Intown magazine web 31

houstonintown.com

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015

Meet Houston's

Next mayorFall

Arts Guide

Gluten-Free Craze

Texans

Dove Hunting 101

Fine Luxury Propertiesby Wendy Cline Properties

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Custom estate on 10 acres. AG exempt - horse barns w6 stalls. 3,484 SF home w 4 bd, 2.5 bths. Split plan w Mstr down. Open floor plan. Island kitchen. Hardwoods.

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2,498 SF DR Horton stone & brick one story in gated section of Canyon Lakes West. 4 bd, 2 bth, 3 car garage. Granite. Storage. 2 covered porches. Full sprinklers.

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Fabulous Signorelli Homes new construction in Tomball. 4 bd, 4 bth, 3 car on almost 1/2 acre! Private office, game rm,granite luxury kit, Master retreat, study. Hardwoods

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15901 Honolulu St


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15901 Honolulu St


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15303 Kenny Dr




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40177 Wildlife Run

Intown Magazine is published bi-monthly by SNS Media. Articles are welcome and will be given careful consideration for possible publication. Intown Magazine does not assume any responsibility for unsolicited materials.

Materials submitted will be returned if accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Box 980757 Houston, TX 77098.You can also e-mail [email protected]

Copyright 2015 by Intown Magazine. All rights reserved. Content may not be reprinted or reproduced with permission from Intown magazine.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

PUBLISHER M.A. Haines

EDITOR Lisa June

PRODUCTIONWeb Design:

MelarooLayout & Graphic Design:

Andre ParisPhotographer:

Wells Brown

CONTRIBUTORSLindsay MowadWilliam Hanover

Pat GreenJohn GranatoMarene GustinEvans AttwellSean Salisbury

Carole Keeney Herrinton

For advertising rates and information: 713.525.8607

[email protected] reservation deadline

is 15 days prior to publication.

ON COVER

CONTENTS

houstonintown.com

intown

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015

Meet Houston's

Next mayor

Fall Arts

Guide

Gluten-Free Craze

Texans

Dove Hunting

101

sns media

8-11 THE GAMEJamey Roots Interview

18-23 HOUSTON MAYOR CAMPAIGN

26-27 DOVE HUNTING IN TEXAS

30 THE BUZZ

15-17 ARTS AND EVENTS

24-25 GLUTEN FREEThe Hot Trend In Eating

28-29 TAXES ON DIVIDENDS‘Qualified’ Vs. ‘Nonqualified’

From upper left clockwise;Houston Mayoral candidates Chris Bell, Steve Costello, Bill King, Sylvester Turner, Dimitria Smith, Marty McVey, Adrian Garcia and in the center is Ben Hall

GHWCC.ORG(713) 782-3777

3201 Kirby Dr., Ste. 400 Houston, TX 77098

Houston’s Premier Women’s Business Organization

ACS Flooring Group2611 Bandelier Dr.,Houston, TX 77080

Bowman Advisory Services 3812 W Alabama St., Unit B Houston, TX 77027 Choice Energy 5151 San FelipeSte. 2200 Houston, TX 77056

Concepcion Law 30 Canoe Bend Ct. Spring, TX 77389

Dr. Shel Wellness & Medical Spa 1437 Highway 6., Ste. 100 Sugarland, TX 77478 Heart of Fashion 1707 1/2 Post Oak Dr.Ste. 286 Houston, TX 77056

Investment Professionals Inc. 9320 Lakeside Blvd., Bldg. 2 - Ste. 200 The Woodlands, TX 77381

Josephine’s Day Spa and Salon 1127 Eldridge Pkwy. Houston, TX 77077

Kelly Mitchell Group 1713 Reverse St. Houston, TX 77005

Lisa Gonzalez, Attorney at Law 905 Front St. Richmond, TX 77469

Mace Marco 5130 Beechnut St. Houston, TX 77096

Made in the Shade Blinds & More 7111 Mission Court Dr. Houston, TX 77083

Mattress Firm, Inc. 5815 Gulf Freeway Houston, TX 77023

North Highland 1012 Arlington St. Houston, TX 77008

Northwestern Mutual 1 Riverway, Ste. 900 Houston, TX 77056

PESKA Seafood Culture 1700 Post Oak Blvd., Ste. 190 Houston, TX 77056

Possible Missions 1710 Telephone Rd. Houston, TX 77023

Post Oak Professionals 675 Bering Dr., Ste 120 Houston, TX 77057

ProSource Staffing 1012 Arlington St. Deer Park, TX 77536

Quill Consulting LLC 2305 Sunset Blvd. A Houston, TX 77005

Racca Solutions Group 6700 Woodlands Pkwy. Ste. 230-254 The Woodlands, TX 77382

S. Mayer Law 3907 Purdue St. Houston, TX 77005

Silver Stone Events 1714 Haver Street Houston, TX 77006

The Stevens Group 1934 West Gray Ste. 400 Houston, TX 77019 Toppins Law Firm, P.C. 1235 North LoopWest Ste. 308 Houston, TX 77008

Xpediant Solutions 2425 W. Loop South, Ste. 200 Houston, TX 77027

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

LUNCHEON, STYLE SHOW & SHOPPINGWhen: Thursday, September 24, 2015 | 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM

Where: Hilton Americas, Grand Ballroom, 1600 Lamar St. Cost: $75 Members | $85 Non-Members

Pictured above: Danny Posey (Audi Central Houston), WIFL Co-Chairs Kristi Hotze (CBRE), Erika Tolar (FedEx Services) and Suzan Deison (GHWCC CEO/President)

JOIN THE CHAMBER FOR ITS ANNUAL LUNCHEON CELEBRATING HOUSTON’S LEADING EXECUTIVE WOMEN &

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Contact [email protected] or call 713-782-3777

GHWCC Hosts Houston Mayoral Debate

Candidates L-R: Chris Bell, Linda Lorelle (Moderator), Stephen Costello, Suzan Deison (GHWCC CEO/President), Sylvester Turner, Demetria Smith, Marty McVey, Adrian Garcia, Ben Hall, Bill King

intown 6

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

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It has been a frenetic six years since Mayor Annise Parker took over as Houston’s second female mayor, succeeding term-limited Mayor Bill White. If there were no term limits, she would likely be running unopposed. The first

and only other Houston female mayor, Kathy Whitmire, was the last Houston mayor to serve a ten-year term. The late Bob Lanier, who followed Whitmire and former police chief and mayor, Lee Brown, both served the maximum six-year term.

So it is mandated that a new face and leadership will take over a city bursting at the seams with growth. Low oil prices may slow it down, but don’t bet on it. Have you been to the Texas Medical Center lately?

As the first “fall” northerner blows through, and the temperatures cool, Houston dove hunters are not far away from a bountiful opening weekend. Learn where, when, who and how on page 26. For the fabulous fall arts season, you can scour our top twenty list of events and time permitting you could make them all. Houston is ready for some football. The other “football” team, the Houston Dynamo, still have important games for another chance at a MLS title. We have an interesting interview with little known Texans president Jamey Roots, who oversees the business side of things for owner Bob McNair. Roots offers some interesting insight into the team’s participation in the reality series “Hard Knocks.”

Speaking of meaningful games, this is no longer your old Astros, but a new young, exciting, last inning heroics, pitching and power hitting machine that could get into the playoffs and do some damage.

Back to the Houston mayor’s race. In our efforts to introduce and educate voters on the candidates, we found some impressive resumes and want to encourage all Houstonians to get out and vote. It is worth noting that our local government plays a significant role in our daily lives, perhaps more than the federal government. The city council holds the mayor in check and those eleven district members and the five at-large members, elected by us, are a large part of what does or doesn’t get done at the local level.

Hopefully, our new mayor will tackle the impending implosion of our transportation system. It is at the heart of our failure or success as a major city in the future. Remember to vote because the next mayor we elect will likely be there for six years.

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intown 8

The Game JAMEY

ROOTS Interview with

Granato and Sean Salisbury

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Texans president weighs in on his team and the

series on HBO everyone is talking about.

intown 9

John Granato: Let’s talk Texans football. Joining us right now the president of The Houston Texans, Jamey Roots. Jamey welcome back to the show how are you?

J: I’m good John, How are you doing?

G: We are doing great! What does it mean for the organization to be featured on the HBO series Hard Knocks. I mean is it better than what you thought it would be, is it about where you thought it would be, where is it?

J: Well actually I’ll say is even better than we thought it was going to be, we knew it would bring some exposure to our team outside of Houston. John as you know here in our local marketplace the Texans are a dominant force far and away the leading sports franchise and our fans are now having a chance to see a little behind the scenes of their favorite team. But outside of Houston we’re somewhat unknown and is given an opportunity nationally for folks to engage with the Texans. It was a number two trending topic for social media last week on and the ratings were up 34% year over year so I think folks are liking what they’re seeing.

S: How aware are the players, Jamey, about that?

