Bay Area Houston Magazine April 2016 by Bay Group Media

LEADING AND INFORMING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1999

April 2016 BayAreaHoustonMag.com

APRIL 2016

features

ON THE COVER Johnson Development hosts Houston’s largest home tour during the entire month of April.

Publisher & Editor in Chief Mary Alys Cherry Executive Vice President Patty Kane Vice President & Creative Director Brandon Rowan Graphic Designer Kelly Groce

Editorial Don Armstrong Mary Alys Cherry Rod Evans Michael Gos Capt. Joe Kent Betha Merit Cathy Osoria Pat Patton

Distribution Shinkle Distribution

Intern Haleigh Tieken 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. Please address all correspondence to: Bay Area Houston Magazine P.O. Box 1032 Seabrook, TX 77586 www.BayAreaHoustonMag.com R.Clapp@Baygroupmedia.com

281.474.5875

Coastal Hurricane Protection Needed

Why am I so tired? Sleep apnea solutions

Club offers high level soccer for area fans

LYC celebrates success of Bay Cup I Regatta

Returning to Lakewood Yacht Club on April 23-24

Johnson Development showcases homes in 14 communities

This mayor knows the way to Clear Lake

Cheri D. Haarmeyer

Kelly to retire from NASA in April

Dental Health Houston Hurricanes FC Coach Brendan Keyes Lakewood Yacht Club News & Events 21st Annual Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance Houston’s Largest Home Tour Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Young Professional Profile A Salute To Astronaut Scott Kelly

I-45 S to be under construction the next couple of years

More Gulf Freeway Projects Planned

Sylvester Turner speaks at town hall

Short reports from around Bay Area Houston

Former ambassador has surprise answer

Leap into spring with new blossoming trends

The award winners and photography from the event

Houston Mayors Asks Clear Lake For Patience News Nuggets Why ISIS Hates Christians So Much Spring Fashion Best of the Bay Awards Ceremony

columns

Photography Mary Alys Cherry Brian Stewart

Administration Lillian Harmon Tammy Lipsey

Mayor Glenn Royal and BAHEP President Bob Mitchell

40 Education Senior guys, gals get a helping hand

President & Chairman Rick Clapp

Sales & Marketing Debbie Salisbury

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

Capt. Brian Penover

Movers & Shakers

With spring comes the fun times

Who am I?

What’s old is new again

April, a good month to freshwater fish

Spring sedans

Calendar of Bay Area Houston events

Clear Lake Chatter Texas Meditations Home Sweet Home The Admiral’s Log In Wheel Time Main Events

Hurricane protection far less costly than recovery By Bob Mitchell

n 2008, Hurricane Ike slammed the Houston-Galveston region, making landfall on the Texas coast with maximum sustained winds of 112 miles per hour and a storm surge of 12-15 feet. Even though the Houston-Galveston region avoided the predicted direct hit, Hurricane Ike killed 80 people and caused economic damages totaling over $39 billion. Imagine the consequences if Ike had made a direct hit. The clock continues to tick. Major hurricanes hit the upper Texas coast approximately every 14 years. History and science concur that such a “direct hit” threat to the region is not a matter of if, but when, it will occur. This is not just a HoustonGalveston problem. The nation’s security and economy are extremely vulnerable during a storm surge event. At risk are the livelihoods and well-being of millions of residents, their properties, jobs and businesses. Devastating impacts include: n Disrupting transportation, including the interstate system, railroads and waterborne commerce n Closing ports, including the Port

Mayor asks Seabrook residents to make their voices heard

nly a few are alarmed

and many think a levee dividing Seabrook will never be seriously considered, yet it has been included in a state government funded study as an alternative design to the coastal spine concept recommended by Dr. Bill Merrell with Texas A&M at Galveston. It is presented as the low cost storm surge protection option that would build a sea levee alongside SH 146 from Texas City, through Seabrook, and on toward La Porte. This would divide many of our coastal communities in half. This design alternative was presented in the Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District’s (GCCPRD) Storm Surge Suppression Study Phase 2 Report. The report and additional information is located at www.gccprd.com The GCCPRD is a local government corporation that is governed by a board of directors comprised of the county judges of Brazoria, Chambers,

of Houston, the nation’s busiest port in foreign tonnage n Shutting down the nation’s largest petrochemical complex, which supplies 27 percent of America’s gasoline and 60 percent of the fuel used by the U.S. Department of Defense, causing fuel shortages and price increases on goods that use petrochemicals, including pharmaceuticals, plastic resins, detergents, cosmetics, and other synthetics. Multiple lines of defense are being considered to provide comprehensive storm surge protection for the region. Texas A&M University at Galveston remains focused on further developing the proven method to stop the surge at the coast using a continuous coastal barrier or spine, also known as the Ike Dike Concept, based on proven technologies that have been used in The Netherlands and other parts of the world for decades. Meanwhile, the SSPEED Center at Rice University is concentrating its efforts on suppressing surge using barriers internal to the Galveston Bay system and non-structural alternatives. Through coordinated and collaborative research efforts, both

TAMUG and the SSPEED Center are committed to the development of a single surge protection plan that has multiple lines of defense to achieve the best overall solution for the region from an economic, environmental and social perspective. For the past four years, regional momentum has been building to implement storm surge protection, recognizing that the region is every bit as exposed today to the devastating effects of storm surge as it was in 2008. More than 30 cities and municipalities, economic and industry organizations, such as the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, the East Harris County Manufacturers Association and the Harris County Mayors’ and Councils’ Association, have formally stated their support for storm surge protection. It’s imperative that a collaborative plan for regional protection be developed and submitted for congressional approval and funding. First, however, a comprehensive initiative is underway to conduct several necessary studies, including an economic impact analysis; barrier design modeling; landscape integration; a calculation of cost/

Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, and Orange counties plus three additional appointed members. The purpose of this storm suppression study is to analyze the feasibility of protecting our communities from storm surge and flood damages. Proposed Central Region Alternative Design #1 (CR#1) is the coastal spine that would extend from High Island to San Luis Pass. This design offers the greatest protection for the entire region, including those communities along SH 146 and is the preferred alternative design in the report. The second alternative (CR#2) would be the lowest cost option offering protection to the City of Galveston and portions of the west side of Galveston Bay but none to the upper portions of the bay and ship channel. CR#2 was selected as an alternative if the Bolivar Roads gate in the CR#1 coastal spine design is not able to be constructed for technical reasons. Based on cost-benefits analysis, both alternatives offer value. The study shows a benefit-to-cost ratio of 3.22 for CR#1, the coastal spine, versus 6.36 for CR#2, the SH 146 levee. However, what the 6.36 cost ratio figure doesn’t have in its’ calculation, are the financial impacts upon the

communities; the potential for higher insurance (if even available) costs and declining property and home values for those on the “wrong” side of the levee. Not only would CR#2 effect home and business owners, it would include city halls, schools, police and fire stations, city drinking water facilities, and waste treatment plants. These higher operating costs will be passed on to all residents in the form of higher taxes and fees no matter what side of the levee you live on. Alternative design CR#2 does not protect the Bayport maritime, petrochemical, and storage tank industrial complex. During Hurricane Ike, cargo containers onshore became battering rams as they floated with the surge. Without any protection for Bayport and the large number of containers on the docks, any possibility of adrift containers should cause great concern for the potential environmental damage to one or more ruptured petrochemical tanks. There is even the possibility that a floating container could damage the levee breaking its integrity and cause its failure. I take this GCCPRD report and its options very seriously and believe that you should, too. The coastal

benefit ratios; and environmental mitigation. Texas has always prided itself on being a “can do” state, never being the kind to look for a handout. Although this is usually looked on as an admirable quality, in the case of storm surge protection, I think that it has been a detriment to our progress. Perhaps a greater deterrent has been the lack of political leadership up until now. It is crucial that the Legislature supports a coastal barrier system, and it’s going to take strong political leadership to spearhead such a bill through the next legislative session in 2017. The people, homes and industries of the upper Texas coast, as well as the state’s and nation’s economy, must be protected. We cannot expect Congress to appropriate the necessary funds unless we stand united in this cause. We can wait until our hopes and dreams, and possibly our lives, are swept out to sea when the next big hurricane hits, or we can do something now. Unfortunately, we too often are committed to recovery rather than protection. Meanwhile, the clock continues to tick. Bob Mitchell is president of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership spine approach of CR#1 should be supported for its benefits to all of us over the community destroying levee design of CR#2. There will be a high societal cost if CR#2 is selected only for its perceived better benefit-to-cost ratio that does not include community impact costs. CR#2 is an option that would sacrifice Seabrook and our coastal neighbors. If alternative design CR#2 is selected, in effect what we will have is the bay extending to the SH 146 levee inundating all properties east of SH 146. What I ask of you is to join me in making your voice heard on this very important matter. I believe it is the most important issue that Seabrook has ever faced. GCCPRD is now gathering public input for the Phase 2 study. A public meeting was held March 22 at the League City Civic Center. If you were unable to attend, you can email your comments to info@gccprd.com or via mail to Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District, c/o Col. Christopher Sallese, 3100 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX 77098. Sincerely, Mayor Glenn Royal City of Seabrook

APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

“90 percent of people who have sleep apnea go undiagnosed.” snoring, has forced many loving couples to sleep in separate bedrooms. So, why don’t most people get properly diagnosed?

A Bit of History

Why am I always so tired?

o you often go through the day feeling sleepy or sluggish, even after a full night’s rest? Like many people, you probably have blamed it on your addiction to morning coffee or find yourself picking up a Red Bull or other caffeine packed energy drink when fueling up on the way to work. You probably tried to go to bed earlier and experimented with various over the counter mild sleep aid medications. You might have even changed your mattress to a more “body contour friendly” foam that promised you a great night sleep. Yet, you still can’t seem to find your Mojo in the morning. What seems to be missing?

The Problem While it’s not possible to establish a diagnosis without a doctor’s visit, there are a few things that come to mind. Many things can cause you to be sleepy and have a lack of energy. Did you know that the most common reason for being sleepy is due to partial blockages of airway while you sleep? This condition is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Constricted airways deprive your body of receiving an adequate amount of oxygen. While being overweight and snoring loudly can suggest this diagnosis, sleep apnea can be found even in people without these risk factors. Sadly, the most common side effect of sleep apnea, the nightly

Traditionally a definite diagnosis requires a couple of nights either at a hospital or sleep disorder lab (with a bunch of things attached to your skull and forehead) that is reviewed by a sleep medicine doctor. That is a tall order for a bit of snoring and morning tiredness. The inconvenience and financial commitment required unfortunately has led many potential sleep deprived patients to either delay or avoid the proper diagnosis all together and resort to self-medication of mega doses of caffeine and sugar. Statistical analysis suggests that 90 percent of people who have sleep apnea go undiagnosed. Many others who are diagnosed and have received a CPAP, don’t use them because they are so bulky and constricting. Many others complain about nasal irritation due to constant “positive pressure” air being pumped into their nostrils (versus natural passive inhalation). It’s also safe to assume those who use CPAP, do it reluctantly. Long story short, if you own a CPAP and don’t use it or are not using it often, you are not alone.

