Houston Style Magazine Vol 33 No 46

COMMENTARY BECAUSE THEY WERE JUST GERMANS?

By Oscar H. Blayton

In my hometown of Williamsburg, Virginia, there is a living museum whose stated motto is: "That the future may learn from the past."

At a time when America is being plagued by legions of history deniers wanting to hide their true nature by obfuscating who they have been, it is important to learn from the past so we can see the dangers we face in our future. Most people alive today have no personal memories of World War II, but few are unfamiliar with its place in history. The massive destruction and human misery brought about by the rise of fascism is unmatched in modern times. For more than seven decades, historians have struggled to explain how the Axis nations, and Nazi Germany in particular, came to inflict such horror on the world. In many instances, historians simply concluded that this was just the nature of the German people.

In his book, “Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speak ing Peoples Since 1500,” Oxford Uni versity Professor Peter H. Wilson warns that attempts to draw a continuous line through centuries of violent German history culminating in the Holocaust are the result of “lazy" scholarship and imply a false continuity and inev itably. Wilson argues that this laziness risks ignoring the agency of those in volved in the atrocities, thus acquitting them of their personal responsibility. He states that in each case, individuals chose to partake in genocide, and the question as to why they did demands more complicated answers than “be cause they were German.”

It is true that a great deal of what happened in Germany in the first half of the 20th century had to do with a crazy little man named Adolph Hitler. But even he can't take all the blame. When World War I ended in 1918 with

total defeat for Germany, the Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, and the Dawes Plan of 1924 created conditions that placed Germany in a pressure cook er. The treaty forced Germany to give up its colonial territories, reduce its military forces and make reparation payments to the Allied powers.

But perhaps most stinging to the German people was the treaty’s “War Guilt Clause" which required Germany and her allies to accept all the guilt for starting the war. This public humiliation of Germany enraged its population and gave rise to their sense of grievance.

The heavy reparation payments placed on Germany by the treaty were eased somewhat by the Dawes Plan, cre ated by Charles G. Dawes, an American banker who later would become vice president of the United States under President Calvin Coolidge. Under the Dawes Plan, Germany's annual repa ration payments were reduced initially but were scheduled to increase over time as its economy improved. Additionally, economic policymaking in Berlin was reorganized under foreign supervision and Germany was required to rely on

foreign loans to make its reparation payments. More importantly, the plan left undetermined the full amount to be paid.

After World War I, Hitler re mained in the German army and, in 1919, was an intelligence agent assigned to infiltrate the German Workers' Party (DAP). After joining DAP, Hitler dis covered that he agreed with their views, so when he was discharged from the army six months later, he became an enthusiastic party member. DAP even tually changed its name to the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NS DAP) and became known colloquially as the "Nazi Party." As he rose in the party, Hitler became adept in the use of scapegoating as a means of focusing blame upon minorities for the economic hardships and other grievances of his angry listeners.

With the help of early followers, he was able to assemble street thugs into a violent paramilitary group known as the “Storm Troopers." Ostensibly their function was to provide protection at rallies, but most often they were used to physically attack political opponents.

In late 1923, Hitler, backed by his Storm Trooper thugs, tried to stage a coup, much like the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection in Washington, D.C. And like the Jan. 6 insurrection, Hitler's coup attempt, known as the “Beer Hall Putsch," failed. Hitler was tried and im prisoned for nine months for his part in the attempt. In 1927, the threat of rising fascism was recognized in Germany. The Nazi Party was declared illegal in Berlin and eventually Nazi speechmak ing was banned throughout the entire German state of Prussia. Unfortunately, the ban was lifted later that year and the march towards fascism continued.

Five years after Hitler was released from prison, the U.S. stock market crashed in 1929. With the Great Depression that followed, Germany’s reliance on foreign loans under the Dawes Plan sent Germany into an eco nomic tailspin. The pain of the Depres sion, coupled with Germany’s sense of grievance over the loss of World War I and the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, ultimately led to political instability in Germany and the end of its democratic government. What ensued was the rise of the Third Reich under the Nazi Party. Using his oratory skills to focus blame on scapegoats, Hitler garnered overwhelming public support by prom ising to repudiate the Versailles Treaty, strengthen the economy and provide jobs.

By 1933, Hitler had become chancellor of Germany, introduced censorship, passed laws ending civil liberties and passed the Enabling Act, making himself dictator for four years. And the following year, he made him self chancellor and president.

Thisis the history of a nation that followed an avowed racist and anti-Semite who never finished secondary school, who pos

German armed forces during the Grosser Zapfenstreich (Grand Tattoo), Berlin, 2021 GETTY IMAGES

One of the great joys of my life is teaching. I’m fortunate to teach classes on social justice at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the most respected schools in the country. Penn has a longstanding commitment to affirmative action, and I have seen firsthand how diversity in the classroom benefits all my students. There’s just no question that diversity is a core piece of a vibrant academic community and a critical part of the learning experience –for all of us. Bringing together students with different lived experiences forces students to think critically about their assumptions, which is an essential goal of a university education.

