10-14 ARTS & EVENTS CALENDAR
22-23 THE GAME: DARYL MOREY
14
SUPER BOWL LI: BY THE NUMBERS
24-26 KATHY ANDERSON INTERVIEW
15
THE BUZZ
27
THE BUZZ
16-19 LISA FALKENBERG PERSON OF THE YEAR
28-29 FINANCIAL STRATEGIES FOR WOMEN INVESTORS
20-21 RESTAURATEURS OF THE YEAR
30
THE BUZZ
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
(top to bottom) The Dunlavy, Lisa Falkenberg after her Pulitzer announcement, Modern Wine Cellar by Eklektik Designs
Common Ground
A
fter somewhat a tumultuous year, I’m looking forward to 2017, with hopes that we as Americans and as human beings can find a more common ground on the beliefs we share, rather than differences that divide us. Far too much racial strife and anxiety exist in the world because people most often look at differences, rather than similarities. Many years ago, we fought for these rights, therefore, our nation’s freedom and tolerance must never be doubted. Most of us want fairly simple things in life; health, happiness, and a good wellpaying job. People from all aspects of life feel left out, unfairly targeted, and minimized. It should be our New Year’s resolution to understand and respect others who don’t share our same beliefs or looks. By doing so we may find a new friend or excellent employee. Most often, when we actually get to know someone, we are surprised by how much we have in common with them. Take a look at this year’s holiday gatherings and see our own families’ diversities. Whether at the family dinner, office party, or with friends celebrating, there may be many differences. But more importantly is the commonality we share when we open our minds. Houston is considered to be a divergent and diverse city which serves us well. We each should continue to be leaders in tolerance and fairness to all by setting examples of how to not only get along but to prosper. Open up to a myriad of people with different ideas and backgrounds! Realizing how much we are alike than different is a good axiom. This year’s selection for Person of The Year, Lisa Falkenberg, is an award-winning machine and an important voice in our city. Her humble beginnings and recently becoming the first person at the Hearst Corporation in its long history to ever receive the esteemed Pulitzer Prize for Commentary is worthy of recognition. Hosting this year’s Super Bowl is an honor and a boon to the local economy. The world will be focused on Houston, and once again it is our time to shine as one the most welcoming and important cities in America.
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Val Arbona REALTOR, CLHMS, CRS RE/MAX Vintage (713) 562-4903 valarbona.com
David Michael Young BROKER, CNE, CLHMS, GREEN Young Realty Group (713) 320-6453 www.youngrealtyhouston.com
Mariana Saldana Broker, CIPS Uptown Real Estate Group, Inc. (713) 629-7771 www.uptownhouston.com
21106 Glen Willow | Northwest Houston List Price $699,900 | MLS# 2054364 3 +/- wooded acres and spacious home on private road. Kitchen, Master Bath, expanded 1st floor living just a few of the remodeled spaces by current owner. Recent updates in Nov./Dec. add to the list. î ˘ere are 2 Bedroom Suites, Game room and wine grotto on the 1st floor; Media Room and Apartment with separate Entry on the 2nd. A park-like outdoor space loaded with amenities for at-home entertaining. Auto Gate Access. Easy drive to 99.
Paula Hagerman ABR, Realtor, GHLHC, ILHM RE/MAX Vintage (713) 306-3557 www.har.com/paulahagerman
1921 Spann Street | River Oaks List Price $899,000 | MLS# 67115604 Gated, 3 story 2 Bedroom plus Study. High ceilings, crown molding, plantation shutters, hardwoods thru out, Sub Zero and Wolf appliances, second-floor living open concept great for entertaining, island kitchen, granite, two fireplaces, spacious master. HOA covers water, landscaping and area maintenance. Mariana Saldana | Uptown Real Estate Group, Inc. | Phone: 713-629-7771
Val Arbona | RE/MAX Vintage | Phone: 713-562-4903
Members and aďŹƒliates of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing intown 7 intown 7
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Real Estate Professionals Serving the Greater Houston Luxury Home Community
Sima Dalvandi Realtor Keller Williams Southwest (832) 630-7605 www.ezhomerealestate.com
Weldon Rigby CRS, ABR Founding Member KW Luxury Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan (713) 621-2555 www.weldonrigby.com
Tiffany Palacios CNE Keller Williams Memorial (713) 289-9898 www.TiffanyPalacios.com
James Brodnax CLHMS, ABR GRI CPA Realty One Group (713) 822-3423 www.westandloop.com
Lane Mabray CLHMS, CRS, GRI RE/MAX Westside (713) 857-6990 www.lane2houston.com
Wendy Cline CLHMS, SRES, ABR, CPRES Wendy Cline Properties Keller Williams Memorial (281) 858-3451 www.WendyClineProperties.com
806 Misty Downs | Granite Shoals
322 E. Lakeshore Drive | Sunrise Beach Village
Text 4006469 to 67299
Text 4006314 to 67299
Fully renovated lakeside gem, nestled on a private cove in Granite Shoals on Lake LBJ in the hill country. Four bedrooms and 3.5 baths has a private lakefront master suite, 150 year old oaks, and spectacular views of sunset on the lake. Open plan with two stone fireplaces, jet ski ramps & more. View brochure at www.WendyClineSellsTexas.com/806MistyDowns
On the shores of Lake LBJ, one of the largest constant level lakes in the US, is the perfect family getaway. 6,899 square feet executive home with boat house on private canal, lakeside pool and extensive terraces. Nearly 1 acre with second lot across street. www.WendyClineSellsTexas.com/322ELakeshoreDr
Wendy Cline | Keller Williams Memorial | Phone: 281-815-0854
Wendy Cline | Keller Williams Memorial | Phone: 281-815-0854
Members and affiliates of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing
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Real Estate Professionals Serving the Greater Houston Luxury Home Community
Morad H. Fiki MBA Keller Williams Luxury International (832) 610-4290 www.moradfiki.com
Marilyn Arendt Broker - Owner Marilyn Arendt Properties (281) 433-9113 mma@castle2sell.com
Debra Osborn Camino Realtor, ABR, AHSS, ALC, ALHS, CNE, WCR Keller Williams NE (713) 397-3867 www.LiveNEHouston.com
Ken Jacobson CMPS NMLS# 215044 Vice President/Sr. Mortgage Planner Hometrust Mortgage Company (713) 369-4040 www.kenjacobson.com
Debbie Donahue Broker Associate RE/MAX Vintage (832) 656-0971 www.HousesinNWHouston.com
Beverly Smith CLHMS, Lake Conroe Specialist Coldwell Banker United, Realtors (713) 569-2113 www.har.com/bevsmith
NMLS# 149932
6104 San Felipe | Westhaven Estates
265 Promenade | Bentwater
List Price $1,599,000 | MLS# 62859329
List Price $2,999,500 | MLS# 99910604
Completely unique and “One of a Kind” luxury home in Westhaven Estates! Incredible European Dressing Room, 12’ ceilings, 10’ solid wood doors and large open spaces throughout the home. 3rd floor additional 2906 square feet has been framed to accommodate 2 additional bedroom suites and gameroom. Subfloor, plumbing, electrical and elevator sha in place to receive your finish, Marble and oak flooring, attention to detail in every corner of this home is immaculate!
