Bay Area Houston Magazine January 2017

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January 2017 BayAreaHoustonMag.com

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AREA HOLIDAY PARTY PHOTOS

A Success Story of Giving and Growing

CHRYSLER PACIFICA & KIA CADENZA MEMORIAL HERMANN SE MARKS 30 YEARS

SOUTH SHORE GRILLE IS GULF COAST CUISINE AT ITS BEST!

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reat food, great service

and a comfortable atmosphere make South Shore Grille one of the most popular restaurants in the area. Long time Bay Area Houston resident and restaurant owner, Mickey Wooten, has created the perfect upscale neighborhood venue for dining with family and friends.

The extensive lunch and dinner

menus have something to please every palate. There are many new dishes and lots of old favorites.

Choices include numerous appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, seafood, steaks, and of course, desserts. Many lunch dishes are priced at $10 or less and are served in a timely manner.

Saturday brunch features Eggs

Benedict, omelets and a special South Shore Grille BLT with egg, avocado and grilled onions. Customers can dine at the bar, in the charming dining room or in nice weather on the outdoor patio.

Daily after 5 p.m. dinner specials include Fried Shrimp on Mondays, Prime Rib on Tuesdays, Lasagna on Wednesdays, Fish Tacos on Thursdays, Catfish on Fridays and Baby Back Ribs on Saturdays.

Mickey supports many charitable causes and sits on the board for the Clear Creek Education Foundation.

South Shore Grille began the annual “Dine out To Donate” fund raiser,

which helps support the foundation.

Mickey also gives to CCISD scholarships.

There is no better place to indulge your appetite. So the next time you go out to eat, make your destination South Shore Grille and enjoy a great lunch, dinner or Saturday brunch. To add to your enjoyment, you can shop at the adjoining gift shop, Home by Eagles’ Nest.

The restaurant is located in League City at 2800 Marina Bay Drive. For reservations call 281-334-7700, and for more information about the restaurant visit www.soshoregrille.com.

JANUARY 2017

features

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ON THE COVER Roberts Wealth Management owners, Summer Roberts and Paul Roberts, Jr. celebrate another successful year.

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President & Chairman Rick Clapp Publisher & Editor in Chief Mary Alys Cherry Executive Vice President Patty Kane Vice President & Creative Director Brandon Rowan Graphic Designer Kelly Groce Sales & Marketing Debbie Salisbury

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Editorial Don Armstrong Mary Alys Cherry Rod Evans Michael Gos Capt. Joe Kent Betha Merit

Administration Lillian Harmon Tammy Lipsey

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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.

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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Texas Bathroom Bill | Americanism

On My Mind

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Teeth in a day 18 years later

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By Pastor Brad Heintz

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JSC, BAHEP, UHCL, and area chambers

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A success story of giving and growing

Dental Health In God We Trust?

Bay Area Houston Celebrates the Holidays Roberts Wealth Management

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Breakfast with the Sugar Plum Fairy Hosted by the Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre

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Hospital marking its 30th anniversary

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Find life’s turning points

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Astronaut to discuss mission’s significance

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Marines at grand opening of Signatures

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League City taps John Baumgartner

Memorial Hermann Southeast Dishin’ It Out Apollo 7 Astronaut Speaks BAHM Holiday Party News Nuggets

columns

Photography Mary Alys Cherry Brian Stewart Distribution Shinkle Distribution

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2017

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Clear Lake Chatter What fun it is to party everyday!

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What’s in a name?

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New rides for a new year

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A really cool holiday luncheon

Texas Meditations In Wheel Time Lakewood Yacht Club News and Events

Texas doesn’t need any Bathroom Bill

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s Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick prepares for the upcoming legislative session, we were somewhat astounded at his list of priorities.

Whereas Texas ranks nearly last in the country in education, healthcare and a number of issues, there is nothing to help improve our roads and bridges or our schools, help colleges deal with rising costs that are leaving so many students graduating with mountains of debt and no mention of helping the poor with their housing or healthcare.

The lieutenant governor, who has handled his job well up until now, is filing bills on the State Budget, which is required by law, Fetal Tissue/ Partial Birth Abortion, Sanctuary Cities, Inappropriate TeacherStudent Relationships, Photo Voter ID, School Choice, Hailstorm Lawsuit Reform, Spending Cap and, Senate Bill 6, which he calls the Women’s Privacy Act, but is better known as the Bathroom Bill.

We would hope he might have the good sense to drop the Bathroom Bill. It is not needed. Perhaps he

has never seen the inside of a ladies restroom, but we have stalls that offer all the privacy one needs. You walk in, close the door to the stall and lock it.

I have been using women’s public restrooms for about 60 years in dozens of towns and cities all over the country. Never once have I ever seen a man in one of these restrooms, and on talking with a number of women in recent years, no one I know has ever felt their privacy was violated. And, there already are laws against men entering women’s restrooms.

Certainly if some crazy nut wanted to go into the ladies restroom, no law is going to stop him, just as laws against murder don’t stop the killings.

So, besides the lack of a need for such a law, it will only bring financial misery to the State of Texas, just as a Bathroom Bill did in North Carolina, where the backlash was swift. Corporations canceled expansions in the state, scrapping jobs they would have offered.

Sports took the biggest hit in North Carolina with the NCAA

moving the 2017 Final Four college basketball championship tournament and the NBA moving its 2017 All-Star Game out of the state – a loss of an estimated $200 million because of the Bathroom Bill.

Then, the NCAA pulled first and second rounds of the Division I Basketball Championship – often called the Road to the Final Four – plus six other tournaments and championships.

The Atlantic Coast Conference moved its 2016 Football Championship to Orlando, Fla., from Charlotte, which was much closer to the contenders, Virginia Tech and Clemson, and the state also lost all ACC division neutral-site championships.

Several companies, including PayPal and Deutsche Bank, planning to expand their businesses in North Carolina, went elsewhere. Musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr and Itzhak Perlman canceled their North Carolina shows. The loss of the NBA All-Star Game alone cost Charlotte $285 million and 1,300 jobs. In all, an estimated $2 billion in business.

The New York Times said the state could also lose billions of dollars in federal funding for schools, highways and housing.

For Texas, a bathroom bill could prove even more costly. The Texas Association of Business warns that the state could lose up to $8.5 billion and 185,000 jobs.

But that’s not the end of the story, and Dan Patrick might be wise to take note: the folks up in the Tar Heel state got fed up with it all and tossed the Republican governor out of office when he ran for reelection Nov. 8.

We certainly don’t need this in Texas.

Mary Alys Cherry, Editor Bay Area Houston Magazine

Don’t make Americanism something of the past “One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. “ “In God We Trust.”

