3 February | March 2017
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Contents ON THE COVER: The Criddle Family Photo Credit: Happy Camper Photography
Serving the Community of Towne Lake
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Towne Lake Couple is Doubly Blessed
14 Best of Cy-Fair: 2 Guys 1 Pit BBQ
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Cypress Happenings
16 Runway to Everyday
10 Farmer’s Markets
19 Parenting Pep Talk
11 Canine Corner
20 Cypress School News
12 What to Do in the Garden After a Frost or Freeze
22 The Chef’s Bag Opening in Copperfield
13 Covid-19 Pfizer Vaccine Experience “A Breeze”
22 9 Tips to Age-Proof Your Resume and Get Interviews
Towne Lake Couple is Doubly Blessed
PINPOINTE RESIDENT PROFILE
Story by Patricia Hudson Photos by Happy Camper Photography
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hen Jonathan and Crystal Criddle met, they never expected to have their life filled with the joys and excitement, trials and tribulations of having not one, but two sets of twins. Complications aside, they have made the most of their life together with levity, a positive attitude, and faith. A native Houstonian and an avowed proud Texan, Johnathan grew up in the Copperfield area, where he attended Langham Creek High School. The youngest of six, Crystal grew up in Bedford, New Hampshire. “I lost my mother to breast cancer when I was 11. This was a defining moment in my life that directly led to many of the choices that I have made and who I am today. I believe that she would be proud in who I have become and grown up to be,” shares Crystal. Offered employment in either Houston or Boston, Jonathan explains, “We chose Houston as the better place for us to plant our roots and raise our family.” 6 March | April 2021
Left to right: Alton, Benson, Jonathan, Sadie Mae, Crystal, and Ashlyn
Romance always seems to find you when you are not looking for it. “We met at our library at Brigham Young University; I didn’t want to date anyone at the time, so we decided we could be friends and hang out and avoid all the relationship drama,” recalls Johnathan. “That lasted about a week and we changed our minds and wanted to date.” “He asked me on a date to indoor mini golf. Funny story; when I was growing up, my brother Shane called me “Little Criddle” because when I was really little I struggled to pronounce my name.. so I would say ‘Criddle’ instead of ‘Crystal’.. When I went back to Bedford, I told my brother that I went on a date with a guy named Criddle! He laughed so hard and was like ‘Little Criddle, you’re probably going to marry this guy!’ He was right,” grins Crystal. Within six months, the couple became engaged and married six months later. They will be married 15 years in December. Jonathan is a senior manager of a tax technology consulting group for Deloitte Tax. He explains,
“We focus on the technology tools available to support tax practices and give them the flexibility to focus on tax strategy and planning.” Crystal is thankful that she is able to be a full time stay-at-home mom. “Being a mom of two sets of twins is a challenge and is definitely a full-time job,” she admits. “Alton and Ashlyn are 8-year-old 2nd graders at Rennell Elementary. Alton is a genuine kid and wears his emotions on his sleeve. He loves books, legos, going to school, (his favorite place in the world), and reading any map he can get his hands on. He was excited to start taking piano lessons this year, states Crystal. “During the quarantine, Alton has discovered quite the talent with puzzles. Alton is on the autism spectrum. He describes himself as having ‘a million dollar smile,’ and says that ‘Autism is my super power.’” Crystal comments, “Ashlyn is never found without a book in her hands, and frequently bumps into walls and objects walking while reading. She just finished the first two Harry Potter books, loves all things fairy tales, princesses, unicorns, and mermaids. Ashlyn loves math and being creative writing stories, making crafts, and any kind of artwork.” “I am a master crafter,” contributes Ashlyn. She is also learning piano.