is magnificent one of a kind waterfront home was designed by Jane Page Crump and has won 4 design awards. Kitchen features state-of-the art stainless appliances by Viking. Sophisticated interiors & finishes as if out of Veranda Magazine. Spacious living & dining room, media & game room, 2 Master bedrooms, Elevator goes to all 3 floors, outdoor living w/summer kitchen; vanishing edge pool/spa, covered boat dock w/li & 3 jet ski lis. Open water views promise elegant lakefront living.
Morad H. Fiki | Keller Williams Luxury Homes Int’l | Phone: 832-610-4290
Beverly Smith | Coldwell Banker United Realtors | Phone: 713-569-2113
Members and affiliates of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing 9 intown
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ARTS + EVENTS
Richard Edward Miller, The Scarlet Necklace, 1914
SECURING THE GLOW: PHOTOGRAPHS OF CLOUDS
oil on canvas, the Frank and Michelle Hevrdejs Collection. MFAH
Ongoing through Jan. 29, 2017
OVERHEAD AND UNDER FOOT: CONTEMPORARY TOPOGRAPHIES ON PAPER JULIAN ONDERDONK AND THE TEXAN LANDSCAPE Ongoing through Jan. 2, 2017
A TEXAS LEGACY: SELECTIONS FROM THE WILLIAM J. HILL COLLECTION Ongoing through Jan. 2, 2017
Ongoing through Jan. 29, 2017
GRAND DESIGNS NEOCLASSICAL TASTE IN THE 18TH CENTURY Ongoing through Feb. 20, 2017
ANCIENT LUXURY AND THE ROMAN SILVER TREASURE FROM BERTHOUVILLE Ongoing through Feb. 5, 2017
A HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY: SELECTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM’S COLLECTION
MUSEUMS ASIA SOCIETY TEXAS CENTER 3DPRK: NORTH KOREAN PORTRAITS BY MATJAZ TANCIC
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON
Ongoing through Jan. 8, 2017
Ongoing through Apr. 9, 2017
CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM HOUSTON
ARTS OF ISLAMIC LANDS: SELECTIONS FROM THE ALSABAH COLLECTION, KUWAIT
TWO CENTURIES OF AMERICAN STILL-LIFE PAINTING: THE FRANK AND MICHELLE HEVRDEJS COLLECTION
Ongoing through Jan. 29, 2017
Opens Jan. 14 through Apr. 9, 2017
ANGEL ORERO: EVERYTHING AND NOTHING
HELEN LEVITT: IN THE STREET
Ongoing through Mar. 19, 2017
TEEN COUNCIL: ORIGINS OF THE SELF Opens Jan. 28 through May 7, 2017
Ongoing through Feb. 26, 2017
MODERN TWIST: CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE BAMBOO ART
Ongoing through Jan. 2, 2017
DEGAS: A NEW VISION
EMPERORS’ TREASURES: CHINESE ART FROM THE NATIONAL PALACE MUSEUM, TAIPEI
Opens Jan. 28 through Jul. 20, 2017
Ongoing through Jan. 8, 2017
Ongoing through Jan. 22, 2017
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PROTOTYPE/PRODUCTION
A TRAVELING SHOW Ongoing through Jan. 15, 2017
Two Centuries of American Still-Life Painting: e Frank and Michelle Hevrdejs Collection Opens at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston John Frederick Peto, The Writer’s Table– A Precarious Moment, 1892 oil on canvas, the Frank and Michelle Hevrdejs Collection
More than 65 works highlight the development of the still-life genre in America over the course of nearly 200 years Jan. 14 through Apr. 9, 2017
Beginning January 14, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, presents Two Centuries of American Still-Life Painting: e Frank and Michelle Hevrdejs Collection, an exhibition tracing the history of American still-life painting in the United States from the early 19th century to the present day. Bringing together 60 of the most influential American luminaries of the genre—including Otis Kaye, Georgia O’Keeffe, James Peale, John F. Peto, Max Weber, and Andrew Wyeth—Two Centuries of American Still-Life Painting features over 65 works from the private, Houston-based collection of Frank and Michelle Hevrdejs, the majority of which have never before been seen by the public. HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON
HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE
“THE BUTTERFLY PROJECT”
AMENDING AMERICA: THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Ongoing through Mar. 31, 2017
Ongoing through Jan. 8, 2017
BITTERSWEET HARVEST: THE BRACERO PROGRAM, 1942-1964
TRAINS OVER TEXAS
Ongoing through May 14, 2017
Ongoing through April 30, 2017
MENIL COLLECTION ANDY WARHOL: SUNSET Ongoing through Jan. 8, 2017
PICASSO THE LINE Ongoing through Jan. 8, 2017
HOLY BARBARIANS: BEAT CULTURE ON THE WEST COAST Ongoing through Mar. 12, 2017
FRANCIS ALYS: THE FABIOLA PROJECT Ongoing through May 13, 2018
RECOLLECTING DOGON Opens Feb. 2 through June 9, 2017
THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING: DRAWINGS FROM THE JANIE C. LEE, LOUISA STUDE SAROFIM, AND DAVID WHITNEY COLLECTIONS Opens Feb. 23 through June 18, 2017
Ongoing through Feb. 20, 2017
MUMMIES OF THE WORLD GEMS OF THE SEA: THE GUIDO T. POPPE COLLECTION Ongoing through May 19, 2017
PERMANENT EXHIBITS: ALFRED C. GLASSELL, JR. HALL CULLEN HALL OF GEMS AND MINERALS EARTH FORUM FARISH HALL OF TEXAS WILDLIFE FRENSLEY/GRAHAM HALL OF AFRICAN WILDLIFE HAMMAN HALL OF TEXAS COASTAL ECOLOGY HALL OF ANCIENT EGYPT HERZSTEIN FOUCAULT PENDULUM JOHN MCGOVERN HALL OF THE AMERICAS LESTER & SUE SMITH GEM VAULT MORIAN HALL OF PALEONTOLOGY STARKE HALL OF MALACOLOGY WIESS ENERGY HALL WELCH HALL OF CHEMISTRY
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ARTS + EVENTS
MUSIC & DANCE DA CAMERA OF HOUSTON ARTURO SANDOVAL Jan. 20, 2017
ELIAS STRING QUARTET Jan. 31, 2017
CHRISTIAN TETZLAFF & LARS VOGT Feb. 16, 2017
HORSZOWSKI TRIO FEB. 21, 2017 JOSHUA REDMAN FEB. 24, 2017
HOUSTON BALLET CINDERELLA Mar. 2-12, 2017
HOUSTON SYMPHONY CIRQUE GOES TO THE MOVIES Jan. 6, 7, 8, 2017
BEETHOVEN’S EMPEROR CONCERTO Jan. 12, 14, 15, 2017
George Herms, Greet the Circus with a Smile, 1961 Mannequin torso, wood, feathers, tar, cloth, paint, ink, torn and cut papers, photographs, newsprint, printed reproductions, metal, wire, plastic, glass, string, and mirror. The Menil Collection
RIVER OAKS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (ROCO) BEER AND BRASS Jan 5, 2017 St. Arnold Brewing Company
PETER AND THE WOLF Jan. 15, 2017 Houston Zoo
ROCO BRASS QUINTET: CROSSING OVER THE ENGLISH CHANNEL Jan. 27, 2017 MATCH Midtown Arts & Theater Center Jan. 29, 2017 Woodlands United Methodist Church
Jan. 27, 28, 29, 2017
ROCO UNCHAMBERED “STOLEN MOMENTS”
ANDRES & WEST SIDE STORY
Feb. 12, 2017 MATCH Midtown Arts & Theater Center
GERSHWIN & RACHMANINOFF
Feb. 2, 3, 4, 2017
R & B HITMAKERS Feb. 17, 18, 19, 2017
PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION Feb. 23, 25, 26, 2017
ROCO IN CONCERT “PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE Feb. 24, 2017 Woodlands United Methodist Church Feb. 25, 2017 The Church of St. John the Divine
Donald Sultan, Rouge Poppies, 2012 conté crayon on paper, the Frank and Michelle Hevrdejs Collection. MFAH
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CONCERTS & FESTIVALS TOYOTA CENTER JANUARY 7 RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS FEBRUARY 10 KATT WILLIAMS
FEBRUARY 2 ATLANTA 3 CHICAGO 7 ORLANDO 11 PHOENIX 15 MIAMI 25 MINNESOTA 27 INDIANA
NRG STADIUM
HOUSTON TEXANS NRG STADIUM
HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
JANUARY 1 TENNESSEE
Jan. 6-15, 2017
HOUSTON GUN COLLECTORS & ANTIQUE SHOW Feb. 11, 2017
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN Opens Feb. 17 through Mar. 19, 2017
Feb. 2-4, 2017
AN ACT OF GOD Opens Mar. 17 through Apr 16, 2017
THE CATASTROPHIC THEATRE TREVOR
THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE
THEATER
Opens Jan. 26 through Feb. 26, 2017
A.D. PLAYERS
THE NACIREMA SOCIETY Opens Mar. 23 through Apr. 26, 2017
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD Opens Feb. 11 through Mar. 5, 2017
HOUSTON ROCKETS TOYOTA CENTER
ALLEY THEATER
JANUARY 2 CLEVELAND 5 OKLAHOMA CITY 10 CHARLOTTE 13 MEMPHIS 18 MILWAUKEE 20 GOLDEN STATE 31 SACRAMENTO
HOBBY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS THE WHITE ALBUM
DRY POWDER
Feb. 21 through Mar. 5, 2017
THE MUSIC BOX THEATER THE YEAR IN REVIEW Opens Jan. 6 through Jan. 28, 2017
STAGES REPERTORY THEATRE WHO AM I THIS TIME? (& OTHER CONUNDRUMS OF LOVE) Opens Jan. 25 through Feb. 12, 2017
MY MANANA COMES
Jan. 7, 2017
Opens Feb. 15 through Mar. 5, 2017
RED BULL FLYING BACH
FIVE COURSE LOVE
Jan. 20-22, 2017
Opens Mar. 8 through Apr. 16, 2017
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT Jan. 24-29, 2017
LATE NITE CATECHISM 3: ’TIL DEATH DO US PART
Opens Jan. 20 through Feb. 12, 2017
ALLEY ALL NEW FESTIVAL
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS
Opens Feb. 10 through Mar. 4, 2017
MAHALIA
SPORTS
LOVE JONES: THE MUSICAL
Opens Feb. 2 through Feb. 12, 2017
SYNCING INK Opens Feb. 3 through Mar. 5, 2017
Opens Mar. 15 through Apr. 9, 2017
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Photos and Content Courtesy of VisitHouston.com
Super Bowl LI: By The Numbers We are ready for the world's biggest annual sporting event to hit Houston. Here are all the stats you need to know as February 5, 2017 draws near.
