Last Minute Holiday Getaways
Does the cold weather give you the holiday blues? Maybe the commercialism of buying gifts just isn’t for you? And maybe, just maybe, you’re due a vacation anyway.
Gifts for Fashion Lovers
This holiday season, even the most experienced shopper may need to grab some last-minute gifts for the special people on their list. With a curated assortment of this season’s most coveted items, Macy’s is the gift destination for everyone’s holiday needs. Whether it’s a last-minute hostess present for a late-breaking party invitation or a round of colleague gift exchanges, shoppers can take advantage of Macy’s must-haves across fashion, home and beauty.
The Spirit Of Giving Highlight: Nikki Jackson Of Beyond Fostering, Inc. Gives Hope To 25 Foster Kids This Season
Our youth are faced with many whirlwind-like obstacles, some a little bit more than others. However, with the help from people like Nikki Jackson, founder of Beyond Fostering, Inc., the challenges of those who need a little bit more hope are made possible. Jackson founded Beyond Fostering, Inc. in the sprouting season of May this year. It wasn’t until after her journey of being a seasoned foster parent for over 18 years that Jackson became impregnated mentally with the fuel to help as many kids as possible in the foster care system have a brighter future. Giving birth through her passion sparked fulfillment of her vision in providing new concepts for children in CPS custody, facilitating accessible outreach programs, and innovating breakthroughs for not only foster children but foster parents as well. Jackson implemented support groups, parenting classes, one-on-one counseling, enrichment activities, crisis intervention, and many more programs. Beyond Fostering’s mission is dedicated to helping aid in improving the lives of foster children that goes beyond the basic needs of wellness and safety. Through values of integrity, compassion, and commitment, while offering support and advocacy, Beyond Fostering creates normalcy for all foster children. During the holidays and especially Christmas time kids are needing a little bit more hope and to be celebrated with lots of love. On this Saturday, December 15, 2018, Beyond Fostering, Inc. will host a ‘Beyond The Christmas Experience’ for 25 kids and their parents to enjoy a night of fun, food, and entertainment. We got wind of this moving event and was able to get a brief interview with Jackson. HSM: Where do you see the most need for foster children? Nikki: In the United States there are at least 422,000 children in the foster care system, this number can increase or decrease daily. Nearly half of those children are in need of non-relative foster homes, and due to the high number, no other options are available. Some major needs are more foster care homes, adoption placement and support from the agencies and CPS. These children need a very strong and caring support system that they can feel comfortable in opening up. Foster children also need more resources such as financial, education, career, and peer support that will help them along their journey in foster care. HSM: What is your advice for anyone seeking to become foster parents? Nikki: Fostering is extremely rewarding. Passion has to be at the forefront. Foster parenting can be very challenging at times. It requires the parent to practice patience and have an understanding of the mental phases the child can have. Your normal routine can change on a daily basis. Having a good support system in place plays a key factor in being a successful foster parent. It requires choosing to love through the emotional pain, not only for the child but everyone in the home. Foster parenting is also a very enjoyable and memorable experience. HSM: What spewed your passion to start Beyond Fostering, Inc.? Nikki: Being a foster parent is my passion and purpose God gave me. My mother was a foster to adoptive mom and she left a legacy for me to continue. After being a foster mom for over 15 years, I felt the need to do more. I wanted to make a difference and impact on the kids in foster care that one day they may look back, and see someone really cared. I watched so many children go in and out of the foster care system with no hope on their future. My goal is to better the lives of children in foster care and provide them with a sense of normalcy so that they can have a brighter future. Many children and foster parents are not properly educated on their rights or limited to minimum resources. My ultimate goal is to be the voice for kids in foster care and bridge the gap between foster and bio families. It’s a beautiful and rewarding feeling knowing that the sacrifices you made today contributed to a child in foster care future. HSM: How can those who want to get involved help Beyond Fostering, Inc.? Nikki: Throughout the year we have several volunteer opportunities for our events. In 2019, we will be starting a mentorship program and will be looking for mentors to spearhead the programs. They can contact our office at 281-617-8136. Be sure to follow Beyond Fostering, Inc. on Facebook for updates and forthcoming events.
Is Soul Food Putting the “Die” in Diet?
In the South, back in your grandmother’s day, a good home-cooked meal included chicken-fried crisp in lard, candied yams, macaroni and cheese, greens seasoned with ham hocks, good old fashion cornbread, all topped off by three types of cake and sweet potato pie. And no one thought a thing about eating it, except how good it tastes, and how good it made you feel.
