Bay Area Houston Magazine June 2016 by Bay Group Media

LEADING AND INFORMING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1999

June 2016 BayAreaHoustonMag.com

Emad H. Asham, MD, FRCS, FACS

Garrett K. Peel*, MD, MHS, FACS

Angela M. Lewis-Traylor, MD, FACS

Rizwan M. Chaudhry, MD

The Previty Network of Surgeons : (Superdoctors Rising Star)

Highly Skilled, Highly Trained 1.844.PREVITY

JUNE 2016

features

ON THE COVER Emad H. Asham, MD, FRCS, FACS, Garrett K. Peel, MD, MHS, FACS, Angela M. Lewis-Traylor, MD, FACS and Rizwan M. Chaudhry, MD of the Previty Clinic for Surgical Care.

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

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

Distribution Shinkle Distribution

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

281.474.5875

State of the Counties

City Elections

Dental Health

BAHEP to Celebrate 40th Anniversary

Previty Clinic for Surgical Care

Summer Travel

Lakewood Yacht Club News & Events

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership

Maritime & Petrochemical

Young Professional Profile

League City News

Lunar Rendezvous

CCISD Teachers of the Year

Some Duties Surprise New Sheriff

Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership update Some Bay Area candidates face runoffs Use it or lose it Special Sept. 14 event planned World-class surgeons and care close to home Vacation in the States and beyond Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance 2016 BAHEP gets update on area economy Jobs Aplenty Martha Landwehr City unveils plans for downtown redevelopment 2016 princesses and lieutenants Fourty-four teachers were honored Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman

columns

Photography Mary Alys Cherry Brian Stewart

Administration Lillian Harmon Tammy Lipsey

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

Movers & Shakers

Clear Lake Chatter

Home Sweet Home

Texas Meditations

In Wheel Time

The Admiral’s Log

Main Events

Miquel Angel Hernandez Jr. Rotary Space Gala Marks 30th Anniversary Everyone loves a luau It’s Embarrassing Summer Road Trip Spring Floods and the effects on summertime fishing Calendar of Bay Area Houston events

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

JUDGE MARK HENRY

BayTran Chairman David Hamiton, right, thanks Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Galveston County Judge Mark Henry and Brazoria County Judge Mark Sebesta, from left, for participating in the 17th annual State of the Counties Luncheon at the Hobby Marriott Hotel.

State of the Counties offers BayTran update By Mary Alys Cherry

ew things in our lives are more important than transportation, and Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership members and their guests got a rather thorough update on what is going on in the field at the 17th annual State of the Counties Luncheon May 12. The updates came from three of the Houston area’s most knowledgeable sources – Harris County Judge Ed

Emmett, Brazoria County Judge Matt Sebesta and Galveston County Judge Mark Henry, who not only talked of transportation projects but also spoke of economic growth.

JUDGE MATT SEBESTA Judge Sebesta, who was introduced by Brazoria County Commissioner Dude Payne, told the crowd at the Hobby Marriott Hotel that business is booming in his county. “Our industrial partners are investing from

Mayors Glenn Royal and Michel Bechel, from left, say hello to Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell as he arrives at the Marriott for the annual State of the Counties Luncheon.

$25 to $30 billion. . .creating approximately 15,000 construction jobs, several thousand permanent, high paying jobs, as well as thousands of other jobs.” Some of the major players, he said, are Dow Chemical, Apache Oil, Phillips 66, Salem Power, Freeport Welding and Freeport LNG – for a total investment of more than $14 billion. “Prior to 2013, we’ve never had a project of $1 billion or more,” he explained, going on to list several transportation projects underway, including the 288 toll road project. “It’s exciting times in Brazoria County,” he added as he concluded his remarks.

Pearland Mayor Tom Reid, right, BayTran Board member, welcomes League City Mayor Pat Hallisey to the State of the Counties Luncheon.

Galveston County Commissioner Ryan Dennard introduced Judge Mark Henry, who opened his remarks with an update on storm surge protection, noting that the Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District’s recommendation is due soon. “Once we have the final plan in our hands, around June, we will then ask all the people in the region to be supportive, and let’s go as one voice to D.C.,” he said. He went on to tell the BayTran crowd that the Pelican Island bridge had passed one major hurdle with more to go, and went on to talk about tourism in Galveston, the cruise business, the Texas City Port and the importance of improving Highway 87 on the Bolivar Peninsula. UTMB now has more state of the art medical facilities, he said, with completion of work on the Jennie Sealy Hospital in Galveston and the UTMB League City Campus on the Gulf Freeway. He closed his remarks by announcing that “League City’s population has now reached 100,000 – getting close to Pearland”– and that the 2016 Galveston County Transportation Summit will be held at the Doyle Convention Center in Texas City Sept. 1.

JUDGE ED EMMETT Judge Emmett, introduced by Harris County Engineer

Kemah Mayor Carl Joiner, a BayTran Board member, visits with TxDOT Houston District Engineer Quincy Adams at the State of the Counties Luncheon.

John Blount, said “the state of Harris County is soggy,” going on to praise Trans Star, the Office of Emergency Management and the Cy Fair Volunteer Fire Department for all their great work during the recent floods -- adding that the “drownings that occurred got under my skin” and vowing to set up gates to protect motorists from floodprone underpasses. Turning to transportation, Judge Emmett called the proposed I-69 bypass, in eastern Harris County, “our most important transportation project because it will better connect the ports of Houston, Galveston and Freeport.” He thinks Texas needs a more permanent funding source for transportation, noting that with the dip in the state’s economy, the Rainy Day Fund might not have enough funds to cover transportation shortfalls as Prop 1 intended when passed by voters in 2014. The judge also highlighted the need for transportation projects in and near the Port of Houston because “it’s the economic engine currently and it will be the economic engine going forward.” Another highlight of the luncheon came when Texas Transportation Commissioner Jeff Moseley received the Charles A. Jacobson Transportation Award for his work on regional transportation policy.

BayTran Vice Chairman Bob Robinson is happy to see State Sen. Sylvia Garcia at the State of the Counties Luncheon.

JUNE 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Some Bay Area candidates face runoffs in city elections sales and use tax proposal, 1,485 to 925; and Dickinson ISD voters approved a $70 million bond proposal 1,013 to 337. Candidates in Clear Lake Shores, Dickinson, La Porte and Taylor Lake Village had no opposition, and no Seabrook seats were up for election this time.

Other election results: Deer Park Pos. 4 Bill Patterson (i) Eddie Dove

654 118

El Lago Pos. 4 John Skelton (i) Shelah Bird Pos. 5 Jeffrey Tave (i) Mark Briggs

198 77 148 154

Friendswood Pos. 6 Carl Gustafson (i) 1249 Mike Stacy 1034 By Mary Alys Cherry

he votes have been counted, and soon there will be some new faces on our Bay Area city councils. All but one mayor up for election this year kept their jobs. Neither Nassau Bay Mayor Mark Denman or Texas City Mayor Matthew Doyle had any opposition. Galveston Mayor Jim Yarbrough was challenged by Bill Quiroga but was the run-away winner, getting 2,307 votes, or 79 percent of the total, to Quiroga’s 609 votes. In Shoreacres, Kim Sanford beat Mayor Rick Moses, 143-114. Two Galveston council races were close and will involve runoffs later this month between the two top vote getters. Tarris Woods, the incumbent, got 165 votes to 120 for Amy Bly for the District 1 seat, and Frank McMorris tallied 240 for the District 3 seat while Frank Maceo got 187 votes. Pearland voters also will have to decide a runoff June 18 for the Position 6 council seat. Voters OK’d five propositions and rejected two others – Prop 1 in Kemah failed 70-265 and Prop 1 on term limits in Webster failed, 70-82, while Prop 2 to increase Webster council pay was approved, 87-67. Prop 1 in El Lago to sell 7.3 percent of an acre of parkland from Unrestricted Reserve B passed. Meanwhile Friendswood voters approved proposals for a downtown improvements sales and use tax 1,274 to 1,135 and also a street maintenance

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

Kemah Pos. 1 Teresa V. Evans 234 Marianne Creely 95 Pos. 5 Cathy Bowen 110 Matt Wiggins 213 Morgan’s Point Pos. 2 Tim Harris Brian Johnson

76 63

Nassau Bay Pos. 4 Bryce Klug (i) Robert Juillerat

353 228

Pearland Pos. 6 Terry Gray Trent A. Perez* Monica Russo* Adrienne Bell

282 898 930 588

Shoreacres Mayor Kim Sanford Rick Moses (i)

143 114

Texas City Dist. 1 Thelma Bowie (i) 422 Johnny Hollowell 37 Dist. 3 Dorthea L. Jones 112 Darel Beene 57 Webster Pos. 5 Bill Jones 52 Edward Lapeyre 102 Dickinson ISD Jessica Rodriguez Chad Rankin

159 101

Pearland ISD Jeffrey Barry Kelvin L. Williams

1,068 696

* In runoff June 18

makes eating a chore, as opposed to a pleasant experience. People with missing teeth also have a tendency to swallow their food prematurely. Nutritionists agree that the more we chew - the less we eat - and the better we digest our food. People with lost back teeth are also more likely to avoid harder food. Soft foods are also usually high in carbohydrates and fat but often very low in protein, raw vegetable, vitamins, and minerals. Consequently, people who eat mainly soft foods may become undernourished and eat a larger volume of food. That often leads to weight gain and obesity which over time leads to numerous disorders, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

“Dentures can also cause discomfort and interfere with tasing and feeling our food.”

Use it or Lose it Only a generation ago, gradually losing teeth and replacing them with either a fixed bridge, a removable partial or full denture was a fact of life for most Americans.

nfortunately each option led to either grinding healthy teeth down or exerting too much force on the remaining teeth. Ultimately both options led to early loss of the remaining healthy teeth. As a result, a large segment of our population entered their golden age with false teeth, long span bridges, or no teeth at all. The most damaging effect of tooth loss was not even being discussed much those days. Few people knew about the localized osteoporosis that developed due to loss of the tooth. People noticed that their gums shrunk gradually once the tooth was lost, even when they replaced the gap with a conventional method. But they assumed that it was normal. That perception has changed substantially during the last two decades. The likelihood of our generation going through

the same oral degradation is steadily decreasing. There are several reasons for this change: availability of more information, better access to dental care, and last but not least, the introduction of titanium dental implants. When teeth are lost, the underlying jaw bone shrinks due to lack of stimulation. Aside from the cosmetic effects on our smile and facial appearance, people with missing teeth develop other equally significant complications. Here are a few examples: 1. People with missing teeth are unable to chew their food as efficiently. One of the most important phases in digestion is called “The Cephalic phase.” This phase of gastric secretion occurs while the food is being eaten. It results from the pleasure associated with sight, smell, thought, or taste of food. Inability to chew the food with comfort and ease

2. The traditional replacement methods only address replacement of missing teeth not their roots. The most significant effect of tooth loss is the loss of localized jaw bone that is no longer needed to hold the root of the tooth in place. The science of biophysics has proven that the concept of “use it or lose it” applies to the human body as well. Through chewing we apply modest pressure on the jawbone. That pressure stimulates the bone (similar to exercise) and keeps it dense and strong. Many people who have lost one or more teeth believe the personal impact is strictly cosmetic. They don’t realize that missing teeth can lead to significant bone loss over time that can alter the jaw structure, cause other teeth to shift, and change the shape of your face

while weakening your jaw bone. 3. Although partial or full dentures are a less expensive alternative to dental implants they require a lot of care. They must be kept clean with cleaning tablets. They should be removed every night before going to sleep, cleaned carefully, and kept in a moist place (usually in a glass of water on the bed stand). As the jawbone shrinks over time due to bone loss, the dentures that fit fine not too long ago get loose. They have to be either glued in with denture cream or remade every few years. Dentures can also cause discomfort and interfere with tasting and feeling our food. Some people find dentures embarrassing. If dentures do not fit well, they can interfere with chewing and swallowing. They may also cause burning sensations and sores in the mouth. Fortunately, America’s tooth loss and jaw bone loss crisis can be eliminated with the advent of dental implants, now considered the best option for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants have been highly successful, according to a recent research published in the Journal of Oral Implantology. There is a growing body of compelling clinical evidence supporting dental implants as the most successful method for replacing missing or compromised teeth. If you are suffering from or embarrassed by loss of one, several, or all of your teeth, dental implants may be the answer you are looking for. I have been placing dental implants (while patients are comfortably asleep under IV sedation) in our community for over a decade with a success ratio of over 99 percent. If you are considering getting a dental implant, feel free to contact my office at 281-332-4700 for a complimentary consultation.

