november 2014 - absolutely katy magazine

'Tis the SEASONEntertainingand Dining

+ HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Mother, Businesswoman,Leader for Texas

Lois W.Kolkhorst:

$2.95

NOVEMBER 2014

At Houston Methodist West Hospital, our expert team of physicians practice

the most advanced techniques in heart care to provide better, minimally

invasive treatments for our patients. We’re one of only a handful of institutions

in the nation performing heart procedures through an artery in the wrist, a

safer technique – particularly for women. It’s just one of the ways we provide

more innovative solutions for even the most complicated heart problems.

Houston Methodist West is accredited as a Chest Pain Center by the

Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care, and has a three-star rating by

the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, placing it in the top 10 percent of U.S.

programs. The Texas Department of State Health Service has designated

the hospital as a primary stroke facility.

For a physician referral or for more information, visit houstonmethodist.org/west or call 832.522.5522.

More advanced heart treatMents with less risk for patients.

18500 Katy Freeway Houston, Texas 77094

Howdypartner.We’re right here in West Houston andready to partner with you in the healthcare of your child.

With a dedicated pediatric emergencyroom, pediatric intensive care unit andmore than 20 pediatric subspecialties conveniently located on site, we offer topcare for kids, close to home. From sportsmedicine to cardiology to ophthalmology,our specialty clinics are staffed by expertsin their fields using the most advancedtechnology, in facilities designed specificallyfor children.

Texas Children’s is ranked #4 in the nationby U.S.News & World Report and is thehighest ranked children’s hospital in thesouthwest. The next time your childneeds medical care, come to us. We’re allabout kids.

For maps and information, visit westcampus.texaschildrens.org.

© 2014 Texas Children’s Hospital. All rights reserved. Texas Children’s Hospital is the only children’s hospital in Texas on U.S.News & World Report’s 2014-2015 Honor Roll. WC404_090114

Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus18200 Katy FreewayHouston, TX 77094832-227-1000

WC404_ad_WC_Howdy_AbsKatyMem_Layout 1 8/27/14 6:01 PM Page 1

NOVEMBER 2014 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 or www.absolutelykaty.com2

281.395.082722756 Westheimer Pkwy Suite 160

Katy, TX 77450www.ESNHealth.com

1-on-1 l Semi-Private l Small Group

to schedule yourstrategy session

Success Story

ESN Health helped me...“Gain confidence to achieve all of my goals. Without ESN’s encouragement I would not have been able to win the 2013 & 2014 Weight Loss Challenge. Thank you for believing in me! Thank you ESN Staff!”

-Melinda B.

Melinda’s tip for those who share her goal is to always make sure you are consistent. Remember to keep with your schedule and do the recommended cardio. Melinda’s favorite benefit of her new lifestyle is looking slim and trim and feeling stronger.

Melinda lost 20 pounds, 17.5 inches, and improved her body fat percentage by 28.5 percent! She now feels better and stronger. With her hard work and determination, Melinda won the ESN Health 2013 & 2014 Weight Loss Challenge!

Melinda has been a dedicated ESN Health client since 2012.


CONTRIBUTORS

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 4 | V O L U M E 1 1 | N U M B E R 1 1

14

Henry DibrellKaty ISD School BoardPage 14

18

Kerstin BrownTMS Serenity CenterPage 18

24

Steve KursarAuto EnthusiastPage 24

12

Robin Ebrechtabsolutely! Fabulous FindsPage 12

27

Nancy L. RommelmannFamily Law Attorney Page 27

16

Joan FrancesContributorPage 16

36

Stephenie Coxabsolutely! focus mediaPage 36

M E D I C A L & B U S I N E S S

17 WEST HOUSTONCOMMUNITY,CROSS CREEK RANCHContinues Record-Setting Growth

25 HOUSTON WESTCHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S Successful Women Driving Business Luncheon

46 MEDICAL FOCUS

a b s o l u t e l y !H E A LT H Y L I V I N G

18 ARE YOU HAVING A CHARLIE BROWN HOLIDAY SEASON? Tips for Coping Withthe Holiday Blues

44 absolutely! Q&ATexas Children’s HospitalWest Campus Answers Your Questions on Sickle Cell

a b s o l u t e l y !A U T O R E V I E W

24 2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE

N E W S W O RT H Y

26 THE TOP SEVEN REASONSTO SAVE NOVEMBER 22NDThe Best in the West

42 15TH ANNUALBIKE THE BEND For Literacy

KATY AREACHAMBER OF COMMERCEHosts EducationCommittee Meeting

A LOVELY WELL PROJECT

8 LOIS W. KOLKHORST: MOTHER, BUSINESSWOMAN, LEADER FOR TEXASWith extensive qualifications and experience, State Representative Lois W. Kolkhorst believes she is the right person to become the State Senator of the 18th District of Texas. Kolkhorst’s devotion to faith, family and district make her relatable and beloved by her constituents.

F E AT U R E S

29 absolutely! ‘TIS THE SEASON A Guide to HolidayEntertaining and Dining

38 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDEFind fabulous giftsfrom local retailers

C O L U M N S

12 absolutely! FABULOUS FINDS

14 CAN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLSYSTEM BE SAVED?

16 HIGH SCHOOL HOT SHOTMeet Amanda Loving

27 FAMILY LAWWhat Assets/Debts Does Your Estate Have, and How Can TheyBe Located During a Divorce?

40

Jennifer L. EvansOut & About inthe Heart of KatyPage 40

45 28TH ANNUALCELEBRITY PAWS GALASet for November 22nd

JINGLE TREEAt the HMNS at Sugar Land

C O M M U N I T Y E V E N T S

48 WHAT’S KICKIN’ IN KATY

I N E V E RY I S S U E

6 PUBLISHER’S PREVIEW

20 SEEN ON THE SCENE

40 OUT & ABOUT INTHE HEART OF KATY

C O V E R S T O R Y

48

Cyd WrightWhat’s Kickin’ in KatyPage 48

Jake, Lois, Jim and Lois Kate Kolkhorst.Photography by Luke Macias.

JOINT PAIN

Contact a

Memorial Hermann

Joint Center. And start

living pain free.

Staying active is key to staying healthy.

That’s why Joint Center specialists use

the most advanced treatments to get you

moving again. From new prescription

options, to minimally invasive surgical

interventions, our affiliated body of

experts is ready to help you find the best

path to the life you want to live.

Call 713.272.1888 or visit

jointpain.memorialhermann.org

for more information

or to make an appointment.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP

IN ELIMINATING


I love November in Katy. Friday Night Lights means cool and crisp evenings, and I actually get to pull out my cute boots and cozy sweaters. This is the season of Thanksgiving and being thankful, and I will say over and over how thankful I am for my family (even though we are not perfect!), my friends (even though they are not perfect!) and my community (even though it is not perfect!). I am blessed be-yond measure with what I have. Last year we attended the H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade, and if you have never attended, I encourage you to go this year. It is a really fun family experience!

In this issue, we help you bake the best turkey ever with Stephenie’s easy tips and spell out the do’s and don’ts of throwing a memorable holiday dinner party. November is also election month, and this year’s election day is Tuesday, November 4th. On our cover is State Representative Lois W. Kolkhorst. Kolkhorst was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2001 to serve House District 13, which includes Austin, Burleson, Colorado, Fayette, Grimes, Lavaca and Washington counties. She is running for senator for District 18, where she would represent a larger area from Katy to Gonzales down to Aransas County and north to Brenham. Also on this year’s ballot is the Bond Pack-age. Whether for or against, this should be an exciting Katy election!

Finally, we would like to welcome Cyd Wright as our new Kickin’ in Katy contributor. And just as a friendly reminder to send me story ideas and comments, we love to hear from you! Please also send me your New Year’s resolutions. I’d love to highlight some in the January issue of the magazine. Happy Thanksgiving!

Absolutely! yours,

LaraLara Bell-Milam

[email protected]

EXCLAMATION POINTS!THE INSIDE SCOOP STRAIGHT FROM THE TOP

absolutely! KatyTM Magazine is published by absolutely! focus media, 4655 Techniplex Dr., Ste. 700, Stafford, TX 77477. Copyright © 2014 by absolutely! focus media. All rights reserved. Reproduc-tion without permission is strictly prohibited. absolutely! KatyTM Magazine does not knowingly accept false or misleading adver-tising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. absolutely! KatyTM Magazine welcomes editorial submissions from its readers.

Subscription requests are free to Katy area addresses. Annual paid subscription

of $25 required outside Katy area.

Publishedby

READER FEEDBACK

Associate Publisher, LARA BELLVol. 11 No. 11

November 20144655 TECHNIPLEX DR. STE 700

STAFFORD, TX 77477281-690-4242

WWW.ABSOLUTELYKATY.COM

P U B L I S H E RE DI TOR- I N - C H I E FPatti Parish-Kaminski

A S S O C IAT E P U B L I S H E RLara Bell

M A NAG I N G E D I T O RSarah Bearden

S E N I O R AC C O U N T E X E C U T I V EJessica Kij

AC C O U N T E X E C U T I V E SStephenie CoxJennifer Elliott

Molly EllisKay Garrett

Juliet HubbellAndrea Rigamonti

Suzanne StilesBonnie Bell Woodrow

A RT D I R E C T O RGrace Belleza

G R A P H I C D E S I G N E RGinger Garza

W E B D E S I G N E RJoey Belleza

O F F I C E A D M I N I S T R AT O RAdrienne Boring

I N T E R NErin De Veyra

P H O T O G R A P H YLuke Macias

Nesossi Studios

C O N T R I BU T O R SM.G. Angulo

Kerstin BrownStephenie CoxHenry DibrellRobin Ebrecht

Jennifer L. EvansJoan FrancesSteve Kursar

Nancy L. RommelmannCyd Wright

I N Q U I R I E S281-690-4242

E D I T O R IA L SU B M I S S I O N [email protected]

Brent, Lara, Dylan and Brooks Milam at the 2013 Thanksgiving Day Parade in Downtown Houston.

absolutely! Katy is a great resource for the monthly calendar of events of what’s happening in Katy!

Steph DeWaegeneer Collier

Cancer awareness is huge. Thank you for spotlighting those who are struggling with cancer.

Lauren Gonzalez

ON THE COVER:Lois Kate, Lois, Jim and Jake Kolkhorst.

Photography by Luke Macias.

@larabell

Look & Feel Your Best for the Holidays!

We can help! Call TODAY!

281-313-7435www.drshel.com

Irritability / Mood SwingsWeight Gain / Hair LossInsomnia / Low EnergyWrinkles / Loose SkinLow Libido / Low Testosterone

Are you tired of having...

Your #1 Resource for Inner Vitality and Outer Rejuvenation

Houston’s Leading Health and Vitality Expert

“Dr. Shel”Shelena C. Lalji, M.D.

November Specials!

Valid through November 30, 2014.Must bring ad to receive discounts. Cannot be combined with other offers.

• IV therapy: Buy 6, get 1 free

• Ultherapy: Free PRP treatment w/ purchase of full face and neck

• Coolsculpting: Buy 1, get 1 treatment ½ off

• Botox: Buy 40 units, get 10 free

Ne

soss

i Stu

dio

s

Annual Holiday SoireéAnnual Holiday SoireéDecember 11th, 4 - 8 pm

Silent auction, light bites and drinks, door prizes and drawings...and much more.RSVP today to: [email protected]


COVER STORY

By M.G. Angulo

Photos by Luke Maciasand Nesossi Studios

Lois W.Kolkhorst

State Representative Lois W. Kolkhorst is more than a successful political leader famous for going after the issues that matter and the causes that change lives. She is first a wife and a mother, who takes

those roles just a seriously as the one that put her in the po-litical arena. Simply put, Kolkhorst’s devotion to faith, family and district is what makes this representative so relatable and beloved by her constituents.

