Sienna List August 2018

INSIDE

Community SPotlight I

alley on the town

I

parent Life August 2018

Community At Your Fingertips

before the bus Back to School Routine for the Whole Family

so long

summer soiree

inthisissue

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The List

Top 10 Things To Do In August

Parent Life

8

Tools for Building Friendships

16 19

Alley on the Town

So Long Summer - Tips for a Perfect End of Season Soiree

On Exhibit

History, Mystery and Wonder - Sherlock Holmes hits the Museum of Natural Science in Houston

Sienna List | info@siennalist.com | www.thelist.city | 281-201-5998

August 18th - 10:00am until 2:00pm - Taylor’s

Teen Houston Back to School Fun Festival - 13100 South Post Oak Rd, 77045

This event is a fun filled celebration to welcome students back to school. Free haircuts are offered, and supplies are given away that include back pack and school supplies. Even medical and dental exams are offered.

August 21 - 5:00pm until 6:30pm - Missouri City Hall st

Fencing Class - 1522 Texas Parkway, 77489

Those who are looking to get physically active in a fun way can join the Missouri City Community Center for fencing lessons. Participants will learn about footwork and properly handling a blad during a match.

August 22nd - 4:45pm - Missouri City Hall Group Piano Classes - 1522 Texas Parkway, 77489

The Missouri City Community Center is offering piano lessons for children. These group lessons teach kids the basics of playing the piano and how to properly read music.

Sienna List was developed with the residents of Missouri City in mind. We offer free services for our members; a platform where members can find jobs, business recommendations, events, and more with the click of a button.

It’s easy to become a member of Sienna List:

1 - Visit www.thelist.city Create a user name and 2 - password for your login.

3 - Click the Submit button.

August 26th - 1:00pm until 5:00pm - Train Depot

Sienna Community Farmers Market - 9600 Scanlan Trace, 77459

Residents of Missouri City have the opportunity to come together as a community and enjoy some fresh, locally grown produce. The monthly Farmer’s Market welcomes guests but is also asking for volunteers to help host the event.

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To Advertise, Please Email info@siennalist.com

Visit TheList.city Now

DOG (and cat) DAYS of SUMMER Sugar Land Animal Shelter is overflowing with pets looking for forever homes, which may come as a surprise to residents. It was only recently that the shelter grew in response to local demand.

Last year, the Sugar Land Animal Shelter expanded by 56 percent. The expansions was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony in December, when an open house was held to celebrate the event. A new, 2,400 square foot building was brought in from Mayfield Park to the animal shelter to help increase the available space at the shelter.

The new building didn’t arrive ready to be used, and the shelter had to upgrade the building considerably. Part of the upgrade included the installation of new equipment, which staff and volunteers helped with. New flooring was also laid down and new coats of paint applied to the walls, creating a renovated home designed specifically to house the shelter’s cats and kittens.

community outreach by jason LUTHOR

After the expansion, the animal shelter grew as large as 4,300 square feet. The new layout was designed to house more than 60 dogs and over 100 cats.

Even with the increased capacity though, it doesn’t seem that the shelter has enough space for the many animals passing through its doors.

Despite all of the changes, the shelter recently announced that it will need to find homes for its animals due to overcrowding. To help with their efforts, the shelter is lowering the adoption rates on its cats. The shelter recently went over its 120-cat limit and will be offering them for $40 until the 26th of August. That’s a discount of $55 for cat adoption.

The situation for the shelter is an urgent one. The Sugar Land Animal Shelter does not euthanize animals to create more space, and overcrowding is an occasional consequence. While volunteers do their best to care for the animals, the best outcome is to find

homes for all the cats and dogs at the shelter.

Why is the cost of buying one of the pets typically $95? The money actually covers a number of the animal’s needs, including vaccinations, spaying and neutering services, and microchipping.

For a limited time, all those needs can be met for only $40. This takes care of many of the responsibilities a new owner would normally have to pay for on their own, which can cost much more at other locations.

Although the shelter would prefer that buyers take the pets home forever, certain animals aren’t always a good match for a home. Anyone who takes a pet home from the shelter has a limited time to see if it’s a good match before permanently committing to owning the animal. Interested buyers can see what animals are available by visiting www.

