Bridgeland/Blackhorse Ranch

Sarah Moreno

Despite Life’s Challenges, Cypress Nurse Builds Precious Moments for Family and Community

By Patricia Hudson

Sometimes in life, you meet that rare individual that impresses you with their kindness, caring manner, and love for their fellow man. Despite life’s curveballs, she faces each day with infectious joie de vivre, carrying others along in her journey. Meet Sarah Moreno and her husband Carlos.

It was the church that brought Sarah and Carlos together. They met in 1994. Carlos’ dad preached the Spanish service; Sarah’s dad led the English service. “We were the first ones in church, the last ones to leave,” recalls Sarah. “I became quick friends with Carlos and his six siblings. We enjoyed many summers, family trips and fun outings.”

Theirs was a sweet and tender romance, fostered through their years spent together. “Our parents are lucky we did not elope the day I turned 18! We decided six days before our wedding that we could no longer live apart. We met with our pastor and gathered our best friends and immediate family for an intimate gathering. We were married in 2002,” shares Sarah.

Carlos attended the University of North Texas and Rice University. Sarah studied at Houston Baptist University before being awarded her degree from the University of St Thomas in 2015. Sarah is proud to have th e distinction of being the first female in her family to graduate college. “I wanted a holistic nursing degree where mind, body and spirit were treated,” she explains. Sarah attended Lone Star College where she served as President of the Honor Society. Through her leadership, UST’s Nursing Student Association was founded, and scholarships for other moms attending college were established.

Bent on caring for their family, Carlos and Sarah are not afraid of hard work. Carlos is a Project Coordinator for

Jack Henry Card Processing Solutions. His newest business enterprise is BIG Texas Foam, a party for all ages, using a hypoallergenic foam solution which requires no clean up. “Carlos also serves weekly at Calvary Chapel West Houston with music and conducts weekly Bible studies at a local Cypress nursing home,” comments Sarah.

Sarah has served as a hospice nurse with Vantage Hospice and Palliative Care for more than four years. “I am a travel nurse and served as a COVID nurse for two years.” Sarah’s business enterprises extend to Marketing for Adventure Kids Playcare, and creating online graphics and ads through Sarah’s Custom Ads. She is enthusiastic about her newest endeavor. “Currently, we are unveiling my new, improved all-inclusive event planning company, Sarah’s Custom Events,” shares Sarah. “Our goals are to create laughter, foster memories

(From left) Ana Hernandez, Michael, Sarah, Carlos, and Christopher Moreno

and spread happiness in our community. Carlos and the boys are the backbone of our businesses. Together, we can ensure success of our events.” What is the biggest challenge of being a nurse, wife, mother and business entrepreneur? “Finding time to sleep and take care of myself. We pour our hearts into our business and wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The decision to become a health professional was rooted in a family emergency. “I started in the medical field after watching the Cy-Fair Fire Department EMS save my son’s life. I took my double stroller and registered for EMT classes. I served on the Mobile ICU Ambulance at Washington County EMS and on a 911 truck for the CyFair Fire Department before pursuing my nursing degree. I’ve been a nurse since 2015 at MD Anderson, Memorial Hermann, UTMB, Minnesota and Hawaii.” Ironically, it was an encounter with Covid that led to a battle for Sarah’s life. “I caught COVID after performing CPR for over an hour on one of my patients. The fight of my life quickly ensued and the ICU Doc told my hubby to tell me goodbye. Through God’s grace, sheer determination and my sister, Dr. Claudia Klein overseeing my care, I was able to beat COVID. Many months of recovery and learning to walk again was tough. We give all of the glory to God. The COVID patient on whom I had performed CPR lived, too!”

The Morenos have two sons: Christopher and Michael. “Christopher is 21 and in college studying pre-med. He is the face of Big Texas Foam; he supervises and manages our crews. Christopher enjoys working out and is always up for fun, last minute travel adventures,” relates Sarah.

