Although these women say they’re far from100 percent organic, they’ve found ways to integrate healthier choices, and, best of all, they are willing to share their tips.

Shenequa Aranda
Mother of a busy toddler and owner of a maternity concierge company called Premier Baby Planning, Shenequa Aranda attributes her awareness about her carbon footprint to living in London and Singapore before moving back to Houston.

Shenequa Aranda is teaching son Preston, age 2, about caring for the environment. (Photo: www.hartphoto.com)

“Having a healthy home has been a gradual process for me. I noticed in Europe and Asia people are less wasteful. In London, they stopped providing free plastic bags at stores. In Singapore, housing is smaller, and you can’t buy a lot as there is nowhere to store it,” she says.

When son Preston, now 2½, developed asthma, Shenequa took her ideas of healthy living to a new level. She uses vinegar and biodegradable soaps to clean. The baby’s diapers, made by Earth’s Best, have no chlorine and are made from renewable resources.

To reduce exposure to chemical toxins in plastic, Preston’s crib is solid wood, as are almost all his toys. “One of the things I try to do is buy things that last, such as better quality clothing, so I am not constantly trying to replace things,” she says.

Mary Kay Hunt
Between helping friends with interior-design projects, shuttling a 13- and 9-year-old to school and activities, and constantly researching on how to have a healthier lifestyle, Mary Kay Hunt is hoping to find time to complete a certification as an environmental consultant and green-home designer.

Because her son suffers from allergies and she had some health issues of her own after the birth of her second child, Mary Kay says the more she researched the more she realized she had the power to make changes.

“The biggest difference is that we installed an IQ Air Filtration System throughout the whole house,” she shares, adding that the filter system was costly but worth it.

For cleaning the home, Mary Kay says there are affordable products at many regular grocery stores, such as Seventh Generation for dishwashing and detergent. She’s never used insecticide to keep bugs out of the house but instead relies on non-chemical solutions such as sealing holes in the baseboards with caulking.

“It’s so much about education,” she says. She recommends two resources: the website Healthy Child, Healthy World at healthychild.org and Paula Baker-Laporte’s book, Prescriptions for a Healthy House.

Kimberly Atlas Harrington
“I’ve always been interested in healthy things,” says Kimberly Atlas Harrington. “I remember when it wasn’t as trendy to shop healthy as it is today, my mom would shop at a health-food store, Ye Seekers. After my grandfather was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1982 and told he had less than a year to live, my grandparents totally changed their lifestyle, growing their own wheat grass. My grandfather lived another seven years. That had a huge influence on me,” she says.

Even though Kimberly Atlas Harrington has been interested in green choices for many years, she is more so since the birth of daughters Faye, age 4, and Hazel, 9 months. (Photo: www.hartphoto.com)

As a photographer, Kimberly knows she can’t take back the years of exposure to chemicals in the dark room, but she does her best to keep a healthy environment today. After her first daughter, Faye, now 4½, was born, Kimberly invested in BPA-free bottles. Bisphenol A (BPA) has been linked in lab tests to cancer and other health problems. By the time her second daughter, Hazel, now 9 months, was born, Kimberly wanted to further reduce her family’s exposure to plastic and purchased only glass bottles.

“If you think of all the plastics we are exposed to, imagine a new baby who has a vulnerable immune system. If she is sleeping in a crib that emits chemical fumes, drinking from a bottle that is made of plastic, sleeping on a mattress coated with chemicals, her toys are plastic,” says Kimberly, “no wonder there are such high incidences of childhood cancer and health-related issues.”

After reading studies showing that babies who sleep on mattresses made from wool and natural products have a lower incident of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), she purchased all new mattresses, pillows and bedding.

“The mattresses most people and children sleep on have PVC (polyvinyl choride) as well as arsenic,” says Kimberly, who also cautions fellow parents about products with fragrance. “That … cream we all associate a baby smell with? It is the worst product to put on your baby’s skin.”

Kimberly recommends ewg.org, a website dedicated to testing and rating products for health quality.

Ashley Verhagen
In the midst of building a new house, Ashley Verhagen has tried to ensure that most materials, such as all paint and floor surfaces, are toxin-free. A stay-at-home mother of two children under the age of 5, Ashley consults a healthy-living website, mercola.com for information on products.

“After reading information there, I switched … to Verizon as I read that their signal for WiFi and cell phone use was safer,” she says.

While living in the United Kingdom, she got used to fresh produce delivered in a box to her door – “so fresh it still had the dirt on it,” she says. She makes her own baby food and often mixes up green spinach, seaweed and kale in her blender as power food and as a way to ensure calcium stays in her family’s diet as they cut down on dairy products.

Lauren Brackman Berger
A stay-home mom of 2-year-old son Ryan and newborn daughter Sarah, Lauren Brackman Berger chuckles when describing her steps to making their lifestyle healthier. Her brother, Adam Brackman, is one of the owners of New Living and The Green Painter, green building and home stores.

“So of course I am so much more aware the dangers products include now. But at our house we do what we can – we are not a totally green household. For everyday cleaning, we use non-toxic solutions, but when the dog messes, we use the tough stuff, even though it has toxins.”

While pregnant, Lauren painted Sarah’s nursery with toxin-free paint, and there was no odor or fumes to worry about. She suggests a simple way to reduce exposure to unhealthy substances in the home is to take off shoes in the house. “This way you don’t bring chemical residue from sidewalks and grass inside.”

Lauren steams vegetables and purees them for baby food. Her guideline for buying organic versus non-organic comes from Healthy Child, Healthy World. “What we call ‘the dirty dozen’ and the items that I always buy the organic version are apples, peaches, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, cherries, lettuce, imported grapes, pears, spinach, lettuce and potatoes.”

Organic foods are often pricier than others, so she may buy non-organic onions, avocadoes, sweet corn, pineapples, mangoes, frozen sweet peas, asparagus, kiwis, bananas, cabbage, broccoli and eggplant. Compared to “the dirty dozen,” these choices generally are considered less pesticide-ridden.