Known for her straightforward talk and common-sense so-lutions, Kolkhorst is famous for fighting the tough fights and refusing to back down on the tough issues. With strong Texas roots that run five generations deep back to the Texas War of Independence, Kolkhorst believes she is the right person to serve our area in Texas Senate District 18. A graduate of Texas Christian University, her friends describe her as a com-mitted wife, great mom and proud Christian conservative.

Kolkhorst has worked closely with our longtime State Sena-tor Glenn Hegar for years. She was elected to the Texas House

of Representatives in 2001 to serve House District 13, which includes Austin, Burleson, Colorado, Fayette, Grimes, Lavaca and Washington counties. As the Senator for District 18, Kolk-horst would represent a larger area from Katy to Gonzales down to Aransas County and north to Brenham. In her tenure as a lawmaker, she has been known for her passionate argu-ments against government overreach.

Kolkhorst has made her mark in Texas politics with several accomplishments. Last year she led the state’s effort to reject President Obama’s personal push to massively expand Medic-aid in Texas, one of his key planks of implementing the Afford-able Care Act in Texas. A few years ago, she wrote and passed one of the toughest immigration bills in Texas Legislature, which punishes businesses that knowingly hire illegal immi-grants. As a budget writer, she demanded and delivered $100 million for state troopers to protect our border back in 2007, long before the current immigration crisis. She also found time to pass a bill to clarify that Texas law cannot be modified by in-ternational governments like the United Nations (UN), which was in response to the Mexican government’s attempt to use the UN to overrule the Texas death penalty law.

Her qualifications and experience are impressive and exten-sive, but so much of what makes Kolkhorst an effective politi-cian really can’t be found in a dry political biography. It’s found in her home.

First a Wife and MotherLois Kolkhorst is a faithful, family woman. At the center

of her world is God, her husband, Jim, and their children, Lois Kate, 15, and Jake, 12. Lois Kate attends Brenham High School, while her brother attends Brenham Middle School, and Jake, Lois and Lois Kate Kolkhorst.

H

www.absolutelykaty.com l NOVEMBER 2014 9

both are involved in a plethora of activi-ties.

Lois Kate balances cheerleading, An-chor Club, French Club, Drama Club, track, Heritage Bell, Cubs Care Club, Young Life and church youth group, and Jake juggles baseball, basketball, soc-cer and football. And Mom is in between all of it, making sure she doesn’t miss a thing.

“I usually arrange my schedule to align with whatever my kids may be do-ing,” Kolkhorst shared. “I’ve tried to set my priorities as God, family and then everything else. This race for the Texas Senate has been exciting because we’re campaigning basically from Sugar Land to Corpus Christi. The campaign trail can be busy, but yet I’ve still been able to attend almost all of my kids’ games and activities.”

And her kids know just how special that is. “My mom does a good job be-cause even if she has to go somewhere, she will make it home to play football with me or go to my games,” said Jake.

“My mom has made it a point during her campaign to involve my friends and me, which has been fun,” said Lois Kate, adding that her mom has made a life-long impression on her teenage friends. “She always tries to find time to watch my cheerleading,” she added. “I don’t know how she does it. It’s truly amaz-ing.”

Kolkhorst said she isn’t trying to be superwoman; she’s just a wife and moth-er with her priorities in line. “I’ve been known to leave the House floor, change into our team colors and drive straight to a game to watch Jake or Lois Kate,”

she said. “You really have to be cogni-zant of your schedule and find a balance. I’ve tried to give the most to my Lord, my children and my husband.”

These are qualities not only needed to be a lawmaker, but also to be a par-ent who wants to set a prime example for her kids. Kolkhorst has tried to teach her children to be, as she puts it, “giv-ers who want to make the world a better place and serve others in whatever way they can.”

“I push my kids to be leaders. I tell them, ‘Be a leader today and have God in your heart.’ I think we’re all here to serve a purpose higher than ourselves,” Kolkhorst said. “My family has made tremendous sacrifices to allow me to be a public servant. In some small way, I hope our family has been able to do some good in our state and our country.”

While she balances her family life and public life, Kolkhorst said she’s no different than any other working mom. “I think every working mom has to jug-gle those responsibilities,” she said. “We stay up at all hours to make sure some school project is taken care of and that our kids are ready for the next morning. I am no different from any other mother. I respect females for our ability to multi-task and to do more no matter what comes our way.”

Kolkhorst said she and Jim — who started dating at 15 years-old and re-cently celebrated dating 34 years — also make time for family outings, whether that’s fly-fishing in Colorado, deer hunt-ing or dove hunting. “We also have tra-ditions like Friday night movie night, when it’s not football season, where we pile up in the bed together and all watch

a movie. We watch a lot of sports on TV together.”

Whenever the Kolkhorsts have a chance to be with family, they jump in headfirst and prepare for a good time. “During Thanksgiving, our entire fam-ily gets together, which is about 30 to 35 people. We spend the night in our barn-domenium for a couple of nights. We have so much fun watching movies, eat-ing and spending quality time together,” Lois Kate said of the family’s holiday traditions. “We also love to go holiday shopping, and Katy is only about a half-hour drive so it is often one of our desti-nations for Christmas gifts.”

SuccessfulBusinesswoman

Aside from being a mom, wife and politico, Kolkhorst is a savvy business-woman who stands alongside her hus-band Jim. For most of their adult lives, the two have been growing Kolkhorst Petroleum, a company that started with less than 25 employees and blossomed into a series of corporations that em-ploys nearly 400 people today.

“My dad started Kolkhorst Petro-leum,” Jim explained. “We’ve been in business for over 50 years as a company and started to really expand around 1997. In 2004, we began the Rattler’s Convenience Store chain, and in 2012, we became Burger King franchisees. We had about 25 employees when Lois and I took the helm, and now, we have close to 400.”

Jim immersed himself into the com-pany with his wife by his side. “I was hired as the local chamber of commerce

Lois Kolkhorst speaking at the Texas State Capitol.

Lois and Jim Kolkhorst.

Budget and the Economy:Kolkhorst wants to put an end to bud-

get diversions and keep a lid on spend-ing by starting each session with a “zero-based budget” that accounts for every single taxpayer dollar. She has helped secure more than $100 million extra dol-lars for border security, and she fought to lower state spending and return any sur-plus dollars to the taxpayers who a paid them. To provide transparency on how tax dollars are spent, Kolkhorst helped write a bill to open the books on state spend-ing, making sure state expenditures are posted online for the public.

Education:Kolkhorst has worked for more than

a decade against high-cost bureaucracy that drives up taxes and to make sure more of education funding reaches the classroom, and as a parent, she fought against the reliance on standardized test-ing. “Education is truly our future,” Kolk-horst said. “What we teach our children today begins to shape and mold their minds. I’m a big advocate of teaching history. I am not a supporter of Common Core. I believe that Texas is smart enough to come up with its own curriculum and to teach it to its children.”

Immigrationand Border Security:

Kolkhorst demands that Texas secures its border and provide our state forces with the money, manpower and technol-ogy to fight against illegal immigration. Al-ready, she’s passed one of the toughest immigration bills in Texas that punishes business that knowingly hire illegal immi-grants and authored one of the first voter ID requirements in Texas. “We must con-tinue to invest money, because the federal government is not going to do it,” Kolk-horst said. “We will get even more aggres-sive about protecting our border.”

Sanctity of Life:With a fundamental respect for human

life, from conception until natural death, Kolkhorst has worked against funding Planned Parenthood, and she voted to put an end to late-term abortion in Texas. She sponsored legislation that guided Texas away from the practice of embryonic stem cell research, instead enabling an adult stem cell research program.

Second Amendment:Kolkhorst is a firm believer that the right

to keep and bear arm exists to protect all other rights. She said as senator she will fight to protect gun rights. She has stream-lined the process Texans go through to earn their Concealed Handgun License, and she has worked for years with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, some of the leading wildlife researchers in Texas.

Property Rights:Kolkhorst has been fighting to see that

land owners don’t have their property tak-en by unelected government appointees. Considered a defender of private prop-erty rights, she wrote and passed a bill to eliminate the unfair “jury of view” method of eminent domain in Texas.

The Affordable Care Act:“As the current chair of the Public

Health Committee in the Texas House, I’ve been battling the dangers of the Af-fordable Care Act and the impact that it is having on our citizens,” Kolkhorst said. “I’ve also worked on privacy rights for electronic healthcare records to make sure they cannot be bartered or sold.” Her landmark medical privacy bill, House Bill 300 in 2011, is known as the toughest law on electronic health records in the nation.

Political ad paid for by Lois W. Kolkhorst Campaign, P.O. Box 2546, Brenham, TX 77834.

president and president of the economic development foundation when Jimmy took over the company,” Kolkhorst said. “I’d help him on the side. He’s really the mastermind. I’m just a spark plug to his engine. He’s a great partner in life, and it helps that he is my best friend and that he is a great businessman. Some-times I feel like I’m the luckiest person in the world.”

The company’s success is attributed to a variety of factors, Kolkhorst said. “We have great employees who are dedi-cated to our mission of quality service. They are the main reason we continue to grow. In the business world, you have to take risks to grow and need the work-force to back up that risk.”

“Our life together has been quite an adventure. Lois is a great woman. She will be an incredible State Senator,” Jim said. “She’s my wife and my best friend. We’ve been together since 1980, so we know each other really, really well. It’s been a great ride, and we’re still going strong.”

The Heart of a LeaderWith 14 years of experience in the

Texas House of Representatives, Kolk-horst has served on multiple committees over the years, which many feel quali-fies her to be the best person to become the State Senator of the 18th District of Texas. “I believe that experience mat-ters. I’m proven, I’m extremely conser-vative and I’m a Texan. The experience of being a mother, wife and small busi-ness owner certainly contribute as well. I’m ready to do the job as a senator just like any working mom is ready to report to their job.”

Experience aside, Kolkhorst said she also has the heart to lead the district. If elected, Kolkhorst said her constituents can rest assured that she will work on their behalf and take their concerns to the legislature.

“I always say that we must know the heart of our leaders,” she said. “I really work hard at being a leader who serves the people every day. I’m not perfect, but I give 110 percent every day. I know I can do this job. I’m a fifth-generation Texan. I love Texas. I love what Texas has been and what Texas can be.”

For more information, visit www.loiskolkhorst.com.


BY ROBIN EBRECHT

You may know me as a Katy mom of three amazing boys and wife to Daryn, but what

you may not know is that I love finding cool and unique products because, let’s face it, in a house full of boys, a girl needs her girl stuff! So, here are some things I absolutely love... and hope you will, too!

FabulousFinds

Joules Rain Boot WelliesWho doesn’t love a cute pair of rain boots? I couldn’t resist this pair! They are absolutely perfect for a rainy, fall day and especially with that irresistible red bow on the back. They are just as cute in person as in the photo! www.joulesusa.com

Talika Eye PatchI cannot wait for mine to arrive in the mail! These dry patches act in 30 minutes to reduce under eye wrinkles and puffiness. They are also reusable and washable. This may be too good to be true, but I can’t wait to try them! www.talika.com

Hard Tail Cargo PantsWhen I say these are my absolute favorite pants, I’m not kidding! I adore them. Not only can you workout in these pants, but you can throw on your favorite wedges and a cute top, and you’re ready for the day. They are super comfortable and look great, too. I get lots of compliments on these every time I wear them! www.mightyaphrodity.com

Biocharge by AdvocareI am slightly addicted to working out. I know that sounds crazy, but I do love it! The problem is that I don’t love plain water. This product is great to add to water during workouts. It’s a caffeine-free source of energy that promotes lean muscle mass and helps accelerate recovery time. I love the taste and that it’s good for me! www.advocare.com

What’s Poppin Popcorn’s Gourmet PopcornI love this local product! My all-time favorite flavor is birthday cake, but the new fall flavors are a must have. Marshmallow, candy corn, kettle corn with chocolate drizzle and green apple are just some of the new amazing flavors. This is what I reward myself with for working out so much! They also have all of the local high school logo tins, which make great gifts. www.whatspoppinpopcorn.net



Houston Methodist West Hospital’s heart and vascular surgery team provides expert, highly experienced surgical capabilities in a wide range of cardiovascular, thoracic and peripheral vascular surgical techniques to patients in West Houston and Katy.

