Bay Area Houston Magazine December 2019 by Bay Group Media

I N

G O D

W E

T R U S T

December 2019

Founder and Entrepreneur

BROOKS BASSLER

OF BBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TEX-ORLEANS

DECEMBER 2019

features 11

Clear Lake Voters Get a Say

Dental Health

The Webster Wrap

The Reason for the Season

Texas Artisan

The Legend of Mistletoe

Bay Area Houston Gift Guide

BB’s Tex-Orleans

The Best Bites of the Bay

Bay Area Houston Magazine Cover party

President Amber Sample

Cut Foil Carafes and Drafts

Publisher & Editor in Chief Mary Alys Cherry

Healthy, Glowing Skin for the Holidays

Image Issues

CCEF Honors 12 at Gala

BAHEP’s 2020 Quasar Award

Like Family...But in a Good Way!

Chris Reed Foundation

Bay Area Loses Famous Citizens

Boeing Starliner Completes Test

CCISD Senior Selected for All-America Game

ON THE COVER Brooks Bassler, founder of BB’s Tex-Orleans. Photography by MoonBridge Media. Chairman Rick Clapp

Editor Alisa Star Vice President & Creative Director Brandon Rowan Graphic Designer Kelly Groce Sales & Marketing Jason Allcorn Judy Gaines Karen Laroux Amber Sample Alisa Star Robyn Weigelt

Editorial Don Armstrong Mary Alys Cherry Michael Gos Betha Merit Xander Thomas Photography Mary Alys Cherry MoonBridge Media NASA

281.474.5875

No longer scared to seek help Webster’s top retailers for the Holidays Christmas is one of the most magical times Fine jewelry, gifts and more Origins of this Christmas tradition “For Christmas” A unique Texas twist to Cajun and New Orleans food Bay Area restaurants and entertainment Celebrating Space City Pain Specialists Photography from events and celebrations Use these great skin tips this winter season Everyone is beautiful in their own way Honoring the area’s outstanding folks Honoring Dr. Brenda Hellyer By Pastor Brad Heintz Formed to provide help for area students Jim Hargrove, William Atwell Crucial abort system test Clear Creek High’s Chad Lindberg

48 Healthcare Join Houston Methodist in fighting the flu

columns

Please address all correspondence to: Bay Area Houston Magazine P.O. Box 1032 Seabrook, TX 77586 Earth, The Solar System www.BayAreaHoustonMag.com r.clapp@baygroupmedia.com

Houston City Council races

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

Movers & Shakers

Clear Lake Chatter

In Wheel Time

Main Events

Tim Kropp Panhellenic Style Show VW Tiguan, Kia Soul Bay Area Houston calendar of events

Houston City Councilman Dave Martin was a special guest when Kippy Caraway, second from left, hosted a party to show off her new home in Clear Lake’s newest community, The Reserve, just off Space Center Boulevard. Joining the councilman were Chief of Staff Jessica Beemer, right, and South Sector Manager Jordan McGint, who like their boss enjoyed the dozens of Clear Lake guests who dropped by to wish him well in the November election. Photo by Mary Alys Cherry

Clear Lake voters to get a say in Houston City Council races By Mary Alys Cherry

lear Lake City voters

will join those from Downtown Houston Saturday, Dec. 14 in choosing a mayor of the nation’s fourth largest city and also helping decide the At-Large City Council races as they select their favorite among the top

two vote getters in the runoff. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mayor Sylvester Turner was the leading vote getter in the hard-fought and often nasty mayoral race Nov. 6 with 46.36 percent, followed by Tony Buzbee with 28.79 percent of the ballots. Bill King was third with 14.02 percent of the vote, while Houston

voters overwhelmingly favored a $3.5 billion bond proposal intended to fund METRO projects with the aim of improving public transportation systems and easing traffic congestion in the city. Meanwhile, Chris B. Brown was re-elected city controller with 108,075 votes, compared to Orlando Sanchez’ 98,074 votes, and District E City Councilman Dave Martin, who represents the Clear Lake area, was re-elected to another four-year term with 19,308 votes while Sam Cleveland netted 5,746 votes. Here’s how the voting went in the At-Large City Council races. The two top vote getters are indicated by an asterisk. At-Large Position 1 Mike Knox, 73,391 votes* Georgia Provost, 27,536 votes Raj Salhotra, 44,435 votes* Yolanda Navarro Flores, 36,817 votes Larry Blackmon, 18,905 votes At-Large Position 2 David W. Robinson, 71,998 votes* Willie R. Davis, 51,866 votes* M. “Griff” Griffin, 17,765 votes Emily Muñoz Detoto, 40,264 votes Jim Honey, 8,906 votes At-Large Position 3 Jose Carlos Gonzalez, 37,104 votes Michael Kubosh, 91,118 votes* Marcel McClinton, 22,088 votes Janaeya Carmouche, 41,470 votes* At-Large Position 4 Ericka McCrutcheon, 21,145 votes Tiko Hausman, 4,277 votes James “Joe” Joseph, 11,025 votes Jennifer Laney, 11,554 votes Nick Hellyar, 23,971 votes Bill Baldwin, 20,215 votes

Jason Rowe, 6,330 votes Anthony Dolcefino, 39,484 votes* Christel Bastida, 5,000 votes Javier Gonzalez, 15,878 votes Letitial Plummer, 30,125 votes* At-Large Position 5 J. Brad Batteau, 13,094 votes Ralph “Rafa” Garcia, 11,812 votes Catherine Garcia Flowers, 18,727 votes Eric Dick, 38,146 votes* Sonia Rivera, 20,939 votes Michelle Bonton, 14,693 votes Sallie Alcorn, 42,803 votes* Ashton P. Woods, 11,859 votes Marvin McNeese, Jr., 15,906 votes

Friendswood voters reject part of bond

Meanwhile, in Friendswood, voters gave a thumbs down Nov. 6 to three parts or about a third of the city’s $76.7 million bond proposal – rejecting Props C, D and E. Proposition C called for the expenditure of $9 million to replace the nearly 50-year-old community center and Proposition D, $7.6 million for street, road and sidewalk improvement projects, including the extension of Friendswood Parkway from FM 528 to Pearland Parkway. Proposition E was an $8 million proposal to upgrade several city parks. However, voters did give their okay to Prop A, a $2 million proposal to expand and improve the public works facility, and Prop B, $9.1 million for a new fire station and upgrades to the public safety building. They also approved Prop F, a $41 million proposal for drainage improvements along Clear Creek.

Coastal community of Seabrook named Best City to Live in Texas

eabrook has been named

the No. 1 city to live in the state of Texas, according to MoneyInc.com This ranking is based on the numerous amenities for shopping, dining, entertainment, and recreation. Located just 30 minutes southeast of Houston and 30 minutes north of Galveston, Seabrook is a vibrant coastal community that offers ample recreational opportunities including boating, miles of hike and bike trails, fishing and more. According to Money Inc.: • The crime rate in Seabrook is 61% lower than the state average. • The schools in Seabrook are rated

15% higher than the national average. • The average household income in Seabrook is 55% higher than the state average at $84,764 per year. • The cost of a home in Seabrook is about 9% higher than the state average. It is easy to see why Seabrook is an ideal place to live in Texas and with the expansion of State Highway 146, the city’s main corridor, Seabrook is prime for redevelopment and new business ventures. Learn more about the business potential of developing in Seabrook by contacting the Seabrook Economic Development Department by emailing edc@seabrooktx.gov.

DECEMBER 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

DENTAL HEALTH

NO LONGER SCARED TO SEEK HELP Unicare Dental, she’s great.” Joe’s confidence to smile returned after Dr. Noie replaced his partial dentures with dental implants. He now recommends Dr. Noie and Laurie to everyone needing work done. He tells friends and other people, even if they are needing something as little as a cleaning, to go to them. “He has a passion for his work and anybody who has a passion for what they do, does it very well,” Joe said. This is why he drives all the way up from Galveston to visit his office. “I’ve been making the trip from Galveston Island to come visit Dr. Noie for over 20 years simply because he is the best,” Joe said. “I suppose you would do it too if you think you deserve the best!”

By Xander Thomas

etween going to concerts and taking his 9-monthold granddaughter shopping, former healthcare worker Joe Rios can now enjoy life with a big bright smile on his face. As a DJ at Rumors Beach Bar, and currently working in a non-profit organization, Joe has always worked for the public, so it wasn’t easy when he felt embarrassed to flash his teeth. “There were times where I’d hide my smile or cover up my mouth when I laughed so people couldn’t see my missing teeth,” Joe said. Though he hadn’t suffered any trauma, or loss from gum disease, his rotted and missing teeth weren’t easy to live with. But Joe was so overcome by a fear of going to a dentist, that he kept wearing his partial dentures until they weren’t working out anymore, simply to keep his visits to a minimum. “I honestly think that it might have been just a quick fix for me, but I was just terrified of going to the dentist,” he said. “I had never had a good experience.” Years of improper care for his teeth had made them start to rot, causing Joe pain and resulting in teeth that had to be pulled. Eventually he realized that ignoring the problem would only make it worse. Since it was neglecting his teeth in the first place that caused the problem, he finally decided to try to overcome his fear. “I knew I needed to have dental work done, I was putting it off and I knew I needed to finally just go.” He said that it was over dinner with his sister that he found a solution, and someone who would care about his comfort. “I was having dinner with my sister, and I said ‘gosh I’ve been praying for a good dentist, I just don’t know what to do right now,’” to which she pulled a business card out of her purse and recommended that he go to Dr. Noie at Unicare Dental.

Joe Rios, actual patient of Dr. Noie.

“I’ve been making the trip from Galveston Island to come visit Dr. Noie for over 20 years simply because he is the best.” It was not an easy decision to try again, especially after all of the bad experiences he had endured in the past, but Joe knew that he had to try. When he first went into the Unicare office, he was still skeptical, that is, until Dr. Noie confidently reassured him. “This dental chair is my fear factor,” is the first thing he said to Dr. Noie upon walking up to it. “He said don’t worry, I’ll take care of you, and that’s where I started to trust him.”

It was the first time Joe had felt cared for when getting oral care. “They were actually kind of mean,” he said of previous dentists. “I did have a bad experience with getting some cleaning done,”he said, “It was like she didn’t care at all, it was so painful.” This was not the case when he went to Unicare. They made him feel comfortable and cared for. “I had the completely opposite experience with Laurie at

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.

