Bay Area Houston Magazine December 2013 by Bay Group Media

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

December 2013 2 0 1 3

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DECEMBER 2013

features

ON THE COVER

Marine Toys for Tots Coordinator SSgt Tommy L. Bushman, restaurant manager Beth Conner and Cock & Bull British Pub owner, Jeanette Walker join together to promote the annual Toys for Tots drive. Photography by Brian Stewart.

President & Chairman Rick Clapp

Publisher & Editor in Chief Mary Alys Cherry Executive Vice President Patty Kane Vice President & Creative Director Brandon Rowan Sales & Marketing Patty Bederka Debbie Salisbury Editorial Don Armstrong Mary Alys Cherry Rod Evans Michael Gos Capt. Joe Kent Betha Merit Pat Patton Dr. Edward Reitman

Digital Strategy Consultant Pierr Castillo

Community Affairs Director Lillian Harmon

Dental Health

Touring the Port of Houston by Boat

2013 Clear Creek Education Foundation Gala

Space Center Rotary Shrimporee

Cock & Bull British Pub and Restaurant

Ron Carter Clear Lake Cadillac Hyundai

Historic Homes Tour, Dec. 14

UHCL Alumni Association Presents Honors

Just a Pretty Table Luncheon

Economic Alliance Houston Port Region

New Nuggets

New Non-surgical Prostate Cancer Treatment

Confused About Healthcare Law in 2014?

Top Shops Around the Bay

A simple smile A hidden secret free to enjoy Honoring outstanding volunteers and alumni Celebrating 40 years Exciting new events and now full bar service Honors Bay Area Seniors with Scholarships Featuring colorful history of League City Five alumni and professor honored at celebration Always fun, always a sellout Board honors State Rep. Wayne Smith Quick stories and updates from all around the Bay UTMB’s Dr. Eric Walser Reevaluate your benefits needs during open enrollment A special holiday shopping section

Clear Lake Chatter Sailing back into history on the Titanic

26 Light@Work Church food pantry still going strong after 26 years

in each issue

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

Economy continues to grow

14 CLICK! BATP’s L’Elegance Masquerade Gala

281.474.5875

Business is Booming in Bay Area Houston

columns

Photography Mary Alys Cherry Brian Stewart Distribution Tim Shinkle Company

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

Advertiser’s Index

Main Events

Business booming everywhere you look By Mary Alys Cherry

ecession? Looking around Bay Area Houston, one would never know there had even been an economic downturn. Business is actually booming. New businesses are opening faster than you can keep up with them, and many major players are announcing multi-milliondollar expansions – especially in Pasadena, League City and La Porte. Projects that will results in more and more jobs. Looking over a list of new business development by Barbara Cutsinger, real estate marketing manager for Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, is almost breath taking. Frontier Logistics, for example, plans to move into a new 600,000 square foot facility to be built in a new master-planned industrial distribution complex in Pasadena on Highway 225 at Beltway 8 with the developer Avera breaking ground on the $50-$70 million project any day and completion expected in the fall of 2014. Red Ball Oxygen, meanwhile, has just bought five acres for a new company location nearby.

Kaneka expanding

Over in the Bayport Industrial District, Kaneka North American

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plans a $50 million expansion while developers of Global ICS industrial park there have a plan for 20.7 acres that would include a trans-loading terminal, blending and packaging facility and tank storage with a pipeline connection to nearby docks. Lubline expects of open a new manufacturing facility on 30 acres on Red Bluff, while WIKA, a German world market leader in industrial measuring instruments, has purchased 13 acres at Beltway 8 and Highway 225 where it will build a two-story, 88,000 square foot hub; and Plant Maintenance Services bought 18 acres on Genoa Red Bluff to build an 80,000 square foot office and manufacturing facility, bringing 150 new jobs to the area.

$14 million warehouse

In nearby Seabrook, Gulf Winds International is building a 180,000 square foot warehouse between Highway 146 and Old 146 at a cost of $14 million. Up in La Porte, industrial gas producer Linde North America is busy with a $200 million expansion of its operations that will result in 50 jobs, while Noltex recently broke ground for a $180 million expansion project in the Battleground Industrial District that will add 25 new full-time jobs.

League City will be growing as the developers of the Lawrence Business Park plan five more office or warehouse buildings on build-ready sites on Lawrence Road and with the news All-Tube Fittings has purchased a 12,000 square foot design-build facility in Brittany Business Park on Butler Road. And, that’s not all, by any means.

New medical facilities

Over in Webster Kelsey-Seybold is building a new 55,000 square foot medical office building on South Ponds Dive at Baybrook Passage, planning to consolidate its other two locations in the immediate area. The new facility, expected to open next summer, will house 25 physicians with plans to possibly expand to 37. Another medical facility is in the works on a 10-acre site on the southeast corner of Highway 3 and Medical Center Boulevard, purchased by Medistar and Dallas-based Cobalt to build a 45-bed hospital and medical office building. In Friendswood, plans are moving forward for Clearwood Business Park that will include two 6,000 square foot office warehouses for lease or sale that could be used as office suites or condos on 4.25 acres on FM 2351.

Clear Lake’s Exploration Green Awarded Certificate of Recognition “In recognition of the Clear Lake City Water Authority’s tremendous efforts on behalf of our city,” Keep Houston Beautiful honored the Exploration Green flood control, conservation and recreation project with a special Certificate of Recognition from Mayor Annise Parker’s 2013 Proud Partners Program and Keep Houston Beautiful at a recent ceremony. CLCWA Vice President John Branch and Frank Weary, chairman of the Exploration Green Conservancy, accepted the award. While the program gives Proud Partner Awards for completed projects, the CLCWA’s Exploration Green project, was given this special recognition for the project’s extensive community involvement in developing a master plan which incorporated flood control with conservation, environmental clean-up of runoff water, recreation amenities, bird habitat, and replanting with natural grasses and trees. “We sense excitement growing as our plans for the flood detention/retention, recreation and conservation area are developed by CLCWA technical staff and a variety of award-winning partners including Lockwood, Andrews and Newnam, SWA Architecture of Houston and Galveston Bay Foundation, said Branch. “It’s great to receive this recognition from the Mayor’s Proud Partners Program.” We are also proud to partner with Trees for Houston in establishing a tree nursery to begin growing the native trees for replanting as each phase is developed, continued Branch. “Everywhere we discuss plans for Exploration Green – from Clear Lake organizations, to the Houston Parks Board, to Texas environmental groups and national organizations like the Trust for Public Lands - the response is outstanding,” commented Weary. ”I hope everyone takes some time now to visit Exploration Green to see how it’s transforming, step by step, from a defunct, overgrown golf course to nearly 200 acres of maintained green space, and ultimately to a beautiful recreation, conservation and flood control area.”

It’s that time again! As this year comes to a close, let us reflect on all the good that we saw in 2013. Give your favorite bar, business, restaurant, doctor, or establishment their well deserved kudos and vote for them in the 2013 Bay Area Houston Magazine Best of the Bay Awards. Every year we lift up the people’s voice, tally up every vote and announce the winners of these coveted awards at a big party in 2014. Visit our website www.bayareahoustonmag.com to view all the categories and to vote today.

Vote Now at www.BayAreaHoustonMag.com DECEMBER 2013 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Advertiser’s Index ADS Custom Signs Page 42 www.ads-signs.com Alan’s Swamp Shack Page 35 www.theswampshack.com Amadeus Page 24 Arlan’s Page 43 Assistance League Page 38 www.bayarea.assistanceleague.com Baubles and Beads Page 37 Bayway Homes Page 45 www.baywayhomes.com Big Splash Web Design Page 47 www.bigsplashwebdesign.com Brotherton Properties Page 43 Cernosek Wrecker Page 43 Chuck Maricle Page 21 www.chuckmaricle.com City of Dickinson Page 33 www.ci.dickinson.tx.us City of Kemah Page 36 www.kemahtourism.com Clark Freight Page 43 www.clarkfreight.com Coastal Plastic Surgery Page 4 www.tadammd.com Cullen’s Upscale American Grille Page 23 www.cullenshouston.com Dana Philibert Page 42 www.danaphilibert.com Dog Tales Pet Spa Page 41 www.dogtalesspa.com Don Julio’s Page 35 www.donjulios.com Dr. J. Derek Tieken Page 49 www.tiekensmiles.com Eclipse Massage Page 40 www.eclipse-massage.com Encore Resale Shop Page 39 Fairmont Jewelry Page 43 www.fairmontjewelry.com Fondren Orthopedic Page 2 www.fondren.com Frank & Son’s Jewelry Page 41 www.fsjewelry.com G.C. Model Railroad Club Page 33 www.gcmrrc.org Ginger Snaps Page 37 Glass Mermaids Page 39 www.glassmermaids.com Grace White Insurance Page 43 Grand Central Station Page 25 Herb Cafe Page 28 www.herbcafeandmarket.com Hope Community Church Page 25 www.hopecommunityumc.org Island Furniture Page 45 www.islandfurniture.net Kemah Boardwalk Page 6 www.kemahboardwalk.com Kimberly Harding Group Page 45 www.kimberlyharding.com Larry’s Arts & Crafts Page 42 Lee College Page 19 www.lee.edu Lewis Diamonds & Timepieces Page 7 www.lewisusa.com Mamacita’s Page 25 www.mamacitasmexicanrestaurant.com Martha Turner Properties Page 13 & 51 www.marthaturner.com Massage Envy Page 38 MEC Properties Page 56 Mediterraneo Market & Cafe Page 35 Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy Page 32 www.medicineshoppe.com/1984 Melissa Hulvey Page 42 Memorial Hermann Page 5 www.memorialhermann.org My IT People Page 29 www.myitpeople.com New Dimensions Home Health Page 43 www.ndhhp.com No Name BBQ Page 41 www.nonamebarbq.com Norman Frede Chevrolet Page 36 www.fredechevrolet.com Oasis Salon and Medispa Page 46 www.oasisclearlake.com One Stop Tents & Events Page 39 www.onestopparty.com Opus Bistro Page 21 www.opusbistro.net Park Avenue Showplace Antiques Page 37 www.parkavenueshowplaceantiques.com Phelps Insurance Page 42 Pomodoro’s Page 28 www.pomodorosonline.com Primrose Schools Page 3 www..primroseschools.com Qualified Properties Page 42 REMAX First Source Page 44 www.remax.com Ron Carter Clear Lake Page 15 www.roncartercadillac.com Salon La Rouge Page 38 www.salonlarouge.org Savannah Cafe Page 22 www.savannahcafeandbakery.com Shades Salon Page 21 www.shadessalontx.com Space Center Auto Page 29 www.spacecenterautomotive.com Star Toyota Page 48 www.startoyota.com Stylin’ With Linda Page 28 Supreme Lending Page 10 www.supremelending.com Texas Coast Yachts Page 24 www.texascoastyachts.com Texas First Bank Page 34 www.texasfirstbank.com The Hop Page 33 Thomason’s Jewelry Page 40 Trader John’s Resale Page 40 Unexpected Interiors Page 37 www.unexpectedinteriors.org Upper Bay Frame & Gallery Page 38 www.upperbayframe.com Unicare Dental Page 52 www.drnoie.com

