble
Before
After
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The ability to target pockets of unwanted fat is a huge appeal to patients considering CoolSculpting. “When you lose weight, you lose weight all over,” explained Dr. Humble. “CoolSculpting allows you to target specific areas that you can’t when you diet.”
The Ideal Candidate
CoolSculpting is not a treatment for obesity nor is it a substitute for liposuction. A typical candidate is someone who is 15 to 20 pounds overweight who has pockets of fat that are resistant to exercise and diet. Dr. Eric Humble, a board certified plastic surgeon, says that CoolSculpting provides results that are difficult to achieve with other procedures. “In some patients, CoolSculpting is a more seamless, appropriate way to deal with love handles. The procedure won’t remove excess skin, but it will reduce love handles without surgery with excellent results in many patients.” Because Dr. Humble is a board certified plastic surgeon, he can provide patients with a professional assessment of options both surgical and non-surgical by providing personal, individualized service. “It’s important to listen to patients’ goals and provide them with individual treatment plans with realistic expectations to help them achieve them. CoolSculpting is helping many of my patients realize their goals with a seamless, non-invasive, costeffective treatment.”
The Results
Demys Norori wanted to rid herself of her post-pregnancy pooch, and after a consultation with Dr. Humble, she decided CoolSculpting was the answer. Her goal was to lose her stomach pooch and look better in her clothes. Demys did one CoolSculpting treatment on her abdomen and her results? “When I look in the mirror, I go ‘wow!’ My clothes fit nicely, and I feel so much better about myself,” said Demys who felt that at first, the procedure was uncomfortable, but after a few minutes, she became accustomed to it and relaxed. She was able to continue with her daily activities. Even after eight weeks, Demys continued to see improvement, and she would absolutely recommend the procedure. “I would do CoolSculpting again!” As both a physician and a patient, Dr. Lin Humble believes in the technology. “I diet, exercise and run every day. I didn’t want to have surgery and spend six weeks in a binder. CoolSculpting got rid of the unwanted pockets of fat I couldn’t work off. It achieved what I tried to achieve with diet and exercise but couldn’t. It’s amazing. It’s the real thing and not hype. CoolSculpting works.” For more information about CoolSculpting, contact Drs. Eric and Lin Humble at Sugar Land Face and Body Plastic Surgery at www.beautybecomesyou.com or 281.313.0555.
style
The List: Things We Love Here are a few fabulous finds that we think are worth sharing. Divine Dessert Shots
There is nothing typical about this cake! Celebrate your birthday – or any other occasion – with Intoxikakes! The delectable bite-sized desserts, made for adults, are served in a small cup and drenched in liquor. Flavors include Spicy Red Velvet, Mudslide, Buttery Nipple, Lemon Martini and more! Call ahead of time - these little pieces of heaven must be ordered 24-hours in advance. www.all-aboutcakes.com
Ball Bling
Arrive in style to your favorite sporting event with this eye-catching rhinestone jewelry. Enjoy more than one type of sport? No problem! These fabulous finds are inexpensive – selling for around 10 bucks a piece. Get your bling on and go team go! www.southernsisterdesigns.com
Fabulous Food and Film
Films, food and full bar is the tagline for our new favorite movie theatre - Star Cinema Grill. Finally, an elegant place to go to the movies that serves real food and real drinks - by waiters! And best of all, it’s sparkling clean and not overpriced. Now that’s a girls’ night out – in style! www.starcinemagrill.net
Palladio Cosmetics
Enriched with essential herbs and vitamins, Palladio offers a full line of sophisticated cosmetics for every woman. Our favorites? The Eye Inks and Rice Paper, of course! Eye Inks are handy liquid liners available in six colors and packaged with easy-to-use felt tip applicators. The best part – the high intensity color won’t smudge or fade. The Rice Paper is another great must have in a handy package that can fit in the smallest purses – or your pocket! Available in four shades, the matte side blots away shine and the powdered side provides you with a quick touch-up. www.sallybeauty.com April / May 2012 l
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financial savvy I
Prepared by the Hardee Investment Group and RBC Wealth Management
Girls just want to have fund$
Greed is “I Good
t’s not a question of enough. It’s a zero-sum game, somebody wins, somebody loses. Money itself isn’t lost or made; it’s simply transferred from one perception to another.” - Gordon Gekko from the movie Wall Street. We use fear and greed to understand where the market is and position our clients accordingly. You can measure both. Greed is reflected by never having enough. An example of measurable greed is the dot com stocks of 1999-2000. Most of these companies had no sales, no earnings - just an idea and their market valuation was in the billions of dollars. The NASDAQ Index soared to over 5,000 in 2000. Since the greed bubble burst, the index fell to 1,000 and just recently hit 3,000, leaving the NASDAQ 2,000 points shy of its all-time high. Sam Stovall of Standard and Poor’s studied the last 10 decades and found that no two decades are the same. The roaring 1990s was followed by the awful 2000s. Psychologically, humans take a period of time to change and so it is with investing. We go through 10 good years followed by 10 tough years. The good news for this decade is it follows the worst decade for investing in equities for the last 100 years. It’s hard to find greed anywhere. We are still very fearful and at the first signs of trouble, investors run for cover. This is reflected by the fact that investors have sold equity mutual funds and bought bond funds over the last 18 months, in spite of a rising equity market. This bodes well for the rest of the decade as it will take a period of time for investors to become less fearful and greedier. In this case, greed is good because it’s not here yet. That means there’s still time to invest. Interested in learning more about how the Hardee Investment Group uses greed and fear in portfolio positioning? We invite you to visit us online anytime at www.HardeeInvestmentGroup.com or call us today at 713-853-0869 to learn more! This article is provided by H. H. Will Hardee, AWM, a Financial Advisor at RBC Wealth Management’s Houston Center office, and was prepared by or in cooperation with RBC Wealth Management. The information included in this article is not intended to be used as the primary basis for making investment decisions nor should it be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any specific security. RBC Wealth Management does not endorse this organization or publication. Consult your investment professional for additional information and guidance. RBC Wealth Management does not provide tax or legal advice. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC.
Tired of just seeing the grey clouds? Let us show you the silver lining. There are plenty of opportunities to be had, even in a down market. If you haven’t uncovered them yet, let us help. We can introduce you to some new strategies and products that may brighten up your financial outlook.
Hardee Investment Group (713) 853-0869 • (800) 838-0757 www.hardeeinvestmentgroup.com
© 2011 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC.
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feature
By Nick Nicholson
I
Photos by Murray Close
Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) and Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in The Hunger Games.
THE
HUNGER GAMES PHENOMENON
W Cinna (Lenny Kravitz), Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) in The Hunger Games.
