Bay Area Houston Magazine February 2023

THERE’S A BETTER APPROACH TO CANCER CARE in Clear Lake

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.

WIN! WIN! WIN!

How would you like to start 2023 by winning an amazing prize package? We thought so.

Everyone has a serendipity story. We know by hearing all the excitement from our Serendipity Yacht Cruises Contest happening NOW. People are writing, entering, and planning to win!

There are many AHA moments, unexpected interactions, paths crossed, unplanned business encounters, doors opened, and meeting partners, friends, and pets, in an odd, fun, mysterious, wonderous, unbelievable way.

We see people open their eyes to the unexpected, taking the leap, getting in touch with their inner compass, turning discoveries or happy accidents to their advantage, and capturing fruitful serendipitous romantic and business moments. They embraced the opportunity of the unexpected!

My dog … helped me meet … when he ran over to … dog and started to try and … with … and …

I met my best … when I … Our first … did not go well. I was running late and …. We are now … and have …

I found … when I was … He looked so sad and needed a … and … quickly. We locked eyes and became … I take him … and we have lots of …

"I met my ... when I was at the ... and he said to me ... At first, I thought he was not my type until ..."

"I figured out how to repair an expensive ... at work when I was at ... putting together a ..."

"I met my future partner when he was scheduled for a ... If the other person kept the ... we would have never ..."

I was supposed to be doing work for a client when I saw ... Had I not taken this detour and seized ... I would have missed out on all the ..."

"A phenomenal business ... was discovered by accident when ... directed me to an area totally unrelated to my ... If I had not followed this path ..."

"A business relationship was greatly enhanced by my viewing ... instead of doing ... that needed to get done that ..."

"I met my fiancée when I was at a ... and I ... It was the ... I did not ..."

"I was dating my ... for ... years when ...

"I met my business partner when I missed the ...which led us to ..."

How has Serendipity Knocked on

Door?

presented by Serendipity Yacht Cruises

South Shore Harbour Resort Opus Bistro and Steakhouse

South Shore Harbour Resort

A TASTE OF SPACE, THE CLEAR LAKE CHAMBER’S EPICUREAN EVENING is on the calendar for Thursday, Feb. 2. From 6:30 p.m. to 9. For tickets, call the chamber, 281-488-7676.

AUSTIN’S “FIRST LADY OF JAZZ” PAMELA HART will share her passion for jazz in UH-Clear Lake’s Bayou Theater Friday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. She will be accompanied by the Houston-based Darrell Lavine Quartet. For tickets, visit www.uhcl.edu/bayou-theater/

CCEF REGENCY GALA: A Royal Affair will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, at 6:30 p.m. at South Shore Harbour Resort. Tickets are $150 each.

FREEMAN LIBRARY FRIENDS will host a SOUP-ER Bowl on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Clear Lake Freeman Branch Library, 16616 Diana Lane in Clear Lake with 3 samples for $5. Tickets available in the library bookstore.

THE 24TH ANNUAL YACHTY GRAS GRAND NIGHT BOAT PARADE will get underway at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. For information, call 713-882-4040 or visit www.yachtygras.com

THE 2023 CHARITY DANCE CONCERT, hosted by Artists of Hope, will be held at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10 and 11 in the Proscenium Theatre on San Jacinto College South Campus. For tickets, visit sanjacdance. ticketleap.com

“YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 15-18, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19 in the Powell Arena Theatre on the San Jacinto College Central Campus in Pasadena.

BAY AREA WELCOME NEIGHBOR CLUB will feature “The King of Rock’N’Roll” at the monthly luncheon in its new meeting venue, South Shore Harbour Country Club at 4300 South Shore Blvd., in League City Thursday, Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with Elvis tribute artist Ralph Elizondo channeling Black Leather Elvis from the famous TV special. Visit the website basnc.org to make reservations.

PASADENA MAYOR JEFF WAGNER WILL PRESENT THE STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS at the Pasadena Chamber Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16 at the Pasadena Convention Center, 7902 Fairmont Parkway. The 2023 Business of the Year also will be announced. Member tickets are $50; non-members $60.

GO TEXAN RODEO STYLE SHOW will be held Friday, Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Lone Star Flight Museum at Ellington Field.

FRIENDSWOOD MAYOR MIKE FOREMAN will deliver the State of the City Address at the Friendswood Chamber Luncheon in the First Baptist Church’s Family Life Center, 202 E. Heritage, from 11 a.m. at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 2.

MISS LEAGUE CITY PAGEANT, will take place March 2-4, 2023 at South Shore Harbour Resort. Tickets for this event will go on sale soon. For more information Contact Director Kelly Williams at missleaguecitypageant@gmail.com.

SPACE CENTER ROTARY will host the L.E.A.P. for Mankind Awards for 2023 on Saturday, March 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 in the Nassau Bay Hilton Ballroom to honor former BAHEP President Bob Mitchell and the Exploration Green Conservancy. For tickets, which are $125, visit the website Home Page | Rotary Club of Space Center

Dancer photo by Caitlin Cannon Photography

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

And the new Miss Universe is . . .

