2013 Coastal Living

Coastal i ving L The Baytown Sun

January 2013

along the Texas Gulf

Stay Active to Stay Fit Go Ape for our Man Caves A Real Gem: Our Generations of Jewelers

Conserving Resources

Protecting the Climate

Science For A Better Life

Climate change represents one of the major global challenges of our time. That’s why Bayer is investing approximately $1.5 billion between 2008 and 2010 in climate-related research and projects.

Through the Bayer Climate Program, the company is working to reduce its “climate footprint” and develop sustainable solutions.

The Bayer Climate Check, for example, is a new tool for reducing CO2 emissions in production processes.

With the aid of modern biotechnology we are increasing the stress tolerance of crops against heat and drought, giving agriculture a chance to overcome the consequences of climate change.

To reduce energy consumption in offices and industrial buildings, we are working with partners to develop the “EcoCommercial Building.” Based on highly-efficient polyurethane insulation and regenerative energies it can meet its own energy needs – a global concept for zero-emission buildings that can be implemented throughout the world. www.climate.bayer.com

Coastal Living 2013

Contents

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Coastal Living

4 Gator Ride .......................... 7 Eat Healthy . ........................ 8 Doctor to the Pros .............. 9 Cooking Cane Syrup . ......... 10 Acution Craze .................... 16 Wedding Photographers . ... 19 Generation of Jewelers . .. 20 Weddings by the Bay ........ 22 Stay Active ..........................

along the Texas Gulf Publisher Janie Gray Managing Editor Adam Yanelli Advertising Director Sandy Denson Circulation Director Mike Gunning Account Executives Kathy Jaeger David McCain Elizabeth Brinkley Graphics Amanda Beighley Matt Cortez Photographer Albert Villegas

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Newsroom Emily Macrander Todd Hveem Mark Fleming Eleska Aubespin

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10 1301 Memorial Drive Baytown, Texas 77520 281-422-8302 www.BaytownSun.com facebook.com/ BaytownSun

On the cover

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Mike Stephens of GEM’S Custom Homes knows about “Man Caves” - see page 12

Stay Active STAY FIT

Lee College professor Graeme Cox, center, holds a medicine ball inside the Sports Arena and Wellness Center with Kinesiology Club Members Stefany Romo, left, and Anthony Phillip.

Learn how at Lee College

J

Coastal Living 2013

oining the Lee College Wellness Center is the premier way to exercise your physical fitness op-

tions.

You can select from several enrollment options, plan your own training workout, follow your own individualized fitness and exercise program, use resistance machines to improve your appearance, strength and endurance.

Equipment includes treadmills, recumbent bicycles, upright bicycles, cross trainers, steppers, elliptical trainers, rowers and a full line of Magnum Selectorized resistance equipment.

The Community Education Department at Lee College offers recreation and fitness courses with dual purposes; students can take them and earn credit, and members of the community can take them and get in shape.

Classes offered as linked courses for beginners and experienced include swimming, water aerobics, yoga and pilates.

For more information contact the Community Education Deptartment at 281-425-6311 or go to ed2go.com/leecollege.

FRED RAMSEY

MIKE ISHAM

T.J. ROBERTS

ALAN MCARDLE

MICAH JOHNSON

Fleet & Credit Union Manager

COREY WEATHERLY Rainmaker

An enthusiastic Graeme Cox shows Lee College sophomores Stefany Romo, left, and Anthony Phillip some exercises designed to help them get fit and stay fit.

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For more information email: bookFOAR@gmail.com or visit www.friendsofanahuacnwr.org

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We’re invested in the beauty of Baytown because we work and live here too

ExxonMobil takes pride in being a part of the Baytown landscape.

Throughout our 90-year history, our skyline has changed but our commitment to Baytown has not. As a long-standing community partner in the Baytown area, we value the area’s exceptional history and are proud to participate in the City’s ongoing beautification efforts.

Each year, hundreds of ExxonMobil volunteers work on beautification initiatives such as Habitat for Humanity, Day of Caring, Baytown Nature Center projects, community trash-off programs and our own greenbelt development. A special thanks to our employees for their continuous efforts in designing, planting and building toward a more beautiful Baytown.

