Bay Area Houston Magazine September 2016 by Bay Group Media

LEADING AND INFORMING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1999

September 2016 BayAreaHoustonMag.com

Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at St. John

Kenneth R. Brooks, MD

Jason Leaseburg, MD

Javier Rios, MD

Jamie Alexander, MD

Edward W. Lee, MD

SEPTEMBER 2016

features

ON THE COVER

Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine physicians Kenneth R. Brooks, MD, Jason Leaseburg, MD, Javier Rios, MD, Jamie Alexander, MD and Edward W. Lee, MD.

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

Photography Mary Alys Cherry Brian Stewart

Administration Lillian Harmon Tammy Lipsey 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

ASE has chosen Houston

Houston Hosts Gathering of Space Explorers

Sleep your dental fears away

Schools receive ‘met standard’ rating

BAHM and YourTownTV partner up

Houston Methodist Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Parents, students and staff surveyed

State of the Counties Luncheon

Dental Health Bay Area Schools Receive TEA Rating Bay Area Houston Magazine Media Partnership Elite Care for Athletes and Adults Community Pleased with CCISD Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership

28 Healthcare U.S. News & World Report ranks area hospitals highly 30

Hurricane protection plan needs your help

Your Help Needed on Ike Dike

Houston Physicians Hospital Joint Solutions Center

Inspirational stories from those who have persevered

Events Calendar for Bay Area Houston

Joint Pain Relief Rock Bottom and Back Offers Hope Dates to Remember

columns

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

Distribution Shinkle Distribution

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2016

Lon Miller

Movers & Shakers

Big crowd on hand to hear Mario Diaz

The unexamined life

GMC Yukon XL Denali, Infiniti QX80

Bay Cup II enjoys prime racing in Galveston Bay

Red snapper regulations frustrate anglers

Clear Lake Chatter Texas Meditations In Wheel Time Lakewood Yacht Club News & Events The Admiral’s Log

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Houston to host gathering of space explorers on lunar landing’s 50th anniversary

Recently retired Lockheed Martin Vice President Rick Hieb, left, catches up on the news with Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell.

Space Center Houston Executive Director William Harris, right, welcomes, from left, Johnson Space Center Director Dr. Ellen Ochoa, Dr. Bonnie Dunbar and Space Explorers President Michael Lopez-Alegria to the reception.

By Mary Alys Cherry

he Association of Space Explorers has chosen the City of Houston to host the largest international gathering of space explorers in the world, honoring the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing. During the prestigious October 2019 event, the 32nd Association of Space Explorers Planetary Congress will feature a week-long series of events engaging local educators, students and leaders in business, science and research in discussions on issues of broad interest to the international space community, government agencies around the world, and the public, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced at a press conference at city hall. Later, several astronauts celebrated at a reception at Space Center Houston – Michael Lopez-Alegria, who is president of the Association of Space Explorers; Dr. Ellen Ochoa, now director of the Johnson Space Center; Michael Foreman, vice president of Venturi Outcomes in Houston; retired Lockheed Martin Vice President Rick Hieb; and Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, who will oversee the 2019 event. Dr. Dunbar is a Distinguished Research Professor in Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M in College Station. Space Center Houston President William Harris joined Lopez-Alegria in welcoming the crowd and announcing that ASE’s week-long event will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first manned landing on the moon, as well as to help inspire students in the future of space exploration. Since its founding in 1985, the ASE, the only professional association for astronauts and cosmonauts in the world, has held its Planetary Congress in the U.S. only three times. “Houston is the world’s ‘Space City,’ and the perfect selection for this prestigious Congress,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “It all started in Houston with President Kennedy’s ‘Man on the Moon’ speech in 1962. And, seven years later, the first word uttered from the surface of the Moon was ‘Houston.’ As home to NASA’s Mission Control and the astronaut corps, Houston has been at the epicenter of every manned space exploration mission for more than five decades. “To be selected to host this event, in the same year

Tom Short, Anadarko Industries CEO, left, visits with Kim Parker of Space Center Houston and Gabe Garrett, business development manager with TASC Space Systems, during reception celebrating the announcement the Space Explorers would hold their annual event here.

we celebrate the golden anniversary of Apollo 11, is remarkable. What an honor it will be to welcome these space explorers from around the globe in the city where it all began.” ASE’s XXXII Planetary Congress provides a forum for professional dialogue among its exclusive membership while sharing their personal experiences and perspectives with the public, including businesses, academic, science and research leaders, as well as students from across the state. Attendees will exchange information about their national space programs, make technical presentations on selected topics relevant to human space flight (i.e., research, mission development, operations, astronaut training, etc.) and recognize the accomplishments and contributions of local academic and community leaders. The opening and closing ceremonies will take place at Space Center Houston, with five technical sessions planned at the NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the Baker Institute of Public Policy at Rice University, the University of Houston-Clear Lake, the University of Houston Central Campus, and the Lunar Planetary Institute. All technical sessions are open and will be live streamed.

Brian Freedman with Boeing, left, talks with Larry Strader of Jacobs Engineering during reception at Space Center Houston.

Gayden Cooper, Space Center Houston communications director, leads Friendswood City Councilman and former astronaut Mike Foreman over to the buffet table.

SEPTEMBER 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2016

DENTAL HEALTH

Sleep Your Dental Fears Away

magine this: you are going about your daily business and all of a sudden a single thought crosses your mind. Almost instantly your heart starts racing. You find yourself feeling anxious and uneasy. You might even notice that your blood pressure has gone up. Many people report sweaty palms or a knot in their stomach. What could it be? Well, there are only a handful of thoughts that can affect us to that degree. You are either in love, getting ready to be audited by the IRS, or you just remembered you have a dental appointment. Of course I am making light of the dental fear, but for many people these responses are very real. Your logical side knows that you need to keep your appointment, and you will. But your emotional side does not want to be anywhere near your dentist’s office. When it’s time to go to your dentist, do any of these physical and emotional reactions sound familiar? Regrettably for too many people they do. There are those who express their fear of dentists openly but most of us take the brave route and keep it together by hiding our fear. Then there is the third group, people who completely give in to fear and just avoid going to the dentist altogether until something hurts to a point that it can no longer be tolerated. They then reluctantly go see their dentist and usually do just enough to relieve the pain. They might even decide to get as much as they can done on the same visit because

they know once they leave, they will not come back until the next toothache becomes unbearable. What percentage of population do you think belong to each of these three groups? More than thirty percent of people belong to the third group according to Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS). Even for those in group two who bravely visit their dentist regardless of their apprehension (like me), the experience is not very pleasant or relaxing. After all, it is completely natural to get uneasy when a sharp, long needle is approaching your mouth. Over the last 18 years I have rarely seen a patient who enjoys getting dental work done. Actually, on rare occasions (maybe once in a couple of years), I have come across some who enjoy getting anesthetic injections or teeth pulled. I always find that alarming and usually proceed to ask a few more questions to assure they are mentally sound. There are some special occasions in life that you want to remember. Getting dental work done is not one of them. The damage caused by dread of dental work goes beyond just sweaty palms and heavy palpitations. It causes many people to avoid routine dental checkups and early detection

of the oral problems when they are still small and easily correctable (and inexpensive). Some common oral health problems like Gingivitis are painless, so they get very little attention simply because they don’t hurt. Other problems such as development of tooth decay remain pain-free until the nerve of the tooth gets infected. By then the problem becomes more complicated, more painful to treat, and far more expensive. All of which further reinforces the original fear theory. I call that “oral catch 22.” Wouldn’t you rather be sound asleep while getting your dental work? That would be ideal, wouldn’t it? Well, the delivery of sedative drugs during the dental procedure will eliminate

“Wouldn’t you rather be sound asleep while getting your dental work?”

feelings of discomfort and ensures a pleasant experience for the patient. Even though there are other forms of sedations available, they are usually not as effective or easily to titrate as intravenous (IV) sedation. The process is extremely simple. It is very similar to getting blood work done or donating blood. The specially trained dentist will establish an IV line and then give you some sedative drugs intravenously until you fall asleep. Next thing you remember, you wake up and your dental work is completed. It all seems like minutes as opposed to hours. Most people don’t even remember the whole experience. It is as though your mouth got magically fixed while you were sound sleep. I understand there are some of you who still prefer to feel and remember the whole experience. Those are usually the ones who have never experienced IV Sedation in a dental office. I dare say that if you try it, you would not go back to awake dentistry.