A New Solution Lack of a practical solution and costly diagnosis has led to

continuing search for a better solution. In recent years a surprisingly simple and effective solution was offered by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine in the form of an oral appliance therapy similar to a night guard. The idea was first presented in the 90s and authenticated over the next decade. It involves a simple sleep test -- conducted in your own bed for a couple of nights -- which is then sent to a board certified sleep medicine physician for final diagnosis. In the meantime, your sleep medicine trained dentist will evaluate the soundness of your dentition for wearing the appliance at night. When both sleep medicine physician and dentist approve you as a candidate who can benefit from this amazing therapy, your sleep medicine trained dentist will prescribe you an oral device to wear at night that will double as an anti-snoring and anti-grinding device. The news gets even better. Since the effectiveness of these oral appliances have been established, your medical insurance, as well as Medicare, will cover nearly all cost of this treatment. You don’t have to suffer from morning tiredness and interrupted sleep anymore. I have partnered with the largest sleep apnea network of professionals and physicians in the country to bring this brilliantly simple and effective solution to Southeast Houston residents. To find out if you are a candidate, please call our office at 281-332-4700 or go to our website at www.drnoie. com to schedule a complimentary consultation with me. This new anti-snoring/anti-grinding device can change the quality of your life and your daily productivity in a simple and affordable way!

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.

APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Movers &Shakers Name: Capt. Brian Penoyer

Occupation: Captain of the Port and Commander, Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston Hometown: Hanover, Ill. Current home: Clear Lake Family: I’m very fortunate to have a close family – my brother in Ohio and his family, my sister in Chicago and her family, my wife and two daughters, and my wife’s brothers and sister who might as well be my siblings. It’s quite a crowd! My favorite writer is: So many favorites! Well – at the moment I’m fascinated by Nina George, whose language is so very rich. Another

Trevor Ruffaner latest recipient of scholarship from Ron Carter Clear Lake

t’s time once again for Ron Carter Clear Lake Cadillac Hyundai to step up and acknowledge the future leaders from the Greater Clear Lake Area High School community. Ron Carter Clear Lake is proud to honor and support area seniors by awarding five college scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. The latest recipient is Trevor Ruffaner, who will be attending Lamar University in Beaumont beginning in the fall of 2016. Trevor plans to major in Nursing. He has been an exemplary student at Clear Horizons High School. As a student, Trevor excelled. Trevor is a National Honor Society Executive Officer and his willingness to help others has driven him to become an avid volunteer. He has performed countless hours in volunteer work throughout the community in areas ranging from assisting the elderly, cleaning the environment, providing low income housing, medicine, and feeding the hungry. “I plan to earn a Masters in Nursing with a minor in Business Management to dedicate my life to helping people regain their health while at the same time negotiating ways to make healthcare more afforable,” said Trevor. The scholarship is open to high school seniors in Clear Lake and surrounding areas of Clear Creek ISD, Alvin ISD, Deer Park ISD, Pasadena ISD, Dickinson ISD, LaPorte ISD, Pearland ISD and Friendswood ISD. Students from parochial and home schools within the boundaries of these districts are also eligible. Recipients are chosen on academic achievement, character, leadership and community service. Scholarship applications and detailed instructions can be found by clicking on the “Community Involvement” tab and following the links at www. roncarterclearlake.com.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

perennial favorite is the British historian Anthony Beevor. For pure fun, it’s hard to beat anything by Alan Furst.

If I could travel any place, I’d go to: Iran, though Morocco, Japan and New Zealand are pretty high on my list too!

Someone I’d like to meet: Famous cellist Yo Yo Ma.

My favorite meal is: Japanese – any really good dish. Love it!

My favorite performers are: I love the performing arts, as with authors so many favorites to choose from! Still – I got a particular love of the orchestra from my mother – so that’s probably my favorite overall. I’m pretty eclectic, though – and my tastes run strongly to blues, jazz, and hard rock!

As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be: An astronaut. Yep – total NASA groupie.

I like to spend my leisure time: Outside. Any hike, but preferably one with a good rock to climb – we have a shortage of those here in Houston!

You’ll never catch me: Naming the one thing you’d never catch me doing The thing that bugs me the most is: Poor leadership. People deserve better. My favorite movie is: Blade Runner Few people know: Heck, I’m an open book! What you see is what you get.

Houston Hurricanes FC offers high level soccer for area fans By Rod Evans

hen Brendan Keyes left his native Ireland to come to the U.S. 30 years ago to pursue his dream of playing professional soccer, he was concerned about only one thing: winning the next match. But as general manager/coach of the Houston Hurricanes FC for the past six years, the fire still burns to win, but he’s also focused on the big picture. “For me, the most rewarding thing is to see a guy that we’ve developed who’s gone on to play major league soccer somewhere in Europe, which we’ve done on numerous occasions,” Keyes, 51, said. The Hurricanes compete in the Texas Premier Soccer League (TPSL)—the highest level of the sport in Texas below Major League Soccer (MLS), the professional league that’s home to the Houston Dynamo—and have been under the direction of Keyes since he brought the once proud Hurricanes moniker back to life. After joining the TPSL three seasons ago, the team played its home matches at Lutheran South Academy in Houston, but Keyes says the club has played the current regular season, which wraps up in April, at the Sportsplex in League City due to construction at Lutheran South and is preparing to make the League City site the club’s permanent home. “The capacity is 500 there, but they’re bringing in bleachers to expand it to 1,500 and building a fence around the field, so it will be our new home ground,” Keyes, a native of Dublin, said.

The roster consists of about 30 players, who Keyes says range from former pro players who are coming to grips with the reality that they may not be able to make it back to the professional ranks due to injury or advancing years, but still want to play on a high level, to players looking to improve their skills in order to earn college soccer scholarships, to teen players from Mexico and other Latin American countries who are focused on turning professional. Players in the nine-team TPSL are not paid salaries. “I started the team because I wanted to give young guys an opportunity to progress to the next level. I’m an agent also, so I represent my players who are good enough to move on and we’ve had players who have gone on to play around the world,” Keyes said. The Hurricanes name actually dates back to the late 1970s, when the Houston Hurricanes competed in the North American Soccer League (NASL) and played its matches at the Astrodome. Keyes was a member of the Houston Hurricanes that competed in the USL Pro league in the 1990s prior to starting up the current incarnation of the club. The team typically plays an 18-match regular season, plus playoffs and also competes in the Texas Cup tournament held annually in April. The 2015-16 TPSL season consists of nine teams, with clubs based in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Eagle Pass, Diboll, Temple and Brownsville. For more information on the Houston Hurricanes FC, call 832-748-1001.

APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Clear Lake Shores Councilwoman Amanda Fenwick, right, arrives at the Go Red for Women Luncheon with her mother, Karen Booren, a survivor.

Kimberly Harding, Lauri Gordon, Susan White and Nancy Suarez, from left, were among several who spent many hours making the Go Red for Women event a big success.

Mingling with the crowd at the Go Red for Women Luncheon at South Shore Harbour Resort, you might have bumped into, from left, Pam Ploss, Gene Hollier, State Rep. Dennis Paul and Elbby Anthony.

With spring comes the fun times AS SPRING began blossoming out all over the area, many celebrated its early arrival at parties and luncheons. First came the 22nd annual Seabrook Men Who Cook, put on at Lakewood Yacht Club by Seabrook Rotary to benefit its foundation and the Seabrook Police Charities with hundreds joining the fun. Next was the annual Go Red for Women Luncheon at South Shore Harbour Resort, where several hundred gathered – all dressed in red – to raise $160,000 for the American Heart Association and pick Dr. Safi Madain of Clear Lake Regional Medical Center as their 2016 Heart Throb. Tama Brantley and Darcy Whatley served as co-chairmen of the event.

Go Red for Women Chairmen Darcy Whatley, left, and Tama Brantley stand ready to greet the arriving crowd at South Shore Harbour Resort.

MARY ALYS CHERRY Still another big event was the Houston Symphony League Bay Area’s Day By the Bay Home Tour and its Pre-Tour Party in Brook Forest chaired by Martha and Ernie McWilliams, as the League continued its 40th anniversary celebration. And, that’s just a few of the events that kept us on the run!

Retiring Nassau Bay Police Chief Joe Cashiola was honored at a farewell party at City Hall with hundreds of citizens dropping by. Former Mayor Don Matter, left, was among the many stopping by to wish the long-time chief and his wife well.

Helen Joseph, from left, and her three daughters, Ashley Williams, Kelley Joseph and Kristie Mouton look for their table at the Go Red for Women Luncheon.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

Early arrivals for the Go Red for Women Luncheon included Dr. Dipsu Patel, Dr. Safi Madain, Bay Area Regional Medical Center Vice President Santiago Mendoza Jr. and BB&T Senior Vice President Brent Cockerham. The two doctors and the banker were all candidates for Heart Throb of the Year with Dr. Madain emerging the winner.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Ron Karl and his wife, Pat Biddle, left, and Yvonne and Russ Herring are all smiles as they look over the Day By the Bay Home Tour booklet at the Pre-Tour Party in Clear Lake’s Brook Forest.

It’s partytime for Houston Symphony League Bay Area members Jane Lackow, Pat Brackett, Gillian Ford and Nina McGlashan, from left, who have been hard at work on the League’s 2016 Day By the Bay Home Tour and were ready to enjoy the annual Pre-Tour Party.

Mary Ann Zapp, left, learns a little symphony league history from charter member and former President Joan Wade during Tour of Home Pre-Tour Party in Brook Forest.

Space Center Rotary President-elect Darryl Smith, right, and Secretary Ralph Kramer, left, welcome Rotary District Gov. Nominee Bill Palko and District Governorelect Eric Liu, second and third from left, to the club’s annual Springoree at Lakewood Yacht Club.

Houston Symphony League Bay Area President Jim Moore, left, visits with attorney Kristin Marker and Austin architect Ben Heimsath at the Pre-Tour Party in Clear Lake’s Brook Forest.

Pre-Tour Party Chairman Martha McWilliams and her husband, Ernie, wear big smiles as the crowd begins arriving for the Houston Symphony League Bay Area’s annual Pre-Tour Party celebrating the annual Day By the Bay Home Tour that weekend.

Former Nassau Bay City Manager Chris Reed, City Councilman Bob Warters, Constable Phil Sandlin and State Rep. Dennis Paul, from left, were among the hundreds who stopped by to say thank you to retiring Police Chief Joe Cashiola for his many years of work at farewell party the city hosted for him.

Trey Hafely, stirs his Lobster Bisque, as Rick Clapp, center, and Bobby Horton look on during the Seabrook Men Who Cook at Lakewood Yacht Club. This is Hafely’s 13th year as a chef and Clapp’s 20th year.

Tom Diegelman, left, and Chris Kurzadowski share a light moment at the Seabrook Men Who Cook benefitting the Seabrook Rotary Foundation and the Seabrook Police Officers Charities.

Marilyn and John Nugent make their way through the crowd at the Space Center Rotary Springoree.

Past Space Center Rotary President Scott Rainey and his wife, Martha, say hello to new Rotarian Kelly Waterman, left, at Springoree at Lakewood Yacht Club.

