Archive for February 2012

On a Bad Day, Anyone Can End Up in Jail

February 2012
It doesn't matter how good a person you are if you break the law. (Photo: ##http://istockphoto.com/LeggNet##istockphoto.com/LeggNet##)

After a night in jail, two Rice University juniors, Will and Simon, approached a county judge. They couldn’t deny that they had broken the law, but their lawyer had a trick up his sleeve. He would read their academic transcripts:

“3.95 out of 4.0 in Electrical Engineering, with top grades in Digital Logic Design, Quantum Theory and Advanced Linear Algebra.”…

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Buzz Kidz by Dillon Burr, age 11

February 2012
Lindsey, 16, Britton, 14, and Dillon Burr, 11, visit with new friends at Yellowstone Academy, where the siblings donated new water bottles.

Siblings Keep Kids Cool

Last summer, when the temperatures hit 106 degrees, my family and I came up with an idea that would help young kids beat the heat. We decided to start our own charity for underprivileged and homeless kids. Our mission was to give an insulated, 24-ounce water bottle to as many of them as we could. We …

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A Rodeo Sisterhood

February 2012
Sharleen Walkoviak, Paula Robinson, Pat Mann Phillips, Laura Kent and Debbie Adams (from left) won the Houston rodeo’s highest honor for volunteerism. (Photo: ##http://www.hartphoto.com##www.hartphoto.com##)

Their presence commands attention. These are five women who know just about everyone walking the second-floor corridor of Reliant Center – headquarters of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

They’re all smiles, each wearing fancy cowgirl duds for this photo shoot. What is also clear is that each of them would be just as comfortable in a pair of Wranglers …

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Not So Smitten – At First

February 2012
It may have taken some effort for Brad Sondock to convince Deborah to date him, but their marriage has stood the test of time. (Photo: ##http://www.hartphoto.com##www.hartphoto.com##)

Not every love story begins the same way. Plenty of happily married couples would not have bet that, after their first meeting, they would want to spend the rest of their lives with each other.

Here are some neighbors’ accounts of rocky dating with smooth endings.

Noga and Steve Tobias
Married 25 years this April with three girls (Sharone, Leore …

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Neighborhood Tails – Pixel, age 3

February 2012
Pixel

Pixel, age 3
Shih Tzu
Village Park Circle

My sister and brother always wanted a dog. Dad said they couldn’t since Mom is allergic. But Sister and Brother got older and more persistent. Soon, they heard about hypoallergenic breeds, and that pretty much left Dad with no more excuse. So off they all went in search of the perfect dog …

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Travel Buzz – Africa on Horseback

February 2012
Susan Davis rides her mount, Big John, during her first encounter with a family of elephants in the Tuli Block of southeastern Botswana.

Seeing the world by horseback is nothing new for veteran equestrian Susan Davis. The Houston caregiver-agency owner has been riding and traveling for two decades, often in the company of her college roommate and travel buddy Nancy Broadbent.

Previous excursions took the two friends and their families to Italy and France, among other destinations. But when Nancy brought up the …

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Buzz About Town – February 2012

February 2012
Wining

Birthday wining
Girlfriends Margie Cooper, Lynne Marion, Rhonda Van Liew, Yoosun Sharma, Elizabeth Curry, Jan Jong (pictured, from left) and Ann Stahlings celebrated Marion’s birthday with five days of sightseeing, shopping, wine tasting and hanging out in Napa Valley. The friends stayed at Marion’s house, which includes a backyard vineyard.

Merry Swissmas
The Polocheck family – Jeanne (pictured above), Layne,

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From Crawfish to Cowboys

February 2012
Former New Orleanians Emily, Ellie and Andrew Webster (from left) host an annual Mardi Gras crawfish boil at their Houston home. (Photo: ##http://www.hartphoto.com##www.hartphoto.com##)

Celebrating February in Houston

Although it’s the shortest month of the year, February is one long celebration. From the all-American Valentine’s Day to Chinese New Year, there’s something happening all month. But in Houston, two events – Mardi Gras and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – dominate.

Emily and Andrew Webster, who retreated here from New Orleans after Hurricane …

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SportzBuzz – February 2012

February 2012
A standout quarterback for the St. John’s football team, senior Chris Gow is also making an impact this season on the Mavericks basketball team. (Photo: Kevin Long/##http://GulfCoastShots.com##GulfCoastShots.com##)

Despite a young and inexperienced lineup, the Bellaire Cardinals basketball team was off to a 22-8 record this season, including a 58-52 victory over the Lamar Redskins in the District 20-5A opener.

“We’ve played a tough schedule, and many of our losses have been to really outstanding teams, so I’m definitely pleased with the way our team’s progressed,” said Cardinals …

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Back Porch – Real Love, Every Day

February 2012
Amy Koppel loved her many fans, most notably her husband Rollie and their five grandchildren: (from left): Aliza Koppel, Miller Van Hanken, Lucia Ann Van Hanken, Max Koppel and Asher Koppel.

This column was in the back of my mind as I sat through the funeral for the mother of one of my dearest friends. I had been trying to think about love – the theme of this month’s Buzz. And while a funeral is  the last place I expected to find inspiration for a light story on Valentine love, …

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Rumor Has It – February 2012

February 2012
Cynthia Bigelow, Rosemary Schatzman, Anne Siller and Gina Gaston Elie (from left) shoe-watch at a high-heeled party.

Step carefully. “I wish shoe will attend this High Heeled event” is how the invitation read for Rosemary Schatzman’s celebration for her friends from schools, charities and life. She mingled in Jimmy Choo golden-glittery shoes while guests savored the shoe-tini drinks made with Godiva white chocolate and ate other delicacies. Fancy shoes were in sight everywhere. Striking and hairy were …

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