Using the latest technology available, our physicians are skilled in every aspect of patient care, including high-risk cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery; heart valve surgery; endovascular surgery for aortic aneurysms; arrhythmia surgery; thoracic surgery for cancer; pulmonary surgery and peripheral vascular disease.

If you are in need of complex heart care, call 832.522.8600 to schedule an appointment.

ADVANCED TREATMENT FOR COMPLEX HEART CONDITIONS

18400 Katy Freeway, Suite 690Houston, Texas 77094

houstonmethodist.org/west

Dr. Javier Lafuente, cardiothoracic surgeon

Dr. Houssam Younes, vascular surgeon

DANCE!GYMNASTICS!BIRTHDAYS!

281-394-7844 • 5929 FM 1463 #180 • Katy, TX [email protected] • gymstation.com

V

V

DANCE ADVENTURESSpin, Jazz, Twirl, Ballet • Age 2-10

FIRE CRACKERSTumble and Bounce • Age 3-5

TWISTERSFlexibility and Endurance • Age 5-7

SPARKLERSBalance Coordination • Age 2-3

SUPER STARSDevelop Strength • Age 4-6

ROLLY POLLIESRun and Jump • Age 18-24 months

TEENY TOTSBalance and Bounce

Age 12-18 months

Mommy and Me Classes

Strength Building

Increased Self Esteem

Gross Motor Skill Development

Gymnastics, Dance,

Birthday Parties

and More!


The answer is yes. The public school system is working great in a city just outside of Houston, Texas. This area is called Katy. The Katy Independent School District is 181 square miles with over 70,000 diverse young people en-rolled, and nearly 30 percent are con-sidered economically disadvantaged. The total school population has aver-aged 90 percent on the state’s Student Achievement Index compared to a 77 percent state average.

Katy ISD is one of the most success-ful districts in the nation. Academical-ly, colleges seek out Katy ISD gradu-ates. Universities and colleges offered their seniors more than $22 million in scholarship money in 2014. The dis-trict’s fine art programs are nationally recognized and have earned the region title of “One of the Best Communi-ties for Music Education” by the Na-tional Association of Music Merchants

(NAMM) Foundation. And, you don’t want to take the field against any one of the district’s high school teams. In fact, I wouldn’t want to play their ju-nior high teams!

With all of this success, Katy has become a destination district and is home to the fastest growing zip code in America – 77494 – adding 3,000 stu-dents to its rolls each year. One of the largest developers in the area recent-ly purchased 3,400 acres in the Katy area. There is no slowing down Katy’s growth in the near future. According to the Katy Area Economic Develop-ment Council, 73 percent of outsiders rate Katy ISD number one for its repu-tation. Moreover, that organization’s branding survey found that Katy ISD schools drive the area’s community pride.

What is not known about Katy ISD is that the seven board members who

lead this district are all conservatives, and several of the members are active in politics in the area. The conservatives on this board work with the business community to make Katy attractive to business growth, and this partnership helps maintain the tax rate. In fact, Katy ISD has not raised the tax rate for the past eight years, while almost doubling its student population.

Some say Katy has wealth, it is a suburban area and that is why this growth is happening, but again, near-ly 30 percent of the students in Katy are considered economically disadvan-taged. It is about fiscal management and community vision. This year, the district received Platinum status from the Texas Comptroller for financial transparency and superior fiscal man-agement while earning other recog-nitions from that agency for the past three consecutive years. Likewise, the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas has recognized the District for the past 12 consecutive years.

Katy is working because its lead-ership takes a very conservative ap-proach to governance. Katy ISD should be a model for the rest of the nation.

Can the Public School SystemBe Saved? By Henry Dibrell

C an the public school system be saved? This is a ques-tion many of us have struggled with. Another ques-tion to consider: Is there a place, a state or a school

district where the public school system is working?


Houston’s Oldest Family Owned Flight School

Learn to FlyFlight Training and Aircraft Rentals

Aircraft Sales and ConsultingAirport Services

Lesikar Family Flyers

18000 Groschke Road • Houston, Texas 77084 • www.westhoustonairport.com • [email protected]

Located on Houston’s Westside Easy to Learn for a Career, Business or for Fun Full Time Certified Flight and Ground Instructors Latest Cessna Equipped Flight School FAA Designated Pilot Examiner on Staff

Open 24/7/365 Free First Flight Briefing; Walk-ins Welcome $99 First Flight Introduction by Appointment Take off and Land on Your First Flight! Gift Certificates for Special Occasions

West Houston Airport

10

6

I-10 Katy Freeway

Hig

hw

ay 6

Groschke Road

Addicks Reservoir(U.S. Government Reserved Area)

Country Club

Bar

ker-

Cyp

ress

Ro

ad

N

281-492-2130

Give theGift of a Flight!

Gift Certificatesfrom $99 and Up

Paul S. Metz, DDS, MD • Shelley Seidel, DDS, MDJohn Orfanos, DDS, MD

713.464.2833 www.OMSH.us8800 Katy Freeway, Ste. 210 • Houston, Texas 77024

Back to school and sportsWE TREAT FACIAL INJURIESDental Implants • Teeth Extractions • IV Sedation • Bone Grafts Sleep Apnea Correction • Facial / Dental Trauma • Oral Pathology

Orthognathic/ Reconstructive Surgery • Teeth-in-a-Day

12th Annual Thanksgiving Race10K, 5K, 1 Mile Kids Fun Run and 1 Mile Walk/Run

November 27, 2014

To learn more, register or volunteer, visit ymcaturkeydash.org

Meet Amanda Loving

By Joan Frances

K aty Independent School Dis-trict has continued to grow and prosper with recognized

schools of educational success. For the past seven years, Seven Lakes High School has excelled in sports, aca-demic competition and the fine arts. Students are taught by the highest caliber of teachers, and they graduate prepared to take the next step in life. Amanda Loving is a talented and ac-complished senior who is looking for-ward to a very successful future.

Since freshman year, Amanda has been an important asset to the school choir singing soprano as well as solo performances. During the University Interscholastic League (UIL) competi-tion this past year, the choir scored a perfect 1 in solo ensemble at regions and continued to compete at state, winning two medals for outstanding academic achievement.

Amanda’s favorite teacher is Christin Reinartz, the head director at Thompkins High School, who has been working with Amanda for the past several years to fine tune her voice and to explore her extensive vo-cal range. When asked what Amanda enjoys the most when she sings, she said, “Singing is a stress reliever for me. I enjoy the original expression of myself when I sing. I write my own songs reflective of who I am and how I feel about life.”

Amanda

HOT SHOTHigh School

Amanda is humble and modest about her talent, but it never goes unnoticed. A song she co-wrote was featured on Fox News this past summer. Amanda and her friend dedicated the song as a tribute to Cassidy Stay and the tragic murder of her family members. The lyr-ics say goodbye and express how to deal with problems and to never give up. The song is relatable and moving to the au-dience.

The one true value that is the most important to Amanda is to “Treasure your family, respect and love them.” Her forte continues to grow as she sings with her father. He played the guitar while she sang at the rodeo last year for three nights and at Nagoya Sushi Restaurant in Katy. Amanda plays the piano and is learning the guitar. She enjoys singing old rock such as Led Zeppelin, as well as the newer entertainers Carrie Under-wood and Paramour. She is also the lead singer in the band The Rant, an indie rock/blues band with a few friends from Seven Lakes. They perform at the Blues Bar in Houston. Amanda spent the sum-mer writing music for her first solo EP to be released later this fall.

As a freshman, Amanda represented Katy in the Miss Teen Texas pageant. She is the 2015 Vice President for the

National Charity League, an organi-zation that volunteers with the Fort Bend County Women’s Shelter, Katy Kidz Club, Citizens for Animal Protec-tion (CAP) and Katy Christian Minis-tries Food Bank. Amanda is a member of the Student Council, Young Politi-cian Club at Seven Lakes and the National Society of High School Schol-ars, and she received an award for academic achievement. She is also a member of the Houston Blues Society.

In September, Amanda was invit-ed to a writing session with songwrit-er Shane Stephens. They discussed her goals and style of music. Together they composed a song and named it Lost. When she is not writing or sing-ing, Amanda spends time with her closest friends and enjoys working out.

Amanda is considering college at Texas State University, St. Edwards University or North Texas State Uni-versity where she aspires to major in music or music therapy. She would like to either teach or be an enter-tainer. With such a wonderful talent for singing and composing, Amanda Loving will be a name everyone will recognize someday. Congratulations on your gift and good luck in your fu-ture!

“Treasure your family, respect and love them.” – Amanda Loving



TEXAS’ LARGESTLWRC DEALER!

832.363.3783FAX: 832.363.36941110 HWY 90A EASTRICHMOND, TX 77406WWW.XTREMEGUNSANDAMMO.COM

SPECIALIZING IN:

• CLASS 3 WEAPONS• THERMAL SIGHTS• SILENCERS• HAND GUNS• AMMO• NIGHT VISION

WE CARRY ALL MAJOR BRANDS!IF WE DON’T HAVE IT, WE CAN GET IT!

GUNSMITHON SITE!

CHL CLASSESOFFEREDMONTHLY

10%OFFAMMO*Excludes Bulk Ammo*

BUSINESSBRIEFS

One of the nation’s top-selling mas-ter-planned communities, Cross Creek Ranch continues to attract home buy-ers with an impressive selection of new homes ready for move in, outstanding schools and new amenities that em-brace its natural surroundings.

With homes priced from the $250s, the west Houston community by The Johnson Development Corp. has burst onto the scene as the premier place to live for those working in Houston’s Energy Corridor and other nearby em-ployment centers. Located just west of the Grand Parkway off FM 1093, Cross Creek Ranch offers a variety of new homes from award-winning homebuild-ers, including luxury custom homes and high style, lock-and-leave patio homes with 14 models open daily.

Families in Cross Creek Ranch also enjoy the community’s nature-in-spired amenities. Its signature feature, Flewellen Creek, winds approximately 150 acres through Cross Creek Ranch while an impressive Polishing Pond, roughly the size of 48 football fields, has become a natural habitat for fish, turtles, migrating birds and wildlife. Cross Creek Ranch unveiled a new boardwalk and nature overlook where residents can ob-serve wetland plants, identify birds and wildlife, hone their photography skills and access nature trails.

Cross Creek Ranch received an A+ education as recognized by Children at Risk. In a recent study, the non-profit re-search/advocacy group had high praise for Katy ISD’s Shafer Elementary, Seven Lakes Junior High School and Seven Lakes High School along with Lamar Consolidated ISD schools Huggins El-ementary, Wertheimer Middle School, Briscoe Junior High School and Foster High School.

Visit www.crosscreektexas.com or www.facebook.com/crosscreektexas for more information.

West Houston Community, Cross Creek Ranch, Continues Record-

Setting Growth

Holiday Blues Coping Tips

1. Get Real: Instead of trying to emulate the perfect holiday straight from the pages of Southern Living,

reframe expectations so that they are more realistic of what can actually be accomplished with the time, money and energy that fits your individual life. Determine priorities, establish realistic goals and don’t assume everything will be perfect – food, decorations, parties, family or presents. Make the holi-days meaningful and survivable by keeping holiday expecta-tions in check.

2. Watch the Booze: It is easy for us to think that a little “liquid courage” can go a long way when facing

the holidays, but that’s a dangerous path to take. Truth se-rum in the form of spiked eggnog isn’t a good thing. Alcohol is a depressant, and overindulging in alcohol causes us to have less control over what is said, be more emotionally sensitive and can ruin others’ enjoyment of the occasion. Holiday gath-erings are not the appropriate time to work out issues with Aunt Linda’s controlling nature or Dad’s criticism of the career we’ve chosen. It’s a time to be grateful for what we have and let go of the rest.

