10-13 ARTS & EVENTS CALENDAR 14-16 BEST NEW RESTAURANTS
24-25 THE GAME JIM CRANE & JEFF LUHNOW
17
THE BUZZ
26-27 RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE REPORT
18
INTOWN’S PERSON OF THE YEAR
28-29 FINANCIAL FOCUS
19-23 INTOWN’S MOST INFLUENTIAL
30-31 THE BUZZ
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
Original MD Anderson Clinic
MIXED EMOTIONS Empty Astrodome lives on Ringing in the new year is usually a time for cautious optimism about next year or a let’s turn the page moment for not wanting to remember the past year. I leave 2015 not knowing exactly whether to celebrate the year’s passing or looking forward to what lies ahead. With the downtrodden oil industry come cheaper fuel and energy prices that help many people. Across the US and throughout most of the world cheap gas is like an across the board tax cut. But prices this low for an extended period will make life more difficult in “the energy capital of the world.” So here’s to 70 dollars a barrel oil. Our Astros made the playoffs for the first time in a decade and by beating the mighty Yankees in this year’s playoffs, the future seems bright. Will succeeding with one of the lowest payrolls in baseball further convince Astros brass that high priced free agents are not worthy. Ron DePinho congratulating Jim Allison at awards ceremony Most of us of a certain age have some fond memories of the Astrodome. Whether you enjoyed the rodeo skyboxes or “Luv ya blue” it would be missed if torn down. However, in its current state, it is unsustainable.The Harris County commissioners must finally overcome their dividedness and find out what it costs to demolish the place or remake into something else spectacular to rival what was once “ the eighth wonder of the world.” With this New Year’s ball drop we will see our open carry law for Texans take effect. I wonder if this law will make us feel safer or not. I’m sure by this time next year we will have some answers. There were no mixed emotions on this year’s selection for our Most Influential Person of The Year, Dr. Jim Allison of MD Anderson Cancer Center. Hopefully, 2016 will be a continuation by Allison and MD Anderson in advancing cancer treatments in hopes of one day eradicating a horrible disease that affects so many lives.
M. A. Haines
intown 6
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
Phillippa Chevalier CLHMS CNHS RCC GMI SMP Luxury Home Marketing Specialist BHHS-Anderson Properties (281) 235-8245 www.philhomeskaty.com
5164 Huckleberry | Tanglewood Area
1600 S. Post Oak #1104 | Tanglewood area
List Price $2,099,000 | MLS# 37745846
List Price $770,000 | MLS # 66981084
Located on quiet culdesac next to Uptown. 4 Bedrooms all with in suite bathrooms. $150,000 remodeling was done by former owner. Light wood floors throughout. Elevator goes to all three floors. heated pool, attached three car garage on a huge lot. Lots of light. Like new.
Exquisite London Floor Plan with breathtaking views of Downtown & Four Oaks Place. Huge Living & Dining areas with Open Spacious Kitchen featuring Stainless Miele' Appliances, Granite Countertops & Wine Chiller. Split Floorplan creates a wonderful distribution of rooms leading to 11th floor Balcony overlooking Post Oak Blvd & Downtown. Spa like Master Bath features air jet tub & gorgeous Custom Closets. Posh 7th Floor Lobby.
Mariana Saldana | Uptown Real Estate Group, Inc. Phone: 713-629-7771
Mariana Saldana | Uptown Real Estate Group, Inc. Phone: 713-629-7771
Members and aďŹƒliates of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing
W W W. G REAT E R HOU STON LU X U RY. C OM
Vi sit O ur Website
Paula Hagerman ABR, CDPE, WCR, Realtor, member GHLHC and member ILHM Remax Vintage (713) 306-3557 www.paulah.remaxtexas.com
Wendy Cline CLHMS, SRES, ABR, CPRES Wendy Cline Properties Keller Williams Memorial (281) 858-3451 www.WendyClineProperties.com
Tiffany Palacios CNE RE/MAX Realty Center (281) 746-3243 www.BuyAndListWithTiff.realtor
James Brodnax CLHMS ABR GRI CPA Realty One Group (713) 822-3423 www.westandloop.com
Weldon Rigby CRS, ABR Founding Member KW Luxury Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan (713) 621-2555 www.weldonrigby.com
Marilyn Arendt Broker - Owner Marilyn Arendt Properties (281) 433-9113 mma@castle2sell.com
34227 High Point Drive | Magnolia
52295 Qualls Rd | Hempstead
List Price $1,000,000 | MLS# 6329074
List Price $785,000 | MLS# 23114628
Equestrian estate with 100' X 150' covered arena with pad; 10 stall insulated Barnmaster barn with 12' concrete alley; fenced & cross fenced. Custom home with interior Chicago brick walls; library/office; kitchen w lg granite island w seating, brick alcove for oven/range, wine frig, gas & elec ovens. Huge master suite w dbl French doors open to terrace. Apt over 3 car gar w kit, game rm, bed & bath, balcony
33-acre equestrian commercial/residential property with all new construction. Barnmaster barn w 16 stalls, radiant barrier insulation, AC, bathroom, vet room, tack room, saddle wall, rotating tie ring, pasture feeders, and insemination/palpation chute. Two large porches. 3 bed, 2 bath home.130x70 arena and round pen. Property cleared, fenced & cross-fenced. New well & aerobic septic.
