Houston Style Magazine Vol 24 No 52

H Hors d’oeuvres Party: A New Approach to Entertaining H Complimentary H Houston Premiere Weekly Publication H Volume 24 H Number 52 DECEMBER 26 -JANUARY 1, 2014

SPOTLIGHTS

Jesse Jackson Talks About The Reason for Christmas

New Year’s Attire

Win a Bowtie to Complete Look

Mia Love Front Runner for Utah US Rep

Crow Wisdom METRO’s North Line Get your finances in order Happy Holidays Festari Jim Terri Reviews a

* News * Commentaries * Sports * Health * Entertainment

Book by Jonathan Holloway

PG 2 DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1, 2013

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04 05 Local Briefs 10 2013: A Year in Review The Real Meaning

By Jesse Jackson

Volume 24 • Number 52• DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1, 2013 EDITORIAL

editorial@stylemagazine.com FRANCIS PAGE, JR. Publisher and Editor fpagejr@stylemagazine.com 713-927-5444 Jo-carolyn goode Editor-at-Large editorial@stylemagazine.com 713-320-5611 lisa valadez Hispanic Managing Editor lisa@stylemagazine.com 832-228-0764

By CNN

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DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1, 2013

PG 3

jesse Jackson

commentary

The Real Meaning of the Season

All of this violates the spirit

that a mighty Messiah would be

of the Salvation Army are filled.

of the holiday. This is Christmas -- a

born -- a king of kings -- to defeat

The wealthy complete their contri-

mass celebrating the birth of Christ.

the occupiers and free the people.

butions for the year. Gifts are ex-

What matters is not the color of

changed with families and friends.

Jesus or Santa, but their character.

he was the Prince of Peace, not a

Jesus represents promise, hope and

man of war. He gathered disciples,

chose to cut food stamps by 7 per-

redemption. Santa is a commercial

not armies. He converted, rather

cent, literally taking food from the

T

icon, representing buying and sell-

than conquered, the occupier. He

mouths of 48 million of our most

he holiday is upon us. The

ing, credit and debt.

accumulated no worldly wealth. He

vulnerable citizens. Congress chose

streets and stores are gaily

Each year at this time, I urge

threw the money lenders from the

not to extend emergency jobless

decorated; music is in the

that we remember the real story of

temple. He taught us about love,

benefits; in January, 1.3 million

air. There’s a scurry for cards and

Christmas. It’s not about a holiday;

hope, charity and faith.

Americans desperate to find work

presents; an expectation of families

it is about a holy day. Jesus was

We will be judged, he told

will find themselves out in the cold.

gathering. Politically, it’s an idle

born under occupation to a couple

us, by how we treat “the least of

This is a rich nation; we can afford

time, a silly season. Every year re-

ordered to go far from home. The

these.” We will be graded on how

to do better. Congress chose not to.

cently, there are fulminations about

innkeeper told his parents that there

we treat the stranger on the Jericho

someone trying to “steal Christ-

was no room at the inn. He was

Road.

take a moment to remember the

mas,” as if someone could. This

born in a manger, an “at risk baby.”

You don’t need to be a

real story. Too many get caught up

year, Fox News is pumping an ar-

He came at a time of great

Christian to understand the rel-

in Santa’s holiday, oppressed by

gument over whether Santa is black

expectation among the poor and the

evance of his teachings today. We

the need for money to buy gifts.

or white, and what color Jesus was.

oppressed. Prophets had predicted

live in one of the richest nations

But the real celebration is free and

in the world. Our princes of com-

liberating. Let us take stock not of

merce live lavish lives that exceed

the presents we give or receive,

the grandest excesses of barons and

but of how we treat the young in

kings of old. Yet, as a recent report

the dawn of life, the poor in the

by the United Nations Children’s

pit of life, the elderly in the dusk

Fund shows, the U.S. ranks next to

of life, the stranger on a dark road.

last, 34th of 35 developed countries,

Let’s pledge to lift the vulnerable

in the number of children raised in

children born in life’s manger out

poverty. Over 20 million people are

of poverty. Let’s commit to bring

in need of full-time work. Over 4

peace to Bethlehem. Remember

million are long-term unemployed.

the Wise Men brought gifts to the

While corporate profits are hitting

child and his parents, not to one an-

records, workers’ wages are at new

other. And their offerings were not

lows as a percentage of GDP. Most

the real gift. The true blessing was

Americans are struggling simply to

the child himself, wrapped in swad-

stay afloat.

dling clothes, lying in a manger.

Merry Christmas, everybody.

PG 4 DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1, 2013

Jesus was that liberator, but

Household incomes contin-

But this year, Congress

On this holiday, let us each

ue to decline, as the top 1 percent

pockets a staggering 95 percent of

Jesse Jackson in care of this news-

the rewards of growth over the last

paper or by email at jjackson@rain-

three years.

bowpush.org. Follow him on Twit-

ter @RevJJackson.

Christmas is a time of giv-

You can write to the Rev.

ing. Neighbors contribute to their

churches and schools; the buckets

www.stylemagazine.com.

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Read the full story online at

Local Briefs Nine Year Old Birthday Wish to Donate Shoes to Needy Children

at eight year’s old for her ninth birthday,

A&E show ‘Duck Dynasty.’ The Lone

but she continued to ask,” stated Brielle’s

Star Q, statewide LGBT news source,

mom Betty Driver. “As her mother I feel

reported that Houston Mayor Annise

over-joyed and proud that my daughter

Parker said, “What some redneck wing-

has a sense of obligation and the desire

nut has to say about the GLBT com-

to help others at such an early age.” Do-

munity is completely irrelevant.” After

nated Shoes will benefit children at The

many heavily scruntized her comments,

Star of Hope!