DECEMBER 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Movers &Shakers Name: Tim Kropp Occupation: MRI vice president -operations and growth Hometown: Bradenton, Fla. Current home: League City Family: Married to Debbie Gardecki Kropp, three wonderful daughters – Kelsie, Erica and Jamie My favorite writer is: Ayn Rand — A high school English paper I wrote on two authors, with Ms. Rand being one of the two, led me to her book, the Anthem. Reading Anthem was impactful and led to her other works and introduced me to a type of philosophy

I had not encountered previously. Stephen King would be next. Someone I’d like to meet: Thomas Jefferson If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose: Anyone on the International Space Station My favorite performers are: Tom Petty, Rolling Stones, Houston Symphony I like to spend my leisure time: With my wife watching sunsets on the beach with a libation If I could travel any place, I’d go to: New Zealand

My favorite meal is: Lasagna, garlic bread, and salad with a cold beer As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be: CEO of a large company or a priest -- still can’t reconcile those two You’ll never catch me: Napping The thing that bugs me the most is: People who bully others My favorite movie is: The Shawshank Redemption – based on a Stephen King story Few people know: I was a music major in college before discovering I had little musical talent and changed to Mathematics

BAHM IN 2020 We are very excited for the new and fresh look of the Bay area Houston magazine for the New Year to come in 2020. We are adding some new dynamic features to the issue. We are pleased to include Food and Wine pairing recipes, with some of the tastiest food around, pairing with best hand selected wines, to give you a great meal experience. Also, “Around the Bay Entertainment” the newest and most popular places to go for live music, DJ, and dance. We will also be featuring a section for Home Improvement and Décor.

ABSOLUTE VOLLEY ACADEMY BREAKS GROUND IN WEBSTER Absolute Volley Academy of Texas (AVA) broke ground on its 55,000 SF facility in Webster on Nov. 6, 2019. AVA Co-founders Jerry Linch and Katy Garza, who have operated one of the top-ranked volleyball clubs in the United States for 13 years, anticipate opening the state of the art facility, located at 380 Green Wing Street inside the NASA Bypass Business Park, in July 2020. AVA will feature eight indoor and eight outdoor courts, physical training center, proshop, special viewing areas, and represent one of the largest volleyball facilities in Texas.

THE CITY OF WEBSTER hosted a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Friday, Nov. 15 for American Furniture Warehouse, now the city’s largest retailer. Attendees enjoyed lunch, drinks and a shopping experience unlike any other! For more on American Furniture Warehouse’s Webster location please visit afw.com.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

Webster’s Academy Sports+Outdoors touts the region’s largest selection of athletic footwear and apparel. Top brands, like Under Armour, are exceptionally popular—even among the youngest set, like Derek who gives a high-five to Mayor Donna Rogers.

here’s a lot to love inside Webster’s top retailers this holiday season. Program all navigation systems to stop at Academy Sports+Outdoors, Bed Bath & Beyond, James Avery, and Costco for a riveting shopping adventure, just as Webster’s Mayor Donna Rogers and Council Member Jennifer Heidt demonstrate in these terrific photographs. The in-store experience and selecting the very best gifts is made pleasurable, personal, and meaningful in Webster where 32 shopping centers featuring some of the best retailers in the world, along with stand-alone giant leaders like Academy Sports+Outdoors, American Furniture Warehouse, Costco, Star Furniture, Exclusive Furniture, and Fry’s Electronics, provide comprehensive offerings and stellar customer service. A visit to Webster’s top retailers reinforces the memorable, tactile, sensory experience that awaits consumers that cannot be replicated in the digital arena. The ability to see, touch, and feel merchandise, as well as engage in meaningful dialogue with knowledgeable store associates, is unique to the in-store experience.

Mayor Rogers sparkles and shines in James Avery’s “Shimmering Elements” necklace, ear-hooks, and “Hammered Link” bracelet—all in sterling silver—designed and made in Texas.

The camo department at Academy Sports+Outdoors features a wide array of hunting and camping equipment and gear. Mayor Donna Rogers and Council Member Heidt are ready for the outdoors with camo gear and Yeti coolers and tumblers.

Bed Bath & Beyond delivers a convenient, engaging, inspiring shopping experience, like that enjoyed by Council Member Heidt and Mayor Rogers.

Costco’s General Manager Scott Huntington and Mayor Donna Rogers revel in the excitement of shopping for toys, as Costco features the most popular toys and games.

Webster’s Bed Bath & Beyond features the largest inventory of coffee makers, espresso machines, and kitchen appliances in the entire region. Mayor Rogers enjoys a cup of espresso made with the DeLonghi La Specialista.

Costco Wholesale’s position as the third-largest global retailer and proven expertise in offering high quality merchandise at low prices powers Webster’s super-regional economy. Mayor Rogers rocks the exquisite Marquise Diamond Cuff that fits her style perfectly.

Academy Sports+Outdoors’ novelty t-shirts are perfect for celebrating the holidays. Mayor Rogers and Council Member Heidt exhibit approval of Academy’s cool assortment of “Festive Flair” tops.

DECEMBER 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Panhellenic President Sheryl Williams, from left, stops to thank Fashion Show Chairman Mackenzie Walker and Co-Chairman Hillary Gramm for all their hard work putting together the annual fundraiser.

Sue Broughton, Darla McKitrick and Barbara Dickey, from left, prepare to sign in the arriving crowd at the 34th annual Clear Lake Panhellenic Fashion Show.

Early arrivals for the Nov. 1 Clear Lake Area Panhelleic Fashion Show at South Shore Harbour Resort included, from left, Greta Mee, D’Lisa Johnston, Kellie Baliker and Lisa O’Brien.

PANHELLENIC STYLE SHOW LAUNCHES HOLIDAY SEASON CLEAR LAKE Area Panhellenic members kicked off the holiday season in the Bay Area with their always fun 34th Annual Fashion Show amd Luncheon, featuring lovely models and the latest in fall and winter fashions from Dillard’s at Baybrook Mall. And, what a great time it was for all with a “Style in Wonderland” theme and many dressed as the characters in Alice in Wonderland. Panhellenic President Sheryl Williams joined Fashion Show Chairman Mackenzie Walker and Co-Chairman Hillary Gramm in welcoming the crowd to the South Shore Harbour Resort’s Crystal Ballroom, which, before long, was filled to nearly overflowing as style show officials Sue Ellen Jennings, Becky Hensley, Jill Reason, Linda McCormick, Judie Ferguson, Laurie Vaughn, Diane Overman, Jenny Franz, Lisa O’Brien, Sue Broughton,

Sandy Records, left, and Anita Fogtman have a little fun as they await the start of the Clear Lake Panhellenic Fashion Show.

MARY ALYS CHERRY

Barbara Dickey and Darla McKitrick dashed about, making sure everything was in place. Just in time for the arrival of Judy Raiford, Kelli Baliker, Nari Todd, Greta Mee, Alice Steele, Lisa O’Brien, Lucy Woltz, Kim Barker, Lisa Holbrook, Diane Vest, Jo Cat Bruce, D’Lisa Johnston, Courtney Atchley, Melinda Marcum, Pam Culpepper Cronk, Madeline Nugent, Sue Laabs, Danele Buehler, Pam Ploss, Connie Zieba and Michelle Richardson. They had hardly had time to say

Betty Clem, left, and Silsbee Winburne make their way around the silent auction at the Panhellenic Fashion Show.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

All dressed up like the Mad Hatter, Jill Reason, left, and Michelle Richardson prepare to sell raffle tickets at the Panhellenic Fashion Show.

hello when in walked Cambrey Rogers, Angie Weinman, Dr. Cindy Castille, Jill Williams, Hazel Harron, Karlee Marcom, Priscilla Ennis, Lucille Terraso, Anita Fogtman, Sharon Dillard, Ann Gay, Angela

Angie Weinman, Emmeline Dodd, Pam Ploss and Kimberly Fleming, from left, are ready to party down as they arrive at South Shore Harbour Resort for the Clear Lake Panhellenic Fashion Show Luncheon.

Swint, Atiya Abouleish, Charlotte Teeter, Jo Nell Hunter, Kelli Byrd, Mary Williams, Joan Burt, Jill Smitherman, Carol Bobo, Emmeline Dodd and Karen and Jenny McCorkle. Before long, the fashion show was underway with Stacy Lyon, Amber Allan, Annette Dwyer, Judge Holly Williamson and Karen Weber coming down the runway. Other models joining them included Jenny Frantz, Heather Lindsay, Melody Seavey, Shanna Martin, Wendy Shaw, Christie Matthew, Linda McCormick, Erika Steele, Carrie Peters, Rhonda Salinsky, Christie Lovoi, Marcy Ortega and Cynthia Priebe. Proceeds from the event will provide college scholarships for area women. Since 1967, Panhellenic has awarded scholarships totaling more than $600,000.

Time for a toast, Joan Burt says as she, Sharon Dillard, Courtney Atchley and Atiya Abouleish, from left, look for their table at the Panhellenic style show at South Shire Harbour Resort.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Bay Oaks Gala Chairman Pam Clary, left, and Co-Chairman Terri Steinkamp and her husband, Jim, are ready for the evening to get underway at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Patrick and Cheri Burke, right, visit with Malcolm and Susan Franklin at the BOWA Gala at Bay Oaks Country Club.

BOWA President Sue McCoy and her husband, Mike, prepare to begin welcoming the crowd to the annual gala.

Bad weather can’t spoil magical Bay Oaks Women’s Association evening THE HOLIDAY magic continued as Bay Oaks Women’s Association members hosted their annual gala Nov. 9 -- despite a lack of cooperation from Mother Nature, which normally brings gorgeous weather this time of the year. What was to be an outdoor Italian dining experience was celebrated indoors due to the winter-like weather Nov. 9, but while it was a disappointment, no one seemed to notice, going on to have a great time indoors. Chairman Pam Clary, and her husband, Dave, along with Jim and Terri Steinkamp welcomed the arriving Festa Italian crowd -- including Malcolm and Susan

Franklin, Russ and Mary Colombo, Shepard and Yvonne Perrin, Katy and Bill Bastedo, Kirby and Jody Schnabel, Randy Allen and Sue Broughton, Sarah and Phillip Newton and Patrick and Cheri Burke – to start the evening with Italian cocktail apertifs and hors d’oeuvres, while listening to the beautiful live opera music by Belle Lundon. Just as the party was getting started, in walked President Susan McCoy with her husband Mike, followed soon afterwards by Perry and Sue Laabs, Donna and Gregg Baumer, Tabatha Schroeder and Clint Kelley, John and Georgiana Nelsen, Lisa and Bob Kaczmarek,

Kathy and Bill Bastedo, left, share a light moment with Yvonne and Shepard Perrin at the BOWA gala.

