Bay Area Houston Magazine - DECEMBER 2023 by Bay Group Media

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IN AMERICA |

GOD

TRUST

B AYA R E A H O U S TO N M A G . C O M

W E S TA N D W I T H I S R A E L

December 2023

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Breakfast & Tea with the

Sugar Plum Fairy 33rd ANNUAL GALA

48th Season December 1-17, 2023

November 18, 2023

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Come and see Bay Area Houston's most magical holiday tradition come to life!

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BAHBT.ORG RHONDA FLOYD PHOTOGRAPHY

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2023

DECEMBER 2023 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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features

Collard Jewelers is Back! Bling In The Holidays

BAHEP Business Spotlight Greene Appraisal, LLC.

Cover Party We Celebrate With Collard Jewelers

Beauty By Blaine Fabulous and Glamorous

Rick’s Picks HLS&R Bourbon and Bites

ON THE COVER

The long awaited Grand Re-Opening is here! Collard Jewelers is back and has everything you ever dreamed of for this Christmas season. Chairman Rick Clapp

Coming Events Mark Your Calendar!

We Say Goodbye The Bay Area Loses Some Amazing Men

Just A Pretty Table Assistance League’s Event Coming in 2024

The Story of Christmas Pastor Brad Reminds Us

President Amber Sample Publisher & Editor in Chief Mary Alys Cherry

columns

General Manager Patty Andrew

Sales & Marketing Amber Sample Bill Sloan Robyn Weigelt

Clear Lake Chatter 1 Panhellenic Fashion Show

Creative Director Kelly Williams

Clear Lake Chatter 2 Assitance League and ABPW White Linen Party

Luxury Large and Small Wow Doesn’t Describe It

Editorial Patty Andrew GH Andrew Don Armstrong Mary Alys Cherry Michael Gos Blaine Ochoa

Texas Meditations The Prime Decision

Features Editor Halie Briggs Photography GH Andrew Mary Alys Cherry

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

281.474.5875

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2023

Merry

Christmas

DECEMBER 2023 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Emergencies happen. We’re right here when they do. A health emergency is something most of us would rather prevent than plan for. But when you need medical care fast, the closest emergency room is a smart thing to know. As your community partner, St. Luke's Health is your direct path from feeling scared or uncomfortable to feeling better. Get to know more about our ERs before an emergency strikes. Find your nearest location at StLukesHealth.org/Emergency.

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thekellywilliamsshow@gmail.com 10 Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2023

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Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Spotlight GREEN APPRAISAL LLC, A JOURNEY IN BUSINESS VALUATION

rittany Green, CVA is a woman of multifaceted talents, found her niche in the intricate world of business finance despite an initial indifference to mathematics. She ventured into the realm of real estate, eventually delving into the often overlooked but critical domain of real estate appraisal. Born out of a collaboration with her father, the journey commenced with high-value home real estate appraisals for insurance companies in 2011. The evolution continued with the inception of Advantage Business Coach in 2011, ultimately birthing Green Appraisal a few years later. Brittany Green embodies diverse roles within Green Appraisal, LLC, serving as one of its managing partners and Certified Valuation Analyst. Her expertise spans across multiple certifications: Certified Business Analyst, and Certified Financial Data Analyst. Beyond her pivotal role within Green Appraisal, she extends her knowledge as an instructor for the Texas Association of Business Brokers, focusing on the "Benefits of Third-Party Valuation." Beyond her professional endeavors, Brittany wears yet another hat as the President and Co-Founder of Clear Lake Ladies Night Out, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Together with her close companions, this initiative was founded in February 2020, formalizing its nonprofit status in late 2022. Beyond her professional engagements, Brittany finds solace in golf, a passion for reading, and the role of a dog mom to five furry companions. The spark that ignited her interest in the financial intricacies of business can be traced back to her father, Bill Green, a seasoned professional in finance and auditing. Bill Green, a foundational force within Green Appraisal LLC. His expertise spans across a spectrum of financial domains, adorned with certifications as a Certified Fraud Examiner, Forensic Accountant, and Forensic Auditor. His extensive career in finance and auditing laid the groundwork for the inception of Green Appraisal, where his visionary leadership steered the company's evolution. Bill's astute guidance and profound expertise not only shaped the company's trajectory but also laid the groundwork for its commitment to