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elcome to the intense reality of 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who must try to survive by sheer wits and will alone in a future world that is at once high-tech and apocalyptic, glitzy and primal, unsettlingly dangerous and a telltale mirror to our own. Unfolding entirely through Katniss’ intimately personal point of view, The Hunger Games reveals how this miner’s daughter from a dark future transforms from a mere pawn in a lethal televised contest to a soulful, sacrificing heroine who comes to realize that she has even more to protect and fight for than her own family. Few who have encountered Katniss have been able to resist the visceral excitement of watching her find her strength, resolve and heart while under the most extreme pressure a teenager could imagine. This was certainly true for the production executives at Lionsgate Entertainment. For them, Katniss’ journey jumped off the pages of Suzanne Collins’ literary sensation The Hunger Games with such beauty and force,
they felt instantly it deserved to be captured on screen. When producer Nina Jacobson had bought the rights to the novel in 2009, The Hunger Games was just beginning to find a devoted audience. Jacobson brought it to Lionsgate’s film executives Joe Drake and Alli Shearmur, among other studio executives, and they instantly became obsessed with Katniss and her journey. It was only as develop-
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) and Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) in The Hunger Games.
ment began that the popularity of the books swelled in tandem with anticipation of the movie. Millions began to wonder how a filmmaker might bring to life Collins’ fresh twist on a sinister future and – most of all – bring to life the complicated but gutsy heroine who made the book’s adventure feel so harrowingly true. Katniss’ world was initially inspired, Collins says, by her fascination with the ancient Greek myth of Theseus – who every nine years sent a phalanx of young boys and girls into a deadly labyrinth to fight the monstrous Minotaur. It was equally influenced by her experiences channel-surfing through an unsettling blur of reality television and war coverage, wondering what this mix of entertainment and true-life terror boded for the future of society. Together, these two ideas added up to the birth of Katniss Everdeen who enters a violent and mythic future from a perspective unlike any other. Katniss’ adventure in the Capitol of Panem, once she takes her sister’s place in the Games, might have the breathless pace of a sci-fi thriller, but it is at heart about a girl coming to grips with the moral dilemmas of power, injustice and selfpreservation at the same time in life as she is also discovering love, inde-
pendence and her own identity. A former children’s television writer and a mother of two, Collins found a way to make Katniss’ world feel so deeply personal that readers couldn’t help but imagine how they would feel in her place – as she is first driven to save her sister, her family and herself, but then begins to see the glimmer of a chance to make a difference for others across the shadowy landscape of Panem. Collins was not afraid to take Katniss into risky terrain because she knew teens were already grappling with these questions in the world around them. In her book proposal for the series, Collins wrote: “Although set in the future, The Hunger Games explores disturbing issues of modern warfare such as who fights our wars, how they are orchestrated, and the ever-increasing opportunities to observe them being played out.” Yet, she also balanced that with Katniss’ growth and evolution into someone as courageous and principled as she is stubbornly tenacious. She noted that Katniss, though initially “distrustful,” takes from this adventure “a deep capacity to love and sacrifice for those few people she cares for.” Collins was likewise gratified by Nina Jacobson’s contributions. “Of
all the producers we met, I felt Nina had the greatest connection to the work,” says the author. “I believed her when she said she would do everything she could to protect its integrity.” The process of safeguarding the story and the character of Katniss began with choosing a director that would bring the story to life technically, but more importantly, emotionally. Their choice was sealed when Gary Ross showed up for the first meeting with Lionsgate prepared with extensive storyboards, and a video presentation of real kids talking candidly and passionately about why they love the book so much. For Jacobson, Ross had the perfect blend of epic and intimate storytelling skills to immerse the audience directly into Katniss’ most subjective experiences. “Gary is not just a director but a writer and director and that was an important distinction for this movie,” she says. “Getting the book right was such a big responsibility, and Gary’s understanding of how Katniss’ point of view had to be the heart and soul of the story was spot on. He really connected with Suzanne, and they ended up writing the script together. Most importantly, while Gary has amazing visual ideas, he always knew this story had to come from a character place. So, he approached it in such a way that characters drive the suspense at every turn, and the audience has the chance to experience this world completely through their eyes and that’s why people, not just kids but adults too, really connect to Katniss and Panem. Katniss is trying to survive a tough world of game playing and manipulation, just as we all are.” With a gross of over $155 million opening weekend alone, Katniss and The Hunger Games has proven universal appeal leaving the audience wanting more. Fortunately, Katniss’ story continues in two additional books by Collins that odds are, will make it to the big screen as well.
April / May 2012 l
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chick flicks I
By Nick Nicholson
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) in The Hunger Games.
I Jennifer Lawrence stars as ‘Katniss Everdeen’ in The Hunger Games.
The Hunger Games Starring: Jennifer Lawrence & Woody Harrelson Director: Gary Ross Company: Lionsgate Now Showing: In Local Area Theatres MPAA Rating: PG-13 Grade: A Photos by Murray Close.
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n the ruins of the land formerly known as North America, the annual Hunger Games are about to get under way – and 16-year-old contender Katniss Everdeen has only the remotest chance of beating the fearsome odds. Like most of the nation of Panem, Katniss lives in one of twelve enslaved districts, ruled over by a mystery-shrouded Capitol, which after decades of chaos and war, now suppresses the people under the thumb of a harsh yet decadent dictatorship. Every year on Reaping Day, each of the districts must choose, by lottery or volunteer, one boy and one girl to represent them in the Capitol’s twisted idea of grand entertainment that proves its total control, while also giving the famished populace the faintest ray of hope to hang onto. These are the Hunger Games -- an intense gladiatorial competition between 24 adolescent warriors known as Tributes, broadcast live on TV until only one survivor remains and once Katniss is entered, there is no turning back. On this day in District 12, the unthinkable happens – Katniss’ little sister, Primrose, whom Katniss has helped to feed and care for much of her life, is chosen for the Games. In a brave, self-sacrificing move that she knows might seal her fate, Katniss volunteers to take her sister’s place. Instantly, she and her new co-Tribute, the baker’s son Peeta Mellark, are taken into custody, whisked to the Capitol, thrown into glamorous makeovers and grueling training, readying themselves to be pitted against the ruthless “Career Tributes,” who hail from
the wealthier districts and have prepared for these Games their entire lives. In the days to come, under the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy, Katniss will sharpen her instincts, hone her archery skills and focus her growing strength and will on what seems to be the task at hand: stay alive at all costs. But as she enters the forested outdoor arena as a surprise leading contender in the Games, Katniss begins to see that far more than the promise of fame, fortune and existence itself are on the line. For if she is to win, she will have to make decisions both defiant and heart-rending, weighing survival against humanity, safety against trust and life against love. I must say this film both surprised and impressed me. I was not familiar with the series whatsoever, but was taken aback by the violence and tactile menagerie utilized in the stories. The creative directing and the brilliant editing of the film is what kept this picture clearly for the teenage audience - from getting the impetuous R rating that would have surely blocked those with responsible parents from seeing this movie. With bite-sized moments of violence and quick edits, you get the idea of the carnage that is taking place without the menagerie and splatter of those films of a lesser ilk. One interesting addition to the story are the puppet masters that are running the ‘Game’ from behind the scenes. Completely soul-less from beginning to end, this picture is sure to terrify you in ways you simply cannot imagine.
home
Sienna Plantation Hosts Friends & Family Open Homes Tour April 13th - 29th
S
ienna Plantation will host its Spring Open Homes Tour, April 13-29, providing home buyers with the opportunity to tour 17 model homes and “live where your friends and family live” in one of the top-selling communities in the United States. Low interest rates, Sienna Plantation’s access from the Fort Bend Parkway and a large selection of homes ready for move in make it a great time to visit the awardwinning master-planned community. Among its countless amenities, the 7,000acre master-planned community is home to three water parks including the south’s largest private water adventure park with 200 feet of twisting slides, the all-new Sienna Springs Resort Pool, 36 parks and playgrounds, the Camp Sienna Sports Complex, the Sienna Plantation Golf Club, a 6,000-square-foot fitness center, eight lighted tennis courts and lakes for fishing and kayaking.
Families in the community attend schools in the renowned Fort Bend Independent School. This fall, Sienna Plantation will welcome the opening of the community’s first private school, Sienna Lutheran Academy. A project of Johnson Development, the community offers homes from the 170s to the millions with purchase incentives available from all Sienna Plantation builders. Visit the Sienna Home Finder Center, 5777 Sienna Parkway, for maps, information on builders, amenities, schools and more. The center is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday from noon – 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit www. siennaplantation.com. Families also can follow the community on Facebook, www. facebook.com/siennaplantation.
d s n & Family e i r F
Open Homes Tour -April 13-29 Live Where Your Friends and Family Live.
