Bay Area Houston Magazine December 2020

MADE

IN

AMERIC A

|

IN

GOD

WE

TRUST

|

BAYAREAHOUSTONMAG.COM

December 2020

D E C E M B E R

2 0 2 0

features 11

A Closer Look at Baybrook Gateway

14

Food and Wine

15

Christmas Mess or Miracle?

16

Holiday Gift Guide

20

Shine Brighter This Christmas

24

The Truth About Wax

26

All American Orthopedic

28

The Best Bites of the Bay

30

Ford V. Ferrari

Publisher & Editor in Chief Mary Alys Cherry

32

Jackie’s Brickhouse

Editor Alisa Star

34

Faces & Places

38

The Bay Patio Bar

40

Gulf Coast Mariner Fishing

15

ON THE COVER The Physicians and providers of All American Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Institute. www.allamericanorthopedic.com Chairman Rick Clapp

19

President Amber Sample

Vice President & Creative Director Brandon Rowan Sales & Marketing Jason Allcorn Amber Sample Bill Sloan Alisa Star Robyn Weigelt

20

48

10

From The Woodhouse Day Spa - Baybrook Holiday beauty tips Protect your car with ceramic coatings League City location coming soon Restaurant and entertainment guide Rick Clapp’s birthday party at The Bay Patio Bar Standing up to the big bad Covid wolf Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House Phil Newton’s oasis on Clear Lake Who’s in control?; Galveston Bay tide influencers

League City News Police report; flood insurance savings

columns

30

Please address all correspondence to: Bay Area Houston Magazine P.O. Box 1032 Seabrook, TX 77586 Earth, The Solar System

281.474.5875

By Pastor Brad Heintz

46 Education

Dr. Eric Williams to head CCISD

Bay Area Houston Magazine is produced monthly. All rights reserved.

Material may not be reproduced by any means whatsoever without written permission.

Advertising rates are available upon request.

www.BayAreaHoustonMag.com r.clapp@baygroupmedia.com

Garlic and herb crusted rack of lamb

44 Healthcare Houston Methodist Clear Lake buildings nearly done

Editorial Patty Andrew Don Armstrong Mary Alys Cherry Michael Gos Heather Smith Alisa Star Xander Thomas Photography GH Andrew Mary Alys Cherry MoonBridge Media NASA

World class restaurants and holiday shopping

32

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

14

Movers and Shakers

18

Clear Lake Chatter

22

In Wheel Time

36

Rhythms on the Bay

50

Rick at Nite

Steve Owens Assistance League plans some ‘Boot Scootin’ fun Big and small winter wheels Following live music around the Bay Halloween fun

DECEMBER 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

11

12

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

DECEMBER 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

13

Movers &Shakers Name: Steve Owens

Occupation: Senior Vice President of HomeTown Bank Hometown: Dickinson Current home: League City Family: Wife, 3 children and 5 grandchildren My favorite writer is: Stephen King Someone I’d like to meet: President Trump

If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose: Jesus

As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be: A fireman

My favorite performers are: Alan Jackson and Blake Shelton

You’ll never catch me: Wearing a dress

I like to spend my leisure time: With my family; golfing, fishing, outdoors If I could travel any place, I’d go to: Dominican Republic, Belitz My favorite meal is: Mexican food

The thing that bugs me the most is: A know it all My favorite movie is: The Notebook Few people know: That while in high school, I was an All-State Trombonist for 3 years; 28 years later my son became an AllState Trombonist, using the same trombone!

Ingredients • 1 rack of lamb • Salt & pepper • Rosemary (chopped) • Fresh thyme • 2 tbsp Stone ground mustard • 4 tbsp Olive oil • 3 clove garlic (chopped)

Rocky’s Around the Christmas Tree!

Dear Santa, I hear you know if I’ve been naughty or nice, but I’ll make it easy for you - I was nice. I mean, how can you doubt it? I let the folks at Bay Area Pet Adoptions put this holiday collar around my neck and didn’t scratch or bite. They stroked my luxurious coat and told me I was an awesome boy.

Since I was nice, I’m sure you’ll want to bring me a present. My wish list is short: one gift - a forever family. Tell them I adore being loved and cuddled.

Thank you, Santa, and I’ll leave milk and kibbles for you. By the way, you better come early, or they may be gone. Some of the other cats are greedy!

Merry Christmas!

-Rocky The shelter is closed except by appointment due to the Coronavirus, but you can fill out an application on our website www. bayareapetadoptions.org. Once approved, you will receive a phone call to set up an appointment to meet and get to know each other. If you have any questions you can call us any day except Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 281-339-2086.

14

Directions Preheat the oven to 450, First you want to add 3-4 tbsp of oil to a skillet and put on a high heat. Salt and pepper the rack of lamb. Then you are going to hold the rack by the bone and sear the bottom of the meat in the pan, you want a crust on it.This will take about 2-3 minutes rotating the meat to sear all the edges.Don’t cook it. After this process let meat cool while you mix your other ingredients.

Mix olive oil, mustard, thyme, rosemary and garlic. This will make a paste to spread over the rack of lamb, cover the mixture over the layers of the meat. Place meat in a pan and place in the oven, cook one side of the meat for 15 minutes, then turn meat over and cook for 10 more minutes. This will be a medium rare. Transfer them to a carving board, stand them together upright and let rest for about 10-15 minutes. When ready to serve, cut down the sides of the bone, this will look like little cuts of a pork chop but much better.

The absolute best wines for lamb are found in red wines. Castello de Ama Chanti Classico is a great one, it’s acidity offsets the lamb’s slight fattyness perfectly. Also a good Pinot Noir such as D’ Autrefois. It’s bright fruit notes act as a foil for the earthy richness of lamb.

Garlic and Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb

By Alisa Star

R

ack of Lamb is

so elegant and great for entertaining, especially for the holiday season. It’s a simplistic meal for a Christmas eve gathering and easy to make with few ingredients.

The key to making a delicious mouth watering rack of lamb is to season the meat well and sear in a hot skillet first and not overcook it in the oven. If you have never cooked lamb before, just follow this recipe and you will be a big hit with your guests.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

Christmas Mess or Miracle?

Christmas 2020 After living such a crazy, challenging and messy year, the phrase “Christmas 2020,” just doesn’t have a good ring to it does it? Let’s face it this Christmas could be very different from previous years and maybe even down right messy.

By Pastor Brad Heintz

Christmas Mess If we are rigorously honest, our usual traditions may not be possible this year. What we usually do may be shaken up like in a snow globe. I don’t even know if the Salvation Army will be ringing their bells at store fronts this year due to safe social distancing procedures. Will kids get to sit on Santa’s lap? How about those Christmas parties and family gatherings? Will they be cancelled too?

We just don’t know.

So, is it ok to throw your hands up? I say, “Yes.” Give you and your family some grace this year. Say, “This Christmas maybe messy and that’s O.K.” I don’t hear you… Say it out loud! “This Christmas maybe messy and that’s O.K.” Saying it helps us embrace change and of what Christmas 2020 may or may not be. I encourage you to look for joy in the unexpected moments and leave expectations behind.

Christmas Miracle No matter what changes, or how messy life gets, the message of Christmas never changes. That

message is that in the midst of the world’s mess came a miracle. And the world was in a real mess back then also with an oppressive government, increased taxes, murder plots and no place to stay.

Yet, that a miracle immerged in that mess. It was the birth of Jesus Christ, who was born, lived and died to save people from their mess of sin.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV).

So that means in the midst of my mess of Christmas and even life, God has a gift for me. It’s the miracle in a manger! When I receive this gift, unwrap it and use it, He has promised a miracle to emerge within me. And this miracle will help me handle anything 2020 or 2021 can throw at me.

I encourage you this Christmas, to embrace the miracle you can find within the birth of Jesus Christ and let God change your mess into a miracle.

Pastor Brad Heintz is the founding pastor of Living Word Church in Seabrook, Texas, a vibrant family-style, non-denominational gathering of believers who take a pure, simple and real approach to faith and life. www.LWCBA.org Like us and watch us live on www.Facebook. com/LWCBA or go to www.Youtube.com Living Word Church of The Bay Area

Just What the World Needed

By Alisa Star

C

hristmas Spirit: we have

already been seeing a lot of it since March when Covid 19 hit our world and turned everything upside down and life became distorted and chaotic. Hallmark started playing holiday movie week runs and radio stations felt like the world needed some brightening up and played Christmas music during the summer months. TikTok even started a Christmas log just to give people some holiday fun, I have even driven through some neighborhoods and saw people hanging up Christmas lights as early as July. The world was right, we did need some Christmas spirit as most people felt like their life was in a rut and needed some cheer.

Wait no longer, December is here and the world is living and celebrating Christmas harder and better than ever.

Walking into the stores the holiday music is playing, you can literally feel the joy in people, it’s contagious! After all we have had to endure these past nine months and the anticipated wait of shopping for that someone special picking out just the right gift to see a smile on their face. There is something special

about Christmas that lifts the spirits of everyone, even the grinchiest of grinches.

As this Christmas season approaches, remember the reason we celebrate Christmas. It’s about God’s love and how much he loves us. God’s love is like a big circle; it’s big and round and no ending can be found. It’s like the love of Jesus, it goes on eternally. This holiday season take advantage of spreading love and joy everyday, we only get a month to spread the holiday joy. Relax and put in the good old classic movies, It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, A Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th st.

You can enjoy the family coming over to decorate the beloved Christmas tree, pop some popcorn and have the kids string it to make garland while singing Christmas carols.

Life is short, you never know what this hectic world we live in is holding for us next. Christmas is a necessity, you only get it one time a year. It’s a season for rejoicing, giving thanks, and reflecting on better things to come in the new year.

Remember it’s not what’s under the Christmas tree that matters, it’s who’s around it.. I pray this Christmas season brings you joy and happiness, finds you peace and hope, and grants you love.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Boat Parade sets sail Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.

R

ing in the holidays with the official opening of the Bay Area Houston holiday season, the 59th Annual Christmas Boat Lane Parade produced by the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

More than 100,000 people traditionally enjoy this event from land and from hundreds of boats anchored throughout the Lake.