delivering meticulous financial analyses and invaluable business valuations. The concept of the "magic number" emerges as a central theme in the valuation process—a seller's perceived value that might significantly differ from the market reality. Brittany emphasizes the importance of informed decisions for both buyers and sellers, ensuring that emotional attachment doesn't cloud financial prudence. Balancing her multifaceted roles requires a deft juggling act. Family remains her top priority, especially after her mother's battle with breast cancer. Brittany's commitment to being present for her family extends seamlessly into her dedication to Green Appraisal, where her work not only sustains her own family but also supports her clients' livelihoods. The Green family journey with Green Appraisal, LLC, embodies not only professional success but also a commitment to community and a passion for facilitating informed, value-driven decisions in the world of business. With unwavering dedication, they continue to leave an indelible mark in the realms of finance, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. For a Free Consultation on your Business’s Value, email Brittany at Brittany. green0601@gmail.com. DECEMBER 2023 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

“

You can count on it – Happy Days!

HAPPY DAYS.’’ All days may not be Happy Days, but know this: you can count on the day of the annual Clear Lake Area Panhellenic Fall Fashion Show on always being a Happy Day. It has been for the past 36 years and was again this year. Held Nov. 3 at South Shore Harbour Resort in League City, many marveled at how much fun it was and always is. Among them, were a founder and charter member, Karlee Marcom; Carolyn Waidhofer, Carolyn Foutch, Charlotte Teeter, Brandy Miller, Betty Hodges, Brandie Sonning, Amy Ropollo and Lucille Terraso. First Vice President Ruth Beecher, who was chairman of the very first Panhellenic Fall Fashion Show, thought it was one of the best yet. “Also one of the most elegant with tables covered with white linens, topped with a pink satin overlay and centered with a large bowl of roses. Renee' Johnston of Lush flowers did a fantastic job with the huge arrangements of roses in hues of pink. “Our darling carhop, D’Lisa Johnston, skated around the area in her cute little pink skirt and white top, keeping up with the music, which was very 50s and 60s. Some in the crowd wore 50s and 60s style clothing.... skirts, jeans and a big white shirt.....with the neckerchief AND saddle oxfords. And then there was that beautiful robin’s egg blue T-Bird owned by D’Lisa’s husband, Dr. John Johnston, we got to admire all evening.” And, she added, “Judge Holly Williamson did a

splendid job as auctioneer, and, as always, Lenny Matuszewski (as show producer) did a wonderful job and the clothes seemed very wearable....especially if you are slim.” Fashion Show Chairman Ondi Lyon joined President Sue Ellen Jennings in welcoming the happy crowd that included Kim Barker,

Sheryl Lane, Courtney Atchley, Cameron Cannon, Linda Landreth, Vicki Wood, Terri Canterbury, Janet Jones and Linda Valentino. They hardly had time to say hello when in walked Jill Reason, with her camera, Dana Brown, Kristi Concaba, Sharon Maaz, Sue and Erin Alexander, Jill Smitherman, Janet Greenwood, Peggy Clause, Judy Raiford, Carol Bobo, Michelle Richardson, Jo Nell Hunter, Laura Vaughn, Karen and Jenny McCorkle, Kippy Caraway, Marie Keener, Georgia Piwonka, Troy Bredthauer and Betsy Sabilla. Quickly followed by Karen Weber, Ellen King, Charlotte Teeter, Sally Jordan, Gene Ellen Smith, Kathy Braeuer, Carolyn

