Hi! I’m Princess. You know me from my morning and afternoon walks with my mom, Jeanette, around West U.  I really like going to West U Elementary each afternoon to socialize with my dog friends and pick up my two older brothers, Alex and Jonny. I am a true 100 percent Maltese. Even though I’m only about 7 pounds, you can hear my bark from blocks away. I really enjoy riding in my mom’s car and playing with my dad and my brothers. I especially like to walk along the beautiful tree-lined streets of West U. My dog friends live next door and across the street, and I love to play with them when I am allowed. I also like chasing squirrels and sprawling out on the grass to take in some sunshine. I really love it here in West U.

Got a cute critter? 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 percent off your next grooming appointment or 25 percent off one obedience training class.

Gone fishin’

Hats and horses
The Kentucky Derby came to Glenn and Lauren Hart’s (pictured) Memorial home. Guests, including Lynne and Jeff Vonncannon, and Max and Beverly Bowman, arrived dressed to impress in their derby attire. The Harts’ miniature horses, who normally reside at their ranch in College Station, were waiting in the front yard. Hart used her grandmother’s silver serving trays for the Whole Foods catering and borrowed her neighbor Jan Miller’s iron jockey, which took two men and a dolly to move. The event was also a fundraiser for the athletics and arts departments at their son Landon’s school, Houston Christian High School.

Page for a day
St. Cecilia Catholic School fourth grader Kara Ratlief was chosen to spend the day in Austin as an honorary page at the Texas Capitol. She will accompany the full-time House pages and work with the state representatives on the House floor and in the Capitol. She also will receive an official badge and photo to commemorate her special day. Students were invited from across House District 138 to apply, and eight participants, including Kara, were selected based on age, location in House District 138, and school.

Three generations of cyclists
Three generations of the Presswood family rode in the BP MS 150 bike ride from Houston to Austin, including (pictured, from left) Ron Presswood, 12-year-old Tyler Presswood, Barbie Presswood, Barbie’s dad Lee Dupuis and 16-year-old Dylan Presswood. It was Barbie, Ron and Dylan’s fifth time to ride, Lee’s second time and Tyler’s first time. The family raised $4,475, and the team they ride for, Dog House Creative, raised $16,802 with about 20 cyclists on the team. (Photo: Travis Schiebel)

Back to the future
Event chairs Stacey and Ted Lyons (pictured) stepped into the future at The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research’s (TIRR) seventh annual “Connect the Docs” dinner at River Oaks Country Club. The fundraiser honored Dr. Eugene L. Alford and benefitted Mission Connect’s neurotrauma research. The keynote speaker was John Hockenberry, and emcee was Rachel McNeill. Proceeds will be used to purchase the Rex, a robotic exoskeleton that makes it possible for those with spinal cord-injury paralysis to walk. Rex robotic legs were on display. (Photo: Robert Tito latiff)

Hope and healing
More than 350 guests, including Margaret and Billy Murphy (pictured), were at The Hope and Healing Center and Institute’s second annual Chrysalis Occasion Award Luncheon at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. Luncheon chair Peggy Barnett, along with honorary chair Susan Baker, presented philanthropist Sidney Faust with the Chrysalis Award for her work with children with cancer. Others seen in the crowd were former First Lady Barbara Bush, Harry and Cora Sue Mach, Tony and Mary Gracely, Bess and Rob Wilson, Patsy and Greg Forticq, Tom Brown, Charlie Read, Jan Duncan, and Ginger and Jack Blanton.

Goodbye, Memorial musketeers
Memorial High School’s three administrators, also known as the “three musketeers,” are retiring simultaneously from the school after the 2013 graduates head off. Principal Gary Johnson, counselor Betty Lowry and office manager Lanell Griffin (pictured, from left, at the Memorial class of 2013 prom) have worked together at the school for many years. The three have steered the 2013 graduates from their freshman year to senior graduation.

Track stars in training
Hannah Schwitzer, Reagan Goodwine, Kate Weinstein and Meta Sapien (pictured, from left) competed in the annual Spring Branch ISD fifth-grade track meet held at Stratford High School. Hannah ran the 800-meter race, Reagan, Kate and Meta all participated in their school’s 4-by-400-meter relay race, and Grace did the long jump. Next year it’s off to middle school. Meta is headed to Duchesne Academy the other three girls will go to Spring Branch Middle School.

