Bay Area Houston Magazine July 2020 by Bay Group Media

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B A Y A R E A H O U S T O N M A G . C O M

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features 9

In Remembrance

Dental Health

Bay Area Body Shop

Gulf Coast Mariner Fishing

Taylor Lake Place

ON THE COVER

Steve’s Landing on Crystal Beach

Plunge into paradise this summer at the San Luis Resort on Galveston Island. www.sanluisresort.com

Melt Your Body Fat Away

The San Luis Resort on Galveston Island

The Best Bites of the Bay

Pomodoro’s New Bar & Lounge

Totally Bayish

Food & Wine Pairings

The Longhorn Project

Chairman Rick Clapp

President Amber Sample Publisher & Editor in Chief Mary Alys Cherry Editor Alisa Star Vice President & Creative Director Brandon Rowan Sales & Marketing Jason Allcorn Amber Sample Alisa Star Robyn Weigelt

Editorial Don Armstrong Mary Alys Cherry Michael Gos Alisa Star Xander Thomas

Seabrook shop is a cut above the rest A place in time Bay Area’s most unique development They call me captain Fight fat with these homemade smoothies For the ultimate staycation Restaurant and entertainment guide On Marina Bay Drive in League City By Sari Asahi BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, Grilled Stuffed Flounder Grand Review

Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia Commissioner for the times

44 Healthcare Getting a mammogram during coronavirus

Business Buzz Dates to remember

columns

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

281.474.5875

41 8

U.S. Veteran’s dental miracle

40 Education CCISD superintendent Greg Smith to retire

Photography Sari Asahi Mary Alys Cherry MoonBridge Media NASA 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.

Gene Hollier, Arnold Aldrich

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

Movers and Shakers

In Wheel Time

Texas Meditations

Cristina Womack Turn up the SUV heat On mediocrity

Community volunteer Gene Hollier, 85, dies

ene Hollier, 85, a long-time Clear Lake resident and indefatigable community volunteer, passed away on Sunday after a brief illness. That’s about the only passive thing that ever happened to Gene. The retired Air Force pilot, diplomat, spy, and businessman is survived by his equally active significant other, partner in crime, and community stalwart Emmeline Dodd. He also leaves behind a sister, Kathleen Tritico and husband Guy; children, Debbie Hollier and husband John Skinner, Kurt Hollier and wife Melodie, Dennis Hollier and wife Dawn Southard,

Former key NASA official, Arnold Aldrich passes away

rnold Deane Aldrich, of Vienna, Va., a former NASA associate administrator, director of the Space Shuttle Program and Lockheed Martin vice president, passed away on May 28, 2020 after a brief battle with cancer. He was 83. Born in Arlington, Mass., on July 7, 1936, Arnold enjoyed a 35-year career at NASA spanning all mannedmission programs including Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle. He

and Cathy Osoria and husband Bobby; grandchildren, Scott, Diana, Nick, Amy, Ashley, and Macy; and three great-grandchildren, Makayla, Brianna, and Nicky. He was preceded in death by his parents Alfred Louis Hollier and Laurence dePerrodil Hollier; sisters Billie Guilbeau and Hazel Turnbull; brothers Ivan and Alfred Hollier. Never one to sit still, Gene packed what seemed like three careers into his nearly 86 years. He was also an inveterate traveler, an amateur actor, an epicure, and a world-class raconteur. After high school, the Port Arthur native studied math and engineering at Southwestern Louisiana Institute. Just two years in, though, the Korean War broke out and he enlisted in the Air Force where he would spend the next 20 years, after getting his wings as an F-100 pilot. But in 1961 his career as a pilot almost came to an end when his new Austin Healey was t-boned and totaled in England. Gene spent the next 15 months in a USAF hospital in Biloxi, Miss., where he had metal rods installed in his ankle and forearm, several vertabrae fused together, and a kneecap removed. For a while, it wasn’t clear if he would ever walk again, let alone fly an airplane. When Gene was finally cleared to fly again, he shipped out to Vietnam, where he clocked in 178 combat missions and was awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, the Air Force Combat Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and assorted other commendations. He capped off his Air Force career with two tours of duty as the assistant

air attache to Thailand. He spent a year in Washington, where he became fluent in both common and royal Thai, and learned to read and write the complex language also studying in the Foreign Service School and learning a smattering of spy craft. His official duties included meetings with Vice President Spiro Agnew, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and a near miss with President Nixon. Gene liked to say that, on his secret trip to China, Nixon dined on a t-bone from the Hollier freezer. Gene’s tour as an attache culminated with the King of Thailand awarding him the Order of the White Elephant, a form of knighthood. After the Air Force, Gene spent the next eight years operating a security company and did a little acting on the side, appearing in 17 episodes of the TV series “Magnum PI” and a variety of minor roles in movies. He retired in 1996 when he and Emmeline fell in love and formed the dynamic duo that has been making Clear Lake a better place ever since. Gene threw himself into volunteer work, particularly the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo -- joining the NASA Go Texan Committee, which provides scholarships to Bay Area graduating seniors. He originated and chaired the Trail Boss Program, which has raised the equivalent of $700,000 for the HLSR’s Scholarship Fund and also was active with the Rodeo’s Speakers Committee, serving as vice chairman and in 1999 was named Speaker of the Year. He also supported the construction of the Longhorn Project at the Johnson Space Center and served as liaison between the HLSR

Board of Directors and JSC. In 2000, he was awarded the NASA Public Service Medal for his work assisting JSC’s involvement with the Rodeo. In 2003, Gene was elected to the HLSR Board of Directors, becoming a Lifetime Director in 2005. And in 2012, he was awarded the Silver Steer award for his 25 years of service to the NASA Go Texan committee. But it wasn’t all about NASA and the Rodeo. In 2010, Gene was selected as one of the “10 Renaissance Men” in the Bay Area and awarded the Outstanding Friend of the Arts award by TAACCL. He was an honoree at the prestigious Men and Women of Heart gala, and named a Super Star by the Clear Creek Education Foundation. He also served on the boards of the Clear Lake Education Foundation, the Longhorn Project, High School Aerospace Scholars, the San Luis Hotel Condominium Council, and the Lunar Rendezvous Festival. (He was King of this festival in 2018). He was a member of the Bay Oaks Country Club, First United Methodist Church of Pasadena, Space City Corvette Club, and the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce. He actively volunteered for Communities in Schools and the American Heart Association. Somehow, amid this whirlwind schedule of charity work and fundraising, Gene and Emmeline managed to find time to travel around the world, visiting places as far apart as Hawaii and Russia. Services are pending due to the pandemic. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Longhorn Project at NASA, 957 NASA Parkway, #129, Houston Texas 77058.

served as Skylab deputy program manager; Apollo Spacecraft Program office deputy manager during the Apollo Soyuz Test Project; and Orbiter project manager during development of Arnold Aldrich Space Shuttles Discovery and Atlantis. Following the Challenger accident, Arnold was appointed director of the Space Shuttle Program where he led recovery and return-to-flight efforts. He then served as NASA associate administrator for Aeronautics and Space Technology and, later for Space Systems Development. Arnold also led initiatives with Russia leading to the incorporation of the Russian Soyuz

spacecraft as the on-orbit emergency rescue vehicle for the International Space Station. Arnold joined Lockheed Missiles and Space Company in 1994 as vice president. He retired in 2007. Arnold’s honors include Presidential Rank of Distinguished Executive, Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive (twice), NASA Distinguished Service Medal (three times), Northeastern University Outstanding Alumni Award, Arthur S. Fleming Award, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, VFW Aviation and Space Award, AIAA Space Systems Award, and NASA Exceptional Service Award. He was a member of the International Academy of Astronautics, an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and a member of the National Academy Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board. Arnold began his career after earning a

B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University in 1959. Following his retirement Arnold continued to support space initiatives including mentoring young aerospace program managers, serving as an AIAA Honorary Fellow, and helping select award winners for annual NASA Rotary Awards. Arnold enjoyed baseball, boating, fishing, gardening, and camping with friends. Arnold also researched and published a genealogy book of the Aldrich family from 1605 until present day. In recent years he was an ardent supporter of the American Battlefield Trust. Arnold is survived by his wife of 61 years, Eleanor Harris Aldrich; his son, Russell Aldrich, and his wife, Resa, of Ashburn, Va.; his daughter, Susan Zoch, and her husband, David, of Columbia, Md.; and four grandchildren, Chad Aldrich, Natalie Aldrich, Olivia Aldrich and Lisa Zoch.

JULY 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

DENTAL HEALTH

U.S. VETERAN JOE GLENNAN’S DENTAL MIRACLE After multiple childhood traumas and bad dental experiences, retired combat veteran Joe Glennan finally loves his smile, thanks to Dr. Noie.

By Xander Thomas

etired combat veteran, former teacher, husband and father, Joe Glennan, is a man who has fought for our country and done much to shape the next generation. Fearless, bold, respectable, just some words you might use to describe a man like this. One thing he couldn’t say most of his life? Confident in his smile. “When I was very, very young, I was hit with a baseball bat, and it broke my jaw and knocked most of my teeth out.” Joe said. On top of this, he had another dental trauma when his wisdom teeth began to come in underneath others in his mouth. His jaw was broken a second time when they went after these with a chisel and hammer. “All of my dental experiences were about as bad as you can possibly imagine” Joe says As a veteran who had seen his share of combat, Joe said he would rather face conflict than go see a dentist. It wasn’t until Joe’s daughter suggested that he meet with Dr. Farid Noie that he could finally shed some of his life long dread of the dentist chair, and hear some good options about his oral problems. “I’d say he’s a magician; he’s a great doctor and a great humanitarian,” Joe said.

“I’d say he’s a magician; he’s a great doctor and a great humanitarian.” Guarded by a life-long reinforced distrust of dentists, it was an embarrassing broken tooth in the front of his mouth that finally convinced him to talk to Dr. Noie. He had gone to see another dentist about a year prior to meeting with him, and the advice given was that Joe’s best option was to just pull the rest of his teeth and get dentures. Obviously, this didn’t sit well with Joe or his wife. Dr. Noie informed him that this was a horrible idea, and that Joe actually had some good teeth that are savable. Previous dental procedures were unsuccessful and the absence of teeth caused severe bone loss in Joe’s jaw. His situation got so bad that he was unable to chew food and suffered pain. Other dental surgeons were unable to help until Joe was referred to Unicare Dental by his daughter.

Dr. Noie was able to preserve and protect his remaining teeth with all-ceramic crowns and permanent teeth using the All-On-4 method. Dr. Noie was able to grow the bone in Joe’s jaw and fully restore his smile. “I now have some really great teeth, and I can open my mouth and smile with confidence.” Joe said. After all of the hardships he had gone through with oral problems, Joe had been skeptical of dentists in general, and now, after years of trauma and pain, he has found a doctor who is not only pleasant himself, but keeps a staff of friendly people around to aid in the care of all of the clients. With new confidence in himself, and trust of the man who helped him gain it, Joe finally is happy not having to hide his face from the new people he meets and has no worry smiling in public. Joe says that he would recommend Dr. Noie to anyone needing dental work, especially if they are skeptical based on past experiences. “I now have great teeth and I’ll have great teeth for the rest of my life.” To see if dental implants are right for you, please contact Dr. Noie at (281) 332-4700 for a complimentary consultation. 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.