Kathy and Bill Costanza, Rhonda and Loyd Miller, Sherry and Bob Chapman, Laura and Edward Schreiber and Dane and Darla McKitrick. Before long, it was time to move to the ballroom for a great evening that included a delightful Braised Osso Bucco dinner and then dancing to the music of the Main Street Band – much to the delight of Craig and Cindy Zook, Andy and Elizabeth Fredericks, Belle London, Tamara Trinka, Melisa and Marcus Peavler, Diane and Bill Saltzer, Martha and Marty Kaminsky, Jacob Kempnich and Nikole Northcutt and Glynn and Amy Roppolo.

Tabatha and Clint Kelley, left, and Kathy and John Costanza stop for a photo as they arrive at Bay Oaks Country Club for the BOWA Gala Nov. 9.

Perry and Sue Laabs wear big smiles as they get ready to join the fun at the annual BOWA Gala.

Sue Broughton and Randy Allen join the crowd at the Bay Oaks Country Club gala.

DECEMBER 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Elemental SUVs By Don Armstrong

UVs now outsell cars and it’s no wonder, the versatility and size availability run the gamut. Could one of these make the perfect Christmas surprise? Pricing sure seems right.

Kia Soul

Kia has a new Soul, but, unfortunately, it doesn’t include the popular hamster commercials. Larger and more refined, this 3rd generation Soul is all new from the ground up. Fitting for a tiny SUV that changed the way we look at small do-all’s. The Soul’s new front facia could easily fit on a sports car, but Kia didn’t lose track of what made the hamster-mobile so popular; it’s boxy shape with a sloping roof. Taillights hug the rear hatch glass and make a 90-degree turn toward the license plate box. The interior is attractive and comfortable with an easy-to-use infotainment system. Control functions are straight forward, and with the second row seats folded, you’d be surprised at the hauling capacity. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter, 147 horsepower engine. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, but we prefer the CVT automatic that accomplishes an average of 31.9 MPG. Since the first Soul came to U.S. shores 10-years ago, we’ve always liked its sporty handling, and the 2020 model continues that fuzzy feeling. The all-new Kia Soul starts at $17,490.

VW Tiguan

Since its debut in 2007 the VW Tiguan has undergone only one makeover. That happened two

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

years ago, and since then sales continue to grow. Size, options and VW dependability play a big part in its popularity but being in the right place at the right time certainly has its benefits too. Like almost all makeovers, the Tiguan has grown, allowing for an optional third row of seating, even though it’s mostly a “kids-only zone.” VW’s conservative styling plays well on the Tiguan and translates nicely to the interior with form and function throughout the dash. Seating is comfortable with plenty of adjustability and materials seem to be of the long-term type. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This combination plays well together and drives the front wheels with ease. 4-wheel drive is optional. Mileage is a respectable 21 MPG-city and 29-highway. Even in small SUV form, the Tiguan retains that German feel no matter what the terrain, including pot-holed city streets, undulating toll roads and hill country climbs . The Volkswagen Tiguan starts at $24,295.

DECEMBER 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

The Reason for the Season By Alisa Star

hristmas is one of the most magical

times of the year. Christmas time just feels different from other times of the year. The goodness in humanity and peaceful ambiance of the season

stand out more. People seem a bit nicer and more giving. It’s almost as if there’s something in the air that makes our moods more jolly and bright. One of the more obvious reasons is the birth of Jesus Christ or “The Reason for the Season.” Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God. The name Christmas comes from the Mass of Christ ( or Jesus)...So we get the name Christ-Mass, shortened to Christmas. Christmas is celebrated by people all around the world, whether they are Christians or not. This is the time of season to think about the birth of Jesus Christ, and that he gave the world the lesson on true love! He taught us that we all have the same source and that we all are related to each other in some way or another through him. Christmas time is the time to feel the true meaning, and feel the love, the spirit of giving. I think Christmas is emotional for a lot of people. We all love the one thing that shines brightest, and that’s the Christmas spirit. Around Christmas time people are happier, kinder, more helpful and more loving. This is what Christmas is all about. It’s not about the presents, it’s about being a better, kinder person. Unfortunately our society is obsessed with taking any holiday they can and making it all about commercialism and materialism. Christmas gets most of the blunt and so many people forget that the point of the holiday is kindness, not presents. But let’s not be unrealistic, we all know presents are going to be under the beloved Christmas tree, because that is the “Spirit of Giving“ and to remind us of the presents Jesus gave the wisemen. And it makes us feel good to give, you feel warm and fuzzy inside, seeing a smile on someone’s face when they open a gift from you, and the joy it brings someone makes us happy. Christmas tends to bring back happy memories of family gatherings and family traditions that have been

passed down through generations. Picking out the new Christmas tree together, making homemade decorations, stringing lights on the house, Christmas caroling, light watching with a cup of hot chocolate, and family feasts, and passing down family recipes from generation to generation are just some of the enduring traditions that make the seasons one of the world’s favorite celebrations. Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year. No matter how you slice it, Christmas lives up to its name. The tree glistening with beautiful hung lights, the fireplace crackling, as the house is filled with the aroma of fresh- baked goods. It is so much fun to plan Christmas cookie baking parties, and gingerbread house contests, all the excitement of the time of the year that brings family together is really a joy in itself. Holiday traditions are an important part to build a strong bond between family, and our community. They give us a sense of belonging and a way to express what is important to us. Traditions create legacy. However you can always begin to create new traditions, start new activities that bring meaning to the holidays and build a legacy for your family to start. The holiday season is the time to break away from the monotony of everyday life and celebrate the things worth living for. A quote to leave you with…”Christmas is a time to celebrate the love of God and family, and to create memories that will last forever. Jesus is God’s perfect, indescribable gift. The amazing thing is that not only are we able to receive this gift, but we are able to share it with others on Christmas and every day of the year.” (Joel Osteen) Merry Christmas!

Texas Artisan: Fine Jewelry, Gifts and more jewelry appraisals and certified repair work. Terrie Ward is Collard’s partner. She has over 30 years of experience in retail and has owned several successful shops in the Houston area. Her business career began with only $500 dollars and jewelry purchased at a church bizarre. Not only did she sell all of her jewelry but made a profit and an entrepreneur was born. Ward has always had a knack for putting beautiful things together. Terrie Ward’s success dates back 22 years ago and continues today with a booth at the famous market in Canton, TX. Together this creative dynamic duo has made shopping a fun experience. So begin your no-hassle holiday shopping extravaganza at Texas Artisian. Tell them we sent you.

By Alisa Star

exas Artisan is the most

inviting and exquisite shopping experience you will find in the Bay Area. This intimate gift shop lures you in the moment you walk through their doors. Smells of the holidays fill the air, and you are further tantalized by the sounds of cheerful music as you are greeted. Texas Artisan is a mecca of fine jewelry, exquisite pearls and diamonds, as well as practical indulgent offerings, perfect for the Holiday shopper. They offer a large variety of quality products, from personal gifts to home décor. This shopper’s paradise features brilliant, sparkling custom jewelry, fashionable accessories and apparel, aromatherapy, consumables, body care products and more. Wendy Collard and Terrie Ward are the creators and the owners of this gem of a shop. Wendy Collard has over 40 years of experience in

the jewelry and gem industry. She is an expert and has earned her certification from the Gemological Institute of America.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

Collard creates and designs individual pieces specifically for her clients. Her experience and education make her the go-to person for your

Texas Artisian located in South Shore 2800 Marina Bay drive E-1 832-385-6246 Texas-artisan.com

The Legend of Mistletoe By Alisa Star

nder the mistletoe is

where it all began to inspire what might have been love. What started as an English tradition during the middle age is now a oneand-done way to punch up an entryway and, of course, encourage holiday guests to pucker up. According to the legend of how mistletoe began, a young great warrior named Baldur was killed by an enemy’s arrow made of mistletoe. His mother, the goddess Frig, wept tears onto the arrow… Overjoyed, Frig blessed the mistletoe plant and promised a kiss to all who passed beneath it. In the forest, mistletoe is a bit of a scourge, a parasitic plant that latches on the trees and feeds off of them. Mistletoe is a beautiful evergreen plant that is smothered in white berries from winter to spring. It grows in the branches of trees, such as hawthorn, apple, and oak trees. The tradition of hanging it in houses goes back to the time of the ancient Druids. It was also used as a sign of love and friendship, and to ward of evil spirits and bad luck in Norse mythology. By the 18th century, stealing a kiss beneath the mistletoe became a common practice among British and English, kissing under the mistletoe was serious business. If a girl refused a kiss, she shouldn’t expect a marriage proposal for at least a year, and many people would snub their nose at her and make remarks

that she would end up an old maid. The tradition spread all over the world from there. According to the tradition, it’s bad luck to refuse a kiss beneath the mistletoe. Today’s tradition is a more lighthearted approach. Mistletoe is a Christmas staple -- have you ever found yourself under the mistletoe at a party with a stranger and everyone is shouting ”Kiss, it’s tradition!” So when it does happen, go ahead and indulge yourself. You never know what might become of that kiss. Christmas time is magical, it inspires romance, love and kindness. Be sure your holiday season begins with all the decorations and lights. Then hang the beloved mistletoe in an entryway for an unexpected guest, or over the bed to make sure you get that good night kiss, or over a stairwell, as many times as you go up and down the stairs, kissing and cardio will burn off those holiday calories. Don’t just think of Christmas, Feel Christmas! Remember the excitement you felt as a child waking up on Christmas morning running through the house, screaming to everyone “Wake up, Santa was here, come on let’s open presents!” That feeling is everlasting. We all love Christmas, the decorations and the feeling of anticipation, singing Christmas carols, also the rush of love that people show one another, if only during the Christmas season! Go forth in the New Year and make new friends, new relationships, and new love. Hang some mistletoe in your home this year, and watch the magic begin. Merry Christmas to all!

DECEMBER 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

DECEMBER 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Rockdale Redfish: Jumbo blackened Gulf shrimp topped with a zesty Andouille cream sauce. This dish is superb! The spices and the cream sauce is beyond delish. You will never have Redfish like this anywhere!

in the Montrose area, featuring a small menu serving gumbo and his famous overstuffed shrimp po-boys inspired by his grandmother’s (maw maw) cooking. Since then, they have stamped the footprint of BB’s Tex-Orleans all over the Houston area. Bassler was born and raised in the small town of Rockdale, Texas, but most of his family is from Louisiana. His mother was born and raised in Morgan City, and all of her family still live there. Brooks went to the University of Houston, where

“We add a unique Texas twist to Cajun and New Orleans food.”

