Party guests at our 10th-anniversary celebration last week got a glimpse of the media spotlight when The Face Exchange took their photos and put them on miniature magnetized Buzz covers to take home.

A good many of the party-goers had been on actual Buzz Magazine covers already, but this version of their magazine pic is better for refrigerator-sticking.

Click on the photo below to start the slide show and see how many of our cover models you know.

“3.95 out of 4.0 in Electrical Engineering, with top grades in Digital Logic Design, Quantum Theory and Advanced Linear Algebra.”

Evidently impressed with the duo’s excellent grades in a tough academic program, and after hearing the university’s own plans for punishment, the district attorney eventually dropped the trespassing charges.

It was a fortunate end to a prolonged ordeal that began with a night of, as Will describes it, “playing charades and not drinking.” But if these two sober science superstars could end up in jail, who couldn’t?

“I guess it could happen to anybody,” Will says.

It doesn't matter how good a person you are if you break the law. (Photo: istockphoto.com/LeggNet)

Of course, not just anybody would try to climb construction towers on the Rice campus with the hope of rappelling down onto a newly constructed dorm.

But whether through college antics, or by speeding or not paying parking tickets, it seems like all it takes is a bad day for someone to end up in jail.

For Will, that bad day was deciding to jump the fence to a construction site and bring his climbing equipment up a multi-story construction tower, all during the Night of Decadence, one of Rice’s largest parties.

“It was NOD so all the police officers would be elsewhere,” Will says.

Unfortunately, Rice had actually hired extra police officers in the wake of the party.

Will and Simon had prepared their climbing equipment, and were about two thirds of the way up the tower before they were spotted.

“We heard a, ‘Stop! Don’t move,’” Will says. “That was not a good feeling.”

It took the police officers a few minutes to realize that the climbers were Rice students and not robbers or even just a pair of raccoons.

But despite the excitement of the moment and the threat of a deathly plummet to the ground, Will and Simon climbed down the tower, short of their goal.

“It was a Texas state trooper who spotted us, who had been hired by Rice,” Will says. “And he asked us very nicely to wait while he called campus police.”

In addition to hiring extra police, Rice had also instructed officers to apprehend anyone found on the construction site that night. So for Will and Simon, who asked that their real names not be used in this story, what could have been a slap on the wrist any other night instead became a trip to Harris County lockup.

A night in jail was anything but how the two wanted to spend their night. After being shuttled around from Rice, to the West University police station, and then to Harris County, they finally had their mug shots taken at 5 a.m.

“We got put in the drunk tank, which is a cold and concrete place,” Will says. “Not very friendly.”

By about 3 p.m., Will had posted a $500 bond and left jail with little to show for his adventure besides a sleepless night, a horrible jailhouse sandwich and a date in court.

“It was unpleasant being arrested,” Will says, reflecting on the night. “Jail sucks, it is cold, and there is no comfortable place to pee or sleep, but that is kinda the point.”

Today, four years later, Simon is getting his doctorate at Stanford, and Will is director of engineering at a tech startup in San Francisco. They were lucky that, after dealing with the dean of judicial affairs, Rice let them graduate.

But on the wrong day, anyone can end up in jail.

Mick,  a current law student who didn’t want his actual name used, learned that lesson the hard way when he arrived early at the Houston Greyhound station a little over two years ago. He was planning on taking the bus back to the University of Texas at Austin after spending a summer break back at home in Bellaire. Like some college students, he smoked marijuana.

Mick had been to the Greyhound station many times and was familiar with the security. Sometimes they checked pockets, other times they used metal-detecting wands, but this time he was early, and there was a new security guard.

“I was actually studying for the LSAT at the time and I had all my study books out, and I thought he was just going to open my bag,” Mick says. But the guard kept searching through his bag until he found a small bit of marijuana.

Something seemingly small, like a prank or a six-pack of unopened beer, can be enough to send you to jail. (Photo: istockphoto.com/AlexRaths)

Mick tried to leave, but the security guard called over a police officer who told Mick that even though he didn’t really want to arrest him, the guard had reported the marijuana and the officer had to do his job.