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.

SEPTEMBER 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Movers &Shakers Name: Lon Miller Occupation: Senior vice president and general manager Jacobs Clear Lake Group Hometown: Arvada, Colo. Current home: League City Family: Wife of 45 years Michele, daughter Kelly, son-in-law Dennis, granddaughters Adeline and Kieran and grandson Nicholas My favorite writer is: James Michener

Someone I’d like to meet: Steven Hawking

My favorite meal is: My wife’s homemade pesto pasta

If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose: Sebastian Vettel, Formula 1, four time World Champion

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

My favorite performers are: Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sigourney Weaver, Mick Jagger I like to spend my leisure time: Doing just about anything with my family, building things, driving my race car If I could travel any place, I’d go to: Spend a year on the F1 Grand Prix circuit

All Bay Area schools given a ‘met standard’ rating from TEA By Mary Alys Cherry

Clear Lake Symphony plans ‘Pops’ concert on Sept. 16 The Clear Lake Symphony will be performing the opening concert of the 20162017 season on Friday, Sept. 16, in the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Auditorium at 18220 Upper Bay Road in Nassau Bay. Celebrating its 41st season, the orchestra will present an evening of “Pops” music. Selections will include Bonnie Annie Laurie; Pier Gent Suite - “Morning” and “Dance In The Hall Of The Mountain King”; 007 Through The Years; Old And Lost Rivers; A Salute To The Big Bands; Star Wars: The Force Awakens; Moonglow (Robert Wall, clarinet); Wave; More; and A Tribute To Henry Mancini. The orchestra will be led by Associate Conductor Robert F. Wall, the orchestra’s “Pops” specialist. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets may be purchased (cash or checks only) in Clear Lake at Eye Trends, 515 Bay Area Blvd., Suite 300. Individual tickets are $13 for adults, $10 for seniors (55 and up) and $8 for students. Season tickets are $65 adult, $50 senior, $40 student for the full sixconcert season. For more ticket information call Eye Trends at 281-488-0066 or visit the Clear Lake Symphony website at www. clearlakesymphony.org

he Texas Education Agency has released its 2016 state accountability ratings with all Bay Area schools receiving a “met standard” rating. That includes, Clear Creek, Deer Park, Friendswood, Pasadena and Pearland ISDs. In all, TEA rated 1,200 Texas school districts, as well as 8,600 campuses, with approximately 94 percent achieving the met standard rating – the last year this rating will be used. Next year, the state will switch to an accountability system that assigns letter grades – A through F – based on academic performance. State Sen. Larry Taylor of Friendswood led the charge last year in the Legislature for the switch to the new system that will take effect in the 2017-18 school year and will decrease reliance on test scores and focus on other factors such as graduation rates and attendance.

Space City Films, Rocketdyne winners in 2016 Telly Awards

he Telly Awards has named Space City Films and AerojetRocketdyne as winners in the 37th Annual Telly Awards for their film Aerojet Rocketdyne - The First Hundred Years. With over 13,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, this is truly an honor.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2016

You’ll never catch me: Being a couch potato The thing that bugs me the most is: Intolerance and unfairness My favorite movie is: Top Gun Few people know: My wife and I were high school sweethearts

The agency said the met standard ratings are based on a system that uses a range of indicators to provide greater detail about the performance of a district or individual campuses – a performance index that includes four areas:  Student achievement – performance across all subjects;  Student progress year to year by subject and student group;  Closing performance gaps in achievement of economically disadvantaged students and the lowest performing racial/ethnic student groups;  Post secondary readiness, emphasizing the importance of a high school diploma that provides the foundation necessary for success in college, the workforce, a job training program or the military. “I am proud of the teaching and learning that takes place every day in CCISD,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Greg Smith said. “The state’s accountability report is just one of many indicators we use to measure our success. Our students excel in many areas beyond standardized tests. “For example, our latest college entrance scores show our students score well above their state and national peers and we have seen a record number of students who have earned 90s or higher in all classes during their four years of high school.”

Directed by Space City Films’ Marc Havican, the film tells the story of the rich history of one of the world’s truly great rocket manufacturing companies. The film was shot on location at sites along the Texas Gulf Coast with a cast of 40 actors, vintage props and period costumes, Model Ts, turn of the century homes and vintage airplanes. The film included a massive green screen studio shoot to create imagery of Aerojet Rocketdyne employees in historic settings over the last hundred years.

Photos by Kathryn Paradis

MaximGroup Account Executive Kimberly Fleming visits with Ham, Langston & Brezina Partner Mark Rush.

Kathy Thomas, owner of Community Strategies; Wings Over Houston Executive Director Bill Roach and Scholes International Airport Director Mike Shahan, from left, were among the many attending the BAHEP luncheon at Lakewood Yacht Club.

Cimarron Division Manager Kurt Restemyer says hello as he passes Port Commissioner John Kennedy at the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership luncheon.

Big crowd on hand to hear Mario Diaz HOUSTON AIRPORT Systems Director Mario Diaz is “clearly the best” at what he does, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership officials will tell you. Amazing is how Dan Seal described him as he was introducing him to the BAHEP crowd at Lakewood Yacht Club. “He not only established Bush Intercontinental Airport, he redid Hobby and is turning Ellington Airport into a spaceport. Quite amazing,” the BAHEP executive director of special initiatives said. “Buckle up,” he told the luncheon crowd as he turned the program over to Diaz, who didn’t disappoint as he updated everyone, telling how the airport system has connected Houston

MARY ALYS CHERRY

with all six continents, as State Sen. Larry Taylor, and Mayors Johnny Isbell of Pasadena, Michel Bechtel of Morgan’s Point and Louis Rigby of La Porte nodded their approval. “It’s the only city in the South offering air flights to Cuba,” Diaz said, adding, “Soon the Houston Airport System will add guidance systems to its garages, making it easier for customers to find their cars

after flights,” going on to talk about the Lone Star Museum being built at Ellington, the layers of security at the airports and adding that Hobby is one of three 4-Star Airports in the country and that the HAS wants to be a 5-Star System. Other officials in the crowd included Galveston County Commissioner Ken Clark, City Councilors Dave Martin of Houston, Geri Bentley of League City, Jeff Wagner, Pat Van Houte and Cary Bass of Pasadena and Mike Foreman and Carl Gustafson of Friendswood, San Jacinto College Trustee J.R. Moon, Harris County Tax Assessor Mike Sullivan, Port Commissioner John Kennedy and San Jacinto College Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer.

Pasadena Chamber CEO Cristina Womack was in the crowd, as were AeroSys President John Martinec, Anadarko Industries CEO Tom Short, Barrios Technology CEO Sandy Johnson, Boeing VP John Elbon, Brewer Construction President Dennis Brewer, attorneys Bob Davee and Phil Griffis, Cimarron President Darren Crowell, Gulf Coast Limestone President Bob Robinson and CPA Mark Rush, Plus, Texan Bank CEO Kenny Koncaba, Hilton Clear Lake Sales Director Melinda Mintz, HomeTown Bank VP Bill Provenzano, Wyle VP Genie Bopp, League City Chamber CEO Steve Patterson, MEI Technologies CEO David Cates, Shelmark Engineering owner Marcus

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Pasadena City Councilman Jeff Wagner and Mayor Johnny Isbell, from left, arrive at the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership luncheon at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, along with La Porte Mayor Louis Rigby and Port Commissioner John Kennedy of Nassau Bay to hear Houston Airport System Director Mario Diaz.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2016

Houston Airport System Deputy Assistant Director Tim Joniec, Ellington Airport Director Arturo Machuca and Houston Airport System Director Mario Diaz, from left, join State Sen. Larry Taylor and Houston City Councilman Dave Martin at the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership luncheon at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook.

