Bay Area Houston Magazine September 2018

I N

G O D

W E

T R U S T

September 2018 BayAreaHoustonMag.com

SEPTEMBER 2018

features 11 Education

Bay Area districts get A or Exemplary rating

16

12

Dates to Remember

13

Dental Health

Mark your calendars now Season of smiles

18 Aerospace

NASA assigns first crews to fly commercial spacecraft 26

Getting You Back to Doing What You Love Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

28 Healthcare UTMB to lease Bay Area Regional Medical Center

30 Wellness Trust your gut for health and wellness

ON THE COVER Doctors Jason Leaseburg, Juan Serrato Jr., Kenneth Brooks, Michael Monmouth, Jamie Alexander, Gillian Wooldridge and Javier Rios.

18

President & Chairman Rick Clapp Publisher & Editor in Chief Mary Alys Cherry Vice President & Creative Director Brandon Rowan Graphic Designer Kelly Groce Sales & Marketing Judy Gaines Joe Machol Dana McDonald Debbie Salisbury Amber Sample Matthew Sweatt Robyn Weigelt

20

Editorial Don Armstrong Mary Alys Cherry Michael Gos Betha Merit Ange Mertens Xander Thomas Photography Mary Alys Cherry Brian Stewart Distribution Shinkle Distribution

33

News & Events

34

Experience Galveston Bay’s Best: Seamah

36

Best Bites of the Bay

40

Hanging with Rick

44

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership

46

Partying Down by the Bay

48

Clear Lake Chamber Chairman’s Ball

By Blaine Ochoa Transportation summit Sept. 14

By Sumer Dene Best bites and brews in the Bay

By Rick Clapp BAHEP gets update on TxDOT projects Kemah fireworks party Chamber to honor chairmen

columns

34

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

10

Remember Your Why

49 Shipwrecked?

By Pastor Brad Heintz

Bay Area Houston Magazine is produced monthly. All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced by any means whatsoever without written permission. Advertising rates are available upon request.

281.474.5875

32

49

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

14

Movers & Shakers

16

Clear Lake Chatter

20

In Wheel Time

22

Lakewood Yacht Club News & Events

24

Texas Meditations

50

Main Events

Rebecca Lilley Sabrina Curran crowned Lunar Rendezvous Queen Not grandpa’s station wagon Harvest Moon Regatta history Prairie Dogs Bay Area Houston calendar of events

[EDUCATION]

Bay Area school districts get an A or Exemplary rating

By Mary Alys Cherry

T

he TEA report card is in, and Clear Creek ISD and its 42,000 students earned an A or Exemplary rating from the Texas Education Agency.

So did Friendswood ISD and Pearland ISD, meaning this is certainly a good area for families with kids.

But first, Clear Creek ISD. Actually, the school district received three grades – A or 91 for student achievement, B or 84 for school progress, and an A or 95 for closing the gap – and an overall rating of A or 92.

So, where is this district doing exceptionally well? “Districts,” the TEA says, “earn an A (90–100) for exemplary performance when they serve most students well, encouraging high academic achievement and/ or appropriate academic growth for almost all students. Most students will be prepared for eventual success in college, a career, or the military.”

The grade a district receives is based 40% on its STAAR performance, 40% on college, career and military readiness and 20% on its graduation rate, the education agency said.

CCISD’s four-year graduation rate is

97.1% and rises to 98.5 after five years and 98.7 after six years with a 0.5% dropout rate.

How did students do academically?

Most schools scored in the 80s with some scoring in the 70s and others in the 90s.

Clear Horizons Early College High School, where students are probably most focused on school work, scored a 98. But Clear Springs High was not far behind with a 95, along with Clear Falls High with a 92, Clear Lake High with a 91, Clear Creek with a 90 and Clear Brook, 87.

Highest scoring intermediate schools were Seabrook with a 94, and Westbrook and Victory Lakes, 91. At the elementary level, Gilmore took top honors with a 94, followed at 91 by

CCISD trustees approve safety recommendations

will both be officers and counselors, as well as wanting to explore adding more staff to address the social and emotional needs of children.”

By Mary Alys Cherry

Trustee Chris Reed, who has a background in law enforcement and is Kemah’s police chief, has met with the metal detector advocacy group. He told us his “biggest issue with metal detectors is they create an illusion of safety, but have a 70 percent failure rate. This is with the best equipment and trained personnel,” he explained.

Perhaps just as important, “the average time to clear a person through metal detectors according to studies, is 2 minutes.” While most CCISD high schools have several doors, they also have in excess of 2,000 students. Clear Lake High, for example, has 2,500.

“Trying to schedule arrival times to avoid crowds would be logistically difficult.

“And, if a crowd of school children are waiting to get in, this creates another danger – giving the shooter easy targets,” Reed continued.

T

he Clear Creek ISD trustees, with the Santa Fe school shooting fresh in their minds, have unanimously approved a set of recommendations outlined by the District’s School Safety Committee, which they hope will make schools safer.

The recommendations, approved at their July 23 meeting, address facilities, security personnel, student mental wellness, security training and protocols, policies and procedures, and communications in an effort to improve overall safety for students and staff. However, some parents said the committee did not go far enough.

They felt the schools should have metal detectors. A few wanted to arm teachers.

But “the real way to prevent school violence is through people, prevention and communication,” Board President Page Rander said. “The committee was bold in pushing forward their recommendation in supporting 30 additional full-time employees whom

70% FAILURE RATE

Ralph Parr and Falcon Pass with a 90.

Friendswood ISD did even better than Clear Creek, scoring three A’s – 94 on student achievement, 91 on school progress and 96 on closing gaps, for an overall 94.

And, all its six schools scored A’s and in the 90s with a 93 for Friendswood High, 96 for Cline Elementary and Windsong Intermediate, 94 for Westwood and Bales Intermediate and 93 for Friendswood Junior High.

Pearland ISD also scored high with an A, B and A for scoring 92 on achievement, 89 on progress and 99 on closing the gap. Dawson High with a 92 and Turner Career High with a 93 both scored A’s while Pearland High had a B or 88 and Pace Center High had a 93.

Highest scoring middle schools were Pearland Junior High East; Miller and Alexander with a 94 and Pearland Junior High West, 93.

High scoring elementary campuses included Rusty Oaks, 94; Shadycrest and Silvercrest, 91; and Magnolia, 90.

Ratings for a number of school districts, including Pasadena, Dickinson, Alvin and Galveston, were delayed because of Hurricane Harvey.

After meeting for several weeks throughout June and July, the committee reviewed current safety measures and developed a list of recommendations for board approval. Prior to making a final recommendation to the school board, the committee considered community feedback during a public meeting on July 16.

Accordingly, several updates to the District’s dress code policy will go into effect for the 2018-2019 school year. The following dress code updates reflect the committee’s final recommendations related to prevention through policy: • During normal school hours, secondary students shall be required to wear identification badges (ID’s).

• Inappropriate shoes includes, but is not limited to, shower shoes, house slippers and “heelies” (roller shoes).

• Any head coverings (including but not limited to hats, caps and hoodies) are not allowed on campus during school hours.

• Trench coats or oversized jackets are not allowed on campus during school hours.

For more information about campusspecific dress code policies, visit your campus website.

CCISD urges Legislature to change rating system Despite its high ratings, the CCISD Board of Trustees and Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith are calling on the Legislature to follow CCISD’s lead and create a comprehensive community-based accountability system that measures learning beyond the STAAR test.

For the past four years, CCISD has been issuing a Community-based Accountability Report that measures the district’s performance in areas the public has determined to be characteristics of a quality public education system.

“We asked, ‘What would you grade us on?’ and they told us: the quality of the teaching staff, the strength of curriculum and courses offered, the level of student engagement in the arts and athletics, high performance on college entrance exams and career readiness,” Smith said.

“STAAR scores were ranked last on the list, which is why we will utilize the data, regardless of the high grade by the Texas Education Agency, as just a part of our overall portrait of performance.”

School boards across Texas caution that the letters are more of a reflection of the socio-economics of the community than they are a true metric of how well students are learning and growing, he added.

“Our board feels strongly that the A-F rating system further stigmatizes a community, shames students based on their zip code, and fails to honor the work of educators in hardto- teach areas of our state,” said, CCISD Board President Page Rander.

“Texas can do better by its communities.”

SEPTEMBER 2018 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

11

Thursday, Sept. 6

Saturday, Oct. 13

Friday, Nov. 30

Wednesday, Dec. 12

Saturday, April 6

Bay Oaks Women’s Association Fall Fashion Show Luncheon, 10:30 a.m., Bay Oaks Country Club, Clear Lake.

Space Center Rotary Shrimporee, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Landolt Pavilion, Clear Lake Park, Seabrook.

The Nutcracker, presented by Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre will open a three-day run in the UH-Clear Lake Bayou Theatre with 7:30 p.m. performances Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday.

Houston Symphony League Bay Area Christmas Party, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bay Area Museum.

Houston Symphony League Bay Area’s two-day Home Tour starts.

Sunday, Sept. 9 Clear Lake Area Panhellenic will kick off its season with its Fall Friendship Tea at the home of Stacy Lyons.

Friday, Sept. 21 UH-Clear Lake’s Bayou Theatre opens its season with Mercury’s violins performing pieces by both Vivaldi and Paganini at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 25 Bay Area Museum Guild’s Museum Shower, 10 a.m., Bay Area Museum, Clear Lake Park, Seabrook.

Saturday, Sept. 29 Famous country singer Wynonna Judd and her band, The Big Noise, will open the season at Galveston’s 1894 Grand Opera House at 8 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 4 Bay Oaks Women’s Association Fall Coffee/ Brunch, 10:30 a.m., Bay Oaks Country Club, Clear Lake.

Friday, Oct. 5 Clear Lake Area Chamber’s Chairman’s Ball, 6:30 p.m., Lone Star Flight Museum, Clear Lake.

Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre will present a performance/dinner, Parisian Nights, Ballet Bites, in its Black Box Theater, Oct. 5 and 6.

Wednesday, Oct. 10 Just A Pretty Table Luncheon, hosted by Bay Area Museum Guild, will be held at Bay Oaks Country Club, starting at 10:30 a.m.

12

Friday, Oct. 19 Ghost & Goblins Who Cook, hosted by the Bay Area’s Go Texan Rodeo group, is tentatively scheduled at the League City Civic Center. Music, dancing, cash bar, auctions and costume contest, to benefit Texas Youth Scholarships.

Saturday, Oct. 20 Wings Over Houston performs Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20-21 at Ellington Airport.

Saturday, Dec. 1 Toyland Fantasy, hosted by Bay Area Museum Guild at Bay Oaks Country Club at 10 a.m.

Monday, Dec. 3 Bay Oaks Women’s Association Holiday Market, Bay Oaks Country Club.

Tuesday, Oct. 24

Clear Lake Panhellenic Fall Fashion Show, 10:30 a.m., South Shore Harbour Resort’s Crystal Ballroom, League City.

Saturday, Nov. 3 Clear Creek Education Foundation Gala, 6:30 p.m., South Shore Harbour Resort’s Crystal Ballroom.

Bay Oaks Women’s Association’s Gala, 7 p.m., Bay Oaks Country Club.

Saturday, Nov. 17 Breakfast With the Sugar Plum Fairy, hosted by Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre at 8 a.m. in South Shore Harbour Resort’s Crystal Ballroom.

Thursday, Nov. 29 Holiday Market & Luncheon hosted by Bay Area Turning Point, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sylvan Beach Pavilion, La Porte.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

Clear Lake Area Panhellenic’s Holiday Brunch at the home of Sheree Frede.

Monday, Dec. 17 Clear Lake Area Chamber’s Holiday Open House, chamber offices.

Saturday, Jan. 19 Houston Yacht Club will host its 2019 Commodore’s Ball on Jan. 19 at the club in Shoreacres.

Saturday, Jan. 26

Space Center Houston luncheon at Marriott Marquis in Houston benefitting historic Mission Control.

Friday, Nov. 2

Thursday, Dec. 13

Lakewood Yacht Club will host its annual Commodore’s Ball at 6 p.m. at the club in Seabrook.

Friday, Dec. 7 The Nutcracker, presented by Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre will open a three-day run in the UH-Clear Lake Bayou Theatre with 7:30 p.m. performances Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday, Dec. 8 Christmas Boat Lane Parade, 6 p.m. on Clear Lake and the Clear Creek Channel.

Sunday, Dec . 9 Bay Area Museum Guild plans to host its Holiday Open House from 5 to 7 at the museum in Clear Lake Park.

Tuesday, Dec. 11 Assistance League will hold its annual Holiday Celebration at the home of Mavis Irvan, 2566 Estrada, League City.

Friday, Feb. 1 Go Texan Rodeo Style Show, 10 a.m., NASA’s Gilruth Center.

Saturday, Feb. 9 Assistance League will host its annual gala at Lakewood Yacht Club.