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hese words were written by our forefathers

many years ago. These phrases are a part of our Americanism which separates us from the rest of the world. By God, we should not lose it. Furthermore, we do our daily monetary transactions “In God We Trust.”

Why is the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer time taken out of our schools?

Our country was founded by three major principles: freedom, order and justice. As Americans we are free to do anything that is legal and follows an order. Then we have a justice system that at times seems unjust but is the best in the world. However, we are slowly losing many of our freedoms. The order and justice system is becoming more enforcing.

A country that is too secure is a country with less freedom.

We wonder why politicians are pro-immigration. It is simply to buy votes. It has been done for decades.

If we are the party that lets the borders down and has unlimited entry by hundreds and thousands of people from countries we are at war with, guess which party they vote for.

Employing a selective immigration would work. Those that can support themselves and a family for a minimum of two years; professionals, people who have a talent that there is a need for; bright students and people that are suffering a particular hardship.

They must all be willing to work and legally apply for citizenship. If they fit the criteria, then welcome to the greatest country, “The Land of Opportunity.” Let’s not sell America cheap.

Other countries in the world are very strict and careful about who immigrates into their country.

Countries such as Switzerland, Japan, China and Korea. Many of these countries have been around longer than America. Why don’t we look at these countries and implement what they do right? If these countries allow immigration, it is to fill a serious need. They must have financial means, and they do

not let the people that may cause trouble filter into their country.

It is great that our country is known all over the world for being creative innovators and leaders in industry. That did not happen overnight. It took generations of talent, discernment, education, trial and error, sacrifice, government’s laissez faire policies and our ability to get along with our allies and other countries in trade and commerce.

Change and immigration is wonderful, but if you have owned or built a successful business, you know the right time to grow and when to pull back and slow things down.

Furthermore, if your new ideas and programs are not working, you know to reflect on your past. Like they say “sometimes you just need to take two steps back to get a step ahead.” If the screen door is not broken, then do not fix it. New ideas and innovations require more money out of your business, resources or bank. It may not be the right time.

Timing is everything. Success begins with going out and finding what your elite customers want and fulfilling their wants and needs.

It is time that we put God back into our country, government and business. Also, we should regulate our immigration, if we value America. We should place a high value and price tag on it. Many have sacrificed, suffered and paid the ultimate price for America.

We need all of our politicians to act like sales managers. Get out of their offices and visit the people and businesses and find out what their wants and needs are – not just what their political party wants. Needless to say, politicians should be working for us, not vice versa.

Finally, let’s do not sell this “Greatest Country” cheap.

It has a higher price tag paid by many.

To be an American is something special!

Rick Clapp, President Bay Group Media

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2017

DENTAL HEALTH

“It has become a premium option for people who are in danger of losing all their teeth and considering dentures.”

‘Teeth in a Day’ 18 years later

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ental Implants continue to make headway and change lives as they evolve to completely replace natural teeth.

They have come a long way from their humble beginnings when only a select few pioneering oral surgeons made history by surgically inserting and fixating titanium rods to human jawbone and used them as foundation for artificial teeth that act and feel like natural teeth.

The process that was accidentally discovered by Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark in the 1950s ultimately led to development of the technique known as ALL-On-4. In 1998 Dr. Paulo Malo successfully treated the first patient with a technique he later called the All-on-4® concept.

While the technique had some definite advantages for people who suffered from weak teeth all their lives, it also pushed the boundaries of biological integration to new territories.

It contradicted one of the most fundamental “bone to titanium” integration that requires complete immobility during the initial healing phase. It also drew criticism from many traditional surgeons (such as myself) for

its aggressive bone reduction requirements.

Many professionals and consumer watchdogs warned that the most expensive piece of ALLON-4 treatment is an individually customized one piece prosthetic that fixates to four equally distributed dental implants that are positioned on an angle to avoid vital landmarks such as maxillary sinus and jaw nerves.

Other professionals believed tilted position of dental implants causes uneven force distribution on the jawbone. Bio-physics tells us uneven load distribution can cause bone loss on areas receiving the largest portion of the force over time, therefore undermining stability and health of tilted dental implants prematurely.

Many dental surgeons (including myself) questioned longevity of this invasive and pricy treatment. Scientific literature predicted tilted positioned dental implants will eventually fail. Failure of even one single implant out of four, will lead to failure of the entire unit and requires repair or replacement of the failed dental implant as well as the customized prosthesis bridge that is the most expensive piece of the treatment.

Accessibility for oral hygiene

was also questioned since the dental implants in this technique are a barrier under the prosthesis and hard to clean. The annual maintenance trips to dentist can also be significantly more (300 to 400 percent) than the traditional teeth cleaning.

As above concerns kept many experienced dental surgeons at bay, other surgeons endorsed the technique for its simplicity and relatively easier than traditional techniques that often required surgical site preparation and guided bone and tissue regeneration. It was easier, faster and most importantly, people loved it.

Slowly but surely ALL-ON-4 gained clinical history. Now, 18 years later, this relatively simple surgical technique has continued to turn unbelievers such as myself into believers. It has defied conventional science and has certainly pushed the envelope of what is possible in medicine. Most ALL-ON-4 or Teeth in a Day placed nearly two decades ago are still functioning.

Along the way, this ALL-ON-4 technique improved as it evolved.

It is now common to place 6 dental implants, as opposed to 4, to better distribute the jaw forces and to avoid replacing the premium bridge in case a single implant fails. The design of the prosthesis has also been improved to avoid food and plaque accumulation under the Bridge.

Today, ALL-ON-4 or “Teeth in a day” technique is improved and time tested. It is not perfect and certainly not for everyone.

But, it has become a premium option for people who are in danger of losing all their teeth and considering dentures. To learn more about “Teeth in a day” treatment option, feel free to contact our office at 281-332-4700 for a complimentary CT-Scan and analysis, as well as personal consultation by me to find out if this treatment option is right for you.

Dr. Noie has been in private practice in the Bay Area since 1996. He is a Diplomate of Int’l Congress of Oral Implantologists, Fellow of Academy of General Dentistry, and Assoc. Fellow of American Academy of Implant Dentistry. He has completed his surgical training at New York University as well as Medical University of South Carolina, Temple University, and Wright state University School of Medicine. He completed his oral Anesthesiology training at University of Alabama in Birmingham.

He is a member of American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

JANUARY 2017 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Movers &Shakers Name: Vince Ryan Occupation: Harris County Attorney Hometown: Clear Lake Shores Current home: Houston Family: Wife – Pam; twin sons – Andrew and Reed, 21; Colin, 12 My favorite writer is: Ernest Hemingway

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

As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be: A great tennis player

My favorite performers are: The Beatles

You’ll never catch me: Doing anything wrong – at least while I’m in public office

I like to spend my leisure time: Reading, taking long walks If I could travel any place, I’d go to: Panama My favorite meal is: Red grapes

Someone I’d like to meet: Donald Trump

In God We Trust?

