Bay Area Houston Magazine - June 2024

HOUSTON METHODIST LEADING CARE

We empower people to thrive.

Allegiance Bank and CommunityBank of Texas have come together as Stellar Bank .

While our name has changed, our commitment to serving our customers and supporting our local communities will stay the same. We look forward to a bright future together.

New HERA Crew Begins Their Journey to Mars at NASA Johnson

By Linda Grimm

If you could experience a journey to Mars without leaving Houston, would you do it? For the all-volunteer HERA (Human Exploration Research Analog) crews, the answer is yes.

On May 10, 2024, the latest four-person crew entered the HERA habitat at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, beginning a simulated 45-day mission to Mars. Living and working like astronauts traveling to the Red Planet will help NASA study how isolation and confinement may affect crew members on deep-space voyages.

The HERA team and leaders from NASA’s Human Research Program hosted a celebration for the Campaign 7 Mission 2 crew members before they entered the habitat. Karen Lawrence, campaign lead, opened the event by introducing the crew members. In a first for HERA, one crew member, Shareef Al Romaithi, hails from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and will participate in the mission through a partnership between NASA and the UAE’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). Several MBRSC officials attended the ceremony to show their support for Al Romaithi and the HERA mission.

Right before HERA’s doors closed and the simulated journey began, Ted Babic, HERA operations lead, rang the bell that hangs outside of the HERA habitat. “I hereby turn the space vehicle over to its crew,” he said. “May it be a safe home for you on your way to Mars and back to Earth. Congratulations and good luck.”

The crew will conduct multiple operational tasks and participate in 18 different human health studies during their mission, seven of which are collaborations with the MSBRC and the ESA (European Space Agency). The experiments will evaluate the crew members’ physiological, behavioral, and psychological responses in an environment similar to what astronauts will face on a trip to Mars. Insights gleaned from the studies will allow researchers to develop and test strategies aimed at helping astronauts overcome obstacles on long missions deep into space.

HERA (Human Exploration Research Analog) Campaign 7 Mission 2 crew members during the pre-mission ceremony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. From left: Stephanie Navarro, Piyumi Wijesekara, Jason Lee, and Shareef Al Romaithi. Credit: NASA/Helen Arase Vargas

The HERA Campaign 7 Mission 2 crew waves goodbye before closing the habitat door and beginning their simulated 45-day mission to Mars. Credit: NASA/Helen Arase Vargas

NASA Showcases Innovations at the 2024 FIRST Robotics World Championship

Students and mentors explored NASA exhibits at the 2024 FIRST Robotics World Championships at the George R. Brown Convention Center from April 17-20. Credit: NASA/Joseph Zakrzewski

By Sumer Loggins

NASA engaged with fans, student robotics teams, and industry leaders at the 2024 FIRST Robotics World Championships held April 17-20, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. The exhibit highlighted the future of technology and spaceflight, attracting over 50,000 participants from across the United States and worldwide.

The FIRST Robotics World Championships was established in 1992. Since relocating to Houston in 2017, the event has featured significant involvement from NASA, which annually supports and mentors more than 250 robotics teams, from elementary to high school levels.

Students and mentors explored NASA exhibits at the 2024 FIRST Robotics World Championships at the George R. Brown Convention Center from April 1720. Credit: NASA/Joseph Zakrzewski.

The 2024 championships celebrated the integration of arts into STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), empowering students to create a world of endless possibilities with big ideas, bold actions, and creativity.

Multiple NASA centers participated in the event including the Johnson Space Center in Houston; Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California; Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, California; Glenn Research Center in Cleveland; Goddard Space Flight Center

in Greenbelt, Maryland; Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility in Fairmont, West Virginia; Kennedy Space Center in Florida; Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California; Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia; Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans; and Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

The NASA exhibits offered a platform for engaging discussions about the agency’s latest projects, including the X-59 supersonic plane, the Automated Reconfigurable Mission Adaptive Digital Assembly Systems, the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, Mars Perseverance Rover and Ingenuity Helicopter, Cooperative Autonomous Distributed Robotic Exploration, Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor, and the Europa Clipper mission. These interactions provided a firsthand look at NASA's groundbreaking science and technologies and their potential to benefit all humanity.

