Bay Area Houston Magazine February 2016 by Bay Group Media

LEADING AND INFORMING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1999

February 2016 BayAreaHoustonMag.com

Remembering Space Shuttle Challenger Home makeovers on a budget

World-Class Neurologists Join

HOUSTON METHODIST ST. JOHN n Dr. Leanne Burnett

n Dr. Akhila Vijayakumar

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winter fashion trends

FEBRUARY 2016

features

Remembering Space Shuttle Challenger

Dental Health

St. John Expands Women’s Services

EarlyAct FirstKnight Ceremony

A sad anniversary for our community How do we lose bone volume? Four new physicians, parntership with Texas Children’s Whitcomb students impress international Rotary president

24 Finance Consistency is the key to making money 26

Houston Methodist St. John Neurological Care

ON THE COVER

Women’s Winter Fashion Trends

Houston Methodist St. John Hospital welcomes world-class neurologists Dr. Leanne Burnett, left, and Dr. Akhila Vijayakumar, right, to the newly expanded Houston Methodist Neurology Associates – St. John.

Youth In The Community

Heart Health Month

Maritime & Petrochemical

Young Professional Profile

A Day By The Bay Home Tour

Art: Taking Realism To New Heights

Bay Area Houston Magazine Cover Party

President & Chairman Rick Clapp Publisher & Editor in Chief Mary Alys Cherry Executive Vice President Patty Kane Vice President & Creative Director Brandon Rowan Graphic Designer Kelly Groce Sales & Marketing Debbie Salisbury

Editorial Don Armstrong Mary Alys Cherry Rod Evans Michael Gos Capt. Joe Kent Betha Merit Cathy Osoria Pat Patton

Distribution Shinkle Distribution

Intern Haleigh Tieken Bay Area Houston Magazine is produced monthly. All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced by any means whatsoever without written permission. Advertising rates are available upon request. Please address all correspondence to: Bay Area Houston Magazine P.O. Box 1032 Seabrook, TX 77586 www.BayAreaHoustonMag.com R.Clapp@Baygroupmedia.com

281.474.5875

New trends emerge as Spring nears CCISD test results, Lakewood Lasers and scholarships Survivor stories and awareness San Jacinto College’s new maritime training center Jessica Shaver, POHA director of corporate strategy Five homes on Symphony League’s tour El Lago artist Gia Elisa Holderman International Signature Bistro

columns

Photography Mary Alys Cherry Brian Stewart

Administration Lillian Harmon Tammy Lipsey

World class neurologists now close to home

Bay Area Houston Magazine | FEBRUARY 2016

Movers & Shakers

Clear Lake Chatter

Texas Meditations

Home Sweet Home

In Wheel Time

Main Events

Dick Gregg Jr. Chris Reed honored at farewell party Maximizing our assets Home makeovers on a budget Small SUV’s capture Bay Area crown Calendar of Bay Area Houston events

A tribute to space shuttle Challenger, or OV-099, hangs in Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Image credit: NASA/Lynda Bramme

A sad anniversary for our community By Mary Alys Cherry

t’s been a long time since we said goodbye to the Space Shuttle Challenger – 30 years on Jan. 28. But we have never forgotten and probably never will. Even today, many of us still choke up when we talk about it. It was just so unexpected. So horrific. We had been told the shuttle wasn’t the safest transportation on Earth, but after 24 flights without mishap, we had grown confident of the new space vehicle. A school teacher was even flying with the astronauts on Flight 51-L, for gosh sakes! Yet that Jan. 28 was a powerful reminder to many Bay Area residents – especially the aerospace community – just how lives can be cut short in the blink of an eye. How seven precious lives can be taken from their families.

Deadline near to file for city posts By Mary Alys Cherry

he year 2016 will be a busy one for voters as we choose a new president, elect or re-elect congressmen and state legislators during the March 1 Democratic and Republican primaries to select party nominees. Then we have city elections Saturday, May 7 in many area cities as residents choose mayors and city councilors and vote on various municipal proposals. In between, there’ll be runoffs, also. Friday, Feb. 19 is the last day a candidate can file for a place on the ballot in the May 7 city elections, while write-in candidates have until Tuesday, Feb. 23 declare their candidacy.

Filing for the March 1 party primaries is closed. Several area legislators will have no opposition. Among them are Sen. Larry Taylor (District 11), Sen. Sylvia Garcia (District 6) and Sen. Rodney Ellis (District 13). Plus, State Reps Dennis Bonnen, Dr. Greg Bonnen, Dennis Paul and Carol Alvarado. Area State House members drawing opposition include Wayne Faircloth (R), who will have Lloyd Criss (D) as his opponent; Wayne Smith (R), who’ll face Briscoe Cain and Melody McDaniel in the GOP Primary; Gilbert Pena (R), who will vie for the seat with the Democratic Primary winner -- Bernie Aldape III, Cody Ray Wheeler or Mary Ann Perez; and Ed Thompson (R), who has Democrat John T. Floyd as his fall opponent. In the congressional races, while several did not draw party opponents,

It was a day like any other. I was sitting in the newsroom at our local newspaper preparing to go to a Bay Area Museum Guild fashion show luncheon in Pearland when another reporter, Jackie Harbour, who was following the Challenger launch on the radio, suddenly said in a loud stressful voice, “Oh, no!” What was wrong, I asked. “They just said there had been a major malfunction,” she said. “That means the shuttle has gone down.” We both got very emotional as it was confirmed: Challenger had blown apart just 73 seconds into the flight and all seven lives were apparently lost. Wanting to know more, I decided against attending the style show and went home to watch TV. No sooner than I turned it on, I was sorry I had. Over and over the TV stations showed the shuttle exploding into a giant fiery cloud as I thought about their families having to see their loved ones going up in smoke. Many of them were at the Kennedy Space Center and witnessed the tragedy above them in the sky. Meanwhile, over at the fashion show luncheon, the military came for the six astronaut wives attending and escorted them home after telling them about the disaster. Then, Museum President Sharon Dillard canceled the style show and told the crowd what had happened. In addition to a moment of silence, they all sang God Bless America. Many cried. Others, unable to control their emotions, just got up, left their lunch and rushed home. A sad ending to what was meant to be a happy event. Later it was determined the flight, which had been canceled earlier, should have been canceled then – that the freezing weather affected the shuttle’s O rings, which failed to close properly, leading to the disaster. President Ronald Reagan came down for the remembrance on the lawn at Johnson Space Center, where some 5,000 Bay Area residents and the brokenhearted JSC employees gathered to pay their respects, along with Sen. Ted Kennedy, Caroline and John F. Kennedy Jr. and a host of senators and congressmen. All three TV networks broadcast the ceremonies nationwide. Today, after mourning another terrible shuttle loss when the Columbia broke up Texas in 2003 as it headed for home, we have all tried to move on. And, we haven’t forgotten President Reagan’s words as he addressed the nation, calling the shuttle missions “all part of taking a chance and expanding man’s horizons. The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted – it belongs to the brave…The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we’ll continue to follow them.” This year as we remember their bravery, we hope as they look down on Earth they will know we haven’t forgotten them and how they gave their lives “to pull us into the future.”

only Rep. Brian Babin drew no opposition at all. Pete Olson (R) will face either of two Democrats -- Mark Gibson or A.R. Hassan -- in the fall, and Sheila Jackson Lee has four Republicans seeking a chance to run against her. Rep. Gene Green will vie in the Democratic Primary against Adrian Garcia and Dominique Garcia with the winner facing the GOP Primary winner – either Julio Garza or Robert Schafranek. Rep. Randy Weber has opposition from Keith Casey in the GOP Primary with the winner tilting with Democrat Michael Cole in November. Besides Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley and Sen. Bernie Sanders, another 143 are running for the Democratic nomination. A dozen well known candidates are on the Republican ballot including Jeb Bush, Dr. Ben Carson, Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Jim Gilmore, Mike Huckabee, Gov. John Kasich, Sen. Rand Paul, Sen. Marco Rubio, Rick Santoriu and Donald Trump, plus about 200 others. Then there are dozens – perhaps

more than 500 – of third party and independent candidates. For a complete list, visit www.politics1. com/p2016.htm But you can’t participate if you’re not registered to vote. And, if you’re not registered, you can’t vote in the March 1 primaries, as the deadline was Feb. 1. If you didn’t make that deadline, the last day to register to vote in the primary runoffs is Monday, April 25. In Harris County, registering is quite simple. Google Harris County voter registration and you’ll get the Harris County Tax Office page. To your right you’ll see a box labeled Voter Registration Applications. Fill it out. Print it. Sign it and mail it in before the next deadline. For Galveston County, Google Galveston County voter registration. Fill out the form online, print it, sign it and mail it in in the postage-free mailer provided. Or stop by the county courthouse in Galveston or any of the three branch offices in League City, Santa Fe and Texas City and fill out a form and turn it in. Really simple!

FEBRUARY 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

variety of vitamins and minerals. They are readily available and are reasonably priced. Soy milk can be beneficial if it is fermented. Unfortunately most soy milks sold in the supermarkets (including Silk brand) are not fermented. The high content of “enzyme inhibitors” in unfermented soybeans interferes with digestive enzymes in saliva and makes carbohydrates and proteins from soybeans indigestible. When soy milk is not completely digested, bacteria in the large intestine try to finish the job, and this can cause discomfort, bloating, and embarrassment.