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s we begin a new year

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My favorite movie is: Gone With the Wind Few people know: That I am an award winning fiction writer

He went on to explain, “And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him. Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, and I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God’s way of starting a conversation with me. I am blessed that God is patient and pennies are plentiful!”

By Pastor Brad Heintz making New Year resolutions and even inaugurating a new president, a question comes to mind. Is it time to stop overlooking a few things? For example, do you ever see a penny on the ground and just walk by it because it is just a penny? At face value it doesn’t seem worth much or does it? I used to think that a penny was only a penny until I heard a story that changed my mind completely. Here’s how the story goes: Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband’s employer’s home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the upcoming weekend. The boss was wealthy with a fine home on the waterway and cars costing more than her house. The first day and evening went well.

Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband’s employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so she was enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her

The thing that bugs me the most is: People not listening

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“ For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold.” husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long silent moment. Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him.

There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny. He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. “How absurd,” Arlene thought to herself, “what need did this man have for a single penny?

Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?”

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2017

collection and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value. A smile crept across the man’s face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before, she thought to herself, what was the point of this? “Look at it,” he said, “read what it says.”

She read the words, “United States of America.”

“No, not that,” he exclaimed, “read further.”

She asked, “One cent?”

“No, keep reading,” he said.

Arlene then read, “In God we Trust?”

“Yes!” he said excitedly.

Arlene questioned with intrigue.

I was prayer walking recently through the streets of Seabrook, asking God to bless each household and to help heal our land. I was asking Him, what do you want us to do? At that very moment I looked down and saw a penny! On that penny was God’s answer. He wants us to put our trust in Him as an individual, a household, a community and a country.

So the next time you are out and about and you see a penny… pick it up and may your response be to put your trust in Him. And then drop that penny in the mail to the elected leader of your choice. They may need the reminder as much as we do, “In God We Trust.”

Pastor Brad Heintz is the founding pastor of Living Word Church in Seabrook, a vibrant family-style nondenominational gathering of believers who take a pure, simple and real approach to faith and life.

Johnson Space Center

DIRECTOR’S Holiday Reception Dec. 9, 2016 Johnson Space Center Photography by Mary Alys Cherry Barrios Technology President Robert McAfoos and his wife, Victoria Edgington, left, talk with Jacobs Engineering CEO Lon Miller and Caraway Associates CEO Kippy Caraway during the Johnson Space Center Director’s Holiday Reception.

Jeff Siders, left, of Orbital ATK visits with Jose Garcia of NASA Procurement and his wife, Elda, during the JSC Director’s Holiday Reception at the space center.

Bastion Technologies Chief Operating Officer Dr. Jayant Ramakrishnan, right, chats with Raytheon Houston Operations Manager Randal Lindner and his wife, Karen, at the JSC Holiday Reception.

Clear Lake Area Chamber President Cindy Harreld DeWease and her husband, Jeff DeWease, left, walk into the JSC Director’s Holiday Reception and find themselves in the company of La Porte Mayor Louis Rigby and his wife, Marlene.

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2017

Taylor Lake Village Mayor Jon Kenney and his wife, Lynn, enjoy refreshments at the Johnson Space Center Director’s Holiday Reception.

Johnson Space Center Director Dr. Ellen Ochoa smiles with delight as JSC Deputy Director Mark Geyer gets everyone’s attention at the JSC Holiday Reception in his eye-catching coat of many colors.

NASA Chief Scientist Robert Savely, right, stops to visit with Steve Stich, who’s with NASA Commercial Crew, and his wife, Sherry Stich of Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies.

MRI Technologies Executive Vice President Tim Kropp, right, joins Steve Labbe, acting NASA Engineering Division chief, and his wife, Mary, at the JSC Director’s Holiday Reception.

B A H E P

HOLIDAY

Party Dec. 8, 2016 Lakewood Yacht Club Photography by Mary Alys Cherry GB Tech owners Jean and Gale Burkett join the crowd at the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Holiday Party.

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell, third from left, welcomes, from left, State Rep. Dr. Greg Bonnen, Pasadena Mayor Johnny Isbell and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Charles W. McClain Jr., external relations officer at Texas A&M-Galveston, to BAHEP’s annual Holiday Party at Lakewood Yacht Club.

Three Bay Area mayors – Glenn Royal of Seabrook, Carl Joiner of Kemah and Michel Bechtel of Morgan’s Point, from left -- probably had only one thing on their minds as they talked with Texas A&M Galveston Executive Professor, Col. Len Waterworth, right, at the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Holiday Party -- the proposed Coastal Spine to protect the area from hurricane storm surge.

Wasn’t difficult to figure out the topic of conversation with this aerospace trio at the BAHEP Holiday Party. They are, from left, NASA Alumni League Vice President Denny Holt, NASA External Relations Director Mike Kincaid and Leidos Program Director Rich Jackson.

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Webster City Manager Wayne Sabo, left, stops to chat with Chris Conn of Keels and Wheels and BB&T Vice President Brandon Gerlach at the BAHEP Holiday Party at Lakewood Yacht Club.

Houston City Councilman Dave Martin joins his staffers at the BAHEP Holiday Party at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook.

They are, from left, Jordan McGinty, Katherine Cunningham and Chief of Staff Lauren Laake.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2017

Educators in the BAHEP Holiday Party crowd included Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith and San Jacinto College Vice Chancellor Teri Crawford.

Faces in the happy crowd at the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership at Lakewood Yacht Club included those of, from left, Gene Hollier, Emmeline Dodd, Debbie Salisbury and Rick Clapp.

U H C L

HOLIDAY

Party Dec. 7, 2016 Bay Oaks Country Club Photography by Mary Alys Cherry

UH-Clear Lake President Bill Staples and his wife, Darlene, center, welcome two Bay Area legislators to the university’s annual Holiday Reception at Bay Oaks Country Club – State Reps. Dennis Paul of Clear Lake, left, and Ed Thompson of Pearland.

Alan and Peg Hill, left, and Marilyn and Charles Sims enjoy the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s annual Holiday Reception hosted by UHCL President Bill Staples and his wife, Darlene, at Bay Oaks Country Club in Clear Lake.

Rob and Karen Barbier look over the crowd as the UH-Clear Lake Holiday Reception gets underway at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Retired aerospace executive Glynn Lunney, left, stops to talk with Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell, center, and banker Paul Maaz during the UHCL Holiday Reception.