Attendees learn about NASA’s Europa Clipper mission at the 2024 FIRST Robotics World Championships. Credit: NASA/Joseph Zakrzewski.

“The energy during the event was phenomenal. It's inspiring to see so many people passionate about robotics and eager to solve complex problems,” said Johnson Public Affairs Specialist Joseph Zakrzewski. “We are excited to witness the excitement of these competitors from all corners of the world.”

The event also fostered discussions about STEM career opportunities, with many students expressing their aspirations to join the space industry.

As the championships drew to a close, the excitement was palpable, with students and mentors alike looking forward to the next season. With a successful turnout and the enthusiastic involvement of teams, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters, the future of STEM education appears brighter than ever.

Attendees learn about NASA’s Europa Clipper mission at the 2024 FIRST Robotics World Championships. Credit: NASA/Joseph Zakrzewski

Be Healthy and Live Life to its Fullest

The key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and aging well is to give yourself the time and attention you need.

Subtle changes in lifestyle choices can produce tremendous results. The choices you make can create a huge impact on the quality of your life. Incorporate these simple steps to reduce inflammation and aging.

Simple Steps to Reduce Inflammation and Aging

Sleep at Least 7 Hours Each Night

Sleep deprivation over a period of time has been linked to hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and a suppressed immune system. Research shows when young and healthy people had only 5 hours of sleep per night, the way their bodies metabolized fat shifted. Lipids were being stored rather than excreted. A good night's rest will increase metabolism and lower the stress hormone cortisol.

Drink at least 2 Liters of Water Each Day

Water helps lubricate joints, flush toxins, and deliver nutrients throughout the body. Our bodies are 70% water. We need to be constantly replenished to perform all of the biological functions that keep us alive.

Take Cold Showers

Lowering the temperature of the body speeds up the delivery of warmer, freshly oxygenated blood throughout the body. Cold therapy

can increase metabolism, improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote better sleep. The shock of cold water in the bloodstream stimulates the production of white blood cells leukocytes that help fight off infections. Coldwater immersion stimulates the lymphatic system to detox the body of toxins. It also releases endorphins and sends electrical impulses to your brain that increase alertness, clarity, and energy levels.

Eat Anti-Aging Foods

The best foods for your skin contain ellagic acid, biotin, and vitamins C and E, which are natural collagen boosters. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It gives skin its fullness and plumpness and may increase muscle mass, prevent bone loss, and relieve joint pain.

Eat Foods High in Essential Skin-Loving Nutrients

Avocados, algae, eggs, nuts and seeds, berries, extra-virgin olive oil, cacao, green tea, salmon, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, leafy greens, broccoli, walnuts, bone broth, and shiitake mushrooms. In addition to its powerful antioxidant effects, turmeric is one of the most potent natural ingredients that boost collagen production and it helps prevent the breakdown of collagen caused by free radicals and inflammation. It's an important ingredient that can revitalize your skin, hair, and nails while keeping your circulatory system, brain, and bones healthy.

Avoid Sugar

Excess sugars cause inflammation and stimulate the shortening of telomeres at the end of your DNA. Sugar molecules create crosslinking of collagen, resulting in loss of elasticity in the skin. The key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and aging well is to give yourself the time and attention you need. Subtle changes in lifestyle choices can produce tremendous results. The choices you make can create a huge impact on the quality of your life. Incorporate these simple steps to reduce inflammation and aging.

Sugar from fruit gives us minerals and fibers. Low sugar fruits include berries, lemons, limes, and cranberries. Start the morning off with a smoothie to cleanse the body and curb sugar cravings.

Swap flour for alternatives like buckwheat, almond, or amaranth flour These flours are rich in fiber, protein, and micronutrients. They are healthy substitutes for muffins, pancakes, casseroles, veggie burgers, bread as well as thickeners for soups and sauces.

