march 2014- absolutely katy magazine

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MARCH 2014

HOMEIs Where theHEART IS

Rodeo & Wine

SIMPLE Stressbusters8

Horses,Helping,Healing:

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Pin OakCelebrates69 Years

INSIDE FRONT

INSIDE FRONT

TreaT your joinT pain and geT back To your acTive life.

At Houston Methodist West Hospital, our goal is to get you back to the life you had before chronic joint pain. Our experienced surgeons use advanced, minimally invasive procedures for faster recovery after joint replacement. And with comprehensive, individualized care from diagnosis through rehabilitation, our team of specialists has the expertise to put you on the path to fast healing.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 832.522.5522 or visit houstonmethodist.org/orthopedics.

• PhysicalTherapy• Foot&AnkleSurgery• Hand&WristSurgery

• JointReplacement• SpineSurgery• SportsMedicine

As you might say here in Texas, this isn’t our first rodeo. With more than half

a century of experience, Texas Children’s Heart Center combines cutting-edge

technology with compassion and a family-centered approach to pediatric

cardiac care. Ranked #3 in the country among pediatric heart centers by

U.S.News & World Report, we see over 17,000 patients and perform more than

800 surgeries each year in Houston. Our outcomes are among the best in the

nation. We’re as proud of what we can do for our patients as we are of our

60-year roots. To find out more about what makes our program shine so

bright, visit texaschildrens.org/heartcenter.

Heart Center

Deep inthe heart of Texas.

© 2014 Texas Children’s Hospital. All rights reserved. Ranking based on U.S.News & World Report. MPR804_120213

MPR804_ad_SL_Heart_DeepStar_AbKatyMem_Layout 1 12/2/13 4:26 PM Page 1

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

CONTRIBUTORS

M A R C H 2 0 1 4 | V O L U M E 1 1 | N U M B E R 3

ON THE COVER:Lynn Walsh and Samanta Bonillawith championhunter Ocean Park.Photography byHallie Keller.

10

Robin Ebrechtabsolutely! Fabulous FindsPage 10

8

Sally JozwiakContributorPage 8

14

Melanie SaxtonContributorPage 14

8

Laura PenninoContributorPage 8

14

Henry Dibrell Katy ISD School BoardPage 14

16

Henry S. MillerThe Serious Pursuit of Happiness: Everything You Need to Know toFlourish and ThrivePage 16

25

Nancy L. Rommelmann PLLCFamily Law AttorneyPage 25

C O V E R S T O RY

8 PIN OAK CHARITYHORSE SHOW’S“HONORED HEROES”:Samanta Bonilla andLuke GuerreroThe Pin Oak Charity Horse Show continues its commitment to “Step Up and Step Out for Children” by giving to heal sick children at Texas Children’s Hospital.

F E AT U R E S

19 HOME IS WHERETHE HEART ISFind your home, and make ityour own! These resources will help you turn your house intoyour dream home.

29 SUMMER FUN GUIDEAs warm weather and freedom from school approaches, start planning with Katy’s best in summer fun.

C O L U M N S

10 absolutely! FABULOUS FINDS

14 PROTECTING AND SERVINGKaty ISD Police

25 FAMILY LAWAcronyms in Texas Family Law

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

16 8 SIMPLE STRESSBUSTERS

26 NUTRITION LABELS DECODEDTips for InterpretingNutrition Facts Labels

38 absolutely! Q & A Texas Children’s HospitalWest Campus Answers Your Questions About Running and Safety

N E W S W O RT H Y

18 NATIONAL CHARITY LEAGUE Star Chapter Honors 2014 Seniors

28 WILLOW FORK COUNTRY CLUB WOMEN’S GROUPS Donate $21,000 to Houston Methodist West Hospital

31 COLOR IN ACTION 5KFunds 150 Surgeries for Kids

42 KATY SIP N STROLLSlated for April 26th

absolutely! AUTO REVIEW

36 2014 LINCOLN MKZ

MEDICAL

41 MEDICAL FOCUS

abso lute ly ! DEL IC IOUS

43 VINE SLEUTHRodeo and Wine? Absolutely!

absolutely! DELICIOUS LISTING

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

44 WHAT’S KICKIN’ IN KATY

I N E V E RY I S S U E

4 PUBLISHER’S PREVIEW

12 SEEN ON THE SCENE

32 OUT & ABOUT IN THEHEART OF KATY

32

Jennifer L. Evans Out & About inthe Heart of KatyPage 32

36

Steve KursarAuto EnthusiastPage 36

43

Amy Gross VineSleuthUncorked.com3

44

Mary RainesWhat’s Kickin’ in KatyPage 44


Hi Lara,I read your article in absolutely! Katy about the high school

sweethearts. My wife and I are also high school sweethearts. We started dating between our junior and senior years at Edwardsville, IL High School where we both graduated in 1957. We are going on our 53rd year of marriage. We have two wonderful sons and 6 super grandchildren, and we have lived in Cinco Ranch for 20 years.

Donna and Keith Judge

Hello,Thank you for all you are doing for The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show!

We are pleased and honored that you featured Lynn Walsh and the “Honored Heroes” from Texas Children's Hospital on your March cover!

Laura Pennino

I bet as you are reading this you are getting

ready for spring break and making last minute

plans getting the car tuned up and packing your

bags. But, when you get back in town, we hope

you will join us for The Pin Oak Charity Horse

Show. Katy is so lucky to have this nationally re-

nowned horse show right in our community. abso-

lutely! Katy Magazine a media partner this year,

and even if you are not accustomed to equestrian

events, both kids and adults alike will have a

great time at the show. In fact, if you would really

like to go, visit us at www.facebook.com/absolutelykaty to win free tickets!

Also in this issue, our Vine Sleuth explores Rodeo and Wine, and we

take a look at the Katy ISD Police as they are out and about keeping our

kids safe.

In closing, I would like to include a reader email from Keith Judge about

his high school sweetheart, Donna. It really touched my heart!

Happy Spring and Let’s Rodeo!

Absolutely! yours,

LaraLara Bell-Milam

[email protected]

Vol. 11 No. 3March 2014

EXCLAMATION POINTS!THE INSIDE SCOOP STRAIGHT FROM THE TOP

4655 TECHNIPLEX DR. STE 700STAFFORD, TX 77477

281-690-4242

WWW.ABSOLUTELYKATY.COM

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.

E X E C U T I V E P U B L I S H E R SMichael & Lisa Fredrickson

E DI TOR- I N - C H I E FPatti Parish-Kaminski

P U B L I SH E RLara Bell

SE N IOR AC C OU N T E X E C U T I V E Jessica Kij

AC C OU N T E X E C U T I V E S Stephenie Cox

Susan DannhausJennifer Elliott

Kay GarrettAndrea Rigamonti

Suzanne StilesBonnie Bell Woodrow

A RT DI R E C TORGrace Belleza

G R A P H IC DE SIG N E RGinger Garza

C O M M U N I C AT I O N SC O O R D I NAT O R

Sarah Bearden

W E B DE SIG N E RJoey Belleza

C O N T R I BU T O R SHenry Dibrell Robin Ebrecht

Jennifer L. EvansAmy Gross

Sally JozwiakSteve Kursar

Henry S. MillerLaura PenninoMary Raines

Nancy L. Rommelmann PLLCMelanie Saxton

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]

Publishedby

READER FEEDBACK

Publisher, LARA BELL

@larabell

Bonnie Bell Woodrow, Pete Bell and Lara Bell-Milam.

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Samanta’s StorySamanta Bonilla was diagnosed with

Wilms tumor, a form of kid-ney cancer, at the age of four-years-old. On Christmas Eve in 2012, Sa-manta’s father discovered a lump protrud-ing from the side of her stomach. Her family soon learned that Samanta’s tu-mor was Stage Three, and she needed immediate care.

Over the next few months, Samanta was treated at Texas Children’s Can-cer Center. She had surgery, and in the weeks that followed, she remained up-beat and positive. Her mother, Karina, says Samanta is a “girl’s girl” who loves princesses, and she calls her daughter a true fighter.

Samanta and her family reside in the Houston suburb of Richmond.