Waidofer, Emmeline Dodd, Sue Laabs, Helen Powell, Hazel Harron, Mark and Madeleine Barlow, Priscilla and Betsy Ennis, Darla McKitrick, Barbara Dickey, Angela Swint and Linda Knapp, who were ready for lunch after looking over the menu that featured Happy Days Green Salad and Rock Around the Clock Achiote Chicken with Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus and a Roasted Tomato. Then for dessert there was Mimi Molten Chocolate Lava Cake or Texas Pecan Pie with Cinnamon Whipped Cream. Before long, it was time for the fashion show with some 20 smiling models showing off an array of lovely fashions from Dillard’s at Baybrook Mall -- Amber Allen, Eileen Barlow, Wendy Chandler, Annette Dwyer, Jenny Franz, Kellie Gross, Sarah Lowe, Kim Mathis, Christi Matthew, Erin McDonald, Greta Mee, Demerle Monks, Karen Moon, Marcy Ortego, Dianne Overman, Carrie Petters, Bridget Robinson, Karen Webber and Macy Ann Williams. Karen Reed was among the many enjoying every minute of the show, as were those who worked many hours putting it all together, the committee chairmen – Elizabeth McCarty, Ruth Beecher, Kathryn Vernau, Becky Hensley, Sheryl Williams, Barbara Dickey, Kelsey McNeill, Kay Lee Benoit, Sue Broughton, Connie McVay, Jo Cat Bruce, Lisa O’Brien and Kelsey McNeill. All in all, it was quite a day!

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12 Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2023

Bay Area Assistance League to mark its 30th anniversary

ssistance League of the Bay Area stays busy all year helping those in need in the community by raising money for its seven philanthropic programs: Operation School Bell®, Operation Support Our Schools, Operation Cinderella, Snack Attack Packs, Ready for Work, Assault Survivor Kits®, and Community Outreach. The money these programs raise then directly benefit those in need within our local community. They impact elementary, middle school, and high school students; adults interviewing for jobs or entering the work force; individuals victimized by domestic abuse or sexual assault; and families in emergency situations. The chapter’s geographic reach covers portions of Harris and Galveston county; including Clear Creek, Deer Park, Dickinson, Friendswood, Galveston, La Porte, Santa Fe, and the Texas City Independent School Districts, and Mosbacher Odyssey Academy, a charter school district. The group, which began providing services in the Bay Area in 1988, was chartered as a chapter of Assistance League in May 1994. The chapter is recognizing its 30-year anniversary by displaying an anniversary logo on its business cards, on area billboards, and in press releases.

Assistance League officers take time out for a photo. They are, from left, Marie Keener, Sandra Kelver, Kathy Tamer, Sarah Foulds, Sharon Guzzino, Barbara Weitenhagen, Izella Dornell, Charlene Donovan, Valerie Piercy, Rebecca Saavedra. President Linda Byrd is absent from the photo

Additionally, a timeline of notable milestones has been developed. On Throwback Thursdays, social media posts will feature notable milestones and chapter members during the remainder of the fiscal year. Recognition of the 30-year anniversary will culminate with a celebration at the May 2024 general membership meeting. Check out the chapter’s website and social media to see the many ways in which the chapter has enriched the lives of individuals and families in need We’d

love to have you join us; not only will you be helping others, but you will benefit from the knowledge that you are making a change in your local community! Assistance League of the Bay Area is an allvolunteer, nonprofit organization that changes lives through philanthropic programs in the Houston Bay Area community. For more information on how you can help change lives, visit the website at www.assistanceleague.org / bay-area/

ABPW hosts White Linen Event to celebrate its successful drive

Social With a Purpose Committee takes time out for a photo. They are, standing: left to right, Renu Bonner, Patricia Bonner, Lynn Shigekawa, Kippy Caraway and Debra Dunn-Mansfield. Seated : Kathy Viscariello, Paula Durrett and Ivonne Khan.

