Prime Living May/June "The Travel Issue" by SRG Services, Inc.

Texas

M ay/ j u n e 2 0 1 0

The Luxury of Choice

High Life

Private jet travel takes you to all new heights

Roughing It

Set JET

Travelthe world in the lap of luxury

Off the beaten path at exclusive luxury lodges

Bon Voyage

Discover France in five distinctive getaways

The stunning result of taking a very different road. At Jaguar Houston Central, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re dedicated to providing the best automotive experience possible. For stunning results, take the road to Jaguar Houston Central, easily accessible from every corner of the Houston area. The all new 2011 Jaguar XJ, arriving this Spring. Jaguar Houston Central 7019 Old Katy Road, Houston, TX 77024 Phone: (713) 293-6000

jaguarhoustoncentral.com

May/june 2010

Man NASA’s International Space Station manager has a job that’s out of this world

france en cinq

Discover the charm, history and allure of France in five distinctive getaways

nature refined

Luxury lodges put a lavish twist on the creature comforts of the great outdoors

soar winners

Expanding options in private jet travel take the industry to new heights

31 45 may/june • 2010

alsoinside

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Karyn Dean

kdean@prime-living.com

11 • cocktails & conversation • Where to Go, What to Do 10 Myths That Travel • Bowled Over • Buzz • Rise & Shine • City Q&A • Spectrum of Things • Beyond the Backyard • My Life • A Shore Thing

Publisher Terry Dean

tdean@prime-living.com

Managing Editor Michelle Jacoby

51 • connoisseur • PL’s Guide to Discerning Taste Chic Cuisine • Good Eats • Table Talk • Spirit of Brazil •

mjacoby@prime-living.com

Assistant Editor Sue Hauenstein

Peach of a Party

sueh@prime-living.com

61 • the gentleman's room • For the man who commands the very best Dad’s Day = Gadgets Galore • Catch a Wave • Creation or Evolution • Surf, Sand & Cinema 69 • live well • Feel Good, Look Good Saving Face • Seeing is Believing

www.switchstudio.com

72 • prime list • Events, Galas and Fundraisers Prime Living’s Design Challenge • Keels & Wheels Uncorked • Mid-State Wine Tasting • Keep the Beat Heart Ball • Datebook 78 • pL’s Postcards • Greetings from texas destinations Weatherford • Urban Cowboys

the

Art Direction & Design SW!TCH s t u d i o Jim Nissen, Erin Loukili, Chaidi Lobato, Kris Olmon, Nicole Budz

58 54

list

Mike Taylor

mtaylor@prime-living.com

Account Executive Jennifer Ludlow jludlow@prime-living.com

Marketing/Event Coordinator Jennifer Dean Circulation/ Distribution Brian Stavert

bstavert@prime-living.com

Contact 311 Julie Rivers Drive Sugar Land, Texas 77498 281.277.2333

on the cover Hair, makeup and wardrobe by Edward Sanchez; model from Neil Hamil Agency. Dress by Terri Jon, hat by Natalia, available at TOOTSIES. Jewelry by Deville Fine Jewelry, handbag by JulieBeth Handbags. Jet courtesy of Western Airways. Photographed at Sugar Land Regional Airport on March 11, 2010 by Jerry Powers.

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Senior Account Executives Linda Osborne

Editorial Inquiries editor@prime-living.com Advertising Information advertise@prime-living.com www.prime-living.com Prime Living Magazine is a publication of SRG Services, Inc., published bi-monthly. Copies are mailed and hand delivered to households and businesses throughout the greater Houston area. This publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the express prior written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility to any party for the content of any advertisement in this publication. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position of the publication.

publisher’s note Afterspendingseveral

months working on our

Jet Set issue, I’m convincedthat

privatejet

travel isthe only

karyn dean Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

Texas Peach Margaritas 4 cups (16 oz.) fresh peach slices 1 cup tequila 1/2 cup fresh lime juice 1/2 cup peach schnapps 1/4 cup triple sec 2 cups ice (may need more ice depending on weather) Lime (for garnishment) Sugar (for garnishment) Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until a smooth consistency is reached. Rub rims of 6 stemmed glasses with lime; dip rims into granulated sugar. Garnish sides of glasses with mint, lime slice or peach slice. (You may substitute frozen peaches for fresh if needed.)

coming up The Food & Wine Issue: From the Texas’s Master Sommeliers to the best chef’s tables in town, get the latest dish on Houston’s dining scene.

hat does May mean to you? For me, it means graduations, elections, Memorial Day, Mother’s Day and daydreaming about vacationing on an exotic beach (ahhh…). After spending several months working on our Jet Set issue, I’m convinced that private jet travel is the only way to go. The industry has taken off (no pun, intended) and is now offering concierge services that have made luxury jet travel accommodating and convenient. Find out more about private jet ownership, fractionals and the rise of FBOs in the greater Houston area in “Soar Winners” on page 44. Once you’ve booked your private jet, make plans to visit one (or all) of the five French getaways featured in “France en Cinq,” on page 31. From touring historic chateaux in Loire Valley, to discovering the charm of Parisian outdoor markets, to visiting the places in Arles that inspired the work of Vincent Van Gogh, you’ll fall in love with this wonderful country all over again. With summer just around the corner, we’re traveling back to the ’60s with Frankie, Annette and the whole “Beach Blanket Bingo” gang in this month’s installment of Nostalgia, where you can also reminisce about the most famous summer musical group of all time, the Beach Boys. Ready to do some outdoor entertaining that’s unique, fun and easy? Check out our Entertain spread and get inspired for a perfectly peachy party. Summer is peach time in Texas and who can say no to homemade peach cobbler? Or better yet, Texas Peach Margaritas? Whip up a batch with this favorite recipe from my kitchen to yours. May is also the perfect time for brunch, which is why we’ve brought together some of our favorite places to enjoy the mid-day repast in this month’s Hot List. If you’d rather bowl than brunch, be sure to read our Night Out piece on Lucky Strikes Lanes. Growing up, bowling in Houston was never this cool! Finally, if you’re a regular Prime Living reader, then you know that I have a genuine fondness for Chef Michel Roux, whom I had the pleasure of meeting last year at the opening of Chez Roux at La Torretta Lake Resort. The French restaurant was created by Chef Michel’s famous father Chef Albert Roux and in this month’s Main Dish, we’ll give you a taste of the culinary masterpieces coming from its kitchen. Here’s to a happy Mother’s and Father’s Day, and a great start to a wonderful summer!

kdean@prime-living.com

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wayto go.

Art with Heart Gala BENEFITING SAN JOSÉ CLINIC

Date & Time

Saturday, May 15, 2010 — 6:30 PM Location

InterContinental Hotel 2222 West Loop South, Houston, Texas 77027 Tickets

Please join us Saturday, May 15 in support of one of the nation’s longest standing charity clinics.

$150 – $2,500 Event Information and to Preview Artwork

www.sanjoseclinic.org #OCKTAIL 2ECEPTION s $INNER s 0ROGRAM s 3ILENT ,IVE !UCTION Music by Moodafaruka

Chairs

Gina and Devinder Bhatia Portrait of Compassion Honorees

Dr. Carolyn Farb The Charity Guild of Catholic Women For ticket and table purchasing information, contact events@sullivan-group.com

Featured Artist John Palmer Equestrian Montage No. 1 Original silkscreen on canvas 70 x 40 inches

contributORS the talented people who drive prime living

Nancy Davidson | Writer

Dave Dodge | Writer It all started with a 4-H trip to Washington, D.C., followed by visits to seven continents and a stint living abroad that gave Dave his wanderlust for travel. In 2000, he took his passion for globetrotting and created “Dodger World Traveler” a personal service of planning and escorting throughout the world. Never one to sit still, Dave just returned from a multi-country journey through Asia, including Thailand and Cambodia.

Jake Poinier | Writer

Jerry Powers | Photographer With nearly 20 years experience, Jerry says photography has allowed him to gain invaluable experience shooting an extremely wide variety of subject matter. “You never quite know where a particular assignment may take you. I’m shooting the manager of the International Space Station at NASA one day and in a hanger full of private luxury jets the next. I guess variety truly is the spice of life!”

Jaimee Rose | Writer and Stylist

Roswitha Vogler | Photographer A native of Vienna, Austria, Roswitha has worked in the tourism industry for many years, traveling extensively and shooting everything from helicopter skiing in the Caucasian Mountains to her parents’ 60th anniversary party in Vienna. “I enjoyed shooting the Mid-State Wine Tasting,” she says, “not only because of the Champagne, my favorite drink, but because, by chance, I met one of my former colleagues from Europe!”

Nancy has contributed to Cooking Light, Gourmet and Saveur, and is the author of “Killer Ribs.” After visiting open air markets in Paris, she says, “My favorite purchase was a slightly battered antique copper pot cover that cost me 25 euros. I found one in perfect condition for 200 euros, but I preferred the one that showed some wear and tear from its previous life.”

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A talented writer and stylist, Jaimee always appreciates a story that begins with champagne and ends with leftover peach pie. “When no one was looking, our party guests kept asking me for refills on the Bellinis,” she says. A seasoned feature writer, Jaimee’s stories have appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The Baltimore Sun, AZ Magazine, Stratos Magazine and The Arizona Republic.

Jake’s first trip on a private jet was to the U.S. Open in Pebble Beach when he was a 25year-old writer for Golf Illustrated. He earned his bareboat cruising certificate in Tortola right before turning 41. While researching private jet travel and sailing schools, his daydreams turned toward hopping a 607 mph flight with his wife to a tropical island and a fully provisioned 40-foot sloop.

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cocktails & conversation.

cocktails & the prime living guide to what's happening now

inside:

Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge

12 13 14 16 17 18 22 24 25

• • • • • • • • •

cocktails & conversation.

prime ten

Myths that Travel

Story | sally j. clasen Illustration | Paul Svancara

Some travel myths have collected a lot of frequent-flier mileage, gaining legendary spin along the way. Yet, many of the stories are more folklore than fact. Here are 10 adventurous but misguided beliefs circulating about the road: Invoking “Rule 240” will get you special treatment for delayed or cancelled flights. Rule No. 1: The secret code doesn’t exist anymore. The airline industry hasn’t offered exemplary customer service since the dawn of flight.

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The French dislike Americans. Au contraire. The French are just weary of our ubiquitous white tennis shoes and having to explain that French fries are an invention of the Belgians—not McDonald’s.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. In Sin City, where cocktails flow freely 24/7, your misadventures will be the shot heard round the world. You can bet on it.

Bed bugs only check into fleabag hotels. Bed bugs aren’t necessarily budget travelers. They can be snobs like the rest of us, hopping from one set of highpercale cotton sheets to another.

The airport X-ray machine will erase your digital camera memory. No, but don’t tell the guy behind you in the security line who is returning from Vegas. He thinks his actions will be quietly wiped out in one fell scan.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. An axiom that evolved from a sweaty “single’s only” cycling trip through the winding wine country of Tuscany.

Cruise ships are all-inclusive. True, if the only activity on your floating itinerary is playing passenger bingo every night, stone cold sober.

Nudist resorts are filled with toned, sexy bodies. The only individuals who can lounge naked all day are rich, retired people whose money can’t stop gravity.

Men tip their cowboy hats when asking for If you flush the airplane directions in Texas. Silly. No toilet while sitting, you hat-wearing man in Texas, or any other locale on the planet, would might get stuck to the toilet seat. This is a bum rap. However, dare ask for directions. if you risk sitting on an airplane toilet seat, maybe your flight should end with a sealed flush.

night out

cocktails & conversation.

While you’re in the neighborhood, check out these other great spots:

Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar

Bowled Over

Story | Holly Beretto Photography | Brian Bookwalter

owling gets a bad rap. Think of grungy carpets and bad rock and roll playing in the background, with the smell of stale beer and cigarettes emanating through the air. Now imagine if an alley had a low, stone fireplace; deep, darkly cushioned sofas; a bartender who makes a killer martini; and an upscale sophistication. The stuff of fantasy? Not if you’re at Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge. Opened late last year in downtown’s swanky Pavilions complex, Lucky Strike redefines the idea of a night of bowling—or even an afternoon of bowling. “We have people who will come in on their lunch hour, bowl for 45 minutes, let out some stress and head back to the office,” says general manager Patrick Faas.

While lunch-time bowling might be fun, Lucky Strike comes alive once the five o’clock whistle blows. Everyone from corporate bigwigs to young urbanites arrives, ready for happy hour. You’ll love the items on the specialty drink list, especially the Luxetini, a blend of Bombay Sapphire, Chambord and lime that’s a perfect way to ease into the evening. Lucky Strike really offers it all in a plush lounge atmosphere with great food and drinks. Don’t miss the ahi tuna lollipops or the tomato and cheese s’mores. Those who need their burger fix should order up some of the mini cheeseburgers with fries. Drinks run the gamut from new-age martinis to classic Scotches and Bourbons that can be served in a private VIP room where white couches, blonde

woods, a bar and pool tables dominate. It’s a great spot for parties and events, and even has its own two-lane alley. And then, of course, there’s the actual bowling. State-of-theart screens show your progress, and Lucky Strike can turn four or six lanes into a private suite for you, putting your own DVDs on the big-screen TVs and offering a little privacy from the hustle and bustle of the main alley. It’s very much a one-stopshop, combining a great time with exceptional service. This is bowling, all grown up.

lucky strike lanes and lounge 1201 san jacinto st. 713-343-300 bowlluckystrike.com

Whether you’re singing to celebrate your 10 perfect strikes or howling the blues over your gutter balls, this rocking joint across from Lucky Strike is the perfect spot to let those pipes loose. Every two hours, on the hour, two rocking pianists take the stage on dueling baby grands, performing everything from ABBA to ZZ Top, taking requests, leading you in song and otherwise hitting the high notes. 1201 Fannin St. 713-337-7383 petesduelingpianobar.com

House of Blues

Whether you come in for the Sunday Gospel Brunch, the businessman’s lunch in the Foundation Room, or one of the venue’s dozens of concerts, the entertainment is always hot at House of Blues. Coming up are the Gipsy Kings (May 7) and the Fab Four Beatles tribute band (June 5), among many, many more. 1204 Caroline St. 888-402-5837 houseofblues.com

Mia Bella

Newly opened in the Pavilions complex, this trendy Italian trattoria offers upscale cuisine in an easy-chic setting. Check out the Vitello alla Mia Bella, veal done up with sun-dried tomatoes, portabella mushrooms and Marsala wine sauce served over basil risotto, or the Parpardelle al Modo Mio, pasta with sautéed artichoke hearts, mushrooms, goat cheese and pine nuts done up elegantly with tomato basil olive oil. 1201 Caroline St. 832-319-6673 bellarestaurants.com

may/june • 2010

cocktails & conversation.

buzz

Look Who’s

Coming to Dinner

overnight gruyere mac & Cheese Salt 8 oz. elbow macaroni 1-1/4 cup whole milk 2 cups heavy cream

1 cup freshly grated Gruyere cheese (or more to taste) Freshly ground black pepper Breadcrumbs made from stale, dry baguette (1/4 cup, to taste)

The day before, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 4 minutes or until very al dente. Drain and cool under cold running water. Combine milk, cream and 1/2 cup of the cheese in a large bowl. Add pasta and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours, allowing the pasta to absorb the milk mixture and expand. When ready to serve, bring the macaroni mixture to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Using a slotted spoon, place the pasta in a 2-quart baking dish, adding no more than 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the mixture to the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup (or more to taste) cheese on top as well as the breadcrumbs. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden and crusty (can also up the temp to broil at the very end for an extra crusty top). Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

Nominations for guest chef candidates can be submitted to VOICE general manager Charlie Skipsey at cskipsey@destinationhotels.com. For information on VOICE, visit hotelicon.com/voice-restaurant or call 832-667-4470.

PL`s click list

Our favorite travel sites

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Baby Charles Looking Over His Mother’s Shoulder (No.2) c. 1900, by Mary Cassatt.

Best Impression

est known for her tender and luminous portrayals of mothers and children, legendary American painter Mary Cassatt has created such works as “Mother Feeding Child” and “La Toilette.” Born on May 22, 1844 in Allegheny City, Penn., Cassatt studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. From 1866 to 1874, she traveled abroad and studied in Italy, Spain and Holland. She finally settled in Paris, where she befriended French Impressionist artist Edgar Degas and soon became one of the leading artists in the Impressionist movement in the late 1800s. Through May 29, Meredith Long & Company will exhibit 41 major prints and drawings by the legendary artist, including etchings, drypoints, color aquatints, pastel counterproofs and drawings that have rarely been seen by the public. The gallery is located at 2323 San Felipe and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, visit meredithlonggallery.com or call 713-523-6671.