Take a Daily Turmeric Supplement

Turmeric has an extensive history of use in traditional medicine. Curcumin is the most active and beneficial compound in turmeric. However, turmeric is poorly absorbed. The percentage of curcumin per dry weight of turmeric powder is no more than 3.14%. There are over 100 compounds in the turmeric root that have potent pharmacological properties but many of them are lost when processed. Researchers suggest the various compounds work synergistically together to boost absorption. This reflects the belief that whole plants are usually better than isolates. It’s important to use the proper supplement to reap the full benefits of both turmeric and curcumin. Nuvothera’s SuperMicronized Turmeric Curcumin is clinically proven to deliver the entire turmeric root and full-strength curcuminoids at high levels to maximize the concentration reaching your cells. Nuvothera is formulated for maximum absorption and bioactivity without absorption enhancers or black pepper. It’s proven to be 100 times more potent than leading brands due to its advanced micro-particle technology.

Studies show turmeric targets diseased cells while protecting healthy cells. Curcumin helps reverse chronic illnesses we associate with aging, including Alzheimer’s, heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. It slows the process of aging by blocking biological pathways that lead to inflammation and activating proteins that protect against cellular damage. Research demonstrates that curcumin activates proteins like sirtuins and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) which helps delay cellular senescence and promotes longevity. Curcumins ability to reduce brain inflammation has proven to improve cognition and increase mood.

Telomeres are the structures at the end of chromosomes that preserve vital information in our genome. Aging is caused by telomeres shortening after each cell replication. Curcumin prevents telomeres from shortening and activates the enzyme telomerase which helps lengthen and preserve telomeres.

Daily usage of turmeric curcumin can brighten skin, clear complexion, and protect against acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Turmeric and curcumin are packed with antioxidants that fade away existing blemishes, improve skin texture and boost collagen production.

Protect Skin from HEV and UV Radiation

Research indicates blue light, also known as High Energy Visible Light (HEV), can lead to changes in skin cells, including cell shrinkage and death. Even exposure time as short as 60 minutes can trigger these changes. Blue light can disrupt your circadian rhythm and promote stressors in the skin causing photoaging. Sunlight is the main source of blue light. Digital devices emit only a fraction of the amount of radiation. However, our phones are much closer to us than the sun, and this close-up exposure over long periods can be harmful to the skin. The sun is the leading cause of premature aging of the skin. Sun protection is the best solution. Ingredients in SPF like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide help alleviate damage from both UV and blue light. Antioxidants like vitamin C and green tea keep free radicals from damaging the skin. Invest in an antioxidant-rich broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful rays, both from the sun and our devices. Switch your smartphone to night mode to significantly reduce blue light exposure. Investing in a pair of blue light glasses and polarized sunglasses will help alleviate strain from the eyes.

Cook with Turmeric

Add water-soluble Nuvothera Turmeric to your favorite recipes for additional health benefits. Simply open the capsule, add to the liquid, and stir. Try it with this acorn squash soup loaded with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACORN SQUASH SOUP

Ingredients:

1 acorn squash

1 tbsp olive oil

1 cup shredded or diced carrot

1 chopped onion

½ diced apple

2 cups coconut milk

1 ½ cup water or vegetable broth

2 tsp minced ginger

1 tsp turmeric

1 ½ tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp nutmeg

½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

Directions:

Cut squash in half and scrape out seeds. Roast at 400 degrees for 40 minutes. Heat olive oil in a pot on medium-high heat. Add carrots and onions. Saute for 4 minutes.

Add squash flesh, apple, ginger, turmeric, coconut milk, water, salt, and pepper.

Stir and bring to a boil. Simmer and cover for 10 minutes. Puree soup in a blender.

Serve with pepitas, scallions, and parsley and enjoy!

RHYTHM

By Pastor Brad Heintz

When you think of Rhythm, about what do you think? My mind automatically goest to music, yet rhythm is so much more. According to the dictionary, rhythm is a regular pattern of changes, for example changes in your body, in the seasons, or in the tides.

This spring my wife and I were able to check something off of our bucket list but not until the tide changed. We went on an Alaskan cruise, but the ship couldn’t leave port until the tide changed – now that’s rhythm.

This summer everyone is experience a pattern of change with seasons changing and schools closing and kids home. Ask any parent how they are experience the patterns of this change. Now that can be joyful, stressful and even challenging.