SugarLandPetopia.org.

Other parts of the expansion include a new veterinarian room, managerial room, break room, and a wildlife room. The wildlife room was designed to house animals until they were either adopted or taken in for wildlife rehabilitation.

August 2018

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ALLEN BARSAMIAN CoFounder - Account Manager TOLU FALADE Publication Assistant

THE LITTLE MERMAID A young reporter and his niece discover a beautiful and enchanting creature they believe to be the real little mermaid.

A-X-L

RACHEL WILLIAMS Graphic Designer

AUG 24th

MEAGHAN BARSAMIAN CoFounder - CEO - Editor @MeaghanBarsamian

AUG 17th

silver screen

Miles is a down-on-his-luck teenage motorcyclist who stumbles upon an advanced robotic dog that’s part of the military’s nextgeneration, artificial intelligence program.

With help from a girl whom he has a crush on, Miles must protect his new friend when it becomes the target of rogue scientists who want their creation back.

CONTRIBUTORS: JASON LUTHOR Columnist

ALISA MURRAY Columnist @AlisaMurray

On the Cover ‘Carter and Sophia’

INSIDE

otlight I Community SP

town alley on the

I

AUG 24th

ALLEY LETO Columnist @LifeOfAlley

SUPPORT THE GIRLS Lisa is the general manager of Double Whammies, a highway-side “sports bar with curves.” Always nurturing and protective of her staff, she soon faces one trying day that tests her optimism at every turn.

parent Life August 2018

so long summer

soiree

KIN before

the bus e

Routin Back to School Family for the Whole

Photography courtesy of

PINKOWLSTUDIOS.COM

AUG 31st

You r Fing ertip s Com mu nity At

KIN, a pulse-pounding crime thriller with a sci-fi twist, is the story of an unexpected hero destined for greatness. Chased by a vengeful criminal, the feds and a gang of otherworldly soldiers, a recently released ex-con and his adopted teenage brother are forced to go on the run with a weapon of mysterious origin as their only protection.

August 2018

5

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the list

BY ALISA MURRAY

WWW.ALISAMURRAY.COM

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PORTRAIT ARTIST & AWARD WINNING COLUMNIST.

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TOP THINGSA 10 TO DO

It’s time to harvest the seeds from your heirloom tomatoes and dry them and store in a dry place for planting seedling next spring. Also it’s time to can or pickle all the cucumbers and beans in the garden and prepare the stocked pantry for the winter months. This late summer task makes me feel like a little girl again in the kitchen with my grandmothers and at the same time a big bear preparing my nest for the fall. LOL.

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Go through the children’s closets and check that thinner clothes fit for school, purchase new uniforms online if necessary and donate used, gently worn clothes to your cousins or local shelter. Uniforms are uniforms I have found and as James Edward has outgrown his they fall to the next one in line that fits into them. This also needs to be done with parkas, tennis and sports uniforms if that applies to your family.

THREE

It’s time to book yourself and the children for haircuts and dentist appointments. I always book these appointments as a group so as to save time and get everyone done and checked off the list!

t s u 8 g 1 u 0

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On my nightside table now is Lee Gutkind’s “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up” about writing creative nonfiction which has been my genre for years and Lauren Collins, “The Best American Travel Writing 2017” a refreshing collection of journey goers like me who are also writers and feel it necessary to comment on what we have seen and done. My hat tips to the late and already very missed Anthony Bourdain who was, amongst us writers, a great traveling one indeed.

five

Take the children to the museum to see Joris Laarman Lab: Design in the Digital Age which is on exhibition until September 16th.

If you have a little artist or architect in your midst they will dig it for sure!

Six

On the cleaning front it’s time to pull the refrigerator and freezer away from the wall and vacuum the coils and sweep and mop underneath and behind those large appliances.