Karol Barnhart and Kelly Garwood
Like mother, like daughter. Karol Barnhart says she’s been on a quest for better health for about six years. “Once you get on that path, you can’t stop,” she says. Karol’s grown daughter, Kelly Garwood, recently moved back in with her folks while she and husband Will remodeled their home. As both Karol and Kelly are each going through a renovation project (Karol and husband Paul are remodeling Paul’s childhood home), they’ve fastidiously picked only natural materials, such as organic floor stain and pure wool carpeting.

Not long before, when Karol and Paul installed new carpeting in their current home, they noticed they felt ill, nauseated and had red eyes. “We had it all ripped out,” says Karol, who also now tries to keep the doors and windows open as much as possible.

Kelly, expecting a baby girl in August, ensured every item in the nursery is non-toxic, down to the natural crib mattress. “We’ve seen such an increase in cancer and other illnesses that it makes sense to me all the new chemicals that are being dumped into our environment are a contributor,” says Kelly, who served as assistant curator of Latin American art at the Museum of Fine Arts until recently.

Like her mom, Kelly keeps hardly any pantry foods. “We go to the local farmers’ markets and stock up each week,” she says, adding that even her folks’ dogs, black Lab Molly and Katie, a miniature dachshund, are fed only a natural diet.

Says Kelly, “I’m not a super paranoid freak, but if I have a choice to use a cleaner, more healthy alternative, I plan to do so.”

The gist of what I have to say might sound awfully familiar. Yet, even if I am the billionth person with this conviction, it is still worth declaring: Scouting has significantly impacted my life.

Houston Christian High School senior Jeremy Biar is, according to his scoutmaster, Frank Radtke, “the highest ranking and most decorated scout in the 70-year history of Troop 35 and possibly the most decorated in the 99-year history of Sam Houston Area Council as well.”

Scouting started for me in the second grade. What began as a way to get out of the house finished as my most long-lasting commitment ever. Through the love of the outdoors, desire to develop character, impulse to attain leadership, and wisdom to do as my mother asked, my dedication to Boy Scouts never wavered.

I never thought of my involvement in scouting as something special. By accepting my Arrow of Light from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, I made an internal promise to be an active member of my troop. Receiving my Eagle Award was never a question of if, but when. To me, this was not even mildly spectacular, only a simple display of the honor that is expected from all young men.

Currently in the 12th grade, I have just recently earned my fourth Eagle Palm from Troop 35. Each Palm requires the scout to remain active in his Troop, earn five additional merit badges, and continually display leadership and service for an additional three months after earning the Eagle Scout rank. Apparently, obtaining three Palms puts a scout in the top .25 percent of all 83 million Boy Scouts in history. For the fourth Palm, there are no statistics.

Boy Scouts is the ultimate opportunity; it promotes development, commitment and achievement, yet always in a humble manner. As my tenure in Boy Scouts is rapidly coming to an end, I cannot help but be proud of how much my participation in the organization has shaped my character.

This fall, I will be attending either Texas A&M University or The University of Texas to study business. In either case, I know that I will never forget the lessons and experiences of scouting.

Want to be a Buzz Kid? Email approximately 350 words, a high-resolution photo and caption to (info@thebuzzmagazines.com) info (at) thebuzzmagazines (dot) com. Or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401.

My name is Chaparrito (in the front of the photo). In Spanish that means “Shorty.” I’m a Miniature Doberman Pinscher (“Min Pin”). Everyone calls me Chapey or Chapa. I come from Venezuela. My owner is Lily and her mom. Lily pets me and tells me, “Good dog! Who’s a good dog!” Lily’s mom feeds me and named me. My favorite thing to do is lick people. People usually push me away and tell me, “STOP LICKING ME!” Well, I am thinking, “Sorry! You just taste so good!” Another dog I live with is, ugh, Cuchi (the one in the back). She is nothing like me. I’m so lovable and, well, she’s not. Her name means “cute” in Spanish, but she is ugly. Her eyes are too big for her head, and her head is too small for her body. Sometimes I think this house is not big enough for the both of us.

Got a cute canine or a photogenic feline? Email a picture of your pet with approximately 150 words to info (at) thebuzzmagazines (dot) com or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Featured pets receive two passes to Rover Oaks Pet Resort. Each pass can be redeemed for one day of lodging in a Bunk House Suite, 25% off your next grooming appointment or 25% off one obedience training class.

Rock and roll high school

Wranglers beat ’em again
The Houston Wranglers are champions again. The 10U Elite team won the Nations Baseball, 10U Elite, Fielder’s Choice Classic in Katy with clutch hitting, solid fielding and spectacular pitching. Pictured (from left) are the victors: (back row) coach Tim McKone, coach Philip Bryant and manager James Sheffield; (middle row) Ethan Samuels, Fred Wilhelm, Ryan Moore, Tom Vincent, Grant McWilliams, Caleb Sheffield, Adam Farris and head coach Rocky Flores; and (front row) Nathan Bryant, Benjamin Hananel, Corbin Kinder and Willie McKone.

Joining the Peace Corps
After Devin Glick (pictured) graduates from Rice University this year, he’ll be heading to Paraguay to serve in the Peace Corps in economic development. Glick, who majored in political science, economics and international policy, is following in his mother, Rhonda’s, footsteps; she went to Liberia in the early 1970s with the Peace Corps. His service will last through August 2014, and, he hopes, teach him more about problems facing developing nations and how communities overcome those problems.

Farewell and hello, Chief
Bellaire Police Chief Randall Mack retired after 34 years of fighting crime in Bellaire, the last 16 as chief. Mack ushered the department into the 21st century technology-wise, greatly increasing the number of desktop computers, automating communications systems, bringing Tasers into the police force, and changing the style of bullet-proof vests officers wore. Bellaire was one of the first departments to use the more comfortable vests worn on the outside of the uniform. More comfort meant officers were more likely to wear them. But Mack wasn’t all serious law-enforcer. In 2004, he posed in a black suit and black sunglasses, along with then-fire Chief J.J. Bettega (pictured, at left), à la Men In Black, for a story in The Buzz called Bellaire X-Files: The Truth is Out There. The new chief is Byron Holloway, who has been with the department 35 years.