Because giving back to the communities in which we operate is one of the best investments we can make.

The story continues at www.exxonmobil.com/btarea

Coastal Living 2013

Participants in last year’s Gator Ride get ready for the start. The ride has four courses that allow riders of different experience levels to participate.

R

egistration is ongoing for the 23rd Baytown YMCA Gator Ride, a non-competitive bicycle ride set for March 2 that benefits the YMCA’s Partners Campaign.

Lee Brillhart, director of Baytown YMCA, said 99.9 percent of the funds raised at the ride stay in Baytown.

“We are expecting as many as 2,000 riders this year,” he said. “And the best part is all the proceeds from the event go toward scholarships to help Baytown parents pay for summer camps, swim lessons and other activities we offer.”

Olympic silver medalist Nelson “Cheetah” Vails is participating in the ride and will host a charity event March 1 and will be available for pictures and autographs after the ride.

See the Gator Ride website at www.ymcahouston.org/gatorride for more details.

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Coastal Living 2013

Eat healthier, feel better in 2013

A

s each year begins, many of us take a closer look at our health goals. Most often, we vow to lose weight or improve our eating habits. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, here are some tips for a healthier lifestyle in 2013: • Eat Breakfast. There’s no better way to start your morning – and the year – than with a healthy breakfast. Include lean protein, whole grains and fruits and vegetables for a balanced breakfast.

• Watch Portion Sizes. Do you know if you’re eating the proper portion size? Using smaller plates, bowls and glasses can help you keep portions under control.

• Be Active. Regular physical activity lowers blood pressure and helps your body control stress and weight. You don’t have to hit the gym – take a walk after dinner or play a game of catch or basketball.

• Fix Healthy Snacks. Healthy snacks can sustain your energy levels between meals. Whenever possible, make your snacks combination snacks, including lean protein, healthy fats, fiber or carbohydrates.

• Dine Out without Ditching Your Goals. You can eat at a

San Jacinto Methodist Hospital and Chef Richard are committed to providing healthier meals.

see Diet • Page 23

WOUND CARE & HYPERBARIC MEDICINE PROGRAM For wounds that won’t heal San Jacinto Methodist Hospital offers a conveniently located Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Program that works with patients and specially trained physicians to monitor, manage and treat non-healing wounds.

A persistent wound or a wound that is over a month old should be examined by one of our wound care physicians.

Aside from state-of-the-art technologies, such as skin substitutes or specialized dressings, the wound care program also offers a hyperbaric component.

San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Alexander Campus 1700 James Bowie Drive Baytown, TX 77520

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 281-425-2160.

Ranked among the top 5% of all hospitals in the nation by HealthGradesTM

Accredited as a clinical hyperbaric medical facility from the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society

Doctor to the Pros

O

By Todd Hveem

ne of the most famous New Year’s resolutions is to get in better shape.

It doesn’t matter if one is 20 or 70, the desire to look and feel better is always in the back of the mind.

But desire is one thing.

Actually getting into some sort of exercise regimen is quite another.

“If you are looking to start a new exercise program, a gradual transition is the best way to go about it,’’ said Dr. David Lintner, who serves as head team physician at Lee College, head team physician for the Houston Astros and team orthopedist for the Houston Texans.

“Part of it is just breaking a habit that has become comfortable,’’ Dr. Lintner added. “To go from a sedentary lifestyle and then go out and start to exercise is a fairly significant change in habit. It takes time, planning and adjustment.

It is not easy to change from a sedentary lifestyle to an active lifestyle.’’

Dr. Lintner, who specializes in knee, shoulder and elbow injuries, said an exercise routine should vary depending on age.

“The routines for a 20-year-old versus a 60-year-old are very different,’’ he said. “Each person starts at a different fitness and experience level, but

they all should move along in a gradual fashion.

“It really helps condition the joints and the muscles, including the heart and the lungs,’’ he said of an exercise program. “Exercise also is more fun when you can increase gradually and envision your goals.’’

Dr. Lintner, 52, said the first step to any exercise routine is just walking out Lintner the door.

“If you realize pretty quickly that you aren’t going to reach your goal (right away), you are much more likely to give up,’’ he said. “If you set more attainable goals, you will have much more positive reinforcement.’’