The parade features more than 60 brightly decorated power and sailboats that will traverse the Clear Lake channel from the South Shore Harbour Marina and the Nassau Bay Lagoon to Galveston Bay. Sponsorships are available by calling the chamber, 281-488-7676.

The parade was started nearly six decades ago by five gentlemen who decided to decorate their boats and parade around Clear Lake. It was cold, foggy and rainy that evening. And, as they pulled out of the marina to begin, they had a hard time seeing in front of them.

The people at Jimmie Walker’s Restaurant (now Landry’s) had heard about the boats and kept looking for them through their fogged-up windows. Finally, they appeared – five decorated boats bravely parading in the wind and rain down the channel, and when the captains saw all the people at Jimmie Walker’s loving it, Capt.

Jack Campbell announced that this was the inaugural Christmas Boat Parade. And it’s been a tradition ever since.

Public viewing is available at the Kemah Boardwalk, both sides of the Kemah/Seabrook Channel, Nassau Bay Lagoon, South Shore Harbour Marina, Clear Lake Shores and Davis Road Canal/Constellation Pointe.

DECEMBER 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

15

16

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

DECEMBER 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

17

Photos by Jill Smitherman

Lisa Holbrook, left, a past president of the Assistance League, and Sandra Kelver offer suggestions to make the gala a big success during the planning session at Sundance Grill in Waterford Harbor.

Assistance League Annual Event Chairman Sharon Guzzino, from left, and her committee members, Linda Kelly, Sandra Kelver, Jayne Dannecker, Melanie Lovuola and Mavis Irvan, arrive at the meeting at Sundance Grill in Waterford Harbor all dressed up and ready for some “Boot Scootin’ Fun” at their annual gala March 25.

Brooks Cima, left, Assistance League president, and Charlene Donovan, president-elect, ask members for their ideas at their first in person monthly meeting in eight months at the Clear Lake Recreation Center.

Assistance League plans some ‘Boot Scootin’ Fun’ ONE MAY WONDER how a nonprofit raises funds during a pandemic. Good question! Assistance League of the Bay Area’s Annual Event Committee members are not letting that hurdle stop them from forging ahead.

Save the date Thursday, March 25, 2021, they say. That’s when the Assistance League will be hosting “Boot Scootin’ Fun” at Butler’s Courtyard in League City. The committee recently met at Sundance Grill in Waterford Harbor to solidify plans for the western-themed event.

Because of the uncertain times, the committee discussed different options including a virtual component.

Annual Event Chairman Sharon Guzzino and Vice Chairman Kathleen Guzzino Courville said it was time to “saddle up and gather all your cowboy and cowgirl friends to join the Boot Scootin’ fun.” The committee announced plans to have entertainment, a live DJ, line dancing, and games along with barbeque from Red River Barbeque. Assistance League is known for clever twists to raising funds so expect some exciting

MARY ALYS CHERRY additions, in person and virtually, to keep the festive atmosphere going.

Event underwriting and sponsorship packages are available ranging from $100 to $5,000 and may include tickets, as well as invitation, event, program, or website recognition. For information, contact info@assistanceleagueba. org Online ticket sales will be forthcoming on the organization’s website, Marketing Chairman Jill Smitherman says.

Two of the chapter’s philanthropies, Operation School Bell and Operation Support Our Schools, are expected to receive substantial requests due to increased needs as a result of the pandemic. A donation of $100 provides new school

Mavis Irvan, left, and Linda Kelly arrive all masked up in western outfits for the Assistance League meeting, held at Sundance Grill.

18

clothing and accessories per students in need. So, “Dust off your hats, shine your boots, and don’t put away your 2021 Rodeo attire until after you attend this event. Happy Trails will be here again,” Jill adds, with a ditto from committee members Linda Kelly, Sandra Kelver, Jayne Dannecker, Melanie Lovuola, and Mavis Irvan.

Assistance League of the Bay Area is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that changes lives through philanthropic programs in the Houston Bay Area community.

For more information on how you can help change lives, visit the website at www.assistanceleagueba.org

Mickey Hobbs on BAWNC agenda

BAY AREA Welcome Neighbor Club plans to meet Thursday, Dec. 17 at Bay Oaks Country Club at 10 a.m. to enjoythe amazing sounds of Mickey Hobbs, who has been entertaining folks with his unique style for more than 20 years. He is able to sing all genres of music from blues

Assisteens Coordinator Priscilla Magnuson, left, and Assisteens Liaison Connie Hughes shared some Assisteens projects at the Assistance League meeting at the Clear Lake Recreation Center.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

and country to R&B and soul and covers music from the 40s to present day. “We’re thrilled to have Mickey with us for our Holiday Luncheon entertaining us with holiday classics to brighten our holiday.

“We have just recently resumed our luncheon/program at Bay Oaks Country Club, and we ask that safe practices at Bay Oaks be strictly followed. Masks are required by the club and are to be worn at all times except when eating/drinking. We also ask that social distancing be practiced as much as possible. We appreciate everyone adhering to these guidelines for the safety of yourself and others,” Publicity Chairman Donna Baumer said, adding that BAWNC is a non-profit social organization for women offering a variety of activities for members such as Bunco, Book Clubs, Mah Jongg, Movies, Gourmet Group and much more.

“Whatever your interest may be, we have something for you.” For luncheon reservations call Bonnie Rimmel at 281-380-9277.

Peggy Heinrich looks over her notes during the Assistance League meeting at Sundance Grill in Waterford Harbor to plan the next annual gala.

Melanie Lovuola gives an update at the Assistance League meeting, where plans were shared regarding the group’s annual gala March 25.

Woodhouse Spa photography by Bonner Rhae Photography

Robert Davee

Shawn Bailey

Clear Lake Chamber honors officers

CLEAR LAKE Chamber members honored 2019-2020 Chairman Shawn Bailey of Amoco Federal Credit Federal Union and welcomed Attorney Robert Davee of Greer, Herz & Adams as the 2020-2021 chairman of the board at their Leadership Awards Luncheon Nov. 10 at South Shore Harbour Resort.

Also honored at the event which, due to the pandemic replaced the annual Chairman’s Ball, were: n Chairman Elect Kristi Koncaba, Texan Bank n Vice Chairman Administration Jonathan Cottrell, Cottrell Realty n Vice Chairman Finance J.P. Morris, Texas Citizens Bank n Vice Chairman Membership Jacob Bigger, Kemah Boardwalk

Kristi Koncaba

Jonathan Cottrell

n Vice Chairman Research Rebecca Lilley, Memorial Hermann Due to the pandemic, the chamber leadership chose to not have their annual Chairman’s Ball, hosting the Leadership Awards Luncheon in its place. Covid-19 guidelines were in place reducing the number of people per table to six and limiting the total number of guests to 250.

They also honored retiring Directors Brian Freedman, Doug Meisinger and Carlos Sierra and expressed thanks to the 2019-2020 division chairman and industry liaisons.

“This has been an unprecedented year and we look forward to a brighter future,” Chamber President Cindy DeWease said, asking the crowd “to take this opportunity to celebrate with us.”

J.P. Morris

Woodhouse Day Spa hosts grand opening

IN CELEBRATION of the official opening in June, The Woodhouse Day Spa – Baybrook hosted a Red Carpet Holiday Grand Opening Nov. 5. Originally planned for earlier this year, Woodhouse finally had the chance to celebrate safely with guests just in time for the holidays.

The spa was decked in beautiful holiday decor and partygoers enjoyed champagne from The Bubble Tap Trailer, bites from Perry’s Steakhouse, live music and the chance to win luxe spa services. Even Santa made an appearance and snapped selfies with guests, including Linda Steele, Evelyn Baldwin, Daniela Dickson, Aldarita Parker, Chantal White, Erin Stonestreet and Tracy Florez.

As they arrived, partygoers Kari Kushner, Jennifer Peacock, Robyn Weigelt, Crystal Chicola and Colleen

Jacob Bigger

Rebecca Lilley

Leach, were greeted with a glass of champagne or rosé from The Bubble Tap Trailer before making their way inside the spa. The first 100 guests received a luxe swag bag filled with goodies and attendees tried their luck to win one of the spa giveaways that was announced every 15 minutes, including the grand prize of one free year of spa services.

Throughout the night, David and Amanda Haverer, Tammy Severance and Sharlene Howard enjoyed light bites from Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille while others sipped on signature cocktails including the Mistletoe Martini Bliss and the Woodhouse Whiskey Wish. Live music by Kelly Williams filled the spa as partygoers perused the curated selection of items in the boutique area and staff gave tours of the 5,800-square-foot spa.

Later in the evening, Santa handed out gifts from Farmhouse Fresh.

Aldarita Parker, left, and Chantal White say hello.

Robyn Weigelt, Kari Kushner, Jennifer Peacock.

David and Amanda Haverer pose for the photgrapher

Evelyn Baldwin and her husband, Chad Hanak, sample the refreshments at the Woodhouse Day Spa grand opening.

Cathy Baldwin, Donna Wilkerson and Hannah Wilkerson, from left.

DECEMBER 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

19

amazed at how great your legs look!

It is lightweight, non-greasy and leaves your legs looking extremely smooth and shiny.

HAIR

T

he holiday season is my favorite time of the year, especially Christmas. I love the holiday parties, the music, festive food, the lights and decorations, presents and family time. The Christmas season has a way of bringing people together and helping us remember the more important things in life. I feel that the holidays bring a sense of love, joy and hope to people. During the holidays I love to add a little more glam to my makeup look. I incorporate a few different products into my beauty routine to help me shine a little brighter during this special time of the year.

Here are a few beauty tips and tricks to help you shine brighter this holiday season!

When styling your hair, I recommend using Unite Max Control Spray Strong Hold Hairspray. This is my favorite hairspray because it holds your hair in place, while also allowing your hair to be brushable, and it smells wonderful! My to go shampoo and conditioner is Matrix Total Results Length and Goals, developed with Bellami. I also suggest changing up your hair style during the holidays. If you tend to wear your hair straight more often, go with a curly or soft wavy look and vise versa. It can be fun and refreshing changing up your look and devoting more time to making yourself feel and look beautiful.