AGE Throughout life, our body keeps a balance between the loss of bone and the creation of new bone. Early in life, more bone is laid down than is removed by the body. People typically achieve peak bone mass by around age 30. Then, sometime between age 30 and 35, your body begins to lose bone faster than it can be replaced, unless we step up the stimulation process. The bones in the extremities and spine can benefit from activities such as walking or resistant training. Many experts believe that at least 20 minutes a day of exercise is needed to reduce the rate of bone loss adequately.

“There is a 35 percent decrease in width of bone during the first year after tooth loss.” BONE LOSS OF THE JAW

ur bone is made of complex, constantly changing, living tissue. They are able to grow and heal, and are also susceptible to changes in diet, body chemistry, infection, and stimulation levels. If we compare our skeletal system to a house’s wooden frame work, then bone loss is similar to termite invasion. The process is slow and painless until it is too late. So, let’s examine the main contributing factors.

Body chemistry Estrogen plays an important part in maintaining bone strength. Starting at about age 30, up until the onset of menopause, women lose a small amount of bone every year as a natural part of the aging process. When women reach menopause, the estrogen levels decrease significantly and the rate of bone loss increases. That is the main reason why women are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men.

DIET Successful treatment of bone loss usually involves a proper diet. As it turns out, daily consumption of milk and other dairy products (even low or non-fat) does not prevent bone loss. Countries where people consume large amounts of dairy products—places such as the United States, Australia, and northern Europe are also among nations that suffer the highest rate of fractures due to osteoporosis. While the calcium in the milk adds to our body’s calcium level slightly, the acidity of the milk forces our body to withdraw a larger amount of calcium from our bones to maintain pH balance. Almond milk and Coconut milk are great source of Calcium, Protein, and a

There is another form of bone loss that has been getting little attention. That is bone loss in the jaw bone following loss of tooth. Teeth contact each other thousands of times a day. These small stresses prompting the bone to remodel and rebuild continually. The lack of stimulation that follows after tooth loss will lead to loss of jaw bone volume. There is a 35 percent decrease in width of bone during the first year after tooth loss and an additional one millimeters decrease on each following year. As bone loses continue, gum tissue also gradually decreases. Ability to chew and to speak can be impaired. Tooth loss also leads to loss of function. This leads to some serious cosmetic and functional problems, particularly in completely edentulous (toothless) people. Over the years the distance from nose to chin decreases and with it, the lower third of the face partially collapses. The chin rotates forward and upward, and the cheeks, having lost tooth support, become hollow. Extreme loss of bone can also make an individual more prone to jaw fractures as its volume depletes more and more.

Dr. Noie has been in private practice in the Bay Area since 1996. He is a Diplomate of Int’l Congress of Oral Implantologists, Fellow of Academy of General Dentistry, and Assoc. Fellow of American Academy of Implant Dentistry. He has completed his surgical training at New York University as well as Medical University of South Carolina, Temple University, and Wright state University School of Medicine. He completed his oral Anesthesiology training at University of Alabama in Birmingham. He is a member of American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

FEBRUARY 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Movers &Shakers Name: Dick Gregg Jr.

Someone I’d like to meet: Kevin Spacey

My favorite meal is: Grilled fish

Occupation: Attorney and writer

If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose: Warren Buffett

As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be: A lawyer

My favorite performers are: Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, Ray Charles

You’ll never catch me: Voting for a bonehead

I like to spend my leisure time: Writing, horse racing

The thing that bugs me the most is: The overused and now useless word “awesome”

If I could travel any place, I’d go to: Hong Kong

My favorite movie is: One Eyed Jacks

Hometown: Nassau Bay now -- born in Houston Current home: Nassau Bay Family: Widowed. Children: Dick H. Gregg III, Christopher A. Gregg, Heather O’Donnell, Mark O’Donnell,Vanessa Handrick Garner My favorite writer is: Cormack McCarthy

Northfolk street won’t be extended into new Clear Lake development By Mary Alys Cherry

cenic Glade Drive, in Clear Lake’s Northfork neighborhood, will not be extended into the new residential development, the Reserve at Clear Lake

City. That was the Jan. 7 decision of the Houston Planning Commission, which voted unanimously to grant a variance requested by Trendmaker Homes. Houston City Councilman Dave Martin, who represents the Clear Lake area, spoke in support of the variance request on behalf of numerous Northfork residents who have vocally opposed the street’s extension over the past three years. Residents’ primary concerns have centered on the potential creation of hazardous cut-through vehicular traffic in the community if Scenic Glade Drive, which meanders through much of the Northfork neighborhood, were to be extended. Of special concern, Martin said, was Scenic Glade’s proximity to North Pointe Elementary School and the safety of children playing in the neighborhood and walking to the school. Prior to the meeting, Martin said his District E office received letters in support of the variance request from the president of the Northfork Community Association representing 1,040 residents, as well as from the Clear Creek School District. Scenic Glade Drive represents the third successful variance request related to the Reserve at Clear Lake City over the past two years, Martin’s office said. In May 2015, the Planning Commission granted a variance to allow for the non-extension of Jade Green Way after Councilman Martin and a Pine Brook community representative voiced residents’ concerns. An additional variance allowing for the non-extension of Noble Oak Way, also in Pine Brook, was granted by the Commission in May 2014.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | FEBRUARY 2016

St. John Hospital expands women’s services

he addition of four specialty physicians, a new medical director, a partnership with Texas Children’s Hospital and a multi-million dollar expansion at Houston Methodist Ob/Gyn Associates – St. John is bringing world-class health care to women and families in the Bay Area and Southeast Houston. Two gynecologists -- Michael Magliolo, MD and Francoise Vandaele, MD -- and two obstetrician gynecologists -- Asia Mohsin, MD and Sri Gottimukkala, MD -- have joined the medical staff at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital, offering obstetrics care and comprehensive gynecological care for women through all phases of their lives – from adolescence through menopause. Obstetrician gynecologist Fernando Ocon, MD has been named Medical Director of Women’s Services. “Houston Methodist has always been a premier hospital, providing the highest level of patient care,” Dr. Magliolo said. “Joining the

Few people know: I took tap dancing lessons as a child

team at Houston Methodist St. John is an excellent opportunity for me and I am very excited to be a part of all the positive changes in progress.” Through a partnership with Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Houston Methodist St. John Hospital will have the Bay Area’s only level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) staffed by neonatologists who provide care at Texas Children’s, ranked fourth nationally by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospital and a recognized leader in the treatment of babies born with complications or prematurely. “We have upgraded the level of our women’s services capabilities to deliver the expertise and treatment options people have come to expect from Houston Methodist – only closer to home,” said CEO Dan Newman. “The addition of four brilliant specialty physicians and a medical director further elevates our commitment to caring for women and their families at every stage of life.” Houston Methodist St. John Hospital has begun the renovation and expansion of its labor and delivery center and neonatal intensive care unit. The center will provide a full spectrum of care, including 19 birthing suites with labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum -- all in the same suite -for patient and family comfort and convenience. The center will also feature today’s most sophisticated technology, including two dedicated C-section operating rooms and a team of specialists committed to providing superior care and exceptional service. Completion of the new facilities is scheduled for summer 2016 and a grand opening celebration event will be announced.

Rotary International President K.R. Ravindran of Sri Lanka, left, and his wife, Vanathy, arrive at Whitcomb Elementary to see the school’s EarlyAct FirstKnight Program, which is sponsored by Space Center Rotary of Clear Lake. On hand to welcome him are Sir Jack Bacon, third from left, of the Johnson Space Center and optometrist Dr. Visset Sun of Clear Lake, past president of Space Center Rotary and now assistant governor of Rotary District 5890.

Whitcomb students impress international Rotary president By Mary Alys Cherry

hitcomb Elementary

School students were in for a surprise Jan. 12 when they joined Space Center Rotary Club members for their EarlyAct FirstKnight Knighting Ceremony at the Clear Lake City campus. Joining them was the Rotary International President K.R. Ravindran of Sri Lanka, who heard what a success the Whitcomb character building program had become and wanted to see it first hand while on a visit to the United States. He and his wife appeared delighted as they watched Sir James Lehman knight fifth graders Brooklyn Krell, Maja Potocnik, Daniel Hirsh, Hannah Le and Amanda Alicea for their good character and responsible behavior such as being accountable for their choices, turning in their work on time and never giving up. Sir James and Sir Jack Bacon also awarded medallions to 27 other students – one from each classroom from kindergarten through the fourth grade as their teachers introduced them to the well-mannered crowd of several hundred Whitcomb students. The school is one of only 14 campuses in Harris County and the surrounding eight counties that have the EarlyAct FirstKnight program. Based on the theme of gallant knights and Rotarian values, EarlyAct First Knight is a curriculum-

Whitcomb Elementary student Brooklyn Krell gets a big hug from her mother, Cassandra Tucker, after being the first of five in her fifth grade class to be knighted during the school’s Jan. 12 Knighting Ceremony for their excellent behavior.

based character building program for elementary and middle schools, teaching students how to become noble, service-oriented people, along with why it is important for them to do so. It can only be sponsored by a Rotary Club, which funds the costs for the program. Each month, Space Center Rotary President John Branch told the crowd, the students focus on one character virtue and each month one student is selected from each classroom to be honored. The program has been found to be amazingly effective with 100 percent of the participating schools crediting the program with significantly increased academic scores, decreased behavioral issues, more teaching time and happier faculties and parents. FEBRUARY 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

New Nassau Bay City Manager Jason Reynolds, right, wishes retiring City Manager Chris Reed good luck with his new consulting firm during farewell party.

