Brits Get Bad News Life on the other side of the pond

Three British businessmen, implicated in the Enron Follies, fought extradition to Houston on the grounds that being forced to stand trial in Texas “would be unjust and incompatible with European human rights.” Obviously word of our thumbscrews has been leaked. Their pleas were rejected, so David Bermingham, Gary Mulgrew and Giles Darby came to Houston and are our reluctant guests. Each is charged with seven counts of wire fraud for allegedly colluding with former Enron Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fastow in a scam that netted them $7.3 million. If convicted, they could get 35 years in the slammer. Of course, the trio is being accused of federal crimes; and if a Houston Star Chamber hearing finds them guilty, they will probably end up in a U.S. Government Prison &Spa.

Then again, if they continue to talk funny, refer to America as “the Colonies” and ask the judge what happened to his white wig, they could be sentenced to Abu Ghraib or Guantanamo Bay, especially if His Honor had invested in Enron.

Where they will end up, if convicted, is anyone’s guess. It would be unjust and incompatible with European human rights to be sentenced to a Texas state prison, or worse, get 35 years in Oklahoma. There are other options. We have a big jail in downtown Houston that holds drug lords, Mafia kingpins and the occasional journalist who refuses to turn over her notes to the FBI. (Remember that is the prison that held writer Vanessa Leggett for 168 days.) And we have city jails, a county jail, prison farms and all sorts of confinement centers. Here in Texas, we do love to lock ’em up and throw away the key.

The judge has let the Brits out on bail, but wants them to stay here just in case they are needed for something, like being fit for personalized thumbscrews, and they must wear electronic monitoring devices. Since they will be hanging around – so to speak – in Houston, there are a few things they should know, if they really want to fit in because, as one of their lawyers noted, “They are strangers in a strange land.”

For example, on this side of the pond a “boot” is not a car trunk but what we wear on our feet. A “flat” is a tire (and not a tyre). A “queen” means something totally different to us. A “pound” is not a unit of currency but is where you’ll find your car if you overstay your welcome at a meter. Incidentally, we use “meter” as a length only for measuring artillery fire and track meets. “Chimney Rock” is not an Elvis platinum. In Houston, fish ‘n’ chips is a tuna sandwich at a poker game. “Chili” is not a South American country, is spelled with an “i” at the end, and is served without beans. Speaking of food, a “chicken-fried steak” is not a T-bone cooked by a rooster. As for your electronic monitoring device, just explain that ankle bracelets with antennas are the newest fad in SoHo.

A few don’ts
Don’t say, “Andy Fastow was doing a heck of a job.” Don’t walk into a bar and yell, “Draw!” Don’t be offended if someone says the Buckingham Guardsmen need their Afros trimmed.
Don’t refer to the French by using the insulting term, “frogs.” Over here, they are “spineless snail-eaters wanting a deodorant.” Don’t use your car’s directional blinker.
This brings us to the tale of the Houstonian who was transferred by his oil company to London. The first day he left for work and was driving along when his cell phone rang. It was his wife, who practically screamed, “Elmer, be careful! I just heard on the radio that some idiot is driving the wrong way on the freeway!”

“One?” Elmer replied. “Hell, Martha, there are hundreds of them!”

We drive on the right – as in correct – side of the street. When we refer to drinking “tea,” it is cold, not hot. “Tee time” is different, too. When writing, don’t put a “u” in color, honor or yo. Except for the Alley, which is pretentious, the word is spelled “theater” not “theatre.” And we don’t go to the cinema, watch the telly or call soccer “football.” If TV announcers refer to “blitz,” “long bomb,” “two-minute warning” and “sudden death,” it is probably just a football game and not Donald Rumsfeld’s morning agenda.

(At this point it should be noted that we have stolen some things from England: Their language, witch burning and our school finance plan, Robin Hood.)

Finally, avoid trying to drive out of Houston during one of our well-organized, precision hurricane evacuations, but if you do, remember to keep to the left. Those lanes will be empty.

The Perfect Blend of Nature with Modern Luxury

This superb suburban community invites you to take a taste of the good life

Founded in 1974, The Woodlands, Texas, has been the best selling master-planned community in the state since 1990. Located nearly 30 miles north of downtown Houston, The Woodlands ranks as one the city’s favorite suburban destinations due to its world-renowned community design and ultimate mix of lush piney woods and endless amenities for entertainment, education and family enrichment. Composed of seven residential villages (with an eighth in the works), The Woodlands is truly a work of art in itself. As of the 2005 census, more than 80,659 people were happy to call The Woodlands “home.” With world-class restaurants, outstanding shopping centers, multiple entertainment venues, a brand-new waterway and more than 28 percent of the land dedicated to green space (parks, pathways, open spaces, golf courses and forest preserves), it’s easy to see why!

From outdoor concerts and performances to family-friendly play areas, The Woodlands is one community that offers its residents the best of the best when it comes to entertainment options. Owned and operated by The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands and named for the wife of The Woodlands’ founder George P. Mitchell, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is an outdoor amphitheater that can hold up to 17,000 people. Opened in April 1990, The Pavilion hosts more than 75 events, from rock concerts to contemporary American ballet, every March through November. The Pavilion also serves as the official “summer home” of the Houston Symphony and hosts a series of performances by the symphony every summer season. In addition, the Pavilion’s parent organization, The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, supports an extensive number of youth enrichment and educational outreach programs designed to introduce the arts to young audiences. The largest of these is the annual Children’s Festival, held each October.

If you prefer shopping to symphony, The Woodlands’ marvelous Market Street is your place to stock up on the finest of fashions and dine in remarkable restaurants. With more than 35 stores and 17 cafes and restaurants (and many, many more on the way!), as well as a Cinemark theater, a miniature golf park and a Segway Human Transporter rental station, Market Street truly is a one-stop for locals wanting to shop, dine or play with convenience in mind.

A short drive away stands The Woodlands Town Center, which features sophisticated office buildings, trendy residential lofts and brownstones, entertainment venues, and the four diamond Marriott Hotel. With a range of bridges, parks and public green spaces, Town Center offers residents an impressive glimpse into The Woodlands’ brimming commercial development industry. The Woodlands Waterway, a 1.4-mile-long park and transportation passageway, runs directly through Town Center, allowing visitors to visit specialty shops, The Woodlands Mall, numerous restaurants or offices via trolleys or water taxis. Recently constructed, Town Green Park, a four-acre green space with a children’s amphitheater, an entertainment stage with natural seating and a literary labyrinth with giant book sculptures of Aesop’s Fables – offers families the perfect setting for a pleasant picnic or rest stop from a day on the town. Also coming to Town Center is Waterway Square, a one-acre public plaza featuring multiple water works, elaborate stonework, a grove of shade trees under which visitors can relax and an outdoor performing arts stage. With Sasaki, designer of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Green, behind the project, look for the much-anticipated project to be completed by the end of 2006.

The Woodlands also houses an extensive assortment of artwork in public places – with more than 30 outdoor sculptures scattered throughout numerous public buildings, offices and landscapes. The community has its very own children’s museum, The Woodlands Children’s Museum, featuring traveling collections, interactive exhibits and educational activities that help children explore creativity; stimulate cognitive, social and emotional growth; and enhance their interest in the arts. In addition, The Woodlands is home to many art associations that foster the growth of local artisans and artwork throughout the ever-growing community. The Woodlands is also one of the only suburban communities in the country with its own symphony orchestra. Under direction of Maestro Dagang Chen, The Woodlands Symphony Orchestra is now in its 13th season and presents extraordinary concerts in the Nancy Bock Performing Arts Center at McCullough Junior High School.