51
This is the 51st annual Super Bowl championship game. While the 50th game in San Francisco in 2016 looked back at a half century of celebrations, the 2017 game will look at the future of the event.
10
Number of days Super Bowl Live! will be activated in Downtown Houston
10,000 Number of volunteers that will be on hand to help execute the event.
140,000 Number of out-of-town visitors expected to come to Houston for Super Bowl.
1 million
Total number of people expected to attend some component of the Super Bowl experience over the 10-day period.
350 million Net economic impact in dollars the Super Bowl will have on Houston.
5,000
Number of credentialed media expected to cover the game and Houston during the celebration.
1,000
Number of rooms in the brand new Marriott Marquis hotel rising adjacent to the George R. Brown Convention Center. î ˘e hotel set to open in December will be the NFL headquarters hotel for the event.
23
Miles of light rail connecting NRG Stadium to Downtown and other areas of Houston, making it easier for attendees to reach the game and other festivities.
84,000
Number of hotel rooms in the Houston area, up from around 44,000 in 2004 the last time Houston hosted the game.
4 million Approximate number of dollars that will go to nonprofits in the region through the NFL’s Charitable Giving Program.
97,000
Square footage of the new pedestrian promenade, dubbed Avenida Houston, in front of the convention center that with Discovery Green park will be the center of Super Bowl Live. It will feature new restaurants, public art and performances. 14 intown
Shanna Bass , Ping Bresnalin Scott and CC Ensell
Ronel Golden, Elizabeth Vail, Christina Sacco Jason Dunaghoe, Lexi White, Crystal and Randy White Haley Urquhart Kristen Steen
TASTE OF SPA Celebrating Houston’s Food Culture Lance and Robin Deutch, Kimberly Miller
Co-chairs Mignon and Stephen Gill, Margaret and Brian Bravo hosted Society for the Performing Arts’ 3rd Taste of SPA event. More than $40,000 was raised with 200 Guests in attendance.
Theresa Einhorn, David Cordu
Photo Credit: Roswitha Vogler
Stephen, Mignon Gill and Brian and Margaret Bravo
Michael Chu, Emily Kuo
June Christensen, Kathryn Smith, Elizabeth Vail, Stephanie Olsen Le Grand
Tevor Turbidy Julie Goytia, Karen Turbidy
Lisa Falkenberg just after the announcement of her Pulitzer. Photo by Billy Smith II - Courtesy of Houston Chronicle
LISA FALKENBERG Person Of The Year by Carole Keeney Harrington
Socks put Pulitzer prize in perspective One question Lisa Falkenberg asks herself, “Do socks matter?” Houston Chronicle’s only Pulitzer prize winner in its 115-year history has learned to put aside a tendency toward perfectionism. For the busy columnist and mother of two, if socks don’t match in the morning rush for school and work, she can let it go. A sixth generation Texan, the top-of-the journalism-world scribe began writing at age seven. Her father, a truck driver, and her stay-at-home mom and later a special 16 intown
education aide, had the foresight to procure a set of encyclopedias. The seeds of digging for answers began when the children’s questions stumped Falkenberg’s father. He sent the two sisters and Lisa to the family research stacks to find the answers. “We didn’t have a lot of books in the house. My father and mother didn’t go to college,” Falkenberg said. “I remember reading my mom some things I’d written. She would say, ‘Lisa, you didn’t write that. You must have gotten that from somewhere.’”
Inspired by stories about Nellie Blye, an early female reporter, Falkenberg rose quickly to the pinnacle of high school journalism as editor and columnist of the Cricket Chirps in Seguin, Texas. She had found her career nirvana – asking questions and writing. Soon journalism had her in shackles, literally. News reports about conditions in mental institutions gave her an idea. To learn about the criminal justice system in Guadalupe County, she had herself arrested, stripped searched and put on trial.
Wearing an orange jumpsuit and chains, she entered the courtroom. “Of course, I knew it was fake, but then I saw my mom. She was there to add to it. My mom is a very emotional person and she got into it, tears streaming down her cheeks, begging the judge to “let my daughter go.” After that, my interest in criminal justice never waned - the idea of how our rights can be stolen by institutions - where liberty can be taken away.”
Mike Pride, Pulitzer Prize Administrator (left), and Lee C. Bollinger, President of Columbia University (center), present the 2015 Commentary Prize to Lisa Falkenberg Photo courtesy of Houston Chronicle.
