Bay Area Observer 5-19-2011 by The Bay Area Observer

The Bay Area Observer Community News For The Galveston Bay Area VOLUME 2, NO. 20

By The Bay Seabrook: Wednesday Night Sailboat Racing on Clear Lake Every Wednesday Every Wednesday evening from April until October, professional and amateur sailors get together for a friendly sailboat race on the waters of Clear Lake, twenty minutes south of Houston and home of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.These races were created with the public in mind, and the course has been set where the race can be enjoyed by spectators from some of the restaurants around the lake. Everyone is invited to come and watch.The races are rarely cancelled due to bad weather. In the previous twelve years, the races have been cancelled only about five times due to bad weather. The atmosphere just seems to get its act together as the sun goes down! Come on out and join us! The races start promptly at 6:15 PM and finish before sunset. Come and join us for an evening of fun and relaxation. There’s always some commentary on the action, and if you wish to participate, you’re welcome to sign up on our crew list. We always have boats looking for crew! If you own a boat and would like to participate in these races, read the race instructions, then come out and join the fun. You can sign up the day of the races by filling out an entry form. Time: 6:30 pm Venue Name: Villa Capri Italian Restaurant Location: 3713 Nasa Parkway, Seabrook, TX 77586 Admission Cost: Phone: 281-468-6909 Web: www.clearlakeracing.com

Seabrook Volunteer Fire Dept. Memorial Blood Drive May 23rd, 2011 The Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting a memorial blood drive in honor of the man who lost his life from his burns after saving the lives of many other residents at the Emerald Shores apartments. With the Memorial Day holiday and then the July 4th holiday not long after, there is usually an increased need for blood. The drive will be held on Monday, May 23rd, 2011 from 4:00PM to 8:00PM in association with the UTMB Blood Bank.All community members are invited and encouraged to participate in the blood drive, which will be held at the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department, Station 1, located at 1850 E.Meyer Road. For more information, please contact SVFD at 281-474-3434.

Seaside Garden Club Monthly Meeting Carother’s Coastal Gardens in Seabrook 3rd Weds. - 2:30 pm Your thumb doesn’t need to be green to come to Seaside Garden Club’s monthly meeting on the third Wednesday of every month at 12:30 pm at the beautiful new Carother’s Coastal Gardens Wedding and Event location, 502 Pine Gully Rd in Seabrook. If you want to help beautify Seabrook, meet new people, and learn new things, then come check us out. The next meeting is May 18th at 12:30. We are excited about hosting David Cater, an actual Texas bamboo farmer and story teller who will be presenting a program on growing bamboo and vegetables and more. This is sure to be a fun experience for all. For more information call D. Nelson 281-474-4825 or S. Thompson 281-291-0472

...

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

Glenn Royal Wins Seabrook’ s Mayoral Election, Takes Oath During Tuesdays Council Meeting to fire safety and emergency medical services with the adoption of a proposed local sales and use tax at a rate of one-fourth of one percent (0.25%). On May 19th, La Porte City Council will hold a special meeting to consider approval or other action regarding an ordinance declaring the results of the general election. Council will also consider ordering a runoff election; providing dates and hours for that runoff election. La Porte will Consider approval or other action regarding an ordinance declaring the results of the creation and tax election of the La Porte Fire Control, Prevention and Emergency Medical Services District . Council will also consider adopting the one-fourth of one percent sales and use tax for financing the operation of the La Porte Fire Control, Prevention, and Emergency Medical Services District within the territory of the District. The Oath of Office to re-elected Council members Mike Mosteit, District 1, and Mike Clausen, District 6 will then be issued as well as Certificates of Election. Shoreacres Election Results

City Secretary Michele Glaser Administers The Oath And Certificate of Election To Seabrook’s Incoming Mayor Glenn Royal. By Rebecca Collins editor@bayareaobserver.com

The votes are in and Glenn Royal has been elected as Seabrook’s next Mayor. Royal beat his opponent Jordan Voors by a landslide, taking 88% of the votes. During Tuesday’s city council meeting, outgoing Mayor Gary Renola and councilman Garry Mack both received plaques from city council in appreciation for their dedication and hard work during their time with the city. The canvass of the election during Tuesday’s council meeting passed unanimously. Immediately after the council vote Don Holbrook, Position 4, Mike Giangrosso, Position 2, and Laura Davis, Position 6 were sworn into office. The three council members were unopposed for their positions, with Giangrosso replacing Councilman Garry Mack. Glenn Royal was then sworn into office, and after a brief reception for the newly elected council members and mayor, conducted his first regular council meeting. Royal recognized his fellow Seabrook residents and said, “They say that it takes a village to raise a person and that certainly holds true in my case. My being elected mayor is because of the impression that many Seabrook residents have had on me over the years. I hope to honor their confidence in my abilities and thank them for this opportunity. This election also saw Council Members Laura Davis and Don Holbrook reelected to a second term and a newly elected Councilman Mike Giangrosso. I am pleased to be able to serve along side of them and with our remaining Council Members and City Staff Mem-

bers. I can’t help but to feel excited about Seabrook’s future”. Seabrook voters also passed Proposition 1 during a special election on May 14th. The vote was 261 for and 142 against the proposition to adopt the police officers’ Civil Service. Kemah Votes In New Mayor The election results for the City of Kemah are still unofficial but it appears that voters in that city have elected a new mayor. Newcomer Bob Cummins beat incumbent Mayor Matt Wiggans by 58 votes. City of Kemah incumbent council members Pat Buchanan, Position 2, and Wayne Rast, Position 4 both defended and won their seats against their opponents.

your voice heard... loud and proud. I’ll be there to cast my vote for La Porte’s future, so I’ll see you at the polls. The work is just beginning!” Incumbent councilman Mike Clausen retained his seat for District 6 with 66.67% of the votes. La Porte voters also passed Proposition 1 with 927 voting for the proposition and 570 voting against it. Proposition 1 will create the La Porte Fire Control, Prevention and Emergency Medical Services District dedicated

Four candidates sought one of three open at-large alderman seats in the Shoreacres General Election. All three incumbents were seeking re-election. 44 ballots were cast in the city’s election, 12 of those being during early voting. Incumbent Richard Adams was the top vote winner with 35 votes assuring him an at-large position on the city council. Connie Ramirez received 29 votes and Dana Woodruff received 28 votes, enough for both incumbents to retain their seats. Newcomer Matthew Webber received 18 votes. The election results for Shoreacres will not be official until canvassed by city council on May 23rd.