With such a wide-ranging assortment of leisurely amenities and endless entertainment, it is easy to see why so many people choose to make The Woodlands their destination for domestic bliss. With this in mind, The Woodlands Homefinder Center projects the community’s population to reach 103,000 by the year 2010. By the looks of it, this state-of-the-art suburban community only intends to get bigger and better every year! From a pleasurable day at the park with the kids to a night on the town with friends, The Woodlands truly does offer its residents and visitors alike a taste of the good life.

The Best Of H Texas

Where to eat, what to do and how to look the part – all the best the Bayou City has to offer.

dining
Best old favorite – Da Marco
Consistently indulgent for years, this chic Italian eatery regularly attracts the see-and-be-seen crowd while serving up the best fare in town.

Best cheap eats – Teotihuacan
This is breakfast taco heaven.

Best bistro – Gravitas
On the site of the completely rehabbed original Antone’s Import Co., Chefs Scott Tycer and Jason Gould’s Gravitas has been wowing foodies for nearly a year.

Best patio – El Pueblito Place
Full of exotic plants, frozen drinks and friendly patrons, the patio at El Pueblito Place offers the perfect respite from any day.

Best party scene – El Patio
Now with two locations (Midtown and the original), patrons are able to get a double shot of “Club No Minor.”

Best cafeteria – Cleburne Cafeteria
Family-owned, family-operated and family-frequented, Cleburne Cafeteria offers freshly made sides, breads, desserts and down-home favorites.

Best breakfast – Breakfast Klub
The line out the door (and around the building) has to tell you that this place is worth the wait. Besides, who’s going to pass up waffles and wings?

Best brunch – Brennan’s
Southern charm and decadence has met its match at Brennan’s. Brunch here will whisk you away to New Orleans.

Best spot for ladies who lunch – Hungry’s
With heart-healthy options and some of the best chicken salad in town, Hungry’s in the village has been attracting mommy groups, book clubs and exhausted shoppers for more than 30 years.

Best spot for business lunch – tony’s
Whether you choose the preset three-course meal or one of the many wonderful salads from the menu, lunch at tony’s is always a good business decision.

Most romantic – Wine Room at the Remington
If you really want to wow her, you have to reserve the Wine Room at the Remington. Combine the perfection of Chef Toby Joseph’s cuisine with the romance of this intimate room, and you’ve got amoré.

Best spot for late-night dining – Se’ Vauge
Serving a splendid New Orleans brunch late at night, Se’ Vauge is the perfect place to go when you don’t want to go home yet.

Best Mexican – La Mexicana
Great for breakfast or dinner, with friends or the family, La Mexicana dishes up traditional Mexican food in the middle of Montrose.

Best barbecue – Goode Co.
Austin-baked beans, jalapeño bread, turkey, brisket and picnic tables – Goode Co. has perfected Texas barbecue.

Best Italian – Spaghetti Western
Combining home-style comfort with fresh and delicious pastas, Spaghetti Western makes it Texan to long for Italian.

Best sushi – RA
Making regulars out of first-timers, RA has transformed sushi into stylish. Fusing a night-life atmosphere with a creative and fresh assortment of fishies, this new hot spot has one of the best sushi specials around, too. (Go on a Sunday night, you’ll thank us later!)

Best seafood – Segari’s
Segari’s has made fine dining relaxed in this little home-turned-restaurant on Shepherd Drive. The best gumbo in town is paired here with exceptional fish and shrimp dishes, as well as outstanding wines and liquors, and top-notch service.

Best Greek – Niko Niko’s
A Houston institution on Montrose, Niko Niko’s offers traditional gyros, yummy potatoes and crisp Greek salads in a happening and comfortable atmosphere.

Best Indian – Indika
Put a little spice in your life at Indika – the city’s most innovative and creative Indian eatery.

Best chips – Sabor
This new restaurant is building regulars already. Maybe it’s the exceptional service and outstanding south-of-the-border fare? Maybe it’s the blood-red mojitos? It’s that and the best chips in town.

Best coffee – Katz Coffee
Located right in the middle of town, Katz Coffee has become the brew of choice for many local restaurants and fans, alike. With 60-plus flavors (not counting decaffeinated), as well as teas and torani, this local company is keeping bean heads on their toes.

Best burger – Langford Grocery
Quaint and homey, this little grocery serves up mouth-watering burgers that are sure to fit the bill.

Best pizza – Star Pizza
Whether you get it delivered or dine in (we suggest the weekday buffet), pizzas from Star somehow make the everyday extraordinary.

Best sandwich – Hobbit Café
They’re just so good!

Best salad – Kojak’s
The trio salad (chicken, green and pasta) is the perfect light and fresh option for those who are trying to fill their veggie quota.

Best steak – Pappa’s
Everyone in the know knows that the best steaks come from Pappa’s – that’s why they all have corporate accounts here.

nightlife
Best bar – A+
This hotel bar attracts not only the business crowd, but the hipsters, as well. It serves up chic while providing a comfortable sanctuary. Pouring the best wines and liquors in the city in an exceptionally posh atmosphere, the service here is second to none.

Best club – Sammy’s
The hot spots in Midtown just keep on coming. The new place to shake your groove thang, Sammy’s sets the roof on fire with a live band playing Motown favorites.

Best ice house – Jimmie’s
The perfect place to hang with your friends (or to make new ones), Jimmie’s serves up the coldest beers, from St. Arnold’s to Lone Star. Bring your pup and plop down for a game of dominoes, have an entertaining conversation with the bartender, or catch a game on one of the TVs.

Best dive bar – Leon’s
This historic building has it all – pool, shuffleboard, a piano and great character.

Best wine bar – La Carafe
The jukebox here is impressive, and the conversations abound as beer and wine are enjoyed. The oldest business building in Houston isn’t that big, though; so, expect to sit close to your neighbor (It’s the perfect way to make friends!).

Best happy hour – Flying Saucer
With 85 beers on draft and 130 in a bottle, “beer knurds” have found heaven at the Flying Saucer.

Best signature drink – Maria Selma’s
All hail to the best sangria in town! The perfect addition to any meal – or happy hour – Maria Selma’s version of this fruity beverage is so refreshing you’ll find yourself craving it.

media and personalities
Best radio station – 90.1 KPFT
Pacifica radio reigns in Houston. With a diverse lineup of programs including “BBC World Service,” “Lonestar Jukebox” and “The Prison Show,” there’s something for just about everyone in town.

Best kids’ show – “Cool Rules”
Houstonians Travis and Kristin Evans took their disappointment with children’s videos into their own hands by creating a cartoon series encouraging kids to follow the rules. Using local talent, “Cool Rules” shows that hard work pays off.

Best astro – Lance Berkman
The Astros’ only All-Star this year is hitting ’em out of the park in more ways than one. A former Rice baseball player and the 1997 National College Player of the Year, first baseman Lance Berkman founded Berkman’s Bunch for underprivileged children and volunteers for the Houston Livestock Show &Rodeo.