Mayor Parker tweeted on this past Sat-

Mayor Parker ‘Was Serious’ About Duck Dynasty Comment

urday “When I called Phil Robertson

N

others. After realizing that

some children don’t have enough clothing, she decided for her birthday wish that instead of a party and gifts Brielle asked her friends to donate a new pair

age of 8. “At first I didn’t take her seriously last year when she asked to do this

technology

M

Mayor Annise Parker

any have commented over the release of Phil Robert-

nise Parker believes Phil Robertson’s

The red dust blew into the city over the

comments are irrelevant doesn’t mean

weekend by a weather system. Previous

that many of her constituents don’t only

weather systems have carried dust as far

consider them to be relevant, but also

as Louisiana. Houston drivers might not

timely.”

have like the thick layers of red duct on

Red Dust Covers Houstonians’ Cars

son from the highly popular

unday morning many Houston motorists woke up to a sea of red dust covering their vehicles. Ac-

cording to the National Weather Service

their vehicles but area car washes sure did. Many of them reported double, some even tripled, their business on Sunday.

The Top Tech Stories of 2013

By Heather Kelly CNN

T

the culprit of the red dust was Mexico.

from Sid Miller, Republican candidate

always been inspired to help

wish has been a desire of hers since the

a statement he said, “Just because An-

course sparked additional commentary

ine-year-old Brielle Driver has

at Houston area homeless shelters. This

for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, in

S

whose views are completely irrelevant’ I was serious. Who cares?-A.” This of

Brielle Driver and Friends

of shoes which will be given to children

of Duck Dynasty ‘a redneck wingnut

he biggest technology story of

cybersecurity, illustrated by a string of

Sony’s new Play Station 4.

2014. Wearable technology moved from

the 2013 is one of the biggest

attacks by hackers against news orga-

Apple didn’t have to switch

the hype stage to the prototype stage,

stories of the year, period. It has

nizations, major tech companies and

much up to stay popular. It announced

but Google Glass and the myriad of bad

had serious implications in the United

retailers. The motivations behind the at-

an expected update to its iPhone and

smart watches just showed that the in-

States and around the world, and half a

tacks varied -- some like the recent Tar-

iPad lines with the usual fanfare, slim-

dustry still has a lot more work to do (on

year later its true impact is only begin-

get breach -- were financially motivated,

ming down and speeding up the devices,

design and social norms) before these

ning to be felt.

while others were political statements or

throwing in some flashy features like a

gadgets are hot holiday items.

In June, The Guardian first pub-

acts of espionage. They all highlighted

finger print scanner and new colors to

lished leaked documents from National

the limits of online security and privacy.

keep the masses interested. A more dra-

er face-mounted computers become a so-

Security Agency contractor Edward

It was a year when established

matic overhaul was of the iOS 7 mobile

cially acceptable accessory, 3-D printed

Snowden. The classified documents

tech companies struggled to reinvent

operating system, which was flattened,

guns become something to worry about

contained information about highly

themselves. Microsoft continued to push

simplified and updated.

and original content from sites like Ama-

confidential government programs that

its new Windows 8 operating system

zon and Netflix can take on TV.

collect massive amounts of data about

and Windows 8 smartphones, even go-

leased a new social micro-video app

Americans’ cell phone calls and Internet

ing as far as to buy the No. 1 maker of

called Vine, Snapchat broke out of the

activities

Windows phones, Nokia’s mobile divi-

naughty messaging market and made

The scope of the program has

sion. In the end, it wasn’t enough and

“ephemeral” communications a hot fea-

led to lawsuits and protests, a public de-

the company decided on one more big

ture, and virtual currency Bitcoin sky-

bate about the right to privacy versus the

change: a new CEO.

rocketed in price while people waited to

government’s need to secretly collect in-

see if it would drop back down to Earth.

formation for security.

could be its new Xbox game console, the

Xbox One, which is competing against

were just previews of what’s to come in

Another big story this year was

A bright spot for Microsoft

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Twitter went public and re-

Tune in next year and see wheth-

Some of 2013’s big stories

DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1, 2013

2013 Toyota Rav4

PG 5

Health

By Jessica Crawford Style Feature Writer

Hospital Gowns Get Glitzy

P

atientStyle gowns- an alternative to the typical hospital gownis attempting to change the way people see the medical experience.

“There’s the movie ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ where Jack Nicholson walks down the (hospital) hallway and his backside is exposed,” said PatientStyle President Dusty Eber.

“That’s a common image people associate with hospitals.”

PatientStyle offers hospital gowns that are unique to different medical situations. They currently offer items such as a Mammography Top, a Modesty Gown, a Nursing Gown, and a Tie Gown (which prevents indecent exposure by tying to the side instead of straight down the back). The gowns also come in a variety of designs and colors.

“We’re always working on a new product,” said Eber. “We started with adults, then we added pediatrics about a year and a half ago. When we were meeting at hospitals around the U.S., we saw that was a real clinical need. Nurse Directors were asking.”

Eber, who said he worked in the retail industry for fifteen years,

culinary

By Family Feature

H

oliday entertaining is all about food, wine and quality time with family and friends. This year, try a new approach to holiday get-togethers by hosting an hors d’oeuvres party.

Skip the hassle of preparing a full meal by serving a number of small bites, dips and spreads for your guests to enjoy. Most hors d’oeuvres can be prepared ahead of time so you can spend more time with your guests instead of in the kitchen, making it easy to entertain flawlessly.

The best part is you don’t have to break the bank to host a fabulous holiday gathering. By switching from national name brands to a grocer like ALDI, party essentials and seasonal must-haves, such as holiday gifts and baking necessities, can be as much as 50 percent less. Manufactured by many of the nation’s leading food producers, these exclusive brand items often meet or exceed the quality and taste of the national name

Patient Style Tie Gowns

found the inspiration for PatientStyle while he and his wife were at the hospital for the birth of one of their children. In a previous job, the company he worked for produced comfortable pajamas.

