Bay Area Houston Magazine June 2019

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June 2019

+ 2019 RNASA Space Gala 2019 CCISD VALEDICTORIANS & SalutatorianS

High end food at affordable prices in CLEAR LAKE SHORES

AEROSPACE & LOCAL NEWS

JUNE 2019

features

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President & Chairman Rick Clapp

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Restoring her world-famous smile

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Bay Area Houston social events

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She will not just climb mountains but move them too

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Great food in a casual setting

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Bay Area guide to the best restaurants and pubs

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Expand your palate!

Dental Health A Busy Spring 2019 Miss Houston O2 Bistro Best Bites of the Bay Sokol’s Greek Deli and Cafe

42 Education CCISD honors community partners

44 Healthcare

Houston Methodist Clear Lake plans new medical office building

Vice President & Creative Director Brandon Rowan Graphic Designer Kelly Groce

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Garcia backs disaster probes

Business Buzz

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Commissioner Ryan Sitton speaks

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership

48 LyondellBasell

Bayport complex celebrates 50 years

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Editorial Don Armstrong Mary Alys Cherry Michael Gos Betha Merit Xander Thomas

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News Nuggets Help available for flood victims

columns

Photography Mary Alys Cherry MoonBridge Media NASA Bay Area Houston Magazine is produced monthly. All rights reserved.

Material may not be reproduced by any means whatsoever without written permission. Advertising rates are available upon request.

2019 CCISD Valedictorians and Salutatorians

40 Crime

Police took unusual routes to ID Jane and Janet Doe

Publisher & Editor in Chief Mary Alys Cherry

Sales & Marketing Judy Gaines Karen Laroux Amber Sample Robyn Weigelt

Congratulations to the class of 2019!

38 Aerospace NASA uncovers cause of launch failures

ON THE COVER O2 Bistro is located at the entrance of Clear Lake Shores at 1002 Apsen Rd. Photo by MoonBridge Media.

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Bill Provenzano

Movers & Shakers

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Even Capt. Kirk was there for 2019 RNASA Space Gala

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Road Trip SUVs

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Keels & Wheels chalks up another big success

Clear Lake Chatter In Wheel Time Lakewood Yacht Club News & Events

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

281.474.5875

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2019

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CLEAR HORIZONS EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL

Congratulations to the Class of 2019 Valedictorians and Salutatorians from all seven Clear Creek ISD high schools!

Valedictorian Sarah Randall

CLEAR BROOK HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian Rishika Chidananda

Salutatorian Melvin Sujo

CLEAR CREEK HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian Sanjana Shah

Salutatorian Cameron Noorkbakhsh

CLEAR FALLS HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian Marcus A. Sampson

Salutatorian Hannah C. Neighbors

Salutatorian Peijun Zhao

CLEAR LAKE HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian Evan Lu

Salutatorian Alina Dong

CLEAR SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian Hanna Tillinger

Salutatorian Amr Ahmed

CLEAR VIEW HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian Sadie Hughes

Salutatorian Alyssa Rodriguez JUNE 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2019

DENTAL HEALTH

RESTORING HER WORLD-FAMOUS SMILE Former model, Lynda Michaelski’s smile was saved

by Dr. Noie

By Xander Thomas

A

particular local magazine caught her eye. While reading Bay Area Houston Magazine over her meal, she decided to give Dr. Noie a call to see if he could help her.

“He said ‘We’re going to be joined at the hip for the next few years, but I can fix you. I can handle this,’” Lynda said with a laugh.

It was a difficult process, involving complex bone grafting procedures and many implants. The endresult: she finally has her beautiful pearly whites back to the same state as before.

“I had 14 surgeries. Dr. Noie had to take bone out of my chin and graft it up into the upper mandible,” she said, “The man does not give up. He’s just a genius at overcoming problems.”

Lynda says that she and her husband consider Dr. Noie a godsend, and highly recommend him to anyone they know needing dental work, and they are extremely thankful for all he has done for her.

“I appreciate being able to smile, talk and eat and go on with my life!” She says, “I’m Back! I’m Here! I’m Smiling!”

t one time, she was handpicked for major advertisements because of a big beautiful smile. Unfortunately, an autoimmune disease threatened her ability to smile entirely.

For Lynda Michaelski, working on the occasional print ad, and having the ability to remain with her sons most of the time and take care of them was like a dream come true as a dedicated mother. She had been a stay-at-home mom from the time she was 18 up until 30, when she volunteer-taught at her children’s school. After that, she started a little business selling Mary Kay, which would present her with a whole new opportunity.

“I went to a convention when I was about 31 or 32, and the Mary Kay Makeup Lynda’s beautiful smile was made possible by Dr. Noie’s skill and tenacity. people said ‘you know, you ought to do the ads for us,’” Lynda recalled. “I had Dr. Noie has been “It was a very trying time because of the never even been out in the world, I lived in in private practice hurricane and properties to repair,” She Iowa from about 18 to 30 or so!” in the Bay Area said. “And then to have a medical issue as From here, Lynda would join a modeling since 1996. He is a severe as what I had because of stress, it was agency and go on to do work for big names Diplomate of Int’l terrifying for me.”

Congress of Oral such as Gordon’s Jewelers and British She said that while she had learned to Implantologists, Caledonian Airlines. It was all because of her manage her scleroderma before, it was now Fellow of big beaming grin that Lynda had been given causing problems that she couldn’t handle, Academy these gigs. and it now required quite a bit of help. of General “I was fortunately able to do a lot of print “It was literally bone deteriorating,” she Dentistry, and work for major companies, and I was hired said, “My entire upper mandible was in Assoc. Fellow because of my smile,” she said, “I looked at jeopardy, that’s the bone right underneath of American those pay checks and I thought I could smile your nose, part of your jaw bone.”

Academy for a living!”

This not only affected her ability to eat, but of Implant That was, until she couldn’t. Lynda was of course, made it difficult for her to show off Dentistry. He diagnosed with scleroderma, and under her once world-famous smile. has completed his surgical training at New York times of stress, the disease began to take a toll “I consulted with three or four other University as well as Medical University of South on her body. She began noticing problems doctors, and they simply didn’t have the Carolina, Temple University, and Wright State in her mouth back in 2009, right before Ike capabilities to handle something like this,” University School of Medicine. He completed made its mark in the area. With the damage she said. his oral Anesthesiology training at University it caused, the weight on Lynda and her Ultimately, it was while having breakfast of Alabama in Birmingham. He is a member of husbands’ shoulders became worse. in a local restaurant in 2011 that an ad in a American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

JUNE 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Movers &Shakers Name: Bill Provenzano

My favorite writer is: Tom Clancy

My favorite meal is: Steak

Occupation: Senior vice president / commercial lender / HomeTown Bank of League City and League City Regional Chamber chairman

Someone I’d like to meet: JJ Watt

As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be: Like my Dad!

Hometown: Houston Current home: Friendswood Family: Married to Mindy Provenzano 34 years this July; 2 sons - Colton and Blake (one lives in Friendswood the other in League City); 1 granddaughter - Blakely Grace Provenzano

A D O P T

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A N D

R E S C U E

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2019

If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose: Happy with what the good Lord gave me.

My favorite performer is: The Eagles I like to spend my leisure time: Playing golf, listening to music, watching Houston sports teams, spending time with family and friends, and cooking!

If I could travel to any place, I’d choose: Italy

Galleger wants to be your BFF and you’ll find him difficult to resist and hard to be without. He is playful and sweet – and his favorite pastime is compiling his toys, then parading each one out for his audience.

He isn’t rambunctious, slobbery, or a shedder. The handsome, svelte, ambereyed boy rides calmly in the car, jumping in and out on command. Galleger sits patiently and waits for his collar, bath, or treats. He doesn’t pull on his leash, and he doesn’t bolt. He loves to sit close by you, eagerly presents standing hugs, and thinks kisses are the best!

Totally house broken and trustworthy, he will gladly stay off furniture if desired, and will quietly sleep alone on his own bed. Of course, you might convince him to jump up with a little encouragement! Galleger is ready to be a full and active member of any family. He enjoys new experiences and would be pleased to meet young and old, at his eye level, so as not to scare him. Galleger is a smart, wonderful, meltyour-heart Border Collie mix.

Come visit Galleger and all the cats and dogs at Bay Area Pet Adoptions, 3000 Avenue R, San Leon or visit online at www.bayareapetadoptions. org. They are open every day, except Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bay Area Pet Adoptions Calll 281-339-2086 for more information.

You’ll never catch me: Bungie jumping, sky diving or hang gliding The thing that bugs me the most is: Inconsiderate people My favorite movie is: The 10 Commandments starring Charlton Heston Few people know: I plan everything!

Shoot for the Stars Golf Tournament Friday, June 28, 6:30 p.m.

TopGolf Webster 21401 Gulf Fwy., Webster

Lunar Rendezvous is inviting Bay Area families and their friends to join them for an evening of fun and competitive golf games at the local TopGolf in Webster for the Lunar Rendezvous Festival’s annual “Shoot for the Stars” TopGolf Tournament.

Anyone can play TopGolf!

From aspiring pros to those who have never played the game. TopGolf is for golfers and non-golfers, children and adults. You can bring your own clubs or use the clubs provided at TopGolf.

Ticket prices for the Tournament: $100 individual players (golf, dinner and cash bar); $150 individual players (golf, dinner and open bar); $800 team of 6 package (golf, dinner and open bar) ;$50 court members only (golf and dinner only); $50 spectator pass (dinner only).

Enjoy three hours of unlimited TopGolf -- great

food, drinks and silent auction will be enjoyed by all! Prizes will be awarded to highest score for team and individual, longest drive, and best dressed golf team! Tickets can be purchased at www. lunarrendezvous.org

DINING NIGHT Saturday, July 13 6:30 p.m.

Merlion Restaurant 1205 Main St., Seabrook

Volunteers also are busy these days making preparations for the annual Lunar Rendezvous Dining Night -- A Stellar Evening -which is coming up Saturday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Merlion restaurant, 1205 Main St. in Seabrook with Christiana Ballard and Allison Cravens as co-chairmen.

Ticket Prices are $75 (open seating, dinner and 2 drink tickets for house beer or wine) $100 VIP Tickets (dinner, 2 drink tickets for house beer or wine, reserved seating and table bar service) Tickets for all our festival events are on sale now at www.lunarrendezvous.org/ tickets.php

Photos by Pat Biddle and Mary Alys Cherry

Carol and Jim Saxe at the Space Center Rotary Springoree.

