ON THE COVER:
Sowmya Balasubramani, Darsh, Kishore Padmanabha & Jashan Cy-Fair Residents
Our Towne Lake feature for March/April is Sowmya Balasubramani and Kishore Padmanabha. Their responses to our interview questions were so delightful that we were inclined to edit very little.
The couple’s lives began in Bangalore, India, a beautiful city known for its gardens, cosmopolitan vibe and more recently, as the IT capital of India.
“I was a very content single child. Coming from a middle-class family, I saw my dad, a banker, and mom, a teacher, make a lot of sacrifices to send me to one of the best schools in the city. An extrovert, I was always surrounded by remarkable friends. and the games we played on the streets and in the school playground are my most favorite childhood memories. I also loved to dance and sing, performing on stage in school and at various events,” recalls Sowmya fondly.
I remember having fun playing games outside with friends and spending very little time with electronics. I went to the same school that my cousins and older sister went to and I enjoyed my time at school with various extracurricular activities like debates,
presentations and some sports,” reminisces Kishore. “It amazes me how much fun we used to have with very less or almost no electronic devices like the kids today. I used to frequent the city library often for access to general knowledge and current affairs”.
Sowmya and Kishore met in graduate school at the University of Houston where they lived in the same apartment complex. “I don’t think we had the best first impressions of each other and a few snarky emails were exchanged before we realized that despite ourselves, our relationship had transformed into something special. I still remember taking the bus for almost two hours to go on a date to watch a movie and grab dinner; we didn’t have much but we had so much fun. Our wedding was a very intimate affair at the Meenakshi temple in Houston a month after we graduated with our respective master’s degrees,” shares Sowmya.
What three words would you use to describe your spouse?
“I think Kishore has great leadership and communication
skills. He has the ability to talk his way out of any situation. He is also caring and humorous; always helping friends or cooking something for them and making people laugh at parties,” responds Sowmya.
Kishore declares Sowmya is “… Caring , Fun and Organized. Sowmya has a wonderful circle of friends and is a person you can pick up a conversation with easily. She is very organized around the house and does not stand clutter. She is an extrovert and probably the person you want to hang around in a party, especially if dancing is involved.”
We asked about their career choices. As young children, both knew what career they wanted to pursue.
“I was 11 years old when I decided I wanted to be an architect. It is the perfect amalgamation of science and creativity making it a perfect fit for someone like me who enjoys both equally. After completing my undergraduate studies in India, I came to the States to pursue my master’s in architecture at the Gerald D. Hines School at the University of Houston. I currently lead the Design team at Anlarr, a construction company in Houston. I manage both residential and commercial projects in Houston and surrounding cities in Texas,” explains Sowmya.
“From a career point of view, I followed the footsteps of my dad who is a mechanical engineer.
As a child I enjoyed taking things apart and understanding how they work, which
is probably why I enjoy Engineering,” reveals Kishore. “I completed my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in my home town and came to Houston to pursue my master’s in industrial engineering at the Cullen College of Engineering at the University of Houston. I am currently a quality manager at a multinational company.
Kishore and Sowmya have two sons. Darsh is 13 and a seventh grader at Anthony Middle School. Darsh loves history, cars and video games. He is a chamber chorister with Houston Boys’ Choir. He started with the Fort Bend Symphony Children’s choir at 5 and has been singing ever since. He is a symphonic bassoonist in his school band and also plays the guitar. He is a Tae Kwon do black belt holder and is part of the Academy’s Extreme team. Jashan, 8, is a second grader at Rennell Elementary. Jashan loves theater and attends drama lessons. He enjoys drawing and sketching. Like his brother, he is also a martial arts student and has a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do.
What role does culture play in your daily lives and in raising your children?
“Our family is big on celebrating our roots. I like to go all out with the décor, food, clothes and always invite friends over to celebrate our festivals. I always like to involve the kids in the festivities with crafts, drawing or sculpting to teach them the meaning behind the celebration. Last year, we hosted a Diwali party for our neighbors in the community. It was delightful to open our homes to them and give them a glimpse of our culture,” says Sowmya. Well versed in languages, the couple speaks English, Tamizh (their mother tongue), Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam.
This family loves the outdoors. “We have visited 20 national parks and camped in over 40 Texas state parks; our goal is to visit them all. We are music junkies and enjoy watching concerts and plays.” confides Sowmya.
“Sowmya and the boys are avid readers. We enjoy our book club meetings, author events and book conventions. One of our favorite family activities is ‘Read the book, watch the movie or play,’” comments dad. “Kishore is an avid gardener and grows a variety of vegetables and fruits. Spending time in his Towne Lake community garden plot is his idea of Zen,” share s Sowmya.
As a family that enjoys being in the company of others and trying different things, Towne Lake has been everything we hoped for and more. We have been blessed with amazing neighbors and have made some amazing friends. 2024 marks 20 years since we made Houston our home and we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us.
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.