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

DENTAL HEALTH

A Simple Smile

Did you know that there is a simple technique that has immediate positive health results for the body and the mind?

t’s called a smile. Try it. First, stand up in front of a mirror and smile big. Form your smile first with your mouth, lifting the corners of your mouth way up. Then allow your face to soften and your temples to relax. Hold your smile for a few minutes. If it starts to fade, re-form it and keep holding. As you hold, examine first how your body reacts. You will find that the muscles begin to relax, the heart rate slows down, and the breathing slows as it deepens. Notice the change in your thoughts. Are you feeling more positive, calm, and joyous? Many studies have shown that this image of you smiling will remain with you throughout the day and initiates a series of bio-chemical events that consequently lead to dramatic changes within the body: :-) It tells the body that everything is okay and to turn off the pumping of adrenaline into the body, immediately. :-) It lowers your blood pressure, immediately. :-) It boosts your immune system, immediately. :-) It releases endorphins, natural painkillers and serotonin, immediately. :-) It creates a positive mind, which lessens the stress of problems, increases the ability to solve problems and extends lifespan. :-) It lessens the effects of negative information that we are constantly bombarded with, such as the daily news :-) It lifts the moods of those around you causing people to treat you with joy and happiness. One interesting study on the benefits of smiling found that smiling has a similar effect to eating roughly 2,000 chocolate bars. (Now, that’s got to get your attention!) Aside from the daily smile ritual, a meaningful smile also comes in handy when you are upset or very sad. It will feel unnatural and awkward at first. But it becomes easier and feels more natural as you practice. The more you apply this strategy, the easier it becomes to boost your spirit on demand in the future. Soon you will find that while you can’t keep bad things from happening, you can control the way they affect you. I know what you are thinking, “it seems too simple to be true—

just smile and have all these miraculous things happen inside of me?” But some of the most profound truths are quite simple and this is one of them. Not only does a smile encourage us to release negativity, but it also has a positive influence on those around us as well. Smiling, similar to laughter, is contagious. Your smile will bring smiles to others around you. This leads to a chain reaction of positivity all around you. It is a wellestablished scientific fact that positive energy heals. When we speak of feeling low we tend to describe sadness, loneliness, fear, anger, or confusion. Rarely do we use the word “comfort,” and yet comfort is what makes misery so difficult to get rid of. Although we do not like the situation we are in, sometimes allowing the misery to control our lives is easier than facing the challenge of rising against it. And so we find ourselves longing to curl up in bed or brood over our problems for hours on end. Yet with a simple smile you can break the comfort and take a major step towards healing. So, the next time you find yourself frowning, look at your image in the mirror and smile. Discover at the positive effect it has on your thoughts, mood, and body. As you keep practicing this technique, you will soon start to learn how to look for and focus on the silver lining instead of the negative aspects. So, make this holiday season a little more special for you and those around you by committing to start everyday with a big smile and no matter what life throws at you throughout the day, end it with a heart-felt smile as well. In my opinion, that will be the best gift of all to your loved ones.

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.

DECEMBER 2013 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

HIDDEN SECRET Many area residents are unaware that free boat tours of the Port of Houston are available By Rod Evans

ike the majority of Houston area residents, my relationship with the Houston Ship Channel and the Port of Houston has largely been of the long distance variety. Sure, I’ve crossed over it probably 100 times via the 610 Loop bridge, but from that vantage point, some 135 feet over the water, the channel looks more like a full scale model than the living, breathing economic engine that it is. Even if you’re afforded the opportunity to see the channel from ground level, the facility, with its towering cranes, massive vessels and sundry other industrial sized components, makes for an environment where it seems just wearing a hard hat does not offer nearly enough protection from the bodily harm that surely must be lurking around every corner. But when I heard—quite to my surprise—that there’s a way to tour the channel via boat, I was immediately intrigued. When I discovered that said tour is offered free of charge, I was all over it. The M/V Sam Houston has served as the Port of Houston’s tour boat since 1958. The 95-foot vessel is big enough to accommodate 90 passengers and features a wood paneled, air conditioned lounge with large windows, along with a spacious deck for viewing. The Sam Houston departs from the Sam Houston Pavilion for free, 90-minute tours of just a small portion of the 52-mile Houston Ship Channel, but there’s plenty to see during the relatively short trip. A group of about 12 of us, including a couple of highly skeptical teenagers, boarded the Sam Houston on a recent Saturday afternoon not knowing fully what to expect on the tour. Touring the Ship Channel certainly isn’t like taking a picturesque journey along London’s Thames River or even a leisurely cruise around Lake Conroe. You’re not going to be awed by beautiful scenery. But you will be filled with a sense of wonder as you gaze upon ships large enough to block out the sun, buildings that look to have enough square footage to house the entire population of a small town and cranes that appear strong enough to lift heaven and Earth. Eschewing the comfy confines of the cabin, we elect to see the sights

from the deck of the Sam Houston as a tour guide points out interesting sights and offers tidbits of information over the deck speakers while we sail along with the boat’s recently installed low-emission engines purring in the background. I’m immediately struck by the sheer size of the tankers sitting at the docks and contemplate how long it must take to either load or off-load their precious cargo. But despite the gargantuan size of the tankers, a deck hand tells us something that really throws me for a loop: the tankers we see docked in the port are actually just the ones that service the “super tankers” that are so large and displace so much water that they must anchor over 120 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico’s deeper waters. Because the average depth of the Ship Channel is 45 feet, the super tankers must wait offshore for the smaller tankers to load or off-load them.

cements my belief that the excursions are one of those Houston area tourist attractions that flies under the radar. After being closed for the month of November for regularly scheduled maintenance, the Sam Houston resumes its schedule of Wednesday through Sunday tours in December at the Sam Houston Pavilion, located at 7300 Clinton Dr. (enter Gate 8). While the tour is free, reservations are required, so call ahead. Kids 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

“The fact that the Sam Houston tours are offered free of charge only cements my belief that the excursions are one of those Houston area tourist attractions that flies under the radar.” The deck hand says that some super tankers require at least 12 smaller ships to retrieve all of their cargo! Another thought that crossed my mind is the Ship Channel and Port of Houston complex is an engineer’s playground. It required the expertise of virtually every type of engineer— structural, marine, mechanical, petroleum, etc.—to design and construct all of the public and private facilities along the banks of the channel, not to mention the actual process of dredging the waterway in the first place. And because the channel is a living entity of sorts, it requires constant maintenance by these same experts and many others in order for the channel to adapt to changes in weather, geography and the size of the vessels that call on the port. As the Sam Houston pulled back into the dock at the pavilion, virtually every passenger exits with the same “Wasn’t that a nice way to spend 90 minutes?” look on their face and even our skeptical teenagers managed to have a good time. The fact that the Sam Houston tours are offered free of charge only

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

For more information, visit Portofhouston.com or call 713-6702416. It’s no cruise to Cozumel, but you’ll come away with a whole new appreciation of one of the world’s truly amazing industrial construction projects and a driving force in the Houston area’s economic development.

Princess Sails from Bayport The recent four-day benefit cruise to Progreso, Mexico served as the official launch of Princess Cruises’ new service from the Port of Houston Authority’s Bayport Cruise Terminal. The first-ever fundraising cruise, with 2,000 passengers onboard, supported “Cruising for a Cause,” which seeks to raise money for a pair of U.S. military organizations: the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and Operation Homefront. Following that initial voyage, regular cruises by the Caribbean Princess will commence from the Bayport terminal, with a total of 27 sailings scheduled, while Princess’ Western Caribbean schedule calls at the ports of Costa Maya, Roatan, Belize City and Cozumel. Officials

say the Emerald Princess will make Houston its home port for Western Caribbean sailings next year. Princess is scheduled to call on the Bayport Cruise Terminal through 2015, and a study indicates the operation will create an economic impact of $2 million from each sailing, $50 million annually and add over 200 jobs to the greater Houston region. Princess Cruises will be joined by the Norwegian Cruise Line in 2014 in calling the Bayport Terminal home. Norwegian Cruise Line is expected to bring its 2,374-passenger Norwegian Jewel to Houston for seven-day Western Caribbean cruises through 2017. Port of Houston officials estimate the Princess and Norwegian cruise lines will bring more than 400,000 cruise passengers through the terminal from 2013 through 2017.