Photo by Mary Alys Cherry

New officers of Space Center Rotary Club in Clear Lake line up for a photo during their installation at Bay Oaks County Club. They are, from left, President Darryl Smith, Sergeant-at-Arms Laura Godwin, President-elect Ralph Kramer, Secretary Nancy Anderson and Treasurer Michael Porterfield.

Michna, SSCI President Helen Hodges and Space Center Houston President William Harris. Other familiar faces included those of Chris Reed, Brian Freedman, Gwen Griffin, Pat and Wendall Wilson, Paul Davis, Karen Coglianese, John Wilkins, Edie Houlden, Barbara Koslov, Corby Alexander, Dr. Bernie Milstein, Marcy Fryday, Joan McKinney, Kimberly Fleming, Mark Conrad and Sue Darcy.

Lunar Rendezvous crowns new queen

LUNAR RENDEZVOUS has a new royal court with Clear Creek High senior Madelyn Claire Emilia Chidester elected by this year’s princesses to reign as queen over the 2017 Festival. She is the daughter of Lisa and Steven Barnes and Edmund Chidester. Joining her in the 2017 court will be Queen Alternate Alexa Rae Trevino, a Clear Falls High senior and the daughter of Alice and Rey Trevino; and Captain Alexander Edward Struss, son of Delicia and Alex Struss and a Clear Lake High senior. 2016 Festival King Kevin Duke, Queen Mariska Mes, Queen Alternate Jessica-Michelle Monette and Captain Joey Corrao were all smiles as they welcomed them to the royal court during the festival finale, the Coronation Ball, which was held at the Galveston Island Convention Center and this year had a “Dance By the Light of the Moon” theme. Retired astronaut Bill McArthur was back once again to emcee the black tie gala, which was chaired by Justine Powell, with Cindy Sebald as her co-chairman.

BAHBT dancers plan kickoff Sept. 14

Gary Renola and Nancy Anderson, members of Space Center Rotary in Clear Lake, wear big smiles after being named Rotarians of the Year during ceremonies at Bay Oaks Country Club.

BALLET AFFICIONADOS will be out in force when the Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre kicks off its 2016-17 season Wednesday, Sept.14. In addition to offering a glimpse at the upcoming productions in Clear Lake, the dancers will be showing off their new digs -- their new rehearsal studio located at 2350-D Dickinson Ave. in Dickinson. Then, they’ll give the crowd a glimpse at Dracula, which plays Oct. 14-16, and The Nutcracker, which plays the weekends of Dec. 2-4 and

Space Center Rotary directors for the coming year are introduced to the club. They are, from left, Michael Thomas, Mark Hollis, Kippy Caraway, Dave Norman, Madella Williams, Teri Crawford and Lou Gaigher. Directors Wendy Hollis and David Coney are absent from the photo.

Dec. 9-11, both at the University of Houston-Clear Lake Bayou Theatre; and invite all to Breakfast With the Sugar Plum Fairy Nov. 21 at South Shore Harbour Resort. The season’s final production will be Pasion March 24-26 in their new rehearsal studio’s Black Box Theatre in Dickinson. For reservations, call the ballet, 281480-1617.

Dates of Rodeo events announced

THE RODEO may seem a long time off, but its first local event is only a few days away. Here’s the schedule of Bay Area events and their chairmen: Casino Night/Deane Beck: Saturday, Sept.10 – Gilruth Center – Tickets $50. Cowboys & Cowgirls Who Cook/Randy Rance: Thursday, Oct. 20 - Admiral Ballroom/ Endeavor Marina – Tickets $35. Fashion Show/Lisa Gurgos: Friday, Jan. 20 – Gilruth Center – Tickets $100. Black & White Masquerade Ball theme. Trail Ride Dinner Dance/ Elizabeth Taylor: Tuesday Feb. 28, 6-10 p.m. Gilruth gym - $25. Bus Trip/Sunnie Byerly: March 2017 -- $75 per ticket. Date is TBA.

Ball of the Wild making a return 2017 Lunar Rendezvous Queen Madelyn Claire Emilia Chidester poses for a photo with King Kevin Duke, right, Queen Alternate Alexa Rae Trevino and Captain Alexander Edward Struss at the Coronation Ball in Galveston. They will reign over next year’s festival. Photo by J. Pamela Photography

SAVE THE DATE of April 1, 2017. The Assistance League’s Ball of the Wild is back.

And, in case you weren’t here or don’t remember, in its early days the League used the theme, Ball of the Wild, for its annual gala, and we all marveled as doctors dressed up as cavemen and bunny rabbits and aerospace executives and educators popped in as bumble bees. Jennie Hampton, who is chairman of the 2017 benefit, said, “Sometimes the ball had a more defining theme like the Billabong Ball, an Australian Down Under theme, or the Gator Ball, featuring cute alligators. We have decided to bring back this theme in the hopes the community will once again be buzzing about the Assistance League’s Ball of the Wild.” Pam Bungo is Jennie’s vice chairman and Gail Ashby, Belinda Scheurich and Lori Ray are already at work on the silent auction. Other worker-bees include Carol Base, Ashley Campbell, Cindy Castille, Kathleen Courville, Dee Cover, Sharon Dillard, Anne Marie Doolin, Ann Hammond, Lisa Holbrook, Mavis Irvan, Katie Jones, Carol Latimer, Arlis Miles, Yvonne Perrin, Elaine Rister, Nancy Sanders, Jill Williams and Dee Wolfe. This year’s informal affair is an animal/jungle theme and attire will be casual. Stay tuned.

CLCCA elects new officials

THREE NEW TRUSTEES have joined the Clear Lake City Community Association, which also has elected new officers. New trustees are Marie Wade, representing Camino South; Mary “Lori” Alvarez, Oakbrook; and Stephenie Schneider, Oakbrook West. Annice Slade is president of the CLCCA with Terry Canup as vice president, Glenda Stroud, treasurer; and Leslie Eaton, secretary.

SEPTEMBER 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

The Unexamined Life By Michael Gos

Turkey, Texas

ocrates purportedly said,

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” I say purportedly because we don’t really know for sure if Socrates said that, or anything else for that matter. You see, we don’t have a single written work of his. All we know of him comes from his student Plato. In his dialogues, Plato has Socrates leading discussions and presenting his views on life and the world. The fact is, we don’t really know that Socrates said any of the things Plato attributes to him. It is entirely plausible that Plato could be presenting his own thoughts and placing them in the mouth of Socrates to give the ideas more credibility with his ancient Greek audience. (Okay, call me a cynic.) I guess it doesn’t matter who said it first, though; the idea is powerful and stays with us today. In fact, it is this quote that became the basis for

the entire field of philosophy itself. It has been accepted as a universal truth since the fifth century B.C. But frankly, I think whoever said it missed the boat on this one. At best, he told only half of the story. I believe the half that is being ignored is absolutely critical. We were in Turkey, a town barely big enough to hold the six letters of its name. We came to see the Bob Wills museum. Growing up in Indiana, I was never exposed to country music, let alone old time western swing. I had not heard of Wills and his Texas Playboys till after I had been in Texas several years. I was a little behind in getting “cultured up.” The museum itself looks like an old, elementary school building that has been repurposed. But the item that got my attention most was not in the museum at all. It was a bus sitting in a small grassy field across the street, next to the ruins of a 1920s-era filling station (we call those things “gas stations” today). The paint on