“One of the categories in our old company was comfortable pajamas,” he said. “I thought that the application would work for healthcare.”

Gerald Grimes, a managing partner at the healthcare laundry service company Corporate Cleaning Solutions, said that the gowns were just what the company needed to being pa-

tients comfort.

“We are a concierge, which means our clients and their patients want something higher-end and better quality,” he said. “We chose PatientStyle gowns.”

While Walgreens sells standard hospital gowns for between $15.99 and $27.99, individual PatientStyle gowns range from $32 - $49.85 on www.amazon.com. “ They are an interlock,” said Eber. “They are a cotton poly-knit.

Typical hospital gowns are wovens, so these are a knit product. A very similar kind of product to if someone were to buy pajamas at Nordstrom’s or Macy’s.”

According to Grimes, the construction of the PatientStyle gowns has proven to make them more resilient than the average hospital gown.

“You get three times as many washes with their gown as opposed to the standard gown that’s on the market,” he said.

PatientStyle gowns are currently in use at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and Victory Healthcare in Texas. Eber

said the gowns are also in use at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and some Mayo Clinics.

“We’re in a few hundred hospitals around the U.S.,” he said.

In addition to filling a niche clothing market, Eber said that he also saw that PatientStyle could improve customer satisfaction- which is now both a moral and monetary end.

“There are government reimbursements that are tied into patient experience and patient satisfaction,” Eber said. “So there is a big movement in healthcare to increase patient experience and patient satisfaction.”

The push to improve patient satisfaction is exemplified by Medicare, which began to adjust its payment to hospitals according to patient satisfaction in Oct. 2012.

Grimes said that quality is woven- or rather, interlocked- into every gown.

“The thread count is higher, the quality is there. It’s in the material that they use,” he said.

Happier Holiday Hors D’oeuvres brands.

Try these hors d’oeuvre serving tips from food stylist and loyal ALDI shopper Janice Stahl:

• Rethink the regular: Surprise guests and get creative with classic recipes by changing the presentation. Square pizza bites, circular tea sandwiches or star-shaped fruit make entertaining fun.

• Keep hors d’oeuvres simple: Serve foods that are bite-sized and easy to pick up. Try skewers to create festive kabobs, which are perfect for nibbling.

• Presentation is everything: Experiment with serving pieces like vases, champagne glasses or appetizer cups that add special interest to bite-sized snacks from chips and dip to shrimp cocktail.

With these simple tips and recipes, you’ll be ready to throw a festive holiday hors d’oeuvres party that’s easy and affordable. Visit www. aldi.us for more entertaining ideas.

PG 6 DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1, 2013

Cranberry Shrimp Ceviche Cups $0.58 per serving at ALDI Recipe courtesy of Chef Alyssa, ALDI Test Kitchen Prep time: 20 minutes, plus 1 hour to chill Cook time: 3 minutes Yields: 16 ceviche cups 1 1/2 teaspoons iodized salt, divided 16 ounces medium raw shrimp, thawed 1 cup dried cranberries 1/2 red onion, roughly chopped 1/2 cup fresh parsley 1/2 jalapeno, roughly chopped 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper or ground black pepper 1 teaspoon oregano 16 ounces tortilla chips 2 limes cut into wedges Fresh cranberries, optional

Bring medium pot of water to a boil. Season with 1 teaspoon

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salt. Add shrimp and cook for 3 minutes. Immediately plunge cooked shrimp into ice water bath. Peel shrimp and place in flat dish.

In food processor, combine cranberries, red onion, parsley and jalapeno. Pulse until finely chopped.

Add cranberry mixture to shrimp. Add lemon juice, lime juice, remaining salt, crushed red pepper and oregano. Stir to combine ingredients thoroughly. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

To assemble, spoon ceviche, about 4 to 5 shrimp each, into small clear cups or glasses. Garnish with tortilla chips and lime wedges.

Cranberry Shrimp Ceviche Cups

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DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1, 2013

PG 7

finance

A

s they look ahead to 2014, Americans are getting their financial houses in order by paying closer attention to their credit scores and managing their debt, according to the inaugural “How America Buys and Borrows” survey by Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC).

The survey revealed that Americans are focused on managing their credit, with nearly 60 percent having checked their credit score or credit report within the

Americans Get Their Financial Houses in Order for 2014 According to a New Wells Fargo Survey past year. On average, more Americans are proud (40 percent) than concerned (22 percent) about their credit score. This focus on credit management is part of preparation for the future, as nearly 80 percent of respondents said they have purchases of $2,000 or more planned within the next two years. In the coming years, consumers anticipate financing purchases such as home improvements or a home purchase (41 percent), travel (32 percent) and automobiles (28 percent.)

“77 percent of Americans feel their financial situation is moderate to good – which is great news as we move ahead to 2014,” said Gary Korotzer, executive vice president with Wells Fargo’s Consumer Credit Solutions Group. “It is important for consumers to put themselves in the driver’s seat when it comes to managing their finances responsibly. An optimistic outlook for the future is an important key to financial success along with having clear goals and charting a course to get there.”

PG 8 DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1, 2013

The survey also uncovered generational differences in how consumers choose to manage or strengthen their financial situations. Boomers and Gen Xers are more likely to say they actively reduce their debt (42 and 35 percent, respectively,) while 35 percent of Millennials say they choose to focus on increasing their savings.

The survey also revealed that consumers are engaging in healthy fiscal habits such as paying off their credit cards every month (39 percent,) saving for major purchases rather than relying on credit (38 percent) and sticking to a budget every month (32 percent.)

“We want our customers to take charge of their finances by understanding their current situation and their options,” said Korotzer.