Charging to a championship
Defending champs Pin Oak Middle School Chargers swept both pool games the first day of the Houston Christian Mustang Classic softball tournament, then lost the first game Saturday morning to the St. Francis team. Because it was double elimination, the Chargers couldn’t afford another slip. After four more wins, they beat St. Francis 6-1 to again claim the championship. Pictured (from left) are (top row) principal Susan Monaghan, Leah Starkweather, Meg Ashman, Alexis Aboulafia, Claire Vessels, Allison Stafford, Cameron Lavergne, Paige Crocker, Claire Stringfellow, Arianna Via, Courtney Dart and coach Eric Meyer; (bottom row) Kate Salsky, Isabella Zepeda, Charlotte Spector, Haleigh Davis and Lily Sizemore.

Beautifying Condit
The fifth-grade girls of Junior Girl Scouts Troop 21105 earned their Bronze Awards by developing a beautification project to get plots of the Condit Elementary campus adopted by groups to improve with aesthetic enhancements. The girls created the plan, handled the communications – including a skit – and reached out to various groups. The project will be completed in May. Standing by their troop’s garden plot (from left) Isabella Bosley, Claire Betzer, Alison Purcell, Mattie Brau, Caroline Issac, Lior Lutfak, Alex Meyer, Emily Kuenstle and Sarah Tomlinson.

Showcasing parks
The 24th annual Bellaire New Home Showcase, slated for May 12, 13, 19 and 20, has named Patrons for Bellaire Parks as its beneficiary for the seventh year. All proceeds from the $10 tour will help support Bellaire Town Square. Pictured (from left) enjoying Town Square are Ava Noamouz, Mia Noamouz and Bella Youssef. See bellairehomeshow.com.

Rodeo rock star
Michelle Cohen reached the finals in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Rockstar contest in the youth division for ages 16-21. Of the 116 contestants who auditioned through online music-video entries, 20 received the most public votes and the chance to compete through live performances on the Kids Country stage. Three judges selected the five finalists, who competed in the finals. Cohen sang original songs, Two Left Feet and Let’s Party Tonight. You can see her perform Young Forever on YouTube. (Photo: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)

Standing for strays
Animal lovers Grace Carlson and Sean O’Neal and their neighborhood friends in the 4600 block of Locust ran a two-day lemonade/iced tea stand to raise money for the Harris County SPCA. Grace also offered freehand ink tattoos, which about 15 people bought – mostly the puppy tattoo. The youngsters raised $148, which they gave directly to the shelter. Pictured working the stand are (from left) Lucy Griffin, Sean O’Neal, Grace Carlson and Julie Griffin with customer Hannah Rode and her dog, Ginger.

And showcasing libraries
From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 9, you can get an intimate showing of the first Southern Living Showcase Home in the Houston area while helping the Bellaire Library. Located at 5307 Aspen, the 4,777-square-foot home marries regional charm with design ingenuity. The showing is billed as private, but it’s open to anyone who pays the entry fee: $20 pre-order for Friends of Bellaire Library members, $30 pre-order for non-members – which includes an individual membership – or $40 at the door. Proceeds from ticket sales and a silent auction benefit the library. Pictured in front of the house are (from left) are event chair Randolph McKinney, builder Sarah Lavine-Kass and honorary co-chairs Bellaire City Councilman Roman Reed and his wife Sally. Pre-sell tickets can be purchased at the Bellaire Library or friendsofthebellairelibrary.org.

Bee Seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and local event announcements to (info@thebuzzmagazines.com) info (at) thebuzzmagazines (dot) com or 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Items are published on a space-available basis.

In Houston we have a well-regarded medical facility to care for wounded heroes, at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, which most of us call “The VA.”

Dr. Sally Ann Holmes provides care for injured veterans.

Among the doctors here is Dr. Sally Ann Holmes, 48. In the medical world, some consider her a hero as well – both for her success in rehabilitating patients with spinal-cord injuries and for her personal example of living successfully with a physical disability.

Dr. Holmes has used a wheelchair since she was a teen due to a muscular disorder called central core myopathy, a rare genetic disorder similar to muscular dystrophy but not as life threatening.

Routine physical tasks aren’t routine for her, and she drives a specially equipped van that fits her motorized wheelchair. Yet she has chosen a demanding physical life as a physician.

As a young doctor, she says, she was drawn to working with veterans because she found they didn’t tend to focus on her disability. She says she has developed a sixth sense, or intuition, in working with patients because of her personal experiences on the receiving end of medicine.

“Veterans were so accepting,” she says. “I’ve been a patient myself. I listen to the patient. I am able to go beyond the strictly clinical and see the bigger picture. No one can completely understand.”

Among her current patients are young soldiers injured in explosions and vehicle accidents, as well as older veterans with maladies.

Dr. Holmes began at the VA in 1994 after a Baylor residency in rehabilitative medicine and primary care. She went to work at their spinal cord therapy unit and in 2001 was promoted to the executive in charge of the spinal cord unit, overseeing care for all patients.

Born in Memphis, Holmes said she was a “floppy baby,” and her parents knew immediately something was wrong. Many years of care and testing followed until she was given a diagnosis. As she grew, though, she never felt discouraged by her disability, she says, because her parents always encouraged her independence. She even learned to drive a specially equipped van at age 16.

She says she never thought she could not be whatever she wanted to be, and she participated in sports and had an active social life despite hospitalizations, treatment and medical challenges through her childhood as the muscular disease progressed. She found inspiration in the doctors treating her and thought about starting her own career in medicine.

When Holmes was accepted into medical school at the University of Tennessee in 1986, there was no such thing as “accommodations” because it was before the Americans with Disabilities Act mandated them.

She used her ingenuity in accommodating her needs on clinical rotations. For example, in surgery, she used a chair with wheels that sat high to the ground so she could reach the operating table. Like other residents, she survived 20-hour work days. As these long days from surgery began to take a physical toll on her, she was able to design a special rotation for the next stage of her education at the Memphis VA hospital.

Originally she planned to specialize in psychiatry, but during her rotations, she discovered she was happier in the physical care of patients.

Once she decided on a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation, she made the move to Houston in 1991 to attend Baylor College of Medicine.

Dr. Holmes says she loves her transplanted hometown. Her brother and mother now live here, and together they are all Texans season-ticket holders. She married Glenn Burdeaux, a mechanical engineer, in 2010, and they love going to Astros games.