Healthy self love is important and needs to be exercised both mentally and physically.

I pray that you feel beautiful and shine bright this holiday season and I hope you all try some of my clear shimmery gloss on top to make my lips shine. However, before I put on my lipstick and gloss I often use Misty Rockwell Cosmetics, Melon Sugar Lip Scrub. It cleanses and detoxes your lips, while leaving them smooth and hydrated. Doing this before helps give your lipstick a flawless finish. Another product I cannot live without is, Chest 3D White Multi-Care Whitening mouthwash. I rinse my mouth twice daily for about a minute each time, and it keeps my teeth staying white and healthy, I highly recommend.

EYES

For my eyes, I love adding more sparkle and shimmery eyeshadow colors during the holidays. With or without eyeliner, having a sparkly well applied eyeshadow can be a really fun way to highlight your eyes.

I even go to the extent of adding rhinestones on top of my faux lashes.

A celebrity makeup artist friend of mine, Aubrie Layne, introduced this technique to me and I think it is so perfect for the holidays!

SKIN

LIPS

My go to makeup look for the holidays includes adding a fabulous red lip stick or deep berry color to really make my lips pop. I add a

20

To keep my skin in check throughout the holidays, I use a few different products to give my skin a natural healthy glow. If you are going to show your legs or arms, (most of us will be due to our lovely Houston heat) I recommend using a

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

self tanner, Soleil Organics is still my favorite go-to at home self tanner.

It is organic, contains antioxidants, and smells wonderful. I also use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist to spray on top. Be sure to spray this on your legs about 30 minutes before you leave the house, you will be

special beauty tips and tricks! This Christmas, I pray we learn to forgive and let go. I pray we have hope for the future. I pray we have faith and never loose it. I pray that we give more than we take. I pray we love one another and cherish the precious time we have with loved ones. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

DECEMBER 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

21

Election runoff ahead this month in area cities

Big and Small Winter Wheels

By Don Armstrong

D

espite what some

may say, size does matter.

This month, we look at a couple of SUVs at different levels of the size spectrum, one with three rows of seating and another, a new entry, that is smaller than a VW Golf, yet it is labeled as an SUV.

Mazda CX-9

The CX-9 badge from Mazda has been around for 22-years but sales are still strong for this SUV stalwart.

Even though it is considered a midsize, it’s hard for us to imagine that a third row would ever fit back there, but it does, albeit a tight fit.

The second-generation exterior hasn’t changed much since it’s 2016 debut. Mazda designs its vehicles for a longer run than typical American brands, so, with occasional refreshes, you’ll find a lot of bang for the buck here.

Short front and rear overhangs, new-style lighting and an aggressive grille give the 2021 CX-9 a design edge over many of its competitors.

You’ll find high quality materials in a beautifully designed cabin. A new 10-inch infotainment screen ups the ante from the outgoing system but can still be frustrating to get

22

“Ride and handling are so good, we gladly give it two-thumbs up.” acquainted with.

The 227-HP 4-cylinder averages 24-MPG. Ride and handling are so good, we gladly give it two-thumbs up. Like all of the SUV’s that we test, ours are strictly on-road adventures.

Pricing begins at 33,960.

Hyundai Venue

Teeny tiny is the best way to describe Korean automaker Hyundai’s latest SUV entry. But describing the Venue as an SUV might be a misnomer, not just because of its diminutive size but it is only offered with front-wheel drive.

We’d like to think of this newcomer as more of a hatchback with an SUV “look.”

The Venue’s front-end styling reminds one of the brand’s new,

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

larger sibling, Palisade, with its larger front light pods below smaller ones – most cars and SUV’s are designed with larger lights above the smaller ones.

The Venue’s interior is very straight forward, with a centerdash mounted infotainment screen sandwiched between two air vents, simple climate controls and a nice console. An elongated storage cubby is conveniently located above the glove box. From the driver’s seat, the oversized C-pillar can hamper a direct rear side view.

Power is delivered to a CVT transmission from a 121-horsepower, naturally aspirated, 4-cylinder engine. That combo gets an average 31-MPG. The Hyundai Venue starts at $18,750.

Bay Area residents headed to the polls in droves Nov. 3, like the rest of the country, to elect several new mayors, city councilmembers and school board trustees, while also picking a president, congressmen and other officials.

And, in case you haven’t heard . . . .

Real estate developer Kevin Cole is the new mayor of Pearland, replacing Mayor Tom Reid, who at age 95 decided he wanted to retire after several decades of service as mayor and city councilman and a long career with NASA at the Johnson Space Center. Meanwhile, voters will have a choice between Lewis Barnes and Alex Kamkar for Pearland City Council Pos. 3 and between Jeff Hunkele and incumbent Woody Owens for Pos. 7 in the Dec. 15 runoff with early voting Dec. 5-11.

Nassau Bay will also have a runoff for mayor between Ashley Graves and Bob Warters before joining winners Phil Johnson (Pos. 2), Bryce Klug (Pos. 4), and Matt Prior (Pos. 6) on City Council while folks in Galvestonwill have to make a choice between Craig Brown and Roger Quiroga for mayor.

Former Texas City Councilman Dedrick Johnson became the first black elected mayor of that city by winning 57 percent of the vote, while League City voters will choose between Rachel McAdam and John P. Bowen for Council Pos. 4 and Justin Hicks and Wes Chorn in the runoff for Pos. 5.

In Dickinson, voters will have a choice between Jennifer Lawrence and Sean Skipworth for their new mayor, replacing term-limited Julie Masters. Jessie Brantley and Scott Shroder will be in a runoff for Dickinson Council Pos. 2 before one of them joins Pos. 1 winner H. Scott Apley and Pos. 5 winner Louis Decker on council.

Webster voters re-elected Donna Rogers as mayor and Martin Graves to Council Pos. 6, while Kemah voters picked Teresa Vasquez Evans for Council Pos. 1, Doug Meisinger for Pos. 3 and Isaac Saidana for Pos. 5. Nearby, in Clear Lake Shores, Randall Chronister, Rick Fisher and Alex Scanlon were the three top victors in a close race for three council seats while Ed Gonzalez was re-elected sheriff of Harris County and Henry Trochesset was re-elected sheriff of Galveston County.

DECEMBER 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

23

THE TRUTH ABOUT WAX

CERAMIC COATINGS

By Steve Soule www.ultimatedetailingllc.com

W

ith a little base

understanding behind us (previous two articles) its now time to take a look at what modern technology has brought us and how it can benefit a high value super car yet be affordable enough to use on a modern, economic daily driver car.

Ceramic Coatings are “all the rage” and potentially the most hyped up “buzz word” within the automotive finish care and protection industry.

This industry started small, and with only a few players who worked to develop the technology. For the most part the development of these technologies began in the early 2000s.

Now that they have been around well beyond a decade, the market is fairly saturated and still growing at a rapid pace. For the most part the technologies are all very similar, though there are those who push to develop new tech.

Coating Material The primary base ceramics have been in use for years, and they are very well proven technologies.

SI02(Silicon Dioxide), Ti02( Titanium Dioxide), both well known for their exceptional hardness and durability have been widely used as the solids that help create the durability and extreme lasting properties. Silicon Dioxide, a derivative of Glass, and Titanium Dioxide, a derivative of one the hardest metals known to man.

Both of these are used to give ceramic coatings a hard slick surface that is extremely durable over long periods of time.

APPLICATION MATTERS Ceramic coatings are truly amazing! Let me rephrase that, Quality ceramic coatings that are prepped and applied properly are truly amazing! They last for years, shed dirt to keep automotive surfaces cleaner, retain brilliant levels of gloss, block harmful UV light damage, and are resistant to most environmental contaminants and both high and low spectrum PH exposure. That is a short list of benefits and properties of a quality manufactured and well prepped coating. Now, its well worth

24

They add depth, clarity and gloss to your paint’s surface, when prepped and applied properly! discussing the things that they will not do.

DURABLE, BUT NOT MAGIC Ceramic coatings are very hard, when compared to modern automotive paints, but they are NOT scratch proof! No matter how many times a company tries to sell this idea, it is currently not realistic.

Modern coatings are simply too thin to provide a realistic level of protection from scratches or impacts.

Even though they are a much more durable and scratch resistant surface, they simply do not have the film build thickness to resist scratching effectively. What they can do to help cars remain scratch free, is provide a slicker surface that is much easier to clean and therefore much more likely to remain scratch free.

DIRT SLIDES AWAY Ceramic coatings are extremely slick with lower surface tension than modern automotive paints.

Think of them like a non stick pan in your kitchen. When compared to a traditional stainless steel or cast iron pan, there is no comparison in the arena of release properties. Quality automotive coatings act very much in the same way, allowing dirt and other contaminants to be released much easier from the surface and providing greatly reduced cleaning effort and time. Translation- less time and effort spent keeping your investment clean and looking better than new.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

DEPTH OF SHINE Ceramic Coatings add depth and gloss! Much like adding clear coat paints ceramic coatings add a very thin, bonded layer of hyper clear and reflective, glass like coverage to the surface of your paint. They add depth, clarity and gloss to your paint’s surface, when prepped and applied properly! Without a doubt, this is one of the most appealing aspects of coatings and the first thing that customers always comment on.

What makes it fun is the long term side of how well they can maintain this added gloss and reflectivity, and how little effort is required. It literally only needs to be washed properly to keep your car looking amazing for years, versus older technologies that require consistent reapplication to achieve and maintain comparable levels of gloss.

LONGEVITY How long will it last? This is a question that we get asked all the time. The answer is…there are just a small number of variables, but they truly last years. The variables require a quick explanation.

Ceramic Coatings, well, true ceramic coatings are shipped to us in tiny bottles, typically 30-50 ML. They contain the above mentioned ceramic base products, in combined chemistries, with other nano technology, suspended in solvent carriers. Why is this important to note?

First of all, the solvent carrier is critical in achieving a long term, semi permanent bond. This is what allows a Ceramic Coating to bond into the clear coat paint and become a part of the paint rather than sit on top of the paint like a sealant would. This lands us at the most opportune time to explain what I am referring to when I keep saying Quality Ceramic Coating.