No one likes change but when we see that it is a regular pattern and perhaps the rhythm of life perhaps it can be helpful to gain perspective.

God’s Word says in Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, says:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

What Rhythm are you experiencing right now? Is it something you can ask God to help you adjust? Sometimes its amazing the support we can receive from him and the perspective we can gain when we realize its all a regular pattern of changes, for example changes in your body, in the seasons, or in the tides.

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

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Jill Reason, Glenn Freedman join Barrios as Rotary honorees

EACH YEAR Space Center Rotary honors two exceptional Bay Area individuals and an outstanding business at the club’s annual LEAP for Mankind Awards Gala. And, as President Randy Straach pointed out, “This year’s honorees exemplify years of selfless contributions of their time and talents to making the Clear Lake area communities great places to live for current and future generations.”

Additionally, the third annual event, held at South Shore Harbour Resort, kicked off Space Center Rotary’s 60th anniversary of serving the Clear Lake area – raising money to support local organizations that provide services in many areas of community need such as families in need, education, disease prevention, and prevention of domestic violence and human exploitation.

Adrienne Sun, who came with her husband, Dr. Vissett Sun, was chairman of the event.

THIS YEAR’S HONOREES ARE:

Jill Reason, executive director of the Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre who was honored as the 2024 Individual Award Recipient; Dr. Glenn Freedman, president of the management consulting firm, EduSafe Systems, who was honored as the Legacy Award Recipient; and Barrios Technology, a woman-owned aerospace business founded and headquartered in Clear Lake by the late Emyre Barrios Robinson in 1980 and led for a number of years by CEO Sandy Johnson, whose daughter, Kelly Page, serves as president of the company.

As they were introduced, each honoree was cited for their humanitarian efforts and achievements through the years -- much to the delight of the honorees’ family members – Dan Reason and their twin daughters, Sydney and Savannah; Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Brian Freedman and his wife, Dr. Erica Freedman; and Barrios CEO Sandy Johnson and her daughter, Barrios President Kelly Page and her husband, Jack Page.

The Space Center Rotary president conducted the award presentation with help from former Space Center Rotary President Ralph Kramer and Judge Holly Williamson.

Lots of familiar faces in the crowd – Texas State Rep. Dennis Paul and his wife, Eliza; Nassau Bay MayorPhil Johnson and his wife, Catherine; Nassau Bay City Councilors Paula Tomasi and James Abbey and his wife, Anastasiya; Taylor Lake Village Councilman Bob Davee and wife, Lisa; former Seabrook MayorGary Renola and his wife, Elaine; Judge Holly Williamson and her husband, Danny; Attorney Richard Simmons and wife, Jennifer; retired Nassau Bay City Manager John Kennedy and his wife, Brenda; CCISD Superintendent Dr. Karen Engle and her husband, NASA engineer Mike Engle; plus Joyce Goerke, whose late husband was president of UH-Clear Lake.

Looking around you might have spotted Clear Lake Chamber President and Vice President Cindy DeWease and Sharon Sweeney and their husbands, Jeff and Sloan; Bastion Technologies founder and President Jorge Hernandez and his wife, Rosi; Kinetik Holdings Senior VP Trevor Howard and his wife, Monica; and a number of long-time Rotarians including Bill and Suzi Howe, Susan and Stan Galanski, Gary and Elaine Renola, John and Madeline Nugent, Mike and Rosie Hesse, Ralph and Lori Kramer, Alan and Gaye Wylie, Allen and Myrna Baker, Jerry and Nancy Smith, Darryl and Monique Smith, Kippy Caraway, Olive and Richard Riker, Marilyn and Wayne Musial and Madella Williams, to name a few.

Putting on the event took a great deal of work. Among those assisting Adrienne in making the evening a success were Gary Renola, administrator; Marilyn Musial, sponsorships; Royce Walker and Jim DeForest, auction co-chairmen; Kat Clemons, publicity; Steve Charbonneau, raffle; and Carol Saxe, decorations.

Jill Reason, recipient of the LEAP individual award, receives the award from Space Center Rotary President Randy Straach.

