Two restaurant newbies celebrated summer openings, beginning with Bosscat Kitchen & Libation’s bars inside The James and The Ivy apartment buildings in River Oaks. Residents and guests can enjoy signature cocktails from Bosscat’s bar director Matt Sharp, plus an exclusive menu of light bites. More foodie fun awaited at Poitín, Sawyer Yards’ newest arrival. The restaurant’s grand-opening bash benefited the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, and was full of funky touches like undercover comedians from The Secret Group and a drag show by Blackberri and friends. There was no shortage of beverages or bites — the pork belly apps were nicely washed down with colorful cocktails and beer from neighboring Holler Brewery and Green Flash Brewing Co.
MICHELLE REYNA WYMES, a distinguished name in the Houston real estate market, is the owner of the successful boutique brokerage, Reyna Group. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Michelle has deep-rooted connections to the community she serves with dedication and pride.
At 40 years old, Michelle has carved out a significant niche in the competitive world of Houston real estate. Reyna Group, under her leadership, boasts a team of 25 highly skilled agents who collectively cover the extensive Houston area, Galveston, the Hill Country, and Mexico. Reyna Group is renowned for its client-centric approach, ensuring that every transaction is handled with the utmost care and professionalism.
"Our goal at Reyna Group is to provide unparalleled service to our clients," Michelle asserts. "We believe in building lasting relationships based on trust, the utmost level of care during each transaction, and stellar results.
With her unwavering commitment to excellence and a forward-thinking approach, Michelle is poised to continue leading the Reyna Group to new heights. Her story is a testament to what passion, hard work, and a client-first mindset can achieve in the dynamic world of real estate.
ONE OF CITYBOOK'S ‘Cool 100’ has been named to another top 100 list!
The Montrose Center CEO Avery Belyeu has made Out magazine’s OUT100 list for 2024. She is being lauded for her work at The Montrose Center, where she is the first openly transgender CEO of a large LGBTQ+ center in the United States.
Belyeu was raised in a strict Jehovah’s Witness household, and overcame familial struggles to become an advocate for the community. CityBook and Out praised her time spent at Lambda Legal in New York and the Los Angeles’ Trevor Project before moving to Houston for the new gig this year. She recently oversaw the Montrose Center gala, which raised a record-breaking $400,000.
“Avery is a rock star and deserves this honor,” said Gary Wood, president of board of directors. “We knew she was special when we asked her to lead the Center, and she is already exceeding our expectations in elevating the Center’s regional impact and national profile.”
Belyeu joins Tom Daley, Jodie Foster and cover star Cynthia Erivo on this year’s OUT100 list. “I am honored to be included in this year’s OUT100 list along with so many other incredible pillars of our community,” she said. “I am humbled by this recognition and excited that this will spotlight the remarkable work we are doing at the Montrose Center.”
In Time for 'Movember,' Top Spa Pro Offers Tips for Men Looking to Make the Most of a Spa Visit
AS WE MOVE into Movember, men’s mental health is a big topic. In fact, men can get a lot of benefit, both mentally and physically by taking advantage of everything a spa has to offer. LeBrina Jackson, owner of Escape Spa, has the answers
How does Escape Spa cater to men? We designed Escape Spa to ensure both men and women feel comfortable and welcome. From our earth tones to our luxury brown unisex robes, this is not a pampering palace but a rejuvenation destination.
Tell us about athletic recovery and why it’s important? Athletic recovery is a must for anyone who's active, whether a weekend warrior or a seasoned athlete. It's about helping your body bounce back stronger, repairing muscles, reducing inflammation, and improving flexibility so you can avoid injuries and keep doing what you love. Being married to a pro athlete — former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback William Jackson — has really opened my eyes to how important recovery is. It's not just about physical performance, it's about overall well-being too.
Do you offer treatments for physical stress, such as muscle tension or joint pain, related to recovery? Tell us about them. We’ve curated an entire lineup of treatments designed to melt away stress and help your body recover:
The Trifecta combines heat therapy to increase blood flow and relax muscles, deep tissue massage and percussion to target knots and trigger points, and active stretching to improve flexibility and range of motion.
Consider Massage Therapy. Choose from a wide range of massages to help ease muscle tension, boost circulation, and target specific issues.
In Normatec Compression Therapy, air compression is used in this unique treatment to improve blood flow, reduce swelling, and help muscle recovery.
Our infrared HaloIR Salt Sauna is like a magic eraser for stress and pain, helping detoxify the body, reduce inflammation, and relieve muscle and joint pain. Plus, the added salt therapy boosts respiratory function and does wonders for your skin!
Can you provide services to help manage emotional stress and anxiety associated with recovery? How? We know that recovery isn't just physical; it's mental and emotional too. That's why we offer services to help guests unwind and de-stress. These include Guided Mindfulness and Meditation Sessions, as well as Aromatherapy, using pure essential oils. Also, Quiet Transitional Spaces help prepare mind and body to make the most of your spa treatment experience.
Are there any treatments that can help with sleep disturbances common in recovery? Which ones specifically and how do they help? Yes! Recovery Relaxation Massage with Arnica and Magnesium is like a lullaby for your body and mind, enhanced with arnica — a natural anti-inflammatory that soothes sore muscles and magnesium — to relax muscles and promote better sleep.
CBD Enhancement can really help. The proven calming and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD help ease anxiety and promote tranquility, making it easier to drift off to sleep.
Unique to our day spa experience is our Escape Ritual Bath Circuit — sauna, jacuzzi, and revitalizing chiller bucket shower circuit. This kind of contrast bathing experience has been proven over centuries in a range of cultures to relax muscles, reduce stress, and promote better sleep.
How do you create a welcoming and comfortable environment for male guests? First, it's a matter of Ambiance. The spa’s refined aesthetic feels sophisticated and inviting, without being overly feminine or fussy.
Also, we pride ourselves on Personalized Service. Our therapists are not only experts in their respective fields, but they’re also skilled at putting clients at ease, and tailoring treatments to individual needs and preferences.
We Focus on Results. We understand that men prefer a results-oriented approach, so Escape treatments are designed to deliver specific benefits, whether alleviating muscle tension, reducing stress, improving sleep, or enhancing overall well-being.
Do you have any specific policies or procedures in place to ensure privacy and comfort for men? Beyond separate changing areas for men and women, our therapists are trained to be discreet and respectful of personal space and privacy.
How do you address any concerns or discomfort a male guest may have about receiving spa treatments? Our therapists are trained to discuss any concerns a guest might have before and during their treatment, making sure they feel comfortable, relaxed, and renewed.
The sauna at Escape Spa
The Escape Ritual Bath Circuit includes sauna, jacuzzi, and revitalizing chiller bucket shower.