KEEP YOU MOVING
without joint pain
Live life without joint pain.
At Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we know that joint pain affects every part of your life. With treatment plans customized for you, our specialists offer a full range of advanced nonsurgical and surgical techniques. Our expert joint care includes:
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Clear Lake
Schedule an appointment: houstonmethodist.org/jointpain 713.363.9090
Magic & Awe of Serendipity presented by Serendipity Yacht Cruises
When has Serendipity changed your life?
Serendipity. It is a magical, funsounding word used to describe a happy accident, a chance encounter that opens our eyes to the unexpected. It allows us to see bridges where others see nothing.
Lorraine Castiglia, the Director of Serendipity Yacht Cruises explains, “Serendipity happens when we break out of our comfort zone by closely observing, connecting the dots, and cultivating the importance behind it all. We must seize opportunities. Paths cross, doors open, and a treasure trove of possibilities can occur; things happen for a reason.”
Serendipity Yacht Cruises invites YOU to share your Serendipity Moments in fun and engaging stories of unexpected experiences and connections highlighting surprising results. We want to hear about it.
Enter SYC’s Contest. See the exciting and fun-filled prizes below.
Did interaction bring love or lifelong friendship? Did you meet your significant other in a wondrous, fun, mysterious, or odd way? Did adopting a pet set you on a new course of vitality or aliveness? Did you have a serendipitous business encounter?
How did serendipity advance your career? Has your success been a series of random meetings that turned into prosperous opportunities? Was it a proverbial closed door that led you to the attainment of a goal in a way you had never envisioned?
Just as a lighthouse leads ships through the night, Serendipity can move us to outstanding achievements regardless of the situation. Lorraine plainly states, “Serendipity is constantly at work; to activate Serendipity, we must have the right mindset. We all have it; you need to go for it.
I’ve benefitted from Serendipity a lot of times and look for it every day. It is the beacon that lights the way.”
PRIZES
MORGAN’S POINT
Bayridge Road
6-8/6.5 | ±4,198 sf | $2.4mil | 703bayridgeroad.com
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the City of Morgan’s Point and this remarkable homesite rests on a peninsula of Galveston Bay. Rebuilt in recent years in keeping with historic restrictions, this wonderful property is the product of a master with knowledge of superior building materials and access to outstanding architects and engineering rms. The main house reaching 3 levels has open living, media room, terraces at 2 levels, and quarters with an elevator. More than 100 linear feet of porches with water views make relaxing easy. An enormous pool and spa accompany a fully equipped summer kitchen. Plus, a 600-foot lighted shing pier with oyster reef and a boat lift.
Nassau Bay plans holiday gift to the community
By Mary Alys CherryReady for some good news? Some really good news? Remember those majestic palms along NASA Parkway we loved to admire as we drove by Nassau Bay? That is until they were killed by the freezing winter storm Uri in February 2021. Slowly, one by one they drifted off to palm tree heaven, leaving us to remember better days and wish they would somehow return.
Now they are!
At the Nassau Bay City Council’s October meeting Council authorized Mayor Phil Johnson and City Manager Paul McLarty to enter into an agreement to replace the 26 Medjool palm trees that were located in the NASA Parkway median. They are being planted at locations with existing light structures between Point Lookout Drive and Upper Bay Road, Mayor Johnson said. There were three apparent low bidders, and staff met with each to determine which proposal provided the best value to the city. The low bids were offered by Palm Professional Tropical Nursery ($169,000.00), Moon Valley Nursery ($180,949.99), and Verdant Tree Farm ($181,810.00).
“Long term warranties are important since we want vendors to replace any palms that may die in the future with new palms,” the mayor said. “This will be a key negotiating point for the city. Timing is also important. We want to ensure the trees are planted during their optimal planting season to begin establishing a root system before summer heat returns next year. Each vendor will need to guarantee the palms are planted by mid-November to meet this requirement.”
In addition, he explained that the city wanted the trees installed prior to the holidays so they can be lit up for the community’s enjoyment. “Council and I are very excited to bring back one of the best landmarks to the center of Nassau Bay, NASA, and all of Clear Lake.”
Moon Valley Nursery had the winning bid and were working to get them up by Thanksgiving as we were going to press.
Nassau Bay said the project is part of a partnership between the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the City of Nassau Bay to return palms which will include 20 feet of bare trunk and were being planted at locations with existing light structures. The project will be initially funded through the city to meet a tight planting timeline and allow the NASA Management District the time to light up the trees for the holiday season. While the city is advancing the funds for this project, 100% of the cost of this project will be reimbursed by the EDC.
INTERFAITH CARING MINISTRIES’ 29TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES WILL BE HELD THURSDAY, DEC. 1 FROM 6 TO 10 P.M. AT THE NASA/CLEAR LAKE HILTON, 3000 NASA PARKWAY. TICKETS ARE $120 EACH. FOR SPONSORSHIPS OR INFORMATION, VISIT WWW. ICMTX.ORG/FOT OR CALL 281-332-3881.