Houston area residents Samanta Bonilla and Luke Guerrero, along with their family members, will be guests of honor at the Saturday night Grand Prix events during the 69th Pin Oak Char-ity Horse Show presented by Haras dos Cavaleiros and Irish Day Farm. Sa-manta, age 5, is Pin Oak’s Week 1 “Hon-ored Hero” for the $30,000 Hildebrand Fund Grand Prix II event on Saturday, March 22nd. The event begins at 6 pm. Luke, also 5, is the Pin Oak Week II “Honored Hero” for the $30,000 Wal-ter Oil and Gas Grand Prix IV event on Saturday, March 29th. This event also begins at 6 pm.

“It is a great joy for the Pin Oak fam-ily to honor and celebrate these true champions. Because Pin Oak is engaged with our charities throughout the year, we see glimpses of what sick children and their families endure to become the care-free, well children they simply want to be. It is gratifying for Pin Oak and our supporters to know that our financial gifts help our charities grow and are instrumental in healing sick children,” commented Mary Jones, Pin

T he Pin Oak Charity Horse Show continues its commitment to “Step Up and Step Out for

Children” by recognizing two Texas Children’s Hospital patients as its “Honored Heroes” for 2014 and building upon its legacy of giving millions of dollars to heal sick children.

COVER STORYBy Laura Penninoand Sally Jozwiak

Phot

ogra

phy

by H

allie

Kel

ler.

Pin Oak Charity Horse Show NamesSamanta Bonillaand Luke Guerrero2014 “Honored Heroes”

Oak Charity Horse Show Board Mem-ber, Charity Liaison and social media volunteer.

Pin Oak initiated the “Honored He-roes” program in 2011 as a means of recognizing and celebrating the suc-cesses of two Texas Children’s Hospital patients who addressed and overcame challenges related to their serious ill-ness. Moreover, Pin Oak’s “Honored Heroes” serve as ambassadors of hope for the thousands of children that Texas Children’s Hospital seeks to heal every year. As special guests at Pin Oak’s Saturday night Grand Prix opening cer-emonies, “Honored Heroes” are treated to a horse-drawn carriage ride around the show arena that is witnessed by sponsors, competitors, spectators, Pin Oak members, guests and media. Ad-ditionally, The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show hosts the “Honored Heroes” and their family members with a table for six in the ringside gala area, and they receive a gift basket, a memory book with photos from the horse show and a large commemorative photo courtesy of Shawn McMillen Photography.


Young exhibitor and Katy resident Mikayla Knezevich and her pony preparing to enter the show ring at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show.Photography by Shawn McMillen.

Luke’s Story

Almost one year ago, Luke Guer-rero began to be consistently weak and pale. Those early signs of something gone wrong led to a leukemia diagnosis. Luke received treatment at both Texas Children’s Hospital main campus and West Campus and continues to be followed by his Texas Children’s pe-diatrician.

Today, this 5-year-old boy is well on his way to better health. He enjoys playing with his 2-year-old brother and going to the park with his family to swing, climb and ride his bike.

Luke and his family reside in Katy.

Continuing Legacy of Giving

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show has made a new commitment to raise $650,000 to continue its legacy of giv-ing to Texas Children’s Hospital. The pledge includes $550,000 to support the growth of the Sports Medicine Program at Texas Children’s Hospital West Cam-pus in Katy. This funding will establish an endowed Sports Medicine Fellow-ship, which is a critical need for the hos-pital. To honor this new commitment and to celebrate Pin Oak’s giving, Texas Children’s will name the Sports Medi-cine Gym at West Campus after the re-nowned horse show. In keeping with Pin Oak’s commitment to grow its support as Texas Children’s Hospital grows, Pin Oak has pledged a $100,000 gift to sup-port the new Texas Children’s Hospital Woodlands Campus. Texas Children’s Hospital will name the Casting Room at The Woodlands Campus in honor of Pin Oak in recognition of this gift.

“Pin Oak has supported the growth of Texas Children’s Hospital from the very beginning. We’re celebrating our 60th birthday this year, and we’re truly honored to have Pin Oak give so gener-ously to expand our care in the Sports Medicine Clinic at West Campus and at our newest campus in The Wood-

lands,” noted Mark Wallace, president and chief executive officer of Texas Chil-dren’s Hospital.

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show began contributing to expanding Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus in 2005 with a $300,000 gift followed by a $400,000 commitment that will be com-pleted this year. These two gifts, com-bined with the new pledge for Sports Medicine, bring the total giving to Texas Children’s West Campus to $1.25 million.

“A multidisciplinary team of experts in our Sports Medicine Clinic provides individualized care for young athletes with a variety of conditions and inju-ries related to sports participation and exercise. By investing in the well-being of young people at this critical forma-tive time in their life, Pin Oak is helping guide them toward a healthier future,” said Dr. Albert Hergenroeder of Texas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Hergenroeder is chief, Adolescent Medicine Service and Adolescent Medicine Clinic; chief, Sports Medicine Clinic and chief, Young Women’s Clinic.

The 69th ShowOne of the oldest and most presti-

gious charity horse shows in the nation, the 69th Pin Oak Charity Horse Show will run March 19th through 30th at The Great Southwest Equestrian Cen-ter in Katy. This show has raised more than $5.5 million for children’s charities since 1945 and proceeds benefit Texas Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms and Candlelight-er’s Childhood Cancer Alliance. The show attracts approximately 1,500 com-petitors and 2,000 horses over the two-week period.

“I have been affiliated with The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show for more than 20 years,” said Lynn Walsh, president of the board of directors of The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show and a long-time hunter-jumper competitor. “I am always impressed with the experience and com-passion of the doctors, nurses and other caregivers of the sick children for whom all of us compete. Recognizing and cel-ebrating with our young ‘Honored He-roes’ each year is truly a highlight of the horse show for our sponsors, volunteers, members and competitors.”

Elly Berman and Xuxa's Heir in the Pleasure Driving Championship at the 68th Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in March 2013.

Phot

ogra

phy

by C

asey

McB

ride.

More About

The Pin Oak

Charity Horse ShowThe Pin Oak Charity Horse Show

is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. Membership, sponsorship and volun-teer opportunities are welcomed and appreciated. Membership options start at $65 per year. For more information, visit www.pinoak.org.

Admission for most Pin Oak Horse Show events in March 2014 is free; however, general admission tickets for Pin Oak’s featured events and Grand Prix events on Saturday, March 22nd, and Saturday, March 29th are available for a $10 donation per adult. Admis-sion is free for children under 12. Ticket sales are only available beginning one hour before each Grand Prix. Ticketing is located on the south side of the show grounds, just off the covered car park.

absolutely! Katy and absolutely! Me-morial Magazines are media partners to The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show. Readers are invited to visit the absolute-ly! Katy and absolutely! Memorial face-book pages throughout the month of March to win tickets to the Grand Prix events on March 22nd and March 29th.

Phot

ogra

phy

by K

im G

ibso

n.

www.absolutelykaty.com l MARCH 2014 9

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

Lucky Number JarsI love these precious lucky number vessels. They would be so great in a college apartment or in a child’s room for storage. They are perfect for the game room, too, using your child’s jersey number! Very cool.www.rosannainc.com

I NYfor Her PerfumeThis is my new favorite fragrance! It’s so fresh, and it works for any season. Of course, the hot pink container caught my eye first, but the scent is so light and happy. I absolutely love it!www.ilovenyfragrances.com

Luna Mini Facial CleanerThis is the perfect size device to pack in your bag when you’re on the go either to the gym or on vacation. One of my favorite features is that there is no brush head to change often. It works great, it’s stylish and it’s compact!www.foreo.com

Nexersys Training SystemI am loving this gift from my husband! I mentioned that I wanted to start kickboxing, and he gave me this awesome machine for Christmas. It’s so fun and challenging, and you can customize each workout to your level. I’m still on the beginner level of the home model and can’t wait to see how each new workout challenges me.www.nexersys.com

Monogram ConverseHow cute are these shoes?

Converse seem to never go out of style, and these are just too

cute with the stylish monogram on the tongue of the shoe! They are

perfect for spring and summer with shorts season upon us. Love them!www.bespokecustomgifts.com



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Dr. Christopher K. Smith, board certified orthopedic surgeon, provides his patients advanced, personalized care for the treatment of chronic pain from arthritis and other types of joint discomfort or injury.