he Association of Business and Professional Women (ABPW) recently celebrated the completion of a White Linen Drive in support of The Bridge Over Troubled Waters (BOTW) and the Bay Area Turning Point (BATP) domestic violence shelters. The White Linen From the Heart dinner was held in the lovely home of Kathy Viscariello to pay tribute to the work and mission of the shelters; to educate ABPW members about the important mission; and to thank members for their generosity in completing the White Linen Drive. The campaign provided 20 new mattresses, 165 pillows, 200 bottles of lotion as well as hundreds of towels, wash cloths, sheet sets and blankets. Members listened to heartfelt presentations from each of the shelters, enjoyed getting to know new staff members and shared in the joy of a beautiful celebration. For more information visit abpwhouston.org. DECEMBER 2023 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Homeowners, renters, and condo coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko® image © 1999-2023. © 2023 GEICO. 21_675059129

14 Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2023

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BLAINE BEAUTY DIVINE SHIMMER POWDER $36

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Light up your holiday season with these luxurious and dazzling beauty favorites for December. During the wintertime I love to use beauty products that not only nourish and moisturize my skin and hair, but also give me a little extra sparkle and glow. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones. JO MALONE PEONY & BLUSH SUEDE BODY CRÈME $95 This hydrating and revitalizing body crème will leave your skin extremely moisturized and radiant. This product is by one of my favorite brands and is top of the line. It is a charming floral fragrance, combined with sweet almond oil and cocoa butter. You will notice a beautiful transformation in your skin after using this luxury body crème. JoMalone.com

BOBBI BROWN DUAL-ENDED LONG-WEAR CREAM SHADOW STICK $39 (IN SHADES PINK STEEL / BARK) This professionally chosen pair combines purple shimmer with hints of silver and dark brown to complement each other, creating the perfect eyeshadow duo in one product. This matte and shimmer eyeshadow pair consists of a creamy and buildable formula, and is also waterproof and crease resistant. I would recommend using the matte eyeshadow on the lid and blend into the lash line. Then, I would overlay the shimmer eyeshadow on the middle of the eyelid and inner corner to give a beautiful highlight, shine and definition to the eyes.

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16 Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2023

New to Blaine Beauty is the perfect light golden pink shimmer powder. It gives your cheeks a warm pink glow with just the right touch of shimmer and sparkle. Fabulous for the holidays! You can use this product to highlight your face or body, I love applying my it on my cheeks, nose, and chest. It can be used to create a subtle pop of color and shine or layered to create a striking glow and extra definition. BlaineBeauty.com

ORIBE CÔTE D’AZUR LUMINOUS HAIR & BODY OIL $75.00

I recently tried this product and I fell in love with it. It is extremely nourishing and gives your body a satiny glow and softness. It is a luxurious oil that absorbs quickly and is not heavy or sticky and is an exceptional product. I use it on my body specifically putting it on my neck, chest and arms to create a silky shine. The oil is filled with high quality ingredients such as white butterfly jasmine and sandalwood, Calabrian bergamot and sweet almond. It has given my skin a beautiful radiance and moisturizing result. Oribe.com

MOROCCANOIL LUMINOUS HAIRSPRAY STRONG $26

This hairspray is wonderful, it gives a solid hold to the hair while also allowing you flexibility and ease when brushing and styling your hair. It’s lightweight and adds a beautiful shine and finish that also minimizes frizz. It is infused with Argan oil, vitamin E and antioxidants that creates a heavenly scent. I love using this product during the finishing touches when styling my hair. Moroccanoil.com

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DECEMBER 2023 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

COMING EVENTS

We Now offer Home Deliveries

JINGLE AND MINGLE HOLIDAY PARTY at the League City Chamber Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Chamber, 100 Perkins Ave., Suite D-1. SEABROOK’S BREAKFAST WITH SANTA will be held Saturday, Dec. 9 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Seabrook Community House, where Seabrook Rotary will provide a free pancake breakfast for Seabrook children. Parking at City Hall and Bay Elementary.

