February 2017
Community At Your Finger Tips - Sugar Land
Celebrating Black History Month
Heart Health
Screening
Jazz It Up For Autism Local
Sophia Sauceda by Pink Owl Studios
Valentine’s Day Date Ideas
Contents
3 5
Celebrating Black History Month
Health Report
Heart Health Screenings: Lifestyle Changes Can Lessen Cardiac Concerns
9 11
Historical Ref lections
The List
Top 10 Things todo in February with Auntie A
The Guide
Top 4 Local Valentine’s Day Date Ideas
The List | info@siennalist.com | www.thelist.city | 281-201-5998
February 11th - 12 until 4pm - Sugar Land Town Square
4th Annual Gumbo Smackdown - 15958 City Walk, Sugar Land, 77479
The city’s finest chef’s compete for the title of Best Gumbo! Benefitting Lunches of Love. http://sugarlandtownsquare.com/play/upcoming-events/ February 25th - 9am until 1pm - Stafford Centre
Riverstone Bark for Life - 18353 University Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479 The American Cancer Society Bark For Life is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. February 25th -6pm until 8pm - Sugar Land Imperial Park
The Sugar Gala- Father/ Daughter Dance - 234 Matlage Way Sugar Land Dancing, Photo Booth, Hors D’ oeuvres and fun!
March 5th - 3 until 7pm - Little Fishers Preschool
Spring Fling Carnival - 2011 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479
Family activities such as: carnival games, petting zoo, bungee ride, bumper boats, train ride, carousel pony rides, kids dry slide, entertainment stage, bake sale, silent auction, raffle and kid’s raffle.
2
The List was developed with your community 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 The List:
1 - Visit www.thelist.city reate a user name and 2 - Cpassword for your login. 3 - Click the Submit button.
Creating and sharing a local event such as a garage sale, classes, or a fundraiser has never been easier! Once you login, click create an event. Then fill in the appropriate fields and your event will be live on The List.
Historical Ref lections
I
Celebrating Black History Month
t’s Black History Month, a time to recognize the unique cultural, scientific and artistic contributions of African-Americans throughout the centuries. Black American culture’s influence around the world is undeniable. For instance, the Mississippi Delta blues was a major element in the creation rock & roll. In fact, Chuck Berry, is cited as one of the pioneers of the rock & roll sound and showmanship. Later on, a kid from Seattle named Jimi Hendrix, would further push the boundaries of the electric guitar with his innovative techniques, which are now the standards for modern rock guitarists. If you think about it, many of the truly Made in the U.S.A. music genres were either created or greatly influenced by African-Americans: blues, jazz, ragtime, rock & roll, R&B, and hip-hop. The pioneers in these genres essentially shaped the sound of contemporary music. Likewise, television shows that had primarily African-American lead
By Michael Miraflores
actors contributed to American pop culture: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Family Matters, The Jeffersons, and Martin. African-American filmmakers such as the Wayans Brothers re-invented the slapstick parody genre with Scary Movie, and films like Boyz n the Hood, Menace II Society, and Juice depicted life in the ghettos with unapologetic realism, and have since become cult classics in the American gangster film genre. In sports, some of the most iconic figures are African-Americans: Michael Jordan, Jesse Owens, Jim Brown, Bo Jackson, Hank Aaron, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays and Ken Griffey, Jr, among many more. Outside of entertainment, many littleknown African-American inventors, scientists and engineers contributed to society. Physicist George Edward Alcorn, Jr. holds many patents, including a method for creating an imaging X-ray spectrometer.
