Sunday, September 20, 2009

Senator Huffman opens district office in West University


Our neighbor and Texas State Senator, Joan Huffman, has opened a district office at 6217 Edloe.
 

This location will serve as a Senator Huffman's main district office for her to be better able to serve her constituents. Office hours are 8-5, Monday-Friday and the phone number is 713.662.3821.  What could be more convenient than having this resource so close.  Senator Huffman's staff is ready to help constituents who stop by or call.
 

Southside Place Sightings will keep you posted on when Senator Huffman has a "grand opening" event.   

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Southside Class of 2009 off to college!!!!


It's September 1st and most (if not all) of the Southsiders starting as college freshmen have "left town".   First of all, let me apologize as  I know my list is incomplete.   I'll be happy to add any names and colleges to the post.   The photo is from the Carpenter front lawn saying "We'll Miss You, Kara!".   We are missing them all and we wish them the best:

Michael Badum - Texas A&M
Laura Burdine - USC
Kara Carpenter - TCU
Gabi Chennisi - Rice
Catherine Cohen - Princeton
Natalie Cuyler - Beloit College
Tyler Duffie - TCU
Emily Foxhall - Yale
Travis Foxhall - Yale
Matthew Hanratty - Texas A&M
Stephen Hassenflu - Texas A&M
Will Harrel - Princeton
Kelley Harrison - Brown
Paige Matthews - TCU
Zach Jewell - University of Arizona
Caroline Melo - UT
Rachel Milewicz - Yale
Emily Nichol - Rice
Garland Parsley - UVA
Kelsey Pearson - SMU
Topper Sheehy - TCU
Shelby Smolen - UT
Matthew Symmes - Duke




A New All-Star Tradition


Something new was unveiled at this year's swim team banquet.  Ashley Bryan has served a number of years as trophy chair and lived through the frustration of many kids not ever retrieving their trophies if they missed the banquet - out of sight, out of mind.   Last year, Ashley suggested switching to medallions and this year the medallion is accompanied by a 2009 year pin.   Each year returning swimmers will add pins to their lanyards and we hope one day many of them will have enough pins to qualify as Forever All-Stars.   

Thanks to the Coaches!!!!


I apologize for having such a long absence from the blog.   July and August found me on an out-of-town junket for work.   So I'm back now and hoping to catch up on all of the Southside happenings.   While Blair Bradford provided earlier posts about the team,  I wanted to give a special thank you to this year's coaching squad.  They did an absolutely fabulous job and always were smiling.  This picture is from the Swim Team Banquet held at the end of the season.  From left to right:  John Carter, Austin Weber, Mac Connolly, Sarah Elkin, Blair Bradford, Nick Jordan and David Elkin.  Not pictured - Erin Holt.

Friday, July 31, 2009

Southside Place 75th Anniversary Party

PLEASE JOIN YOUR FELLOW RESIDENTS AND SPECIAL GUESTS FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY!!

The City of Southside Place was formally established as a form of government in the State of Texas on August 3rd, 1934.


CITY OF SOUTHSIDE PLACE
75TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

MONDAY, AUGUST 3RD 6:30 – 8:00 P.M.
CLUBHOUSE

CAKE AND PUNCH WILL BE SERVED! !



HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS, LETTERS, AND PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE ON DISPLAY

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Southside Place West


Southsiders Katie, Marilyn and Bob McDowell and Debbie and Paul Berner gathered with former Southsiders John, Connee and Kent Sullivan and other friends at the McDowell's fabulous new ranch in Round Top for the 4th ofJuly. Many of you may remember the McDowell/Berner/Sullivan 4th of July picnic spread at the Southside Park every year. There was always plenty of food to share with friends, especially when the inevitable rain drove everyone to shelter under the Park Pavilion.



The McDowells recently acquired Oak Hill Ranch and are busy restoring it. A fabulous new "barn-dominium" was the site of this year's bash. Bob braved the 105 degree heat to cook burgers on the grill, while everyone else enjoyed the cool indoors. John and a friend had fun driving the tractor around the property, and everyone enjoyed viewing the "possibly haunted"mid-19th century farm house on the property. It may become a new "Southside West" tradition.