COATINGS VS SEALANTS Quality Ceramic Coatings are all sold in small quantities, in small bottles! Relatively speaking. They are ceramic particles suspended in solvent based solutions. They are not water based, and nearly all are intended for hand application. They are NOT water based and sold in spray bottles!! The products that are constantly being marketed to consumers as ceramic coatings on social media and other places, that are in spray bottles are not true ceramic coatings. These products fall clearly into the sealant category.

Why? Because sealant technology is a surface attachment bond where true Ceramic Coatings are bonded at the molecular level into the surface of the paint. Along with the reduced bonding of these spray sealants, we have to remember that they cannot suspend even remotely close to the amount of solid particles effectively in water. If you want to read more in depth discussions, see our articles on Ultimate Ceramic Coating’s Facebook to learn more about technologies.

To be clear, sealants are dependent on a sit on top, “grabbing” bond.

Ceramic Coatings bond into the paint or other surface, filling at a molecular level and creating not only a much more complete coverage and protective system, but also a much more durable and long lasting connection.

TRULY EFFECTIVE So, even thought there is a ton of unnecessary hype and marketing surrounding the Ceramic Coating industry, there are a small number of truly proven and effective products that will protect your cars finish far better than anything we have known in the past. The key here is utilizing the best products, surface preparation and installation methods to achieve consistent and lasting protection.

DECEMBER 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

27

146

Sokols Greek

Sawa

45

Americano Cafe c

OG Express Masa Sushi

Pappa’s Delta Blues BB’s El Tiempo

Boondoggles

Mediterraneo

Franca’s Noon & Mirch

r l e a

Opus

l a k e

Scotty’s

Cabo

Sundance

MichiRu Floyd’s

Crazy Alan’s Bakkhus

g a l v e s t o n

b ay

Skallywag’s

Schafer’s

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

Nobi Las Haciendas

A GUIDE TO THE BEST BITES AND BREWS IN THE BAY

Tookie’s Seafood

Hubcap Grill

888 Chinese Angelo’s Escalante’s

Habanero’s

Chelsea Wine Bar

T-Bone Tom’s Kemah Cafe

Red River BBQ

Gilhooley’s

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

Pier 6 Red Oak Cafe

Marais

Dickinson BBQ

Gio’s

AMERICAN 1. Jackie’s Brickhouse 1053 Marina Bay Dr, Kemah, TX (832) 864-2459 jackiesbrickhouse.com 2. Red Oak Cafe 6011 W Main St a106, League City, TX (832) 905-3150 redoakcafe.com 3. South Shore Grille 2800 Marina Bay Dr, League City, TX (281) 334-7700 soshoregrille.com 4. T-Bone Tom’s 707 TX-146, Kemah, TX (281) 334-2133 tbonetoms.com 5. Cabo Bar & Grill 2513 NASA Rd. 1, Seabrook, TX (281) 532-2691 caboclearlake.com 6. Hubcap Grill 1918 E NASA Pkwy, Seabrook, TX (281) 339-7116 hubcapgrill.com 7. Opus Bistro & Steakhouse South Shore Blvd, League City, TX (281) 334-5225 opusbistro.net 8. Americano Cafe 2900 E NASA Pkwy Suite 310, Seabrook, TX (281) 957-7830 americanocafe.us ASIAN 1. 888 Chinese 16744 El Camino Real, Houston, TX (281) 990-8888 888chinesetx.com

28

2. Masa Sushi 977 E NASA Pkwy, Webster, TX (281) 486-9888 masasushitexas.com 3. Michiru Sushi 20911 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (281) 338-9988 michirusushi.com 4. Noon & Mirch: Cuisine of India 505 E NASA Pkwy, Webster, TX 5. Ocean Sushi 3020 Marina Bay Dr Suite A2, League City, TX (281) 957-9122 oceansushigrill.com 6. Kemah Cafe 1201 TX-146, Kemah, TX (281) 535-9405 kemahcafe.com 7. Oriental Gourmet Express 1354 NASA Road 1, Houston, TX (281) 335-4567 orientalgourmetexpresstogo.com BARBEQUE 1. Dickinson BBQ 2111 FM 517 Rd E, Dickinson, TX (281) 534-2500 dickinsonbbq.com 2. Pappas Delta Blues 19901 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (281) 332-0024 www.pappasdeltablues.com 3. Red River BBQ 1911 E Main St Suite B, League City, TX (281) 332-8086 CAJUN 1. Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack 310 Texas Ave, Kemah, TX

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

(281) 334-5000 crazyalanswampshack.com

(281) 333-3180 mediterraneomarket.com

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

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

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

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

4. Marais 2015 FM 517 Rd E, Dickinson, TX (281) 534-1986 I TA L I A N 1. Angelo’s Pizza & Pasta 400 Bay Area Blvd A, Webster, TX (281) 332-2404 angelospizza-pasta.com 2. Gio’s Flying Pizza & Pasta 650 FM 517 W. Dickinson, TX (281) 337-0107 giosflyingpizza.com 3. Franca’s Real Italian 1101 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX (281) 488-2207 francasrealitalian.com 4. Dan’s Pizza 15148 TX-3, Webster, TX (281) 480-9700 danspizzaco.com MEDITERRANEAN 1. Bakkhus Taverna 605 6th St, Kemah, TX (281) 538-1800 bakkhustaverna.com 2. Mediterraneo Market & Cafe 18033 Upper Bay Rd, Houston, TX

MEXICAN/TEX MEX 1. El Tiempo Cantina 20237 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (713) 802-1580 eltiempocantina.com

2. Scotty’s Pub 3202 Marina Bay Dr, League City, TX (281) 339-7474 m o s e s l a www.scottyspubhouston.com 3. Skallywag’s 600 6th St, Kemah, TX (281) 538-8877 4. Boondoggles Pub 4106 E NASA Pkwy, El Lago, TX (281) 326-2739 boondogglespub.com 5. Chelsea Wine Bar 4106 E NASA Pkwy f, El Lago, TX (281) 326-5282 chelseawinebartexas.com SEAFOOD

2. Habanero’s Tacos 1908 Hialeah Dr #2, Seabrook, TX (281) 474-4400 habanerostacos.com

1. Gilhooley’s Oyster Bar 222 9th St, San Leon, TX 77539 (281) 339-3813

3. Las Haciendas 1020 W. Nasa Rd 1, Webster, TX 77598 281-557-3500 lashaciendasgrill.com

2. Tookie’s Seafood 1106 Bayport Blvd, Seabrook, TX (281) 942-9445 tookiesseafood.com

4. Red River Cantina 1911 E Main St Suite A, League City, TX 77573 281-557-8156 redrivercantina.com

3. Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House 113 6th St, San Leon, TX 77539 (281) 339-1515 pier6seafood.com

5. Escalante’s Fine Tex-Mex & Tequila 1043 W. Bay Area Blvd, Webster, TX 77598 281-316-6980 escalantes.net

4. Sundance Grill II 800 Mariners Dr, Kemah, TX (281) 535-5350 sundance-grill.com

PUB/BAR/FUSION 1. Nobi Public House 241 E NASA Pkwy, Webster, TX (832) 932-5111 nobipub.com

5. Schafer’s Coastal Bar & Grille 1002 Aspen Rd, Clear Lake Shores, TX (281) 532-6860 schaferscoastalbarandgrille.com

k e

FORD V. FERRARI THE BAY PATIO BAR | 11.11.20 Celebrating BAHM CEO Rick Clapp’s Birthday

PHOTOS: GH ANDREW, ALISA STAR, OH WHAT FUN

30

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

DECEMBER 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

31

[ BRICK & MORTAR ]

By Patty Andrew

I

n the fairy tale about

the Three Little Pigs, the big bad wolf huffs and puffs but can’t blow down the pig’s brickhouse because it is built solidly and firmly.

If the wolf can’t get in, then he can’t eat the pig and they live happily ever after. Jackie’s Brickhouse has built its own version of the story with the bricks of innovation, makeover, and creativity to keep its business thriving against the COVID Wolf and economic hits that are damaging other establishments during 2020.

Guy and Cristin Rodgers, owners of Jackie’s Brickhouse in Kemah, took the solid business foundation left for them three years ago when they bought this popular sports bar and night spot, and built additional reinforcements to take them through this year of the pandemic. When Jackie’s got the word that the state

32

was shutting down restaurants and bars, they regrouped to focus on two key activities: build the to-go business and remodel the facility.

Staff were given the choice to join in on the remodeling efforts, or, not work to take advantage of the increase in unemployment benefits.

The core group of folks who stayed are now a stronger bunch and have an instilled pride in making Jackie’s better than ever.

Jackie’s To-Go business meant creating some family packs for busy people who needed to provide quick meals for those at home who had been Zooming classes or meetings all day long. Jackie’s kitchen provided packages full of chicken strips or tacos for curbside pick-up complete with all the trimmings. Because the shutdown started in the Spring, Jackie’s turned its booming crawfish boil business into a to-go option and sold 20 to 40-pound containers

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

full of the Cajun mudbugs to eager partakers of the spicy goodness.

Adding online ordering made everything easier for customers, so picking up was fast and convenient.

While the staff helped build the curbside pickup business, Guy also lead them to assist with the remodeling and cleaning needed for Jackie’s. While they had actually started some of the remodeling before COVID, they picked up the pace and improved their plan to capitalize on the extra time and workers on hand.

These dedicated people scrubbed, painted, and updated Jackie’s inside and out.

Welcome to the Speakeasy. One of the Rodgers’ first remodeling projects after they bought Jackie’s was to redo the second floor. The former upstairs offices now house a private club, The Speakeasy. It is available for rent to host parties and soirees, featuring its own bar, comfortable seating areas,

big screen TV’s, and an open balcony overlooking the busy Brickhouse stage and dance floor below. The antique décor, subdued lighting, and secluded entrances takes customers back in time when liquor flowed freely behind locked doors in rooms full of flappers and fellas sipping the illegal hooch while they hid from nosey coppers.

