december vip
Post on 04-Jun-2018
227 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
1/52
volume 2 issue 4 | NovemBeR 2009 | thVIPVOLUME 7 ISSUE 2 | December 2013 | theVIPmag.
complimenta
o f s o u t h e a s t t e x a s
Is SanClause rea
Holidamantles an
table
Everything you
need to stay warmand cheerful thisDecember:
Holiday sweaters,
Winter coats,
Outdoor re pits,
Hot Toddies,
Pho soups,
Alpaca eece
and HunkyBeaumontFiremen!
HOLIDAYHEAT
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
2/52
$3,500 OFFComplete Room Addition (Minimum 300 sq.ft.)
One coupon per customer. Coupon may not be combined
with any other offers. Expires 2/15/14
$2,500 OFFBath or Kitchen Remodel
One coupon per customer. Coupon may not be combined
with any other offers. Expires 2/15/14
$1,500 OFFComplete Patio w/Slab (Minimum to 200 sq.ft
One coupon per customer. Coupon may not be combined
with any other offers. Expires 2/15/14
4098357200www.amazingremodelersoftexas.com
Amazing Remodelers of Texas, LLCKitchens Baths Custom Additions Sunrooms Garages Balconies HardiePlankWindows Outdoor Kitchens Porte-cochere
Free Estimates Free Kitchen Design Senior Citizen, Military & Cash Discounts Free Homeowners Association Design 100% Financing Available (W.A.C.)
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
3/52
Obesityis adisease.
We can help youcureit.Bariatric weight loss surgeryis about morethan just weight loss. Extensive research has
found that it is the most successful treatment
forobesity and its related diseases.
TheFresh Start Programat Previty is a comprehensive program combining
education, therapy and surgery. Our team includes nutritionists, a clean chef,
psychologists, therapists, a tness specialist even personal shoppers
as well asthe only fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon in Southeast
Texas. Together, we oer more than just surgery. We oer a uniquely
holistic program that results in signicant improvement or treatment of the
following metabolic diseases:
Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
Hypertension
Metabolic syndrome
Dyslipidemia and other types of
cardiovascular disease
Obstructive sleep apnea
Venous insuciency
GERD (gastroesophageal
reux disease)
PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
Gout
Contact the Fresh Start Programat Previty today.
We fx the problems. Yougain the years.
prevityclinic.com|409.835.9500
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
4/52
EaEditor
DAVID CONSTANTINEdconstantine@thevia.co
Contributing WritersCATHLEEN COLE
LArENA HEAD
grACE mATHISjANE mCbrIDE
HOLLI pETErSENCHEryL rOSE
PapContributing Photographers
SCOTT ESLINgErLACIE grANT
rEN SHEppArDLEE E. STINSON
Graphic DesignerDAVID CONSTANTINE
AveTo advetise in VIP,
409.880.0700
Cac UVIP of Southeast Texas
380 main Steetbeaont, TX 77701
to sUbsCribE
pLEASE CALL 409.838.2821 Or SubSCrIbEONLINE AT www.THEVIpmAg.COm
to disPlAy thE mAgAzinE
AT yOur buSINESS LOCATION,pLEASE CALL 409.838.2821
sUbmissions
TO SubmIT AN EVENT, OrgANIzATION Or pErSOfOr CONSIDErATION IN AN upCOmINg ISSuE,
SubmIT ONLINE AT www.THEVIpmAg.COm Or TODCONSTANTINE@THEVIpmAg.COmOr by uSpS AT ADDrESS AbOVE.
A dv f hea newpapePublisher
mArK ADKINS
jOIN uS ON fACEbOOK!.aceook.co/thevia
on the coverAt 25 years old, Beaumont Fire and Rescue Engine Operator JustinGuynes recognizes that working as a reghter requires physicalstrength and stamina. Meet Justin and two other area rst responderswho are hot on the trail of emergencies on pages 32-34.
Photography: Lacie Grant; Styling: Larena Head
c o n t e n t s
vipmagazine
06 vi stle06 Holiday sweaters: Bad
taste or fun?
09 Outerwear fashion to
warm your winter
13 ood&dink13 12 holiday drinks with
seasonal ingredients
18 Vietnam's famous Pho
22 vi hoe22 Christmas decor for
your table and mantle
28 VIProperties
29 Outdoor re pits
32 viesonalit32 3 hunky remen ready
to save you
35 vi oth35 SE Texas' R&R Alpaca
Ranch
38 vi sotliht38 SE Texas events
44 vi advise43 5 ways to reduce holiday
stress with heat46 VIP Fab Finds
47 5 great dates this month
48 Calendar
49 Crossword puzzle
50 vi voices50 Is Santa Claus real?
inside december
18
22
13
35
4 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
5/52
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
6/52
text by GUY TREBAY
When did
it rst
start, the
moment
when the
holiday sweater morphed from
seasonal horror to cultural touch-
stone, an article of outrageouslybad knitwear as popular among
Williamsburg beard farmers as the
Metamucil set?
Was it when the MistletoeConspiracy caroled about the uglyChristmas sweater in a YouTubevideo? (Its ugly and its itchy,its frightening to children, AndyWilliams wouldnt touch it with a10 foot pole.) Was it when UglySweater 5K runs became regularevents in big cites across the U.S.?Was it when the multibillion-dollar
Urban Outtters got into the act,selling their own line of UglyChristmas sweaters?
Theres certainly a hipstertrend contributing to it, saidFred Hajjar, president of TV StoreOnline and UglyChristmasSweater.The tackier the better, the morelights and bells and overall ugli-ness. You see celebrities like JustinBieber, Taylor Swift, Kanye Westand Cee Lo Green caught in uglyChristmas sweaters, and its almostlike, Oh, no they didnt.
BADTASTE,ALL IN
FUN
h o l i d a y s w e a t e r s
vipstyleYes, they did.Five years ago, a stay-at-home
mom from a Vermont ski towndecided to put her prehistoriccomputer-science degree to use,gaming Google trending algorithmto start a business.
I was looking for somethingto sell on eBay to put my kidsthrough college, said Ann MarieBlackman, the owner of MyUg-lyChristmas Sweater. I did re-
search on what was trending. UglyChristmas sweaters were it.The rst big hit from Ms. Black
mans start-up was a sweater shecreated from mats sewed togetherand adorned with stitched-on plastic Christmas trees lighted frombehind by winking bulbs.
I sold a lot of them, said Ms.Blackman.
The trend Ms. Blackman tappeinto inspired a kind of ugly-sweat-er gold rush. Now, on e-commercesites like Skedouche, UglyChrist-masSweater, MyUglyChristmas-Sweater, Butt UglySweaters and
Tipsy Elves, consumers can choosfrom motifs as tame as candycanes, birds in berry branches,mistletoe and happy kittens toraunchier themes like overexcitedsnowmen.
When Stacie Laufenburger, ademand planner for Mot Hen-nessy, began hosting Ugly Christ-mas Sweater parties three yearsago, it was as an ironic tributeto the holiday sweaters she hadreceived as a girl growing up.
It was always your grandmother or aunt who gave you that crazysweater that you looked at and youwere like ... really? Ms. Laufen-burger said.
You never got a receipt andanyway they were holiday based,so you couldnt take them back,she said. The challenge is muchgreater now to unearth the in-nocently kitschy sweaters of Ms.Laufenburgers girlhood. Hipsterpickers have scoured the thriftshops for the best of the worst andposted it all on eBay. Mainstreammanufacturers like ColdwaterCreek, Talbots, Quacker Factoryand Berek long ago abandoned
demented-elf clichs.We dont do sweaters that hav
cats and Christmas trees, saidJerome Jessup, chief creative of-cer of Coldwater Creek. We hadsome of that in our past, but wework diligently to create relevantholiday sweaters for the customerwhos 50, and thats now how the50-year-old wants to be presentedtoday.
Yet for Ms. Laufenburger, 36, atasteful Nordic cable-knit sweaterin a rich holiday color doesnt
6 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
7/52
stand a chance when pitted againsta knitted red cardigan coveredwith giant, sequin embroideredfelt teddy bears. She wore thatone recently to a Ugly ChristmasSweater party.
Her husbands sweater was, shesaid, even more heinous, a blackknit embroidered with a bronze,green and silver gift package and aplump teddy bear.
It had the same teddy bear em-
broidered on the back, but it wasthe bears backside, she said.Ugly Christmas Sweater
parties develop stealthily, vi-rally and mainly on the Web. Ifyou look online, the parties areeverywhere, said Mr. Hajjar ofUglyChristmasSweater. Oncethat started to come in, everyonewanted to one-up and it got harderand harder to nd a real 80s or90s look thats over-the-top.
At the San Diego-based TipsyElves, the sweater of the seasonfeatures a pair of what, for the sakeof politeness, well call amorous
reindeer. Two things people aregoing to try to do is to go ex-tremely tacky or very funny, indesigning ugly Christmas sweaters,said Evan Mendelsohn, a founderof Tipsy Elves. Were more funnythan tacky.
Trained as a lawyer, Mr.
Mendelsohn quit his job last yeato found Tipsy Elves with NickMorton, a college friend whohelped raise a modest grubstakefor a Christmas sweater companwith no distribution network anno design sta. In its rst seasoTipsy Elves sold over 1,000 sweers. It has already sold 14,000 tseason and is nearing $1 millionsales, Mr. Mendelsohn said.
Our best sellers are the raci
ones, he added, citing the desigfeaturing two reindeer with oneback. A bucktoothed parody ofRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeeis also a big seller as is a sweatedepicting yellow snow.
Christmas, in some senses,is so serious, and for the youngegeneration, its a chance to maklight of it and lessen the heavi-ness of it as a religious holiday,Mr. Mendelsohn said. For a litolder age group, its probably thone appropriate time to dress ucostume that isnt Halloween.
That was probably true, even
in the days of Andy WilliamssChristmas specials, where not onthe crooner but his pretty wife,Claudine Longet, and his gueststars wore clothes that drove homthe seasonal thematic with angosnowmen, zigzag tree shapes andsequined Christmas ornaments.
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
20% OFF dry cleaningPresentwithincomingorder.