BB’s Tex-Orleans The Best Cajun on the Bay

10 HOUSTON LOCATIONS! BRIARGROVE • CYPRESS ENERGY CORRIDOR HEIGHTS • KATY MONTROSE • OAK FOREST UPPER KIRBY • PEARLAND WEBSTER

By Alisa Star

ome try authentic Southern Louisiana style cooking fused with a Texas twist. Creator and owner Brooks Bassler opened his 10th location of BB’s Tex-Orleans restaurant right here in Webster. Houston’s most popular Cajun restaurants are on the rise and

www.bbstexorleans.com

becoming ever so popular among the public. Bassler and his wife Maricela began their enterprise with a small, quaint restaurant located

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

he waited tables at a high-end wine bar while attending the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, which is one of the top five best programs in the country. After graduating, Bassler stayed in the restaurant business, which was his passion. While working at TwoRows Restaurant in Rice Village, the owner approached Bassler with the idea of helping jump start their catering program. While learning the ropes and sales, and several years of successfully doing catering for multiple companies, Bassler saw the writing on the wall and took that leap of faith. His passion in life is food and the Louisiana culture and that is captured in BB’s Tex-Orleans. Most of the menu items are family recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation. Bassler wanted to be as unique as possible while penetrating the Cajun food market. It all kept coming down to his mother’s Cajun Louisiana roots and loving the food, culture, and

Photography: MoonBridge Media

The Boil: Build your tray any way you like. Pile it with Dungeness Crab, Snow Crab, Gulf Blue Crab, Cold Shrimp, or Hot-N-Spicy Boiled Shrimp. Dip it with melted butter/ spicy creamy dippin’ sauce. Fill It with Mushrooms, Corn, Red Potato, Smoked Chicken and Apple Sausage, Smoked Garlic Sausage or Spicy Alligator Andouille Sausage.

people of South Louisiana, but wanting to be different from others. Bassler put a Texan flare to his one-of-akind Cajun cuisine. BB’s Tex-Orleans is a family owned and operated local restaurant chain that specializes in Tex-Cajun cooking. “We add a unique Texas twist to Cajun and New Orleans food. NOLA style po-boys, seafood gumbo, and hot and spicy crawfish are our specialities. BB’s is most proud of creating opportunity for fellow TexOrleanians (employees). Watching them grow personally, professionally, and financially are my proudest moments. I pride myself in the values I have and bring those values here. We are a big family!” Bassler said. One of BB’s employees, Kaleb Jenkins, a Louisiana native, walked into the restaurant one day and New Orleans style shrimp po-boy loaded with Gulf shrimp and BB’s Sauce, a chipotle-infused mayo. Paired perfectly with a South Texas Jazz loved it so much that Tex-Orleans Cocktail that will make you come back for more. he began working as a dishwasher and at catering of the local artists, Lance Vargas, creates one-of-acrawfish, tender roast beef debris, juicy oysters and events. Soon to become the kind pieces that we carry in our BB’s restaurants. fajitas. commissary driver for all BB’s Tex-Orleans chains We are proud of the real Louisiana vibe throughout If you have a little Cajun in your soul, and you’re here in Houston. “Your dreams can never be too all of our chains,” Bassler said. looking for authentic Louisiana Cajun flavors, you big.” Jenkins said. BB’s is most known for their famous po-boys, have to try BB’s Tex-Orleans, located at 1039 W. “Our menu, culture and decor separates us from overstuffed with spicy gulf shrimp between a crisp Bay Area Blvd., Webster, TX 77598. BB’s is your all our competition. We have a diverse menu with bold bun straight from Leidenheimer bakery in New day and late night headquarters serving Cajun with Cajun flavors. All of the art is from Louisiana. One Orleans. Other delights include mouth-watering a twist. DECEMBER 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

146

Grazia

Sokols Greek

Sawa

r l e a

l a k e

Pappa’s Delta Blues Cutfoil BB’s El Tiempo Preamble

Scotty’s

Mediterraneo

Franca’s Noon & Mirch

South Shore Grille Red River Cantina

MichiRu

Floyd’s

Mario’s

Crazy Alan’s Bakkhus

Sundance

Ocean Sushi

Nobi Las Haciendas

Cabo

Jackie’s Brickhouse

A GUIDE TO THE BEST BITES AND BREWS IN THE BAY

Tookie’s Seafood

Hubcap Grill

Angelo’s Masa Sushi

Boondoggles

Villa Capri

888 Chinese

Escalante’s

Habanero’s

Chelsea Wine Bar

g a l v e s t o n

b ay

Skallywag’s

T-Bone Tom’s

Red River BBQ Main St. Bistro

Stomp’s Burgers

Gilhooley’s

AMERICAN ASIAN BBQ CAJUN ITALIAN MEDITERR. MEXICAN PUB/FUSION SEAFOOD STEAK

AMERICAN 1. Jackie’s Brickhouse 1053 Marina Bay Dr, Kemah, TX (832) 864-2459 jackiesbrickhouse.com 2. Main St Bistro 615 E Main St, League City, TX (281) 332-8800 3. Red Oak Cafe 6011 W Main St a106, League City, TX (832) 905-3150 redoakcafe.com 4. Stomp’s Burger Joint 3107 TX-146, Bacliff, TX (281) 339-0785 stompsburgerjoint.com 5. South Shore Grille 2800 Marina Bay Dr, League City, TX (281) 334-7700 soshoregrille.com 6. T-Bone Tom’s 707 TX-146, Kemah, TX (281) 334-2133 tbonetoms.com 7. Cabo Bar & Grill 2513 NASA Rd. 1, Seabrook, TX (281) 532-2691 caboclearlake.com 8. Hubcap Grill 1918 E NASA Pkwy, Seabrook, TX (281) 339-7116 hubcapgrill.com ASIAN 1. 888 Chinese 16744 El Camino Real, Houston, TX (281) 990-8888 888chinesetx.com

Red Oak Cafe

Topwater Grill

Marais

Dickinson BBQ

Gio’s

2. Masa Sushi 977 E NASA Pkwy, Webster, TX (281) 486-9888 masasushitexas.com

3. BB’s Tex-Orleans 1039 Bay Area Blvd, Webster, TX (281) 767-9644 bbstexorleans.com

2. Mediterraneo Market & Cafe 18033 Upper Bay Rd, Houston, TX (281) 333-3180 mediterraneomarket.com

2. Scotty’s Pub 3202 Marina Bay Dr, League City, TX (281) 339-7474 m o s e s l a www.scottyspubhouston.com

3. Michiru Sushi 20911 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (281) 338-9988 michirusushi.com

4. Marais 2015 FM 517 Rd E, Dickinson, TX (281) 534-1986

3. Sawa Mediterranean 16608 El Camino Real, Houston, TX (281) 990-0817 sawarestaurantgrill.com

3. Skallywag’s 600 6th St, Kemah, TX (281) 538-8877

4. Noon & Mirch: Cuisine of India 505 E NASA Pkwy, Webster, TX 5. Ocean Sushi 3020 Marina Bay Dr Suite A2, League City, TX (281) 957-9122 oceansushigrill.com BARBEQUE 1. Dickinson BBQ 2111 FM 517 Rd E, Dickinson, TX (281) 534-2500 dickinsonbbq.com 2. Pappas Delta Blues 19901 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (281) 332-0024 www.pappasdeltablues.com 3. Red River BBQ 1911 E Main St Suite B, League City, TX (281) 332-8086 CAJUN 1. Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack 310 Texas Ave, Kemah, TX (281) 334-5000 crazyalanswampshack.com 2. Floyd’s Cajun Seafood 20760 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (281) 332-7474 floydswebster.com

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

I TA L I A N 1. Angelo’s Pizza & Pasta 400 Bay Area Blvd A, Webster, TX (281) 332-2404 angelospizza-pasta.com 2. Gio’s Flying Pizza & Pasta 650 FM 517 W. Dickinson, TX (281) 337-0107 giosflyingpizza.com 3. Grazia Italian Kitchen 1001 Pineloch Dr #1100, Houston, TX (281) 486-2083 graziaitalian.com 4. Villa Capri 3713 NASA Rd. 1, Seabrook frenchiesvillacapri.com (281) 326-2373 5. Franca’s Real Italian 1101 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX francasrealitalian.com (281) 488-2207 6. Mario’s Pizza & Pasta 2100 E NASA Pkwy, Seabrook, TX 77586 mariosseabrook.com (281) 474-5103 MEDITERRANEAN 1. Bakkhus Taverna 605 6th St, Kemah, TX (281) 538-1800 bakkhustaverna.com

4. Sokols Greek Deli & Cafe 2410 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX (281) 286-2989 sokolsgreekcafe.com MEXICAN 1. El Tiempo Cantina 20237 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (713) 802-1580 eltiempocantina.com 2. Habanero’s Tacos 1908 Hialeah Dr #2, Seabrook, TX (281) 474-4400 habanerostacos.com 3. Las Haciendas 1020 W. Nasa Rd 1, Webster, TX 77598 281-557-3500 lashaciendasgrill.com 4. Red River Cantina 1911 E Main St Suite A, League City, TX 77573 281-557-8156 redrivercantina.com 5. Escalante’s Fine Tex-Mex & Tequila 1043 W. Bay Area Blvd, Webster, TX 77598 281-316-6980 escalantes.net PUB/BAR/FUSION 1. Nobi Public House 241 E NASA Pkwy, Webster, TX (832) 932-5111 nobipub.com

k e

4. Boondoggles Pub 4106 E NASA Pkwy, El Lago, TX (281) 326-2739 boondogglespub.com 5. Chelsea Wine Bar 4106 E NASA Pkwy f, El Lago, TX (281) 326-5282 chelseawinebartexas.com 6. Cutfoil Carafes and Drafts 20801 Gulf Fwy, Webste,r TX (832) 632-1249 cutfoil.com 7. Preamble Lounge & Craft House 20801 Gulf Fwy #12, Webster, TX (832) 905-2927 preamblelounge.com SEAFOOD 1. Gilhooley’s Oyster Bar 222 9th St, San Leon, TX 77539 (281) 339-3813 2. Tookie’s Seafood 1106 Bayport Blvd, Seabrook, TX (281) 942-9445 tookiesseafood.com 3. Topwater Grill 815 Avenue O, San Leon, TX (281) 339-1232 4. Sundance Grill II 800 Mariners Dr, Kemah, TX (281) 535-5350 sundance-grill.com

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Staffers from Space City Pain Specialists pose for a photo with the poster featuring them on the cover of the November issue of Bay Area Houston Magazine. They are, from left, Dr. Jeffrey Cannella, Peggy Phillips, Dr. Ed Garcia, Belma Sanchez, Denise Jarbath, Janie de la Garcia and Kaila Gilstrap. Space City Pain Specialists Drs. Eduardo Garcia, Peggy Phillips RN, Physician’s Assistant Denise Jarbath and Dr. Jeffrey Cannella, from left, arrive at Grazia’s Clear Lake restaurant on Pineloch for their Nov. 6 Cover Party with Bay Area Houston Magazine staffers.

