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Leaving food allergies behind
Lace up your walking shoes and join thousands of other Houstonians Sept. 11 for the 5th Annual Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward a Cure event. The walk is sponsored by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). Pictured at the 2009 walk are (back row, from left) Hayley Shelton, Madison Schrimsher, who served as the student ambassador for the 2007 Houston Walk, Darby Birnbaum, (front row, from left) Grace Schrimsher, Jamie McDonald and Mahlette Mammo. The 2.5-mile walk is non-competitive, and there is no entry fee. Food allergies affect more people every year, and young children have the highest incidence. Last year’s FAAN Walk included nearly 2,000 Houstonians who raised more than $175,000 – making it the top fundraising walk among 35 similar walk events held nationwide. Funds raised will be used to increase awareness and support food-allergy research. Visit www.foodallergywalk.org for more info.
Shooting hoops, serving others
The International Sports Training Institute’s basketball players not only enjoy shooting hoops together but working on community service projects as well. Members of ISTI’s Bellaire 11U all-star team, including Grant Schneider, Kennedy Coleman, Kyle Stein, Joseph Fields, Camron Horry, Jake Greenberg, Jake Plantowsky, Ryan Bronston, Sammy Williams, Jordan Loev and Brandon Gomel, are working with the team’s coach, Ben Simmons, a former Purdue Calumet basketball standout, to improve their game and perform community service for those less fortunate . Team members (pictured, from left) Zachary Bell, Max Dokell, Jared Wiesenthal, Garrett Glover and Jonathan Stein recently served breakfast to the homeless at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, and more community service projects are in the works. Check out www.istisports.net or email Ben (at) istisports (dot) net for more info.
One hopeful evening
Kaylan Findley Caballero and Roula Nassar (pictured, from left) are making final plans as co-chairs for the Evening of Hope Gala benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, located in Memphis, Tenn. The gala is set for Oct. 2 at The Hilton Americas Hotel and will honor former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Farouk Shami. Committee members, including Kim Brown, Sharon Campbell, Denise Evans, Janet Jenkins, Sophia Mafrige, Cathey Meagher, Joy Neely, Virginia Pederson, Lisa Prendergast, Rachel Purcell, Nicole Salha, Shellie Stone and Royce Walker, promise a silent and live auction to remember as well as dancing to the beat of the New Orleans Motown Bank Sha’on and Success. St. Jude benefits pediatric patients in the Houston area by sharing its discoveries with our local scientific and medical communities. Go to www.stjude.org/houston for ticket info.
Spiritual journey to remember
Imagine crossing the Jewish rite of passage, known as a Bar Mitzvah, in the same place that your ancestors experienced the same ritual for thousands of years. For 13-year-old Bucky Engel, having his religious ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem in June held special meaning because Israel is known as the spiritual homeland for Jews worldwide. Accompanied by family members Sabrina, Eddie and Natalie Engel, Hilary and Brent Kamin, Carol and Mark Mendelovitz, and Lilia Lopez, Bucky lead an intimate service at the Western Wall and enjoyed a few weeks in Israel touring and learning about its historical significance. Mazel Tov to Bucky (pictured) and his family.
Run Boomer run
It’s not every day that a kid swims 50 meters, bikes 1.2 miles and then runs a quarter of a mile on his own without any help from others on the sidelines. Horn Academy third grader Boomer Beasley did it all and celebrated finishing his first triathlon at the Kiwanis Kids Triathlon held in The Woodlands in August. As a competitor in the 8-year-old division, he was thrilled to make it to the starting lineup after training for a few months by going on long bike rides and swimming at the Evergreen Pool. Parents Tassy and Mitch Beasley and his brothers, Jake, Joe and Lee, met Boomer after he crossed the finish line to offer high fives. Boomer says his triathlon days aren’t over, and he has inspired his 6-year-old brother, Jake, to give it a try. Boomer looks forward to trying adventure racing with his dad someday and playing soccer this fall. Boomer was also excited that his friend, Ethan Tyler, who inspired him to train for the triathlon, also finished the race in the 9-year-old division.
Painting shades of hope
A live art-making event, Shade of Hope Paint Day, was held in July to benefit the Houston Furniture Bank, which helps local families in need receive home furnishings. Local artists, including Lori Betz, Shirlette Thompson and Michael Wooten, created works of art on-the-spot using roller shades and vinyl as canvases along with paints in various shades of color. The artists displayed and sold their creations in the Shade of Hope VIP Gallery inside the Furniture, Arts and Decor Expo at the George R. Brown Convention Center in August. Seen in the crowd were Esther Steinfeld and musician Jonathan Ross. Go to www.fb-houston.org to learn more about the Furniture Bank.
No picnic basket required
Nothing beats a summer weeknight picnic with bocce ball, badminton, croquet, horseshoes, barbecue and drinks. Shelley and Jim Rice opened their home and backyard in July to co-host Workshop Houston’s Summer Social and Backyard Bash. Seen in the crowd were co-host Eric Townsend, Frank Zamarron, Frank Zamarron Jr. and co-host Cheryl Alexander. More than 150 guests learned about Workshop Houston’s five shops that teach fun and practical hands-on skills to young people, including the Third Ward Bike Shop (do-it-yourself bike repair), the Chopper Shop (welding and metal fabrication), the Beat Shop (hip-hop music production), the Style Shop (fashion design) and the Scholar Shop (tutoring and academic enrichment). Check out www.workshophouston.org for more info. Pictured at the picnic are (from left) hosts Jim and Shelley Rice along with Mark Blackshear.
Wine, tapas and art
Cassie and Spencer Neumann will once again welcome guests to their home for the 3rd Annual Wine and Tapas Gala Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Kristi Coffey is co-chairing the event, and she anticipates raising even more than the proceeds from last year’s event, which netted $10,000 for park facilities in Bellaire. Proceeds from this year’s event are earmarked for the ongoing development of Bellaire Town Square, including the construction of a skate park, pavilion, plaza with an interactive fountain and great lawn. Wines from various regions will be paired with a selection of tapas. New to the gala is a showcase and art auction of pieces donated by local artists. Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the door and can be purchased online at www.bellaireparks.org or by sending payment to: P.O. Box 3228, Bellaire, TX, 77402. Patrons For Bellaire Parks board members are pictured enjoying the festivities at the 2009 event.
Mustangs storm the field
The Mustangs, a 7U baseball team, placed second in the recent Sugar Land Summer Splash tournament. After beating the Angleton Crush 15-3 in the quarterfinals and the Missouri City Heat 12-4 in the semis, the Mustangs fought a tough battle against Barbers Hill Express in the championship game. The team is coached by (pictured, back row from left) Doug Goldstein, Jim Bartlett and John Johnson. Members of the team include (back row, from left) Drew Leach, Ben Johnson, Carson Brown, (front row, from left) Charles Galtney, Connor Bartlett, Jack Goldstein, Joshua Blum, Garrett Johnson, Wilson Woodcox and Parker Smith.
Bee Seen in Buzz About Town
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