In November, on Veterans Day, Holmes received the Operation American Heroes Foundation Founder’s Award for her dedication to caring for veterans. The national foundation provides grants and funding to organizations that assist with veteran care.

John Carloss, chairman and founder of that organization, is a Vietnam veteran. He is effusive in his praise for Dr. Holmes.

“It is so unbelievable how she has dedicated her life to her work with veterans, especially given her own difficult physical situation,” John said. “I find her an enormous inspiration.”

I was bullied when I started school. A boy kept hitting me, and I was scared. I cried to my mom and dad. I didn’t want to go back to school any more. My parents wanted to me to be able to defend myself and also build courage and self-control. At the age of 4, I joined Bam Bam Martial Arts to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan to learn Korean Karate. After a few months of lessons, I was promoted and I was hooked.

Desmond Rubio, a first grader at Herod Elementary, hopes to become a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Here, Desmond (in front) celebrates at a tournament with Naveen Aiyer (in blue), teacher Justin Reiswerg and Brian Laubenstein (in white).

At my first tournament, I didn’t place. At my second tournament, I was awarded a bronze medal. At my third tournament, I was awarded a silver medal. At the age of 6, I finally placed first. I train hard every day because I like to practice with my friends. I want to learn different types of martial arts like judo, which is a Japan style, and muay thai, which is a Thailand style. While I train, I like to have fun with my instructor, Justin Reiswerg, and my best friend, Brian Laubenstein.

I don’t get to watch cartoons much because I spend four to five days a week at the gym. It is fun because I can wrestle with my friends without getting hurt. They call it grappling. When I started I couldn’t do the splits, and now I can. At home, I help my little sister do it too. I’m trying to help her so when she’s old enough she will join me in learning karate.

In March 2012, KHOU Channel 11’s Great Day Houston television show invited me and my friend Brian to demonstrate how you can use leverage over size.  Brian is 10 years old, and he is bigger. I can use my moves to take him down even though I am smaller. I was nervous to be on TV, but it was cool. I was excited to go back to school from Spring Break. All my friends said congratulations, and they call me Famous Boy. A few days after appearing on television, I won first place in my age division at NAGA: Houston Champions.

If you want to see me on Great Day Houston, click here.

Want to be a Buzz Kid? Email approximately 350 words, a high-resolution photo and caption to (info@thebuzzmagazines.com) info (at) thebuzzmagazines (dot) com. Or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401.

Super Souper Bowl haul

Art fest pre-party
At Gallery M2, supporters and volunteers, including (from left) Jane and Steve Malashock and Karen Dressel, celebrated the upcoming Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park. About 100 guests nibbled on gourmet sliders of pulled pork, chicken and fried-green tomatoes, beef nachos and flavored popcorn. To commemorate its 41st anniversary, the festival presented the Memorial Park Conservancy with a $5,000 donation to plant 41 bald cypress trees. (Photo: Ben DeSoto)

Showing their artistic side
During a one night-only exhibit and auction, more than 200 attendees, including Erik and Maite Xydis (pictured), took in the colorful photos captured by Faith in Practice supporters and displayed in the Wade Wilson Art Gallery. The exhibit featured the work of Dr. Fernando Stein, Jerry Herring, Joan Bueling Herring, Victoria Hass and Jarred King and transported guests to the streets of Guatemala during Easter celebrations. It raised more than $16,000 to benefit poor and ill Guatemalans.

Challenging baseball conventions
On a sunny spring day, 140 special-needs children and their middle- and high-school “buddies” pitched in for Challenger Baseball’s opening day. Thanks to volunteers, the mentally and physically challenged children in Challenger baseball experience the emotional development and fun of participating in a sport, with every player getting a chance to bat, run the bases, score and catch a baseball every inning. A game lasts two innings. Pictured, Challenger Angel Brennan Emeka receives high fives from (from left) Austin Hahn, Bryce Pedersen, Kevin McEnery and Brent Diaz of Strake Jesuit.

Wranglers beat ’em again
The Houston Wranglers are champions again. The 10U Elite team won the Nations Baseball, 10U Elite, Fielder’s Choice Classic in Katy with clutch hitting, solid fielding and spectacular pitching. Pictured (from left) are the victors: (back row) coach Tim McKone, coach Philip Bryant and manager James Sheffield; (middle row) Ethan Samuels, Fred Wilhelm, Ryan Moore, Tom Vincent, Grant McWilliams, Caleb Sheffield, Adam Farris and head coach Rocky Flores; and (front row) Nathan Bryant, Benjamin Hananel, Corbin Kinder and Willie McKone.

Under the boardwalk
More than 500 Houstonians, including Susie and Iggy Distefano (pictured), shot hoops with former NBA players and enjoyed tarot-card readings, treats and dancing at Memorial Hermann’s Under the Boardwalk gala benefiting Memorial Hermann Children’s Hospital. Dr. Kelli and Martin Fein, Melissa Edwards, and Rachel and Tom Regan chaired, with Nik and the Nice Guys providing entertainment. Supporters Philamena and Arthur Baird, Leslie Alexander and the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation were honored. Others under the boardwalk included Kay, Fred and Jay Zeidman, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Cathy and Jesse Marion, Donna and Tony Vallone, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, Susan Vick, Amy and John Cone, Anat Kaufman, Beth Bryant, Christine Falgout, Casey and Will Hedges, Elizabeth and Alexander Dwyer and sisters Sarah and Saba Jawda.