Memorial Eagle Scouts
Four Scouts from Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church’s Boy Scout Troop 642 – David Breunig, Ross Kimmel, Daniel Sweat and Michael Timte – were awarded the rank of Eagle at a Court of Honor ceremony. To earn the Eagle Scout rank, Breunig, 18, a senior at Westside High School, trimmed trees and shrubs, planted new foliage, installed a sprinkler system, and built a butterfly house for the Living Garden at Askew Elementary School. Kimmel, 16, a sophomore at Second Baptist School, rebuilt a gazebo, painted a fence and several picnic tables, and graded and re-sodded the entire courtyard of the Star of Hope Transitional Living Center. Sweat, 16, a sophomore at Second Baptist School, restriped the parking area for the Spring Branch Family Development Center, including the parking spaces, handicap parking designations and ramps, bus lane areas and fire lane designations. Timte, 17, a junior at St. John’s School, created an outdoor meditation and prayer space at the Isaiah House by building and installing 14 cedar crosses representing the 14 Stations of the Cross, and also landscaped the area with native Texas plants.

$1.1 million for museum
The Holocaust Museum of Houston held its annual dinner at the Hilton Americas-Houston with former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright as the night’s keynote speaker. The evening, chaired by museum board member Michael Gamson and his wife Barbara, raised $1.1 million for the museum. French Catholic priest Patrick Desbois, whose organization Yahad-In Unum has helped identify more than 800 hidden mass-killing Holocaust sites encompassing more than 2,000 graves, received the Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award. Pictured at the event are (from left) Lester Smith, Ambassador Arthur Schechter and Eric Blumrosen. Among others in attendance were Mark Mucasey and wife Judy, Peter N. Berkowitz, Fred Zeidman, Mayor Annise Parker, Vince Ryan, Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein. (Photo: Dave Rossman)

Be seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and community news 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.

Question: Is it really that hard to ride without stirrups?

Answer: Yes. Remember the Thigh Master? It’s like that times 10.

Question: How long does the saddle pad stay that white? Asked by a true soccer mom.

Answer: It stays white. I am a professional at horse laundry and type A when it comes to keeping them clean.

Question: Are you really that scared when you ride?

Answer: No. But there are times when your horse can be unpredictable and a little fresh. (The word “fresh” generated a side giggle. What do you mean by “fresh?” No comment.)

Question: Excuse me, is that you on the cover?

Answer: That’s my look-a-like, but isn’t the horse handsome?

It was fun taking the photos, and the fun continues well after!
Beth Lumgair

Editor’s note: Beth and her horse Jago were on the cover of  The Tanglewood/River Oaks Buzz. The story appeared in all four Buzz magazines.

Story and neighbor are treasures
I always enjoy reading the stories in the Buzz, but this month’s story, “My Treasure,” (Buzz Pics: A forgotten tapestry, purchased 40 years ago in Brussels, Belgium, lay carefully tucked away in a buffet drawer until a friendship gave it a brand-new life, submitted by Carolyn T. Johnson, May 2013) was my favorite. The Venice connection between Parr Jeko and Carolyn Johnson was probably a surprise for Carolyn, but those of us lucky enough to have Parr in our lives are not the least bit surprised by her spontaneous generosity. It’s just Parr! Seeing the picture of them with the tapestry was a great idea. Thanks for spotlighting such a touching story. Great job!
Sharon Mowry  

Travel Buzz on Middle East on target
Kudos to Tracy Barnett for crafting such an informative story about our recent trip to Egypt, the Emirates and India (Travel Buzz: Danger vs. beauty in the Middle East, by Tracy L. Barnett, April 2013). We have heard from friends in all parts of Houston who have seen the article. You can travel safely to this part of the world if you plan carefully.
Joyce and Alfred Goodman

Story inspires fellow drummer
I was reading the “Buzz Kidz” section about Hannah, the drummer in The Current band, in your March issue (Yes, the drummer is a girl, by Hannah Schaeffer, March 2013, The Tanglewood/River Oaks Buzz and The West University Buzz.) This was a very interesting article, and I think it’s cool that there are kids like Hannah and me in our own community. I am a drummer as well and have been taking lessons for almost two years. I am 13 years old. I love drumming, and I hope to be able to do some of the things that Hannah has done.
Sean Gentry

Send letters to (info@thebuzzmagazines.com) info (at) thebuzzmagazines (dot) com. Please include your name, address, phone number and email address for verification purposes. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and space. Views expressed in letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Buzz Magazines, and The Buzz takes no responsibilityfor the content and opinions expressed in them.