The Patio Bar is covered with a Palapa that flies flags of different Texas sports teams waving in the open breeze that flows through the area. (Is your favorite college team there? Mine was! Go Baylor Bears!)

The Patio Bar serves drinks from a converted shipping container that is from one of Guy’s other businesses.

Picnic tables dot the Patio, giving it a very comfortable and family friendly atmosphere. Separate tables are in the back for the smoking area as the main dining and dancing areas of Jackie’s inside are now smokefree. Musicians entertain the diners outside, taking requests and belting out favorites. Because this is Texas and outside can be hot, Jackie’s has added fans and misters to keep patrons cool while they sip adult beverages and dig into the delicious fare.

The building isn’t the only thing that has been remodeled. Under the guidance of manager John Barrera, Jackie’s has been reworking its menu and food offerings to include new items and special menus on certain days. These changes were important both to the renovation plans and the to-go business. Taco Tuesday boasts seven different tacos for just $3 all day long. Be sure to try the Shrimp and Chorizo Tacos or splurge on some Crawfish Enchiladas for $12.

Wednesdays have two big attractions: Steak Night (Beef, Tuna, Pork) with Whiskey Wednesdays’ $5 shots. Try an All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp & Fish Basket on Thursdays while you enjoy live music from bigger bands on the main stage or solo musicians in the Patio Bar. John, who really makes the

whole place tick, ensures that most everything served is prepared, cut, battered, and cooked by hand. The food tastes as fresh as it looks because it is! You can count on Jackie’s pizza, burgers, salads, entrees, and desserts to be tasty and served in generous portions, including their homemade bread pudding.

Jackie’s dishes up Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 2 PM. Come and try their newest item, Buttermilk Biscuits ‘n Gravy, or an established favorite, Cajun Hash and Eggs. The Buttermilk Biscuits ‘n Gravy is punctuated with a topping of green onions, cheese, and savory crumbled sausage. The complexity of the flavors deliciously jumps out at you in every bite. The Cajun Hash and Eggs arrives in a neat bowl jam-packed with andouille sausage, chopped potatoes in butter, guacamole, cheese, and an egg cooked to order. The A La Carte Waffle was crispy on the outside, soft in the center, and came with a dusting of powdered sugar and blueberries. Enjoy mimosas with brunch? Jackie’s offers a bottle of champagne with all the orange or cranberry juice you can drink for make-your-own-fun-in-a-glass for $10.

Is Jackie’s Brickhouse still a great place to enjoy live music?

Absolutely! Thursdays through Saturdays, you can be entertained with shows from all around on the big inside stage, now in a smoke-free environment. They do have a cover charge for certain acts, so check on the website for advanced ticket sales and more information. Check out some smaller bands in the Patio Bar.

Guy likes to have musicians that are unique here, meaning those not as often seen in the Clear Lake Area, so follow the postings for the latest information. Look for coverage of some of these artists in Bay Area Houston’s Rhythms on the Bay. Finally, Jackie’s Brickhouse not only works to improve their business, they also give back in tremendous ways to the community. They have supported some of the biggest fundraisers around over the years including Texas Equusearch, Break the Chain (Human Trafficking), and First Responders Golf Cart-A-Thon.

These events draw huge crowds and generate large donations for many great organizations.

Will there be more changes at Jackie’s Brickhouse? Guy assures us that he, Cristin, and John are always working on the menu, coming up with new ideas for the building, and looking for ways to offer unique opportunities of fun for the customers and the community.

Will another pandemic, hurricane, or disaster slow them down? As Guy says, “When you keep getting curve balls, you have no choice but to whack at them.” At Jackie’s, they have definitely hit the home run.

Jackie’s Brickhouse is located at 1053 Marina Bay Dr., Kemah, Texas.

They open every day at 11 AM and stay open until 10 PM on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays; until Midnight on Wednesdays and Thursdays; and until 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Kitchen closes earlier on some nights.

For more information, follow them on Facebook or go to their website at www. jackiesbrickhouse.com.

DECEMBER 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

33

By Alisa Star

PIER 6 SEAFOOD & OYSTER HOUSE

34

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

KEELS & WHEELS 2021 The 25th annual Keels & Wheels Concours D’Elegance has been scheduled for May 1-2, 2021 at Lakewood Yacht Club. Come see new additions to the show, including trucks, muscle cars and the Club Concours. Visit keels-wheels.com and watch for more fun and exciting events to be announced.

DECEMBER 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

35

[ BAY ALIVE ]

Photography bY: GH ANDREW

By Patty Andrew

I

t’s an odd December in the land

as many holiday parties and gatherings are changed or scaled down. The good news is that not all the fun has been cancelled, Christmas decorations are still shining bright, and music is in the air!

STEVE GARCIA

First, Steve Garcia. Steve Garcia is a musician’s musician who does it all: sings, plays, composes, and drives long distances to do it! Steve is the solo act every Tuesday night from 6 to 10 PM at the Patio Bar of Jackie’s Brickhouse. Patrons enjoy $3 tacos while requesting their favorite tunes and sipping cold drinks in the breezy Palapa.

Steve sings everything with clarity and ease!

He belts out Kenny Rogers’ The Gambler, slides over to Stealers Wheel’s Stuck in the Middle with You, and then mournfully pleads for more during Billy Joel’s The Piano Man. Steve does this with his six-string guitar but without the help of an iPad or cell phone displaying lyrics or chords. He performs all these songs from different genres and eras from his memory.

Regulars say if there is something he doesn’t

know, he will learn it during the week and have it ready to perform for the next time.

Otis Redding, Jimmy Buffett, Lionel Richie, David Allan Coe, and Kim Carnes – his covers are versatile, musical, and fun. Steve even slides a little humor in between tunes, “I can tell when you’re drinking because that’s when you start singing.” A little guitar riff and Steve is now playing Bob Seger’s Against the Wind. Amazing!

Look him up on Facebook as Steven Garcia – Musician, or, for his schedule, at www.reverbnation.com/stevegarcia.

You can hear some Steve Garcia original music on YouTube under his two bands, The Rachels and Not The Rachels.

KELLY WILLIAMS

Second, Kelly Williams. What is not to love about the dynamic Kelly Williams? This 2018 Bay Area Houston Vocalist of the Year is everywhere as a singer, an emcee, a model, a radio host, a former city council member, and the owner of Miss Kemah USA. Performing recently at a private party, Fords v. Ferraris, Kelly was thrilling the crowd with standards and covers with her frequent partner, Andrew Bateman.

During the shutdown days of COVID-19, Kelly and Andrew teamed

36

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

up for Live Facebook concerts from her driveway, garnering tips with an online link.

Kelly has such charisma in her presence and with her voice. Her songs draw you in as she weaves these musical stories of the heart, each one more inviting than the last.

Her professional poise that can charm anyone was blasting through the evening at the party with her million-dollar smile and famous striped pants.

Kelly’s honey alto voice glides easily through the Southern rockabilly of Creedence Clearwater Revival, mystical rock of Stevie Nicks, and outlaw country of Waylon Jennings, just to name a few of the many tunes floating through the skies.

Kelly expresses a profound gratefulness for being able to perform. She credits the support she receives from other Galveston Bay area musicians and the opportunities that local businesses have given to her as reasons for her success. Kelly sees how the community truly appreciates and enjoys live music, making it a regular part of their activities. She is acutely aware of how music can make a difference in a person’s life so she performs with her whole being. Her natural warmth radiates through her music, touching those who listen.

Kelly strives to help others in every way possible because so many have helped her.

Kelly has never wanted to be famous. She has only wanted to sing. Coming from a musical family, Kelly has been singing and performing for many years. When Kelly first brought her singing skills to Kemah, she started by singing on restaurant patios for tips and opportunities. Now, bookings come easier with people seeking her out, but she is nonetheless thankful for each and every one.

In her role both with Miss Kemah USA and mentoring young people, she encourages others to do something because they want to do it and do it with full force. Being true to yourself is more important than trying to fit into someone else’s mold, so don’t be worried about what others think.

Stay humble, she tells them, and don’t let fear ruin all those opportunities to be happy. Good advice for all.

Kelly happily takes new paths to help her find more ways to express herself. Lately, Kelly has been learning how to play the guitar. She is also writing her first original song in collaboration with Randy Meadows. Kelly never hesitates to promote others so that everyone can succeed.

Follow Kelly Williams on Facebook, The Kelly Williams Show on Facebook Live and YouTube, or find her online at www.SingerKellyWilliams.net.

Enjoy the holidays. Stay safe. Share happiness.

Let music fill your soul.

the heart of the home.”

The Bay Patio Bar’s signature dishes include the large seared scallop crostini crusted with chili and garlic and topped with an avocado mousse and a smoked tomato crème sauce. Another select menu choice is the chicken skewers that come with a spring mix tossed with fresh tomato vinaigrette and their signature chili aioli egg yolk mayonnaise with siracha honey. A winning menu treat is the fresh Gulf redfish tacos blackened to perfection, served with a cilantro crème sauce and a Chef Rhett Lillard, left, showcases a sampling of his creations, like the chicken side of fresh slaw. skewers, seared scallop crostini and blackened redfish tacos.

Sunday Brunch is a must at The Bay Patio Bar. The A La Carte menu and outdoor atmosphere ewton has designed a one-of-a-kind is incredibly enchanting. Food items include a resort style outdoor bar on Clear Lake. platter with eggs-your-way, applewood smoked The scenic lakeview, tropical landscape, bacon, sourdough toast, and cinnamon butter. palm trees, bamboo plants, and perfectly You can also add smoked lox with fresh avocado manicured lawn transports you to a secluded mousse. A favorite light brunch item is the seafood island club. campechana. The flavorful breakfast croissant is While The Bay Patio Bar’s awesome view and always a good choice, especially with a Mimosa or ambience is second to none, the icing on the cake is Bloody Mary. The picnic platter is perfect for those their eclectic menu, brain child of the creative food on a keto plan. Finally, a must try is the avocado & artist, Chef Rhett Lillard. This expert chef and food lox crostini that sports a thick lox and tasty avocado maven uses the freshest ingredients in preparing mousse on grained toast. his exciting and eye pleasing tasty dishes. Chef The Bay Patio Bar, an oasis on the lake at Waters Lillard uses all parts of the herbs and fresh produce Edge, is a great place to relax, sip cocktails, such as juices from tomatoes and citrus fruits to meet friends, entertain clients, and enjoy a great add flavor to his dishes. atmosphere.