“When used responsibly, credit is a resource that can help consumers reach their financial goals. And we believe Wells Fargo has an important role in providing tools and resources to help our customers succeed financially.”

• 43 percent of Americans think things will get better in the next year. 44 percent think things will stay about the same.

• Most believe housing values have bottomed out and expect values to stabilize or increase.

• Boomers are more likely to feel the economy is weaker and Millennials are more positive about the future.

• Millennials expect their current situation will improve (60 percent), yet one third are concerned about finding a stable job and paying off loans.

• Saving for retirement is a leading concern for both Gen X and Boomers with 52 percent of Gen Xers and 53 percent of Boomers saying it’s their top concern.

• Three in 10 feel they’re saving more compared to a few years ago, or reducing debt. However, few (one in five) indicate they are financially prepared for an emergency.

• When financing a purchase, the total cost of the item is

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the most important consideration, followed by the interest rates on credit cards or other loans.

• Nearly a third of American homeowners indicate that, with the exception of a mortgage, they are living debt free.

• One in four respondents consider themselves “financially savvy,” and the same number feels that they are doing a good job keeping their financial house in order.

• Few (13 percent) feel they have achieved their financial goals and most rate their understanding of financial management a “B” or a “C.”

As consumers plan for 2014, Wells Fargo offers the following five tips:

1. Develop a realistic budget that includes your income, expenses, saving for life’s special moments and allowances for life’s unexpected moments.

2. Manage your cash flow and savings by tracking spending, reducing debt, saving for emergencies and avoiding overspending.

3. Build for the future by setting financial goals and living within your means. Create a financial plan to help you reach your goals and be prepared to adjust it if your life circumstances change.

4. Maintain strong credit and understand the real cost of borrowing. Know your credit score and check your credit report for accuracy annually. Before financing a big ticket purchase, understand the total cost of the loan over time.

5. Protect the money you have by avoiding becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft by safeguarding your personal information, reporting lost or stolen items such as checkbooks, debit cards or credit cards immediately and regularly reviewing your accounts to confirm all activity is legitimate.

For more information about responsible money management, visit www.wellsfargo.com/myfinancialguide – Wells Fargo’s free resource to empower consumers with financial knowledge and resources.

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DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1, 2013

PG 9

Feature

By CNN Library

2013: A Year in Review

April 19 - Boston Marathon bombing suspects Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev are involved in a confrontation with police. Tamerlan is killed and Dzhokhar escapes. After an all day manhunt, Dzhokhar is captured by police.

May 2 - Maryland governor Martin O’Malley signs a law repealing the state’s death penalty. The law takes effect October 1.

May 6 - Three young women and a six-year-old girl are rescued from a house in Cleveland, Ohio. The three women had been held captive in the house by Ariel Castro for between nine and 11 years and endured rape and brutal physical abuse.

May 8 - Jodi Arias is found guilty of the 2008 murder of ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander.

May 20 - An EF5 tornado hits Moore, Oklahoma and surrounding areas. There are 25 confirmed fatalities.

une 9 - The Guardian and Washington Post disclose former Booz Allen contract employee Edward Snowden as their source for the intelligence related information recently published. Both published stories revealing the existence of PRISM, a program they say allows the NSA to extract the details of custom-

er activities -- including “audio and video chats, photographs, e-mails, documents” and other materials -- from computers at Microsoft, Google, Apple and other Internet companies.

June 26 - The Supreme Court rejects parts of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in a 5-4 decision, dismissing an appeal over same-sex marriage on jurisdictional grounds and ruling samesex spouses legally married in a state may receive federal benefits. It also rules that private parties do not have standing to defend California’s voter-approved ballot measure barring gay and lesbian couples from state-sanctioned wedlock.

The ruling clears the way for same-sex marriages in California to resume.

June 21 - The U.S. government charges fugitive leaker Edward Snowden with espionage and theft of government property.

June 30 - Nineteen elite firefighters are killed in a wildfire in Arizona.

July 1 - Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Delaware.

July 13 - George Zimmerman is found not guilty in the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

July 30 - Pfc. Bradley Manning, on trial for leaking military information to the WikiLeaks website, is acquitted of aiding the enemy, but found guilty on 20 other counts, including violations of the Espionage Act. In August, he is sentenced to 35 years in prison.

August 1 - Cleveland kidnappings suspect Ariel Castro pleads guilty to the charges against him and is sentenced to life in prison plus 1,000 years.

Just over one month later, he commits suicide in his prison cell.

August 1 - Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Rhode Island and Minnesota.

August 12 - Gangster James “Whitey” Bulger is convicted of multiple counts of racketeering.

August 13 – Cory Booker becomes first African American Senator of New Jersey.

August 17 - A wildfire breaks out at Yosemite National Park. The blaze, known as the Rim Fire, is one of the largest wildfires in California’s history.

August 23 - Army Maj. Nidal

PG 10 DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1, 2013

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A

s one year ends and another one begins we tend to reflect on the previous year. What headlines shocked us? What headlines made us cry? Who were the history makers?

Houston Style Magazine brings you a year in review, 2013 style.

Notable U.S. Events: January 1 - Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Maryland.

January 2 - President Barack Obama signs a bill that averts the “fiscal cliff.”

January 21 - President Barack Obama is inaugurated for a second term.

Obama was sworn-in to office the previous day, but because the date fell on a Sunday, the public festivities were postponed one day.

February 1 - John Kerry is sworn in as Secretary of State.

February 12 - President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address.

March 1 - Forced cuts to the federal budget, also known as sequestration, kick in.

April 15 - Twin bombs at the finish line of the Boston marathon kill three people and injure more than 250.

April 17 - An explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas kills 15 people.

Hasan is convicted of 13 counts of murder and 32 counts of attempted murder for a shooting rampage at Fort Hood in 2009. On August 28, Hasan is sentenced to death.

