OCTOBER 2021
The Biggest Trends in Aesthetics for 2022 Anniversary Sugar Plum Market
Focus on the Cure
Agency Services Marketing Website Design Public Relations Communications Advertising Social Media Client Relations and Consulting
Think e outsid box! the Patti Parish-Kaminski
281.690.4242 Patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com
{Features} OCTOBER 2021
{COVER STORY}
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS: THE HISTORICAL ALLURE AND SUCCESS OF FBJSL’S SUGAR PLUM MARKET The annual event is returning to the Stafford Centre November 4th-6th, with a special Preview Night event taking place on November 3rd.
15 absolutely! DELICIOUS A Spooktacular Seasonal Treat 20 FOCUS ON THE CURE Breast Cancer Awareness Month
is a great time to educate yourself and your loved ones about breast cancer awareness and detection.
{Columns} 14 GLOBETROTTING The Luxury Traveler 18 FORT BEND STRONG Childhood Cancer Creating
The rise of IV Nutrition Therapy as a wellness trend from Allure Aesthetics.
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THE BIGGEST TRENDS
IN AESTHETICS FOR 2022 FROM ALLURE AESTHETICS
Fort Bend Strong Warriors
26 OENOPHILE Why I Write Wine Articles 28 LIVING THE SWEET LIFE If You’re Happy and You Know It
Do Something Sweet!
With 2022 just around the corner, Allure Aesthetics showcases the biggest and most effective trends in non-surgical cosmetic procedures for the face and body.
12 2021 Sugar Plum Market Honorary Co-Chairs Lizz Sansone, KK West and Amy West Becker.
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OCTOBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Tanya Sterling Contributor Page 12
OCTOBER 2021 VOLUME 17 | NUMBER 9
12 Alisa Murray AlisaMurray.com Pages 14 & 28
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14 Steve Kursar Auto Enthusiast Page 16
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absolutely! {Auto Review} 16 2021 TOYOTA SIENNA
{Newsworthy}
7 TEXANA CENTER Autism program to upgrade technology
11 FORT BEND ISD Wins 2021 TAEA District of
Distinction Award for second consecutive year
{Business Briefs} 17 SUGAR LAND CITY COUNCIL Approves agreement for
Bluebonnet Nutrition Corporation’s new expansion
Denman Moody theadvanceoenophile.com Page 26
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{Medical Focus} 27 HOUSTON METHODIST PRIMARY CARE GROUP Welcomes Zenithe Pierre
Ware, M.D., to Riverstone practice
HOUSTON METHODIST SUGAR LAND HOSPITAL
Earns national recognition for efforts to improve stroke treatment
{In Every Issue} 6 EXCLAMATION POINTS! 24 OUT & ABOUT IN THE HEART OF THE BEND 29 AMATEUR PHOTO CONTEST
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The Honorable Pete Olson Contributor Page 18
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ON THE COVER: Allure Aesthetics
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814 FM 2977 281-239-2110 Richmond www.gbkidsacademy.com twkaminski@sbcglobal.net 77469 OCTOBER 2021 l
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EXCLAMATION POINTS! Publisher, PATTI PARISH-KAMINSKI
What’s on Your Fall Calendar? There’s a slight chill in the air, and I for one am ready for all things fall. Football, community events, holidays – they are all on my calendar this month. Jess Stuart with Tim and Patti Kaminski buzzin’ around at the Great Grown What about your calen- Up Spelling Bee benefitting the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County. dar? Have you been to FortBendFocus.com lately to see what’s going on in our community? We feature a list of Community Events that are updated routinely in our ever-changing climate. So, if you and your family are looking for something fun to put on your calendar, visit FortBendFocus.com for the latest in community events. And if you are hosting a non-profit community event, please e-mail your information to grace@absolutelyfocusmedia.com so we can share. An important calendar event this month is Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Flu Shot Toy Drive. This annual event happens Saturday, October 9th at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital from 8 to 11 am. Bring a toy for the Exchange Club of Sugar Land’s Santa’s Exchange who provides toys for families in need, and receive a free flu vaccination. Best of all – it’s a drive thru vaccination – you don’t even have to get out of your car! There’s no advance registration – just show up with a new toy and get vaccinated. It’s the perfect way to help our community, get in the holiday spirit and protect yourself and your loved ones this flu season. Another way to protect yourself is IV Nutrition Therapy, a wellness trend that is a great way to boost your vitamin levels this fall. In our cover story, Allure Aesthetics shares this therapy and others for both looking and feeling great in the coming months through non-surgical cosmetic procedures for the face and body. Learn more on page 8. A visit to Allure is a great thing to put on your calendar this fall! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there are so many resources right here in Fort Bend. In our Focus on the Cure, we highlight some of these resources and share some vital information as we continue to fight this disease that affects one in eight women in our country. And ladies, if you haven’t scheduled your mammogram this year, please get that on your calendar. We’ve talked a great deal about filling up our calendars, but I for one am now focused on filling up my calendar with the right stuff, the important stuff for my family, my community, my tribe. I believe Henry David Thoreau said it best. “It’s not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about?” I hope you fill up your calendar with the important stuff – the stuff that fulfills you and yours this fall. Stay focused!
Follow Patti Parish-Kaminski facebook.com/patti.parishkaminski
Patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com
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OCTOBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
Vol. 17 No. 9 October 2021 281-690-4242 www.fortbendfocus.com absolutely! focus media P. O. Box 1253 Richmond, Texas 77406
PUBLISHER Patti Parish-Kaminski AC C OUNT EXECUTIVES Kay Garrett Gena Horak A RT D I R E C T O R Grace Belleza WEB DESIGNER Joey Belleza S O C IA L M E D IA M A NA G E R Natalee Moore I T S U P P O RT A D M I N I S T R AT I V E / S A L E S A S S I S TA N T Kolton W. Kaminski CONTRIBUTORS Steve Kursar Denman Moody Alisa Murray Pete Olson Tanya Sterling A D V E RT I S I N G I N Q U I R I E S 281-690-4242 E D I T O R IA L S U B M I S S I O N S Patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com
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Subscription requests are free to all Fort Bend addresses. Annual paid subscription of $25 required outside the Fort Bend area. Fort Bend FocusTM Magazine is published by absolutely! focus media, P. O. Box 1253, Richmond, Texas 77406. Copyright© 2021 by absolutely! focus media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Fort Bend FocusTM Magazine does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Fort Bend FocusTM Magazine welcomes editorial submissions from its readers.
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Texana Autism Program to Upgrade Technology The Texana Children’s Center for Autism will be able to upgrade approximately 24 iPads thanks to a generous grant donation from The Harry S. & Isabel C. Cameron Foundation. The applied behavior analysis program has used this technology since early 2012 when a software company developed an app to capture data in real time. “The Catalyst software has been a wonderful edition to our program for multiple reasons. It has allowed our Board Certified Behavior Analysts to track and monitor the data for their clients without hours of data entry at the end of the day, but my favorite reason is that our parents can log into a webbased portal and also see the real-time data and how their child is improving,” said George Patterson, CEO. The Children’s Center for Autism provides one to one applied behavior analysis treatment for children ages 2-21 with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum disorder. Each child has specific individualized objectives to meet, and daily data collected will determine if those objectives have been met. The ability to take this data in real time via technology has greatly benefited the children, their parents and the overall program. OCTOBER 2021 l
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COVER STORY
The Biggest Trends in Aesthetics for 2022 2022
is just around the corner! As we enter the new year, we all want to look and feel our best. Allure Aesthetics wants you to know about some of the biggest and most effective trends in non-surgical cosmetic procedures for the face and body.
