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No More Apples for TeacherAugust 2012
An apple on a teacher’s desk seems perfectly in place in a Norman Rockwell setting, but who recalls sending an apple for the teacher recently? Giving apples as teacher’s gifts isn’t the only classroom practice that is different these days. Here’s what local veteran teachers say has changed and, in other cases, remained the same. David Nathan, five years at … Summer Lovin’July 2012
Even with three months of 95-plus-degree weather, almost everybody looks forward to summer for one reason or another. To me, summer means fresh strawberries, flip flops and an evening stroll with the dog. It may be hot, but we can relax while the kids remain slouched in front of the TV with no homework lurking. Here’s why others are lovin’ … College Times Two, or ThreeJune 2012
During the college-application process, the dining room table is likely to change from an eating surface to one holding piles of paperwork. Keeping track of deadlines and letters of recommendations, among other things, requires an unnatural amount of organizational skill. Now, times that by two (or three) and imagine shopping for colleges with twins or triplets. Some parents know all … Green MomsMay 2012
The words “Green Moms” may conjure up images of women with hairy armpits feeding their children nothing but raw veggies and crunchy granola. But you won’t find them here. These moms look like most mainstream neighbors – but they have committed to living healthier, eco-friendly lives, in a variety of ways. Although these women say they’re far from100 percent organic, … Healing our Urban ForestApril 2012
The drought of 2011 left its ugly mark not only on our national forests, but also on our city parks and streets. As the hot and dry days stretched to weeks and months, I had an urge to store jugs of water in my car to dump on stressed trees when driving around town. Obviously one water crusader is not … Choosing the Right CampMarch 2012
Glossy advertising postcards and websites depicting happy campers aren’t always enough. With so many choices out there, how can picky parents narrow down a sleep-away summer camp that best fits their child? They say if you really want to know the truth, ask a kid. For the past eight years, brothers Spencer and Kendall Elston have attended Camp Cho-Yeh, a … Not So Smitten – At FirstFebruary 2012
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 Playful Holiday TraditionsDecember 2011
“Because of our traditions, we’ve kept our balance for many, many years.” – Fiddler on the Roof Are your family traditions as dear as the family sterling? Read on as residents share the fun-filled customs that make their holidays special. Betsy and David Johnson and their son Andrew, now a junior at Baylor University, began a pre-holiday tradition about eight … Raising Backyard ChickensOctober 2011
Move over, Shirley. A new duo is in town – Laverne and Billie. Billie Stafford, a retired hairdresser referred to as “Momma Chicken” by those who know her, is proud of all her chicks. (By “chicks,” we don’t mean kids, but actual chickens.) However, she admits, one chicken, Laverne, is her favorite. Besides the physical similarities between human and fowl … Pet LookalikesOctober 2011
People say that over time, spouses begin to resemble one another. Perhaps we naturally gravitate towards those who look like us. Or maybe we influence each other so profoundly that the effect can be seen. But how do you explain it when owners look like their pets? Read on for some insights from these residents and their furry friends. Jamie … Retro FashionAugust 2011
What’s Old is New AgainI recall my parents shaking their heads at some of my fashion choices when I was a teen, critiquing them as “so old fashioned.” Now my daughter is hunting through my closet. Too bad for her that I am not much of a pack rat. It appears I’m not the only one whose yesteryear items … Hot WheelsJune 2011
Not all car collections can be stored in a box. But, that’s where it all began. Robert Belt’s childhood Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars preceded his grownup fascination with full-size cars and their histories. “I like the historical significance of seeing progress in automobiles that point to the evolution of the current-day car. Car design is connected to what is … Polo – The Sport of KingsMay 2011
On a Sunday afternoon, when some folks may be napping on the couch, at least a few Houstonians are engaging in one of the roughest and most dangerous sports around, and I don’t mean football. The game of polo, played over 2,000 years ago by cavalry warriors in faraway places like Japan and Turkey, took off locally when Houstonians Will … Brooms, Frisbees, and HoopApril 2011
Don’t be alarmed if you pass a field of kids running with broomsticks between their legs. Quidditch for Muggles is one of several unusual sports becoming recognized in some high schools and colleges. CBS even gave airtime recently to a Quidditch game between Princeton University and Middlebury College. When Bellaire High School junior Reagan Rexford put out word that she … Home AgainMarch 2011
Ever get the urge to drive by your childhood home, or even knock on the door asking its owners for a glimpse inside? The forces drawing us to the walls that hold our childhood memories are strong. For some residents, the attraction was so strong that they took things a step further, moving back to the home they once lived … |
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