The Moreno family learned the art of pasta making while vacationing in Europe this summer. Ercoli restaurant in Trastevere, Italy

(From left) Carlos, Michael, Christopher, and Sarah Moreno in Alyeska, Alaska

“Michael is 19 and is engaged to sweet Ana. We are planning a 2023 wedding! Michael works on the Geek Squad at Best Buy; Ana is a law assistant. Both Mikey and Ana help out with many of our events.”

In this busy life they have chosen for themselves, we asked Sarah what holds her family together. “As a family, we lean on each other and on God. We have a wonderful church family and a very large amazing family to lean on. We grew up on modest inner-city minister family salaries. Aside from budget Mexico and Central America trips, none of us have ever been able to travel abroad. During the boys’ college summer break and before Michael’s wedding, we recently toured Europe as a family. We soaked in every single moment, enjoyed God’s beauty and built precious memories together.”

If you know of an exceptional Greater Fairfield, Bridgeland/Blackhorse Ranch, Towne Lake, Coles Crossing, or Cypress Creek Lakes individual or family that needs to be featured in an upcoming issue of PinPointe Magazine, please contact me at: texasteacher024@outlook.com.

Sarah with Mother-in-Law Maria Moreno

Finding Community and Support With MOMS Club

by Liz Arrington

Recently I’ve seen and heard from a lot of local moms who are looking for some very important things for their children. Community. Support. Friends! This need for connection is an experience that each generation of new mothers face- and one of the most common things I talk about with the moms I see every day.

I sat down with Karen Bastian, president of MOMS Club of NW Houston, to talk about this need and how she found her community in MOMS Club.

I’m not sure a lot of moms in our area know that groups like this exist! Can you give us a little background?

MOMS Club stands for Moms Offering Moms Support. It was founded in 1983 by an at-home mother in California, as a way to connect with other at-home mothers and organize activities for moms and kids to participate in together.

The mission of MOMS Club is simply getting support from other moms. To have a place to meet, build new friendships, get support and help when needed- all with the kids included. Each chapter is boundary based, so you don’t have to go far for playdates and activities, and the kids get to grow up together!

How did you first find MOMSclub and what initially made you want to get involved?

A friend told me about it when we were moving from South Carolina to Philadelphia for my husband’s job. We didn’t know anyone, and I was desperate to feel connected and make new friendships for me and my son. What I didn’t expect were the fun playdates and activities in the area that we never would’ve known about otherwise! When we found out we were moving to Cypress, I immediately looked up the local chapter here and joined! Since then I have added two more children to my family, and MOMS Club has been there for me through it all!

What are some of the benefits of being a member of an organized group like MOMS Club versus just parenting in the wild?

There are so many! One major benefit is it’s not all up to you. Every month, we fill the calendar with new and fun activities and playdates. Everything we do includes our children, with the exception of a monthly Moms Night Out (which is so important too). Aside from the activities, the support is the other huge benefit. To be able to discuss any issues you may be having with your children, to ask for advice, to know that many of us have experienced the same thing. I have personally received so much support over the years in different stages and challenges of my life as a mom, knowing that I have the support of that community is the best gift ever! Do you have any advice for new moms out there who might be looking for community, or are interested in getting involved in a group like MOMSclub?

Don’t hesitate and wait. Don’t worry that you won’t be accepted. Don’t worry that your kid is too “fill in the blank” for you to join. Everyone is welcome, and we are all moms! We get it! Odds are someone else in the group has experienced or dealt with the same things you might be dealing with, whether that be parenting related, relationally, mentally, etc. Send an email to momclubfnw@gmail.com and let us know you’re interested and we will be happy to connect with you!.

Thank you for your time, Karen!

Liz Arrington and Karen Bastian are mom friends and neighbors in Cypress.