“Feeding difficulties and sudden weight loss required hospital trips/stays and a feeding tube for about six months. In feeding therapy for over a year, she continues struggling to some degree. Her fighting spirit shows how she was able to overcome those challenges because don’t ever tell this girl what she cannot do. Our motto for her when she was younger was ‘though she be but little, she is fierce.’” Sadie attends Cornerstone United Methodist Preschool, knows and writes all of her letters and is enjoying taking dance. She LOVES unicorns. Benson, 4, is “…the cutest kid in the entire world. That is a lucky thing because he’s had his own fair share of
speech difficulties. Not being able to fully express himself has not slowed him down at all,” observes Crystal. “Benson loves everything to do with construction, from the pickup trucks to work trucks to ladders to sounds. Every loose toy he finds around the house gets incorporated into his pretend house building in the playroom. You can often find Benson
Four-year- old Sadie Mae had a rough start in life. Jonathan explains,
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with his nose plastered to the window, watching the builders at work at the new construction next door. He also makes sure to watch and wave to the garbage men every time they come by to collect. Benson faces some difficulty with flexibility in his legs. His natural position is on his tippy toes at all time and physical therapy and full-time braces, (AFOs), are slowly helping his adjustments. He will soon begin serial casting for additional support. Benson attends the special needs pre-k program at Rennell Elementary.” Families with multiple sets of twins are certain to face challenges. “Every one of our children has had somewhat serious
medical considerations that have needed extra support. Couple that with every child having a partner who also needs to eat, sleep, be entertained, and have attention at the same time as their twin. There was no “Don’t worry, dear, you go ahead and sleep, I’ll take care of the baby this time”. It was ‘all hands-on deck’ at all times,” remembers Johnathan. ”When we first had twins, people remarked how difficult it must be. Then God laughed and gave us another set of twins when we already had twin toddlers…!” “For our own sanity, we had to have a set schedule when the twins were babies. If we didn’t stick to it, we would be way over our heads! People always commented that we were pretty strict with our twins but I replied ‘I can’t have one baby awake and the other asleep!’ Baby struggles are fading, but now come new challenges of having to be in all sorts of places all at the same time all day long! Right now, I spend so much time in some form of carline dropping and picking up kids,” laments Crystal. “One thing Jon and I know how to do is laugh. I am a worrier. I stress over everything! This is where we balance each other out. Jon calms me down and we’ve decided that it’s better to laugh than cry. We also lean into our faith. We attend The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, explains Crystal. “I help her see the levity in life and she reminds me when we need to be serious. We are very balanced in that way. The difficult times also usually lead to the best stories to share in the future,” adds Johnathan. For Jon and Crystal, relaxation is a luxury, coming usually after the kids are all in bed. Crystal turns to exercise to relieve stress. “Pre kids, I was a crazy marathon runner, and have been slowly trying to incorporate it back into my life. I really enjoy cooking and baking. I love going to the beach!” Jon is an avid problem solver. “I enjoy finding a solution to challenges. I like cooperative board games where a group has to work together to plan and find the right solution. Pre-COVID I really enjoyed escape rooms for a similar mechanic. Alton and Ashlyn have started learning how to cook and bake. Anyone interested in some cookies? My quarantine-15 can only take so many cookies,” quips Johnathan.
8 March | April 2021
If you know of an exceptional Greater Fairfield, Towne Lake, Bridgeland/Blackhorse Ranch, or Cypress Creek Lakes individual or family that needs to be featured in an upcoming issue of PinPointe Magazine, please contact me: texasteacher024@outlook.com.
Cypress
HAPPENINGS
For more upcoming Cy-Fair events, visit: www.bestofcyfair.com
14th Annual Cy-Fair Home & Outdoor Living Show & 13th Annual Remodelers Council Charity Garage Sale Saturday, March 27, 2021 • 9am-6pm Sunday, March 28, 2021 • 10am-5pm Berry Center • 8877 Barker Cypress Rd. • Cypress, TX 77433 Spend Time with Cy-Fair Home & Garden Show’s Home Improvement Experts and More Time ENJOYING Your Home! The 13th Annual Remodelers Council Charity Garage Sale will feature excess inventory donated by members of the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) as well as donations made by Remodelers Council suppliers and local businesses. Deep discounts on flooring, tile and granite, windows, doors, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, trim material, cabinets, a variety of sinks and more. Arrive early to get the best selection. www.CyFairHomeandGarden.com
Lone Star College and Harris County Are Helping GET YOU BACK TO WORK FREE training for in-demand careers for those impacted by COVID-19. TIME IS LIMITED! Lonestar.edu/CE
