Houston Style Magazine Vol 25 No 52 by Houston Style Magazine (HSM)

Houston Style Magazine December 25 - December 31, 2014

Houston’s Premiere Weekly Publication

Volume 25 | Number 52

Complimentary

Jesse Jackson

Cuba: New Possiblity in Peace

Bob Lanier

Former Houston Mayor Dies

2014: THE STORIES THAT HAD US TALKING Words by Jo-Carolyn Goode Follow Us #TeamSyleMag

Twitter @HoustonStyle

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Shonda Rhimes

Inducted Into the National Association of Broadcasters

City of Houston & Comcast New Initiative - EveryBlock Commisioner’s Black Tie Party Mayor Annise Parker’s Annual Holiday Media Party N E W S | C O M M E N TA R I E S | S P O R T S | H E A LT H | E N T E R TA I N M E N T

AFTER CHRISTMAS

ONE DAY

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SHOP FRIDAY, DEC. 26 FROM 6AM-1OPM (IT’S A SALE TOO BIG TO FIT IN A DAY!)

ALSO SHOP SAT, DEC. 27 FROM 9AM-11PM

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VALID 12/26 ’TIL 2PM OR 12/27/14 ’TIL 2PM. LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER. ALSO EXCLUDES: Everyday Values (EDV), specials, super buys, furniture, mattresses, floor coverings, rugs, electrics/electronics, cosmetics/fragrances, athletic apparel, shoes & accessories, Dallas Cowboys merchandise, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, New Era, Nike on Field, previous purchases, special orders, selected licensed depts., special purchases, services, macys.com. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer, except opening a new Macy’s account. Dollar savings are allocated as discounts off each eligible item, as shown on receipt. When you return an item, you forfeit the savings allocated to that item. This coupon has no cash value and may not be redeemed for cash, used to purchase gift cards or applied as payment or credit to your account. Purchase must be $25 or more, exclusive of tax and delivery fees.

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ONE DAY SALE PRICES IN EFFECT 12/26-12/27/2014. MERCHANDISE WILL BE ON SALE AT THESE & OTHER SALE PRICES THROUGH 1/3/15, EXCEPT AS NOTED. OPEN A MACY’S ACCOUNT FOR EXTRA 20% SAVINGS THE FIRST 2 DAYS, UP TO $100, WITH MORE REWARDS TO COME. Macy’s credit card is available subject to credit approval; new account savings valid the day your account is opened and the next day; excludes services, selected licensed departments, gift cards, restaurants, gourmet food & wine. The new account savings are limited to a total of $100; application must qualify for immediate approval to receive extra savings; employees not eligible.

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December 25 - December 31, 2014

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06 08 13 Bob Lanier

David Feldman 2014

Volume 25 | Number 52 | DEC. 25 - DEC. 31, 2014 EDITORIAL

FEATURE WRITERS Rebecca Briscoe Francis Page, Jr. National Entertainment Publisher and Editor Susie Stillwell - Entertainment fpagejr@stylemagazine.com Lan– Arts Mical Roy – Feature Jo-Carolyn Goode Yolanda Pope – Culinary Managing Editor Tonja Ward – Health editorial@stylemagazine.com Dr. Lovell Jones – Health Editor Lisa Valadez Kim Davis – Sports Hispanic Managing Editor Erick Cork - Feature Writer lisa@stylemagazine.com Aiaina Mayes – Blogger Demez White – Feature Brandon Caldwell Dawn Paul – Feature Online Editor bcaldwell@stylemagazine.com Lindsay Buchanan – Fashion Burt Levine – Political Jade Gold – Entertainment DESIGN/WEB Eric Ford – Editorial Intern De’Neisha Bell – Feature Trevor G. Piper Cynthia Nevels – Business Creative Director/Graphics trevor@tpipermedia.com Gabrielle Deculus – Account Manager/Events Coordinator Kermit Williams Dee Dee Wheaton – Blogger Web Master webmaster@stylemagazine.com Keandra Scott – Entertainment Cecilia Smith - Entertainment Jeffery T. Crump, Jr. Erynn Haskins - Feature Chief Designer Yvonne Guidry - Entertainment webmaster@stylemagazine.com Raegan Allen - Arts Mimi LaRue - Feature Abimbola Farinde - Health NATIONAL WRITERS Sloan Houd - Sports Jessica Crawford - Feature JESSE JACKSON jjackson@rainbowpush.org Marcus Carter - Culinary Writer Franceli Chapman - Entertainment ROLAND MARTIN CoCo Dominguez - Reporter www.rolandmartin.com JUDGE GREG MATHIS www.askjudgemathis.com

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©2014 Houston Style Magazine, a Minority Print Media, L.L.C. Company. All Right Reserved. Reproduction in whole or within part without permission is prohibited. Houston Style Magazine has a 2007 audit by Circulation Verification Council (CVC). Houston Style Magazine is a member of the Texas Publishers Association (TPA), Texas Community Newspaper Association (TCNA), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Independent Free Paper of America (IFPA), Association of Free Community Papers (AFCP) and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP). National Association of Hispanic Publications, Inc. (NAHP, Inc.), Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (HHCC), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Latin Women’s Initiative (LWI), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals (HAHMP), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP)