Liz Arrington combines her background as a professional children’s therapist with her love of music to provide early childhood music and movement classes to families of Cypress. Outdoor, Weekday, and Saturday classes available. See more at songfulbeginnings.com

Cypress

HAPPENINGS

2023 Shop ‘til You Drop Marketplace

Saturday, September 9, 2023 • 9am-5pm

The Berry Center, 8877 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress, Texas. 2023 Shop ‘til You Drop Marketplace

Annual fundraiser for Scholarships and nonprofits in our community. 300+ booths & 250+ vendors. Free parking and free admission. No strollers, wagons, rolling carts. cy-fair-womens-club.portalbuzz.com

“Bet” Against Child Abuse Poker Tournament

Saturday, September 9, 2023

18224 KZ Rd. • Cypress, TX 77433

Wine tasting, delicious food and more! Buy your table at www.familytiesfrs.org/casino-night. Family Ties, Family Resource Services is a children’s and family crisis center providing services to address child abuse issues.

2023 Tunnel to Towers 5k Run & Walk

Saturday, September 9, 2023 • 7am-4pm

John Paul Landing Park, Environmental Education Center

9950 Katy Hockley Rd. • Cypress, TX 77433

Join the Greater Houston Community as we come together to NEVER FORGET those we lost on September 11th, 2001, our first responders and military who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and our heroes who continue to make extraordinary sacrifices in the line of duty every day! runsignup.com/Race/TX/Cypress/TunneltoTowers5KRunWalkCypressTX

34th Annual BBQ Cook-Off

HLS&R Houston Metro Go Texan Committee/Cy-Fair Subcommittee

September 29, 2023 • Noon-10pm, September 30, 2023 • 8am-8pm

The Parking Lot • 850 US 290 Business • Hempstead, TX 77445

Vendor Booths, Live DJ, Live & Silent Auction. For info contact Christy McCarthy at 832-381-4080 or metrogotexancookoff@gmail.com

Fairfield Family Night Out

Sunday, October 1, 2023 • 4-7pm

Fairfield Central Park • 15015 Heath Green Circle • Cypress, TX

Bounce Houses, Live DJ, Food Trucks, Face Painting, Games, Fire Truck

Cy-Fest 2023

Saturday, October 7, 2023 • 10am-2pm

Lone Star College-CyFair • 9191 Barker Cypress Rd • Cypress, TX

Cy-Fest, a free family-friendly community celebration for all ages, returns with a pumpkin patch, arts and crafts, book mobile, bounce houses and food trucks, just to name a few. www.lonestar.edu/cy-fest

5th Annual A Taste of Cy-Fair

Saturday, October 7, 2023 • 5-8pm (4pm VIP Entry)

Lakeland Village Center • 10615 Fry Rd. • Cypress, TX 77433

Loads of food, wine, beer, music, a silent auction, and festivities! Proceeds will be donated to Cy-Hope to help local families and residents in need. Purchase tickets at: atasteofcyfair.com

Cy-Fair Fire Fest

Saturday, October 7, 2023 • 10am-2pm

Cy-Fair Station 11 • 18132 West Rd. • Cypress, TX

Join us for a fun-filled day for the family with live demonstrations, Kidz Zone, Smoke House, Local Vendors, Food Trucks, and more!

Canine Corner

By Patricia Hudson and Sophia Hudson, the Rescue Yorkiepoo

Meet our friend Rocco. Rocco has been at the Abandoned Animal Rescue shelter for 587 days. That’s most of his life! (Estimated DOB: 6/16/21). Rocco is a great dog. He went to training because the stressful life of the shelter was beginning to get to him. He's back at AAR and is patiently waiting. He loves to play! He loves the water! He loves balls! He loves all of the volunteers! He loves people! He's a fun and friendly 46-pound dog that deserves his very own loving family, a warm bed and a nice home with a yard. Won’t you please share and help us find Rocco his home? It's his turn!! If you are interested in learning more about Rocco, please send an email to dogadoptteam@aartexas.org.

