Family Time

George H.W. Bush does not let being stuck in hospital end his Gigi's Christmastradition

George H.W. Bush has been receiving treatment at The Methodist Hospital sinceNov. 23.
Photo by Donna Carson/Reuters
That didn't keep the Bush family from their annual Christmas tradition of Gigi'sAsian Bistro & Dumpling Bar.
Gigi's Asian Bistro & Dumpling Bar/Facebook
Gigi Huang is known for serving Houston influentials at her Galleria-arearestaurant.
Photo by Daniel Ortiz

A Christmas Day trip to Gigi's Asian Bistro & Dumpling Bar has been a standing tradition in the George H.W. Bush household.

The former president remains at The Methodist Hospital for treatment of a cough lingering from a case of bronchitis, but that didn't stop him and his wife, Barbara, from enjoying their beloved neighborhood Chinese cuisine: The family enjoyed Gigi's at the hospital with H.W.'s son Neil, Neil's wife, Maria, and his grandson Pierce.

Methodist Hospital representatives and family spokespersons have been anticipating an imminent release since the 88-year-old Bush was initially hospitalized the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Just last week doctors said they expected him to be discharged in time for Christmas, and while they continue to insist that his condition is stable and not life-threatening, a solid release date has not yet been set.

"They're taking it one day at a time right now," spokesman Jim McGrath told the Houston Chronicle. "The doctors are cautiously optimistic that they have his current issues in hand. But they need to see more improvement before they start thinking about discharge."

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Trash Talk

How to dispose of your Christmas tree — responsibly: Recycling the holidays madeeasy

The City of Houston and Living Earth will dispose of your Christmas tree forfree — just don't forget to remove the decorations, ornaments, tinsel, lightsand stands first.
Daily Photo
Photo courtesy of Houston Solid Waste Management Department

Christmas seemed to be over in a blink this year, so I have kept my tiny evergreen tree up in the dining room, decorated with mix-matched ornaments, to serve as a fragrant reminder that it is still — officially anyway — the holiday season.

As the drooping branches and dropping needles have proven, it can't stay this way much longer. Luckily, the City of Houston offers a free option for responsible disposal with the Residential Christmas Tree Recycling Program.

Houstonians can drop off their trees at one of 18 area locations between now and Jan. 8 (except New Year's Day), or can place their tree on the curb on a scheduled tree waste day (search by ZIP code here).

Rather than taking up valuable landfill space, the collected trees will be ground into mulch and made available in bulk from local retailers including Living Earth Technology, a Houston-based company that has been returning organic waste to beneficial reuse for more than 20 years.

Just don't forget to take the decorations off first.

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Family Time

George H.W. Bush does not let being stuck in hospital end his Gigi's Christmastradition

Trash Talk

How to dispose of your Christmas tree — responsibly: Recycling the holidays madeeasy

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