He said if a person plans to take up jogging, it is important to have a proper warm-up.

“If you plan to go running, you should walk for a few minutes,’’ he said. “If you have been sitting around all day, whether it is hot or cold, it is better to walk for a few minutes than to go from the desk chair into running.’’

Dr. Lintner, who lives in West University, spends Mondays and Saturdays during football season in Baytown. He grew up in Syracuse, N.Y. “I think that is why I love Baytown so much,’’ he added. “It reminds me so much of home.’’

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A lost art

Old friends from Old River cook cane syrup

Rich Skinner, 88 years young, grabs a sugar cane stick as he prepares it for a machine that crushes out the sweet juices used to make sugar cane syrup.

By Emily Macrander

Coastal Living 2013

Spec, a loyal pet, keeps a watchful eye in front of his master, Lonnie Fisher, far right, who works early mornings outside in the cold to produce homemade cane syrup. His volunteer workers, from left, are Rich Skinner, Larry Skinner and George Crow. INSET: Homemade cane syrup literally pours out of a makeshift crusher and onto a pan.

L

onnie Fisher, Old River resident, says the best part of making homemade cane syrup comes around noon on the day of the cooking.

His wife of 51 years, Judy Fisher, brings the crew a batch of biscuits made from scratch, sausage and coffee.

“We use our biscuits to sop up the syrup,” Fisher said.

At lunchtime, Fisher and friends are about halfway through the process of making cane syrup. The whole procedure, start to

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see syrup • Page 24

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VOTED READERS’ CHOICE FOR BEST SALON

A 1930s Texaco gas pump adds some character to this man cave.

One of Mike Stephens’ most prized possessions is an orange and silvercolored 1938 Chevrolet coupe.

man cave

a look inside my

“M

an caves” can mean many things to many different people.

But, according to Wikipedia, a “man cave” is a male sanctuary, such as a specially equipped garage, spare bedroom, media room, den or basement.

It is not a cave, but rather a metaphor describing a room inside the house, such as the basement or garage or attic or office, or outside the house, such as a woodshed or tool room where guys can “do as they please” without fear of upsetting any female sensibility about house décor or design.

For Baytown’s Mike Stephens, his “man cave” is an incredible six-car garage at his home. The garage features 1950s memorabilia, see caves • Page 14

Sergio’s Ceramic Tile Co. Residential & Commercial

Mike Stephens’ man cave has a juke box, a poker table, 1950s memorabilia, a 1938 Chevrolet coupe and a 1972 Viper Roadrunner.

• • • • •

By Todd Hveem

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Coastal Living 2013

Compassion & Value Go Hand-in-Hand

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You need someone who is You need to know a compassionate and thoughtful. ® You also want to feel confident that Dignity Memorial provider. your funeral provider is capable of delivering any of the services you and your loved ones may need, at the best value.

When you choose a Dignity Memorial® provider, you not only receive the compassionate care you expect from a locally-operated establishment, but also the value you deserve from the largest www.earthmanbaytown.com network of funeral homes and cemeteries - including an array of services that is unmatched by any other funeral home in the nation.

The Dignity Memorial network: America’s leading funeral homes and cemeteries, united to bring you the services you need when it matters most.

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What good would a man cave be without an ultimate set of tools, right, and a poker table and chips for six?

caves Continued from page 13

a 1938 Chevrolet, half of a 1957 Chevrolet hanging on the wall, a 1959 juke box, Coke signs, gas pumps and a 1972 Viper Roadrunner.

“I had a car just like that as a kid,’’ the 53-year-old Stephens said of the Viper Road Runner.

“That is pretty cool.’’

Stephens, who is getting ready to celebrate 25 years as the owner of GEMS Custom Homes, said he started his current “man cave” about seven years ago. A while back, he sent photos of his “man cave” into a Houston radio station contest.

“I didn’t win,’’ he said, “but I finished pretty close up there to the top.’’

Stephens went into home building shortly after graduating high school in 1977. He started his own business in 1988, and said he started collecting memorabilia when he lived in Highlands.

“I have been collecting this stuff for quite a while,’’ Stephens said. “But I started to put all this together about seven

years ago. I have a bunch of stuff from my previous house that I brought over.’’

