October 2023
At Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, we treat every aspect of your cancer. Leading oncologists work with our specialists across disciplines to minimize cancer’s effects on major organs. One comprehensive team — dedicated to your individual care — uses the latest research, treatments and technology to stop your cancer. From infusion and clinical trials to surgery and reconstruction, our innovative care is available in Clear Lake.
That’s the difference between practicing medicine and leading it.
281.333.8899
houstonmethodist.org/cancer-clearlake
Allegiance Bank and CommunityBank of Texas have come together as Stellar Bank .
While our name has changed, our commitment to serving our customers and supporting our local communities will stay the same.
We look forward to a bright future together.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year in the United States, about 240,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Among those, about 42,000 die.
Although these figures are staggering, you can lower your risk.
“Cancer prevention starts with knowledge, personal awareness and early action,” said Dr. Natasha B. Hirani, a hematologist in medical oncology at Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Clear Lake.
One of the most important steps you can take for good health is to familiarize yourself with your own body and its normal patterns. Hirani stresses the importance of conducting regular breast self-exams. “Pay attention to any changes or unusual symptoms that continue for an extended period, and discuss them with your doctor,” she said.
“Being in tune with your body is a powerful tool in preventing cancer,” continued Harini. “By understanding your normal baseline, you become more likely to notice any subtle changes that may indicate a problem.” Also, make sure you stay on schedule with your regular healthcare screenings and see your primary-care provider (PCP) annually.
“Every woman should have a primary-care doctor and gynecologist," said Dr. Hirani. “Risk of breast cancer, as well as other health conditions, isn’t something a person should try to gauge on their own. And screening early and regularly is essential.”
Establishing a close relationship with a health care provider who understands your medical history, and can guide you through screenings and exams, is invaluable. Regular checkups and open communication allow your doctor to monitor your health, address any concerns and recommend appropriate screenings based on your risk factors.
About 30-50% of cancers are preventable by eliminating your risk factors and adding a healthy routine. It’s never too late to get proactive in your health. Reduce your risk with these simple lifestyle changes and promote your overall well-being:
Make healthy lifestyle choices:
Maintain a healthy weight
Eat your fruits and vegetables
Exercise regularly
Don’t smoke – if you do, quit Limit alcohol intake
If you’re of childbearing age, breastfeed if possible
Know your risk. Speak with both sides of your family to learn family health history. Talk with a health care provider about your risk of breast cancer.
Get screened. Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you’re at average risk. Have a clinical breast exam at least every three years starting at age 20, and every year starting at age 40.
Know what’s normal for you and see a health care provider if you notice any of these changes:
Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area
Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast
Change in the size or shape of the breast
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
Itchy, scaly sore or rash on nipple
Pulling in of the nipple or other parts of the breast
Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away
Detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages increases the chances of successful treatment and improves overall outcomes. It allows for a broader range of treatment options that often are less invasive and more effective. Plus, early detection improves the chances of complete recovery and long-term survival. Regular screenings with your doctor and staying attuned to your body’s signals are vital to catching cancer at its earliest stages when it’s most treatable.
All women should begin getting an annual screening mammogram at age 40. If your health care provider determines that other factors known to increase risk are present, screening should start earlier. The goal is always to detect abnormalities as early as possible when breast cancer is most curable.
Take an active role in your health care by asking questions, sharing any changes or concerns and discussing your family’s medical history with your doctor. If you do receive a diagnosis, don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion. It’s important to gather different perspectives when facing potential cancer.
Learn More
The Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Clear Lake provides the full continuum of care — from screening through treatment and beyond — all in one place. Learn more by visiting houstonmethodist.org/womens-services/ locations/clear-lake/breast-care-center online or by calling 281.333.8858.
THE HOUSTON METHODIST BREAST CARE CENTER
AT CLEAR LAKE PROVIDES:
• A calm, spa-like setting
• Free parking
• The ability to undergo a mammogram and, if necessary, an ultrasound or MRI on the same day (pending insurance approval)
• A dedicated team that communicates effectively and coordinates care efficiently, which allows our patients to begin treatment immediately
• Full-time breast radiologists dedicated exclusively to breast care
• A full-time, dedicated nurse navigator to help guide patients and their families through the entire treatment process
• Full-service, coordinated care with the physicians and staff at the Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Clear Lake
Houston Methodist welcomes Debra Kimmey, PA-C, to League City Clinic
Kimmey is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She has clinical expertise in acute and chronic condition management – including thyroid concerns, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and rash and skin problems. She has a particular interest in preventive care and women’s health.
“I believe in patient-centered care with a focus on compassion and attentiveness,” Kimmey said. “I strive for my patients to be empowered participants in decision-making processes related to their health and well-being, which includes educating them about disease processes and how to maintain and improve them.”
Kimmey earned her degree in physician assistant studies at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Away from work, she is an avid card maker, enjoys travel and appreciates nature.
Patients in League City and surrounding communities can schedule an appointment online at houstonmethodist.org/pcg/league-city or by phone at 281.523.3110.
With more than 200 providers at 40 locations throughout Greater Houston and surrounding areas, Houston Methodist Primary Care Group provides quality, compassionate care with access to world-class hospital services, specialty care and physicians across Houston Methodist – a nationally-recognized and leading health system.
Houston Methodist welcomes Veronica Tiburcio-Espinoza, PA-C, to Friendswood Clinic
Tiburcio-Espinoza is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She has clinical expertise in acute and chronic health care – including high blood pressure and high cholesterol, with special interest in preventive care and geriatrics.
“As a physician assistant, I believe in empowering my patients with evidencebased information so they can make informed decisions about their health care,” Tiburcio-Espinoza said. “I earn the trust of my patients with respect and humility. Working in primary care has allowed me to establish strong and lasting relationships with patients over the years, and I look forward to getting to know the Friendswood community.”