Best rocket – Dikembe Mutombo
Named the 2000-01 Defensive Player of the Year, Rockets’ center Dikembe Mutombo uses his superstar status to champion charities. When not on the court, he spends time raising money for the $29 million Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital in Kinshasha, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Best comet – Sheryl Swoopes
The first female athlete to have a Nike shoe named after her, Sheryl Swoopes is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time WNBA MVP and three-time Defensive Player of the Year. This Comets’ forward is an inspirational speaker and a children’s book author, in addition to being the founder of the Sheryl Swoopes Foundation for Youth.

perks
Best salon – Cut Loose
A good haircut doesn’t have to be a stuffy experience. Cut Loose infuses the best cuts, colors and styles in town with Montrose quirkiness. Stylists are fun, funky and daring – don’t be surprised if you see Mohawks, pink hair and lots of tats.

Best spa – Trellis
Tourists and locals alike flock to this haven in the Houstonian Hotel for a bit of R&R.

Best tan – Tanning Spot
For that sun-kissed look, whether it’s in a bed or by spray, the Tanning Spot will give you all-over color.

Best gym – Houstonian Lite
With the most state-of-the-art equipment and coolest classes, Houstonian Lite caters to the downtown business person, especially with lunchtime classes.

living
Best apartments – The Bel Air
The Allen Park Inn is no more (sniffle, sniffle), but it’s been replaced with an unbelievable apartment building. Just a hop, skip and a jump from downtown, The Bel Air’s façade, complete with a waterfall, takes apartment living to the next step.

Best condos – The Royalton
Is that a helicopter landing pad or a gigantic fruit bowl on the top of this Allen Parkway high rise? All we know is the Rockets seem to like living here, and the concierge is amazingly helpful (especially to lost editors!).

Best new neighborhood development – South Fork
Celebrating easy Texas living, South Fork near Pearland has attracted so many new residents, it’s impossible not to mention.

Best urban developer – Urban Living
Urban Living town homes are popping up all over town. It’s as if this real estate/mortgage company has its wallet on the pulse of the city and can pick out exactly the next hot spot set for gentrification.

Best suburban developer – The Woodlands
You can’t talk suburbs without mentioning the granddaddy of them all: The Woodlands.

Best builder – Meritage: All-Star Miracle Home
Meritage Homes is not only an amazing builder in the area, but it has also committed to raise $2 million for the Children’s Miracle Network of Greater Houston and the Houston Rockets’ Clutch City Foundation through the All-Star Miracle Home.

shopping
Best home accessories – Kuhl Linscomb
Packed to the gills with the finest home accessories, Kuhl Linscomb carries the best brands in five different buildings – and it’s not a chain!

Best women’s fashions – Abejas
Fashions from Abejas make you want to frolic on the beach somewhere. No longer on Westheimer, this Rice Village favorite dresses the city’s Junior Leaguers with stylish everyday wear.

Best men’s fashions – Norton Ditto
True gentlemen shop at Norton Ditto. With some of the best names in classic men’s apparel, this upscale boutique has been dressing Houston’s elite since 1908.

Best kid’s fashions – Chocolate Soup
Decades of Houston’s best-dressed kids have shopped at Chocolate Soup for dressy ensembles and fun play clothes.

Best gifts – Jubilee
With hysterical greeting cards, handmade soaps, wonderfully scented candles and kitschy knick-knacks, as well as home furnishings, women and men’s fashions, and some of the most unique jewelry around, Jubilee makes shopping for gifts a breeze.

Best toys – Fundamentally Toys
Whoever knew learning was fun? Apparently the people at Fundamentally Toys did – and it’s even fun to shop here.

Best bookstore – Kaboom Books
New in the Heights, Kaboom Books says “See ya!” to those A-personality, corporately owned book stores.

Best music store – Soundwaves
Surfing and music? Yep.

family friendly
Best park – Pumpkin Park
The play pumpkin carriage at the front of the park has helped visitors lovingly refer to this fun space as “Pumpkin Park.” With tennis and basketball, shade and picnic tables, swings and more, this park on Westheimer at Edloe has something for kids of all ages.

Best swimming pool – Colonial Park Pool
West U is home to the best (and cleanest!) public pool in the city. With a tree-shaded deck, baby pool, diving board and lap lanes, you’re sure to revel in this treasure.

Best kids’ classes – ArtMix Creative Learning Center
With creative classes for kids age 2-12 and four Pop-In Studios available to students any time the center is open, ArtMix Creative Learning Center is like nothing else in Houston.

Best kids’ theater – Main Street Youth Theater
Exciting and interesting for the little guys, Main Street Youth Theater makes culture fun for all ages.

arts and culture
Best art gallery – Poissant Gallery
Located in a converted 19th century church, Poissant Gallery exhibits contemporary art in multiple mediums. With a sculpture garden outside and two galleries within the indoor space, Meg Poissant has created a sanctuary for up-and-coming and established artists alike.

Best museum – HMNS
With an IMAX, dinosaurs, the Cockrell Butterfly Center, gems and minerals, energy and Texas wildlife, the Houston Museum of Natural Science has you covered.

Best year-round exhibit – Holocaust Museum
Although the special exhibits are amazing, the permanent installation at the Holocaust Museum, “Bearing Witness: A Community Remembers,” documents the atrocities of the Holocaust to ensure it never happens again.

Best theater – TUTS
This nonprofit theater company not only presents amazing shows, but also strives to make outstanding musical theater available to everyone.

Best band – ZZ Top
They might be bad, and they are definitely nationwide, but they are also Houstonians. (See page 32.)

Best live music venue – Warehouse Live
It’s small enough to feel personal but large enough to book some big acts – Warehouse Live makes concerts feel real again.

We Care Spa, Palm Springs, Calif.

No longer just for the ‘now,’ this Cali spa teaches for the future

“Have you read the paperwork?” asked my mom. “It says, ‘To prepare for your fast’ … Are we fasting?” We weren’t entirely sure what we had signed up for, but we heard rumors that Tracy Ullman, Ben Affleck and Alicia Silverstone had all been here. And when Gwen Stefani was asked how she stays in shape, she attributed it to visits to We Care. The rustic desert atmosphere is complete with rock gardens, two Jacuzzis, a pool, labyrinth, trampolines and walking trails. Even if you’re a celebrity in your own mind, you’ll fit right in. Even cab drivers may warn you, “If you need some contraband cheeseburgers, let me know,” as they pull in front of the nonpretentious entrance of We Care Spa in Palm Springs, Calif.

There are two options available at We Care – a week or just three days. The first time around, the weekend option is recommended as the best way to get started, especially when you discover that no solid food is served here. The cornerstone of the program is a complete cleanse: mind, body and spirit. This is achieved through a liquid diet, spa treatments and colon irrigation. Although the goal of the spa isn’t weight loss, that is a definite by-product. While you are here, you give your digestive system a break. You do take in plenty of vitamins and minerals, but with nothing solid to digest, your system rests.

Before arrival, the mandate is to eat only fruits and vegetables for four days. This may be hard to do, but it becomes more palatable when you count the vegetable plates at Ruggles and the Black Lab as ample preparation. Getting over the emotional attachment to food is the hardest part of an all-liquid diet; you wonder if you can actually make it through the weekend. The truth is: The staff at We Care makes fasting easy.