All Good Things Must Come to An End
Colts defeat the Texans 24 - 21 to break the 9-game winning streak
I will never forget my senior year on the varsity football team. We won our first three games of the season and we were on a natural high. After ten years of being bad, our high school was finally seeing success on the football field. And then it happened. In the fourth game of the season, we were finally brought back to earth. We lost, but I will never forget the first words uttered by my coach. “All good things must come to an end,” said our coach as he gazed into the eyes of young men who just had their hearts broken.
The Art of Gift Giving
Before any bow can be untied or wrapping torn off to see that look of surprise and excitement for what’s inside a lot of planning and thought must take place. One has to make their giftee list and think about what suits people. Gift giving is not easy and truly an art. Never fear as Houston Style Magazine has got you covered this Christmas season with our ultimate gift guide for gifts for her, him, and them.
White Churches Have Moral Responsibility to Stand Up
In 2019, we will commemorate 400 years since the first 20 slaves were transported by ship from Africa by white slave traders and landed in Jamestown, Va.
Proposed Trump Administration Rule Could Make Houston Sicker
The Trump administration is proposing a new immigration rule that could have a major impact on public health in cities like Houston.
Slain North Carolina teen 'might be alive' if authorities hadn't overlooked evidence from 2016 case, prosecutor says
The kidnapping and killing of 13-year-old Hania Aguilar may have been prevented if authorities had properly handled DNA evidence from a separate case last year, a North Carolina prosecutor said.
Alleged Russian spy Maria Butina pleads guilty to engaging in conspiracy against US
Alleged Russian spy Maria Butina pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday for conspiracy to act as an illegal foreign agent in the United States.
Just in time: The 10 best luxury watches of 2018
In the world of watch-making, 2018 will be remembered as a year of disruption and celebration.
Jeff Flake warns 'threats to our democracy from within and without are real'
In his farewell speech to Congress, departing GOP Senator Jeff Flake issued a warning that "the threats to our democracy from within and without are real" and that the country is experiencing a "moment of political dysfunction and upheaval."
Gun deaths in US reach highest level in nearly 40 years, CDC data reveal
Gun deaths in America have reached a record high. Nearly 40,000 people in the United States died by guns last year, marking the highest number of gun deaths in decades, according to a new analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WONDER database.
Wedding Oak Winery to Relocate Tasting Room in Fredericksburg, Texas
Wedding Oak Winery is relocating its tasting room in Fredericksburg, Texas. In preparation for the move, the winery has ended its lease with Wildseed Farms and will close its tasting room at that location. The last day of operations for the Wedding Oak Winery at Wildseed Farm will be December 31, 2018.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Celebrates Her 24th Annual Toys-for-Kids Giveaway
Every year, we embark on this endeavor with a heart full of love in order to make the lives of those without sufficient means brighter during this special time of year. Although it is a massive undertaking to organize and implement, it is an incredible and unique opportunity to spread the holiday cheer. It has been so incredible that last year we hit a new record high of approximately 13,000 individuals attending the festivities.
Houston Named #1 Party City of 2018 (new data from Evite)
Houston kept the world’s #1 party spot again, according to new data by Evite, the world's leading digital platform for bringing people together.
Council Member Dwight Boykins Proposes Plan to Fund Pay Parity for and Prevent Layoffs
In October, Houston's City Controller Chris Brown placed the estimated cost to city government of Proposition B's passage at approximately $85 million annually. Today, Council Member Boykins will offer a viable solution to meet that cost while preserving jobs, in a way that best reflects the will of the voters who voted overwhelmingly in support of pay parity on November 6.
HPD Reminds Citizens to Sign Up for 911 Emergency Profile System
Houston Police Assistant Chief Henry Gaw and members of the Houston Fire Department, representatives from Greater Harris County 911 and the Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security urge citizens to create their own "Emergency Profile."
The Legendary Lauren Anderson in the Nutty Nutcracker
The Legendary, first African-American Principal dancer for the Houston Ballet, Lauren Anderson, will appear in the Texas Ballet Theater (TBT) Ben Stevenson's The Nutty Nutcracker at 8 PM December 14, 2018 at the Bass Performance Hall (525 Commerce St. Fort Worth, TX 76102). Anderson will be in Dallas/Fort Worth on Friday, December 14th and available for interviews until 12 PM, with specific requests available afterwards.
Turkey Leg Hut Teams Up with The Car Wreck King to Host First Annual Toys & Turkeys Giveaway
The Turkey Leg Hut and The Car Wreck King are teaming up to make a difference in the lives of Houston families this holiday season. On Saturday, December 22, 2018, the two business will give away 100 bicycles and 100 turkeys to local families at the Turkey Leg Hut’s First Annual Toys & Turkeys Giveaway!