Trusted forover 85 yearswww.munrosinc.com
(409) 832-1417
MUNROS Voted
Best CleanersReaders Choice Award
3&+
5DHJ"+:;LLH@LDE%ID+
9LM#:4/E# 0K?KK:8?6K
4DM# 0=?KK:7?KK
A(8( 5&+"/M : @+/D!LM
(K*:F6=:*=KK
BBB#E&+JDHJ"+:,LLH#-L!
OPEN
3&+ 5DHJ"+ ;LLH %G / ,%))+H+ME $%M,L) .LDE%ID+ N LM+ -LM-+%C+, B%E& >LD%M !%M,# 1+ L))+H -DEE%M' +,'+ /M,EH+M,> -"LE&%M' /M, /--+GGLH%+G2 E&/E
/H+ )LH /"" L--/G%LMG /M, %M /"" G%
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
8/52
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
9/52
ug&yl
w i n t e r c o a t s
vstyle
W
inter is a great time to show off
your fashion sense.Whether gi
glam, or classic, use the cold
weather as an opportunity to ex
press your individual taste thro
the perfect outerwear piece.
text/styling byGrace Mathisphotography byren shepardmodeled byKarin & Kristin shinn
ju fo fuBright colors, interestingdetails and a atteringcut make this perfectfor the little girl at heart.Share a little sunshinewherever you go.Yellowcoat by Lauren Moffatt,Posh & Co., $514
bolly fmWho says that feminine has to be demure? Speakvolumes with a daring orange color and a bow in jthe right place. Orange bow quarter-sleeve jacketGaudie & Co., $86
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
10/52
50 shadesof beigeWhatever shape, styleor shade of beige youchoose in your outerwear,make sure it reects your
personal fashion sense.Whether a sharp, uniquetrench or cozy shearling,keep it a little sexy andnot-so-bland. Black andbeige trench, Steve Mad-den, Dillards, $89. Fauxshearling jacket, Yaya Club$70. Long black tank,
Yaya Club, $25
go forthe oliveThe newest neutralshade looks great incasually blinged outcamo or with a touchof fur. Either one willstand the test of time.Camo jacket, BCB-Generation, Dillards,$188. Fur collar
jacket, BCBGenera-tion, Dillards, $168
10 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
11/52
glam, meet ruggedWho says Swarvoski crystals are for formal evenonly? A timeless cape allows you to bring togethcontrasting elements any time, anywhere.Blackcape, Bella Bella, $120. Boots, Posh & Co., $30Swarvoski evening clutch, $664
femme fataleShow them you mean business in thisno-nonsense number. Remember,black will always be the new black.Waterproof quarter-length trench,BCBGeneration, Dillards, $158
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
12/52
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
13/52
A as
hsasnUs sasna frui- andspi-infusd drins g u and ur gussin h hida spiritext by Betty HAllock
After last-minute shopping at two
malls and a side trip to nd wrapping
paper only to come home and dis-
cover you've run out of Scotch tape,
nothing makes the holidays happier
than a good sti drink. It's even better if it's one that's
easy to concoct and uses what's in season.
And now that we're just days from turning thecorner to 2013, sharing a cocktail or three with friends
and family is imperative in a convivial setting, may-be with James Brown's "Soulful Christmas" playing,some mistletoe hanging or even balloons and stream-ers. (Happy New Year!)
Speak-easy trends may celebrate esoteric tincturesor rare liqueurs, but, fortunately, the success of a holi-day cocktail doesn't rest on whether you've stocked upon unusual spirits or ingredients. You're likely to haveon hand whiskey, rum, gin, vodka, tequila.
The avors of the season also happen to makefantastic drinks. So to help you celebrate, a dozen mix-ologists contributed recipes highlighting four seasonalavors: pear, persimmon, cranberries and dried spicessuch as cinnamon, nutmeg or star anise. Enjoy!
h o l i d a y d r i n k s
food dining
>>
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
14/52
CRANBERR IES
Bloody HolidayTotal time: 25 minutes, plus cooling times
Fresh cranberry puree
4 ounces fresh cranberries
1 cup water, or as needed
cup agave nectar
Place the cranberries in a small pot. Add
water to cover. Cook over medium heat untilthe berries are soft, 8 to 10 minutes. Pour
the cranberry mixture into a blender. Blend
on high speed and slowly add the agave
nectar. Strain, then cool. This makes about 1
2/3 cups. It will keep, covered and refriger-
ated, up to about 1 week.
Spiced black tea syrup
2 bags black tea
3 cardamom seeds
Pinch of coriander seeds
Pinch of fennel seeds
3 tips broken from whole star anise
3 whole cloves
1 cup sugar
Zest of half an orange
Tiny pinch of cinnamon powder
Tiny pinch of allspice
Brew 1 cup of tea by quickly steeping
two bags of black tea in 1 cup of hot water
for 2 to 3 minutes. Then, in a medium pot
over medium heat, toast the cardamom,
coriander and fennel seeds, star anise and
cloves just until aromatic, about 1 minute.
Into the pot, add the cup of tea and sugar.
Add orange zest and bring to a boil over high
heat.As soon as the sugar is dissolved, stir
in the cinnamon and allspice. Remove from
heat and cool completely before straining.
This makes about 1 cup. Keep refrigerated
up to about 1 week.
Cocktail assembly
2 ounces vodka
2 ounces fresh cranberry puree
2 teaspoons spiced black tea syrup
ounce ginger beer, or to taste
Lime twist, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka,
cranberry puree and black tea syrup with
enough ice to ll a rocks glass. Shake vigor-
ously to combine. Pour into the glass, fol-
lowed by a oat of ginger beer and garnish
with a lime twist.
Santa's sidecarTotal time: 25 minutes, plus cooling time
for the compote
Cranberry compote
pound fresh cranberries
1 ounce fresh orange juice
1 to 2 ounces fresh lemon juice
cup sugar
2 tbsp loosely packed sage leaves
1 ounce peeled ginger, chopped
In a medium saucepan, combine the
cranberries, orange and lemon juices,
sugar, sage and ginger, with enough
water to cover (about 1 cups). Cover
and bring to a boil, then remove the cover
and simmer until the berries are softened,
about 15 minutes. Remove from heat
and cool completely. This makes about 3
cups. Keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Cocktail assembly
Sugar, for rimming the glass
2 ounces brandy ounce orange liqueur (Bates uses
Cointreau)
1 heaping tbsp cranberry compote
Rim a martini glass with sugar.
(Moisten the rim with water or lime juice
and dip into sugar.) In a shaker with ice,
combine the brandy, orange liqueur and
compote. Shake; strain into the glass.
Nuit RougeTotal time: 40 minutes, plus cooling time
for the syrup
Cinnamon-allspice syrup
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
4 cinnamon sticks, broken
1 to 1 teaspoons allspice
1 (4-inch) vanilla bean, split
1. In a saucepan, combine the water,
sugar, cinnamon and allspice. Scrape the
vanilla seeds into the pan; drop the pod
in. Heat on medium-high, stirring, until
the sugar dissolves.
2. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to
low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring
occasionally. Cool, then strain. Makes 1
cup. Keep refrigerated up to 4 weeks.
Cocktail assembly
2 oz bourbon or Jamaican dark rum
ounce cinnamon-allspice syrup
ounce fresh lemon juice
ounce organic apple juice
Cranberry ice cubes
1 to 2oz Bundaberg ginger beer
In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine
the bourbon, syrup and lemon and apple
juices. Shake; strain into a glass lled
with cranberry ice cubes.Top with ginger
beer.
All recipes make one serving
Hemingway's nogTotal time: 5 minutes
Note: To make vanilla simple syrup
place 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and 1
vanilla bean, split and scraped, into a
small pot; boil until the sugar is disso
Strain and cool before using. This ma
1 cup; it will keep, covered and refrig
ated, for up to 2 weeks.
1 ounces dark rum
ounce vanilla simple syrup (or
vanilla liqueur such as Licor 43)
1 ounce creme fraiche
3 dashes bitters
Freshly grated nutmeg for garnish
In a cocktail shaker with ice, comb
the rum, vanilla simple syrup, creme
fraiche and bitters. Shake vigorously a
strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Ga
with freshly grated nutmeg.
Hot cider toddyTotal time: 10 minutes
Note: For the apple juice, peel and
core any type of apple and feed throu
a juicer. Strain and store, covered, in
the refrigerator. Alternatively, unltere
fresh apple juice can be found in the
refrigerated section of well-stocked
supermarkets.
1 ounces bonded Apple Jack
ounce maple syrup (or more as
desired, depending on the tartness of
your apple juice)
6 ounces hot fresh-pressed apple
juice (heated in a tea kettle)
3 slices crab apple for garnish, ver
thinly sliced
Grated cinnamon for garnish
Cinnamon stick for garnish
Into an 8-ounce glass mug, pour t
Apple Jack and maple syrup. Top off w
the hot apple cider, and stir gently wit
spoon. Garnish with slices of crab app
freshly grated cinnamon and a cinnam
stick.
14 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
15/52
SP ICES
Sterling daiquiriTotal time: 20 minutes, plus steeping and
cooling times for the agua de jamaicaNote: Dried hibiscus owers and canela
(Mexican cinnamon sticks) are available
at Latino markets. Edible silver leaf akes
are available at select baking and cooking
supply stores.
Agua de jamaica
3 2/3 cups water
1 2/3 cups dried hibiscus owers
Peel from Valencia orange (or the
whole peel of a small orange)
lemon
2/3 cup sugar
1 large stick canela
3 star anise
1. In a large plastic container, combine
the water, dried hibiscus and orange peel.
Squeeze the juice of the lemon into the
mixture, and drop the peel in too. Cover
and refrigerate for 12 hours to steep, then
strain.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the
sugar with 1 cup of the strained hibiscus
tea. Bring to a simmer, stirring or whisking
the sugar until it is dissolved. Add the
canela and anise, and continue to simmerfor 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set
aside to cool.
3. Strain the cooled mixture into the
container with the remaining cold tea,
discarding the spices. This makes about 3
cups, more than is needed for the recipe.
Store it, covered and refrigerated, for up
to 2 weeks.
Cocktail assembly
1/2 ounce spiced rum
3/4 ounce ginger liqueur
1/2 ounce agua de jamaica
1/2 ounce lime juice
2 dashes bitters
Orange twist, for garnishEdible silver akes, optional
In a cocktail shaker lled with ice,
combine the spiced rum, ginger liqueur,
agua de jamaica, lime juice and bitters.
