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Human Treats Poison to Pets
Autumn Casseroles
Creative Decor for Doors and Patios
CELEBRATING & DISCOVERING HOUSTON’S FINEST Complimentary
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Shopping enthusiasts and antiques aficionados will be able to peruse the best of antiques from dealers from around the world. Over 50 premium dealers will be showing antique furniture, rugs, jewelry, art, silver, collectibles and more. This year’s show presents a line-up of speakers such as Robert Edsel, Bettie Pardee, Rebecca Rabinow, and Cynthia Brumback as well as six prominent Houston design professionals offering intimate tours of the Show.
GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS ARE JUST $15General Admission and Special Event Tickets are purchased online at
ThetaCharityAntiquesShow.com
2015 SHOW DATES AND TIMES Friday, November 13th - 10 AM to 6 PM
Saturday, November 14th - 10 AM to 6 PMSunday, November 15th - 11 AM to 5 PM
PREVIEW PARTYThursday, November 12th - 6 to 10 PM
BOBBY SUE SMITH COHN FORUM SPEAKERSCynthia Brumback - The Art of the Monogram
Bettie Bearden Pardee - Gilded Age Newport: The REAL inspiration for Downton AbbeyRebecca Rabinow - Leonard A. Lauder Curator of Modern Art at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art, introduction by Gary Tintertow Andre Derain, London and the Thames, 1905-06
MARY FRANCES BOWLES COUPER SPEAKERRobert Edsel, author of The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and
the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History
DESIGNER’S WALK HOW TO INCORPORATE ANTIQUES INTO YOUR LIFESTYLESmall group tours of the show led by a Design Professional.
View the website for tour leaders and times.
2015 BENEFICIARIES OF THE THETA CHARITY ANTIQUES SHOW
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Child Advocates, Inc.Texas Children’s Cancer Center
“Give to Lead, Give to Learn” Theta Foundation Endowment CampaignBridges to Life
CCSC - Martha’s WayFreedom Place
The Harris SchoolThe HAY CenterL.I.F.E. Houston
TUTS - The River Performing and Visual Arts Program
63rd Annual
Theta Charity Antiques Show
2
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LH2 Architecture, LLCBellaire, Texas
LH2 Architecture, LLC5959 West Loop South, Suite 175
Bellaire, TX 77401
713.664.2938
www.lh2architecture.com
UltraMagTexas.com UltraMagTexas.com
CONTENTSHuman Treats Poison to PetsSurprising food that is toxic to your four legged friends
Honest Lies and Other Misguided ThoughtsHoliday Traditions
Talk to TammyAddressing Real Estate in Houston
Bon AppetitAutumn Casseroles
Creative DecorDecorations for Patios and Doors
Why an OrthodontistThey are specialists in moving teeth and aligning jaws
What Makes a Good RivalryMaking the sport such an exciting and emotional game
Caregiver 101Information you should know before you hire
Are You Hip(AA)Medical authorization
PUBLISHER Juliet Hubbell
EDITOR Nancy Moreland
ASSISTANT EDITOR Tamara Abel
ART DIRECTORAdra Staff ord
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Ann Greer
CONTRIBUTORSByron Barclay
Tammy BatemanAudrey Boutros
Karen BunchNewt Harlan
Bobby McCallittAnice Shelton
Susan Scott Watts
Reader correspondence, editorial submissions and advertising inquiries are welcome.
ADVERTISING [email protected]
EDITORIAL [email protected]
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ULTRA Magazine Houston is published monthly. All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced by any means whatsoever without written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. The magazine is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented. Advertisers and their agencies assume all liability for advertising content.
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November 2015
PETS
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There are a number of things around your house that can be deadly to your cats and dogs, some you may know, and some may be surprising. Some are even in your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator. Dr. Dorothy Black, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVM), shares some enlightening information about common food items that may be toxic to your pet.
According to Dr. Black, the following foods can be particularly dangerous to cats and dogs. “These foods may not necessarily cause toxic reactions in every case of ingestion, but it’s just a good ‘rule of thumb’ to keep these items off your kitchen counters and under no circumstances feed these foods to your pet,” Black said.
Grapes and raisins possess an unknown toxic substance that can lead to renal failure by an unknown
mechanism. Toxic doses have been reported after ingesting just one to two grapes or raisins. Not all animals suffer kidney failure after grape/raisin ingestion and it appears to be an idiosyncratic reaction. Nevertheless, it is best to avoid this food for your dogs and cats. There is no known
antidote, only supportive care and renal dialysis to support kidney recovery. “Grapes can be
particularly tricky for dogs, because many actually like to eat grapes, so you have to be especially aware,”
Black said. “Our pets are amazing creatures, but they can really get into dangerous situations with human food very quickly.”