3. Ghosts of Holidays Past: Be prepared and learn from the past. Before the hustle and bustle of the holi-

day season arrives, sit down and think, what have the prob-lems been? Identify where the stress comes from and how to avoid those pitfalls. Do an inventory of stress and anxiety trig-gers. If certain situations or people spark those triggers, make the conscious choice to stay away. The forced cheerfulness of the holiday season can fuel anxieties, so spend time in caring,

By Kerstin BrownCh

arle

s Sc

hultz

. © 1

965

Unite

d Fe

atur

e Sy

ndic

ate

Inc.

(ABC

Tel

evis

ion

Net

wor

k).

But for some, it appears Charlie Brown feels as they do around the holiday season:

Charlie Brown felt so depressed. “I just don’t understand Christmas. Instead of feeling happy,I feel sort of let down.” – A Charlie Brown Christmas, 1965

We all know that the holidays are supposed to be a joyful time of relaxed gatherings of family and friends. But, that’s not always the case. Reality is we are totally stressed out, ex-hausted, sleep deprived and in seemingly endless clashes over parking spots or who was next in the checkout line.

During this time of year, there is a high potential for psy-

chological, physical and financial stress. As a result, the hol-idays can leave millions of people feeling blue, not happy or merry. The holiday blues can affect men and women of all ages with intense and unsettling feelings ranging from mild sad-ness to severe clinical depression.

So, why are so many of us feeling like Charlie Brown, and what can we do to prevent it? With some suggestions from his “psychiatrist” Lucy, Charlie Brown found ways of coping with his blues, like getting involved by directing the Christmas play and giving a sad, tiny tree some tender loving care and a home.

Here are some tips to help cope with the holiday blues and avoid having a Charlie Brown holiday season:

Are You Having a

Holiday Season?Charlie Brown

A s the old holiday favorite goes, ‘tis the season to be jolly, but that’s not the case for everyone.

When Charles Schultz’s classic A Charlie Brown Christmas comes on television every year, millions of us sit down in front of the television to watch it for the umpteenth time. Charlie Brown’s revelation about his feelings for the holidays are looked at by some viewers as Charlie Brown being, well, himself.

absolutely!HEALTHY LIVING


We Are Texas’ Leading Center for ranscranial agnetic timulation

Visit us at www.tmsserenitycenter.com or call us at 281.240.4322

Kimberly Cress, MDMedical Director, TMS Serenity Center

is the Missing Pieceto Treating Your

Depression

T M S

supportive, nurturing environments. Limit the amount of time spent with people or in situations that are aggravating, insult-ing, negative or otherwise difficult to be around.

4. Just Say No: Be open to projects, invitations and get-togethers around the holidays, but recognize that it’s

okay to say “no.” Taking on too many things at once can leave us feeling too run down to enjoy the holiday season. Don’t take on a project that seems more important to you and less appre-ciated by others. If family members want a 17 course Christ-mas dinner made completely from scratch but don’t offer to provide any assistance in the kitchen to get it done, under-stand that it is okay to express that it is too much for one per-son to handle. Decide what can be comfortably done and what cannot be done.

5. Relax and Be Thankful: Instead of focusing on all of the stresses and shortcomings of the holidays, think

of the true reason for the season. This doesn’t have to be a taxing or traumatic experience. Remember, we are fortunate enough to be able to spend time with loved ones. Enjoy being surrounded by this love, even if said love drives us all a little bonkers one time or another. If there comes a point when it gets to be too much, take a step back and have some “down time” to relax, pray, meditate, laugh or whatever works when life stressors pop up any other day of the year. Most of all, develop a sense of gratitude and tune into the good things in

life. Being thankful is the best medicine – without any adverse side effects.

Is it more than the holiday blues?Clinical depression is more than just feeling sad for a few

weeks. The symptoms generally include changes in appetite and sleep patterns, losing interest in daily activities, poor en-ergy, no motivation, difficulty concentrating, a general feeling of hopelessness and for some, thoughts of suicide. Clinical de-pression impairs relationships, education, career and causes dysfunction in day-to-day life. Clinical depression requires professional treatment. If you are concerned that yourself, a family member or friend may be suffering from more than just the holiday blues, contact a mental health professional.



www.brightbraces.com

281-377-1846810 S. Mason Road, Ste. 290

Katy, Texas 77450

26440 FM 1093, Ste. B 170Richmond, Texas 77406

NOW OPEN

Traditional & Clear Braces Harmony Lingual Braces Child & Adult Orthodontics Invisalign & Invisalign Teen AcceleDent - Shortens

Treatment Time

NOW OPEN

Customizedsports mouth guards with school colors

andmascots!

Bright smiles, Bright futures

281-647-8100WWW.KATYCARPETS.COM2020 S. Fry Rd. #F • Katy , TX 77450

OwnersGlen & Angel Baney

• Kitchen & Bath Remodeling• Granite Counter Tops• Hardwoods• Tile• Laminate/LVT• Natural Stone• Wrought Iron Stair Case• Carpet & Rugs• Painting/Sheetrock• Custom Designs

SE

EN

on t

he S

cene

The Fort Bend County Fair Kick Off Dance

Ashley & Michelle Bartee Nicole Stevenson & Abby KnoxLisa Matthews & Margaret Kunz

Michelle & Zoe Zgabay Coral Tolman & Katie Koerth

Dave & Sandy ScottKenneth Roska & Mary Barnes

Tracy Davis, Noell Myska & Ashley Russell

Lois & Jim Kolkhorst with Kim & David Feldhoff


David T. Nemoto, M.D., P.A.

Offering Treatment for: • Swallowing Disorders• Abdominal Pain• Colon Disease• Liver Disease• Pancreatic Diseases• Peptic Ulcer Disease• Gallstones• GERD/Ulcers• Heartburn/Hiatal Hernia• Crohn’s Disease• Ulcerative Colitis• Small/Large Intestine Disorders• H. Pylori

Se Habla EspañolMost Major Insurance Accepted

www.gastrohouston.com

David T. Nemoto, M.D., P.A.Board Certified Gastroenterologist

Specializing In:Colon Cancer Screening,Endoscopy & Capsule Endoscopy

For AppointmentPlease Call:

Katy21338 Provincial Blvd.

Katy, TX 77450

(281) 829-1700

Memorial Area1446 Campbell Rd.Houston, TX 77055

(713) 467-2700

September 13, 2014 • Fort Bend County Fairgrounds

Vickie Autrey & Neil Yelderman

Trichelle & Paul Lev

Tammy Osina-Felinski & Tracy Osina

Mike & Beverly Richard

Al & Janice Kizziah

Suzanne Martin with Bernie & Sami Warriner Mandy & Joey Lenderman

Nora & Fred LepovitzElizabeth Duff-Drozd, Bill Autrey & Sharla Crawford


Ann Bertles, MDBoard Certified Ob/Gyn

832.437.9690 (p) | 832.437.9694 (f)23232 Kingsland Blvd., Ste. E, Katy, TX 77494

www.myobgynofkaty.com

Comprehensive, compassionate and cutting edge care

for women of all phases.

Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgery

Adolescent Gynecology

Routine and High Risk Obstetrics

Wellness Exams & Contraception

Evaluation & Treatment of Pelvic Pain

Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms

Preconception & Infertility Counseling

4D Ultrasound in Office

Second Opinions Welcome

Gorgeous Hill Country Home SiteWaterfront Lot in Comal County

Just 20 minutes from San Antonio and minutes from the Guadalupe River in Spring Branch, this 1.72 acre lot is your Hill Country dream come true!Amazing views on the hillside lot that features a mead-ow with waterfront along Spring Creek, The Crossing at Spring Creek, an acreage home site community, is the per-fect place to build your Hill Country getaway. The commu-

nity offers all underground utili-ties, paved, county maintained roads, plus a beautiful 10+ acre owners-only park with scenic hiking trails, a swimming pool and pavilion and a playground.REDUCED $82,500

For Sale By Owner

281.728.1204

SE

EN

on t

he S

cene

Cowboy Up Benefiting Parks Youth Ranch

Tim & Patti Kaminski

Gary & Debra MarfinKurt & Leigh Anne Diekroeger with Belle

Mike & Shannon Bloesch

Brenda & Ken CoffeyMari Moss, Tracy Schindler & Twana McGrath

Bob & Pat Hebert

James Patterson & Jake Messinger

Gwen & Kolbe Curtice with Erin Knape Grahm & Chris Anderson

Rick & Babs Miller


• Family Dentistry• Cosmetic & Aesthetic

Dentistry

• Teeth Whitening

23123 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Suite 230 • Katy, TX 77494www.WeMakeKatySmile.com

Call Today For An AppointmentSandeep P. MammenDMD, FAGD 281-394-3440

• Dental Implants

• 6 Month SmilesCosmetic Braces

• Laser Dentistry

$99 Exam, X-Ray& Regular Cleaning

Call: 832-321-3008Convenient Location:

701 S. Fry Rd, Ste. 220, Katy, TX. 77450(Hwy-10 & S. Fry Rd)

For more information or to schedule an appointment:

Now Accepting New Patients!

DIGESTIVE CENTERASSOCIATES PLLCACD

We specialize in thefollowing conditions:• Gallbladder Disorders• Heartburn or reflux disease• Swallowing Problems• Rectal Bleeding• Inflammatory Bowel Disorders

(Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis)• Peptic Ulcer Disease• Liver Diseases/Hepatitis

We specialize inperforming thefollowing procedures:• Colon Cancer

Screening• Colonoscopies• Endoscopies• PillCam• ERCPs• Bravo pH Studies

Affiliations and admitting privileges at Houston Methodist West Hospital Katy & Memorial Hermann Katy Hospitals

October 4, 2014 • The George Ranch Historical Park Arena

Phot

os b

y M

ary

Favr

e, L

iz F

urm

an &

Bre

nda

Perr

y.

Kathy & Mark Eyring

Paul & Candyce Letellier

Mike McGrath & Dick Hogan

Terry & Susan Reynolds Jay & Misty Bennett Jan Moore & Pat Somers

Bill & Kathy Rohrbach

Kavita Self with Pete & Nancy Olson

Laura Richard with Jim & Patty Hoelker

Carole & Robert C. Brown, III


absolute ly!AUTO REVIEW

absolute ly!AUTO REVIEW

By Steve Kursar

T he 2015 Cadillac Escalade is the undisputed top-of-the-line stretch SUV in the market.

There are other SUVs that are as long and others that are as luxurious. But the Cadillac stands alone as the only one that combines both qualities. This is the king – or queen – of the carpool lane, soccer practice and Girl Scout adventure. Get one, and they will stare, ask you questions about it and generally envy you. When the SUV swept into the Amer-ican conscious way back in the 1990s, automakers realized they had a win-ner on their hands and began to intro-duce big SUVs that were aspirational and catered to the luxury buyer. The biggest and most luxurious came out in 1999 when Cadillac introduced the Escalade. About four years later, they

brought out the ESV, which was built on the Chevrolet Suburban. The big-gest luxury SUV was born.

The 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV continues its reign as top super-large luxury SUV with a new body style, a new interior and an all-new engine. The exterior is unmistakably Cadil-lac with a huge chrome grill and out-sized Cadillac badges just in case your neighbors lost their glasses. With stan-dard LED headlights and the optional 22 inch wheels, the new Escalade ESV is a definite presence on the road.

The interior boasts buttery leather, real wood, suede accents and all of the technology you should expect in a new Cadillac. The CUE infotainment system comes standard and features voice recognition software and touch controls that mirror those found on

your smartphone and tablet. The third row folds flat at the push of a but-ton, and there’s enough cargo space behind the third row to easily accom-modate every piece of equipment that the soft-ball team needs to reach the playoffs.