Feeding the Ducks, 189

5, by Mary Cassatt.

unusualhotelsoftheworld.com

aluxurytravelblog.com

luggagefree.com

luxurylink.com

Jodie Eisenhardt

hef Michael Kramer, executive chef of VOICE at the Hotel ICON, has opened his kitchen in a special guest chef series giving amateur toques the opportunity to show off their culinary skills and share their favorite recipes. Houston attorney Jennifer LeGrand kicked off the new program in February with her very own Overnight Gruyere Mac & Cheese recipe, which Kramer included as a special item on that evening’s menu. LeGrand, who traversed the kitchen floor in her high heels, says she likes to serve the dish as a side to a beef tenderloin seared in a brown sugar and kosher salt crust, or with grilled rib eyes rubbed with a pepper mix made of red pepper, black pepper, lemon pepper and kosher salt.

buzz

fashion Statement T

his summer, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft kicks off a unique and innovative exhibition of wearable works of art that will have heads turning. “The Paper Runway” features nearly 50 stunning works of paper clothing and accessories, including couture-worthy evening gowns and fashion-forward menswear. Garment-inspired pieces are made from materials ranging from recycled cotton rags and coffee filters, to natural fibers such as banana leaf and mulberry bark, to various handmade papers. Some pieces are whimsical and Fairy Tale Dress unconventional, while others have a by Susan Cutts deeply personal story to tell.

cocktails & conversation.

The exhibit will also feature the work of Deepak Shrestha, a renowned Tibetan artist who specializes in shifu, a craft that involves creating wearable, functional garments out of paper. Using the Daphne plant to transform fibers into paper sheets, Shrestha cuts the sheets into thin strips and rubs them against rocks to form string. He and his artisans then use the string to weave cloth into durable clothing. The opening reception will be held on June 4 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and the exhibit will run through Sept. 4. Located at 4848 Main Street, the museum is open daily (call for summer hours) and admission is free. For information, visit crafthouston.org or call 713-529-4848.

urbanmarket J

Mind, Body & Spirit

La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa | Urban Harvest

ooking for a special hideaway to get refreshed and rejuvenated? Get away from it all at the new SpaTerre, located at La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa in Montgomery. The signature spa concept incorporates time-honored practices and traditions of Indonesia, India and Thailand that promote health, peace and relaxation. In addition to a menu of customized offerings ranging from massage to salon services, SpaTerre offers a core menu specializing in global rituals in which the healing properties of exotic flowers and spices are used to enhance each spa signature experience. Highlights include the Javanese Royal Treatment, which includes essential oil and herbal exfoliations and a cold yogurt splash, and the Volcanic Earth Clay Ritual, featuring a detoxifying clay body mask and Balinese foot massage. For information or reservations, call 877-286-9590 or visit latorrettalakeresort.com.

ust because summer’s setting in, doesn’t mean you have to give up your Sunday jaunt to the local farmers market. In April, Discovery Green and Urban Harvest kicked off the Urban Harvest Farmers Market at Discovery Green, held Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. The new partnership will continue Discovery Green’s commitment to offering locally grown foods and crafts that began with Central City Co-op shortly after the park opened in 2008. Urban Harvest will offer the same products from local produce growers and family farms, as well as prepared foods and crafts, chef demonstrations, gardening classes and more. Urban Harvest will continue to operate its original Urban Harvest Farmers Market at Eastside, held Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon at 3000 Richmond at Eastside. “We are pleased with the success of the [farmers market] at Eastside and excited to expand our program to such a spectacular location in the heart of downtown Houston,” says Mark Bowen, Urban Harvest executive director. For more information, visit discoverygreen.com or urbanharvest.org.

artisansofleisure.com

state.gov/travel

xe.com

travelessentials.com

onebag.com

scottevest.com

may/june • 2010

cocktails & conversation.

hot list Chef Aaron Neeley, Monarch

Hugo’s Mexican Restaurant

For years, Chef Hugo Ortega has delighted his loyal patrons by proving that classical Mexican cuisine that is among the best in the world. The Grand Buffet served at Hugo’s Sunday brunch lives up to its name by offering a wide variety of Ortega’s best: tamales, carnitas, ceviches and tortas, to name just a few. Come thirsty, too, because the impressive selection of brunch cocktails, mojitos, sangrias and margaritas are more than worth exploring.

Rise & Shine Story | Karl Hauenstein

Your mother was right: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The five fine establishments in this month’s Hot List, however, will prove that not only was your momma right, but that breakfast can also be the most enjoyable meal of the day. The line of people out the door and around the side of the building is your first hint that something very good is happening inside. The second hint is the delicious odor as you approach the front door. Those willing to wait in line are rewarded with breakfast the way it was meant to be: delicious food served in enormous portions by people who seem to genuinely care whether you’re enjoying yourself. Signature dishes are Wings & Waffles and Katfish & Grits. Trust me, you need to put this place on your bucket list! 3711 travis 713-528-8561 thebreakfastklub.com

Brennan’s of houston

On Fat Tuesday (that’s Mardi Gras for you French majors), 18 months after suffering catastrophic fire and storm damage during Hurricane Ike, Brennan’s re-opened, bringing back its famous Sunday brunch at the original location on Smith Street. The results are nothing short of spectacular. The understated

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elegant décor is a perfect complement to what remains some of the best classical Creole cuisine served anywhere. When the occasion calls for pampering and the finest food and drink, you can’t go wrong here.

Churrasco’s

One of Houston's best steakhouses offers a Sunday brunch buffet that is second to none, featuring a wide assortment of salads, appetizers, entrees and desserts from the restaurant’s dinner menu. There’s also a carving station, pasta station and waffles, French toast and pancakes made to order, making this hotspot an all-you-can-eat haven of some of the best food on the planet. That, my friends, is a great way to spend a Sunday morning.

3300 smith 713-522-9711 brennanshouston.com

Monarch Urban Bistro & Lounge

The Sunday brunch at Hotel ZaZa, Houston’s hippest hotel, features a fixed-price, threecourse meal. Choose from eclectic specialties such as migas, lobster Benedict, banana granola French toast and grilled salmon salad. Or stick with a classic American breakfast of sausage, eggs and pancakes. Bottomless Bellinis and mimosas, or a great selection of wines and brunch cocktails will help wash down your meal. 5701 main st. 713-526-1991 hotelzazahouston.com

Tres Leches, Churrasco's

2055 westheimer / 9705 westheimer 713-527-8300 / 713-952-1988 cordua.com

Hotel ZaZa | Cordua Restaurants

The Breakfast Klub

1600 westheimer 713-524-7744 hugosrestaurant.net/brunch

city Q&A

cocktails & conversation.

Houston Deconstructed Get the answers to your burning questions about the Bayou City

Rice University

Story | Barbara Fulenwider

How many cruise lines now come and go via Galveston? Two, Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Taking a cruise from Galveston means choosing a four-, five- or seven-day trip to the Caribbean. You can’t lose with stops in such ports of call as Cozumel, Progreso, Roatan, Costa Maya, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Nassau, Freeport, Key West and Belize City. All cruises from Galveston depart from the Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal. What major development enabled Houston to survive and prosper after the capital of the Republic of Texas was moved to Austin? Few predicted that Buffalo Bayou, a commercial center that could deliver area farm crops to the rest of the world, would be the city’s saving grace. In 1842, the city government declared Houston a port city, which enabled it and the state to maintain the waterway. The first monetary help from Congress came in 1870 to help maintain the channel. The turning basin was then completed in 1908 and by 1930, the Port of Houston was the third largest in the nation in tonnage.

Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau | Rice University | NASA

Buffalo Bayou

How did Buffalo Bayou get its name? History tells us that the bayou was most likely named after buffalo fish, which were once plentiful in Houston area streams, or from the bison that roamed the area. Early maps show the bayou as Cibolo Creek (cibolo is the Spanish word for buffalo). Archaeologists have found bison bones at several excavated sites along the bayou.

head-in curb parking and was bumper-to-bumper at certain times of the day and week.

was not to be built until after his death. After Rice was murdered in 1900, the trial over, appeals done and lawsuits over the will were either dropped or settled, Rice Institute was finally secure in 1904, when the board took control of assets totaling $4.6 million.

What U.S. achievement made Houston Who was the man internationally known? Rice University is The National Aeronautics and Space named for? Administration’s flight to the moon William Marsh Rice was born in on July 16, 1969. When astronauts Massachusetts in 1816 and came Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. to Texas in 1838. Although he Aldrin Jr. landed flawlessly on the never drank alcohol, Rice went moon four days later, Armstrong into the highly lucrative wine and announced, “Houston, Eagle has spirits business and became an landed.” Suddenly the world, extremely wealthy merchant. Real which was riveted to the event, estate and development ventures knew Houston. made him wealthier and led him How long has into storekeeping, which brought Houston suffered him customers and clients from traffic jams? all over the Gulf Coast. Rice then If you think Houston traffic incorporated the Houston Cotton is a headache today, you’d be Compress Company with several surprised to know that it was a other businessmen, giving them major headache as far back as control of cotton from the fields the late 1920s, when Main Street to the cotton exchanges abroad. was the town’s main street for a In 1891, after having amassed population of nearly 300,000. multiple fortunes, Rice endowed The four-lane thoroughfare had Moon landing an institution of learning that

Have a burning question about life in Houston? E-mail your curious inquiries to askhouston@prime-living.com.

may/june • 2010

cocktails & conversation.

arts

bestbets Charles Russell Retrospective A painter, sculptor and humorist of the American West, Charles M. “Charlie” Russell (1864-1926) is familiar to millions around the world. Virtually self-taught, Russell began to paint early in his career as a cowboy. Later on, as a full-time artist, he provided inspiration to Hollywood’s first filmmakers. With firsthand knowledge of cowboys and outlaws, trappers and hunters, Native Americans, and Western wildlife and wilderness, the Russell of this first full retrospective presents an unparalleled view of a nowlost American culture. See his works June 6 to Aug. 29 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Spectrum of Story | John DeMers Photography | Mark Lipczynski

o Kenn McLaughlin, producing artistic director of Stages Repertory Theatre, it all comes down to what he calls “the spectrum of things.” Stages began 34 years ago as an edgy, feisty newcomer in a city that already had a love affair with big commercial musicals, as well as the Alley Theatre, one of the country’s most respected regional companies. In time, Stages would become none of those even if, every once in a while, it would resemble all of them. “Stages started out as one of those little rebels down in the basement of the Magnolia Brewery downtown,” offers McLaughlin, now enjoying his ninth season here. “It was truly one of the guerilla theaters of its day. As the theater grew, as its audiences grew and its resources grew, the theater itself became a much larger institution. We have people who’ve been with us 34 years and they’ve grown up. Their needs are different, and the stories they’re interested in seeing are different.” In recent summers, Stages has become more of a commercial enterprise, looking repeatedly to proven winners like “Always…Patsy Cline” or one year, to its never-ending redneck festival “The

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Great American Trailer Park Musical” to pay a lot of bills. But the annual schedule at its two-staged complex just off Allen Parkway supports McLaughlin’s contention that the company remains committed to fresh voices, often catching that fragile but sure-to-be-edgy moment between a writer’s relative anonymity and the birth of a new theater brand. For instance, Stages presented a world premiere by Sarah Ruhl, just before “A Clean House” made her a Broadway household word. The same can be said of Craig Wright, along with upand-comers like Eric Coble and James Still. “I love the rawest, darkest comedies that are horrifying, and I also love ‘Annie,’” laughs McLaughlin, who grew up a “spoiled poor kid from the west side of Cleveland” and went on to win accolades through 11 seasons as actor, stage director and administrator of that city’s Great Lakes Theater Festival, as well as its much-copied School Residency Program. “I love a good story well told, regardless of what that story is. And I love innovation. I love all of it and at Stages, it’s perfect because I get to do all of it.” He thinks a moment. “I’ve always been a kid in a candy store.”

Stravinsky’s Riotous Rite The first time any orchestra performed Igor Stravinsky’s jarringly different “Rite of Spring” in 1913, there was a riot in the audience—and no, not the good kind. The Houston Symphony is expressing the hope for less drama in the audience at Jones Hall on May 21, but presumably no less drama in the orchestra when its musicians play this music. The conductor is our own Hans Graf, with pianist Garrick Ohlsson also onboard to perform Rachmaninoff’s piano concerto No. 3. Forever Young We know you loved it the first time, when Mel Brooks turned his hit movie “The Producers” into a hit Broadway musical, which then had to be turned into another hit movie. No dummy, Brooks is doing it again—making a mockery of his, well, mockery in the musical “Young Frankenstein.” New songs and new schtick enliven this already-wacky sendup of every Frankenstein movie ever made. See it at the Hobby Center, May 25 to June 6.

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cocktails & conversation.

arts

Through July 18 Liquid Lines: Exploring the Language of Contemporary Metal Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet. $7. 713-639-7300, mfah.org

May 8 to June 6 Arcadia Main Street Theater–Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd. $20 to $36. 713-524-6706, mainstreettheater.com

Through May 9

review La Bayadere

Houston Ballet

hen word first spread that Houston Ballet’s Stanton Welch was taking on “La Bayadere”—the nearly lost, 19th-century St. Petersburg oddity set in an ancient temple in India—the rumor was that he would go Bollywood on us. Happily, that rumor proved to be untrue as Welch found his way into the story by going far more “Holly” than “Bolly.” All it lacked, in fact, to be Cecil B. DeMille was DeMille’s own voice narrating from the program notes, as though this were South Asia’s own Ten Commandments: “Mythic India. Land of Four-Faced Lord Brahma, god of creation…” Working with Minkus’ lush, not-at-all-Indian score, and what we know of Petipa’s lovely, slightlymore-Indian dancing, Welch has given Houston Ballet a crowd-pleaser it can trot out every few years with considerable fanfare. His “Bayadere” is art, it is spectacle, it is exoticism. And in the end, it is beautiful to a nearly Wagnerian degree. Tristan and Isolde, it turns out, have nothing on “warrior prince” Solor and “temple dancer” Nikiya in the love-death department. Opening night audiences were thrilled by the company’s current couple to reckon with: Sara Webb as Nikiya and Connor Walsh as Solor. Walsh brought the necessary strength and nobility to the role, not to mention some decent acting as he sank into the drug-

induced trance that carried him into the Kingdom of the Shades. Webb delivered the expressiveness and maturity we’ve been seeing in development for years, combining dead-on dance fireworks with the style of intense storytelling that now is (I hope) forever part of Houston Ballet’s approach. Kelly Myernick, another longtime company favorite, shined as Rajah’s daughter Gamzatti, getting almost as much stage time as Nikiya and making every bit as much of it. Nicholas Leschke did his usual first-rate job as the Rajah, as did James Gotesky as the High Brahmin and Christopher Gray as Kalum, the animal-like, ever-slinking fakir. Jim Nowakowski wasn’t onstage all that long as Agni the fire god, but he was all excitement when he was, leaping from a temple pyre over prostrate worshippers and dancing impressively before leaping right back in. In the ballet’s highlight, Welch served up the classic staging of the sole famous scene, something called the Kingdom of the Shades. Excruciatingly slow and meltingly beautiful, this involved the ghosts of temple dancers past moving down onto the stage by way of a long ramp and then crisscrossing the space in a flutter of white tutus. The Kingdom of the Shades scene enriched everything else in this new “Bayadere.” And vice versa.

Spotlight: Deborah Colton Gallery

A significant force in Houston’s contemporary art scene, the Deborah Colton Gallery showcases innovative contemporary exhibitions by artists all over the world. The gallery was started by Deborah Colton, who moved to Houston in 2000 after living in Tokyo and Bangkok for several years. Since then, she’s been significantly involved in FotoFest, an international nonprofit photographic arts and education organization based in Houston. Heavily influenced and inspired by international contemporary and multi-media artists, the gallery is focused on highlighting provocative and relevant works in such mediums as paintings, works on paper, sculpture, video, photography and media. 2445 north blvd. • 713-869-5151 • deborahcoltongallery.com

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Backyard Monsters The Health Museum, 1515 Hermann Drive. $8. 713-5211515, thehealthmuseum.org

May 21 to July 25 2010 Annual Student Exhibition Glassell School of Art, 5101 Montrose Blvd. Free. 713-639-7516, mfah.org

May 16 to Aug. 8 Light of The Sufis: the Mystical Arts of Islam Museum Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet St. $7. 713-639-7390, mfah.org

May 27 Buxton and The Small Sounds Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney. 6:30 p.m. Free. 713-400-7336, discoverygreen.org

May 26 to June 5 Raising The Barre Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave. 713-227-2787, houstonballet.org

June 2-27 The Complete History of America Stages Repertory Theatre, 3201 Allen Pkwy. $25 to $40. 713-527-0123, stagestheatre.com

June 24 Joe King Carrasco plus David Beebe and The Conrads Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney. 6:30 p.m. 713-400-7336, discoverygreen.org Events subject to change. Unless indicated, contact venue for exact show dates and times.