Chocolate is commonly known to be bad for pets. It contains two ingredients known to be toxic to dogs and cats, caffeine and theobromine. Dark chocolate is particularly harmful because it has a higher concentration of toxic metabolites than milk or white chocolate. Clinical signs of
distress seen after chocolate ingestion include: anxiety/anxiousness, hyperactivity, urination, elevated body temperature, seizures, and irregular heart rhythms. There is no antidote, but supportive care is usually successful for recovery.
Xylitol is a common sugar substitute now used in many home kitchens. It is associated with a severe decline in blood sugar levels and liver failure if ingested by pets. The exact mechanism of the
toxicity is unknown and there is no antidote. Supportive care is typically successful for treatment of hypoglycemia, however, liver failure may still occur and prognosis is guarded. “It is important to remember that if you cook or use xylitol in your foods, that those foods should not be fed to pets,” Black said. “It is still toxic if used in cooking or baking.
Onions, garlic, and chives are also toxic to pets. They contain the toxin allicin, which is released upon crushing or chewing the plant. Allicin damages the hemoglobin in red blood cells leading to anemia (such as Heinz body anemia and methemoglobinemia). Cats are especially susceptible to this toxin. There is no antidote, however, supportive care is typically successful.
While cats are particularly affected by onions and garlic, dogs are especially susceptible to macadamia nut toxicity. An unknown toxin in the nut leads to difficulty walking, high body temperatures, depression, and vomiting within one to two hours after ingestion. While no deaths have been reported to date, supportive care in the hospital is often required.
Human Treats,POISON TO PETSCollege of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University
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UltraMagTexas.com UltraMagTexas.com 7
Human Treats Poison To Pets
“Supportive care, which
is the usual treatment for
food toxicity, often works
to recover pets who ingest
these foods,” Black said.
“But these supportive
treatments to get pets back
on their feet are often very
costly for the owner, and
difficult for the patient. In
cases that require dialysis,
pets have a difficult road
to recovery.”
The foods mentioned
here should be kept off
countertops and out of
reach of pets, and under no
circumstances fed to dogs
and cats. Preventing your pet from ingesting these items is the best way to
keep them safe. But if they do ingest these foods, Dr. Black recommends
contacting your veterinarian immediately.
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With the holidays approaching, we are all starting to dig into attics and storerooms for decorations and the other trappings we only use at this time of the year. While we are at it, I’m sure most of us are rooting around the attics, closets and junk drawers of our memories and soon will be dragging out the family traditions that go along with the decorations.
Holiday food is probably as big a part of those traditions as the controversies on whether to open Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve or wait until Christmas morning, or should Santa’s gifts be wrapped or unwrapped? Holiday food is probably the single most important tradition that makes the holidays the holidays.
First, there’s the turkey. Of course, turkey is standard fare for Thanksgiving, but should the Christmas meal be a repeat performance only a scant month later, or should you maybe have a roast goose or chicken for the centerpiece? Or perhaps Christmas should be special, and have no fowl at all, but roast beef or fish or tamales or something like that. What about stuffing? Should the bird be stuffed before roasting or should the “stuffing” be prepared as a side dish and baked separately and called “dressing” as most of us do in the South? Should it be made from cornbread or white bread or both? Then there are the side dishes, does anyone make sweet potato casserole with those little bitty marshmallows melted on top or green bean casserole topped with those canned french-fried onions, for any meal during the year except at the holidays?
Of course, every family is different and in some families the holiday menu is a somewhat sacrosanct tradition-- you can change a bunch of things, but on Thanksgiving and Christmas, you serve what you’re supposed to serve. Our family is like that.
You can bet Thanksgiving is always going to be at least one turkey and one cured ham, and the turkey will be stuffed with a light bread and sage stuffing. Growing up, we always had turkey with cornbread dressing on the side, but when I married Miss Edie, I had to acquire a taste for what we considered the “Yankee” style, with the bird stuffed. Over the years she has occasionally allowed me to make my cornbread dressing, but it is an addition and not a replacement. Of course, when you cook two or three turkeys like we do for our clan, it’s usually fairly easy to add in another side dish.
Of course we always have the requisite mashed potatoes, giblet gravy, green beans, sweet potatoes, broccoli and cheese and other side dishes.
One dish I introduced which has become part of the family tradition is a shrimp salad
made with lots of shrimp and sugar peas, chopped celery, chopped onion, and
boiled eggs, lightly dressed with mayonnaise and sweet relish.