‘THE NUTCRACKER,’ PRESENTED BY BAY AREA HOUSTON BALLET & THEATRE, WILL BE PRESENTED DEC. 2-4, 9-11 AND 16-18 IN THE UH-CLEAR LAKE’S BAYOU THEATRE, AT 7:30 P.M. ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS AND AT 2 P.M. FOR THE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MATINEES. FOR TICKETS, VISIT BAHB&T.ORG
ALLIANCE OPEN HOUSE, FRIDAY, DEC. 2, FROM 8:30 TO 10 A.M. AT CLEAR VIEW HIGH SCHOOL, 500 S. WALNUT IN WEBSTER. FOR INFORMATION, VISIT THEALLIANCEBAYAREA.ORG
THE CLEAR LAKE SYMPHONY CHRISTMAS "POPS" CONCERT WILL BE FRIDAY, DEC. 2, AT 7:30 P.M. IN THE GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH, 18220 UPPER BAY ROAD IN NASSAU BAY. CELEBRATING ITS 47TH SEASON, THE ORCHESTRA PLANS A DELIGHTFUL EVENING OF BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS MUSIC. 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 ADULT, $10 SENIOR (55 AND UP), $8 STUDENT. FOR TICKET INFORMATION CALL EYE TRENDS AT 281-488-0066 OR VISIT WWW.CLEARLAKESYMPHONY.ORG
BAY OAKS WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION 2022 HOLIDAY MARKET WILL BE MONDAY, DEC. 5. TICKETS ARE $10. THE PUBLIC IS INVITED. FOR INFORMATION, VISIT MOSELLE@GREENWOODKING.COM
WOMEN’S ADVISORY BOARD OF HOUSTON METHODIST CLEAR LAKE HOSPITAL WILL MEET AT 11:30 A.M. TUESDAY, DEC. 6 AT THE MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING AT 18123 UPPER BAY ROAD.
LEAGUE CITY CHAMBER NEW MEMBER BREAKFAST, 8:30 TO 10 A.M., WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7, COLLEGE OF THE MAINLAND LEAGUE CITY, 1411 W. MAIN ST., LEAGUE CITY. RESERVATIONS NECESSARY. CALL THE CHAMBER, 281-338-7339.
PASADENA CHAMBER’S ANNUAL GALA, “IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE,” WILL BE HELD THURSDAY, DEC. 8, 6:30 P.M. TO 9, FOUNTAINBLU EVENT CENTER, 6327 SPENCER HIGHWAY, PASADENA. DRESS IS BLACK-TIE OPTIONAL. IMPACT PASADENA VIP RECEPTION AT 5:45 P.M. 2022 CITIZEN OF YEAR TO BE NAMED. SEABROOK BREAKFAST WITH SANTA IS ON THE CALENDAR FOR SATURDAY, DEC. 10 FROM 10 A.M. UNTIL NOON AT THE SEABROOK COMMUNITY HOUSE.
CHRISTMAS BOAT LANE PARADE STARTS AT 6 P.M. SATURDAY, DEC. 10 ON THE CLEAR CREEK CHANNEL.
BAY AREA WELCOME NEIGHBORS CLUB WILL HAVE ITS HOLIDAY LUNCHEON AT 10 A.M. THURSDAY, DEC. 15 AT BAY OAKS COUNTRY CLUB WITH ANDY AND THE DREAMSICLES BAND PROVIDING HOLIDAY CHEER AND ENTERTAINMENT. FOR LUNCHEON RESERVATIONS, EMAIL MITRA SAGHAFI, MITRASAGHFI2@GMAIL. COM OR TEXT OR CALL 281-844-6151.
MISS LEAGUE CITY USA PAGEANT WILL BE HELD MARCH 2-4, 2023 AT SOUTH SHORE HARBOUR RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTER. SINGLE OR MARRIED WOMEN ACCEPTED - ENTER TODAY AT: WWW.MISSLEAGUECITYPAGEANT.COM
NASA heads back to the moon with successful Artemis launch
Following a successful launch of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS), the most powerful rocket in the world, the agency’s Orion spacecraft is on its way to the Moon as part of the Artemis program. Carrying an uncrewed Orion, SLS lifted off for its flight test debut at 1:47 a.m. EST Nov. 16 from Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The launch is the first leg of a mission in which Orion is planned to travel approximately 40,000 miles beyond the Moon and return to Earth over the course of 25.5 days. Known as Artemis I, the mission is a critical part of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration approach, in which the agency explores for the benefit of humanity. It’s an important test for the agency before flying astronauts on the Artemis II mission.
“What an incredible sight to see NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft launch together for the first time. This uncrewed flight test will push Orion to the limits in the rigors of deep space, helping us prepare for human exploration on the Moon and, ultimately, Mars,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
After reaching its initial orbit, Orion deployed its solar arrays and engineers began performing checkouts of the spacecraft’s systems. About 1.5 hours into flight, the rocket’s upper stage engine successfully fired for approximately 18 minutes to give Orion the big push needed to send it out of Earth orbit and toward the Moon.
Orion has separated from its upper stage and is on its outbound coast to the Moon powered by its service module, which is the propulsive powerhouse provided by ESA (European Space Agency) through an international collaboration.
“It’s taken a lot to get here, but Orion is now on its way to the Moon,” said Jim Free, NASA deputy associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. “This successful launch means NASA and our partners are on a path to explore farther in space than ever before for the benefit of humanity.”
Over the next several hours, a series of 10 small science investigations and technology demonstrations, called CubeSats, will deploy from a ring that connected the upper stage to the spacecraft. Each CubeSat has its own mission that has the potential to fill gaps in our knowledge of the solar system
or demonstrate technologies that may benefit the design of future missions to explore the Moon and beyond.
Orion’s service module will also perform the first of a series of burns to keep Orion on course toward the Moon approximately eight hours after launch. In the coming days, mission controllers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston will conduct additional checkouts and course corrections as needed. Orion is expected to fly by the Moon on Nov. 21, performing a close approach of the lunar surface on its way to a distant retrograde orbit, a highly stable orbit thousands of miles beyond the Moon.
“The Space Launch System rocket delivered the power and performance to send Orion on its way to the Moon,” said Mike Sarafin, Artemis I mission manager. “With the accomplishment of the first major milestone of the mission, Orion will now embark on the next phase to test its systems and prepare for future missions with astronauts.”
The SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft arrived at Kennedy’s Launch Pad 39B on Nov. 4 where they rode out Hurricane Nicole. Following the storm, teams conducted thorough assessments of the rocket, spacecraft, and associated ground systems and confirmed there were no significant impacts from the severe weather.
