May VIP

volume 2 issue 4 | NovemBeR 2009 | theVIPmag.
com
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 7 | May 2012 | theVIPmag.com
o f s o u t h e a s t t e x a s
complimentary
finding R&R in your bathroom turned spa
The challenges of travelling with kids ... or pets
are you ready for life abroad?
6 great things to do in SE Texas this month
lUXUry
VacationS
when moneys
no object
world
traveler
dress like a
yacht
spend your
summer on a
Travel-inspired
home design
Is it time
to buy a
second
home
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.
3950 I 10 South @Walden Road
Beaumont, TX77705
Phone: (409) 842-5995 Fax: (409) 842-7810
www.holidayinn.com/beaumont-plaza
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Editorial
Executive Editor
DAVID CONSTANTINE
dconstantine@thevipmag.com
Contributing Writers
CATHLEEN COLE
AmANDA COrbELL
mArgArET b. gArDNEr
LArENA HEAD
grACE mATHIS
HOLLI pETErSEN
CHEryL rOSE
Editorial Assistant
TAmArA mENgES
Photography
Contributing Photographers
SCOTT ESLINgEr
SArAH E. EVANS
SILVIA C. mCCLAIN
rEN SHEppArD
LEE E. STINSON
Graphic Designer
DAVID CONSTANTINE
Advertising
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on the cover
Bridge City resident Laci Becker was ready to hit the runway in our jet
set look created by resident stylists Larena Head and Grace Mathis
using clothing and accessories provided by Butch Hoffer and La Tee Da.
Shot on location at the Beaumont Municipal Airport, with hair by Haley
Hardin of On Stage Hair Design and makeup by Grace Mathis, Lacis
travel outft is both luxurious and comfortable.
Photography by Sarah e. Evans
c o n t e n t s
vip magazine
07 vip home
07 International home
decor
12 Should you buy a
vacation home?
17 vip style
17 Travel-inspired
fashion
26 Tips to vacationing
with your pets
30 vipersonality
30 Beaumonters living
abroad tell all
32 food&drink
32 Dress&Dine: Koi
34 vip viewing
34 Yacht clubs ready to
welcome you aboard
36 vip spotlight
36 SE Texas events
40 health&beauty
40 A spa experience
without leaving home
43 vip adviser
43 4 dream vacations
47 6 great dates in May
48 Calendar
49 Crossword puzzle
50 vip voices
50 The perils of traveling
with kids to Vegas
07
26
inside may
34
4 May 2012 | theVIPmag.com
Broken bones, fractures
or sprains
Cuts or lacerations
Ear infections
Sinus infections or
strep throat
Cold or fu symptoms
Allergies
Bladder infections
Minor skin infections
Children of all ages
CHRISTUS Minor Care Center treats:
FromCOLDS to CUTS
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For non-emergent illnesses or injury, visit a CHRISTUS
Minor Care Center for fast and reliable quality medical
care. With extended hours and two locations, were
here and there to help whenever and wherever its
convenient for you. X-rays and lab work available on
site. No appointment necessary and we accept all
major insurance.
www.christushospital.org
Minor Care. Major Convenience.
3939 Dowlen Road
Beaumont / 899.7800
Open 7am10pm | 7 days a week
8445 Memorial Blvd.
Port Arthur / 989.5400
Open 8am8 pm | 7 days a week
Universal Travel
3199 Dowlen Road, Suite B, Beaumont, Texas 77706
409.892.1077 (next door to Bistro LeMonde)
Universal Travel welcomes Kim Van Der Beek as a member
of our staff. Kim invites her former clients to contact her at
her new location.
A direct importer of European Antiques, Burns Antik Haus,
located on Calder at 6th Street, can help you bring old world charm
to your home.
Open Tues - Thurs 10 am to 5 pm and Fri - Sat 10 am to 3 pm.
(409) 835-3080
www.burnsankhaus.com
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Pick-up and Delivery
Furniture Restoration
835-3535
1347 Park St. Beaumont
fnetouchfr.com
For over 25 years, Fine Touch has been restoring
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we give your furniture new life.
Fine Touch
Off to college, summer travel, or
looking for that perfect gift for mom?
Be fashionable & organized with
Baggallini!
Rolling carry-on fts under seat or in
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Three zippered compartments ft
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Riveted carrying handles
Back sleeve on purse to slide
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Lightweight, water-resistant nylon
New quilted styles now available
Nickolinas
1257 W. Lucas, Beaumont, TX 77706
(409) 896-2543
www.nickolinas.com
www.facebook.com/nickolinas
Fred A. Simons Tae Kwon Do
3965 Phelan Plaza, Suite 107
Beaumont, TX 409.212.9669
Southeast Texas highest ranking Black Belt, 9th degree
Grand Master Fred A. Simon, is now offering classes
in his new studio. Study martial arts under a Texas
Legends Hall of Fame and Texas Martial Arts Hall of
Fame Member. Call now to reserve a spot for you or your
child! Classes are conveniently offered at noon and at
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fabulous nds
Retailers we love and their
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Cat5 is available to check out every Thursaday
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The best spot to fnd out what is going on with the
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t r a v e l d e c o r
vip home
T
heres a moment, in every great vacation that takes your breath away. Its that moment
when youre overcome by the beauty surrounding you. You feel inspired, alive.
Its in the afterglow of that glorious moment, when you (like most) start devising a plan
to make your home feel just like that moment.
With that in mind, we asked four Beaumont interior design and home furnishing stores to
design a room that incorporates their favorite vacation destinations to create a global look that
steers clear of kitsch.
VACATION
HOME
Taking your
text compiled by Tamara menges photography by Lee e. sTinson
>>
theVIPmag.com | May 2012 7
N.Y.C.
What vacation location inspired your design and why? The Plaza
Hotel in New York City. So often, we overlook great destinations in our own
country. We go to Paris or London when wanting to experience foreign
cuisine, architecture and culture. New York is a fabulous alternative.
Three words to describe room: Timeless, traditional, tasteful.
Your favorite piece in this room and why? The canopy and draped
headboard because its a show stopper. In one hand you have height and a
bold statement and in the other you have softness and luxury.
What one piece of advice would you give readers wanting to recre-
ate this look? Dont overuse on prints in fabrics. For your draperies, go
with a solid or a subtle stripe. That way you can add patterns or prints in
your rug or bedding.
look created by mcmanus company
Draped canopy (wood crown, $1350, drape panels, $243); Bird prints, $394 each;
Lamps, $350 each; Hand painted night stands, $1195 (sale price); Complete
bedding collection, $1995 (sale price); Draperies, $243 each; Antique crystal can-
delabras, $1395 for pair; Estate landscape oil painting, $995; Fire screen, $283;
Oushak Rug, $2595 (sale price); Estate large vase (Satsuma), $1450; Marble top
pedestal, $649; Settee, $1488
McManus Co., 820 North 11th St., Beaumont, (409) 833-4393. Open Tuesday to
Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thailand
What vacation location inspired your design and why? Thailand,
chosen because intriguing, inviting, and evokes conversation.
Three words to describe room: Exotic, Spicy, Cozy.
Your favorite piece in this room and why? The Thai slippers! They
take you away, and you can just visualize a lady dancing in them!
What one piece of advice would you give readers wanting to
recreate this look? Go ahead and splurge on your inspiration piece or
a thing or two that truly authenticates your look.
look created by Burns Antik HAus
Vintage daybed, old velvet, cane panels and nail head trim, $680; Brass-topped
English colonial tea table circa 1880, $175; Budah Bust ceramic, vintage, $35;
Hand-carved wooden Thai statue with inlayed mirror gems, $200; Kilim pillow cov-
ers, vintage, $42 each; Thai beaded elephant in frame, $25; Thai slippers, vintage,
$27; French Burlap potato sacks, $30; Nepal pillow with alpaca flling, $300; Thai
Bitche dancing statues, $20 each; Hand-carved wood bust of Thai goddess, $60;
Copper and brass Turkish tea service, $140; Brass pheasants pair, $40; Pewter
Buddha head, $30; Persian Tabriz rug of hand knotted wool, $250; Vintage French
coffee table, solid wood, $160
Burns Antik Haus, 2195 Calder Ave., Beaumont (409) 835-3080. Open
Tuesday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
or by appointment
Europe
What vacation location inspired your design and why? Europe. I love
the way Europeans embrace salvaged objects, with faded charm, and deal
with imperfections
Three words to describe room: Charming, Rustic, Repurposed
Your favorite piece in this room and why? The lamps which are made
from repurposed balcony rails because I took something that had been
tossed away after time and gave it new life.
ate this look? Use muted colorspalettes of gray, cream and white
and mix items that have faded over time.
look created by urban habitat
French table, $950; Burlap table runners, $65; Wine bottle wraps in wicker, $40 to
$75 each; Lamps, $150 each; Concrete statue heads, $35 each
Urban Habitat, 2405 Calder Ave., Beaumont, (409) 833-7417. Open Monday to
Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
the
team
Each ofce independently owned and operated.

Each REALTOR
works independently.
866.HOME
tarynhebert.com
860.3200 x114
409-656-3939
WWW.CLASSICHOMESBMT.COM
FABULOUS CUSTOM HOMES START WITH CLASSIC HOMES...
Caribbean
What vacation location inspired your design and why? The Carib-
bean or any tropical island retreat because these are the vacations you
wish could last forever.
Three words to describe room: Relaxed, Serene, Tropical
Your favorite piece in this room and why? Our Chase poster bed is a
statement piece of four dramatic post designs on a classic headboard.
ate this look? Must-haves: textures, subtle (linen, canework, pottery) and
bold (carvings, both wood and stone); a rich palette (kiwi and chocolate)
and refned elegant details (nailhead trim).
look created by ethan allen
Scallop drawer chest, $1449; Spindle night table $799; Chase bed, $2199; Oushak
garden rug, $1779; Antique starfsh study $999; Seagrass table lamp $449; Hya-
cinth natural drum table $269; Camilla glass hurricane $149; Orchids with Tacca
leaves $449; Hemstitch sheet set, $159; Alhambra duvet cover, $599; Alhambra
sham $79 each; Embroidered linen Euro sham $99 each; Silk Expressions duvet,
$529; Embroidered linen pillow $69; Silk Euro sham, $119 each; Natural Accents
wallpaper, $92 per single roll. (All bed prices for Queen size)
Ethan Allen Design Center, 4755 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, (409) 898-2268.