Ophthalmologist Patricia Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe. Meanwhile, mathematician David Blackwell was the genius behind the Blackwell channel model, which is used in coding theory and information theory. The Rao– Blackwell theorem is partially named after him, which is a method that improves crude statistical estimators. Generations of kids can also thank prolific inventor Lonnie Johnson
HOUSTON METHODIST BREAST SURGERY PARTNERS WELCOMES DR. SANDRA TEMPLETON Dr. SanDra TeMpleTon is a well-respected breast care expert in Fort Bend County and a caring, compassionate partner in her patients’ fight against breast cancer. As a board-certified surgeon, she has extensive experience in the most effective, minimally invasive mastectomy procedures, designed to achieve a more cosmetically pleasing outcome. She works side-by-side with the oncology team at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital to develop individualized care plans that give women hope for a healthy future.
To schedule an appointment, call 281.494.3000. Sandra Templeton, MD 16605 Southwest Frwy. Medical Office Building 3, Suite 220 Sugar Land, TX 77479 281.494.3000 houstonmethodist.org/spg
February 2017
3
Grand OpeninG CelebratiOn February 10, 11, 12, 2017
Entertainment, Giveaways, Meet Your Community Leaders and Give Back to a Local Charity Unique pizza, pastas, salads and desserts great ambience at a fantastic value Beer and wine served
Between Mattress Firm and Auto Fix (across from Sienna HEB Shopping Center)
8731 Hwy 6, Suite 100 Missouri City, TX 77459
281-709-6235
Continued ~ for creating the Super Soaker, one of the highest-selling toys of all time. How about that steak you ate last night? Delicious, right? Well, you would’ve eaten a rotten piece of cow carcass if it weren’t for inventor Frederick McKinley Jones, who introduced the refrigeration trucks that allowed perishable goods to be transported across the country. Then there’s the fascinating genius zoologist Charles Henry Turner, who was the first person to provide evidence that insects can hear and distinguish pitch. Mr. Turner also discovered that honeybees can see color. Finally, there was pioneer heart surgeon Daniel Hale Williams, who was one of the first doctors to perform open-heart surgery. As you can see, African-Americans contributed greatly to our nation and to the world without many of us ever knowing it. And so, it is only right that we finally recognize these extraordinary men and women this Black History Month. If you would like to learn more about these pioneers, check out your local Fort Bend County libraries, who will be hosting various educational and cultural programs throughout the month. In fact, the Missouri City Library hosts spoken word poetry, African music performances and artwork exhibitions annually during Black History Month, so be sure to check out their website.
Logan’s generaL ContraCting Co. Kitchen And Bathroom Remodeling • Total Exterior Repairs Roof Replacement • Painting Interior And Exterior Hardie Siding • Stamped Concrete And Driveways Energy efficient construction and retrofit are our specialties!
4
Logan Guthrie 281.460.1587 3907 Panorama Dr., Missouri City, TX 77459 www.logansgeneralcontracting.com
Submit your articles to: info@siennalist.com
Health Report
I
Heart Health Screenings: Lifestyle Changes Can Lessen Cardiac Concerns
s your heart at risk? It might be. One in four deaths in the United States are caused by heart disease each year. Heart disease is so dangerous because many chronic conditions that lead to it may often go unrecognized while slowly damaging your heart. Julia Adrogue, M.D., a board-certified cardiologist with Houston Methodist Cardiology Associates, explained some of the most common cardiac conditions and what you can do to help protect yourself. THREE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS • High cholesterol – Individuals with high cholesterol are twice as likely to develop heart disease as those with lower levels of cholesterol. “The body uses cholesterol for many things that are useful,” Adrogue explained. “But, when you have too much cholesterol, it builds up in the walls of blood vessels. When this occurs in the arteries of the heart, it can lead to a heart attack.” One of the most troubling aspects of high cholesterol is that it often presents no symptoms, meaning it’s crucial to have your cholesterol checked by your doctor regularly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults have their cholesterol checked every five years. • High blood pressure – One-third of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, a condition that can have potentially life-threatening consequences. “High blood pressure has been called the silent killer,” Adrogue said. “It is a kind of background threat to your health when you have it. High blood pressure affects the entire body, putting you at higher risk for stroke, heart attack, atrial fibrillation and can also put strain on your kidneys, causing damage.” • Atrial fibrillation (AFib) – Irregular heartbeats, or heart arrhythmias, can put strain on the heart and the systems it supports. Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is one of the most common heart arrhythmias and a condition
that often worsens with age. “In a normal heartbeat, the heart has a natural pacemaker that fires electricity located in the right upper chamber of the heart,” Adrogue explained. “In between a normal beat, the heart rests. When the heart has beats coming from different locations than the natural pacemaker, it can cause extra heart beats. This is atrial fibrillation.” Among the most dangerous potential effects of AFib are stroke and heart failure.