Engineers previously rolled the rocket back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) Sept. 26 ahead of Hurricane Ian and after waving off two previous launch attempts Aug. 29 due to a faulty temperature sensor, and Sept. 4 due to a liquid hydrogen leak at an interface between the rocket and mobile launcher. Prior to rolling back to the VAB, teams successfully repaired the leak and demonstrated updated tanking procedures. While in the VAB, teams performed standard maintenance to repair minor damage to the foam and cork on the thermal protection system and recharge or replace batteries throughout the system.
Artemis I is supported by thousands of people around the world, from contractors who built Orion and SLS, and the ground infrastructure needed to launch them, to international and university partners, to small businesses supplying subsystems and components.
Through Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the surface of the Moon, paving the way for a long-term lunar presence and serving as a steppingstone for astronauts on the way to Mars.
"Birds of a Feather"
FLOCK TO PANHELLENIC STYLE SHOW
CLEAR LAKE Panhellenic’s 36th annual Fall Fashion Show and Luncheon, which had the theme, “Birds of a Feather,” was held Friday, Nov. 4, at 10:30 a.m. at South Shore Harbour Resort,
fashions from Dillard’s at Baybrook Mall with Lenny Matuszewski back as producer.
Fall Fashion Show Chairman Wendy Shaw was joined by Panhellenic President Becky Hensley,Decorations Chairman Kay Lee Benoit and Program/Invitation Chairman Bridget Robinson in welcoming the guests who just had a grand time taking in all the bird decorations.
Just ask Judy Raiford, Sandra Allbriton, Sharon Maaz, Jo Cat Bruce, Diane Vest, Diane Overman, Ondi and Stacy Lyon, Pam Cronk, Marjorie McConnico, Ruth Beecher, Ellen King, Sue Laabs, Joan Burt, Sandy Lewis, Kathryn Vernau, Cheri Burke, Judy West, Linda Landreth, Karen and Jenny McCorkle, Peggy Clause, Sheryl Williams, Rebecca and Amber Reitz, Toni Post or Barbara Dickey.
They had hardly found their tables when in walked Judie Ferguson, Nancy Warren, Lisa Holbrook, Jackie and Nikki Swank, Jana Miller, Barbara, Eileen
and Dr. Mark Barlow, Claire and Thomas Mules, John David Zieba, Joe Blake, Marc and Rick Ortega, Francis Fisher, Lori Tieken, Hazel Harron, Annette Dwyer, Ella Crow, Mary Fuller, Darla McKitrick, Sue Broughton, Emma and Kathy Mules Grant, Summer Roberts, Betsy Salbilla, Lisa and Doris O’Brien and Amber Allen.
And what a delightful event it turned out to be with birds everywhere – even a few live birds -- plus bird houses, chirping sounds all around, even feathers. Bringing big smiles to the faces of Lucille Terraso,Courtney Atchley, Demerle Monks, Emily Edmonds, Mary Russell, Teresa Albuerne, Lisa O’Brien, Erin McDonald, Cindy and Sara Castille, Karen Moon, Tina Bell, Karen Rasmussen, Mary Colombo, Patricia Young, Cathy Morse, Ivonne Delgado, Cindi Priebe, Greta Mee, Judy Cross, Georgia Piwonka, Dewanna Norris, Elizabeth McCarty, Nancy Warren and Troy Bredthauer.
Models included Jenny Frantz, Katy Fugate, Evelyn Baldwin, Courtney Myers, Ashley Anderson, Sarah Lowe, Macy Ann Williams, Wendy Shaw, Karen Weber, Amber Allan, Christie Matthews and Jill Reason, who showed off some delightful fall and winter fashions.
All drawing big smiles from Cheri Weismuller, Amy Burns, Sheryl Lane, Traci Dunn, Maria Summer, Bo Brinkman, Melissa Emmons, Melanie Sweeney, Jamie and Kati Hill, Carol and Lisa Peters, Summer Chapman, Vanessa Malin, Jenna and Jeannette Faulkner, Karen Reed, Susan and Jacqueline Garrett, Terri and R.J. Boatman, Lisa Martin, Betty Hodges, Sarah Randecker, Rose King, Amber Anguish, Michelle LeBlanc, Jeannine Benoit and Melody Billings.
Karen Weber and Wendy Shaw, from left, model outfits from Dillard’s at Baybrook Mall at the Clear Lake Panhellenic Fall Fashion Show. Kay Lee Benoit, left, Crawford-Zbanek Scholarship Foundation president, talks with Clear Lake Panhellenic President Becky Hensley as they await the start of the Fall Fashion Show. Clear Lake Panhellenic Fall Fashion Show Chairman Wendy Shaw came dressed in feathers to carry out the “Birds of a Feather” theme.Lunar Rendezvous chairman comes with lots of experience
By Mary Alys CherryIf Phoebe McCourt seems quite busy these days, there’s a good reason -- she has been selected to serve as the general chairman for the 57th annual Lunar Rendezvous Festival. So, in addition to planning for the holidays as we all are, she’s also planning for the annual summer extravaganza this coming July.
And, she brings quite an extensive background as a community volunteer – a career of volunteerism that began when she moved to Houston 20 years ago after earning her degree in journalism at Texas A&M University and meeting her husband, Brian.
They are the proud parents of daughters Piper and Posie and have made League City their home for more than 20 years. Phoebe loves to be involved in the community, promoting the arts, and has been able to do so with her husband’s support, encouragement, and love.
Together, they have worked hard building their business, Preferred Climate Solutions, and raising their girls who stay busy in school, activities and ballet.
JOINING LUNAR
She and her family became involved in Lunar Rendezvous when her younger daughter, Posie, became a Little Lady in Waiting several years ago. Since then, she has served as the Big Court cochairman, where she says she collaborated with some incredible Lunar team members and their families.