Dr. Glenn Freedman, right, receives the Legacy Award from Rotary President Randy Straach at the Third Annual Rotary LEAP Awards.

Barrios Technology CEO Sandy Johnson, left, and her daughter, Barrios President Kelly Page, were recipients of the LEAP Business Award.

Space Center Rotary President Randy Straach and his wife, Kathy, prepare to greet the arriving crowd for the club’s Third Annual LEAP Awards.

Long-time Rotarians Wayne and Marilyn Musial were among early arrivals for the Space Center Rotary LEAP Awards.

Former Space Center Rotary President Ralph Kramer and Judge Holly Williamson work between introductions to keep the program running smoothly.

Nassau Bay Mayor Phil Johnson and his wife, Catherine, right, stop to visit with Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Dr. Karen Engle and her husband, NASA engineer Mike Engle as the evening at South Shore Harbour Resort in

Clear Creek ISD Board President Arturo Sanchez stops to say hello to Kippy Caraway at Rotary’s LEAP for Mankind Awards Gala.

Lunar Rendezvous Events You Don't Want to Miss!

2024 King Dr. Derek Tieken and 2023-2024 Queen Savannah Bullock,

Lunar Rendezvous Events

KICK-OFF

Location: UH – Clear Lake - Bayou Building 2700 Bay Area Boulevard Houston, TX 77058

Date: April 14, 2024 TIME: 2 PM – 3:30 PM

PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT

Location: Chicken N Pickle – Webster 210 Blue Heron Drive Webster, TX 77598

Date: May 19, 2024 Time: 2 PM – 6 PM

DINING NIGHT

Location: Slate Table + Bar 1120 Grand Oak Boulevard. Suite 200 League City, TX 77573

Date: June 23, 2024 Time: 5-6 PM VIP Hour / 6 PM – 9 PM

SUNSET SERVICE

Location: TBA

Date: July 14, 2024 Time: 5:00 PM–8:00 PM

FASHION SHOW

Location: Galveston Island Convention Center at San Luis Resort 5600 Seawall Boulevard Galveston, TX 7551

Date: July 16, 2024 Time: 10:30 AM – 2 PM

CORONATION BALL

Location: Galveston Island Convention Center at San Luis Resort 5600 Seawall Boulevard Galveston, TX 7551

Date: July 20, 2024 Time: 5 PM - midnight

Lunar Rendezvous Festival Board of Directors Chairman Michael Landolt, from left, 2023 Lunar Rendezvous King Lenny Matuszewski and 2024 King Dr. Derek Tieken are ready for this year's events to begin.

Sandee June is known for her smooth, classic country sound and her pride for America – so it’s no surprise her new single, “Rolling Strong,” celebrates patriotism and her unwavering support for our veterans.

The Texas country hitmaker teamed up to produce the new record with the nonprofit Wheelchairs for Warriors, an organization that serves veterans and first responders injured in the line of duty by providing customized wheelchairs to ensure they rejoin their lives at the highest level of independence possible. June knew she wanted to lend her songwriting talents and voice to this cause as a way of personally thanking the men and women who have served our country and continue to serve our communities every day.

“Supporting veterans is always at the top of the list for me. One of the lyrics in the song is ‘Freedom isn’t free. They wrote blank checks for you and me.’ And they did just that, selflessly putting their lives at risk to protect our freedoms. It is now our duty to help veterans when we can

SANDEE JUNE

Country Hitmaker Salutes Veterans

and show them how thankful we are for the sacrifices they made for us,” said June.

June co-wrote the song with Wheelchairs for Warriors founder, Crystal Laramore, who called the song a “glimmer of hope that we can still roll strong as a country.” The song talks about waving the flag from the farmlands to the coast – it also salutes Toby Keith, a country music legend known for his love of supporting our veterans.

“Rolling Strong” is June’s sixth song on Texas country radio, and it is already receiving rave reviews from fans. She released her first song, “Somewhere Between Hell and a Honky Tonk,” in 2020. Since then, she has been touring the state and making new friends and fans along the way.

As soon as she steps up to a microphone you know exactly who she is – a modern torchbearer of classic country music who holds strong to her convictions and her love for God, her family, our country and its veterans.