Then there are desserts -- although I don’t care for them, pumpkin pies are king around our place and Miss Edie usually makes at least
a half dozen of them. Hell, I’ve got a couple
or three grandsons who can polish off a pumpkin pie
by themselves, and I’m talking about after two or three trips through
the food line.
My favorite dessert is cherry cheesecake or lemon meringue pie, but I’m usually so full after eating turkey and trimmings that it’s often the next day before I can handle it.
I think there are two traditions that we all share at Thanksgiving, while we may not all have the same dishes, and if we do they may be prepared differently in different families, but you can bet on these two things: there’ll be a bunch of food and we’ll all be thankful…at least on this one day.
I hope all of you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
10
TRADITIONS Honest Lies and Other Misguided Thoughts
By Newt Harlan
TALK TO TAMMY
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UltraMagTexas.com UltraMagTexas.com 11
TAMMY BATEMAN PROPERTIES
[email protected] | www.tammybateman.com
11
Welcome to my new column TALK TO TAMMY, where Mustang (my mascot) and I will talk
about real estate and real estate-related topics for your education and enjoyment.
With the holidays upon us, one of the top questions seems to be: Should I wait to put my house
on the market after the first of the year? Well, during the holiday season, the real estate market
is not as quiet as you may think! This last quarter is the time when not only sellers and buyers
are serious, but realtors are too.
FOR THE SELLERS: The home has been “spiffed up” for relative visits and seasonal parties.
There are usually wonderful holiday scents. I recommend that you take your professional
photos for the listing before putting up your decorations so that the pictures do not become
dated to the season.
FOR THE BUYERS: Many are serious because they have been transferred and need a house
or need to change schools over the winter break. They are also looking to close on the home
purchase before December 31 so that they may take advantage of the homestead exemption right
away. Additionally, many companies pay bonuses at the end of year making them stronger buyers.
Now the Realtors are looking to finish their year out as top producers, so they are working even
harder to close transactions in the last quarter. If that is not enough motivation, think about
the mood people are in during the holidays. Most are joyous, feeling good and celebratory and
looking for a change.
If you are looking to see what your home is worth, please contact me. Tammy Bateman
Properties, Inc. is a full-service boutique firm delivering exceptional service. We would love to
hear from you!
TALK TO TAMMY
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November finally feels like fall doesn’t it?
The air is crisper, Thanksgiving is upon us,
the holidays are right around the corner,
football is in full swing and we are tired…
So.Very.Tired.
At this time of year I crave something
hot, bubbly and cheesy that is easy to put
together and that I can double up and
freeze. I want something that I can make
quickly and pop in the oven and serve
for dinner that is even better leftover the
next day.
I want a casserole.
Yes, I said “casserole”. It’s not a bad word,
but to some cooks it is...and to some
children it might as well be as awful of a
word as “homework”.
But I have a couple of casserole recipes
that are easy, quick, freeze beautifully,
and can be made with chicken or turkey
(you will have some of that leftover at the
end of the month---and this is an easy
way to use it up without having to make
something with 30 ingredients that the
cooking shows will tout all month). One
is super-versatile---I call it my “as you like
it chicken casserole” and the other is my
Upscale Chicken Spaghetti that is elegant
enough to serve to company.
For both, I use a grocery store roasted
chicken (or leftover turkey or even
cooked ground beef) and for both I cook
the pasta in water seasoned with 2 cubes
of Knorr Chicken Stock (or an equivalent
chicken broth base). It flavors the pasta
and makes a broth to use in the sauces.
Let’s start with the kid friendly and
“adjustable” Chicken Spaghetti. It’s easy
to put together and for the most part
you don’t have to go to the grocery store
for anything special---it pretty much
uses pantry staples. I call it “adjustable”
because that’s what it is---you can adjust
it to suit your family’s tastes and what you
have on hand.
If you want a plain creamy chicken
spaghetti, just use the cheese and the
cream of mushroom soup. If you have
kids who would rather have to watch your
wedding video than eat a mushroom,
you can use cream of chicken or cream
of celery soup instead. If you like a kick,
add in a can of medium Rotel (use the
mild flavor if you are wary of spice). Use
two cans of Rotel if you like it very spicy.
When I add in the Rotel, I call it “King
Ranch Chicken Spaghetti” because it
is basically King Ranch Casserole with
spaghetti instead of tortillas. (If you
want regular King Ranch Casserole then
pour the “sauce” over corn tortillas and
layer it with cheese). And if you want it
less cheesy (I won’t judge) then use less
cheese...