Intimidated by college, Falkenberg applied to only one - because she had visited its campus. After two semesters at the University of Texas and on its college newspaper, the Daily Texan, she began a string of internships. Fact-checking and data entry for the campaign finance database at the Dallas Morning News helped her understand how government works. Others followed in D.C. and New York with Fortune Magazine and Kiplinger, the Florida Sun Sentinel. After college, she worked at Austin bureaus for Scripps Howard and in 2001, Falkenberg joined the Associated Press. Covering everything from the Texas Legislature to Hurricane Katrina and the British Petroleum Texas City explosion put her on a fast track. The BP work caught the attention of the Houston Chronicle, which hired her to cover Austin. Then in 2007, Jeff Cohen, the Chronicle editor, offered her a column. “The idea scared me to death. I was 28 and still calling my mother to ask if the meat in the refrigerator was still good. But then I thought ‘Houston is the only city that will tolerate me. They are more tolerant because so many people are from somewhere else.’ I got a lot of criticism; some people called me the ‘teen virus.’” Nevertheless, she soon realized the ability to explain complex issues, to interact with readers gave her the power to influence change. Writing that brings about needed changes is key to the Pulitzer Committee’s considerations to choose a winner – like the change Falkenberg’s 2015 series of columns prompted in abolishing the “pick a pal” grand jury system in Texas. Her radar blipped when she read about Alfred Dwayne Brown’s murder conviction intown 17
and his release when new evidence emerged. Evidence that cleared him had been buried in the bottom of a retired detective’s “take-home” box. A telephone record of a call Brown made on a land line while at his girlfriend’s house confirmed he could not have murdered the police officer – the murder for which he had been on death row for more than a dozen years. Mike Anderson, district attorney (deceased), called it a Brady violation. The term comes from the U.S. Supreme Court case Brady v. Maryland, in which the court
ruled that suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to a defendant who has requested it violates due process. Brown’s girlfriend had been his strongest alibi early during the investigation. After the grand jury hearing, she testified against him at the trial. Falkenberg planned to write one column, but soon her dad’s research training kicked in. Curious as to why the girlfriend changed her testimony, Falkenberg went to the courthouse and found the grand jury transcript.
Lisa Falkenberg Photo by Carole Keeney Harrington
“It was not a hearing,” Falkenberg said of the girlfriend’s time before the grand jury. “It was an interrogation. They told her she would never get another job, ‘We’ll take your children.’ I knew I had a big story. Who are these grand jurors? Why do they care? Why would they be so antagonistic?” In a Google search on Brown’s jury foreman, the first item that came up was a contribution to a police organization. Falkenberg confirmed through multiple sources he was a working police officer. He had served as a grand juror more than five times. The system, she learned, was euphemistically referred to as “pick a pal.” A judge selects a “commissioner,” and that person picks his pals to serve on the grand jury. “What kind of system is this,” she wondered, about how the system contributed to Brown’s conviction, and began to write seven columns. “He had a strong case, even if I hadn’t written a word,” Falkenberg said. “People have been protesting this (system) for decades. Even the Supreme Court said the (Texas) grand jury system needed to be changed. But nobody really cared.” 18 intown
Falkenberg’s Pulitzer citation reads: “For vividly-written, groundbreaking columns about grand jury abuses that led to a wrongful conviction and other egregious problems in the legal and immigration systems.”
Dean of the Texas Senate and Chair of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee John Whitmire cared. He sponsored legislation that changed the system to the one used to pick trial jurors, names pulled from the driver’s license records and voters roles. Governor Greg Abbott signed the legislation in June 2015. Falkenberg’s Pulitzer citation reads: “For vividly-written, groundbreaking columns about grand jury abuses that led to a wrongful conviction and other egregious problems in the legal and immigration systems.” At 38, and at the peak of her prestige and power as a journalist, Falkenberg puts her many honors before and after the Pulitzer in perspective. Her life has not changed much, she says. She struggles to find strong story ideas. She worries about the state’s educational system due to changing demographics in Texas and is hopeful that the younger generation will continue to evolve in tolerance. As the song, “Rhinestone Cowboy” goes, “Offers coming over the phone” are, for now, appreciated but not practical with two young children at home. Even when she can’t match socks, she is confident about one thing: “I’ll keep doing this as long as they let me.” intown 19
[Food]
Chef Charles Clark - Photo courtesy STP Images
Grant Cooper - Photo courtesy of Todd Parker
Dunlavy Exterior - courtesy of David Jones Photogrraphy and Interior (inset)
Clark Cooper Concepts by Mike Haines
Restaurateurs of The Year
Despite a turbulent year for many in the restaurant business, a few managed to stand out. One is the group of Clark Cooper Concepts. With The Dunlavy and multiple successful concepts, they are this year’s choice in Houston restaurant supremacy. Grant Cooper was raised in Europe and educated in the US and his business
partner and co-founder Chef Charles Clark is a small town Louisiana boy. Together along with chef Brandi Key, they have formed a formidable team pumping out multiple concepts that are unique in many ways. Late last year with the opening of The Dunlavy this group’s efforts warrants them as Intown’s top restaurateurs.
How did you two begin your partnership? Grant Cooper: Charles and I have been friends for 30 years. We both had a passion for food, the restaurant business and the dining experience, so we decided to get into the business together and opened Ibiza Food & Wine Bar in 2001. Can you tell us about Ibiza, which is your original venture? Grant Cooper & Charles Clark: Ibiza was our first restaurant under the Clark Cooper Concepts umbrella. We started Ibiza 2001 and based it off of the “cheers factor.” We wanted to create a restaurant where everyone felt at home when they came into the restaurant. We wanted everyone to come in and feel comfortable, with the wine, the style of service, the style of food. We wanted to place a bottle of wine on every table. So we set our wine prices slightly above retail and this allowed us to offer guests a good, affordable bottle of wine and a chef driven culinary experience. 20 intown
Ibiza is the foundation that all the other concepts have evolved from–the retail wine, the unpretentious service, and consistent, chef driven food. The “cheers factor” is how we want to run our restaurants. We want them to be the neighborhood hangout. We want to get to know the people on a one-on-one basis and that separates us because we have seen our customers’ families grow. We see their kids when they are born and when they graduate college. We have generations going to our restaurants. It is just good food, professional unpretentious service with good wine prices. It was Brasserie 19 that really catapulted your operation. What do you attribute to its early success? GC: Ibiza was our first success which allowed us to find such a wonderful group of customers and people that love Brasserie 19. The style of service and mentality behind Brasserie was all based off of Ibiza. The style and quality of food, the concept, the location, and the service all allowed us to find
tremendous success. The reason it was such a success right off the bat was the reputation that we built at Ibiza. We wouldn’t have been able to find success at Brasserie without what we’ve done at Ibiza and the relationships we built with our customers there. What was the inspiration behind your newest The Dunlavy? GC: We always dreamed of doing a restaurant full of chandeliers, but just needed to find the perfect space for it. When we partnered with the Buffalo Bayou Partnership to create a restaurant and special event space in the middle of the park, when knew that this was the space for the chandelier restaurant we had been dreaming about for so many years. There are 43 chandeliers throughout the restaurant and my wife, Jacy and I worked on finding them with a “picker” over a two-year period. The “picker” traveled throughout Italy and France to find all of the chandeliers.