Open Monday to Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday,
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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Building on the Bolivar Peninsula since 1972!
2290 Highway 87
PO Box 1429
Crystal Beach, Texas 77650
409.684.3791
With over 40 years of experience building on the Bolivar Peninsula, Cobb Construction is a family-owned custom
home builder with hundreds of completed projects since 1972. Want to build in the Port Bolivar, Crystal Beach,
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building, Cobb Construction is the right builder for you!
v a c a t i o n h o m e s
vip home
Blue skies
& sunshine
Is it the right time to buy
the vacation home of
your dreams?
Roy West with First Choice
Mortgage Team of AmeriPro
Funding believes the timing is op-
portune primarily because of low
interest rates creating more buying
power. For example, he said, with
the current rates, homeowners
can save almost $400 a month
in interest and principal on a
$300,000 house compared to just
a couple of years ago. The interest
rates have been kept artifcially
low to jumpstart the economy, but
at some point, will rise again. Its
an election year, West pointed
out. The government is going to
do everything it can to keep rates
low until after the election. Then,
as evidence increases that the
economy is improving, the frst
thing youre going to see is interest
rates going up.
T
he window is open and through it wafts the salty
breeze of ocean air or perhaps a fresh, fower-scent-
ed zephyr from the mountains. Whatever your day-
dream, that window represents the favorable timing
for making your notion of a vacation home a reality.
text by CHERYL ROSE
Though mortgage lending
requirements have tightened, West
said that the type of clients buying
a second home dont usually have
an issue qualifying. Instead, mak-
ing the decision to purchase a vaca-
tion home is a confdence issue, he
said. Most of the people buying
a second home dont want to lose
money on their investment, so its
based on their sense of how the
economy is going and the stability
of the market, he said.
According to a National As-
sociation of Realtors (NAR) March
report, vacation homes accounted
for 11 percent of all transactions
in 2011, only slightly more than
the previous year. However, the
median price of vacation homes
dropped 19 percent from 2010. In
some popular destinations such
as Florida and California, drastic
depreciation has created many
bargains in vacation properties.
Closer to home, the Bolivar Pen-
insula and Sam Rayburn Lake have
been afected by weather more
than market conditions. Hurricane
Ike in 2008 swept much of Boli-
vars homes away and pernicious
drought conditions have hurt the
attractiveness of lake properties.
Anne Willis of Swedes Real
Estate in Crystal Beach said that
though 2008 and 2009 were
wait-and-see years for buyers, the
last two years have exploded with
new construction and remodeling.
Beach lovers are beach lovers
and some of those who said theyd
never be back are here again, she
said. There are still some pretty
good deals here, but lumber prices
are picking up again, so prices will
likely be going up. She said the
average price of a home at Crystal
Beach now is about $250,000.
Beaumont attorney Jason Byrd
purchased a vacation home for his
family at Crystal Beach last year.
We had been looking before Hur-
ricane Ike, he said. We fgured
the market was coming back and
would be stronger. We didnt see
them getting any cheaper. With
three young children who love the
beach, Byrd views the purchase as
a lifestyle choice more than invest-
ment bargain hunting.
Which is the right perspec-
tive, according to Richard Gagne,
a wealth management advisor in
Beaumont. The primary reason to
purchase a vacation home should
be to satisfy a personal lifestyle
goal rather than as an investment,
he said. Gagne himself owns a
vacation home in Cape Cod, Mas-
sachusetts. Its my dream home,
and it serves as my emotional
anchor to New England where Im
from, said Gagne, who has lived
in Beaumont for 42 years. Though
he rents out the home part of the
year, it still represents a negative
cash fow, he said. Vacation homes
come with carrying costs, such as
insurance, taxes, property manage-
ment fees and maintenance, he
explained. These are costs that
would not be incurred with a pure
investment, but may be well worth
it to have access to a beloved place
that can be a gathering retreat for
many years of memories.
Gagne agreed that at this mo-
ment, the prospective buyer can
get that desired vacation home
for noticeably less than before.
However, he noted that tourist area
prices tend to be more volatile,
so emphasized the importance of
selecting a home for personal use
rather than market speculation.
Though rental income can ofset
mortgage costs, the rental market
can be fckle with the economy as
well, he pointed out.
Willis said when gas prices go
up, it is good for the Bolivar area
because of its easy accessibility.
The relatively short distance to
the coast makes it very attractive
as a second home market, because
people will be able to use it more
frequently and at less cost for
travel, she explained. The same
holds true for the lake area, agreed
Brenda Job of Rayburn Realty, who
said buyer inquiries are picking up
this spring. West said he is seeing
an increase in mortgage applica-
tions for beach properties. The
NAR report indicates that 35 per-
cent of buyers purchased vacation
homes within 100 miles of their
primary residence.
Chelsea Brandimarte said
her new Crystal Beach home is a
55-minute drive from her Beau-
mont home, the ideal getaway for
their family of six. The Bran-
dimartes bought in February, lured
by the afordable price per square
foot and selection on the market.
We did not do it as a fnancial
investment, thats just a gamble,
she said. Rather, it represents an
investment in family time for them.
With kids ranging in age from 2 to
17, the beach is a popular choice for
all and less stressful than traveling
vacations. The kids put down the
phones and laptops and we are all
together, she said. We played four
hours of Scrabble the other night
something we never do at home. VIP
Beach lovers are beach lovers and some
of those who said theyd never be back
are here again Anne Willis, Swedes Real Estate
LET THE
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7396 College St.
Beaumont, TX 77707
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Hours:
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Mon. Sat. 9 AM 7 PM Sun. 12 PM 6 PM
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HANDMADE IN THE U.S.A.
10TREESPLANTEDPERDESIGN
t r a v e l f a s h i o n
vip style
Jets, Vettes
& Party Boats
styling and text by Larena Head and Grace MatHis
photography by saraH e. evans
hair by HaLey Hardin, On staGe Hair desiGn
makeup by Grace MatHis
shoot assistant taMara MenGes
clothing provided by butcH HOffer and La tee da
models Laci becker, ana Garcia and derek akins S
ummer is here, and its time for vacation! But theres no need to leave your personal style
at home. Before you leave for the weekend, or the whole month of July, secure some
unique, bold pieces that maintain comfort while showcasing your individual aesthetic.
Whether its a road trip to Florida, a fight to Italy or a weekend on the lake, we hope
these looks will inspire you to keep your cool while looking cool on summer vacation.
Sales Staff: BB Wilson & Christy Duhon
Locally Owned Locally Operated
Serving Bolivar more than 50 years
Experienced & Knowledgeable Staff
Loyal Customer Base
VACATION
RENTALS
Beach Properties Sales & Rentals
409-684-3345 800-624-0071
www.swedesrealestate.com
2840 Hwy. 87
Crystal Beach
Lifes a Beach!
Lifes a Beach!
The Beaumont Municipal Airport at 455 Keith Road, with its sleek private jets, provided the perfect backdrop
for our fight-ready looks.
Outfts (on right page, left to right): Model Laci Becker: White linen poncho, Elliot Lauren, Butch Hoffer,
$145; Natural linen pants, Bailey 44, Butch Hoffer, $145; Grey and green scarf, Brightly Twisted, Butch
Hoffer, $49; Coin chandelier earrings, La Tee Da, $10; Brown leather hobo bag, Oryany, Butch Hoffer,
$475; Aviator sunglasses, Gucci, Butch Hoffer, $275
Model Derek Akins: Long sleeve stripe linen shirt, Tommy Bahama, Butch Hoffer, $110; White linen
pant, Tommy Bahama, Butch Hoffer, $110; Cotton scarf, Butch Hoffer, $39
Model Ana Garcia: Lace camisole, Under Summers, La Tee Da, $39; Lace bloomers, Under Summers, La
Tee Da, $39; Cream ruffe fsh tail dress, Cecico, La Tee Da, $59; Cream Cotton crinkle jacket, Dunes,
La Tee Da, $49; Ethnic turquoise necklace, La Tee Da, $29; Thailand tapestry handmade bag, La Tee
Da, $389; Turquoise dangle earrings, La Tee Da, $10; Pink Quartz ring, La Tee Da, $10
Jets
L
uxurious comfort: On the plane, luxurious comfort is key. A practical way
to showcase your style is through a handbag used as a carry-on. Cool, coor-
dinating fabrics that can be layered, as well as rolled up and packed easily,
make a long trip a breeze. For stylish men and women, scarves are essential
items that serve multiple purposes. Bold and simple accessories that can be
easily taken on and off provide a fnishing sartorial touch.
Vettes
Outfts (bottom, left to right): Model Laci Becker: Blue and white long sleeve top, Katherine Barclay, Butch
Hoffer, $119; Yellow skinny jeans, Hudson, Butch Hoffer, $156; Yellow and white leather cuff, Butch
Hoffer, $39; Navy and pink leather cuff, Butch Hoffer, $39; Blue rhinestone earrings, La Tee Da, $10
Model Ana Garcia: Geometric long sleeve shirt, Tizzie, Butch Hoffer, $89; Navy polka dot scarf, Butch
Hoffer, $39; Red skinny jeans, Hudson, Butch Hoffer, $156; Gold bangle set, Seasonal Whispers, Butch
Hoffer, $110; Large pink opal/gold bracelets, Seasonal Whispers, Butch Hoffer, $95; Small pink opal/
gold bracelets (2 sets), Seasonal Whispers, Butch Hoffer, $110; Pink opal bracelet (2), Seasonal Whis-
pers, Butch Hoffer, $82; Pink opal ball bracelet, Seasonal Whispers, Butch Hoffer, $89
Model Derek Akins: Navy cotton blazer, Kroom, Butch Hoffer, $295; Red shorts, Polo Ralph Lauren, Butch
Hoffer, $85; Leather belt, Brighton, Butch Hoffer, $56; Golden geometric pocket square, Butch Hoffer,
$49; Straw fedora hat, Tommy Bahama, Butch Hoffer, $85
The 1962 white Corvette is owned by Robert Head.