The stunning 28 year old Houston resident and now the newly crowned Miss Universe is R'Bonney Gabriel! R'Bonney Nola Gabriel, also known as R'Bonney Nola, is an American fashion designer and model. She was crowned Miss Texas USA®, Miss USA®, then on January 14, 2023, she was crowned Miss Universe®!

R'Bonney became the ninth Miss USA® to win the title, as well as the oldest entrant to be crowned. Her "force for good" crown is worth over 5 million. How's that for a crowning moment?

Not only a wonderful role model for her accomplishments, and hard work to achieve this goal, but she has become very well known for her designs made from recycled materials.

R'Bonney is a designer for the Houston-based "Magpies & Peacocks", the nation’s only 501(c)3 non-profit design house dedicated to the collection and sustainable reuse of post-consumer clothing, scrap textiles, and accessories diverted from landfill. This design house is actually opened to the public. Her slogan is "if not now, then when" has proven to be exactly what she lives by. She was First Runner Up three times in three different pageants (in the same year) before she won Miss Texas USA® in 2022 that led her become

Miss Universe®.

Bay Area's own Kelly Williams, Host of The Kelly Williams Show, who knows R'Bonney well, interviewed her as Miss Texas USA®, Miss USA®, and is looking forward to her third interview with the new Miss UNIVERSE®.

R'Bonney will be living between New York and Thailand, and will be traveling the globe continuing her work helping others . . . now on a bigger stage. You can follow R'Bonney on IG, FB, and even order her clothing at rbonneynola.com. We want to say CONGRATULATIONS to our beautiful Miss Universe!

Kelly Williams interviewing R'Bonney Gabriel as Miss USA®

Matters of the heart, matter more.

There are approximately 2.5 billion heartbeats in a lifetime. And each one adds to your story. So when you find a cardiovascular specialist who really cares about the factors that affect your life and your cardiovascular health—someone who’s there to listen—you know your heart’s in the right place.

Make this moment matter by taking the first step. Make an appointment today at StLukesHealth.org/Cardiology.

Bay Area Habitat for Humanity

Let Love Speak

By Pastor Brad Heintz

here are all kinds of speech out there today. I was taught in school that there are four basic types of speech: 1. inform; 2. instruct; 3. entertain; 4. persuade. But what I have experienced in life is more involved than that. Speech can uplift and encourage and yet it can spread lies and half-truths, Or even worse, some speech is filled with vulgarity or tainted with hate. As James said, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness (James 3:9 NIV).” But there is a kind of speech that really can help, create change and produce miracles. That kind of speech is when we let love speak.

Let God’s Word speak to you about this.

• If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

(1 Corinthians 13:1 NLT)

• Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

(1 John 4:9 NIV)

THow do we let love speak?

• Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses (Proverbs 10:12 NLT)

• Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:15 NIV)

• I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.

• I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.(Psalm 40:10 NIV)

During the month of February take time to think about what you say and how you say it. Is your speech filled with love or not? Do you let love speak through what you say and how you say it? What if each of us would let love speak in February? I bet February would be much better month for all interactions, relationships and gatherings.

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

Krewe du Lac King Cake Party

Photos

JET SETTERS BALL RAISES NEARLY $650,000

THE LONE STAR Flight Museum was electrified with glowing lights and great dance music at its 2022 Jet Setters Ball while guests, dressed in fabulous creative cocktail attire, celebrated the museum’s successes and big plans for 2023.

The annual fundraising event was attended by generous donors and supporters who contributed nearly $650,000 to support STEM-related programs and the museum’s educational mission and exhibits.

Radio personality Freddy Cruz served as emcee with Co-Chairmen Mary and David Novelli and Kim and Brett Williams leading the crowd through the evening’s events – a wine pull big board auction, paddle raise, live auction, a delectable dinner, plus dinner and cocktails.

Assistance League

KARI KELLEY first became familiar with the Assistance League of the Bay Area when she worked for Boeing and served on the Employees Community Fund board. She became quite impressed with the chapter’s work – so moved, in fact, she vowed she would join the chapter when she retired.

And she did! She also recruited her mother, Carole Eitzen, and her best friend, Terry Overcash, to join with her. The three officially completed their new member orientation and were acknowledged at the April 2021 membership meeting.

Kari went on to embrace her member role with gusto. She frequently worked in the award-winning Resale Shop and contributed to efforts of several philanthropic programs, including shopping for Operation School Bell students, helping Operation Cinderella seniors select the perfect prom attire, and participating in the Ready for Work Committee.

“With her professional public relations background, Kari was a natural fit for the marketing committee,” ALBA Past President Lisa Holbrook tells us. “She contributed significantly in that arena by writing press releases, photographing events, and spearheading two community speaking engagements. These engagements resulted in recruiting a new member and a $5,000 sponsorship to the chapter's 2022 annual fundraising event, Jazz and Jewels. Kari was a devoted contributor to our Facebook group and her social media accounts, sharing our accomplishments enthusiastically.