Amitava Sarkar

Nozomi Iijima in “La Bayadere”

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2/11/10 9:22:56 AM

cocktails & conversation.

design

beyond

the Backyard I

ndustry insiders call luxurious backyard setups that allow for the full culinary experience “summer kitchens.” But here in Houston, al fresco entertaining happens year-round. Robert Covington of Covington Builders helps clients create custom outdoor living spaces. State-ofthe-art second kitchens are not limited to expert chefs and culinary whiz kids, he says. Instead, the standard patio grill has been upgraded to include all the appliances and accoutrements normally found indoors. “People want to spend more time outside,” Covington says of his custom home building projects, where the outdoor kitchen has become the norm. There is ease in prep, cook work and clean up on a patio. A fresh grilled flavor can’t be matched, and private backyards and green spaces provide a festive atmosphere. Covington says an outdoor kitchen will “absolutely” improve a home’s value. “Without an

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outdoor kitchen, something is missing,” he says. But more important than resale is the opportunity to enjoy backyard barbecues, patio parties and poolside meals nearly year-round. Homeowners create inviting spaces with highend appliances like stainless steel grills, range tops, sinks and refrigerators with specialty icemakers. Some add dishwashers and custom bars with wine storage or cabinetry with refrigerated drawers. With flat screen TVs and fire features, families and couples extend their time outdoors with relaxing after-dinner entertainment. When it comes to finishes, “generally speaking, you see a lot darker slates and granites outside,” Covington says. “People have a tendency to go towards something a little more monotone.” Cabinetry is usually selected in warmer tones, and clients are “willing to deal with maintaining (finishes) that work well with furniture and outside

Timeless Landscape Creations | Viking Range Corp.

Story | Allison Bagley

design

décor,” rather than choosing materials that are seen as extremely practical or durable. “People are willing to spend as much or more on tile, countertops and cabinets outside as on the indoor kitchen,” he explains, contrasting this trend to building designs 10 years ago, when homeowners opted for less expensive al fresco finishes and appliances. Some of Covington Builders’ outdoor design work is featured at The Patio on Mercer, a chic entertaining space in Upper Kirby they offer for private events. Lately, homeowners are willing to trade green space for a larger outdoor kitchen, “even inside the city, where land is expensive and hard to get,” Covington points out, adding that Houstonians have learned they will use outdoor entertaining spaces and kitchens more often than the traditional yard. Boasting all the comforts of the great indoors, the backyard has become an urban paradise.

cocktails & conversation.

what's cooking Turn your backyard into a culinary hotspot with the latest outdoor kitchen gear. Grill daddies and ‘cue kings will drool over Viking’s 30-inch-wide freestanding charcoal smoker, featuring large capacity for Texas-sized slabs of meat. The gravity feed charcoal system keeps coals burning and a precision temperature control allows heat for various dishes, from slow-cooked brisket to crispy pizzas. The removable grease tray allows for simple clean up. vikingrange.com. How about an ice cold Rolling Rock with those ribs? The water-resistant Viking freestanding beverage dispenser (opposite page) saves space in the fridge by storing up to a half-barrel worth of drinks. What’s on tap? A dispenser on top keeps guests from getting parched. vikingrange.com.

Anthropologie | Timeless Outdoor Kitchens | Covington Builders

Home on the range top! Settle in for fresh-from-the-stainlessstovetop specialties in this cozy wraparound dining set. The chocolate wicker table with chairs is fit for a feast and made with aged saddle-finished wood. $1,079 to $1,389 at neimanmarcus.com. Top chefs can relax after quick fire challenges in this piece of outdoor art. The steel and nylon Shadowy Chair, shown here in blue, is 55 inches high and handmade in Senegal. $2,898 at anthropologie.com. Melamine plastic dishes are heavy-duty in durability, but delicate in design. The Rooster Blue set features a French blue pattern accented with white, gold and red accents. The set complements rattan chargers and placements, also perfect for a table setting under the stars. $13 to $16 per dish at Indulge Décor, 2903 Saint St. 713-888-0181, indulgedecor.com

may/june • 2010

cocktails & conversation.

my life

meyer

sister jane

Head of School, St. Agnes Academy

Story | Jean Ciampi

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Photography | Brian Bookwalter

St. Agnes Academy

o the people of Haiti devastated by the earthquake that struck their island home, it will seem like manna from heaven. Although the source of the relief they receive won’t exactly come from on high, it will have dropped from 14,000 feet up. And it will come in the form of a falling angel: Sister Jane Meyer, a 70-year old Dominican nun. Sister Jane, the head of St. Agnes Academy, accepted the challenge to skydive if her student body raised $25,000 for Haiti relief. Between student art auctions, choral concerts, garage sales and everyone using their personal gifts to raise money, the total was well over $90,000 by the time she reached the ground. “Skydiving was never on my bucket list,” admits Sister Jane. “I’ve always tried to impress on the students to stretch themselves, think outside of the box and take risks. Now I had to walk the talk!” The leap of faith taken in tandem with a professional skydiver offered its own lessons. “It showed me I could overcome fear and enjoy the experience; that it’s worth the challenge to think beyond yourself for the greater good.” She plans to be back on a plane for Haiti this summer, this time waiting for it to land before she bails out. As part of a missionary effort, she will minister to the Haitians, treat the sick and help to restore housing. “I love to travel. I would love to see New Zealand, Vietnam,” she says. “Five or six years ago, I travelled with Catholic Relief Services on a mission trip to Ghana. We visited the schools and clinics to see what we could do to help.” With another earthquake damaging Chile, Sister Jane is shaking a bit herself. “I’d do it again for a social justice cause…for the right price,” she laughs. “Or maybe next time, I’ll scuba dive. I’ve never done that!”

A Shore Thing Whether you’re sailing the high seas or jetting off to an exotic location, it’s essential to dress comfortably, but even more important, fashionably. With this season’s nautical-inspired looks, you can do both with everything from clothing, to shoes, to accessories that accentuate your seaside style.

style

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Why Knot

Get roped in by this necklace by Curls & Coils featuring sparkly gold-plated flowers that add just enough nautical charm for an updated look. Worn with a classic T-shirt, tank top or sundress, the twisted cotton rope is sea-worthy enough for activities on land or water. $42 at Anthropologie, 4066 Westheimer. 713-840-9428, anthropologie.com

Seeing Stripes

No matter where you go, you’ll need a comfortable cotton shirt. Fortunately, this pinstriped, capped-sleeve shirt is based on a woman’s bra size so the fit is as close to custom as you can get. A perfect match for slacks or shorts, add a touch of red with a belt or necklace and anchors away! $99 at Rebecca & Drew, 2015 W. Gray St. 713-522-7500, rebeccaanddrew.com

Maritime Mood

This strapless navy and white striped marine dress by Liquid can travel for miles. Top it off with a chic cardigan or a jaunty blazer. The rope belt accentuates the positive and is the perfect catch for all ages. Plus, its cotton and polyester lining wears well. $241.50 at the French Cuff Boutique, 4048 Bellaire Blvd. 713-665-3336, frenchcuffco.com

In the Bag

From magazines to makeup, this large tote by local designer Mary Nichols is the perfect stowaway for all your travel essentials. The interior zipper offers security for your treasures, while sunglass and cell phone pockets add versatility. The clean canvas body and deerskin top and piping in navy blue give a splash of nautical that doesn’t go overboard. $475 at local retailers. Visit shopmarynichols for locations.

Fancy Feet

Story | Roseann Rogers Photography | Mark Lipczynski

Step aboard in the perfect cruise shoes. These Rory Crochet ballet flats with the signature tonal embellishment are a shore thing with Bermuda shorts, capris or even a denim skirt. For a little lift, get a leg up on your mates with the Beckett Denim Wedge with goldtone accents—the perfect accessory with crisp, clean white pants. $235 flats, $295 wedges at Tory Burch, 5015 Westhemier. 713-622-5501, toryburch.com may/june • 2010

Man

lthough Mike Suffredini can’t be counted among the crews of intrepid astronauts who, as a part of NASA’s International Space Station (ISS) program, regularly suit up and blast into orbit, his job as program manager for the ISS makes him responsible for virtually every other aspect of this celebrated space exploration project. Grounded though he might be at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, the hub of astronaut training and mission control, Suffredini

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serves as the key point man for a NASA program whose ambitious goals and global scope have captured the world’s attention.

Time and Space

One of the most fascinating aspects of Suffredini’s ISS program is that it was designed as a collaborative effort among 15 international countries. With the U.S. leading many of the efforts, 14 other countries contribute to the ongoing research,

planning, operation and staffing of this complex collective enterprise. Over the past decade since it got underway, international crews of astronauts, supplies and building materials have been ferried to the ISS by the U.S. space shuttles and the Russian Soyuz and Progress spacecrafts. As it happens, the ISS is by far the largest space lab ever constructed. Orbiting the globe every 90 minutes from a distance of 240 miles above the earth’s surface, the ultra-

facility, staffed by an international contingent of astronauts representing the 15 “partner” countries that contribute research, funding and personnel to the project. The ISS has been permanently staffed since the first crew took up residence there in November of 2000. In addition to a wide array of high-profile research projects the ISS team has taken on as a part of its mission, the astronauts, by their very presence on the craft, collect valuable knowledge simply by spending time in orbit. Their experience reveals much about how humans can live and work in space, including biological reactions to being contained over long periods of time in a low-gravity, earthorbiting environment. After next year, when the ISS is expected to be fully assembled, Suffredini says he hopes it will serve the world indefinitely thereafter, as an ongoing resource and research laboratory.

Solid Trajectory

Space science and exploration were always a part of Suffredini’s plan for his life and work. Growing up in Corpus Christi, he says he never really aspired to do anything else. “I always had a fascination with airplanes and spaceships, but I never had a clear idea precisely what area of aeronautical engineering I would focus on,” he explains. A watershed moment for him occurred in July of 1969, when, like most Americans at the time, Suffredini was tuned into the live broadcast of Apollo astronaut Neil Armstrong setting foot on the moon in the first lunar landing. “I was sitting with my dad in the family room in front of a grainy black and white TV,” he recalls. “My dad was glued to the set and he wanted us to all watch it. It was just an amazing event. It clearly was a driver as to why I’m here doing what I’m doing today.” After attending local Corpus Christi schools, Suffredini earned his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He joined Story | Bruce Farr NASA in 1989 and has risen through the Photography | Jerry Powers ranks to his current position as ISS program manager. Although he says that aerospace contemporary, eight-chamber facility can even engineering is by its nature a broad course of study, Suffredini hit upon the specialty that be seen with the naked eye, gleaming like a would shape his work and career after taking star in the early evening sky. a course with renowned UT professor The project’s mission is, to say the least, Victor Szebehely. complex. Under Suffredini’s guidance, it “He taught a lower-level orbital encompasses a vast, extraterrestrial blueprint mechanics course, and I really enjoyed the for—among many other objectives—the way he presented it. As a discipline, it’s very design, manufacture, testing and delivery of practically oriented, but it also has all the the space flight hardware and software for theoretical stuff that I love just as much,” assembly of the space station. The goal has he says. “I happen to be a very practicallybeen to create a fully functional space-based

TEN surprising facts about the

International Space Station 1. The Space Station is the largest manned object ever sent into space, encompassing 43,000 cubic feet of living and working space—the equivalent of two Boeing 747s. 2. Assembling the Space Station will require 45 launches—36 from the United States and nine from Russia—and 1,705 hours of space walks, which is double the number of hours U.S. astronauts have walked in space since the beginning of the space program. 3. When fully constructed, the Space Station will be visible to more than 90 percent of the world’s population. 4. Humans need a little less sleep in space because our bodies do very little work in a microgravity environment. It takes no effort at all to raise an arm, hold your head up, or move a bulky object. 5. The Space Station consists of 70 separate major components and hundreds of minor ones, all of which will be assembled for the first time in space. 6. Astronauts aboard the Space Station will spend more time working on experiments than anything else. Many projects require teamwork, so astronauts frequently work in pairs. 7. The Space Station circles the Earth every 90 minutes and looks down on 85 percent of the populated areas. 8. The human body tends to lose muscle and bone mass rapidly in space. To fight this loss, at least two hours of strenuous exercise is built into every astronaut’s daily schedule on the Space Station. 9. The construction of the Space Station is a collaboration of 100,000 people, hundreds of companies and 16 nations spread over four continents, among them the United States, Russia, Canada, Japan, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. 10. The Space Station is the most expensive single object ever built. The United States’ participation has been estimated at $96 billion, a figure that nearly equals the combined cost of all of the Apollo missions to the moon. Source: Houston Public Television / NASA

may/june • 2010

oriented guy. Things have to make sense in my head and then the theory can follow.” As Suffredini explains, “Orbital mechanics is the study of how satellites go around planets and how planets orbit the sun. Within that is the study of how to design vehicles and flight trajectories to accomplish a mission in orbit, and that’s what I ended up focusing on.” Asked if he ever dreamed of being an astronaut, Suffredini responds with characteristic straightforwardness. “Honestly, I’ve always been fascinated by human space flight and that is my passion today and something that I believe is good for humanity in general. But insofar as being the person who’s putting his boots on another planet? Not so much. Maybe it’s because I know that it takes about 7.5 million pounds of thrust to put an orbiter into low-earth orbit, and that seems like a lot to be sitting on.”

Down to Earth

Although he admits that it’s difficult to leave his work at the office and that he has a couple of “electronic leashes” with a family that includes four children, Suffredini says that it’s vitally important that he be able to shift his focus to more earthbound activities. “My kids range in age from college to a year-and-a-half. Doing things with the kids

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and enjoying my time with them. . .well, I like to sail and just spend as much time as I can with them. They’re a treat and they keep me occupied. It’s amazing how anything that they’re doing can involve me to the point were I forget about life’s littler worries,” he says. But back at the office, and with a nod toward the future of the ISS program, Suffredini says that he’s optimistic it will serve an onging resource for discovery. “Officials at NASA say that the years ahead at the space station hold some important science for the world at large. There’s new discoveries all the time. For instance, through some studies of salmonella virus that we’ve found on orbit, we’ve managed to figure out which gene is responsible for its growth. Based on that research on orbit, there’s a company out there that now stands a fighting chance of coming up with a salmonella vaccine,” he explains. But, regardless how important the ISS’s discoveries might be, Suffredini plays down his role in the whole sceme of things. “I’m almost a cheerleader, so it’s very hard for me to take credit for what 7,000 people do here in the U.S. and many more around the world. From a job standpoint, the toughest thing I do is making sure that we stay focused not only on what’s going on day-to-day right now, but that we’re projecting one, two and

three years out and further—to what is now 2020 and beyond. “What we have learned from [the ISS] station we don’t even realize yet,” he adds. “Over the years, there have been some things that have occurred as a result of station that have helped our lives in general and will continue to do so.”

“I feel very strongly that exploration is an innate desire in all of us, and something that we need to do. It’s my personal opinion that the best chance humankind has for survival is if we learn to explore and inhabit other planets— because God knows what might happen to the earth someday.”

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Discover the charm, history and allure of France in five distinctive getaways C-Mouton â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CRT Centre

Story | Nancy Davidson, Dave Dodge, Bruce Farr, Jaimee Rose, Robin Barr Sussman

Chateau de Villandry. Loire Valley

may/june â&#x20AC;˘ 2010

escape

Off the Beaten Path

nown as the “garden of France,” the Loire Valley is filled with vineyards and gardens, and dotted with hundreds of castles steeped in history. Many of these astonishing royal chateaux, medieval fortresses and palaces that were once homes to kings and queens, can be toured and some are available to rent for a long vacation getaway or a fairytale wedding in one of the most beautiful regions of France. Built on the river Cher, renowned Chateau de Chenonceau, with its utterly romantic turrets, arches and wondrous gardens of 40,000 flowers, is the second most visited chateau in France after Versailles. The chateau is said to be a haven of peace and serenity governed by famous French dames, including Catherine de Médicis. Inside this architectural masterpiece, expect Renaissance tapestries, furniture and French masterpieces by Rubens, Rigaud, Nattier and other artists.