Friday, Feb. 22 La Sylphide, presented by Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre will open a three-day run in the UH-Clear Lake Bayou Theatre with 7:30 p.m. performances Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday.

Friday, April 12 The musical, Willie Wonka, will be presented by the Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre in UH-Clear Lake’s Bayou Theatre, with 7:30 p.m. performances Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday.

Thursday, April 25 Dogs & Divas Fashion Show Luncheon, South Shore Harbour Resort.

Friday, April 26 RNASA Space Gala, 6 p.m.

Downtown Hyatt Regency Ballroom.

Sunday, May 5 Silver Tea hosted by Bay Area Museum Guild at the museum, 3 to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, May 8 Houston Symphony League Bay Area Installation Luncheon, 10 a.m., Bay Oaks Country Club.

Sunday, May 19 Assistance League of the Bay Area will celebrate its 25th anniversary as a chapter and its 30th anniversary of serving the community.

Tuesday, May 28 Bay Area Museum Guild year-end luncheon and installation of officers, 10 a.m.

Friday, April 5

Tuesday, July 23

Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre will present the musical, Willie Wonka, in UHClear Lake’s Bayou Theatre, with 7:30 p.m. performances Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday.

Lunar Rendezvous Fashion Show, 10 a.m.

Saturday, July 27 Lunar Rendezvous Coronation Ball, 5 p.m.

DENTAL HEALTH

Season of SMILES

T

ime flies. We’re getting closer to the end of 2018. Which also means we’re closer to the start of many festivals/ parties, holiday events and the fall wedding season. How confident are you with your smile? It doesn’t matter if your big day is in weeks or months, there are steps to take now. Here is a series of quick and easy ways to improve your smile and stand out in group photo!

Smile makeover:

Have you ever thought about getting a smile makeover? The first thing someone notices about you is your smile. It can be as complex as replacing missing teeth with dental implants, or as simple as correcting uneven, chipped, or cracked teeth.

With advancements in technology, cosmetic dentistry came to life in the 20th century.

The focus is to create beautiful natural looking smiles. Today, we are able to create a brilliant sparkling white porcelain smile in just one visit!

A smile makeover improves the appearance of your smile using one or more cosmetic procedures. It’s completely

customized for you and the smile you desire. Porcelain Veneers are customized strong and thin lifelike synthetic pearls placed over your crooked, discolored, dark, or chipped front teeth.

They are thin and durable to give you a more dazzling smile. They usually require two visits or more to complete. However, with the advancements in CAD/CAM digital dentistry and invention of strong synthetic monoletic porcelain such as “e.max,” our office can deliver your sparkly white perfect smile that lasts a lifetime in a single visit!

Do you have missing teeth?

Dental implants could be your best option for a complete smile.

Implants are titanium posts that fuse with your jawbone to help avoid that sunken jaw look. After they are in place a porcelain crown is added on top. Implants look and feel like natural teeth.

They are permanent and can be done while you are in deep I.V. induced sedative (sleep) state.

Looking for a straighter smile?

If your teeth are crowded, misaligned, or you have an overbite or underbite,orthodontics may be

the best route for an aesthetic smile. You have a few different options, traditional metal braces, Invisalign or Clear Correct.

Invisalign and Clear Correct are clear removable aligners that straighten your teeth. Unlike traditional braces, these clear trays are removed while you eat and brush your teeth! Don’t let your age discourage you from getting your perfect smile! We offer adult orthodontics.

What can help discolored teeth?

Does the color of your teeth make you self-conscious when smiling for photos? The food and drinks you consume may be the

reason your teeth aren’t sparkling white. Coffee, tea, berries and sweets are just some examples of what can stain your teeth. Did you know whitening is the most requested procedures in cosmetic dentistry? Teeth whitening is one of the most popular and simplest cosmetic procedures and thanks to “Zoom laser whitening system,” it can be done in a single visit.

You deserve to have a captivating smile on your special day or event! Don’t over think what you should or shouldn’t do, just give us a call at 281-3324700 or request an appointment online at www.drnoie.com and let’s make your dream smile a reality in just 1 visit!

Dr. Noie has been in private practice in the Bay Area since 1996. He is a Diplomate of Int’l Congress of Oral Implantologists, Fellow of Academy of General Dentistry, and Assoc. Fellow of American Academy of Implant Dentistry. He has completed his surgical training at New York University as well as Medical University of South Carolina, Temple University, and Wright state University School of Medicine. He completed his oral Anesthesiology training at University of Alabama in Birmingham.

He is a member of American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

SEPTEMBER 2018 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

13

Movers &Shakers Name: Rebecca Lilley

Occupation: Memorial Hermann director of Community Outreach and Physician Resources; League City Regional Chamber of Commerce chairman of the board Hometown: Birmingham, Ala. Current home: El Lago Family: Son, Trent; and precious Australian Shepard, Wyatt My favorite writer is: Agatha Christie

Someone I’d like to meet: The late Alfred Hitchcock

You’ll never catch me: Awake after 11 p.m.

If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose: No one. I love my life!

The thing that bugs me the most is: People that do not move over for emergency vehicles

My favorite performers are: Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant

My favorite movie is: The Trouble With Harry

I like to spend my leisure time: Reading, riding bicycle

Few people know: When I was 3 years old the doctors diagnosed me with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and told my parents I would be crippled and in a wheel chair for the rest of my life by the time I was 20. Prayer, faith and determination proved them wrong.

My favorite meal is: Chili Cheese Dog As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be: An international flight attendant

Governor helps honor area’s first responders Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was on hand when the South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce hosted a dinner to honor first responders for their hard work during Hurricane Harvey.

Several hundred attended the event, which was held at the Lone Star Flight Museum at Ellington Field in the hangers with military planes and helicopters. Many dignitaries were present including area legislators and Hilton Koch, owner of Hilton Furniture.

The setting was very impressive. Guests were greeted with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, after which they enjoyed dinner and Governor Abbott recognized the many first responders who helped thousands of victims during the flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey.

The Lone Star Flight Museum is located at 11551 Aerospace Ave. at Ellington Field and is a great venue for parties and events. Katie Jackman, the chief marketing officer, will be happy to help you book your next event.

Gov. Greg Abbott visits with Tearie Szydlo of the South Belt-Ellington Chamber. Photo by Joe Machol.

MEET AND ADOPT KIX My name is Kix and I’m a special boy. My siblings and I were born this spring while in the care of the shelter and all of us are named after cereals. I am a very playful fellow and I love to race around the cattery. It seems a lot like Kitten Disneyland to me - plenty of cat trees and toys to enjoy!

There are a lot of us in here so I have many friends to keep me busy.

I also have a chill side and I like being petted and having my ears scratched. Of course it’s not long before I recharge and then I’m ready for more play time.

Come visit me, Pebbles, Coco Puff, Cookie Crisp, and all the kittens! I know one of us will be your furever friend!

You can meet Kix and all of the cats and dogs at Bay Area Pet Adoptions, 3000 Avenue R, San Leon or visit us on the web at www.bayareapetadoptions.org. They are open every day except Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bay Area Pet Adoptions (Phone: 281-339-2086) is a nonprofit, No-Kill shelter, pet rescue, and adoption organization.

14

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

THE BIG APPLE Lilli Heintz, who has lived in Seabrook all her life, has followed her dreams of being a model in New York City. She is signed with APM and is continuing to shine her light for God’s love and glory. We will keep you updated if you would like to follow along with how her life is changing in the best way possible.

Hit the Links BAHEP Member Golf Outing Monday, Oct. 22, 2018 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Bay Oaks Country Club

SEPTEMBER 2018 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

15

Photos by J Pamela Photography

Lunar Rendezvous Queen Sabrina Curran joins King Gene Hollier, Queen Alternate Skylar Slattery and Capt.Trey Dorman for their royal photo at the 2018 Coronation Ball.

Queen Sabrina Curran prepares to dance with her proud father, Chris Curran, during the Lunar Rendezvous Coronation Ball.

Members of this year’s Little Court are Madilyn Cook, Maggie Jane Denton, Vivienne Dunne, Elizabeth Koza, Mackenzie Risinger, Lelia Sprague, Savannah Strickland, and Allie Sukkar

SABRINA CURRAN CROWNED LUNAR RENDEZVOUS QUEEN SABRINA ELIZABETH CURRAN, a pretty brunette senior at Clear Lake High School, is the new queen of the Lunar Rendezvous Festival. She was crowned by last year’s queen, Serina Weathers, during the festival finale, the Coronation Ball, at the San Luis Convention Center in Galveston.

Board Chairmen Mike Landolt and his wife, Ann Wismer, arrive at the Coronation Ball.

16

MARY ALYS CHERRY

Ball Co-Chairman Debby Reichert with her escort, Jerry Precise at the Coronation Ball.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

The daughter of Georgette and Chris Curran of Clear Lake, she is president of the Latin Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, plays the viola in the school orchestra and is captain of the tennis team and a four-year letterman at Lake. Her escort was Trey Dorman.

Ball Chairman Michelle Holland with her husband, Todd, at the Coronation Ball.

Skylar Jane Slattery, a senior at Clear Springs High and the daughter of Angela and Patrick Slattery was named queen alternate. She is an honor roll student and captain of her All-Star Cheer Team. Her escort was Joshua Barletta.

The new captain is John Wesley

Princesses Tiffany Dodd and Edie Kosmo, from left, can hardly wait for the ball ceremonies to begin.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Mary Ann Shallberg, center, a former festival chairman, helps Carol Saxe, left, and Joanne Rowe Salvato celebrate at the Lunar Rendezvous Fashion Show. Both Carol and Joanne were introduced as princesses 50 years ago in 1968 before graduating from Clear Creek High School.

Festival Chairman Jill Reason, center, stops to congratulate Fashion Show Co-Chairmen Terri Dodd, left, and Lisa Roberts as the popular event comes to an end.

Three festival princesses -- Tiffany Dodd, Ashton Teichman and Sabrina Curran, from left, were in for quite a surprise at the Lunar Rendezvous Fashion Show. They bumped into Martha Ferebee, who was their little lady in waiting chairman 11 years ago and visiting from Jordanton, Tx.

Smitherman and Hannah Greshman.

Others you might have spotted were Matthew and Angie Weinman, whose granddaughter, Savannah Strickland, was a little lady in waiting, and Laura and Dr. Sam Sukkar, whose daughter, Allie, was also; Chuck and Barbara Dickey, Erin and Kevin Teichman and Terri and Todd Monette with their daughters, Tiffany, Victoria and Jessica Michelle.

Afterwards, the crowd danced to the music of Password.

Fashion Show a classy event

Bay Area Houston Magazine President Rick Clapp and Melody Billings share a light moment at the Lunar Rendezvous Fashion Show.

Dorman III, who goes by the name, Trey. He is the son of Catherine and Wes Dorman and is also a senior at Clear Lake High, where he is on the varsity baseball team, president of the Periwinkle Club, which supports children with cancer, and is a Superintendent’s Scholar. His escort was Sabrina Curran.

After she was crowned, Festival King Gene Hollier took the new queen on a stroll around the ballroom, which was decorated in deep tones of purple, blue, gold and teal to carry out the Arabian Nights theme, as they crowd roared its approval, after which they danced the first dance before receiving congratulations from Festival Chairman Jill Reason and

Ann Landolt, left, a former festival chairman, is happy to see former festival Princess Kristy Caraway Brown.

her husband, Dan, and Emmerline Dodd, who also joined in the dancing with His Highness while the new queen danced with her dad.

The coronation came after all the princesses, lieutenants and members of the Little Court and their escorts had been introduced by emcee, former astronaut and retired Col. Bill McArthur Jr., who has often served as emcee for the annual event. He and his wife, Cindy, wore big smiles as they saw their granddaughter, Vivienne May Dunne, introduced as a little lady in waiting.

Ball Chairman Michelle Holland and her husband, Doug, and CoChairman Debby Reichert, who came with Jerry Precise, were on hand to greet the arriving crowd that

Three former and current Festival chairmen, Kippy Caraway, Jill Reason and Jana Miller, from left.

included a number of past festival luminaries such as Board Chairman Michael Landolt with his wife, Ann Wismer Landolt; Mike and Kathy Reeves, Mary and Dr. Terry Williams, Gloria and Tom Wong, Karen McCorkle, Joey and Kelli McCorkle Bryd, Annette Dwyer and Pat Monks, Kim Barker and Brett and Dr. Kimberly Weathers, parents of the 2018 queen.

Jill and Rick Lammers were in the crowd (Rick’s daughter Gisela da Silva Lammers was a member of this year’s Royal Court and Lunar’s first International princess -- coming from Brazil) along with Dexter and Katie Jones and Jill Smitherman and her two daughters who are former Lunar Rendezvous queens – Dr. Emily

THIS YEAR’S 53rd annual Lunar Rendezvous Fashion Show will probably be remembered as the classiest one of all.