1. Katie Beittenmiller: Condit Elementary School and St. John’s School
As early as Katie can remember, she wanted to be a scientist. Still fascinated with the sciences and math, she plans to double major in biomedical and electrical engineering at Carnegie Mellon and also pursue a minor in Chinese. If she could give advice to her kindergarten self, she would say, “Stop reading instructions so much.”

2. Laugen He: River Oaks Elementary School and Bellaire High School
Ever since she can remember, Laugen wanted to be a veterinarian. Still very invested in the sciences, Laugen will attend The University of Texas in San Antonio, taking part in their honors college as well as a 7-year B.S./M.D. program for life science; her major will most likely be biology. She wishes she could tell her kindergarten self about the value of perseverance and hard work.

3. Michael Horn: The Shlenker School and The Emery/Weiner School
As a child, Michael wanted nothing more than to be a magician, even calling himself The Great Michaelini.  Michael will attend The University of Texas at Austin and study public relations with hopes of one day becoming a game show host. He would tell his kindergarten self to have fun and appreciate every moment and experience.

4. Jennifer Knesbach: Herod Elementary School and Bellaire High School
Jennifer’s love of the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s impressive gem collection made her want to be a geologist. Since then, however, Jennifer’s career path has changed. She will head to the University of Pennsylvania, hoping to major in economics.  Jennifer would beg her kindergarten self to savor recess.

5. Michelle Knesbach: Herod Elementary School and Bellaire High School
Inspired by her frequent trips to NASA and fascination with space exploration as a child, Michelle hoped to one day become an astronaut or Air Force pilot. Now, Michelle (twin to Jennifer) will attend Dartmouth College with plans to major in economics and government.  She would advise her younger self to do only meaningful activities, and not just those that look good on resumes.

6. Walker Noon: Horn Elementary and Bellaire High School
In kindergarten, Walker thought it would be excellent to be a baseball player and an artist. Now he thinks it would be great to be an Aggie. He is heading to Texas A&M University to study petroleum engineering. He would tell his kindergarten self to stay out of trouble, be nice, work hard but don’t put all your eggs in one basket, try a lot of things, and have fun.

7. Ben Little: Condit Elementary School and St. Pius X High School
As a kindergarten student, Ben wanted to be a major league baseball player. His love of baseball grew stronger with his winning high school team. He will study political science at Southwestern University while playing ball in college. Ben would try to convince his kindergarten self not to procrastinate on school assignments.

8. Kyle Campbell: Condit Elementary School and Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
When Kyle was younger, he wanted to be a lawyer, just like his father. Kyle has committed to Texas A&M University with plans to major in business. He wishes he could stress to his kindergarten self how quickly life goes by, and to enjoy every moment.

9. Will Campbell: Condit Elementary School and Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
Inspired by the famous baseball players he saw on television and his love of Little League, Will hoped to one day be a professional baseball player.  Like his twin brother, Kyle, he will attend Texas A&M University with the intention of majoring in business. He would encourage his younger self to maintain a strong work ethic and not to procrastinate.

10. Laure Cundiff: St. Thomas’ Episcopal School and Bellaire High School
Motivated by her own fantastic teachers, the younger Laure wanted to be a first grade teacher. Since kindergarten, however, she has had a complete career change. She will take part in the pre-med curriculum in neuroscience at Baylor University in the fall. Laure would tell her kindergarten self to make sure to enjoy every moment.

“When I was younger I wanted to be a ballerina. My advice to my kindergarten self would be to learn how to play an instrument.” – Alex Daily

Editor’s note: Alex Daily, who went to Beth Yeshurun for kindergarten, is a new graduate of The Emery/Weiner School. In the fall, she will head to the Hutton Honors College at Indiana University to major in English and journalism. As part of her school’s annual internship week, Alex worked at The Buzz Magazines. She tried to include all the graduates who responded to our inquiry prior to the deadline. So, if your student did not make it in this article, contact the intern – if you can track her down! All the best to the class of 2013.