By bringing in so many chandeliers, we were trying to create a feeling of crystal-accented elegance that juxtaposed the surroundings of Buffalo Bayou. Whether guests visit The Dunlavy for a private event or for a brunch in a beautiful glass tree house they notice the floating chandeliers and feeling of relaxed elegance we were trying to achieve with the space.
Tell us about Punk’s. How did that concept and name come about? CC: When I was a kid, Punk was my nickname growing up. We were throwing names when opening the restaurant and somehow Punk came up and it stuck.
You have opened a number of different concepts but none to date have multiple locations. Is that your format going forward or do you have expansion plans for any of your restaurants? GC: The idea is that we like to create concepts where we find our passion. We create concepts that we know are a good fit for the community in Houston. Our existing concepts are unique in their own way, but we are working on other concepts that have the ability to branch out into multiple locations. We like to do chef driven one-off restaurants, but consider concepts that could potentially branch out into multiple locations. Some of your key people came from Pappas. Is it something about their business model you admire or was it about finding the right person. GC: We have a great admiration and respect for Pappas, but our business model is based off personality and the right fit. We curate our team based on how they fit into our company personality. We’ve developed a team of people that are able to achieve our goals as individual restaurants and as a group.
Salt Air has recently opened for lunch and brunch. What are the challenges for operating a high-end seafood restaurant? GC & CC: Obviously, operating a high-end seafood restaurant requires us to bring in the freshest product available. While we are close to the gulf, we try to not only offer Gulf Coast Seafood, so we import seafood from other regions. We do not really view it as a challenge to get the best product possible, we view it as more of an opportunity to impress our customers with our ability to introduce them to a new, original approach to seafood in a different style seafood setting than you will find anywhere else in Houston. Anything else in the pipeline that you would like to share favorites and they are all probably worth the visit! GC & CC: Nothing that we can share intimately, but we are always working on 3 or 4 concepts. We like to have concepts that are about 75% done and then once the opportunity arises we can move forward and launch. We don’t like to talk until it is a done deal.
Brasserie 19’s Beef Carpaccio Photo courtesy of Debora Smail
“We like to create concepts where we find our passion. We create concepts that we know are a good fit for the community in Houston.”
Dunlavy’s Crabcake Benedict
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The Houston Rockets have been playing great basketball and have surprised many as a contender in the NBA’s Western Conference. They have a lot of newcomers who are contributing and ESPN Houston’s John Granato and Raheel Ramzanali interviewed Rockets GM Daryl Morey about this season’s expectations.
[The Game]
Daryl Morey John Granato: You got to feel good. Is there anything you can pinpoint about this team and is there one thing you can point to why you guys seem to be better this year? Daryl Morey: It’s not usually one thing. It starts with coach (Mike) D’Antoni, who came in and set a great tone, Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson who have really come in and given a great lift. Clint Capela has taken a huge step forward. We’ve had great contributors coming off the bench in (Sam) Dekker and (Montrezl) Harrell and getting Patrick Beverley back. He’s playing the best basketball of his career. Everyone knows how we want to play. We want to be uptempo, we want to spread the floor and we have the personnel to do it. Everything is working right now. Obviously, we’ll have some injury challenges we’ll have to work through but we’re pretty excited. Jeff Bzdelik on the defensive end. It’s a combination of everything. JG: Daryl, the coaching search. You guys were the last ones to hire your guy. Did you think you lucked out with D’Antoni. He could have gone to any team. 22 intown
By John Granato and Raheel Ramzanali
DM: We don’t know why but he didn’t get a ton of interest. We’re very thorough with everything we do whether it’s the draft, free agency or trades. We were looking at two profiles; one was more of a guy with a lot of experience that could play our style. We settled quickly on Mike there and again and I think the other teams sort of made a mistake. We were also looking at a young, up-and-coming type coach profile so we did a lot of interviews. We felt like with James in his prime, we wanted to go with someone with more experience. JG: A lot of people thought you took a risk with Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon because of their injury issues in the past. You had to limit Dwight (Howard) last year, was there any worry not to over play these guys. DM: We’ve had some injury challenges, like most teams. Ryan and Eric are playing reasonable minutes, both between 30 and 37. Both our team’s doctors have cleared that they don’t have any injuries that are chronic or will consistently flare up so we were pleasantly surprised. They’re helping us big time this year.
RR: I’m telling you, Eric Gordon off the bench is perfect. I didn’t think he would be this good in that role, and his shot is on it’s one of the prettiest in the NBA.and this role is perfect for him. He’s just playing with no pressure. DM: You can argue that in several games that he’s the best player on the floor, although it’s hard to say with James playing at a level. He’s obviously a starting quality player and for him to be willing to play the best role for the team, coming off the bench, and it’s unquestioned that he’s the Sixth Man of the Year at this point. He’s played out of his mind. He’s obviously was an all-star type talent coming out of Indiana. His mentality and his style fit the way we want to play. JG: Are you even a little bit surprised at how well the team is playing? DM: Oh yeah. We thought we’re much better than people were giving us credit for. Most people had us winning half our games or a little more than that. We felt like we could be a home court-Western Conference team. I spoke about that before the season, several times with radio folks and I think they were chuckling.
