Lakes On Eldridge

january + february 2024

Traveling to Fredricksburg to Find a Hidden Gem

LAKES ON ELDRIDGE

January + February 2024 | LOE | 1

| sale pending 12310 Ballina Canyon Lane

sold sold sold 12023 Laguna Terrace Drive

12203 Cabo Blanco Court

5518 Chase Harbor Drive

sold sold sold leased 12014 Indigo Cove Lane

5938 Solar Point Lane

looking to make a move?

12206 Pebble Meadows Lane

5630 Ballina Canyon Lane

We'd love the opportunity to talk with you about your options. As long time residents of Lakes on Eldridge North, we have intimate knowledge of our communities and a proven track record of selling our neighborhoods, as well as all over Greater Houston.

For all homes we list for sale in LOE, LOEN, & Twin Lakes, a complimentary staging consultation with a professional stager is included. With historically low inventory in our communities, now is an excellent time to consider putting your home on the market.

HINTON HOME TEAM 832.795.2246 2 | LOE | January + February 2024

MICHELLE HINTON BROKER ASSOCIATE ABR, CIPS, CLHMS GRI, CRS, MCNE, SRS

KRISTI AGEE REALTOR GRI, CIPS CLHMS, RENE

HINTONHOMETEAM.COM January + February 2024 | LOE | 3

LOE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LAKES ON ELDRIDGE

jan + feb 2024 The Lakes Group Magazines Lakes On Eldridge, Lakes On Eldridge North, and Twin Lakes Magazines are published bi-monthly by sns media and mailed to above neighborhood residents vis USPS

ON THE COVER

Important Numbers Harris County sheriff (Non-Emergency)........713.221.6000 Cy Fair Fire Department........................ 281.466.6161 Poison Control.................................... 1.800.764.7661 Texas DPS................................................ 713.681.1761 TexasPride Disposal................................281.342.8178 (trash collection Mondays and Thursday Recycle pick up on Mondays)

TNG MUD 370.....................................281.350.0895 Harris County Tax Office........................713.224.1919 Centerpoint Energy................................ 713.207.7777 Infinity Cable........................................... 713.341.1000 Houston Chronicle...................................713.220.7211 Metro Transit Info...................................713.635.4000 Kirk Elementary...................................... 713.849.8250 Truitt Middle School................................ 281.856.1100 Cy-Ridge High School..........................281.807.8000 CY-Fall High Schoo............................... 281.856.1000

6

Publisher’s Letter

8

Arts & Events

12

Visit to Fredericksburg

14

LOEN Publisher ( sns media) 713.525.8607

Buzz

Deadline for advertising is the 15th of the month preceding the publication date. Submissions are subject to space limitations and editorial approval. Email to intownmagazine@gmail .com for inquiries and submissions.

PUBLISHER

M. A. Haines

LOE Board of Directors 2022/2023 Bill Rainbolt.........................................President Jim Wynn.....................................Vice President David Holsinger.................................Secretary Julie Applegate...................................Treasurer Alphine Freeman....................Director at Large Visit the Association Website www.Lakeson eldridge.nabrnetwork.com LOEN Lakes on Eldridge North is part of THE Lakes Group of Publications that includes LOEN, LOE and Twin Lakes 4 | LOE | January + February 2024

EDITOR

Lisa June CONTRIBUTORS

Lindsay Mowad William Hanover Marene Gustin Evans Attwell Philip Berquist Minnie Payne Virginia Billeaud Anderson

PRODUCTION

Web Design CSS Art & Design Layout & Graphic Design CSS Art & Design Graphic Designer Cris Bell Photographer Wells Brown

LOEN magazine is published bi-monthly by SNS Media. Articles are welcome and will be given careful consideration for possible publication. Intown magazine does not assume any responsibility for unsolicited materials. Materials submitted will be returned if accompanied by a stamped, selfaddressed envelope to 1980 Post Oak Blvd Ste. 100 Houston, TX 77056. You can also e-mail intownmagazine@gmail.com. Copyright 2023 by Intown magazine. All rights reserved. Content may not be reprinted or reproduced without permission from Intown magazine.