Dana Puddy, Home Tour Co-Chairman Vickie Buxton, Anita Gale and Cheryl Evans, from left, were among the many spotted at the Houston Symphony League Bay Area Pre-Tour Party the weekend of the Day By the Bay Home Tour.

Mike DeHart, left, and Hans Mair offer pickled shrimp and crabcakes to the crowd at the Seabrook Men Who Cook. It was Mair’s 20th year as a chef at the event and the 17th for DeHart.

Bruce Dresner, left, and Barry Baker, two chefs at Seabrook’s Men Who Cook, invite the crowd over for a taste or their deviled eggs and Cajun bread.

APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

TEXAS MEDITATIONS

the real thing so they can get used to the feel of the ball early. When I was a kid, this was the universal toy in every boy’s crib. (Today, it is in most girls’ cribs as well, though the girls’ ball has a slightly smaller diameter to make ball handling easier for smaller hands and to improve shooting percentage.) Playing in the deep snow was certainly something we did on a regular basis. We didn’t have a choice. In Indiana, there are only two winter sports: basketball and flying to Florida. As I looked at the picture, I remembered the event. I even recognized the face. But it was someone else. It wasn’t me. The metal sculpture in the Mize Azalea Gardens

By Michael W. Gos

Nacogdoches, Texas

e laid the photo on the table.

“Remember this one?” I did. It was a picture of a young man standing in thigh-deep snow spinning a

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

basketball on his finger. The man in the picture was a boy really—just barely beyond a child. “We were playing Horse because the snow was just too deep for a one-on-one game. Do you remember?” In Indiana, basketball is a religion—one shared by nearly everyone in the state. Babies have basketballs in their cribs from birth; not toy ones,

We were at Stephan F. Austin University for a small conference and I hadn’t seen him since college, 40 years earlier. He had seen my name on the program and contacted me by email to schedule a meeting at the hotel bar. In general, I try not to dwell too much on the past; life today is so much better that I can’t see spending time on days gone by at the expense of enjoying the present. But sometimes it is fun to take an hour or so to reminisce. That’s what we decided to do this day. The first thing I noticed about him was that a shiny scalp had replaced all the curly brown hair I remembered. I guess it really had been a long time. Nevertheless, we picked up right where we left off

decades before. We talked about the old days— about weekends spent camping at state parks and weekdays in classes and at Harry’s, our favorite campus bar. We talked about old classmates, most of whom we’d lost track of long ago, and about our professors, many of whom had passed on. And we talked about how different the SFA campus was from the world we experienced at Purdue. We came to the conclusion that we were indeed privileged. When the conference was over, I spent some time in the Mize Azalea Garden on campus just walking around enjoying the spring day. But I couldn’t get my mind off that photo . . . and the boy in it. It was me, of course, but it really wasn’t.

I’m not sure if the events in Nacogdoches predisposed my mind to seeing things differently or if it was just a series of coincidences, but over the next few days, almost everywhere I turned were old pictures of me. In my wife’s office there were two pictures: one of a six-year old sitting on Santa’s lap and another of a frightened 14 year-old boy who was absolutely sure that, given the neighborhood he lived in and the school he went to, he would never live to see his high school graduation. In my office was a photo of a man posing with an older woman, his famous major professor, as he finished the Ph.D. and felt invincible. At home, in our master

“ It is hard to accept that so many dramatically different people have occupied that same body.” bathroom was one of a man in a cowboy hat sitting with a Corona in hand at the bar at the Gage Hotel in Marathon. He was completely relaxed, finally in his own element. The pictures were everywhere. And I thought about all of the people in them. I’ve seen baby photos of me, but I don’t remember that guy. I’ve seen photos of a lifeguard with very brown skin and hair almost white from the sun and photos of a young man in a suit about to graduate high school and then college. Frankly, I was taken aback by just how many different people I saw in those pictures. Changes of any type tend to happen gradually and the more gradual the change, the less likely we are to notice it. No one has a full head of hair one day and is bald the next (not a problem here, by the way). However, over 10 or 20 years, the changes are dramatic enough that we really do notice. But those changes happen slowly only if we buy into that artificial, man-made construct of time as a series of events (this happens, then this happens,

etc.). What if instead we look at it the way many physicists do, that all times exist simultaneously? Consider for a minute a DVD. On that one disk lays all the information necessary for, say, a two-hour movie. If we put it into a player, we can actually see the events of the film, one after the other. And it will take two hours to view the entire sequence. Yet, when we hold that disk in our hands, is there any doubt that the entire two hours of the movie is present in its entirety at that instant? Likewise, when I looked at those photos, the entire 60 plus years of that story were all present right then. The changes I could easily see in those photos, the physical changes, were nothing compared to those that were harder to see. Behind those faces were several very different people. When I look at those photos today, I quickly come to see that this was not the story of a single person. At times, it is hard to accept that so many dramatically different people have occupied that same body. Some of them were so different as to be completely incompatible with each other. Yet here, in the pictures, lies proof that they all indeed were there at one point in time. Of course, the changes over time probably don’t stop. Ever. This suggests that another photo taken, say 10 years down the road, will be of yet another person—someone I haven’t met yet. There is nothing like an old picture to remind you of how many people have hidden out behind that face. I can’t wait to see who the next one will be.

APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bring cash Cash talks. In a fair type setting, some vendors only take cash or check. Cash also helps to set a budget and stay on track. Cash in hand is a lot more tempting to most vendors who don’t want to pay the credit card fees.

Don’t impulse buy good deals. You could be stuck with something you don’t need.

Home Sweet Home

Amy Turner and Macy Osoria at the Round Top Antiques Fair.

Don’t buy something just because it’s a good deal. Know what is needed for that planned spot in the home. This planning will ensure that a lot of stuff will not be purchased that will be hard to place.

What’s old is new again

Ask questions Learn about the history of items. It makes an item more interesting if its origin and original purpose are known. I have purchased a hutch that was pulled from a farmhouse in Virginia. It is missing some crown molding that stayed with the house still attached to the wall. I like that it’s missing; it gives the piece character and a story.

pecial, one-of-a-kind finds

to create beautiful rooms in the home can be found at antique festivals and antique malls. One doesn’t have to be a seasoned picker to get the best finds. Starting the shopping with some antiquing tips can help to have more success rummaging through all that “good old stuff.”

The sheer amount of available items can be overwhelming. Be sure to make a list before you start your search.

Balcony railing reborn as a console table.

Think outside the box Look at items in a different light. Typically, items at an antique fair are

How will the purchase be used?

the other clutter. Focusing on what is wanted makes antique shopping not so overwhelming.

not going to be used in exactly the same manner for which they were originally created. For example, dressers may be turned into bathroom sinks; wall hanging mail boxes hung in a child’s playroom now become organizers for pencils, crayons, and colored paper.

Know the brands

Have a list in mind

Most dealers are willing to negotiate a little. It doesn’t hurt to offer less than the item is marked. Especially at the end of the show, they generally don’t want to load an item and haul it back home if it can be sold.

Know what to look for. If one is looking for metal letters and the eyes are focusing in each booth on that item, it helps to visually weed out

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

There are several things to look for when antique shopping, but if homework is done, a profit can be earned down the road. Certain brands and labels can be worth a “pretty penny” to the right collector.

Do not pay full price

Touch and inspect the potential purchases Look for missing knobs, cracks, broken parts that would affect the function of the piece. Of course, missing parts that can be switched or changed should bring the price down. Look for collections- It’s always fun to have a collection in mind when antique shopping. Some people collect post cards, juice glasses, broaches or cameras. The list is endless but it’s always exciting to add to a collection that is personally admired.

Enjoy! Once the “new” treasures are home, put them to good use. Display the wonderful finds and enjoy.

APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

April, a good month to freshwater fish By Capt. Joe Kent

ate March through midMay is an excellent time to set your sights on freshwater fish in coastal areas. Historically, it is the windiest time of the year along the upper Texas Coast and often saltwater fishing trips are cancelled because of the strong winds and their impacts on the surf and bays. Areas along the coastal and adjoining counties that offer freshwater fishing usually are protected somewhat from the southerly winds and are not as adversely affected. If you have not tried freshwater fishing lately, this is the best time to give it a try and hopefully this article with help get you going. So, what species of fish are most common in the local creeks, bayous and other freshwater bodies of water? In most, you can count on three to five out of this group: bass, bream or sunfish, catfish, carp and crappie.

Cici Peterson with a nice spring time bass caught in Brazoria County.

Bass and crappie are not going to be as widespread as the others; however, they do exist in many of our freshwater fishing spots. Bream, catfish and carp are going to be almost anywhere you can find a suitable spot to fish. Now, where does most of the action

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

take place? Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start with the creeks and bayous. Just about all offer brackish to fresh water several miles above their mouths. Recently, Clear Creek, which flows into Clear Lake and on through the Kemah Channel to Galveston Bay, has been producing bass in areas above the State Highway 3 Bridge. Lots of other freshwater species, in particular catfish and carp, have been caught as well. Other creeks and bayous offering similar terrain include Dickinson Bayou, Highland Bayou, Halls Bayou and the far reaches of Chocolate Bayou just to name a few in our area. Bar ditches, where sand has been excavated, are numerous and often are good spots, especially if deep enough, to hold water for long periods. Texas City has a lagoon, inside the storm levee that is fed by drainage canals, that was stocked with bass and catfish several years ago. It is a great spot for kids to fish with the best access at Bay Street Park. Irrigation canals can be excellent choices; however, like many other spots that are surrounded by private land, the landownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s permission is required or you could be cited for trespassing. Private stock tanks and small lakes also fall into that category and

are widespread around coastal and adjoining counties. There are a few stocked lakes that offer fishing for a fee and one of the more popular in that group is the Lakes of Danbury, which is actually a group of small lakes. The larger public reservoirs are going to be found north and east of Houston. For baits, natural and live baits usually work best; however, there definitely is a shortage of bait shops offering freshwater baits such as live worms and minnows. Artificial baits work well and the most commonly used are small jigs, plastic worms in all sizes and for bass, top waters and jerk baits in addition to soft plastic worms. Mornings and late afternoons are usually the best times to fish. Keep in mind that saltwater fishing licenses are not valid for freshwater fishing. A freshwater license and stamp are required for most anglers; however, children under 17 years of age are exempt, along with seniors at least 85 years old. One of the most rewarding experiences you can have is to take a child fishing. Freshwater fishing offers a more relaxed and laid back form of fishing and can be a fun outing at minimal expense for the whole family.

