Katy Holt

Rumor Has It – April 2010

April 2010
The Rice Hotel ballroom sparkled for the Park Lovers’ Crystal Ball. Elegantly attired guests (from left) Erik and Maria Elena Herbst and Saween and Mel Thompson dined on Texas surf and turf while Disco Expressions grooved the crowd.

Talk about fabulous… The Park Lovers’ Crystal Ball exceeded fundraising goals and transformed the ballroom at the historic Rice Hotel. Event chairs Jennifer Gatto, Daryl Hoover and Kara Samples (all were stunning in red) were assisted by Susie Boyce, Cheryl Butler, Jennifer Debow, Vicki Grams, Sue Hanna, Maria Elena Herbst, Michelle Juden, Nicole Leitner and Patricia Rorschach. At the …

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Rumor Has It – March 2010

March 2010
Park Lovers’ Ball 2010 co-chair Jenny Gatto (at left) secured wine donations for the Feb. 27 event from longtime supporters of West University Place Parks, including Karen Johnson, Susie Boyce and Sue Jensen, at a Girls Night Out party held at Little Matt’s.

After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, hearts across Houston were aching to help. Nine-year-old Jane Murray and Margaret Murray, 8, along with neighbor Kate Fuselier, 6, were determined to do their part. The trio set up a lemonade and cookie sale on Wroxton Street to raise money, which they brought to their church to donate. Other stands were …

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Rumor Has It – February 2010

February 2010
Crimson Tide fans Sam and Katy Murray soak up the sunshine in Pasadena, California, and revel in the University of Alabama's victory at the BCS Championship game, where their team defeated the University of Texas Longhorns 37-21.

Twenty-degree temps marked the start of the year twenty ten, and many Longhorn fans hightailed it to the BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl. There was plenty of tailgating at the Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena, Calif., to watch the No. 2 University of Texas at Austin football team take on, and eventually lose to, the No. 1-ranked …

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Rumor Has It – January 2010

January 2010
Sophie Anna, Charlotte and Fiona Charlton, all age 4, visit with Houston Ballet Sugar Plum Fairy (left) Beth Miller, toy soldier Daniel Culpepper and a waltz-of-the-flower ballerina, Leighton Jordan, at a story time held at the West U Public Library.

Rockin’ the block. Fabulous weather finally hit West U and at least seven block parties took place on the same day. Neighbors on the 3700 block of Tangley gathered to reconnect. They included Aggie and Jim Foster, Barbara and James Cauble, Deb and Cle Dade, Jill and Kerr Taylor, Jill and Neil Wasserstrom, and Cannon and Lisa Coleman. …

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Rumor Has It – December 2009

December 2009
The Freeman and Archer families pause during the fun for a photo at The Russo Corral. It was a busy night for the co-hosts of this year’s Fathers and Flashlights event benefiting Friends of West University Place Parks.

Not even a little rain could put a damper on the festivities at the sold-out Fathers and Flashlights campout, a fundraiser for the Friends of West University Place Parks held each fall. The newest fan of the parks must be Lucas Earl Archer, who was born just a few weeks before the big event to campout co-chairs Courtney and

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Travel Buzz – Smooth Sailing on the High Seas

August 2009
The McCann children spend many vacations onboard their family's catamaran Pas de Deux.

At some point, a traveler is likely to consider the enticements of a cruise. For some, the lure is the relaxing rocking of the ocean’s waves or having the world’s most exotic locations brought straight to their cabin door.

For others, it’s the chance to save money on a floating hotel with just about everything – including multiple-course meals and, …

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Travel Buzz – San Francisco Treat

June 2009
Tourists can take a short ferry ride to Alcatraz Island. Its prison tour is one of San Francisco's most popular attractions.

Riding up and down San Francisco’s hilly streets on a streetcar, ferrying out to view Alcatraz Island’s prison or staring at the jaw-dropping Golden Gate Bridge are three things that all travelers need to check off their list.