Nancy and Robert Anderson have fun at the Rotary Springoree.

Photographer Pam Culpepper, second from left, was almost at a loss of words as dozens gathered at the home of Mike and Kathy Reeves for her retirement party. Among them were, from left, Carol Bergman, Mary and Dr. Terry Williams and Karen McCorkle.

Tamara and Terry Grier join the fun at the Houston Symphony League Bay Area PreTour Party, chaired

by Mary Ann Shallberg and Deborah Jozwiakthe night before their annual Home Tour.

Martha and Ernie McWilliams enjoy the Pre-Tour Party at the Clear Lake home of Priscilla Ennis as the HSLBA kicks off its annual Home Tour.

Suzi and Bill Howe join the crowd at the Rotary Springoree.

Hosts Mike and Kathy Reeves wear big smiles as their retirement party for Pam Culpepper comes to an end.

A busy spring Talk about busy.

The Bay Area has certainly been busy the past couple of months. Here are some pictures captured after beloved

Elaine and Gary Renola enjoy the Rotary Springoree.

Dr. Ira Blake, right, UH-Clear Lake President, and her Executive Assistant Berenice Webster, left, were among the many at the retirement party for Pam Culpepper at the home of Mike and Kathy Reeves in Clear Lake.

photographer Pam Culpepper retired as Mike and Kathy Reeves hosted a houseful of friends at a retirement party at their home in her honor.

Another big event was the Houston Symphony League Bay Area’s annual Home Tour

Finance Vice President Glenda Toole and her husband, Gene, stop for a photo as they arrive at the Houston Symphony League Bay Area Pre-Tour Party at the lovely Bay Oaks home of Priscilla Ennis in Clear Lake.

and the PreTour Party at the home of Priscilla Ennis to kick off the event, while Space Center Rotary members got all dressed up western style and gathered for their annual Springoree.

Symphony League PreTour Party CoChairmen Deborah Jozwiak, left, and Mary Ann Shallberg prepare to welcome the crowd to Priscilla Ennis› home the evening before the Home Tour.

JUNE 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Johnson Space Center Director Mark Geyer and his wife, Jacqueline, were among the hundreds at the Rotary Space Gala.

David Thompson, left, retired CEO of Orbital ATK, is presented the 2019 National Space Trophy by Northrup Grumman Space Systems Group President Frank Culbertson at the RNASA Space Gala April 26 at the Houston Hyatt Regency.

Space Center President-elect Mike Porterfield and his wife, Cindy, enjoy the Rotary Space Gala.

Even Capt. Kirk was there for 2019 RNASA Space Gala HAPPY STORIES make for happy evenings, and stories rarely are happier than that of David Thompson, recipient of the 2019 National Space Trophy, who turned a boyhood filled with small rocket launches into the formation of a well known aerospace company.

And, looking around at smiles on the faces of the black-tie crowd of nearly 750 at the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation Gala April 26, it was evident they were all happy for him as former astronaut and Orbital Sciences Senior Vice President Frank Culbertson presented the award and another former astronaut and Space

MARY ALYS CHERRY

Trophy winner, Gen. (Ret.) Thomas Stafford, presented him with an Omega watch.

Thompson, retired president and CEO of Orbital ATK, along with two Harvard Business School classmates, founded Orbital Sciences Corp., in the early 80s. Later, it grew to become

Clear Lake Chamber Chairman Brian Freedman and his wife, Erica, look for their table at the RNASA Space Gala at the Downtown Hyatt Regency.

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Orbital ATK, which last year was purchased by Northrop Grumman for a mere $9 billion.

Film star William Shatner, who you knew as Star Trek’s Capt. James Kirk, was an honored guest and recipient of RNASA’s Space Communicator Award.

Unfortunately, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstein had to cancel his visit the day before the gala.

After RNASA Chairman Rodolfo Gonzalez welcomed the crowd, saying that “the foundation’s mission is to encourage, recognize, honor, and celebrate U.S. space achievement.

The members of the foundation truly appreciate the enormity of

Frank Perez and Priscilla Ennis arrive at the Downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel for the Rotary Space Gala.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2019

the work that is represented by tonight’s audience,” and dinner featuring Petite Filet of Beef and Crab Cakes, the smiling crowd cheered as astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Dr. Shannon Walker passed out marble Stellar Awards to several dozen of our best and brightest – a ceremony that has become known as the space industry’s Academy Awards.

And, what a crowd it was, filling up the giant Houston Hyatt Regency Ballroom. Folks like former NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, Johnson Space Center Director Mark Geyer, Glenn Research Center Director Janet Kavandi, JSC Deputy Director Vanessa Wyche and

Rotary District Governor-elect Scott Rainey and his wife, Martha, look over the massive crowd at the Space Gala.

Former JSC Director Ellen Ochoa, left, here from Idaho for the Rotary Space Gala, visits with Glenn Research Center Director Janet Kavandi.

Engineering Director Kevin Window, Barrios Technology CEO Sandra Johnson and President Robert McAfoos, Boeing Houston Site Director Mark Mulqueen and Vice President Jim Chilton and Lockheed Martin Vice President Dr. Mike Hawes, along with their spouses.

Glancing around, you might also have spotted Jacobs GM Lon Miller, MEI Technologies CEO David Cazes, Oceaneering Vice President and GM Mike Bloomfield, United Launch Alliance COO John Elbon, Bastion Technologies CEO Jorge Hernandez, MRI Technologies President and VP Debbie and Tim Kropp, Dynetics CEO David King, KBRwyle President Byron Bright and Senior VP Dr. Vernon McDonald, ERC Manager Darryl Smith, Ares Vice Presidents Dr. Jimmy Young and Bill Wessel, SAIC Vice President David Nuckles,

JSC Deputy Director Vanessa Wyche and her husband, George, mingle with the crowd at the RNASA Space Gala.

Boeing Site Director Mark Mulqueen and his wife, Dawn, right, stop for a photo with United Launch Alliance COO John Elbon and his wife, Brenda, at the Rotary Space Gala, held Friday, April 26 at the Downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Aerojet Rocketdyne VP Scott Ward and Leidos Manager Wes Tarkington – many with their wives.

After dinner, the program kicked off with a year-in-review film by Space City Films, after which NASA’s Deputy Assistant Administrator for Communications Bob Jacobs welcomed honored guest William Shatner, best known for his role as Capt. James Kirk of Star Trek’s USS Enterprise, saying that “I know his work has touched everyone in this room…And it inspired most people here to do what they’re doing today.”

Shatner shared his thoughts about mankind’s hunger for adventure this way, “what is inside our heads that compels us to set forth on the precipice of existence? For what? Is it ego? Is it pride? Is it a death wish? Is it the sense of adventure that propels

the human spirit into unfamiliar modes, into life threatening environments because the challenge is there? Is it humanity’s need to experience the unknown to grasp it, embrace it, absorb the experience as only a human can? Yeah, the challenge of life over death, that’s it.”

Former Space Trophy winners Tommy Holloway, Glenn Lunney and Eileen Collins were in the crowd, as was retired JSC Director Ellen Ochoa, who came down from Idaho to see all her old pals.

Other familiar faces included Aviation Weekly Editor Mark Carreau, Clear Lake Chamber Chairman Brian Freedman, well known retirees Pat and Wendell Wilson, Leslie and Ted Cummings and Eleanor and Arnie Aldrich, plus astronauts Richard Hieb, Randolph Bresnik, Scott Altman, Mark

RNASA Foundation Chairman Rodolfo Gonzalez and his wife, Anangela, wear big smiles as the Space Gala comes to an end.

Delia Stephens, left, welcomes the Rev. Tracye Ruffin, retired Disciples of Christ-Christian Church chaplain, who gave the invocation at the Space Gala.

Polansky, Robert and Dr. Megan Behnken, Richard Arnold and Bob Curbeam.

Space Center Rotary members mingling with the crowd included President Nancy Anderson and husband, Robert; President-elect Mike Porterfield and his wife, Cindy; Patty and John Branch, Susan and Bill Taylor, Suzi Howe, Dr. Jean Walker, Scott and Martha Rainey, Stan Galanski, Frank Perez and Priscilla Ennis, Melinda Mintz, Geoff and Vivian Atwater, Karen and Gary Johnson, Clay Boyce, Jordis and Bob Wren, Jeanette and Mark Hollis, Adrienne and Dr. Vissett Sun, along with Rotary District Gov. Carmen Cuneo, Rotary District Gov.-elect Gary Gillen and his wife, Janice; and former Rotary International Vice President Jennifer Jones with her dad, John Jones.

Suzi Howe, left, a past Rotary District governor, welcomes former Rotary International Vice President Jennifer Jones and her father, John Jones, to the RNASA Space Gala.

JUNE 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Your new Miss Houston, Blaine Ochoa. Photos: The Miss Houston Pageant

The crowning moment!

She will not only climb mountains, she will move them too

By Blaine Ochoa

E

verything starts with

a dream, a thought, a goal, a wish. When you want something in life, go for it, give it everything you’ve got, and when you believe in something, believe in it with your whole heart.

On Easter weekend April 20, I won the title of Miss Houston 2019.

Becoming Miss Houston has been a dream of mine for the past 10 years.

It’s a very surreal feeling to see your dream come to life and daily live in your dream.

I’ve always believed “all things are possible with God” Matthew 19:26 and my mom has always called, Philippians 4:13 - For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” my life verse.

Chasing after this dream for three and a half years has been a long journey. I’ve previously placed first runner up, and second runner up, and I’ve even fallen on stage. I’ve had a variety of ups and downs, setbacks and comebacks. It has been a challenging, emotional, exciting, and beautiful journey - the comeback is always stronger than the setback.

I’ve learned that we have to trust God’s perfect timing, even when

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Miss Houston Teen 2019, Rita Goebel and Miss Houston 2019, Blaine Ochoa.

we don’t understand. His ways are higher than our ways. I realize now that without those years of preparation, learning, changing, and growing, I wouldn’t have been ready to take on this great responsibility that I’ve been given. I am ready now, and I’ve never been more ready for this opportunity.

I’ve also learned that you have to believe in yourself and never give up.