With a starting MSRP of $75,690, the new Cadillac Escalade ESV is of-fered with only one engine choice, the equally new 420 hp, 6.2 liter V-8 engine with cylinder deactivation that seamlessly switches from V8 to V4 when you reach cruising altitude and back to V8 when you need to pass that eighteen wheeler. Fuel economy is awfully respectable considering the vehicle’s size and weight with 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.

With a price tag that can take you close to $100,000 if you choose all of the bells and whistles, the new Cadil-lac Escalade ESV remains firmly root-ed as the top luxury big SUV. Long live the king – or queen!

CADILLAC ESCALADE2015


Current Preferred Customer Special

when you use your TCRN Preferred Customer App or Card!

Want to be a Preferred Customer? It’s Free!

search for more savings online at:

www.TCRN-Katy.com

Search for ‘TCRN’

Buy One Get One Free!Use the code : TCRN in the discount eld of our website to redeem the promotion.

Download the Free TCRN App today and take advantage of Preferred Customer Offers or visit www.TCRN-Katy.com/mobile on your smartphone so you can start SAVING at the best businesses around town!

Angels• Wreaths • Reindeer Sleighs • Star & Trees

Various Sizes Available

Frank’s Nursery has everything you need for

your holiday decorations! $10 OFF

Purchasesover $100

Offer Exp. 11/30/14Not valid on sale items

302 FM 359 off Hwy 90-A • 281-342-3211Serving Fort Bend Countywww.franks-nursery.com

FRESH CUTCHRISTMAS TREES ANGELS REINDEER LIGHTSPOINSETTIASNATIVITY SCENES

C 7 LIGHTS REG. & LED LED LIGHTS G50 & G40 CUSTOM LINKSROPE LIGHTSC 9 LIGHTS REG. & LED

RosenbeRg CaRpet & FlooRingcenter Since 1958

WWW.ROSENBERGCARPET.COM • 281.342.5193

What’s on your floor matters. Wood Floor RefinishingWood & Laminate Flooring

Ceramic Tile FlooringCounter Tops

Commercial & Residential1006 1st Street • Rosenberg, Texas

What’s on your floor matters!

The Houston West Chamber of Commerce recently held their sold out Women Driving Business Luncheon at the Houston Country Club, where “The Most Interesting Man in the Room,” Dr. R. Scott Yarish, addressed the crowd.

Houston West Chamber of Commerce’s

Successful Women Driving Business

Luncheon

BUSINESSBRIEFS

Jeannie Bollinger, R. Scott Yarish and Sarah Cain.

Donna Vallone, Sue Burnett and Marsha Murray.

Mary Sue Koontz Nelson, Janine K. Iannarelli and Dian Stai.


Patio Covers • Outdoor Kitchens • Screened Porches • Decorative Patios • Sunrooms • And More!

Call today to schedule a free design consultation

For Design Ideas, visit TexasCustomPatios.com

YOUR DESIGN-BUILD Outdoor Living Experts

281-265-1994

NEWSWORTHY

Mark your calendars for November 22nd, and make plans to attend the Arc of Fort Bend County’s 36th edition of the Best in the West Dinner, Dance and Auction at the George Ranch His-torical Park Arena in Richmond. Here are the top seven reasons to attend:

7. You’ll see friends, neighbors and people you voted for – and some you didn’t vote for – because so many people love attending this event.

6. It’s a bargain: dinner, dancing, lots of shopping opportu-nities and reasonably priced beverages all for $50 per ticket. Tables of ten are priced at $500, so gather up the gang and buy one.

5. Where else do you get a chance to bid on so many great live auction items? From “vacays” and “staycays” to fancy hunting excursions, from celebrity lunches and dinners to the puppy everyone falls in love with, the Best in the West auction has something almost everyone wants.

4. If live auction bidding isn’t your thing, you’ve got an Ace in the Hole Auction with 18 or 20 temptations to attract your interest and an arena full of corrals with silent auction items ranging from holiday décor to autographed sports memorabilia and almost everything in between. Bid early and often.

3. You get a barbecue dinner with all of the trimmings from The Swinging Door. Don’t miss out on the smoked turkey as a starter for your Thanksgiving dinner.

2. You can dance to the toe-tapping tunes of Fort Bend County’s hometown band, The Triumphs. Their playlist includes

The Top Seven Reasons toSave November 22nd for the Best in the West

something everyone can dance to.1. You get to have a great evening, great food and great

music while supporting the Arc’s efforts to help those with intel-lectual and developmental disabilities.

So, put on your jeans and boots, grab your hat and your credit card or checkbook and join The Arc of Fort Bend County. The fun begins when the doors open at 6 pm. For sponsorship information or tickets, please contact Jo Ann Stevens at 713-829-1827 or Ann Smith at 281-240-1313.

James Patterson, Jenny Gortney, Ann Smith and Jo Ann Stevens celebrate the return of Prosperity Bank as the Presenting Sponsor for the Arc of Fort Bend’s annual Best in the West Dinner, Dance and Auction.


• Divorce Planning• Divorce (Contested or Uncontested)• Child Custody• Child Support• Complex Property Division• High Net Worth Divorce• Parental Relocations• Post Divorce Modifications• Paternity and Parental Rights• Visitation Rights• Grandparent’s Rights• Pre- and Post- Martial Agreements• Adoptions• Collaborative Law• Alternative Dispute Resolution (mediation and arbitration)

Nancy Rommelmann is regularly consulted by local media for her on-air analysis about family law.

Straight Answers • Strategic ThinkingCompassionate • Experienced

Memorial City Plaza – Tower Two820 Gessner, Suite 1630, Houston, TX 77024(across from Memorial City Mall)ph 713-622-3000www.attorneynancyrommelmann.comCall us today for a consultation!

NaNcy L. RommeLmaNN

FAMILY LAW

F a m i l y L a w A t t o r n e y

J.D. JOYCEINVESTMENT MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC

Pantone 874

Black

1811 Bering Drive, Suite 250Houston, TX 77057

713-714-8500

www.jdjoyceimg.com

Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. J.D. Joyce Investment Management Group, LLC is a separate entity from WFAFN.

FAM

ILY

LAW

ATT

OR

NEY

By Nancy L. Rommelmann, Family Law Attorney

“Not everything that can be counted counts,and not everything that counts can be counted.”

– Albert Einstein

What Assets/Debts Does Your Estate Have, and How Can They Be Located During a Divorce?

FAQ: “I am embarrassed to say I don’t know what assets and debts our estate has,

because my spouse always handled these matters. I never thought it would be a problem until now, when I’m going through a divorce! What should I do?”

Clients frequently do not know what/where all of their assets/debts are. Throughout a marriage, typi-cally one or the other spouse handles the finances and investments. If you are not that spouse, what can your divorce attorney do to find assets/debts?

A common method used in family law is to send “discovery” to the other side requesting that all assets and debts be disclosed. Your spouse’s deposition can be taken. A deposition is taken under oath and is the same as if you were testifying in court. If it is later found after a divorce that an asset wasn’t disclosed, that asset is subject to future division by a court.

It is beneficial to review tax returns where valu-able information can be found. An accountant/CPA that has prepared the income tax return has the ob-ligation to give copies of tax returns to either/both parties for whom the return was prepared. A copy of your tax return can be obtained from the IRS. The IRS form to request this is online.

Statements from banks, brokerage companies, credit unions and credit card companies are helpful to search for assets/debts as well. These statements can show transfers to/from accounts that you might not otherwise know exist.

Open your mail! It never ceases to amaze me when spouses holding joint accounts and joint credit cards fail to open up mail that contains joint accounts and debts. All parties on joint accounts need to know the status of these accounts. If debt is accruing, it can affect your credit.

Your attorney can subpoena documents from financial institutions and employers. It’s not uncom-mon for an executive not to know all of the benefits/accounts they have with their company, so it can be very important to obtain the document directly from the institution holding the assets.


Real Weddings

Coming January 2015

Submit your info todayand have your wedding detailsand photos published in printand online in our magazine.

Contact: [email protected] visit www.absolutelykaty.com

Attention Newlyweds!

If you or your children have recently marriedand you would like to enter for a chance to

be featured in our Real Weddings, all you need is atleast ten high-resolution photos of the ceremony

and/or reception. It doesn’t matter where thewedding took place, as long as it was in the last year

and you or your parent/s reside in Katy.Photographers are also welcome to submit photos.

absolutely

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING AND DINING

F E AT U R I N G

Dinner PartyDo’s and Don’ts

Braman Winery

Host a FabulousHoliday Party

Cooking a TurkeyIs Quite Simple...

But, dinner parties need not be an exercise in crisis management. In fact, first-time and even veteran hosts can put the following do’s and don’ts of dinner parties to good use to ensure their turn as host goes off without a hitch.

DO serve your specialty. While experiment-ing with new recipes is part of the joy of

cooking, such experiments are best avoided when hosting a dinner party. Instead of trying a new recipe, serve a dish you have prepared numerous times in the past. Making such meals is like sec-ond nature to home chefs, and that can greatly re-duce the stress of hosting a dinner party.

DinnerParty

H osting a dinner party is no small task. First-time hosts tasked with host-

ing a dinner party for family and friends may not realize just how big a commitment such an under-taking can be. As a result, hosts of-ten find their first dinner party to be somewhat overwhelming.

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING & DINING

Do’s andDon’ts


DON’T worry if it takes longer to serve a

meal than you planned. Even if you are making a dish you have prepared doz-ens of times in the past, expect things to move a little more slowly when host-ing a dinner party. This is especially true when hosting a large dinner par-ty, because you will have to prepare a much larger meal than usual. So, don’t worry if the meal is served later than you had planned.

DO make a list and check it twice. In the days leading

up to your party, make a list of ingredi-ents you will need to prepare the meal. Once that list has been made, check your refrigerator and pantry to make sure you have enough of everything to prepare the meal on the scale it needs to be prepared. After you have made your list and checked your pantry, read the recipes again just to make sure you didn’t forget anything before you head to the store to buy whatever you need.

DON’T ask guests to bring essential items.

While guests will often volunteer to bring certain items, it’s best that hosts don’t ask guests to bring anything es-sential to the meal. That’s because guests might be late, which can delay the meal, or they might just forget, forcing hosts to make last-minute trips to the grocery store. Guests can bring items, but it’s ideal if they bring items you won’t need to serve the meal, such as a bottle of wine or even pre-made desserts.

DO ask guests if they have any dietary restrictions. Many

guests, especially older guests who might be managing certain health con-ditions, might have dietary restrictions that govern what they can and cannot eat. Ask guests to let you know if they have any such restrictions and if those restrictions are foods they can’t eat or simply foods they don’t want to eat. That’s an important distinction that can make a host’s job easier.

DON’T make meals that require a specific

taste. Certain types of cuisine are des-tined to produce mixed responses, and hosts should avoid such foods so no one is forced to dine entirely on appetizers and dessert. For example, not everyone likes very spicy food. Stick to cuisine that is flavorful but not so extraordi-nary that it may upset the stomachs of your guests who don’t often indulge in such foods.

DO start early. In addition to preparing your entrée earli-

er than you would when making dinner for your family, start preparing sides or other parts of the meal in advance when possible. Some recipes include storage instructions for chefs prepar-ing meals in advance, so heed those recommendations to take some of the pressure off come the day of your party.

DON’T go overboard. While it may be tempt-

ing to stun your guests with a seven-course meal, aiming too high may lead to disaster. A simple meal with an eas-ily prepared appetizer, a delicious en-trée and a light dessert will make for a memorable evening for everyone, and your guests will appreciate both your efforts and the time they get to spend with you throughout the night.

Hosting a dinner party is a thought-ful gesture that should be fun. While hosting can be stressful, following a few tricks of the trade can make hosting du-ties that much more manageable.