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COMMENTARY

Jesse Jackson

National Writer

ith his decision to end over a half century of enmity with Cuba, President Obama has acted in a fashion worthy of his Nobel Peace Prize. For over 50 years, successive U.S. presidents have enforced a policy of hostility against the Castro regime in Cuba. Starting with John F. Kennedy, successive American presidents unleashed a covert invasion of the island, ordered the CIA to engage in economic sabotage, sought to poison Castro, and even to make his beard fall out. An economic embargo has been enforced for more than a half century. Cuba has been listed as a terrorist nation to this day. What America could never see was that the regime was gaining, not losing, support at home and abroad from the American hostility. The U.S. was furious when Castro dispatched his troops

POLITICAL By

Burt Levine, Political Writer

ven before former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier’s sudden death on Saturday, December 20, 2014, at 89-years-old his huge smile and bear like image was hanging high above next year’s race shaping up to succeed term limited Annise Parker for Houston’s top job of governing America’s most diverse big city. Lanier, a World War II US Navy Veteran and University of Houston trained lawyer, succeeded in banking and real estate building. He was the chair of the Texas Department of Transportation and chair of the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority before he challenged and then kept from a runoff the city’s first woman mayor Kathy Whitmire; becoming the last challenger to defeat an incumbent mayor. He went on to beat State Rep. Sylvester Turner, keeping him from becoming the city’s first African American mayor. Despite Lanier’s route to get to the mayor’s chair at City Hall, his three terms were known for his tremendous efforts to bring women and minorities, especially African Americans into his administration of municipal government. In Lanier’s run for re-election in 1993, he won with 91 percent of the overall vote. Ben Hall, former city’s attorney, remembered Lanier persistently pushing his staff in private meetings to know his resolve that “he would be

Cuba: New Possibility in Peace to support the liberation movement in Angola and to defend against the South African invasion into Namibia. But Castro understood that apartheid South Africa was the terrorist, not Mandela and those who struggled for freedom. Not surprisingly, when Mandela was finally released, he hailed the Cubans as saviors -- as the rest of the world understood. President Obama is surely right to acknowledge finally that the U.S. policy has been an abject failure. Our European allies are trading with Cuba. Our neighbors to the South demand that the leader of Cuba -- now Raul Castro -- be invited to the Summit of the Americas. Our half-century effort to isolate Cuba has turned against us. Eventually, walls must fall. The causes for old hatreds grow dim. The world changes. The embittered generations grow old. Nixon dismantled the wall with China, even though the regime remained communist. Israel and Germany found a way to create good relations after the most searing of horrors. Mandela led his people to make peace with those who had oppressed them. With normalization, the hemisphere becomes more stable. U.S. security is served, for now cooperation with Cuba can deepen. Already Cuban doctors earn our praise in Sierra Leone

in the fight against Ebola. Cuba is already an ally, not an adversary, in the war on drugs. The president’s act opens the way for change. As he stated, change is hard. It is particularly so in this case, where many former Cuban refugees and their descendants remain embittered, as illustrated by the outrage of Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz. The president cannot end the embargo on his own; only Congress can do that. His nomination of a new ambassador will have to be confirmed by the Senate. But the president can lift many restrictions on travel and exchange. He can expand efforts to move Cuba into the new age of telecommunications. He can expand areas of cooperation. More families will be reunified. American relations with Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, and others will not be fouled by our conflict with Cuba. What comes from this is unknown. Strident opponents argue that the big winners will be the Castro brothers, that repression will increase even as Cuba’s battered economy gets a boost. But opening relations with Cuba allows an honest exchange about human rights. It opens dialogue, rather than shuts it down. What is needed now is the good will to engage, thawing the hatreds and the fears that froze the separation for

over a half-century. It is telling that Pope Francis, who served in Argentina before assuming the Papacy, played a critical role in helping to bring this moment into being. The Papacy was a staunch ally for America in the Cold War. And now, the Pope has helped free America of one of the last relics of that Cold War past. A new day has dawned. It will bring what we make of it. But surely a new possibility has opened. You can write to the Rev. Jesse Jackson in care of this newspaper or by email at jjackson@rainbowpush.org. Follow him on Twitter @RevJJackson. Share this story online at www. stylemagazine.com.