NASSAU BAY said farewell to retiring City Manager Chris Reed at a big goodbye party in the Hiltonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marina Ballroom, which was overflowing with well wishers he had befriended over the years. Mayor Mark Denman, former Mayors Don Matter and Don Johnson and their wives; and former City Manager John Kennedy, who is now a port commissioner, and his wife, Brenda, were on hand to wish him well and also welcome new City Manager Jason Reynolds, who comes here from Arlington and was accompanied to the party by Assistant City Manager Mary Chambers, City Secretary Marisela Garcia, Finance Director Csilla Stiles and Communications Director Kristie Sykora.

Pat Hallisey and his wife, Janice, of League City were in the crowd to honor Chris Reed.

Outgoing Nassau Bay City Manager Chris Reed and his wife Jana, center, are all smiles as Mayor Mark Denman, left, and former Mayor Don Matter, present him with a plaque honoring him for his years of service to the city. Reed is opening a government affairs consulting business to assist Texas cities.

MARY ALYS CHERRY They were soon joined by Mayor Pro-tem Sandy Mossman and her husband, Gary; Nassau Bay City Councilmen Jonathan Amdur and Bryce Klug, City Attorney Dick Gregg Jr. and his attorney sons, Chris and Dick Gregg III, and former Councilwoman Angela Braun, and her son Michael, plus a number of former councilmen, including John Haugen and Ron Swofford.

Nassau Bay City Councilman Jonathan Amdur, right, welcomes State Rep. Dennis Paul, center, and BAHEP President Bob Mitchell to farewell party at the Hilton for retiring City Manager Chris Reed.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | FEBRUARY 2016

Port Commissioner and former Nassau Bay City Manager John Kennedy and his wife, Brenda, left, stop to chat with Nassau Bay City Councilman Bryce Klug and City Finance Director Csilla Stiles during farewell party at the Hilton for retiring City Manager Chris Reed.

State Rep. Dennis Paul dropped by, as did BAHEP President Bob Mitchell, Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith, Constable Phil Sandlin, Judge Holly Williamson, El Lago Mayor Robert White, former League City Mayors Pat Hallisey and Jeff Harrison and their wives, Janice and Marie; Clear Creek Education Foundation Executive Director Kaci Hanson, City Managers Wayne Sabo of Webster and Gayle Cook of Seabrook and Clear Lake Chamber President Cindy Harreld. Others you might have spotted mingling with the crowd were Nancy Guthrie, Tom Linklater, Barbara Cutsinger, TJ Aulds, Roscoe Lee, Buck Gay, John Nugent, Dee Scott and Shawn Bailey and dozens more.

Gary and Mayor Pro-tem Sandy Mossman, left, are happy to see insurance agent Dee Scott and South Shore Harbour Resort General Manager Roy Green at goodbye party at the Hilton for Chris Reed.

Lakewood Ladies install new officers

THE LAKEWOOD Yacht Club Ladies Association has a new president â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jan Smith, who was installed Friday, Jan. 15, at the annual installation luncheon. Others installed included Vice President Amy Dunphey, Treasurer Marion DeHart, Secretary Mary Moorehead and Fleet Capt. Sherri Romer. Special guests included Commodore Don Mitchell, Vice Commodore Jim Winton, Rear Commodore Ash Walker, Fleet Capt. Tom Frankum and their wives, Marilyn Mitchell, Cindy Winton, Stephanie Walker and Bonnie Frankum.

Constable Phil Sandlin, right, and Judge Holly Williamson were among the many who came to say goodbye to outgoing Nassau Bay City Manager Chris Reed, center, at party in his honor at the Hilton.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Sherri Romer, center, who was later installed as fleet captain of the Ladies Association for 2016, stops to chat with Susan Hefner, left, and Past President Roz Clayton at the installation luncheon.

Plus, about a dozen past presidents such as Anna DeWald, Sandy Lewis, Rita Matthews, Evey Leavens, Sue Warters, Roz Clayton and Judith Shaw, to name a few.

Dr. Charles Elachi is Space Trophy honoree

DR. CHARLES ELACHI, director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has been named the recipient of the 2016 National Space Trophy, which is awarded annually by the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation. It will be presented at the 30th annual RNASA Gala Friday, April 29, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Houston. The public and aerospace community are invited to attend the black-tie event. This year will be RNASA’s 30th annual National Space

LYC First Lady Marilyn Mitchell, from right, joins the crowd at the annual Lakewood Ladies Association Installation Luncheon Jan.16, along with flag officer wives Cindy Winton, Stephanie Walker and Bonnie Frankum.

Lakewood Yacht Club Commodore Don Mitchell, from right, Fleet Capt. Tom Frankum, Vice Commodore Jim Winton and Rear Commodore Ash Walker, were among the guests at the LYC Ladies Association Installation Luncheon.

Trophy Banquet. Visit www.rnasa.org/ tables.html to reserve a table for the banquet and find information about sponsorships and tickets. To reserve a room at the Houston Hyatt Regency, visit http://www.rnasa.org/houston. html or call 713-654-1234 and request the RNASA group rate. Rodolfo Gonzalez, president of the RNASA Foundation said, “The Foundation is very pleased with the board of advisors’ selection of Dr. Elachi and is looking forward to recognizing him as the guest of honor at the RNASA Space Awards Gala.” Dr. Elachi was nominated for the award by A. Thomas Young, former director of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Young said, “Charles Elachi’s distinguished leadership and sustained technical achievement has had a profound impact on the U.S. robotic exploration of space

across the late 20th and early 21st centuries…His contributions and vision have impacted space science and technology, generations of young people and professionals, and society at large.” Dr. Elachi said, “I’m honored to receive the National Space Trophy from this prestigious organization. I feel so fortunate to be involved in space exploration during an extremely exciting time, when we are rewriting science books, fulfilling humanity’s innate quest for discovery, and bringing tangible technology and science advances back to Earth. I am grateful for the invaluable contributions of the teams of dedicated and immensely talented men and woman I’ve worked with through the years.” RNASA was founded by members of Space Center Rotary of Clear Lake.

Judith Shaw, a past president of the Lakewood Ladies Association, shares a light moment with Barbara White and Vice President Amy Dunphey, from left, at the Ladies Association’s annual installation luncheon.

Shelley Rogers, left, and Mary Ellen Arledge enjoy the Lakewood Ladies Association Installation Luncheon.

Sandy Lewis, right, is happy to see Rita Matthews at the Lakewood luncheon. Both are wives for past commodores.

New officers of the LYC Ladies Association get together for a photo during their installation luncheon. They are, from left, back row, Treasurer Marion DeHart, Immediate Past President Evey Leavens, Fleet Capt. Sheri Romer; front row, Parliamentarian Judith Shaw, Vice President Amy Dunphey, President Jan Smith and Secretary Mary Moorehead.

FEBRUARY 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

TEXAS MEDITATIONS

Maximizing Our Assets By Michael W. Gos

Marble Falls, Texas

hen I was a kid,

I used to drive my mother crazy in a lot of ways. But the one thing that really got to her was my playback mechanism. I would get deeply engrossed in whatever I was doing, be it reading, listening to music or watching TV. She would enter the room and say something to me. What was strange was I knew she had said something, but I had no idea what it was because my mind was somewhere else. Instinctively I would turn to her and say “What?” Irritated, she would begin the statement again, but it was then that something very strange would happen. In my head, I would hear a playback of her original

Bay Area Houston Magazine | FEBRUARY 2016

statement as if there were a tape recorder in there somewhere. I would hear it and immediately answer, long before my mother could restate the comment. That always got a raised voice rendition of “If you heard what I said, why did you make me repeat it?” I tried to explain to her that when I asked her to repeat, I hadn’t yet heard what she said. I’m sure she thought I was lying—or crazy. While it started out as a problem, as I got older, this ability to focus totally on one thing while tuning out the rest of the world, came to serve me well. In study hall in school, for example, I could concentrate completely regardless of the chaos going on around me. Noisy conversations, kids sneaking a smoke, even people being thrown over desks didn’t disrupt my train of thought. I was

oblivious to it all. This eventually led to greater efficiency in my studies and other work. I had plenty of play time because my work time was super-efficient. Nothing was lost to distractions. I found it so beneficial that I set out to develop this ability to focus even further. I wanted superpowers. Over the years, it has been a valuable asset. Today I can do unpleasant tasks such as grading papers, in a pleasant environment like a restaurant or bar, simply because I can tune out all distractions and concentrate solely on the subject before me. I had just finished a Friday morning meeting in Austin and was headed to Fredericksburg for a couple of days. As I hit the Oak Hill Y, I decided I really wanted to have dinner that night at Cooper’s in Llano, so I veered off onto 71. Once out of the city traffic mess, I began to relax and enjoy the drive through Hill County. It wasn’t long before I realized that I was going to reach my destination way too soon for dinner, so I took a right at 281 and headed into Marble Falls.