HOLIDAY CATERING Book Your Christmas Dinner Party

Daily Lunch Specials

THE 62ND ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BOAT LANE PARADE on Clear Lake, presented by the Cities of Clear Lake Shores, Kemah, Nassau Bay and Seabrook, and produced by the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, will set sail Saturday, Dec. 9 as Nassau Bay Fireworks signals the start at 6 p.m. Other sponsors are H-E-B, Kemah Boardwalk, LZ Technology and i45NOW. Boats should reach Kemah and Seabrook around 7:30 p.m. Chamber bag stuffing at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8 at 11 a.m. at South Shore Harbour Resort. CHRISTMAS BOAT LANE PARADE AWARDS BRUNCH at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 10 at South Shore Harbour Resort in League City. CLEAR LAKE CHAMBER HOLIDAY LUNCHEON at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13. Celebrate the season and enjoy a performance from the Bay Area Chorus ensemble "Spiritus." Individual tickets, tables of 8 and tables of 10 available. Reservation deadline Dec. 6 or when sold-out. Sponsorships available. For questions, contact the Chamber staff at 281-488-7676. BAY AREA HOUSTON TRANSPORTATION PARTNERSHIP will have Houston City Councilman and H-GAC Transportation Policy Council Chairman David Robinson as speaker at its noon luncheon Friday, Dec. 15, at Marriott Houston South, 9100 Gulf Freeway. To register visit https://business.baytran.org/ap/Events/Register/aGHY VomiNtqCZ?sourceTypeId=EmailInvitation CLEAR LAKE CHAMBER HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE will be held Monday, Dec. 18 from 5-7 p.m. This come-andgo party features delicious food, adult beverages, friends, live music, and good cheer. If you would like to donate a refreshment, contact Luanne at 281-488-7676 or luanne@ clearlakearea.com

18 Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2023

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DECEMBER 2023 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Astronaut Ken Mattingly best remembered how he helped save Apollo 13

en Mattingly, an astronaut who piloted Apollo 16 and commanded the shuttle but is probably best remembered for helping bring the Apollo 13 spacecraft safely back to Earth, died Oct. 31 in Arlington, Va., at the age of 87. “We lost one of our country’s heroes on Oct. 31," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement. Thomas Kenneth Mattingly II “was key to the success of our Apollo Program, and his shining personality will ensure he is remembered throughout history,” Nelson said. An Auburn University graduate and former Navy pilot, Mattingly joined NASA in 1966. He helped with development of the spacesuit and backpack for the Apollo moon missions, NASA said. However, his own first spaceflight only came in 1972 when he orbited the moon as pilot of the Apollo 16 command module, while two other crew members landed on the moon's surface. On the trip back to Earth, Mattingly spacewalked to collect film cannisters with photographs he had snapped of the moon's surface. In later years, Mattingly commanded two space shuttle missions and retired from the agency and the Navy as a rear admiral.

Frank Borman, who led first flight to Moon, died Nov. 7

stronaut Frank Borman, who commanded Apollo 8’s historic Christmas 1968 flight that circled the moon 10 times and paved the way for the lunar landing the next year, has died. He was 95. Borman suffered a stroke and died Tuesday, Nov. 7 in Billings, Mont., where he and his wife Susan made their home. He also led troubled Eastern Airlines in the 1970s and early ‘80s after leaving the astronaut corps. But he was best known for his NASA duties. He and his crew, James Lovell and William Anders, were the first Apollo mission to fly to the moon — and to see Earth as a distant sphere in space. “Today we remember one of NASA’s best. Astronaut Frank Borman was a true American hero,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement. “His lifelong love for aviation and exploration was only surpassed by his love for his wife Susan.” After serving as a second lieutenant in the Air Force graduating from West Point and earning a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the California Institute of Technology, he worked as a flight instructor and taught at West Point before being selected as a NASA test pilot in 1960. In 1962 he was selected as one of the “Next Nine” – the second group of astronauts chosen by NASA. Then, having fulfilled his dream of flight, he

Past Lakewood Commodore Don Rauscher remembered

Celebration of Life honoring former Lakewood Yacht Club Commodore Donald Phillip Rauscher, 88, who passed away peacefully on Oct. 20 in Webster, was held at Lakewood on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 19. Born in Rochester, N.Y., on Feb. 2, 1935, he is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jill Rauscher, a son and three daughters and a number of grandchildren. He attended Loyola University and the University of Houston, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance. He began his career in pharmaceutical sales with Bristol Laboratories before venturing out to open his own business, Advance Excelsior, a successful packaging manufacturing company which he dedicated himself to running until his retirement in the early 2000s. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in establishing the family-run