Mayor Bob’s Spirit Shines Atop 2015 Race for City’s Top Job

Bob Lanier

mayor for anybody and everybody in the city, not simply the people who elected him.” Hall was appointed the city’s first African American city attorney in part to show the city that his beating Turner was not a sign African Americans would not have prominence at city hall. “I›ll remember most his tendency to put his hole-ridden boots on the table while talking to you,» Hall said. «I said to myself, ‹That is one man with great confidence,› such I had to watch the bottom of his boots at the same time we were discussing serious policy

December 25 - December 31, 2014

decisions. I thought it was fitting for the country boy from Baytown who became the intellectual giant that he was. Hall already announced earlier this year his intent to run for Houston Mayor this next year and to have Lanier leadership as his role model. The man Lanier beat, Turner, announced this past summer his plan to run his third try to reach his life’s goal of becoming Houston’s mayor. The past week meant much for Turner’s thinking because his mother, Ruby Mae Turner, 90, also died the same day as Lanier. She spent most of her life working and making her home in

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Acres Homes near where he still makes his home. Turner wanted her to live to see him become mayor of the city she loved. Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia and Harris County Treasurer Orlando Sanchez both served in city government with Lanier before being elected to county office. Both are now considering running for mayor as well but state law would require them to resign from their county offices as soon as they announce their campaigns. While Lanier was a proud lifetime Democrat he was proud of his pro-business positions, which are what is propelling conservative businessmen city council members Steve Costello and Jack Christie to consider the race. Westside Republican Council Member Oliver Pennington has been touting law and order and fiscal constraint Lanier era efforts as reasons he wants to become the city’s next chief executive. And former Kemah Mayor Bill King is looking to Lanier’s pitch as the city’s last “non-partisan” chief executive as the efforts he wants to role model in his expected 2015 race for Houston Mayor. Share this story online at www. stylemagazine.com.

Write a letter to Santa & help make wishes come true!

Bring your stamped letter to Macy’s, addressed to Santa at The North Pole, and drop it into our special Santa letter box — or create and send your letter online at macys.com/believe. We will count all the letters received and donate $1 for each to Make-A-Wish®, up to $1,000,000. Plus, we’re asking America to wish big! When you send your letter to Santa online, you can be a part of the longest wishlist to Santa. To learn more, visit macys.com/believe #MacysBelieve

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LOCAL BRIEFS

Arrests Made in #IamJada Case

ictures of an unconscious 16-year-old rape victim named Jada went viral when her #JadaPose alleged rapists posted them on social media with the hashtag #jadapose. Quanell X, Jada’s family spokesman, said Jada was raped one June night at a house party after she accepted a spiked drink. When Jada learned of the photos on social media, she fought back with her own campaign of #IamJada to raise awareness against sexual violence. After months of investigation, Jada is finally seeing justice as a minor and an adult were arrested for her assault. The adult criminal was charged with two counts of child sex assault. Jada was not the only victim of the accused hence why the investigation was so lengthy. For more information, visit www.stylemagazine.com.

we would not have been able to accomplish many of my administration’s priorities. I wish him the best of luck as he begins this new phase of his professional life. He will be missed at my executive staff table.” David Feldman The resignation will be effective January 16, 2015. “I am thankful Dave has provided me with plenty of time to name a replacement,” said Parker. For more information, visit houstontx.gov.

State Rep. Sylvester Turner Mourns the Loss of His Mother

tate Rep. Sylvester Turner is mourning the loss of his mother, Ruby Mae Turner, who died on Sunday, December 21, 2014. The 90-year-old had a long history of health problems and was even on hospice care six years ago. She came to Houston from Washington County in 1954 with State Rep. Turner’s father. The couple lived in Acres Homes. It is believed she died of complications of pneumonia. “Her journey has come to an end,” said Rep. Mayor Parker Announces Resignation Turner. “Our family is very, Sylvester Turner of City Attorney very grateful for the amazing life she led.” Details of Ruby t is with regret that I announce that City Attorney Mae Turner’s funeral service are pending. For more David Feldman has submitted his resignation. information, visit www.stylemagazine.com. “Dave has provided great legal counsel for me and the entire City of Houston since his arrival nearly The Fight to Save five years ago,” said Mayor Annise Parker. “His Freedmen’s Town’s Bricks legal acumen is unmatched. Without his assistance,

HEALTH By Jade

Gold, Health Writer

hen you do a detox, you remove toxins from your body. These toxins exist everywhere including in the air you breathe, the foods you eat and in the medications you are prescribed. A detox cleanse can be very beneficial and can make you feel a lot healthier, although you need to make sure you are engaging in a well-researched protocol and continue to give your body the nutrients it needs to function properly and support the cleanse. A detox done in the wrong way will just drain your body of energy even

Local Pastor Helps to End Hunger

ega Pastor Keion Henderson, Gospel Star Earnest Pugh, Good Life Entertainment, and over 2500 members of The Lighthouse Church partnered together to make this holiday season a little brighter for a lot of needy families. One hundred bikes and bags of grocery were given away to the community. The 2014 CNN Hero nominee has a history of lending a hand to the community. His previous outreach efforts had volunteers distributing over 50,000 lbs of food to local senior citizens and families. For more information, visit www.the-lighthouse-church.org.