But haven’t you ever seen a whimsical cartoon on a lamp post or an elaborately spray-painted building and wondered who did it and why?

Here are two stacked pieces that showcase artists’ names, WAKE (top) and GONZO247 (bottom). Right photo: When the owners of a soon-to-open, spicy-food shop iBurn (4227 Bellaire Boulevard) commissioned GONZO247 to do a mural, they put up this sign.

Contrary to popular belief, not all, or even most, graffiti is gang-related, though there are such things as “gang signs.” According to stophoustongangs.org, a government website, gang signs are usually simple readable lettering meant to identify the gang.

The signatures done in an artistic style, in color, often using hard-to-read stylized lettering, are the work of graffiti writers, the street artists who work with spray paint and large markers known as “mops.”

And except when they put their work up without permission, street artists are not criminal. When Chus, a 24-year-old graffiti writer who, like many, prefers not to give his real name, is working on a piece, passers-by often remark that he must like sniffing the paint. “I do not sniff the paint,” he says, exasperated. “How stupid do they think I am?”

Why can Chus work openly on his art like that?

Because some graffiti is sanctioned. “If you see a large, elaborate piece, it’s probably legal,” says GONZO247, a 40-year-old graffiti artist who runs the downtown art studio and gallery Aerosol Warfare. He started doing street art at age 13.

When they find a good wall, graffiti writers will often ask the owner for permission. Chus asked Lessie Alva, owner of Alva Graphics, in 2009. Ever since, Alva’s two buildings have been covered in graffiti art.

It’s not all Chus’s. Once a graffiti writer has secured a “legal wall,” it is his or hers to manage, deciding who will put up work and setting out ground rules, like no profanity.

Top photo: A detail of a wall at Alva Graphics (1102 Shepherd). Middle: A wall at Kingspoint Mullet (10902 Kingspoint). Bottom: Mural commissioned by the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau, done by GONZO247 (at the corner of Travis and Preston in downtown Market Square).

Several graffiti writers will be painting at Alva Graphics the weekend of June 22-23, to celebrate the anniversary of those walls.

Graffiti, legal or not, doesn’t last. “On an open wall, you do your work, you love it, you take a picture of it and you kiss it goodbye,” says GONZO247.

Graffiti writing is all about the artist’s name. This emphasis on typography is why these artists refer to themselves as “writers.” Only police refer to these signatures as “tags,” Chus explains. The writers call them “handstyles” and further define them by degree of difficulty. A “throwie” is a quickly done signature. When done in bubble lettering, they are called “bombs.” The next step up, done with multiple colors and shading, are “pieces,” and large pieces that incorporate a background and characters are “productions.”

Graffiti is all about reputation. PILOT, a 31-year-old graffiti artist, explains, “When you cover over someone else’s work, the idea is you’re going to do something better.” Pieces other writers respect stay up longer.

A variety of businesses pay street artists for their work, a development the artists are happy to encourage. “As you get older, your priorities change,” observes Mike Bernal Jr. dryly. Bernal began doing graffiti (as “Frost”) as a teen. Chus’s company, Graffalot, formed with fellow graffiti artists CINE, Halo and Shizoq, has done work for Houston bars, restaurants and food trucks. David Flores, who started writing graffiti at the age of 12 (as Skeez181), has done work for Coca Cola and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. GONZO247 is one of the featured artists in “Houston Is,” an ad campaign from the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Two years ago, Johnathan Estes, the father of two autistic children, rented a broken-down warehouse in southeast Houston and turned to his artist friends to rebuild it into an event venue. The Kingspoint Mullet is covered, inside and out, with graffiti art. Estes is using the space to raise funds for his non-profit organization, Southern Artists Foundation, which benefits autism education.

When Lance Davis, a real-estate developer, saw what Estes was doing, he gave the Mullet artists permission to paint the back of his adjacent strip mall.

All the resulting wall space, almost 17,000 square feet, makes The Mullet the largest concentration of street art in Houston and perhaps the entire state, the two men say.

Already, graffiti artists come from all over the world to paint at The Mullet, which will be the site of an International Meeting of Styles, a global street-art event, Sept. 20-22.