Wendy Cline | Keller Williams Memorial Phone: 281-858-3451
Wendy Cline | Keller Williams Memorial Phone: 281-858-3451
Members and affiliates of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing
W W W. G REAT E R HOU STON LU X U RY. C OM
Vi sit O ur Website
Genevieve Rowland REALTOR, MCNE, CLHMS Keller Williams Memorial (281) 904-7014 www.rowland-properties.com
Beverly Smith CLHMS, Lake Conroe Specialist Coldwell Banker United, Realtors (713) 569-2113 www.har.com/bevsmith
Ken Jacobson CMPS NMLS# 215044 Vice President/Sr. Mortgage Planner Hometrust Mortgage Company (713) 369-4040 www.kenjacobson.com
Betty Bezemer KW Luxury Consultant, CLHMS, CRS Keller Williams Memorial (713) 461-9393 www.bettybezemer.com
NMLS# 149932
132 Waterford Way | Bentwater List Price $799,000 | MLS# 83346746 Bentwater Waterfront Home with 180 degree open water views of Lake Conroe. is 4 bedroom 3 ½ bath comes with an open floor plan for easy entertaining of family and friends. Game/TV room upstairs with screened in balcony along with cra room. New Bulk Heading, deck & lush landscaping along with covered boat li & jet ski li with lights on steps & deck. Just waiting for you to come see.
Beverly Smith | Coldwell Banker United Realtors Phone: 713-569-2113
Marlene Foad ABR, CRS, ePRO®, CLHMS 360 Property Agency (281) 686-4444 www.HoustonLuxuryEstates.com
Julie Pistone Krampitz Owner TK Images Photography (713) 545-9177 www.tkimages.com
Members and affiliates of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing
W W W. G REAT E R HOU STON LU X U RY. C OM
Vi sit O ur Website
The
Houston
EVENTS
Houston Arts Alliance’s Folklife & Traditional Arts
program presents an exhibition/installation focusing on the Lunar New Year. Unpacking the spectacle of this distinctive tradition, e Lunar New Year most popular in Houston is based on the Chinese calendar and is celebrated by nationalities with strong cultural ties to China. In for more go to Houston, that is mostly the Chinese and Vietnamese community. It is www.houstonintown.com based on a lunar cycle that falls between January 21 and February 20 on the Gregorian calendar. e installation will include objects, paper cutting, costumes, banners, calligraphy, instruments, audio and video to evoke the multisensory experience that is Lunar New Year.
CALENDAR
e entire event heralds new beginnings and expresses great relief in moving on from the travails of the old year. Crowds gather at temples and community events and the spirit of this complex cultural event will be evoked in a weeklong presentation at Midtown Arts & eater Center Houston (MATCH), 3400 Main Street Houston, TX 77002. It will be open for public viewing from January 13 – 19, 2016. Welcome in the new year with a new attitude! All activities are free and open to the public.For more information, visit houstonartsalliance.com/folklife
THE HEALTH MUSEUM is hosting scores of events for kids and families, including scouting, mindfulness programs and the opening of a new traveling exhibit.
Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation Beginning January 19 through February 24 Ann Friedman, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist who has studied and practiced mindfulness for nine years and holds a Certification in Mindfulness Facilitation from the Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine at UCLA, will facilitate classes to provides an introduction to mindfulness, including how to develop a practice and apply mindfulness to daily living. Classes concentrate on mindfulness exercises, including training our focus and attention, walking meditation, eating meditation, and using mindfulness for pain management.
Ann Friedman, Ph.D.
e Rothko Chapel's "Broken Obelisk"
PHOTO: Courtesy of e Health Museum
stands in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. David Leslie, executive director of the Chapel, explained that King's words are especially relevant today.
Commit To Be Fit
"His vision of peace and justice is just as meaningful today as it was in the 1960s,” says Leslie. Leslie explained that the sculpture's placement in its current home came as a result of the tenacity of the Rothko Chapel's founders. In 1967, a government program offered to help fund monumental works of contemporary art in public places but needed a matching grant from other sources. John and Dominique de Menil were approached, and the couple agreed to help underwrite the project on two conditions. First, the city needed to purchase Newman's "Broken Obelisk." e sculpture was designed in 1963-64, fabricated in 1967 in an edition of three. e edition that the de Menils had their eyes on was first exhibited in front of the Seagram Building in New York City. e couple's second condition was that the statue would be dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. e city, at the time, would not support this requirement -- it was too politically charged. While the de Menils lost the battle, they could not bear to see the city lose the sculpture. ey decided to buy it on their own and place it in front of the Rothko. Join the Rothko Chapel for a discussion and performance in honor of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr."Still Dreaming: Black Lives Matter, Hip Hop and MLK's Legacy" is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 15, King's birthday. e celebration will continue Monday, Jan. 18 with an audio installation of speeches delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. at the chapel. Visit rothkochapel.org intown 10
For more information on To MyPlate and Beyond, please visit www.thehealthmuseum.org.
Held every ursday during the year, the Free Family ursday series in January will concentrate on a commitment to fitness, just in time to meet those New Year's resolution goals. Training experts promote different exercise methods and nutritional options. Patrons will have access to the Museum's interactive exhibits plus enjoy a little Zumba, boxing instruction and more!
To MyPlate and Beyond Exhibit Starting January 16 through August Ready for a new way to think about breakfast, lunch and dinner? To MyPlate and Beyond helps you become an expert on the five food groups that are the building blocks for a healthy diet: fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy. is 2,500-square-foot exhibit lets you explore the world of healthy eating with guides Max and Munch, who take guests on a healthy food adventure through this interactive learning tool. e healthy food journey includes interactive games.
Boy Scout Merit Badge Classes Saturdays and Sundays, January 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 31; Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays noon to 5 p.m. Attention troops! e Health Museum hosts boy scout merit badge classes each weekend starting in January. Classes offered throughout the year include: Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the Community, Cooking, Environmental Science, Personal Fitness, Family Life, Emergency Preparedness, Medicine, First Aid, Dentistry, Communication, Citizenship of the World, Swimming, Lifesaving, and Personal Management. Registration is required at www.thehealthmuseum.org/boyscouts.
e Health Museum is located in the Museum District at 1515 Hermann Drive, 77004. For more information, please visit www.thehealthmuseum.org or call 713-521-1515.