Turning Basin Contract Awarded A $1.3 million construction contract was recently awarded to Grant MacKay Company by the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority to perform work related to the redevelopment plan for the Turning Basin Terminal. The contract calls for the razing of selected buildings at the Turning Basin, as well as for the removal of existing concrete and steel building structures at multiple locations, asbestos abatement, security lighting, fencing and camera relocation.

There’s an App for That The Port Authority has developed a mobile app that allows you to use your smart phone to check on the status of a container and its pick up availability. The Mobile Customer Access (MCA) app includes the following categories: terminal announcements, container availability, booking inquiry, vessel schedule, gate inquiry, portofhouston.com and terminal information. To download the app, visit http://mca.poha.com.

Attorneys Becky Reitz and John Gay.

Twin sisters Gay Knighten and Fay Picard – South Shore Harbour Resort.

Harold Gill, Shamona Johnson, and Keith Ward Mambo Jazz Kings. Elbby Antony and Jennifer Wycoff.

Jane Ensor with Live Auction star, Louie from Second Chance Pets.

Jim Armstrong and Rita Armstrong, BATP board member.

Sharon and Jim Hickey.

Ann Martt and Patrick McLollan.

BATP’s L’Elegance Masquerade Gala Bay Area Turning Point hosted L’Elegance Masquerade Gala, a fun and memorable evening with music, dancing, dinner, poker and Black Jack, plus live and silent auctions Saturday, Oct. 5, at South Shore Harbour Resort. The BATP gala was quite a special evening with elegant gowns, hand painted faces, feather masks and wonderful music by the great Mambo Jazz Kings. Any event with music, masks, feathers, and friends is a special night for me. It was fun wearing the feather mask again that was custom made for me for the Arts Alliance at Clear Lake Harvest Moon Masquerade Ball at romance author Judith McNaught’s house. There was a great live auction that was unique because there were items everyone could bid on and there were also the “Golden Ticket” items that you could purchase at the beginning of the evening and select one of the live auction items at no cost before the live auction started. The Golden Ticket winner was Pamela White and she selected the Cancun Get-Away. Sally Rankin conducted the live auction, and the silent auction chairman was Sherrie Matula. Top sponsors were Carolyn Hibbard and Star Toyota, Bay Area Media Group, Chemical Process and Productions, Inc., Greg Ploss, Albemarle Foundation, Gloria Salinas, Christus St. John Hospital and Wendy Melchor. You can help BATP by registering your Kroger and Randall’s card for their Community Rewards Program at www. bayareaturningpoint.org/donations1.htm so that BATP may continue to receive funds that provide direct services to its clients. The BATP Resale Shop is located at 18207 Egret Bay Blvd. The telephone number is 281-957- 9910. The Bay Area Turning Point provides shelter and outreach programs for victims of physical/sexual abuse and domestic violence, as well as preventive/awareness programs conducted through schools, organizations and companies. The agency, a United Way affiliate, maintains a 24-hour Hot Line that can be reached by dialing 281-286-2525. For information, contact Diane Savage, president and CEO of BATP, at 281-338-7600. Mike Beck,Vice Chairman BATP Board and Kiley Wren, Chairman of the BATP Board.

Stacey Brown, BATP, and Debbie Salisbury, Bay Area Houston Magazine.

Ellen King, Chair of the Board of Directors for Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre with Pat Patton.

Diane Savage, BATP’s President and CEO, and husband Thomas, the Chief of Police, Lakeview Police Department.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Gala Chairman Lea Bodie and her husband, Jason, prepare to greet guests arriving for the last dinner on the R.M.S. Titanic.

The elegantly dressed crowd at the Bay Oaks Women’s Association Titanic Dinner included, from left, Jim and Ann O’Malley, Herb and Charlene Miller, Alice Marinos, Barbara Phillips, Lou Marinos, Betty Smalling and her son-in-law, Earl Phillips.

Angela and Darrell Bivens arrive for dinner on the R.M.S. Titanic as it “sets sail” at Bay Oaks Country Club in Clear Lake.

Sailing back into history on the Titanic The first and final voyage of the R.M.S. Titantic has intrigued generations of both Europeans and Americans who have read about its final hours and wondered what it was like to be aboard the great ship as it began sinking into history. Some 150 Bay Oaks Country Club members got to relive part of that historic evening when the Bay Oaks Women’s Association hosted a Titantic Dinner with many dressed in period outfits. In fact, Chairman Lea Bodie and her husband, Jason, greeted what was probably the most elegant crowd seen in the Clear Lake area in years with the men all in evening outfits – black tie, white tie, even Edwardian suits -- just as they wore for dinner in first class aboard ships back then – and the ladies looking almost too beautiful. The violin quartet were just starting

MARY ALYS CHERRY

to play when in walked BOWA President Jennifer Simmons with her husband, Richard, and her parents, Edgar and Elinor Walters, Terri and Michael Divine, Patricia Simon, Becky Reitz and John Gay, quickly followed by Angela and Darrell Givens, Jim and Janet Greenwood, Jack and Danele Buehler, Barry and Lyla Nettles, Harold and Kathleen Parrish, John and Jeannette Koerschner and Lewis and Joan Wade.

Janet Greenwood, left, and Jeannette Koerschner enjoy the champagne party as the majestic ship “sets sail” via Bay Oaks Country Club.

They hardly had time to say hello when in walked Marilyn and Glynn Lunney, Cambrey and Matthew Rogers, Joanna and Sheldon Krancher, Ray and Silva Landry, Kathryn Manning, Nancy and Jerry Smith, Bill and Carol Bobo, Glenn and Carlene Langford, Jim Mouton and Mary Keathley, Michael and Sharon Phelps, James and Maureen Blanding, Carl and Diane Konick, George and Glenna Crist, Sharon and Michael Phelps and Danny and Holly Williamson. After an hour of socializing, it was time for dinner and the same menu served to First Class passengers on the Titanic a hundred years ago, much to everyone’s delight – Oysters a la Russe, Consomme Olga, Wild Salmon, Filet Mignon with Scallop Potato, Artichoke, Foie Gras and Black Truffle, Squab and Watercress and an

array of desserts popular back in the day. Each course was accompanied by French wines. Much to the delight of BOWA Vice Presidents Annette Dwyer and Kimberly Weathers and their husbands, Pat Monks and Brett Weathers, Jon Ebbeler and Sue Broughton, Russ and Mary Colombo, Herb and Charlene Miller, Jim and Ann O’Malley, Earl and Barbara Phillips and her mother, Betty Smalling, Lou and Alice Marinos, Kevin and Lisa O’Brien, Henry and Margaret Vail, Eric and Ondi Lyon and Scott Lyon and Stacie Davis. An added attraction after dinner and dessert was an outdoor cigar bar for the fellows and lots of enjoyable conversation. And, fortunately no violin strains of Nearer My God to Thee.

Bay Oaks Women’s Association Vice Presidents Kimberley Weathers and her Attorneys John Gay and Becky Reitz look for their table as husband, Brett, left, and Annette Dwyer and her husband, Pat Monks, stop for a they join the crowd at the last dinner on the R.M.S. Titanic. photo as the crowd begins arriving at Bay Oaks Country Club for the Titanic Dinner.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Pearland residents Micahlyn Ordeneaux, left, and Lynette Wilson arrive at South Shore Harbour Resort for the Panhellenic style show luncheon.

Even Marilyn Monroe was there DIAMONDS were everywhere you looked when Clear Lake Panhellenic hosted its annual style show luncheon, and why not! This is their 50th anniversary year and the theme for the 29th annual fashion show was “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” with Marilyn Monroe – a.k.a. Sheree Frede – dressed in a gorgeous pink gown and leading the celebration in grand style for the crowd of 350. Fashion Show Chairman Kay Lee Benoit and Co-Chairmen Jo Cat Bruce and Judie Ferguson joined Panhellenic President Laurie Vaughn and First Vice President Kim Barker in welcoming the arriving crowd including Jan Bailey, Ann Gay, Annette Dwyer, Karen and Jenny McCorkle, Ellen King, Anita Fogtman, Emmeline Dodd, Pam Ploss, Carol Short, Jill Williams, Stacy Davis and Joan McKinney – many wearing bling and all ready to party down. Webster City Councilwoman Natalie Dolan and CCISD Board President Ann Hammond were in the crowd, as were Chevrolet dealer Norman Frede, Coastal Foods President Cecil Ferguson, Bay Area Houston Ballet Artistic Director Lynette Mason Gregg, Lt. Col. Brad Bruce, with his mother, Jo Cat Bruce, entertainment specialists Ginger and Phil Pampolina, and Lewis Diamonds owners Cindy and Slade Lewis.

Stacy Bush Davis, left, and Jenny Sinor Frantz, right, are happy to see Belva Dewey, former Clear Lake resident who came from Baton Rouge for the Clear Lake Panhellenic Fashion Show.

Glancing around, you might have spotted Mary McMullen, Ann Wismer Landolt, Courtney Atchley, Joy Muniz, Suzie Wilson, Lea Bodie, Cambrey Rogers, Karen Keesler, Kathleen Smith, Ann Brady, Karen Weber, Linda Landreth, Cathy Osoria, Mary Ann Shallberg, Carol Bobo, Michelle Richardson, Dana Brown and Angela Swint as they made their way through the silent auction. While Kate Foyt, Marjorie McConnico, Priscilla Ennis, Jill Reason, Renee Ditta, Diane Vest, Ruth Beecher, Lisa Holbrook, Sally Jordan, Micahlyn Ordeneaux, Sharon Dillard, Sally Wigginton, Judy Raiford and Ann Brannen stopped to compliment Kathy Wiley on the beautiful program book she compiled for everyone’s enjoyment. Before long, it was time for style show master Lenny Matuszewski – with his eye for selecting the perfect outfits from Dillard’s – to start what turned out to be a fabulous show with models Kim Krist, Jill Reason, Kelli Baliker, Christy Lovoi, Carrie Peters, Ondi Lyon, Wendy Shaw, Nancy Gruener, Debby Reichert, Kathy Akins, Claire Peters, Amy Judd, Peggy Clause, Christina Kirk, Kathy Glass, Kari Long, Becky Hensley and Marcy Ortega showing off an array of fashions. Much to the delight of Mary Ellen Bellard, Kathryn Vernau, Diane Overman, Lisa O’Brien, Barbara Dickey, Jennie Hampton and Sue Ellen Jennings, who were among those on the style show committee.