Dr. Smith specializes in adult joint reconstruction, including knee, hip and shoulder, using the latest technology to individualize replacement based on each patient’s anatomy and needs. His expertise leads to faster recovery and pain elimination, improved joint performance, increased strength and stability, and extended joint longevity, while preserving bone and connecting tissues.

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Matt Caire & Lindsey Robinson Margaret Stratton & Lara Bell Missi Gibbens & Tabitha Smith Heather & Ernie Layton

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In the flurry of sending our children off to school each morning, we may worry about missing homework, lunch money, or a form that needs a signature. What we gener-

ally don’t worry about is school safety, trusting that our school principals and teachers are trained and prepared.

Katy ISD Police Chief Mark Hopkins is responsible for a full spectrum of safety and security within the district, from inclement weather to threats on campuses. He notes that among all the schools north, south, east and west, no one cam-pus requires more law enforcement services than the other. He’s been one of the professional, licensed police officers in Katy ISD for 28 years. “The difference is, we report to the school board rather than the County Commissioner or City Council,” he says.

HistoryThe Katy ISD Police Department was established during

a board meeting in December 1988. The district was growing rapidly and had a jurisdictional area in three counties and two cities. Seeing the benefit of having one reporting agency instead of five, the Board of Trustees turned to five security specialists who were already guiding the district, but had no law enforcement responsibility. Hopkins was among them, as well as Robert Jinks, Keith Meier, David Carroll and Bubba Grimes. They all had law enforcement experience and were sworn in January 1, 1989.

These five men led the police department from 17,000 stu-dents to 67,000. There are now 50 police positions in Katy ISD and one drug detection K-9 named Officer Marcel, a black Labrador who helps detect contraband on campuses.

DutiesAlcohol, tobacco and prescription drugs are a big challenge,

as is the abuse of prescription drugs that teens and ‘tweens get from homes (theirs and others). “We partner with the

Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and twice a year host a prescription drug take back program, where people can dispose of legally possessed drugs they no longer need,” says Hopkins. The goal is to keep old or forgotten meds out of the student’s hands and dispose of them properly. Their last drive collected 500 pounds of prescription drugs at no cost and is a safe way to get rid of a dangerous substance.

When asked what keeps him busiest, Hopkins replies, “Statistically, it’s petty theft and kids stealing from each oth-er.” The Katy ISD police also respond to student disturbances and larger campus threats. From a law enforcement perspec-tive, Hopkins and his team have devised an “Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Tactic (ALERRT) plan.

Every time a horrendous incident makes national news, parents understandably wonder what precautions are taken to protect their children. Prior to Columbine, the protocol in law enforcement was to contain the perimeter and have SWAT come in to take care of the incident. “What we learned from Columbine was that too much was happening too fast to wait for specially trained teams,” says Hopkins. Katy ISD trains every one of their officers to be a first responder to an active shooter. One, two or three officers can go in to stop the treat.

Training In a worse case scenario, teachers, administrators and

staff have the ability to use their training to make decisions “in the moment,” giving them “implicit authority” to maintain safety around their students. “We have a plan, we exercise the plan, and use the plan in real life incidences, then have an after action review of 1.) what happened, 2.) what went right, and 3.) what to do differently,” comments Hopkins. “It appears to me that the Katy ISD community trusts us enough to let us do our job and do it quickly without interference until the incident is resolved.”

Their responses are critical to the welfare of the students. For this reason, the Katy ISD police won’t compromise the de-tails of their safety and security procedures. Understandably, certain information cannot be disclosed to the public.

On the Shoulders of GiantsAccording to Hopkins, he stands on shoulders on giants.

“The people who work in the police department are absolutely remarkable, and the district and school board leadership is exemplary.” From a safety and security perspective, he notes that Superintendent Alton Frailey is above reproach, and that for the last five years, Chief Operations Officer Tom Gunnel has helped lead the district’s safety and security model.

In fact, Katy ISD is a model nationwide and is involved with policy development for Homeland Security regarding safe and secure schools, as well as best practices for the state of Texas. “The district is part of the development team for the Texas School Safety Center, and we just do things that others would also like to do,” adds Hopkins.

This, in short, is leadership. A grateful community thanks Chief Hopkins and his police officers for their dedication.

By Henry Dibrell and Melanie Saxton

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1. Breathe Slowly and DeeplyBefore you react to the next stressful event, first

take three deep breaths and consciously release each breath slowly. If you have more time, try a relaxation technique, such as meditation or guided imagery, before deciding how to handle the situation.

2. Speak More SlowlyIf you feel overwhelmed at any time, deliberately

slow down the pace of your speaking. You will ap-pear less anxious and more in control of the situation. Stressed people tend to speak fast and breathlessly. If you slow down, you’ll find you can think more clearly and react more reasonably to stressful situations.

3. Drink Plenty of Waterand Eat Small,Nutritious Snacks

Fight dehydration and hun-ger — they can provoke ag-gressiveness and exacerbate feelings of anxiety and stress. Drink plenty of water and al-

ways have small and nutritious snacks available on hand, such as

fruit, string cheese or a handful of nuts.

G ot stress? Stress is a part of a normal

life that you can’t really avoid. The good

news? You have more power than you realize

to control stress before it prevents you from

living the life you want to lead. Here are 8

simple stressbusters to help you:

8 SimpleStressbustersBy Henry S. Miller

absolutely!HEALTHY LIVING

4. Take aBreak Outdoors

Take advantage of the healing power of fresh air and sunshine. Just five minutes outside on a balcony or terrace can be rejuvenating. If you have more time, 30 minutes of sunshine has proven positive benefits.

5. Do One Thing TodayTake control of your time. Every day, do at least one

simple thing you’ve been putting off: return a phone call, make a doctor’s appointment or file the paper-work piling up on your desk. Taking care of one nag-ging responsibility will energize you and improve your attitude! You might even find that completing one task inspires you to move on to the next one. At the end of each day, try planning your schedule for tomorrow us-ing a calendar or day planner that works for you.

6. Check Your PostureHold your head and shoulders upright. Avoid slump-

ing or stooping: bad posture leads to muscle tension, pain and increased stress. If you are behind a desk during the day, avoid repetitive strain injuries and sore muscles by making sure your workspace is ergonomic, and take five minutes every hour to walk around or stretch.

7. Reward Yourself after a Stressful DayAt the end of the day, set aside any work concerns,

housekeeping issues or family concerns for at least a few minutes. Allow yourself a brief period of time to fully relax before bedtime each day — even if it’s only taking a relaxing bath or spending 30 minutes with a good book. Remember, you need time to recharge. Don’t spend this time planning tomorrow or doing chores you didn’t get around to during the day. You’ll be much bet-ter prepared to face another stressful day if you give yourself a brief reward of some free time.

8. Practice Letting GoWhen your next inevitably stressful situation comes

up, make a conscious choice not to become upset. Just let it go. Don’t waste your energy on situations where it is not deserved. Managing your anger is a proven stress reducer.

There’s no way to avoid stress, but you can be proactive in managing it. Here’s wishing you a happy life with less stress!



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The Star Chapter of the National Charity League (NCL) of Katy honored the Senior Class of 2014 at its annual Senior Presentation at the Marriott Hous-ton Westchase in February. At the din-ner and dance attended by family and friends, the chapter members recognized each of these 22 women for their accom-plishments and contributions to the com-munity during their six years of service in NCL.

Collectively, the young ladies have contributed over 6,000 hours to their chapter and community, working with 28 local charities. Each young lady learned to serve her community, be a leader and open her eyes to the cultural arts around her.

The Star Chapter is dedicated to mothers and daughters serving together and building a close relationship, which together empowers them to be confi-dent, well-rounded and socially aware.

NEWSWORTHYThe Star Chapter of the National Charity League

seniors honored included Kayla Floyd, Callie Simnitt, Lisa Scott, Emma Massey,

Riannon Banks, Kendall Guinn, Alexandra Fortner,

Madison Cook, Amanda Hoogerbrugge,Bethany

Goodlett, Kristen Richter, Erica Reed, Renee Brum-

baugh, Rachel Grooms, Katrina Garcia, Maddison Smith, Haley Cole, Rachel Redmon, Haile Duplantier,

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Texas Custom Patios:Your Design/Build Outdoor Living Expert

Texas Custom Patios is the Houston area’s premier designer and builder of stylish outdoor living spaces. The company is a family-owned residential remodeling contrac-tor specializing in designing and building custom projects to enhance outdoor living, such as patio covers, outdoor kitchens, sunrooms, fireplaces, screened porches, pergo-las and decorative patios. They have completed over 1,000 projects in the Houston area since 2004.