Source: Metro Creative Connection





◆ Lunches Served Fresh Mon. to Sat.◆ Sandwiches, Salads, Quiche, Pot Pies◆ Homemade Pastries, Pies and Cakes◆ Tasty Hot & Cold Lunch Specials Daily◆ Speciality Teas and Coffees◆ Eat-in or Take Away◆ Phone Orders Welcome◆ Fast and Friendly Service Always

5617 Second Street ◆ Katy, TX 77493 ◆ 281-392-7970

www.kaysteaparlour.comOpen Mon. - Sat.

9 am - 4 pm

Order your Holiday trays!

This holiday season, look to Braman Brands for all of your holiday entertain-ing needs. The winery boasts two tast-ing room locations for wine lovers to sip their favorite wine and listen to live music. Check www.BramanBrands.com for the music line up. Or, stop by their boutique to pick up the perfect hostess gift. The wineries offer the entire portfolio of Braman wines, including Joseph Bra-man, Joseph Braman Reserve, Sparkles and Eaglefire.

With two locations in Hallettsville and Richmond, the wine tasting rooms of-fer the perfect venue to host this year’s holiday party. For those who are looking to entertain at home, Dee Braman offers a great tip to help keep guests glasses chilled during a holiday get together. The night before the gathering, fill an ice tray with your favorite white wine or cham-pagne, add a few cranberries and freeze. Then, use the cubes in holiday glasses for a festive look.

Braman Brands was launched in 2010 by Founder and CEO Joe Braman. Braman Winery, his initial endeavor, steamed from the pursuit of finding a great wine to complement his culinary passion as a chef. In the spring of 2015, he will open a one-of-a-kind venue fea-turing both a winery and brewery – an exciting endeavor as Braman Brands launches their new craft beer, Running Walker, this fall.

To book a holiday party, visit www.BramanBrands.com or call either tasting room locations: Richmond at 281-762-1375 or Hallettsville at 361-798-9192.

Catch theHoliday Spirit

with Braman Winery

IT TAKES A TEXAN

here are lots of unexplored tastes in the world of wine. Braman Wines

will navigate you to the best, paired to occasion as much as to meal.

This will be the Braman Legacy. Learn more at BramanBrands.com.

Must be 21. Please drink responsibly.

Job #: 94080 Ref #: 93728.01Client: Braman Brands Desc: Pecan TexanSize: 8.375” x 10.875” Color: 4C

3333 FM 359281-762-1375

Tuesday–Thursday: 2–9 p.m.Friday–Saturday: Noon–10 p.m.

RICHMONDHWY 90A

361-798-9192 1429 East 4th Street

Thursday–Saturday: 2–8 p.m.

HALLETTSVILLE

Give the gift of Grandma’s pecan pie with our Sparkles Pecan.Sparkling white wine with all-natural pecan flavors.

Available at bramanbrands.com and our tasting rooms.

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH US.


• Don’t shy away from foods typically associated with warmer weather. Watermelon, for example, is actually available year-round and makes a surprisingly healthful and delicious addition to a holiday party spread, whether in a fruity drink, side dish or dessert. Watermelon and Spicy Mayan Dark Chocolate Fondue com-bines decadent chocolate fondue with the light, sweet pop of juicy water-melon. Save the rind to use as a pret-ty carved centerpiece.

• Serve a hot cocoa or spiced cider bar and let guests add their own toppings and spices, ranging from whipped cream and maraschino cherries to cinnamon sticks and caramel syrup.

• Help guests forget the blustery out-doors and holiday stress with action-packed party games that get the blood flowing. Charades is a clas-sic example that lets a large group participate. Use wine bottles and rib-bon-wrapped miniature looms for a grown-up ring toss. Or, simply pre-pare a spirited play list with music so lively your guests can’t help but get up and dance.

Though you may not want to treat your guests to an al fresco brunch, cooler weather shouldn’t hold you back from entertaining in style. To make your holiday party a hot success, follow these tips for setting the theme and creating the perfect menu:

• Pick a theme that pays homage to the season. The possibilities are end-less, so set your imagination free. Re-member that lighting sets the mood, so look for options that complement your theme, whether soft and subtle candles or bright and colorful paper lanterns.

• Take advantage of the cooler weath-er as an excuse to savor an array of rich, decadent comfort foods. Serve warm, crusty breads with dips or a thick, creamy soup. Or, delight guests with an indulgent chocolate fondue with watermelon dippers.

If cooler temps have you feeling blue, there’s no

better time for a party with family and friends to lift your spirits.

Holiday PartyHost a Fabulous

• 4 cups watermelon, cut into1 inch cubes

• 1/2 cup fat-free half and half,plus extra reserve

• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne• 1/2 teaspoon coriander• 8 ounces dark chocolate (at least

60 percent cocoa powder)

Wrap watermelon cubes in paper towels to soak up excess fluid. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, bring half and half and spices to a simmer. Re-move from heat and stir in chocolate. Let chocolate melt and continue to stir until thoroughly blended.

Transfer to fondue pot and heat ac-cording to directions. If fondue becomes too thick, stir in extra half and half, one tablespoon at a time, to desired consis-tency.

Place watermelon cubes on platter with fondue forks or skewers.

Source: Family Features

Watermelon andSpicy Mayan

Dark Chocolate FondueServings: 4




Got Tickets?Facebook.com/AbsolutelyKaty

Join us on Facebook

Win ticket giveaways to area attractions and events!

“Like” Us Today!


T hanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Just imagine a pic-turesque table with fall floral and gourds set for dining in fellowship with family and friends. What could be

better than to set the scene for a fabulous feast? It is a time to come together with thankful hearts and celebrate what we are grateful for. It is a time to embrace the quirkiness and the crazy

in every family and set a place for forgiveness and openness at that fabulous table.

So with peace, joy and thankfulness, it is time to show off your at-home cooking

skills. I asked a few lo-cal chefs for some ideas of turkey tips and sides

to share with you. I hope you enjoy, and I wish you a blessed

Thanksgiving.

By Stephenie Cox

Chef Johnathan Salgado’sRoast Turkey TipMasraff’s1753 Post Oak Boulevard, 77056713-355-1975

“A very important factor to turkey is cooking it very slowly. When cooking a turkey, you need much time on hand and always need to keep the cooking temperature as low as possible. That’s the only way to keep the turkey ex-tremely juicy. As corny as it sounds, you have to love and treat any protein with kindness. Rub the turkey down with any seasoning of your liking from salt to pepper to all around the world flavors – your choice. Just show it some love!”

Cooking a TurkeyIs Quite Simple…



Chef Patrick Taylor’sSteps for the Ultimate Bird024 Grille945 Gessner Road, 77024281-501-4350

“First things first: Brine the turkey. After you have removed the giblets and the neck, which you should save for gravy, brine the bird in a solution of water and salt. I brine in two gal-lons of water, one cup of kosher salt and one cup of brown sugar. You can add aromatics such as cloves, juniper berries, etc. Make sure the bird is fully immersed in the brining liquid, and re-frigerate overnight.

“The next day, rinse with cold wa-ter inside and out. Place on a roast-ing rack in a roasting pan and pat dry with paper towels. Make a butter rub consisting of room temperature but-ter – about one pound – the zest of one lemon, one orange, rosemary, sage, thyme and kosher salt and black pep-per thoroughly mixed together. Rub the butter under the skin of the breast. Next, rub the butter over the skin of the bird. Place some fresh herbs and citrus wedges in the cavity, tie up the legs and tuck the wings. Now you are ready to roast.

“I start in a 500 degree oven for 30 minutes, then knock the heat down to 350 and roast another two hours. If the breasts start to brown too quickly, cov-er them loosely with foil. Pull the bird when it reaches a temperature of 160. Poultry should be cooked to 165, but the carryover cooking will get it there. Be sure to rest the bird for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.”

Ruth’sSweet Potato Casserole

Makes Four Servings

IngredientsCrust Mixture:

• 3/4 cup brown sugar• 1/4 cup flour• 3/4 cup chopped nuts (pecans preferred)• 1/4 cup melted butter

Sweet Potato Mixture:• 3/4 cup sugar• 1/4 tsp. salt• 1/4 tsp. vanilla• 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes • 1 egg, well beaten• 1/4 cup butter

Process 1. Combine crust mixture in

mixing bowl and put to one side.2. Combine sweet potato mixture

ingredients in a mixing bowl in the order listed. Combine thor-oughly.

3. Pour Sweet Potato Mixture into buttered baking dish.

4. Sprinkle crust mixture evenly onto surface of sweet potato mixture.

5. Bake for 30 minutes at 350degrees. Allow to set for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Chef Carlos PadillaBrings the Sizzle HomeRuth’s Chris Steak House5433 Westheimer Rd #100, 77056713-840-1433

“The key to bringing the signature Ruth’s Chris ‘sizzle’ to your turkey din-ner at home starts with selecting the best bird for your family. Whether you choose a fresh or frozen turkey, make sure you’ve got enough to feed all of your loved ones. Estimate at least one pound of turkey per guest, adding a half pound per person if you are plan-ning for substantial portions or leftover turkey sandwiches.

“If you’re brining your turkey, cus-tomize it and make it your own by add-ing herbs and spices, honey or maple syrup. You can even add apple cider vinegar or coffee to your brine for a unique flavor.

“Once you’ve brined, rubbed, stuffed or seasoned your turkey, choose a roast-ing pan and preheat your oven. The ideal roasting pan is made of heavy-gauge metal and has two-inch sides to allow for optimum basting. A stainless steel finish not only looks nice, but it also keeps drippings from burning onto the pan.

“Invest in a thermometer to ensure that your turkey is ready to serve. The temperature at the center of the stuffing should read 165 degrees. Af-ter letting the roasted turkey ‘rest’ for 20 minutes, set a beautiful table with Ruth’s Chris side items, and enjoy a lovely Thanksgiving meal with your family.”

Staying at homefor the holiday?

Make Thanksgiving preparation even easier with some of your favorite Ruth’s Chris Steak House side items to go. By letting Ruth’s Chris handle your side items, you’ll have more time to focus on the main event: preparing a delicious, decadent Thanksgiving turkey that your family will love.


SPARKLESPECAN CHAMPAGNE

Give the gift of Grandma’s pecan pie with Braman Winery’s Sparkles Pecan

Champagne! This sparkling white wine with all-natural pecan flavors is available at Braman Winery’s tasting room locations and on their website.

Braman Winery,3333 FM 359 in Richmond.

Call 281-762-1375;www.bramanbrands.com.

HOLIDAY

A CUSTOMOUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

Give a gift that will add value to yourhome – a new outdoor living space for

entertaining, grilling or relaxing by the fire.Call Texas Custom Patios today!

Texas Custom Patios. Call 281-265-1994;www.TexasCustomPatios.com.

RIDE IN STYLE

Get a hot new ride this holiday season from TexasDirectAuto.com. With thousands of vehicles in stock, you’re sure to find a ride that you will love! Texas Direct Auto,12053 Southwest Freewayin Stafford. Call 281-499-8200;www.TexasDirectAuto.com.

YOUNGER,HEALTHIER SKIN

Skin Medica’s TNS Essential Serum®

is the perfect growth factor product for all skin types. It is proven to give you healthier and younger looking skin in as little as 30 days. Get yours today!Dr. Shel Wellness and Medical Spa, 1437 Highway 6, Suite 100in Sugar Land. Call 281-313-7435; www.drshel.com.

DISCOVERAGELESS BEAUTY

Discover ageless beauty in the blink of an eye at Sugar Land Plastic Surgery. Their 2-in-1 Neocutis Eye Intervention System contains an anti-aging bio-serum and eye cream, and when used in combination, completely rejuvenates eyes for an absolutely amazing transformation!Sugar Land Plastic Surgery.Call 281-980-8000;www.mybodysurgeon.com.