Kelly Waterman, State Rep. Dennis Paul and Wendell Wilson, from left, were among the many attending the University of Houston-Clear Lake Holiday Reception at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Mary Ann Shallberg, Theresa Presswood, Becky Reitz and Rhonda Thompson, from left, share a light moment as they celebrate the season at the UH-Clear Lake’s annual Holiday Reception at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Sue and Chuck Fellman join the crowd at the UHCL annual Holiday Reception at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Ken and Nedra Gurry, left, are happy to see Marilyn Lunney as they arrive at Bay Oaks Country Club for the University of Houston-Clear Lake Holiday Reception.

JANUARY 2017 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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CLEAR LAKE AREA CHAMBER

HOLIDAY

OPEN HOUSE Dec. 15, 2016 Photography by Mary Alys Cherry Peyton Waldrop, left, Clear Lake Area Chamber membership director, gets a Christmas hug from Sloan Sweeney as they run into each other at the chamber holiday reception.

Laurie and Wayne Rutledge, owners of Rutledge Commercial Real Estate, check the weather outside at the Chamber party.

Chamber Communications Specialist Stephanie Tanner, right, welcomes Kelsey Richardson, left, and Sara Martin to the Clear Lake Chamber’s Holiday Party.

Long-time Chamber member Bob Taylor, left, who is always active in the Christmas Boat Parade, talks a little history with Kemah Mayor Carl Joiner and his wife, Colene, and Chamber Division Chairman Jonathan Cottrell of Martha Turner Sotherby’s International Realty.

Chamber President Cindy Harreld DeWease, right, with two former chamber chairmen – Roy Green of South Shore Harbour Resort and Sharon Proulx of Hope Village.

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Harriet Lukee of BAHEP makes her way around the room at the Chamber Holiday Party, bumping into, from left, Glenn Ellis of Jacobs Engineering, Jamieson McKay of the Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union and Brian Freedman of Boeing Space Exploration.

Former Seabrook Mayor Jack Fryday and his wife, Marcy, right, catch up on Olive Murphy Riker’s news during the Clear Lake Area Chamber Holiday Party.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2017

Chamber Vice President Shari Sweeney, left, is happy to see Nancy Buffaloe at the chamber Holiday Reception, held in the chamber offices.

LEAGUE CITY REGIONAL CHAMBER

HOLIDAY RECEPTION Dec. 13, 2016 Photography by Mary Alys Cherry

John Collins, left, arrives at the League City Regional Chamber Holiday Reception, held outdoors on the patio behind the chamber office, stopping to say hello to, from left, Janice Hallisey, Mark Rush and John Baumann as they all enjoyed the balmy weather.

Faces in the crowd at the League City Regional Chamber Holiday Reception included, from left, Rita Cunningham, Rebecca Lilley, and Darrell and Fay Picard.

New League City Councilman Larry Millican, right, talks with Galveston County Commissioner Ken Clark during the League City Regional Chamber Holiday Reception.

Patricia Donham, left, shares a light moment with Carolann Peters during the League City Regional Chamber Holiday Reception.

League City Regional Chamber President Steve Paterson, left, and his wife, Debbie, along with Danny Bly, marvel at the nice weather Mother Nature presented for the chamber’s annual Holiday Reception.

Three well known area residents chat it up during the League City Chamber Holiday Reception. They are, from left, BAHEP’s Dan Seal, Communities in Schools-Bay Area’s Dr. Peter Wuenschel and economic development consultant Tom Linklater.

Jane McFaddin, center, the League City Chamber’s operations director, visits with Past Chairman Bonnie Lem, left, and realtor Laura Jardine during the holiday party.

Mary Ellen Arledge, Carla Medlenka, Capt. Dave Davis and Maurine Howard, from left, were among the many who helped the League City Regional Chamber celebrate the season.

JANUARY 2017 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Paul Roberts, Jr.

Summer Roberts

ROBERTS WEALTH MANAGEMENT A

S U C C E S S

S T O R Y

O F

GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY With success comes a responsibility to give back to the community that has supported you. Roberts Wealth Management owners, Paul Roberts and Summer Roberts understand that commitment. They support the Make a Wish Foundation and at Christmas, collect toys from their many clients, then match the toys donated, and give them to Bay Area Turning Point.

They also donate to Bay Area Pet Adoptions, a shelter and adoption organization in San Leon.

WHAT MAKES US GROW “The Roberts philosophy is one of consistency and works to our clients benefit”, says Paul. The Roberts Wealth Management office has doubled in growth every year since expanding to their League City location. There are many reasons for this success and one of the most important is the high rate of referrals from clients. There is no better testimonial for a business and because of the number of referrals, Paul and Summer can spend the majority of their time working with their clients instead of trying to recruit new ones. The personal contact with clients and time spent analyzing what is best for each of them makes up the largest portion of their daily routine.

“Our consulting and advice is customized to fit each client’s situation. We are not selling products,” Summer says, “We look

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“We are a Main Street firm, not a Wall Street firm.” at where each family’s needs are and offer our clients positive solutions to secure their financial future.”

A PROGRESSIVE STRATEGY FOR OUR CLIENTS Paul and Summer, a true family team, have recently formed the Texas

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2017

G I V I N G

A N D

G R O W I N G

The Roberts Wealth Management Team.

Wealth Authority, a unique concept in client options for answering financial planning questions. For instance, suppose you have a need for very specific advice concerning estate planning; a question about taxes; refinancing your home or whether to buy or lease a car; all fundamental things that come up in everyday life. As a client of Roberts Wealth Management you have specialists at your disposal to give you the best advice that fits your particular situation.

This is not a referral group, but actual professionals and authorities in their particular fields that are “on call” to assist the Roberts’ clients with whatever need may arise.

LO C AT I O N S •

Houston – Bay Area

•

Houston – West

•

Sugar Land

•

MS Gulf Coast

info@robertswealthtexas.com Phone 281-549-6515 Fax 832-864-3605 RobertsWealthTexas.com

THE ROBERTS WEALTH MANAGEMENT MESSAGE Our typical client is your everyday American family who has worked hard over the years to accumulate a nest egg and needs true retirement planning help. Summer says, “A large part of our expertise is centered on 401 k rollovers and in-service rollovers. Whether you are still working (59 ½ or older), retired, or

have been laid off, sometimes we can roll that money out of your 401 k plan as a tax free rollover into an IRA where you can be in control of where you put it.”

The options for financial advisors are everywhere. It is an industry with a lot of large national companies that tend to have a “cookie cutter” program for clients. Whether you are dissatisfied with your current financial adviser or looking for a first time advisor to make a more secure future for you and your family, the question arises…..who do I trust to manage my retirement and my family’s financial future? One of Paul’s favorite sayings is “We are a Main Street firm, not a Wall Street firm. We look at what fits the financial needs for local, Bay Area Houston families.”