Lovely ladies and beautiful hats everywhere you looked – a scene to rival the Kentucky Derby, which just happened to be the theme Co-Chairmen Terri Dodd and Lisa Roberts selected for this year’s big style show.

Held at the San Luis Convention Center overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, it drew a standing room only crowd that appeared to love every minute of it as fashion guru Lenny Matuszewski, a team of beautiful models, assisted by Bay Area Houston Ballet dancers – even a little horse! -- showed off the latest in fashion from Dillard’s, The Clotheshorse and Adelaide’s Boutique, Jill’s Fashions and Bridals, Tina’s on the Strand, Casanova’s, Shoppe Girl, and Tootsies preceded by the presentation of the Royal Court.

Quite a show. We can hardly wait until next year!

SEPTEMBER 2018 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

17

[AEROSPACE]

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

NASA assigns first crews to fly commercial spacecraft approaches and ideas to the development and testing of their systems, which is why NASA selected both companies in September 2014.

“The 7,000 women and men of SpaceX understand what a sacred honor this was for us to be part of this program, and for us to fly [NASA astronauts],” said SpaceX executive Gwynne Shotwell. “So thank you very much, we take it seriously, we won’t let you down.”

SEVERAL APPEARANCES

Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana addresses the standing room only crowd at JSC’s Teague Auditorium as NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and Johnson Space Center Director Mark Geyer look on.

By Mary Alys Cherry “We’re back,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine told a rousing audience in the Johnson Space Center’s Teague Auditorium.

“This is a big deal for our country, and we want America to know that we’re back – that we’re flying American astronauts on American rockets from American soil,” he said as the crowd’s roar reached heights probably not heard around JSC in years.

Sweet words to everyone’s ears, especially the nine astronauts who were introduced as America’s first commercial crew astronauts – those who will help increase commercial companies’ involvement in low Earth orbit and possibly take over operation of the space station some day in the future and allow NASA to focus on deep space exploration.

A NEW ERA

“Today,” Bridenstine continued, “our country’s dreams of greater achievements in space are within our grasp. This accomplished group of American astronauts, flying on new spacecraft developed by our commercial partners, Boeing and SpaceX, will launch a new era of human spaceflight. Today’s announcement advances our great American vision and strengthens the nation’s leadership in space.”

Joining him on stage for the presentation were Johnson Space Center Director Mark Geyer, Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, Boeing Defense, Space and Security CEO Leanne Caret and SpaceX CEO Gwynne Shotwell, who each spoke briefly of their hopes for the future before the new NASA chief introduced the astronauts – five who will fly on Boeing’s Starliner and four who will man SpaceX’s Dragon.

“All of us are here today because we stand for something new and profound, built upon an amazing legacy, and it is personal for all of us,” Boeing executive Leanne Caret said. “Today we start a new chapter, and we’re so thrilled to be on this journey.” Both companies bring unique

18

The stage presentation was one of several appearances by Bridenstine during a three-day visit to JSC. On his first morning, the 43-year-old Michigan native got a up-close look at the Orion mockup that is being readied for its major safety test in April to verify that its launch abort system can steer the capsule and astronauts inside it to safety in the event of an issue with the Space Launch System rocket when the spacecraft is under the highest aerodynamic loads it will experience during ascent for deep-space missions.

Next, he met with a select group of local reporters, answering a variety of questions about the future of the space station, the Gateway moon orbiting project that involves returning to the moon and is seen as a stepping stone to Mars, and the delays on the James Webb Telescope.

“NASA is doing things it has not done before, using government resources never done before,” he told reporters in a sit-down roundtable session, “and we want to be sure we do not have another gap.”

Bridenstine started his visit here at a reception at Space Center Houston where he addressed aerospace executives, local business people and elected officials, discussing a change in national space policy providing for an American-led integrated program with private sector partners for a return to the moon, followed by missions to Mars and beyond.

The new policy, he said, calls for the NASA administrator to “lead an innovative and sustainable program of exploration with commercial and international partners to enable human expansion across the solar system and to bring back to Earth new knowledge and opportunities.”

Bridenstine emphasized the importance of the word “sustainable” in the policy. He said, “When we talk about going to the moon, this time to stay, we want the entire architecture between Earth and the moon to be sustainable — in other words ‘reusable.’ We want tugs that are going back and forth from low Earth orbit to lunar orbit to be reusable. We want the lunar landers to be reusable so that they can go back to the surface of the moon over and over again.

“That entire architecture is going to be built on an American backbone. We will have critical infrastructure developed by NASA, by those in this room and at Johnson Space Center, that will give us a sustainable infrastructure on the moon… When we go to the moon this time, we’re going to stay.”

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, left, looks over the work being done in Building 9S at Johnson Space Center for the launch of the Orion mockup.

NASA intern and University of Texas student Stephanie Zeller shares a light moment with Sen.Ted Cruz, one of a number of elected officials at the ceremony at JSC’s Teague Auditorium.

NASA introduced the first U.S. astronauts who will fly on American-made, commercial spacecraft to and from the International Space Station – an endeavor that will return astronaut launches to U.S. soil for the first time since the space shuttle’s retirement in 2011. The nine astronauts introduced to crew Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX’s Crew Dragon are, from left, Sunita Williams, Josh Cassada, Eric Boe, Nicole Mann, Christopher Ferguson, Douglas Hurley, Robert Behnken, Michael Hopkins and Victor Glover.

NASA names six new JSC flight directors

N

ASA has selected six women and men to join the elite corps of flight directors who will lead mission control for a variety of new operations at the agency’s Johnson Space Center here.

Already the new flight directors are beginning extensive training on flight control and vehicle systems, as well as operational leadership and risk management, before they will be ready to sit behind the flight director console in mission control supporting NASA’s astronauts. When they do, they will become part of a group that numbers fewer than 100. This class will bring the total number of flight directors the agency has had to 97 since Christopher C. Kraft became the first flight director in 1958.

“This is an outstanding group of future tactical leaders for the Flight Operations Directorate,” said Brian Kelly, director of Flight Operations at Johnson. “We are excited to have them come on board.”

Joining the 26 active flight directors currently guiding mission control, this group will have the opportunity to oversee a variety of human spaceflight missions involving the International Space Station, including integrating American-made commercial crew spacecraft into the fleet of vehicles servicing the orbiting laboratory, as well as Orion spacecraft missions to the Moon and beyond.

“The job of flight director is not an easy one, and we make these selections very carefully,” said Holly Ridings, acting chief of the Flight Director Office at Johnson. “We had a great group of applicants, so we were able to choose six individuals who have worked in many areas of human spaceflight. They’ll bring a lot of good experience to the role that will serve NASA well as we undertake new and exciting missions.”

As flight directors, they will head teams of flight controllers, research and engineering experts, and support personnel around the world and make the real-time decisions critical to keeping NASA astronauts safe in space. The new flight directors are:

from Purdue University in 2004.

Upon becoming a full-time NASA employee after graduation, she supported spacewalks in a variety of functions, including as a lead spacewalk flight controller for space shuttle Endeavor’s final mission, and several spacewalks since. Most recently, she has served as the deputy chief of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, managing the facility’s daily operations.

Allison Bolinger

Pooja Joshi Jesrani

Bolinger, from Lancaster, Ohio, began her career at NASA as an intern in 2001, before earning her bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering

Adi Boulos

Boulos grew up in Palos Hills, Ill., and Fair Lawn, N.J., and holds a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. He began his career at NASA in 2008 and was one of the first flight controllers managing the space station’s core system computer networks in a position, known as Communications RF Onboard Networks Utilization Specialist. In addition to serving as a CRONUS specialist flight controller and as a CRONUS instructor, Boulos also worked with the Orion Program on spacecraft system recovery processes after major malfunctions.

Jose Marcos Flores

Flores, who considers Caguas, Puerto Rico, to be his hometown, interned at multiple NASA centers while working on his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez. He came to Johnson Space Center full time in 2010 as a systems engineer, helping to develop a new space station simulator.

He went on to become a flight controller managing the station’s power and external thermal control in a position known as Station Power, ARticulation, Thermal, and Analysis (SPARTAN). He also earned a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from Purdue University.

Jesrani was born in England but immigrated to Houston during childhood. Jesrani began interning with United Space Alliance before

graduating from The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering in 2007. In her work with USA and later NASA, she has supported the space station flight control team in many positions, including managing the life support and motion control systems, and then as a capsule communicator (CAPCOM), speaking directly with the astronauts in space.

Recently, Jesrani has been working to integrate mission operations for upcoming commercial crew flights.

Paul Konyha III

Konyha, was born in Manhasset, N.Y., and finished high school in Mandeville, La. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1996 until 2016, when he retired as a lieutenant colonel after holding a number of operations, engineering and leadership positions for numerous space systems. Since then, he has led the design, test, operations and disposal of all Department of Defense payloads on crewed spacecraft for the DOD’s Space Test Program office at Johnson Space Center. Konyha holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Louisiana Tech University and master’s degrees in military operational art and science, and science and astronautical engineering from Air University and the University of Southern California, respectively.

Rebecca J. Wingfield

Wingfield, from Princeton, Ky., interned at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Kentucky in 2007. She joined the flight control team at Johnson Space Center in 2007 as a contractor with United Space Alliance, overseeing maintenance tasks that the astronauts perform in space. She went on to become a CAPCOM, speaking to the crew on behalf of the control team, and a chief training officer, preparing space station crews for their missions.

She also holds a master’s degree in systems engineering from the University of Houston – Clear Lake.

Learn more about careers at NASA at: www.nasa.gov/careers

NASA Announces new deputy director of Johnson Space Center Vanessa Wyche has been named deputy director of the Johnson Space Center, becoming the first African American to hold the post.

In her new job, she will assist JSC Director Mark Geyer in leading one of NASA’s largest installations, which has nearly 10,000 civil service and contractor employees – including those at White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, N.M. – and a broad range of human spaceflight activities.

“Vanessa has a deep background at JSC with significant program experience in almost all of the human spaceflight programs that have been hosted here,” Geyer said in making the announcement.

“She is respected at NASA, has built agency wide relationships throughout her nearly three-decade career and will serve JSC well as we continue to lead human space exploration in Houston.”

Wyche recently served as director of the Exploration Integration and Science Directorate (EISD) and completed a detail as the JSC deputy director in February 2018.

“I am incredibly humbled to take on this role at JSC, and also excited to assist Mark with leading the home of human spaceflight,” Wyche said. “I look forward to working with the talented employees at JSC as we work toward our mission of taking humans farther into the solar system.”

The South Carolina native is a graduate of Clemson University, where she earned both her B.S. in Materials Engineering and a Master of Science in Bioengineering.

Wyche is the recipient of two NASA Exceptional Achievement Medals and two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals.

SEPTEMBER 2018 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

19

Not Grampa’s Station Wagon

By Don Armstrong

20

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

Toyota RAV4

Lexus RX350

The 2018 RAV4 has become America’s go-to SUV. Dependable, maneuverable and sized for a growing family, the RAV4 makes driving in rush hour traffic a little more bearable.

The RAV4’s 2.5-liter I-4 engine may lack the zippiness of some of its competitors but who’s complaining about fuel efficiency? Getting 34 MPG-city and 30-highway, the little engine that could, does. It’s matched to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Front wheel drive is standard, allwheel drive is optional.

The shape of the RAV4 is familiar to most and is not one that says, “Hey, look at me!” Conservative, sellable styling have contributed to making it a fast mover at Bay Area dealerships.

Like most models that have been around awhile, the interior looks a little dated, as is the technology. It has more of a utilitarian feel to it and that make work well for you, but if you are the “tech” type person, you may want to opt for the 2019 model.

A completely redesigned RAV4 will be arriving in showrooms this winter.

The 2018 will be priced to move and may be snapped up before you get a chance to get one of your own.

Current pricing starts at $24,660.

The 4th generation of the RX continues a tradition that started in 1999, a luxury SUV that strikes a chord with many fans of the Lexus brand.

Chances are that you or someone you know has owned an RX. This writer bought one of the first generation RXs and I still have fond memories of it. A small, luxurious runabout that fits our family of four perfectly.

Like most manufacturers, Lexus grew the RX in size to what you see today, a mid-size SUV, but owners still love it.

The polarizing spindle grille may be off-putting to some, but the overall design seems cutting edge.

Coupled with the high-zoot lighting, this RX makes a statement.

A 3.5-liter V-6 delivers its 295-horsepower to the front wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available.

The interior has plenty of luxury that you must check out, but a joy stick controller for the infotainment system may be a deal-breaker for you. Quality is a hallmark of the Lexus brand and if you a willing to pay a little more for your ride, chances are, you won’t regret it.

Starts at $43,470.