Stephens has five children, but only his 17-year-old stepdaughter Haily Gugel still lives at home. She is a junior at Ross S. Sterling.

“She loves all the cars,’’ Stephens said. “She really likes the stuff I have collected.’’

Stephens said he spends a lot of time attending car shows.

“I go to ones in the Houston area,’’ he said. “Dallas also has a big one. I usually go to Dallas about twice a year. Then, ‘Cruising the Coast’ is always nice down in Mississippi. I have been fascinated with cars for as long as I can remember.’’

Some of the more famous television “man caves” include Al Bundy’s garage in “Married with Children;” Jerry Seinfeld’s apartment in “Seinfeld;” Chandler and Joey’s apartment in “Friends” and Tim Taylor’s garage in “Home Improvement.”

“I don’t know if you call this a man cave or what,’’ Stephens said. “But I do find myself spending a lot of my spare time out here. It is a hobby that I take a lot of pride in.’’

Coastal Living 2013

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Obviously a big Houston Texans fan, David Mendez, pictured in his man cave in a second-floor room of his home in Cove. He’s got the Texans bling and cowboy hat to prove it, including signed jerseys. He has had an influence on the next generation of Texans fans, including, from left, D.J. Mendez, Jacob Wilson and Madi Mendez.

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Hveem’s cave

Celtics, Steelers, Cubs? The man cave of Baytown Sun Sports Editor Todd Hveem (son Tyler, 11, is pictured) features memorabilia from three different cities.

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The auction craze

Scott Rose, with SR Auction and Estate Liquidators in Crosby, stands next to “Big Boy,� a largerthan-life character symbol that was used to promote American roadside dining beginning in the mid-20th century. Imagine taking this home after auction.

Coastal Living 2013

Rose means business with a double barrel shotgun that’s available for auction. Among the other items available include hunting gear and vintage guns and pistols. If that doesn’t suit your fancy, there are also Josef original dolls and a Royal Regiment Grenadier Decanter piece.

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Coastal Living 2013

Mí quinceañera

Baytown resident Carolina Villegas is transformed from a teenager to a lifelike young princess in a beautiful dress sold by Angelica’s Bridal Fashions, made especially for girls to wear for quinceañeras or Sweet 16 events. INSET: No such event would be complete without diamonded-studded heels, flowers and tiaras.

Find a wide assortment of wedding gowns and formal wear at Angelica’s Bridal Fashions, 214 W. Jack in Baytown. Call 281-422-9779.

Coastal Living 2013

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Tips for finding the right wedding photographer Kimberli Smith of Affinity Photography in Baytown offers these tips to make sure your wedding day photos last forever.

People need to realize how important these photos are. This is it. These photographs are all you have to remember your wedding. Don’t underestimate how important they are.

Make sure you like the photographer you chose. You will work very intricately with this photographer so make sure you pick one that you can get along with.

Don’t go with just digital files.

“We’ll give you a CD of the photos.” Go for the album. An album is what your parents and grandparents will want to look at. Get a CD for an archive, but the album is much more personal than the CD and will last longer.

The photographer is the only service that you work with from the very beginning (engagement,

etc.) through the conclusion of the reception to even six months to a year after the wedding on things like selecting images, putting the album together, approvals, wall portraits, etc. Those are smith things that take time and should be considered carefully.

Professional photographers have insurance – everything from liability to property insurance and they’re going to have back-up equipment, secondary photographers, etc. At the very least, your photographer should have an assistant.

“In the end, you get what you pay for,” Smith said. “These are your memories. Unfortunately, too many people don’t realize this until after the fact when

they have poor images on a CD. Anything under $1,000 and you are probably not going to get a professional job. For good quality wedding photography, expect to pay between $2,500$5,000 locally, and between $10,000-$30,000 when you get into Houston.”

Your photographer will

work between 4-8 hours on the wedding day taking photos, on average somewhere between 500-1,000 photographs, Smith said.

That will be followed by another 40-80 hours to go through all the images to select the photos to be used, editing, cropping, backup storage and other tasks.