Heat the water for the pasta with the
chicken stock base and cook the pasta
for 1 minute LESS than the package
directions say for the least amount of
cooking time (it will finish cooking when
you bake it). In a Dutch oven or large pot, cook the onion in a few tablespoons of butter over medium heat until it is soft
Bon AppetitAUTUMN CASSEROLES
by Anice Shelton
ULTRA FOOD
AS YOU LIKE IT CHICKEN SPAGHETTI
1 roasted chicken (skin and bones removed, chopped or shredded)butter4 cups of shredded Velveetamilk or half-and-half (1.5-2.5 cups)1 can cream of mushroom (or chicken) soup (I love Progresso for this)1 onion, finely chopped1 package spaghetti2 cubes Knorr chicken stock
OPTIONAL:1 (or two) cans of Rotel (tomatoes and green chilies)crushed tortilla chips (this is a great use for those broken bits at the bottom of the bag!)
´
and translucent. Once the onions are soft, add ½ cup of the pasta water to the onions and then add in the chicken pieces. Add the can of cream soup and if using Rotel add in a can or two now. Pour in a cup and a half of milk or half and half. Stir in 2 cups of cheese and let the cheese melt. Basically you have made a creamy queso with cheese (resist the urge to dip chips in and eat it all). Add in the cooked and drained pasta (reserve a cup of the broth in case you need to thin down the sauce some).
Now at this point, you will think this is a crazy recipe because you should have a very wet pasta...a thinner sauce than you think you should have, but that’s ok---the pasta will absorb it! If you need to thin it further, use the reserved chicken stock water from the pasta or add in more milk. At this point you can add in
another cup of cheese if you like it really cheesy (in other words you should!).
continued on page 21
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UltraMagTexas.com UltraMagTexas.com 13
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CreCreCreCreativeFOR DOORS & PATIOS
By Karen Bunch
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The front entrance to your home is the first hint as to what awaits inside.
It’s your home and your creativity should shine. The entrance may not
be inviting and interesting but can be with a little creative design work.
Shake your doubts away and put on your big girl gloves and get to work!
It may take a couple of tries, but adding and adjusting items just makes it
better. Splurge on the focal-point items and visit resale shops or garage sales
for the rest. Ribbon tells its own story. Inexpensive ribbon is great to add
to wrapped packages but not for a mantle, entry, tree, chandelier, or patio.
If it’s a piece you want to stand out, then take it to the max with beautiful
ribbon. Designing your entrance or patio enhancements takes time and
effort but is well worth it because you will enjoy seeing it every single day.
Once you have decided it is time to change or take down your
handiwork, take some photos so you can refer to them the next time you
want to put up the decorations. This will help you remember what you
really liked and what brought you pleasure every time you entered the
home. Pack everything away in clear plastic tubs. You will be organized
for the next time!
9TIPGrapevine or greenery can be used. Use gloves to protect your hands when unrolling, twisting and cutting the grapevine or greenery. This is a very time-consuming and tedious process but if done properly only has to be done once. It is much easier with two people. It’s helpful to unwind the grapevine a day or two before the installation to relax the coiling. If you want to paint it rather than leaving it natural, do it at this point. Glitter can also be added at this point.
9TIPNatural colored grapevine with clear lights and muted ribbon colors and burlap can be kept up all year long! It is beautiful at night and creates a welcoming entrance or patio.
{
ULT
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SUPPLIES1. Wire cutters
2. Pruning shears
3. Fabric scissors
4. Floral Wire
5. Work gloves
6. Small nails
7. Screw in eye hooks
8. Glue gun with glue sticks
9. Extension cords
10. Drape cloth
11. Broom
12. Trash bags
13. Ladder or step stool
UltraMagTexas.com UltraMagTexas.com
PREPARATION1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Collect all your decorating materials
(even the ones you’re not sure you will
use or like).
Take the tags off everything and dust
if necessary.
Lay out the drop cloth and spread all
the materials out so you can see
everything.
Plug all the lights in to check they
work.
Roll each strand of lights into a ball
starting with the male plug end and
ending with the female end on top.
15
{
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Call our office today to schedule your complimentary orthodontic evaluation.
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Located in the Frost Bank Building6750 West Loop South, Suite 150, Bellaire, TX 77401
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Why An Orthodontist?
Courtesy of Dr. Audrey M. Boutros, DDS, MS
ULT
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ALT
HYour smile is the most striking part of your face. Do you think your smile (or that of your child’s) can be improved? Many people ask themselves this question.
Orthodontists are specialists in moving teeth and aligning jaws.
Orthodontists are uniquely qualified in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of orthodontic problems. They dedicate their professional lives to creating healthy, beautiful smiles in children, teens, and adults. There are three steps in an orthodontist’s education: college, dental school, and orthodontic residency program. It can take 10 or more years of education after high school to become an orthodontist. After completing college requirements, the prospective orthodontist attends dental school. All orthodontists are dentists first. Out of 100 dental school graduates, only six go on to become orthodontists.