January + February 2024 | LOE | 5

L I V E I T O UT

in a space you’ll enjoy day after day for years to come.

In Houston, a covered patio is the new must-have. We custom design and build them for your space to include elements like

Publisher’s Letter

fire features for gathering and room for entertaining, escaping, and unwinding.

New Year, New Ideas

E

ach New Year’s Edition since 2009, when Beyonce first grazed our cover, Intown has selected just one Houston standout for our Person of the Year. Our original award and every Year since is the Person of The Year edition made famous by Time Magazine in 1927. That Year, aviator Charles Lindberg flew the first transatlantic flight, which was the Man of The Year. Not until 1999 did they change it to Person of the Year and have focused on only one. This Year, as in every Year, as we try to improve and keep the attention of readers, we decided to change it up by adding an s to the tile for Persons of the Year and covering three notable Houstonians and a special nod to a fourth: an exceptional hard-working health care worker Danny Burleson who provides comfort and quality services during trying times for families and patients.

We have learned over the 30 years of publishing that people want to read about people. It’s also important not to be complacent and assume you do not need to evolve your product. We have several new ideas and projects to add in 2024. In our first attempt to kick off the new Year in 2024, we have selected three Houstonians who have had an enormous impact in 2023 and beyond.

Following our first pick of Beyonce, we have had tributes to the late Peter Marzio in the arts, JJ Watt as a remarkable athlete, and Jim Allison, a unique cancer researcher, doctor, and Nobel prize winner, to name just a few.

T QUO

GU

AR

6 | LOE | January + February 2024

EE

AC

TE

I’m hoping in 2024 to learn to appreciate the tunnels and newly reconfigured Memorial Park. Watching so much being done with a park I thought was already perfect was hard. I’m hoping all the new culling of trees and landscaping that is more ‘”environmentally” sound and constructed to serve future generations comes to fruition.

TCPOutdoor.com 281.265.1994

EX

For most of us, the New Year means a new commitment to fitness; if you are like me, going to a gym or running can be tedious. Enter Pickleball. The craze only requires tennis courts with retrofitted nets and smaller court sizes. Pickleball has created a simple and effective way for young older sporting enthusiasts to get regular fitness, exercise, and all the social aspects.

ANT

January + February 2024 | LOE | 7

Arts +

EVENTS

Artupdate houston published every two weeks by houstonintown. For updates and more go to houstonintown.com and sign up for free updates.

Sharks! The Meg, The Monsters, & The Myths

Eagles - The Long Goodbye MUSEUMS Asia Society Texas Center Tsherin Sherpa: Spirits Ongoing Through Jan 7

Rafael Domenech and Tomas Vu: Heat Silhouette Ongoing through June 2 ‘24

This Way: A Houston Group Show

Ongoing through Mar 24

Holocaust Museum Houston The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection Opens Jan 12 through June 23

Museum Of Fine Arts Houston Robert Frank and Todd Webb: Across America, 1955

Menil Collection The Iconic Portrait Strand by Nestor Topchy

Ongoing through Jan 7

HanneDarboven-Writing Time

Rembrandt to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the Armand Hammer Collection

Ongoing through Feb 11

Chryssa & New York

Kehinde Wiley: An Archaeology of Silence

Wall Drawing Series: Marc Bauer

Ongoing through Jan 21

Ongoing through May 27

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Six Scenes from Our Future

Ongoing through Mar 17

Ongoing through Jan 21

Ongoing through Mar 10 Ongoing through Summer 24

Janet Sobel: All-Over

Feb 23 through Aug 11

Houston Museum Of Natural Science Permanent Exhibits Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. Hall Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals Everyday Faberge Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife Frensley/Graham Hall of African Wildlife Hall Of Ancient Egypt Hamman Hall Of Texas Coastal Ecology 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 Special Exhibitions Sharks! The Meg, The Monsters, & The Myths

King Tut’s Tomb Discovery Experience MUSIC & DANCE Toyota Center Eagles - The Long Goodbye Feb 16

Houston Symphony See the classical music column THEATER A.D. PLAYERS Steel Magnolias

Broadway Across America The Hobby Center Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Jan 2 through 7

Les Miserables

Jan 23 through 28

STAGES REPERTORY THEATER Sister’s Irish Catechism: Saints, Snakes ...