The Interview: Red, Red Future Opens February 27 through June 5, 2016
Holocaust Museum Houston
Museums
“Photographs by Roman Vishniac: A Selection from the Permanent Collection of Holocaust Museum Houston” Ongoing through January 24, 2016
Asia Society Texas Center
“Sojourn in the Shadowlands” Ongoing through March 13, 2016
Yeesookyung: Contemporary Korean Sculpture rough March 27, 2016
Menil Collection
Drawn from Nature Ongoing rough February 21
Museum Of Fine Arts Houston Pleasure and Piety: The Art of Joachim Wtewael (1566-1638) Ongoing through January 31, 2016 Roman Vishniac Rediscovered Ongoing through January 3, 2016 Mark Rothko: A Retrospective Ongoing through January 24, 2016 Arts of Islamic Lands: Selections from
Affecting Presence and the Pursuit of Delicious Experiences Ongoing through November 8 Apparitions: Frottages and Rubbings from 1860 to Now Ongoing through January 3, 2016 MicroCosmos / Details from the Carpenter Collection of Arctic Art Ongoing through February 21, 2016 The Secret of the Hanging Egg: Salvador Dali Ongoing through June 19, 2016 The Precarious Ongoing through May 1, 2016
The al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait
Ongoing through January 30, 2016 Olafur Eliasson: The Collectivity Project Ongoing through January 31, 2016 The Art of Joachim Wtewael (1566-1638) Opens November 1 - January 31, 2016 Contingent Beauty: Contemporary Art from Latin America Ongoing through February 28, 2016
Janet Cardiff & George Bures Miller: The Infinity Machine Ongoing through February 28, 2016 William N. Copley: The World According to CPLY Ongoing
Houston Museum Of Natural Science
Vera Luther: Inverted Worlds Ongoing through March 20, 2016
Special Exhibit La Virgen de Guadalupe: Empress of the Americas Ongoing through September 5
Deco Nights: Evenings in Jazz Age Ongoing through June 5, 2016
Out of The Amazon: Life on the River Ongoing
Sculpted in Steel: Art Deco Automobiles and Motorcycles, 1929-1940 Opens February 21 through May 30, 2016
The Chronophage Clock Ongoing through December 31 Spies, Traitors, Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom In America Ongoing through January 17
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
Wide Angle: The World Through My Eyes Ongoing
Island Time: Galveston Artist Residency - The First Four Years Ongoing through February 14, 2016 Jennie C. Jones: Compilation Ongoing through March 27, 2016
Block Party Ongoing through August 7 La Virgen de Guadalupe: Empress of the Americas Ongoing through September 5 intown 11
Concerts Toyota Center
Da Camera Presents:
Jazz Vocalist Gregory Porter February 5
Music & Dance Ars Lyrica All In A Garden Green February 12 Hobby Center For e Performing Arts
Da Camera Montrose Trio featuring Houstonbased pianist Jon Kimura Parker January 29 Wortham Center Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Gregory Porter February 5 Wortham Center
intown 12
Sarah Rothenberg: The Marcel Proust Project February 11-12 Wortham Center Brentano Quartet: The Quartet as Autobiography at The Menil Collection February 23
Houston Ballet The Sleeping Beauty February 25 through March 6
River Oaks Chamber Orchestra Beer & Brass January 7 St. Arnold Brewery
Peter & the Wolf January 17 e Houston Zoo ROCO Brass Quintet @ Match January 22 Midtown Arts & eater Center ROCO Brass Quintet @ TWUMC January 24 e Woodlands United Methodist Church
ROCO presents “Matchmaking” February 13 e Church of St. John the Divine Unchambered: “Piano vs. Piano” February 28 Midtown Arts & eater Center Shen Yun rough January 2 Jones Hall
January 2-4 Passion 2016 8 WWE Live 12 Madonna 14 Tool 23 Janet Jackson February 11-14 Toruk - The First Flight 17 Barry Manilow 19 Bellator 149 20 Katt Williams 26 AC/DC
Sports Houston Rockets Toyota Center January 7 Utah 10 Indiana 13 Minnesota 15 Cleveland 20 Detroit 22 Milwaukee 24 Dallas 30 Washington February 2 Miami 6 Portland
Houston Texans Reliant Stadium January 3 Jacksonville
Events & Shows NRG Park January 8-17 Houston International Boat, Sport & Travel Show 9 Monster Jam 22 International Gem & Jewelry Show 23 Houston Gun Collectors & Antiques Show 27 - 31 Houston Auto Show 30 Harlem Globetrotters February 5 ERJCC Houston National Invitational Gymnastics 5 Cheer Bowl & Freedom Dance Nationals 5 H-Town Blues Festival 6 Houston Wedding Showcase 9 Texas Technology Summit 9 Nacac National College Fair 10 Houston RV Show 12 Texas Home & Garden Show 12 TriStar Collectors Show
Live Thoroughbred Horse Racing January 15 through March 8 Sam Houston Race Park
Theater D. Players Barefoot in The Park Opens January 13 through February 7 The Snow Queen Opens February 23 through March 12
Alley Theater All The Way January 29 through February 21
The Ensemble Theatre Fences January 28 through February 28
Stages Repertory Theatre The Book Of Maggie January 20 through February 14
The Music Box Theater Company Year In Review January 2 through 30
intown 13
Best New Restaurants of 2015 From Greek to Seafood
by Marene Gustin
Restaurants are the cultural culinary lifeblood of Houston, we have some of the finest in the country and there are more and more new and exciting ones every year. This past year was no different, with a glut of gourmet establishments springing up like bluebonnets in springtime. Here then are some of our favorites that opened in 2015 ranging from Greek food to pizzas to seafood and more and more seafood.