Only dentists who have successfully completed this advanced specialty education may call themselves orthodontists. Only orthodontists are accepted for membership in the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). Selecting a member of the AAO for orthodontic care is the public’s assurance that they are selecting an orthodontist. You trust your heart to a cardiologist, your skin to a dermatologist, and your knees to an orthopedist. Like these specialists, orthodontists have in-depth experience in orthodontic care. They use their knowledge and skills to help you get the best results possible.
There are a lot of treatment options these days, from clear aligners to high tech braces. They each have their uses, but only an orthodontist has the specialized knowledge to identify and plan for all the variables in your mouth. Orthodontists take your unique needs and wishes into consideration too when recommending the right treatment option for you. Orthodontists have knowledge of the full range of orthodontic appliance “tools”. They know what to use and when to use it because they work with these “tools” every day.
Sure you want a winning smile and your orthodontist wants that for you too. You deserve the best - a good bite and a healthy beautiful smile. Consult an AAO member orthodontist for your life, your health, your happiness, and your smile! Call our office today to schedule your
complimentary orthodontic evaluation.
AUDREY M. BOUTROSDDS, MS
Member of the American Association
of Orthodontists
UltraMagTexas.com UltraMagTexas.com 17
Items that may work for your seasonal garland and wreath:
Creative Decor FOR DOORS AND PATIOS
continued from page 15
DESIGN TIPS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Clean up as you go. Clean up as you go. Clean up as you go.
Screw in the small eyehooks around the area for the garland to be hung.
Use plenty of hooks to hold the fi nished weight of the garland and decorations.
Hang the bare garland using wire to attach it to the eyehooks. Use the small nails
if it works in a certain spot.
Generously wrap with the lights. Better to have too many lights than not enough.
Clear lights can remain in place as decorative items change. Colored lights work
well for a specifi c design.
Start with three of the largest decorative items, then your favorite pieces. Attach
the items using the fl oral wire or ribbon. These items can usually be larger than
you think.
Continue choosing the decorative items to hang based on descending size.
Step back every so often to take a look and make adjustments to the placement
and spacing.
Group smaller items in bunches or glue a group together to give them impact.
{1. Vintage items from a resale shop
2. Children’s toys
3. Dollar Store & Target items
4. Decorations no longer in use or
showing a little wear
5. Old centerpieces that can be
repurposed
6. Slightly chipped and non-working
items
7. Used and new fabrics
8. Ornaments
9. Figurines
10. Natural elements (pinecones,
leaves, acorns, fl owers, berries,
gourds)
UltraMagTexas.com UltraMagTexas.com
What Makes a
Rivalry?by Bobby McCallitt
Rivalries are just one of the many things that make sports like football such an exciting and emotional game. But what makes for a good rivalry?
Although some rivalries come and go, the truly deep-rooted ones all have several things in common. Typically the rival schools are in close proximity to each other, thus the students know each other. Local pride is involved. In addition, the schools involved will play each other every year as to not only help create a level of familiarity but strong feelings toward each other. This allows for annual bragging rights. Finally, they should ideally play in the same district so something such as a district title or play-off spot may be on the line. Beating your rival produces more than just good feelings for your side, it actually includes negative consequences for the other guy.
With the growing population, several new high schools have recently opened all around Houston. These new schools have caused a shift in what used to be storied rivalries. Many traditional rivals now find themselves not only in different districts, but different size classifications as well. While they may meet in an early non-district game, it typically is not the same intensity as having a playoff spot or district championship on the line.HISD for example, which used to have all 24 of its high schools in the same size classification, now finds itself with schools in 4A, 5A and 6A. There are four different districts within HISD.
One HISD rivalry that has survived the shifting of districts is Bellaire – Lamar. Both teams play in District 20-6A and have been in the same district with each other for as far back as anyone can remember. The schools are located relatively close to each other and many of the students from each school went to middle school and elementary school together. It doesn’t just pit district rivals against one another, it often pits neighbor against neighbor.
ULT
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St. John’s – Kinkaid is another of the biggest local rivalries. These private schools play in the South Zone of the Southwest Preparatory Conference and the games are always intense. Since 1979, the game has been played at Rice Stadium. Many of the students and families know each other and have played against each other since they were very young, adding to the intensity. Recently, these elite schools were both listed as two of the smartest schools in the nation, based on composite SAT scores for each. With St John’s at 2081-2130 and Kinkaid at 2080-2130, the scores were virtually identical, which only fueled the rivalry.