Cypress Gems Present Class of 2021 23 young women in the senior class of the Cypress Gems Chapter of National Charity League, Inc. were recognized for their outstanding philanthropic service. At a formal event held at the Norris Conference Center on February 21, 2021, the Cypress Gems graduating class of 2021 were presented by their families and honored for their contributions to their chapter and their community. National Charity League is a mother-daughter service organization committed to fostering the mother-daughter relationship through community service, leadership development, and cultural experiences. Alongside their mothers, the 2021 class performed over 4,715.75 hours of community service. Their work has benefitted multiple non-profit organizations. The Cypress Gems chapter formed in 2014 and is comprised of girls attending Cypress Fairbanks, Cypress Ranch, Cypress Woods, and Bridgeland High Schools. The Class of 2021 Cypress Gems Ticktockers as pictured are: Bottom Row: Sara Bothe, Shelby Westfall, Anya Mohammed, Julia Weissinger, Madeline Nichols Second Row: Lindsey Campbell, Madeline van Staveren, Alyssa Linton, Julia Theriot, Bella Griffin, Sarah Costigan, Lauren Knight Third Row: Gillian Scott, Rachel Martin, Ainsley Engelking, Kadien Janson, Emma Herold, Tatum Wilson Top Row: Kailey Hatter, Madison Smith, Kara Lucas, Natalie Mason, Meghan Lee
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Farmer’s Markets Provide a Breath of Fresh Air for Shoppers Story and Photos by Patricia Hudson Searching for the freshest produce, the butcher’s best cuts, the hottest sauces, or maybe even the newest beauty products in your area? If you are longing to leave the confines of your home, a weekend stroll through your local farmer’s market might be just what the doctor ordered. Bridgeland Farmers Market (2nd & 4th Sundays) • 12:30-3:30pm 10519 Fry Rd. • Cypress, TX 77433 Boardwalk @ Towne Lake Farmers Market (3rd Sat) • 12:30-3:30pm 9945 Barker Cypress Rd. • Cypress, TX 77433 Fairfield Farmers Market (Starting in Feb 3rd Sundays) • 11am-3pm 15103 Mason Rd, Cypress, TX 77433 The Jersey Village Farmers Market (1st & 3rd Sundays) • 12-3pm Jersey Village Civic Center Parking Lot 16327 Lakeview Dr. This family-friendly event features locally grown food and handmade merchandise. Tomball Farmers Market (Saturdays) • 9am-1pm A year-round weekly North Houston Farmers Market, with over 60 local vendors featuring farmers, producers, bakers, artisans and more. Located in historic Downtown Tomball, TX TFM provides a
10 March | April 2021
diverse, fun, pet friendly, family outdoor shopping experience. Visit www.tomballfarmersmarket.org • (832) 422-5669 Focusing on Fresh Produce The Farm to Kitchen Collective is a co-op/ CSA hybrid that has brought locally grown, fresh vegetables to multiple locations across Cypress, Tomball and Northwest Houston for nearly six years. Locally owned and operated, the Farm to Kitchen Collective offers a ‘farm share’ each week on Wednesdays. With multiple memberships available, the Farm to Kitchen has options to fit into busy lifestyles. Visit www.FarmtoKitchenCollective.com for additional information.
Canine Corner Photo by Patricia Hudson
By Patricia Hudson and Sophia Hudson, the Rescue Yorkiepoo
S
usan Glass, mom’s friend, went to Petco for supplies and brought home her new best Photo by Patricia Hudson buddy, Bugsy! That’s how we learned about Loving Arms Pet Placement and Clarice, this stunning black beauty! Brought in as a stray from the Brazoria County Shelter in Angleton, Clarice is a Shiba Inu mix. Weighing in at 40 pounds, she is described as a medium activity level gal. This sweet girl is up to date on her shots, has been spayed and microchipped. Her foster says that she would most likely be best as an only dog, but would be ok with kids. If you are searching for a loyal companion, sweet and interactive dog to fill your life with love, please consider giving Clarice a home!
Loving Arms Pet Placement is a 501 (c) (3) foster-based dog, cat, puppy and kitten rescue, based primarily in Cypress and Copperfield. Out of town and out of state placements can also be arranged. “The rescue assists individuals who find animals on the street, and works with local shelters, including BARC, Brazoria County, Bay City, and Alvin. We place approximately 150 animals per year,” shares founder and foster, Joanne Smith. LAPP visitations every Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Petco FM 1960 at Eldridge. www.lovingarmspetplacement.com adoptions@lovingarmsplacement.com
Clarice CYPRESS MAGAZINES
A Special Note: I have a new three-month old baby sister! Maggie May is a lively yellow lab puppy that doesn’t seem to have an “off switch.” She follows me everywhere, constantly wants to play, and is driving me crazy! Hopefully, those puppy classes will help her learn some manners. It’s not so quiet around home, anymore!
Photo by Sean Hudson
Maggie May
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What to Do in the Garden After a Frost or Freeze By Brandi Keller Harris County Master Gardener Program Coordinator
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rost and freeze damage may appear immediately or show up weeks later. When it does, many of us are left wondering if our plants can be salvaged. First and foremost, do not prune them. It’s not clear if all cold weather has passed, and pruning will encourage new growth and make the plant even more susceptible to frost and freeze damage. Instead, give yourself time to assess the damage. Here are a few things to watch for during the recovery period:
Tropical plants that appear dead may come back from the ground or develop new growth from the stems. Once spring arrives, you can prune all dead material above the new growth. Woody plants are resilient. Plants that had buds or new growth before a freeze are usually healthy and can survive a freeze. They will usually flush out another set of leaves on their own. The buds of flowering plants and trees may sustain damage during icy weather, so expect smaller flower or fruit yields.