Music at the Museum a sellout

MUSIC AT THE MUSEUM was Sheree Frede dazzles the crowd as she impersonates a sellout for the third year in a movie star Marilyn Monroe. row with more than a hundred in the crowd at Bay Area Museum in Clear Lake Park. The popular event is a joint effort by Houston Symphony League Bay Area and the Bay Area Museum Guild. Chairman Carole Murphy received invaluable help from her committee members, including Brandie Corrao, Mary Voigt, Pat Biddle, Anne Yannie, Pat Bertelli and Nina McGlashan. The amazing Houston Symphony String Trio performing were violinists Sergei Galpern and Miran Kim with Sheldon Person Cindy Kuenneke, on the viola. left, is happy to see Vicki Hamley Seen in the at Music at the crowd were Museum. Angie Weinman, Alice Steel, Jill Music at the Williams, Ava Museum Chairman Galt, Kimberly Carole Murphy and Co-Chairman Weathers, Karen Mary Voigt, McCorkle, Sandi right, prepare and Sydney to welcome the Allbritton, Vicki arriving crowd at Buxton, Cindy the joint Museum Kuenneke, Vicki Guild and Houston Hamley and a Symphony League host of others Bay Area event. who enjoyed good food and wine and a great performance by the String Trio in the beautiful chapel at the Museum. DECEMBER 2013 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

CCEF honors outstanding volunteers and alumni By Mary Alys Cherry

A Superstars Gene Hollier, Dr. J. Floyd Williams, Betty McCulloch and Jill Howard, from left, line up for a photo during the reception preceding the 2013 Clear Creek Education Foundation Gala.

CCISD Distinguished Alumni honored at the Clear Creek Education Gala were, from left, Kristy Krueger Tankersley, Jake Hamilton, Ron Rand, Dr. Mary Curtner Smith and Dr. Timothy B. Jones.

CCEF honorees, from left, Robert Davee, George Carlisle Award recipient; Citizen of the Year David Braun; Dennis Johnson Memorial Small Business Award winner Cindy Lewis of Lewis Diamonds and Timepieces; and Lt. Col. Brad Bruce, who was presented the Valor Award.

Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year Jill Howard, left, can hardly contain her excitement on being given the use of a Chevrolet Camero by Norman Frede Chevrolet for a year as Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Greg Smith and Norman Frede General Manager Joan McKinney enjoy the moment.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

group of individuals who continually give of their time to the Clear Creek School District found themselves on the receiving end at the 2013 Clear Creek Education Foundation gala, which also honored five outstanding CCISD alumni during the Nov. 2 celebration. A crowd of more than 370 helped cheer the honorees for their positive contributions to CCISD while raising over $60,000 to support academic enrichment programs. “CCEF works year-round to develop and host programs that truly make a difference in the lives of CCISD students,” said CCEF Executive Director Kaci Hanson. “Our annual gala is a special time to educate the community on our initiatives and enlist their support, while honoring those that go the extra mile. This year’s event did not disappoint.” She said the CCEF Board received numerous nominations from the community from which to select the award winners. Theme for the gala at South Shore Harbour Resort was “The Stakes are High … Education is Our Best Bet.” This year’s recipients were:  David Braun, Nassau Bay mayor pro-tem and marketing manager for Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership who was honored as the 2013 Citizen of the Year for consistently demonstrating his commitment to CCISD and excellence in public education through his volunteer efforts;  Robert Davee, who served 12 years on the CCISD Board of Trustees, was presented the George B. Carlisle Distinguished Service Award for consistent demonstration of commitment to CCISD over time; The five winners of the Distinguished Alumni Award, presented to alumni who are now accomplished professionals were:  Jake Hamilton, who has won a string of awards, including a Telly and five Emmy nominations for his entertainment reporting while working for the CBS, Fox News and the Houston Chronicle since graduating in 2006 from Lake;  Dr. Timothy B. Jones, a 1980 Lake grad and author of two books who has penned articles published in over a hundred publications and also has appeared on numerous TV shows;  Ron Rand, a 1985 Creek grad who lives in Pearland and is now president and CEO of The Rand Group in Houston, as well as a partner in the Houston-based CPA firm, Hein & Associates;  Dr. Mary Elizabeth Curtner-Smith, a 1976 Lake grad and former Clear Lake Intermediate teacher who is a tenured associate professor and member of the graduate faculty at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.  Kristy Krueger Tankersley, a 1979 Lake grad, long-time community volunteer and director of Special Spaces Houston that creates dream bedrooms for local children with lifethreatening illnesses.

Valor Award in honor of a public servant (military, police, fire, etc.) who has gone above and beyond the call of duty:  Lt. Col. Bradley Bruce, a 1995 Lake grad who manages the Army’s largest helicopter fleet, the Black Hawk fleet at the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, and was cited for combat bravery in Iraq. Four Bay Area residents, including two teachers, received the CCISD Superstar Award bestowed on a select group of individuals who support and enhance CCISD whether CCISD alumni or not. They are:  Gene Hollier, a retired Air Force fighter pilot and TV actor, who has spent the past 30 years doing volunteer work, serving many organizations, including the Houston Rodeo and is often referred to as Mr. Volunteer;  Jill Howard, Landolt Elementary bilingual teacher who was selected as this year’s Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year by the Texas Association of School Administrators. and was first recognized as CCISD Elementary Teacher of the Year at the annual Rotary luncheon in May;  Betty McCulloch, Clear Creek Intermediate science teacher who was named the 2014 CCISD Secondary Teacher of the Year and was a finalist for Regional Secondary Teacher of the Year;  Dr. J. Floyd Williams, an optometrist and long-time resident, who has dedicated countless hours to the children of CCISD, providing over 2,500 vision exams and eye wear valued at $800,000.  The Dennis Johnson Memorial Small Business Award, a new award this year, was presented to Clear Creek High grads Slade and Cindy Lewis, owners of Lewis Diamonds and Timepieces for their donations and volunteer work in the community. One winner, Jill Howard, received a doubledose of recognition, and a special surprise. In honor of her outstanding accomplishment, she received the keys to a 2014 red Chevrolet Camaro, courtesy of Norman Frede Chevrolet from General Manager Joan McKinney. She will get to keep the car for one year. “We are so proud of Mrs. Howard for this outstanding accomplishment and her neverending contributions to the field of education,” said CCISD Superintendent Greg Smith, who orchestrated the surprise along with other members of the district’s administrative staff and education foundation. “The car was a great way of showing appreciation to her for a job well done.” Established in 1992, the Clear Creek Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization located in League City. Comprised of volunteers with a passion for excellence, it raises funds to enrich academic achievement within Clear Creek School District. While the foundation operates independently of the school district, it is aligned and collaborates closely with CCISD to promote excellence in education.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

‘We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope.’ -Martin Luther King

s we strive to make it through difficult times, hearing the wisdom of those who have struggled, questioned and dreamed before us can make the journey easier. When you feel the struggle is wearing you down, though we may shy away from the topic, depression is a real mental health issue that will affect many of us in their lifetime. We know that suicidal thoughts, feelings of “worthlessness,” withdrawing from friends and family, and constant fatigue are signs of depression—but many of us might not realize that dramatic insomnia, irrational anger, and persistent aches and pains can be clues as well. Signs that you might be suffering from depression include weight changes, sleep problems, aches and pains, anger and irritability, alcoholism, concentration issues and problems with work and lack of sex drive. According to the World Health Organization, depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide among men and women aged 15 to 44. It is a treatable medical illness involving an imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. Experiencing depression is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness because, just like you cannot “wish away” diabetes, heart disease or any other physical illness, you cannot make depression go away by trying to “snap out of it.” According to the specialists, the most important thing to remember is that there are effective treatments out there, from medication to counseling. And up to 80 percent of people who suffer from depression respond well to treatment however, patients who don’t respond well to medication or cannot tolerate side effects can benefit from a new treatment option available now at The PsyClinic through Trans-cranial Magnetic Stimulation.

Shrimporee marks 40th anniversary

Rotarians Bob Taggart, Bill Geissler, Mike Porterfield, Walt Huff and Gary Renola, from left, prepare the shrimp as the crowd begins to arrive.

crowd of more than 3,000 joined Space Center Rotary members in celebrating the 40th anniversary of their Shrimporee and Auction in Clear Lake Park’s Landolt Pavilion. Chaired by President-elect Scott Rainey, the afternoon festivities featured both live and silent auctions, mounds of shrimp and Brian Ellis, right, checks on the bean crew as the Rotary barbecue with entertainment for kids and Shrimporee gets under way. Crew members are all Ph.D’s from UH-Clear Lake and members of Space Center Rotary music by the San Jacinto College Band. – from left, Dr. Carl Stockton, Dr. Ted Cummings, Dr. Jean A highlight of the event came with the Walker and Dr. Mrinal Varma. announcement of the winner of the raffle – a $5,000 shopping spree donated by Lewis Diamonds and Timepieces in Webster. This year’s beneficiaries are the EarlyAct FirstKnight program at Whitcomb Elementary in Clear Lake and Team River Runner Veteran’s Outdoor Project.