B
oldly classic: Just as the white 62 Vette speaks of power with class,
these timeless pieces refect boldly classic style. The red, white, blue
and yellow color palette is iconic American, as is the road trip. The clean
lines of these versatile staples combined with accessories that wear well
with the wind in your hair will never go out of style. If you have a car this
hot, you better look this good.
Outfts (top to bottom): Model Laci Becker: Green and navy stripe dress, Taylor, Butch Hoffer, $159;
Orange linen blazer, Luii, Butch Hoffer, $109; Gold stretch belt, Butch Hoffer, $15; Gold colored
bracelets (1 coral, 2 green, 1 blue), Butch Hoffer, $19 each; Arizona turquoise carnelian gold fll
earrings, Carol Lipworth Designs, Butch Hoffer, $125
Model Ana Garcia: Royal blue scalloped dress, Julia Jordan, Butch Hoffer, $198; White and gold wrap
bracelet, GJ, Butch Hoffer, $275; 24kt Vermeil gold earrings, Carol Lipworth Designs, Butch Hoffer,
$110
Model Derek Akins: Coral Gingham button up shirt, Southern Tide, Butch Hoffer, $99; Khaki shorts,
Polo Ralph Lauren, Butch Hoffer, $85; Blue bow tie, Butch Hoffer, $55; Cream golfers hat, Kangol, Butch
Hoffer, $30
Texas Marine in Beaumont graciously provided our party boat. It is a 2012 24-foot Yamaha Jet boat 242
Limited S, with a forward swept wakeboard tower to please the sporting enthusiast as well as the boater
searching for that elegant style. For those looking to spend a lot of time on the water, it comes standard with
a head compartment (bathroom). This boat sells for $50,999 plus TT&L. Special thanks to Beaumont Yacht
Club, 620 Marina Street in Beaumont, for hosting our fashion boat party.
U
nexpected chic: We say any party is a reason for unexpected chic, espe-
cially if its on the water. Refect the colors around you in shades of aqua
and sunset to keep things festive. A shift dress becomes a work of art with
layers that move in the breeze, while a contrasting jacket and lady-like
dress demand to be the life of the party. Modern men make their own rules
when it comes to party attire. Stay comfortable in the outdoors while at-
tracting the ladies with a pair of shorts and a classic shirt accented by dapper accessories.
Party
boats
We now offer a multidisciplinary approach to
pain management. This includes interventional
therapies, medical recommendations and
medical management, physical therapy, and
also psychological therapy for the patient.
If you are aware of a patient, friend, or family
member who continues to struggle with pain
that impedes function, sleep or daily activities,
we ask you please to consider the services at
the Anesthesia Associates Pain Institute, PLLC
at Baptist Beaumont Hospital.
Baptist Beaumont Hospital is part of a not-for-profit health system that does
not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or disability. www.bhset.net
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LA-TEE-DA
4004 Dowlen next to Hobby Lobby
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5905 PHELAN BLVD.
BEAUMONT, TEXAS 77706
409-866-5859
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Jet
Set
Pet
p e t t r a v e l
vip style
T
he perky little pup trots at
the end of her leash through
airport terminals like shes at
the Westminster dog show.
But Mookie, a half Lhasa
apso-half shih tzu, isnt a show dog.
Shes a go dog. Mookies human, Angie
Morrill of Beaumont, takes the pooch on
almost all of her travels.
At airports, Mookie is allowed to stay
on her leash until its time for boarding
the plane. Thats when she has to get
into her pet carrier. Shes stowed under
the seat for takeofs and landings, but
Morrill puts the carrier on her lap during
the fight. The pup still has to stay in the
carrier, but her owner unzips it a bit so
Mookie can poke her head out and be
petted. She thought it was awesome,
Morrill said of Mookies air travels. She
was super excited about it.
The cute canine is quite the car
traveler too. Mookie goes everywhere,
Morrill said, adding that when the carrier
comes out, the little dog hops right in
text by CaThleen Cole
photography by Silvia C. mCClain
styling by GraCe maThiS
makeup by KaTy DubuiSSon
clothing provided by PurSe STrinGS
pet travel accessories provided by PuPPy love
model anGie morrill anD PeTS mooKie anD oSCar
without hesitation. She gets really excited
about the go bag.
Mookie is the star traveler of the family.
Morrills Welsh corgi, Koda, would rather stay
home, and her shih tzu, Oscar de la Renta, is
still a puppy and learning to behave. Mookie
also has a stranger-danger attitude, Morrill
says, which keeps her away from people she
doesnt know.
Packing a doggie bag
When traveling, Morrill packs absorbent
pads for the pet carrier, leashes, food and
treats, water, bowls and Mookies favorite
toy. She also takes her dogs health certifcate
provided by her vet.
Jessica Marziani, a veterinarian with Win-
nie Veterinary Clinic, agrees that you should
keep your pets health record with you, espe-
cially when driving out of state. If you are
traveling across state lines, you need a health
certifcate from your vet, she said.
The veterinarian recommends making
short road trips with your pet before head-
ing out on a long-distance adventure. Dont
expect your pet to be comfortable with a
lengthy trip the frst time out. For puppies
and cats, use a carrier that can be anchored
with a seatbelt. Dont forget to insert an ab-
sorbent pad and pack extras. For added peace
of mind, disposable diapers are available for
dogs and cats, too. For dogs, Marziani advises
using a safety harness that works with a
seatbelt. She uses a seatbelt harness with her
black Labrador retriever, Pippa. It keeps
her confned but gives her security, she
explained. If theres an accident, shes safer.
Its also safer for the driver not to have a pet
roaming in the car that may become a danger-
ous projectile in the event of an accident.
The vet realizes that many people with
pickup trucks prefer to let their dogs ride
in the trucks bed. She urges pet owners to
tie their dogs on short leashes if they do. It
only takes one time for a dog to jump out and
fracture his pelvis, she said. It only takes a
few seconds to tie the dog in.
She remembers a client bringing an
injured 4-month-old puppy to her clinic. It
had jumped out of the bed of a pickup truck,
fracturing its femur and crushing its tail. She
set the puppys leg and amputated its tail.
Within six months, it was back. The puppy
had still been allowed to ride unsecured in
the bed of a pickup truck, and it had jumped
out again. But this time its injuries were fatal.
It had to be euthanized. They should have
learned their lesson, Marziani said of the
puppys owners.
When traveling for long distances by car
or plane, Marziani recommends limiting your
pets food intake. Pets, like people, are more
likely to get motion sickness on a full stom-
ach. Also, talk with your vet about medica-
tions for motion sickness and anxiety. There
are prescription medications that can help.
Airline Pawsengers
I
f you plan to travel with your pet by plane,
be sure to follow your airlines guidelines
regarding pet travelers. Have an airline-
approved pet carrier and your pets health
record from your veterinarian. Some
airlines require you to get your vet to fll out
a specifc health-certifcate form. Make sure
your pets vaccinations are up to date and
any necessary forms are flled out weeks in
advance of your scheduled trip.
Many veterinarians advise keeping your pet
with you in the main cabin if possible. But if
your pet is too big, it will have to be shipped
as cargo, which can be dangerous since the
cargo hold is subject to extreme tempera-
tures. I dont recommend cargo, said Winnie
veterinarian Jessica Marziani.
You might want to consider Pet Airways, a
Florida-based airline that fies only pets and
keeps them in kennels in the main cabin.
Attendants monitor the animals throughout
the fight. The airline fies out of several
major cities with plans for a Houston route
within the next year, according to a company
representative. >>
Keep the name and contact
information of your veterinarian
with you, and know the name and
location of the local emergency
clinic at your destination. (If youre
staying at a hotel, check that it is
pet friendly before making reser-
vations.) Cats and dogs should wear
collars with identifcation tags. And
because pets can lose their collars,
Marziani encourages pet owners
to get microchips for their animals
to increase the chances of them
being found should they stray while
theyre away from home. Every
pet should have a microchip, she
believes.
A well-accessorized pet
And what are the pet jet setters
wearing this season? It depends
on where they are going, says
Patti Vincent, co-owner with her
husband, Jerry Vincent, of Puppy
Love Dog Store in Beaumont. If
they are heading for the beach, they
might want some trendy tank tops
and doggles for eye protection.
Along with fashionable pet clothing
including diaper covers, the store
also carries an array of pet carri-
ers, strollers, leashes, collars and
seatbelt safety harnesses. Vincent
makes sure her four dogs are
strapped in with safety harnesses
when she takes them for rides in
the car. You really need to secure
them, she advised.
So the next time youre planning
on hitting the road, consider taking
your BFF (Best Flufy Friend) with
you. With some careful planning
and an eye toward safety, it could be
the best trip ever!
If they travel really well with
me, I prefer to take them with me,
Morrill says of her dogs. They are
healthier and happier with me.
Pet accessories from Puppy Love: Black carrier tote, $59; Camo backpack carrier, $47;
Red and zebra travel harness with leash, $23 each; Flower collar, $27; Pink doggie
stroller, $140; Pink foldable crate with carrying case, $59; Black spike collar, $17
Model clothing from Purse Strings: White billowy top, B. Lesser, $88; Navy skirt, Allen
Allen, $88; Mustard cross-body bag, Hobo, $158; Floral scarf, $42; Turquoise wrap
bracelet with semi-precious stones, Chan Luu, $298; Matrix charm bracelet, Love
Heals, $110; Drop earrings, LuLu Designs, $88; Turquoise Guardian Angel Necklace,
Love Tokens, $264
VIP
www.drwilgers.com
KENNETH D. WILGERS
M.D. P.A.
