Houston Style Magazine Vol 34 No 1

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NEWS | COMMENTARIES | SPORTS | HEALTH | ENTERTAINMENT Support Black Owned Businesses Houston’s Premiere Weekly Publication, Since 1989 Complimentary MAFH's Portrait of Courage Ford Lightning Lariat Review Instagram: @StyleMagazineHTX Twitter: @HoustonStyle TAG US: #TeamStyleMag Facebook: @HoustonStyleMagazine JANUARY 5, 2022 - JANUARY 11, 2023 Putting The Con In Conservative Jesse Jackson HPD Chief Troy Finner HPD Make Nearly 50 Arrest On New Year's Eve Volume 34 | Number 1 Houston Style Magazine Takeoff Death Bond Reduction Denied for Murder Haute Shots Problems Still Loom Over Harris County Elections
January 5, 2022 - January 11, 2023 www.StyleMagazine.com 2
3 www.StyleMagazine.com January 5, 2022 - January 11, 2023 MINORITY PRINT MEDIA, LLC, D.B.A. Houston Style Magazine & www.StyleMagazine.com Phone: (713) 748-6300 • Fax: (713) 748-6320 Mail: P.O. Box 14035, Houston, TX 77221-4035 ©2022 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 2019 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 Supporters of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP) Publisher Francis Page, Jr. fpagejr@stylemagazine.com Associate Publisher Lisa Valadez lisa@stylemagazine.com Managing Editor Jo-Carolyn Goode editorial@stylemagazine.com Social Media Editor/Videographer Reginald Dominique reggiedominique@me.com Sports Editor Brian Barefield brian_barefield@yahoo.com Food Writer Alex Jack alexandriajack1991@gmail.com Arts Writer Kathleen Coleman kathleen@stylemagazine.com NATIONAL WRITERS Jesse Jackson jjackson@rainbowpush.org Roland Martin www.rolandmartin.com Judge Greg Mathis www.askjudgemathis.com Erynn Haskins editorial@stylemagazine.com PHOTOGRAPHERS Vicky Pink vhpink@gmail.com Mike Munoz artrepreneur91@gmail.com ADVERTISING/SALES AdVertising emAil advertising@stylemagazine.com Reuel Williams reuel@stylemagazine.com Erynn Haskin e.haskin90@gmail.com Editor Cameron Lee thisiscam6@gmail.com

George Santos, a 34-yearold Republican congressman-elect, has gained notoriety before even coming to Washington. He was elected to the Congress from a Long Island, New York, district this fall on a resume and a campaign constructed on breath-taking fabrications.

He lied about where he lives. He lied about where he works. He lied about creating a nonprofit organization called Friends of Pets United. He lied about where he went to high school. He lied about graduating from college. He lied about being a landlord owning 13 properties. He lied about having four employees shot in the Pulse nightclub shooting. He lied about his mother's career. He lied about his mother's death, claiming that she was a victim of 9/11 when she died in 2016. He lied about being of Jewish heritage. And he probably lied about his income and his wealth. He claimed assets of a million, and income of $750,000. He loaned his campaign $700,000. But he was evicted in 2015 and 2017

COMMENTARY PUTTING THE CON IN CONSERVATIVE

Moreover, with a thin Republican majority of four in the House, Republicans don't want to risk losing the seat if Santos were to do the honorable thing and resign.

In any case, the current Republican members of Congress are not exactly exemplars of honesty or champions of truth. Virtually all lined up behind Donald Trump, ignoring his serial lies in office, numbering more than 30,000 according to fact checkers. Santos, not surprisingly, embraced Donald Trump's Big Lie, the claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. More than 180 other members of the new House Republican caucus echoed that Big Lie.

for failing to pay rent and hauled into court for not paying his debts. It remains to be seen where the $700,000 came from.

Santos painted himself as an example of the American dream, son of an immigrant family who by grit and hard work made his way to employment at Goldman Sachs. Only the dream was a delusion. Goldman Sachs has no record of his employment. This paragon of conservative virtues turned out to be simply a pretty shoddy conman.