Bay Area Houston Magazine sales staffers Robyn Weigelt, left, and Alisa Star stop to say hello to Emmeline Dodd and Gene Hollier at the Cover Party for Space City Pain Specialists staffers at Grazia’s Restaurant in Clear Lake.

Dr. Ed Garcia and Dr. Jeffrey Cannella, from, left, visit with Rachel Robinson and Greg Pyron during the Bay Area Houston Magazine Cover Party.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

Sunday Fun day at Froberg’s Farm in Alvin Bay Area Houston Magazine’s Alisa Star and friends spent a fun fall Sunday picking pumpkin, and having corn maze adventures at Froberg’s farm located in Alvin Texas. One way to brighten up the holidays is the Froberg’s annual Winter Festival. Join the farm in December where they offer walk-through lights with over 100,000 lights and photo opportunities. There is a Lighted Hayride with music, fire pits for roasting marshmallows, s’mores or just sit by the fire. The kids will enjoy cookie decorating. When planning any outdoor activity it is best to call before visiting! Visit frobergsfarm.com and check out the “Winter Festival” page for more details.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

DECEMBER 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

DECEMBER 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

CUT FOIL CROHN’S FUNDRAISER The Nov. 9 benefit for Crohn’s disease was a big success! Thank you to everyone who came out. Cut Foil is a great place to be for hosting your special event or fundraiser.

A CLAPP CUT FOIL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION! Bay Area Houston Magazine CEO Rick Clapp celebrated his birthday at his favorite place: Cut Foil! Also congratulations to Amber Sample and Alisa Star! Amber was promoted to President and Alisa was promoted to editor.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

DECEMBER 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

It’s also imperative to daily apply moisture to your skin in order to keep your skin from becoming dry. For a facial moisturizer I recommend Kiehl’s Ulta Facial Cream. As far as body lotion and sunscreen I love using Vaseline Clinical Care Extremely Dry Skin Rescue, and Rodan + Fields Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Sunscreen. It’s also crucial to make sure you are keeping your skin clean. I suggest cleansing your face at least once daily; to have better results, wash your face twice a day. Applying an at home face mask will give you great cleaning and rejuvenating results as well as getting a professional facial done. My personal favorite is getting a HydraFacial - I definitely recommend finding a great spa who offers HydraFacials and getting one

“It is so much better to use an organic spray tanning solution rather than traditional alternative tanning methods.”

Get Healthy Glowing Skin for the Holidays By Blaine Ochoa

aving healthy, beautiful skin has always been a top concern for women. As the season changes to Winter, it’s important to stay extra hydrated to maintain having healthy, glowing skin. Here is my advice on how to have beautiful skin for the holidays. These tips will keep you sparkling and shining all year long! It’s important to hydrate from the inside out. My advice would be to drink as much water daily as you can, at least 8-10 glasses. Doing this alone with give you healthier skin over all

and improve your skin complexion and clarity. You can also daily take the “beauty vitamin” Biotin, which will improve your skin, hair, and nails.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

done once every two months. This will keep your skin healthy, help with blemishes and keep your face extra hydrated. Now for my favorite tip to keep your skin glowing and golden organic airbrush spray tanning. I have been going to the same business for the past 3 years and I absolutely love the natural glow result. The business is called Throwing Copper, and is primarily located in Houston and in Tulum, Mexico. The name is inspired by the ancient wisdom that the oldest known element, copper is known to stimulate the flow of positive energy. It is so much better to use an organic spray tanning solution rather than traditional alternative tanning methods. In this day and age people are realizing and experiencing the harmful effects of tanning in a tanning bed and in natural sunlight. Skin cancer, sun spots and dehydration are all prominent negative results of these methods. “Offering a safe alternative to traditional UV tanning, we allow you to embrace the power of the sun without the fear of getting burned,” says owner, Samantha Buchanan. “Our eco-friendly approach honors the earth, while our zen space nurtures your spirit.”

Throwing Copper Owner Samantha Buchanan

The difference between Throwing Copper and other spray tanning companies in Houston and surrounding areas, is that part of its solution is sourced from Europe. “While our solution is US made, our DHA (the active ingredient) is sourced from France and is EcoCertified. European standards for organic are much higher than the U.S.” Throwing Copper prides itself on being an all inclusive, welcoming business. “I feel in life and in my business it is important to be inclusive to all,” says owner Samantha. Samantha radiates positivity and good energy and values each and every client that walks through her door. Throwing copper also offers different color options customized to fit all different skin tones. I hope you stay hydrated and moisturized and use my tips this winter season to have healthy, glowing skin! Organic spray tanning is healthier, lasts longer and is the perfect solution to completing a golden glow for the holidays. If you have any beauty related questions please contact me at www. beautywithblaine.com and if you are interested in getting an organic spray tan please contact Throwing Copper at www.throwingcopperhouston.com or at (713) 859-1085. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! “Out behind ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there. Where the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about.” -Rumi

Image Issues By Lilli Heintz

e have all had a moment where

someone criticizes our body because they don’t like how we look. There are days where we are so tough on ourselves, and days where we love ourselves. There needs to come a time when we draw a line in the sand and stop comparing, and commenting on how we and other people look. In my industry (fashion modeling), I am constantly being compared to other girls whether that’s hip size, eye color, hair color, bust size, everything and anything on my body is compared. I have struggled with my own body image for years, and I have my highs and I have my lows, but the worst is when someone comments about my size. I am very blessed to have the body I do, and I work hard to keep it the way it looks. I try my hardest to love it no matter the day. Now growing up I was always the skinny tall girl, but it helped me get into the industry I am in. One of my first jobs as a model was Manikin Modeling at the Galleria Shopping Center in Houston. I stood on a little stage in the mall for 30 minutes at a time. I was only 14, so I thought it was the coolest thing. This is what made this memory so important to me. An older lady walked up to me and yelled, “Eat a burger!” Remember, I was only

14, being called skinny isn’t always a bad thing, society has turned it into a compliment. Being told to eat a burger to such a young girl really affected me. So, me being who I am, said back, “Oh I do! Maybe you shouldn’t!” I have to agree I really stepped over some “Why do we only boundaries there. Why do complement people assume people based you can comment on on their outer how a person appearance?” should eat more but its rude to comment about their weight? That person, no matter the size, could have an eating disorder, physical illness, self-image problems, and probably a battle within themselves. You never know what someone else is battling in their day to day life.

Positive comments can turn someone’s day around. Normally, when people try to comment on my size they’ll say something like, “Oh you are so skinny! You are probably a model.” The other day I was working at my waitressing job and a lady told me, “What agency are you with? You carry yourself well.” That turned her comment around into a complement for me. She didn’t comment on my size, or how my body looks. She commented on something I do, my behavior. This is something that I can have pride in knowing, knowing that I can walk into a room with confidence. When we direct complements to be more about what a person can do, it can affect people in a more positive way. A couple weeks ago my dad posted on Facebook that he made it to his goal weight. Everyone was leaving sweet comments but I couldn’t get some comments out of my head. People were saying, “Don’t look at the scale, numbers don’t matter!” Even though that is a positive comment, why not say, “Proud you reached your goal, keep up the hard work!” That would encourage him on his journey to feel comfortable in his body. Why do we only complement people based on their outer appearance? Society has made it to where being skinny is beautiful, but that’s not true. Everyone is shaped differently just like how our personalities are different. Everyone is beautiful in their own way. Be kinder, go beyond just their body. Make someone’s day by complementing about something special they do. I promise it will make them and you feel so much better.

DECEMBER 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Photos by Jill Reason

Honorees Ron Masters, Debbie Kropp, Melissa Wiginton, Ann Hammond, Tim Kropp, Logan Reed, Jana Reed, Alexis Reed, Darren Ellisor, Jackie Mitchell, Daniel Okorodudu, Dale Okorodudu, Matthew Paulson (who was filling in for Lyzette Ruiz), and Alaina Garza, from left, get together for a photo at the gala.

CCEF Executive Director Deborah Laine and her husband, David, from right, welcome Seabrook Mayor Thom Kolupski and his wife, Tamara; Nassau Bay Mayor Mark Denman and his wife, Diana; and CCEF Vice Chairman Carl Joiner and his wife, Colene, to the annual gala at South Shore Harbour Resort.

CCEF honors 12 at its annual gala fire, etc.) who has gone above and beyond the call of duty: Darren Ellisor, (Clear Lake, 1992)

By Mary Alys Cherry

XCITEMENT filled the air

when the Clear Creek Education Foundation hosted its always popular gala at South Shore Harbour Resort Nov. 2, honoring some of the area’s outstanding folks, while raising $85,000 for innovative educational programs – a new record for this event. “Once again our community generously showed their support of our mission to provide innovative learning materials to our students,” CCEF Chairman Jonathan Cottrell said. “It was heartwarming to see our community come together to recognize these outstanding individuals and support education in CCISD.” Each year CCEF honors an outstanding citizen with the Citizen of the Year Award. This year the award went to the late Chris Reed, a Clear Creek ISD trustee and Kemah police chief who was killed in a boating accident back in June, after spending much of his life helping improve the quality of life for children. His wife, Jana, accepted the award on his behalf. Another former CCISD trustee honored was Ann Hammond, who was presented the George B. Carlisle Distinguished Service Award for her consistent demonstration of commitment to CCISD over time. Other honorees at the 19th annual gala were:  n Distinguished Alumni Award winners were CCISD alumni and are now accomplished professionals who support their community: Jacqueline

n CCISD Superstar Award bestowed on a select group of individuals who support and enhance CCISD whether CCISD alumni or not: Ron Masters; Alaina Garza, CCISD Secondary Teacher of the Year; and Lyzette Ruiz, CCISD Elementary Teacher of the Year   Former CCEF Chairman Jill Reason, right, with CCEF Marketing Director Kelsey McNeil.

Gala Co-Chairmen Joyce Abbey, left, and Suzanne Fair prepare to begin greeting the arriving crowd at the Clear Creek Education Foundation’s annual awards night.