Start 2015 Off Right with a Good Detox more, while a detox done in the right way will result in higher energy levels and an increased sense of wellness. Here are 5 of the benefits that you can look forward to enjoying when you complete your own detox cleanse:

ommunity activists continue to fight to save the bricks of Freedmen’s Town. The historic area where formerly enslaved Africans laid bricks on the streets by hand has been involved in some controversy for some time now. Houston’s City Council Brick Streets wants preserved the bricks and improved the streets while activists don’t trust the city to honor the bricks in the right way. Instead they want the city to use microtunneling, a method to fix the pipe system underground. A town hall regarding the ongoing fight was held Monday, December 21, 2014 to give the community an update and decide how to further proceed. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/FreedmensTownPreservationCoalition.

Get ride of excess waste - It is possible that you are carrying around excess fecal matter in your body. This excess waste can add on weight and just make you feel lethargic. When you do a detox, you can clean your colon and eliminate all this excess waste you are carrying around. Increase energy levels Having a lot of toxins in your body can decrease your energy levels. You may feel so tired all the time that you don’t feel like doing anything. Instead of going out with your friends or participating in different activities, you likely just want to lie on the couch all day. If you do a detox, your energy levels are typically restored making you feel brand new with the energy to do everything you want to do. Strengthen immune system - One of the greatest

December 25 - December 31, 2014

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benefits of doing a detox is that you can strengthen your immune system. After you detox your body, you will notice that you don’t get sick as often. Your body will be able to fight off illnesses better because it is not filled with contaminants. Increase mental focus - Doing a detox can increase your mental focus. If you don’t have all of those toxins in your body anymore, you will be able to concentrate better and have more creativity. This will benefit you greatly because you can focus and be more productive. Clearer skin and shinier hair - A detox not only helps you feel better; it can also help you look better. Getting rid of all the toxins in your body can actually make your hair look shinier and clear up your skin. When people see you after your detox, don’t be surprised if they are all telling you how great you look! The best detox leaves you feeling great - As you can see; doing a detox is completely worth it. If you are wondering how to detox, you should speak to your doctor. He will teach you how to detox properly and recommend the best detox for you. The best detox is one that leaves you feeling better, not worse, and if you want to make sure you treat your body well while detoxing. My recommended detox tea is SkinnyFoxDetox.com enter “JadeFox” as your discount code on checkout. Prepare to go into 2015 with a healthier you. For more training and healthy lifestyle tips, check out www.facebook.com/JadeGoldFitness or www. JadeGoldFitness.com.

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Happy Kwanzaa

Celebrating our tradition, living the seven principles

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FEATURE By Jo-Carolyn

2014: The Stories That Had Us Talking

Goode, Managing Editor

e entered the year of 2014 open and ready for everything that was in store. It did not disappoint. It was a year that took us through every emotion more than once. And now with just a few more days in 2014 Houston Style Magazine takes time to review the year that had us talking.

The Stories That Made Us Ask Questions Is the Secret Service slipping? The Secret Service attention to guarding the President of the United States after two unheard of incidents happened that could have compromised the safety of his and his family. A fence jumper not only got over the fence that surrounds the White House but through the front door before he was apprehended. Another slip up by Secret Service had an armed security contractor riding on the same elevator with President Barack Obama. As a result of all the mishaps Secret Service’s first female director, Julia Pierson, resigned. What will become of Bill Cosby’s legacy? Twenty women have come forward to say that the legendary comedian drugged them and made sexually advances to them at some point in their lives. The fall out from these charges has made Cosby resign from the board at his beloved Temple University, Spelman College drops his endowed professor position, the Navy strips his honorary chief petty officer designation, live shows are canceled, TV Land pulls all Cosby Show reruns and NBC dumps the sitcom it was developing with him. He has been tried in the court of public opinion as guilty but the verdict in the real court has yet to be revealed. His wife, family, and some celebs are standing by him but it remains to be seen what his legacy will be once his guilt or innocence is officially known.

The Stories That Made Us Gasp Celebrities that left us too soon We saw lots of celebrities die in 2014 from Maya Angelou, Joan Rivers, and Marion Berry to that of Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Bobby Womack. One of the most shocking deaths was that of Robin Williams who we learned suffered with depression before he committed suicide. The world was faced with the devastating problem that mental illness really is and to be more observant of others who may have the disease. Abuse by athletes When photos first surfaced of NFL football star Adrian Peterson’s four-year-old son with slash marks all over his body we all collectively gasped. Was this a form of child abuse or discipline in an extreme way? Peterson admitted to making the marks on his son with a wooden spoon as a form of discipline. He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge to avoid jail time. Ray Rice knocking out his then girlfriend in a hotel elevator had all us wondering how she stayed with Rice. We found out it was their version of love. But it was a kind of love that the world could not accept nor understand. The NFL took harsh criticism and introduced a new personal conduct policy due to the actions of Peterson, Rice, and other NFL players.

The Stories That Made Us Take Action Ferguson Protests

Militarized Police bear down on a civilian in Ferguson

The deaths of Eric Garner, Mike Brown, Trayvon Martin, and Tamir Rice and the injustice that followed of their murders not be convicted caused the world to be outraged and shout “Black lives matter!” People around the country banded together to protest and marched against the injustice of the justice system and demand for police everywhere to be outfitted with body cameras. ALS Ice Bucket Challenge What better way to cool off in the summer than with a bucket of ice? Combine that with raising money for a great cause and you have one wild summer. Thanks to the wave of people willing to dump ice-cold buckets of ice and water over their heads $34.2 million was raised for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis research.