MARCH 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Movers &Shakers Name: Cristina Womack

Occupation: President/CEO Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Hometown: Pasadena

My favorite performers are: Most Christian Praise & Worship Singers

Current home: Pasadena Family: My Heart belongs to my husband of six years, Nate, and two daughters, Bailey, 4 and Zoe Jane, 2

If I could travel any place, I’d go to: Anywhere with water and sunshine

Someone I’d like to meet: Francis Chan

My favorite meal is: Anything at Waffle House or cereal

Celebrating launch

To the editor: These last few months have been an unusual and extraordinary time. Dealing with the deadly coronavirus has been and continues to be very challenging for everyone. At this time, Clear Lake Area Panhellenic Association would like to say THANK YOU to all of our essential community workers that have worked so diligently to save lives and help others stay safe and healthy. We are beyond grateful for your sacrifice. Our sincere gratitude goes to all of our: • DOCTORS, NURSES, HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS

Photo by James Blair

PHARMACISTS

•

GROCERY STORE EMPLOYEES

•

GROCERY TRANSPORT TRUCK DRIVERS

•

HOME DELIVERY WORKERS

•

LAW ENFORCEMENT

•

FIRE FIGHTERS

•

PROFESSIONALS AND VOLUNTEERS WHO MAKE HEALTHCARE SUPPLIES

You all are truly heroes! -Clear Lake Area Panhellenic

I like to spend my leisure time: Surrounded by family and friends, preferably outside

My favorite writer is: Paul David Tripp

C.L. Panhellenic says thank you

•

If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose: My daughters to see life from their perspective

As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be: Maid or an attorney (Lol) You’ll never catch me: Playing with dogs or cats The thing that bugs me the most is: When people don’t collaborate for the common good My favorite movie is: Dirty Dancing Few people know: How adventurous I am...sky diving, bungee jumping, tent/beach camping, love it all!

Space Center Houston CEO William Harris, from left, welcomes Congressman Brian Babin, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Johnson Space Center Director Mark Geyer to the visitor center in Clear Lake for a May 31 news conference to discuss the successful flight of Space X Crew Dragon spacecraft and docking at the International Space Station. Astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley made history May 30 as they became the first Americans to launch on an American rocket from American soil to the space station in nearly a decade. Their successful docking to the station completed many of the test objectives of the SpaceX Demo-2 mission, and the rest will be completed as the spacecraft operates as part of the space station, then undocks and descends for a parachute landing in the Atlantic Ocean this summer.

Furry Pets of the Bay Contest CCISD ALUMNI & FRIENDS TOPGOLF TOURNAMENT

CLEAR LAKE CHAMBER 2020 GOLF CLASSIC

Thursday, July 23 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Top Golf in Webster Awards ceremony 5:30 p.m. Register by Monday, July 13 clearcreekeducationfoundation.org

Wednesday, Sept. 16 Bay Oaks Country Club Team of four $650 & $800 Individual player $175 Sponsorships available Call 281-488-7676

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

Join us for some July fun. We are having a furry pet contest and will reveal the winner in the August issue. Take a cute picture of your furry pet and send it to alisastar67@yahoo.com. We will be posting some of the pictures we get in the August issue as well. The winner will receive a doggie basket with lots of goodies for your pet. So let’s get started and get that camera snapping, Get creative with your ideas and pictures, and have fun with it.

JULY 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

bolsters and adjustable thigh support. The Stelvio begs you to take corners quicker than you have in the past. Powering this hot Italian is a 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that delivers 280-horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission. You’ll want to use the steering wheelmounted paddle shifters frequently. Starts at $41,400. Buick Enclave Avenir If you’re looking for more room with near-luxury look and feel then the Buick Enclave Avenir should be on your shopping list. Much larger than Stelvio, the Enclave is a three-row affair, comparable to a Suburban, but without the heft of a body-on-frame SUV. Buick has worked its design magic on the upscale Avenir with an

elegant, stylized grille, touting the tri-shield emblem against a black background. A touch of chrome adds just the right amount of elegance without overdoing it. Small fender vents harken back to Buicks past. A nice touch. The interior is where the Enclave Avenir shines. The quietness of the cabin is noticeable. The upscale leather gives you a sense of much pricier brands. Handling is superb and the ride quality is without fault. Despite its size, this Buick maneuvers store parking lots with ease. Under the hood is a 3.6-liter V-6, delivering 310 horsepower. It’s smooth, fuel efficient and a long-time mainstay in GM’s arsenal of bulletproof powerplants. Taking the top spot in the Buick Enclave lineup, the Avenir starts at $54,000.

Turn Up the SUV Heat By Don Armstrong

ore and more of us

are going for luxury SUV’s, and Bay dwellers are no exception. This month’s pair may surprise with their comparable pricing, yet different origins. AlFa Romeo Stelvio If you want to drive something that stands out in a crowded field of SUV’s, we’ve found something you must try. Like most crossover SUV’s, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is built on its sister Guila’s platform, a sport sedan that handles like a purpose-built racer. It was an instant love affair. Most notable is the Alfa brand scudetto, or “little shield,” trademark

grille. There is no mistaking the Stelvio with any other vehicle. Its high-mounted headlights and large, lower air intake make this crossover unique.

“A touch of chrome adds just the right amount of elegance without overdoing it.” The interior is simply beautiful, and our Ti version has red leather that “pops” like few others. To fully understand the nuances of the infotainment system, you’ll need to keep the owner’s manual nearby. Front seating is comfortable and supportive with rib-hugging side

El Dorado widening project underway Construction on the long awaited widening of a section of El Dorado Boulevard from two to four lanes has begun, Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin and Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia have announced. The project, a joint effort between the City of Houston and Harris County Precinct 2 to widen El Dorado Boulevard from two to four lanes from Horsepen Bayou to Clear Lake City Boulevard was first announced back in March 2019.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

The $8 million project includes a new two-lane 150› bridge along Horsepen Bayou, and modification of existing traffic signals at Brook Forest Drive and Clear Lake City Boulevard. “This is a vital road infrastructure project that will address mobility issues in this fast-growing region,» said Martin, who serves the District E area on Houston City Council. «With the help of Harris County Precinct 2, we are glad to officially break ground on this long-awaited project. A special thank you to all residents, community members, and local stakeholders for providing comments and support that helped make this project possible.”

Precinct 2 is the project lead for design and construction. “I am excited to partner with the City of Houston and City Council Member Dave Martin to see this project come to fruition,” Commissioner Garcia said. “This project will improve the mobility and safety in the region and provides us with an opportunity for future hike and bike trails.” Traffic on that section of El Dorado in that area has grown quite heavy in recent years due to an increase in new home construction in the area and the opening of Clear Lake Marketplace, a shopping center at the intersection of Clear Lake City Boulevard and El Dorado Boulevard, Martin added.

specialized MIG welder, which is set up for aluminum made cars. They also boast about their frame machine which corrects frame damage. Bay Area Body Shop combines the best in art, science and legal when properly repairing your vehicle. “New engineering and technology improves time and energy, however, it’s the old tried and true ways of hard work and attention to detail that gets the job done.” said Duncan. Bay Area Body Shop of Seabrook’s future looks bright. “We are very excited about the new expansion of Hwy. 146 and what our city officials are planning for our

“Bay Area Body Shop has invested heavily in the industry’s newest tech.” Bay Area Body Shop owner Mike Duncan with Bay Group Media CEO Rick Clapp

Bay Area Body Shop Seabrook Shop is a Cut Above the Rest By Rick Clapp

here are automotive

body shops and there are genuine state-of-the-art body repair shops like Bay Area Body Shop. This top notch shop is owned and operated by the Duncan family. The owner Mike Duncan is well known in the local body and repair business for reliable work. Bay Area Body Shop was created and started in 1968 with two major goals in mind; quality work to the manufacturers specifications/ standards and complete customer satisfaction. That has proven to be successful over the years.

The Duncan’s shop is well known for their knowledge, abilities, state-of-the-art modern equipment, creativity, craftsmanship and professional work. Their body work meets the manufacturers standards, not insurance company standards. “Most people do not know but in the state of Texas, the car or truck owner can choose and decide who they want to repair their vehicles, not the insurance companies.” owner Mike Duncan said. The major difference at Bay Area Body Shop is they place the emphasis on today’s up to date information of what the vehicle manufacturers requires for correct and proper body work for cars and trucks. The repair specifications and materials constantly change. For example more vehicles have gone from heavier

metal parts to aluminum, which requires more knowledge and a different skill set in preforming the work. It is imperative that vehicles must be repaired properly or the body shop can be held liable for incorrect work that could potentially jeopardize the driver and or occupants of the car or truck. Mike Duncan and members of his staff are constantly educated, trained and receive various certificates from vehicle manufacturers. They effectively combine experience, education, knowledge and their body repair skills, as well as state-of-the-art equipment to repair their customer’s vehicles. In order to have a world-class body shop, Bay Area Body Shop has invested heavily in the industry’s newest tech such as computerized measuring equipment which measures structural damage, a compression spot welder and a

business and other new businesses coming to our city. We are presently in the improvement and expansion mode to better serve our customers wants and needs,“ stated Duncan. Bay Area Body Shop is truly a family affair with Mike Duncan at the Helm. His dynamic wife Glenda handles the front of the house and runs the office, and his bright energetic daughter Danielle conducts the estimates. She is highly respected for her up to date knowledge of vehicle repair and her cost effective estimates. In the past body repair shops were all male dominated but Danielle broke that old mold, and now both men and women customers are equally confident to work with her. The Bay Area Body Shop provides reliable work in a punctual manner. They are conveniently located at 3110 Bayport Blvd., Seabrook Texas. Open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and can be reached by phone at 281-474-4711 or online at bayareabodyshop.com

JULY 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

A Place in Time By Capt. David C. Dillman galvestonbaycharterfishing.com 832-228-8012

“Memories light the corners of my mind.”

WATERFRONT PROPERTY

135 Port St • San Leon, TX 77539 4 beds 4 baths 2,658 sq ft For sale, $549,000 contact Alisa Krajnik for information. 281-726-7422 | alisastar67@yahoo.com

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

John, Louie and Ed with that big trout stringer from Bull Shoals back in the 90’s.

ow true

is this, throughout one’s life. Travel experiences to places that have changed over the years and may not even exist anymore. Anglers have that one epic day that is forever burned in their memory. The place that it happened may have changed, but not the memory! As the fireball, known as the sun arose from the East, we had high hopes for the day. We headed out of Eagle Point Fishing Camp to a place where I caught fish the previous day. This day, my friends were with me; Ed, Louie, and my mentor John. John had taken me under his wing when I started fishing out of Eagle Point in the late 1980’s. My thought on this day was: “we can catch quick limits and get back early for some much needed rest.” I caught them the day before, so this should be easy, but God and Mother Nature had a little change of plans! The bow pointed 90 degrees East as I pushed the throttle forward. Seas were quartering us from the port side, I thought no way do we have a Northeast wind. Hannas Reef in East Galveston Bay was our destination. Hannas is one of the largest reef structures in all of Galveston and in the summer months very productive for speckled trout. Upon arrival we were greeted by Northeast winds 15+, turning the area rough and off colored. Three drifts with live shrimp under popping corks yielded nothing for our effort. Was it time to change locations? John suggested we move towards the North shoreline to escape the wind and rough conditions. I wanted to make a easy day of this; did God have other plans? Just when we were about to move I glanced over to a little shell island about one mile from where we were, known as Bull Shoals. I told John, we can get on the protected side of the island, throw out the anchor and wait for this wind to lay. John, not real thrilled but agreed. We idled in towards Bull Shoal and dropped the anchor.