Shake and strain into a chilled coupe
glass. Garnish with a fresh orange twist.
Add a sprinkling of edible silver akes, if
desired. >>
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
!*+$,." GJ. 8 ".G*H ,*ME*HG#$ML"L&$*< -.JE$GE %LGJ$E."1 F/K %LGJ$E." +H71 GD$E* /KK
'K)7F557K5'> CCC7G#$ML"L&$*7,L!
9=0 4B2;=92 34=?;B:A I66 !$,HL+*H!.-H.G$LM .M+ G#$M ,LMG
E%$G &$(E $G .E%$M& L( -*.DE@
#&. %/&&"$ !/$ )*&.(!+ "/$ %/&&"$" /&,
!& ."$ -!' 7)1$2 !):2 2$64.)7 ; 6:&24%$26 ;
:37 0!$2)3+ ; '404, ; 6:&243$$71 ; 9/.$%$26; #2$$*$#)0 ; #)&:)71 ; 7)1$2 0$$0! -!:0$5:5"
; . 1!)3$ &$77/7:0$ 2$%/&0:45 ( '4%+ 1!)3:5" ;
J,$E .,M* G,.H 8 GEH*E,% !.H# ,LHH*,E$LM; 2# 18:5 0:"!0$5:5" ; 14543!42$1:1 ; )&5$
&7$)2 7:"!0 0!$2)3+ ; 3!404 %+5)6:& 0!$2)3+ ;
7)1$2 0)0044 2$64.)7 ; 18:5&)2$ 324%/&01
Orders taken thru Dec. 21st Pickup orders on Tues., Dec. 24th between 9am and 12 nooAll orders packaged cold We will be Closed Christmas Day
2530 W. Cardinal Dr. (409) 840-9051www.monclas.com
We also offer side items,cornbread dressing, giblet gravy, homemade rolls & pies, e
Smoked, Baked, or Fried Turkey Package
Petite Turkey Pkg.
&%#$!
Grand Turkey Pkg. Monclas DeLuxe Monclas lite
1 Turkey Serves 12-14
2 qts. Cornbread
Dressing
1 qt. Giblet
Gravy
1 Turkey Serves 20-22
4 qts.Cornbread
Dressing
2 qts. Giblet
Gravy
1 Turkey Serves 12-14
2 qts. Cornbread Dressing1 qt. Giblet Gravy
1 10" Pecan Pie
1 pt. Cranberry Sauce
1 doz. Moncla Rolls
1 Turkey Serves 20-22
4 qts. Cornbread Dress
2 qts. Giblet Gravy
1 10" Pecan Pie 1 10" Pumpkin
2 pts. Cranberry Sauc
2 doz. Moncla Rolls
&$!$! &'$$! "'$
Catering
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
16/52
PERS IMMONS
The Last MohicanTotal time: 6 minutes
very ripe Hachiya persimmon
lime
5 mint leaves, plus 1 sprig for garnish
ounce agave syrup
2 ounces bourbon
Pinch of ground Italian espresso (optional)
In a shaker, muddle the persimmon,
lime and mint leaves with the agave syrup.
Add ice and the bourbon. Shake and strain
over ice. Garnish with a mint sprig. Add an
optional pinch of ground Italian espresso.
Persimmon margaritaTotal time: 12 minutes
2 to 3 ripe Fuyu persimmons
ounce simple syrup (or to taste)
Ground cinnamon, for rimming the glass
Fine salt, for rimming the glass
Lime wedge, for rimming the glass
1 ounce tequila reposado
1 ounce lime juice, fresh-squeezed
Lime wheel, for garnish
1. Make the persimmon puree: In a
blender, puree the persimmons (with skins),
adding simple syrup to taste.This makes
about one-half cup puree. The puree will
keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 1
week.
2. Prepare a martini glass by placing 1
part cinnamon and 3 parts salt (taste and
adjust ratio as desired) on a small plate, wet
the rim of the glass with a lime wedge, then
dip it in the mixture. In a cocktail shaker
with ice, combine the tequila, 1 1/2 ounces
of persimmon puree and lime juice. Shake
vigorously and strain into the rimmed glass.
Garnish with a lime wheel.
Diospyros CupTotal time: 7 minutes
Note:To make the ginger maple syrup,
stir 3 parts Grade B maple syrup with 1
part fresh ginger juice. Summers uses
chocolate persimmons when in season.
Persimmon, cut into pieces
2 ounces gin
ounce fresh lemon juice
ounce ginger maple syrup
ounce bitter lemon soda or club
soda
Thin slices of persimmon, for garnish
Place the persimmon into a shaker
and muddle. Fill with ice and add the
gin, lemon juice and ginger maple syrup.
Shake vigorously and strain over ice in
a double old-fashioned glass. Top with a
splash of bitter lemon soda or club soda.
Garnish with thin slices of persimmon.
Persimmon ChampagnecocktailTotal time: 20 minutes, plus cooling t
for the syrup
Persimmon syrup
1 ripe Fuyu persimmon, cut into
-inch cubes
cup water
Fresh grated nutmeg
1 sprig rosemary
1 cup brown sugar
In a medium saucepan heated ovemedium heat, cook the persimmon un
the pieces caramelize, 5 to 10 minute
(The persimmons may stick to the bot
of the pan. Gently scrape them from t
pan, and continue to stir to keep them
from burning.) Stir in the water and ro
mary, then grate one-fourth of a nutm
into the pan. Bring to a boil over med
heat, then add the brown sugar and s
until dissolved. Remove from heat, st
and set aside to cool. This makes abo
1 cup syrup, more than is needed for
recipe. It will keep, covered and refrig
ated, for up to 1 week.
Cocktail assembly1 ounce orange liqueur
ounce persimmon syrup
ounce fresh lemon juice
4 ounces dry Champagne
Small sprig of rosemary, for garnis
1 cranberry, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker with ice, comb
the orange liqueur, persimmon syrup
and lemon juice. Shake and strain int
a Champagne ute or saucer. Top wit
Champagne. Garnish with a sprig of
rosemary and a cranberry. MCT
Papi PeraTotal time: 12 minutes, plus steeping time
for the syrup
Cinnamon syrup
4 (3 ounces) cinnamon sticks
1 cup water
1 cup sugarMuddle the cinnamon sticks until
broken. In a saucepan, combine the cin-
namon, water and sugar, and bring just
to a boil. Simmer for 3 minutes, remove
from heat and cover. Set aside for at least
3 hours to cool and allow the avor to
develop. Strain.This makes about 1 cup
syrup.
Cocktail assembly
1 ounces blanco tequila
ounce fresh lime juice
ounce cinnamon syrup
ounce pear eau de vie
Club soda
Thinly sliced pear, for garnish
Into a cocktail shaker with ice, pour
the tequila, lime juice, cinnamon syrup
and pear eau de vie. Shake, then strain
into a rocks glass with fresh ice, and top
with a splash of soda. Garnish with three
slices of pear on a pick.
Pearfect AsianTotal time: 8 minutes
To make pear puree, peel and core a
ripe pear, preferably a Bartlett. Puree the
pear in a blender with 1 ounce water.You
can add a little lemon juice to keep it from
oxidizing.This makes about one-half cup
puree.
1 ounces vodka
ounce pear puree
ounce simple syrup
Juice of lime (about 3/4 ounce)
ounce ginger liqueur
Sliced pear, for garnish
Into a cocktail shaker with ice, pour
the vodka, pear puree, simple syrup, lime
juice and ginger liq ueur. Shake, then
strain into a martini glass. Garnish with
pear slices.
PEARS
16 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
17/52
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
18/52
!Vietnam's gift to the world a noodle soup called pho built with spiced brot
and add-your-own garnishes is taking America and SE Texas by storm
p h o
food dining
18 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
19/52
text by Jane McBride
Pick a country
any country
and youll
nd at least one
soup for whichit is known,
though the rec-
ipe will vary by
region. While Israelis love matzah ball
soup, Americans claim chicken noodle
and Mexicans have pozole, perhaps
only Vietnam has a soup so beloved that
entire restaurants are built around it.
Meet pho.Pho (pronounced fuh) originated
in North Vietnam in the mid 1880s,
where it was a staple of families whocouldnt aord much else. By the 1920s,Hanoi restaurateurs were creating thecomplex stock with avor derived fromhours of slowly simmering beef bonesto extract the full avor of the marrow.Rice noodles, charred onion and ginger(another French inuence) and spiceswere added to the broth.
When the Geneva Accord splitthe country into North Vietnam andSouth Vietnam in 1954, many North-ern Vietnamese moved south to escape
communism. They took with them therecipe for pho, which South Vietnam-ese cooks altered by adding spices likestar anise, cardamom, coriander seed,fennel and clove. While Northern phousually is served with sliced ginger andgreen chilies, South Vietnam style phois accompanied by a side plate of bean
sprouts, fresh basil, lime slices and per-haps other herbs. Meat choices usuallyare rare beef, cooked beef, ank, tendonand oal, though pork and meatballsoften are on the menu.
Its likely the word pho is a derivationof the French pot au feu, a beef stew. Thespices show the Chinese inuence, whileadding beef came from French chefs.
Pho Tau Bay
Ngoc M. Truong, owner of PhoTau Bay in Port Arthur, learned howto make pho from the restaurant'sprevious owner when she came to PortArthur from South Vietnam in 1996 towork as a waitress. In North Vietnam,her husband Van Son Truong explained,pho was the primary diet of the poor.
In Vietnam, its eaten for breakfastbecause the weather is so hot thereand pho has lots of liquid to help keepyou hydrated. Its easy to swallow anddoesnt stick in the throat. The beefbones add protein to the soup. Its avery healthy dish, he said. Familieswould eat it all three meals.
In their restaurant, pho with tripe
and tendon is the most popular with theVietnamese customers, who make up 50percent of their business.
About 30 percent of our businessis with Mexicans, Van Son said, andthey love pho. The remaining 20 per-cent is other nationalities.
While the children of the rst
Vietnamese who began arriving inthe United States in the '50s and '60sAmericanized their diet, he has foundthe third generation returning to tradi-tional Vietnamese food.