“The Above and Beyond the Call of Duty or ABCD Award is given to members who do not hold key leadership roles but have impacted the

During the formal program, the crowd learned about the impact the museum has had with schools in the Greater Houston area through its STEM program based in aviation and how the added support from area corporations like H-E-B has expanded the museum’s reach.

While sampling delicious hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail hour, guests were invited to wander about the museum’s historic planes and NASA artifacts, step inside aircraft and experience a virtual plane ride. Museum President and CEO Lt. Gen.

chapter's programs by providing extraordinary amounts of time and service,” Lisa explains. “Kari was presented with this award at last year's May Annual Meeting.

When the new fiscal year began on June 1, 2022, Kari started her work as the Ready for Work Committee vice chairman and agreed to a significant role in the resale shop's processing area.

“On Aug. 26, the world lost a bright light as Kari left us far too soon.”

However, Kari still had plans for Assistance League of the Bay Area. On Nov. 8, at the chapter's annual Home for the Holidays Extravaganza Sneak Peeks, Kari's mother, Carole Eitzen, and cousin, Jennifer Cox, presented President Marie Keener with a $5,000 check from Kari's estate -- a contribution that will allow philanthropic programs to enhance their work in the community.

“Even in her passing, Kari Kelley taught us all how to live!” Lisa adds.

Doug Owens (USAF retired) also spoke on the museum achievements and exciting plans for the coming year, including new exhibits and hands-on experiences.

“This amazing evening was only made possible by the dedication of our co-chairs, sponsors, donors and staff. Our mission is to celebrate flight and achievements in Texas aviation history and to educate and engage our youth through STEM. This was an incredible year for the museum, and Houston’s giving community has allowed us to move forward with even more experiences and programs to offer the community, we are grateful.”

To learn more about the STEM education programs at the only museum in Houston whose exhibits fly, visit LoneStarFlight.org or call 346-3527678.

Allison McIntyre and Steven Rylie were among the many enjoying the 2022 Jet Setters Ball.

Michael Glass and Holly Yoes were among the many attending the 2022 Jet Setters Ball.

Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, left, chats with Joyce Abbey as they both enjoy the 2022 Jet Setters Ball.

Lone Star Flight Museum CEO Doug Owens and wife, Theresa, look over the crowd at the Jet Setters Ball.

Kari Kelley leaves $5,000 to her

Kari Kelley

Jennifer Cox, left, Kari Kelley’s cousin and her mother, Carole Eitzen, present Assistance League President Marie Keener, right, with a $5,000 donation from Kari’s estate.

CCEF to host Regency-themed gala Feb.4

The Clear Creek Education Foundation (CCEF) will host its first Regency Gala: A Royal Affair, Saturday, Feb. 4 at South Shore Harbour Resort to help raise money for Clear Creek ISD teachers by funding their innovative classroom grants. Everyone is invited to attend!

The evening’s festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a three-course dinner, live music with the Black Cat Choir Band, dancing, a Golden Raffle, a whiskey tasting, and a live auction.

“What the Clear Creek Education Foundation (CCEF) does in our community is personal to me having been both an alumnus of Clear Lake High School and having my own children attend CCISD. The Foundation raises money to help our schools make innovative changes in our classroom that might not otherwise occur. It is my absolute pleasure to assist with community events that help fund these projects like our upcoming gala. This will truly be the event of the season,” Gala Chairman Chris Rylant said.

Tickets and tables are still available. Tickets are $150 per person and tables for eight are $1,200. “So, come dance the night away!” CCED Executive Director Deborah Laine said as she pointed out

Club moving across the Lake

BAY AREA Welcome Neighbors Club is looking forward to an exciting year! They’ve relocated their monthly meetings from Bay Oaks Country Club in Clear Lake to South Shore Harbour Country Club, 4300 South Shore Blvd. in League City.

At the next meeting Thursday, Feb. 16 they’ll host The King of Rock.N.Roll via an Elvis tribute artist, Ralph Elizondo, and, best yet, he will be channeling “Black Leather Elvis” from his famous TV special. The social begins at 10 a.m. and the meeting at 10:30.

BAWNC is a non-profit social organization for women offering a variety of activities such as Bunco, book clubs, Mah Jong, movies and much more. “So come join us in February at South Shore Harbor Country Club, in League City,” Laura Gappa says

For luncheon reservations, contact Jayci Schmitt at 479-426-4929 or email her at jayci. schmitt@gmail.com

that a block of rooms are available for the event at South Shore Harbour Resort. For more information on the gala, please visit the CCEF website: www. clearcreekeducationfoundation.org/regency-gala-aroyal-affair

Since its founding in 1992, CCEF, a nonprofit, has been dedicated to building public education in Clear Creek ISD through grants and programs that empower every student to achieve academic and personal success. CCEF has contributed over $5 million to CCISD for innovative programs in the classroom.