When an investigation by the New York Times revealed his serial lies, he admitted to "embellishing" his resume. His attorney allowed that campaign money -some of which appears to have been used illegally to pay rent for Santos -- may have been spent "unwisely." Santos told the New York Post that he may have added a little bit of fluff to his resume, but -- echoing Richard Nixon's famous statement in the Watergate scandals -- "I am not a criminal." (Nixon at least chose to resign, whereas Santos fully expects to be sworn in when

the new Congress convenes next week.)

The Republican district attorney of Nassau County, New York has opened an investigation of his lies, stating that no one is above the law. The federal U.S. attorney in Brooklyn is reportedly investigating his financial finagling. A newly elected Republican congressman in a neighboring district, Nick LaLota, has called on the House Ethics Committee to investigate.

Democrats in the House have called on Santos to resign and are pushing to haul him before the Federal Election Commission and the House Ethics Committee. But this is not the Democrats' responsibility. It is the responsibility of the Republican leaders in the House. And they have been notably absent without leave.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who is desperately seeking enough Republican support to be elected speaker of the House, has said nothing. Santos has endorsed McCarthy, and McCarthy needs every vote he can get from his own caucus.

Santos has made it clear that he has no shame and no plan to withdraw. Will Republicans act to police their own membership and to stop this obvious fraud upon their own voters? If they refuse to act, they can tie up the Ethics Committee and neuter the FEC.

If Santos gets a pass, Republican leaders will be telling voters just who they are and what they will stand for. Honesty is for suckers. Partisan advantage trumps decency. To gain power, Republicans are prepared to spread Trump's Big Lie. They don't hesitate to lie about their opponents. And Santos shows they are prepared to put forth and stand by candidates who lie about their own families, education, employment and lineage.

The party won't police itself. It is left up to voters to do it for them.

You can write to the Rev. Jesse Jackson in care of this Newspaper or by email at: jjackson@rainbowpush.org

January 5, 2022 - January 11, 2023 www.StyleMagazine.com 4
U.S. Rep.-elect George Santos

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The Houston Police Department says it arrested five people for illegally shooting guns on New Year’s Eve, when a 12-year-old girl in Southwest Houston was grazed by a stray bullet and hospitalized.

A 12-year-old girl was struck by a stray bullet and hospitalized on New Year’s Eve, when the Houston

HOUSTON POLICE MAKE NEARLY 50 NEW YEAR’S EVE ARRESTS FOR CELEBRATORY GUNFIRE, DRUNKEN DRIVING

assaults unit at 713-308-8800.

A total of 43 people in Houston were arrested for drunk driving on New Year’s Eve, according to HPD.

“While most of us made it home safely in this new year, a number of individuals spent the night in jail after not heeding our warnings on engaging in celebratory gunfire and drunk driving,” Finner said.

Police Department arrested five people accused of illegally shooting guns and more than 40 for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said in a statement on Twitter that the girl suffered a graze wound to her neck at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday at 6405 West Bellfort Blvd. in Southwest

Houston.“The little girl was taken to a hospital and, thankfully, is going to be okay,” Finner said.

It was unclear Monday whether the girl’s shooting was related to one of the five arrests HPD made for celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Eve. The department asked anyone with information about the shooting to call its major

STOP CHILD ABUSE. END NEGLECT.

If you see any combination of the following signs in a child, please make a report!

• Displays of hunger, stealing, hiding, or hoarding food.

• Frequent injuries with a lack of parental communication or care.

• Poor hygiene, scrapes, bruises, and cuts left unattended.

• Clothing and belongings are dirty, worn, broken and clothes are inadequate for the weather.

• Frequent unexplained school absences.