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.

JUNE 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Movers &Shakers Name: Miguel (Mike) Angel Hernandez Jr.

wife, Rosi, and their daughter Andrea Victoria (9)

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

Occupation: NASA engineer for close to 15 years. In 1982 started Hernandez Engineering, which my wife, Tery, and I ran until 2007 when the company was sold and merged with Bastion Technologies Inc., owned by my son Jorge Luis

My favorite writer is: John le Carre

My favorite meal is: White rice with black beans, pork loin, and fry ripe bananas

Hometown: Havana, Cuba. Came to the U.S. after two years of communism in Cuba, in December 1960 Current home: Taylor Lake Village Family: Wife of 50+ years, Teresita; son, Dr. Miguel Angel III and wife, Joanna, and their sons, Christopher Michael (21), Matthew Allen (19), Alexandra Marie (17) and Nicholas Scott (15); and son, Jorge Luis, and

Choosing a financial advisor

he definition of “worry” is that it gives you an excuse to stand still, which feeds into procrastination, and procrastination is one of the major killers of financial decision-making. Decisions should be made on a yes or no basis (“maybes” make procrastination grow). However, a yes or no decision should be reached only after considering the crucial, must-know facts. Otherwise an investor makes decisions based on myths, misconceptions and lack of information, which may not lead to making a “sound” financial decision. Gather the critical must-know facts before your decision is final. Also, be armed with questions for the advisor during your meeting. The following are some of the top questions that investors should ask their existing advisor and/ or potential new advisors: • Have you adequately reviewed my personal financial situation to make sure this recommendation is in my best interest? • How will your plan affect my tax return each year and what future tax issues may concern me? • How will your plan affect my income and liquidity needs in the future? • How does your plan match up with my risk comfort level? • How will your plan affect the transition of my estate to my heirs? Subsequently, you will be better prepared, better informed and be able to make a financial decision that allows you to sleep at night. Paul E. Roberts Jr. and Summer A. Roberts Roberts Wealth Management www.RobertsWealthTexas.com

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

Someone I’d like to meet: Benjamin Netanyahu If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose: One of the U.S. astronauts on the Space Station My favorite performers are: The Platters, Pat Boone, Nat King Cole, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Celine Dion. I like to spend my leisure time: Skiing, scuba diving, gardening, riding horses and visiting interesting places

As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be: Aeronautical engineer You’ll never catch me: Not doing something The thing that bugs me the most is: People driving slow and blocking the left side of the road My favorite movie is: The ones from Indiana Jones Few people know: I was one of the engineers on console that received the call “Houston, we have a problem.”

BAHEP plans special Sept. 14 event to celebrate its 40th anniversary

orty years. Don’t they go by in a hurry? This certainly seems to be true for the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, which is planning for a very special 40th anniversary celebration. The big event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14, in the Crystal Ballroom of South Shore Harbour Resort. BAHEP’s 40th Anniversary Committee, chaired by Dr. Glenn Freedman, has been meeting for several weeks, working on a plan of action and reminiscing about the partnership’s early years when it was originally formed in 1976 as the Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation or CLAEDF. It wasn’t until 2003 that “the Foundation” was rebranded as the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership. Exhibits and memorabilia from four decades of service to the community will be on display the evening of the event. Each of those years holds special memories for many associated with CLAEDF/BAHEP. As part of the festivities celebrating the people and initiatives of the last 40 years that have contributed to the great quality of life of the Bay Area Houston region, sponsorships have been made available for each year from 1976 - 2016, as well as corporate sponsorships for each decade. Year sponsorships are available for $500 each, and decade sponsorships are being offered at $2,000 each. Sponsors will be recognized at the

event and in a special section of the 40th Anniversary Keepsake Program. BAHEP President Bob Mitchell said, “We are really looking forward to our 40th Anniversary Celebration and visiting with the people who have been associated with this wonderful organization over the years. We’ve lost contact with a number of individuals who have been important to the growth of CLAEDF/BAHEP and hope that by publicizing the event that many of them will be reached.” Members of the community who have CLAEDF/BAHEP photos or other mementos that they would like to share are invited to contact BAHEP. Part of that publicity will include “throw back Thursday” posts on BAHEP’s Facebook page at BayAreaHoustonEcon where photos covering a small part of 40 years of history will be highlighted. Regional publications, such as the Bay Area Houston Magazine, will also be sharing past memories of the people and causes which have taken the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership from locally focused economic development activities to major initiatives that have been recognized both nationally and internationally. For more information about the sponsorships outlined above or to share mementos, please contact BAHEP Membership Director Harriet Lukee at 832.536.3250 or email harriet@ bayareahouston.com.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Space Trophy winner Dr. Charles Elachi and his wife, Valerie, left, receive congratulations from Texas Congressman John Culberson as they arrive at the Hyatt Regency for the Rotary Space Gala.

RNASA Chairman Rodolfo Gonzalez and his wife, Anangela, have a quiet moment as the crowd begins arriving for the Space Gala.

Lockheed Martin Program Manager Rich Jackson, right, is happy to see former Space Trophy winner, Dr. Glynn Lunney, at the Rotary Space Gala.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and his wife, Jackie, left, visit with Dr. Jeffrey Davis, JSC human health director, as they await the start of the Rotary Space Gala.

MARY ALYS CHERRY

Rotary Space Gala marks 30th anniversary

Rotarians Geoff and Vivian Atwater, Leslie and Dr. Ted Cummings and Dr. Jean Walker, from left, wear their excitement on their faces as the Space Gala is about to start.

Space Center Rotary President John Branch and his wife, Patty, join the crowd at the Space Gala.

Scott Kelly was among the many current and former astronauts in the Space Gala crowd. Here, he stops to talk to Kippy Caraway.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

Dr. Vissett Sun and his wife, Adrienne, enjoy the 30th annual Space Gala.

Retired JSC Director Mike Coats, right, stops to chat with Lockheed Martin Orion Program Manager Larry Price and his wife, Ellen, as he arrives at Space Gala.

THE CRÈME de la crème of the space and business community was out in force as the Rotary National Space Award Foundation honored Dr. Charles Elachi, the long-time director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which has given America so many thrills with its work on Mars and the robotic exploration of space. Most considered it quite an honor themselves to be on hand when he was presented the 2016 National Space Trophy at the 30th annual RNASA Space Awards Gala in the Downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel Ballroom for his 15 years as head of the NASA center on the west coast, overseeing the journeys of Mars Spirit, Phoenix, Opportunity and, of course, Rover. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden flew down from Washington to make the presentation, stopping to visit with former Space Trophy winners Mike Coats, Col. Eileen Collins, Michael Griffin, Glynn Lunney, Gen. Thomas Stafford, Tommy Holloway, Bill Gerstenmaier and Col. Robert Cabana as he made his way through the crowd. Along with many top executives of the space industry – Glenn Center Director Dr. Janet Kavandi, new Space Center Houston CEO William Harris, Lon Miller of Jacobs, John Elbon of Boeing; Wanda Sigur of Lockheed Martin, Robbie McAfoos, Barrios Technology; Mike Bloomfield, Oceaneering; Dr. Harry Miller, Cimmaron; Genie Bopp and Jim Kukla, Wyle; Pete Cova, Rocketdyne; Jessica Jenson, SpaceX;Jorge Hernandez and Jayant Ramakrishnan, Bastion Technologies; Tim and Debbie Kropp, MRI Technologies; Sam and Dr.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Committee chairman of the Bay Oaks Women’s Association for 2016 include, from left, Angela Bivens, special events; Jennifer Simmons, holiday market; Sue Broughton, advisor to the president; Amy Roppola, registration; and Susan Franklin, communications.

Bay Oaks Women’s Association officers stop for a photo as they meet at the country club to plan coming events. They are, from left, Secretary Chris Howland, Vice President Karen Reed, President Jodi Schnabel and Treasurer Allyson Jackson. Vice President Cindy Villareal was absent from the meeting.

Charlise Gunderson, Blue Origin; David Cates, MEI Technologies; Mark Sirangelo, Sierra Nevada; and Frank Culbertson and Frank DeMauro, Orbital ATK – many with their spouses. Just back from space, Scott Kelly joined a number of current and former astronauts in the celebration, including Johnson Space Center Director Dr. Ellen Ochoa, Capt. Dan Brandenstein, Rick Hieb, Rex Walheim, Clay Anderson, Dr. Joe Kerwin, Dr. Donald Pettit, Dr. Megan McArthur, Scott Altman, Dr. Karen Nygren, Col. Robert Behnken, Michael Fossum, Stephanie Wilson, Richard Mastracchio, Gregory Johnson and Col. Douglas Hurley and dozens of nominees for the Stellar Awards for the welcome by RNASA Chairman Rodolfo Gonzalez. Rotarians helping him welcome the massive crowd included President John Branch, Presidentelect Darryl Smith, Mike Hernandez, Scott Rainey, Dr. Jean Walker, Delia Stephens, Dr. Ted Cummings, Marilyn Musial, Dr. Vissett Sun, Bill Taylor, Kippy Caraway, George Atwater, Mike Porterfield, Gary Johnson, Bob Wren and Rich Jackson. Others you might have spotted included Annette and Dr. Charles Stegemoeller, Jeff and Mengo

Carr, Arnie and Eleanor Aldrich, Irene Chan, Bernard and Debbie Roan, Mark Carreau, Priscilla Ennis, Frank Perez, Joyce Abbey, Wendell and Pat Wilson, Neil Hutchison and Mark Craig.

Sharon Dillard, right, Bay Oaks Women’s Association membership chairman, and Cindy Zook, hospitality chairman and historian, have fun getting ready for the coming luncheons.

Carole Murphy, left, the 2016 Silver Tea honoree, arrives for the annual event at Bay Area Museum with her daughter, Pam Vining.