2
1
Sommelier Evan Turner finally realized his longtime dream of opening a modern Greek taverna and it was a hit. Helen Greek Food and Wine, in a cozy Rice Village spot, marries the flavors of Greece with the abundant fresh fish and produce of the Gulf Coast. The tightly curated menu by chef William Wright sports items from vendors such as Black Hill Ranch and Blue Horizon Seafood. Specialties include a grilled, feta-brined chicken plated with crispy lemon confit potatoes and wood grilled octopus with split peas. Due try the dolmades wrapped in local collard greens instead of grape leaves and save room for the sweet Greek doughnuts with a side of honey dipping sauce. Turner himself has put together one of the finest Hellenic wine lists in the country and the staff can easily guide you through pairings.
1 Bollo’s Woodfired Pizza 3
2 The State of Grace’s Oysters, Lobster, Shrimp, Clams, Crab by Julie Soefer
4
3 Hunky Dory’s Silver Salver 4 Bernadine’s Grilled Pompano 5 Foreign Correspondents’ Tam Tanlomai with Magenta Rice & Wine 5 intown 14
Foodies were sad when Ray Salti closed his Sorrel Urban Bistro last year but he opened Bollo Woodfired Pizza in the Upper Kirby space. It’s a modern spot with high ceilings and Italian murals. The open kitchen allows you to see the imported Neapolitan stone oven where the pizzas are baked over wood at 800 degrees. Our favorite is the pesto pollo topped with goat cheese, grilled chicken, walnut pesto, red onions and sundried tomatoes. But don’t stop at the pizzas, there are larger plates of chicken Parmesan, thick pork chops with potatoes and a baked calzone. For a lighter meal try the chopped Caesar salad with its tangy housemade dressing along with the lobster ravioli — a sweet and meaty treat swimming in white truffle butter topped with shaved Parmesan. There’s a full bar and nice wine list to round out your meal and a locally made creamy gelato for dessert. The folks over at Treadsack (D&T Drive Inn and Downhouse) had a very busy year, opening three new concepts in The Heights: Foreign Correspondents, Hunky Dory and Bernadine’s. Foreign Correspondents was a hotly awaited opening, probably because of the reputation of chef P. J. Stoops, who made a name for himself as a fishmonger promoting bycatch (trash fish) in tasty dishes. The new restaurant focuses on farm-to-table Northern and Northeastern Thai food. Think spicy blue crabs from Anahuac, Texas, deep-fried then stir-fried with spicy curry paste and basil. Fish dishes and noodle dishes shine but there are plenty of excellent vegetarian menu items that even meat lovers can enjoy. Hunky Dory also opened with a high profile chef: Richard Knight who rocked the Houston food scene with the snout-to-tail Feast. Now he brings his talents to the BritishAmerican menu here. Start with a slab of divine foie gras with wine poached apple slices or the gulf snapper tartare and move on to Knight’s take on traditional fish and chips or the kedgeree — smoked kippers with smoked rice and a poached egg. There’s also a pub menu that features a wonderful dish of breaded pork fingers you dip in a spicy English mustard sauce. Pair with an Indian pale ale or one of the curated cocktails. The Sheep Dip may not sound delicious but the concoction of Sheep Dip Islay whiskey, Drambuie, egg white and bitters is a thing of beauty. Last but not at all least of the Treadsack openings is Bernadine’s, which shares a building with Hunky Dory. Chef Graham Laborde has created a menu that reads like a love letter to Gulf Coast seafood. The I-10 Tower is a vision to behold: raw oysters, marinated blue crab claws, pickled shrimp, smoked fish dip and more. While the fresh seafood is the star here, we can’t get over the smoked ribs with sorghum popcorn (yes, popcorn) and pickled Satsuma. This is a truly interesting menu paired with clever cocktail concoctions and a nice wine list. And, speaking of seafood, Clark Copper Concepts (Ibiza and Coppa Osteria among others) were also busy in 2015 opening a seafood emporium, Saltair Seafood Kitchen in the Upper Kirby space that once housed Pesce. The new interior is very sleek and modern with a square central bar, intown 15
private rooms and an enclosed patio space. Chef Brandi Key sources raw items from around the world, plates delicious salads and vegetables along with a few meat eater pleasures but we come for the caviar. There is an appetizer of French onion dip topped with caviar and served with housemade potato chips you must try and for those with a fat wallet go for the classic caviar service, Tsar Nicoulai Caviar and all the accoutrements. Those little jet-black eggs pop in your mouth with a palate pleasing taste and buttery finish. And just when you thought Houston couldn’t have more fabulous seafood venues, there’s celebrity chef Ford Fry’s State of Grace. Fry went to high school at Lamar, across the street from his new eatery, but he made his name in Atlanta with several popular concepts. To come home he chose a River Oaks strip center, taking up three storefronts, including the old dry cleaners, to create a fashionable restaurant that has been packing them in. Chandeliers mingle with deer horns in the dining room, a long bar fronts a window overlooking a stunning oak tree and patrons can reserve the chef’s table in the kitchen and watch the magic. Although it’s always nice to snag a seat in the raw bar with its bay window overlooking Westheimer Road. The menu is an eclectic homage to the foods he remembers, everything from Felix’s cheese enchiladas to butter drench and salted milk rolls and twice-fried Korean chicken. There’s a big burger (of course) and a fancy and yummy bologna sandwich, beef and pork but we have a hard time getting past the small plates. Try the Texas blue crab fingers in garlic and the lobster hushpuppies with cane syrup butter. And, speaking of lobster, there’s a lobster roll and a half or whole chilled lobster on the half shell with a lemon mayonnaise that makes a refreshing dish. And do try the oysters on the half shell, the menu changes daily based on what’s fresh but you can always find a Gulf Coast bivalve and several from the Northwest and East coasts. Whatever you have a hankering for, food wise, you can surely find it at these new restaurants. Bon appétit.