Mick waited until the early hours of the morning before he was processed at a City of Houston holding cell, passing the time by playing basketball with balled-up toilet paper and giving the ham from his jail-issued sandwich to another prisoner. “I’m a veggie,” Mick says of his vegetarianism. “That guy was thankful.”

But these lighthearted moments were only window dressing for a miserable experience, crowded in a dark, windowless room.

“It is very cold in there,” Mick says. “You have no idea what time it is.”

After several hours, Mick’s name was called by an officer, and he was taken to have his bail set, which ended up at $500. But that was not the end of Mick’s financial outlay for his foolish decision. He ended up having to pay $3,000 in lawyer’s fees.

Fees of $3,000 may seem like overkill for just a few days in court, but, according to local defense attorney Mike Driver, several thousand dollars for possession of marijuana is a pretty average charge.

Not only are there legal fees, but students facing a drug charge also have to deal with the long-term consequences. For example, a drug charge can prevent a student from receiving federal student loans for college.

“The collateral consequences of marijuana are largely unknown to kids and can really ruin their lives,” says Jim Lavine, a Bellaire attorney and former president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. “One stupid mistake can make a lifetime of problems.”

Those problems include having a driver’s license revoked, being prevented from renting an apartment, or experiencing difficulty getting a job, Lavine says.

Any other day Mick probably could have gotten past security, but this day his risky decision backfired.

For the next year, Mick was on pretrial diversion, showing up every other month to check in with a probation officer and pass a drug test. This was not a big problem until the final court date. For that final one, Mick had to fly back from the top-ranked law school where he was a student, forcing him to reschedule midterms.

One bad day, and the next year of Mick’s life was spent under the watchful eye of the Harris County judicial system.

But while marijuana may be an illicit drug, it takes only beer to lead those between 18 and 21 to the uncomfortable seat in the back of a police cruiser. They don’t even have to be drinking it to get in trouble, as three friends learned when they were pulled over in Southside Place one weekend.

Jason, a 19-year-old resident of West University who didn’t want his real name used, was driving through Southside Place with a broken taillight and some unopened beer in the car.

“They pulled us over and gave us MIPs.” Jason says.

Simply having beer in the car is enough for police to bring charges for a minor in possession. Because of that, Jason was crammed in the back of a police cruiser along with his friends, driven off to the station as the police towed his car.

What was supposed to be a fun night for a couple of high school seniors became an academic near-death experience. The short drive to the police station was filled with Jason and his friends’ worries that they would face expulsion from school or ejection from student government positions. The best Jason could do was just try to keep his friends from completely breaking down.

“They were worried,” Jason says. “And I was just trying to keep their spirits in check.”

It doesn’t matter whether or not Jason and his friends were actually drinking the beer. Driving with alcohol stored in the car is enough to be charged with a minor in possession.

According to a recent study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 30 percent of Americans have been arrested at some point by age 23. This may seem like shocking news, especially in the normally peaceful enclaves of Bellaire, West University, Memorial, River Oaks and Tanglewood.

But ask around and you’ll quickly learn: Anyone can end up in jail on a bad day.

Last summer, when the temperatures hit 106 degrees, my family and I came up with an idea that would help young kids beat the heat. We decided to start our own charity for underprivileged and homeless kids. Our mission was to give an insulated, 24-ounce water bottle to as many of them as we could. We named our charity Keep Kids Cool.

Lindsey, 16, Britton, 14, and Dillon Burr, 11, visit with new friends at Yellowstone Academy, where the siblings donated new water bottles.

Over that summer, we received many generous donations and had a fundraiser to receive enough money for our first round of water bottles. That round, we ordered 550 water bottles. When we started Keep Kids Cool, we had four main goals. Those goals were to donate water bottles to Yellowstone Academy (which is a school in the Third Ward), Covenant House (a place for homeless kids to go if they need something), Elves and More (a charity that gives bikes to underprivileged kids for Christmas), and Spring Spirit Baseball (a baseball program for underprivileged kids).

So far, our family has gone to the Yellowstone Academy campus and donated water bottles there. All the hard work pays off to see a little boy or girl smile and hug you when they first get their water bottles. When we visited, we also played with the kids on the playground and got to know them a bit. It was a life-changing experience for me and my siblings, along with my parents. While there, I realized that these kids are definitely worth all the hard work and planning. I am looking forward to seeing all those kids again soon.