Silver Tea honors Carole Murphy

LONG-TIME member and Past President of the Bay Area Museum Guild Carole Murphy was honored “for her dedicated service to Bay Area Museum” at the Guild’s 2016 Silver Tea. Carole, who came with her daughter, Pam Vining, is a former vice president of the Museum Guild and served as president two terms, from 2011 through 2013. She is also a former president of the Houston Symphony League Bay Area, and while president, brought the two organizations together for an evening each year for Music at the Museum, with the Symphony League providing the music. Silver Tea Chairmen Missy Rorrer, Susan Barton and Jana Miller were on hand to welcome the arriving crowd, which included the Lunar Rendezvous princesses and lieutenants and their parents, plus dozens of Museum Guild members

Lunar Rendezvous Princess Avery Wood, left, and her mother, Laurie Wood, were among the many who filled Bay Area Museum to nearly overflowing for the Silver Tea.

and their spouses – all eager to sample the array of hors d’oeuvres and sweets stretched out before them.

BOWA officers keeping busy

IT MAY BE Summer, but Bay Oaks Women’s Association officers are busy these days assisting President Jodi Schnabel in planning their fall schedule, which includes the annual gala, the holiday market, and fall fashion show. Among those lending a hand are Vice Presidents Karen Reed and Cindy Villareal, Secretary Chris Howland and Treasurer Allyson Jackson. Plus a number of committee chairmen -- Angela Bivens, who’s overseeing the gala; Jennifer Simmons, who’s chairman of the holiday market; and Susan Franklin, communications. Other chairmen include Amy Roppola, registration; Sharon Dillard, membership chairman; Sue Broughton, advisor to the president; and Cindy Zook, hospitality chairman and historian.

Silver Tea Chairmen Missy Rorrer, Susan Barton and Jana Miller, from left, are ready to greet the arriving crowd at the annual Bay Area Museum Guild event.

JUNE 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

walkways or be scattered into landscaping creating the authentic luau mood. Make a welcome sign out of reeds or seagrass glued to cardboard to display the perfect party message. Large totem pole decorations can be made out of concrete cardboard cylinders (purchase at home improvement store) and painted with tribal faces. Once the totem pole is completed, a tiki torch can be stuck in the middle of the cylinder. Or, instead of the torch, an electric “fake” fire with material flames and lighting can be used to create a realistic looking fire (may already have this item in with the Halloween decorations). A smaller table top version of the totem pole can be made by cutting down the concrete cardboard cylinder to a smaller height (approx 18 inches).

Tropical Tables

Home Sweet Home

Bright tropical prints may be used as tablecloths. The tablecloths could be solid tropical colors, and a pattern can be created on the tablecloth with real palm leaves ordered from a florist or cut from the yard. Grass skirts may be purchased at party stores and used as table skirts to complete the look. The centerpiece can be a table top version of the totem pole mentioned above or a palm tree centerpiece with paper or real tropical flowers added for color. A palm tree centerpiece is made of bamboo sticks, a clay flower pot, plaster of Paris, and real palm leaves. Mix the plaster of Paris and fill the clay pot half full of the thick mixture. Place three to five varied heights of bamboo reeds in the middle of the pot and let the reeds dry straight up. When the mixture is dry and reeds are set, then stick the palm fronds in the reeds. This makes a complete sturdy palm tree

Everyone loves’s a luau Aloha in Paradise Leis, tropical flowers, and grass skirts – decorating for a Hawaiianinspired luau definitely requires some themed decor. Instead of spending all of that hard-earned money at the party store, unique decorations can be created with some easy inexpensive DIY luau ideas.

Backyard and Entrance Welcome the guests to a tropical paradise with tiki torches and a prominent Hawaiian sign hanging on the front door. Tiki torches can line

Teagan Weber, Haley Childress, Hailey Tillinger and Aniston Kleist wait to suprise their friend Berkley Culp for her 13th birthday luau.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

decoration that can be used over and over. Paper flowers with stems in the middle like a hibiscus (made just like tissue fiesta flowers with tutorials online) can be added to base of the palm trees. Fresh tropical flowers will not wilt if placed in water tubes around the base of the centerpiece. If the party is in the evening, votive candles may be added to illuminate the tropical creation. Leis can be placed on the backs of the chairs or at each place setting to aid in getting the guests into a festive mood. Luau food, cocktails, and favorsFor cocktails, create fruity drinks and name them for the event or guest of honor. Use pineapple, orange and maraschino cherry garnishes, and then serve the cocktails with colorful drink umbrellas and tiki god beverage napkins. Fruit attached to a pineapple with toothpicks makes a healthy colorful appetizer. Pineapple and chicken skewers are a filling tropical main dish. For a kids’ party, pineapple chicken pizza should be a hit. The kids will also love yummy party favors made from a variety of different skewered candies.

JUNE 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

JUNE 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

TEXAS MEDITATIONS

It’s Embarrassing By Michael W. Gos

Washington on the Brazos, Texas

ometimes life can seem overwhelming. We often feel completely burned out after long periods of intense work or during difficult times in our lives. In response, we can start to feel sorry for ourselves and sometimes, in extreme cases, just shut down completely. I know I do. I’m sure it’s not much different in your line of work. By the end of a semester, I am absolutely spent. Unfortunately, in academia, in that last week or two of every semester there is a mad scramble to schedule meetings. This happens mostly to make up for the fact that the chairs of committees have failed to do anything all semester long and are afraid that maybe someone will notice. Committees have to have some progress to report, and administrators have to rush to do things before the faculty disperses to locations around the world. As a result, the last week of the semester is filled with giving finals, grading finals

and attending up to four meetings a day. I’m sorry for others who feel guilty about their lack of performance, but that does not constitute an emergency on my part. In the last week of the semester, I do what I have to do in order to finish out my classes properly, but that’s all. The meetings go on without me. And all the while,

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

I’m thinking “poor me.” Sound familiar?

We were at Washington on the Brazos to learn more about the founding of Texas as a nation. I was especially curious as to how

Texas became so small when in 1836 it covered parts of what are now New Mexico, Colorado, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas and even stretched into Wyoming. (It turns out that reduction in size happened much later when Texas sacrificed its independence in order to join the U.S.) I had been to the Alamo, to

Goliad, Gonzales and San Jacinto. I even walked part of the original El Camino Real, but I was still vague on the political part of the picture. How did Texas get a Declaration of Independence and a Constitution written and ratified unanimously in just over two weeks? Richard, our guide, told us the story in vivid detail. While the constitutional convention may have lasted only 15 days, some of those days were pretty trying. Independence Hall was then pretty much as we see it today—a small wooden structure originally designed to be a mercantile store. It had cutouts for windows, but no glass—just a few raggedy muslin curtains that they hoped would keep the harsher elements out. When the delegates began deliberations on March 1, 1836, it was a warm spring morning. But by that afternoon, when they had agreed on and signed the Declaration of Independence, the temperature had plummeted and rain pelted the building. But weather was just the beginning of the difficulties they faced. The tiny structure housed the 59 delegates morning till night, day after day in the heat and the cold. Bathing was uncommon back then so I can only imagine the smell. When they finally disbanded with

the constitution complete and ratified 15 days later, Santa Anna’s army was less than 60 miles away. Whatever peace the delegates had in their lives prior to that fortnight was now gone. Having finished their work, their signatures on the Declaration made them all marked men. When Santa Anna’s troops arrived a few days later, they found the town completely deserted. Afraid for their lives by mere association with the

they made. Before they left, they had learned about the fall of the Alamo and the Runaway Scrape (the evacuation of the women and children of Gonzales and the burning of the town). They were clearly aware of the consequences of their actions. That had to weigh heavily on their shoulders. Looking back we see them as heroes, as the men who gave us the lives and the Texas we have today.

“I guess that is why they are famous historical heroes and I’m just me.” events that took place there, every one of the town’s residents evacuated with the delegates. Washington remained a ghost town until Santa Anna was defeated at San Jacinto. For all they knew at the time, the revolution could have taken years to play out. And what if they came up on the losing side? I tried to imagine what their lives must have been like then—on the run, looking over their shoulders all the time, never being able to rest and relax. Frankly, that’s not much of a life. There also had to be some degree of guilt over the decisions

But sometimes I wonder if we ever think about what they had to live through, the sacrifices they made, to make it happen. At the end of a semester I can just say “no mas” to constant demands on my time and energies. I can feel sorry for myself and go home, hide and “lick my wounds.” These men could not go home. They no longer had homes to go to. And for them, it wasn’t just a matter of being emotionally and physically spent; it was dealing with the ever-present danger of death. Rest? That was out of the question. They had to keep running and keep

fighting. For them, it never let up. The average age of the men at the convention was just over 37 years. We may think of that as young today, but these were, in their time, aging men who I’m sure would have rather been thinking about relaxing in retirement than running from the Mexican Army. Yet they chose to make this sacrifice. Why? I have to admit, I don’t understand what causes a person to make the decision to give of himself that way. Surely they were aware of the consequences of their actions. And yet they chose to sacrifice the peace, safety and tranquility we all desire in order to accomplish a goal they believed in—one they might never live to see come to fruition. I know I could never do that. Maybe it’s selfishness, maybe cowardice, but it is not something I am, or ever would have been constitutionally able to do. I guess that is why they are famous historical heroes and I’m just me. I’ll probably continue to moan and whine about my workload, especially at the end of every semester, and I’ll continue to feel sorry myself. And I’ll try not to think too often about the 59 men at Washington on the Brazos in the spring of 1836. The comparison embarrasses me.

JUNE 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

path toward prevention and a better quality of life,” says Dr. Garrett K. Peel, President and CEO of Previty Clinic. “Our surgeons are world-class surgeons who value the needs of the patient first and foremost.” WHAT WE CAN DO Did you know our surgeons can remove the colon through a one-inch, single incision for patients who have colon cancer? This is beneficial to you, the patient, as it reduces recovery time and allows you to focus on healing. Are you struggling with weight loss and need a tool? Our bariatric surgeons can insert a temporary intragastric balloon that helps patients lose weight over 6 months, or for other patients who want a more permanent tool, they can perform a life-saving gastric sleeve through small incisions, or reverse a previous lap-band surgery that has proven to be ineffective. For some patients, hemorrhoids, GERD and heartburn interfere with their daily lives. Our surgeons can help eliminate the pain by performing an outpatient, incision-less surgery for all of these conditions, resulting in faster relief and the ability to resume normal life more quickly. Bad leg veins can limit daily activity and cause much pain. Our vein surgeon can perform an in-office procedure using radio frequency waves to close the bad veins and get blood flowing to your good veins. The goal is to get you back on your feet with relief and the ability to live your life without the discomfort. Previty’s surgeons are also available for your general surgery needs, from hernias to gallbladders. Our minimally-invasive techniques can help get you back to life quickly.