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Garden lovers migrate to ogle 16th century stronghold Chateau de Villandry. Terraced on three levels are the finest examples of formal Renaissance gardens. The first level features the chateau, fountains and a reflecting pool. The second level is the flowerfilled Garden of Love and the third level is the kitchen garden sprouting with vegetables, fruit trees and herbs. Vast Fortresse de Chinon has the longest history of any Loire Valley castle as this is where Joan of Arc met King Charles VII during the One Hundred Years War. Visitors can experience views of the architectural developments in castle construction from the primitive 11th century to the end of the 15th century. For that fairytale wedding straight out of “Sleeping Beauty,” Chateau la Bourdaisiere is the castle to rent for a spellbinding stay. The stunning property surrounded by 140 acres of enchanted woodlands boasts

17 rooms, three apartments, a heated pool, tennis courts and a famous tomato garden. The annual September Tomato Festival offers cooking classes, tomato tastings, biodynamic gardening classes and garden tours. Owner Albert de Broglie (a.k.a. “The Garden Prince”) designed the château’s unique tomato conservatory featuring more than 600 varieties. Wine aficionados will enjoy a tasting and tour of celebrated wine cave and museum Chateau de Moncontour with breathtaking views of lush rolling vineyards and the village of Vouvray. Break from touring at a café in one of the many charming wine villages that sprinkle the valley. Fresh river fish, local vegetables and the lauded goat cheese are all natural mates for the crisp, flinty white Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume wines produced in the valley. The food and wine are best consumed sur place, on home turf. – RBS

Stay Domaine des Hauts de Loire domainehautsloire.com Chateau de l’Epinay chateau-epinay.com Domaine des Bidaudieres bidaudieres.com Dine Auberge de Port Vallières www.auberge-de-port-vallieres.fr Le Grand Vatel 8, rue Brule, 37210 Vouvray 02 47 52 70 32 La Cave St. Martin restaurant-la-cave.com don't miss Domaine Huet Winery huet-echansonne.com Organized wine tours loireuncorked.com and loirevalley.com Chateau de Clos Luce Parc Leonardo da Vinci vinci-closluce.com Loire Valley Bicycle Tours frenchcyclingholidays.com

C-Mouton – CRT Centre

Chateau de Villandry

Sanctuaires Notre-Dame de Lourdes

©ATOUT FRANCE/Patrice Thébault | © ATOUT FRANCE/Catherine Bibollet

Grotto of Lourdes

Oh, Lourdes!

estled in the Midi-Pyrenees, close to the Spanish border, sits a small town with a big history. A series of events occurred in Lourdes more than 150 years ago that changed the course of spiritual history forever and created the largest small town in all of France. Lourdes is the largest Catholic pilgrimage destination in France and one of the most popular Catholic shrines in the world. With a population of approximately 15,000, Lourdes welcomes some 5 million pilgrims and tourists every season. You don’t have to be a devout Catholic or have a deep spiritual understanding to gain wisdom or appreciate the beauty of this area. As the world’s leading Catholic Marian Shrine, there is no shortage of neo-gothic or neo-Romanesque architecture. One visit to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception or Basilica of the Rosary will have you wanting more. Take a short walk and discover the Grotto of Massabielle, where you can kneel at the spot where, in 1858, 14-year-old peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous encountered a lady dressed in white, who introduced herself as “The Immaculate Conception.” The vision, whom many believe to have been the Virgin Mary, appeared in the same river grotto on 18 occasions and was witnessed by thousands. She asked Bernadette to drink at the spring and wash from it. The healing waters from the spring have continued to flow as strong as the devout pilgrims who have flocked to Lourdes for all these years. Lourdes, second only to Paris (500 miles to the northeast) with

its 270 plus hotels, boasts no shortage of restaurants or activities for visitors. Don’t overlook the beautiful countryside, perfect for cycling, horseback riding and hiking. Experience one of the best spas in the region, Bagneres de Bigorze, world famous for its natural thermal baths. Regional foods and crafts are also abundant with hundreds of religious stalls selling Catholic souvenirs. Check out the Pyrenean Wool, developed in the late 1800s, recognized as being exceptionally soft yet tough. This region of France is often overlooked, but once visited it is not easily forgotten. Visit Lourdes year round with exceptional experiences on holy holidays. – DD

Stay Grand Hotel de la Grotte hotel-grotte.com Eliseo Hotel cometolourdes.com Dine Le Magret lemagret.com don't miss Grotto of Massabielle Open 24 hours daily with Mass in various languages and candlelight healing Mass at 7 p.m. daily. Lourdes Wax Museum museedecireslourdes.com Miraculous Spring (La Source) Maison of Natale de Bernadette (birthplace)

may/june • 2010

escape

Eglise des Trinitaires

f, as it’s said, Paris is for lovers, then Arles—in France’s southernmost region of Provence—arguably is for artists. And among the countless painters who throughout the centuries have affixed canvas to easel to try and capture this picturesque village’s ravishing charms, impressionist master Vincent van Gogh looms large. For generations, art historians have pondered what exactly lured van Gogh from Paris to southern France and, more pointedly, to the small town of Arles, in the late 1800s. For his art’s sake, the village’s alluring quaintness certainly must have been a factor, but the peculiar, nearly luminescent quality of light in Arles also must have helped spawn van Gogh’s intense

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love affair with the locale. In the same way that the stark, white limestone mountains dotting the region leech lime into the soil to help produce some of Provence’s celebrated wine, the bleached cliffs also serve to reflect the Mediterranean sunlight in a way that deepens the area’s already rich colors. There is little doubt that van Gogh was attuned to these conditions of light, color and natural beauty. During the period when he lived in Arles, he began to use the swirling brush strokes and brilliant colors that characterize such works as “Bedroom at Arles,” which he painted in 1888 and, perhaps most famous among all his paintings, “Starry Night,” which he finished the following

Arles Amphitheatre

year. As one admirer so aptly commented, “For van Gogh, all visible phenomena, whether he painted or drew them, seemed to be endowed with a physical and spiritual vitality.” It’s generally well-documented that van Gogh enjoyed one of his best and most prolific artistic periods during his Arles years.

For all his current esteem, however, we also know that the artist struggled mightily throughout his time there, in the grips of the poverty, madness and despair that hastened his suicide in 1890. Arles itself couldn’t have a more fascinating or improbable history. It literally grew up on the ruins of the Roman forum that occupied

©ATOUT FRANCE/Nicole Lejeune | ©ATOUT FRANCE/R-Cast

O n the Trail of van Gogh

the area in the 1st century BC. Influences of the Roman settlement are everywhere. Perhaps most impressive of all is the remarkably well-preserved amphitheater that dominates the town center; not as vast a structure as it’s counterpart in Italy’s capital, but, given the relative sizes of the two cities, nonetheless impressive. Arles, with its stunning architecture, history and culture, is a model for what most visitors seek out in an ancient Provencal village. Today, Arles offers visitors nearly as many charms as it did when van Gogh lived and painted there. For a “must see” expedition, wend your way just off the stately Rue du Forum, in the center of the village, and stop to relax at the Café van Gogh. With its cluster of outdoor tables huddling under a bright yellow awning, this venerable brasserie presents a wonderful opportunity to compare one of the master’s many Arles paintings with the actual setting itself. The café, with its brilliantly day-glo yellow plaster exterior, has been preserved—and fully operational—since van Gogh committed to canvas his own vision of the quaint restaurant back in the late 1880s. For lovers of van Gogh or for those simply seeking out beautiful destinations in the world, Arles can’t be missed. – BF Stay Hotel Calendal lecalendal.com

Grand Hotel Nord Pinus nord-pinus.com Hotel de Amphitheatre hotelamphitheatre.fr Dine La Guele du Loup 39 rue des Arènes 04 90 96 96 69 La Charcuterie lacharcuterie.camargue.fr Restaurant l’Escaladou 23 rue Porte de Laure 04 90 96 70 43

A t the Market

t’s possible to go to Paris several times a year and never have a real conversation with a native. Parisians aren’t always the most approachable people—even when you speak their language. But once you break through that crusty exterior, you’ll find many residents of the City of Lights quite effusive, especially if you share a passion for antique furniture, costume jewelry or fine copper cookware. You may find it easier to get acquainted with the French you encounter at the Marché aux Puces St-Ouen de Clignancourt, a wonderfully diverse flea market composed of hundreds of small stalls and

shops at the northern reaches of the city. The English phrase “flea market” is a literal translation of the French, so-named because of the second-hand condition of the wares sold at the original open-air markets in Paris. The first streets you come to when you exit the metro at Porte de Clignancourt are packed with vendors from all over the world selling all kinds of “stuff:” leather jackets and angora sweaters imported from Italy; T-shirts and faded Levis; rugs and carpets from the Middle East; and used clothing that might conceivably be infested with fleas.

But if you want to see locally sourced treasures with serious value and meaningful history, pass by this crowded open-air market or take a taxi directly from your hotel to the rue de Rosiers (not to be confused with the street of the same name in the Marais neighborhood in the center of Paris). Off this street, you’ll find a mixture of open, semi-covered and completely enclosed markets. In some of the higher-end furniture markets, you might feel as if you’ve stumbled onto a Hollywood set for a mid-century living room or a 19th-century salon. The prices may seem high, but if you engage with the

may/june • 2010

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original market in 1920, offers second-hand books, kitchenware, vintage clothing and at Marché Paul Bert (96, rue des Rosiers), you’ll find 19th- and 20thcentury furniture and jumble sale bargains. Depending on your interests, you’ll want to spend more time in certain markets. You’ll soon realize, however, that the most fun is making your own discoveries. – ND Stay Hôtel Pavillon de la Reine pavillon-de-la-reine.com Hôtel Le Sainte Beuve hotel-sainte-beuve.fr Hôtel Caron de Beaumarchais carondebeaumarchais.com Dine Le Comptoir Relais Saint-Germain hotel-paris-relais-saint-germain. com Le Soleil (in the Saint Ouen market) 109, avenue Michelet 011 33 1 40 10 08 08 Fish La Boissonerie 69, rue de Seine 011 33 01 43 54 34 69 don't miss Marché des Enfants Rouges 39, rue de Bretagne Musée de l’Orangeries des Tuileries musee-orangerie.fr Angelina’s L’Africain 2, Place des Pyramides 011 33 1 42 60 82 00

Coco Chanel Prestige Suite, Ritz Paris

stall-keepers, you should be able to strike a bargain. Don’t expect to get anywhere at lunchtime though, when the shopkeepers lay out elaborately dressed tables with delectables brought from home, fresh bread and bottles of wine for a communal repast that perfectly demonstrates French priorities. The midday meal is serious business and even though it’s the middle of the market day (Saturday to Monday only, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)—and the middle of the market!—shopkeepers may take up to two hours for their leisurely lunch (though they typically take turns watching each others’ stalls.) Even if you don’t buy anything, you’ll find it relatively easy to strike up a conversation with the striking woman who displays a mind-boggling collection of Chanel costume jewelry or a man who sells both antique and new copper cookware in impeccable condition—so pristine that he would prefer you not touch the gleaming surfaces. At each stop, you’ll find people with a personal connection to their wares, individuals who can give you an intimate history of the objects that interest you and a peek into private lives. At Marché Dauphine (140, rue des Rosiers), you’ll find bric-a-bracs, restored furniture, paintings and porcelain, while at Marché Biron (85, rue des Rosier), high-quality antiques, luxury goods, decorative objects and clocks are yours for the asking. Marché Vernaison (36, avenue Michelet), the site of the

Le Printemps

C outure Tour

©ATOUT FRANCE/Eric Larrayadieu | Leading Hotels of the World

or the closet-obsessed, Paris is hallowed ground: the glitz of the Avenue Montaigne, the ghosts of Chanel and Dior, and that gamine, intangible chic. It would be impossible to visit and not hunger to bring some home (a moveable feast, indeed). Here is what you need to know: Susan Tabak is your new favorite person in France. Author of “Chic in Paris” and a couture hound without peer, she shares the best places to shop and what to wear while there. Tabak herself is available for hire should you want to walk around Paris with your mouth hanging open in awe. While she’s giving you a private tour of Coco Chanel’s not-open-to-the-public apartment on the Rue Cambon, or guiding you through the hallowed halls of the Louis Vuitton flagship on the ChampsElysees, Tabak can regale you

with her stories of Parisian designers (her friends) and fashion shows (she goes, to all of them). She tailors each experience to customer requests, from department store-scoping to a tour of the tiniest, most exclusive boutiques. Her access will take you everywhere you never thought you’d get to go for a mere $3,000 per day. Expat Rachel Kaplan, author of “Best Buys to French Chic,” also offers guided tours for shoppers of all genres. Follow her through flea markets and bring home vintage Louis Vuitton trunks and antique Yves Saint Laurent jewels, or spend the afternoon outfitting your home with Provencal table linens, Sevres porcelain and Baccarat crystal. Half-day tours start at 400 euros. If you’d like to go it on your own, know that the Avenue

Montaigne is designer row: Fendi-Dior-heaven. If a trip to Chanel’s apartment has you transfixed, call the Rue Cambon boutique and make an appointment to shop for haute couture and ask about a tour, which are often offered to Chanel’s best clients. The French department store not to be missed, Printemps is the most exclusive and personal shopping appointments are available and awesome. Or spend many happy hours at the 100,000-square-foot Galeries Lafayette home store. Lastly, it would be fashionista sacrilege to skip a stop at Hermes on the Faubourg Saint-Honore for the perfect Parisian scarf. – JR Stay Hotel Le Bristol hotel-bristol.com Plaza Athenee Plaza-athenee-paris.com Ritz Paris ritzparis.com Dine Cafe de Flore cafedeflore.fr L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon joel-robuchon.com Avenue Montaigne avenue-restaurant.com don't miss Colette colette.fr Merci merci-merci.com Azzedine Alaia 7 Rue de Moussy 01 42 72 19 19

may/june • 2010

escape

nature refined

Luxury tent, Resort at Paws Up

Lodges have warmly welcomed adventurous souls off the beaten path for decades with a comfortable but humble stay in the wilderness. In some parts, though, the cozy outpost has shed its knotty pine motif and come out of the forest shadows to offer outdoor enthusiasts an upgrade on restâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and recreation.

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Resort at Paws Up

Story | Sally J. Clasen

roughing it in style

Waldorf Astoria Collection | Resort at Paws Up

rusticretreat

400-pound Czech chandelier and spiral staircase adorning the lobby of the Dakota Mountain Lodge & Golden Door Spa seem out of place in snow country, but such alpine anomalies prove a mountain retreat can be gracefully at ease. Throughout the 175-room resort, part of the Waldorf Astoria Collection, elegant flourishes mix with rustic touches—timber and stone façade, exposed trusses and beams, dark hardwood, fireplaces and requisite deer antlers—for a modern-day take on the ski lodge. Nestled at the base of The Canyons Resort, skiers and shredders get immediate service via the hotel’s ski valet who delivers equipment to the ski prep room—and instant access to 3,700 acres of skiable terrain through the ski-in, ski-out convenience of a dedicated lift, the Frostwood Gondola. While ski season is the main destination draw, the location provides year-round recreation opportunities, particularly summer activities such as mountain biking, hiking, hot air ballooning, fly fishing, horse back riding, ATV tours and zip lining. In addition, an 18-hole

golf course will break ground this summer in The Canyons Resort development. Like the elevation, accommodations at Dakota Mountain Lodge are top-tier. Guest suites are decorated with natural fabrics and custom furniture, and equipped with a stainless Viking kitchen stocked with dishes and utensils, washer and dryer, gas fireplace, 42-inch flat-screen HDTV and floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views of the Wasatch Mountains or ski lifts. Dining out gets an upgrade, too. Typical heavy ski stodge is replaced with gourmet fare and wine selections at Spruce, where Chef Mark Sullivan delivers award-winning, seasonal American cuisine sourced from locals and served in sophisticated surroundings. Sun or snow, the summit of amenities lies below the surface at the Golden Door Spa, a 16,000square-foot facility on the lower level of the lodge. The full-service spa greets visitors with a “living” plant wall and perpetually flowing waterfall, and includes 15 treatment rooms, hair and nail services, a wellness center, complete menu of exercise classes and labyrinth.