You have to know that you are good

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2019

enough, strong enough, deserving, worthy, and capable of achieving your goals and dreams. Start where you are and give it your all each and every day. It takes a lot of courage, sometimes believing in yourself when no one else does. It takes stepping out in faith, when sometimes there is no clarity. The journey is not always easy, and life gets tough, but learn to persevere. Success requires discipline and resilience.

Ultimately, I’ve realized that this journey is not about me. Its about something bigger than myself.

It’s about loving, helping, and encouraging others. It’s about the love of God that shines from the inside out. It’s about grace, faith, and overcoming.

I hope my story can inspire others to passionately pursue their dreams.

I’m a girl from a little beach town, with humble beginnings, who believed in her self, never gave up, and believed that God could do incredible things in her life and use her in ways that only God could.

I am truly thankful for all that God has done in my life and what He is going to do. I’m honored, humbled, and beyond excited to represent the great city of Houston at Miss Texas USA 2020. I am very thankful to work with an incredible team to help me prepare for Miss Texas USA and train under the direction of the wonderful Crystle Stewart, Miss USA 2008.

I encourage everyone to be present in your life daily. Now is your time.

Now is your moment. Dreams do come true, and the only way to make the impossible, possible, is to have faith.

JUNE 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Road Trip SUVs: CHEVY BLAZER & FORD EDGE

By Don Armstrong

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anufacturers just

can’t seem to satisfy our appetite for SUV’s, and with summer vacations upon us, now may be the perfect time to shop for a new road trip ride.

Chevy Blazer The name may be the familiar, but that’s all. The Chevrolet Blazer is all-new for 2019 and ready to hit the highway.

Slotted between the smaller Equinox and the larger, 3-row Traverse, the Blazer seats five and borrows some styling cues from the Camaro, believe it or not.

Mounted high on the front fascia are “squinty” headlights, with more

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vertical, ancillary lighting below.

The grille, however, is so large, you may find it polarizing. Trendy, large wheels and accompanying openings give it the much sought-after off-road look. Tail light design is Camaro inspired.

Several interior design details come directly from the new Camaro also, including a standalone, center dash mounted touch screen, with multifunction air vents below. Seating is comfortable and stylish, especially with the optional leather.

The base engine is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that delivers 193-horsepower.

We recommend the optional 3.6-liter V-6 with 300 horses. You’ll appreciate the extra passing power and it ensures a smoother shifting 9-speed

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2019

automatic transmission.

We like the new Blazer enough that we think it should be on your shopping list.

Pricing starts at $28,800.

Ford Edge This second-generation Edge was introduced in 2015 and has been nothing short of a true hit in the Ford SUV lineup.

For 2019, the Edge gets updated front and rear styling that really gives it a whole new, modern look.

Like the Blazer, the Edge comes standard with a 4-cylinder power plant. The optional 2.7-liter V-6 is what we recommend, but for the hotrodder, Ford offers an ST version that ups the horsepower ante to 335. The

kids will squeal with delight.

Taking the Edge for a test drive will reveal an unusually quiet cabin, especially at highway speeds. We appreciate the F-150 influence on the easy-to-use dash layout, it’s neat, clean and just makes sense. Seating is supportive and comfortable, especially on long trips. The recently reworked Sync infotainment system behaves a lot better that versions one and two.

The Edge’s wide body gives everyone a little more shoulder room and more storage behind the second row of seating.

Edge pricing begins at $29,995 Ford announces the return of a Ranger-based Bronco SUV in 2020.

Stay tuned.

JUNE 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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24th Annual Keels & Wheels chalks up another big success

By Mary Alys Cherry

T

he 24th Annual Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance, the weekend-long, nationally acclaimed classic car and vintage wooden boat show that takes place each spring at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, was another rousing success – even managing to dodge a damaging rainstorm that swept through the area.

This year’s proceeds will benefit Today’s Harbor for Children, which opens its door to abandoned and abused children.

It was an especially happy event for two Texans who held the winning raffle tickets for a new car and a new boat, donated by The Jon and Jacqueline Hodges Charitable Organization and Texas Coast Yachts – Jason Tieman of League City and Lori Hunt of Dallas.

As the Friday afternoon rainstorm that threatened the popular event headed north, leaving all the dashing Keels & Wheels automobiles snug as a bug in the rug under their protective covers until the event opened Saturday, Seabrook Mayor Thom Kolupski, Economic Development Director Paul Chavez and the EDC Board headed by EDC President Paul Dunphey got the party started on the Dunpheys 67-foot

yacht, Liberty Belle, in Lakewood’s inner harbor just as the sun peaked through the clouds.

Among the dozens of guests at the kickoff party, you might have spotted Seabrook City Manager Gayle Cook, with her husband, Kevin; Mayor Jon Keeney of nearby Taylor Lake Village, Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther and his wife, Fabiana; Economic Alliance President and CEO Chad Burke with his wife, Shannon; Seabrook Mayor Pro-team Natalie Picha and husband, Darrell; and City Councilmen Jeff Larson and

Ed Klein and his wife, Adel, along with hostess Amy Dunphey, to name a few of those munching on hors d’oeuvres and enjoying the cool bay breezes.

It was not until Saturday that Jason Tieman of League City learned he had won the 2019 Lincoln MKC SUV from BayWay Lincoln as this year’s official raffle vehicle, valued at more than $39,000. Dark Knight Motor Group provided a Cermamic Coating Package, valued at close to $5,000 for the Lincoln MKC, which includes Feynlab Self Heal Plus. Dark Knight

Motor Group specializes in the aesthetic rejuvenation and protection of automotive and marine vehicles and is based in Kemah. Lori Hunt of Dallas won the 2019 NC 795 Jeanneau Power Boat, 24’4” with Yamaha 200 engine and air-conditioned cabin, valued at more than $100,000. Dark Knight Motor Group also provided a Ceramic Coating Package valued at close to $6,400 for the power boat which includes Feynlab Hydro Marine Ceramic Coating and the installation of Glassparency Hydrophobic Coating.

Another highlight of the event was the $100,000 dollar painting on display of “The Bugati in the Lake” provided by Gremillion Gallery and sponsored by Bay Area Houston and Gulf Coast Mariner Magazines.

Keels & Wheels, chaired by Bob Fuller, welcomes approximately 200 cars and 100 boats each spring, and has raised more than $1.8 million for local charities, while drawing thousands of participants and spectators from all over the U.S. and Europe.

Proceeds from the 2019 event will again benefit Today’s Harbor for Children, who mission is to provide a home and safe environment for abandoned and abused children and healthy, comprehensive care for children and families in crisis.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther, right, and his wife, Fabiana, visit with Economic Alliance Port Region President and CEO Chad Burke and his wife, Shannon, and Vice President Fred Welch, from left, during the Seabrook Economic Development Corp.‘s Keels & Wheels Kickoff Party on the yacht, Liberty Belle, at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook.

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2019

Seabrook Mayor Pro-tem Natalie Picha, from left, Mayor Thom Kolupski and City Manager Gayle Cook, along with Economic Development Corp. President Paul Dunphey, can hardly contain their happiness as the rainstorm moves on and the sun comes out just in time for their Keels & Wheels kickoff party on the elegant yacht Liberty Belle at Lakewood Yacht Club.

[TRAVEL]

Photos By Ed and Barbara Matuszak

skewered: Wayfare’s delicious Mediterranean Shish Kabob.

WAYFARE OFFERS A FRESH NEW ORLEANS EXPERIENCE HYC celebrates new pool complex and Ragnot reunion

By Rick Clapp

T

he esteemed Houston Yacht Club

celebration and Ragnot reunion was simply awesome. This legendary yacht club had much to revel over such as its rich history, sailing, community involvement, fundraisers and noteworthy world class sailors and members.

All who attended this outstanding outdoor event enjoyed great weather on Galveston Bay and were greeted with tropical drinks and champagne. It was festivities galore

and a colorful opening ceremony with flag draped sailboats, white tents, and the beautiful renovated club grounds and pool area.

The party was majestic with ice cold drinks, hand passed appetizers, a wonderful selection of hors d’oeuvres such as oyster shooters, jumbo shrimp on ice, fruit and cheese platters.

Live music and dancing was thoroughly enjoyed by members and guests.

Again, thank you HYC for a wonderful celebration!

Anchors away.

Freret street eatery showcases culinary delights and craft cocktail creations.

By Brandon Rowan

S

kip Bourbon Street and delve into a different side of New Orleans this summer.

There is no shortage of excellent restaurants in this culturally rich city and Wayfare nestled in Uptown is no exception.

This spacious tavern at 4510 Freret Street designs culinary delights and craft cocktails in a rustic chic/ industrial ambience. Wayfare is the destination for high end gourmet food and presentation found in a casual atmosphere. I was fortunate to be able to sample many of their dishes on my way through NOLA. For happy hour or before dinner, Wayfare’s appetizer menu does not disappoint. The Calamari was superb.

The breaded crunch of this fresh seafood paired well with the accompanying Cebollita Aioli and tang of pickled peppers and onions heaped on top.

The Bacon Mac & Cheese, gourmet nachos or pomme frites are also wise selections. Feel like sharing? The chef’s choice Charcuterie Board is perfect passed around the table with friends and wine.

Wayfare’s Entrees are also made with equal amounts of vision and execution. The Mediterranean Shish Kabob was my favorite. The skewered hanger steak was perfectly cooked and seasoned. Caramelized onions and halved grape tomatoes added even more flavor to the dish. House-made hummus with pita was served on the side, along with a properly made greek salad.

Fresh seafood is also in ample supply for lunch or dinner. Try the Gulf Oyster Caesar Salad or massive Fish Taco for an inventive take on these standard dishes.

Expect generous portions!

For a true New Orleans favorite, order the BBQ Shrimp Pasta, served with fresh head-on shrimp, roasted red peppers, sauteed spinach and pan seared duck ham.

If you find yourself in New Orleans soon, make it a point to explore the Uptown and Garden Districts of the city. The delectable fare served by the area’s smart restaurants, like Wayfare, will keep you more than satisfied.

Wayfare Handcrafted Food and Spirits is located at 4510 Freret Street, New Orleans, LA. For more information, visit WayFareNOLA.com or call 504-309-0069.

JUNE 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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DELICIOUSLY DECADENT: O2 Bistro’s crab cake is as good as it looks.

LIFT YOUR SPIRITS: Take advantage of O2 Bistro’s Happy Hour all day Wednesday and from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

O2 Bistro: Great Food IN A Casual Setting

By Rick Clapp

T ON THE HALF SHELL: Fresh oysters are served up daily at O2 Bistro.