-many thanks to Connee Sullivan for the story and photo!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Parents Vs. Coaches Vs. Kids Relay


In case you missed it, the finale to the Southside All-Star Swim Team season was the second annual Parents Vs. Coaches Vs. Kids Relay. This 400 Freestyle Relay had 8 coaches, 15 parents and 10 kids participating. A great deal of strategy and chaos went into this event as all teams went with power out of the gate. For the second straight year the coaches won and the parents finished second. The parents closed the gap and next year could prove the coaches' downfall! Check out the video courtesy of Don Friedell.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

An Interview with Dr. Amy Marvin

Southside Place Sightings recently sat down with Southside resident Amy Marvin (AM) to learn more about her new business, Glow Medical Aesthetics. Amy graduated from Texas A&M and UTMB Medical School. Her internship was at UT Houston in Internal Medicine followed by a residency in Emergency Medicine. Amy has been an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at UT Hermann and LBJ, a staff physician at Hermann and St. Luke’s. She has spent the last two years working toward her board certification in Bariatric Medicine (care for the morbidly obese).

SPS: Amy, how did you get from Bariatric Medicine to starting a business in West U?










AM: Some of the patients I had worked with had lost over 100 pounds and wanted aesthetic treatments. I began using lasers in our office in the Medical Center, but I kept thinking that I could do aesthetic treatments here as well.



SPS: So what does “Medical Aesthetics” mean? I’m clueless here, Amy.



AM: We use medical technology such as LASERS and pharmaceutical grade products to improve the look and texture of the skin.



SPS: Amy, what are some of the services and approaches that distinguish Glow from similar firms?



AM: Nancy, I’m glad you asked because I’ve tried to put together offerings that are safe, effective and can provide a menu of choices for Southsiders. My laser uses ELOS technology. It stands for Electrical / Optical Synergy. It's a combination of IPL (intense pulse light) and bipolar radiofrequency. It's the only one of it's kind and can treat all skin types (light to dark) and all hair colors. Every other laser on the market is straight IPL. The ELOS is safer, more effective, and hurts less. We also have VELASHAPE. It's the latest approach to noninvasive cellulite treatment. All the celebs are getting it (a la Kim Kardashian) I personally administer these treatments. It's not done by an employee or technician. I do it, because I want it done right. I carry physician grade skin therapeutics... Obagi and Skin Medica. I'll be having the reps for each company come to an open house to discuss why their products are unique. There will be a variety of treatments, both laser, facials and topicals geared toward helping teenagers and young adults with acne. We have a variety of clear skin solutions and have great results with Rocacea using laser treatment and topicals. Botox and Juvaderm (an injectable filler) are also available. I also have Glo Mineral Make-up!



SPS: Amy, I’m exhausted just thinking of you doing this all alone. Will anyone be assisting you?



AM: Nancy, I couldn’t do it all! I have an outstanding Licensed Esthetician, Erin Malone. She comes from Atlanta with a wealth of experience she gained while working with a large group of plastic surgeons. She offers custom facials, Medical grade Microdermabrasion, and a variety of facial chemical peels. She is extremely familiar with my laser. She has years of experie nce with fotofacial, refirm, matrix, hair removal and leg vein treatment, using the ELOS technology. Erin will be the person to go to for a skin consultation when determining what treatment program is best. She knows her stuff. And, the women in this neighborhood will love her!



SPS: This sounds great, Amy, but in the end how are you going to help me “create” time so that I can try some of these wonderful services.



AM: For you and the other busy moms and dads, I’m offering flu shots in the fall and school, camp, and sport physicals year round. I can also do minor medical evaluations for simple things like ear and throat infections. Of note...I'm not here to diagnose or treat skin disease or skin cancer. Regular dermatology visits are recommended. We will educate and refer all to a Dermatologist for regular skin care and treatment. This studio is for the fun stuff. We aim to do it in a professional, medically responsible way. In a setting that is relaxing, fun and welcoming. And, a short walk from home! We are open 9-5 Monday through Friday, and every other Saturday. And I am always willing to see people after hours.

JULY 4TH @ SOUTHSIDE POOL

COME OUT THIS SATURDAY TO CELEBRATE THE 4TH WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!