La Porte Run-Off Election The City of La Porte will have a runoff election for At Large Position “B” between Dottie Kaminski and Rick Guzman. Kaminski received 43.88% of the votes and Guzman received 30.01% of the votes. With approval of city council, the run-off election should take place June 11th, 2011. Candidate Rick Guzman in a statement to the Bay Area Observer thanked voters and said, “A Texas-size thanks to everyone who worked to support me and especially those who voted for me! You cared enough about the future of La Porte to make your voice heard. People like you make a difference in our hometown. A run-off election is a challenge - to the candidate and to the voter. It’s another chance for the candidate to present his views, and another opportunity for you the voter to make

Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem Paul Dunphey Presents Outgoing Mayor Gary Renola With A Plaque From City Council For His Dedication And Hard Work As Mayor On Behalf Of The Citizens Of Seabrook

Volunteers Pot Over 1,000 Trees at La Porte Tree Farm On Saturday, May 14, 2011, Trees For Houston community volunteers potted over 1,000 seedlings at the Trees For Houston La Porte Tree Farm. Volunteers potted loblolly pines, live oaks and other native trees. Trees For Houston maintains and grows out these trees over the next few years, and will plant them throughout the greater Houston area. In April 2011, LyondellBasell volunteers and Trees For Houston partnered to develop a tree farm to store thousands of trees behind the La Porte recreation center. It is more important than ever to rebuild Houston’s green infrastructure. With help from community volunteers, Trees For Houston will continue to fulfill its mission to plant, promote and protect trees all over the greater Houston area. Trees For Houston is a nonprofit organization dedicated to planting, protecting and promoting trees. Since its beginning in 1983, Trees For Houston has planted and distributed more than 400,000 trees and seedlings. During the 2010-2011 planting season, more than 40,000 trees were planted along Houston’s freeways, residential and commercial streets and on school campuses.

INDEX

Community..........................2 Crossword............................2 Local News.......................3-4 LPISD Newsletter............5-8 On The Water......................9 Classifieds..........................11 In The Garden..................12 Cuisine...............................12

ABC COMPUTER SERVICES - 24 X 7 Business-Residential PC-Laptop-Server Networks - Xbox-TV Repairs-Security Camera Home Theater Installs

Onsite or In-House - 2 Locations

La Porte - 281-867-0429 Webster - 713-893-8920

Pasadena Plumbing Services, Inc.

Smart Shoppers Browse In Santa Fe... But Buy It At The World Famous The

“For All Your Plumbing Needs”

CROW’S NEST ART GALLERY

281-487-4688

281-471-4371

230 Jefferson La Porte, Texas 77571

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THE BAY AREA OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

COMMUNITY Morgan’s Point Police Department Joins Click It Or Ticket To Crack Down On Seat Belt Use Especially At Night

City of Seabrook Hurricane Preparedness Meeting May 25, 2011 7:00 pm Seabrook City Hall June 1, 2011 marks the beginning of Hurricane Season. Hurricane IKE was three years ago and we remember it like it was yesterday. Were you ready for that storm? Did you have a KIT? Did you have a PLAN? Did you stay INFORMED? Come to the City of Seabrook Hurricane Preparedness Meeting on May 25, 2011 located in the City Council Chambers, presented by the Seabrook Office of Emergency Management. On hand will be the City of Seabrook Flood Plain Manager with information; the National Weather Service, Gene Hafele, with the forecast for the upcoming Hurricane Season; and the BayCERT with information on how you can join. Don’t let this season catch you off guard. Come learn how to Make a KIT, Have a PLAN, and STAY INFORMED, by a presentation from the Seabrook Office of Emergency Management. I look forward to seeing you there.

Morgan’s Point Police Department will join local and national law enforcement officers and highway safety advocates all across the country for the 2011 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization, May 23-June 5. During the mobilization, officers will be cracking down on motorists who fail to wear their seat belts – both day and night. Because nighttime passenger vehicle occupants are among those least likely to buckle up and most likely to die in crashes when unrestrained, nighttime enforcement has become a priority of the Click It or Ticket mobilization. Of those who died in nighttime crashes in 2009, nearly two-thirds (62 percent) were Charles “Jeff” Galyean not wearing seat belts at the time of their fatal crashes. Emergency Manager - City of Seabrook In 2009, 11,593 passenger vehicle occupants died in motor ve- 281-291-5700 hicle crashes nationwide between the nighttime hours of 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Many more nighttime traffic deaths can be prevented if more motorists simply start wearing their seat belts. That’s why Morgan’s Point Police Department is strongly supporting enhanced nighttime enforcement of seat belt laws during the May 23 – June 5, 2011, Click It or Ticket campaign,” said Chief S.R. Ditrich. “We will be out in force to remind drivers and occupants to always wear their seat belts – both day and night.” High-visibility enforcement such as the Click It or Ticket mobilization is credited with increasing the national belt usage rate from 58 percent in 1994 to an observed usage rate of 85 percent in 2010. Belt use saves thousands of lives each year across America. In 2009 alone, seat belts saved 12,713 lives nationwide. “Law enforcement will be cracking down on Click It or Ticket violators around the clock. Local motorists should be prepared to buckle up. If law enforcement finds you on the road unbuckled anytime or anywhere, you can expect to get a ticket — not a warning. No excuses and no exceptions,” said Chief S.R. Ditrich. Remember this May 23 to June 5: It’s Click It or Ticket. Buckle up and encourage your loved ones to do the same. You’ll save the cost of a ticket and may even save a life.