Texas Custom Patios provides a turnkey custom design project. Their specialty is building projects that look origi-nal to the home, including patio covers, pergolas, screened porches, room additions, guest houses, decks, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces and custom patios.

They serve much of the Greater Houston area, includ-ing Cypress, Memorial, The Woodlands, Fulshear, Katy, Kingwood, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenberg, Pearland, Spring, Sugar Land and Tomball. If you are in or near these areas, please contact Texas Custom Patios today to dis-cuss your project.

You will know exactly what you are getting when you choose to work with Texas Custom Patios. Detailed de-signs include rendered views showing the completed proj-ect on the back of your home. If you would like a detailed explanation of the process they use – from design to com-pleted construction – please visit their website where they will walk you through the steps. There is also a huge photo gallery with hundreds of pictures of completed projects to give you ideas for your dream backyard.

Contact Texas Custom Patios today to schedule your free design consultation at www.texascustompatios.com or 281-265-1994.

Oak Interactive: Where Energy Grows

Oak Interactive, “Oak” for short, is a full-service mar-keting communications company. Oak builds genuine re-lationships with clients by providing creative solutions to their business needs while remaining accountable in every aspect of their work. By combining a full spectrum of ad-vertising, interactive and multimedia solutions, Oak helps clients tell their story.

Do you need to refresh your image or branding? Create awareness? Bring in more business? In other words, do you need to get yourself noticed? Let Oak Interactive help. As a Katy-based, full-service marketing communications company, Oak specializes in logo designs, websites, SEO, PPC, Banners, e-mail marketing, print ads, packaging and much more.

Oak is a tightly knit group of marketing professionals who deliver big agency ideas with a local touch. Oak builds genuine relationships with the brands they represent by providing the solutions clients need to be successful in to-day’s competitive marketplace. So, send Oak a note, and discuss with Oak how they might help your brand.

Everyone has a story, whether it’s a person or a brand. Let Oak tell yours today. Energy grows at Oak Interactive, conveniently located in Katy. For more information, visit www.OakInteractive.com, e-mail [email protected] or call 832-321-3196.



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New Luxury Patio Home Neighborhood Coming To Cross Creek Ranch

Just after being named one of the nation’s top-selling master-planned communities, Cross Creek Ranch has an-nounced plans to open a new luxury patio home neighbor-hood where Sitterle Homes and Darling Homes will present homes rich with custom features, perfect for active empty nesters and busy, young professionals.

With gourmet kitchens, open living and entertainment areas, spacious master suites and outdoor entertainment spaces, the new, luxury patio homes appeal to those seek-ing a low-maintenance style of living, yet large enough for families to entertain.

The new patio homes are just part of the continued de-velopment of Cross Creek Ranch, the fast-growing west Houston community by The Johnson Development Corp. just minutes west of the Grand Parkway off FM 1093. The community is also in close proximity to the Energy Corridor

and several other major employment centers. Cross Creek Ranch presents new homes from Lennar

Homes, Newmark Homes, Perry Homes, Highland Homes, Trendmaker Homes and Village Builders. Luxury custom homes are also available from Avanti Custom Homes, Dar-ling Homes, Huntington Homes, Partners in Building and Taylor Morrison.

Active families in Cross Creek Ranch enjoy the Adven-ture Island Water Park, a second resort-style pool, Flewellen Creek Park, miles of hike-and-bike trails, a fitness center and sports complex with tennis courts, basketball court, sand volleyball court and playgrounds for all ages. A disc golf course and a one-acre dog park also are quite popular.

For more information, visit www.crosscreektexas.com or call the Cross Creek Ranch Welcome Center at 281-344-9882.

The Johnson Development Corp. has sold a 48-acre tract in the west Houston master-planned community of Willow Creek Farms to Pulte Homes where the homebuilder will add 152 new homes to the fast-growing community just west of the Energy Corridor.

Pulte Homes expects to begin construction of new homes in Willow Creek Farms in the second quarter of this year.

Pulte Homes is joining Meritage Homes and Westin Homes to deliver another 90 new homes in Willow Creek Farms, priced from the $220s to $310s, taking the commu-nity closer to its build out of 1,000 new homes. Willow Creek Farms also offers new homes from Ashton Woods and Ry-land Homes.

Westin Homes and Meritage Homes currently have mod-els open daily in Willow Creek Farms with a Pulte Homes model opening in the spring.

A multi-purpose baseball and soccer field also is being added to the community where families currently enjoy a full-size, Olympic-style pool with splash pad, walking trails, a recreational center and park.

Part of a 600-acre residential project minutes from Hous-ton’s Energy Corridor, Willow Creek Farms joined Johnson Development’s collection of successful master-planned communities in 2012. The community is the final remaining westernmost community zoned to the highly acclaimed Katy Independent School District.

For more information on Willow Creek Farms, visit www.willowcreektexas.com.

West Houston Community, Willow Creek Farms, Continues Growth

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There is no question that the Houston housing market is hot. Home sales in 2013 broke the pre-recession record, fueled by Houston’s booming economy, low mortgage rates and an often critically low inventory.

According to Houston Association of Realtors® (HAR), sales of single-family homes soared 17.4 percent over 2012, also a record year. Energy – oil and gas – generates the unprecedented prosperity driving Houston’s juggernaut housing market. It is not surprising, then, that some of the hottest markets are the neighborhoods from West Memorial to Katy, dubbed the “Energy Corridor” because of the number of energy companies, including BP, Shell and Cono-coPhillips, that office in the area. These middle and upper-end neighborhoods are experiencing low inventory of available homes combined with strong buyer demand as energy workers seek to live near their offices and take advantage of the area’s excellent schools and parks for their families.

With 16 offices distributed across the greater Houston metropolitan area, Heritage Texas Properties believes in local specialists for local offices and has been a part of what is now the Energy Corridor for more than 30 years. Agents in the company’s Memorial and Katy offices assist customers in Memo-rial, West Houston, Katy and Fulshear in the sale or purchase of single family homes in all price points, including luxury homes, patio homes, town homes and rental properties.

Heritage Texas Properties’ Memorial office is located on Memorial Drive be-tween Dairy Ashford and Kirkwood. The Katy office is located on Cinco Ranch Boulevard south of Interstate 10 near the Grand Parkway. For more informa-tion, visit www.heritagetexas.com. See ad on Back Cover.

Home is Near the Office in the Energy Corridor

For nearly 70 years, Anthony & Sylvan has designed and built qual-ity swimming pools for 370,000 families throughout Katy and around the nation. What sets this national company with local experts apart is their unwavering commitment to you – they take the time to listen to what you want, then craft the pool of your dreams.

Their highly trained design con-sultants, each of whom are licensed and insured, provide stunning 3D renderings to help you visualize every detail. You’re able to see pre-cisely how your design will fit into your space. Your pool comes to life!

No matter what type or size pool you desire, Anthony & Sylvan pools are meant to last a lifetime. Over decades of experience, they’ve de-veloped and honed rigorous inspec-tion standards to ensure your pool is built right and on time. They even offer a lifetime structural warranty, backed by the strength and stabil-ity that comes from one of the most respected names in the business.

Maybe that’s why close to 50 percent of all Anthony & Sylvan busi-ness comes from satisfied customer referrals. And satisfied customers are just the beginning of their rave reviews. The Better Business Bu-reau has given Anthony & Sylvan an A+ rating, Google ranked Anthony & Sylvan with five stars and Consumer Affairs recognized the company for outstanding ratings.

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

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Acronyms inTexas Family LawBy Nancy L. Rommelmann PLLCFamily Law Attorney

T here are commonly used acronyms that you want to familiarize yourself with if you are involved in a family

law matter. Family law attorneys and judges use these acronyms in common parlance throughout the course of a family law case.