Tiburcio-Espinoza earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology at University of California-Irvine, and a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. Away from work, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and hiking.
Patients in Friendswood and surrounding communities can schedule an appointment online at houstonmethodist.org/pcg/friendswood or by phone at 832.783.1079.
With more than 200 providers at 40 locations throughout Greater Houston and surrounding areas, Houston Methodist Primary Care Group provides quality, compassionate care with access to world-class hospital services, specialty care and physicians across Houston Methodist – a nationally-recognized and leading health system.
Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital welcomes OB-GYN Chinemelum Orizu, M.D.
Orizu is a board-eligible obstetrician and gynecologist who earned her medical degree from Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia. She completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at Bayfront Health Obstetrics & Gynecology in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she earned several honors, including those for patient satisfaction and resident academic achievement.
“In my practice, compassion meets expertise to bring new life into the world, safeguard women’s health and stand as a beacon of support for women through every stage of their remarkable journey,” she said. Orizu’s clinical interests include general and high-risk obstetrics, as well as minimally invasive and robotic gynecologic surgeries. She is a member of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeons.
To learn more or schedule an appointment, call Houston Methodist Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates – Clear Lake at 832-956-0350 or visit houstonmethodist.org/doctor/chinemelum-orizu
450 W. Medical Center Blvd, Suite 600B Webster, TX 77598 (281) 316-0121
than 300 businesses open and advised more than 5000 total clients. Among those centers, the San Jacinto College SBDC (SJC SBDC) serves SE Harris County and Pearland, and the Galveston County SBDC ranked as centers with the highest economic impact. Your local SBDCs offer a wide range of training opportunities including topics like Human Resources, Financial Literacy, StartUp, Small Business Loans, Web Design, Business Planning, and much more. They also have a library of hundreds of different topics online at https://www. sbdc.uh.edu/sbdc/webinars.asp.
Amy Reid is the Director of the Galveston County SBDC. With more than 20 years of experience in small business ownership, human resources, payroll, marketing, web design, management, and facilities operations, she is a resource to small business owners on a variety of topics. She has more than 10 years of experience in business coaching and advising. Reid is active in the community and often speaks at small business networking groups and serves on several community committees. Reid states, “Our mission is to grow the economy one small business at a time. This journey is extremely rewarding! “
Herbert Hildebrand, Director of the SJC SBDC, is a graduate of Baylor University with degrees in accounting (BBA) and law (JD)—current admissions: State Bar of Texas; U.S. Tax Court. Herb has more than 50 years of extensive and varied experience in business matters involving finance, banking, domestic and international taxation, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, employment, regulatory and environmental issues. Herb stressed, “Our SJC SBDC team, collectively, offers clients over 100 years of professional experience in highly diversified business matters.”
The Texas Gulf Coast Small Business Development Center Network provides free business advising, access to training, tools, and resources to help small businesses start, grow, expand, and succeed. Designated as one of Texas’s top business assistance programs, the Network has 13 centers that serve 32 counties in southeast Texas. Since 1984, the Network has helped construct a regional ecosystem to foster the spirit, support, and success of thousands of entrepreneurs and innovators. The SBDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Thus far, in 2023, the Texas Gulf Coast SBDCs have helped to inject over $120 million dollars into the local economy, create over 2500 jobs, helped more
SJC SBDC Advisor, Robert Carlson, has extensive U.S. domestic and international business experience with corporations, universities, and government agencies. Rob is well-versed and knowledgeable in general management, project and business development, relationship building, synthesizing, problem resolution, importing, and exporting. Rob is a graduate of Brigham Young University and holds a BA in Economics. He also attained his Master of International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Amy, Herb, and Rob are proud members of the BAHEP SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE.
To become a client of the SBDC and take your business to the next level, at no cost, you can register online at http://www.sbdc.uh.edu .
HAPPY DAYS are here again -- just ask the Clear Lake Area Panhellenic ladies who just kicked off a new year with their annual Fall Friendship Tea where they gather each year to renew old friendships and plan their big 37th annual Fall Fashion Show Luncheon, coming Up Friday, Nov. 3 at South Shore Harbour Resort, starting at 10:30 a.m.
Don't have tickets? Better hurry before they're all gone. It's one of the biggest events of the fall season, so tickets go fast.
Ondi Lyon is chairman of this year's show, which will have the theme, "Happy Days With Clear Lake Panhellenic." That prompted Ruth Beecher to urge all to "get out your poodle skirt, letterman jacket and get ready to rock 'n roll."
The masterful Lenny Matuszewski plans to work his magic by presenting a fast-paced show with fashions by Dillard's at Baybrook.
Models are Clear Lake Panhellenic members Amber Allan. Evelyn Baldwin, Kelli Baliker, Eileen Barlow, Wendy Shaw Chandler, Annette Dwyer, Jenny Frantz, Kellie Gross, Sarah Lowe, Kim Mathis, Christie Matthew, Erin McDonald, Greta Mee, Demerle Monks, Karen Moon, Marcy Ortega, Diane Overman, Carrie Peters, Bridget Robinson, Katherine Vernau, Karen Weber and Macy Ann Williams.
Profits will go to the Crawford-Zbandk Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships for Bay Area girls attending a state college in Texas.
Among the committee chairmen assisting Ondi
with show arrangements are Kathryn Vernau, advertising; Kelsey McNeil, communications/ social media; Ondi Lyon, Kay Lee Benoit, Lisa O’Brien, Judie Ferguson and D’Lisa Johnston, decorations; Diane Overman, finances; Elizabeth McCarty, invitations; Becky Hensley, silent
auction; Eileen Barlow, live auction; Jenny Frantz, model coordinator; Elizabeth McCarty, program chairman; Ruth Beecher and Jill Reason, publicity; Corinne McVay, raffle; Barbara Dickey and Sue Broughton, registration; Sheryl Williams, reservations; Diane Overman and Kim Mathis, Shopping Fairies; Jo Cat Bruce, sponsors and underwriters.