SEVEN

Prepare a beautiful meal with an antipasto platter poolside for your family to gnash. Add a few steaks and fish to the grill and a pot of couscous with sweet summer corn on the cob and finish with my fudge brownies a la mode!

auntie a’s FUDGE BROWNIES A la Mode • • • • •

1 box Ghiradelli fudge brownie mix eggs & oil (as called for by the brownie mix) 1 heaping half cup (6 oz) Cookies & Cream ice cream 1/4 Cup hot fudge topping, chilled or room temp (I like the thick one) 16 Oreos

Preheat oven & spray an 8×8 baking dish generously with cooking spray.

Combine brownie mix, eggs, and oil as directed on the back of the box, but do not add the water. Add ice cream and hot fudge to the brownie batter and stir to combine. Pour half of the brownie batter into the baking dish, layer with Oreos, then top with remaining batter. Bake for 40-50 minutes or as directed on the back of the box.

EIGHT

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With school starting back and a routine to be kept it might be a good idea to enroll yourself in a group program that you’ll enjoy. Give yourself a semester off it so you don’t feel like you have bitten of too much. If you’re like me, exercise is a dirty word so if I gotta sweat it has to be doing something I like and I don’t like doing the same thing for very long either so approaching this that way has helped make it a habit in my already busy and don’t care about exercising kinda life!

NINE

Book a day date with your spouse and go to lunch and then either antiquing or over to get mani’s and pedi’s. Time spent hanging with him or her is QT and will continue to build your relationship.

Remember marriages are made strong through hard work and attention.

TEN

As always remember to place those electronics in that basket by the stairs and have no tolerance texting zone during family dinners. Sit with your children on a simple Sunday afternoon and ask them what they think about …. use a topic from this week’s news or a more old worldly one...like their take on the existence of God. You never know what they’ll say or how they will change you by exposing you to their perspective. This also gives you a place to get very close to your children and parent them. They are grown and gone too fast not to!

August 2018

7

parentlife By lindsay asawa, ph.d.

TOOLS FOR BUILDING

FRIENDSHIPS

As the new school year begins, parents and children are always faced with many unknowns. These may include harder classes, changes in schedules, or transitions to new schools. One of the biggest unknowns is how our children will manage their social world.

Will they have friends in their classes?

Will they get along with their peers?

Will they be bullied and teased? Will they be accepted and treated well by others?

The answers to these questions are impossible to predict, although we know some children may be more at-risk for social problems than others.

Children and teens may have trouble making friends due to shyness, lack of social skills, or even physical and neurological differences that set them apart from peers. At a time when school shootings are becoming a regular occurrence and suicide is the second leading cause of death in teens (according to the American Academy of Pediatrics), friendships are more valuable than parents may realize.

However, we must keep in mind that quality is always more important than quantity. One true friend this year can make all the difference.

“MAKING A HUNDRED FRIENDS IS NOT A MIRACLE. THE MIRACLE IS TO MAKE A SINGLE FRIEND WHO WILL STAND BY YOUR SIDE EVEN WHEN HUNDREDS ARE AGAINST YOU.” 8

SHOW THEM HOW IT’S DONE Children learn how to interact with others by watching the adults and older siblings in their life. Let them join you at social events and follow your lead. Make sure you model good social skills, good manners, and friendly behavior. Show them how to make new friends and be a good friend to the ones you have. If you struggle with shyness and anxiety in social situations, it is important to talk with a therapist about ways to overcome it.

Your children are always watching and absorbing the behavior that you model for them.

around them. It can even be helpful to walk them, step by step, through the process of meeting someone new.

Brainstorm with them a list of general topics that can get the conversation started (age, grade, school, sports, hobbies, summer camps). Give them a script and a list of questions to keep the conversation going: “Hi, I’m Sally. What’s your name? I’m in 2nd grade, what about you? Do you play any sports? How long have you been playing?” For children who need more structured guidance, social skills therapy groups can be very helpful.

CREATE OPPORTUNITIES TEACH BASIC SOCIAL SKILLS Whether they are introverted or extroverted, most children and teens make mistakes in social interactions from time to time. Many children even lack basic knowledge of how to make friends and interact appropriately with peers. It is important to actively teach these skills from an early age.