REDUCING YOUR RISKS While these cardiac conditions must be taken seriously, effective treatment options exist for all of them. Medications are available that can help reduce bad cholesterol levels and bring blood pressure levels to a normal range. AFib similarly can be treated with medications as well as promising new surgical options. But, Adrogue stresses that in addition to proper medical care, it’s vital to begin by improving your lifestyle choices to lower your risk of future heart
problems. Focusing on making healthy food choices and getting regular physical activity are two of the most important behaviors you can adopt for heart health. “Many diseases of the heart are caused or worsened by living a sedentary life with poor eating habits,” Adrogue said. “Combining effective treatment with lifestyle changes offers the best hope for a healthier life for most people. That’s why the first thing we do for cardiac patients at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is implement patient education to help develop healthy dietary and exercise habits.” To schedule an appointment with Julia Adrogue, M.D., at Houston Methodist Cardiology Associates, visit houstonmethodist.org/appointments or call 713.776.9500. For the latest news, events and information visit our Facebook page at fb.com/ methodistsugarland. HEART HEALTH SCREENINGS Schedule an appointment to learn your 10-year risk for heart disease and receive cholesterol and blood pressure screenings. The event is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 23, in the Brazos Pavilion Conference Center on the Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital campus. Registration required. For more information or to register, visit events.houstonmethodist.org/slheart or call 281.274.7500.
Photo: Dr. Julia Adrogue, board-certified cardiologist February 2017
5
Bushi Ban International Sienna Plantation
832-833-0030
After School Care with Martial Arts FREE Transportation Provided for Local Schools*
Little Warriors
Youth Martial Arts
Adult Classes
Advanced Training
50% DISCOUNT www.bushiban.com 7746 Highway 6, Suite A info@bushibansienna.com
off Registration Fee
+ FREE Uniform and Team Bushi Ban T-Shirt (while supplies last)* Coupon must be presented to redeem offer. Restrictions apply.
POOLGUARD removable pool safety fences
ONE COMPANY.
ONE AGENT. MANY WAYS TO SAVE.
Let me help you save time and money. Protecting more of your world with Allstate makes your life easier. And it can put more money in your pocket. Bundle your policies and you can save even more. Why wait? Call me today.
Your Local Agent: EBONY BOWIE 281-275-4145
• 12 Decorative Colors • The Invisible Fence
14100 SOUTHWEST FRWY STE 360 SUGAR LAND ebonybowie@allstate.com
• Strongest Mesh/Pole In The Industry
• Lifetime Warranty – U.S.A. Made • Easily Removed By An Adult
6
201510
• All Installers A.S.T.M. Certified by Pool Guard U.S.A. Subject to terms, conditions and availability. Savings vary. Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Co., Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co., Allstate Insurance Co., Allstate Texas Lloyd’s, Allstate Indemnity Co., Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Co. Northbrook, Illinois © 2011 Allstate Insurance Co.
We Make Swimming Pools Safe For Kids!
Houston’s Original And Most Experienced
Serving The Greater Houston Area for Almost 20 Years!