Keels & Wheels Raffle Winner of 2011 Mercedes-Benz Announced

1st Annual Kemah Fishing Tournament May 20 thru 22 – Kemah Fishing Tournament – Kemah. Benefitting the Kemah Police & Fire Departments, Galveston Bay Foundation and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla #63, the first annual Kemah Fishing Tournament will be held on May 20, 21 & 22. Start time is: 00:01 May 20 and weigh in must be done by 12:00 May 22. Weigh in is at Three Amigos. Fees:$300 per boat entry or $ 75 per bank fisherman. Anglers will be vying for the grand prize: 15’ Aluminum Fishing Boat, 25 HP Mercury Outboard, Trolling Motor and Trailer Prizes will also be awarded to 2nd, 3rd and 4th place winners. The tournament is open to anyone and everyone. For more information and pre-registration contact Capt. Dave Kendrick at 281-726-8249 or Domino Taylor, Director of Fun & Entertainment, City of Kemah

The 16th Annual Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance held a raffle drawing to win a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C class sedan donated by Alex Rodriguez Mercedes-Benz dealership in League City. The drawing was held on Sun., May 1 at 3:30 pm in front of Lakewood Yacht Club where Keels & Wheels had been held all weekend. The winner of the automobile was Lakewood member Lou Marinos, who did not need to be present to win. Pictured are Keels & Wheels founder and chairman Bob Fuller, Hollywood celebrity Heidi van Horne who drew the winning ticket, and Garrick Hatfield, general manager of Alex Rodriguez Mercedes-Benz dealership. Only 2500 tickets were sold for the raffle and proceeds will be donated to Boys & Girls Harbor in Morgan’s Point close to La Porte.

Sundays in Nature Series at Armand Bayou Nature Center Join us at Armand Bayou Nature Center on June 19th from 1pm – 3pm. Our “Sundays in Nature” series, “Life in the Prairie” will feature a traveling Prairie Exhibit, an interpretive hay ride (weather permitting) and insect sweep netting and identification. Admission to Sundays in Nature is $4 for adults and $2 for children 4-12 and seniors 60 and older; no cost for members. We’re located at 8500 Bay Area Blvd. (intersection of Bay Area Blvd & Red Bluff Rd), Pasadena ,TX 77507. For more information, phone 281-474-2551 or visit our website at abnc.org. Sundays in Nature is sponsored by Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. Registration for ECO-CAMP is in full swing. Let your kids experience the outdoors during our week long summer day camp for children ages 4-13. For details visit our website at abnc.org or call 281 474 2551.

Fill the Boot! The La Porte Fire Fighters will be gearing up to fight neuromuscular diseases by participating in Fill the Boot Saturday, May 21st, from 8 am until about Noon, at an intersection close to the station, on Spencer Hwy. Proceeds from Fill the Boot benefit research and local services for the Houston/Gulf Coast chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Fill the Boot takes place throughout the United States annually and has been raising money for families served by MDA for more than 50 years. Proceeds raised during the campaign will help support MDA services and research programs, including MDA’s outpatient clinics at Texas Children’s Hospital and The Methodist Neurologica. Contact: Julianne Richards MDA Fundraising Coordinator jrichards@ mdausa.org 713-522-1426

Saturday, May 21 • Spencer @ Underwoood 8 am - 12 pm

The Bay Area Observer Established in 2006 Serving the communities along Galveston Bay.

Editor & Publisher.....................................Rebecca Collins editor@bayareaobserver.com

Associate Editor.........................................Carolyn Collins carolyn@bayareaobserver.com

Arts & Entertainment Reporter...................Mason Sterling

By The Bay Continued from page 1

Terrific Tuesdays Every Tuesday In June Bayshore Baptist Church Hey Kids! Sign up today for Terrific Tuesdays – field trips for kids in Kindergarten through 5th grades – hosted by Bayshore Baptist Church. We will be going to Lil’ Jacks, Old McDonald’s Farm, Sylvan Beach and Palm Beach at Moody Gardens. Field trips take place every Tuesday in June. The cost is $32 for all four trips! For more information, call the church office at 281-4710332 or email us at vrigsby@ bayshorebc.org

Women of Purpose Bible Study Class Bayshore Baptist Church

May 22nd - 9:00 am

The Women of Purpose Bible study class of Bayshore Baptist Church would like to invite all women to join them for a new study entitled “Being Yourself: How Do I Take Off This Mask?” The class begins May 22nd and meets every Sunday at 9:00 am for twelve weeks in Room 203. In this study, you will discover the unique strengths, talents and gifts God has given you and how to use them to serve and love others. Bayshore Baptist Church is located at 11315 Spencer Hwy. in La Porte. For more information, contact the church office at 281-471-0332.