Louie and Ed decided to eat their lunch early. I thought why not and grabbed a sandwich. John was having none of it; he came to fish. He baited his hook and cast out his popping cork, named infamous orange, into the water. Just as soon as the cork hit the water he had a fish. Trout no less, so I preceded to net his fish. My thought was blind luck. John is just that way when it comes to fishing, he can catch them in a mud puddle! He baits up again and a couple minutes later has another trout. Has God landed us on a school of fish? Lunches were packed away quickly. By divine intervention we had landed on a school of fish, all caught on live shrimp and infamous orange popping cork, made by our late friend Gary. Along with speckled trout we also boxed some Redfish. Before it was all over boats had gathered around us, one even bumping into our boat trying to get in on the action! God had other plans and for some reason those fish on this day were ours! Before long, within four hours, we were headed back to Eagle Point, out of bait and enjoying slick water. The wind finally laid down. As we pulled into the slip at Eagle Point, the docks were empty of fisherman due to the wind that morning. One person was there, Gene, who kept his boat in a slip. He chuckled and asked if we had any luck, not expecting anything. We all answered yes and preceded to string the fish up for a picture. He walked off in disbelief, calling Gary, telling him of the catch. John of course called Gary on his way home, and all Gary said was, Gene told me, believe whatever they tell you! To this day this was the largest stringer of fish I have been a part of or seen at Eagle Point. This took place in the early 90’s on Bull Shoals, that has since been submerged due to subsidence. We all have not fished together in many years, but this day still lights my memory in the corners of my mind! At this writing John’s wife is fighting her toughest battle of her life. Please keep her in your prayers.

JULY 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bay Area’s Most Unique Development By Rick Clapp

ave you been curious

and wondering about all the dirt moving and activity of heavy equipment on NASA Parkway at the Peninsula on Taylor

Lake? Well no more wondering, this unique coastal development is local developer Tim Leppard’s new Taylor Lake Place. Taylor Lake Place will feature 30 custom made waterfront homes on 3.5 acres. The homes will be between 1,800 to 2,200 square feet, 3 bedroom, 2 -1/2 bath, and one and two story are available. Each one of these waterfront homes comes with a boat slip and boat houses are optional. Pre construction pricing starts at $450,000 and up. The custom homes at Taylor Lake Place have a crafted bayside look

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

and appeal. The location of this development is conveniently near the popular Seabrook restaurant district and the renowned Kemah Boardwalk. Other attractive features include one of the country’s best school districts, local police and fire departments, and proximity to the Johnson Space Center and Houston Methodist Hospital Medical Center. One of America’s top yacht clubs is less than a mile from Taylor Lake Place. Taylor Lake Place is all about the bayside lifestyle where you can enjoy boating, fishing, jet skiing, bird watching or just sitting back and enjoying the view and the peaceful serenity. Taylor Lake Place partners offer several different models and designs. They have over 40 years combined development and construction experience. “We work very hard to create serenity, experience and expression at an affordable price. Furthermore, all homes ensure style, custom design, elegance and close attention to detail,” stated home builder Tom Blaine. Fore more information contact realtor Liz Gleason, Better Homes & Garden/Gary Greene at 832-2368819 or by email at liz.gleason@gary greene.com

They Call Me Captain

By Blaine Ochoa

fter Hurricane Ike

in 2008, the Bolivar Peninsula had to overcome the uncertainty and hardships of rebuilding and restoring a community. Growing up on the Peninsula I have many memories of the difficult years, time, and changes that occurred during the rebuilding of the community I loved so much. However, “from the ashes we will rise” and in the midst of hard times, the best option is to look forward and press on with strength and grace. “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to plant and a time to pluck what is planted, a time to break down and a time to build up, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:3-4. Steve’s Landing became a beacon of hope and a pillar of restoration in the Crystal Beach community. In the midst of devastation, the rebuilding of Steve’s Landing was a decision that empowered the community and proved that the restaurant was an example of new beginnings and resilience. The new and improved Steve’s Landing reopened in 2013. Raised in Crystal Beach, I remember going to Steve’s Landing restaurant as a little girl with my family. The famous local restaurant was in business for fifteen years before it was destroyed by Hurricane Ike. After the original owner, Steve, passed away, the restaurant and land was sold to the Redwine family and then later bought by the new and current owners, Rahib Rahman and Davin Patel after Hurricane Ike. Rahman said, “it was an easy decision to keep the name Steve’s Landing, as it was a cornerstone of the community.” Rahman and Patel both visited Crystal Beach as children and would

place to live, visit, and enjoy. “The laid back lifestyle and the sense of community,” draws many visitors to the peninsula every year. The food on the peninsula is also very unique, as there are no chain restaurants, and each restaurant is different and privately owned. Steve’s Landing has become one to the best restaurants on the Peninsula and is very well known and popular throughout Texas and the South. “We understand a lot of our guests are driving hours to come dine at our place and we do not take that for granted. We keep that in mind with everything we do, from making everything from scratch (including salad dressings and infusing our own liquor) and making sure we treat you like family.” The Steve’s Landing menu has been uniquely created and inspired by Unique menu and cocktail creations from Steve’s Landing on Crystal Beach. Visit steveslanding.com for menu and hours. international culinary roots. Rahman and dine at the original Steve’s Landing Patel’s South with their families. “During my Asian background, international childhood, my father would take travel adventures, and “time spent our family to Crystal Beach every in Austin as college students have other year from Dallas. When my all been sources of inspiration that father passed, my memories with we draw from when creating the him at the beach were some of my menus. “We provide unique food and most vivid memories,” said Rahman. cocktails, mostly Cajun Fusion. We Rahman and Patel both have similar do Seafood differently. We want to outlooks on life and value family, incorporate different flavors and community, and great food. “We love techniques from around the world food and we’re confident we know in our food.” The owner’s “personal what tastes good. Seeing how food favorites are the Shrimp Tikka and brought people together when we Grits, Coconut Fish Curry, Crab were young, we wanted to build our Rangoons, Blueberry Jalapeño own restaurant to help restore the Margarita, and the Honey Nut Old Crystal Beach community after the Fashioned. We have used modern hurricane.” culinary techniques to marinate and Crystal Beach and the Bolivar infuse our base ingredients with other Peninsula is an extremely unique natural ingredients. It has been fun

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

researching and developing different flavor profiles that work together.” The food is absolutely delicious and something that guests will not get anywhere else. Having access to fresh seafood on the Gulf Of Mexico has also been a source of their one-of-akind culinary creations. Aside from having incredible food, the restaurant’s waterside views and exquisite interior design elements make it a five star place to dine, relax, and enjoy company. “We want everyone to feel relaxed as soon as they drive-in. We have breathtaking views of the sunset and we provide a unique atmosphere that includes ‘ceiling-tall’ teak wood palm trees inside, large windows throughout the restaurant, patio dining, and a ‘Swings Patio’ for an open view of the Gulf Coast throughout the restaurant. The scenery is the best on the peninsula and is perfect for date night, a romantic evening, or night out with friends. “We believe in creating memorable experiences and having a positive impact on people’s lives”. The Steve’s Landing shirts have, ‘They Call Me Captain’ on the back. “We believe in positive self-esteem and self-confidence, and we think it makes people feel good and helps them think about themselves when they put our gear on. I know it gives our staff and us the confidence we need to take ownership of providing an excellent guest experience. On any given night, many tables are celebrating a special occasion and we want to guide our guest through a great experience.” Steve’s Landing continues to be a light in the community, one that celebrates diversity, creativity, and family. The history and foundation of Steve’s Landing is strong, and it will continue to rise above the rough waves and press forward, no matter what obstacles may come. Getting through the Covid-19 pandemic was a challenge but, “during the shutdown, the amount of support we received, even though we were just doing take-out and curbside, was phenomenal. We are truly grateful for a wonderful community!” For the future, there are exciting ideas in the pipeline, and “we will continue to research and implement new ideas and executive with creativity.” Coowner, Davin Patel is also going to Cornell this fall to get his MBA. “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor” - Franklin D. Roosevelt

“Almased is gluten-free, diabetic friendly and contains no artificial fillers.”

Melt Your Body Fat Away The main key ingredient in these smoothies is, Almased. This helps you boost the fat-burning process while retaining muscle mass. The special fermentation used for making Almased releases bioactive peptides from its three main ingredients, soy, yogurt and honey. These peptides are very unique to Almased

By Alisa Star

at deposits around your stomach are known to be the most detrimental to your health and also the hardest to shed. But with delicious homemade smoothies with the right belly fat burning ingredients you can melt those stubborn pounds away.

July: The Month Of Summer Fun By Alisa Star

ere comes the heat

wave and you’re probably wishing it was fall again. You walk outside and in 10 minutes you’re soaking wet with sweat looking for the nearest pool or a close friend with one to jump in for a quick cool down. But the month of July has so much fun in it. July received its name in order to honor the Roman dictator Julius Caesar(100B.C.- 44B.C.). Caesar was a Roman general, statesman, and historian who conquered Gaul, what is now part of Italy, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. With the help of Sosigenes, Caesar developed the precursor to the Georgia calendar that we use today. July 4th is a national holiday and is celebrated all over America for it’s

the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Independence Day -- also known as 4th of July, has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of this day of celebration goes back to the 18th century and

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

and have been shown to inhibit the storage of fat in the body and support the breakdown of the existing fat. Combine these smoothies with a natural boost of energy and maintaining healthy blood sugars and thyroid function and you have the ideal weight loss multi-tasker. Almased is gluten-free, diabetic friendly and contains no artificial fillers. You can buy Almased at your local drug stores,and GNC stores.. I’m going to give you three different types of smoothies that I make for myself, they are all delicious and easy to make. Replace 1-2 meals a day with these delicious shakes and I guarantee you within 2 weeks you will start to see a difference around the midsection.

Mocha Magic •

8 Tbsp Almased

•

12 oz unsweetened almond milk

•

1 Tsp unsweetened cocoa powder

•

¼ cup cold coffee

Green Energy

•

1 Tsp stevia

•

8 Tbsp Almased

•

12 oz unsweetened almond milk

Cinnamon Roll

•

1 cup raw spinach

•

½ pear

•

1 Tsp stevia

the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776. The Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence. This is a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. July is also the month of Bastille Day known outside of France. The holiday commemorates the storming of Bastille, which ignited the French Revolution. Built in the late 1300s, the Bastille was a fortress that protected Paris France from attack. When you think of July, I usually think of a lot of family time. The 4th of July is a big deal to the American people as we celebrate our freedom in big ways. Family gatherings by the poolside with lots of grilled foods, smoked barbecue, cold watermelon, homemade ice cream, peach cobbler and watching the fireworks from your backyard, or going to the local park for the big display. Family’s love to gather up the kids and go to the Independence Day Parades. One of

•

8 Tbsp Almased

•

12 oz vanilla almond milk

•

1 Tsp cinnamon

•

1 Tsp stevia

my favorites is going to Kemah by boat and watching the firework show on the water with friends and family. There’s something about being on the water and seeing the flowing lights with the reflection on the water and hearing the big booming sound right over you, it’s electrifying! July is also the month for family vacations, this is a time that is full of opportunities and adventure for the whole family. This is a big world we live in and so many places to experience, and I know the kids have waited all year to go somewhere. So wherever you choose to spend your family vacation, have fun, live it up and make lots of memories! However you celebrate the month of July, always remember America means opportunity, freedom and power. Where liberty dwells, that is our country. In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed, it must be achieved. ”This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”

Your Summer Staycation at the San Luis Resort

he ultimate summer

staycation awaits you at The San Luis Resort on Galveston Island. A recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Award® since 1999, the 32-acre property offers lavish accommodations, breathtaking Gulf views, unmatched service and the finest in award-winning dining. Bring the family to soak up the summer sun and enjoy all the fun the resort has to offer. Let vacation mode set in upon the welcoming sounds of the ocean and the touch of cool island breezes. Whether you are seeking an actionpacked getaway or in need of rest and relaxation, The San Luis Resort is ready to welcome you to a summer full of rejuvenating experiences. From guided seawall strolls, sunset evenings with live music, and outdoor movie nights, to fitness bootcamps, lawn games and educational programs, such as Marine

Biologist for a Day, The San Luis’ complimentary guest activities ensure entertainment and enjoyment at every moment of your stay.