Encourage your children to say hello to others, make eye contact when they speak, wave or shake hands to greet others, smile and say “thank you,” and show kindness to everyone

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Without practice, our social skills get a little rusty. They need to be used regularly to keep them sharp. Children and teens will be better equipped to make friends quickly and easily if they are given lots of opportunities to practice. Make sure you constantly expose them to social events and settings where they must meet and talk to others. If they are withdrawing and pulling away, gently and firmly pull them back. Invite friends over for a dinner party, plan get-togethers with others, visit extended family members, volunteer as a family, sign them up

for extracurricular activities, and encourage your teens to get a parttime job. When a true friend comes along, support that friendship in any way you can.

STAY INVOLVED Too often, parents are unaware that their child is struggling socially. It is so important to take this subject as seriously as academics. Monitoring your child’s friendships is as critical as monitoring their grades and test scores. Check in with them regularly to find out how things are going with peers. Ask specific questions, such as “Who did you play with at recess? Who did you sit by at lunch? What did you talk about? Who is your best friend in your class?”

o Back T ial pe c S l o o Sch Observe your child at social gatherings and watch how they interact with peers. If you notice concerns or they describe problems making friends, use the opportunity to help them problemsolve. They are learning to navigate their social world and they need all the support they can get!

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August 2018

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Excite, Explore, Educate through Christ and Grow with God.

Registration Open for Fall 2018 2 Year Olds – Pre-K

281-265-5656

2011 Austin Parkway | Sugar Land, TX 77479

www.littlefisherspreschool.org |

LittleFishersPreschool

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” ~ Proverbs 22:6

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HEALTH HEALTHMATTERS MATTERSWITH WITHDR. DR.STEVE STEVEHARRIS, HARRISDC | CHIROPRACTOR

Moved to

WHERE PAIN RELIEF COMES NATURALLY

Tears

Y

by Amy Sharp

ou might remember Stafford Police Officer Ann Marie Carrizales. Back in 2013, she took two bullets at point-blank range and still managed to chase down the alleged gunman.

For years, even before the shooting, Ann Marie suffered from headaches, neck, back and heel pain. “Pain is a real problem in this profession,” says Ann Marie, now with the Meadows Place Police Department. “We wear heavy vests and artillery belts. My pain was affecting my sleep. My doctors tried different medications and they worked ok, but I don’t like taking meds. After the shooting, my headaches got a lot worse. I suffered from PTSD, and headaches are a symptom. Even nearly four years later, I felt my emotional health was better, but my physical was not. So I resolved to live with the pain. This was my life now.”

But a speaking engagement with the Sugar Land Rotary and Exchange Clubs changed Ann Marie’s life. Dr. Steve Harris of Sugar Land Health Center was in the audience that day.

“Afterward he shot me an email,” says Ann Marie. “He said he was thinking of ways he could help me. I researched him and found he has a great reputation for natural pain relief, so I gave it a try.”

At her very first appointment, Dr. Harris did a manual treatment that moved Ann Marie to tears. “Suddenly, my headache was gone. It was kind of like when your ear has been clogged forever and it pops. Suddenly you think, ‘I can hear.’ I couldn’t remember the last time I didn’t have a headache. I really didn’t mean to cry in front of Dr. Harris, but I was so beside myself and overcome with emotion. That night I slept all night. My husband couldn’t believe I didn’t take any medication.”

A believer, Ann Marie started regular treatment with Dr. Harris.

“The decompression treatments have done wonders for my back and neck, and laser treatments have helped my heel pain. Dr. Harris knows the body, and he explains in great detail what he is going to do and why. And it all makes sense. I like to watch him. Sometimes he closes his eyes when he’s working. He says his hands become his eyes.

You can just tell he is working from his heart and soul. My whole

hursday, April 5, 18

Follow Follow us!us!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sugarlandhealth Youtube: Dr. Steve Harris, DC Instagram: @sugarlandhealthcenter Facebook/ Instagram: @sugarlandhealthcenter

www.sugarlandhealthcenter.com www.sugarlandhealthcenter.com

family now sees him. What he’s doing is good for the body and excellent for wellness, and his office is a safe place for me.”