It was mid-semester and I had a lot of papers to grade before returning to work on Monday. I figured I’d take a couple of hours to sit and grade, while maybe having a beer or two. It is amazing how much better student work is when “enjoyed” with a beer. I drove past the old clock tower as I got into town and began looking for a place that seemed “blue-collar.” When I’m on the road, those are the kind of places I prefer. I found a little restaurant and bar out on Main Street. I pulled the Jeep into the lot, grabbed a red pen (yes, I am still politically incorrect enough to use red) and a stack of papers and went inside. There were about a half dozen others at the bar when I got there. I took a seat, ordered a Corona and went to work. Over the next couple of hours, I was aware of people coming and going on either side of me, though I never really noticed much about them. I was, after all, on a mission. I had planned to spend about two hours working there but I missed that mark by quite a bit. I realized I wouldn’t make it to Llano till 7 p.m. if I left right then so I really couldn’t stay any longer. I put away my papers and asked the bartender

“Well, you just spent an hour sitting next to Willie.” “Willie Nelson?” “Yep. He sometimes comes through on his way between Dallas and his ranch.” I thought about that for a long time as I drove on to Cooper’s. Surely, the bartender wasn’t telling the truth. It was just his snarky way of pointing out that I had dropped the ball when it came to the social responsibility of any good bar patron. My sitting there engrossed in my work while ignoring those around me could be judged as a miserable failure in social protocol. And the rules are usually followed to the letter in any good bar. It didn’t surprise me that he would make such a comment. Over the years I had heard criticism of this habit of ignoring those around me several times. But I had work to do and when I could, I was social. But work was work and play was play.

“Our greatest assets, when taken to extremes, can become liabilities.”

for my tab. He brought the bill and looked at me and said, “You don’t know much about country music, do you?” I was puzzled by the question. “Well, I really like Texas country but I know less about Nashville.” “And yet you don’t know who was sitting next to you for nearly an hour?” I hadn’t a clue, but I was beginning to suspect that I was about to be embarrassed. “No, I didn’t notice to be honest.”

I went into the bar to work and chances are I would never see those people again, so I wasn’t really concerned about what they thought. And yet, as I drove on, I couldn’t escape this nagging feeling that there was a chance the bartender was telling the truth about the event. Maybe he was less disgusted by my rude behavior than he was about what he perceived as my ignorance. I got to Cooper’s, negotiated the line and picked out a half pound of brisket and a sausage from the pits. I took it inside to the cashier and then found myself again thinking about what happened in Marble Falls. Had I really become so proficient at focusing on the task at hand that I remained completely oblivious to the presence of one of Texas’ biggest heroes? I didn’t know whether to be proud of my ability or upset at what I had missed. To this day, I still don’t know what really happened. But there is one thing I am beginning to suspect— even our greatest assets, when taken to extremes, can become liabilities. On the bright side, I can always say I drank beer with Willie…even if I don’t remember it.

FEBRUARY 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Do DIY A do it yourself project is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to give a home a makeover. Take an old dresser and let the imagination go wild. Lightly sand the piece, paint it a fresh color and add pretty pulls to bring it back to life. Fixing and mending what is already there is a great way to save money and update a space.

Move the art around If the same gallery wall has been up for ages, then go for a change. Change art and pictures around for a new view. Combine sketches, art, photos with a random mirror. A wall can be made more interesting by grouping pictures rather than displaying one oversized piece.

Carve out room for quiet

Home Sweet Home Give your space a makeover without blowing your budget By Cathy Osoria

Rearrange accessories The easiest way to update a home on a budget is by rearranging what is already there. Start by putting all moveable accessories (like tchotchkes, frames , bookends and throw pillows) into a pile on the floor. Sort the accessories, keeping favorite items and discarding the dated items. Use books to fill in space or to raise accessories. This variation in height gives more emphasis to items that should be noticed more. Remember that “less in more.” Clutter just makes it harder to focus on the featured items.

Add new fixtures and hardware Purchasing a bold new light fixture or hardware for cabinets is helpful for updating the home. These things

are inexpensive and can have a big impact on a space›s look or feel. Plus ,it works in every room. Try a new bed lamp in a fun color or install metallic pulls on your kitchen drawers. In the kitchen, living room or entry try updating the light fixtures with more modern pendants.

Turn a quiet corner into a dreamlike space for personal time without spending much money on the transformation. Find a comfy chair and a small side table and create a cozy space to read or surf the Internet. On a really tight budget, large soft squishy pillows and a rug can create the same cozy feeling.

Lighten up Open those windows. Remove distracting elements like heavy window treatments and blinds. If removing is not possible, then open up as much as possible and allow the sun light in. Letting more light in brightens and freshens up the space.

Create a fitness space Pursue a New Year›s resolution and refresh the home at the same time. Find a beautiful basket to store weights and fitness equipment. The surrounding space should be serene and calm. Having a designated work out space may increase the chances of exercising.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | FEBRUARY 2016

Rearrange the furniture Entrance impact Paint the exterior door something bright and happy. This gives the front of a home a pop of color and a boost of bonus curb appeal. Add potted plants to the porch or purchase new house numbers for a quick inexpensive change.

A quick switch can dramatically alter the look and feel of a room by changing the flow and the focal point. Everything does not have to be moved around. Try swapping a chair from the family room with a bedroom chair or art or a mirror from one room to the next.

Finance:

Remember, It’s consistency that counts

he key to making money…. drum roll, please…. is not high returns….it’s consistency. Often in the financial world people are guilty of touting returns to get you to “buy in” to their product or account. It sounds good at the time,

doesn’t it? But the more important question you should ask yourself when in this situation is, “Sure, the returns are high, but how much could I potentially lose?” Our retirement philosophy is simple…“You Win by Not Losing Big…” Some of the most intelligent people forget the simple rule of the mathematics of loss. For example, if you have $100,000 and lose 50 percent, how much money do you have left? Yes, $50,000. Then, let’s say the next year you soar up 50 percent; you’re back to even, right? Wrong. You are only at $75,000. So, you are still 25 percent in the hole.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | FEBRUARY 2016

Of course, you say, “well I knew that.” But here’s the rule: “The average return and the actual return will never be the same once a negative number is factored in.” Think about it… the average of negative 50 percent and positive 50 percent is zero. The actual return is negative 25 percent. The key to a stable retirement life is not high returns, it’s simply “consistency.” In the situation described above, you would have been in a better situation if you had only made zero percent the first year and five percent the second year. You would be at $105,000 instead of $75,000.

We have a funny saying in our office that “sometimes Zero is your Hero.” It’s much harder to climb out of a 20-foot hole than a 2-foot hole at the end of the day. Remember, you have worked hard your entire life to save your retirement money; protect it from heavy losses. Warren Buffett may have said it best when asked what his keys to investing are; “The first rule is not to lose money. The second rule is not to forget the first rule.” Paul Roberts and Summer Roberts Roberts Wealth Management www.RobertsWealthTexas.com

FEBRUARY 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bay Area Houston Magazine | FEBRUARY 2016

New trends emerge as arrival of spring nears By Haleigh Tieken

ith another year on the

A pop of color to brighten your winter look!

Bay Area Houston Magazine | FEBRUARY 2016

rise, fashionistas begin to stack their closets full of the latest and greatest trends. Spring lingers in the distance, as consumers try and get their last use out of their winter coats and boots. Being from Texas, our winters aren’t always as chilly as some, but there’s still ways you can accessorize and achieve the winter look. First off, trendy jackets are always in style for the winter, but now some stores are starting to add a unique twist on a classic ensemble. Sequins, fringe and lace are among the materials

being added on to outerwear. Many Hollywood stars have caught on to the trend as well, with some pairing a sequin jacket with a solid colored shirt -- to add a pop of color -- and dark denim jeans. Who doesn’t love clothes that are cute and keep you warm as well? This look allows you to dress it up or down by adding heels to an already flashy piece of clothing. Some footwear that is becoming more prevalent in store front windows this year is the pointed ballet flat. These shoes are very striking when you walk and are popular in the UK and other European countries and now the trend has landed in the U.S. These shoes can’t be worn with just anything. You can pair them with a classic V-neck and cropped jeans or a sweater with leggings. More and more colors

Who doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t love clothes that are cute and keep you warm as well? Chic jackets to keep you warm while looking stylish.

Pointed flats are all the rage this season.

are starting to come out for the spring but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still a variety of winter colors to choose from such as black, brown, and taupe. If you want to be unique and stay with the trends, then this style of shoe is perfect for you! This time of year is all about the darker colors, which explains why dark red lipstick is very in right now. We all want a pop of color on our face or an area of our makeup to stand out in some way. Red is perfect for the winter holidays along with welcoming a fresh start to the New Year.

FEBRUARY 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Subaru Forester exterior and interior.

‘utes’ as, but they are smaller than the behemoths that started the SUV craze.