The gala is supported by Diamond sponsors, Chemical Process and Production, Inc. and Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins, Mott LLP; Queen’s Court Sponsors - Moody Bank, Texas First Bank and The Woodhouse Spa; Duke of Hastings Sponsors – AMOCO Federal Credit Union, Bob Martin and National Signs ; and Promenade sponsors - Michael and Kathy Reeves, Brian and Heidi Reigel, Bay Oaks Country Club, Lion Aviation, LLC, Waldron and Schneider, PLLC and Preferred Climate Solutions.

SJC OFFICIALS ARRIVE IN STYLE

SAN JACINTO COLLEGE Chancellor Brenda Hellyer and her husband Rusty, along with SJC Vice Chancellor Teri Crawford, had quite an experience during the holidays. They were invited to go to a reception at the Governor’s Mansion in the state capitol, but when they arrived in Austin, traffic was backed up so bad they wondered if they would get there before the event was over. It wasn’t long before they decided to ride through downtown Austin – dressed in their cocktail dresses – in a bicycle taxi! (No doubt laughing all the way.) No, we’re not making this up. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. Before long they joined the crowd at the mansion, met with Gov. Greg Abbott and had an enjoyable evening they’ll no doubt remember for years to come.

CCEF Director Deborah Laine and Gala Chair Chris Rylant “spill the tea” on The Kelly Williams Show about the Regency Gala coming February 4 at SSHR

Off they go, San Jacinto College Chancellor Brenda Hellyer, left, and Vice Chancellor Teri Crawford can’t help but laugh as they whiz through the capital city in a bicycle taxi en route to the Governor ’s Mansion.

Gov. Greg Abbott poses for a photo with San Jacinto College Chancellor Brenda Hellyer, right, and Vice Chancellor Teri Crawford during the reception at the Governor’s Mansion.

Nothing like a keep-sake photo

Chancellor Hellyer has a question for the Texas governor during the holiday reception at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin.

The Governor’s Mansion in Austin gets all dressed up for the holiday season.

You are at the heart of our advanced cardiac care.

Whatever your heart requires, we’ll help keep it beating strong. We personalize treatment plans that utilize cutting-edge techniques, like a heart arrhythmia treatment that minimizes the risk of heart failure and stroke without the need for blood thinners. This is innovative heart care designed around you.

memorialhermann.org/heart

Advancing health. Personalizing care.

Heart Disease: Taking Minimally Invasive Interventions to the Max

When it comes to heart disease, the facts are sobering. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming about 700,000 lives a year. Fortunately, the heart specialists affiliated with Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular are dedicated to discovering new ways to prevent and treat heart disease.

As affiliated interventional cardiologist Nadish Garg, MD, explains, physicians at Memorial Hermann are employing innovative, minimally invasive techniques to treat most heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart valve diseases and heart abnormalities, which once required open surgery. As a result, patients typically experience less pain and shorter hospitalizations and recoveries. Dr. Garg sees patients at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital.

What is coronary artery disease, and how can it be treated?

Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease. It occurs when arteries, which bring blood to the heart muscle, become blocked due to a buildup of plaque. At Memorial Hermann Southeast, we have a comprehensive cardiovascular program which offers both minimally invasive coronary interventions, such as stenting and angioplasty, as well as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery for patients with multivessel disease or for whom minimally invasive procedures are not suitable.

When performing the minimally invasive procedures, the surgeon enters the patient’s blocked artery through a small puncture, typically in the wrist or leg, and threads a small tube, called a catheter, into the artery to open the blockage. The surgeon uses either a tiny lattice-shaped metal tube, called a stent, or a tiny balloon device, to keep the blocked artery open. We employ some of the most advanced tools available to perform these procedures safely and effectively.

What treatments are available for patients with heart valve problems?

The heart contains four types of valves—aortic, mitral, tricuspid and pulmonary—which help move blood through the heart and throughout the body. At Memorial Hermann Southeast, we treat all forms of heart

valve disease, including the two most common forms, aortic and mitral valve disease.

Memorial Herman Southeast is one of five hospitals within Memorial Hermann Health System in which heart specialists treat aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve, with a minimally invasive procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). During the procedure, the surgeon accesses and replaces the diseased valve through a catheter inserted into the artery via a small puncture in the patient’s leg or chest. Patients typically go home the next day. We recently performed our 100th TAVR procedure. What is the connection between heart care and stroke prevention?

