Sarah Williams

Fellowship on the Vine

March 2008
Walter Christopherson's wine collection includes one of the rarest wines in the world, Domaine de la Romanée Conti Montrachet. (Photo: ##http://www.andrewsphoto.com##www.andrewsphoto.com##)

Merlot, pinot noir, Burgundy, sauvignon blanc. The world of wine is large, varied—and hard to navigate. Hoping to bridge the information gap, wine collectors share why they love wine and why you should too.

Walter Christopherson has been interested in wine since early adulthood. “My parents always had something nice with dinner,” he says. “That sparked my interest.” He’s since …

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Legal Briefs

February 2008
Tree

The law is an intimidating thing, and chances are you might feel overwhelmed when faced with a real life legal conflict with friends or neighbors. To help, local lawyers have clarified the law on common legal situations that parents and homeowners face.

Your tree falls, damaging your neighbor’s home. Are you liable?
A property owner is responsible for damage to …

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Sneakerheads

December 2007
With a collection of 75 pairs and counting, you might say that 15-year-old Ross Steinberg has a thing for sneakers. (Photo: ##http://www.andrewsphoto.com##www.andrewsphoto.com##)

Chances are you own a pair of sneakers. Maybe you own two or even three pairs. But can you recall what brand they are? And do you know what they really, truly stand for? You might not realize it, but many people put a great deal of stock in their sneakers and have a collection of 15, 30, and even …

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Wakeboarding

August 2007
13-year-old Brianna Vazquez demonstrates her wakeboard style at Houston’s M2 Sports.

With summer in full swing, chances are you are looking for a way to log some quality time with family and friends before fall sets in and schedules fill up. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not get out on the water? Wakeboarding is the nation’s fastest growing water sport and a fun way to beat the heat.

Ben Ghazi has …

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A New Leash on Life

May 2007
Jeff and Lydia Caldwell enjoy spending time with Happy and her puppy, Daisy. (Photo: ##http://www.andrewsphoto.com##www.andrewsphoto.com##)

Bellaire’s Lydia Caldwell was on the hunt for a place to volunteer. Luckily for Houston’s homeless animals, she found Houston’s Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care, where she now vigorously works as a volunteer to find homes for thousands of potential pets.

Many people looking to add a picture-perfect cat or dog to their family call up a breeder. But …

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Downhill Friends

March 2007
Space City Ski Club members gather at the bottom of the mountain after a great day of skiing and fun at Winter Park, Colorado.

Ski clubs create lasting bonds

With spring break just around the corner, no doubt many residents are heading for tropical locations and sunny beaches. Others may be hitting the slopes, at the tried and true snowy vacation spots—Aspen, Breckenridge, and Vail. But there’s also a great way to try out some of the lesser-known spots, and several residents want to …

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Addicted to Art

February 2007
Considered to be among the top 200 art collectors in the world and among the top 100 art collectors in the United States, Lester Marks says art has come to both define him and to energize him. (Photo: ##http://www.andrewsphoto.com##www.andrewsphoto.com##)

For your neighbors, it’s not just a hobby. Bellaire residents are serious about their art. Here several art collectors share how they discovered a serious passion for art that has changed their life for the better.

Bellaire art collector Salli Babbitt has been piecing together her abstract collection since 1990, and now has more than 100 pieces. “I’ve got a …

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Aggie or Longhorn?

November 2006
Kevin is a "gig 'em Aggie" while Kenneth Lewis is more a "hook 'em horns" kind of fan. (Photos: ##http://www.andrewsphoto.com##www.andrewsphoto.com##)

Wild about your alma mater? Most people are, but there is perhaps no greater rivalry in Texas collegiate sports than that between the University of Texas and Texas A&M University. With the two teams’ annual football face-off on the horizon later this month, some of Bellaire’s biggest Longhorn and Aggie fans recently explored their intense devotion.

Bellaire resident Kenneth Lewis, …

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The Green Life

September 2006
Kathleen Carrier stands behind her belief that solar panels are a smart and responsible means of using energy efficiently.

Forget what Kermit said. These days, it is easy bein’ “green.” Several area residents are doing their part to give Mother Nature a break, and offer tips here for those of you who want to do more.

Bellaire boasts several environmental enthusiasts, one of which is Loren Raun, lecturer in environmental statistics at Rice University. Loren also works in Houston …

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Paintball!

August 2006
Bellaire's Matt Marek is shot out of a game of paintball.

Forget what you think you know about paintball. As one of the nation’s fastest growing sports, paintball is often turning up in the sports media. However, even as the sport becomes more mainstream, plenty of misconceptions about paintball exist, players say.

First off, what exactly is paintball? Paintball is a strategy, “capture the flag” type game, says John “Tank” Tankersley, …

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Back to School Basics

August 2006
Aubrey Cloutier, 10, and her sister, Nicole, 15, are looking forward to another school year.

August is here, and it’s time for kids—and parents—to go back to school. If you’re like most moms, in the spirit of a fresh start, you might resolve that this will be your family’s best year yet—you will be more prepared, more organized, and your kids more studious. How long those goals actually last, however, is something you might want …

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Green Machines

July 2006
Jerel

Saving the planet and your pocketbook

With skyrocketing gasoline prices, you are surely feeling a strain on your pocketbook. Maybe you’re also fondly remembering the days when you pulled into the gas station and filled your tank for under $30. Believe it or not, some Bellaire residents are still doing that, thanks to their hybrid vehicles. Here’s a look at …

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Fly Like an Eagle

June 2006
Bellaire’s Barry Dunning has literally soared with the eagles in his glider.

Have you ever wanted to fly like an eagle or soar like a bird? Well, believe it or not, each weekend there are several area residents doing just that as members of the Soaring Club of Houston.

Soaring—a type of flying—is done in a small engineless plane called a sailplane or glider. Aerodynamically designed to move efficiently through the air, …

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Grand Prix Races Into Houston

May 2006
This Audi prototype will be part of the exciting racing action at the Grand Prix of Houston

This May, area fans of racing are in for a real treat. On May 11-13, the Grand Prix of Houston is coming to Reliant Park. It will be the first time there has been world-class racing in Houston since 2001, when the city hosted the Champ Car Grand Prix.

“Houston hasn’t had world-class racing since 2001,” says Austin Crossley, director …

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What’s Your Major?

April 2006
Jeff Payne's passion for music led him to USC's rare music industry program.

Unique university programs

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions of a student’s life. While many students focus on attaining a broad-range education, in recent years a new phenomenon of specialized education has emerged. With today’s competitive job market, some students are seeking to specifically tailor their education to the industry of their choice.

West University’s Jeff …

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