If you suspect a child is being neglected or abused contact Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400 or txabusehotline.org

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Houston Police Chief Troy Finner

ALMOST TWO MONTHS AFTER ELECTION DAY, HARRIS COUNTY STILL DOESN’T KNOW IF POLLING SITE PROBLEMS KEPT PEOPLE FROM VOTING

Nearly two months after the general election, Harris County election officials still do not know whether ballot paper shortages and late polling site openings prevented people from voting on Election Day.

In a post-election assessment, which the county provided to Votebeat, Harris County Elections Administrator Clifford Tatum describes the result of the county’s investigation into Election Day problems, including ballot paper shortages, as “inconclusive.” The 54page assessment, which came at least two weeks later than expected, says the elections office’s investigation “has not yet revealed” whether, or how many of, the county’s 782 polling sites had to turn voters away due to ballot paper shortages.

To figure out the scope of the ballot paper problem, Tatum said he had to rely on “anecdotal” information his office received directly from calling more than 700 presiding judges and alternate judges because he does not have an adequate tracking system to help him see whether an issue at a polling place was addressed and resolved.

Tatum told Votebeat that his report is inconclusive because his staff received conflicting or confusing statements from presiding election judges and alternate judges — people nominated by political parties and appointed by the county to supervise polling sites — about whether specific polling sites did, in fact, run out of paper.

The assessment said some other presiding judges and alternate judges were “reportedly” advised by the Harris County Republican Party to not talk to election staff about the matter. The party is involved in at least two lawsuits against the county that allege paper shortages “disenfranchised” voters on Election Day. Harris County Republican Party chair Cindy Siegel, however, denied that the party advised election judges to not speak to elections staff.

Tatum would not say whether he thought the report's explanations

about ballot paper shortages would satisfy voters and officials who have demanded answers about what happened on Election Day. “I can't make any conclusions from what I got from the judges other than, they gave me conflicting information,” Tatum said. “The solution is for me to have systems in place that demonstrate what occurred.” Other large counties in Texas and across the country have for years been using this kind of tracking system. Experts say Harris is unusual among large jurisdictions in not having such tools.

Elections administrators in Dallas and Tarrant counties use an effective system to track problems at polling sites in real time, which they say is essential to their operation. The systems can be purchased online and cost between $30,000 and $40,000 a year.

“I am really surprised, I will be honest, that [Tatum] doesn’t have that. Most of the large jurisdictions we work with have something like this,” said Jennifer Morrell, elections administration consultant and co-founder of the Elections Group. “But I know there’s been a lot of change in Harris County so there’s definitely room for improvement there.”

According to the report, which Tatum sent to Harris County commissioners and election commission members — including County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Republican and Democrat party chairs — via email Tuesday, the 50-person elections help desk on Election Day received 1,600 calls for polling site support. Forty-six of those calls sought additional paper. However, “this does not indicate that these [voting centers] ran out of paper and had turned voters away as a result” but “only that they required additional paper at some point on Election Day,” the report says.

Read more at: StyleMagazine.com

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HAVE YOU MADE YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION? STAY TUNED IN THE NEW YEAR TO HEAR MINE! HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS check out my radio show Call in during the show: 832-570-8075 Mondays a Tip from t r 11:00 am to 12:00 pm KWWJ 1360 AM/96 9 FM | KYOK 1140 AM | KCOH 1230 AM | Aliento Radio 1540 AM/101.7 FM | Sangeet Radio 95.1FM & 1460AM Tune in at: Scan for social media or ccer Annual Fund Co-Chairman GHCAA Track and Field Meets uthority of Harris County (METRO) Management Firm in Texas Guest Speaker at Acres Home Chamber of Business and Economic Development 44th Original MLK Parade Co-Grand Marshal rew , Gilbert, Ben, DeeDee, Melissa, Andrew, Daniel, Julianna Gilbert, The 44th Annual Co-Grand Mashal of the Original MLK Parade with his wife, DeeDee
Harris County Elections Administrator Clifford Tatum speaks to the press at the central counting center at NRG Park in Houston on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Credit_ Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune

The Open Enrollment season has begun and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is offering multiple health plan options — some with $0 co-pays — as part of its continuing commitment to provide quality, cost-effective health care to Texans just as “we have since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace first opened.”