Beautiful affordable homes. 3 Waterparks. Bike and Hike. Sports Fields. Peaceful parks. 5 FBISD schools. And more! Come to our HomeFinder Center for maps and more information about Sienna. We will be looking for you. Sienna builders are offering homes Downtown Greenway Galleria from the $170s to the millions.
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facebook.com/siennaplantation Sienna Parkway at Hwy. 6 . 281-778-7777
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Ashton Woods . Avanti . Coventry . Custom Classics . Darling Homes . DR Horton . Fairmont Custom Homes Meritage . Monterey Custom Homes . Newmark . Partners in Building . Perry . Plantation . Pulte Regan Custom Homes . Ryland . Sterling Classic Custom Homes . Trendmaker . Triumph . Westport
April / May 2012 l
Med Center
Fort Bend Parkway
www.FOWmag.com
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feature
By Nick Nicholson
: F E H C TOP
s a x TeRunner Up g r e b e n e u r Sarah G
I
t was a whole new ballgame for the competing chefs on Bravo’s Top Chef: Texas this year. For the first-time ever, season nine boasted a record 29 chefs – almost double the amount of chefs in season’s past – who worked toward the ultimate goal of becoming the last chef standing and be selected to wear the Top Chef coat. After the original 29 chefs were pared down to 16, the group went to compete across the Lone Star State – in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio. In what had proven to be the most challenging season yet, some of the biggest names in food, music and entertainment including Charlize Theron, Pee-Wee Herman, Cat Cora, John Besh, Tim Love, Patti LaBelle were featured this season on Top Chef: Texas. Returning to the Judges’ table was host Padma Lakshmi and head judge, chef Tom Colicchio, alongside judges Gail Simmons and new this season, famed chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse and critically acclaimed chef Hugh Acheson. Over the course of the season, the Top Chef: Texas chef’testants were skewered down week by week as they competed to out-flavor, out-cook and out-do their competition. The winning chef receive $125,000 furnished by Healthy Choice, a feature in Food & Wine magazine, a showcase at the Annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen and earned the title of “Top Chef.” I recently had the opportunity to interview one of the contestants on the show (as well as her mom), who just happens to be from Fort Bend County, and she represented herself very well – actually finishing as the first runner up in the competition! Sarah Grueneberg is the Executive Chef of Spiaggia, Chicago’s only four-star authentic Italian restaurant. Born in Houston, Texas, Sarah spent a great deal of time with her family cooking, gardening, and going to the ranch. Sarah’s first job in a kitchen was at Brennan’s in Houston, where she worked along Chris Shepherd and learned about Southern, Creole, and Texas cuisine. After four years at Brennan’s, Sarah moved to Chicago and Spiaggia and began to work with Tony Mantuano and Missy Robbins. Sarah quickly worked her way up from the line, to purchasing sous chef, to chef di cucina and to her current role as executive chef. Sarah’s culinary inspiration comes from all things Italian – the culture, tradition, food, products, language and more. During our interview, Sarah and her mom, Trish, had some wonderful insights on everything from the culinary arts to a child’s inspiring drawings.
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Top Chef: Texas contestant Sarah Grueneberg. Photo courtesy of Bravo.
FOW
What was the attraction of getting into a career as
a chef?
SG
When I was around 12 or 13, I got into cooking and the Emeril Show and other cooking programs really stimulated me, particularly seeing females being a chef in a restaurant. If I can do this and make a career of it, I wanted to try it.
FOW
Sarah, as a student at Dulles Middle and High Schools, were any of your teachers encouraging towards your career interests as a future chef?
SG
Not really, because I don’t think they knew of my interest. There was a chef program that had started at Dulles, but I didn’t get involved in that. My aunt was my biggest supporter. She always told me to just go for it and just do it!
FOW
Trish, at what point did you notice that you might have a future chef on your hands?
TG
When Sarah was young, I’d say around preschool or very early elementary, she used to make signs out of beautiful paints and colors. When I first saw them, I was certain I had a future graphic artist on my hands. It was until later in the day I noticed she was actually making menus! And complex menus at that! These were multipaged menus that were titled Tastes Around the World. Sarah actually played ‘restaurant’ at a very young age.
FOW
What, or whom, were your early influences regarding the art of cooking?
SG
I always made it a point to watch The Frugal Gourmet, Jeff Smith. I bought a cook book of his at a dollar store and the first recipe I tried to make out of his book was his pizza dough. I was also raised by my mom, and since she had to travel so much, I cooked to help her and out. I spent a great deal of time with my godmother in Harlingen, Texas, which allowed me to experience how other people and other cultures cooked. I felt this was helpful to my development as not many people at my age were exposed to as much variety as I had been. Between my grandparents, godparents, friends and family, I experienced a lot of different types of cooking and these were definitely influences in my development. After Jeff Smith, I would also have to include Emeril Lagasse, very excited to watch and learn from him.
TG
Sarah was a very creative child and was very mature for her age. She also picked up a lot of her cooking tips during the work trips I took her on. She was exposed to the world at a young age as she traveled the world with me. Remarkably, I never noticed any kind of food Sarah didn’t like. She always wanted to try something new – always.
FOW
What is your favorite part of the business and what is the most unique aspect of what you do?
SG
I love being able to be creative with food and share the gift I have with people. The aspects of sight, smell, taste,
Sarah and Tricia Grueneberg.
touch is all part of the experience. Providing people with a dining experience centered around my creativity and my passion is what I love. I also really get excited about creating new dishes that inspire me. I love to try new things and I get my ideas through study and travel as well as through trial and error.
FOW
How would you describe the dining experience in your restaurant to someone who has never been there?
SG
What’s interesting is that diners can come to one of two different restaurants and have two completely different experiences. Spiaggia is Chicago’s only fourstar authentic Italian restaurant. Jackets are required for gentlemen and the menu is split into regions. You can expect great modern Italian food. You can taste exactly how Italians
“Sarah’s culinary inspiration comes from all things Italian - the culture, tradition, food, products, language and more.” Sarah Grueneberg. Photo courtesy of Bravo. April / May 2012 l
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eat: a mulitcourse meal with a fine dining Italian dinner. Café Spaiagga, on the other hand, is more of an atypical, casual setting. Between the two, you get the best of both worlds.
FOW SG
How did you get involved in the Top Chef process?
I have always watched the show and my fiance (Jaime Canete) would ask me what I was going to cook today – hoping that I would try out some of the dishes I saw on the show. It always appealed to me, so I tried out for season three during the open casting call. I wasn’t selected for the show then, so I continued to study and develop my craft. I then decided to try out for season nine and I made it.
FOW
How did participating in the Top Chef program advance your career and talents?
SG
I feel it absolutely allowed me to be more of a risk taker and I definitely developed more confidence. Being there around people that love cooking
Top Chef: Texas contestants Chris Jones, Edward Lee and Sarah Grueneberg. Photo courtesy of Bravo.
was an incredible experience. The other chefs had such passion for the craft. I made certain to watch and learn a great deal about others and their specific talents and specialties.
FOW
What suggestions would you have for anyone seeking a career in the culinary arts?
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“The solution is in our hands.”
SG
I would definitely suggest they get a job in a kitchen they like to frequent in order to make sure it is a career they want to undertake. Once you get in the kitchen and see how hard it is, you need to make sure you can handle it. Study and observe everything around you. Keep your head down and keep moving forward. You have to have passion, education and love for the craft!