Phoebe says she found her servant’s heart when her older daughter’s kindergarten teacher asked her to serve as room mom. She has since been honored to serve Clear Creek ISD in many capacities, including PTA Board
member, Arts in Education chairman, PTSA first vice president, “and proudly serving incredible CCISD teachers over the years.” Her favorite moments volunteering were in the art classes at Gilmore Elementary. And, she has taught many children over the years in Faith Formation at St. Mary of the Expectation Catholic Church.
She and her daughter, Piper, are members of the Space City Chapter of National Charity League -- a mother-daughter philanthropic organization that focuses on leadership, culture, and fostering the motherdaughter relationship. They enjoy volunteering among different philanthropies in the community, and bonding with other mothers and daughters, while spending the extra time together. They look forward to welcoming little sis, Posie, as a NCL Legacy in the months to come.
BALLET MANAGER
For 12 years, Phoebe says she “has had the privilege of volunteering with the Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre, striving to contribute to their mission to enhance cultural awareness through performing arts in the community.” She currently serves BAHBT as company manager. Over the years, she has been an active member of the Leadership Team, serving in a variety of posts -- wherever she may be of help.
She was the chairman for The Nutcracker in 2019, The Show Must Go On in 2020 and says she is honored to be a 2021 BAHBT Volunteer Hall of Fame recipient, alongside her husband, Brian, who serves as the BAHBT production manager. He works alongside other dads behind the scenes pulling ropes, moving props, laying marley, and making the magic happen for his ballet-dancing daughters, and BAHBT’s beautiful ballet company.
Phoebe says she “is grateful for the opportunity to serve the Lunar Rendezvous Festival as the general chairman this season and is committed to helping this year be a spectacular year!”
JSC hits home run in Astros' parade
YES, THEY work a lot over at the Johnson Space Center, but they also take a little time for some fun. And, if you were watching the Astros victory parade through downtown Houston to celebrate their 2022 World Series win, you probably saw JSC Director Vanessa Wyche among the participants with the NASA Space Exploration Vehicle, which was drawing lots of cheers.
“We enjoyed sharing our Space Exploration Vehicle with more than a million Houstonians celebrating our hometown team,” she said, adding “Congratulations to the home team!”
Havana Nights Gala a big hit
IF YOU MISSED the Bay Oaks Women’s Association’s Havana Nights Gala, those who attended will tell you you missed a good time. In addition to dancing to the music of the Main Street Variety Band and a delicious pork tenderloin and shrimp dinner, there was even a touch of Las Vegas.
Gala Co-Chairmen Terri Steinkamp, Beverly Braden and
greeted the arriving crowd and kept the crowd in a happy mood all evening.
Nicole
As Pat Adams commented afterwards, "The tropical Havana Nights was a beautiful, bright evening on a chilly Bay Oaks night. Thanks to the BOWA team . . . for putting together a fabulous dinner party and more!!"
CarlsenDr. Karen Engle lone finalist for CCISD superintendent
By Mary Alys CherryDr. Karen Engle, who spent all her school days in the Clear Creek schools, has been chosen the lone finalist for the position of Clear Creek ISD Superintendent of Schools. She is currently serving as interim superintendent.
“Your interaction with constituents, students and staff speaks volumes of your leadership," Board President Jay Cunningham said. “We are ecstatic that Dr. Engle is coming out of retirement to lead this exceptional school district." The trustees named Dr. Engle interim superintendent following the voluntary retirement of Dr. Eric Williams.
From a student to a superintendent, the story of Dr. Karen Engle is unique. She attended Clear Lake City Elementary, Webster Intermediate and graduated from Clear Lake High School. She went on to pursue a career in education which brought her right back to CCISD. Over her career, she served as an assistant principal, elementary and high school principal, and as an assistant superintendent of
secondary education. She retired from Clear Creek ISD in December 2021, only to return shortly afterwards.
“This is my home. I have come to cherish the shining star that represents our people, purpose, and our promise,” Dr. Engle said. “I have a proverb I reference: ‘Alone we go fast. Together, we go far.’ I am looking forward to going far to provide the best for our students.”
By law, the name of the lone finalist must be public for a minimum of 21 days before the hire is official.
Physical Therapy Providers
Ken Staten, DPT Ashley Cope, DPT Van Nguyen, DPT Felix Ayadi, DPT Stephanie Rodriguez, PTA Cornelius Provost, PTA Christian Ely, OTRGOD with Us
By Pastor Brad HeintzIt’s the most wonderful time of the year, or so the old song goes. Yet it doesn’t always feel that way— the hectic holiday schedule, family pressures, and emotional wounds are just a few reasons. But I see the Christmas season as one that offers a unique opportunity to experience and engage real hope, love, joy and peace in the midst of real life. A remarkable thing happened that first Christmas, just as Isaiah had prophesied 700 years earlier – Jesus was born as Immanuel – which means “God with us!” I believe that Christmas can still truly give us a taste of the most wonderful time of world history.
The true light came into the darkness, stress and pain of the world— our world. Miraculously, we continue in God’s story that brings real hope, love, joy and peace everyday as he promises to be with us always.
Living Word Church is Rising Up!
Taylor Lake Village, Texas,
On October 31st, the structural steel was delivered for Living Word Church’s new church home and community center on 1111 Kirby Rd. Taylor Lake Village, Texas. The first week in November, the steal started to rise from the solid foundation set in September and the steel skeleton is now in place!
Living Word Church anticipates that by Christmas, the outer shell of the 11,170 sq. ft. multipurpose facility will be set. Pray that this facility of a 300 seat auditorium, children’s classrooms, a community room and offices, will be ready by summer 2023.
“We believe that God has given us land to build a new church home and community center,” said Pastor Brad Heintz. “It will be a place where neighbors, friends, families and organizations can gather to worship, study, serve and share together. I invite you to build with us a place where everyone is welcomed home and loved.”