Salt & Sugar Gastro Bar Brings

Upscale Dining to Cy-Fair

Story & Photos by Metta Archilla-Ishida

Owners Lini Correa and Martin Garcia had a dream and a vision. That vision is now an upscale reality located at 16010 West Road, Houston, TX, 77095. Salt & Sugar Gastro Bar is a compilation of classy lines, craft food, and contagiously delicious cocktails. "We are an international restaurant with a great influence in Italian and French cuisine, live entertainment and the best cocktails in town."

Lini and Martin grew up in their native country of Columbia; Lini has lived in the Cypress area for over 10 years. While this is not Martin’s first business enterprise, it is their beloved flagship. In time, they have plans to replicate this eatery throughout Houston and surrounding areas.

The Best of Cy-Fair

PLACES T O

What I’m most excited about this newly sculpted eatery are the Chefs: Executive Chef Osman Moya and his Sous Chef and Leamsi Granadilla. One can describe this dynamic duo of lifetime friends as two peas in a pod. Executive Chef Moya packs an impressive culinary track record with over 22 combined

years in the industry with his formal training from the Venezuela Culinary Institute to Florida, and now they’ve landed in our humble Cypress community. While Moya and Granadilla share an expert eye in culinary presentation and elevated flavor design, their passion is truly in crafting big flavor essence from natural local ingredients.

This high-end little gem in the middle of an older established neighborhood is the perfect people temperature for Chef, and he adds, “I bring my Sous Chef with me always, we’ve been together since grade school, and I trust him in the kitchen. His nickname is ‘Chickie,’ like the little bird.” This drew a fond laugh from Moya. What’s most impressive in my honest opinion, is that Chef Moya dropped out of high school and spent his time doing nothing for nearly a year. He was watching Gourmet TV when a commercial for the Venezuela Culinary Institute flashed across the screen. A lightbulb flashed on and he ran to tell his parents that THIS was what he was going to do, that he was going to be a Chef. His parents made him promise to finish his culinary training. Chef not only finished, but that light bulb has burned brightly every second since. Moya finished his culinary training before looping back around to finish his high school diploma. He’s been commanding and orchestrating mainstream kitchens ever since.

When I asked Chef if he could do anything else in the world, what would that be, and Chef replied with conviction, “A Chef, every single time.”

Go and check them out folks, and welcome the Salt & Sugar team to the neighborhood. Kaylynn, a phenomenal staff waitress, recommends the Angus Tenderloin, it’s her personal favorite. But to explore their food and craft cocktail menu of offerings is to take a journey into the realm of sophistication, without having to drive into downtown Houston. Full Menu: saltandsugarhtx.com.

Metta Archilla-Ishida is a contributing PinPointe Magazine writer and founder of Metta's Local Eats FB group. On Metta’s Fork is a local Mom and Pop commercial kitchen that brings a touch of Southern comfort dinners incorporating fresh local ingredients to your table. The creator of “Mah Pahs” (a savory spin on a crusted pie) with local favorites such as the Sausage or lem-Chicken Mah Pah topped with a loaded smashed potato. But what steals the show are her ANYTIME Quiches from a Pulled Pork and Potato Hash, to Garden Vegetable and Feta, and all between. The Quiche menu rotates weekly as do their hearty Stews and Soups. This is family mealtime at its finest where all you do is heat and eat. On Metta’s Fork can be located on Facebook and services the Cypress and surrounding areas. Or you can reach out to Metta Archilla directly via her Facebook social media page. #onmettasfork

Cy-Fair Helping Hands’ Back to School Bash Sizzles with Success

By Patricia Hudson

Despite the soaring temperatures, Cy-Fair Helping Hands’ 2nd Annual Back to School Bash was an absolute success, drawing a crowd estimated at more than 1,500. Organized for CFISD students with limited financial resources, the event had two major purposes: to provide age-appropriate backpacks filled with school supplies to students in need, and to kick off the school year with an exciting carnival inspired event filled with fun games and activities for the students and their families.