Take Control of Aging with These New Fillers
V
ersa and Versa Lips are Revanesse products that are FDA approved hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. These products are used to treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles, folds and lips. Just approved in 2021, they are already popular in Europe. These exciting, new additions have been added to Allure’s lists of fillers. At Allure Aesthetics, we are committed to providing treatments and pathways for clients to achieve the best possible results. Why choose Versa? Sometimes achieving optimal results
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requires more product to accomplish full correction. Versa is a good choice if you are seeking a more cost-effective treatment option. Versa is very effective in diminishing wrinkles and plumping lips. Plus, with the additional 20% more product in the syringe, you can accomplish a younger, smoother look. Versa is approved for adults 22 years of age or older, and the results last up to 12 months. As we age, our lips tend to get thinner and develop fine lines. Versa Lips offers a custom, non-surgical treatment that we call “couture lips.” Many of our clients prefer this product because it includes lidocaine, which means less swelling and minimal discomfort. We predict this product will continue to gain popularity in 2022. According to Heather, an aesthetics registered nurse, “Lips are always in. More and more patients are looking for perfect, couture, natural-looking lips.”
OCTOBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
Maintaining Your Youthful Glow
F Improve Hair Strength and Growth
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air loss can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or a normal part of aging. It’s true that men are more likely to lose their hair than women, but thinning hair, shedding hair and hair loss affects both men and women. At Allure Aesthetics, we treat men and women, and we’re seeing a new trend. It’s no longer about living with hair loss or treating it once it happens. Today we perform hair restoration procedures that have a preventative effect with the use of Platelet-Rich Plasma. Platelet-Rich Plasma, or PRP, is now considered standard protocol for hair growth. The treatment involves injecting plasma from the patient’s own body into the scalp to repair damaged hair follicles and encourage fuller, thicker growth. Preventative PRP is especially recommended for men and women with hereditary-pattern baldness in their family. In 2022, we believe the requests for Preventive PRP will continue to rise in popularity.
Combinations Rock
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rom innovative uses for neurotoxins and dermal fillers to advances in skin tightening, Allure Aesthetics offers an array of minimally invasive treatments to address any complexion and aging concerns on your horizon. Mesotherapy, better known as the “Vampire Facial,” uses Platelet-Rich Plasma to resurface your skin. Skin Resurfacing – yes, you heard that right – using PRP with small amounts of additives, like neuromodulators and hyaluronic acid, delivered with handheld microneedle chambers to the superficial structures of the skin, enhances its resilience and enhances its glow. This technique has been very popular in 2021, and we predict that 2022 will see this trend include more “20 and 30-somethings” who are proactive about preventing the signs of aging.
ne of the biggest, non-surgical requests we receive at Allure Aesthetics is for the “LitLift,” which achieves an overall facial optimization using fillers and neurotoxins. The “LitLift” is a trend that is very popular with “20-somethings” who have grown up seeing and hearing about aesthetic medical procedures. Now they are coming in to “prejuvenate” so that they can age positively and mitigate some of the age-related changes in the way they look. Studies show that the light use of neuromodulators (such as Botox® and Xeomin®) and fillers (such as Juvederm® and Versa®) early in life has enormous anti-aging benefits. We see these results commonly in clients who proactively use injectables in their twenties and thirties to resolve mild aesthetic issues, rather than investing in plastic surgery later in life as a full overhaul. With the technical advancements of neurotoxins and fillers lasting longer and having additional flexibility within the skin, it’s possible to achieve natural results without a lot of products. In this case, it is important to note that less is always more, and the earlier you begin small aesthetic procedures, the less maintenance you will need over time. We like to say that the new trend for 2022 is to be a bit “high maintenance” once or twice a year, so you can be “low maintenance and fabulous” all year long. OCTOBER 2021 l
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Minimally Invasive Skin Tightening
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ltherapy uses micro-focused ultrasound to stimulate collagen deep in the skin, causing a skintightening effect to prevent and treat sagging, loose skin. At Allure Aesthetics, we believe minimally invasive skin tightening procedures like Ultherapy® will continue to be popular in 2022. As the global life expectancy increases, many patients are searching for nonsurgical, preventative treatments to start in their twenties, thirties and forties to avoid or delay the need for more aggressive surgical procedures in the future. Allure Aesthetics will be adding treatments like Ultherapy, which have been shown to be safe and effective in skin tightening and lifting. People are trending toward less invasive rejuvenation options.
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The Rise of IV Nutrition Therapy as a Wellness Trend
eceiving an intravenous solution of vitamins has gone from a medical treatment for extreme dehydration to a wellness trend. This trend started to gain popularity 2008, but between 2016 and 2020, the trend has experienced a 900% increase in clients interested in the therapy. When nutrients are administered intravenously, they enter the bloodstream immediately, so they work more efficiently on the body than an oral vitamin supplement. People seek out these treatments for various reasons, including fasttracking hangover recovery, warding off a cold, getting more energy, increasing metabolism, improving skin, hair and nails and more. The vitamins, minerals and amino acids used in each drip vary, but typically contain a blend of saline solution and electrolytes, as well as C and B vitamins. IV therapy to improve wellness is set for tremendous growth in 2022 and beyond.
2022 Body Trends Non-Surgical Body Contouring
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he body contouring trend is here to stay, and it’s not just for the Kardashians. In 2022, we will see the evolution of non-surgical techniques. Non-surgical body sculpting options include Coolsculpting® and EmSculpt® to help define abs and buttocks, and they can be combined with skin tightening and lymphatic drainage massages. Emsculpt clients generally have less overlying fat yet desire greater muscle definition. However, if your main goal is to remove stubborn fat, and you aren’t as interested in building muscle, you may be better off with CoolSculpting. At Allure, our clients get the combination of modern technology along with the traditional warmth and comfort of the professional, human touch.
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inally, at Allure Aesthetics, we believe it’s all about natural looking “tweakments.” This might sound like a contradiction, but that’s what more and more of our clients are looking for – it’s about enhancement, not alteration. Are you ready to look and feel fabulous this Fall? We are happy to sit down with you to discuss your goals and help you develop a treatment plan to accomplish your objective. Allure Aesthetics provides a unique blend of pampering and medical precision with advanced technology to offer clients many paths to renew and rejuvenate – inside and out.
Want to learn more?Give us a call at 346.309.4955 or visit us at www.allureaestheticsmd.com.