August 31 - President Barack Obama announces that he will seek congressional approval for a U.S. strike on Syria, in retaliation for the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s use of chemical weapons on his own people.

September 10 - In a speech before the U.S. public, President Obama says he will not, “put American boots on the ground in Syria” but does not rule out other military options.

September 12 - Flooding in Colorado leaves eight people dead, and more than 2,000 homes destroyed.

September 16 - Twelve people are killed inside the U.S. Navy Yard in Washington, DC. The shooter, identified as Aaron Alexis, 34, is also killed.

October 1 - A federal government shutdown goes into effect at midnight, as the new fiscal year officially begins without an agreement on legislation to keep the government funded.

October 1 - As part of the rollout of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, health insurance exchanges open online. Technical problems plague the sites.

October 17 - The U.S. government reopens after President Obama signs a bill ending the government shutdown.

November 1 - TSA officer Gerardo Hernandez is killed at Los Angeles International Airport, allegedly by 23-year-old Paul Ciancia.

November 13 - Hawaii governor Neil Abercrombie signs into law a bill making same-sex marriage legal.

The law will take effect in December 2013.

November 20 - Illinois governor Pat Quinn signs a bill legalizing samesex marriage in the state. The law will take effect June 1, 2014.

December 16 - U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issues a preliminary ruling that the government’s once-secret collection of domestic phone records is unconstitutional.

Read more online at www.stylemagazine.com

Political

By Burt Levine Political Writer

W

Mia Love

ith Jim Matheson announcing his retirement from Congress Mia Love now moves into the front seat in her long time drive to become Utah’s first African American sent to the US Congress. In 2012 she lost to the incumbent by 768 votes out of 245,277 votes cast, a difference of 0.31 percent.

The Saratoga Springs mayor’s prospects of winning that House seat in 2014 sharply improved last week when Matheson said he won’t seek an eighth term -- allowing her to face a non-incumbent this time. “It’s telling that Matheson, who didn’t even vote for ObamaCare’s original passage, knows

fashion

By Eric Ford

Feature Style Writer

B

ottles poppin’, confetti flying, kisses at the end of countdowns, the most memorable time of the year is fast approaching and you must be camera ready.

Your outfit is the most stressful, but exciting part when planning for those extravagant, extraordinary, great Gatsby kinds of New Year’s Eve celebrations, and you will need that last finishing touch to make it pop.

David Mutter and David Kramer, the new owners of the Beau Ties Ltd Of Vermont, express that any finishing essential for New Year’s Eve 2013 will be a bow tie.

“It gives any outfit a chance to be different and high quality,” said Mutter. “It’s that flashy accessory that can turn any traditional fit to a conceptional one.”

Beau Ties, located in Vermont, is a business that specializes in custom made bow ties that vary in color, size, theme, season, limited or designer, style, and occasion.

They also provide other items like tops and bottoms, including accessories like neck ties, scarves, hats, socks, belts, pocket squares, and etc., which make Beau Ties a one stop shop for all needs for the upcoming New Year’s Eve

Open Seat Makes Love Likely Utah’s First Black US Rep. he can’t run and win in this climate,” said Oregon Rep. Greg Walden.

If elected Love would become the first Haitian American elected to Congress and the GOP’s first black female US Rep. She’s part of the GOP’s 2014 recruiting class, known as the Young Guns. Beyond running in a strong GOP-leaning district, Love already has raised at least $475,000 and has an established campaign. She captured the imagination of Republican Party members with her 2012 Republican National Convention speech, with such notable lines as “Mr. President I am here to tell you we are not buying what you are selling” and “This is our story. This is the America we know because we built it.”

However, critics say Love has to avoid several potential pitfalls that snagged her last year, including by mounting a better campaign, closing the door this time on a third-party candidate and finding a way to win more of the Hispanic vote.

“Mia Love has a straight shot to Congress now,” said Tyler Harber, a Republican strategist with the international strategy firm Harden Global.

“She’s smart, worldly and interested in focusing on solving problems. Her loss in 2012 had more to do with a disorga-

nized, amateurish campaign than with the candidate or message. Our failure to take Matheson’s seat in 2012 should stand as a demonstration that campaigns do, in fact, matter.”

Matheson won 71 percent of the Hispanic vote, compared with 27 percent for Love, according to a Brigham Young University study. And Libertarian candidate Jim Vein took 2.6 percent of the vote in 2012. Matheson defeated Love by just 49.34 to 48.06 percent.

Love responded to the news of Matheson’s retirement by praising his years of public service, but suggested her strategy remains the same.

“It doesn’t change our strategy,” she told Fox News. “We’re going to work to win every single vote.”

Matheson, among the few remaining Blue Dogs, or Democrats in conservative districts who occasionally vote with their rival party, in May voted with 227 House Republicans to repeal ObamaCare.

Love was born December 6, 1975, to Mary and Jean Maxine in Brooklyn, New York. Both her parents emigrated from Haiti in 1973. Love turned down an offer to appear in the Broadway show “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” that started two days before her marriage in December 1988 to Jason Love

who she met when he was a Mormon Missionary. They are marathon runners and have three children. Love’s first foray into civic involvement came in the summer of 2002 when she served as the community spokesperson in an effort to get the developer of her neighborhood in Saratoga Springs to spray against flies.

She won a seat on the Saratoga Springs City Council in 2003 and after six years on Council she was elected Mayor.

Love favors “fiscal discipline, limited government, and personal responsibility.”] She has said she asks herself three questions whenever she approaches an issue, “Is it affordable? Is it sustainable? Is it my job?” She has advocated allowing student loan rates to be set by the free market.

At her college orientation Love’s father told her, “Mia, your mother and I never took a handout. You will not be a burden to society. You will give back.”