Bluegrass Night League Park May 21, 2011 6:30pm - 9 pm

Vacation Bible School Bayshore Baptist Church July 25-29 - Noon to 3 All children, ages 4 through 5th grade, are invited to join us at Bayshore Baptist Church July 25-29 from noon to 3:00 pm for VBS 2011, the Big Apple Adventure. There will be inspiring Bible stories, challenging crafts, exciting music, yummy snow cones, & thrilling recreation. A lunch will be served before VBS at 11:30 am every day for registered VBS kids. Reservations for lunch MUST be made by July 18. Cost for lunch is $5 per child for the entire week. All other VBS activities are free. Sign up online today at www.bayshorebc.org or contact the church office at 281-471-0332 for more information. We hope to see your kids at the Big Apple Adventure: Where Faith and Life Connect!

2011 Baccalaureate Service First Baptist Church May 22, 2011 - 6:00 P.M We Cordially Request The Honor Of Your Presence At The: “2011 Baccalaureate Service” Honoring Graduates Of La Porte High School Sunday, May 22, 2011, At 6:00 P.M. First Baptist Church Of La Porte, 310 South Broadway St., La Porte, Texas 77571. Sponsored By: La Porte Ministerial Alliance, Inter Church Council & The Faithful Of La Porte

The Women of Purpose Bible Study Class Bayshore Baptist Church

May 22nd - 9:00 am

Bay Area Bluegrass Association (BABA) would like to invite you to our Free Bluegrass music show and jam session in the park. Bands are Buffalo Nickel and Cypress Creek. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the music. Time: 6:30pm - 9 pm. Venue Name: League Park. Location: 500 E. Main, League City, TX 77573. Admission Cost: Free Web: www.bayareabluegrass. org. Email: redfish1313@comcast.net

Its VBS Time Again Creekmont Baptist Church June 13th-17th 6:30pm-8:30pm Home town Nazareth. Where Jesus was a kid. Creekmont Baptist Church, 401 Myrtle Creek, La Porte, 281-470-1176. Ages: 4 yrs -6th grade. Times: 6:30pm8:30pm. June 13th-17th. Come join us to see where Jesus grew up, play bible games, and create fun crafts.

Have A Community Event Coming Up? Let Us Know! 281-907-3140

Blooming Creations

Flowers and Gifts For All Occasions

• Fresh Flowers • Sympathy Arrangements • Fruit and Gift Baskets • Green and Blooming Plants • Weddings Darlene Gamble-Bays Welcomes Her La Porte Customers

Serving Pasadena, Deer Park, La Porte, Baytown & The Clear Lake Area 5006 Luella • Deer Park

281-542-7400

www.bloomingcreationsflowers.com

mkdsterling@yahoo.com

Sales Representative..............................Beverly Lawrence La Porte Area • 281-793-7961 • blawrence506@msn.com

Sales Representative...................................Charlotte Horn

Seabrook, Kemah Area • 281-507-8257 • charlottehorn53@yahoo.com Opinions in this paper are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the newspaper. Any erroneous statement which may appear will be corrected if brought to the attention of the publisher. Liability for errors is limited to the reprinting of the corrected version. Submissions are encouraged by mail, by fax, or by email to editor@bayareaobserver.com.

P.O. Box 305 • Seabrook, Texas 77586 Phone: 281-907-3140 • Fax: 866-596-8973 Email: editor@bayareaobserver.com

Visit us on the web at www.bayareaobserver.com of join us on

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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

THE BAY AREA OBSERVER

PAGE 3

LOCAL NEWS

Scenes From Seabrook Swearing In Ceremonies

Mayor Gary Renola Receives A Plaque In Appreciation From The Seabrook Police Officers Association.

Art In The Park

Seabrook City Secretary Michele Glaser Swears In Council Members Don Holbrook, Mike Giangrosso and Laura Davis.

Friendswood Fine Arts Institute Host 2nd Annual Event Michael Gilbert’s Extraordinary Handmade Metal Works

Seabrook Councilman Garry Mack Receives A Plaque In Appreciation of His Dedication and Hard Work For The City Of Seabrook

Artist April Murphy Artists Susan Ahlersmeyer and Sandy Lyle

June - August 11:00 Am - 7:00 pm 7 DAys A week weekenDs only mAy AnD september

THANK YOU EMS! We Appreciate All That You Do

Admission: 48” and Above $17 Below 48” $12

281-422-1150 5300 East Road Baytown, Texas

www.sanjacintomethodist.com

www.baytown.org/piratesbay This ad was paid for using funds from the City of Baytown’s Hotel/Motel Tax (HOT). PB 5.305x5 2011.indd 1

4/14/11 10:11 AM

Seabrook Massage New!

& Herbal Merchant

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Your 90 min session will begin with a relaxing dry brushing over the back to exfoliate and prepare the skin for the rich black mud. A warm towel will be applied over the entire back and set with heat packs to allow the Moor Mud to deeply penetrate the muscle. The mud will then be removed with hot towels and followed up with the ultimate back and body massage focusing on all your sore muscles. Benefits: Healing, Rejuvenating, Relieves Fatigue, Aches and Pains, Detoxifies and De-stressing.