3282 College St., Beaumont
(409) 832-8600
Melissa Evans
RN, MSN, FNP
Certifed American Board of
Family Practice
Full Service Medical Clinic
Treating Adults and Children
Same Day Appointments
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VIP magazine is looking for male and female
models to shoot for future covers and fashion
spreads. If you want to work with some of the best
photographers in Southeast Texas while
building your portfolio and gaining important
modeling experience, send a photo of yourself and
contact information to vipnews@thevipmag.com.
""
l e t t e r s f r o m o v e r s e a s
vipersonality
FROM ABROAD
postcards
f the thought of moving across town or across states causes you to break out in hives from stress, imagine the challenges of moving
to another country. Though it may sound like an awesome opportunity to a young single, when you have a household, children and
pets, the effort can become exponentially more difficult. However, for those with an adventurous spirit, living as an expatriate is an
amazing chance to experience different cultures and broaden the horizons of the whole family. Erin Johnson, Ann Dinham and Darcie
Hunter each packed up their homes and left Beaumont within the past year to scatter across the globe following their husbands
careers. In these letters home, they share some of the distinctions and differences of their new outposts.
The Johnsons in Ontario, Canada
I
ts been quite an adventure moving to
Oakville, Ontario in Canada. We live about
20 miles west of Toronto, right at the
western edge of Lake Ontario. Its a very
beautiful place. The lake views create wonder-
ful scenery during sunrises and sunsets. We
can see the skyline of Niagara Falls and Toronto
both from right here in Oakville. Public green-
ways and parks are everywhere. Ottawa is only
a few hours away, so we spent a weekend there
for the Winterlude Festival, complete with
ice and snow sculptures, eating beaver tails
(translated elephant ears) and skating on the
Rideau Canal.
The most obvious change for us is the
weather. I never realized how much weather
afects the culture in a place. People here are
very active outdoors, despite rain, snow, sleet
or wind. I see people walking their dogs and
joggers faithfully running no matter the tem-
perature.
As the weather gets warmer, people are
swarming outdoors like ants.
Canada has a very diverse population. I
love that my kids have friends from all over
the globe. Our school has representation from
every continent (except Antarctica!). There
are lots of Americans here, too. There are fve
ladies from Texas alone in my Bible study. The
Greatest State is well represented here.
That much diversity brings lots of
Greetings from the frozen north!
Beaumont
Oakville, Canada
Doha, Qatar
Melbourne,
Australia
text written and
compiled by CHERYL ROSE
Three former Beaumont
families on life outside
these United States
>>
wonderful food. There is a heavy Eu-
ropean infuence in the food. French
and British are most prevalent, but
you can fnd excellent Indian, Thai,
Chinese, Japanese and many other
cultural cuisines with the exception
of Mexican. Mexican food is a little
diferent here you can fnd fajitas
served in a crepe.
Though there is much to see and
do, everything is very expensive here.
Prices are about 30 percent higher
and then you have to add 13 percent
tax to everything, so we try to eat at
home a lot more. Some of the things
we used to take for granted are not
available, such as Rotel tomatoes or
Jif peanut butter.
There are subtle diferences in
the language here. Mom is mum,
restroom is washroom, and
sneakers are runners to name
a few. If you say, yes maam or
yall they will immediately iden-
tify you as being from the southern
United States. And they really do say
eh a lot.
Canadians do like their rules. I
had to study for an hour to learn how
to do trash. Recycling and compost
in biodegradable bags and then I only
get six bags of trash every two weeks!
And if you dont follow all the rules,
they leave your stuf right there on
the curb. That was a shocker for a
girl coming from Texas. They are
very green here.
Canada is a lovely place and Im
grateful that we got to come here. But
there is a part of my heart that will
always belong in Texas mostly be-
cause its people are so good. Cheers!
Erin Johnson lives in Canada with her
husband, Michael, and children, Hannah, age
7, and CJ, age 6.
The Hunters in Doha, Qatar
I
ts 4:30 a.m. and Im lying in bed, listening to
the morning call to prayer. From our villa in
the city, I can hear at least four mosques, all
rousing the locals to get out their prayer mats
and begin their day. The sounds clash and become
dissonant at times, but Im sure when I leave here
one day, I will miss it.
Uprooting your whole life to move to a foreign
country is never easy, so we have had our challeng-
es, but also amazing adventures relocating to Doha.
Qatar, a tiny country in the Persian Gulf, is most
famous for its wealth. This is largely due to its oil
and natural gas reserves. Driving to school, work
or the mall, you will often spot a Ferrari, Bentley,
Maserati, and plenty of Land Cruisers, which seem
to be the national car. The malls all boast designer
stores, ice rinks, amusement parks and lots of other
ways to quickly spend your money!
One of our best experiences was dune bashing.
We hired a professional driver to take us through
the desert, and boy, was it a wild ride. The stunning
austerity of the landscape is beautiful, including
towering sand dunes and an amazing inland sea,
with Saudi Arabia visible on the far shore. It was
literally breathtaking to perch the of-road vehicle at
the top of a dune and then go fying down, everyone
with white knuckles all the way.
Speaking of white knuckles, driving here is
crazy. There are diferent trafc patterns and
road signs, and nobody obeys the rules. It makes
you wonder how people get their licenses here,
especially since it took me three times to pass my
driving test!
Then there is the weather. The winter has been
great with mild days and, as expected, no rain.
The summer is another story. It is so hot its just
unimaginable. People have been known to bake
cookies in their car, or so I have been told. When we
got here in September, we went out for pizza and
my 7-year-old son asked me if they baked the pizza
outside on the sidewalk! Though you would expect
the desert to be arid, it is very humid here because
of the surrounding ocean.
Overall, we are having a great time here in Doha.
Our concerns about safety in the Middle East have
been laid to rest. In spite of the turmoil in the re-
gion, Qatar remains a peaceful place. We have been
free to practice our faith and wear the clothes we
are comfortable in, as long as we respect the local
Islamic culture and traditions. The food is outstand-
ing and I highly recommend sampling some Arabic
food when you have the chance. Highlights include
grilled meat kebabs, hummus, tabbouleh and fresh-
baked fatbreads.
We miss our friends back in Beaumont, but are
glad to have the opportunity to travel and learn
more about such a diferent landscape and culture.
Darcie Hunter lives in Qatar with her husband, Ian, and
children, Vincent, age 8, Colette, age 6, and Seth, age 1. They
will soon be moving to Perth, Australia to begin a new expatri-
ate experience. Darcies blog, titled Home is Where We Are,
chronicles her adventures. http://homeiswwa.blogspot.com/
Salaam from
the desert!
Erin Johnson
Darcie Hunter
The Dinhams in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
D
own under with the Dinhams
Christmas is in summer?!
The school year starts in February?!
You have to drive on the left?!
Missing holiday celebrations: Grace says, No Halloween! Evei
says, Valentines was pathetic; the teacher didnt even say Happy Valen-
tines Day.
On daily life
I now have to hang the washing out on a washline. The weather is
famously unpredictable in Melbourne, four seasons in one day and no
dryer in our rental property. You can imagine taking it down/putting it
up 10 times a day is not my idea of fun.
We all, even young James Beau, cycle everywhere. Every road has a
cycle lane, and a bike has the same rights on the road as a yute (truck).
Skinny fat white is my new nonfat latte. In Melbourne, every
second shop is a cofee shop and breakfast is the main social meal of the
day no invites to lunch here.
School is about enquiry learning, where progress is assessed by how
well students develop experimental and analytical skills rather than how
much knowledge they possess. The jury is still out on this one!
Budgie Smugglers. Google it. Laurence is refusing to dress accord-
ingly!
What we miss
Target, Wal-Mart, Dollar Tree, etc. The AUD$ does not go far.
No drive-thru would be funny on a bike!
Grace is missing her soccer team. Very few girls play soccer here.
Netball (Google it, too) is the popular female sport, but we will be learn-
ing to play lacrosse.
City Dance Studio. Drama is the thang here, so look out Holly-
wood!
All our friends and neighbours (diferent country, diferent spelling).
The girls have been told of for incorrectly spelling color and mom.
All in, we have had
great back-to-back
summers moving
from the Northern
Hemisphere to the
Southern Hemisphere
and look forward to
exploring more of
Australia with our
Beaumont visitors.
Its not that far!
Ann Dinham lives in
Australia with her husband,
Laurence, and children
Grace, age 9, Evei, age 7
and James Beau, age 4
Gday, mate!
Ann Dinham
VIP
2290 10 South at Washington Blvd. (409) 842-0886
Sun - Thur Fri - Sat 11-11
Evryody s
m
ody
Floys!
CRAWFISH ARE BACK!
Happy Hour Specials
Monday-Friday 4 PM-7 PM
4414 Dowlen (Crossroad Center) 409-924-7718
AUTHENTIC MEXICANFOOD
Gift Certifcates Available!
HAPPY HOUR 3-7 Mon - Fri
Homemade Tortillas
Made Fresh Daily!
Mexican
Restaurant & Cantina
Mexican
Restaurant & Cantina
G
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Dine
Part sushi bar, part chic lounge, Beaumonts
new Koi restaurant puts a fresh and modern
twist on traditional Japanese cuisine. Its sleek
and modern atmosphere creates a big-city feel
where sushi becomes art. On weekends, the
restaurant extends its hours until 2 a.m. to pro-
vide the ultimate late night lounging experience.
Koi Japanese Sushi Bar & Lounge, 3350 Dowlen Rd.
Suite C, Beaumont, (409) 347-8202, Open Monday
to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch; Monday
through Wednesday 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and
Saturday 4:30 p.m to 2 a.m.
styling and text by Larena HeaD
photography by Scott eSLinger
hair and makeup by SHanna Hawa,
LigHt Strike proDuctionS
clothing provided by naomi FaSHionS
anD guarantee SHoe Store
model eLiSSa monk of Port Neches
k o i j a p a n e s e
dress dine
Dress
Modern meets artistic in this dramatic look
inspired by Koi Japanese Sushi Bar & Lounge
in Beaumont. A striking crimson dress accented
with sheer trimmings makes lounging with style
simple. Elegant earrings combined with a geo-
metric necklace and a wire-wrapped ring adds an
artistic fair, while patent and jute wedges lighten
the mood. For an amplifed fnish, bold and playful
makeup takes this look to the next level.