Pho Four Seasons
At Pho Four Seasons, the emphasison pho the way the customer wants itdrives owners Dac Tran and Ngat Tranto oer an extensive menu that matchesthe complexity of its namesake dish.
Manager Ha Nguyen said her parentsbrought their desire for a restaurant withthem from California when they movedto Southeast Texas more than 20 yearsago. Her mother simmers the broth frombeef bones for at least 8 hours beforeadding her special blend of spices andherbs. The soup contains the thin ricenoodles that are served almost every-where in the States, while the noodles inVietnam can be wider and thicker.
The Trans top the steaming soupwith onions and cilantro.
Our pho is a little sweeter thanmost, she said. Each person can createhis or her own avor, adding sriracha
photography
by
McT
>>
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
20/52
sauce, hoisin sauce, nuoc mam(sh sauce), soy or any of the spic-es on the accompanying plate offresh greens: basil, bean sprouts,lime juice, jalapenos. When weopened in 2009, we didnt havemany American customers at rst.Then it just exploded. Americansrst stuck just to the beef pho, butthey began to branch out to expe-rience the avors. Now, they eat itthe way we do at home.
Its hard to dene just producesthe Wow factor for the ubiqui-tous Vietnamese meal in a bowl,she said. But its denitely there.
Uyens Vietnamese Cuisine
When Mai Le left Saigon in1990, she used her restaurantexperience and opened UyensVietnamese Cuisine in Port Arthurin 2011, buying the restaurantfrom a previous owner.
Although she occasionally pre-pared pho for her family in Saigon,it is her husband, Dang Huynh,who is the chef.
Quyen Le, Mais sister and therestaurants manager, said Huynhguards the recipe, refusing toshare it with anyone.
The South Vietnamese palateprefers a complex pho, she said,adding many more spices andherbs than North Vietnamese use.
Its hard to translate the name osome of the spices to English, shsaid. You cant nd them at WaMart or H-E-B. You have to shoin Vietnamese grocery stores.
Nyens pho menu choices in-clude raw beef, meatballs, tendotripe, brisket or chicken. VIP
Where to get itPho Four Seasons
3690 College St., Beaumont
(409) 212-9755
4374 Dowlen Rd, Beaumont
(409) 896-2898
Pho Tau Bay Restaurant
710 9th Ave, Port Arthur,
(409) 984-9719Uyens Vietnamese Cuisine
3708 Gulfway Drive, Port Arthur
(409) 982-5191
Pho Ha
3324 Nederland Ave., Nederlan
(409) 729-8899
Pho Hots
3622 Gulfway Dr, Port Arthur
(409) 982-7771
20 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
2013 All Rights Reserved.
Christmas Strolls- View dazzling light displays beginning Dec. 13, 2013.Stroll admission is $3 or bring a non-perishable food item & get in free.
409.670.9113 shangrilagardens.org
Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center
Visit each location for special activities andevents on Saturday, December 14, 2013.
For information visit starkculturalvenues.org
Green Days American Idiot- See this smash Broadway hit and two-time Tony Award winning performance on Dec. 16, 2013 at 7:30pm.
Tickets start at $35.
409.886.5535 lutcher.org
Lutcher Theater
Start a new holiday traditionin December
Strolls Santa Hands-On Art Music & More
409.883.0871 whstarkhouse.org
The W.H. Stark House
Christmas Tales- Tour holidays past to see rooms featuring greathistoric objects. Begins Dec. 3, 2013.
Drop-In Art Activities- Take part in fun, hands-on art activities forthe entire family. Dec. 26-28 and 31, 2013.
409.886.2787 starkmuseum.org
Stark Museum of Art
Treasured Possessions- See rare book s, including hand-madeMedieval prayer books & a first edition ofA ChristmasCarolbyCharles Dickens. On view through January 11, 2014.
Drop-In Art Activities- Create fun, holiday art inspired by Museumobjects. Dec. 26-28 and 31, 2013.
3308 HWY. 365NEDERLAND
409.724.2045
4010 N. DOWLENBEAUMONT
409.347.4010
4031 NELSON RD., STE. 300LAKE CHARLES, LA
337.478.0901
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
21/52
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
When a diagnosis can affect your life, how far would you travel forthe best? As one of the best hospitals in America, according to *$+$0%/" . ')#,& -%()#!, Houston Methodist is the choice of patientsfrom around the country for their critical health needs.
Thats why we offer complimentary medical and concierge servicesfor out of town patients, making it as easy as possible for patients toaccess the best. For appointments, trip-planning assistance and more,call 877.790.DOCS.
houstonmethodist.org/usa
nationally ranked in 12 specialties.
the difference between practicing
medicine and leading it.
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
22/52
Chrstmas Glow
Brenda Ramsey, the oraldesigner at Ellis Home andGarden in Beaumont, wantedto go non-traditional with herdesign, so you wont nd any
bright reds or greens in her table center-piece. Instead, she chose a copper, silverand champagne palette. Its not overstat-ed, she said. Its subtle. But theres nomistaking its all about Christmas.
The champagne-colored, glittery poin-settias were her inspiration and startingpoint. From there, she added pine conesand a leopard-print ribbon just to bring alittle funk a modern twist to it. An old-world Santa and a gold reindeer presideover the table with a sparkling copperChristmas tree standing tall betweenthem. On either side of the table are larg-er, silver Christmas trees. Below the maintable, birds nest in a champagne-colored,feathery garland on a silver tray table.
holday
dressngD
ress your home for the holidayswith warmth and good cheer. VIPasked some of our favorite dcor
specialists to help with ideas fordecorating replaces and holidaytables. Their fabulous creationswill inspire you!
text by CATHLEEN COLE
photography byLEE E. STiNSON
vphome
22 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
23/52
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
4190CalderAvenue,Beaumont, Texa409-898-3340
Juliska Winter Frolic Dinnerware
OPEN DECEMBER 2013
FINALLY A CENTER THAT HANDLES
ANY EMERGENCY, ANY TIME.
WWW.ALTUSEMERGENCY.COM
409.755.CARE
Minimal wait time
24-hour availability of all service
Emergency Trained Physicians 24/7
New state-of-the-art facility
Friendly professional staff
137 NORTH LHS DRIVE, LUMBERTON, TX 77657
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
24/52
Old-World
Ambience
To create abright lookfor her holi-day setting,
Julie Burnsof BurnsAntik Haus
in Beaumont painted her darkoak mantle magnolia whitewith crme de menthe trim.She also chose to go non-traditional and focused on herfavorite sparkly pieces andgarden touches. I was tryingto make it warm and glowy,
Burns said.The top of the mantle is
lined with various pieces ofreproduction mercury glass.In the center area of the man-tle, an antique glass cookiejar is lled with mercuryglass balls on one side while asilver English biscuit warmerbalances out the other side.In the center is an ornate trayfrom Italy. Instead of hangingstockings, Burns trimmed themantle above the replacewith handmade Belgian lace.A large stone urn lled withgarden greenery sits in thereplace while a garden statueof a little girl adorned witha satin ribbon and a vintagenecklace looks on. Its aboutcreating warmth and display-ing some of your favoritethings, Burns said. Its thetime of year to be opulent andenjoy.
24 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
25/52
VIPPROPERTIES
12 must-have homes for sale
in Southeast Texas this month
8280 Evangeline Ln, Beaumont, TX3/3/2 Luxurious Italian villa located on .83 acres$875,000 Contact: Albert Nolen (409) 860-2900
115 Norwood, Lumberton, TX4/2.5/3 Beautiful home, park-like setting, heart of Lumberton!$284,900 Contact: Ann Scoggin (409) 673-7301
4883 Keith Road, Lumberton, TX $1,800,005/3/3 Custom built, gorgeous home on roughly 12 acres just inside Lumberton Contact: Scarlett Brekel (409) 658-764
924 Southwind, Port Arthur, TX4/3.5/2 The ultimate in Pleasure Island living$495,000 Contact: Sam Trahan (409) 718-881
4615 Regina Lane, Beaumont, TX5/3.2/2 Wonderful well maintained home on corner$410,000 Contact: Neil Spiller (409) 880-114
- 0)+*$!('% !.0%+ #., +(1%
2/ ".)*!%(+* 3%&(+ *!2+ 0./*!
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
26/52
26 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
Elegant Woodlands
Clara Downs and Latisha Sodolak, themother-daughter team of Nickolinas inBeaumont, created an elegant woodlandlandscape on the mantle and hearthof Judy Brocatos bold brick replace.Because of the large size of the area withits 10-foot, black-stained oak mantle, they
had a lot of space with which to work and were able toincorporate large pieces. Decorating any mantle, its all
about the scale, Sodolak said.It took the team less than an hour to create the woodsylook. Gold deer rest on the mantle among sparkly, goldenpoinsettias and snow-kissed holly. Tall candles add heightto one end of the mantle while a Mark Roberts SantaClaus balances out the other end. The balance is impor-tant, Downs noted. Sodolak added, It doesnt have to beperfectly symmetrical or matchy-matchy. Festive ribbonsadd color and texture and tie the look together.
On the hearth, a copper bucket holds pine cones,holly-berry branches and a birds nest. Narrow faux pinetrees potted in burlap add to the greenery. A holly wreathaccented with a gold poinsettia and gold ribbon adorns thereplace screen.
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
27/52
Whimsical
Christmas
Terri Hayhurst
of Balimportsin Beaumontasked herfriend GayleVanderwa-ter for help
designing a table center-piece, and the ladies had agreat time doing it. We justwanted to make it fun, Hay-hurst said of the project thattook several days to assemble.When I think about Christ-mas, I think of my grandkids.To me, Christmas is all aboutthe kids. They are amazed by
this piece.And theres plenty about
which to be amazed! Thisfanciful winter wonderlandstarts with a Styrofoam basecovered with pillow battingfor a snowy look. Glitter meshcascades and encircles thedesign. Holly berries, pinecones and ornaments nestleamongst the u. The focalpoint is a wood and metalminiature sled led by a papiermache reindeer donned witha berry-wreath collar andjingle bells. Whos driving?Santa Clown! Behind theporcelain antique doll is a boxstued full of toys for all thegood little girls and boys. VIP
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
28/52
28 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
Integrity from the Ground Up
7770 Gladys, Beaumont 409-860-3133
AndersonCustomHomeBuilder.com
We design spaces tailored toour customers. We create ideal
environments for husbands, wives,children, and guests. In these
havens, architecture and interiordesign are never purely aesthetic;but always have a functional role,
helping to make life more enjoyablefor the people who live there. REAL GENERAC OWNERS AGREE
-DavidPanzarella
ITS ONE OF THE BEST
INVESTMENTS IVE EVER
MADE IN THIS HOUSE.