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2019

h e ne w O2 Bist ro is the creation of maven and restaurant extraordinaire John Schaefer. He was the mastermind of Outriggers on the Kemah Channel where locals, as well as tourists, relished the great view and awesome fresh, fried seafood, burgers and cold beer.

The dynamic General Manager Tina Philepot was selected personally

by Schaefer to run and operate O2 Bistro because of her vast knowledge and creativity in the kitchen. Philepot hails from some of Houston’s best establishments and fine eateries.

Schaefer has taken a different and unique approach with O2 Bistro.

This fine but casual eatery and bar offers the best in good fresh seafood, steaks, chops and superb delicious appetizers and mouthwatering decadent house-made desserts. The bar is fully loaded with premium call liquors, cold beers and a nice wine list. The friendly and knowledgeable bartenders Audra and Sierra put a nice face to the place. The bar is always lively and a great place to mingle, hangout or just have a drink and enjoy their renowned appetizers.

O2 Bistro knows appetizers. Some of the Bay’s best starters include the filet bites, which are so tender they just melt in your mouth and served with crispy fried onion strings. The charcuterie board is a real winner and feeds up to four as an appetizer.

This delicious assorted platter offers artisan meats, cheeses, olives, mango chutney and fresh baked toast points.

Deviled eggs go well with your favorite drink, wine or cold beer.

This southern favorite is simple but good and filling. The eggs are topped with tobiko, which gives them an epicurean taste liked by all. A must is the O2 mussels. These little delicacies are sake steamed with kaffir lime and

CHEERS: Great views, friends, food and drinks in a relaxed, casual atmosphere

green mango sunken into a coconut curry.

They also offer the largest list of affordable appetizers in the Galveston Bay area, including fresh oysters on the half shell or Rockefeller, snapper ceviche, calamari, and ahi poke just to name a few.

For the soup and salad lover, the jumbo lump crab bisque is sumptuous and served with lots of lump crab in a cream based soup.

They have fresh salads such as the caprese salad, the wedge and a favorite is the house salad with seared ahi tuna, served with sesame seeds, fresh mango, and avocado in an incredible ginger citrus soy vinaigrette. O2 Bistro’s salads are complete meals in themselves.

All entrees served at O2 Bistro score extremely high marks, starting with Snapper Schaefer.

“O2 Bistro is conveniently located at the entrance of Clear Lake Shores on the water. “ This epicurean delight is served with a large fresh snapper filet with crabmeat, pasta, asparagus, tomatoes, mushrooms and with lime chervil butter.

O2 Bistro’s regulars love these items. The blackened redfish Louisiana style with rice pilaf and vegetable medley as well as their authentic shrimp and grits with

CRAFT COCKTAILS: Expertly crafted cocktails, like this Lemon Drop Martini, are the norm at O2 Bistro.

andouille sausage. Another choice of the locals is the shrimp and scallops pasta, served in an incredibly good garlic and white wine sauce. The double rack pork chop served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus in a unique cider blend – pepper glaze is incredible.

This pork chop rivals “you-knowwho’s” at Baybrook Mall. For the salmon fans, a definite choice is the citrus glazed salmon, which is made to perfection and not overcooked.

It comes with jasmine rice and a vegetable medley.

O2 caters to its meat lovers and offers all certified Black Angus cuts from Filet Mignon to Ribeye, New York Strip and a nice Top Sirloin. The quality of the steaks and price are right. For the best deal try their steak night, you will not believe the prices.

You can even order a nice bottle of wine and not break the bank.

The popular O2 steak night also offers Mediterranean kebabs, shaking beef 8 oz. Vietnamese wok seared top sirloin, ribeyes, pork chop, ahi tuna and filet mignon. All served with sides at no extra cost! The steak night favorite is the filet mignon topped with fresh chimichurri sauce.

Your dessert finale with dinner, or just by itself, includes the best Crème brûlée, served with fresh berries, apple and blueberry crisp with pecan streusel and buttermilk-like ice cream. Simply delicious!

O2 Bistro’s happy hour is all day Wednesday at the bar and offered Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

O2 Bistro offers special themed wine dinners as well. The upstairs O2 private room seats up to 60 people and is perfect for your corporate receptions, dinners, special events, wedding showers, family reunions, holiday or birthday parties and more.

There is no extra charge for the room.

The culinary dynamic duo, John Schaefer and Tina Philepot, have created a winning combination of great food at affordable prices, perfect for families and your choice of indoor or outdoor dining in a casual setting.

You can come by land or by sea.

Boat slips are available. O2 Bistro is conveniently located at 1002 Aspen Road at the entrance of Clear Lake Shores on the water.

Reservations not required but a good idea on Friday and Saturday nights. Call (281) 532-6860.

Come as you are to O2 Bistro and enjoy the view, great food in a most relaxed, casual, family-friendly setting. Tell John and Tina that Rick sent ya! Bon appetite!

FRESH SEAFOOD: The citrus glazed salmon, served with jasmine rice and vegetables, is a fresh seafood delight.

JUNE 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Grazia

Sokols Greek

Sawa

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c

Pappa’s Delta Blues El Tiempo

Masa Sushi

Boondoggles

r l e a

Scotty’s

Mediterraneo

Franca’s Noon & Mirch

l a k e

South Shore Grille Red River Cantina

MichiRu Floyd’s

7

Mario’s

Crazy Alan’s Bakkhus

Sundance

Ocean Sushi

Nobi Las Haciendas Preamble

Cabo

Jackie’s Brickhouse

A GUIDE TO THE BEST BITES AND BREWS IN THE BAY

Tookie’s Seafood

Hubcap Grill

Villa Capri

888 Chinese

Angelo’s

Habanero’s

Chelsea Wine Bar

g a l v e s t o n

b ay

Skallywag’s

T-Bone Tom’s

Red River BBQ Main St. Bistro

Stomp’s Burgers

Gilhooley’s

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

AMERICAN 1. Jackie’s Brickhouse 1053 Marina Bay Dr, Kemah, TX (832) 864-2459 jackiesbrickhouse.com 2. Main St Bistro 615 E Main St, League City, TX (281) 332-8800 3. Red Oak Cafe 6011 W Main St a106, League City, TX (832) 905-3150 redoakcafe.com 4. Stomp’s Burger Joint 3107 TX-146, Bacliff, TX (281) 339-0785 stompsburgerjoint.com 5. South Shore Grille 2800 Marina Bay Dr, League City, TX (281) 334-7700 soshoregrille.com 6. T-Bone Tom’s 707 TX-146, Kemah, TX (281) 334-2133 tbonetoms.com 7. Cabo Bar & Grill 2513 NASA Rd. 1, Seabrook, TX (281) 532-2691 caboclearlake.com 8. Hubcap Grill 1918 E NASA Pkwy, Seabrook, TX (281) 339-7116 hubcapgrill.com ASIAN 1. 888 Chinese 16744 El Camino Real, Houston, TX (281) 990-8888 888chinesetx.com

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Red Oak Cafe

Tight Ends

Topwater Grill

Gumbo Bar

Marais

Dickinson BBQ

Gio’s

2. Masa Sushi 977 E NASA Pkwy, Webster, TX (281) 486-9888 masasushitexas.com

3. Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar 1615 FM 646, League City, TX (281) 524-8626 littledaddysgumbobar.com

2. Mediterraneo Market & Cafe 18033 Upper Bay Rd, Houston, TX (281) 333-3180 mediterraneomarket.com

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

3. Michiru Sushi 20911 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (281) 338-9988 michirusushi.com

4. Marais 2015 FM 517 Rd E, Dickinson, TX (281) 534-1986

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

4. Boondoggles Pub 4106 E NASA Pkwy, El Lago, TX (281) 326-2739 boondogglespub.com

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

5. Chelsea Wine Bar 4106 E NASA Pkwy f, El Lago, TX (281) 326-5282 chelseawinebartexas.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 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 (281) 334-5000 crazyalanswampshack.com 2. Floyd’s Cajun Seafood 20760 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX (281) 332-7474 floydswebster.com

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2019

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. Grazia Italian Kitchen 1001 Pineloch Dr #1100, Houston, TX (281) 486-2083 graziaitalian.com 4. Villa Capri 3713 NASA Rd. 1, Seabrook frenchiesvillacapri.com (281) 326-2373 5. Franca’s Real Italian 1101 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX francasrealitalian.com (281) 488-2207 6. Mario’s Pizza & Pasta 2100 E NASA Pkwy, Seabrook, TX 77586 mariosseabrook.com (281) 474-5103 MEDITERRANEAN 1. Bakkhus Taverna 605 6th St, Kemah, TX (281) 538-1800 bakkhustaverna.com

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

s e s

l a k e

6. Tight Ends Sports Bar 2502 Gulf Fwy S, League City, TX (832) 769-4330 tightendssportsbar.net 7. Preamble Lounge & Craft House 20801 Gulf Fwy #12, Webster, TX (832) 905-2927 preamblelounge.com SEAFOOD 1. Gilhooley’s Oyster Bar 222 9th St, San Leon, TX 77539 (281) 339-3813 2. Tookie’s Seafood 1106 Bayport Blvd, Seabrook, TX (281) 942-9445 tookiesseafood.com 3. Topwater Grill 815 Avenue O, San Leon, TX (281) 339-1232 4. Sundance Grill II 800 Mariners Dr, Kemah, TX (281) 535-5350 sundance-grill.com

Bugati in the Lake painting with Lara Rodgers, Rick Clapp and Jennifer Wycoff at Lakewood Yacht Club.

Tim, Robyn and Marc enjoy the Fishbone Safety Solutions VIP tent at Keels & Wheels.

Angela, Alfio and Jennifer at Keels & Wheels.

VIP bartenders at Keels & Wheels.

John Rihn and Marcia Davenport enjoy Keels & Wheels.

Billy Cain president of Fishbone Safety Solutions and Julie.

Great friends at O2 Bistro.

Birthday ladies Wendy Shaw and Shelly Scoggins at O2 Bistro.

Kim Swinson and Darrell Weigelt at O2 Bistro.

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2019

Longhorn supporters at the Longhorn Project’s mixer at NASA.