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focus on women
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The Literacy Council of Fort Bend County Presents
Wine & Music 2012
“A Silver Celebration” M
Larry and Lucia Street are the Honorary Chairs for this year’s event.
ark your calendars to celebrate the Literacy Council’s 25th Anniversary at the 22nd Annual “Wine & Music!” This year’s event, “A Silver Celebration,” will be held Friday, May 11th at 6:30 p.m. at the Stafford Centre. To celebrate 25 years of excellence in Fort Bend County, the Honorary Chairs for this year’s event are Lucia and Larry Street. Please join them as the event commemorates the Literacy Council’s 25 successful years with a night of fabulous food, fine wine, live music and a live and silent auction. Guests will have the opportunity to sample food and wine from local vendors while listening to live music from Fort Bend’s favorite local musicians. In addition, the live and silent auction will be filled with unique and valuable packages. Once again, the event will be offering their 100 for $100 Raffle – selling 100 tickets for $100 for the chance to win the live auction package of your choice. The winner will be chosen at the event, but you do not need to be present to win. Tickets are on sale NOW! Also at the event, six new Literacy Stars will be honored. These Literacy Stars have made a significant contribution to the Literacy Council through their time, talents, service and dedication to the organization. The six Literacy Stars that will be honored are: Jane Lawrence, Sam Needham, Steve Onstad, James Patterson, Lizz Sansone and Robert Wolter. “We are thrilled to be honoring these individuals at our 25th Anniversary Celebration,” said Brenda Bowman, Executive Director, Literacy Council of Fort Bend County. “All of these individuals have given so much to the Literacy Council, and this is a small, but heartfelt display of our gratitude to them.” Sponsorships are currently available for the Literacy Council’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, and they range in price from $750 to $10,500 with special underwriting opportunities. Sponsorship benefits include program recognition, a table at the event, valet parking passes, complimentary bottles of wine, naming rights and recognition in media materials. Sponsors will not want to miss the opportunity to become a donor for the Literacy Council’s 25th Anniversary Celebration! In addition to sponsorships, donations of live and silent auction items are currently being accepted. Please plan on celebrating the Literacy Council’s achievements of the past 25 years at “A Silver Celebration” on May 11. Tickets for the event are $75 per person, and they can be purchased by contacting the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County at 281.240.8181 or online at www.ftbendliteracy.org. For more information about Wine & Music 2012 – “A Silver Celebration” or the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County, please contact the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County at 281.240.8181 or www.ftbendliteracy.org.
April / May 2012 l
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feature
By Ana Villaronga-Roman
Gertrude Barnstone:
The Art & the Woman Ana Villaronga-Roman and artist Gertrude Barnstone at a recent installation of Gertrude’s art piece titled “Galaxy.” Photo by Fatima Donaldson.
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At
a vibrant 86 years-young, sculptor Houstonian Gertrude Barnstone is still doing what she loves: producing beautiful works of art.
As an art consultant, I have had the pleasure of working with Gertrude on two commissioned pieces. The first, over ten years ago, a triple hanging light fixture, and most recently, a lit wall installation she titled “Galaxy.” Both times, I have been completely amazed at her energy, inner beauty and talent. The more I know her, the more I love her! When I suggested to some clients, homeowners and their designer, that I wanted to bring in Gertrude Barnstone to create a sculpture for their project, they could not believe it! They were surprised not only that she was still working, but that I knew her and could go pick her up and bring her over to discuss ideas. Once they met the artist, we immediately sealed the deal. They wanted HER, and they did not even want to consider anyone else for their commission. But just who is this artist extraordinaire? A Houstonian for most of her life, Gertrude served on the Houston Independent School Board in the early 1960’s, a complicated and contentious time. The president of the board at the time was Bob Eckels. His daughter, Carol Eckels Adams, describes those times when desegregation was put in place. “Back in the 60’s when Gertrude was on the HISD school board, she sometimes disagreed with my dad, who was president at the time. But she was always respectful of his opinion, and he respected her difference,” said Adams. One of the changes that Gertrude was involved in and that she is most proud of was to help start the free school lunch program for children in need. Art and politics. How does that mix? In her own words, Gertrude said, “In art, in politics, you have to feel something so deeply, you can’t be stopped from trying to share an idea, from trying to share a point of view. Who gives a darn if you succeed? Stand for something. Don’t ever allow the fear of small returns dissuade you from the triumphs of participation.”
Gertrude studied at Rice University during a time when the only art training available was through the school of architecture. This training proved useful later in her sculpting. She divorced in 1969 from the architect Howard Barnstone, who was one of the two architects who designed the Rothko Chapel. She learned how to weld by going to Houston Community College and got a welding job to help her manage being a single mom. Once out of politics, Gertrude concentrated on her art and has pieces in the permanent collection of The Menil Collection as well as The Contemporary Arts Museum in Houston. Her sculptures, gates, and light fixtures may be seen throughout the Houston area in private homes and private collections, mine included. I met her when I was very young and right out of art school at one of her exhibitions. I told her that some day I would have enough money to purchase my very own Gertrude Barnstone. About ten years later, I contacted her art dealer and met with her. She kindly remembered my story and was excited, not just to work with me, but to fulfill my wish. Gertrude made a stunning piece she titled “Dream” and made my dream come true. Now I do own a Gertrude Barnstone! Gertrude recently recovered from a hip surgery. She can only see out of one eye, she does not drive anymore and now, resides with her son. Her assistant, Castro, helps her with the measuring and installing, as well as the heavy lifting. At 86, she does not slow down; she just gets a little extra help. Her spirit and energy are contagious. After the photo shoot we did for “Galaxy,” I felt happy for three days. I realized that I was happy because Gertrude had re-energized and inspired me. She is truly a Houston icon. She has made a difference in our world, in our surroundings and in our lives. I hope that her ways will be my ways as I continue to age gracefully, just like she has. Yes, Gertrude Barnstone is my hero.
Art piece commissioned by the author titled “Dream.” Photo by Ana Villaronga-Roman.
April / May 2012 l
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Pearls of Wisdom
By Teresa Cox Reading, RN
May is Mental Health Month
T
ake the time to ask these questions and familiarize yourself with the following topics about mental health. What is mental health? Mental health is NOT just the absence of a mental disorder. It is defined as a state of wellbeing in which every individual realizes his or her own potential. It is the foundation of our thinking and communication skills, learning, emotional growth, resilience and self-esteem. It is essential to our living and functionality, and we all have a stake in our own mental health. Mental health affects EVERYONE. What is Mental Illness? Below are some important facts taken from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. DID YOU KNOW? • Mental illnesses are serious medical illnesses. They cannot be overcome through “will power” and are not related to a person’s “character” or intelligence. Mental illness falls along a continuum of severity. Even though mental illness is widespread in the population, the main burden of illness is concentrated in a much smaller proportion – about
6 percent, or 1 in 17 Americans – who live with a serious mental illness. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that one in four adults experience a mental health disorder in a given year. • The U.S. Surgeon General reports that 10 percent of children and adolescents in the United States suffer from serious emotional and mental disorders that cause significant functional impairment in their day-to-day lives at home, in school and with peers. • The World Health Organization has reported that four of the 10 leading causes of disability in the US are mental disorders. By 2020, Major Depressive illness will be the leading cause of disability in the world for women and children. • Mental illness usually strikes individuals in the prime of their lives, often during adolescence and young adulthood. All ages are susceptible, but the young and the old are especially vulnerable. • Without treatment, the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering: unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, suicide and wasted lives; The economic
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cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in the United States. • The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective; between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports. • With appropriate effective medication and a services tailored to their needs, most people who live with serious mental illnesses can significantly reduce the impact of their illness and find a satisfying measure of achievement and independence. John Steinbeck said, “A sad soul can kill you quicker than a germ.” So true! Mental health matters to us as individuals and as a nation. Don’t criticize, de-stigmatize. Together, we can make a difference. Teresa Cox Reading is a Registered Nurse, Clinician and Practice Administrator for Reading Recovery, Psychiatric and Psychological Services. She is on the board of Mental Health America of Fort Bend County and Committee for Suicide Prevention.