Subaru Forester

Small SUV’s Capture Bay Area Crown By Don Armstrong

igger isn’t always better

and your friends and neighbors are proving it in area dealerships by grabbing the majority of small SUV’s on-hand. The definition of small really isn’t all that small, that’s just what the government classifies these sport

The Subaru Forester may not look like an SUV but it is. Its lowered stance almost places it in the wagon category. Ask yourself, “How many times have I taken our SUV off-road?” Our guess is, not many, but around the Bay, you’ll see plenty of them pulling a pair of jetski’s or perhaps a small fishing boat. Subaru is known for its on-road handling agility, compliments of its boxer-style engine. Coupled with a full-time all-wheel drive configuration and lower center of gravity this is the do-all’s do-all. The 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder engine turns out 170-horsepower and delivers 24mpg-city and 32-highway. ew for 2016 is the Subaru Starlink multimedia system that provides entertainment and info through your smartphone.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | FEBRUARY 2016

The Forester garners an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ too. Be sure to check out the new EyeSight system that gets a superior rating for front crash protection. Starts at $22,395.

Dodge Journey The Dodge Journey may be getting a little long in the tooth, since it hasn’t had a makeover in 7 years, but it is still relevant for those that appreciate

good ol’ American iron. Also classified as a small SUV, the Journey is a little larger than the Forester and has a taller ride height, yet third row seating is available here. That alone could sway growing families Dodge’s way. We are happy to report that the number of trim levels has been reduced to five, from seven, contributing to an easier selection process. Our Crossroad Plus not only had the look of a sporty SUV but came with an array of features including the optional Pentastar V-6 with 173-horses. It’s matched to a capable 6-speed automatic transmission delivering mileage in line with other sixes; 17-city and 25-highway. Despite having almost $5,500 in options, this upper-scale Journey is still priced within the ballpark of others in its class, starting at $26,095. Entry-level begins at $20,995.

CCISD offers a look at student performance By Mary Alys Cherry

lear Creek School District officials gave parents a look at student performance, presenting a public hearing on the Texas Education Agency’s Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) at the Jan. 18 school board meeting, comparing local results with state test scores on the STAAR Tests. The district as a whole passed with flying colors, receiving a Met Standard rating. The TAPR, which is intended to inform the public about the educational performance of a district, describes the performance of a district and each campus in relation to the district, the state and a comparable group of schools. It gave CCISD a Met Standard rating, which means it passed inspection, school officials explained. In addition to the district’s overall scores on Reading, Writing, Math, Science and Social Studies, parents were shown the percentage of students passing Reading, for example, in grades 3 through 8, compared with state totals. On the STAAR tests, CCISD’s passing rates, compared with the state average, were: CCISD State Reading 88% 77% Math 92% 81% Writing 81% 72% Science 87% 78% Social Studies 85% 78% On the reading tests, here, for example is how CCISD students fared, compared with the state average: CCISD State Third grade 87% 77% Fourth grade 86% 74% Fifth grade 94% 87% Sixth grade 88% 77% Seventh grade 86% 76% Eighth grade 94% 88% Secondary students also did well – 84% passing English I, 85% English II, 92% passing Algebra I, 96% Biology and 96% passing U.S. History – all scoring higher than the state average. CCISD students also did well on attendance with a 96 percent rate in both 2014 and 2013. The state average was slightly lower, 95.8 and 95.9 percent respectively. On test scores, CCISD students in the Class of 2014 averaged 1589 on the SAT and 24.1 on the ACT, while Texas students, as a whole averaged 1417 on the SAT and 20.6 on the ACT. In 2014, 96.9 percent graduated, compared with 88.3 percent statewide. When the totals include those earning GEDs and getting diplomas slightly later, the graduation total rises to 99 percent, while the statewide total climbs to 93.4 percent. In 2013, 82.3 percent of the CCISD graduates went on the college, as did 70.8 percent of the high school graduates statewide. Officials said 48.2 percent of the students are Caucasian, 29.4 are Hispanic, 8.1 are African American, 9.7 are Asian, 0.2 are American Indian and 4.3 percent are biracial. Only negative came on Special Education with the TEA giving the district a Needs Assistance rating.

Lakewood Lasers Take First Place at the Orange Bowl Regatta!

akewood Yacht Club’s youth sailing team took first place in laser class at the Orange Bowl Regatta last month when Miami welcomed nearly 700 youth racers for the annual event in Biscayne Bay. Asher Zittrer sailed the 13-foot laser that defeated 25 other teams in 11 races. Held annually in conjunction with the Orange Bowl, the international youth regatta draws world-class sailors ages 8-18 to South Florida for the largest four-day international youth sailing event in the U.S. Attracting nearly 700 racers from all over the world, the event is an excellent opportunity for youth to go on to achieve even greater notoriety in the sailing world. Several of the Orange Bowl competitors sail the race multiple times in multiple classes as their skills improve. This year, the regatta attracted contenders from 27 states and 23 countries worldwide. Opti class, typically for beginner sailors, is a small, one-person dingy, while lasers are better suited for more skilled sailors. The 420 class, meant for advanced sailors, can be crewed by two. Racers like Asher Zittrer gravitate toward the sleek lasers for their speed and maneuverability in competition.

For 14-year-old Asher Zittrer, the Orange Bowl signified his first shot at a broader racing circuit. “You get more competitive with lasers since you get to race more aggressively. Since this was my first big laser-class race, I didn›t really know what to expect, so I didn’t expect to win.» But Zittrer soon got familiar with the competition he was up against, and drew on the solid strategies he’s been trained to use. “Toward the end, I focused on not taking many risks, but staying ahead of my immediate competition.” After the first day, Zittrer was tied with a team from Great Britain. By the last day, he was only one point behind. He knew exactly who he needed to stay ahead of. In the first race on the last day, Zittrer took the lead. “I was more strategic and less aggressive. In the beginning, when I started off close to my competition, I took a lot of risks to get up in front. If I messed up, the other team would have immediately passed me and could have kept me behind. After I was ahead, I was more conservative. You take advantage of the other racers› mistakes. I followed the wind shift and stayed consistently in the top.” Bringing home a medal and a trophy can be exhausting work. Zittrer slept on the plane the whole way home and was greeted by his parents and well-wishers when he returned. The house was decked out in a big banner that said ‘Way to Go, Asher!’ The following days were spent getting ready to go back to school and making plans for next year’s race. Lakewood Yacht Club had two sailors compete in the 25-boat laser class, eight sailors in opti class racing with 225 other competitors, and 4 teams out of 36 competing in the international 420 class. The club recognizes Bryan Trammel for coming in 5th overall in laser class, Zane Rogers for finishing 10th overall in optis, and Wiley Rogers and Jack Parkin for a first-place win in 420 class. Big congrats to the Lakewood Race Team for another great event!

Ron Carter Clear Lake Achievers Scholarship Ron Carter Clear Lake will again recognize the hard work and dedication of college bound Greater Clear Lake Area High School seniors in 2016 through the Ron Carter Clear Lake Community Achievers Scholarship. Each year, recipients are chosen based on academic achievement, character, leadership, service, and adult recommendations. Ron Carter Clear Lake will award five college scholarships in the amount of $1,000 to deserving applicants. One outstanding recipient will be selected for each month. The program starts in March and ends in July. Applications will be accepted starting February. This scholarship is open to high school seniors in the Greater Clear Lake Area and surrounding areas that reside in Clear Creek ISD, Alvin ISD, Deer Park ISD, Pasadena ISD, Dickinson ISD, LaPorte ISD, Pearland ISD and Friendswood ISD. Applicants may be students of public, parochial or home schools. Visit www.roncarterhyundai.com/communityinvolvement-achievers-scholarship.html to download the application. FEBRUARY 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Heart Health Awareness featuring Dr. Dipsu Patel Interventional Cardiologist and Cardiovascular Specialist of Texas at Bay Area Regional Medical Center By Michelle Mason

ebruary is heart health awareness month, and for many women, the signs and symptoms of a heart attack are often ignored. Dr. Dipsu Patel, an interventional cardiologist and cardiovascular specialist at Bay Area Regional Medical Center, says most women have different symptoms than men when it comes to a heart attack. “Men with heart disease have the classic symptoms of angina, a substernal (mid-chest) crushing pain, lasting 10 to 30 minutes, [which is] elicited or worsened by exertion and relieved by rest,” Dr. Patel said. “Women often have more non-specific symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, shoulder pain, and many may not have chest pain at all.” “The most common question I get is, ‘how soon can you see my husband?’ I like to encourage women to have as much concern for themselves as they have for their families,” Dr. Patel said. Ignoring red flags, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and loss of strength can contribute to a woman’s chances of having a heart attack, Dr. Patel said. “More women will die of cardiovascular causes than those from the next five diseases combined,” stated Dr. Patel. “No disease is more important than another disease, but we clearly need more public awareness [in heart health].” While there are certain risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and stroke that cannot be changed, Dr. Patel believes there are several lifestyle changes women can make to decrease their chances of having a heart attack or stroke, including the AHA’s Life Simple 7 tactics. “Not smoking, weight reduction, following a heart healthy diet (low in saturated fats and red meat), aerobic exercise (five days a week for 30 minutes), blood pressure control, and glycemic (sugar) control in diabetes are important in prevention of heart disease and halting its progression, “Dr. Patel said. The American Heart Association believes that prevention starts by scheduling a wellwoman visit, collecting family health history, and researching women’s heart attack and stroke symptoms. To learn more, visit www. heart.org.

Heart Month Survivor Stories suffer from SVT can have little to no symptoms or will suffer from dizziness, light headiness, rapid heartbeat, angina (chest pain), and shortness of breath that could result in cardiac arrest. Without a heart ablation, a procedure funded by the American Heart Association and a catheter-day procedure used to treat arrhythmias, Henderson said she wouldn’t be alive today.