Where to See The Writing on the Wall

The Kingspoint Mullet
10902 Kingspoint
kingspointmullet.com
facebook.com/kingspointmullet
979-481-2909

Site of the International Meeting of Styles, Sept. 20-22, open to the public. Almost 17,000 square feet of wall space, inside and out. Outside always open, inside open Thursdays-Sundays, noon to 9 pm.

Alva Graphics
1102 Shepherd
graffalot.webs.com

Anniversary event June 22-23. All the artwork is on the outside of the buildings.

GONZO247’s My HOU Mural
Commissioned by The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
At the corner of Travis and Preston

Aerosol Warfare Studio & Gallery
2110 Jefferson, Suite 113
Open to visitors by appointment
aerosolwarfare.com
832-748-8369

UP Art Studio
6521 N. Main
713-876-8802
facebook.com/UPArtStudio
(upartstudio@yahoo.com) upartstudio (at) yahoo (dot) com

Photographer Noah Quiles organizes monthly art shows at this space, which has been donated by an anonymous patron whose goal is to remove the negative connotation of graffiti and aerosol art as vandalism and to promote it as a true art form. UP Art’s next show will be held Saturday, June 15, from 7 to 11 p.m., and is the first solo exhibition by the Houston graffiti artist w3r3on3. While UP Art Studio is only open for its shows, two of its exterior walls and an additional 45-foot-long wall half a block south at Stop At Joe’s, 6400 N. Main, always feature graffiti murals.

The Lawndale Art Center
4912 Main Street
lawndaleartcenter.org
713-528-5858

The art center hosts rotating murals on its north exterior wall. The newest, called Skywriting, was done by Daniel Anguilu, a Houston native who started painting graffiti at an early age, and Aaron Parazette, a professor at the School of Art at the University of Houston.

The Station Museum of Contemporary Art
1502 Alabama
713-529-6900
stationmuseum.com

An exhibition of several street artists, including Daniel Anguilu and David Flores, will open here May 25.

Antonia Day and Paige Hagle (from left) celebrate after helping to renovate the recreational building at Pumpkin Park.

A big blooming idea. Cherie Flores is a gardener extraordinaire. She and hubby Jim lent their spectacular home and gardens for the Azalea Trail. With Cherie’s active interest in outdoor enhancements, it should be no surprise that Jim would give her the biggest flower bouquet ever. He donated $5 million to the Hermann Park Conservancy for the new Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, a glass structure that will be started in September to open in Oct 2014.

A gem. The partiers at the St. Francis Episcopal Day School gala danced the night away at the Royal Sonesta as they enjoyed a live auction featuring trips, sport outings and an 8-week-old female Poochon (Bichon Frise/poodle). A lively game of musical chairs produced a winner of a Cartier watch donated by Deutsch & Deutsch, and runner ups received tickets for Fashion Week donated by Rosemarie and Matt Johnson. This Diamond Anniversary (60th) gala was co-chaired by Jessica Brazelton and Susan Light, with their brilliant, 100-carat auction chairs Courtney Mitchell  and Lori Watler and underwriting chairs Leslie Jackson and Lacy Rieke, and decor chairs Christie Bennett and Christine Hoffer. The school is grateful for underwriters Beth and Greg Looser, who were just a few of those that were so generous.

Hay there. The Houston Junior Forum’s Spring Party at Oak Hill Ranch in Round Top was a new kind of hoe down. Marilyn and Bob McDowell bought the ranch (originally a hunting lodge built in 1853) four years ago from the Michael DeBakey estate, the last owner. The cowgirl committee of Kim Vidor, Jodi Nolen and Trisha Thomas joined the 70 guests to see various guest homes that were created using recycled beams from the former sharecropper’s shack. The music, pool table, beer and wine bar and barbecue were situated in the “barndominium,” which is part barn and part house. Partiers toured the 1,000 acres in golf carts. No horsing around!

It was a howl. Erin Parker, Kara Schwartz, Lyn Sullivan and Frank Vandiver organized a Yappy Hour for friends at the Tanglewood Dog Park. A few attending were Patti Miller (with English Setter Winston and silver Labrador Cletus) and Pat Raybon (with Stanley the Yorkiepoo, Winston, a Maltese, and  Chrison, a Yorkie). Erin brought her two Shitzus, Treble and Cadence. Title Houston gave out star dog cookies and star charms to all the dogs despite some inappropriate behavior when a Chihuahua named Macho was over-socializing and his jealous Chihuahua wife, Mia, growled at the bigger bow wows. The event was barked about all over town.