WORLD-CLASS SURGEONS. WORLD-CLASS CARE. CLOSE TO HOME. Surgery can be a difficult time. Choosing a surgeon shouldn’t be. WHO WE ARE The surgeons who practice at Previty – Clinic for Surgical Care are highly trained and board certified in general surgery through the American Board of Surgery. They each value focusing attention on healing, prevention and wellness. Previty Clinic offers a wide variety

of surgical procedures for cancer, breast, colorectal, weight loss, vein, hernia and endocrine diseases. Our surgeons are highly trained in general surgery and use minimally invasive techniques, with many of them holding fellowship training in their surgical specialties. “The Previty Network of Surgeons is leading the way in technologically advanced, personalized care. By looking at the whole person, we treat the disease, but also create a

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

patient lounge, who navigates you through the registration process, as there are no glass windows separating you from us. You can expect to enjoy beautiful glass art, calming colors that help ease your anxiety as you relax in high-end furnishings you would only expect in a five star hotel. At Previty, we believe personal contact matters, and our concierge-like environment proves that. A friendly medical assistant invites you into a consultation room to discuss your medical history in private. After a comprehensive evaluation, your surgeon delivers an informative message of compassion and comfort. “Don’t panic. We will make our plan and move forward together. Our goal is to save your life and to do it with dignity. It may be possible to save your breasts with the innovative Skin, Nipple, AreolaSparing Mastectomy.” Something you thought was impossible, but at Previty Clinic we strive for the possible! Your surgery is scheduled as soon as possible and you begin the journey toward healing, knowing your life is in the hands of not only someone who cares, but someone you can count on for world-class care, close to home. No longer are the days where you have to travel to the medical center to receive high-quality care.

WHERE PREVITY CLINIC SURGEONS HAVE TRAINED

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT – A BREAST CANCER CASE STUDY Let’s say, for example, you suddenly get the devastating diagnosis of breast cancer. You need a surgeon. You visit your first clinic. After you wait in a stuffy, uncomfortable waiting room, you finally get in to see a doctor. He says you will need a full double mastectomy and chemotherapy immediately, but it’ll be weeks before they can fit you in. Before learning about Previty Clinic, you might have gone ahead with the surgery; however, there is another option. There’s Previty Clinic. Upon arrival for your first appointment, you immediately feel the difference. You are welcomed by a caring and knowledgeable staff member in our

Dr. Emad H. Asham is board certified by the American Board of Surgeons and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons of England, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Dr. Asham is fellowship trained in abdominal transplantation and hepato-pancreato-biliary (liver, pancreas and bile ducts) surgery. He obtained his doctorate of medicine

Dr. Chaudhry trained at the world renowned Mayo Clinic for his residency in general surgery. He serves as the medical director of the Metabolic and Weight-Loss Institute at Bay Area Regional Medical Center in Webster. Dr. Chaudhry was named the 2016 Best Bariatric Surgeon in the Bay Area by the Bay Area Citizen, a local newspaper. Dr. Chaudhry’s surgical experience includes advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgery including sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, lap-band removal, revisional bariatric surgery and the newly FDA-approved intragastric balloon. He also offers general surgery, laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and hiatal hernia and paraesophageal hernia repair. Dr. Chaudhry is the chief of Bariatrics and GERD for Previty Clinic.

at the University of London, England, and completed his general surgery training at the University of Massachusetts where he received the best teaching resident award. Dr. Asham completed a cancer research fellowship at the Institute of Surgical Studies, University College London, and clinical fellowships at University of Pittsburgh and the University of California Los Angeles. He authored book chapters, published multiple articles in peer reviewed surgical journals and presented his work at national and international surgical meetings. Dr. Asham’s surgical expertise includes advanced laparoscopic, single-incision, cancer, gastrointestinal, endocrine, colon and rectal, and general surgery. Some of the surgical procedures offered by Dr. Asham are pancreatic, gastric and biliary cancers as well as access surgery, vascular and peritoneal, for chronic kidney disease patients. Dr. Asham is a leader in LAPAROENDOSCOPIC SINGLE SITE (LESS) SURGERY, a highly advanced surgical approach allowing the removal of diseased

Dr. Garrett K. Peel, Previty’s president and CEO, is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He completed his general surgery training at the world famous Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. A Texas native, Dr. Peel holds medical and public health degrees from the George Washington and Johns Hopkins Universities. He was awarded the Super Doctors® Rising Star for 2015 by Texas Monthly Magazine. Dr. Peel’s surgical expertise includes advanced laparoscopic, single-incision, cancer, breast cancer, gastrointestinal, endocrine, colon and rectal, vein, weight loss and general surgery. When it comes to surgery, choose Previty Clinic.

organs through a small, single-skin incision. Dr. Asham is Previty’s Chief of General, Minimally Invasive and Oncological Surgery.

Dr. Rizwan M. Chaudhry is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and fellowship trained in advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Angela M. Lewis-Traylor is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She serves as Previty’s Chief of Breast Cancer and General Surgery. Dr. Lewis-Traylor received her fellowship in surgical oncology from the University of Louisville Medical Center, James Graham Cancer Center in Louisville, Kentucky. She completed her general surgery training at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Miss., and is a graduate of Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pa. Dr. Lewis-Traylor’s surgical expertise includes advanced laparoscopic, breast cancer and other cancers, gastrointestinal, endocrine, colon and rectal, and general surgery. Included in the surgical procedures offered by Dr. Lewis-Traylor are pancreatic, gastric and biliary cancers.

Previty Clinic is proud to serve your surgical needs right here in the Bay Area. WEBSTER 250 Blossom Street Suite 150 Webster, TX 77598 Phone: 281.724.9423 PASADENA 5030 Crenshaw Road Suite 140 Pasadena, TX 77505 Phone: 281.487.3313

CALL TODAY!

1-844-PREVITY

JUNE 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

By Don Armstrong

chool’s out, parents have made the Teepee motel reservations and that muchneeded, two week summer vacation has arrived, now all that’s needed is a dependable set of wheels. Look no further, we found a couple of crossovers that will surely make the miles click by.

Nissan Murano Near luxury. Different but not overthe-top. Best interior. Do we have your attention yet? If you’ve never considered Nissan, the time for an upclose look is now. Completely redesigned last year,

the 2016 Nissan Murano hits all the sweet spots without paying the luxury price. Its swoopy exterior is different. The narrow hood allows room for the bulging front fenders. Large, artistically designed headlights are cut into the top of the wheel wells. The new-look Nissan grille is bolder, while its rear haunches accentuate a new “floating roof” architecture. The Murano’s interior is just as eye-popping. Nissan calls it the “social lounge,” we call it one of the best. The infotainment system is easy to navigate, the quality of materials is top-notch and those seats; Nissan named them Zero Gravity and they are fabulous. Power comes from a 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 260 horsepower that’s delivered to the front wheels through a best-in-the-business CVT transmission. The combo gets 21 MPG-city and 28-highway. There are four trim levels with pricing starting at $29,660.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

Lexus RX 450h If you are ready to pull the luxury card, why not go all the way with a Lexus hybrid. Despite $2.00 per gallon gas, many think hybrid is the wave of the future. The Lexus RX line is a complete redesign for 2016. The word “polarizing” is THE definitive word when describing the RX’s Dust Buster grille. It looks as though it could suck pedestrians into it, never to be seen again. And like the Murano, it incorporates Lexus’ version of the “floating roof” design. The interior is one of many angles with different materials and colors. The infotainment screen is massive and is perched atop the dash in its own sculpted cove. Control the screen functions with a mouse-like joystick on the center console.

“Ride and handling is a strong suit of the Lexus RX450h.” Ride and handling is a strong suit of the Lexus RX450h. The level of control will give you enough confidence to throw it around a bit for a fun and engaging road trip. The gas/electric combo delivers 300 horsepower to the front wheels and gets a combined 30-mpg. Starts at $52,235

SUMMER TRAVEL

The Adventure of a Lifetime By Haleigh Tieken

ith the coming of summer

right around the corner, families start to look at vacation hotspots for their next trip. There are many continents to explore and the possibilities are endless when

booking a trip. The culture of one city, town, or country that you visit each stand out in their own unique way, making it impossible to forget. From the magnolia trees in the South to the snowcapped mountains of Colorado, there is no going wrong in staying in the states for your summer vacation. The beautiful sandy beaches of Florida all the way to Biloxi, Miss., are always a fun vacation for all. There’s tons of activities for kids as well as tasty seaside restaurants lining the areas around the beach. You can never go wrong with Los Angeles. The California weather is a nice escape from the heat of the Texas sun. LA has plenty of sightseeing adventures such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Universal Studios and Santa Monica Pier. If you like to try new things, the food in LA will never fail to spice up your taste buds.

Restaurants like the Little Sister offer an array of Asian cuisine for those wanting a trendy place to grab a bite. The Ivy, as well, is a favorite due to its tasty traditional American cuisine and frequent sightings of local celebrities and paparazzi’s and well known sundaes. If a trip in the American borders isn’t for you, Mexico and the Caribbean are always on the list. Best known for its whale watching and fine seafood, El Arco Cabo is a great place to take you and your family or lover to. Whether you want to be sprawled under a striped umbrella or dancing underneath the palm trees, this destination surely won’t disappoint. The Sunset Da Mona Lisa is a cliffside restaurant which offers exquisite views of the jutting mountains of Cabo and the royal blue sea just yards beneath you. However,

the pristine turquoise waters of the Caribbean may be more your fit. Islands like the Grand Caymans and the Bahamas are known for their snorkeling and scuba diving adventures. The Grand Caymans offer sting ray tours to the public every day and are highly recommended by the locals. The Bahamas is always a blast since it’s home to the well known Atlantis Resort and Hotel. Multiple slides and attractions have been added on making this a perfect and carefree destination for you and your family. This world has a lot to offer, and one can gain so much knowledge and insight from traveling. Experiencing the cultures, cuisine and attractions can stay with a person forever. Making memories with your family or soulmate in a beautiful location is never a bad place to be in, so enjoy it.

JUNE 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance 2016

lassic car and antique boat enthusiasts from all over the United States explored the grounds of Lakewood Yacht Club April 23-24 for the 21st Annual Keels and Wheels Concours d’Elegance. Keith Martin, publisher of Sports Car Market Magazine and star of the TV program, “What’s My Car Worth,” served as emcee. Martin welcomed over 10,000 attendees, alongside special guest Aaron Shelby, grandson of Carroll Shelby, to experience the beauty and rarity of over 200 hand-selected classic automobiles and vintage wooden boats. The featured vehicles for the 21st Annual Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance included the marques of Duesenberg, concept cars and muscle cars for automobiles.The featured marque for antique boats was Chris Craft Racing Runabouts. The diversity of entries allowed guests to view unique cars and

boats such as the rare 1963 Cobra Dragonsnake race car, a 1921 race boat named Dixie Baby, a one-ofa-kind 1948 Bentley coupe and a dozen concept and prototype cars. The opening of Keels and Wheels April 23 attracted competitors from 17 states and Canada who brought their cherished classic automobiles and wooden boats to the picturesque bay for judging in 60 classes.