TMS, TRAS-CRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION TMS is the first FDA approved non-drug treatment for depression now available at The PsyClinic. Magentic Stimulation of the brain helps depressed patients’ brain get back to their normal function and secrete neurotransmitters responsible for mood typically deficient in these patients and usually needed to be given artificially through medication. Unlike prescription medication for treatment of depression, the new TMS treatment has no side effects and very limited contraindications. It is conducted at your doctor’s office on a daily basis over a period of 4-6 weeks. Even though it is mostly not covered by your insurance provider, payment plans are available to fit almost any budget. The breakthrough treatment option is a wonderful choice considering the remission rates of above 70 percent compared to 30-40 percent with medication option. Researchers estimate that by the year 2030, depression will be the leading cause of disease burden—impact on length and health of lives—worldwide. Don’t fall a victim for it. Get the help you need today. Dr. Mohamed S. Ahmed is Chairman of the department of Psychiatry at The Methodist Hospital, Baytown , an Assistant Clinical professor at UTMB and founder of The PsyClinic. Visit www.thepsyclinic.com or call 281-837-6463 to schedule a consultaion.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

Slade and Cindy Lewis, owners of Lewis Diamonds and Dennis Paul, a member of Space Center Rotary and a candidate for the Texas Legislature, and his wife, Eliza, get ready Timepieces, arrive at Clear Lake Park for the Rotary to sample the shrimp and barbecue at the Rotary Shrimporee. Shrimporee with their children, Whitley, at left, and Levi. Their Webster jewelry store donated a $5,000 shopping spree at the store for the Shrimporee raffle.

DECEMBER 2013 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Light @ work By Steve Lestarjette Church food pantry in Baytown still going strong after 26 years

n 1987, Missouri Street Church of Christ in Baytown launched a food pantry ministry with donations of bread from a nearby Randall’s Food Store. Today, after 26 years, 5.5 million pounds of donations, and countless volunteer hours, the food pantry is still serving the needs of area families lacking the most basic of necessities. “There were those who gave the program a short life,” says church secretary Kathy Read. “Others believed that if God wanted this work to succeed, it would. And they jumped in with both feet and a big heart.” These days, volunteers bring food each Tuesday from the Houston Food Bank, and pick up goods from Kroger’s on Monday and Tuesday. Other supplies arrive from the Red Barrel, and from food drives hosted by the local Boy Scouts, Lee College, postal workers, and others. Once a year, the pantry is “restocked” with five pallets of produce from KTRK Channel 13’s “Share Your Holiday” food drive. Each delivery and food drive provides canned goods and nonperishables so desperately needed when parents are out of work, ill, or otherwise low on good fortune. “Some years have been lean,” Read says, “but no family that has qualified for help has gone away without something to eat.” Donations and grants from the community arrive in a variety of ways. Retirees from Exxon are able to receive grants for their volunteer hours to the pantry. Walmart has a grant program for volunteer workers, too. Local churches, the VFW, Kiwanis Club, and memorial donations provide much-needed support. “Workers? We couldn’t operate without them!” Read says. “Our oldest is 93. Our 89-year-old has been picking up bread from Kroger’s at least twice weekly for about 14 years, and helps unload the van when it arrives from the Food Bank. The majority of our other volunteers are in their seventies. They help with stocking, bagging and distribution. “We have several younger men who first came as clients and have become full-time workers in the program. They pick up food from the Food Bank, unload and shelve it, bag and distribute it. As they have been blessed, they continue to bless others.”

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

Read gives a special shout out to volunteers who pick up food each week from the Food Bank in the church van, and to Jim Moss and his crew with the Baytown Fire and Rescue, who pick up food from schools and the area collection point at Walmart for the KTRK Channel 13 food drive. It hasn’t always been easy, but blessings outweigh the frustration. Kathy relates the story about a Wednesday when she was ready to “throw in the towel.” “As always, when leaving, I checked the mailbox,” she recalls. She found a small envelope inside bearing a name she didn’t recognize. Inside was a small sheet of paper that read, “Thank you for doing the Lord’s work,” and a $100 bill. The name on the envelope was a man who had visited the pantry as a client some weeks earlier. The envelopes containing the bill came weekly for months. Today the pantry ministry reaches more than 5,000 families, or 18,000 individuals, a year in the Baytown area, making it one of the largest of its kind in the region. “That’s 100 families a week, every week of the year!” Read notes. The day following delivery from KTRK Channel 13’s “Share Your Holidays” food drive, the pantry might serve up to 450 families. The pantry, located at 3500 S. Highway 146, virtually in the shadow of the Fred Hartman Bridge, is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, except for major holidays. Sign-ups begin at 3:15 p.m., and serving starts by 4. Doors close at 5, or before, if 50 families have been served. To quality, a person need only bring a personal photo identification and proof of Baytown residency (from a utility bill or item of mail, for instance). The pantry can assist each family once every 30 days. “Could we do this work on our own? We never have!” the church secretary is quick to add. “This is a work done in the name of Christ, and with God’s blessing and full support. Our Elders would like to see this work continue, and as always, we are in the position to be an instrument of His blessings.” To contact the church, call 281427-0459 or visit its website, www. mostchurch.org

C O M M U N I T Y

State Rep. Candidate, Chuck Maricle with his wife Xia Yang and son Charles at their campaign kick-off dinner at Mamacita’s.

Houston Partners Realty, LLC Open House. Owners Pat and Connie Dando.

Doctors and healthcare professionals gather at Neighbors Emergency Care’s Cover Party held at Cullen’s Upscale American Grille.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

DECEMBER 2013 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Cock & Bull owner, Jeanette Walker, right and Toy for Tots Coordinator SSgt Tommy L. Bushman, left, discuss this years toy drive.

Offering Exciting New Events and Full Bar Service to Complement their Fun, Food & Friends Experience By Betha Merit

he Cock & Bull British Pub in Seabrook has a mission listed on their website that states, “It is our Ultimate Goal to provide our patrons/customers with the ‘best service in town.’” Towards this goal, they listen to ideas and requests, and continue to expand your pub experience to now include cocktails and a whole updated calendar full of monthly and weekly events. All the original British pub

amenities and events remain, it just gets better and better. Owners Jeanette and David Walker hail from small communities in Australia and England. “It’s what we know and love, and why we choose to live, work, and raise our kids here in Bay Area Houston,” says Jeanette. And they carry this warm, friendly, business with a handshake style into the atmosphere at The Cock & Bull, which extends to customers, staff, and other local business owners. “We wanted to capture the British Pub flair that says, ‘Come in, have fun, eat,

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

drink, and be merry,’” says Jeanette. As part of their support for the community and events, The Cock & Bull is a proud sponsor of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and will be a drop-off location until December 15th. So what’s new? Mixology; Martini Specials; the option of ordering Jeanette’s favorite mixed drink…an extra dirty vodka martini with three olives. Basically, The Cock & Bull now offers full bar service, in addition to 17 beers on tap and 55 more in bottles and a fantastic selection of wines. They carry standard beers such as Guinness, London Pride, Boddington’s Pub Ale, Murphy’s Irish Stout, and Strongbow Cider. They offer the latest craft beers that change all the time, “basically when the keg kicks, it’s gone,” says Jeanette.

By Royal Proclamation

Now serving mixed drinkS and lunch!

What else is new? The Calendar, with so many new events, so little time. But this is actually a good thing, as some events sell out due to popularity. You can craft your schedule to attend the events that call your name. www. thecockandbullbritishpub. com is updated regularly to keep customers in the know. Monthly events such as “Wine & Dine 101” which provides wine pairings with delicious tidbits and instructional talks with Wine Pro’s and Wine Vendors; and “Beers & Bites” @ the Bar is a similar event pairing small bites with craft beers and Beer Pro’s/Vendors providing information on what makes the beers taste great. Live Music featuring local talent continues to be a draw on Friday and Saturday nights, and includes a 70’s & 80’s disco night on first Saturdays. Mondays are Trivia Night and Happy Hour Menu lasts all night long; and Wednesdays are Open Mic Night (which is supported by Wood ‘N Wind, an acoustic

music group). Happy Hour Menu is also offered for drinks and food on Tuesday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6:32 p.m. So what’s still awesome? Everything. The Cock & Bull features an amazing Sunday Brunch from 11:30 until 4 p.m., and is open for regular dining and bar fare until Midnight. Brunch offerings include a traditional British breakfast, as well as a British carving station, or waffles for a more American taste. With both British and American Chefs, diners can select meals or small plates to reflect their level of hunger and taste for the moment. British pies such as shepherd’s, steak & mushroom, and chicken pot pie are favorites, with fish & chips and scotch eggs and bangers & mash too. Of course there is more, and the True Brit Food Menu evolves. American selections include hearty steaks to porcini & white truffle ravioli to rosemary grilled chicken breast. The sides are worth reading all on their own. A large selection of soups, salads, and sandwiches are available

for smaller appetites, although the cauliflower stilton cheese soup sounds like a magical starter for the rib-eye or corned beef & cabbage. Styled in an eclectic British mode, featuring a dining room, large bar, dart room, and library/coffee lounge, The Cock & Bull offers the perfect environment for fun and great service. “Every time you come in, whether for dinner, darts or board games, a pint or martini, or a special event, you will see something new and different,” says Jeanette. Special Events continue such as the New Year’s Eve Party, or your own private Christmas Party, and annual events such as the St. George’s Day Ball, Bond 007 Ball, and more. You can book special birthday/wedding/anniversary events for parties of 10 to 100 people, request special music, and even set up roulette or black jack stations for your guests. They will tailor the menu to your design, complete with your own color theme and picture or logo. Upon request, The Cock & Bull will provide luncheon timed business, board, or special party events. The Cock & Bull is located at 3659 NASA Parkway, Seabrook, Texas 77586; phone: 832-282-8202; www.thecockandbullbritishpub.com