That’s why I, like so many of us, am deeply concerned about two affirma tive action cases argued at the Supreme Court just a few days ago. Opponents of affirmative action have been trying to destroy it for years. And now it looks like they just might get their chance.

Two universities, Harvard and the University of North Carolina (UNC), are defending their admissions programs against opponents who want them declared unconstitutional. (The university where I teach, Penn, and the organization I lead, People For the American Way, have both joined briefs supporting the universities’ positions.) Considering race as one of many fac tors in admissions has been upheld by

TELL THE SUPREME COURT: WE STILL NEED AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

By Ben Jealous, Special to Style

used to understand that. Today, I worry that only a minority of the justices do.

In an election cycle fraught with chal lenges, young people still organized and turned out in droves to make their

the Supreme Court for decades. The Court has said repeatedly that diversity in higher education is a “compelling interest.”

But today’s Supreme Court is different. It’s dominated by far-right justices who have made it clear they don’t share this view. Chief Justice John Roberts’s famous quote, "The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race,” sums it up: conservatives believe affirmative action is at best unnecessary and at worst just another type of dis crimination. Some conservatives would like to retire affirmative action because they claim it’s accomplished everything it set out to do. But it hasn’t. Not even close.

In Texas and Michigan, ap plications and enrollments of Black

and Latino students plunged after state politicians banned the consideration of race in admission to their public univer sities. That’s a huge red flag. Nationally, there’s a big gap between the percentage of White and Black students who earn a bachelor’s degree. And that perpet uates all kinds of harm and inequities in income, health, family wealth, and more. We still have a long way to go in building a fair society in which all our children can thrive.

And here’s an important point that often gets lost. All students—no matter their race or color or creed— benefit from affirmative action. Having diverse classmates promotes a stimulat ing exchange of ideas and viewpoints. It prepares all students for living and working in our increasingly diverse society. The Supreme Court as a whole

One of those justices is Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the Court and a person of profound insight and wisdom. Her questions in oral arguments got to the heart of the matter. Imagine two qualified students applying to UNC, Justice Jackson sug gested: a white North Carolinian student whose family members had attended the school for generations, and a Black North Carolinian whose family had historically been shut out. The White applicant might make the case that at tending UNC is deeply meaningful to her because it is a family tradition. The Black applicant might make the case that it is deeply meaningful because her family was so long denied.

Jackson’s question made it clear what would happen if the Court adopts the Far Right’s position: the White student’s appeal to family history would be allowed to help their chance of acceptance, while the Black student’s would not. It would further institution alize discrimination and the harm it has caused generations of Black Americans.

I am so grateful for Justice Jackson’s voice on the Court.

Read more at: StyleMagazine.com

YOUNG PEOPLE ARE MORE PROGRESSIVE AND POLITICALLY ENGAGED DESPITE FACING SIGNIFICANT HURDLES TO CAST A BALLOT

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

voices heard and protect their freedoms at the ballot box. Despite this being the first general election since the passage of voter suppression legislation in Tex as that restricts young people’s voting access, rising political extremism that pushes people away from the process, and a state administration that has all but abandoned its responsibility to promote democracy in the state, youth voter turnout in this election remained strong.

In an episode that is emblematic of the persistent barriers to the ballot box young voters continue to face elec tion after election, a polling location at Texas State University experienced malfunctions with five of their eight voting machines on election night. In response, MOVE Texas rapidly secured transportation from the campus loca tion to another voting center. MOVE Texas Action Fund Executive Director Claudia Yoli Ferla issued the following statement:

We faced incredible challenges during this election cycle. Last year, the state passed anti-voting legislation that deliberately made it much more difficult for young people and first-time voters

to participate in our elections. Young people are worthy of what we all expect and deserve in a democracy– leaders who celebrate their participation, are responsive to their needs, and take their issues seriously. The real problem is that on many of the issues that are important to young people, extremist and out-oftouch politicians in Texas moved in the opposite direction– taking millions from the fossil fuel industry, enacting radical abortion bans, and refusing to take ac tion on gun violence. All of these fail ures are designed to instill a profound disillusionment and frustration with a hostile political system that continues to exclude the lived experiences of young people rather than lift them up.

“This election, young people showed up in defiance, despite them waiting hours in line, and voted for the freedom to decide when and if they want to start a family, the freedom to vote and determine their own futures, and the freedom to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and leave behind a livable planet. Every single young person that organized and turned out to vote across the state in this election is a testament

to the determination and commitment to the fight for a more inclusive democracy.