Fort Bend ISD wins 2021 TAEA District of Distinction Award for Second Consecutive Year For the second consecutive year, Fort Bend ISD has been named one of 40 winners of the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) 2021 District of Distinction Award. The District received the honor for providing a well-rounded education that advocates and integrates visual arts curriculum to inspire creativity and build social emotional learning that connect learners to their community and beyond. TAEA is the leading advocate for the visual arts in the state. The organization has previously honored outstanding TAEA members for work in their classrooms and districts. This is the third year that TAEA is honoring districts that meet rigorous criteria as evidenced from data. “The arts, including visual arts, are fundamental to the FBISD curriculum,” FBISD Director of Fine Arts James Drew said. “Now more than ever, students need the arts to engage them and offer an expressive outlet where they can create beautiful works.” “Receiving the TAEA District of Distinction Award for the second consecutive year affirms the quality of our District’s art education programs and supports our department’s vision to transform students’ lives through the pursuit of artistic excellence,” FBISD’s Visual Arts Coordinator Fahmi Khan said. For the 2021 award, over 1,100 districts were eligible to apply. Each district submitted documentation demonstrating how they met the standards of a 14-point rubric over the 2020-2021 school year. Only 40 districts met the high standard and will receive the outstanding honor indicating they are in the top four percent in art education among districts in the state. Fort Bend ISD is Texas’ eighth largest school district with about 77,000 students. It is one of the most diverse school districts in the nation, working and learning cohesively alongside families who speak more than 90 languages and dialects. FBISD
NEWSWORTHY
currently has 81 campuses: 11 high schools, 15 middle schools, 51 elementary campuses and four specialty schools to address the academic and vocational interests of students. “Fort Bend ISD has set a high standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated visual arts curriculum, encouraged creativity, community participation and student growth,” Chair of the Administration and Supervision Division of TAEA Stacia Gower said. “The past school year, educators faced a great many challenges associated with constantly changing guidelines and instruction procedures as well as participation in contests and visual arts events. It is a true testament to our visual arts educators’ skill, dedication, and flexibility that the quality of their programs continued to be strong and comprehensive.” Fort Bend ISD seeks to provide all students with a highquality fine arts education that supports their academic, social, emotional and creative development. This goal is achieved through a comprehensive performing and visual arts curriculum that provides a wide range of learning experiences and performance opportunities. Courses are offered in elementary music and art, as well as secondary courses in art, band, choir, orchestra, dance and theatre. Fine arts courses are structured in ways that promote the development of character, student leadership and life-long learning. Each week, approximately 60,000 students districtwide participate in fine arts courses that offer them the opportunity to work collaboratively with their peers. Responsibility, teamwork and good citizenship are fostered as students learn to depend on one other to achieve organizational goals. Fort Bend ISD and other districts will be honored at the TAEA Administration and Supervision Division meeting and during the TAEA Fall Conference General Assembly on Friday, November 5th. Find TAEA online at www.taea.org.
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Celebrating
20 Years:
The market welcomes 7,000 to 8,000 patrons annually with those numbers expected to grow with the addition of a third shopping day this year. Since inception, the event has raised $3.3 million for the Fort Bend County area and has benefited numerous charitable organizations, including Texana, Fort Bend Women’s Shelter, the American Red Cross, Hope for Three, Boys and Girls Clubs and Attack Poverty. “I love hearing stories from our beneficiaries and how the grants that come from the Sugar Plum Market have made such a lasting impact on the individuals and families they serve. It truly makes the long hours and any stressful moments worth it,” said Engleman. “I love seeing the lines form each day of the market. The excitement and enthusiasm from our patrons is so energizing.” As the league continues its trailblazing annual shopping tradition and in commemoration of their 20th anniversary, they have named three Honorary Chairs for the Sugar Plum Market. They are Amy West Becker, Lizz Sansone and KK West. These women were among the visionary leaders that created this charitable event through their dedication, volunteer service and creativity.
The Historical Allure and Success of FBJSL’s Sugar Plum Market By Tanya Sterling
T
housands of ladies avidly shopping, talking and laughing, vendors enthusiastically selling their wares, delicious food and drinks being served, an all-volunteer team of ladies plus thousands of dollars being raised for area charities – welcome to the Fort Bend Junior Service League’s (FBJSL) 20th anniversary Sugar Plum Market (SPM)! What initially began as a shopping event at the now shuttered Fort Bend Country Club with approximately 50 vendors, a few hundred attendees and $10,000 raised has now morphed into an event with thousands of patrons, hundreds of vendors and in 2019, raised a record $345,000. In 2020, the League hosted the Sugar Plum Marketplace, a virtual version of the event which raised $150,000. “The growth of the Market has been amazing on so many fronts. It began as a small event at Fort Bend Country Club with a couple dozen local vendors plus a few hundred friends and neighbors in attendance. Now, the market is a wellregarded event not only in our area but within the vendor community across the state and has an endless vendor wait list each year,” said Brigit Engleman, 2021 Sugar Plum Market Co-Chair and FBJSL Past President. “There are so many wonderful milestones that have been reached due to the dedication of so many past co-chairs and committee members.”
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2021 Sugar Plum Market Honorary Co-Chairs Lizz Sansone, KK West and Amy West Becker.
“Fort Bend County and our residents are always so supportive of our fundraising efforts,” said Lizz Sansone, FBJSL Charter Member, Past President and Former SPM Co-Chair. “The FBJSL’s Sugar Plum Market has always been a pioneer in raising monies for the area. In a sense, the league really kicked off community fundraising in this immediate area.” “Lizz, Amy and I are delighted to be Honorary Chairs,” said KK West, FBJSL Past President and Founding SPM CoChair. “One of the original goals was to create a charitable fundraiser that would benefit our community, and we have all worked really hard at it while having fun. It truly takes a village to successfully make it happen.” The Sugar Plum Market originated and came into fruition when ladies from the FBJSL strived to raise funds for area charities. They wanted to create a fun holiday shopping extravaganza in Fort Bend, and Houston’s Nutcracker Market was a template for their vision. Their initial vision was to host vendors for shopping as well as a fashion show, which also included some local talent. “We noticed a need for something similar to the Nutcracker on the west side of Houston,” said Sansone. “Monica Townley was an original co-chair who was highly instrumen-
OCTOBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
tal in the vendor piece of the market. Amy worked on the fashion show, and KK was focused on all of the logistics. I was on the board and networked and helped out wherever needed.” Townley passed away in 2015. The ladies were also strategic when it came to marketing and planning the event in those early days. “Great success begins with small steps but a big vision. We were so highly motivated and excited and knew the first year was pivotal for future success,” said Amy West-Becker, Founding SPM Co-Chair. “Our families jumped in to help when we held the market at Fort Bend Country Club. We outgrew that venue the first year and moved to Safari Texas the second year. In those early years, some of our husbands ran the valet service, while others helped with hanging lighting and décor. I remember when the Fire Marshall was walking the floor to ensure we were up to code prior to our opening, and we looked outside and saw a long line of patrons circling the building. We had to ask him to accelerate his inspection. We believed that if we built it, they would come! “Back then, we initially hosted a fashion show along with the shopping portion of the market. We drew patrons to the event by having community leaders, such as the mayor, medical professionals and philanthropists model while showcasing local boutiques,” reminisced West-Becker. “Inevitably, the model’s families, business partners and friends purchased tickets and at-
Fun Fact:
The event got its name since the FBJSL wanted to be recognized as a festive shopping market but signify a tie to Sugar Land. Hence, “Sugar Plum” was born. The founders felt the name had a holiday feel to it! tended the event. We also included a talent show for the kids, and of course, their parents and friends would subsequently patronize the market!” Of course, during those early years, all the marketing for the event was pre-social media. “I remember posting a lot of flyers everywhere! We all fanned out and put up yard signs and event signs on street corners and major intersections. People came and supported us in droves back then and now. We are so appreciative.” said Sansone. In 2010, in order to increase their charitable giving, the league expanded the vendor lineup and added Preview Night in lieu of the fashion show. As the kickoff to the Market, Preview Night offers patrons an opportunity to shop in a more intimate crowd as tickets are limited and the evening sells out each year. The FBJSL selects the event beneficiaries through an application and interview process overseen by a separate volunteer committee within the League. The ladies on the Beneficiary Review Committee work diligently in the months prior to the Market to re-
view applications and meet with applicants to discuss their requests. When the Market proceeds are finalized, final grant recommendations are made to the membership at-large who approve them. The majority of the grants are issued in December of each year. Planning for the next Market begins almost immediately following the conclusion of the current Market and is planned by a committee of about 45 FBJSL members with four to six cochairs leading the way. It takes about 200 volunteers from FBJSL to execute the event itself. This also includes members of their Teen League, a mentoring project of FBJSL. “I hope the Market continues to delight and entertain the community in the next 20 years! I wish future cochairs continued success and feel confident they will continue finding creative ways to host this event while maximizing the amount donated back to the community,” said Engleman. This year, the League has announced plans to expand the Market by an additional day to provide patrons more opportunities to access the 100+ vendors from around the state and beyond. The event is returning to the Stafford Centre November 4th-6th, with a special Preview Night event taking place on November 3rd. The 20th Anniversary of the Sugar Plum Market is presented by Memorial Hermann Sugar Land and the Fort Bend Junior Service League. To purchase tickets to the Market, visit sugarplummarket. com.