All of the supplements you need are packed and labeled in a handy plastic bag. You have a checklist to complete, and you take a pill or have a drink every 30 minutes. Focusing on this regimen keeps you busy. Also, the combination of fluids and treatments makes you feel great and not at all hungry (if you can believe that). If you’ve ever heard that food makes you crave food, it’s true. Therefore, the lack of food also curbs your cravings.

The kitchen area is where all the action is. (It’s fun to refer to this area as “the bar.”) Imagine being in one of the nicest custom kitchens ever with a huge marble island. You hang out all day drinking tea, lemon water, vegetable juice and the special treat of hot vegetable soup, only served from 4 – 10 p.m. Instead of thinking about food, you’re too busy scheduling facials, massages and yoga classes.

Massage
The Thai massage is a unique experience that takes place on a thin floor mattress. The therapist contorts your body in multiple directions – many positions you aren’t even sure you’ve ever been in before. More focused on stretching than massage, some moves are almost gymnastics-like. All the while, you breathe deeply to keep the oxygen flowing. There is a lot of focus on your feet, as they are rubbed with stones, twisted, bent, flexed and turned. Stretching is so important to increase the viability of your muscles; and proper stretching will keep them healthy for years and years.

During the detoxifying process, the organ that excretes the largest amounts of toxins is the skin. Many of the treatments are specifically geared to help with fasting. The Desert Date Polish is basically a body scrub to exfoliate. Ingredients include sage, juniper and dates. This is recommended at least once to increase the detox process. Your skin will be shiny all afternoon after this one.

The Korean Splash is a new treatment that is given in a special tepee-shaped room right off of the labyrinth. When you enter the room, you will notice a bathtub filled with water. Deceptively, you don’t get into the bath; in fact, the water is poured over you by the technician while you lie on the table. This pouring sensation, in and of itself, is very cleansing. First your dead skin is brushed off; then you are drenched. Next, you receive a sage body wash that is reminiscent of your mom scrubbing you from head to toe when you were a kid; and you are drenched. For the finishing touch, your scalp is massaged and shampooed. It’s an incredible feeling as the warm water pours over your scalp. If you’re wondering where all the water goes, the floor is slanted so it flows right out of the room.

When treatments are complex, it makes them all the more relaxing. The We Care Euphoria begins with a warm bath. The major treat here is a fabulous smoothie with protein and soy milk. The bathtub is outside, and mockingbirds soar overhead. Then, you shed your own skin as you are exfoliated and massaged.

Diet
The name “We Care” rings true, as the staff really does care. There are classes each day that help you understand how to improve your eating habits when you get home if you’d like to continue the regimen. When you are making dietary changes, you don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be better. You can’t change everything, but if you’ll change a little bit, you are on your way to making healthy choices 80 percent of the time.

Enjoy the grounds
The labyrinth is an ancient maze made of stones on the ground. As you walk toward the center, you focus on your breathing and release the thoughts that come to your mind. If you have an intention, meditate on it in the center. Then as you leave, you are ready to accept new energy and insights. You’ll be amazed with how clearly you are able to think when preservatives are out of your system.

Although many spas preach the detox mantra, no other combines the diet with treatments and colonics. This rejuvenating and recharging holistic spa experience is one of a kind in the United States.

Essentials:
We Care Spa
Palm Springs, Calif.
1 (800) 888-2523
www.wecarespa.com

All-Star Miracle Home

You can live here

Do you feel lucky? How would you like to have your bedroom designed by Mary Lou Retton or your media room designed by Rockets forward Chuck Hayes? There’s only one place where this sort of miracle can happen. It’s in Sienna Plantation at the Meritage Homes All-Star Miracle Home.

Meritage Homes, one of Houston’s largest production builders, has made a pledge to the children of Houston; specifically, the kids of the Children’s Miracle Network. By purchasing a $100 entry, you can win this home and make miracles happen for children in your community. Your eyes are not deceiving you, you read correctly: Meritage Homes is giving away a fully furnished, luxurious home valued at $500,000. This 4,191-square-foot home in Missouri City has upgraded interior features, a deluxe pool, professional landscaping and is valued at $500,000!

The rotunda entrance sets the tone for this upscale address as a beautiful spiral staircase leads you up to the game room, media room and bedrooms. To the left of the entrance, just off of the formal dining area, is a world-class kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances and granite countertops. A breakfast nook and formal living area both look out to the fully landscaped backyard and a deluxe pool provided by Anthony and Sylvan Pools. On the way to the two-car detached garage (complete with a GarageTek storage system) is a must for every south Texas home: a covered patio! The master bedroom and bath are true gems with a stunning four-poster bed taking center stage. The bed, along with every piece of furniture and accessory in the entire home, has been provided by Hilton Furniture.

If you’ve been hearing a lot about this house, it’s because Mary Lou Retton and Tracy McGrady, two of Houston’s most celebrated sports figures, are serving as celebrity spokespeople. This community fund-raiser, aiming to raise $2 million for Children’s Miracle Network of the Greater Houston area and the Houston Rockets’ Clutch City Foundation, is off to a gold-medal beginning. “Mary Lou Retton and Tracy McGrady are all stars in everyone’s opinion, and we are proud to have them supporting this very worthy cause,” says Michael J. Pizzitola Jr., president of the south Texas region for Meritage Homes. “When we decided to launch the All-Star Miracle Home in Houston, we knew it would instantly appeal to this very giving community and its leaders.”

Along with the home, anyone who enters by purchasing a $100 entry is automatically entered to win a variety of early-bird or runner-up prizes, including a trip, jewelry, shopping sprees, a road trip with the Houston Rockets and much more. Only 20,000 entries are available for the All-Star Miracle Home, and the home will be given away in February 2007.

“What makes the All-Star Miracle Home so unique is that everyone involved in this community fundraiser has donated their materials, time, money and so much more,” said John Scales, senior vice president of the Children’s Miracle Network of the greater Houston area. “This way, all the money we raise will go directly to sick and injured kids in Houston who really need our help.”

Children’s Miracle Network of the greater Houston area provides financial relief to families who are unable to pay their child’s medical costs. Funds will also go to the Clutch City Foundation. The home is located in Sienna Plantation’s Spice Ridge neighborhood at 10506 Shipman’s Landing, Missouri City, Texas 77459. RE/MAX of Texas is hosting the home, and it is now open to the public for daily tours.

For more information about the All-Star Miracle Home or to purchase entries, visit www.allstarmiraclehome.com/houston. Purchase your entries today, and help raise up to $2 million for Children’s Miracle Network and the Clutch City Foundation. The finalist prizes will be awarded on Friday, Feb. 23, 2007 on Channel 11’s “Great Day Houston,” at 9 a.m.

Houston Children’s Charity: A Decade of Caring

Making a difference in children’s lives

In the summer of 1999, 15-year-old Michelle Alcorn’s life was forever changed when she was diagnosed with meningococcal septic shock, leading to the amputation of her arms and legs below the elbows and knees. During this ordeal with the rare, rapidly spreading bacterial infection, every movement was excruciatingly painful.

After emergency treatment and surgery at Memorial Hermann Hospital, Michelle moved to The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) in the Texas Medical Center. This not-for-profit hospital accepted Michelle, even though her family’s private health insurance had been exhausted. It was then that Houston Children’s Charity heard about Michelle. HCC raised the funds to help her get new (myoelectric) arms. Michelle later sent a poem to express her thanks. For the first time, she could relay a message in her own way. It read:

Roses are red
Violets are blue
I could not be writing this
if it weren’t for you.