“I now know I do not have to live in pain, and I’m shouting it from the rooftops. Every law enforcement officer should know about this. This profession is hard on the body, but Dr. Harris is brilliant. What a blessing he has been to me. He’s improved my quality of life.”

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Sugar Land Health Center 281-980-1050 3425 Highway 6, Suite 101 (behind McDonalds near Williams Trace Blvd) Sugar Land, TX 77478 August 2018

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EXPERT CARE FOR AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE

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David Braunreiter, MD

SCHEDULE TODAY!

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Long Meadow Farms

8330 Hwy. 6, Suite 110 Missouri City, TX 77459

16811 Southwest Fwy., Suite 200 Sugar Land, TX 77479

7790 W. Grand Pkwy. S., Suite 100 Richmond, TX 77406

Our primary care sports medicine physicians at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine are board certified in family medicine and specialize in sports medicine to provide active patients — and even those who are less active — with the full range of care they need. These doctors treat everyday illnesses as well as sports injuries and orthopedic conditions, and offer a unique combination of expertise that provides significant benefits to patients, from children to adults.

To schedule an appointment, visit houstonmethodist.org/orthopedics-sl or call 281.612.6546.

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To Advertise, Please Email info@siennalist.com

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Offers Advanced Treatment for Non-Healing Wounds

F

or people living with diabetes, even the smallest scrape can lead to potentially dangerous circumstances. High blood sugar can damage nerves, which may cause numbness in the feet and legs, and lead to a narrowing and hardening of blood vessels, which can result in less oxygen being circulated throughout the body to aid in healing.

If you have a wound that doesn’t heal properly, early treatment can help you get back on your feet. The Houston Methodist Wound Care Program at Sugar Land uses a multidisciplinary approach for treating wounds that won’t heal.

WARNING SIGNS OF CHRONIC, NON-HEALING WOUNDS • PERSISTENT PAIN IN THE AREA AROUND THE WOUND • DISCOLORATION OF THE WOUND’S EDGES • INCREASED DRAINAGE FROM THE WOUND SITE • REDNESS OR SWELLING AROUND OR SPREADING AWAY FROM THE WOUND

DIABETIC FOOT WOUNDS Timothy Oppermann, M.D., boardcertified general surgeon with Houston Methodist Surgical Associates at Sugar Land, encourages patients to take a proactive approach. “Diabetes accounts for about 60 percent of lower limb amputations not related to injury in adults, clearly illustrating the importance for diabetic patients to closely monitor their health and take quick action to provide the proper

healthreport hyperbaric oxygen chamber

care to even the smallest wound, particularly in the feet,” Oppermann said.

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY The program’s doctors and nurses are certified in wound care medicine, and work with patients and their primary care physician to monitor, manage and treat wounds with the most advanced treatments available, including compression wraps, antimicrobial dressings, bioengineered skin substitutes and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

Michael Yaakovian, M.D., boardcertified general surgeon with Houston Methodist Surgical Associates at Sugar Land, treats patients with diabetic foot problems and other nonhealing wounds. “Hyperbaric therapy supplies oxygen under pressure that supersaturates the red blood cells and plasma with oxygen, so when blood is supplied to the area of the wound, these supercharged blood cells help repair the wound and kill the infection, leading to the generation of new blood vessels and tissue growth,” Yaakovian explained.

SEE A WOUND SPECIALIST If a wound does not show signs of healing, it should be evaluated by a wound specialist. To schedule an appointment with Timothy Oppermann, M.D. or Michael Yaakovian, M.D., call 281.275.0860.

FIVE SELF-CARE TIPS For people with diabetes, managing wounds to prevent complications requires care and diligence.

Take good care of your feet with the following tips.

1. INSPECT AND WASH FEET DAILY. WITH POOR SENSATION, WOUNDS COULD GO UNNOTICED. 2. KEEP WOUNDS CLEAN AND DRY TO REDUCE RISK OF INFECTION. 3. FILE YOUR TOE NAILS. CLIPPING MAY INCREASE THE RISK FOR SKIN INJURY. 4. WEAR PROPER-FITTING SHOES AND SOCKS AT ALL TIMES. 5. CONTROL YOUR BLOOD SUGAR, BLOOD PRESSURE AND CHOLESTEROL TO SLOW DOWN THE PROGRESSION OF DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS.