Twenty years of Sugar Plum Market Co-Chairs. Front: Cherie Lyne Bouterie, Emily Calbert, Monica Henderson, Susanne Hiegel, Stephanie Van Horn, Heather Allen, Leah Henley, Heather Brown, Tracy Crow, Lisa Moore, Cindy Reaves and Brigit Engleman. Back: Theresa Shmerling, Sherri Ebarb, Rebekah Poston, Shelia Cooper, Haley Millis, Lizz Sansone, Amy West Becker, Jenny Nelson, Catherine Kubala, Jana Baumann, KK West, Amy Johnson, Sarah Kuehl, Chelsi Oestreich, Jenna Kisner, Parita Kurian and Kimberly Camp. OCTOBER 2021 l
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Globetrotting By
TM
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ho is the luxury traveler? In my conversations with families over the years planning experiences and balancing budgets for vacationing, the subject of luxury always comes up. Many people think that luxury travel means expensive travel; this is not necessarily so. What does luxury mean to you? For many it means paying a premium price for an exclusive experience. Others have interesting outliers that influence their decisions on where to stay, who to stay with and how much of an investment constitutes a “luxury” experience. Over the years I have been able to identify some characteristics that help me create the perfect experience for my travelers. It is a match making of sorts creating experiences that then are talked about in families for a lifetime, and it is an important part of my job to correctly understand what each client wants. These are my four types of vacations, all different and all luxury. The Exclusive: If you want the best of travel, and every aspect of the experience must be both unique and well-appointed, this might be you. Exclusives want to be in isolation with extra pampering and private experiences. They demand the best in food, drinks, boating tours and transfers. They want to be with those who think the way they do and have high expectations for their accommodations and specific locations at the resort. They are affluent in real time and are not interested in showing that off but rather desire to be with others of the same status. The Status Seeker: If you know a guy who knows a guy who went to a particular place that “everybody who is anybody” goes, this might be you. Status seekers want to be seen and be
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The Luxury Luxury The Traveler Traveler
able to brag about where they are vacationing. They are brand conscious, and they value appearance for appearances sake. If a travel expert told them about the new “it” destination, they would hop on that plane as fast as they could pack their bags. They spend what they earn and are not necessarily wealthy. The Bargain Hunter: If you want to go someplace that is expensive, they better be giving away some extra “stuff!” These travelers are keen on what is quality, having scoured the internet for every price drop, and they demand high value for their money. They will never pay full price for a vacation. Many of these people always forget that using a travel agent costs them nothing and are disappointed to realize that they could have gotten even more value for their money by leaving the hunting to the experts in the industry. The Experienced: If you have already traveled the world and know what brands you best identify with and are now seeking an adventure, this might be you. Having already experienced glitz and glam, these guys are wanting an authentic experience that in many instances involves a philanthropic component. They have specific goals for their experiences and are willing to pay only if the adventure meets their criteria. As you can see, there are many characteristics with the luxury traveler. There are zillions of places to stay in this beautiful world and with only a handful of opportunities to experience a vacation, it’s very important to properly match budgets and motivations to create the perfect vacation for everyone.
Keep on traveling!
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absolutely! DELICIOUS
H
ay rides and pumpkin carving aren’t the only time-honored traditions of fall. This time of year also brings the opportunity to enjoy spooktacular and hairraising seasonal treats. Whether served alone in a glass or incorporated in tasty recipes, limited edition TruMoo Orange Scream can help you whip-up festive sips and snacks. Inspired by orange frozen pops with vanilla ice cream and made with no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial growth hormones and no artificial sweeteners, this creamy orange milk is so frightfully delicious and nutritious, it might make you scream with joy. And this fall, the colorful milk is getting a makeover. In celebration of DreamWorks’ Trolls, Poppy and Branch – the eternally optimistic troll and her overly cautious counterpart – will make an appearance on specially marked bottles of TruMoo Orange Scream and Chocolate milks. Kick off this year’s fearsome festivities with recipes inspired by the movie and its beloved characters: Truly Colorful Crepes and Poppy’s Orange Scream Pudding Parfaits. It’ll be no surprise when the whole family asks for more. For more exciting recipes, visit TruMoo.com, and find TruMoo Milk on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Serves: 6 Crepes 2 Large eggs 1/4 Teaspoon salt 1 Cup all-purpose flour 1 1/4 Cups TruMoo Orange Scream milk 1/3 Cup confectioners’ sugar 3 Tablespoons melted butter 1 Teaspoon orange extract
Filling Frozen yogurt Confectioners’ sugar 1 tablespoon grated orange peel Blue sprinkles (optional)
In large bowl, combine eggs, milk, flour, sugar, melted butter, orange extract and salt. Beat with wire whisk to combine well. Cover and place mixture in refrigerator for one hour or up to two days. Stir mixture with spoon. Heat lightly greased 9-inch skillet over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup batter into center of pan; quickly swirl or spread mixture to fill skillet. Cook each crepe 30 seconds. Flip and cook another 10 seconds until lightly browned. Place crepe on large cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining batter. Do not stack crepes on top of each other. To serve, place two small scoops of frozen yogurt in center of crepe; fold sides over to close. Sprinkle crepes with confectioners’ sugar, grated orange peel and sprinkles, if desired.
Serves: 4 1 Package (16.5 ounces) refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough 1 Package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding and pie filling 2 Cups TruMoo Orange Scream milk Whipped topping Blue and green sprinkles Prepare cookies as package directs. Set aside. Prepare instant pudding as package directs, using milk. In a glass or parfait dish, crumble one cookie; top with large spoonful of pudding. Repeat layering. Dollop with spoonful of whipped topping; top with sprinkles. Repeat to make three more parfaits.
Source: Family Features / TruMoo OCTOBER 2021 l
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absolutely AUTO REVIEW By Steve Kursar
2021 TOYOTA SIENNA
T
he 2021 Toyota Sienna is all-new for this model year. This fourth generation Sienna is built on a new platform and is designed to make you look at minivans as more than just kid taxis. This is a minivan built to go places, places far away from the school carpool lane. It may just make you reconsider how you view the minivan. There was a time when minivans were all the rage and almost every carmaker had one to sell in their showrooms. But, as SUVs and crossovers began to capture the hearts of car buyers, minivans lost their appeal. Now, only three carmakers market minivans for the American market and sales for these vehicles have dropped significantly.
two electric motors working in concert with the 2.5-liter fourcylinder engine. The exterior design is a departure from the archetypal boxy, boring minivan design. The new body design gives the Sienna a more athletic look and stance. Toyota engineers realized that minivan drivers didn’t want to feel like they were driving a bus, so they tuned the suspension to give drivers a more sporty feel. It’s the interior where the Sienna really shines. There’s a modern instrument panel, a quite large center display and plenty of handy storage capacity. In the second row, the available Super Long Slide second-row captain chairs slide 25 inches, providing unprecedented legroom that mimics a limousine. The new Sienna has a feature Toyota calls Driver Easy Speak, which is essentially a built-in PA system that carries the driver’s voice through the audio system’s rear speakers right to the source of the disturbance. Say you’re driving along, and your back seat passengers become a bit unruly. Now you no longer have to turn and shout. As a parent, you gotta love that. The 2021 Toyota Sienna is designed to make new crossover buyers consider buying a minivan. Once you take a close look, you may get hooked.