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2016

the bus was a kind of mix between purple, brown and rust and it had a white roof. Across the sides of the roof was written “Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys.” I’m not sure why, but I had a feeling this had to be the most valuable item in the museum’s collection. And yet, it wasn’t in the museum at all. It had been abandoned to the elements in this weed-filled lot. I thought about how much of the lives of these men played out on this bus—and about the history that was made in it. I wondered how many songs had been written in it and what role it played in the development of the western swing genre itself. And yet here it sat—neglected and decaying. It was really depressing. My favorite escape from depression is a good meal, so I decided to try to forget the neglected bus and get some lunch at the only eatery I could find in town, a little breakfast and lunch place called Galvin’s. I ordered a large bowl of red and a diet coke. The only other person in the place was an old man, I’d guess around 85, who was eating a chicken fried steak. As you might expect, we got to talking and he told me he had ranched on the edge of town for as long as he could remember and that his daddy and grandpa did the same before him. His wife had died about

seven years ago and now, being too old to ranch himself, he leases out his land for pasture and comes here for breakfast and lunch every day. I asked him if he had travelled much. He said he was too young for WWII so he never had to leave Turkey. The furthest he had ever gone was Amarillo, just over 100 miles away, and he did that only one time because his wife wanted to see the big city. They were both overwhelmed by the sheer volume of cars and people, and especially all the traffic lights. He said he never left Hall County again. I got to thinking about the life he led. For me, there has always been something romantic about a family homestead, especially one with a substantial amount of land and a multi-generational past. That sense of being grounded—of having a home— is something I have always coveted but will never experience. Add to that, this was my fourth multi-day trip in eight weeks and I began feeling homesick for even my little postage stamp of ground in Clear Lake. Before I could get too carried away by nostalgia for something I never had, I found myself looking at it from a different perspective. The old man had never been to Yellowstone, or the Grand Tetons. More tragically, he had never seen Big Bend, Hill Country, Luckenbach or the Big Thicket. And

my envy quickly turned to something closer to sympathy. I was sorry for all the things he never saw, and never would see. Certainly Socrates is correct in his contention that our lives must be examined in order for us to enjoy the maximum rewards. I understand the importance of evaluation and assessment in everything we do. How else can we tell if things are going as we planned? If we examine our performance regularly and find that we are not measuring up to our goals, we can immediately make changes in our actions in an effort to improve the outcome, be it at work or in life. Later, we can reassess whether the changes are working. If not, we can do further tweaking. Every examination, and every change we make in response, leads to a more rewarding life. So there is no question; Socrates is correct when he says, “The unexamined life is not worth living. But I think when it comes to our happiness and satisfaction in life, he misses a far more critical point, or perhaps it is a corollary—the unlived life is not worth examining. I don’t know. Maybe the old man in Turkey would be satisfied with what he saw upon assessing his life. But my guess is, he’d more likely be devastated. In looking back when the end is near, we seldom regret things we did. We are far more likely to regret the things we didn’t do. Maybe Brother Jimmy summed it up best when he said, “That’s why we wander and follow La Vie Dasante.”

Bay Area Houston Magazine and YourTownTV Announce their Media Partnership

rin Webb, president of YourTownTV and Rick Clapp, owner and CEO of Bay Group Media, publishers of Bay Area Houston Magazine and Gulf Coast Mariner, announce their partnership to bring Bay Area Houston businesses the best in print advertising along with the option of full service web solutions for advertising and promotions. YourTownTV is a full service media company. Owner Erin Webb has an extensive background in video production, web site design, marketing, public speaking and more. Her team consists of talented, hardworking individuals who are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure your project is delivered to you on time and to your satisfaction. The partnership offers a full range of options for companies both big and small, profit and non-profit. Erin Webb believes in the power of social media marketing and the many benefits it offers businesses in the way of Search Engine Optimization, or “getting found on the first page of Google, Yahoo and Bing!” Here are just a few of the services the partnership now offers clientele: • Marketing Videos • Employee Training / Orientation Videos • Safety Videos • TV Commercials • YouTube Videos

• Exhibit Booth Looping Videos • Video Presentations • Online Talk Shows • Online Video Advertising YourTownTV uses stateof-the-art video production equipment and editing software to achieve the most professional look for your video needs. A five-star video production can be an excellent tool for selling any product, service or idea. Through the variety of services and experienced, creative staff, you’re certain to get an excellent video product. Erin Webb is a nationwide media expert, who has been connecting businesses, people and products for over a decade. With 15 years of experience in media, account management, sales, public speaking and networking, Webb provides professionals with the tools they need to increase clientele. Her multiple customer service awards for outstanding performance is a testament to her talents. She has cultivated partnerships with organizations such as TxDOT, Bayer, League City Regional Chamber, and Bay Area Houston CVB, to name a few. Webb leads a Young Professionals Committee and volunteers her time with several non-profit organizations. To schedule a free consultation regarding video options call Patty Kane at 281-204-9576 or email pattyhayes.kane@gmail.com.

SEPTEMBER 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

By Don Armstrong

espite the glut of crossover utility vehicles on the market, the biggest and most capable body-on-frame SUVs continue to thrive. These threerow haulers not only get you there in style, they hold up to the rigors of towing the RV or boat with powerful V-8 engines.

GMC Yukon XL Denali GMC has been building its version of the Chevy Suburban, now called the Yukon XL, Since 1937.The current sleek, new body style made its debut almost 2 ½ years ago and it continues resonate with Suburbanites and Yukoners alike. The green house’s shorter glass height gives this beast a “chopped” roof appearance, while the upscale chrome grille, with extra-large GMC emblem, lets everyone know you are driving the king of “burbs.” The interior comes with high zoot leather and semi-firm cushions, richly appointed trim pieces and all the

high-end electronics to keep you constantly “connected.” No longer do you have to wrestle the 3rd row seat out of it nest since it is finally capable of folding down into the floor. Second row seating is available in a split bench-style configuration or captain’s chairs. If you ever wondered why you see so many Yukon’s on the road, we encourage you to find out why the Yukon XL is still one of America’s best loved, full-size SUV’s. Pricing starts at $51,015

Infiniti QX80 Nissan is known for its distinct, nothing-else-like-it styling and the Infiniti QX80 is the epitome of that ontology. Its headlights are positioned lower than most other SUVs and are mounted on what appears to be actual front fenders that are below the QX80’s hood line. Revamped for the 2015 model year,

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2016

the 2016 carries the badge forward with a Limited package that, as Infiniti touts, is “the most premium SUV ever offered by the brand.” Like the Yukon XL, the QX80’s interior offers three rows of seating. Contrasting colors and textures create a cabin that is rich in texture and ambiance. The Limited version goes even further with Truffle Brown Leather appointments, open-

pore, matte finish wood trim, and Ultrasuede headliner, just to name a few. With 400 horsepower, the Infiniti QX80 is capable of towing up to 8,500 lbs., more than enough oomph to pull a family sized RV or ski boat including a cadre of kids. Base price is $63,250. Expect to pay significantly more for the Limited Edition.

Red snapper regulations a frustrating situation for anglers By Capt. Joe Kent Photo: Jimmy Rogers

Uzi Ozeri, left, accepts the Bay Cup II trophy from Lakewood Yacht Club Commodore Don Mitchell for first place in J/105 class.

Bay Cup II enjoys prime racing in Galveston Bay

he 2016 Bay Cup II Regatta finished as a huge success. All of 26 boats launched from Trinity Bay, with six classes running multiple races through Saturday. Lakewood Yacht Club hosted the event, which featured long-distance, multi-leg racing throughout Upper Galveston Bay. Sponsors who helped make the Bay Cup II an outstanding event included Alliant Marine & Energy Insurance, Bay Access, Blackburn Marine, the City of Seabrook, Davis Marine Electronics, Don Q Rum, Edna A. Rice Executive Recruiters, Little Yacht Sales, Texas Coast Yacht, The Yacht Sales Company and True North Marine. After the race, club members, skippers, and their crews got to enjoy dinner and an awards ceremony. Vocal harmony performers LC Roots provided the evening’s live entertainment. Proceeds from the regatta benefit Bay-Access.org, a not-forprofit charitable organization fostering amateur racing and sailing on Galveston Bay.