Hear, hear
More than 500 supporters, including Dorothy and Mickey Ables (pictured), raised $414,000 to help children with hearing loss at the Center for Hearing and Speech’s annual dinner, The Legacy of Leadership: Honoring 65 Years of Service. Guests were wowed by tales of determination and adversity from Center clients and alumni. Among those commemorating 6½ decades of service were emcee Tom Koch of KTRK Ch. 13, Carol and Randy Limbacher, Leslie and Randy Newcomer, and Jennifer and Wil VanLoh. (Photo: Houston Event Photography)

Betting on our youth
Underwriting chairs Mary and John Eads and Denise and David Baggett helped raise a record-setting $1 million for The Covenant House Texas with the organization’s Casino Royale: Betting on Our Youth gala. Aimee and Wynne Snoots were honored with the 2012 Spirit Award, and the 730-plus supporters, including Bill and Beatty Watts (pictured), filled the Hilton Americas ballroom to celebrate the Covenant House kids, play casino games and bid in auctions. Covenant House Texas serves homeless and at-risk youth under 21. (Photo: David Shutts Photography)

Gifts of imperfect parenting
At The Children’s Museum of Houston’s Parents and Families Luncheon, which raised more than $111,000 for the museum’s early childhood and parenting programs, Brené Brown, a University of Houston professor, lectured about the gifts of imperfect parenting. Gina Gaston, KTRK Ch. 13 anchor and mother of triplets, served as mistress of ceremonies. Also in the crowd were Nicci White Greeley, Brown, Daisy Sloan White and Jacqui White Arribas (pictured, from left) and Tracy Pesikoff, Katie Forney, Karen Pulaski, Claire Jackson, Caroline Peters, Tiffany Mays, Elizabeth Bell, Gabriela Gerhart, Suzette Caldwell and Kati Trawick. (Photo: Michelle Watson)

Charging to a championship
Defending champs Pin Oak Middle School Chargers swept both pool games the first day of the Houston Christian Mustang Classic softball tournament, then lost the first game Saturday morning to St. Francis. Because it was double elimination, the girls couldn’t afford another slip. After four more wins, they beat St. Francis 6-1 to again claim the championship. Pictured (from left) are(back row) principal Susan Monaghan, Leah Starkweather, Meg Ashman, Alexis Aboulafia, Claire Vessels, Allison Stafford, Cameron Lavergne, Paige Crocker, Claire Stringfellow, Arianna Via, Courtney Dart and coach Eric Meyer; (front row) Kate Salsky, Isabella Zepeda, Charlotte Spector, Haleigh Davis and Lily Sizemore.

Bee Seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and local event announcements to (info@thebuzzmagazines.com) info (at) thebuzzmagazines (dot) com or 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Items are published on a space-available basis.

Charity is in fashion

Suits for soldiers
Norton Ditto owner Dick Hite and wife Ginger (pictured) launched Operation Suits for Soldiers to provide returning vets with free job-search training, new business attire and top-quality suits and sport coats donated by leaders. Former President George H.W. Bush donated the first blazer. Among the guests in the standing room-only crowd were co-founders Steve Raben and Army Major Tyson Voelkel, advisory board member Robert R. Ivany, Councilman Oliver Pennington, Judge Mike McSpadden and Dr. Kenneth Mattox. See operationsuitsforsoldiers.com. (Photo: Kim Coffman)

Hair today, gone tomorrow
Grady Middle School seventh-grader Sarah Grover cut off her long locks of hair and donated them to Locks of Love. Grover grew out her hair for a year-and-a-half for her starring role in two Grady Theatre Holocaust plays. While preparing for the roles, Grover realized how much she has to be grateful for, so she decided to give back to those who aren’t so fortunate. Locks of Love uses donated hair to craft wigs for children who lose their hair because of cancer treatments.

Hear, hear
More than 500 supporters, including Carol and Randy Limbacher (pictured), raised $414,000 to help children with hearing loss at the Center for Hearing and Speech’s annual dinner, The Legacy of Leadership: Honoring 65 Years of Service. Guests were wowed by tales of determination and adversity from Center clients and alumni. Among those commemorating 6½ decades of service were emcee Tom Koch of KTRK Ch. 13, Michelle and Alan Smith, Leslie and Randy Newcomer, and Jennifer and Wil VanLoh. (Photo: Houston Event Photography)

Debate darlings
Ten Lamar High students qualified for June’s National Speech and Debate Tournament in Indianapolis. At the state tournament, Michael Portal went undefeated in Lincoln-Douglas debate, the first time that’s happened at Lamar. Pictured (from left) are the qualifiers: (back row) Austin Ruiz, dramatic interpretation; Elliot Gross, humorous interpretation; Adem Sengal, public forum; Reid Geissen, public forum; and Portal; (front row) Gabriel Levine, public forum; teacher Eloise Blair; Gregory Ross, domestic extemp; Lavanya Sunder, foreign extemporaneous speaking; Vera Ranneft, original oratory; and Ashley Alcantara, public forum.

High kicks and high praise
The Lamar High School Rangerettes Varsity Drill Team danced away with more than 30 top-ranking awards this season, including Team Grand Champion, Outstanding Showmanship and the Judge’s Award at the Showtime International regional competition. In the Houston Independent School District, the team took top awards for Team Pom, Team Hip Hop and Team Jazz. Pictured (from left) are (back row) Maya Dubose, Amanda Bernal and Kayla Allen; (fourth row) Haley Bernal, Jennifer Morales, Beryl Brantford, Morgan Dorsey, Ashley Miles, Christina Washington, Nikita Allen, Meagan Jones, Anahi Garcia, Maegan Bales, Christina Ellis and Rachel Fielder; (third row) Alyssa Davis, Caitlyn Randle, Brea Aikens, Texana Blacknall, Keaira Shorter, Chante Holmes, Augusta Bassey, Morgan Rigsby, Emma Casagrande and Jennifer Olesen; (second row) Ikeyia Burks, Carolina Olvera, Veronica Castilleja, Brianne Bueno, Jackie Roman, Miranda Hyder, Iris Cedillos, Sydni Stevenson, Yajaira Milan, Radhika Bhakta, Stephanie Marquez and Yulia Artemyeva; (first row) Jordan Miller, Alondra Garcia, Emily Broaddus, Selena Torres, Becky Marquez, Viri Olmos, Jazmine Ford, Alana Van Nostrand, Kendahl Thomas, Liza Koshy, Alex Oliver and Diamond Jones.