The concours boater award ceremony took place Saturday afternoon. Terry Fiest served as the 2015 chief boat judge, alongside several distinguished judges, to award Best in Show for the small boat category to Lorne Leibel of Beverly Hills, Calif., for a beautiful 1921 Ventnor Stepped Hull Racer named Dixie Baby. Judges also prized a spectacular 1896 Bath Iron Works Steam Tender owned by

Richard and Irina Mitchell, of Montgomery,Texas for Best in Show in the big boat category. The Concours reopened to the public for its second day of fun-filled activities on Sunday, April 24. Visitors experienced tours of a 1958 U.S. Naval Academy training boat, test drives and the first showings of several vehicles in the Houston area including the 2017 Lincoln Continental. Children also had a chance to participate hands on in the “Kids Build a Boat” event in which the finished boat with oars was given to one of the participating builders through a raffle drawing. The car award ceremony also took place mid-afternoon where Honorary Chief Car Judge Al Kroemer, Concours Chairman Bob Fuller and Master of Ceremonies Keith Martin awarded Joseph Cantore of Elmhurst, Ill., with the Best of Show - European award for his 1938 Talbot-Lago Figonio and Falaschi Teardrop. Richard and Irina Mitchell of Montgomery won the Best of Show - American award.

Lakewood rolls out the red carpet with new dining room

akewood Yacht Club officially unveiled its newly renovated dining room this spring. Heralding an unprecedented new culinary experience, club members are enjoying waterfront dining in style. Improving on the original 1955 look, the club added new interior features while enhancing the traditions of yachting lifestyle. The expansion includes custom bay window seating along with an adjoining dining space complete with a state-of-the-art audiovisual system featuring a 14’ retractable screen. Setting the bar for exceptional customer service, Lakewood’s Food & Beverage Director John Redfield takes pride in the latest improvements to the dining room. “The facelift was long overdue, and it’s phenomenal. The end result is absolutely stunning.” Members are thrilled with the dining room redesign. As the new look emerged over the past several months, feedback has been unparalleled. The modernized use of space, updated functionality, and enhanced views of the harbor remain the top reasons why club members are pleased with the upgraded developments. Executive Chef Cristy Jones created a one-of-a-kind menu for the ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming diners to the remodeled space. “We make every customer our top priority. Everyone who comes here is No. 1. Whether it’s chicken fried steak or haute cuisine, the menu is always -choose your own adventure.”

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

Exceptional dining and exclusive customer service remain at the heart of the member experience at Lakewood Yacht Club. For more information about dining and club lifestyle, contact Marketing and Membership Development Director Troy Wise at 281-474-2511 or e-mail him at twise@ lakewoodyachtclub.com.

JUNE 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bay Area Houston Magazine to commemorate BAHEP Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership is marking its 40th anniversary with a celebration at the South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center on Sept. 14, 2016. Bay Area Houston Magazine plans to publish a special section in the August 2016 issue to salute BAHEP for its many contributions to our lifestyle and the economic growth it has helped bring to our community. If you would like be a part of this commemorative edition and show your support for BAHEP, call 281-204-9576 for more details.

Lunar Rendezvous Golf Tournament date is changed The Lunar Rendezvous Golf Tournament, originally scheduled for May 23 at Magnolia Creek Golf Club, has been changed to Monday, July 18, with registration at 8 a.m. and a 9 a.m. shotgun start.The golf club is located at 1501 Bay Area Blvd. in League City and a driving range will be available. Breakfast will be served during the 8 a.m. registration and a putting contest is also scheduled. The awards luncheon is at 1 p.m. Door prizes and gift bags also will be presented. Cost for an individual is $150 and $600 for a team of four. The price includes carts and green fees, breakfast and lunch; plus beer, soda and water served on the golf course. Online registration is available at www. lunarrendezvous.org under the tickets tab -- includes credit card payment.

Spring floods

and the effects on summertime fishing By Capt. Joe Kent

t appears that 2016 may be a repeat of the previous year when it comes to springtime floods. In 2015 the flooding came in early June and had a noticeable effect on our summertime fishing. Since June is the month when the summer patterns set in both for inshore and offshore fish, let’s take a look at what took place and try to determine if we will see a repeat situation. In 2015, the deluge of water came a month later than this year; however, all indications are that this year’s flooding involved considerably more water than that of 2015. First, let’s take a look at how the Galveston Bay Complex was affected. Areas in Upper Galveston and Trinity Bays lost practically all of the salinity in their waters, thus driving those fish that we call “salinity sensitive” species, largely speckled trout, toward the passes to the Gulf and the beachfront. Lower Galveston Bay, parts of East Bay and areas around both San Luis Pass and the Galveston-Bolivar Jetties held large numbers of specks all summer.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

“Dorado catches were down and part of the reason was the lack of seaweed in the nearshore Gulf. Was flooding the culprit in keeping the patches and lines of seaweed farther out?” A mild drought from late July to well into September helped return the waters in the upper reaches of the bay systems to near normal and a slow return occurred. By fall, fishing conditions were back to normal and anglers accustomed to the fine fall fishing in Trinity Bay enjoyed a productive season. Several of the fishing guides around the Galveston Bay Complex said that last summer they experienced some of the best trout action in years as a result of the concentrations in the lower extremities of Galveston Bay. How was the offshore fishing affected? When the big push of

water occurred in early June, it was at a time when the pelagic fish were making their way to their summer homes closer to shore. From early June until sometime past Labor Day, schools of king mackerel, ling and Dorado could be found within easy range of the smaller fleet of boats commonly called the Mosquito Fleet. When all of the runoffs hit the Gulf, it was during this annual migration and a large number of our pelagic fish headed farther out into the deeper, more salinity-balanced waters and remained there most of the season.

Most of the Mosquito Fleet fishermen reported slower action during the summer of 2015, as the range for most of the boats is less than 50 miles from shore. Dorado catches were down and part of the reason was the lack of seaweed in the nearshore Gulf. Was flooding the culprit in keeping the patches and lines of seaweed farther out? It possibly was. Now, what does our crystal ball say for this summer? For inshore fishermen, expect to see a continuation of the pattern of last year. If little rain falls during the early part of the summer, salinity levels in the upper reaches of the bay systems should return to normal. If so, expect to see speckled trout action to return to those areas later in the summer. On the offshore scene, many of us are hopeful that most of the flood waters will have dissipated by June and allow a normal migration of our summertime fish to the nearshore waters. The key to this will be a normal pattern of rain for May and June. If more heavy rain comes, then we could see a rerun of last year’s fishing patterns.

[BAY AREA HOUSTON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP]

BAHEP gets update on the area economy

BAHEP’s annual State of the Economy Luncheon gets underway at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook.

Boeing Vice President and General Manager John Elbon, the 2016 BAHEP chairman of the board, chuckles as he talks to the luncheon crowd.

State Rep. Dennis Paul, left, is happy to see Houston City Council Member Dave Martin as he arrives at the BAHEP luncheon at Lakewood Yacht Club.

BAHEP President Bob Mitchell, left, welcomes Galveston County Commissioner Ken Clark and SSCI Environmental and Consulting Services President Helen Hodges to the State of the Economy Luncheon.

Barbara Cutsinger, BAHEP marketing manager, shares a light moment with Mark McKim, left, and Seth McKim at the State of the Economy Luncheon.

Port Commissioner John Kennedy says hello to Marsh Darcy Partners President Sue Darcy at the BAHEP State of the Economy Luncheon.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

Dr. Robert Gilmer, director of the Institute for Regional Forecasting at the University of Houston Bauer College of Business, updates BAHEP on the regional economy and offering projections on global oil prices in the coming years during luncheon at Lakewood Yacht Club.

Brooke Jimenez, State Sen. Larry Taylor’s district director, talks with Dr. Bix Rathburn, Galveston County director of economic development, as they await the start of BAHEP’s State of the Economy Luncheon.

[MARITIME & PETROCHEMICAL]

including San Jacinto College, which launched its Maritime Education Program in 2010. Initially, the program offered non-credit courses for working mariners looking to upgrade certifications and obtain U.S. Coast Guard licensing requirements. Since 2012, the college has offered the state’s first and only associate degree program in maritime transportation.

Cargo Drops Slightly Even though nearly three million tons of cargo moved across Port of Houston docks in February, the facility experienced a decline of nearly 12 percent in general cargo for the period. Port Executive Director Roger Guenther said the drop was caused primarily by a decline in import steel. On the flip side, container volume held steady, posting an uptick of about one percent. “At the same time last year, loaded container volume was up nearly 18 percent thanks to the diversion of cargo from the West Coast. We experienced a decline of about two percent during the first two months of 2016, which demonstrates that we have successfully retained a tremendous amount of the business that was diverted,” Guenther said.

New Service Sets Sail

Jobs Aplenty Report shows Port of Houston maintains prime economic driver status By Rod Evans

recently released report confirms what many employers and corporations doing business in Southeast Texas have understood for years: The Port of Houston is a veritable spring gushing maritime jobs. The study by PricewaterhouseCoopers and commissioned by the American Maritime Partnership indicates the port ranks second behind New Orleans in the U.S. for domestic maritime jobs. The study also indicates the maritime industry as a whole has an economic impact of nearly $8 billion across the state. Powered by the job generating capacity of the port region, the study shows Texas ranks third among the states in maritime jobs. The domestic maritime industry, comprised of the vessels that transport cargo between American ports, provides more than 39,000 maritime jobs in Texas with $2.3 billion in worker income, according to the report. “The domestic maritime industry in Texas is important not just for the good jobs it provides and the critical role it plays in keeping our petrochemical industry functioning efficiently, but also because it is a critical link in our homeland and border security,” Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said in a release. “Tens of thousands of security-screened American seafarers who crew the hundreds of tugs, towboats, barges and offshore supply boats

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

working all along the Texas coast help keep terrorists away from our border and our critical petrochemical infrastructure.” The report states that across the nation, the domestic maritime industry includes approximately 40,000 vessels, which support 478,440 jobs, and have an annual economic impact of $92.5 billion, according to the Transportation Institute’s findings. Nationally, the industry also accounts for approximately $29 billion in wages and $10 billion in tax revenues. The Port of Houston and the ship channel region in general has been a major economic driver for the region and the state practically from the moment it was carved and dredged from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico over 100 years ago. The Port of Houston, a 25-mile long complex of over 150 public industrial terminals and part of the 52-mile Houston Ship Channel, is one of the world’s busiest ports, with more than 200 million tons of cargo carried by over 8,000 vessels and 200,000 barges moving through the complex each year. A 2015 study by Martin Associates indicates ship channel related businesses contribute over 1.7 million jobs throughout the state, an increase of over one million jobs cited in a similar 2012 study. The enormous commerce moving across the port’s docks results in a statewide economic impact of about $264.9 billion and $5 billion in state and local tax revenues. But aside from the sheer numbers, the full story of the impact of the port region can only be fully told by considering the lives of the countless workers— from tugboat captains, to dock workers, to shipping and transportation executives—who depend on the health of the maritime industry for their livelihood. Providing education and training for this army of skilled workers requires the dedicated efforts of several companies and organizations in the region,

The first sailing in a new direct all-water container service between the Gulf of Mexico and Asia, a partnership between Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC), departed Asia for Houston on May 2. The new service, what’s called the 2M Alliance, features the Lone Star Express by the MSC and TP18 by Maersk. Houston is the first U.S. inbound port call, with the Lone Star/TP 18 Gulf service to have a rotation of Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Yantian, Busan, Cristobal, Houston, Mobile and Miami. Officials say the estimated transit time to Houston is about 26 days from Yantian and 23 days from Busan, with the vessels utilized having a capacity of nearly 4,500 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). “The Port of Houston Authority is pleased that the service focuses heavily on the Port of Houston,” Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria said. “The Houston region is a growth market due to increased demand for import consumer goods and the boom in plastic resin exports in the next few years.” Guenther said the new service will enhance existing weekly Asian services operated by CMA. CGM, COSCO and Hanjin currently calling on the port. “We will continue to expand our Bayport container terminal and upgrade our Barbours Cut container terminal to meet the growing demands of our customers,” he said. “These additional TransPacific all-water services demonstrate our ability to provide a cost-effective supply chain option connecting Asia to local and key Midwest markets via the Gulf of Mexico.” The Port of Houston Authority is the largest container port in the Gulf of Mexico and handles about two-thirds of all the containers that move through the gulf. In 2015, the Port Authority handled more than two million TEUs for the first time in its history, while also setting a record for tonnage, with over 30.5 million tons of cargo handled at its various facilities.