Lakewood Yacht Club enhances sister marina down in Galveston In the early ‘80s, Lakewood continued its expansion with a sister marina for member use in Galveston. After purchasing a former bait camp in Offats Bayou, plans were underway for a destination marina that would furnish visitors with comfortable amenities, as well as a bathhouse and shaded picnic area. Today, after extensive renovations and improvements, the Lakewood South facility ornaments the Galveston coast as an exclusive oasis for members to enjoy. Now offering expanded use of the covered, elevated space, the Lakewood South facility provides motor home hook-ups, improved electrical power to boat slips, ice machines and outdoor grilling complete with charcoal. The newly improved fire pit is primed and ready for marshmallow roasting and tall tales. There’s plenty of comfortable outdoor seating throughout the facility and an updated air-conditioned bathhouse for members to use. Plans are underway to provide mosquito control and eradicate nuisance burrs growing on the grounds. Climate-controlled shades beat the relentless Texas heat, while upgraded landscaping lines the convenient walkways installed throughout the dock, bathhouse, and pavilion areas. Lakewood South Committee Chairman Scott Covington understands the need for a home away from home to escape the daily grind. “No matter what, I still like getting ready for spring in my mind while sitting on the boat wishing and dreaming.” There’s no better place to hatch your plans for spring and summertime fun than a relaxing marina with all the comforts of home. As a central location to the Galveston area, Lakewood South remains a popular destination for Lakewood cruisers. Weekend travelers can dock at the marina and explore the surrounding attractions at the Strand and Moody Gardens. When members aren’t enjoying live music and potlucks aboard their boats, the dining options and local hot spots are limitless. These days, the weather’s warming into spring, and members look forward to getting together at Lakewood South for an outdoor shrimp boil in the sea breeze. Mickey Hobbs even provided live entertainment as guests took in the waterfront views and Lakewood hospitality on March 12.

LYC celebrates success of Bay Cup I Regatta

he 2016 Bay Cup I Regatta held March 5 finished as a huge success. Nearly 45 boats launched from Trinity Bay, with seven classes running multiple races through Saturday. Lakewood Yacht Club hosted the event, which featured long-distance, multi-leg racing. Sponsors who helped make the Bay Cup I an amazing event included Don Q Puerto Rico’s Premier Rum, the City of Seabrook, Blackburn Marine, West Marine, Davis Marine Electronics, Edna Rice, Executive Recruiters Inc., Little Yacht Sales, Texas Coast Yachts, and True North Marine. After the race, club members and sailors got to enjoy dinner and an awards ceremony. TCMA awardwinning recording artist Kelly McGuire provided the evening’s live entertainment.

Race results are as follows: Cruising Non-Spin Classic Canvas C: 1st Place: Bobby Fulmer Cruising Non-Spin Classic Canvas B: 2nd Place: John Morse 1st Place: Maarten van Hasselt

LYC Youth Opti Class celebrates a clean sweep in Corpus Christi

akewood Yacht Club’s youth sailors

celebrated multiple victories at the Changes in L’Attitude Regatta held in Corpus Christi. The season opener for the Texas Sailing Association youth circuit, this regatta enjoys a strong competitive turn-out each year. Lakewood alone represented over 35 percent of the 70 racers in each of four classes. Lakewood youth train rigorously to compete in year-round events coordinated by local circuits such as TSA. One of the most active circuits along the Gulf Coast, TSA promotes competitions that provide local youth the opportunity to measure their skills on a regular basis. In the C420 and Laser classes,Team Lakewood placed well in the lead. The Optimist (Opti) team was represented by 21 Lakewood sailors, 16 of whom finished in the top half of the 42-boat fleet. Yumi Yoshiyasu won first place overall at the weekend regatta.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

Cruising Non-Spin Classic Canvas A: 3rd Place: Robert Crosby 2nd Place: Marty Pedowicz 1st Place: David Penrose, Karen Atkinson PHRF Non-Spin 4th Place: Ashley Walker 3rd Place: Ben Miller 2nd Place: James Apple 1st Place: Dennis Kokkinis J/105 2nd Place: John Barnett 1st Place: Uzi Ozeri PHRF Spin – (Non-Sprit) 3rd Place: Kevin Orff 2nd Place: Walter Horton 1st Place: Cran Fraser PHRF Spin – Sprit 3rd Place: J.D. Hill 2nd Place: Gregory Way 1st Place: Al Goethe Proceeds from the Regatta benefit Bay Access, a not for profit charitable organization fostering amateur racing and sailing on Galveston Bay.

Sailing in the Opti intermediate division, 13-yearold Yumi has been sailing since she was eight. As a child, Yumi took up sailing along with her sister who, like many former Seahorse trainees, leveraged her sailing experience for collegiate positioning. “I started sailing with my sister, who was also in the Seahorse program. Now she›s on the sail team at Stanford University.” After her first big win last year at the 2015 Gulf Coast Championship, Yumi has become a formidable competitor and serious contender in the youth sailing world. In a sport where the standard is continuously being raised, youth racers need a competitive edge that prepares them for uncertain environments, both on and off the race course. Lakewood sailors improve their skills through solid competition within team training and experiences gained during multiple regattas they attend. Yumi notes that, “I like sailing because you›re out on the water with different conditions every day. When you get better and better, you get to go to international regattas and meet a lot of new friends from all over the world.” The bragging rights aren›t bad, either. With a clever grin, Yumi adds, “And it›s cool to be able to tell that to all my friends at school.”

APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

By Don Armstrong

pring brings with it a sense of renewal, and that includes cars. Sedans, to be exact. This month, In Wheel Time takes a look at a couple of popular choices among Bay Area neighbors.

Chevrolet Malibu Did you know the Malibu name started as a trim package on the 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle? It didn’t become its own model until 1978 and has long been a mainstay in Chevy’s lineup.

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu is classified as a mid-size sedan, yet the eye tells you otherwise – full-size. This new Malibu is 4-inches longer than the outgoing model, yet weighs 300-pounds less. Now wearing one of the sweetest body designs on the market, this 2016 model could easily compete in the luxury segment. Chevrolet offers four trim levels, L, LS, LT and Premiere. The latter replaces the outgoing LTZ trim. You’ll have three powertrains from which to choose, including an all-new hybrid offering. No V-6’s or V-8’s, only 4-cylinder choices. That hybrid, by the way, gets a whopping 48 MPGcity and 45-highway. This Malibu gets an “A+” for on-road manners. Here to California and back should be a breeze. And connectivity? Let’s just say that Chevy has found its niche. Pricing for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu L begins at $21,625.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

The line for the test drive is getting longer every day.

Volkswagen Passat Volkswagen has gotten a lot of negative press recently because of the diesel debacle, but that’s another story for another day. Today we focus on a German-designed sedan with two very capable – and clean – gasoline engine options. The 2016 Passat gets a mid-cycle refresh, but in our mind’s eye, it’s hard to see exactly what’s been

updated. VW says the front and rear ends, we say, “okay.” The interior center stack gets a remake, of sorts, and there’s some new leather, but other than that, why mess with a good thing? Like the Malibu, the Passat is a mass-appeal sedan, and it has done very well at that. Conservative styling, both in and out, strikes a chord with many loyalists. The Passat is offered in five main trim levels; S, R-Line, SE, SEL and SEL Premium. The R-Line is new this year and is strictly a cosmetic package. Engine options are limited to a 1.8 liter 4-cylinder that gets 25 mpg-city and 38-highway or a V-6. The diesel is currently not available. Pricing starts at $22,440.

21st Annual Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance April 23-24

eels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance

is a weekend-long, nationally acclaimed classic car and vintage wooden boat show that takes place each spring at beautiful Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas. Founded by Lakewood Board Members Bob Fuller and Paul Merryman in 1995, Keels & Wheels has grown to be the largest classic car and vintage wooden boat show in the United States. This year approximately 200 cars and 100 boats will be on display. The car and boat exhibitors come from every part of the country. Special features for the 21st Annual

Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance include marques of Duesenberg, concept cars, and muscle cars for automobiles. The featured marque for antique boats is Chris Craft racing runabouts. Judging for the event takes place on Saturday, April 23, when 60 car judges and 20 boats judges evaluate nearly 40 classes for cars and 20 classes for boats. In addition, Keels & Wheels welcomes celebrity and VIP judges to participate in the judging process. Over the years the event has raised more than $1.5 million for local charities, while drawing thousands of participants and spectators from all

over the U.S. and Europe. Proceeds from the 2016 event will again benefit the Boys and Girls Harbor, whose mission is to provide a home and safe environment for abandoned and abused children and healthy, comprehensive care for children and families in crisis. Sponsorships are always welcome. For more information about becoming a sponsor, please contact Bob Fuller at (713) 521-0105 or visit www. keels-wheels.com. Tickets can be purchased on the website and you can follow Keels & Wheels on Facebook.

APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

[BAY AREA HOUSTON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP]

Taylor Lake Village Mayor Jon Keeney, right, and BAHEP’s Dan Seal arrive at the Hilton for the reception featuring Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Boeing Vice President John Elbon checks his program before welcoming the crowd to the BAHEP reception honoring Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

This mayor knows the way to Clear Lake

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell, left, and Houston City Councilman Dave Martin, right, welcome Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner to the BAHEP reception – his third visit to Clear Lake since becoming mayor in January.

By Mary Alys Cherry

orget the jokes about

the Houston mayors never seeming to know the way down to Clear Lake. Mayor

Sylvester Turner knows the way quite well. In fact, he has only been in office three months and has already been down here three times – most recently to address the Bay Area

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

Space Center Houston President Richard Allen, left, stops to visit with Houston City Councilman Dave Martin as he arrives at the Hilton for BAHEP reception.

Houston Economic Partnership. Earlier, he came for the opening of Independence Square at Space Center Houston in January and Councilman Dave Martin’s town hall in February. He is also humorous and quite charming and would probably be a hit as an entertainer or standup comedian. But then, it pays to have a good sense of humor if you’re mayor of a city with as many problems as Houston has. And, he will quickly tell you he is a great advocate for the Bay Area. “I love this area of Houston and was honored to have been invited … to speak at Space Center Houston Independence Square grand opening…,” he told the standing room crowd at the Clear Lake Hilton after he was introduced by Councilman Martin. “What a stunning example of national pride that we now have right in our backyard,” he said, going on to remember the big celebration when the shuttle replica arrived from Florida, and how the Port and BAHEP, working with the city, “assist tremendously with the economic development of our city. “I have always been a strong advocate for NASA and the Johnson Space Center, including my tenure in the State Legislature, and that commitment will continue as I serve as mayor…Aerospace and aviation are a big business in Houston and NASA continues to assist by

boosting our economy by spending more than $1.16 billion on employee and aerospace contractor salaries in this area.” In addition to having some 13,200 pothole repairs completed, the mayor promised to:  Begin focusing on the more comprehensive street repairs;  See that the city’s infrastructure keeps pace with growth and development;  Work with the county on areas where they can partner, especially in infrastructure;  Balance the city budget, “which will take a shared sacrifice by all…” In his introduction, Martin told how Turner’s father, a painter, died when he was 13, and his mother, a maid in the old Rice Hotel who never finished high school or learned to drive, yet inspired her nine children to get an education and how Turner listened. He was elected president of the student body at Klein High School and graduated as valedictorian. He went on to graduate from the University of Houston and Harvard Law School before joining the law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski and later founding the Houston law firm, Barnes & Turner in 1983. He is a former Speaker Pro Tem of the Texas House of Representatives, where he represented Houston for 27 years.