Betting on our youth
Underwriting chairs Mary and John Eads and Denise and David Baggett helped raise a record-setting $1 million for The Covenant House Texas with the organization’s Casino Royale: Betting on Our Youth gala. Aimee and Wynne Snoots were honored with the 2012 Spirit Award, and the 730-plus supporters who filled the Hilton Americas ballroom celebrated the Covenant House kids, played casino games and bid in auctions. Covenant House serves homeless and at-risk youth under 21. Pictured (from left) are Candy and Tom Knudson and Mary and John Eads. (Photo: David Shutts Photography)

Art fest pre-party
At Gallery M2, about 100 supporters, including Riyad Abu-Taha, Diane Flanagan and Michael Piana (pictured, from left), celebrated the upcoming Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park. They nibbled on gourmet sliders of pulled pork, chicken and fried-green tomatoes, beef nachos and flavored popcorn. To commemorate its 41st anniversary, the festival presented the Memorial Park Conservancy with a $5,000 donation to plant 41 bald cypress trees. (Photo: Ben DeSoto)

Showing their artistic side
During a one night-only photo exhibit and auction in the Wade Wilson Art Gallery, more than 200 attendees, including Leslie Penello, Celina Stabell, Wayne Penello and Mary Quiros (pictured, from left), took in the colorful images captured by Faith in Practice supporters. The exhibit featured the work of Dr. Fernando Stein, Jerry Herring, Joan Bueling Herring, Victoria Haas and Jarred King and transported guests to the streets of Guatemala during Easter celebrations. It raised more than $16,000 to benefit the poor and ill of Guatemala.

Not just for chips
More than 150 danced for a good cause at A Night of Salsa for MS hosted by brother and sister Bronson Elliott and Lauren Marie Bell (pictured) at Bentley Houston. Niho and the Houston Salsa Band provided lively salsa music, and Strictly Street Salsa gave salsa lessons and opened up the evening with a stunning performance. Congresswoman and honorary chair Sheila Jackson Lee and WNBA player Sheryl Swoopes made appearances at the event, which raised $3,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Bee Seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and local event announcements to (info@thebuzzmagazines.com) info (at) thebuzzmagazines (dot) com or 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Items are published on a space-available basis.

Briargrove couples plan a trip to Tuscany over dinner that started with prosciutto-wrapped melon balls with lime and mint. Pictured (from left) are Natalie and Brett Agee, Kip and Molly Ferguson, Tina and Nick Raia, and Ashley and Lance Loeffler.

Send your remodeler to Cuba. Barbara and Marks Hinton journeyed to Cuba because of a chance meeting with Rabbi Arthur Starr, a retired rabbi with a synagogue on the island of St. Thomas. Although the Hintons are not Jewish, they loved the opportunity to see Cuba. The trip was a medical mission through Temple Anshe Amunim of Pittsfield, Mass. Thirty seven traveled through Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad and small towns as they visited five synagogues and two Jewish cemeteries with Holocaust memorials. They were astounded to see so many homes falling apart because of legal difficulties in obtaining construction materials. Those laws recently have been relaxed, and people are starting to repair and rebuild their residences.

Taj Mahal and more. Although Paul and Stephanie Madan have travelled to India before, this time good friends Katina Pontikes and Monty Mc Dannald joined them. Their journey from Delhi to Udaipur to Jaipur in northern India included lunch at the Lake Palace Hotel, a palace which is accessed only via boat and a high-level security check. A particular highlight was in a jewelry store where Stephanie was invited to try on a headpiece for a sheik’s bride. It cost well over a million dollars, but negotiations failed. And what’s a trip to India without a ride on an elephant? Put that in your trunk.

Parrots and monkeys in Panama. Joe and Barbara Sheldon, with good friends Dave and Meredith Griffis, toured Panama for a week. They traversed the Panama Canal’s locks, amazed at the great engineering feat and huge ships. Ships are raised from sea level up as high as 29 feet. The Sheldons spent some time at Tranquilo Bay, a resort in the Bocas Archipelago, built by a Houston couple, Jim and Renee’ Kimball. (The Sheldons’ daughter, Michelle Morton Davis, grew up with Jim at Stratford High.) The Sheldons snorkeled at secluded beaches, bird-watched and hiked in the jungle to end their “PanaMax” trip.

Girlies who share. Scott and Jennifer Gerry and 2-year-old Addison welcomed baby girl Marion Emmeline on March 24. Marion weighed in at 6 pounds, 10 ounces, and 18½ inches long. A big pink stork sign was in the front yard to let BG neighbors know the great news. Marion is sharing the lilac, sage and navy room with big sister. A vintage impressionist painting that resembles Jennifer and belonged to Marion’s great grandmother hangs in the room.

Too, two cute!  Chloe Dylan Payne arrived in the afternoon of 2-22-12, all 21 inches of her. The firstborn bundle for parents Jaime Lauren Payne and John Douglas Payne Jr. weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces. Maternal grandparents are Dr. Leonard Hershkowitz, Carol Hershkowitz and Liliane Hershkowitz. Paternal grandparents are the Very Reverend John Douglas Payne Sr. and Kay Mcintosh. Chloe’s room is styled shabby chic with sweet melon-colored walls, white eyelet bedding and dark wood furniture. Owls and monkeys are watching after her. No monkeying around!

Moving about. Marilyn and Steve Saks, who lived in Bunker Hill for 20 years, moved inside the loop to a newly constructed patio home with their English bulldogs, Boo and Peanut. Former West U residents Melissa and Charles Hall moved into the Saks’ home. Melissa is just around the corner from her former childhood home at Beinhorn and Hedwig, where she and her Bonner sisters set up a produce stand every summer. Her 14-year-old daughter Caitlin will attend Memorial High in the fall. While Marilyn and Steve are now walking to nearby restaurants in the Upper Kirby area, the Halls are strolling on their quiet and treed Bunker Hill street.

Have some good news to share? We want to know. Email us at (info@thebuzzmagazines.com) info (at) thebuzzmagazines (dot) com.

Veteran motorcyclist Moyer, 76, had already logged more than 100,000 miles on two wheels – a 9,000-mile solo journey from Houston to Nova Scotia was perhaps the most epic. More recently, he and his wife Virginia made their way to Big Bend National Park on a Goldwing for a round trip of 1,900 miles.

Years ago he used to ride through the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas when he lived in Georgia and his mother lived in Kansas. Last year he got a hankering to return to his old riding grounds and invited Monday along.

John Monday breaks in his Honda Silverwing in the Ozark Mountains of Western Arkansas in October 2011.