Helen Greek Food and Wine helengreekfoodandwine.com Bollo Woodfired Pizza bollohouston.com Saltair Seafood Kitchen saltairhouston.com State of Grace stateofgracetx.com Foreign Correspondents, Hunky Dory & Bernadine’s treadsack.com
intown 16
Intown’s Most Influential
2015
Person Of The Year While NASA may not have had any moon moments in awhile, the Moon Shoots Program developed at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is shining brightly thanks to this year’s 2015 Intown Person of the Year, Dr. Jim Allison. His most recent distinction coming in the form of a Lasker Award considered the nation’s highest honor for clinical research. Dr. Allison’s research and discoveries in immuno-therapy and its subsequent effectiveness in treating cancer patients has created a new paradigm in the race to cure cancer. Despite Allison’s humbleness in his surprise reaction to being the recipient of the coveted LaskerDeBakey award, it comes at a time that drugs under development from his research are coming in rapid succession. Born in Alice, Texas in 1948, as a small town boy he traveled and attended middle school summer programs at The University of Texas at Austin that sparked his interest in science and research. In the 1990s as a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, he was the first person to isolate the T-cell antigen receptor complex protein, which later led to the development of the drug Yervoy, approved in 2011 as a treatment for latestage skin cancer. His most recent big time award came from the American Cancer Society’s Medal Of Honor for Basic Research in treating cancer by unlocking a shackled immune system. MD Anderson President Ronald Depinho who had the foresight to bring Allison back to Texas and join him in his Moon Shots creation states, “Jim Allison is a brilliant basic scientist who rigorously pursued his curiosity about the biology of T cells, leading to remarkable discoveries and a truly disruptive approach to treating cancer,”
JIM ALLISON intown 18
Allison continues his work in tumor immunotherapy as Professor and Chair of Immunology and the director of Immunotherapy platform of Moon Shots at MD Anderson. Previously he won the $3 million Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, sponsored by, among others, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. While Allison left for brief stints in California and New York, it is fate that he returns to Houston where he is doing his most important work to date. Stand by, there should be more to come from this brilliant mind.
Since assuming the top job in January 2008 as chancellor and president of the University of Houston, Renu Khator has been busy. Whether defending her positions on growth, her salary, campus living rules or attending a campus sporting event, Renu Khator has UH on a mercurial rise on many fronts. In addition to being one of three Texas schools to receive Tier 1 status, its athletic programs are markedly improved. The football team is ranked and has its first huge payday in a bowl game in decades. Khator was UH System’s first woman Chancellor and the first Indian immigrant to head a comprehensive research university in the United States, As chancellor of the UH System, Khator oversees an organization that serves more than 66,000 students, has a budget that exceeds $1.3 billion, and has a $3.5 billion-plus economic impact on the Greater Houston area each year. With over 40,000 students in the UH System including UH, UH-Clear Lake, UH-Downtown, UH-Victoria and branch campuses in Pearland and NW Houston and teaching centers in Cinco Ranch and Sugar Land. She is also responsible for KUHT, the nation’s first educational television station, and two radio stations -- KUHF, Houston's National Public Radio affiliate, and the classical station KUHA. She serves on many boards in various fields, including the American Council on Education, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, the Greater Houston Partnership, the Houston Technology Center, the Texas Medical Center Policy Council and the Methodist Hospital Research Institute Board.
RENU KHATOR
Renu Khator was born in Uttar Pradesh, India, and earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Kanpur. She received her master’s degree and her Ph.D. in political science from Purdue University. A noted scholar in the field of global environmental policy, she has published numerous books and articles on the subject. Before her appointment at UH, she was provost and senior vice president of the University of South Florida, capping a 22-year career at that institution.Since assuming her post in January 2008, she has helped UH with record-breaking research funding, enrollment, and private support. The ambitious 75-acre Energy Research Park, part of Khator’s $400-million campus construction program contains over 600,000 feet of office and industrial space.
SYLVESTER TURNER If persistence is a virtue, then Sylvester Turner should be a righteous mayor. After first running for mayor in 1991 losing in a runoff to Bob Lanier, Turner will finally take over the city's highest office replacing term-limited mayor, Annise Parker on January 1. Turner graduated valedictorian from Klein High School and later Magna Cum Laude from the University of Houston. He went from sharing one room with eight brothers and sisters to attending U of H and Harvard Law School, founding his own business and then becoming a champion in the state legislature for Houston’s middle-class families. Sylvester Turner was born and raised in Houston from modest beginnings, He attended public schools and after graduating Harvard Law School and passing the bar, he joined the law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski. He later founded the Houston law firm of Barnes & Turner in 1983. In 1988, Sylvester was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. He served 25 years in the Texas House of Representatives and was a member of the Legislative Budget Board; Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee; Chair of the Subcommittee on General Government, Public Safety, and Criminal Justice; and a member of the House State Affairs Committee. In 2015 legislative session, Texas Monthly Magazine again named him one of Texas’ Ten Best Legislators. The magazine described Sylvester as “eloquent” and “never compromising his values” and called his desk on the House floor “a gravitational force, drawing lawmakers to him for advice and strategy.” Sylvester was able to free up funds collected but not spent for trauma care centers around the state. Houston-area hospitals, including the Level One trauma centers at Ben Taub and Memorial Hermann, stand to gain an additional $25 million in funding over the next two years. Turner also fought to prohibit retail electric providers from charging minimum usage fees. He did not win that battle but the Public Utility Commission, seeing the positive response to his proposed bill, will now allow citizens to see that information more clearly on its Power to Choose website.From 2003 to 2009, Sylvester served as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Texas House.