Dialogue among and between judges, attorneys and mediators can sound like a foreign language to a lay person unless you know to what these acronyms refer.

TFC: Refers to the “Texas Family Code.”

JMC: “Joint Managing Conservator” means the sharing of the rights and duties of a parent by two parties, ordinarily the parents, even if the exclusive right to make certain decisions may be awarded to one party. TFC 101.016 Being named JMC’s is a pre-sumption in Texas, but it is rebuttable (TFC 153.252) which means you can present facts to a judge as to why a JMC is inappropriate or unworkable (TFC 153.253) According to TFC 153.004, a court may not appoint JMC’s if credible evidence is presented of a history or pattern of past or present child neglect or physical or sexual assault in violation of Penal Code section 22.011 or 22.021.

MC: The rights of a “Managing Conservator” are found in TFC 153.132.

PC: A “Possessory Conservator” does not have the primary possession of a child but is the counter-part to a MC. TFC 153.191.

SPO: “Standard Possession Order” means an order that provides a parent with right of possession of a child according to the terms in TFC 153.311 through TFC 153.317. There is a presumption in Texas that possession and access (i.e. visitation) to a child in a family law case should be a SPO. A SPO is a not a presumption in cases where a child is less than three years of age. TFC 153.254.

TFPM: Refers to the “Texas Family Practice Manual” that is, among a broad array of other materi-als, a commonly used drafting tool containing “boil-erplate” or “form” language for a variety of pleadings and orders used by family law attorneys.


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While lists of ingredients and the Nutrition Facts panel are there to help shoppers choose foods to fit their nu-tritional needs, it’s not always easy to interpret. Learning how to decode the jumble of numbers and percentages is the first step in shopping for healthier foods.

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the FDA and for meats and poultry by the USDA,” said Carolyn O’Neil, reg-istered dietitian and nutrition advisor for BestFoodFacts.org. “The Nutrition Facts panel lists all of the important specs, such as calories, fats, sodium, fiber, sugar and several key vitamins and minerals.”

Nutrition Label 101

Here are some of O’Neil’s tips on understanding nutrition labels, so you can be a more informed consumer and make healthier decisions for your fam-ily.

Always Note Serving Sizes

While a food or beverage may seem like a good nutritional fit, the first thing to notice should always be the serving size. Watch out because if you read that a serving contains 100 calories, for instance, that may be for 8 ounces of a juice beverage and the container may hold 16 ounces.

Be Aware of Unhealthy Contents

If looking to limit fat, sodium and sugar, pay close attention to these call outs on the label. Some foods might de-liver more than your daily limit for so-dium! Remember that trans fat should be avoided completely.

Look for the Good Stuff

A healthy diet consists of vitamins and nutrients which nutrition labels also spell out. Go for foods that are good sources of the good guys – dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium, iron and potassium.

Don’t Be Fooled by Healthy Looks

While package design may illustrate people engaging in healthful activities, pretty farm scenes and adorned with “healthy” words, note that the FDA

does not regulate the use of creative brand names. As always, it is the nu-trition facts label where a consumer can see what’s really inside.

Trust Health Claims

The FDA closely monitors the use of health claims on food packaging. So, if you see wording such as “heart

healthy,” you can be confident the com-pany had to meet nutrition criteria set by the FDA.

Prepared with nutrition label know-how, shoppers can put this valuable information to work to make food shop-ping easier on the next trip to super-market. Visit www.BestFoodFacts.org for other tips.

Source: Family Features


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NEWSWORTHY Willow Fork Country Club Women’s Groups Donate $21,000 to Houston Methodist West

Hospital’s Breast Care Center Through their annual breast cancer

awareness fundraiser, Pretty in Pink, the Willow Fork Country Club Women’s Groups raised $21,000 last October, which they donated to Houston Method-ist West Hospital’s Breast Care Center. The symbolic check was awarded to hospital executives and physicians in a recognition ceremony held January 21st.

“This is the ninth year we have raised funds for breast cancer awareness,” said Mary Abrams, president of the Women’s Association and Pretty in Pink commit-tee member. “This year, we wanted to keep it local and know that our efforts are benefiting women right here in our community. We raised more money than ever before, and we are so glad to give it to Houston Methodist West’s cancer program.”

Mammography is currently the best screening tool for finding breast can-cer at an early stage when treatment is

most effective and cure most possible. The gift, a combined effort among Wil-low Fork’s Ladies Tennis Association, Women’s Golf Association and Women’s Association, will support technology enhancements to the state-of-the-art center’s digital screening and diagnostic mammography capabilities.

Pretty in Pink committee member An-drea Shropshire said it was important to

the group to give toward a local center that contains all of the resources needed to help women, if and when there is a reason for concern. “It is reassuring to know there is a breast center nearby that’s part of the world-renowned Hous-ton Methodist system and that we can come here and know all of the resources of the organization are there to help,” Shropshire said.

Houston Methodist West is the only fully integrated cancer program in the community with a breast center and care team of dedicated radiologists, surgeons, medical and radiation oncolo-gists, and plastic and reconstruction surgeons who provide a coordinated, patient-centered approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and re-covery.

For more information on Houston Methodist West’s breast or cancer care services, call 832-522-5522.

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W ith warm weather and kids’ freedom from school, there are extra opportunities for moms

and kids to spend more time together. Whether your children are toddlers or school age, it’s important to find fun ways to spend precious hours with one another.

Here are a few activities those of all ages can enjoy:

Put a twist on movie night: Summer blockbusters have families flooding the-aters in droves. Pack the whole family in the car, pop some corn and catch a drive-in movie. It’s an old-fashioned experience every kid should enjoy at least once.

Blow bubbles for a crowd: Create a bubble station on your front porch and wait for the neighborhood kids to congre-gate. After all, there is just something so simple and nostalgic about bubbles that everyone loves

Take a hike: Spend time exploring nearby parks, lakes and arboretums with

the kids. Pack plenty of water and healthy snacks, such as Dole Fruit Squish’ems, squeezable fruit pouches. Add an extra element of fun to your hike by going on a treasure hunt.

Watch the magic of fireflies: Enjoy cool evening breezes, while watching the special magic fireflies bring to a backyard. Catch a few in a Mason jar, and then re-lease them after the kids are tucked in for the night.

Pack a picnic: Take a picnic lunch on your next outdoor adventure. Keep it simple, portable and healthy with good old peanut butter and jelly with healthy, deli-cious side dishes like baby carrots, sliced bell peppers and Dole Fruit Squish’ems squeezable fruit pouches. From orchard to pouch, they are made with fresh apples from the USA, and are an easy on-the-go summer snack.

Play extreme tic-tac-toe: Make an easy craft project that can be enjoyed all summer long. Paint a tic-tac-toe board on an old beach towel, and then mark ten Frisbees with an X or O. Now, you’re ready to play Frisbee tic-tac-toe anywhere out-doors.

Keep them growing healthy: Pick a spot in the yard to create a small garden or plant a few vegetables in large pots. Those few moments caring for plants together each morning may just be the most pre-cious ones of the day.

Source: Family Features

Fun Activities for Moms, Kids to Enjoy Together

Summer Fun Guide


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Summer Fun Guide


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832-321-4418

• Interactive Early Reading Program - Fun With PhonicsTM

• State-of-the-ArtFacilities - Open 6:30 to 6:30 Year Round

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• Dynamically Fun L.E.A.P.TM Curriculum - Including Sign Language and Technology

• Enrichment Programs

• New and Exciting Mandarin Language Program - L.E.A.P.TM into Mandarin

A group of students at Seven Lakes who want to change the world one smile at a time is host-ing the Second Annual Color in Action 5K on March 22nd. Hav-ing funded 70 surgeries in 2013, these ambitious students are on their way to funding 150 surger-ies this year.

The organization, Unite for Health, at Seven Lakes High School, will host the Color in Action 5k to benefit Operation Smile, a worldwide medical non-profit organization that performs free cleft lip and cleft palate sur-geries for children in need. Run solely by a group of passionate students, the organization fo-cuses on improving the quality of life for chronically ill children. Color in Action is a 5K race in which participants are blasted with color as they make their way through the course, and it is the largest project in Unite for Health’s arsenal for the cam-paign against cleft palate.