You can contact the Roberts Wealth Management family team by calling 281-549-6515 or come by the office in League City at 3027 Marina Bay Drive. For more information visit www.RobertsWealthTexas.com.

Investment Advisory Services offered through Global Financial Private Capital, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Insurance and annuity products are sold separately through Summer Roberts & Paul E Roberts Jr.

JANUARY 2017 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Yvonne Perrin, left, and Justine Powell arrive at the Assistance League Holiday Reception.

Assistance League Holiday Reception hostess Cecilia Dismukes, right, joins President Dee Cover, left, and Reception Chairman Elizabeth McCarty before the annual party at the Dismukes’ lovely home.

Gathered around the table enjoying tasty hors d’ouvres and good conversation at the Assistance League Holiday Reception are, from left, Kathleen Courville, Betty Walcott, Mari Stockard-Young, Leslie Schwanke, Badiha Nassar and Melanie Lovuola.

W h at f un i t i s t o party e v e ry day !

Festival Capt. Alex Struss with the Clear Lake Sound Waves providing entertainment.

MARY ALYS CHERRY

joined Co-Chairmen Ava Galt and Jan Larson in welcoming the crowd that included Taylor Lake Village City Councilman Tony Galt, Matthew and Angie Weinman, Delicia and Alex Struss, Cindy and Dave Kuenneke, Anita Fogtman and Emmeline Dodd.

Lunar Rendezvous Queen Madelyn Chicester joined the party, as did

UH-CLEAR LAKE kept up the beat, hosting its big annual Holiday Reception Dec. 7 at Bay Oaks Country Club, where retiring President Bill Staples and his wife, Darlene, were on hand to welcome the happy crowd.

Area Legislators Dennis Paul of Clear Lake and Ed Thompson of Pearland were among the crowd, as were Pearland Mayor Tom Reid, attorneys John Gay and his wife, Becky Reitz; Marilyn and Glynn Lunney, Alan and Peggy Hill, Theresa Presswood, Marilyn and Charles Sims, Ken and Nedra

Gurry, Kippy Caraway, Mary Ann Shallberg, Rob and Karen Barbier and Rhonda Thompson.

Plus, Science and Engineering Dean Zbigniew T. Czajkiewicz, College of Education Dean Mark D. Shermis, Business Dean William T. Cummings and Human Sciences and Humanities Dean Rick J. Short.

CLEAR LAKE Panhellenic kept up the beat the next day, Dec. 8, with Diane Shuman hosting the sorority alumnae group’s big annual Holiday Brunch at her home in Bay Oaks.

Diane, in a bright red outfit, joined Brunch Co-Chairmen Judie Ferguson and Sue Ellen Jennings, both wearing colorful Santa hats, and Panhellenic

Photos by Pat Biddle

NO DOUBT about it – the Bay Area loves to party, and what better time than the holidays?

Actually, the wee set got the parties started with the Bay Area Houston Ballet’s Breakfast With the Sugar Plum Fairy at South Shore Harbour Resort and the Bay Area Museum Guild’s Toyland Fantasy breakfast at Bay Oaks Country Club.

What fun it was to watch the little ones in their party garb, dancing around and wearing smiles a mile wide.

And then the parties began with Museum Guild members opening the museum doors Sunday, Dec. 4 for their annual Holiday Open House, where President Brandie Corrao

Former presidents Jim Moore and Patience Myers visit during the Houston Symphony League Bay Area holiday party.

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Hostess Vicky Buxton, right, gets help with arrangements for the symphony league’s annual holiday party at her Clear Lake home from Carole Murphy, special events coordinator.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2017

Houston Symphony League Bay Area President Mary Voigt, center, looks on as Dana Puddy, left, and Alice Steele prepare for the holiday party.

Photos by Jill Reason

Michelle Richardson, Kelli Baliker, Diana Shuman and Ondi Lyon, from left, share a light moment as at the Clear Lake Area Panhellenic Holiday Brunch at the Shuman home in Bay Oaks.

President Jill Reason, wearing white, in welcoming the festive crowd.

Among them were Peggy Clause, Lisa O’Brien, Jennie Hampton, Jo Cat Bruce, Michelle Richardson, Sue Broughton, Judie Ferguson, Kay Lee Benoit, Ondi Lyon, Ruth Beecher, Ellen King, Karen McCorkle, Diane Overman, Jo Nell Hunter, Kathie Wiley, Barbara Dickey, Judie Raiford and Kelli Baliker.

Brenda Hellyer and Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Greg Smith.

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER Director Ellen Ochoa hosted another big party with a number of city officials and aerospace executives joining her and her husband, attorney Coe Miles, Friday, Dec. 9 in JSC’s Building 9 for some good conversation and an update that included noting that we have had a continuous presence on the International Space Station now for 16 years.

Familiar faces in the crowd included Mayors Jon Keeney of Taylor Lake Village and Louis Rigby of La Porte with their wives, Lynn and Marlene, Jacobs Technology Senior VP and GM Lon Miller, Barrios Technology President Robbie McAfoos and his wife, Victoria, and Clear Lake Area Chamber President Cindy Harreld DeWease and her husband, businessman Jeff DeWease.

Plus JSC Deputy Director Mark Geyer, who brightened up the party when he arrived in one of the most colorful jackets we’ve ever seen.

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE members were all wearing big smiles as Cecelia Dismukes hosted their big annual Holiday Reception at her home in Kemah’s Waterford Harbor.

ALBA President Dee Cover and Chairman Elizabeth McCarty joined the hostess in welcoming the arriving crowd, which included Yvonne Perrin, Pam Bungo, Melanie Lovuola, Kathy Panneton, Justine Powell, Badiha Nassar, Kim Barker and Lisa Holbrook.

Others you might have spotted were Brunella Altemus, Becky Richey, Barbara Groh, Katy Bastedo, Kathleen Courville, Mari StockardYoung, Leslie Schwanke, Dee Wolfe, Janet Vallelungo, Elaine Rister, Barbara Weitenhagen, Jean Simms, Mary Vaughn, Brook Cimas, Betty Walcott, Sandra Kelver, Cookie

Clear Lake Panhellenic Holiday Brunch Co-Chairmen Judie Ferguson and Sue Ellen Jennings and Panhellenic President Jill Reason, from left, stand ready to welcome the crowd.

Derderian, Amy Wortham, Betty Stoub and Joyce Alderman.

HOUSTON SYMPHONY League Bay Area members gathered at the home of Vicki Buxton in Clear Lake for their annual Holiday Reception, chaired by Special Events Coordinator Carole Murphy.