Tickets are $125 for runway seating and $100 for general seating. It also includes a champagne reception that can be enjoyed while perusing the hundreds of Silent Auction items or purchasing raffle tickets. A three-course lunch with wine will be served.
NEW LEAGUE CITY Chamber President/ CEO Bryan Bolton got quite a warm welcome when Chamber Board Chairman Carl Joiner and his wife, Colene, hosted a Meet & Greet Party in his honor at their Kemah home.
Chances are the honoree knew many of the guests as he was already a League City resident before accepting the job as president.
Among them were the recently retired League City Mayor Pat Hallisey and his wife Janice, City Manager John Baumgartner, Clear Creek ISD
Superintendent Dr. Karen Engle, CCISD Board President Arturo Sanchez and CCISD Trustees Jay Cunningham and Scott Bowen; plus League City Councilmen Tom Crews and Sean Saunders and Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Brian Freedman
Nearby, he found himself saying hello to some of the folks he will be working with – Chamber Vice Chairman Elias Armemdariz, Treasurer Jim Goebel and his wife, Joanie; Beth Journey, who has been serving recently as interim president/CEO
of the chamber; and Board Members Naseema Mohamed, Hank Dugie and Jimmy Fullen. Some of the others in the crowd included League City Director of Economic Development Scott Livingston, attorney Duana Boswell, soonto-be Clear Lake Chamber Chairman Rebecca Lilley, Galveston County Commissioner Dr. Robin Armstrong, and Pastor Steve Rhoades of Bay Harbor Methodist Church, and candidate for Galveston County constable Blake Patton
NOT SURE you understand what we will be voting for in the proposed 2023 Bond Election and Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE)? Rest assured you’re not alone, which is why Clear Creek ISD is hosting a series of community meetings.
This is the first time in school district history that voters will be asked to consider a VATRE, which would add three cents onto the maintenance and operations tax rate to offset the increasing cost of education. The two
Bond proposals on the ballot total $302 million and would be used for priority repairs and replacements, school safety upgrades, school infrastructure, and instructional technology.
Visit www.ccisd.net/electioncentral to learn more.
All meetings start at 6 p.m. and will be held in the commons. The ones at Clear Creek High and Clear Brook High were both held in September. The ones at Clear Falls, Clear Lake and Clear Springs are as follows:
OCTOBER 3, 2023
Clear Falls High School
4380 Village Way, League City, TX 77573
OCTOBER 5, 2023
Clear Lake High School 2929 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058
OCTOBER 12, 2023
Clear Springs High School 501 Palomino Ln, League City, TX 77573
Clear Creek ISD Trustees Scott Bowen, left, and Jay Cunningham, right, strike up a conversation with League City Director of Economic Development Scott Livingston New League City Chamber President/CEO Bryan Bolton, far right, stops to visit with several chamber officials -- from left, Board Chairman Carl Joiner; Vice Chairman Elias Armendariz; and Treasurer Jim Goebel and his wife, Joanie, during the welcome party at the Joiners’ home in Kemah. (03)
WE ALL ADMIRE THE ASTRONAUTS –their bravery, hard work, toughness and their smarts. Many even hope to be an astronaut. In fact, some 6,000 applied to be a part of the class of 2017, when only about a dozen were chosen.
But what exactly does it take to be an astronaut?
Strength
They must be strong enough to lift themselves out of a capsule while wearing a full space suit, in case of an emergency.
Height
They must be a certain height, although this could change, as it has over the years. Applicants currently cannot be taller than 6 feet 3 inches and shorter than 5 feet 2 inches.
Vision
Their vision must be correctable to 20/20, whereas, in the past, the space agency used to exclude candidates who had undergone corrective eye surgery.
Education
There was a time in the early days of the space program when astronauts had to be military test pilots, but this no longer holds true as NASA tries to reach a broader spectrum of people – engineers, scientists, teachers, veterinarians and doctors. Just so an applicant holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering, math, chemistry, science, physics, he or she may try out.
They also have to be able to multi task and demonstrate they are skilled with their hands and can, for example, fix broken instruments while simultaneously communicating with mission control.
Just as important as smart, talented people, is one with an easygoing personality. A nice person with whom one wouldn’t mind spending a month or more in a small, confined area and sharing a toilet. Or six months to a year on the International Space Station.
THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS and Space Administration is responsible for unique scientific and technological achievements in human spaceflight, aeronautics, space science, and space applications that have had widespread impacts on our nation and the world.
Forged in response to early Soviet space achievements, NASA was built on the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and other government organizations, as the locus of U.S. civil aerospace research and development.
When NASA opened for business on Oct. 1, 1958, it accelerated the work already started on human and robotic spaceflight. NASA’s first high profile program was Project Mercury, an effort to learn if humans could survive in space. This was followed by Project Gemini, which used spacecraft built for two astronauts to perfect the capabilities needed for the national objective of a human trip to the Moon by the end of the 1960s.
Project Apollo achieved that objective in July 1969 with the Apollo 11 mission and expanded on it with five more successful lunar landing missions through 1972. After the Skylab and Apollo-Soyuz Test Projects of the mid-1970s, NASA’s human spaceflight efforts again resumed in 1981 with the Space Shuttle program that continued for 30 years. The shuttle was not only a breakthrough technology, but was essential to our next major step in space, the construction of the International Space Station.