“To know that we made an impact on someone’s life … when she wrote that note, it was the most emotional moment. I’ll remember it my whole life,” says Gary Becker, president of the children’s organization.

David Usen was born with a condition called spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Due to the weakness of his extremities, David cannot stand or even hold himself in a standing position. It’s hard for him to communicate with his family because he can’t talk. HCC purchased a motorized wheelchair for David to replace his original push-type wheelchair. He also received a Tech/Four device, an alternative communication device that allows him to communicate.

Another story finds a woman on a bus with three kids no where to go, and no money. She left an abusive home life, but could only remain in a shelter for six months. HCC found her an apartment, pots and pans, furniture and more. “We set her off in the right direction,” says Becker. “That’s what we do.”

Houston Children’s Charity is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Greater Houston’s underprivileged, abused and handicapped children who have been otherwise left behind. “It’s those who have slipped through the cracks,” says incoming president Edna Meyer-Nelson. Specifically, those children right here in Houston. That’s what gets Meyer-Nelson excited. “Our hands-on board gets the job done.”

This independent charity isn’t part of a national alliance, so all the funds stay here, and nothing goes back to a national office. Celebrating their 10th anniversary this October, HCC has generated $8.5 million in total revenue and has gifted $6.8 million.

It wasn’t always this way. “It’s the blood, sweat and tears of our board that has gotten us to this point,” says Laura Ward, executive director. “They are so emotional and so hands-on. Whatever is needed to help a child, the board finds a way to make it happen,” she says.

HCC is out and about helping Houston children daily. Some of their unique programs include buying vans and distributing them through “Chariots for Children.” These special purpose vehicles transport children to therapy, after-school activities and, once a year, an Astros game. They’ve also assisted the Furniture Bank with two delivery trucks with hydraulic lifts, as well as beds, new bedding and furniture. Since 1997, HCC has gifted 60 vans valued at $1,763,444 to many local agencies, including Children’s Assessment Center, HOPE Shelter, Jaycee’s Children Center, Interfaith Ministries and Covenant House.

When a child has no where else to turn, HCC steps in. No request is too big or too small. For instance, when Texas Aquatics needed an elevator to get paraplegics from the dock to the boat for waterskiing, HCC sourced the elevator and had it installed. “My staff got really involved in that one,” says Meyer-Nelson. “They worked hard to make sure we got the best deal on the elevator and oversaw the installation.”

HCC also enables other local charities to do good deeds. Many have benefited from HCC’s programs and funds, such as The Arbor School, Casa de Esperanza, Children’s Safe Harbor and Child Advocates. This type of mega-giving takes focus. “We have the ability to raise funds,” says Ward. Through large galas and silent auctions, substantial amounts of money are raised. With opulent fundraisers and high-ticket entertainment, such as Lyle Lovett, Phyllis Diller, Paul Anka and Chicago, HCC has developed a following at its fund-raising events. Big names bring in the big bucks, and this charity has figured out what it takes to raise a lot of money. Last year’s gala netted $586,144. The formula works for the benefit of the children.

Never resting on their laurels, the holidays are very special at HCC. With Christmas toy distribution, an Easter party and a Christmas party, HCC helps disadvantaged children expand their awareness and experience the joys of receiving. Holidays at the Hyatt help more than 800 children; and each year at Silver Eagle Distributors, more than 3,500 presents are passed out. The charities invited to the party are different, expanding the reach of this great organization.

Wanting to enhance its ability to help children, HCC is always looking for committed volunteers. They measure success by the number of children’s lives that are touched. “We do great work,” says Becker. “The more support we get, the more we’ll do.” HCC is the place that people go when they need immediate help, sometimes life-sustaining help. As this story went to press, the volunteers at HCC were passing out $100 Wal-Mart gift cards. “They will go to school this year with dignity,” says Ward. “It’s the little things we do every day that make this charity unique. There’s not another agency in town making sure that children have new uniforms to wear to school. Little things go a long way in increasing self esteem.”

It’s not too late to reserve a seat at this year’s gala on Oct. 28, where Huey Lewis and The News will be performing. For tickets, call (713) 524-2878.

Billy F Gibbons

The Man Behind The Beard

Billy F Gibbons when he was just a tall, skinny, very polite young man making a lot of noise in the garage of his parents’ home in Tanglewood. His father, Fred Gibbons, was a musician who played the piano for many of the fashion shows in which I modeled; he also accompanied me when I sang on many occasions. I don’t think I ever went to rehearse in Fred’s home and didn’t hear Billy, amped up to the max, rehearsing with his band.

In 1969 Billy’s band, Moving Sidewalks, joined with a rival band, the American Blues, which included bassist and vocalist Dusty Hill of Dallas and drummer Frank Beard of Irving. They formed the blues-rock band, ZZ Top – aka That Little ol’ Band from Texas. With Billy as the front man, centerpiece guitarist and vocalist, the band has been a part of the American musical landscape ever since. The longest running major rock band still composed of its original members, they are known for their Texas-size energy, showmanship and unique image.

Billy is widely regarded as one of America’s finest guitarists working in the blues-rock arena. He is also an internationally recognized collector of cars, guitars and African art, as is chronicled in the best-selling book he wrote about his collecting obsessions, “Rock + Roll Gearhead,” which was published in 2005.

His astronomical guitar collection includes the “Muddywood,” constructed from fallen timbers from Muddy Waters’ childhood home; the famous “Furry One,” as seen in the “Legs” video; and his most cherished one, “Pearly Gates,” a Gibson Les Paul Sunburst, valued above all others.

Over the years, Billy’s cars have become stars in their own right. The Eliminator, CadZZilla, Kopperhed and others have been major attractions on the car show circuit and highlighted in numerous videos. They are considered art and icons of automotive history.

Theories have collected, as well, concerning the origin of the band’s name. One asserts that they put two brands of rolling paper, Zig Zag and Top together; another declares the name is a tribute to blues legend, Z. Z. Hill. The real story is told by Billy in his new book, “Rock + Roll Gearhead,” where he reveals that the name really came from “king of the blues” master B. B. King. They started to call themselves Z. Z. King, but it sounded too much like their hero; so they settled on ZZ Top.

The band’s first two albums, ZZ Top’s First Album and Rio Grande Mud, were produced by the London Records label. National success and the first gold album came to the hometown boys in 1973 with the third album, Tres Hombres, featuring the now classic song, “La Grange,” about the famous bordello that inspired the musical “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” This album also included “Beer Drinkers &Hell Raisers,” which became a favorite.

Fandango produced the huge hit “Tush;” Tejas featured “Arrested for Driving While Blind” and “El Diablo;” and The Best of ZZ Top quickly followed.

ZZ Top’s “Worldwide Texas Tour,” with sets that featured haystacks, live buffalo, a longhorn steer, rattlesnakes, buzzards and ranch equipment, lasted a year and a half, and reportedly, earnings were in the tens of millions. Exhausted, the band decided to take a sabbatical in 1977, which lasted for almost three years. When they reunited to record again, under the Warner Brothers banner, a cosmic revelation or cosmic comedy had occurred: Billy and Dusty, unbeknown to the other, had grown the chest-length beards that soon became part of their “wild man” image.