The Open Enrollment period for the Marketplace ends Jan. 15, 2023. For coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2023, you must enroll by Dec. 15, 2022. No proof of a qualifying life event is required to buy a health plan during the open enrollment period.

BCBSTX is offering plans as low as $0 a month for those eligible to receive premium tax credits.

“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is committed to expanding access to quality, cost-effective health care,” said Jim Springfield, BCBSTX president. “We are proud to offer affordable, quality health plan options in every zip code in Texas’ 254 counties, just as we have since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace first opened.

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHEILD OF TEXAS

These plans can be accessed through an unrivaled network of providers and facilities, and some individuals may be eligible for financial assistance. As a customer-owned company, we can take a long-term view and operate in the best interests of our members.”

For 2023, BCBSTX is expanding the MyBlue HMOSM Plan, a high-performance, lower-cost option, into six additional counties: Tarrant, Hidalgo, Collin, El Paso, Denton, Cameron. The MyBlue HMOSM Plan is also available in Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Travis and Williamson counties.

The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) this year means more people will again qualify for subsidies to help pay for their health insurance. Partly as a result of the IRA, four in five customers will be able to find health care coverage for $10 or less per month for 2023 after subsidies, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

In Texas, the Department of Health and Human Services estimates 370,000 Texans may be eligible for subsidies because of the IRA’s extension of American Rescue Plan subsidies. Additionally for 2023, according to the Biden Administration, it’s estimated that up to 1 million people will become newly eligible for tax credits to help pay for their ACA plans due to a new rule addressing the “Family Glitch” — which means families, who previously found employer-sponsored health insurance unaffordable, now may have new opportunities for reduced costs.

In an effort to make the process of deciding which plan is best for you and your family, BCBSTX has established multiple resources customers can use to find out more information about health plan options:

BCBSTX will host virtual open enrollment seminars across Texas with Think Blue representatives who can provide guidance in English and Spanish. Customers can schedule an in-person or virtual one-on-one appointment, as well as register for a virtual or in-person educational seminar.

Access to BCBSTX’s Premium Tax

Estimator

Access to the retail shopping cart to explore plans. Phone help is offered at 866-427-7497, Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT.

“We are committed to ensuring that every Texan has access to affordable healthcare coverage throughout their healthcare journey,” said Springfield.

January 5, 2022 - January 11, 2023 www.StyleMagazine.com 8
Jim Springfield, President Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Facility in Richardson, Texas

ATexas judge has denied a bond reduction for a suspect charged with murder in the death of Migos member Takeoff, according to the man's attorney, Letitia Quinones.

Harris County Judge Josh Hill kept Patrick Clark's bond at $1 million, reasoning that Clark may be a flight risk, Quinones told CNN. In a press conference Wednesday afternoon,

BOND REDUCTION DENIED FOR SUSPECT CHARGED IN DEATH OF TAKEOFF

Quinones said her office is "surprised" by the decision.

"We complied with every requirement that the judge asked of us, only to be told today that it [the bond] would not be lowered. So yes, we are very disappointed. We disagree. And frankly, we're very surprised," Quinones said. Quinones said she believes Clark's $1 million bond is unconstitutional due

to Clark and his family's financial situation being "average," and that the high amount is a result of the case being "high profile" in nature.

Takeoff, who performed with the hip-hop trio Migos, was killed Nov. 1 in Houston. Police believe he was an innocent bystander to an argument that took place outside a bowling alley which led to the shooting.

"The fight is not over. We do believe without a shadow of a doubt that when the time comes, we will be able to show Mr. Clark's innocence in this," Quinones said Wednesday.

"I think something has been lost with all the hype and all the tragedy that's involved in this offense, and that's Mr. Clark is presumed innocent."