Bike Parade: Starts @ 10:00 a.m. Gather at City Hall behind the Southside Fire Truck, go south on Edloe to Garnet, right turn onto  Garnet, circle in front of pool and ends in the Southside Park.
Prizes to be Awarded: Most Creative, Best Wagon, Best Trike, Best Costume, Most Patriotic, Best in Show, etc. 
Food & Drinks: 11:30- 1:00 p.m.
Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Chips, Drinks for Sale
Pool Opens: 11:00 (after parade judging)
Pool Activities: 1-3 p.m.
Duck Pond * Candy Jar Guess * Beer Toss
Greased Watermelons * Underwater Swim
Cannonball Splash * Money Toss * Belly Flops
Chicken Fights * SLIP N SLIDE
POOL CLOSES AT 5PM


QUESTIONS?? EMAIL SSPOOLINFO@YAHOO.COM

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Swim Team Wrap-Up

The All-Stars finished the season with a perfect 5-0 record in dual meets! They also capitalized on their season with a win at the invitational this past sunday! After awards and medals were presented at the banquet last night, all of the swimmers enjoyed one last dip in the pool to celebrate back-to-back undefeated seasons!


Highlights from the Invitational:
  • 47 All-Star Swimmers
  • 467 points scored (2nd place Briarmeadow had 440)
  • 17 Gold Medals
  • 11&12 Girls finished 1-2-3 in the 50 Backstroke
  • Multiple other 1-2 finishes
Highlights from our younger ages:


*7&8
  • Place 1st in both relays
  • Sloane Reinstein and Laura Miles placed 1st and 2nd respectively in the 25 freestyle
  • George Marvin and Michael Hansen placed 2nd and 3rd respectively in the 25 freestyle
  • Laura Miles and Lena Provenzano placed 2nd and 4th respectively in the 25 breaststroke
  • George Marvin placed 5th in the 25 breaststroke
  • Sloane Reinstein and Annie Badum placed 1st and 3rd respectively in the 25 backstroke
  • Michael Hansen placed 2nd in the 25 backstroke
  • Laura Miles, Sloane Reinstein, and Annie Badum placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the 25 butterfly
  • Michael Hansen and George Marvin placed 1st and 2nd in the 25 butterfly
*9&10
  • Placed 3rd in both relays
  • David Vos da Wael and Dylan Friedell placed 3rd and 5th respectively in the 100 IM
  • Claire Crane and Grace Carter placed 4th and 6th respectively in the 25 freestyle
  • Claire Crane placed 6th in the 25 breaststroke
  • Alex Hammerman and Evan Hammerman placed 2nd and 4th respectively in the 25 Freestyle
  • Alex Hammerman placed 4th in the 25 breaststroke
  • Gracie Darling and Skyler Taten placed 5th and 6th respectively in the 25 backstroke
  • Dylan Friedell and Evan Hammerman placed 1st and 2nd respectively in the 25 backstroke
  • Evan Hammerman and Dylan Friedell placed 4th and 5th in the 25 butterfly
Look forward to the highlights from ages 11&up!


Coach Blair

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Passion, Dedication, Accomplishment - Rachael Flam



Would you spend 27 hours a week in the gym and want to do more? Rachael Flam loves gymnastics that much. She is nine years old and has lived in Southside Place her whole life. Rachael attends River Oaks Baptist and started gymnastics when she was three years old. She currently works out at Stars National Training Center. Rachael finished her level eight season this spring by placing in the top 6 in Texas and went on to represent Texas at the regional level. She has been on the National Tops Team for three years in a row which is composed of the top twenty nationally in each age group. The National Tops Team also works out with the U.S. gymnastics team coaches at the Karolyi Ranch. Outside of the gym, Rachael loves to spend time with friends and cousins and she also enjoys bike riding, reading, swimming, any kind of art project and spending time with her animals. Congratulations Rachael - Southside will be watching and cheering for you next season!!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

The Time is now to GLOW!!!




If you have an opening in your schedule tomorrow (June 24th), stop by 6213 Edloe and check out Glow Medical Aesthetics, a new business owned and operated by our Southside neighbor, Dr. Amy Marvin. Glow is located next to West U Fitness.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Revelations are not just in the Last Book of the Bible


In case you haven't heard, a book by Southside Place resident Louise Parsley was published by Bright Sky Press in May. Entitled Revelations in the Rearview Mirror: One Mother's Hard-Won and Hilarious Epiphanies on the Road to the Empty Nest, the book recounts the challenges and rewards of motherhood through belly-laughing reflections. The book is available through Bright Sky Press, Amazon and Barnes and Noble or directly from the Parsleys. For those of you who were regulars readers of her column in the West U Examiner, this is your chance to get your fix! Should you need any further confirmation to buy this book, check out the review. What better time to reacquaint yourself with "The Bob", Elizabeth, Bayless and Garland than during the dog days of Houston's summer.