“Regardless of election results, we’ll do it all over again and keep fight ing every single day. Elections are a mo ment, young people are the movement. We will build on the progress we’ve made this year, just as we built on the progress we made in the years before that. Our movement to build the lasting political power of young people will not happen overnight, or in one or two cycles. But together, we will get there.” Learn more about Move Texas at www. movetexas.org.

Photo by Parker Johnson on Unsplash

Photo by Parker Johnson on Unsplash

IEACF MAKES TRIUMPH RETURN TO THE RUNWAY

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

Time had waited long enough for the members of the Ivy Educa tional and Charitable Foundation of Houston, Inc. to return to the runway. Their triumph return was done with style, class, and raised a lot green for scholarships.

The 39th signature scholarship fundraiser for the IEACF has been and still is the main source for fundraising for their scholarship program for deserv ing students in high school and college as well as supporting other charitable organizations and causes. To date, over $1 million dollars has been invested into the minds of the future by helping them defray college expenses. During the pan demic, the Foundation was stretched to its limits in trying to support students as everyone from individuals to businesses were under financial restraint. However, the ladies managed to continue to meet their goals for all students. This year's affair was a celebration of weathering the storm to see the light of a new day.

A champagne toast got things started at the opening cocktail reception where guests were greeted by hostesses dressed in classic black with emerald

green fascinators, the Foundation's signature color. Between mixing and mingling, guests had the opportunity to take plenty of photos in front of a London inspired backdrop of an ador able pink telephone booth covered with pink roses flanked by a wall of ivies on each side. Once inside the ballroom, guests pranced around on their person al runways partaking in photo booth fun, shopping at vendors, and enjoying a scrumptious buffet of various hors d'oeuvres until signaled to take their seats to listen to saxophonist Edmond Baker Jr. Such dignitaries as the Founda tion President Diedra Fontaine, General Chairman Staci Taylor Fullmighter, Al pha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter President Cher

ise Story, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® South Central Regional Director Joya T. Hayes. Congressional leaders Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green also took to the stage to present proclamations. Hayes and Lee brought some extra green with them as they both made surprise announcements to the Foundation members that they would donate $2,000 and $1,000 respectfully to support their efforts.

Each year at the event members of the community are recognized for their lead ership, philanthropy, and style. This year’s honoree group include pillars in education, entrepreneurship, and culture. The honorees included: Dr. Robert Bostic, Superintendent of Stafford Municipal School District; Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, President of Texas Southern University; Mr. Millard

House II, Superintendent of Houston Independent School District; Mrs. Courtney Johnson Rose, Chief Exec utive Officer of George E. Johnson Development Inc.; Mr. Chris Williams, Founder of Lucille’s Hospitality Group I and Founder & Executive Director of Lucille’s 1913; and Mrs. Vanessa E. Wyche, Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

In 5,4,3,2,1, the show opened with a very cool vibe as each model swaggered down the catwalk with their own groove in all black parade with clothier Dillard's. Next came a look at fall with hues of brown and oranges. One model really got the crowd ex cited when she came strutting down the runway in an all orange ensemble topped with Houston Astros cap. Read more at: StyleMagazine.com

HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE LINA HIDALGO WINS TIGHT RACE FOR REELECTION

By JOSHUA FECHTER, The Texas Tribune

Abbott.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, considered a rising star among Texas Democrats, overcame a vigorous challenge from a well-funded Republican opponent Tuesday night and barely held on to her seat overseeing the state’s most populous urban county.

Hidalgo faced a steep fundrais ing disadvantage, attacks tying her to the county’s high number of homicides and a midterm environment generally unfa vorable to Democrats to beat Republi can Alexandra del Moral Mealer, a West Point graduate and ex-Army captain, to lead the county for another four years — and with a greater Democratic majority on the county’s governing board.

Mealer conceded the race Wednesday morning. In front of a crowd of supporters at Harris County

Democratic Party headquarters in the Fifth Ward, Hidalgo framed the victory as a win over big-dollar donors, “dirty tricks” by the state’s elected Republi cans and “political prosecutions” by Kim Ogg, the county’s Democratic district attorney whose office is pursuing felony charges against three Hidalgo staffers.

“To the naysayers who think I’ll be intimidated by conspiracy theories or by bullying or by political prosecutions, bring it on — we are just getting start ed,” Hidalgo said.

Harris County voters went for Hidalgo by a margin of less than 2 percentage points and just under 16,000 votes — while Democrat Beto O’Rourke won the county by more than 9 percentage points over Gov. Greg

Despite unprecedented spend ing for a county judge race — Repub lican donors poured nearly $9 million since July into Mealer’s campaign — the GOP failed to take back a seat it lost four years ago.Democrats grew their majority on the Harris County Commis sioners Court — the county’s five-per son governing board led by the county judge. Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, a Democrat in Precinct 2, defeated Republican Jack Morman, who held the seat before Garcia won it four years ago. In Precinct 4, Lesley Briones, a Democratic civil court judge, defeated Republican incumbent Jack Cagle for a seat whose boundaries were redrawn last year to favor Democrats.