Buzzing around the Buxton home, you probably would have bumped into President Mary Voigt, Dana Puddy, Pat Biddle Kahl and Alice Steele and former Presidents Jim Moore and Patience Myers – just a few of the many who dropped by for the holiday celebration.

OTHERS joining the party-goround included the Clear Lake Area Chamber and League City Regional Chamber Holiday Receptions at their offices, Recherche Christmas Brunch at Lakewood Yacht Club, Bay Oaks Country Club and Lakewood Yacht Club holiday parties for members and on and on….

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

BAY AREA HOUSTON Economic Partnership members gathered at Lakewood Yacht Club later that day with Mayors Glenn Royal of Seabrook, Johnny Isbell of Pasadena, Carl Joiner of Kemah and Michel Bechtel of Morgan’s Point in the crowd that filled up the ballroom.

Joining them were State Rep. Dr. Greg Bonnen, Houston City Councilman Dave Martin and a host of business men and women celebrating the holiday season.

Plus, UHCL President Bill Staples, San Jacinto College Chancellor

Barbara Dickey, Karen McCorkle, Kay Lee Benoit, Jo Nell Hunter and Jo Cat Bruce, from left, were among the many attending the Clear Lake Area Panhellenic Holiday Brunch at the Bay Oaks home of Diane Shuman in Clear Lake.

Taylor Lake Village City Councilman Tony Galt, from left, visits with Anita Fogtman, and Cindy and Dave Kuenneke at the Bay Area Museum Gsuild Holiday Open House.

Bay Area Museum Guild President Brandie Corrao welcomes Lunar Rendezvous Queen Madelyn Chicester and Festival Capt. Alex Struss to the Guild Holiday Open House at the museum.

Jan Larson, left, and Ava Galt, cochairmen of the Bay Area Museum Guild open house, make a last-minute check on the refreshments before guests arrive.

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What’s in a Name?

By Michael W. Gos Wichita Falls, Texas

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t is a long way from Clear Lake to Wichita Falls up near the Panhandle at the Oklahoma line.

It was our overnight stop on a trip to Caprock Canyon. The first thing I did on arrival was find the town’s namesake. As I stood leaning against the rail below the falls, I couldn’t help overhearing the conversation of two women sitting on a nearby bench.

“She was my seventh interview today.

I looked at her resume for just a few seconds before she came in. I couldn’t even guess at how to pronounce her name.

It was spelled s-h-a-hyphen-a. I had to guess so I went with ‘Sha aa.’

“She gave me a condescending look and said, ‘it’s Shadasha. The dash is pronounced.’ I thought about telling her it was a hyphen and not a dash, but I thought better of it.”

My first response, of course, was

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to struggle to stifle a laugh. As a professor, I too often encounter strange names at the beginning of semesters. Sometimes foreign students have names that are difficult for me, and often, even American students have names I’ve never seen before. But those thoughts quickly passed as I relaxed, watching the water pouring over the multiple levels of rock. I found myself thinking instead about the significance of the names we give children. How do we decide on names and do the names we choose somehow affect who those children will grow up to be?

Many writers have grappled with this question over the centuries. The most famous discussion probably occurred when Shakespeare asked: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

While Shakespeare seems to believe names are inconsequential, I tend to disagree. Even though I have no hard

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2017

evidence to support it, I have a gut feeling that our names really do have a lot to do with who we are.

It seems to me there are three basic tactics people use when choosing names for their offspring.

Oftentimes parents choose a name because they want to honor some older family member by passing that name on to their child.

Sometimes this becomes so entrenched in family custom that we see multigenerational names, and we are forced to begin attaching numbers to the names to identify which “Henry Wilkes” we are referring to (junior, the third, fourth, etc.). While I understand the respect and love involved when naming a child after a relative, it just doesn’t

seem to say much about the person bearing that name.

Another common tactic is to pick names that carry some special meaning. There are several books on the market with lists of baby names and their meanings. My parents chose Michael because the books said

it means “Godly One.” My wife Jill’s name means “Youthful.” In cases like that, I think parents are probably engaged in forward planning. They believe a name is instrumental in who the child will become. They pick a name they hope will facilitate the desired result. My parents freely

admitted that as their motive. I don’t have to tell you it didn’t work.

A third approach would be the one we see in many Native American cultures.

Instead of naming a child for whom they want him to grow up to be, they wait until the child is old enough to show his true essence, and only then do they give the name that he will carry for life. The newborn gets a temporary placeholder name that will change when his true character starts to show. Remember John Dunbar becoming Dances With Wolves?

I think there is evidence that the ancient Greeks tended to share the Native American view of names, in theory, if not in practice.

Take the example of Odysseus in The Odyssey.

While he has a name he was given at birth, every time he is asked who he is, his name is only the beginning of his answer. He follows it with an entire story of his life. He gives the names of his father and grandfather followed by a litany of what battles

he was in, who he killed, who he conquered and was conquered by, how much land he has and the gods that love and hate him. This kind of self-identification seems to me a far better way to present ourselves, and it is still with us today in some of the Native American naming ceremonies.

About 30 years ago, I had the amazing experience of going through such a ceremony. For weeks, a committee of three interviewed me, and most of my friends, including ones I hadn’t seen in years. I got no feedback on their findings at any time during the process but on the day of the ceremony itself, it was announced that one day, about ten years earlier, I was walking along the beach on Lake Michigan with an old girlfriend when we saw a large yellow bird sitting in a fallen tree at the foot of a dune.

I still don’t know today if it was a hawk, and eagle, or an osprey; I’m not a birder. But I was fascinated. My girlfriend stayed at the water’s edge while I walked closer and closer by degrees until I finally got within six feet of the bird. I was mesmerized at the needle-like beak and talons on him. I never realized they were that sharp. It let me understand just how they were able to capture prey so easily.

The bird and I stared, checking each other out up and down for about three minutes, and he seemed to be in no way intimidated by my presence.

He could have flown off at any time, and I expected he would. With this human invading his space like that, it was the rational thing to do. But he just looked at me.

Eventually, I walked back to the lady who was waiting on me and we continued on our way. About a hundred yards down the beach, I turned around to look back at the tree and saw that he too had moved on.

Apparently the lady I was with related the event to the committee when they contacted her, and on that night I received the name “Yellowhawk.”

It seems to me that a name that reflects who we are is far more meaningful than either of the other options because it carries a truth about us, something the other options lack. A name should define us for the world, not tell what someone planned for us to be. As cowboy poet Buck Ramsey wrote: “We are what we do, not what we lay claim to.”

Too bad it doesn’t work that way in our society.

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New rides for a New year

By Don Armstrong

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he popularity of crossovers and SUVs is unprecedented, seems everyone has one in the family stable. Although sedans and minivans may not be as popular as they once were, Chrysler and Kia have completely redesigned non-SUV’s that are worthy of a look-see.