Dr. Nadish Garg Cardiologist

Atrial fibrillation (AFib), a heart condition characterized by irregular heartbeat, increases an individual’s risk of stroke by four to six times, on average, and the risk increases with age. In people over 80 years of age, AFib is the direct cause of one in four strokes. To mitigate the risk of stroke in patients with AFib, we typically prescribe anticoagulants, commonly known as blood thinners. But in patients who cannot take blood thinners, including those with bleeding problems or those at high risk of falling, we offer a minimally invasive procedure called left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). During the procedure, the cardiologist inserts a device to close off the left atrial appendage to prevent stroke when in AFib. Patients are typically discharged the following day and will no longer need to take blood thinners. To date, we have performed over 50 cases. Another common cardiac condition that can lead to stroke is called patent foramen ovale (PFO), a hole between the upper chambers of the heart present in everyone before birth. In most of the population, the PFO naturally closes before birth. In about 25%, however, the PFO doesn’t close and can lead to what we call paradoxical embolic stroke. We carefully evaluate a stroke patient to rule out other causes, such as carotid artery disease or cardiovascular disease, before we consider them a candidate for PFO closure. The procedure to close the PFO is performed through a vein in the patient’s right leg and takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

To learn more about minimally invasive treatments for heart disease at Memorial Hermann, or to schedule an appointment with a heart and vascular specialist, visit memorialhermann.org/heart

Advancing health. Personalizing care.

By Rick Clapp

Perfectly scripted for this Valentine Month, Collard Jewelers celebrates its one-year anniversary. This “Diamond in the Rough” jeweler has become the talk of the Bay. Dynamic entrepreneur and owner Wendy Collard has put all her vast experience into the success of Collard Jewelers.

The love for rocks and stones began with Wendy growing up for most of her life in Utah. While other young girls played with dolls, doll houses, and dress up, Wendy preferred playing with a rock tumbler. She loved the feel, the texture and the look of rocks and stones. This fascination with rocks grew into a passion for Diamonds and Jewelry.

Wendy Collard’s first job as a teenager was working for a retail jewelry store located at the mall. Her interest continued as she began a journey far beyond what she originally planned. This led to a life of international travel and further education. Collard earned Colored Stone Identification, Diamonds, Pearls, Bench Jeweler, and many more certifications. Collard attended and received an esteemed certification from Canadian Gemmological Association, CGA, and the Gemological Institute of America, GIA.

Collard earned the trusted respect of the diamond maven Le Vian Diamonds. She proudly showed their diamonds at trunk shows including well known retailers such as Macy’s, Jared’s, Saks, and other carriage trade independent jewelers. She gained a tremendous amount of experience in the diamond business working in European Diamond Centers including, Antwerp, Hanover, and the United Kingdom, especially in London.

Collard’s notable jewelry lines include Ninacci, Picchiotti, Mastoloni, and other affordable vendors such as Samuel B and Michou.

Service to community has always been a part of Collard’s success. A member of the Seabrook Rotary, she is a Paul Harris Fellow. She also contributes to local charities and organizations. Collard Jewelry is donating a priceless piece of jewelry that will be auctioned off to raise funds for Texas EquuSearch. Wendy is married to husband Tony for 25 years and three children: daughter Mystie and spouse Tyler, daughter Mindie and spouse David, and son McCord Carter plus seven grandchildren.

Collard Jewelers houses all this vast experience and knowledge under one roof. So, whether you need that special piece for someone you love, yourself, a family member, or need an appraisal on a valuable piece or a repair, this jeweler offers all. Wendy Collard also specializes in her custom designs.

Congratulations to Collard Jewelers on their anniversary.

Visit Collard Jewelers at 2700 Marina Bay Dr., Suite L, in League City. You can also contact them at 832-385-6246 and follow them on Facebook @Collard Jewelers.

We were in Chappell Hill for one of my wife’s “shop-till-you-drop” excursions. It was a beautiful spring day, so we decided to hit a local shop for some ice cream. Warm, sunny day and still four hours to dinner, it all seemed to make sense. But, as one thought leads to another, the idea of ice cream of course led to thoughts of Blue Bell, and the plan changed. It would be almost sacrilegious to be this close to Brenham and not make a stop at the Blue Bell Creamery, the place where Texans’ ice cream is born. Neither of us had been there and it was a perfect day for a bit of extra, top-down driving. We heard the tours always end with some free ice cream, and even if it didn’t, we were relatively sure we could find somewhere to buy some. We hopped in the Jeep and headed west.

But some things in life are just not meant to be. We arrived mid-afternoon on a weekday, only to find the parking lots empty and the place closed. Puzzled, but still craving ice cream, we found our way to to the Must Be Heaven ice cream parlor in town and placed our order. We were shocked when we were told they had no Blue Bell. Whoever heard of an ice cream shop in Texas without it? The clerk explained the recall situation to us and it all became clear.

When Texans are out of Blue Bell, they are out of ice cream. This was tragic. I knew there would be internal, and probably even external, investigations that could take days, weeks maybe. It could be a long dry spell for Texas.

Whenever an accident or other serious event occurs, police or investigators in the workplace often separate witnesses, or those involved in the event, immediately so they won’t have an opportunity to talk to each other. Several people witnessing the same occurrence often “see” different things. There is a risk that if the witnesses begin to talk to each other, some will be influenced by the statements of others and begin to doubt their own observations or even go so far as to believe they saw what the others reported.