For Monday, 60, a retired logistics manager and former Bellaire City Councilman, it was his first long-distance motorbike trip.

“It was a little scary, particularly blind hairpin turns where you can’t see what’s around the bend, and you’ve got the sun in your eyes – it increases your heart rate, let’s put it that way.”

Moyer rode his 650cc Suzuki Burgman all the way; they found a 600cc Honda Silverwing for John, which he trailered up to Longview, Texas, and they rode together from there.

Moyer mapped a route through the twisting Ozark byways that included the Pig Trail Scenic Byway, the Arkansas Grand Canyon and the Talimena Scenic Byway, the highest point between the Appalachians and the Rockies.

Their first surprise came when they arrived in Mena, Ark.

“I thought, ‘This will be a piece of cake; we’ll just get a room when we get there,’” said Moyer. They stopped at the biggest and best hotel in town. The sign said, “No Vacancy.”

“Surely you’re kidding,” he said at the front desk. “There are no cars in the lot.”

But it was time for the Christian Motorcyclists Association’s annual meeting, and nearly every room in town had been booked.

They were lucky to find a place in the Limetree Inn. Then they discovered a second surprise.

“We’d been riding all day and were pretty tuckered out, and we said let’s stop and get us a drink,” Moyer recalled.

No such luck; Mena was in a dry county.

Phillip Moyer, left, and John Monday enjoyed a layover at the Arkansas House in Jasper, Ark., where they enjoyed buffalo and elk steaks during their recent road trip through Arkansas.

Their third surprise was the weather. It was late October, so they bundled up like the Michelin man – but even wearing every stitch of clothing they had, they weren’t ready for the cold blast.

The next morning they hightailed it along 179 miles of scenic back roads north to Eureka Springs.

AR 23 was a cyclists’ dream, filled with corkscrew turns, roller coaster-like hills and sweeping views of the brilliantly hued forests beyond.  The breathtaking physicality, the danger and the need to be fully engaged constantly left Monday feeling exhausted – but he wouldn’t have traded it. “It was really beautiful to experience Arkansas on a motorcycle,” he said. “It wouldn’t be nearly as beautiful, nearly as enjoyable as in a car.”

The lively and colorful resort town of Eureka Springs became their road-trip base for two days – first they went to a spring-fed fish hatchery at Roaring River State Park, across the line in Missouri. Monday had heard of the splendid trout fishing in the Ozarks and had strapped on his fly-fishing rod.

“I had a hard time getting John out of there,” Moyer chuckled. “He wanted to go to fishing in the fish hatchery.” Sadly, by the time they found a place where Monday could fish, he was too cold – “it had lost its appeal,” Moyer said.

The next day they headed to Jasper, Ark., a quaint town along the Buffalo National Scenic River, and stopped at the War Eagle Grist Mill along the way – a Civil War historic site with a still-operating stream-powered mill.

The high point of their trip back home was riding over the Talimena Scenic Byway from Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Arkansas to Talimena State Park in Oklahoma.

All too soon they were back in Houston, tallying the bill – a total of $500 each for the entire trip – and plotting their next trip: Tennessee’s Tail of the Dragon, with 318 curves in 11 miles

Arkansas scooter adventure, day by day

On Oct. 17, 2011 – a crisp autumn day in Houston, and even more so in Arkansas – veteran motorcyclist Phil Moyer and his friend John Monday launched an epic six-day journey through Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Moyer, an immaculate record-keeper, shares his trip log for those who might want to plan a similar adventure – or just enjoy an armchair version.

But first, check out their adventures in this video.

The video was shot and produced by John, with some help from a collaborator he found online. The pass on the double yellow line was done by a rider who contributed moving video on YouTube and John “borrowed” a short bit of his video showing the motion in corners and hills.

Editor’s note: Phil wanted to emphasize that the pair never drives while drinking, and advises strongly against it.

Trip Highlights by Day (Monday, Oct. 17 through Saturday, Oct. 22)

Day 1, Monday, Oct. 17

Bellaire US 59 to Longview US 259 to US 67 to TX 8 north becomes AR 41 to de Queen US 71 to Mena, Ark.

Departed Bellaire ~6:30 a.m; Arrived Mena, Ark., ~4:30 p.m.

We loaded the Honda Silverwing onto the trailer, and John drove to Longview while Phil rode his Burgman.  The weather was a bit cool but not cold; it was also foggy and as I rode I got wet from the fog and heavy water content of the early morning.  The fog lifted after about Livingston (90 minutes), and all was well. We stopped in Lufkin for fuel and a rest. We learned that we took the long way to Longview and we should have taken the highway US 259 at the split in Nacogdoches. We met the other lawyers of the firm and had lunch with Brandt. We unloaded John’s rented Silverwing and left the van and trailer for Brandt’s boss to take to his ranch until we returned. John secured a good rental from the owner of Apollo Scooters on Richmond. He also secured insurance for the period of our trip. John now had a chance to ride this scooter for the first time without all the traffic of inner Houston.  The trip north of Longview was on fine surface on US 259 up to Omaha, Tex., where we stopped for an ice cream then took US 67 to TX 8.  This part of the trip was advised by a person as the quickest, safest and shortest route toward Mena, Ark. We turned north on TX 8 and avoided Texarkana congestion and quickly found ourselves in Arkansas as the highway changed from TX 8 to AR 41 and then it became US 71 the rest of the way to Mena, Ark.

The highlight of the day was seeing Brandt and his office and the quality roads for the entire day. US 71 was a fine road and became scenic as we got further north.  Along the way we began to see more cyclists proceeding north, and this traffic got thicker as we approached Mena. We discovered that we had picked our dates without knowledge of the annual gathering of the Christian Motorcyclists Association. There were hundreds of bikers in Mena, and we were surprised by our search for a hotel room. We first approached a motel that looked to be new and with probably at least 50 rooms and few vehicles in the parking lot. I noticed a sign on the door, “No Vacancy.” I couldn’t believe it so I asked and they reported that they’d been booked for weeks. They suggested we try the Limetree Inn, and they did indeed have a room – two-story, reasonably maintained but no elevator. We covered my scooter for the night, and it did rain later. Breakfast was taken at the motel restaurant – not memorable, but satisfying. John went to a steakhouse for dinner, and I had a Sweet and Salty bar. We had hoped for a glass of wine, but a lot of counties in this part of Arkansas are dry. We were stunned. I told John to call me if they had something alcoholic or good dessert at the steakhouse. He called to report no wine and that the dessert looked like it had been prepared the day before at a cafeteria.