Kia Cadenza

Chrysler Pacifica The Town and Country was a name that was once synonymous with Chrysler’s luxury minivan. Now, with its complete redesign, comes a new name, Pacifica.

Chrysler took all the good things its outgoing minivan had to offer and honed them into a beautifully styled and executed all-new do-all.

Sitting in front of the Pacifica’s highly-stylized dash are comfortable bucket seats with a magical center console positioned between them.

Second and third row Stow-and-Go seating makes this ride a handyman’s dream with a cargo area behind the

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front seats capable of swallowing an entire 4 X 8 sheet of plywood.

Chrysler’s U-Connect infotainment system, dual second-row screens for the kids and a built-in vacuum make this the ultimate kid hauler.

Power comes from a 3.3-liter V-6 that gets 28-mpg highway and delivers 287-horsepower through a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2017

Forget the stigma, be different. After you take the neighbors with you to the kid’s soccer tournament in the hill country, we promise accolades from everyone.

Entry-level pricing for the LX starts at $28,595

When you think of luxury sedans, what comes to mind? Mercedes, BMW, Lexus? How about Kia? Stay with us here.

The Cadenza may not have the “luxury” brand name behind it but this car could easily fit in any of those manufacturer’s lineups.

The Kia Cadenza is a sharplooking, full-size, near-luxury sedan that checks all the boxes for design, integration, materials and execution.

Its body is tightly sculpted, the grille hints at Kia’s now signature pinchedin-the-middle design and front and rear head and tail light assemblies highlight styling.

The high-zoot Limited trim level brings quilted leather to the 10-way driver’s seat. We found the dash to be attractive and highly functional, allowing adjustments to climate and infotainment a breeze. Rear seating is among the roomiest and most comfortable of any full-size sedan.

The 290-horsepower V-6 is as smooth as glass and the all-new 8-speed automatic transmission is seamless and responsive.

Ride and handling is spot-on, not too stiff and perfectly engineered for quick, aggressive moves.

Starts at $31,990.

A really cool Holiday Luncheon P hotography by P eggy H ill

The Lakewood Ladies Association celebrated the season with its annual Holiday Luncheon at the club on a day many found cool enough for both fun and furs.

Andrea Todaro and Beth Ann Maxwell-Davis

Tammy Severance and Stephanie Walker

Elaine Keith, from left, Sherri Anderson, Anna DeWald and Ruby Garrett

Dottie Legendre, Pat Macaluso, Marisa Hegyesi and Donna Hathaway

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2017

Rosemary Bettis, left, with Jane O’Neal

Karen Daigle, left, with Camille Bryan

Amy Dumphy, right, with Linda Tow

Marie Gregory and Vivienne Werner

Barbara Gessner, left, and Sandy Lewis

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Hosted by THE Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre

Peyton and Presley Stewart can hardly contain their excitement as they get to meet the lovely Sugar Plum Fairy, Laura Massague, during the Bay Area Houston Ballet breakfast at South Shore Harbour Resort.

Jenieng Hampton and her cute little daughter, Jaira, are ready to enjoy the Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre’s Breakfast With the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Sofia Sbaschnig, 5, can hardly believe her eyes as she takes in the beauty of the gingerbread house at South Shore Harbour Resort.

Meet the Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre’s worker bees, who keep the company and its dancers on their toes. They are, from left, Donna Kline, Diane Younkers, Karen Montalvo and Perki Finn

Melanie Younger and her daughters, Kaitlyn, right, and Kenzie, arrive at South Shore Harbour Resort to have Breakfast With the Sugar Plum Fairy, hosted by Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre.

These pretty young ladies play the cooks in the ballet vignettes from The Nutcracker during the Breakfast. They are Madison Merrill, Addyson Sumner and Alicia Price.

Memorial Hermann Southeast marking its 30th anniversary

T

here was no GPS, no Google and no DVD players when Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital opened its doors at 11800 Astoria Boulevard in Houston on Dec. 6, 1986. In fact, at least in name, there was no Memorial Hermann Southeast.

Originally part of the Memorial Hospital System, Memorial Hospital Southeast, located at 7655 Bellfort

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Avenue in Houston, opened its doors in 1963. As Southeast Houston began to grow, the hospitals landlocked location didn’t allow for further expansion. Given the circumstances, the Board of the Memorial Hospital System purchased the acreage on Astoria Avenue for a new Memorial Hospital Southeast to be built.

The newly located 276-bed Memorial Hospital Southeast

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2017

Joining Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Senior Vice President and CEO Kyle Price, third from left, to recognize Memorial Hermann Southeast’s 30 year anniversary at its Astoria Boulevard location are, from left, Christian Bionat, district director for Congressman Pete Olson; State Rep. Dennis Paul and Pearland Mayor Tom Reid.

(continued from page 32) opened with a new name. In 1997, Hermann Hospital had merged with the Memorial Healthcare System -today known as Memorial Hermann Health System -- and Memorial Hospital Southeast became Memorial Hermann Southeast.

Today Memorial Hermann Southeast is a 293-bed hospital that sits on a 56-acre campus with plenty of room to grow. Currently, the hospital is undergoing a $14 million renovation which includes the refurbishing and upgrading of all 237 patient rooms. The project is expected to be completed by 2018.

“We’re excited to celebrate this important milestone in Memorial Hermann Southeast’s history,” said, Senior Vice President and CEO Kyle Price. “Thanks to the community, our physicians, nurses and staff, we’re still going strong. As part of our commitment to the growing community, we recently expanded our scope of services with the opening of the Memorial Hermann Urgent Care – Clear Lake and coming soon our Memorial Hermann Convenient Care Center in League

City. In some ways we feel the best is yet to come.”

Memorial Hermann Southeast is one of the busiest emergency centers in the Memorial Hermann Health System with an average of 200 visits per day. The campus, Price said, is proud to be accredited by The Joint Commission with Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement and Primary Stroke Centers, and is consistently named among the nation’s 50 top cardiovascular hospitals by Truven Health Analytics.

Memorial Hermann Southeast also offers a comprehensive Women’s and Children’s program. The hospital’s Level III neonatal intensive care unit is capable of caring for the smallest and sickest newborns with access to an even higher level of care at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.

For information on the wide variety of services available at Memorial Hermann Southeast, call 713-2222273 or visit memorialhermann.org/ locations/southeast/

JANUARY 2017 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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The crew of the Apollo 7, from left, Donn Eisele, Water Schirra and Cunningham.

Apollo 7 astronaut to discuss mission’s historical significance

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ormer astronaut and retired Marine Corps Col. Walter Cunningham is the first to say that the Apollo 7 mission is one that history may have forgotten. He will include that in a public discussion at the University of Houston-Clear Lake 5:30 p.m., Jan. 5, as part of the university’s Clear Lake Association of Senior Programs “Visions in Our Midst” Distinguished Speaker Series.