DECEMBER 2013 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Ron Carter Clear Lake Cadillac Hyundai Honors Bay Area Students with Scholarships

n 2013, Ron Carter Cadillac Hyundai awarded scholarships to five outstanding college bound Bay Area seniors. Scholarships were awarded based on exemplary academic records, leadership, character and service. First of all, congratulations to Jacob Arend, a distinguished graduate of Clear Brook High School, the first of five recipients of the 2013 Ron Carter Cadillac Hyundai Achievers Scholarship. Jacob is attending Texas A & M University. He is studying Chemical Engineering and has received a $1,000 scholarship from Ron Carter Clear Lake Cadillac Hyundai. Secondly, all the best to Sarah Bivens a distinguished graduate of Clear Falls High School and the April recipient of the 2013 Ron Carter Cadillac Hyundai Achiever’s Scholarship. Sarah is attending Sam Houston State University and will be studying Dance and Creative Writing. She also received a $1,000 scholarship from Ron Carter Clear Lake Cadillac Hyundai. Thirdly, kudos goes to Kodee Edwards a distinguished graduate of Dawson High School in Pearland. He was the May recipient of the 2013 Ron Carter Cadillac Hyundai Achiever’s Scholarship. Kodee is presently attending Prairie View A & M University and is studying Computer Science. He has received a $1,000 scholarship from Ron Carter Cadillac Hyundai. Fourthly, congratulations go to Christopher Trautman, a distinguished graduate of Dickinson High School and the July recipient of the 2013 Ron Carter Cadillac Hyundai Achiever’s Scholarship. Christopher attends Sam Houston State University, studying Criminal Justice. Ron Carter Cadillac Hyundai is honored to provide Christopher with a $1,000 Scholarship. Finally, we once again congratulate Abigail Dickson a recent graduate and recipient of the 2013 Ron Carter Cadillac Hyundai Achiever’s $1,000 Scholarship. Her ultimate goal is to serve her country and be a Naval Aviator upon her college graduation. Thank you Ron Carter Cadillac Hyundai for providing scholarships to our Bay Area Students. Applications for the 2014 Ron Carter Clear Lake Achiever’s Scholarship can be found at www.roncaterclearlake.com.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

Denise Beyner of Ron Carter Cadillac Hyundai presents Sarah Bivens a $1000 Scholarship along with Business Development Christ Premont.

Business Development Manager Chris Premont presents Jacob Arend a $1000 Scholarship along with Denise Beyner.

Ron Carter Cadillac Hyundai’s Denise Beyner presents Kodee Edwards a $1000 Scholarship along with Business Development Manager Chris Premont.

Chris Premont presents a $1000 Scholarship to Christopher Trautman along with GM Jay Joslin.

Historic homes tour features colorful history of League City

ove stories, shootouts and land boundary disputes will be just a few of the many interesting stories that people will hear when they attend the Historic Homes Tour in League City on Saturday, Dec. 14. Homes and sites on the League City Historical Society tour are The Hayes Home – 1004 Fourth St.; The Ferrell Home – 620 Third St.; Old St. Mary Church – 620 E. Main St.; The Cox McQuirk Home and the Giacchino Home, - which are both located at 1518 E. Walker St.; The Milby Butler Home – 1908 Carolina St.; and West Bay Common School Children’s Museum – 210 N. Kansas Ave.

The Hayes Home, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is especially interesting. It was built for local rancher John E. Hayes for his lovely wife Margaret. The home is steeped in history. Docents will share stories of ranch life in the early days and of a shootout involving Mr. Hayes and some other ranchers that took place in 1921 over fence and property rights. “Each site on the tour this year has a colorful history,” said Ronnie Richards, president of League City Historical Society. “It is our hope that people will enjoy the tour so much that they will want to make it a holiday tradition,” he added. The Historic Homes Tour hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Presale tickets are $13 and are available at West Bay Common School Children’s Museum, 210 N. Kansas, League City; Park Avenue Show Place, 610 E. Main; The Milk Pail, 1013 E. Main St.; Butler Longhorn Museum, 1220 Coryell; Book Haven, 104 N. Michigan and the League City Chamber of Commerce, 1101 W. Main, Ste. R. Each ticket allows visitors to tour all the sites. The day of the event tickets will be $15 and may be purchased at West Bay Common School Children’s Museum – 210 N. Kansas. For information, call 281-5542994.

DECEMBER 2013 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

UHCL Alumni Association honors alumni, professor

ive alumni were honored when the University of Houston-Clear Lake Alumni Association hosted the 2013 Alumni Celebration Saturday, Oct. 19, at Space Center Houston. Four of them received Distinguished Alumni Awards and a fifth was presented the Early Achievement Award. A longtime university faculty member also was honored with the Outstanding Professor Award. “UHCL alumni continue to do great things to make our community, country and world a better place to live and we look forward to honoring them every year,” said UHCL President William A. Staples. “And, our faculty continues to astonish us with their commitment to education, research and teaching.” Recipients of the Distinguished Alumni

Awards were astronaut Col. Edward Michael “Mike” Fincke; Matterhorn Capital Management Partner, Principal and Portfolio Manager Charles “Chuck” Hall Jr.; Johnson Space Center Human Resources Director Natalie V. Saiz; and Travel Dreams owner and Cruise and Space Tourism Specialist Diane H. Vest. Alabama Baptist Health System President and CEO M. Shane Spees will receive the Early Achievement Award, while Professor of Literature John Gorman will be presented the Outstanding Professor Award. Past honorees also were welcomed back at the annual celebration which allowed guests an opportunity to catch up with old friends, as well as learn how the university is preparing for freshman and sophomore students, who will be arriving fall 2014.

Margaritaville drew more than a few looks as the crowd moseyed around the ballroom at Bay Oaks Country Club where Gail Ashby, Lori Ray, Sally Dennett, Lisa Moore, Ivett Abuadas, Jacquie Pharris and Tina McKinley were waiting for Kim Barker, Karen Hopkins, Katy Bastedo and Cindy Lewis to join them.

Robin Weigelt, left, owner of Back Bay Boutique in Seabrook, celebrates all their hard work on their Nauti-Gals table with Era Lee Caldwell at the Just a Pretty Table Luncheon.

Four UH-Clear Lake alumni received Distinguished Alumni Awards at the 2013 Alumni Celebration. Recipients were, from left, astronaut Edward Michael “Mike” Fincke (Master of Science, 2001); Travel Dreams owner and Cruise and Space Tourism Specialist Diane Davies Vest (BBA, 1987); Johnson Space Center Human Resources Director Natalie V. Saiz (Master of Arts, 1997); and Matterhorn Capital Management Partner, Principal and Portfolio Manager Charles “Chuck” Hall Jr. (MBA, 1997).

Kate Foyt, Terri Dodd and Lisa Roberts, from left, are part of the group that sat at the Harvard’s Finest table at the Just a Pretty Table Luncheon.

Pretty Tables – always fun, always a sellout By Mary Alys Cherry

ne of the most enjoyable events of the year in the Bay Area is the Bay Area Museum Guild’s annual Just A Pretty Table Luncheon. It’s not just another luncheon. Most guests gasp as they walk around and look at all the gaily decorated

tables and marvel at the thought put into them. Each year it’s a sellout. It’s only been a few weeks since the last one and already the Museum Guild ladies are swishing ideas around in their head, preparing for next year. The 25 table themes for the 8th annual luncheon this fall included Margaritaville,

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

Christmas at Reinzi Plantation, Camping is Intents, Nauiti-Gals, True Love Never Grows Old and Witches Who Drink, to name a few. Angie Weinman served as chairman with help from Carole Murphy, Emmeline Dodd, Sandi Allbritton and Ava Galt, who are already planning for next year.

Just a Pretty Table Chairman Angie Weinman, second from left, thanks her committee for all their hard work putting the Museum Guild event together. They are, from left, Emmeline Dodd, Carole Murphy, Ava Galt and Sandi Allbritton.

Put a Bow on It 2013 Economic Development Wrap-Up

2 Dr. Brenda Hellyer presents Representative Wayne Smith with the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region 2013 Visionary Award.

Photo: Debbie Salisbury

State Representative Wayne Smith Honored with Prestigious Visionary Award

he Economic Alliance Houston Port Region Board of Directors honored State Rep. Wayne Smith at their Annual Membership and Awards Banquet on the evening of Nov. 14 at the Houston Marriot South by Hobby Airport with the prestigious Visionary Award. Over 300 people from private industry, local municipalities and chambers of commerce were in attendance. Since its inception as the Southeast Harris County Economic Development Corporation (SEED) in 1985, there have only been two prior recipients of this award - then County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia in 2006, and Deer Park City Councilman and former Economic Alliance Chairman Thane Harrison, in 2008. “Our Visionary Award is reserved for someone whose innovative efforts on the frontlines of key regional issues, offers clear and concrete pathways to improved economic development opportunities and expanded political and social participation for the communities we serve,” said Chad Burke, president and CEO of the Economic Alliance. Representative Smith has a distinguished record of civic service. He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in November 2002, to serve District 128, encompassing Baytown, Deer Park, La Porte,

Morgan’s Point, Pasadena, and portions of the unincorporated area of East Harris County. At the beginning of the 83rd Legislative Session, Representative Smith was appointed to serve as the Chairman of the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee. The House Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures has jurisdiction over matters pertaining to business, industry, trade, gaming, and the sale of alcoholic beverages. It also has oversight of several key commissions; including the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the Texas Real Estate Commission, the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. In addition, he also serves as a member of the Culture, Recreation, and Tourism committee, which oversees the state’s parks, fish and wildlife, shrines, monuments, and memorials. Included is the maintenance and oversight of the Battleship Texas and the San Jacinto Battleground. Port of Houston Authority Chairman Janiece Longoria, Harris County Commissioner Jack Morman, and Baytown Mayor Stephen DonCarlos, provided comments honoring the notable legislator. All three speakers acknowledged Representative Smith as a man of loyalty whose word is his bond, and spoke of him not as a politician, but a true

statesman who seeks consensus when possible, does not back down from the commitments he makes, and fights on behalf of those he represents with vigor. The region has Wayne Smith to thank for authoring the Houston Ship Channel Security District legislation in 2007, for his support of veterans, his work to improve transportation infrastructure and for maintaining local representation on the Port of Houston Authority Commission. “For the first time there are four commissioners representing East Harris County on the commission” stated Commissioner Jack Morman with pride. Mayor DonCarlos also spoke about Smith’s actions in the wake of Hurricane Ike as illustrative of his character. The lawmaker had planned to stay in town to weather the storm with his fellow citizens, but Mayor DonCarlos asked him to leave and go to Austin. As soon as it was safe to return, Representative Smith returned. He did not wait for power to be restored; he came back and got right to work. Smith, a man often noted for his humility spoke briefly stating “It is odd to get an award for something I agreed to do when you voted for me. We should not need an award to fulfill our promises.” Despite his humble response, it was clear he was touched by the recognition.