R a c e res u lts are as f ollows : J/105 Class

PHRF Non-Spin Class

PHRF Spin (Non-Sprit) Class

Cruising Non-Spin Classic Canvas A Class

PHRF Spin (Sprit) Class

Cruising Non-Spin Classic Canvas B Class

3rd place: John Barnett 2nd place: J.B. Bednar 1st place: Uzi Ozeri

3rd place: John Fraser 2nd place: David Nielsen 1st place: Kevin Orff

3rd place: George Cushing 2nd place: J.D. Hill 1st place: Al Goethe

3rd place: Jim Foster 2nd place: Ben Miller 1st place: Ash Walker

3rd place: Marty Pedowicz 2nd place: Atkinson & Penrose 1st place: Walter Horton

2nd place: Ronald Eddleman 1st place: John Morse

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2016

here has been a lot of press lately on the controversy surrounding the current regulations pertaining to the red snapper fishery in the Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico. For a number of years now the Gulf Council, which manages the fishery, has used a quota system to allocate the allotted catch which is measured in poundage between the commercial and recreational fishermen. In the last year, the allocation has been further divided within the recreational sector, as two new categories are sharing that quota, those being the charter and party boats (for hire group) on one hand and the private recreational anglers on the other. All three categories, commercial, charter and party boats and the private recreational angler have a designated time frame in which to catch their daily limits. The commercial group is allowed to harvest red snapper year round, while the recreational groups have a specified limited number of days to fish. This year, the for hire group had 45 days, which ran from June 1 until July 16, while the private sector was allowed only 9 days from June 1 until June 9. Disinterested parties looking at the quota allocations of 49.5 percent to the commercial group and 51.5 percent to the recreational anglers quickly ask: why is the recreational group upset? They are getting more than half of the allocation as shown in the Federal publications. Well, if this group is allowed over 50 percent, why are they allowed only 9 days to take it. Think about it, for the many offshore anglers with smaller boats, June normally is a windy month, limiting the number of days that safe and comfortable access to the Gulf is feasible. Another claim that I have difficulty with is that the council says that there are a very large number of recreational red snapper fishermen. My guess is that conclusion was drawn from samples in the 1990s when there were a lot of recreational anglers fishing offshore. The numbers have dropped significantly over the past 15 years. While most recreational fishermen do not have any complaint about the commercial fishermen, most feel that they have been short changed in their allocation of time to fish by the Gulf Council.

All recreational fishermen, whether on a boat for hire or in their private boat, are limited to two red snapper per day during this time frame -- with a minimum size of 16 inches. As you can imagine, the private sector is quite upset about this discrimination and has become proactive in seeking a more equitable remedy. Currently, there is a lot of political discourse taking place on both sides regarding a proposal that the management of the fishery be handed over to the individual states rather than the Federal Government, which has managed the resource since enactment of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The commercial sector opposes any changes and understandably so, while the private group is seeking their fair share of the fish. If the recreational fishermen have over 50 percent allocated to them, how can they take that amount is such a short time frame? One of the big arguments for the change is that the stocks of red snapper vary in different parts of the Gulf, thus making the state regulatory agencies better qualified to make decisions on the state of the fishery in the waters adjacent to their boundaries. Like many other recreational anglers, I have fished for red snapper for many years, and over the past five years I have quit as a result of the regulations. Early on and to this day I feel that the fishery has not been managed as well as it should have been. Poor sampling data by the Gulf Council along with a “hipshot” approach to establishing the regulations resulted in a much longer span of time to bring the stocks back. Today, most everyone agrees that the red snapper stocks are in excellent shape in the Gulf. The big problem is how those stocks are going to be effectively managed from here. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has a good track record in managing all of the fish within their jurisdiction, the State Waters of Texas. Could they also be effective in managing the fish in the adjacent Federal Waters? That is one of the controversial issues currently being debated by the two sides.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2016

SEPTEMBER 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Community pleased with CCISD By Mary Alys Cherry

he Clear Creek School District got a resounding vote of confidence from the Bay Area community in its latest survey of parents, students and staff members with 89 percent saying they have a positive impression of the school district and 88 percent giving the district a grade of A or B. As for leadership on local campuses, 88 percent of the parents, 84 percent of the students and 91 percent of the staff expressed satisfaction. Breaking that down, 83 percent of the parents gave CCISD a grade of either A or B, as did 75 percent of the students and 92 percent of the staff. When those polled were questioned about the biggest challenge facing the school district, CCISD said “the community ranked testing and regulations as the top challenges, followed by overcrowded schools.” This contrasts with CCISD’s 2014 survey when school funding and parental involvement got top ranking.

Preparedness Most parents seemed pleased about their children’s academic performance and preparedness with 88 percent saying they feel their children will do well in the next grade level, while 83 percent think their children are receiving instruction that is appropriate for his or her abilities and 72 percent think the level of homework difficulty is appropriate. Student answers were similar with 88 percent saying they feel prepared to do well at the next grade level, 83 agreeing that they are receiving instruction appropriate for their abilities and 84 percent saying they get the support they need to be

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2016

successful. Some 93 percent of the staff said they believe their campus does a great job of challenging students to their full potential. This compares with 87 percent in 2014.

Communication The community’s satisfaction with CCISD’s communications rose from 89 to 91 percent between 2014 and 2016, the survey shows. Meanwhile, “80 percent of the parents think their children receive meaningful feedback from teachers, compared with 63 percent in 2014,” CCISD said, adding that “81 percent of students also agree that they receive helpful feedback about their work. Ninety-two percent of the staff says they communicate frequently with most parents of students.”

Technology Most all seem pleased with the student tablets/laptops, which 84 percent of the teachers say they use in their instruction and 81 percent of the students agree their teachers effectively integrate technology into their teaching. “The ability to use Microsoft Office applications and the ability to create projects were the two highest responses from students, staff and parents when asked which skills students are better at when using a district-issued laptop or tablet,” CCISD said. Eighty-five percent of the staff and 68 percent of students polled believe student learning is enhanced because of the Latitude-2-Learn program.” Community results are based from a 2016 Baselice & Associates Phone Survey with a 4.9 percent (+) or (-) margin of error, the district said. “The parent, student and employee results are based from email surveys. The 2016 email survey respondents included 3,038 parents, 18,320 students and 2,270 staff.” To view all four surveys, visit www.ccisd. net/communications. For more information, contact the Office of Communications at 281-284-0020 or by email at information@ccisd.net

[BAY AREA HOUSTON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP]

BAHEP’s State of the Counties Luncheon Photos by Mary Alys Cherry, Kathryn Paradis and Ann Hammond

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell, right, welcomes Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, center, and Friendswood City Councilman Mike Foreman to the State of the Counties Luncheon at Bay Oaks Country Club in Clear Lake.

Houston City Councilman Michael Kubosh, left, and his Communications Director Annette Dwyer, talk with Boeing’s Brian Freedman as they arrive at the BAHEP State of the Counties Luncheon.

Retired Galveston County Sheriff Gean Leonard, right, shares a light moment with, from left, HomeTown Bank Senior Vice President Bill Provenzano, Friendswood Councilman Mike Foreman and HomeTown Bank Director Kent Ballard at the reception preceding the BAHEP State of the Counties Luncheon.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2016

Barrios Technology President Robbie McAfoos, left, is happy to see new Space Center Houston President William Harris as he arrives at the BAHEP State of the Counties Luncheon.

Nassau Bay City Manager Jason Reynolds, right, and City Councilman Bob Warters join the crowd at the BAHEP luncheon.

State Rep. Dennis Paul stops to say hello to Webster City Councilwoman Andrea Wilson at BAHEP’s State of the Counties Luncheon.

League City Chamber President Steve Patterson, from left, strikes up a conversation with Kemah Mayor Carl Joiner, attorney Dick Gregg Jr., and Moody Bank President Vic Pierson as they arrive at the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership State of the Counties Luncheon Aug. 17 at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Two of Galveston’s best known citizens, Galveston County Judge Mark Henry, left, and Col. Len Waterworth, executive professor at Texas A&M Galveston, arrive at BAHEP’s annual State of the Counties Luncheon at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Faces in the crowd at the BAHEP State of the Counties luncheon included, from left, San Jacinto College Vice Chancellor Teri Crawford, Tammie Nielsen with Harris County Precinct 2, BAHEP’s Specialty Chemical Marketing Manager C.A. Shields and consultant Chris Reed.