The Stories That Made Us Scared Ebola in the US Thomas Eric Duncan went to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital complaining of symptoms of abdominal pain, dizziness, nausea and headache. No one inquired about his travel to Liberia, the country hardest hit by the Ebola virus. Days later Duncan was diagnosis with Ebola, making him the first patient in the US with Ebola. Two nurses who cared for Duncan would also be diagnosis with Ebola causing a national panic of how easily the virus could spread. Data Breaches Target was one of the first major retailers to announce that they had been hacked and that their customers’ credit information was potentially at-risk for being misused. Following Target was a string of others businesses including Home Depot, Neiman Marcus, Staples and others that were also hacked. Customers received free credit reports and credit monitoring as a precaution. It seems all has been forgiven as Target sales are back up just in time for the holiday season of 2014.

The Stories That Made Us Cry Loss of Our Children Bullying via the Internet and in school has

December 25 - December 31, 2014

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increased at an alarming rate. Our children not knowing how to deal with the abuse and their feelings of worthlessness do the unthinkable by taking their own life. Punishments of those found guilty of bullying become a harsh as more media attention is gained in the wake of so many teens crying out. Pakistan School Massacre One hundred thirty-two children were sensely murdered as they sat in school in Pakistan. The Taliban took responsibility of killing the children and 13 adults citing the children would follow in the footsteps of their fathers by becoming militant soldiers. The nation mourned for the loss of the innocent.

The Stories That Made Us Look to the Future The Midterm Elections Going into the midterm elections the control of the House and Senate was divided by the political parties. Americans went to the polls to let their voices be heard and it was clear. They were tired of the President and anyone that backed his policies. The Republicans took control over the House and Senate and made history with the largest majority take over since World War II. Now with the Republicans in control the country wait to see what will get done in Washington as they have openly said they will block anything President Obama brings to the table. US Relations with Cuba Restored It only took a little over 50 years but President Barack Obama was able to renew diplomatic relations with Cuba. An embassy for the US will be established in Havana, Cuba and an embassy for Cuba will be established in the US. Travel, commerce and the flow of information between the US and Cuba will increase to make it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba. Although these changes, like most things in politics, were met with mixed, it was a great accomplishment for President Obama and good for America. Share this story online at www.stylemagazine. com

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AUTO

Rearview Camera Standard on All 2015 Buick Models

GM Media

afety and technology top the lists of important considerations for Buick customers. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why every 2015 Buick model will come standard with a rearview camera. In the fall of 2013 the University of Michiganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Transportation Research Institute conducted a study which found that vehicles with rear backup cameras have a significantly reduced rate of backing crashes based on its analysis of crash data. Ninety-seven percent of the backing crashes in this study involved striking another vehicle, which corresponds with U.S. crash data analyses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rear backup cameras have become like power windows and air conditioning,â&#x20AC;? said Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not standard on every car, yet, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rare to operate a new vehicle without them. The increased confidence these cameras provide make them a must-have feature.â&#x20AC;? In addition to the safety and convenience of a rearview camera, the 2015 Buick lineup â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including Verano, LaCrosse, Enclave, Encore with all-wheel drive, and Regal (without optional rear seat-mounted side-impact air bags) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; has a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety in the New Car Assessment Program run by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. To help prevent a collision, each of Buickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2015 models are also available with active safety technologies such as Forward Collision Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Every Buick also comes with OnStar Auto-

matic Crash Response, standard for six months. In a collision, a specially trained Emergency Advisor is connected to the vehicle the moment a crash is detected. If the driver requests help, or canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t answer, emergency responders are sent to the precise GPS location. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know our customers are very safety conscious,â&#x20AC;? said Duncan Aldred, U.S. vice president of Buick and GMC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The current Buick lineup holds

many safety accolades, but we are always pushing to be at the forefront with our vehicles being among the safest available.â&#x20AC;? For more information, visit www.buick.com or at www.facebook.com/buick.

WINNER TOP 10 LIST

ONE OF THE BEST FILMS OF THE YEAR AFRICAN-AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION â&#x20AC;˘

ONE OF THE BEST FILMS OF THE YEAR AWARDS â&#x20AC;˘ NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW

UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND LEGENDARY PICTURES PRESENT A JOLIE PAS PRODUCTION A 3 ARTS ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION MUSIC â&#x20AC;&#x153;UNBROKENâ&#x20AC;? JACK Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;CONNELL DOMHNALL GLEESON MIYAVI GARRETT HEDLUND FINN WITTROCK BY ALEXANDRE DESPLAT PRODUCED EXECUTIVE BY ANGELINA JOLIE p.g.a. CLAYTON TOWNSEND p.g.a. MATTHEW BAER p.g.a. ERWIN STOFF PRODUCERS MICK GARRIS THOMAS TULL JON JASHNI SCREENPLAY DIRECTED BASED ON BY JOEL COEN & ETHAN COEN AND RICHARD LAGRAVENESE AND WILLIAM NICHOLSON BY ANGELINA JOLIE THE BOOK BY LAURA HILLENBRAND A UNI V ERSAL PICTURE VISUAL EFFECTS AND ANIMATION BY INDUSTRIAL LIGHT & MAGIC THIS FILM CONTAINS DEPICTIONS OF TOBACCO CONSUMPTION