Owner Chris Sokol in front of his beautiful Greek mural on the wall of Sokol’s Greek Deli

Expand Your Palate at Sokol’s Greek Deli and Café Even if you think you are not a fan of lamb, the slowven with the cooked lamb ribs are a must saturation of when visiting his restaurant. restaurants in the Chris says that because Clear Lake area, it can they use extra virgin olive still be a difficult task to find oil for just about everything, places based around better he imports an entire ship eating, but there are still a few load, around 6,000 lbs once that have your best interest in a year. Not only is it just a mind. major staple of Greek cuisine, “I go hand pick my own though, it is also better for you tomatoes, onions, lettuce, all than more other types of oils that stuff, that way you don’t typically used to cook with. get whatever stuff any other “We make our own salad Homemade Baklava is a must after dinner! restaurants get,” said Sokol’s dressing, which we sell a lot Greek Deli and Café owner, of, and consists of just extra Chris Sokol. “It is a lot more time consuming, but virgin olive oil and four different vinegars and we’re kind of known for the healthier salads and there’s absolutely zero sugar or additives to it,” he stuff like that.” said.

The Greek deli has been in its current location at This isn’t the only thing that makes his dishes 2410 Bay Area Blvd. for about six years, but was healthier than most other places in the area. renamed Sokol’s about five years ago when Chris Along with using a better oil, Chris prefers better took over ownership. While he did use a lot of the ingredients for almost all of his dishes, including previous owner’s recipes and ideas, he also took a well-loved sauce in the native foods, the tzatziki from what he learned in his youth. sauce. While many places will use sour cream, he “Mostly family recipes, my own recipes, I’m a big prefers low-fat Greek yogurt for lighter guilt free foodie so I like to integrate a lot of weird, different eating with just as much flavor. specials.”

“The trend nowadays everyone wants the He says that a lot of his specials were so well organic or non-GMO stuff like that and a lot of loved, and so requested, that they made it onto Greek food just happens to fall in that line.” the regular menu. He learned a lot about how to Chris and his sister grew up mostly in the British cook because when he was growing up, his parents school system, and have lived in Indonesia and would let him and his sister eat whatever they Malaysia, and around high school, landed in Texas wanted, but they had to cook it themselves; there for most of their adult lives. Chris just happened to was no going to grab fast food. choose our Clear Lake area to offer us some of his Chris likes opening up peoples’ minds to authentic cuisine. different foods and helping expand their palates, He is even an admirer of the space programs and that in this area, most have just not been and the astronauts, and has adorned the place in privileged enough to have certain things prepared various NASA items. properly.

“I have a lot of memorabilia from collecting it as “Around here a lot of people tend to say that I was younger, and astronauts come by here and lamb is disgusting or nasty cause they haven’t give signed stuff for me,” he said, “It was really had it cooked right,” he said confidently. “Usually cool to have a restaurant right on Space Center and they’ll say wow this is way better than beef.”

Bay Area.”

By Xander Thomas

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JUNE 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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[AEROSPACE]

NASA uncovers cause of two science mission launch failures

N

ASA Launch Services Program (LSP) investigators have determined the technical root cause for the Taurus XL launch failures of NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) and Glory missions in 2009 and 2011, respectively: faulty materials provided by aluminum manufacturer, Sapa Profiles, Inc. (SPI).

LSP’s technical investigation led to the involvement of NASA’s Office of the Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Justice. DOJ’s efforts, recently made public, resulted in the resolution of criminal charges and alleged civil claims against SPI, and its agreement to pay $46 million to the U.S. government and other commercial customers. This relates to a 19-year scheme that included falsifying thousands of certifications for aluminum extrusions to hundreds of customers.

NASA’s updated public summary of the launch failures, which was published May 1, comes after a multiyear technical investigation by LSP and updates the previous public summaries on the Taurus XL launch failures for the OCO and Glory missions. Those public summaries concluded that the launch vehicle fairing — a clamshell structure that encapsulates the satellite as it travels through the atmosphere — failed to separate on command, but no technical root cause had been identified.

TEST RESULTS ALTERED From NASA’s investigation, it is now known that SPI altered test results and provided false certifications to Orbital Sciences Corporation, the manufacturer of the Taurus XL, regarding the aluminum extrusions used in the payload fairing rail frangible joint, the space agency said.

A frangible joint is a structural separation system that is initiated using ordnance.

New Spinoff publication highlights that NASA technology is everywhere

F

rom precision GPS to batteries for one of the world’s first commercial allelectric airplanes, NASA technology turns up in nearly every corner of modern life.

The latest edition of NASA’s Spinoff publication features dozens of commercial technologies that were developed or improved by the agency’s space program and benefit people everywhere.

“NASA works hard, not only to develop technology that pushes the boundaries of aeronautics and space exploration, but also to put those innovations into the hands of businesses and entrepreneurs who can turn them into solutions for challenges we all face here on Earth,” said

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2019

“NASA relies on the integrity of our industry throughout the supply chain. While we do perform our own testing, NASA is not able to retest every single component. That is why we require and pay for certain components to be tested and certified by the supplier,” said Jim Norman, NASA’s director for Launch Services.

“When testing results are altered and certifications are provided falsely, missions fail. In our case, the Taurus XLs that failed for the OCO and Glory missions resulted in the loss of more than $700 million, and years of people’s scientific work. It is critical that we are able to trust our industry to produce, test and certify materials in accordance with the standards we require. In this case, our trust was severely violated.”

SPI SUSPENDED To protect the government supply chain, NASA suspended SPI from government contracting and proposed SPI for government-wide debarment. The exclusion from government contracting has been in effect since Sept. 30, 2015. NASA also has proposed debarment for Hydro Extrusion Portland, Inc., formerly known as SPI, and the company currently is excluded from contracting throughout the federal government.

“Due in large part to the hard work and dedication of many highly motivated people in NASA Launch Services, we are able to close out the cause of two extremely disappointing launch vehicle failures and protect the government aerospace supply chain,” said Amanda Mitskevich, LSP program manager at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. “It has taken a long time to get here, involving years of investigation and testing, but as of today, it has been worth every minute, and I am extremely pleased with the entire team’s efforts.”

Jim Reuter, acting associate administrator of the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.

“These are sometimes predictable, like the many NASA technologies now adopted by the burgeoning commercial space industry, but more often they appear in places that may seem unrelated, like hospitals, farms, factories and family rooms.”

In this issue of Spinoff, the agency shares new stories of how: The world has come to rely on GPS signal correction software created by NASA, which enables precision agriculture, airplane navigation, smartphones, offshore oil drilling, Earth science and much more NASA’s work to push the envelope of flight resulted in advanced battery packs that power one of the first commercial all-electric airplanes A lightweight, high-pressure tank NASA invented to hold rocket fuel now stores life-saving oxygen to keep pilots, firefighters and intensive care patients breathing — not to mention gases that power city buses and even paintball guns 50 EXAMPLES The publication provides nearly 50 examples of how NASA benefits various industries and people around the world. For example, fitness enthusiasts may be surprised to learn about NASA’s contribution to the Bowflex Revolution resistance-exercise home gym. Other highlights include a crucial component of pacemakers that have helped save lives around the world, as well as reactors that use electricity “breathing” bacteria to

clean wastewater and generate power at wineries and breweries.

“The variety and complexity of NASA’s missions drive innovations in virtually every field of technology,” said Daniel Lockney, executive of NASA’s Technology Transfer program. “The result is that there’s not an industry or business out there that can’t make use of our groundbreaking work.”

The publication also includes a “Spinoffs of Tomorrow” section that showcases 20 new NASA technologies available for license. One innovation on the list uses new materials to literally reinvent the wheel. The super elastic tires were inspired by the Apollo era and developed for future exploration of the Moon and Mars. The technology could find another purpose on Earth.

BENEFIT THE WORLD Spinoff is part of the agency’s Technology Transfer program within the Space Technology Mission Directorate. The program is charged with finding the widest possible applications for NASA technology through partnerships and licensing agreements with industry, ensuring that NASA’s investments in its missions and research find additional applications that benefit the nation and the world.

Print and digital versions of the latest issue of Spinoff are available at: www.spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2019/index.html For more information about NASA’s Technology Transfer program, visit: technology.nasa.gov

[CRIME]

Police took unusual routes to ID Jane and Janet Doe

By Ange Mertens

T

he past 30 years have brought so much change to our society. There is a whole generation who will never know what it is like to dial a phone or use two keys for a car. Information is shared in one second to millions of people all over the world, and police work is now as much a science as an investigation.

Detectives in the League City Police Department assigned to the cold cases unit have been able to make some great strides in their investigations using new techniques in DNA imaging and familial identifications. Television shows like CSI and Criminal Minds have society thinking that law enforcement can put a few variables into a computer and a myriad of facts will spew out identifying a victim.

This misleads the public. One of the local FBI agents joked about it taking 17 minutes just for his computer to boot up in the morning. The technology depicted on television just is not out there yet.

Lt. Michael Buffington has been with the League City Police Department for 17 years.

As the Investigations Division commander, he is spearheading the cold cases he said “Chief (Gary) Ratliff has really kicked into gear, having us work the cold cases.”

Unfortunately, in League City we have some notorious cases in our past.

AREA TERRIFIED

The 1970s through the 1990s kept residents along I-45 terrified for their daughters, as close to 30 girls went missing in what came to be known as the I-45 corridor murders. The most gruesome being four bodies that were found in the same field off of Calder Road in League City in a close to seven-year span. During a press conference last month, Chief Ratliff, who has been with the force since 1985, announced that two bodies from the Calder Road “Killing Fields” murders had finally been identified using Family Tree DNA. The chief spoke of the time in history when these women went missing as being a different time. Communication wasn’t instant, long-distance phone calls were expensive, letter writing was difficult for some and family members fell out of touch.

“These two women had moved to the area and were never to be heard from again. And, were never reported missing -leaving detectives with the near impossible task of identifying them.” But four years ago the League City Police Department began working with a company called Parabon that makes facial likenesses from victims’ DNA. Lt. Buffington said “while we were working on this, we also began working with the FBI on new methods of identification through familial DNA.”

40

ROOTS IN LCPD

Special Agent Patrick York and Supervisory Special Agent Richard Rennison both have roots in the LCPD. York was on the force in League City from 2005 to 2009 when he moved on to the FBI. Rennison was with the LCPD from 1993 to 2003, the last eight years in investigations.