281-495-8800 www.poolguardtexas.com
6
Community Outreach
Jazz It Up For Autism
Malawi’s Is Giving Back Even More
G
rand Opening Celebration February 10, 11, 12, 2017
Friday, February 10th - 11- 3.30 - Ribbon Cutting and business leadership networking luncheon, Malawi‘s Meet and Greet Your Local Leaders 6 -10 pm: Community Social Night - DJ Dance Party & Dinner
I
Leading sponsors John and Lisa Daugherty of Daugherty Insurance, Caroline Bordelon (Hope For Three), Honorary Event Chair, Linda Shultz and Samantha Katchy (Hope For Three).
t seems a little Mardi Gras reveling will come early in Fort Bend County. Jazz It Up for Autism, Hope For Three‘s Fifth Annual Luncheon is set for February 16. The Mardi Gras themed event, presented by Daugherty Insurance, will take place at Safari Texas Ranch (San Antonio Room) from 11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Accompanying Daugherty Insurance is Honorary Event Chair, Linda Schultz who leads a „krewe“ of extraordinary revelers, Sugar Land Baptist Church, Medcare Pediatric Group, Coupon.com, Tom and Mare Solcher, Cookie Joe‘s Dance Team and Launch Academy. Hope For Three‘s Jazz It Up for Autism Annual Luncheon is an opportunity to bring awareness to a disorder that affects 1 in 45 children. The midday gathering will feature a delicious lunch/dessert, the exhilarating sounds of Mardi Gras and a silent auction. Guests will also hear first hand from autism families on why Hope For Three, community support, autism advocacy and awareness bring acceptance, hope and the feeling of knowing they are not alone. Join Hope For Three and its „Krewe“ of revelers as they Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez and „throw“ much „favour“ on families living with autism. To purchase tickets, sponsor or become an event underwriter, visit www.hopeforthree.org/jazz-it-up-for-autism For information on resources, advocacy how you can BE the Difference by volunteering call 281-245-0640. Hope For Three, autism advocates providing help and creating hope.
Saturday, February 11th 11 - 4 pm - Community Family Day - meet and greet our local first responders, DJ, games, Malawi‘s promo items, giveaways, Malawi‘s education/artifacts station, photo booth, face painting, balloon artist 6-10 pm - Valentine‘s Date Night - Bring your date or the whole family to enjoy a Valentine‘s celebration; music will be provided indoors
Sunday, February 12th 11 - 9pm - Philanthropy Day - Malawi‘s will be supporting a local charity that also feeds children in need throughout the weekend. 15% of all proceeds on Sunday will go to the local charity to demonstrate our support of helping children in need in our own community. Malawi’s Pizza- Pizza with a Purpose® offers gourmet pizzas, pastas, salads, and desserts, served with the freshest ingredients complimented by a great selection of wines and beers in a warm, fun, family friendly atmosphere. At Malawi’s Pizza, it really is all about the food and the purpose! You really can taste the difference in the freshness and quality of our food. Every detail from the stone oven to the individual ingredients has been carefully designed to deliver a one of a kind experience. Dining under the canopy of the large iconic African acacia tree that fills each of our dining rooms and all the extra special touches including our big screen TVs for our sports enthusiasts. We are the only gourmet pizza brand that pairs amazing food with dedication to nurturing children around the world. For each meal purchased, we donate a meal to a child in Malawi, Africa. Thanks to our guests, as of January 18, 2017, 856,869 meals have been delivered. “Customers can feel good about their decision to dine with us because it supports the fundamental well-being of others,” said Corporate CEO and culinary chef, Kent Andersen. “We believe in nurturing not only the people of Malawi, but also within our own community.” February 2017
7
When it comes to buying or selling a home, I have the experience, expertise and track record to get you where you want to go!
Sara Lyn Nguyen ABR, CHMS, CNE, ePro, GREEN 2015 Platinum, 2014 Gold, 2013 & 2012 Silver Award Winner, Multi-Million Dollar Top Producer 6 Year Texas Monthly Five Star Professional
832.439.7600 Sara@SaraLynHomes.com www.SaraLynHomes.com
Enhance The Beauty and Value of Your Home Quality Flooring at Affordable Prices
$1000 Off
purchase of $7500 $150 Off Purchase of $1500 $300 Off Purchase of $2500 $750 Off Purchase of $5000 present at time of purchase otherwise we can’t honor. Not valid with other offers.