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STARTS CHRISTMAS DAY 10

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BOOK REVIEW Bass Reeves: Tales of the Talented Tenth

E By

Terri Schichenmeyer, Literary Writer

verybody needs a hero in their life. Somebody to look up to. Somebody to want to be like some day, to follow and admire - perhaps a parent, maybe a grandparent or uncle. A friend or classmate might be your hero, or maybe even someone you don’t know. Or, as in the new book “Bass Reeves: Tales of the Talented Tenth” by Joel Christian Gill, your hero just might be a lawman. George Reeves was a careful man. His young slave boy, Bass, wanted to learn to read but Reeves “couldn’t have that,” so he taught Bass to shoot. Before long, the boy was one of the best sharpshooters Reeves had ever seen, and he decided to enter Bass in a few contests. Nobody thought a slave could win a shooting match, but that’s exactly what Bass did – over and over again. As he grew, so did his talent with a gun but though Bass won every competition, Reeves still treated Bass like a “family pet.” That continued for many years. Even during the Civil War, Colonel Reeves took Bass to the front with him as his personal slave – until Bass escaped. Not knowing where he was, Bass ran until he was exhausted. He ran until he couldn’t run any more, until he was rescued from near-death by a tribe of Native Americans who tended Bass’s wounds and welcomed them into their village. They considered him family but Bass remembered how he’d been enslaved, so he left the village and returned to the battlefield, where he fought for the Union Army. After the War was over, Bass married, started a family, and settled down to farm until, once again, duty called. Because Bass (who’d taken his former

master’s surname) had a good relationship with the Native Americans in the Territories, he was hired to be a U.S. Marshal. It didn’t take long before he was deputized, and he began to make a name for himself. Word soon spread that a tall, black lawman was patrolling the territories and that, wherever he went, he left a silver dollar as a calling card. Bass Reeves was known to be smart, and he’d do anything to bring a criminal down. Even when that criminal was his own son. Though its back-and-forth timeline can be confusing sometimes – particularly in latter pages – I liked “Bass Reeves: Tales of the Talented Tenth” quite a bit. Based on little-known but true events, this is a story of action, honor, and the Wild West. That’s very good, but what equally appealed to me was the way author Joel Christian Gill uses his artist’s skills to tell this tale. The illustrations here are fully half the story; they entertain as they inform and they’re even a little sassy, with dark characters and icons as dialogue. This is a book for teens or adults, including reluctant or struggling 12-to-17-year-olds for whom reading sometimes seems inaccessible. For them, or anyone who might like to try something different, “Bass Reeves: Tales of the Talented Tenth” is quite arresting. Share this story online at www.stylemagazine. com.

By Joel Christian Gill

c.2014, Fulcrum Books $25.95 / $32.50 Canada 126 pages

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Commissioner’s Black Tie Party Photography by Vicky Pink

n Friday, December 12, 2014, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at the Stafford Centre Performing Arts Theatre for the Commissioner’s Black Tie Party hosted by Precinct 2 Fort Bend County Commissioner Grady Prestage. Guests enjoyed musical entertainment by Keith Bynam and a lavish buffet of Creole soul food. Some in attendance were Dr. Jonita and State Rep. Ron Reynolds, City Councilman Larry Green, Dr. Anita and Carlton Wallace, Burt Levine, Dr. Reagan Flowers, Laolu Davies, Carroll Robinson, Steve Brown, Zoe Cadore, Renee Comeaux, and Maddie Nunn.

City of Houston and Comcast’s New Initiative - EveryBlock Photography by Roswitha Vogler

n Monday, December 15, 2014, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at the Houston City Hall Rotunda as Mayor Annise Parker announced the City of Houston’s participation in Comcast local media initiative, EveryBlock to bring local news and information to users at the neighborhood. EveryBlock is an interactive local news and information site that makes it easy to stay connected with what’s happening in a user’s neighborhood. EveryBlock is a free online service and mobile app that aggregates more than 500 feeds, including news, reviews, events, blogs and other web content, civic data — like crime reports and 311 requests — as well as user-generated questions and comments. Some at the press conference were Mayor Annise Parker; Craig D’Agostini, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Comcast; and Houston City Councilmember Ed Gonzalez.