AUTOMATIC HOME STANDBY GENERATORS
At Generac, were happy to talk about how we invented th
home standby generator category, how we make them right he
in Wisconsin, and how were available by phone 24/7/365 if yo
need assistance. But dont take our word for it. Listen to what o
satised customers have to say. After all, theyre the ones wh
made Generac the #1 selling brand of home standby generators
America. Theyll tell you that Generac home standby generato
give them peace of mind and the power to live. And that just abo
says it all.
American Air Systems offers full services on portable and
home stand-by generators.
All work is completed by factory trained and licensed personne
Carrier air conditioning and Generac: A Quality Companion.
Phone 409-842-2Website www.amerair.c1050 S. 23rd, Beaumont, TX 777
David Panzarella
Come see and hear the newestmusical artist from Southeast Texas.
Party starts at 8:00pm,
LIVE show 9:00-10:15pm
CD Release Party
Friday, December 27Madisons on Dowlen Rd.
Harrison Swift
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
29/52
F ts vov tooff ght, wmthnd gthng c
ostng
on non text by Jill Draper
Since ancient times, man has bee
drawn to re for food, warmth
and comfort from the dark. Tha
attraction is still going strong,
and options for gathering roundbackyard circle of dancing ame
with family and friends are mor
numerous than ever.
Whether you're looking for a small, portable re pit ithe $100 range or a large, outdoor replace for $10,000 omore, you'll want to consider the full range of possibilitie
It can be a daunting task for the homeowner to sortout, says Andy Wright, a landscape designer. The maris really evolving. We're on the verge of many possibilitie
Wright begins by asking clients how they entertainand what goals they have for the space. Are they trying tscreen something? Do they want built-in seating? What ithe budget?
f i r e p i t s
vhome
>>
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
30/52
High-end installations
Ron and Amy Mertz met withhim about building an outdoorreplace in their spacious yard.
First he helped them select abasic design using various widthsand colors of pavers from a localhardscape company. Next the re-place was constructed at a factoryin Wisconsin. It was delivered bytruck six weeks later in two piecesand assembled on a concrete pad
in about two hours.Wright suggested attached
benches on either side of the rebox, but they could have chosenbuilt-in wood-storage boxes, ormini-waterfalls owing over thesides or a pizza oven.
While the modular constructionis slightly cheaper than a replaceconstructed block by block (about10 to 20 percent less), the main at-traction is the ease of installation.The level of detail in this projectwould have taken lots of manhours to fabricate on-site, he says.
The replace was an immediatehit. We went from never hang-ing out in the backyard to beingoutside every free weekend, RonMertz says. His children, under awatchful eye, use it frequently aswell, and it has been the scene ofmany hot dog and s'mores parties.
Mertz also likes the way thepavers tie in with the materialsused for their patio, steps, wallsand deck.
At a nearby home, Craig andPeggy Schwartz were consideringpurchasing a traditional re pitwhen they noticed a re boulder ata nearby model home. They wereintrigued and thought it would addcharacter to their yard.
Jared Barnes, a landscape
designer, steered them to browsepredrilled limestone and sandstoneboulders.
The main thing to considerwith these is placement, Barnessays. Once you plumb a gas lineand set a 1,200-pound boulder,you don't want to move it.
He situated the rock at oneend of the Schwartz's patio witha water feature behind it. At theother end, his crew used pavers tobuild a rectangular bar with a retray running along the middle. Gasames icker through smoky blackglass beads, while the re boulder
holds lava rocks.The unique combination has
drawn the attention of neighbors,Peggy Schwartz says.
People are always coming byto see what's happening and sayinghow pretty everything looks. Oneguy who was driving by at night
saw the ames and called up to
say, I think that bar is on re!she says laughing.
While the Schwartz home has acustom-built re bar, patio-furni-ture stores often sell manufacturedre tables ranging from traditionalto contemporary designs. At theupper price range $1,200 to
$2,500 the tables feature gran
tops and come in various heightchat, dining and bar.
Some have interchange-able tops so the re tray can beswitched to a solid granite centewith a small hole for an umbrellor a larger hole for an ice buckeThese tables can weigh up to 1,0
30 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
STOP!!!!MISSINGAD ALERT!!!
Ad Name:BEN192776412
Size: 2.00 x 5.00
Customer: PROMOTION/RETAIL DEPT.
Galveston Furniture& Flooring
Galveston Furniture& Flooring
Specializing in
Furniture, Flooring, Remodels,
Draperies, Shutters, & Blinds
Delivery to Crystal Beach forOnly $9500
4214 Broadway, Galveston
GalvestonFurniture.com
409.762.3213
Custom SofaStarting @ $899
Window Fashions
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
31/52
pounds, so again, placement is
important.
Less expensive options
For the smaller pocketbook,there are many inexpensive,lightweight choices for re pitsranging from stainless steel andcopper to ceramic and stone. For
true portability, a wood-burningre cart (with wood storage below)has wheels and a handle.
Another option, especially goodfor decks, is a faux stacked-stonecolumn with a small re bowlattached on top. A disposable pro-pane cylinder inside the columnprovides spark-free ames. Theseitems retail for $100 to $350.
What's next in the world ofre? Wright is a big fan of rewa-
ter combinations, now becomingpopular in the Southwest. Suchcombinations include a stonebench encircling a fountain en-circling a re bowl, and re potsperched along the edges of poolsso the ames reect in the water atnight. There's also an inches-wideground-level re bar that curveshalfway around a hot tub.
"I don't know if I'd recom-mend that one for my clients," hecautions. "You'd have to be carefulwhere you step."
Whatever the market brings in
the future, it seems likely that rewill continue to be a focal point inthe home landscape.
Everyone says they like thewarmth it puts out, but that's notthe main attraction, Wright says.They really like the drama ofwatching the ames dance. MCT
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
Call Us Today
(409)755-3099
Creating Dreams
Building
Futures
www.GrantzHomes.com
;-9 A# ==:! 6:# '%,7ECD:& 4/ 8889-
"91H;33H"313
G%FB 6,5% 4!% )DIE,F>
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
36/52
with the purchase of two preg-nant alpacas in 2004. Theirinvestment soon doubledwhen two babies, called crias,were born. The ranch is nowhome to a herd of 27 alpacas.
Fine feeceWhen Hall got into the
alpaca business, the emphasiswas on breeding and selling.Now the emphasis is on theeece and eece products. Shestill breeds a few alpacas eachyear. (It takes about 11 monthsfor a cria to appear.) Thepurpose of breeding is to mateanimals with high-qualityeece to produce ospringwith even better eece. Theidea is to try and improve theeece, she said.
According to the AlpacaOwners and Breeders Associa-tion based in Nashville, Tenn.,alpacas, which originated inSouth America, produce oneof the world's nest and mostluxurious natural bers. Softas cashmere and warmer,lighter and stronger thanwool, it comes in more colorsthan eece from any other -ber-producing animal about22 basic colors with manyvariations and blends. Thiscashmere-like eece was oncereserved for Incan royalty but
is now used by spinners andweavers around the world.
Hall notes that the nesteece comes from the ani-mals backs thats the eecefor sweaters, scarves, hatsand gloves. The eece fromthe other areas of the alpacasis used for blankets, rugsand sturdier products of thatnature.
There are mini-millsaround the country, Hallexplained, that will takecustomers eece, make it intoyarn and send it back for themto sell. Alpaca owners mightsend their eece to a manufac-turer who will make productsout of it, including rugs andblankets. The manufacturersends the nished productsback to the customers forthem to market themselves.This is what she does withher Creole Criations on herwebsite.
Creating crias
Prices for top show-quality
36 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
37/52
and breeding-quality alpacas run about $8,000 to$10,000 at R&R Ranch. Peruvian June Bug, a fawn-col-ored female, is tagged at $17,500. She is a nice alpaca,Hall explained. She has maintained the neness to hereece. Hall notes that the prices have fallen over theyears for alpacas. You can buy one of her pet-quality
animals for about $500.R&R Ranch also oers stud services for $750 fortwo males and $1,200 for a white alpaca named HobbyHorse Peruvian Jaguar who has several champion blueribbons from alpaca shows on his resume.
Some people who have bought Halls alpacas havewanted them as an investment. Others have boughtthem as pets to keep the grass in their pasturestrimmed. Most are looking for pet-quality, she ac-knowledged. She emphasizes that, since they are herdanimals, its best to get two or more since they dont dowell alone.
Alpaca personalities
Hall reminds people that alpacas are prey animals,so they are very cautious. They like their space,
she conrmed. But some are friendlier than others.Theyre all dierent, she said. They all have theirown personalities. She has one that wants kisses allthe time. I have to push her away, Hall noted.
Alpacas do spit like llamas. They dont do it asmuch as llamas, Hall observed. Its usually amongsteach other. Theyre mad, or theyre wanting their food.
The creatures are usually quiet but make somesounds. They make a humming noise when theyrestressed, Hall explained. One of her males alerts theherd to danger by braying like a donkey.
Easy keepers
Alpacas, which can live about 20 years and weighbetween 100 and 200 pounds when fully grown, don'thave incisors, horns, claws or hard hooves, but insteadhave two toes with a pad. Alpaca owners say they aregentle and easy to handle.
For Hall, feeding is not a problem since 80 percentof her alpacas nutrition comes from hay and pasturegrass. She gives them each a half-cup of specially madealfalfa-based pellets two times a day.
The alpacas might think the R&R in the ranchsname stands for rest and relaxation. They have a polebarn in which to take shelter from the summer heatwith fans and an evaporative cooler. Sprinklers that runon timers are also a favorite of the fuzzy beasts.
Hall hires an alpaca-sheering team that travels thecountry and comes to her ranch once a year in thespring to sheer her herd. Even though she leaves thesheering work to others, she gives her alpacas their vac-
cinations and clips their toenails when needed.