Interview by Michelle Hundley his month in our Young Professional Profile, we sat down with Cheri D. Haarmeyer, application engineer for Radix Engineering and Software. Radix is a young Brazilian company that began in 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and has since expanded with several offices to include their first U.S. Engineering office in Houston. Cheri joined Radix last July to pursue domestic and international opportunities within their Automation and Engineering groups by working on different projects, but has also expanded her skill-set by assisting with marketing, recruitment, office construction, and business development while the office continues to grow. You began your career as a mechanical engineer, and now in addition to your Project Engineering responsibilities you are also responsible for assisting with marketing, recruitment, office construction, and business. How did that happen? It’s been a very interesting journey (laughs). I graduated from Pennsylvania State University with my degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University Park Campus. After graduation, I started in the Engineering in Training program where I had in-depth training for programming programmable logic

controllers, setting up various industrial networks, and creating human machine interfaces (user interfaces) for facility operators. Before joining Radix in my current position, I worked at Rockwell Automation in Cleveland, Ohio and Houston. Rockwell has over 40,000 employees worldwide, different from my current employer who only has about 450 worldwide. That’s where my new skill set comes into play. You see, there are more opportunities within a small company to get exposure to different industries and job roles. Since the office in the U.S. was relatively small at the beginning (I was employee No. 3), we all had to contribute in whatever way we could to help progress the company’s growth. So, even though I am an engineer, I wanted to help anywhere I could. Although it has been fun and exciting to learn about different aspects of business, I am happy to see that we are growing and hiring more people so I can focus more on my engineering projects. Overall, I’m glad for the exposure though. The next generation of engineers is expected to be good at engineering, and to be able to contribute in different ways in the office, and this experience will help me with that moving forward. What was it about Radix that interested you? It’s quite a difference going from a large corporation of over 40,000 to a small company with less than 500. I really enjoy international work and travel. Radix is a Brazilian company and the culture is similar to ours. Working for Rockwell, I participated on big international projects with countries on the other side of the world. Unfortunately, that also meant I had to have phone calls at really early or really late hours since there were no overlapping business hours. In addition, it’s more practical for big companies to form teams to focus on each vertical market, such as oil and gas, to be more efficient which makes it hard to get exposure to other markets. The great thing about a Brazilian company is that there is only a 2 to 4 hour time difference and most meetings can be had during normal business hours. In addition, most of my travel is in parts of the world that I really enjoy and have always wanted to visit. Last year alone I spent five weeks in Rio de Janeiro working on a team for the Rio Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport. We put together a plan to upgrade their electrical and

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

control systems in time for this year’s Olympic Games. It is nice being able to get exposure to other industries outside of oil and gas, considering the current market, it also helps my company garner exposure in the Food & Beverage, Aerospace, Metal & Mining, Transportation, and Power Generation industries. Is international travel/work something that you value in your career? Absolutely! I really love controls work since I was introduced to them back when I had an opportunity to be an intern with Siemens Industries. This opportunity led to my first job after college with Rockwell Automation. It was an attractive opportunity for me to work there because Rockwell had about 70 percent of the market share for programmable logic controllers in the U.S. In addition, they had a training program for the first six months to go over how to use their product lines and implement them in real world applications. For example, I had to program a pizza machine with another colleague and it really did make pizza that my coworkers ate (smiles). The great thing about working with controls is that it is very transferable no matter where you go in the world. I could go anywhere, and apply the same best practices because it is very similar – controlling digital signals to control facilities and their processes. Quite frankly, a control valve doesn’t really change between countries because different facilities throughout the world most likely buy from similar big vendors like Siemens or GE. Turbines don’t change drastically between countries either. The one thing that is different, not only globally, but internally within our industry, is the quick pace of change in technologies. That has become an interesting challenge from product developers to end-users. How has changing technologies become a challenge? First, if you are in a technology field, you need to make it a priority to always be aware of what is coming. It can be difficult to keep up because it’s always changing so fast, but it’s a necessity to stay relevant in your field. I’ve talked to a lot of people that are currently unemployed due to the industry downturn and unfortunately some of them were pigeon holed into roles that didn’t allow them to grow and keep up with changing technologies. It’s hard seeing highly technical

and skilled people with 5 to 40 years of experience suffer from rapidly changing technologies, clients, and industries. As my boss says, “It’s the rear view mirror concept: you can’t look at where you are going and what you have done, and say that’s how we will always do it.” Wouldn’t this idea of remaining relevant be transferable to any industry, not just technology? I do think it’s a good message for anybody – continuing to grow and learn is transferable across all careers. I think this issue is reflected across generations too. I’ve met some individuals that are seasoned and ready to retire, and they know more about software programing and coding than I do, they have taken the time to gain the experience, know the connections, and they truly understand how the technology is supposed to be applied because they embraced it right away and continued to learn and apply that knowledge throughout their career. Those are the people that are really successful. Those are the people that companies are terrified to lose, because they have all that knowledge that will leave with them when they retire. Change isn’t easy for everyone… True, it can be difficult. But it can also be successful when applied well. Just look at Tesla Motors, they were the first ones to come out with the first successful electric car because they were willing to try things the other car companies weren’t ready for yet. The first attempts in this industry weren’t the best, but they’ve worked on them and they are getting better as a whole. Many of our clients want us to be on the cutting edge of technology, but it can be challenging. Especially in an environment where people are comfortable always doing the same thing in the same way. But, if you stay on the same path all the time, you will be left behind. For more on Radix Engineering and Software: http://radixeng.net/ About the Young Professional Profile The Young Professional Profile is an effort to create a forum for those under 40 who are excelling in their respective fields across Texas. There is a depth and breadth to the Millennial generation as a group of adults that is marked by a commitment to higher principles in the work they do, the ability to professionally marry what were traditionally separate streams of expertise, and a voracious appetite for new skills.

Astronaut Scott Kelly to retire from NASA in April

fter giving up a year of his life for science, NASA astronaut and one-year International Space Station crew member Scott Kelly announced that he will retire from the agency April 1. His announcement came only a few days after the end of his 340-day ISS mission and his March 1 landing in Kazakhstan. He joined the astronaut corps in 1996 and currently holds the American record for most time spent in space. After retiring, Kelly will continue to participate in the ongoing research related to his one-year mission. He will provide periodic medical samples and support other testing in much the same way that his twin brother, former astronaut Mark Kelly, made himself available for NASA’s Twins Study during his brother’s mission. “When the first Americans set foot on Mars, they will be following

in the footsteps of one of the finest astronauts in the history of the space program, my friend, Commander Scott Kelly,” NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. After spending an American record 520 days in space – including his Year in Space – I can think of no one more deserving of some well-deserved rest and time on the same planet as his family and friends. “All of us in the NASA family -and indeed in the broader scientific community -- are grateful that he was willing to sacrifice time with his loved ones, meals that don’t come in

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

a bag, a cold beer, hot showers, cool autumn breezes, the sounds of birds chirping, the ability to lay his head on an actual pillow and so much more of the pleasures of life during his year of research and experimentation the International Space Station. “We will never forget the 700 stunning images he posted to social media, the leadership he demonstrated as ISS commander for the last six months and, most of all, the impact that all his missions and years of service will continue to have on our Journey to Mars.” Kelly said the year-in-space mission

“was a profound challenge for all involved, and it gave me a unique perspective and a lot of time to reflect on what my next step should be on our continued journey to help further our capabilities in space and on Earth. “My career with the Navy and NASA gave me an incredible chance to showcase public service to which I am dedicated, and what we can accomplish on the big challenges of our day. I am humbled and excited by new opportunities for me to support and share the amazing work NASA is doing to help us travel farther into the solar system and work with the next

Astronaut Scott Kelly addresses the crowd that came to greet him at Ellington Field on March 2, after spending a year in space. Helping welcome him back to Houston following his return to Earth were, from left, Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden; his twin brother, retired astronaut Mark Kelly; Dr. John Holdren, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology; NASA Administrator Charles Bolden; and Johnson Space Center Director Dr. Ellen Ochoa.

generation of science and technology leaders.” Kelly flew in space four times, beginning with space shuttle Discovery’s trip to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope on the STS-103 servicing mission in 1999. On his second mission, STS-118, he crossed the threshold of the International Space Station for the first time as commander of space shuttle Endeavour. He returned to the station for a six-month stay in 2010, commanding Expedition 26. When asked, the spaceflight veteran accepted the opportunity to participate in NASA’s unprecedented yearlong space station mission, which aimed to expand the boundaries of space exploration beyond lowEarth orbit through the collection of critical data on how the human body responds to extended space missions. On this mission, Kelly eclipsed two American space records.

“Records are meant to be broken,” Kelly said. “I am looking forward to when these records in space are surpassed.” Kelly broke the American record for most cumulative time in space during his one-year mission, accruing 520 days. “Scott’s contributions to NASA are too many to name,” said Brian Kelly, director of Flight Operations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center . “In his year aboard the space station, he took part in experiments that will have far-reaching effects, helping us pave the way to putting humans on Mars and benefiting life on Earth. His passion for this work has helped give hundreds of thousands of people a better understanding of what NASA does, thanks in part to the numerous photos and updates he shared from space. We appreciate his years of service and anticipate many benefits to come from them, thanks to the research he’s supporting.” APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

[EDUCATION]

More CCISD bond projects getting under way this spring By Mary Alys Cherry

ork on Clear Creek ISD bond projects totaling $10.8 million will soon be starting after school board trustees gave the goahead at their monthly meeting to begin the second phase of construction work. “The proposed priority maintenance and repair projects include one high school, four intermediate schools, two elementary schools and Veterans Memorial Stadium,” CCISD spokesman Janice Scott said. That is, of course, in addition to McWhirter Elementary in Webster and Clear Lake High School which are undergoing extensive rebuilds and a major project at Clear Creek High. Phase One of the Webster rebuild is complete, as is the new Challenger Columbia Stadium, which was delayed by the heavy spring rains. Both were dedicated in March. “The Veterans Memorial Stadium is considered a priority maintenance project that will provide an additional ticket booth /storage room building, replace the athletic field lighting, and add structural reinforcement to the visitor side bleachers. Once approved, the work at the stadium should be complete this summer,” she added. Work is also near the finish line on a $28 million project at Clear Creek High, where CCISD is replacing a part of the building that was constructed in 1956 and also adding a third gym, modernizing and replacing the roof on Carlisle Gym, Spring Sports building and Field House; upgrading the AC/heating system in the kitchen and boy’s gym; replacing food service equipment, and improving water quality and site drainage.

NEW PROJECTS The new projects, which are expected to be finished by this summer include:  Clear View High -- $2 million in upgrades including replacing the entire underground draining system, major components of the AC/heating system, the service drive pavement, the canopy for special education and intercom components; install fume hoods in science labs; and repair the foundation  Victory Lakes Intermediate – $2 million renovation of the library, computer labs and audio visual labs  League City Intermediate – Work will involve replacing major components of the AC/heating system, intercom and fire alarm system and making improvements to the athletic facilities and the stage area.  Brookside Intermediate – Improvements to the AC/heating system, fire alarm system, stage area and athletic facilities  Space Center Intermediate – Replace major components of the AC/heating system, intercom and fire alarm system and improve the athletic facilities and stage area to improve student safety  Ross Elementary -- Replacement of major components of the AC/heating system and improvement of the electrical system and repair building exteriors and the foundation  League City Elementary -- Foundation repair and replacement of major components of the AC/ heating system and improvement of the electrical system.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

Operation Cinderella committee members gather to assist area seniors in need of help with prom expenses – an annual Assistance League project. They are, from left, back row, Lisa Holbrook, Ann Hammond, Suzanne Leatherman, Mary Ruiz, Connie Maldonado, Jodi Masington, Priscilla Magnuson, Melanie Lovuola, Peggy Clause and Betty Walcott; front row, Brunella Altemus, Christina Deane and Page Rander.