Custom plantation Basswood Shutters
granite Countertops
Carpet
Sam’s Flooring Gallery
4327 Hwy 6 South (just south of Oyster Creek park), Sugar land, tX 77478
832-875-8371 • SamsFlooringGallery.com
8
$29.99 sqft Oyster Creek park
★
Sam’s flooring gallery
including trim
$1.29 sqft dulles Ave
Kitchen & Bath makeovers tile, Carpet, Wood & laminate flooring granite, Silestone & Quartz Countertops Window treatments
laminate
$2.99 sqft
Settlers Way Blvd
nth 24 mo g in c n fina ble a il a v A
$4.29 sqft
$20 sqft installed
We Offer COmplete HOme remOdeling inCluding:
Hardwoods installed
pricing includes installation and trim.
The List
Top 10 Things to do in February
1.
Time to take your compost and sew minerals into your garden area so the soil is rich in nutrients for seeds in the next few months. If you’re really wanting a boost I’ll suggest going over to Southern Breeze and find Cathy Strobel the owner and ask her of a pile of manure. Your vegetables will be thanking you for it! 2. Purchase a membership to the Museum of Fine Art and take your children to see movies and exhibits. Buy them sketch books and pencils and make a art date each month all year long. This will foster a love for the arts and gift them with the knowledge they will need to hold meaningful intellectual conversations as adults.
with Auntie A
5. Take all the curtains down and straight away to be cleaned, wash the baseboards and check all bike’s tires to make sure as soon as the days get a little nicer you can readily hop onto one for an afternoon sip of fresh air. 6. Make a big pot of homemade spaghetti and afterwards turn it into my homemade vegetable soup. Both dishes are hearty and feel good during these hot then cold again Houston winter days. 7. Plan a Spring break for each of your family members. Younger children might enjoy a trip to grandmas and the older set might enjoy a staycation filled with tickets to the movies, trips to Schlitterbahn and bowling. 8. Decorate using moss and little vases filled with fresh tiny flowers and ferns. Even though we are still in winter it doesn’t have to feel that way when you sit down for a warm meal.
3. In your kitchen take heirloom tomatoes purchased and seed them, plant into tiny pods and prepare them to sprout so that in a few short weeks of caring for them inside they’ll be ready for your spring garden. 4. On my nightside table now is an old favorite Memories of my Melancholy Whores by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Make Me by Lee Child. The first is an old favorite that you will enjoy and as February is the month of love…a nice go to. I’m in the middle of a mess with the characters right now on Lee’s book so I’ll let you know later.
9. Start making little Easter baskets to take to the battered women’s shelter 10. While it’s still fairly reasonably temperate in the attic start tackling going through boxes and sort out stuff to give away this spring.
BY ALISA MURRAY
WWW.ALISAMURRAY.COM
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PORTRAIT ARTIST & AWARD WINNING COLUMNIST.
Auntie A’s Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup I often make one great dish and then
a few days later turn it into another something tasty.
This reconstitution
of food keeps my family happy with
variety (who wants to eat leftovers anyway?) and budget in check.
For my spaghetti recipe go to Alisamurraystheartistspalate.com You’ll need: Leftover spaghetti 1 bag of frozen corn 1 bag of frozen baby green lima beans
1 can of diced tomatoes 1 purple onion diced 3 cloves of fresh garlic diced A hand-full of oregano and a
Pour the thick leftover spaghetti
into a pan and dump in all ingredients add water until it looks like soup and simmer for about veggies are done
30 mins until frozen
While your waiting slice sharp cheddar cheese, place on buttered french baguettes and place in 350 until cheese is melted…by then and
just in time that homemade soup will be ready!
Bon Appetit!
sprinkle of thyme
February 2017
9
$10 OFF Valid for New Customers Only
INCREASE
YOUR VISIBILITY AND TARGET YOUR DESIRED AUDIENCE!