The cuteness factor
Hall likes to watch the babies pronk a kind ofsti-legged hopping that alpacas do when they are play-ing or excited. Its very relaxing to watch them, shesaid.
She does have her favorites among her herd. I havea fondness for June Bug, she admitted. April is mykissy-face girl. Then theres spot-faced Captain JackSparrow. Hes a cutie, she conrmed.
Overall, Hall is glad she got hooked by that infomer-cial on alpacas those many years ago. They keep meactive, she said. Theyre fun.
Some alpacafeece products
VIP
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
38/52
s e t e x a s e v e n t s
vipspotlight
Art of Beer
Christie and Mark Lewis
Chuck Harris, Summer Lydick
Brieanna Fiorenza, Randy Edwards
Ana Fernandez, Ashlynn Ivy T.J. Henderson, Kayla Harris Haley Dickerson, Clayton and Ashley Manzer
David Dishman and Adrienne Ryherd
Kelly McLaun, Elias Sarkis
Josh Crawford, Christina Delgadillo
Marcia Cavett, Deborah and Sam James
John Adair, Amber Lummus and Austin Williams
Dave Burns, Stacy Matoula, Kyler Keith and Nancy BorneJoan and Michael Kirkpatrick
38 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
39/52
Girls' HavenStars Dinner
Linda and John Troquille Sherrene Cook and W.L. Pate
Lisa Chapman and Mark Sparks Shonta and Darnell Smith
Elena and Juan Iribarren
Ronnie and Cindy JonesJody and Cory Moss
Chad Teller, Madison Trahan, Dr. Nina Leifeste, Jared Weaver
leee.
stinson
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
40/52
BRA-vo! ProjectGallery Opening
Paul AnkaConcert
Irma Silvernail, Mary Brieden and Lois Rutman Rufus Mark and Amanda Da
Randy Trahan, Joyce Philen, Farrell Menard Judy and Buddy Johnson
Abigail Eaves, Hope Swain,
Caroline Meadows
Sandra and Thomas Abbage
Roy Wood, Sherrene Cook and W.L. Pate
Karen Fontenot, Joette Reger
Anne Breitenstein, Ania Bender and Gloria Seligman Sharon Friedra, Cindy Mag
Barbara Speed, Carol Ann and Donnie Schiras Susan and Ross Schultz
Alesha Wells,Melissa Balka, Shirley Rise,
Josephine Baker and Gloria Baker
Linda Robinson, Beth Krohn, Gloria Frazier
lacie grant
40 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
41/52
DOG-tober Fest
Anie Zarzosa, Andrea Llamas Erica and Ben Sherrod
Terrel and Delphine Dean, Krystal Hough Taylor Harrington, Sandra Wright
Monica Kattner, Kate & Lucas Leforte, Hal Ross Judy Galaviz, Brittany Bowes
Chris Flanagan, Mallory Cooper, Denice Romero, Cambrie Thomas
Jake and Megan Guidry, Morgan Adams Rebekah, Annabelle and Scott Shaw
lacie grant
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
Experience the resort feeling without the price!
Te Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites
Beaumont Plaza
Te Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites
Beaumont Plaza
Let us share in planning your next event!Contact our professional sales department.
3950I 10 South @ Walden Road
Beaumont, TX 77705
Phone: (409) 842-5995 Fax: (409) 842-7810
www.holidayinn.com/beaumont-plaza
Join Us
COMMUNION SERVICE
DECEMBER 245:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Childcare Provided
0"05 ?)::@8
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
42/52
Chef's Delight
Beaumont Chamber ofCommerce Banquet
Marilyn Brown and Julie Kahla Kent and Davilyn Walston
Ronnie Husbands, Krista Leblanc Pam and Mark Mouton
Jim and Paula Broussard
Sally Broussard, Brandy Mouton
John Pascal, Patti and Pat Calhoun
Tanya Lee, Mayor Becky Ames
Jay Jenkinson and Evelyn Gerber Cli ff and Brandy Allensworth
Rodney Graves, Tim Hebert Ken and Paula Nichols
Ronnie and Barilyn Brown, Brett Kahla, Connie Barry,
Julie Kahla, Franny Berry and Kris Goodman
Clint Woods, Joanne Brown, Jim Mehaffy, Maris Mehaffy ren sheppard
lacie grant
42 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
43/52
Making Strides AgainstBreast Cancer Walk
Shelton Boyce, Tammie Sampson,
Alberta Brown and Melissa Johnson Nevaeh, Theresa and Kloey Miller
Stacey Harley, Susan Hart, Tisha Stephens, Jada Granger,
Ashley Greiner, and Kristin, Jackson and Ava Stephenson
ren sheppard
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
CANTUFINE JEWELRY5905 PHELAN BLVD.
BEAUMONT, TEXAS 77706
409-866-5859
ThisDiamond Ringis whatdreams are made of
18 KARAT WHITE GOLD
2.20 CARATS OF DIAMOND
1.50 CARATS OF RUBIES
;T+-HR* -H
4737 :T*RQPR ?$RFRGC 3-"TP
566 87 /IH$ 3HQRRH1 3G#HR /N6
BR-G!TPH1 20 999N9
&N(A&6&AN5/5
4$THTJ ,@ :#P*@
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
44/52
Warm waysto reduceholiday stresstext by CHERYL ROSE
T
he December holidays, love em or hate
em, cause a lot of tension. Here are ve
ideas to escape for an hour or just a few
moments of blissful comfort.
5Infrared Saunas
Any type of sauna will make you sweat,but an infrared sauna is more comfort-able and outs more toxins for your time.
Bill Yeary, a biblical naturopathicdoctor at Getting Well Naturally in
Beaumont, explained that an infrared sauna onlywarms up to 130 to 150 degrees, a more bear-able temperature than a typical dry sauna.
The infrared rays are some of the same typewe get from the sun, but dont cause sunburn;
rather, they bring forth a healing effect, he said.The rays penetrate the skin releasing toxins,
improving circulation and making the body sweat.In a 30 minute session, clients burn 200 to 600calories while relaxing in the peaceful cubicle,resting, reading, meditating or even drowsing.
Yeary said that when studied, the sweat inducedby an infrared sauna was shown to hold about 20percent toxins. Compare that to sweat releasedfrom an activity such as mowing the lawn, whichonly shows a three percent toxin count.
Yeary said people enjoy infrared saunas for re-laxation, weight loss, detoxication and pain relief.He cautioned that anyone with a heart condition
should check with a physician before experienc-ing the sauna. All clients need to keep up theirelectrolyte intake as they sweat.
Though increasingly popular for home pur-chase, Yearys clinic has an infrared sauna thatcan be booked in 30-minute sessions for $35. Thesauna provides an easy way to detox and can feelvery rejuvenating and peaceful, he said.
Hot Stone Massage
I
n this modality of relaxation massage, small,at, heat-retaining stones are applied tospecic points on the body to warm and loosetight muscles, increase circulation and bal-
ance energy centers. As the heat relaxes themuscles, the masseuse can often work deeper intthe muscles.
At Getaway Day Spa at the MCM Elegante inBeaumont, hot stone massages run for 60 minute($90) to 90 minutes ($125). Stones are heated between 95 and 120 degrees. The masseuse rubs tclients muscles and extremities with warm oil anddistributes the stones over the body. After a hotstone massage, clients will have a general feelingof relaxation, their muscles will be looser, their skwill feel hydrated and they should sleep really welthat night, said Kelly Coffee, the spa manager.
This gentle type of massage is not recom-mended for people with high blood pressure ordiabetes or for pregnant women. After any varietyof massage, it is important to hydrate, drinking 8ounces of water for every half hour of massage,Coffee recommended.
r e l a x a t i o n
vipadviser
44 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
45/52
Steeped Teas
The association between tea and relaxationdates back centuries. A study done in 2006
by University College London showed thatstress hormone levels fell by nearly twiceas much in tea drinkers compared with
those given a tea-like drink, after they were put understress. Just why tea drinking is so relaxing remains anutritional mystery, as tea is chemically very complex.Whatever the chemical components, tea is thesecond-most consumed beverage worldwide behindwater.
Jude Tortorice, one of the owners of Raos Bakery,said that tea sales are exploding around the UnitedStates, though more slowly locally. Texans like theirtea iced and sweet, but some are waking up to thepleasures of steeped hot options, especially in thewinter months. About four years ago, Raos beganFrench pressing loose-leaf teas for patrons to ensuretheir preferred version is steeped properly for maxi-mum avor.
Tea can mean white, green, oolong or blackvarieties. Herbal teas arent made with actual tealeaves. Tortorice said Raos has about 28 varieties onhand. Customer favorites include chai tea, a black teablended with aromatic spices such as cinnamon andclove. Moroccan mint green tea is one that Tortoricerecommends for people with snifes or sore throat.
Also, he suggests a red tea called Rooibos that hemixes with vanilla tea leaves for patrons with a cold.He also suggests chamomile tea, an herbal tea usedfor relaxation and as a sleep-aid for centuries.
Restorative Yoga
Adarkened, warm, quiet room,unplugged from sensory stimulatioHere, participants can nd a spacestillness and rest by performing yoposes supported by bolsters, pillow
and blankets. Unlike a typical yoga class thatmight move uidly through 30 to 40 poses in hour, a restorative yoga session might only hathree position changes in an hour.
As Americans, we dont really know how rest, explained Jessica Depew, owner of GoldTriangle Yoga in Beaumont. Our idea of rest isitting in front of the television with a glass ofwine. This may be relaxing, but it isnt true reTrue rest is a mental state hovering just abovesleep.
Using the supportive props, participants hoa single position for 15 to 20 minutes at a timThroughout the class, participants keep theireyes covered. This form of yoga is for everyonno matter age or level of tness, even for thoswith injuries or limited mobility. No previous yoexperience is necessary.Anyone can drop inand try a restorative yoga class at LoveYoga i
Beaumont at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesdays for $15.Tiffany Maloney, ERYT-200 and the owner
LoveYoga, said the goal of restorative yoga isto get deep into the muscle fascia and con-nective tissue, letting natural body weight andgravity do the work. It works on the level of tparasympathetic nervous system, moving torest-and-digest rather than ght-or-ight, shexplained. When you leave, you will feel theeffect immediately, as if you had a massage. Ywill feel very relaxed and will sleep better. VI
Soup
Awarm bowl of soup in winter time issynonymous with comfort food. Eatingis often a way to cope with stress andexhaustion, both abundant during theholidays. Soup represents a two-fer return
option of being both warm and comforting, but also apotentially healthy source of vegetables, proteins and
whole grains. As examples, toss in barley, kale, beans,pumpkin, turnips or spinach and youve amped yournutritional intake while enjoying the steamy goodness.