“Guests can truly getaway without going the distance,” said Paul Schultz, Vice President of Hospitality, Landry’s. “Whether you are seeking

an action-packed getaway or in need of rest and relaxation, our staff is ready to welcome you for a summer filled with rejuvenating experiences.” Choose from a variety of first-class accommodations, including 250 wellappointed guestrooms with private balconies and unmatched waterfront views. For an elegant retreat unlike anything on the Gulf Coast, head to The Villas at The San Luis. Nestled in lush surrounding in a quiet corner of the property are five, 800-square foot villa suites offering sumptuous appointments and heightened privacy. Each villa features a kingsized bed, dedicated sitting area and spa-like bathroom as well as in-room check-in, welcome Champagne, a separate veranda with a personal hot tub, valet service and a serene pool with cabanas and daybeds. Unique to The Villas, guests have the option to upgrade their travel arrangements and arrive via helicopter or limousine.

Flush with amenities and services, The Cove is the ultimate retreat for sun-kissed relaxation and enjoyment.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

Visit Aqua, one of two on property boutiques, for the latest in fashion and style for women and girls.

The resort’s premier accommodations are complimented with top-of-the-line amenities. For top-shelf pampering, head to Spa San Luis, offering the region’s most luxurious spa treatments including massages, facials, body gommages and hydrotherapies. For further rejuvenation, Spa San Luis is home includes a fitness center and fullservice salon. Two boutiques are conveniently located on property for access to the latest in fashion and style. Aqua, the resort’s lifestyle boutique, is your onestop shopping destination offering a collection of designer swimwear, resort wear, athleisure, apothecary and accessories for both women and girls. For his and hers one-of-a-kind fashion finds from luxury brands such as Tory Burch, Gucci and more visit Style & Trend. Venture to The Cove, the resort’s revamped pool and outdoor oasis offering enhanced amenities and personalized services, for a poolside retreat unlike any other. Surrounded by glistening beach views, The Cove is the ultimate retreat for sun-kissed relaxation and enjoyment. Guests can find tranquility under grand resortstyle umbrellas on plush lounges and contemporary furnishings of natural and tropical hues. Sun seekers can opt to reserve a poolside day bed. For those seeking respite from the sun can find shaded comfort in a lush cabana, available for private rental. The San Luis has an extensive list of resort amenities and activities for visitors of all ages and interests. The year-round beachfront resort is conveniently located on the Seawall for immediate access to the beach. Join us for resort-led activities

Find exemplary steaks and seafood, pictured top, at The Steakhouse or dine at Grotto Ristorante for authentic Italian cuisine in a cozy setting of a trattoria in the Old Country.

including sandcastle building classes, a meet and greet with Phydias at the bird cage in the Hotel Lobby and peaceful strolls along the Seawall. Families with children will love playing games and watching movies on the Promenade Lawn, making poolside s’mores and the opportunity to pet wild animals and reptiles at Gazebo. Make sure to snap a family photo with the newest member of The San Luis, Tourist Ted. The statue of a native sea turtle serves as a beautiful reminder to protect our local species and their natural habitat. The San Luis Resort is a proud advocate for marine wildlife conservation and offers educational marine life programs led by the experts at the Downtown Aquarium. Visitors can be a marine biologist for the day and learn about protecting the coral communities, scuba diving and create ocean-themed crafts by the pool. Fitness fanatics can start the day off strong with a workout at the

property’s state-of-the-art gym or join the resort’s high-energy boot camp available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Guests can also choose from a wide variety of health and wellness programming such as yoga and Zumba classes. After each class, be sure to stop by Cup + Cone for freshly made juices loaded with electrolytes and antioxidants to keep you balanced throughout the day. With so many restaurants on property, The San Luis Resort promises a dining experience for every whim. Cosmopolitan and sophisticated, The Steakhouse’s award-winning menu features only the finest cuts of prime beef and fresh seafood selections. The restaurant’s chef-curated culinary preparations are complete with an extensive wine collection and exemplary service. Curated with an undeniable attention to detail, The Steakhouse has consecutively received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for 10 years and owns a No. 1 spot

on Tom Horan’s “Texas’ Top Ten Steakhouses,” list. Its companion, The Bar, offers guests an extensive libations menu and chic décor in a stress-free setting. For authentic Italian cuisine, visit Grotto Ristorante. Grotto’s warm and lively atmosphere will transport you to the cozy setting of a trattoria in the Old Country. Enjoy a savory menu brimming with timeless recipes for house made pastas, wood-fired pizzas and “Old World” signature dishes, such as Pollo Francese, Trio Tomato Pappardelle and Snapper Siciliano. Fantastic summer specials complete the Italian experience with prices that are ideal for groups of all sizes. Savor the flavors of the Fertitta Family’s coveted Fried Chicken and Pasta, along with bread, salad and dessert for two for only $31.95 every Sunday and Monday. No meal would be complete without Grotto’s famous Peach Bellini or a bottle of Italian or domestic wine. With a winning combination of impeccable service, superb cuisine and passion for detail, it is no wonder Grotto is the island’s best kept secret. Enjoy laid-back meals at Blake’s Bistro. The cozy restaurant boasts a relaxed and inviting environment with delicious offerings including Texas-sized omelets, buttermilk pancakes, crisp salads, Tex-Mex plates, burgers and other comfort favorites. The dynamic dining experience is rounded out with Cup + Cone, a grab and go counter that is stocked with gelato, sweet treats and a full Starbucks Coffee bar. Parents and children alike can look forward to a little afternoon indulgence following a long day at the beach. Should you wish to discover the wonders of the local community during your stay at The San Luis Resort, schedule a day for exploring the beauty and historic elegance of Galveston Island. Boasting 32 miles of sun-drenched beaches, the Historic Strand District, exciting entertainment and great shopping, Galveston offers a wide array of attractions on land and sea. Just down the road, the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier features family-oriented attractions including thrilling rides, midway games, a wide selection of food venues and retail shops. The beachside retreat is the perfect destination for celebrating a special occasion or just an extraordinary weekend getaway. Conveniently located near Kemah and the Bay Area, the one-of-a-kind resort provides a safe escape for nearby visitors seeking a unique and private retreat. Summer paradise awaits at The San Luis Hotel on Galveston Island. For information, reservations and special packages, please visit www. sanluisresort.com or call 409.744.1500.

JULY 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Sokols Greek

Sawa

Habanero’s

Chelsea Wine Bar

Boondoggles

888 Chinese c

Angelo’s Escalante’s

OG Express Masa Sushi

Pappa’s Delta Blues BB’s El Tiempo Preamble

Mediterraneo

Franca’s Noon & Mirch

r l e a

Opus

l a k e

Scotty’s

Cabo

Sundance

MichiRu

Floyd’s

Crazy Alan’s Bakkhus

g a l v e s t o n

b ay

Skallywag’s

Schafer’s

Ocean Sushi Jackie’s Brickhouse South Shore Grille Red River Cantina

Nobi Las Haciendas

A GUIDE TO THE BEST BITES AND BREWS IN THE BAY

Tookie’s Seafood

Hubcap Grill

T-Bone Tom’s Kemah Cafe

Red River BBQ

Gilhooley’s

AMERICAN ASIAN BBQ CAJUN ITALIAN MEDITERR. MEXICAN PUB/FUSION SEAFOOD

Red Oak Cafe

Topwater Grill

Marais

Dickinson BBQ

Gio’s

AMERICAN 1. Jackie’s Brickhouse 1053 Marina Bay Dr, Kemah, TX (832) 864-2459 jackiesbrickhouse.com 2. Red Oak Cafe 6011 W Main St a106, League City, TX (832) 905-3150 redoakcafe.com 3. South Shore Grille 2800 Marina Bay Dr, League City, TX (281) 334-7700 soshoregrille.com 4. T-Bone Tom’s 707 TX-146, Kemah, TX (281) 334-2133 tbonetoms.com 5. Cabo Bar & Grill 2513 NASA Rd. 1, Seabrook, TX (281) 532-2691 caboclearlake.com 6. Hubcap Grill 1918 E NASA Pkwy, Seabrook, TX (281) 339-7116 hubcapgrill.com 7. Opus Bistro & Steakhouse South Shore Blvd, League City, TX (281) 334-5225 opusbistro.net ASIAN 1. 888 Chinese 16744 El Camino Real, Houston, TX (281) 990-8888 888chinesetx.com 2. Masa Sushi 977 E NASA Pkwy, Webster, TX (281) 486-9888 masasushitexas.com

3. Michiru Sushi 20911 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (281) 338-9988 michirusushi.com 4. Noon & Mirch: Cuisine of India 505 E NASA Pkwy, Webster, TX 5. Ocean Sushi 3020 Marina Bay Dr Suite A2, League City, TX (281) 957-9122 oceansushigrill.com 6. Kemah Cafe 1201 TX-146, Kemah, TX (281) 535-9405 kemahcafe.com 7. Oriental Gourmet Express 1354 NASA Road 1, Houston, TX (281) 335-4567 orientalgourmetexpresstogo.com

2. Floyd’s Cajun Seafood 20760 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (281) 332-7474 floydswebster.com

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

3. BB’s Tex-Orleans 1039 Bay Area Blvd, Webster, TX (281) 767-9644 bbstexorleans.com

4. Sokols Greek Deli & Cafe 2410 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX (281) 286-2989 sokolsgreekcafe.com

4. Marais 2015 FM 517 Rd E, Dickinson, TX (281) 534-1986 I TA L I A N 1. Angelo’s Pizza & Pasta 400 Bay Area Blvd A, Webster, TX (281) 332-2404 angelospizza-pasta.com

BARBEQUE

2. Gio’s Flying Pizza & Pasta 650 FM 517 W. Dickinson, TX (281) 337-0107 giosflyingpizza.com

1. Dickinson BBQ 2111 FM 517 Rd E, Dickinson, TX (281) 534-2500 dickinsonbbq.com

3. Franca’s Real Italian 1101 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX (281) 488-2207 francasrealitalian.com