TEXAS MEDITATIONS

By Michael Gos

Man Versus Reality

Of course, there is also a chance that perpetrators might take advantage of the conversations to get their stories "straight“.

There are some who believe that if we are seeking the truth, it is better to have a group consensus among the witnesses rather than ten different stories. Some philosophers believe truth is a social construct; it doesn’t exist out in the world. It is whatever the community judges it to be. Even if you do not agree with that view, it certainly seems it might be easier for investigators to deal with only one story. But it turns out our chances of getting at what really happened are greatly reduced when multiple observations are no longer available.

Let’s consider for a moment, two esoteric concepts: truth and beauty. What is truth to one person may be just false propaganda to his

about the events except the students’ opinions.

If an individual’s own interpretation of an event can change that dramatically with just the passing of time, can we really trust the truth and accuracy of our observation of any object, event, or idea that we encounter—ever? And if we can’t trust our own perception, how can we trust that of others?

In his famous Allegory of the Cave, Plato deals with this concept of perceived versus actual reality. The movie The Matrix, a Plato rip-off, does the same. What Plato’s prisoners and the Matrix’s “plugged-in” people witness is nothing close to reality. Neo isn’t in downtown Chicago; he is living in the fetal position in an egg-shaped pod. The shadows and echoes that Plato’s prisoners’ experience are not the real world. In both works, these people are indeed prisoners. To see reality, they must escape the cave, or the pod. And of course, the process of that escape isn’t pleasant either. But the pain is necessary if you want to see the world as it really is. Maybe that is why we avoid it.

neighbor. And in beauty, our views are even more divergent. I love Baroque art and architecture, but there are many who prefer postmodern abstract art and the sleekness of steel and glass buildings. It is not the object under consideration that contains or lacks the essence of truth or beauty, but rather the judgement that comes from the mind of the observer.

When I taught my humanities students the stoicism theory of happiness, I used an analogy most all of us can relate to. When we are jilted by someone we loved, we almost always see it as a tragedy. I would ask them to think about such an event that occurred in their lives a few years earlier. Almost everyone got the point immediately. It was a tragedy then; today it is either neutral, a good thing, or maybe even the best that ever happened to them. As one student put it, “I really dodged a bullet on that one.” Yet the events themselves had not changed at all. As humans, we are not disturbed by things that happen, but rather by our opinion of things that happen. Nothing changed

The fact is, it is a universal characteristic of mankind to ignore the reality of the world around us and instead create our own reality in our minds. It is in our DNA. Some of us do more than just ignore what is real; we actively run away from it. Oftentimes, when forced to face the truth about some small part of the world or of life, rather than accept it, we deny its existence and immediately accuse others of intentionally misrepresenting it. I suppose that is how we get political factions.

You might think it would be a nice, Utopian situation if we would all choose to see the world and life as it really is—to be objective in all our observations. The truth always lives “out there,” right in front of us, all the time. We just have to be willing to see it. But it seems to be a trait common to all humans to let our minds determine what we see and believe, not the object or idea under consideration. I guess it is easier, or at least more fun, to live in the world we create rather than the one around us.

Perhaps T. S. Elliot had this in mind when he wrote, “Humankind cannot handle very much reality.”

Brenham, Texas

"we are not disturbed by things that happen, but rather by our opinion of things that happen."

Seabrook Welcomes Sunny Seafood

By Rick Clapp

The City of Seabrook is known around Texas as the seafood capital. The many individual seafood stores along the Clear Creek Channel between Seabrook and Kemah and a variety of local eateries make Seabrook a culinary destination.

Sunny Seafood is the newest edition to Seabrook’s quality seafood restaurants. They are conveniently located at 2320 NASA Road One in a modern building which has a well laid-out interior. Sunny Seafood also has a full-service bar and happy hour.

This uniquely quaint seafood restaurant combines an array of Cajun and Asian spices and flavors that are sure to make your palate come alive. Furthermore, their staff and management team made up of Vincent, David, Branden, Tanner, and his servers make up a team that is willing to please and accommodate your requests and needs.

Let’s talk food. Cajun Seafood restaurants are first judged by their gumbo. Sunny Seafood’s gumbo is different with a light and not-so-heavy dark roux. The chicken gumbo is spot on with generous chunks of poultry and sausage. Both are spiced just right and

properly served hot. They offer a variety of tasty appetizers such as large shrimp cocktail, wings, boudin balls, and other fried choices. Winners are the fried soft-shell crab, grilled squid, and grilled snow crab. Sunny offers a variety of salads with your choice of seafood or chicken. Lunch specials feature fried platters that are very reasonably priced.

House favorites include Shrimp and Scallop seared in a succulent creamy garlic sauce with dirty rice and a side of your favorite vegetable. Another hit is the Crab Boy: a soft-shell crab po-boy sandwich dressed with pickles, mayo, lettuce, fresh tomato, and onion inside a nice baguet, served with hot and spicy Cajun fries.

Other items include their fried platters of shrimp, oysters, crawfish, catfish, and flounder. All reasonably priced platters come with French fries and hush puppies. The flounder platter is highly recommended.