Mealer attracted six-figure do nations from the likes of Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, a well-known Hous ton business owner; Richard Weekley and Alan Hassenflu, Houston real estate developers and co-founders of Texans for Lawsuit Reform; Houston billionaire Jeffery Hildebrand; and the hard-right Defend Texas Liberty PAC, backed by donors including West Texas oil magnates Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks. Hidalgo, meanwhile, raised about $2.4 million in the same period. Mealer, who served for a decade in Afghanistan, sought to make the race a referendum on Hidalgo’s four years in office. She accused Hidalgo of failing to curb the county’s high homicide num bers, a trend seen in most of the coun try’s urban areas amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and she pointed to a criminal case backlog that dates to Hurricane

Harvey, before Hidalgo took office. She also pointed to the criminal indictment of three Hidalgo staffers, who face felony charges stemming from how they helped award an $11 million contract for a COVID-19 vaccine out reach campaign to a political consulting firm headed by a Democratic strategist. Hidalgo has defended the staffers and decried the indictments as politically motivated.

Mealer pitched herself to vot ers as a meat-and-potatoes candidate who would take the county back to the basics of public safety and roads after four years of Hidalgo — who came into office with an expansive view of county government and championed moves like county spending on early childhood education and a legal defense fund for immigrants. “This campaign was always about good government and I am hopeful that we have played a role encouraging that going forward,” Mealer said in a tweet.

Hidalgo, meanwhile, defended the county’s public safety spending on her watch and sought to shift the debate to issues considered more favorable to Democrats. Mealer as an election denier — a label Mealer rejected; Mealer said Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election. Hidalgo also hammered Meal er for not taking a public position on the state’s near-total abortion ban, which the role of county judge has little to do with. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government

and statewide issues.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo faced a steep fundraising disadvantage, attacks tying her to the county’s high number of homicides and a midterm environment generally unfavorable to Democrats. Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune

Houston Astros 2022 World Series Champions

They are the World Champions after beating the Philadelphia Phillies with 4-1 win. They ended the season with a 10-2 record. The guys are so deserving of the victory parade that covered downtown in orange and blue. Houston couldn't be more proud.

DYNASTY! THE HOUSTON ASTROS CAPTURE THEIR SECOND WORLD SERIES TITLE WITH GAME 6 WIN

By Brian Barefield, Sports Editor

The fans of the Seattle Mariners (American League Division Series), New York Yankees (American League Championship Series), and Philadelphia Phillies (World Series) all had a mantra before facing the Houston Astros this postseason.

“We want Houston,” fans screamed in the streets as their teams advanced to play Houston. It has been said numerous times to be careful what you wish for because you might get it. That wish didn’t work out so well for the Astros opponents this postseason as Houston finished with a 10-2 record capped off with a 4-1 win over the Phil lies in Game 6 of the World Series to win their second title in six years. The Astros become the first team to clinch the World Series on its home field since 2013.

These guys, they know how to win,” said Astros manager Dusty Baker who has now won a World Series as a player and a manager. “They come to play. No alibis, no excuses. You can come in our clubhouse; you can’t tell the next day if we lost or if we won. So, these guys are very consistent in their personality and the confidence that they have in themselves.” That confidence was something Houston had to lean on late in the game against a scrappy Phillies team that wouldn’t go away.

As the bottom of the sixth inning was set to begin, the 42,958 in attendance, predominantly Houston Astros fans, were not in panic mode just yet. Some nervousness was stirring on the inside of the ones that had watched the Astros lose Game 6 of the World Series before at Minute Maid Park. The Washington Nationals (2019) and Atlanta Braves (2021) defeated Houston in their ballpark. So, when Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber hit a solo home run to right field off As tros starter Framber Valdez to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead, you could feel some

uneasiness in the air. Judging by the way Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler had been pitching up to that point, one run could have been all it took to force a Game 7 and set up another visiting team celebrating a World Series victory on Houston’s home field for the third time in four years.

Valdez (3-0) would recover from the Schwarber right field blast to get the next three Phillies batters out, but the damage had already been done.

Philadelphia had every reason to feel confident with the one-run lead as Wheeler (1-3) kept the Houston bat ters from causing significant damage through the first five innings of the game. With his low pitch count, the Phillies could rely on him for at least another inning or two before going to the bullpen. All he had to do was contin ue to freeze the bats of one of the most dangerous lineups in the majors.

That last sentence is easier said than done, as the Astros opponents tried to do that in the regular season, leading to 106 victories. Coming into Game 6, Houston had a postseason record of 9-2, and some argue that it should have been 11-0. As Astros catcher Martín Maldonado approached the plate to start the inning, all he had on his mind was to get on base by any means necessary, even if that meant sacrificing his injured body. Maldonado entered the game with a broken hand and a hernia and refused to miss any playing time during the World Series.