Over the last 65 years NASA has continued to push the boundaries with cutting edge aeronautics research that has dramatically changed the way we build and fly airplanes. NASA has also completed the reconnaissance of our solar system, with intense investigation of all the planets. Using orbital spacecraft like the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA has also dramatically changed our understanding of the universe around us, as well as our own planet. NASA’s early work on launch vehicles, communication satellites, and weather satellites has fundamentally changed daily life and created whole new industries. As a catalyst for international cooperation, NASA has also changed how and why humanity conducts space exploration. Now, NASA is preparing to take humankind farther than ever before, as it helps to foster a robust commercial space economy near Earth, and pioneers further human and robotic exploration as we venture into deep space.
The NASA History Office Program publishes a quarterly newsletter, as well as an array of books (print and digital), hosts social media, provides fellowships, and runs the Historical Reference Collection (our version of an archive) to assist the public in finding more information on aeronautical and space history. In addition, the staff produces the Aeronautics and Space Report of the President.
The National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 directs NASA to produce an annual report that includes a “comprehensive description of the programmed activities and the accomplishments of all agencies of the United States in the field of aeronautics and space activities” during the preceding year.
“Over the last 65 years NASA has continued to push the boundaries.”A new era in space flight began on April 12, 1981, when Space Shuttle Columbia, or STS-1, soared into orbit from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
JULY, 1969.
It’s a little over eight years since the flights of Yuri Gagarin and Alan Shepard, followed quickly by President Kennedy’s challenge to put a man on the moon before the decade is out.
It is only seven months since NASA’s made a bold decision to send Apollo 8 all the way to the moon on the first manned flight of the massive Saturn V rocket.
Now, on the morning of July 16, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins sit atop another Saturn V at Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. The three-stage 363-foot rocket will use its 7.5 million pounds of thrust to propel them into space and into history.
At 9:32 a.m. EDT, the engines fire and Apollo 11 clears the tower. About 12 minutes later, the crew is in Earth orbit. After one and a half orbits, Apollo 11 gets a “go” for what mission controllers call “Translunar Injection” -- in other words, it’s time to head for the moon. Three days later the crew is in lunar orbit. A day after that, Armstrong and Aldrin climb into the lunar module Eagle and begin the descent, while Collins orbits in the command module Columbia. Collins later writes that Eagle is “the weirdest looking contraption I have ever seen in the sky,” but it will prove its worth.
When it comes time to set Eagle down in the Sea of Tranquility, Armstrong improvises, manually piloting the ship past an area littered with boulders. During the final seconds of descent, Eagle’s computer is sounding alarms. It turns out to be a simple case of the computer trying to do too many things at once, but as Aldrin will later point out, “unfortunately it came up when we did not want to be trying to solve these particular problems.”
When the lunar module lands at 4:18 p.m EDT, only 30 seconds of fuel remain. Armstrong
radios “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.” Mission control erupts in celebration as the tension breaks, and a controller tells the crew “You got a bunch of guys about to turn blue, we’re breathing again.” Armstrong will later confirm
that landing was his biggest concern, saying “the unknowns were rampant,” and “there were just a thousand things to worry about.”
At 10:56 p.m. EDT Armstrong is ready to plant the first human foot on another world. With more than half a billion people watching on television, he climbs down the ladder and proclaims: “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” Aldrin joins him shortly, and offers a simple but powerful description of the lunar surface: “magnificent desolation.” They explore the surface for two and a half hours, collecting samples and taking photographs.
They leave behind an American flag, a patch honoring the fallen Apollo 1 crew, and a plaque on one of Eagle’s legs. It reads, “Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon. July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind.”
Armstrong and Aldrin blast off and dock with Collins in Columbia. Collins later says that “for the first time,” he “really felt that we were going to carry this thing off.”
The crew splashes down off Hawaii on July 24. Kennedy’s challenge has been met. Men from Earth have walked on the moon and returned safely home.
In an interview years later, Armstrong praises the “hundreds of thousands” of people behind the project. “Every guy that’s setting up the tests, cranking the torque wrench, and so on, is saying, man or woman, ‘If anything goes wrong here, it’s not going to be my fault.’”
In a post-flight press conference, Armstrong calls the flight “a beginning of a new age,” while Collins talks about future journeys to Mars.
Over the next three and a half years, 10 astronauts will follow in their footsteps. Gene Cernan, commander of the last Apollo mission leaves the lunar surface with these words: “We leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace, and hope for all mankind.”
Dr. Robert R. Gilruth: Nov. 1, 1961 - Jan. 17, 1972
Dr. Christopher C. Kraft Jr: Jan. 17, 1972 - Aug. 7, 1982
Gerald D. Griffin: Aug. 8, 1982 - Jan. 14, 1986
Jesse W. Moore: Jan. 23, 1986 - Oct. 2, 1986
Aaron Cohen: Oct. 12, 1986 - Aug. 20, 1993
Dr. Carolyn Huntoon: Jan. 6, 1994 - Aug. 4, 1995
George W.S. Abbey: (Acting) Aug. 4, 1995 - Jan. 23, 1996
George W.S. Abbey: Jan. 23, 1996 - Feb. 23, 2001
Roy Estess: (Acting) Feb. 23, 2001 - April 1, 2002
Gen. Jefferson D. Howell Jr: April 1, 2002 - Nov. 23, 2005
Michael L. Coats: Nov. 23, 2005 - Dec. 31, 2012
Ellen Ochoa: Jan. 1, 2013 - May 25, 2018
Mark Geyer: May 25, 2018 - May 3, 2021
Vanessa Wyche: June 2021 - Present
Fall in love with some of my favorite beauty products this season. I feel these products positively affect the skin and hair holistically, and create transformational differences. They will help bring you a beautiful radiance and freshness just in time for Fall.