J: Well I think that in terms of exposure I think they know that they are getting out there. In terms of their awareness of the involvement, the first couple of

days it was an adjustment, it’s different, you got cameras and boom microphones, but they kind of start to blend in into the background and you can go on about your business. So I think that it’s been positive for us across the board.

S: Jamey there was any part of the discussion where they said we don’t want them here. We don’t want Hard Knocks here. We just can’t have that here… because we don’t want… almost a Bill Belichick approach; I know Bill worked with Bill for numerous of years. What goes on here stays here was there ever talk about not

letting them come.

J: Well I think the mark of any great organization is that everyone is free to express their opinion. You discuss, you debate, you look at all sides of every issue and once you make a decision to go you go and when we made a decision we were going to be on Hard Knocks and it took about 25 minutes. Everybody in the building was in line that we were going to make the most out of this opportunity and present this team to the nation and when you go in with that attitude you wind up getting a good result.

G: I know Bill’s mom didn’t like the language on the show What about the owner? How did he feel about that?

J: Well you know you put a bunch of cameras and microphones 24 hours a day around a group of athletes in any sport. I mean they call it locker room humor for a reason right? There’s a brand to it, but you know having been involved in football the last 15 years it’s not really a surprise and I don’t think is a shock to people. We have some great personalities starting with Bill O’Brien, he’s a fiery, passionate leader of this football team and I think people appreciated that. J.J Watt is a great story. Deandre Hopkins has really emerged as a star wide receiver.

G: What do you think it may mean monetarily, is it going to mean anything if jersey sales… certainly J.J Watt sales are going up.

J.J. Watt leads by example

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J: (laughs) I don’t know every time I think J.J hits the ceiling and every time I do he just bursts through it. It’s certainly been good for J.J brand. The fans getting an opportunity to see what we see day after day. His work ethic, his commitment to our community, his desire to engage personally with fans. I think that came clear a number of great stories that came out. I think looking at our television ratings of our first preseason game playing against the San Francisco 49 ers they were up 33% from where they were last year, so I do think it adds a level of energy

and excitement and certainly the fans are buying into the vision that Bill O’Brien has brought, the mentality to our football team. A hard working, team first group of talented players that work their tail off. So I think that things are a good point it’s as good as it’s ever been here for the Texans.

S: Jamey I think about a guy like J.J watt who has carved himself into a unique, special player. My question is why doesn’t a guy like Clowney shadow J.J around until J.J is like dude leave me alone. So I’m just wondering if a guy like that

would follow J.J. around and say I’m going to do everything he does.

J: Well I’ll tell you Sean the point that you’re making about him being a role model. I think he applies to every football player in every position. He’s got great talent and works hard, totally committed. What he says and what he does are totally consistent, so you have that integrity, so he just doesn’t talk the talk but walk the walk. You can apply it in a business setting; you can apply as a student in school. You have your base level of talent to the extent that everyday you’re focused on getting better. It’s amazing where you can wind up and once you get on top my friend Spencer Tillman likes to say not everybody can run with a full cup of success. How do you handle that success? You focus on getting better and focus on things that got you there and J.J absolutely exudes that.

G: What is your perception of year 1 vs year 2 of Coach Bill O’Brien?

J: Well I think last year there was a lot of getting use to, people getting used to each other. A new system coming in you got some new faces. This year it’s been much more steady everybody knows what to expect. They know how training camp is going to be like, certainly there is going to be surprises along the way but there is a lot of stability and I think the principles that Bill has come in terms of, hard working, team first, tough football team, incredibly well prepared all those things have taken root.

S: Jamey something tells me, the national media is kind of counting out the Texans and everybody is talking Colts. I’m just wondering if Bill O’Brien has the players believing that they can win?

J: Absolutely they’re working with a incredible chip on their shoulder. I mean we didn’t make the playoffs last year. That’s certainly not good enough. We got to get to the playoffs, our goal is to win a championship and you can’t do it unless you make the playoffs.

Jadaveon Clowney could make big impact on defense

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intown 12

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Real Estate Professionals Serving the Greater Houston Luxury Home Community

Ken Jacobson CMPSVice President/Sr. Mortgage Planner

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David Michael YoungREALTOR®, CLHMS, GREEN, CNE

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Mariana SaldanaBroker, CIPS

Uptown Real Estate Group, Inc.(713) 629-7771

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Dawn GervaisREALTOR® Consultant, CLHMS, GRI, ALHS, ABR

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Moira Holden CHMS, CNE, GRI, CLHMS

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32202 Waterford Crest Lane | Weston LakesList price $649,900 MLS # 8337479Immaculate Custom home on 1/2 acre cul-de-sac lot complete with 4 bedrooms 4.5 baths, formal dining, great room with fireplace, study. Kitchen with S/S appliances, over-sized island with vegetable sink. Master suite with his and her vanities. Grand staircase leads to study nook, game room, media room, 2 secondary bedrooms and slate tile balcony. 3 car garage. Phillippa Chevalier | BHHS-Anderson PropertiesPhone: 281-235-8245

1801 W Clay | River Oaks Shopping AreaList price $1,299,900 MLS #Elegant 4 bedroom Croix Custom Home built 2007 on 5,235 SF lot. Gourmet island kitchen open to den and breakfast. Formal living and dining. Study and extra den on second floor. Covered patio and ample yard. Energy efficient – Nest thermostats, tankless water heater. Walk to shopping & restaurants.David M Young | Young Realty GroupPhone: 713-320-6453

4921 Post Oak Timber Dr | Hidden OaksList price $1,395,000 MLS #66220400Built by William Carl and designed by Lucian Hood. Double front doors open to foyer. Banquet sized dining room. Music room with a wall of windows. Kitchen opens to family room with fireplace. Spacious master, block paneled study, wood floors and 3 fireplaces. Elevator, generator and extra parking.Weldon Rigby | Keller Williams Realty MetropolitanPhone: 713-621-2555

intown 13

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Tiffany PalaciosCNE

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www.BuyAndListWithTiff.realtor5110 San Felipe #264W | Tanglewood areaList price $850,000 MLS# 7711249 Redone with architectural work by John Gilbert. Stone floors, enlarged master with awesome bath and his & her walk-in closets. Granite kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Home office, beautiful views of The Galleria, custom lighting, den with built-ins. 3 Bdrm 2/1/2 bath, Galleria and West views.

Mariana Saldana | Uptown Real Estate Group, Inc.Phone: 713-629-7771

1600 Post Oak #1105 | Tanglewood areaList price $995,000 MLS# 16762346Babarcelona unit ---beautiful 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath with galleria and downtown views. 2 Assigned parking spaces, 24 hr concierge, fitness center, conference rooms, party room with catering kitchen. In the heart of uptown. Like new, best views in bldg.



Wendy ClineCLHMS, SRES, ABR, CPRESWendy Cline Properties


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Marilyn ArendtBroker - Owner

Marilyn Arendt Properties(281) 433-9113

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2207 Bancroft #1502 | Briar HollowOffered at 875,000 | MLS #84645340Stunning 15th floor unit w/Galleria views. Split floor plan,2 bedroom 2.5 bath w/extra high ceilings, gourmet kitchen w/marble countertops/Upgraded stainless appliances and 3 plasma TV's/custom lighting and closets, 2 parking spaces w/24 hour concierge, infinity pool loggia/summer kitchen,fitness center, putting green & RIVER OAKS DISTRICT ACROSS THE STREET!


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9 Benthaven Isle | Lake ConroeList price $1,695,000 MLS# 44920204Remarkable, one of a kind waterfront home on a private gated island in Bentwater. 5,871 sq.ft. with open floor plan. 5 bedrooms with 5 baths, media room, large kitchen with a breakfast bar. Trec decking on the lake, boat & jet ski lifts, & covered patio with a spa.Beverly Smith | Coldwell Banker UnitedPhone: 713-569-2113

13314 Brandywyne Ct | Parkway PlazaLease Price $5,700 MLS# 5475060Live a resort style life in this estately cul-de-sac home.Oversized lot in the heart of the Energy Corridor. Your cares melt away at your 5/3.5 home with private office/study, porte-cochere, open floorplan, enormous bedrooms and closets. Resort pool, tiki bar, spa & walking distance to The Village School & parks. Paradise!Genevieve Rowland | Keller Williams MemorialPhone: 281-904-7014

9010 Lupton Ct | Spring ValleyList price $729,000 MLS# 95187957You can have it all... updated house that is move-in ready, great schools, on large lot.. Fantastic updated kitchen with commercial grade appliances including gas stove, double oven, custom built cabinets, granite counters, breakfast bar area. Updated bathrooms with granite. Gulf Coast Windows. On cul de sac!

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Genevieve RowlandREALTOR, MCNE, CLHMSKeller Williams Memorial

(281) 904-7014 www.rowland-properties.com

intown 15

Intown's Top Twenty Fall Events

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5

5. 9/26 Peter Max and his exquisite paintings will be in town for a presentation at Off the Wall Gallery at the Galleria in Houston. www.offthewallgallery.com. Peter Max has painted for five U.S. Presidents and his art is on display in Museums, Presidential Libraries and in U.S. Embassies across the globe. He has been the Official Artist of the Olympics, the World Cup USA, The World Series, The U.S. Open, The Indy 500, The NYC Marathon and The Kentucky Derby. Previews begin Saturday, September 19th with a Preview Party from 5-7 pm, and two scheduled Meet the Artist receptions on Saturday, September 26th, 2015 from 6-9 pm and Sunday, September 27th, 2015 from 1-4 pm. RSVP’s required.