Visit houstonmethodist.org/wound-sl to learn more about our services. Visit our Facebook page at fb.com/methodistsugarland for the latest news, events and information.

August 2018

13

molding minds

BY JASON LUTHOR

before the bus GETTING EVERYONE BACK INTO A ROUTINE

W

ith summer quickly drawing to a close, parents across the country are having to come up with ways of getting their kids back into a school routine. Unfortunately, this can be difficult for both students and parents. How can you help get your family back onto a school schedule?

For kids, it’s important to start pushing back their bedtime as school gets closer. It’s not unusual for kids to stay up later during the summer, so you’ll want to start pushing their bedtime back by 10 to 15 minutes each night.

Eventually, you’ll have them falling asleep at the right time to have them

rested for school.

Speaking of schedule, you’ll also want to start reinforcing their morning routines again. Getting up in the morning and getting ready in time for school can be hard for kids. By starting their routine in the summer, you can have them trained by the time school starts. Everything from morning breakfast to a morning shower can be included when you start tailoring your child’s routine for the school year.

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One last part of a child’s routine that you’ll want to start preparing them for is homework. Although you want to let your kids enjoy their final days of summer, it’s still important to get them ready for the work they’ll face during the year. Setting apart time in the evening for some light school work will prepare them for doing homework during the year. While that will be good for setting up their homework routines, it will also get them some basic practice in the lessons they’ll be learning during the year.

Of course, getting your kids back into a schoolyear routine also means that you’ll have to adjust your routine, too.

For many parents, the shift back into the school year means having to adjust their own schedule.

That means waking up just a bit earlier and setting aside time in the afternoon for helping your kids with their homework. However, getting started toward the end of summer will get you in the habit of setting aside that extra time for your kids. You’ll have a better idea of how much time it will take from your own schedule to help with your children.

To Advertise, Please Email info@siennalist.com

This can be a difficult transition from the summer, when there’s more time for kids to be independent, play on the internet, or watch television. By setting your child’s school schedule toward the end of the year, you can also transition into your schoolyear routine.

You won’t want to wait until the absolute final days of summer to get your kids back into their school schedule. It can take up to three weeks to adjust to a new sleep schedule, so you’ll want to start adjusting your child’s routine a few weeks before school starts. Starting any later than that might make it harder for your student to adjust to their bedtime routine, leaving them sleepy on school mornings and tired during the afternoon.

Get an early start on setting a new routine, and you’ll help make your student’s school year a success. Plan out your new schedule and start practicing it early to jump start the year on a positive note.

August 2018

15

Alley on the Town Written & Pictures by Alley Leto

So Long

p

n

p

SummeR TiPS FOR AN UNFORGETT ABLE END OF SEA SON SOIREE

HOW TO SETUP

With summertime winding down, this may be a good time to invite a few friends over for a relaxing outdoor dinner party. Dining al fresco, sharing good food, yummy drinks with great people is the best.

It’s always fun to entertain outdoors and if you keep things simple, doesn't have to be stressful to plan.

This month I wanted to share my 5 outdoor dining tips for you to consider when planning an outdoor party.

Keep things simple. Take inventory of what you already have on hand and how you can use it for the dinner party. Make sure you have a table and chairs to accommodate everyone. Little touches like cloth napkins, plate chargers, flowers, mason jars and guest favors can all add a nice touch. Lighting especially can add a beautiful ambience. Think candles, string lights or lanterns. Adding pillows and light blankets for when the sun goes down can add a homey touch as well.

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To Advertise, Please Email info@siennalist.com

pn

p

Hoping these tips will encourage you to entertain at home and help make your next get together easy to plan.

WHAT MUSIC TO PLAY?

WHAT FOOD TO SERVE

Typically, I prefer to host family style outdoor parties. I prepare sides and desserts the day before. The day of, I make the main dish and keep it warm in my oven until ready to serve. Some options, kabobs, ribs, slider, pulled pork, taco bar.