She underscored this philosophy on the campaign trail to sum up her views.

She supports local control of education, is Pro-Life and Pro-Second Amendment rights.

Love has said that if elected to Congress, she would “join the Congressional Black Caucus.”

EXTRA EXTRA: Beau Ties for New Year’s Eve

Win Custom Made Bow Tie

holiday.

“My favorite bow tie to choose for the occasion will be our “Mr. Black Magic” bow tie,” said Mutter. “The texture is woven black silk with black stripes which is simply extraordinary for this occasion.”

Mutter describes that “Mr. Black Magic” is a tie that can be used not only for New Year’s, but any event because of its color and the texture; it’s an all year bow tie for anything.

Black, gold, and white are the color pallets for this New Year’s Eve fashion and with a great color block, your outfit will bind together.

“Even women now are utilizing our site for our custom made ties,” said Mutter. “For both man and woman to have

WWW.STYLEMAGAZINE.COM

the same tie for New Year’s will be fun, passionate, and bring each other closer for the new year to come.”

Open 24/7 online, Beau Ties website is here to help you find the correct bow tie for you, and make the purchasing process a smooth breeze.

As we speak, Beau Ties is gearing up for the New Year’s rush by having a flash special where select black and white bow and neck ties are offered on a discount.

Since the beginning of Beau Ties in 1993 with first owner, Bill Kenerson, the business has been supplying bow ties all over the nation where sewing, shipping, sales, and marketing can take place all at once and work successfully.

“Obtaining the company was an honor,” said Mutter. “They needed people with style, personality, focus, and a heart for the business which Kramer and I possessed and more.”

Mutter continued to explain that this type of business needed leaders who show potential, understood the value of their hand-stitched merchandise, and who can make the costumer happy.

And here is an opportunity for one lucky Houston Style Magazine reader to be happy and receive a free costumed

made bow tie, including a “How to Tie A Bow Tie” guide for the 2013 New Year’s Eve Holiday. Simply take a photo of yourself in your best suit and tie outfit, male or female, and post it on your Instagram explaining why you love bow ties and why you deserve to win. You will then have a chance to win a New Year’s special Bartok/Solti bow tie. When posting your photo, be sure to tag Houston Style Magazine (@stylemagazine) and Beau Ties (@BeauTiesLtd) along with the hashtag #NYEBeauTies and #HSMGiveaway. A winner will be chosen on December 26th, so stay updated on Houston Style Magazine’s social media handles to see if you won our special New Year’s prize. You may only enter once, so choose your photo wisely.

The time will be upon us soon, don’t miss out on what Beau Ties has to offer and continue to stay up-to-date with Houston Style Magazine as we give you more style tips and ideas for New Year’s Eve.

Let the contest begin, and remember to be camera ready!

DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1, 2013

PG 11

entertainment

Sparkle for the Holiday Season

By Family Features

T

sparkle. A little black dress is the perfect

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entertainment

By LeAndrea Mack

E

nvision your office as a stage, stiletto heels and cocktail dresses as your company’s required dress code, and your boss is Beyonce! Montina Cooper gets to live this dream night after night as a background vocalist for Beyonce on the current “Mrs. Carter World Tour!”

This talented songstress has become a “go-to girl” in an everchanging industry with a career spanning over 10 years that include backing huge singers like Kelly Rowland, Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx and an accumulation of other prodigious opportunities like arranging vocals for Earth, Wind and Fire, performing at BET’s 2012 Black Girls Rock and opening for the late great Gerald Levert.

Singing since the age of 2, Cooper was hand selected by Beyonce along with Crystal “Crissy” Collins and Tiffany Moníque during the Beyoncé Experience tour in 2007.

Collectively they make up the group The Mamas and are Beyonce’s background vocalist for her current tour but this St. Louis native raised in

Give your nails some shine.

Holiday photos and family gath-

Montina Cooper, Background Singer for Beyonce for over 10 years

Housto, Texas success as a background vocalist was jumpstarted by an encounter with Mary J Blige at the age of 21. After belting out perfect pitch for Blige, she was sent to NYC where she started the process of working on an album and singing background for Blige. Although the album process didn’t pan out, the learning process for Cooper was valuable. She has learned more about the industry and we should all pay attention because her time to shine as a solo artist is near!

As a participant in the reality series, “The Biggest Loser” Cooper fought to shed weight and even after her time with the show had ended, she continued to lose the pounds and adopt a healthier lifestyle. After going through battles of cancer alongside her mother and her husband (both survivors) she found that the stress had brought back some of her weight. In the St Louis Post Dispatch she confessed, “I lost weight in front of the world and then picked it up in front of (Beyoncé) fans.” However she is determined to continue the path of a healthier lifestyle and has set new weight loss goals.

Montina Cooper is a lady of style

but her cutting edge hair trends are developed by one of Houston’s premier hair stylists Michelle “Meme” Coleman, who happens to also be Cooper’s sister. In the St Louis show of the Mrs. Carter World Tour, Cooper rocked a sleek black, shoulder-grazing bob with blue undertones, something that stylist Michelle “Meme” Coleman has helped Cooper maintain as her signature look with a special blend of colors made exclusively for her. The captivating blue tresses represent the edgy class of style Coleman has always envisioned for her sister. Over the years Coleman has styled her sister with great versatility including naturally textured short hair, cascading curls past her shoulders, and beautiful hues of blondes. Coleman says, “I always make sure she (Cooper) is ready before she goes on the road and I will touch her up when she is home on breaks to get her ready again. Because she is gone for long periods of time I always use The Resurrection” by Back To Basic on her hair to replenish it and the Chi Royal Treatment line as I style it.”

ogether these sisters have built

PG 12 DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1, 2013

WWW.STYLEMAGAZINE.COM

impressive resumes. Other clients of Coleman’s include tennis star Serena Williams, WNBA megastars Tina Thompson and Sheryl Swoops and singer Kelly Rowland. Montina Cooper has been on 5 big tours with Beyonce including the 2004 Ladies First Tour with Alicia Keys, Missy Elliott, Tamia , The Beyoncé Experience with Robin Thicke in 2007, the 2010/2011 I Am ... World Tour, and the promotional tour for the album “4.”