dakota mountain lodge & golden door spa park city, utah • 435-647-5500 • dakotamountainlodge.com

amping in a scenic wilderness doesn’t mean you have to abandon the creature comforts of home, especially at the Resort at Paws Up in Blackfoot Valley, 30 miles northeast of Missoula in Greenough, Mont. The 37,000acre homesteader ranch provides explorers endless Big Sky territory to set up camp in luxury vacation homes and lodges, or sleep under “five” stars in luxury tents—also called “glamping”—in Western chic style amid breathtaking scenery. In the award-winning Tent City, lodging occurs in cavernous tents outfitted with the resort’s signature the Last Best Bed, fine linens, wall art and, yes, electricity. Solar-lighted paths direct campers to the bathhouse,

gourmet cuisine provided at the Dining Pavilion and a personal camping butler. Horse lovers can saddle up to reach the Encampment at Bull Creek, a three-day, two-night adventure package including a 12-mile horseback ride that delivers glampers to a campsite in the Montana backcountry with well-appointed tents featuring feather beds, hot shower accommodations, and gourmet wine and food. In July, Paws Up will launch its most luxurious glamping choice, Creekside Camp along the banks of Elk Creek, which will include a dining pavilion and two-bedroom suite tents with wood floors and ensuite fireplaces. After a day of roughing it, guests can get lost in the woods at

complete with a private master bathroom featuring heated floors, Montana-sized shower and vanity, and organic spa products. Or make camp on the banks of the Blackfoot River in a 270-square-foot, well-appointed luxury tent complete with king-size bed, wood flooring, electricity, spacious deck, nearby private master bathroom, custom bathrobe and slippers, twice-daily housekeeping service, indigenous

Spa Town, a one-of-kind-natural treatment environment where eco-friendly services are provided in 11 expansive tents set up on the edge of a meadow in the waving shade of soaring pines.

the resort at paws up greenough, montana • 800-473-0601 • pawsup.com

may/june • 2010

escape

t the Cheyenne Ridge Signature Lodge, a refined sporting life plays out on the prairie fields. And the call of the wild is hunting and fishing— for good reason. The resort sits in the largest concentration of Chinese Ring-necked pheasants in North America and overlooks Lake Oahe, one of world’s largest man-made lakes. During traditional “block & drive” hunts, guests are accompanied by professional hunting guides and highly trained flushing dogs in habitats rich with shelter belts, food plots, crop fields, seasonal grasses, homesteads, creek bottoms and lake edges for the most productive and aesthetic experience. Due to its phenomenal upland bird hunting, extended season and diverse habitat, including world-class smallmouth and walleye fishing, Cheyenne Ridge Signature Lodge is the first sporting venue to receive a Beretta Trident rating, similar to the Michelin Star program for quality excellence. The centerpiece of the recently renovated lodge is the Great

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Room, a two-level gathering space with mill-hewn timber posts and beams, hardwood floor, stacked stone fireplace, bar and stunning views of the rugged yet pastoral South Dakota countryside. Surrounding the Great Room are 33 guest rooms and suites that are furnished with traditional Midwestern Amish furniture and designed for single occupancy. In the dining room, all meals, such as the Black Mission Pheasant with Organic Cherries and Wild Rice, are served communal-style on long Amish tables and prepared by Chef Carl Hawkinson, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. After an exhilarating day on the hunt, which includes a “Cast & Blast” package, the sporting spirit continues at the North Platte Outpost, a cognac/cigar “ice” bar stocked with vintage selections, or in the entertainment room, showcasing full-body mounts, board games and HD TV. The resort also features massage rooms, a workout facility and sauna, and all-weather 5-stand clay course, gunroom and pro shop. In addition, lodge

guests can shoot off an extra round with preferential access to nearby Sutton Bay, a par-72, 18hole championship course voted best private golf club by Golf Digest in 2004.

cheyenne ridge signature lodge pierre, south dakota • 877-850-5144 • signaturelodge.com

Cheyenne Ridge Signature Lodge

sportingspirit

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escape enlightened explorer

tee for Two

Elvis is in the Building The world-renowned Cirque du Soleil, in partnership with Elvis

rystal Cruises has introduced an ultraexclusive opportunity to be a part of the ultimate competition in the birthplace of golf. During the new threenight Extended Land Program from Edinburgh, Crystal guests will be treated to VIP access and the highest level of service at the 150th British Open Championship at St. Andrew’s Golf Club, before joining Crystal Serenity’s July 19 Black Sea voyage to Istanbul, Greece and Turkey. In addition to the tournament, participants will enjoy full access to a private hospitality area with refreshments and open bar throughout the day, threecourse lunch and traditional English afternoon tea. Arrangements include fivestar hotel accommodations in Edinburgh, a private driver and air transportation from Edinburgh to Venice.

Onboard golfers can perfect their own game in the ship’s dedicated driving and putting areas, and get tips from Crystal’s onboard PGA pros Denise and Gordon Walker. The luxury cruise line’s 12day cruise sails from Venice to Istanbul on July 19 and Aug. 24 aboard the award-winning Crystal Serenity. Distinguished speakers on world affairs, architecture, science and culture add rich dimension to the voyages. The limited-availability program starts at $5,199 per person, double occupancy. Two-for-one cruise fares start at $6,470 per person, and include $1,000 per person “All-Inclusive As You Wish” shipboard credits. Free air transportation from more than 20 North American gateways, including business class air for penthouse guests, is also included. Visit crystalcruises. com for information.

Cirque du Soleil | Crystal Cruises

Presley Enterprises, presents its latest show “Viva Elvis” at Las Vegas’ Aria Resort & Casino in CityCenter. Thirty of Elvis’ songs are used in the production. For more information, visit cirquedusoleil.com/vivaelvis.

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Form + Function

Everything’s Bigger

in Texas

This summer, AquaPalooza will bring the world’s largest boating event to the Reserve at Lake Travis. On July 10, Sail & Ski Center, coordinated by Sea Ray, will host the fifth annual AquaPalooza celebration, which is anticipated to be the largest and most exciting event so far. A short drive from Austin, Lake Travis offers approximately 19,000 acres of crystal clear water and 250 miles of shoreline with countless unspoiled coves and creeks to explore. It is home to 15 marinas and 11 public boat ramps, as well as numerous powerboat, houseboat and PWC rental facilities. The Reserve at Lake Travis is a new waterfront resort between the Pace Bend and Point Venture areas of the lake. For information, visit searay.com.

escape

to Paradise

ooking for a quick escape to paradise? St. Bathelemy’s Eden Rock Hotel, located in an enviable setting in St. Jean Bay, has an inviting three-night package that includes private transfers and a rental car to explore the island. Eden Rock Estates is an ultraluxe villa product featuring three separate accommodations offering the ultimate villa experience (use of the French word “non” is banned at the Eden Rock). St. Barts, as we call it in the U.S., is an easy commuter flight from

St. Martin. The “Pick Me Up” package in a garden cottage begins at only 1,185 euros per couple, approximately $1,609 (note that U.S. currency rates will vary). Visit edenrockhotel.com for information.

Travel + Leisure Magazine has announced that RIMOWA’s Salsa Deluxe Multiwheel case has been voted “best luggage” in its annual Design Awards, which are voted by a jury of industry leaders who seek out to find the best of the best in travel for the year. RIMOWA earned the luggage award for the design, functionality and durability of their extremely durable Salsa Deluxe line, a cutting edge collection of luggage that taps into all of the needs of today’s travelers. With a well-crafted interior, even the most novice packer will be able to pack with ease thanks to the removable and adjustable flex divider system. Even with the case half full, travelers can ensure their belongings will stay in place for the length of their trip. Visit rimowa.com for information.

Reserve at Lake Travis | Eden Rock – St. Barths | RIMOWA | World Leaders Travel

Tell Me Everything

olitical operative or not, if you love the game, you won’t want to miss this exclusive travel experience. World Leaders Travel has announced a one-of-akind travel event from Aug. 30 to Sept. 15. Enjoy a 10-night cruise aboard the privately chartered Silver Wind, with specially arranged shore excursions in Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Turkey, while spending time with the likes of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of Defense William Perry and former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev. In addition, a team of leading figures in fields ranging from technology and the U.S.-Russian space race, to cultural history and global affairs will be addressing passengers. Focusing on the cultural, historical and political highlights of the Black Sea region, the symposium begins in Moscow with three nights at the Ritz-Carlton.

Travelers will experience a Moscow rarely seen by visitors and attend a gala dinner with Gorbachev. Participants then fly by chartered jet to Istanbul, Turkey, to board the luxurious Silver Wind, which serves as the primary venue for presentations by Rice and others. The ship, among the highest-rated small cruise vessels afloat, will circumnavigate the Black Sea with visits to Batumi, Georgia; Sochi, Russia; Baku, Azerbaijan; and Yalta, Sevastopol, and Odessa in Ukraine before returning to Istanbul. After disembarking the Silver Wind, guests will stay at the elegant Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel for two nights, where they will enjoy private special events and lectures during the trip’s final days. Optional extensions to Kiev, Chernobyl, and Moscow, and to Istanbul and Ephesus, are also available. For information, call 800-395-3288 or visit worldleaderstravel.com.

may/june • 2010

soar 44

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winners NetJets

Story | Jake Poinier

Expanding options in private jet travel take the industry to new heights

may/june â&#x20AC;˘ 2010

Sailing, Take Me Away

ith a maximum airspeed of 607 mph, the Cessna Citation X ranks as the fastest business jet available. To really appreciate its speed, however, you need to view it from the perspective of a private jet passenger. “From our home in Tulsa, it’s 20 minutes to the airport, and we can take off about 10 minutes after they’ve checked everything onto the plane,” says Sanjay Meshri, who’s been flying private since 2005. “Then it’s about an hour and 10 minutes to Aspen.” Think of it this way: Meshri’s door-to-door trip is over in about the time that you’d spend in a commercial airport from

check-in to takeoff. En route, he also avoided the nightmares of flying the unfriendly public skies: Being groped by a TSA staffer. Being kicked by the kid behind you. Missing your connection. Enduring a coughing and sneezing seatmate. In contrast, private jet travelers get treated like VIPs. “It’s a night-and-day difference,” says Curt Krippner, vice president of sales for Marquis Jet, one of several companies that sell hourly access to private aviation fleets. “No taking off shoes, for starters. At most airports, your car pulls right up to the plane, they put the bags in, put your car in the hangar, check IDs and

At one point or another, you’ve dreamed about retiring on a sailboat in the Caribbean, eating lobster every night and drinking rum concoctions out of coconut shells. But then reality strikes: With little or no sailing experience, are you really capable of captaining a 40- or 50-foot yacht? In fact, the answer is yes. “We find that most baby boomers have no sailing experience. Or if they do, they don’t have any formal training,” says Glen Gordy, owner of the Bay Area Sailing School (BASS) in Kemah. “Our goal is to offer structure, but also to make it fun so that you can reach your dreams in a reasonable amount of time.” The largest American Sailing Association school in the Houston market, BASS has certified more than 5,000 people in the past decade, about 20 percent of them in Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Chartering. To get a head start on your Caribbean dreams, you might want to cast off at one of the world’s most popular sailing destinations: the British Virgin Islands. There, Offshore Sailing School’s “Fast Track to Cruising” course takes you from total novice to U.S. Sailing Bareboat Cruising certification in seven intense days. Last summer, the company ran a variety of specials such as the “Summertime 2-for-1 Fun! package, available to the first 10 couples that signed up between July 1-15 for a Learn to Sail or Bareboat Cruising course in August or September. Be sure to call for current specials. Once you’ve been certified, fractional sailing programs are a popular option to get affordable time at the helm. NauticShare, also located in Kemah, has a 16-sailboat fleet ranging from 32 to 49 feet, with three membership plans starting at under $200 a month. “Even if someone gave you a boat for free, the slip and insurance alone would cost about $500, so it’s a very affordable way to get into a professionally managed boat,” says Keith Kaiser, vice president of NauticShare. Kaiser says popular destinations include Galveston, which is a five- or six-hour sail, while Corpus Christi and Port Aransas are a multiday trip of about 150 miles. – JP

Bay Area Sailing School Offshore Sailing School 281-334-4179 888-454-7015 bayareasailing.com offshoresailing.com NauticShare 877-499-BOAT nauticsharekemah.com

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NetJets | The Nautic Group

On Sail

HOUSTON TO BATON ROUGE TO CHICAGO TO HOUSTON. OTHERWISE KNOWN AS WEDNESDAY. With private aviation there’s so much more you can do in a business day. The Marquis Jet Card provides executives with meaningful advantages over commercial aviation, including the ability to reach multiple or remote locations, control schedules, increase efficiency and maximize productivity. The Marquis Jet Card provides businesses and individuals with access to the unparalleled safety, service and reliability of NetJets, a Berkshire Hathaway company, 25 hours at a time. Requiring no long-term commitment, the Card is simple to purchase and easy to use. Today more than ever, the Marquis Jet Card makes sense.

THE MARQUIS JET CARDSM – NETJETS® 25 HOURS AT A TIME. CALL 1.877.538.4446 OR VISIT WWW.MARQUISJET.COM All program flights operated by NetJets® companies under their respective FAR Part 135 Air Carrier Certificates. Marquis Jet Card Owners acquire a sublease in a pre-paid NetJets fractional ownership interest.

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doing demonstration flights at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport as a base for one of its new Embraer Phenom light corporate jets. For Edmund and Pam McIlhenny, Executive AirShare’s business plan, based on days rather than hours, was a key attraction. “If we fly from Austin to our home in Avery Island and keep the plane for the weekend, we pay a lower rate than if we flew one way and stayed for a couple of weeks. It’s a more sustainable business model,” says Pam, who’s a CPA, but says it’s not all about the numbers. “We haven’t had a glitch of any kind. Plus, the pilots are happy and courteous, and great with our grandchildren.” “We vetted them pretty hard and, over the course of nine months, we took several trial flights, which were wonderful,” says Edmund, who attests to the addictive allure of private aviation. “We’re even talking about buying a bigger share in a bigger aircraft.”

sky guide NetJets 877-356-5823 netjets.com Marquis Jet 866-538-0707 marquisjet.com Flight Options 877-703-2348 flightoptions.com Bombardier Flexjet 800-FLEXJET flexjet.com CitationShares 800-340-7767 citationshares.com Executive AirShare 866-946-4900 execairshare.com

STP Images | Aaron Nelson

away you go. If you go out of the country, customs agents will come to the plane, rather than making you wait in line with 500 other people.” “If your management team is sitting for hours in an airline terminal, that’s a waste of resources,” says Keith Plumb, president and COO of Executive AirShare. “Instead, if you can visit two or three cities in a day and bring in a multimilliondollar deal, the use of a corporate aircraft more than pays for itself. On the aircraft, it’s a competitive advantage to spread out and conduct business, or have a private conversation that you wouldn’t want to have on a commercial flight. “Unlike the national fractionals, we base our aircraft and crews where our shareowners are located, which provides a lower cost structure because we don’t have to reposition airplanes all over the country,” says Plumb.

to other users when you aren’t using it). Fractional ownership, pioneered by NetJets in 1986, enables the contracted equity purchase of one-sixteenth or more of a jet—with a support network that includes everything from flight reservations and security to a meteorology department. In 2001, Marquis Jets popularized an even more flexible option: the Jet Card. This unique program offers access to 10 models in the NetJets fleet in 25-hour increments with a one-year commitment—and none of the burdens of ownership. For the past two years, the Jet Card has been Meshri’s flight plan of choice. “I picked them because of the quality of their operation, and the fact that you can choose to go up or down in plane size,” he says. “On a cost basis, it may be a little bit more, but I get 50 hours of using the NetJet fleet.” Not surprisingly, all of the major fractional aircraft companies now offer their own jet cards. 2001 was also the year that Executive AirShare launched Flight Plans its regional spin on fractional From high-cost owning to lowownership. “Unlike the national commitment chartering, there are fractionals, we base our planes nearly as many ways to fly private and crews where our shareowners as there are aircraft to support the are located, which provides a lifestyle. If you want to purchase lower cost structure because we a plane, but don’t want the hassles don’t have to reposition airplanes of maintaining and staffing it, all over the country,” says Plumb. Bombardier Flexjet’s Whole Executive AirShare currently Aircraft Management program has a half-dozen base locations handles those tasks for you (with in the Midwest and, in the the added benefit of selling time past few months, has been

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connoisseur

the prime living guide to discerning taste

inside: Peach party

52 54 56 57 58

• • • • •

connoisseur main dish

Executive Chef Matthew Gray

chic

cuisine Story | Holly Beretto Photography | Mark Lipczynski

There can be no argument about it. The draw at Chez Roux is the food, something you may not assume about the little, boxy abode hugging the shore of Lake Conroe at the La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa. Now is a good time to remember not to judge a book by its cover.