The members of ZZ Top are almost as well known for their appearance as for their music. Billy and Dusty are always pictured wearing sunglasses and their trademark beards. Ironically, Frank Beard is the only band member without a beard; logically, the group could be renamed, “The Beard Brothers.” All wear similar clothing. Billy has long since replaced his giant cowboy hat with an African Nudu tribal chief’s hat from Cameroon, a nod to his love of African art.

It was not until MTV started in the ’80s that ZZ Top decided to appear on television. Their first video, “Gimme All Your Lovin,” was soon followed by “Legs” and “Sharp Dressed Man” from the 1983 album Eliminator, which featured Billy’s bright red Ford ’33 hotrod. This multiplatinum album has become one of the group’s most successful. Becoming the “darlings” of MTV took the trio’s famous mystique and popularity to an all-time high.

Afterburner, the group’s eighth album, was a worldwide smash hit; Recycler came out on the Warner label before the group signed a five-disc deal with RCA. Deguello, ZZ Top’s first new album with Warner, featuring “I Thank You,” “Cheap Sunglasses” and “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide,” is believed by some fans to be the band’s strongest release. Six albums on RCA followed.

Throughout the years, Billy, Dusty and Frank have relished playing gigs in their hometown. ZZ Top was the second act to play at the Summit; they played there 23 times, more than any other act; and performed at the closing of the Summit, renamed the Compaq Center, renamed Lakewood Church. As Billy was quoted by Houston Chronicle columnist Bruce Westbrook, “ZZ Top walks out, Jesus walks in.” Continuing, Billy said, “We have to give our best for the home folks; the home shows are the fun shows … You get to show off in front of your buddies, new girlfriends, old girlfriends – girlfriends you wish you had.” As Houstonians, they felt honored to play at the Houston Livestock Show &Rodeo the last year in the Astrodome (2002) and again the first year at Reliant Stadium (2003).

ZZ Top, an acknowledged symbol of Texas, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 15, 2004, by Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, a longtime friend of Billy’s. It was the first Houston band to join the roster of rock legends.

Beyond his work with ZZ Top, which includes 14 albums, six compilations and myriad singles, Billy has recorded with many notable artists, such as B. B. King, Kid Rock, John Mayall, Les Paul, Nickelback, Queens of the Stone Age and others. He has acted on the television shows “Bones” and “Yes, Dear,” as well as appeared in a Quaker State motor oil commercial and innumerable television appearances.

Additionally, Billy was instrumental in raising funds for The Orange Show when it was in its beginning stages. And The Cancer League honored Billy in 2002 with its Texas Hall of Fame Award. It was a joy to catch up with Billy, who people say is still the sweetest, most modest superstar in the world.

H: What was it like growing up in Houston?
BFG: “Bright … with no traffic. The same great community then as it remains today.”

H: Tell me a little about your mom, dad and sister.
BFG: “That’s the family. My dear ol’ Dad surrounded us with his musical talents, Mom (Lorraine) listened; Pam and I listened and learned.”

H: When did you know that music would be your life?
BFG: “Early on, back as far as I recall … probably around age zero!”

H: Who did you listen to when growing up? I know that one of your housekeepers influenced your direction.
BFG: “Loads of influences! As the song says, ‘Country, Jesus, Hillbilly, Blues, that’s where I learned the licks.'”

H: How did you choose the guitar as opposed to piano, like your dad?
BFG: “Easier to carry! Get up and go!”

H: You’re an icon. It’s so often said that you’re the finest guitarist in the world. How did you learn to play?
BFG: “That’s quite a send up! Rock ‘n’ roll on records and on the radio was the start and still remains a beam of attraction. Good stuff!”

H: ZZ Top has sold 60 million records. Can you think back to the time when you had your first big success? Remember how you felt?
BFG: “ZZ Top’s third release landed our first ‘Top 10,’ ‘La Grange’ – then the touring travels began taking the famous Houston and Texas feeling around the world.”

H: What comes to mind immediately as one of your most memorable moments in a performance?
BFG: “Perhaps one of the first performances where the curtain opened, and we were greeted by the one paying customer of the evening. We looked at each other, then launched into the show. Played the first set, took a break, went out and bought the guy a Coke and went back and completed the night. We’re still friends with the guy!”

H: Describe your band members, Dusty and Frank.
BFG: “My stalwart pals; Fine entertainers and superb instrumentalists each. We still like what takes place on the bandstand ’cause we’re never certain who’s gonna do what. Challenging, yet cool.”

H: Describe Billy for me.
BFG: “Just that eccentric guy tryin’ to be a good ‘un!”

H: It’s such a tribute to all of you that you’ve stayed together all these years. What’s the secret to the success?
BFG: “We still enjoy playing and creating above anything. It’s a passion which maintains our focus and enjoyment.”

H: When did you fall in love with cars?
BFG: “Well, I’ve been told the first words out of my mouth were ‘Ford, Chevrolet and Cadillac’ … that says it all.”

H: What was your first car? How many cars do you have? Do you have a favorite? What do you drive now?
BFG: “The first car was a Saturday Westheimer Special, a 1953 Packard Golden Clipper, complete with sawdust in the transmission to keep it in gear … picked it up from a notoriously gifted TV pitch-man for $50 and took off straight for the Mexican border. That’s the start of it all … now too many to count. We do have some favorites, the little rod ’33 Ford, seen in the videos, ‘the Eliminator Coupe,’ and, of course, ‘CadZZilla,’ the radically customized ’48 purple Cadillac. And after all that, our daily driver is provided by Houston’s Yellow Cab!”

H: Why did you decide to write a book? How long did you work on it? Did you enjoy the book tour?
BFG: “The collection of cars and guitars came to the attention of some young associates from Motorbooks International who suggested following the idea of creating a coffee-table photo presentation and essay. The work commenced and a quick few months later, the project hit the streets. A robust book-signing tour ensued and along the way, I rekindled a long standing friendship with another Houstonian, the lovely Adrien Seixas, now residing down the street in Los Angeles! She appears in the book and recognized an early photo of herself when she danced as a go-go girl, way back when!”

H: Do you have any other hobbies in addition to cars and guitars?
BFG: “Oh yes! African art holds intrigue in a most peculiar manner … the somewhat exotic expressions of functionality … in the western eye, considered art, represent feelings of the way, way back. Quite grounded and solid.”

H: How about exercise? Favorite foods? Do you ever cook?
BFG: “Exercise? Try walking through an airport looking for the gate! Favorite foods? Mexican as found in Texas or anywhere else. Cook? What’s that!?”

H: You’ve accomplished so much. Do you ever make goals? Is there anything you want to do that you haven’t realized?
BFG: “Oh, yeah. I just want to aim at what remains to be discovered. Keep writing songs.”

H: Do you ever get nervous performing anymore?
BFG: “No, unless Mom is in the audience!”

H: Any favorite singers?
BFG: “Jeff Beck. Jeff is as good a guitarist as it gets and yet he, at one time, chose to assign the singing chores to someone else. However, I invited him to appear on ZZ Top’s XXX release as a singer. It was an unexpected invitation and to capture the moment, we revisited the Robert Johnson blues recordings method of setting up the recording session in Dallas in a hotel room. One take and he nailed it! ‘Hey Mr. Millionaire’ became another stunning example of Jeff’s genius and delivery. Mercy!”