1. 10/3 Unveiling of the BayouThe public is invited to “Celebrate, Recreate and Create,” the completion of improvements to the iconic Buffalo Bayou Park. The public celebration will include walking tours, lectures, children’s crafts, recreational opportunities, delicious food, live music, and programming that will culminate in an illuminated evening procession designed in partnership with New York-based Processional Arts Workshop. www.buffalobayoupark.org

2. 10/23 Punch Party at Rienzi Fall weather awaits you as you travel back to the mid-1700s at Rienzi, Museum Of Fine Arts, Houston (1406 Kirby Drive). The fall Punch Party at Rienzi, celebration invites you to explore historic English punch: a blend of citrus, spirits, sugar, and spices. Also, sample original 18th-century cocktail recipes and their modern counterparts while socializing on the terrace. Tickets are limited. www.mfah.org.

3. 9/17 Gente de Teatro presents Cocinando con Elisa (Cooking with Elisa) by Lucía Laragione at the University of St. Thomas, Jones Hall. It has won several awards, including the prestigious María Teresa León Award granted by the Spanish Association of Stage Directors (ADE) and the Spanish Ministry of Social Services Women’s Institute. Directed by Marcela Salas the play moves through the relationship between a chef and her apprentice, Cooking with Elisa displays with splendid dramatic fortitude the sinister world of power and violence. Information: www.gentedeteatro.org

4. 9/11 Katja Loher - Where Does Time Begin? One of the most innovative video artists of her generation, Loher's work calls attention to potentially devastating ecological concerns such as mass deforestation and the declining population of bees. Exhibition on view: September 11 - October 10, 2015.Opening Reception: Friday, September 11, 6:00-8:30 pm.Artist Talk: Saturday, Sept 12, 11:00 am.Anya Tish Gallery, 4411 Montrose Blvd. www.anyatishgallery.com

8. 9/20 The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, opens Mark Rothko: A Retrospective, an exhibition of more than 60 paintings that trace the full arc of Rothko’s career. The MFAH is the only U.S. venue for this definitive retrospective, which draws on the unrivaled holdings of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

7. 10/3 Mark Fox ExhibitionThe New York artist will debut the first gallery exhibition of video installation Giverny: Journal of an Unseen Garden at Hiram Butler Gallery. Fox, recipient of the 2010 Munn Artist Award, spent three months living and working on the grounds of the Monet Foundation at Giverny and was compelled to record the iconic garden. Fox’s works can be found in many public collections including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

6. 10 /2 New Alley Theatre DebutThe historic renovation is on schedule to celebrate the first performance in the renovated Alley Theatre on October 2, 2015. The first extensive renovation since the Theatre’s opening in 1968. One Man, Two Guvnors begins the Alley Theatre’s 2015-2016 season on October 2, 2015. The design of the new Theatre is by Pete Ed Garrett, principal of Houston-based Studio RED Architects. For more on Pete Garrett see Intown article on www.issuu/July/August issue

3

6 7

4

8

intown 16

JULY / AUGUST 2015

Galveston

Beginner’s Guide

Design Spotlight

No More Waiting Room

Renovating not

Rebuilding

Brian Cushing Interview

HPV Vaccine

Facts

MAY / JUNE 2015intown

WHO'S WHO IN MEDICINE

HEALTHY EATERIES

MOON SHOTS UPDATE

BOOT CAMP TRAINING

PUTTING HOUSTON

ON THECINEMA

MAP

PUTTING HOUSTON

ON THECINEMA MAP

MARCH / APRIL 2015

Interview with

Jeff LuhnowArts & Events

Steak Houses

Women’s Chamber

Conference

The Buzz

Real EstateRoundup

JULY / AUGUST 2015

Galveston Beginner’s Guide

Design SpotlightNo More Waiting Room

Renovating not Rebuilding


HPV Vaccine

Facts

MAY / JUNE 2015

intown

WHO'S WHO IN MEDICINE

HEALTHY EATERIES

MOON SHOTS UPDATE

BOOT CAMP TRAINING

PUTTING HOUSTON ON THE

CINEMA MAP

PUTTING HOUSTON ON THE

CINEMA MAP

MARCH / APRIL 2015

Interview with

Jeff LuhnowArts & Events

Steak Houses

Women’s Chamber

Conference

The Buzz

Real EstateRoundup

JULY / AUGUST 2015

Galveston Beginner’s Guide

Design SpotlightNo More Waiting Room

Renovating not Rebuilding


HPV Vaccine

Facts

9/6 Kansas with Blue Oyster Cult at House Of Blues

9/10 Manon - Opening Night at the Houston BalletThe 46th season gets underway with the first of six shows of the epic love story at the Wortham Center.

9/10 Katie Grinnan at Diverse Works Opening Reception for artist’s first installation in Texas. Installation is sculpture, photography, sound and video.

9/11 Katja Loher - Where Does Time Begin? Exhibition on view: September 11 - October 10, 2015.Opening Reception: Friday, September 11, 6:00 - 8:30pm.Artist Talk: Saturday, September 12, 11:00 am.An exhibition of new, mesmerizing works by internationally renowned, multi-disciplinary artist Katja Loher, marks the Artist’s fourth solo show with Anya Tish Gallery.One of the most innovative video artists of her generation, Loher’s work calls attention to potentially devastating ecological concerns such as mass deforestation and the declining population of bees, while emphasizing and interpreting the compelling beauty found in nature.Her fascinating video sculptures and installations have been the wonders of numerous public art projects, museum exhibitions, and art fairs worldwide.The Opening Reception is not to be missed, as the Artist will be present, and characters from her videos will be performing at Anya Tish Gallery, 4411 Montrose Blvd.Houston, Texas 77006 / 713.524.2299www.anyatishgallery.com

9/11 Exhibit Apparition: Frottages and Rubbings from 1860 to Now.Over 50 artists works exhibited at the famed Menil.

9/17 Cooking with Elisa, the author’s first theatrical work, was performed in Madrid, Buenos Aires, Lisbon, and Grenoble (France). It has won several awards, including the prestigious María Teresa León Award granted by the Spanish Association of Stage Directors (ADE) and the Spanish Ministry of Social Services Women’s Institute.Directed by Marcela Salas the play movesthrough the relationship between a chef and her apprentice, Cooking with Elisa displays with splendid dramatic fortitude

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intown

intown 17

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the sinister world of power and violence. Cooking with Elisa, the author’s first theatrical work, has won several awards, including the prestigious María Teresa León Award granted by the Spanish Association of Stage Directors (ADE) and the Spanish Ministry of Social Services Women’s Institute. This production is not suitable for children. Tickets: $25, $20, $15.Information: gentedeteatro.org 713-826-0445

9/18 Ariana Grande at Toyota Center - Two time grammy nominee struts her stuff.

9/19 Drawn From Nature- Asia Society TexasCelebrate the opening on friday with food trucks and family fun Exhibit open saturday and is the first exhibit for the center dedicated to nature.

9/25 Spies, Traitors, Saboteurs: Fear And Freedom In America.Examines the challenge of securing the nation without comprimising civil liberties.

9/26 A Study of Viscosity: An Exhibition of New Work by Marthann Masterson. A reception with the art ist set for Sept. 26

at Winter Street Gallery.

9/26 Peter Max’s exquisite paintings will be on exhibition and available for acquisition in a presentation at Off the Wall Gallery at the Galleria in Houston. www.offthewallgallery.com.

10/2 New Alley TheatreThe Alley Theatre’s historic renovation is on schedule to celebrate the first performance in the renovated Alley Theatre on October 2.

10/3 Unveiling of the BayouAn illuminated evening procession designed in partnership with New York-based Processional Arts Workshop. Free and open to the public.

10/3 Mark Fox ExhibitionFamed New York artist, Mark Fox will debut the first gallery exhibition of video installation Giverny: Journal of an Unseen Garden at Hiram Butler Gallery.

10/6 Opening Night at TUTS - Theatre Under The Stars kicks off with Matilda and will run through the 18th.

10/10 Bayou City Art Festival Downtown Houston.SATURDAY & SUNDAY 10AM - 6PM.A sophisticated outdoor gallery under the iconic Houston skyline, transforming the streets of downtown into artistic avenues.

10/23 Punch Party at RienziFall weather awaits you as you travel back to the mid-1700s at Rienzi, Museum Of Fine Arts, Houston.

10/ 23 Puccini’s Tosca will kick off the Houston Grand Opera season. Tosca will run through November 14.

10/30 Houston Symphony's Sinatra’s Centennial - Conductor Steven Reineke,vocalist Montego Glover and vocalist,pianist Tony DeSare in a salute to”Ol’ Blue Eyes” who would have been 100 years old this year.