This beauty product is literally magic, and I’m completely obsessed. The results from morning to night are undeniable and I was highly impressed with this product. The Magic Night Cream is extremely moisturizing, hydrating and creates a dewy glow by morning. It also creates a plumping and firming effect and eliminates fine lines and wrinkles. Some of the ingredients include time released retinol, vitamin E, plant stem cells and co enzyme Q10. You will have younger looking skin by morning, so get your beauty sleep on girl.
CharlotteTilbury.com
This is my favorite Blaine Gloss from my personal beauty line for the Fall season. The gloss consists of a toasted, sparkling pinkish bronze shade. Blaine Gloss in Superstar contains high quality ingredients such as antioxidants, vitamin E, and natural vanillin extract, and is extremely nourishing for your lips. It is super pigmented, designed for long wear and also smells incredible. It is luxury lipgloss at its finest and will leave your lips looking flawless.
BlaineBeauty.com
I love this soothing treatment lotion because it is a unique hydrating product that contains powerful ingredients derived from nature. The Origins brand in general formulates their products using the combination of plants and science. This particular product contains beneficial ingredients such as Reishi Mushroom, Fermented Chaga Mushroom, licorice root and hyaluronic acid. The light, liquid formula immediately soothes the skin and reduces redness. Other benefits include minimizing pores and strengthening the skin surface, and can be used on all skin types. Origins.com
This popular hair oil treatment works wonders. I recently started using this product and it is one of the most versatile and transformative products I’ve used. The hair treatment is multitasking and can be applied to damp hair before blow drying or applied to dry hair. You only need to use a small amount of the product to see beautiful results. When using on dry hair the product helps to control flyaways and reduce frizz, while also creating a shiny, silky look. When applied to wet hair, (about mid-length to ends) the oil helps to detangle, hydrate split ends and create a smooth, controlled blow out. The antioxidant-rich argan oil combined with shine-boosting vitamins, such as vitamin E, linseed extract, and essential fatty acids helps to nourish and improve the overall health of your hair.
Moroccanoil.com
I like this cleanser because it’s a quality daily facial wash. It’s not expensive and yet does an amazing job of giving your face a deep cleanse and removing makeup. The formula is not pore-clogging nor does it strip the skin of its natural moisture barrier and pH. It contains La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal spring water and other proactive ingredients. The cleanser is gentle yet gets rid of impurities and leaves the face fresh and bright.
LaRoche-Posay.us
Friday, October 20, 2023
The Yard at BARGE 295 -2613 E Nasa Rd 1 Seabrook, TX 77586
5:00 PM – Doors Open
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Concert (Gary Kyle Opening Musician)
7:45 PM – 8:15 PM – Live Auction
PRESENTED BY For Tickets: www.outhousetickets.com/Events/22163-Eli_Young_Band/
The Longhorn Project at Johnson Space Center’s Center for Agriculture, Science& Engineering (CASE), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization provides agricultural & STEM education for youth. Since 2004, over 80,000 students have participated in the educational program.
Nestled on the eclectic Main Street of La Porte, Texas, Ed's Bistro has swiftly earned its reputation as a culinary gem in the Houston/Galveston Bay area. Established by Ed and Jody Revak, this dining establishment is a heartfelt tribute to Lynn Revak, a globe-trotter who, along with his wife, Shan and his brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Jody, made it their mission to savor the flavors of the world's finest eateries, from Europe to South and Central America. Ed's extensive culinary background and connections have allowed them to curate an exceptional menu paired with wines from esteemed vineyards. As Revak aptly puts it, "The Bistro is a fusion of Texas Bred and California Chic."
Ed's Bistro opened its doors earlier this year
and has been met with resounding acclaim for its cuisine, wine selection, and inviting ambiance. Their culinary style, often referred to as "Gourmet American," showcases a diverse range of dishes that can be savored indoors or al fresco amidst the aromatic herb garden.
The menu at Ed's offers a tantalizing array of options, from hearty hot soups and fresh salads to mouthwatering entrees. Their decadent desserts are crafted from scratch, and the bar is stocked with premium calls and liquors.
Don't miss their must-try dishes, including the Fried Green Tomato Caprese with Fresh Mozzarella Cheese and the Broiled Oysters with Lime and Cowboy Butter as starters. The Shrimp & Crab Gumbo is a five-star favorite that mirrors authentic NOLA Creole Gumbo, sure to leave you craving more!
For small plates, indulge in the Duck Fat Fingerling Potatoes or the unique Fritto Misto, a delightful fusion of Fried Calamari, seafood, artichoke hearts, pineapple reduction, Thai Chili Cilantro Sauce, and garlic aioli.
Ed's signature large plates offer generously portioned entrees such as the Cornish Hen A L'Orange, deep-fried and smothered in a 5-spice seasoned orange sauce, paired with vegetable fried rice. The "Poisson du jour" showcases fresh daily catches like Grouper, Ahi Tuna, Sea Bass, Salmon, or Snapper, served with market-fresh condiments. The star of the show, Ed's Prime Short Rib Mire-poix, with demi-glace, risotto, and asparagus, is a gold medal winner that will leave your taste buds delighted.
Cap off your dining experience with their delectable desserts, each served with a complimentary glass of dessert wine. Favorites include Tracy's Croissant Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce paired with Cossart Gordon
Bual, or the popular Tiffany's Peach Cobbler, complemented by a refreshing glass of Hungarian Tokaji late-harvest wine.
Ed's Bistro also boasts an array of honorable mentions, from Charcuterie Boards to Cornmeal Shrimp Po-Boys, Wagyu Burgers, Shaved Beef, Reuben Sandwiches, and fresh daily Linguine Pastas.
"Come as you are. We are all about casual and relaxed," says Revak. Whether you're a gourmet connoisseur or simply appreciate quality cuisine, Ed's Bistro invites you to savor an unforgettable dining experience.