H: How many songs have you written, if you know?
BFG: “A bunch … and still willin’ to hammer on!”

H: There’s so much humor in your choices of songs. Are all of you that funny? Or, who’s the funny one?
BFG: “Well, I suppose if one were to encounter us off stage, we would all be thought quite funny.”

H: Can you narrow down your favorite song or songs?
BFG: “I like most all of ’em. Especially the one being played at the moment.”

H: In concert, is there one song you MUST do for fans … such as “La Grange”?
BFG: “La Grange,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Bang Bang Shang-A-Lang,” “Legs,” “Tush.”
H: How long have you had the beard? Did Gillette really offer you $1 million to shave it?
BFG: “The beards are now part of the trademark. We have turned down all bets to shave ’em as we don’t really know what’s under there! The answer that seems to fit is: we’re too ugly. Ha!”

H: I love the sunglasses. Do you wear them all the time now?
BFG: “Oh, yes. Part of the image.”

H: I hear you’re working on your 15th album? Tell me about it. When it’s coming, etcetera? When do you go out on tour again?
BFG: “New recordings [are] in the works. Seems that remains an ongoing prospect, followed with touring and, of course, Houston square in the middle. Gotta love the H-town.”

H: Talk to me about what Texas means to you.
BFG: “Big, and BIGGER. This is home.”

H: When you look back on your career, can you believe what you’ve accomplished? What has all this success meant to you?
BFG: “The accomplishments are a reward. Family and friends make ’em worthwhile.”

H: What do you tell young performers that want to follow in your footsteps?
BFG: “Keep at it. Learn to play what you want to hear.”

H: Do you have any favorite sayings that live with you, keep you positive and energized?
BFG: “The great blues singer, Muddy Waters, said it best. ‘You don’t have to be the best one, just be a good ‘un!’ That pretty well says it all.”

Billy F Gibbons has been described in many ways: “the guru of the guitar,” “the musician’s musician,” “an iconic guitarist,” “the legendary master of the six-string,” “music’s most highly regarded Renaissance man” – even as “The Reverend Willy G.,” making that title official when he was ordained in 2002, so that he could perform a wedding ceremony. Boogie on, Billy; you have made your hometown very proud!

Out of Africa, Into Houston

Contemporary African art exhibition visit UH campus

The phrase “authentic African art” evokes mental images of bright colors or elaborate carvings. But an exhibition coming to the University of Houston’s Blaffer Gallery may shatter these images as artists explore the very nature of authenticity.

The traveling exhibition, “A Fiction of Authenticity: Contemporary Africa Abroad,” will be at the gallery from Sept. 9-Nov. 18. The show presents new work in painting, sculpture, photography, video and performance by prominent African artists who work in Europe and the United States.

Paintings by Odili Donald Odita and Owusa-Ankomah, videos and performance art by Kendell Geers and Ingrid Mwangi, and photographs by Zineb Sedira are just a few of the creative works that will be on display. These artists represent the generation born between 1956 and 1975, just before or during the African postcolonial era. Their work challenges prevailing notions about Africa and the demand in western countries for authentic African art. Because these artists live away from their native continent, their work tells a story of migration, relationships between cultures and Africa’s place in the contemporary global culture.

The Blaffer Gallery is located in the Fine Arts Building on the main campus of the University of Houston, near the intersection of Cullen and Elgin. A stated objective of this free gallery, in addition to serving as a museum and a scholarly resource, is to foster future artists, arts professionals and arts audiences. Since its establishment in 1973, the gallery has hosted more than 250 exhibitions; and once its facilities were expanded in 1999, the museum has been able to present between six and eight exhibitions every year. These include shows that have a particular relevance to Houston, retrospectives of national and international artists, exhibitions of regional artists, special projects by local artists and major traveling exhibitions, such as “A Fiction of Authenticity: Contemporary Africa Abroad.”

University of Houston
120 Fine Arts Building
(713) 743-9530
http://www.hfac.uh.edu/blaffer

More Than Just Greeting Cards

The M.D. Anderson Children’s Art Project offers a variety of unique gifts

If you haven’t purchased them yourself, then you’ve probably received at least one of them. The Children’s Art Project has been selling greeting cards depicting the artwork of young patients at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for more than 30 years, but greeting cards are not the only merchandise that the project has to offer.

In addition to the greeting cards and stationery items that have made the Children’s Art Project one of Houston’s most visible charities, the project offers an array of gift items for all occasions. These include apparel, such as T-shirts, golf shirts, aprons, silk scarves and ties; accessories, including sterling silver jewelry, umbrellas and tote bags; Christmas tree ornaments, wrapping paper and gift tags; ceramic plates and bowls; and other thoughtful gifts, ranging from playing cards to decorative refrigerator magnets. The project even offers children’s books written and illustrated by M.D. Anderson youngsters.

Like the greeting cards, all of the merchandise sold by the Children’s Art Project is based on the artwork of young cancer patients. It all started in 1973, when a volunteer at M.D. Anderson saw a piece of art created by a pediatric cancer patient and commented, “Why, that’s pretty enough to be a Christmas card.” This offhand remark provided the inspiration for the children’s Christmas Card Project, which debuted in 1974 with three designs and netted $588. The project quickly grew in size and scope, and in 1975 the name was changed to the Children’s Art Project. Although the project is run like a business, approximately 90 percent of its work is done by volunteers. The organization now raises $1.5 million annually for patient programs at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

The programs supported by the sales of the children’s art benefit the patients themselves. The Child Life Program provides therapeutic play activities and emotional support to young cancer patients in order to give each child a sense of understanding and control of their medical treatment. Summer camps and ski vacations help patients discover that they can overcome their physical limitations. College scholarship funds for current and former patients help relieve the financial burden that cancer treatment can place on a family. Children at the cancer center benefit from educational activities, such as tutoring and field trips, through the Continuing Learning Activities in Summer Session (C.L.A.S.S.) program and the School Liaison and English as a Second Language programs, as well as art, writing and music therapy activities.

Interestingly, the artwork used to make merchandise for the Children’s Art Project comes from art classes funded by the project. The cards and gifts are sold in more than 2,000 retail outlets in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Florida and Arkansas. These include select locations of Albertson’s, Fiesta, HEB, Kroger, Randalls, Wal-Mart, CVS, Foley’s, Palais Royal and Bealls. Retailers donate the display space for the Children’s Art Project products as a community service; they do not make a profit from the sales. The project also has its own retail store, the Children’s Art Project Boutique, in the Uptown Park shopping center at 1121-14 Uptown Park Blvd.

Of course, all of the project’s cards and gift items are available through its website.
www.childrensartproject.org

Junkyard Beauty

Local artist helps inspire new generations to invent their own artwork

You may have seen his work at the Art Car Festival, or maybe at a local hot spot. His pieces have been featured all over the world – and even in area yards. Mark Bradford, known as the “Scrap Daddy,” has been featured on the History Channel and Discovery Channel, on “Junkyard Wars” and “Monster Garage,” at Burning Man and in Germany and Japan. Infusing a unique, animal-like twist on metal sculpture, Bradford is able to bring his artwork to life.

With an architect father and an inventor great-grandfather, creating moving sculpture is in his blood. “I know that I’m supposed to use my hands and that you’re supposed to have fun at what you do – and I do,” he says. “I create something that’s not been done before.”

