Winter 2014
Sen Sen’s mother, Atashi Das, was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer in early 2008, it was a shock to the family. Not only was her loving mother’s health threatened, but there was no family history of cancer. Sen’s mother’s yearlong fight was fierce.
Rigorous treatment from reputable doctors included surgery and chemotherapy, which led to the loss of Atashi’s luxurious hair, and later, her life. “She never gave up hope, lost her smile or her spirit,” says Sen. Continue reading “Helping to Fight Ovarian Cancer”
Winter 2014
Rachel McNeill wasn’t born in Texas—in fact, it was Jamaica. Her family moved to the U.S. when she was four years old. The local gal spent many of her early years preparing for her career in broadcasting: playing talk show host and asking hardball questions on the playground at Moore Elementary; researching a ninth- grade study skills assignment on schools, skills, and salary at Cypress Creek High School; and earning an inevitable broadcast journalism degree from University of Texas at Austin. The KPRC Channel 2 anchor pushed forward the old-school way, working markets from Midland to Raleigh, North Carolina and New Orleans before coming home to Houston in 2001. 
Birkes Elementary is now celebrating 12 years in Cy-Fair ISD, essentially a graduating senior. So how far have the Bulldogs come? “We’re a really big school, and we do big really well,” says principal Carla Brosnahan, who opened the school in 2003. “Rezoning has come up several times, but nobody wants to go.” The school has resorted to eight portable buildings, adding 16 classrooms, which has mollified their growth so far. Brosnahan credits her dedicated, professional staff, coupled with good support from the parents and community, for this devotion. It’s a winning combination at any size school. 
November 2014
We often hear the cliché: There is strength in diversity. But what does that mean? When it comes to heritage farms, it can be the difference between life and death. In 1845, the Irish potato crop suffered blight. The bulk of farmers had planted only one type of potato, and over six years, a million people starved and another million left Ireland. This is the danger of industrial agriculture, which utilizes few breeds or crops to maximize output under specific conditions. Here is the bottom line on factory farming: 60 percent of beef is Angus, Hereford and Simmental breeds; 75 percent of pork comes from three breeds; and four breeds of sheep make up 60 percent of the market with a whopping 40 percent of that number as Suffolk. In the last 15 years, 200 breeds of animals have become extinct worldwide. Genetic diversity is essential to a healthy food supply to withstand harsh conditions and unforeseen circumstances. 
Issue #129; 3 November 2014
Don’t mess with success. In fact, diners could be forgiven if, over their quiche, they didn’t notice the shift to new ownership at Brandy’s. That was the plan after 20 years, as retiring owners Ed and Brandy Wojciak handed over the keys to Kelsey and Jamie Drayton. In the end, it was more of a legacy transfer. Kelsey began working as a dishwasher for Brandy’s at 15 years old and advanced while working his way through classes at Northern Arizona University where Jamie also attended. The couple moved to Los Angeles for several years before returning to Flagstaff with plans to open a coffee shop and got wind that Brandy’s was for sale. Over two years, the Draytons transitioned from managers to owners. “We kept what was working for a smooth transition,” Kelsey said. “All the dishes are made from scratch, from batters and pastries to hand-sliced fries.” 
When you have a good idea, and it turns out to be a great idea, you build on it. That’s exactly what an Arizona managing partnership that includes Tyler Christensen—known for Valley hotspots Little Woody, Vig, The King and Linger Longer—did. Capitalizing on underutilized properties to build neighborhood bars and kitchens, their newest venture is The McMillan in Flagstaff. Its historic location on Route 66, as well as the space, revives a family legacy while contributing to a lively downtown. 
I’d wanted to do TV since I was 12 years old, and I had a passion for writing. I used to set up my family’s video camera and record fake newscasts. I earned a journalism degree from Michigan State University and have been in the business for 15 years. I bumped around from my home in Michigan to Florida and have been in Houston for four years now. This is my fifth TV station.