Chef Lillard, who hails originally from Colorado, Waters Edge is the Bay Area’s premier special has travelled extensively across the country, event venue for corporate events, weddings, preparing food as a personal chef, for fine cafes, receptions, fund raisers, and other galas. The Bay and at pre-eminent senior living facilities. He has Patio Bar is open Wednesday through Sunday also been the chef at such renowned restaurants as Brunch and is located at 3901 NASA Parkway in El Sambucas, Crystal Ball, and Lawless. Lillard stated, Lago, TX. For more information, call 281-291-9900 “My philosophy about food is it brings people or contact thebaypatiobar@gmail.com. together and creates memories. Also, the kitchen is

N Clear Lake’s Oasis: The Bay Patio Bar at Waters Edge The Waters Edge venue announces the opening of its new Patio Bar, creation of owner Phil Newton.

Kemah Elks 2322 Salute to Service

By Alisa Star and Isis Ward

T

his is our 11th year to serve dinner

to Children of the Fallen along with other state and local veterans. We were almost set back by the City of Kemah and Kemah Boardwalk, who cancelled the whole weekend due to Covid-19, but with the help of Sgt. Rojas ,Mercedes Moore (chair to Children of the Fallen) and the Elks 2322 Veterans Committee, we were able to provide a very successful Salute to Service dinner. Imagine our excitement to pair up with Cidnie Carrol from HEB Pillars of the Community which provided gift bags and a cake for our event.

We did not have the busses with 125+ vets and families from San Antonio, but we had about 80 guests including 40 state and local vets, a few local dignitaries, and other guests. Some of our guests were from Children of the Fallen, Mighty Oaks Warrior Program, Changing Hearts & Mind

38

Program, Sailing Angels, American Legion Post 554 Riders, American Legion Post 291, and American Legion Post 554.

We had a Social hour so everyone could decompress and meet each other. The Veterans Committee volunteers served Shrimp Cocktail, Cheese & Crackers, Meatballs and Stuffed Mushrooms to the guests while awaiting dinner.

Sargent Rojas, ER David Steele, Kemah Mayor Terri

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

Gale and Mercedes Moore gave short speeches, PER Len Myers gave Grace, then Cidnie Carroll and Isis Mangum-Ward gave out gift bags from HEB. We then proceeded to have a dinner prepared

by Isis, Jerry Heitzman, Cheryl Hallum, and Jody Ward. Dinner this year was Chicken Cordon Bleu, Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Pork Loin, tiny peas with pearl onion, roasted herbed potatoes and yeast rolls. After dinner, the committee served homemade blackberry and peach cobbler along with a marble cake from HEB. Many thanks to the Kemah Elks Lodge 2322 Veterans Committee which put in over 103 volunteer hours set by 7 Elks Volunteers & 3 NonElk Volunteers. It is a tremendous effort which was given many compliments and thanks by our guests.

Jerry Heitzman, Jody Ward and Isis MangumWard represented the Elks 2322 at the New Recruit Ceremony at the Kemah Boardwalk on Saturday November 7th at 5 pm, where 20 new recruits pledged their oath to the United States Army. It was such a Patriotic ceremony and renewed our faith in the United States Military.

It was a pleasure be able to proceed with our Salute to Service and we know they are looking forward to continuing this tradition in 2021.

DECEMBER 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

39

Who is in control?

By Capt. David C. Dillman galvestonbaycharterfishing.com 832-228-8012

T

his article is written

at a pivotal time in our country‘s history. Our nation is undergoing the roughest of times that I have ever witnessed in my life.

There is so much discord among us it is truly heartbreaking.

God is in control of all things, including those He places in authority. Prayers of peace for this great land, as the Bible teaches us in Romans 13:2; Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted and those that do so will bring judgement upon themselves.

I know God is in control of all things, even the weather. He also has given some the knowledge of predicting the weather. This time of the year it is important to keep abreast of the approaching cold fronts. In my

40

experience, a passing cold front can turn Galveston bay into a raging sea!

Have I been caught off guard? Yes, but God guided my path back to safe harbor. When I first stated guiding, the VHF radio was our lifeline to severe weather. Many times if you heard a special marine warning being

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

broadcast for your area, it was too late! With the technology God has given us in our cell phones, I suggest watching the radar when fishing the day of a supposed frontal system. December can be some of the best fishing of the entire year. It is easy to get complacent and not pay attention to approaching weather.

Cold fronts meeting a warm air mass on coastal waters can produce a black wall of rain, wind and thunderstorms.

Getting caught in open water could become a dangerous, even deadly situation.

Planning is essential this time of year. During the summer months, we all know pop up thunderstorms can occur but usually you can see them develop. Not so much with a approaching front coming in from the North. I suggest launching near the area one is going to fish and try to avoid making long boat rides the day of a approaching front. Dress for the

weather. Keep a dry change of clothes on board just in case and do not wear waders while riding in a boat!

Drowning could result if you happen to fall overboard.

In years past, the Holiday Season was just a nuisance in my life. I was not full of the so called Holiday or Christmas spirit. Well, you know the old saying God changes people and I can attest, yes He does! This year has been anything but normal. Rejoice in the Holidays as you celebrate with your family and loved ones. Merry Christmas and great fishing to all!!

DECEMBER 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

41

Understanding Galveston Tide Influencers

By Steve Soule

F

or years I’ve talked

about tides during seminars and speeches. If all the factors that we can watch and plan around, tides are probably the most talked about and possibly the most misunderstood.

There are two primary sets of information regarding tides in any given area that saltwater anglers should be not only aware of but using to understand the timing of their fishing.

Tide charts are typically published

by NOAA and then manipulated into many forms and published by many local and national sources. Generally speaking these are all predictions that are based upon astrological and lunar information. These charts from NOAA can be predicted and printed far in advance based upon information about our moon’s position and movement relative to the earth. Gravity being the driving factor that produces oceanic water movement across the earth.

The primary format most accessible regarding tides is a list of high and low timing. This is valuable information but it isn’t in the best format for understanding when and where to expect fish to be. Timing of high and low does, however, give us some basis for understanding when we can expect tides to be at their lowest or highest point during a given tide cycle. Use tide height information to determine where you can be, relative to depths and develop and a guide to where fish may be at a given tide height.

The second format is the one that

I prefer to base my fishing plans on. Tides depicted in a graphic format will allow you to both see the tide height, as well as the relative current flow. When you look at these graphical format predictions, you can base the current flow on how steep or shallow the prediction lines are on the vertical scale. Now we have both a representation of high and low timing, along with a prediction of the strongest current flow periods.

Why do these matter you ask? Tide height tells us where we can go in our boats in terms of depth of water.

It can also help understand where fish may be based upon the amount or depth of water on or near certain structures, or depths of shallow flats and the times at which there will be enough water for fish to hunt their prey. Tide movement or current flow is a powerful predictor of when predatory fish will be at peak feeding.

Keep in mind, there are many other factors involved, but baring other factors, currently is one of the most prominent feeding predictors.

Now that we have a general understanding of the tides and formats in which we can access information about them, we need to understand some additional information to truly begin to utilize tide knowledge to find and catch fish.

Keep in mind, this information is very specific to the Galveston Bay complex. Every bay system and even the smaller satellite bays and lakes within this system will vary some for the same reasons. Take this macro view information and then you can adapt it to specific areas that you fish.

The Galveston bay system is vast, when compared to other bays along the Texas Coast. If you look at the overall bay system, and its geographical layout, there has historically been 3 Gulf outlets along with multiple fresh water inflows.

These are critical to understanding further what happens with regards to water flows and location of fish during high and low salinity periods.

For now, lets just look at tide flows.

Of the Gulf passes, one is being closed(Rollover Pass). One has grown exponentially since the installation of the San Luis Pass bridge, and the

third, and largest is the Galveston Channel. Of these, the Galveston Channel is by far the biggest and most influential on our bay system and tides. The basic orientation of the channel is Northwest to Southeast. This simple and relatively obvious piece of information is often overlooked, but once you grasp this fact, understanding the influence is very helpful.

Due to the orientation and size of the Galveston Channel, it becomes clear why this is the single largest influencer of tides, tide height and water flow within our system. With a current controlling depth of 45 feet and a width that averages 530 feet, the sheer volume of water is enormous!

So, both the layout of the channel and the volume of water create a whole set of conditions that can quickly supersede the lunar tide flow and influence. For quick reference, any wind that exceeds around 15 miles per hour can begin to become the dominant force in tides here.

As winds crest the 20 mile per hour mark, they can negate the lunar tide flows. As winds get much higher they truly take over control of tides. Here’s how this works.

Winds from due north and moving around the compass all the way to southwest, tend to force water out of the Galveston complex. Winds from Northeast moving around the compass easterly to due South tend to force water into the bay system.

Geography and channel layout have everything to do with this.

You can see all of this play out clearly when we have a hard norther come through that blows Northwest and just dumps water out of the bay. I have personally seen instances where we can loose beyond 3-4 feet from open water areas and shorelines during these conditions. On the opposite end, I’ve seen a similar effect of tides being pushed up to well above 3 foot under hard Southeast wind conditions.

Knowing tides is a critical part of understanding how when and where to catch fish. I hope this information helps you in your quest to be a better angler.

Coming events Chamber to honor Supt. Greg Smith

Orchestra plans ‘Pops’ Concert

Chamber to host awards luncheon

C.L. Panhellenic sets Holiday Tea

Boat Parade gets ready to set sail

Lunar Rendezvous Dining Night slated

Genealogy group plans meeting

The Education Division of the Clear Lake Area Chamber will honor one of our community’s most influential leaders upon his retirement, Dr. Greg Smith, Clear Creek ISD superintendent at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 3 at the Clear Lake Hilton. Contact Shari@clearlakearea.com for details on tickets.