Jan 26 through March 17

Laughter in Spanish

Feb 16 through March 17

Jan 24 through Feb 18

ALLEY THEATRE Pictures From Home

The Ensemble Theater The Piano Lesson Jan 26 through Feb 25

Jan 19 through Feb 11

Theatre Under the Stars On Your Feet The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan Jan 30 through Feb 11

SPORTS Houston Rockets Toyota Center Jan 1 3 5 6 20 21 24 29 31 Feb 12 23 25

Detroit New jersey Minnesota Milwaukee Utah Boston Portland LA Lakers New Orleans New York Phoenix OK City

Houston Rockets leading scorer Alperen Sengun

UPTOWN PARK FARMERS MARKET

1st & 3rd Sundays 11am - 3pm

Uptown Park Blvd URBAN HARVEST FARMERS MARKET

Saturdays

8am - noon

2752 Buffalo Speedway

MEMBER FDIC

Get the best of both worlds with online banking, mobile banking, 1,700+ ATMs and a banker who answers the phone when you call.

Visit us at 9651 Katy Freeway, Suite 100 or call (713) 388-7436.

(713) 623-6321

(713) 832-1399

January + February 2024 | LOE | 9

I

2320 Blue Bonnet Blvd | Rice Museum District List Price $3,800,000 | MLS# 65586217

Enjoy luxury living in this extraordinary home. An architectural masterpiece with 2-story guest house, sauna, lofts and much more.

Stacy Brown | Texas Preferred Properties | 832-707-1496

Houston All In On Pickleball

t’s the New Year and many have decided to make their health a priority. Well, if you haven’t already heard, pickleball is the latest fitness sensation. Houston is catching on in a big way with many courts being built and others simply retrofitted from existing tennis courts. The courts is a bit smaller and the net shorter also. This means maybe a bit less running but strenuous and challenging for all ages. It is easy to learn and play with different skill levels as well. It’s a great way to stay active, socialize, and obviously have a lot of fun due to the staggering amount of new participants.

Pickleball reportedly began in the 1960s, but only in the last two years has it exploded in popularity. In 2022 there were already 4.8 million players, but that number has doubled to 8.9 in 2023 according to the Sports and Fitness Industry AssociationzA. The sport is popular with children and adults alike, and people can play the sport into their 70s, 80s, 90s and who knows.

While it’s usually played on a reconfigured tennis court many municipal recreation centers, and gyms. Health clubs and private country clubs are also adding pickleball to their roster.

Pro athletes and celebrities have hopped on the bandwagon, too, with pickleball investments coming from the likes of NFL player Drew Brees and NBA star LeBron James. There’s also Major League Pickleball for aspiring pros.

The private Houstonian Club jumped into the booming pickleball business by reportedly investing $6.2 million in a pickleball complex with eight courts. Half will be covered and there will be an amphitheater that seats 300. There will also be a retail store for premium equipment.

Photo 90131367 | Ball © Robert Hills | Dreamstime.com

They broke ground in September and should be open for play in the spring of 2024.

The City of Houston Parks & Recreation Department not to be out done offers Pickleball play at a number of indoor and outdoor courts across the city.

Indoor courts are available for open play at designated Community Centers. Please check the list below for Open Play locations, days, and times.

Outdoor Courts are located in neighborhood parks. Access to these courts is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please check the list below for locations.

Here are a few close-in options to join in on the fun: 1901 Sunset, 77005 (Shared Courts, On Tennis Courts) 1300 Seamist, 77008 (Dedicated Courts, Adjacent to Tennis Courts) 4100 Memorial Dr, 77007 (Shared Courts, On Tennis Courts) 1475 W. Gray St, 77019 (Shared Courts, On Tennis Courts) Cora & RL Johnson, 9801 Tanner St, 77041 (Shared

Courts, On Tennis Courts) For more go to www.houstontx.gov/parks/pickleballcourts

4722 Waring St | Afton Oaks

List Price $2,650,000 | MLS# 20619739

A truly unrivaled masterpiece built in 2006 and entirely modernized in 2023 with uncompromising quality and style. This amazing home boasts 6 spacious bedrooms, 5/2 baths, open living areas with soaring ceiling, an extraordinary island kitchen and amazing family gameroom with adjacent children’s playroom. The spacious backyard features a sparkling saltwater pool and spa and large covered patio.