But for those with more time in the San Francisco area, there are an unlimited number of scenic spots, including the historic …

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Have Dog, Will Travel

June 2009
Prada, a 75-pound Old English Sheepdog, is a frequent traveling companion for Terry Chavez and her husband, Anthony.

When the dog days of summer hit Houston, it may be time to let your pet’s paws hit the road with you.

The complexities of traveling with a pet are many. But for some families, the companionship is worth it – plus the bonus of not having to board or beg for petsitting.

Terry and Anthony Chavez’s 75-pound Old English …

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Travel Buzz – South of the Border

May 2009
Ann Elvin stops to smell the roses in Patagonia, Argentina. The teapot behind her depicts the flag of Wales with a dragon acknowledging the early Welsh settlement in Patagonia.

The vast and varied continent of South America has lured several Buzz readers recently.

Frank Elvin’s work trips gave his wife, Ann, the chance to explore Columbia at a reasonable cost. While in the capital city of Bogotá, the couple stayed at La Fontana, which has its own church, and enjoyed a trip to the Gold Museum, which houses an …

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Travel Buzz – Pacific Northwest

April 2009
Visitors to Seattle will want to take time to enjoy the year-round Pike Place Market.

Most Americans have a sense of the Pacific Northwest’s grandeur that is clouded, literally, by the rainy forecasts known to dominate the region.

Seattle
Anyone who visits Seattle can tell you that, even with the rain, it is a great city that mixes urban attitude and outdoorsy charm.

According to Catherine Gartner, “The quintessential Seattle experience is at Pike Place …

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Beyond College Brochures

April 2009
College pic

Before the SAT scores are in, the letters of recommendation are arranged, and the college essays are finished, it’s time to hit the road.

Matching a college’s opportunities to your student’s needs is challenging, and even the best brochure or Web site can’t reveal the fullness of life on a college campus. “Most kids are just looking at the dorms …

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Look, Mom, They Like It!

March 2009
Homemade sweet potato chips are easy to make and quick to disappear when Will, 6, and Reid Turlington, 4, need a healthy snack.

Ask most kids what they want for dinner and the answer is sure to be one of three things: pizza, macaroni and cheese, or chicken tenders. There is hope, however, for parents who want to expose their children to healthier fare.

Most parents want to know the secrets to getting their children to eat good food because healthy eating has …

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Travel Buzz – Travel Rewards

March 2009
The Kronberg family see the Great Wall during their visit to China.

Embarking on a trip is cause for excitement, and sometimes the destination is more meaningful when there is a chance to give back to the local community.

Just a few days before Sonia and Ron Kronberg were set to leave China to fulfill a lifelong dream for their daughter, Erin, a massive earthquake destroyed much of the Sichuan province and …

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Travel Buzz – Riches of Central America

February 2009
The Sagel family spotted a rich variety of wildlife while on a river tour in Panama.

The natural beauty of Central America offers a refreshing change of pace for Houstonians, and with so many remarkable sites it has year-round appeal.

Frequent trips to Panama to visit relatives have been a source of adventure, relaxation, and more for Esteban Sagel, his wife, Elsa, and daughters, Paola and Gabby. Most people have heard about the Panama Canal and …

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A Tradition to Remember

February 2009
Texas was well represented with 11 debutantes at the International Debutante Ball. Front row, left to right: Jessica Jean Whichard, Kathryn Elizabeth Drennon, Mary Kelly Faulkner Drennon, Alexandra Lynn Chunn. Back row: Louise Forman Boesel, Courtney Paige Somerville, Gwendolyn Mildred Culver Seale, Kimberley Allison Mead, Kimberly Ahn Hays, Meredith Anne Margrave. (Not pictured: Taelor Alexandria Ranzau.)

One of the more spectacular debutante balls, the International Debutante Ball in New York City, was held December 29. Texas was well represented with 11 debutantes and several bachelor escorts.

Many people think of debutante balls as a big party for the elite. But for the participants, it’s so much more. “This 54th anniversary ball was about the importance of …

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