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Clear Lake Tea Party Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Town Hall Meeting TEXAS FREEDOM! TOPICS:

Fair Tax For Texas Marv Kuhn

Replacing Property Taxes With A Consumption Tax

Energy, Climate & The Progressive Threat Lyle Henderson Question & Answer Session After Each Speaker

1214 Moskowitz • Seabrook Texas 77586

Date/Time: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 6:30 PM

281-942-9102

311 Pennsylvania Ave., Webster, TX. 77598

Open: Tues-Fri 10am-6pm • Sat 10am-4pm please check the website for other specials

www.seabrookmassageandherbs.com

Location: Webster Civic Center

Bring your family, neighbors & friends! E-Mail: info@clearlaketeaparty.com Web: www.ClearLakeTeaParty.com

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THE BAY AREA OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

LOCAL NEWS Mary Kay Makeover Days to Benefit Habitat for Humanity Mary Kay Representative Laura Santos approached us about doing Mary Kay makeovers for a chance to win a FULL HOUSE SPONSORSHIP for Bay Area Habitat for Humanity. Of course, we jumped on the opportunity. A free makeover and the chance to change someone’s life! What’s better than that? We need 500 women to commit to having a Mary Kay makeover done by Miss Laura Santos. The MK Representative with the MOST “before and after” pictures submitted will win a Full House Sponsorship for the Habitat of their choice. There is no obligation to purchase anything from Mary Kay. If you would like to buy a product, you do NOT need to buy it from Laura. Laura DOES need to do your makeover, however, in order for it to count for the contest. What’s in it for you? A FREE Makeover! An afternoon of fun, relaxation and pampering! The possibility of winning a $2,500 vacation getaway package for yourself and $2,500 to donate to the charity of your choice! This is an AWESOME opportunity! Easy, fun and so rewarding for everyone involved! Choose your Mary Kay Day today, and offer someone else the chance at a better tomorrow!

Mary Kay Makeover Days: Saturday, May 21st from 2pm-4pm Curves Gym in Dickinson 3422 Gulf Freeway Dickinson, TX 77539 E-mail Connie Nyquist to set up your appointment. lnyquist@sbcglobal.net

Wednesday, May 24th from 4pm-7pm

Bay Area Habitat for Humanity Office 1601-D Dickinson Ave., Dickinson, TX 77539 Call 281-337-3590 or E-mail developmentteam@bahfh.org

Camp Lotta Bright Hope A Success!

Second Chance Pets

FLOOD

Insurance! Need an agent?

Would you like to talk to someone who can explain your options and the possibility of lowering your premium?

Call us today!

Brady Insurance

281-471-5433

Ella and Scampi were rescued running together along a road right before one of our freezes. They are obviously best friends, as Scampi sleeps ONTOP of Ella in the kennel if it’s cold....). Ella is a quiet, calm red healer and Scampi is a fun, high-jumping rat terrier mix. They are very sweet girls and would be happiest if they were adopted as a pair. They love to run and play outside for 100 laps, then lay down in the grass next to each other and just watch the birds, the sky - who knows? They are crate trained and inseparable. SCP is offering the dogs at a 2-for-1 price because we feel they would suffer if separated. That’s two loving dogs for $125 rather than the usual $250. For more information email pets.2adopt@yahoo.com, call 281-286-3535 or visit www. secondchancepets.org. Adoption price includes all shots, spaying, flea/heartworm treatment/ AND a microchip FOR BOTH DOGS! SCP adoptables are shown on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Petco store (Bay Area and Space Center Blvds.) and cats are shown at the Petsmart store across from Baybrook Mall the first and third Sundays of every month. Selected cats may be seen during the week at the Petco location and photographs of most adoptables are posted on our website http://www.secondchancepets.org. Almost all SCP animals are fostered in local homes because it does not have a shelter. As always PLEASE SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS. Second Chance Pets is a nonprofit 501 (C) (3) animal welfare organization. All donations are tax deductible.

Fischers Hardware

Spring Is Here!

The

Bay Area Observer

Members of the San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Diabetes Department take a quick break from the activities to pose for a photo.

The 2011 Camp Lotta Bright Hope, a weekend retreat for children ages 7 to 12 who have been diagnosed with diabetes, was held April 30th - May 1st. 31 campers and 29 volunteers enjoyed the fun-filled weekend at Camp Arrow in Porter, Texas. Campers participated in activities such as arts and crafts, swimming, team sports, canoeing and movies. Diabetes staff members, from San Jacinto Methodist Hospital, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Texas Children’s Hospital(r), Houston Community College, along with volunteers from other medical facilities were there to support the kids.

Ernestine Bright (left) founder of the camp and her daughter Mary Ann Johnson proudly display the camp’s banner.

and we have what you need for a beautiful garden! We have a large selection of plants and flowers for your spring garden. Come in and let us recommend something to make your garden beautiful!

Fischers Truly “Does It Best” 1012 S. Broadway • La Porte • TX • 77571 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

(281) 470-0171

Mon.-Fri • 7:30 to 7 Sat. • 8 to 6 Sun. • 9 to 5

If It Matters To You, It Matters To Us CLASSIFIEDS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR LOCAL NEWS EDUCATION COMMUNITY EVENTS GARDENING & MUCH MORE!

Call us at 281-907-3140

WE’VE GO T THE HO TTEST BRANDS OF SUNG L ASSES, GLASSES & CONTA CT LENSE S

With A New Pair of Sunglasses To Protect Your Vision From The Summer Sun!

La Porte Vision Center Helping You And Your Family See Into The Future Deborah S. Bernay, O.D. • Andreane B. Fagala, O.D. Patricia A. Galos, O.D. 401 West Fairmont Parkway, Suite A • La Porte

281-471-6546

www.laportevision.com

Looking For A New

CHURCH HOME?