David M Young | Compass | 713-320-6453

3035 Willowbend Rd | Montgomery

4705 Pine St Pine Circle Estates

11502 Royal Plain Ave | Royal Oaks Courtyard Villas

2105 Maroneal | Rice Museum District

A waterfront home in Walden on Lake Conroe with 5 bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths, a pool, & a covered boat slip is a fantastic property.

Walden is a community located on the shores of Lake Conroe in Texas, known for its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.

Beverly Smith | Coldwell Banker Realty | 713-569-2113

Magnificent Modern home extensively remodeled offering guest quarters with private entrance off the 3-Car Garage. Positioned on an oversized cul-de-sac lot in the City of Bellaire, zoned to award-winning schools.

Genevieve Rowland | Keller Williams | 281-904-7014

Modern Mediterranean 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home in gated Royal Oaks Courtyard Villas. LEED certified home offers state of the art smart home entertainment, lighting, AC & security features. Huge master suite upstairs and large first floor bedroom with outdoor access makes for comfortable guest or multi-generational family accommodations.

David M Young | Compass | 713-320-6453

This French Regency home is a sanctuary for those who appreciate the blend of history, art, and architectural brilliance. Pool, cabana, elevator, library, wine room. A must see.

Stacy Brown | Texas Preferred Properties | 832-707-1496

List Price $950,000 | MLS# 56073011

10 | LOE | January + February 2024

List Price $1,299,900 | MLS# 15295716

List Price $950,000 | MLS# 20619739

List Price $2,099,000 | MLS# 53961718

January + February 2024 | LOE | 11

A Weekend in Fredericksburg: By the Honorable Philip Berquist

R

Honorary Consul for the Republic of Croatia for Texas

ecently, the Croatian Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Pjer Šimunović made a return trip to Texas to help commemorate the opening of the Holocaust Garden of Hope in Kingwood. An article on this will appear in a future edition of Intown Magazine.

The Ambassador has been to Texas numerous times in his six years in Washington but had never been to the Hill Country.

My wife, Lisa Powell, and I picked him up in Austin and drove to Fredricksburg for a couple of days prior to the Kingwood event.

I am confident that most readers know of the amazing growth of Fredericksburg involving the wine industry with vineyards galore, wine tastings, dinners, etc. Just as there are new vineyards each time we visit Fredericksburg, there are new hotels popping up in an attempt to handle the ever growing number of tourists and visitors. New restaurants are also appearing and we found one absolute gem this trip.

Jack’s Chop House, 505 W. Main Street, opened in mid 2023 and it is the complete dining experience. The building used to be a bakery and has been transformed into a classic New York / Chicago style eatery. Believe me, the modest appearance from the street belies what you will experience upon entering.

Jack’s has a top notch bar. We went on a Friday night, an hour earlier than our reservation of 7:00pm assuming we could wait for our table with a cocktail at the bar. Not so that night as there would be no open seats at the bar for the entire evening. Of course there are stuffed heads of gigantic Texas deer and elk, already adorned with holiday lights, but, for us, the walls filled with pictures of mafiaso and Sinatra characters really set the mood. At our corner table there was a huge photo of Pope John Paul II as a young Polish priest, with a faint smile as on the opposite wall were photos of Al Capone, various 12 | LOE | January + February 2024

A wonderful new restaurant find mobsters along with Sinatra’s infamous “Rat Pack” and photos of JFK and Jackie, Jimmy Hoffa, Tony “Pro” Provanzano, and other famous “Capo’s” along with a huge photo at the bar of Marilyn Monroe. You get the idea.

The coup d’grace, however, was the recording music being played. All Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and others of the 1940’s and 50’s along with a charming variety of music with Sicilian and Gypsy influences. From 8-10:00pm, the recorded music stopped and was replaced by a very talented wandering duo of violin and bass viol playing requests table to table.