Living Word Church of the Bay Area, is a vibrant family-style, nondenominational gathering of believers who take a pure, simple and real approach to faith and life. Until the building is comple, Living Word Church is worshiping at G.W. Robinson Elementary, 451 Kirby Rd. El Lago, TX at 10:30am. Everyone is invited to attend and help build a church!
For more information and building updates go to https://lwcba.org/building-advance
In a season often marked by frenzied busyness, why not set aside time to prepare our hearts for the presence of God in our lives. One way to do this is to prioritize worship and spiritual experiences that are designed to help us place our focus on the greatest gift ever given –and to experience God’s presence in our lives today. When you do that, I believe you will see a change in your Christmas frenzie, your family challenges and even in yourself.
For example, with milk and cookies, carols and songs, a meaningful message and candle lighting, Living Word Church, or your favorite house of worship, will help you and your family experience “God with Us” on Christmas Eve.
Visit www.ChristmasEveService.org for more information. It is the perfect opportunity for families throughout our community to gather together and experience this special night in a meaningful way.
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
Leading Medicine IN CLEAR LAKE
Advanced Care Close to Home
Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital provides specialized services, comprehensive emergency care and the most advanced technology and procedures available, ensuring patients receive the highest quality treatment and care — right here in our community.
We are proud to offer:
• Advanced imaging
• Breast Care Center
• Cancer Center
• Cardiovascular care
• Emergency services
• Neurology
• Orthopedics and sports medicine
• Primary care
• Urology and urogynecology
• Weight loss surgery
• Women’s services
YIN AND YANG OF SUV’S
By Don ArmstrongBy simple definition, Yin and Yang are similar opposites, and that’s what we derived from driving the new Ford Bronco Raptor and the Toyota RAV4 TRD. Both are off-road capable, but one attacks the challenge more aggressively than the other.
TOYOTA RAV4
The RAV4 is a 25-year-old success story for Toyota, which began as an affordable, tiny crossover that was an instant hit with the burgeoning, American SUV market. Its carbased underpinnings allowed for a lighter, easier riding vehicle, and when equipped with optional four-wheel drive, its off-road ability resonated with Bay Area weekend warriors.
Now comes the TRD version that adds a beefedup suspension, 18-inch wheels, off-road tires and a skid plate. The same engine powers all RAV4’s including the TRD a 203-horsepower
4-cylinder that delivers a respectable 28-MPG.
The RAV4 TRD gets all the bells and whistles plus leatherette seating surfaces with red stitching and trim along with all-weather floor and cargo mats. The infotainment system is easy to understand and use, unlike some other brands that require a PhD.
The 2022 RAV4 rides reasonably well but it is clear that despite all of it’s off-road attributes, around town trips with the kids or a victory at the slick boat ramp are what make this Toyota so popular.
RAV4 TRD pricing starts at $36,465.
FORD BRONCO RAPTOR
Bronco Raptor is about as serious as it gets for a factory-built, off-roader. The super duty suspension technology is derived from its desert race-truck brother and enhancements to the roll-bar increase torsional stiffness by 50% over a standard Bronco. Wheel travel is increased to 13-inches on massive 37-inch tires with optional bead lock rims tucked under huge fender extensions.
Power is derived from a twin turbocharged V-6 engine that produces 400-horsepower and can crawl NASA 1 in two-wheel mode or dig down to 4-wheel drive low for hill country terrain, all with the turn of one knob on the center console. There are 7 driver selectable modes that help navigate just about any terrain you find yourself trying to tame.
The all-weather interior is fun and serious depending on your mindset. Seats are adjustable, supportive and comfortable. The huge touchscreen in the middle of the dash is easy to use and the off-road stuff is voluminous – you’ll need the manual to fully understand the myriad of controls.
Bronco Raptor begins at $75,375.
Movers & Shakers
Name: Chris Premont
Occupation: Marketing Director, Big Star Cadillac & Big Star Hyundai
Hometown: Springfield, MA
Current home: League City, Texas
Family: Married, with two adult daughters
Someone I’d like to meet: Nikola Tesla
My favorite song: Tennessee Whiskey
The thing that bugs me the most is: Instructions that are poorly written
You’ll never catch me: Gushing over celebrities
If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose: Bond, James Bond
My favorite meal is: Seafood, then prime rib
My Favorite Writer: Ernest Hemingway
My favorite entertainer: Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton, Dua Lipa
My favorite movie is: Oblivion (though I’m not a big Tom Cruise fan)
As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be: An architect or filmmaker
I like to spend my leisure time: Golfing, fishing, hiking, skiing and napping between tropical adult beverages
If I could travel any place, I’d go to: Prague, Czechoslovakia
Few people know: My only broken bone was from an escalator accident. I wasn›t even on it.
Christmas Boat Parade to kick off yule season
When does the holiday season begin here in the Clear Lake area?
For the past 60 years it has begun with the annual Christmas Boat Lane Parade on Clear Lake. This will be the 61st annual parade of dozens of gaily decorated boats of all sizes and descriptions. Produced by the Clear Lake Chamber, it begins Saturday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. with fireworks in Nassau Bay, from where the boats travel down Davis Road
Canal in League City, move into the south channel, passing South Shore Harbour, then through the channel between Seabrook and Clear Lake Shores to the Kemah Boardwalk and then into Galveston Bay and then return.
Some of the boaters have participated for 25 years or more, and their decorations become more creative and elaborate each year. Entries of all sizes include rowboats, sailboats and power boats, which have music, passengers in costumes and all types of moving parts. Fun!
Afew years ago I wrote in this column that dogs were God’s masterpiece—a reflection of God on earth, hence their name: GOD: DOG. I’d done a lot of thinking about what they teach us: things like loyalty, character, and above all, love. But lately I’ve begun to notice they also teach us lots of little things that, if we pay attention, will make us better people. So let me tell you about a few of the dogs in my life and some of the things I probably would never have learned without them.