Photo by Jenny Charity
12 March | April 2021
Prune dead palm f ro n d s i n t h e spring. Although dead, dry plant material should be left until spring, remove soft or mushy leaves and stems immediately to reduce the risk of disease. If you cannot tell what is dead, then leave it for a few weeks. For more information, check out Care of FreezeDamaged Plants by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle provides services and educational programs to the constituents of Precinct 4. This article was posted on the Harris County Precinct 4 website: www.hcp4.net
Photo by Janet McLeod
By Patricia Hudson front of me numbered no more than a dozen, with personnel distributing clipboards holding a brief consent form. (Prior to the visit, basic information was submitted requiring recipients only to show proof of completion, further speeding up the process).
A
ccording to the Harris County Public Health Department, there have been 343,573 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Houston/Harris county, and 3,235 deaths, as of February 23, 2021. While the number of deaths appear to be decreasing, for those of us in the 65 and older age range, and for those with pre-existing health conditions, the reality is that we are the most susceptible to contracting the virus. As someone identified as an “Essential Worker,” and with a history of breast cancer, the decision was simple; when the opportunity presented itself, I would receive the vaccine. My appointment for the Covid-19 Vaccine Dose #1 was scheduled via email: February 10, 2021. The location, approximately a 45-minute drive from my home, was at the UT Cooley Health Center. After hearing the horror stories of people waiting 3 hours in line, I was pleasantly surprised to find ample parking in a self-pay surface lot, with directional signs clearly marking the path to the vaccine site. The line in
My appointment was for 11 a.m., but as they were ahead of schedule, my first vaccine was administered early. Truthfully, I didn’t even feel it! After a 15-minute wait to check for a possible reaction, I was on my way out the door. For the next few days, I experienced some arm and shoulder pain, but as it dissipated, no other reactions manifested. I will receive Vaccine Dose #2 on Sunday, March 7, 2021; what a pleasant realization that I won’t have to fight the Houston traffic. Side effects of the second dosage may include headaches, dizziness, nausea, body aches and weakness. This is totally an individual result, as a recipient of 24 developed a number of these symptoms, a woman in her mid-70’s reported that flu-like symptoms lasted only a few days. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is reported to have a 52% efficacy after the first dose, and a 95% efficacy after the second. Covid-19 vaccines help our bodies develop immunity to the virus that causes Covid-19 without us having to get the illness. The vaccine leaves the body with a supply of “memory” T-lymphocytes, as well as B-lymphocytes that will remember how to fight the virus in the future. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC).
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2 GUYS 1 PIT BBQ
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The Best of Cy-Fair P L AC E S TO E AT Story by Patricia Hudson Photos by Metta Marie Archilla
ake a ride down Spring Cypress a bit, chances are, you are headed to one of the most popular barbeque joints in Harris County: 2 Guys 1 Pit. Family owned and operated, Richard Rodriguez, together with his son-in-law, Christopher Clarabut, have established a reputation for doing Que well, and treating their customers right. “There’s a story behind our restaurant,” says Ashley Clarabut, “my brother Cody asked our parents to cater his wedding. Dad enlisted Christopher to help. On the way home afterwards, Chris commented, ‘If we did this full-time, we could have charged to cater!’ We started a side business, catering primarily weddings, in 2016. (Weddings account for 90% of their catering business today). Three years later, we opened the restaurant. I named the business. I was thinking that there were 2 guys, 1 pit; why not name it that? I asked jokingly. Next thing I knew, they submitted the name to the state,” grins Ashley wryly. Truly a family business, Dad Richard is the Pitmaster, Christopher runs the restaurant, Mom Michelle is in charge of catering, and Ashley handles marketing and social media. At a recent meeting of friends from Metta’s Local Eats, we were discussing the merits of great barbeque restaurants. It was no surprise that 2 Guys 1 Pit came up immediately. “They are welcoming as soon as you walk through the front door; all the staff greets you The Criswich
#1 Best Seller Brisket
with a smile, and are friendly and cheerful, which says a lot about their management/ownership,” shares Lisa Johnson. Metta Archilla, is quick to name her “go-to” choice. “The Chriswich is monumental and not for the slightly hungry; this a layered masterpiece of mixed pitsmoked brisket, 2G1P creamy dreamy white cheddar mac-n-cheese, the perfect crunch from a heaping pile of BBQ chips, and all between two locally sourced sweet sourdough buns with the usual trimmings, and choice of side! It is ALL that and a bag of chips. Once tried it becomes true!” “My favorite is the brisket watermelon salad, baby spinach with an amazing bacon vinaigrette, feta cheese, cool watermelon, and chopped brisket,” comments Keri Holloway. “The feta and watermelon pair perfectly; the juicy smoke ring brisket brings it together in a happy marriage.” Nancy Eugenio sings the praises of “… the absolutely amazing beef rib! Juicy, drippy and perfectly seasoned,
14 March | April 2021
it is a massive piece of meat that can easily feed two. Even my dogs enjoy the gnawing on that big ole bone. All their sides are amazing. My favorite is the sweet potato casserole, which they will bring back in the fall.” “I adore the loaded baked potato. A steamy, oversized spud stuffed with the usual suspects and topped with a generous portion of meat... what’s not to love? I prefer mine with moist brisket, perfectly seasoned, smoky goodness that melts in your mouth,” contributes Vannessa Henley. Committed to giving back to the community, it is not unusual to find multiple fundraisers and charity events going on at the same time. During the recent winter freeze and despite a loss of power, Chris, Richard, and two employees doggedly remained open for the community and provided free meals for first responders and local hospitals. Between the pandemic and the freeze, running a successful barbeque restaurant has been challenging.