Embedded within Cypress lies a hidden gem for those with an inkling for guiltfree indulgence: D'Lites Houston. Specializing in low-sugar ice cream and groceries, this local business offers a unique twist on traditional treats, providing a haven for health-conscious consumers in search of delicious alternatives.
The journey of D'Lites Houston began when the owners, Julie and Sam Dunlap were on a trip to Austin. Just recently, the pair had discovered that Sam was diabetic. On a quest to find a desert option that he could enjoy, they came across D’Lites. At first, they were skeptical of the low sugar ice cream, but once they tried it, they couldn't get enough!
As a result, Sam came up with the idea to start a franchise somewhere in or near Houston, since there was nothing comparable in the vicinity. That's how it all began, and boy, am I glad they decided to open a location in Cypress.
Every day, there are rotating flavors of low-carb self-serve ice cream. Essentially, you are getting the experience of any other ice cream shop, but without the guilt. Customers can choose to add toppings at the counter. They even have the option for a shake, with the choice of protein, from the selfserve machines! A variety of delicious take-home servings are
available in cup, pint, or quart size.
D’Lites offers a variety of pre-packaged, low calorie, low sugar grocery items such as pasta, breads, flour, and chips. Each option is a healthy alternative, without having to sacrifice the flavor.
When you walk into the shop, the owners, Julie and Sam, have a warm welcoming presence; they are willing to answer any questions about the products that they offer. After visiting a plethora of times, it never ceases to amaze me the variety of flavors that are offered on a weekly basis. Luckily, the flavors are updated on their website, but I typically prefer to visit and be surprised!
In recent years, I have struggled with consuming too much sugar,
even being diagnosed as pre-diabetic. I have to stop almost weekly to get my fix. This lifestyle has not only given me more energy, but I have also felt more comfortable in my everyday life.
Fortunately, the groceries at D’Lites are almost exactly like foods with sugar and trust me, I have tried many alternatives. The bread they offer tastes exactly like “regular” bread, the same with their chicken burritos, chips, frozen pizzas, and rolls, (a personal favorite of mine). There is nothing I have tried there that I have not liked.
Cypress residents have kept this amazing business going. Even during times of need, the owners have garnered the unwavering support of the community. I truly believe that we should continue to support local businesses like this. As we help them to flourish, we are supporting a better lifestyle, helping those with diet restrictions be able to enjoy previously restricted food items.
D’Lites Houston is far more than just a dessert destination with its ever-changing ice cream flavors, variety of guilt-free goods, and incredible, driven owners.
D’Lites Houston
26321 Northwest Freeway
Unit 400
Cypress, Texas 77429
Phone: 281-304-2313
Days/Hours of Operation:
Sunday: 11:30 am – 9 pm
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 11:30 am – 8 pm
Friday – Saturday 11:30 am – 9 pm
Stageworks Theatre - Gypsy
10760 Grant Rd. • Houston, TX 77070
stageworkshouston.org/gypsy
3/8 - 7:30pm, 3/9 - 2pm & 7:30pm, 3/10 3pm
3/15 - 7:30pm, 3/16 - 2pm & 7:30pm, 3/17 3pm
CFISD Community Science Festival
Saturday, March 23, 2024 • 4-9pm
Cy-Ridge H.S. • 7900 N. Eldridge Pkwy • Houston, TX 77041
www.cfisd.net/scifest
Houston Repertoire Ballet - Celebration of Dance 2024
Saturday, April 6 • 2pm & Sunday, April 7, 2024 • 2pm
Tomball H.S. Theatre • 30330 Quinn Rd. • Tomball, TX 77375
A blend of exquisite dances featuring the beloved classic Swan Lake Act 2, a delightful Parisienne Cancan ballet set to the rousing music of Offenbach; Polovtsian Dances, an exotic and athletic scene from the end of Act 2 of Alexander Borodin’s opera Prince Igor; as well as two new works for HRB’s repertoire, Rising Tide, an exhilarating new contemporary work by JoDee Engle; and Alarum, an energetic compelling contemporary ballet work choreographed by Kristy Nilsson to the striking music of Ezio Bosso composed for six cellos. www.hrbdance.org
VFW Post 8905 36th SEMI-Annual BBQ Cook-Off
Friday, April 12 & Saturday, April 13, 2024
21902 Northwest FWY • Cypress, TX 77429
Silent & Live Auction, Meat & Liquor Wagon raffles! vfw8905.org
Cypress Market @ Cy-Hope
Saturday, April 20, 2024 • 10am-4pm Free Entry
VIP Entry Friday, April 19, 2024 • 6:30-9:30pm $20 Entry
12715 Telge Rd. • Cypress, TX 77429
Food, Drinks, Live Music & More! cy-hope.org
Earth Day at Living Legacy Center
Saturday, April 20, 2024 • 9am-Noon
12527 Cypress North Houston • Cypress, TX 77429
Free Event! Activities include Lectures, Cooking Demonstrations, Kids Activities & More! www.LivingLegacyCenter.com