READING RECOVERY, PSYCHIATRIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES Improving the quality of life for families • ADD • Mood Problems • ADHD • Emotional Instability • Adult ADD • Bipolar Variants • Depression • Addictive Diseases • Anxiety Disorders • Impaired School/Work • OCD Performances • Eating Disorders • Temper/Anger Problems • Behavioral Problems
May is Mental Health Awareness Month Mental Health America of Fort Bend County Presents
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udrey Hepburn plays a Parisienne whose husband is murdered and who finds she is being followed by four men seeking the fortune her late spouse had hidden away. Cary Grant is the stranger who comes to her aid, but his real motives aren’t entirely clear... could he even be the killer? The 1963 film is directed by Stanley Donen, but it has been called “Hitchcockian” for good reason: the possible duplicities between lovers, the unspoken agendas between a man and woman sharing secrets.
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By Keron Weathered
C r e a t i n g
home I
S
pringtime means anticipation. Trees bloom, gardens are lovingly planted, and we drive for miles to gaze at abundant wildflowers. Spring is also when families, eager for a fresh ‘look,’ build additional space onto their homes. This building-design process is always filled with hope and expectancy. Most major projects are adding a game/media room, outdoor kitchen, kid’s room, study or sunroom. Once the construction is finished, it’s time to create beauty, and the exciting phase of interior design begins! The design ‘process’ doesn’t mean: just go buy furniture and accessories. Not if you want your new space to stand out as a breathtaking addition to your home. Actually, the first consideration needs to be: What is your plan for this room? For families who answer “to entertain,” the next steps are creating seating, lighting and flow pattern - guests need to be able to move around easily. Then, choosing accent furniture, wall colors and coordinating the area rug come next. Finally, the polished details that cause the highest anxiety are determined: deciding on intriguing art, adding decorative molding and placing interesting accessories onto shelves and table tops. During the space planning stage, a designer will automatically
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add in furniture dimensions, but they will also calculate in “free space.” For example, a game room featuring a pool table needs an additional 5 feet of space on all four sides in order for the players to freely make their shots without hitting walls or innocent bystanders. Generally game rooms feature a small bar area, so additional space must be factored in for stools, leg room and space between seated guests. Gets complicated, right? A cluster of chairs requires an accent table and lighting nearby for those quiet times to just curl up and read a good book. Suddenly the new room that held so much expectation is becoming crowded, and the guests aren’t even there! This is where designers get strategically creative. Why not choose a custom ottoman instead of another chair or accent table? The versatile ottoman can seat guests, be placed along the wall for better flow or double as an accent table. Need more seating? Fill that tricky corner with a tall bar table and stools. Chances are this becomes the coveted area for guests interested in watching the billiard game since the elevated seating makes it easier to observe.
Once the space planning stage is completed, the coordinating stage begins. Walls can host an assortment of interesting features. Try starkly contrasting paint colors such as scarlet walls with white trim. Blank wall space, flat cabinets or smooth doors can be decorated with stone, corbels or patterned molding. An often ignored area is the ceiling. Why not customize it with a simple faux finish? This either blends choices like wall color, rugs and fabrics or creates a unique area of interest no one expects. If the architectural feature built is a recessed tray ceiling, meaning the center of the ceiling is higher than the sides, it’s especially important to draw the eye of the guest up there. Choosing the rug can be stressful because there’s so much to consider. It needs to work with the wall color and the fabrics chosen for furniture and window treatments. And, by “work,” it needs to compliment, not match! It should add softness and give the floor an artistic appeal. And, referring back to space planning, the size of the rug must surround the game table and most planned seating and accent tables. Finally, we get to lighting, accessories and art. These are finer details that either lend a customized, polished look or, if done incorrectly, make a room seem odd and unfinished. Lighting should be both functional and decorative. Placing lamps for reading and game areas falls back on space planning. Don’t forget illuminating the lower areas of the room because just lighting from above may leave corners looking gloomy. Light fixtures are unique these days; it’s easy to buy something functional that also doubles as an art or accessory piece. Make sure it works with the theme of the room: the furniture, chosen colors and the overall feel you have planned.
Commonwealth
First Colony
Situated on Cul-de-sac Lot, Newmark Designed 2-Story Home Features Sunken Formal Dining Rm; Spacious Family Rm w/Neutral Carpet & Built-ins; Island Kitchen w/Stainless Ovens & Dry Bar; Huge 1st Flr Master Suite w/Private Study + Luxury Master Bathrm has Tile Flrs, Oversize Shower, & Whirlpool Tub; 2nd Flr offers Game Rm, 3 Spacious Bedrms, and 2 Full Baths. Pool Size Backyard w/Gorgeous Landscaping, Huge Patio, and Built-in Grill. Zoned to Clements HS!
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So, like the intricacies of a spring flower, designing a room is a blend of beauty and science. For skilled designers, it’s effortless. They’ve listened closely to the client’s needs, lifestyle, and proposed function of the room. Once space planning and overall concepts are in place, the designers comb through vendor merchandise and fabrics not available to the public. The result? A breathtaking room that’s truly an original.
Gorgeous 2-Story Home features Both Formals; Private Study w/French Drs; Wood Flrs; Bright Island Kitchen w/Wine Cooler & Stainless Appls; 1st Flr Master + Luxury Bath; 2nd Flr offers Game Rm, 4 Bedrms, 2 Baths; Serene Backyard w/Mature Live Oak Tree & Concrete Stamped Covered Patio w/Ceiling Fan. Zoned to Clements HS!
Arlene R. Rolsen, CRS “Selling Fort Bend’s Finest Homes Since 1985”
281.414.8400 arolsen@cbunited.com | www.ArleneRolsen.com April / May 2012 l
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inspiring women I
By Tanya Sterling
? n e z o Fr Let’s Start Thawing Out!
H
ave you ever been so overwhelmed or had such a long “to-do” list that you literally freeze up? Have you had so many demands on your time, taken on so many expanded roles and responsibilities that you simply stand still? Me too! I have frozen up after perusing my “to-do” list and then, wondering how and even if I will get everything done. When I am in this state of mental paralysis, I cannot accomplish anything. It’s all too much happening all at the same time. It gets even more stressful when, as you start to unfreeze, you realize that the majority of your tasks are all priorities. Really??? How do we thaw out from this mental block of ice?