2. Pappas Delta Blues 19901 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (281) 332-0024 www.pappasdeltablues.com

4. Dan’s Pizza 15148 TX-3, Webster, TX (281) 480-9700 danspizzaco.com

3. Red River BBQ 1911 E Main St Suite B, League City, TX (281) 332-8086 CAJUN 1. Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack 310 Texas Ave, Kemah, TX (281) 334-5000 crazyalanswampshack.com

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

MEDITERRANEAN 1. Bakkhus Taverna 605 6th St, Kemah, TX (281) 538-1800 bakkhustaverna.com 2. Mediterraneo Market & Cafe 18033 Upper Bay Rd, Houston, TX (281) 333-3180 mediterraneomarket.com

MEXICAN/TEX MEX 1. El Tiempo Cantina 20237 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (713) 802-1580 eltiempocantina.com 2. Habanero’s Tacos 1908 Hialeah Dr #2, Seabrook, TX (281) 474-4400 habanerostacos.com 3. Las Haciendas 1020 W. Nasa Rd 1, Webster, TX 77598 281-557-3500 lashaciendasgrill.com 4. Red River Cantina 1911 E Main St Suite A, League City, TX 77573 281-557-8156 redrivercantina.com 5. Escalante’s Fine Tex-Mex & Tequila 1043 W. Bay Area Blvd, Webster, TX 77598 281-316-6980 escalantes.net PUB/BAR/FUSION 1. Nobi Public House 241 E NASA Pkwy, Webster, TX (832) 932-5111 nobipub.com 2. Scotty’s Pub 3202 Marina Bay Dr, League City, TX (281) 339-7474 www.scottyspubhouston.com

3. Skallywag’s 600 6th St, Kemah, TX (281) 538-8877 m o

s e s

l a k e

4. Boondoggles Pub 4106 E NASA Pkwy, El Lago, TX (281) 326-2739 boondogglespub.com 5. Chelsea Wine Bar 4106 E NASA Pkwy f, El Lago, TX (281) 326-5282 chelseawinebartexas.com 6. Preamble Lounge & Craft House 20801 Gulf Fwy #12, Webster, TX (832) 905-2927 preamblelounge.com SEAFOOD 1. Gilhooley’s Oyster Bar 222 9th St, San Leon, TX 77539 (281) 339-3813 2. Tookie’s Seafood 1106 Bayport Blvd, Seabrook, TX (281) 942-9445 tookiesseafood.com 3. Topwater Grill 815 Avenue O, San Leon, TX (281) 339-1232 4. Sundance Grill II 800 Mariners Dr, Kemah, TX (281) 535-5350 sundance-grill.com 5. Schafer’s Coastal Bar & Grille 1002 Aspen Rd, Clear Lake Shores, TX (281) 532-6860 schaferscoastalbarandgrille.com

JULY 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

S ici l ian N i G H T S at P omodoro â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s C ucina I ta l iana : P H O T O S B Y S A R I A S A H I

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

Pomodoro’s New Bar and Lounge By Rick Clapp

he Sicilian Nights Party kicked off

the grand opening of the new Pomodoro’s bar and lounge, which is adjacent to the restaurant. Cameras were flashing all night with pictures of guests arriving for the evening’s festivities. The event included authentic Siclian treats and Hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and live music by Claudio and Glynda. Over 65 of Clear Lake’s

best enjoyed the night away. Pomodoro’s Bar and Lounge has a true midtown feel with it’s comfortable chairs, cocktail tables and friendly full service bar. It is nicely designed and decorated with tasteful artwork. The bar and lounge compliments the restaurant. So whether you want a cocktail, beer, glass of wine before or after dinner with your family and friends Pomodoro’s is the place to go. It is also a nice comfortable spot to meet other singles and mingle while enjoying a drink, pizza or appetizer. Furthermore, the bar and food service is exceptional and the staff is cordial and friendly. The new Pomodoro’s Bar and Lounge has a nightclub ambience and atmosphere. It is the creation of Siclian restaurant mavens Louis, Giorgio

Floridia and their gorgeous wives. Pomodoro’s Cucina Italiana is truly a family affair. You feel the Italian hospitality and warmth as you are greeted at the door. More exciting events are planned, such as wine, bourbon and scotch tasting events and Roman Holiday Night. So if you’re looking for a great atmosphere, food, drink and service come to Pomodoro’s New Bar and Lounge. In bocca al lupo. Ciao! Located at: 2700 Marina Bay Dr, League city 281-334-5950 pomodoroscatering@yahoo.com JULY 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

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JULY 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

By Sari Asahi T I M L E P PA R D â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BI RT H D AY @ B A R G E 2 9 5

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

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JULY 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Cider-Vinegar BBQ Sauce: • 1 1/2 cup cider vinegar • 1 cup yellow mustard( or dijon) • 1/2 cup ketchup • 1/3 cup brown sugar • 2 cloves minced garlic • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp cayenne pepper • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper Cole Slaw: • 1 head green cabbage • 2 grated carrots • 1 thinly sliced red onion • 2 green onions-chopped • 1/2 cup mayo • 1/4 cup dijon mustard • 2 tbsp cider vinegar • 1/2 tsp sugar • 1/2 tsp celery seed • Juice from 1 lemon • salt &pepper

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich By Alisa Star

ooray!

Grilling season is finally here, we’ve waited all winter to get out the coals and the pits, enjoy a cold brewsky and sit and smell that wonderful aroma. This barbeque pulled pork sandwich will keep you coming

Directions: 1.

back for more. It’s sweet, tangy and tasty and is easy to make . The only waiting time is the cooking, But I assure you it is worth the wait. Ingredients: Dry Rub: • 2 tbsp paprika • 1 tsp garlic powder • 1 tbsp brown sugar • 1 tbsp dry mustard • 3 tbsp coarse sea salt • 1 6 lb pork roast butt/shoulder

crabmeat and shrimp and is also a healthy dish!

While the pork is cooking let’s make the bbq sauce. Combine vinegar, mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, garlic, salt, cayenne, and black pepper in a saucepan over medium heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes stirring frequently.

Butter a shallow dish or baking sheet. Place the crabmeat and shrimp in a medium bowl and season with old bay. Cover with plastic wrap, and chill until ready to use.

In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onion, celery, bell pepper, cook and stir until soft, about 5 minutes. Add 1 tsp of the parsley and the garlic, cook for 1 minute and remove from heat.

Add the cooked veggies to the crabmeat and shrimp mixture and toss gently together. Add the mayo, egg, squeeze 2 of the lemon wedges in the mixture, toss gently together. Add ½ cup of the bread crumbs, salt and pepper, and gently stir together.

Season each filet with old bay seasoning, and place the fillets skin side up on a work surface. Divide the crabmeat filling

Ingredients: •

Grilled Stuffed Flounder By Alisa Star

his tasty fish is less common a catch in the summertime versus the fall or winter. But you can find them at fish markets, or buy fillets at your local markets. This fish is light in taste and stuffed with

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

3-4 flounder fillets (or whole flounder) 1/2 pound fresh lump crab meat 4 oz small shrimp 1/4 cup minced onion 2 stalk chopped fine celery 1/2 chopped bell pepper 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic 2 tbsp mayo 1 lemon cut into wedges Salt & pepper 1 tsp Old bay season 2 tsp paprika 1 tbsp olive oil 3/4 cup italian bread crumbs 4 tbsp butter 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1 egg

Directions: 1.

Preheat the oven to 350.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

Mix all the dry rub ingredients well together in a small bowl. Rub the spice blend all over the pork butt. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hrs. Place in the barbeque pit, or smoker and cook until the thickest part of the pork reads 170 degree F, or until falling apart with a fork.

Lets get the coleslaw made also while the pork is cooking. Combine the thinly sliced cabbage, carrots, red onion, green onions. Place all in a medium bowl. Stir in the mayo, mustard, vinegar, lemon juice and sugar. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mix and stir gently. Season the slaw with celery seed, salt and pepper. You can even heat it up a bit with a drop or two of hot sauce.

When the pork is done, take it off the grill and let it rest for 30 minutes. Then take 2 forks and start to poll the pork apart. Place shredded pork in a bowl and pour half the bbq sauce over it and stir it in.

To serve, spoon the pulled pork on a bun and top it off with the slaw mixture, serve with a pickle spear or chips… Enjoy!

Most of the time when you eat barbeque you drink ice cold beer. For all the wine drinkers out there, When pork is on the menu, Pinot Noir from Oregon, the Russian River Valley is best. The richer flavors rely on the Pinot to help equal out the pork and barbeque flavors. This Pinot Noir is an exquisite wine with fresh fruit aromas of cherry, raspberry and vanilla. With hints of white pepper, cola and spicy earthy notes.

evenly among the center of the fish. Using your hands , roll the fillets up to encase the filling. Secure each fillet with a toothpick if necessary. Place the seam side down in your buttered baking dish. Sprinkle remaining breadcrumbs over the top of the fish, drizzle with melted remaining butter, Bake until light golden brown, about 20 minutes. Garnish with remaining parsley, and lemon wedges. This dish pairs perfectly with actually 2 different types of wine, so if you’re a white wine lover a white Sauvigon Blanc (dry) from Marlborough, New Zealand. And if you prefer a red, then Barbaresco from Piedmont , Italy is a great pairing for stuffed flounder. Enjoy!

REMEMBERING GENE HOLLIER

he Longhorn Project (LHP) Board of Directors bids farewell to their Vice Chairman, Gene Hollier, longtime champion and visionary for innovative agricultural and STEM education programs. Gene has long been known for his community leadership as a philanthropist and advocate for youth education programs. Among his many achievements was his role in forging the partnership among NASA Johnson Space Center, the Houston Livestock and RodeoTM and Clear Creek Independent School District that has resulted in both the NASA High School Aerospace Program and The Longhorn Project at Johnson Space Center. Thus, thanks to Gene, thousands of students have benefited from these unique educational programs. “Gene, my mentor and friend, has been a driving force in the evolution and success of The Longhorn Project. From the LHP’s inception almost twenty-five

years ago, he has been instrumental in strengthening and expanding the Longhorn Project from serving one school district to our current nonprofit status that allows us to reach thousands of students from many school districts, private and home-based schools. His legacy will endure through the indelible footprint he has left,” said Andrea Wilson, Chairman of the LHP Board of Directors. Gene Hollier, age 85, passed away on June 7, 2020 after a short illness. His family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Longhorn Project in his memory. Donations may be sent to The Longhorn Project, 957 NASA Parkway, #129 Houston, TX 77058 or through the donate link on thelonghornproject.com. The Longhorn Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located on the premises of NASA JSC, provides agricultural and STEM education to thousands of youth annually.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

JULY 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

On Mediocrity By Michael W. Gos Kingsville, Texas

t was just another one

of those professional conferences, this time at Texas A&MKingsville. You may know the type of event I’m talking about—an activity that may look good on your resume but is absolutely worthless in terms of garnering something you will ever use on the job. But we go anyway because of optics; it looks good. For the entire day, the discussion seemed to be centered around taking care of those students who find themselves at the bottom of their college classes: the underprepared, those in remedial classes, those who many people feel don’t belong in college at all. I would certainly understand this emphasis if it were a conference about developmental education, but this was about teaching all types of writing in college (composition, technical and business writing). I expected a wider discussion. When it wasn’t happening, I spoke up.