You are welcome at St. John’s Episcopal Church “The Beloved by the Bay” Worship Services

Bring or mention this ad and receive a free breakfast

SUNDAY 8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I • 9:00 am Breakfast 9:30 am Christian Education • 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II 12:00 pm Coffee Hour and Fellowship WEDNESDAY 6:00 pm Healing Service with Holy Communion 6:45 pm Adult Bible Study and Youth Programs (K-5 & 6-12)

815 South Broadway • La Porte • 281-471-0383 www.stjohns-laporte.org

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

THE BAY AREA OBSERVER

ANCHOR REAL-ESTATE PROFESSIONAL REAL-ESTATE SERVICES

Buyer & Seller Representation • Investment & Property Management

NEW OFFICE OPEN IN SEABROOK 5% LISTINGS FREE BUYER & SELLER HOME WARRANTY IN HOUSE MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER

1717 2nd St. Suite B Seabrook, Texas 77586

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Office

dlmc1957@yahoo.com

PAGE 5

Residential • Commercial • Industrial New Construction • Remodels • Repairs • Panel Upgrades Maintenance • Emergencies • Generators • Wastewater

Independent Electrical Management Solutions WWW.ELECTRICALMANAGEMENTSOLUTIONS.COM LICENSED & INSURED TECL #27798

713-459-6675

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Salon LaLa Rouge Rouge Salon

Lisa K. Cook: Owner/Master Stylist 281.474.2528 • 902 Hardesty • Old Seabrook

Hair, Nail, Massage & Facials

Let me design you a new look for Spring!

PAGE 6

THE BAY AREA OBSERVER

LAREDO’S TEX-MEX CAFE Serving homemade Mexican food in the Bay Area since 1969

Homemade Tortillas Fresh Local Seafood Old Family Recipes

2119 Bayport Blvd.

For To-Go Orders Call 281-291-8080

Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:30 - 8:00 Sunday - Closed

(Hwy. 146)

Seabrook, Tx. 77586

www.eatatlaredos.com

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

Kingdom Security, LLC Commercial & Industrial Security Integrators • Access Control • Burglar Alarms • CCTV

24 Hour Service

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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

THE BAY AREA OBSERVER

Visit us on the web at www.bayareaobserver.com or join us on FACEBOOK

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THE BAY AREA OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

Does Your Business Want To Support The LPISD Newsletter? Your Ad Could Appear Here! Call Us Today For Details & Rates.

The Bay Area Observer • 281-907-3140

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

THE BAY AREA OBSERVER

PAGE 9

ON THE WATER Gulf Coast Windsurfing Championships Results

2011 Trophy Winners The Gulf Coast Windsurfing Championship, the major Houston and Gulf Coast area windsurfing event of the year, was held at Seabrook Sailing Club on May 14 and 15, 2011. 19 windsurfers from around Texas, the youngest, 12 and the oldest 78, challenged northern gusty winds up to 22 knots on Galveston Bay on the first racing day. After four races, dinner was served onshore consisting of cold beverages, burgers, salmon patties, and cheesecake. Three races on the second day were run under calmer Northeast winds. After all races, the top three finishers in the open class were: 1 - Dmitri Lapotko, 2 - Rene Bell, and 3 - Hauk Wahl; in the Formula class were 1 - John Jay, 2 - Guy Miller, and 3 - Pieter Botha. Winners received trophies, Seabrook Sailing Club t-shirts, and respect from their fellow windsurfers (until next year). The SSC race committee (lead by Mark Eldred) and onshore support for the regatta (O’Connor and Hansen families) ensured that the regatta ran smoothly, and were much appreciated by the windsurfers. The Regatta Governor Dmitri Lapotko said, “We all enjoyed the races and the convenience of the new club build-

ing, not to mention the perfect windsurfing weather. We look forward to more exciting races during the Summer Solstice Regatta at Seabrook Sailing Club in June.” For more information about activities at SSC including introductory windsurfing clinics, please visit www. seabrook-sailing.org, or contact Zar Wade-Gledhill at 281380-9971 or sscmembership@yahoo.com.

At The Gulf Coast Windsurfing Championship Starting Line

PROTECT TEXAS RIVERS AND BAYS! Support The Texas Bottle Bill! REAL ESTATE

1014 S. 2nd Street • La Porte

www.TexasBottleBill.com or www.BottleBill.org

Bay Day Festival Provides FREE Family Fun

As the official start of summer nears, the Galveston Bay Foundation will host the Bay Day Festival this Saturday, May 21, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Kemah Boardwalk. The free family event will feature live entertainment, interactive exhibits, and a scavenger hunt. Featured acts include Billy B, Mad Science, and Mr. Habitat. Music will be provided by Atomic Rocks, Chips on The Trail, DJ Dave Robertson, and Percussion One. Houston Texans cheerleaders and mascot Toro will be on hand to meet festival visitors. Festival sponsor Reliant Energy will showcase new electric car charging stations that will soon appear around Houston and will also highlight their new “EcoShare” program. Children will have fun learning about the importance of Galveston Bay in our everyday lives at exhibitor booths including the Galveston Bay Estuary Program, Baytown Nature Center, Gulf of Mexico Foundation, Texas A&M Sea Camp, Texas Fly Fishing of Houston, and more. They will have the opportunities to meet and interact with different types of bay wildlife and make their own free fish print tshirts. Please visit www.galvbay.org for more details. The Bay Day Festival is made possible through funding from the Galveston Bay Estuary Program, a program of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the generous support of Reliant Energy and the Port of Houston Authority. The mission of the Galveston Bay Foundation is to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of the Galveston Bay estuarine system and its tributaries for present users and for posterity. The Foundation was incorporated in 1987, and is a non-profit organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. GBF is located at 17330 Highway 3 in Webster, Texas. For further information, contact GBF at 281-332-3381, or visit the website at www.galvbay.org.

PAGE 10

THE BAY AREA OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

THE BAY AREA OBSERVER

PAGE 11

LOCAL SERVICE DIRECTORY

If you’re looking for good service, please visit these local businesses!