Let our awards speak for usHERMES• 2014 Platinum Winner: Fort Bend Focus

100 Most Fascinating Things About Fort Bend

• 2014 Gold Winner: Fort Bend FocusFirst Annual Focus Favs

• 2014 Honorable Mention: absolutely! MemorialMemorial’s Model Gardener Kelly Emberg

• 2014 Honorable Mention: absolutely! BrazosLunches of Love

MARCOM• 2013 Platinum Winner: Fort Bend Focus

100 Most Fascinating Things About Fort Bend

• 2013 Gold Winner: Fort Bend FocusFort Bend Focus Honors the 2012 Jewels of Fort Bend

• 2013 Gold Winner: absolutely! focus mediaMarketing/Promo Campaign/Branding Refresh

TEXANA• 2013 - 2014 Platinum Winner: absolutely! Brazos

Media of the Year Award

• Hermes Creative Awards is an international competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional materials and programs, and emerging technologies.

• MarCom Awards is a creative competition for any individual or company involved in the concept, writing and design of print, visual, audio and web materials and programs.

• Texana Center’s Media of the Year Award received at the organization’s 4th Annual Reaching for the Stars Awards Ceremony.

BRAZOS • FORT BEND • KATY • MEMORIAL

www.absolutelyfocusmedia.com281.690.4242

absolutely!


Rotary Club of Katy members Dusty Thiele, Ed Bland and Doyle Callender.

IN THEHEART

K AT Y

OUT&ABOUT

By Jennifer L. Evans

The Rotary Club of Katy hosted the annual Katy Triathlon at Firethorne, welcoming approximately 700 triathletes.

Team RWB sweepers included Susie Finger, Norm Grady, Dean Bradley, David Thurman, Carl Ahrendt, Eileen Kong and Diane Jensen. Team RWB served as grand marshals for the triathlon this year.

Team RWB members George Finger and Marc Vignocchi, a former Navy Reservist, with Marc’s son Zachary, a first grader at Wolman Elementary. Finger and Vignocchi carried flags as sweepers of the triathlon. Just like no soldiers left behind, no triathletes left behind!

Relay team members Channing Farris completed the swim and cycle portion, and Bill Hammers completed the run.

Rudy Ammer, Rhonda Walls, Allen Whitelonis and Mark Haemker.

Second place in the two-person relay were Khalid Alrashed and Austin Demontigny. This was Alrashed’s first triathlon. Demontigny is on the varsity swim team at Katy High School and has worked as a lifeguard at Firethorne.

Race Director Dave Rainey with Coordinator Vicki Rao.

Rotary Club of Katy’s Rhonda Walls and Rudy Ammer with Firethorne Director of Marketing Janet Burkett.

Beck Jr. High school counselor Bill Morgan and West Memorial Junior High student Wednesday Hunter.


It’s the Pits Cookers helped make the Student Art Auction at the Fort Bend County Fair. The team not only provided food, they purchased several items and sold an original of their own at the end of the auction many times over – all for the kids. Participating team members included P.J. Nelson, James and Ryan Boyce, Hugh Alexander, Joseph Pyle, Rick Rubin, Shawn Lee, Bruce Smith, Joe Taylor, Buddy Hoffman, Kevin Ormsby, Ernie Donnley, Tim Christ and Rodney Vannerson.

Katy-ite Gage Bean made a lunchtime shot recently at a private ranch in West Texas.

Roberto Del Conde, Skyler Scheffer, Ann Harrah, Maria Schueler, Hannah Strohm, Avery Belman, Richard Wang, Isabella Morrow, Hannah Duran, Sam Gardner and Shravan Venkatesh.

There were 10 artwork entries for Beck Jr. High School’s Annual Directory Cover Contest, but only one could be chosen for this year’s cover. Art teacher Ann Harrah encouraged students to come up with creative ideas to best represent the school’s theme of the year, “The Total Package.” The winner was eighth grader Richard Wang, who received a Beck Jr. High t-shirt, a spirit wear cinch sack and a box of chocolates.

Katy folks have such big hearts! Katy area photographer Shelly Chetty serves as a volunteer area coordinator for the volunteer organization Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS), which provides bereavement photography at no charge for families whose babies passed away. Recently another Katy area volunteer group, Angel Gowns by Diane, partnered with NILMDTS, providing them with custom baby gowns from gently used wedding gowns. For more information, visit www.NILMDTS.org.

VolunteersEmily Crump, Renae Carr, Pamela Schwarz, Pamela Contreras and Shelly Chetty showed off the beautiful baby gowns received by Angel Gowns.


The Literacy Council of Fort Bend County would like to in-vite you to join them for the 15th Annual Bike the Bend for Lit-eracy on November 23rd honoring community volunteers Trey Reichert and Robert Wolters. This popular event is the perfect opportunity to prepare for the BP MS 150, get some exercise, enjoy the scenery of Fort Bend County or just spend some qual-

15th Annual Bike the Bend for Literacy

NEWSWORTHY

The 2013 riders heading out to Bike the Bend for Literacy.

The Katy Area Chamber of Commerce Education will hold their monthly meeting on November 12th at 8:30 am at the Chamber of Commerce office in La Centerra, located at 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard, Suite B206. The featured speaker this month will be Dr. Sarah Martin, the Director of Career and Tech-nical Education for Katy ISD.

Martin will present an overview of Career and Technical Edu-cation (CTE) from a national, state and local perspective. She will share information about Career and Technical Education in

Katy Area Chamber of CommerceHosts Education Committee Meeting

Katy’s Lovely Girls Club has teamed up with Living Water International to host a community Water Walk and Fitness Chal-lenge on November 8th from 8 to 11 am at Nottingham Coun-try Park, located at the corner of Highland Knolls and Norwalk Drive in Katy.

In addition to the water walk and fitness challenge, attend-ees can enjoy a bake sale, water bottle sale, face painting and a water challenge. A garage sale will also take place down the

A Lovely Well Project

ity time having fun with family, friends and neighbors.Bike the Bend is a BP MS 150 Recommended Ride benefit-

ing the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County and begins at 8 am, starting and finishing at Foster High School in Richmond. Along the scenic 20, 35 or 62 mile routes, riders will enjoy first-rate rest stops stocked with delicious fruit and snacks, as well as a variety of cold beverages to fuel the ride.

All proceeds will support the life-changing work of the Lit-eracy Council of Fort Bend County, whose mission is to improve family, community and professional lives through adult literacy education. Last year, the event raised over $37,000 for Literacy Council programs.

Early registration is open now at $30 per rider and will go up to $40 on Monday, November 3rd. Registration includes a rider t-shirt, snacks and refreshments before, during and after the ride. Riders can register online at http://bit.ly/bikethebend.

For more information on registration, sponsorship or volun-teering for Bike the Bend for Literacy, email the Literacy Council at [email protected] visit www.ftbendliteracy.org or call 281-240-8181.

street from 7 to 10 am at 20647 Laurel Lock Drive. All proceeds from the walk and garage sale will go toward providing a water well or two for the people of Haiti. Bring the entire family for a morning of fun!

The Lovely Girls Club is a faith-based service organization that exists for lovely girls ages five through fifth grade. For more information, visit facebook.com/lovelygirlsclubkaty or e-mail [email protected].

Katy ISD and the future of these pro-grams in the district. Important data facts will be given on the impact CTE has on student achievement.

For more information, call the Chamber office at 281-391-5289 or visit the Chamber website at www.katychamber.com to register for the meeting.

Dr. Sarah Martin


SpecialAdvertising Section

Coming in our January Issue

New Year, New You

Call to Advertise: 281-690-4242Space & Copy Deadline: November 25th


abso

lute

ly!

Q A&Sickle Cell: Part One

Q: WHAT IS SICKLE CELL DISEASE?

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder in which the red blood cells can become crescent shaped like a moon or sickle. Red blood cells should be shaped like a disc that looks like a doughnut with the hole filled. This doughnut shape allows red blood cells to flow freely and survive longer in the blood vessels. Sickle shaped red blood cells do not survive as long as normal red blood cells. They can also clog the blood vessels, blocking blood flow to an organ or tissue. A combination of a low blood count (anemia) and blood vessel blockage is responsible for the complications of sickle cell disease.

Q: ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SICKLE CELL

DISEASE?Yes, there are four common types

of sickle cell disease. The most com-mon form is hemoglobin SS. The second most common form is hemoglobin SC. The other two types of the disease are sickle beta-zero thalassemia and sickle

beta-plus thalassemia. Hemoglobin SS and sickle beta-zero thalassemia are considered the most severe types and are sometimes referred to as sickle cell anemia.

Q: HOW COMMON IS IT?

An estimated 80,000 to 100,000 peo-ple in the United States have sickle cell disease, making it the most common single-gene genetic disease in this coun-try. Texas has among the largest popula-tions of patients with sickle cell disease of all states. One in every 500 African Americans and one in every 3,600 His-panic Americans has sickle cell disease. It is important to note that although these are the two most common groups affected, sickle cell disease can be found in any race and/or ethnic group.

Q: HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?

In the U.S., sickle cell disease is diag-nosed through a newborn screening pro-cess. In the state of Texas, this testing is performed twice: once shortly after birth and then again at one week of age. The results of these tests go directly to the physician identified by the child’s parents, with the recommendation the child be referred to a specialized center, like Texas Children’s Sickle Cell Center. This screening allows us to diagnose and identify children with sickle cell disease before complications occur.

Q: WHAT KIND OFCHALLENGES MIGHT

PATIENTS FACE? Anemia, or low blood levels, occurs

in all forms of sickle cell disease. Some children may only have mild anemia, but others will have severe anemia. The anemia can cause a child to feel fatigued or tired and can affect physical and mental growth as well.

The most common and well-known complication is pain crisis. Pain crises occur when sickle cells block blood flow to a portion of a bone, and they can require visits to the sickle cell clinic, emergency room or even require admission to the hospital for treatment.

For more information about the Can-cer & Hematology Centers at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, visit westcampus.texaschildrens.org.

The Infusion Center at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus.

Experts: Hematologists at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus

Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus. Photo by A. Kramer.


NEWSWORTHY

Jingle Tree at Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land

This holiday season, join the mer-riment with the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) at Sugar Land’s newest annual event, Jingle Tree! Give, own and be merry when you bid on daz-zling, pre-decorated trees in a silent auc-tion amongst festive company.

Jingle Tree features a showcase of beautifully decorated trees that will be up for bidding in a five-day long silent auction. The trees will be sponsored and decorated by Fort Bend designers, mu-seum supporters, local celebrities and artistic visionaries. Other festive events will also happen from November 18th through 22nd.

“We hope this event will grow to be an integral part of the Fort Bend holi-day season,” said Adrienne Barker, di-rector and chief development officer of HMNS at Sugar Land. “Jingle Tree is a festive way to benefit HMNS’ mission of science education and help us pro-vide science enrichment to local under-served populations. Whether through a

classroom experience during a field trip, a Science-on-a-Sphere presentation with dedicated volunteers or through a hands-on demo featuring fossils and minerals, area visitors learn that science is fun at HMNS Sugar Land!”

The festivities begin with “Jingle, Jingle…Mix and Mingle,” an open house and strolling luncheon, on Tuesday, No-vember 18th from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. This sneak peek will allow guests to see the trees up close and perhaps even pre-purchase a particular tree one may

particularly be fond of, all while enjoy-ing light fare and champagne cocktails from Events by Safari. Tickets to the open house and strolling luncheon are $50. Bidding on the holiday trees ends on November 22nd at 5 pm.

Additional Jingle Tree festivities in-clude a “Jingle Jangle” happy hour, fea-turing a namesake signature drink, the Jingle Jangle, on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, a family-friendly “Cookies with Santa” event will happen on Sat-urday, November 22nd. Guests are in-vited to return throughout the week for all events.

The Jingle Tree host committee includes Jana Baumann, Katharine Hunton, Cindy Dempster, Beth Butler, Caron Marble, Laura Thompson, Linda Webb, Cee Cee Parker, Dorine Craig, Syndee Howgate, Veronica Sessom, Judy Maddison and Nancy Frank.

For tickets or more information on Jingle Tree festivities, visit www.hmns.org/sugarland or call 281-313-2277.