Travis J Gaynor Financial Advisor 4806 B East Fwy Baytown, TX 77521 281-421-1791 Member SIPC

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Altus Orthopaedic & Spine Center 1626 W. Baker Road • Baytown, TX 77521 281.837.7616

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Coastal Living 2013

The Robson and Hargrave Family Legacy of Master Jewelers

Generations of Jewelers By Eleska Aubespin

T

o call Robson’s Jewelry in Baytown “generations of jewelers” is by no means an understatement.

Norman Hargrave, the general manager of this family-run business at 1120 W. Baker Road, explains how important a role his family has played in the establishment and continued success of Robson’s Jewelry.

“My brother Robert Hargrave takes care of accounting, I run the business of daily operations, my son Paul is a gemologist and works on doing appraisals and sales, my wife helps with the business, my mother-in-law helps, my son’s wife helps and my cousin, Eddie Robson, also comes to help,” Hargrave said.

“I don’t know what I would do without them, but I can tell you it would be very difficult to operate,” he added.

The store’s beginning goes back to Hargrave’s grandfather, Robert Robson, who was born in the late 1800s in North Shields, England. He learned the intricacies of mechanical watchmaking while producing chronometers with the English company Wilson and Gillie.

The chronometer was a nautical instrument used to determine longitude at sea, requiring precise timekeeping and adaptability to varied climates.

By 1926, Robson landed in Baytown and eventually opened the first in Robson’s Jewelry store the Brunson Building in Old Baytown. Over the next 20 years, three more moves were made as the business grew: one location at the Guberman Building and at two locations in the Stiles Building, both on Texas Avenue.

The store moved to its current Baker Road location in 1983. As of eight months ago, a second Robson’s Jewelry store opened in the Kingwood

area with hopes of offering the same warmth and professional service offered at its Baytown store. Many of the store’s repeat customers are because of its dedicated employees, many of whom have worked for the business for over 10 years, he said.

“Many employees know the names of the customers and what they like to shop for,” Hargrave said.

“That’s so important because when someone walks through the door, we don’t have to start from scratch to get to know him or her,” he added. “We already know if they like modern jewelry or silver or white gold.

This way, we can enhance their wardrobe of jewelry rather than repeat what they already own.”

One customer, for example, drives from Houston to shop at the Baytown store.

“He works with me because I know what his wife likes, not necessarily what he likes,” Hargrave chuckled. “If I can make her happy, he is going to be happy.”

Although the business offers a multitude of services, a main focus is bridal jewelry like engagement rings and wedding bands.

Being in the business of selling bridal jewelry, Hargrave can tell you a thing or two.

Yes, people are getting married all year long but the popular months are December and February, in addition to the usual summer months.

“For bridal we are finding a shift where we are selling a huge amount of bridal jewelry in December,” Hargrave said.

“It seems a lot of people are getting engaged on Christmas Day.” At one time, the idea was to purchase an engagement or wedding ring based on a person’s salary for three months.

see jewelers • Page 25

Robson’s Jewelers Since 1926

GENERATIONS OF JEWELERS

Custom Design One of the largest bridal selections in Texas Loose certified diamonds, GIA, EGL & AGS DCA certified associates on staff Professional jewelery repair, watch repair, engraving services & jewelry appraisal services Visit us on Facebook

1120 West Baker • Baytown, TX 77522 • 281-427-5655 4303 Kingwood Drive • Kingwood, TX 77339 • 281-570-6594

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Coastal Living 2013

Weddings by the bay By Mark Fleming

Tommy and Barbara Meekins have held about 300 weddings at their home, Oakland on Burnet Bay.

A

n outdoor wedding on the waterfront grounds of a classic mansion, overlooking a busy waterway complete with a towering suspension bridge sounds like something from a romantic movie – and it’s reality for some people in the Baytown area.

“Oakland on Burnet Bay” is the private residence of Tommy and Barbara Meekins. As its name suggests, it is on Burnet Bay – at the northern end of the bay, with a commanding view of the water and the shorelines of both San Jacinto Battleground State Park and the Baytown Nature Center, with the bright lights of industry and the Fred Hartman Bridge beyond them.