Mitchell (Clear Creek High, 1983), Dr. Daniel Okorodudu (Clear Creek, 2000), Dr. Dale Okorodudu (Clear Creek, 2002), and Melissa Wiginton (Clear Lake, 1976)  n Valor Award in honor of a public servant (military, police,

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

n Dennis Johnson Memorial Small Business Award is presented to a small business owner within CCISD who demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the district through active participation in multiple activities: Tim and Debbie Kropp - MRI Technologies Gala Co-Chairmen Joyce Abbey and Suzanne Fair joined CCEF Executive Director Deborah Laine and her husband, David, and Matt and Kelsey McNeil in welcoming the arriving crowd, including Greg and Pam Ploss, Richard and Traci Dvorak, Rebecca Lilly, Lisa Holbrook, Laura and Jamieson Mackey, Carrie and Jay Cunningham, Carl and Colene Joiner, Beth and T.J. Aulds, Nina and Chris Premont, Mike Pierce, Sarah and Dr. Glenn Freedman, Amy and Brent Cockerham and Tim and Debbie Kropp. Dan and Jill Reason were also in the crowd of nearly 350, as were CCISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith and his wife Kathy, Pat and Wendell Wilson, Katy and Bill Bastedo, Mike and Karen Engle, Scott Rainey and Martha Bowles, Ed

George Carlisle Distinguished Service Award winner and former CCISD Trustee Ann Hammond, center, receives congratulations from CCEF Chairman Jonathan Cottrell and CCEF Executive Director Deborah Laine.

and Elaina Polsen, Kippy Caraway, Mary Ann Shallberg, Dee Scott, Chris and Dr. Laura DuPont, Roy Green, Daniel and Win Weber, Jason Alcorn and Wendy Shaw, Joe and Kellie Byrd and Jennifer and Dr. Steven Ebell. Elected officials you might have passed included Mayors Pat Hallisey of League City, Julie Masters of Dickinson, Mark Denman of Nassau Bay and Thom Kolupski of Seabrook and State Rep. Dr. Greg Bonnen. Others you might have spotted as CCEF Chairman Jonathan Cottrell welcomed the black-tie crowd were Gary and Sandy Mossman, Joan McKinney Mitchell, Jeanette and Joe Barlow, Elaine and Gary Renola, Ann and Jim O’Malley, Jayme and Arturo Sanchez, Janet and Randy Brown, Donna and Roy Montalbano, Gene Hollier and Emmeline Dodd, Bob and Macy Osoria, Stacy and Michael Houston, Scottie and Ron McLeod, Christie and Jason Reynolds and Carol and Jim Saxe.

DECEMBER 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

BAHEP President Bob Mitchell was the first to notify Dr. Hellyer that she had been selected. “When she heard the news, she was literally speechless for several seconds,” he said. It is truly gratifying to honor an individual of Dr. Hellyer’s caliber who, above all, remains humble about her incredible accomplishments and gives well-deserved credit to her colleagues. “She has taken San Jacinto College into the 21st century with the addition of programs that are essential to building and maintaining the skilled workforce that is fundamental to the economic well being of the region. Dr. Hellyer’s long-term vision for the College and consideration of the needs of her students and the community have made such a positive impact and will continue to do so far into the future.”

‘HUMBLED’

BAHEP to honor Dr. Brenda Hellyer with its coveted 2020 Quasar Award By Kathryn Paradis

anuary is celebrated

the world over as a time of new beginnings, fresh starts, do-overs. So it is in Bay Area Houston, as well, except for one night each January. Since 1994, the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership has set aside a very special evening in January to celebrate the past while looking to the future. That night marks the occasion when BAHEP

presents its renowned Quasar Award to an outstanding elected official or business leader who has demonstrated a strong and continual effort to support the business foundations of the greater Bay Area Houston communities. On Jan. 24, 2020, the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership will honor Brenda Hellyer, Ed.D., chancellor of the San Jacinto College District, with its Quasar Award for Economic Development Excellence.

On her selection for the Quasar Award, Dr. Hellyer said, “I am humbled and honored to be named the Quasar Award recipient. I am fortunate to represent amazing and talented people who make up our Board of Trustees, employees, and student body at San Jacinto College, all of whom have made it a top 10 College in the country. “I am extremely thankful to the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership for this honor, and I applaud the work that they do every day to make the economy in our Houston region vibrant and strong. On behalf of San Jacinto College, it is an honor to receive this award.” Dr. Hellyer became chancellor of SJCD in May 2009. In the ensuing

years, she created transformational change at San Jacinto College, resulting in a nearly 162 percent increase in certificates and degrees awarded. Additionally, that transformational change has placed San Jacinto College as a twice-named top-10 community college in the country by the Aspen Institute.

16 NEW BUILDINGS

Dr. Hellyer has also worked tirelessly to transform the physical image of San Jacinto College from a 1960s college to a modern community college offering students training and education in collaborative classrooms on equipment they will use when entering the workforce. During her 10-year tenure as chancellor, the college has constructed or will construct 16 new buildings while completing renovations on many more. Those buildings include the Maritime Technology and Training Center, which opened in March 2016; the $60 million LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology (CPET), which opened in September 2019; and, most recently, the EDGE Center. Designed to offer the nation’s leading edge curriculum in advanced manufacturing training, the San Jacinto College EDGE Center is now the official training partner for the Houston Spaceport. The 27th Annual Quasar Award will pay tribute to Dr. Hellyer’s singular leadership and innovative initiatives, which have served to redefine education and workforce development in the Bay Area Houston region

Seabrook’s Andy Castiglione named Firefighter of the Year

ndy Castiglione

of the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department has been named the Bay Area’s Firefighter of the Year for 2019 by the Space Center Rotary. His chief said of him: “He will dive into any water and walk into any fire to save a life.” He was one of five finalists for the award, which is presented every other year to honor the many firefighters who protect area communities. Each year the Rotary Club alternates honoring the

community’s outstanding policemen or firefighters. The finalists were introduced at the Oct. 28 Rotary luncheon at Bay Oaks Country Club in Clear Lake along with a brief history of their work presented by Rotarians Kippy Caraway, Judge Rafael Lugo, Dr. David Taylor, Arthur Wood and Constable Phil Sandlin, who was chairman of the event. Each finalist was presented with a check for $750 with the winner receiving two $750 checks.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

Bay Area Firefighter of the Year Andy Castiglione, from left, and Precinct 8 Harris County Constable Phil Sandlin, who serves as chairman of Rotary’s Excellence in Public Service Committee, hold up the plaque the Seabrook fireman was presented by Space Center Rotary. At right is Rotary President Michael Porterfield.

The five firefighters honored by Space Center Rotary stop for a photo as the ceremony comes to an end. They are, from left, Michael Reitz, Houston Fire Department; Andrew Castiglione, Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department; Victor Studer, Nassau Bay Volunteer Fire Department; Amanda Black, Webster Fire Department; Ed Keenan, Pasadena Volunteer Fire Department; Constable Phil Sandlin-Chairman of the Excellence in Public Service Committee.

Like Family…But In A Good Way! By Pastor Brad Heintz

hen Living Word Church

was just starting out, I was talking to one of our guests after worship. She commented, “This is like family…” Then she paused and said, “…but in a good way!” We both laughed, but her statement has resonated with me ever since. Family gatherings and family dynamics can be interesting, fun or challenging. As I like to say, “Every family is dysfunctional. Some families put the fun in dysfunction and some take it out!” What kind of family is yours? Do you have a

“like family” group that puts the fun into the time you gather together? How about your Christmas gatherings? Do some put the fun in and others take the fun out? Since the Christmas season is full of gatherings for family, friends, work, school and other social groups, why don’t you ask yourself how you are going to handle them? Come up with a plan to put the fun into them. Maybe adjust your great expectations so that they are more realistic. Take time to rest and reenergize yourself before you go so that you can invest in those who gather. How about if you

became the one to make it fun? The first Christmas was all about gatherings that weren’t fun. Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem nine months pregnant for the census and taxation. That’s not fun. Then there was no room in the Inn and the time came for the baby to be born… in a barn. That’s not fun. But with that birth God, in the flesh showed up. And that fundamental truth created a lot of fun that night. A myriad of angel choirs and excited shepherds made it fun. Not to discount the fun the world travelers brought when they showed up later with gifts. So this tells me God likes to put the fun back into our lives, family gatherings and especially our dysfunctions. Jesus’s disciple, John, wrote, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) John then explains in his Gospel story how Jesus, God, The Son, became one of us, lived with us, served us and gave his life to forgive our sins. John also says, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12) So the real question is, “Have you received Him?” He wants you to be in His family and receive all the fun of being a child of God. Now that’s fun and will be when we join Him in the most fun family gathering in heaven one day. And if you have received Him, remember, you can make the statement come true in all your relationships: “This is like family … but in a good way!” Pastor Brad Heintz is the founding pastor of Living Word Church in Seabrook, Texas, a vibrant familystyle, non-denominational gathering of believers who take a pure, simple and real approach to faith and life. www. LWCBA.org Like us and watch us live on www.Facebook.com/LWCBA

Families at Bridge Over Troubled Waters shelter treated to Halloween fun

amilies affected by domestic or sexual

violence at The Bridge Over Troubled Waters shelter enjoyed a happy Halloween at the Trunk or Treat event co-hosted by Roberts Wealth Management and MomKind. Staff from both companies dressed up in costumes to hand out candy and host games from 25 decorated car trunks. “Supporting our community is so important to us,” said Summer Roberts, CEO of Roberts Wealth Management. “This event was our way of providing some much-needed fun for families who are dealing with a lot.” The Bridge Over Troubled Waters provides crisis intervention, a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter and transitional living to those in Harris County. Families at the shelter are often coping with trauma and forced to leave their homes. Trunk or Treat allowed them to take part in trick or treating without leaving the safety of the shelter. “No kid should have to miss out on Halloween,” said Roberts. “This was rewarding for everyone involved. We got to see smiles on the faces of children and they got to see a lot of fun costumes and fill their bags up with candy.”

The Roberts Family at the Trunk or Treat event co-hosted by Roberts Wealth Management and MomKind.

About The Bridge Over Troubled Waters The mission of The Bridge is to offer support, provide

safety and prevent domestic and sexual violence. With two offices, one in Pasadena and one in Baytown, The Bridge provides services such as case management, crisis intervention, a 24-hour hotline, domestic violence and sexual assault prevention presentations, emergency shelter and transitional living to those in Harris County. About Roberts Wealth Management Founded in 1998, Roberts Wealth Management works with individuals and families who are concerned about financial management and estate protection during retirement. Their primary services include retirement income planning, wealth management, 401(k)/ individual retirement account (IRA) guidance and asset protection. Investment advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM). AEWM and Roberts Wealth Management are not affiliated companies. About MomKind MomKind is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to spread kindness to others. Made up of a group of over 70 moms, the organization formed after local mothers watched tragedy strike the community during Hurricane Harvey and a local school shooting. Since then, they have been dedicated to cultivating a culture of kindness.

DECEMBER 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Jana Reed, center, and her daughters, Logan, left, and Aleis arrive at the Chris Reed Foundation founding party at the Carl Joiner home in Kemah.