Laura Thompson, Dorine Craig, Cindy Dempster, Judy Maddison, Adrienne Barker, Linda Webb, Veronica Sessom and Jana Baumann.

Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP) Shelter and Pet Adoption Center is ex-cited to present the 28th Annual Celeb-rity Paws Gala on Saturday November 22nd at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, locat-ed at 2222 West Loop South. Chaired by Wezy and Bobby Dees, the evening will include a reception, auctions, raffle, din-ner and dancing beginning at 6:30 pm.

The 10 elite honorees, Tony Bradfield, Kevin Black, Irma Brindis, Sam Bying-ton, Robert Federowicz, Penny and Paul Loyd, Laura McIngvale Brown, Cyndy Garza Roberts and Rini Ziegler, will be recognized during a presentation. Junior honorees are Justin, Cole and Chandler Smith.

CAP was founded in 1972 for be-nevolent, charitable and educational purposes for the protection of homeless animals. The organization strives to build a better future for pets and people in the Greater Houston area by defending

28th Annual Celebrity Paws GalaSet for November 22nd

helpless animals and speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Located in West Houston, CAP op-erates a state-of-the-art animal shelter and with a dynamic board of directors, dedicated staff and volunteers, im-proves the lives of families through na-tionally recognized programs. CAP has an adoption rate nearly four times the national average and works to build a better community by providing solu-tions to animal issues. Services pro-vided to the community by CAP include pet adoptions, community outreach and humane education speaking programs, animal rescue, lost and found, pet owner counseling, foster care for special needs animals, telephone counseling and vol-unteer assistance.

For tickets and more information on the gala, contact [email protected] or 713-972-1896.

Wezy and Bobby Dees with Tony.


David Elgarico Joins West Houston Medical Center as Chief Operating Officer

Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) affiliated West Houston Medical Center’s (WHMC) Chief Executive Of-ficer Todd Caliva announced that David Elgarico has been named the facility’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). Elgarico was previously the Executive Director of Ancillary Services at the University of California Irvine (UCI) Medical Center in Orange, California.

Before joining UCI Medical Center, El-garico served as the COO for Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen, Texas from 2009 to 2012. Prior to this position, El-garico participated in HCA’s COO Devel-opment Program where he oversaw the ancillary departments as the Associate Administrator for Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, California since 2005. He completed his Administra-tive Residency at HCA’s Trident Medical Center in Charleston, South Carolina in 2005 after he graduated from the Medi-cal University of South Carolina where he earned his master’s in Healthcare Ad-ministration.

“David brings many years of experi-ence and energy to West Houston, and I am very excited to have him join our team,” said Caliva. Elgarico is a co-founder and the current chair of the Asian Health Care Leaders Association

(AHCLA), a national organization found-ed to advance Asians in healthcare lead-ership. He also had the opportunity to serve as faculty at the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Con-gress in 2013 and 2014.

Additionally, on behalf of AHCLA, El-garico gave the invocation at the annual ACHE Diversity Breakfast. He has served as a panelist speaker for the South Texas ACHE Chapter and the South East Texas ACHE Chapter. Elgarico also served on HCA’s Diversity Council and Planning Committee, a committee aimed at ad-vancing diversity for HCA’s 190,000 em-ployees through the development and

MEDICALFOCUS

New Pelvic Floor Program Now Available at Memorial Hermann Memorial City

Pelvic floor disorders – including uri-nary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and bowel incontinence – are wide-spread and affect women and men of all ages. Yet these conditions are greatly undertreated. Many people are embar-rassed to discuss these conditions with their doctors or think their symptoms are a normal part of aging. A new Pel-vic Floor Program at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center now offers effective treatments, many noninvasive, to alleviate the difficulties these disor-ders present.

“One-third of all women and 50 per-

cent of women over 55 are affected by pelvic floor disorders,” said Apurva B. Pancholy, M.D., a Memorial Hermann Memorial City-affiliated physician who is board certified in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. The pelvic floor consists of the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue that support men’s or women’s pelvic organs, including the bladder, rectum and urethra. “Connec-tive tissue can weaken with age, preg-nancy and childbirth, menopause, a hys-terectomy or obesity,” said Dr. Pancholy. In men, incontinence doesn’t always originate in the pelvis. In many cases,

it’s a symptom of a neurological disorder such as dementia, Parkinson’s or mul-tiple sclerosis (MS).

At the Pelvic Floor Program at Memo-rial City, a patient’s individual needs are identified, and the affiliated physicians customize a plan of care to meet those needs. A variety of treatment options are available, depending on the precise nature of the patient’s condition. Vari-ous therapies are combined to achieve an optimal outcome. The primary focus is helping patients regain independence from these life-limiting conditions. Call 713-222-CARE (2273).

continual improvement of the Diversity and Inclusion Program. Furthermore, El-garico has served on the ACHE Regents Advisory Councils in California, Texas and South Carolina. He has served as a board member for several organizations representing hospitals and leaders in the communities he has served.

“I am privileged and excited to return to HCA’s Gulf Coast Division by joining a team that has distinguished itself in delivering excellent quality care and look forward to contributing to the communi-ty as we continue raising the bar on our services for our patients,” said Elgarico. Elgarico and his wife Kim have two chil-dren, Gianna and Noah. Elgarico started his role as COO at West Houston Medi-cal Center on September 2nd.

West Houston Medical Center is a full-service hospital serving the West Houston community for nearly 30 years. This Joint Commission accredited facil-ity provides a range of care, including emergency services, neurosurgery ser-vices, inpatient and outpatient surgery, rehabilitation and diagnostic services, bariatric/weight loss surgery, senior care, wound care, sleep disorder ser-vices, cardiovascular care, women’s ser-vices and more. For more information, visit www.WestHoustonMedical.com.

David Elgarico


Submit your request and get the next issue of absolutely! Katy delivered to your mailbox!

Visitwww.absolutelykaty.com

Call281.690.4242

Name:____________________________________________________

Address:__________________________________________________

City: ________________________________ Zip: _________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Request Date: _____________________________________________

E-mail: ___________________________________________________

absolutely! Katy Magazine wants to provide readers with the best community feature magazine possible. We want to focus on our READERS and mail exclusively to residents who invite us into their home. Requests are FREE to Katy addresses*.

-OR-

* Annual paid subscription required outside Katy areas. Call 281-690-4242.

Mail completed form to: 4655 Techniplex Dr., Ste 700, Stafford, TX 77477

12 issues a year-Delivered Free!

Private Schools and After School Activities

Call 281-690-4242 to Advertise.Space & Copy Deadline: November 25th

Coming in our January Issue Special Advertising Section

absolutely! Kid Friendlyabsolutely! Kid Friendly

November marks the fall season in Katy. Along with the change in weather, it

also means that the holidays are upon us! Take advantage of the cooler weather and experience some of the many wonderful events that are kickin’ around the Katy area.

What’s Kickin’ inKaty

By Cyd Wright

November 6thRepublican Women’s Clubof Katy General Meeting11 am – 1 pmCinco Ranch Golf Club23030 Cinco Ranch BoulevardThe Republican Women’s Club of Katy’s gen-eral meeting will feature speaker Debbie Fancher on “The Leftist Regimes, a Compari-son of Venezuela and the U.S.” Lunch is op-tional, and the cost is $20. To RSVP, contact [email protected].

November 7th – 8thSeussical Jr.Friday: 7 – 9 pmSaturday: 2 – 4 pm and 7 – 9 pmKaty Visual and Performing Arts Center (KVPAC)2503 South Mason RoadTransporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students. Visit www.kvpac.org.

November 8thHoliday Market Craft Show9 am – 6 pmMorton Ranch High School 21000 Franz RoadAdmission is free, and proceeds will ben-efit Morton Ranch High School’s Class of 2015 Project Prom. E-mail [email protected] if you are interested in being a vendor.

November 11thVeterans DayWe are thankful for all of those, along with their families, who have served or are serv-ing in U.S. Armed Forces! Your gift of service is a true blessing!

November 15thMayde Creek Martinettes Fall Craft Show9 am – 4 pmMayde Creek High School 19202 Groeschke RoadEnjoy over 50 vendor booths including crafts, holiday items, jewelry and delicious food. Ad-mission is free, and there will be free children’s activities and raffles. For vendor information, contact [email protected].

November 21st – 23rdHome for the Holidays Gift MarketThe Katy Merrell Center6301 South Stadium LaneShop ‘til you drop with everything from home décor to holidays and more from over 200 vendors. Tickets are $6 at the door, or pur-chase them online at www.merrellcenter.org. For hours and more information, visit www.homefortheholidaysgiftmarket.com.

November 22ndKVPAC Open House andPictures With Santa12 – 4 pm2501 South Mason, Suite 290Come check out all that is happening at KVPAC. Visit www.kvpac.org or call 281-829-ARTS for additional information.

November 27thKaty YMCA Turkey Dash22807 Westheimer ParkwayRace start times varyEveryone is invited to sign up for the 5K and 10K races, as well as a one-mile kids fun run and a family-friendly one-mile walk/run. Costumed participants will have a chance to win prizes. Visit www.ymcahouston.org/turkey-dash.

November 2ndTexas 10 Katy7:30 amMorton Ranch High School21000 Franz RoadThe morning will include a 10 mile race, a five-mile race and a one-mile kid’s fun run. Age group athletes will have the opportunity to win cash prizes, and each race will sup-port volunteer organizations. For more race information, visit www.texas10series.com.

November 4thKaty ISD Bond Election Day7 am – 7 pmVoting locations vary by precinct. Further de-tails on the 2014 Bond Package can be found at www.katyisd.org.

November 4thBlack & White Classic Fine ArtCharity Event and Exhibition6 – 8 pmBabaloo Gallery – Villagio Town Center22756 Westheimer ParkwayKaty Area Artists’ inaugural charity exhibition will present fine artwork, photography and jewelry in black, white and various shades of gray to support local art education and yield scholarship funds for area students. Babaloo International Café will impress guests with its wide range of international wines and beverages. Visit www.katyareaartists.org or contact [email protected].

SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS E-mail [email protected]. Include the event date, time, location and a short description of the event.


New Partner of the Houston Zoo

From amazing armadillos to zany zebras, children have been delighted by the Wildlife Carousel at the Houston Zoo for more than 12 years, and now, thanks to Texas Direct Auto, the famous carousel has been given a fantastically wild upgrade. The newly-refreshed Texas Direct Auto Wildlife Carousel will continue to thrill the young and young-at-heart long into the future.

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE TEXAS DIRECT AUTO WILDLIFE CAROUSEL:

• From armadillos to zebras, there are 84 different animals represented

• In 2013, more than 300,000 people rode the carousel• It took approximately 80 gallons of paint to restore the

carousel• On a typical summer Saturday, the carousel goes around

an estimated 750 times

The Texas Direct Auto Wildlife Carousel is in previews with zoo guests now, and will celebrate its official grand re-opening on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014. The carousel is $2 for zoo members and $3 for non-members, zoo admission is required.

Wherever life takes you

C A L L O N U S

W E ’ R E S O L D O N K AT Y14340 Memorial Drive • 281.493.3880 23123 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Suite 200

Kelly Chamberlain281.582.3984

rita Donnelly281.582.3930

rebeCque DemarK & nanCy SCott

281.582.3964

JoSh ClarK281.582.3929

laCey Cannon281.582.3992

ChriStine DunCan281.582.3959

Clarann mCCoy281.582.3907

liSa JoneS281.723.2614

JaniCe irelanD281.620.8427

Suzan PheniCie281.582.3904

robin mueCKPreSiDent/Ceo

marCia Serafin281.582.3908

Julie PiCKett281.582.3974

martha ClarK281.582.3949

Kim Craig281.582.3916

november 2014 - absolutely katy magazine

Documents

heart care

west houston andready

katy freeway houston

advanced heart treatments

dedicated esn health

heart procedures

melinda b

pediatric subspecialties