Katharine Carmichael, the owner and chef ofKatharine & Co. in Beaumont, also notes the com-pound carnosine in chicken soup helps the immunesystem ght colds. For her favorite chicken soup, shecovers two bone-in chicken breasts, carrots, onions,celery and garlic in water. Once the chicken is done,she removes it from the pot, separating the meat fromthe bone and setting the meat aside. She then putsthe bones along with a tied bunch of cilantro into thepot to cook for another 20 minutes. Then she strainsthe vegetables and bones and adds brown rice tothe broth. She covers the pot to bring the broth to aboil, then reduces the heat to a simmer until the riceis done. She adds the cubed chicken and a can oftomatoes with green chilies. When thoroughly heated,she serves the soup garnished with avocado, cilantroand lime juice.
When the weather gets cooler, warm soup seemsjust right to feed the soul as well as our bodies,Carmichael said.
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
46/52
McManus CompanyHandmade Glass Crysta
Artwork. These beautiful pieces are mad
with vintage glass and Swarovskys crysta
Each of these traditional crosses make their ow
unique statement. Sizes range from 6" to 36".
0$0, &!)+ ). *.'#/1#()'/# %-//#%+1-."
Maison Blanche Paint Company.
No prep furniture paint now available at
Burns Antik Haus!
36 fabulous colors to choose from!
Open Tues., Wed. & Thurs. 10-5 Fri. & Sat.,10-3
2195 Calder Ave. @ 6th. Beaumont
409.835.3080
***+%,"&!'&!)-',!+#$(
Change is naturalwith
sterling silver Kameleon
Jewelry from Nickolinas.
This interchangeable jewelry
makes the perfect gift for all
ages.Nickolinasnow has
exclusive holiday jewel pops,
so you canchange your pop to
change your mood!
Nickolinas
1257 W. Lucas, Beaumont, TX 77706
409-896-2543
www.facebook.com/nickolinas www.nickolinas.com
5fabulous nds#$*)10$,+ '$ 0-($ ).% *!$1,
/$,&!).%1+$ '$ 0-($ *- !)($"
thursdays will never be the same
www. theca t5 . com
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
47/52
Main StreetMarketDecember 5-7Don't miss the most popular holidashopping event in Southeast TexasVendors offer jewelry, accessoriesclothing, shoes, handbags, toys,home and holiday dcor, food,wine, a childrens workshop with
arts and crafts, pictures with SantaClaus and a fun run. Admission $5children 12 and younger free. 5-9p.m. Dec. 5 and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. De6-7 at the Beaumont Civic Center,Beaumont. (409) 832-0873. Seethe complete schedule at www.juniorleaguebeaumont.org
great datesindecember
Dan RatherDecember 3Come hear one of the last greatbroadcast news journalists fromthe era of the "Big Three" networks
as part of the Distinguished LectureSeries of Lamar State College-Port Arthur. 7 p.m., Carl A. ParkerMultipurpose Center, Port Arthur.The lecture is rescheduled fromOct. 22. Free. (409) 984-6291.
Beaumont HolidayTree LightingDecember 5Create ornaments for the treeand to take home. Santa willgreet children and the UnitedStates Postal Service will be onhand to help children mail letters
to Santa. There will be arts andcrafts activities before the tree islit at 6 p.m. 4-6 p.m. Dec. 5 onthe grounds of the Art Museumof Southeast Texas and the TexasEnergy Museum, Beaumont.Free. (409) 832-3432 or www.amset.org.
Event Submissions"8 +8/ !).$ )9 $.$91 +8/ -8/;& ;>=$ 18 748:81$6 "8 >1 ->1! ,;2?&)1$2% 1>:$2% ;8')1>89% '891)'1 7!89$% -$( )&&4$22
)9& ) (4>$# &$2'4>71>89?18 kmoujaes@beaumontenterprise.com.89 2!8/;& )44>.$ )1 ;$)21 *0 &)+2 >9 )&.)9'$ 8# 1!$ $.$915
Christmas at theMcFaddin-WardHouseDecember 19If you haven't enjoyed Christmasat Beaumont's historic McFaddin-Ward house you are in for a treat.1-4 p.m., Refreshments, museumand carriage house tours, a visit bySanta and Mrs. Claus, childrens
activities and more. Free. Also,on December 19 don't miss theirEggnog and Christmas Light Ride
from 5-7 p.m. (409) 832-1906 orwww.mcfaddin-ward.org.
AnnieDecember 5-7, 13-14We can't think of a better way tospend time with your family thisholiday season than watching theBeaumont Community Playerspresent this popular musical comed7:30 p.m. Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 13-14
and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7, in theMcFaddin-Ward Auditorium of the BGreenberg Center for the PerforminArts, Beaumont. Tickets $12, $23and $25. (409) 833-4664 or www.beaumontcommunityplayers.com.
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
48/52
c a l e n d a r
vipmagazine
December 1
John Jay French Christmas
Candlelight Tour
1-4 p.m., John Jay French Museum,
Beaumont. The museum celebrates
a mid-19th century holiday season
with fresh greenery, candles, light
refreshments, music evoking an old-
fashioned Christmas and self-guided
tours through the museum and
grounds. Free. (409) 898-3267, (409)
898-0348 or www.jjfrench.com.
Lamar Universitys A Cappella Choir
and Grand Chorus
Handels Messiah and other
selections of sacred music will be
performed, 5 p.m., St. Stephens
Episcopal Church, Beaumont. Free.
(409) 880-8144.
December 2
Industrial Carillon Concert
7:30 p.m., Mobil Oil Federal Credit
Union, Beaumont. Lamar faculty and
student composers oer modern,
classical, electro-acoustic and multi-
media music. Free. (409) 880-8144.
December 3
Art Museum of Southeast Texas
Annual Meeting
5:30 p.m., Art Museum of Southeast
Texas, Beaumont. A recap of the past
years events, preview upcoming
exhibitions and events and recognize
its volunteers. The public is invited.
(409) 832-3432 or www.amset.org.
December 4
Movie Night: Surviving Picasso
Anthony Hopkins, Natascha
McElhone and Julianne Moore star in
the story of Francoise Gilot, a lover of
painter Pablo Picasso, 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at
the Dishman Art Museum at Lamar,
Beaumont. Free. (409) 880-8959.
December 5
First Thursdays on Calder Avenue
5-9 p.m., along Calder Avenue,
Beaumont. The monthly event
features food, live music, sidewalk
vendors oering clothing, jewelry, art,
photography, recycled and handmade
items and more. (409) 833-9919.
48 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
December 5-6
Babes in Toyland
Southeast Texas Ballet Company, 7
p.m., Julie Rogers Theatre, Beaumont.
(409) 838-3435.
December 5-7
Gingerbread House Auction
Gingerbread House competition and
silent auction to benet Buckner
Children and Family Services of SETexas. Houses on display for view and
bidding at the Beaumont Civic Center,
Beaumont. (409) 866-0976.
December 6
H-E-B Feast of Sharing Holiday Dinner
4 p.m., Ford Park, Beaumont. The
event includes holiday music, arts
and crafts, childrens activities, an
appearance by Santa and more. (409)
951-5400 or www.fordpark.com.
Beaumont Council of Garden Clubs
Holiday Fundraiser
6-10 p.m., Beaumont BotanicalGardens, Beaumont. Cocktails, dinner,
entertainment by Britt Godwin, silent
auction and rae. Tickets $50 per
person. (409) 842-3135 or bcgc@
beaumontbotanicalgardens.org.
Senior Thesis Exhibition
Graduating seniors display their
work through Dec. 13. Reception
6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Dishman
Art Museum at Lamar University,
Beaumont. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday-Friday. Free. (409) 880-8959,
www.lamar.edu/dishman.
December 6-8
Larrys Old Time Trade Days
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 6-8, 14902 FM
1663 Road, Winnie. Antiques,
collectibles, arts and crafts, home
decor items, plants, clothing, jewelry,
purses and more. (409) 296-3300 or
larrysoldtimetradedays.com.
Dickens on the Strand
A Victorian Christmas Festival
along the historic Strand District,
Galveston. Hours: 5-9 p.m. Dec. 6; 10
a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 7; and 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Dec. 8. (409) 763-7834 or go to www.dickensonthestrand.org
December 7
Holiday Shop-O-Rama Extravaganza
Grand sale noon-4 p.m., opening
reception 7-10 p.m., Art Studio,
Inc., Beaumont. One-stop shopping
for unique, funky, artistic and
inexpensive gifts created by local
artisans. Shopping hours: 2-5 p.m.
Tuesday-Saturday through Dec. 20.
(409) 838-5393 or www.artstudio.org
Habitat for Humanity Jingle Bell 5
8 a.m., Tyrrell Park, Cost $25 for th
5K; $10 for the kids 1K. http://regis
cajuntiming.com
Christmas in the Big Thicket
Booths, a lighted parade and more,
a.m.-6 p.m., Silsbee Public Library
parking lot, Silsbee. (409) 385-483
Barefoot Christmas Market
Noon-6 p.m., Golden Triangle Yoga
Beaumont. (409) 861-0003.
Holiday Bazaar
St. Stephens Episcopal Church,
Beaumont. The event gumbo, used
book sale, crafts, art, baked goods,
a used clothing boutique and more
(409) 866-0002.
Beary Merry Christmas Market
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Little Cypress
Intermediate School, Orange.
Breakfast with Santa, 9-10 a.m. (40
988-1130 or (409) 313-7461.
Gingerbread House Workshop
10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Art Museum of
Southeast Texas, Beaumont. (409)
832-3432 or go to www.amset.org.
Christmas Twilight Tour
Heritage Village Museum, Woodvil
(800) 323-0389, (409) 283-2272 or
www.heritage-village.org.