It started decades ago with Misty, a beagle. As a member of the family, she was with me most everywhere I went. This was back in less civilized times, before dogs were welcome in hotels, restaurants and bars, so she often had to wait patiently in the car while I did my business. She preferred that to staying home without me. Our best times were when we went out to the woods. She would run off and do her thing while I’d find a spot to sit by a creek. I would hear her baying off in the distance, hot on a rabbit trail while I relaxed, fully confident she’d be back when she was ready.
One day we had been out there for a couple of hours and it was time to head home. I called her but she kept running and baying. If you have never seen a beagle on the trail of something, it is pretty funny to watch. They run, flat out, nose about a centimeter above the ground, baying the entire time and totally oblivious to the world around them.
At one point, she ran within six feet of me as I called her. She acted like she never heard and just kept running—until she met the buck. A beautiful six-pointer was annoyed at being “trailed” and decided to put the little menace in her place. I saw the confrontation coming and called out to her, but Misty was following her nose. I kept calling; she kept running. When she got within reach, the buck lowered his head and gave her a good shove. She barrel-rolled two full times, got up and looked around, wondering what had just happened. But for the moment, the baying stopped. I took advantage of that opportunity to call her again. She turned, saw me, then came running. Lesson one: When the mouth works, the ears don’t. Shut up and pay attention to others around you.
And then there was Koty, a 104 pound Labrador
retriever. I have never seen a person with the energy this guy had. “Koty” was a shortened version of his snooty AKC name “Hurricane Lakota,” so named because as a baby he was an absolute disaster and the hopes we had that someday he would settle into a fine calm sage. Koty was, well, a Lab! As a pup, he was sweet, but always in full attack mode, wanting to play, twenty four-seven. I had little puncture marks from those needle-like puppy teeth all up and down my lower arms for the first few months he was with us. But it was when I had to leave him at home that it became scary.
Afraid of what he could do to the house alone with his energy level, I used a baby gate to restrict him to the utility room. It worked. Of course, there were the two times he ate the sheetrock off the walls, but other than that, it worked.
Then, at about the age of two, overnight (literally, in less than 12 hours) he got his brain. And from that moment on, he was the best dog you could possibly imagine. It was then that my lessons began. I decided we should try using hand signals instead of verbal commands. I figured that, when in public, it was less disrupting to those around us. He quickly learned sit (raise hand, palm up), stay (hold hand, palm out toward him) and down (hand moving downward, palm facing downward). It was kind of a neat trick and lots of people were amazed when they would see us interact—except for one thing. He absolutely refused to accept the sign for “come” (a hand to my chest). Instead of coming, he responded by standing on his hind legs, putting his hands on my shoulders and showering me with kisses. No matter how many times we went through it, he responded in the same way. He let me have my way on the first three signs, but on this one, he wanted input. A couple of weeks later, I finally got his point. “Come” would be one finger pointed to the ground in front of me and the hand on my chest would always be “let’s hug and kiss.” Lesson two: Good relationships are negotiated, not dictated from power
When Koty was first learning to read (yes, I said that), he seemed to have trouble discerning the difference between Ps and Ks. I guess I had a dyslexic dog. One day my wife came home with a little cement frog yard ornament. The frog wore a small crown and on the base was written “Kiss Me.” Always interested in anything new in his
TEXAS MEDITATIONS
By Michael GosLessons From Dogs
yard, he looked it over thoroughly, seeming a bit confused. After checking it out for about ten minutes, he decided it would be appropriate to follow directions as he understood them. He lifted his leg and initiated that frog. Lesson three: Never underestimate the intelligence and abilities of others.
And now there is Maggie, a white lab. She is the opposite of Koty in the sense that she arrived on this earth with a fully-developed brain. Those of you familiar with Labs know how rare that is. It started when she first came to me at eight weeks old. She was dropped in my lap in the middle of the second half of the Purdue Minnesota football game. We NEVER interrupt Purdue games at La Maison Gos, so she laid there peacefully for over an hour. That patience persists today, 13 years later, as she will lie next to me at meal time, never begging, but confident that when I am finished, she will get the last bite. Lesson four: Show patience. People who care for you won’t forget you.
From the beginning, Maggie had issues with a leash. I tried training her to walk with me on my left side. She was happy to do that—until I put the leash on her. She grabbed it, pulled it, chewed it and generally made it abundantly clear this was not going to happen. Today, even when we are out walking the trails and she is exploring, she never lets me out of her sight. And when I flash Koty’s come sign, she comes running, full-speed, and sits right at my side. She has not seen a leash in over a decade. Lesson five: People (dogs are people too, of course) will come to you and stay with you only out of love. You can’t restrain or control them.
The only down side to a relationship with a dog that I can see is that we tend to live longer than they do, and that’s a tragedy. It has been my experience that losing a dog is much more painful than losing a human. That could be because I’ve never lost a human I was really close to. Or, it could be because I’m just weird.
But I like to think it is because dogs are just so much better people than humans.
Helping Others Reach for the Star:
By Patty Andrew Pictures by: GH AndrewFamily Promise of Clear Creek
Family Promise of Clear Creek held their annual Reach for the Star Gala in November at Lakewood Yacht Club, raising $90,000. A local community-based program to assist family homelessness, Family Promise of Clear Creek partners with schools, businesses, faith communities, and other local organizations to "empower families to become stable and achieve lasting independence." All of the families who have successfully completed this program here in the Galveston Bay Area are still living independently.
Board Member Steve Sargent from this year's Congregation Shining Star, Southeast Church of Christ, has been volunteering with Family Promise for over six years. He admires the hundreds of volunteers who assist families as they learn to become independent in this community. Steve has been involved in addressing the need for transportation for work and school as public options are not available. They find vehicles for these families to use while in the program and give them low cost options to purchase it after they graduate.