intown 19
DALLAS KEUCHEL
As the pitching ace of the Houston Astros staff in 2015, Dallas Keuchel had one the best years of any pitcher in Astros history. Culminating with a win over the mighty New York Yankees in this year’s Major League Baseball Playoffs, Keuchel pitched the rising Houston Astros franchise back into the postseason for the first time in ten years. Keuchel’s stellar season led him to be named the American League Cy Young winner as its best pitcher. Only National Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta of the Chicago Cubs had more wins with 22. While not overpowering with his fastball, Keuchel relies on pinpoint control and a sinker-slider combination that leaves opponents baffled as to why they cannot square up the baseballs he throws. Keuchel also won the Gold Glove award given to the best at fielding his position. A three-year letterman at the University of Arkansas, Keuchel helped the Razorbacks reach the College World Series in 2009. He was then drafted later that year by the Astros in the 7th round of the MLB draft, where he played in the minors before being called up by the big club early 2012.
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma the crafty, lanky lefty won only three games and lost 8 in his seasonal debut. After going 15 and 0 at home and ending the campaign with 20 wins and eight losses he registered two playoff wins only to come up just short against the eventual world champs, Kansas City. Keuchel has achieved his questionable superstar status and looks for a big payday when he becomes a free agent. It would be hard to part with Keuchel who even has his rooting section on days that he pitches in Minute Maid. Keuchel’s Corner was created by the Astros during this season and has been a huge draw.The Astros can only hope he wants to stay and finish what this year’s Astros have started.
JEFF LUHNOW Considered a baseball outsider only a few years ago, Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow is riding high after the Astros playoff win over the New York Yankees. Under Luhnow the Astros are reinventing how to play the game and analyze players using mounds of information. He also brought with him from St. Louis, Sig Mejdal a NASA engineer and had many other non-traditional baseball executives on his staff. Jeff Luhnow was raised in Mexico City and attended college at Penn and Northwestern business school. Luhnow performed several jobs such as an engineer, management consultant, and technology entrepreneur. Luhnow also nurtured a passion by playing fantasy baseball. Little did he know that the phone would ring, and Bill Dewitt, the owner of the St. Louis Cardinals, had decided that to remain to remain competitive his team needed a different perspective in analyzing the game and his future players. Luhnow was a consultant with Mckinsey management when he was recommended to fill this experiment in extreme “Moneyball” with the Cardinals. After being hired in 2003 by the Cardinals, he soon took over their scouting duties that indeed rankled some feathers within that organization.With the last six of seven years in the playoffs and the Cardinals having more drafted players who made it to the major league club than any team in baseball something he was doing was working. After witnessing this firsthand as a divisional opponent, in 2011, Jim Crane came calling and for three years under Luhnow they rebuilt and went 176 wins with 310 losses, but something was changing.The farm clubs that were at the bottom of their division each year were now at the top and the talent pool stockpiled. The frontline stars, shortstop Carlos Correa, named AL Rookie of The Year and pitching sensation, Lance McCullers, Jr. Using analytics has the Astros shifting defenses more than any team in baseball. After reviewing data on a free agent pitcher, he decided to take a flier on pitcher Collin McHugh. Only after the analytics showed very few people hit his curveball, but he rarely used that pitch.This type of analysis has born fruit. Despite winning no games in 2013 McHugh was one of the Astros best pitchers winning 19 games with his wicked curveball that he now uses with regularity.
intown 20
Intown’s
2015
Most Influential
JOEL OSTEEN Joel Osteen is a best-selling author, motivational speaker, television evangelist and senior pastor of his church. He regularly sells out large venues throughout the world and in Houston, he preaches to a 16,000 capacity crowd at Lakewood, his non-denominational, non-profit church located in the former home of the Houston Rockets. Despite estimates of 40,000 members, some consider the Evangelical leader to be more of a motivational speaker than a church pastor. Many evangelicals consider him the new face and future of Christianity. There is, however, no disputing his success and following in Houston and the world. While most religions are losing members, his self-proclaimed church that “teaches practical self-help” with a feel good theme is thriving. Osteen’s first book “Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living Your Full Potential’ was a blockbuster and remained on the New York Times bestseller list for over two years. His television shows aired all over the world are seen by 7 million people weekly. A college dropout, Osteen worked in his father’s Christian television and church business for 17 years. He was then forced into an uncomfortable position of taking over the business when his father died unexpectedly. The introspection that followed forced him to overcome his fears and he teaches many of the things that helped him cope with his anxieties. Before Osteen’s first sermon “I was scared to death” he says. At the time, he knew little about speaking or preparing a message. “Negative labels—the ones people place on us and the labels we place on ourselves— prevent us from reaching our potential, preaches Olsteen. His most recent book “The Power of I am” is another step in his preaching prowess of accentuating the need for positive thinking. There is little doubt that it will be his next sensation.
intown 21
TONY VALLONE In Tony Vallone’s words it is “ consistency” that has won over critics and patrons alike. This year Alison Cook claimed in The Houston Chronicle’s Top 100 Restaurants that Tony’s “is better than ever.” John Mariani of Esquire goes further in declaring “not only is Tony’s one of the best Italian restaurants in the U. S. today. “It’s one of the best restaurants period.” When Vallone opened his first restaurant on Sage Road where Macy’s now stands.Vallone states that “In those days, no one knew much about Italian food. I was the first to do seafood pasta. We had to buy our calamari from bait shops.” Today he considers his food Italian “with French mixed in.” The Vallone Restaurant Group now consists of a catering business, Ciao Bello, a Tanglewood staple and the newer Vallone’s in the energy corridor.