Loaded Baked Potato
Nevertheless, this hardworking family has a loyal Cypress following that craves their top sellers: brisket, pork ribs and burnt ends, as well as their outstanding sides. “It is important that we put the same quality into our sides as we do our meats,” states Ashley. What does the future hold for 2 Guys 1 Pit? “We will be expanding!”
2 Guys 1 Pit BBQ 11711 Spring Cypress Road Tomball, TX 77377 832.559.3923 bbq@2guys1pitbbq.com Days/Hours: Sunday – Thursday 11 am – 8 pm Friday – Saturday 11 am – 9 pm (Or until SOLD OUT)
For more restaurant reviews visit: www.bestofcyfair.com.
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R U N W AY T O E V E R Y D AY. How to we a r t h e n ewe st t re n d s f ro m N YFW. BY ALLISON OKUNEYE For those of you who may not know, February is the beginning of all things fashion in major cities across the globe.
We are going to take a look at what is hot off of the runway and see how you can apply those trends to your everyday wardrobe.
Don’t forget, trends are just that, so add them to your wardrobe or ignore them completely and stay within your comfort zone!
**But it doesn’t hurt to add a little spice here and there so keep that in mind!
TREND #1 FRINGE
This trend is no problem for Texans!! Most of us already own multiple fringed items so we are already on trend! Try to find ways to incorporate your fringe items into your everyday looks! Don’t pack up your fringe jacket/boots after the Rodeo Season...it is time to keep them in the wardrobe rotation! Don’t have any fringe?
Look for a statement piece like a jacket, or sweater that you can get use out of year after year and compliments the items that are already in your closet.
TREND #2 MIXING PRINTS
This is an easy trend to do because you most likely don’t need to buy anything new. You already own items that just need to be reimagined. This can be a tricky trend to pull off, so bear with me.
An easy mixed print look to pull off is using any black and white print (stripes/spots/zebra) and pairing with a bright colorful print.
Whether it is a floral, or a dizzy color explosion print, it will mix nicely with the contrast of the black and white.
16 March | April 2021
CLOSING THOUGHTS & FEELS
After the year that we have had it may seem silly to write about fashion or to even think about what to wear.
TREND #3 80s ALL OUT FASHION
After coming off of a year where we spent most of our time indoors (well...some of us) the fashion gurus are betting that when we do go out....we want to be as big and as glamorous as the 80s were.
Whether it is the corner bar, or a date night, one thing we ALL can do is DRESS IT UP!
This year has been devastating to so many families in our community for many different reasons. While a lot of what is happening around us can make us feel out of control, I truly believe that getting up, getting dressed, and throwing on some lipstick is one thing we can control.
Is a trendy outfit going to fix everything? Absolutely not.
Can it give you a moment of confidence and sense of control during your day, definitely!!
Let’s normalize getting fancy again!
There is NEVER an occasion where we can be overdressed, so keep that in mind for your next girls night, date night, or happy hour!
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18 March | April 2021
by Liz Arrington spend a lot of time with parents, especially moms. Most often, the ideas I have for my articles for Pinpointe magazine come from the conversations I have with my own friends, parents I work with in my music classes, what I observe in various different mom groups and influencers on social media. I look for patterns and consistency in the memes we share, the questions we ask each other. The fears, concerns, and successes that we share with each other online and, less often these days, on playgrounds. These conversations and social media trends are a valuable barometer for what is going on in our community, and a reflection of our culture.