Texas Legislature and state agencies, and provides services to council members. TCC staff members focus the vast technical expertise of membercompany employees through an established committee structure to give effective input to the legislative and regulatory processes. Can you explain what you do at TCC? I serve as General Counsel to the organization and represent our industry to legislators and regulators by advocating on behalf of the overall interests of the chemical industry in Texas.

MARTHA LANDWEHR Interviewed by Michelle Hundley n this month’s young professional profile, we sat down with Martha Landwehr, General Counsel for the Texas Chemical Council, a statewide trade association of chemical manufacturing facilities in Texas. Currently, 68 member companies produce vital products for our way of life, fulfill educational and quality-of-life needs and provide employment and career opportunities for more than 74,000 Texans at over 200 separate facilities across the state. Their combined economic activity sustains nearly a half-million jobs for Texans. Tell us more about the Texas Chemical Council. Organized in 1953, the Texas Chemical Council (TCC) was the country’s first state trade association that represented the chemical industry’s common interests at the state level. The primary concern then was to present a unified position on the issue of taxes being proposed on the industry. As the chemical industry grew in size and importance to Texas, TCC expanded to represent the Texas chemical industry in many other important areas such as environmental protection, health and safety issues, tort reform and energy policy. Each TCC member company appoints a top executive to serve as a liaison with the association. The business and affairs of the Council are managed by a Board of Directors whose members are chosen from among these member-company representatives. TCC maintains a full-time Austin office with a professional staff that work with the

This is a specialized job and group, were you always interested in the chemical industry? No, I initially wanted to study journalism. In high school, I worked on the yearbook and was involved in the school’s broadcast media initiatives. We had daily, current event news broadcasts for the school. In college I began taking classes in journalism. I liked focusing on communications but became interested in government, too. I liked how government was the intersection of history, philosophy, and human behavior. I was also able to dig a little bit deeper into the historical aspects of government and the social patterns of people, much more than journalism allowed; which really fascinated me. At the end of the day, government relations is about people and how we interface with each other. I think that is why I enjoy it so much. It sounds like you are interested in people and their relationships. Is that what led you to law school? Actually, timing and circumstance led me to law school. I graduated with my undergraduate degree in December of 2008. Unfortunately, it was in the middle of the great recession. I knew I wanted to go to graduate school because I really didn’t see a steady future with a bachelor’s degree, or even a master’s degree, in government. I considered different graduate school opportunities such as studying urban design or receiving master’s degree in public policy.. I finally came to the conclusion, that although I knew I didn’t want to practice law, a law degree would provide the best flexibility and open the most doors with numerous opportunities. I have learned over the years that you often adapt and change. We live in a transitional state; and we have to quickly adapt to be successful. I received my undergraduate degree from UT-Austin, so it made sense to go to law school there too. I loved how it was a reflection of the relationships between various people and you can identify what the relationship is through the law. Again,

it really fed into my love of people and relationships. So, why aren’t you practicing traditional courtroom law? I did have the opportunity to complete an internship with Judge Lee Yeakel, U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas while a second year law student. I really enjoyed the opportunity to see how the court system works. It was a wonderful learning experience, but I knew pretty quickly that wasn’t what I wanted to do. It was my third year in law school that I was provided the opportunity to participate in the Legislative Lawyering Law Clinic with Professor Hugh Brady. The Clinic is designed to teach law students how to become effective legislative lawyers. Legislative lawyers combine substantive legal knowledge with political understanding to produce good law and good policy while advancing their clients’ goals. After that opportunity I worked for the Texas House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources as a legal analyst. It was there that I learned the importance of expanding your network. I had to rely on other people to provide me with the information I needed to share with the committee. I quickly had to distinguish between a source I could legitimately rely on and a source I could not rely on, as well as identify who were truly subject matter experts. It was a great exercise on efficient networking. What is your biggest challenge at the TCC? Being General Counsel you get to dive in an inch deep and a mile wide. There are just a vast number of issues that our industry is involved in or faced with. It really is difficult at times to have the time and opportunity to really dig in deep into a specific issue. This is where I rely on my networking skills and the contacts I made while working on the committee. Another challenge is the subject matter. I am not a chemical engineer, and so learning the language of what happens at these facilities is a huge challenge. But, I really am fascinated by the industry and I love to learn about them. In addition, our members are so gracious and generous with information. They are always willing to lend a hand and explain the nuances of their industry to me. We have fantastic members! What do you love most about your job? I love how it is extremely dynamic. I get the opportunity to wear a different hat every day, work with a huge number of people, play different roles, interface with regulators and

legislative members, and all the folks in the plants that live and breathe these issues every day. We have so many subject matter experts that have history in these plants and within the industry. I often act as an interpreter between the regulators, legislators, and facility experts at times. For example, I would take what an engineer says, filter it through a legal perspective and then communicate it to a staff member, regulator, etc. I feel that I am identifying relationships and helping them develop further. It’s satisfying to know that what I do makes a difference. Do you have any advice you would like to share with other young professionals that may be interested in this subject matter or area? First, this is a highly technical and complex area. Be aware that people you first meet are always skeptical of your competence. Just embrace it - understand you don’t need to overcompensate for that, be somewhat vulnerable to people and lean out and reach out for help. But keep in mind you do need to be well versed and schooled up the subject matter to your abilities, so utilize your resources. People like to feel that they are helpful, so ask. If you don’t know something, own up to it. Don’t be a know-it-all to show your knowledge, be humble about your knowledge and ask for help when you need it and grateful when you receive it. Second, in my case, this industry is still predominantly male, and the legislative world can also be a bit challenging. So, you need to have not just a mentor, but a promoter. I am really lucky to have such a great boss! He does that for me; he leads the way, not only in making business connections, but he also regularly shows he has confidence in me and my abilities in front of others. When I first started here, I was not fully familiar with the chemical industry. Now, I can’t express how much respect I have for this industry. How complex the processes are, and how hard everyone in the industry works, and how much they take what they do to heart. I often feel it falls on deaf ears to people who aren’t familiar with the industry. Yes, it is inherently dangerous, but people in the industry take everything personally and take full responsibility for everything they do. I’ve learned so much and have the utmost respect for everyone I have encountered. I am blessed to be a part of this world. For more on the Texas Chemical Council: http://www.txchemcouncil.com/ For more on the Interviewer: https://www. linkedin.com/in/michellehundley

JUNE 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

League City Rotary brings home awards The Rotary Club of League City was honored recently at the District 5910 Conference at The La Torretta Resort at Lake Conroe. Birda Gaskin took home the First Place award for the fantastic weekly bulletin she puts together for the club. Dr. Elizabeth Robinson was recognized for her work as an assistant district governor supporting the League City, Dickinson and Mainland clubs this Rotary Year. Betsy Birda Gaskin was also presented the Avenue of Service Award for her dedication to Rotary International, District 5910 and her home club. Other honors the club received at the event included the Membership Achievement Award for Number of New Members for Small Clubs and Second Highest Percentage of Net Gain in Membership in the district. League City Rotary’s Mobile Food Distribution Truck also was highlighted as a district service project as a model to engage the community in joint projects and won The Presidential Citation Gold Award. Rotary brings together a global network of volunteers dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members from more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and regions. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit Rotary.org The Rotary Club of League City was chartered Jan. 14, 1980. It meets at noon every Thursday at South Shore Harbor Resort in League City. The club is a member of Rotary International whose motto in “Service Above Self.” For additional information, visit the club’s website www. leaguecityrotary.com or contact President Amy Killgore at Amy. killgore@gmail.com

League City unveils plans for downtown redevelopment By Mary Alys Cherry

eague City officials plan to turn the community’s downtown area into “a return to yesteryear” -- a place of beauty and charm that would draw families out on weekends, to enjoy their city, along with tourists and residents from neighboring communities. The proposed Downtown Redevelopment Plan was unveiled before a crowd of about 200 at the May 10 City Council meeting by City Manager Mark Rohr, after working for months to draw up residents’ vision of what they wanted their city to be. The targeted area runs from Highway 3 down Main Street to Iowa and along Park Avenue and includes League Park, the stately Butler Oaks, Founder’s Square, Helen’s Garden, Butler’s Museum, the One-Room Schoolhouse, Walding Station, Butler’s Courtyard and the revitalized period homes.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

Most everyone, including Mayor Pat Hallisey and the City Council, seemed pleased with the presentation, although two or three residents expressed some apprehension over a couple of items in the plan – such as relocation of a basketball court and the project’s overall cost, which is expected to be about $10.4 million. “Much of the money needed is already in the city budget,” Rohr explained, adding that he thinks a great deal of the project could be accomplished in a year, “if City Council approves,” which it did later in the evening, authorizing $895,400 for an agreement with Huitt-Zollars Inc. for planning and design services related to the plan. Some parts of the project include:  Main Street, from Highway 3 to Park Avenue -- adding an entryway with a gateway sign, pedestrian crossings, improved parking, enhanced streetscaping, buried/relocated overhead

utilities, use of historic roadway markers, benches and bike stations along the sidewalks, hanging flower baskets and decorative street signage.  A League Park re-do, carrying out the theme, adding more shrubs, a fountain, a water plaza/ splash park, installing a stage for live performances and events, relocating the caboose, plus redevelopment of office space for restaurant use.  Park Avenue’s intersection with Main Street getting a new look – new pavement, greenery, hanging baskets, more parking, new street lighting – including the Blue Building, which would be redeveloped as retail and with a shared parking garage.  Adding a farmer’s market. Explaining that League City derived 82 percent of its budget from residential taxes, 18.1 percent from commercial and 1 percent from industrial, Rohr said he felt “we need to get

some help with our tax burden.” He is hopeful the new look will draw new business to the city. Downtown redevelopment was identified as one of the key short term goals in the city’s “Roadmap to The Future” by the City Council and community in 2015, Rohr told the crowd, explaining that residents said they wanted to focus on redeveloping the city’s downtown area during an envisioning workshop held on Jan. 24, 2015. During the workshop, League City residents submitted ideas to City Council, which then ranked the projects to create a strategic vision for the city. The projects were then grouped into short-term, mid-term and long-term goals to create the city’s “Roadmap to the Future,” which was officially ratified on Feb. 24, 2015, Rohr said. The proposed redevelopment plan is posted on the city’s website.