It is now time to discuss the incredible steaks offered with alternate dishes. Appetizers include “Parmesan Crusted Bone Marrow” served with grilled focaccia, “Burrata & Salmoriglio” which we had, along with fried calamari and shrimp cocktail among others. There is a nightly “chef ’s Chophouse Special,” which on our visit was a tempting grilled 12 ounce veal chop. They encourage dishes that can be shared such as the 40 ounce porterhouse, a 30 ounce bone-in tomahawk ribeye. The Ambassador and I settled on the 16 ounce ribeye, his medium, mine charred rare. Lisa had a salad and some of my steak. The meat is served to each customer on two plates, the plate on the bottom for handling and the plate with the ribeye so intensely hot that the steak juices were sizzling for several minutes. They also served carrots on the side along with an entire roasted head of garlic! Jack’s offers to slice the steaks to make sharing easier but we asked for ours unsliced and they were superb. By the way, steaks are dry-aged at the restaurant.

The sides likewise were ample and delicious. We had the creamed spinach, hand-cut fries and spaghetti with pomodoro sauce.

If one prefers not to have beef, they offer garlic shrimp scampi, shrimp paisano and fresh Atlantic salmon and a 16 ounce pork tomahawk, chicken parmigaiana and chicken scallops. There must have been desert but that would have been impossible after such a meal!

Wines were reasonably priced by the glass and bottle. Yes, they served a delicious vodka martini that passed my high standards with flying colors.

After dinner, we met the owner, Greg Ball, from New York City. His goal was to replicate his favorite steak houses and atmospheres. Believe me, he succeeded. General Manager, Cristy Maguddayo and her husband, the Executive Chef, Evan Wintermantel, run Jack’s seamlessly.

Trust me, Jack’s Chop House is not to be missed when you visit Fredericksburg. We are very much looking forward to returning.

January + February 2024 | LOE | 13

Jeff and Kathryn Smith

Mike Holloman, Jenny Block, Tripp Carter, and Robin Brown

Chree Boydstun, Shafik Rifaat and Shelby Hodge

L

Schmooze2024

Jani Lopez and Jim Sikorski

egacy Community Health’s 2023 Holiday SCHMOOZE, was hosted by Gerry Heard and Tylor Hearn in their River Oaks home. It was an extraordinary display of community spirit and philanthropy, raising over $142,000 for for The Jackson Hicks Endowed Fund for the Awareness, Prevention, and Treatment of HIV/AIDS.

Richard Werner and Tony Bravo

Chris and Brandy Laakso

Kashay and Steve Crawford

Bobby Hilliard, Colby Hilliard and Greg Fown

Deb Rockman and Shannon Hall Rebekah and Hao Le, Naveen Pinglay and Lynn Nazareth

Bobby Dees, Hallie Vanderhider and Fadi Armanious

Milton Townsend, Ceron,

| January Mafrige Jr. and Heidi Vaughan 14 |Don LOE + February 2024

Jael Greene, Kristen and Eric Howard, Hani Barazi and Serene Wafai, Todd Greene

Gerry Heard, Chree Boydstun and Tylor Hearn

January + February 2024 | LOE | 15

STEVE HARDCASTLE Contact Your

LAKES ON ELDRIDGE NEIGHBOR

To Get the Very Best Price for Your Home in 77041 SALES over the last 25 year period.

Top 1% of all U.S. Realtors (in Career Sales)

• RE/MAX Hall of Fame, Lifetime Achievement Award & Circles of Legends International Awards • Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor (10 Years in a Row) • Brokers License, BBA, Relocation Expert, Over 38 Years of Full time Real Estate Experience • Long Time Lakes on Eldridge Resident (24 years) • Impressive, Guaranteed Advertising & Marketing Plan • Always Personal Service from Steve (No Team) • Mention This Ad for a Free Home Warranty & Other Special Incentives Direct Cell

16 | LOE | January + February 2024

713-678-0509 Email: stevehardcastle@remax.net Website: www.stevehardcastle.com