I
Let me tell you what I’m hearing and seeing right nowwe are exhausted. Conflicted. Trying to make decisions about schooling, social interactions, extra curricular activities. We are trying to balance the health and safety of our families and community against the needs for our own sanity and well-being. We are trying to work, provide for the growth of our children, plan for the future, maintain relationships with friends and family, and make room for our own physical and mental health needs. It’s really a lot. We’ve been carrying this load for nearly a YEAR. This current stage of confusion and overwhelm is different than what we collectively experienced last spring. I almost have to laugh at my early attempts to maintain “normalcy” in the early days of quarantine. So many craft projects, so many “schedules”, so much screen time. I was so worried about the unknowns, trying to redefine my own parenting style, reevaluate my priorities and values. I have had countless conversations with other parents who have been growing through this process along with me.
As we have moved through the months, making adjustments as we go, I am picking up on a renewed sense of “we got this”. We may be overwhelmed, tired, conflicted, unable to plan more than a month into the future. But we are living this life. We have become more flexible, more understanding, more open to embrace the uncertainty and celebrate small victories. Our kids are learning, they’re growing, developing amazing new talents and skills. They are funny, and smart, and even when it seems like they aren’t listening, they are watching. I am so encouraged by the parents that I interact with out here in the world. You are enough, you have taught your kids so many important life skills by simply making it through this past year. I am seeing more and more messages of hope for the future, confidence in our own abilities, and faith in our community to lift up and support each other through yet another year. May we be the encouragement and inner voice that tells our children that they are valuable, powerful, and deserving of every opportunity they dare to dream of. This is reflected in the ways that we speak to each other, how we participate and engage in social media and online interactions, the messages we give our children about the world and our role in it. We have the opportunity to keep moving ahead in a positive and uplifting way in spite of ongoing tension and uncertainty. Our children really are watching. Keep it up parents, you got this! Liz Arrington combines her background in working with children and families with her love of music, to provide early childhood music and movement classes to the families of Cypress. Online music classes also available. See more at www.songfulbeginnings.com. PinPointe Magazine
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CYPRESS SCHOOL NEWS Source: CFISD News Media CFISD Student-Athletes Earn Academic All-District Recognition More than 175 CFISD fall student-athletes qualified for the Academic All-District 16-6A and 17-6A team tennis teams, released in February. All 12 high school programs were represented by the 178 students who earned the academic all-district recognition. Those who earned the honor finished the 2020 season in good standing and earned a composite weighted grade-point average of 5.5 or higher for all classes for the two identified six weeks that make up the majority of their regular season.
Fairfield Elementary School Suffers Water Damage Due to Freezing Temperatures, Broken Pipes By Patricia Hudson
Swenke Elementary School sustained flooding in two-thirds of the school building when pipes burst due to the hard freeze. Water Remediation crews were enlisted to remove several inches of water as they repaired, cleaned, and sanitized the building, and replaced carpet. Swenke teachers were relocated to the Berry Center, while all students transitioned to virtual learning. Plans to reopen Swenke were set for February 28, 2021. Laura Royer, a Swenke parent, shared her thoughts regarding the difficulty of the virtual learning platform for the school’s educators. “All I can think about is our teachers. They are sitting at a table, wearing a mask, talking over a microphone, trying to get 20+ students to ‘click here, turn on your camera, mute, unmute’... it’s SO MUCH. Teaching and learning has changed drastically, and it’s a mess. So thankful for the teachers willing to do whatever it takes, because it is HARD.”
