Some of Fort Bend’s biggest supporters are the band boosters. Meet a few of the parent volunteers, who are boosting their student bands to new heights
Fall 2014
What would a fall football game be without fans dancing in the stands or singing the fight song? The marching band adds energy and enthusiasm to the game and pageantry to the half-time show. Who supports the band? Band boosters. They are the dedicated parents and volunteers, who raise money and support the band in every way possible. Continue reading “BAND BOOSTERS”
Brix Casual Fine Dining & Wine Bar Bring a Grown-Up Culinary Sensibility
August 2014
A recent guest review of Brix Casual Fine Dining & Wine Bar wrote, “Flagstaff has done a lot of growing up in the last few years.” It’s happily true. The downtown restaurant industry has been on a track to offer clients high end, sustainable, creative cuisine, while maintaining that easy-going Flagstaff attitude. At the head of this march strode Paul Moir with the opening of Brix in 2007. He later opened Criollo, a Latin-inspired kitchen in downtown and mentored fellow restaurateurs in this consistent, positive direction. It’s a national trend with hometown success. Continue reading “BUILDING ON SUCCESS”
Summertime a Great Time to Celebrate Salads
July 2014
As summer heats up, it is enticing to eat cool. Vivid displays of veggies in the farmers market or stores inspire light, fresh eating and salads are a natural choice. Still, greens are often resigned to the likes of rabbit food, wimpy diet fare or a boring bed of lettuce. Change that notion with this round-up of local restaurants that toss in colorful and creative ingredients to construct salad sensations. Continue reading “GOING FOR THE GREENS”
February 2014
Sweet temptation has always been there. People have enjoyed fruits, nuts and honey since ancient times. Today, those ingredients are still among the basic elements used to craft tantalizing treats, yet celebrated chefs and global inspiration have happily pushed flavor boundaries beyond standard cookies and cakes. From classic cravings to artisan accents, here is a local look at Flagstaff’s sweetest things. Continue reading “Some Favorite Desserts of the Flagstaff Culinary Scene”
Local Restaurants that Cater to the Meatless Diet Crowd
June 2014
Food is fuel for the body.
The higher the octane, or nutrition, the better the body responds. For that reason and others, more than seven million Americans choose a vegetarian diet. It tends to be low in cholesterol as well as total and saturated fats, which guard against Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease. Besides forgoing meat, poultry and fish, a vegetarian diet may include dairy and eggs or not. A vegan diet adheres to stricter boundaries, eliminating animal sources and their products, such as milk, eggs and honey. Continue reading “VIVA Vegetarians”
Miss Sugar Land 2014 brings healing and encouragement through Hand to H.E.A.R.T., utilizing art restoration therapy
Summer 2014
When Chyna Wheatley was crowned Miss Sugar Land 2014, she wore a luminous, asymmetrical, beaded gown with chandelier earrings, and a winning smile. Winning doesn’t always come on the first try, though. Wheatley’s success was the culmination of experience and perseverance from entering six competitions prior. “It was exciting to win, and the previous pageants prepared me to compete,” Wheatley says. Winning Miss Sugar Land has qualified Wheatley to vie for Miss Texas and Miss America. Continue reading “Chyna Wheatley”
Breakinng the Cycle of Poverty for Trash-Pickers’ Children through Education
Issue #118, 20 May 2014
Story & Photography by Gail G. Collins
As we approached the school to volunteer our time, girls swept with rush brooms and boys tidied up. They are used to picking up trash; many are the children of pemulung (scavengers). But their actions represent more than that. This is Sekolah Kami, or Our School in Indonesian, and these children have a sense of pride in their school that other students might take for granted. Continue reading “Sekolah Kami”
Issue #118, 20 May 2014
Story & Photography by Gail G. Collins
One doesn’t plan to live 97 years, but in doing so, it is impossible not to consider how it was accomplished, and moreover, what one contributed to the betterment of others during that lifetime. Herawati Diah has been described as the epitome of the Indonesian woman. Personally, she sees herself honouring traditional customs and a modern mind. This outlook translated as proud nationalism, when as a journalist, Herawati reported on Indonesia’s struggle for independence, and as an ambassador’s wife, she carried its culture abroad, and as leadership, she stood in the streets with women, urging them to find a strong voice. Benchmark moments in her life shaped her vision and steeled her steps for her book, An Endless Journey: Reflections of an Indonesian Journalist. Continue reading “An Endless Journey: Reflections of an Indonesian Journalist”
Famed Southeast Asian Fare Expanding in Downtown
May 2014
After returning from a trip to Thailand, serendipity awaited me—I’d be visiting four Thai restaurants, all located on San Francisco Street or Bangkok Street, as locals might come to call it. As on our trip, this nourishing task involved colorful stir fries and fragrant curries, eaten in friendly company. Each restaurant is owned by a Thai, whose culture makes meals a social occasion.
In Thailand, dishes are ordered and enjoyed family style—the more, the merrier. The meal doesn’t contain courses, but choices from many categories served together. These include a variety of meat and fish dishes, served with rice and noodles, plus soup and a simple fruit, such as pineapple or mango, for dessert. Within these dishes, a mix of sweet, salty, sour and spicy elements creates a satisfying meal. Continue reading “Fit to be Thai”
6 May 2014, Issue #117
Story & Photography by Gail G. Collins
When visiting Bali, people either stay by the sea or head for the hills. My husband and I opted for Ubud’s cooler mountains. Everything necessary for a happy holiday exists – lush forests, terraced rice fields, ancient temples, crafts, cheap accommodation and luxury hotels. Ubud is an artisans’ hub, encompassing a sprawling collection of villages that is spread over several kilometres. A great way to explore the area’s natural beauty, interact with locals and taste the island’s bounty is by bicycle. You can make tracks on back roads, yet stop to indulge every interest. The pace is your own. You also will burn calories in the process. Continue reading “It’s All Downhill on a Cycling Tour of Ubud”