So, it had to feel like a mosquito bite when he was hit on his left elbow by Wheeler with a 1-1 count. Wheeler still had confidence that he could make it through the sixth inning as he faced leadoff hitter Jose Altuve, especially with Maldonado, who is not very fast on the base path. Altuve grounded into a force out at second but beat the throw to first base. The Phillies still felt as if they were in control with a runner

on first base and the double-play option still at their disposal, yet they didn’t fully consider who the next batter was.

Rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña has been outstanding for Houston this season. The ALCS MVP never gets rattled at the plate, as his .333 batting average entering Game 6 proved. It was no surprise to the fans or his teammates when he singled to center field to advance Altuve to third base, as he has come up big every time the Astros have needed him too. In true Peña fashion, he wanted no part of the credit for keeping the inning alive.

“I mean, first of all, shoutout to Altuve for beating out the double play,” said Peña, who was also named World Series MVP. “You can’t teach hustle. He’s hustled all year. He leads by example, and that’s something I always look up to. Yeah, it was just pass-the-baton mentality, get on base, and let Yordan do his thing.”

Phillies manager Rob Thomson had played the odds long enough with Wheeler on the mound and with Hous ton slugger Yordan Alvarez on deck, he wanted to get one of his best relievers in the game to face Alvarez.

“I thought Wheels (Wheeler) still had really good stuff,” said Thomson in his postgame press conference. “I thought the matchup was better with Alvarado on Álvarez at that time. I just thought that that was a key moment in the game and that was a momentum swing that I thought Alvarado had a chance to strike him out.” Alvarado never really had a chance as Al varez came to the plate aggressively, and on the fourth pitch, he launched a 450-foot three-run homer to the standing-room-on ly section in center field to give the Astros a 3-1 lead. Catcher Christian Vasquez would help add an insurance run when he singled to bring home Alex Bregman from second base after he had walked and advanced on a wild pitch.

“When I was running around sec ond base, I felt the whole city moving,” Alvarez said. A three-run lead was all the

Astros needed with the best bullpen in the majors. Hector Neris, Bryan Abreu, and Ryan Pressly pitched three scoreless innings to close out the Phillies and give Houston another World Series title. “I got the greatest defense behind me and the greatest catchers behind the plate,” said Pressly, who did not allow a run in 11.0 innings pitched in the postseason. “I had all the confidence in the world. You just go out there and do it.”

Houston cemented their names in history as a dynasty by winning its second title in six years. Add their six consecutive League Championship Se ries and winning four pennants during that span, and there is no debate that this era of Astros baseball will never be forgotten. And the best part is that it is nowhere close to being over, especially if Dusty Baker has any say-so in the matter. “I always said before that if I win one, you know, I’ll win two,” said Baker, who has 2,093 wins as a manager.

“I mean, the one was hell to get to this point. But it was well worth it. I’m in a great city, with great people, great fans, and I got a great ball club.”

STAY FOOD SAFE THIS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

Keep your stomach full of tur key and free from foodborne illness this Thanksgiving holiday.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds us all that it’s import ant to remember the steps to food safety during America’s biggest meal.

“While the four steps to food safety — clean, separate, cook and chill — are important every day and at every meal, they are particularly sig nificant on Thanksgiving,” said USDA Deputy Under Secretary Sandra Eskin. “There will likely be many guests and many delicious dishes at your holiday table, but you don’t want to invite any foodborne pathogens. Follow those four steps — in particular remember to use a food thermometer — and your Thanks giving dinner will be a safe one.”

Keep your Thanksgiving cele bration food safe by following the tips below.

Clean and Sanitize Handwashing is the first step to avoiding foodborne illness. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water before, during, and after handling food.

In a recent study, 97 percent of partic ipants in a USDA test kitchen failed to wash their hands properly. Make sure to follow these handwashing steps: Wet your hands with clean, running water. Lather your fingers with soap.

Scrub soapy hands and fingers thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. Rinse

your hands under clean, running water. Dry hands off with a clean towel or air dry them.

Clean and sanitize any surfaces that have touched raw turkey and its juices and will later touch food such as kitchen counters, sinks, stoves, tabletops, etc.

Avoid Cross-Contamination ross-contamination is the spread of bacteria from raw meat and poultry

onto ready-to-eat food, surfaces, and utensils. One way to avoid this is by using separate cutting boards — one for raw meat and poultry, and another for fruits and vegetables. Our recent study found that sinks are the most con taminated areas of the kitchen. USDA recommends against washing your raw poultry due to the risk of splashing bac teria throughout your kitchen. Clean and

sanitize any areas that will come into contact with the turkey before and after cooking. Thaw the Turkey Safely. Never thaw your turkey in hot water or leave it on a countertop. There are three ways to safely thaw a turkey: in the refrigerator, in cold water and in the microwave.