11/18 The Phantom Of The Opera/Broadway at The Hobby Center - The new production of a classic runs for twelve days.

intown 18

Intown’s Mayoral

Race is wide open and

upon us. Polls show

that more than half of

Houston voters have not

decided on a candidate.

Here is some insight

into the qualifications

and direction of the

candidates who were

declared at press time.

Intown edited for space.

Go to houstonintown.com

for a full unedited version.

CHRIS BELL

Chris Bell was born in Abilene and raised in Dallas, and is a graduate of the University of Texas and South Texas College of Law. He has lived in Houston since 1988.

Bell started his career as a television and radio news reporter, covering the courts for KTRH in Houston while attending law school. In 1992, Bell was named Best Radio Reporter in the state by the Texas Associated Press.

In 1997, Bell was elected to Houston City Council and served under mayors Bob Lanier and Lee Brown. His leadership positions on Council included chair of the Fiscal Affairs and Ethics Committees. Bell was elected to Congress in 2002 and represented Texas’ 25th Congressional District from 2003 to 2005. In his first term, he was selected as one of two freshmen to serve on the Democratic Whip Team. He served only one term in Congress, as a controversial mid-decade redistricting of Texas congressional seats made the re-election of some Houston-area Democrats difficult.

Bell ran for Governor of Texas in 2006 and made an unexpectedly strong showing against Governor Rick Perry (39 to 29%) despite two strong independent challengers. Bell is a name partner in the litigation firm of Berg Feldman Johnson Bell, LLP.

He has served on numerous national and community boards. Having lost his mother to Parkinson’s disease, he now serves with the Houston Area Parkinson’s Society Advisory Board and nationally on the board of StemPAC.Chris Bell and Alison Ayres Bell have been married almost 23 years and they have two boys, Atlee and Connally.

When not practicing law, Bell’s hobbies include reading, golf, jogging, walking the dogs, and entertaining friends.

INTOWN MAYORAL QUESTIONS

Party affiliation? Democrat.

Favorite Book?What It Takes, by Richard Ben Cramer

HOUSTONMAYOR CAMPAIGN

Why should you be the next mayor of Houston?I returned to politics after a short absence because I strongly believe Houston’s next mayor MUST be willing to create a government that makes the fourth largest city in the U.S. the most modern city in the U.S. using technology to improve service and create a more transparent government.

What policies or direction of Mayor Parker will you continue or change?I would change the way the City manages its infrastructure maintenance and repair, especially streets. We cannot let our streets deteriorate to the point where repairs are an emergency.

I think the Mayor has had great success in a number of areas, specifically improvements to parks and greenspace including bikeways. BARC has been significantly improved and there have been significant improvements to the City’s overall quality of life.

What will be your two top priorities as mayor?Anyone elected Mayor should have the management of the City’s finances toward long-term stability as the top priority.

Street maintenance is a persistent issue. Making street repairs, and rebuilding streets must become routine business, and not be allowed to reach the point of needing an emergency response.

What are some of the ways you will work to balance the budget without sacrificing safety and benefits for city employees?First, we must honor existing agreements with City employees. But we must also realistically negotiate the terms of future pensions and retirements in a way that is manageable.

I will not balance the City’s budget on the backs of the men and women who protect us every day, our police and firefighters.

How do you sustain Houston’s growth in a low oil price environment?We have been through these cycles before, and we will weather this one. There has been significant progress in diversifying the City’s economy and employment, and so far economic indicators are showing that we are not suffering any damage from which we cannot recover.

What event or person has had the biggest influence in your life?Mother, Dorothy Hyde Bell

Politics

intown 19

STEVE COSTELLO

Steve Costello is a husband, father and grandfather who loves Houston more than any place on Earth, and wants it to be the best it can be for your kids and grandkids. While Steve believes Houston is the greatest city in the nation, he also recognizes that we can, and must, do better. That is why as your next mayor, Steve will work to fix our roads and traffic, prioritize our public safety, and protect taxpayer money. Houston is where Steve has spent most of his adult life. It is the city where he grew a successful engineering firm from scratch. And it is a diverse community he is proud to represent as an at-large member of the city council. Married to his wife Debbie for 39 years, and as a father and grandfather to two young granddaughters – Eliana and Giana, Steve believes that we must not only work to build a better Houston for the months and years ahead… but also for future generations of Houstonians yet to come. An engineer by education and trade, Steve was trained to look at problems and work to find a logical solution. His successful engineering firm, Costello, Inc. has not only helped grow hundreds of new jobs in and around Houston, it has also been named as one of the “best places to work” by the Houston Business Journal. Steve continually works to serve his neighbors and his community. He has helped protect and expand our parks and public green space through public advocacy efforts, and has also worked to cut wasteful spending, develop solutions to our many infrastructure needs, and even fought to protect our most vulnerable against dangerous “payday” lending as a member of Houston City Council.


Party affiliation? Houstonian first, but I vote in Republican primaries.

Favorite Book?The Competitive Runner’s Handbook, by Bob Glover.

Why should you be the next mayor of Houston?As a professional engineer, I’m the best prepared to fix our city’s street and drainage problems. As a small businessman, at-large member of City Council and chair of the budget committee, I have the problem-solving

experience to manage our city’s finances in what are projected to be some very difficult budget years.

What policies or direction of Mayor Parker will you continue or change?The current administration has missed the mark on implementation of the voter-approved ReBuild Houston street and drainage program. I will refocus the program to prioritize neighborhood reconstruction, and make sure maintenance issues like potholes are addressed in a timely manner. Under ReBuild we have tripled street and drainage spending as well as lowered our debt by $350 million, but we can and must do better by allowing more local input, increasing transparency and holding the city accountable for the resources we are expending.

What will be your two top priorities as mayor?Fixing our roads and installing true pension reform to get our city budget under control.

What are some of the ways you will work to balance the budget without sacrificing safety and benefits for city employees?The city is facing projected deficits over $100 million in each of the next 5 years. On my website, www.costelloformayor.com, you can read my detailed plan to reform our pension system in a way that is fair to both taxpayers and city employees. The end result of my plan is fully funding all three of our pension systems while also saving $200 million a year in taxpayer money that can be used to hire more police, fix our streets and provide tax relief to senior homeowners.

How do you sustain Houston’s growth in a low oil price environment?Keep taxes low, and be proactive vs reactive when it comes to developing our infrastructure. We’ve got to find a solution to fix our streets, and we have to get the city’s finances in order so we can restore faith with credit agencies like Moody’s who recently gave us a negative outlook. As a businessman and engineer, I feel I am uniquely qualified to address those challenges.

What event or person has had the biggest influence in your life?Debbie, my wife of 40 years, has been by my side through it all. Starting a family. Founding a business. Deciding to run for City Council. I once smoked 2 packs a day and weighed nearly 250 pounds. Now I run about 6 miles daily and have competed in 7 Ironman triathlons. The lowest point was when my youngest son Chris was in a near fatal car accident, and we struggled through 3 weeks of our child in a coma and over 3 months of medical rehabilitation. She put up with me through it all, and was also my inspiration during all those challenges and opportunities. None of that happens without Debbie.

"I will not balance the City’s budget on the backs of the men and women who protect us every day, our police and firefighters." Chris Bell

"The current administration has missed the mark on implementation of the voterapproved ReBuild Houston street and drainage program." Steve Costello

"Our economy cannot grow if our City cannot move effectively, so I plan to work on an integrated, multimodal transportation system and smart development plan." Adrian Garcia

"I will change the undisciplined use of 380 Agreements and TIRZ policies to recapture tax revenue for general use." Ben Hall

"Unfortunately, the current administration has not been able to tackle the looming pension crisis, nor has it taken other necessary steps to stabilize the City’s finances." Bill King

" It’s time for a business leader to become the CEO of the City of Houston, using sound business policies rather than politics." Marty McVey

"To sustain growth is to invest in our citizens by giving them the buying power that they deserve through our citizens qualifications and financial literacy programs." Demetria Smith

"The next mayor will need to do a careful and thoughtful review of the city’s entire financial portfolio; I am the candidate with the experience and judgment to lead that effort." Slyvester Turner

intown 20

ADRIAN GARCIA

Adrian Garcia began in public service as a Houston Police officer. After 23 years with the Department, former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier appointed Garcia to the position of HPD’s liaison to the Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office. In 1999, he was named Director of this anti-gang effort. After leaving HPD, Garcia served six years as a Houston City Councilman eventually becoming Mayor Pro-Tempore under Mayor Bill White. On City Council, Garcia chaired the Public Safety and Homeland Security committee, while also serving on the Minority Business Women Enterprise, Fiscal Affairs, and Flooding and Drainage committees. In 2008, Garcia was elected Harris County Sheriff. Under Garcia’s leadership he reduced the overcrowding at the Country’s third largest jail. Garcia also brought more diversity to the department’s command staff. In 2012 Garcia was re-elected Sheriff. Garcia lead a workforce of almost 5000 employees, managed a budget of approximately $500 million dollars and reformed the office to save taxpayers millions of dollars – all while putting more officers on the streets. Garcia believes the story of his success is owed to his family, friends and numerous colleagues he has met along the way.