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As a woman who wears many hats, I have become fascinated with the life journey of successful entrepreneurs. I strive to understand the psyche of those individuals who have overcome obstacles to become happy, fulfilled and in many cases, wealthy people. What I discovered is that they had a clear-cut goal in mind (or stumbled upon an idea that deserved a clear-cut goal!,) developed a road map to reach that goal, all while stretching themselves way outside of their comfort zone and yes, sacrificing sleep and down-time. Take former stay-at-home mom Sheri Schmelzer, Founder, President, and Chief Design Officer of Jibbitz – a collection of colorful snap-on accessories specifically designed to fit Crocs’ shoes. For her, an innocent craft day with the three kiddos resulted in a product that wound up in thousands of stores and sold over eight million pieces worldwide. And that was just in its first year. In my mind, Schmelzer is proof that jumping into action after freezing up and questioning decisions can lead to the life of your dreams. It all started when Sheri and her kids decided to decorate
their many pairs of Crocs by making little charms out of clay and rhinestones that fit into the holes of the shoes. Her husband, Rich, came home and immediately saw the potential in their idea. Together, they created what is now known as Jibbitz. A year and a half later, Jibbitz became a worldwide sensation – and Crocs later bought the company for $10 million. Schmelzer once said “My husband and I asked ourselves if we wanted to take a chance on making this a real business. We were playing with a home equity line that was untapped at that point, and we took a leap of faith – do we believe in the product? Yes. Do we want to do this? Yes. If it didn’t work, at least we could say we believed in it and gave it our best shot." She went on to say they initially set up shop in their basement, and she juggled her wife, mom and work duties until sometimes 2 am each day. Again, they stopped being intimidated by that "to-do" list, overcame personal obstacles, and got it done. Now, I am not telling you that you need to go start your own million dollar business, but I am suggesting that you start living your own custom-made life. Stop being overwhelmed by that "to-do" list and truly seek and enjoy life as you see it. If your
Croc and Jibbitz Images courtesy of www.crocs.com.
desire is to stay home with the kids, be the best stay-at-home mom ever. If you want to move up in your career, determine your strategy, and get at it. Go start that small business! I am talking to both you and yes, me. My bucket list still has a lot of dreams in there, and in order to become a more fulfilled me, I need to attack and embrace those visions with gusto. So should you. Let's thaw out, stretch outside of our comfort zone, and start living our authentic lives. Cheers!
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style I
By Joy B. Dowell
BECOME A
Fashionista
“THRIFTING”
I
f you have never set foot inside the doors of a thrift store, you are missing a fun shopping experience that can turn you into the next “Thrifting Fashionista.” There is literally an untapped selection of fashionable items that you can pull together to complete the hottest look for as little as $10 for a complete outfit. According to the National Research Group, almost 18% of
Americans will shop at thrift stores this year. That’s right up there with 21% of Americans who shop at major department stores. The National Association of Resale Professionals reported that thrift store shopping grew 7% last year alone. Quite impressive when you think of the total growth of spending in the United States for retail items last year was 7.7%.
In order to get the most out of your“thrifting” experience, here are a few helpful tips :
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GO WITH A PLAN. Thrift stores can be overwhelming if you are not used to the way they display merchandise. Be prepared to go through racks and bins of clothes that may or may not be sized. Many stores color code their items, and this can be helpful if you are looking for a particular color top. Otherwise, enjoy the adventure! TRY ON CLOTHING. Remember, people do alter their clothing sometimes, so if it has been donated, it may not be the same size as if it were the perfect “10” in department stores. It won’t be a good deal if it doesn’t fit, and it hangs in your closet. Invest in the time to try on your finds. LOOK FOR QUALITY BRANDS. Take the time to look for quality brands. You will be surprised to find labels like Gucci, Chanel, Tahari, Juicy Couture and more. Quality brands will have longer life than less expensive clothing, and they normally fit better. Make a list of designer labels you like in the department stores, and bring the list with you to find those labels. You may have to dig for them, but they are there. That’s when you know you have found a treasure!
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TRY NEW LABELS. Try a label you are not familiar with, and if it fits well, add it to your list. Always make sure to check for ripped seams, missing buttons, stains or snags that cannot be fixed or will add additional cost to the garment. Factor those repairs and any alterations you will need into the cost of the item to determine if this fits in with your fashionista wardrobe budget. SHOP ALONE. Although friends, family and children will add pleasure to your shopping experience (maybe not all at the same time) at the end of the day, you need to make sure you are happy with your purchases. Most thrift stores have a “No Return” policy. PLAN AT LEAST AN HOUR FOR YOUR FIRST TRIP. Understanding thrift shopping will be a great adventure. Make sure you plan enough time to understand how the store is laid out, and how they price items. Remember, there will not be a salesperson available to get you another size or another color. You will be on your own to choose items, and try them on.
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CHECK OUT SALE AND DISCOUNT DAYS. To really maximize your thrifting experience, make sure to shop on special sale and discount days. Thrift stores are like any retail store placing items on sale in order to reduce inventory and encourage repeat shoppers. These are the days you will feel like you could fill up your husband’s pickup truck and never break the bank. SHOP EARLY, AND SHOP OFTEN. Experienced thrift shoppers know that items do not last long if they are truly a “find.” Take a spin through your favorite thrift store a couple of times a week to check out the new items. Be patient and have a plan. You will be glad you did.
While you are saving a bundle on your wardrobe, there are other benefits of thrifting some of our customers have shared with us. One customer told me she comes twice a week during her lunch hour to see what new items we have in the store. She claims it is better than therapy! Another customer told me the story about her three teenage sons, all growing like weeds. She can’t keep them in jeans. She can get the same torn, worn-out jeans at the thrift store for $4 a pair instead of paying $29.99 at a department store. They don’t even know the difference. After all, brand new jeans are likely to have been tried on several times in the dressing room or even returned. Just make sure to wash or dry clean everything you buy before you wear it. And best of all, since many thrift stores benefit a charity, you’re help a
great cause while you’re getting some terrific values! Houston has several thrift stores to choose from that will give you great value. If you are looking for a resource to start your thrifting experience, PennyWise Resale Centers not only will give you great value, but you will be helping women in need at the same time. There are three stores located in Fort Bend: Mission Bend, Richmond and Stafford, and proceeds from these stores benefit the Fort Bend County Women’s Center. The Women’s Center provides shelter and outreach programs to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children. And remember, your donations help stock the stores with new and gently used items helping us all of us to become “Thrifting Fashionistas!” Happy thrifting!
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you’ll LOVE working here.
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3681 Hwy 6 @ Settlers Way, Sugar Land, Texas 77478 www.powelldentalsugarland.com powelldentalcare@comcast.net Fax: 281-302-6213
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W2W
I
By Alisa Murray
Woman Woman
Some like it HOT, but I do NOT!
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izzling hot sisters ... that is what I had turned into. Waking up in the middle of the night with a thermostat set at a daunting 67 degrees and a husband literally with ice cubes in his beard. Something had to be done about it, and done quick! I did some investigating and after all the years of working with mothers who had breast cancer, it became clear that synthetic hormones were not a safe choice. I know....my dad prescribed them, my own OB prescribed them. But that little inner voice was saying “bad idea, bad idea!” Making matters worse, I would feel myself almost like a curtain dropping get hot. This would happen at the most inopportune time like when I became flustered looking in my bag for my debit card or most aggravatingly while I was sitting with a heater on me while coaxing a naked newborn into one of my poses. “THIS” went on for a few months without warning, and it slowly drove me crazy. Nights were spent covered in sweat, and then freezing, and having slept in the basement as a child, I have learned to sleep with tons of covers; this bedtime ritual still lingers to this day. So, you can just imagine the stress this placed on sweet and mostly easy going Brian!
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I went to Whole Foods. I looked around for something ... anything really that might alleviate the symptoms. Not so much luck. And, I tried several tonics and homeopathic remedies, let me tell you! My friend Shelena “fixed” me! She has the Dr. Shel Wellness and Medical Spa, and I have been taking care of her for years. I walked in there and a few tests and tweaks later, she had literally taken me out of burning up all night long back into sleep! BioIdentical hormones is what she does, and there’s MAGIC in the potion. Two, three maybe four squirts and voila! You will be sent back to the land of who you once were! And sisters, I was past ready to go! The Dream Team Birthday bash was so much fun, and I want to thank each of you for attending! As promised this year, I am offering all of my readers multiple opportunities to join me in becoming a better you in 2012! I am hosting a workshop this month. On April 17th, “Living the Sweet Life: Part ONE Finding the TRUE YOU” will be held at Mia Bella in Sugar Land from 11 am to 4 pm. Snacks and lunch will be provided and the cost is $200. Please call or email me at alisamurray@yahoo. com to register. See ya soon! Take care of you!