SEPTEMBER 2018 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

21

2018 Bay Cup II results J/105 1st Place / Radiance / Robert Brann / LYC 2nd Place / Infinity / Uzi Ozeri / LYC 3rd Place / Stinger / J B Bednar / LYC

PHRF Spin (Non-Sprit) 1st Place / Sodalis III / Jim Demarest / LYC 2nd Place / Outrageous / Ken Humphries / HYC 3rd Place / Wildcat / Kevin Orff / LYC PHRF Spin (Sprit) 1st Place / Harm’s Way / Andy Wescoat / GBCA 2nd Place / Water Nymph / Brian Tulloch / HYC 3rd Place Second Star / J.D. Hill / LYC/GBCA PHRF Non-Spin 1st Place / Good News / Ashley Walker / LYC 2nd Place / Sweet Peril / Thomas Reiser / LYC 3rd Place / Tanura / Tim Vogelsang / LYC/GBCA Cruising Spin 1st / Firewater / Walter Horton / GBCA 2nd / Leopard / Robert Hunkins / LYC/GBCA 3rd / Stellar of Course / Ronald Eddleman / GBCA Cruising Non-Spin Classic Canvas 1st Place / High Cotton / Kent Morrison 2nd Place / Seahorse / Michael Clark 3rd Place / Hobgloblin / Marty Pedowicz / LYC

2018 Bay Cup Series winners J/105 Infinity / Uzi Ozeri PHRF Spin (Non-Sprit) Sodalis III / Jim Demarest PHRF Spin (Sprit) Second Star / J.D. Hill PHRF Non-Spin Good News / Ash Walker Cruising Classic Canvas Seahorse / Michael Clark Full race results can be found under the Regattas section of the LYC website at www. lakewoodyachtclub.com.

The sponsors making the 2018 series a success were City of Seabrook, RejeX.com, OJ’s Marine, Little Yacht Sales, True North Marine, Texas Coast Yachts, Blackburn Marine, Upstream Brokers, Davis Marine Electronics, Kevin Severance Insurance, Sea Lake Yachts, Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine, Bay Area Houston Magazine and Southwest Spirits.

Bay Cup proceeds benefit Bay Access, a nonprofit charitable organization fostering amateur racing and sailing on Galveston Bay.

22

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

Harvest Moon, Hurricanes, and that particularly bad boy, Harvey

By Andrea Todaro

T

he Harvest Moon Regatta® is probably the best known sailboat race on the Texas Gulf Coast, although even many participants do not know its history, or the role that hurricanes have played in its evolution.

The first HMR was the brainchild of three sailors from Lakewood Yacht Club. As John Broderick told the story, one Friday night at Lakewood the bar conversation turned to the need for more opportunities to sail and in particular, opportunities to get offshore. Sail maker John Cameron offered “the best sails I’ve had were late in the fall in the Gulf after the summer doldrums are over and the winter Northers haven’t started.” Competitive racer Ed Bailey agreed, saying he missed the old Texas Offshore Race Circuit (“TORC”) sailing events. Broderick, a dedicated cruiser and, at the time, Lakewood’s commodore, agreed and said, “why don’t we organize something?”

The bar talk led to discussions with members of other area sailing clubs, some of which were held at Frank’s Shrimp Hut, which is now Hooter’s in Seabrook. The first regatta, in 1987, was planned as a four race event beginning with a skippers’ meeting on Friday, Sept. 25, and a kickoff party on Saturday, Sept. 26. Racing started on Thursday, Oct. 1 and ran through the 10th with race segments or “legs” from the Galveston jetties to Port Isabel, back up the coast to Port Aransas, back to the Galveston Jetties, and then up to Marker Two at the Clear Creek channel leading into Lakewood’s homeport, Seabrook.

The full moon closest to the autumnal equinox is known as the “harvest moon” and is characterized by a bright orange color; it is followed by a “hunter’s moon. The “harvest moon” can occur as early as September 8th or as late as Oct. 7 which was the date of the “harvest moon” in 1987. Thus, in October 1987, with the races occurring between October 1st and the 10th, the Harvest Moon Regatta® was born. Seventeen yachts sailed that first year, with several bikini beach parties along the way.

In 1988, the “harvest moon” fell on Sept. 25, so the race start was scheduled for Thursday, Sept.22, but on Sept. 8 Hurricane Gilbert destroyed the Queen’s Point Marina at Port Isabel. The race start was delayed three weeks to Oct. 14 and the destination was changed to Port Aransas. Thus began the tradition of sailing to Port Aransas under a magnificent full moon, sometimes a “harvest moon” if it fell during the first seven days of October, otherwise a “hunter’s moon” if it fell on or after the 8th of October.

Mother Nature and Hurricane Gilbert

are credited with the growth of the Harvest Moon Regatta® which grew steadily from the 17 yachts of 1987 to over 260 yachts in later years. The growth was due in large part to the perfect destination, Port Aransas. As John Broderick described it: “This ideal Texas port allows yacht owners and sailors to use minimal days from work to join in on what can be a most memorable overnight sail down the Texas coast during traditionally the best offshore sailing time of the year. And we can all do this in relative safety shared by some 200 other yachts.”

The race, open to sailors with no club affiliation as well as members of other area sailing clubs, became a bucket list item for many Texas sailors, many of whom had little or no offshore experience. The growth of Harvest Moon Regatta® also resulted in the formation of a charitable organization, Bay Access Sailing Foundation. Bay Access now serves as the regatta’s organizing authority, with race management provided by volunteers from Lakewood Yacht Club.

In 2015, Hurricane Patricia was forecast to envelop Port Aransas in a “catastrophic rain event” with the worst conditions forecast for Sunday morning when sailors would be required to leave the relative safety of Port Aransas City Marina for the trip back to Houston and various other home ports.

Numerous warnings from weather officials eventually prompted race organizers to cancel the race for the first time in its history.

Despite the race cancellation, the party in Port Aransas went on, and some of the more seasoned sailors sailed the course and were able to obtain slips in the City Marina harbor to ride out the gale force winds that arrived as forecast on Sunday morning.

In 2017, when the actual “harvest moon” again fell in October, on the 5th, Hurricane Harvey put a new twist on the story. Hitting the Texas coast near Port Aransas on Aug. 25, the storm devastated “the ideal Texas port” and dumped torrential rain on the entire Houston area. This time, instead of canceling the race or rescheduling it, race organizers decided to reformat the race as a triangle race, similar to Lakewood’s TORC event, the Heald Bank Regatta, which is traditionally held in April. Beginning and ending at the Galveston Jetties, the Regatta was followed by an awards party at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, where regatta volunteers put a special focus on raising money for the devastated Port Aransas. Port Aransas city officials were surprised to receive a check for about $20,000 from the regatta, and they are looking forward to the return of the regatta this year, although it will be many years before Port Aransas recovers to pre-Harvey prosperity.

Prairie Dogs

By Michael W. Gos Caprock Canyon, Texas

W

e came to Caprock Canyon State Park up in the panhandle with the intention of seeing the State of Texas buffalo herd. We spent the better part of a day driving and hiking to the various spots where the park rangers told us the animals tended to frequent. However, it was already nearly sunset, and it was looking like that wasn’t going to happen for us. As we made our way back toward the visitors’ center, we had a stroke of good luck. While still not finding buffalo, we did stumble across a prairie dog town.

Most people think a prairie dog town is one large unit with lots of connected tunnels and numerous entrances that houses the entire colony. The fact is, the typical town is more like a subdivision full of single family homes. The prairie dog family generally consists of one male and four or five females. (Should I be

24

jealous?) In some cases, there may also be a kid or two living at home till the old man decides they are old enough to make their own way in the world.

From the outside, what we humans see is a collection of cute little critters that pop up out of holes, look

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

around, and then pop back down. It is a non-stop frenzy of activity not unlike a game of “whack the mole.”

Nothing is ever done, however. They never pick anything up and seldom stray more than an inch or two from the hole. It is just a mass of nonproductive up and down energy

that we humans find both cute and fascinating.

Even if you have never seen a real prairie dog town, you are probably quite familiar with this concept.

One need only look around at our fellow humans to see this behavior modeled. Next time you are in a

crowded atrium of a large office building, a shopping mall or any place people congregate, watch what is happening. You will see nonstop random movement, constant energy. But what are these people doing? More important, what are they accomplishing? This seems to be a universal trait of the human condition: non-stop frenetic energy spent with little or nothing to show for it.

I have been a writer for more than 40 years. In the early days, my work habits resembled the prairie dogs’.

I would begin by writing the first sentence, in hopes that by the time I had it down on paper I’d have an idea for a second sentence. Needless to say, before a piece was ready for publication, it went through dozens and dozens of revisions. In the process, I was particularly bothered by the fact that I often spent a lot of time revising sections that wouldn’t even make it into the final version. It was time and energy expended with little to no result. But, nevertheless, I felt good about it. After all, I was getting something done.

But still, I was uncomfortable with the process. I was busy, sure, but was

I really accomplishing much with all that activity? It seemed I was spending an incredible amount of time and effort given the magnitude and quality of the final product that was produced. I felt there just had to be a better way.

One day, it hit. What if, instead, I did all that planning and revising work in my head while sitting outside in my rocking chair next to the fountain? What if I didn’t get

this work thing is really done.

Today, I don’t put a single word on paper until I have the entire piece worked out. I know the beginning, the end and everything in between in great detail. I even know what photos I will use. The result: far fewer revisions and much less time and work expended. Best of all, I can enjoy a certain smugness when I am sitting in the sun with my eyes closed and someone asks what I’m doing.

“Most people confuse activity with accomplishment.” anywhere near a pen, paper or a computer in those early stages? What if I just sat, smoked my pipe and thought? I spent a good deal of time analyzing that idea and, in the end, I was still uncomfortable with it. It didn’t even seem possible But I found I couldn’t put the idea out of my mind. Its implementation seemed inevitable, so eventually, I gave it a try. I admit it was uncomfortable at first and I felt guilty just sitting around and calling it work. But eventually, it all came together. I began to understand how

When I reply that I’m writing, the looks I get are priceless.

I’m not suggesting there is anything wrong with a “go-get-em” work ethic. After all, in those early years, that process did lead me to some limited success. And today, if a student comes to me with a great work ethic, I can overlook a lot of shortcomings. It takes hard work to get to the point where you start to understand how to do any task well.

No one plays concert-level piano on first sitting down to the instrument.

But at some point in time, we need

to realize that so much more can be accomplished if we just slow down and think things through before we take any action. That not only means less work for the same results, it also makes us less likely to become victims of the calamitous law of unintended consequences. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could teach this to our politicians?

Life is a game. We keep score by results achieved, not by effort expended. Most people confuse activity with accomplishment.

When judging their progress toward success, they are often measuring the wrong parameter. I now realize it was obvious all along; I just didn’t see it. The secret to success is to work less but accomplish more.

While all of that frenetic energy is wasted in us humans, it does have some real value for prairie dogs. It provides us two-leggeds with great entertainment and, after all, the little critters are awfully cute. But frankly, I’m not that cute. You might not be either. And I don’t think entertaining others would be high on my list of goals in life. I prefer to use my rocking chair method.

By the way, we never did see the buffalo.

SEPTEMBER 2018 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

25

26

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

[HEALTHCARE]

Houston area hospitals listed among the best

UTMB announces plans to lease Bay Area Regional Medical Center

By Mary Alys Cherry

T

he University of Texas Medical Branch

at Galveston has signed a letter of intent to complete negotiations regarding a long-term lease of the recently vacated Bay Area Regional Medical Center in Webster.

The Bay Area facility at the corner of Highway 3 and Blossom opened in 2014 but was shuttered in May, throwing several hundred employees out of work. The UT System Board of Regents has approved UTMB proposed plans with financing to be managed through operational funds.

“This is a unique opportunity for UTMB Health to advance our mission of education, research and patient care,” said Dr. David L. Callender, president of the university.

“The Webster location will complement our existing facilities on our League City Campus and in surrounding areas, as well as our future plans for education and research activities in the Bay Area. Together, these facilities will enable us to broaden our efforts to serve a rapidly growing region, while supporting our academic work to define the future of health care.”

When a lease is final, UTMB will work with UTMB faculty and program leaders, as well as existing physicians in the Bay Area, to determine how best to use the property, he explained. Once final agreements have been signed, an opening date will be determined.

UTMB is continuing with plans to add 60 beds to its existing 37-bed League City Hospital, which currently includes an emergency room, mother-baby unit with Level II infant special care capability, and medical/ surgical services for adults.

Numerous UTMB specialty services also are available on the university’s League City Campus and nearby facilities.

In 2016, UTMB dedicated the 250-bed Jennie Sealy Hospital in Galveston and work is continuing to modernize the nearby John Sealy Hospital. In addition, UTMB has a hospital at its Angleton Danbury Campus in Brazoria County, as well as numerous clinics throughout the Greater Houston/Galveston area. The clinical facilities support the university’s education and research activities.