From Naomi Fashions, Beaumont: Crimson dress, Jerry
T., $130; Geometric necklace and earring set, $39 (ear-
rings not pictured); Handcrafted wire wrapped ring, $90;
Gunmetal clip earrings $17. From Guarantee Shoe Store,
Beaumont: Patent wedges, J Renee, $90
y a c h t c l u b s
vip viewing
Sail
away
S
mall sailboats with kids at the helms zip around the basin
at the Port Arthur Yacht Club like water bugs playing tag.
Beyond the jetty, larger sailboats piloted by experienced
captains glide out from Pleasure Island onto Sabine Lake,
their sails tightly stretched with the winds.
Up the Neches River at the Beaumont
Yacht Club, a wakeboarder grips a taut
rope attached to a tower on an acceler-
ating inboard motorboat that throws a
monster wake. The passengers applaud
when the rider jumps the wake
and fies into the air, spinning
text by Cathleen Cole photography by SCott eSlinger
and fipping like an acrobat and landing perfectly
on the water to do it again. Back at the docks, fami-
lies and friends load their boats with fshing gear,
coolers and inner tubes for a relaxing outing.
Whether its a sail or a motor that foats your
boat, theres a place for you and your vessel in
Southeast Texas. So step aboard, cast of the lines
and set a course for a fun day on the water!
River riders
The Neches is considered the last wild river
in East Texas and the wildlife is abundant.
Thats one reason why so many local boaters
love it, including the members of the Beau-
mont Yacht Club.
The clubs goal is to provide a safe and
friendly boating environment. Origi-
nally chartered in 1958 as the Beau-
mont Boat Club, it ofcially became
the Beaumont Yacht Club in 1987. It
is governed by a commodore and a
board of governors who are elected
from the club membership.
The main thing were here
for is to enjoy the river, said
Ricky Ware, commodore. We
revolve around a family atmo-
sphere.
There are about 200
slips total, which includes
accommodations for
about 10 live-aboards.
There are six people
living aboard their
boats now, including
Ware and his wife,
Jennie Ware, on his
65-foot houseboat.
The marina
sells gas, diesel,
engine oil and
supplies.
There are
four launch
ramps
located
in sheltered water for easy loading and unload-
ing of small and large boats. Members can use an
air-conditioned galley building, restrooms, showers
and a covered pavilion.
Social events are a big part of the club year-
round. Theres a summer luau, kids splash day
and an eggnog party hosted by the commodore in
December. And with about 350 members, there are
always people around who want to go out boating.
Thats what its all about everybody coming on
the river and having a good time, Ware said.
Set sail
If sailing is more your style, then the Port
Arthur Yacht Club on Sabine Lake is the natural
nautical choice.
The clubs mission is to encourage yachting in
a safe and sporting manner, with an emphasis on
sailing and racing. The club, established in 1965,
is governed by ofcers led by a commodore and a
board of directors.
People join the yacht club mostly for the sailing
and the camaraderie of the sailors, said Paul Vera,
commodore. He wants to be clear that the club is
not highbrow. We all work for a living, he said of
the clubs 84 members. We dont live on a cham-
pagne budget.
The clubs facilities include an air-conditioned
clubhouse with full kitchen. The gated-entry
marina currently has about 50 slips but, according
to Vera, will number closer to 500 by the end of
the year when construction to repair Hurricane Ike
damage is fnished. Members also have access to a
feet of small sailboats, which are used during the
annual summer Junior Sailing Camp and the Junior
Sailing Regatta.
Members take sailing seriously and the racing
and cruising schedule is full. Thursday night races
start in March and run through the summer. The
social calendar is booked solid with parties after the
races and cruises, holiday events, picnics, a treasure
hunt and an awards banquet.
Vera noted that there are no full-time live-
aboards at present, but several couples come every
weekend to stay on their boats. Port Arthur Yacht
Club is like a camp away from home, he said.
Yacht clubs ready to welcome you aboard
Beaumont Yacht Club, 409.832.1456
beaumontyachtclub.org
Port Arthur Yacht Club, 409.356.6253
payc.us
VIP
s e t e x a s e v e n t s
vip spotlights
Le Grand Bal
Euforialive
scott eslinger
lee e. stinson
Becky and Rodney Ames
Hubert and Lindsay Oxford, Eric Meadows
Amanda Barry, Christina Trochez and Alyssa Danna
Marty and Revon Craig
Donna Meeks, Jim Jordan Donald and JoEllyn Jowers, Randey and Trey Gideon Dayna and Kurt Dyrhaug and Paula Mitchell
Terry and LeeAnn Garth
Cole Howerton, Hillary Gray and Jonny Cochran
Christie Winfrey, Lily Hantrakul and Stacy Jacobs Trudy and James Johnson Brandy Mouton and Brian Broussard Ricky and Stephanie Corbello
Amy, Johnny and Paula Lovoi
Magnolia Garden
Club Flower Show
ren sheppard
Elizabeth Waddill, Stephanie Flatten and Nelda Pricer
Paige Windham and Karen McCormick
Debbie Schwartz, Rosa Bennett, Martha and Christie Wise
Aggie In, Natalie Greenberg
Barbara Warren, Kathi Seewald
Katherine Frey, Gail Harris
Angie McClelland, Diana Hill, Becky Funchess
Lula Potter, Jenny Shuffeld
Katherine Fouts, Jane White
Joyce Williams, Gemma Long
TRISUN Healthcare
Hometown choices for skilled nursing care
and individualized medical rehabilitation.
Beaumont Orange
Summer Place The Meadows
2485 South Major Dr. 4201 FM 105
Call Becca at Call Lori at
409-861-4611 409-883-8803
Port Arthur
Cypress Glen Cypress Glen East
7200 9th Ave. 4225 Lake Arthur Dr.
Call Lluvia at Call Christina at
409-729-8701 409-727-3193
Call for more information or
stop by today for a tour!
Go for the Gold
ren sheppard
Lamar Alumni
Wine Tasting
50th Annual BAL National
scott eslinger
lee e. stinson
Celena Green, Haley Dickerson, Tammy Williams
Doneane Beckcom, Randy Reese
Jeremy and Blake Hayes
Joanna and Ron Clark
Laurie Gordon, Jody Slaughter
Jennifer Moss, Vicki Melancon
Carlo Busceme and Laurie Pfeifer Alice Powell, Albert and Amy Faggard Wendy Gravis and Marc Gonzalez
Deborah Andrepont, Sam James, Magda Villarreal
Ida Pyle and John Scott Allison Leger and Brad and Claire Leger Anna Welldone, Sally Bundy
Charles and Ann Thompson
Cindy Bloodsworth,
Dean Conwell Shannon and Red Allen Betty Leaf and Bill Russell
Kathy Fisher, Barbara Quinn, Eve Anderson
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Bridge City, TX 77611
take me away
I
f your recent vacation included some spa time, theres
good news and bad news. The bad news is that youve
been completely spoiled and are probably humming
an Enya song in your head right now. The good news
is that your spa experience can be fairly easy to re-
create at home so that you can revisit the indulgence
whenever you feel like it.
Following are some ideas on how to do just that:
The Bathroom Itself
If you can come home and, on a whim, order a full re-design
of your bathroom, theres a whole host of renovations you can do,
starting from the ground up. Heated foor tiles are a wonderful
luxury, for example.
Also popular are elaborate showers that feature walk-in design,
dual (or triple) shower heads, and other confgurations that create
water-based sensations ranging from a soothing mist to a torrential
No need to leave all that vacation pampering behind you.
Re-create a spa experience in your own bathroom.
text by MaRgaRet battistelli gaRdNeR photography by ReN sheppaRd styled by taMaRa MeNges
take me away
h o m e s p a
vip health
downpour. Of course there are always
large, deep tubs with built-in whirlpool
jets, as well. Built-in warming drawers
for towels; televisions and sound systems;
and even freplaces are all things to con-
sider when overhauling your bathroom.
But even if you have to work with
your existing bathroom, there are plenty
of things you can do to re-create that spa
experience and bring a little of your vaca-
tion home with you.
First and foremost, plan ahead. Get
a babysitter, or get everyone out of the
house. And give yourself some time.
Our lives are so busy, and we all have
so much going on. It takes a little while
to really clear your head and relax, said
Cambie Ford, a massage therapist at Cen-
ter of Attention salon in Lumberton. Of
course, eight hours might be overdoing it,
but I would say at least an hour and a half
to two hours.
Setting the scene is important. For
that, you want the colors in your bath-
room to be subdued. Natural light is a
great relaxer, but short of that, low light
with a good amount of candles is key.
Gently scented, soy-based candles are
best.
Essential Oils
Essential oils can foster specifc states
of mind according to which fragrance you
choose. For general relaxation, Ford said,
lavender is your go-to oil. For mental
clarity and meditation, clove oil is a good
bet. She recommends Kobashi or Young
Living essential oils because theyre pure
and all-natural.
Oils can be used in various ways:
Add them to Epsom salts to make a
relaxing bath soak
Put them into a pot of boiling water
to create a soothing steam
Mix them with sea salt or sugar and
oil like olive or safower to make an all-
natural scrub
Ford warns not to put essential oils
directly on the skin or into bath water
unless you read the labels. Some, like
lemon, can cause burns. If the label says
to dilute an oil, be sure to do it with
another plain oil (like olive or safower)
since oil and water dont mix; the oil will
just sit on top.
Something to remember when it
comes to fragrances: Keep your choices
simple and complementary forals with
forals, woodsy with woodsy, etc.
You dont want a lavender essential
oil and a Snickerdoodle candle at the
same time, Ford said.