Texas A&M-Kingsville

I pointed out that the discussion these last two days had been all about the developmental student, but I wanted to know what we could do for our best students, the ones who come well prepared and with a real desire to succeed. What happens to those who are outstanding and have the potential for greatness? I got a near unanimous reply from my fellow conferees. The more magnanimous said these students are able to take care of themselves and don’t need our attention. However, I was surprised to learn that a far

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

greater number of those in the room went so far as to say the presence of these higher end students is problematic, an actual obstacle to learning. They often perform in ways that discourage the “students we most need to help.“ This isn’t the first time I had found myself at odds with others in my discipline. In fact, we disagree on almost everything. But for some reason, this one really troubled me. I tend to think that seeing your classmates performing well would be an incentive to work harder.

When you see that it can be done, you are motivated to emulate that success. How is it that the presence of those who should be role models in the classroom is discouraging to learning?

Over the last few years, we have evolved into a society that not only accepts, but actually valorizes and encourages mediocrity. It has become the norm; mediocrity is what is expected, even demanded. This

trend has been noted by countless researchers in the past decade. But today, we are going far beyond that. Mediocrity is quickly becoming the highest performance level allowed. Excellence, should it rear its ugly head, is viewed as an attack on everyone else. It is sometimes even labeled as violence. There are those who cannot bear to see excellence. It reminds them of their own failures. I understand that. And of course, we must never point out someone else’s shortcomings. Not only is it impolite, it might hurt their self-esteem. Therefore, we have only one sensible option. Since we can’t improve the performance of those at the bottom, we must attack the top—destroy any signs of excellence. That is why today we see such a concerted effort toward its elimination. One of the arguments presented for this attack on excellence is the need for total equality among individuals in the society. Equality of outcomes, of course, is nothing more than a child’s fantasy. Since I was a kid, I wanted to be able to dunk a basketball as well as those seven-footers in the NBA. I’ve spent 50 years trying to master the skill. but I’m still just six feet tall and can’t jump more than a few inches. If I am to achieve equality in this skill,

something has to be done. And it can’t be something I do to improve my chances. That is hopeless. Instead, we have to reduce the sevenfooters’ ability to do as well as they do. It can be done. We can make all dunks illegal. After all, in the college game, dunks were not allowed until the early 1970s so there is a precedent for this. Of course, that sounds preposterous, but is it any different from what we are doing throughout society today? While it may be

overcome the shutdown of NASA’s work in space travel and return to some sense of American competence in space. For the last few years, we have been entirely dependent on Russian technology to get our astronauts to and from the space station. Why? How did we let that happen? I’m not sure this return to space flight would have happened through government work alone. While there is no question there are some brilliant, hard-working people in

“Equality of outcomes... is nothing more than a child’s fantasy.” possible to raise the performance of those at the bottom a bit, the only way to ensure the sought after equality is to remove those at the top. In basketball, this is probably not a critical issue. It has no great implications for society. After all, basketball is just a game. (This is really hard for me to say, having been born and raised in Indiana where basketball is life!) But what about when we encounter a more serious issue? What does this philosophy do to our future as a nation? Last month, we saw a perfect example. It took nine years to

government agencies, especially NASA which is probably the home of our best and brightest, would we have been back in the space flight business without the move to the private sector? Business and industry are far less inhibited by the social pressures of enforced equality. There is less of a push in that direction, and a greater emphasis is placed on excellence, something that generally is not tolerated in government—or in government schools. As a career educator, I am particularly concerned with what this does to our children and

college students. But I also worry that the issue affects more than just our children. The push toward intellectual mediocrity is leaving us with a serious threat to our nation and its people. These students are our future. We are not just hurting them; we are hurting all of us. I cannot help but think one of the most rewarding experiences in life is recognizing that you as an individual have achieved excellence in some part of your work or your life. It gives a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, sometimes even a thrill, that can’t be experienced any other way. When we can look back at an accomplishment and say, “That is the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” and realize that indeed, we did it, we feel on top of the world. Our self-esteem soars and we become sublimely satisfied with our lives. We will never feel the same elation from merely achieving mediocrity. There is an old saying, “Shoot for the moon. So what if you don’t actually make it? Look how far you have come in your failure.” I’m sure, in the not-so-distant future, America will again shoot for, and even exceed the moon. We are once again on the right path. All we have to do to succeed is jettison our insistence on mediocrity.

JULY 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

[ education ]

CCISD superintendent announces retirement

echoed the sentiments of staff and the larger community. “Dr. Smith is a leader of all leaders. of Schools Dr. Greg Smith publicly His handprint is all over this school district. I announced his retirement for Dec. 31, know I speak for the other school 2020 during the June 22 school board meeting. The public “Clear Creek ISD board members when I say that Clear Creek ISD is the district it announcement is necessary to is the district it is today because of his strategic allow the school board ample is today because mindset, heart for children, and time to identify the next leader of willingness to bring people to CCISD. of his strategic the table for the good of the The decision to retire was made mindset, heart community.” five years ago when Dr. Smith for children, and Dr. Smith joined Clear Creek signed his final contract, informing willingness to ISD in 2008 as Superintendent of the board at the time of his intent Schools. During his tenure, he was to close out his 40-year career in bring people named Superintendent of the Year education here in the Clear Creek to the table for by the Texas Association of School Independent School District. His the good of the Boards, the Top Administrator contract expires Dec. 31. community.” by the Texas Classroom “There is never a good time to Teachers Association and the make this type of announcement, Superintendent of the Year by the Texas PTA. but it is important to give the CCISD community He has been in public education for 40 years, time to find the right person to lead this 20 of those years as a superintendent. He is the exceptional school district,” Dr. Smith said. longest serving superintendent in Clear Creek “For those who know me, I do not tire. I remain ISD’s history. committed to the work ahead of reopening Clear As for plans after December, Dr. Smith plans Creek ISD to 42,000 boys and girls and leading us to continue his support to public education into a strong fall semester.” throughout Texas. CCISD Board President Dr. Laura DuPont lear Creek ISD Superintendent

Dr. Greg Smith

San Jac College named finalist for 2021 Aspen Prize

an Jacinto College has

been named as one of 10 finalists for the 2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among community colleges. Awarded every two years since 2011, the Aspen Prize recognizes institutions that achieve strong student outcomes across four key areas: teaching and learning, degree completion and successful transfer to four-year institutions, success in the workforce, and equitable outcomes for diverse student groups. In 2017, San Jacinto College earned the Aspen Rising Star Award; and in 2019, the Aspen Institute named San Jacinto College as one of the top 10 community colleges in the country. “It is again an honor to be recognized by the Aspen Institute for the incredible work being done at San Jacinto College to help our students reach their educational goals,” said

San Jacinto College Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer. “This recognition is due to the dedication of our Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, and staff to ensure that all of our students have the resources they need and well-planned educational pathways to complete their certificates or degrees. On behalf of everyone at San Jacinto College, I thank the Aspen Institute for this amazing honor.”

FOCUS ON COMPLETION

The college’s laser focus on student completion has resulted in a 168.7 percent increase in certificates and degrees from 2009 to 2019. This is the result of the comprehensive work of employees to advise and track students from admissions to completion. The institution has developed an intentional, integrated advising

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

program to help students succeed. This program was designed to make the student experience more relational and less transactional and more intrusive and intentional, with career information and exploration strategically placed throughout the process. College Outreach Advisors monitor students’ progress and provide help, guidance, and encouragement if needed. “We know that our students are more successful when they have a connection to the college from the moment they come to campus to the moment they walk across the stage at graduation,” said San Jac Deputy Chancellor and College President Dr. Laurel Williamson. “That’s why we have been intentional about removing barriers and putting support systems in place so that our students can get the help they need wherever

they are in their certificate or degree programs.” The 10 Aspen Prize finalists were selected from the nation’s 1,000 community colleges in a process that included qualitative and quantitative data analysis and engaged more than 30 experts in the field. The finalists all effectively identify, develop, and scale strategies to propel all students to not just complete college but also succeed after graduation.

2021 Aspen Prize Finalists

• • • • • • • • • •

Amarillo College, Amarillo, TX Borough of Manhattan Community College, New York, NY Broward College, Fort Lauderdale, FL Odessa College, Odessa, TX Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA Pierce College, Pierce County, WA San Antonio College, San Antonio, TX San Jacinto College, Pasadena, TX Tallahassee Community College, Tallahassee, FL West Kentucky Community and Technical College, Paducah, KY

New UHCL alumna Jasmine Keeton, left, and her daughters, JoyLynn and Jadean, celebrate their graduations on the “Today” show.

Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Prairie View A&M. “I am on the ‘Today’ show email distribution list,” Keeton said. “They said there was an opportunity to be part of the ‘virtual’ plaza party celebrating 2020 graduates. I wrote a quick story about my youngest daughter JoyLynn, about how awesome she is, and noted that we had three women graduating in our family. I sent that in.” And ever since, Keeton said, it’s been crazy. “Getting chosen to speak on the ‘Today’ show was a total surprise,” she said. “I was told the anchors might say hello if they had time, so when Hoda Kotb called our name, I was completely surprised.” She said the producers had told her that they would go live at 7 a.m. but it was actually earlier. “We recorded it at 6:30 a.m.,” she said. “When they started talking about the different people graduating from school, we were the first ones she called.” They were holding a sign saying, “Mama we made it!” made by JoyLynn. “Then, KPRC Channel 2 saw it and we were on the 5 o’clock news as well,” she said. Keeton said she had waited 20 years to get her

Spot on ‘Today’ creates some graduation pomp, despite circumstances

his year, graduation season

brought more heartbreak than happiness to students around the U.S. who were forced to stay in home quarantine due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Still, Jasmine Keeton, who had hoped to put on her cap and gown alongside her two daughters, decided to try to find a way to salvage the situation. Keeton, a career Johnson Space Center contractor who was set to graduate from University of Houston-Clear Lake with her Master’s degree in Engineering Management, thought she’d found the perfect way to celebrate her younger daughter JoyLynn’s graduation from Robert Turner College and Career High School in Pearland with her high school diploma as well as her Associate’s Degree from Alvin Community College, and her older daughter Jadean, who was receiving her

advanced degree. “I always knew a high school diploma would never be enough, and a college diploma wasn’t enough either,” she said. “I knew I needed a master’s degree and now that I have it, I am seriously considering a doctorate.” Her goal is to receive her certification as a project management professional and after researching, she found out that UHCL was the only university to offer a degree that would prepare her. “I hesitated about the GRE, because it had been a long time since I had studied for an exam,” she said. “I wanted to take the next exam, and it was in 10 days! So I studied for nine days with books and practice tests. The kids brought me food and I had piles of notes and books everywhere. I took the test and got the score I needed.” She found out that she could go to school after work at a university that was in her own back yard. “It was time for me to get something for myself,” she said. “Everything was in alignment. It just took me to decide, and once I found the school, it was a perfect match.” She said her degree in engineering management will prepare her for the project management program that will allow her to advance in her career. “I always wanted to move into a management position,” she said. “If I don’t progress as a contractor at NASA Johnson Space Center, it will still open doors for me in private industry.” Keeton said her goal was to pass the test as soon as it became available again, after COVID-19related delays. “I am going to pass this test. I know I will, because I absolutely got the preparation I was looking for at UHCL,” she said. “Being on the ‘Today’ show is a moment we will cherish the rest of our lives,” she said. “No matter what the challenges, keep striving for what you want and you will get it.”