A base model of the newest version of the Toyota Sienna carries an MSRP price tag of $34,460 although the higher trims can easily push that final cost over $50,000. Interestingly, the Sienna only comes powered by a 243 hp, Toyota Hybrid System II powertrain that will deliver you a mighty impressive 36 mpg both in the city and on the highway. Drivers new to driving a hybrid will notice very smooth acceleration and hear very little noise. What is noticeable is the kick in low-speed torque from
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OCTOBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
BUSINESS BRIEFS
City Council Approves Agreement for Bluebonnet Nutrition Corporation’s New Expansion Sugar Land City Council recently approved a tax abatement agreement with Bluebonnet Nutrition Corporation, headquartered in Sugar Land, securing an additional $18 million in capital investment to its Sugar Land Business Park location and an additional 200 new jobs. The new structure would be Bluebonnet Nutrition’s third location in Sugar Land and will expand its manufacturing and analytical testing operations. “This is an exciting new project with a significant capital investment,” said President Gary Barrows. “Bluebonnet Nutrition is a highly specialized manufacturer of dietary supplements, and the new facility has integrated many advanced technologies. This is why we partnered with Midway’s Development to build this first of its kind nutraceutical facility. We are looking at a multiphase approach to continue to expand our manufacturing and distribution production domestically and around the globe.” Bluebonnet Nutrition Corporation is a manufacturer and distributor of nutritional supplements. The company offers amino acids, protein powders, multivitamins, mineral formulas, children nutrition, vitamins, minerals, food supplements, fish oils and soy products. Currently, Bluebonnet Nutrition Corporation has approximately 100 employees in Sugar Land. The Sugar Land Office of Economic Development worked jointly with Bluebonnet Nutrition Corporation and will continue to do so throughout the upcoming development of this project. “We look forward to supporting Bluebonnet Nutrition’s growth in Sugar Land and are excited for the innovative lifestyle products and advancement in technology this development will bring,” said Director of Economic Development Elizabeth Huff.
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Childhood Cancer Creating Fort Bend Strong Warriors
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arning! My column this month may make you cry. My eyes have watered a lot as I’ve been writing. As parents of two amazing children, Nancy and I have been
truly blessed. Kate and Grant are happy and healthy adults. We thank God every day for these blessings. We have never heard the four most frightful words a parent can hear: “Your child has cancer.” We have friends who have heard these horrifying words. These incredible neighbors have held their child as he or she breathed their last breath before going to heaven. These parents watched their amazing child use their last days on earth to make our world a better place. They saw their loving child show exactly what it means to be Fort Bend Strong!
At the start, Faris was asymptomatic with only a low-grade fever of 99’F. He was in no pain. When he finally received a CAT scan, the results were frightening; Ewing Sarcoma was in every bone in his body. It didn’t matter to Faris – he had a new life mission. He raised $1,000 for Ewing Sarcoma research. He put all that money into his tiny piggybank and told Asha and Farid that he was going to use every penny to “open a research center.” Those words became reality. Faris’ parents and friends gave $2 million to start the “Faris D. Virani Ewing Sarcoma Center” at Texas Children’s Hospital. It is the only dedicated Ewing Sarcoma center in the United States. Faris was at the ribbon cutting ceremony on February 13th, 2014. Before Faris left us after nine glorious years, he had one more task to finalize his efforts to end Ewing Sarcoma. Faris had observed that many cancers had colored ribbons – breast cancer has pink ribbons, pancreatic cancer has purple ribbons, etc. Faris thought that Ewing Sarcoma should have its own colored ribbon. So, “Let There Be Gold” was born. Mission accomplished. My puppy, Maisy, and I are proudly “Letting There Be Gold” in Faris’ honor and legacy. Faris Virani is and will always be Fort Bend Strong.
July was Sarcoma Awareness Month. Sarcoma is called “the forgotten cancer” and is a cancer of our body’s connective tissue. It can occur in nerves, muscles, tendons, joints, bones, fat and blood vessels. Sarcoma is much more likely to attack children than older adults. Despite being very rare, Ewing Sarcoma is the second most common bone cancer in children. On average, about 300 kids are diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma per year in the United States. A few years ago, my fellow Rice Owls, Sugar Land neighbors and dear friends, Dr. Asha Virani and her husband, Farid were told that their young son, Faris, had aggressive Ewing Sarcoma. Faris was only six-years-old. Incredibly, Faris responded to his Ewing Sarcoma diagnosis with a new mission for his life. He told Asha and Farid that he was going to be the one to cure Ewing Sarcoma! Faris could not believe that no real research to cure Ewing Sarcoma had been done since the 1950s. Faris was personally going to fill that research void. Faris is Fort Bend Strong!
Pete Oslon and Maisy.
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OCTOBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
And since September was Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, I’d like to also share the story of an incredible young lady who I discovered while I was in Congress. Two short days after Alyssa Ferguson turned 12-years-old, she and her parents were informed that she had “medulloblastoma” – brain cancer that was likely terminal. Alyssa fought her cancer for three years. Sadly, she put on Angel’s Wings on January 26th, 2017, at her home in Missouri City with her parents, Sandy and Scott, by her side. Sandy and Scott knew that they raised a daughter who had an unbounded love of life. They knew Alyssa always cared more about others than herself. But, no one could see what Alyssa was going to do to make her short life matter. As Alyssa’s battle waged on, she was approached by our wonderful, local MakeA-Wish Foundation about her personal and likely final wish. Usually, people in these situations focus on themselves. Common wishes are “I want to go to Disneyworld” or “I want meet a famous sports hero” or “I want to go to Hawaii and lie in the sun on a tropical beach.” These wishes are completely normal and understandable. They are human. If I was in Alyssa’s situation, I most likely would have made a wish for myself. Many of us would do that as well. Not Alyssa – Alyssa is Fort Bend Strong!!! As a young girl, Alyssa had read a
Alyssa Ferguson.
book called, A Long Walk for Water. It was about Sudanese children walking miles just to get drinking water. That story never stopped inspiring Alyssa. Facing her own mortality, Alyssa asked Sandy if her wish could be given to others. Sandy and Scott supported their daughter. Make-A-Wish supported Alyssa’s wish, too. So, Alyssa’s wish was used to build a drinking well for a small village in Africa. What started out as one well in Zimbabwe has now grown to three drinking water wells in Myanmar, one in India, one in Haiti, and one in Kenya, with one under construction in war-torn South Sudan. Alyssa dreamed of taking a drink of water from one of her wells, but when her condition pre-
Achieve the
vented her from traveling, she told her mom, “They need water now. Go ahead and build it without me, and we’ll get to visit later.” Alyssa had a calling. Her name, “Alyssa Janae,” means “God has answered.” Amen. During her short, incredible life, Alyssa answered God’s calling for people in need in Africa and Asia. Alyssa Janae is Fort Bend Strong! I hope you were inspired and grateful for Faris and Alyssa. Please wear a gold ribbon for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month every September. Faris’ parents set up the Faris Virali Foundation to help end Ewing Sarcoma at www.thefarisfoundation.org. Maybe you can sign up to play in next year’s Faris Foundation Brighter Days Golf Classic. Alyssa’s story is immortalized with a display at our local Make-A-Wish office at 12625 Southwest Freeway in Stafford. If you want to help Alyssa drill more water wells, her parents set up the Alyssa World Challenge at www.alyssasfund. com. Check it out, and stay Fort Bend Strong! That’s all for this month. I hope Faris’ and Alyssa’s stories of perseverance and love for others touched your heart. If you have a Fort Bend Strong story, please zip me an email at pete@ absolutelyfocusmedia.com. If your email is political, it is instantly deleted. Until next month, we are Fort Bend Strong!