Massage
If your day of pampering includes
a signifcant other, then a massage is a
no-brainer. But if you decide to go solo,
fret not! Salon techniques like hot rocks
and heated towels are easy to re-create
at home, Ford said. You can heat any
smooth rocks in hot water and use them
to work out knots in your muscles. Or
create a rice pack to soothe any areas that
are feeling particularly tense: Pour some
dry rice into a sock or small pillowcase,
and microwave to the desired level of
heat.
If youre heating towels, Judy Price,
esthetician at Center of Attention, recom-
mends doing them in the oven. Wet and
wring the towels, then put them in a bak-
ing dish and heat at about 200 degrees.
Then cover the pan with foil and take
it into the bathroom to keep the towels
warm until you want to use them.
Remember when using any hot prod-
uct, whether it be stones, towels, pillows
or steam, be vary cautious about the
temperature and test before using it.
Skin Care
Price recommends doing a facial after
your bath or shower. Use a gentle exfolia-
tor, followed by a mask, then a cleanser
and fnally, a moisturizer. She uses Cos-
meceutical products by Dr. Dusty Dean, a
resident of McKinney, Texas.
In between steps, wrap your face in a
warm, moist towel. Sound like it might
take some time? It will and thats ex-
actly the point.
Do everything at a leisurely pace,
plan on taking at least 45 minutes [for a
facial], Price said. You can do it in 15
minutes, but why?
Hair
Once youve done all of your soaking,
scrubbing, exfoliating, moisturizing, etc.,
dont forget your crowning glory your
hair. Center of Attention owner Jamie
Cullen recommends Pureology products,
which are sulfate-free, easy on color, and
only available through salons. She also
recommends using a round, boar-bristle
brush, which limits breakage while styl-
ing.
Although blow-dry and styling time
depend on the cut, Cullen says to devote
at least 30 minutes of your dedicated spa
time to your hair.
After a day of pampering, relaxing
and taking care of yourself, if your hair is
looking perfect, then everybodys happy!
Its the fnishing touch, she said.
The Routine
Ford suggests that you start your spa
experience with a homemade or all-natu-
ral scrub in the shower, then follow with
a soothing soak with scented Epsom salts.
Next, soothe your muscles with mas-
sage, do a facial, give yourself a manicure
and/or pedicure (she recommends buying
a pair of fufy fip-fops that will protect
your pedi but still ofer the comfort of
slippers), then tend to your hair.
Finally, once youve fnished your
pampering routine, keep the relaxation
going.
When youre all through, if you can,
go to bed! Get all snuggly, wrap yourself
up. Dont turn on the TV. Read a book or
listen to some good music, Price said. It
sounds selfsh to say we have to take care
of ourselves frst, but if were stressed,
what good are we to anybody?
It sounds selfsh to say we have to take care of ourselves frst, but
if were stressed, what good are we to anybody?
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COME FLY AWAY!
For Summer Vacations
NEW IN
NEDERLAND
l
u
x
u
r
y
v
a
c
a
t
i
o
n
s
s u m m e r t r a v e l
vip adviser
T
he sun is warm on your
back, your hair blowing
in the breeze as you
are served another
frozen cocktail with
one of those cute little umbrellas
hanging over the rim. The white
sand and crystal blue water skims
your toes and you think to yourself
Aaaaaahhhhh.vacation. And
then you wake up and realize
youve dozed of on your one-per-
son raft in your kiddy pool in the
backyard and that vacations and
cute little umbrellas for your drinks
are now the things your dreams are
made of.
So if youre dreaming, why not
dream big, right? What if money
was no option? What if you had the
means to be the envy of all of your
friends and family? What would
you do and where would you go?
Would you pack the kids to
go sail around the high seas with
Mickey and Minnie or would you
make it a romantic getaway for two
to Los Cabos? Would you run away
by yourself to explore Spain and
have a fabulous rendezvous with
friends you make along the way?
Or would you see the ancient sights
of Greece and experience frst-class
luxury as you discover the Parthe-
non and ancient ruins?
When money isnt an option,
the world is literally at your fnger-
tips. Unfortunately, for the major-
ity of us, we are destined to spend
our summers in our kiddy pools
and in front of the Travel Channel,
as money is the only option. Lucky
for you, however, weve asked area
travel agents to throw together a
few lavish vacations you can read
about while soaking up some sun in
your backyard.
P
lanning child-friendly vacations can
sometimes be a headache. But for big
spenders, its a no-brainer. A seven-
night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on the Dis-
ney Fantasy ship would be ideal. The vessel
was built to refect 20th-century designs,
but is state-of-the-art with technology. The
ship boasts a number of pools, three on just
one deck, alone, separated for families, kids
and one for just adults. The ship departs
from Port Canaveral, Fla., and has ports of
call in St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Cast-
away Cay in the Bahamas.
The St. Maarten port has a number of
hotels and time shares available to families,
as well as villas, shopping centers, casinos
and gourmet restaurants. The port, chalked
full of history dating back to Christopher
Columbus, has gorgeous beaches for swim-
ming and relaxing and exotic nightlife for
adults. In St. Thomas, Disney cruisers will
fnd themselves immersed in breathtaking
scenery, 40 stunning beaches and tropical
terrain. Golfng, snorkeling and beaching
are must-dos for the itinerary at this stop, as
is a short bike ride to St. Johns for shopping
and other nautical recreation.
Castaway Cay in the Bahamas can be
described as a Disney lovers paradise.
Imagine spending a day on a beautiful beach
or water park with palm trees swaying in the
breeze, while your children play with their
favorite characters. It is quite possibly the
most amazing photo op waiting to happen.
Castaway Cay is reserved solely for Disney
cruisers and includes private, furnished
cabanas, two water play areas, three private,
ocean-view massage cabanas for adults only
at Serenity Bay Beach, and The Hide Out, a
teens-only activity area on the beach.
This family fantasy includes concierge
state rooms and suites on the ship. Prices
for adults begin at $5,481 per parent, and $1,
841 per child. Air travel comes in at $2,650,
trip insurance at $1,239 and taxes fees at
about $350. A family of fve can cruise with
Hook, Peter Pan, Cinderella and more, visit
the islands and have frst-class service for
about $20,813. ,813.
Delight on Disney Fantasy
text by amanDa corbell
>>
I
f youre looking for something a little
more, ahem, privateyou could visit Los
Cabos, Mexico. With more than 30 miles
of beaches to explore and relax on, as well
as out-of-this-world dining and shopping, it
can be the perfect time-out for couples. Big
game fshing, world-class golfng, horseback
riding, ATV rentals, bike rides, snorkeling and
kayaking are readily available for vacationers
in Los Cabos.
This lavish trip, which can be booked
through Traversus Travel Agent, Patsy Peck,
leaves from Houston and heads straight for
Los Cabos and lasts for eight luxurious nights
and nine relaxing days. Guests will stay at the
Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos Golf and
Spa Resort, located on half a mile of secluded
beach in the upscale Cabo del Sol development
that features 36 holes of championship golf,
including the world-famous Ocean Course
designed by Jack Nicklaus.
In this particular package, guests stay in
the Imperial Suite at the resort, a two-bed-
room, stand-alone, beachfront suite that is the
ultimate in privacy and opulence. Gorgeous
pools, spectacular views from your hotel, and
any and every kind of spa treatment your heart
could desire may, just may, be worth the price
of this romantic getaway.
For eight nights and nine days, the price
per adult is roughly $20,700, including air fare
and trip insurance. The quote also includes
transportation to and from the airport and
frst-class plane tickets.
Lavish in Los Cabos
E
njoy a vacation to Spain
and visit some of the
countrys most famous
cities including Madrid,
Toledo, Granada, Seville and
Barcelona. See historical
sights, museums, churches
and the Costa del Sol where
you can relax on the beach
and browse trendy boutiques.
This 12-day tour of Spain
begins in Madrid, the capital,
with a meeting with your tour
director and dinner. On day
number two, you will explore
Madrid, then enjoy either
an afternoon of leisure or an
excursion to El Escorial at an
extra expense.
Days number three and
four, you will fnd yourself
in Granada, where you will
see early synagogues, a 13th
Splendid
B
eaumont Travel Consultants ofer a num-
ber of tour packages to customers that
include detailed itineraries and plenty of
things to see and do. A far cry from a Disney
vacation, these trips can still provide all the ex-
citement, glamour and enchantment you may
desire. Whether you want to cruise the Aegean
Sea for a few days and spend the rest exploring
Greece, or visit Spains most famous cities and
sights, a two-week trip can encompass a lot of
terrain and plenty of time to make memories.
Travel to Athens, Greece from the U.S., for
a 13-day tour of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Guests will be welcomed with a drink and light
meal when consulting with their travel director
upon arriving in Athens the frst night. Eleven
bufet breakfasts are included in the package,
as well as six three-course dinners and three
lunches, as well as dinner in Olympia. First-
class hotel accommodations, featuring twin
rooms and private facilities are included, as
well as all hotel service charges and tips, bag-
gage handling fees and local taxes.
After spending two nights in Athens at the
Divani Palaca Acropolis, you are given free
time on day number three after you sightsee
in the morning with an expert local tour guide.
You will the explore the Parthenon on the
Acropolis, one of the worlds greatest cultural
monuments, then visit the Agora, the Royal
Palace, the Temple of Zeus, and more. In the
evening choose to dine however youd like
within the city.
On day number four, you will cross the
mighty Corinth Canal to the Pelopponesian
Peninsula and visit the ancient city of Corinth.
In Mycenae, see the Beehive Tombs, the Trea-
sury of Atreus, the Lion Gate and the remains
of Agamemnons Royal Palace. A bufet dinner
is served that night as you make your way to
Nafplion in Olympia, where you will see where
the frst Olympic Games were held in 776 B.C.
On this evening, guests will enjoy a Be My
Guest dinner of authentic local cuisine at a
restaurant located on an olive farm.
Days six and seven include touring the
Temple of Zeus, a drive north to Patras and
Delphi, where you will tour the slopes of
Mount Parnassos and see the site of the most
important oracle in the world. On day eight,
drive to Meteora, one of the largest and most
important complexes of Eastern Orthodox
monasteries in Greece, as well as a number of
other stops. Wake back up in Athens, to depart
for a three-day cruise in which you will visit
Mykonos, Patmos and Santorini.