Refrigerator thawing: Turkey can be safely thawed in a refrigerator to allow for slow and safe thawing. When thawing in a refrigerator, allow roughly 24 hours for every four to five pounds of turkey. After thawing, a turkey is safe in a refrigerator for one to two days.

Cold water thawing: The cold water thawing method will thaw your turkey faster but will require more at tention. When thawing in a cold-water bath, allow 30 minutes per pound and submerge the turkey in its original wrapping to avoid cross-contamination. Change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed. The turkey must be cooked immediately after thawing. Microwave thawing: To thaw a turkey that fits in the microwave, follow man ufacturer’s recommendations.

Read more at:

StyleMagazine.com

Join Stages as they welcome DeQui na Moore, one of Houston’s most talented souls, home for the holidays in this Christmas cabaret. In addition to a flurry of holiday hits, DeQuina will share personal stories, from growing up in Houston to backstage on Broadway.

Her most recent role in Plum shuga as Houston’s own Lauren An derson propelled DeQuina to tell her own story of growing up in Houston. An HSPVA grad, DeQuina continues to invest her talents in the city she loves.

“Lauren’s courage to tell her story in Plumshuga inspired me deeply,” said DeQuina. “I wanted to bring that same bravery and openness to the stage for Houston for the Holidays.” You’ll laugh, cry and maybe even sing along during this evening of reflection, storytelling, and incredible music.

Known for Broadway roles in Legally Blonde (Pilar), Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon), Two Gentleman of Verona (Sylvia u/s, Ensemble), and Hair (AFC), film appearances in One Crazy Christmas (Mother), Joyful Noise (Devonne), Madea’s Big Happy Family (Singer), The Last New Yorker (Alice), Ghost Town (Young Wife), and Rachel Getting Married (Rachel’s Stylist), and special performances for The Tony Awards, The View, The David Letterman

HOUSTON MUSICAL STAR DEQUINA MOORE LIGHTS UP THE STAGE IN AN ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS CABARET

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

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Show, and The Today Show, DeQuina is a critically-acclaimed Houston-based actor and singer. Her most recent role as Lauren Anderson in Plumshuga: The Rise of Lauren Anderson garnered her national attention.

According to Natalie De La Garza from Houston Press, “...Moore carries this production. It’s her command,

her ability to expertly execute the poetic musicality of Mouton’s well-crafted words – while also infusing them with vulnerability, humor, doubt, cheekiness – that make Moore the perfect beacon for the ‘Plumshuga lighthouse.”

Details

Tickets from $30 Performance Times

Wednesday - Thursday, 7:30pm Friday, 8:00pm Saturday, 2:30pm and 8:00pm Sunday, 2:30pm

Run time: 90 minutes (no intermission)

Read more at: StyleMagazine.com

If you need to repair or improve your home, you deserve to have a trusted partner to help you find the right loan product for your unique needs.

Visit us at frostbank.com or call (800) 51-FROST.

There may be money in your house. And not just in the couch cushions.

DeQuina Moore

ENTERTAINMENT BRIEFS

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

Megan Thee Stallion respond to disses on Drake's new album

By Zoe Sottile, CNN/StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

One newest album includes jabs at multiple other artists and public figures -- and some have their own choice words for the Cana dian rapper. Drake released "Her Loss," a 16-track collaboration with 21 Savage, on Friday. On one song, "Circo Loco," he seems to imply that Megan Thee Stal lion's allegations that she was shot by Tory Lanez were false. In 2020,

Megan stated that she was shot in the foot by Lanez, who has been charged with felony assault with a firearm and pleaded not guilty. "This b--- lie 'bout getting shots but she still a stallion," Drake raps on the cut. On Twitter, Megan asked other artists to "stop using my shooting for clout" shortly after the album was released. She asked why it was

acceptable to joke about women being shot and seemed to compare the reaction to her shooting to the ongoing outcry over Kanye West's antisemitic comments. "Ready to boycott bout shoes and clothes but dog pile on a black woman when she say one of y'all homeboys abused her,"

Jay-Z and Jeff Bezos are interested in buying the Washington Commanders together

By Chloe Melas, CNN/StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

Billionaire businessmen Jay-Z and Jeff Bezos are in talks on a possible joint venture. The Roc Nation founder and Amazon founder are exploring a potential joint bid on the Washington Commanders, two sources with knowledge of the talks told CNN. It is not clear if the two have yet spoken with Dan Snyder and his wife, Tanya, the current owners of the NFL team, about the possibility. Earlier on Thursday, a source with inside knowledge of the matter confirmed to CNN that Bezos was considering buying the team. On Wednesday, the Snyders said they were exploring a sale of the team and hired Bank of America Securities "to consider potential trans actions." When asked for a comment on the Amazon founder's interest in the team, a spokesperson

on who has or has not expressed interest.” CNN has reached out to Roc Nation for

on Thursday. Both Bezos and Jay-Z's sports ties run deep. Jay-Z was formerly part-owner of

represents several NFL athletes. Back in 2019, as Colin Kaepernick's activism was

a social justice initiative that aimed to bring awareness to key issues, like criminal justice reform

she wrote. Megan Thee Stallion has been vocal about critiquing the societal acceptance of violence against Black women, penning a New York Times oped in 2020 that reflected on her shooting .and the intersection of sexism and racism.