Think of the mood you would like to create and select your music based on that. Classics seem to go over well with most guests. It’s best to download all your music several days before. Ads during your party can get a bit disruptive.

Thank you again for taking the time to read my outdoor dining tips.

Hope you have a fabulous AUGUST!!

Cheers!

WHAT TO DRINK

Once you decide on the types of food you will be serving, drinks are the next thing to plan for. Having two options make it easy and ALWAYS be sure to have plenty of water available for your guests.

No dinner guest wants to see a host running around during the party. Food planning and preparation is very important to plan in advance. Will it be family style, indoor or outdoor buffet?

Will you use the grill or will you have all food ready to go before guests arrive?

Bonus Tip s

If you would like to be considered to be featured in one of the next publications please email Alley at PR@lifeofalley.com

Have bug wipes on hand so your guests are not spraying bug spray into the air, OR near food & drinks.

p n

Making your guests feel welcome is so important.

Even though you took the time to plan everything, they have taken the time to show up.

It’s always nice to add a personal touch to thank your guests for coming. Adding a personalized favor (gift) at each place setting is always a nice touch. I like to use mini wine bottles as a way to thank a guest for coming. Companies like personalwine.com always have fun gift options.

n

HOW TO PERSONALIZE DETAILS

np

If you are placing the dining table on grass, consider adding an outdoor rug underneath it.

This will help little critters from crawling on your guests’ feet.

August 2018

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history, mystery

& WONDER

SHERLOCK HOLMES EXHIBIT HITS THEMUESUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE

“My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other people don’t know.” – The Blue Carbuncle Have you ever wanted to indulge your inner detective? Do you have a love of classic mysteries? Then you might want to head on over to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. They recently opened The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes. The famous Sherlock Holmes was written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as a logical, keen minded detective who used incredible reasoning and the help of science to solve his cases.

First appearing in 1887 in the story A Study in Scarlet, the character of Sherlock Holmes would go on to appear in four novels and 56 short stories. Over that time, Sherlock Holmes’ eccentric personality and incredible detective work won over countless fans. During his adventures, he went on to solve countless crimes and triumph over his arch nemesis, the criminal mastermind, Professor James Moriarty.

Now, the Houston Museum of Natural Science brings those adventures to life with the launch of its Holmes exhibit. Arthur Conan Doyle was a keen minded individual himself and had formerly worked as a doctor. He wrote Sherlock’s adventures while integrating the most modern investigative methods possible and by emphasizing the role that seemingly trivial clues played in solving a case. The Sherlock exhibit displays many of the artifacts and tools that Sherlock used during his investigations and that were used by the police of that era. Guests also learn about

the many techniques that Sherlock used to solve his cases.

However, visitors get to do more than just look at displays. The Sherlock exhibit is meant to help guests go hands on with those tools and techniques. Visitors get to reassemble evidence and uncover clues in the same way that Sherlock would have. They get to see what a Victorian era crime scene would have looked like. In this crime scene, they step into the home of a person who lived in Sherlock’s era.

August 2018

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The entire scene is replicated with Victorian era furniture and decorations.

left behind, and they also get to use Sherlock’s footprint maker, a circular device that left behind the impression of several pairs of shoes. This device helped Sherlock determine what shoes the criminal was wearing. At the Slaughterhouse, guests get to see what sort of spray pattern would have been left behind by a murder victim, which helps to determine how a person was killed.

At the Bakerloo Train Station, guests are introduced to the technology that was used in Sherlock’s time. Then, they go hands on with the investigation.

They drag a ‘body’ to see what sort of impression would have been

Guests also get to visit the famed home of Sherlock himself at 221B Baker Street. There, they can visit the sitting room where Holmes and his assistant, Dr. Watson, spent their free time. The voice of Sherlock himself guides visitors through this

exhibit using imitations of the audio recording devices from that era.

Finally, at the Penny Arcade visitors get to solve all sorts of puzzles.

Some of this may sound grim, but don’t worry. The exhibit is family friendly and suitable for kids. For more information, visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

August 2018

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