Party affiliation: Democrat

Favorite Book:Leadership by Rudy Giuliani

Why should you be the next mayor of Houston? This city has been very good to me, and I want to make sure it remains as the city of opportunity.. I lead, managed, and reformed a major organization, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. My efforts to decrease gang involvement, prompted Mayor Bob Lanier to appoint me to the Mayor’s Anti Gang Office in 1994, and within 5 years I was the director of the program. I then took the skills that I learned as a police officer was elected to a seat on the Houston City Council, where I served three terms. While I was an ardent supporter of METRO light rail expansion, I listened carefully to the concerns of many residents about the new rail lines. I then created the city’s Construction Mitigation Program to extend low interest loans to businesses to help get through the disruptive construction period. Voters then awarded me the honor of leading a Sheriff’s Office. I am living proof of the promise of Houston, where if you work hard and play by the rules, you can

get anywhere you are bold enough to dream. My career has taught me the importance of listening to the needs of all communities and how we can make our City government work efficiently to serve Houstonians with a great quality of life today, while building our infrastructure for tomorrow.

What policies or direction of Mayor Parker will you continue or change? Mayor Parker has done an amazing job with her aggressive implementation of programs such as Green Houston and the Bayou Greenways program. The transformation of Houston into a more sustainable city that places an emphasis on the environment, health and quality of life of our residents is something I feel obligated to continue.That said, and in order to ensure the availability of proper funding for such initiatives, we need to do a better job addressing our city finances. Looking inward, the City must partner with employee groups to develop systems incorporating technology and best management practices aimed at eliminating waste.

What will be your two top priorities as mayor? Apart from City Finances, we also must address our Mobility and Transit needs and focus on Economic Development. We must grow our local economy for One Houston Economic development that creates jobs and benefits all of Houston’s communities while allowing those who work in the City to affordably live in the City. Our economy cannot grow if our City cannot move effectively, so I plan to work on an integrated, multimodal transportation system and smart development plan that allows for more Houstonians to move by bus, bike, train, and by foot.

What are some of the ways you will work to balance the budget without sacrificing safety and benefits for city employees? The biggest driver of this issue is our unpaid pension obligations. While I strongly believe that we must keep our promises to current retirees and employees, I believe we need to take a holistic look at all of the city finances, including pensions, to find an efficient solution going forward. I am committed to bringing all parties to the table to craft a local solution that allows for the City to keep its promises to public employees while still maintaining critical infrastructure.

How do you sustain Houston’s growth in a low oil price environment?Houston must continue to foster innovation that exists within our City. We are not just an oil and gas town, but a hub for forward thinking minds and we need to better market this aspect of our City. In addition to energy, we have a cutting edge bio tech industry located at our Medical Center, avant garde aerospace programs at NASA and a rapidly expanding Import Export economy facilitated through the Port of Houston.

What event or person has had the biggest influence in your life? My Dad.

BEN HALL

Benjamin Hall III was born into a family of meager financial means, giving him a lifelong understanding of the struggles too many families face. Ben also struggled academically as a child, and many teachers doubted his ability to succeed in college. However, he knew his own potential and refused to compromise his goals.

Ben graduated with honors from the University of South Carolina in 1977. He continued on to Duke University, where he obtained a Master of Divinity degree in 1979 and a Ph.D. in 1985. Ben saw an opportunity to help underrepresented communities as an attorney, and in 1986 received his law degree from Harvard Law School. From there, he began working at the Vinson & Elkins law firm in Houston, Texas. He went on to serve as City Attorney for the City of Houston in Mayor Bob Lanier’s administration. For approximately three years, Ben supervised a legal department of over 200 employees and managed an annual budget of over $12 million.

In 2000, Ben founded the nationally recognized Hall Law Firm, where he fights for average people every day. Ben has used his legal practice and his specialty in personal injury law to speak out on behalf of those who need a strong voice to champion their causes. Ben and the Hall Law Firm also maintain a significant commitment to pro bono efforts on behalf of groups, corporations, and individuals in need of representation.

Ben has been married to his wife, Saundra, for 34 years. They have two sons, Benjamin IV and Zachary. Ben and Saundra are the owners of KCOH Radio (1230 AM), the oldest black talk radio station in the Greater Houston area, and KCOH-TV. Ben has been an ordained Christian minister for over 40 years.

Community Involvement/

Professional Accomplishments

Life Member, NAACP

Sustaining Member, Harris County Democratic Party

Former Board Member, Red Cross, Houston Chapter

Highest Rating by Peers for Legal and Ethical

Competence

Member, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)

intown 21


Party affiliation? Democrat (Fiscal conservative)

Favorite Book? Albert Schweitzer’s, The Philosophy of Civilization

Why should you be the next mayor of Houston? I am committed to addressing the chronic problems confronting the city for decades with creative and realistic solutions. I have both the legal and business experience to tackle these challenges without raising taxes and maximizing use of public tax dollars. I have operated four (4) successful businesses, as well as served as the Houston City Attorney for 34 month during the Lanier Administration. I have creative policy fixes for the city’s fiscal and pension challenges without raising taxes and honoring legacy obligations. I favor a shift to a defined contribution pension system for all present non-vested employees.

What policies or direction of Mayor Parker will you continue or change? I will change the undisciplined use of 380 Agreements and TIRZ policies to recapture tax revenue for general use. I will also end the city’s drainage fee, if this fees is not extinguished by court order. I will not enforce the present HERO ordinance without revision, if the HERO is authorized during the November election. I will end the defined benefits approach to city pensions. I will also take a constructive and serious approach to addressing drainage problems and flooding concerns.

What will be your two top priorities as mayor? Stabilizing the City’s finances, and immediately addressing deferred maintenance (roadway and drainage) issues.

What are some of the ways you will work to balance the budget without sacrificing safety and benefits for city employees? Reallocate TIRZ tax revenue back into the city’s general funds, grow the tax base by increasing development and growth inside the city; and reducing costs by joining governmental functions with other tax funded agencies.

How do you sustain Houston’s growth in a low oil price environment? By diversity the economic base. Increased focus will be placed on international markets, growing our medical footprint and expanded maritime trade through our Port.

What event or person has had the biggest influence in your life? Jesus

BILL KINGA lifelong resident of the Houston area, King grew up the son of a union pipefitter and worked his way through the University of Houston. He earned his bachelor’s degree and his law degree – becoming the first in his family to graduate from college. He started in 1979 in the savings and loan industry – a venture that succumbed to the severe economic downturn of the late 1980s. King joined Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson – a firm that collects delinquent taxes – and was eventually named managing partner. While there, he helped lead Houston’s efforts to convert foreclosed properties into affordable housing. King also practiced law at Bracewell & Giuliani, and served as president of Southwest Airport Services, a fixed-base operator located at Ellington Air Force Base, from 1999 until February of this year. King served two terms as Mayor of Kemah, Texas, where he helped re-draw hurricane and disaster response plans. For his leadership, he was awarded the Outstanding Service Award from the National Hurricane Conference in 2007. Bill also wrote a public policy column for the Houston Chronicle from 2010 to 2014. King was one of three co-founders of the Houston Fire Fighters Foundation. In 2012, Bill co-chaired the HISD bond campaign to rebuild its dilapidated high schools throughout the city. King has served on the board of Interfaith Ministries and the Memorial Hermann Foundation.


Party affiliation? None.

Favorite Book?Unapologetically Moderate

Why should you be the next mayor of Houston?This city has been good to me, and I want to give back by putting my 40 years of experience in business and public service to work addressing the tough challenges facing Houston. I will get City Hall back to basics by fixing the streets, catching the crooks, and balancing the budget.

What policies or direction of Mayor Parker will you continue or change?I am encouraged that this administration has made some significant progress on the park system, particularly along Buffalo Bayou. I hope to continue--perhaps even finish--our linear park system that has been in the works for decades.

Unfortunately, the current administration has not been able to tackle the looming pension crisis, nor

has it taken other necessary steps to stabilize the City’s finances. The recent debt downgrade from Moody’s Investor Service should be a wake-up call to Houston’s leaders that the City needs to learn to live within its means.

What will be your two top priorities as mayor?The City must start taking concrete steps toward a balanced budget, or it will be very difficult to find resources for new initiatives — or even some basic services. Shelving pricey boondoggles like the Post Oak dedicated bus lane and addressing the over $70 million that the City spends each year on overtime pay are just a couple of the measures that I have support.

Infrastructure problems in Houston have reached the point of a crisis. Cost savings from other programs should be immediately dedicated to pothole repair.

What are some of the ways you will work to balance the budget without sacrificing safety and benefits for city employees?I do not support pension changes for any CURRENT retirees or employees. A deal is a deal. But newly-hired city employees should start with a 401k-style defined-contribution retirement plan. The cost to the City is so much less that we can offer signing bonuses and other incentives to attract the best possible people.