Paul U. Lee

Antiques, Gifts, Collectibles, Vintage, Retro, Baby Boutique, Furniture, Scent Oils & Burners

Funeral Home

321 West Main St. La Porte, Texas 77571 Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10:30 - 5:30 Sunday 12:30 - 5:00

Family Owned & Operated

281-471-0123 www.paululee.com

The Coolest - Most Unique Consignment/Resale Store In Texas

www.reliksandrepeats.com

Gilbert’s Piano Studio

LEOPARD REALTY

Serving the Bay Area for over 30 years, Gilbert’s Piano Studio offers private instruction for ages 8 - adult.

www.LeopardRealty.com

COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL

Piano Lessons Are Fun For Everyone!

701 S. 8th - La Porte Horace - 713-858-4716 Jason - 713-299-2607

Call Today For Summer Lessons

281-479-3004

Let Readers Know About Your Service Business For As Little As

$20 Per Week

Call us now to reserve your space

281-907-3140

CLASSIFIED DISPLAY RATE......................$8.50 p.c.i.

CLASSIFIED ADS SERVICES

GARAGE SALS

Bayshore Humble Construction

ESTATE SALE

Building, Remodeling & Repairs Handicap tile, shower, bath with tile seats. Clean or re-grout tile walls & floor. New stainless steel grab bars installed.

Ray Garcia

281-471-4947 www. sheronspetgrooming.com La Porte’s Gentle Groomer 30 Years Experience Extra Sanitary Shop. No Overbooking By Appointment Only 281-471-1142

FOR SALE

HOME GROWN TOMATOES Ripe or Green $2.00 a lb. Call Jim 281-851-5199

FOR SALE 1997 Honda Accord

4 Door LX

$3000

281-793-7526

LA PORTE May 20th & 21st • 9am to 6 pm May 22nd • 1 - 5pm REAL ESTATE

UPSTAIRS APARTMENT with view of the Bay

APARTMENTS

Limited Pier Access No Pets ~ No Smoking

281-333-2510

NOW $7.50 buys 20 words

All Bills Paid*

$555 - One bdrm www.victorialakenasa.com (restrictions apply)

Go with your instincts and use the Classifieds today.

SUBSCRIBE TO

The Bay Area Observer

All Bills Paid*

No Pets ~ No Smoking/Limited Pier Access

Paid subscribers receive the Bay Area Observer by mail.

APARTMENTS

$500 - Studio

1 Bedroom / 1 Bath/ Kitchentte $550 per month + electric

52 Issues a Year

Victoria Lake

In the Classifieds, you can track down deals on everything from cars to canine companions. It’s easy to place an ad or find the items you want, and it’s used by hundreds of area shoppers every day.

Total Move In!*

DOWNSTAIRS APARTMENT Efficientcy/Quiet Neighborhood

FOR ONLY $25 PER YEAR

Shoppers with a nose for bargains head straight for the Classifieds.

$199.00

713-899-6642

BAY AREA OBSERVER

75 x 110 On The 16th Green - Wildwood Resort. 18 Hole Golf Course, 360 Acre Lake, 24 Hour Security.

$8,000

2 bedroom / 1 Bath $700 per month + electric

TO THE

Classified deadlines are 10 a.m. each Monday

Lot For Sale

281-793-7961

Quiet Secure Neighborhood

CLASSIFIED LINER ADS First 20 Words (initial insertion).................................$7.50 First 20 Words (subsequent insertions).......................$4.50 Additional Words............................................10 cents each

LOTS & ACREAGE

10813 PECAN DR.

713-899-6642

(Classifieds display ads can contain a border and bolded letters)

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P.O. Box 305 • Seabrook, Texas 77586

281-907-3140

Fill out the information below and mail in with your payment in the amount of $25.00 made payable to:

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PAGE 12

THE BAY AREA OBSERVER

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2010

IN THE GARDEN Living Paintboxes

AgriLife Research Scientists Work With DNA Silencing and Plant

Pictured from left to right are Ronghui Wang, Dr. Xiuren Zhang, Dr. Hongliang Zhu and Fuqu Hu.

Alabama Sunset What bright summer annual was grown in the Victorian gardens of 1800’s England and still occupies a colorful spot in the gardens of the Gulf Coast of Texas? Here are a few hints. It is in the mint family. It is grown, not for its flowers, but for its foliage. Garden editor and writer Ray Rogers has compared it to “ a fascinating living paintbox.” If you say coleus, you are right. No longer the demure plant that bordered shade gardens and spent the summer in a pot on the porch, today’s coleus can hold its own in a sunny bed in the middle of the yard. Of course you still find colorful coleus that prefer shade. But now there are many cultivars that are sun and heat tolerant. Coleus vary in size from small leaved compact forms that stay well under a foot tall to some that can get up to a bushy three feet. They all grow fairly rapidly and provide color all summer, fall and sometimes well into winter. Coleus can be killed back by a frost if we have one in our area. Good soil fortified with compost and good drainage is pretty much all it needs to thrive. The plant is tough but can get mealy bugs. A little spray with soapy water usually takes care of that problem. When coleus sends up its flower spike be prepared to pinch it back to keep the foliage dense.

Sun Tolerant Coleus PLUM PARFAIT was developed in Texas for our gardens. It has purplish plum colored leaves that develop pink margins. It has the distinction of being on the Texas Superstar list. ALABAMA SUNSET is an old favorite that

Texas gardeners love because of its sun tolerance. It has a pinkish red brick colored leaf with a thin yellow edge. It is fairly maintenance free. BURGANDY SUN is another one developed in Texas. It has large oval to heart shaped leaves that are a deep burgundy color. This coleus is another winner of the Texas SuperStar award. PINEAPPLE has lime gold leaves with burgundy stems. SOLAR STORM has dark red, green, and ivory deeply cut leaves.