The first wedding on the grounds was in 2003, when their daughter got married there shortly after they built the home. The phone started ringing right away, Barbara Meekins said, with other people wanting to use the unique location. see weddings • Page 23

weddings Continued from page 22

“Since then, I’ve done 300 weddings,” Barbara Meekins said.

Since she still works full time, Meekins limits the wedding operation to one a weekend.

There were 30 last year, she said. This year she expects to cut down to about 25.

Tommy Meekins pointed out the location is unique not only for its geography, but also for its history. The property was once the home of David G. Burnet, who was interim president of the Republic of Texas before the election of Sam Houston.

Diet Continued from page 8

restaurant and stick to your healthy eating plan! Think about nutritious items you can add to your plate and look for grilled, baked, broiled or steamed items.

• Family Meal Time. Re-

Coastal Living 2013

To Barbara Meekins, opening the grounds of her home to weddings is more than a sideline business.

After seeing the stress of her daughter’s wedding, she said she wanted to also make the experience easier. Rental of the grounds for a wedding also includes setup, linens, centerpieces, DJ and rooms for the bride and the groom to get ready.

“I wanted to keep it as simple as I could for the bride,” she said. “I’ve had three daughters get married. Anybody who gets married here, they’re not going to be as tired as I was or as broke as I was.”

“I love brides,” she continued.

“I love being part of that day.” search shows that family meals promote healthier eating. Get kids involved in meal planning and cooking and use this time to teach them about good nutrition.

• Drink More Water. Our bodies depend on water to regulate temperature, transport nutrients and oxygen to cells, carry away waste products and more.

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Tommy and Barbara Meekins plan to do about 25 weddings at Oakland on Burnet Bay this year.

Faith Community Hospice LLC 4721 Garth Rd. Suite H • Baytown, TX 77521 Ph: 281-422-0414 • 877-422-0414 • 281-422-9605 We have 19 years experience providing Hospice Care to our community.

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Coastal Living 2013

Lonnie Fisher might smell like smoke by the time cane syrup is heated using wooden blocks but the outcome is always “sweet” blending it with foods such as sausage and biscuits.

Hundreds of sugar cane sticks need to be harvested out in the field with machetes.

syrup Continued from page 9

finish, takes two days. Day one includes harvesting the field with machetes. Day two includes cleaning the produce and cooking.

Fisher and his friends have been harvesting Blue Ribbon sugar cane and making syrup since 2009. The men that regu-

larly come out to Fisher’s land to help call themselves the Old River Baptist Syrup Soppers Club.

Regular helpers include Sonny West, Kenneth Rodrick, Tracy Andrus, Rich Skinner, Larry Skinner, Kenneth Troxell and several retired coaches from Baytown.

This year, the team made about 30 gallons of syrup – that’s six batches worth – to distribute among friends, family

and church members.

The growing season for the cane is one year, which means next year’s harvest is already in the ground growing.

The crew begins harvest around November and works through December on the weekends to cut down, clean, cook and bottle the syrup.

They use a Chattanooga 44 to process the sugar cane, a machine Fisher said is over

100 years old, and a Baume Hydrometer to achieve desired thickness.

“We’ve been experimenting, trying to improve our syrup,” Fisher said. “We now have a very good quality syrup we have developed over the years.”

Fisher said syrup making is a lost art and well worth the time.

The final product is old-time cane syrup, no preservatives, just clear cane syrup.

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Coastal Living 2013

BARBERS H LL Independent School District

Calendar of Events FEBRUARY

Feb. 2 – Highlands Rotary Chili Feast & Raffle, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, 800 South Main St., Highlands Feb. 15 – 3rd annual Jail Break Run 1/2 Marathon & 5K, 7 a.m., Baytown Police Department, 3200 N. Main St., Baytown Feb. 18 – President’s Day

MARCH

Tradition of Excellence

March 3 – Baytown YMCA Gator Ride, 6 a.m. across from Bicentennial Park, 119 Lee Drive, Baytown.