Vallone is a native Houstonian of Neapolitan ancestry and as most entrepreneurs did most of the work including the cooking. Now he relies on his masterfully trained chefs, but he his never far away. Many new restaurants around town will have an owner/Chef/manager that once was under Vallone’s tutelage.tutelage. He now leans on his young but veteran right-hand man and business partner, Scott Sulma to keep things running smoothly and always looking forward to a new idea or trend that keeps it fresh. Tony’s first opened in 1965 as a casual hole-in-the-wall joint. At that time Gerald Hines had a vision for an indoor mall. When Hines started to build the Galleria he helped Vallone by moving his restaurant to Post Oak Blvd. “He was very influential in what I am today,” Vallone says. “He kept telling me I could do so much more. That indeed.
intown 22
LISA FALKENBERG
Intown’s
2015
Most Influential
As a writer, Lisa Falkenberg of The Houston Chronicle is now the Lebron James of journalism. She is from the same generation, and we can expect more titles from the both of them in years to come. Falkenberg like the basketball icon did not win a title on her first try. In 2014, she was a finalist for writing's top prize, but in 2015 after her second nominated, she won a Pulitzer Prize This is the Chronicle’s first ever Pulitzer in its 114year history. Most who read her column in The Houston Chronicle know her well. Her fearless and indepth style revealed that the key testimony in a case was tainted because a witness was intimidated by the grand jury who headed by a Houston, police officer. After Falkenberg's reports, a Texas court overturned the conviction. She won the Pulitzer Prize for this commentary on the Alfred Dewayne Brown case. They are on the Chronicle’s website. Falkenberg is a sixth generation Texan and raised in Seguin, Texas. Her career in journalism started as she began writing for her high school newspaper. She later studied journalism and graduated from attended the University of Texas at Austin in 2000. While working for the Associated Press in 2004, she was named the Texas AP writer of the year. The next year, she became a state correspondent for the Houston Chronicle. She became a columnist in 2007. The Pulitzer announcement stated that Falkenberg’s "vividly-written, groundbreaking columns about grand jury abuses that led to a wrongful conviction and other egregious problems in the legal and immigration systems.” "The most important thing for any newsroom is doing journalism that makes a difference in your community, and her work as a columnist has done that, " states Nancy Barnes, Houston Chronicle Editor. As a writer, she is only the second person in Houston to win a Pulitzer. The first was Houston Post's Gene Goltz in 1965.
intown 23
The Game
Jim Crane Interview The Houston Astros are coming off their best season in a decade. After making the playoffs and beating the New York Yankees and then ultimately losing a close series to the eventual champs, there is momentum and pressure to continue to improve We caught up to the Astros brass owner Jim Crane and the general manager, Jeff Luhnow before the holidays to find out what to expect in 2016.
David Dalati: How would you rate your offseason moves so far? Particularly the trade for Ken Giles of the Philadelphia Phillies? C: We gave up some really good players, but he felt there was a void where we could strengthen our bullpen more with that and Ken. So I think it’s a great move for the team. It shows focused on winning and we want to go to the next level.
saw some of the stats that some of these long-term contracts end up hurting some teams at the back end of em, and they don’t work out. We study all that info our position is we’ve stayed away from these. They don’t really seem to pay off towards the end. I’m happy for the player to get the money, but different teams have a different strategy that’s something that hurt this team in the past. You mentioned the Carlos Lee contract, nothing against Carlos but he didn’t perform really well at the end of a big contract, so there are a lot of things there. How old the player is what his performance has been, what his makeup is. When they make those investments there thinking they want to win right away. I don’t know if their thinking in year seven what the player is going to look like.
DD: Jeff was asked about budgets and such, Can you give some clarity as to where you want this to be for the upcoming season? C: We’ve said last year “the payroll will go up, the payroll will go up” this year again we could hit 100 million, but that’s not there yet. But I think Jeff’s got some more work to do and were considering some more trades. So where we could make an addition it makes good sense. With the success, last year gives us a little more room and we’ll continue to add the funds where it makes good sense in the spots where we need em. We’re not done, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we got up over 100 million. DD: Does it concern you some of the contracts you’ve seen this offseason? C: There unusual to look at when you try to throw some of these numbers in our budget they don’t work very well. I was watching MLB network, and you
intown 24
DD: How critical is it to add to your starting rotation? C: We definitely would like to bring another good starter. I told Jeff since I’ve got here being an old pitcher there are three things in baseball pitching, pitching, pitching. You saw that in the playoffs. Again the team with the dominant pitching seemed to go a little bit further particular the Mets, had a great starting rotation. And Kansas City had a back end bullpen that was pretty much unhittable. So you want to try to recreate some of those things, but you’ve got to have balance on the team, but pitching I think is a priority for us.
Jeff Luhnow Interview DD: How much fun have you had this offseason reminiscing? Luhnow: Yea it's fun we’re at the end of the year right now. So you know the holiday parties we’ll talk about what happened last year. But it’s time to move on. I’ve sort of moved on already. I’ve been focused on next year; that’s been consuming all my efforts. We’re not done yet we still have some work to do. We feel like the team today is better that the team that was on the field the last day of the season.
DD: Jeff sorry if you’ve been asked this before, but is the starting pitcher your next order of priority? L: It depends. We’re going to look at both opportunities to acquire potentially another bat as well as another pitcher. Like AJ said, “we’re running out of spots in the bullpen”. So it’ll probably be someone that might slide into our rotation somewhere. But we’re going to look at different opportunities with some offensive players as well.
