PinPointe Towne Lake

Photo Credit: Daniel Arizpe/ Cy-Fair Helping Hands

By Patricia Hudson

“Thank you for all that you do for our CFISD community. Best back to school event two years in a row. My boys love attending this event!”

- T.C.J. (CFHH Client)

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 ageappropriate 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.

Led by Backpacks Coordinator, Muriel Kruger, her visiting family from France, a team of Cy-Fair Womens’ Club and NCL Diamonds volunteers, 955 backpacks were distributed in less than three hours. 125 “vendors” representing seven churches, and 23 businesses and organizations enthusiastically engaged with the crowd at each booth. Cypress Ranch Cheerleaders and mascots, together with DJ Chris McCarthy laid down the beats and performed exciting routines, while Sweetie Pie Rental captured the moment in their photo booth. To the kids’ delight, Spiderman made an appearance and taught CPR techniques and the Cy-Fair Firemen gave a hands-on tour of a gleaming red fire truck.

Families were delighted to select school clothing donated by the community, and to learn about services available through Lone Star CollegeCyFair and Harris County Resources for Children and Adults (CFISD Guidance and Counseling). Nonprofits Naomi’s Grace educated families about water-safety awareness, and Barkley’s Bookshelf distributed

Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson

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

1,174 new books. A total of 45 volunteers representing Cy-Fair Helping Hands, Young Men’s Service League Cy-Fair Chapter, YMSL Tomball, National Charity League Champions, Langham Creek NHS, VFW Post #8905 and the Missions Cook Team helped to set up and tear down booths, move backpacks, collect trash, hand out bracelets emblazoned with encouraging messages, distribute 1,000 bottles of water, sodas, popsicles, and grill LOTS of hot dogs.

“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’

Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson

Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson

Photo Credit: Daniel Arizpe/ Cy-Fair Helping Hands

Photo Credit: Daniel Arizpe/ Cy-Fair Helping Hands

Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson

Back to School Bash Committee spent countless hours planning and implementing this monumental project for our CFHH clients and CFISD students in need. Oh, and we cannot forget Tom S Ramsey, Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner's Office for providing porta-johns and handwashing stations,” smiles Cy-Fair Helping Hands’ Executive Director, Janet Ryan.

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 email: texasteacher024@outlook.com.

Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson

Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson

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.

PLACES T O EAT The Best of Cy-Fair

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. #onmetta

sfork

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 lo oked 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