Senior girls, guys get a helping hand

or high school seniors, prom is a rite

of passage remembered for years. But many seniors facing financial challenges cannot afford prom expenses. Thanks, however, to members of the Assistance League of the Bay Area, these young men and women in financial need in the Clear Creek, Dickinson and La Porte Independent School Districts will be attending their Senior Prom. High schools in these districts refer young women and men to participate in the Assistance League’s Operation Cinderella. Recommended students are invited to participate in the program held at the Assistance League Resale Shop in Webster. During the past year, hundreds of very gently used dresses have been donated by the community to Operation Cinderella and stored for the prom season when students in need are invited to shop for their prom. Financial donations from the community to the Operation Cinderella program are used to purchase shoes, purses and jewelry. For the occasion, the Assistance League Resale Shop is converted into the Cinderella Boutique

where each “Cinderella” is assigned a personal shopper, an Operation Cinderella volunteer, to help select a dress from hundreds of gently used donated formals. After “Cinderella” finds her dress, she selects her shoes, a purse and accessories. Boys report to Jill’s Fashions, where they receive a Prom Grooming Packet and a free complete tuxedo rental ensemble which Assistance League of the Bay Area pays for through community donations and revenues from Resale Shop sales. Operation Cinderella is about giving these students the opportunity to be a part of the high school community and senior year experience. Christina Deane, chairman of the Operations Cinderella philanthropy says, “We want these students to know they are not bound by personal or financial circumstances. It is our hope that the young adults who are this year’s beneficiaries will in turn give back to their own communities in some way.” The Assistance League is a 100 percent volunteer organization. To learn more about how to help with its eight philanthropic programs, or become a member, visit www.bayarea.assistanceleague.org

[EDUCATION]

Challenger Columbia Stadium now open

he gates to Clear Creek ISD Challenger Columbia Stadium swung open to the public for the first time the evening of March 10, 2016. A fitting kick off to the celebration, hundreds of student athletes and artists who will now call the 10,000-seat stadium “home” converged onto their new playing field for the first time through their respective Wildcat, Falcon, Wolverine, Charger and Knight mascot “inflatable tunnels.” After a welcome by Clear Creek High School senior, Mariah Pardo, visitors heard from a host of speakers sharing their excitement for the opportunities the multifaceted facility brings to the students of CCISD. “I am happy to say that this stadium is not the biggest nor anywhere near the most expensive stadium in the state,” said CCISD Board President Dr. Laura DuPont. “I am proud to say that it is the one that is exactly right for CCISD. This is your space.” JSC Center Director Dr. Ellen Ochoa and Astronaut Mike Fincke spoke on behalf of NASA’s Johnson Space Center and the families of the Challenger and Columbia crews. Both expressed their sincere appreciation to the public for requesting the stadium be named to forever honor the 14 fallen crew members. “In naming this sports complex, you bestow great honor to the memories of our brave crews,” said Fincke. “Every soccer match, every football game, each track and field competition will be a testimonial to our

past while building a better future for our students. May this field be blessed and may it teach our children well.” In a poignant moment of the ceremony, the Clear Brook High School Celebrities performed a special dance choreographed to the memorable speeches by President Ronald Reagan and President George Bush memorializing the fallen Challenger and Columbia astronauts. Several family members of the astronaut crews were in attendance including Cheryl McNair, wife of the late Ronald McNair; Lorna Onizuka, wife of the late Ellison Onizuka; and Evelyn Husband-Thompson, wife of the late Rick Husband, along with several other members of their families. In a private ceremony before the Dedication, they were each presented with keepsake Legacy Bricks memorializing their loved one with inscriptions each family had specially chosen. The keepsake gifts, which were underwritten by the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Aerospace Advisory Committee, were identical to the Legacy Bricks that will be laid in the walls of the stadium concourse. Several elements commemorating the space shuttle Challenger and Columbia crews are woven into the constructs of the stadium and field house including large mission medallions at both gates on the home and visitor sides as well as a photo mural tribute located in the press box hospitality suite, among other features.

These guys can spell with the best. They are, 2016 Spelling Bee 1st Place winner Asher Warmanen, right, a seventh grader at Seabrook Intermediate; and 2016 Runner-Up, Haneef Mohammed, a fifth grader at Weber Elementary.

Clear Creek ISD crowns 2016 Spelling Bee champ

fter 13 intense rounds and three and a half hours, Clear Creek ISD has named the 2016 District Spelling Bee champion. Seventh grader Asher Warmanen of Seabrook Intermediate won the first place trophy. The District Spelling Bee took place at Mossman Elementary with participants representing all 36 elementary and intermediate schools. The final two spellers competed against each other for four straight rounds until Asher Warmanen came out victorious after correctly spelling beryllium in the final round. Weber Elementary School’s Haneef Mohammed, a fifth grader, is the 2016 runner-up. Warmanen will advance to the Houston Public Media Spelling Bee, which will be televised live April 2. The Houston Public Media Spelling Bee is the second largest in the country, with more than 1,000 schools from 42 Texas counties competing to advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the nation’s long-standing educational promotion since 1925. The top two spellers of the Houston Public Media Spelling Bee win an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to represent Houston at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May 2016. APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

More Gulf Freeway projects planned By Mary Alys Cherry

ou can stop grumping

about the construction on the Gulf Freeway. It’s not going away. Certainly not for the next few years. That’s the word from Texas Department of Transportation District Engineer Quincy Allen, who updated the Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership on Houston area projects at its monthly luncheon at Cullen’s Grille. Much of his focus was on Gulf Freeway construction (or Interstate 45 South, as it it formally known), followed by a Highway 146 update. TxDOT won’t be leaving the Gulf Freeway anytime soon, Allen said. In fact, the engineers are already making plans to continue rebuilding the roadway as it ambles south toward Galveston. “Seven of the busiest segments in the state are on I-45 in Houston,” he told the crowd of engineers and public officials. Most attending the BayTran luncheon much have chuckled on later hearing that astronaut Scott Kelly said he was hoping construction on the Gulf Freeway was completed as he made his way back to Ellington Field after a year in space. What a surprise he was in for. Hasn’t he heard the old joke about work on the Gulf Freeway is never done? After work is completed at the Bay Area Boulevard interchange, the project continues with TxDOT rebuilding the freeway all the way to Texas City and FM 1764 to relieve congestion, Allen said. The first two projects – from Kurland at Beltway 8 to FM 2351 and from 2351 to Medical Center Boulevard – involve widening the freeway from six to ten mainlanes, widening the frontage roads from two to three lanes, replacing the overpasses at El Dorado and Bay Area Boulevards and extending the reversible HOV lanes southward to serve carpool and transit opportunities at a cost of $170.5 million. “The first project is 75 percent complete and the second is 47 percent complete,” Allen reported. TxDOT’s next Gulf Freeway project will start at NASA Parkway and continue south to FM 1764 – first from

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

BayTran Chairman David Hamilton, left, welcomes TxDOT Houston District Engineer Quincy Allen to luncheon at Cullen’s. Photo by Mary Alys Cherry

NASA 1 to FM 518 (1.7 miles). The $130 million project will be let this summer and construction is expected to be 42 months in duration. Next, TxDOT plans to rebuild the 3.8 mile stretch from FM 518 to FM 517 and the 4.2 mile stretch from FM 517 to FM 1764 – another 42-month project. It will be ready to be let in the fall of 2017 at a projected cost of $136 million. So far, Allen said, the job has not been funded. As for the $200 million threemile Highway 146 construction project from Red Bluff Road through Seabrook to FM 518 in Kemah, TxDOT has received approximately $30 million from the Houston Galveston Area Council to begin purchasing the approximately 34 acres of right-of-way. Advancement of the project, Allen explained, is contingent on negotiations with the Union Pacific Railroad over right-of-way. “I expect it to be resolved soon,” he said, adding that TxDOT is hopeful that project can be let in 2017. Most likely, so are the hundreds of motorists who find themselves in long lines of traffic making their way through Seabrook and Kemah. Allen also added some interesting tidbits: • Texas added 1.3 million people from 2010 to 2013 – more than any other state. Its population of 26 million is expected to reach 40 million by 2050. Each year, congestion costs Texans: • 472 million extra hours of travel time • $10.1 billion in delay and fuel costs • $2.1 billion in truck freight moving costs Texas cities have the highest levels of congestion in the nation: • Houston is No. 6 in the country • Dallas/Fort Worth is No. 13 • Austin is No. 17

Retirement in a changing America

e are facing a dramatic change in America. This change will affect your future tax issues, healthcare issues, income flow, and risk exposure. Nobody thought the economy, Wall Street, and the oil and gas industry could falter as they have and understanding your risk exposure will be more important than ever. The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s healthcare system could be totally different and learning what options you have for medical care and long term care, and how to pay for it, will be crucial. Your taxes may be going up significantly in the near future. Proactive tax planning (not after the fact) will allow you to enjoy a more tax efficient lifestyle and avoid unnecessary or unplanned taxes in your life. The class struggles will not be between the rich and the poor, but between the informed and the

uninformed. The informed retiree will survive and possibly thrive in the new economy. The uninformed will be burdened with higher taxes, expensive healthcare options and risk that could devastate them. This dramatic change in our country makes it of paramount importance for you to go through our 3-Step Review. Retirement is not just investing, but planning for income, reducing taxes, and managing risk in your portfolio. It is more important than ever to discover what issues you may not be addressing that could cost you or your heirs significantly in the future. Roberts Wealth Management clients are on the informed side of things. Take action now to make sure you avoid being on the uninformed side. Paul Roberts & Summer Roberts Roberts Wealth Management www.RobertsWealthTexas.com Investment Advisory Services offered through Global Financial Private Capital, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Insurance and annuity products are sold separately through Summer Roberts and Paul E. Roberts, Jr. Information is not intended to provide specific legal or tax advice. You are encouraged to consult your tax or legal professional for guidance on your individual situation.

APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Houston mayor asks Clear Lake for patience By Mary Alys Cherry

ouston Mayor Sylvester Turner wants everyone to know he had nothing to do with Houston’s annexation of Clear Lake, getting quite a laugh as he addressed Councilman Dave Martin’s Town Hall at Space Center Houston. Attempting to be honest and forthright with the Clear Lake crowd of about 200, he pointed out the many problems he faces – such as 10,000 potholes and other street deterioration, financial problems because of a $126 million deficit and an aging police force with 1,900 out of 5,300 eligible for retirement. But he wanted Clear Lake residents to know they are a part of the City of Houston – a part of its 640 square miles -- and have not been forgotten. While there are currently no city projects planned in the area, he asked for patience, promising to work with Councilman Dave Martin to rectify the problem. “I don’t want Clear Lake to feel left out,” he said, asking residents “to give me some time. We have some tough issues to address, but working collectively, I believe we can get it done.” As for the financial problems, he said he hopes to come up with an answer by the end of the year. Meanwhile, as he looks for a new police chief, he is using overtime to have enough officers on duty and asking for their shared sacrifice, he said. “I’m asking them not to retire.” One man in the audience told of a burglary across the street from his home, adding that it took 3 and ½ hours for the police to arrive to investigate, telling the mayor that his No. 1 job should be public safety. The mayor agreed, adding that public safety was his No. 1 priority and that he already was meeting with other law enforcement agencies to accomplish this. “But it’s going to take the HPD, the sheriff’s deputies, the constables, the metro police – all on deck.”