The Chris Reed Foundation board of directors celebrate the Founding Members kickoff reception. Members include, from left, Jana Reed, chairman; Logan Reed, vice chairman; Mickey Wooten, treasurer; Kimberly Campbell, secretary; Dave Clark and event host, Carl Joiner. Not pictured: Susan Bailey.

Chris Reed Foundation formed to provide help for area students

senior pictures. That’s what we want to do. Help those who need a little push,” she said. Jana Reed serves as chairman of the Chris Reed Foundation and her oldest daughter, Logan, is vice tribute to Chris Reed. By Mary Alys Cherry chairman. The scholarship program “The Chris Reed Foundation was aims to provide financial assistance early a hundred family established as a means to bolster teen for high school students in the Bay and friends of the late Chris success through monetary assistance Area. Donations could go toward Reed gathered Oct. 24 to and mentorship,” said Joiner, a graduation expenses, application celebrate the formation of the board member. “We seek to support fees, school supplies, tutoring, among Chris Reed Foundation, established juniors and seniors as they prepare other needs. to provide financial assistance for for graduation, college or vocational The Foundation’s slogan, “From Bay Area high school students, by programs.” Adversity to Achievement” focuses helping them prepare for college or Reed’s death left the Bay Area on high school students, particularly vocational school. community in shock as he had those with lower socioeconomic Reed, the Kemah police chief at the touched many lives along the way. status, and provides resources SAIC Communicatons Director Joyce time of his death, died after falling He was a Clear Creek ISD trustee, a to enhance future scholastic and Abbey, left, is happy to see Jill Reason, off a boat this past June when it was dad, a wrestling coach, a former city past chairman of the Clear Creek professional success, Kimberly hit by a gigantic wave as he and his manager of both League City and Education Foundation at the Chris Reed Campbell pointed out. Foundation kickoff reception. wife were enjoying a weekend sail on Nassau Bay, and a former assistance While the Founding Members Galveston Bay. police chief in League City. Many of event was the first formal fundraising The celebration, held at the Kemah those lives were young kids in need activity for the foundation, anniversary -- to plan the foundation. home of Carl and Colene Joiner, of direction that he helped. students from CCISD’s Bauerschlag “This is about helping someone began with a toast by the board of His wife Jana met with a number Elementary previously collected who maybe doesn›t have the best directors to kick-off the not-for-profit of community members on July nearly $1,500 through a coin drive, home life, who couldn›t necessarily organization, while also paying 30 – the Reeds’ 29th wedding Campbell said. These funds, as well afford their cap and gown or their as the $25,000 raised at the kick-off event, will soon be made available through application submittal on school district systems such as Naviance. “My father would have been proud to see so many join forces in support of a cause near and dear to his heart,” Logan said. A golf tournament and bike rally are next on the fundraising schedule. For those wanting to make a personal contribution in support of the region’s youth or to learn more about the organization, Hosts Coleen and Carl Joiner, right, welcome, from left, Taylor Lake Village Clear Creek ISD Deputy Superintendent Dr. Steven Ebell, right, go to the website, www. Councilman Bob Davee, Clear Creek ISD Trustee Jay Cunningham and swaps memories of Chris Reed with, from left, Realtor Jonathan ChrisReedFoundation.com CCISD Board President Dr. Laura DuPont to the founding party for the Cottrell, South Shore Harbour Resort General Manager Roy Green

and Vinyl Draught Radio President Doug Meisinger.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

Chris Reed Foundation.

Bay Area loses a famous citizen with the death of Jim Hargrove By Mary Alys Cherry

he Bay Area lost

one of its most outstanding citizens Oct. 24 with the death of Jimmie Bertrand Hargrove, 83, of Seabrook after a brief illness. For many years, he has been considered by many as a pillar of the community, as he served as president of Allied Seabrook Bank in Seabrook and then First National Bank of Texas in Webster while also heading a number of local organization,s before getting his real estate license and eventually starting his own agency, Jim Hargrove and Associates.

He served as president of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, president of the Seabrook Association, president of Space Center Rotary, president of the Friends of Evelyn Meador Library, chairman of the Seabrook Master Plan Committee, chairman of the Humana Board of Trustees, chairman of the Bay Area Boy Scouts of America, chairman of YMCA Bay Area Fundraising, and as chairman of the City of Seabrook Port Commission. He served on the Bay Area Museum Board, St. John’s Hospital Board of Councilors, American Heart Association of the Bay Area Board, The University

of Houston D&A Council, and the Lunar Rendezvous Festival Board of Directors. He served as Lunar Rendezvous King in 1982, was a Paul Harris Fellow recipient in Rotary, and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. His volunteer work was varied and extensive. His family said he was most proud of his service to God, and as a Deacon at First Baptist Church Pasadena, where he served on the Lord’s Supper Committee. Previously, he was a Sunday School teacher at University Baptist Church in Clear Lake, where he enjoyed teaching the word of God to youth. A native Houstonian, he was born May 12, 1936, the son of Jesse Rabon Hargrove and Rena Lois Watts Hargrove, and attended Jefferson Davis High School and the University of Houston. He served for two years with the U.S. Army Signal Corps and received an honorable discharge. He was married for 51 years to Patricia Ann Kimball of Houston, who died July 15, 2015, and is survived by one daughter, Suzanne Hargrove Currier and her husband Jeff; his grandchildren, Alyssa Hargrove Henrikson and husband David, Samantha Ibarra, James Hargrove Ibarra, and great grandson, Lincoln James Henrikson, all of Seabrook. A Celebration of Life was held at First Baptist Church Pasadena, Wednesday, Nov. 6, with Dr. Charles Redmond officiating.

Superintendents provide look into State of Education

eague City Chamber

members and their guests got quite a comprehensive look at education in the Bay Area at the chamber’s monthly luncheon. The speakers were Dr. Greg Smith, Clear Creek ISD superintendent; Carla Voekel, Dickinson ISD superintendent; and Dr. Jennifer Goodman, superintendent of Odyssey Academy; who filled the crowd in on their districts’ accomplishments. Topics included cuts in the property tax rate and raises for teachers and staff – made possible with more dollars provided by the Texas Legislature, safety improvements in the schools, new

Dr. Greg Smith, CCISD superintendent; from left, joins Dr. Laura DuPont, CCISD Board president; Carla Voekel, Dickinson ISD superintendent; Dr. Jennifer Goodman, Odyssey superintendent, State Sen. Larry Taylor and Dewan Clayborn, League City Chamber, president, for a photo at the chamber luncheon.

additions to schools and even the need for more school bus drivers. “And, the League City Regional Chamber of Commerce has had a hand in our collective success,” Dr. Smith pointed out. “A sign

of a thriving and successful community is one where education and business unite to provide children opportunities to shine. I liken it to the Disneyworld of education.”

Radiation physics expert William Atwell, 80, dies By Mary Alys Cherry A memorial service for William (Bill) Atwell, 80, one of the original members of NASA’s Space Radiation Analysis Group at the Johnson Space Center, was held Nov. 2 at Bay Area First Baptist Church in League City. He died Oct. 11 in Clear Lake City. An internationally recognized expert in the field of radiation physics and the author of some 250 technical and scientific publications, he served on the University of Houston-Clear Lake Advisory Board and as a science advisor/mentor for graduate students at the Universities of Maryland and Virginia, University of Southern California, Colorado State and Texas A&M. His 40+ years of radiation experience was in the areas of space radiation environments, high energy particle transport through materials, active and passive dosimetry, spacecraft, satellite, and anatomical modeling/shielding analysis, radiation detection instrumentation, biological and physical effects and related data analyses -- research that supported the Johnson Space Center Medical Services, Space and Life Science and its Engineering Directorate; NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab and Langley Research Center and the European and German Space Agencies. Born May 3, 1939 in Indianapolis, Ind., he received a B.S. and M.S. in Physics/ Math with a minor in English at Indiana State University in Terre Haute and was a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He was the recipient of the Astronaut’s Silver Snoopy Award, Tech Fellowship and numerous NASA, NATO, AIAA and SAE/Aerospace awards and commendations. He was also active in AA fellowship and was instrumental in establishing the Bay Area Club in 1990 in League City. He also served as the first president of the club and sponsored countless members over the years. His family said his personal contributions were equal to his professional contributions and literally will benefit humanity for generations. He is survived by two sons, Jamie and his wife, Linda, of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., and Jason Atwell and his wife, Carmen, of League City; a daughter, Mallory Atwell of London, England; eight grandchildren – Alex, Ian, Adam, Allison, Ryan, Oliver, Ava and Ainsley; and a brother, Bud Atwell of Greenfield, Ind., and a sister Marilyn Atwell of Cincinnati, Ohio.

DECEMBER 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

$1.3 million estimated loss in warehouse storage fire

Boeing Starliner completes crucial abort system test

By Mary Alys Cherry

t took more than four

dozen firefighters from seven fire departments to finally extinguish the storage warehouse blaze Sunday afternoon, Oct. 27, when at least three large recreational vehicles, four boats, and approximately 27 storage units received fire or smoke damage. Damage to the storage facility and contents was estimated at $1.3 million in loss. Fire at the League City Boat & RV Storage facility, located at 3000 East FM 646 in League City, was reported at approximately 4 p.m., when a witness indicated that he smelled smoke while working inside his unit just a few doors down from the fire. He immediately notified League City Fire dispatchers. Upon arrival, District Chief Kevin Kasten, noticed heavy smoke coming from the roof of several storage units. He immediately requested tankers from the Santa Fe Fire Department due to a lack of fire hydrants and a water supply system. On arrival of Engine 3, the firefighters immediately breached several of the overhead doors attempting to locate the source of the fire. According to Assistant Chief Tommy Cones, League City firefighters significantly reduced the spread of the fire with an aggressive fire attack, even though they were hindered by a limited water supply system and a lack of a sprinkler system in the storage units. Approximately 50 firefighters fought and assisted in the extinguishment of the fire. Firefighters from Webster, Nassau Bay, Dickinson, Kemah, Bacliff, and Santa Fe assisted the League City Fire Department. League City Police assisted the Fire Marshal’s Investigators with the deployment of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (drone) to assist in the fire investigation. Investigators from the League City Fire Marshal’s Office also investigated the fire. Deputy Lee Darrow, the lead investigator, has determined the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction inside a center console of a stored boat.

Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner’s four launch abort engines and thrusters ignite in the company’s Pad Abort Test on the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

oeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft completed a critical safety milestone on Nov. 11 in an end-to-end test of its abort system. The Pad Abort Test took place at Launch Complex 32 at the U.S. Army’s White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The test was designed to verify each of Starliner’s systems will function not only separately, but in concert, to protect astronauts by carrying them safely away from the launch pad in the unlikely event of an emergency prior to liftoff.