said,

for the Commanders

"we are not commenting

comment. The NFL declined to comment when reached by CNN

the Brooklyn Nets, and his company, Roc Nation Sports,

creating waves in the sport, Jay-Z and the NFL also partnered up for

and education and economic advancement.

5 STEPS TO PROPERLY MANAGE BLOOD PRESSURE

By Family Features

Nearly half of all American adults have high blood pressure, or hypertension, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Pre vention. Of those, about 75% don’t have it under control, and many may not even realize they have it unless they experience other complications.

In fact, high blood pressure is a leading cause and controllable risk factor for heart disease and stroke as well as other issues such as kidney failure, vision loss and sexual prob lems. However, the American Heart Association recommends taking these simple steps to help control your lev els and manage risks.

Know Your Numbers

In most cases, normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm HG or less. Readings consistently higher than 130/80 are considered high blood pressure. Have your blood pressure measured

at least once a year by a health care professional and regularly monitor it at home with a validated monitor then discuss the readings with your doctor. Getting accurate readings can help ensure the most appropriate treatment should any problems arise.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

If you’re overweight or obese, you’re at increased risk of high blood pres sure. Losing just 3-5% of your body weight can help improve your num bers. There are an abundance of plans and programs available that can assist with weight loss, and taking positive steps with a friend or family member may help with motivation. Get Active

To maximize health benefits and help keep blood pressure in the normal range, the American Heart Associa tion recommends adults get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate ac tivity, 75 minutes of vigorous activity or a combination of the two. Try ac tivities like brisk walking, swimming, bicycling or dancing. For example, the Get Down with Your Blood Pres sure campaign uses music and dance to help remember the four easy steps

to self-monitor blood pressure:Get It – grab your self-monitoring blood pressure (SMBP) device

Slip It – slide the SMBP cuff up your arm Cuff It – wrap the cuff snugly, but not too tight Check It – check your blood pressure on the device

Eat Well

Making small, simple changes to your eating habits can go a long way toward keeping you and your family healthy. Eating fruits and vegetables, such as mangos, avocados and blue berries, can lower blood pressure over time. Other smart choices include nuts and seeds, whole grains, lean proteins and fish.

Reduce Alcohol and Tobacco Usage

Smoking compounds risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pres sure and diabetes, and the chemicals in tobacco smoke can harm your heart and blood vessels. Similarly, consum ing alcohol excessively (more than two drinks per day) is associated with high blood pressure. Limiting alcohol consumption and stopping smoking –or avoiding secondhand smoke – can help reduce your risk. Read more at: StyleMagazine.com

HOUSTON NATIVE SUPPORTS THE NEXT GENERATION OF U.S. NAVAL AVIATION WARFIGHTERS

By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach

friends said I couldn't do it, so I wanted to show them that I could. On June 14, 1976, I enlisted into the Marines. I never thought about sticking it out for over 20 years. I was initially going to stay for only three years but picked up rank very fast, so I decided to reenlist and make a career out of it.”

AHouston, Texas, native is working with the U.S. Navy supporting the training of naval aviation person nel and air operations.

Arthur Brown, a 1976 Jesse H. Jones High School graduate, previously served in the Marine Corps for over 23 years as an administrative chief. Brown also graduated in 2019 from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri, with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services. “One day, a Marine recruiter showed me a boot camp film,” said Brown. “My

Skills and values learned in the Marines are similar to those found in Houston. “I learned to do a great job and to always be on time,” said Brown. “I’m a punctual guy, and have never been late for anything in my life. The Marine Corps taught me respon sibility and to be accountable for my job and actions.” Brown serves in the civil service as a supply technician with Training Squadron 35, an advanced multi-engine training squadron, located at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas.

“I'm the government travel card clerk and I check-in student pilots for their orientation process,” said Brown. “I joined the civil service because I knew it was a great job and a great opportunity for me. I like the

camaraderie I share amongst my fellow employees. The commanding officer and executive officer are great people and I enjoy working for them. It's a low stress environment with no microman aging. No one questions me on what I do because everyone trusts me. I love the people here. They take care of me and I take care of them.”

The air training program focuses on the increased complexity of today’s aircraft. After successfully completing the rigor ous program, naval aviators earn their coveted “Wings of Gold.”