One of the race directors, a senior at Seven Lakes said, “Col-or in Action is changing the world one smile at a time. Every bit of work put into this race gives chil-dren the best gift of all – a smile.”

The Color in Action 5K is scheduled for March 22nd at 8 am at Seven Lakes High School located at 9251 South Fry Rd. in Katy.

Color in Action 5K to Fund

150 Surgeries for Kids

NEWSWORTHY

Submit newsworthy [email protected]


IN THEHEART

K AT Y

OUT&ABOUT

By Jennifer L. Evans

Aaron Lerro, a member of Crew 1065, earned the highest rank the Boy Scouts of America offers, the Eagle Scout Award. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a senior at Morton Ranch High School, Lerro is the son of Marc and Kim Lerro of Katy.

Davis Warms, Sydney and Jacob Kim, Maye Harris, Lili Laughlin, Isabelle Harmon, Alisa Martin, Antonia Espinosa, Kaela Jones, Carlie Thompson, Giuliana Alvim and Roxana Beaver.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. will play at Central Green in LaCenterra on May 4th at 2 pm. The Spotlight Acting Academy cast contains 12 students led by Katie Martin and starring local Katy kids.

The Winter Show brought over 250 visitors to the new Katy Contemporary Arts Museum!

Anuska Martinez, a senior at Cinco Ranch High School, débuted her artwork and was offered an internship at the Katy Contemporary Arts Museum.

Artist Lynne Skoyles won Best of Show.

Photography by Srini Sundarrajan

Museum Director/Curator Ana Villaronga-Roman at the Winter Show.


Amobi Okoye, former Houston Texan and a Katy-ite, led exercises for several hundred children attending the event.

The Katy Chapter of the National Charity League (NCL) Cotillion held its “Dip into Dancing” event at Cinco Ranch Golf Club providing young ladies and gentlemen with an opportunity to teach their parents the Fox Trot.

Joshua danced with mom Melissa Piper.

NCL Cotillion Director of the Katy Chapter Sara Heston with Cole Evans, Jessica and Parker Duck and NCL Cotillion Co-Director Amy McAfee.

Belinda and Thomas Pursley.

Allie with dad Brad Hilton.Diego and mom Michelle Zamora.

NFL Play 60 was held at Central Green, located in LaCenterra. The free event, sponsored by the Amobi Okoye Foundation, the Fort Bend Republican Party and Kickoff 4 Kids, encouraged kids to participate in an hour of fitness on the Green with local heroes and sports celebs.

The Play 60 support team: Lacy Wood, Katie and Lisa Hosie and Liz and Jill Fitzpatrick.

Former San Francisco 49ers Eric Heitmann, who also played for the Katy Tigers in high school, spoke to the group and interacted with the audience. Pictured with Heitmann are Connor Proodian, Evan Dunn and Cole Evans.

Soren Hindmarch with mom Miriam and sister Eva had a big time on the Green.


IN THEHEART

K AT Y

OUT&ABOUT

By Jennifer L. Evans

Katy Fit hosted a pre-run pasta party at The Fellowship at Cinco Ranch before the Houston Marathon, Aramco Half Marathon and ABB 5K for some major carb loading and to celebrate the end of 26 weeks of training.

Monica Brallier and Walter Davis loaded up on carbs at the pasta party.

Enjoying the evening were Joe and Hilda Valdez.

Katy-ites love to run, and the recent Houston Marathon, Aramco Half Marathon and ABB 5K were chock-full of Katy folks, not to mention the local running events happening in our hood!

Katy Fit runners participating in the Houston Marathon activities were Judy Gordon, Kandi Bartling, Julie Campbell, Sarah Hubbell, Sarah Raye, Angela Khosia and Alyson Brown.

Dunkin’ Donuts’ “Cuppy” and Hunter Lamar cheered on runners at the marathon.

Crossing the finish line after they ran the USA Fit Sugar Land Half Marathon were Marie Thompson, David Thurman and Scott Balin.

Katy moms Sara Hubbell, Liz McGarraugh, Janelle Williams and Monica Brallier ran at the ABB 5k, which is part of Houston Marathon weekend.


RJC Productions produced the 8th Annual Katy Home & Garden Show at the Merrell Center in Katy drawing a huge crowd despite the chill in the air. absolutely! Katy Magazine was a proud sponsor of the event that attracted visitors from across the greater Houston area.

Beverly Norris and Rachel Saporito.

The RJC Productions team Julie Robinette, Lynnie Beck and Robyn Cade enjoyed a break with celebrity DIY Network host Jason Cameron of Man Caves and Desperate Landscapes.

It was a family event for Alisha, Azu, Ash and Naushi Flexwala.

Glen Baney of Katy Carpets participated in the event.

Creech Elementary filled the auditorium at Seven Lakes High School for the production of the Creech Cruise Liner, which was written and produced by Creech Music Instructor Joan Lisman. The entire 5th grade class participated in the production.

The stellar cast: Sydney McCray, Chaney Hutchins, Kymani Powell, Makenzie Wise, Diego Zamora, Danny Zhang, Bo Cortez and Erasmo Morales.

Music teachers Joan Lisman and David Wallace with Rebecca Fox and Creech Assistant Principal Sally Gupton at the dress rehearsal.

Stars of the show Maren Jensen and Ly Vu.

The glamorous diva Riley Rutherford.

Hollie Hartley and Evan Dunn were the golden oldies on the cruise.

Khushi Thorat, royalty in disguise.

Cole Tipton performed as the magician.


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T he 2014 Lincoln MKZ is Ford Motor Company’s first real expression of their dedication to revitalize their luxury line. Now rebranded as the Lincoln Motor Car Company,

Ford has finally pulled out all the stops in their efforts to bring back their iconic luxury status symbol. And, it shows in the new MKZ, a car that harkens to the past while being thoroughly up-to-date in incorporating technology that matters.

Lincolns used to be one of two top luxury car brands, along with Cadillac, that ruled American highways. But two gas crises of the 1970s that hurt large car sales, and then, Ford’s inatten-tion to the brand eventually led to Lincoln’s drop in popularity with American buyers. Suddenly, German and Japanese lux-ury brands seemed cool and hip, and Lincoln was relegated to those that thought of Lincoln as a style setter. Ford realized that they needed to do something big to refocus luxury buyers back to the Lincoln brand.

That first of many big things is the Lincoln MKZ, which was initially introduced as a 2013 model. It shares its DNA with the new Ford Fusion, but unlike previous Lincolns that were barely disguised versions of a Ford, this new MKZ has its own dis-

tinct personality. Its outer shell is pure elegant Lincoln, with a grill that’s the latest version of the Lincoln split-wing that first appeared on the 1936 Zephyr. And the interior, with standard leather seats, boasts the latest in automotive technology incor-porated in MyLincoln Touch that allows you to do more than just communicate hands free. With SYNC, you can set cabin temperatures, radio stations and destinations with the sound of your voice.

For a base MSRP of $36,190, you have the option of choos-ing between two engines: a 240hp, 2.0 liter four cylinder Eco-Boost that gets 22 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Or, for the same price, you can get the most fuel efficient luxury hybrid in America with a 2.0 liter Atkinson engine mated to a battery that puts out 188 hp and gets an impressive 45 mpg city and 45 mpg highway. For a little more money, you can get the 300 hp, 3.7 liter V6 that growls when you turn it on.

If you’re in the market for an upscale mid-size sedan, do yourself a favor and check out the new face of Lincoln, the 2014 MKZ. It’s the latest advance in luxury.

Follow Steve Kursur at KursarOnCars.blogspot.com.

2014 LINCOLN MKZ

Excitement is building

In Fulbrook on Fulshear Creek, we’re preserving the best of small-town life in a thriving natural setting.

With everything from croquet to fishing and cycling to birdwatching, Fulbrook on Fulshear Creek offers an abundance of family-friendly amenities. And there’s even more coming in 2014, including a newly remodeled welcome center with a friendly sales staff, a resort-style pool, new sections in development and a new model park featuring the region’s most respected builders.

