0 CommentsLeaving a trail of coffee grounds… Dena Linda knows all too well the ups and downs of living with diabetes. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 22 years ago and is determined to help find a cure in her lifetime. Her fundraising efforts and love for a great cup of java connected Dena to the cycling team of Team Fioza, spearheaded by local baristas Stuart Mauldin, Kevin Kendrick and Michael Zeis. They will each ride 100 miles on Sept. 25 to raise money in the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure. To expand their fundraising efforts, the baristas held a latte-art throw down last month and invited other local baristas to compete and to show their best foam, whip and coffee-as-art concoctions. Judges included coffee gurus Michael Binns of Fioza, Jeff Fan from Coffee Grounds and Dave Brewer representing Greenway Coffee & Tea. Other members of the cycling team include Diego Ayala, Robbie Schmitt, O.D. Stewart and Chris Watkins. Check out www.diabetes.org to sponsor a rider or for more info.
Getting into the concert spirit, Tommy McGuire (second from left) and his brothers, Matthew (center) and Samuel (in front), ham it up with other spirited fans of Lady Gaga.
Going gaga for The Gaga… Amy and Sean McGuire knew their three sons – Tommy, 9, Matthew, 7, and Samuel, 4 – were huge fans of Lady Gaga, but didn’t realize the extent of their Gaga fever until the whole family attended the superstar’s concert in July. The boys not only enjoyed the show but loved being photographed with several fans dressed up as the singer, as well as seeing other Lil’ Monsters (the name given to fans of Lady Gaga) in the crowd. Young Samuel donned a Halloween monster costume for the concert and knows how to find Lady Gaga videos on YouTube. Matthew brought a sign that read “I’m Your Biggest Fan” to the show. Amy says the boys’ first concert experience was without a doubt a memorable one.
Field of dreams… Congrats to former Bellaire High School baseball-standout Jeremy Gould, who was recently drafted by the New York Mets in the 28th round of the Major League Baseball draft, the 842nd overall pick in a field of 1,500 players. Jeremy played baseball for Duke University and graduated this past spring. In June he began playing on the Gulf Coast Mets, a rookie-league team for the New York Mets located in Port Saint Lucie, Fla. Since graduating from Bellaire High School in 2006, Jeremy and his family have relocated to Chicago. Parents Diane Brazen Gordon, Howard Gordon and Robert Gould and his three brothers are ecstatic that Jeremy is well on his way to living his dream of playing in the big league. Jeremy plans to be in Houston during his off season to train before spring training in Florida begins and says, “I’m thankful I was able to grow up around a place like Bellaire, where I was able to play baseball against some great competition and for some great coaches.”
When it rains, it pours… An unexpected overnight visitor showed up on the front porch of the Kuenstle abode – home to James, Julie, Emily, Connor and Mark Kuenstle – after a round of heavy storms in July. Mom Julie opened their front door and there he was, a giant turtle just waiting to come inside. Emily, Connor and Mark were eager to hear their parents tell stories about finding turtles and frogs when they were youngsters. After feedings of lettuce and a good night’s rest, the family released the turtle into the bayou near Ferris and Beechnut to “go back with his family.”
The view from above… Paul Strug and his 6-year-old daughter, Madeline, took to the skies via parasailing while in Destin, Fla., in August, smiling and waving to mom Leslie and 3-year-old Brandon on the beach below. The Strugs enjoyed evenings at nearby Seaside and strolling through the village at Baytowne Wharf. Paul say there was no evidence of oil from the BP spill on Destin’s pristine white beaches.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way… Former teacher Sara Ralph was so determined to complete work on her second master’s degree, this one in school leadership from Columbia University Teacher’s College, she lived in New York City for two summers to get the job done. Sara’s husband, Ron Ralph, 2-year-old daughter Kathleen, parents James and Kathleen Wagner, friends and colleagues supported her all along the way. Sara formerly taught at River Oaks Elementary, Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens and most recently at St. John’s School. As for future plans, Sara would welcome serving on an independent or public school board or being a head-of-school someday.
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