013 was another banner year for economic development in the region, continuing a growth streak that started in 2008 (despite the economic downturn) and has gained momentum. This year alone, the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region supported projects expected to bring about 695 new jobs and over $1.3 billion in reported capital investment to this region. For every new job created directly through this investment, at least three others are created. Local businesses also benefit from this investment, with opportunities to serve these large industries in a variety of ways. Over the past two years, large companies have made moves to better position themselves for growth. Commenting on recent trends, Marie McDermott, vice president for Business Development at the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, states “Major energy companies made investments in either shale plays or deepsea ventures thereby inducing our region’s petrochemical companies to change their equipment to accommodate the feedstock, put in new rail spurs or pipelines to transport the feedstock, and create new terminals to store their products.” These changes, in many cases, have required the acquisition of new land upon which to build these facilities. Terminal and maritime companies have also reported the purchase of ships with new equipment such as liquefied petroleum gas ships and new storage tanks to handle the increase in product. McDermott further commented that the affordable feedstock has even caught the eye of Chinese firms that are evaluating this area to take advantage of its resources such as: shale gas, inexpensive feedstock, infrastructure, and market. These past few years have been a whirlwind for McDermott who has been working with new and existing companies to match them with appropriate incentives such as Texas Enterprise Zone, Texas Enterprise Fund, and Chapter 313 incentives. She has also worked to bring together parties to ensure that the proper infrastructure is in place to meet their needs. These trends are expected to continue through 2015 based on survey data obtained by Houston Port Bureau, the Economic Alliance, and Port of Houston Authority, which projects actual investment for construction and maintenance for companies within the Houston Ship Channel region for 2012 – 2015 could reach $35 billion and bring 111,700 direct construction jobs and 154,100 induced and indirect jobs. These are exciting times for our region. If you would like more information or would like some assistance with a project, call Marie McDermott at 281-476-9176.

DECEMBER 2013 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

News nuggets By Mary Alys Cherry

New City Hall For Nassau Bay

Mayor Mark Denman and other Nassau Bay city officials joined Griffin Partners Nov. 13 in breaking ground for the new 24,000 square foot city hall and conference center, which will be located at 1800 Space Park Drive. Work on the facility, which will cost the city an estimated $1.9 million, began around Nov. 1, City Manager Chris Reed said, adding that the conference center on the lower floor should be open March 1, and city hall on April 1. Griffin Partners, which is developing Nassau Bay Town Square, earlier agreed to pay for a new city hall in exchange for the land on which the previous city hall was built. The city decided to add a second story and will pay for that portion of the building. An aerospace firm has signed a seven-year lease to occupy part of the building -- money that will help the city pay off the debt it will incur building a bigger building.

Another City Manager Quits

League City City Manager Mike Loftin has resigned – the second area city manager to quit in as many months – and City Council has named Deputy City Manager John Baumgartner as interim city manager. Earlier, Seabrook City Manager Kelly Templin resigned to accept a similar post in College Station and Council named Gayle Cook to the post. Loftin was named city manager of League City in May 2012 after previously serving as director of finance. Baumgartner earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering at the University of Idaho in 1983, and attended The Public Executive Institute IX at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. He is a Texas Registered Professional Engineer.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

UHCL Opens Registration

Open registration for spring 2014 classes at University of Houston-Clear Lake runs through Jan. 10 for classes beginning Jan. 13. Register at the university’s Student Services and Classroom Building, Office of Admissions, 2700 Bay Area Blvd. The application deadline for undergraduates and non-degreeseeking undergraduate and nondegree-seeking graduate students is Jan. 6. Late applications will be accepted until Jan. 13, with spring late registration running Jan. 11-21. For more information, email the UH-Clear Lake’s Office of Admissions at admissions@ uhcl.edu, call 281-283-2500 or visit www.uhcl.edu/admissions to find the application link. For information about classes available at UH-Clear Lake Pearland Campus, call 281-212-1690

Trey Apffel To Head State Bar

A League City attorney is in line to become president of the State Bar of Texas next year. E.A. “Trey” Apffel III was elected president-elect of the state bar and will serve as president June 2014 until June 2015. Apffel, who has practiced in Galveston County for more than 30 years, is the owner and principal of the Apffel Law Firm in League City, where he focuses on personal injury litigation, medical malpractice and toxic torts, along with family law and divorce. He has served on the State Bar Board of Directors and its Executive Committee and chaired its Legislative Policy Committee. He received his BBA from Baylor University and his J.D. from Baylor Law School.

Ex-Astronaut Now In Iowa

Former astronaut Clay Anderson has joined Iowa State University as an aerospace engineering faculty member. The Nebraska native retired

from NASA earlier this year after three space flights, 167 days in space, 38 hours of spacewalks and 30 years at Johnson Space Center. He will work with freshman aerospace engineering students and help design research projects for the students and faculty. He earned his master’s degree from ISU in 1983.

Property Tax Bills Are Mailed

Tax Assessor-Collector Mike Sullivan announced that more than 900,000 property tax bills have been mailed to Harris County property owners. “Property owners need to be on the lookout for their property tax bill,” Sullivan said, adding that taxes are due by Jan. 31, 2014.” Harris County residents can pay their property taxes by mail, phone at 713368-2273, online at www.hctax. net or in person at any of the 16 Tax Assessor-Collector’s Offices throughout Harris County. The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office Property Tax Division maintains approximately 1.5 million tax accounts and collects property taxes for 71 taxing entities including Harris County. For the 2013 tax year, the Tax AssessorCollector’s Office expects to collect approximately $5 billion of property tax payments.

Space Endeavors Prove Successful

The power switch was recently flipped on the Orion crew module, bringing it to life. That kicks off the final year of testing and preparation for Orion’s first mission, Johnson Space Center Director Ellen Ochoa says. Meanwhile, Orbital Science’s Cygnus cargo craft’s inaugural flight, carrying 1,300 pounds of supplies to and from the space station was a big success.”The mission accomplished another major milestone in commercial spaceflight development and another significant success for NASA efforts to foster private space operations,” she added.

UTMB’s Dr. Eric Walser

Non-surgical prostate cancer treatment a first in Texas

new non-surgical prostate cancer treatment offered at the University of Texas Medical Branch virtually eliminates the side effects of impotence and incontinence that can occur when patients receive the traditional treatment for prostate cancer – surgical prostate removal. UTMB’s Chairman of Radiology Dr. Eric Walser is one of only a few physicians in the world and the only physician in Texas who performs this groundbreaking procedure. Using a state-of-the-art, MRI-guided laser ablation instrument developed at UTMB, he zaps away the cancer without removing the prostate. With national standards for prostate cancer screening changing so dramatically over the past year, many men are confused about what it means to have prostate cancer, whether they should be tested for it and what they should do if they test positive. The American Urological Association’s new prostate cancer screening guidelines say that men under 55 should no longer receive routine prostate screening and that men over 80 should not receive it if they have a life expectancy less than 10 to 15 years. The association determined the odds of preventing prostate cancer death with a PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test for men ages 55 to 69 amounted to one life spared for every 1,000 men screened over a decade. This is on the heels of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s statement last May, saying that much more harm than good was being done to men who underwent screening, biopsy and surgical removal of their prostate gland. The vast majority of prostate cancers are so slow-growing that they will never cause a problem.

On the other hand, the impotence and incontinence that can result when the sensitive nerves surrounding the prostate are damaged or severed during surgery can be devastating. The gist of all this is that the standard treatment — surgical prostate removal — causes more damage than the disease ever would have. “The problem is, most men who test positive, even if the risk is one in 1,000 of dying of prostate cancer,” said Walser, “still just want to get it out of there. You never know if you are going to be that one.” In the past, there was no way for doctors to remove prostate cancer without removing the whole prostate gland. This is because the available imaging technology was not powerful enough to illuminate the cancer and the available laser ablation technology was not focused enough to remove the cancer without damaging surrounding tissue. But in recent years, the technology has improved significantly. “Our approach pairs the most advanced MRI imaging to pinpoint the precise location of cancer in the prostate and the most advanced laser technology to remove it completely, with virtually no risk of impotence or incontinence,” said Walser. Walser, who has been performing this procedure for three years, says this new way of treating prostate cancer offers men much more peace of mind than active surveillance or “watchful waiting,” the traditional alternative to radical treatment. NIH-funded clinical trials of this new procedure so far show that it is safe and effective, with results from Phase 1 just published online in the journal Radiology and Phase 2 currently being conducted at the University of Chicago Medicine. DECEMBER 2013 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Reevaluate Your Benefits Needs During Open Enrollment

f you’re among the 170 million Americans who receive health insurance through an employerprovided plan, you’ll probably receive your 2014 open enrollment materials shortly. Although it’s a pain to wade through all that information, simply opting for your current coverage could be a costly mistake. Here’s why: Health insurance has undergone major changes since the 2010 Affordable Care Act was passed, including the elimination of annual and lifetime coverage limits and preexisting conditions exclusions, expanded free preventive care and allowing children up to age 26 to remain on parents’ plans. In response, many employers have altered their benefit plans. Plus, if your family or income situations have changed since last year, your current plans may no longer be the best match. And, if your employer offers flexible spending accounts and you’re not leaving a valuable tax break on the table. Here’s what to look for when reviewing your benefit options: Carefully compare all costs and features of the different plans offered and note how your existing coverage may be changing next year. Common changes include: • Dropped or replaced medical plans. •

Increased monthly premiums, deductibles and copayment amounts.