Keep Kids Cool is starting out small, but we hope it will grow. We have ordered extra water bottles for Spring Spirit Baseball. We are working with a charity for homeless kids called the Julia C. Hester House, raising money to get water bottles for those kids. We are hoping to fulfill our starting goals and gain new ones as Keep Kids Cool becomes a larger charity. If you know kids who could benefit from our water bottles, please send us an email at keepkidscool@aol.com. You also can learn more about our charity at our website, keepkidscool.com.

Want to be a Buzz Kid? Email approximately 350 words, a high-resolution photo and caption to (info@thebuzzmagazines.com) info (at) thebuzzmagazines (dot) com. Or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401.

They’re all smiles, each wearing fancy cowgirl duds for this photo shoot. What is also clear is that each of them would be just as comfortable in a pair of Wranglers and a T-shirt because this is home and their fellow volunteers are family.

Anyone who knows Debbie Adams, Laura Kent, Pat Mann Phillips, Paula Robinson and Sharleen Walkoviak agrees they are worthy winners of the HLSR’s most prestigious award. All are Trailblazer Honorees, an award bestowed by fellow volunteers on just five women per year who exemplify the spirit of volunteerism.

Sharleen Walkoviak, Paula Robinson, Pat Mann Phillips, Laura Kent and Debbie Adams (from left) won the Houston rodeo’s highest honor for volunteerism. (Photo: www.hartphoto.com)

One earned an extra honor. Former “First Lady” Paula Robinson (whose husband is a former rodeo chairman) won the Pearl Award, given for bringing something “special.” The honor is a tribute to her leadership on the Ladies Go Texan and Trailblazer (previously known as the Lady’s Season Box) committees. And if that isn’t enough, she and her family have spent the last 24 years saddling up for the Salt Grass Trail Ride.

She still laughs about her rookie volunteer assignment of milking a cow – no small task for someone who calls herself a “city girl.” But a love affair with western heritage and the rodeo’s charitable causes has made the work come easy.

“We do whatever it takes for the kids,” said Paula. “It’s just so rewarding when you hear from these kids who have won scholarships, who tell you how much it meant to them.” The HLSR is one of the world’s largest rodeos, with 26,000 annual volunteers.

These five Trailblazer Honorees are distinguished by their leadership. But you won’t hear this bunch bragging. They’re quick to insist they’re just Texas girls who have never lost that sense of wonder at the live birth of a calf or a scholarship winner saying thank you.

Pat Mann Phillips grew up around a ranch and, when she moved to the city of Houston 11 years ago, she immersed herself into HLSR. As chair of the Tours Committee last year, she estimates, she spent more than 1,200 unpaid hours volunteering. The most gratifying of those hours are spent hosting field trips to the kids’ area, AgVenture.

“I might be back there holding a baby pig or lamb or sticking my hands in the bins with the worms,” said Pat. “But there’s nothing better than watching kids get surprisingly quiet with anticipation in the birthing center. You can hear a pin drop during that first glimpse of a baby calf or piglet being born.”

Laura Kent has spent almost three decades gifting her time to the Swine Auction, Llama, Merchandise and International committees. Her heart, she says, lies with the pigs. But the kids who show their animals are a close second.

“Some of those kids drive hours to get here, and they’re just so thankful to be at the Houston Rodeo,” said Laura. “Some are hard-luck kids, so some of us go out of our way to make sure they get more than the minimum at auction for their animal.”

In 80 years of the HLSR, women have grown into almost half of the volunteer force. Debbie Adams was one of four pioneering women who were the first women to serve on the parade committee 20 years ago. She has since served on the Quarter Horse and Grand Entry committees. But her heartstrings are anchored to the kids with special needs.

“We host 1,800 special-needs kids at the downtown parade. They act like this is the highlight of their year,” said Debbie.

Sharleen Walkoviak is second-year chairman of the Lamb & Goat Auction committee. She led the committee to a new auction record of $1.8 million last year. The showing kids inspired her.

“I had this one volunteer [formerly a youth contestant] come up to me one day and say, ‘I just want to thank you for buying my lamb and goat all these years; otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to go to college,’” said Sharleen.