December 25 - December 31, 2014

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LOCAL

By Style

Newswire

Former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier Dies

n Saturday, December 20, 2014, former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier took his last breath inside of his home in River Oaks. The 89-year-old was said to have died of natural causes by the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office. Born in Baytown in 1925, Lanier was a Navy man and served in World War II. His career began as a lawyer and a banker but he would make his big money in the real estate industry. He also worked at the Texas Highway Department and METRO before becoming Houston’s mayor. Serving as Houston’s mayor from 1992 to 1998, Lanier is credited for reducing crime and revamping the city. He served three terms as mayor and would have easily won a fourth term if it were not for term limits. He is thought to have been one of Houston’s best mayors. After leaving political office, Lanier would often use his voice to comment on issues of importance. As big as his heart was for Houston, it was weak when it came to Lanier’s health. He had a string of heart related surgeries before his passing. His beloved wife, Elyse Lanier, issued the following statement: “Today, Bob Lanier, my husband and best friend for the last 30 years, passed away peacefully at our home at 4:35 pm this afternoon. Bob’s life, like that of many in his generation, was defined by his love for family, friends and country. Bob considered his service for six years (19921998) as Mayor of Houston his greatest honor. The pleasure of working with thousands of diverse Houstonians to make our City better along with his service as Chairman of Metro (1988-1989),

Chairman of the Texas Department of Transportation (1983-1987) and as a young Naval Officer in World War II always brought a smile to his face and a twinkle to his eyes these last few years. To his many colleagues and employBob Lanier ees in public service, Bob wanted me to pass on a final goodbye and a hearty “Thank you for making a guy like me look good!” We appreciate your prayers and respect for our privacy.

nier had passed. A success in the world of business, he served so ably as our Mayor, and his leadership surely helped to lay the foundation for much of the success Houston enjoys today. We send our heartfelt family condolences to the entire Lanier family,” stated former President George W. Bush. “Rest in peace, Mayor Bob Lanier,” tweeted State Sen. Rodney Ellis. “I want to extend my prayers to the family and friends of former Mayor Bob Lanier. This city will be forever indebted to his service,” tweeted State Rep. Sylvester Turner. “Houston lost a giant in every sense of the word. God bless Mayor Bob. Condolences to Elyse and Lanier family,” tweeted State Rep. Carol Alvarado.

His wife, Elyse, as well as his children Robert Clayton Lanier, Jr. and his wife Donna, John Frederic Lanier, Elizabeth Lanier Campbell, Susan Holly La “I am saddened to hear of the passing of nier, Scott Augustus Lanier, Courtney Lanier Sarofim Mayor Bob Lanier. He was a strong, popular leader and her husband Christopher, and Kevin Scott Robins who left a lasting mark on this city. Never one to shy and his wife Sara survive Bob Lanier. In addition, he is away from a tough battle, he used his strength and survived by his grandchildren Robert Clayton Lanier popularity to push through Affirmative Action protec- III, Carlton Thomas Lanier, Brent Lanier Campbell, tions, rebuild the City’s wastewater system, improve Judith Ann Lanier, Mary Jessica Lanier, Robert neighborhoods and add hundreds of officers to the Mitchell Lanier, Gillian Stude Sarofim, Louisa Lanier police force. Although he became very successful in Sarofim, Fayez Shalaby Sarofim II, Eva Elyse Robins life, he never forgot his humble beginnings in Baytown. and Rhett Ezekiel Robins, all of whom adored their He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers grandfather and cherished their time with him. are with Elyse and the entire Lanier family,” stated Bob Lanier’s funeral was on Tuesday, DecemMayor Annise Parker. ber 23rd. For more information, visit www.stylemaga“Barbara and I were saddened to learn that Bob La- zine.com.

Others remembering Bob Lanier:

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Knot Standard Houston Showroom Launch Photography by Vicky Pink

n Thursday, December 11, 2014, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at the Mosaic for the launch of the Knot Standard Houston Showroom. Knot Standard began in 2010 to bring custom menswear to people who deserve to wear great bespoke suits and suits. Gentlemen were able to meet with personal stylist to get a custom look. Find more information at www.knotstandard.com.

Mayor Annise Parkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Holiday Media Party Photography by Roswitha Vogler

n Thursday, December 18, 2014, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at the home of City of Houston Mayor Annise Parker for her annual media holiday party. Media industry professional had the opportunity to networking while celebrating the holidays. Some in attendance were Renzo Heredia, Richard Nguyen, Olivia Tallet , Silvia Struthers, Olivia Tallet , Silvia Struthers, Dr. Melissa Gonzalez, Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Gonzalez, Darian Ward, Miya Shay, Mary Benton, Lisa Valadez, Grady Carter, and Francis Page, Jr.

December 25 - December 31, 2014

www.StyleMagazine.com

BUSINESS BRIEFS United Airlines Named ‘Airline of the Year’  by Global Traveler

nited Airlines announced that Global Traveler has named United Airlines its 2014 Airline of the Year. A panel of Global Traveler Advisory Board members and employees chose United based on outside research, experiences traveling with the airline and information provided by the individual airlines that were nominated. Global Traveler also announced that its readers named United the Best Trans-Pacific Airline and, for the 11th straight year, named MileagePlus the Best Frequent-Flyer Program. MileagePlus also won for Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program. The United MileagePlus Club Card was named Best Credit Card and Best Credit Card Rewards Program, while the United MileagePlus Explorer Card was named Best Frequent Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions. For more information, visit www. united.com.