20 March | April 2021
“Academic excellence is something we talk about within our department,” said Kirk Eaton, CFISD associate director of athletics. “Our coaches work hard to support their student-athletes and push them to succeed in the classroom. You can see that reflected in the 178 tennis players that qualified for academic all-district.” The following student-athletes were among those recognized: BRIDGELAND Tennis Lindsay Payne Megan Brady Tarun Manoharan Alison Chen Emma Eads Abbey Faggard Lauren Green Aditya Makthala Ethan Payne Abigail Porter Divya Tulluri Lucas White Rohit Jha Kaushik Sundararaman Avinash Vadivelu Girls’ Cross Country Ariel Braley Arianna Elder Morgan Watson Emily Ellis Mackenlie Gunn Brooke Hensley Cassidy Graham Elisa Grillo Caitlin Hoyt Madeleine Wilson Eliana Lake Athena Reyna Boys’ Cross Country Alan Bonner Noah Willows Alexander Chambliss
Donovan Connor David Graham Nathan Reeves Reid Smith Nathan Turman Edward Berning Jorge Cantu Ethan Conville Kaleb Funderburk Enrique Gonzales Jacob Grosch Thomas Hughes Everett Owens William Smith Ryan Wilbanks Venkata Yalamanchili Volleyball Kennedy Kays Olivia Waggoner Brooke Adams Jocelyn Escoffery Mallorie Garner Dominique Griffin Karrington Kays Emily Marks Emily Adams Jessica Frannea Bella Griffin Gabriella Ortiz Danica Reynolds Izzy Serralde Sydni Strong Emerson Sykes Kylie Wojciechowski
CYPRESS RANCH Tennis Arpen Grewal Diego Maldonado Brooke Borman Anshul Kumar Alexis Nguyen Bani Sandhu Abby Guillaume Nathan Hill Anushk Miyapuram Sohphie Ritter Keith Seafous Manvir Singh Vinayak Belavadi Grant Curington Mikayla Flippin Corinne Francois Jackson Rehl Keegan Smith Darcy Thompson Girls’ Cross Country Emily Burk Emma Elsbury Alejandra Mezano Sarah Mulholland Anna Demeritt Leah Demeritt Mikayla Hill Olivia Shaw Ava Tobar Alexis Burk
Boys’ Cross Country Diego Conner Thierry Garcon Raafay Muhammad Adam Garcia Alex Brown Andres Herrera Michael Moreno Jack Newton Joshua Osho Noah Tan Volleyball Taryn Gilreath Tya Lynch Bianna Muoneke McKenna Boudreaux Kailee Gims Lourdess King Ariana Lopez Bailey Woodward Asha Barton Sydney Clark Karlee Eaton Elyssa Escobar Taylor Ford Kailey Friedrich Emma Kelly Ava Martinolli Bridgette Nelson Tyler Shannon Madeline Villarreal Jadin Williams
Salyards Eighth Grade Student Wins Third MS Spelling Bee Title Salyards Middle School eighth grade student, Shawn Ray, correctly spelled the word beguile in the 27th round of the Middle School Spelling Bee on February 9 at the Berry Center to clinch the championship for the third consecutive year. Ray will compete in the Houston Public Media Spelling Bee, scheduled to be held virtually on March 9. Shawn Ray
Sixteen CFISD Art Students Earn 2021 Rodeo Art Awards CFISD’s winners in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) School Art Program were announced after going through two district rounds of judging. A total of 16 winners were selected from the High School, Middle School and Elementary divisions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of the 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, student artwork will not be displayed at the Hayloft Gallery, but will still be auctioned in May. Cypress Ranch High School junior Tracy Vu’s artwork “Grass Buffett,” earned a gold medal in the High School division of the HLSR Art Program.
“Grass Buffet” by Tracy Vu
The district used two rounds of judging for the fourth consecutive year. CFISD art teachers narrowed the more than 400 pieces down to the top 214 for the second round of judging. A total of 58 pieces were selected out of the 214 to be judged by HLSR School Art Program judges.
CFISD Football Players Qualify for 2020 Academic All-District Teams More than 380 CFISD football players and student-athletes qualified for the Academic All-District 16-6A and 17-6A football teams, released earlier this month. Those who earned the honor finished the 2020 season in good standing and earned a composite weighted grade point average of 5.5 or higher for all classes for the two identified six weeks that make up the majority of their regular season. The following senior academic all-district athletes were among those recognized: BRIDGELAND Brayden Amacker Kamren Amao Ethan Anderson Marshall Barstow Jett Booker Luke Brooks Dylan Crippen Bryce Dowling Landen Dugas Cooper Farri Gage Geaslin Dylan Goffney Connor Gower Roderick Gray Jack Grier Ethan Hajdik Mason Hartman Atrevion Hunter Garrett Hurley Mine Imarah Gavin Kaspar Kade Krause Pete Lembke Colby Long Bryce McMorris Charles Moore Conner Motsinger Kai Parker Josh Perry Christian Phillips Alex Schillaci Jaryn Sims
Logan Stallone Tyler Stott Gavin Venus Hunter Wallis Zach Wilkinson CY-RANCH Jaylen Bess Kye Blanchard Cooper Carson Blane Channel DJ Ciers Jaxson Crawford Roderick Edwards Kenneth Ellis Ruben Fernandez Joshua Fourie Christian Frank Everett Frank Zachary Gibson Andrew Hebel Cameren Hunley Wester Jensen Justin Jones Xavier Martinez Robin Neely Landen Nowak Benjamin Postma Brandon Ramirez Nicklaus Thompson Robert Watson Xavier Watson
PinPointe Magazine
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The Chef’s Bag Opening in Copperfield
AROUND
Cypress
By Patricia Hudson
“All Local All the Time”
K
evin Mason, owner and Executive Chef of Mason's Creative Catering, was born and raised in Houston. He lived in New Orleans for ten years, working with other talented chefs to marry the “big bold Texas style cooking to New Orleans flavor and spice.” Finding a commercial kitchen was a matter of necessity. Mason, together with other local chefs and bakers, needed a space for their culinary endeavors. Following a chance meeting with fellow chef Philippa “PJ” Jenkins, The Chef’s Kitchen was born. Mason,
products will be displayed and sold, a one stop shop for all your local favorites,” comments Chef Kevin.