Sunny Seafood is also known for their Boiled Seafood and Boiled Seafood Platters. They offer shrimp, crab, lobster, green mussels, and black mussels. For a family or date night, these platters are a must. The Sunny Seafood Platter features a lobster tail, two snow crab clusters, 10 EZ peel shrimp,

one sausage, two potatoes, and two corn. You may also add sausage, whole egg, or mushrooms for an additional charge. The choice of spice level ranges from mild, spicy, or extra spicy. It is recommended to stick with the mild or spicy. They offer mouthwatering flavors of garlic butter, Cajun, dry seasoning, and a Sunny House Special. Other boiled seafood platters include the Snow Crab, the Shrimp Lovers, and the Everyday Platter. The bottom line is that the food is good and moderately priced.

Sunny Seafood has a Happy Hour as well as being family friendly. Sunny has a kid’s menu and nice dessert selection made inhouse. It offers the likes of Tiramisu, Burnt Cheesecake, Fudge Brownie with ice cream, or a scoop of plain vanilla or cookies and cream ice cream to finish your epicurean feast.

Try Sunny Seafood for your next culinary experience for Lunch, Dinner, or Happy Hour. Book your Valentine's Day reservation now as tables are selling fast.

Bon Appétit!

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.

By Don Armstrong

The Dodge Challenger will end production after the current 2023 model year run. Parent company Stellantis, like many others, has announced it will be switching from internal combustion engines to battery electric, so it’s so-long for one of the most popular and successful pony cars currently produced. Bay Area Houston Magazine pays tribute to this auto icon by looking at its hottest model, Hellcat.

The baseline Challenger engine is a 303-horsepower V-6. What makes the Dodge Challenger a Hellcat? A 6.2-liter, supercharged V-8 that produces 717-horsepower and 656-lb.-ft. of torque.

The Challenger’s iconic shape harkens back to a day when a long hood, 2-doors and a short, rear deck lid screamed performance. Think the 1965 Mustang and ’67 Camaro or Corvette, among them. Today, twin snorkel hood scoops, a big front air splitter and trunkmounted spoiler all contribute to an aero kit that not only looks like a race car but actually helps it get closer to the 200 MPH mark. Fatter tires, needed for better traction, demanded optional widebody extensions over each wheel opening. All of this lends to that “don’t mess with me” look.

An 8-speed automatic transmission is a perfect fit for the Challenger. It unnoticeably shifts through the gears in daily stop-and-go

traffic. But the Hellcat performance algorithm can transform the car into a superfast, hard shifting beast that, without computerassisted traction control, can put the car into a sideways attitude in milliseconds. Paddle shifters, located behind the steering wheel let you take charge, but for tech wizards, all sorts of parameters, including shift points, can be adjusted. Controls are located in the infotainment screen under the heading, “performance pages.” The art of drag racing has never been easier to learn. Thank you, Dodge.

The interior is driver-centric and gives you a “let’s go fast” adrenaline shot the minute you slide behind the wheel. Highly bolstered seating hugs driver and passengers alike. Its low roofline gives Challenger a real racecar cockpit-feel, without the rollbars.

The ride quality can be stiff if you’re not accustomed to performance car swagger, but somehow it seems fitting and acceptable for this 2-ton machine.

Pricing for the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Jailbreak starts at $73,330. Get one before it’s gone forever. Special “Last Call” editions may be hard to come-by but a real boon to collectors near and far.

Movers & Shakers

Name: Natasha Marie Valasek

Occupation: Real Estate Broker

Hometown: Brownsville, TX

Current home: League City, TX

Family: Married 18 years to Nick and we have an 18 yr old son Nolan and Corgi mom to Darla and Daisy

Someone I’d like to meet: Michael Jordan

My favorite song:  Cross My Heart - My wedding song

The thing that bugs me the most is:  A victim mentality

You’ll never catch me: Holding someone back, Always Go For It!

If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose: Julia Morales - Go Stros!

My favorite entertainer: Reba McEntire - She was the first I ever saw at Rodeo Houston

My favorite movie is: Varsity Blues

My favorite meal is: Crawfish

As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be: Miss USA, a backup singer/dancer for Janet Jackson, News Reporter for the Military

I like to spend my leisure time: Watching baseball or learning something new

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

Few people know:  A lot of things that may be perceived to come easily to me did not. I›ve had a lot of obstacles, lessons and failures that got me to where I am.

By Capt. David C. Dillman galvestonbaycharterfishing.com

Catching and Rigging for Large Black Drum

everal years ago I took a much needed day off. Just then my phone rings and it was my friend Brian Castille on the other end. He asked, "Do you want to join my dad and I? We're heading out to the jetties to do a little drum fishing." Since he would pick me up at the Galveston Yacht Basin, I responded with a firm "yes".