One rivalry affected by the shift in school size classification is the Memorial – Stratford rivalry, a game that has always been intense. This rivalry has produced many historic games over the years as these schools not only played in the same district, but also historically faced each other in the last game of the regular season,
typically with a play-off spot on the line. Now, Memorial plays in District 18-6A while Stratford plays in District 19-5A. They do still play each other in a non-district game early in the season, which has kept the rivalry alive. So while the game no longer has any significance to either teams’ play-off chances, it remains as fierce a rivalry as the city has to offer.
Rivalry games are sure to produce strong feeling on both sides and provide lifelong memories. A victory over your rival can make (or break) a season. The trash-talking and verbal barbs can, and often do, go on indefinitely. It’s the one game that is circled on the schedule every year and the one that everyone looks most forward to. Rivalries are fierce, they are nerve-wracking, and they are intense, but mostly they are a
lot of fun.
18
UltraMagTexas.com UltraMagTexas.com 19
UltraMagTexas.com UltraMagTexas.com20
URBAN HARVEST MARKETEastside at RichmondSaturday 8 am - Noon
RICE UNIVERSITY MARKETEntrance 13B off Greenbriar Dr.Tuesday 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm
HOUSTON CITY HALL MARKET901 Bagby StreetWednesday 11 am - 1:30 pm
Family Owned for over 100 Years Farm-Fresh and In-Season Produce
ATKINSONFARM.com
3217 Spring Cypress Road Spring, TX 77388832.381.8202
Pick-Your-Own and Farm Store Open Seasonally
VISIT US AT OUR FARM...
VISIT US AT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD FARMER’S MARKET...
ATKINSON FARM
Artichokes Beets Blackberries Broccoli Brussel Sprouts Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrots Caulifl ower Collards Corn Cucumber Eggplant Green Beans Hot Pepper Kale Leek Lettuce Mustard Greens Okra Onions
Peas Peppers Radish Spinach Squash Strawberries Swiss Chard Tomatoes Turnips Watermelon
Benjy’s Dish Society Frank’s Chop House Heights General Store Local Foods Revival MarketUnderbelly Karbach Restaurant and Patio Pax Americana Canino Produce Food Town Foodarama
FIND OUR PRODUCE AT THESE FINE RESTAURANTS AND STORES...
UltraMagTexas.com UltraMagTexas.com
continued from page 12
Bake covered with foil or the lid at
350 degrees for 20 minutes, then
uncover and top with a cup or so of
crushed tortilla chips mixed in with
the last cup of Velveeta (or just use
the cheese).
Bake until hot and bubbly…uncover
and top with a cup or so of crushed
tortilla chips mixed in with the last
cup of Velveeta (or just use the
cheese). Bake until hot and bubbly…
Now for the “Upscale Chicken
Spaghetti”. When I make this, I
always invite my friend Julie over to
eat and I always send her home with
some for her hubby Ed. Ed loves it
so much that he has been known to
eat it straight from the container for
breakfast. It’s THAT good. I invented
the recipe for a friend who claimed
he never liked chicken spaghetti
and thought he never would...he ate
2 helpings…and asked to keep the
leftovers.
Skin and debone the chicken and
shred it. Reserve the jelly-like
drippings in the bottom of the
container it came in. Heat the water
for the pasta with the chicken cubes
added in and once it is hot but not
boiling, reserve a cup of the broth
to use for the sauce. Cook the pasta
until it is a minute or two short of the
shortest cooking time recommended.
While the pasta is cooking, sauté the
onion in the butter and olive oil over
medium heat in a dutch oven or large
pot until softened. Add in the minced
garlic and cook until both are soft,
taking care not to burn the garlic.
Add in the thyme, Worcestershire,
chicken, and red wine. Let the red
wine reduce for 2 minutes over high
heat, stirring constantly and then
reduce heat to medium high and
add in the cup of reserved chicken
stock (use it to warm up the jelly-like
drippings in the chicken container-
--good flavor there!). Add the milk
and cream and once hot, add in the
shredded cheese. Check for seasoning
(I usually add pepper but not much
salt, if any). A dash of cayenne (just
a touch) and perhaps another TBS
of Worcestershire will give you a nice
rich creamy sauce. Add the cooked
and drained pasta and stir until
combined. It should be a fairly wet
sauce...if it is not fairly “soupy” then
add more cream or milk and adjust
seasonings. The pasta will absorb
the sauce---especially if you let it sit
overnight in the fridge before heating
through. Heat covered until it starts
to bubble (this will be 20 minutes if
you go straight from stove top or 40
if it was refrigerated). Top with the
topping of your choice and cook until
very hot and bubbly and browned...