Make sure to catch a concert the next time

Sandee June rolls through town.

Visit www.sandeejunemusic.com to learn more

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Spotlight

Paterson Consulting Partners LLC:

The

Strategic Advantage of a Fractional CMO Service

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, strategic marketing is crucial. However, hiring a full-time Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) can be financially challenging for small to mid-sized businesses. Fractional CMO services, such as those offered by Paterson Consulting Partners LLC, provide an ideal solution, offering highlevel marketing expertise without the full-time costs.

What is a Fractional CMO?

A fractional CMO is a marketing executive who works with a company part-time, providing the expertise of a full-time CMO without the associated costs. This model allows businesses to access strategic marketing leadership tailored to their specific needs and budget.

The Paterson Consulting Partners Advantage Paterson Consulting Partners LLC excels in fractional CMO services, bringing extensive experience across various industries. Here’s why they are a good choice for your business:

1. **COST-EFFECTIVE EXPERTISE**

Hiring a full-time CMO can be costly. Paterson Consulting Partners offers a budget-friendly alternative, delivering top-tier marketing expertise without the full-time salary and benefits. This allows businesses to allocate resources more efficiently while still benefiting from strategic guidance.

2. **FLEXIBILITY AND SCALABILITY**

Paterson Consulting Partners tailors their services to fit each client's specific needs. Whether a company requires strategic planning, brand development, digital marketing, or market research, their services are scalable and adaptable. This flexibility ensures businesses receive the necessary support without overcommitting resources.

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The seasoned professionals at Paterson Consulting Partners can quickly diagnose issues, identify opportunities, and implement effective marketing strategies. This immediate impact is crucial for businesses looking to accelerate growth and stay competitive.

4. **CUSTOMIZED STRATEGIC PLANNING**

Paterson Consulting Partners excels in developing

Kennedy Dance

“Light

to Our Community”

The Kennedy Dance Studio is magical as well as impressive. From the moment you take your first step, you know you are somewhere special. You can feel the positive vibe as you walk through the dance studio and note the attention to detail.

Creator and owner of this dance Mecca is Mary Lee Kennedy. This senior has an incredible high motor and is always in gear ready to teach as well as perform. Kennedy’s love of dance and teaching goes back to her days growing up in Opelousas, Louisiana. She boasts over 50 years of dance both as a professional dancer and educator. Graduating from LSU with a degree in theatre education, she directed both public and parochial school students in physical education.

An artistic dame maven, Kennedy has successfully created many educational related businesses including Dance Tree Day School Program, MannersPro, Jump Jammin’ Kids’ Fitness, and the unique and popular Kennedy Dance Theatre. Other noteworthy ventures included opening a dance school in Tampa, Florida and one in Stavanger, Norway. This is where she found her second love of travel. She currently teaches adult tap-dancing classes.

Kennedy is proud of her Christian faith and lives the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ every day. She applies her Christian values in her school. Mary Lee Kennedy’s favorite Bible verse is Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

The Dance Studio’s pre-professional Ballet Company, Ballet Jete, has classes five days a week for youth 14 – 19 years of age. They also offer a free special needs program, Spirit In Motion Christian Dance Group, and numerous competition teams. The school performs locally and performs for non-profit groups in the Clear Lake area. When asked what makes a good dancer, her reply was “passion and heart”. Finally, Mrs. Kennedy states, ”We want to be a light to our community.” She has been married for 41 years and has a daughter Marty Lundstrum, a general counsel for Shell Retail.

Mary Lee has a love for dance, her family, travel, and her Christian faith. As Kennedy says, “The studio is spreading joy while teaching excellence in dance and values for life.” This tells it all about Kennedy Dance Studio. Let’s congratulate them for celebrating 50 years of Commitment to Excellence. Amen.

For more information, contact www.kennedydance.com | 281-480-8441 | 1001 Pineloch, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77062.

customized marketing strategies that align with each client's specific goals and market dynamics. By leveraging data-driven insights and industry best practices, they create tailored marketing plans that drive results.