SEPTEMBER 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Best hospitals? Just look around By Mary Alys Cherry

e may not have the coolest summers, but one thing we certainly have to be thankful for is our healthcare system. This became abundantly clear when U.S. News & World Report published its 2016-17 list of America’s Best Hospitals. Just take a look: Houston Methodist Hospital was ranked No. 1 in Texas and No.19 in the country, out of 4,667 hospitals. It was also placed it on the Honor Roll. Houston Methodist St. John Hospital in Nassau Bay is part of that system. Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston was ranked No. 2 in Texas with Memorial Hermann Southeast recognized as among the best in Houston and considered “high performing” in several specialties. TIRR Memorial Hermann is ranked as the best rehabilitation hospital in Texas and No. 2 in the United States – the 27th consecutive year it has been ranked in the top ten nationally. MD Anderson Cancer Hospital, which also has a branch in Nassau Bay, is the No. 1 cancer hospital in the U.S. in the U.S. News rankings. UTMB in Galveston is ranked No. 8 in Texas with Clear Lake Regional Medical Center in Webster is No. 9. U.S. News editors said they sifted data from nearly 5,000 medical centers and survey responses from more than 30,000 physicians to rank hospitals in 16 adult specialties from cancer to urology. “Death rates, patient safety and hospital reputation were among the factors weighed. Only 153 hospitals were nationally ranked in a specialty in 2016-17. The Honor Roll recognizes 20 hospitals for exceptional care in the specialties and in common procedures and conditions.”

Saturday Injury Clinics offered to area athletes

New Childbirth Center opens at Houston Methodist St. John

embers of our local community gathered with the staff of Houston Methodist St. John Hospital on Aug. 9 to celebrate the grand opening of their beautiful new Women’s Health Services & Childbirth Center, which features 19 private labor, delivery, recovery and post-partum suites with state-of-the-art delivery beds, allowing moms and babies to stay in one room throughout their time in the hospital. “We are extremely proud of our new family-friendly Childbirth Center and its contemporary design and amenities,” said Dan Newman, CEO of Houston Methodist St. John. “As the newest birthing center in the Bay Area, we offer moms-to-be a boutique-style birthing experience that is not only safe, comfortable and convenient, but also brings the expertise of world-renowned neonatology care to manage complex births.” The Childbirth Center’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is managed in partnership with Texas Children’s

Hospital, a recognized leader in the treatment of babies born with complications or prematurely. Under the leadership of Dr. Samina Jamil, medical director of Houston Methodist St. John NICU, board-certified, fellowship-trained neonatologists provide, around-the-clock care, making Houston Methodist St. John the only hospital in the Bay Area with a Level II NICU offering Texas Children’s Hospital neonatology expertise to families. The new Women’s Health Services & Childbirth Center and partnership with Texas Children’s Hospital is just one of many ways Houston Methodist St. John in Nassau Bay is expanding health care options for women and families. The Childbirth Center offers tours on the first and third Sunday of each month at 4:30 p.m. Private tours are also available by appointment. To schedule a tour, visit houstonmethodist.org/patientclasses or call 281.333.8899. To find a Houston Methodist St. John physician, visit houstonmethodist.org/find-a-doctor or call 281.333.8899.

Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital sets new food drive record

to nearly 2,000 families across southeast Houston each month. “This donation is a vital part of our ministry and we are extremely grateful to the physicians, administration and staff at Memorial Hermann Southeast,” says Daer Platt, SeAM’s director of operations. “Donations like this are so important, especially in the middle of the year. I’m not sure we could make it through the summer without this kind of generosity and support.” SeAM, working in close partnership with the Houston Food Bank, can turn just a few dollars into food for two to three days because of the organization’s bulk and discounted food buying power. The charity provides food, clothing, household and financial assistance for those in need in southeast Houston. Memorial Hermann Southeast Chaplaincy Services and Partners in Caring raised awareness and donations for its Annual Food Drive through a raffle, bake sales, and other unit and department fundraisers.

mployees, physicians and volunteers at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital raised a record $24,741 and collected 37 pounds of food during its Annual Food Drive for Southeast Area Ministries. “I’m so proud of our employees, physicians, and volunteers who are dedicated to making a difference in people’s lives and serving our community,” says Memorial Hermann Southeast Senior Vice President and CEO Kyle Price. “As health care providers, we know the importance of a healthy diet and the serious implications a lack of food can have on a child’s physical and mental health.” According to the Houston Food Bank, roughly one in four children are at risk of hunger in southeast Texas. Southeast Area Ministries works to provide food

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2016

igh school and youth sports athletes, as well as active adults, will have convenient weekend access to world class sports medicine specialists at Saturday Injury Clinics offered by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center at St. John. The sports injury clinics will be open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., now through Nov. 5 at 2020 NASA Parkway, Suite 230, in Nassau Bay. In addition, patients can schedule evening appointments until 7 p.m. every Monday. “Fall is a busy time for high school and youth sports, and these clinics are here for athletes who may suffer an injury on Friday night or Saturday morning. They can be seen immediately by a boardcertified orthopedics specialist,” says Dr. Javier Rios. “We have on-site x-ray and imaging capabilities, can conduct concussion exams and can treat injuries such as muscle and ligament sprains and strains.” Rios, who is board certified in family and sports medicine, is a primary care sports medicine specialist focusing on musculoskeletal orthopedic injuries. He and four other Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine specialists –Drs. Jamie Alexander, Kenneth Brooks, Jason Leaseburg and Edward Lee – will alternate seeing patients at the clinic. A physical therapist and certified athletic trainer will also be on hand each Saturday. “Being evaluated quickly and beginning treatment right away is the best way to get healthy and get back on the field,” says Rios. “There’s no reason to wait until Monday.” In addition to young athletes, adults of all ages are invited to see the doctors at the Saturday Injury Clinics. Sports injury clinics will be held at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, 2020 NASA Pkwy., Suite 230, in Nassau Bay. Walk-ins are welcome. Learn more at houstonmethodist.org/ athlete.

BAHEP President Bob Mitchell, far right, stops for a photo with Clear Lake Area Chamber officials after addressing their monthly luncheon at Lakewood Yacht Club. They are, from left, Jonathan Cottrell, Martha Turner Sotheby’s; Chamber Chairman Roy Green and President Cindy Harreld DeWease; and Ava Sloan of Rodin Consulting.

Your help needed on the Ike Dike Project By Mary Alys Cherry

t’s not a question of if but when will another massive hurricane slam the Texas Gulf Coast. We’ve heard it said over and over ever since Hurricane Ike ravaged our homes and businesses back in 2008. Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell said it again when he addressed the Clear Lake Area Chamber’s July 27 monthly luncheon at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook. This time as he did, he looked out over the crowd of business men and women, educators and homeowners, hoping for assistance. “We need help. We need money from the state to finance additional studies of the problem, and we need money from the federal government to pay for the $11 billion needed to build the Coastal Spine and ‘Ike Dike’ gate across the mouth of Galveston Bay to hold back the storm surge, which does most of the damage. “Most of all, we need you to encourage our elected officials on all levels to support storm surge suppression,” he said. He wants each of us to write, email, call, contact our legislators and congressmen to help us, even congressional representatives you may know in other states. That’s why we send them to Washington – to help us when we need help. Aid for New Orleans It shouldn’t be a problem for Congress. When New Orleans was hit by Katrina, Mitchell said, the city

received $14.5 billion from the federal government and another $1.8 billion for a pumping system to protect its 340,000 residents when future storms hit. Its economic value to the nation, Mitchell said, is less than 1/16th of the economic impact of the Houston area. Congress also came to the aid of New York when Tropical Storm Sandy did millions of dollars in damages. Then, Mitchell turned the crowd’s attention to the local region. “The Houston-Galveston area is the nation’s fifth largest Metropolitan Statistical Area with more than 6.5 million residents. One in four Texas residents live along the Gulf Coast,” he said, pointing out some interesting facts:  Houston is the global leader in three important industries – energy, life sciences and aerospace.  Houston is home to the world famous Texas Medical Center and NASA’s Johnson Space Center.  Houston is home to 24 Fortune 500 corporate headquarters. But why is protecting the area important to the state and nation?  The Houston-Galveston region encompasses the nation’s largest petrochemical complex, which supplies 40 percent of American’s specialty chemical products.  The Houston region provides 27 percent of America’s gasoline supply, 60 percent of its jet fuel and 80 percent of the Department of Defense military fuel runs through the port.  By air or sea, Houston offers vital distribution channels and connects America to the world’s marketplace.  The Galveston Bay estuary is a sanctuary for wildlife and fishing (Continued on Page 32)