When considering everything you get to
experience, the price almost seems afordable.
Excluding airfare, the price per traveler for this
amazing getaway is around $2,800 per person.
So lay back, close your eyes and pour anoth-
er homemade margarita as you lounge in your
backyard and imagine yourself making your
friends jealous with tales of consulting the Del-
phi, playing golf on a world-famous course, or
drinking wine in Seville. Just dont fall asleep
and get sunburned!
Marvel in the
Mediterranean
in Spain
century cathedral, and the
Church of Santo Tome and
enjoy dinner in a local res-
taurant. On day number fve,
you are given a free day to
enjoy your beachfront hotel
in Costa del Sol, where you
can relax by the water or plan
a trip to the Rock of Gibraltar.
The next day, you will be in
Seville, where you will visit
historic Ronda and Sherry
Bodega, where you can taste
sherry wine and local tapas.
Days seven and eight will be
spent in Seville and Madrid,
once again, only to depart for
Barcelona by a high-speed
Ave Train to spend your day
at leisure. The last three
days are spent in Barcelona,
sightseeing and exploring on
your own. VIP
VIP
OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS
To Advertise Your
Real Estate Listing
Call or Email
Jessica Hidalgo
(409) 838-2851
jhidalgo@hearstnp.com
6310 Ellington MLS #152154
Barrington Heights Guseman custom built home with all the
luxury updates. An outdoor luxury oasis with pool, spa, kitchen,
surrounded by exquistite landscapingyou can vacation in your
own back yard!! Open foor plan for great family living or large
parties. Even the garage is climate controlled! All on a corner
lot in one of Beaumonts most popular upscale neighborhoods.
Priced to sell at $499,900.
Mary Jane Mouton
RE/MAX Beaumont
409-860-3200
maryjane@mouton.com
10986 Highway 105
80 Acres & independence belong to you in this splendid 5 bedroom, 5 bath home reached by a tree lined drive. This home
has it all. Call Marc McDonald to set up and appointment. $3,300,000
Marc McDonald
RE/MAX BEAUMONT
409-860-3200
soldbymarc@aol.com
7
VIP HOMES
Homes of distinction and
quality to host your lifestyle!
124 Norwood, Lumberton Wonderful family home with
gorgeous backyard with pool and built-in hot tub and waterfall
slide. Cypress outdoor kitchen w/SSdrop in cooler fridge, sink,
and grill. Home has formal dining, study, gameroom, and over
the garage apartment (675 sq. ft.) with full bath and separate
air/heat and water heater. Downstairs master bedroom suite
has bay window and two large walk-in closets. $359,900
Hester Bell
RE/MAX BEAUMONT
860-3200
hestershomes@aol.com
6205 SHERIDAN OAKS
Wonderful family home. Huge rooms. Both formals plus den
with freplace and study. Study has full bath so could be 5th
bedroom. Warm colors throughout. Three bedrooms, two
baths and gameroom up. Fabulous super spacious kitchen
with island, pantry and large pantry under stairs. Laundry
room has 1/2 bath for easy access from the sparkling pool.
Large covered patio with tile foor. Master bedroom is extra
large with wonderful master bath. Entry is beautiful tile. This
house is on a corner lot with a big three-car garage. There
is room for everyone in this home and it is move-in ready.
$385,900
Anne McClellan
RE/MAX Beaumont
409-860-3200
annesales@aol.com
7790 Village Drive, Beaumont Lovely just like new family
home in Westchase Village Addition. Wood scraped foors,
stone accent wall, built-in shelves on both sides of freplace.
Open foor plan with high ceilings. Split bedroom plan with
upstairs game room. Home also has sprinkler system. Zoned
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rooms. $324,900
Hester Bell
RE/MAX BEAUMONT
860-3200
hestershomes@aol.com
Cobb Real Estate
Crystal Beach, Texas 77650
409.684.3790 offce
409.684.2622 fax
http://www.cobbrealestate.com/
2788 Gulfview Lane
Beautiful new 2nd row home with awesome beachfront views from
every room! Living room has 18 ft. Cathedral ceiling and gorgeous
ship lap wood walls. Soothing coastal colors throughout. This home
features 3 Bedrooms/3 Baths, with Master Bedroom, Master Bathroom
on downstairs main level. Ceramic tile in living, kitchen, dining, and
baths, with wood-look Laminate in bedrooms. The fabulous kitchen
has granite counter tops with glass tile back splash and stainless
appliances. $385,000
For Rent or For Sale! $1,565 Winter Week / $2,465 Summer
Week (Changes in Attitudes)
Annual Torch Awards
for Marketplace Trust
May 8
Hosted by the Better
Business Bureau and
the Lamar University
College of Business,
this annual award
honors the best
in local business.
Silent auction and
reception at 5:30
p.m., dinner, program
and awards presentations at 7 p.m.
at the Beaumont Civic Center. Author
Mark Sanborn is guest speaker.
Tickets $80 per person. Tables for 8
available. For reservations, call (409)
835-5951 Ext. 117.
great dates in may
Viva la Cure! The
Cattle Barons Ball
May 5
One of the seasons most popular
charity benefts, this years Cattle
Barons Ball will be held from 7
p.m to midnight at the Jack Brooks
Regional Airport in Beaumont and
include silent and live auctions,
high rollers gaming, dinner and
entertainment by country star Daryle
Singletary. This years event will
honor Christus Southeast Texas
CEO, Ellen Jones. Tickets
are $150, with proceeds
beneftting the American
Cancer Society. (409) 835-
2139.
Event Submissions
Do you have an event you would like to promote? Do it with VIP for FREE! Please send us detailsdates,
times, location, contact phone, web address and a brief descriptionto dconstantine@thevipmag.com.
Information should arrive at least 60 days in advance of the event.
Christus LiveWell
Womens Conference
May 3
This popular all-day conference
promises to strengthen you
personally, professionally and
spiritually, and includes a
luncheon featuring actress Helen
Hunt as keynote speaker, health
screenings, educational workshops
and shopping. 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Ford Park. (409) 899-7700.
Texas Crab Festival
May 11-13
Beach season is here, and theres
no better way to celebrate than the
Texas Crab Festival at Gregory Park
in Crystal Beach. Enjoy great food,
crafts, carnival rides and live music,
including Wayne Toups, 9 p.m. May
11, the Jamie Talbert Band, 1:30 p.m.
and Kyle Park, 9:45 p.m. May 12 and
Ezra Charles 3:45 p.m. May 13. (409)
684-5940 or www.texascrabfestival.
org.
Moonlight Madness
Bike Ride
May 4
Created with the cycle enthusiast
in mind, this annual event offers
the entire family a night of live
entertainment and door prizes.
Entering its 14th year, the ride
features a 14-mile scenic police
escorted route starting from
Rogers Park in Beaumont. On site
registration will be from 7 to 9:30
p.m. Ride begins at 10 p.m. (409)
781-1298.
Kentucky Derby Party
Fundraiser
May 5
The Betty Greenberg Center for
the Performing Arts, home to the
Beaumont Community Players, hosts
its frst annual Run for the Roses party
from 4 to 6 p.m. Watch the Kentucky
Derby in style with wine and hors
doeuvres. Event will also include a
silent and live auction. Tickets are $75
per person or $100 per couple. (409)
833-4664.
{ May }
May 1
Hearts are Afutter Go Red for
Women
Annual American Heart Association
luncheon, honoring Janey Phelan,
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Beaumont Country
Club, Beaumont. Tickets $65. (409)
550-1753 or (409) 980-8800.
Lamar Civic Orchestra
7:30 p.m., Setzer Student Center
Ballroom, Lamar University,
Beaumont. Free. (409) 880-8144.
May 1-5
Newton County Fair
Carnival, arts and crafts, music and
more. Newton. (409) 379-8410
May 3
Lamar Jazz Bands Concert
7:30 p.m., Rothwell Recital Hall at
Lamar University, Beaumont. Free.
(409) 880-8144.
May 3-6
Port Neches Riverfest
5-11 p.m. May 3-4, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
May 5, and noon-6 p.m. May 6, Port
Neches Park. Food, carnival rides,
car and boat shows, freworks and
concerts. (409) 722-9154.
May 4
Spring Luncheon and Style Show
Noon, Trinity United Methodist
Church, Beaumont. Tickets $15. (409)
790-0599.
Senior Thesis Exhibition
Reception 7-9 p.m. Show runs through
May 17, Dishman Art Museum at
(409) 880-8959, (409) 880-8141 or
www.lamar.edu/dishman.
May 4-5
Orange County Relay for Life
Bridge City High School stadium,
2690 Texas Ave., Bridge City.
Proceeds beneft the American Cancer
Society. (409) 553-5576 or www.
orangecountyrelay.org.
Chambers County Relay for Life
Winnie-Stowell Park, Winnie. (409)
835-2139.
Hardin County Mud and MusicFest
Big Thicket Trade Days Grounds,
Kountze. www.hcmusicfest.com (409)
673-9803 or (409) 246-3413.
May 5
Habitat for Humanity Annual Charity
Golf Tournament
Sunset Grove Country Club, Orange.
(409) 883-9454.
Spring Family Arts Day
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Art Museum of
Southeast Texas, Beaumont. Free.
(409) 832-3432 or www.amset.org.
Tyrell Garth Invitational
7:30 a.m., Beaumont Country Club,
Beaumont. (409) 898-7011.
Hope Center for Crisis Pregnancy
Walk and Play for Life
Adventure Kingdom, Lumberton.
(409) 898-4005 or www.hope-clinic.
com.
St. Catherines Kermes Mexican
Fiesta
10 a.m., St. Catherines of Sienna
School, Port Arthur. (409) 962-3011.
Sweet Rides Car Show
5-9 p.m., Raos Bakery and Cofee
Cafe, Beaumont. Proceeds will go to
Boys Haven. (409) 832-4342.