Fulbrook on Fulshear Creekfeatures these fine builders:

N

Fulshear

FM 359

FM 1093Westpark

Tollway

10

99

281.346.3076 FulbrookHomes.com


Q: MY CHILD IS INTERESTED IN STARTING TO PLAY ONA SPORTS TEAM. ARE

THERE ANY PRECAUTIONARY STEPS I NEED TO TAKE BEFORE I LET HIM/HER GET INVOLVED?

Prior to participating in any physical activity program, it is important to have your child evaluated by a physician. Cer-tain conditions may affect your child’s physical activity program. A doctor may need to clear your child to play sports if they have a history of asthma, heart problems, previous injuries that haven’t healed properly, pre-existing medical conditions or if they are overweight or obese.

Q: HOW SHOULD I HELP MY CHILD PREPARE FORINCREASED PHYSICALACTIVITY?

The most important step is to estab-lish a pattern of regular, daily physical activity. Parents should strive for having their children engage in 60 minutes of activity every day. This includes free-play,

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Q A&Running and Safety

which is a great way to keep kids active and fit. If a parent has special concerns about their child’s fitness for increased activity, such as concern over a previ-ous injury, not having done much activity before or being overweight, the parent should consult with a sports medicine or fitness professional to come up with an age-appropriate conditioning program that can be done at home.

Q: SHOULD MY CHILD’S DIET CHANGE WHEN THEYSTART TO TRAIN FOR

A RUN OR WHEN THEY ARE PLAYING SPORTS?

Proper nutrition is essential to the health and wellbeing of children all of the time but especially when it comes to their success in sports. Children, not just athletes, should avoid high fat foods. On the other hand, high protein diets are not appropriate for children either. Bal-ance is important; the young athlete’s diet should have plenty of complex car-bohydrates for energy, plenty of protein for muscle building and enough fat to

stay healthy. Eating the right foods at the right time, such as lean meats and whole grains, can help provide the sustained energy during exercise and promote the recovery muscles need after strenuous exercise. Ask a sports dietitian, sports medicine specialist or fitness profession-al about your child’s dietary needs.

Q: MY TEENAGER IS GETTING IN THE HABITOF STAYING UP LATER

BEFORE A BIG GAME OR PRACTICE. HOW CAN I HELP HIM GET THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF SLEEP HE NEEDS IN ORDER TO PERFORM WELL IN SCHOOL AND ON THE FIELD?

Adequate sleep is an often neglected but very important part of training. A well-rested child has improved memory, metabolism and overall health. Teenag-ers need approximately nine hours of sleep per night. If they are tired after school, they should strive for an earlier bedtime, and try to limit napping in the afternoon which can interrupt restful nighttime sleep.

If your family is looking for a fun ac-tivity you can train for and compete in together, the 2014 Texas Children’s Hos-pital Family Fun Run will be held Satur-day, April 5th at Texas Children’s Hos-pital West Campus. Participants of all abilities, including those needing walkers and wheelchairs, are welcome.

To register, visit texaschildrens.org/funrun. The deadline to register is Sun-day, March 23rd.

Expert: Dr. Jorge Gomez, sports medicine physician at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus.

W hether you’re participating in a family-friendly walk or run or you are quarterback of the high school football

team, training is key. There are simple tips that everyone can use to make physical activity fun and safe for the entire family.

Dr. Jorge Gomez


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:

We specialize in thefollowing conditions:

• Gallbladder Disorders• Heartburn or reflux disease• Swallowing Problems• Rectal Bleeding• Inflammatory Bowel Disorders

(Crohn’s disease andUlcerative Colitis)

• Peptic Ulcer Disease• Liver Diseases/Hepatitis

Now Accepting New Patients!

DIGESTIVE CENTERASSOCIATES PLLCACD

We specialize inperforming thefollowing procedures:

• Colon Cancer Screening

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

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

HAVE YOU BEEN HIDING YOUR SMILE?

We can help.Tooth Extractions • Dental Implants • Computer Guided Implant Surgery

Teeth in a Day • Bone Grafts • IV Sedation • Facial/Dental Trauma RepairOrthognathic/ Reconstructive Surgery • Oral Pathology

Photo by Simon Gentry. Pictured is Brit Wallis.

You may have dreamt about a retirement house in Colorado or just a vacation home. You may want to consider a master planned development that offers much

needed utilities. This beautiful waterfront lot with picturesque mountain views in Pagosa Springs is close to the family-owned Wolf Creek Ski Area and the mineral springs that made Pagosa Springs famous. This lot is approximately .24 acres in the Pagosa Lakes development that has all utilities as well as several fishing lakes, a golf course and other amenities. $89,000

Beautiful Views From Your Future Colorado Home Site

Deborah Kerns • Wolf Creek Realty970-264-4500


www.TCRN-Katy.com

For Details or to Register Visit:

Cook Off

Chili

TCRN-Katy presents:

Saturday March 22, 2014, 12pm-3pm

Seven Meadows Central Park

23610 Seven Meadows Parkway Katy, 77494

www.TCRN-ChiliCookoff.org

Sample some of Katy’s Best Chili

ProceedsBenefitting

providing music providing special performance

Bounce House and Activities for Kids!


VIS IT AnotherRoundKaty.com

• Incredible Patio Seating & Wine Specials Everyday.

• Perfect for Date Night, Mom’s Day Out, Friends & Family Gatherings, Business & Pleasure!

• Voted Best Wine Selection of ANY Winebar in Town & Voted Best Wine Bar Value in Town

281-394-211523501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Ste. D130 In the LaCenterra CenterTues. & Wed. 2pm – 10pm Thur. & Fri. 2pm - MidnightSat. 4pm – Midnight | Sun. 4pm – 10pm

Join our Wine Club and Save

10% OFFof Every

Visit!

MEDICALFOCUS

Humans are built for physical activity. Our bones, joints and muscles all work together to perform daily activities, work and play. Many of us are more than ca-sual athletes, pursuing regular weekend competition to stay in good physical condition. However, over time, over-use and repetitive stress injuries reduce function for even the weekend athlete.

“People are wearing their joints out more quickly,” says Dr. Christopher K. Smith, orthopedic surgeon at Houston Methodist West Hospital. “Younger pa-tients are presenting with damage from a lifetime of sports and exercise.”

Interested in maintaining their active

Active Lifestyles and Your Joints

lifestyles, patients are evaluating the full spectrum of available options, including joint replacement. In fact, the number of younger patients choosing to have total joint replacement has sharply increased in recent years. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons statistics reveal patients aged 45 to 64 made up 27 per-cent of the total number of hip replace-ments performed in 1998. By 2008, they comprised 40 percent.

According to Dr. Smith, the figures reflect different life expectations and technological innovation. Younger pa-tients are less likely to be satisfied with reduced physical activity or significant

pain from a damaged or deteriorated joint and are willing to consider joint replacement. The improved quality of prosthetic joints and new surgical meth-ods, even within the last three years, are also a factor.

“The concepts are the same, but the surgical approach is much less invasive. We can replace parts of joints and cus-tomize them for a patient’s physique and needs,” says Dr. Smith. These improve-ments translate into speedier recoveries and return to desired levels of activity.

To learn more or schedule an appoint-ment, call 832-522-BONE (2663) or visit houstonmethodist.org/orthopedics.

The year 2013 was a period of tre-mendous growth and change at Sugar Land Plastic Surgery. In 2013, Dr. John Nguyen and his staff moved into their new, beautiful facility at Lake Pointe in Sugar Land.

This office and state-of-the-art sur-gical suite was truly a labor of love as evidenced by the level of attention to de-tail throughout the property. Dr. Nguyen and his staff are very proud of their new home, both for the comfort it provides for their patients, as well as the added

Sugar Land Plastic SurgeryCelebrates Grand Opening March 28th

services offered at the new location. In the coming year, Sugar Land Plastic Sur-gery will continue to announce exciting events and services.

On March 28th, Sugar Land Plastic Surgery celebrates with a Grand Open-ing and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony be-ginning at 4:30 pm. The community is invited to join Dr. Nguyen and his staff for refreshments, food, music and raffle prizes. For more information, call 281-980-8000 or visit www.MyBodySurgeon.com or on Facebook.

Sugar Land Plastic Surgery’s new office and state-of-the-art surgical suite.