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enthusiasts and produces more seafood than any bay in the nation, except Chesapeake Bay. History of the effort Mitchell also traced the history of the Coastal Spine storm surge protection project: how Dr. Bill Faces in the crowd at the Clear Lake Area Chamber luncheon at Merrell of Texas Lakewood Yacht Club included, from left, Marc Elliott of Texas A&M-Galveston First Bank, consultant Chris Reed, Kemah Mayor Carl Joiner and proposed an “Ike attorney Dick Gregg Jr. Dike” back in 2009 to protect County Mayors and Councils’ the area; how officials made two Association and the East Harris exploratory trips to The Netherlands County Manufacturers Association. to learn how the Dutch protected “BAHEP believes the Coastal Spine their land from surge; work with the is the best available surge protection congressional delegation; and the five system for the Houston/Galveston studies initiated on economic impact, region: environmental mitigation, barrier  It utilizes the latest technologies, designs and cost/benefit ratios. already proven to work in The Over the years, more than a Netherlands and elsewhere; hundred presentations have been  It stops the surge at the coast, given to various municipal and where it’s the smallest; community groups, he said, adding  It doesn’t harm neighboring that 50 city councils and other communities.” community groups had passed Now we need help in getting the resolutions in support of the coastal money. spine concept, including the Harris

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2016

SEPTEMBER 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

[ LET US ENTERTAIN YOU! ]

Rock Bottom and Back™ offers hope to the hopeless By Susan Mustafa

he sound of a Hot Pockets

sandwich hitting the concrete floor startled him to consciousness. Whitney Strickland shook his head to clear it. The steel bars told him he was in jail, but he couldn’t remember how he had gotten there. He closed his eyes, praying that he had not wrecked another vehicle. Whitney’s life once consisted of one alcohol-induced disaster after another—wrecked cars, DUIs, jail, memory loss—all part of a vicious cycle that never seemed to end. In that jail cell, Whitney finally hit rock bottom, and as he made his way across the Kemah Boardwalk, he decided to end it all. I’ve been to treatment centers. I’ve talked to psychiatrists. I’ve done everything. I’m dying a long, slow death, he thought. I’ll just jump off this bridge and get it over with. Whitney put his foot on the rail. Whitney’s story did not end on that bridge. It began there. He returned home, determined to rebuild his life. He joined Alcoholics Anonymous, became sober, and then dedicated his life to helping others who were struggling to overcome alcoholism. For the past 10 years, Whitney has served on the board of directors of The Wheelhouse, an alcohol and drug treatment facility for men, located in Deer Park. Whitney’s story is one of 22 featured in the upcoming book, Rock Bottom and Back™—From Desperation to Inspiration. This book, which I coauthored with Earl B. Heard, is a startlingly honest portrayal of the inspirational lives of people who have hit rock bottom

through every way imaginable— alcoholism, drug addiction, sex addiction, gambling addiction, loss of a loved one, childhood trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and homelessness—and then came back to help others in extraordinary ways. “The concept for this book came from my own experience. I’ve been to rock bottom—personally and professionally— and so many good people helped me find my way back,” said Earl, founder and CEO of BIC Alliance and publisher of BIC Magazine, the Western Hemisphere’s largest multi-industry energy publication. “Through this project, I wanted to give people hope, to show them that no matter how bad things seem, help is available. To that end, we also created a companion DVD, which features interviews with six of the people in the book, including Jerry and Whitney Strickland.” When Earl approached me about writing this book, I loved the concept, but I didn’t realize how powerful these stories would be. We have featured some incredible people whose experiences are reminders that we can rise above anything when we dedicate to helping others. Through writing this book, I learned that one person truly can make a difference. In addition to Whitney, five other people featured in the book reside in Texas: Jerry Strickland: Jerry, Whitney’s father, is an entrepreneur who once

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2016

owned AltairStrickland, one of the largest turnaround companies in the oil industry. A former alcoholic, Jerry set out on a mission to help three of his four children overcome their addictions and discovered that he had to fix himself first. Today, Jerry’s philanthropic efforts are endless. From The Wheelhouse to Camp Aranzuzu in Arizona and Extra Special People in Georgia, Jerry has helped countless children and adults through the Linda and Jerry Strickland Foundation. Maurice “Termite” Watkins: Once a professional boxer, Termite fought in the welterweight division and had amassed an incredible record that landed him on the same card with Larry Holmes and Muhammad Ali. That card proved to be career ending for Termite and Ali. For the next five years, Termite drowned his sorrows in cocaine. After an ultimatum from his former wife forced him to quit using drugs, Termite dedicated himself to helping Iraq build a boxing team in the midst of a war, a team that made it to the 2004 Olympics. Termite now runs Fighter Nation, a boxing ministry in Houston that sent the first American female boxer, Marlen Esparza, to the 2012 Olympics. Theresa Westbrook: Theresa grew up in North Texas, the victim of childhood sexual molestation. For many years, she kept the abuse secret, afraid and ashamed to tell anyone. It was only through writing a book, A Strand of Pearls, that Theresa finally revealed the effect that abuse had on her life. Westbrook, a minister, cofounded Pearls of Shalom Ministry through which she helps other victims of childhood sexual molestation. Today, Theresa is the host of Time with Theresa, an inspirational and entertaining talk show that airs in Denton, Texas. Karl Garcia: Karl was 16 years old when his mother, Sandra, succumbed to a long battle with cancer. The young man had difficulty coping with such a tremendous loss and began using alcohol as a numbing device. After several years, he finally got help, but sobriety couldn’t ease the emptiness he felt inside. Karl eventually became a successful restaurateur, but his road to happiness didn’t begin until he met a little girl named Brooke, a cancer patient at a hospital where he was volunteering. He developed a friendship with Brooke and married her mother six years after Brooke passed away. Karl is now the pastor of Clear Creek Community Church in Clear Lake, Texas, where he ministers to approximately 1,000 people each week. Bradley Blue: When Blue, as he is called, joined the Army in 1982, he had no idea how devastating the aftermath of war can be. In 1991, he

fought in Operation Desert Storm in Iraq and saw things that most of us never see. After a particular gruesome battle, Blue watched as horribly injured children were processed. At the time, he didn’t realize the effect those children would have on his life. In 1993, Blue exited the military. He turned to alcohol to numb his pain and keep the nightmares at bay. Three marriages and 20 years later, Blue became suicidal. After hearing about Camp Hope on the radio, Blue was finally diagnosed with PTSD. Eventually, Blue became a counselor at Camp Hope, mentoring other combat veterans who suffer with PTSD. Other stories in Rock Bottom and Back™ include a pastor whose sex addiction cost him everything, a former gambler who learned how to win at life through her losses, a member of a biker gang who now helps the homeless, the widow of an American hero who died in United Flight 93 on 9/11, a former drug abuser-turned-entrepreneur who gave up everything to run the New Orleans Mission, a famous actor and former addict who now motivates youth offenders, a former stripper who ministers to the homeless, and a film producer and former crack addict who now inspires people through film. Through their combined efforts, these compassionate survivors have helped change the lives of thousands of people. Many of the incredible people featured in the book are participating in our Speakers Bureau and are available for speaking engagements around the country. We will host a movie premiere and book launch party in Houston in late September. We will post the date and time on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ rockbottomandback and on our website.