20 Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2023

But his most dramatic mission was one that he never flew. In 1970, Mattingly was supposed to have joined the crew of Apollo 13, piloting the command module. But he was removed from the mission a few days before launch after being exposed to German measles. He didn't contract the illness but was replaced aboard the mission by John Swigert Jr. Several days into the mission, an oxygen tank on the spacecraft's service module exploded, knocking out most of the power and oxygen to the command module. The lunar landing was scrapped and NASA began frantic efforts to save Swigert, James Lovell and Fred Haise. Mattingly, who knew the spacecraft intimately, worked with engineers and others as they analyzed the situation and scrambled to find solutions and pass on instructions to the crew. The trio of astronauts eventually crowded into the lander, which was designed for only two, and used it as a lifeboat for four days as Apollo 13 swung around the moon and then landed safely on Earth. Mattingly “stayed behind and provided key real-time decisions to successfully bring home the wounded spacecraft and the crew,” NASA's Nelson said. “One of the many lessons out of all this is starting on day one it was from the very first moment, assume you’re going to succeed and don’t do anything that gets in the way," Mattingly recalled in an oral history interview for NASA in 2001. Apollo 13's story was told in the 1994 book “Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13,” co-authored by Lovell, and in the 1995 movie “Apollo 13,” where Gary Sinise played Mattingly.

focused on a new goal: reaching the Moon before the Soviet Union. His first mission was Gemini 7, where he served as command pilot. Next came Apollo 8. Launched from Florida’s Cape Canaveral on Dec. 21, 1968, the Apollo 8 trio spent three days traveling to the moon, and slipped into lunar orbit on Christmas Eve. After they circled 10 times on Dec. 24-25, they headed home on Dec. 27. Lovell and Borman had previously flown together during the two-week Gemini 7 mission, which launched on Dec. 4, 1965 — and, at only 120 feet apart, completed the first space orbital rendezvous with Gemini 6. “Gemini was a tough go,” Borman said in 1998. “It was smaller than the front seat of a Volkswagen bug. It made Apollo seem like a super-duper, plush touring bus.” In his book, “Countdown: An Autobiography,” Borman said Apollo 8 was originally supposed to orbit Earth. The success of Apollo 7’s mission in October 1968 to show system reliability on long duration flights made NASA decide it was time to take a shot at flying to the moon. “My main concern in this whole flight was to get there ahead of the Russians and get home. That was a significant achievement in my eyes,” Borman said at a Chicago appearance in 2017. It was on the crew’s fourth orbit that Anders snapped the iconic “Earthrise” photo showing a blue and white Earth rising above the gray lunar landscape. Borman wrote about how the Earth looked from afar: “We were the first humans to see the world in its majestic totality, an intensely emotional experience for each of us. We said nothing to each other, but I was sure our thoughts were identical — of our families on that spinning globe. And maybe we shared another thought I had, this must be what God sees.”

dance studio that bears his wife's name. For more than 50 years he was "Mr. Don" to children who danced at the studio and helped spread his love of the arts and education through the studio. Beyond his professional pursuits, Don had a passion for music and theater. He possessed an incredible singing voice and actively performed in live theater within the Clear Lake community for many years. His love for the water led him to become the commodore of Lakewood Yacht Club in 1984 and again in 2010. He also had a deep appreciation for cars, boats, and motorcycles and even spent time racing cars in the vintage race car circuit. Don was widely recognized throughout the community as an auctioneer, singer, and master of ceremonies. However, one of his most cherished roles was portraying Santa Claus, bringing joy to children throughout the community during the holiday season.