The enormity of the HLSR army of volunteers made it impossible for even these regular volunteers to all know each other before being plucked out of their committees for their excellence. Now a distinguished sisterhood binds them, made stronger by the irreplaceable satisfaction of helping others.

Designing woman

A snapshot of future greatness
The Kinkaid School seniors Claire Valera (pictured) Sam Rogers, Kate McMillan and Apri Grigorian, a 2011 graduate of Awty International School, were among 507 students who won awards in the 2012 YoungArts Competition, held by the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts. Valera’s 40-photo submission won honorable mention in photography. Grigorian and Rogers won merit awards in photography, and McMillan won a merit award in visual arts. Valera will be attending Rhode Island School of Design in the fall and plans on studying graphic design and photography.

On a winning kick
Score! The Houston Express 98G White U 14 soccer team won the Houston Youth Soccer Association Division 2 Eastern District playoffs with an undefeated performance in Beaumont. Then they placed third in the South Texas Youth Soccer Association Division 2 state championships in San Marcos. Reece Vanas was team MVP and Julie McLamb most improved player. The team is (pictured, back row, from left) trainer Graham Harrison, Vanas, Julia Moody, Sara Bobb, Jenna Wadman, Amina Matin, Julia Douglas, Lauren Assel, Caroline Sempere, parent coach Randy Sorrels, Julia Tanabe and Shannon Lewis, and (front row, from left) Darby Sorrels, Riley Marsh, McLamb, Christina Whitehouse, Kerrigan Quenemoen and Molly Everett.

Wonderful wedding
On a picturesque beach in Punta Mita, Mexico, as the sun dropped into the ocean, Alysha Kahn and Dr. Blake Frieden exchanged “I dos” in front of about 120 family and friends. The couple met on Internet dating-site JDate in June 2010, and then spent the next several months driving back and forth between Dallas and Houston each weekend to see each other. In January 2011, Frieden took Kahn to the Dallas Arboretum to meet his cousin, but instead of a relative she was met with an engagement ring and a photographer hiding in the bushes to capture his proposal. The bride’s happy parents are Sanford and Lindy Kahn, and the maid of honor was Lauren Kahn.

Donating Christmas cheer
For the third year, students at British School of Houston made it a merry Christmas for homeless children spending the holidays at The Star of Hope. The students gave 531 shoe boxes filled with small toys and holiday gifts to the children. The annual gift-giving campaign was started in 2009 by 9-year-old student Charlotte Pryce (pictured).

Hall of Fame career
Tommy Ho aced this year’s Hall of Fame Award from the United States Tennis Association-Florida. Ho burst onto Florida’s junior tennis scene in the mid-1980s and captured 17 USTA national titles, won two Orange Bowls and became the youngest player to win the USTA’s Boys 18’s national title. After turning pro at 15 in 1988, he cracked the top 100 in singles and the top 15 in doubles, winning four titles. Chronic back injuries forced him to retire in ’97.

Doggie treats
Howl’s this for a tasty treat? Award-winning pastry chef Rebecca Masson and some pals whipped up some doggone good eats at the semi-annual Sweet & Savory fundraiser. Seventy-five guests, including Lucky Dog Rescue founder Millicent Gerdes and event organizer Masson (pictured, from left) dined on seven exotic courses, silently bid on items and raised more than $12,500 for Lucky Dog Rescue. Jodie Eisenhardt also organized the event, and Margaret Dodd and John Smart were among those enjoying the treats. Lucky Dog Rescue has 25 to 35 dogs for adoption and is always looking for residents to foster them, with no expenses paid by the foster family. If you’re interested in becoming a foster, visit luckyrescue.org. (Photo: Phyllis Hand)

Ramping up the gala
In celebration of the upcoming gala, Christopher Brown and wife Melissa Martinez (pictured) hosted a holiday brunch for the Friends of the UH Graduate College of Social Work Gala. Brown is the chair for the April 26 gala, which is the crown jewel in the college’s annual fundraising season. Among the group of 30 guests were GCSW dean Ira Colby with his wife Deborah, Ed Smith, Karen Winston, Barbara Henley, Sylvia and Gordon Quan, Rafael Medrano and Natalie and Michael Aide.