The lecture, titled “Apollo VII: The First of Five Giant Steps to the

Moon,” will be held in the Garden Room of UHCL’s Bayou Building, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston.

It is the first event in the 2017 series of Clear Lake Association of Senior Programs (CLASP), which provides learning opportunities through a wide variety of free lectures for all ages every first Thursday of the month. Free parking is available in the Visitors Lot. The full spring schedule is at www.uhcl.edu/ alumni/clasp.

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[ LET US ENTERTAIN YOU! ]

Signatures Grand Opening and Bay Area Houston Magazine Christmas Party United States Marines and their families along with other guests attended the recent Signatures Grand Opening and Bay Area Houston Magazine Christmas Party.

[ LET US ENTERTAIN YOU! ]

[ LET US ENTERTAIN YOU! ]

League City Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Steve Paterson on Thursday, Dec. 15 presented Vice President and General Manager John Elbon of Boeing’s Space Exploration Division with a proclamation celebrating that company’s 100th year in business -- A Century of Innovation.

NEWS NUGGETS League City taps John Baumgartner John Baumgartner was unanimously appointed interim city manager of League City during a special meeting on Dec. 19. City Council voted 8-0-0 to approve the appointment for a six-month period beginning Dec. 20.

“I am humbled by the support that City Council and the community have shown to me throughout this transition,” Baumgartner said.

“League City is my home and together we will continue working with the entire community to build upon our successes as we strive to provide world-class customer service.”

Baumgartner unofficially assumed the role of acting city manager on Dec. 13, when the council fired City Manager Mark Rohr.

“League City has a bright future and we know that John Baumgartner is the right choice to see us through this period of transition and bridge the gaps,” said Mayor Pat Hallisey.

“He is a member of this community, actively involved in issues important to the city and a true public servant.”

San Jacinto College ranked 2nd in nation San Jacinto College is ranked second in the nation when it comes to education for science technologies and technicians, according to Community College Week’s recent 2016 Top 100 rankings.

The college’s process technology program offers courses no other college does and is nationally recognized for its successful classroom-to-industry workforce pipeline.

“San Jacinto College’s training of petrochemical industry

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technicians is well known across the entire Gulf Coast region in student success excellence,” said Joseph Zwiercan, department chair of petrochemical/energy at San Jacinto College. “ TACTE recognized the process technology program as an exemplary and innovative career and technology program, which offers two courses unique to San Jacinto College: Soft Skills and Basic Mechanical Skills for Energy. Zwiercan said industry partners have expressed the importance of graduates holding both of these skill sets.

Mendoza to chair Go Red Luncheon In its ongoing effort to elevate public awareness about heart disease, the American Heart Association has announced the 2017 Bay Area Go Red for Women Cause Sponsor and Chairman Santiago Mendoza Jr. of Bay Area Regional Medical Center.

The 2017 Go Red for Women Luncheon Friday, Feb. 24 at South Shore Harbour Resort is expected to draw more than 500 attendees and plans to set new fundraising records for the Bay Area Division and mission of the AHA. Mendoza serves as the senior vice president of business development and marketing for Bay Area Regional Medical Center.

Registration opens for Science Fair Electronic registration is now open for the 58th annual Science

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2017

and Engineering Fair of Houston, Texas’ largest regional science fair, taking place Feb. 24-28, 2017 at the University of Houston.

Students in grades 7-12 throughout Houston and southeast Texas who have a passion for science, engineering, technology and math are encouraged to register. Participating students will showcase their projects to industry leaders, competing for the opportunity to participate in state and international science fairs.

Festival court applications due Applications for the 2017 Lunar Rendezvous Festival Court are available online at www. lunarrendezvous.org Eleventh grade students who are interested in becoming a Festival Princess or Lieutenant, or children between the ages of 7 and 9 who wish to be a Little Lady in Waiting or a Page are encouraged to complete an application.

All completed applications must be emailed to lunarrendezvousfestival2017@gmail. com no later than Jan. 31, 2017. An informational meeting will be held on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. at the University of Houston-Clear Lake Bayou Building.

Space exhibit a big winner Space Center Houston’s Independence Plaza won the attraction industry’s highest honor at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo Brass Ring Awards Ceremony -earning the prestigious Impact Award and Best New Product for Displays and Sets.

“We are extremely honored and appreciative that our world-class exhibit received the most prestigious attractions industry award from our colleagues at IAAPA,” said President and CEO William T. Harris. “This exhibit is an unprecedented learning experience for generations to come.”

The Impact Award, one of the most distinguished of the international Brass Ring Awards program, is given to a category winner that had or will have the most impact on the future of the industry. Since opening last January, Independence Plaza has garnered international news stories and drawn visitors from around the world. Developing an exhibit unlike anything else in the world was no small feat. Throughout the construction process, Jack Rouse Associates provided complete planning, design and project management for Independence Plaza.

The eight-story multiple-exhibit complex is the biggest project for the nonprofit since the center opened

in 1992. Bringing the legacy of the 30-year shuttle program to life, Independence Plaza features handson activities, multimedia displays and NASA artifacts – all inside the original shuttle carrier aircraft, NASA 905, with a shuttle replica mounted on top.

Pearland City Hall renovation OK’d Pearland City Council has approved a $6.1 million construction contract for the City Hall Complex Renovation Project. The complex is home to a host of city departments and houses more than 100 city employees and serves as a meeting location for all public meetings including City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission meetings.

The facility also houses the city’s Administration, Finance and Human Resources departments, which support 650 city employees.

In addition, the Community Development Department processes approximately 15,000 permits a year while meeting with homeowners and developers at the City Hall Complex, and the Water Billing and Collections Department handles utility bills for Pearland’s 139,300 residents.

Parr Elementary, PTA recognized National PTA has recognized Ralph Parr Elementary and Parr Elementary PTA as a National PTA School of Excellence for their achievement in building effective family-school partnerships. It is one of 173 schools nationwide and one of only 16 schools in Texas to receive this award.

Research shows that when families and schools work together, student achievement increases, schools improve and communities grow stronger.

Memorial Hermann In nation’s Top 50 Four Memorial Hermann hospitals have been collectively named among the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics,TM an IBM company.

Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital, Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital and Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, have been named among the 50 top Cardiovascular Hospitals eight times.

The Truven study, now in its 18th year, singled out 50 hospitals that achieved superior clinical, operational and financial performance in this critical area of hospital care. The 100 Top Hospitals study is well-regarded for evaluating leadership impact in a hospital, as well as for evaluating quality indicators and efficiencies.