DD: You see the chances of that happening via free agency or trade or do you have a feel for it? L: I don’t know, there are still some free agents out there we have interest in. There’s still players on other teams that we would like to potentially think about acquiring as well. If that comes at the cost of trading some of our players, then that’s something that we’ve done a couple of times already, and it’s difficult to go back to that well over and over again.
intown 25
2015 RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE REPORT by David Michael Young
As we entered the year 2015, our residential real estate market was under full sail. For almost three years, homes in many areas of Houston were selling in two days to two weeks, at or above list price, with multiple offers received on the properties. As we leave this year, a little bit of that wind has come out of our sails, with most homes taking 30 days or longer to sell. For several months, open houses have attracted fewer visitors, showing activity in all areas and price ranges has slowed down, and offers are coming in at or below list price, with buyers having some negotiation power again. So what happened? First of all, what we are experiencing now is a normal market. Normalization is good. We could only run so long at the fast pace that we kept up for 2-3 years without running into a pricing bubble. This temporary slow down is healthy for our market. Second, our cyclical fall/winter slow down has kicked in. We usually slow down at the end of the summer, then pick up again from Labor Day to Thanksgiving, before a lull during the holidays, but this year that lift did not come after Labor Day. A third major factor has been the effect of lower oil prices. When oil prices went down in 2014, we did not feel much effect. Despite some job losses in the energy sector, Houston has continued to have overall job growth, as our city is much more diversified than it was in the 70s and 80s. But after a year of thinning out in energy sector employment, and the fears that this has brought to those that still have their jobs, some buyers have decided to put their home change plans on hold, at least temporarily. Fear drives markets and people want to wait and see what the new year holds. As we head into 2016, most real estate agents and economists are optimistic about the overall economy and real estate market in Houston. Those I have spoken with feel that showings and purchases will pick back up in January and February. We may not return to the hectic, competitive market for buyers that we experienced in 2013-2015, with prices appreciating in the 10-20% per year range, but we likely will continue experiencing appreciation greater than the 30 year average of 4% for the foreseeable future. Welcome back to normal, it’s good for us.
intown 26
Welcome to Normalcy
Top Ten Single Family Sales in 2015 Sales Price
Street Address
$7,140,000
2406 River Oaks Boulevard
$6,300,000
Real Estate Broker
Area
Martha Turner Sotheby’s
River Oaks
3907 Inverness
John Daugherty
River Oaks
$6,300,000
1821 River Oaks Boulevard
John Daugherty
River Oaks
$6,000,000
4000 Willowick
John Daugherty
River Oaks
$5,975,000
3980 Inverness
Martha Turner
Sotheby’s
$5,809,895
Remington Lane
John Daugherty
Shadyside
$5,752,000
11109 Beinhorn Road
John Daugherty
Memorial
$5,807,000
5807 Stubner
Remax Integrity
Spring
$5,350,000
22 Grand Colonial Drive
Keller Williams
The Woodlands
$5,275,000
16 Sunset Boulevard
John Daugherty
Shadyside
intown 27
[financial focus]
Business Succession:
Questions You Need to Ask by Patricia Green Wells Fargo Advisor
Do
you have a business succession plan? Life-changing events or retirement can bring on some tough choices. It’s not unusual for business owners to find a majority of their wealth tied up in their company. This is often a major provider for them and their families. But when the time comes to sell their businesses, many owners often have not thought about how they would replace that important chunk of income. Business succession can be an emotional, financial, and timing issue for business owners. If you own your own business and are considering a business succession plan, there are five questions you should address with your Financial Advisor. Together you will want to ensure you have a plan in place to help reduce the risks associated with one of your most important assets. What other assets have you set aside to help fund your retirement? Should you rely on your business alone to fund retirement? Just as your investments should be diversified, so should your assets. Though it may be difficult to do in a business climate, as a business owner, you should save and build your retirement savings plan away from the business to work toward your retirement goals. Have you considered whether your business is an asset you can sell? Whether or not you can find a buyer for your business depends on a variety of factors. Are there employees or partners who could continue to run the
intown 28
business after you retire? Will your business attract outside buyers? For example, companies that produce tangible goods and have positive cash flows can often be sold. On the other hand, specialty firms that rely on you and your skills alone, such as boutique consulting firms, are generally not salable. The truth is most businesses fall somewhere in between. If you were to sell your business and pay the taxes on your gains, would the proceeds be enough to last for the rest of your life? It’s important to determine if you expect a similar level of income in retirement that you now enjoy from your business. As a business owner, you likely work very hard and your dedicated efforts are an important ingredient to your business success. The investment returns from your growing business may well exceed the investment returns from a prudent investment portfolio.
You may not be able to sell your business at the precise time you wish to sell. Planning for succession in a small business should be a top priority. Begin with the objectives you want to achieve, and talk through these concerns with your Financial Advisor. Together you can build a plan, then work on getting the capital and the agreements in place to transition your business when the time is right or when life events require succession in your business. This article was written by/for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Patricia B. Green,CFP®, Financial Advisor, SVP, in Houston at 713-403-7331. Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE Accounts carried by First Clearing, LLC, Member NYSE/SIPC. 1115-03481 [94322-v1]
In the long run, however, the income derived from your valuable work ethic simply may not be replaceable. Business owners are often optimists by nature, and they take risks to grow their business. The risk of putting all your eggs in one basket may not work as well, however, when it comes time to build an investment portfolio. What happens if you cannot be involved in running your business? Stories abound about business owners who are struck down by illness, death or disability, leaving business partners and spouses to figure out what comes next. If more than one partner or shareholder is involved in your business, it is important to have a buy-sell agreement in place. A buy-sell is a written agreement between two or more owners of a business. If a triggering event occurs, one or more owners will have the right or obligation to buy the business interest from the owner who is obligated to sell. Triggering events often include the death, divorce, or disability of a partner or shareholder. The agreement may establish a funding mechanism to facilitate the purchase of an owner’s interest in such cases. Do you have a plan in place that will allow you to retire regardless of a sale? intown 29