Currently you can catch Montina Cooper on the Mrs Carter World Tour and visit Michelle “Meme” Coleman at Family Cuts Hair Salon in Katy TX.

Montina Cooper

THIS WEEK:

Houston, TX

THIS WEEK:

Houston, TX

2013 Festari for Men Christmas Party

O

Photography Roswitha Volger

n Wednesday, December 11, 2013, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at the Festari for Men Christmas Party. The festive affair was also a fundraiser with 15% of the proceeds benefitting Bo’s Place. Guests enjoyed the products of Willow Life + Style and Edward Sanchez Vanity Lounge. Some in attendance were Rudy & Debbie Festari, Carlos & Karina Barbieri, Jennifer Roosth, Edward Sanchez, Franklyn Barnett, Ruchi Mukerjee, Dominique Sachse & Nick Florescu, and Dr.Parissa Mohajer.

Grand Opening of the METROrail North Line

O

Photography By Roswitha Vogler

n Saturday, December 21, 2013, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at the University of Houston-Downtown as the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas held the grand opening of the METROrail North Line extension. Guests were all excited to take the ceremonial train celebrating its opening. After the ride, guests enjoyed a community festival, public ceremony and free concert at Moody Park. The METRO Board of Directors and Elected Officials made special remarks. Some in attendance were Mayor Annise Parker, City Controller Ron Green, Sheriff Adrian Garcia, State Rep. Sylvester Turner, Sylvia Garcia, Ed Gonzalez, Cindy Clifford, Jermoe Gray, Congressman Al Green, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and former Mayor Lee Brown.

WWW.STYLEMAGAZINE.COM

DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1, 2013

PG 13

Terri Schichenmeyer

“Jim Crow Wisdom: Memory & Identity in Black America Since 1940” by Jonathan Scott Holloway

Y

ou’ve always prided yourself on being a good storyteller.

You’ve always been able to craft a good tale – whether it was one of imagination, one to escape trouble, or a story with lesson added.

It’s a talent you got from your parents, and they from theirs. In the new book “Jim Crow Wisdom” by Jonathan Scott Holloway, you’ll see how that storytelling prowess may have helped your family survive.

Throughout his life, Jonathan Scott Holloway heard

stories.

One of the ones he remembers particularly was that which his father, an ex-military man, told Holloway on the way to school one fall day. It had something to do with fighting and how not to react. Holloway thought it was a strange thing then but, he says, “I discovered that there was more to this story than a father merely preparing his son for a world of inequality.”

Many African Americans, Holloway claims, share stories of perseverance and strength through memoirs, stories, and anecdotes, and some of the most powerful tales are told in physical manifestations of museum or preserved buildings.

Many of these stories serve as subtle (or not-so-subtle) warnings, lessons in getting along in a White world.

But, as he learned,

stories can be edited or omitted entirely. There’s a certain kind of unneeded “shame” in some facets of family history that may be hidden or forgotten.

They’re buried or, as Holloway says of his own family, a certain “branch of the family tree isn’t even dead. It’s simply gone.”

Good or bad, this all serves as “the preservation of social status and authority,” as well as being cautionary in nature for future generations.

It helps in “establishing links, forged from common experience, to the larger black community” by sharing wisdom and lessons learned from the Jim Crow era and more recently.

Still, “The editing… continues” and that, says Holloway, is detrimental to the black community.

“… the silences in a family’s past can serve their purposes,” he believes, “… but they also come with the risk of

too little memory, of not knowing the value of sacrifice that enabled a better future in the first place.”

In a way – at least for the casual reader – “Jim Crow Wisdom” was written backwards.

Author Jonathan Scott Holloway writes, in the second half of his book, about his family: recollections of learning stories he’d never heard, and finally understanding the tales that were ingrained at his core.

It’s semi-biographical, lively, and because of the nature of what he writes, the latter half of this book underscores its title.

But first, we must get through the first half, which is very, very academic. Holloway is a professor at Yale, after all, and the beginning of the books shows it. It’s not unreadable, but it belies the spiritedness that the second half possesses.

Keep that in mind when you’re reading this book, be willing to read it secondhalf-first, and you may find it to be quite eye-opening. For you, “Jim Crow Wisdom” might spur you to share a few good stories.

c.2013, University of North Carolina Press $39.95 / $50.00 Canada 273 pages

Entertainment Dwayne Johnson on Hercules, Shazam, Lobo and His Fast & Furious Spin-Off

By Susie Stillwell Entertainment Writer

D

wayne Johnson once told me

tively felt that there was a better movie

nicely. Both brands fit nicely so if I can

even more scary.

it was still okay to call him

to be made. I think because as we know

come in and if I can help elevate a fran-

The Rock. This was a few

sequels can be tricky, when you take a

chise or add something to it, not only

Interesting movie Dwayne. Are there are

years ago at the Faster junket, but I as-

crack at them, not only are you taking

that but also create a character that is in-

other franchises you would like to join?

sume it still stands. The Rock joins his

a crack at a sequel but it also is our op-

teresting to people and I think people are

fourth pre-existing franchise with G.I.

portunity to relaunch, reboot and reignite

going to enjoy seeing. Whether it’s in

Star Wars. That’s not to say that they

Joe: Retaliation after Fast Five, Journey

and do it the right way. We’re going to re-

Fast and Furious or something like this,

need it obviously. It did so well and J.J.