Both of these will freeze well. When
I freeze them, I usually bring them
back to life in the crockpot and add
in a bit of milk or stock to freshen it
up. Frozen foods usually need a touch
more seasoning as well, so check and
adjust your seasonings before serving.
If the last time you had chicken
spaghetti was when someone gave
you “chicken tetrazzini” in the school
lunch line, then I pray you will try this
and put the past behind you...
Let “casserole” become a happy word
in your house...it is in mine...
ULTRA FOOD
UPSCALE CHICKEN SPAGHETTI
1 roasted chicken (or leftover turkey meat)1 lb crimini (Baby Bella) mushrooms, sliced1 TBS olive oil4 TBS butter1 lg onion, finely chopped3 cloves garlic, minced3 TBS Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves1 ½ cups red wine1 cup heavy cream1 cup milk½ large brick of Velveeta, shredded2 cubes Knorr chicken stock1 package pasta (spaghetti, linguine, pappardelle, rigatoni) Optional toppings: crushed crostini toasts, or toasted bread or panko crumbs mixed with a bit of butter...my favorite is crushed rosemary sea salt French rounds from Fresh Market. Or you can use more cheese...URBAN HARVEST MARKET
Eastside at RichmondSaturday 8 am - Noon
RICE UNIVERSITY MARKETEntrance 13B off Greenbriar Dr.Tuesday 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm
HOUSTON CITY HALL MARKET901 Bagby StreetWednesday 11 am - 1:30 pm
Family Owned for over 100 Years Farm-Fresh and In-Season Produce
ATKINSONFARM.com
3217 Spring Cypress Road Spring, TX 77388832.381.8202
Pick-Your-Own and Farm Store Open Seasonally
VISIT US AT OUR FARM...
VISIT US AT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD FARMER’S MARKET...
ATKINSON FARM
Artichokes Beets Blackberries Broccoli Brussel Sprouts Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrots Caulifl ower Collards Corn Cucumber Eggplant Green Beans Hot Pepper Kale Leek Lettuce Mustard Greens Okra Onions
Peas Peppers Radish Spinach Squash Strawberries Swiss Chard Tomatoes Turnips Watermelon
Benjy’s Dish Society Frank’s Chop House Heights General Store Local Foods Revival MarketUnderbelly Karbach Restaurant and Patio Pax Americana Canino Produce Food Town Foodarama
FIND OUR PRODUCE AT THESE FINE RESTAURANTS AND STORES...
21
Bon AppetitAUTUMN CASSEROLES
by Anice Shelton
´
UltraMagTexas.com UltraMagTexas.com22
www.BoutrosOrtho.com
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713.218.8338
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www.BoutrosOrtho.com
Proven Leaders for all of your Skilled Nursing and Rehab needs
6920 T.C. Jester Blvd.Houston, TX 77091
Phone: (713) 681-0431 | Fax: (713) 681-0433windsorhouston.com
3640 Hampton DriveMissouri City, TX 77459
Phone: (281) 778-5144 | Fax: (281) 778-5149missouricitynursing.com
24 Hour Skilled Nursing | Goal-Oriented Therapies | Reducing Hospitalizations | Patient-Centered Programs
UltraMagTexas.com UltraMagTexas.com 23
When looking for the perfect caregiver, many families don’t know where to begin. Though the Internet offers a quick solution for finding caregiver information, it can also be a misleading source.
Whether looking for a babysitter for a few weeknights or a full-time nanny, knowing the history of your caregivers is vital. In fact, according to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, babysitters are responsible for 4.2 percent of criminal acts against children under six years of age. Though this is a small percentage, some believe these types of crimes could have been prevented with the appropriate information up front.
When conducting a background check, there are two main types to choose from: live court research and online database searches.
ONLINE DATABASES: With an affordable price tag and a quick turnaround with information, many people turn to online sites when looking for the appropriate caregiver for their family. Though many of these sites tout that their applicants are ‘mom recommended,’ many are simply electronic databases with little investigative reporting on applicant history. Though they do report major offenses, such as felonies, these sites often miss the mark on reporting minor crimes and misdemeanors. These are the types of crimes that speak volumes about an applicant’s character and past.
LIVE COURT RESEARCH: In addition to a traditional online search, you should also conduct the more thorough option of live court research. Though a more costly choice, live court research extensively searches current and past court records, both state and federal. Look for a screening company with the most up-to-date information, such as Validity Screening Solutions, who has more than 1,600 record researchers that cover all jurisdictions in the United States, to offer the most current and accurate information. For more information, visit www.validityscreening.com.