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ick fl k
c
chi
DVD
ase
e Rel
THE DESCENDANTS Fox Searchlight
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high-powered Hawaii real estate lawyer (George Clooney) finds his ordered existence shattered when a boating accident leaves his wife in a coma, leaving him in charge of the young daughters (Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller) he barely knows. After finding out his wife was having an affair, he drags the girls along on his hunt for the other man making for moving revelations along the way. Alexander Payne’s affecting comedy-drama also stars Nick Krause and Matthew Lillard.
By Nick Nicholson
Relaxing
Waterfront Living
Located in Rockport, Texas on beautiful Copano Bay, this 6.27 acre property boasts an (approx.) 520 ft. waterfront. The (approx.) 5500 sq. ft. home has 4 bedrooms and 4 baths with an attached garage and a 4000 sq.ft. shop. A must see! By appointment only. $1,710,000. Contact Terese Peabody 512-628-8532 office 512-699-7711 cell 866-894-3488 toll free www.tpeabody.com | terese@stanberry.com April / May 2012 l
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travel I
By Debi Beauregard
Photos by DebiBeauregard.Zenfolio.com
Swamp Tour
One woman’s wet walk on the wild side
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look forward to my trip to southwest Florida every year. I am lucky enough to have family in Naples, a trendy resort town with world-class shopping, gorgeous art galleries and plenty of upscale restaurants and bars to keep one entertained. This year before heading down in January, my brother asked, “Are you up for an adventure?” Not being one to turn down an opportunity I said, “Sure!” “Great, we’re going on a swamp walk,” he exclaimed. We normally go to the wildlife refuges, marshes and beaches to photograph the migrating shore birds and the Everglades’ landscapes. We stay on the boardwalks and out of the reach of the alligators and panthers that are native to the area. This time we were going into the Everglades ... really going in. I had a couple of weeks to get used to the idea of going into the swamp armed with only a camera. I packed my quick dry shirt and pants and borrowed a pair of hiking boots that could take the extreme soaking that they were about to get and hoped that my camera would survive the ordeal. Well-known Florida photographer Rick Cruz has been exploring this area for 20 years
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with his camera and knows just where to take a group of photographers to get some unique shots of the secret world of the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve, a Florida State Park also known as the Amazon of North America. We met him outside of a convenience store and hopped into his van. Rick was experienced in stopping along the side of the road
and finding extraordinary vignettes to shoot. He would stop and say, “Here is where I took one of my best selling shots,” and then wait for us to take our version. He would point out stands of trees and different ways of framing the shots. We weren’t just getting a tour; we were getting a hands-on photography session with an accomplished landscape photogra-
One of the road side shots I was encouraged to take by our tour guide.
pher. We would hop back into the van and head on to the next stop-worthy spot. After driving down a long, dusty, potholefilled road, we finally made it to the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve, part of the Florida State Park system. We got out of the van, sprayed down with insect spray and checked out the culvert we needed to cross to get to the part of the swamp that we would be exploring. As we checked it out, you guessed it, there was an alligator waiting about 10 feet from where we would be entering the swamp. We went ahead and took the first steps into the cold water. The alligator moved away from us giving us plenty of room to get by and begin our adventure. If you think that alligators are the only things you need to worry about in the swamp, you are being optimistic. This time of year there are also snakes, bear and panthers living among the bald cypress and palm trees. It wasn’t too long before we saw what was most likely a den for either a bear or a panther. Fortunately for us, no one was home, but it became very real that we were not alone.
Debi Beauregard with Kerri and Sean Meehan.
My sister-in-law wore her snake boots for the trek. My brother, Sean, was quick to remind her that we would be in waist deep water and that if a snake floated by, it wouldn’t be biting us on the ankles. Thanks, Bro. The storm clouds that had been in Texas just days before provided a beautifully diffused light for us to photograph the beautiful trees and surprisingly clear water. Rick pointed out orchids growing everywhere. Many were rare and all were protected. Ghost orchids are known to grow here. Some orchids looked like tiny roots growing on low hanging branches, others crisscrossed the tree trunks. As we walked deeper into the Fakahatchee,
Under the leaves on the right appears to be a shelter for a bear or panther.
the clouds began to clear and there was a beautiful dappled light beaming down on the leaves and fallen trees. We walked carefully and straddled tree trunks as we made our way through the swamp. I was clicking away, my mind racing from spot to spot as I tried to take as many photographs as humanly possible, while still keeping an eye out for any “locals” who might be watching. Rick continued to point out the different plants and fungi as we continued on. At one point, he looked at his watch and exclaimed that it was 1 pm. We should have been back to the van at this point, but he was having as much fun
as we were and had lost track of time. Bonus! We began working our way back the same way we came. At one point, he told me, “Let’s go this way.” We took a minor detour and then got back on the trail. “Last week I had a group out here, and there was an eight foot alligator right on that tree,” he told us. Gulp! He could have waited till we got back to the van to tell me that. As we wandered back to the van, we passed the same little alligator in the same spot we left her. Much to our surprise, there was a second gator with her only a few inches away. Hmmm, wonder if they were both there all along? Just to the right of where we came up, I noticed a little nose popping up followed by another one. More gators? Nope, just a couple of manatees looking for a warm spot. What a magical mystery tour this turned out to be - my own personal swamp tour.
One of the many friends we made on the swamp tour. April / May 2012 l
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with
on
Girl’s Night Out at BLU
March 6, 2012 BLU Restaurant and Lounge Sugar Land, TX
Focus on Women welcomed members of the Ultimate Girls’ Club to a fabulous Girls Night Out at Sugar Land Town Center’s new BLU Restaurant and Lounge. Chefs Jett & Jiraporn Hurapan dished out some of their finest appetizers and dessert bites to introduce their special Euro-Asian cuisine. Owner Amy Karnani provided door prizes making the event even more festive.
Amy Karnani & Kay Matthews
Judy Hall, Connie Ramirez & Donna Dyer
Chefs Jett & Jiraporn Hurapan
Dee Rodgers & Marcie McCutchen
Delfino & Pam Loredo
Alicia Casias, May Tape, Namita Asthana, Liz Moreno & Angie Wierzbicki
Carroll Ann Adams & Dana Garza
JoAnn Eagleton & Jessica Kij
Grace Belleza, Debi Beauregard & Liz Pace
Melissa Ives & Patti Parish-Kaminski
Laurie Kosley
Mary Hartzell, Paula Auburg & Linda Day
Don’t miss out on our next event!
Join Focus on Women’s Ultimate Girls’ Club. Visit www.FOWmag.com.