2: The Mysterious Island and his screen

move the lasers, we’re going to remove

a character that’s already established in

is going to just crush it. I’m so excited

debut in The Mummy Returns. Juicy

the slickness of it and we’re going to get

Roadblock, like I was saying it’s chal-

because there’s a guy, by the way, not

Culture talks with The Rock about his

back to respecting the mythology of G.I.

lenging but it also is fun. The fun of it

only is he a brilliant director but honors

role as Roadblock and throw in some

Joe and add some new blood. And we’re

is how do we execute it? How do we go

and respects mythologies. You see that

questions about Hercules, and Luke

off to the races.

in and really re-ignite something? I love

with Star Trek and you’re going to see

Hobbs.

challenges like that.

that with Star Wars. I’m very excited for

Susie Stillwell/Juicy Culture:

SS/JC: Dwayne? Don‘t you

have a “Franchise Viagra” moniker.

Dwayne Johnson: Well, it

SS/JC: Which of your tough

This is what G.I. Joe should have been

all along? Get The Rock and Bruce Wil-

could be a lot worse. We’ve been kind

toughest of them all.

lis to play G.I. Joe!

of fortunate. It’s a good thing. It’s a good

The Rock: That’s what I’ve

thing if it fits and in this case it’s fit very

down, Paul Doyle from Pain and Gain

been saying all along. Well, the first G.I.

nicely. When you look at Fast and Furi-

which you haven’t seen yet, but you’ll

Joe as you guys know came out and

ous or G.I. Joe or even Journey 2: Mys-

see. Hands down. He’s a scary guy. A

made a lot of money, but we all collec-

terious Island on a family level, it fit

scary guy and a real guy which makes it

PG 14 DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1, 2013

WWW.STYLEMAGAZINE.COM

SS/JC: I saw Pain and Gain.

Dwayne Johnson: Oh, easily.

them.

guy characters do you feel really the Dwayne Johnson: Oh hands

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

National Greater Houston Partnership Promotes Lilyanne Mcclean to Executive Vice President of Public Policy and Communications

a highly successful effort in Austin during the 83rd legislative session, reshaped the communications function, and sharpened the focus and capabilities of the policy team. She also served as interim president and CEO of the organization from July to September 2012. Read more at www. houston.org.

Texas Unemployment Rate Falls for Fourth Consecutive Month

T

Lilyanne McClean

he Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) announced that Lilyanne McClean has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Public Policy and Communications, effective immediately. In her expanded role, Ms. McClean will serve as a key advisor for the GHP President and CEO and Board of Directors. “Lilyanne has played a key role in shaping the new strategic direction of the Partnership” said Bob Harvey, GHP President and CEO. He added “she has provided valuable input on a range of issues and functions that extend beyond the boundaries of policy and communications, including our work regarding the future direction of GHP.” Ms. McClean began her tenure at the Partnership in November 2011 as the organization’s Senior Vice President of Public Policy, leading the public policy team in advocating for GHP’s local, state and federal legislative agendas. She led

T

he seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas fell to 6.1 percent in November, down from 6.2 percent in October.

The state’s unemployment rate continued to be well below the national unemployment rate, which was 7.0 percent in November. Total nonfarm employment in Texas rose by an estimated 28,700 positions in November. Texas now has an estimated total nonfarm employment of 11,267,800 jobs, an increase of 274,200 jobs over the year. Industries adding jobs in November included Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, which expanded by 22,000 positions; Professional and Business Services, which grew by 9,400 positions; and Manufacturing, which saw an increase of 3,500 jobs. Read more at www.texasworkforce.

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Jos. A. Banks Says ‘No’ to Men’s Warehouse Deal

WWW.STYLEMAGAZINE.COM

J

os. A. Banks has rejected Men’s Warehouse Inc.’s $1.5 billion deal indicating that it was just not enough money. Citing that Men’s Warehouse had “undervalued” the company, the company felt it was not in the best interest of its shareholders’, Hampstead, Marylandbased Jos. A. Bank. In a statement from the Men’s Warehouse: “While it is our strong preference to work collaboratively with Jos. A. Bank to realize the benefits of this transaction, we are continuing to carefully consider all of our options to make this combination a reality, including nominating director candidates at Jos. A. Bank’s next annual meeting of shareholders.”

Cracker Barrel Reverses Decision to Pull Duck Dynasty Products

By Gregory Wallace CNN/Stylemagazine.com Newswire

C

racker Barrel on Sunday reversed its decision to pull some Duck Dynasty-themed products from its shelves. The popular Duck Dynasty television show and Duck Commander products took center stage in a controversy over comments made by Phil Robertson. As

patriarch of the family and founder of the company, he stars in the A&E reality show based on his Louisiana life and company. Cracker Barrel, a chain of over 600 Southern-themed restaurants and stores, said Friday it “removed selected products which we were concerned might offend some of our guests while we evaluate the situation.” Two days later, it had evaluated the situation. “Our intent was to avoid offending, but that’s just what we’ve done,” the company announced. “Today, we are putting all our Duck Dynasty products back in our stores.” Read more at www.cnn. com.

Target Credit Card Hack: What You Need to Know

By Gregory Wallace CNN/Stylemagazine.com Newswire

D

ata from 40 million accounts was still reverberating several days later. Target acknowledged the hack on Thursday -three weeks after customer data was first scooped The major hack of discount retailer Target that stole credit and debit card up on Black Friday.

On Sunday, Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder said the company had notified millions of affected customers for whom it had email addresses.

Major banks and card issuers said they were monitoring customer accounts. Target said it would offer affected customers a free credit monitoring service and set up a telephone hotline. It also offered a store-wide 10% discount on Saturday and Sunday. Read more at www.cnn.com.

DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1, 2013

PG 15

PG 16 DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1, 2013

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