This was Boeing’s first flight test with Starliner as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program to return human spaceflight launches to the International Space Station from American soil. “Tests like this one are crucial to help us make sure the systems are as safe as possible,” said Kathy Lueders, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager. “We are thrilled with the preliminary results, and now we have the job of really digging into the data and analyzing whether everything worked as we expected.” During the test, Starliner’s four launch abort engines, and several orbital maneuvering and attitude control thrusters simultaneously ignited to rapidly push the spacecraft away from the test stand. Five seconds into flight, the abort engines shut off as planned, transferring steering to the control thrusters for the next five seconds. A pitcharound maneuver rotated the spacecraft into position for landing as it neared its peak altitude of approximately 4,500 feet. Two of three Starliner’s main parachutes deployed just under half a minute into the test, and the service module

TxDOT names Eliza Paul Houston district engineer

he Texas Department

of Transportation has announced the appointment of Eliza Paul of Clear Lake as the next Houston district engineer. Paul, a 31-year TxDOT employee, has served as deputy district engineer for the Houston District since 2015. As district engineer, she will oversee the planning, designing, building, operation and maintenance of the state transportation system for the six-county Houston District. “Her success is attributed to her efforts to build and maintain relationships with community stakeholders, contractors, and TxDOT staff based on integrity, trust, and mutual respect,” said Paul’s predecessor and current TxDOT Director of District Operations Quincy Allen. “Her contributions throughout her career with TxDOT

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

have been vital to the success of the Houston District.” Paul has served in various roles during her career with TxDOT. She joined the department in 1988 as an engineering assistant working on multiple projects significant to addressing growth throughout the Houston District. After working

separated from the crew module a few seconds later. Although designed with three parachutes, two opening successfully is acceptable for the test perimeters and crew safety. After one minute, the heat shield was released and airbags inflated, and the Starliner eased to the ground beneath its parachutes. The demonstration took only about 95 seconds from the moment the simulated abort was initiated until the Starliner crew module touched down on the desert ground. “Emergency scenario testing is very complex, and today our team validated that the spacecraft will keep our crew safe in the unlikely event of an abort,” said John Mulholland, vice president and program manager of Boeing’s Commercial Crew Program. “Our teams across the program have made remarkable progress to get us to this point, and we are fully focused on the next challenge—Starliner’s uncrewed flight to demonstrate Boeing’s capability to safely fly crew to and from the space station.” Boeing’s next mission, called Orbital Flight Test, will launch an uncrewed Starliner spacecraft to the station on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 41. The launch is targeted for Dec. 17.

as a design engineer, Paul rose to assistant area engineer for construction projects within the core of Houston in 1998. Her accomplishments included providing oversight for portions of the I-10 Katy Freeway reconstruction. The $2.8 billion Katy Reconstruction Program was the largest corridor undertaking in TxDOT history on one of the busiest highways in the state. Paul also served as Brazoria County area engineer and she was elevated to deputy district engineer in 2015. Paul was the recipient of the 2016 Dewitt C. Greer Award, which recognizes outstanding service to the people of the State of Texas by engineers. Also in 2016, Paul was awarded Woman of the Year honors by Women in Transportation Seminar – Houston. She is the wife of State Rep. Dennis Paul. For more information contact Danny Perez, TxDOT Public Information Officer, at 713-802-5077 or by email at danny.perez@txdot. gov

CCISD senior selected for All America Game

Clear Creek ISD trustees OK final phase of security upgrades

ha d L i n db e r g, a Clear Creek High senior, has been selected to compete in the 13th annual Under Armour All-America Game on Jan. 2, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. The game will be nationally televised live on ESPN2. While spotlighting approximately 100 of the country’s top high school seniors and football all-stars, the competition has produced many of football’s best collegiate and professional players over the past 12 years. Lindberg is rated 151 in the nation on the ESPN 300 rankings and 19th among offensive tackles. “Not many high schools can boast of being home to an Under Armour All-American, but Clear Creek High School can,” said Clear Creek Principal Jamey Majewski. “We are extremely proud of Chad Lindberg, for not only his accomplishments on the football field, but of his accomplishments in the classroom. Chad Lindberg is the true definition

Chad Lindberg in his honorary game jersey with Clear Creek High School Principal Jamey Majewski, left, and Clear Creek Head Coach Dwayne Lane.

of what is means to be a studentathlete,” he added. Lindberg was presented with his honorary game jersey during a school pep rally on Oct. 18, as part of the Selection Tour for the big game.

he Clear Creek ISD Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the final technology phase of the district-wide security upgrades project, establishing a Guaranteed Maximum Price of $12.1 million from 2017 Bond funds and awarding the work to Drymalla Construction Co., Inc. “This is work that evolved from the CCISD School Safety Committee that convened in 2018,” said CCISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith. “These projects reinforce our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for children and go beyond the initial recommendations of the committee.” Trustees unanimously approved a set of recommendations outlined by the District’s School Safety Committee in July 2018 that address facilities, security personnel, student mental wellness, security training and protocols, policies and procedures, and communications to improve overall safety for students and staff.

The amendment will implement Phase 2 of technology upgrades, which include controlled access points, intrusion detection and surveillance cameras at 36 CCISD campuses and buildings. Technology upgrades to the remaining 13 campuses were part of the first phase and are already underway. “The shared vision our Board of Trustees has with District Leadership is paramount in continually meeting the needs of our students here in CCISD,” Director of Safe and Secure Schools Brian Palazzi said. “Their recent approval of the technology/security upgrades is an essential first step in a multifaceted approached to keep all of our students physically, socially and emotionally safe.” This is the final planned amendment for this project. Construction for Phase 2 is scheduled to begin immediately with completion planned for December 2020.

DECEMBER 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

[HEALTHCARE]

Memorial Hermann Pearland is designated Level 4 trauma center Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital has been designated a Level 4 trauma center by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Hospital CEO Kyle Price said the designation, the first for Pearland, was awarded after a rigorous inspection process by the state. A Level 4 trauma center provides four essential services in emergency care: ability to give advanced trauma life support and capability to evaluate and stabilize patients and give diagnostic services. Price explained that a trauma team at that level is equipped to meet the needs of patients’ injuries, stabilize the patients and transfer them to a Level I or Level II trauma center when necessary, adding that the hospital staff had been working to get the Level 4 designation for more than a year. “Having access to high-quality trauma care at a trauma center, in a timely manner, is critical in saving a life,” Price said. “The closer you are to a trauma center can make a difference, because not every emergency department is a trauma center.” Also, the designation means the Pearland hospital is now part of Memorial Hermann Health System’s integrated trauma network, the only such system in the greater Houston region. That network, Price said, which includes Memorial Hermann Life Flight, offers life-saving services for trauma victims.

Join Houston Methodist Hospital in fighting the flu

he muscle aches. The fever.

The tiredness. No one likes having the flu. If you do catch the bug, it’s important to know how to care for yourself. It’s also important to learn how the flu virus spreads and how it can be prevented. “The influenza virus, more commonly known as the flu, is contagious and usually spreads through the air, by coughing, sneezing, talking or touching a contaminated surface,” said Dr.Tracey Lindeman, board certified internal medicine physician with Houston Methodist Primary Care Group in Nassau Bay. People who catch the flu have different symptoms, but many complain of a fever, cough, muscle aches, headache and sore throat. Some adults feel better in a week or two, while others, including small children, the elderly and the chronically ill, may have a harder time recovering.

STOP FLU IN ITS TRACKS

You can help guard yourself against the flu. “The best methods are getting a

yearly flu vaccination and keeping your immune system healthy,” Lindeman said. Get a flu shot. A flu shot can lower your risk of catching the virus. It’s best to get the shot by the end of October, before the flu season reaches its height. A flu shot is especially important for people at high risk for flu complications, including adults age 65 or older, children younger than age five, pregnant women and those with chronic health problems. Steer clear of germs. Unfortunately, sick people don’t always keep their germs at home. You can help keep yourself flu-free by washing your hands frequently and following a healthy lifestyle. Carry hand sanitizer with you in case you can’t wash your hands right away after being around those who are showing signs of being sick. You may also want to use disinfecting wipes to wipe down surfaces or shopping carts when you’re out and about.

WHAT TO DO

If you do get the flu, drink plenty

of fluids. Your doctor can prescribe antiviral drugs that may make the illness milder and shorten the time you are sick if you go in right away. If you have questions about the flu shot, talk to your doctor. To schedule an appointment with Tracey Lindeman, M.D., visit houstonmethodist.org/pcg/ nassau-bay or call 281.333.9747.

HCA Clear Lake hospital wins accreditation for rectal cancer

CA Houston Healthcare

Clear Lake has become the first Texas hospital, and only the 14th in the nation, to earn a three-year accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC). HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake, formerly known as Clear Lake Regional Medical Center and located at 500 Medical Center Blvd. in Webster, earned the coveted designation by meeting 19 benchmarks, including the creation of a Rectal Cancer Multidisciplinary Team where at least one appointed physician from surgery, pathology, radiology, medical oncology and radiation oncology collaborates on a patient’s care. Accredited programs also must meet process standards and performance and quality improvement metrics. There are three accreditation opportunities for cancer programs: Commission on Cancer (CoC), breast, and colorectal. HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake is the first program in Texas to be accredited in all three awarded by The Joint Commission, the National Institutes of Health, and the American College of Surgeons. “The standards required of the

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019

accreditation, most notably creating a multidisciplinary approach, have proven to improve patient outcomes,” noted HCA Houston Healthcare South Quadrant’s regional medical director of complex gastrointestinal surgery, Dr. Theodoros Voloyiannis, a board-certified colorectal surgeon who specializes in surgical and non-surgical colon and rectal procedures. “This accreditation is the gold standard for the advancement of rectal cancer care. We’re honored to be the first in Texas to earn this achievement.” Colorectal cancer (cancer that starts in the colon or rectum) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined in the United States, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

“The NAPRC program is comprehensive, requiring coordination of diagnostic imaging, lab, and consultation with the surgeon, oncologist and radiation oncologist prior to the initiation of treatment,” Terri Jamison, HCA Houston Healthcare regional oncology program director, added. “Obtaining this accreditation is a testament that comprehensive, high-quality cancer programs using the most advanced surgical procedures can be found in suburban communities.” The hospital also is certified as a Level III Accredited Chest Pain Center by the Society of Cardiovascular Care, a Comprehensive Stroke Facility by DNV Healthcare and a Level II Trauma Emergency Center. In addition to its leadership in multidisciplinary cancer care, HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake offers women’s services, pediatric care, a Breast Diagnostic Center, Level II trauma emergency room, ACRaccredited imaging center, inpatient rehabilitation center, wound treatment center, bariatric care, neurology and minimally invasive and robotic surgical options.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2019