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The Story of Christmas By Pastor Brad Heintz

rowing up we would always put on the Story of Christmas in a pageant. How about you? Dressing up to fit the part whether it was a hallowed angel, a scruffy shepherd, the blessed mother, Mary or distinguished Joseph or a few wise guys. I remember one year when everyone wanted to be shepherds or angels and no one want to be anything else. There was something about getting into character and that felt like you were getting into the story and being transported back in time. Even if it was wearing your dad’s bathrobe or a funky halo made from Christmas tree tinsel. Things have changed and we just don’t seem to do this anymore. Maybe we feel we are too old, outgrown it or it was too campy for us. Maybe we are really missing out. Maybe there is something miraculous about getting into the story and letting it transport us and possibly even transform us. The Christmas story doesn’t change but I believe that it can change us. When we get into the story of Christmas it reminds us that it is possible to be love, saved, and given a future. Take time during the holidays to get into the story and be transported back into his amazing story to save the world through the birth of Jesus. The God of the universe decided the world was worth saving you and everyone int it through the birth of Jesus. Do you need something amazing this Christmas? Do you need to be loved this Christmas? Do you need to be helped this Christmas?

22 Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2023

The story of Christmas is about all these things and it is amazing. Trust Him and what he did and it will transform your story this Christmas. Take a moment right now and get into the story! The Christmas Story from The Gospel According to Luke Luke 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 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

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DECEMBER 2023 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

& Luxury L a rg e SMALL MERCEDES BENZ GLS 450

By Don Armstrong

here are so many decisions to make when looking for a new SUV to buy, and right after budget considerations comes size. Since you can now find some small ones priced in the full-sized category, the waters have become even muddier. Here are a couple to consider for the Christmas shopping season. MERCEDES BENZ GLS 450 The Mercedes brand is among a half dozen or so that brings a full-on luxury experience to the 2024 buyer. Its GLS class not only gives you 3 rows of seriously comfortable seating but so much tech that it may take a day of selftaught lessons to master. Yes, you will be forced to read one of the “how to” manuals. Its refined infotainment display screen starts at the driver’s instrument cluster and transitions to climate and sound controls above the center console. Interior lighting brings the wow factor after the sun sets.

INTERIOR OF THE MERCEDES BENZ GLS 450

24 Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2023

BUICK ENCORE GX Power comes from a highly refined, 3.0-liter, turbocharged, inline 6-cylinder engine that delivers 375-horsepower through a computer controlled all-wheel drive system called 4MATIC. The 369-pound feet of torque pushes you into the seat like a rocket ship. Exterior design is modern, yet sophisticated with a huge Tri-Star emblem ensconced in the classy grille. Pricing starts at $87,000 and soars to the moon with a ton of available options from which to choose.

INTERIOR OF THE BUICK ENCORE GX

BUICK ENCORE GX Luxury doesn’t have to come from today’s high-end assemblers, traditional American builders have some say in this segment too, namely, Buick. With styling updates to the front and rear, this sporty traveler is a real looker. Here is a tiny SUV, so to fit adults in the second row, the front seats will probably have to be skooched up a bit. Once inside, you’ll find the interior comfortably pleasing with premium feel touchpoints, and controls are in just the right places. The dash is adorned with a new 11-inch touch screen that includes the instrument cluster and user-friendly infotainment system. Power is delivered to the front wheels from the optional, 1.3-liter engine with 155-horspower. Here’s the mileage icing on the cake; we’re currently getting 34.9 MPG. The 9-speed automatic transmission helps those numbers and adds a more powerful feel. The ride is what you’d expect from a short wheelbase SUV but makes parking lot maneuvers a breeze. Begins at $25,600.

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To: a

dese famil rving y in comm our unity

I’ll be ____________ for Christmas.