Living For Today.That’s the book that Erin Merryn, a survivor of childhood abuse, wrote of her survival. She spoke at the 14th annual Spirit of Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show, which raised more than $350,000 for the Children’s Assessment Center. Co-chairs Ursaline Hamilton, Stephanie Perkins and Megan Sutton-Reed applauded the colorful Saks Fifth Avenue fashions. They were helped by Jill Schlenker, Alissa Maples, Bruce Padilla and Susan Plank, plus underwriters Laura and John Arnold and and Leslie Alexander and The Houston Rockets. Fashionably supportive were Darla Lexington and CAC executive director Elaine Stolte.

Of musical note. Chaired by Nancy and Hans Strohmer, the Moores School of Music Society event soared at the Wortham with its Up, Up & Away! theme. Three hundred attended the dinner concert that included honorary chairs Kathi and Bill Rovere and supporters Margaret Williams and Jim Daniels, Kerri and Downey Bridgwater, Joann and Bill Crassas, Phyllis Williams, Betty and Jess Tutor, Barbara and Ulyesse LeGrange, and  Mary Ann and David McKeithan.

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

Triathletes in training

Little League to big league
Tyler Duffey graduated in 2009 from Bellaire High School and went on to play baseball at Rice University for three years. Then Duffey was drafted by the Minnesota Twins, just a few weeks after losing his mother, Shanna Duffey, to breast cancer. Recently, he played a game that would make his mother especially proud. He pitched his first professional game, and it was a no hitter. He threw 76 pitches: no hits, no walks, no errors. Duffey told the press he knew his mom was watching and that she had the “best seats” in Heaven.

$1.1 million for museum
The Holocaust Museum of Houston held its annual dinner at the Hilton Americas-Houston with former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright as the night’s keynote speaker. The evening, chaired by museum board member Michael Gamson and his wife Barbara, raised $1.1 million for the museum. French Catholic priest Patrick Desbois, whose organization Yahad-In Unum has helped identify more than 800 hidden mass-killing Holocaust sites encompassing more than 2,000 graves, received the Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award. Pictured at the event are (from left) Father T.J. Martinez, a newly elected member of the Museum’s Board of Advisors, with museum chair Tali Blumrosen and Benjamin Warren. Others in attendance were Mark Mucasey and wife Judy, Peter N. Berkowitz, Fred Zeidman, Arthur Schechter, Mayor Annise Parker, Vince Ryan, Meir Shlomo, Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein, Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Fiorenza, Rabbi Brian Strauss, Trini Mendenhall Sosa, Trish and Rock Morille, and Eric and Noylan Pulaski. (Photo: Kim Coffman)

Out of the park
April 20 was an unforgettable day for Horn Elementary third grader Aiden Orozco (pictured), who played on the Yellow Jackets in the 8-and-under Texas League for Bellaire Little League. His team was playing the Tigers at Kindle Field located at Horn Elementary, and Aiden hit the first out-of-the-park home run at the new field. The baseball actually hit the scoreboard and dented an advertisement sponsored by another Yellow Jackets family member. Aiden’s stepfather, Ricky Cardenas, the hitting coach for the Yellow Jackets, cheered along with all the other parents, including the opposing team’s.

Mind-letes
Horn Academy’s fourth-grade Odyssey of the Mind team won first place in the Division I, Pet Project problem at the Texas state tournament and advanced to the World Finals at Michigan State University May 22-24. Pictured at the state tournament (from left) are students Cullen Baker, Caden Biedermann, Carson Brown, Matthew Munn, Emily Saether, Sophia Swanston and coach Angie Brown. Odyssey of the Mind is an international program that challenges kids to use creativity and building skills, plus lots of imagination and team work to solve problems.