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well woman
Robotic-Assisted Surgery Helps Women Recover Faster – Free Seminar
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omen today have more treatment options than their mothers’ generation did when facing gynecologic cancers, fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic prolapse and other uterine conditions. A few years ago, a patient who needed gynecologic surgery faced an open surgical procedure that required a large incision. Now if surgery is needed, laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgeries may be an option involving fewer risks and a faster recovery. “With robotic-assisted procedures, patients typically go home the next day and recover in as few as 1 – 2 weeks, compared to a recovery time of four to six weeks after open surgery,” says Katherine Diase, M.D. board certified OB/GYN on staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “These less-invasive surgical procedures involve tiny incisions just a few millimeters in length compared to larger, 5 – 7 inch incisions that are common with open surgeries.” In 2010 Methodist Sugar Land Hospital was the first in Fort Bend to incorporate the da Vinci Surgical Robotic System and recently upgraded to the da Vinci SI Surgical Robotic System. “We are pleased to be the first and only hospital in the region to offer this ground-breaking technology to our patients and community,” says Jagjit Khairah, D.O., board certified OB/GYN on staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “The da Vinci system allows the surgeon to operate from a console while viewing a three-dimensional image of the surgical field,” states Duc Le, M.D., board certified OB/GYN on staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “It translates the surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of tiny surgical instruments inside the patient’s body.” The da Vinci SI Surgical Robotics System allows surgeons to see and assess anatomy better than the naked eye. “Unmatched vision, precision and control of surgical robotics are amazing benefits of the da Vinci Robot,” says Jane Starr, M.D., board certified OB/GYN on staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.
“It allows us to perform major surgeries through dime-sized incisions.” Whether you are facing hysterectomy, myomectomy (removal of uterine fibroids), surgery to repair vaginal/uterine prolapse, or treatment for endometriosis or excessive menstrual bleeding, our surgeons are skilled in robotic-assisted gynecological procedures that may help you heal faster so you can get back to work, family and life. Other benefits of robotic-assisted surgery include: • Small incisions and minimal scarring • Less pain • Less blood loss and need for transfusion during surgery • Less risk of infection • Shorter hospital stay In addition, if follow-up treatments are needed after surgery, such as for gynecologic cancers, women may be ready for the next phase of treatment more quickly. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Diase, Dr. Khairah, Dr. Le, Dr. Starr, or another OB/GYN in your area, please call our physician referral line at 281-274-7500.
Join Us – Women’s Health Seminar Join us for a FREE Women’s Health Seminar about Gynecological Disorders and Minimally Invasive Treatments. Presented by Dr. Katherine Diase, Dr. Duc Le, Dr. Jagjit Khairah and Dr. Jane Starr. Tuesday, May 22, 6 p.m. Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Conference Center Refreshments • Door Prizes RSVP: 281-274-7500 or email SLRSVP@tmhs.org.
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fine arts
april 2012
FESTIVAL
April 14: Houston Metropolitan Chamber Art Festival. The Houston Metropolitan Chamber Art Festival features artists from all over Houston. It is the perfect place to find arts, crafts, food, and fun for the whole family. 9 am – 5 pm Bellaire Town Square www.hmcartfestival.com
THEATER
April 20 – 21: The University of Houston School of Theater and Dance presents: Shakespeare on the Green. Held at Discovery Green’s AnheuserBusch Stage, this free show is a familyfriendly production of Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer’s Night Dream. Friday, 7 pm Saturday, 2 pm Discovery Green www.discoverygreen.com
Photo courtesy of www.discoverygreen.com.
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EXHIBIT
April 1 – 29: Houston FotoFest 2012 Biennial: Contemporary Russian Photography. The FotoFest Biennial is the first and longest running Biennial of its kind in the United States, and one of the largest photography events in the world. The 2012 Biennial is a citywide event, with over 110 participating museums, art galleries, nonprofit arts organizations, universities, civic organizations and corporate spaces across Houston, Harris County and Galveston. http://2012biennial.fotofest.org
Modernization by Olga Tobreluts. Courtesy of www.hmcartfestival.com.
EVENT
April 18 – 22: Sugar Land Food and Wine Affair. Are you ready for some festivity, fun and frivolity? More than 100 world-class wineries and chefs will showcase their talents at winemaker lunches, vintner dinners, wine seminars, The Grand Tasting, the Sip & Stroll at Imperial and the around the world Bistro Brunch. We welcome you to enjoy five unforgettable days of celebration. Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair is so joyously over the top, you will swear you never had so much fun! Wednesday, 6:30 – 10 pm Thursday, 6:30 – 9 pm Friday, 5:30 – 9 pm Saturday, 11 am – 4 pm Sunday, 11 am – 2 pm www.sugarlandwineandfoodaffair.com
fine arts
may 2012 FASHION
May 8: Fourth Annual Little Black Dress Project. This event will showcase the Top Ten Little Black Dresses by upcoming fashion design students. The top five designs are selected by celebrity judges and awarded $7,500 in scholarships through the Fashion Group Foundation of Houston. Judges include Albert Rubio, Saks Fifth Avenue; Chloe Dao, Lot 8 and Project Runway Winner; Christine Goins, Tootsies and Elaine Turner, Elaine Turner Designs. All tickets include complimentary drinks and food bites. 6:30 pm House of Blues Houston, Peacock Room www.littleblackdressproject.com
EXHIBIT
All Month: Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. On April 15, 1912, Titanic, the world’s largest ship, sank after colliding with an iceberg, claiming Photo courtesy more than 1,500 of www.hmns.org lives and shaking the world’s confidence in the infallibility of modern technology. 100 years later, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition showcases more than 300 artifacts retrieved from Titanic’s debris field. Experience compelling human stories told through authentic artifacts and exacting re-creations of the Ship’s interior. Houston Museum of Natural Science www.hmns.org
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LECTURE
May 3: Brilliant Lecture Series presented by Madison Benefits Group, Inc.: A Conversation with George Clooney with Lynn Wyatt. Join Academy award winner, director and United Nations Messenger of Peace George Clooney as he discusses his life, career and Hollywood Humanitarianism: To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Expected at his very first speaking engagement of this kind. 7 pm Wortham Center, Brown Theater brilliantlectures.com
SOCIAL
May 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31: Spacetaker’s Cultured Cocktails. Raise a glass to the arts at this specialty happy hour. Every Thursday, Spacetaker and Boheme Cafe & Wine Bar host a different local arts group where you can get up close and personal with the artists that make Houston unique. What’s even better? A portion of the proceeds from the event benefit the artists. 5 – 10 pm Boheme Bar and Wine Café www.spacetaker.org
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the last word
The Urban Etiquette Handbook:
Practicing Proper Cellular Conduct
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here you can and can’t answer your cellular phone has become an issue an etiquette issue – for our society. As cellular devices have crept their way into every aspect of our lives, including our bedrooms, it seems that we need some help on where – and when – it is acceptable to answer our phones. Here are some tips to help you make the determination of should you, or shouldn’t you, when it comes to your cell phone:
Green
“Hey girl! Yeah, I’m in my home, a completely open public space, or a relaxed work environment. Whassup???” • Sidewalks • Loud bars • Cabs • Hallways • Lobbies • Your desk* • Anywhere you pay rent *Calls announced by a ringtone that you’ve forgotten to turn off must be ignored as penance.
Yellow
“Hey, let me hunch over slightly to indicate that I’m ashamed to be talking on the phone in this situation and call you back in a second.” • Any one-on-one conversation • Very loud restaurants • Moderately loud bars • Moving motor vehicles of any kind • Landed aircraft • Dwelling places where you do not pay rent
Red
“Excuse me, I’ve got to step out and take this call related to the birth of my child.” • Movie theaters – at any time • Quiet/romantic restaurants • Dinner parties • Any date • Elevator • During a commercial transaction • On the treadmill* • Public bathrooms* *You can skip the step of excusing your self in this situation; it would probably make the people around you more uncomfortable.
“Excuse me, I’ve got to step out and take this call related to the birth of my child.” Source: http://nymag.com/guides/etiquette/17332/index4.html
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focus on women
l April / May 2012
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