◆ 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

NEWSWORTHY

Katy’s original and biggest wine event is back and better than ever with the newly announced Premiere Culinary Awards this spring. Scheduled for Sat-urday, April 26th at Villagio Town Cen-ter, Sip n Stroll participants can vote on their favorite food offerings as res-taurants feature their signature dishes. Presented by Kroger, the event offers guests many options, including the Firethorne VIP Zone with premium wine and food selections, comfortable seat-ing and great views of the band. Guests will get their fill with sixty feet of gour-met treats from Kroger along with area restaurants as they compete for Katy’s first Premier Culinary Award.

Bubbles at Villagio is always a sell out so get your ticket early to enjoy chocolate fountain-dipped treats, fine French champagne, bubbly wines and nibbles and start sipping and strolling before the crowds.

The first 1,000 guests to the event receive a Kroger swag bag, Kroger wa-ter and treats plus other offerings pro-vided by Sip n Stroll sponsors. Guests will enjoy 20+ wine tasting stations of-fering over 125 wine selections, scores of craft beers plus the delicious culinary creations while listing to the swinging sounds of live music by crowd favorite, the Robert Hartye Band, on the Aruba Music Stage.

The Katy Sip n Stroll happens on Saturday, April 26th from 5 to 8 pm at Villagio Town Center. Only 1,500 gene-ral admission tickets are available. For more information and to purchase tick-ets, visit www.sipandstroll.com.

Slated for April 26th


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 cup or cone and receive 50% off second cup or cone of

same or lesser value

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!

A B S O L U T E LY ! D E L I C I O U S L I S T I N G

GRILL

TEXAS MESQUITE GRILL20095 Katy Freeway, 77450281-829-0444www.texasmesquitegrill.com

Located on the southwest corner of I-10 and Fry Road in Katy, Texas Mesquite Grill is one of Katy’s newest and finest restaurants. Texas Mesquite Grill offers an amazing variety of fresh menu items. Owner Austin Yates says that Texas Mesquite Grill “caters to all families in Katy.” The rustic country atmosphere is family-friendly with several televisions, an energizing bar area and a huge open air patio.

G et your wine on this month at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's Champion Wine

Garden, where you can enjoy a glass or bottle of award-winning wine, listen to live music and even take a wine class taught by some of Houston's best ex-perts on wine March 4th through 23rd at Reliant Park.

You can get all fancy and learn about Pinot Noir Perfection, Cabernets Around the World or take the class I bet my hus-band would enjoy most: Pizza and Wine.

By Amy Gross

Rodeo& Wine?

Absolutely!

The Carnival Food and Wine class al-ways intrigues me, and can you think of a better way to get ready for sum-mer than taking a class called Cool Pool Wines? I sure can't! Unless, of course, it's the Bubbles: Sparkling Wine class!

Don't worry, you don't have to take a seminar to enjoy the Champion Wine Garden. You can always just meet up with friends to visit and enjoy any of the more than 30 medal-winning wines served, including many Class and Re-serve Class Champion-winning wines.

I had the privilege of serving as a wine judge once again for this year's Ro-deo's International Wine Competition, and I can tell you, there are some deli-cious wines on the list. It was challenge to help select the winners from thou-sands of entries.

Just like all Rodeo Houston events, proceeds benefit student scholarships. Last year, the wine committee's efforts resulted in nearly $600,000 in sales. So, plan to swing by and enjoy a glass or share a bottle and help support Texas students while celebrating all things Ro-deo!

Admission:Free with a Reliant Parkadmission ticket or Rodeo ticket.

Cost: Wine Seminars cost between$30 - $60 per person andrequire an admission ticket.

Rodeo Wine Garden Hours:Monday - Thursday: 4 to 11 pmFriday: 4 pm to midnightSaturday: 11 am to midnightSunday: Noon to 10 pm

For more information,visit RodeoHouston.com.

HoustonLivestock Showand Rodeo’s

ChampionWine Garden

A s the Farmer’s Almanac

says, “If March comes in

like a lion, it will go out like

a lamb.” Let’s hope that is the case

and that March is the beginning of a

lovely spring on the Katy prairie. As

you can see from all of the wonderful

events, Katy is a kickin’ place to live.

Enjoy all that it has to offer!

What’s Kickin’ inKaty

By Mary Raines

March 1st – 11th Katy Contemporary ArtsMuseum Sculpture Exhibition 6:30 – 8:30 pmThe Katy Contemporary Arts Museum 805 Avenue BThe Katy Contemporary Arts Museum’s (KCAM) first sculpture exhibition features the works of Simonton native Lee Benner, acclaimed Houston artist Roberta Harris and local artists David Vollmer and James Pon-grass. View an eclectic collection, and get excited about the new happenings coming to Katy thanks to the KCAM. For more informa-tion, contact [email protected] or visit www.katycam.com.

March 3rd Mondays with Mommy10 amLaCenterra’s Heritage Square Cinco Ranch Boulevard and Grand Parkway Sponsored by Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, this free event is held on the first Monday of each month. Each session in-cludes a themed craft project, as well as ed-ucational and musical involvement. Children ages five and under are welcome with their moms or caregivers. Contact 281-395-5533 or [email protected] to find out more.

Every Monday Senior Adult Get Together 1 – 4 pm Trinity Baptist Church 10000 Spring Green Boulevard at Fry Road Join other seniors for a time of fun, fellow-ship, food and games, including chicken foot and Mexican train domino games and mar-bles. Visit www.trinity-katy.org or call 281-579-6724.

Every TuesdayWestside Ladies Golf League 9 amCinco Ranch Golf Club Cinco Ranch Boulevard at Peek RoadWestside Golf League is looking for new members. Lady Golfers of all levels are in-vited to come out and have fun while improv-ing their golf skills and making new friends. Contact 281-395-4653.

March 7th Brookwood’s Gardening Expo 9:30 am – 2:30 pmThe Shoppes at Brookwood 1752 FM 1489 in BrookshireStroll through Brookwood’s outside Garden Center and Greenhouse where you can visit with experts on a variety of topics, ask ques-tions and shop for just the right plants, gifts and accessories. No reservations are re-quired. Contact 281-375-2176.

March 7th Garden Expo with Randy Lemmon10:30 am – Noon Brookwood Café 1452 FM 1489 in BrookshireEnjoy a special presentation and lunch with Randy Lemmon, Houston’s expert on lawns and gardens. Lemmon’s book, 1001 Garden Questions, will be available for purchase and signing. Tickets are $21.95 plus tax. Pro-ceeds help support Brookwood’s adults with special needs. For reservations, call 281-375-2100.

March 8th Pope John XXIII High School Community Wide Garage Sale 7:30 am – Noon1800 West Grand Parkway N. Held in the school gym, you are sure to find a treasure or two while helping this fundraising event for the school. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call 281-693-1000.

March 22nd Arts for All! Family Festival10 am – 5 pmLaCenterra at Cinco Ranch 23501 Cinco Ranch BoulevardThis community service project is offered by Katy Visual and Performing Arts (KVPAC) in partnership with LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch. The festival features an art-dog parade, live music, professional theatre performances and artist demonstrations, along with stu-dent presentations and exhibitions. Over 50 local businesses and community organiza-tions will offer free child-focused items and activities. For more information, visit www.kvpac.org.

March 29th Nottingham Country Garden Club’s Annual Plant Fundraising Sale 9 am – 1 pm Courtyard of Villagio Center 22764 Westheimer Parkway Nottingham Country Garden Club will be sel-ling plants of many varieties and sizes, grown by their talented club gardeners at excellent prices. Call 281-579-7017 or 281-578-5558 or visit www.nottinghamgardenclub.org.


INSIDE BACK

INSIDE BACK

BACK

BACK

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

Josh Clark281.582.3929

JaniCe ireland281.620.8427

kim sChorre281.582.3923

marCia serafin281.582.3908

martha Clark281.582.3949

Christine dunCan281.582.3959

marCia serafin281.582.3908

Clarann mCCoy281.582.3907

rebeCque demark & nanCy sCott

281.582.3964

lisa Jones281.723.2614

robin mueCkPresident/Ceo

Julie PiCkett281.582.3974

kelly Chamberlain281.582.3984

rita donnelly281.582.3930

Jessi sChaefer832.444.3254

sCott landreth713.542.0186

march 2014- absolutely katy magazine

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