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Inside, amid the modern interior design and the Europeanindustrial-meets-postmod-loft chic, is French cuisine so pitchperfect, you’ll forget that you drove through traffic on I-45 and meandered through quaint Montgomery, with its funky shops, into seemingly the middle of nowhere. You may even forget you’re in Texas. Chef Albert Roux’s eatery delivers food so completely inspired that you’ll immediately understand why he earned a coveted Michelin star for his London hotspot Le Gavroche. Here in Texas, he’s created a menu that is at once très, très French infused with local Texas flair. With executive chef Matthew Gray at the helm, go for broke and order the evening’s Menu Prestige, a seven-course culinary journey. The items on the tasting menu are drawn from the main menu, done up in smaller courses. It’s an opportunity to try nearly everything. Beginning with the Globe Artichoke, Quail Egg and Smoked Salmon appetizer, you know you’re in for something special. The quail eggs were plump and delightfully seasoned, the artichoke taste made me think of warm, lazy lakeside afternoons—even though it was anything but outside. Paired with a Tocai from Friuli-Venezia, which brought pear and mountain flower notes to the dish, it was an exceptional start to the meal. The Warm Salad of Muscovy Duck Breast, served with hazelnuts and asparagus was earthy and gamey, the peppery field greens and tender asparagus an incredible combination of hearty flavors that was more French country inn than upmarket resort. Both my dining

companion and I loved the Tranche of Casco Cod with its Brandade beignet and saffron risotto. The cod was flakey, its skin perfectly crisped, and the blending of Western comfort food meeting Eastern spices in the saffron rice was a combination that brought out the best of both worlds. Delicate and elegant, I had to restrain myself from asking for seconds. Then, along came the Chicken Roulade, with its green peppercorn pasta and caramelized chestnuts—a big, fleshy dish that deserved to be served fireside, offered up with a stunning Cotes du Rhode, the Kermit Lynch Cuvee Selectionnée, which offered endless black currant flavors and slightly peppery notes that seamlessly encouraged all the chicken’s flavors to jump to attention. There was the cheese soufflé, made with Texas cheddar and hand-creamed corn, which was a whole new kind of comfort food and the fabulous high note ending of the Cannele with Chocolate Sorbet. Here was evidence of chocolate raised to new heights, rich, deep, velvety, divine. Course after course was an invitation to explore new flavors and think differently about food. Even the ultra-modern dining room couldn’t contain the done-from-the-heart design of this menu. Chez Roux is less about dining and more about experience. And, lucky us, living close enough to experience it just outside our Houston borders.

chez roux 600 la torretta blvd., montgomery 877-286-9590 latorrettalakeresort.com

connoisseur main dish

Globe Artichoke, Quail Egg and Smoked Salmon

Chicken Roulade

Soufflé Suisseisse

soufflé suisseisse 5 oz. butter 2 oz. flour 28 (fluid) oz. milk 5 egg yolks

1¾ pts. double cream 6 egg whites 7 oz. Texas Gold Cheddar Salt and freshly ground white pepper

Soufflé mixture: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt 2 oz. butter in a small saucepan set over low heat. Using a small wire whisk, stir in the flour. Cook gently for 2 or 3 minutes, stirring continuously. Take the pan off the heat and leave the roux to cool slightly. Bring the milk to boil, then pour it over the cooled roux, whisking all the time. Set the pan over high heat and, stirring continuously, bring the mixture to boil and cook for 3 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the egg yolks. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm. Meanwhile, chill 8 3-inch round tartlet tins in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes. Remove and immediately grease them generously with softened butter and arrange on a baking sheet.

Warm Salad of Veal Sweetbreads

Assemble: Pour the cream into a gratin dish. Lightly salt the cream, then warm it gently without allowing it to boil. Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they form stiff peaks. Pour the soufflé mixture into a wide-mouthed bowl. Using a whisk, quickly beat in one-third of the beaten egg whites. Then, using a spatula, carefully fold in the remainder. Using a tablespoon, heap up the mixture in the tartlet tins to form 8 large mounds. Cook and serve: Bake the soufflés in the preheated oven for 3 minutes until the tops begin to turn golden. Remove from the oven and, protecting your hands with a cloth, turn out each soufflé into the dish of warm cream. Sprinkle over the Texas Gold Cheddar and place under a hot broiler until cheese melts and the dish is golden. Makes 8 servings. Dining room

may/june • 2010

connoisseur

small bites

beet it

Cucumber Martini, Valentino

good eats Story | Holly Beretto Photography | Mark Lipczynski

For a new take on the well-rounded meal, table-hop these Houston eateries for some of the best tastes in town.

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With a menu that seamlessly blends upscale Italian cuisine with Texas touches, you’re guaranteed to find something to please at Valentino in the Galleria-area Hotel Derek. But if you want something that’s a sure bet, go for the Tortino di Caprino appetizer, a mini goat cheese flan served with roasted red and yellow beets and a watercress salad, gently drizzled with Balsamic syrup. Valentino executive chef Cunninghame West has crafted a dish that expertly combines a creamy richness with a sassy tartness that makes for a truly exciting experience. The flan has a zing of saltiness from the goat cheese, delightfully spun into egg and cream. The beets are architecturally arranged, and their earthy firmness is a fantastic complement to the airy flan. The watercress brings a slightly bitter note to it, but when backed against the other flavors, offers a lovely, layered start to your meal. It’s delightfully fresh and elegant, but utterly unfussy. That blends with Valentino’s vibe, a kind of clubby chop house meets artful café. When you begin with the Tortino di Caprino, you know instinctively that it’s just the start of a special dining experience. valentino 2525a west loop south 713-850-9200 valentinorestaurantgroup.com

c connoisseur

surf & Turf

small bites

901 Postoffice is the sort of place that attracts adjectives like “homey,” “cozy,” “elegant.” Tucked into a charming early 20th century cottage, it will invariably also be called “charming” and “quiet,” as well. It’s all that. And then, there’s the food. You’ll have trouble choosing just one thing off the contemporary American menu, but my money’s on the Chili Rubbed Ribeye and Shrimp Relish, a killer entrée that showcases Texas’s love of a good steak with the bounty of Galveston’s Gulf Coast setting. It’s a generous portion, accompanied by a mashed potato casserole. The chili rub gives a great kick to the meat, grilled and perfectly prepared. The shrimp relish is deconstructed, with plump pieces of Gulf shrimp tossed around loose red cabbage. Together, it creates a sensation of comfort-food-meetsmodern-style. The heaping dish arrives tableside in a huge shallow bowl and, when paired with the 2005 Dry Creek Vineyards “The Mariner” meritage, it’s an endlessly enjoyable experience. As an added bonus, entrees at 901 Postoffice come with a house salad, a fresh green blend of baby Romaine, apple and pear slices, spicy pecans and grape tomato, served with a house made Rosé vinaigrette, beautifully presented on a rectangle plate, again showing off how well 901 Post Office blends the classic and contemporary so well. 901 postoffice 901 postoffice st., galveston • 409-762-1111

got milk?

It was a long, cold winter for Houston, and the Bayou City is rejoicing in sunny, spring temperatures soon to give way to summer. No matter what weather wackiness may come or go, diners who want a taste of summer need only head to Ibiza for the Pastel de Tres Leches with Minted Tropical Fruit Salad and Coconut Sherbet. I came into this chic Midtown eatery after one of those "most horrible days ever," and with every bite of this dessert, the horrors of the day faded, replaced by sensations of tropical sunsets and calming trade winds. Enough imagery. This tres leches is the real deal, made with condensed, whole and evaporated milks with an essence of coconut throughout. The cake is richly textured, a place somewhere between milky and spongy, with bite after bite of creamy sweetness. Little bits of pineapple and cantaloupe dot the cake and the plate, and tasting the fruit in combination with the cake allows for a new sensory experience, one that explodes of citrus and sass amid the milkiness. The accompanying coconut sorbet is light and airy, so fresh I wondered if they’d cracked open the coconut right there in the kitchen and made the sorbet minutes before they plated the tres leches. Topping off the whole thing is a meringue that gives this a gooey, sweet cap. I’ve never believed that if you have a bad day and you go home and eat a whole cheesecake, that everything will be better. But I can say for certain that no matter what kind of day it’s been, Ibiza’s tres leches improves it. ibiza 2450 louisiana 713-524-0004 ibizafoodandwinebar.com

may/june • 2010

In the Pink

connoisseur table talk

If you’re planning a trip to Austin in May, be sure to stop by the fourth annual Pink Fest, a celebration rosé wines. On May 22, Vino Vino will host the annual event, which will feature more than 50 still and sparkling rosé wines, as well as tasty eats such as grilled lamb and boudin sausages. Last year’s event showcased a number of varieties, from classic grand cru champagnes to sweet lambruscos. Pink Fest will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. and the cost is $25 per person. Vino Vino is located at 4119 Guadalupe St. Call 512-465-9282 or visit vinovinotx. com for information.

Sure we have our barbecue and chicken fried steak, but there’s nothing quite like a New York-style deli sandwich to hit the spot. Thankfully, Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen Restaurant is here to satisfy our Texas-sized cravings for a taste of the Big Apple. The restaurant is run by Ziggy Gruber, chef and third-generation deli owner who offers hand-picked USDA choice meats and smoked fish sliced in the European tradition, as well as more than 200 menu items. For the quintessential deli experience, try one of their stacked sandwiches, including the Fiddler on the Roof of Your Mouth, a triple-decker corned beef and pastrami with Russian dressing and slaw; or the Beauty and the Beef, triple-decker roast beef, turkey and Swiss with lettuce, tomato and Russian dressing. There’s also a variety of grilled or boiled knockwurst and franks, and homemade potato, spinach or kasha knish, Gabilla’s Coney Island square knish and the Stuffed Pup, a frankstuffed knish. While you’re there, brush up on your Yiddish with the “How To Speak Deli” section on the menu. Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen Restaurant is located at 2327 Post Oak Blvd. in the Galleria. For information, call 713-871-8883 or visit kennyandziggys.com.

Game Time

There’s something wild going on at Ouisie’s Table, the charming River Oaks eatery owned and operated by Elouise Adams Jones, also known as Ouisie (pronounced “wee-zee” for those of you new to the Houston dining scene). Spurred by the popularity of her Original Texas Venison Chicken Fried Steak, the restaurant has launched a special wild game menu, featuring ingredients ranging from ostrich and quail to buffalo and boar. Sample the bacon-wrapped quail with wild boar sausage, as well as the grill buffalo tenderloin with Marsala mushroom sauce. For something more adventurous, try the herb-crusted ostrich with dried cherry demi-glace. Putting a spin on classic foods is nothing new to Ouisie, who has been running the restaurant for 15 years. Loving the flavors and the lean cuts of meat, she plans on expanding the menu in the months to come. Ouisie’s Table is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. For information, call 713528-2264 or visit ouisiestable.com.

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Posh Patio

In the mood for a different take on happy hour? Check out River Oaks’s swanky new hotspot, Verandah 1919 at the St. Regis Houston. Get cozy as you ease back into a luxurious loveseat or lounge chair, where you’ll enjoy handcrafted cocktails and tapas-style bites under a canopy of native oak trees. With its prime location near the Galleria and Highland Village, Verandah 1919 is the perfect place to jumpstart an evening on the town or wind down a busy day. For information, visit stregis.com/houston or call 713-840-7600.

Vino Vino | Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen | St. Regis Houston | Ouisie's Table

Counter Culture

connoisseur uncorked

Spirit of Brazil Story | John DeMers

razil conjures up lots of images to Americans, but wine almost certainly isn’t one of them. There are those endless rainforests filled with exotic flora and fauna, and those legendary cities with dazzling opera houses built deep in the Amazon jungle. Even more, Brazil to Americans is Rio de Janeiro, with its long, loping beaches in the shadow of Sugarloaf Mountain, its sambas at Carnival, and its sultry, bossa nova girls from Ipanema. We can picture this Brazil in our minds, and perhaps on a good day, even find it on a map. But to place it within the New World wine tradition—along with places like Australia and South Africa or, even closer,

Argentina and Chile—well, that takes a bigger leap than most of us are able to make. Morgana Miolo, whose family has been growing grapes for wine in Brazil since 1897, is traveling the world encouraging us to make that leap. “For more than one century,” Morgana says in her precise, accented English, rich in memories of Brazil, but also of her family’s deep Italian roots near Venice, “we produced wines only for family. We sold most of our grapes to big companies in the region. When my cousin graduated as an enologist, the family was already known for the high quality of its grapes. So we decided to make wines for the market.”

Though some wine families of Brazil came from Germany, a number of the country’s most successful grape growers followed the same lineage from Portugal that gives the land its language. Most viticulture, however, has long been the business of Italian immigrants. For one thing, there are huge numbers of Italians in Brazil; they didn’t all make their way to Brooklyn, you know. Nearly all were familiar with wine as a product to consume, wine as a part of Catholic liturgy and, nearly always, wine as a local, even home-based business. As in California, where names like Sebastiani, Foppiano, Gallo and Mondavi wrote the history of winemaking, so it is in Brazil. With Brazil’s love of red meat (especially at the churrascarias so popular there), you’d expect all wines to be red. And that they tend to be at Miolo. The winery’s Lote 43, for instance, is a lovely blend of cabernet and merlot, very balanced with a ton of finesse, perfect for that all-you-can-eat steak night. Still, from another of the five terroirs the family uses come sparkling wines made in the methode Champenoise with a 50/50 blend of chardonnay and pinot noir—a complete surprise until you realize that the modern Brazilian wine industry got its kick start in the 1870s, when French bubbles giant Moet et Chandon set up shop there. “Wine is a worldwide product,” says Andreia Gentilini Milan of the trade association Wines from Brazil. “We are focused on the American market. If we can achieve one percent of the American market—Italy now has 31 percent—that would be very nice.” John DeMers Covering food and wine for more than 25 years, John DeMers hosts “Delicious Mischief” on NewsRadio 740 KTRH. He recently released Follow the Smoke: 14,783 Miles of Great Texas Barbecue.

may/june • 2010

connoisseur

entertain

Peach of a Party Story & Styling | Jaimee Rose Photography | Mark Lipczynski

A late spring drive on a Texas highway leads to a kind of old-fashioned heaven filled with local peach orchards, heavy with fruit, ripe and ready for harvest. Invite your friends to join you in the fields for a peach-picking party and gather afterward for a peach-laden brunch. Think Bellinis, peach-slathered pancakes, and a peachy party favor, too.

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Peach pancakes are the main course; peach pie is dessert. Make your own or shop the farm stand. Round out your brunch menu with grilled asparagus, crisp bacon, and scrambled eggs topped with cheddar cheese.

When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re eating outdoors, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always nice to set out the fixings of comfort. Rolled rugs are ready to host an impromptu nap in the grass, and pillows are ready to cushion a long morning at the table after someone pops the third bottle of champagne.

connoisseur

entertain

If you can persuade an orchard owner to let you eat in the field, magic will follow. Either way, set a pretty farm-themed table underneath the morning sun. Fill a watering can with flowers and cover the table with burlap in a nod to old-fashioned grain sacks.

Perfect party favors: mini bottles of peach jam, of course. Make your own or pick up locally made jam at the farm you visit to pick fruit.

A crisp white palette on the table keeps things feeling fresh, and expert entertainers and caterers know that food always looks the most delicious on white plates. Place peaches at each place setting for guests to take home and enjoy. A green napkin nods to the verdant season.

A creation from Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy, the Bellini is ideal for brunch. Fill a champagne flute one-third full with peach puree or peach nectar and top with champagne or prosecco. Slip a peach slice into the drink to soak up all that winey goodness. For an extra special touch, entrust each guest with their own mini bottle of bubbly and let them sip at will.

On the menu: peachy pancakes. They’re more delicious than you remember and better than you think. To make, prepare your favorite buttermilk pancake recipe and heap each serving with fresh peaches that you’ve tossed with a few tablespoons of sugar. A spoonful of justwhipped cream wouldn’t hurt, either.

The Goods dinnerware

napkins

Vietri Incanto dinner plate, $46; cereal bowl and salad plate, $38 each; available at Robert’s China, 12651-D Memorial Drive. 713-973-8171, robertschina.com

Berry by Juliska, set of four for $140 at Indulge Décor, 2903 Saint St. 713-888-0181, indulgedecor.com

flatware

Birmingham Citrus Woven Cotton by Dash & Albert pillow, $38; rug, $28; available at Kuhl-Linscomb.

stemware

Galvanized metal, $39 at Pottery Barn.

Five-piece Bamboo place setting by Juliska, $150 at Kuhl-Linscomb, 2424 West Alabama. 713-526-6000, kuhl-linscomb.com Pinch flutes, set of six for $75 at Pottery Barn, 4011 Westheimer. 713-461-4057, potterybarn.com

jam jars

$1.99 each at Hobby Lobby, hobbylobby.com

pillows and rugs

watering can

food and additional styling Schnepf Farms, schnepffarms.com

may/june • 2010

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It gives the driver many things, among them the confidence to be the driver. The new Porsche 911. Totally reengineered at its core to not only give confidence, but exude it as well. Its new optional Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) allows for incredibly fast shifting, and the new Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) system increases the engineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s output while at the same time conserving fuel. Visit Porsche of West Houston today. Porsche. There is no substitute.