5. **ACCESS TO A NETWORK OF SPECIALISTS**

Clients benefit from a comprehensive suite of services beyond the fractional CMO's expertise. Whether it’s website management, ad management, graphic design, SEO, content creation, or social media management, Paterson Consulting Partners provides access to a network of marketing specialists, ensuring all aspects of a company's marketing strategy are seamlessly integrated and effectively executed.

CONCLUSION

In a competitive business environment, access to top-tier marketing leadership can make all the difference. Paterson Consulting Partners LLC offers a unique and valuable service as a fractional CMO, delivering the expertise, flexibility, and customized strategies that small to mid-sized businesses need to thrive. By choosing Paterson Consulting Partners, companies can navigate the complexities of modern marketing with confidence, ensuring sustained growth and success.

Engaging with a fractional CMO like Paterson Consulting Partners is a strategic decision, empowering businesses to achieve their marketing goals without the financial burden of a full-time executive. For businesses looking to elevate their marketing efforts and drive impactful results, Paterson Consulting Partners LLC is the ideal partner.

They can be contacted at steve@pcp-llc.biz, 956-2446211 or https://pcpllc.now.site

BIG BIGGER &

By Don Armstrong

American truck builders continue to increase the size of designs to the point where a half-ton pickup no longer fits in many garages. What manufacturers call mid-size have reached the proportions of what used to be called full-size. In our comparison, size does matter.

FORD RANGER

The Ford Ranger was an instant hit when it first debuted in the early 80’s, main attractions were size and price. Fast forward to today and the redesigned ’24 Ranger is what we believe will be another hit through fresh, new sheet metal, a redesigned interior, and lots of tech that keeps pace with its F-150 big brother.

The well-laid-out dash design includes a big infotainment screen with tons of features. Once set up, Bluetooth cell phone connectivity is seamless, and touchscreen controls are easy to understand and use.

Bay Area summertime heat can be unbearable and Ford’s cloth seating is the way to go with attractive fabric and increased comfort. No hot, plastic waffle mark burns on the back of bare thighs.

We had the Lariat trim level with the base turbo 4-cylinder engine. It delivers an impressive 270 horsepower through a 10-speed automatic transmission. We got 22 MPG over 487 miles. Capability is impressive too with up to 1,800 pounds of payload and will tow 7,500 pounds.

Starts at $32.670.

GMC SIERRA 2500

Imagine standing in front of a vehicle and the hood height is at your shoulder. Overall stature has you looking at garage clearance signs and its length doesn’t allow you to close the home garage door. Meet the king of big, the GMC Sierra 2500, a ¾ ton beast.

This truck is all about capability. Our tester was equipped with a 6.6-liter turbo diesel that grunts 470 horsepower and a whopping 975 pound-feet of torque, enough to tow a 20,000-pound house on wheels and haul up to a ton and a half. But don’t expect the luxury air ride of some ½-ton pickups; without a load, the ride is stiff.

Climb up into the massive cabin and you’ll find luxury fit for the finest man cave. Leather abounds front and rear with perforated seating surfaces and “Ultimate” badging on the seatbacks.

Tech is the latest from General Motors. Our AT4 provides 4-wheel drive capability so its forward-looking camera allows you to see over that massive hood.

With plenty of options, our sticker was $103,225.

GMC SIERRA 2500

FORD RANGER

LONGHORN PROJECT: George

Like most people, I’ve seen many eclipses over the years, both solar and lunar. But all of them have been only partial, including the annular one last fall. This spring was my first chance to see a total eclipse. As luck would have it, we would not be able to see it in Clear Lake. Here it would be just another in a long line of partial eclipses. To experience the real thing, to be in the path of totality, required a trip further west (we could have gone north I suppose, but west is always best), so we packed up and headed to Concan for the big event.

We have been in the Frio River area many times in the last few years with trips to Garner and Lost Maples State Parks for hiking, to Neal’s or Chicken Earl’s for fried chicken, or to Andy’s for, well, anything. In 2005, I even spent a week in a Leakey motel with Koty, my 100-pound Labrador Retriever. When the rest of Houston was Rita Running north, we went west. (Did I mention west is always best? Just ask those who went north.) Through the years and even today, on every trip to southern Hill Country, we make a side-run up to Leakey in Koty’s honor for a Mexican breakfast or an excellent pizza, two of his favorite treats.