A portion of the proceeds from the book will benefit the Children's Art Project at M.D. Anderson.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Last Home Meet of the Season!

The All-Stars had two great away meets last week at Briarmeadow and at JCC.  Though wins at both were exciting, the swimmers seemed to be happier about the cool, new features at the JCC pool.  With a towering water slide, free swim pool, and a play area, it seems this pool was an instant favorite!  

This week, Southside will swim its final meet of the season against Dad's Club.  The meet will start at 6 p.m. tomorrow (6/22).  Come out and support your neighbors, as the All-Stars go for their second undefeated season in a row!  Don't forget to stay for the parents vs. coaches vs. kids relay.  The excitement has been heating up as the parents plot to reveal their secret weapon.  Not to be outdone, the coaches have been practicing on their own!  This will be a race you don't want to miss out on!

Go All-Stars!

Coach Blair


Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Calling all Swimming Parents!

Swim Team Parents, get excited about our second annual season finale race!
  • What: Southside Parents vs. Swim Team Coaches Relay
  • When: After the conclusion of the Swim Meet against Dad's Club (June 22nd)
  • Where: Southside Place Pool
  • Who: Any parents of Southside swimmers who still have one race left in them
  • Why: Because the parents need a strong showing after last year, and the coaches have all heard about your many accomplishments as high school swimmers back in the day!


Contact Le Melcher if interested in joining the parents team.


Best of luck from the coaches!

Still Undefeated! Swim Team is 3-0

With an impressive showing last night, the All-Stars won at Briarmeadow by a margin of 20 points!  The All-Stars now boast a 3-0 record and hope to continue that streak at the JCC this Thursday (6/18, 6 p.m.).


After winning five of the first six medley relays, the Southside Swim Team continued their success in the individual events.  Each age group worked hard to earn points for the team.  Since we only had one 13&14 girl (thanks Allison Carter!), many of our 11&12 girls stepped up to swim in the 13&14 age group, which was a big part of the reason the All-Stars were able to upset the favored Briarmeadow Barracudas.  


The meet stayed competitive through Freestyle, Individual Medley, Breaststroke, Backstroke, and Butterfly.  However, the meet was finally decided as the All-Stars secured the win with fast freestyle relays.  


A big thanks to all of the parents and coaches who drove swimmers to the meet!  We could not have won the meet without the huge turnout we had from our team!


Stop by the meet @ JCC Thursday evening, or check back Friday, to see how your All-Stars did in their last away meet of the season!




Monday, June 15, 2009

"Choking on Politics" In the Park




If you weren't in the Park last Friday evening for the Southside debut of "Choking on Politics", then you missed not only a great concert, but also a wonderful opportunity to catch up with your neighbors and just chill (as in relax!). The band members are: J.T. Fastow - guitar, Will Duson - keyboard and lead vocals, Preston Neal* - drums, Tyler Parrish - guitar and Ross Smolen* - guitar.

The band is currently at work on a demo tape including some original music. They will appear on "Great Day Houston" this Thursday and will be showcased at the Buffalo Speedway HEB opening in August. If you want to book this band while you can still say "I knew them when....", then I highly recommend e-mailing them without delay at
chokingonpolitics@gmail.com.

*Preston and Ross are Southsiders!!!!

You Could Be Missing Out!

If you haven't stopped by the Southside Pool this summer, you really should. From lap swimmers in the early morning hours to water aerobics classes and swimming lessons, attendance at the pool is higher than it's been in several years. Families are making the pool the ultimate "staycation". We have a grill open (Saturday and Sunday 3pm-7:30pm) serving hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken patties, veggie burgers and the ever popular little smokies. Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 4th. The Bike Parade starts at 10 AM, the pool opens at 11 AM and our traditional greased watermelon, coin and beer toss are but a few of the great activities we have planned. Look for the flyer appearing soon in your mailbox.


If you want any more details about the 4th of July or about pool parties, swim lessons, Red Cross certification courses or anything else pool related, contact pool manager Wadsworth Crews or stop by and talk to us at any time.

Pool hours are Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 1pm-8pm



Current Water Temp. 84 degrees

Southside Swim Team @ Briarmeadow June 15th

The All-Stars will go for their third win of the season tonight against Briarmeadow at 6 p.m.! Though it is our first away meet this year, the swimmers are very prepared for the competition we will face.


The meet will undoubtedly come down to the free relays at the end , so come support your neighbors in what will be one of the greatest meets of the season!


Go All-Stars!


-Coach Blair Bradford