Coleus For Part Shade BLACK MAGIC has mahogany purple leaves outlined in avocado. BRILLIANCY is an old upright cultivar with bright red leaves and green scalloped edges. DUCKFOOT forms compact dwarf globes with tiny lobed, deep purple leaves -excellent for edging garden beds. MARDI GRAS has red, green, and yellow leaves and a compact growth habit. These examples are just a small sample of the many beautiful cultivars of coleus that are available to gardeners. They add so much color and beauty to our southern gardens. An excellent book about coleus is “Coleus: Rainbow Foliage For Containers and Gardens” by Ray Rogers. An excellent online coleus grower can be found at http://www.glasshouseworks.com.

(Texas AgriLife Extension Service photo by Robert Burns)

By: Robert Burns

Research on controlling the stem cells of plants could eventually lead to learning how to make them produce more fruit, seed and leaves, according to Dr. Xiuren Zhang, Texas AgriLife Research scientist and professor with the Texas A&M University department of biochemistry and biophysics. Results of a nearly three-year project led by an AgriLife Research team headed by Zhang was published in Cell Journal, one of the most cited scientific peer-review journals in the world. “Working with the shoot meristem area, we may (eventually) control fruit and seed yield or plant mass by manipulating the development and maintenance of plant stem cells. We can also engineer plant shapes by doing this,” Zhang said. “In plants, the shoot meristem area is composed of undifferentiated cells, which means they can be programmed by the plant to become various structures — leaf, stem, branches flower, etc. — much as mammalian stem cells can be programmed to produce different organs”, he said. The team worked with Arabidopsis, a plant also known as rock cress, which is related to cabbage and mustard. Arabidopsis is often used for studying plant biology because it is the first plant to have its entire genome sequenced. Previous studies had shown that the Arabidopsis gene known as argonaute 10, or simply AGO10, plays a critical role in regulating meristem cell development. Arabidopsis has 10 AGO genes, and it was known that AGO10 is involved in various biological processes such as meristem development and proper leaf formation, but by exactly what mechanism it performed these roles was not clear, Zhang said. “However, although the genetic functions of AGO10 have been described, the molecular mechanism by which it regulates SAM (shoot apical meristem) development remained unknown,” Zhang wrote in the Cell article. “Here we demonstrate that AGO10 specifically interacts with miR166/165.” The abbreviation miR166/165 refers to microRNA, a type of small RNA molecule that regulates gene expression, Zhang explained.

MicroRNAs are deceptively simple in structure, often only about 20 bases in length, whereas regular RNA may be composed of hundreds or thousands of bases. Though composed of only a few bases, microRNAs often perform a critical function by switching the expression of certain genes off. Turning off gene expression is just as important a regulatory mechanism in plant development as switching genes on, Zhang noted. This switching-off function of microRNA has been known for more than a decade. Further work had shown that it is microRNAs that actually guide the argonaute to actually do the switching off, sort of how a software application controls a smart phone or computer, according to Zhang. Work by Zhang’s team had demonstrated that if miR166/165 did not load into AGO10, or the AGO10 gene was missing, then the meristem part of the plant would be deformed, but why this was so remained a mystery. Zhang and his team proposed that AGO10 functions as “a decoy for miR166/165 to prevent it being loaded into other AGO proteins, particularly AGO1, which “plays a potent but inhibitory role in correct development of the meristem area cells,” he said. “In other words, if miR166/165 is loaded into AGO1, they would shut their target genes off,” Zhang said. “But if miR166/165 is loaded into AGO10 protein, they won’t switch-off target genes. Thus, AGO10 works in an opposite way compared to AGO1: It protects target genes and secures their expression.” Other members of the team were: Dr. Martin Dickman, director of the Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology; Dr. Sing-Hoi Sze, associate professor of computer science with the Texas A&M University department of biochemistry and biophysics; Dr. Hongliang Zhu, post-doctorate; technicians Ronghui Wang and Xin Zhou; graduate student, Fuqu Hu and undergraduate students Lisa Wen Liou and Ashley Barefoot. The work was jointly funded by a National Science Foundation grant and by Texas A&M University and AgriLife Research.

CUISINE Texas Superstar Plum Parfait

Avocado Pesto Pasta This amazing dish is easy to make and has simple ingredients. The avocados create a deliciously rich and creamy sauce. While its fat content appears to be high, the source is from healthy monounsaturated fats, which are actually beneficial for cholesterol levels.

Ingredients • 1 lb. dried linguini • 1 bunch basil leaves (about 2½ ounces)

• ½ cup pine nuts • 2 ripe avocados, pitted and peeled • 2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice (about ½ of a lemon)

• 3 cloves garlic • ½ cup olive oil • Salt (to taste) • Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

• ¼ cup chopped sun dried tomatoes (optional)

Directions 1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil; add pasta and cook to package directions. 2. While pasta cooks, in a food processor, blend basil, pine nuts, avocados, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil; season with salt and pepper. 3. Drain pasta; in a large serving bowl, toss pesto with hot, freshly cooked pasta and garnish each serving with a basil leaf; for an extra touch of color and flavor, top pasta with sundried tomatoes. Check out this and more outstanding recipes at www.ChefChloe.com

Visit us on the web at www.bayareaobserver.com or join us on FACEBOOK

P.J. Mock, Jr. M.D. Family Medicine • American Board of Family Medicine

1200 Highway 146, Suite 250 La Porte, Texas 77571 E-mail: pjmlptx@aol.com

Phone: (281) 471-0130 Fax: (281) 867-9241

Uphill’s Liquor “Come To Uphill’s For Your Spirit”

Best Prices In Town 1021-A S. Broadway • La Porte (Across From Fischer’s Hardware)

281-471-2132

Kitchen • Bath • Closets • Countertops • Floors 3130 E. Nasa Parkway Seabrook. TX 77586

Call Now! 281.326.1902 www.luvcabinets.com