& C OMING S OON ... WWW............. ....@@@@@@@@@@@.... (((())))-----
281-451-4624
www.flogrillshouston.com FLO Grills Houston is a locally owned company, specializing in custom Outdoor Kitchen Design, Manufacturing and Installation. Our state of the art CAD design and manufacturing teams ensure a precise fit, fireproof enclosure, and include a lifetime warranty. All of our designs are custom to your setting and provide everything you need to outfit your dream Outdoor Living Space.
10
GRILLS • FIREPLACES • SMOKERS • FIRE PITS
The Guide
F
Top 4 Local Valentine’s Day Date Ideas
or happily-single people like me, Valentine’s Day is reserved for binge-watching true crime documentaries and British detective shows on Netflix, all the while meticulously excavating tubs of Blue Bell ice cream like a West Virginia miner. For the rest of the world, it means spending quality time with their significant other. You can go to that Italian restaurant where y’all go to every year. Sure, you can watch a horror movie at the cinema with a million other couples and follow it up with a nightcap at the newest wine bar. Actually, that sounds kind of nice. However, that’s also kind of boring (unless that’s the essence of your relationship). This year, spice it up a bit and do something weird, whacky, wonderful or all three. Here are some date ideas for Valentine’s Day.
By Michael Miraflores
1. Stargazing at George Observatory: Stargazing sounds rather dull, but stargazing through a 36-inch Gueymard Research Telescope, one of the largest publicly-available telescopes in the United States, is not your typical date activity. George Observatory at Brazos Bend State Park is a good option for Valentine’s Day not only because you can enjoy the magnificent gems in our galaxy with the gem in your life, but you can continue the stargazing (sans telescope) at one of the park’s many campgrounds. Light up the campfire, bust out the hot cocoa, and share a blanket underneath the unfolding twilight. 2. Horse Riding at Sienna Stables: One of the best equestrian centers in the Houston area is right here in our Fort Bend backyard. Sienna Stables offers therapeutic riding sessions for patrons looking to get in touch with nature. This is fun Valentine’s Day activity for couples who love animals and the
outdoors. You can also take lessons with your partner to learn equestrian skills, such as English or Western Riding. Afterwards, you two can even watch Sienna Stables’ featured horse shows. 3. Shoot Cupid Back: What’s more romantic than the smell of gun powder and the thunderous sound of a Desert Eagle .44 Magnum announcing to the world how much you love your significant other? Check out G2G Family Shooting & Archery Range in Rosenberg, which boasts a large indoor range for cowboys and cowgals to practice their aim. 4. Winter Games: So, yeah, you can go to the Galleria anytime to go iceskating. However, it’s the busiest mall in the Greater Houston Area, so there are kids playing tag, dads hanging on for dear life on the wall, and the occasional spilled drink or vomit on the ice. This is to say that it just reminds you of home, if you’re a parent. Go to a more intimate ice skating rink like the Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center. It’s the only dual rink facility in the Gulf Coast, which means that they offer open skating sessions to the public almost every day of the week. You can recreate your favorite Blades of Glory scenes.
February 2017
11
ECRWSS RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER
PRSRT STD U.S POSTAGE PAID DENVER CO PERMIT NO. 5377
complex neurological conditions — treated in sugar land. At the Neuroscience & Spine Center at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, our physicians collaborate across specialties to diagnose and treat common to complex neurological disorders. With innovative and advanced treatment options, we provide the most comprehensive care close to home. Our team of physicians treats a variety of disorders, including • Alzheimer’s disease and memory disorders • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) • Back and neck pain • Brain and spinal tumors • Epilepsy and seizures • Headaches and migraines • Multiple sclerosis (MS) • Muscle and nerve injuries
• Muscular atrophy • Myasthenia gravis • Neuromuscular disorders • Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders • Peripheral neuropathy • Sleep disorders • Stroke
For more information, visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland-neuro, or to schedule an appointment, call 281.274.7979.