I do
Beth Johnson married Will Bell at West University United Methodist Church. As the newlyweds exited the church, the Houston String Quartet played the triumphant The Throne Room, End Title from Star Wars. Dinner and dancing followed the ceremony at the Junior League of Houston. Beth is the daughter of David and Dianne Johnson, and Will is the son of Pam Moore and Greg Bell. Fellow Bellaire High School graduate and childhood friend Elizabeth Managan traveled  from Brussels to be part of the festivities. A horse-drawn carriage took the couple to the St. Regis, where they were joined by their wedding party for more celebrating. Pictured are bridesmaids (from left) Carrie DeMerice, Lauren Blieden Vogel, (bride) Beth, Elizabeth, Kelly Shallock and Kasey Bell. (Photo: www.kirkmcgee.com)

Kinkaid in the community
The Kinkaid School’s class of 2013 Bennett Notestine (pictured) read to a class of students as part of the National Education Association’s Read Across America Program. Also, Kinkaid’s theater department performed Cat in the Hat at several schools to encourage literacy in Houston’s youth. Approximately 2,000 Houston students saw the performances.

Cinco de Mayo celebration
It was nothing but blue skies for Condit Elementary’s Cinco de Mayo Carnival benefitting the Odyssey of the Mind team’s trip to the World Finals in East Lansing, Michigan. Kids, including OOTM team members (pictured, from left) Maddie Steffy, Alex Arakelian, Omar Busaidy, Vivian Dong, Rebecca Rock, Pranav Brahmbhatt and Adeline Lee, got crazy in bounce houses, clung to rock walls, flew down giant slides, embarked on obstacle courses, and had their faces painted.

Scouting for gold
Girl Scout Troop 4393 is proud to announce that two of its members, Sarah Godwin and Holly Reichert (pictured, from left), have been awarded the Emerald Circle Gold Award Merit Scholarship for 2013. This scholarship is awarded to Girl Scouts who have completed their Gold Award project and have participated in a competitive application process. Both Sarah and Holly are graduating from Bellaire High School in June and have been Girl Scouts since kindergarten. Holly will study elementary education at Vanderbilt University, and Sarah plans to pursue a neuroscience degree at Temple University.

Be seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and community news 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.

Last summer was the first time I stayed home the entire break. Usually I go to summer camp or I get the chance to travel, but 2012 was the last official summer of high school, so I got to stay in Texas.

The three months gave me plenty of time to do things like get a job, work out, and hang out with my friends. One of the things we love to do is meet for lunch, but after a while, all the same restaurants were getting boring. The monotony of the cafes in my area began to take its toll, so after some time, I decided to do something about it.

Sabrina Katz, a soon-to-be graduate of Carnegie Vanguard High School, writes a food blog at embracethemunchies.blogspot.com.

I agreed to scour the city looking for the best “mom and pop” restaurants or food trucks or whatever hole-in-the-wall bistros I could find. That was the moment I began my blogging journey.

Before I began my own blog, I looked ambiguously on others who had one. How did anyone have time in the middle of everything to sit down and write for basically no one to see? They weren’t even getting paid to do it! But I tried to push those thoughts away and in late July 2012, I began my first restaurant blog called “Embrace the Munchies.”

As soon as I wrote my first post (it was about The Waffle Bus), my search for the best places in town really began. I would question my friends, family and neighbors if they knew any cute restaurants I could check out.

It’s been over half a year, and I can honestly say I adore my blog. It feels so rewarding whenever someone tells me they loved reading my work. I even get requests from friends if they can tag along on one of my trips to a new restaurant, which I usually agree to.

As a child, I never really had much of a hobby or a favorite sport. But now that I’ve found my niche in blogging, I have something to be proud of. Even better: I always have an excuse to go out to eat!

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.

These women sparkled at the St. Francis Episcopal Day School gala celebrating the school’s diamond anniversary. From left are Leslie Jackson, Lori Watler, Courtney Mitchell, Jessica Brazelton, Susan Light, Christine Hoffer, Susan Lair (head of school), Christie Bennett and Lacy Rieke.

Step back in time. Nancy and Mel Gross enjoyed more than a gourmet lunch on the Napa Valley Wine Train, a fully restored 20th-century vintage train. They rolled through blooming flowers and the villages of Napa Valley on a 36-mile scenic round trip with stops to tour wineries and have dessert. The wine-pairing dinner at The Artesa Winery was a highlight on their trip. Nine other couples who are friends they don’t see often met them for the week. Nancy said, “So much wine, so little time!”