After graduation, pilots con tinue their training to learn how to fly a specific aircraft, such as the Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter attack jet, the F-35 Lightning strike fighter jet or the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter. These aircraft take off from and land on Navy aircraft carriers at sea.

Navy aircraft carriers are de signed for a 50-year service life. When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 70 attack fighter jets, heli copters and other aircraft, all of which take off from and land aboard the carrier

at sea. With more than 5,000 sailors serving aboard, the aircraft carrier is a self-contained mobile airport. Aircraft carriers are often the first response to a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. Since USS Langley's commissioning 100 years ago, the nation's aircraft carriers and em barked carrier air wings have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assis tance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.

"The aircraft carrier is our U.S. Navy's centerpiece, our flagship, and a constant reminder to the rest of the world of our enduring maritime presence and influence," said Rear Adm. James P. Downey, USN, Program Executive Offi cer (PEO) Aircraft Carriers. "These ships touch every part of our Navy's mission to project power, ensure sea control, and deter our adversaries."

Read More at StyleMagazine.com

EXPERIENCE

e Mystique and Beauty of China Before Communism

Shen Yun’s unique artistic vision expands theatrical experience into a multidimensional, deeply moving journey through one of humanity’s greatest treasures— the five millennia of traditional Chinese culture. Featuring one of the world’s oldest art forms—classical Chinese dance— along with innovative multimedia effects and all-original orchestral works, Shen Yun opens a portal to a glorious civilization of unrivaled beauty, artistry, and inspiration.

“An extraordinary experience... Exquisitely beautiful!”

—Cate Blanchett, Academy Award-winning actress

“This is the best I have ever seen. It was so uplifting. It spoke to everything that is good in this world.”

—Glen Duncan, Grammy Award-winning musician

“It makes you dream of a heavenly world. It’s something that really restores you, regenerates you.”

—Filippa Giordano, famous Italian-Mexican singer

To tailor a garment by “rock of eye” is to rely on the drape in the fitting process—that is, to rely on expe rience over mathematical measurement. Draping is a kind of drawing in space: a freehand, an intuition, a trust of materials.

Troy Montes Michie: Rock of Eye, the El Paso-born artist’s first museum solo exhibition, brings togeth er collages, drawings, sculptures, and installations that draw the contours of body and place, and is heavily informed by his experience growing up along the United States and Mexico border. The exhibition combines Montes Michie’s previous collages and assemblages that center magazine images of the Black male body with sculptural works that trace the social history of the zoot suit, a garment at the center of the 1943 attacks primarily on Mexican American, African American, and Filipino American youth in Los An geles known as the Zoot Suit Riots.

CAMH’s presentation of the exhibition will feature a new addition: a 2022 collage piece that spans forty feet in

TROY MONTES MICHIE:

ROCK OF EYE

By Nina and Michael Zilkha Gallery

length titled Was the Beautiful Woman in the Mirror of the Water You or Me?.

The work stitches together disparate el ements including catalogue pages, wire hangers, garment bags, and articles of clothing, all of which are overlaid with images of women donning zoot suits.

This monumental piece is an ode to the Chicana matriarchs and blends the artist’s tailoring and collage skills.

Montes Michie subverts dominant narratives and investigates the ways in which bodies of marginalized commu

nities are frequently erased, fetishized, idealized, and criminalized. With Rock of Eye, Montes-Michie’s stitches suture histories and geographies; they establish thresholds for crossing. His needle hits rock.

Change Happens! Annual Fall Luncheon

Change Happens! annual luncheon was held on November 5, 2022 at the Junior League of Houston. The organization, founded in 1989 is one of the largest black-founded and black-led, community-based, social service organizations in the Greater Gulf Coast region. Fox 26 News co-anchor, Jonathan Martin, served as the emcee and world-re nowned motivational speaker, Eric Thomas, served as the luncheon's guest speaker. The event was sponsored by Frost Bank, Comerica Bank, Reliant, and United Healthcare to name a few. For more in formation on Change Happens! or to learn how you can support the organization, visit www.changehappenstx.org

Dusty Baker

Quentin Mease Community Service Award Stephen Silas Lovie Smith Head Coach Houston Rockets Head Coach Houston Texans

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY DAY GALA S A T U R D A Y , D E C E M B E R 1 7 , 2 0 2 2 6 : 3 0 P M H I L T O N A M E R I C A S H O U S T O N Black Excellence in Education Jerome Love CONFERENCE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE 2023 HOUSTON, TX

JULY 26-29 2023 Conference Chair Myrtle Jones, Halliburton

Empowering Communities Changing Lives Affiliate Host Includes: Small Business Saturday Pitch Competition Community Day Youth Summit Concerts and much more

Welcome Reception Career Fair Empowerment & Career Development Tech Connect & Demo Day