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Focus on the Cure
October is
Breast Cancer Awareness
One in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. Educate yourself and your loved ones about awareness and detection. Learn about treatment options available in our community.
Month
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OCTOBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
Focus on the Cure Prioritize Your Health with Comprehensive Breast Care
Michelle O’Shea, M.D. Houston Methodist Breast Surgery Partners at Sugar Land
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any of us spent the past year focused on preventing COVID-19, and although we are still dealing with it, it’s time to re-focus on our total health. Making time for an annual mammogram is an important part of maintaining overall wellness and protecting yourself from breast cancer. One in eight women will develop breast cancer over the course of their lifetime, but early detection improves the overall prognosis and often results in less aggressive treatment options. Starting at age 40 (or younger if you have family history of breast cancer), you should talk to your doctor about getting an annual mammogram. If you have questions about your breast cancer risk, talk to your primary care doctor or obstetrician-gynecologist. “Getting a mammogram is an important part of good breast health management and should be part of your health care priorities” said Dr. Michelle O’Shea, breast surgeon at Houston Methodist Breast Surgery Partners at Sugar Land. When you come to Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Sugar Land for your annual mammogram, you’ll be taken care of from start to finish. You’ll benefit from our high-tech approach to breast cancer screening with 3D mammography, which is one of the most effective tools in detecting the smallest lumps and abnormalities. And if your mammogram shows something abnormal, you have a trusted team ready to guide you through options for treatment and care. We have also made breast surgeons more accessible for women with abnormal results through extended weekday and weekend
hours for reassurance and maintaining priorities for better health. “Having everything a patient needs under one roof is a major benefit for our patients and gives us an advantage in diagnosing breast cancer at the earliest stages, which provides the best chance for complete recovery – all at one location close to home,” said O’Shea. The breast care team works together and communicates frequently to customize each treatment plan. This collaboration helps everyone stay informed and ensures the best possible outcome. If you have family members with cancer, you might feel that getting cancer yourself seems like a matter of time. But thankfully, family history does not mean cancer is inevitable. “Some cancers are caused by an abnormal gene that’s passed down from generation to generation,” said O’Shea. “But it’s the abnormal gene that’s inherited, not the disease.” In any case, only 5% to 10% of all cancers are referred to as inherited cancers and may include some breast and ovarian cancers. “Mutations occurring in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are common causes of inherited cancers. Women with these mutations are more likely to develop hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome,” O’Shea shared. “Most breast cancers, however, even among close relatives, are not due to these mutations.” Genetic testing is a good idea for some people and can help with treatment options. First, research your family’s cancer history. Enlist other family members and aim to get three generations’ worth of information. For each instance of cancer, note the person’s sex, age when diagnosed, other medical conditions, diet and exercise habits, age, and cause of death. Ask your doctor about genetic testing, if you have: • Several first-degree relatives (parents or siblings) with cancer, especially the same type. • Family members who developed cancer at a young age. • Close relatives with rare forms of cancer. • A family member known to have a genetic mutation. Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s breast care team is committed to ensuring that your experience is as stress-free as possible. The personal touch begins with your mammogram and continues throughout every aspect of care, for as long as needed.
OCTOBER 2021 l
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Focus on the Cure What to Expect with an Abnormal Mammogram
Dr. Steve M. Thomas OakBend Medical Center in Richmond
If
you have received an abnormal mammogram, what happens? You can expect some follow-up testing, maybe a spot compression view, which is a type of mammogram where they focus on the area of the breast that they thought looked abnormal, trying to rule out if this is just an area of overlapping tissue on the original mammogram that makes it look abnormal, and when they focus on that area, sometimes they can rule out a suspicious abnormality. Another test is an ultrasound, and usually one or both of those tests are the follow-up. That will then help the doctor determine if that is something to follow or if you need a needle biopsy. A needle biopsy involves a sampling of tissues. There is a fine needle aspiration or biopsy, where you actually just collect some of the cells from the breast, and that’s called cytology. A pathologist looks at the cells and makes a diagnosis. But more accurate than that and what we use frequently, is a
Did you know . . . Being a Woman Just being a woman is the biggest risk factor for developing breast cancer. There are about 266,120 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 63,960 cases of non-invasive breast cancer this year in American women. While men do develop breast cancer, less than 1% of all new breast cancer cases happen in men. Approximately 2,550 cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in American men this year. The biggest reasons for the difference in breast cancer rates between men and women are:
core biopsy. This is a little bit larger needle that actually samples the tissues and not just the cells, and it can give you a better idea of what we are dealing with. Those can be just guided by feel but more frequently with ultrasound guidance to make sure the needle is where it should be. If there is a diagnosis of breast cancer, the first step is to get an oncologist involved and do a workup that will hopefully show that the tumor has not spread and is localized in the breast tissue. Depending on the sign of the primary tumor, whether it has spread, the characteristics of the primary tumor, how aggressive it is or is it sensitive to certain factors will determine the next step, and sometimes the next step is starting with chemotherapy. If surgery is involved and a mastectomy is performed, a plastic surgeon will get involved with the surgery if the patient wants reconstructive surgery. This can be done at the same time without having surgery later. You are also evaluating the lymph nodes when there is breast cancer. In the past, the only options was to remove all of the lymph nodes, but now, the usual routine is to perform a sentinel biopsy where sampling consists of just a few of the nodes. If those are negative, then it has been shown that the remainder of the nodes should be negative as well, meaning less surgery and less weakness. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to perform a monthly self-exam. Once you reach 40, for the next 20-30 years, you should get annual mammograms. Remember, ignoring these steps does not work out well if something does happen. The sooner you find an issue, the sooner it can be eliminated.
• Women’s breast development takes three to four years and is usually complete by age 14. It’s uncommon for men’s breasts to fully form – most of the male breasts you see are fat, not formed glands. • Once fully formed, breast cells are very immature and highly active until a woman’s first full-term pregnancy. While they are immature, a woman’s breast cells are very responsive to estrogen and other hormones, including hormone disrupters in the environment. • Men’s breast cells are inactive, and most men have extremely low levels of estrogen. So hormonal stimulation of highly responsive and vulnerable breast cells in women, particularly during the extra-sensitive period of breast development, is why breast cancer is much more common in women than in men. Source: BreastCancer.org
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OCTOBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
Focus on the Cure Don’t Delay: Your Mammogram is Too Important to Put Off
What is a 3-D mammogram? A 3-D mammogram, also called breast tomosynthesis, is an advanced imaging exam that combines several different breast images to create a three-dimensional view of the breast. This technology is available at all Memorial Hermann locations. “It helps us find smaller and more invasive cancers,” said Dr. Sam. “The technology can be especially helpful in patients with dense breast tissue.” Kenny Sam, DO Breast and Interventional Radiologist affiliated with Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital
W
hen was your last screening mammogram? Has it been more than a year? Mammograms are easy to put off, especially during the pandemic, but sticking to an annual schedule is one of the most important things you can do for your health. The affiliated physicians at Memorial Hermann Health System combine expertise with leading-edge technology to provide mammograms safely and conveniently in Fort Bend County. If you have delayed your mammogram because of the pandemic, it’s time to schedule your appointment. Your health is our top concern, and with our enhanced cleaning and safety precautions, you can get the care you need with peace of mind. Who needs a mammogram? The American College of Radiology recommends that women at average risk for breast cancer begin annual screening mammograms at age 40. Based on your individual health and family history, your healthcare provider may recommend a different schedule. In addition to an annual screening mammogram, you may also need to be examined if you are experiencing certain breast symptoms. “Some things to look for are lumps or masses in the breast, skin thickening or redness, or nipple abnormalities including nipple discharge,” said Kenny Sam, DO, breast and interventional radiologist affiliated with Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital. “It’s important to remember that the early stages of breast cancer usually do not show any signs or symptoms, and we usually find it with a screening mammogram, so the annual exam is very important.”