Drink of water. A team of local residents who included Mary Reed, Jon and Jack Blickwede, Annie Tendall,  Brett Boyle, James Jorgensen, Deborah Gaudier, Dale Gaudier, Bill Gilchrist and Melody Dunne flew to El Salvador to dig a water well and teach a community healthy cleanliness skills. Mary said the trip gave her an appreciation for how people also enjoy the simple life. One of the villagers told her a good day is a tortilla and a little salt. Prior to the trip, a Living Water International team laid the groundwork for the water well. The travelers also taught some mothers how to make piñatas so they could have a micro-business. It all went well.

It was a howl. Erin Parker, Kara Schwartz, Lyn Sullivan and Frank Vandiver organized a Yappy Hour for friends at the Tanglewood Dog Park. A few attending were Patti Miller (with English Setter Winston and silver Labrador Cletus) and Pat Raybon (with Stanley the Yorkiepoo ,Winston, a  Maltese, and  Chrison, a Yorkie). Erin brought her two Shitzus, Treble and Cadence. Title Houston gave out star dog cookies and star charms to all the dogs despite some inappropriate behavior when a Chihuahua named Macho was over-socializing and his jealous Chihuahua wife, Mia, growled at the bigger bow wows. The event was barked about all over town.

No toilet paper. Joyce and Steve Fadem and Shirley and Leonard Lebow cruised on a National Geographic trip for 10 days to eight Galapagos Islands, where they experienced an incredibly beautiful sunset and a full moon on the equator. An aggressive, sexually stimulated, 800-pound tortoise hissed at them because they were in his path for a romantic rendezvous. The biggest surprise, however, was that the islands are so protected that there were no bathrooms so the animals wouldn’t be challenged by the introduction of humans’ personal bacteria.

Living For Today. That’s the book that Erin Merryn, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, wrote of her experiences and survival. She spoke at the 14th annual Spirit of Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show that raised more than $350,000 for the Children’s Assessment Center. Co-chairs Ursaline Hamilton, Stephanie Perkins and Megan Sutton-Reed applauded the colorful Saks Fifth Avenue fashions. They were helped by Jill Schlenker, Alissa Maples, Bruce Padilla and Susan Plank. Mistress of ceremonies Gina Gaston and auctioneer Stephen Lewis admired the stunning Sylva & Cie earrings donated by Paul Carter Jewels. Thanks were given to underwriters Laura and John Arnold and Leslie Alexander and The Houston Rockets. In the crowd were supporters Darla Lexington, Paulette Arana, Susan Boggio, Ericka Bagwell, Amy M. Lee, Lucinda Loya and CAC executive director Elaine Stolte.

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Hi, my name is Rylan Whitcomb. I am 10 years old, and my new favorite thing to do is a triathlon! On Sunday, April 14, I participated in the Houston Kids Triathlon. The Houston Kids Triathlon is one of the three largest kids triathlons in the United States. A triathlon has three races. First, there is a 200-yard swim, then a 6-mile bike ride, and, last, a 1-mile run.

Rylan Whitcomb, a fifth grader at River Oaks Baptist School, loved competing in her first triathlon. Of 575 participants in the senior division, she came in 219th, a great showing for a first timer and one of the youngest in the division.

Before I did the race, I was really busy. I did gymnastics three days a week and was on a volleyball team. I had lots of school work and still had time to spend with my friends and family. I wanted to do something that would inspire others so I decided to do a triathlon. I hoped that if I did something fun it would tell others that no matter what age they are or how athletic they are, they could do it!

In order to train, I rode my bike every day until I knew that I had done plenty of laps.Then I swam in the pool for a little bit every day. My school has “lap day” once a week where we have to run as many laps as we can in 20 minutes. That helped me with my running. It was time to race before I knew it!

I thought it would be hard, and it would take a lot of time but I was ready for sure. I wasn’t in the triathlon to come in first place. In fact, I didn’t care if I came in last. My goal was to complete the triathlon. I wanted to be able to say, “That was fun,” and not, “That was easy.”

At first, I was really nervous. Right when I hit the water, I knew that this was something I was meant to do. I think swimming was the best because it was really refreshing. Eventually, I crossed the finish line. In the end, I was really tired, but it was fun. It was so much fun that it was probably the best day of my life. I was the first person in my family to complete a triathlon. I’m so glad I did a triathlon because it was a great way to stay fit.

I know I will be one of the many people who keep the triathlon tradition going. Come join me! I would love to get a team together to participate in a training program where we can train together. It isn’t as hard as you may think!

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.