By Michelle Mason

t 17 years old, Kristen Henderson woke up in the middle of the night with pain in her chest. Once at the hospital, Henderson was told her heart rate was 210 beats per minute. Within moments, Henderson’s doctor had to restart her heart. Prior to her scary experience, Henderson said she lived an average, healthy life and was very active in softball. She had no idea she was living with a congenital heart defect. Two days after her ER visit, Henderson was diagnosed with Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), a condition in which heart tissue in either the upper chambers or the region above the ventricles develops pacemaker activity, resulting in an abnormally fast heartbeat. According to the American Heart Association, people who

Bay Area Houston Magazine | FEBRUARY 2016

Gilmartin went into premature labor. Weeks after giving birth, Gilmartin underwent open heart surgery. A month later she experienced a pericardial effusion (fluid buildup around the heart) and had to undergo another surgery to remove the fluids and was in the hospital for 11 days. Cardiovascular diseases and stroke cause 1 in 3 women’s death each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds. An estimated 44 million women in the U.S. are affected by cardiovascular diseases and 90 percent of women have one or more factors for heart disease and stroke. Since the birth of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Movement in 2004, about 285 fewer women in the U.S. have died from heart disease and stroke and cardiovascular disease deaths in women has decreased by more than 30 percent over the past 10 years.

“Cardiovascular diseases and stroke cause 1 in 3 women’s death each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds.” Marilou Gilmartin was 35 years old and pregnant with her third child when she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Gilmartin’s cardiologist and surgeon told her that her heart was not pumping enough blood and oxygen into her body. After receiving an EKG, her doctors noticed 2 out of 3 of her valves were damaged. Six weeks before her due date,

Marilou Gilmartin now 40 years old and Kristen Henderson now 32 will be participating in the Bay Area Go Red for Women Luncheon on February 19 at South Shore Harbor Resort & Conference Center. To find out more about women’s heart health and Supraventricular Tachycardia, visit www.heart.org. To register for the Bay Area Go Red for Women Luncheon, visit www. bayareagored.heart.org.

e t a r b e l Ce

Bay Area Houston Magazine | FEBRUARY 2016

FEBRUARY 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Celebrate

With Gifts & Dining in the Bay Area

Bay Area Houston Magazine | FEBRUARY 2016

FEBRUARY 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

[MARITIME & PETROCHEMICAL]

Expanding Horizons San Jacinto College’s new maritime training center boosts emerging program By Rod Evans

eaching someone how to

moor a tanker or guide a tug boat through a narrow space between two hulking barges is considerably more difficult when the instruction is being done on dry land and the closest body of water is the hotel swimming pool across the street. But for students enrolled in San Jacinto College’s Maritime Education program, the heavily traveled waters of the Houston Ship Channel serve as both laboratory and classroom after the opening of the new Maritime Technology and Training Center in La Porte. The $18 million, 45,000-square-foot facility, which officially opened on Jan. 4 of this year, is located practically on the docks and represents a remarkable upgrade over the previous building, which was basically a converted warehouse. “There is lots of excitement because the building is brand new and because of its location,” said Amy Arrowood, a maritime instructor at San Jacinto College. “It’s right on the turning basin, so we can be talking about a specific topic and it could be happening right outside our windows.” The building houses three ship simulators, an engineering room, a swimming pool and nearly triple the classroom space as the old

building. Arrowood said the college was limited in both the number of classes it could offer and the number of students in each class due to the cramped quarters of the previous facility, which had a total of five classrooms. With 17 classrooms now, officials hope to increase class offerings, which could result in a spike in enrollment. “We wanted to hold additional classes and the industry needed additional classes, but we couldn’t hold them from a logistical standpoint because we just didn’t have the classroom space. Now we’ve got more classrooms and a variety of those rooms, too. For example, before we had five radar simulators and could teach up to 10 people in the room. Now, we have two (radar) rooms of 24 (students) each,” Arrowood said. Tellepsen Builders served as the general contractor on the project, while Texas IBI Group was the architect. Brooks & Sparks was the civil engineer and Rizzo & Associates

Bay Area Houston Magazine | FEBRUARY 2016

filled the program manager role. According to Port of Houston Authority figures, the 25-mile Port of Houston generates $178.5 billion in statewide economic impact and another $4.5 billion in state and local tax revenues each year. The complex also creates over one million ship channel related jobs statewide, and the demand for skilled and educated workers shows no signs of abating. San Jacinto College, through its maritime program, is helping industries doing business along the ship channel find the qualified employees they need to meet the demands of the 21st century. Launched in the fall semester of 2012, the program offers continuing education courses and an associate degree in maritime transportation that combines United States Coast Guard and Standards for Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW)-approved training with the college level academics required of an associate degree. “All of our classes on the continuing education side are Coast Guardapproved classes that exist because they are required by the Coast Guard for mariners in order to maintain or upgrade their licenses and certification,” Arrowood said. “Right now, we don’t offer every Coast Guard approved course, but our goal is to increase from 35 (courses) to closer to 90 to 100.” Courses offered run the gamut from Able Bodied Seaman to Radar Observer to Basic Fire Fighting to Leadership and Managerial Skills. Arrowood says the program includes continuing education and professional development courses for current maritime employees looking to advance their careers or earn required certifications, in addition to the twoyear associates program. She says the new facility will allow administrators to offer more flexible course schedules for maritime employees who work non-traditional schedules. “We can now hold classes more frequently. A lot of mariners work four weeks on, four weeks off, so if we’re running a class every four weeks, some mariners could never catch certain classes. The new building allows us to increase the availability of classes, so we should see our enrollment numbers increase,” Arrowood said.

Arrowood said the continuing education program has issued over 3,500 certifications since its inception and there are currently 42 students enrolled in the associates degree program and officials are hoping to see huge gains in both numbers as early as this fall thanks to the increased classroom capacity offered by the new facility. The program’s staff is comprised of Coast Guard-approved ship masters, chief engineers, former U.S. Navy and Merchant Marine officers, as well as skilled technicians, who will be able to impart their wisdom in a center that has no equal in the region. “The gulf coast was missing a onestop shop for all maritime training. You could get radar training at a certain place or a different class here or there, but there wasn’t one place you could go for all of your maritime training,” Arrowood said. “We will offer that eventually once we get all of the Coast Guard courses here. We will be that one-stop shop, whether it’s for a tow boat captain, tankerman or cruise ship captain; we will be offering classes for the inland industry, the near coastal industry and the large, blue water industry.” Arrowood said local industry leaders have been demanding more skilled maritime workers for years now, and the new facility should help position San Jac to help meet the demand that’s been fueled by increases in imports and exports and the rapid growth in the production of plastics by manufacturers along the ship channel. “We work closely with our advisory committee on what we can do in our program and classes in order to turn out the best mariners. We couldn’t do what we do without them,” Arrowood said. She says in addition to providing a launching point for young students hoping to land entry level positions in the maritime industry, administrators are hopeful the expanded facility will be a boon to workers looking to enhance their ability to move up to higher paying, more rewarding positions through the continuing education program. By offering open enrollment, workers eyeing a change in their career path will be afforded fast-track curriculum options, while contract training programs are also offered that are designed in partnership with companies to address specific needs to keep workers competitive in their respective field. For more information on the maritime program at San Jacinto College, visit Sanjac.edu.

terms of barriers, because often you will just run right into them.” That’s really great advice. Is having a mentor important to you? Absolutely! In fact, I suggest having more than one. Each mentor can provide you with a wealth of diverse ideas, opportunities, and viewpoints.

Jessica Shaver his month in our Young Professional Profile, we sat down with Jessica Shaver, Director of Corporate Strategy at the Port of Houston Authority. With a seven year career in the transportation industry, Ms. Shaver is responsible for development of the Port Authority’s strategic plan and management of its implementation. You are the Director of Corporate Strategy at the Port Authority. That sounds impressive, but, what does that mean? Well, basically I’m an intermediary between internal and external stakeholders of the Port Authority. I take stakeholder input and create a plan that aligns their contributions with the Port Authority’s business plans. This provides an opportunity for engagement both within and externally to the Port Authority. In aligning these ideas, we can move collectively with our communities to establish organizational priorities and reach mutual end goals for our port and the community at large. Wow! That seems like it could be a tough job. There are so many stakeholders with various positions. Yes, it is a challenge. But it’s one that I welcome. Our stakeholders are important to us, and listening to their collective voices is important to successfully meeting our business objectives. I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge. In fact, I’ve confronted many challenges in my career and I always look for opportunities to improve. We can easily create barriers for ourselves. But, as one of my mentors insightfully shared with me one time, “Don’t look at the world in