Create a caregiver checklist
“A thorough screening includes live court research in addition to an online web search,” said Darren Dupriest, president and CEO of Validity Screening Solutions. “Make sure your search includes an all-encompassing look at an applicant’s verifications, records with federal and state agencies and other personal assessment screenings, which are all important determinants when choosing the best caregiver for your family.”
Before choosing the appropriate background check, make sure it hits all the important marks listed below:
CRIMINAL RECORDS: A thorough search will identify any felony or misdemeanor criminal convictions. This search should be current enough to include any pending cases involving the candidate.
SEX OFFENDER REGISTRIES: A criminal record search alone does not include significant sex offender information because each state has its own stand-alone registry. Be sure to look for a screening company that offers a multi-state check.
DRIVING RECORDS: For caregivers required to drive on the job, a thorough check of their driving history is essential. This includes the possession of a valid driver’s license, and ensuring it has not been suspended, revoked and the applicant has no objectionable moving violations.
VERIFICATION: A proper check will ensure that past employment, certifications and references are verified through the original source.
A complete review of a potential caregiver ensures you are entrusting your family to the safest, best care possible. It also provides peace of mind while you are away from them, which, in itself, is priceless. (Family Features)
Caregiver 101: Information You Should Know Before You Hire
ULTRA SENIORS
UltraMagTexas.com UltraMagTexas.com
(over 18) will similarly benefit from a HIPAA authorization from our children to allow you to access their healthcare information. This is particularly important for college students who attend college in another city (or state) than where you live. Having an emergency situation to deal with is stressful enough without having to weed through administrative red tape to get access to healthcare information on a loved one, particularly a child who has been hospitalized due to an accident or illness.
Similarly, if you are in a trusted relationship with another person, but not married, a HIPAA authorization will be extremely important to facilitate communication with a doctor or nurse who is treating your loved one, and if the injured person is unable to communicate, you may go hours (or days) before you can be apprised of the healthcare status of your injured friend.
Obviously, if a patient is conscious they can authorize the doctors or nurses to communicate with you. Without such authorization however, and with the increasing likelihood of prosecution and fines imposed over the unauthorized sharing of private healthcare information by not only doctors, nurses, chiropractors, dentists, but any other person who may have access to private healthcare information, the privacy of your healthcare information will not only be zealously protected, but you may also have significant difficulties in gaining access to the same information about your loved one. Better to be HIP(AA), and know what it means, than to be shut out.
Medical Authorizations
ARE YOU HIP(AA)?Courtesy of Byron K. Barclay
ULT
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The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was passed in 1996, and is a surprisingly important piece of legislation for anyone who might ever get sick or want to share their health information with another person. Among other things, HIPAA requires healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, dentists and hospitals to keep health information private, and imposes fines on individuals, firms and organizations which fail to do so. While there were few fines imposed for many years, in 2012 a hospital was fined $50,000 for the loss of a laptop computer, which had health records on 441 patients. As a consequence, the healthcare industry and others who deal with healthcare records are very sensitive to protecting this information. Why is this important to you?
The HIPAA authorization, signed by you, is now almost universally required by healthcare organizations when you consent to any medical treatment. You may authorize the sharing of your private information, and MUST authorize the sharing of this information if you want any other person, including your spouse, your child or your parent to have access to your health information. As a consequence, smart estate planning lawyers who suggest a medical power of attorney (see October issue of Ultra Magazine Houston), or a Directive to Physician will also suggest a general HIPAA authorization for you to sign allowing access to your private health information to anyone that you have designated in your Medical Power of Attorney or Directive to Physician.Those of us with college-aged “children,”
BIOGRAPHY & DISCLAIMER
BYRON K. BARCLAY
713.224.2334
Byron K. Barclay is a Houston, Texas attorney and Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law. In addition, Mr. Barclay handles estate planning matters and is regularly appointed to serve various courts in Harris County as an Attorney Ad Litem for the estates of persons who have died without a will. Mr. Barclay also handles commercial litigation, divorces, family law and child custody issues.
The foregoing article is offered only as a public service to this community and does not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. This site and column should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. You should always consult a suitably qualified attorney regarding any specific legal problem or matter. The comments and opinions expressed on this site are of the individual author. Nothing in this column or on any website where it may be published is intended to create an attorney-client relationship and nothing posted by Mr. Barclay constitutes legal advice.
Should you have questions, you may forward them via email to Mr. Barclay at [email protected]. Questions may be edited for length or clarity. Mr. Barclay will choose questions submitted for brief answers and possible publication. Mr. Barclay reserves the right to choose which questions to answer, and submission of a question does not guarantee that he will provide an answer.
24 ADVERTORIAL
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