March 11-15 – Spring break for Lee College, Goose Creek CISD, Barbers Hill ISD, Crosby ISD, La Porte ISD, Anahuac ISD and Dayton ISD March 22-23 – La Porte Livestock Show and Rodeo Association’s 20th annual BBQ Cook-off, 1508 1/2 Lomax School Road, La Porte March 29 – Baytown Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet, 6 p.m. at Goose Creek Country Club, 5000 Country Club Drive, Baytown TBA - The Baytown Sun Citizen of the Year Ceremony

APRIL

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April 6 – Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off Baytown April 8 – La Porte Livestock Show and Rodeo, 1508 1/2 Lomax School Road, La Porte April 12 – Bay Area Relay for Life, 6 p.m., Royal Purple Raceway, 2525 S. FM 565, Baytown April 19-21 – Dayton Ole Tyme Days Festival, Dayton Community Center, 801 S. Cleveland St., Dayton April 27 – Chambers County Youth Project Show, Horse Show, 8 a.m., White Memorial Park, 295 White Memorial Park Drive, Anahuac

JEWELERS Continued from page 21

Now, it appears that threemonth rule of thumb is out of the window.

“I’ve noticed that over the years, people wanted to buy something real small to get started and then come back a few years later and upgrade it,” he said. “But today with finance plans that are offered, they can go ahead and get something nicer.”

Here are tips that Hargrave offers to those shopping for bridal jewelry: • Know your jeweler. This person can explain the many variables that comes with buy-

April 27 – Baytown Youth Fair Infant & Toddler Pageant, 3 p.m., Rodeo Queen & Princess Pageant, 7 p.m., Main Building, 7900 N. Main St., Baytown (Note: All Baytown Youth Fair activities at 7900 N. Main St., Baytown) April 27 – 57th Annual Sylvan Beach Festival, 9 a.m., Sylvan Beach Park, 636 N. Bayshore Drive, La Porte

MAY

May 1-5 – 57th Annual Chambers County Youth Project Show, White Memorial Park, 295 White Memorial Park Drive, Anahuac May 4 – Baytown Youth Fair BBQ Cook-off, silent auction and Kick-off Dance, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

May 5 – Baytown Youth Fair BBQ Cook-off awards presentation, noon May 11 – Baytown Youth Fair Youth Rodeo Calf Scramble, 10 a.m.

May 13-18 – Baytown Youth Fair May 18 – Baytown Youth Fair Grand Entry, bullriding, live concert, 6:30 p.m.

May 27 – Memorial Day

JUNE

June 8 – Graduation ceremonies for Robert E. Lee, Ross S. Sterling and Goose Creek Memorial high schools, Hofheinz Pavilion, 4800 Calhoun Road, Houston June 14-15 – Crosby Rodeo Cookoff, 14920 FM 2100, Crosby June 14-15 – 67th Crosby Fair & Rodeo, 14920 FM 2100, Crosby TBA – The Baytown Sun Coastal Magazine

JULY

July 3-4 – City of Baytown Independence Day celebration, Bicentennial Park, 1001 Market St., Baytown

ing diamonds.

• Make sure you inspect the diamond personally. Don’t just buy a diamond without first seeing what it looks like and whether it meets the 4 Cs criteria.

• Research the diamond and know what you are buying.

• When choosing diamonds consider the 4 Cs – Carat Weight; Color; Clarity; Cut. • Ultimately when you give your loved one that first diamond, it will be something treasured for life. So remember it’s all about love, not money or value.

“The key thing is the love that goes behind it,” Hargrave added. “That is what this store is all about.”

26

Coastal Living 2013

Johnny Davis and Joyce Recard

Jody and Christine Tolliver Marvin Sedberry, Jr., Bret Boyd, Dr. Salvador Cavazos, and Troy Aduddell

Sarenity LaCour

Benito Guerrier and Jack Morman

Carol Bell and Nick Scinta

Marion Caughman

Brandon Morris

Tasanee McGhee, Trinity McGhee and Missy Malechek

Felipe Castillo, Alexis Valdez and Luis Chavez

Leslie and Sam Tijerina

Raul Leal

Coastal Living 2013

Frank B. Wood

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Craig Muessig Brian Castanon

Paul Campos Benny Moskowitz and Ginni Whitten

Katherine Salom Melanie Gray, Hailey and Kailey Nouis

Dorothy Strouhal

Ruben Palma

Kurtis Ralston and Baylee

Benito and Miguel Vargas

Terrance Prescott and Elijah Smith

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