“This amazing event would not have been possible without the generous donations of backpacks and school supplies, funds, food and services from the community. Our Cy-Fair Helping Hands’ Back to School Bash Committee spent countless hours planning and implementing this monumental project for our CFHH clients and CFISD students in need,” smiles Cy-Fair Helping Hands’ Executive Director, Janet Ryan.

Cy-Fair Helping Hands' Back to School Bash Committee, L to R: Janet Grau, Laura Cox, Terry Gladstone, Celeste Smith, Cheryl Shepherd, Deb Fisher, Pat Hudson. Photo Credit: Daniel Arizpe/Cy-Fair Helping Hands

Photo Credit: Daniel Arizpe/ Cy-Fair Helping Hands

Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson

Photo Credit: Daniel Arizpe/ Cy-Fair Helping Hands

Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson

Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson

Cy-Ranch High School Hosts Round Up 2023

Cypress Ranch High School kicked off the school year with its Annual Round Up, a community back to school event featuring a school carnival hosted by Cypress Ranch athletes, school organizations and community businesses. Round Up visitors had an opportunity to meet the athletes, try their hand at games of skill, and join in on the first pep rally of the year.

Story and Photos by Patricia Hudson

CYPRESS SCHOOL NEWS

Source: CFISD News Media

CFISD Graduates Join the Major Leagues

Colton Cowser Called Up To the Majors

The Baltimore Orioles promoted outfielder Colton Cowser to the major leagues Wednesday.

A Cy-Ranch graduate, he 23-year-old Cowser was batting .330 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs for Triple-A Norfolk this year. He was the fifth pick in the 2021 amateur draft.

“I don’t think it’s really, truly hit me yet,” Cowser said after joining the Orioles at Yankee Stadium.

With his parents smiling in the stands, Cowser made his big league debut against New York, starting in left field and batting seventh. He laced a line drive up the middle his first time up that was caught by Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe.

“It was awesome. A cool ballpark, kind of soaked it in and once I did that, I took a moment and then was like, all right, let’s go,” Cowser said after his team’s 6-3 win. “Honestly, I was more nervous the wait before the game. Once I got through my daily schedule, I was like, same game, just go out and play.”

Cowser got his first hit with an RBI single in the sixth inning off reliever Nick Ramirez that trimmed Baltimore’s deficit to 2-1.

Cowser scored the go-ahead run when fellow rookie Jordan Westburg followed with a two-run triple, sending the secondplace Orioles to just their second victory in eight games.

Former Cy-Woods Baseball Standouts 2023 MLB Draft

Cypress Woods High School 2019 graduate Justin Wishkoski and 2023 graduate Ethan Farris were both selected during the third day of the 2023 Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft.

Wishkoski was selected in the 16th round by the San Francisco Giants. The Sam Houston State third baseman was the 480th overall selection in the draft and among 20 picks made by the Giants.

Farris was selected in the 18th round by the Detroit Tigers. Also a standout third baseman, Farris was the 530th overall selection and among nine 2023 high school graduates in Detroit’s 20-member draft class.

Wishkoski attended Howard College for the 2021 season, helping lead the Hawks to the Western Junior College Athletic Conference championship and earning all-conference honors. He transferred to Sam Houston State, earning all-Western Athletic Conference honors in 2022 at first base.

As a junior third baseman in 2023, Wishkoski hit .332 with 64 runs scored, 11 home runs, 54 runs batted in and a team-high 16 stolen bases. He earned a second consecutive allconference accolade.

Farris helped lead Cypress Woods to the UIL Baseball State Tournament for the first time in program history, a No. 1 state ranking to end the regular season and two national top-10 rankings.

He was voted unanimously as the District 16-6A Most Valuable Player, was named the Houston Chronicle’s All-Greater

Houston Hitter of the Year and made the first-ever Texas High School Coaches Association Class 6A Baseball Super Elite Team as t he Slugger of the Year. Farris, who signed with Texas State University in November, hit .477 with 11 doubles, 10 home runs, 47 runs batted in and 42 runs scored.

Colton Cowser

Ethan Farris

Justin Wishkoski