He then joined the FBI. York said that “the introduction of familial DNA is an amazing tool. These websites are like a new social media of DNA -- a public forum to share information and connect families.” League City Police Detective Gina Vogel put in the laborintensive hours following the victims’ family histories from the 1800s along with Detective Reesie Tisdale, until they were able to narrow the family down to relatives as close as cousins.

Janet Doe was identified after they contacted the cousin from the DNA match and she said, “I think I know who that is.

My cousin Donna move to Texas and no one ever heard from her again.” She led them to Donna’s sister, and investigators gathered her DNA and they were a match and Janet Doe was identified as Donna Prudhomme.

And the League City Police Department was able to celebrate a bittersweet victory in a 30-year-old case.

CALLED EVERY MEDIA

Jane Doe’s DNA suggested that she was from Tennessee. Lt. Buffington said he called every media outlet he could find in Tennessee and had them run the facial likeness. His method paid off when a woman called in and told of a cousin that moved to Texas and she had regularly kept in touch with her family. But no one had heard from her for years. They didn’t know if she had gone missing or just moved on with her life. Now that the investigators had the family tree DNA tool they were able to identify the caller as the cousin of Jane Doe, and she was identified as Audrey Lee Cook.

Supervisory Special Agent Rennison said “now that the identifications have been made, we want to learn all that we can about them. Theories are out there, but I try to stay away from theories. I like to follow the evidence and find the truth.”

The decades old mystery of who these women were has been solved. The culmination of thousands of hours of police work, collaboration between agencies, and modern science. Now that this piece of the puzzle has been solved, the police would like the public’s help in finding the murderer or murderers, and bring them to justice. If you knew Donna or Audrey and have any information about them at all, please call the League City Police Cold Case line at 281-338-8220.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JUNE 2019

Police hope to solve murders with Texas billboard campaign

By Mary Alys Cherry

L

eague City Police

are upping their game as they work to solve the long-ago murders of Donna Prudhomme and Audrey Lee Cook, whose bodies were found in what has become known as the “Killing Fields” off the city’s Calder Road.

After spending many long and tiresome hours of work before finally identifying

said. “LCPD is hoping the digital billboard campaign will lead to information that will help identify suspects in these cases. Cook lived in the Houston/Channelview area between 1976 and 1985.

Prudhomme lived in the Seabrook/Nassau Bay area between 1988 and 1991.”

Cook, known to police as Jane Doe, was found Feb. 3, 1986, while Prudhomme, known as Janet Doe, was not found until Sept. 8, 1991.

“Anyone with helpful information is asked to call the League City Police Cold Case tip line, 281-338-8220.” their bodies and announcing their names last month, police now are teaming up with Clear Channel Outdoor Americas (CCOA) in a statewide campaign that will use messages on digital billboards, donated

by CCOA, to get the word out to other parts of Texas where people may not be aware that the bodies of Jane and Janet Doe have been identified.

The two are part of the as yet-unsolved Calder Road murders, which involved the bodies of four young women found on a 25-acre patch of land about a mile from I-45, starting in 1983.

“Photos of the two recently identified murder victims will be featured in digital billboard messages that will be shown in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and El Paso,” LCPD spokesman K.R. Williamson

Both of their bodies were discovered not far from the remains of Heidi Fry, missing since Oct. 10, 1983 and found April 4, 1984, and Laura Miller, missing since Sept. 10, 1984 and found Feb. 2, 1986.

Details of the new campaign were announced May 14 in the Clear Lake Honda parking lot on the Gulf Freeway with Lt. Michael Buffington and Detectives Gina Vogel and Recie Tisdale joining Clear Channel Outdoor Vice President of Public Affairs Lee Vela answering questions at a press conference kicking off the statewide campaign to bring justice to these two murder victims.

Anyone with helpful information is asked to call the League City Police Cold Case tip line, 281-338-8220.

JUNE 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

41

[EDUCATION]

CCISD honors community partners, names its Volunteers of the Year

C CCISD Assistant Director of Marketing Eva deCardenas, left, and Stewart Elementary Principal Dr. Britani Moses, right, present Brandon Williams with the award for 2019 Elementary Volunteer of the Year. He is joined by his wife, Erin Williams, and daughters, Ally and Avery.

lear Creek ISD paid tribute to the many community partners and volunteers who were a big part of the success of its students and schools over the past year during a Texas-sized Volunteer and Partnership Roundup.

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital was named the Community Partner of the Year, Brandon Williams as the Elementary Volunteer of the Year and Tim Kropp as Secondary Volunteer of the Year.

As the special guests entered the Challenger Columbia Stadium fieldhouse, they were greeted by cattle and their student owners who are members of the CCISD FFA program and represented every chapter in the District. In keeping with the roundup theme of the morning, the Mossman Elementary second grade choir, directed by JoAnn Burke, sang and performed a musical medley of western selections, complete with square dancing to entertain the crowd.

“Our principals and other leaders you see in the room today know that our district – our campuses – would look very different today without your muscle, minds and monetary support,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Greg Smith said during opening remarks.

70TH YEAR

Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith, right, congratulates Houston Methodist Clear Lake Chief Executive Officer Dan Newman.

Houston Methodist Clear Lake, who was named the 2019 CCISD Community Partner of the Year.

Clear View High School senior Jade Brown, left, surprised Tim Kropp with the 2019 Secondary Volunteer of the Year Award. He is joined by his wife, Debbie Kropp, and Clear View High School Principal Monica Speaks, right.

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In a community impact report, Smith traced the history and growth of Clear Creek ISD in this, the District’s 70th anniversary year. He then stepped through the past year’s challenges and successes and directly tied volunteers and partners to many positive outcomes. Smith remembered the Santa Fe and Parkland tragedies and shared how the CCISD community supported the Santa Fe family and rallied around improved crisis prevention and preparedness.

“This effort drew together parents and students, law enforcement and legislators, rallying as one for the sake of student safety,” Smith said.

In announcing Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital as the Community Partner of the Year, Smith pointed out that in addition to the nearly 30 years of support of the District’s student athletes through the hospital’s athletic trainers and expertise, Houston Methodist has demonstrated a deep commitment to the mission and expansion of The Leader In Me program at CCISD schools.

“We wanted to deepen our existing partnerships with CCISD and we saw a way to do that through The Leader In Me program,” said Houston Methodist Clear Lake Chief Executive Officer, Dan Newman.“This program changes our community so we are very excited to be a part of something that is so transformative for our students and this community.”

TOP VOLUNTEERS

After announcing the Volunteer of the

Year at each campus, the District announced Brandon Williams from Stewart Elementary, and Tim Kropp from Clear View High School as the Elementary and Secondary Volunteers of the Year, respectively.

Williams was hailed for his commitment to support Stewart Elementary student safety over the past year’s significant renovations taking place on that campus.

In addition to serving as a Watch D.O.G.S. parent for several years, Williams saw the campus was in need of help during the construction phase and began coming to the school every morning before heading to work to help with student drop off in the car rider line. “His dedication and calm and supporting demeanor has been encouraging for the parents, our staff and students,” said Stewart Principal Dr. Britani Moses. “In fact, sometimes people think he is an employee at our school!”

A Space Center Rotarian, Kropp was described as someone who understands the value of service to the community and leadership development, especially for the students of Clear View High School. Kropp, a former high school Interact member himself, is the Interact Rotarian Sponsor for that campus. Interact clubs bring together Rotarians with young people to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self. The students of Clear View High School benefit immensely from Kropp’s caring involvement in other aspects of student life as well, from providing scholarships and paying for club t-shirts to collecting funds to help make prom memorable for students who may need a little help.

STUDENT GRATEFUL

Clear View High School senior, Jade Brown, made the surprise announcement in front of the crowd of more than 200. “It is because of Mr. Kropp that recently I was able to go to a student conference for NewGen Peacebuilders,” Brown said. “That two-day conference really impacted me. It made me realize that even though we come from different places and backgrounds, we can still work successfully towards a common goal.

Without him, I never would have gotten to experience that.”

The morning celebration concluded with Clear Creek Community Council (CCCC) of PTAs President Laura Varley, announcing the campus with the highest number of PTA members, Bauerschlag Elementary. Principal Kelly Chapman accepted the award on behalf of her campus. Varley also announced that the CCCC of PTAs had earned the Diamond Membership Award from the Texas PTA, which is achieved when 100% of a council’s PTAs experience an increase in membership.

The 2019 Volunteer and Partnership Breakfast was made possible by event sponsors Balfour, Photo Texas Photography and T-Shirt Trends.

Six CCISD elementary schools among 88 nationally recognized

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ix Clear Creek ISD elementary schools joined the ranks of Character.org’s highest distinction by being named 2019 National Schools of Character on May 10. Out of only 13 elementary schools in Houston and 88 schools nationwide, Bauerschlag, Goforth, McWhirter, Ross, Stewart and Weber elementary campuses now join the growing list of schools honored by the organization.

“The teachers and students have dedicated each day to becoming leaders of character, so we are extremely honored to be recognized as a National School of Character,” said Stewart Elementary Principal Dr. Britani Moses. “Together as a community of parents, volunteers, and teachers, we have committed to modeling and teaching our students how to live out each of the CCISD Core Values of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.”

Each year, Character.org certifies schools and districts at the state and national level that demonstrate a dedicated focus on character development, which has a positive effect on academic achievement,

student behavior, and school climate. Criteria for selection are based on Character.org’s 11 Principles of Effective Character, which include providing students with opportunities for moral action, fostering shared leadership, and engaging families and communities as partners in the character-building effort.

“The strong foundation of CCISD Core Values made a commendation like this possible,” said Ross Elementary Principal Kelly Mooney.

“This distinction is validation for the hard work Ross has focused on for the past four years, even when faced with hardships. Creating caring citizens is the cornerstone of what we do at Ross each day.”

Character.org is a national advocate and leader for character in communities including schools, families, workplaces, and sports.

Since the School of Character program’s inception, the process has impacted nearly 3 million students, staff, parents, and other community members.

These schools will be honored at the 2019 National Forum to be held Oct 24-27, 2019, in Washington, D.C.

JUNE 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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[HEALTHCARE]

Houston Methodist Clear Lake plans new medical office building

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ouston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital will begin construction soon on a six-story, 150,000-square-foot medical office building on land adjacent to its campus – the first phase in a multi-year expansion plan.

The $40 million medical office building will be home to Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Clear Lake as well as the hospital’s physical therapy facilities. The building’s upper floors will contain office and clinic space for physicians from a broad range of specialties.