DECEMBER 2023 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

TEXAS MEDITATIONS By Michael Gos

THE PRIME DECISION

Port Lavaca, Texas

“

I was really blown away by the unusual

shape. I had heard about it but just couldn’t imagine how this round, low, house-like structure could operate effectively as a guide.” “All I remember are the mosquitos! My legs were black with the little blood suckers.” It was hard to tell we were both talking about the same thing. The previous summer we went to Port Lavaca just to see the famous Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse. And now, a few months later, we were sharing our recollections over beer. We all have in our minds an image of what a lighthouse is, and it looks nothing like the one in Port Lavaca. Lighthouses are tall, cylindrical structures. This is more like a hexagonal beach shack on poles, a mere 20 feet high. Built in 1858, it survived the 1875 hurricane that obliterated Indianola, was damaged in a couple of other storms and eventually was abandoned in 1942 when the Coast Guard sold it to a private party. All of that was interesting, of course, but the design itself was what fascinated me. Not so my running buddy—for her, it was the mosquitoes.

Our lives, at any given moment, are nothing more or less than the sum total of all the decisions we’ve made up to that point. Of the hundreds of decisions we make each day, some are more important than others. Whether I choose for dessert a dill pickle or a bowl of pink bubble gum ice cream has little effect beyond my caloric intake for the day. Whether, in 1992, I chose the job offer in Arkansas or the one in Houston has had a profound effect on my life—even beyond the 26 Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2023

ways I can understand today. I have no way of knowing what life would have been like had I made the other choice. Similar serious decisions about home, relationships, careers and other life paths determine who we are and what our lives will be like. For dessert, I chose the pickle in an instant, simply because I am basically lazy and it was less work. With the ice cream, I’d need to get a bowl, a spoon, a scoop, and then fight the frozen mass to get out the quantity I wanted. Of course, I could have just pulled out the carton and taken my chances, but that was still more work than the pickle. After eating—the entire contents, of course—I’d still have to get up again to throw the carton in the garbage and wash the spoon. With the pickle, I only had to get up once, open the refrigerator door, unscrew the cap, grab a big fat one, replace the cap and shut the door. It was a good, rational choice. Wouldn’t it be nice if all decisions were that easy? But that’s not how it is. Clearly, it might be a good idea to give life’s more important decisions long and careful thought before acting. As humans, sometimes we fail to do that. Of all the decisions we make in life, the most important, by a landslide, is what I call the Prime Decision. This is the one choice that will control the way you interact with the world and will influence all the other major decisions you make for the rest of your life. It will determine who your friends are, your success at work and in your relationships, and above all, your happiness. Get it right, and life is amazing. But get it wrong and it is a disaster—a life I’d rather not have to live. One of the first things we do as we begin maturing from child to adult is establish our world view, how we see, and more importantly, how we interact with the rest of the universe. We have two options to choose from in selecting our approach to the world; with a fist

and a scream or with a smile and a hallelujah. One option creates a life of misdirected anger and sadness; the other gives a life of fascination, wonderment and joy. It really doesn’t seem like a difficult choice to make at all. And yet, so many people choose the fist and scream. Just look at our college campuses today for all the evidence you need. Once made, the Prime Decision influences every choice we make beyond that moment (well, maybe with the exception of the pickle for dessert). Make the wrong choice and its effects are immediate and cumulative. Once begun, the only hope for a better life is to stop, back up and re-examine our initial selection But that is not an easy task, and it gets harder the further you travel down that path. First, many people are not even aware they made the Prime Decision; it feels like it just sort of happened to them. Fewer still understand that it is the single most controlling factor in their lives. In most cases, it takes a truly traumatic series of events to shock the mind into this re-evaluation. And yet, without it . . . well, we’ve all seen the results. Albert Einstein is widely considered one of the most brilliant men of the 20th century. In addition to his work in physics that made him famous, like the quantum theory of light and his various relativity theories, he was also a noted philosopher in the Platonic/ Aristotelian sense. One of his statements that is particularly relevant to this discussion is “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” I’m sure he was referring to the Prime Decision. The Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse was donated to Calhoun County in 1948. Fortunately, there were several people in county government who saw the miraculous beauty and ingenuity of the structure. They knew that if it remained uncared for and in its then-precarious location, it would soon disappear from the earth. In 1985, it was moved to its current on-land site next to the Bauer Community Center along Highway 35 in Port Lavaca. Imagine the loss if those people had made the other choice on their Prime Decision. I’m sure glad they saw something other than the mosquitoes.

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