Candles in the winter
More than 200 people, including Alexandra Scott, Aron Will, Camille Charvet and Patrick Connelly (pictured below, from left), put the “fun” in fundraising at the Candlelighters Young Professionals Group holiday party, raising more than $15,000 for Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance. Sensual Soul provided the jingle jams, and guests enjoyed Deep Eddy Vodka, Hideous Liquor and Christmas ale provided by Leprechaun Cider. Also in the crowd were Roula Zoghbi, Will Evans, Mary-Hendrix and Mallie Fabris, Lauren Caldwell, Ben Connor, Grant Gordon, Clark Henry, David Huffman and Stephen Brewer.

Scholarship ball
Chairs Mark Toubin and Elizabeth Cohen (pictured) are planning a night of opulence as the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston honors Douglas Foshee, Barbara “Bobbi” Samuels and Ken Simon at the 22nd annual Children’s Scholarship Ball. Proceeds from the March 3 event will benefit the Irvin Kaplan Children’s Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance for the center’s infant care, preschool, after-school activities, summer camp and special needs programs. Michael Feinberg, Ann Kaufman and Mark Watts are honorary chairs. For event information, call 713-729-3200 ext. 3202, or visit jcchouston.org/csb.

Bee Seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and local event announcements to (info@thebuzzmagazines.com) info (at) thebuzzmagazines (dot) com or 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Items are published on a space-available basis.

My name is Maggie.  I’m the bigger one in the photo and also older than “my shadow,” Winston. French Bulldogs are known as philosophers in a clown suit because we like to sit and stare at people, and people think that is funny. We also like to just hang out, preferably by a toasty fireplace, and we do not like to swim. A few years ago I heard squealing and thought the house must be burning down.  Turns out, David Hatton had the brilliant idea to surprise Patti Hatton with a puppy, and she was beside herself with joy – hence the piercing squeal.  They named the “new family member” (give me a break) Winston, and the little ingrate thinks I am his mother.  He sits on me like a puppy and watches my every move.  I tolerate him, but I’ll draw a thick line in the sand if he ever thinks there’s milk in the kitchen.

Got a cute canine or a photogenic feline? Email a picture of your pet with approximately 150 words to (info@thebuzzmagazines.com) info (at) thebuzzmagazines (dot) com or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Featured pets receive two passes to Rover Oaks Pet Resort. Each pass can be redeemed for one day of boarding, four extra playtimes or one day in Doggy Day Camp (for approved pets).

Lampooning Christmas
Joe Sansone

On a winning kick
Score! The Houston Express 98G White U 14 soccer team won the Houston Youth Soccer Association Division 2 Eastern District playoffs with an undefeated performance in Beaumont. Then they placed third in the South Texas Youth Soccer Association Division 2 state championships in San Marcos. Reece Vanas was team MVP and Julie McLamb most improved player. The team is (pictured, back row, from left) trainer Graham Harrison, Vanas, Julia Moody, Sara Bobb, Jenna Wadman, Amina Matin, Julia Douglas, Lauren Assel, Caroline Sempere, parent coach Randy Sorrels, Julia Tanabe and Shannon Lewis, and (front row, from left) Darby Sorrels, Riley Marsh, McLamb, Christina Whitehouse, Kerrigan Quenemoen and Molly Everett.

Holidays in the sun
Fulkra, Lorraine, Janjay and Justinian Mason spent their holidays in the small West African nation of Liberia, where they registered the Martha M. Wright Foundation to help restore the childhood of ‘tween and teen girls affected by war. The foundation will advocate for 11- to 18-year-old mothers and assist them in continuing their education. Most of the girls were forced to be girl solders and then were preyed upon by older men. Pictured (from left) are Rose, Ester, Bellaire High junior Janjay Mason, Linda and Justinian Mason, a freshman at St. Pius X High.