How the Coronavirus pandemic has affected our children’s future By Alisa Star

huttered schools

and shattered families across the globe are being affected by the Coronavirus crisis. Will this generation of our children and adolescents see themselves as the “lost generation,” whose lives will be forever affected by this horrible pandemic that is affecting our children in today’s crisis over Covid 19. With high school graduation rates up almost 70% and dropout rates lower than 30% in the past decade, educators are concerned that school closures could hurt the progress that has been made. Being in school every day help social skills, learning skills, mental health, and being able to ask a question if they don’t understand a virtual assignment. Being on a computer and receiving an assignment does none of these for a student. School has two parts; it has experience and it has instruction. Right now we have a virtual learning system trying to address the instruction side, and that makes the school side on hold. There are also

gaps in adult supervision for schooling at home during this pandemic, working parents often leave children alone and this can lead to risky behavior, including peer pressure and substance abuse, leading to becoming a dropout. This pandemic is exposing inequities, this is that so many of the kids are not having internet access or a quiet place to study, and a lot of our schools don’t have enough computers to sign out

to families to cover the amount of kids that don’t have a computer. This puts kids at failing school! This is a setup for failure and not being able to achieve what they would be able to do if they were in school.This is not a forward pathway by any means. In fact it has been known that 60% of those in prison are school dropouts.. The online learning also puts the children in more dire circumstances with social interaction with peers and teachers, this can cause learning requirements not to be met. This is a perfect potion for drop-outs, but even if a student graduates this year, under these present conditions they will have reduced learning. And this will affect their future in education. Schools are hubs for social activity and human interaction, when schools close many children will miss out on social contact that is essential for learning and development.. Students who are vulnerable to dropping out need to know they matter. They need support from their family and a school support system to stay in school, that they are our future and they matter to society. The economy will recover, the crisis will soon end and you still have a future. Stay in tune of your studies and don’t back down from achieving that very important goal, getting your high school diploma. JULY 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Photos by Sari Asahi

Adrian Garcia: Commissioner for the Times By Rick Clapp

h e dy n a m i c a n d i n s i g h tf u l

commissioner Adrian Garcia has proved to be a man of the times. The Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner recently organized and coordinated a successful food distribution program to local families in need at the Bay Area Community center. The Food distribution event was spearheaded by Garcia, and the precinct received financial support from local corporations. Furthermore, Port Commissioner Clyde Fitzgerald and multiple volunteers from the International Longshoremen’s Association, Seabrook Rotary, and other local helpers assisted the program. Elizabeth Williams and her staff helped distribute food and prepare the meals for all the hard working volunteers, city officials and guests. Commissioner Garcia has created other noteworthy programs such as the Seniors and Homebound individuals in need of food and assistance. Each day Harris county volunteers distribute food to those in need. A special thanks goes to Valero and Lyondell Basel for their generous contributions which funded this special food distribution program. The Read Together program is an early literacy project for children 0-5 years of age. This wonderful book club has 60 books which are mailed to the children enrolled in this program. It was initially started by country western artist Dolly Parton.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

Be a Champion is another program by Garcia. It provides groceries once a week to those in need in 5 locations in precinct 2 and precinct 4. All of these essential programs have been funded by generous Houston companies and local individuals. Needless to say, without their financial contributions these programs could and would not exist. “If we do not continue to receive this vital mandatory support from the private sector we will then need government assistance to support these programs that are in so much need”, stated Garcia. Adrian Garcia’s Precinct 2 has the highest numbers of Covid 19 victims. This is due to a large number of people that are inpoverished areas, have poor access to health facilities, lack of education and poor nutrition. Precinct 2 covers Houston’s Industrial area, petrochemicals and refineries and ship channel Port of Houston. This area is known to have a higher incidence of cancer, heart disease and other illnesses due to the environment. Finally Commissioner Garcia concluded “ Harris County has done a superb job containing the Corona Virus because of our mayor, county judge, health officials and other Commissioners leadership. Most importantly, as a whole the people of Harris county have abided by the quarantine and other measures provided and supported by health officials.Thank you Commissioner Garcia and all the staff at Precinct 2. Job well done.

Assistance League officers installed at virtual meeting

New Assistance League President-Elect Charlene Donovan, left, and President Brooks Cima are installed during virtual meeting.

Outgoing President Lisa Holbrook presents the H.O.P.E. Award to CCISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith.

ssistance League of the Bay Area’s

outgoing President Lisa Holbrook passed the gavel to incoming President Brooks Cima as she was installed, along with President-Elect Charlene Donovan at the philanthropic chapter’s virtual annual meeting and installation. Others who will serve with them are Vice Presidents Elaine Rister, Brunella Altemus, Kathleen Courville, Jill Smitherman and Patty Southmayd; Secretary Valerie Piercy, Treasurer Marie Keener, plus Assisteens Coordinator Connie Hughes, Education Chairman Kathy Tamer, Finance Chairman Sandra Kelver and Strategic Planning Chairman Beverly Braden.

Panhellenic cancels its fall fashion show

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Clear Lake Area Panhellenic Association has cancelled its annual fashion show and luncheon, originally scheduled for this fall, and asked everyone to save the date of the next fashion show luncheon – Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 at South Shore Harbour Resort in League City. The event benefits the Crawford-Zbanek Scholarship Foundation.

Sarah Foulds is the recipient of this year’s Sue Brady Award — an honor presented for leadership and exceptional service to Assistance League goals while Lisa Holbrook was given the Sue Holstein Award — presented to any member who has continued to support Assistance League over the years and is a positive voice in the organization — a body of work award. Deb Calascione, Melanie Lovuola, and Kathy Tamer are this year’s recipients of the A.B.C.D. Award, given to members who go above and beyond the call of duty — members who do not know the meaning of the word hours. Dr. Greg Smith, Clear Creek ISD Superintendent of Schools, received the Stuart W. Williams H.O.P.E. Award, recognizing a community member who supports

Assistance League and exemplifies hope – Heroes of Positive Endeavors. Mary Pergande received the Ada Edwards Laughlin Award, given to an individual for longterm service behind the scenes in an inconspicuous way. Lisa Holbrook was the recipient of the Anne Banning Leadership Award, presented to a chapter member who has served in major leadership roles and has demonstrated sustained enthusiasm, guidance, and participation in chapter activities and programs. Both awards are named for the founders of Assistance League and are offered through the national organization. In later updating the membership on the chapter’s annual accomplishments, it was noted the chapter returned over $386,000 to the community through six philanthropic programs and raised over $500,000 through the award-winning Resale Shop, a successful annual event, Mamma Mia! The Party, and the thriving grants committee. Dr. Smith embraces the organization as a stalwart partner of the school district and recently offered space for the Assistance League’s philanthropic programs at the newly-renovated Learner Support Center. Additionally, Dr. Smith has served on the organization’s Advisory Council for numerous years and is always willing to meet with members of the leadership team to address concerns and provide input to improve those philanthropic programs serving the students of the district. Only recently he remarked at a meeting, ““Assistance League is shining a light into the dark.” Assistance League of the Bay Area is an allvolunteer, nonprofit organization that changes lives through philanthropic programs in the Houston Bay Area community. For more information, visit the website, www.assistanceleague.org/bay-area/

Long a community favorite, the event raises money for college scholarships that are awarded to outstanding women from our area who are pursuing a college education in Texas. Since 1967, Clear Lake Area Panhellenic has awarded over $600,000 in scholarships. “We want to thank all the people who have generously supported this event in the past,” Judie Ferguson said. “We hope you will join us next year on Friday, Nov. 5 for our fun filled philanthropic event that benefits young women from our area.”

Space Center Rotary Officers Photo by Wayne Musial Edward and Kate Cummings celebrate Kate’s birthday and enjoy the view of the water at the Sundance Grill II in Kemah.

Space Center Rotary installed its 2020-2021 officers at a meeting at Bay Oaks Country Club in Clear Lake June 15. They are, from left, President-nominee Stan Galanski, Secretary Delia Stephens, President-elect Walt Huff, President Raymond Moore, Treasurer Melinda Mintz, Sergeant-at-Arms Mike Huggler, and Past President Mike Porterfield. JULY 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

[ HEALTHCARE ]

Getting a mammogram during coronavirus symptoms or lumps. A diagnostic mammogram is different from a screening mammogram. It’s used if palpable lumps are felt or other clinical symptoms appear. Your doctor will help you understand which is right for you.

Houston Methodist Clear Lake nationally recognized Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital was awarded an ‘A’ in the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital’s achievements providing safer health care. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Safety Grade is a letter grade assigned to all general hospitals across the country and updated every six months, assessing how well the hospital prevents medical errors and other harms to patients. “The Leapfrog Hospital Survey is the gold standard for comparing hospitals on standards of safety and quality,” said Dan Newman, CEO of Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital. “It is a great achievement to be recognized this year with the highest Leapfrog Safety Grade. This award reflects our commitment to patient safety, superior care and exceptional service.” “As the nation copes with a challenging pandemic, our gratitude extends to hospital leadership and health care workers everywhere for their tremendous dedication,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We hope this ‘A’ helps to thank the people who work and volunteer for Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital. They are role models in putting patients first, and their service has been extraordinary in our country’s time of need.” Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public. To see Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital’s full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.

MOVING SLOWLY

ver the last few

months, we’ve all primarily focused on “flattening the curve” and keeping ourselves and loved ones safe from COVID-19. And even though coronavirus cases are stabilizing in our community, we must continue to stay committed to preventing the spread of this new virus. But, as we begin to settle into our “new normal” — knowing that the new coronavirus will be with us for some time — we should start thinking about our overall health and wellness again. For women over the age of 40, this includes your annual mammogram. “Many of us spent the last two months putting our personal health care on hold, but now it’s time to bring our whole health back into focus,” says Dr. Modupe Adeyefa, medical director of Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Clear Lake. “Early detection of breast cancer with annual mammography remains our most powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer in women.” Here are three things Dr. Adeyefa would like women to know about getting their annual mammogram in the time of COVID-19.