“The Webster location will complement our existing facilities on our League City Campus.”

Houston Methodist Physician Clinics opens in League City

H

ouston Methodist Physician Clinics in League City opened on Aug. 13, bringing leading medicine to families living in Tuscan Lakes and surrounding communities.

The Physician Clinics – located at 2220 E. League City Pkwy. – offers primary care, orthopedics and sports medicine, physical and occupational therapy and X-ray services in one convenient location. The Physician Clinics also includes a sports performance turf lane for throwing, running and agility rehabilitation and training, as well as a vertical jump training machine.

The multidisciplinary team of primary care and specialty care physicians at the new Physician Clinics includes:  Dr. Anika Bell-Gray, a board-certified family physician welcoming children and adults to Houston Methodist Primary Care Group  Dr. Javier Rios and Dr. Gillian Wooldridge, primary care sports medicine specialists;  Dr. Jamie Alexander, an orthopedic hand surgeon; and  Dr. Juan Serrato, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist with Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Bell-Gray earned her medical degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and previously practiced in Friendswood and Texas City before joining Houston Methodist Primary Care Group in League City. As a family medicine specialist, Bell-Gray

28

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

treats men, women and children for acute and chronic illnesses, with a focus on disease prevention and wellness.

Rios earned his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and completed a fellowship in primary care sports medicine at The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Tulsa.

Wooldridge earned her doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from The University of North Texas Health Science Center - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed a fellowship in primary care sports medicine at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital.

Alexander earned her medical degree from Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine in College Station and completed a fellowship in hand surgery at Baylor College of Medicine Department of Orthopaedics in Houston.

Serrato earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed a fellowship in knee and shoulder reconstruction, arthroscopy and sports medicine at Cincinnati Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center in Cincinnati.

The orthopedic specialists offer nonsurgical orthopedics and sports medicine, joint replacement, concussion and fracture management, sprains, rotator cuff disorders, overuse injuries, sports injuries and general orthopedic injuries and conditions. Wooldridge also treats patients for general medical issues and chronic conditions.

Visit houstonmethodist.org/appointments or call 281.523.3110 to learn more or to schedule an appointment with a physician at Houston Methodist Physician Clinics in League City.

The Houston area appears to be one of the best places in the U.S. to live if you hope to enjoy good healthcare.

Several hospitals are ranked among the best in Texas. Some are even among the best in the country. Almost all have facilities in the Bay Area.

Houston Methodist, for example is ranked No. 1 among Texas Hospitals in the 2018-19 rankings by U.S. News and World Reports with Memorial Hermann and Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center tied for fourth in the state.

MD Anderson Cancer Center was ranked No. 1 in the country in cancer care.

TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital was ranked No. 3 in the U.S. as one of the country’s top rehabilitation hospitals and has been included in the prestigious rankings since the report’s inception in 1989.

In addition, several Memorial Hermann service lines were also honored nationally by U.S. News and World Report, including Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Cardiology & Heart Surgery and Neurology & Neurosurgery; and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery and Pediatric Neurology & Neurosurgery.

Houston Methodist, meanwhile, was nationally ranked in eight specialties, among them cardiology, orthopedic, neurology, diabetes and gastroenterology.

Also recognized were Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute-Texas Medical Center, Mischer Neuroscience Institute at Memorial HermannTexas Medical Center and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital – in addition to the rehabilitation services at TIRR Memorial Hermann So, if you must get sick, you have some of the nation’s best facilities just down the road.

Jane and Jim Sweeney To Chair Bay Area’s 2019 Go Red for Women Luncheon

I

n its ongoing effort to elevate public awareness about heart disease, the American Heart Association will host the Bay Area’s 2019 Go Red for Women Luncheon.

This annual event brings together over 400 guests in celebration of women’s heart health and the collective passion women possess, while addressing the importance of combating the No. 1 and No. 5 killers of women – heart disease and stroke.

Jane and Jim Sweeney of Minuteman Press- Bay Area & Galveston, will co-chair this year’s Go Red for Women Luncheon and both evoke deeply personal reasons for taking part of this annual event. “I think you’d have to search far and wide to find someone who hasn’t been touched by heart disease. My father died from it and my mother and husband have struggled with it. Jim and I have three daughters and two granddaughters, and I don’t want their life’s story to include heart disease,” Jane said.

Co-Chair Jim Sweeney notes

his involvement in the Go Red for Women campaign is for the great loves of his life, his wife, daughters and granddaughters, “The statistics say that 1 in 3 women will develop heart disease or have a stroke in their lifetime.

In my immediate family we have my wife, Jane, our 3 daughters and our two granddaughters…2 of these precious people will develop heart disease or suffer a stroke. I want to be part of the movement that will help stop this, or at the very least continue educating them

about what they can do to improve their odds.”

The 2019 Bay Area Go Red for Women luncheon takes place on Friday, Feb. 22 at the South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center. The luncheon begins at 11 a.m. The AHA is grateful for the sponsors of this event including: All American Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Institute, Baywood Crossing Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Big League Dreams, Elite Care 24 Hour Emergency Room - League City, Friendswood Women, Marilyn Sims, Memorial Hermann Southeast, Minuteman Press- Bay Area & Galveston, Moody National Bank, Norman Frede Chevrolet, Texan Bank and U.S. Anesthesia Partners.

At the luncheon, attendees are invited to bid on fabulous silent auction items, hear the story of an amazing survivor, and vote for the 2019 Iconic Men Go Red Heart Ambassador (formally known as the Bay Area Heart Throbs).

The Go Red for Women campaign inspires, educates and urges women to be advocates for their own health.

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 threat, claiming the life of a woman every 80 seconds. Still, only 17 percent of women realize this. By

making a Go Red commitment, women everywhere are coming together to further the fight against heart disease and stroke in women.

The Go Red for Women luncheon combines education, outreach, and the opportunity to raise funds to fight heart disease and stroke.

Heart disease is a killer that strikes more women than men, and it is deadlier than all forms of cancer combined. Each year, one in three women die of heart disease and stroke, yet experts estimate that about 80 percent of cardiac events are preventable. Women often have different heart disease symptoms than men, and those symptoms can be misunderstood. During the past 14 years, the American Heart Association and the Go Red for Women Campaign have helped educate millions of women on heart diseases, risks and prevention.

Funds raised at the Go Red for Women® luncheon support research specifically geared toward women, education and legislative advocacy programs.

For more information on how to get involved please visit Bayareagored. heart.org or contact – Sara Martin at 832-918-4086 or Sara.J.Martin@heart. org.

SEPTEMBER 2018 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

29

[WELLNESS] artificial ingredients fool your brain to consume more calories because it doesn’t contain the nutrients your body needs. The good news is you can gradually change the community of organisms within you to impact your quality of life and boost energy.

Increase fiber intake slowly and

“A food labeled ‘vegan,’ ‘organic’ or ‘all-natural’ doesn’t necessarily mean that it is good for you.”

Trust Your Gut for Health and Wellness

By Sumer Dene

Y

o u r i n tu i t i o n communicates to all the nerve cells in your body, that ‘gut feeling’ you get is your subconscious mind sending you signals. The secret is learning how to listen to these instinctive feelings and trust your gut. America spends more money on healthcare than any other nation yet has the highest disease rate. In a land of opportunity, when did we put a price tag on our health and wellness? Food stripped of nutritional value is more convenient, easily accessible and affordable in our fast-paced society. We are conditioned to compartmentalize things we don’t see and can’t name, creating a detachment to the food we eat and how it got to our plate.

How can consumers dictate their health in a world conflicted with dietary fads, advertising campaigns and misleading health claims? The public becomes confused when given small amounts of truth within a large amount of misinformation.

In a society where we cannot seem to unite as a whole, have we lost connection with ourselves and our planet along the way?

30

Our body is an ecosystem. The protective microbiome in our gut is a community of like-minded organisms. This diverse population has a common goal: to get the most nutrients out of food so we can get the most out of life. A central philosophy of well-being is to eat high fiber, nutrient-dense foods. Our friendly gut bacteria thrive on fiber to promote glucose homeostasis, weight loss, and absorption of important nutrients. Fiber naturally detoxes the body and is essential for mental and emotional health. According to the ‘National Institutes of Health,’ integrated evidence concludes that metabolism of a high fiber diet can alter gene expression in the brain to prevent neurodegeneration and promote regeneration. Our relationship with food is much deeper than we thought. The gut sends unconscious signals to our brain via the vagus nerve, 50% of dopamine and 90% of serotonin is made in the digestive tract. These are the ‘drugs’ that make us feel happy and content. The stomach directly communicates to our brain to ‘manipulate’ behavior, it’s a self-reinforcing cycle. Processed foods high in saturated fats and

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

drink plenty of water. This allows the natural bacteria in your digestive system to adjust to the change.

Combine a legume with a wholegrain or nut and seed to create a complete protein. According to the ‘US National Library of Medicine,’ a diet rich in legumes is a predictor of survival of older people in different ethnicities. Legumes deliver a wide range of nutrients, including lean protein, fiber and antioxidants with relatively few calories. Soak legumes overnight before cooking. It is simple to prepare with layers of flavor and texture. Start with a neutral oil like sunflower, make a paste with vegetable stock, curry, garlic and

your choice of vegetables. Legumes are a great addition to soups. It is delicious pureed in dips, dressings and spreads.

Healthy fats are essential to absorb nutrients, achieve optimal body composition and balance hormones.

Research published in the “Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine,’ states a handful of nuts a day lowers the risks of many diseases and reduces weight gain. Nuts are packed with protein and fat. They help you age gracefully, improve memory function and maintain a strong, lively heart. Eliminating a macronutrient from your diet creates a calorie deficit which is a short-term fix with long-term adverse effects on mood and health. Balance and enjoy an assortment of whole-foods, be active in mind and body, enjoy life and drink plenty of water. This is the most promising way to live a healthful, happy life.

Truly Care

There are many advantages to a whole-foods lifestyle. It can simplify your life and protect our land, water and energy sources. The hardest part is knowing where to begin, with time and preparation it can be effortless and affordable to your specific needs. You as a citizen have a choice and a vote with your dollar.

Knowledgeable consumers can change the economy as we know it.

Declaration of mental and physical strength is the ultimate independence from society. The answer comes from honesty and integrity by evaluating scientific information without bias or corporate agenda. A food labeled ‘vegan,’ ‘organic’ or ‘all-natural’ doesn’t necessarily mean that it is good for you. It can still be processed, high in sugars, and lacking nutrients.

Don’t let yourself be consumed by a deceitful and saturated market.

Educate yourself.

Have Fun & Be Creative :)

Fruit Vinaigrette Salad Ingredients • 2 cups diced kale • Cubed Cucumbers • Avocado cut in squares • Cubed Pears • Mandarin oranges Dressing • 1/2 cup olive oil • 2 tbsp fresh lemon • 1/2 tsp maple syrup • 1 garlic clove, minced • 2 tpsp. Mustard • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar • Salt and pepper, to taste

A whole-foods lifestyle includes thousands of possibilities from a diverse array of flavors, colors, aromas and textures. It’s not a strict regimen, its liberating. Let it be unique to your taste buds and personality. If you have concerns, ask your doctor for a blood test, evaluate results and adjust habits accordingly.

Trust your gut.

Feel free to contact me at Sumerdene@ gmail.com

SEPTEMBER 2018 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

31

with them and bring the concept to Houston.

“Sweat is a high intensity interval training workout session using treadmills as the base workout, and integrating components of functional training, core stability, and athletic training.” Sweat is a fun and healthy place to work out and achieve goals, and you can burn up to 1,000 calories in one workout class. It is very high energy, and Jordan and Ana typically play EDM, hip hop, and Latin music; Ana loves to incorporate her Hispanic culture into her workout classes. In the future the couple plan to grow and expand to new locations in Houston and beyond.

Fitness and working out reminds me a lot about life. It you want to see results, you have to stay positive, motivated, and consistent. When it gets hard, you have to remember why you started, tell yourself to keep going and push through. You may be sore the next day, but eventually the soreness leaves and you become stronger.

Ana’s advice is to, “believe in yourself and never give up on your dreams. Whatever goal it may be, there is no magic pill, you have to work really hard and stay very consistent.”

Remember Your Why

By Blaine Ochoa

W

hat are your dreams and goals?

Why? The “why” to these answers is by far more important. “Why” is what drives and motivates you. The dreams and goals you have would mean nothing if you didn’t know why you wanted to pursue them. Every decision you will ever make is fueled by a “why.”

Life is a journey. During your pursuits and adventures in life, you sometimes tend to forget why you started something in the first place. The journey can be exhausting, heartbreaking and confusing when you loose sight of “why.” I have experienced this firsthand and had to pause, refocus and refresh, and really concentrate on my “why” along the road to following my dreams.

