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5/29/2003

Wild Rice
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Faster than a speeding bullet, it’s Rice Emergency Medical Services to the rescue.
During the Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church’s Good Friday service, one of its guests fell on the sidewalk outside the church, cutting her hand and head.

When 911 was called, the Rice EMS team of David Melville, Drew Flansbaum and Rechana Patel were on the scene within minutes.

Earl Vanzant, facilities manager for the church, said the Rice crew handled the situation admirably and smoothly transitioned the case to the Houston Fire Department paramedics.

Luckily, the patron had only minor injuries. However, Vanzant said the Palmer Church community is thankful to have such helpful neighbors across Main Street.

“This is another great example of good neighbors helping out when needed,” he said. “We at Palmer appreciate all that Rice has done with and for us.”

Sgt. Willie Anderson with the Rice University Police Department is on his way to recovery following his total knee replacement surgery last month.

He has been doing rehabilitation work to strengthen the muscles around the knee and also has been working to increase flexibility and said he is slowly coming along.
Anderson, who is slated to retire in June, said his is grateful for the many calls and flowers he has received from the Rice community.

“I didn’t realize I had touched so many people,” he said.

Just because school is out doesn’t mean things will slow down for Chuck Throckmorton, director of bands. After he took care of music for Rice’s 90th commencement ceremony May 11, his band, The Houston Brass, provided music for the University of Houston-Downtown’s graduation at Minute Maid Park.

Now, The Houston Brass members are headed overseas to Holland for a 10-day, six-city tour to showcase their talent.

“We’ve played around town, but this is our first tour of any length,” Throckmorton said. “And to do it in Europe is exciting.”

The Houston Brass play a wide variety of music, from Bach to Duke Ellington. Throckmorton said the group wants to appeal to a wide audience and to demonstrate the similarities between the kinds of music they play.

“We try to point out parallels of the music,” he said. “We’ll play something from Bach and then something from Ellington. The audience should be able to hear some of the similarities.”

To submit a story idea for the Wild Rice column, contact Greg Okuhara at (713) 348-6772 or <gokuhara@rice.edu>.

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