It sounds like you’ve had experience with a number of mentors. So, in your experience, what characteristics do you look for in a good mentor? A good mentor is definitely someone you admire. Not only for their business acumen, but ethically, personally, etc. It has to be someone with whom you share the same values. That would then provide a great baseline for your relationship. A common misconception I have found in people trying to find a mentor is they think the best mentor looks like them. That’s not always true. I have found some of my best mentors to “Don’t look be men. People who have the at the world propensity to be a mentor are just honored and appreciative in terms of that you have asked them to barriers, share their experiences with you. So, I would recommend because those that may be looking often you will to for a mentor now – don’t box just run right yourself in, someone with a different background than into them.” you could make an awesome mentor! So, if someone wants to be mentored, what advice do you have for them? First, don’t be afraid to ask. People are honored that you think they are valuable enough to ask. And if they say no, that’s okay; there are plenty of people willing to be your mentor. Second, be open to new ideas. The mentor you chose probably does things a little differently than you, and they are successful. So, be open to new ideas and trying their suggestions. Mentoring is a two-way street. Both people in the relationship can gain a lot of value and learn from each other. Remember the mentor is taking time away from other things to spend time with you. So, don’t forget to thank them, regularly, and demonstrate that you are taking their advice. Even if some advice doesn’t quite go the way they had intended, it’s okay to let them know, they are learning from this experience too. Anything else you would like to add? I would recommend to young professionals reading this, don’t be afraid to take risks. Always have goals in mind, but don’t be set on how to achieve them. You’d be surprised at how life changes around you. Find mentors to guide your path, but challenge yourself to always be open to growth. Opportunities and recognition of your hard work will always follow. For more on the Port of Houston Authority: www.portofhouston.com About the Young Professional Profile The Young Professional Profile is an effort to create a forum for those under 40 who are excelling in their respective fields across Texas. There is a depth and breadth to the Millennial generation as a group of adults that is marked by a commitment to higher principles in the work they do, the ability to professionally marry what were traditionally separate streams of expertise, and a voracious appetite for new skills.

Pasadena ISD given high marks in TEA report The Pasadena ISD graduation rate jumped above the 89 percent mark during the 2014-15 school year – exceeding the state average by 1.1 percent – according to new data released by the Texas Education Agency. The graduation rate hike – which showed a jump from 88.9 percent the previous year to 89.4 during the new ratings period – was part of the latest Texas Academic Performance Report of public schools. Pasadena ISD’s dropout rate showed a significant decrease, from 1.8 percent to 1.4 percent. The state dropout average is 2.2 percent. STAAR testing results showed passing percentages of Pasadena ISD students improved or remained steady in nearly every subject. Although falling short of state averages in some subjects, the district received an overall rating of having met the state performance standard. “We are proud of our students’ performance,” said Dr. DeeAnn Powell, Pasadena ISD’s acting superintendent of schools. “While we know there is room to improve, these results show how their hard work has already started paying off.” Dr. Powell will assume the duties of superintendent on Feb. 2. Another report bright spot for Pasadena ISD was a 6.4 percent increase in students taking advance placement or college courses as part of the Pasadena Early College High School. The PECHS program allows freshmen to enroll in classes through San Jacinto College. This gives students the opportunity to earn an associate degree at the same time they earn their high-school diploma. College and career readiness among Pasadena ISD students is 10.4 percent above the state average this year, the data showed. School officials credit, among other things, the opening of the Lewis Career and Technical High School. CTHS provides students with an opportunity to graduate with a diploma, earn college credits and gain professional certification or a license in high-demand areas, such as pre-engineering, robotics, nursing, veterinary technology, automotive collision, welding, cosmetology, culinary arts and other fields. To view the full report, visit https:// rptsvr1.tea.texas.gov/perfreport/ tapr/2015/index.html and search for Pasadena ISD.

FEBRUARY 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Memorial Hermann Plans Clear Lake Urgent Care Memorial Hermann is continuing its expansion into the Bay Area by announcing plans to open Memorial Hermann Urgent Care in Clear Lake in the summer of 2016. The new Memorial Hermann Urgent Care in Clear Lake will be staffed with board-certified family medicine physicians from the Memorial Hermann Medical Group and will provide walk-in care for non-lifethreatening health conditions. The new Urgent Care will offer surrounding communities the ease and convenience of extended medical care and will serve as an extension of a primary care physician’s office. “Memorial Hermann Urgent Care in Clear Lake is just another example of our commitment to serve the growing healthcare needs of the Bay Area on every level,” says Kyle Price, Senior Vice President and CEO, Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital. “Memorial Hermann Urgent Care will also provide a convenient, affordable entry point to the whole gamut of high quality healthcare services offered by Memorial Hermann.” Memorial Hermann Urgent Care in Clear Lake will be part of an 11,500 square-foot medical facility that will also include a primary care physician office as well as sports medicine and rehabilitation services. “Healthcare needs are changing and they don’t always fit a 9 to 5, Monday through Friday schedule so it’s important to make sure the full range of Memorial Hermann’s services are available to the community where and when they need them,” says Jennifer Zimmerman, Vice President of Operations at Memorial Hermann Medical Group. Memorial Hermann Urgent Care in Clear Lake will join Memorial Hermann Urgent Care in Friendswood as Memorial Hermann’s second urgent care in the Bay Area. “The City of Webster is excited that Memorial Hermann is expanding its presence inside the medical center of the South, where a super-regional population depends upon world class healthcare,” says Dr. Betsy Giusto, Economic Development director, City of Webster. Memorial Hermann Urgent Care in Clear Lake will open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week for walk-in access and will be located at 19419-3 Gulf Freeway in Webster inside the shopping center at Bay Area Boulevard and I-45.

Nassau Bay

Five homes on A Day by the Bay Home Tour

he Houston Symphony League Bay Area’s A Day by the Bay Home Tour is March 5-6, from noon to 5 p.m., this year and offers diversity in style, era of design, and décor from a home that looks like a cottage with a footbridge to one that has 6,000 square feet. Two of the five homes on the tour are in the Historic District of League City, two are in Nassau Bay, and one is in the El Lago/Seabrook area. Tour tickets, which are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, are on sale at Arlan’s at 4614 NASA Parkway and nearby Casanova’s Downfall at 4630 NASA Parkway in Seabrook; Adelaide’s at 14870 Space Center Blvd. in Clear Lake and Unexpected Interiors, 613 E. Main St., League City. Sales provide funds for music education programs in local schools. In conjunction with the tour, the Symphony League will kick off the home tour with its annual Pre-Tour Party March 4. Tickets to that are $75 and includes tickets to the tour.

League City

Like many homes in the League City Historic District, this original home was constructed in 1908 from lumber (cypress) salvaged from the Great Hurricane of 1900 in Galveston. The owners have made significant improvements including enlarging the home, but have stayed true to the period with colors, style and décor. Unable to purchase moldings and frames

Bay Area Houston Magazine | FEBRUARY 2016

representative of the period, the owner milled them in his shop. The décor was created by the owner, a master craftsman, who was inspired by beautiful pieces in historic Galveston homes. Even the landscaping, which includes a foot bridge and gazebo, is true to the period. A hidden treasure of the Bay Area, West Bay Common School Children’s Museum features a one-room schoolhouse on property originally home to the first school in League City. While the building is not original to League City, it is an original Texas one-room school lovingly moved to League City. Desks, chalkboard, stove and teacher’s desk/podium are faithful to the period. Guests are able to “be” one of the students. Once serving as the garage for the one and only school bus in League City, the museum is a treasure trove of articles typical of the period of the school and even boasts a workable player piano!

El Lago The residence in El Lago boasts a superb view of Taylor Lake and an Olympic-sized pool. The home is splendidly furnished with a combination of modern and vintage pieces and an incredible art collection. The first floor includes a recognized water colorist studio resplendent with exceptional works -- also art works are on display throughout the other two stories. The personality of the owner is apparent in the humor and character of the pieces in the home.

In Nassau Bay there are many homes that are being lifted due to the damages suffered from Ike; but, there are two distinctive ones that are on the tour this year. In the time of Hansel and Gretel, Old English and Danish Modern, the architecture of this home was most unique and ahead of its time. The architect, Clovis B. Heimsath, and design were featured in the Architectural Record of Houses, 1966. “A rhythmical design centers on an open plan great hall for the living areas, surrounded by closed, private rooms at each of the four corners the house.” The original owners were Capt. and Mrs. Charlie Bassett. Bassett was in the third group of astronauts chosen by NASA in 1963 for the Gemini and Apollo missions. While updated, the original design has stood the test of time and the house remains true to its original design providing variety and spaciousness. The original architect and his architect son, plan to be at the home during the tour. A premier property in Nassau Bay with an uninterrupted view of Clear Lake, the home was originally constructed in l977, then extensively remodeled by the second owners during the mid1980s and 1990s. With large rooms and an open floor plan downstairs, guests consider the house “cozy in a big sort of way.” Two wet bars, a backyard barbeque, an ample game room, and a large deck cause the current owners to call it the Party Palace. Entertaining includes annual parties for holidays, football games, and a salmon barbeque: special events have ranged from parties for spacecraft engineering colleagues to a wedding for 80 guests. For the Home Tour, rooms in the house will feature decorations for various regular annual parties. The first two owners spared no expense and incorporated every feature from sweeping staircase to gourmet kitchen in the front of the house (so the cook can view the water), and a master suite featured in a book on architectural lighting. The current owners restored the first floor and added a few improvements after extensive storm surge damage from Hurricane Ike. The home includes over 6,000 square feet of space plus the large deck. For information, call 713-7244961 or 281-488-7614

Holderman’s award winning oil painting Waiting.