December 8
Home for the Holidays
The Symphony of SE Texas and th
choirs from First United Methodist
Church, Beaumont and St. Jude
Thaddeus Catholic Church, presen
concert of seasonal favorites, 3 p.mJulie Rogers Theatre, Beaumont. F
www.sost.org or call (409) 892-225
December 8-9
Road to Bethlehem
6:30-8:30 p.m., Wesley United
Methodist Church, Beaumont. Visi
full-size Bethlehem village with liv
animals, working shops and things
touch and taste. Free. (409) 892-77
December 10
Christmas Parade
The Nederland Chamber of CommAnnual Lighted Christmas Parade,
p.m., along 21st Street and Nederla
Avenue, Nederland. (409) 722-027
Greater Orange Area Chamber of
Commerce 2013 Banquet
Sunset Grove Country Club, Orang
Social hour 6 p.m., awards dinner,
recognizing the 2013 Citizen of the
Year, Non-Prot Community Servi
Award and the Business Communi
Service Award, 6:30 p.m. Admissio
$40 per person. (409) 883-3536.
2290 IH-10 S
@ Washington
Beaumont, TX
409-842-0686
DINNER SPECIALS MONDAY-SUNDAY
www.floydsseafood.com
Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7pm
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
49/52
'%(!&&
1 World record holder in the 100 and
200 meters, Usain ____
3 2009 BCS National Championship
winners
8 Deja Vu, star, ___ Kilmer9 ___ Woman starring Halle Berry
10 Former Sun, now Laker
11 Commodores singer, Lionel ____
12 Play __ the book
13 ___ Sharif of Doctor Zhivago
15 British princess
17 70s rocker, ____ Cooper
18 Baseballs ____ Series
19 Famous deer
21 Talk a lot
22 ____ Witherspoon
24 Notre Dame team name
26 Computer department
27 P. Diddy rst name28 NASCAR racer, ____ Gordon
$!"#
1 Daniel Craig role
2 Elviss daughters name (2 word
3 Golng great, ___ Player
4 I am the greatest boxer
5 Young Mexican golng star, Lin____
6 Bollywood superstar, Aishwarya
____
7 Tragic Kingdom lead singer, G
____
12 ___ Joness Diary, starring H
Grant
14 Last word of the Pledge of
Allegiance
15 ____ Harry, the lead singer from
Blondie
16 Trophies
20 State in the northeast of the U.S
23 ____ City. movie starring JesAlba
25 Playboy king, for short
Find answers on page 4
c r o s s w o r d
vipmagazineDecember 12
Movie Night: Were No Angels
Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov
and Aldo Ray star, 6:30-8:30 p.m.,
McFaddin-Ward House Visitor
Center, Beaumont. 6 p.m. Free.
December 13
Kevin Fowler
7 p.m., Whiskey River, Beaumont.
(409) 832-2999.Texas Strikers Soccer
Texas Strikers take on the Monterrey
Flash, 7:05 p.m., Ford Arena,
Beaumont. Tickets $9, $15, $18
and $25. (409) 951-5400 or www.
fordpark.com
December 13-14
A Whimsical Christmas
Dance by the Mid County Performing
Arts Company, 7 p.m. Dec. 13, and
2 p.m. Dec. 14, Performing Arts
Center at Nederland High School,
Nederland. Advance tickets $10; $12day of show. (409) 724-6567 or www.
midcountypac.com.
December 13-15
Orange Trade Days
9 a.m.-5 p.m., Orange Trade Days
grounds, Orange. Flea market,
farmers market, food and music.
Free. (409) 883-4344.
Happy Holidays Collection 7
Christmas Comedies for ChildrenAn all kids cast perform a holiday
musical, Port Arthur Little Theatre
Playhouse, Port Arthur. (409) 727-7258 or www.palt.org.
December 14
Color Vibe 5K
9 a.m., Event Centre, Beaumont. Get
blasted with color at every station
throughout run. Cost: $40-$50.
Register at www.thecolorvibe.com
Port Arthurs Lighted Parade
6 p.m., along Procter Street,
downtown Port Arthur. After the
parade, area bands and a mass choir
will perform on the steps of Port
Arthur City Hall.
Christmas with Shoji Tabuchi
Broadway and movies selections
and classical, country, pop, rock and
western music, 7:30 p.m., Lutcher
Theater, Orange. (409) 886-5535 or
www.lutcher.org.
Texas Country Music Show
7:30 p.m., Palace Theater, Kirbyville.
Adults $7, children 7-12 $3, free
for children younger than 6. (409)
423-3319.
December 14-15
The Nutcracker
Beaumont Civic Ballet, 2:30 p.m.,
Julie Rogers Theatre, Beaumont.
Tickets at the Beaumont Civic
Center Box Oce and Ticketmaster
locations.
December 15
Empty Stocking Fund Benet
Barbecue chicken dinner, 10a.m.-2 p.m., Knights of Columbus
Hall, Beaumont. Proceeds go to
the Beaumont Enterprise Empty
Stocking Fund. (409) 659-5892.
December 16
American Idiot
Musical based on Green Days rock
opera about three lifelong friends
who are forced to choose between
their dreams and the safety of
suburbia, 7:30 p.m., Lutcher Theater
for the Performing Arts, Orange.
(409) 886-5535 or www.lutcher.org.
December 18
Walt Wilkins
7 p.m., Courvilles, Beaumont.
Tickets $30 advance only, includes
buet and show. (409) 860-9811 or
email b igrich@cajunavors.com.
December 20-22
Happy Holidays Collection 7
Christmas Comedies for Children
See previous listing.
December 21
Together Again at Christmas
Beaumont Charlton-Pollard-Hebert
Scholarship Fundraising Gala,
semi-formal event, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.,
Beaumont Civic Center. Tickets $15
per person. (409) 898-2655
Yolanda Adams and Willie Brown
Christmas Concert8 p.m., Julie Rogers Theatre,
Beaumont. Tickets at the Beaumont
Civic Center Box Oce and all
Ticketmaster outlets.
December 27
Aaron Watson
7 p.m., Whiskey River, Beaumont.
Tickets at all Florida Tans or at
www.whiskeyrivertexas.com. (409)
832-2999.
December 31
Bag of Donuts
Special guests Pirate Radio, 7 p.m.,
Nutty Jerrys, Winnie. Tickets $20.
(877) 643-7508 or www.nuttyjerrys.
com.
theVIPmag.com | December 2013
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
50/52
g u e s t c o l u m n
vip voices
Dear Children,
Ive never written something
for such a little audience,
but I thought it was impor-
tant that I share a special
secret with you, particu-
larly during this time of year.
Many of you might have heardsome rumors at school that havecaused you to doubt somethingyouve believed your whole life.Right at this very second, youmight be telling yourself that youregetting older and should start view-ing the world from a more practicalperspective. After all, no one wantsto be the last to know somethingso epic.
Maybe you just wish someonewould level with you tell you thecold, hard truth.
Well, Im that someone.Im going to tell you the truth
about Santa Claus.About 21 years ago, I was a little
child weighed down by this verysame worry.
My class at school was dividedbetween believers and non-believ-
ers, each more staunchly devotedto their conviction than the next.I was of the uncertain minority,never having had any experiencesto sway me one way or the other.
On one hand, I had my doubts.After all, how did one man traversethe entire globe in a single night?But, deep in my heart, I wished forhim to be real.
I approached that holiday witha bit more trepidation than usual,looking for clues that might awakenme from my youthful fancies.
That Christmas Eve, I hap -pened to burn my hand whilemaking Christmas cookies with my
mom. The pain of that experience,coupled with the excitement of theevening, made for a particularlyrestless night. At some point, Iwoke up, looking for my mom tohelp ease the pain.
As I plodded along our darkhallway, my heart raced with terror.The only thing worse than ndingout Santa wasnt real was ndingout that he was by accidentallycatching him on the job.
Luckily, my search didnt revealSanta Claus, but I couldnt nd my
parents either. I wandered aroundour darkened house before nallynding them in our dimly lit livingroom, happily munching on thevery cookies Id left out for Santa.
I immediately crumbled into aheap of tears on the oor.
I told them I was crying becausemy hand hurt, but the truth wasI was heartbroken to discover theproof or so I thought thatSanta was a gment of my imagina-tion. Feeling grown up suddenly
didnt feel so great after all.It was months before I gathered
the courage to discuss my feelingswith my parents, very matter-of-factly, as I recall. The jig was up, Isaid. I knew the secret.
My mom was appalled.Of course Santa was real!How could I possibly imagine
that parents could create all thatChristmas magic without help? Infact, my mom confessed that theolder she got, the more obvious it
was that Santa was indeed real.Now that Im an adult, Ive had
the time to really put her theory tothe test.
And, I have to be honest withyou, she was right.
Santa IS real.Did you know that the most
beautiful, magical, miraculousthings happen at Christmas all thetime and no one not even adults can explain them?
One time, it happened in myfamily.
You see, many, many Christ-
mases ago, my daughter wanteda special gift. It had been a roughyear for our family and we werentsure how we would be able to makher wish come true. No one knewabout the stress we were under andhow our hearts ached. We just keppraying for a Christmas miracle.And, a few weeks before Christmaan unmarked package arrived withjust that gift inside! It was exactlywhat my daughter wanted, downto the very color. Now, who couldhave known that but Santa?
The miracles dont stop at presents. Sometimes Santa xes thingsthat are broken. Like, maybe a family thats had a really terrible yearof fussing and ghting. They mighget together around Christmas, outof the sake of tradition. Before youknow it, years of discord and angerare untangled with just a littlelaughter. Well, you know whosbehind that, right? They dont callhim jolly for nothing!
Its a bizarre phenomenon, butwhen people start to grow up theyget preoccupied with silly thingslike details and facts. They thinkthat if they cant see something, itdoesnt exist.
But, Santa is sorta like love. I
dont know what color love is orwhat shape and size it comes in,but I still feel it in my heart whenI snuggle my babies or give myparents a big hug.
We can worry about facts andgures and details all year long, buat Christmas, its enough to just believe. Dont worry what anyone elsmay say or think. Its okay to stillbelieve in Santa Claus. I promisehes real.
LovHolli Petersen, a forever believe
Is Santa Claus real?
50 December 2013 | theVIPmag.com
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
51/52
-
8/13/2019 December VIP
52/52
top related