Find Ed's Bistro at 102 Main St., La Porte, and stay updated on their offerings through their Facebook and Instagram pages (@ edsbistrolaporte). For reservations, call 281-4025200.
They're open Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, and 5 to 9 p.m. for dinner. On Saturdays, dinner service is from 5 to 9 p.m., and Sundays feature a scrumptious brunch with specially crafted cocktails from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ever need a reason to get up early on a weekend? Jackie’s Bar & Grill will have you leaping out of bed to get to their wonderful brunch just South of Clear Lake.
Jackie’s Bar & Grill recently updated their Brunch menu and hold onto your hats for this amazing spread! Let’s drink to this new brunch experience with one of their several cocktails available on the morning menu including Absolut Bloody Mary’s and Skinny Rita Pitchers. We opted for the bottle of Campo Viejo Cava Champagne where you can add a small glass of juice for 25 cents. This creates a build-your-own mimosa where you order one or more of the different juice varieties to liven up your breakfast sipping.
Then it’s time to eat! You will have a hard time choosing from the Lite Bites, Tacos and Burritos, Breakfast Skillets, and The Classics. We did the heavy lifting for you and tried out several of the dishes for taste testing, gobbling up these luscious choices for a satisfying meal that left us giddy all day.
From the Lite Bites, we had the Berry Medley (fresh fruit, yogurt, and granola) and the Avocado Toast. The colorful Berry Medley was cool and refreshing on that hot morning, a great pick for a light breakfast. But, we didn’t come for a small meal so we marveled, for a quick minute, over the beauty of the Avocado Toast before we dug in. This is how Avocado Toast was meant to be served: creamy Avocado mash on wheatberry toast topped with fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, and feta with a glorious balsamic glaze. The taste explosions were mind blowing!
For those who love a good Tex-Mex breakfast, you will be excited to know that most of Jackie’s Breakfast Tacos come in a Burrito size, too! If you head to Jackie’s for Taco Tuesdays, then you know how they excel in these local favorites. Breakfast is no exception! We chose the open-faced Primo Taco with black beans, cotija cheese, salsa verde, and andouille sausage with a fried egg dancing on top. What can only be described as a Texas size Burrito supreme, we enjoyed the Country version chock full of eggs, cheese, andouille sausage, Cajun hash, and bacon with a warm icing of gravy. Mouthwatering goodness!
Yumminess alert! Cajun Hash and Eggs in a skillet with andouille sausage comes topped with a dollop of guacamole and sprinkled with Pepper Jack cheese. This dish is spicy and hearty, full of textured layers that keep you digging to the bottom for more.
Finally, nothing says Classic Breakfast like Steak and Eggs that featured a hand cut ribeye with chimichurri sauce and more of the delicious Cajun hash and fried eggs. You can smell the great aroma of grilled steak when it’s on your way to your table, letting you know that the best is arriving.
If you like the idea of brunching al fresco, all these wonderful dishes are available on their patio where you get the bonus of live music. Jimmy Lispscomb provided a great solo act of guitar and vocals that added to the fun of brunch by the bay. Be sure to tip him and the friendly waitstaff for the great morning of fun and food.
Jackie’s Bar & Grill (formerly Jackie’s Brickhouse) is at 1053 Marina Bay Drive in Kemah featuring Brunch every Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM to 2 PM. Follow them on Facebook, call them at 832-604-4054, and check out their menu at jackiesbarandgrill.com.
The other day, my chosen mom, reminded me of some wisdom I had shared with her when I was having a tough time. She said, “Remember what you told me? What you are going through is a just a seasons. Seasons change. They don’t last forever. There is a time for everything. This too will pass.” You gotta love it when the preacher receives back what he preached.
Ecclesiastes is one of the most ancient wisdom writings found in the Bible. King Solomon, the wisest man you had ever lived to that point, wrote in chapter three:
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
What are you going through right now? Realize that it is just a season. It may feel like a really long season, like the pandemic or a draught or heat wave. But it is a season none the less, and it will end.
Sometimes just knowing that fact can help. It is like driving through a tunnel. You know that even if it is really long tunnel, the darkness will come to an end and you will come out into the light on the other side.
In the meantime, what can you do to help you through this season? What can you do to help someone else through their season? Or is your season lasting longer because it’s time to change seasons but you haven’t done that yet?
Ecclesiastes 3 continues:
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Are you stuck in a season that needs you to shift gears into the next? How can you do that? How can you help someone else do that? Just talking about it is a great beginning. Connect with God about it and let him lead you to what to do next. It could be just what is needed. “God has made everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11),” and He will make yours beautiful in its time also!
Pastor Brad Heintz is the founding pastor of Living Word Church in Taylor Lake Village, Texas, a vibrant family-style, non-denominational gathering of believers who take a pure, simple and real approach to faith and life. www.LWCBA.org
We are open for you! Experience a place where everyone is welcomed and loved!
10:30am Sunday Worship
Convenient Parking Shuttle from Robinson Elementary
Campfire 2023
Saturday, October 28, 5pm-9pm
You and your family are invited to enjoy hot dogs, s’mores, games, fun, and more around a big campfire on Living Word’s Land.
The Christmas Giving Tree Starts Sunday, October 29 Bless Children in our community with special gifts!
Sunday, December 24, Christmas Eve
www.ChristmasEveService.org
You and your family are invited to celebrate the story of Jesus’ birth!
10:30am Communion Celebration
1111
77586
To be completed December 2023
Suites available range from 2,000 SF to 30,000 SF.
Seeking lifestyle tenants: restaurant, pickleball, light medical, boutique fitness, and specialty grocers.
(832) 228-8012
Hard to believe that it's the first day of October. I have always considered this month to be the month of transition. Now why do I call it the transitional month? School is in session for grade schools and colleges. Football season is in full swing. Baseball season is winding down. We're nearing the end of hurricane season. Let's not forget, hunting season is beginning in Texas.