The First Downtown Detour
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Downtown Port
Neches. All shops will be open and
vendors will have outdoor booths
selling art by local artists, crafts,
jewelry, home decor, salvaged
windows and antiques. Free.
St. Michael Mediterranean Festival
11 a.m.-9 p.m., St. Michael Orthodox
Christian Church, Beaumont. Food,
entertainment and more. (409) 838-
4951.
May 6
Bonsai Festival
10 a.m., Shangri La Botanical Gardens
and Nature Center, Orange. (409)
670-9113.
Lamar Choral Concert
Lamar Universitys Grand Chorus
and A Cappella Choirs perform,
4 p.m., Rothwell Recital Hall at Lamar
University, Beaumont. Free. (409)
880-8144.
May 8
College Scholarship Breakfast
7-9 a.m., Munchies Ole, Silsbee. Local
dignitaries serve as celebrity wait-
staf. Tickets $10. (409) 880-5876.
May 9-12
Jasper Lions Rodeo
7:30 p.m., Jasper Lions Rodeo Arena,
Jasper. (409) 384-2234, (409) 384-
6035 or www.jasperlionsrodeo.com.
May 10
Deliver the Difference
Meals on Wheels beneft honoring
Donald Taft and Charlie Weinbaum,
June previ ew
JUNE 2-3
Annual Lotus Gardens & Bamboo Festival Buu Mon Buddhist Temple, Port
Arthur
JUNE 8-9
Zachary Breaux Jazz Fest Downtown Port Arthur
JUNE 23
Mid-Summer Classic Wakeboarding Tournament Rose City
11:30 a.m., Beaumont Country Club,
Beaumont. (409) 892-4455.
The Secret Artist in You Treasure
Auction
6:30 p.m., Art Museum of Southeast
Texas, Beaumont. Live auction tickets
$35 for members, $40 for non-
members. Cost includes dinner and
drinks. (409) 832-3432 or www.amset.
org.
May 11
Tanya Tucker
Nutty Jerrys, Winnie. Doors open at 7
p.m. Tickets $20, $30 and $40. (877)
643-7508 or www.nuttyjerrys.com
May 11-12
The Pirates of Penzance
Betty Greenberg Center for the
Performing Arts, Beaumont.
(409) 833-4664 or www.
beaumontcommunityplayers.com
May 12
Tri-City Walk For Lupus NOW
8:30 a.m., Lamar University,
Beaumont. The event includes food
and family activities. To form a team
or to register, go to http://2012walkfor
lupusnowtricity.kintera.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.
Spindletop Roller Girls Roller Derby
6:15 p.m., Ford Exhibit Hall,
Beaumont. (800) 745-3000
May 13
Mothers Day
May 17-19
See previous listing
May 18
Relay For Life
Ozen High School, Beaumont.
Opening ceremony 6:30 p.m.,
survivor lap 6:45 p.m., luminaria
ceremony 10 p.m., closing ceremony
6 a.m. May 19. (409) 835-2139.
Joe Walsh
Nutty Jerrys, Winnie. Tickets $40,
$55, $75, $100, $150. (877) 643-7508
or www.nuttyjerrys.com.
May 18
Masters Thesis Exhibition
Reception 7-9 p.m., Runs through
June 1, Dishman Art Museum at
www.lamar.edu/dishman.
May 19
Spring Music Fest
9 a.m.-9 p.m., City Boat Ramp,
Orange. Bands, food, games, children
activities and more. (409) 883-1011.
Loretta Lynn
Nutty Jerrys, Winnie. Tickets $35,
$40 and $50. (877) 643-7508 or www.
nuttyjerrys.com.
May 25-26
See previous listing
May 25-27
Kountze Trade Days
8 a.m.-5 p.m., Big Thicket Trade Days
Grounds, Kountze. The event includes
more than 250 vendors, shows,
childrens activities, food booths and
more. Free. (409) 880-5667.
May 26
Larry the Cable Guy
Reno Collier is guest, Nutty Jerrys,
Winnie. Tickets $25, $35, $75, $100.
(877) 643-7508 or www.nuttyjerrys.
com.
May 28
Memorial Day
May 30
Dave Alvin
Courvilles, Beaumont. Tickets $30,
includes dinner and concert. For
reservations call (409) 860-9811 or
email bigrich@cajunfavors.com
ACROSS
1 ____ McAdams
5 Chinese actress, ____ Zhang
8 ___ Kilmer of Batman Forever
10 Kill Bill star, ___
12 Country star, Keith ___ who
married Nicole Kidman
13 Look at
14 Bend it like Beckham actress,
Keira _____
19 Jerome Bettiss position for the
Steelers, for short
21 Middle grade
22 Get older
23 ___ Vinci Code
24 Make an error
25 Dr. ___, vs. James Bond
28 She played a child vampire in
Interview with a Vampire, Kirsten
____
30 ___ Favre
32 Money obligation
33 Englands continent, for short
34 MLKs inspiration, I had a ___....
35 Lay Lady Lay 60s singer, Bob
____
DOWN
1 Spy Game star
2 Has a rollercoaster relationship with
Blair in Gossip Girl
3 Casino Royale Bond girl, ___
Green
4 Song lyric substitute
6 State of being out of whack
7 Hampton ___
9 ____ Vandross
11 A Few Good ___,
15 Law and Order star, ___-T
16 Richard ___, starred in Chicago
17 It may need massaging!
18 Shakespeares you
20 Arts Degree
26 She starred in Get Smart ____
Hathaway
27 Surprise greatly
28 Receives ties on June 17
29 Planet of the Apes director, ___
Burton
30 Well known beer, for short
31 Fortune tellers leaves
Find answers on page 4
c r o s s w o r d
vip magazine
text by holli petersen
I
t might have taken me
nearly eight years of
matrimony, but Ive come
to accept that I married
Clark Griswold. Just like
National Lampoons famed
family man, my husband
tackles each of lifes endeavors with
an optimistic enthusiasm that does
not permit fear, doubt or even
a Debbie Downer of a wife to
dampen his spirit.
And, heaven knows I love him for
it.
It is with that Griswold-esque
attitude that my husband once
cooked up a secret scheme to board a
Southwest Airline fight to Phoenix
with our three-year-old daughter.
From there, he rented a car and
drove nearly fve hours through the
desert in the middle of the night
to surprise me in Lake Powell, where
I was visiting relatives.
Yeah, nothing could possibly ham-
per that infallible plot Navigating
airport security with two carry-ons,
a car seat, and a cranky three-year-
old? A breeze! Single-handedly
managing a little girl on her frst
plane ride? Efortless! Entertaining
a child throughout the duration of
a three-hour fight without a bag of
distracting goodies? Well, what else
are an array of buttons and an entire
front pocket of Sky Mall catalogs and
barf bags for? Somehow my super-
human spouse survived the journey
and, when he jumped onto my guest
bedroom air mattress at three in the
morning, I must say he had success-
fully surprised me!
The excitement didnt end there.
From Lake Powell, hubby had
planned an impromptu road trip to
Vegas.
We were going to Vegas, baby!
Or, rather, we were going to Ve-
gas, with our baby!
Turns out those are two totally
diferent things.
At the time, we didnt know we
were embarking on the road trip of a
lifetime, all viewed through the eyes
of our observant daughter.
If youve ever travelled a long
distance with a young child, then you
already know its a roller coaster of
highs and lows. There are bouts of
agonizing carsickness, incalculable
potty stops and the incessant quest
to assuage their boredom. Be fore-
warned: you will experience murder-
ous thoughts about Donald Duck
once the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
soundtrack hits its 15th repeat cycle.
Despite all the trials, absolutely
nothing compares to witnessing the
wonder dancing through your babys
eyes when she gazes down yawning
canyons or appreciates the enormity
of her frst mountain.
Mommy, Daddy, she squealed.
Do those rocks reach all the way to
heaven?
And a childs frank honesty can
also ofer much-needed comic relief,
like when our daughter excitedly
pointed out the pilgrims walking
alongside the road in Colorado City.
After a full day of trekking
through Americas Great West, we
fnally reached our destination. And,
much like National Lampoons Wal-
ley World, we found that the hyped
up city of our imagination wasnt
quite what we anticipated. If the
scandalous billboards leading into
the city limits werent a clue, this
was not the ideal family vacation
spot. And, boy was it ever hot! Re-
gardless of the hour, the temperature
gauge on our dashboard was stuck at
105 degrees.
Wed done our research and found
some family-oriented tourist attrac-
tions. What the research didnt tell
us was that, even during the daytime,
walking down the Vegas Strip with a
three-year-old is a hazardous odys-
sey of dodging hungover revelers
from the night before and shielding
our childs eyes from the images of
pretty ladies coating the sidewalks
like sleazy carpeting.
Walking through the casinos
wasnt any easier. Cocktail waitresses
weaved around us balancing trays of
mimosas, while sullen men in mono-
chromatic suits glowered, daring us
to put even a toe on the carpet with
a minor in our arms. A word to the
wise do not try to take a picture
of your kid sitting by a slot machine.
Turns out, thats frowned upon
We were determined to make our
own fun anyways. Our baby girl hap-
pily applauded the burly MGM lions
as we walked through the tunnels
of their glass habitat. We strolled
through the Forum Shops at Cae-
sars Palace and spent way too much
money at FAO Schwarz. And, what
could be more beautiful than the
iconic Fountains of Bellagio? We even
fgured out a way to beat the heat at
some nearby water parks.
Turns out, even the most frustrat-
ing of ordeals couldnt disguise what
was clearly the trip of a lifetime.
In the end, we discovered that
what happens in Vegas doesnt neces-
sarily stay there. Almost four years
later, and my daughters still talking
about that magical trip. Every sum-
mer, she asks if we can go back.
And, because my husband is the
type that readily glosses over the
challenges of travelling with small
children, I suspect shell get her
wish.
g u e s t c o l u m n
vip voices
VIP
Vegas, baby!
When traveling with
your child, nothing
ever stays in Vegas
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volume 2 issue 4 | NovemBeR 2009 | theVIPmag.

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