But this trip would be different. Some “expert” on TV convinced my wife and daughter that the Concan area would be overwhelmed with bumperto-bumper traffic, packed restaurants and wallto-wall people. Garner State Park had filled all its day-entry passes months earlier in anticipation. So in response, we packed everything necessary for a four day stay without ever having to leave the cabin. Apparently, that same expert also convinced a lot more people than just my wife as many others must have decided to stay away. The end result was that the crowds and traffic were, well, normal for an April weekend.

I have to admit, I am not a sky watcher. Living near Houston pretty much rules out any success

in that area anyway. But I often find myself in less lighted (more civilized?) places and there I do notice spectacular views that many will never see. I’ve seen the Perseid showers from a field in rural Indiana. On many occasions I’ve been awed by the sheer number of stars and the nightly meteor show at Big Bend. But that is as far as it has gone. I’ve never looked through a serious telescope and, other than the Big Dipper, I cannot identify a single constellation.

I wasn’t going to be thrilled by watching the movement of the moon across the face of the sun again. Although I had the glasses for it, I had seen that many times before. What I wanted to see was the predicted period of darkness—dusk and morning, about four minutes apart. So I was not disturbed when the big day came and it was cloudy. What I wanted to see was not dependent on a clear sky.

As the cabin is nestled in a forest of oak and cedar, we sat out in the driveway with others in the family so they could watch the ongoing action. That was the only place without a canopy. While others were awed by the entire process, I just waited.

As the predicted time approached, the first thing I noticed was the cry of coyotes in the distance. While that is a common occurrence in West Texas, I don’t recall ever hearing them in Hill Country, and I have spent what some might consider an unreasonable amount of time there. And then the changes began. I was shocked at how fast things were happening. The coyotes started howling and the birds stopped singing, and suddenly, we were experiencing dusk. Mere seconds later, it was night. We went from the first sign of light dimming to total midnight darkness in less than a minute. I listened to the coyotes, caught a hint of honeysuckle in the air, heard an owl off in the distance, and closer to us, I could hear a dog barking quietly, totally confused by what was going on. I couldn’t help but think he was panicking because it was now night and he must have somehow missed his dinner! I listened to him for a moment and then—just as quickly—dawn came and it was soon daylight again.

TEXAS MEDITATIONS

By Michael Gos

Eclipse

But in those few minutes of midnight-level darkness, I noticed something new. For one brief moment, I experienced more of “night” than I had in all my decades before. I was aware of sounds, of smells, and especially of darkness in ways that were totally new to me. I didn’t see the entire curtain of stars in the Milky Way the way I see them at Big Bend. It was cloudy. What I did see, and I’m sure for the first time in my life, was . . . night. All those years around campfires at beer leases (no, I don’t hunt; I just like to hang out at night when the rest of the gang come back to camp—and to beer), the years tent camping all over Indiana and Texas, and nights spent at pool parties and outdoor concerts, I had never really seen night, never studied night—that is, until those four minutes in Concan. I wondered, and frankly was disturbed, that I had never experienced this before. I know I will need some time to fully process it.

•

I’ve watched a lot of sunsets in my life, especially back in my beach bum days. The best ones have been from the barrier islands off the west coast of Florida. I’ve learned that most people who come out to watch the sunset never get to see the real thing. The minute the sun disappears into the water, they leave. The real show begins about ten minutes later and continues for at least a half hour as the entire sky turns a dazzling array of reds, oranges, yellows and purples; and the people who left early are busy driving off somewhere else. They moved on before the real show started, and that is exactly how I had treated night my entire life. I watched the sunset, all of it I’m happy to say, and then moved on to other activities. I missed the real show. I missed night. And time-wise, that show was half my life.

I can’t help but wonder what else I’ve missed.

Concan, Texas

DISCOVER KEMAH FEST

june 7 breakfast at tiffany’s

june 14 d’luna

june 20 the slags*

june 21 texas flood

june 28 silverado mullett country

M - 11 PM 9:30 PM NGE STAMPEDE STREET PARTY DMISSION T

A H . C O M