Reaching new heights
Donald Birnbaum, a senior at Bellaire High School, is flying high after earning the rank of Eagle Scout with St. John the Divine Episcopal Church’s Troop 55. For his Eagle project, Donald repurposed a trail at the Houston Arboretum for visually impaired walkers. Donald and his team moved mulch, drilled 100 three-foot holes for posts, and then reset the mulch around the posts. Donald needed $1,200 for the project and raised more than $2,100, with the extra going to the arboretum for other projects. His work team included Eric Andrade, Mark Bruce, Jack Castellano, George Chen, Zach Hijazi, Howard Kay, Jacob Lodenger, Matt Pace and Tim Vachon, as well as adults Stephen Birnbaum, John Castellano and Ellis Vachon. (Photo: Ashley Hall Photography)

She wants to be a millionaire
Brainy Jan Spreen (pictured at left, with host Meredith Vieira) won $70,600 on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Spreen made it to the $100,000 question (“An acronym Hillary Clinton once used to refer to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, MILF, is a rebel organization in what country?”), but out of lifelines and unsure of the answer, she walked away. The answer was The Philippines. (Photo: Courtesy of Valleycrest Productions Ltd.)

Steps toward a cure
Tessa Valente, a fourth grader at Horn Elementary, led her family and friends in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 5K “Say Boo to Diabetes” Walk. Tessa was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in September. “Team Tessa,” which included parents Fred and Karen, sister Marisa and Olivia, and Ella and Cheryl Faust, raised more than $5,000 thanks to generous donations from the Optimist Club of Bellaire, friends and family. Pictured (from left) are Olivia, Marisa, Ella and Tessa.

Horse playing
Alexine Salmons celebrated her seventh birthday with 15 girlfriends by going pony riding, eating cake pops and taking a barn tour at the Sam Houston Equestrian Center. The girls learned to trot and maneuver on horseback. Pictured (from left) are Siobhan Donnelly, Sydney Crick, Olivia Forque, Liron Lutfak, Kylie Carter, Apache the pony, Alexine Salmons, Joy Kimble, Isabella Finch, Keira Bannerman, Kate Deleef, Elizabeth Newhouse, Elizabeth Bell, Maya Sternthal, Blythe Mogil, Callie Hart and Anya Edelman.

Hoops, there it is
The Dream Team basketball team, starring players primarily from The Emery/Weiner School and Trafton Academy, went 4-0 to win the 12U division championship at the Quillian Center Holiday Hoops Tournament. They beat the Bellaire Heat 34-17 in the championship game of the double-elimination tournament. Pictured (from left) is the Dream Team: (back row) coach David Loev, Michael Talisman, Jared Wiesenthal, Nick Reiner, Max Vela and coach Melanee Weiser; (front row) Brandon Roseman, Jordan Loev, Mark Harrison and Sam Weiser.

Check mates
Steven Wolf, Jack Greenberg, Brett Bazarsky, Max Melamed, Koby Sheldon, Eli Cowan and Elijah Costa (pictured, from left) from Beth Yeshurun Day School took third place in their first chess tournament, the T. H. Rogers 2011 Chess Tournament hosted by the Houston Chess Association. Melamed also won second place in individual competition, and Sheldon third. T.H. Rogers won first, and The Village School was second.

Warming the holidays
Erica Bagwell hosted The Children’s Assessment Center Fourth-Annual Friends Guild Holiday Coffee. Guests donated toys and money and shopped. Ornaments for sale were designed by the children and teens served by CAC. The Deborah Colton Gallery provided exquisite artwork, Shamaine Klein Designs brought jewelry, and Carolyn Farb signed her book, Lucas Comes to America, with a portion of all proceeds going to The CAC. Also sipping coffee were (pictured, from left) Mary Moody, CAC executive director Elaine Stolte and Friends Guild president Kim Moody. Other Guild members include Diane Caplan, Maria Bush, Anne Carl, Kimberly DeLape, Deborah Duncan, Tena Faust, Nancy Golden, Ursaline Hamilton, Terry Wayne Jones, Amy M. Lee, Stephen C. Lewis, Lucinda Loya, Christopher Mendel, Bruce Padilla, Stephanie Perkins, Elizabeth Petersen, Susan Plank, Rachel Regan, Megan Sutton-Reed, Alicia Smith and Merele Yarborough. (Photo: Katy Anderson)

Bee Seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and local event announcements to (info@thebuzzmagazines.com) info (at) thebuzzmagazines (dot) com or 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Items are published on a space-available basis.