The Clear Lake Symphony Chamber Orchestra will present its Christmas “Pops” Concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 online and at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Nassau Bay. Free admission for a delightful evening of beautiful Christmas music. Visit www. clearlakesymphony.org

The League City Chamber will host its Holiday Awards Luncheon 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 10 at the Civic Center, followed by its annual Holiday Party that afternoon at the new chamber offices at 100 Perkins Ave. from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Clear Lake Area Panhellenic’s next big event for members will be the Holiday Tea at Bay Oaks Country Club on Friday, Dec. 11 from 2-4 p.m. with COVID guidelines in place. Sue Ellen Jennings is the event chairman and has a fun Secret Santa game planned, along with some holiday cheer.

The Clear Lake Chamber Parade Committee says plans are underway for the 59th Annual Christmas Boat Lane Parade to set sail Saturday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. from South Shore Harbour Marina.

Lunar Rendezvous will host its annual Dining Night at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7 at the Marais, 2015 FM 517 Road E in Dickinson. For tickets, visit www. lunarrendezvous/tickets.php Social distancing restrictions will be observed.

The Bay Area Genealogy Society will host a virtual meeting Friday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. with Diana Elder discussing “The Family Search Catalog: A Researcher’s Best Friend.”

42

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

[HEALTHCARE]

Houston Methodist Clear Lake buildings nearing completion As part of the construction process, the hospital recently completed a new, more visible entrance off NASA Parkway to improve access and make it easier for patients and visitors to navigate the campus.

Egret Bay Boulevard and Highway 96, about one mile away from the Houston Methodist physician clinic in Tuscan Lakes. The emergency care center is slated to open by the end of 2021.

And recently, the hospital announced that it was opening two new emergency care centers, in Deer Park and League City. The Houston Methodist Emergency Care Centers will make it easier and more convenient for residents to receive high-quality, expert treatment from board-certified emergency care physicians.

“Many people put off seeking critical medical care because they are worried about long waits in the emergency room,” said Dan Newman, CEO of Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital. “These new emergency care centers will bring Houston Methodist quality closer to where residents live and work and enable us to offer a more streamlined process for serving people with acute medical needs.”

The emergency care center in Deer Park, located at 3701 Center St., allows Houston Methodist Clear Lake to expand its footprint north of the hospital campus to better serve those communities, and will open before the end of this year. The emergency care center in League City will be located at the corner of South

The second phase of the strategic growth plan includes an expansion of the hospital itself. Those plans are currently under development.

“The continued growth of Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital – both on campus and across the Nassau Bay and Clear Lake region – is delivering significant benefits to our community,” said hospital board member Judge Holly Williamson.

“By offering improved access to topquality physicians and specialized services that were previously only available in the Texas Medical Center, Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital is making it easier and more convenient for local residents to get the care they need, close to home.”

There are economic benefits from the hospital’s growth, as well. “When expansion is complete, Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital will add significantly more jobs, and the economic impact of those jobs will ripple across our community,” said hospital board member John Kennedy. “The hospital’s growth is good news for all of us in Nassau Bay and across the Clear Lake region.”

EMERGENCY CENTERS

H

ouston Methodist

Clear Lake Hospital is nearing completion of two major enhancements to its growing campus.

In the second quarter of 2021, the hospital’s new medical office building in Nassau Bay – its fourth – will open for patient care. The sixstory, 150,000-square-foot building, currently under construction on the west side of campus, will be home to Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Clear Lake as well as the hospital’s physical therapy facilities. It will also house clinical space for physicians across a range of medical specialties, including additional primary care and specialty physicians in the coming years.

In December, the hospital will open its expanded Breast Care Center, which will feature more spacious patient care areas, upgraded

Hip replacement surgery recovery is made easier

M

ore than 300,000

Americans undergo hip replacement surgery every year, helping to make joint replacements one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the U.S. annually.

And now, an orthopedic surgeon at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Clear Lake is utilizing a relatively new approach to hip replacement surgery that can enable patients to recover more easily.

The technique, called direct anterior hip arthroplasty, is a minimally invasive surgery to replace the hip joint while sparing adjacent tissue.

“Traditional hip replacement surgery is performed either via the posterior or side, which requires

44

amenities and a more comfortable, calming interior.

“These two openings represent significant milestones in our longterm strategic growth plan, which we initiated in 2014 to ensure that we remain focused on meeting the community’s expanding health care needs,” said Dan Newman, CEO of Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital. “Investing in new facilities such as these gives us the physical space to enhance our existing services and also enables us to add to our medical staff in key areas to continue providing the most advanced patient care possible.”

Newman said the new medical office building will make it possible for Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital to add as many as 40 new physicians, with a focus on specialties such as pain management, rheumatology and neurosurgery.

the surgeon to cut through muscles and tendons to implant the prothesis,” says fellowshiptrained orthopedic surgeon and joint Dr. J. Sawyer Croley replacement specialist Dr. J. Sawyer Croley, of Houston Methodist Clear Lake. “With the anterior approach, the patient lies flat on his or her back and we access the hip from above, which allows us to simply push the muscles to one side.”

By sparing the muscles and tendons, the anterior approach makes recovery less painful and easier, especially in the first few weeks following surgery.

“Anterior hip replacement surgery offers a number of significant benefits,” Croley says. “In addition to an easier recovery, most patients

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

have a smaller incision, shorter hospital stay, fewer post-operative restrictions and less scarring. And just as important, patients who undergo the direct anterior procedure have a reduced risk of future hip dislocation, which can happen with more traditional methods due to trauma to surrounding tissue.”

Following surgery, patients undergo physical therapy in their homes for two weeks, and then resume their normal routines.

“It’s not unusual to see patients at their two-week follow-up who are walking with just a cane – not a walker – with no limp,” said Croley.

“And once they are walking without assistance, they can swim, play tennis or golf – really, just about everything they used to do. The only restriction is long-distance running. I encourage patients to use an elliptical machine instead, since it puts much less stress on the joints.”

Croley suggests that individuals who suffer from hip pain that limits their daily activities – especially

HOSPITAL TO EXPAND

after non-surgical treatments such as exercise, anti-inflammatories or pain medications haven’t worked – should consult with an orthopedic surgeon to discuss options.

While the anterior approach to hip replacement isn’t for everyone, patients who are healthy, active and in relatively good physical shape are ideal candidates. “I can generally tell during our initial appointment if a patient would do well with an anterior replacement,” said Croley.

“If not, the more traditional methods can still be utilized because having a new hip enables people to eliminate pain for years to come and return to a more active lifestyle. It’s worth it.”

Croley sees patients at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine’s clinics in Nassau Bay at 2020 NASA Pkwy., Suite 230 and League City, at 2220 E. League City Pkwy., Suite 200. To schedule an appointment, visit houstonmethodist. org/appointments or call 713.363.9090.

San Jacinto College to offer students 5 options for spring

S

an Jacinto College

has announced its plans for the Spring 2021 semester, providing students with five different ways to learn, both in-person and online: Face-toFace, Online Anytime, Online on a Schedule, Flex Campus, and HandsOn Hybrid.

FACE-TO-FACE classes will occur on campus with social distancing measures in place. Face coverings are required for students while on

campus and in the classroom.

ONLINE Anytime allows students to take classes online, at any time.

This is the most flexible of the options, allowing students to work on coursework whenever their schedule allows.

The ONLINE on a Schedule option also delivers coursework online, but the lectures and virtual instruction will occur at specific times on certain days, just as a typical face-to-face course would occur.

Hands-On HYBRID is for the technical and applied skill courses.

Most class instruction will be delivered online. Students will come to campus in small groups to complete hands-on learning and practical testing.

The FLEX Campus is the college’s newest, and most unique, course delivery option. This option allows students to spend some time in the classroom with an instructor, in addition to online learning. Small groups of students in each class will have the option to attend in person, following all CDC and College health and safety protocols, while the remaining students will access the same coursework online. The small groups will rotate so all students in a class have multiple chances to attend in person, although it’s never a requirement to attend in-person.

“We are planning to offer a variety of face-to-face classes for the Spring, with social distancing and other COVID-19 protocols in place, because we know that’s what our students want and need,” San Jacinto College Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer said.

“Our students and employees have done a tremendous job in keeping our campuses safe during this pandemic. As we expand our faceto-face offerings for the spring, we

know that our strong safety protocols will be more important than ever. I thank our entire College community for their cooperation over these past seven months. The continued cooperation of everyone will allow us to move forward with providing the learning and support systems that our students desire and need.”

Registration for the Spring semester is now open. The Spring term begins on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. All students and employees who come to campus are required to complete a health screening questionnaire every day, wear a face covering, and follow social distancing protocols. San Jac will also continue to follow and adhere to guidelines from local and state health authorities, as well as the Centers for Disease Control.

Student services are available to all students, both in-person and online, regardless of which course modality a student selects. Services include online tutoring and advising, on-campus document drop-off, and virtual appointments for things such as admissions, career services, dual credit, financial aid, testing, veterans services, and more.

To learn more about San Jac’s plans for the Spring 2021 term, visit the San Jacinto College website at sanjac. edu/my-way

DECEMBER 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

45

[EDUCATION]

Dr. Eric Williams to head Clear Creek School District

T

he Clear Creek ISD

Board of Trustees enthusiastically and unanimously named Dr. Eric Williams as the sole finalist for the position of CCISD superintendent on Nov. 9, capping a nationwide search for a leader who embodies the characteristics trustees identified as critical, with the help of a deep process of community and stakeholder input.

“The board is thrilled to have found an exceptional, visionary leader with a track record of innovative instructional programs and a mature and sophisticated understanding of school systems,”

CCISD Board President Dr. Laura DuPont said. “Dr. Williams demonstrates a genuine passion for supporting authentic learning and is recognized for his ability to develop, support and inspire the people around him.”

Dr. Williams, a native of Waco, Tx., is currently the superintendent of Loudoun County Public Schools, a high performing school district of approximately 82,000 students, 13,000 employees, and a $1.3 billion budget in Leesburg, Va. Williams has more than 28 years in education, spanning from a social studies teacher in Virginia and an English teacher in Brazil to a high school principal in Florida and superintendent in Virginia.