How do you sustain Houston’s growth in a low oil price environment?Houston has other vibrant economic sectors, like medicine, that can help to drive the economy in a time of lower oil prices. But there is no getting around the fact that lower energy prices have caused some hardships here, and there is always a possibility that things may get worse before they get better. That’s why I want to get City Hall back to basics with sensible financial decisions and balanced budgets. If tougher times do come along, we don’t want to harm the local economy and taxpayers with drastic cuts to payroll and services. The city needs to constantly seek out ways to develop new economic strengths. My vision is to leverage our already-substantial medical and scientific expertise to help the Texas Medical Center and surrounding areas become the “Silicon Valley of Biotech.”

What event or person has had the biggest influence in your life?When the savings and loan crisis hit back in the 1980s, I was brought close to financial ruin. It was my friends from around Houston who encouraged me to dust myself off and get back in the game, and since then I have been blessed with some great successes. These events taught me about the value of resiliency in the face of adversity, but I also learned a lot about the caring, giving, adventurous, and entrepreneurial spirit of Houston. If we keep in mind that this city dredged a ship channel 50 miles inland and sent a man to the moon, then we can’t help but have confidence that Houston will always overcome the challenges it faces.

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Marty McVey is a 41-year-old entrepreneur with more than 15 years of international business development, leadership in creating new businesses through direct financial investments, as well as recognized social justice expertise. In 2011, he was appointed by President Barack Obama as a Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD). USAID plays a critical role in US efforts in stabilizing regions and building responsive local governance; the agency addresses many of the same problems as military interventions but uses a different set of tools. USAID extends help from the American people to achieve results for the poorest and most vulnerable around the world. Responsibilities with the agency include providing guidance to the federal government regarding investments in training, research, and technology transfer to developing countries. McVey founded a private equity firm that spurred the creation of award-winning businesses in the Real Estate, Clean Energy Services and Healthcare sectors. Mr. McVey is also a licensed Real Estate Broker in Texas. McVey has been guest lecturer at the Borlaug Institute at Texas A&M University, Trulaske College of Business at the University of Missouri, the Moody College of Business at the University of Louisiana, the Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University, the Center on Conflict and Development at Texas A&M University, the Center for International Studies at the University of St. Thomas, the Center for International and Comparative Studies at the University of Houston among others. Mr. McVey earned a Bachelor and Master of Business Administration, from American University. He received his Global Master of Business Administration from Georgetown University as well as a Master Universitario en Administración Empresas from Esade University in Madrid, Spain. Additionally Mr. McVey completed Harvard Business School's Developing Future Leaders' Program.

INTOWN MAYORAL QUESTIONS Party affiliation? Democrat

Favorite Book? The Art of Happiness by Dr. Howard Cutler and the Dalai Lama

MARTY MCVEY

Why should you be the next mayor of Houston? For the last ten years, we have been talking about pensions, crumbling infrastructures and the massive debt service that Houston has accumulated. My expertise as a businessman and my experience on USAID of oversight of $22 billion demonstrates a proven record of implementing new strategies and cost-effective solutions. It’s time for a business leader to become the CEO of the City of Houston, using sound business policies rather than politics.

What policies or direction of Mayor Parker will you continue or change?I want to establish a true all-encompassing Office of Economic Opportunity that will recruit new national and international businesses which include selected manufacturing that is eco-friendly along with technology startup companies. These companies would expand into underserved neighborhoods providing better paying jobs, multi-generational housing, mixed housing neighborhoods and city-sponsored community centers for health, wellness and training. Through the Office of Economic Opportunity, there will be a division for grant recruitment and a “Whole of Government” liaison that will reach out to all government entities, county, state and federal, to maximize tax dollars.

What will be your two top priorities as mayor?“Economic development that attracts national and international clean manufacturing and technology to Houston producing tax revenues. Infrastructure to protect our crumbling streets, drainage and sewer. I also want to modernize our publicsafety departments of police and fire. Those affect all of us; we need to make sure our city is protected. What are some of the ways you will work to balance the budget without sacrificing safety and benefits for city employees?I want to expand the encouraging development underway now in Houston’s East End and on the South side to bring in more partnerships with the private sector that will support effective programming. How do you sustain Houston’s growth in a low oil price environment?Diversify.

What event or person has had the biggest influence in your life?My father, who is a retired police officer, had a great influence on my life. Historically, I admire the contributions of President Theodore Roosevelt to our country.

Demetria Smith is a Houston native and

a small financial business owner with

a background in mortgage finance/

lending. Smith feels her candidacy has

been excluded until recently and that the

mistreatment was unfair to herself, women,

and Houstonians as a whole. Smith has

been a strong advocate for groups often

overlooked by the political establishment,

especially those near the poverty threshold

-- women, children, and individuals with

criminal records attempting to return to

the workforce. Earlier this year, Smith

lobbied heavily for House Bill 418, which

was approved in May and addresses child

trafficking and the immediacy with which

victims can be placed into care. A mother

of six and grandmother of four, Smith

understands the importance of providing

assistance for single mothers and others

in the community who struggle to become

independent from government assistance.

She is a parent’s’ rights advocate who not

only lobbied for a bill to protect families

from being bullied by child protective

services, but also educates parents

on their rights and how to fight unfair

practices in order to regain custody of

their children. Much of Smith’s focus on

poverty-stricken communities involves

initiatives that help citizens become

homeowners. “To generate wealth is to

fight against poverty,” Smith maintains.

She is applying her skills acquired in the

financial lending industry to take on many

of the poverty-related issues affecting the

city. She is promoting financial literacy to

families throughout the city, and lobbying

to remove discriminatory individuals from

their positions when they have failed to

serve their communities.


Party Affiliation?

Democrat

Favorite Book?

Holy Bible

DEMETRIA SMITH

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SYLVESTER TURNER

Sylvester Turner was born and raised in Houston. Sylvester’s mother worked as a maid and his father worked as a painter and on the weekends, cut yards with his sons to make extra money. Sylvester lost his father to cancer when he was 13 years old. Turner attended public schools and went on to attend the University of Houston and Harvard Law School before joining the law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski. He later founded the Barnes & Turner and in 1988, was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. He is a member of the Legislative Budget Board; Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee; Chair of the Subcommittee on General Government, Judiciary, Public Safety and Criminal Justice; and a member of the House State Affairs Committee. He also chairs the Texas Legislative Black Caucus and the Greater Houston Area Legislative Delegation. Texas Monthly Magazine named him one of Texas’ Ten Best Legislators in 2015. Sylvester was able to free up funds collected but not spent for trauma care centers around the state. Turner has fought to prohibit retail electric providers from charging minimum usage fees. He did not win that battle but the Public Utility Commission, seeing the positive response to his proposed bill, now allows citizens to see that information more clearly on its Power to Choose website. From 2003 to 2009, Sylvester served as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Texas House. He chaired the House Criminal Justice Appropriations Committee and the House Select Committee on Hurricane Ike Storm Devastation, and served as a member of the House Calendars Committee and the House Select Committee on Electric Generation Capacity and Environmental Effects.


Party affiliation? Democrat

Favorite Book?Bible

Why should you be the next mayor of Houston?I am running for mayor to make sure that today’s young people have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, just like I did. That starts with providing a city that is well run, clean and safe, and that treats everyone who lives here equally and with dignity and respect.

I have worked with Mayor Parker and others before her to advance the City of Houston’s priorities in the Legislature. I have the ability to work with leaders from every community to achieve results. The relationships that I have with Democrats and Republicans at the state level and with liberal and conservative faith leaders locally, have been instrumental in my ability to win and protect gains with respect to civil rights and equality.

What policies or direction of Mayor Parker will you continue or change?I will work to bring our city together to build upon the progress we’ve made in recent years. Some of the areas I will focus on include:Economic empowerment. Young people are the ones who are hardest hit by economic stagnation and our growing income inequality. My very first policy proposal, Road to the Future, includes plans for providing jobs and career training.

Public safety. Rebuilding the trust between HPD and Houston’s diverse communities, including our youth.

Basic city investments. Our most visible infrastructure problem is the terrible condition of our roads. The next mayor will need to do a careful and thoughtful review of the city’s entire financial portfolio.

What will be your two top priorities as mayor?There is a top tier of challenges that our next mayor will need to address, including the need for safer neighborhoods, improved roads and infrastructure, stronger support for our public schools and careful management of our budget. Those are all top priorities for me.

Our economy is strongest when our middle class is thriving and when all our residents have access to good-paying jobs. Making the long-term strategic decisions that will expand opportunity throughout the city is the key responsibility of our next mayor.

What are some of the ways you will work to balance the budget without sacrificing safety and benefits for city employees?We must explore alternative sources of revenue, such as lifting the revenue cap for certain limited purposes such as hiring more police officers. And we must grow our tax base...