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell was the next speaker, discussing at length the lack of action on a storm surge protection plan for the prevention of future hurricane damages. An editorial outlining his thoughts may be found on page 13 of this issue. Afterwards, several city officials spoke, describing the work of their departments. Unfortunately, none of their projects involved the Clear Lake area, leaving residents a bit puzzled as to why they were overlooked but hopeful they might be remembered in the future. Martin spoke at the end of the town hall, wondering out loud how old does a district have to be to get some funds and telling the crowd that the city’s treatment of Clear Lake was “fundamentally not fair,” saying he had asked for equal distribution of funds over all districts. “The mayor realizes the distribution has been unequal in the past and has promised to try to correct this,” he added.

“The mayor realizes the distribution has been unequal in the past and has promised to try to correct this.”

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

NEWS NUGGETS League City gets new mayor Pat Hallisey, a former League City mayor, is the new mayor of League City. He was elected March 19 in a special election with 2,068 votes or 51 percent of the vote. He replaces Tim Paulissen, who resigned to run for a Galveston County Commission seat. Hank Dugie ran unopposed for the vacant Position 2 seat on City Council formerly held by Tommy Cones, who resigned to become fire marshal. He was officially elected with 3,395 votes.

Cities differ on open carry Differing opinions. That’s what you might describe the thinking on open carry in League City and Seabrook. Seabrook took the first step, voting 4-0 to prohibit employees – with the exception of law enforcement officers --

from possessing firearms or other weapons while in city vehicles or on city property. Gary Johnson, Robert Liorenta and Melissa Botkin were absent from the meeting. Employees who are licensed to carry may leave their firearms and ammunition locked in their private vehicles at the parking lot for city employees. City Council also approved an amendment to the city ordinances prohibiting the open carry of weapons at governmental meetings. That was on Feb. 16. Then on March 1, the League City Council approved a proposal by Nick Long and Heidi Hansing to make it legal for anyone licensed to carry firearms to openly carry handguns at public meetings in League City, such as City Council meetings. The vote was 5-2 with Mayor Tim Paulinson and Councilman Keith Gross opposed.

Ex-astronaut to head Glenn NASA Administrator Charles Bolden has named former astronaut Janet Kavandi director of the agency’s Glenn Research

Center in Cleveland. She has been serving as Glenn’s deputy director since February 2015 and succeeds Jim Free, who was named deputy associate administrator for technical in the agency’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate in Washington.

Barrios honors four employees Barrios Technology employees were recently commended for their high level of expertise and outstanding performance supporting NASA’s Johnson Space Center and the International Space Station program. Four employees were selected based on nominations presented from their management or peers in their work area and were presented with a Barrios Silver BEAR Award. Those recognized were Ryan Anderson, Justin Collins, Shelly Fling and Cindy Romero.

Kemah introduces ‘Team Kemah’ The City of Kemah has filled three key posts to complete “Team Kemah.” Nick Haby is the community services director -- responsible for Public Works, Code Enforcement, the Building Department and Permitting/

Inspections. He comes from Friendswood, where he served 10 years as assistant to the city manager. Kemah welcomed Wendy Ellis as city administrator and economic development director after a unanimous vote. Ellis has worked in economic development and city administration for more than 10 years. She holds a Master’s degree from Texas Tech University and is a certified Professional and Community Economic Developer. She and her husband, Daniel have been married 15 years and have a three-year-old son. Newest addition is City Secretary Carolyn Anderson, who just started work with the city of. She is a native of La Marque and has served there and in Dickinson as city secretary. In addition, she has a background in the private sector as an office manager, purchasing agent and marketing manager. She is a member of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association and brings a wealth of knowledge to the City of Kemah. She has served on the City of La Marque Charter Review Committee and the Salt Grass Chapter of Texas Municipal Clerks Retirement Committee.

A Night in Old Havana April 9 By Ronda Wegman

rab your passport and travel with Assistance League of the Bay Area to A Night in Old Havana. Experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of Cuba on Saturday, April 9, and help make a difference in our community at the same time. The event will be at Golfcrest Country Club, 2509 Country Club Drive in Pearland, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with music for dancing by The Mambo Kings. Thanks to sponsors, underwriters, advertisers, and guests who attend the annual fundraising event, Assistance League is able to reach out to families in need in the Bay Area.

Every Donation Makes a Difference $5,000 may be used to provide 100 elementary school students with new clothing. $2,500 may be used to provide preschool children residing in an area shelter scholarships to attend an early childhood program. $1,000 may be used to provide 33 adults and/or children who are victims of domestic violence and assault with Assault Survivor Kits. $500 may be used to provide eye exams and glasses for up to 17 students. $250 may be used to provide a bulk food donation to a school housing a food pantry for families in need. $100 may be used to provide 1 high school senior boy a tuxedo and shoe rental to attend prom. For information about the event, visit anightinoldhavana2016@gmail.com.

APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Former Ambassador to Qatar Chase Untermeyer, center, arrives at Bay Oaks Country Club to address the Space Center Rotary Club. On hand to greet him are Rotary Program Chairman Kippy Caraway and Untermeyer’s friend and special guest, filmmaker Al Reinert, who co-wrote the screenplay for the movie “Apollo 13” and wrote, directed and produced the documentary, “For All Mankind” about NASA’s Apollo program. The two once worked together as reporters on the Houston Chronicle. Photo by Mary Alys Cherry.

Why ISIS hates Christians so much Former ambassador has the surprise answer By Mary Alys Cherry

e wonder why ISIS hates the Christian world so much -- why they thrive on killing Christians. It makes little sense to us. For answers, you have to think back several centuries, former U.S. Ambassador to Qatar Chase Untermeyer told members of Space Center Rotary as he updated the club on today’s Middle East. It isn’t just anger over the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. “Remember the Crusades in the Middle Ages?” he asks, getting quite a few blank looks during the luncheon at Clear Lake’s Bay Oaks Country Club. While the Crusades are something we learned in elementary school and salted away in the back of our memory bank, not so the Muslims. “For them it happened just yesterday,” he said. And, they are still bitter today and have never let it go, he said of the series of holy wars waged between Christians and Muslims from the end of the 11th century to the end of the 13th. The Crusades were military expeditions by Christians to rescue the Holy Land from the Muslims, the followers of Islam whom the Christians called infidels and considered them enemies of Christ, the history books tell us. Unfortunately, ISIS is going after the wrong people today, Untermeyer said afterwards. It was the dukes, princes and earls who fought in the Crusades, he pointed out, adding that most Americans weren’t the

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

descendants of royalty. Untermeyer, who was appointed ambassador by President George W. Bush, talked about the many problems in the Middle East and Northern Africa today and also discussed the tenets of Islam – their Creed, Prayers, Fasting during Ramadan, the Pilgrimage to Mecca and Alms Giving, and how Muslins donate 2.5 percent of their wealth to the mosque. He also briefed Rotarians on the struggles between Saudi Arabia and Iran and between the Sunni and the Shiite Muslins. The long-time Houstonian has quite an interesting biography. After graduating from the Spring Branch Schools and Harvard and serving as a Naval officer during the Vietnam War, Untermeyer began his career as a political reporter for the Houston Chronicle, leaving to become executive assistant to Harris County Judge Jon Lindsey. Next he was elected to two terms in the Texas House of Representatives before becoming executive assistant to then Vice President George H.W. Bush. President Ronald Reagan appointed him assistant secretary of the navy. He has also served as director of public affairs for Compaq Computer, on the Houston Port Commission and was appointed chairman of the Texas State Board of Education by then Gov. George W. Bush and then elected to a four-year term. When he became president, Bush also appointed him ambassador to Qatar. Today, he chairs the advisory board of The Soufan Group, which provides strategic security intelligence services to governments and multinational organizations.

APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

[FASHION]

CCEF readies its 2016 fashion show

LEAP INTO SPRING

he Clear Creek Education Foundation’s 10th annual fashion show, “I Love CCISD,” is coming up Sunday, April 17, at 4:30 p.m. at Mercedes Benz of Clear Lake, in League City. Proceeds from the event will benefit programs that enhance student learning in the Clear Creek Independent School District. CCISD high school juniors, who are in good academic standing and who demonstrate all that is positive about CCISD, have been selected to serve as student models showcasing newly inspired fashions from Dillard’s – Baybrook Mall. Featuring runway seating, hors d’oeuvre stations from 12 local restaurants, and a variety of vignettes straight from the talented halls of CCISD, the ”I Love CCISD” fashion show will again be produced by the acclaimed Lenny Matuszewski Jr., nationally known fashion event producer. In anticipation of this event, all kindergarteners in CCISD will participate in an “I Love CCISD” t-shirt art contest. The special winner’s artwork will be featured on t-shirts to be sold throughout the district and at other participating locations. Additionally, the evening will host an array of student entertainment, career and technology program demonstrations, and much more. “CCEF loves CCISD! Through the fashion show, we’re able to do amazing things that positively affect the lives of CCISD students every day. We are truly grateful for the many volunteers and countless businesses and individuals who financially support this one of a kind event,” said CCEF Executive Kaci Hanson. “We invite our parents and community friends to come out and join us for this exciting afternoon Supporting Educational Excellence in CCISD.” Event tickets are only $75 and sponsorship opportunities and silent auction donations are available. To purchase tickets, T-shirts, sponsor or donate an auction item, visit Clear Creek Education Foundation. org For additional information, contact co-chairs Jill Reason 281-734-2838 or Dinah Matthews 281-796-5090. “Save the date!” Hanson says. “You won’t want to miss this wonderful show.”

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

Both flowers and new spring trends blossoming By Haleigh Tieken he flowers start to blossom and so do new spring trends. Anything that is unique, colorful, fun and floral is in this season, as well as many trends from the distant past. Flirty pastel tops are perfect for this time of year and can be paired with any type of solid colored pants. They’re the perfect piece of clothing to add to your wardrobe for the transition of winter to spring. You can even pair this ensemble with a pair of neutral flats or sandals and a white or cream purse. The most popular pastels are robin egg blue, light pink or violet. Next on the list is the maxi dress. These have been in style for quite a few years now, and their popularity is growing. Maxis can range from being solid colored to covered in lace or wrapped in floral prints -- the list of options is endless. They’re perfect to wear out on a warm spring day or even wear to the beach as a cover-up with a big straw hat for protection from the sun and a pair of gladiator sandals. Lace and Flirty pastels and cremes. crocheted tops are a popular trend at some music festivals, but more and more stores are picking up on the style. This type of style is more of a boho gypsy inspired look and can be matched with wide leg jeans or even a pair of cute cutoff denim shorts. The lace look can be seen as very subtle, but many designers are adding more of an edgy twist on this look to make it more versatile, making pairing this look a little easier. Necklaces are getting all the attention as far as accessories go this year. All different lengths of necklaces are in and can be added on to any outfit that needs a bit of glam to jazz it up. However, necklaces can be layered and stores are even selling sets of necklaces for the spring and summer season. When pairing necklaces together, you always want to start with a shorter necklace such as a choker and add a medium length chain and then a longer chain over it. This look gives an allusion and allows elevation to your jewelry set. These accessories often look good with a plain solid colored tank or blouse. Spring 2016 has many new outfit options for anyone to accessorize and play up their own personal style with being fun, floral and fresh.