Just because I’m a petite, 6-pound, rescue mini schnauzer doesn’t mean I’m not bossy, so believe me when I tell you I took over the  household when I joined the family. Just ask my big, fat, Schnauzer sister Coco and wild Westie brother Mickey! They know I’m boss and know better than to mess with me.

I was lost and, lucky for me, the nice people at Miniature Schnauzer Rescue of Houston took me in.
Mom got a call one beautiful Sunday afternoon last February and dropped everything she was doing to pick me up at the “designated spot.” Needless to say, it was love at first sight. Of course, we got home, and Pops the human was not a happy camper. It took a couple of days to convince him, and now he thinks I’m really cool.

I’m also a bit of a drama queen. Don’t you just love my cowboy hat?

Got a cute canine or a photogenic feline? Email a picture of your pet with approximately 150 words to (info@thebuzzmagazines.com) info (at) thebuzzmagazines (dot) com or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Featured pets receive two passes to Rover Oaks Pet Resort. Each pass can be redeemed for one day of boarding, four extra playtimes or one day in Doggy Day Camp (for approved pets).

Candles in the winter

Lampooning Christmas
Joe Sansone and Teresa Maxwell got into the Christmas Vacation spirit. After outfitting their home in outrageous decoration, they hosted a festive “It’s a Griswold Christmas” party. Guests were encouraged to wear their tackiest holiday sweaters or come dressed as their favorite Christmas Vacation character. Cousin Eddie (Tom Sansone), Aunt Edna (Virginia Babin) and Ralphie from A Christmas Story in his pink bunny suit (Joe Sansone) showed up for a merry time. Pictured (from left) are Dr. Liza Kim, Pat McLaughlan, Dr. Robert and Denise Leisten, Joe Sansone, Teresa Maxwell and Diane McLaughlan.

Winter garden party
With the help of 21 hostesses, Jeanie Sweet hosted the Tanglewood Garden Holiday Tea Party at her home. A wall of glass doors folded back to open the den to a covered porch with seating for 100 women, who mingled and snacked on desserts. Among the crowd were (pictured, from left) co-chair Sharon Corry, Tanglewood Garden Club president Susan Betz, co-chair Trisha Baird and Sweet. Committee members were Ann Ford, Pam Harris, Barbara Maness, Betti Tiner, Vickie Lander, Kay Thibeaux, Kathy Kennedy, Kathy Plaeger, Amy Blumrosen, Gail Branca, Genny McIntire, Arlene Payne, Blanche Morello, Judy Schultz, Gloria Hill, Sally Thompson, Ollie Kensinger, Terry Estes, Therese Green, Angela Peterman and Katherine Murphy.

Picture of a winner
Suzy Burleson beat out thousands of worldwide entries to win the action/sports category of the 2011 Popular Photography magazine annual photo contest. Burleson’s photo, “Oarsman on the Arno,” was taken in Florence, Italy, on a bridge overlooking the Arno River. Silt in the water lent the river an unusual color, and trails show the oarsman in perfect harmony with the rushing river and in mastery of his craft. This photo also won a first place in the 2011 Buzz Magazines Photo Contest

Ornament exchange
Seventy-five gals showed up at the fourth annual ornament exchange at Kelli Weinzierl’s decked-out home, which had seven Christmas trees, a snowy village scene and 100 colorful toy soldiers. The party was hosted by (pictured, from left) Glenda Moore, Lorie Herod, Weinzierl, Pam Schmidt, Susan Light and Lynn Deyo.

An arresting gala
More than 600 guests, including local celebs, were awed by Houston Police Department rescue exercises, dramatic shootouts, swooping helicopters, fireworks, and “Dean Martin” and “Frank Sinatra” performing Ol’ Blue Eyes Sings the Blues during the Houston Police Foundation Gala. At the home of foundation chairs Tilman and Paige Fertitta, the HPD honored board member Paul Somerville for his contributions to the foundation and the community, and dinner chair Laura Ward took kudos for spearheading the fundraiser, which raised more than $600,000. Husband and board member Dave Ward emceed. Pictured are (from left) Ed McMahon, Charles Ann Gumina and Vic Fertitta. (Photo: Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design)