How do you sustain Houston’s growth in a low oil price environment?As mayor, I will pursue a vision of economic growth and stability throughout the city, meaning: - Neighborhoods where families can afford to live, with amenities families need, including strong schools, retail, and transit.- Using all the tools at my disposal, including the responsible use of business incentives.To achieve these goals, I will apply the following strategies:- Regulatory certainty through long-term planning. - A focus on the key needs of the middle-class: infrastructure, education, housing, retail. The focus on basic middle-class needs has a two-fold benefit:- First, it creates the kinds of pleasant, livable communities where people can raise families. - Second, it attracts business development and job growth.

What event or person has had the biggest influence in your life?When my father passed away when I was 13, my mother became “the captain of the ship.” She would come home from her job and make sure that all nine of her children had what they needed to succeed. I could not have attended Harvard Law School without my mother. So when I graduated, the one person I wanted at the ceremony was my mom.

Why should you be the next mayor of

Houston?

Because I’ll be working together for the

common good of all people, fighting

against poverty, oppression, and injustice.

What policies or direction of Mayor

Parker will you continue or change?

I want to change the bathroom section of

the HERO ordinance. I do not support the

opposite sex sharing the same restrooms

for public safety concerns.

What will be your top two priorities as

mayor?

My top two priorities are to bring wealth to

the city by creating wealth for our citizens

while promoting home ownership, and to

bridge the gap between our communities

and law enforcement by introducing the

H.E.A.L. Initiative. Help, Empowering,

Accountability, and Leadership within our

police department.

What are some of the ways you will

work to balance the budget, without

sacrificing safety and benefits for city

employees?

I will balance the budget by first taking a

look at the city’s deficits, looking to address

specific issues affecting the economy in

those areas. I think it is key to promote more

homeownership, small businesses, and

create jobs that will pay above the income

poverty threshold while giving citizens the

opportunity to be skillfully trained for the

demands of the job market.

How do you sustain Houston’s growth in

a low oil price environment?

To sustain growth is to invest in our citizens

by giving them the buying power that they

deserve through our citizens qualifications

and financial literacy programs. I also think

it is very important to get ex offenders back

to work, contributing to our economy.

What event or person has had the biggest

influence on your life?

I find empowerment in myself, due to my

passion and compassion for the people.

I love all mankind, all lives matter. My

understanding relates to the needs of

the people of poverty. My inner strength

and determination have truly helped my

through my failures and struggles, along

with my faith in God. I believe in my ability

and am confident in all I can accomplish for

our city as Houston Mayor.

intown 24

Food

the hot trend inEating

By Marene Gustin

“I’d never heard of a gluten-free diet

ten years ago,” says restaurateur Ray

Salti, owner of the Pepperoni’s pizza

chain. “Then, about eight years ago,

we had a Texans player who came into

one of our restaurants a lot with his

young son and the son never ate the

pizza. When we asked, he said the boy

couldn’t eat gluten.”

Salti researched the issue and found

that some people, in particular, those

with celiac disease, can’t eat the protein

found in wheat, rye and barley. He found

a bakery in Austin that offered gluten-

free pizza dough and started ordering

it. Pepperoni’s was the first pizza eatery

in the Houston area to offer gluten-free

pizza. But it caught on fast.

Today almost every restaurant, from

Tex-Mex to fine dining and barbeque

joints, offers some gluten-free options.

And it’s not just those suffering from the

genetic autoimmune disorder that are

choosing to forego gluten.

“About one in one hundred people

worldwide have celiac disease,” says

Dr. Ean Sachs, a gastroenterologist with

Houston Methodist Hospital. It seems

like more people today have celiac

disease than in the past, but

that may not be the case. “I

don’t think the incidence is

increasing, I think it’s more a

matter of better detection,”

he says. “And there are those

who have gluten sensitivity

due to other health issues.”

And there are many more

who just think eating less or

no gluten is just healthier.

But is it?

Certainly, depending on the

ingredients of gluten-free

snacks and dishes, a gluten-free diet is

not a weight-loss diet. But if you feel

better not eating the stuff, than Dr.

Sachs says, why not?

“There is no downside to a gluten-free

diet,” he says. “If you feel better than

that is good, the only problem is that

intown 25

My name is Teresa Soriano. I have worked as a

housekeeper and babysitter in the Houston area since arriving from Mexico in 1990. I acquired my US citizenship in 2007, and now live here with my beautiful Christian family. My husband is a master plumber and a business owner. We have two beautiful daughters and two dogs.

I have references available from many customers about our work. We strive to gain our customers trust with endorsements regarding our company. I have a team to tackle any housekeeping job that comes our way, with no job too small or too large for us. We can use your specified products, if the customer has cleaning product restrictions or preferences.

Customer’s satisfaction is very important to us. We can provide service weekly, bi-weekly, or once a month. Our cleaning services are not limited to residential homes, condos, businesses, and we also service apartments.

My team and I take very good care of the properties we clean. We also take pride in our work, and do not charge big prices like

Introducing HouseKeeping by Teresa

Please call or send a text message to

832.744.0416 kg.soriano@hotmail .com

the larger companies. We provide free estimates and you will find we charge a very competitive price. Our team is very dependable, honest, trustworthy, and we practice integrity in our work environment. This is what makes our housekeeping service unique.

We are fluent in Spanish and

English

gluten is in a lot of things, (from beer to

certain candies, sauces and dressings)

it’s not so easy to live gluten-free.”

But it is getting easier, just ask

Paul Morris. A chemical engineer

diagnosed with celiac disease nine

years ago; Morris was floored with

the prospect of giving up bread, pasta

and pancakes.

“I researched everything,” Morris says,

“looking for a loophole.” But in the end,

he had to give up gluten completely

to get well. At the time, there weren’t

many gluten-free products in stores,

so he took to his home kitchen.

“I had always cooked,” he says, “but

ironically I wasn’t much of a baker.”

That changed when it was either learn

to bake without gluten or give up the

foods he loved. He made pancakes and

muffins with buckwheat and brown

rice. He added dark chocolate chips

and pumpkin and pretty soon he was

baking delicious foods that actually

tasted good. That was the beginning

of his family’s Whole Note Food

Co., started in 2012, that now sells

packaged gluten-free baking mixes

to Whole Foods Markets in four Texas

cities and is continuing to expand.

“The gluten-free market has expanded

30 percent a year for the past five

years,” Morris says of the $2.4 million

industry. “I think that will flatten out

eventually, but I think it is a long-term

sustainable growth trend.”

“And it’s not just people who have

trouble eating gluten,” he adds. “Once

you have a product that tastes as

good as a wheat product, people with

allergies and sensitivities to gluten that

have to eat the product find that their

family and friends will eat it as well.”

intown 26

Dove Hunting intexas

by Bubba DeCrosta

Hunters, the 2015 Dove season is upon us

and it’s going to get started with a Bang!

texas is the largest dove hunting

state in the USA with over 300,000

hunters expected to participate this

fall. There are four dove hunting zones in

Texas. The north and central zones open

September 1st through October 25th and

December 1st through January 22nd.

The south and special white-winged dove

zones open September 18th through

October 21st and December 18th through

January 22nd and the daily bag limit for all

zones are fifteen. A state hunting license

is required. They can be purchased online

and at your local sporting goods store.

The super combo license includes hunting

and fishing and costs $68.00, the hunting

only license costs $25.00 and the senior

and junior license $7.00 and are valid from

September 1st through August 31st.

For those Texans that have never hunted

dove, it can be fast, furious and frustrating!

Dove fly fast and dart in different directions

making them a challenging target. A dove

hunt is also the perfect time to bond with

your friends and family and hone your

hunting safety skills.

Dove are migratory birds and are protected

by federal guidelines. With the extremely

wet winter, we had the dove populations

have exploded. The dove leaves the roost

usually a tree line or wooded area and flies

to the fields in the morning where they

gorge all day on corn, rice, milo and milk

intown 27

BuBBa’s Dove Recipe Soak doves in your favorite marinade for 1 hour

Split breast on both sides at the breast plate

Stuff with jalapeno and cream cheese

Wrap outside with a thin slice of warm bacon

Slow cook at 200 degrees for 30 minutes

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Welcome amenity upon arrival

Relax poolside while enjoying the sounds of our DJ

on Saturdays & Sundays

Enjoy Dive-in movies on Saturday evenings

Dance & mingle in our intimate night club, NOE After

Dark, on Friday and Saturday nights

Omni Houston Galleria HotelFour Riverway, Houston, TX 77056

P: 713-871-8181 (direct)F: 713-871-8116

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weed. In the evening they fly to the water hole for and to gravel,

then return to their roost. With these helpful tips you can seek

out their flyway and increase your chances for a successful hunt.

There are many dove leases in our area that you can lease by

the season. A typical season lease can cost between $250 up to

$500. Day hunts can be for as little as $35 (per person) to $120,

(per person) per day. Kids are usually less. You can find these

advertised in newspapers or on the internet. My go to guys can

be found in El Campo Texas, Waterfowl Specialties Inc, 979-

543-1190. They have a beautiful lodge close to the fields. They

specialize in Doves, Ducks, And Geese. It’s best to pick a lease or

lodge that fits you and your hunting party whether it be a family

hunt or corporate hunt. The old saying holds true “a family that

hunts together stays together.”