We motored towards the north Galveston Jetty, anchoring up near the boat cut. Castille had a variety of bait aboard - live crabs, live crawfish, even some dead shrimp. We threw out 4 lines and it didn't take long for the fish to cooperate. Soon afterward, we're reeling in large black drum, one after another as fast as we could bait up and cast out. In a little over four hours of fishing, we boated 62 large black drum, between 25-45 pound a piece Later that evening I received a call from Capt. Mike Williams asking, "How many fish did ya'll catch?" I replied, "62." Williams chuckled and asked, "Why only 62?" I said, "because we ran out of bait."

On most days, especially in February, it is common for those anglers fishing the jetties to land big black drum in double digit numbers.

SI'm not saying you'll catch 62 of them, that is a once in a lifetime event. The key to catching these large fish is the rigging of your line. Once you have this figured out, catching them becomes a lot easier.

So I enlisted the knowledge of Capt. Mike Williams who has fished the Galveston Jetties longer than any person I know. The location that Castille's and I fished that day is a spot on the north Galveston Jetty, named Mike Williams rock. It's about 60 yards east of the boat cut on the channel side of the jetty.

The best bait for drum is a live blue crab. Fresh frozen will work, but live is best. Williams removes the claws and saves them for eating. He then pulls the top shell off and

either halves or quarters the crab, depending upon it's size.

According to Williams, black drum are not line shy, so he makes leaders that are durable and long lasting. First, Williams uses two pieces of 200 pound test Ande monofilament line. One 30 inches in length - the other 15 inches. After he cuts the line to length, he then crimps a large, black, barrel swivel to one end, slides on a 2-6 ounce egg weight onto the 30 inch leader, and crimps another large barrel swivel to the other end. Then crimps the 15 inch leader onto the barrel swivel of the 30 inch leader, and finally a 16/0 circle hook to the bare end. He bends the barb down on the hook, which allows for a easy release.

Williams never gaffs at large black drum or bull reds. Williams said, "You can grab this guide tough leader at the weight and pull the fish into the boat."

Williams suggests having a variety of leaders pre-made with various weights. The stronger the tidal flow, the heavier the weight is needed. The bait needs to be on the bottom. As far as hooking the crab, you can run the hook directly through the bottom shell or through the crab's leg sockets.

Best times to catch these fish is now through the full moon in April. I hope this helps anyone reading and wanting to go catch these big fish.

Beauty with Blaine

Step up your look with these beauty faves. Perfect for keeping your skin glowing and hydrated, face on point, and hair looking gorgeous this February. Happy Valentine’s Day!

and is vegan and gluten free. It reduces fine lines and wrinkles, detoxifies the skin and leaves your skin glowing and nourished. There are 8 doses in each container and is refillable.

NoblePanacea.com

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS BROW WIZ ULTRA SLIM PRECISION BROW PENCIL $25

This brow pencil is a game changer, it’s easy to use and produces a natural and textured eyebrow look. It is retractable and one end is fine-tipped and contains the eyebrow color, the other end had a spoolie which helps brush and shape the brows. It is vegan, long lasting and helps create perfect precision while outlining and filling in the eyebrows.

AnastasiaBeverlyHills.com

BLAINE BEAUTY IRRESISTIBLE LIP BALM $26

This hydrating lip balm in the newest addition to my Blaine Beauty collection. It has a ton of skin benefits, antioxidants and can replenish dehydrated skin. It is infused with vitamin E, shea butter, jojoba oil & avocado oil. The formula is a perfect combination that provides moisture, nutrients and protection to the lips. The clear, sheer color makes it wearable for any occasion. My all time favorite lip balm!

BlaineBeauty.com

NOBLE PANACEA

THE EXCEPTIONAL CHRONOBIOLOGY SLEEP MASK $310

A girlfriend recommended this product to me and I fell in love with it. The results I experienced were unparalleled, and my face was completely illuminating the next morning. This is a high performance sleep mask that provides deep moisturization to the face and works in synergy with the body’s natual self repair and regeneration process overnight. The mask contains the highest quality ingredients, is infused with 5 natural oils,

ISLE OF PARADISE DARK GLOW CLEAR SELF-TANNING MOUSSE $32

This self tanning mouse has been my go-to for about a year now. I tried it before a trip to Cancun and I was so impressed! It is 100% Vegan and has a water to foam formula. It goes on clear (I’ve even applied with my hands and washed my hands right after applying and I had no hand stains after. Or you can use a hand mitt to apply to your body) and gives a natural, long lasting tan. I love that it is very hydrating for the skin and does not make your skin feel dry. It has a light weight formula, is not sticky and gives a perfect bronzed glow. TheIsleofParadise.com

BEACHWAVER CO. GREAT BARRIER HEAT PROTECTANT HAIR SPRAY $28

I recently tried this hair spray and I loved it. It is a multi purpose hairspray that is also a heat protectant. It consists of a Polynesian pink sugar scent, that leaves your hair smelling delicious! It is lightweight, making it brush-able and flexible, while still keeping your hair frizz free and controlled.

Beachwaver.com

2 1 5 4 XO Blaine