The new 911.

gentleman’s room

For the man who commands the very best

inside:

62 63 64 66

• • • •

High Tech | Dad’s Day = Gadgets Galore Great Outdoors | Catch a Wave Driver's Seat | Creation or Evolution Nostalgia | Surf, Sand & Cinema

may/june • 2010

Dad’s Day =

Gadgets

Galore Story | Michael Garfield

et’s face it. With my line of work, I have to be the hardest guy in the world to shop for. I regularly receive a slew of high-tech toys to play with and review, so there aren’t many things my kids can give me for Father’s Day (although season football tickets would be nice, boys). If your dad is as much of a gadget-nut as I am, treat him to one of these cool toys this Father’s Day. He just may need the rest of the day to figure out how they work.

sensor that refines elements of photography. The camera shoots up to an equivalent of ISO 102,400, far beyond any film you could buy at Walgreen’s (does Walgreen’s still sell film?). At that level, you’re talking night vision. It is a bit heavy at three pounds without a lens, but probably has the best ergonomics in its class. With dual CF card slots and a big battery, this will hold generations of photos and high-def video. While costly, this could indeed be the last camera Dad will ever need. $5,000, nikonusa.com.

Swarovski-studded refrigerator

What dad doesn’t like midnight snacks? His beer and bean dip will be cool and classy in this crystal-studded fridge. play music intuitively, creating a Gorenje has put together “visible music” interface. this Swarovski crystal-studded The Tenori-On has a total refrigerator in black or of 16 layers. Separate notes and Vertu Constellation aluminum. Because really, who voices can be assigned to each Ayxta doesn’t need their fridge covered layer, and all layers can be played in Swarovski crystals? Anything All cell phones are not created together in synchronization. The Tenori-On less would be an insult to your equal. Nokia subsidiary Vertu is orange LED switches are held week-old pizza. And besides, what For the musical dad, here’s within a magnesium frame, which the prime example. Not only are else are you going to spend that its phones on the high-end of tech something that is almost too has two built-in speakers located money on? Bills? Food? specs, take a peek at the price tag. cutting edge. Media artist on the top of the frame, as well Despite 26,000 crystallized But, you get what you pay for. Toshio Iwai and Yamaha have as a dial and buttons that control Swarovski elements covering this The Constellation Ayxta is collaborated to design Tenori-On, the type of sound and beats per appliance, it’s not just a pretty the company’s first clamshell a new digital musical instrument minute produced. face. A built-in radio receiver phone. Choose from models with for the 21st century that features Tell Dad this is a beat box keeps you company while your polished stainless steel, ceramic a 16-by-16 matrix of LED for the “now” generation. $699, perishables chill and Dad can keys and leather casing. World switches that allows everyone to tenori-onusa.com. warn the family to stay away travelers will utilize its 20-plus from his snacks with its voice languages and GSM multiband Nikon D3s messaging and voice alarm. coverage. The last camera your father will ever Happy Father’s Day, Dad. But the luxury comes with the need? Possibly. Nikon effectively We’ll all enjoy your new fridge service features. The Concierge declared the pixel war over with its for years to come since we now gives the elite customer a direct D3 two years ago. It shot a mere can’t pay for college. $110,000, line to a customer care rep who 12 megapixels—less than most gorenje.co.uk. can address any questions with point-and-shoots—but began the a simple press of a button. The low-light arms race. Select City Brief uses the GPS to Its new D3s model Michael Garfield automatically change to the local Known as “The High-Tech again forsakes more time zone and get the lowdown Texan®” to audiences megapixels for more light on the happening places in the nationwide, Michael hosts technology and issueand it’s a tiny miracle vicinity. Talk ain’t cheap, though. oriented talk radio shows of engineering that $7,500, vertu.com. six days a week on The 9-5-0. See what uses a completely new he’s up to at HighTechTexan.com.

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Gorenje | Tenori-On | Vertu | Nikon USA

gentleman’s room high tech

gentleman’s room outdoors

Catch a Story | Doug Pike

Wave

ever mind the daredevils who ride waves as big as houses. Most days, Texas surfing is about squeezing the energy from whatever modest wrinkles the Gulf rolls toward shore. Surfing has been around for centuries, but was brought to this nation’s attention in the ’50s and early ’60s by the Beach Boys and other early boy bands. The lifestyle appealed to young men everywhere because it was rebellious, connected them to nature, and it attracted young women in bikinis. Little has changed among legitimate surf bums. They still skip work—if they work real jobs at all—at the hint of quality waves. Texas surfing is about concession, about taking what we get and genuinely savoring rare sessions that could make those SoCal boys wish they were here. It’s been that way since I started surfing in the ’70s and little has changed. Texas waves

are, as a rule, small and slow, but they’re waves. Good days still draw crowds, but the difference in the lineup between then and now is that there’s more gray hair and girth atop the boards. Even surfers who started when I did (or earlier) have a hard time giving it up. I still own a couple of boards and go every chance I get. Acquaintances are surprised to hear that I still paddle out occasionally, and some wish they’d tried the sport earlier in life. “Too late to learn,” they say, but they’re wrong. Age is no reason to ignore that primal urge to feel the power of a wave lift your board and propel you forward. If that’s what you want, it’s only a couple of lessons away. Texas has instructional options for aspiring surfers of all ages, and older aspirants more likely can afford private lessons. Admittedly, most first-timers are teenagers or younger. But sprinkled among the

beach body Surfing offers excellent cardio and upper-body benefits. In a long-ago survey of professional athletes, the only ones found to require better conditioning than surfers were boxers. How’s that for another good excuse to wax up and paddle out?

awestruck students on any beach, for any group session, usually are a couple of old goats in flowered shorts and bulging rash guards. Under the guidance of a professional instructor—not the kid down the street who rides a board that fits into the backseat of his 1999 Civic coupe—almost anyone can learn to surf. Here’s the agility requirement: If you can pass that field sobriety test where the badge asks you to stand on one foot, lift the other and count to 30, you can balance on a surfboard. From there, it’s only a matter of learning how to paddle the board, how to sit on it between waves and how to tell a good wave from a bad one. You’ll be thrilled the first time you stand and ride, which won’t take long on the wide, thick and heavy “tugs” used to teach the sport. If you continue surfing, that thrill will turn to passion, which will eventually turn to obsession. And every time you leave the water, you’ll wonder how soon you can return.

doug pike Doug has traveled the world to satisfy his passion for the outdoors. During his career, he has won 100-plus state and national awards for writing, broadcast and photography.

surfing schools South Padre Surf Company Run by long-time surfers and ocean-rescue certified lifeguards Gene and Rachel Gore, this outfit is now stationed on South Padre Island. Group and individual lessons are available daily, as are Saturday day camps nearly yeararound. 956-772-7272, southpadresurfcompany.com Texas Surf Camps Based in Port Aransas, this company offers a summer-long series of week-long‑ camps there and in Galveston. Day camps are available at other venues along the Texas coast and individual lessons by request. All instructors are first-aid and CPR certified. 361-749-6956, texassurfcamps.com

may/june • 2010

gentleman’s room driver's seat

creation or

evolution Story | Don Armstrong

prime-living.com

locked in-step with the rear glass/ hatch and rear seats folded down, it can swallow up to 60 cubic-feet of hand-me-downs for a trip to Aunt Mary’s. There are height restrictions, however, to the kinds of things you can haul due to the GT’s fastback roofline. And, with the rear seat folded, you’ll lose three potential people-places when accommodating those larger loads. The interior is what you’d expect from BMW. Leather seating for five is standard as is a panoramic roof, real-wood trim, adaptive cruise control and sliding and reclining rear seats. BMW’s famous iDrive interface, hard-drive navigation, Bluetooth and 12-speaker sound are also included, as well as myriad of other goodies that may be too tempting to pass up. Like other premium car builders, options can send the price soaring, so packaged extras are the way to go. The Gran Turismo comes with

a 4.4-liter, twin-turboed V-8 that delivers 400-horsepower. An all-new 8-speed automatic transmission transfers the energy to the rear wheels; an all-wheel drive option along with a V-6 engine will debut soon. The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is hard to categorize since it really can’t be considered a wagon, sedan or crossover. The only look-alike competitor is the new Honda Accord Crosstour, which is hardly on the same level as a BMW. Whether it finds a place in a very crowded market is still unknown, but with a $63,900 starting price, the 5 GT may have to elbow its way in.

5 Series Gran Turismo Manufacturer BMW Classification Sedan Seating Five Engine 4.4-liter V-8 w/ twin turbo Horsepower 400 Torque 450 ft-lbs. Mileage 15-city, 21-highway Transmission 8-speed automatic Brakes 4-wheel disc

don armstrong Don’s passion for all things automotive is no secret. His popular What’s Don Driving? TV series garnered rave reviews and made him the new car go-to guy. He is also a member of the Texas Auto Writers Association.

Curb weight 4938 lbs.

–Base MSRP $63,900 bmw

ou’ll find bits and pieces of BMW-think somewhere in almost every carmaker’s line these days, whether it’s a trunk lid, dash design element or a rotary control knob on the center console. Seems those Bavarians have an affinity for providing us with a look and feel we Americans just love. Enter the all-new 2010 5 Series Grand Turismo, an amalgam of four-door sedan and crossover utility, a unique do-all that may fit your family’s lifestyle. The GT rides a couple of inches higher than the 5 Series sedan, but is significantly lower than BMW’s X5 crossover. To confuse us even further, many of the GT’s under-body parts are shared with the 7 Series, the automaker’s largest sedan. However, the real story here is the rear trunk/hatch. This two-piece affair can be opened like a sedan’s trunk, with a storage compartment large enough for a grocery run. With the trunk lid

quick facts

Certified Pre-Owned BMW

www.momentumbmw.net 713-CALL-BMW

The Ultimate Driving Machine®

Déjà new. After rigorous inspections, only the most pristine vehicles are chosen to be Certified Pre-Owned by BMW. That’s why we offer a Protection Plan* for up to 6 years or 100,000 miles. In fact, it looks so good and performs so well it’s hard to believe it’s pre-owned. bmwusa.com/cpo Certified by BMW Trained Technicians

BMW Protection Plan

BMW Leasing and Financing

BMW Roadside Assistance†

*Protection Plan provides coverage for two years or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first) from the date of the expiration of the 4-year/50,000-mile BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty. †Roadside Assistance provides coverage for two years (unlimited miles) from the date of the expiration of the 4-year/unlimited-miles New Vehicle Roadside Assistance Plan. See participating BMW center for details and vehicle availability. For more information, call 1-800-334-4BMW or visit bmwusa.com. ©2008 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name and logo are registered trademarks.

The Ultimate Dealership Southwest Freeway Exit Bissonnet

713.CALL.BMW

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gentleman’s room nostalgia

Surf, Sand

& Cinema I Story | Karl Hauenstein

prime-living.com

n the early ’60s, before The Beatles and the British Invasion; before the Summer of Love and the hippie movement; before psychedelia, draft protests, the women’s movement and free love, there was…the beach. During this era, the beach was the center of all that was cool in American youth culture. Even if we didn’t live anywhere near the ocean and had never seen a beach in our lives, we all sang along with the Beach Boys when they encouraged us to “let’s go surfin’ now, everybody’s learnin’ how, come on and safari with me” and truly believed that the world would indeed be a happier place “if everybody had an ocean, across the USA.” In the heyday of our fascination with the beach

and beach music, Hollywood fed our preoccupation with a series of “Beach Party” movies, the most memorable of which were produced by independent filmmaker American International Pictures. From 1963 to 1966, they made seven beachthemed movies that enjoyed considerable popularity, including “Beach Blanket Bingo” and “How to Stuff a Wild Bikini.” Starring Frankie Avalon as Frankie and Annette Funicello as his girlfriend Dee Dee, the plots usually

centered around Frankie and/ or Dee Dee trying to make each other jealous after misinterpreting the other’s attention to another. True love, however, always won out in the end. Sure, the plots were fluff and the acting was less than Academy award quality, but the sets were beautiful, everyone was having a

didyouknow? When they originally formed, the Beach Boys’ band name was The Pendeltons. Their record label changed the name to the Beach Boys without consulting the band, ranking it as one of the wisest marketing decisions of the 20th century.

gentleman’s room nostalgia

good time, the music was great (sometimes performed by notable bands of the time such as the Hondells) and there was always a happy ending. Of the seven films made by American International, “Beach Blanket Bingo” is the most recognized, referred to by some as the “Citizen Cane” of “Beach Party” movies because it incorporated all of the classic stereotypes of the genre: song, cameo appearances by popular actors and convoluted sub-plots. It is also the only film in the series in which recurring comic villain Eric Von Zipper, a parody of Marlon Brando’s role in the

“Wild One,” broke out in song. That alone was worth the price of admission, which, by the way, was a quarter. Although we loved them and flocked to see them, the “Beach Party” movies and their influence on our culture were quickly elbowed aside by imports from across the ocean. The Beach Boys gave way in popularity to The Beatles, the allure of the beach became secondary in the pop cultural consciousness to Carnaby Street and Abbey Road, and we gave up Frankie and Dee Dee to become Mods and Rockers. But that’s a remembrance for another time!

Good Vibrations Perhaps the most important ingredient in the beach craze of the ’50s and ’60s was the music. And of all the great bands and music produced by the era, the Beach Boys were hands down the most popular and influential. Started in 1961 by brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, their first cousin Mike Love, and school friend Al Jardine, the Beach Boys perfected the popular beach rock and roll sound that combined twangy guitars, driving rhythms, perfect vocal harmonies, and lyrics about true love, fast cars and, of course, surfing. Their body of work has become a virtual must-play on classic rock stations all over the world, and their unique sound remains beloved and recognized by generations that were born long after the height of the band’s popularity. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, Rolling Stone magazine listed the Beach Boys as No. 12 on their list of the 100 Greatest Rock & Roll Artists of all time. That’s some “good vibrations!”

may/june • 2010

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live well

saving

face Story | Sue Hauenstein

amounts of a broad-spectrum, y the end of January, water-resistant sunscreen most of us were longing with a Sun Protection Factor for the day we could (SPF) of at least 30 to all lounge around the pool and soak exposed skin. Broad-spectrum up some rays. We certainly don’t provides protection from normally go such long periods of both ultraviolet A (UVA) time without sun in Texas. and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Fortunately, things have finally Re-apply approximately every returned to normal and, for the two hours, even on cloudy next six months, we will come days, and after swimming into contact with more sun or sweating. Remember that than many people in the world water, sand and snow reflect witness in an entire year. While the damaging rays of the sun. we welcome the warmth, the sun’s rays force us, however, to ramp • Wear protective clothing, up our skin care regimen. sunglasses and a wide-brimmed Exposure to sunlight hat. prematurely ages the skin. Introduction to UV light • Regularly check for growths is responsible for wrinkles, and changes to your skin. both fine and coarse; irregular pigmentation; redness; and • Avoid tanning beds. The AAD leathery, rough texture of sunstates that on any given day, exposed skin. More significantly, more than 1 million people tan according to the American in tanning salons. While many Academy of Dermatology (AAD), believe that indoor tanning more than 1 million cases of skin devices provide a “safe” or cancer will be diagnosed this year. “healthy” tan, the public isn’t Follow these four important always aware of the proven and necessary tips this summer: negative health risks associated with indoor tanning. It is, • Fifteen minutes before however, well documented exposure, apply generous

that UV radiation from indoor tanning devices is a known cause of skin cancer. Exposure to UV radiation, whether from the sun or from artificial light sources, increases the risk of developing skin cancer.