BEAT THE TEXAS HEAT WITH OUR SUMMER

STAYCATION PACKAGECall for details or book online

intown 28

Evans Attwell

FinancialFOCUS

by Pat Green

With taxes and dividend income, seasoned investors have learned the special qualified dividend treatment can increase their after-tax return.They tend to find some dividend-paying stocks and mutual funds attractive because their total return includes both the dividend and any market price appreciation.

However, investors whose income exceeds certain thresholds need to keep an eye on the additional 3.8% Medicare surcharge. As of Jan. 1, 2013, single taxpayers with Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) of$200,000 and married couples with MAGI in excess of $250,000 are subject to anadditional 3.8% Medicare surcharge on net investment income (which includes alltaxable dividends).

For tax purposes, it’s important to know dividends are considered either “qualified” or “nonqualified.” Qualified dividends are:

• Tax-free for those with income falling within the 10% and 15% brackets to the extent qualified dividend income remains within those brackets

• Taxed at a 15% rate for those with income falling within the 25% to 39.6% tax brackets

• Taxed at a 20% rate for higher income taxpayers whose income surpasses the 39.6% tax bracket

Taxes on dividends:

Nonqualified dividends are taxed at the same rates as ordinary income (currently a 39.6% maximum).

What’s a ‘qualified’ dividend?

Qualified dividends are paid to investors in common and preferred stock of U.S. corporations where the income is derived from U.S. equity securities. Dividends passed through by mutual funds or other regulated investment companies can be qualified or nonqualified, depending on the underlying securities held by the fund.

If a fund receives a qualified dividend, the dividend will maintain its qualified status when passed through to shareholders. Distributions from partnerships and real estate investment trusts typically are not characterized as qualified dividends. Also, qualified dividends do not include distributions from preferred debt.

Dividends paid by certain foreign corporations may also be qualified. Examples include:

• Shares represented by a publicly traded American Depositary Receipt (ADR)

• Shares are otherwise readily tradable on an established U.S. securities market

• Corporations incorporated in a U.S. possession

• Corporations incorporated in a country having an income-tax treaty with the United States containing an exchange of information program approved by the U.S. Treasury

Keep in mind that the foreign corporate dividend may remain subject to foreign tax withholding.

‘QUALIFIED’ vs.

‘NONQUALIFIED’Wells Fargo Advisor

intown 29

0815-01769

Investment and Insurance Products: u NOT FDIC Insured u NO Bank Guarantee u MAY Lose Value

7403

0-v5

A16

22

Are your investments in harmony?We can help determine whether your investments are working well together to help you reach your long-term goals. Call today for a complimentary portfolio review.

Patricia Green , CFP®Financial AdvisorSenior Vice President – Investments1300 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 400Houston, TX 77056Direct: (713) [email protected]/p.green773481

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2013 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved.

It’s critical to obtain proper tax classification of an investment to determine whether the dividend is qualified.

How does the qualified dividend tax treatment work?

For example, Jake has $66,100 in annual taxable income, excluding his dividends. Because he’s married and files a joint return, he would be in the 15% federal tax bracket. However, his $9,000 in qualified dividends pushes his total income in excess of $74,900, which pushes his income to within the level of the 25% tax bracket. As a result, $8,800 of Jake’s qualified dividends would be tax-free, while the remaining $200 [$75,100 (his total income) - $74,900] would be taxed at 15%.¹

Is there a required holding period?

To qualify for the special tax treatment, shareholders must satisfy a certain holding period² based on the type of stock held:

• For common stock, shareholders must own the stock for more than a 60-day period containing the ex-dividend date.

• For preferred stock, the owner must hold the shares for more than a 90-day period including the ex-dividend date.

Active traders should monitor their holding periods carefully to benefit from the qualified-dividend tax treatment.

Capital losses and offsetting qualified dividends

Although dividends and long-term capital gains are taxed at the same rates, this does not mean capital losses can be used to offset dividends. However, if you have a net capital loss after offsetting all capital gains, up to $3,000 per year of capital loss may offset regular taxable income which may include dividends. When calculating the 3.8% Medicare surtax, the $3,000 additional capital loss cannot offset dividends.

Get the right advice

It’s important to understand how dividends are taxed – this is only a brief summary. For more detailed information, contact your tax advisor. Keep in mind taxes certainly affect investment returns. The effects of taxes should be only one of many factors you consider when making investment decisions.

There are tax advantages to owning a qualified-dividend-paying stock – but that alone doesn’t make the stock appropriate for your portfolio. Before you make an investment, your Financial Advisor will work with you to consider a variety of factors, such as your long-term goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance, in addition to the tax implications.

¹Although this example is conceptually accurate, the actual tax calculation Jake

would perform on his tax forms would involve a separate worksheet to determine

the amount of the qualified dividends that would be categorized and taxed at

various rates.

²When a stock trades ex-dividend, the dividend, when paid, goes to the seller. In

general, the exchange designates a stock as ex-dividend a few days before the record

date. Certain hedge positions may suspend the holding period for this purpose.

Wells Fargo Advisors is not a tax or legal advisor. While this information is not intended

to replace your discussions with your tax advisor, it may help you to comprehend the

tax implications of your investments and plan efficiently going forward.

Dividends are not guaranteed and are subject to change or elimination.

This article was written by/for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Patricia Green, CFP®, Financial Advisor, Sr. Vice-President, in Houston, TX, at 713-403-7331.

Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE

©2015 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. 0515-04131 [96199-v1] 05/15

The

BUZZBy Lindsay Mowad

Allie Danziger, Tiffany Blaylock

Meredith Smith, Cally Kovar

Sherril Foley, Renee Dupre, Monique Gonzales, Shabnam Hasan

Desiree Urrutia, Alex de Barros

Lauren Dupius, Paige Branam

Meagan Thomason, Krystal Finch

Whitney Cameron, Abby Frizzelle

Eileen J. Morris and Katlynn Simone

Micheal J. Helm, Mayor Parker, Argentina James, Scott Minnix, Jesse Tyson

Yvonne Washington

Jesse Tyson and Sheila Jackson Lee

Kieth Davis, Rachel and Jerry Davis

Irma P Hall

WOMEN OF WARDROBE HOSTS DRESS FOR SUCCESS HOUSTONSponsored by Equinox River Oaks

Women of Wardrobe (WOW) hosted its 12th Annual Membership Drive at Dress for Success. The fiesta themed event featured designer Chloe Dao, food and drink sponsors, inspirational stories from Dress for Success clients. Thirty five new members joined the over 300 current members of WOW, one of Houston’s largest all-female young professionals groups.WOW’s goal is to assist Dress for Success Houston through fundraising and volunteerism to support the overall mission. www.womenofwardrobe.org.Founded in 1998 by Nancy Levicki and Susie Cunningham, Dress for Success Houston provides low-income women seeking employment appropriate interview suits and career development resources with the goal of becoming economically self-sufficient. For more visit www.dfshouston.org

Angela Williams, Danielle Rios, Rachel Garrett

Micheal Helm, Mayor Parker, Argentina James, Sherra Aguirre, Kathy Parker, Scott Minn

THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE CELEBRATED ITS 2015 CELEBRITY GALAMayor Annise Parker and Actress Irma P. Hall Receive Top Honors

The Ensemble Theatre celebrated its 2015 Annual Fundraiser and Black Tie Gala entitled: Follow the Dream: Celebrating the Empire at the Hilton Americas- Houston, Saturday, August 15, 2015. This year’s gala raised more than $350,000 thanks to top sponsors H-E-B, Schlumberger, Shell, BP America, Houston First, United Airlines, and a host of corporations and individuals who have invested greatly in the theatre’s growth and development. The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and enlighten, entertain and enrich a diverse community. Photo credits: David Bray

Schlumberger Head Table Guests

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New Listings

505 W Main St - Montrose $649,000

516 E Friar Tuck (Lot) - Sherwood Forest$3,750,000

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www.youngrealtyhouston.com - (832) 819-0391 - [email protected]

5802 W Bellfort - Parkwest$299,990

11530 Quarto - Richmond$479,000

3333 Allen Pkwy #602 - The Royalton$575,000


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Desiree Urrutia, Alex de Barros

Apple, the Apple logo and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

OUR PRINCIPLES AREN’T FOR SALE. THEY ARE, HOWEVER, AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD.

frostbank.com

River Oaks Financial Center

2443 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77098

(713) 388-1059

M E M B E R F D I C



frostbank.com


2443 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77098

(713) 388-1059

M E M B E R F D I C



frostbank.com


2443 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77098

(713) 388-1059

M E M B E R F D I CApple, the Apple logo and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.


frostbank.com


2443 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77098

(713) 388-1059

M E M B E R F D I C

Ap

ple

, the

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frostbank.com


2443 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77098

(713) 388-1059

M E M B E R F D I C



frostbank.com


2443 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77098

(713) 388-1059

M E M B E R F D I C

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Intown magazine web 31