Agent’s colleagues joined dirty day of Buffalo Bayou cleanup
Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty agent Bob Mitchell rallied his colleagues to join a volunteer day at Buffalo Bayou Partnership to help the city treasure rebound from Harvey’s ravage.
“Buffalo Bayou Partnership is dedicated to improving the lives of all Houstonians who live, work and play along the bayou and are able to enjoy this wonderful natural resource for recreation and leisure,” said Mitchell. “It’s an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature in the heart of this big city.”
Mitchell reported a “wonderful turnout” of agents and staff who got out of bed early on a recent Saturday morning to spend the day removing silt and mud from along the banks where it was deposited by the storm. It had to go, Mitchell said, because it was causing damage to the flora and fauna indigenous to the banks of the bayou.
Other volunteers were tasked with collecting plastic, paper and all other kinds of trash that was left behind in the trees, stuck in the mud and laying along the banks of the bayou.
“Our group got dirty and sweaty collecting countless bags of trash and removing loads of dirt covering up the native plants,” Mitchell said. He offered thanks and kudos to all who pitched in.
••• John Daugherty, Realtors agent Chris Foster spent Thanksgiving with the coop manager Homa Botor helping out with Operation Turkey” — a coordinated effort to provide more than 50,000 meals to the homeless in 13 cities across six states. The pair spent the entire day on the line at Grace Presbyterian Church serving the combined effort of delivering nearly 90 meals a minute over the course of the day.
••• Beth Wolff Realtors attended the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s “Light the Night Walk” recently in support of “Jackson,” the grandson of agent Cindy Cook. Beth Wolff, Stephen Sheffer, Marie Caplan and Lara Barringer joined Cook for the annual 2-mile trek to raise funds for treatment and patient support services.
••• BethWolff Realtors Real Living agent Ursula Muenzel, a former faculty member of the Center for International Studies at St. Thomas University and longtime supporter of the Distinguished Diplomat Program, spent a recent afternoon at the event “Diplomacy and the Art of the Oriental Rug” which took place at the Woven Arts Store in Rice Village.
••• And finally. For 20 years, my late friend and colleague Jude Patronella knew every secret of the Houston real estate community, but only shared a carefully curated few in print. Handpicking his items each week from the flood of information that passed through his ever-busy landline phone and fax, he never missed a column. The sound of his voice on the other end of the line meant it was time to drop what you were doing and luxuriate in the funny, sweet and deliciously offthe-record world of Jude. Even after I left the Houston Chronicle, Houston and real estate, Jude’s number was always a treat on caller ID. I would let it go to voicemail only if I really didn’t have at least 20 minutes to talk — and always regretted it. Jude did not do quick calls.
When I came back to Houston a few years later, our real estate community was hollowed with the loss of our scribe and confidant. No one but Jude could do Jude, but I agreed to pen a simpler version of his column in tribute to him and in support of the many good things that happen in the real estate community.
The opportunity to work again with Don Gray made it impossible to say no. But after almost five years, it’s time for me so surrender the privilege.
Family obligations and my burgeoning business as a jewelry designer have moved me back home to Buffalo, New York. Jude would say it’s no excuse, but Jude was better than me in every way, he was just too much of a gentleman to say it.
My thanks to you for sharing your adventures and good works over these years.
I’ll be in Jablonec in the Czech Republic for the end of 2017 writing about the traditional glass artisans I work with there. You are welcome to join me at www. bfloboho.com.
Wishing you smooth closings and a spectacular 2018.
Judi Griggs is a writer who lives in Houston in the winter and Buffalo in the summer — because the reverse would be ridiculous. Contact her at realnewshouston@gmail.com or through judigriggs.com.