together with business partners, PJ, of Office Party Houston, and JBistro Style Chef Services owner, Jennifer Burnett, formed ChefsUnitedHTX LLC two years ago, at 17527 Huffmeister Road A, Cypress TX 77429. “The concept for The Chef’s Bag came from our desire to build on the success of The Chef's Kitchen. Not only did we want to give small local businesses a commercial kitchen in which to produce their goods, but we wanted to give them a place to showcase and sell these products,” explains Mason. While Farmer’s Markets are one resource for small businesses, weighing the application process, once weekly opportunities, shortness of staff and lack of means to cover multiple markets weekly, convinced ChefsUnitedHTX LLC to seek out another solution. “We wanted to offer the same experience as a Farmer’s Market, but five days a week, for an extended time frame. The Chef’s Bag is a market where only local 22 March | April 2021
The Chef’s Bag held its Grand Opening on Saturday, February 6, 2021. An array of enticing sauces, spices, rubs, popcorn, cracklins, and bakery goods from more than a dozen local businesses currently fill the shelves, cooler and freezer space. Chef Jennifer expects their new business enterprise to take off.
The Chef’s Bag Chef's United HTX, LLC 7510 Cherry Park Dr. • Ste. G • Houston, TX 77095 832-427-6189 • chefsunitedhtx@gmail.com Days/Hours of Operation:Wednesday - Friday: 10a.m. - 6p.m. Saturday & Sunday: Noon - 6p.m.
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Tips to Age-Proof Your Resume and Get Interviews By Deanna Poehlman
Author and Former Career Transition Coach
De-aging your résumé. Although it is against the law to discriminate against a protected age group (over 50), it is unfortunately still practiced. Keep in mind, the résumé’s only purpose is to advertise for an interview. When we gain the interview, we will win them over with our value, confidence, and relevance. Here are some ways your résumé may make you look older:
1. Including a middle initial or your middle name. Or, displaying your complete address, just include the city and state. Leaving off your complete address is not only recommended simply for your safety but also the potential of economic profiling
2. Including more contact numbers than your mobile number. If you are uncomfortable placing your cell number, then obtain a Google Voice number as your mobile number. It can be set-up so that it will ring on multiple phones and can be configured to transcribe the message, which can then be emailed and/or texted to you 3. Using an email address that is either Hotmail, aol.com, or has a reference to a cable company. Obtain a Gmail email address with your name or a forwarded email address from an alumni association or a professional society or association
4. Including the year you graduated college. Let’s leave that off. In some cases, it may be before the hiring manager was born. If you are, however, a recent graduate, then certainly include the year
5. Double-spacing after a period. I’ll be honest; I had to go back through this article and delete a couple of extra spaces! It is a sure give-away we are “Over 50” when displayed throughout your résumé. Seventy-five percent of all online applications will never be seen by human eyes thanks to the hiring bots, which are software programs known as an applicant tracking system (ATS). They can be programmed to look for double-spacing after a period 6. Including an objective statement. An objective statement is all about you and what you want, not
typically what value you bring to an organization. It reminds me of a quote from Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, who said, “We don’t hire you because you need a job; we hire you because we need you.”
7. If you can help it, try not to go back more than 10-15 years of professional experience. Most certainly, do not list the jobs you held back in the 80s or 90s. If you find that your past experiences, or significant achievements, bring tremendous value to the targeted position you are applying for, I would recommend you summarize “additional experience” and leave off the pertinent dates associated with those experiences. One exception would be if you served in the military. Frame your service on your résumé, not the tenure. (i.e., served in the U.S Army for four years (not from 1980-1984)
8. Don’t list skills like M.S. Word, PowerPoint, or Excel. It makes it look as if you’ve just gotten on board with those programs. The fact that you know how to use Microsoft Office is no longer noteworthy (unless your role requires advanced excel skills, then include your excel certification)
9. Join LinkedIn and provide a great profile. LinkedIn is a valuable platform for connecting with others in your industry and uncovering new job opportunities. Add the URL to your LinkedIn profile to the top of your résumé. More than 90% of employers admit to reviewing candidates’ social network profilesregardless of whether the candidates provide that information Since your résumé will get about a 10-20 second initial look by someone before they decide to read further, you do not want to be eliminated due to “old school” ways. Additional tips are available in the book Over 50 Starting Over, with a complete action plan.