9 www.StyleMagazine.com January 5, 2022 - January 11, 2023
Patrick Clark

5 WAYS TO MANAGE YOUR WEIGHT

For many people who wish to work toward a healthier weight, one of the greatest obstacles is figuring out where to begin. These tips from SlimFast consultant and registered dietitian Maryann Walsh show it doesn’t take a drastic lifestyle overhaul to make an impact.

Eat Mindfully

Many people who struggle with their weight benefit from being more conscious about what they’re eating and why. For example, consider your eating habits, such as eating even when you’re not hungry whether that’s because it’s mealtime and you think you should eat, you’re satisfying a craving or using a tasty snack to cope with stress.

Recognizing why you’re eating is an important step toward correcting destructive eating patterns, but so is paying attention to the other details of the eating experience, including what you eat and how it makes you feel. Ultimately, this may allow you to choose healthier foods that nourish your body for the longterm, rather than the brief satisfaction that comes with less nutritious choices.

Consider Intermittent Fasting

One weight-loss method many people find success using is intermittent fasting, which involves abstaining from all food and beverages for a specified time period each day or week. While going too long without food can sometimes lead to excess hunger then overeating later, in shorter, controlled fasting timeframes one can often more easily achieve a caloric deficit, which is required for weight loss.

Prepare for your fasting phase by choosing foods that support satiety. Options like shakes can help avoid a sense of deprivation with tasty flavors like the Vanilla Cupcake Snack Shake Mix and Vanilla Almond Crunch Complete Meal Bar. The shake mixes deliver 15 grams of slow-digesting

protein, compared to whey protein, to help curb hunger, along with more than 20 vitamins and minerals. The meal bars clock in with 15 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber.

Manage Stress

When you’re stressed, your body produces cortisol, which also raises insulin and can drive hunger and trigger cravings for comfort foods. In fact, that’s the very reason people tend to overeat when they’re under pressure. Light exercise and meditative practices can help you manage your mental strain. You might also consider talk therapy with a friend or professional or spend time unwinding with a book or music.

Get Proper Sleep

Poor sleep habits affect your weight in numerous ways. One is that when you’re feeling tired, your hunger and satiety hormones, ghrelin and leptin, can be affected, leading to an increase in caloric intake and subsequent weight gain. Additionally, when you’re tired, you’re more likely to take shortcuts like skipping workouts or opting for unhealthy convenience foods. All are reasons to make better rest a bigger priority.

Track Eating and Exercise

When you’re not paying attention to what you eat and how you move, you may not even realize how

your habits are affecting your health. Logging what you eat, especially if you use a tool like an app that helps you see the nutrition breakdown, may give you a clearer idea of the quality and quantity of your intake. Similar-

ly, when you’re specifically writing down the time you’re committing to physical activity, you’ll find it easier to identify patterns and pinpoint where you can make adjustments to increase your exercise.

January 5, 2022 - January 11, 2023 www.StyleMagazine.com 10

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11 www.StyleMagazine.com January 5, 2022 - January 11, 2023
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Trucks are usually vehicles that you hear before you see them. The Ford Lightning Lariat is the opposite of that statement, being a truck that you won’t hear but that you definitely will see.

The Lightning Lariat is an adventure into the techno world. It is the quietest, smoothest, most efficient, and most powerful vehicle on four wheels. I just love technology, and I love the way it makes the things we do every day easier. The innovation of this vehicle is insane and makes you think the impossible is possible. Years ago, no one really thought that there would be a time when we would drive vehicles that would not pollute the planet. We progressed from all-gas to hybrid to electric. It makes you wonder if one day people will really live like the Jetsons and have vehicles that fly. For now, I like staying on the ground in my money saving, planet protecting, and better performing all-electric 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat 4x4 Supercrew.

I was ready, fearful, and skeptical all at the same time to review this truck. Even though I read all the reviews, I have always been scared about running out of battery power in an electric vehicle, which is why I like hybrids. They play into that fear for me with the backup of the gas engine. I am so glad I got to test drive this Ford truck because now my trust issues with electric vehicles are gone.