RR: One of your posts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook was about the Harden 1’s. What are your thoughts on those? DM: (Chuckles) Well, I don’t know if I’m the best to judge cause my good playing days are over as you know, Raheel. But it’s an amazing shoe and I hear it’s the top seller or top few sellers in the country right now. I’m happy for James. He spent a lot of his time designing the shoe to make sure it fits his personality and something he could be proud of and he’s very excited about it. JG: Normally, you like to tinker. We’re surprised if you’re not tinkering in any shape or form. Are you less likely with what you’re seeing this year on the court to tinker with this team? DM: I mean we’re always looking to upgrade. We want to be champions. We’ll need Dekker to take a step forward, Capela and some of our young players to take a step forward or improve our defense or maybe there’s an upgrade available. We’re never resting. I do think when you’re playing better you want to obviously be more careful. The Western Conference Final year we added Corey (Brewer), Josh Smith and both those guys were huge for us that year. If we can do something like, we will but we’re not going to force it. JG: Congratulations on the team’s success so far. It’s a lot of fun to watch this basketball team again. DM: Thanks and I appreciate it.
Houston Rocket James Harden
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[Design]
Kathy Anderson is a registered interior who has been inspired by her world travels. Anderson has captured numerous American Society of Interior Designer awards including one in 2016 for a bedroom design. Her distinctions have also resulted in multiple Houzz and Greater Houston Builders Association distinctions. Anderson’s focus is on creating a personal design which is timeless. With extensive residential as well as commercial experience, Kathy found that a vital key to truly successful interior design projects is communication and that the design process should be an enjoyable one. She received a degree in Interior Design from Brigham Young University and is a licensed and registered interior designer. Kathy is principal designer and owner of Eklektik Interiors and brings a broadened perspective and exclusiveness to her interior designs. Eklektik Interiors Award Winning Designer Showroom and Award Winning Interior Design Studio is located in Houston. Eklektik’s designs can be found throughout the United States and as distant as Kona, Hawaii, Lake Tahoe, California , and Costa Rica. Houston area design projects include Memorial, Tanglewood, River Oaks, e Woodlands, Rock Creek, Spring, Champions, Magnolia, Sugarland, Conroe and Huntsville.
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Exclusive Interview
KATHY ANDERSON Eklektik Interiors By William Hanover
Please give me the background on your retail space; when you opened; why did you open, and how long have you been open?
I opened Eklektik Interiors in September of 1997 aer doing design work out of my home for many years. I wanted a showroom with a design studio to be able to let my clients see samples of various manufacturers. I find it is easier for clients to imagine a design
if they can see and feel samples. We moved from our 14,000 square foot showroom in the Champions area of Houston to Shepherd Drive in e Heights in the summer of 2013. A large number of our Houston clients were located inside the loop, so this move was a natural one for Eklektik Interiors. We were ready to make a change and downsize our showroom. I love change—it’s always a good thing!
(clockwise from top right) 2014 ASID Renovation Under 3500 sf Winner - photo by Chuck Williams, Canyon View Living Room, Kuhlman Living Room, 2014 GHBA Bath Winner - photo by Connie Anderson
To be effective, what does one have to have in home or office designs? I feel the most important elements of any design whether it is commercial or residential, is functionality. Aesthetics is the second most important element. But I have found that if a space is beautiful but not functional, it is not an effective space. I love to create beautiful spaces that enhance a flourishing environment. What is the process in going about a design or redesign? Before Eklektik Interiors begins designing any space, we meet with the client to determine the purposes of
that specific space. We then create an environment that has everything the homeowner could wish for. e Eklektik designer then works with the client to determine their wants versus their needs and work from there to determine and stay within a reasonable budget. What space(s) are you most proud of that you have designed? I love every space we design! Our designs are more about creating an environment rather than a singular space. Of all the rooms I design, I think I love designing kitchens the most. e kitchen is the heart of the home and I love trans-
forming this room of the home for clients. Common areas are where most people thrive and participate in “active living” is always such a great satisfaction to design. Master bedrooms are perhaps the second most crucial area of the home to design. e master bedroom should be a retreat for the homeowner and a place to recharge. Are there key elements in all your designs? Perhaps one of the most dramatic features of a unique design is the lighting. e lighting creates an ambiance that no other element can duplicate. e color scheme and feel of a design are also
essential elements to any custom design. I am a practical designer and feel every space should be very livable with minimal maintenance. I believe that “you own your space”, not “your space owns you”! What color combinations are you following? I just returned from HighPoint Market and was so excited to see the mixtures of deep, rich and saturated colors that are now current. ey are gorgeous! Can you describe your retail space? Our retail space is beautiful! I love to shop and I love intown 25
Mabry Kitchen © Esther Havens Photography
unique and unusual items. I love to repurpose things and buy one of a kind items. I am addicted to a good challenge. I love people and love finding out what makes them tick. Meeting and reading a person’s design needs is one of my gis. One of my favorite things is to help my clients move out of their “box” and think beyond what they might do naturally as far as design. ere is nothing more satisfying than to have my clients delight in the personal nature of their designed space. I get design inspirations from EVERYWHERE! Nature, art, beauty, my amazing staff of designers and most especially from the client themselves! I love to incorporate in my designs personal favorites of the client—favorite colors, favorite vacation spots, favorite artists, etc to make the space completely theirs. My guilty design pleasure is fabulously designed lighting and beautiful art.