BAHBT’s 40th Anniversary This year’s Bay Area Houston Magazine Best of the Bay Awards Party was hosted by International Signature Bistro in Seabrook. The Awards always draw a crowd and this year was no different. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to the readers for casting your vote and giving recognition to these businesses and individuals.

AS VO TE D B Y T HE R E A DE R S OF BA Y A R EA HOUSTON M A G A Z INE Best Asian: Merlion Thai Restaurant & Lounge Best Auto: Space Center Automotive

Best Entertainment Spot: Kemah Boardwalk Best Family Restaurant: T-Bone Tom’s

Best Physician: Dr. Jack Janoe Best Pizza: Boondoggles Pub

Best Bank: Allegiance Bank

Best Gift Shop: Glass Mermaids & Eagles’ Nest Gallery

Best Private School: Primrose School – League City

Best Bartender: Caleen Worthen

Best Hair Salon: Brazil N Drops

Best Pub: Boondoggles Pub

Best BBQ: Red River Barbeque & Grill

Best Hair Stylist: Desiree Dantas

Best Realtor: Kimberly Harding

Best Health Club: Camp Gladiator

Best Resale Shop: I Spy the Perfect Piece

Best Breakfast: Skipper’s Greek Café

Best Home Builder: Bayway Homes

Best Brunch: Lakewood Yacht Club Best Burger: Tookie’s Hamburgers & More

Best Hospital: Houston Methodist St. John Hospital

Most Romantic Restaurant: Opus Bistro Best Seafood: Outriggers Oyster Bar & Grill

Best Italian: Frenchies Italian Restaurant

Best Spa: Oasis Salon & MediSpa

Best Café: Seabrook Classic Café

Best Local Entertainer: Claudio Sereni

Best Steak: Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille

Best Cajun: Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack

Best Marina: South Shore Harbour Marina

Best Sushi: Michiru Sushi

Best Car Dealer – domestic: Ron Carter Cadillac

Best Margarita: San Lorenzo Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

Best Car Dealer – foreign: Ron Carter Hyundai

Best Massage Therapist: Lisa Pulleri – Oasis Salon & MediSpa

Best City to Live: Seabrook

Best Men’s Apparel: Dillard’s

Best Contractor/Remodeler: Maverick Remodeling

Best Mexican: Mamacita’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

Best Credit Union: JSC Federal Credit Union

Best Mortgage: Hometrust Mortgage

Best Dentist: Dr. J. Derek Tieken

Best Oysters: Tommy’s Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar

Best Business Mascot: International Signature Bistro’s Dino

Best Vision Center: South Shore Eye Center Best Web Design: Big Splash Web Design & Marketing Best Wine Bar: Chelsea Wine Bar Best Women’s Apparel: Casanova’s Downfall Best Women’s Boutique: Back Bay Boutique Best Yacht Club: Lakewood Yacht Club

ay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a Red Carpet Event – BAHBT in the Spotlight from April 15-17. Their arts will be shared with the community as the dancers grace the stage at the University of HoustonClear Lake with talents of the highest caliber in every genre of dance and vocal performances. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. This mixed repertoire is being choreographed and staged by Heather Steele, Dwain Travis and Natalie Zundel, all wellknown dancers and choreographers. The performances will beautifully exhibit everything from the classical Charleston, to Tap, Contemporary Movement, and the Can Can -- all tied together through the symbol of the 40th anniversary, the ruby. A highlight of the performances will be vocals sung by Lori St. George, who starred in BAHBT’s production of Hairspray and gave a reprise of that role in the Tribute to BAHBT’s late founder, Lynette Mason Gregg. “Come walk down the red carpet in your finest as you will not want to miss this exciting mixed repertoire while BAHBT celebrates its 40 wonderful years,” BAHBT board member Ellen King says. Tickets can be purchased by calling the BAHBT office at 281 480-1617 between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday or by going online at www.BAHBT.org

APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

THANK YOU FO THE BEST OF

Congratulations from all of us a

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

OR MAKING US THE BAY 2015

at Bay Area Houston Magazine

APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

THANK YOU FO THE BEST OF

Congratulations from all of us a

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

OR MAKING US THE BAY 2015

at Bay Area Houston Magazine

APRIL 2016 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

[ LET US ENTERTAIN YOU! ]

TMCA’s Spring Fling is May 27-30 at Pleasure Island Marina in Port Arthur

ll sail and power boats, you are invited to attend the 6th annual, 2016 Spring Fling Pleasure Island Rendezvous—HAWAIIAN STYLE! This year, bring your grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts, and join the fun Memorial Weekend for this boating event at the Pleasure Island Marina in Port Arthur, TX. Your hosts, Texas Mariners Cruising Association. The three day weekend is one big dock party with festivities that include evening catered meals, live bands, dancing, a poker dock walk, numerous boating related seminars, a flare shootoff (a unique opportunity to experience what it is like to shoot one off under the supervision of the Coast Guard). The bands this year will get you on the dance floor, Hanna’s Reef Band and Still Cruisin’. The evening meals will be catered by Courville’s of Beaumont, with a fish fry one night, and a Hawaiian style dinner the next. There will be food trucks and vendors too. Drums of the Pacific will perform Hawaiian music and dancing on Hawaiian night-Aloha! On another day Arrrggg!... a Pirate Picnic with a pirate costume contest and pirate music by the Bilge Pumps. Shiver me timbers… On Sunday morning, to honor our fallen Veterans, a Memorial Day Tribute will be led by one of TMCA’s own, Lt. Col. Kevin Smith, Executive Officer of the 71st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, San Antonio, and the Color Guard ceremony will be held by the Marine Corps League Detachment 1382 The national anthem will be sung by Mrs. Evan Hoffman of Beaumont. The cruise getting there is a big part of the fun. Boaters will travel either the intracoastal or offshore to get to Port Arthur. Last year 138 pleasure boats attended Spring Fling from all over the Galveston Bay, Lake Charles and Beaumont areas, from yacht clubs, marinas and boating organizations. More are expected for this year and TMCA wants to see you there!

CLEAR LAKE Chita Johnson coming April 7. Chita Johnson will bring delightful stories about her time as meteorologist at Channel 11 when she addresses Bay Oaks Women’s Association members Thursday, April 7 at the country club. Festival Kickoff April 10. Lunar Rendezvous will kick off its 51st annual festival Sunday, April 10 in the UHCL Atrium with festivities to include the introduction of the royal court. Commissioner to speak April 21 Harris County Commissioner Jack Morman will be the speaker at the BayTran luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 21, at Cullen’s American Grille. For reservations, call 832-771-0773 or email president@ baytran.org

Classic Car Show April 16. The 12th annual Friendswood Classic Car & Bike Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 16, in Stevenson Park, 1000 S. Friendswood Drive. Entry fee is $30. To register, call 281-482-3329 or visit info@ friendswoodchamber.com

HOUSTON Rotary Space Gala April 29. The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement will be presented to Jet Propulsion Laboratory Director Dr. Charles Elachi during the annual Rotary Space Gala, starting at 6 p.m. Friday, April 29, at the Downtown Hyatt Regency. For ticket information, visit www.RNASA.org

KEMAH

DICKINSON

Corvette Show April 9. The 12th annual Kemah Corvette Show will be held Saturday, April 9, on the Kemah Boardwalk, benefitting Kitz Harbor.

Last times for drama. The Agatha Christi drama Witness For the Prosecution continues at Bay Area Harbour Playhouse through Sunday, April 10, with curtains at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Next up is Rex’s Exes, which runs April 15 through May 8. For tickets, which are $17 for adults and $12 for seniors and students, call 281-337-7469 or email bareahp@ comcast.net

Crawfish Festival April 16. The 14th annual Kemah Cops & Crawfish Festival will be held Saturday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kemah Community Center, featuring $10 crawfish dinners and $5 barbecue dinners, plus a silent auction, bake sale, face painting and a bouncy gym. Tickets to the Kemah Police benefit are on sale at Sylvia’s Cozy Corner.

El Lago Dogs ‘n Divas April 8. Bay Area Turning Point and Pet Palace are inviting the community to the Dogs ‘n Divas fashion show luncheon Friday, April 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the new Waters Edge, 3901 NASA Parkway. Tickets are $50 each. For details, contact Lisa Smith at lsmith@ bayareaturningpoint.com or at 281338-7600.

FRIENDSWOOD State of the City April 7. The Friendswood Chamber will host its annual State of the City Luncheon Thursday, April 7, at 11:30 a.m. at the Green Event Center, 2000 W. Parkwood. For reservations, call the chamber, 281-482-3329, or visit info@ friendswoodchamber.com

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2016

LEAGUE CITY State of the City set April 8. The League City Regional Chamber will host its annual State of the City Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at Civic Center, 400 W. Walker. For reservations, call the chamber, 281338-7339. Kennedy to speak April 20. Port of Houston Commissioner John Kennedy will be the speaker at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 20 at a free Economic Development Luncheon at the Johnny Arolfo Civic Center, 400 W. Walker. For information, call the League City Regional Chamber, 281-338-7339. Chamber update April 27. The Clear Lake Area Chamber will have Barbara Cutsinger of Bay Area

Houston Economic Partnership doing an “I-45 Corridor Update’ at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 27 South Shore Harbor Country Club.

NASSAU BAY Comedy opens April 8. The comedy, No Sex Please We’re British, opens Friday, April 8 at the Clear Creek Community Theatre, 18091 Upper Bay Road, and continues through Sunday, April 24 with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and matinees at 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. For reservations, call 281-335-5228.

PASADENA Crawfish Festival April 15-16. Pasadena’s 2016 Crawfish Festival will start Friday, April 15 at 5 p.m. at the Pasadena Rodeo & Fairgrounds, 7902 Fairmont. Admission is $10 per person on Friday and $15 Saturday or $20 for a weekend pass. Children 10 and under are free. For information, call 281-487-0240.

PEARLAND Assistance League Gala April 9. The Assistance league of the Bay Area will host its annual gala, “A Night in Old Havana,” Friday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Golfcrest Country Club, 2509 Country Club Drive. Tickets are $125 per person and may be purchased at the League’s resale shop, 100 E. NASA Parkway, Suite 80, in Webster.

SEABROOK Garden Club luncheon April 1. Nassau Bay Garden Club will host its biennial spring luncheon, “Everything Old is New Again,” at 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, at Lakewood Yacht Club. Tickets are $60 each. Contact Ann Gay for tickets at buck1ann2@gmail.com Corvette show April 2. The Space City Corvette Club will host the 12th annual Corvettes and Crawfish Spring Show at the White Top Pavilion, 5001 NASA Parkway, benefitting St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.