“This is a significant milestone in our long-range expansion plans as we continue to grow to serve the Bay Area and surrounding communities,” said Houston Methodist Clear Lake CEO Dan Newman.

“Over the next five years, we plan to add 30 to 40 new physicians to our hospital campus – across multiple specialties – and the new medical office building gives us the physical footprint we need to accommodate that growth.”

The building will be constructed on land that previously was part of the Nassau Bay Shopping Village in the 1800 block of Upper Bay Road.

The hospital purchased that center in 2015.

Construction is expected to begin in August and the building will open in 2021.

“This is the first major facility expansion we are undertaking since the hospital became part of the

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital will begin construction soon on a six-story, 150,000-square-foot medical office building on land adjacent to its campus on NASA Pkwy. – the first phase in a multi-year expansion plan.

“As part of its phase one effort, the hospital also plans to demolish the existing Fuddruckers restaurant on NASA Parkway in Nassau Bay.” Houston Methodist system in 2014,” Newman said. “The strategic acquisition of the shopping center land in 2015 makes it possible for us to add facilities, bring in new physicians and expand our service offerings – today and in the future.”

As part of its phase one effort, the hospital also plans to demolish the existing Fuddruckers restaurant on NASA Parkway in Nassau Bay to make way for construction of a new, more visible entrance that will improve access. That project will also include enhanced signage to make it easier for patients and visitors to navigate the growing campus.

“We are already making plans for a second phase of construction that will include an expansion of the hospital itself,” said Newman. “It’s an exciting time for Houston Methodist Clear Lake.”

HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast welcomes first set of triplets First-time mom Juana Balderas Lozoya poses with each of her triplets – Jose, Luna, and Sol – in the NICU at HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast

57-year old Pasadena hospital marks major medical milestone with “1 in 1,000” delivery HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast, formerly Bayshore Medical Center, announced its first ever triplet delivery in April. The fraternal triplets, named Jose, Luna, and Sol, were born seconds apart by planned C-section (weighing in at three pounds; three pounds, five ounces; and two pounds, five ounces, respectively).

Dr. Owais Khan, medical director of neonatology for HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast, oversaw the team that performed the delivery. Dr. Khan, who has delivered twins, triplets and quadruplets throughout his career, stressed that while this was a

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first for the hospital, his team was well prepared for the occasion.

“Often times, infants who are multiples act more immature than their gestational age, so we have to take some extra steps to prepare our staff on what to expect during after the delivery,” said Khan.

In addition to Dr. Khan, the nine-person delivery team consisted of Obstetrics Specialist Dr. Amit Bansal, a nurse practitioner, three neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) resident nurses, and three neonatal respiratory therapists. Forming groups of three for each triplet, the team worked together in advance to test equipment and clarify each person’s role in providing quality care to the mother and infants.

The babies’ mother, Pasadena resident Juana Balderas Lozoya, is healthy and returned home from the hospital four days later. The triplets, delivered at just over 31 weeks of gestation, are also doing well and are recovering in HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast’s NICU where their mother may visit them often. This proximity to their home, Dr. Khan, explains, is key.

“It’s important for families and infants to be close to their homes, and I’m proud to provide quality care to premature and ill newborns in our local Southeast Houston community,” said Dr. Khan. “Support for the family is just as important as supporting the newborn, and being close to home alleviate stress from families, allows more frequent visitation, and facilitates bonding with each newborn.”

With a dedicated team of 24/7 obstetrics hospitalists and three offsite Women’s Care Centers throughout East Harris County, HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast is also one of just 58 level III NICUs in the state. This certification validates the hospital may safely care for newborn infants with different degrees of complexity and risk, including babies as young as 28 weeks.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, triplets and higher order births account for just 101.6 in 100,000, or a tenth of a percent, of live births.

The ITC fire in March could be seen from the entire city of Houston and beyond.

Garcia backs disaster probes

League City Regional Chamber of Commerce Board Director, Rolando Villarreal with Hilltop Securities and 2019 ATHENA Leadership Award recipient, Ashlea Quinonez, Memorial Hermann Health System.

Memorial Hermann executive presented 2019 Athena Award

By Mary Alys Cherry

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shlea Quinonez, Memorial Hermann Health System’s director of government relations, is the 2019 recipient of the League City Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Athena Leadership Award.

The presentation was made by last year’s winner, Clear Lake Shores Mayor Pro-tem Amanda Fenwick, at the annual Athena Leadership Luncheon, held at South Shore Harbour Resort. Jill Reason served as emcee.

The ATHENA Leadership Award was inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment -- qualities embodied in the Athena Leadership Model.

The award is unique in both scope -- local, national and international -and the Athena mission upon which it is based. The award is presented to a woman -- or man -- who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.

Introducing her to the crowd, the

emcee said “She demonstrates the qualities of excellence, creativity and initiative in every task she is associated with. Ashlea continually works for the better health of the community at large and to improve quality of life for all. She is heavily involved and committed on local, state and national levels on initiatives that impact all members of the community.

“Ashlea is a role model and mentor to all that come in contact with her. She informally mentors many women with her involvement in the Women Leaders of Memorial Hermann program and the Dress for Success Initiative. She has led the efforts for suits to be donated throughout the Memorial Hermann system to help women in the community who want to return to the work force dressed properly for job interviews. The “Send One Suit Drive” reached approximately 3,500 women in 2018 and in 2019 is slated to reach 4,000 women. This is in large part due to Ashlea’s efforts and partnerships across the City of Houston and surrounding areas.

“A fun fact about Ashlea is that she graduated from the FBI citizen’s academy a few years ago. “

In light of the Intercontinental Terminals Co. and KMCO incidents, County Commissioner Adrian Garcia voted to approve District Attorney’s Kim Ogg’s request for four prosecutors and four support staff to prosecute environmental crimes.

“The east side of Harris County has been long neglected, and it’s time we do more to protect residents of Precinct 2,” Garcia said. “I’ve always been a proponent of holding bad actors accountable. Not all companies are bad actors, but those who are doing illegal dumping or doing something worse that negatively impacts our air, land, and water will be held accountable.”

The move by this court to strengthen resources for the district attorney coupled with actions to revamp Harris County Pollution Control’s resources and direction sends a strong message to the region about where the county is when it comes to environmental protections and preparedness, he continued.

“I’m entrusting the district attorney’s team to do the job effectively and to use these resources appropriately,” Garcia added.The request from the District Attorney’s office comes shortly after they filed five environmental criminal charges against ITC, who could face up to $100,000 in fines for each of the charges.

Michael Hesse honored again

Michael W. Hesse of Texas Wealth Management on Egret Bay Boulevard in Nassau Bay has been named to Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors List for 2019, which includes all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The rankings are based on assets under management, firm revenue, regulatory record, quality of practice and philanthropic work. Hesse was ranked No. 80, out of 1,200.

Since 1982, Hesse said the mission of Texas Wealth Management has been to provide financial confidence for individuals, families and businesses by advising them with common sense, tax efficient and risk controlled approaches to wealth accumulation, management and preservation in a personalized and cost effective manner.

ExxonMobil OKs $2B expansion

ExxonMobil plans to proceed with a $2 billion investment to expand its Baytown chemical plant, which will create approximately 2,000 jobs during construction and contribute to the approximate 15 percent return the company expects from its chemical investments.

The Baytown expansion is in addition to the company’s 2017 Growing the Gulf initiative, which outlined plans to build and expand manufacturing facilities along the U.S. Gulf Coast, creating more than 45,000 high-paying jobs across the region.

“Our substantial investments in the United States support ExxonMobil’s long-term growth plans and will result in thousands more high-paying jobs,” said Darren W. Woods, ExxonMobil chairman and chief executive officer. “Through the billions of dollars that we’re investing in the Permian Basin to increase oil production and the expansion at our operations along the Gulf Coast, our company is making significant, lasting contributions to the U.S. economy and the many communities where we operate.”

JUNE 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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[BAY AREA HOUSTON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP]

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell, right, congratulates Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton for an outstanding speech at the BAHEP meeting.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake CEO Todd Caliva, left, stops for a quick photo with PBK Architects Principal Roy Montalbano at the BAHEP meeting at the Clear Lake Hilton.

Early arrivals at the BAHEP meeting featuring Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton included, from left, Derrick Brown of AcuTexas, Scott Short of Keystone Realty, Jack Click of AcuTexas, Eric Goins of CUFG and Rick Gierrero of eduPasadena.

Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton speaks of Texans’ Opportunity to Lead

By Kathryn Paradis

W

ithout the aid of PowerPoint or notes of any kind, not even a few words scribbled on his hands, Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton delivered a dynamic, passionate speech to members of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership during its General Membership Meeting at the Clear Lake Hilton.

He spoke about The Opportunity to Lead, but his speech was about much more than leadership. First, however, it would be good to know a little of Sitton’s background. He is a mechanical engineering graduate of Texas A&M University. Elected Texas Railroad Commissioner on Nov. 4, 2014, to a six-year term, Sitton is the first engineer to serve as Railroad Commissioner in more than 50 years.

In 2015, he was named one of the 40 most influential leaders under 40 in the Houston area. With nearly 20 years of experience in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, Sitton is considered a leader in his field. He, no doubt, knows a little something about leadership.

He began by speaking of the tradition of the Aggie Muster, which he had attended the previous evening.

He said that Aggies learn from the first day on campus about the importance of believing in something more important than themselves.

“The thing that makes Aggie Muster such a special tradition for us is that it is one of those examples that show how we as a society recognize service,” Sitton said. He later spoke of his own three children who are 10, 13 and 15 years old. He asked, “In the world that we live in today, at what point in our kids’ lives do they begin

Pretty faces in the crowd at the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership meeting at the Clear Lake Hilton included those of, from left, Malia Morse and Janet Coan of Express Employment and Lisa Barth of Amegy Bank.

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to learn the lesson that if you want to be successful in this world, you’ve got to make it about people other than yourself? What is it about your life that will echo beyond yourself?”

“When I talk about the opportunity to lead, it always starts with the opportunity to serve.” He explained that this is an historical point in time for Texas saying, “This state produces nearly 5 million barrels of crude oil per day, which is 5 percent of the world’s crude. Texas produces about 24 or 25 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas. That’s close to 5 percent of the world’s natural gas. We refine along the Gulf Coast a little over 6 million barrels per day of crude oil. That’s 6 percent of the world’s refining capacity. Out of the Port of Corpus Christi, we export more crude oil than all of the other U.S. ports combined. We have over 30,000 miles of pipeline in the state. In the

last five years, Texas has gone from a strong energy player to arguably the most dominant force on the planet.