Modern Wine Cellar Photo by Chuck Williams
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Monsour Taghdisi, Ginni Mithoff
Claire Thielke and Ceron
Michael and Melissa Mithoff, Rocky and Joe'l Mafrige
LEGACY HOLIDAY SCHMOOZE Legacy Community Health hosted their annual Holiday Schmooze at LifeHTX, co-hosted by Becca Cason Thrash & John Thrash, Greggory & Pat Burk, Monsour Taghdisi & Henry Richardson, and Steve Summers & Glen Gonzalez. The 200 festive party goers were dazzled by beautiful holiday decorations and lights, as well as a slideshow commemorating past Schmoozes. Santa made an appearance, and guests were encouraged to try on flashy baubles from Tenenbaum Classic Jewelers and take a photo with jolly Saint Nick. At the end of the night, one lucky Schmoozer walked away with a $5,000 gift medallion provided by Tenenbaum. This year’s cocktail party raised more than $150,000, and all proceeds from the event benefitted Legacy’s HIV/AIDS Programs and Services. Phoebe Tudor and Chree Boydstun
Legacy Community Health is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization and the largest Federally Qualified Health Center in Houston. Each year Legacy provides low-cost or no-cost health care services to more than 125,000 Houston area men, women, and children.
Amanda Goodie and Ron Roberts
Henry Richardson, Steve Summers, Greggory Burk, Becca Cason Thrash, Glenn Gonzalez and Monsour Taghdisi Karen Wildenstein, Cheryl Byington
Chree Boydstun, Glenna Pierpont, Santa Claus, Kevin Black and Tony Bradford David and Mary Ann McKeithan and CC Conner
Steve Summers, Monsour Taghdisi, Diane Lokey, Farb Glenn Gonzalez
Milton Townsend and Becca Cason Thrash
Ali and Haydeh Davoudi
[financial focus]
Financial Strategies for Women Investors by Patricia B. Green, CFP® Financial Advisor Senior Vice President - Investments Wells Fargo
Today, women are playing an ever-increasing role in making important financial decisions – whether for themselves or for their families. While many of the basic rules of investing hold true for all investors, some life events affect women differently than men and can have an impact on investment decisions. Women might want to give some special consideration to the following areas when it comes to investing:
Longer life expectancy People in general are living longer these days, and conventional wisdom will tell you that women tend to outlive men. In fact, studies have confirmed this is the case. 28 intown
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, women outlive men by an average of more than five years.* Women often end up facing more years in retirement than men. To prepare for such a situation, women need to implement strategies catered to possible long-term needs.
Being on your own Statistics also show that women have a very high probability of being on their own at some point in their financial lives – not only as a result of a spouse’s death, but also because of divorce or choosing to remain single. Dropping from two incomes down to one would obviously require making some
adjustments. It’s important to think about alternatives and options in the event you should be faced with a similar situation.
Time spent out of the work force When caring for children — or an elderly parent — women tend to spend more time away from work than men. Some surveys have shown that, on average, women spend more than a decade out of the work force. The implications for women with regards to investments are clear: They will have less time than their male counterparts to contribute to their retirement nest eggs.
Have a plan Take the time to assess your current financial situation to help get a clear picture of where you stand. Make a list of your financial goals, then develop strategies to meet those goals. Keeping in mind the special circumstances we
mentioned earlier, you can chart a course of action that will enable you to meet any future challenges. * CDC, NCHS, www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/life_tables.htm
This article is sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors and provided to you by Patricia B. Green, CFP® - Financial Advisor, in Houston at 713-403-7331. Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2015 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved.
While these are just some of the many important considerations for women investors, there are also several simple steps women can take to come up with an effective financial strategy.
Look for ways to learn about investments The financial press and financial web sites are loaded with information about investments and alternatives. Remember, however, not every source is reliable.
Seek advice from a professional The act of enlisting a Financial Advisor to help with your investments does not take away from your ability to make the final decisions. It does, however, provide you with someone you can turn to for guidance as you make those important decisions. intown 29
Jim Dannenbaum, Shirley Dannenbaum, Welcome Wilson Jr.
Photo Credit: Fulton Davenport
OPENING NIGHT FOR VIRTUOSI OF HOUSTON YOUNG ARTISTS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Zarine Boyce, Dr. Eloise Stuhr
Zarine Boyce, British Consul General Karen Bell, Elina Htun
Dr. Meherwan Boyce, Carmina Zamorano
Virtuosi of Houston, hosted its opening night concert at the Hobby Center’s Zilkha Hall. The Opening Night Concert featured guest conductor, and major underwriter, Monzer Hourani conducting Handel’s Suite from Music for the Royal Fireworks.The music performed at this concert is the music that they will perform side by side in a concert at Chichester Cathedral when they go to study and perform at the University of Chichester, School of Music. About Virtuosi For 20 years their mission has been to create a preprofessional climate and performance opportunities for Houston’s most focused young musicians (11-18 years of age), regardless of race, religion or financial status and to bring an expanded repertoire of chamber music to Houston. Elina Htun, Greece Consul General Ioannis Stamatekos
Zarine Boyce, Elina Htun, Carmina Zamorano, Rafael Chavez, Greece Consul General Ioannis Stamatekos, Greece Consul General Ioannis Stamatekos, Dr. Meherwan Boyce
Photo Credit: Michelle Watson
THE 17TH ANNUAL “AN EVENING FOR RICE’S HONOUR” Chairs Linda and Dr. Walter McReynolds and Cynthia and Bucky Allshouse welcomed Honorees for the 2016 Distinguished Owl Club Award Recipients: Susanne and Melbern Glasscock, Y.Ping Sun and David W. Leebron. Over 300 People attended and helped raise additional funds now totaling over $6,000,000 which goes directly to Rice Athletic Scholarships.
Bucky and Cynthia Allshouse, Linda and Walter McReynolds
Décor by Richard Flowers: Beautiful Room decorated in Blue Representing Rice’s Colors. Mirrored tables with Crystal Candlesticks lit up the gorgeous room, with overflowing and abundant arrangements of white roses. Hand painted floor to ceiling murals depicting scenes of Reckling Park and the Tudor Field House and Rice Stadium. Melbern and Suzanne Glasscock
Phoebe and Bobby Tudor
Y. Ping Sun & David W. Leebron
Jill and Joe Karlgaard
Isla and Tom Reckling, III
Enrique and Nancy Cruz Charles and Anne Duncan