On a side note, I believe sometimes God allows you to break, in order to build you back up stronger than before. Personally, in these moments when I have been so weak, I have seen His power and grace revealed. When I let go and look towards Him, He picks me up right where I am and brings me to a better place. Afterwards I am stronger, wiser, more refined, and have a clearer meaning of my purpose and my “why.”

“Do everything with passion and authenticity,”

32

says Ana Barron, co-owner of Sweat 1000 Houston.

Sweat is the 1st studio in the United States of its kind. The gym is based on a concept originated from Cape Town, South Africa.

Husband and wife, Jordan Strouse and Ana Barron are the proud owners of Sweat 1000 Houston.

Ana fell in love with fitness while living in

“You can burn up to 1,000 calories in one workout class.”

South Africa. “It was a way for me to improve myself, and it helped me develop a healthy lifestyle. It has now become more than that. I enjoy inspiring others to live a better and healthy lifestyle and create a healthy environment.”

In 2015, Jordan and Ana meet the founders of Sweat 1000 in South Africa, Paul and Andrew Rothschild. Jordan and Ana decided to partner

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

When life gets tough, pick yourself up and keep going. It may not get easier, but you will get stronger. You have to remember your passion and your purpose everyday, and never forget your “why.”

You can contact me at Blainejanell@gmail.com or visit www.BeautywithBlaine.com

[NEWS & EVENTS]

Galveston County Transportation Summit Sept. 14 in Texas City

T

he Bay Area Houston community is being invited to attend the 2018 Galveston County Transportation Summit Friday, Sept. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Charles Doyle Convention Center in Texas City. “ After the welcome by Galveston County Judge Mark Henry, and Bay Area Transportation Partnership President Theresa Rodriguez and Chairman David Hamilton, the event will focus on updating the crowd on a variety of state and area issues.

A number of legislators, including Sens. Larry Taylor and Reps.

Dennis Paul, Wayne Faircloth and Ed Thompson, will give a state update with Rep. Greg Bonnen as moderator after Galveston County Commissioner Ken Clark’s introduction.

Then Judge Henry will discuss the Galveston County bond issue and how the area is recovering from Hurricane Harvey.

The afternoon session, which starts at noon following the 11:30 a.m. buffet, will focus on the powerhouses of our regional economy -- our ports

-- with Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther and Port of Galveston CEO Rodger Rees updating the crowd after an introduction by Galveston County Commissioner Darrell Apffel and with West Gulf Maritime Association Vice President Niels Aalund Sr. serving as moderator.

Sponsors include Dannenbaum Engineering, Binkley & Barfield Consulting Engineers, Port of Galveston, Texas City, GCE Engineering, Geotest Engineering, Geoscience Engineering, Paradigm, LJA Engineering, RPS, Harris County Transit, Guidry News and Port Houston with College of the Mainland, Costello Inc/Terracon, EHRA Engineering, Hitchcock IDC, League City Chamber, Maxim Group and UTMB as table sponsors.

Sponsorships are still available.

To register or for sponsorship information, contact Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership President Theresa Rodriguez at president@baytran.org or call 832771-0773.

It’s Rodeo time, and there’s good eatin’ ahead!

By Mary Alys Cherry

Y

um! Can you already smell the aroma?

The Houston Rodeo’s Bay Area Go Texan Committee is getting ready for a night of fun and frivolity at its annual Ghosts and Goblins Who Cook Friday, Oct. 19 from 7 to 11 p.m.

About 35-40 cowboys and cowgirls chefs will compete against each other as they serve up tasty portions of food for an epicurean style event, which will also feature music, dancing, a silent auction, drinks, fun and fundraising at League City’s Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center, 400 W. Walker in the municipal complex next to the Helen Hall Library. Music for dancing will be provided by Soundworks Entertainment DJ Company.

“Into the Woods” is this year’s theme.

Halloween attire is highly encouraged but not required.

A variety of chefs and cooks -- ranging from amateur to professional -- will compete against one another for awards, serving up their best dishes to approximately 200+ patrons.

The winners will be named in the following

CCEF to host annual ‘Dine Out to Donate’ on Monday, Oct. 1

T

he Clear Creek Education Foundation is gearing up to host its fifth annual “Dine Out to Donate” event on Monday, Oct. 1 and is bringing back the component, “Ride to Give,” in partnership with the Kemah Boardwalk, that will be available on Friday, Oct. 5 through Sunday, Oct. 7.

CCEF invites Bay Area residents to dine out for education at one of the 64 participating restaurants on Oct. 1. A list of participating restaurants may be found on our website, bayareahoustonmag.com The process is simple – patrons enjoy a meal at a participating restaurant, and restaurant proprietors will donate a portion of the proceeds to CCEF to benefit the students and teachers of the Clear Creek Independent School District.

All of the proceeds will support CCEF’s many programs including Educational Grants, National Board Teacher Certification and Clear Horizons Early College High School.

The top three CCISD elementary,

food categories: best entrée, best appetizer, best dessert, people’s choice and best table decoration. Each chef entry will be judged by approximately eight (8) anonymous judges in a separate designated area.

Chef spots are available and require no purchase to participate. Those interested in being a chef at the event should contact Sunnie Byerly at 281-804-6484 or by email, snbyerly@yahoo. com for more information.

Cost of admission is $40 pp, age 21 and up only, and includes all you can eat, a cash bar, dancing and Halloween fun. Parking is free.

Underwriter opportunities are available as follows: • Ghoul - $1,500 donation, receive 4 tickets and signage • Ghost - $500 donation, receive 2 tickets and signage • Goblin - $250 donation, receive 1 ticket and signage Tickets are not available to purchase online as of yet; however, if interested in purchasing tickets, being an underwriter or other information, contact Event Coordinator David Gambino at 713-276-2841 or kcc58fan@yahoo. com For information about participating as a chef or a cook for the event, contact Chef Coordinator Sunnie Byerly at 281-804-6484 or snbyerly@ yahoo.com.

Proceeds benefit the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship Fund.

intermediate and high school campuses with the highest percentage of participation based on student population will win $1,000, $500 and $250 respectively!

In addition to Dine Out to Donate, CCEF will be hosting “Ride to Give” on Friday, Oct. 5 through Sunday, Oct. 7 at the Kemah Boardwalk. On these days, patrons are invited to purchase discounted amusement ride wristbands to support education excellence in CCISD. Discounted wristbands are $20.99 (regularly $24.99) for anyone 48’’ and over and $15.99 (regularly $18.99) for anyone under 48.’’

The Kemah Boardwalk also will donate $4 for every discounted wristband purchased to support the many programs of CCEF. To purchase a discounted wristband, bring the printable flier that can be found on the Foundation’s website.

The first 50 wristbands sold will receive a free ticket to Stingray Reef.

A list of participating restaurants may be found at BayAreaHoustonMag.com

ICM Resale Shop opens at new NASA 1 location

By Mary Alys Cherry

I

nterfaith Caring Ministries celebrated the arrival of summer in a big way, with a move of the ICM Resale Shop to a new location -- 803 E. NASA Parkway, Suite 118 in Webster, in the Challenger Plaza retail center -- and a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The ceremony included an appearance by Webster Mayor Donna Rogers, key Webster staffers, the fire department, and Clear Lake Area Chamber staff and ambassadors.

The grand opening included support from ICM Board of Directors, administrative staff, plus Resale Shop staff and volunteers, Resale Shop Manager Gene Garcia and Assistant Manager Sherry Smith.

Businesses helping with the celebration included Café Express Baybrook, which donated juice and coffee, Brothers Produce Houston, fruit; Bonnie’s Donuts, kolaches and donuts; and Chick-fil-A League City Towne Center, sandwiches and waffle chips.

All in all, Garcia said, the celebration was a huge success and has also allowed the ICM Resale Shop to expand its reach to a new part of the community – situating the new location closer to the Nassau Bay/ Seabrook area. “ICM Resale looks forward to serving a new sector of our service area,” he added.

The ICM Resale Shop hours of operation are Monday-Friday 9-6, Saturday 9-5. For heavier donation items, call 281-332-2025 to schedule a pickup.

SEPTEMBER 2018 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

33

Experience Galveston Bay’s Best: Seamah™ Texas

with piranhas, snakes, scorpions, tarantulas and much more as well as guided tours and numerous hands-on educational programs. Experience the stingray reef where you can get up close and personal with the mystical creatures of the sea.

If you have an adventurous side, explore Galveston Bay on a 3-hour luxurious sunset dinner cruise. This private charter boat is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway or get together with friends. Windward Sea Adventures is recognized by the American Sailing Association and offers sailing lessons no matter your prior experience. Pine Gully Park has a fishing pier on Galveston Bay and overlooks the Great Texas Coastal birding trails. Take your family fishing and watch migrant birds in their natural habitat at this remarkable restored wetland.

By Sumer Dene

S

eamah™ is the name coined by locals of the two thriving coastal towns, Seabrook and Kemah. The towns are separated by a canal that joins the Galveston Bay with the brackish waters of Clear Lake. It’s vast waterways, canals and bayou inlets snake through Seabrook and Kemah neighborhoods making this recreational area the country’s 3rd largest boating community. This coastal area offers a most unique experience in boating, with its waterfront hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, marinas and yacht clubs.

The gulf coast marine is booming with new business. The area features several quality marinas and clubs to enjoy boating, yachting and fishing. At the Endeavor Marina they maintain your boat indoors and offer high-end concierge service.

Club has over 300 boat slips in all sizes. It’s a charming and gorgeous place to eat great food, drink cold beverages and cocktails, socialize by the pool and enjoy the bay life. It provides members exciting regattas, sailing lessons and many social and water activities. Lakewood Yacht

“This is the perfect place to enjoy a wonderful waterfront lifestyle.”

This service makes it easy for you and your family to go out on the water, worry free. All you need to do is call ahead and experienced staff will prepare your boat for you. They fuel and stock your boat with ice, beverages and all of the amenities by the time you arrive for your leisurely cruise.

Seamah’s™ landmark is Lakewood Yacht Club, a beautiful private yacht club nestled on Clear Lake. The club is ranked in the top ten best yacht clubs in America. Lakewood Yacht

34

Club serves lunch and dining and a mouth-watering Sunday champagne brunch. This is the perfect place to enjoy a wonderful waterfront lifestyle.

The Kemah Boardwalk is the ultimate waterfront amusement park with fine and casual dining, theme rides and seasonal events.

There’s always a festival with live entertainment taking place in Seamah™. It was named one of the top 10 boardwalks in the country.

You can enjoy fireworks and evening

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

concerts all summer long. “Rock the Dock” features a live concert on Thursdays from 5-8 p.m. and fireworks begins every Friday night at 9:30 p.m. Bring your family out for a boat ride on the large speedboat the “Beast”or choose the “Fantasea,” the largest charter yacht on the Gulf Coast. Come unwind and relax with your entire family. Experience the best in dining and sightseeing Seamah™ has to offer.

Plan to stay overnight to enjoy the Kemah Boardwalk Inn. This quaint boutique hotel offers a variety of services with your own private balcony overlooking the scenic Kemah Boardwalk and Galveston Bay. The colorful Aquarium Restaurant gives you and your family a total marine experience. Come explore and discover the deep sea mysteries and many ecosystems.

Their bar and restaurant has a 50,000 gallon tank filled with various aquatic life such as sharks, rays and fish found in Galveston Bay. The aquarium includes a rainforest exhibit

Seamah™ is known for its fresh quality seafood establishments.

People come from all over Texas to shop at the local family-owned markets. Rose’s, Emery’s Baybrooks and Golden Seafood all have a view of Galveston Bay. They are some of the largest distributors in the seafood industry in the United States and Mexico. You can enjoy a Raw Bar experience with live music and food and drinks on an outdoor deck at the Swamp Shack, Sam’s Boat or Outriggers Restaurant. Another noted eatery is The Classic Cafe’ which serves homestyle seafood and carries many delicious desserts, homemade cakes and pies. A must is to take your family out for fine dining and gorgeous views at The Flying Dutchman, Landry’s or at Villa Capri.

Seamah™ is the place to experience a waterfront lifestyle at its best.

Seabrook’s seafood houses feature the freshest quality seafood such as Gulf Coast fish, shrimp, oysters, crawfish and more served year-round. Come to Seamah,™ Texas. You will not be dissapointed.