Energy requires massive industries to produce it effectively, and the State of Texas does it better than any other place on Earth.”

Sitton went on to ask, “Now, what do we do with that? We talk about the opportunity to lead, and opportunities come in a lot of different ways.

We in Texas have the opportunity to leverage this position in energy like we haven’t done in a generation. We are changing the landscape in the world. The question is what do we do with that? How do we capitalize on that opportunity?”He said that the world is hungry for affordable, reliable energy that is produced safely, and Texas can provide that better than anyone else.

Ernest Sanchez, Jerry Roth and Clyde Hart, from left, await the start of the BAHEP meeting.

Attorney Joe Barlow says hello to Bay Area Houston Ballet Executive Director Jill Reason at BAHEP meeting.

JUNE 2019 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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LyondellBasell plant turns 50

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yondellBasell’s Bayport Complex in Pasadena is celebrating 50 years of operation at its propylene oxide plant and provided an update on its role in the company’s most significant capital project to date, the construction of the largest propylene oxide (PO), tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) plant in the world.

“Today we are proud to celebrate a half century of operations, and our talented and dedicated colleagues who laid the foundation for our success,” said LyondellBasell Bayport Complex Site Manager Stephen Goff.

“We continue to be propelled by the support of our neighbors, our values, and the generations of employees who came before us.”

In addition to the recent 50th anniversary ceremony, the complex marked the milestone by furthering the company’s support of advancing education with a donation of books to La Porte ISD’s Bayshore Elementary School through The Astros Foundation Literacy Bus Program and a donation of books and backpacks to Dickinson ISD’s Kenneth E. Little Elementary School through the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s My Home Library Program. Bayport also announced plans for employees to partner with Trees for Houston to plant 50 trees in the local community in honor of 50 years of operations.

NEXT CHAPTER The LyondellBasell PO plant was a first of its kind when it was constructed in 1969 near the Houston Ship Channel, using new tertiary butyl hydro peroxide process technology to produce PO. It was designed to meet increased demand for PO in the 1970s. Bayport was selected as the site for the plant due to its close proximity to feedstock and existing pipelines, which are the same reasons the Bayport Complex will be making history yet again.

LyondellBasell is constructing the largest propylene oxide (PO) and tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) plant in the world and Bayport is playing a key role in this project.

“The Bayport Complex has a rich history and is pivotal to our

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company’s strategic growth along the Gulf Coast,” said LyondellBasell CEO Bob Patel. “In Texas, bigger is often better. For us, this facility marks a new chapter for LyondellBasell and demonstrates our commitment to continued growth and delivering on our commitments.”

PO is used in the manufacture of bedding, furniture, carpeting, coatings, building materials and adhesives, while TBA will be converted to two ether-based oxyfuels, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE). Both MTBE and ETBE are high-octane gasoline components that help gasoline burn cleaner and reduce emissions from automobiles.

The PO/TBA plant will have a split facility design to optimize product balances and realize synergies between two LyondellBasell sites.

The 140-acre PO/TBA plant is being built at the LyondellBasell Channelview Complex located in Channelview, Texas, while an associated 34-acre ethers unit, which will convert TBA to oxyfuels, is being constructed at the Bayport Complex in Pasadena. The PO/TBA plant is scheduled for startup in 2021 and is estimated to cost $2.4 billion, the company’s most significant capital investment to date.

PLANT HISTORY The Bayport Complex PO plant traces its origin to Oxirane Chemical Company, a joint venture between subsidiaries of Atlantic Richfield Company and Halcon International Inc. After ownership changes over the years, the plant became part of LyondellBasell’s asset portfolio when Lyondell and Basell merged in 2007.

The complex, which manufactures materials used in paints and coatings, food packaging and home furnishings, generates approximately $530 million in annual economic activity for the local community and is home to 1,150 workers.

Two other plants, in addition to the PO plant, are situated at the 880-acre LyondellBasell Bayport Complex.

Those plants include a polymers plant, which began operations in 1974 and an ethylene oxide plant, which began operations in 1981.

Alvin ISD selects superintendent

Carol Nelson has been named superintendent of Alvin ISD to replace Buck Gilcrease, who is retiring after five years in the post.

Nelson, formerly the associate superintendent of human resources, has been with the district for 23 years, filling a variety of posts. Her salary will be $228,000 annually.

AISD plans to open two new elementary schools this fall, and begin rebuilding and expanding another. It also will add a fourth high school and an eighth junior high in 2022.

Police nab four outside Best Buy

Four people have been arrested by the League City Police as they worked to stop recent burglaries at Best Buy stores across Texas, including the League City location on the Gulf Freeway.

There have been nearly 50 nighttime burglaries at Best Buys, resulting in a loss of over $1 million to the company, League City Police spokesman Kelly Williamson said. The burglaries were all similar in that suspects broke out the front windows or would pry open doors to gain entry.

The primary target was Apple products.

On May 3, officers were in the vicinity of Best Buy conducting covert surveillance when at 2:09 a.m., they determined an attempted break-in was occurring at Best Buy. Officers arrived as a white passenger vehicle pulled out of the parking lot adjacent to Best Buy. The vehicle did not have its headlights on and none of the occupants were wearing seat belts.

The driver was identified as Terry Robinson, 22, of Houston. He was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and engaging in organized criminal activity. His bond is set at $130,000, police said.

Kendrick Hall and Wesley Mourland, both 19 and from Houston, were charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and have bonds set at $80,000. A male juvenile with them was also charged with engaging in organized criminal activity. Hall, Mourland and the juvenile matched the description of the suspects from the surveillance intelligence, police said. All four were taken to the League City jail, Williamson said.

reimbursement program is available to people at any income level. Maximum assistance ranges from $20,000 to $80,000 per household, depending on income.

Martin reminds residents to check with friends and relatives who had Harvey damage to make sure they’ve taken the first steps to getting help by taking the Harvey Recovery Survey.

Get started by calling 832-393-0550 or go to recovery.houstontx.gov/survey Contact the District E office after completion so the District E team may monitor and assist throughout the process.

Truck is prize in Friendwood

The Friendswood Chamber of Commerce is once again giving away a 2019 Ford pickup truck on Thursday, July 4, at 9 p.m. in Friendswood’s Centennial Park.

Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the Chamber office located at 1100 S. Friendswood Drive, FM 518 or by calling the chamber, 281-482-3329, or by email at info@ friendswoodchamber.com Chamber President Carol Ives Marcantel said.

Woman, 27, killed in crash on SH 146

A 27-year-old woman died Friday, April 26 when her northbound 1999 silver Honda CRV ran head-on into a southbound 2017 brown Chevrolet Silverado at approximately 5:26 p.m., in the 900 block of State Highway 146 in Seabrook – shutting down the highway in both directions.

Subsequently a 2006 blue Honda Pilot, also traveling southbound, rear ended the Silverado, Seabrook Police said.

The female driver of the CRV, identified as Jaime Cooper, died at the scene, and the drivers of the Silverado and Pilot were transported by Clear Lake Medical Corps to HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Hospital. There were no other occupants in the vehicles involved in the accident.

The accident shut down SH 146 in both directions between NASA Parkway in Seabrook and FM 2094 in Kemah to allow first responders access to the scene.

Help available for flood victims

If your home was damaged during Hurricane Harvey, it’s time to check out the City of Houston’s recovery programs, Councilman Dave Martin reports.

Programs are available to reimburse homeowners for money they already spent, or to help people work with an existing contractor or a City contractor to complete repairs. The

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Seawall parking gets more costly

Next time you want to park on the Galveston Seawall, be prepared to pay more.

Galveston voters on May 4 overwhelmingly approved doubling the hourly seawall parking fee to $2 an hour.

All area propositions pass in ‘pitiful’ voting on May 4

By Mary Alys Cherry Voters in League City and Pearland passed their bond proposals to improve both their city streets, drainage and transportation while two well known incumbents lost their seats during the May 4 elections.

The turnout could be described as “pitiful.”

League City voters overwhelmingly approved two propositions authorizing the expenditure of $145 million to improve traffic and Hurricane Harvey drainage issues and then gave their OK to raise the city tax rate .25 percent to the state’s maximum rate of 8.25 cents to offset the bonds’ impact on the property tax rate.

Some $33 million of the bond funds will be used to extend Landing Boulevard from FM 518 to the Gulf Freeway.

PEARLAND BONDS OK’D Pearland voters gave their approval to five bond propositions for about $80 million for road expansion, drainage projects, a new animal shelter, fire department training and parks and recreation.

The propositions will raise the city tax rate by 3.75 cents.

Meanwhile the day was not so happy for Kemah Mayor Carl Joiner, who lost to Terri Gale, and Clear Creek ISD Trustee Ann Hammond, who lost to Scott Bowen.

Several cities had no election as incumbents up for election drew no opposition.

3 IN DICKINSON Dickinson voters had three elections. One involved the Dickinson ISD District 4 seat, won

by Dawn King. Another was the Position 4 and 6 seats on City Council. William H. King III went home the winner of the Position 6 race while the winner of the Position 4 seat will be decided in a runoff between the two top vote getters, Sean Skipworth and Bruce Henderson, who beat Kevin D. Edmonds. Skipworth received 48.79% of the vote with Henderson getting 41.83%.

Dickinson voters also passed Proposition A, which reauthorized the city’s quarter of a cent tax used to keep up roads.

OTHER CITIES In Clear Lake Shores, Jan Bailey and Christy Lyons were re-elected to their City Council, while in Friendswood Brent Erenwert was elected to the Position 6 seat on his City Council and Robin Collins won re-election to her Position 4 seat in Kemah. Deer Park City Council Positions 1 and 2 were won by Sherry Garrison and T.J Haight, respectively.

Pasadena City Council winners were: Position A -- Ornaldo Ybarra; B – Bruce Leamon; C – Don Harrison; D – Sammy Casados; E – Cody Ray Wheeler; F – Phil Cayten; G – Cary Bass; and H – Thomas Schoenbein Pasadena ISD winners included Vickie Morgan, Position 7 and Marshall Kendrick for Position 6 with the two top vote getters for Position 5 –Jose Cazares and Kenny Fernandez -- headed to a runoff after edging out Chad Sullivan.