You know it is going to be an interesting test drive when you must have a lesson in operations with the drop-off driver before it is all yours. Once I officially got the keys, I couldn’t wait to start it up. If it wasn’t for the welcome screen in the driver’s display window, I swear I

would never have known it was on. It is oh, so quiet. Before I could really get going, I had to take a moment to admire the beauty of the vehicle. The exterior comes in 10 color options. My test vehicle was the striking Smoked Quartz Tinted CC Metallic. The frame looks like a classic Ford truck, and you would never know all the technology that is locked inside. The interior complements the exterior well with a black leather trim and an upgraded sense of style, with elegant touches of bronze accents in the stitching, around the center display, and speckled in the door fixtures. I almost missed this detail if the sun hadn’t hit the vehicle in just the right spot. I adored the bronze accents and even more so the interior color, which greatly resembles denim. The swoop of the windows was a nice touch as well. Usually the part where the window and door meet is just a straight line, whereas the Ford F-150 Lariat Lightning gives a swoop, to which I say, "Ok, Ford!" The seating in the front and back is generously spacious and extremely comfortable. This truck is pretty big, and the running board helps

when trying to get into the truck. Some may still need to grab a step stool or have help climbing inside the cabin of the truck.

Safely inside the cabin, I had to first check out the massive 15.5-inch touchscreen display with Sync 4a. All the power is at your fingertips in a wide, clear manner for control of your navigation, infotainment, maintenance, performance, and driving. Whether you are trying to find your favorite radio station or know how many miles it is to the next charging station, the center display is something you will need to know how to operate.

There is a tab that shows your energy consumption, breaking down info to let drivers know where the energy you burn with your truck is being used between your mileage, app use, A/C controls, and climate. Something I thought was ideal was the "plan your trip" feature that allows the driver to plan their trip with charging stations along the way to ensure you can always charge up when needed (building my trust). All of the games installed on the system piqued my interest, including a sketch pad with different colors for taking notes. From the display, you can access the 360-degree camera that

shows the entire truck with great resolution. This was extremely helpful with parallel parking. On the display screen, you can control features like park assist, the smart switch, vehicle lighting, and towing. There are also the basics of a/c temperature, radio control, and heat and cool seats that can be set from the display.

The cupholders were nice and big. There were places to hide your belongings. I even found hidden storage under the backseat. The center armrest is deep and big for storage. It is also super useful since it doubles as a desk when you hide the gearshift and flip it open.

The most impressive feature in my book is the power of the lightning. There are 11 outlets throughout the truck, including 2 120-volt outlets in the cabin, 4 120-volt outlets in the trunk with a USB-C and USA-A plug, 4 120volt outlets in the bed, and 1 240-volt outlet in the bed. That is enough power to charge a home for 3 days if it uses 30 kw, and even longer if it uses 10 kw. (Texans could have used this kind of vehicle a while back.)

Enough about the razzle dazzle, let’s see how this baby drives. Yall, it’s a dream. like floating on a cloud. I was so at ease because it was such a smooth ride. Trucks are known as big, heavy vehicles where you feel every groove in the road. Not so with the Lightning Lariat. The suspension is adequate to prevent bouncing in the cabin.

January 5, 2022 - January 11, 2023 www.StyleMagazine.com 12
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IS THE FORD LIGHTNING LARIAT WORTH THE MONEY? YES!

Two paintings depicting the Old Testament story of Judith slaying Holofernes—one by 17th-century Italian artist Artemisia Gentileschi and the other by contemporary American artist Kehinde Wiley—will continue their national tour at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, from January 25 through April 16, 2023. Presenting Gentileschi’s Judith and Holofernes (c. 1612–17) from the collection of the Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte in Naples and Wiley’s 2012 Judith and Holofernes from the North Carolina Museum of Art, Portrait of Courage: Gentileschi, Wiley, and the Story of Judith places the two paintings in dialogue with one another, revealing shared narratives and ideas across time and culture.

