AN INTERVIEW WITH Dr. Katie Eick, CEO & Founder of Rockin' Pets, Rollin' Vets & Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
What were your biggest challenges in 2020? Well, the onset of Covid would have to be our biggest challenge. Before we knew too much about how it was transmitted, we enacted mask mandates and changed the way we interacted with each other and our clients. We shortened our hours and paired off into groups of two so that if one group got sick or exposed, we would have other groups intact to be able to continue working.
<p><strong>How did you adjust and overcome obstacles?</strong> We kept a sense of humor and lightness, despite the grave circumstances of the pandemic. Thankfully, pets help with keeping spirits light! So that aspect of our work kept us going. </p><p><strong>What's the secret to staying hopeful and forward-looking in tough times? </strong>I will quote Mr. Rogers: "Look for the helpers." </p><p>We are a practice full of helpers. Everyone continued to show up, despite circumstances. Everyone performed their jobs with grace, dignity and determination. Witnessing this group of individuals going about their jobs with the level of dedication they have shown has been humbling and also makes me incredibly hopeful. Even in the face of a global pandemic, our staff came to work every day, happy to be there, ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. These are the helpers, and I could not be prouder to have them on our team! </p><p>All I need to do to remain forward-looking is to see them hard at work every day. They make me believe that one day life will be back to the way we once knew it, and possibly be even better because we'll have gained a deeper sense of gratitude than we knew before.</p><p><strong>What did you learn about yourself, your business or your community that might inspire others? </strong>It was inspiring to me to see how people adopted animals in record numbers. Since they were home and had the time, people opened their homes and their hearts to homeless animals. This act alone reminds me of the goodness of humans and inspires me to be a better one. It also reminds me of the healing power of animals, and how their companionship can change everything for an individual. There were — and still are — many individuals who live alone, work remotely and remain relatively isolated from the community. Those who fit that criteria, but also had a companion pet, seem to have weathered the quarantine storm with less anxiety, isolation and hopelessness. </p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>What's new for 2021 that you're excited about? </strong>So much! Vaccines are rolling out so life is closer to getting back to normal. We are in a rapid expansion phase and have so much changing with our growth plans this year! We are excited to see where this year takes us and how many animals and people we get to help along the way.</p>
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THE NEW YEAR has started off with a bang for the Houston housing market. Sales of homes priced at $750K and above — ones categorized in the "luxury" segment, per HAR — were up nearly 75 percent in January, compared to the same timeframe last year. Buyers appear to be taking advantage of the low interest rates, and not letting homes sit on the market for very long.
<p>But let's see who snatches up this brand-new listing by Douglas Elliman broker Jeanine Kaminski-Ditzel and realtor associate Richard Ray. A "storybook" River Oaks estate reminiscent of an English countryside manor has hit the market, for an asking price of $26.5 million. The 18,000-square-foot home at 3996 Inverness Drive is situated on two acres, and the building boasts $1 million in stonework alone (some imported from Cottswald, England).</p><p>With interiors by Houston designer Robert Dame, the property is made for entertaining: There's a grand foyer that leads into a massive wine cellar with triple-barrel-vaulted brick ceilings. And a billiard room makes guests feel like they've been transported to a British pub. (They can even stay the night in a guest cottage that has its own gym and sauna!) Current owners Lawrence and Deana Blackburn have hosted several glam charity events at the home, including the World Master Chefs Dinner benefiting the HSCO Foundation. </p><p>Indoor-outdoor living has never been so popular, and this estate was made for it. A climatized pavilion in the backyard is outfitted with a commercial grill, pizza oven and crawfish boiler; enjoy an al fresco feast while taking in the view of English Tudor parterre gardens and the resort-worthy saltwater pool. </p><p>The complete listing can be viewed <a href="https://www.har.com/homedetail/3996-inverness-dr-houston-tx-77019/3101914" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
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ASK HOUSTON CHEF, writer, filmmaker and activist Adán Medrano about the spiritual aspect of preparing a home-cooked meal, especially using the centuries-old recipes he enjoyed growing up in San Antonio and northern Mexico, and time seems to stop. "'There are voices in the wind. We've forgotten to listen to them,'" says Medrano quietly, sourcing a quote from the new documentary Truly Texas Mexican, which premieres March 1 on Amazon, Apple TV, Google TV and PBS stations across the country, and is inspired by his award-winning cookbook Truly Texas Mexican: A Native Culinary Heritage. "When you cook, you are dealing with a landscape," he explains. "Once you realize your connectiveness to the land and to each other, that is spirituality."
<p>Directed by Aníbal Capoano, with cinematography by Gabriel Bendahan, <em>Truly Texas Mexican</em> slowly reveals the deep connection between the cuisine of indigenous tribes living thousands of years ago in what is now called Texas, and present-day Mexican-American <em>comida casera</em> — or "home cooking." In the public discourse, and in the state's education system, the indigenous roots of Texas culture and civilization is virtually non-existent or, at best, grossly misrepresented. <em>Truly Texas Mexican</em> is an effort by Medrano and his team to remedy this, and the film has surprised both Mexicans and Anglos who have viewed it.</p><p>"It brings onscreen the layers of indigenous identities in Texas," says Medrano. "Each of the people in the film approach their rootedness in very different ways. That's the complexity of identities at this time, and I think it's very beautiful."</p><p><em>Texas Truly Mexican</em> begins with Medrano visiting Canino's, Houston's oldest and largest farmers' market, before journeying into the kitchens of women who, as chefs, caterers and restaurant owners, can trace their lineage to the "Chili Queens" of 19th-century San Antonio —indigenous women whose business acumen and culinary skills are celebrated in the film. Though Medrano had not planned to appear in the film as its narrator, he is a natural in front of the camera, and only occasionally lets loose with some unfiltered exasperation. ("Enough with the cheese!" he cries when describing the distinction between "Tex-Mex" and "Texas Mexican" cuisine.)</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
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</p><p>And what about the food? Well, if you're expecting crispy tacos and lots of gooey processed cheese, your mind will be blown. <em>Truly Texas Mexican</em> captures the preparation of some truly mouth-watering recipes, from <a href="https://adanmedrano.com/albondigas-de-chile-ancho-chile-ancho-meatballs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">roasted meatballs (albóndigas) flavored with chile ancho, Mexican oregano and tomatoes</a>, to <em>Jericalla</em>, a luscious dessert, not unlike a crème brûlée.<br/></p><p>And then there's <em>Cabeza De Pozo</em>, a thoroughly seasoned cow's head wrapped in burlap and cooked overnight in an authentic hole-in-the-ground earth oven, just like it was done more than 4,000 years ago. "If you're a Houstonian, if you walk 100 miles in any direction, you probably stepped on an earth oven," says Medrano, who explains the cow became part of the diet of Texas Native Americans after being cut off by the Spaniards from the plants, deer and buffalo they cooked. "The reason we had to eat a cow's head is because that's all we had."</p><p>Fast forward to today, and Medrano names Houston's Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen and Doña Maria on Navigation boulevard as two restaurants committed to serving authentic and tasty <em>comida casera</em>. And Medrano's cookbook and <a href="https://adanmedrano.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">blog</a> are excellent sources for budding chefs inspired by the food and history documented in <em>Truly Texas Mexican</em>. </p><p>"This film invites the way food invites us," says Medrano. "Take your time, savor it, enjoy it. There might be a hot chile here or there. But mostly, we want people to be comfortable with their rootedness on this land."</p>
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