She takes realism to new heights By Mary Alys Cherry

he past year was a very satisfying one for El Lago artist Gia Elisa Holderman, whose paintings won her some key awards and who takes realism to new heights. In November, she received a First Place Award in Artist Magazine’s annual competition for her oil painting Waiting, featuring her cat, and was the focus of a fullpage article on her work. She also recently won Best of Show and the Peoples Choice Award at the National Society of Artists’ Annual Juried Show, as well as the Anne Hyatt-Huntington Award at the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Annual Art Competition at the National Art Club in New York City. Her studio is in League City, where she usually enjoys the companionship of her two Schipperkes dogs, and of course, the white cat featured in the award winning painting. One juror in the Artist Magazine competition said, “I was captivated by the clever use of light in Waiting and the way the artist leads the viewer through and out of the painting by having the cat looking into the distance.” Gia Elisa responds: Her love of art goes back to her childhood. “I have always been interested in art,” she explains, adding, “Even at a young age I spent a great deal of time drawing

things I saw during my adventures in Timber Cove (where former astronaut John Glenn was her occasional babysitter). “I am essentially ‘selftaught,’ learning to draw and paint, by attempting to duplicate images that I liked in books and magazines.” After high school, she graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and got her Master of Science degree at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. “As being an artist pays very little, I went into public service as a means to survive financially with most of my discretionary time focused on painting and studying.” Gradually, she realized her forte was realism. “With photo realism I was intrigued with producing a realistic painted image and soon learned that duplicating on canvas exactly what I could see would be a long and tedious studio journey.” Richard Womack Wood, with whom she studied realism, “gave me the encouragement, along with some key insights, that helped hone my abilities.” Other highlights include winning Best of Show and People’s Choice Awards at the May 2015 Texas City Art Festival, Best of Show at the Gateway to Sedona Annual Art Contest in September 2014, First Place in 2010 and 2011 at the Texas City Art Festival, First Place at the 1990 San Jacinto Strawberry Festival, plus dozens more.

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | FEBRUARY 2016

CLEAR LAKE Gardeners to meet Feb. 4. Gardeners By the Bay members will learn the secrets of managing and installing landscape when they meet at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, at University Baptist Church, 16106 Middlebrook. For information, call 281-4745051. Free. Epicurean Evening Feb. 4. The Clear Lake Area Chamber’s annual Epicurean Evening, “A Taste of Space,” will be held Thursday, Feb. 4, from 6:30 - 9 p.m. at Space Center Houston, where the crowd will enjoy tantalizing food samples from over 40 area food establishments, a silent auction and be entertained by a variety of musical treats like mariachi bands and vocalists. Free parking. Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for children. BOWA to hear doctor Feb. 4. Dr. Jeremiah Havins, a cardiologist at Bay Area Regional Medical Center will discuss “Heart Disease: Not Just a Disease of Men” at the Bay Oaks Women’s Association luncheon, at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at Bay Oaks Country Club. BayTran luncheon Feb. 17. Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership will host its monthly luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 11:30 a.m. in Cullen’s Upscale Grille, 11500 Space Center Blvd., with the TxDOT District Engineer Quincy Allen as speaker. For reservations, contact Barbara Koslov by email at President@Baytran.org or call 832.771.0773. Genealogical Society meet Feb. 26. The Bay Area Genealogical Society will meet Friday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. at University Baptist Church, 16106 Middlebrook Drive, when Melissa Hayes from the Clayton Library will discuss how to research ancestors of adoptees. Meetings are on the second floor in the Great Room. Coffee and socializing

at 6:30 p.m. For information, visit www.TxBayAreaGen.org or call Kim Zrubek at 281-9922636. The public is invited. Youth Singers concert Feb. 27. The Bay Area Youth Singers will present a concert, “Give My Regards to Broadway,” at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, in Clear Lake Presbyterian’s Celebration Hall, 1511 El Dorado Blvd. Gardeners meet March 2. Gardeners by the Bay will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, at University Baptist Church, 16106 Middlebrook Drive, to hear Darla Harris from the Texas Gulf Coast Fern Society discuss which varieties of ferns might be best to grow in your garden or landscape. For questions contact Marjorie 281-4745051.

CLEAR LAKE SHORES Civic club meets Feb. 4. The Clear Lake Shores Civic Club meets the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. for a pot luck dinner in the Clear Lake Shores Club House.

DICKINSON Musical opens Feb. 12. The new musical Falling for Eve opens Friday, Feb. 12 at the Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, 3803 Highway 3, and continues through Sunday, March 6, with curtains at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. For tickets, which are $17 for adults and $12 for seniors and students, call 281-337-7469 or email bareahp@comcast.net

FRIENDSWOOD Chamber luncheon Feb. 4. The Friendswood Chamber will hold its membership luncheon at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Green Event Center, 2000 W. Parkwood, Suite 200. Cost is $20 for members and $25 for non members. For reservations, call 281482-3329 or visit info@ friendswoodchamber.com

Bay Area Houston Magazine | FEBRUARY 2016

GALVESTON Mardi Gras underway. The Island’s 105th Mardi Gras celebration is currently underway and, is expected to draw more than 300,000 attendees for its many concerts, 34 parades, balcony parties and elegant masked balls. From the classic revelry found in the heart of Galveston’s historic downtown district – where the bulk of festivities take place – to parties, family friendly events and parades, Mardi Gras! Galveston offers excitement everyone can enjoy. At The Grand. The1894 Grand Opera House will present The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra of New Zealand Saturday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m. plus Ragtime: The Musical Saturday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 21, at 3 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at The Grand’s Box Office, 2020 Postoffice Street, by calling 409.765.1894, 800.821.1894, or online at www.thegrand.com

KEMAH Yachty Gras ends Feb. 9. The 17th Annual Krewe du Lac Yachty Gras celebration “Pirates on the Bayou” concludes with three events Saturday, Feb. 6 – the Krewe du Lac Mardi Gras Parade at 10 a.m., Galloway Fun Run, Kemah Mardi-Pardi at T-Bone Tom’s after the parade, plus Fat Tuesday on Feb. 9. For information call D’Anne Conrad at 281-382-1435. Boat Parade Feb. 13. The 54th Annual Christmas Boat Parade -- canceled by misbehaving December weather -- is alive and well and will set sail at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, with a new name for this year: Cupid’s Christmas Boat Lane Parade, and presented by the City of Kemah.

LEAGUE CITY Fun at the museum. Butler Longhorn Museum, 1220 Coryell St., will kick off the month with Girls Just Wanna

Have Fun with artist Kelly Halbach, a wine-and-paint event for the ladies from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 Thursday, Feb. 4, followed by local musician Andrew Bateman -- a oneman band, playing guitar as well as providing all his own rhythm, percussion, and bass without any prerecorded tracks – Friday, Feb. 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 9. Cost is $35 for the first event and $30 per person for the second. Call 281-332-1393 for reservations. Go Red luncheon Feb. 19. The annual Go Red for Women Luncheon, benefitting the American Heart Association, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, in the South Shore Harbour Resort’s Crystal Ballroom, 2500 South Shore Blvd. For information, call the American Heart Association, 713-610-5061.

NASSAU BAY HSLBA evening meeting Feb. 16. Houston Symphony League Bay Area will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 18220 Upper Bay Road. Guests are welcome and membership is open to those who want to support Houston Symphony music. Symphony concert Feb. 19. The Clear Lake Symphony will appear in concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on Upper Bay Road, presenting music by Berlioz, Liszt, MacDowell and Tschaikowsky. Tickets, which are $13 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for students, are available at Eye Trends, 515 Bay Area Blvd., Suite 300, and at the church.

PASADENA State of the City Feb. 18. Pasadena Chamber will host its annual State of the City Address by Mayor Johnny Isbell at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Pasadena Convention Center, 7902 Fairmont Parkway. Tickets are $45 each. For reservations, visit www.pasadenachamber. org or call 281-487-7871.

College Gala Feb. 20. Texas Chiropractic College will host its 2016 Gala Saturday, Feb. 20, from 7 to 11 p.m. Comedy at Little Theatre. Pasadena Little Theatre, 4318 Allen-Genoa Road, is currently presenting the dramatic comedy, The Cemetery Club, through Sunday, Feb. 7, with curtains at 8 p.m. and Thursday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. For reservations, call 713941-1758 or reserve on line at www.pasadenalittletheatre. org

PEARLAND State of the City Feb. 11. Pearland Mayor Tom Reid will deliver his annual State of the City Address and outline plans for the coming year at the Thursday, Feb. 11 Pearland Chamber membership luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First Church of Pearland, 1850 Broadway. Reservations are already closed.

SEABROOK Men Who Cook Feb. 16. The 22nd annual Men Who Cook event benefitting Seabrook Rotary and Seabrook Police will be held Tuesday, Feb. 16, at Lakewood Yacht Club, featuring a raffle and music by Andy and the Dreamsicles. Tickets are $35.

TEXAS CITY Musical spoof at COM. Nunsense, a hilarious musical spoof, is now playing at the College of the Mainland Community Theatre through Sunday, Feb. 14 with performances at 8 p.m. Thursday – Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets range in price from $11 to $23. For reservations, call 1-888-2588859, ext. 8345.

SPORTS DATES • • • •

Feb. 7 – Super Bowl 50 March 13 – March Madness starts April 2 – Final Four in Houston April 3 – MLB season opens