SEPTEMBER 2018 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

35

146

Grazia

Sawa

45

Masa Sushi

c

r l e a

l a k e

Scotty’s

Mediterraneo

Franca’s Noon & Mirch

Avenida Brazil

Sam’s Boat

Villa Capri

Pomodoro’s

Pappa’s Delta Blues

Boondoggles

Hunsa Thai 888 Chinese

Angelo’s

Habanero’s

Chelsea Wine Bar

8

Tookie’s Seafood Cabo

7

A GUIDE TO THE BEST BITES AND BREWS IN THE BAY

Crazy Alan’s Bakkhus

Sundance Opus

g a l v e s t o n

b ay

Skallywag’s Amadeus

Ocean Sushi

Nobi

South Shore Grille

El Tiempo MichiRu

Jackie’s Brickhouse

T-Bone Tom’s Playa Maya

Floyd’s Red River BBQ Main St. Bistro

Stomp’s Burgers

Gilhooley’s

AMERICAN ASIAN BBQ CAJUN ITALIAN MEDIT. MEXICAN PUB/FUSION SEAFOOD STEAK

AMERICAN 1. Jackie’s Brickhouse 1053 Marina Bay Dr, Kemah, TX (832) 864-2459 jackiesbrickhouse.com 2. Main St Bistro 615 E Main St, League City, TX (281) 332-8800 3. Red Oak Cafe 6011 W Main St a106, League City, TX (832) 905-3150 redoakcafe.com 4. Stomp’s Burger Joint 3107 TX-146, Bacliff, TX (281) 339-0785 stompsburgerjoint.com 5. South Shore Grille 2800 Marina Bay Dr, League City, TX (281) 334-7700 soshoregrille.com 6. T-Bone Tom’s 707 TX-146, Kemah, TX (281) 334-2133 tbonetoms.com 7. Cabo Bar & Grill 2513 NASA Rd. 1, Seabrook, TX (281) 532-2691 caboclearlake.com 8. Sam’s Boat 3101 NASA Rd. 1 Seabrook, TX (281) 326-7267 samsboat.com ASIAN 1. 888 Chinese 16744 El Camino Real, Houston, TX (281) 990-8888 888chinesetx.com

36

Red Oak Cafe

Topwater Grill

Gumbo Bar

Marais

Dickinson BBQ

Gio’s

2. Hunsa Thai Kitchen 4622 E NASA Pkwy, Seabrook, TX (281) 532-6339 3. Masa Sushi 977 E NASA Pkwy, Webster, TX (281) 486-9888 masasushitexas.com 4. Michiru Sushi 20911 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (281) 338-9988 michirusushi.com 5. Noon & Mirch: Cuisine of India 505 E NASA Pkwy, Webster, TX 77598 6. Ocean Sushi 3020 Marina Bay Dr Suite A2, League City, TX (281) 957-9122 oceansushigrill.com BARBEQUE 1. Dickinson BBQ 2111 FM 517 Rd E, Dickinson, TX (281) 534-2500 dickinsonbbq.com 2. Pappas Delta Blues 19901 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (281) 332-0024 www.pappasdeltablues.com 3. Red River BBQ 1911 E Main St Suite B, League City, TX (281) 332-8086 CAJUN 1. Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack 310 Texas Ave, Kemah, TX (281) 334-5000 crazyalanswampshack.com 2. Floyd’s Cajun Seafood 20760 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (281) 332-7474 floydswebster.com

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

3. Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar 1615 FM 646, League City, TX (281) 524-8626 littledaddysgumbobar.com

1. Bakkhus Taverna 605 6th St, Kemah, TX 77565 (281) 538-1800 bakkhustaverna.com

4. Tilted Kilt 2481 Gulf Fwy, League City, TX (281) 309-0471 m o s e s tiltedkilt.com

4. Marais 2015 FM 517 Rd E, Dickinson, TX (281) 534-1986

2. Mediterraneo Market & Cafe 18033 Upper Bay Rd, Houston, TX (281) 333-3180 mediterraneomarket.com

5. Boondoggles Pub 4106 E NASA Pkwy, El Lago, TX 77586 (281) 326-2739 boondogglespub.com

3. Sawa Mediterranean 16608 El Camino Real, Houston, TX (281) 990-0817 sawarestaurantgrill.com

6. Chelsea Wine Bar 4106 E NASA Pkwy f, El Lago, TX 77586 (281) 326-5282 chelseawinebartexas.com

I TA L I A N 1. Angelo’s Pizza & Pasta 400 Bay Area Blvd A, Webster, TX (281) 332-2404 angelospizza-pasta.com 2. Amadeus 700 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX (281) 334-3311 3. Gio’s Flying Pizza & Pasta 650 FM 517 W. Dickinson, TX (281) 337-0107 giosflyingpizza.com 4. Grazia Italian Kitchen 1001 Pineloch Dr #1100, Houston, TX (281) 486-2083 graziaitalian.com 5. Pomodoro’s NASA 1303 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX (281) 480-0700 pomodorosnasa.com 6. Villa Capri 3713 NASA Rd. 1, Seabrook frenchiesvillacapri.com (281) 326-2373 7. Franca’s Real Italian 1101 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058 francasrealitalian.com (281) 488-2207 MEDITERRANEAN

MEXICAN 1. El Tiempo Cantina 20237 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (713) 802-1580 eltiempocantina.com 2. Habanero’s Tacos 1908 Hialeah Dr #2, Seabrook, TX (281) 474-4400 habanerostacos.com 3. Playa Maya Tacos 1415 TX-146, Kemah, TX Phone: (281) 532-6986 playamayakemah.com PUB/BAR/FUSION 1. Nobi Public House 241 E NASA Pkwy, Webster, TX (832) 932-5111 nobipub.com 2. Scotty’s Pub 3202 Marina Bay Dr, League City, TX (281) 339-7474 www.scottyspubhouston.com 3. Skallywag’s 600 6th St, Kemah, TX (281) 538-8877

l a k e

SEAFOOD 1. Gilhooley’s Oyster Bar 222 9th St, San Leon, TX 77539 (281) 339-3813 2. Opus Ocean Grille 1510 Marina Bay Dr, Clear Lake Shores, TX (281) 334-0006 opusoceangrille.com 3. Tookie’s Seafood 1106 Bayport Blvd, Seabrook, TX (281) 942-9445 tookiesseafood.com 4. Topwater Grill 815 Avenue O, San Leon, TX 77539 (281) 339-1232 topwatergrill.com 5. Sundance Grill II 800 Mariners Dr, Kemah, TX 77565 (281) 535-5350 sundance-grill.com STEAK 1. Avenida Brazil 201 Bay Area Blvd, Webster, TX 77598 (281) 557-9999 avebrazil.com

38

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

SEPTEMBER 2018 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

39

1. Simone Clapp and Panda.

2. Director Bo Brinkman on set of The Bay House.

3. Legends at Franca’s.

4. Good times at Topwater Grill.

5. Director Bo Brinkman and I, with actresses Sumer Loggins and Blaine Ochoa, discuss upcoming the film Goat Hill.

6. Urban Country is now available digitally on Xfinity and in all Wal-Marts.

7. The Bay Area’s Most Eligible Bachelors & Bachelorettes: Sweetheart Auction takes place Thursday, Sept. 6 at Sundance Grill II.

5

1

8. Brenden Keyes and I announce the partnership between Gulf Coast Mariner and pro soccer team the Bay Area Hurricanes FC.

9

9 & 10. Matthew Witte and Aaron Turner finishing up the dog days of summer.

11. BAHM columnist Blaine Ochoa on Channel 2 news.

2 6

7

3

4

40

8 Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

10

11

[BAY AREA HOUSTON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP]

BAHEP gets update on TxDOT projects Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

What on Earth is going on with the road system in Harris and Galveston counties? Who hasn’t asked that question while sitting in traffic on IH 45, SH 146 or any of numerous roads in between?

The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership invited Texas Department of Transportation Houston District Engineer Quincy Allen to shed some light on TXDoT’s plans for the region during a recent BAHEP membership meeting at Lakewood Yacht Club.

The Houston District, he told the crowd encompasses 5,856 square miles and serves about 5.8 million people and 5.1 million registered vehicles, going on to explain in detail what TxDOT was doing along the Gulf Freeway and the $202 million facelift it was giving Highway 146 over the next five years.

San Jacinto College Vice Chancellor Teri Crawford, left, stops to visit with Clear Lake Shores Mayor Protem Amanda Fenwick and Seabrook Councilman Joe Machol as she joins the crowd at the BAHEP membership meeting at Lakewood Yacht Club.

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell, left, welcomes TxDOT Houston District Engineer Quincy Allen, who updated the BAHEP membership on area transportation projects.

Monica Millican, left, and Peggy Zahler make a pretty picture as they relax and enjoy the BAHEP membership meeting at Lakewood Yacht Club.

Three smiling ladies at the BAHEP membership meeting focusing on Texas Department of Transportation projects included, from left, Pat Wilson, Rosebud Caradec and Kimberly Fleming.

Bob Robinson, right, a former Seabrook mayor, arrives at the BAHEP meeting with his grandson, Anthony Robinson.

44

Early arrivals at the BAHEP membership meeting at Lakewood Yacht Club included Tom Linklater, left, and Bob Payne.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

Houston City Councilman Dave Martin shares a light moment with Barbara Koslov, left, of Judge Ed Emmett’s office and Joan McKinney, general manager of Norman Frede Chevrolet at the BAHEP meeting.

UHCL to usher in a new era with investiture of Dr. Ira Blake

U

niversity of HoustonClear Lake will host the investiture of President Ira K. Blake Thursday, Sept.

20, at 2 p.m., as the culminating event in a week of activities commemorating President Blake’s 2017 appointment to the post.

She is UHCL’s fifth president, its first woman and the first African-American to be appointed to the university’s highest office. The theme for the event is “Transcending Expectations,” a focal point for President Blake since her arrival.

Investiture events at universities are traditional ceremonies that formally mark the transference of the authority and symbols of the office to the new president, usually within his or her first year. President Blake’s formal installation as UHCL’s new president will take place in the university’s Bayou Theater and will include a procession of delegates from other colleges and universities as well as from within UHCL. The event is open to the public and is an opportunity for the community and the university to usher in a new era in UHCL’s history. Her investiture ceremony will conclude with a meet-and-greet reception following the ceremony at 4 p.m. in

Atrium I of the Bayou Building.

UHCL’s Investiture Week begins Monday, Sept. 17 with an historical exhibit, a panel discussion with UHCL charter faculty, and an alumni panel event in which graduates share their stories of their professional paths and callings. Other events throughout the week include UHCL Constitution Day Celebration and a Health and Wellness Fair in UHCL’s newly opened Recreation and Wellness Center on Sept. 18.

On Sept. 19, the arts at UHCL will be showcased from 5:30 to 8 p.m., in the Bayou Theater and followed by a reception in the newly expanded UHCL Art Gallery.

Investiture Week will culminate on Sept. 21 with the Bayou Theater’s 2018-19 season opening concert, “Mercury: Vivaldi vs. Paganini.”

President Blake holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from George Washington University, a master’s degree in educational psychology from San Francisco State University, and a second master’s degree and doctorate in developmental psychology from Columbia University. She has spoken and published extensively on the topics of language, literacy, culture, ethnicity, socialization and child development.

SEPTEMBER 2018 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

45

Several elected officials joined the crowd to sit by the bay and watch the fireworks. Here, Kemah Mayor Carl Joiner, center, the host, welcomes, from left, Galveston County Commissioner Ken Clark, Clear Lake Shores Mayor Michael McNamara, Congressman Randy Weber and Seabrook Mayor Thom Kolupski.

Clear Lake Chamber President Cindy Harreld DeWease and her husband, Jeff, right, stop for a photo with BAHEP Membership Director Harriet Pilgrim and her husband, Jon.

Partying down

by THE Bay Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

As Carl and Colene Joiner sat watching Kemah’s fireworks one Friday night this summer, they decided it might be fun to invite members of Carl’s Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Board over to sit by the bay, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and see the pyrotechnic display.

He contacted BAHEP President Bob Mitchell, and the party was on.

Besides the BAHEP Board and office staff, the Kemah mayor also invited several other elected officials, making for a nice mix for socializing and watching Kemah’s “Friday night lights.”

Attorney Dick Gregg III, right, visits with BAHEP Executive Hosts Carl and Colene Joiner, right, are happy to see Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell and his fiancée, Joan Director Dan Seal and his wife, Elizabeth, as the Joiners’ fireworks watch party gets under way by the bay in Kemah. McKinney, as they arrive at the Joiner home for the fireworks party.

Former Seabrook Mayor Jack Fryday and his wife, Marcy, look for a seat as the fireworks show is about to begin.

46

League City Chamber President Steve Patterson and his wife, Debbie, laugh after he bumped into her glass.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

Boeing Houston Site Manager Mark Mulqueen and his wife, Dawn, join the crowd by the bay.

COM plans $162.5 million bond election on Nov. 6 With students and their success as the focus, the College of the Mainland Board of Trustees will hold a $162.5 million bond election Nov. 6 to expand the aging Texas City campus with plans for three new buildings.

The bond election, which was approved following a recommendation from community members, calls for the construction of a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics)/ Allied Health building, Industrial Careers building and a Student Success Center which will house all student enrollment offices such as admissions, financial aid and advising.

COM trustees approved calling for the bond election in a 6-0 vote.