SBA Launches 2015 Emerging Leaders Initiative

he U.S. Small Business Administration has launched its 2015 Emerging Leaders executive-level training series in 48 cities and communities across the country. The initiative has trained more than 2,400 promising small business owners in underserved communities, and its impact continues to expand in helping small businesses to grow and create jobs throughout the country. There are 22 new cities joining the initiative for the first time, including Birmingham, Charlotte, Salt Lake City, Puerto Rico and Providence. Local recruitment for the 2015 training cycle is underway at selected SBA district offices, and classes are scheduled to begin in April. Information on how interested small business owners can apply and eligibility criteria can be found at www.sba.gov/ emergingleaders.

Russell Hicks (center)

Russell Hicks Named Grand Prize Winner of the Cricket Community Stars

ricket Wireless announces Russell Hicks, founder of Ebony Suns Enterprises in Philadelphia, as the grand prize winner of its Cricket Community Stars: Salute to Solopreneurs contest. Launched in October of 2014, the contest recognizes solo entrepreneurs who make it a priority to provide positive contributions to the community. Through Ebony Suns Enterprises, Hicks provides sustainable business consulting to individuals and organizations, and actively contributes to the community by mentoring urban youth and creating social entrepreneurship programs. As grand

prize winner, Hicks will receive $5,000, and one year of complimentary service on Cricket’s reliable, nationwide 4G LTE network. For more information, visit cricketwireless.mediaroom.com/cricketstars.

Former Convent to Be Renovated into Hotel Hope with Affordable Housing Grant

urricane Katrina’s flooding in 2005 may have risen to 8 feet inside the former St. Matthias Convent, but the Gulf waters did not drown the faith and hope that remain here. A decade after its near-destruction, the 8,000-square-foot building will be transformed in 2015 into Hotel Hope, a 40-bed, St. Matthias Convent short-term residence for homeless women and children. The estimated $1 million project received a $100,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant from First NBC Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas). The funds will be put toward the cost of renovating the building at 4222 South Broad Street, which is projected to open in late 2015 or early 2016. For more information, visit www. fhlb.com.

Shonda Rhimes Inducted into the Nat’l Association of Broadcasters

verything continues to be rosey in Shondaland. The multi-talented Shonda Rhimes has been inducted into the National Association of BroadcastShonda Rhimes ers (NAB). Recognized for her “undeniable talent” and consistent popular storylines NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith said Rhimes’ shows exhibit “why broadcast television remains the most popular destination for scripted entertainment programming.” The induction ceremony is set for 2015 in Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.nab.org.

Genius Beauty Cosmetics Launches New Concealer for Women-of-Color

enius Beauty, an eco-friendly cosmetics brand, introduces Nubitian Skin Perfector, body concealer. A modern method of disguising skin imperfections, made specially for hyper-pigmented skin. The new concealer features richly tinted shades for full blemish covering effects, plus a quick drying formula for a long-wear finish. An alternative to hazardous skin lighteners and a replacement for regular non-drying makeup. Genius Beauty recently announced the grand opening of it’s online store, offering a $10 discount on all shades (for a limited time only). The store spotlights Nubian Skin Perfector in 1 fluid ounce/30ml bottles. Designed for the convenience of women on-the-go. For more information, visit www.nubianskinperfector. com.

Sony Gets ‘Scandal’ Help for PR Image

NNMoney is reporting that while still feeling the heat of The Interview/North Korea breach, Sony has enlisted some scandalious help in the form of Judy Smith. If you are a fan of ABC’s Scandal, then you are a fan of Smith’s work. The popular show’s main character Olivia Pope is inspired by her. Smith is advising Sony Pictures film chief Judy Smith Amy Pascal, who has been widely criticized in the weeks since the attack. Smith joins at least two other external public relations firms that are supplementing Sony’s internal P.R. executives. Rubenstein and Hiltzik Strategies have been fielding reporter calls and providing counsel to the studio in recent weeks. For more information, visit www. money.cnn.com.

Gas Under $2

sually it is just the holiday season that has people in a merry mood. However, this year people got an added jolt of glee with the drop of gas prices. Gas was seen in some areas of Houston as low as $1.99. Falling gas prices are due to the price of crude oil, which is also falling. Crude oil has dropped since October of this year by 45%. For more information, visit www. stylemagazine.com.

Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis’ Favorite Russian Bank Collapses

ccording to CNNMoney, Russia’s financial crisis has defeated Bruce Willis. His favorite Russian bank has just collapsed. Russian financial system has been rocked by a collapse in the ruble and rocketing interest rates. Russians have been rushing to withdraw rubles and convert them into dollars, worried about the devaluation and the soaring price of imported goods. Russia’s central bank said Monday it would provide an emergency loan of 30 billion rubles ($545 million) to keep Trust Bank afloat and protect customers’ deposits while it engineers a longer term bailout involving a bigger Russian bank. For more information, visit www. money.cnn.com.

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