A self-taught mastermind, Bradford reveals that he started in ceramics, but quickly moved to welding. With a bit of community college, he learned how to use the equipment required for his discipline and went from there. Despite a hiatus in Costa Rica where he concentrated in cement structures, stained glass and stainless, he has spent the majority of his life here, growing up in West U and living and working in the heart of the city.

Although it appears at first like a metal graveyard, Bradford’s studio is more akin to a garden of discarded scrap. He tells of his knack for acquiring what others want to throw away, citing his acquisition of thousands of spoons from a local airline right before they threw out the old model utensils. Now armor for his creatures, the spoons have been transformed into art. Humbly pointing to his coconspirator Will Hill, Bradford credits his contemporary for his help with “electrical stuff.” Uncomfortable with attention, Bradford would rather talk about his friends and his art, than himself.

Locally and most visibly, Bradford has been involved with the Orange Show Foundation’s Art Car project for 20 years. With awe-inspiring designs like the mobile star car, a tarantula-like Rancha, two-story preying mantis and more, his art cars incorporate his love of metal and movement. He’s even sponsored children’s groups as they embark on forming their own art cars while always entering his own inventions. “If I was a 10-year-old and I saw shows like this, I would have started welding a lot sooner,” he says. “I owe [Art Car] so much because it’s such a great avenue for young artists to show their work.”

Though many know of his artwork, and many can pick it out from the rest of the scrap, some of his creations have a more practical purpose. Local Tex-Mex restaurant, Cyclone Anaya’s has tapped this inventor to boost its urban-chic décor. From doorknobs to the sign outside, both the Shepherd and Midtown locations have upped the adornment ante for the area restaurant scene.

Eager to help other young artists, Bradford welcomes class field trips to his gallery. Driving the cars for kids, showing them how the mechanics work, Bradford is happy to encourage and motivate these minds. “I tell them, ‘If you can’t weld right now, at least you can draw things out,'” he says. “When I was a kid, I did a lot of drawing, but I didn’t think I was going to make it.”

He has certainly “made it” in Houston and beyond. Almost a superhero to up-and-coming artists, Bradford enjoys being involved in the local art scene. “It’s always good to see other people working so hard,” he says. “I was inspired. I want to inspire people, too.” Mark Bradford’s gallery is open to the public and is located at 5020 Allen St.

We Care Spa, Palm Springs, California

Calif. No longer just for the ‘now,’ this Cali spa teaches for the future

“Have you read the paperwork?” asked my mom. “It says, ‘To prepare for your fast’ … Are we fasting?” We weren’t entirely sure what we had signed up for, but we heard rumors that Tracy Ullman, Ben Affleck and Alicia Silverstone had all been here. And when Gwen Stefani was asked how she stays in shape, she attributed it to visits to We Care. The rustic desert atmosphere is complete with rock gardens, two Jacuzzis, a pool, labyrinth, trampolines and walking trails. Even if you’re a celebrity in your own mind, you’ll fit right in. Even cab drivers may warn you, “If you need some contraband cheeseburgers, let me know,” as they pull in front of the nonpretentious entrance of We Care Spa in Palm Springs, Calif.

There are two options available at We Care – a week or just three days. The first time around, the weekend option is recommended as the best way to get started, especially when you discover that no solid food is served here. The cornerstone of the program is a complete cleanse: mind, body and spirit. This is achieved through a liquid diet, spa treatments and colon irrigation. Although the goal of the spa isn’t weight loss, that is a definite by-product. While you are here, you give your digestive system a break. You do take in plenty of vitamins and minerals, but with nothing solid to digest, your system rests.

Before arrival, the mandate is to eat only fruits and vegetables for four days. This may be hard to do, but it becomes more palatable when you count the vegetable plates at Ruggles and the Black Lab as ample preparation. Getting over the emotional attachment to food is the hardest part of an all-liquid diet; you wonder if you can actually make it through the weekend. The truth is: The staff at We Care makes fasting easy.

All of the supplements you need are packed and labeled in a handy plastic bag. You have a checklist to complete, and you take a pill or have a drink every 30 minutes. Focusing on this regimen keeps you busy. Also, the combination of fluids and treatments makes you feel great and not at all hungry (if you can believe that). If you’ve ever heard that food makes you crave food, it’s true. Therefore, the lack of food also curbs your cravings.

The kitchen area is where all the action is. (It’s fun to refer to this area as “the bar.”) Imagine being in one of the nicest custom kitchens ever with a huge marble island. You hang out all day drinking tea, lemon water, vegetable juice and the special treat of hot vegetable soup, only served from 4 – 10 p.m. Instead of thinking about food, you’re too busy scheduling facials, massages and yoga classes.

Massage
The Thai massage is a unique experience that takes place on a thin floor mattress. The therapist contorts your body in multiple directions – many positions you aren’t even sure you’ve ever been in before. More focused on stretching than massage, some moves are almost gymnastics-like. All the while, you breathe deeply to keep the oxygen flowing. There is a lot of focus on your feet, as they are rubbed with stones, twisted, bent, flexed and turned. Stretching is so important to increase the viability of your muscles; and proper stretching will keep them healthy for years and years.

During the detoxifying process, the organ that excretes the largest amounts of toxins is the skin. Many of the treatments are specifically geared to help with fasting. The Desert Date Polish is basically a body scrub to exfoliate. Ingredients include sage, juniper and dates. This is recommended at least once to increase the detox process. Your skin will be shiny all afternoon after this one.

The Korean Splash is a new treatment that is given in a special tepee-shaped room right off of the labyrinth. When you enter the room, you will notice a bathtub filled with water. Deceptively, you don’t get into the bath; in fact, the water is poured over you by the technician while you lie on the table. This pouring sensation, in and of itself, is very cleansing. First your dead skin is brushed off; then you are drenched. Next, you receive a sage body wash that is reminiscent of your mom scrubbing you from head to toe when you were a kid; and you are drenched. For the finishing touch, your scalp is massaged and shampooed. It’s an incredible feeling as the warm water pours over your scalp. If you’re wondering where all the water goes, the floor is slanted so it flows right out of the room.

When treatments are complex, it makes them all the more relaxing. The We Care Euphoria begins with a warm bath. The major treat here is a fabulous smoothie with protein and soy milk. The bathtub is outside, and mockingbirds soar overhead. Then, you shed your own skin as you are exfoliated and massaged.

Diet
The name “We Care” rings true, as the staff really does care. There are classes each day that help you understand how to improve your eating habits when you get home if you’d like to continue the regimen. When you are making dietary changes, you don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be better. You can’t change everything, but if you’ll change a little bit, you are on your way to making healthy choices 80 percent of the time.

Enjoy the grounds
The labyrinth is an ancient maze made of stones on the ground. As you walk toward the center, you focus on your breathing and release the thoughts that come to your mind. If you have an intention, meditate on it in the center. Then as you leave, you are ready to accept new energy and insights. You’ll be amazed with how clearly you are able to think when preservatives are out of your system.

Although many spas preach the detox mantra, no other combines the diet with treatments and colonics. This rejuvenating and recharging holistic spa experience is one of a kind in the United States.

Essentials:
We Care Spa
Palm Springs, Calif.
1 (800) 888-2523
www.wecarespa.com