Rock Bottom and Back™ is currently available at www.amazon.com and will be available in local bookstores Sept. 6, 2016. For more information or to book speaking engagements, please visit www.rockbottomandback.com or email haleigh@bicalliance.com.

Clear Creek Education Foundation Gala, 7 p.m., South Shore Harbour Resort. Saturday, Nov. 19 The 26th annual Breakfast With the Sugar Plum Fairy, hosted by the Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre, at 8 a.m., South Shore Harbour Resort, League City.

Friday, Feb. 24 Go Red for Women Luncheon, 11 a.m., South Shore Harbour Resort.

Friday, Oct. 7 Clear Lake Area Chamber Chairman’s Gala, 6:30 p.m., South Shore Harbour Resort, League City.

Clear Lake Symphony Christmas Pops Concert, 7:30 p.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Nassau Bay. Holiday in the Park, League City’s threeday extravaganza, opens in League Park.

Saturday, Oct. 8 Bay Area Turning Point’s 25th anniversary Purple and Teal Ball, 6 p.m., South Shore Harbour Resort.

Saturday, Dec. 3 Toyland Fantasy Breakfast, hosted by Bay Area Museum Guild, 10 a.m., Bay Oaks Country Club.

Friday, March 24 Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre presents Pasión, 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday nights, BAHBT Rehearsal Studio’s Black Box Theatre, 2350-D Dickinson Ave., Dickinson.

Wednesday, Oct. 12 Just A Pretty Table, hosted by Bay Area Museum Guild, 10 a.m., Bay Oaks Country Club, Clear Lake.

Clear Lake Symphony Christmas Pops Concert, 7:30 p.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Nassau Bay.

Thursday, Oct. 6 Bay Oaks Women’s Association Fall Coffee, 10:30 a.m., Bay Oaks Country Club, Clear Lake.

Monday, Sept. 12 Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will address the Space Center Rotary Club, 11:45 a.m., Bay Oaks Country Club, Clear Lake. Wednesday, Sept. 14 Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre Kickoff Party, 6:30 p.m., New BAHB&T Rehearsal Studio – 2350-D Dickinson Ave., Dickinson. Thursday, Sept. 15 College of the Mainland 50th Anniversary Gala, Doyle Center, Texas City Friday, Sept. 16 Clear Lake Symphony Fall Pops Concert, 7:30 p.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Nassau Bay. Saturday, Sept. 17 The 3rd Annual “It’s Your Time! Women’s Conference” will be held Sept. 16, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at South Shore Harbour Resort in League City, sponsored by the League City Regional Chamber and Houston Methodist St. John Hospital in Nassau Bay. Keynote luncheon speaker will be kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart. Register online at http:// itsyourtimewomensconference.com/ Friday, Sept. 23 Southwest International Boat Show, South Shore Harbour Marina, 2551 South Shore Blvd., League City, Friday-Sunday. Tickets $10 per day. Saturday, Sept. 24 The League City Garden Club’s 6th Annual Garden Walk, “Through the Garden Gate,” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24. Saturday, Oct. 1 The Texas Gathering and 22nd Annual Oak Tree Festival will be held at Butler Longhorn Museum, 1220 Coryell St. in League City. Art, live music, food, pie contest, silent auction, chili cookoff, gun show, Civil War Renactment, etc. Monday, Oct. 3 Clear Creek Education Foundation’s

Tuesday, March 21 Picnic at the Museum, hosted by Bay Area Museum Guild.

Friday, Dec. 2 Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre presents the first weekend of The Nutcracker, at UH-Clear Lake Bayou Theatre, with curtains at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and matinees at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Dine Out to Donate with more than 60 restaurants participating.

Thursday, Sept. 8 Pasadena Chamber Business Expo, 3:306:30 p.m., Pasadena Convention Center.

Friday, Feb. 17 Clear Lake Symphony Concierto Fantastico, 7:30 p.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Nassau Bay.

Thursday, Oct. 13 Houston District E Town Hall, 6:30-8 p.m., Space Center Houston, 1601 NASA Parkway, Clear Lake. Friday, Oct. 14 Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre production, Dracula, opens for three-day run at UH-Clear Lake Bayou Theatre with curtains at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and matinees at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, Oct. 15 Space Center Rotary annual Shrimporee and Auction, 11 a.m., Landolt Pavilion, Clear Lake Park. UHCL alumni and faculty will gather Saturday, Oct. 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 for the annual black tie optional Alumni Celebration at Space Center Houston on NASA Parkway. Cash bar, live music, awards presentation, etc. For tickets or information, contact the alumni office, 281-283-2021 or visit www.uhcl.edu/ alumnicelebration Friday, Oct. 21 Clear Lake Symphony Classics Concert, 7:30 p.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Nassau Bay. Tuesday, Oct. 25 Music at the Museum hosted by Houston Symphony League Bay Area and Bay Area Museum Guild. Thursday, Nov. 3 Pasadena Chamber’s Taste of the Town, 5-9 p.m., Pasadena Convention Center. Friday, Nov. 4 Clear Lake Panhellenic fall fashion show, 10 a.m., South Shore Harbour Resort, League City. Saturday, Nov. 5 Bay Oaks Women’s Association Gala, 7 p.m., Bay Oaks Country Club.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2016

Sunday, Dec. 4 Holiday Open House, hosted by Bay Area Museum Guild and Lunar Rendezvous, museum.

Monday, March 13 Clear Creek ISD Spring Break through Friday, March 17.

Clear Lake Symphony Youth Concerto Competition, 7:30 p.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Thursday, March 30 Second Chance Pets Whiskers, Wags & Wine fundraiser, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Lakewood Yacht Club, Seabrook. Saturday, April 1 Assistance League Ball of the Wild, 7 p.m., South Shore Harbour Resort.

Monday, Dec. 5 Bay Oaks Women’s Association Annual Holiday Market, 9 a.m., Bay Oaks Country Club.

Friday, April 28 RNASA Space Awards Gala, 6 p.m., Downtown Houston Hyatt Regency Hotel Ballroom.

Assistance League Holiday Open House, 11 a.m., home of Cecilia Dismukes.

Clear Lake Symphony concert finale, 7:30 p.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

Tuesday, Dec. 6 Pasadena Chamber’s annual gala, 6:30 p.m., Sylvan Beach Pavilion, La Porte.

Sunday, May 7 Silver Tea, hosted by Bay Area Museum Guild, 3 to 5 p.m., museum in Clear Lake Park.

Thursday, Dec. 8 Clear Lake Panhellenic Holiday Party, 11 a.m., Diana Shuman’s home in Clear Lake. Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Holiday Party, Lakewood Yacht Club.

Thursday, May 11 Clear Lake Area Chamber’s Business & Wellness Expo, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 18220 Upper Bay Road, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 9 Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre presents the second weekend of The Nutcracker, at UH-Clear Lake Bayou Theatre, with curtains at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and matinees at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Monday, May 15 Assistance League Installation Luncheon, 10 a.m.

Sunday, Dec. 11 UHCL’s 2016 fall Commencement at NRG Arena -- School of Science and Computer Engineering and School of Education, noon; School of Business and School of Human Sciences and Humanities, 5 p.m.

Tuesday, May 30 Bay Area Museum Guild’s annual installation luncheon.

Tuesday, Dec. 19 Clear Creek ISD holidays Dec. 19-Jan. 1

Tuesday, July 25 Lunar Rendezvous Fashion Show, 10 a.m., San Luis Convention Center Ballroom, Galveston.

Friday, Jan. 27 Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Quasar Banquet, 6 p.m., South Shore Harbour Resort. Thursday, Feb. 9 Epicurean Evening hosted by the Clear Lake Area Chamber, 6 p.m., Space Center Houston.

Thursday, May 25 Clear Lake Panhellenic Installation Luncheon.

Thursday, June 1 Last day of school in Clear Creek ISD.

Saturday, July 29 Lunar Rendezvous Coronation Ball, 5 p.m., San Luis Convention Center Ballroom, Galveston