JUNE 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

[SNAPSHOTS]

The DAR’s Sam Houston Chapter has honored several Bay Area students with its Good Citizen awards. Here, Daughters of the American Revolution Regent Flora Calaway and Scholarship Chairman Nolie Mayo, from left, congratulate seniors Christine Newman, Clear Falls High; Isabel Huntsman, Clear Creek High; Cristian Cruz, Clear Springs High; Elizabeth Allcorn, Bay Area Christian; Meaghan Bryan, Clear Lake High; and Good Citizen Scholarship winner Daniel Mina, Clear Horizons High. Brooke Lemley, Clear Brook High, is absent from the photo.

These five Bay Area seniors were each the recipient of an $8,000 four-year scholarship awarded by Clear Lake Area Panhellenic. They are, from left, Camilla Busselberg, Clear Lake High; Gabrielle Le, Friendswood High; Madison Irving and Anna Lassmann of Clear Springs High; and Angelia Wu of Clear Lake High. Amber Hurd of Friendswood High is absent from the photo. Since 1967 more than $500,000 has been awarded by Clear Lake Panhellenic to deserving young women.

Kemah Lions Club Secretary Elma Garcia, from left, Assistance League Vice President Sarah Foulds, Kemah Lions Club President Tom LaSanta, Past-President Bill Kerber and Assistance League Operation School Bell Chairman Cindy Senger-Lewis take part in the presentation of the National School Bell Award to the Kemah club.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

League City Police Officer Jason Jones, right, poses with Sgt. Eric Cox after receiving The Fifty Club of Galveston County “Officer of the Year” Award for outstanding performance while serving during 2015-2016. Over the past year, Officer Jones has made 72 misdemeanor and 19 felony arrests.

City Managers Jason Reynolds of Nassau Bay, left, and Gayle Cook of Seabrook say hello to guest speaker Harris County Commissioner Jack Morman as they arrive at the BayTran luncheon at the Houston Marriott South.

Harris County Commissioner Jack Morman, third from left, finds himself surrounded by Port of Houston officials as he arrives at the recent BayTran luncheon at the Hotel Marriott South. With him are, from left, POHA Freight Mobility Manager Bruce Mann, Port Commissioner John Kennedy, Chief Legal Officer Erik Eriksson, Port Government Relations Director Spencer Chambers and Community Relations Officer Garret Berg.

Lunar Rendezvous princesses, lieutenants to reign over festival By Mary Alys Cherry

he 2016 Lunar Rendezvous

princesses and lieutenants have been named, along with the little ladies in waiting and pages. They will reign over this summer’s 51st Annual Lunar Rendezvous Festival, which has the theme, “Launching the Next Legacy.” They will be presented, with their parents at both the Lunar Rendezvous Fashion Show and the Lunar Rendezvous Coronation Ball at the Galveston Convention Center in late July. This year’s princesses – all area high school students – and their parents are: Sarah Adams, daughter of Renee Adams and Jary Adams; Ashlynn Arnold, Kathy and Art Arnold Jr.; Ellie Bacon, Amy and Robert Bacon; Samantha Burkett, Melissa and Russell Burkett; Kylie Cheak, Brandi and David Cheak; Madelyn Chidester, Lisa and Steven Barnes and Edmund Chidester; Elliott Clause, Tracy and Ritchie Clause; Jenigh Coleman, Yvette and Dean Coleman; Natalie Cortes, Jenille and Frank Junco; Jessica Crain, Melissa and Dr. Timothy Crain; Caroline Curran, Roseline and Ed Curran; Gracie Dearmond, Rhonda Dearmond and Priscilla and Kenneth Dearmond; Allison Denman, Diana and Mark Denman; Jenna Faulkner, Jeanette and Paul Faulkner; Brianna Ferreira, Karen and Frank Ferreira; Peyton Foster, Tisa and Dr. Mitch Foster; Maddy Fougerousse, Jennifer and Dr. Stacey Gibbons; Alexandra Freeman, Christine Cockrell and Donald Freeman; Meagan Gonzalez, LoreneCino Gonzalez and Chris Munoz; Sydney Gurry, Kim and Jay Gurry; Emily Jue, Julie and Glenn Jue; Hannah Kapfer, Michelle and Andy Kapfer; Sydney LaCroix, Gwenda LaCroix and Trey LaCroix; Lindsay Lehman, Vanessa and Troy Lehman; Amaya Lynch, Angela and Marques Lynch Sr.; Emily Mahon, Kelly Mahon and John Mahon; Jessica McCarty, Elizabeth and Bill McCarty; Bailey Minter, Laura Conley and Bruce Minter; Madelyn Moulder, Debra and Kenneth Moulder; Haley Nash, Melissa and Jim Finerd and Kimberly and Steven Nash; Lexie Olson, Pamela and Alan Olson and Chris Olson; Mara Pavlosky, Deb and James Pavlosky; Raagan Poole Smith, Gail and Trent Singleton; Rachel

Family Fun Night Chairman Becky Hensley, right, and Co-Chairman Page Rander hope to have a big crowd at the Putt-Putt Fun House in Webster Monday, June 6.

Prochazka, Mary Ellen and Scott Prochazka; Lauren Radcliffe, Suzanne Radcliffe and Barry Radcliffe; Riley Rankin, Kristin and Cliff Rankin; Nicole Rapacki, Adrienne and Scott Rapacki; Abigail Robbins, Shannon and Cliff Robbins III; Justice Robinson, Kimberley and Loni Robinson; Taylor Rutherford, Deborah Rutherford; Madison Rylant, Christine and Darren Rylant; Frances Seavey, Melody and Jeff Seavey; Alexandra Simmons, Virginia and Robert Simmons Jr.; Mikala Smith, Madia Smith, Kathy and Dr. Michael E. Smith; Hannah Sukkar, Laura and Dr. Sam Sukkar; Alexa Trevino, Alice and Rey Trevino; Victoria Venable, Stacy and James Venable; Inessa Voor, Janet and Joseph Voor; Catherine Weber, Karen and Richard Weber; Brinkley Welty, Lisa and Richard Welty; Casey Williams, Dene and David Williams; Avery Wood, Laurie Wood and Derek Wood; and Morgan Wren, Dene and Barry Wren. The 2016 lieutenants and their parents are: Alex Bradley, son of Karla and Michael Bradley; Quaylon Conley, Laura Conley and Michael Conley; Maxwell Finch, Petra and Gregory Finch; Corey Flanagan, Kim and David Flanagan; Miles Hallberg, Haydee Patricia and Guy Charles Hallberg; Daniel LeBlanc, Michelle and Dr. Troy LeBlanc; Dylan McMahan, Christine and Mark Williams; Nick Petitti, Marie Woods Petitti and Greg Petitti; Cole Smith, Alicia and Lance Smith; Alex Struss, Delicia and Alex Struss; Cade Talley, Judy and Chris Talley; Matthew Tamburello, Gina Tamburello and Jerry Tamburello. Members of the Little Court are Amelia June Byrd, Alexis Nichol, Kendall Hensley, Jilly Davis and Patrick Byrd. JUNE 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith, center, congratulates the district’s Elementary Teacher of the Year Kristi Roney and Secondary Teacher of the Year Dale Jensen during Rotary Teacher of the Year Luncheon May 16 at South Shore Harbour Resort.

CCISD honors Teachers of the Year By Mary Alys Cherry

orty-four Clear

Creek ISD teachers were honored and two were named Teachers of the Year when three Bay Area Rotary Clubs hosted a luncheon May 16 at South Shore Harbour Resort to celebrate excellence in education. Dale Jensen, CCISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Year, was cited for his caring and compassionate demeanor and always being one to go above and beyond to help anyone in need. He has been a math teacher for more than 17 years and teaches 9th through 12th grade students at Clear View High. Jensen, is devoted to working with his students one-on-one and showing them the patience needed to help them achieve their goals. Falcon Pass fifth grade math and science teacher

Kristi Roney, the district’s Elementary Teacher of the Year, has taught both third and fifth grades in her 10 years as an educator. She is dedicated to engaging her students within the classroom and having them walk out feeling successful each day. A product herself of CCISD, Roney has become a leader within both her school and the district. They both also happen to be under the leadership of the 2016 CCISD Principals of the Year, Monica Giuffre of Falcon Pass Elementary and Michael Houston of Clear View High School. When their names were called out by CCISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith, they were greeted with thunderous applause from the crowd of several hundred educators, Rotarians, elected officials and members of the business community who came to honor those who

Rotary Club Presidents John Branch of the Space Center, Amy Kilgore of League City and Scott Stillman of Seabrook prepare to address the crowd at the Rotary Teacher of the Year Luncheon at South Shore Harbour Resort.

mean so much in our lives. Besides the two winners, others finalists for the key honor were Bonnie Jeffcoat of Sandra Mossman Elementary, Stephanie Hirsch of North Pointe Elementary, Katie Batenhorst of Clear Creek High and Tiara Toney of Clear Creek Intermediate. Roney and Jensen will now move forward to the regional selection process. They each received $1,750 from the Rotary Clubs. The other finalists received $750 each.

Goforth Elementary Bayside Intermediate Carissa Petersen Jason Mummert Greene Elementary Brookside Intermediate Elizabeth Wallace Sheryl Swiggert Hall Elementary Clear Creek Intermediate Susan Johnson Tiara Toney Hyde Elementary Clear Lake Intermediate Melissa Hoover Tracy Johnson Landolt Elementary Creekside Intermediate Alyssa Rollins Staci Weber League City Elementary League City Intermediate Shelly Delaney Jennifer Campbell McWhirter Elementary Seabrook Intermediate Margo Lewallen Matthew Risoldi Mossman Elementary Space Center Intermediate Bonnie Jeffcoat Laura Ozinga North Pointe Elementary Victory Lakes Intermediate Stephanie Hirsch Darlene Schlitzberger Campus Teachers Parr Elementary Westbrook Intermediate of the Year April Guseman Jennifer Kernohan Robinson Elementary Clear Brook High School Armand Bayou Elementary Angie Lohman Angela Vong Deborah Morgenthaler Ross Elementary Clear Creek High School Bauerschlag Elementary Carol Brunson Katie Batenhorst Molly Malloy Stewart Elementary Clear Falls High School Bay Elementary Priscilla Thompson Kurt Oian Megan Tietz Ward Elementary Clear Horizons Early College Brookwood Elementary Shirin Jalufka Natandra McGill Betty Fishback Weber Elementary Clear Lake High School Clear Lake City Elementary Miriam Cortes Bryan Buffaloe Emily Tyler Wedgewood Elementary Clear Path High School Falcon Pass Elementary Melissa Thornton Molly Kistler Kristi Roney Whitcomb Elementary Clear Springs High School Ferguson Elementary Ma Corazon Estrada Candice Thibodeaux Tammy Cornor White Elementary Clear View High School Gilmore Elementary Tamiko Brown Dale Jensen Brenda Isom

2 0 1 6 C C I S D G raduation D ates

Clear Falls High School

Clear Springs High School

Clear Brook High School

Clear View High School

Clear Lake High School

Clear Horizons High School

Clear Creek High School

Wednesday, June 1 CCISD Challenger Columbia Stadium 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 2, CCISD Challenger Columbia Stadium 7:30 p.m.

Friday, June 3 CCISD Challenger Columbia Stadium 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 4 Clear Springs High School Gymnasium 2 p.m.

Saturday, June 4 CCISD Challenger Columbia Stadium 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 5 Clear Springs High School Gymnasium 2 p.m.