Thank you to Gayle Nelson, Director, the Board, and all of the volunteers of Family Promise for their great work benefiting families in our area as they strive to reach their goal: "Every child deserves a home."
Before I begin with this column, let me state on record that I have no vested interest in the oyster business. I receive no income from the harvest or sale of oysters. I'm a concerned angler that knows that a healthy oyster reef is vital to our fishery. Along with filtering water, a healthy reef provides habitat for small bait fish and crustaceans that redfish, speckled trout, and other species feed on.
Thursday, October 20, 2022 Texas Parks and Wildlife, which I will refer to as TP&W, held a public meeting in Texas City about the harvest of oysters in Texas. The meeting addressed the proposed permanent closures of three bays, and 1-2 year temporary closures of areas in Galveston Bay. There were 50 or so people in attendance, with 9095 percent of them in the oyster business, and the other 5-10 percent anglers that fish the coastal waters. Rather a disappointing turn out by the anglers considering how vital an oyster reef is to the fishery.
In 2017 with House Bill 51, 6 Texas bays were permanently closed to the harvest of oysters. Now TP&W is submitting to the commissioners during their meeting slated for Thursday, November 3, 2022 9:00 a.m. in Austin Texas, to permanently close Ayres, Mesquite, and Carlos Bays, which encompasses 2129 acres of harvestable oysters. Also, a 1-2 years closure of restoration reefs, three of them being in Galveston Bay, one area off Dollar Point, the other two in Trinity Bay.
In essence, that would be a total of nine Texas bays closed permanently to the harvest of oysters. Now I'm not a rocket scientist, but doesn't that increase the pressure on the bays that are left open to the harvest of oysters? Can you imagine if Galveston Island only had one grocery store to shop? How much added pressure would be placed on that one store? One word answer - many!
So how did we get to where we are? CCA which stands for the Coastal Conservation Association asked for the closure of the three reefs in November of 2021. The action was tabled and the bays were left open. Now here it is again, right before the opening of oyster
Oyster Harvest in the Bays of Texas
season November 1, 2022 and it's back on their agenda.
I'm praying that this article makes sense to all the readers. It's not easy writing a summary to a 2 hour meeting as I try to convey the key points that came of it. Believe me, it's a heck of a lot easier to write a fishing report about so-so catching fish. I'll try not to bore you with statistics, because we all know those can be flawed and adjusted to to fit a personal agenda.
Right away I'm going to reveal on a statistic that's flawed. TP&W showed 110 boats working in the proposed closed bays last oyster season. At this meeting TP&W showed that this closure would affect 63 jobs. If there were 110 boats working the reefs last year, with 3-4 individuals on each boat, how did they come up with 63 lost jobs? The economic impact will be much greater than that, in the terms of jobs lost and revenue to the state of Texas.
Many oystermen, the majority being Hispanic, voiced their concern for their way of life. Many have worked on boats for 30 plus years. It's their only source of income. Their children even spoke on their behalf, themselves having aspirations of attending college, only to have these dreams crushed with more bay closures. These are real people, who cried real tears, because their livelihood is slowly being taken away.
I know a little about the industry and what it takes to keep a reef healthy. Not farming or working a reef, is detrimental to the health of a reef, much like a farmer, who needs to till his soil for it to produce good crops. Oysters typically live 4-5 years, then die off on their
own. Harvesting the legal ones provides space for the younger oysters to grow and continue to populate.
During the Commissioner's meeting which took place the first week of November, they approved the proposal to close those three bays. When oyster season opened November 1, 2022, 9 areas were approved for the harvest of oysters. Now, that's for the entire Texas coast. Four of those areas have no known harvestable oysters on them. So in essence, there's five areas where these boats are congregated. Anglers see this and their first thought is these boats are destroying the reefs.
That's far from the truth. It's impossible for them to harvest every oyster on that reef. Nor do they want to destroy the resource. They warned TP&W that closing these bays would force them to work on top of each other, rather than spreading them out to work on other reefs.
How does a nonprofit conservation group have that much power with TP&W? Is all this just another push to rid the state of commercial fishing industry? Look what's happened to our once thriving shrimp industry. I enjoy eating freshly caught gulf seafood, not the imported seafood full of chemicals.
To learn more about what's actually happening in the oyster business, visit the Facebook group Save Texas Oysters.
Barge 295 Serving New Culinary Delights With a View
By Rick ClappLooking for a unique fun eating experience for you, your family or friends’ get together?
Head to the floating Barge 295. Chef Clifton Marsters is a new edition to this Bay Area Houston landmark located on the water in Seabrook.
Chef Marsters comes from a culinary family filled with great recipes and expertise. As most successful chefs, he started at the bottom working at the Kingwood Country Club as a dishwasher.
Cliff was self-taught in the culinary arts and preparing good food with a creative twist. Family members such as his aunt, Glenna Artripe, and grandmother, Nancy Marsters, a former chef at the Teton Resorts in Wyoming, influenced him in the
fine art of cooking.
Marsters has a vast experience in preparing and serving food which ranges from working offshore in oil rigs, Landry’s Willie G’s, Jimmy Walkers, Lakewood Yacht Club, The Galvez Hotel, and Cardinal Catering.
Barge 295 has a new lunch and dinner menu with specials as well as delectable appetizers served all day. New items include succulent Royal Red Shrimp Rolls, Portside Philly, Tarragon Butter Oysters, and Oysters Trio. New appetizers include Ceviche with large fresh shrimp, Royal Red Shrimp Cocktail, and Seabrook Sampler with a choice of three items. Also new are fresh salads that have been added to the menu featuring meats such as maple glazed ham, Cajun turkey, and fresh seafood.