College of the Mainland, which has not passed a bond election since voters approved a $2.85 million bond package in December 1966 to help build the current campus, is at capacity and unable to offer any new programs.

In May, the college graduated its largest class in history – 780 students.

“The college has done its due diligence in determining the utmost needs of the students and the communities we serve,” COM President Dr. Warren Nichols said. “This bond proposal will enable College of the Mainland to provide a learning environment with updated and modern amenities.”

The college’s current tax rate is .208 per $100 valuation. If approved, the average home within the taxing district valued at $120,809 could see their taxes incrementally increase to $141.55 annually, or about $12 a month.

48

Brian Freedman

Bryan Bogle

Kristy Concaba

Jonathan Cottrell

Bob Davee

Glenn Ellis

Shawn Bailey

Clear Lake Chamber to honor its chairmen

By Mary Alys Cherry

I

t’s still a month away, but already Clear Lake Area Chamber members are busy making plans for the 56th annual Chairman’s Gala saluting outgoing Chairman Bryan Bogle of Amoco Federal Credit Union, welcoming incoming Chairman Brian Freedman of Boeing and thanking retiring directors, division chairmen and liaisons for all their work this past year.

It will be held Friday, Oct. 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at a new venue – the recently opened Lone Star Flight Museum at Ellington Field -- and include a cocktail hour, short program, dinner and dancing to the music of PRP

XMAS IN JULY 7/25/18 Bay Area location (Right) Vice President Rhonda Trail Wood, back row left of Santa, and her staff.

(Bottom Right) Jeff Cook, Rick Clapp and Tim Leopard.

(Bottom) Susan Bottoms and Roseann Rogers.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

Entertainment.

Ball Chairman Carl Joiner has selected “Come Fly With Me” as the theme for the event. For dress, black tie or military uniforms are encouraged.

“It has been an outstanding year for the Chamber and we look forward to celebrating at one of our newest attractions,” Ball Chairman Carl Joiner said. Individual tickets are $100 with corporate tables for eight at $1,200.

Sponsorships also are available. For information, call the chamber, 281-4887676.

Other members of the chamber’s Executive Committee besides Freedman are Chairman-elect Shawn Bailey of Amoco Federal Credit Union; Kristy

Concaba, Texan Bank, vice chairman of administration; attorney Bob Davee, Greer, Herz & Adams, vice chairman of finance; Jonathan Cottrell, Martha Turner/Sotheby’s Realty, vice chairman of membership; Glenn Ellis of Jacobs, vice chairman of research; and Bryan Bogle of Amoco Federal Credit Union, past chairman of the board.

New board members who will be introduced and sworn in at the gala include Dr. Chanda Abbott, Bay Area Audiology; Keith Gray, CenterPoint Energy; Stephen Goff, Lyondellbasell; Ashley Helms, PowerTech Services & Get Social; Chance Sanford, Space Center Houston; and Adam Smith, Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union.

By Pastor Brad Heintz

O

ne ofthe most infamous

shipwrecks of all time was the RMS Titanic.

According to Wikipedia, the lifeboats of the Titanic played a crucial role in the disaster of April 14-15, 1912. She didn’t have enough lifeboats for those on board. The 20 lifeboats could hold 1,178 people but there were 2,208 on board. Only 18 lifeboats were used since two accidently floated away as the boat sank. Yet, many lifeboats weren’t even at full capacity for a variety of reasons including strict interpretation of the maritime tradition of women and children first, fear of the overfilled boats sinking or half-filled boats unable or unwilling to return for passengers in the water.

If you have lived long enough in life, you realize that literal and figurative storms and shipwrecks happen. As a believer in God, I also realize He allows them but never leaves or forsakes those who believe in Him. We learn this from the Apostle Paul who is a shipwreck survivor himself (See Acts 27) and writes to the believers, in the city of Philippi, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippian’s 4:12-13 New International Version) If you read about Paul’s shipwreck experience in Acts 27, you will see that even though God allows storms, He gives direction, protection and rescue as needed. Paul first looked to God, then listened to his direction and then did what He said. We also can do all things through Christ who gives us strength, when we look to God, listen to Him and do what He says. That was evident during Hurricane Harvey when God’s people responded to one of the most

infamous storms ever. It was simply amazing to see people look, listen and do what was needed.

As I reflect on Hurricane Harvey, I realize that God may allow storms, but He also provides a way to be rescued. He rescues us through faith in Jesus Christ. That is why many believers call Jesus “Savior.” He rescued us by giving His life in our place. As John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”(NIV) As I think about the Titanic, I realize that the boat manufacturer made those lifeboats with the intention of filling them up with people to be rescued. But people in real-time decided not to follow the directions. Think of people in your life who are in a figurative storm or maybe shipwrecked. Do they need to hear that they can do all things through Him who gives them strength? You could be like Paul and share God’s guidance in the midst of a storm. God, as the manufacturer of our lives, intended that our lifeboats are full and that people are rescued.

I see Living Word Church and other places of worship as lifeboats.

It’s where we look and listen for God’s direction and ultimate rescue.

It is where we help others in their storms. So jump into Living Word’s lifeboat or any house of worship.

Ours sets sail every Sunday at 10:30 a.m., and there plenty of room for all.

Pastor Brad Heintz is the founding pastor of Living Word Church in Seabrook, 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 Like us and watch us live on www.Facebook. com/LWCBA SEPTEMBER 2018 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

49

Clear Lake Style Show Sept. 6. Bay Oaks Women’s Association members will host their annual fall fashion show luncheon Thursday, Sept. 6 at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Speaker series Sept. 6.

UHCL Associate Prof.

William Amonette will discuss exercise and nutrition when he opens the fall CLASP Speaker Series Thursday, Sept. 6, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Bayou Building Garden Room.

Admission and parking free and open to the public.

Art Gallery reception Sept.

6. UHCL Art Gallery will host a reception for its new installation Let Me Be Part of Your Search History with the artist Brian McFadden on Thursday, Sept. 6 from 5-7 p.m.

Cast members Angela Reader and her daughter, Emily, rehearse for the Clear Creek Community Theatre’s mod musical, Shout, which plays Sept. 7-23 in Nassau Bay. In everyday life, Angela is the executive director of Regal Estates Assisted Living in League City and Emily is a music teacher at Scanlan Oaks Elementary in Sugarland.

Their family came here 10 years ago from the UK.

Panhellenic tea Sept. 9. Clear Lake Panhellenic will host its annual Fall Friendship Tea Sunday, Sept. 9 at the home of Stacy Lyons.

GOP Women meet Sept. 26. The Bay Area Republican Women will meet Wednesday, Sept. 26 for their monthly luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at Bay Oaks Country Club. New members welcome. RSVP required for lunch. Email: barw.rsvp@ gmail.com For info, visit www.barw.org

Welcome Neighbors Sept.

20. Bay Area Welcome Neighbors Club will meet Thursday, Sept. 20, at Bay Oaks Country Club for its monthly luncheon and a style show featuring fashions from Four Season Boutique and Show Parlour. For reservations, contact Nancy Guthrie at membership. bawnc@gmail.com or call 281.333.3055.

BAGS meets Sept. 29. Bay Area Genealogical Society will meet Friday, Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. to hear a program on “Digitizing Your Family Records” in the University Baptist Church chapel, 16106 Middlebrook Drive.

For more information, visit www.TxBayAreaGen.org The public is invited and admission is free for first time guests.

Season opens Sept. 21. UHClear Lake’s Bayou Theatre opens its season Friday, Sept.

21 with Mercury’s violins performing pieces by both Vivaldi and Paganini at 7:30 p.m.

Dickinson

Chamber luncheon Sept.

26. The Clear Lake Area Chamber will feature a legislative update by State Sen. Larry Taylor and State Reps. Dennis Paul and Dr. Greg Bonnen at its Wednesday luncheon, from 11 to 1, at Lakewood Yacht Club. For reservations, call the chamber, 281-488-7676.

50

At Harbour Playhouse.

The comedy, Doublewide, Texas, will keep the crowds laughing at the Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, 3803 Highway 3, Sept. 7 – 23 with curtains at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and matinees at 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for seniors and students.

For reservations, call 281337-7469 or email www. harbourplayhouse.com

Galveston PAWS Gala Sept. 22.

The Galveston Island

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2018

Humane Society will host its 18th annual PAWS Gala Saturday, Sept. 22, at 6.30 at the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis. Special honoree this year is Francisco “Paco” Vargas. For information, contact GIHS Executive Director Caroline Pate at cpate@galvestonhumane.org

continues through Sept.

23 with curtains at 8 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

To buy tickets, which are $15 for adults and $13 for seniors, call 281-335-5228.

Season tickets also are now available.2018-0911T09:30:00-05:00 2018-09-11T12:00:00-05:00

through Sept. 16 with curtains at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults (in advance) but $18 at the door and $12 for students and seniors. For reservations, call 713-9411758 or reserve on line at www.pasadenalittletheatre. org

Season opens Sept. 29.

Famous country singer Wynonna Judd and her band, The Big Noise, will open the season at Galveston’s 1894 Grand Opera House at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29.

For ticket information, call 409.744.7848.

Garden Club kickoff Sept.

11. The Nassau Bay Garden Club will open its season Tuesday, Sept. 11 with Mayor Mark Denman and City Manager Jason Reynolds giving the annual State of the City Address, starting at 9:30 a.m. in City Council chambers at the Nassau Bay City Hall.

Pearland

Kemah Craft Beer Festival Sept. 15.

Sample hand-crafted beers and enjoy some Texas flair at the Craft Beer Festival Saturday, Sept. 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. on the Kemah Boardwalk. Buy tickets at kemahbeerfest.com

La Porte Anchor Point Gala Sept. 20.

The third annual Celebrating Hope Gala, benefitting Anchor Point will be held Thursday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m. at Sylvan Beach Pavilion at 1 Sylvan Beach Drive.

League City Patriot Luncheon Sept. 14.

The League City Regional Chamber will honor Galveston County law enforcement officers at a luncheon at South Shore Harbour Resort from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch is $25 for members and $35 for non members. To register, contact jane@leaguecitychamber.com Garden Walk Sept. 22. The League City Garden Club will host its 8th Annual Garden Walk, “Moving on with Friends and Family,” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine Saturday, Sept. 22. Tickets are $15.

For information, visit the club’s website, www. leaguecitygardenclub.org

Symphony League Sept.

12. Jazz trumpeter Sparky Koerner will perform when the Houston Symphony League Bay Area opens its season Wednesday, Sept.

12, at 10:30 a.m. at its new meeting location, St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church,18300 Upper Bay Road Pops concert Sept. 14. The Clear Lake Symphony will open is 43nd season with its Fall Pops Concert at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 14, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 18220 Upper Bay Road. Tickets for the concert and season tickets are available at Eye Trends 515 Bay Area Blvd #300. Or call 281-488-0066.

Film Festival Sept. 21-23.

The 20th Annual Gulf Coast Film & Video Festival will be held the weekend of Sept.

21-23 with film screenings and the Saturday night Gala and Awards Banquet at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook.

Pasadena

Nassau Bay

Industry Forum Sept. 19.

The two-day Gulf Coast Industry Forum, hosted by the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, opens at noon, Wednesday, Sept.

19 at Pasadena Convention Center.

Musical opens Sept. 7. The Clear Creek Community Theatre, 18091 Upper Bay Road, will open its season on Friday, Sept. 7 with the mod musical Shout, which

At the Little Theatre. The drama, Best of Enemies, is now playing on the Main Stage at the Pasadena Little Theatre and continues weekends

Chamber luncheon Sept. 20.

The Pearland Chamber will hold its monthly membership luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at Hilton Garden Inn, 12101 Shadow Creek Parkway, with Alvin ISD Superintendent Dr. Buck Gilcrease as guest speaker. For reservations, which are $30 for members, call 281- 485-3634.

Seabrook Museum Shower Sept. 25.

Bay Area Museum Guild will host its annual Museum Shower at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 25 at the museum in Clear Lake Park.

Chamber luncheon Sept.

26. The Clear Lake Area Chamber will feature a legislative update by State Sen. Larry Taylor and State Reps. Dennis Paul and Dr. Greg Bonnen at its Wednesday, Sept. 26 luncheon, from 11 to 1, at Lakewood Yacht Club.

For reservations, call the chamber, 281-488-7676.

Texas City COM season opens Sept.

6. College of the Mainland’s Community Theatre at 1200 Amburn Road will open its season with the classic, Driving Miss Daisy, which plays Sept. 6-23 with curtains at 8 p.m. ThursdaysSaturdays and at 2:30 p.m.

Sundays. Tickets, which range in price from $11 to $23 – with discounts for seniors and students -- may be reserved by calling 1-888-2588859, ext. 8345.

Transportation Summit Sept. 14. The Galveston County Transportation Summit will be held Friday, Sept. 14 at the Charles Doyle Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.