Sunday, June 5 CCISD Challenger Columbia Stadium 7:30 p.m.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

Some duties a surprise to new sheriff

Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre announces plans for the coming year

By Mary Alys Cherry

eing sheriff of Harris County is no piece of cake. In fact, it was quite an eye opener for Ron Hickman when he was chosen to fill the vacant post. Not only does he oversee some 9,000 “guests” each day, there are bills to pay, their medical and psychiatric care, directing his force of deputies as they track the bad guys, keeping an eye on how his $462 million budget is spent and much, much more, he told members of Space Center Rotary at their recent luncheon at Bay Oaks Country Club. Explaining that his 25-member senior staff has 600 years of experience, he describes some of his duties. “We run a small hotel with 9,000 guests, but we have to feed them.” The cost of eggs alone was quite a shock for the new sheriff. “I wrote a check of $600,000! And, we serve 9.7 million meals each year. The law says I have to feed the inmates and provide them with medical care.” All new inmates are screened “at the front door,” he continued – catching a lot of undiagnosed problems. “When they’re busy breaking into cars, they don’t have time to go to the doctor,” he joked, adding that the taxpayer then becomes responsible for their medical problems.”

A new sheriff was the town the other day – Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman, center, who came down to Clear Lake to speak at the Space Center Rotary Club luncheon at Bay Oaks Country Club. Here, Rotary President John Branch, right, and Precinct 8 Constable and Rotary member Phil Sandlin thank him for coming.

Besides his “hotel,” he says he runs a pretty sizeable hospital with two psychiatrists providing inmates with medical care at a cost of some $22 million annually. Hickman says 2,243 of his inmates are on mental health drugs with 84 diagnosed as acute. “We want them taking those drugs, cause I want them happy,” he chuckled before turning to the more serious matter of the inmate who stayed locked in his filthy cell for many days, lying in his own feces last year before Hickman became sheriff. “We settled for $400,000.” Only about 750 deputies are in law

CCISD students big winners at International Science Fair

wo Clear Creek ISD high school students recently presented their science fair projects at the week-long Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Ariz., and came out victorious. Syamantak Payra of Clear Brook High received the Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award and a $50,000 scholarship for developing a low-cost electronically-aided knee brace that allows an individual with a weakened leg to walk more naturally. He also won the Best of

Category Award and First Place in the Embedded Systems Category with $5,000 cash award, a $3,000 cash award, and a $1,000 grant to Clear Brook. Plus, an Honorable Mention

enforcement, he said, explaining how his budget was split into three parts – patrol, detention and medical. Problems? The sheriff thinks law enforcement needs to “find ways to work together, if we’re going to be more efficient and more effective.” And, bring all police agencies together. Another problem is bonding out of jail. “A kid who steals cigarettes can’t afford the bond but a drug dealer can. So who’s the risk?” he asked as he said goodbye and headed back to his “hotel.”

certificate through the International Council on Systems Engineering organization. Kavita Selva of Clear Lake High took home third place and $1,000 in the Physical Energy Category for her project on High Power Wind Turbine Generators. She also won a special award of $500 from the Patent and Trademark Office Society. “Syamantak and Kavita are two rock star students who reflect the tremendous talent and the strong spirit of discovery in CCISD,” said Dr. Greg Smith, superintendent of schools. “I congratulate their hard work, and the hard work of all CCISD science fair entries at the district, state and international levels, and hope they will continue to inspire others to pursue their passions in the area of STEM education.”

Forty years into their history, the Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre is about to embark on another exciting chapter. Their rehearsal space will be moved to a new location, while proudly keeping their performance home at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. The new space will provide an ample area for their professional dancers and BAHBT Company members to train and rehearse. In addition to office space, it will also accommodate their vast costume collection, along with a sewing room for design, construction and fittings. The new rehearsal space is located at 2350 Dickinson Ave. in Dickinson, right off Highway 646. The completion date is estimated to be in mid-July. The BAHBT Board of Directors also announced the 2016-2017 Season, aptly named Variances. The first major production will be Dracula, Oct. 14 – 16. Next will be The Nutcracker for two weekends in December. A spring performance, entitled Pasión, promises to be a crowd pleaser. Among other events will be the annual Breakfast with the Sugar Plum Fairy on Nov. 19 at South Shore Harbour Resort, as well as a shortened version of last season’s Cinderella, to be performed in area schools. The non-profit Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre will have open auditions for dancers from all around the area who are interested in quality, semi-professional dancing and in training with extraordinary teachers. Go to its website, www.bahbt. org for instructions for video auditions due in mid-May. Other dates to remember are The Nutcracker auditions Aug. 20, and the BAHBT Season Kickof in early September. BAHBT can be contacted via e-mail at office@bahbt.org or by calling 281 480-1617.

JUNE 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

[ LET US ENTERTAIN YOU! ]

Ellington hopes its spaceport becomes a world class hub CLEAR LAKE UHCL registration underway. UHCL students can register for the first session of summer school through June 5 and by June 11 for the second session. Class schedules are available online at www.uhcl.edu/admissions For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at 281-283-2500 Rotary to hear Jacobs chief June 13. Jacobs- Clear Lake Senior Vice President and General Manager Lon Miller will address the Monday, June 13 luncheon meeting of Space Center Rotary at Bay Oaks Country Club Welcome Neighbors June 16. Bay Area Welcome Neighbors Club, will meet Thursday, June 16 for a luncheon at Bay Oaks Country Club. For reservations, contact Nancy Guthrie at 281.333.3055. Genealogy is June 24 topic. Bay Area Genealogical Society will meet Friday, June 24 at 7 p.m. in the University Baptist Church chapel, 16106 Middlebrook Drive, Coffee at 6:30 p.m. For information, visit www. TxBayAreaGen.org. The public is invited.

DEER PARK Chamber luncheon June 23. The Deer Park Chamber will host its monthly luncheon Thursday, June 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For reservations,email naomi@ deerparkchamber.org or call 281-4791559.

DICKINSON On stage at Harbour Playhouse. The musical comedy, Murders of 1940, is playing at the Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, 3803 Hwy 3, through June 12. For reservations, call 281-337-7469 or email www.harbourplayhouse.com

HOUSTON BayTran luncheon June 22. Gary Trietsch, executive director of the Harris County Toll Road Authority, will be the guest speaker at the Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, at the Hobby Marriott South, 9100 Gulf Freeway. For reservations, visit president@ baytran.org or call 832-771-0773.

LEAGUE CITY Chamber luncheon June 10. The League City Regional Chamber will get legislative updates from State Sen. Larry Taylor, Congressman

Randy Weber and State Rep. Dr. Greg Bonnen at its Friday, June 10 luncheon from 11:30 to 1 p.m. in South Shore Harbour Resort’s Marina Plaza Ballroom. For reservations, call the chamber, 281-338-7339 City Hall in the Park June 21. League City will host City Hall in the Park from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 21, at Hometown Heroes Park, 2105 Dickinson Ave. Family Fun Night June 24. Fun activities for the whole family in Hometown Heroes Park, 1001 E. League City Parkway: Dive In Movie, live music, hot concession stand food and open gym (basketball, volleyball, etc.). Open swim at new Fast Track water slide. $8 for residents; $12 for non-residents. Contact ryan. stevenson@leaguecity.com for more information. Chamber luncheon June 29. The Clear Lake Area Chamber will host CCISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith, San Jac Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer and UHCL President Dr. Bill Staples for an educational forum at its 11:30 a.m. luncheon, Wednesday, June 29 at South Shore Harbour Resort. For reservations, call the chamber, 281-488-7676.

SEABROOK Swin lessons start June 14. The City of Seabrook plans to provide two sessions of swim lessons this summer at the city pool at 1109 Hammer St. and is accepting applications. Dates for the First Session are June 14-16 and 21-23, and classes begin at 9 a.m. Each session includes six 40-minute swim lessons. Lessons will be offered at the beginner level (ages four to seven) and intermediate level (ages eight to 11). Each class will admit up to 15 students. Each session is $40 for Seabrook residents and $60 for nonresidents. For more information, check out seabrooktx.gov/pool

WEBSTER Family Fun Night June 6. Take your family to the Putt-Putt Fun House, 806 E. NASA Parkway, just east of Highway 3, for Lunar Rendezvous’ Family Fun Night at 6 p.m., Monday, June 6. There’s Putt-Putt Golf, Laser Tag, Bumper Boats, Bumper Cars, 3D Motion Theater, a Rock Climbing Wall, Ballocity, Mini Bowling, Lazer Frenzy, Time Freak, Eye Play, plus food. For tickets, which are $25$35 each, visit the website, www. lunarrendezvous.org

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2016

By Mary Alys Cherry

s Ellington Airport nears its 100th anniversary, it is also making plans for opening the nation’s 10th spaceport – a center for spaceflight, research and development. The general plan for the Houston Spaceport is horizontal launches out over the gulf for reusable launch vehicles, Spaceport General Manager Arthuro Machuca said, explaining how the launches will work as they:  Take off in typical jet engine fashion Houston Spaceport Manager Arturo Machuca, right, prepares to speak to Space Center Rotary Club  Head to Gulf of members, as Rotarian Mike Porterfield assists with Mexico where their arrangements for his PowerPoint. trajectory is altered and they space and $200 million of potential  Fly to closest reaches of outer building value, he said. space “By housing organizations from across a number of industries and But jet launches aren’t the only disciplines on one campus, the thing on Ellington’s menu. Other Houston Spaceport will foster and types of activities planned for the accelerate key aerospace engineering Spaceport include: activities, including  An aerospace industry cluster  Space vehicle assembly,  Astronaut training  Zero-gravity scientific and  Launch of micro satellites medical experiments,  Zero gravity experimentation  Astronaut training and development, Final authorization came June  Microsatellite deployment, 28, 2015 and already the Houston  Component and composite Aerospace Support Center, sitting development and fabrication, adjacent to NASA’s Neutral  Space tourism. Buoyancy Lab – better known as the big swimming pool -- is open for business, offering 53,000 square feet of laboratory and office space. Space that includes what Ellington calls “incubation space for early-state companies, more permanent offices for developing companies and even larger facilities for companies that need room to mass produce their products.” The ultimate goal is to turn the Spaceport into a world-class transportation hub. Currently, the airport is working on Phase 1 of spaceport development, which stretches over 90 acres and will act as a hub for innovation, education and commercial spaceflight. Phase 1 offers tenants and partners a unique environment in which to collaborate, as well as an operational platform to achieve critical business objectives, Machuca said as he addressed Space Center Rotary. Of that 90 acres, there is 1.25 million square feet of building

“Our plan is to develop an innovation/incubator center that will promote the development in the space and aviation sector, while maximizing use of existing infrastructure and access to talented workforce.” Ellington Field, which first opened in 1917, served as a military base during World War II and as the home of hundreds of military planes after the war. NASA’s Apollo Program ended there with the arrival of the Apollo 17 crew, and it was there to host the arrival and departure of many VIP and presidential flights. Since it was purchased by the City of Houston in 1984 and the name changed to Ellington Airport, it has been used by NASA, the Texas Air National Guard, the Army National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, Signature Flight Support and Lone Star Flight Museum. Each October is also hosts the Wings Over Houston Air Show.