Warming the holidays
The Children’s Assessment Center Friends Guild Board hosted the fourth annual holiday coffee in Erica Bagwell’s home. Guests, including Friends Guild president Kim Moody, Terry Wayne Jones and Anne Carl (pictured, from left), donated toys and money and bought ornaments designed by the children and teens served by CAC, jewelry and artwork. Shopping benefited The CAC. Other board members included Diane Caplan, Maria Bush, Kimberly DeLape, Deborah Duncan, Tena Faust, Nancy Golden, Ursaline Hamilton, Amy M. Lee, Stephen C. Lewis, Lucinda Loya, Christopher Mendel, Bruce Padilla, Stephanie Perkins, Elizabeth Petersen, Susan Plank, Rachel Regan, Megan Sutton-Reed, Alicia Smith and Merele Yarborough. (Photo: Katy Anderson)

Doggie treats
Howl’s this for a tasty treat? Award-winning pastry chef Rebecca Masson and some pals whipped up some doggone good eats at the semi-annual Sweet & Savory fundraiser. Seventy-five guests, including Lucky Dog Rescue founder Millicent Gerdes and event organizer Masson (pictured, from left), dined on seven exotic courses, silently bid on items and raised more than $12,500 for Lucky Dog Rescue. Jodie Eisenhardt also organized the event. Lucky Dog Rescue has 25 to 35 dogs for adoption and is always looking for residents to foster them, with no expenses paid by the foster family. See luckyrescue.org. (Photo: Phyllis Hand)

The place to bead
Queen Joanie Filippone will hold court with King Tommy Jackson, Duke Mark Thiessen, Duchess Susie Cone and others at the Krewe of Maximilian’s Galveston Mardi Gras festivities. On Feb. 17, Krewe members will enjoy a bead party on The Roof Garden, and the next night it will be a “Havana Nights” beach ball. Pictured (from left) are the krewe’s past kings and queens: (back row) Nancy Keely, Thomas Irwin, Chris Cone, Cathy Brown, Jesse Brown, Debbie Robinson, James Henderson and Filippone; (middle row) Basil MacDonald, Kathy McCord, Jackson, Jana Giammalva, Ken Ellis, Jude Filippone, Samantha Norwood, Tim Samson and Julie Samson; (bottom row) Matt Henderson and Tessa Henderson. For more information, contact Jackson, (kingrex@kreweofmax.com) kingrex (at) kreweofmax (dot) com.

Star gazing, cancer fighting
Guests will be seeing stars at the American Cancer Society’s Oscar Night America viewing party Feb. 26. Chairs Kat Gonyea and Misty Tabberer and the event committee are planning a night of fine food, wine and vodka tasting, and an auction. Pictured (from left) are Emily Cotton, Heather Bourque and Gonyea. Other committee members include David McCurley, Deb Hensel, Duc Nguyen, Marianne Bianchi, Michael Wells, Nancy Rohr Rose, Rasha Nasreddin, Shannon Caldwell, Tiffany Johnson and Trish Earles. See oscarnightamericahouston.org. (Photo: CharadePhotography.Com)

Bee Seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and local event announcements to (info@thebuzzmagazines.com) info (at) thebuzzmagazines (dot) com or 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Items are published on a space-available basis.

My sister and brother always wanted a dog. Dad said they couldn’t since Mom is allergic. But Sister and Brother got older and more persistent. Soon, they heard about hypoallergenic breeds, and that pretty much left Dad with no more excuse. So off they all went in search of the perfect dog – which turns out to be me, Pixel. Everyone thinks it is a cute name. You see, I am on the rather petite side. That said, I do have a lot of personality. I am a soccer player and will hopefully get a bigger yard soon. I take my 6’4” Dad on a walk every day. I make Mom shower me with attention. I get Brother to play tag until we are both exhausted. Sister knows how to annoy me, but she sure can be sweet. When my family behaves well, I lick them all over their faces. And did I mention my gorgeous black Lab girlfriend, Maggie?

Got a cute canine or a photogenic feline? Email a picture of your pet with approximately 150 words to (info@thebuzzmagazines.com) info (at) thebuzzmagazines (dot) com or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401. Featured pets receive two passes to Rover Oaks Pet Resort. Each pass can be redeemed for one day of boarding, four extra playtimes or one day in Doggy Day Camp (for approved pets).