Their meats and steak for Monday Steak Night are provided by Stone Cold Meats. Other special nights are Taco Tuesday, Wings Wednesday, and $9.99 Shrimp Friday with fries and hush puppies. These delights go well with your choice of a cold beverage and an awesome view of Clear Lake.
Barge 295 favorites include their huge mouthwatering burgers and the new BLAT Sandwich (bacon, lettuce, tomato,avocado.) Lunch choices also include freshly made soup of the day with a salad or sandwich.
Chef Marsters welcomes you to try his tasty, freshly made treats. “I love to serve the classics with a creative twist using only fresh ingredients from scratch,” stated the Chef.
Bon appetite.
Turmeric Dosage: How Much Should You Take?
You may know turmeric primarily as a spice, but it’s also used in Ayurvedic medicine, a holistic approach to health dating back over 3,000 in India and Southeast Asia. Turmeric supplements are now more commonly known for medicinal benefits but knowing how much to take can be confusing.
Here’s a look at the uses and benefits of turmeric, effective doses and safety precautions.
Turmeric Uses: Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant
Turmeric (curcuma longo or curcuma domestica), also known as turmeric root, is related to ginger and grown throughout India, Asia and Central America. It has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine used as a joint pain supplement, and to treat rheumatism and respiratory problems for centuries. It’s also well known in Indian and Asian cuisine and is an important ingredient in flavorful curry dishes.
Fresh turmeric root looks like finger-sized golden-yellow carrots on the inside, and looks similar to ginger root on the outside. It is more familiar to most Americans in its dried and ground form. Turmeric may be found in your grocery store’s spice aisle just as easily as it is found in the vitamins and supplements aisle. It can be ingested in capsules, as a tea and sprinkled onto food like any other spice.
The distinctive golden powder is rich in curcuminoids which are potent antioxidants. Turmeric is especially rich in curcumin which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties according to Mayo Clinic. In correct doses it is considered safe for treating chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and pain related to chronic inflammation.
Anti-Inflammatory Benefits of Turmeric
Many studies indicate that chronic, low grade inflammation is a key factor behind chronic conditions. Chronic inflammation can cause joints to swell and become painful. It can be destructive at the cellular level, harming arteries and organs and contribute to a variety of other chronic health issues. Some of the disorders related to chronic inflammation include:
• Alzheimer’s
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Lupus
• Psoriasis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
In addition, Aging, obesity, dietary considerations, smoking, stress and poor sleep put you at a higher risk for developing chronic inflammation.
Turmeric: Helps Chronic Inflammatory Conditions and Inflammatory Pain
There is growing scientific evidence to support the use of turmeric as an anti-inflammatory supplement and joint pain remedy. Studies show that curcuminoids found in turmeric may help in a number of conditions including:
• Reduce heart attacks in post-surgical bypass patients
• Match ibuprofen in effectiveness for controlling pain from osteoarthritis in the knee
• Lessen skin irritation in breast cancer patients going through radiation treatment
• May help treat colon and prostate cancer
• Eases surgical pain
• Used as a plaque reducing additive in mouthwash
• Helps treat diabetes and colitis
• Helps treat irritable bowel disease
• Helps reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar.
While many people with chronic pain are prescribed antiinflammatory medications to relieve symptoms, long term use is not safe due to side effects on the immune system, kidney and liver, as well as cardiovascular and gastrointestinal complications. Herbal therapies like turmeric provide an ideal way to supplement those medications without the harmful side effects.
Turmeric may be best known as a natural joint pain remedy supplement that aids in reducing inflammation related to arthritis and repetitive-use injuries. Studies have shown that patients diagnosed with conditions caused by inflammation such as osteoarthritis, have seen improvement in pain, overall function and quality of life when using turmeric supplement. The Arthritis Foundation recommends turmeric for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). It is widely recognized and accepted within the medical community as an effective pain management tool. In fact, many doctors are now recommending turmeric to their patients.
Turmeric Recommended Dosage
No supplement can be effective if you’re not taking the right dosage. Turmeric is safe and has a good safety profile when taken correctly. How much turmeric do you need to take? Speaking with your healthcare professional is the best way to determine if turmeric can help your condition and the most effective dosage.
There is no official recommended turmeric dosage to get the full health benefits. However, most studies show that taking 500 to 2,000 milligrams per day of turmeric extract could be beneficial. It’s best to start with a lower dosage and work up gradually to assess tolerance and reduce risk of any side effects. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that 1.4 mg per pound of body weight an acceptable daily intake. Typically, two to three 500mg capsules a day of a standardized supplement like Nuvothera’s Super Micronized Turmeric Curcumin is recommended to achieve effective results
Turmeric Safety Precautions
It is always important to discuss taking dietary supplements with your healthcare provider and to follow medical advice. Turmeric has been found safe to take and it has GRAS (“generally recognized as safe”) status by the FDA when taken in amounts tested for health purposes. In high doses turmeric may cause nausea and digestive issues. Turmeric is not suitable for those who are pregnant or taking anticoagulants or blood thinners such as Warfarin.
Choosing the Right Turmeric Supplement
If you want a safe, effective, natural supplement for managing inflammation and joint pain, then turmeric may be right for you. Not all turmeric is the same. It needs to be well absorbed to be an effective joint pain remedy. It’s important to check the label and look for proof of maximum absorption and maximum potency. Turmeric root extract is the most potent form of turmeric supplement.
Maximum potency turmeric such as Nuvothera Super-Micronized Turmeric Curcumin is a natural and safe anti-inflammatory to help manage chronic pain such as joint pain. It’s super-micronized, so it’s water soluble and is rapidly absorbed in the body for maximum potency. There is no need for chemical absorption enhancers or black pepper. In clinical studies, Nuvothera Super-Micronized Turmeric Curcumin was shown to be more than 100 times more anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and free radical scavenging than leading competitors***.
These more effective brands are often found on company websites or on Amazon.