Gassed up in the following cities (city followed by mileage indicated on odometer, gallons of gas and price)

Bellaire, 920.7 (3.2 g. $10.42)
Lufkin, TX; 1,037 (2.6 g, $8.80)
Diana. TX (2.6 g, $8.50)
De Queen, AR,10,295 (2.2 g, $7.10)

Day 2 Tuesday, Oct. 18

Departed @10 Mena, Ark., US 71 to Y City to Booth AR 23. We followed this highway to Eureka Springs. We stayed at the Basin Park Hotel in historic downtown area. (arrived @4:30) (Night 1 of 2 at Basin Park Hotel) We had lunch at a rustic log cabin-like restaurant in Brashears or Cass on AR23.

Gassed up in Mena, Ark. (didn’t log details); again in Booneville at 1,406 miles (2.2 g., $7.60).

AR 23 is a cyclist’s dream with sharp curves and steep hills.  The roads had a smooth surface and were well marked with advisory signs. I provided John some advice about speeds in corners since there were so many sharp curves. The rule of thumb was anything marked as 30 mph or higher could be taken at 10 miles mph more, but marked corners of 15 to 20 should be entered at maybe +5 mph. Anything marked at less than 15 should be entered at that speed and no more. The lower part of this road is known as the “Pigs Tail” roughly between Cass and Brashears (19 miles) crossing both the Mulberry and the White Rivers. It is full of corkscrew turns and is a great drive that goes through some of the most scenic parts in the state, especially in spring and fall.

Day 3 Wednesday, Oct. 19

Stayed at the Basin Park Hotel in historic town area (night 2 of 2 at Basin Park).

We ate breakfast at Local Flavors restaurant – great food and service. Best omelet I’ve ever had.

Lunched at Crescent Hotel and Spa – historic hotel in old section of city. The hotel was originally a treatment center for TB and later was a military hospital.

Left the hotel @10:30. Took US 62, which turned onto AR182, back to US62, and this took us to the Beaver Bridge, built in 1943 across the White River. It is a suspension bridge build entirely of wood. From there we took US 62 and then turned onto AR37 to Seligman, Mo., then 112 to Roaring River State Park.

We focused on Roaring River State Park and the fish hatchery and stream that originates and is viewable from a spring within a cave. A paved path takes you to the mouth of the cave. There are hundreds of trout of all sizes above and below the hatchery. Fish are released into the stream daily during the season.

Phil bought a great versatile fanny pack with a large number of zippered pockets of varying sizes. This was our second night at the Basin Park Hotel. We had a great room with two queen beds, a sitting room and large bathroom with a shower into a very large Jacuzzi tub. There was no curtain but the shower did not splash out of the tub area ($79/night + tax).

Gassed up in Seligman, Mo., at 1,543 miles (2.75 g., $9.01) and ate at the Local Flavor Café ($11.12).

Day 4 Thursday, Oct. 20

We had breakfast again at the Local Flavors restaurant. I was told that the waitress said I had asked her for a date. (I had not!) But we had a great time joking with her.

Checked mileage in Eureka Springs, 1,595 at start of today. Breakfast at Local Flavor Café, $11.45.

Departed Eureka Springs 11:15 a.m. after buying a bottle of wine at Quicker Liquor so we could have wine with dinner at the Jasper Hotel and Restaurant (dry county) – good to be forewarned. Arrived at War Eagle Grist Mill at 11:51 a.m.

Gassed up in Rogers, Ark., at 1,642 miles (2.1g, $6.75). Dinner in Jasper, Ark., at the Arkansas House Hotel. Phil had buffalo steak; John had elk steak.

Highlight of trip was to travel to War Eagle Grist Mill, where we spent about 40 minutes. Very interesting historical site with a lot of Civil War involvement. Traveled from there to Rogers and was disappointed in the city. Very congested and spread out; we decided not to find the Harley dealership so proceeded toward Jasper for the night with a stop to visit Jim and Eula Monahan 6 miles south of Osage, Ark.

Stayed at Arkansas House Hotel.  Arrived at ~6 p.m. 1,941 miles

Day 5 Friday, Oct. 21

Left Jasper at 9:15 a.m. to arrive at Broken Bow, Okla. ~6:30 p.m.

Approximately 60 miles of the highway that passes through the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests has been designated by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the National Forest Scenic Byways system. Distinctive mountain scenery and outstanding fall colors can be enjoyed while traveling through the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains on the Scenic 7 Byway.

The Talimena Scenic Byway (54 miles) falls gently like a ribbon over Winding Stair and Rich Mountains. Cresting the highest points between the Appalachians and the Rockies, this byway showcases nature’s quiet solitude. One breathtaking panorama follows another as this National Forest Scenic Byway winds along forested mountaintops between Mena, Ark., and Talihina, Okla. Visited Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Arkansas and the Talimena State Park in Oklahoma.

Gassed up in Dover, Ark. at 1,800 miles (2.94 g., $9.60) and Hodgens, Okla. at 1,975 miles (3.26 g., $10.77).

Stayed at the Best Western Hotel in Broken Bow, Okla.

Great, mostly smooth roads with lots of curves. We left Mena to cross over the ridge of the Ouachita Mountains into Oklahoma via the Queen Wilhamena State Park using AR 88 and OK 1. Great vistas on both sides of the ridge, and there were lots of motorcyclists who were involved in the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Even US 259 was a great ride on smooth road with sweeping curves and a few sharper ones again with beautiful scenery.

Day 6 Saturday, Oct. 22

Gassed up at Broken Bow, Okla. (8:20 a.m.) at 2,058 miles (1.5 g., $5.10) and at Longview, Tex., at 2,173 miles. Reached Bellaire at 2,390 miles; Burgman trailered from Longview to Bellaire.

Total cost: About $500 each. Total mileage: 1,445.