Our fishery also goes through a transition this month. If you've fished long enough, you might have some insight into what I've just stated, and I’ve studied these movements of fish for a long time. Like all of God's creatures, they adapt to the different seasons of the year. October begins the change from a summer pattern to a fall-winter pattern.
The shorter days trigger a movement in the fish. The first fish to sense a change in the season are the bull reds. You'll see many more anglers catching these along the beaches, passes, and jetties. We'll see more flounder being caught as the days become shorter.
October, weather permitting, is a great month for tarpon along the upper coast. Some of the largest fish of the year are caught during this month.
As far as speckled trout, there's a notable transition in these fish. For the most part, speckled trout have finished their spawn for the year;
September's full moon probably sealed the deal on this. Now what happens to them? Those fish that have migrated into the bay from the gulf will begin heading back to the gulf. That leaves us with our resident trout, the fish that live in the bay year-round.
These fish will begin a migration to the northern reaches of Galveston Bay. Why? They’re following the bait, the food they forage on. This time of year, that would be shrimp. With the bay as salty as it is, those shrimp are in the back reaches of the bays and bayous. The shorter days and subtle changes in the water temperature, along with some rain and outgoing tides, pull those shrimp out into the bay where the trout will be waiting. This is why you'll see an increase in the amount of gulls working the water.
Will every fish follow this pattern? Absolutely not, but if you’ve studied their movement as long as I
have, you do notice the same pattern year in and year out.
Some great areas to fish this time of year are Chocolate Bayou and Chocolate Bay. The back reaches of east Galveston Bay near the wildlife refuge should be good. Waders will do good on both shorelines in the back of east bay. At the time of this writing, the back of Trinity Bay is primed for having a good fall run of speckled trout and redfish. The lack of rainfall has the water green and salty in Jack's Pocket. If it stays this way, maybe just maybe, this prime fall location will produce some great catches of fish.
Then there's always the small bays located above and right below the Fred Hartman Bridge. These bays are protected from heavy winds associated with early season fronts and offer a good opportunity for the angler. A word of caution though, there's plenty of obstacles to avoid when running this area, and be aware of the ongoing channel dredging project.
Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital announces it has been recognized as a top performer in the 2023 Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Ranking by Vizient, Inc. Houston Methodist Clear Lake was ranked No. 13 out of 333 Vizient provider customers in the Community Hospital category recognized for demonstrating excellence in delivering high-quality care based on the annual Vizient Quality and Accountability Study conducted annually since 2005.
“This recognition is a reflection of the commitment of our entire hospital team to upholding the highest standards of quality and safety to provide unparalleled care to our patients,” said Carl Little, chief executive officer at Houston Methodist Clear Lake. “They work tirelessly every day to keep our patients at the center of everything we do, and I could not be prouder of what we have accomplished together.”
This year, 784 participating hospitals were segmented into four cohorts for the Vizient Quality and Accountability Ranking. The ranking measured performance on the quality of patient care in six domains: safety, mortality,
effectiveness, efficiency, patient-centeredness and equity. The ranking factors in measures from the Vizient Clinical Data Base and includes performance data from the HCAHPS survey and the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network.
The Vizient Quality and Accountability Ranking helps participating hospitals and health systems understand their performance against their peers and identifies structures and processes associated with high performance in quality and safety across a broad spectrum of patient care activity. The recognition period is for work spanning July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.
“Houston Methodist Clear Lake has demonstrated high-level commitment to the continuous improvement necessary to succeed in today’s evolving healthcare environment,” said David Levine, group senior vice president, advanced analytics and data science for Vizient. “The annual ranking leverages a unique, comprehensive and timely metrics-based methodology to recognize hospitals that achieve results on key measures that define quality patient care and delivery. Congratulations, Houston Methodist Clear Lake, on this prestigious honor.”
Big or small, pricey, or economical, there are more SUVs in the market than ever before, and the choices continue to increase. So, what suits your fancy? We recently evaluated an affordably priced midsize and a full-sized luxury model to see what the showroom has to offer.
The Navigator has been around for 25 years and has been the luxury stalwart for the Lincoln brand. Many components are shared with the Ford Expedition and F-150 truck. The ride, however, is Lincoln at its best, smooth & comfortable.
Conservative exterior styling best describes the ’23 Navigator. There is no way you can have a beast this big and not try to tame it, even if it’s just a little. The big in-your-face grille is more than enough to let you know that Lincoln builds this body-on-frame beauty.
The interior is where the Lincoln Navigator really wows. The high-end Black Label version boasts unique leather and wood accents that add to the upscale ambiance. Infotainment is state-of-the-art with controls conveniently located to make fine tuning a breeze.
Power is supplied by a smooth, quiet, 3.5-liter, turbocharged V-6 that delivers 440-horsepower. We got a combined average of 17.5 MPG.
Luxury at this level comes at a price. The 2023 Lincoln Navigator starts at $77,635. The Black Label trim goes for $110,815.
Many folks consider the Telluride a midsize, however, like the Navigator, it comes equipped with 3 rows of seating and is a true crossover, meaning it is unibody construction. With a starting price of less than half that of the Navigator, it’s attractive to a much larger audience.
Unless you are towing a heavy load, like a camper, boat, or trailer, not only will you reap the rewards of increased fuel economy, but the ride quality is also more car-like. The 3.8-liter V6 holds 281 horses and is connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The shape is like most SUVs, conservative in nature, however, front, and rear styling sets it apart from others. Lighting is the main difference; it is unique and attractive. The narrower D pillar helps with rear visibility.
High-end trims X-Line and X-Pro not only offer off-road capability but complement your time inside with plush leather seating surfaces and a curved, dual screen instrument display tied to a well sorted infotainment system.