Colorescience Pro’s Sunforgettable’s protection is instant, so a 20-minute wait before heading outdoors is no longer necessary. Its full spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection is proven to last up to six hours and does not have to be reapplied after perspiring or swimming Reversing the Damage because it is very water-resistant. There are many products on the bareMinerals also sells an SPF 30 market that claim to reduce or sunscreen powder to wear under reverse sun damage. Prescriptive treatments are available only upon your makeup or alone. Drs. Katie Rodan and Kathy your doctor’s recommendation. Fields, dermatologists who Cosmetic treatments such as created the Pro-Activ acne chemical peels, alpha-hydroxy treatment, have now introduced acids and laser skin resurfacing a line of skin care products with may improve the appearance claims that they can reverse of thin wrinkles and irregular pigmentation. Deep wrinkles and brown spots, dullness and sun substantial skin damage, however, damage. They also have an anti-aging regimen that renews require significant treatment to cells and increases collagen be reversed. production. These products are There are several available by direct sales only. nonprescriptives such as While most of us spent the moisturizing creams and makeup winter longing to lay poolside that can help hide wrinkles. soaking in the sun, we mustn’t Consumer Reports has found that lose sight of the fact that the Olay Regenerist was the toprated face cream. Many brands of sun damages for life. Not only can it affect the way your skin makeup contain sunscreen these ages, it can affect how long you days, including two that make a age, too. powder sunscreen. may/june • 2010

live well Health Events

seeing is believing

May 1

June 5

Prime Living’s Women’s Health Symposium Join us to hear about various women’s health concerns (genetic testing options, anti-aging, stress relief, cosmetics and much more). University of Houston System at Sugar Land, 14000 University Boulevard, Sugar Land. 8 a.m. Free. tinyurl.com/plwhs2010

Tune Up This is an outdoor event perfect for the man in your life! He’ll enjoy the cars and food, and won’t even notice that it’s an event that’s good for him! Includes free blood pressure, skin cancer and BMI screenings. Memorial Hermann Hospital, 17500 West Grand Pkwy. South, Sugar Land. 9 a.m.713-222-2273

May 2 2010 Walk For Lupus NOW 5K Walkathon Show your support for finding a cure for Lupus at this 5K walk through downtown Houston. Downtown Aquarium, 410 Bagby. 9 a.m. lupustexas.org

June

hile ZZ Top wore cheap ones and Corey Hart wore his at night, we don’t have the luxury of playing around with our eyes. Cheap sunglasses make for great songs, but long-term exposure to harmful skin damaging rays can also increase your risk of developing serious eye problems. The ultraviolet radiation in sunlight is divided into UVA, UVB and UVC rays. UV protection comes from an invisible chemical applied to the lenses—the color or darkness of the lenses is not a good indicator of protective eyewear. Sunglasses should be dark enough to reduce glare, but not dark enough to distort colors and affect the recognition of traffic signals. Prevent Blindness America, a volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight, recommends lenses that are neutral gray, amber, brown or green. Many sunglasses do not block all glare. Polarized lenses have been popular with outdoor enthusiasts for years, but interest in the benefits of these lenses has soared recently. Polarized lenses contain a special filter that blocks intense reflected light, reducing glare and improving visibility and comfort. Prescription and bifocals are also available with a polarized lens. The FDA recommends that you look for 99 to 100 percent protection when shopping for your sunglasses. If you lead an active lifestyle, transition lenses are a perfect fit. Dark when you’re outside and fade to clear quickly when you walk indoors, these lenses block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Wraparound frames keep out more of the sun’s rays. Be sure to try on a pair to see how they look with your facial shape. Mirrorcoated lenses have metallic coatings on ordinary lenses. But just because they appear to reflect light away from the eye, don’t assume they will fully protect you from UV radiation.

prime-living.com

Home Safety Month If you’re lucky, the grandchildren will be visiting this summer. During June, the Home Safety Council (HSC) is working to educate and motivate families to take actions that will increase the safety of their homes. Watch for home safety events offered by your local Police and Fire Departments. homesafetycouncil.org

Tuesdays Pilates + Yoga = PiYo with TUTS Pilates/Yoga class strengthens your core, improves your balance and increases your flexibility and endurance, leaving you energized and refreshed. All levels welcome. Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St. 6:30 p.m. Free. discoverygreen.com

Wednesdays Fitness in the Park Presented by Academy Sport and Outdoors, Zumba master Oscar Sajche will show you how to make your workout a party. Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St. 6:30 p.m. Free. discoverygreen.com

back talk Don’t forget your back. Have a friend or family member check in monthly. About one of every three serious skin cancers in men, called melanomas, are found on the back.

Persol

prevent

health

get screened

Bare Escentuals

skin cancer screening is a visual inspection of your skin by a medical professional. Your screening should be conducted by a dermatologist, resident or well-trained non-physician such as a nurse practitioner or physicianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assistant under the direction of a dermatologist. No blood work is taken. Plan on approximately 10 minutes for the screening. The visual screening should cover exposed areas (face, neck, arms, hands, etc.). If you are in a specialistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office, request a fullbody screening. If you have areas of your body about which you are concerned, schedule a skin exam with a dermatologist. May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month and there are several locations in the Houston area offering free skin cancer screenings. To take advantage of this opportunity, contact your local hospital to inquire if they are being offered. The ABCD rule is a convenient guide to the usual signs of melanoma. The most important warning sign for skin cancer is a spot on the skin that changes in size, shape or color over a period of one month to one or two years. Notify your doctor if you see any of the following changes: A=A symmetry â&#x20AC;&#x201C; If one half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other. B=B order â&#x20AC;&#x201C; If the edges are irregular, ragged, notched or blurred. C=C olor â&#x20AC;&#x201C; If the color is not the same all over (including differing shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of red, white, or blue). D = Diameter â&#x20AC;&#x201C; If larger than 1/4 of an inch, the size of a pencil eraser. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to find melanoma early, when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most likely to be completely cured. Check your skin every month and be aware of the warning signs of melanoma. An annual screening is strongly recommended.

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One Park Place • 3.10.10

list

Guests were invited to tour three beautifully decorated apartments at Houston’s newest downtown luxury apartment building, One Park Place. After touring, guests voted for their favorite designer: Renea Abbott, Michael Stribling or Chandos Dodson. Donations from the tours were given to Discovery Green. Tasty bites were provided by Quattro, with drinks provided by Ikal 1150 wines, Mid-State Wine & Liquors, and Select 55 – Silver Eagle Distributers. The Design Challenge winner will be announced after May 5 on prime-living.com.

Photographer | Roswitha Vogler

2 4

13 get on the list at primelist@prime-living.com

1 Jenny Knight, Barbara Cage 2 Sylvia Cardenos, James Holland 3 Steve and Laurie Thomas 4 Nikki Hart, Mike Taylor 5 Cathie and Cleve Williams, Franklin Barnett 6 Charles Willits, Karyn Dean 7 Heidi Schulze, Joan Tankersley, Karen Cook 8 Leon Sierra, Sandra Beltran, Patty Hatton 9 Nicola Parente, Trish McClanahan 10 Marvy and Elaine Finger 11 Maricela Pappas 12 Shannon Smith, Janus Lazaris 13 Greg Bonner, Kristin and David Halphen, Alan Funderburg

prime-living.com

Keep the Beat Heart Ball Hilton Americas - Houston • 2.13.10

the

list

With more than 500 guests in attendance, the 2010 Keep the Beat Heart Ball had Houston’s red-frocked A-listers dining, dancing to Grady Gaines and Texas Upsetters, and bidding on items such as the dazzling 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet and vacations to Riviera Maya and Napa Valley. The black-tie event honored Lilly and Thurmon Andress, Noble Energy Inc. and James C. Grotta M.D. Photographer | Leroy Gibbins, Kim Coffman and Alexander's Portraits

4 3

get on the list at primelist@prime-living.com

1 Nelda and Harold Wallace 2 Robin and Jerry Mueck 3 Patti and Don Murphy 4 Kristen Nix, Amy Urquhait 5 David and Jenny Moore 6 Steve Gentry, Frankie and Bob Jones 7 Ron and Connie Hickman 8 Joel Luks, Carey Kirkpatrick 9 Dr. Robert A. and Mercedes Behar, Sherri and Michael Reiland, Stacy and Ken Thornton 10 Dalinda Murray, Jan Harris, Jill Barber, Jeannie Lehman

may/june • 2010

Mid-State Wine Tasting

the

The Tasting Room Wine Cafe â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Uptown â&#x20AC;˘ 2.9.10

list

Mid-State Wine Company was the recipient of multiple awards during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's International Wine competition. In celebration of their winnings, an evening featuring their award-winning wine portfolio was held. A select 15 were poured and paired with exquisite food that complimented each. Attendees of this event were exclusively Prime Living VIPs and each was treated to a tasteful evening.

Photographer | Roswitha Vogler

1 Jessica Zapatero, Greg Miller 2 Sandra Beltran, Leon Sierra 3 Tony Wood, Drew Ludlow 4 Shannon Smith, Jennifer Ludlow, Lisa Seltzer 5 Karyn Dean, Jennifer Dean, Carolyn Farb, Bob Nowak

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Keels & Wheels Uncorked

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Ferrari Maserati of Houston • 3.4.10

list

Car connoisseurs came together for a unique evening of classic cars, fine wines and culinary treats. Led by master of ceremonies Sam Malone, four of Houston’s finest restaurants were assigned a specific classic automobile. Each executive chef was given the task to match a premium wine and craft an hors d’oeuvre that best represented their assigned automobile. The evening benefitted the Boys & Girls Harbor. Photography | Leroy Gibbins

get on the list at primelist@prime-living.com 1 Charles Clark, Andrea Hersey 2 Carmelo 3 Don and Patti Murphy 4 Barbara Hermes, Jim Blair 5 Lehnda and Galen Bussion, Roz Clayton 6 Craig Harris, Sheree Moore 7 Sam Malone, Bob Fuller 8 Scott Figueiredo 9 Herb Pratt, Kathy Baversoz

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May 12

May 13

May 15

14th Annual Strong, Smart and Bold Celebration Luncheon Houston Mayor Annise Parker is the recipient of this year’s Strong, Smart and Bold award. Benefiting Girls Inc. of Houston. Hilton Americas, 1600 Lamar St. 11:30 a.m. $150. 713-802-2260, girlsinchouston.org

Treasures of Texas Gala Enjoy an evening of dinner and fun as the recipients of the 2010 Spirit of Hope Awards are honored. Benefiting Mental Health America of Greater Houston. Hotel ZaZa, 5701 Main St. 6:30 p.m. Starting at $250. 713-523-8963, mhahouston.org

Alley Theatre Jet Setters Ball Dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions—an event not to be missed by Houston’s circle of theatergoers. Benefitting Alley Theatre’s Education and Community Engagement programs. 1940 Air Terminal Museum at Hobby Airport. 7 p.m. Starting at $1,000. 713315-3389, alleytheatre.org

May 13 Rienzi Spring Party This elegant evening includes poolside cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment. Benefiting Rienzi’s operating budget. Rienzi, 1406 Kirby Drive. 7 p.m. $150. 713-639-7523, mfah.org

May 13

Champagne & Ribs Casual elegance is the best way to describe this saucy event where guests will enjoy live music, barbecue and bubbly champagne. Benefiting Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, 5216 Montrose Blvd. 6:30 p.m. $100. 713-284-8262, camh.org

May 14 Montgomery & Northwest County Go Red For Women Luncheon Dress in your best business red and show support for the American Heart Association’s bash for the Go Red For Women Campaign. Benefiting the American Heart Association. The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel, 1601 Lake Robbins Drive. 10 a.m. $100. 713-610-5000, americanheart.org

May 14 Mad Hatter Spring Luncheon & Fashion Show Wear your best spring hat for this annual luncheon and fashion show featuring keynote speaker Linda Lorelle. Benefitting Fort Bend Senior Meals on Wheels. Red Oak Ballroom, 800 Sam Houston Parkway. 11:30 a.m. $60. 281-633-7057, fortbendseniors.org

Rienzi

date

book

May 15 Art with Heart 2010 In its fourth year, this unique art event features silent and live auctions showcasing original works donated by professional artists. Benefiting San Jose Clinic. Intercontinental Hotel, 2222 West Loop South. 7 p.m. Call for price. sanjoseclinic.org

Empty Bowls Houston

Contemporary Craft, 4848 Main St. 11 a.m. $25. 713-223-3700, houstonfoodbank.org

May 23

Maestro’s Wine Dinner Enjoy a French-themed evening May 16 with a fabulous wine auction and dinner. Benefiting the Houston The Cardiac Cup Symphony League’s Ima Hogg Join Roseann Rogers at a tented Young Artist’s Competition. reception during an exciting Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St. polo match. Benefiting Texas Children’s Heart Center. Houston 6 p.m. $500. 713-337-8526, Polo Club, 8552 Memorial Drive. houstonsymphony.org 4 p.m. Starting at $3,000. 832June 11 824-6818, texaschildrens.org An Evening with Randy Travis May 22 This VIP reception features hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a live 2010 Promise Ball auction. Benefiting Children Fun-filled gala featuring a cocktail reception, silent auction at Risk. Verizon Wireless Theater, 520 Texas St. 6:30 p.m. and dancing to the Argyles. $55 to $100. 713-869-7740, Benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes childrenatrisk.org Research Foundation. Hilton Americas-Houston, 1600 Lamar June 29 St. 6:30 p.m. $500. 713-3344400, jdrf.org 14th Annual Barrier Breaker Luncheon May 22 Gerald and Anita Smith will be recognized for their outstanding Sixth Annual Empty community leadership and Bowls Houston civic activities. Benefiting the In an international effort to Career and Recovery Resources fight hunger, this event serves Inc. Hyatt Regency Houston as a reminder of all the empty Downtown, 1200 Louisiana St. bowls in our community and 11:30 a.m. $200. 713-754-7000, world. Benefiting the Houston careerandrecovery.org Food Bank. Houston Center for

Prices listed are for individual tickets. Sponsorships may be available. Event dates, times and prices subject to change. To have your event considered for inclusion in the Datebook, send complete event information to datebook@prime-living.com.

may/june • 2010

post cards

Chandor Gardens

Kimbell Art Museum

Parker County Peach Festival

Urban Cowboys

Angel’s Nest Bed & Breakfast

weatherford T

he tree-lined avenues of Weatherford are the perfect setting for more than 60 Queen Anne, Victorian and other architecturally significant homes built at the turn of the 20th century. Arranged by the Parker County Heritage Society, several of these homes are open for tours during the Christmas season. The white limestone Parker County Courthouse on the square is a great example of W.C. Dodson’s best work during the turn of the century. In recent years, both the interior and exterior of the courthouse have been restored to its original character. While you’re here, take some time to meander through Chandor Gardens. Conveniently located in the Historic District, the 3.5-acre estate is simply beautiful. Enjoy the 30-foot man-made waterfall, various fountains and the incredible design of a formal English garden. There are hundreds of hotels and motels within 30 miles of Weatherford, but if you’re looking

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for atmosphere—something quaint and within walking distance of the festival—consider the Angel’s Nest Bed & Breakfast (1105 Palo Pinto St.), one mile from the festival sight. The hotel features incredible antiques, such as a 193-year old Mallard Half Tester Historic bed, as well as cozy bathrobes, claw-footed bathtubs and oversized jacuzzi tubs, plasma TVs and coffee makers. With fireplaces and covered patios, any time of year is a great time to visit the Angel’s Nest. If you’re interested in a walk on the wild side, make a trip to the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center outside of Glen Rose. Amidst the live oak thickets, limestone outcroppings and stands of juniper, nestled away in the rustic hills of Somervell County, you will discover a sanctuary for endangered species. You can drive yourself through the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, where there are more than 1,000 animals, most roaming free.

Whether your driving to or from the Parker County Peach Festival, Fort Worth is just 35 miles east of Weatherford, making it the perfect stop for what else? Art! Most of us think of Fort Worth as the “gateway to the west,” where cowboys and rodeos are as common the corner Dairy Queen. No longer merely a cowboy haven, you’ll be amazed at how sophisticated and urban Fort Worth has become, particularly its art scene, which has a remarkable number of museums and galleries of great repute. Here are a few you won’t want to miss: Amon Carter Museum (3501 Camp Bowie Blvd.) – Named for Amon G. Carter, a legendary figure in Texas history, this museum houses a collection of paintings and sculpture by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. Sid Richardson Collection of Western Art (309 Main St.) – Focused on Western art in America, the museum’s collection is from the legendary Texas oilman and philanthropist Sid W. Richardson. National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame (1720 Gendy St.) – The only museum in the world dedicated to honoring women of the American West. Exhibits inlclde a Hall of Fame and a bronc riding exhibit.

Steven Chamblee | Fort Worth Visitors and Convention Bureau | Media Stampede/Weatherford Chamber of Commerce | Angel's Nest Bed & Breakfast

Dear Prime Living, s ertain spread in thi I just saw the Ent pired. Just the ins am I and ue month’s iss hungry! cobbler makes me thought of peach to up run and bag k a Why don’t we pac ch Parker County Pea the for ord erf Weath named the Peach s wa ord erf ath Festival? We ture, so by the state legisla Capital of Texas d! goo st be their peaches mu Fort n 30 miles from Located less tha place in the area es tak l tiva fes Worth, the urthouse. Parker County Co surrounding the helping to ed, end att ple peo Last year, 30,000 So let’s nt. eve t ord’s larges make it Weatherf ke sure we’re ma and ars end cal check our crafts it nearly 200 arts, free July 10 to vis music live the oy enj ’ll . We and food booths in the best peach pie of e slic a us d and fin e Texas. – Su

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Photographed by Jim Nissen on March 11, 2010.

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