CARE RESUMED

“In anticipation of a large influx of COVID-19 patients and to follow the orders of our governor, many procedures, including

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

“As we begin to turn our full breadth of mammogram services back on, we’ll be doing so slowly and with an abundance of caution,” Dr. Adeyefa explains. “As always, we’re putting patient safety above all else.” Our Breast Care Centers are taking every precaution to keep you safe, including: n Requiring all patients, visitors and employees to wear masks n Screening patients and employees upon arrival to our care centers n Practicing social distancing in our waiting rooms n Increasing housekeeping and vigilance in our disinfection protocols

IMPORTANT TOOL

Dr. Modupe Adeyefa, medical director of Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Clear Lake.

mammograms, were postponed early on during the outbreak,” Dr. Adeyefa explains. “Now that our COVID-19 patient population has stabilized and statewide restrictions have been lifted, we’re resuming care and offering both routine screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms.” As recommended by the American College of Radiology, a screening mammogram is recommended annually for women starting at age 40. This type of mammogram is a yearly, routine check for breast cancer for women who have no

Early detection of breast cancer starts with an annual mammogram Identifying breast cancer early is an incredibly important tool, as we know that early detection improves a woman’s overall prognosis and often results in less aggressive treatment options. “Most women will likely face a diagnosis of breast cancer in herself or a loved one at some point in her life,” says Dr. Adeyefa. Making time for a mammogram every year is an important part of maintaining your overall wellness and protecting yourself from breast cancer. “We at Houston Methodist Breast Care Centers are pleased to offer the best technology to our patients, such as 3D mammograms, which help us evaluate dense breast tissue. In addition, we offer dedicated breast ultrasound, breast MRI and outpatient image-guided breast biopsy,” Dr. Adeyefa adds. “We wish you stay well and visit us soon. We look forward to partnering with you in keeping your health care a priority.” To schedule your mammogram at Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Clear Lake, please call 281.333.8858 or schedule online at houstonmethodist.org/imaging

What a stroke looks like and why acting quickly is crucial •

Dr. Joseph Naoum

our brain needs a

constant supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to function, and even a brief interruption in blood supply can cause brain damage. A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. Nearly 800,000 Americans will have a stroke each year, and stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability — and the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. The two types of stroke are: • Ischemic stroke – when blood vessels supplying the brain become blocked or clogged

Hemorrhagic stroke – when blood vessels in the brain rupture and leak blood into the surrounding tissues

Brain cells and tissue begin to die after just a few minutes without blood or oxygen. Ischemic strokes are more common than hemorrhagic strokes, but both types are dangerous and deadly if not treated quickly. Preventing permanent brain damage, and even death, means knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke and acting quickly by calling 911 immediately. Keep in mind, someone experiencing a stroke may not be able to call for help, or may not understand that he or she is in danger. To quickly recognize and handle a stroke event, you›ll need to BE FAST. This acronym can help you remember the signs and symptoms of a stroke, as well as what to do if someone is experiencing one. A stroke is always considered a medical emergency, even during a pandemic. If you or a loved one needs emergency care, rest assured that Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Emergency Department will take every precaution to keep you safe. To learn more about its emergency department, visit houstonmethodist.org/clearlake-er. FIRST IN AREA Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital is among the first in

Clear Lake area to treat carotid artery disease and prevent future strokes using a new procedure called TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR). TCAR (tee-kahr) is a clinically proven, minimally invasive and safe approach for patients who need carotid artery treatment. Carotid artery disease is a form of atherosclerosis, or a buildup of plaque, in the main arteries in the neck that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. If left untreated, carotid artery disease can often lead to stroke; it is estimated to be the source of stroke in up to a third of cases, with 427,000 new diagnoses of the disease made every year in the U.S. alone. “TCAR is an important new option in the fight against stroke and is particularly suited for the large portion of patients we see who are at higher risk of complications from carotid surgery due to anatomy, or other medical conditions,” said Dr. Joseph Naoum, vascular and endovascular surgeon at Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital. “Because of its low stroke risk and faster patient recovery, I believe TCAR represents the future of carotid repair for many patients.” BLOOD FLOW REVERSED TCAR is unique in that blood flow is temporarily reversed during the procedure so that any small bits of plaque that may break off are diverted away from the brain, preventing a stroke from happening. A stent is then placed inside the artery to stabilize the plaque, treat the narrowing and minimize the risk of a future stroke. The TCAR procedure was developed by Sunnyvale, Californiabased Silk Road Medical, Inc. and includes the ENROUTE® Transcarotid Neuroprotection (NPS) and Stent System – the first devices designed and FDAapproved specifically for TCAR. Over 10,000 TCAR procedures have been performed worldwide through clinical trial and commercial use. TCAR has been studied extensively and the clinical data has been excellent. Additional information about TCAR is available at silkroadmed.com/disease-andtreatment-options. Dr. Naoum offices at Houston Methodist Cardiovascular Surgery Associates at Clear Lake located at 2060 Space Park Dr., Suite 112 on the hospital campus. To learn more about Dr. Naoum or to schedule an appointment, call 281.523.2363.

Bay Area Houston COVID-19 cases Harris County (Week of June 25) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Clear Lake City –- 118 Deer Park — 111 El Lago — 6 Galena Park — 45 Harris County – 23,047 Houston – 14,300 La Porte — 127 League City — 4 Morgan’s Point — 0 Nassau Bay — 9 Pasadena — 602 Seabrook — 32 Shoreacres — 2 Taylor Lake Village — 11 Webster — 43

Harris/Houston deaths -- 332

Galveston County (Week of June 25) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Bacliff/ San Leon — 73 Bayou Vista — 2 Bolivar Peninsula — 3 Clear Lake Shores — 7 Dickinson — 234 Friendswood — 161 Galveston — 313 Galveston County – 1,968 Hitchcock — 49 Jamaica Beach — 3 Kemah — 17 La Marque — 147 League City — 496 Santa Fe/Algoa — 71 Texas City — 402 Tiki Island — 2

Deaths -- 40

Brazoria County (Week of June 25) • • •

Alvin – 65 Pearland — 580 Brazoria County – 1,241

Deaths -- 14

JULY 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Dates to remember

Thursday, July 16 Bay Area Welcome Neighbor Club will meet at Bay Oaks Country Club at 10 a.m. to hear vocalist Brenda Guy singing old favorites and songs of the season. Wear your red, white and blue to celebrate patriotism. For luncheon reservations email membership. bawnc@gmail.com or call R. Richey at 832-607-9949.

Luncheon at the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center, 400 W. Walker in League City from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information, call the chamber, 281-338-7339.

Wednesday, July 22 Bay Area Houston Magazine will present the Best of the Bay Awards at 6:30 p.m. at Water’s Edge on NASA Parkway in El Lago. For reservations, call 281-474-5875.

Friday, Oct. 2 The 58th annual Clear Lake Chamber Chairman’s Ball will be held from 6:30 to 11 p.m. in the Crystal Ballroom at South Shore Harbour Resort. Tickets are $100 each. Call the chamber, 281-488-7676.

Friday, Aug. 14 Houston Symphony League Bay Area will host its annual Wine & Cheese Party for new members at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Nassau Bay. Saturday, Aug. 22 Nassau Bay will celebrate its 50th anniversary as a city. Wednesday, Aug. 26 The League City Regional Chamber will hold its State of Education

NASA awards Northrop Grumman contract for Gateway crew cabin

Friday, July 3 Pasadena’s Strawberry Festival will be held July 3-5 at the Pasadena Fairgrounds, 7902 Fairmont Parkway, featuring Glen Templeton, Derryl Perry and Rick Trevino. Noon to midnight July 3, 10 a.m. to midnight July 4 and 10-5 on July 5.

Wednesday, Aug. 5 The Clear Lake Area Chamber will host the virtual New Teachers Luncheon at 11 a.m. in South Shore Harbour Resort’s Crystal Ballroom in League City. For reservations, call the chamber, 281-488-7676.

Wednesday, Sept 23 The Athena Award Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook. For reservations, contact the League City Chamber, 281-338-7339.

Saturday, Nov. 7 Clear Creek Education Foundation will host its annual gala at 6 p.m. in the South Shore Harbour Resort’s Crystal Ballroom. Saturday, Nov. 14 Bay Oaks Country Club Women’s Association will host its annual gala, “A Black and White Affair,” at 6:15 p.m. at the country club in Clear Lake with music by the Main Street Variety Band. Black tie optional. Friday, Nov. 20 The annual RNASA Space Gala honoring former JSC Director Dr. Ellen Ochoa will be held at 6 p.m. at the Downtown Houston Hyatt Regency Hotel. For reservations, visit the website, www.rnasa.org

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020

NASA has finalized the contract for the initial crew module of the agency’s Gateway lunar orbiting outpost. Orbital Science Corp. of Dulles, Va., a wholly owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Space, has been awarded $187 million to design the habitation and logistics outpost (HALO) for the Gateway, which is part of NASA’s Artemis program and will help the agency build a sustainable presence at the Moon. This award funds HALO’s design through its preliminary design review, expected by the end of 2020. “This contract award is another significant milestone in our plan to build robust and sustainable lunar operations,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “The Gateway is a key component of NASA’s long-term Artemis architecture and the HALO capability furthers our plans for human exploration at the Moon in preparation for future human missions to Mars.” The HALO will be the pressurized living quarters where astronauts will spend their time while visiting the Gateway. About the size of a small studio apartment, it will provide augmented life support in tandem with NASA’s Orion spacecraft. The preliminary design review is one of a

Improving the Houston Ship Channel Since 2010, the Port of Houston Authority has been planning the next major channel improvements working with Congress and the Corps of Engineers. During that time, the growth in the size of vessels increasingly needing to transit the waterway along with the growth in the exports, imports, domestic manufacturing and energy products are creating significant demand and pressure on the Houston Ship Channel and regional infrastructure, and driving the need to make improvements to this nationally significant waterway. The success of this waterway is the result of a legacy of leadership and commitment in supporting and funding channel improvements over time. Through a tradition of collaboration and investment, the Houston Ship Channel has become the nation’s most active waterway, with more vessel traffic than the next three largest U.S. ports combined – Los Angeles, Long Beach, and New York/ New Jersey. Expanding the Houston Ship Channel is critical to safely and efficiently sustaining national energy security, domestic manufacturing growth, thriving U.S. exports, and expanding job opportunities. VITAL WATERWAY It is one of the most vital waterways in

series of checkpoints in the design life cycle of a complex engineering project before hardware manufacturing can begin. As the review process progresses, details of the vehicle’s design are assessed to ensure the overall system is safe and reliable for flight and meets all NASA mission requirements. This cost plus incentive fee contract allows Northrop Grumman to finalize the design of all systems and subsystems. It also provides for the company to award initial subcontracts for long-lead hardware elements. A second contract action is expected to be definitized by the end of the year for Northrop Grumman to fabricate and assemble HALO for integration with the Gateway’s power and propulsion element (PPE) by the end of 2023.

Peninsula Road project completed

The $12.7 million Peninsula Road construction project near Port Houston’s Jacintoport and CARE Terminals has been completed. The two-way road was widened to accommodate three lanes inbound and one lane outbound. The project was completed by Harris County Precinct 2 in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation and Port Houston, and is expected to bring $123 million in benefits to the region.

the country, connecting the nation’s largest petrochemical complex to the globe. The waterway has more deep-draft ship visits than any other port in the country, and nearly 200,000 barge transits every year as well. As energy and manufacturing exports increase and vessel sizes grow, improving the channel is nationally important. That national economic impact is significant: the Port of Houston drives $802 billion in annual national economic value, sustains more than three million U.S. jobs, and is the nation’s number one port in foreign waterborne tonnage. ABOUT THE PROJECT As the local sponsor of this crucial federal waterway, Port Houston is partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well as private industry on a plan to expand the channel at an accelerated pace. The Houston Ship Channel expansion – Project 11 – will widen the channel by 170 feet along its Galveston Bay reach, from 530 feet to 700 feet. It will also deepen upstream segments to 45 feet, make other safety and efficiency improvements, and craft new environmental features. “With the help of our partners, we aim to begin this work as early as 2021, making the channel safer and more efficient and ensuring this waterway will continue to remain the national economic treasure it is today,” a Port spokesman said. “The time to act is now!” he added.

Bay Area Houston Magazine July 2020

Articles inside

Business Buzz

The Longhorn Project

Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia

Healthcare

Education

Texas Meditations

Food & Wine Pairings

Pomodoro’s New Bar & Lounge

The San Luis Resort on Galveston Island

Steve’s Landing on Crystal Beach

In Wheel Time

Gulf Coast Mariner Fishing

Dental Health

Melt Your Body Fat Away

Taylor Lake Place

Bay Area Body Shop

In Remembrance