In his tenure as a superintendent, trustees said Dr. Williams has earned a reputation of being an innovative instructional leader, an effective and engaging communicator, and a person with a servant heart and a student-centered mindset, the trustees said, adding that he has a keen awareness of developing the whole child and a deep belief in developing student agency and empowering all students to make meaningful contributions.

“When we nurture students’ capacity for courage, collaboration, innovation, and self-direction,

CCISD students named scholarship semifinalists

Congratulations to the following students:

N

ational Merit Scholarship

Corporation (NMSC) officials have announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Clear Creek ISD is home to 17 of those students.

These academically talented high school seniors advanced after receiving top scores on the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. They will have an opportunity to continue in the competition to become finalists and have the chance of earning some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million that will be offered next spring.

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 400 business organizations and higher education institutions.

46

we empower students to make meaningful contributions through careers, community service, and civic engagement,” said Williams. “This approach brings joy in teaching and learning.”

His selection, however, has set off a firestorm of criticism from CCISD parents after learning that Loudoun County community leaders feel Williams has not done enough to address issues there. A group of about 30 CCISD parents even staged a protest. In an attempt to respond to their fears, and answer their questions, Williams returned to Clear Lake to meet with parents Nov. 17 at Challenger Stadium, promising to “maintain and build on the excellence” of this school district.

Under his leadership, Loudoun County Public Schools opened three world-class academies in the areas of advanced technology and STEM, three computer science immersion schools in elementary education, and new facilities to support exponential enrollment growth. He believes public education is key to workforce development. Williams was one of the inaugural superintendents of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools.

Loudoun County Public Schools is recognized by the Virginia Department of Education as a

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

Clear Horizons Early College High • Thomas Tsiantopoulos Clear Lake High • Sarah Chen • Surya Chinnappa • Laura A. Files • Isabella G. Glenn • Syed Z. Hussain • Jerry Ming • Sneha R. Mokkala Clear Brook High • Kana S. Iwahara • Sarvesh Subramanian Clear Creek High • Helen W. Ding • Noah T. Ellis • Annika V. Neadeau Clear Falls High • Leopold Guo • Joseph Li • Dashiell J. Wendt Clear Springs High • Kailey D. Morand

District of Innovation and was named the 2018 Project-based Learning Champion District by PBLWorks. The state accreditation ratings, standardized test scores, and graduation rates also reflect the excellence of the district. Loudoun County Public Schools is praised for its effective management of rapid growth, growing by 9,000 students and 11 campuses during Dr. Williams’ six-and-a-half-year tenure. The school district also consistently earns recognition for transparent, efficient budgeting and financial operations.

Williams’ educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in education from The College of William and Mary, a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Boston University. He and his wife, Michelle, have two grown children, Lexi and Bryce.

In compliance with Texas law, the Clear Creek ISD Board of Trustees must wait a minimum of 21 days from making the sole finalist announcement to making the appointment official. An official start date has not been determined.

To learn more about Dr. Williams and the national superintendent search, visit www.ccisd.net/ superintendentsearch

Clear Creek ISD drops tax rate even lower

T

he Clear Creek ISD Board of Trustees has dramatically reduced tax rates by more than 13 cents over the past two years, with a three-cent tax rate reduction recently.

In a unanimous vote, the school board approved a combined tax rate three cents below the previous year during the September school board meeting.

The 2020 adopted total tax rate of $1.2659 consists of a maintenance and operations tax rate of $0.9359 per $100 of taxable value and an interest and sinking tax rate of $0.33 per $100 of taxable value.

In the meantime, Clear Creek ISD officials announced that the district received a rating of “A” for “Superior Achievement” under Texas’ School FIRST financial accountability rating system.

The “Superior Achievement” rating is the state’s highest, demonstrating the quality of Clear Creek ISD’s financial management and reporting system.

“We are very pleased with Clear Creek ISD’s School FIRST rating,” said Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Greg Smith. “This rating shows that our district is making the most of our taxpayers’ dollars. This rating shows that Clear Creek ISD’s schools are accountable not only for student learning, but also for achieving these results cost-effectively and efficiently.”

Boeing donates $10.6 million to advance U.S. racial equality

B

oeing has donated

$10.6 million to a group of 20 nonprofits working to address racial equity and social justice in the United States.

The funding package is part of the company’s previously announced multi-year commitment that includes a mix of local and national-level grants aimed at increasing the number of minority and underserved students pursuing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and diversifying the aerospace talent pipeline.

Grant money also will fund programs that work to address criminal justice reform and health care gaps in underserved and minority communities.

“At Boeing, we acknowledge the toll that systemic racism and social injustice have had on people of color, particularly Black communities here in the United States,” said David Calhoun, Boeing president and CEO. “As we work internally to confront these issues, we also remain focused on addressing the causes and impacts of racism and social inequality in the communities where our employees live and work.”

The announcement builds on Boeing’s history of partnering with organizations that improve access for and address inequities in communities of color. Over the past five years, Boeing has invested more than $120 million to support underserved communities – including racial equity and social justice programs in those

communities – across the United States. Boeing plans to make additional announcements related to its racial equity and social justice investment strategy in the future.

Some of the nonprofits receiving grant funding include: Seattle Children’s Hospital: A $2.5 million investment will support health care access for minority and underserved children through the expansion of the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinics.

Chicago Public Schools : A previously announced $1.5 million investment will fund the expansion of technology access for about 4,500 Chicago Public Schools students enrolled in remote learning courses because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Space Center Houston: A $175,000 investment will fund the Girls STEM Academy, which helps underrepresented middle-school-age girls apply STEM concepts and skills through hands-on, inquiry-based learning.

Adrienne Arsht Center: A $145,000 investment will support Learning Through the Arts, a STEM learning initiative that integrates the arts into classroom discovery and provides hands-on coding and robotics instruction for three underserved schools in Miami.

Girls Inc. of Huntsville: A $120,000 investment will fund Operation SMART, a hands-on STEM learning program that will reach more than 700 girls of color in the Huntsville, Ala., area.

DECEMBER 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

47

League City police break up kidnapping

A 26-year-old Houston man is in custody following a kidnapping at Dandre Marquise Timewise gas Demery station at 104 S. Gulf Freeway in League City.

League City patrol officers were called to the gas station on Nov. 11, at 10:53 p.m. A witness told LCPD telecommunicators that a male had grabbed a female by the hair and forced her into a car. A responding patrol officer observed a vehicle leaving the scene as they arrived.

The vehicle and occupants matched the description as described by the witness. Patrol officers stopped the vehicle in the 16000 block of I-45 in Houston. The male suspect was identified as Dandre Marquise Demery. The female was found partially nude and distraught but did not require immediate medical attention.

Investigation revealed that the victim and suspect had a prior relationship and knew each other.

During the arrest, a gun and illegal drugs were recovered from the vehicle, which was stolen. Demery had outstanding warrants in Harris County for Burglary of a Vehicle, Navasota for Burglary of a Vehicle, Brazoria County for Theft, and Fort Bend County for Aggravated Assault. Demery was charged in Galveston County with Aggravated Kidnapping and placed under a $75,000 bond, Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 and given a $50,000 bond, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and given an additional $25,000 bond.

League City man killed in I-45 crash

A League City man is dead following a major accident in the

48

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020

1200 block of South Gulf Freeway in which the suspect driver reportedly stole a bystander’s vehicle and fled the scene.

League City police said the accident occurred as a vehicle was travelling south in the 1200 block of the Gulf Freeway (IH-45), exiting at League City Parkway (Highway 96). While exiting, police said the vehicle collided with a vehicle on the exit ramp, pushing it into traffic on the feeder. This caused the second vehicle to be struck by another vehicle travelling on the feeder road, vaulting the vehicle over the concrete retaining wall into the median and striking a bulldozer in the construction zone. The driver of the second vehicle, Jeremy Campbell of League City, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A witness to the accident stopped to assist on the scene, and the driver that caused the accident got into the witness’s truck and fled the scene.

The truck was located a short time later on Bay Area Boulevard near the Gulf Freeway. The driver, described as a black female, left on foot from that location. Houston Police Department located the suspect walking in the area and detained her for League City police officers.

The suspect in the Oct. 28 accident is identified as Keniqua Pleasant, 19, of La Marque. Pleasant has been charged with Fail to Stop and Render Aid (Felony 2), which carries a $40,000 bond and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (State Jail Felony) with a $10,000 bond.

The case is currently under investigation by League City Detectives and the Crash Investigation Unit. Anyone with information relating to this case is asked to contact the League City Police Department at 332-2566.

Keniqua Pleasant

League City residents to get 25% flood insurance savings

T

he Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has increased League City from as Class 6 rating to a Class 5 rating in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System.

This new rating is a result of League City’s continual floodplain management efforts to reduce flooding losses. It will provide League City residents with a 25 percent savings on their flood insurance.

“This savings is a tangible result of

the flood mitigation activities League City implements to protect lives and reduce property damage,” said William H. Lesser, CRS coordinator with the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration. League City is only the fourth city in Texas to achieve the Class 5 designation.

The other three cities are Houston, Dallas, and Grand Prairie. Texas does not have any cities or counties rated higher than a Class 5 at this time.

“I commend the determination and efforts of the city’s Engineering, Floodplain, and Stormwater Management Departments to make this rating increase possible,” League City Manager John Baumgartner said. “Their commitment to make our community more disaster resistant enhances public safety, property protection, and protects the natural functions of our area’s floodplains.”

DECEMBER 2020 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

49

By Rick Clapp

LAKEWOOD YACHT CLUB

BAY AREA BALLET & THEATRE The Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre delighted audiences in October with their version of “Dracula.”

In November, the ever popular “Breakfast with the Sugar Plum Fairy” was held in the Crystal Ballroom at the South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center.

BAHBT has continued performances while observing CDC guidelines for COVID-19.

Don’t miss their rendition of “The Nutcracker” this December! Visit www. bahbt.org for tickets.

50

Bay Area Houston Magazine | DECEMBER 2020