The subject of the two paintings, one that recurs throughout European art history, is taken from the Old Testament Book of Judith. The story features the heroic young widow who saves the besieged Jewish city of Betulia, which is under attack by the Assyrians. Judith determines to sacrifice herself in order to free the city. With her maidservant Abra, Judith sets out dressed in her

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON, PRESENTS “PORTRAIT OF COURAGE: GENTILESCHI, WILEY, AND THE STORY OF JUDITH” IN JANUARY 2023

finery to the camp of Assyrian general Holofernes, under the pretext that she is willing to betray the Israelites so that the Assyrians can defeat them. Enchanted by Judith’s beauty, Holofernes invites her to dinner in his tent, where she plies him with drink and he falls asleep. Judith severs his head with his own sword, she and Abra bring Holofernes’ head back to the city, and the Assyrians flee. The story of Judith and Holofernes— the vulnerable rising to slay a hostile invader, the oppressed overthrowing their oppressor—holds enduring appeal. Over the centuries Judith has been var-

iously interpreted as a virtuous young woman, a seductive femme fatale, and a brave heroine in depictions of this same scene by many artists, from Botticelli, Rembrandt, and Caravaggio to Gustav Klimt.

“I am thrilled to be able to share with our public Artemisia Gentileschi’s magnificent and compelling masterpiece, along with Kehinde Wiley’s brilliant reinterpretation of the legend of Judith and Holofernes,” commented Gary Tinterow, MFAH Director, the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair. “I look forward to seeing the reaction of our

visitors to these two paintings treating the same subject, one by a woman, one by a man, separated by 400 years.”

In depicting a woman in an act of courageous defiance, Gentileschi’s and Wiley’s paintings, though created 400 years apart, spur discussion around gender, race, violence, oppression, and social power, allowing for reflection on contemporary issues through a historical lens.

Gentileschi’s Judith and Holofernes is a powerful statement of her skill as an artist, which gained her much recognition in a male-dominated practice during her lifetime by patrons and commissions in Florence, Venice, Naples, Rome, and England. But Gentileschi’s vision goes beyond the staging of a classical biblical story, through the unfolding of her own personal horror as a young woman. The daughter of a well-established artist, she was sexually assaulted by a family friend, and a very public court case followed, which caused Gentileschi to be perceived as a social pariah.

Read more at: StyleMagazine.com

13 www.StyleMagazine.com January 5, 2022 - January 11, 2023

Fort Bend County Installation of Officials

A Swearing Ceremony for Fort Bend County Judge KP George, newly elected, and re-elected officials was held at the Fort Bend County Justice Center. Fort Bend County Judge KP George was sworn in by Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. Congressman Al Green was the guest speaker for the ceremony. In addition to the Swearing in of County Judge KP George, Fort Bend County welcomed newly elected officials including; 240th District Court Judge Surendran K. Pattel, 268th District Court Judge Steve Rogers, 328th District Court Judge Monica Rawlins, 458th District Court Judge Chad Bridges, Judge-elect, County Court at Law 2 Tyra McCollum, County Court at Law 6 Dean Hrbacek, Commissioner-elect, Precinct 4 Dexter L. McCoy, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 2 Tricia Krenek, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 1 Roderick C. Garner, Sr., and Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 Sonia Rash.

January 5, 2022 - January 11, 2023 www.StyleMagazine.com 14 2023
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SEE

Jack and Jill 32nd Debutante Ball

15 www.StyleMagazine.com January 5, 2022 - January 11, 2023 baseball& baseball& Wegotogetherlike Wegotogetherlike 1 TICKET 2 shows 25-29 Jan hotdogs. hotdogs. www.autoboativeshow.com 2023 SEE MORE PHOTOS AT www.StyleMagazine.com
“What
The Houston Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. ended 2022 hosting their 32nd Biennial Debutante Ball at the Hilton Americas-Houston. Under the theme
a Wonderful World,” 28 young ladies made their formal debut to society in breathtaking white ballgowns.
January 5, 2022 - January 11, 2023 www.StyleMagazine.com 16

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