•

Revised drug formularies.

•

Favored doctors or hospitals withdrawing from a plan’s preferred provider network.

•

Changes to the number of allowed visits for specialty care (acupuncture, chiropractic, physical therapy, etc.)

If offered, healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs) can significantly offset the financial impact of medical and dependent care by letting you pay for eligible out-of-pocket expenses on a pre-tax basis; that is, before federal, state and Social Security taxes are deducted from your paycheck. This reduces your taxable income and therefore, your taxes. You can use a healthcare FSA to pay for IRS-allowed medical expenses not covered by your medical, dental or vision plans. Check IRS Publication 502 for allowable expenses. Dependent care FSAs let you use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible expenses related to care for your child, spouse, parent or other dependent incapable of self-care.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

Here’s how FSAs work: Say you earn $42,000 a year. If you contribute $1,000 to a health care FSA and $3,000 for dependent care, your taxable income would be reduced to $38,000. Your resulting net income, after taxes, would be roughly $1,600 more than if you had paid for those expenses on an after-tax basis. Remember these FSA restrictions: Employee contributions are limited to $2,500 a year for health care FSAs and $5,000 for dependent care. Health care and dependent care contributions are not interchangeable. Estimate planned expenses carefully because you must forfeit unused account balances. Some employers offer a grace period of up to 2 ½ months after the end of the plan year to incur expenses, but that’s not mandatory, so check your company’s policy. Outside of open enrollment, you can only make mid-year FSA changes after a major life or family status change (marriage, divorce, death of a spouse, birth or adoption, etc.) If one occurs mid-year, re-jigger your FSAs accordingly for maximum savings. You must re-enroll in FSAs each year – amounts don’t carry over from year to year. Compare your employer’s plans alongside those offered by your spouse’s employer, particularly when deciding where to insure your children. Also remember that if you marry, divorce, or gain or lose dependents, it could impact the type – and cost – of your coverage options. It’s worth spending a few minutes to review your benefit coverage options for next year, especially when you consider the potential financial consequences. This article is brought to you by a partnership between Visa and Texas First Bank and was authored by Jason Alderman, who directs Visa’s financial education programs. For more information, follow Texas First Bank on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube or visit us at www.texasfirstbank.com.

DECEMBER 2013 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

DECEMBER 2013 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

DECEMBER 2013 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

DECEMBER 2013 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Clear Lake Bay Oaks Holiday Market Dec. 2. The Bay Oaks Women’s Association will host its annual Holiday Market for club members and their guests, starting at 10:30 a.m., at Bay Oaks Country Club. Gardeners to meet Dec. 4. Gardeners By the Bay invites gardeners of all levels to join them on the first Wednesdays of the month at 9 a.m. in University Baptist Church’s Great Room on the 2nd floor, 16106 Middlebrook Drive. Growing fruits and vegetables is the Dec. 4 topic. Visit them at http://gbtb.org The Nutcracker Dec. 6-8 and 13-15. Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre will present the popular holiday classic, The Nutcracker, the weekends of Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15 with performances at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and matinees at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at the UHClear Lake Bayou Theatre. Tickets, which are $25 to $35, are available by calling 281-480-1617. Toyland Fantasy Dec. 7. The Bay Area Museum Guild invites the wee set and their parents to its annual Toyland Fantasy Breakfast, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Bay Oaks Country Club. Assistance League Open House Dec. 10. Members of the Assistance League of the Bay Area will gather at the home of Marie Keener at 10 a.m. for their annual Holiday Open House. BayTran Yule Luncheon Dec. 12. The Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership will gather at Cullen’s Grille on Space Center Boulevard for a Holiday Luncheon. For reservations, contact Diane Thornton, 281-474-4124, ext. 121 or email diane.thornton@glci. com Panhellenic Tea Dec. 12. Clear Lake Area Panhellenic will hold its annual Holiday Tea at 11 a.m. at the home of Marjo Richmond, 14310 Rippling Creek Way Chamber open house Dec. 19. The Clear Lake Area Chamber will host its annual Holiday Open House from 5 to 9 p.m. at its offices on NASA Parkway.

The Nutcracker Dec. 20-21. Kennedy Dance School plans an exciting holiday treat, The Nutcracker, at the UH-Clear Lake Bayou Theatre, 2700 Bay Area Blvd. with a surprise visit from Santa Claus to top off the show Friday and Saturday, Dec. 20-21. Curtains are at 7 p.m. Friday and at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday. For tickets, $15 in advance, $20 at the door with group rates available, call the studio, 281480-8441 or visit www.kennedydance. com

Dickinson Christmas classic opens Dec. 5. Bay Area Harbour Playhouse at 3803 Highway 3 invites the community to celebrate the season with the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, which plays Dec. 5 through Dec. 22 with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. For reservations, call 281-337-7469 or email bareahp@comcast.net New Year’s Eve Gala Dec. 31. Bay Area Harbour Playhouse will host an evening of song and dance, plus a breakfast buffet and champagne, at its annual New Year’s Eve Gala Tuesday, Dec. 31. Tickets are $35 each and may be reserved by calling 281-337-7469.

Friendswood Chamber luncheon Dec. 5. The Friendswood Chamber will have its networking luncheon Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Green Event Center, 2000 W. Parkwood. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. For reservations, call the chamber, 281-482-3329. Christmas Parade Dec. 14. The 27th annual Christmas Lighted Parade will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Call the Friendswood Chamber for details. 281-482-3329.

Galveston Dickens on The Strand Dec. 6-8. The Galveston Historical Foundation will present the 40th annual Dickens on The Strand Festival the weekend of Dec. 6-8 on The Strand. Tickets are now on sale at area Randalls stores and range in price from $6 to $12. For hours and other information, visit the website, www.dickensonthestrand.org

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2013

Junior League ball Dec. 14. Junior League of Galveston County members will take guests on “A Big Easy Holiday” for their 62nd annual Holiday Charity Ball, honoring Karen Flowers, Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Galveston Convention Center. Tickets are $150 each.

League City Festival of Trees Dec. 5. Interfaith Caring Ministries’ 20th annual Festival of Trees, featuring a fashion show, dinner, live and silent auctions and music by Hollywood entertainer Mark LeVang, will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at South Shore Harbour Resort. For information about ICM’s largest fundraiser of the year, call Haley Lusson at 281-3323881, ext. 1112. Holiday in the Park Dec. 6-8. The 16th annual Holiday in the Park Festival is set for Dec. 6-8 at League Park. The three-day festival includes shopping, food and lots of entertainment, plus real snow in the park. A festival highlight is the Grand Night Parade on Main Street Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. Other events include a holiday movie under the oaks, the children’s costume parade, pet parade and the holiday market. Chamber luncheon Dec. 13. The League City Chamber will swear in its newest directors at and thank outgoing directors at its Year in Review Luncheon Friday, Dec. 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in South Shore Harbour Resort’s Marina Plaza Ballroom. Tickets, $25 for chamber members and $35 for non-members, may be reserved by contacting Jane McFaddin at the chamber website, www.leaguecitychamber.com Christmas Boat Parade Dec. 14. The League City 52nd Annual Christmas Boat Lane Parade, featuring more than a hundred brightly decorated power and sailboats, will traverse the Clear Creek channel from the South Shore Harbour Marina and the Nassau Bay Lagoon, past the Kemah Boardwalk to Galveston Bay. The show begins with a spectacular holiday fireworks extravaganza, sponsored by the City of Nassau Bay. For information, call the Clear Lake Area Chamber, 281488-7676 or go to clearlakearea.com

Chamber Open House Dec. 17. The League City Chamber will host its annual Holiday Open House for its members Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Tad Akers Event Facility.

Nassau Bay Turning Point Holiday Market Dec. 6 Bay Area Turning Point will host its annual Holiday Market Friday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nassau Bay Hilton on NASA Parkway with live music and live and silent auctions. For ticket information, email Erin Carroll at ECarroll@ BayAreaTurningPoint.com or call 281286-2525.

Theatre offers holiday classic. Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol opens Friday, Dec. 6 and plays at the Clear Creek Community Theatre at 18091 Upper Bay Road through Sunday, Dec. 22, with curtains at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. For reservations, call 281335-5228. Reindeer Run Dec. 7. The 23rd annual Christus St. John Reindeer Run will take off at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the St. John Professional Building. For ticket and registration information, visit the website, christusstjohn.org

Pasadena Little Theatre Yule fare Dec. 6-22. The Pasadena Little Theatre, 4318 Allen-Genoa Road, will present The Christmas Visitor over the holidays, opening Dec. 6 and continuing through Dec. 22.. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Thursday, Dec. 19, with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. The Dec. 19 show is a specially priced Admit Two for $14. For reservations, call 713941-1758 or visit the website, www. pasadenalittletheatre.org Credit cards are accepted.

Seabrook Museum Guild Open House Dec. 15. Bay Area Museum Guild will host its Holiday Open House from 5 to 7 p.m. at the museum in Clear Lake Park with all members and their families invited.