Don’t put it off. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the United States. Early detection can save lives and having an annual screening mammogram can help identify problems sooner, when treatments are most successful. “It’s a very treatable disease, and we work with an excellent multidisciplinary team to treat and support our patients,” said Dr. Sam. Even though we are still in the midst of the pandemic, the risk of infection while having a mammogram is very low. The National Cancer Institute estimates that delayed diagnoses due to the pandemic could result in 10,000 additional deaths from breast and colorectal cancers in the next 10 years. “We are seeing patients returning to our facilities at almost preCOVID levels, and that is very encouraging,” said Dr. Sam. “If you are worried talk to your provider, but it’s safe, and it is very important.” Mammograms and the COVID-19 Vaccine Women are advised to wait four to six weeks after their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before having a screening mammogram. Some women experience temporary swelling in the lymph nodes in their armpits after receiving the vaccine. This could cause a “false positive” mammogram result. However, if you are having any breast symptoms, including finding a lump, you should not put off a mammogram and should contact your provider immediately. Schedule today. One lesson we have learned from the pandemic is the importance of health. It’s time to take care of yours, and scheduling your annual screening mammogram is a great way to stay healthy. Memorial Hermann offers a wide range of appointment times and convenient online scheduling for all locations across Greater Houston.
OCTOBER 2021 l
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OUT & ABOUT IN THE HEART
From the welcoming wreath on the front door to the quaint sitting area under the ornamental apple tree, this entire winning yard exhibited attention to detail. The rock landscape bordering the sidewalk and beautiful display of color and plant selections completed by the clean look of the home made Cathleen Gentry and husband Justin Wendt’s yard a “shoe-in” for the distinguished Quail Valley Garden Club’s Yard of the Month award for July.
OF THE BEND
Homeowners Cathleen Gentry with children JT, Ashlyn, Joey and husband Justin Wendt together with club members Sandy Sadowsky, Rose Ann Acosta, Cher Binks, Linda Holder, Becky Faust, Kristy Casey-Deal and Judy Belt. The Rosenberg Railroad Museum held their annual Garden Gala on the grounds of the museum. This year’s theme was Stars and Stetson’s. Light bites, live music by Patrick Murphy and a live and silent auction made for a wonderful evening under the stars.
Bill and Lisa Rickert.
Terri and Jess Stuart.
Bob and Pat Hebert.
Marty Steed and Sharon Moore.
Lee Cabello and Lupe Uresti-Cabello. Kay and Jim Garrett.
Rebecca and Steve Rogers. Melody and John Hess.
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Kim and Shane Hanks with Rainey Webster.
OCTOBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
It’s all a-buzz! The Literacy Council’s 12th Annual Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee was a success. The event was held at Quail Valley City Centre attended by guests both in person and virtually. Congratulations to the committee and to all of the winners.
Literacy Council of Fort Bend County Development Assistant Ranett Montemayor; Event Coordinator Alexandra Sanchez; Board Member Lee Ivey, Jr.; Executive Director Terri Stuart; Co-Chair Fallon Moody; Development Director Nicola Johnson and Event Co-Chair Ann Kingrey.
Bob’s Bees Spelling Bee Team sponsored by Bob and Pat Hebert: Luisa Bowers, Jeff Braun and Donna Ospina.
The Annual ArtWalk and Motor Madness Car Show was held in Historic Downtown Richmond. Over 100 cars were on display, along with art murals, an art contest and artists painted on the street. Vendors, food trucks and live music kept everyone entertained.
Wanda Kolkhorst reminisced her youth when driving without air conditioning was the norm.
Spelling Bee Champions sponsored by Houston Methodist Sugar Land: Ron Lewis, Mary Harris and Nancy Penney.
Fort Bend Christian Academy (FBCA) recently hosted The United States Women’s Softball Team and Team Alliance. The United States Women’s Softball Team stopped by FBCA for a three day practice on their #RoadtoTokyo as they prepared to play Team Alliance at Constellation Field last summer. Elizabeth and Carl Drodz with Storm and Taz.
Kelly Carroll, FBCA Director of Athletics and Head Softball Coach, and Heather Tarr, Team USA Softball Assistant Coach and University of Washington Head Softball Coach.
Kayla Kowalik, University of Kentucky, and Montana Fouts, University of Alabama All-American.
Cisco Tucker and Kim Feldhoff. OCTOBER 2021 l
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Oenophile By Denman Moody
Photo by Marijo Moody.
Why I Write Wine Articles
I
was dining with a Master of Wine one evening when he casually mentioned that he does not have much use for wine writers. I responded that I understood, because most wine writers, like myself, are not writing about wine for Masters of Wine. And my book, The Advanced Oenophile, was not written for Masters of Wine. The purpose of my wine artiDenman Moody. cles (over 350 published nationally and some internationally since 1977) is to help people become oenophiles – even advanced ones. And to a great extent, wine writers – from the early 70s mainly from “Decanter” in London and “Revue du vin de France” in Paris – are responsible for America becoming a wine-drinking nation. Also, in the mid70s, there were few, if any, wine bottles on the tables at even the best restaurants. Customers normally had a mixed-drink or a beer before dining, ate their dinner and left. It was not until the advent of the cheap but well-made California jug wines that French and Italian restaurants began pumping their own wines, and the proliferation of American wine writers springing up in newspapers and magazines – “Moody’s Wine Review” started in January 1978 and Robert Parker’s “The Wine Advocate” began publication about six months later – helped wine finally gain traction! One reason for my articles is to awaken people to the synergism that can be produced with the right food and wine match. I’ll never forget serving a crème brulee to my sister and her husband around 1980 with a Chateau d’Yquem – the famous sweet dessert wine from Bordeaux. Their reaction was immediate. They each said it was the best wine they had ever had, even though they thought they didn’t like sweet wines! Another great match is Sauvignon Blanc and goat cheese, and another is brut or extra dry sparkling wine with honey goat cheese on a cracker, or smoked salmon with crème fraiche, capers and a squirt of fresh lemon juice on a cracker. And of course, prime rib with a great Hermitage from the Rhone. When shopping for wine, many people buy because of the label or because of an advertisement. As a wine writer, I write objective articles about what I consider to be great values. For example, if people want a good wine in the $10 price range, it is hard to beat Columbia Crest Grand Estates wines. To sig-
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nificantly upgrade, say to the $30 or more range, what to buy? Well, if one follows a wine writer whose recommendations have proven to be good for a particular wine buyer, that wine buyer will have a much better chance of not wasting money on wines with a nice label or with an alluring advertisement, but turn out to be less than good in that price range. Speaking of price, a $100 wine can be a great value if it is one of the best wines in that price range. One way to select a great $100 wine is to ask the staff at the wine store where you buy the wine. They may or may not be biased, but there’s a good chance that you will get a great wine. They know that if you don’t like it, you might not come back to their store for another recommendation! Another, of course, is buying something in that price range from the recommendation of a wine writer who has tasted hundreds of bottles in that price range over the years. Wine writers also know that if readers try a number of their recommendations and don’t like them, they won’t trust that writer for recommendations anymore. I would suspect that almost all wine writers try to be as objective as possible. One situation in which it is hard to be objective, for example, is when one has had a bottle of X wine at home and a bottle of the same wine at the winery with the owner and winemaker. With the knowledge of the vineyard practices, the winemaking skills, the exact kind of oak aging, etc., the writer may actually enjoy the same wine more and give it a better score – not because he or she wants to favor the owner, but because the more one knows about a wine and winery, the more one can appreciate it – not to mention that the conviviality and surroundings can actually enhance the perception of all the senses including taste. In fact, one of my favorite things in life is to visit a winery in California, New York, Texas, France, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Portugal or Spain and have a meal or tasting with the owners. When I taste any of their wines again at home, I relive the experience. I will never forget a dinner at Taylor Fladgate in Portugal with the owners Alastaire and Gilly Anne Robertson in 2006 in their 140 year-old Quinta de Vargellas, ensconced in the middle of their 1,400 acres of vines. I still tried to be objective about the wines; however, could one not be ecstatic about a magnum of 1970 Taylor Oporto on the Quinto de Vargelles terrace after dinner, overlooking the Douro River under the stars with the remarkable owners? Dinner at Chateau Margaux and lunch at Chateau Mouton-Rothschild in April of 1987 had a similar effect. Would my tasting notes on the wines tasted be exactly the same had I sampled them at a tasting of thirty or forty different wines at a wine tasting? Probably not. For more information, visit theadvancedoenophile.com.
OCTOBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
Houston Methodist Primary Care Group Welcomes Zenithe Pierre Ware, M.D., to Riverstone Practice
Zenithe Pierre Ware, M.D., Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.
Houston Methodist Primary Care Group is pleased to welcome Zenithe Pierre Ware, M.D., who has relocated to the Riverstone practice, located at 18717 S. University Blvd., Suite 105, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479. “I like to get to know my patients and collaborate with them to provide individualized personal care,” said Ware, who served patients in the Clear Lake area prior to her move. Ware is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. She focuses
MEDICAL FOCUS
on preventive care and enjoys caring for patients of all ages. Her clinical expertise includes annual physicals, diabetes management, hypertension and women’s health. As a new resident in Sienna, Ware enjoys taking walks, roller skating and swimming with her husband and three children, who range in age from 12-years-old to one. She is active in her community as a member of Jack and Jill of America and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Patients in Sugar Land and surrounding communities can schedule an appointment online at houstonmethodist.org/pcg/ riverstone. Visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland to learn more about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.
Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Earns National Recognition for Efforts to Improve Stroke Treatment Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s GoldPlus Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Quality Achievement Award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the U.S. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and speeding recovery times. Get With The Guidelines-Stroke was developed to assist health care professionals to provide the most up-to-date, research-based care for treating stroke patients. “Houston Methodist Sugar Land is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to helping our patients have the best possible chance of survival after a stroke,” said Maureen Lall, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, COHN-S, SCRN, director of the Houston Methodist Neuroscience & Spine Center at Sugar Land. “Get With The GuidelinesStroke makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis to improve outcomes for stroke patients.” Each year program participants apply for the award recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, participants also provide education to patients to help them manage their health and rehabilitation once at home. “We are pleased to recognize Houston Methodist Sugar Land for the hospital’s commitment to stroke care,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national chairperson of the Quality Oversight
Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital
Committee and Executive Vice Chair of Neurology, Director of Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. “Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get With The Guidelines quality improvement initiative can often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.” Houston Methodist Sugar Land also received the Association’s Target: StrokeSM Elite Plus award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) - the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke. Additionally, Houston Methodist Sugar Land received the Association’s Target: Type 2 Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed with more than 90% of compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score.” Visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland to learn more about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. OCTOBER 2021 l
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By Alisa Murray www.AlisaMurray.com Nationally recognized portrait artist and award-winning columnist.
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Living the Sweet Life:
If You’re Happy and You Know It Do Something Sweet!
ey Sweet Lifers! How are you? Are you happy? I know, there’s always a lot going on, and what kind of question is it to ask someone “Are you happy” anyway? Happiness is a fundamental part of living a sweet life, and the way to achieving it might be simpler than you think. For many, the feeling of being “happy” is a fleeting one. Happiness felt in this way is marked by tangible experiences, such as successes after long struggles, surviving a health issue, or maybe even winning the lottery (just kidding!). Those happy feelings are little blips of more like a surge of the feeling. What we all need is a steady and sustained happiness flow. This happens Alisa Murray. when our overall lifestyle feeds us constantly. This is created when we live in a great home and marriage with those around us who give us a feeling of being loved for exactly who we are. It also happens by leaning into our perfect calling that creates within us a sense of purpose and satisfaction. A positive mindset becomes your internal compass. Happiness has to be cultivated, and just like everything in life that’s worth a damn, it’s hard work. When things go sideways, and they always will . . . happiness thrives and insulates us from falling into an unhappy state of mind. In thinking about my own happiness, I have that happy flow thingy. Of course, I would not ask you about yours having not examined my own first! This happy stuff takes time, and the older I get, the happier I become. One thing I have learned is that creating an overall sense of being happy is a decision. This decision to be happy regardless of what comes your way is the actual pivotal point that we all
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must make to live fully and feel complete. Another thing I have learned is that happiness is achieved by simply being sweet. Like so many other things in life, it’s not rocket science, although society at times wishes to complicate the matter. There are studies that have proven that people who practice being sweet to others find themselves actually feeling happier than those who do not. There are some little things you can do that will increase exponentially your happy flow. I find simply holding the door for a stranger or allowing a mother with children to go ahead of me at the checkout is a sweet act of kindness that spills out of me and into them. My Sweet Life Garden has become a sacred space, and while waiting for a butterfly to greet me or a flower to bloom, I gain patience with this world and with myself. I think while I am there about how life is so short, my time here is fleeting, and we all need to do our best to do what we are supposed to do both for ourselves and for one another. I also make a point to text a sweet message to at least five people each morning. Sometimes, that is just what they needed at that moment to set the stage for their day to be brighter. So I ask you again, my sweet lifer . . . Are you happy? I sure hope so! Happiness does not just happen; it is a decision and an important part in truly “living a sweet life.” Take care of you and stay “sweet!”
OCTOBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
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October 2021 Winner “Snake River Canyon” Twin Falls, Idaho By Lesa Reitz Congratulations you’ve earned a gift certificate! ENTER TO WIN Fort Bend Focus Magazine is looking for great amateur photos. Any subject matter will be considered, black and white or color, special effects and/or edited are not necessary. The entry must not have previously appeared in any publication. A WINNER EVERY ISSUE Each issue’s winner receives a gift certificate and the winning photo will be published in our magazine. To claim your prize, e-mail grace@absolutelyfocusmedia.com. NO LIMIT TO ENTRIES To submit a digital photo, e-mail the jpeg file to Grace@ absolutelyfocusmedia.com. Digital photos must be 300 dpi HIGH RESOLUTION at size of at least 10” wide.
Please make sure to send some basic information about every photo you submit such as: who, where, when, a title, your name and phone number. By submitting an entry, the photographer gives Fort Bend Focus Magazine the right to use and publish their photograph. There is no contest deadline.