Pricing starts at $35,890.
THE CLEAR LAKE AREA CHAMBER will host its 61st annual Chairman’s Ball Friday, Oct. 6, from 6:30 to 11 p.m. in the Crystal Ballroom at South Shore Harbour Resort In League City. For reservations, call the chamber, 281-488-7676.
HOUSTON MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER
will be the guest speaker for the Tuesday, Oct. 17 luncheon meeting of the Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership, which will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Double Tree Hotel, 8181 Airport Blvd.
THREE ELECTED OFFICIALS – State Sen. Mayes Middleton, State Reps. Dennis Paul and Dr. Greg Bonnen – will address Clear Lake Area Chamber members at its 11 a.m. monthly luncheon, Wednesday, Oct. 25, at South Shore Harbour Resort. To register, call the chamber, 281-488-7676.
CLEAR LAKE AREA PANHELLENIC will host its 37th annual Fall Fashion Show Luncheon Friday, Nov. 3 at South Shore Harbour Resort in League City, starting at 10:30 a.m. All profits will benefit the Crawford-Zbanek Scholarship Foundation for area girls attending a state college in Texas.
THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION HEART WALK, presented by UTMB Health, will be held Saturday, Nov. 11, starting at 8 a.m. on the Kemah Boardwalk.
Ilike to spend time in Gruene, Texas. It’s a nice, pleasant, laid back and fun place to be. Whether rounding out a day spent tubing or starting an evening with dinner at the Gristmill before a concert at Gruene Hall, the town offers a cluster of out-of-the-ordinary amenities, like The Grapevine wine bar or the sweet, shop owner who gives free beer to all the men while their wives shop. A few hours there can’t help but brighten anyone’s day.
Just across the river is New Braunfels, a much bigger town. Because of its size and its popularity with the junior-high through college set and the crowds and traffic that brings, I tend to avoid it. Yes, Oma’s is great for a good German meal, but beyond that, I stay on the other side of the river.
But there is one time of year when it is imperative to cross over into New Braunfels— the first two weeks of November and Wurstfest (This year, November 3rd through 12th). The party goes on for ten days.
While I don’t particularly like to dance and, in spite of my Polish heritage, I don’t have a clue how to polka, I do like beer, so I still fit right in. But the main draw for me is that everyone there, and that is a lot of people, seems to be having a ball. To experience it in person will make you believe Wurstfest just might be the happiest place on earth.
I’ve been to lots of happy places, (Luckenbach, the Terlingua porch, Royers in Round Top, and the Christmas boat parade in Kemah, just to name a few), but none of them can compare to Wurstfest for the display of sheer, exuberant joyfulness. Approaching the Wursthalle, you see the three large outdoor wall murals depicting the happiness you will find there.
These are ordinary people, in spite of the unusual clothing you might see (it is, after all, a German festival). They have lives and jobs that are just as ordinary and stressful as the rest of us. Many of them commute to
San Antonio daily for work, and if you’ve ever fought the Schlitterbahn traffic, you may think just driving through town is worse than battling the Houston freeways. Yet when you walk into the Wursthalle or the Biergarten, you’d think no one had a care in the world. They sing, dance, drink beer and everyone is your friend, even if you’ve never met them before. That, of course, begs the inevitable question—why?
Back about 100 years ago, I was going through a period when I was very unhappy. Aristotle tells us that happiness is like air; we are only aware of it in its absence. Believe me, I was aware of it. This lasted for about two years until one day, a football coach
When we go to social gatherings, large or small, an intimate dinner party or Wurstfest, none of us want to be a “downer.” So regardless of how we feel going in, once we get there, we act as if we are fine, happy even. And as a result, in a few minutes, we are. Voila, the “Act as if Principle” in action. That is definitely a factor in the happiness phenomenon we see at Wurstfest and most other party events.
But I think there is also another factor involved and we need to look deeper if we really want to understand why happiness is so abundant at celebrations of this type. As I mentioned earlier, these are ordinary people with jobs, stress, and worries—the same as the rest of us. I suspect most are not even cognitively aware of what they are doing, but each of these people has made a decision to take a short break from all of that “life”—a brief “dropout period,” if you will. Ask them why they are here and they say it’s because everyone else is here, or just because it’s fun. But the truth is, they, like all of us, have a message inscribed somewhere in their DNA — something that whispers to us that occasionally, we just need to take a short break from the pursuit of happiness and instead, take time to experience the happiness we already have. Work, money and other stressful issues get put on the back burner for a moment and instead, we take in life.
introduced me to the cure. He called it the “Act as if Principle.” Basically, it goes like this. For a brief time, no matter how awful you feel, you pretend you are happy and go out into the world acting as if you really are joyful. He guaranteed me that within a few minutes, I would feel much better. He did, however, warn me that the first attempt would be shortlived, that in a matter of minutes, all my issues would force their way back into my mind and I would be just as unhappy as before I started. Then he added, “But here is the beauty of the plan—You can do it all again! You just had a few minutes of feeling better. Now you can have a few more. And each time you do it, the ‘feel-better’ intervals get a bit longer.”
He was right. In less than a week, I was a happy man.
It is true—sometimes bad things do happen in life and some days are tougher than others. None of us will ever be happy every minute of every day. Aristotle tells us that happiness is not measured in the moment, but over a lifetime. Our overall happiness in life is completely under our own control. We can take a happiness break whenever we need it. If things are really bad, we can use the Act as if Principle to create that break. We can do this any time—and if we really think about it— just about all the time. Like most everything else in life, it is simply a matter of choice. People are about as happy as they decide to be.
Wurstfest reminds me of something J. R. R. Tolkien once wrote, “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
New Braunfels, Texas"We just need to take a short break from the pursuit of happiness and instead, take time to experience the happiness we already have. "
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